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Two Victoria Police K9 units are being credited with bringing quick conclusions to three separate arrests over the past 10 days.
The first arrest involved police dog Alpha on March 16th scaring one suspect into complying with police officers peacefully.
Alpha and his partner discovered a man rummaging through a donation bin at Tillicum Mall. The man gave the officer a fake name but was recognized as someone from previous interactions and had outstanding warrants out for his arrest.
As more officers were enroute, it appeared like the man was about to flee. Alpha’s firm barking scared the man straight, however, and he was safely taken into custody.
One week later, on March 23rd, police dog Zender and his partner located a dangerous man in the early hours of the morning. At roughly 4:00 a.m., Zender and his partner approached a suspicious vehicle and found that the male driver was breaching conditions and was considered “extremely violent”.
Like Alpha, Zender’s firm bark and and presence convinced the man to comply with officers safely.
Much later on the same day, at 11:00 p.m., Zender was back on duty with his partner and helped track down a suspect involved an assault.
Zender and other members of Saanich Police were searching near the 1300-block of Hastings Street where an assault had occurred. Zender began sniffing out the area and began tracking a scent heading towards a shed on the property.
The suspect was hiding inside the shed, and was safely taken into custody.
A retired Saanich Police officer has raised thousands of dollars for children battling cancer after recently being diagnosed with cancer himself.
On Friday, Cst. Paul Cain held a head shave to help raise money for the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock. The reason for the head shave was two-fold, as Cain wanted to both help children battling the disease and to prepare himself for the aggressive cancer treatments that lay ahead of him.
“In the spirit of not letting cancer win, Paul chose to lose his hair on his terms and asked for it to be shaved at the Saanich Police Department in front of those he spent his career with,” said Saanich Police in a release.
Paul had originally imagined that a small gathering of friends and coworkers would show up to the head shave, and set a goal of raising $1000 to support kids who were about to battle the same illness that he was.
What unfolded, however, was a much larger show of support.
“He met his fundraising goal on Friday by raising $1000, and then another $1000, and another,” said Saanich Police. “At the end of the day, Paul had raised more than $16,000!”
The day was also filled with cake donated by a local Thrifty Foods, coffee provided by a nearby Starbucks, and door prizes courtesy of a Saanich Pharmasave.
“Paul embodies the spirit of Cops for Cancer and humbles us with his humanity,” said Saanich Police. “Well done Paul…we couldn’t be prouder of your drive to kick cancers butt, all while never losing your humour or kindness!”
Saanich Police has supported Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock since 1998. For more information on Tour de Rock or to donate check out their website online here.
A case of an unpaid taxi fare last Thursday took a number of odd twists and turns, according to Oak Bay Police.
Just before 4 a.m., a taxi driver contacted police to report that a male passenger failed to pay his fare. As police were enroute, a different man approached the cab and handed the driver his identification, promising to return after he found enough cash to pay him.
When police arrived, they ran the identification given to the driver through their systems and discovered that the man had two outstanding warrants out for his arrest.
The warrants involved possession of drugs and failing to attend court.
The 48-year-old man returned to the taxi and was arrested, and the cab driver was paid in full.
Five months after cannabis was legalized in Canada, the BC government has licensed the first legal recreational dispensary in Victoria.
According to the Original Farm retailer, the province has approved of its applications to re-open their two locations on 3055 Scott Street and 1402 Douglas Street, and their doors could re-open as soon as April 2019.
The dispensary opened its doors in 2015 and was the first to receive a business license from the City of Victoria in April 2017.
Since cannabis was legalized in Canada, however, the Original Farm has been closed alongside many other private retailers in the city.
“We pride ourselves on our safety standards and respect for usage laws – our cannabis products are not intended for nor marketed to children, and our values are backed up by the city’s decision to license us right where we stand,” said the retailer back in 2017.
The two locations could open as early as next month, says the Original Farm.
Here are the two timelines for the approximate opening dates of the retailer:
1402 Douglas Street re-opening
Aug 2018 – Provincial application submitted
Oct 17, 2018 – Closed in preparation for legalization
Feb 2019 – Provincial approval
Mar 2019 – Municipal approval
Apr 2019 – Final inspection from the Liquor Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB)
Apr 2019 – Receive Provincial license
Apr 2019 – Place 1st order with the LCRB
Apr 2019 – The Original Farm downtown re-opens
3055 Scott Street re-opening
Oct 17, 2018 – Closed in preparation for legalization
Feb 2019 – Provincial approval
Mar 2019 – Municipality sends back to public hearing
As Canadians across the country are in the process of filing taxes, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) systems have gone down, making logging-in impossible.
The systems reportedly went down early Monday morning, preventing users from logging in to their accounts, and the agency said it is currently working on a fix.
Due to technical issues, our online systems are currently down. We apologize for any inconvenience and are working to get them back online quickly.
Since the technical errors first occurred, the “My Account” and “My Business Account” login pages have been unusable. Some people have reported the site has been acting up since Friday.
Trying to log in redirects users to a page that says “this service is not available at this time.” The CRA notes that some online services may still be available through the CRA main page, but has given no estimated time of when the website will be fully restored.
With tax season upon us, the CRA website sees increased traffic at this time of year.
If you were in downtown Victoria this weekend, chances are you spotted one of the many colourfully and impressively attired fans attending this year’s Capital City Comic Con.
Hundreds of people from across BC made their way to Victoria’s largest pop culture convention, exploring the many exhibitors, meeting celebrity guests, and of course making friends with other geeky members of the community.
