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A new way of living is coming to Victoria, as developers think outside the box in an attempt to ease the strain on low rental vacancies.
This month, city council unanimously approved Vancouver-based Townline’s proposal to build a new 16-storey complex at the corner of Vancouver Street and Pandora Avenue.
But it will be far from the typical build, as the company introduces “co-living” to BC’s capital—a first for the area.
Along with 121 rental homes plus ground-level commercial space, there will be 54 three-, four- and five-bedroom co-living pods, each with a shared furnished in-suite kitchen space and an ensuite for most bedrooms.
Construction is set to start this summer and wrap up in 2024.
According to Chris Colbeck, the co-living style has become quite popular across North America, on the rise in major cities like Toronto, Seattle and New York.
The Senior Vice President for Townline says proposed designs provide people with the opportunity to be part of a “true community or vertical neighbourhood.”
And that’s something needed now more than ever, Colbeck says, as COVID-19 takes hold of people’s social lives and well-being.
“If we’ve learned anything from the pandemic, it’s that urban loneliness exists and people crave human connection, community, flexibility and don’t want to live in isolation,” said Colbeck.
“This building provides the opportunity to live in new amenity-rich rental accommodations with a built-in social life.”
According to Townline, while not designed specifically as affordable housing, co-living will offer more housing supply as local rental prices continue on an upward trend.
During a January 13th public hearing, Mayor Lisa Helps voiced her support for the project, touching on its many benefits.
“If I were in my early 20s, this is the exact kind of place I would choose to live. Particularly if I was a student or new to a city,” Helps said.
“And if I end my life single and alone, this again might be a good place for me to end up.”
Helps highlighted that more rental supply is needed locally, especially affordable housing. After combing the details, she finds the project will deliver a significant amount of units in a creative way.
“It’s a bit of a pilot project, I guess, but it’s all private capital taking the risk – no public dollars,” she added.
“Council’s policy … doesn’t require affordability with rentals. We are just trying to get as many rental buildings built by the private sector, and then working as hard as we can with the private sector and non-profits and governments to get affordable rental buildings built.”
William Roberts, 90-year old bald Caucasian man. Two pictures of his face – one in which he is wearing
sunglasses and a while collared shirt. The other in which he is sitting at a table, wearing a black and blue sweater.
UPDATE: Great news to report! 90-year-old William Roberts who was the subject of a missing person report, has been located in Port McNeil and is receiving medical attention.
— original:
Residents on Vancouver Island are being asked to keep an eye out for a missing elderly man.
Comox Valley RCMP are asking for the public’s help in locating a 90-year-old man last seen leaving his residence in Courtenay.
William Roberts was reported missing on Wednesday evening and suffers from short term memory loss. He requires urgent daily medication.
Roberts was last seen wearing a black waist length puffer jacket, a grey and white v-neck sweater with a white collared golf shirt underneath, black curling pants, and black shoes.
He is approximately 5’10” tall and weighs about 160 pounds.
Roberts was driving his silver 2015 Honda Accord, BC licence plate 737PJT.
Police said he was seen in Campbell River at approximately 9:00 p.m. and might have gotten lost trying to find his way back home.
If you see William Roberts or his vehicle, call 911 or the Comox Valley RCMP at (250) 338-1321.
This month, grab some snacks and get cozy with a loved one with a brand new season of Love is Blind.
If that’s not your cup of tea, indulge in an old classic like A Cinderella Story or, if you’re looking for something scary, Final Destination 3 is also being added to Netflix!
Here are 95 new movies and shows coming to Netflix Canada this February:
A man who allegedly stabbed another man last week is on the loose, and Victoria Police are putting out a plea for help in finding him.
On Wednesday, January 19th, at around 3 p.m., VicPD say a man attempted to steal from a business in the 900-block of Yates Street.
As a loss prevention officer confronted the suspect, he challenged the officer to fight and spat on him.
That’s when things escalated.
“When the officer attempted to apprehend the suspect, the man stabbed him with a screwdriver. The victim wore a protective vest which prevented serious injury,” police say.
The suspect, described as a Caucasian man standing at 5’9” with a slim build, then fled on foot.
At the time, witnesses recall him wearing a baseball hat with a red brim, a black jacket over a grey hoodie, and blue jeans.
Police add that the incident remains under investigation.
Anyone who recognizes the suspect should call VicPD at (250) 995-7654. To make an anonymous report, call Crime Stoppers at 1 (800) 222-8477.
The BC Ministry of Health reported 2,086 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, January 26th.
There have been 316,873 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
However, health officials note the numbers of total and new cases are provisional due to a delayed data refresh and will be verified once confirmed.
New cases were reported in these health regions:
Vancouver Coastal Health: 464
Fraser Health: 780
Island Health: 219
Interior Health: 455
Northern Health: 168
Resident outside Canada: 0
There are currently 30,058 active cases of COVID-19 in the province.
282,189 people who tested positive have recovered.
There are now a total of 949 people in hospital due to COVID-19, 136 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
21 new people have died from COVID-related causes, making the provincial death toll 2,575. Five of the new deaths were in the Island Health region, with six from Coastal Health and 10 from Fraser Health.
Island Health
Island Health has confirmed that they have discontinued updating their dashboard, which contained breakdowns of active cases by region on Vancouver Island.
Outbreaks
There have been five new healthcare facility outbreaks in the province at Cascade Lodge, Mountain View Manor, Queen’s Park Care Centre, Royal City Manor (Fraser Health) and Victoria General Hospital (Island Health).
The outbreaks at MSA Manor, Evergreen Baptist Care Society, New Vista Care Centre (Fraser Health), Brocklehurst Gemstone (Interior Health), Sidney All Care, Luther Court and Sidney Care Home (Island Health) have been declared over.
There are a total of 61 ongoing healthcare outbreaks in the province.
There are currently 24 healthcare outbreaks in the Island Health region.
Vaccinations
As of Wednesday, January 26th:
10,551,666 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in BC
92.6% of eligible people 12 and older in BC have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 89.9% have received their second dose.
93.0% of all eligible adults in BC have received their first dose, and 90.4% have received their second dose.
According to VicPD, they have arrested a suspect who shoplifted right in front of them at Mayfair Shopping Centre.
At approximately 12:40 p.m. on Tuesday, January 25th, two officers were speaking with staff at a store in Mayfair Shopping Centre regarding previous shoplifting incidents when another criminal struck.
Apparently, a store full of officers was not enough to deter another potential shoplifter!
Both officers were in full uniform, complete with shoulder crests, duty belts and “VICTORIA POLICE” emblazoned on their duty vests.
During their visit, one officer noticed a man walking quickly with their head lowered past the cash registers and out of the store.
The officers followed the man and stopped him, only to discover he had just stolen product from the store and had been hiding it under his jacket.
He was arrested without incident and the property was returned to the store.
A major telecommunications provider wants to expand its reach and improve cellular coverage for those cruising a major Vancouver Island corridor.
Rogers has announced its plans to build six new towers along Highway 4, the only direct stretch of road connecting people from Port Alberni to Tofino and Ucluelet and vice-versa.
The project, fully funded by Rogers, also looks to upgrade two existing towers in the area, ultimately enhancing cellular coverage for tourists and locals alike.
Jorge Fernandes, Chief Technology Officer at Rogers Communications, finds Highway 4 is a vital route and notes the project will provide 85 km of new service, “improving safety and reliable connectivity as soon as possible for all who depend on it.”
The company partnered with the BC Government through the Connecting British Columbia program to bring the project to fruition.
Mid Island-Pacific Rim MLA Josie Osborne is ecstatic as she points to much-needed safety benefits.
