Sooke

Sooke Mayor Maja Tait says the district is prepared to address additional policing costs arising from the increasing population. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke looks ahead to address policing costs

Plans are in place for growing population

 

Sooke resident Leslie Speed has published the Crabapple Tree inspired by a poem she wrote when she was a young child. (Contributed - Leslie Speed)

Sooke children’s book reflects seasonal changes

Local author publishes and illustrates first book

 

Paramedic specialists Brian Twaites and David Hilder debrief after responding to a drug overdose. Over the past several years the drug overdoses not only across British Columbia but throughout Canada have grown. (Jonathan Hayward - The Canadian Press)

Sooke sets new record for drug overdose calls

Every health region in B.C. saw an increase in overdose calls during 2021

 

This home at SookePoint is one of eight grand prize options in the 2022 B.C. Children’s Hospital Lottery. (Contributed - B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation))

Sooke home grand prize option in B.C. Children’s Hospital lottery

SookePoint property comes with cash and vehicle

This home at SookePoint is one of eight grand prize options in the 2022 B.C. Children’s Hospital Lottery. (Contributed - B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation))
The Bosley’s by Pet Valu crew participated in the Sooke Santa Claus parade in December. Store owner Ashley Kilpatrick said the biggest challenge in 2021 was keeping up with the changes in provincial health guidelines. ((Contributed - Bosley’s by Pet Valu)

Sooke businesses weather COVID storm

Local merchants appreciate community support

The Bosley’s by Pet Valu crew participated in the Sooke Santa Claus parade in December. Store owner Ashley Kilpatrick said the biggest challenge in 2021 was keeping up with the changes in provincial health guidelines. ((Contributed - Bosley’s by Pet Valu)
Conservation officer Peter Pauwels said coastal wolf attacks on dogs are rare near Greater Victoria. (File photo courtesy of Ian McAllister/Pacific Wild)

Hiker rescues dog from jaws of wolf in rare Sooke area attack

The hiker was walking with their dog on a trail on Broom Hill

Conservation officer Peter Pauwels said coastal wolf attacks on dogs are rare near Greater Victoria. (File photo courtesy of Ian McAllister/Pacific Wild)
The Sooke Arts Council’s gallery reopens on Feb. 12 with a new show. (Photo courtesy of Sooke Arts Council)

Sooke Arts Council paints a pretty picture of 2022

After what’s being enthusiastically framed as a successful year, members of the…

The Sooke Arts Council’s gallery reopens on Feb. 12 with a new show. (Photo courtesy of Sooke Arts Council)
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)
Volunteers braved the cold weather on Dec. 27 to take part in the annual Sooke Christmas Bird Count. (Contributed - Mark Byrne)

Sooke birders spot 111 species in annual Christmas Bird Count

More participants needed for next year

Volunteers braved the cold weather on Dec. 27 to take part in the annual Sooke Christmas Bird Count. (Contributed - Mark Byrne)
Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue services continued the search for a missing Sooke man on Monday morning. (Tim Collins - Sooke News Mirror)

B.C. search and rescue teams had another record year in 2021

Pandemic has pushed more people outdoors, including underprepared hikers

Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue services continued the search for a missing Sooke man on Monday morning. (Tim Collins - Sooke News Mirror)
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)
The highest assessed property values in the District of Sooke ranged from $2.8 million to $3.9 million. None of the properties in the upper echelons fell in value last year, according to B.C. Assessment. (File - Metro-Creative)

Sooke’s priciest properties jump significantly in assessed values

B.C. Assessment valued a property at 5921 Sooke Rd. at just under $4 million

The highest assessed property values in the District of Sooke ranged from $2.8 million to $3.9 million. None of the properties in the upper echelons fell in value last year, according to B.C. Assessment. (File - Metro-Creative)
Sooke Celtic is looking forward to the Vancouver Island Soccer League Divison 3 playoffs at the end of February. (courtesy of Sooke Celtic)

Sooke Celtic soccer gears up for playoffs

There’s a youth movement afoot with Sooke Celtic that bodes well for…

Sooke Celtic is looking forward to the Vancouver Island Soccer League Divison 3 playoffs at the end of February. (courtesy of Sooke Celtic)
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)
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)
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)
Sooke RCMP recovers stolen goods following a traffic stop. (Black Press Media file photo) Sooke residents can now report various crimes without going to the station themselves with Sooke RCMP’s online crime reporting tool. (File - Black Press Media)

Stolen goods recovered thanks to Sooke RCMP traffic stop

A driver was arrested in connection with outstanding warrants

Sooke RCMP recovers stolen goods following a traffic stop. (Black Press Media file photo) Sooke residents can now report various crimes without going to the station themselves with Sooke RCMP’s online crime reporting tool. (File - Black Press Media)
Snowy conditions are making waste collections tricky. (Black Press Media file photo)

Snow freezes garbage, recycling pickup in Sooke, CRD

Garbage on pause until new year

Snowy conditions are making waste collections tricky. (Black Press Media file photo)
Flooding and bank instability closed the south and northbound lanes of the Malahat past Westshore Parkway on Nov. 15. (Courtesy Emcon)

Sooke’s top online stories of 2021: traffic, weather, wildlife

Flooding, deer diseases and endless traffic

Flooding and bank instability closed the south and northbound lanes of the Malahat past Westshore Parkway on Nov. 15. (Courtesy Emcon)
Two employees from The Trader’s are pictured going all out to deliver a colour television set to a customer living near Glen Lake. The snow along the driveway was a foot deep, but the two men made the delivery “without mishap.” (Courtesy of Juan de Fuca News Review, Jan. 8, 1969)

Back in the Day on the West Shore: Is it a bird? A plane? Santa? No, it’s Tommy Douglas

Plus, merchants post Christmas deals, circa 1969

Two employees from The Trader’s are pictured going all out to deliver a colour television set to a customer living near Glen Lake. The snow along the driveway was a foot deep, but the two men made the delivery “without mishap.” (Courtesy of Juan de Fuca News Review, Jan. 8, 1969)