From Star Wars to super heroes to movie and video game characters and more, if you have a favourite pop culture character, there was probably someone dressed up as them this weekend.
Last year’s gallery can be found here, and if we missed you in this year’s feel free to add a photo of yourself in the comments!
Without further ado, here’s a look at 29 of the most memorable outfits of the weekend!
Games, crafts, songs, and hands-on activities; fun for the whole family! Live animals will be featured during the Snake Spectacular event. Swan Lake Trails Discovery and Christmas Hill Wildflower Walk both feature outdoor guided walks on uneven terrain; be sure to wear sturdy shoes, bring a water bottle and snack if desired.
Monday, March 25: Bird Bonanza
Tuesday, March 26: Swan Lake Trails Discovery
Wednesday, March 27: Snake Spectacular
Thursday, March 28: Christmas Hill Wildflower Walk
When: It’s Admission by donation March 25-28 from 12 to 3 p.m. drop-in anytime.
Where: Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary Society, 3873 Swan Lake Road
It’s that time again! Witness over 1000 Blue Morpho butterflies flooding our indoor tropical jungle all month long. They’ll be showcasing an extra 700 pupae and new butterflies will emerge each day! This amazing transformation can be seen in our emerging window as the butterflies hatch from their chrysalides.
When: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Where: Victoria Butterfly Gardens, 1461 Benvenuto Avenue
An evening of BC true-to-single vineyard wines and a family-style, farm to table feast. Friends, Jay Drysdale of Bella Wines and Matthew Sherlock of Lock & Worth Wines, Nichol Vineyards and Sedimentary Imports join forces with Sherwood.
The creative force has arrived at the Sidney Museum with their newest presentation of the ever-popular Lego Exhibition celebrating over 60 years of Lego imagination. Dozens of Star Wars themed Lego models provide a special focus for this exciting exhibit, rounded out by hundreds of other Lego models including Hogwarts Castle and Lego model of the Bugatti Chiron automobile. Admission is always by donation.
With a gorgeous townhome, two brand new vehicles and $700,000 cold hard cash just being ONE of the eight incredible grand prizes that BC Children’s Hospital Lottery is offering up this year, grabbing your tickets before their April deadline is looking better than ever!
The Early Bird Deadline is also this Thursday, March 28th and tickets are already over 90% sold out – so grab yours while you still can!
Capital Park Residence townhome kitchen
The other Grand Prize choices aside from the Victoria prize are nothing to balk at either – they feature homes in South Surrey, Vancouver’s English Bay, downtown Kelowna and Quail Ridge (Kelowna), and Squamish, or choose $2.2 million cash!
When you buy a BC Children’s Hospital Lottery ticket, you’re supporting the only hospital in the province devoted exclusively to children, and with your support, they can help improve their lives and define the future of children’s health care for generations to come.
As if one of Capital Park Residence’s 1,443 sq.ft. three-level, 2-bedroom townhomes wasn’t draw enough, its location is to-die-for – picturesque James Bay is one of the most sought-after communities in Victoria, and here are 6 of its amenities you won’t want to miss out on:
1. James Bay Square has everything you need and more
With everything in walking distance and basically at your fingertips, James Bay Square offers up grocery stores, coffee shops, restaurants – and even a popular Victoria liquor store!
2. Did somebody say Red Barn?
If you’ve lived in Victoria, you know what a Red Barn Market sandwich tastes like! The Red Barn Market is part of the new Capital Park development located right behind the BC Parliament Buildings. The new development includes a brand new library, government offices and condominiums.
3. Local chocolates at Bird Cage Confectionary
A staple in Victoria’s oldest neighbourhood, James Bay, since 1915, the Birdcage Confectionary continues to operate to serve the neighbourhood selling flowers, local cheeses, chocolates, and of course the bags of barley to feed the local duck population!
4. Fresh-cut flowers from Fine Floral Designs
You’ll never be left wondering where to buy beautiful blooms again! A staple of Victoria and the James Bay area, Fine Floral promises to wow you with the finest floral arrangements and gifts.
5. Late night drinks or even brunch at Bent Mast Pub
Serving up local craft brews and authentic Canadian eats in a refurbished 1880’s house, the Bent Mast is the perfect spot to wind down after a long day – and they even serve brunch!
6. The ocean is literally steps from your front door
At Capital Park Residences, you’re minutes from the inner harbour and the waterfront. The beautiful new development also offers a unique rooftop patio with stunning views – perfect for entertaining or BBQing during the upcoming warmer months!
On top of the Grand Prize draws, BC Children’s Lottery also has one more Early Bird draw coming up! One winner will have their choice of either a travel package including a Challenger Private Jet from London Air Services to Maui for 6 with 5 nights, 5 star accommodation, plus a 2019 Tesla Model X 75D AND $50,000 cash, or vacations for life – $200,000 vacation/travel gift card plus $100,000 cash! The third option is $250,000 cash – how do we even pick?
The Early Bird Draw deadline is March 28th at midnight, so grab your tickets soon!
Tickets to the lottery – and a chance to win one of the 8 prize packages including the beautiful new James Bay town-home – start at 3 tickets for $100, and go all of the way up to a 20-ticket pack for $500.
Capital Park Residence townhome bathroom
If you want to check out one of these spectacular townhomes in person, you can visit Capital Park Residence’s presentation centre at 665 Douglas Street, from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m every day, aside from Fridays.
