Local News

Bus route 64 (purple line) gives Scia’new (Beecher Bay) First Nation residents transit access for the first time. (Google Maps/Screenshot)

Beecher Bay community serviced by new bus route through West Shore, East Sooke

Route 64 runs through Scia’new First Nation from East Sooke to Langford

Bus route 64 (purple line) gives Scia’new (Beecher Bay) First Nation residents transit access for the first time. (Google Maps/Screenshot)
An RCMP cruiser in front of a home on Selwyn Road in the Arbutus Ridge Estates mobile home community in Langford on Jan. 1. (Black Press Media file photo)

27-year-old man faces murder charge after Langford woman found dead

Next court appearance set for Jan. 20 in Western Communities Provincial Court

  • Jan 4, 2022
An RCMP cruiser in front of a home on Selwyn Road in the Arbutus Ridge Estates mobile home community in Langford on Jan. 1. (Black Press Media file photo)
Icy conditions played a role in the Monday evening crash on Sooke Road near Humpback Road in Langford. (Black Press Media file photo)

18-year-old dies in Sooke Road crash

Crash a ‘grim reminder’ of dangers of icy conditions, says West Shore RCMP

Icy conditions played a role in the Monday evening crash on Sooke Road near Humpback Road in Langford. (Black Press Media file photo)
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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
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Once again, the privately owned James Island topped the list of highest assessed properties in the Vancouver Island region, according to data from BC Assessment, reflecting market value as of July 1, 2021. Its value stood at $54.7 million. (Sotheby’s International Realty photo)

Property assessments up more than 40 per cent in some Vancouver Island communities

Total value of Vancouver Island assessments up 27.5 per cent to $343 billion

Once again, the privately owned James Island topped the list of highest assessed properties in the Vancouver Island region, according to data from BC Assessment, reflecting market value as of July 1, 2021. Its value stood at $54.7 million. (Sotheby’s International Realty photo)
Fresh snow along Highway 1 at the entrance to Goldstream Provincial Park early Tuesday (Jan. 4) morning. (Drive BC/screenshot)

Fresh snow, rain making for icy commute across Greater Victoria

Snow falling along sections of local roadways Tuesday morning

Fresh snow along Highway 1 at the entrance to Goldstream Provincial Park early Tuesday (Jan. 4) morning. (Drive BC/screenshot)
The new mural at Saseenos Elementary was created by Indigenous artist Jordanna George, a former student at the school. (Google maps)

Sooke school selects salmon work by Indigenous alum as new logo

Artist Jordanna George is a member of the T’Sou-ke Nation and former Saseenos student

The new mural at Saseenos Elementary was created by Indigenous artist Jordanna George, a former student at the school. (Google maps)
Coun. Sara Duncan has concerns about the potential conversion of a condominium building in downtown Sidney to a hotel. (Photo courtesy Sara Duncan)

Sidney councillor concerned about conversion of condo into hotel

Coun. Sara Duncan worries about housing supply

Coun. Sara Duncan has concerns about the potential conversion of a condominium building in downtown Sidney to a hotel. (Photo courtesy Sara Duncan)
Jim Swanson with Carol, a Fairfield resident who carpooled with the Harbour Cats manager the icy morning of Dec. 29. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Residents of Greater Victoria come together to give rides during snow season

One Facebook group has amassed 1,000 drivers for essential workers and the elderly

Jim Swanson with Carol, a Fairfield resident who carpooled with the Harbour Cats manager the icy morning of Dec. 29. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
View Royal following a December snowfall. More snow might be headed to Vancouver Island overnight Jan. 3. (Don Denton/News Staff)

More snow inbound overnight for parts of Vancouver Island

Environment Canada predicts sudden flurries, low visibility

View Royal following a December snowfall. More snow might be headed to Vancouver Island overnight Jan. 3. (Don Denton/News Staff)
Forward Denver Maloney heads toward the net during the Peninsula Panthers’ 10-3 rout of the Saanich Predators Sunday afternoon. (Christian J. Stewart Photography/Submitted)

Rout of Saanich Predators runs Peninsula Panthers’ winning streak to eight

The Panthers had also won seven straight earlier this season

Forward Denver Maloney heads toward the net during the Peninsula Panthers’ 10-3 rout of the Saanich Predators Sunday afternoon. (Christian J. Stewart Photography/Submitted)
Early morning strollers in the foreground of the SM Busan, moored at Ogden Point since Jan. 2. (Diana Day/Submitted Photo)

