Local News

Saanich residents can apply for a rebate when purchasing electric bikes, courtesy of the District of Saanich. (District of Saanich)

District of Saanich will pay up to $1,600 per household in e-bike rebates

Pilot program said to be first of its kind of B.C. among local governments

Owners Garvin, left, and Shanon Tse outside Helmcken Market on Oct. 15, its last day in business after 48 years. Community members gathered outside the View Royal market to show their appreciation. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

View Royal thanks Helmcken Market for its friendly legacy as the store closes after 48 years

Community members gathered to show their appreciation for the owners on Oct. 15

Sooke School District students who go on trips abroad won’t be able to return to the classroom for 14 days after their return. (Black Press Media file photo)

No virtual learning for SD62 unvaccinated students isolating after international travel

Sooke School District recommends making arrangements with teachers before travelling

Oak Bay’s survey for its five-year financial plan, aimed at residents and business and property owners, opens Oct. 24 online, with paper copies available at municipal hall. (Black Press Media file photo)

Oak Bay seeks public’s voice in five-year budget planning

Survey opens Oct. 24 online, with paper copies available at municipal hall

Oak Bay’s survey for its five-year financial plan, aimed at residents and business and property owners, opens Oct. 24 online, with paper copies available at municipal hall. (Black Press Media file photo)
Denis Harrigan (left), former principal at Spectrum Community School, and Phil Watt, a former teacher at Spectrum and alumni board member. The two men stand with a portrait of their late former colleague, Brian Whitmore. (Photo courtesy of Michelle Rachel)

Commemorative service honours longstanding career of former Spectrum School teacher

Brian Whitmore was a beloved teacher and colleague at the school who passed away last July

Denis Harrigan (left), former principal at Spectrum Community School, and Phil Watt, a former teacher at Spectrum and alumni board member. The two men stand with a portrait of their late former colleague, Brian Whitmore. (Photo courtesy of Michelle Rachel)
The Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board’s 2022 provisional budget is 7.05 per cent higher compared to 2021 with pay raises and additional resources driving the increased price tag. (Black Press Media File photo.)

Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board’s proposed budget price up 7 per cent from 2021

Department pay increases, new resources like six additional officers driving the cost increase

The Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board’s 2022 provisional budget is 7.05 per cent higher compared to 2021 with pay raises and additional resources driving the increased price tag. (Black Press Media File photo.)
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In this photo released by NASA, a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket with the Lucy spacecraft stands ready to launch from Space Launch Complex 41, Saturday, Oct. 16, 2021, at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. Lucy will be the first spacecraft to study Jupiter’s Trojan Asteroids. Like the mission’s namesake – the fossilized human ancestor, “Lucy,” whose skeleton provided unique insight into humanity’s evolution – Lucy will revolutionize our knowledge of planetary origins and the formation of the solar system. (Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP)
VIDEO: NASA’s asteroid hunter Lucy soars into sky with diamonds
A car heads to the U.S. border crossing, Monday, August 9, 2021 in Lacolle, Que., south of Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Canadians cheer, Freeland urges caution as U.S. unveils land border travel plan
A vial of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is shown at a clinic in Toronto on Thursday, January 7, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Kids as young as 5 could get COVID vaccine next month, must wear masks: Dr. Henry
Retired astronaut Col. Chris Hadfield talks about his own extraordinary stories of leadership as one of the keynote speakers at the Greatness in Leadership business management event in Lethbridge, Alberta on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/David Rossiter
Chris Hadfield to Captain Kirk: Astronaut urges William Shatner to ‘soak up’ space
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University of Victoria researcher and biodiversity expert Brian Starzomski on the hunt for tiny plant treasures at Oak Bay’s Harling Point in early October. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

‘Nature’s Mona Lisa’: How Greater Victoria’s autumn rains bring ‘second spring’ and spur global plant rarities

Harling Point is one of the few remaining habitats for the threatened species

University of Victoria researcher and biodiversity expert Brian Starzomski on the hunt for tiny plant treasures at Oak Bay’s Harling Point in early October. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
Iris McNeil, who was murdered in 1997. (Photo courtesy of the McNeil family)

Killer’s bid for parole from Metchosin institution denied again

Victim’s family happy with decision, angered by the process

Iris McNeil, who was murdered in 1997. (Photo courtesy of the McNeil family)
(Black Press Media file photo)

Oak Bay secondary suites final strategy report before council Monday

Full Urban Systems report available online

(Black Press Media file photo)
Sidney’s chief administrative officer says a lot of work needs to be done for the community to reach its carbon emission goals. (Black Press Media file photo)

A lot of work ahead for Sidney to meet its climate change emissions goals, says CAO