Deadlines to enter the both draws are:
Early Bird Draw: Midnight, Thursday, March 28, 2019
Main Draws and Grand Prize: Midnight, Thursday, April 11, 2019
The grand prize draw will be Thursday, May 2, 2019. Purchase your ticket (or packs of them!) here.
Spring is upon us and that means time to enjoy the plum and cherry blossoms!
Here are some of our favorite spots to catch the blooms around town, while the bloom usually begins from February through March. This year, we are being treated a little later thanks to a colder winter – but as the saying goes, better late than never!
Downtown
Always one of the first locations to bloom, View street turns pink as early as the first week of February! ItkasanImages
James Bay
Our favorite tree on Menzies street on the grounds of the Parliament Buildings. ItkasanImagesThe grounds of Helmcken House and Thunderbird Park are usually full of bloom by mid-February. ItkasanImagesWe love this spot across from the James Bay Inn! Relax under the blossoms on the bench at the end of Avalon road.Take a seat and look at the plum blossoms.The Sakura will soon be in full bloom right above the bench! ItkasanImagesThe entire length of Montreal street is a sight to behold! ItkasanImagesClarence street between Simcoe and Niagara is one of those neighbourhood treasures when the blossoms arrive. ItkasanImagesCroft Street just near Thrifty Foods in James Bay, is a perfect spot to go for a quick wander under the blossoms. ItkasanImagesBeacon Hill Park is dotted with pretty trees in bloom. ItkasanImagesSouth Turner is a March bloomer, and possibly James Bay’s most famous street in spring! ItkasanImages
Fairfield/Rockland
Richmond Ave as it heads down toward Gonzales is one of the most beautiful roads when in bloom. ItkasanImagesMeares Street is just a stone’s throw from downtown, and full of blossoms. ItkasanImagesMcKenzie street is a slice of Cook Street Village heaven, blossoming beautifully. ItkasanImagesTucked between Cook St and Beacon Hill Park, Oliphant Avenue makes for a perfect spring stroll. ItkasanImagesGonzales Ave just off Richmond Ave is another beautiful Rockland street. ItkasanImagesRevercomb Pl is one of those magical little streets that bursts into bloom. ItkasanImagesRoss Bay Cemetery is full of trees in bloom and makes for a serene late afternoon spring wander. ItkasanImagesFairfield road passing by Margaret Jenkins Elementary is a beautiful spring drive. ItkasanImagesWildwood Avenue bursting with blossoms that go down to the view of the sea. ItkasanImagesTake a romantic March stroll along Trutch street, just outside of Cook street village. ItkasanImagesFairfield’s most famous stretch of blossoms, Moss street usually bursts into bloom in March. ItkasanImagesRunning parallel to Moss and Trutch, is delightful Harbinger Avenue. Usually in bloom come March. ItkasanImages
Quadra/Hillside
Fifth street behind Quadra Elementary school all the way down to Hillside Ave is perfect. ItkasanImagesThe playground behind Quadra Elementary nestled between Finlayson street and Fifth Street, would have to be one of the prettiest once in full bloom. ItkasanImagesTolmie avenue makes for a scenic late drive. ItkasanImagesBetween Tolmie Ave and Finlayson Ave, Glasgow Ave is a little piece of suburban blossom magic! ItkasanImagesJust across from Mayfair Mall, and off Tolmie, is Alder street bursting with late March blooms. ItkasanImages
Fernwood
Princess Avenue running past George Jay Elementary all the way to North Park’s Crystal Pool, is bursting with blossoms, as is Queens Avenue on the other side of the school. ItkasanImagesVining street has some lovely old trees that blossom. ItkasanImagesJust around the corner from Fernwood Square, is pretty Stanley Avenue, usually in bloom by late February. ItkasanImagesThe lower end of magical Stanley Avenue, toward Begbie street. ItkasanImages
Suggest your favourite spots in the comments below! Enjoy!
Tonight’s tilt at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre saw big hits and even bigger goals, with Kamloops taking the overtime win over Victoria in a final score of 4-3.
We drop Game 2 to Kamloops, splitting the series 1-1. The final shots are VIC: 42 KAM: 35. pic.twitter.com/2JVyIwuSJk
Despite tonight’s loss, the Royals have notoriously put up impressive numbers in their previous ‘game-twos’ in playoff history – winning their last four out of the five second-game matchups in the post season.
Also, in the Royals’ two back-to-backs against the Blazers this regular season, Victoria went 2-0-0-0 and out scored Kamloops 10-4.
Though the Royals made a valiant push in the opening 20 minutes, the first period saw the Blazers go up 2-0 with goals from Kyrell Sopotyk and Brody Stewart after only two shots on net.
After an interference penalty by the Blazers, the Royals roared back in the second – Kody McDonald and Carson Miller tied it 2-2, both goals being on the powerplay.
Veteran goaltender Griffen Outhouse saw 31 shots this evening, fresh off of his 28-stop shutout performance on Friday. Regardless of the loss, there were plenty of jaw-dropping saves by the 20-year old in epic pad-flashing fashion.
The Blazer’s net saw Las Vegas Golden Knights prospect Dylan Ferguson with the start tonight, the Lantzville native drawing back in after missing much of the regular season due to injury – he banked 39 saves with the win.
It was a hard-fought third with both Sopotyk from Kamloops and Victoria’s McDonald netting their second goals of the game respectively, marking the score 3-3 before the two rival teams headed into heated overtime.
Time for a little bonus hockey! Overtime starts now!
Though the ‘Let’s go, Royals!’ chants of 4,614 fans rang through Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre’s walls tonight, the team still fell short in overtime with a goal by Blazers’ Jermaine Loewen.
