A variety of Mars Wrigley Canada candies are being recalled after customers alerted the company to the possible presence of metal pieces in both the bags and candy themselves. 

On May 13th, the company announced a voluntary recall of specific varieties of the candies after several consumers reported very thin metal strands embedded in the gummies or loose in the bag. 

At the time of the recall report, they were not aware of any illnesses to date as a result.

The affected products were manufactured by a third party and distributed in Canada, the United States and Mexico. 

Affected products include Starburst Gummies Original, Starburst Gummies Sour, Starburst Gummies Sour Berries, Life Savers Gummies Sours, Skittles Gummies Original, Skittles Gummies Original,  Skittles Gummies Original Stand Up Pouch, Skittles Wild Berry Gummies and Skittles Gummies Wild Berry Stand up pouch. 

To determine if you have products included in the recall, find the 10-digit manufacturing code on the back of the package. The first three digits in this code will indicate the implicated product as described in the table.

Mars Wrigley Canada is currently working with retailers to remove recalled products from store shelves.    

If you believe you have purchased a recalled item, you are advised to dispose of the product and not consume it. 

Anyone with questions is asked to contact Mars Wrigley Canada at 1-800-651-2564 or by visiting their website.

It’s always a good day when we hear there’s a new hot spot for baked goods in the city.

Frickin’ Delights Donuts, originally from Alberta, are now open in YYJ—in their sweet little spot on Yates Street.

The confectionery company, founded in 2013 by a husband and wife duo, began selling from a converted laundry room in Devon, Alberta. In 2017, they opened a brick and mortar location which saw people driving from all over just to get their hands on the delicious baked goods.

Frickin’ Delights donuts not only look delicious, they’re also 100% vegan, made fresh daily, and come in a large variety of different flavours.

They use ingredients like local wholegrain flour, applesauce, soft brown sugar, sea salt and coconut milk, and their donuts are dairy free and egg free—meaning they’re safe for those with those allergies.

The donut shop confirmed on Facebook Friday that their new spot at 632 Yates Street is officially open.

“We’re open and grateful to say that this morning. I thought by the time I posted this, I’d have something clever to say. I don’t so I’ll tell you about Lemon Poppyseed and how this donut started it all,” the Facebook post read.

Posting a photo of a Lemon Poppyseed, the post continued on to say “9 years ago, this was my first attempt at donuts. They looked like logs and were soggy and left everyone I worked with on the night shift as a nursing assistant with gut aches and an honest oath to never eat anything I ever made again.”

“Then in July 2013 I stood at the first farmers market that would have me and while they tasted a bit better, they looked like onion rings and the glaze looked like jam,” the Facebook post continued.

“This morning is a dream come true for us. The cold ocean air, the seagulls squawk and the street cleaners greeted us at 3:30 am. Our first customers greeted us with warm well wishes and beautiful sentiments.”

With flavours like Chocolate Earl Grey, Coffee Crisp and Apple Cider, we can’t wait to check them out for ourselves—which flavour are you most excited to try?!

Frickin’ Delights Donuts

• Where: 632 Yates Street
• Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday, closed Monday’s
• Social Media: Facebook

A new and modern Royal BC Museum (RBCM) is planned for Victoria and comes with a whopping $789-million price tag, according to the provincial government.

On Friday, BC officials announced the RBCM on Belleville Street, across from the BC Legislature, will close come September 6th to make way for a state-of-the-art, seismically safe building.

Province-wide travelling exhibitions and a local interactive walking tour will launch amid the closure, with IMAX Victoria, the RBCM gift shop and neighbouring food trucks staying open into early 2023.

With a scheduled 2030 completion date, officials say museum construction will bring “significant economic and social benefits” to the capital region, supporting more than 3,000 jobs along the way.

New museum to serve as BC’s flagship historical centre:

For decades, people from BC and beyond have flocked to the RBCM to learn about local history, notes Premier John Horgan.

“For just as long, the stories told here have failed to accurately reflect our colonial history or include everyone, and priceless collections are now being put at risk in an aging building,” said Horgan.