“For people travelling between Tofino and Port Alberni, whether they’re locals, people visiting family, or those here to enjoy the beauty of the West Coast, Highway 4 can be cause for concern,” added Osborne.
“Our government is hard at work making safety improvements to the highway and increasing cellular coverage along the same stretch, meaning people will be even safer.”
There’s no word on when the improved service will be made available.
It’s almost February and, for many, this means the last stretch of winter before warmer weather, longer days and an ease from the winter blues.
February can still be dreary, however, so it’s always important to look out for small, COVID-safe events you can participate in, especially ones that bring that cozy community feel.
Window Wanderland is pleased to announce its return to James Bay after a year-long hiatus, bringing a walkthrough gallery experience to the neighbourhood.
Window Wanderland began in England, when Lucy Reeves Khan, out for a walk in her community, dreamed up the idea.
After experiencing years of isolation after chronic illness, Khan sought to create an event that would help to reduce social isolation and foster a sense of community in her area.
Soon, the event grew in popularity, spreading across the world and James Bay was the first place in North America to participate!
Here’s how it works:
Everyone in James Bay is invited to decorate a window, whether it be the window of your home, apartment, business or car!
Wanderlands are organized by local volunteers and are provided with affordable Toolkits to bring their visions to life.
Once the windows are complete, the streets of James Bay will be transformed into a walkthrough gallery, bringing the community together, which is incredibly important at this time.
On the evenings of February 25th to 27th, take a physically distanced stroll or drive through the neighbourhood to experience all the artwork coming together.
It is outdoors, COVID-safe and creative!
For more information on James Bay’s Window Wanderland, including how to register to join in on the fun you can visit the neighbourhood’s event page.
Police in Greater Victoria have their speed guns out, putting a stop to those who zoom past schools and endanger the lives of young students.
On Tuesday, January 25th, West Shore RCMP conducted a “school zone enforcement blitz” in the Helmcken Road area of View Royal, nabbing nearly a dozen drivers.
In total, police say over 400 vehicles travelled through the zone, and 10 violation tickets were issued as a result.
The blitz was all thanks to a joint effort between the West Shore RCMP Traffic Unit, First Nations Policing, Community Policing and Speed Watch volunteers, in collaboration with ICBC Road Safety.
It poses a reminder for drivers to relieve some pressure off the gas pedal and follow school zone speed limits, which is 30 km/h between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on weekdays, unless otherwise posted.
For Cpl. Alex Bérubé, it’s a rule that should be taken seriously, as kids usually assume cars stop instantly.
“Until children are about eight years of age, it is difficult for them to assess whether a vehicle is moving or not,” said Bérubé.
“When children see an approaching car, they first notice the colour of the vehicle – not how fast the vehicle is travelling.”
He says it takes a vehicle 13 metres to reach a complete stop when driving 30 km/h, with the distance more than doubling when driving 50 km/h.
“Drivers should allow extra travel time, stay focused on the road and watch for children, especially in or around school zones,” added Colleen Woodger, ICBC road safety coordinator.
As the virus circulates, Island Health is declaring more COVID-19 outbreaks locally and across Vancouver Island.
In a Tuesday update, nine patient cases have been identified within Neuromedicine units 6A and 6B at Victoria General Hospital (VGH).
The health authority says the outbreak is limited to the two units, with no other areas of the hospital affected at this time.
“VGH remains a safe place to attend, and people should not avoid seeking emergency care, should they need it,” Island Health said.
The hospital experienced a small outbreak earlier this year when two patients contracted the virus.
Meanwhile, farther north, COVID-19 outbreaks are plaguing two facilities in Nanaimo.
At Nanaimo Seniors Village, Island Health says two resident cases have been identified in an outbreak limited to the assisted living side of the facility.
And at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, five patients within the 5th-floor medicine unit have tested positive. Similar to VGH, no other hospital areas are currently affected.
At all three sites, Island Health says case numbers are confirmed via PCR testing or follow-up from its case and contact management team.
In general, it says the following outbreak response protocols are in place:
Essential visits can continue, but social visits cannot
Staff movement will be limited wherever possible
No congregate dining or group activities for residents of affected units
Enhanced cleaning and infection control measures will continue
Residents, families and staff are being notified
Enhanced screening of all staff and residents for symptoms
Greater Victoria outbreaks declared over:
Island Health says the outbreaks at Victoria’s Luther Court long-term care home, Sidney All Care and Sidney Care Home have been declared over.
At Luther Court, three resident and four staff cases were attributed to its outbreak, with one resident case each at the two homes in Sidney.
BC Transit has announced they are moving forward in their plans to implement an electronic fare collection system in buses across the province, and Victoria will be the first region it will be implemented in!
The new system, represented by the system Umo, will introduce contactless tap payment methods to improve the transit experience.
Payment methods will include mobile app, debit card, credit card, mobile wallet and reloadable smart card.
The new, contactless payment methods will increase access to transit by allowing riders to use items that they carry everyday, remove the need to pre-purchase tickets or carry exact change.
The change will also improve onboard cleanliness, a large focus during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“Innovation is key to improving the user experience across public transit systems,” said Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities.
“BC Transit’s Electronic Fare Collection System will allow a more flexible, efficient and secure means of payment that increases user convenience and ridership throughout British Columbia. Our Government is proud to contribute $13.4 million to this interregional transit project.”
Riders using the mobile app and reloadable smart card will be able to load a stored value balance to their account and purchase their fare directly from it. Riders will also be able to scan their mobile device or tap their card on board the bus to purchase fare.
Cash will continue to be accepted onboard BC Transit buses.
The Victoria Regional Transit System has been selected for the system’s pilot project and first transit system implementation and can expect to see the system come on board by fall 2022.
The project will begin with the mobile app and reloadable smart card payment methods being enabled, prior to payment by credit card, debit card, and mobile wallets being accepted on board.
Once the pilot project has completed, it will then be implemented in other regions across the province.
“Modernization initiatives like this are important as we look to rebuild ridership to pre-pandemic levels and grow our public transportation system in the years to come,” said Rob Fleming, Minister for Transportation and Infrastructure.
“With the use of cash in sharp decline everywhere, efficient and convenient electronic fare payment options are the way of the future.”
The Electronic Fare Collection System Project is being cost-shared with the Government of Canada contributing 50 per cent of eligible costs, the Province of British Columbia contributing 40 per cent and the project’s local government partners contributing the remaining 10 per cent.
No, it wasn’t a filter – last night’s sunset really was that stunning!
As Tuesday came to a close, locals were left ‘sunstruck’ as hues of fiery orange illuminated the skies above Greater Victoria, with hints of blue and purple completing the palate.
Victorians reached for their cameras, snapping photos of the evening spectacular for a camera roll packed with breathtaking shots.
Mix that in with forest, mountain and ocean views, and it just goes to show Mother Nature has blessed BC’s capital in all her glory!
Without further ado, here are 17 snaps of last night’s sunset:
One suspect has been arrested in connection with a stabbing on Gorge Road East last Friday.
The incident occurred around 2 p.m. in the 300-block of Gorge Road East.
The suspect was suffering from serious injuries and was transported to hospital by paramedics.
Police said they believe the attack was targeted.
Upon investigation, Major Crime Unit detectives learned that the assault had taken place in a multi-unit residential building in the 200-block of Gorge Road East.
They joined with the VicPD Strike Force investigative unit and found the suspect at a residence in the 800 block of Admirals Roads.
With the assistance of the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team, he was arrested the same night.
He faces recommended charges of assault causing bodily harm and breach of a release order.
