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Now, with some BC highways still damaged by flooding and mudslides and potential further flooding this week, the province believes there is a continued need for public safety measures under the Emergency Program Act.
“My continued thanks go out to road crews who are working so hard to get our highways back and fully open,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General in a release Tuesday.
“This work is essential in getting vital resources to the people of British Columbia, and once completed will allow for easier access to communities around the province. Thank you to all British Columbians for your ongoing patience and compliance during these challenging times.”
The orders restricting travel on highways 5 and 99 will also remain in place at this time.
The BC Ministry of Health reported 2,239 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, January 11th.
There have been 286,080 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
New cases were reported in these health regions:
Vancouver Coastal Health: 383
Fraser Health: 807
Island Health: 562
Interior Health: 318
Northern Health: 167
Resident outside Canada: 2
There are currently 36,087 active cases of COVID-19 in the province.
244,551 people who tested positive have recovered.
There are now a total of 469 people in hospital due to COVID-19, 97 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
3 new people have died from COVID-related causes, making the provincial death toll 2,449.
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 4 new health-care facility outbreaks in the province: Abbotsford Regional Hospital, Glenwood Seniors Community (Fraser Health), Saanich Peninsula Hospital – Long Term Care, and Oyster Harbour (Island Health).
The outbreak at Mission Memorial Hospital and Hawthorne Lodge (Fraser Health) have been declared over.
There are a total of 45 ongoing health care outbreaks in the province.
There are currently 9 health care outbreaks in the Island Health region.
Vaccinations
As of Tuesday, January 11th:
9,775,058 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in BC
88.8% (4,426,451) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 83.2% (4,146,540) have received their second dose.
92.2% (4,273,371) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 89.4% (4,146,186) received their second dose and 26.8% (1,239,995) have received a third dose.
92.6% (4,003,464) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose, 89.9% (3,889,316) received their second dose and 28.6% (1,238,916) have received a third dose.
It’s finger lickin’ good… and it’s now plant-based!
Just last week, KFC 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.
In addition to the new plant based menu, KFC’s potato bun, coleslaw, original recipe corn, mayo, BBQ sauce and plum sauce are also plant based extras!
Victoria Buzz was able to sample some of the new menu items and we give it 2 wings up!
Odd Burger, one of the world’s first vegan fast-food chains and the first to go public, announced it is coming to Victoria.
The company’s very first British Columbia location would join the other restaurants in Toronto, London, Windsor, Vaughan, Waterloo, and Hamilton, with Calgary and Ottawa, with plans to continue to expand throughout the rest of Canada and the rest of North America.
The vegan fast food chain’s mission is to “disrupt the fast-food industry by offering delicious food made from scratch using plant-based, minimally processed and sustainable ingredients that are good for people and the planet.”
The new Victoria location is projected to open within three months of site selection and permit approvals, with franchisees John Bowker and Luke Ceraldi currently looking for a location for their new venture.
“Victoria is the ideal spot to begin our West Coast takeover, and our partners Luke and John are ready to bring our brand to their city,” said James McInnes, Odd Burger co-founder and CEO.
“The community will love our indulgent, iconic fast food without the guilt, made from wholesome ingredients like chickpeas, jackfruit, and fresh veggies.”
McInnes founded Odd Burger in 2014 as a grassroots vegan organization that brought organic fruit and vegetables from local farmers to customers’ doorsteps.
In 2016, Odd Burger brought their ‘Famous Burger’ to the London, Ontario Ribfest where it sold out completely which garnered the company increased media attention across North America.
In 2017, the company launched Canada’s first vegan fast-food restaurant and, within six months, the world’s first 24-hour vegan drive thru.
Since then, the company has expanded throughout Ontario and continues their plans to move across North America.
A family-owned business in Victoria got a whole lot bigger after the acquisition of a long standing company on Vancouver Island.
On Tuesday, Monk Office announced they had purchased the Victoria and Sidney locations of Island Blue Art & Framing stores.
“It is with great excitement and pleasure that we announce to you Monk Office’s purchase of Island Blue Art & Framing stores in Victoria and Sidney, BC as of Tuesday, January 11, 2022,” the company said in a media release.
Island Blue Print was founded in 1912, focusing on map drafting, blueprint services and the sale of drafting supplies.
For the past 55 years, the business has been locally owned and operated by the Shemilt family as an art supply and framing business.
“We honour this purchase as an exciting new chapter for Monk Office, keeping the longstanding and respected island-based Shemilt family legacy alive.”
The first Monk Office location opened its doors in 1951 in Victoria. Since then, the business has grown to eight locations across Vancouver Island including a head office and distribution center in Victoria.
Police are investigating after a 60-year-old man was struck during a hit-and-run in Saanich last night.
Saanich Police say that the incident occurred on Monday, January 10th at approximately 7:45 p.m., at the intersection of Burnside Road West at McKenzie Avenue.
The man was crossing Burnside Road West on the north side of the road when a vehicle turning right onto McKenzie Avenue struck him.
The vehicle did not stop and continued eastbound on McKenzie Avenue. The pedestrian was transported to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Witnesses told police the vehicle was a dark car, possibly a Chevrolet Cobalt, with no tinting on the windows and it had a loud sounding exhaust.
“Investigators continue this morning to follow up on potential CCTV from homes nearby,” Saanich Police said in a media release.
“In the meantime, they are asking for any motorists that may have been driving in the area leading up to that intersection to check their dash cams for footage of the incident or of the suspect vehicle before or after the collision.”
Police said the driver would have been more than aware that they struck this man and are urging that person to do the right thing and come forward.
“Officers have several investigative avenues to continue to explore, and they are confident that it will only be a matter of time before we can identify the driver,” police said.
Anyone with information can contact SPD at 250-475-4321 and cite file number 22-00637.
Victoria will become the set for a new movie production later this month and they’re looking to hire extras!
‘Under Wraps 2’, the sequel to the 2021 Disney Channel original movie, is looking to hire locals aged 8 to 70 years old.
The production is seeking regular extras as well as specialty acts such as jugglers, stilt walkers, musicians, pro hula hoopers, street performers and others with special skills that can be utilized on camera.
In order to be involved, extras must be able to get to and from set in and around Victoria, be available between January 17th and 20th, and be ready to work as early as 6 a.m. for an all-day commitment.
A negative COVID-19 test will be required 24 to 48 hours before your work start date. However, the production will provide and pay for the test and your time to take it!
The opportunity is a paid position, with compensation dependent on what you are doing on set.
Anyone who meets the requirements and is interested in volunteering can do so by sending their age, phone number, availability as well as a current photo/selfie (no head shots) to Rachel and Sara at uw2extras@gmail.com.
If you have a skill you want to share, be sure to include it in your email!
The BC Ministry of Health reported 6,966 new cases of COVID-19 for a three-day period on Monday, January 10th.
