Wolf Depner

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The Victoria International Airport lost almost $50 million in revenue over 2020 and 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)

Pandemic drop in air traffic cost Victoria International Airport nearly $50 million

Passenger counts dropped to around 575,000 in 2020 and 2021, from over 1.9 million in 2019

The Victoria International Airport lost almost $50 million in revenue over 2020 and 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)
8408 Lawrence Rd. in Central Saanich sold last fall for its asking price of $22.75 million. According to BC Assessment, it was assessed at just under $11.15 million as of July 1, 2021. (Courtesy of Engel & Volkers)

Sold for $23-million, Island property assessed at half that

BC Assessment valued 8404 Lawrence Rd. in Central Saanich at just over $11 million.

8408 Lawrence Rd. in Central Saanich sold last fall for its asking price of $22.75 million. According to BC Assessment, it was assessed at just under $11.15 million as of July 1, 2021. (Courtesy of Engel & Volkers)
A new federal-provincial program promises to help farmers’ markets deal with emergencies. (Black Press Media file photo)

New program promises to help B.C. farmers’ markets deal with emergencies, growing challenges

First-come, first-served program offers a total of $475,000 in funding

A new federal-provincial program promises to help farmers’ markets deal with emergencies. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Peninsula Panthers and the hockey community at large are mourning the death of 18-year-old Grant Gilbertson, who died in a collision Monday night near the intersection of Sooke and Humpback roads. (Courtesy Christian J. Stewart Photography)

Vancouver Island hockey community in mourning after junior player dies in crash

VIJHL junior B team planning special ceremony Friday to honour Grant Gilbertson, who was 18

The Peninsula Panthers and the hockey community at large are mourning the death of 18-year-old Grant Gilbertson, who died in a collision Monday night near the intersection of Sooke and Humpback roads. (Courtesy Christian J. Stewart Photography)
Once again, the privately owned James Island topped the list of highest assessed properties in the Vancouver Island region, according to data from BC Assessment, reflecting market value as of July 1, 2021. Its value stood at $54.7 million. (Sotheby’s International Realty photo)

Property assessments up more than 40 per cent in some Vancouver Island communities

Total value of Vancouver Island assessments up 27.5 per cent to $343 billion

Once again, the privately owned James Island topped the list of highest assessed properties in the Vancouver Island region, according to data from BC Assessment, reflecting market value as of July 1, 2021. Its value stood at $54.7 million. (Sotheby’s International Realty photo)
In 2020, Canadians consumed seven million whole turkeys, according to the Turkey Farmers of Canada. (Special to Black Press Media)

Canadians gobbling up turkey, eggnog this Christmas

Cranberries and Christmas trees also rank among top seasonal Canadian exports

In 2020, Canadians consumed seven million whole turkeys, according to the Turkey Farmers of Canada. (Special to Black Press Media)
Pauline Finn, executive director of the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, says the centre finds itself on a gradual, but steady path of growth. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

‘Gentle, but constantly positive’ growth forecast for Sidney’s Shaw Centre for Salish Sea

10-year strategic plan charts south Island ocean centre’s path

Pauline Finn, executive director of the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, says the centre finds itself on a gradual, but steady path of growth. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Paul Davidson, left, of Paul’s Farm Stand, Andrew Engqvist of Andrew’s Farm Stand and Clayton Fox of Silver Rill Corn show off some of the recent harvest produced on south Vancouver Island, possibly the only region in Canada right now where carrots are still being pulled directly out of the ground. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Vancouver Island farmers still pulling carrots out of the ground

Mild climatic conditions responsible for strong late fall harvest

Paul Davidson, left, of Paul’s Farm Stand, Andrew Engqvist of Andrew’s Farm Stand and Clayton Fox of Silver Rill Corn show off some of the recent harvest produced on south Vancouver Island, possibly the only region in Canada right now where carrots are still being pulled directly out of the ground. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
(Pixabay)

B.C. alcohol consumption rates hit a 20-year peak in 2021

University of Victoria researcher says increased availability leads to people drinking more

(Pixabay)
Saanich-Gulf Islands MP Elizabeth May says the recent run of climatic crises in B.C. has shifted the discussion around climate change across Canada. (Black Press Media file photo)

Changing the conversation: Green MP says there’s a new tone to Ottawa climate talk

Elizabeth May calls on feds to help municipalities finance climate-resilient infrastructure

Saanich-Gulf Islands MP Elizabeth May says the recent run of climatic crises in B.C. has shifted the discussion around climate change across Canada. (Black Press Media file photo)
Sidney/North Saanich RCMP are piecing together details about the death of a 19-year-old man from Saanich, whose body was found in a car that was driven into Patricia Bay on Saturday night (Nov. 20). (Black Press Media File)

