Greater Victoria

Wildfire smoke clouds the skies over Langford Saturday (Sept. 10). Smoke from wildfires on the mainland and Washington has made its way over to Greater Victoria, prompting a special air statement from Environment Canada. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Wildfire smoke sparks air quality warning for Greater Victoria

Region under smoky skies bulletin, special air quality statement

Wildfire smoke clouds the skies over Langford Saturday (Sept. 10). Smoke from wildfires on the mainland and Washington has made its way over to Greater Victoria, prompting a special air statement from Environment Canada. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
UBC students Emily Selwood and Evan Smith were killed on Sept. 26, 2021 after a vehicle veered into them while they were walking on the sidewalk. Tim Goerner of Vancouver now faces charges for their deaths. (Photos courtesy of B.C. RCMP)

22-year-old charged with impaired driving in 2021 death of former Saanich student

Tim Goerner of Vancouver faces 6 counts related to deaths of Evan Smith and Emily Selwood

UBC students Emily Selwood and Evan Smith were killed on Sept. 26, 2021 after a vehicle veered into them while they were walking on the sidewalk. Tim Goerner of Vancouver now faces charges for their deaths. (Photos courtesy of B.C. RCMP)
A portrait of Queen Elizabeth II inside the B.C. legislature building has been adorned in black to mark her death. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

‘There will never be anybody like her’: Greater Victoria remembers Queen Elizabeth II

Flags lowered to mark the death of Canadian head of state

A portrait of Queen Elizabeth II inside the B.C. legislature building has been adorned in black to mark her death. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Camosun College has taken the next step toward making its vision of a film studio on its Saanich campus a reality, and is now seeking pre-qualification requests from organizations which want to design, build, and operate it. (Courtesy of Camosun College)

Camosun College takes step closer to bringing film studio to Saanich campus

Requests for pre-qualification are now open

Camosun College has taken the next step toward making its vision of a film studio on its Saanich campus a reality, and is now seeking pre-qualification requests from organizations which want to design, build, and operate it. (Courtesy of Camosun College)
The view over the top of Victoria city hall, as seen from the top of the Fisgard Street parkade. (Black Press Media file)

Victoria establishes grant for people of African descent

Grant marked International Day for People of African Descent

The view over the top of Victoria city hall, as seen from the top of the Fisgard Street parkade. (Black Press Media file)
Alan Lowe, chair of the Victoria Chinatown Museum Society, speaks at Wark Street Park on Monday to commemorate 100 years since Chinese students protested segregated schools in Victoria. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Victoria’s Chinese community walks to mark 100 years since segregated schools

Hundreds gathered to remember those who protested, hear school board’s apology

Alan Lowe, chair of the Victoria Chinatown Museum Society, speaks at Wark Street Park on Monday to commemorate 100 years since Chinese students protested segregated schools in Victoria. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
David Black and Don Descoteau during an interview in David’s Oak Bay home. (Black Press Media file photo)

Webster award-winning journalist Don Descoteau retires after 31 years at Black Press

‘He made people around him better, and they became better journalists and people because of it’

David Black and Don Descoteau during an interview in David’s Oak Bay home. (Black Press Media file photo)
DJ Diesel, whom basketball fans will better know as four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal, is among the acts playing at this year’s Rifflandia, returning to Greater Victoria for the first time in four years. (Courtesy of Rifflandia)

Lorde, Ben Harper and Cypress Hill to rock Victoria’s Royal Athletic Park

NBA Legend Shaquille O’Neal will also perform as DJ Diesel

DJ Diesel, whom basketball fans will better know as four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal, is among the acts playing at this year’s Rifflandia, returning to Greater Victoria for the first time in four years. (Courtesy of Rifflandia)
Jason, Naviana and Karla Point stand in front of Na’tsa’maht on Camosun’s Lansdowne campus. Camosun College is celebrating the impact Karla Point’s enrolment at the school 25 years ago has had on her family and other Indigenous students. (Courtesy of Camosun College)

Camosun College celebrates three generations of Indigenous students

Karla Point’s enrolment 25 years ago paved a path for others to follow

Jason, Naviana and Karla Point stand in front of Na’tsa’maht on Camosun’s Lansdowne campus. Camosun College is celebrating the impact Karla Point’s enrolment at the school 25 years ago has had on her family and other Indigenous students. (Courtesy of Camosun College)
Greater Victoria is invited to the first-ever South Island Powwow on Sept. 30, which among other things is set to feature inter-tribal dancers and singers. Pictured is an Indigenous dancer performing at the Change-Makers Gathering Festival in June at Starlight Stadium in Langford. (Black Press Media file photo)

