West Shore

Kristy Sivorot and her son Griffin with Juniper, a lame, pregnant cow she bought from a large dairy operation to nurse back to health. Juniper gave birth to Junior, a bull calf, on July 21 and is doing well. (Zoe Ducklow - Sooke News Mirror)

Women hobby farmers are part of a food revolution

Raising livestock and families: the young women farmers of Sooke

 

Colwood Coun. Gordie Logan in Royal Bay, near the future site of a seniors residence and the Royal B.C. Museum’s new collections and research building. (Zoe Ducklow/News Staff)

Homeowners balk at Royal Bay property tax exemptions, Colwood councillor pushes back

‘You have to consider more than the property tax a project will generate:’ Coun. Gordie Logan

 

Beau Stirling was sentenced to 18 months of probation, among other penalties, for convictions on charges of theft, breaking and entering, and driving while impaired. (Black Press Media file photo)

Colwood man pleads guilty, sentenced for impaired driving, theft, break-and-enter

Beau Stirling’s criminal record not lengthy, but severe, judge said

 

Juan de Fuca Electoral Area director Mike Hicks at Kemp Lake. ‘My run is over. It’s time for someone else to carry on,’ he says of his retirement. (Black Press Media file photo)

Mike Hicks retiring from politics, will not run in next election

Juan de Fuca Electoral Area director first elected in 2008

Juan de Fuca Electoral Area director Mike Hicks at Kemp Lake. ‘My run is over. It’s time for someone else to carry on,’ he says of his retirement. (Black Press Media file photo)
The District of Sooke installed a new centrifuge at its wastewater treatment plant last year. The centrifuge is designed for a higher standard for process performance as well as for environmental impacts. An expansion of the plant is in the works, thanks to an influx of provincial funding. (Contributed - Sooke News Mirror)

New funding for wastewater plant will improve environment, Sooke mayor says

Province announces $4.6 million in funding for the $6.58-million project

The District of Sooke installed a new centrifuge at its wastewater treatment plant last year. The centrifuge is designed for a higher standard for process performance as well as for environmental impacts. An expansion of the plant is in the works, thanks to an influx of provincial funding. (Contributed - Sooke News Mirror)
SDD

Muir Creek fire in mop-up stage

An official with B.C. Wildfire Service said crews are in “final patrol.”

SDD
Metchosin Fire Chief Stephanie Dunlop is encouraging residents in Metchosin and Beecher Bay to schedule a FireSmart home assessment. (Black Press Media file photo)

FireSmart home assessments a timely resource for Metchosin

Open to Metchosin and Beecher Bay residents, FireSmart program offerings help protect homes

Metchosin Fire Chief Stephanie Dunlop is encouraging residents in Metchosin and Beecher Bay to schedule a FireSmart home assessment. (Black Press Media file photo)
Terminus at District 56 on Peatt Road and Hockley Avenue in Langford is in its final stages of construction. (Zoe Ducklow/News Staff)

Terminus building nears completion, first tenants are lining up

Gym, co-working space among first to sign leases in District 56 in Langford

Terminus at District 56 on Peatt Road and Hockley Avenue in Langford is in its final stages of construction. (Zoe Ducklow/News Staff)
Mussels had a hard time in the dual heat and low tides. Here’s one from Vancouver Island’s west coast, cooked in a happier time. (Zoe Ducklow/News Staff)

Hot shellfish: cooked in overlapping heat and low tides

UVic marine biologist said timing was bad luck, but isn’t overly concerned

Mussels had a hard time in the dual heat and low tides. Here’s one from Vancouver Island’s west coast, cooked in a happier time. (Zoe Ducklow/News Staff)
Tri-X Group, owners of a 52-acre property in Metchosin, part of which is pictured here, hopes to convince the district to rezone the property to allow for more industrial uses, as well as create designated parkland. (Zoe Ducklow/News Staff)

Nature area, business park proposed for 52-hectare parcel in north Metchosin

Owners of Tri-X Group want to talk rezoning: half light industrial, half park

Tri-X Group, owners of a 52-acre property in Metchosin, part of which is pictured here, hopes to convince the district to rezone the property to allow for more industrial uses, as well as create designated parkland. (Zoe Ducklow/News Staff)
A three-vehicle crash at the Galloping Goose Trail and Sooke Road sent two people to hospital in May. A new petition ask ICBC to fix the problem. (Contributed - Derek Lewers)

