Aaron Guillen

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Inmates at Metchosin’s William Head Institution are being given COVID-19 vaccines as part of the first phase. Around 600 inmates will be vaccinated in the coming days. (Black Press Media file photo)

William Head prison inmates in receive first doses of COVID vaccine

Priority set for older inmates and those with underlying medical conditions

Inmates at Metchosin’s William Head Institution are being given COVID-19 vaccines as part of the first phase. Around 600 inmates will be vaccinated in the coming days. (Black Press Media file photo)
A Sooke woman is speaking up after she was almost tricked by a lottery scam, claiming she had won $950,000 with Set for Life Lottery. (File Photo)

‘I wanted it to be true so badly’: Sooke senior narrowly avoids lottery scam

88-year-old received letter stating she had won $950,000

A Sooke woman is speaking up after she was almost tricked by a lottery scam, claiming she had won $950,000 with Set for Life Lottery. (File Photo)
Coaches with the Juan de Fuca Minor Hockey association have had to get creative during their weekly practices to keep players interested and improving their skills without physical contact. (Damian Kowalewich photo)

Vancouver Island minor hockey coach shares what it’s like on the ice without parents, fans

Most practices consist of relay races, goalie shots and passing drills

Coaches with the Juan de Fuca Minor Hockey association have had to get creative during their weekly practices to keep players interested and improving their skills without physical contact. (Damian Kowalewich photo)
Sooke’s Jim Bottomley is among a handful of futurists based in Canada. “I want to help people understand the future of humanity.” (Aaron Guillen - Sooke News Mirror)

No crystal ball: Island man reveals how he makes his living predicting the future

63-year-old has worked analytical magic for politicians, car brands, and cosmetic companies

Sooke’s Jim Bottomley is among a handful of futurists based in Canada. “I want to help people understand the future of humanity.” (Aaron Guillen - Sooke News Mirror)
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said a lack of experienced crew members and the inability to detect navigational errors is what led to a Sooke search and rescue boat running aground in February 2019. (Twitter / @VicJRCC_CCCOS)

TSB: Sooke search and rescue boat crash caused by ‘misinterpretation of navigational information’

Crew members were lacking experience and unable to detect navigational errors

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said a lack of experienced crew members and the inability to detect navigational errors is what led to a Sooke search and rescue boat running aground in February 2019. (Twitter / @VicJRCC_CCCOS)
After four days, Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue have called off their search for Langford’s Timothy Ross, 38. They presume he drowned while kayaking. (Contributed - RCMP)

All search efforts for missing Langford man called off in Sooke

Langford’s Timothy Ross, 38, most likely drowned, according to JDF search and rescue

After four days, Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue have called off their search for Langford’s Timothy Ross, 38. They presume he drowned while kayaking. (Contributed - RCMP)
After four days, Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue have called off their search for Langford’s Timothy Ross, 38. They presume he drowned while kayaking. (Contributed - RCMP)

Search called off for kayaker missing near Sooke, officials say

Langford’s Timothy Ross, 38, most likely drowned, according to JDF search and rescue

After four days, Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue have called off their search for Langford’s Timothy Ross, 38. They presume he drowned while kayaking. (Contributed - RCMP)
Timothy Ross is described as 5’8” and 170 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes. (Contributed - RCMP)

Kayak belonging to missing Langford man found in Sooke

Ground and air crews continue search Wednesday

Timothy Ross is described as 5’8” and 170 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes. (Contributed - RCMP)
Emily Rose laid down a kindness rocks at a tribute to 16-year-old Andre Courtemanche, whose body was found Saturday at Goldstream Provincial Park in Langford. (Emily Rose photo)

‘It’s heartbreaking:’ Calls for increased mental health support following death of Langford teen

16-year-old Andre Courtemanche’s body was found at Goldstream Provincial Park

Emily Rose laid down a kindness rocks at a tribute to 16-year-old Andre Courtemanche, whose body was found Saturday at Goldstream Provincial Park in Langford. (Emily Rose photo)
Metchosin Mayor John Ranns said he has no plans to relieve Coun. Kyara Kahakauwila as deputy mayor. Kahakauwila has come under public scrutiny after travelling to Mexico for a wedding in December. (Submitted file photo)

Residents fuming, calling for Metchosin councillor to resign following ‘fiesta fiasco’

