Local News

Hatley Castle served as the primary residence for James Dunsmuir, the former premier of B.C. and lieutenant governor. It has since become a popular location for major Hollywood blockbusters such as Deadpool. (Photo courtesy of Hatley Castle)
Hatley Castle served as the primary residence for James Dunsmuir, the former premier of B.C. and lieutenant governor. It has since become a popular location for major Hollywood blockbusters such as Deadpool. (Photo courtesy of Hatley Castle)
Oak Bay is among the first 10 communities subject to the province’s Housing Supply Act, tasked with delivering 664 units in the next five years. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

‘Tough to do’: Oak Bay facing pressure to kickstart housing options

Infill housing strategy on hold as district embarks on provincial requirements

Oak Bay is among the first 10 communities subject to the province’s Housing Supply Act, tasked with delivering 664 units in the next five years. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
A photo of the crosswalk at Redford Street and 15th Avenue on a foggy day. (ELENA RARDON / Alberni Valley News)

City of Port Alberni looks to improve pedestrian safety

Multiple pedestrians hit on Redford Street this year

A photo of the crosswalk at Redford Street and 15th Avenue on a foggy day. (ELENA RARDON / Alberni Valley News)
A video shows someone breaking a lock on the Capital Bike cargo bike parked on Hillside Avenue in Victoria shortly after 5 a.m. on June 20. (Screen-grab Capital Bike/X)

VicPD returns 25% of stolen bikes as e-bike theft increases

‘This is likely due to the increased popularity of e-bikes in general since COVID-19’

A video shows someone breaking a lock on the Capital Bike cargo bike parked on Hillside Avenue in Victoria shortly after 5 a.m. on June 20. (Screen-grab Capital Bike/X)
The driver of this car was arrested and had charges recommended against him by police after he tried to accelerate into a demonstrator of a Palestine peach march in Victoria on Dec. 3. (Screenshot courtesy of the National Council of Canadian Muslims/X)

Man arrested for accelerating his car at Palestine demonstrator in Victoria

Pedestrian on the sidewalk narrowly evaded the vehicle as it sped toward them

The driver of this car was arrested and had charges recommended against him by police after he tried to accelerate into a demonstrator of a Palestine peach march in Victoria on Dec. 3. (Screenshot courtesy of the National Council of Canadian Muslims/X)
Effective Jan. 2, 2024, GFL Environmental Incorporated (GFL) will begin delivering the Capital Regional District’s (CRD) curbside blue box collection program. (CRD photo)

Big changes coming to CRD blue box collections in 2024

Some collection days may change for certain residents

Effective Jan. 2, 2024, GFL Environmental Incorporated (GFL) will begin delivering the Capital Regional District’s (CRD) curbside blue box collection program. (CRD photo)
(Black Press Media file photo)

Firearms reported in 2 weekend West Shore home invasions: RCMP

Police uncertain of links in Langford, Songhees home invasions, allegedly with weapons

(Black Press Media file photo)
VicPD seeks footage after a woman was hit in a marked crosswalk at Fairfield and Foul Bay on Nov. 29. (Black Press Media file photo)

Police seek footage after driver hits woman walking in Victoria crosswalk

Driver blew past stop sign, hit pedestrian and didn’t stop: reports

VicPD seeks footage after a woman was hit in a marked crosswalk at Fairfield and Foul Bay on Nov. 29. (Black Press Media file photo)
Cowichan Tribes’ Chief Lydia Hwitsum calls successful vote to return child and family services to the First Nation’s jurisdiction “historic”. (Citizen file photo)
Cowichan Tribes’ Chief Lydia Hwitsum calls successful vote to return child and family services to the First Nation’s jurisdiction “historic”. (Citizen file photo)
One neighbour couldn’t stand the sound of a water feature installed by the person next door. (Pexels photo)

Victoria neighbour war included violent threats over ‘bubbling’ water noise

Strata initially approved installation of water feature, but changed its mind

One neighbour couldn’t stand the sound of a water feature installed by the person next door. (Pexels photo)
Artist’s renderings of two six-storey buildings proposed for McRobb Avenue. Nanaimo city council voted to amend the covenant on the property, which was previously zoned for 20-storey highrises. (Salehi Architect Inc. images)

Covenant changing, highrises no longer coming to north Nanaimo property

City held public hearing for covenant amendment application for 6340 McRobb Ave.