Saanich man, 19, dead, after car plunges into Pat Bay

Sidney/North Saanich RCMP say Saturday night death not considered suspicious

Sidney/North Saanich RCMP are piecing together details about the death of a 19-year-old man from Saanich, whose body was found in a car that was driven into Patricia Bay on Saturday night (Nov. 20). (Black Press Media File)
International flight from and to Victoria International Airport will resume on Nov. 30, the earliest possible date as identified by the federal government. (Black Press Media file photo)

First Seattle flight to arrive at Victoria International Airport since pandemic began

Victoria-Seattle route scheduled to resume on Nov. 30 with one arriving, one departing flight

International flight from and to Victoria International Airport will resume on Nov. 30, the earliest possible date as identified by the federal government. (Black Press Media file photo)
According to Statistics Canada, Greater Victoria’s unemployment rate rose by 0.2 to 4.4 per cent in October. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria retains one of the lowest unemployment rates in Canada

The local unemployment rate remains 2.3 per cent below the national figure of 6.7 per cent

According to Statistics Canada, Greater Victoria’s unemployment rate rose by 0.2 to 4.4 per cent in October. (Black Press Media file photo)
Drivers line up along West Saanich for the Brentwood Bay ferry to take them to Mill Bay, with the Malahat portion of Highway 1 closed Monday after heavy rains washed out a section of road. (Photo by Carl Jensen/Twitter)

BC Ferries resumes regular Island schedule between Brentwood Bay and Mill Bay

Resumption of service comes after overnight sailings, partial re-opening of Malahat

Drivers line up along West Saanich for the Brentwood Bay ferry to take them to Mill Bay, with the Malahat portion of Highway 1 closed Monday after heavy rains washed out a section of road. (Photo by Carl Jensen/Twitter)
The federal government announced Tuesday that Victoria International Airport, among eight airports across Canada, can reopen for international air travel effective Nov. 30. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria International Airport cleared for take-off on international travel

Cross-border trips cleared for Nov. 30, but it may take some time to see flights resume

The federal government announced Tuesday that Victoria International Airport, among eight airports across Canada, can reopen for international air travel effective Nov. 30. (Black Press Media file photo)
Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, speaks about drug use during a recent speech in the legislature. (Government of British Columbia)

Vancouver Island MLA calls for an end to ‘war on drugs’ approach

Saanich North and the Islands MLA Adam Olsen plans to continue lobbying for a safe drug supply

Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, speaks about drug use during a recent speech in the legislature. (Government of British Columbia)
New figures from ICBC show that on average, 250 pedestrians are injured in 350 crashes every year on Vancouver Island. (Black Press Media File)

ICBC: average of 250 Vancouver Island pedestrians injured every year

Nearly half of all pedestrian fatalities happen between October and January as the weather worsens

New figures from ICBC show that on average, 250 pedestrians are injured in 350 crashes every year on Vancouver Island. (Black Press Media File)
A five-year Statistics Canada survey on victimization found rates of respondents self-reporting physical and/or sexual violence in their spousal or partner relationships came down between 1999 and 2019. (Pixabay)

Survey: spousal violence on decline in Canada; women still more likely to suffer

Findings capture conditions before COVID-19 pandemic sent many into isolation

A five-year Statistics Canada survey on victimization found rates of respondents self-reporting physical and/or sexual violence in their spousal or partner relationships came down between 1999 and 2019. (Pixabay)
This dilapidated vessel sunk in Brentwood Bay last month. It was one of six vessels the Saanich Inlet Protection Society reported as abandoned earlier this year. (Cold Water Divers/Facebook)

Abandoned boat legislation leaves Vancouver Island lobby group with a sinking feeling

Officials waiting too long to remove dilapidated boats, says Saanich Inlet Protection Society

This dilapidated vessel sunk in Brentwood Bay last month. It was one of six vessels the Saanich Inlet Protection Society reported as abandoned earlier this year. (Cold Water Divers/Facebook)
According to Statistics Canada, prices at the gas pump rose 32.8 per cent in September 2021 compared with September last year as inflation rose 4.4 per cent on a year-over-year basis in September, the fastest pace since February 2003. (Black Press Media File)

Gas prices fuel highest inflation rate in nearly two decades

Gas prices jumped 32.8 % while inflation rose 4.4 % on a year-over-year basis in September

According to Statistics Canada, prices at the gas pump rose 32.8 per cent in September 2021 compared with September last year as inflation rose 4.4 per cent on a year-over-year basis in September, the fastest pace since February 2003. (Black Press Media File)