West Shore

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)
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)
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)
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)
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)

Icy roads near Victoria claim life of 18-year-old junior hockey player

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)
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 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)
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)
Newly trained perfusionist Kris Hromadnik working during a coronary arterial bypass case. (Supplied by Roger Stanzel)

Canada bleeding heart-and-lung surgery technicians to better-paying U.S.

Demand for perfusionists skyrockets during pandemic, with shortages in hospitals across the country

Newly trained perfusionist Kris Hromadnik working during a coronary arterial bypass case. (Supplied by Roger Stanzel)
A female raccoon dragging a leg trap is sedated for examination at the Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre in Metchosin. It was later put down. (Courtesy Wild ARC)

Raccoon drags leg trap around for days, dies at B.C. wild animal rehab centre

Animal had crushed front leg, was beyond rehabilitation

A female raccoon dragging a leg trap is sedated for examination at the Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre in Metchosin. It was later put down. (Courtesy Wild ARC)
Vancouver Island emergency road crews begin work on a flood-damaged single-lane section of the Malahat Drive section of Highway 1. (Photo courtesy BC Transportation)

More reliable Vancouver Island highway options highlighted in latest flooding: traffic expert

Scandinavian countries would bore a tunnel or build a bridge: traffic commission member

Vancouver Island emergency road crews begin work on a flood-damaged single-lane section of the Malahat Drive section of Highway 1. (Photo courtesy BC Transportation)
An Anna’s hummingbird in care at the Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre in Metchosin this spring. (Courtesy Wild ARC)

If the feeder’s out, you’re committed: hummingbird care in a B.C. winter

B.C. biologist floats tips to keeping hummingbirds fed, safe this season

An Anna’s hummingbird in care at the Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre in Metchosin this spring. (Courtesy Wild ARC)
The Parole Board of Canada has ordered Kenneth Jacob Fenton, right, to return to a community residential facility after living on his own for some months. Fenton was convicted in 2017 on charges relating to the death of West Shore RCMP Const. Sarah Beckett. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sobriety concerns limit freedom of drunk driver in death of B.C. cop Sarah Beckett

Parole Board of Canada also revokes overnight privileges for Kenneth Jacob Fenton

  • Nov 2, 2021
The Parole Board of Canada has ordered Kenneth Jacob Fenton, right, to return to a community residential facility after living on his own for some months. Fenton was convicted in 2017 on charges relating to the death of West Shore RCMP Const. Sarah Beckett. (Black Press Media file photo)
The water off Port Renfrew could be threatened without a federally-funded search and rescue and environmental response service in Port Renfrew, says the Pacheedaht First Nation. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

B.C. First Nation wants feds to expedite plans for marine rescue centre

Vancouver Island’s Pacheedaht chief says talks stalled on $22-million project for Port Renfrew

The water off Port Renfrew could be threatened without a federally-funded search and rescue and environmental response service in Port Renfrew, says the Pacheedaht First Nation. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Shawn Driver proudly stands next to his car in his Sooke shop. (Bailey Moreton - Sooke News Mirror)

Fast enough for you? B.C. racer hits record speed of 468 km/h

High-speed driver Shawn Driver is breaking records, but still wants to go faster

Shawn Driver proudly stands next to his car in his Sooke shop. (Bailey Moreton - Sooke News Mirror)
The potentially historic storm should have de-escalated by the time it makes landfall. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

‘Potentially historic’ storm brewing off B.C. coast should calm before landfall

Environment Canada expects most intense winds to dissipate before storm arrives on B.C. shores

The potentially historic storm should have de-escalated by the time it makes landfall. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Timothy Durkin is pictured in a photograph filed in Federal Court. The B.C. Securities Commission claims the Sooke man defrauded an investor out of $1 million. (Federal Court)

B.C. man accused of selling fake ownership in world-renowned Sooke Harbour House

Timothy Durkin faces B.C. Securities Commission in November

Timothy Durkin is pictured in a photograph filed in Federal Court. The B.C. Securities Commission claims the Sooke man defrauded an investor out of $1 million. (Federal Court)
Langford developers have contributed to the city’s affordable housing fund with every rezoning request over the last five years. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. city promising select new homeowners up to 75% of their down payment

The city has earmarked $3 million in grants to help 250 families buy homes

Langford developers have contributed to the city’s affordable housing fund with every rezoning request over the last five years. (Black Press Media file photo)
Members of the black-tailed deer family appear to be most severely affected by adenovirus hemorrhagic disease. (Photo - Veronika Andrews)

Fast-spreading disease has ‘100s’ of deer dropping dead on Vancouver Island

Never seen before in B.C. Adenovirus hemorrhagic disease poses no risk to humans, livestock or pets

Members of the black-tailed deer family appear to be most severely affected by adenovirus hemorrhagic disease. (Photo - Veronika Andrews)