Korean shipping vessel the largest to moor at Victoria dock in three years

The SM Busan will likely be moored at Ogden Point for a month awaiting engine repairs

Early morning strollers in the foreground of the SM Busan, moored at Ogden Point since Jan. 2. (Diana Day/Submitted Photo)
Zoe Clint raised more than $500 through a bottle drive for Victoria Hospice in recognition of the support they gave her when her mother Cindy Hannah (left) and father Bill Clint (right) died of cancer. A second drive the next day bolstered funds as high as $2,000. (Photos courtesy of Zoe Clint)

Bottle drive inspires others, collects $2,000 for Victoria Hospice

Woman initiates fundraiser to in thanks for support she and her family received

Zoe Clint raised more than $500 through a bottle drive for Victoria Hospice in recognition of the support they gave her when her mother Cindy Hannah (left) and father Bill Clint (right) died of cancer. A second drive the next day bolstered funds as high as $2,000. (Photos courtesy of Zoe Clint)
The IMAX Victoria theatre is set to debut a new director’s cut of Saving Luna on Jan. 3. (Courtesy of the Royal B.C. Museum)

Award-winning whale doc debuts Jan. 3 at IMAX Victoria

The new director’s cut of Saving Luna features additional footage

The IMAX Victoria theatre is set to debut a new director’s cut of Saving Luna on Jan. 3. (Courtesy of the Royal B.C. Museum)
A road-closed sign in Saanich. Saanich’s budget for snow removal in 2019 was $182,000. (Keri Coles/Black Press).

Saanich police warn of icy roads leading to treacherous conditions

Garbage collection trucks sliding downhill from the Hartland Road CRD landfill

A road-closed sign in Saanich. Saanich’s budget for snow removal in 2019 was $182,000. (Keri Coles/Black Press).
A crowd gathered to watch the rescue. (Courtesy of Kill Luckow/Facebook)

Cat owner ecstatic after Colwood crane operator rescues pet stuck in tree for 24 hours

Kyle Hobbs said the rescue was done in just over 30 minutes

A crowd gathered to watch the rescue. (Courtesy of Kill Luckow/Facebook)
Finding a house in Sooke is easier said then done, according to realtor Tim Ayres. Reader’s Lens Wildlife photographer Kathie Loveys shot this dramatic image of a sunrise over Sooke Basin. (Contributed - Kathie Loveys)

Sooke’s 2022, real estate market is expensive with few options

Slow permit approval process is hurting housing supply, says realtor

Finding a house in Sooke is easier said then done, according to realtor Tim Ayres. Reader’s Lens Wildlife photographer Kathie Loveys shot this dramatic image of a sunrise over Sooke Basin. (Contributed - Kathie Loveys)
Metchosin Mayor John Ranns (Courtesy District of Metchosin)

Longtime Metchosin mayor hopes to step away in 2022

Coun. Kyara Kahakauwila plans to run for top job

Metchosin Mayor John Ranns (Courtesy District of Metchosin)
Dylan Joss, a Victoria man who lives in the Fernwood area, is running to raise money for youth struggling with depression and anxiety. (Dylan Joss/Facebook)

Victoria man to run a total of 800 km for youth struggling with depression

Dylan Joss hopes to take a group of 15 youth to Tofino for mental health surf trip

Dylan Joss, a Victoria man who lives in the Fernwood area, is running to raise money for youth struggling with depression and anxiety. (Dylan Joss/Facebook)
Scottish-Canadian country star Johnny Reid has sold more than 1.5 million records. He performs in Sidney on May 7-8 at the Mary Winspear Centre. (Photo courtesy of Mary Winspear Centre)

Ticket demand crashes phone lines at Sidney’s Mary Winspear Centre

Country star Johnny Reid is set to play Sidney on May 7-8, 2022

Scottish-Canadian country star Johnny Reid has sold more than 1.5 million records. He performs in Sidney on May 7-8 at the Mary Winspear Centre. (Photo courtesy of Mary Winspear Centre)
(Pixabay stock photo)

Canadian Taxpayers Federation spells out increased B.C., federal tax in new year

Those making more than $40,000 will see more federal tax, says the federation

(Pixabay stock photo)