District of Saanich

The Capital Regional District and Island Health advised against swimming in or drinking water from Elk and Beaver Lake Regional Park after a toxic blue-green algae bloom was reported on Dec. 5. (Black Press Media file photo)

CRD warns of toxic algae bloom at Elk/Beaver Lake

Blue-green algae can be lethal to dogs, cause health issues for humans

The Capital Regional District and Island Health advised against swimming in or drinking water from Elk and Beaver Lake Regional Park after a toxic blue-green algae bloom was reported on Dec. 5. (Black Press Media file photo)
Saanich golfer and top B.C. junior and juvenile player Willy Bishop was named to the 2021 Canadian National Junior Golf Squad on Nov. 19. (Photo courtesy Jenny Bishop)

Saanich student to tee-off with national golf team

Willy Bishop, 16, named to Canadian National Junior Golf Squad in 2021

Saanich golfer and top B.C. junior and juvenile player Willy Bishop was named to the 2021 Canadian National Junior Golf Squad on Nov. 19. (Photo courtesy Jenny Bishop)
The Saanich Fire Department’s C platoon worked quickly to douse a fire in an apartment building in the 1500-block of Arrow Road after 4:45 p.m. on Nov. 20. (Rob Heppell/Twitter)

One person taken to hospital following fire in Saanich apartment building

Suite contents ‘heavily damaged,’ building residents evacuated, firefighter says

The Saanich Fire Department’s C platoon worked quickly to douse a fire in an apartment building in the 1500-block of Arrow Road after 4:45 p.m. on Nov. 20. (Rob Heppell/Twitter)
A COVID-19 exposure has been reported at Lakeview Christian School in Saanich. (Photo via Lakeview Christian School website)

Island Health reports COVID-19 exposure at Saanich school

One member of Lakeview Christian School community tested positive

A COVID-19 exposure has been reported at Lakeview Christian School in Saanich. (Photo via Lakeview Christian School website)
The Friends of Mount Douglas Park Society is reminding park-users that damaging plants or removing mushrooms or anything else from the park is against Saanich bylaws. (Photo courtesy Darrell Wick)

Fungi filchers target Greater Victoria park

Park-users cannot damage plants, remove things from greenspace, advocate says

The Friends of Mount Douglas Park Society is reminding park-users that damaging plants or removing mushrooms or anything else from the park is against Saanich bylaws. (Photo courtesy Darrell Wick)
Every year, piles of abandoned jack-o-lanterns appear in Mount Douglas Park after Halloween and advocates are urging residents to be responsible when displaying their pumpkin art. (Photo courtesy Darrell Wick)

The great Saanich pumpkin dump: Advocates advise against abandoning carved gourds in park

Removal of rotten pumpkins costs up to $800 annually, district says

Every year, piles of abandoned jack-o-lanterns appear in Mount Douglas Park after Halloween and advocates are urging residents to be responsible when displaying their pumpkin art. (Photo courtesy Darrell Wick)
Doug Hamm (left) and Frances Backhouse are among those concerned about a proposed development on Milner Avenue that will result in the loss of one of Saanich’s Garry oak ecosystems. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Neighbours rally to protect Garry oak ecosystem on Saanich development site

Site of proposed Milner Avenue subdivision home to dense forest residents want preserved

Doug Hamm (left) and Frances Backhouse are among those concerned about a proposed development on Milner Avenue that will result in the loss of one of Saanich’s Garry oak ecosystems. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
A sneaky otter made its way into the salmon containment area in the Saanich fish fence during the fall salmon count. (Photo courtesy Dorothy Chambers)

Otters foil annual salmon count at Saanich fish fence

Seasonal tally ends early with 176 coho passing up Colquitz River to spawn

A sneaky otter made its way into the salmon containment area in the Saanich fish fence during the fall salmon count. (Photo courtesy Dorothy Chambers)
Teale Phelps Bondaroff stands among the falling leaves in Rutledge Park. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Saanich resident renews petition to ban gas leaf blowers, update noise bylaw

Resident calls for electric leaf blowers, modernized noise bylaw

Teale Phelps Bondaroff stands among the falling leaves in Rutledge Park. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
A 59-year-old woman was charged for impaired driving after crashing into the Interurban Rail Trail on Nov. 4. (Saanich Police/Twitter)

Woman charged with impaired driving after crashing on Saanich cycling trail

No injuries reported after 59-year-old woman crossed oncoming traffic, hit trail fence

A 59-year-old woman was charged for impaired driving after crashing into the Interurban Rail Trail on Nov. 4. (Saanich Police/Twitter)
This map shows the proposed location for a proposed film studio on the Interurban campus of Camosun College. (Camosun College/Submitted).