There have been 283,841 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
Day-to-Day Breakdown:
Friday-Saturday: 2,573
Saturday-Sunday: 2,287
Sunday-Monday: 2,106
New cases were reported in these health regions:
Vancouver Coastal Health: 1,067
Fraser Health: 2,672
Island Health: 1,249
Interior Health: 1,393
Northern Health: 584
Resident outside Canada: 1
There are currently 34,551 active cases of COVID-19 in the province.
243,953 people who tested positive have recovered.
There are now a total of 431 people in hospital due to COVID-19, 95 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
7 new people have died from COVID-related causes, making the provincial death toll 2,446.
Outbreaks
There have been 7 new health-care facility outbreaks in the province: Morgan Place, Maple Ridge Seniors Village, Dania Home, Amica White Rock (Fraser Health), German Canadian Benevolent Society Home, Crofton Manor (Vancouver Coastal Health) and Sun Pointe Village (Interior Health).
The outbreaks at Guildford Seniors Village (Fraser Health) and Victoria General Hospital (Island Health) have been declared over.
There are a total of 43 ongoing health care outbreaks in the province.
There are currently 7 health care outbreaks in the Island Health region.
Island Health
Island Health has confirmed that they have discontinued updating their dashboard, which contained breakdowns of active cases by region on Vancouver Island.
Vaccinations
As of Monday, January 10th:
9,,728,199 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in BC
88.7% (4,423,328) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 83.2% (4,145,023) have received their second dose.
92.2% (4,271,751) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 89.4% (4,144,682) received their second dose and 25.8% (1,197,440) have received a third dose.
92.5% (4,001,930) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose, 89.9% (3,887,908) received their second dose and 27.7% (1,196,380) have received a third dose.
Four men were arrested Thursday evening following a home invasion in Nanaimo.
According to Nanaimo RCMP, the incident occurred at approximately 6:50 pm, on Thursday January 6th, in the 500 block of Second Street.
Police officers flooded the area and were able to locate a suspect vehicle attempting to flee the scene.
Four men, all from Nanaimo, were arrested without incident.
A man in his 20’s was found inside the home suffering from minor injuries from an altercation with the suspects.
“The response by officers to this dangerous volatile situation was a clear cut example of the strong communication between 9-1-1 dispatchers, General Duty patrol officers and specialized plain clothes units, whose goal is to ensure the safety of the citizens of Nanaimo,” said Constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
Police said the incident appears to isolated and there is no risk to the public.
A 35-year-old Nanaimo man was released from custody and is facing charges of assault with a weapon.
His first appearance date has been set for March 15th, at the Nanaimo Provincial Court.
The other three men were released from police custody without charge.
Nanaimo RCMP continue to investigate this matter and are asking for anyone that witnessed the incident to contact them at 250-754-2345.
After almost two years since he was last seen, Comox RCMP are now suspecting foul play in the investigation into a missing Comox man.
Wesley Edwards (“Wes”) was last seen in Courtenay on March 20th, 2020.
At the time of his disappearance, police reported it was unusual for him to go for a long period of time without contacting friends or family.
Now, investigators have announced they suspect Wes may have died as the result of foul play.
“Investigators have been actively following up on tips, interviewing witnesses and gathering evidence since the initial Missing Person report was received in 2020,” said Corporal Matt Holst, Comox Valley RCMP Major Crime Unit.
“Recently, new information has surfaced that Wes may have died as the result of foul play. His disappearance remains a priority for us to investigate.”
At the time of his disappearance, Wes was 45 years old. He is described as 5’9”, weighing approximately 145 pounds with blonde/grey hair and blue eyes.
Anyone with information into the disappearance of John Wesley Edwards (“Wes”), no matter how insignificant it may seem, is asked to contact the Comox Valley RCMP at 250 338-1321.
Saanich Police have arrested a 41-year-old man after he was caught committing an indecent act and attempting to break into a residence early Sunday morning.
The incident occurred just after 12:30 a.m., the victim was inside their home when they noticed a man looking in through a sliding glass door.
Police said the man then removed his pants and began committing an indecent act. He then walked toward the door to grab the handle to enter but the victim was able to quickly run up and lock it from inside.
He then ran off through the backyard.
Officers attended along with the Integrated Canine Section who were able to locate the man in a park in the 4300-block of Tyndall Avenue.
Police said 41-year-old Sherwin Batley was arrested without incident and was held in custody to appear before court that same morning.
Batley is facing charges of break and enter and for committing an indecent act.
According to Saanich Police, Batley has a lengthy criminal history with many cases still before the courts.
The victim, who had never seen the man before this, was terrified by the encounter, said Const. Markus Anastasiades
“The quick actions of the victim prevented this from escalating into a potentially much more serious incident,” said Cst. Markus Anastasiades.
That’s the forecast this week with most of Vancouver Island under a rainfall warning.
Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for the majority of Vancouver Island, which includes the west coast, east coast, and inland areas.
Heavy rain fall is expected to hit Tuesday afternoon and last through Wednesday night.
According to the weather agency, a strong southwest flow will develop on Tuesday and result in an atmospheric river impacting the south coast of British Columbia.
Snow levels are also expected to rise to between 1,500 to 2,000 metres. Some snowmelt at low levels will contribute to a runoff which may result in high stream levels and localized flooding as well.
According to meteorologist Tyler Hamilton, many regions in BC could hit their monthly rainfall averages by Thursday.
Victoria could see 20mm to 30mm through the week with Sidney expected to see up to 75mm of rain for the same time period.
These forecast amounts would typically cause some flooding, regardless of the enhanced snowpack in situ across lower terrain. Temperatures have been below average since Dec. 23rd, allowing snowpack at lower terrain to accumulate. (2/4) pic.twitter.com/oSZ8TdCEs5
“Heavy rain will develop later Tuesday as the first of several systems embedded in the flow arrives. Heavy rain will redevelop at times through Wednesday night as other systems arrive,” reads Environment Canada’s warning.
“Snow levels will rise to between 1500 to 2000 metres. Some snowmelt at low levels will contribute to runoff which may result in high stream levels and localized flooding.”
You can see the 7-day weather forecast for Victoria below:
Are you looking to gain employment in Victoria’s largest school district?
Look no further than SD61, where they’re currently accepting applications for Spareboard Custodians.
Spareboard (relief) work may lead to continuing employment within Greater Victoria School District schools, and those on the on-call list can expect to work around 30 hours per week.
Those who apply will need to be available for calls Monday to Friday, as well as the occasional weekend.
Typical shifts during the school year are weekday evenings from 3:30 p.m. to midnight, and having your own vehicle is recommended as some assignments may take you to more than one location.
What you need to apply
Grade 12 completion is preferred, and completion of a Building Service Worker (BSW) course is a definite asset
Proven initiative and ability to work independently
Ability to problem-solve and possess excellent interpersonal skills to interact with students, teaching staff and the general public
Perks of the job
Position falls under the CUPE 382 Collective Agreement
Pay rate of $22.77 per hour plus applicable allowances and 11% in lieu of benefits
For a more detailed description of the position, please click here.
