West Shore

The E&N track along Station Avenue in Langford. (Black Press Media file photo)

Premier John Horgan doubts return of Island rail service is achievable

Lack of federal support a barrier says Horgan as deadline looms

 

Peter Pauwels, a retired conservation officer, says the job offers many interesting and rewarding moments, but there are many challenges. “We have to do many unpleasant things in this job. The amount of animals I’ve had to kill is staggering. (Contrtibuted - Peter Pauwels)

We don’t enjoy ‘killing animals,’ says former B.C. conservation officer

Peter Pauwels discusses the challenges and rewards of 30 years on the job

 

Hailey Davies and Wendy Fleming seining for fish collections in Coles Bay near the Pauqachin First Nation. (Courtesy of Kieran Cox)

Study dives into microplastic movement in Vancouver Island marine food webs

Wide variety of species ingest microplastics, but biomagnification not found

 

Police have closed off a section of the Esquimalt Lagoon and Ocean Blvd. while they investigate a suspicious death. Police ask anyone who is in the area and may have seen something suspicious to contact them. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Suspicious death investigation closes Greater Victoria beach

BC Coroners Service on scene at Esquimalt Lagoon, public asked to stay away

Police have closed off a section of the Esquimalt Lagoon and Ocean Blvd. while they investigate a suspicious death. Police ask anyone who is in the area and may have seen something suspicious to contact them. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Conservation officer Peter Pauwels recently retired after 30 years of service, the vast majority of which was spent working in the Capital Region and southern Vancouver Island. (Courtesy Peter Pauwels)

The inconvenient truths about black bears in Greater Victoria

Think again if you believe development drives bears away, says former conservation officer

Conservation officer Peter Pauwels recently retired after 30 years of service, the vast majority of which was spent working in the Capital Region and southern Vancouver Island. (Courtesy Peter Pauwels)
Tiny home dweller Bryce Knudtson and others are facing eviction from the Metchosin property they’ve resided on with permission of the owner, as district bylaws do not allow more than one primary and one accessory dwelling on one lot.(Courtesy Bryce Knudtson)

Greater Victoria tiny home residents seek regulatory change as eviction deadline approaches

Petition calls on all levels of government to address affordable housing shortage

Tiny home dweller Bryce Knudtson and others are facing eviction from the Metchosin property they’ve resided on with permission of the owner, as district bylaws do not allow more than one primary and one accessory dwelling on one lot.(Courtesy Bryce Knudtson)
B.C. Premier John Horgan and T’Sou-ke Nation Chief Gordie Planes listen to an explanation from Synergraze founder and CEO Tamara Loiselle on how the spore tank works at a demonstration project in a greenhouse that’s home to an innovative project aimed at reducing methane gas emissions from livestock. (Rick Stiebel - Sooke News Mirror)

B.C. premier pitches plan for less gas from cattle

Innovative technology could drastically reduce cattle methane emissions

B.C. Premier John Horgan and T’Sou-ke Nation Chief Gordie Planes listen to an explanation from Synergraze founder and CEO Tamara Loiselle on how the spore tank works at a demonstration project in a greenhouse that’s home to an innovative project aimed at reducing methane gas emissions from livestock. (Rick Stiebel - Sooke News Mirror)
The West Shore RCMP is asking the public for more information on this man, who is a suspect in multiple theft investigations. (Courtesy West Shore RCMP)

UPDATE: West Shore suspect arrested after ambulance support vehicle stolen in Ucluelet

Police make several attempts to stop suspect travelling between Sooke, Ladysmith

The West Shore RCMP is asking the public for more information on this man, who is a suspect in multiple theft investigations. (Courtesy West Shore RCMP)
Lack of available and affordable housing in the region has seen some junior members of the Royal Canadian Navy at CFB Esquimalt stay in single quarters largely meant for trainees, months after they were meant to find housing off base. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

New recruits at CFB Esquimalt struggle to find housing after training completed

Some personnel remain in single quarters due to cost, availability of housing in region

Lack of available and affordable housing in the region has seen some junior members of the Royal Canadian Navy at CFB Esquimalt stay in single quarters largely meant for trainees, months after they were meant to find housing off base. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
Brianna Miller kicks the conversion against Italy at Starlight Stadium on July 24. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Canadian women’s rugby team wins 34-24 versus Italy

