Sidney

Figures from Sidney / North Saanich RCMP detachment show criminal code offences across major categories dropped 17 per cent during the first six months of 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)

Major crime in Sidney/North Saanich drops by 17% during first half of 2021

Mounties also report fewer collisions and impaired drivers

Figures from Sidney / North Saanich RCMP detachment show criminal code offences across major categories dropped 17 per cent during the first six months of 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)
Staff Sgt. Wayne Conley (right, here seen in 2020) says a never-seen-before confluence of retirements, promotions and injuries have caused staffing challenges at the Sidney/North Saanich RCMP detachment. One of the retirees includes the previous community policing officer, Const. Paul Mittelsteadt (left). (Black Press Media file photo)

High housing costs a factor in Sidney/North Saanich RCMP staffing shortage

Major crimes unit kept busy with 24 new investigations

Staff Sgt. Wayne Conley (right, here seen in 2020) says a never-seen-before confluence of retirements, promotions and injuries have caused staffing challenges at the Sidney/North Saanich RCMP detachment. One of the retirees includes the previous community policing officer, Const. Paul Mittelsteadt (left). (Black Press Media file photo)
This artist’s rendering shows the proposed new Amazon delivery centre to be operating on Victoria Airport Authority land in Sidney. (Courtesy of Victoria Airport Authority)

Sidney Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith praises arrival of Amazon

But the president of the Sidney Community Association questions the manner of the announcement

This artist’s rendering shows the proposed new Amazon delivery centre to be operating on Victoria Airport Authority land in Sidney. (Courtesy of Victoria Airport Authority)
Washington State Ferries announced Thursday, Aug. 12 that its service between Sidney and Anacortes would continue to be postponed until April 2022, contrasting initial plans in February 2021 to resume operations this fall. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney-Anacortes ferry won’t set sail until spring 2022

Washington State Ferries needs all hands on deck for fall 2021 domestic service

Washington State Ferries announced Thursday, Aug. 12 that its service between Sidney and Anacortes would continue to be postponed until April 2022, contrasting initial plans in February 2021 to resume operations this fall. (Black Press Media file photo)
The performance stage in Pioneer Park in Brentwood Bay is one of the venues for “The Incredible Adventures of Mary Jane Mosquito, presented by Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People at different locations in July and August. (Black Press file Media photo)

Kaleidoscope Theatre free performances set to fly around Greater Victoria

The Incredible Adventures of Mary Jane Mosquito plays between Aug. 28 and Sept. 12

The performance stage in Pioneer Park in Brentwood Bay is one of the venues for “The Incredible Adventures of Mary Jane Mosquito, presented by Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People at different locations in July and August. (Black Press file Media photo)
The B.C. Boat Show will be back in full swing at the Port Sidney Marina this fall after delaying its 30th anniversary event multiple times during the pandemic. (Courtesy of B.C. Boat Show)

B.C. boat show in Sidney ready to celebrate delayed 30th anniversary this fall

Annual watercraft show had been postponed multiple times during pandemic

The B.C. Boat Show will be back in full swing at the Port Sidney Marina this fall after delaying its 30th anniversary event multiple times during the pandemic. (Courtesy of B.C. Boat Show)
A report of a man holding a gun during an argument in the 2500-block of Beacon Avenue July 26 amounted to nothing after RCMP determined the man wasn’t in possession of a weapon. (Black Press Media file photo)

Gun call at Sidney restaurant a mistake: RCMP

Bystander reported they saw a man holding a gun during an argument

A report of a man holding a gun during an argument in the 2500-block of Beacon Avenue July 26 amounted to nothing after RCMP determined the man wasn’t in possession of a weapon. (Black Press Media file photo)
Construction values in Sidney almost totalled $75 million in 2020, according to the draft annual report before Sidney council. (Black Press Media File)

Value of 2020 residential construction in Sidney close to $75 million

Figures in town’s annual report show significant upward trend in recent years

Construction values in Sidney almost totalled $75 million in 2020, according to the draft annual report before Sidney council. (Black Press Media File)
The commercial ground floor of the Oceanna development in Sidney could end up being the site of not one, but two craft breweries. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Public asked to comment on second brewery in downtown Sidney

Proponent’s request for parking variance remains stalled

The commercial ground floor of the Oceanna development in Sidney could end up being the site of not one, but two craft breweries. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Lloyd, the new female Giant Pacific octopus at Sidney’s Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, is named after the late Peter Lloyd, a founding member of the centre and chair of its board from 2006 to 2013. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

New octopus honours founding member, board chair of Sidney aquarium

Lloyd, a female, pays tribute to Peter Lloyd, a founder of the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea

Lloyd, the new female Giant Pacific octopus at Sidney’s Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, is named after the late Peter Lloyd, a founding member of the centre and chair of its board from 2006 to 2013. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Rendering shows a building standing on a pontoon proposed to replace Beacon Wharf. The Town of Sidney will soon launch an engagement process on the wharf initiative, which also includes an option to not replace the aging structure. (Sidney Waterfront Partnership)

Public to weigh in on future of Sidney wharf

A pontoon could end up replacing Beacon Wharf

Rendering shows a building standing on a pontoon proposed to replace Beacon Wharf. The Town of Sidney will soon launch an engagement process on the wharf initiative, which also includes an option to not replace the aging structure. (Sidney Waterfront Partnership)
North Saanich resident Charlene Froom calls on local politicians to be more mindful of the concerns of differently-abled individuals in the face of the area’s aging demographic. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

North Saanich accessibility activist calls for ongoing improvements on Peninsula

Charlene Froom lauds recent moves in Sidney but calls for awareness campaign

North Saanich resident Charlene Froom calls on local politicians to be more mindful of the concerns of differently-abled individuals in the face of the area’s aging demographic. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
People with physical disabilities shouldn’t be discounted when designing developments, said Coun. Terri O’Keeffe, as council discussed a new townhouse proposal for Resthaven Drive. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney councillor calls for attitude adjustment around accessibility

Terri O’Keeffe said developers need to rethink housing options for disabled residents

People with physical disabilities shouldn’t be discounted when designing developments, said Coun. Terri O’Keeffe, as council discussed a new townhouse proposal for Resthaven Drive. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Peter Belair, who lives at the SHOAL Centre in Sidney, received this card from Buckingham Palace after he wrote to Queen Elizabeth II with condolences on the death of her husband Prince Philip in April. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney resident receives thank-you note from Buckingham Palace

Peter Belair had written condolences to Queen Elizabeth II upon the death of Prince Philip

Peter Belair, who lives at the SHOAL Centre in Sidney, received this card from Buckingham Palace after he wrote to Queen Elizabeth II with condolences on the death of her husband Prince Philip in April. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Higher steel prices have driven up the cost of fencing to protect the Sidney/North Saanich RCMP detachment and vehicles. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Higher steel prices hike cost of upgrades to Sidney/North Saanich RCMP detachment

Improvements increase security of RCMP building, vehicles

Higher steel prices have driven up the cost of fencing to protect the Sidney/North Saanich RCMP detachment and vehicles. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Crews from the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department and Fortis BC responded to a Melville Drive home on Monday morning for a minor gas leak. Unlike other organizations, emergency crews cannot easily escape the current high temperatures. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Gas leak response breaks eerie, heat-related quiet in Sidney

Sidney’s SHOAL Centre becomes temporary cooling shelter for heatwave peak

Crews from the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department and Fortis BC responded to a Melville Drive home on Monday morning for a minor gas leak. Unlike other organizations, emergency crews cannot easily escape the current high temperatures. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Staff with the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea released Wanda on June 7 near Ucluelet. (Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea/Submitted)

Wanda the octopus says goodbye to Sidney

Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea returned octopus to waters off Ucluelet, received a new one June 8

Staff with the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea released Wanda on June 7 near Ucluelet. (Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea/Submitted)
Sidney resident Babs Chorlton celebrates her 104th birthday. (Courtesy Robert Cairn)

Sidney resident celebrates her 104th with a second pandemic birthday party

Summergate Village resident gathers with 25 friends in her garden

Sidney resident Babs Chorlton celebrates her 104th birthday. (Courtesy Robert Cairn)
Sandy Oliver, owner of Sidney’s Star Cinema, said a hardware problem delayed the theatre’s re-opening, pushing it to Monday, June 21. The theatre had planned to re-open June 18. (Black Press Media file photo)

Projector problems push re-opening of Sidney’s Star Cinema

Theatre re-opened Monday with screening of A Quiet Place II

Sandy Oliver, owner of Sidney’s Star Cinema, said a hardware problem delayed the theatre’s re-opening, pushing it to Monday, June 21. The theatre had planned to re-open June 18. (Black Press Media file photo)
Al Kohut, owner of the new photographers GALLERY, checks out Looking Back by David Bradt. The photo printed on canvas is among 50 images featured in the Birds on the Wild Side exhibition showing until July 3. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Photo gallery in Sidney plucks out top bird photos

Birds on the Wild Side show running at the new photographers GALLERY until July 3

Al Kohut, owner of the new photographers GALLERY, checks out Looking Back by David Bradt. The photo printed on canvas is among 50 images featured in the Birds on the Wild Side exhibition showing until July 3. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
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