If you’re interested in applying for the available positions, you can do so by sending your cover letter, résumé, proof of qualifications and references to hrs@sd61.bc.ca.
In a media release Monday, BC Ferries announced they are anticipating additional unplanned service disruptions on all routes over the coming months.
According to BC Ferries, potential disruptions due to the Omicron variant and regular cold and flu season are expected to affect crew availability.
They have also predicted severe winter storms, vaccination policies that have reduced crew availability and the global shortage of professional mariners making it difficult to hire replacement staff to also have an impact.
“Crewing is a complex, logistical task that considers the individual’s qualifications and the number of skilled mariners required for the various roles onboard each vessel, as well as where they live and work,” said BC Ferries.
“Regulations require these positions to be filled with the appropriate crew, or the vessel cannot sail. Even a small number of crew that are unavailable to sail can have a significant impact on service if replacements are challenging to find.”
BC Ferries hopes to avoid service disruptions wherever it can and effectively communicate them when they do arise. They are also looking into other ways to minimize the impact the disruptions of sailings have on customers.
“[We] understand the importance of providing reliable ferry service, especially for ferry dependent communities and customers who use the ferry system to get to work, school, medical appointments, or to visit family and friends,” BC Ferries added.
“[We] will do [our] utmost to avoid and minimize disruption to service, even when faced with a combination of factors. While a route may operate on a modified schedule, no route is expected to be suspended completely.”
VicPD are seeking the public’s help in locating a missing 54-year-old man.
According to police, Ian Indridson, who has been deemed high-risk, was last seen at 2 a.m. Monday morning.
Investigators believe he may have gone to an area near the ocean. Officers are working to locate Indridson to ensure that he is safe.
Indridson is described as a Caucasian man standing 5’11” tall, with a slim build. He has short salt and pepper hair. It is believed he was wearing black sweatpants and rubber boots.
Police are asking anyone who sees Indridson to call 911.
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.
Big changes are proposed for a well-known intersection of downtown Victoria!
BC Housing has proposed a large re-development for the Capital City Center Hotel and the surrounding area, including the former White Spot location.
The hotel is currently operated by the Our Place Society after the province purchased it as a temporary housing facility in early 2020.
Now, BC Housing has partnered with local developer Chard Development Ltd., in hopes to rezone the properties at 710, 722 and 732 Caledonia and 1961 Douglas street to create a multi-purpose development.
This includes the Capital City Center Hotel and surrounding area including the building that previously housed White Spot for 50 years.
(The Capital City Center Hotel sits in the top left corner of the bigger box. The smaller box is where the replacement supportive housing would go.)
The proposal includes purpose built and designed supportive housing, market rental units, below-market rental units, office units, childcare, a public plaza, commercial retail, a grocery store and condominiums.
If successful, the proposal would happen in stages:
The empty parking lot at 722 and 726 Discovery Street would become a replacement supporting housing building
Current residents of the Capital City Center Hotel would have the opportunity to move into that replacement supporting housing
Once the Capital City Center Hotel is empty, the hotel and other buildings on the Douglas street lot (including the old White Spot) would be demolished
The bulldozed lot would become affordable housing, offices, stores, a childcare centre and market housing
A virtual, public community land use meeting will be held on February 7th by the Burnside Gorge Road Association to provide neighbours an opportunity to learn more, ask questions and provide feedback.
Nearby neighbours of the proposed redevelopment will receive invitations sent by the City of Victoria.
Anyone with questions or comments can submit them via the redevelopment’s information page or by email to communityrelations@bchousing.org.
A group aiming to halt old-growth logging are planning to block traffic along the Trans-Canada Highway on Vancouver Island multiple times this week.
The group began their protests Monday morning by blocking the southbound lanes of Douglas Street near Burnside, disrupting the morning commute.
Police are on scene to ensure public safety. Public transit and motorists are being detoured at Douglas and Finlayson. The northbound lanes remain open.
Protesters have blocked southbound traffic at Douglas St & Burnside Rd E. Northbound traffic remains unobstructed. Our officers are on scene working to keep everyone safe.
Southbound traffic is diverted at Douglas/Finlayson. Please use an alternate route. #yyj@SaanichPolice
In a press release over the weekend, Save Old Growth, a collective of activists who describe themselves as a new direct action group, said that members will be targeting sections of the Trans-Canada Highway in Nanaimo and Victoria starting January 10th.
“The provincial government has failed to end all old growth logging by our deadline of January 9. Starting on January 10, ‘Save Old Growth’ will disrupt the Trans-Canada Highway,” the group said in their statement.
The group said Trans Canada Highway off-ramps will be will be blocked multiple times per week to start but said they will increase the number of protests until all old-growth logging is stopped.
Other locations that will be targeted include Vancouver and communities near Revelstoke that the Trans-Canada Highway passes through.
The group, which in one media release calls itself “an offshoot” of Extinction Rebellion, said the provincial government has broken the social contract and failed to protect BC families from the now regular climate disasters besetting our cities and towns.
“Old growth forests are the lungs of our planet, and the BC NDP and their corporate pals are lung cancer. There are no jobs on a dead planet,” said Brent Eichler, the president of Unifor local 950 and an organizer for the campaign.
Over 15 people in total are expected to risk arrest just on the first day of the campaign, according to the group, which is asking motorists to keep their cars below 30 km/h on the highway over the coming weeks.
“Many in the group will be risking repeated arrests to the point of imprisonment. The provincial government and the provincial minister of forestry have refused to act in the best interests of the public. We are declaring the Trans-Canada Highway a site of permanent nonviolent civil resistance,” Simon Fraser University student Zain Haq, a spokesperson and organizer for the campaign and member of Extinction Rebellion, said in a press release.
“During the next 6 months the government will be faced with the dilemma of either implementing their own promises or arresting and imprisoning hundreds of British Columbians,” he added.
The group has not released any information on exactly when and where they plan to continue their protests this week.
The Boston Pizza franchise located near the intersection of Hillside Avenue at Blanshard Street has closed after 35 years in business.
A notice posted to the front door of the restaurant on Sunday reads, “It is with heavy hearts that today, after 35 years of operations, we close our doors permanently.”
Owner and operator Jeremy Dewey said they have tried to navigate through every wave of this global pandemic, Public Health Orders, staff shortages, and overall increase in the cost of living, with no success.
“Thank you, Victoria, for 35 years. Be safe,” Dewey said to end the notice.
There are two other Boston Pizza locations remaining in the region, one in Saanich and the other in Langford.
VicPD have released surveillance footage of an armed robbery that occurred early this morning.
The incident occurred shortly after 1 a.m. Saturday morning at a convenience store in the 900-block of Craigflower Road.
