West Shore

Elder Victor Underwood near his home on the Saanich Peninsula. “Every time we talk about residential schools it always opens all the pains I’ve been carrying,” he said. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)

B.C. survivor recounts how residential school cost him his teeth and so much more

Tsawout’s Victor Underwood is a survivor of St. Mary’s Indian Residential School

Elder Victor Underwood near his home on the Saanich Peninsula. “Every time we talk about residential schools it always opens all the pains I’ve been carrying,” he said. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)
A Colwood woman was sentenced to five and a half years in jail for sexually assaulting and luring a 15-year-old boy. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria woman sentenced to 5.5 years for sexually assaulting 15-year-old boy

Consecutive sentences for two counts of sexual assault, one count of internet luring

A Colwood woman was sentenced to five and a half years in jail for sexually assaulting and luring a 15-year-old boy. (Black Press Media file photo)
Ocean Network Canada field services manager Dirk Brussow and senior project engineer Nicolai Bailly with the recovered wave glider from the seafloor geodesy system project. (Courtesy of Ocean Networks Canada)

Research off B.C. coast aims to shake our understanding of megathrust earthquakes

Ocean Networks Canada team measuring tectonic plate movements underwater

Ocean Network Canada field services manager Dirk Brussow and senior project engineer Nicolai Bailly with the recovered wave glider from the seafloor geodesy system project. (Courtesy of Ocean Networks Canada)
(Black Press Media Creative)

Province takes aim at cost of living with 2% rent cap, increased tax benefits

75 per cent of B.C. families will receive larger financial boost, says finance minister

(Black Press Media Creative)
The Ministry of Forests has upgraded Vancouver Island’s drought level warning to level 3 after a long period of hot weather and no rain. (Courtesy of Ministry of Forests)

Vancouver Island’s drought rating rises to level 3

Province asking people to cut back on water usage, may add restrictions if conditions don’t improve

The Ministry of Forests has upgraded Vancouver Island’s drought level warning to level 3 after a long period of hot weather and no rain. (Courtesy of Ministry of Forests)
One of the missing wolves, a cub called Tempest, was eventually located and is back with the pack. (Courtesy GVZoo)

Canadian forces drones tapped to help look for escaped B.C. zoo wolves

Drone used infrared imaging to search for wolves on property neighbouring the zoo

One of the missing wolves, a cub called Tempest, was eventually located and is back with the pack. (Courtesy GVZoo)
Mike Bodman, manager for base safety and environment at CFB Esquimalt said wildlife has been returning to the harbour over the past few years as the remediation project has progressed. (Courtesy of CFB Esquimalt)

Seal pup born on shores of B.C. navy base, touted as sign of successful remediation

Wildlife has been returning over the past few years as the Esquimalt Harbour cleanup has progressed

Mike Bodman, manager for base safety and environment at CFB Esquimalt said wildlife has been returning to the harbour over the past few years as the remediation project has progressed. (Courtesy of CFB Esquimalt)
James Lee Busch and Zachary Armitage escaped from the William Head institution on July 7, 2019 and were subsequently charged with first-degree murder in the death of martin Payne of Metchosin. A civil case launched by Payne’s daughters blames the correctional system for their escape and the death of their father. (Correctional Service of Canada/Facebook)

Daughters suing prison system over B.C. man’s death following prison break

Civil suit alleges Correctional Service of Canada staff failed repeatedly in death of Martin Payne

James Lee Busch and Zachary Armitage escaped from the William Head institution on July 7, 2019 and were subsequently charged with first-degree murder in the death of martin Payne of Metchosin. A civil case launched by Payne’s daughters blames the correctional system for their escape and the death of their father. (Correctional Service of Canada/Facebook)
Harish Sharma, owner of the Medicine Shoppe Pharamcy on Jacklin Road in Langford, said he was lucky to get a small supply of Wellbutrin XL in for his patients. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Shortage of common anti-depressant leaves Greater Victoria pharmacies scrambling

Langford pharmacist Harish Sharma recently saw limited supply sell out in hours

Harish Sharma, owner of the Medicine Shoppe Pharamcy on Jacklin Road in Langford, said he was lucky to get a small supply of Wellbutrin XL in for his patients. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
Peter Pauwels, a retired conservation officer, says the job offers many interesting and rewarding moments, but there are many challenges. “We have to do many unpleasant things in this job. The amount of animals I’ve had to kill is staggering. (Contrtibuted - Peter Pauwels)

We don’t enjoy ‘killing animals,’ says former B.C. conservation officer

Peter Pauwels discusses the challenges and rewards of 30 years on the job

Peter Pauwels, a retired conservation officer, says the job offers many interesting and rewarding moments, but there are many challenges. “We have to do many unpleasant things in this job. The amount of animals I’ve had to kill is staggering. (Contrtibuted - Peter Pauwels)
Hailey Davies and Wendy Fleming seining for fish collections in Coles Bay near the Pauqachin First Nation. (Courtesy of Kieran Cox)

