Metchosin

Metchosin ecologist Andy MacKinnon is raising alarm bells for arbutus trees, as many are falling victim to a fungus called leaf blights. The leaves and branches of the trees are turning brown or black and then dropping off, eventually killing them. (Dawn Gibson/News Staff)

Vancouver Island arbutus trees fighting for survival against parasites

Many trees weakened, turning black or brown and dying, says local ecologist

  • Apr 18, 2021

 

On March 29, Metchosin council held a public engagement workshop, to discuss best practices of bylaw enforcement and investigation policies. (Black Press Media file)

Metchosin reviews bylaw enforcement policies

Residents give input at March 29 meeting; more public engagement sessions to come

 

In the Facebook group, Field Naturalists of Vancouver Island, a special sighting was recently shared of some swimming polychaetes in the waters of East Sooke. Louise Page, who teaches invertebrate biology and marine biology at the University of Victoria, identified the giant swimming worms to likely be Nereis brandti, also known as “the giant piling worm.” They typically live buried in the sand during the year, but when triggered by a lunar cue, will swim up in the water column to mate. (Photo courtesy of Louise Page)

Giant marine worms rising from burrows along Vancouver Island coast

Triggered by a lunar cue, the shallow water marine worms wiggle up into water column to mate

 

People dress as stumps protested old-growth logging at B.C. MLA Mitzi Dean’s constituency office on March 19. (Photo courtesy of Joan Rosenberg)

Protesters in View Royal stumped by MLA

Group calls for immediate halt to old-growth logging

People dress as stumps protested old-growth logging at B.C. MLA Mitzi Dean’s constituency office on March 19. (Photo courtesy of Joan Rosenberg)
Gary Fletcher (right) and Brenda Costanzo, a senior vegetation specialist for the B.C. environment ministry, stand by a Malaise trap set up on Fletcher’s Metchosin property. The trap is collecting flying insects that will help Neville Winchester, a University of Victoria professor, see what’s happening to local insect populations. (Photo courtesy Neville Winchester)

Metchosin study explores whether local insect populations follow global trends

A 2017 study found a 70 per cent decline in insect biomass over 27-year period in Germany

Gary Fletcher (right) and Brenda Costanzo, a senior vegetation specialist for the B.C. environment ministry, stand by a Malaise trap set up on Fletcher’s Metchosin property. The trap is collecting flying insects that will help Neville Winchester, a University of Victoria professor, see what’s happening to local insect populations. (Photo courtesy Neville Winchester)
A resurfacing of the tennis court in Metchosin is being eyed for the community. However, funding opportunities still need to be solidified for the project. (Michelle Cabana/Black Press Media)

Renewed surface eyed for Metchosin tennis court

Funding source must first be solidified in order for project to happen

A resurfacing of the tennis court in Metchosin is being eyed for the community. However, funding opportunities still need to be solidified for the project. (Michelle Cabana/Black Press Media)
Organizers say some 100 vehicles rallied against plans by the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Victoria to sell 40 acres of its 98-acre property in Metchosin. (Barb Sawatsky/Submitted)

Proposed subdivision of green space in Metchosin draws 100 vehicles in protest

Plans for land owned by Boys Girls Club of Greater Victoria affects entire region, say residents

Organizers say some 100 vehicles rallied against plans by the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Victoria to sell 40 acres of its 98-acre property in Metchosin. (Barb Sawatsky/Submitted)
The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Victoria says sale of the planned subdivision will increase the club’s ability to provide services and support. (Courtesy of Association for the Protection of Rural Metchosin)

Victoria Boys and Girls Club says youth would benefit from Metchosin land sale

Club says sale will guarantee supports and programs at time when demand high

The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Victoria says sale of the planned subdivision will increase the club’s ability to provide services and support. (Courtesy of Association for the Protection of Rural Metchosin)
Inmates at Metchosin’s William Head Institution are being given COVID-19 vaccines as part of the first phase. Around 600 inmates will be vaccinated in the coming days. (Black Press Media file photo)

William Head inmates in Metchosin receive their first doses of COVID vaccine

Priority set for older inmates and those with underlying medical conditions

Inmates at Metchosin’s William Head Institution are being given COVID-19 vaccines as part of the first phase. Around 600 inmates will be vaccinated in the coming days. (Black Press Media file photo)
Metchosin Coun. Kyara Kahakauwila has come under fire for her decision to travel to Mexico in December for business purposes. (Black Press Media file photo)

Metchosin mayor defers discussion of councillor’s travel while residents weigh in

