oak bay

Oak Bay Sea Rescue volunteers helped remove 85 more bags from Mary Tod Island/Kohweechela, this time containing Himalayan blackberry, ivy and daphne. (Wylie Thomas photo)

SAR team ponies up sweat equity to remove invasives from Oak Bay island

85 more bags of invasive plants hauled off Mary Tod/Kohweechela

Oak Bay Sea Rescue volunteers helped remove 85 more bags from Mary Tod Island/Kohweechela, this time containing Himalayan blackberry, ivy and daphne. (Wylie Thomas photo)
Birder Geoffrey Newell, 25, spots and identifies birds flying overhead in a clearing around Uplands Park early on Saturday, July 31. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

Talented birder resumes immersive tours at Oak Bay’s Cattle Point

52 bird species spotted by dozens of attendees during first bird walk in months

Birder Geoffrey Newell, 25, spots and identifies birds flying overhead in a clearing around Uplands Park early on Saturday, July 31. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
Residents can now view results from the June 2021 survey results on the matter of secondary suites in the District of Oak Bay. (Black Press Media file photo)

Oak bay secondary suite survey results show varied results

Summary shows split opinions on potential rules around lot sizes, parking, licensing

Residents can now view results from the June 2021 survey results on the matter of secondary suites in the District of Oak Bay. (Black Press Media file photo)
Yumbrosia Fine Foods offers a wide variety of quality products imported from Europe, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

Best of the City: Yumbrosia brings a world of flavour to Oak Bay

Owner Ihsan Askar provides quality international products to Victoria and beyond

Yumbrosia Fine Foods offers a wide variety of quality products imported from Europe, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
A pilot project proposed by the Oak Bay Business Improvement Association will allow selected musicians to perform in designated spots around Oak Bay Village this summer. (Courtesy of the Oak Bay Business Improvement Association)

Oak Bay Village welcomes live music via pilot program

District consults businesses to determine prime spots for musicians

A pilot project proposed by the Oak Bay Business Improvement Association will allow selected musicians to perform in designated spots around Oak Bay Village this summer. (Courtesy of the Oak Bay Business Improvement Association)
Bev Gniazdowski (clockwise from front left), Adele Hartum, Storm Kirkland and Brandon Williamson sample invertebrates at Bowker Creek. (Photo by Jessica Hartum/Friends of Bowker Creek Society)

Friends of Bowker Creek to plant 30,000 salmon eggs in Oak Bay section

Society collaborating with Peninsula Streams Society, DFO on fishery project

Bev Gniazdowski (clockwise from front left), Adele Hartum, Storm Kirkland and Brandon Williamson sample invertebrates at Bowker Creek. (Photo by Jessica Hartum/Friends of Bowker Creek Society)
What appears to be a red-eared slider turtle, pictured here on July 23, has been seen swimming in Bowker Creek multiple times by Oak Bay residents in the last month. (Photo by Dawn Williamson)

Lone turtle spotted in Bowker Creek by Oak Bay residents

Reptile could be same species as turtles found at University of Victoria, Beacon Hill Park

What appears to be a red-eared slider turtle, pictured here on July 23, has been seen swimming in Bowker Creek multiple times by Oak Bay residents in the last month. (Photo by Dawn Williamson)
One of two boat ramps located at Cattle Point was closed last week by the District of Oak Bay for repairs but is set to reopen as early as this weekend. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

Oak Bay crews working fast on Cattle Point boat ramp repairs

Public works boss hopes to see cracks, holes appropriately filled by this weekend

One of two boat ramps located at Cattle Point was closed last week by the District of Oak Bay for repairs but is set to reopen as early as this weekend. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
The northern boat ramp at Cattle Point was this week closed to the public for repairs by the District of Oak Bay, until further notice. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

Oak Bay closes northern boat ramp at Cattle Point for safety reasons

Cracked concrete in need of repair; boater argues south launch presents unfavourable conditions

The northern boat ramp at Cattle Point was this week closed to the public for repairs by the District of Oak Bay, until further notice. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
Soul Shakers lead singer Joyce Allensen hits a high note while performing with guitarist Sean McCool before the public at Willows Park on July 22. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Oak Bay rocks at Willows Beach with Soul Shakers

With COVID-19 case numbers down locally, reassured residents come together to dance and celebrate

