Don Descoteau

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South Island team members Penny Baziuk (from left) and Jackie Hellard, golf historian Mike Riste, and Greater Vancouver team members Diane McFarlane, Elaine Blatchford and Kathryn McGarvey gather holding vintage clubs on the first tee at Gorge Vale Golf Club before the start of the 100th anniversary Huntting Cup competition Monday. The competition alternates between the mainland and Island. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Historic return to cup play for Greater Victoria, Vancouver golfers

Gorge Vale hosts 100th anniversary of the Huntting Cup competition

South Island team members Penny Baziuk (from left) and Jackie Hellard, golf historian Mike Riste, and Greater Vancouver team members Diane McFarlane, Elaine Blatchford and Kathryn McGarvey gather holding vintage clubs on the first tee at Gorge Vale Golf Club before the start of the 100th anniversary Huntting Cup competition Monday. The competition alternates between the mainland and Island. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
A temporary access road and construction stakes rim what has been a popular North Saanich beach, off Madrona Drive and Norris Road. A retaining wall project underway at the rear of a Madrona Drive property has made the beach much less desirable spot, residents say. (Photo by Dave Spencer)

North Saanich beach lovers dismayed at condition of site amid construction project

Retaining wall project to address extensive erosion leaves Norris Beach a mess

A temporary access road and construction stakes rim what has been a popular North Saanich beach, off Madrona Drive and Norris Road. A retaining wall project underway at the rear of a Madrona Drive property has made the beach much less desirable spot, residents say. (Photo by Dave Spencer)
Aerial photo of the Victoria International Airport land proposed for the TownePlace Suites by Marriott hotel. (Courtesy Kothari Group)

Marriott hotel proposal announced for Victoria International Airport land in Sidney

Lease for hotel at Beacon Avenue and Stirling Way would create revenue for YYJ

Aerial photo of the Victoria International Airport land proposed for the TownePlace Suites by Marriott hotel. (Courtesy Kothari Group)
The West Shore’s five municipalities each have uniquely tailor-made ways of protecting trees and sensitive areas. Shown is a neighbourhood in the City of Colwood, which recently amended its 2020 urban forest bylaw. (Courtesy of the City of Colwood)

Tree protection on the West Shore: Most municipalities go the bylaw route

City of Langford opted for development permit area method offered by province

The West Shore’s five municipalities each have uniquely tailor-made ways of protecting trees and sensitive areas. Shown is a neighbourhood in the City of Colwood, which recently amended its 2020 urban forest bylaw. (Courtesy of the City of Colwood)
Seattle Mariners field co-ordinator and former Saanich resident Carson Vitale, right, shares a laugh with the team’s rookie star Julio Rodriguez at T-Mobile Park. (Photo by Ben VanHouten/Seattle Mariners)

Seattle baseball success no surprise to Saanich-born Mariners coach

Lambrick Park alum Carson Vitale has experienced highs and lows with MLB team

Seattle Mariners field co-ordinator and former Saanich resident Carson Vitale, right, shares a laugh with the team’s rookie star Julio Rodriguez at T-Mobile Park. (Photo by Ben VanHouten/Seattle Mariners)
Visitors check out vintage Fords on the legislature grounds during the Northwest Deuce Days show and shine on the Inner Harbour Sunday. Don Descoteau/Victoria News Staff

PHOTOS: Northwest Deuce Days deals Victoria a winning hand

Triennial event packs Inner Harbour area for Sunday show and shine

Visitors check out vintage Fords on the legislature grounds during the Northwest Deuce Days show and shine on the Inner Harbour Sunday. Don Descoteau/Victoria News Staff
Visitors check out vintage Fords on the legislature grounds during the Northwest Deuce Days show and shine on the Inner Harbour Sunday. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Northwest Deuce Days deals Victoria a winning hand

Triennial event packs Inner Harbour area for Sunday show and shine

Visitors check out vintage Fords on the legislature grounds during the Northwest Deuce Days show and shine on the Inner Harbour Sunday. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
Saanich is investigating the possibility of allowing onsite stormwater disposal systems for residential lots not connected to municipal services. (Fred Haynes/Twitter)

Saanich to look into onsite stormwater disposal for unserviced lots

Garden suite requirement prompts investigation; will include all residential additions

Saanich is investigating the possibility of allowing onsite stormwater disposal systems for residential lots not connected to municipal services. (Fred Haynes/Twitter)
A 25-unit townhome project proposed for 630 Gorge Rd. West was approved by Saanich council July 12 after a public hearing. (Courtesy of Abstract Developments)

Loss of Garry oaks not enough to derail Gorge Road development in Saanich

Council votes 7-2 to approve waterview townhome project

A 25-unit townhome project proposed for 630 Gorge Rd. West was approved by Saanich council July 12 after a public hearing. (Courtesy of Abstract Developments)
Rendering shows the southwest view and rear apron of the proposed new Saanich Fire Department No. 2 station at Royal Oak and Elk Lake drives. (Courtesy District of Saanich)

Saanich looks to the future, approves new $26.6-million Royal Oak fire hall

No. 2 station will be a state-of-the-art facility designed to be carbon neutral

Rendering shows the southwest view and rear apron of the proposed new Saanich Fire Department No. 2 station at Royal Oak and Elk Lake drives. (Courtesy District of Saanich)
Residents in the rural Saanich neighbourhoods west of Elk Lake have rallied to call for measures to reduce speeding and improve safety along certain roads for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. (Photo by JoAnne Nelson)