The first-round series is now tied 1-1, and the Royals head to the Sandman Centre in Kamloops to continue their round one match-up against the Blazers on Tuesday, March 26th and Wednesday, March 27th.
Come cheer on the boys in black in blue as Victoria returns home on Saturday, March 30th for Game 5 against Kamloops with puck drop is at 7:05 p.m. Tickets are still available!
You can check out the rest of the series schedule here!
We will face the Kamloops Blazers in Round 1 of the #WHLPlayoffs! Game 1 is this Fri, while Game 2 will take place on Sat. Puck drop for both contests is at 7:05 pm! #VICvsKAM
In a surprise announcement on Saturday evening, Victoria-based event production company Atomique Productions stated that Rock the Shores will not be returning to the city in 2019.
The annual music festival featuring a plethora of local talent has been hosted in Colwood since 2012.
Today’s announcement explicitly states that Rock the Shores will not be returning in 2019.
“It has been an amazing run and we will miss it this summer,” reads the statement. “To everyone who has participated over the years on both sides of the stage, thank you!”
Victoria Buzz has reached out to Atomique Productions to inquire about future plans.
Delmer Esau was found safe by a member of the public on Thursday, March 28th.
Earlier:
Victoria Police are seeking public assistance in their search for missing Delmer Esau.
43-year-old Esau was reported missing on Tuesday, March 19th after failing to show up for a medical appointment.
He is a Caucasian man standing 5’8″ tall, weighs 130 lbs, and has long brown hair that he typically wears in a ponytail. He’s also known to wear a black “Guns N Roses” baseball hat.
A substantial one-time funding of $18.6 million is being provided to ground and search rescue (GSAR) groups across British Columbia.
The investment will be provided to the BC Search and Rescue Association (BCSARA) and then distributed to 80 GSAR groups over a three-year period in order to help them “bolster training, provide administrative support,” and renew equipment.
This is the single largest provincial investment in ground search and rescue operations in BC’s history, and is allocated in addition to the funding already provided by the province each year to cover GSAR operational costs – this initial amount was $9 million in 2017-18.
“In discussions with BCSARA, I’ve heard the ground search and rescue community’s strong concerns about the need for both an immediate infusion of funding and a clearer path toward long-term sustainable funding,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
“That’s why we’re providing a record-level of funding as an immediate top-up of what B.C.’s GSAR groups are already receiving, as well as establishing a joint committee to move more quickly toward developing a sustainable funding model.”
The distribution of these funds will be overseen by a management committee formed by representatives from Emergency Management BC and BCSARA.
There are approximately 2,500 registered search and rescue volunteers in BC who respond to over 1,600 incidents every year.
A national recall has been issued for Janes brand Pub Style Chicken Nuggets due to possible Salmonella contamination.
Consumers are are advised to not eat the recalled product, described below:
(Canadian Food Inspection Agency)
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) advises people to throw out or return the product to the store where it was purchased.
There have been illnesses reported linked to the consumption of this particular Janes brand chicken product.
According to the CFIA, food contaminated with Salmonella may look harmless but can cause a host of health issues.
Young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems may contract serious and sometimes deadly infections.
Healthy people may experience short-term symptoms such as fever, headache, vomiting, nausea, abdominal cramps and diarrhea. Long-term complications may include severe arthritis.
Members of GoodLife Fitness’ Vic West branch are in for a change, as the health club recently announced that they will be closing that facility this summer.
Patrons of the gym were sent a letter advising them that the owners of the Vic West branch have decided to not renew their lease due to lack of parking and space at the 655 Tyee Rd location.
Those who currently have a ‘one location membership’ for the Vic West facility will then gain access to the GoodLife Fitness branch at the Bay Centre on Douglas Street.
As of July 26th, 2019, the Bay Centre facility will be the only Vancouver Island location for Canada’s largest health club company.
However, the notice from GoodLife also advised club members that the business is on the hunt for a new facility in which to move their operations.
“We have been looking for a great new location to give us the possibility to create a bigger and better facility with sufficient parking and other great amenities in the area. At this time, we have not yet found the right opportunity,” reads the letter.
For the past 39 years, GoodLife Fitness has hosted the widely popular annual ‘GoodLife Fitness Victoria Marathon’ every October.
If you see some of Victoria’s most prominent building’s turning red tomorrow night, don’t be alarmed!
As part of a global initiative to raise awareness about the fight against tuberculosis on World Tuberculosis (TB) Day, advocacy group RESULTS Canada is shining a red light on landmarks across Canada.
In Victoria, the three buildings to be transformed for the night are:
City Hall, 1 Centennial Square
B.C. Provincial Legislature, 501 Belleville St
Capital Regional District building, 625 Fisgard St
The symbolic lights will be turned on at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, March 24th and remain in place until dawn the next day.
The goal is encourage support from the Canadian government for programs that work towards ending TB.
According to the organization, 10 million people worldwide (including 1,796 people in Canada) contracted tuberculosis in 2017 despite it being a preventable disease.
In a spirited bout Friday evening, the Victoria Royals came out flying and netted a 4-0 win over visiting Kamloops Blazers, in what was the first in the best-of-seven series between the two clubs.
Well. It’s just one game. Long series to go here. 👑 4 🔥 0 Shots 37-28 VIC
The Royals hold an impressive record against the Blazers – they’ve put up a 4-0-0-0 tally this regular season against Kamloops, and at home, Victoria is 23-6-2-0 in all-time contests versus the visitors.
