Community

Gettle Service Station was established in 1928 by Louis Gettle. (Courtesy of Sooke Region Museum)

SOOKE HISTORY: Station fuels a century of Sooke history

Elida Peers Contributed Driving through downtown Sooke today, you encounter protective fencing…

  • Jul 11, 2021
Gettle Service Station was established in 1928 by Louis Gettle. (Courtesy of Sooke Region Museum)
Madeleine practises socially distant gymnastics on Cattle Point. (Gabriele Howard photo)

PHOTOS: Oak Bay News readers respond to call for community images of pandemic

A tale of community building, resiliency during COVID-19 pandemic

Madeleine practises socially distant gymnastics on Cattle Point. (Gabriele Howard photo)
Catherine Richard, left, Chris Laxton, and Langford resident Mark Peterson with the RV the couple rebuilt with some neighbourly assistance from Peterson and the community. (Rick Stiebel/News Staff)

Couple’s RV rebuild a neighbourly effort along with Langford resident

Mark Peterson lends a hand to artist couple, who’ve headed back to Ontario in rebuilt van

Catherine Richard, left, Chris Laxton, and Langford resident Mark Peterson with the RV the couple rebuilt with some neighbourly assistance from Peterson and the community. (Rick Stiebel/News Staff)
Performers from Theatre Skam entertain in Royal Athletic Park last year. The North Park Neighbourhood Association hosts Picnic in the Park, with Skam performing outdoors, this summer on Thursday evenings. (Photo courtesy North Park Neighbourhood Association)

Victoria neighbourhood benefits from opening up of Royal Athletic Park

Free community programs at stadium aim to further connect North Park residents

Performers from Theatre Skam entertain in Royal Athletic Park last year. The North Park Neighbourhood Association hosts Picnic in the Park, with Skam performing outdoors, this summer on Thursday evenings. (Photo courtesy North Park Neighbourhood Association)
A memorial tribute to Police Service Dog Gator is growing at a the foot of a flagpole in front of the Campbell River RCMP detachment on July 9, 2021. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror

Memorial for Campbell River police dog killed in line of duty grows

VIDEO: Emergency personnel conduct vehicle parade memorial for Gator

A memorial tribute to Police Service Dog Gator is growing at a the foot of a flagpole in front of the Campbell River RCMP detachment on July 9, 2021. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror
Lucas Hill, 7, and Daniel Hill, 5, hand over their pocket money to veteran John Hillman, 102, after he finished his 2021 fundraiser for Save the Children. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Youngsters offer pocket money donation as Oak Bay veteran finishes fundraising walk

John Hillman, 102, finished 102 courtyard laps to raise funds for Save the Children

Lucas Hill, 7, and Daniel Hill, 5, hand over their pocket money to veteran John Hillman, 102, after he finished his 2021 fundraiser for Save the Children. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Saanich firefighters rescued a crow Tuesday night after it flew down a chimney and got stuck. (Dan Wood/Twitter)

VIDEO: Saanich firefighters rescue ‘very vocal’ crow from fireplace chimney

Cat rescues somewhat common but crow call a first, says deputy fire chief

Saanich firefighters rescued a crow Tuesday night after it flew down a chimney and got stuck. (Dan Wood/Twitter)
Nanaimo’s WildPlay Element Park will host Toss the Boss, a fundraiser for the Nanaimo and Victoria brain injury societies. (Black Press file photo)

Island’s brain injury societies invite companies to Toss the Boss off a bungy bridge

Oct. 1 event at WildPlay Element Park benefits Nanaimo and Victoria societies

Nanaimo’s WildPlay Element Park will host Toss the Boss, a fundraiser for the Nanaimo and Victoria brain injury societies. (Black Press file photo)
John Hillman, 102, marks down the last lap for the day hitting 80 on July 6. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

VIDEO: Donations lag as 102-year-old veteran laps Oak Bay courtyard for cause

John Hillman set to take his last laps Thursday morning

John Hillman, 102, marks down the last lap for the day hitting 80 on July 6. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Locals enjoy the many offerings of the Oaklands Sunset Market in this photo from a past year. The Wednesday evening event features fresh local produce and other goods, entertainment and a beverage garden. (Courtesy of Oaklands Sunset Market)