The female suspect pointed a handgun at staff and stole money before fleeing the store on foot.
“Detectives with VicPD’s Major Crime Unit are asking for your help to identify a suspect seen wearing a distinct red jacket during a robbery with a firearm this morning,” said VicPD in a media statement.
Police said several officers attended the scene immediately, including a unit from the Integrated Canine Service, however, the suspect was not located.
The suspect is described as a Caucasian woman between the ages of 20 and 30-year-old. She is about 5’8” with a medium build.
The woman had blue eyes, distinctive eyelashes, and was wearing a medical mask.
Police also said she was carrying a gold purse and wore a distinct red and black jacket with the hood up during the robbery.
If you recognize this suspect or have information about this incident, call VicPD at (250) 995-7654. To report what you know anonymously, call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
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.
(Dr. Bonnie Henry/Province of British Columbia Flickr)
The BC Ministry of Health reported 3,144 new cases of COVID-19 on Friday, January 7th.
There have been 276,875 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
New cases were reported in these health regions:
Vancouver Coastal Health: 483
Fraser Health: 1,416
Island Health: 475
Interior Health: 526
Northern Health: 244
Resident outside Canada: 0
There are currently 33,184 active cases of COVID-19 in the province.
240,198 people who tested positive have recovered.
There are now a total of 349 people in hospital due to COVID-19, 93 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 2,439.
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 2 new health-care facility outbreaks in the province: Surrey Memorial Hospital and Peace Arch Hospital Foundation Lodge (Fraser Health).
There are a total of 38 ongoing health care outbreaks in the province.
There are currently 8 health care outbreaks in the Island Health region.
Vaccinations
As of Friday, January 7th:
9,604,331 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in BC
88.5% (4,410,494) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 83.1% (4,142,030) have received their second dose.
92.1% (4,269,410) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 89.4% (4,141,729) have received their second dose and 23.5% (1,089,023) have received a third dose.
92.5% (3,999,841) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose, 89.8% (3,885,236) received their second dose and 25.2% (1,088,028) have received a third dose.
It has been a crazy week of weather for Vancouver Island!
On Wednesday, another winter storm blew in, with heavy snowfall resulting in the suspension of Canada Post deliveries, CRD recycling services and bus routes throughout Thursday.
Then, the winds blew in, causing several BC Ferry sailings on the Swartz Bay/Tsawwassen route to be cancelled on Friday.
Now, as the weather clears, we hope the weather remains calm as we look forward to a relaxing weekend.
Here are 16 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend, January 8th-9th:
Depending on when you like to pack up your decorations and take the tree down, you may be trying to figure out where you can get this year’s tree chipped!
Before recycling, don’t forget to remove all screws, nails, lights and ornaments from the tree. These items may be potentially hazardous if passed through chipping equipment.
You can see our list of 22 places to get your tree chipped here.
The Rink at Uptown is ready to invite eager skaters in!
This holiday, guests will be able to skate for $5 per person and $2 skate rentals. Guests 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: John Beuhler: 7 p.m., Saturday, Comedy Here Often? The Late Show: 10 p.m., Saturday December 4th
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.
However, this doesn’t mean you will go without this year!
Coffee shops across Victoria are now announcing their very own eggnog lattes and other holiday drink menus. This means you can still live your eggnog latte dreams while supporting local businesses. You can see our list here.
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.
Ready to clear those pops bottles from the garage? Juan de Fuca Minor Hockey Team U8-C2 are hosting a drive-thru bottle drive. Simply load up your bottles and cans in your car trunk, drive through and they’ll grab them with no contact and no sorting. Just drop off and go! The team will also be collecting door-to-door in the Royal Bay area.
Location: Royal Bay Secondary School Soccer Field parking lot
Warning: This story contains graphic details relating to sexual assault which some readers may find upsetting.
A man accused of multiple sexual assault allegations at a downtown Victoria restaurant, which has since closed, has been charged following a lengthy investigation.
41-year-old Jesse Chiavaroli, a former employee of the now closed Chuck’s Burger Bar, was charged with sexual assault and assault with a weapon.
On December 10th, VicPD’s Special Victims Unit detectives arrested Chiavaroli on the Lower Mainland. He was later released with a court date and conditions, including conditions not to contact the survivors of sexual violence related to the recommended charges.
Chiavaroli was also arrested back in June six counts of sexual assault linking to restaurants and bars in Hamilton.
The cases began emerging in early February after multiple sexual assault allegations were leveled online against Chiavaroli from both customers and employees in Victoria.
The website Survivor Stories Project posted 10 different detailed accounts accusing the former staff member at Chuck’s Burger Bar of rape and assault.
There are reportedly 35 women that have come forward with allegations of sexual assault against the restaurant worker.
In several of the accounts, individuals describe being encouraged, coerced, or even forced into intoxication with alcohol supplied by the staff member, sometimes while he was on duty.
Some of the accounts go on to say they were further coerced or forced into taking illicit substances such as cocaine.
They go on to describe the staff member forcing them into non-consensual sex acts, becoming violent and angry if refused, and in some cases raping them while unconscious or semiconscious.
“I vaguely remember him forcing my friend to do coke and getting angry when I refused,” one account says.
“I also remember him making out with me and pulling me into his bedroom and trying to push me towards his bed, while I was protesting the entire time. I believe he was under the impression that I was more intoxicated than I was.”
The restaurant later fired Chiavaroli after public pressure and closed for good in March of 2021. The former staff member denied the allegations at the time.
Chiavaroli has now been charged with four counts of sexual assault and one count of assault with a weapon.
His next court appearance is on February 24th, 2022.
A Nanaimo RCMP’s officer was put at risk last week, when a suspect he was arresting attempted to steal the officer’s gun from his holster.
At approximately 2 p.m. on Tuesday, December 28th, a suspect attempted to grab a Mountie’s holstered firearm and made threats to use it against the officer.
The incident, which occurred in the area of Promenade Drive, began as reports of a shoplifter.
The suspect had allegedly thrown cosmetics at a Loss Prevention Officer (LPO) at London Drugs before threatening them with bear spray and fleeing on foot.
He was last seen heading toward the waterfront, where an officer located and approached the suspect.
The officer informed the suspect he was under arrest and proceeded to try to secure his wrist.
During this process, the suspect attempted to grab the officer’s holstered firearm and made threats to shoot him with it.
A civilian, overseeing the incident, intervened, distracting the suspect long enough for another officer to arrive.
The two officers were then able to subdue the man and handcuff him.
“This was an extremely dangerous and volatile situation for the officer. It is also a stark reminder of the dangers that front line officers are faced with,” said Constable Gary O’Brien of Nanaimo RCMP.
“The officer involved is to be commended for staying in the battle, using their training and relying on their physical conditioning to successfully meet the challenge.”