Goaltending superstar Griffen Outhouse is no stranger to putting up points against the visiting team, either; with a record of 5-1-0-0 in his six starts against the Kamloops this season, he also holds a save percentage of 0.936 and goals against average of 2.10. In his first post-season career shutout tonight, Outhouse made 28 saves and surpassed Coleman Vollrath in career post-season appearances by a Royals goaltender with 21.
The Royals hit the ice running tonight, their shots tallying 10-0 over the visiting team before Sean Gulka drew first blood with a goal at 6:23 of the first period. Noah Lamb racked up his first career WHL point on an assist to Carson Miller’s goal in the second period, seeing Victoria go up 2-0 over Kamloops at 9:51.
Dino Kambeitz made it 3-0 later in the second period, and sealed the deal with a sweet empty netter in the third, bringing the barn on Blanshard’s crowd of 4,103 fans to their feet in the most epic way with a 4-0 shutout.
Victoria native and Blazers’ goaltender Dylan Garand made his first career WHL playoff appearance and start tonight at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre – he was drafted by Kamloops in the 2017 WHL Bantam Draft’s third round as 58th overall.
The three stars tonight were Sean Gulka (1) with one goal (and game-winner!), Griffen Outhouse (2) with the 28-save shutout, and Tanner Sidaway (3) with one assist.
The two teams will face each other once again tomorrow night, Saturday, March 23rd for the second game of the series before the Victoria Royals head off to the Blazers’ ice in Kamloops for game three.
Check out the series schedule below:
We will face the Kamloops Blazers in Round 1 of the #WHLPlayoffs! Game 1 is this Fri, while Game 2 will take place on Sat. Puck drop for both contests is at 7:05 pm! #VICvsKAM
This second-to-last March weekend has lots in store, including Victoria’s largest comic con, hockey playoff games, puppies + drinks, clothing swaps, and so much more!
Without further ado, here are 14 things to do in and around Victoria this weekend.
Fulfill your childhood dreams with three jam-packed days of curious fun at the largest comic convention on Vancouver Island!
Celebrate this year’s convention by taking in all of the comics, gaming, cosplay, exhibitors, nerdy burlesque, panels, workshops and more spread out over 98,000 square feet of the beautiful Crystal Gardens and Victoria Conference Centre.
When: Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, 10:a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: Victoria Conference Centre and Crystal Gardens, 713 Douglas Street
Come hang out with some of Victoria’s most adorable and adoptable puppies while filling up a growler at Phillips Brewery!
The animals are from the Flirting with Fid Animal Rescue. Just make sure to bring a pen in case you end up falling in love with one of the little guys!
When: 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: Phillips Brewing & Malting Co., 2010 Government Street
Think you’re a pro at one of Victoria’s newest and popular sports? Prove it as you raise money for charity at this Spikeball tournament for Power To Be!
Power To Be is a nonprofit organization that empowers people living with a barrier or disability by letting them explore their abilities through inclusive adventures rooted in nature.
When: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: Topaz Park, Finlayson Street and Balnchard Street
Head down to the Victoria Public Market’s community kitchen to watch this classic combination come to life!
Participants will learn how to make spicy tomato basil soup and a gourmet grilled cheese sandwich from scratch, and they’ll of course get to munch on some at the end of class. Admission is only $10!
When: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: Victoria Public Market – Community Kitchen, 1701 Douglas Street
This annual 5 km family run/walk has returned for the 28th anniversary of the disappearance of 4-year-old Victoria boy, Michale Dunahee.
Proceeds from the run will go towards Child Find BC, a note-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to the personal safety of children in the province.
When: 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: Esquimalt Recreation Centre, 527 Fraser Street
Do some of your outfits no longer “spark joy”? Maybe they’re perfect for someone new!
Bring your quality used items and a reusable bag to the Saanich Neighbourhood Place for a fun day of swapping clothes. There is a $10 admission free with all proceeds going towards refugee sponsorships.
Want to see a glimpse of what roamed Victoria millions of years ago? Dinosaurs, trilobites, ammonites, enormous clams, and sharks lived in the ancient tropical coral seas and palm tree forests that used to covered Vancouver Island.
At this Fossil Fair, families can bring their own fossils for identification, kids can take part in a scavenger hunt or make fossil rubbings, and paleontologists will share their personal fossil discoveries!
When: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: Swan Lake Christmas Hill Nature Sanctuary, 3873 Swan Lake Road
Start your Sunday at the Church of the Treasured Find! It’s the perfect place to find vintage, repurposed, refreshed and handmade treasures for house and garden.
Come check out the treasures that draw the crowds every week and talk with the old timers about local history and other weird stuff.
Come check out the Room, a FREE interactive pop-up exhibition at Uptown Shopping Centre that’s designed to provide the perfect environment for some quality pics. There’s one dozen displays available so take your pick!
UPDATE: As of 9:20 a.m. on Saturday morning, Izabel Velleneuve has been confirmed located and is safe.
Earlier: Victoria Police are asking public’s help as they work to locate missing youth, Izabel Velleneuve.
Izabel is a 12-year-old Caucasian girl standing five feet, three inches tall and has strawberry blond hair down to her elbows. She was last seen wearing jean shorts, a black long sleeve top and white running shoes.
Izabel was last seen on March 21st in the area of Shelbourne Street and Hillside Avenue.
Are you a small business owner, local entrepreneur, or just starting up a new venture? If so, the Bay Centre has a unique opportunity for you!
