As 2020 comes to a close, we wanted to take a look back on the stories that grabbed our readers’ attention.
This year saw a pandemic, a provincial election, and dozens of stories in between on topics local and beyond.
One thing is certain: we couldn’t do it all without the support of you.
Without further ado, here are the top-read stories for each month of 2020:
January
These 9 Vancouver Island Restaurants are among the top 100 places to eat in Canada (REPORT)
Victoria is renowned as a major foodie city in Canada, and our readers definitely showed their interest in the scene with this story.
Other high traffic stories in January include:
- Four Vancouver Island residents arrested for human trafficking in Saskatchewan
- Family identifies 30-year-old Saanich man found dead in rural Alberta
- Victoria police issue alert after wolf sighting in James Bay (PHOTOS)
- 12 most affordable Happy Hour drinks and dishes in and around Victoria
- This $6.6 million waterfront glass house in Saanich is now on the market (PHOTOS)
- A magical unicorn was spotted clearing snow in Sooke (VIDEO)
- 33 incredible photos of Greater Victoria in the snow (PHOTOS/VIDEOS)
February
Victoria human trafficking suspect adopts new name to conduct business on Facebook
It was a case that horrified and shocked Canadians across the country, and had some unsettling roots on Vancouver Island.
Other high traffic stories in February include:
- Here’s how to check if you have unclaimed cheques from Canada Revenue Agency
- Tim Hortons is bringing back annual ‘Roll up the Rim to Win’ with some major changes
- Extinction Rebellion protesters in Victoria plan citizen’s arrest of Premier Horgan this morning
- Victoria loses its ‘Most Romantic City in Canada’ title after 7 years
- RCMP locate bodies of two men believed to be missing in Sooke
- The 3rd man was eventually found
- The Trans Canada HWY at the McKenzie Interchange is closed due to flooding
March
Dairy Queen is selling Blizzards for $0.99 starting this Friday
Turns out that Victoria’s residents (and abroad) absolutely adore good deals. They loved this one so much that it crashed our website.
Other high traffic stories in March include:
- First case of COVID-19 confirmed on Vancouver Island, among 7 new cases
- 16-year-old Vancouver Island singer blows away American Idol judges (VIDEO)
- This video shows what the Trans Canada Hwy at Millstream Road looked like in 1997 (VIDEO)
- West Shore RCMP investigating woman shot and killed in Langford home Friday night
- Victoria renters report landlords raising rent, issuing eviction notices amid COVID-19 pandemic
- Discovery Island wolf Takaya shot and killed by hunters in Shawnigan Lake
April
Dr. Bonnie Henry’s shoes are grabbing attention at her daily press conferences (PHOTOS)
B.C’s top doc has become the public face of the province’s health response. The pandemic transformed Dr. Bonnie Henry into an overnight celebrity and saw some social media love for her.
Other high traffic stories in April include:
- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Vancouver Island mansion just went up for sale and it’s bizarre (April Fools)
- Local musician writes’The Ballad of Bonnie Henry’ in tribute to B.C.’s top doctor (AUDIO)
- BC Ferries sailings reach max passenger capacity despite pleas to stay home over long weekend
- Fire crews battling large structure fire at historic Vic West home (VIDEO/PHOTOS)
May
One dead in Canadian Forces Snowbird crash in Kamloops
Canada’s much-beloved aerial demonstration squadron suffered a tragic loss in British Columbia while touring the country, in a moment that shocked and saddened many.
Other high traffic stories in May include:
- Dr. Bonnie Henry has been nominated to receive the Order of Canada
- Behind the scenes of Dr. Bonnie Henry’s daily COVID-19 briefings for B.C. (PHOTOS)
- One person dead following large explosion and fire at North Saanich Marina on Sunday
- Tornado makes brief landing in Saanich (VIDEOS)
June
“I feel very remorseful”: Nanaimo woman apologizes after racial slurs go viral
We’ve all made mistakes online. One Nanaimo woman’s mistakes came back to haunt her online, and she apologized shortly after.
Other high traffic stories in June include:
- Man goes berserk, smashes plexiglass barrier after receiving burger with no mustard in Colwood
- Fire crews battling massive fire at U-Haul facility in downtown Victoria (VIDEO)
- Mount Washington launches Vancouver Island’s longest zip line this Saturday
July
Nanaimo man dressed in saran wrap and underwear spotted at Woodgrove Mall
Cabin fever found a new life during the COVID-19 pandemic, and a man in Woodgrove Shopping Centre in Nanaimo was its latest icon. A man covered in saran wrap and sporting a red pair of underwear on his head as a face mask.
Other high traffic stories in July include:
- Dashcam footage shows VicPD cruiser crashing into SUV after running red light (VIDEOS)
- Victoria tattoo artist arrested, charged with five counts of sexual assault
- Vancouver Island’s worst kept secret, ‘The Quarry’ officially closed to visitors
- TV star Jason Priestley’s Vancouver Island Beach Resort is up for sale for $4.5 million (PHOTOS)
August
Downtown Victoria restaurant confirms employee tests positive for COVID-19
As the pandemic has spread, businesses have had to shut down when exposures have occurred.
Other high traffic stories in August include:
- 22 snaps from last night’s epic lightning storm over Vancouver Island (PHOTOS/VIDEO)
- Canadian Forces Snowbirds given green light to resume operations after deadly crash in May
- Victoria staff to remove part of BIPOC mural at request of police chief, activists say
September
11 stunning locations to view the fall colours in Victoria (PHOTOS)
Even in the midst of a difficult year, there was still time appreciate the natural beauty of the city we live in.
Other high traffic stories in September include:
- Air quality in Victoria is at “very high risk”, worst it could possibly be
- UK couple based in BC since last year lose van in Big O Tires blaze
- Body of missing Sidney man found in Elk Lake: Saanich Police
October
31 haunted places in and around Victoria you have to visit
There was also time to appreciate some of the spookier aspects of Victoria for this year’s Halloween.
Other high traffic stories in October include:
- Oak Bay roads closed after sudden death of young tree cutter
- Vancouver Island ranked second best island in North America (SURVEY)
- Victoria book store owner praises staff after anti-masker rant (VIDEO)
- This Victoria pub has Halloween candy-flavoured shafts on special
November
BC’s top doctor has issued a province-wide lockdown. Here’s what you need to know
With the second wave of the pandemic spiking cases across the province, the provincial health officer rolled out a new set of restrictions.
Other high traffic stories in November include:
- Fire crews battle large structure fire in downtown Victoria (VIDEOS)
- Woman found murdered in Langford residence on Friday
- Road closed after seven vehicle collision outside Sidney Elementary School (VIDEO)
December
The 7th annual Victoria Buzz Christmas Lights Tour Map
Victoria ended the year on a bright spot: taking in some beautiful Christmas and Holiday displays across the city.
Other high traffic stories in December include:
- Applications for the $1,000 B.C. Recovery Benefit to open December 18
- B.C. extends province-wide COVID-19 restrictions to January 8, says first vaccines on the way
- 17-year-old girl sexually assaulted aboard BC Transit bus in Victoria
- Man arrested after refusing to follow COVID-19 rules at two West Shore businesses (VIDEO)
Thank you to our readers for keeping us going through 2020!