The suspect, 31-year-old Brian Imhoff, was arrested for assaulting a police officer, attempting to disarm a police officer, and uttering threats.
Imhoff appeared in court on January 4th where he was remanded into police custody until January 18th.
Thankfully, the officer involved was not seriously injured in the incident.
Investigators have released a photo of a witness they’re trying to identify after a sudden death of a young woman that occurred in downtown Victoria in November.
In a media release, VicPD stressed this is not a criminal investigation and the witness is not a suspect or a person of interest.
Shortly after 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 17th, 2021, police responded to a call from BC paramedics regarding a woman in medical distress in the 1200-block of Wharf Street.
Unfortunately, the woman passed away despite medical treatment on scene.
A GoFundMe has been started to support the mother and help with funeral costs
“As many of you may know, Sarah Pollner tragically and suddenly lost her daughter Olivia Grace on November 17th,” the GoFundMe reads.
“Olivia was a funny kid that always made everyone laugh and smile. She wanted to be a vet tech and loved dogs more than anything else, she was a like most teenagers, fiercely independent with a big personality that always shined through.”
If you recognize this man or can assist in identifying him, call VicPD at (250) 995-7654. To report what you know anonymously, call Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477.
Clear the snow from your vehicle before heading out!
After this week’s winter storm, Nanaimo RCMP warned motorists they would be on the lookout for “rolling snow forts”.
Police said “rolling snow forts” are vehicles in which their drivers have not taken the time to remove snow build up from their roofs.
If not properly cleared, remaining snow on a vehicle while in operation can be considered an insecure load under the Motor Vehicle Act.
In a media release, Constable Gary O’Brien said the traffic unit team are on the lookout for these vehicles as they can cause significant damage to unsuspecting motorists and threaten the safety of all others who share the same roadway.
Over the past twenty four hours, officers have cited several examples of these potentially dangerous vehicles in and around Nanaimo.
These drivers, young and old alike, have been provided with the tools and safe opportunity to clear the snow.
Although no tickets were issued in these instances, not clearing your car can potentially result in a $109 ticket and three penalty points under Section 195 (1) (b) of the Motor Vehicle Act, ‘Drive While View Obstructed’.
“The Officers of the Nanaimo Municipal Traffic Unit patrol the streets and highways in all weather conditions, looking to ensure the safety of motorists and pedestrians,” said O’Brien.
“The interaction they have had with motorists during the recent snowfall, is an example of their dedication to public safety as well as road safety education.”
In a frightening incident last week, a pedestrian was struck while crossing a downtown Victoria intersection – and in dashcam footage of the hit-and-run, the vehicle involved could be seen covered in a heavy layer of snow – another stark reminder of the importance of clearing your vehicle of any snow or ice that may be obstructing your view.
In a service notice Friday, BC Ferries announced the cancellation of six sailings affecting the Spirit of Vancouver Island, Coastal Renaissance and Coastal Celebration due to high winds.
The cancellations affect sailings between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay, a popular and heavily trafficked route.
According to BC Ferries, Friday’s 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. sailings leaving Tsawwassen and 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12 p.m. leaving Swartz Bay have been cancelled.
“The safety of our passengers and crew is of primary importance to us. We don’t take the decision to cancel sailings lightly, as we know customers rely on us to get to their destinations. We will resume service as soon as it is safe to do so,” BC Ferries said in a release.
“We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience experienced as a result of these cancellations.”
Environment Canada issued a wind warning for Friday until late this afternoon.
The weather agency is expecting southwesterly winds around 50 km/h, gusting to 70 km/h, in the majority of the region Friday. Winds will be a little more severe near the Juan de Fuca Strait, with 70 km/h winds gusting up to 90 km/h.
Customers with bookings will have their bookings cancelled and reservation fees refunded.
In a press release Thursday, VicPD announced they will be temporarily re-deploying officers to the patrol division in order to assist frontline call response.
The measure, which will begin this weekend, is in response to anticipated staffing shortages due to the quickly spreading Omicron variant.
According to VicPD, there are currently over 50 officers off work, primarily due to injury but also for training or administrative purposes.
VicPD is working to plan ahead to address the already imminent staffing challenges, only believed to increase with the increasing number of Omicron variant cases.
“Maintaining the continuity of police operations during this global pandemic is critical,” said Chief Del Manak.
“I am extremely grateful to our officers who are adjusting their shifts and schedules to serve on the frontlines, ensuring that citizens of Victoria and Esquimalt know that when they call 911, a uniformed officer will respond to their call for help.”
This redeployment marks the first time VicPD has enacted a clause in the collective agreement between the Victoria Police Department and the Victoria City Police Union (VCPU) to allow for this redeployment.
“The VCPU and VicPD are working together as we respond to the ongoing COVID-19 public health emergency,” said VCPU spokesperson Matt Waterman.
“The Union will continue to monitor and hopes the emergent situation will be resolved shortly so workers can return to their regular duties and schedule.”
As if 2021 wasn’t ridiculous enough without a list of the most obscure reasons to call 911.
When a crisis strikes, it’s comforting to know that you can call 911 and have a trained professional direct emergency services to come to your aid. Some British Columbians, however, may need a refresher on what exactly an “emergency” as nuisance calls continued to divert time during E-Comm’s busiest year in its 22-year history.
According to E-Comm, BC’s largest 911 centre, the company received more than 1.9 million 911 calls in 2021, with many of the busiest days having occurred last year.
Despite three provincial states of emergency, the ongoing pandemic and high demand for police, fire and ambulance services, E-Comm call takers continued to field non-urgent calls.
Familiar consumer complaints and general questions about COVID-19 put a strain on emergency call-taking as E-Comm dealt with record-setting influxes of calls from people experiencing real life or death emergencies.
“Our staff worked tirelessly throughout the heat dome, wildfires and flooding emergencies to support our first responder partners and get help to those who needed it as quickly as possible. It was disheartening to learn that we continued to receive 9-1-1 calls from people looking for information or trying to make general service complaints when so many communities were experiencing critical emergency situations,” said Jasmine Bradley, E-Comm’s executive director of communications.
“Our call takers are trained to treat every call that comes through as an emergency, until they can determine otherwise. Every second that they spend speaking with someone who is upset about a mixed up coffee order or wanting to report a messy roommate, is time they could have been helping someone in a life-threatening situation.”
Despite floods, fires, extreme heat and the pandemic, we continued to receive calls on 9-1-1 that don’t belong, diverting critical resources away from people in real emergencies. Curious to know what calls made our top ten list last year? Visit: https://t.co/ynEZmQwozG#911BCpic.twitter.com/Uo6DdJNBdw
E-Comm’s top 10 most ridiculous calls to 911 in 2021
The barista mixed up their coffee order
A pedestrian was splashed on the sidewalk
Requesting a COVID test
Enquiring about becoming a 9-1-1 call taker
Wanting to know where they could vote during the federal election
Looking for weather updates
Asking for directions
Wondering why the bus wasn’t coming
Enquiring about COVID restrictions
Reporting a messy roommate
“At a time when demand for emergency services is higher than it ever has been, it is extremely concerning that people continue to misuse 9-1-1 lines,” explains Bradley.
