Local News

This screen shot shows a selection of short-term rentals available on VBRO, searched on Dec. 29. Sidney council recently debated the enforcement of the municipality’s short-term rental bylaw.

Short-term rental bylaw in Sidney remains largely untouched

Councillors debated but declined to implement tougher enforcement measures

This screen shot shows a selection of short-term rentals available on VBRO, searched on Dec. 29. Sidney council recently debated the enforcement of the municipality’s short-term rental bylaw.
Shelley Robinson says a lack of callback for a COVID-19 PCR test appointment from Island Health has left her feeling scared and unsupported. (Courtesy of Shelley Robinson)

Langford woman with cystic fibrosis critical of Island’s COVID testing process

No callback for PCR test appoinment after five days, despite vulnerable health status

Shelley Robinson says a lack of callback for a COVID-19 PCR test appointment from Island Health has left her feeling scared and unsupported. (Courtesy of Shelley Robinson)
A man suspected in a graffiti incident from December turned himself in to Victoria police on Jan. 5. (Black Press Media file photo)

Suspect in downtown Victoria graffiti vandalism turns himself in

Public identified suspect from video, man faces mischief charges

A man suspected in a graffiti incident from December turned himself in to Victoria police on Jan. 5. (Black Press Media file photo)
Video
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
Quebec Director of Public Health Dr. Horacio Arruda responds to a question during a news conference in Montreal, on January 5, 2022. Arruda, who had been public health director since 2012, abruptly resigned Monday after overseeing the province’s pandemic response for 22 months, citing criticism about the government’s response to the fifth wave. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
Canada’s public health leaders navigate choppy waters as pandemic drags on
More Videos 
Anyone with information on any of these individuals is asked to call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit the website victoriacrimestoppers.ca for more information.

Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers wanted list for the week of Jan. 4

Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers is seeking the public’s help in locating the…

Anyone with information on any of these individuals is asked to call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or visit the website victoriacrimestoppers.ca for more information.
Recycling collection is sporadic this winter thanks to weather impacts across the Capital Regional District. (Twitter/CRD)

How to handle recycling as wild weather hampers blue box pickup in Greater Victoria

Recycling not picked up by 9 p.m. on collection day should be brought in, CRD says

Recycling collection is sporadic this winter thanks to weather impacts across the Capital Regional District. (Twitter/CRD)
The Eden Gardens care home in Nanaimo is among five Island facilities where new COVID-19 outbreaks were announced by Island Health on Wednesday morning (Jan. 5). (Black Press Media file photo)

Five COVID outbreaks declared at Victoria, Nanaimo long-term care homes

The majority infected are staff and outbreaks are restricted to one floor or unit

The Eden Gardens care home in Nanaimo is among five Island facilities where new COVID-19 outbreaks were announced by Island Health on Wednesday morning (Jan. 5). (Black Press Media file photo)
Saanich police vehicles. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

UPDATE: High-risk teenager reported missing on Jan. 5 found

Central Saanich Police Service thank the public for their assistance

Saanich police vehicles. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)
Washrooms and food service are down at Swartz Bay as the ferry terminal deals with a water main issue. (Black Press Media file photo)

UPDATE: Pipe problems at Swartz Bay terminal resolved

Portable washrooms were available as toilet, food problems persisted

Washrooms and food service are down at Swartz Bay as the ferry terminal deals with a water main issue. (Black Press Media file photo)
The year’s first earthquake of magnitude 4.0 or more happened off the west coast of Vancouver Island, nearest Port Alice. (Courtesy of John Cassidy/Natural Resources Canada)

4.7 magnitude earthquake recorded off west coast of Vancouver Island

Jan. 2 quake centred 150 km offshore, likely not felt by many Island residents

The year’s first earthquake of magnitude 4.0 or more happened off the west coast of Vancouver Island, nearest Port Alice. (Courtesy of John Cassidy/Natural Resources Canada)
School buses are being cancelled with little or no warning, meaning some kids have to miss days at schools, according to parents. (Black Press Media file photo)

SD62 dealing with bus driver shortage, students unable to get bus

Sooke Mayor Maja Tait said the shortage is leading to more traffic on the roads

School buses are being cancelled with little or no warning, meaning some kids have to miss days at schools, according to parents. (Black Press Media file photo)
Oak Bay police impounded a driver’s vehicle for 30 days after he did not provide a usable breath sample for police. (Black Press Media file photo)