But Randy Humble also said reductions are achievable with community-wide effort

Sidney’s chief administrative officer says a lot of work needs to be done for the community to reach its carbon emission goals. (Black Press Media file photo)
B.C.’s updated legislation does not limit a landlord’s ability to alter rental rates after work on a unit is complete. Victoria council is waiting to see how changes to the Rental Tenancy Act could impact local bylaws. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria delays action on renoviction protection bylaw

Council waiting to see impact of provincial legislation changes

B.C.’s updated legislation does not limit a landlord’s ability to alter rental rates after work on a unit is complete. Victoria council is waiting to see how changes to the Rental Tenancy Act could impact local bylaws. (Black Press Media file photo)
Esquimalt Coun. Ken Armour (left), Dillon Takata and Mayor Barb Desjardin shovel ceremonial scoops of soil onto what will soon be a small cherry tree forest in Gorge Park. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Cherry tree planting honours Japanese heritage in Esquimalt park

Gorge Park was the site of Canada’s first Japanese garden

Esquimalt Coun. Ken Armour (left), Dillon Takata and Mayor Barb Desjardin shovel ceremonial scoops of soil onto what will soon be a small cherry tree forest in Gorge Park. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Server Roxanne Cameron sets up a ping pong table on the street patio area outside Pagliacci’s restaurant on Broad Street as she and other staff get ready for opening. The eatery supplied both the ping pong and a foosball table for patrons who want to enjoy the outdoor space. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria council gives pandemic patios year-long extension

Extending Build Back Victoria programs until fall 2022 gets the green light

Server Roxanne Cameron sets up a ping pong table on the street patio area outside Pagliacci’s restaurant on Broad Street as she and other staff get ready for opening. The eatery supplied both the ping pong and a foosball table for patrons who want to enjoy the outdoor space. (Black Press Media file photo)
To celebrate finishing his first round of chemotherapy, Addison Johnston (left) and his younger brother Ryland were taken to a Japanese restaurant in Vancouver by parents Kristin and Shane Johnston. But lots of treatment remains for the teenager, and his family has learned some hard lessons about the healthcare system. (submitted photo)

Chilliwack parents discover gaps in health care as teenage son battles leukemia

Though he’s 17-years-old, Addison Johnston couldn’t access treatment at B.C. Children’s Hospital

To celebrate finishing his first round of chemotherapy, Addison Johnston (left) and his younger brother Ryland were taken to a Japanese restaurant in Vancouver by parents Kristin and Shane Johnston. But lots of treatment remains for the teenager, and his family has learned some hard lessons about the healthcare system. (submitted photo)
Sidney has announced the official re-opening of Parking Lot B between Second and Third streets. The lot was unavailable during the construction of the Oceanna Building. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Downtown parking lot re-opens in Sidney

Re-opening of Parking Lot B adds 35 free public parking spaces

Sidney has announced the official re-opening of Parking Lot B between Second and Third streets. The lot was unavailable during the construction of the Oceanna Building. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
The Department of National Defence will be conducting a night firing exercise at Heals Range in Saanich on Oct. 16. (MARPAC Imaging Services)

Night firing exercise taking over Heals Range in Saanich

Department of National Defence reminds public that no unauthorized personnel allowed on site

The Department of National Defence will be conducting a night firing exercise at Heals Range in Saanich on Oct. 16. (MARPAC Imaging Services)
Oak Bay High School is one of four Greater Victoria schools recently added to Island Health’s COVID-19 exposure list. (Black Press Media file photo)

More COVID-19 exposures reported at Greater Victoria schools

Four new exposures reported by Island Health

Oak Bay High School is one of four Greater Victoria schools recently added to Island Health’s COVID-19 exposure list. (Black Press Media file photo)
Residents are concerned for pedestrian safety around the intersection of Sayward and Alderley roads in Saanich, an area frequented by heavy industrial vehicles. (Photo courtesy of Vina Moldoveanu)

Pat Bay industrial traffic putting pedestrians in peril, Saanich resident says

Pedestrian-activated crosswalk at Sayward and Alderley roads among solutions offered

Residents are concerned for pedestrian safety around the intersection of Sayward and Alderley roads in Saanich, an area frequented by heavy industrial vehicles. (Photo courtesy of Vina Moldoveanu)
Consultation for the redevelopment of the Oak Bay Lodge property continues. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Council airs concerns over potential uses for former Oak Bay Lodge lands

Resident concerns forwarded to Capital Regional Hospital District

Consultation for the redevelopment of the Oak Bay Lodge property continues. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
The District of Sooke is mulling plans for the development of John Phillips Memorial Park. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke council gets wires crossed on park plans

Two proposals considered by council

The District of Sooke is mulling plans for the development of John Phillips Memorial Park. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)