“9-1-1 is the first point of contact for someone experiencing a life or death emergency, it is critical these lines are free from non-urgent situations so our call takers can get people the help they need, as quickly as possible.”
E-Comm is reminding callers that any time a 911 line is taken up for the reason that does not require immediate action from emergency services, lives could be at risk.
The BC Ministry of Health reported 3,223 new cases of COVID-19 on Thursday, January 6th.
There have been 273,731 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
New cases were reported in these health regions:
Vancouver Coastal Health: 662
Fraser Health: 1,538
Island Health: 417
Interior Health: 408
Northern Health: 194
Resident outside Canada: 4
There are currently 31,817 active cases of COVID-19 in the province.
238,524 people who tested positive have recovered.
There are now a total of 324 people in hospital due to COVID-19, 90 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
3 new people have died from COVID-related causes, making the provincial death toll 2,430.
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 16 new health-care facility outbreaks in the province: Eagle Ridge Hospital, Royal Columbian Hospital, George Derby Centre, White Rock Seniors Village, CareLife Fleetwood, Evergreen Baptist Care Society, Hilton Villa Seniors Community, Kinsmen Lodge, Kiwanis Care Centre (Fraser Health), St. Vincent’s Langara (Vancouver Coastal Health), Aberdeen Hospital, Eden Gardens, Glenwarren Lodge, Kiwanis Village Lodge, Selkirk Seniors Village and Clover Point Care (Island Health)
There are a total of 37 ongoing health care outbreaks in the province.
There are currently 8 health care outbreaks in the Island Health region.
Vaccinations
As of Thursday, January 6th:
9,552,369 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in BC
88.4% (4,406,651) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 83.1% (4,140,207) have received a second dose.
92.1% (4,267,843) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 89.3% (4,139,941) have received their second dose and 22.5% (1,042,480) have received a third dose.
92.4% (3,998,399) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose, 89.8% (3,883,599) have received their second dose and 24.1% (1,041,515) have received a third dose.
BC Transit has announced 18 routes will be cancelled for the remainder of the day Thursday.
Earlier this morning, BC Transit announced the temporary cancellation of service due to dangerous weather road conditions in Greater Victoria after last night’s snowfall.
The transit company said bus service would be suspended until roads had been cleared.
VicPD have arrested a man after a stabbing at a downtown multi-unit residential housing facility Wednesday afternoon.
At approximately 2:30 p.m., on January 5th, officers were called to the facility in the 800-block of Johnson Street for a report that a man had stabbed another man.
Upon arrival, officers discovered the victim suffering from potentially life-threatening stab wounds to the head. Facility staff were administering first aid.
Paramedics arrived and began treatment before transporting the victim to hospital.
The victim’s injuries are now considered non-life-threatening, but potentially life-altering.
Officers identified the suspect, who has previous convictions for assault causing bodily harm and drug trafficking offences, and took him into custody and transported him to VicPD cells.
He faces recommended charges of assault causing bodily harm. He was held for court.
Vancouver Island experienced another winter storm Wednesday, which began in the afternoon and continued throughout the night into early Thursday morning.
Here’s how much snow fell around Vancouver Island:
Victoria: 15-28 cm
Chemainus: 28 cm
Nanaimo: 25-27 cm
Duncan: 25 cm
North Cowichan: 24 cm
Saanichton: 24 cm
Saturna Island: 24 cm
Heriot Bay: 24 cm
Campbell River: 16-24 cm
Comox: 22-24 cm
Port Alberni: 19-22 cm
Powell River: 15-18 cm
Cochrane: 17 cm
Qualicum Beach: 16 cm
Sechelt: 7 cm
Another winter storm warning has been issued for Greater Victoria, with snow turning into freezing rain throughout Thursday.
Environment Canada reminds locals that rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult in some locations and can be hazardous due to reduced visibility.
When the snow started falling Wednesday afternoon, many Victorians didn’t anticipate what they’d be waking up to this morning.
Overnight, the city was turned a literal winter wonderland by a glistening blanket of flurries, with some areas seeing up to 28 centimetres of the fluffy white stuff.
Whether you woke up to shovel your driveway or grabbed the sleds for a day full of slippery fun, there was no denying what the winter storm brought to our doorstep – and luckily, some experienced photographers and seasoned snow bunnies alike snapped some photos before it’s all gone!
Without further ado, here are 12 photos of Greater Victoria’s latest winter wonderland:
Canada Post has suspended service on Vancouver Island on Thursday due to winter storm conditions.
The postal company issued a red delivery service alert for several parts of BC, including Vancouver Island.
Red alerts are issued in cases where the mail service has determined that conditions have become unsafe for delivery agents.
Canada Post said delivery will resume once conditions improve and it’s safe to do so.
“The safety of our employees is our number one priority,” the company said.
Customers are encouraged to clear snow and ice from walkways, stairs, and driveways to ensure safe access for mail carriers and other visitors.
Nearly 28 cm of snow was recorded at Victoria International Airport Thursday morning causing cancellations and delays with BC Transit and BC Ferries sailings.
According to Environment Canada, up to 2 cm of additional snow may fall this morning before turning into freezing rain.
In a joint statement issued Thursday, Dr. Bonnie Henry, Adrian Dix and Mike Farnworth commented on the recent reports of harassment of health-care workers at COVID-19 sites in the province.
“We have received reports of health-care workers at COVID-19 testing centres being intimidated, threatened and otherwise verbally harassed by some people seeking tests,” the statement read.
“The Government of B.C. recently brought into force the Access to Services Act to help protect the safety and well-being of health-care workers at testing centres, and impeding services or intimidating workers at these sites is illegal.”
BC Health officials are reminding the public that incidents of threats and aggressive behaviour will be reported to police.
“B.C.’s health-care workers are doing an exceptional job under the most challenging of circumstances. They deserve the support of all of us, particularly now as we work together to manage this next phase of the pandemic.”
Officials are reminding everyone the importance of following public health guidance on testing, to ensure tests are available for those who need them most.
You only need to be tested for COVID-19 if you have symptoms. If you do not have symptoms do not attempt to access the testing services.
“If you have had a test recommended by a medical professional or the online COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool, please seek a COVID-19 test through your local health authority.”
If you are feeling unwell, stay away from others until you feel better. If you have severe symptoms, seek medical help right away.
As of this publication, there were 29,967 active cases in the province.
Island Health has confirmed that they have discontinued updating their dashboard, which contained breakdowns of active cases by region on Vancouver Island.
The dashboard, which has not been updated since Christmas Eve, provided information on new cases, case exposures, active case and a breakdown of active cases by north, central and south island.