Powwow set to mark second National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Victoria

Organized by the Songhees Nation, all are welcome to attend the free event

Greater Victoria is invited to the first-ever South Island Powwow on Sept. 30, which among other things is set to feature inter-tribal dancers and singers. Pictured is an Indigenous dancer performing at the Change-Makers Gathering Festival in June at Starlight Stadium in Langford. (Black Press Media file photo)
Rob Kemp and his son Bash have enjoy some giggles while travelling to Vancuover for scans recently. (Family photo/GoFundMe)

Making memories takes top priority for Victoria family whose youngest has cancer

‘We’re not giving up on him, but our most important piece right now is quality of life …’

Rob Kemp and his son Bash have enjoy some giggles while travelling to Vancuover for scans recently. (Family photo/GoFundMe)
Detours are available during intermittent closures of the Lochside Trail from Sept. 2 to 15. (Courtesy of the Capital Regional District)

Detours set for intermittent closures of Lochside trail section in Saanich

Crews repairing trail slope from Quadra Street to McKenzie Avenue

Detours are available during intermittent closures of the Lochside Trail from Sept. 2 to 15. (Courtesy of the Capital Regional District)
Our Place Society’s annual Hungry Hearts fundraiser is back and even more important than ever. Toque chef Nicholas Waters (left) and Joshua Allan prepare their dish for a previous edition of the fundraiser. (Black Press Media file Photo)

Timing is crucial as Our Place foodie fundraiser returns to Victoria

The Hungry Hearts Live Gala is set for Sept. 10

Our Place Society’s annual Hungry Hearts fundraiser is back and even more important than ever. Toque chef Nicholas Waters (left) and Joshua Allan prepare their dish for a previous edition of the fundraiser. (Black Press Media file Photo)
VicPD Speed Watch volunteers will be out keeping an eye on drivers near schools all through September. (Courtesy of VicPD)

VicPD reminds drivers to slow down with schools reopening

School zones come back into effect when students return on Sept. 6

VicPD Speed Watch volunteers will be out keeping an eye on drivers near schools all through September. (Courtesy of VicPD)
The University of Victoria won’t be requiring masks or proof of COVID-19 vaccination to start the fall 2022 semester. (Photo courtesy of UVic)

Greater Victoria post-secondary schools will not require masks, COVID-19 vaccinations

While encouraged, no mask or vaccine requirements for fall semester

The University of Victoria won’t be requiring masks or proof of COVID-19 vaccination to start the fall 2022 semester. (Photo courtesy of UVic)
The Great Canadian Beer Festival, here seen in 2019, returns to Royal Athletic Park Sept. 9-10. (Courtesy of Great Canadian Beer Festival)

Great Canadian Beer Festival returns to Victoria

Festival returns to Royal Athletic Park for the first time since 2019

The Great Canadian Beer Festival, here seen in 2019, returns to Royal Athletic Park Sept. 9-10. (Courtesy of Great Canadian Beer Festival)
Bus routes in Greater Victoria will switch to the fall schedule as of Sept. 5. (Black Press Media file photo)

BC Transit shifts to fall Greater Victoria schedule on Sept. 5

Route changes will accommodate return to school

Bus routes in Greater Victoria will switch to the fall schedule as of Sept. 5. (Black Press Media file photo)
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)
Lykeion Ellinidon, a dance group from Greece, rehearsing inside the community centre before their performance. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Greek culture, cuisine showcased at Greater Victoria’s Greek Fest

Two-weekend event returns to Saanich’s Hellenic Community Centre

Lykeion Ellinidon, a dance group from Greece, rehearsing inside the community centre before their performance. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Silver Threads Service is hosting Try it Free Week from Sept. 6 to 9, offering seniors a free chance to try their hand at different activities, including pickleball. (Black Press Media file photo)

Free week of activities on tap for seniors to try

Silver Threads Service hosting Try it Free week Sept. 6-9

Silver Threads Service is hosting Try it Free Week from Sept. 6 to 9, offering seniors a free chance to try their hand at different activities, including pickleball. (Black Press Media file photo)