If you’ve ever found yourself wondering out the perks of living that stubble-free life, look no further!
We’re talking about laser hair removal, of course, and when it comes down to getting into the nitty-gritty of how it actually works, many are still left wondering.
Maya Laser Clinicis a locally-owned and operated shop that specializes in, you guessed it, removing unwanted body hair.
They provide high-quality laser skin regeneration and laser hair removal services for both women and men, and pride themselves on offering a very thorough initial consultation process with their clients, which is especially important if you’re feeling unsure about any of the procedures.
“Our laser is unique to most other machines in Victoria. We use a dual platform laser that uses heat (as opposed to intense pulsing light) to destroy the hair root,” says Sahar, the clinic’s Primary Laser Technician.
“Because we use an actual laser, a successful hair removal treatment plan will only take an average of 6-8 treatments. Fast and easy!”
If you’re still feeling a little in the dark about the process of it all, we’ve compiled 7 things you need to know about getting laser hair removal in Victoria—plus a chance to win a gift card towards your own treatment at the end of the article!
Precision
The laser is so precise that it is able to selectively target and destroy those dark coarse hairs while leaving the surrounding skin unscathed.
It’s fast!
The laser pulses in one fraction of a second, treating many hairs at the same time—faster than waxing or shaving.
Skip the sun-kissed look
If you’re going to get laser hair removal treatment, it’s extremely important to stay out of the sun and away from self-tanners before each treatment. Actively suntanned skin or sunburn can cause discolouration and pain. Ouch!
Check your meds
Photo sensitive medications should not be taken 2 weeks prior to treatment. Photo-reactive compounds in these medications can damage skin cells.
Waxing removes the entire hair
… root and all! Without the root attached to the follicle, the laser has nothing to remove. This is why you should quit waxing 4-6 weeks before you begin laser treatment and avoid waxing entirely once you’ve started—waxing would render your treatment ineffective. Shaving, however, is encouraged. It leaves the root behind and leaves a clean surface for laser treatment!
Does it hurt?
According to Maya Laser Clinic, there is some pain, but for most people it’s mild and nothing more than a temporary discomfort.
“The expression temporary pain for permanent gain is quite appropriate when it comes to laser hair removal. The potential benefit of being permanently free of unwanted body or facial hair definitely outweighs any pain you may experience temporarily during your treatment.”
You can get laser hair removal done locally!
(Maya Laser Clinic)
Maya Laser Clinic is centrally located in Saanich on Quadra Street, with ample parking. You’re able to book your appointment online or by calling (250) 744-3990!
CONTEST
For your chance to win a $200 gift card to Maya Laser Clinic (we’re giving away 3!), please do one or more of the following:
LIKE Maya Laser Clinic on Facebook and comment below to let us know you have. (1 entry)
SHARE this article on Facebook and/or Twitter and comment below to let us know you have. (1 entry)
Contest entries will be accepted from the time and date of publishing until 11:59 p.m. on February 8th, 2022. One winner will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they used to enter. Make sure to register when commenting below.
RCMP officers conducting a traffic stop in Nanaimo got more than they bargained for Saturday morning, when they pulled over a suspicious vehicle.
In the early hours of January 22nd, Nanaimo RCMP officers were conducting patrols in the area of Bowen Road and Meredith Road when they initiated a traffic stop on a Ford Focus.
The older model vehicle did not have valid insurance and was brandishing a stolen insurance decal.
Upon investigation, officers also found various types of prohibited weapons, drugs, several hundred dollars in Canadian currency and an improvised explosive device in the vehicle.
Officers located a loaded .12-gauge shotgun, a loaded .12 gauge “zip-gun” improvised firearm and a prohibited stun-gun flashlight.
The RCMP Explosives Disposal (EDU) were consulted regarding the explosive device and recommended that the device be taken to a nearby field until they could attend the scene and safely destroy it.
“This is an excellent example of General Duty Officers in Nanaimo conducting a thorough investigation of a suspicious vehicle that went from a straight forward charge under the Motor Vehicle Act charge for no insurance, to apprehending three persons and getting several extremely dangerous weapons off the streets,” said Constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
The suspects, a 31-year-old male from Vernon, and a 23-year-old male and a 28-year-old female, both from Nanaimo, were arrested.
The individuals were later released while the investigation continues.
Five people were onboard a water taxi Tuesday morning when it struck some rocks on a route between Tofino and Ahousaht.
Four of the individuals on the vessel were taken to hospital, while RCMP didn’t release the condition of those people, there are reports two are in serious condition.
BC RCMP said a Coast Guard vessel already in the water nearby and passerby’s were able to offer assistance transporting the passengers and the damaged boat to Tofino.
RCMP have seized the vessel and an investigation is currently underway to determine what lead to this collision.
It was foggy at the time of the crash and weather is believed to be a factor.
“Through investigation and interviews it’s been determined that visibility was poor due to the morning fog,” said Sergeant Chris Manseau, Media Relations Officer for the BC RCMP.
“Tofino RCMP, with support from the RCMP West Coast Marine Section will be probing the circumstances that contributed to the collision.”
Transport Canada, the Transportation Safety Board and Work Safe BC have all been notified of the incident.
“The Tofino / Ahousaht RCMP want to thank all those who assisted on this incident, and volunteered their time to assist the injured persons,” added Manseau.
The four hospitalized people were brought to a Victoria.
Today, provincial health officials extended the proof of vaccination program to June 30th.
It was set to expire Monday, January 31st, but Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry now says the requirement will stay in place until summer.
“If we are in a better place before June 30th, however, we will look to make adjustments earlier,” Henry said.
“The BC Vaccine Card program is specifically designed to address and mitigate those risks that allow us to keep certain businesses and activities open during the pandemic.”
When attending an event or eating at a restaurant, those 12 and up must have their BC Vaccine Card and photo identification ready to be checked and scanned.
It’s a requirement that’s been in place since September of last year.
Meanwhile, Henry also announced that some changes will be on the way to the world of kids sports.
As of February 1st, children’s sports tournaments will be allowed to take place across the province, with current safety restrictions still in place.
She added that the reinstatement of tournaments did only apply to youth, and adult tournaments would not be included in the newly lifted restriction.
The BC Ministry of Health reported 1,446 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, January 25th.
There have been 314,522 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
New cases were reported in these health regions:
Vancouver Coastal Health: 309
Fraser Health: 508
Island Health: 163
Interior Health: 319
Northern Health: 147
Resident outside Canada: 0
There are currently 32,468 active cases of COVID-19 in the province.
277,285 people who tested positive have recovered.
There are now a total of 985 people in hospital with COVID-19, 144 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
1 new person has died from COVID-related causes, making the provincial death toll 2,554.
Island Health
Island Health has confirmed that they have discontinued updating their dashboard, which contained breakdowns of active cases by region on Vancouver Island.
Outbreaks
There have been no new health-care facility outbreaks in the province.
The outbreak at Kopernik Lodge (Vancouver Coastal Health) has been declared over.
There are a total of 63 ongoing health care outbreaks in the province.
There are currently 25 health care outbreaks in the Island Health region.
Vaccinations
As of Tuesday, January 25th:
10,506,471 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in BC
89.6% (4,467,392) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 83.6% (4,167,276) have received their second dose.
92.6% (4,291,424) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 89.9% (4,166,375) received their second dose and 41.3% (1,912,122) have received a third dose.
92.9% (4,019,925) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose, 90.4% (3,907,880) received their second dose and 44.2% (1,910,574) have received a third dose.
February 1st marks the Year of the Tiger, the start of a traditional 16 day celebration.
