Jane Skrypnek

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The West Shore Parks and Recreation preschool got a lasting makeover after the Netflix show Maid used it for filming in February. (Courtesy Alexandra Matthew)

PHOTOS: Netflix crew leaves Colwood preschool with permanent makeover

Maid film crew transformed site into ‘Island Kids’ daycare

The West Shore Parks and Recreation preschool got a lasting makeover after the Netflix show Maid used it for filming in February. (Courtesy Alexandra Matthew)
Our Place Society and Cool Aid Society say COVID-19 cases among Victoria’s unhoused population have dropped since their peak at the end of September. (Black Press Media file photo)

COVID-19 cases fall, vaccination rates rise in Victoria’s unhoused population

Our Place says its cases dropped from 56 to 2 over 3 weeks

Our Place Society and Cool Aid Society say COVID-19 cases among Victoria’s unhoused population have dropped since their peak at the end of September. (Black Press Media file photo)
A humpback whale calf breaches the ocean’s surface in fall 2021. (Credit: Val Shore, Eagle Wing Tours, PWWA)

Record number humpback calves spotted off Greater Victoria in 2021

21 new calves spotted in Salish Sea so far

A humpback whale calf breaches the ocean’s surface in fall 2021. (Credit: Val Shore, Eagle Wing Tours, PWWA)
Root Cellar owners Daisy and Adam Orser stand in front of their new Cook Street location on its opening day Oct. 20. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Root Cellar opens on Cook Street to warm welcome

Old Oxford Foods space transformed with modern renovation

Root Cellar owners Daisy and Adam Orser stand in front of their new Cook Street location on its opening day Oct. 20. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Esquimalt Coun. Ken Armour (left), Dillon Takata and Mayor Barb Desjardin shovel ceremonial scoops of soil onto what will soon be a small cherry tree forest in Gorge Park. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Cherry tree planting honours Japanese heritage in Esquimalt park

Gorge Park was the site of Canada’s first Japanese garden

Esquimalt Coun. Ken Armour (left), Dillon Takata and Mayor Barb Desjardin shovel ceremonial scoops of soil onto what will soon be a small cherry tree forest in Gorge Park. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
The BC Supreme Court ordered former Langford construction company owner Kyle Mostowy to pay close to $1 million in damages in a sexual assault-related civil suit decision Oct. 1. (Black Press Media file photo)

Civil case against former Langford boss nets sexual assault survivor nearly $1 million

Kyle Mostowy found guilty in 2016 of assaulting five employees, including civil suit plaintiff

The BC Supreme Court ordered former Langford construction company owner Kyle Mostowy to pay close to $1 million in damages in a sexual assault-related civil suit decision Oct. 1. (Black Press Media file photo)
Convicted Victoria murderer Scott Ian Mackay was denied day parole in a written decision by the Parole Board of Canada Aug. 24. (Cliff MacArthur/provincialcourt.bc.ca)

Victoria murderer denied parole request for substance treatment

Scott Ian Mackay convicted of killing 20-year-old UVic student in 1989

Convicted Victoria murderer Scott Ian Mackay was denied day parole in a written decision by the Parole Board of Canada Aug. 24. (Cliff MacArthur/provincialcourt.bc.ca)
Air conditioning units atop The Summit at Quadra Village have been the source of a hum that is making life at home miserable in summer for some nearby residents. (Photo dHK Architects)

Up to $50,000 set aside to further investigate hum in Victoria neighbourhood

CRD committee puts stock in ‘lived experience’ of neighbours near The Summit care home

Air conditioning units atop The Summit at Quadra Village have been the source of a hum that is making life at home miserable in summer for some nearby residents. (Photo dHK Architects)
City of Victoria council voted Oct. 7 to revoke the businesses license of I-Tow Group towing company based on numerous counts of founded and alleged malpractice. (Courtesy City of Victoria)

16 years of bylaw violations end with business revocation for Victoria tow company

Victoria council voted to revoke I-Tow Group’s license Oct. 7

City of Victoria council voted Oct. 7 to revoke the businesses license of I-Tow Group towing company based on numerous counts of founded and alleged malpractice. (Courtesy City of Victoria)
City of Victoria council will vote Oct. 7 on whether to permanently revoke the businesses license of I-Tow Group towing company based on numerous counts of malpractice. (Courtesy City of Victoria)

Victoria tow truck company may lose business license over malpractice

I-Tow found to be misleading, overcharging public with tow practises

City of Victoria council will vote Oct. 7 on whether to permanently revoke the businesses license of I-Tow Group towing company based on numerous counts of malpractice. (Courtesy City of Victoria)
The Victoria Police Department is redeploying seven of its officers from integrated units into the patrol division, Chief Del Manak announced Oct. 6. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria police redeploying seven officers to address front-line shortfalls