Oak Bay pub patron handed 90-day driving prohibition after failing to give breath sample

Wine thief takes bike too

Oak Bay police impounded a driver’s vehicle for 30 days after he did not provide a usable breath sample for police. (Black Press Media file photo)
Greater Victoria real estate sales jumped more than 18 per cent in 2021 over the previous year, according to figures from the Victoria Real Estate Board. (Black Press Media file photo)

2021 a banner year for real estate in Greater Victoria

Sales total comes close to eclipsing record, even with million-dollar prices common

Greater Victoria real estate sales jumped more than 18 per cent in 2021 over the previous year, according to figures from the Victoria Real Estate Board. (Black Press Media file photo)
CCGS Cape Naden based on Saltspring Island responded to the Bazan Bay area Monday to participate in a marine rescue involving multiple vessels. (Photo courtesy of Canadian Coast Guard)

Boaters trying to rescue beached sailboat off Saanich Peninsula towed off rocks to safety

Monday incident in Bazan Bay involved Coast Guard, search and rescue vessels

CCGS Cape Naden based on Saltspring Island responded to the Bazan Bay area Monday to participate in a marine rescue involving multiple vessels. (Photo courtesy of Canadian Coast Guard)
Three residents at Shannon Oaks – Oak Bay independent living facility have tested positive for COVID-19. (Google Streetview)

Oak Bay retirement home confirms 3 cases of COVID-19 among residents

All 3 residents recovering with mild symptoms, facility administrator says

Three residents at Shannon Oaks – Oak Bay independent living facility have tested positive for COVID-19. (Google Streetview)
A section of Del Monte Avenue from Helvetia Crescent to Del Monte Lane was closed Tuesday (Jan. 4) due to a frost heave. (District of Saanich/Twitter)

Saanich crews assess frost heave on Del Monte Avenue to prevent sinkhole

Process can loosen sub-base material and pavement once ice melts

A section of Del Monte Avenue from Helvetia Crescent to Del Monte Lane was closed Tuesday (Jan. 4) due to a frost heave. (District of Saanich/Twitter)
It’ll be at least another day before ambulances will bring emergency patients to Saanich Peninsula Hospital in Central Saanich, as staff shortages continue. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich Peninsula Hospital extends ambulance diversion to VGH and RJH

Pandemic-caused staff shortages see ER transportation diversion extended to Wednesday noon

It’ll be at least another day before ambulances will bring emergency patients to Saanich Peninsula Hospital in Central Saanich, as staff shortages continue. (Black Press Media file photo)
Victoria’s Inner Harbour is coated with a fine dusting of snow. More of the white stuff is expected as part of Environment Canada’s latest winter storm watch. (Black Press Media file photo)

UPDATE: Expect snow, freezing rain on Vancouver Island with latest winter weather warning

Snowfall of 10 to 20 cm forecast for Wednesday night and into Thursday

Victoria’s Inner Harbour is coated with a fine dusting of snow. More of the white stuff is expected as part of Environment Canada’s latest winter storm watch. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Oak Bay Police Department want to speak with this individual about thefts from vehicles in the community mid-December 2021. (Oak Bay Police/Twitter)

Oak Bay police seek theft, fraud suspect caught on camera

Man swiped identification, committed fraud at Victoria businesses, police say

The Oak Bay Police Department want to speak with this individual about thefts from vehicles in the community mid-December 2021. (Oak Bay Police/Twitter)
The price of gasoline appears to be on the rise again for Greater Victoria drivers. (Black Press File Photo)

Gas prices take a jump this week across Greater Victoria

Capital region prices jump seven cents a litre for regular at many stations Tuesday

The price of gasoline appears to be on the rise again for Greater Victoria drivers. (Black Press File Photo)
The Peninsula Panthers and the hockey community at large are mourning the death of 18-year-old Grant Gilbertson, who died in a collision Monday night near the intersection of Sooke and Humpback roads. (Courtesy Christian J. Stewart Photography)

Greater Victoria hockey community in mourning after Panther player dies in crash

VIJHL junior B team planning special ceremony Friday to honour Grant Gilbertson, who was 18

The Peninsula Panthers and the hockey community at large are mourning the death of 18-year-old Grant Gilbertson, who died in a collision Monday night near the intersection of Sooke and Humpback roads. (Courtesy Christian J. Stewart Photography)