“That’s why today, we are making this historic investment to build a safer, more inclusive and accessible modern building,” he added.

“Once complete, the new museum will be a flagship destination for tourism and a place where generations to come will learn about the richness and diversity of BC’s history.”

BC officials say the new museum will reflect the experiences and perspectives of all who contributed to the province’s history, providing a cultural legacy for generations to come.

Melanie Mark, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, echoes these comments, saying the building will serve as the province’s “flagship historical centre.”

“Museums are more important than ever to be a canvas for our history and inspiration for our future,” said Mark.

“Our partnership with the local First Nations to guide us to this stage is truly reconciliation in action. From the exhibits and programs to the employees and building itself, we are bringing the people’s museum into the 21st century.”

Last year, the RBCM announced its plans to phase out its First Peoples and Becoming BC galleries to decolonize exhibits and move towards truth and reconciliation.

The third-floor galleries later closed for good on January 2nd, 2022.

Then in late February, Alicia Dubois took over as RBCM CEO, more than a year after her predecessor stepped down amid repeated allegations of discrimination and racism at the museum.

“The work to modernize the [RBCM] is a legacy project that will enrich, inspire and continue to benefit British Columbians and Indigenous Peoples for generations to come,” added Dubois.

SEE ALSO:

• Royal BC Museum will phase out their First Peoples and Becoming BC galleries
• Victoria’s Royal BC Museum welcomes new CEO Alicia Dubois

If you’ve been to Uptown lately, you may have noticed some construction going on above the boulevard. 

The new addition to the shopping centre has been in the works for years, but soon we will finally see the plans come to fruition. 

BC’s newest location of the Canadian Brewhouse, a Canadian themed sports bar, will open at Uptown this June, marking the sixth location in the province and the first on Vancouver Island.

The chain began with its first location in West Edmonton in 2002. Now, 20 years later, the sports bar has expanded to over 40 locations across Canada.

In 2019, a proposal for the two-story restaurant which includes a bowling alley, received unanimous approval from Saanich council. 

The plans were soon put on hold, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Read more: New bowling alley proposed for Uptown receives unanimous approval from Saanich council

Now, construction of the new location is nearing completion, with hiring fairs underway.

Uptown’s Canadian Brewhouse location will be a two-storey restaurant with seating for over 600 people, encompassing dining and bar seating, bowling lanes, billiards and batting cages. 

There will also be a rooftop patio!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CejQS1ZJUYc/

The Canadian Brewhouse

• Where: Uptown Shopping Centre, 117-3500 Uptown Blvd
• Opens: Monday, June 13th

The Downtown Victoria Business Association (DVBA) is now the second largest business improvement area in BC after council has approved its expansion.

On Thursday, May 12th, the City of Victoria Council voted in favour of a new bylaw that would expand the association’s downtown boundaries immediately.

Property owners had until 4 p.m. Monday to oppose the expansion, and council said they would only vote if at least 50% of the property owners in the new area did not object.

The effort to expand the boundary began with downtown businesses and property
owners just outside the boundary requesting to be included in the DVBA.

“These owners saw the benefits of the DVBA, especially the association’s Clean Team, marketing, and advocacy, and wanted to access these services,” the DVBA said in a media release.

A reverse petition began two months ago; the City of Victoria offered property owners the opportunity to speak out against expansion. After waiting the required time and tabulating responses, the city passed the expansion bylaw effective immediately.

The new area includes business properties east of Blanshard Street to Cook Street, and from Discovery Street north to Bay Street.

The DVBA avoided expanding into areas such as James Bay, Cook Street Village, Burnside-Gorge and Quadra Village with concern they would become too large for the organization’s abilities.

“The DVBA and its Board of Directors are excited to welcome our new members into the association,” said DVBA executive director, Jeff Bray.

“We are grateful for Council’s support. We look forward to working with all our members to continually enhance one of North America’s best mid-sized downtowns,” Bray added.

