Sooke

The homeless population is at a high risk for contracting COVID-19. B.C. Housing plans to use SEAPARC Leisure Complex as an emergency space for up to 45 homeless people needing to self-isolate during the coronvirus outbreak. (Kendra Crighton - Black Press Media)

Sooke rec centre to provide self-isolation space for homeless people

B.C. Housing still developing operating plan, expects to welcome homeless soon

  • Apr 20, 2020
The homeless population is at a high risk for contracting COVID-19. B.C. Housing plans to use SEAPARC Leisure Complex as an emergency space for up to 45 homeless people needing to self-isolate during the coronvirus outbreak. (Kendra Crighton - Black Press Media)
The Sooke Fall Fair is a popular community event. This year’s fair theme is The Perfect Pumpkin Patch. (Sooke News Mirror)

Amidst virus concerns, Sooke Fall Fair going ahead as planned

This year’s event themed The Perfect Pumpkin Patch

  • Apr 17, 2020
The Sooke Fall Fair is a popular community event. This year’s fair theme is The Perfect Pumpkin Patch. (Sooke News Mirror)
The COVID-19 pandemic is just the latest obstacle faced by the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Sooke. (Photo contributed by Marie Allen)

Sooke church’s small congregation keeps the faith despite struggles

Holy Trinity Anglican Church was facing difficulties even before the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is just the latest obstacle faced by the Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Sooke. (Photo contributed by Marie Allen)
My FED Farm, created by Food Eco District (FED), is aiming to help people affected by the COVID-19 grow food in their own back yard. In collaboration with Sooke Region Food CHI, Transition Sooke and the Sooke Garden Club, the program is extending its reach to Sooke. (Black Press file photo)

Food security initiative encourages Sooke residents to grow food at home

My FED Farm program offers free garden kits to those affected by COVID-19

My FED Farm, created by Food Eco District (FED), is aiming to help people affected by the COVID-19 grow food in their own back yard. In collaboration with Sooke Region Food CHI, Transition Sooke and the Sooke Garden Club, the program is extending its reach to Sooke. (Black Press file photo)
Sooke mother Brooke Ervin has been prepping hundreds of free meals for the community to help out during the COVID-19 virus outbreak. Ervin says giving back to the community is helping her cope with the loss of daughter Hannah Day, who tragically died last year after a long battle with cancer. (Photo contributed by Brooke Ervin)

Mourning Sooke mom preps free meals for the community

Giving back to Sooke helps Brooke Ervin cope with loss of daughter Hannah Day

  • Apr 15, 2020
Sooke mother Brooke Ervin has been prepping hundreds of free meals for the community to help out during the COVID-19 virus outbreak. Ervin says giving back to the community is helping her cope with the loss of daughter Hannah Day, who tragically died last year after a long battle with cancer. (Photo contributed by Brooke Ervin)
A traffic stop by the Sooke RCMP led to the arrest of five people and the seizure of drugs, weapons and counterfeit money. (Sooke RCMP photo)

Sooke RCMP traffic stop leads to arrest of five people, seizure of drugs, pipe bomb and counterfeit money

One of the men was able to escape and remains at large

A traffic stop by the Sooke RCMP led to the arrest of five people and the seizure of drugs, weapons and counterfeit money. (Sooke RCMP photo)
Outreach initiative connects Sooke seniors to support amid COVID-19

Outreach initiative connects Sooke seniors to support amid COVID-19

Volunteers encouraged to sign up as need increases

  • Apr 6, 2020
Outreach initiative connects Sooke seniors to support amid COVID-19
The corner of Highway 14 and Phillips Road looked like this in the late 1960s and early 1970s. (Courtesy Elida Peers/Sooke Region Museum)

SOOKE HISTORY: Phillips at Highway 14 before it was home to Sooke’s third traffic light

Elida Peers is a historian with Sooke Region Museum

  • Apr 5, 2020
The corner of Highway 14 and Phillips Road looked like this in the late 1960s and early 1970s. (Courtesy Elida Peers/Sooke Region Museum)
Sooke creates local business directory during COVID-19 pandemic

Sooke creates local business directory during COVID-19 pandemic

District’s community update asks residents for vigilance during crisis

Sooke creates local business directory during COVID-19 pandemic
Volunteer Gerry St. Laurent helps fill hampers at the Sooke Food Bank on Thursday. The food bank expects more demand as the coronavirus takes hold of area residents. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke Food Bank sets up new protocols for donations

