Sidney

Sidney has yet to receive official confirmation that senior spheres of government have agreed to pick up 911 dispatching costs. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney still waiting on official word on 911 cost downloading

8 affected Vancouver Island communities would have faced significant tax increases

Sidney has yet to receive official confirmation that senior spheres of government have agreed to pick up 911 dispatching costs. (Black Press Media file photo)
Saanich–Gulf Islands MP Elizabeth May is repeating calls for the federal government to seize a North Saanich property linked to a Russian oligarch. The estate, located at the end of Towner Road, previously hosted Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld)

Saanich–Gulf Islands MP calls for seizure of property used by Harry and Meghan

Elizabeth May says Russian oligarch still benefitting from North Saanich estate

Saanich–Gulf Islands MP Elizabeth May is repeating calls for the federal government to seize a North Saanich property linked to a Russian oligarch. The estate, located at the end of Towner Road, previously hosted Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld)
letter to the editr

LETTER: High cost of housing affecting Sidney, like all towns and cities

Much has been written over the years about homeless people and it…

  • Apr 15, 2022
letter to the editr
Richard Pawlosky, Kathie Calvert, Jim Sweet, Mark Jarrett and Alan Kell of the Sidney Chess Club welcome prospective members for games every Tuesday on the second floor of the SHOAL Centre for Seniors on Resthaven Drive. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney Chess Club makes opening gambit for new players

Club playing out SHOAL Centre for Seniors on Resthaven Drive welcomes players of all levels

Richard Pawlosky, Kathie Calvert, Jim Sweet, Mark Jarrett and Alan Kell of the Sidney Chess Club welcome prospective members for games every Tuesday on the second floor of the SHOAL Centre for Seniors on Resthaven Drive. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Victoria runner Aiden Longcroft-Harris crosses the finish line on Lochside Drive in Sidney during Sunday’s Bazan Bay 5K. He was first in his category, men age 20 to 24, and second overall among the field of 455 runners. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Runners brave wind, cold for Bazan Bay 5K near Sidney

455 hardy souls compete in final event of season in Vancouver Island Race Series

Victoria runner Aiden Longcroft-Harris crosses the finish line on Lochside Drive in Sidney during Sunday’s Bazan Bay 5K. He was first in his category, men age 20 to 24, and second overall among the field of 455 runners. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
The formal engagement period for Sidney’s Official Community Plan update closed April 11. Following revisions, plans call for council adoption of the new document by late spring or early summer. (Black Press Media file photo)

Official Community Plan draft offers high-level view, roadmap: Sidney CAO

Sidney Community Association says it lacks detail in terms of implementation plan

The formal engagement period for Sidney’s Official Community Plan update closed April 11. Following revisions, plans call for council adoption of the new document by late spring or early summer. (Black Press Media file photo)
Sidney council narrowly approved a recommendation to further close the gap between commercial and residential property tax rates at Monday’s meeting. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney homeowners to pay more; gap between residential, commercial tax rates to shrink

Gap between commercial and residential tax rates to shrink over next decade

Sidney council narrowly approved a recommendation to further close the gap between commercial and residential property tax rates at Monday’s meeting. (Black Press Media file photo)
Sidney municipal council Monday will consider a recommendation that would start shifting the tax burden away from businesses and towards residents. (Google Street View)

Sidney considering further shift of commercial tax burden toward residential

Council votes tonight (April 11) on committee recommendation to approve shift

Sidney municipal council Monday will consider a recommendation that would start shifting the tax burden away from businesses and towards residents. (Google Street View)
An application to convert this condominium building in downtown Sidney to a hotel will not appear before council because the commercial zoning of the property allows for hotel use. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Conversion of downtown Sidney condos into hotel rooms won’t come before council

Once converted, the building at 9838 Second St. will be in a higher tax group

An application to convert this condominium building in downtown Sidney to a hotel will not appear before council because the commercial zoning of the property allows for hotel use. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Kimberli Koh of Happy Tail Dog Service in Sidney laments council’s decision to offer a shut-down competitor a chance to apply for a temporary use permit, after committee of the whole recommended support for OCP and zoning changes that could have allowed Pooch Parlour to remain in a West Sidney industrial area. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Local dog groomer in Sidney expresses support for shut-down competitor

Kimberli Koh also frustrated by council’s decisions around Pooch Parlour

Kimberli Koh of Happy Tail Dog Service in Sidney laments council’s decision to offer a shut-down competitor a chance to apply for a temporary use permit, after committee of the whole recommended support for OCP and zoning changes that could have allowed Pooch Parlour to remain in a West Sidney industrial area. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Sidney/North Saanich RCMP believe multiple individuals are responsible for the graffiti, including one case depicting sexual, racist and anti-LGBTQ comments featuring swastikas. (Black Press Media file photo)