The Chinese New Year begins on Chinese New Year’s Eve and continues until the first full moon of the lunar new year. At this time, a Lantern Festival is held to promote reconciliation, peace, and forgiveness.
Prior to COVID-19, the festivities, which include a parade, usually take place in Chinatown.
Once again, celebrations will be kicking off virtually, brought to you by Victoria’s very own Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club.
At 12 a.m. on February 1st, the club will release their annual Chinese New Year video on Youtube for everyone to view.
It was a busy start to the day for Victoria firefighters after a blaze ravaged an older home just down the street from Royal Athletic Park.
The morning call for the Victoria Fire Department saw its crews dispatched to the 2000-block of Cook Street at around 7:40 a.m., just as clouds of smoke emerged above.
Emergency efforts prompted a section of the street to close down, as VicPD was on scene diverting traffic out of the area between Princess and Caledonia Avenues.
According to Victoria Fire, three fire engines attended, and thanks to the “lightning-fast response time of C Platoon,” crews were able to knock down the fire rather quickly.
“The flames were contained to the interior of the house, and crews suppressed the fire by making entry and attacking from inside,” Victoria Fire said.
Once crews got things under control, they started the overhaul process. But that’s when things escalated, as a fire was spotted burning within the home’s walls.
“Crews were able to follow the burn patterns from the kitchen into the walls of the upstairs bathroom. This fire could have been much worse if not for the quick work of C Platoon,” the fire department added.
No one was hurt as a result of the blaze. At this time, the cause is under investigation and has not yet been released.
Patrol officers are on scene in the 2000-blk of Cook St to assist @VictoriaFire730 with a structure fire. #yyjtraffic is closed at Princess Ave & Caledonia Ave. Please avoid the area.
Call it the Hollywood of Vancouver Island. If you’ve got a knack for filmmaking, grab your camera because Victoria is the place to be.
MovieMaker has announced that our very own city has made its Best Small Cities and Towns to Live and Work as a Moviemaker in 2022 list, claiming the sixth spot.
The Los Angeles-based film magazine and website compiles the annual list based on surveys, production spending and tax incentives.
MovieMaker editor-in-chief Tim Molloy recalls past productions that transformed parts of town into landmark locations like Napa Valley, Central Park and the French Quarter.
Molloy finds Victoria an impressive, convenient and gorgeous locale, offering a delightful work-life balance, especially for people who love the outdoors.
The writer-producer of the Netflix series Maid, Molly Smith Metzler, is on the same page, noting she would “jump at the chance to shoot here again.”
“Because it has everything you want when shooting, plus the feeling of being somewhere very warm and special,” Metzler said.
The 2021 series, which was filmed entirely in the Greater Victoria area, features 160 plus local spots. Locals can now visit some of the iconic shooting locations thanks to Netflix’s interactive map.
Here’s the complete list of the best small cities and towns to live and work as a moviemaker, according to MovieMaker:
New Orleans (repeating at #1 for the second year)
Savannah (up two spots from last year)
Santa Fe, NM
Pittsburgh
Tulsa (up two spots from last year)
Victoria, BC
Providence
Wilmington, NC (up one spot from last year)
Richmond
Ashland, OR
Meanwhile, MovieMaker has also shared its 2022 Best Cities to Live and Work as a Moviemaker list, compiling major cities across North America.
Albuquerque, Toronto (up 10 spots from last year), Atlanta, Montreal (up three spots from last year) and Boston made up the Top 5.
Nanaimo RCMP believe they have sniffed out several possible suspects in connection to multiple porta-pottie fires last week, but need a witness to flush them out.
In a media release, RCMP said they’re investigating four incidents in which porta-potties located throughout south Nanaimo were deliberately set on fire.
City and fire rescue crews are being credited with a quick response ensuring the fires did not spread and the units were not destroyed.
All four fires were set on Sunday, January 16th and within a four-hour window.
“It appears that several were most likely started by one person and that a vehicle or other means of transport was used,” said Constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
The locations and times of the fire were:
7:22 p.m. in the 800 block of Old Victoria Road
7:48 p.m. in the 100 block of Wharf Street
9:54 p.m. at Bastion and Skinner
11:55 p.m. at Terminal and Victoria Crescent
Investigators have identified several people of interest, however, no direct witnesses have come forward to date and no arrests have been made.
Anyone with information on the any of these incidents, please call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.
The province has announced they are in the early stages of a new study into the feasibility and planning of redeveloping a large affordable housing complex in Victoria.
Evergreen Terrace, formerly called Blanshard Court, is located at 2501 Blanshard Street and is owned and operated by BC Housing.
The complex has provided low-incoming housing for seniors and families for more than 50 years.
According to BC Housing, Evergreen Terrace is in need of substantial renovations on its aging units and they, along with the province, are working to determine how it can potentially re-develop the complex with the least amount of impact on current tenants.
The two-year study will determine how to best replace these homes and whether the site can accommodate additional affordable housing.
“The aging homes at Evergreen Terrace have given 175 families affordable homes in Victoria for decades. This study will help us make sure these, and hopefully even more families have access to high-quality housing on this site,” said David Eby, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Housing.
“Redeveloping aging rental properties into modern, affordable homes for a range of incomes while ensuring existing tenants are protected leaves everyone better off and supports the health of the whole community.”
In 2020, a 21-unit temporary, culturally supporting housing building for Indigenous women was also added after a fire completely destroyed a former housing complex in that location.
“Spaken House, meaning ‘house of flowers,’ has been in operation for just over one year, and to date we have seen positive strides related to the health and well-being of the family members. Spaken House provides a safe space for Indigenous women to create a sense of place, community and family,” said Fran Hunt-Jinnouchi, director of housing development and research, Aboriginal Coalition to End Homelessness Society.
“Priority is given to those fleeing violence and experiencing gender-based violence with programming focused on health and wellness. The Aboriginal coalition is pleased with the continued progress being made and welcomes the opportunity to be part of the visioning and planning for Evergreen Terrace over the coming years, with hopes to increase our ability to provide more housing and services in a permanent, purpose-built Spaken House residential building.
The study into the redevelopment of Evergreen Terrace is in the early stages.
Tenants and community partners, as well as Spaken House residents and staff, have received project information packages and will have the opportunity to provide input and ideas to shape development plans for the property.
Tenants will not need to temporarily relocate at this time and they are not at risk of losing their homes because of this redevelopment plan.
Upon completion of the study, a rezoning application will be submitted to the City of Victoria. Once approved, tenants will be supported to stay in their homes until the new homes are complete.
Existing residents of Evergreen Terrace will be given the opportunity to choose new units with no changes to their monthly rent unless their income has changed.
The province, through BC Housing, plans to invest $467,000 to the redevelopment of the property.
Another Vancouver Island walk-in clinic is closing its doors this Spring, and a shortage of physicians is to blame.
On the heels of View Royal’s Eagle Creek Medical Clinic announcing its walk-in clinic shutdown, Colwood Medical Treatment Centre (CMTC) is following suit.
In a post to its website, CMTC says it regrets informing the community that its nearly 20-year-old clinic will be closing, effective April 15th.
“This decision has been made as a result of the chronic physician shortage in the Greater Victoria area,” CMTC said.
“Despite ongoing efforts in physician recruitment, we have been unable to sustain the 7-day/week walk-in services that we were proud to offer our patients in the past.”
According to Colwood Medical, the closure was a tough decision. That’s because its clinic has been around for two decades, serving those in Westshore communities and beyond.
CMTC also announced one of its family physicians, Dr. Robert Browett, will be retiring as of March 1st.