The Bay Centre is holding a one-of-a-kind ‘Pop-up Your Shop’ contest where you could win a rent-free kiosk space to showcase your business amongst the 600,000 visitors that frequent the Centre’s busy tourist season.
The grand prize of this once in a lifetime opportunity gives winners the chance to feature their product for four weeks during the bustling month of August. The second and third prize winners get to seriously cash in too – they will be given a free kiosk for the first two and last two weeks of July, respectively!
Showcasing your business during the highly-coveted tourism season at this popular destination is a fantastic way to get noticed, build sales momentum, and enter your brand into the retail market.
The Bay Centre will be considering applicants based on their business proposals, with a focus on unique offerings and growth potential – so show up and put your best foot forward this Spring!
The deadline for all considerable applications is Monday, April 15th, 2019 at 5:59 p.m. All entries are to be submitted to the Bay Centre’s administration office, located on the lower level at 2-1150 Douglas Street, Victoria, BC.
The bees are buzzing, birds are singing, and everywhere in town all signs point to the same thing: winter is officially over!
If double digit temperatures in Victoria this week weren’t enough indication of the moderate weather to come, the Weather Network has more affirmations in store for us.
“Warmer than normal temperatures are expected to dominate through the season,” reads the network’s prediction.
(Spring forecast for BC/Weather Network)
The majority of the province is also in for near normal precipitation with a few dry pockets in southeastern BC, according to Weather Network meteorologist Tyler Hamilton.
Warmer temperatures do not signal smooth sailing for all of BC, however. “During the periods of warmer weather we still have a heightened threat for flooding from rapid snow melt in the alpine regions.”
This pattern of higher than average temperatures is also expected to extend into the summer months across B.C. and Atlantic Canada, based on current Weather Network forecasts.
(Summer sneak peek/The Weather Network)
In the short term, and on a more local level, Victoria may be in for some spring showers along with the sunshine and double digit temperatures going into the weekend and next week.
The driver of a semi-truck that collided with the bus carrying the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team last April has just been sentenced to 8 years in prison.
On April 6, 2018, Jaskirat Singh Sidhu failed to stop at a highway intersection and crashed into the Humboldt Broncos’ team bus. In total, 16 people died and 13 more were injured.
In January, he pleaded guilty to all 29 charges laid against him; these included 16 counts of dangerous driving causing death and 13 counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm.
According to CBC, the crown prosecution called for a sentence of 10 years in prison while the defence, without offering an explicit recommendation, cited cases of dangerous driving that only resulted in 1.5 to 4.5 years.
After the court heard nearly 100 impact statements from victims and their families, acting Judge Inez Cardinal ruled a sentence of 8 years. She acknowledged that Sidhu was remorseful but had to take into account the number of people who were killed, injured, or affected in the crash.
After the incident, support for the team poured in from around the globe. A GoFundMe campaign launched for the Broncos raised over $15 million, which was divided among the families of the crash victims.
Since then, the Saskatchewan government has promised to install rumble strips, lights, additional, signs, and road markers in the area where the crash took place and along other highways in the province.
A three vehicle collision on Highway 19A has taken the life of one Nanaimo motorcyclist on Friday afternoon.
At approximately 12 p.m. on Friday, March 22nd, two motor vehicles and one motorcycle collided on northbound Highway 19A, between Bowen Road and Norwell Drive.
The drivers of both motor vehicles were taken to the hospital by ambulance after sustaining minor injuries, but the motorcyclist passed away as a result of serious injuries sustained in the crash.
The northbound lane of Highway 19A has been closed due to the incident, and traffic delays are expected for some time. Police are advising motorists to avoid the area if possible.
The investigation remains ongoing, and BC Coroners Service and RCMP Traffic Analysts are attending the scene.
After over 50 years of stoic existence, the Royal BC Museum is now asking for the public’s input on how to modernize and ensure the province’s natural and human history is preserved for generations to come.
The provincial government is planning on renovating the museum, which first opened in 1967. Seismic upgrades are needed for the building to mach current safety standards, and the museum’s collections of specimens, artifacts, and cultural treasures has outgrown available space.
“The Royal BC Museum is one of B.C.’s greatest cultural icons, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors each year,” said Lisa Beare, Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture in a release. “It offers people the chance to explore our social and environmental history and discover the events and people that shape our province.”
“We know how important the museum is to people in B.C., and that’s why we are moving forward with plans to modernize and protect this irreplaceable collection. I’m looking forward to hearing people’s views on what a modern, accessible provincial museum could be.”
Over 880,000 people visit the museum each year. In total, the museum is home to more than seven million objects, archives, and specimens of BC’s natural and human history.
While the province finalizes its plans, British Columbians can share their ideas for the future museum designs online here or in person between April 1st and June 27th, 2019.
Public meetings will also be held in Victoria in May and June, with specific dates to be announced soon.
If you noticed last night’s sky looking unusually bright, you weren’t the only one!
Wednesday marked not only the first day of Spring, but also brought with it the third and final supermoon of the year – a phenomenon which won’t be visible again until 2020.
Supermoons appear larger and brighter than regular full moons, and in case you missed the lunar spectacle last night, check out these 12 photos to see how it lit up the horizon:
Thetis Lake and nearby regional parks have just gotten a whole lot bigger, according to the Capital Regional District (CRD).
Two large parcels of land have been purchased by the CRD for $6.5 million with the intent to increase connectivity between multiple regional parks and Thetis Lake.
The larger of the two properties measures 81 hectares, and includes 5 lots beside Thetis lake and Francis/King Parks. The land includes significant old-growth and mature second-growth forests, as well as wetland habitats that drain into Craigflower Creek.
