West Shore

Two Colwood parents had their disagreement over vaccination of their daughter decided by a judge recently in the Western Communities Courthouse. (Black Press Media file photo)

Judge allows B.C. mom to vaccinate daughter over dad’s objections

Ruling finds health officials in better position to weigh benefits and risks than unknown others

Two Colwood parents had their disagreement over vaccination of their daughter decided by a judge recently in the Western Communities Courthouse. (Black Press Media file photo)
Travis Dezall, owner of Reel Life Charters in Sooke, shows off a pair of recent catches. Dezall said it is not surprising Vancouver Island was recently named a top fishing destination by fishingbooker.com. (Photo Courtesy of Travis Dezall)

Vancouver Island named to top fishing destinations list

Fishbooker.com named the region one of Canada’s best, with special a call-out to the Sooke region

Travis Dezall, owner of Reel Life Charters in Sooke, shows off a pair of recent catches. Dezall said it is not surprising Vancouver Island was recently named a top fishing destination by fishingbooker.com. (Photo Courtesy of Travis Dezall)
Colwood Medical Treatment Centre’s walk-in clinic will be closing April 15 and is no longer accepting new patients. (Google Maps)

Greater Victoria loses 2nd walk-in clinic in a week due to chronic doctor shortage

Colwood Medical Treatment Centre’s walk-in clinic will be closing on April 15

Colwood Medical Treatment Centre’s walk-in clinic will be closing April 15 and is no longer accepting new patients. (Google Maps)
Laura McIntyre and her three kids are once again facing homelessness after their recently crowdfunded new trailer suffered a fire, and she contracted COVID-19. (Photo Courtesy of Laura McIntyre) (Photo Courtesy of Laura McIntyre)

Vancouver Island single mom facing homelessness again after trailer fire

Laura McIntyre also tested positive for COVID the day before the fire claims fundraised trailer

Laura McIntyre and her three kids are once again facing homelessness after their recently crowdfunded new trailer suffered a fire, and she contracted COVID-19. (Photo Courtesy of Laura McIntyre) (Photo Courtesy of Laura McIntyre)
Three thousand people will lose their family doctor after two physicians at Eagle Creek Medical Clinic in View Royal announced they will be leaving the clinic. Their practice, as well as the walk-in clinic will be closed April 15. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Loss of two doctors at Vancouver Island clinic will leave 3,000 without a GP

New physician coming to View Royal clinic in August, won’t be able to take all orphaned patients

Three thousand people will lose their family doctor after two physicians at Eagle Creek Medical Clinic in View Royal announced they will be leaving the clinic. Their practice, as well as the walk-in clinic will be closed April 15. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Jesse Roper is a popular Victoria-based musician whose performances in Greater Victoria were widely attended prior to the pandemic. (Photo courtesy of Jesse Roper/Facebook)

COVID shifts perspective for Vancouver Island performing artists

Studio owner/performer wants more clarity; guitarist/songwriter enjoys slower pace

Jesse Roper is a popular Victoria-based musician whose performances in Greater Victoria were widely attended prior to the pandemic. (Photo courtesy of Jesse Roper/Facebook)
Pacific FC captain Jamar Dixon lifts the trophy as the team celebrates its win in the Canadian Premier League championship game over two-time defending champion Hamilton. (Pacific FC/Facebook)

Pacific FC captain returns as key player exodus hits national soccer champs

Top scorer Terran Campbell and league under-21 player of the year Alessandro Hojabrpour have left

Pacific FC captain Jamar Dixon lifts the trophy as the team celebrates its win in the Canadian Premier League championship game over two-time defending champion Hamilton. (Pacific FC/Facebook)
Toronto Arrows and Canada scrum half Ross Braude spins a pass during Major League Rugby action in Georgia last season. The Arrows take on Los Angeles Giltinis on Feb. 11 at Starlight Stadium in Langford. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Toronto Arrows-Karl Moore)

B.C.’s first ever Major League Rugby Match coming to Vancouver Island

10 Canadian national teamers on Toronto; Arrows play reigning champ L.A. Feb. 11 in Langford

Toronto Arrows and Canada scrum half Ross Braude spins a pass during Major League Rugby action in Georgia last season. The Arrows take on Los Angeles Giltinis on Feb. 11 at Starlight Stadium in Langford. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Toronto Arrows-Karl Moore)
Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson, left, receives his astronaut wings pin from Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, after a space flight in 2021. Hadfield says privatized space flight has its benefits to life on earth. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)

Space travel can improve everyone’s lives, says Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield

Improvements in space technology accelerating, having major impact on life on Earth

Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson, left, receives his astronaut wings pin from Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, after a space flight in 2021. Hadfield says privatized space flight has its benefits to life on earth. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton)
Johnny Vallis worked with the late Ronnie Spector during an 80-show house tour of the Legends of Rock and Roll in 1993. He said her loss on Jan. 12 is significant both for him personally, and for the music industry as a whole. (Photo courtesy of Johnny Vallis)