Prior to the approval, the DVBA’s membership sat at about 1,350 members and will now grow to nearly 2,000—thus increasing the annual budget to more than $1.7 million

Since its inception in 2005, the DVBA boundaries have remained unchanged. However, in the 17 years since the DVBA was formed, the area considered “downtown” by Victorians has increased in size.

The DVBA believes the new boundaries better represent this area.

VicPD say they’re dealing with escalating issues of teen violence in downtown Victoria, with some nights seeing as many as 150 youth gathering in the core area.

According to a media release, police say youth from surrounding municipalities have been descending into the downtown core on Friday and Saturday nights.

Police said the large group of teens have been consuming alcohol and drugs, and have been assaulting random individuals and damaging property.

“VicPD is responding to ongoing youth violence in downtown Victoria and the surrounding areas with information, interdiction, and enforcement,” the police force said in a statement.

Police say some nights have seen over 150 youth in groups of various sizes.

Violent offences include assaults with weapons, and random attacks on people walking by the group.

One incident saw an attack on an elderly person, and another against two homeless people—VicPD also say one of their officers was swarmed.

“There have also been numerous reports of mischief, vandalism and property damage, as well as the open consumption of alcohol and drugs by underage youth, and associated disturbances and medical incidents,” VicPD said in their release.

According to VicPD, there have been several incidents of people, including youth, being injured, and some of the youth involved have begun expanding these gatherings into weekday nights.

VicPD released a list of just some of the over two dozen incidents that have recently transpired:

Friday, May 6th:

22-16795 – A caller reported that a group of 100 youths were in the area of Government and Douglas Streets, with some of them jumping on car roofs, kicking car doors and damaging transit signs. Officers arrived and dispersed the group who left behind a significant amount of garbage requiring the City of Victoria Parks Department to follow up.

22-16808 – A couple was swarmed by a group of 20 youths in the 900-block of Douglas Street. The couple were randomly attacked, with youths grabbing one of the victims by the throat and striking her, while continuing to beat and kick the other member of the couple. The couple were able to break away and flee, calling 911 once they were safe. The main suspect is described as a female youth, with very long eyelashes. She wore an orange sweater, black hooded sweatshirt and a black balaclava. Officers responded and searched the area but were not able to locate the suspect. The couple suffered non-life-threatening injuries which did not require medical attention. This file remains under investigation.

22-16814 – Officers responded to a report of a group fighting near the intersection of Douglas Street and Pandora Avenue. The investigation indicates that a group of youths surrounded and began harassing two unhoused persons. During the confrontation, one of the unhoused persons struck one of the youths in the face with a flashlight and then fled the area. The injured youth, who was intoxicated, suffered non-life-threatening facial injuries. He declined medical treatment and was driven home to his Langford residence and released to a parent. This file remains under investigation.

22-16799 – Patrol officers were flagged down near the intersection of View and Douglas streets for a youth who was laying in the roadway with hand injuries. Officers discovered a female youth, showing clear signs of intoxication and suffering non-life-threatening hand injuries. As officers investigated they learned she had been part of a group that swarmed and assaulted two people. One of the victims was struck in the face and both of the victims fled to a vehicle. The group surrounded and began kicking and punching the vehicle, causing significant damage. The victims drove away from the area. The female youth was transported to hospital by paramedics. Officers contacted the youth’s family in Sooke, who attended hospital, and spoke with officers about ongoing concerns.

Monday, April 25th:

2022-15250 – A business owner was swarmed and sprayed with bear spray when a group of youths began fighting outside his store in the 1100-block of Douglas Street. Several youths stole knives from the store after the owner was sprayed. Two youths, previously identified in earlier assaults, were arrested for assault with a weapon and theft. The victim sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Saturday, April 23rd:

22-15067 – A 70-year-old man was swarmed by a group of 25 youths in the 1200-block of Douglas Street. The man was attacked by a group of five or six youths, who began hitting, punching and spitting on the man. The 70-year-old man suffered significant but non-life-threatening facial injuries in the incident which required medical treatment. This file remains under investigation.