Staff shortage, call volume taking toll, Chief Del Manak says

The Victoria Police Department is redeploying seven of its officers from integrated units into the patrol division, Chief Del Manak announced Oct. 6. (Black Press Media file photo)
Victoria’s 2021 Vital Signs report is out, with a focus on how the region is doing on equity and inclusion. (Courtesy Victoria Foundation)

Victoria’s 2021 Vital Signs report released with B-grade quality of life

Cost of living, housing most important issues to respondents

Victoria’s 2021 Vital Signs report is out, with a focus on how the region is doing on equity and inclusion. (Courtesy Victoria Foundation)
Air conditioning units atop The Summit at Quadra Village have been the source of a hum that is making life at home miserable in summer for some nearby residents. (Photo dHK Architects)

Victoria neighbours say high-pitched building hum continues despite muffler installation

CRD installed sound reduction system at The Summit care home in July

Air conditioning units atop The Summit at Quadra Village have been the source of a hum that is making life at home miserable in summer for some nearby residents. (Photo dHK Architects)
Wallace Driving School owner Steve Wallace is set to appear in court on Nov. 25, an undertaking notice obtained by Black Press Media shows. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)

Victoria driving instructor Steve Wallace arrested for alleged sexual assault

Wallace accused of inappropriate comments, touching during private lessons

Wallace Driving School owner Steve Wallace is set to appear in court on Nov. 25, an undertaking notice obtained by Black Press Media shows. (Jane Skrypnek/News Staff)
Engel and Volkers Vancouver Island and two of its previously employed real estate agents are being sued for damages related to the alleged drugging and sexual assault of one of their clients in 2018. (Google Streetview)

Woman sues Victoria real estate agents over alleged drugging, sexual assault

Realtors Bowman Rutledge and Andy Rogers have not responded to the civil claim

Engel and Volkers Vancouver Island and two of its previously employed real estate agents are being sued for damages related to the alleged drugging and sexual assault of one of their clients in 2018. (Google Streetview)
50 new self-isolation pods, like the ones used at the old Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre shelter, will be available to Victoria’s unhoused, COVID-positive population by early November. (Courtesy of Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre)

50 new isolation pods coming for Victoria’s unhoused, COVID-positive population

300 unhoused people, shelter staff have had COVID-19 since pandemic start, Island Health says

50 new self-isolation pods, like the ones used at the old Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre shelter, will be available to Victoria’s unhoused, COVID-positive population by early November. (Courtesy of Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre)
Nanaimo Indian Hospital survivor Melven <ins>(Sx̄wen)</ins> Jones recounts the abuse he endured at six years old, as he sits outside his home in Victoria. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)

‘It has to be heard’: Nanaimo Indian Hospital survivor recounts torture he endured

Melven (Sx̄wen) Jones was forcibly held for two years

Nanaimo Indian Hospital survivor Melven <ins>(Sx̄wen)</ins> Jones recounts the abuse he endured at six years old, as he sits outside his home in Victoria. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)
Victoria’s Orange Shirt Day founders Eddy Charlie (left) and Kristin Spray (right) stand on the steps of the B.C. legislature. (Arnold Lim/Black Press)

Victoria’s Orange Shirt Day is born out of trauma, friendship and hope

‘There’s room in the circle for everyone’: Sept. 30 invites reconciliation

Victoria’s Orange Shirt Day founders Eddy Charlie (left) and Kristin Spray (right) stand on the steps of the B.C. legislature. (Arnold Lim/Black Press)
Nanaimo Indian Hospital survivor Melven <ins>(Sx̄wen)</ins> Jones recounts the abuse he endured at six years old, as he sits outside his home in Victoria. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)

‘It has to be heard’: Greater Victoria survivor recounts torture he endured at Indian Hospital

Melven (Sx̄wen) Jones was forcibly held at the Nanaimo Indian Hospital for two years

Nanaimo Indian Hospital survivor Melven <ins>(Sx̄wen)</ins> Jones recounts the abuse he endured at six years old, as he sits outside his home in Victoria. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)
A Migration by local artist Claire Gaulin-Brown speaks to the different journey each person is on. It’s on display at 533 Admirals Rd. (Courtesy Esquimalt Community Arts Hub)

Muralists make mesmerizing marks on Esquimalt neighbourhoods

Public art is about accessibility and community engagement, says mural festival organizer

A Migration by local artist Claire Gaulin-Brown speaks to the different journey each person is on. It’s on display at 533 Admirals Rd. (Courtesy Esquimalt Community Arts Hub)