Local News

Kevin ‘Bear’ Henry’s mother, Eileen Henry (left) is comforted by uncle James Henry as the vigil for their missing loved one begins in the morning on Jan. 8. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Friends and family hold vigil for missing person Kevin ‘Bear’ Henry

Henry was last heard from 42 days ago on Nov. 27

Kevin ‘Bear’ Henry’s mother, Eileen Henry (left) is comforted by uncle James Henry as the vigil for their missing loved one begins in the morning on Jan. 8. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Dr. Chris Willott of the Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre in Saanich served as co-lead for Canada’s contribution to the James Webb Space Telescope. (Photo Courtesy of Chris Willott)

Space telescope to explore earliest galaxies thanks to work of Greater Victoria scientists

Team at Herzberg research centre helped design the James Webb Space Telescope

Dr. Chris Willott of the Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre in Saanich served as co-lead for Canada’s contribution to the James Webb Space Telescope. (Photo Courtesy of Chris Willott)
Greater Victoria’s unemployment rate was 3.9 per cent in December 2021, down 0.1 per cent compared to November 2021, according to Statistics Canada. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria among the tightest labour markets in Canada

Only jurisdictions in Quebec, Ontario have lower rates than Greater Victoria’s 3.9 per cent

Greater Victoria’s unemployment rate was 3.9 per cent in December 2021, down 0.1 per cent compared to November 2021, according to Statistics Canada. (Black Press Media file photo)
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Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux waits to appear before the Commons Finance committee on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on March 10, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
PBO report questions need for Liberals’ planned stimulus spending
A kitten interacts with a human as folks take part in Yoga with Cats on Mats at the Chilliwack Animal Safe Haven, 2019. Indoor yoga, gyms and dance studios have been shut down since before Christmas by a COVID-19 public health order. (Jenna Hauck/Chilliwack Progress)
B.C. reopening gyms, fitness on Thursday with COVID-19 precautions
The Canada Post logo is seen on the outside the company’s Pacific Processing Centre, in Richmond, B.C., on June 1, 2017. A claim by Chinese health authorities that the Omicron variant was introduced to a resident of Beijing through a piece of regular mail from Canada is being dismissed as ludicrous. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
China’s claim that Omicron came from Canadian mail dismissed as ‘ludicrous’
A women walk her dog past a parked school bus in the deep snow after a major snow storm in Mississauga, Ont., on Monday, January 17, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Winter storm causing school closures, transportation disruptions in parts of Ontario
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Peninsula Panthers forward Logan Speirs and owner Pete Zubersky console Don Colegrave during a memorial ceremony for Grant Gilbertson Friday night at the Panorama Recreation Centre. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

‘Our loyal friend’: Grant Gilbertson remembered at Peninsula Panthers pre-game ceremony

Gilbertson, a Panthers forward, died in a car crash just days earlier

Peninsula Panthers forward Logan Speirs and owner Pete Zubersky console Don Colegrave during a memorial ceremony for Grant Gilbertson Friday night at the Panorama Recreation Centre. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Arbutus Cove in Gordon Head remains closed post-landslide as engineering teams assess safety and underlying causes of the event. (Photo courtesy of Saanich Parks and Recreation)

Saanich’s Arbutus Cove area remains closed post-landslide, crews continue to assess safety

Public access point to be inaccessible until safety can be assured

Arbutus Cove in Gordon Head remains closed post-landslide as engineering teams assess safety and underlying causes of the event. (Photo courtesy of Saanich Parks and Recreation)
View Royal Mayor David Screech finds himself annually explaining to residents that property taxes don’t increase or decrease to the same degree as property assessments. With assessments jumping 25 to 30 per cent in his municipality alone, he felt the need to post an explanation on social media. (Black Press Media file photo)

Assessments vs. property tax: Greater Victoria valuations soar, taxes may not

Average increase, municipal budget shape tax increases more than individual assessment hike

View Royal Mayor David Screech finds himself annually explaining to residents that property taxes don’t increase or decrease to the same degree as property assessments. With assessments jumping 25 to 30 per cent in his municipality alone, he felt the need to post an explanation on social media. (Black Press Media file photo)
Taller buildings take longer to build. With added delays from labour shortages and supply chain issues and Langford developers are struggling to demand with new housing construction. (Black Press Media file photo)

Development-focused Langford is still seeing prices rise and supply remains low

Longer construction times means the market is being squeezed, according to CMHC analyst

Taller buildings take longer to build. With added delays from labour shortages and supply chain issues and Langford developers are struggling to demand with new housing construction. (Black Press Media file photo)
Removal of snow, ice, and debris from city and neighbourhood drains is an important way to prevent flooding in the region. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Greater Victoria residents encouraged to clear snow from neighbourhood drains as melting occurs

Keeping storm drains clear of snow and ice helps prevent flooding

Removal of snow, ice, and debris from city and neighbourhood drains is an important way to prevent flooding in the region. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Jesse Chiavaroli, a former Victoria restaurant employee, has been charged with sexual assault and assault with a weapon. (Black Press Media file photo)