The purchase of this land cost $5.5 million and includes existing conservation commitments and the option to purchase more land surrounding Pike Lake in the future.
Meanwhile, the smaller property measures 68 hectares, and is surrounded by two parks: the Sea to Sea and Sooke Hills Wilderness Regional Parks. The land is heavily forested and encompasses the Jack Lake/Waugh Creek watershed.
This property was the last piece needed to complete one continuous stretch of protected land between Crabapple Lake and Jack Lake, which is deemed an important environment for wildlife.
“The lands near Thetis Lake will provide valuable greenspace near a dense urban area, for residents of the region,” said View Royal Mayor and CRD Director, David Screech, in a release.
“This acquisition represents a significant addition to Thetis Lake Park within the Town Of View Royal. Our Council thanks the CRD for their vision and their foresight in acquiring these lands.”
Funding for the land came from the CRD’s Land Acquisition Fund, which focuses on acquiring land to add to regional parks and trail systems.
“The CRD, with the support of our partners, has acquired more than 4,200 hectares of land valued at $58.7 million through the Land Acquisition Fund since it was established in 2000,” said CRD Parks and Environment Committee Chair Ben Isitt in a release.
“In that time the regional park system has grown from 8,400 hectares to more than 13,000 hectares.”
A quick-thinking Victoria woman helped contain a fire at her home until firefighters arrived early Friday morning.
Just after midnight, Victoria Fire officials responded to reports of a blaze in the rear deck of a house in the 1100-block of Kings Road.
When firefighters arrived, they found that resident of the house was already fighting the blaze with a nearby garden hose. Firefighters then took over the situation and extinguished the flames.
Battalion Chief Greg Batters told Victoria Buzz that he was impressed with the woman’s “quick action” and for calling 911 before trying to mitigate the situation, but also believes that the blaze was sparked by the “careless discarding of a cigarette butt.”
“She did the right steps after the fact,” said Batters. “[It’s] too bad the cigarette butt she thought she put out fell into a recycling box.”
Officials are reminding residents to completely put out all smoking materials before disposing of them.
In total, a small deck, a soffit area, and one exterior wall were impacted by the blaze. Damage to the home is estimated at $10,000.
The redevelopment of an aging townhouse complex has resulted in the creation of dozens of new affordable homes for senior citizens, families, and people with disabilities in Colwood.
Twelve townhouses in the Colwood Lakes neighbourhood at 2006 Sooke Rd have been replaced by a development called Helios, creating 82 housing units for low- to moderate-income households.
The Helios development is operated by Pacifica Housing and is located near community amenities, schools, retail areas and transit. It includes pedestrian walkways, a playground and community gardens.
Units vary in size, including everything from studios to three-bedroom apartments, and the rents range from $862 to $1,570 per month.
We’re excited about our newest building, Helios, opening soon in Colwood. Take this time to like our Facebook page to…
“These new homes represent new opportunities, security and peace of mind for families, seniors and people living with disabilities,” said Mitzi Dean, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin.
“Our government is committed to delivering affordable homes across the province that are safe and foster a sense of community.”
The project was funded jointly by:
the provincial government which, through BC Housing, pitched in $8.4 million in capital funding and construction financing;
the City of Colwood which contributed $328,000 through its affordable housing reserve fund; and
Pacifica Housing which provided the land valued at approximately $4 million.
This is the latest in a slew of provincial and municipal efforts to increase the number of affordable housing units available in BC, in compliance with the NDP government’s 30-point-plan for housing affordability released last year.
New affordable housing units will soon be available to Victorians, according to the city.
Victoria City Council has promised $1.835 million to build two proposed affordable housing projects, with a focus on building for seniors, single working adults, people with disabilities, and families.
The two developments will be located in James Bay and Quadra Village.
In James Bay, the Capital Region Housing Corporation has proposed a redevelopment project, converting an existing three-storey building with 62 units into a four-storey building with 98 units.
Victoria has committed $1.395 million for this project, and construction will begin following a development permit approval.
“We’ve heard from residents and businesses that affordable housing is desperately needed,” said Mayor Lisa Helps in a release. “This contribution which leverages significantly higher investment from other levels of government, will create new affordable housing in two Victoria neighbourhoods.”
Meanwhile, the proposed Quadra Village project would also re-develop an existing structure.
The goal is to convert a three-storey building with 19 units into a five-storey building with 40 units. The City plans to invest $440,000 for this project, with plans moving forward after a rezoning and development permit are approved.
If the projects are approved, Victoria will give current tenants of the existing building compensation from the City Tenant Assistance Policy, and they will only have to pay “affordable rent” prices in their new temporary homes.
The two redevelopments will add a total of 138 new affordable housing units to Victoria.
Funding for the projects comes from the city’s Housing Reserve Fund. This fund was recently bolstered by an additional $250,000 for the 2019 municipal budget, increasing its total to $1 million.
Victoria, and British Columbia as a whole, has seen an alarming increase in the number of deaths among homeless people, according to the most recent data compiled by the BC Coroners Service.
In 2015, there were 73 homeless deaths in the province. In 2016, that number more than doubled, with a total of 175 deaths.
Out of these 175 deaths, 56% were considered accidental, 23% were classified as natural, and 11% resulted from suicide.
Additionally, accidental substance poisoning played a role in the vast majority of these deaths. 86% of all accidental deaths in the province and 53% of all homeless deaths in total involved unintentional drug and/or alcohol poisoning.