First time women’s 15’s have played at home in 7 years

Brianna Miller kicks the conversion against Italy at Starlight Stadium on July 24. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. has cleared police of any wrongdoing in the death of a Saanich teen. (Black Press Media file photo)

Watchdog clears south Island RCMP officers of wrongdoing in Saanich teen’s death

19-year-old man died after driving off the road into the ocean in North Saanich

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. has cleared police of any wrongdoing in the death of a Saanich teen. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Malahat will see more work overnight from July 18 to 20 as repairs from last fall’s intense rains continue. (Courtesy BC Transportation)

Island drivers to face delays on Malahat during overnight work next week

Crews will be changing the lane configuration near Tunnel Hill ahead of permanent repairs

The Malahat will see more work overnight from July 18 to 20 as repairs from last fall’s intense rains continue. (Courtesy BC Transportation)
A West Shore RCMP traffic officer points out the Automatic Licence Plate Recognition system on their cruiser. Police are cracking down on improperly displayed plates on vehicles. (Courtesy West Shore RCMP)

Vancouver Island RCMP remind motorists to display plates properly, check insurance

40 vehicles were found with improperly displayed plates in just one hour of West Shore patrols

A West Shore RCMP traffic officer points out the Automatic Licence Plate Recognition system on their cruiser. Police are cracking down on improperly displayed plates on vehicles. (Courtesy West Shore RCMP)
Spencer Middle School in Langford is part of SD62. (Black Press Media file photo)

Island parents battle school board for refund after COVID cancelled school band trip

Parents refunded $1,600 of the $2,900 spent for Spencer Middle School students’ trip to Disneyland

Spencer Middle School in Langford is part of SD62. (Black Press Media file photo)
Health Canada has seized sexual enhancement products from a business in Langford, including the two pictured here, and is warning anyone who purchased them to not use them due to health risks. (Courtesy of Health Canada)

Health Canada seizes hazardous sexual enhancement products from multiple B.C. stores

Customers are cautioned not to use the products as they may contain dangerous ingredients

Health Canada has seized sexual enhancement products from a business in Langford, including the two pictured here, and is warning anyone who purchased them to not use them due to health risks. (Courtesy of Health Canada)
The Central Saanich Police Service is asking the public to help locate Nathaniel Watters, who was last seen early Friday morning. (Courtesy Central Saanich Police Service)

Potential sighting of missing man the focus of search between Sooke, Cowichan

Organizers call for boots on the ground, all-terrain vehicles, 4x4s, to help find Nathaniel Watters

The Central Saanich Police Service is asking the public to help locate Nathaniel Watters, who was last seen early Friday morning. (Courtesy Central Saanich Police Service)
A team jumped to the rescue of a baby porpoise in distress at Whiffin Spit. (Submitted)

Stranded baby porpoise rescued after Vancouver Island hiker splashes into action

Sooke residents start rescue before professional reinforcements arrive by air

A team jumped to the rescue of a baby porpoise in distress at Whiffin Spit. (Submitted)
Honey gets around with a wheelchair on loan from a Greater Victoria Animal Crusaders supporter. (Courtesy GVAC)

VIDEO: Animal crusader loans wheelchair to abandoned, paralyzed Vancouver Island pup

French bulldog Honey recovering with significant ongoing care

Honey gets around with a wheelchair on loan from a Greater Victoria Animal Crusaders supporter. (Courtesy GVAC)
Canada’s Keyara Wardley smiles as she shrugs off a tackle by Spain during the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series stop at Starlight Stadium on April 30. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Canada women’s 15s face Italy in Vancouver Island rugby match

July 24 game marks first of two summer matches in Canada

Canada’s Keyara Wardley smiles as she shrugs off a tackle by Spain during the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series stop at Starlight Stadium on April 30. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Singer Maggie Martin has taken social media by storm with more than 3.5 million likes on TikTok. Her latest release Never Blue has been picked up by Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. (Contributed - Maggie Martin)

Vancouver Island singer Maggie Martin racks up 3.5 million likes on TikTok

Langford resident didn’t let the grass grow under her feet during pandemic

Singer Maggie Martin has taken social media by storm with more than 3.5 million likes on TikTok. Her latest release Never Blue has been picked up by Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. (Contributed - Maggie Martin)