Rural Saanich traffic woes amplified by petition comments

Councillors vote to have closer look taken at issues, ahead of speed study

Residents in the rural Saanich neighbourhoods west of Elk Lake have rallied to call for measures to reduce speeding and improve safety along certain roads for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. (Photo by JoAnne Nelson)
Chief Petty Officer First Class Tim Blonde has been removed from his position as formation chief petty officer of Maritime Forces Pacific after an investigation into comments he is said to have made about a junior officer during a social event at CFB Esquimalt in May. (Photo by LS Laurance Clarke/Royal Canadian Navy)

Navy strips Esquimalt-based sailor of leadership role for inappropriate comments

Tim Blonde was serving as Formation Chief Petty Officer of Maritime Forces Pacific

Chief Petty Officer First Class Tim Blonde has been removed from his position as formation chief petty officer of Maritime Forces Pacific after an investigation into comments he is said to have made about a junior officer during a social event at CFB Esquimalt in May. (Photo by LS Laurance Clarke/Royal Canadian Navy)
A property at 630 Gorge Rd. W., currently home to 19 units in multiple configurations, is the subject of a public hearing Tuesday, July 12, starting at 7 p.m. (Google streetview)

Gorge Road property redevelopment topic of Saanich public hearing Tuesday

Townhomes would replace existing 1950s-era 19-unit rental apartment complex

A property at 630 Gorge Rd. W., currently home to 19 units in multiple configurations, is the subject of a public hearing Tuesday, July 12, starting at 7 p.m. (Google streetview)
The southwest corner of Shelbourne Street and McRae Avenue will see a six-storey condominium project, after council approved Abstract Developments’ application for the site following a lengthy public hearing on July 5. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Six storeys it is for Shelbourne Street development in Saanich

87-unit market condominium project approved by council after 4-hour hearing

The southwest corner of Shelbourne Street and McRae Avenue will see a six-storey condominium project, after council approved Abstract Developments’ application for the site following a lengthy public hearing on July 5. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
Dorothy Wing, left, and Myrtle Peters, residents at Revera Parkwood Place on Shelbourne Street, stand with some of theirs and other resident artworks. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Artists at Saanich retirement community reflect on a lifetime of inspiration

Dorothy Wing and Myrtle Peters have been painting since childhood

Dorothy Wing, left, and Myrtle Peters, residents at Revera Parkwood Place on Shelbourne Street, stand with some of theirs and other resident artworks. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
Players and coaches with the Cordova Bay U-15 girls softball team celebrate their bronze medal at the provincial C championships in North Vancouver last weekend. Pictured are (back row, left) coach Treana Clarke, head coach Doug Caul, Lauryn Gladstone, Ruby Jones, Sophie Caul, Kate McNicol, Naomi Young, Brooklyn Ball, coach Lisa Jones; (front left) assistant coach Kass Gibbs, Jenna Gibbs, Lucy Caul, Carys Clarke, Madeline Baxter and Kate Niedjalski. (Photo courtesy Mia Ball)

Saanich softballers go down to the wire at provincial championships

Cordova Bay girls take bronze after back-to-back one-run losses

Players and coaches with the Cordova Bay U-15 girls softball team celebrate their bronze medal at the provincial C championships in North Vancouver last weekend. Pictured are (back row, left) coach Treana Clarke, head coach Doug Caul, Lauryn Gladstone, Ruby Jones, Sophie Caul, Kate McNicol, Naomi Young, Brooklyn Ball, coach Lisa Jones; (front left) assistant coach Kass Gibbs, Jenna Gibbs, Lucy Caul, Carys Clarke, Madeline Baxter and Kate Niedjalski. (Photo courtesy Mia Ball)
Traffic rolls along Saanich Road, part of one of nine corridors in a safe speed study to be done by the district. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Saanich to study speeds on 9 high-priority corridors around district

Selection of roads based on crash data, conflict frequency, resident advocacy

Traffic rolls along Saanich Road, part of one of nine corridors in a safe speed study to be done by the district. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
Debris is strewn along the 3300-block of Cook Street following a high-speed vehicle incident involving one driver and multiple parked cars. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

UPDATE: Saanich police subdue driver after high-speed, crash-filled trip down Cook Street

Man refused help from witness, was taken to hospital in ‘medical distress’

Debris is strewn along the 3300-block of Cook Street following a high-speed vehicle incident involving one driver and multiple parked cars. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
Dave Saunders, former Colwood mayor and an advocate for increased long-term care solutions on the West Shore, is using the Saunders Family Foundation to lobby for a new approach to community health care. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

VIDEO: West Shore team proposing real solutions to B.C.’s family doctor crisis

Integrated approach to community health care promoted by former Colwood mayor

Dave Saunders, former Colwood mayor and an advocate for increased long-term care solutions on the West Shore, is using the Saunders Family Foundation to lobby for a new approach to community health care. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Members of Canada’s national rowing program gather for a photo with federal Minister of Sport Pascale St-Onge (centre, in pants), following a funding announcement July 5 benefiting grassroots rowing programs and the new national team training facility in the Cowichan Valley. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Rowing community on Vancouver Island welcomes restart funding

Funding coming for grassroots programs, national training centre infrastructure

Members of Canada’s national rowing program gather for a photo with federal Minister of Sport Pascale St-Onge (centre, in pants), following a funding announcement July 5 benefiting grassroots rowing programs and the new national team training facility in the Cowichan Valley. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)