Greater Victoria

Calgary Hitmen defenceman and Nashville Predators prospect Luke Prokop became the first player under an NHL contract to come out as gay when he made the announcement on July 19. (Photo courtesy of Luke Prokop/ Twitter)

First openly gay, NHL-contracted player gained insight from Oak Bay agent

Nashville prospect Luke Prokop consulted Bayne Pettinger before coming out

 

A new report presented to Victoria council July 22 outlines barriers and recommendations to ending homelessness in Greater Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)

Report outlines barriers, recommendations to ending homelessness in Greater Victoria

Full-scale transformation required, report says

 

B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix and Premier John Horgan. The province announced Wednesday that a new urgent and primary care centre opened in downtown Victoria on July 19. (Courtesy of the B.C. government)

Province opens new urgent, primary care centre in Victoria

New networks to connect region’s health practitioners, increase access for patients

 

The idea of helping residents create a successful home vegetable garden is being cultivated by Growing Together, a Greater Victoria-based initiative. (Black Press Media file photo)

Home gardeners supported through Greater Victoria growing program

Initiative teaches residents to grow food at home, connects new gardeners with resources

The idea of helping residents create a successful home vegetable garden is being cultivated by Growing Together, a Greater Victoria-based initiative. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce has established a Business Hall of Fame to honour individuals’ contributions to the region’s economy. (Black Press Media file photo)

Business Hall of Fame established to honour contributions to Greater Victoria economy

Selected individuals will be inducted this fall, with a ceremony set for February 2022

The Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce has established a Business Hall of Fame to honour individuals’ contributions to the region’s economy. (Black Press Media file photo)
Anti-racism bystander training will be offered by the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society this fall and winter. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria immigrant and refugee group combats racism with bystander training

Victoria Foundation grant to fund community training, foster equity and inclusivity

Anti-racism bystander training will be offered by the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre Society this fall and winter. (Black Press Media file photo)
The July 15 announcement that cruise ships will be allowed back in Canadian waters this fall was a welcome relief to Greater Victoria business associations. (Black Press Media file photo)

Return of cruise ships will buoy Greater Victoria businesses

Cruise ships return allowed by November, but region won’t feel impact until next spring

The July 15 announcement that cruise ships will be allowed back in Canadian waters this fall was a welcome relief to Greater Victoria business associations. (Black Press Media file photo)
Each naloxone kit has three syringes, three vials of naloxone, a pair of latex gloves, airway breathing apparatus and alcohol swabs. (Black Press Media file photo)

Overdose advisory issued for Greater Victoria

Overdoses are increasing in the area, Island Health said

Each naloxone kit has three syringes, three vials of naloxone, a pair of latex gloves, airway breathing apparatus and alcohol swabs. (Black Press Media file photo)
Kings Park borders three municipalities – Saanich, Oak Bay, and Victoria. (Photo courtesy of the District of Saanich)

City of Victoria ready to donate $250,000 to Kings Road green space project

Victoria funds contingent on Oak Bay contribution to Saanich project

Kings Park borders three municipalities – Saanich, Oak Bay, and Victoria. (Photo courtesy of the District of Saanich)
According to Statistics Canada, Greater Victoria’s unemployment was 5.4 per cent in June, down 0.9 per cent compared to May. (Black Press Media file photo)

Lifting of public health measures drops unemployment rate in Greater Victoria

Victoria Census Metropolitan Area records lowest unemployment rate in June among CMAs in B.C.

According to Statistics Canada, Greater Victoria’s unemployment was 5.4 per cent in June, down 0.9 per cent compared to May. (Black Press Media file photo)
Island Health has issued no-swim advisories at Clover Point and Saanich Inlet. (Black Press Media file photo)

No-swim advisories issued at two Greater Victoria beaches

High bacteria levels found at Clover Point, Saanich Inlet

Island Health has issued no-swim advisories at Clover Point and Saanich Inlet. (Black Press Media file photo)
Out of Victoria and its three neighbouring municipalities, Oak Bay municipal workers are the best paid on a per capita basis. (Black Press file)

Saanich CAO tops salary list, but council paid lowest per capita among core municipalities

Financial reports show top municipal earners from Victoria, Saanich, Oak Bay, Esquimalt

Out of Victoria and its three neighbouring municipalities, Oak Bay municipal workers are the best paid on a per capita basis. (Black Press file)
Bentley Allan, associate director at the Pacific Institute of Climate Solutions, stands by an electric-vehicle charging station in the parking lot of their Victoria location. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

Victoria-based institute looking into improving range, safety of electric-vehicle batteries

Incorporating otherwise wasted material called tellurium could help make better batteries

Bentley Allan, associate director at the Pacific Institute of Climate Solutions, stands by an electric-vehicle charging station in the parking lot of their Victoria location. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
A totem burned atop the Malahat Drive in the early morning hours of July 2, is believed to be retaliation for the statue of Captain James Cook that anti-colonial activists allegedly toppled into Victoria’s Inner Harbour on July 1. (Courtesy RCMP)

First Nations to address recent vandalism, violence on Vancouver Island

South Island chiefs and council members to sign public letter Friday morning

A totem burned atop the Malahat Drive in the early morning hours of July 2, is believed to be retaliation for the statue of Captain James Cook that anti-colonial activists allegedly toppled into Victoria’s Inner Harbour on July 1. (Courtesy RCMP)
Writers gather June 30 at the 5th Street Bar and Grill in Victoria to launch Shifting Landscapes: Wandering Words, Vol. II. (Photo by Laura Foubister)

Greater Victoria writers come together while working apart

15 local authors launch Shifting Landscapes: Wandering Words, Vol. II

Writers gather June 30 at the 5th Street Bar and Grill in Victoria to launch Shifting Landscapes: Wandering Words, Vol. II. (Photo by Laura Foubister)
Gas prices lept another 10 cents to 172.9 per litre at many Greater Victoria gas stations Monday night. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria gas prices catapult another 10 cents

Many stations sitting at 172.9 per litre Tuesday morning, according to GasBuddy

Gas prices lept another 10 cents to 172.9 per litre at many Greater Victoria gas stations Monday night. (Black Press Media file photo)
Real estate prices are high and so is demand, but low inventory has seen home prices increase even more since June 2020. (Black Press Media file photo)

High demand, low inventory driving Greater Victoria real estate prices up

$1.063 million bought the typical single-family home in region’s core in June

Real estate prices are high and so is demand, but low inventory has seen home prices increase even more since June 2020. (Black Press Media file photo)
Work underway at the Vancouver Island Drug Checking Project. (Photo by Jay Wallace)

Greater Victoria drug checking increases alongside overdose deaths

Service for people using drugs provides support in the absence of a safe supply

Work underway at the Vancouver Island Drug Checking Project. (Photo by Jay Wallace)
The Nature of Us is a non-profit storytelling platform for marginalized and underrepresented voices. (Courtesy of Winnie Weston)

Island-based storytelling platform provides space for marginalized voices

The Nature of Us shares underrepresented stories, like residential school survivor Eddy Charlie

The Nature of Us is a non-profit storytelling platform for marginalized and underrepresented voices. (Courtesy of Winnie Weston)
Vanessa Leong interacts with a one-of-a-kind art piece, the first of its kind in the region to feature a virtual reality component. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Virtual reality mural on Victoria arena offers viewers something extra

QR code at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre launches interaction with 3-D rendering

Vanessa Leong interacts with a one-of-a-kind art piece, the first of its kind in the region to feature a virtual reality component. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)