Langford singer reflects on performing with late rock legend Ronnie Spector

Johnny Vallis worked on 80 shows with Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member, who died Jan. 12

Johnny Vallis worked with the late Ronnie Spector during an 80-show house tour of the Legends of Rock and Roll in 1993. He said her loss on Jan. 12 is significant both for him personally, and for the music industry as a whole. (Photo courtesy of Johnny Vallis)
Canadian astronaut Cmdr. Chris Hadfield relaxes before launch, ahead of a past trip to the International Space Station. He spoke to Black Press Media this week about his time at Royal Roads Military College. (Courtesy Cmdr. Chris Hadfield)

B.C. university ‘renames’ stairway after alumni Chris Hadfield

‘For me it all started there, just up the hill from Hatley Castle,’ Canadian astronaut says

Canadian astronaut Cmdr. Chris Hadfield relaxes before launch, ahead of a past trip to the International Space Station. He spoke to Black Press Media this week about his time at Royal Roads Military College. (Courtesy Cmdr. Chris Hadfield)
For the second year in a row, Langford has been named the ‘Most Resilient City and Best Place for Work’ out of B.C.’s largest communities by BC Business magazine. (Black Press Media file photo)

Langford again named B.C.’s most resilient city, best place for work

For the second year in a row, Langford topped B.C.’s largest communities

For the second year in a row, Langford has been named the ‘Most Resilient City and Best Place for Work’ out of B.C.’s largest communities by BC Business magazine. (Black Press Media file photo)
Conservation officer Peter Pauwels said coastal wolf attacks on dogs are rare near Greater Victoria. (File photo courtesy of Ian McAllister/Pacific Wild)

Hiker rescues dog from jaws of a wolf in attack on southern Vancouver Island

The hiker was walking with their dog on a trail on Broom Hill

Conservation officer Peter Pauwels said coastal wolf attacks on dogs are rare near Greater Victoria. (File photo courtesy of Ian McAllister/Pacific Wild)
View Royal Mayor David Screech finds himself annually explaining to residents that property taxes don’t increase or decrease to the same degree as property assessments. With assessments jumping 25 to 30 per cent in his municipality alone, he felt the need to post an explanation on social media. (Black Press Media file photo)

Assessments vs. taxation: why soaring Island assessments may not mean soaring taxes

Average increase, municipal budget shape tax increases more than individual assessment hike

View Royal Mayor David Screech finds himself annually explaining to residents that property taxes don’t increase or decrease to the same degree as property assessments. With assessments jumping 25 to 30 per cent in his municipality alone, he felt the need to post an explanation on social media. (Black Press Media file photo)
Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue senior search and rescue operations manager Vickie Weber at the unit’s headquarters in East Sooke. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. search and rescue teams had another record year in 2021

Pandemic has pushed more people outdoors, including underprepared hikers

Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue senior search and rescue operations manager Vickie Weber at the unit’s headquarters in East Sooke. (Black Press Media file photo)
Angela Babcock helped this injured bald eagle receive medical attention after managing to lure it into her shed. The bird was found later to have serious injuries, and was euthanized at the Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre. (Angela Babcock/Facebook)

Islanders praised for their actions in bid to save injured eagle

Bird could not be saved, but staying with eagle until help arrived the right thing to do: Wild ARC

Angela Babcock helped this injured bald eagle receive medical attention after managing to lure it into her shed. The bird was found later to have serious injuries, and was euthanized at the Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre. (Angela Babcock/Facebook)
The Peninsula Panthers will hold a special ceremony Friday night to remember Grant Gilbertson who died in a car crash Monday night on the way to practice. (Christian J. Stewart Photography/Submitted)

Fundraiser for mom of Island hockey player killed in crash hits $47,000 in less than a day

Peninsula Panthers to memorialize teammate Friday at Panorama arena in North Saanich

The Peninsula Panthers will hold a special ceremony Friday night to remember Grant Gilbertson who died in a car crash Monday night on the way to practice. (Christian J. Stewart Photography/Submitted)
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)
An RCMP cruiser in front of a home on Selwyn Road in the Arbutus Ridge Estates mobile home community in Langford on Jan. 1. (Black Press Media file photo)

Man, 27, faces murder charge after Greater Victoria woman found dead in home

Ryan Elder’s next court appearance set for Jan. 20 in Western Communities Provincial Court

  • Jan 4, 2022
An RCMP cruiser in front of a home on Selwyn Road in the Arbutus Ridge Estates mobile home community in Langford on Jan. 1. (Black Press Media file photo)
Icy conditions played a role in the Monday evening crash on Sooke Road near Humpback Road in Langford. (Black Press Media file photo)

18-year-old dies in Sooke Road crash

Crash a ‘grim reminder’ of dangers of icy conditions, says West Shore RCMP

Icy conditions played a role in the Monday evening crash on Sooke Road near Humpback Road in Langford. (Black Press Media file photo)