Hollie Ferguson

A sculpture of a woodpecker by local artist Paul Lewis was stolen from its perch at Esquimalt Lagoon on March 23. (Courtesy of Paul Lewis Facebook)

‘There’s more wood than there are thieves’: Island artist defiant despite theft

Paul Lewis has been creating sculptures out of driftwood for years, delighting beach goers

A sculpture of a woodpecker by local artist Paul Lewis was stolen from its perch at Esquimalt Lagoon on March 23. (Courtesy of Paul Lewis Facebook)
Olivia Hahn, 16, wrote a book about grappling with the loss of her mother, hoping to help other young people who are in the same position. (Courtesy of Olivia Hahn)

B.C. teen publishes book about loss to help others her age process grief

Olivia Hahn’s book explores dealing with grief at a young age, detailing the loss of her mother

Olivia Hahn, 16, wrote a book about grappling with the loss of her mother, hoping to help other young people who are in the same position. (Courtesy of Olivia Hahn)
The Post-COVID clinic at Royal Jubilee Hospital with transition to a virtual model April 1, 2023. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)

Victoria post-COVID clinics close for in-person treatment

The Provincial Health Authority says referrals are low and many are already accessing care virtually

The Post-COVID clinic at Royal Jubilee Hospital with transition to a virtual model April 1, 2023. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)
The province has rolled out a plan to strengthen cancer care in B.C., with a focus on cervical cancer prevention. (Canva Creative/Black Press Media)

Access to cervical cancer screenings still lagging behind in some B.C. communities

At-home HPV screenings to go province-wide in B.C. within the year: Dix

The province has rolled out a plan to strengthen cancer care in B.C., with a focus on cervical cancer prevention. (Canva Creative/Black Press Media)
Guy Felicella spent years battling addiction. He now advocates for easier access to treatment and harm reduction strategies. (Courtesy of Guy Felicella)

Limited addiction treatment and recovery options create care gaps in B.C. communities

Recovery advocate Guy Felicella says access to treatment needs to be easier to save more lives

Guy Felicella spent years battling addiction. He now advocates for easier access to treatment and harm reduction strategies. (Courtesy of Guy Felicella)
Rock legend Neil Young performs during a rally against the destruction of old growth forests on the front lawn of the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Saturday, February 25, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

VIDEO: Neil Young sings at Victoria super-rally to protect old growth forests

People gathered at the B.C. Legislature after a march, to call for action on old growth protection

Rock legend Neil Young performs during a rally against the destruction of old growth forests on the front lawn of the legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Saturday, February 25, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Students on UVic campus in Victoria. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

Desperate B.C. students raiding dumpsters, using food banks and bartering for meals

Students at the University of Victoria are experiencing a hike in food insecurity, with little help

Students on UVic campus in Victoria. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Protesters and advocates brought painted rocks in memory of friends and family they have lost to eating disorders. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

VIDEO: ‘Huge gaps’ in care for adults with eating disorders says protest at B.C. capital

Protesters at the B.C. Legislature called for better care for adults with eating disorders

Protesters and advocates brought painted rocks in memory of friends and family they have lost to eating disorders. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
Jayson Anderson went missing July 2022 and his mother is searching for him. (Courtesy of Wanda Anderson)

Alberta mom of a missing Vancouver Island man continues search despite dead ends

Wanda Anderson working to find her son, Jayson Anderson, since he disappeared from Victoria in July

Jayson Anderson went missing July 2022 and his mother is searching for him. (Courtesy of Wanda Anderson)
Celebrations for Lunar New Year feature a lion dance, which is a way to cleanse spaces of bad vibes and bring in good luck for the new year. This lion and drum are used to by the Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club to practice for performances. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

VIDEO: Island leaps into year of the rabbit with celebrations in Victoria’s Chinatown

Lunar New Year celebrations will include lion dancing, music, lucky red envelopes and lots of food

