West Shore

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)
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)
An RCMP cruiser and police tape are seen in front of a home in the Arbutus Ridge Estates mobile home community on Selwyn Road, Langford, Saturday. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Police investigating after woman found dead, man arrested in Langford

Major crime unit is investigating fatality as a potential homicide

An RCMP cruiser and police tape are seen in front of a home in the Arbutus Ridge Estates mobile home community on Selwyn Road, Langford, Saturday. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
A hungry gull picks away at a dead salmon on the banks of the Goldstream River. The Goldstream Hatchery saw far fewer chum salmon than exected this year due to weather extremes, experts say. (Black Press Media file photo)

Goldstream Hatchery salmon program hit hard by ‘perfect storm’

First drought, then flooding decimate chum numbers in West Shore spawning river

A hungry gull picks away at a dead salmon on the banks of the Goldstream River. The Goldstream Hatchery saw far fewer chum salmon than exected this year due to weather extremes, experts say. (Black Press Media file photo)
Working through holidays is no issue for E-Comm 911 call taker Jennifer Fahlman, who finds a sense of purpose in helping keep the community safe. (Photo courtesy of E-Comm)

Christmas can still deliver tragedy, so Greater Victoria first responders remain on alert

As many are off and celebrating, first responders still face difficult calls during the holidays

Working through holidays is no issue for E-Comm 911 call taker Jennifer Fahlman, who finds a sense of purpose in helping keep the community safe. (Photo courtesy of E-Comm)
A parked car buried under snow in Victoria after the Blizzard of 96 left many digging for their vehicles. (Courtesy of Goldstream News Gazette, Jan. 3. 1997)

25 years later: Remembering Vancouver Island’s big blizzard of ‘96

It’s the silver anniversary of the heaviest snow Victoria has seen since WWI

A parked car buried under snow in Victoria after the Blizzard of 96 left many digging for their vehicles. (Courtesy of Goldstream News Gazette, Jan. 3. 1997)
The Vancouver Island Safe Speed Association has developed an early concept for a new motorsports park that includes most of the elements of the current Westshore Speedway, due to close after the 2022 season. (Photo courtesy of VISSA)

Group getting into gear in push to develop replacement Vancouver Island racetrack

Group working in advance of impending closure of Westshore Speedway after 2022 season

The Vancouver Island Safe Speed Association has developed an early concept for a new motorsports park that includes most of the elements of the current Westshore Speedway, due to close after the 2022 season. (Photo courtesy of VISSA)
Felix Townsin, shown here with his sister, Lexi, who died on Oct. 19, 2019. Felix and his family have launched a new website dedicated to sharing and encouraging good deeds inspired by Lexi. (Photo Courtesy of the Townsin family)

11-year-old Island boy launches inspirational website to salute late sister

Felix Townsin launched lexislegacy.com to share and encourage good deeds inspired by Lexi’s story

Felix Townsin, shown here with his sister, Lexi, who died on Oct. 19, 2019. Felix and his family have launched a new website dedicated to sharing and encouraging good deeds inspired by Lexi. (Photo Courtesy of the Townsin family)
Aerial view of the Capital Regional District wastewater program’s residuals treatment facility at Hartland. (Photo courtesy CRD)

Multiple failures sending most of Greater Victoria’s treated sewage to the landfill

So far, end product of $775 million new treatment plant not being turned into bio-fuel as planned

Aerial view of the Capital Regional District wastewater program’s residuals treatment facility at Hartland. (Photo courtesy CRD)
Laura McIntyre and her three kids are currently living in a run-down trailer, but thanks to a crowd funding campaign organized by a friend, they hope to be living in a new trailer which is safe and comfortable for them. (Photo Courtesy of Laura McIntyre)

‘She deserves a hand-up’: GoFundMe launched for Island single mom in failing home

Single mother of three special needs kids needs a new home to replace decrepit trailer

Laura McIntyre and her three kids are currently living in a run-down trailer, but thanks to a crowd funding campaign organized by a friend, they hope to be living in a new trailer which is safe and comfortable for them. (Photo Courtesy of Laura McIntyre)
Rowan Bell joined the tree lot for the first time this year and already he feels he has gained much needed confidence and customer service skills. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Vancouver island Christmas tree lot offers youth more than simply holiday cash

Happy Holidays Christmas Tree Co. lets youth learn while earning more than minimum wage

Rowan Bell joined the tree lot for the first time this year and already he feels he has gained much needed confidence and customer service skills. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
The Goldstream Food Bank warehouse is seen in this November photo. Food banks across Greater Victoria are feeling the impacts of supply chain issues exasperated by last month’s flooding, but some have managed to avoid the worst thanks to a mixture of luck and early planning. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Flood damage disrupts supply for Vancouver Island food banks

Some avoided shortages by ordering earlier than usual, while others have had to pivot to gift cards

The Goldstream Food Bank warehouse is seen in this November photo. Food banks across Greater Victoria are feeling the impacts of supply chain issues exasperated by last month’s flooding, but some have managed to avoid the worst thanks to a mixture of luck and early planning. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Santa lands at Victoria General Hospital in BC Emergency Health Services’ helicopter. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

VIDEO: Reindeer get a break, Santa helicopters in for Vancouver Island visit

Old St. Nick drops in to check in on young patients at Vic General on Tuesday

Santa lands at Victoria General Hospital in BC Emergency Health Services’ helicopter. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Demand for spaces at domestic violence shelters in Sooke and elsewhere in Greater Victoria has surged in the past six or seven months, according to Sooke Transition House Society executive director Crystal Gelsingler. (iStock)

Greater Victoria women in crisis being pushed into hotels and up-Island

Emergency shelters overflowing in wake of pandemic-fuelled household stress

Demand for spaces at domestic violence shelters in Sooke and elsewhere in Greater Victoria has surged in the past six or seven months, according to Sooke Transition House Society executive director Crystal Gelsingler. (iStock)
Two tugboats and a supply vessel will be part of East Sooke’s Western Canada Marine Response base. The tugs will escort oil tankers through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. (Contributed - Trans Mountain)

Deal inked for tugs to escort oil tankers through Strait of Juan de Fuca

East Sooke-based vessels part of $150-million expansion by Western Canada Marine Response Centre

Two tugboats and a supply vessel will be part of East Sooke’s Western Canada Marine Response base. The tugs will escort oil tankers through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. (Contributed - Trans Mountain)
One woman was convicted, another acquitted for charges involving sexual activity with minors, during a Nov. 24 trial date at Western Communities Courthouse in Colwood. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. woman convicted of sexually assaulting, luring 15-year-old boy

Sex was consensual, but teen was too young to legally consent, judge determines

One woman was convicted, another acquitted for charges involving sexual activity with minors, during a Nov. 24 trial date at Western Communities Courthouse in Colwood. (Black Press Media file photo)