Friday, April 22nd:

22-14948 – Patrol officers attended a call regarding a male youth armed with a knife and bear spray, after a report that a group of youths were assaulting each other with bear spray in the 1300-block of Douglas Street. When arrested, a group of 14 youths swarmed the arresting officer in an attempt to prevent the youth’s arrest. The youth was transported to VicPD cells and issued a violation ticket for cannabis possession. The weapons were seized for destruction and the youth turned over to the custody of a parent.

VicPD says they are working with regional partners including the Greater Victoria School District to engage with the youth and their families, intercept groups in key problem areas and conduct enforcement.

According to VicPD, some parents are providing their children with bear spray and alcohol when the youth have expressed a desire to bring knives and drugs into Victoria’s downtown.

VicPD are warning parents that this type of approach is unhelpful and is instead leading to increased violence and damage, and that any unlawful behaviour will be addressed through enforcement as required.

VicPD said they will be making their presence known at key locations in downtown Victoria during a tweet-along on Friday night.

“Several of the youths involved have told officers that they believe that they will not face criminal charges for their actions,” VicPD Spokesperson Cst. Cam MacIntyre said.

“Some of these youth are conducting violent, random attacks and have told officers that they believe that they will face no consequences for their unlawful actions. They are wrong. Officers are arresting and recommending charges, which can have significant and negative life-long impacts.”

If you see a group assaulting people or damaging property, please call 911.

If you have any information about these incidents, please call the VicPD at (250) 995-7654.

The investigation into a devastating arson that left a Fernwood family home ravaged by flames continues, with Victoria Police still seeking potential witnesses.

On April 20th, at around 1 a.m., VicPD were called to Caledonia Avenue, near Cook Street, as officers assisted local fire crews battling a structure fire.

Yuriy Vyshnevskyy, who lives in the 19th-century heritage house with his wife and three young daughters, is a pastor at the neighbouring Ukrainian Catholic Church of St. Nicholas.

Vyshnevskyy said his wife awoke moments before the fire erupted to find gasoline poured through the mail slot next to their front door.

And while most of the family had escaped the blaze by the time emergency crews arrived, one person was sent to hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, VicPD said.

Days later, police sought public help after releasing video footage of a light-coloured, possibly white, four-door vehicle driving past the house moments before it went up in flames.

Then, on May 2nd, detectives with VicPD’s Major Crime Unit sought to speak with two men who may have information relevant to their investigation, after being captured on security camera in the surrounding area.

In a Thursday, May 12th update, VicPD Const. Cam MacIntyre says police have had no luck in identifying either the men or the potential witness vehicle. 

“We’re still hoping that someone in our community will share that information with us and help us with this investigation,” MacIntyre told Victoria Buzz.

The first man, described as Caucasian, is approximately 50-years-old and standing at six feet tall with a medium build and short dark brown hair.

On camera, he’s seen wearing a brown jacket with black areas near the shoulders, a black sweater, dark blue jeans and dark-coloured lace-up shoes.

Meanwhile, the second man is described as Caucasian or Middle-Eastern, approximately 25-years-old and standing at 6’2″ with a short beard and medium-length dark brown hair. 

The footage shows him wearing a dark blue hooded coat, olive-brown pants and dark shoes with an army green backpack.

According to police, both men were in the Cook Street and Caledonia Avenue area at around 1 a.m. the night of the fire.

VicPD say neither of the two are currently considered suspects, but ask them or anyone who recognizes them to call (250) 995-7654.

One driver has died, and another is injured, following a two-vehicle collision along Highway 19A in Merville, north of Courtenay.

On Wednesday, just before 4:00 p.m., Comox Valley RCMP and BC Highway Patrol were called to a head-on crash near Williams Beach Road, closing the highway for several hours to examine the scene.

According to police, a 20-year-old man driving a Kia SUV crossed over the centre line, hitting an oncoming Hyundai driven by a 29-year-old woman.