Study dives into microplastic movement in Vancouver Island marine food webs

Wide variety of species ingest microplastics, but biomagnification not found

Hailey Davies and Wendy Fleming seining for fish collections in Coles Bay near the Pauqachin First Nation. (Courtesy of Kieran Cox)
Conservation officer Peter Pauwels recently retired after 30 years of service, the vast majority of which was spent working in the Capital Region and southern Vancouver Island. (Courtesy Peter Pauwels)

The inconvenient truths about black bears in Greater Victoria

Think again if you believe development drives bears away, says former conservation officer

Conservation officer Peter Pauwels recently retired after 30 years of service, the vast majority of which was spent working in the Capital Region and southern Vancouver Island. (Courtesy Peter Pauwels)
Tiny home dweller Bryce Knudtson and others are facing eviction from the Metchosin property they’ve resided on with permission of the owner, as district bylaws do not allow more than one primary and one accessory dwelling on one lot.(Courtesy Bryce Knudtson)

Greater Victoria tiny home residents seek regulatory change as eviction deadline approaches

Petition calls on all levels of government to address affordable housing shortage

Tiny home dweller Bryce Knudtson and others are facing eviction from the Metchosin property they’ve resided on with permission of the owner, as district bylaws do not allow more than one primary and one accessory dwelling on one lot.(Courtesy Bryce Knudtson)
B.C. Premier John Horgan and T’Sou-ke Nation Chief Gordie Planes listen to an explanation from Synergraze founder and CEO Tamara Loiselle on how the spore tank works at a demonstration project in a greenhouse that’s home to an innovative project aimed at reducing methane gas emissions from livestock. (Rick Stiebel - Sooke News Mirror)

B.C. premier pitches plan for less gas from cattle

Innovative technology could drastically reduce cattle methane emissions

B.C. Premier John Horgan and T’Sou-ke Nation Chief Gordie Planes listen to an explanation from Synergraze founder and CEO Tamara Loiselle on how the spore tank works at a demonstration project in a greenhouse that’s home to an innovative project aimed at reducing methane gas emissions from livestock. (Rick Stiebel - Sooke News Mirror)
Health Canada has seized sexual enhancement products from a business in Langford, including the two pictured here, and is warning anyone who purchased them to not use them due to health risks. (Courtesy of Health Canada)

Health Canada seizes hazardous sexual enhancement products from multiple B.C. stores

Customers are cautioned not to use the products as they may contain dangerous ingredients

Health Canada has seized sexual enhancement products from a business in Langford, including the two pictured here, and is warning anyone who purchased them to not use them due to health risks. (Courtesy of Health Canada)
A team jumped to the rescue of a baby porpoise in distress at Whiffin Spit. (Submitted)

Stranded baby porpoise rescued after Vancouver Island hiker splashes into action

Sooke residents start rescue before professional reinforcements arrive by air

A team jumped to the rescue of a baby porpoise in distress at Whiffin Spit. (Submitted)
A Mystic Beach sunset. The beach was named one of the top 50 beaches in the world by an international travel website. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. beach named one of the best in the world

Mystic Beach named on top 50 list by bigseventravel.com

A Mystic Beach sunset. The beach was named one of the top 50 beaches in the world by an international travel website. (Black Press Media file photo)
Saanich Police Department Chief Dean Duthie speaks to the media Thursday (June 30) to provide an update on the investigation into a bank robbery in Saanich Tuesday (June 28) which left two suspects dead and six police officers injured. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

VIDEO: Police, coroners working to identify suspects in Saanich bank shootout

Police looking for information on vehicle believed to be associated with suspects

Saanich Police Department Chief Dean Duthie speaks to the media Thursday (June 30) to provide an update on the investigation into a bank robbery in Saanich Tuesday (June 28) which left two suspects dead and six police officers injured. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Notorious Canadian bank robber-author Stephen Reid talks to media in Victoria in 2015, before his death in 2018. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dirk Meissner)

Looking Back: Meet Greater Victoria’s most notorious bank robber

Stephen Reid spent decades in Canadian, U.S. prisons for his role in the Stopwatch Gang

Notorious Canadian bank robber-author Stephen Reid talks to media in Victoria in 2015, before his death in 2018. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dirk Meissner)
Winter, Jessie Weninger’s dog who died likely due to water intoxication, was an avid swimmer and loved playing in the water, according to Wenninger. (Courtesy of Jessie Weninger)

Victoria dog owner warns others of water intoxication after dog’s death

Jessie Weninger said it was a “very rare, freak accident”

Winter, Jessie Weninger’s dog who died likely due to water intoxication, was an avid swimmer and loved playing in the water, according to Wenninger. (Courtesy of Jessie Weninger)
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