In an email statement to Victoria Buzz, Island Health said “with rapid kits being used for self testing, and with the prioritization of case and contact follow up being conducted for high-risk populations, Island Health’s data collection has changed.”
“While individuals are encouraged to self report their positive result to the BCCDC, we expect not everyone will. As a result, active case information broken down by Island Health regions is no longer an accurate reflection of the population as a whole.”
For these reasons, Island Health’s COVID-19 dashboard is no longer being updated.
The health authority also said that the data provided by the BCCDC has evolved and grown over time, and much of the information included in Island Health’s COVID-19 dashboard is now reported there – minus the regional breakdown.
In the last update of the dashboard on December 24th, southern Vancouver Island had 554 active cases, while central and northern Vancouver Island had 398 active COVID-19 cases.
Since that update, active cases on Vancouver Island have multiplied by nearly four times with 3,361 active cases now.
Here is the latest breakdown of where the active cases are located on Vancouver Island as of January 1st:
For all of the latest COVID-19 numbers, visit the BCCDC dashboard here.
The Capital Regional District (CRD) recycling collection service has been cancelled for the day due to adverse weather conditions.
In a media release, the CRD said the cancellation is for all scheduled routes on Thursday, January 6th.
“All scheduled blue box collection is cancelled today due to unsafe weather and icy road conditions in the region.” CRD said in its statement.
Residents affected are advised to hold their recycling until their next collection day. There is no limit on how much recycling can be placed at the curb.
Recyclables can also be dropped off at a depot free of charge, click here for a list of free recycling drop off locations in the CRD.
Just make sure to check weather conditions before heading out. Some locations on the list may also be closed due to the weather.
Another winter storm warning has been issued for Greater Victoria, with snow turning into freezing rain throughout Thursday morning.
According to Environment Canada, up to 2 cm of additional snow may fall this morning before turning into freezing rain.
The weather agency forecasts freezing rain to affect inland areas such as Port Alberni, Lake Cowichan and the Malahat highway as well as Victoria and East Vancouver Island.
Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult in some locations and is expected to be hazardous due to reduced visibility.
Nearly 28 cm of snow was recorded at Victoria International Airport Thursday morning causing cancellations and delays with BC Transit and BC Ferries sailings.
As in the past few days, surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery.
If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop.
And just a friendly reminder, clear all the snow from your vehicle before heading out.
Snow covered Johnson Street (Photo by @edxn/Instagram)
BC Transit have temporarily suspended service to start the morning Thursday due to the current weather and road conditions in Greater Victoria.
The transit company said bus service will been suspended until roads have been cleared.
“We expect to start delayed service on routes 50 and 70 shortly,” a statement from the company said.
“We are advising riders to please expect trip delays and cancellations this morning. Safety is our top priority and our team is working hard to get you to your destination.”
Snow began falling around the region Wednesday afternoon and continued until about 3 a.m. this morning.
Freezing rain is expected to begin early Thursday morning.
Winter road conditions in Saanich this morning. Delay your travel if possible to allow crews to work. If you must drive expect delays, drive relative to the road conditions and allow extra stopping distance. #yyjtraffic#Saanich
Camosun College announced they will be closed today and all on-campus services and classes are cancelled for the day.
BC Ferries have cancelled or delayed sailings due to the adverse weather conditions on several routes, including the Mill Bay/Brentwood Bay sailing. It’s advised to check schedules before heading out.
Significant snow volumes across #VanIsle & #GulfIslands last night. Crew continues to work through roads in priority order.
Listed as one of the most valuable residential properties in the region, this waterfront home occupies most of the peninsula between Loon Bay and Cadboro Bay adjacent to the Victoria yacht club and increased in assessed value by over a million dollars last year.
This waterfront estate is situated on 1.67 acre level beachfront property along Victoria’s most coveted stretch of oceanfront in the heart of ‘The Uplands’.
Completed in 2016, the 11,900 sq ft custom residence boasts a timeless and elegant design with beautiful hand-crafted finishing and carefully selected appointments throughout.
Considered one of the most desirable and spectacular waterfront properties on southern Vancouver Island.
This property offers 2.24 acres of manicured grounds, and includes almost 700 feet of private waterfront, a secluded beach area and 3 islets that provides seasonal moorage.
Described as Victoria’s most beautiful waterfront setting; an Uplands Estate like no other – 2.5 acres of south facing, private oceanfront and over 1,000′ feet of seawall above rocky shoreline and its very own sandy beach protecting gorgeous landscaping and lawns. Incredible views of the Strait, Mt. Baker & beyond – this is an exquisite residence of over 15,000 square feet of elegance.
A suspect sought for vandalizing a building in downtown Victoria earlier last month has turned himself in according to VicPD.
On December 12th, the vandalism suspect was caught on surveillance video vandalizing multiple store fronts at 845 and 848 Yates Street in the early morning hours.
The footage shows the suspect approach the buildings on Yates Street at approximately 3:30 a.m., and spray paint in two different locations.
The suspect was accompanied by at least one other individual who watches him commit the mischief. They both then entered one of the buildings alongside another group of people.
VicPD released the video to the media on December 30th with hopes the public could help identify him or the individuals he was with.
Not long after that, several people recognized the suspect from the video and contacted police. The suspect’s counsel then contacted investigators to arrange his surrender to officers.
He was arrested and released pending a future court date and faces recommended charges for mischief below $5,000.
The BC Ministry of Health reported 3,798 new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, January 5th.
There have been 270,508 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
New cases were reported in these health regions:
Vancouver Coastal Health: 840
Fraser Health: 1,739
Island Health: 566
Interior Health: 473
Northern Health: 179
Resident outside Canada: 1
There are currently 29,967 active cases of COVID-19 in the province.
237,195 people who tested positive have recovered.
There are now a total of 317 people in hospital due to COVID-19, 83 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
There were no reports of deaths from COVID-related causes, making the provincial death toll 2,427.
Outbreaks
There have been no new health-care facility outbreaks in the province.
The outbreaks at Lions Gate Hospital, Joseph & Rosalie Segal Family Health Centre and UBC Hospital – Detwiller Pavillion (Vancouver Coastal Health) have been declared over.
There are a total of 21 ongoing health care outbreaks in the province.
There are currently 2 health care outbreaks in the Island Health region.
Vaccinations
As of Wednesday, January 5th:
9,502,325 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in BC
88.3% (4,402,649) of eligible people five and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 83.0% (4,138,255) have received their second dose.
92.0% (4,266,177) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 89.3% (4,138,007) received their second dose and 21.5% (998,164) have received a third dose.
92.4% (3,996,885) of all eligible adults in B.C. have received their first dose, 89.7% (3,881,820) received their second dose and 23.1% (997,224) have received a third dose.
When one of the staples of downtown Victoria’s food scene celebrates a birthday, you know it’s going to be a party!