Sooke man leads petition to build pedestrian bridge over ‘dangerous crosswalk’

Galloping Goose and Highway 14 walkway site of numerous crashes

A three-vehicle crash at the Galloping Goose Trail and Sooke Road sent two people to hospital in May. A new petition ask ICBC to fix the problem. (Contributed - Derek Lewers)
#MyBelmont is a 22-acre community with 160,000 square feet of commercial space recently developed by Crombie REIT for first-time home buyers, working professionals and down-sizers. (Photo courtesy of #MyBelmont)

Langford’s #MyBelmont neighbourhood reveals fourth and final phase

Total project includes more than 500 residential units and 160,000 square feet of commercial

#MyBelmont is a 22-acre community with 160,000 square feet of commercial space recently developed by Crombie REIT for first-time home buyers, working professionals and down-sizers. (Photo courtesy of #MyBelmont)
The Muir Creek fire is north of Shirley, a small community west of Sooke on south Vancouver Island’s west coast. (B.C. Wildfire Service map)

UPDATE: Muir Creek fire now ‘being held’ by firefighers

A hot spot had the fire considered out of control yesterday, but crews have now contained the blaze

The Muir Creek fire is north of Shirley, a small community west of Sooke on south Vancouver Island’s west coast. (B.C. Wildfire Service map)
Sooke ATV Club members collected a dumpster load of garabhe, including an abandoned boat, while doing a cleanup along Anderson Road near Muir Creek on July 17. (Contributed - Sooke ATV Club)

Sooke ATV Club gives back by cleaning up

Derelict boat, household and construction waste part of cleanup effort

Sooke ATV Club members collected a dumpster load of garabhe, including an abandoned boat, while doing a cleanup along Anderson Road near Muir Creek on July 17. (Contributed - Sooke ATV Club)
The Muir Creek fire is north of Shirley, a small community west of Sooke on south Vancouver Island's west coast. (B.C. Wildfire Service map)

Out of control, Muir Creek fire has grown to one hectare

Wind has spread the previously controlled fire northwest of Sooke

The Muir Creek fire is north of Shirley, a small community west of Sooke on south Vancouver Island's west coast. (B.C. Wildfire Service map)
What can you make out of this mysterious creature? (Submitted/Martin Ren)

It’s a seal! It’s an otter! It’s a … crocodile?

What do you see in this video of a strange creature in East Sooke?

What can you make out of this mysterious creature? (Submitted/Martin Ren)
Crews work on a portion of the Ed Nixon Trail boardwalk. (Photo courtesy of Murray McKay)

Langford Lake boardwalk replacement work underway

Section of Ed Nixon Trail affected

Crews work on a portion of the Ed Nixon Trail boardwalk. (Photo courtesy of Murray McKay)
The Muir Creek fire is north of Shirley, a small community west of Sooke on south Vancouver Island’s west coast. (B.C. Wildfire Service map)

Wildfire out of control in Muir Creek near Shirley

Officials suspect the relatively small fire was caused by a person

The Muir Creek fire is north of Shirley, a small community west of Sooke on south Vancouver Island’s west coast. (B.C. Wildfire Service map)
The construction of a bridge over Island Highway in Colwood would make things easier for cyclists and pedestrians using the Galloping Goose Trail. (Photo by John Luton/City of Colwood)

Galloping Goose bridge decision expected soon for Colwood

Span over Island Highway would enhance cycling, pedestrian opportunities, mayor says

The construction of a bridge over Island Highway in Colwood would make things easier for cyclists and pedestrians using the Galloping Goose Trail. (Photo by John Luton/City of Colwood)
Two people were taken to hospital after a head-on crash that caused major delays for Sooke Road commuters Tuesday evening. (Courtesy of Google Maps)

UPDATE: Two taken to hospital after head-on crash on Sooke Road

The crash caused major delays for traffic Tuesday evening

Two people were taken to hospital after a head-on crash that caused major delays for Sooke Road commuters Tuesday evening. (Courtesy of Google Maps)