Former Victoria restaurant employee charged with sexual assault, assault with weapon

Jesse Chiavaroli was arrested on the Lower Mainland following a VicPD investigation

Jesse Chiavaroli, a former Victoria restaurant employee, has been charged with sexual assault and assault with a weapon. (Black Press Media file photo)
More than 3,000 BC Hydro customers were without power in Greater Victoria earlier on Jan. 7. (Black Press Media file photo)

UPDATE: Some power outages in Greater Victoria yet to be resolved

Hundreds of customers, primarily in and around Sooke, still awaiting restoration of power Friday

More than 3,000 BC Hydro customers were without power in Greater Victoria earlier on Jan. 7. (Black Press Media file photo)
Lorelee Parker ,Vancouver Island Regional Library manager for Sooke and Port Renfrew, stands outside the new library in Sooke. The $7.5-million facility is expected to open this spring. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke awaits completion of $7.5-million library

New facility includes state-of-the-art amenities R

Lorelee Parker ,Vancouver Island Regional Library manager for Sooke and Port Renfrew, stands outside the new library in Sooke. The $7.5-million facility is expected to open this spring. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
Don Denton/News staff October 17 2012 - Passengers stand on the top outside deck of the BC Ferries' vessel Coastal Celebration in Active Pass during a sailing from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay.

UPDATE: BC Ferries cancels sailings between Vancouver Island and mainland amid high winds

Sailings as late as 6 p.m. are impacted for now

Don Denton/News staff October 17 2012 - Passengers stand on the top outside deck of the BC Ferries' vessel Coastal Celebration in Active Pass during a sailing from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay.
Victoria Police Department headquarters. (Black Press Media file photo)

VicPD redeploys officers to frontlines in anticipation of critical officer shortage

Over 50 Victoria police officers already off work for various reasons

Victoria Police Department headquarters. (Black Press Media file photo)
People brave strong winds along the Ogden Point breakwater during wind warnings issued by Environment Canada Jan. 5. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Environment Canada issues wind warning for Greater Victoria

Strong winds forecast from Friday morning to early afternoon

People brave strong winds along the Ogden Point breakwater during wind warnings issued by Environment Canada Jan. 5. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
8408 Lawrence Rd. in Central Saanich sold last fall for its asking price of $22.75 million. According to BC Assessment, it was assessed at just under $11.15 million as of July 1, 2021. (Courtesy of Engel & Volkers)

Saanich Peninsula property’s $23-million selling price over double its 2021 assessment

BC Assessment valued 8404 Lawrence Rd. in Central Saanich at just over $11 million.

8408 Lawrence Rd. in Central Saanich sold last fall for its asking price of $22.75 million. According to BC Assessment, it was assessed at just under $11.15 million as of July 1, 2021. (Courtesy of Engel & Volkers)
The City of Colwood is now able to track traffic moving through eight intersections. (Screenshot courtesy of City of Colwood)

Colwood launches new traffic dashboard

While helping motorists plan their routes, the data will guide city on infrastructure planning

The City of Colwood is now able to track traffic moving through eight intersections. (Screenshot courtesy of City of Colwood)
Anna’s hummingbirds, many of which depend on bird feeders around Greater Victoria homes, can be put in peril when those feeders freeze up during the cold weather, or are not cleaned regularly. (Black Press Media file photo)

Wintry weather around Greater Victoria prompts tips for wildlife and pet care

Wild ARC warns residents to commit fully to feeding vulnerable hummingbirds, if at all

Anna’s hummingbirds, many of which depend on bird feeders around Greater Victoria homes, can be put in peril when those feeders freeze up during the cold weather, or are not cleaned regularly. (Black Press Media file photo)
Island Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the Clover Point Care long-term care home in Victoria. (Google StreetView)

New COVID outbreak declared at Victoria long-term home

More cases also announced at Victoria and Nanaimo facilities with existing outbreaks

Island Health has declared a COVID-19 outbreak at the Clover Point Care long-term care home in Victoria. (Google StreetView)
University of Victoria psychologist Nigel Mantou Lou led a research project studying Asian-Canadian discrimination in Canada. He and his team found that anti-Asian racism has increased during the pandemic. (Courtesy UVic Photo Services)

UVic study shows hate crimes against Asian Canadians increase during pandemic

Many survey participants fear their children will be bullied due to their Chinese identity

University of Victoria psychologist Nigel Mantou Lou led a research project studying Asian-Canadian discrimination in Canada. He and his team found that anti-Asian racism has increased during the pandemic. (Courtesy UVic Photo Services)
The new vaccine clinic at Archie Browning Sports Centre opens on Jan. 7. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Island Health looks to shorten wait times for booster shots with new mass clinics

Archie Browning Sports Centre site opens Jan. 7; other clinics to open in Sooke, Saanich

The new vaccine clinic at Archie Browning Sports Centre opens on Jan. 7. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)