“The driver of the Hyundai succumbed to her injuries at the scene, and the other driver received non-life-threatening injuries,” BC Highway Patrol said in a statement.

At this time, BC Highway Patrol continues its investigation, asking anyone who witnessed the crash or has related dashcam footage to call (250) 286-5646.

A recent provincial grant administered through the Victoria Foundation’s Food Security Provincial Initiatives Fund will soon help low income residents in Greater Victoria access local nutritious food.

The recently announced $350,000 grant will help the Victoria Community Food Hub Society’s Food Connections project continue to link locally produced food and foods recovered from regional grocery stores to a certified kitchen to create value-added projects. 

Shelf-stable food is then developed for community programs, markets and schools. 

This funding builds on $1.9 million the province provided for the Mustard Seed Food Bank to help buy the Food Security Distribution Centre at 808 Viewfield Road to function as the Capital Region’s food hub.

“It is unacceptable that more than half a million British Columbians experience household food insecurity,” said Nicholas Simons, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction. 

“We are working with community partners to help those in need get nutritious food.”

The funding will also support the purchase of food-processing equipment for Food Connections, in partnership with the Victoria Community Food Hub Society, to extend the life of local food and decrease food waste. 

The equipment will play a vital role in Food Connections’ training kitchen, which provides opportunities for skills development, particularly for limited-income, racialized, Indigenous and newcomer participants. 

The training kitchen provides opportunity to learn food handling, processing, sorting and recipe creation to support personal skill development and employability, contributing to the Mustard Seed Food Bank and Victoria Community Food Hub’s distribution through 70 food charity organizations and 3 school district meal programs.

“Food affects many aspects of our life. Every person deserves access to healthy food and the funding provided here will ensure that equitable access continues to be a priority,” said Sandra Richardson, CEO of the Victoria Foundation.

“The Victoria Foundation is proud to work collaboratively to increase access to nutritious local food in our region. We look forward to continuing to work with our partners to create a vibrant, caring community for all.”

Sorry, Victorians—don’t shoot the messenger.

According to a recent report from Rentals.ca, Victoria’s vacancy rate is down to 1% and average rents in Victoria could rise between 5% and 10% this year.

Leo Spalteholz, a real estate analyst in Victoria for House Hunt Victoria, says “…it’s a safe bet that rents will continue to increase in 2022 in Victoria, likely between 5 per cent and 10 per cent.”

With the CMHC recent report showing the vacancy rate in Victoria back down to 1%, Spalteholz says a shortage of rentals will likely persist.

“Though construction of purpose-built rentals has increased substantially in the last five years,” he says, “This comes after decades of neglect….”

Spalteholz points to CMHC statistics showing Victoria had 26,144 purpose-built rental homes in 1991, and 28,206 in 2021, an increase of only 2,723 units while the population grew by about 116,000.

Greater Victoria isn’t alone; rents are expected to increase across most major Canadian cities.

The forecast calls for Toronto average monthly rents to bounce back 11% by the end of the year; Mississauga monthly rents will be up 7% by December; Vancouver average rents will increase 6%; Montreal will post an annual increase of 5% and Calgary rents will go up 4% annually, according to Ben Myers, president of Bullpen Research & Consulting.

Spalteholz  believes the flood of purpose-built rental construction in Victoria will have a large impact and ease some of the rental pressures in the coming years.

In addition to the rental crisis, home sales were down by 26% in April, while the cost of a single-family home reached $1,266,200—that’s a 26.9% increase year-over-year, when the typical price was $977,500.

“Our inventory levels remain well below historic averages, so prices remain buoyant because the supply is still much lower than this recent decrease in demand,” said VREB president Karen Dinnie-Smyth.

With the high cost of homes in the real estate market, Spalteholz says this means fewer people are able to buy a home, leading to increased rental demand.

Spalteholz believes a problem facing Victoria’s rental market is that the bulk of the city’s more affordable rental stock is from buildings that are some 60 years old and nearing end of life.

“Replacing them with new rentals helps control rent growth,” he says.