New protocols in place for donations

Volunteer Gerry St. Laurent helps fill hampers at the Sooke Food Bank on Thursday. The food bank expects more demand as the coronavirus takes hold of area residents. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
The Sooke Region Museum closed its doors Tuesday due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke museum, recreation centre closed due to COVID-19

No timeline when facilities will re-open

The Sooke Region Museum closed its doors Tuesday due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Sooke Municipal Hall is closed to the public to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, but most municipal services are still running. Above, Sooke Municipal Hall. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke Municipal Hall closed to stem spread of coronavirus

Businesses and community groups also announce closures, cancellations

Sooke Municipal Hall is closed to the public to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus, but most municipal services are still running. Above, Sooke Municipal Hall. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
Juan de Fuca Electoral Area director Mike Hicks says he’s found the solution to all the goose droppings on Sooke’s athletic fields and golf course. (Tim Collins - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke politician finds solution to goose poop problem

New machine acts like a field Zamboni to clean up the fields

Juan de Fuca Electoral Area director Mike Hicks says he’s found the solution to all the goose droppings on Sooke’s athletic fields and golf course. (Tim Collins - Sooke News Mirror)
Rainwater capture systems pose their own health hazards. (Black Press Media)

No easy answers for water

Rainwater capture and other bandaid solutions are not the solution

Rainwater capture systems pose their own health hazards. (Black Press Media)
A red tape barrier was placed by members of the T’Sou-ke First Nation as part of a dispute with the Sooke School District. (Tim Collins - Sooke News Mirror)

UPDATE: First Nation dispute closes part of school parking lot in Sooke

T’Sou-ke’s George family now in negotiation with School District

A red tape barrier was placed by members of the T’Sou-ke First Nation as part of a dispute with the Sooke School District. (Tim Collins - Sooke News Mirror)
Julio Godoy shows just a portion of the legal papers he’s filed in his fight to get access to a reliable water supply at his Seed Tree Road home. Water is a major concern for many Sooke Region residents. (Tim Collins - Black Press Media)

Life complicated when water not secure

Water issues have real-life impacts in Sooke Region

Julio Godoy shows just a portion of the legal papers he’s filed in his fight to get access to a reliable water supply at his Seed Tree Road home. Water is a major concern for many Sooke Region residents. (Tim Collins - Black Press Media)
Car accidents are nothing new, but it seems drivers are getting worse. (Black Press Media)

COLUMN: Drivers are just getting worse

The advent of self driving cars can’t come fast enough

Car accidents are nothing new, but it seems drivers are getting worse. (Black Press Media)
Critics of the federal government’s approach to saving killer whales say the policies will not succeed. (Black Press Media)

Salmon fishing closures won’t save the whales, say critics

Federal government accused of going after salmon fishery as ‘low hanging fruit’

Critics of the federal government’s approach to saving killer whales say the policies will not succeed. (Black Press Media)
Chief Gordon Planes (third from left) joins representatives of Petro Canada and Tim Horton’s and Band Council member Allan Planes for the official ribbon cutting at Sooke’s first Tim Horton’s. The development is now the subject of suits and counter suits related to the non-payment of sub-contractors on the project. (Tim Collins -Sooke News Mirror)

T’Sou-ke First Nation mired in legal woes over gas station development

Claims and counterclaims leave sub-contractors unpaid

Chief Gordon Planes (third from left) joins representatives of Petro Canada and Tim Horton’s and Band Council member Allan Planes for the official ribbon cutting at Sooke’s first Tim Horton’s. The development is now the subject of suits and counter suits related to the non-payment of sub-contractors on the project. (Tim Collins -Sooke News Mirror)
Cory Mills, Eric Blackmore and A.J. Jenson lost their lives after a tragic accident in Sooke. Now a scholarship has been established in their name. (Black Press Media)

Scholarship launched to honour three men who died in Sooke River

Sooke School District award will be given annually to a student graduating from EMCS

Cory Mills, Eric Blackmore and A.J. Jenson lost their lives after a tragic accident in Sooke. Now a scholarship has been established in their name. (Black Press Media)