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Standing in front of her father’s medals and holding up his autobiography that focuses on his time in the army, Elizabeth Macrae recalls how it was a struggle for her parents to get the support they needed after serving (her mother was also a decoder in the army). Macrae is the president of the Victoria - Fred Whitehouse Branch at the National Association of Federal Retirees. (Samantha Duerksen/BlackPress Media)

‘I fought fiercely’: Victoria organization helps veterans find support

National Association of Federal Retirees, whose founder was from Victoria, celebrated its 60th anniversary

Standing in front of her father’s medals and holding up his autobiography that focuses on his time in the army, Elizabeth Macrae recalls how it was a struggle for her parents to get the support they needed after serving (her mother was also a decoder in the army). Macrae is the president of the Victoria - Fred Whitehouse Branch at the National Association of Federal Retirees. (Samantha Duerksen/BlackPress Media)
Veterans lay a wreath at the Saanich Cenotaph during a previous Remembrance Day ceremony. (Black Press Media file photo)

Remembrance Day ceremonies taking place across Greater Victoria

Victoria ceremony takes place at the cenotaph on the legislature grounds starting at 10:30 a.m.

  • Nov 7, 2023
Veterans lay a wreath at the Saanich Cenotaph during a previous Remembrance Day ceremony. (Black Press Media file photo)
A woman stands on the Sooke flowline shortly after it was built. Some hikers still use the flowline trail, though it is marked as off-limits to the public. (Image provided by the CRD)

Hidden, high-rated Vancouver Island hiking trail designated as hazardous

While the Sooke Flow Pipe Trail has an interesting history, the CRD says to appreciate it from afar

A woman stands on the Sooke flowline shortly after it was built. Some hikers still use the flowline trail, though it is marked as off-limits to the public. (Image provided by the CRD)
Harjas Singh Popli, Naveet Kaur, Bhupinder Kaur, Sachleen Kaur, Surinder Singh and Harpeet Singh pose for a photo outside the Fateh Care vehicle. (Photo by Tim Collins)

Fateh Care is one candle lighting another

Saanich family’s charitable ways born out of adversity and faith

  • Nov 5, 2023
Harjas Singh Popli, Naveet Kaur, Bhupinder Kaur, Sachleen Kaur, Surinder Singh and Harpeet Singh pose for a photo outside the Fateh Care vehicle. (Photo by Tim Collins)
The steam clock is an iconic market in historic Gastown in downtown Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

QUIZ: How much do you know about keeping time?

Daylight Saving Time has come to an end for another year

The steam clock is an iconic market in historic Gastown in downtown Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
The Victoria Cool Aid Society has launched a fundraising challenge to help buy socks. (Victoria Cool Aid Society/Facebook)

Greater Victoria residents asked to donate to socks campaign

Goal is 10,000 socks for unhoused

  • Nov 4, 2023
The Victoria Cool Aid Society has launched a fundraising challenge to help buy socks. (Victoria Cool Aid Society/Facebook)
George Morrison climbs aboard a teacher’s pickup to load up the food the school community at Oak Bay High collected for the Mustard Seed’s food network. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Greater Victoria charities see soaring demand for food and housing

Newcomers and students top the list

  • Nov 3, 2023
George Morrison climbs aboard a teacher’s pickup to load up the food the school community at Oak Bay High collected for the Mustard Seed’s food network. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Outreach, RCMP and bylaw are supervising the parking lot beside the Connect Centre as people sheltering in parking spaces dismantle their tents to leave. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)

Homeless man speaks out on encampment issues in Courtenay

“People don’t have anything to put their faith into. It’s all talk talk talk, and nothing’s done.”

Outreach, RCMP and bylaw are supervising the parking lot beside the Connect Centre as people sheltering in parking spaces dismantle their tents to leave. (Connor McDowell/Comox Valley Record)
James Lockwood (left), Cammy Lockwood, and UBC student Irene Lam who had been assisting the couple over the summer with the first phase of their EcoBug project pose in front of the farm’s egg vending machine. (Chadd Cawson/Connector)

Lockwood Farms launches first phase of new EcoBug project

Feeding Black Soldier Fly Larvae to hens shows significant potential to improve our environment

James Lockwood (left), Cammy Lockwood, and UBC student Irene Lam who had been assisting the couple over the summer with the first phase of their EcoBug project pose in front of the farm’s egg vending machine. (Chadd Cawson/Connector)
Eric Berbenuik shares his collection of Tonka trucks which adorned his Langford yard. (Photo by Tim Collins)