The downside to this approach is it leads to eviction of the residents and the loss of their relatively inexpensive rentals.

To combat this, Spalteholz suggested cities such as Victoria should upzone low density single-family areas near amenities for rentals to encourage new construction where there will be little displacement or loss of existing affordable rentals.

It’s important to follow the rules of the road and use extra caution behind the wheel, especially in a bustling and bike-friendly city like Victoria.

So says ICBC, as it points to data highlighting Victoria’s ten most notorious intersections for vehicle accidents. Together, they’ve totalled over 2,000 crashes in recent years, leading to either injury or death.

Between 2016 and April 2021, Douglas Street at Finlayson Street took the top spot, recording a total of 275 crashes within that time frame, according to ICBC.

Closer to downtown, it finds Blanshard Street at Bay Street followed behind with 259 crashes, while Blanshard Street at Hillside Avenue saw 249.

Here’s the complete top 10 list:

1. Douglas St. at Finlayson St. – 275 crashes
2. Blanshard St. at Bay St. – 259 crashes
3. Blanshard St. at Hillside Ave. – 249 crashes
4. Hillside Ave. at Shelbourne St. – 223 crashes
5. Douglas St. at Gorge Rd. East – 217 crashes
6. Blanshard St. at Finlayson St. – 201 crashes
7. Bay St. at Quadra St. – 173 crashes
8. Hillside Ave. at Quadra St. – 149 crashes
9. Burnside Rd. at Harriet Rd. – 142 crashes
10. Bay St. at Cook St. – 138 crashes

But of course, crashes extend far beyond busy intersections.

More recently, four people were sent to hospital following a multi-vehicle collision in Victoria’s Fairfield neighbourhood near downtown, according to Victoria Police.

On Tuesday, May 10th at around 4:30 p.m., VicPD responded to the intersection of Quadra Street at Fairfield Road after a black SUV struck vehicles and a pedestrian before colliding with a building.

SEE ALSO: VicPD release more details on Fairfield crash that sent 4 people to hospital including a pedestrian

Though triggered by a medical incident, the crash comes as ICBC and police across BC hold a month-long campaign to warn drivers that speeding can have tragic consequences, even in ideal road conditions.

On Vancouver Island specifically, data finds an average of 25 speed-related crashes causing injury or death occur now through summer.

Reflecting on these alarming stats, Sgt. Damian Kowalewich with Saanich Police says there’s “never a good reason to speed and put others at risk on the roads.”

“Anything requiring speeding or getting to a location quicker really needs to involve emergency services,” Kowalewich told Victoria Buzz, following a reckless driving incident recently caught on dashcam on the Pat Bay Highway.

“Drive defensively, plan ahead, leave early and respect each other on the road so that we can all get to where we need to go safely.”

Victoria’s former Boston Pizza won’t sit vacant for much longer as a BC-based vegan restaurant chain eyes the space for its first Vancouver Island location.

Already established on the Mainland, MeeT Restaurants is ready to open its fourth venue in BC’s capital and introduce its plant-based menu to the region.

“MeeT intends to show people that comfort food that connects us and nourishes us can be veggie, can be made from scratch, can be delicious and can be affordable,” states a post on EatMeeT.ca. 

According to the restaurant’s owner, management plans to open MeeT on Blanshard, located at 797 Hillside Avenue, later this summer. 

That’s where Victoria’s Boston Pizza operated for decades before closing permanently earlier this year, leaving only two franchises to remain locally in Saanich and Langford.

“It is with heavy hearts that today, after 35 years of operations, we close our doors permanently,” read a January 9th closure notice.

Owner and operator Jeremy Dewey said the COVID-19 pandemic, public health orders, staff shortages and an overall increase in the cost of living were to blame.

“Thank you, Victoria, for 35 years. Be safe,” Dewey added in the notice.

MeeT is currently hiring for various positions in Victoria, including general manager and assistant general manager, as well as kitchen manager and assistant kitchen manager.

“We… strive to be an extraordinary employer, and look for ways daily to make MeeT a place that our staff can look forward to coming to work excited, and with a purpose,” wrote MeeT on its website.