Soul Shakers lead singer Joyce Allensen hits a high note while performing with guitarist Sean McCool before the public at Willows Park on July 22. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
Calgary Hitmen defenceman and Nashville Predators prospect Luke Prokop became the first player under an NHL contract to come out as gay when he made the announcement on July 19. (Photo courtesy of Luke Prokop/ Twitter)

First openly gay, NHL-contracted player gained insight from Oak Bay agent

Nashville prospect Luke Prokop consulted Bayne Pettinger before coming out

Calgary Hitmen defenceman and Nashville Predators prospect Luke Prokop became the first player under an NHL contract to come out as gay when he made the announcement on July 19. (Photo courtesy of Luke Prokop/ Twitter)
A previously handled doe with a provincially required ‘do not eat’ tag rests in a vacant lot along Windsor Avenue. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

Oak Bay deer report to be ready by end of summer

No eating the deer; remote surveillance, birth control continue

A previously handled doe with a provincially required ‘do not eat’ tag rests in a vacant lot along Windsor Avenue. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
Recommendations were made at an Oak Bay council meeting on July 19 on the matter of reviewing the District of Oak Bay’s secondary suites study. (Courtesy of Urban Systems Ltd.)

Oak Bay secondary suites study to be reviewed by council

Recommendations made Monday to further consider affordable housing units

Recommendations were made at an Oak Bay council meeting on July 19 on the matter of reviewing the District of Oak Bay’s secondary suites study. (Courtesy of Urban Systems Ltd.)
Wylie Thomas with remnants of the tallest camas plant he’s seen, on Kohweechela/Mary Tod Island. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Crews decimate broom growth on Oak Bay island

A crew of six cut, dragged and bagged 52 cubic yards of broom on Kohweechela/Mary Tod Island

Wylie Thomas with remnants of the tallest camas plant he’s seen, on Kohweechela/Mary Tod Island. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Oak Bay police were kept busy with errant motorists last week. (Black Press file photo)

Oak Bay police lay heavy penalties on impaired drivers

One cannabis-related incident resulted in fines of more than $500

Oak Bay police were kept busy with errant motorists last week. (Black Press file photo)
In Oak Bay, Uplands Park has grass throughout that becomes very dry with the summer heat, however, there is a very limited number of coniferous trees within the park and as a result, when a fire does occur it tends to be of low intensity and relatively slow growth. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Oak Bay Fire Department issues information, as resident worry rises over wildfires

OBFD offers tips for safeguarding homes, lists safety measures for prepping parks

In Oak Bay, Uplands Park has grass throughout that becomes very dry with the summer heat, however, there is a very limited number of coniferous trees within the park and as a result, when a fire does occur it tends to be of low intensity and relatively slow growth. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Baylea Wilkins and 50 friends will do 500 to 1,000 squats each during an Aug. 1 event in Oak Bay, to raise funds for KidSport Greater Victoria. (Photo courtesy of Baylea Wilkins)

Victoria fitness coach targets $100,000 for KidSport with burpee challenge

Group will raise funds doing 500 to 1,000 burpees each during Aug. 1 event in Oak Bay

Baylea Wilkins and 50 friends will do 500 to 1,000 squats each during an Aug. 1 event in Oak Bay, to raise funds for KidSport Greater Victoria. (Photo courtesy of Baylea Wilkins)
A common wall lizard captured on a Victoria street. July 15, 2021 (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

VIDEO: Invasive lizard population spreads across Vancouver Island

Even record-breaking heat didn’t diminish European wall lizard population

A common wall lizard captured on a Victoria street. July 15, 2021 (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Municipal staff take advantage of low foot traffic to trim the tree in front of Oak Bay municipal hall. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Crews tackle summer trimming at Oak Bay municipal hall

With the building closed, less foot traffic affords opportunity for yard work

Municipal staff take advantage of low foot traffic to trim the tree in front of Oak Bay municipal hall. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
The view from Oak Bay’s island park Mary Tod Island or Kohweechela. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

PHOTOS: The view from Kohweechela – Oak Bay’s island park

Officially known as Mary Tod Island, it’s frequently referred to as Jimmy Chicken Island

The view from Oak Bay’s island park Mary Tod Island or Kohweechela. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)