Sooke

Travis Dezall, owner of Reel Life Charters in Sooke, shows off a pair of recent catches. Dezall said it is not surprising Vancouver Island was recently named a top fishing destination by fishingbooker.com. (Photo Courtesy of Travis Dezall)

Vancouver Island named to top fishing destinations list

Fishbooker.com named the region one of Canada’s best, with special a call-out to the Sooke region

Travis Dezall, owner of Reel Life Charters in Sooke, shows off a pair of recent catches. Dezall said it is not surprising Vancouver Island was recently named a top fishing destination by fishingbooker.com. (Photo Courtesy of Travis Dezall)
A group of demonstrators show their support for the Freedom Convoy Wednesday afternoon in Sooke. The convoy is a cross-Canada demonstration by truck drivers against government mandates introduced during the pandemic, including a requirement that truck drivers crossing a border must show proof of vaccination.

Dozens show support for ‘Freedom Convoy’ in downtown Sooke

The convoy is demonstrating against government vaccination mandates

A group of demonstrators show their support for the Freedom Convoy Wednesday afternoon in Sooke. The convoy is a cross-Canada demonstration by truck drivers against government mandates introduced during the pandemic, including a requirement that truck drivers crossing a border must show proof of vaccination.
Reconstruction on Church Road will continue for another six to eight weeks, according to the District of Sooke. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Road improvement projects in Sooke hampered by lengthy delays

Weather-related repairs, remaining corridor work have set projects back by about eight weeks

Reconstruction on Church Road will continue for another six to eight weeks, according to the District of Sooke. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
LETTER SIG

LETTER: Traffic delay on Sooke Rd. ‘nonsense’

Regarding the outrageous Jan. 23 traffic delays when almost no traffic could…

  • Jan 24, 2022
LETTER SIG
LETTER SIG

LETTER: We have the right to choose but we also have a responsibility to society

We live in an interconnected, interdependent world where our personal choices affect…

  • Jan 24, 2022
LETTER SIG
Traffic returned to its two-lanes just before 4 p.m. on Sunday. (Courtesy of EMCON South Island)

EMCON nearly done removing trees along Hwy 14

The tree removal near Parkland Road “was tricky”

Traffic returned to its two-lanes just before 4 p.m. on Sunday. (Courtesy of EMCON South Island)
ElderDog Victoria volunteer Linda Harris takes Lilly for regular walks for her senior owner as part of the non-profit’s services in Greater Victoria. (Photo Courtesy of Linda Harris)

Seniors, do you need help caring for your four-legged friend?

ElderDog is now looking to expand its volunteer and client lists in the Sooke area

ElderDog Victoria volunteer Linda Harris takes Lilly for regular walks for her senior owner as part of the non-profit’s services in Greater Victoria. (Photo Courtesy of Linda Harris)
Renee Monson receives her COVID-19 booster shot from nurse Scott Renmer during a vaccination clinic on Thursday at SEAPARC Leisure Complex in Sooke. (Justin Samanski-Langille - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke booster clinic jabbing 200 arms a day

COVID vaccination clinic has been running smoothly in its first week

Renee Monson receives her COVID-19 booster shot from nurse Scott Renmer during a vaccination clinic on Thursday at SEAPARC Leisure Complex in Sooke. (Justin Samanski-Langille - Sooke News Mirror)
Aaron Trotter said his parents never pressured him into hockey, which kept his love for the game going. (Courtesy of Michael Trotter)

Langford goalie working toward NCAA, NHL dreams

Aaron Trotter overcame a number of challenges to earn Division I scholarship

Aaron Trotter said his parents never pressured him into hockey, which kept his love for the game going. (Courtesy of Michael Trotter)
Sooke alternative rock band Shale has released its first single – To The Ground – which saw more than 4,000 streams in five days. (Contributed - Serena Haley Photography)

‘Pretty unbelievable’ – Sooke rockers Shale breaking out with debut single

To The Ground has been streamed more than 4,000 times in five days

Sooke alternative rock band Shale has released its first single – To The Ground – which saw more than 4,000 streams in five days. (Contributed - Serena Haley Photography)
Sooke School District said registration numbers were strong once again for nature and French immersion kindergarten in the 2022-2023 school year, and officials are expecting the same for regular kindergarten registration when it opens on Jan. 24. (File - Black Press Media)

Sooke School District sees steady numbers for kindergarten registration

Lack of qualified teachers limiting French immersion curriculum

Sooke School District said registration numbers were strong once again for nature and French immersion kindergarten in the 2022-2023 school year, and officials are expecting the same for regular kindergarten registration when it opens on Jan. 24. (File - Black Press Media)
Pavement failure and rutting on Charters Road are due to cold and rainy weather. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Charters Road construction will trigger traffic delays in Sooke

Repairs underway on weather-damaged roadway this week

Pavement failure and rutting on Charters Road are due to cold and rainy weather. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
Pavement failure and rutting on Charters Road are due to cold and rainy weather. Temporary measures are in place and the sites will be monitored for any further maintenance until repairs can be completed later this year, say district officials. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke promises to fix potholes as cold, wet weather creates road issues

Biggest areas of concern reported on Otter Point and Charters roads

Pavement failure and rutting on Charters Road are due to cold and rainy weather. Temporary measures are in place and the sites will be monitored for any further maintenance until repairs can be completed later this year, say district officials. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
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 Mayor Maja Tait says the district is prepared to address additional policing costs arising from the increasing population. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
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

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

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)
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)