Not only is Nautical Nellies Steak & Seafood House turning 25 this year, they’re also offering a special, limited-time-only anniversary menu – and it’s all 25% off.
With everything from lunch eats like signature burgers and fries to classic dishes like steak and lobster, the extensive menu will feature these items discounted by 25% from January 5th to February 7th, so make sure to get it while it’s hot!
(Nautical Nellies)
Even better, we’ve partnered with Nautical Nellies to give away a whopping $750 in gift cards – that’s right! – and you’ll find those contest details below.
Overlooking Victoria’s inner harbour, the restaurant’s heated patio and cozy interior sets the tone to enjoy great food and wine with friends from their award-winning wine list – or even sit at their oyster bar and choose from a large variety of fresh shucked west and east coast oysters.
“Our goal has always been to impress our guests as they are dining in our own home giving them a very diversified steak & seafood dining experience,” says Jeff Furneaux, Founder and CEO of Nautical Nellies.
“Our Chefs hand-source Ocean-wise seafood + local ingredients when seasonally available that are superbly crafted into modern interpretations of classics with a twist of innovative culinary fare – paired with over 160 spectacular award-winning wines to make for a captivating dining experience with friends and family.”
If you’re looking to kick off the new year dining in style, you can make your reservation for Nautical Nellies online here.
CONTEST
For your chance to win a $250 gift card to Nautical Nellies (we’re giving away 3!), please do one or more of the following:
SHARE this article on Facebook or Twitter and comment below telling us once you have. (1 entry)
TAG your dinner date in the comment section below – make sure to register your comment account so we can contact you! (1 entry)
Contest entries will be accepted from the time and date of publishing until 11:59 p.m. on February 6th, 2022. THREE (3) winners will be chosen at random and contacted through the platform they used to enter. Make sure to register when commenting below.
Have you ever come across an abandoned site on Vancouver Island?
It most likely caught your eye and sparked your curiosity.
Why were these places abandoned? What happens to them after everyone has left?
They’re eerie, empty and forgotten.
Urbex (Urban Exploration) is the exploration of manmade structures or hidden components of the manmade environment. Over time, urbex has become a popular hobby worldwide drawing in those curious about the history of these abandoned places and experiencing them for themselves.
Many hobbyists document their finds through photography.
Now, you can get an inside look at ‘Deerlepe’, Sooke’s 95-year-old abandoned mansion, without leaving your home!
The video footage explores the 30-acre oceanfront mansion inside and out, including plenty of spooky shots of what has been left behind.
The 30-acre oceanfront mansion was built in 1926 for WW1 veteran Caption P.T “Buck” Taylor and his wife Margaret.
The home has 12 rooms, servants quarters, servants staircase, an elevator and beautiful woodwork.
It was owned by the Manning family until 1998 before being sold to film director John Lee Thompson and his wife Penny. Since Thompson and his wife lived in California, the property was looked after by Sooke resident Pat Forest.
In 2008, the property was sold to unknown off-shore buyers and has sat uninhabited ever since.
Since then, the house has been the victim of extreme vandalism, frustrating the previous owners of the mansion and nearby neighbours in Sooke.
The vandals have broken the lead glass windows, smashed walls and plumbing fixtures and spray painted almost every surface.
The Deerlepe mansion is currently for sale for $9,999,000.
In an attempt to prevent more vandalism, keep everyone safe and respect the rules of Urbex we will not be sharing the exact address of the mansion.
During exploration, always remember to be cautious, stay on marked trails and do not trespass onto private property.
Do not take anything, respect the space and leave it as you found it.
Island Health has declared COVID-19 outbreaks at five long-term care homes on Wednesday.
Three are in Victoria and two are in Nanaimo.
This announcement comes just a day after Dr. Bonnie spoke about loosening the restrictions on visitors in long term care homes that began just days ago on January 1st.
According to the release, the following long-term care homes have been affected:
Aberdeen Hospital long-term care home in Victoria has had two staff members and three residents tested positive. The outbreak declaration is only for the Lansdowne Unit.
Glenwarren Lodge long-term care home in Victoria has had seven staff members and five residents test positive. The outbreak declaration is only for the first level of the facility at this time.
Selkirk Seniors Village long-term care home in Victoria has had six staff members and one resident test positive. The outbreak declaration is only for the third floor at this time.
Kiwanis Village Lodge long-term care home in Nanaimo has had three staff members and one resident test positive. The outbreak declaration is only for the first floor at this time.
Eden Gardens long-term care home in Nanaimo has had three staff members and one resident test positive. The outbreak declaration is only for the Cypress Unit (second floor) at this time.
The following outbreak response protocols have been implemented at the sites:
No admissions or transfers to affected units;
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;
COVID-19 testing as determined by the Medical Health Officer and Infection Prevention and Control.
There are currently seven COVID-19 outbreaks in total on Vancouver Island. An outbreak was declared at Amica Douglas House long-term care home in Victoria and at the Victoria General Hospital’s general medicine unit last week.
With weather conditions changing daily on Vancouver Island, generators have become just that more important, especially for companies providing services to seniors.
With that said, Nanaimo RCMP are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a large emergency generator stolen from Nanaimo Lifeline this week.
The centre has been providing personal emergency response to residents of central Vancouver Island for 34 years, including providing buttons to seniors and medically at risk persons to summon help in the event of an emergency
Sometime between Sunday, January 2nd and Tuesday, January 4th, their generator, which provides backup emergency services, was stolen from 1800 Bowen Road.
Unknown suspects entered onto the commercial property, left the large Generac brand generator and left.
The generator is very large, so investigators believe several individuals would have been needed in order to transport the device.
“This crime appears to have taken place in plain view of the public and would have taken some time to complete due to size and weight of the generator,” said Constable Gary O’Brien of the Nanaimo RCMP.
“As the owner/operator of this device is an essential health service, and it is incredibly important that this item be located and put back into use for the well-being of the community.”
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the generator or the suspects involved is asked to call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.
The BC Ministry of Health reported 2,542 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, January 4th.
There have been 266,710 cases of COVID-19 since the pandemic began.
New cases were reported in these health regions:
Vancouver Coastal Health: 329
Fraser Health: 1,458
Island Health: 360
Interior Health: 270
Northern Health: 125
Resident outside Canada: 0
There are currently 27,106 active cases of COVID-19 in the province.
236,309 people who tested positive have recovered.
There are now a total of 298 people in hospital due to COVID-19, 86 of whom are in critical care — ICU or acute care units.
5 new people have died from COVID-related causes, making the provincial death toll 2,427.
Outbreaks
There have been nine new health-care facility outbreaks in BC. In total, there are 24 active cases with two of those in the Island Health region at Victoria General Hospital and Amica Douglas House.
Vaccinations
As of Tuesday, January 4th:
9,460,862 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine have been administered in BC.