“We will not be accepting new patients to our walk-in clinic at this time. All patients who have outstanding results or need follow-up after a recent appointment will be contacted,” the posted notice said.
CMTC adds that all patient medical records will be stored “according to College guidelines,” with copies made available upon request.
Vancouver Island continues to see residents celebrating their good luck, with another resident winning big with Lotto 6/49.
Jeanette Perks bought her lottery ticket from Rexall on Douglas Street and was at home when she realized she had won big!
“I scanned it and thought, ‘wait a minute, this can’t be real,’” she recalled, describing how she felt when she won $47,849.70 from herNovember 27th, 2021 draw ticket.
“It was a blur; I was shaking and freaking out!”
Perks said she continued to re-scan her ticket over and over, in disbelief that she had won. She then quickly told her daughter who was also in shock.
When asked how she plans on using her prize, Perks said she plans on saving it. She celebrated her win over the holidays with close friends and family.
After taking his ‘coffee rage’ to a violent level, West Shore RCMP say the man responsible for throwing coffee at a restaurant employee is behind bars.
The previous day, he was denied service for refusing to wear a mask and being belligerent towards staff, according to police.
When the man was denied service again, he allegedly threw his hot beverage at a Tim Hortons employee before fleeing the store.
“Luckily, the staff member did not sustain any physical injuries,” said Cpl. Alex Bérubé on Friday.
With help from Saanich Police, Bérubé says the suspect was found and arrested Monday, with a date in count on March 17th.
Search continues for Tim Hortons stabbing suspect:
Warning: This article contains video of events that may be disturbing to some readers.
In another coffee shop-related incident, Vancouver Police have released video of an unprovoked stranger attack, which sent a 25-year-old man to hospital Saturday.
At around 6:20 a.m., inside the Tim Hortons at Harbour Centre, police say the victim was in line when the suspect approached from behind and repeatedly stabbed him before fleeing.
The victim suffered severe and life-threatening injuries but was taken to hospital for treatment and is expected to survive, police say.
“We need anyone who witnessed this assault to come forward, and we urge anyone who recognizes the suspect to call police,” added Sgt. Steve Addison.
A 16-year-old teenager has been charged with second degree murder of a Port Alberni man that occurred on March 27th, 2021.
RCMP confirmed they had made an arrest in the homicide of 20-year-old Clifton Alec Johnston in April of last year, however, charges couldn’t be laid until results from a forensic laboratory came back.
“Investigators have been working on this investigation continuously for nearly 10 months, awaiting Forensic Laboratory results and completing the significant disclosure these investigations require for charge approval,” read a media release from Port Alberni RCMP.
On March 27th, Johnston’s body was discovered in the grass in front of the Port Alberni Friendship Centre.
RCMP confirmed he had been stabbed multiple times.
On March 31st, officers arrested a 16-year-old man in connection with the homicide. His name cannot be released because he is a youth.
“This is believed to be an isolated incident where the suspect and victim were known to each other,” said Eric Rochette, Detachment Commander Inspector for the RCMP in a media statement last year.
“The result couldn’t have been achieved without the hard work and dedication of the Port Alberni General Investigations Section, Forensic Identification Section, Crime Reduction Unit, other supporting investigators and the community,” Rochette said in a statement today.
Six old-growth logging protestors have been arrested after blocking a Douglas Street intersection Monday afternoon.
This marks the third week in a row where police have arrested demonstrators who are part of a new environmental group called Save Old Growth.
At approximately 3:30 p.m. on Monday, January 24th, VicPD officers and members of the Greater Victoria Public Safety Unit (GVPSU) attended the intersection of Douglas and Johnson Streets where the protestors had gathered and blocked the northbound lane on Douglas Street, disrupting traffic.
Protesters have blocked northbound traffic at the intersection at Douglas St & Johnson St.
According to VicPD, six people were arrested for mischief as a result.
Officers transported the arrested protestors to VicPD cells where they were later released with a court date and conditions.
The group said they will continue to block the highway in the Victoria, Nanaimo and Vancouver areas with intentions of increasing the frequency and scale of actions until old-growth logging is stopped.
North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP are seeking the public’s help in locating a missing girl and her father.
In a media release, police said they’re searching for 36-year-old Jesse Bennet and his 7-year-old daughter Violet who were reported missing Sunday afternoon.
Family reported them missing from their residence which is located in the North Cowichan and Duncan.
On January 20th, Victoria Family Law Court set out a Joint Custody agreement and ordered Jesse to return Violet the same day to her mother.
To date, police and family have not been able to make contact with either of them.
“We believe that Jesse Bennet is actively evading police and is in breach of the custody order, requiring him to return Violet to her mother,” staid Sgt. Trevor Busch of the North Cowichan RCMP.
Jesse Bennet is described as a Caucasian man, standing 5’10” tall and weighs about 160 pounds. He has blue eyes and brown hair (possibly shaved head or wearing hat), with a beard.
Violet Bennet is described as a Caucasian girl and standing about 4’ft tall, and weighing 50-60 pounds. She has blue eyes and big natural curly hair.
Anyone with information on their whereabouts is asked to contact the police in your jurisdiction, or the North Cowichan RCMP at 250-748-5522.
Frankie Edroff holds the 'Jeneece Place' street sign/Children's Health Foundation of Vancouver Island
A refuge for children and their families receiving medical care on the South Island, helping thousands through the years, is marking a significant milestone this year.
Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Jeneece Place, located next to the Victoria General Hospital, has been a “home away from home” for 2,760 families and counting since opening on January 21st, 2012.
The Children’s Health Foundation-run home offers an affordable alternative when accessing nearby medical services, with 10-bedrooms, a kitchen, dining, living and playrooms, and a backyard where kids can feel safe and comfortable.
“It seems like it’s forever been in the community,” Veronica Carroll told Victoria Buzz.
The Foundation’s CEO recalls stories of gratitude from those who’ve stayed at Jeneece Place, noting she couldn’t imagine the community without it.
And it’s all thanks to Frankie Edroff’s dreams and vision, who, at just three years old, was diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 – a debilitating genetic disease.
Against all odds, he survived his doctors’ prognoses and became a champion of health for Island kids, fundraising for Jeneece Place alongside his family.
“We are so blessed and happy to see how well the house has been respected and loved,” said Angie Edroff, Frankie’s mom.
“It means a lot to us.”
It’s Frankie’s bravery and perseverance that rallied the community behind him, raising 95% of his $5.5 million goal in less than 14 months, according to the Children’s Health Foundation.
“He had the dream behind Jeneece Place,” Carroll added.
“The gratitude that all families feel towards Frankie and the Ederoff family just for sticking with it. They weren’t deterred; they knew that it was so important to be close to their children. It’s just an incredible accomplishment. It all started with that dream and determination.”
In 2021, a survey found 70% of guests reported that staying at Jeneece Place decreased their stress, while 83% said their stay increased their peace of mind being so close to the hospital.
That same year, the Foundation opened Q̓ᵂalayu House. Similar to Jeneece Place, it’s a “home away from home” for those on the North Island accessing services at the Campbell River hospital located next door.
Vancouver Island’s very own Oak Bay Beach Hotel continues to draw attention from around the world, with a new set of prestigious award wins for its in-house spa.
The Boathouse Spa was recently recognized by Spa of America for multiple awards including #1 Spa on Vancouver Island, #1 Spa in British Columbia, #4 Wellness Experience in Canada and #25 of their list of Top 100 Spas for 2021.
The Boathouse Spa is Victoria’s only ocean-front spa, featuring three heated outdoor mineral pools that are situated on the edge of the Salish Sea.
Talk about a view!