Oaklands Sunset Market kicks off biggest year yet in Victoria

Market to run Wednesdays until Sept. 1, features over 50 vendors, beer garden

Locals enjoy the many offerings of the Oaklands Sunset Market in this photo from a past year. The Wednesday evening event features fresh local produce and other goods, entertainment and a beverage garden. (Courtesy of Oaklands Sunset Market)
Volunteers gathered in Colwood’s Pit House Park recently to remove armfuls of invasive Himalayan blackberry and Scotch broom plants. (Courtesy of Greater Victoria Green Team)

Colwood community members band together to remove invasive plants

Estimated 20 cubic metres of broom, blackberry plants removed from Lagoon area park

Volunteers gathered in Colwood’s Pit House Park recently to remove armfuls of invasive Himalayan blackberry and Scotch broom plants. (Courtesy of Greater Victoria Green Team)
A procession and memorial service for late Colwood Fire Chief John Cassidy will be held outdoors this Saturday, July 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. at West Shore Parks and Recreation. (Black Press Media file photo)

Memorial for late Colwood fire chief set for Saturday

Procession, service for John Cassidy to be held at West Shore Parks and Recreation

A procession and memorial service for late Colwood Fire Chief John Cassidy will be held outdoors this Saturday, July 10 from 1 to 3 p.m. at West Shore Parks and Recreation. (Black Press Media file photo)
The City of Victoria is calling for nominations for its 2021 Honorary Citizens Awards. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria accepting nominations for 2021 Honourary Citizens Award

This year features 12 categories, nominations open until July 25

The City of Victoria is calling for nominations for its 2021 Honorary Citizens Awards. (Black Press Media file photo)
For $40, participants will receive a disc and 18-hole round of disc golf. (Courtesy of Easter Seals BC/Yukon)

Easter Seals to hold fundraiser for children with disabilities

Disc golf event will raise funds to send children, youth to summer camp at Camp Shawnigan

  • Jul 5, 2021
For $40, participants will receive a disc and 18-hole round of disc golf. (Courtesy of Easter Seals BC/Yukon)
William Shaw, one of the valedictorians from the graduating class at Royal Bay Secondary, will attend the University of Victoria in September. (Photo contributed by William Shaw)

Royal Bay valedictorian putting bright lights on hold for biochemistry

William Shaw plans to hit the books and volleyballs this fall

William Shaw, one of the valedictorians from the graduating class at Royal Bay Secondary, will attend the University of Victoria in September. (Photo contributed by William Shaw)
The Capital Regional District Art Commission is handing out $121,000 in its second round of grant allocations to local arts groups. (Photo by Pexels)

Greater Victoria not-for-profit arts groups to receive over $121,000 from CRD

Funding to support projects such as a community arts hub, choir program, mural festival and more

The Capital Regional District Art Commission is handing out $121,000 in its second round of grant allocations to local arts groups. (Photo by Pexels)
Indoor tours resumed July 2 at the B.C. Legislature for the first time since March 2020. Outdoor tours have been running since June. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

Free indoor tours resume at B.C. legislature after more than a year

Roughly 100 people were admitted for tours on reopening day July 2

Indoor tours resumed July 2 at the B.C. Legislature for the first time since March 2020. Outdoor tours have been running since June. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
The Nature of Us is a non-profit storytelling platform for marginalized and underrepresented voices. (Courtesy of Winnie Weston)

Island-based storytelling platform provides space for marginalized voices

The Nature of Us shares underrepresented stories, like residential school survivor Eddy Charlie

The Nature of Us is a non-profit storytelling platform for marginalized and underrepresented voices. (Courtesy of Winnie Weston)
Royal Bay Secondary School valedictorian Aasmita Sharma has set her sights on pursuing a career in medicine. (Photo contributed by Aasmita Sharma)

A career in medicine beckons for 2021 grad of Royal Bay in Colwood

Aasmita Sharma was inspired by the role modelling of her grandfather in India

Royal Bay Secondary School valedictorian Aasmita Sharma has set her sights on pursuing a career in medicine. (Photo contributed by Aasmita Sharma)
Mount Douglas Secondary grad Margaret Krawciw won a national award for her study on the relationship between microplastics and algae. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)

Saanich high schooler earns national award for study on microplastics’ impact on algae

Young scientist Margaret Krawciw aims to understand this relationship to improve plastic crisis

Mount Douglas Secondary grad Margaret Krawciw won a national award for her study on the relationship between microplastics and algae. (Megan Atkins-Baker/News Staff)