Celebrations for Lunar New Year feature a lion dance, which is a way to cleanse spaces of bad vibes and bring in good luck for the new year. This lion and drum are used to by the Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club to practice for performances. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
Protestors from the Victoria Peace Coalition gathered January 7 on the corner of Government Street and Humboldt Street to protest against the federal purchase of 88 fighter-jets. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
Protestors from the Victoria Peace Coalition gathered January 7 on the corner of Government Street and Humboldt Street to protest against the federal purchase of 88 fighter-jets. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
Avid birder Andrew MacDonald scooped a photo of the puffin while changing the settings on his camera on Wednesday, January 4. (Courtesy Andrew MacDonald)

Windstorm blows oceangoing northern puffin into Victoria for a rare sighting

Birdwatchers in the area said it was likely the bird was blown into the area by recent high winds

Avid birder Andrew MacDonald scooped a photo of the puffin while changing the settings on his camera on Wednesday, January 4. (Courtesy Andrew MacDonald)
Routes to Tofino will remain suspended until May. (Black Press file photo)

Vancouver Island Connector bus service paused after ridership plummets

Service between Victoria and Tofino, Nanaimo and Campbell River expected to resume in May

Routes to Tofino will remain suspended until May. (Black Press file photo)
Passing snowplows can be highly dangerous. (Wolf Depner/ News Staff)

‘Near-misses’: Vancouver Island plowers beg drivers to not pass them

Passing snow plows can pose a danger to both drivers and others as the snow is thrown to the right

Passing snowplows can be highly dangerous. (Wolf Depner/ News Staff)
People walk up stairs to the entrance of the Royal BC Museum. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Stung by costly rebuild plan, Royal BC Museum going back to the public for feedback

Move comes after B.C. government cancelled a projected $789-million rebuild after public blowback

People walk up stairs to the entrance of the Royal BC Museum. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
Police stand watch over the scene of a bank robbery in Saanich which left two suspects dead and six police officers injured. (Black Press Media file photo)

Officers met with immediate gunfire, could feel ‘percussion’ of bullets at Saanich bank shooting

Police justified in shooting of BMO robbery suspects: IIO

Police stand watch over the scene of a bank robbery in Saanich which left two suspects dead and six police officers injured. (Black Press Media file photo)
The inflatable unicorn snow-blower is a Sooke tradition that brings joy to all. (Courtesy of Kiya Carscadden)

Island’s snow-blowing unicorn returns, bringing smiles along the way

The unusual snow-fall is second on the list of magical things you might see in Sooke today

The inflatable unicorn snow-blower is a Sooke tradition that brings joy to all. (Courtesy of Kiya Carscadden)
A mural on the wall of Substance on Cook Street helps bring colour and art to the street while reducing the chances of graffiti. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff) 12/16

Victoria stores struggle with ‘business as usual’ amid homeless crisis

Local shops seeing theft, disruptions and filth, but groups offering services say they are listening

A mural on the wall of Substance on Cook Street helps bring colour and art to the street while reducing the chances of graffiti. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff) 12/16
Hossein Reyhani at the B.C. legislature on Thursday, Dec. 15 in support of anti-government protests in Iran. He hopes to interact with lawmakers to pass them information and a list of requests on behalf of Iranian-Canadians that will further support the protests that are working to change the way Iran is governed. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

Protesters call for action on Iran with hunger strike at the B.C. legislature

The ongoing protests are in response to government killings of women and protesters in Iran

Hossein Reyhani at the B.C. legislature on Thursday, Dec. 15 in support of anti-government protests in Iran. He hopes to interact with lawmakers to pass them information and a list of requests on behalf of Iranian-Canadians that will further support the protests that are working to change the way Iran is governed. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
Craigflower bridge is the site where Reena Virk was murdered by a pack of teenagers in 1997. (Dunc Malcolm/News staff)

Reena Virk murder TV series production underway in B.C.

Hulu producing TV show about 1997 death of teen at the hands of other teens titled Under The Bridge

Craigflower bridge is the site where Reena Virk was murdered by a pack of teenagers in 1997. (Dunc Malcolm/News staff)