The spa offers a full range of Massages, RMT, European Facials, Pedicures, Body Wraps and Salt Glows, so there is something for everyone.
If you’re looking to pamper yourself and book in for a spa treatment, the spa recommends you book 2 to 3 weeks in advance. You can book online, email spa@oakbaybeachhotel.com, or call 250-940-0326.
The BC Ministry of Health reported 4,997 new cases of COVID-19 for a three-day period on Monday, January 24th. Of those cases, 626 were in the Island Health region.
There have been 313,076 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
Day-to-Day Breakdown:
Friday-Saturday: 2,163 new cases
Saturday-Sunday: 1,489 new cases
Sunday-Monday: 1,345 new cases
New cases were reported in these health regions:
Vancouver Coastal Health: 862
Fraser Health: 1,702
Island Health: 626
Interior Health: 1,251
Northern Health: 555
Resident outside Canada: One new case
There are currently 31,822 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, with 1,544 of those active cases being in the Island Health region.
There are now a total of 987 people in hospital with COVID-19, 129 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
24 new people have died from COVID-related causes, making the provincial death toll at 2,553.
Outbreaks
There have been six new healthcare facility outbreaks in the province: Evergreen House, Louis Brier Home and Hospital (Vancouver Coastal Health), Hamlets at Penticton, Mount Ida Mews, Crestview Village (Interior Health) and Chartwell Malaspina Care Residence (Island Health).
The outbreaks at CareLife Fleetwood, Morgan Place (Fraser Health), St. Vincent’s Langara (Vancouver Coastal Health) and The Heights at Mt. View (Island Health) have been declared over.
There are a total of 64 ongoing healthcare outbreaks in the province.
There are currently 26 healthcare outbreaks in the Island Health region.
Vaccinations
As of Monday, January 24th:
89.6% (4,465,993) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and 83.6% (4,166,318) have received their second dose.
92.6% (4,290,753) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 89.9% (4,165,636) received their second dose and 40.4% (1,874,956) have received a third dose.
92.9% (4,019,324) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose, 90.3% (3,907,214) received their second dose and 43.3% (1,873,448) have received a third dose.
According to VicPD, protesters have blocked traffic at the intersection at Douglas And Johnson Streets.
Officers are on scene with members of the Greater Victoria Public Safety Unit. The public is advised to avoid the area.
Original:
While a specific time or location wasn’t revealed, old-growth logging protestors are planning to block the Trans-Canada Highway this afternoon in the Victoria area for a third time this month.
The group Save Old Growth, said they will continue to block the highway in Victoria, Nanaimo and Vancouver area with intentions of increasing the frequency and scale of actions until old-growth logging is stopped.
“Currently, the BC government continues to log old-growth forests. This flies in the face of the provincial government’s promise to implement all 14 recommendations outlined by a strategic review of old-growth management, which includes an immediate deferral of development in old-forests where ecosystems are at very high and near-term risk of irreversible biodiversity loss,” reads a statement from the group.
“The immense capacity for old-forests to withstand and mitigate climate change-related extreme weather events should not be understated, especially following the devastating floods and fires across BC in 2021.”
In the past two weeks, the group—who are an extension of Extinction Rebellion—have seen their actions result in multiple arrests each time in Victoria.
Organizers warned of increased protests for sections of the Trans-Canada Highway for the rest of January, or until the government stops logging old-growth forests.
“The BC government is destroying the country, this is our last resort. We are scared of sitting down on the road, but will keep doing it until the government throws us in prison or keeps their own promise to save old growth. Premier Horgan is destroying his own legacy,” said Zain, a university student, and an organizer of this campaign.
Update: Nanaimo RCMP have confirmed Tara-Marie Connor has been located and is safe.
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RCMP are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing 25-year-old Nanaimo resident.
On January 11th, Tara-Marie Connor was scheduled to receive medical treatment at a Nanaimo hospital but they did not show up for their appointment.
As a result, Connor’s caregivers are extremely concerned for their well-being and RCMP are working to locate them safely.
According to Nanaimo RCMP, Connor identifies as a man, is 5’5” tall and weighs 180 pounds. They have blue eyes and brown hair which was recently cut short.
Anyone with information on Connor’s whereabouts is asked to call the Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345.
Saanich Police say a driver was left relatively unscathed after colliding with a hydro pole and being trapped in their vehicle for hours over the weekend.
On Sunday, January 23rd, at around 4:20 p.m., officers were called to the 1000-block of Burnside Road to find the pole sheared at its base, with active wires dangling above.
It was an “extremely hazardous situation” that prompted a rather lengthy rescue for emergency crews.
“It took nearly two hours before firefighters with the Saanich Fire Department were able to safely remove the driver, as the dangers of the active power lines and the compromised utility pole presented significant safety risks,” says a statement released by police on Monday.
The driver didn’t appear to be seriously injured, according to police. However, they did fail a roadside breath test, were served a 90-day driving prohibition, and their vehicle was impounded.
Saanich Police say the crash really underscores the inherent dangers and risks of drinking and driving.
“In looking at the photos from the scene, it is quite obvious to see that the driver was lucky to walk away without serious injuries. Not only did the pole land on the windshield of the truck, but several of the lines attached to the pole were energized with thousands of volts of electricity,” police added.
As a result of the collision, nearly 100 BC Hydro customers were without power as crews repaired the pole and hydro lines.
After two months of a recycling backlog in the Greater Victoria area, residents will finally be able to say goodbye to their collections.
Throughout November and December 2021, recycling services in the region were continuously cancelled due to snow and adverse weather conditions.
In January, staff shortages and equipment failures at the region’s primary sorting facility left residents without pick-up once again.
Now, the CRD has announced additional trucks from the Lower Mainland will be mobilised to help recover from the backlog.
Beginning Monday, January 24th, these additional trucks and crew will work, prioritizing neighbourhoods that have been missed multiple times due to their placement near the end of routes.
A weekend recovery program will also be deployed if required by the volume of materials at the curb.
Here’s what residents who participate in the CRD’s blue box recycling program need to know:
Place your blue box items at the curb by 7:30 a.m. on your next scheduled collection day
There are no limits to the amount of material that can be put at the curb but they must be rinsed and separated by material stream (paper products, mixed metal and plastic containers, glass containers)
If your material is not collected on your scheduled collection day between January 24 and February 4, put it back out before 8AM the Saturday directly following your collection day
Trucks will recover any missed materials from Saturday morning to Sunday evening each weekend
Enjoy finally saying goodbye to those recyclables!
A development in Colwood will bring a plethora of new homes and jobs to the area, all the while injecting over $1.2 billion into the local economy.
Seacliff Properties announced they’ve teamed up with Reliance Properties to develop Royal Beach, a seaside collection of neighbourhoods totalling 2,850 single-family houses, townhomes and apartments.
The Vancouver-based companies say the development will also include commercial buildings, retail spaces and green space, taking 15 years to complete and creating more than 10,000 jobs along the way.
They’re pointing to Statistics Canada data, which finds almost nine full-time jobs are created for every $1 million spent on construction.
“For Royal Beach, with a projected investment of more than $1.2 billion, there is the potential to generate more than 700 jobs per year for the next 15 years. That’s approximately 10,500 jobs over the life of the development,” says a statement released by the companies on Monday.
For over 100 years, the project site was a rock and gravel mine. It closed in 2008 and Seacliff bought the area in 2017, eyeing its unique history as a development bonus.
“Other seaside communities in BC, like Coal Harbour and Olympic Village, were industrial sites that became coveted, world-class communities in which to live, work, play and visit,” said Georgia Desjardins, Seacliff’s director of development.