Mayor John Ranns has no plans to remove Kahakauwila as deputy mayor

Metchosin Mayor John Ranns said he has no plans to relieve Coun. Kyara Kahakauwila as deputy mayor. Kahakauwila has come under public scrutiny after travelling to Mexico for a wedding in December. (Submitted file photo)
A Blue Jay, commonly found in the Central and Eastern United States and the southeastern coast of Canada, was spotted in Sooke on Dec. 27. (Contributed – Robin Robinson)

Blue jay, usually found in southeastern Canada, spotted in Sooke

Around 80 birders counted 118 different species within a single day

A Blue Jay, commonly found in the Central and Eastern United States and the southeastern coast of Canada, was spotted in Sooke on Dec. 27. (Contributed – Robin Robinson)
Registration for French immersion and nature kindergarten programs in the Sooke School District start at 8 a.m. on Jan. 11. Regular kindergarten registration begins on Jan. 25. (File - iStock)

Lottery system continues for nature, French immersion kindergarten

Registration began today in Sooke school district

Registration for French immersion and nature kindergarten programs in the Sooke School District start at 8 a.m. on Jan. 11. Regular kindergarten registration begins on Jan. 25. (File - iStock)
The body of missing Langford teen Andre Courtmanche, 16, was found in Goldstream Provincial Park on the evening of Jan. 9. Police do not suspect foul play and the cause of death is still under investigation. (Courtesy of West Shore RCMP)

Body of missing 16-year-old Langford teen found in Goldstream Provincial Park

Discovery made by search and rescue teams on Saturday evening

The body of missing Langford teen Andre Courtmanche, 16, was found in Goldstream Provincial Park on the evening of Jan. 9. Police do not suspect foul play and the cause of death is still under investigation. (Courtesy of West Shore RCMP)
Sooke’s Keith VanEyk will be headed to Toronto in mid-January to surgically remove one lung due to mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by asbestos. (Keith VanEyk photo)

Vancouver Island man needs a lung removed, here’s why

Keith VanEyk diagnosed with mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by asbestos

Sooke’s Keith VanEyk will be headed to Toronto in mid-January to surgically remove one lung due to mesothelioma, a rare cancer caused by asbestos. (Keith VanEyk photo)
Although 533 properties were sold in Sooke in 2020, there has been a low inventory in the market since the summer months. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sooke has ‘virtually no inventory’, according to real estate agents

Just over 100 active listings, around 40 per cent as vacant land

Although 533 properties were sold in Sooke in 2020, there has been a low inventory in the market since the summer months. (Black Press Media file photo)
(Black Press Media file photo)

Island mayor says travelling politicians need to meet highest possible standards

Greater Victoria politicians’ travel activities come under fire

(Black Press Media file photo)
Colwood Mayor Rob Martin is pitching the idea of a gondola on a 10-acre lot in Royal Bay, which could connect to a commuter ferry to downtown Victoria along the city’s waterfront. Currently, there is no funding in place for the gondola project and no discussion have taken place at council meetings. (Twitter/@PortlandTram)

Colwood mayor pitches 10 acres for gondola, parking

Project dependent on province approving commuter ferry to downtown Victoria

Colwood Mayor Rob Martin is pitching the idea of a gondola on a 10-acre lot in Royal Bay, which could connect to a commuter ferry to downtown Victoria along the city’s waterfront. Currently, there is no funding in place for the gondola project and no discussion have taken place at council meetings. (Twitter/@PortlandTram)
The District of Metchosin’s city hall. (Black Press Media file photo)

Metchosin councillor travelled to Mexico in December

Protocols followed, mayor and council were made aware before trip for wedding of business partner

The District of Metchosin’s city hall. (Black Press Media file photo)
Bacon, an eight-month-old puppy, is in a splint after she was kicked by a random stranger on Christmas Day on Beecher Bay Reserve in East Sooke. (Facebook/Ronnie Marie Tejano)

Puppy kicked by stranger in East Sooke on Christmas Day

Dog currently in splint, X-ray and surgery bill to cost around $5,700

Bacon, an eight-month-old puppy, is in a splint after she was kicked by a random stranger on Christmas Day on Beecher Bay Reserve in East Sooke. (Facebook/Ronnie Marie Tejano)
Victoria’s Christmas Bird Count has finished with a total of 142 individual bird species spotted within a single day. (Mark Byrne photo)

Rare bird usually found between Oregon and South America spotted on Vancouver Island

Greater Victoria birders spot more than 140 bird species within a single day

Victoria’s Christmas Bird Count has finished with a total of 142 individual bird species spotted within a single day. (Mark Byrne photo)