The chain, founded in 2014 by restauranteurs Linda Antony, Ivo Staiano and Jason Antony, already has three locations in Vancouver along Main Street and in the city’s Gastown and Yaletown neighbourhoods.

“Our mission is to help transition the mainstream to eating more plant-based foods in a friendly, accepting and engaging venue,” the company added.

Four people were sent to hospital following a multi-vehicle collision in Victoria’s Fairfield neighbourhood near downtown, according to Victoria Police.

On Tuesday at around 4:30 p.m., VicPD responded to the intersection of Quadra Street at Fairfield Road after a black SUV rammed into the Canadian Red Cross headquarters. 

Police say the SUV was travelling southbound on Quadra Street when it collided with two vehicles and then struck a pedestrian before crashing into the building.

“The driver and two passengers of the vehicle that struck the building, along with the pedestrian, were all transported to hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries,” VicPD said in a press release.

Initial reports on social media indicated that people were being removed from both the SUV and the building by stretcher. A dog was also a passenger at the time of the crash.

“At this time, it is believed that the driver of the vehicle that initiated the collision suffered a medical incident,” police added, noting the file remains under investigation.

A collision analyst responded to the scene, and local traffic remained closed for several hours as police urged people to avoid the area.

Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call VicPD at (250) 995-7654. To remain anonymous, tipsters can call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-8477.

VicPD are on scene of a serious crash after a vehicle collided into a building late Tuesday afternoon.

The crash occurred at around 4:30 p.m. at the Red Cross building near the intersection of Quadra Street at Fairfield Road.

Roads in the area are closed and traffic is expected to be impacted significantly.

VicPD originally reported five people were injured, but have since updated that to four, who were sent to hospital with their injuries.

At the scene, there were reports people were being removed from both the vehicle and the building by stretcher.

Police are asking people to avoid the area.

More info to come.

This well-known diner chain is ready for blast-off out of BC’s capital, closing its only two locations on Vancouver Island.

Amid a labour shortage, those hoping for a Johnny Rockets burger or milkshake are out of luck after the chain recently closed both its downtown and Hillside locations in Victoria.

The two eateries, found along Fort Street at the Bay Centre and on Hillside Avenue within Hillside Shopping Mall, opened simultaneously in 2017, along with a third location in Vancouver.

But the doors are now locked and the grills are turned off for good, as a sign taped to the window of the downtown storefront reads, “Great leasing opportunity available.”

Founded in 1986, Los Angeles, California-based Johnny Rockets is distinguished for its 50s-style decor and boasts roughly 325 locations worldwide, including nine corporate units.

Victoria Buzz reached out to the company for more information regarding the local closures but has not yet heard back.

Starbucks Canada just launched a new chocolate cold brew drink and it is supposed to taste like a sip of melted ice cream!

As demand for iced coffee grows, Starbucks announced they have added a new cold coffee drink with a chocolate twist: the Chocolate Cream Cold Brew—which, despite its seasonal rollout, will actually be joining Starbucks’ permanent menu.

The drink features cold brew coffee topped with a “light, sweet and silky” chocolate cream cold foam and is sweetened with vanilla syrup. The new offering is inspired by “nostalgic summer moments,” Starbucks said in a press release.

“When creating this beverage, we wanted to bring our customers a drink that would transport them back to their favourite summer memories with each sip,” said Rosalyn Batingan of Starbucks beverage development team.

“The classic combination of coffee and chocolate is reminiscent of a chocolate milkshake or that last bit of melted chocolate ice cream on a warm summer day to recreate the sweet, creamy flavour of summers past.”

Prices for a grande chocolate cream cold brew start at $4.75.

Along with the new drink, Starbucks is also adding bacon, sausage and egg wrap and southwest potato, Black Bean and egg wrap to the permanent menu.

The company said both wraps are made with cage-free scrambled eggs and deliver the perfect morning flavour to start your day.

The new menu items are available now. Let us know your review!