The City of Colwood adopted a new Sub-Area Plan and zoning bylaw for Royal Beach last year, with construction set to start in Spring 2022 near the site’s entrance at Metchosin and Latoria roads.
Mayor Rob Martin is eager for the project to break ground, as he highlights the benefits it will bestow upon locals.
“Colwood is excited to welcome these respected builders and learn more about their plans to deliver what will be Canada’s most vibrant seaside community with incredible connections to nature, where you can live by the ocean, enjoy the many public parks and trails in your backyard and work within the community,” Martin added.
Canadians planning to drive to the US must now be fully vaccinated in order to be allowed to enter the country.
The new travel restrictions came into effect on Saturday, January 22nd.
This means anyone entering the country via land and ferry border crossings at the US-Canada borders must provide proof of vaccination whether they are travelling for essential or non-essential reasons, DHS said in a release.
This restriction also applies at the US-Mexico border.
Important information for non-U.S. individual travelers at ports of entry and ferry terminals ⬇️ https://t.co/Ikcwakh24I
“Starting on January 22, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security will require that non-U.S. individuals entering the United States via land ports of entry or ferry terminals along our Northern and Southern borders be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and be prepared to show related proof of vaccination,” said Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas.
The US-Canada land border reopened in November to non-essential travel after being closed in March 2020.
These changes were first announced by Homeland Security on October 29th, 2021.
When traveling to the United States via land ports of entry or ferry terminals, whether for essential or non-essential reasons, individuals must:
verbally attest to their COVID-19 vaccination status
provide proof of a CDC-approved COVID-19 vaccination, as outlined on the CDC website
present a valid Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI)-compliant document, such as a valid passport, Trusted Traveler Program card, or Enhanced Tribal Card; and,
be prepared to present any other relevant documents requested by a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer during a border inspection
These changes now mean that truckers who cross the Canadian-US border now have to be vaccinated otherwise quarantine for 14-days.
A small convoy of commercial trucks and dozens of other vehicles protested the vaccine mandate this past weekend as part of a movement across the country.
A small convoy of commercial trucks and dozens of other vehicles made their way from Campbell River to Victoria over the weekend, protesting the federal government’s vaccine mandate for truckers crossing into Canada from the United States.
The mandate requires unvaccinated truckers to quarantine for 14 days after coming into Canada.
Currently, the US has a similar law for truck drivers entering the United States.
On January 15th, the federal government’s mandate came into effect, despite a previous statement from the Canada Border Services Agency that said Canadian truck drivers would be exempt.
As a result, hundreds of commercial truckers began their ‘Freedom Rally’, making their way across Canada to Ottawa in opposition to the new government mandate, with a convoy of a smaller scale taking place right here on Vancouver Island.
According to the Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA), approximately 90% of truckers in Canada are vaccinated.
In a statement posted to their website, the CTA outlined the statistics on vaccinated Canadian truck drivers as well as their thoughts on the protests occurring across the country.
“The [CTA] does not support and strongly disapproves of any protests on public roadways, highways, and bridges,” the release said.
“CTA believes such actions – especially those that interfere with public safety – are not how disagreements with government policies should be expressed. Members of the trucking industry who want to publicly express displeasure over government policies can choose to hold an organized, lawful event on Parliament Hill or contact their local MP. What is not acceptable is disrupting the motoring public on highways and commerce at the border.”
“The Government of Canada and the United States have now made being vaccinated a requirement to cross the border. This regulation is not changing so, as an industry, we must adapt and comply with this mandate,” said CTA president Stephen Laskowski.
“The only way to cross the border, in a commercial truck or any other vehicle, is to get vaccinated.”
According to the CTA and American Trucking Association, up to 26,000 of the 160,000 drivers who make regular trips across the Canada/US border would be affected by this new mandate.
Update: VicPD have confirmed Lia Barker has been located and is safe.
— original:
VicPD are seeking the public’s help in locating a missing, high-risk 16-year-old girl.
Police said Lia Barker was last seen in Victoria on the evening of January 23rd. Since then, she has not been heard from or seen.
Barker is described as Caucasian, 5’7” with a slim build and shoulder-length dyed blonde hair.
She was last seen wearing a black jacket, black sweater, black sweatpants and grey boots.
People are urged to call 911 if you see Lia Barker.
Anyone with information on her possible whereabouts are asked to call the VicPD at (250) 995-7654. To report what you know anonymously, call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
This week is starting off with a spooky vibe thanks to a fog advisory for the majority of Vancouver Island.
The weather agency issued said the advisory is in effect for Greater Victoria, including the Malahat area, northern Vancouver Island, southern Gulf Islands, and eastern Vancouver Island from Courtenay to Campbell River, Nanoose Bay to Fanny Bay and Duncan to Nanaimo.
Areas of dense fog have developed early this morning as a ridge of high pressure continues to build over the province.
According to Environment Canada, visibility may be significantly and suddenly reduced to near zero.
“If travelling, be prepared for areas of near-zero visibility. If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop,” the advisory said.
The fog is expected to lift with visibility improving by Monday afternoon.
The BC Ministry of Health reported 2,364 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, January 21st.
There have been 308,079 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
New cases were reported in these health regions:
Vancouver Coastal Health: 499
Fraser Health: 686
Island Health: 334
Interior Health: 655
Northern Health: 190
Resident outside Canada: 0
There are currently 33,997 active cases of COVID-19 in the province.
269,137 people who tested positive have recovered.
There are now a total of 924 people in hospital with COVID-19, 130 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
9 new people have died from COVID-related causes, making the provincial death toll 2,529.
Island Health
Island Health has confirmed that they have discontinued updating their dashboard, which contained breakdowns of active cases by region on Vancouver Island.
Outbreaks
There have been 5 new health-care facility outbreaks in the province: Pinegrove Care Centre, Mariposa Gardens (Interior Health), Echo Village, Mount St. Mary Hospital, and Arrowsmith Lodge (Island Health).
The outbreak at Chartwell Langley Gardens (Fraser Health) has been declared over.
There are a total of 62 ongoing health care outbreaks in the province.
There are currently 26 health care outbreaks in the Island Health region.
Vaccinations
As of Friday, January 21st:
10,334,333 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in BC
89.4% (4,457,647) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 83.5% (4,162,591) have received their second dose.
92.5% (4,287,719) of eligible people 12 and older have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 89.8% (4,162,011) received their second dose and 37.8% (1,754,063) have received a third dose.
92.9% (4,016,590) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose, 90.3% (3,903,943) received their second dose and 40.5% (1,752,704) have received a third dose.
216 cows have been seized by the BC SPCA this week from a Vancouver Island farm after the property owner failed to relieve the distressed animals.
Of that total, approximately 80 the rescued animals were weaned calves.
Kaley Pugh, who is the BC SPCA’s regional manager of cruelty investigations, said that the conditions the cows were found in were “among the worst I’ve ever seen.”
The SPCA said the warrant was executed to remove the neglected cows after the owner failed to comply with orders to address issues impacting the animals.
The list of issues included inadequate shelter, lack of sufficient feed and water, living conditions and lack of veterinary care. Some of the cattle were kept in areas with up to knee-deep mud.
“Our officers were on site on January 19th and 20th and finally cleared the property at 9:45 p.m. last evening,” said Pugh.
The farm in question is located in the Shawnigan Lake area.
“The animals were suffering from a wide range of issues and illness, including emaciation, lameness, eye infections, as well as pneumonia,” said Pugh.
The BC SPCA thanked the individuals and organizations who assisted in the rescue of the cattle.
“We received invaluable help from the Malahat Fire Department, which brought a tanker truck to the location to fill water troughs,” she says.