Racist, sexist and anti-LGBTQ messages smeared across Sidney

Sidney/North Saanich RCMP investigating string of graffiti incidents

Sidney/North Saanich RCMP believe multiple individuals are responsible for the graffiti, including one case depicting sexual, racist and anti-LGBTQ comments featuring swastikas. (Black Press Media file photo)
Council renewed the leases for the Satellite Fish Market operating out of the blue building on the northern side of the wharf and Pier Bistro Restaurant operating on the southern end. This decision means that the current status of wharf won’t change until after 2025. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney renews leases for Beacon Wharf businesses while raising their rates

Renewal until the end of 2024 means wharf remains unchanged until 2025

Council renewed the leases for the Satellite Fish Market operating out of the blue building on the northern side of the wharf and Pier Bistro Restaurant operating on the southern end. This decision means that the current status of wharf won’t change until after 2025. (Black Press Media file photo)
After a two-year break, the Louisiana Hayride Show is rolling across western Canada and will stop in Sidney on May 2 in paying tribute to the giants of classic country and rockabilly. (Photo courtesy of Louisiana Hayride Show)

Louisiana Hayride Show rolls into Sidney’s Mary Winspear Centre

Tribute show highlights the countless stars that rocked to stardom on the legendary broadcast show

After a two-year break, the Louisiana Hayride Show is rolling across western Canada and will stop in Sidney on May 2 in paying tribute to the giants of classic country and rockabilly. (Photo courtesy of Louisiana Hayride Show)
Owner Kathy Banks with her dog Abby, flanked by employees Kaylyn Paterson (left) and Sherry Bell, and supported by husband James Anson (back), were all smiles when Sidney’s committee of the whole supported zoning and OCP amendments that could have allowed Pooch Parlour to operate on industrial-zoned land. That support dissolved by March 28, however, as council voted against the proposals. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney councillors flip on initial support for dog grooming business

Pooch Parlour owner to seek space outside Sidney, rejects temporary use offer

Owner Kathy Banks with her dog Abby, flanked by employees Kaylyn Paterson (left) and Sherry Bell, and supported by husband James Anson (back), were all smiles when Sidney’s committee of the whole supported zoning and OCP amendments that could have allowed Pooch Parlour to operate on industrial-zoned land. That support dissolved by March 28, however, as council voted against the proposals. (Black Press Media file photo)
A new report finds Sidney’s downtown a strength, but also cautions about the effect of changes to the retail environment in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney’s downtown identified as an economic strength, but challenges also found

Report to council the first of two informing Sidney’s economic development strategy

A new report finds Sidney’s downtown a strength, but also cautions about the effect of changes to the retail environment in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
A woman holds a dog while crossing the Irpin River on an improvised path under a bridge as people flee the town of Irpin, Ukraine. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)

B.C. author in western Ukraine says potential for greater conflict very real

Ukrainians appreciate international support, lament lack of physical military aid

A woman holds a dog while crossing the Irpin River on an improvised path under a bridge as people flee the town of Irpin, Ukraine. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
Sidney resident and author Michael Bociurkiw is analyzing the Russian invasion while based in Lviv, Ukraine, a western city hit by Russian missiles last week. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney author in western Ukraine says potential for greater conflict very real

Ukrainians appreciate international support, lament lack of physical military aid

Sidney resident and author Michael Bociurkiw is analyzing the Russian invasion while based in Lviv, Ukraine, a western city hit by Russian missiles last week. (Black Press Media file photo)
Owner Kathy Banks (front) with her dog Abby, along with employees Kaylyn Paterson (left) and Sherry Bell (right), and husband James Anson stand outside Pooch Parlour. The municipality closed the business earlier this month for operating without the proper business license. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Dog grooming business in Sidney gets a life leash, but reopening months away

Councillor argued council going through ‘contortions’ to accommodate one business

Owner Kathy Banks (front) with her dog Abby, along with employees Kaylyn Paterson (left) and Sherry Bell (right), and husband James Anson stand outside Pooch Parlour. The municipality closed the business earlier this month for operating without the proper business license. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Canadian musician George Zukerman, who won numerous awards for playing the bassoon, leads a musical celebration of Beethoven at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney this Saturday (March 26). The concert is part of an extended marking of the 250th anniversary of the composer’s birth, delayed by COVID. (Courtesy of George Zukerman)

Sidney rolls on with Young Beethoven in celebrating composer’s 250th birthday

March 26 show features all-star ensemble with commentary from bassoonist George Zukerman

Canadian musician George Zukerman, who won numerous awards for playing the bassoon, leads a musical celebration of Beethoven at the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney this Saturday (March 26). The concert is part of an extended marking of the 250th anniversary of the composer’s birth, delayed by COVID. (Courtesy of George Zukerman)
The draft of Sidney’s new climate action plans points to the municipality’s southeast near the municipal boundary with North Saanich as an area with high flooding risk through severe coastal storm surges caused by climate change. (Black Press Media file photo)

Coordinated effort needed for Sidney to reach ambitious climate change goals

New report highlights Sidney’s high risk of severe coastal storm surges and heatwaves

The draft of Sidney’s new climate action plans points to the municipality’s southeast near the municipal boundary with North Saanich as an area with high flooding risk through severe coastal storm surges caused by climate change. (Black Press Media file photo)