Coun. Kyara Kahakauwila traveled to Mexico in December

Metchosin Coun. Kyara Kahakauwila has come under fire for her decision to travel to Mexico in December for business purposes. (Black Press Media file photo)
Metchosin Mayor John Ranns said he has no plans to relieve Coun. Kyara Kahakauwila as deputy mayor. Kahakauwila has come under public scrutiny after travelling to Mexico for a wedding in December. (Submitted file photo)

Residents fuming, calling for Metchosin councillor to resign following travel to Mexico

Mayor John Ranns has no plans to remove Kahakauwila as deputy mayor

Metchosin Mayor John Ranns said he has no plans to relieve Coun. Kyara Kahakauwila as deputy mayor. Kahakauwila has come under public scrutiny after travelling to Mexico for a wedding in December. (Submitted file photo)
Metchosin Museum Society is looking for three vintage doors for the old Metchosin Schoolhouse, located at 4475 Happy Valley Rd. (Bob Burgis photo)

Metchosin group seeking vintage doors for 148-year-old building

Metchosin Schoolhouse in midst of facelift

Metchosin Museum Society is looking for three vintage doors for the old Metchosin Schoolhouse, located at 4475 Happy Valley Rd. (Bob Burgis photo)
Classic cars will be cruising through the West Shore Nov. 21, encouraging people to donate to the Goldstream Food Bank. (Black Press Media file photo)

Supercars and classics cruising through Langford today for a cause

Goldstream Food Bank collecting non-perishables at 1:30 p.m.

Classic cars will be cruising through the West Shore Nov. 21, encouraging people to donate to the Goldstream Food Bank. (Black Press Media file photo)
A Metchosin woman’s leather car seats have been torn up after she says a bear entered her vehicle overnight on Saturday, Nov. 14. (Jennifer O’Driscoll-Begley photo)

Bear breaks into Metchosin car, leaves stench, mess behind

‘If living among wildlife bothers you, maybe living in a forest isn’t for you,’ car owner says

A Metchosin woman’s leather car seats have been torn up after she says a bear entered her vehicle overnight on Saturday, Nov. 14. (Jennifer O’Driscoll-Begley photo)
Project manager of the Metchosin Schoolhouse Bob Burgis (right), president of Metchosin Museum Society Pat Holloway and vice president Jim MacPherson will be on site Thursday to watch the 148-year-old building being raised for ground restoration. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)

Metchosin heritage building gets a lift

Happy Valley Road intermittently closed on Thursday

Project manager of the Metchosin Schoolhouse Bob Burgis (right), president of Metchosin Museum Society Pat Holloway and vice president Jim MacPherson will be on site Thursday to watch the 148-year-old building being raised for ground restoration. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)
The District of Metchosin’s city hall (Black Press Media file photo)

Metchosin opens council meetings to the public

Admittance limited to 12 spectators, including presenters, in council chambers only

The District of Metchosin’s city hall (Black Press Media file photo)
A Marine Mammal Rescue Centre veterinarian removes a plastic packing band from the neck of a California sea lion at the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve on Sept. 10. (Courtesy of Mara Radawetz)

Plastic band removed from neck of Greater Victoria sea lion

Entanglement injuries in seals and sea lions a regular occurrence at Race Rocks Ecological Reserve

A Marine Mammal Rescue Centre veterinarian removes a plastic packing band from the neck of a California sea lion at the Race Rocks Ecological Reserve on Sept. 10. (Courtesy of Mara Radawetz)
Waves hit the shore in Victoria during a wind warning. (Black Press Media file photo)

More than 3,700 West Shore BC Hydro customers without power

Outages come on tail of wind warning from Environment Canada

Waves hit the shore in Victoria during a wind warning. (Black Press Media file photo)
Tyler Tingley, chef at Glenrosa Farm Restaurant, showing off halibut sourced from Haida Gwaii. (Facebook/Glenrosa Farm Restaurant)

Metchosin’s family-owned Glenrosa Farm Restaurant to close indefinitely

Last brunch to be served on Sunday, Sept. 13

Tyler Tingley, chef at Glenrosa Farm Restaurant, showing off halibut sourced from Haida Gwaii. (Facebook/Glenrosa Farm Restaurant)
The nine-classroom facility completed last year, shown here under construction in 2017, will provide more flexible learning options when Westmont Montessori School in Metchosin reopens on Sept. 8. (File photo)

Safety guidelines set for Westmont Montessori

Metchosin school expanding outdoor spaces

The nine-classroom facility completed last year, shown here under construction in 2017, will provide more flexible learning options when Westmont Montessori School in Metchosin reopens on Sept. 8. (File photo)