“We also received assistance from the B.C. Dairy Association, who helped us access many of the resources we needed for such a large seizure, and tremendous help from the haulers who worked tirelessly to ensure the cattle were loaded and transported safely under extremely challenging circumstances.”
The animals are currently being cared for at an undisclosed location where they are receiving ongoing veterinary treatment and other care.
The BC SPCA will be recommending charges of animal cruelty to Crown counsel in the case.
Rapid antigen tests will soon be in the hands of 200,000 K-12 school staff across the province, according to the Ministry of Education.
The tests are to be used by staff, teachers and administrators with symptoms of COVID-19.
The Ministry of Education confirmed the tests were sent out this week, and hopes that they will be an additional tool to support the continuity of learning in schools with the aim to reduce the transmission of COVID-19.
The number of tests received by each school district will depend on the number of teaching and non-teaching staff in schools, and in BC, there are around 86,700 public school employees, 16,000 employees of independent schools and 1,000 employees in First Nation schools.
The Ministry of Health along with the PHO will continue to monitor how rapid antigen tests are best used as a part of the province’s response to COVID-19, including if additional tests will be distributed for use in K-12 schools.
The rapid antigen test kits being distributed to K-12 schools across BC were received from Artron Laboratories Inc., a Burnaby-based company, and is in addition to supplies provided to medical health officers in health authorities that will continue to be used to investigate clusters and outbreaks in schools.
KFC has announced the launch of their expanded plant-based menu, giving those Canadians looking to reduce their meat consumption and play a part in more conscious eating habits something to indulge in.
On January 3rd, the popular chain released their Plant-Based Sandwich, Plant-Based Spicy Sandwich, Plant-Based Popcorn and Box Meal at KFC restaurants across the country.
100% Canadian made, the new menu items are animal free, made with soy and wheat and coated in KFC’s famous herbs and spices.
McDonalds Canada is looking to show their appreciation for healthcare workers around the country this month, with a special deal just for them.
Starting January 7th, and throughout the rest of the month, healthcare workers in Canada can enjoy complimentary coffee or tea from their local McDonalds.
This offer is valid for a medium coffee or tea and can be redeemed at both the front counter and drive-thru.
The Rink at Uptown is ready to invite eager skaters in!
Guests will be able to skate for $5 per person and $2 skate rentals and can book their 40 minute time spot online for groups of up to 6 people.
Waivers and masks are required in order to participate, so guests are asked to arrive five minutes prior to check-in to sign in and get laced up!
The festive fun is also for a good cause! 50% of proceeds from The Rink will be donated to 1UP Victoria Single Parent Resource Centre, in support of their Christmas Hamper Program.
Where: Uptown Boulevard, 3440 Saanich Road
When: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday to Thursday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Friday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday
After being closed for nearly two years, Hecklers is back to fulfill your comedy needs. Every Saturday night, enjoy a comedian followed by Comedy Here Often?’s The Late show.
Where: 123 Gorge Road East, Hecklers Bar and Grill
When: Myles Anderson: 7 p.m., Saturday, Comedy Here Often? The Late Show: 10 p.m., Saturday January 14th
Tickets: $20. Tickets can be purchased online here.
You can now enjoy the taste of New Orleans with the grand opening of Vancouver Island’s very first Popeyes Louisiana Chicken – and it’s right here in Victoria.
The new location is in Tuscany Village in Saanich, and will bring a whole new world of flavour to the city.
Popeyes Canada hopes to open as many as five more franchises on Vancouver Island, with hopes of having their second location in Nanaimo completed by Christmas.
So stop in for their famous chicken sandwich, spicy chicken, chicken tenders, fried shrimp and more!
A Taste of Victoria Food Tours offers rain or shine tours through downtown Victoria, showcasing the best local cuisine the city has to offer.
The Tour begins at Victoria Public Market and includes stops in Fan Tan Alley, Market Square, Bastion Square, Trounce Alley, Government Street and the Inner Harbour, with 6 to 8 local tastings along the route.
Starbucks’ new latte, The Pistachio latte, returns by popular demand for a second year, featuring flavours of sweet pistachio and rich brown butter paired with espresso and steamed milk.
The drink can be ordered hot or iced at stores in Canada for a limited time and can be customized with your choice of dairy or non-dairy milk options.
Justin Bieber is helping bring three fresh flavours of Timbits in what both him and Tim Hortons are calling Timbiebs.
The pride of London, Ontario, teased the collaboration two days ago in an Instagram post and had fans wondering what was going on.
Now he’s helping bring three Timbiebs flavours – Chocolate White Fudge, Sour Cream Chocolate Chip, and Birthday Cake Waffle – to stores across North America.
Now that we are able to go out and catch up with friends over dinner again, we want it to be special. We want to go all out!
Getting dressed up, ordering a glass of wine and sharing a charcuterie board at a local restaurant can make you feel fancy and sophisticated.
Charcuterie boards give you a little bit of everything, meat, cheeses, pickled sides. It’s the perfect sharing dish to have while you discuss everything you’ve missed with your friends.
A brand new shop specializing in British treats has opened in Victoria and we’re buzzing with excitement!
Limey, the British Shop, opened as a single, family-run location in Kelowna. Now, they’re overjoyed as they expand to, in their words “the most British city in all of Canada”.
This fun and funky shop specializes in all things British, from sweets and crisps, to bangers, black pudding and Marmite.
Update: VicPD have confirmed Jean Paul Dupuis has been located and is safe.
— original:
VicPD are seeking the public’s help in locating a missing 43-year-old man.
Jean Paul Dupuis last spoke with his family on January 1st. Since then, he has not been heard from or seen since
Dupuis is described as Indigenous, standing 6’0” tall with a slim build. He has short dark hair and brown eyes.
He is connected to a grey 2014 Chrysler 300 with British Columbia licence plate DA569L.
VicPD have provided a photo of Dupuis, however, they note the photo is two-years old and that he has lost a significant amount of weight since the photo was taken.
People are urged to call 911 if you see Jean Paul Dupuis.
Anyone with information on his possible whereabouts are asked to call the VicPD at (250) 995-7654. To report what you know anonymously, call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
West Shore RCMP are looking to identify a “belligerent” man who allegedly threw a cup of coffee at a Tim Hortons employee last week.
In a media release, the incident first began on January 12th when the suspect was refused service at Tim Hortons, located at 845 Goldstream Avenue in Langford, for refusing to wear a mask and also for being belligerent with staff.
The following day, on January 13th, the individual returned back to the Tim Hortons with a coffee in hand that was previously purchased via the drive-thru.
When the employee advised the suspect he would denied service based on his previous incident, the suspect then allegedly threw the cup of coffee at the employee before leaving the store.
“Luckily, the staff member did not sustain any physical injuries,” said Cpl. Alex Bérubé, spokesperson for the West Shore RCMP.
(West Shore RCMP)
Anyone with information is asked to contact the West Shore RCMP at 250-474-2264.
The search for a 32-year-old man who has been missing since Tuesday has ended in tragedy.
Earlier this week, Nanaimo RCMP reported they were looking for a missing 30-year old man (a discrepancy now confirmed by police) named Ben Ricard.
After finishing work, Ricard did not return to his north end Nanaimo residence, sparking concern from his friends and family regarding his safety and well-being.
Now, officers have confirmed Ricard has been found deceased.
At approximately 1:30 p.m. on January 20th, an individual walking along a beach just north of Nanaimo discovered his body.
Both police and the BC Coroners Service attended and confirmed the identity of the man.
His family has been notified and the investigation is ongoing.