Tonka trucks treasured for new generation at Langford home

Pieces of the past pay homage to old Langford

  • Nov 1, 2023
Eric Berbenuik shares his collection of Tonka trucks which adorned his Langford yard. (Photo by Tim Collins)
CFAX Santas Anonymous relies on donors picking tags off wish trees in recreation centres across Greater Victoria to provide kids with holiday gifts. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Santas Anonymous registration hits 1,200 maximum in ‘shocking’ 24 hours

Food bank operators believe ‘Christmas need will be through the roof’

CFAX Santas Anonymous relies on donors picking tags off wish trees in recreation centres across Greater Victoria to provide kids with holiday gifts. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Elise Feltrin and Jim Tallman look over some of the reading material and information for an Afghani Afternoon on Sunday at the Chemainus United Church. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Private sponsorship group bringing Afghani woman to Chemainus

Sunday fundraiser part of the process to provide vital assistance

Elise Feltrin and Jim Tallman look over some of the reading material and information for an Afghani Afternoon on Sunday at the Chemainus United Church. (Photo by Don Bodger)
The Pescada home in Trout Creek was one of many Summerland homes decorated for Halloween on Oct. 31. This display included a haunted house tour and a smoke display. (Black Press file photo)

QUIZ: Are you ready for thrills and chills for Halloween?

Oct. 31 is a day for pumpkins and Jack O’Lanterns, bats, spine-tingling tales and more

The Pescada home in Trout Creek was one of many Summerland homes decorated for Halloween on Oct. 31. This display included a haunted house tour and a smoke display. (Black Press file photo)
Sarah Williamson expects to start every day of her second Royal Lepage Trek for Shelter with tears and purpose, much like she did in the Purcells in 2021 (pictured). (Courtesy of Sarah Williamson)

Realtor climbs mountains for Greater Victoria women facing violence

Women fleeing violence face ‘perfect storm’ of compounded challenges

Sarah Williamson expects to start every day of her second Royal Lepage Trek for Shelter with tears and purpose, much like she did in the Purcells in 2021 (pictured). (Courtesy of Sarah Williamson)
Owen and Tyson Rhodes check out the view from the captain’s seat during a tour of WCMRC oil response vessel Barkley Sentinel. (Andrew Bailey photo)

Oil spill response vessels tour through Tofino and Ucluelet

Western Canada Marine Response Corporation offers tours of Barkley Sentinel and Solander Sentinel

Owen and Tyson Rhodes check out the view from the captain’s seat during a tour of WCMRC oil response vessel Barkley Sentinel. (Andrew Bailey photo)
Rita Da Silva makes scarves for the unhoused in Victoria. (Rita Da Silva photo)

‘Stitches of love’: Victoria woman crochets for unhoused as winter looms

Rita Da Silva decided to create scarves for a local shelter from donated yarn

Rita Da Silva makes scarves for the unhoused in Victoria. (Rita Da Silva photo)
From left are head brewer Darrin Finnerty, production manager Quinton Armstrong, and assistant brewer Scotia Siider at the Beach Fire Brewery. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror

Campbell River brewery wins gold at Canada Beer Cup

Ember Red Ale named top in its category

From left are head brewer Darrin Finnerty, production manager Quinton Armstrong, and assistant brewer Scotia Siider at the Beach Fire Brewery. Photo by Marc Kitteringham/Campbell River Mirror
Muralist Renee Audy’s I AM Community towers on the side of the community hall in Millet, Alta. and depicts a five-year-old girl and a retired school teacher from the community, counting, smelling and playing with flowers in a local wildflower garden. (Courtesy Renee Audy)

Victoria artist targets 100 murals to drive positivity, mental wellbeing

I Am project looks to empower people, support mental health and spread positivity

Muralist Renee Audy’s I AM Community towers on the side of the community hall in Millet, Alta. and depicts a five-year-old girl and a retired school teacher from the community, counting, smelling and playing with flowers in a local wildflower garden. (Courtesy Renee Audy)
The BC Cancer Foundation has launched a $15-million fundraising campaign to fully fund the purchase and renovation of 2340 Richmond Rd. in Victoria. (BC Cancer Foundation photo)

BC Cancer Foundation raising $15M to buy and renovate Victoria building

Campaign kicks off with two massive donations

The BC Cancer Foundation has launched a $15-million fundraising campaign to fully fund the purchase and renovation of 2340 Richmond Rd. in Victoria. (BC Cancer Foundation photo)
Negotiations between K’ómoks First Nation, B.C. and Canada are coming to a close, and the public is invited to attend in-person and virtual open houses. File photo

‘Action4Canada is not welcome in K’ómoks Territory’: Elected Chief and council

K’ómoks First Nation responds to local churches hosting Action4Canada founder

Negotiations between K’ómoks First Nation, B.C. and Canada are coming to a close, and the public is invited to attend in-person and virtual open houses. File photo