Artist’s renderings of two six-storey buildings proposed for McRobb Avenue. Nanaimo city council voted to amend the covenant on the property, which was previously zoned for 20-storey highrises. (Salehi Architect Inc. images)
BC Ferries unveiled its renamed Pune’luxutth vessel on Dec. 1. The renaming was done in partnership with the Penelakut Tribe, which is serviced by the vessel. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

Indigenous renaming for BC Ferries vessel honours Penelakut Tribe

Ferry previously held the name matching the community’s residential school

BC Ferries unveiled its renamed Pune’luxutth vessel on Dec. 1. The renaming was done in partnership with the Penelakut Tribe, which is serviced by the vessel. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
Sidney firefighter Steve Bibb sweats out toxins in one of two decontamination saunas at Sidney’s Community Safety Building building. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

VIDEO: Sidney firefighters sweat out poisons after battling toxic blazes

Community Safety Building designed to defy staggering cancer odds

Sidney firefighter Steve Bibb sweats out toxins in one of two decontamination saunas at Sidney’s Community Safety Building building. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
At high tide. (Clayton Franke / The Daily World)

High astronomical tide forecast for Saanich Peninsula

Elevated ocean water levels are expected on Saturday

At high tide. (Clayton Franke / The Daily World)
Lighted boats cruise by Willows Beach during the 2016 Sea of Lights. This year’s sailpast is Friday, Dec. 1. (Black Press Media file photo)

Total of 26 decked-out boats set to sail past Saanich, Oak Bay beaches

Royal Victoria Yacht Club lighted sail past starts Dec. 1 at 6:30 p.m.

Lighted boats cruise by Willows Beach during the 2016 Sea of Lights. This year’s sailpast is Friday, Dec. 1. (Black Press Media file photo)
Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, toured the site of the new Tsow Tun Le Lem Society Healing House, located on Cowichan Tribes’ land, with other stakeholders on Nov. 27. Pictured from left are Daniella David, chair of the Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society, Colleen Erickson, chair of the First Nations Health Authority, Minister Whiteside, Richard Jock, CEO of the FNHA, and Nola Jeffrey, executive director of the Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

New healing house for First Nations completed in Cowichan

Tsow-Tun Le Lem Society Healing House set to open in January

Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, toured the site of the new Tsow Tun Le Lem Society Healing House, located on Cowichan Tribes’ land, with other stakeholders on Nov. 27. Pictured from left are Daniella David, chair of the Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society, Colleen Erickson, chair of the First Nations Health Authority, Minister Whiteside, Richard Jock, CEO of the FNHA, and Nola Jeffrey, executive director of the Tsow-Tun Le Lum Society. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Zender is pictured off-duty from working for the VicPD. (Screenshot/Victoria Police Department/X)
Zender is pictured off-duty from working for the VicPD. (Screenshot/Victoria Police Department/X)
Residents should watch for rainfall warnings and potential river advisories with heavy rain expected to start Monday (Dec. 4). (Black Press Media file photo)
Residents should watch for rainfall warnings and potential river advisories with heavy rain expected to start Monday (Dec. 4). (Black Press Media file photo)
Beautiful weather marked many days around Chemainus in November. (Photo by Don Bodger)

November rather pleasant considering the time of the year

Statistics show considerably less rainfall during the month

Beautiful weather marked many days around Chemainus in November. (Photo by Don Bodger)
A remarkably low chum salmon return at Goldstream River this year means no fertilized eggs for creek restoration programs across the south Island usually supported by the Goldstream Hatchery. (Black Press Media file photo)

Low Goldstream chum return a ‘disaster’ for hatchery programs, ecosystem

No babies for Oak Bay’s Bowker Creek salmon restoration project this year

A remarkably low chum salmon return at Goldstream River this year means no fertilized eggs for creek restoration programs across the south Island usually supported by the Goldstream Hatchery. (Black Press Media file photo)