Saanich mayor holds B.C. NDP to campaign promise to fund movie studio study

South Island candidates promised $150,000 to develop business plan

This map shows the proposed location for a proposed film studio on the Interurban campus of Camosun College. (Camosun College/Submitted).
A 1900s writing box found in Greater Victoria contained ink, photos and a letter addressed to Clara McCaubry dated October 14, 1898. (Photo courtesy Suzanne Hervieux)

Mysterious 1900s writing box finds a home among Saanich Archives

Wooden chest owned by early Saanich resident Clara Isabelle McCaubry

A 1900s writing box found in Greater Victoria contained ink, photos and a letter addressed to Clara McCaubry dated October 14, 1898. (Photo courtesy Suzanne Hervieux)
Environmental advocate, Dorothy Chambers cradles an owlet – fathered by the owl recently found dead – that fell from its nest in 2018. (Photo courtesy Dorothy Chambers)

Poisoned Great Horned owl’s mate found alive in Saanich park

Oulette spotted in tree above where male Ollie died of suspected poisoning

Environmental advocate, Dorothy Chambers cradles an owlet – fathered by the owl recently found dead – that fell from its nest in 2018. (Photo courtesy Dorothy Chambers)
Brydon Park was among the six parks selected by Saanich staff for a proposed outdoor shelter project that was voted down by council on Oct. 5. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Saanich council votes against adding shelters to parks for socializing amid pandemic, adverse weather

High costs, impacts on other projects, safety among concerns raised

Brydon Park was among the six parks selected by Saanich staff for a proposed outdoor shelter project that was voted down by council on Oct. 5. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
Saanich police are searching for a suspect caught in security footage placing an uncapped needle and some gauze on the back door of a business on Sept. 30. (Image via the Saanich Police Department)

Uncapped needle found on door of Saanich business, police seek suspect

Female suspect caught on CCTV placing needle on Sept. 30

Saanich police are searching for a suspect caught in security footage placing an uncapped needle and some gauze on the back door of a business on Sept. 30. (Image via the Saanich Police Department)
Wesbild’s plans to redevelop the University Heights Shopping Centre lands may be in jeopardy over anchor retail tenant Home Depot’s requests for a major expansion and cash compensation in exchange for allowing construction to occur on a portion of the site. (Photo courtesy Wesbild Holdings Ltd.)

All work stops on Saanich’s University Heights project while developer negotiates with Home Depot

Financial implications of retailer’s requests put $230-million mixed-use project in jeopardy

Wesbild’s plans to redevelop the University Heights Shopping Centre lands may be in jeopardy over anchor retail tenant Home Depot’s requests for a major expansion and cash compensation in exchange for allowing construction to occur on a portion of the site. (Photo courtesy Wesbild Holdings Ltd.)
The Saanich Fire Department offers tips for staying safe in the kitchen. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Vancouver Island firefighters cooking up some kitchen safety

Pandemic shifts annual fire safety week online

The Saanich Fire Department offers tips for staying safe in the kitchen. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
An off-leash dog chases a bird in Cadboro Bay. (Photo submitted)

Study finds no ‘harmonious solution’ to Saanich off-leash dog restrictions

Cadboro Bay Residents’ Association present findings, federal studies pending

An off-leash dog chases a bird in Cadboro Bay. (Photo submitted)
LED displays of all shapes and colours line Lambrick Way and the Gordon Head Recreation Centre parking lot as crowds flow through the festival route. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Hundreds walk, bike, drive through Saanich’s full moon lantern festival

Harvest Moon celebration draws crowds for pandemic-friendly fun

LED displays of all shapes and colours line Lambrick Way and the Gordon Head Recreation Centre parking lot as crowds flow through the festival route. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
St. Vincent de Paul is closing their Sooke and Central Saanich locations, half of their storefronts in Greater Victoria. (Society of St. Vincent de Paul Vancouver Island)

Greater Victoria thrift shop quietly closes two locations indefinitely

Society of St. Vincent de Paul shut down Sooke and Central Saanich storefronts

St. Vincent de Paul is closing their Sooke and Central Saanich locations, half of their storefronts in Greater Victoria. (Society of St. Vincent de Paul Vancouver Island)