In comparison, from 2007 to 2015, deaths from unintentional drug and/or alcohol poisoning accounted for only 63% of accidental deaths and a minority 34% of all deaths on average.
Victoria sees increase in homeless deaths
The three BC communities with the most deaths in 2016 were Vancouver (43), Surrey (17), and Victoria (16).
While Victoria saw just one less death than Surrey in 2016, for almost every year between 2007 and 2013, our city consistently outnumbered the Lower Mainland community.
The BC Coroners Service’s report includes homeless people living outdoors, staying in make-shift shelters, and those residing in short-term shelters, safe-houses, or transition-homes.
Island Health sent a letter to parents and guardians of kids taking the Greenglade Community Centre pottery class in Sidney informing them of a case of pertussis or whooping cough recently recorded at the centre.
The advisory was sent out on Thursday, March 21st, and stated that the individual diagnosed with pertussis was taking a pottery class which ran from Monday, March 18th to Friday, March 22nd.
Earlier this month, the first case of whooping cough in Victoria this year was recorded at Mount Douglas Secondary School in Saanich, prompting Island Health to issue a letter to parents of students attending the institution.
Symptoms of pertussis include flu-like features which progress into severe coughing with a distinctive ‘whooping’ sound that can last for several weeks.
People diagnosed with whooping cough are required to undergo five days of antibiotic treatment before they are no longer infectious and can return to school/work.
The Island Health letter called for parents to ensure that their children are up to date with their immunizations against pertussis.
(Island Health letter)
Vaccines for the infection are typically administered during their first year of life, after 18 months, upon entering kindergarten, and an additional booster shot in grade 9.
It is unclear whether or not the individual diagnosed with whooping cough at Greenglade Community Centre was immunized against the infection.
According to Island Health Communications member Shannon Marshall, there have been a total of five reported cases of whooping cough on Vancouver Island this month.
When they arrived at the scene, officers recognized that the woman was suffering from an opiate overdose.
“They called for an ambulance and in the meantime, Cst. Seutter administered a dose [of] Narcan nasal spray,” said Cst. Saggar of West Shore RCMP.
Paramedics administered an additional dose of Narcan and the woman regained consciousness after which she was transported to the hospital for assessment. Narcan is a nasal spray that counteracts the effects of opioids, and is issued to all officers.
West Shore RCMP have extended their gratitude to the bystander who called 911 when they witnessed the unconscious woman.
For those looking for information on what to do when encountering an opioid overdose, where to acquire a naloxone kit, and how to administer it, click here.
Fulfill your childhood dreams with three jam-packed days of curious fun at the largest comic convention on Vancouver Island – starting today!
Celebrate this year’s convention by taking in all of the comics, gaming, cosplay, exhibitors, nerdy burlesque, panels, workshops and more spread out over 98,000 square feet of the beautiful Crystal Gardens and Victoria Conference Centre.
When: 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Where: Victoria Conference Centre and Crystal Gardens, 713 Douglas Street
Want to show off the outfit you’ve put together for Capital City Comic Con? Now’s your chance at JagaSilk!
Cosplayers are invited to come pose for pictures with one free traditional maccha from JagaSilk plus 15% off any other drinks from the teabar. Flex your outfit, meet other cosplayers, and have some quality tea!
Victoria’s Sikh community is inviting the public to the city’s only mosque, Masjid Al-Iman, to help form a “protective human chain” around the building this afternoon.
On March 15th, 50 worshipers were shot and killed in two mosques in New Zealand during their Friday prayers. Organizers of today’s human chain hope that the community’s support will help Victorian Muslims feel safe as they attend their Friday prayers.
A human chain is being organized at the Masjid Al-Iman mosque in Victoria on Friday, in a show of solidarity for the Muslim population – and the public is invited to join.
Hand in hand, the human chain will form at 12:45 p.m. and go until around 3 p.m. at 2218 Quadra Street. It is meant to symbolize support and solidarity for both Muslims close to home and abroad.
“We will be doing this as a show of love and solidarity with our Muslim family and to remind everyone that bigotry will not be tolerated,” said Sikh Youth of Victoria in a statement.
“This human shield will be a physical barrier of protection for those feeling persecuted and vulnerable following the horrors in New Zealand last week. Everyone is invited to join us.”
On March 15th, an Australian man attacked two mosques in New Zealand while worshippers were performing their Friday prayers. 50 people were killed and dozens more were injured.
Sikh Youth of Victoria ask that volunteers arrive before Friday prayers at Masjid Al-Iman begin and stay until they have completed.
“Worshippers will typically start arriving at 1 p.m., for prayers at 1:30 p.m.,” said the group. “We would like people to arrive for 12:45 p.m. to greet the worshippers and remain until the last one leaves.”
A BC Transit bus driver and one female passenger were injured following an assault just outside of the downtown core Thursday afternoon.
Just after 1:30 p.m., police were called to a bus stop on Gorge Road East near the intersection of Douglas Street and Hillside Avenue.
The bus driver was injured after trying to break up a fight that had started on the public transit vehicle.
“The investigation is in the early stages, but it appears that the driver attempted to stop an altercation between two people on the bus when they were assaulted,” VicPD told Victoria Buzz.
After the incident, the driver was taken to hospital for treatment of injuries.
Police say that one man was arrested shortly after they arrived.
Meanwhile, BC Transit told Victoria Buzz that they are aware of the incident and that the scene is still an “active situation”.
“We are aware of an incident involving a transit operator that happened at Douglas Street and Hillside Avenue,” said John Palmer, BC Transit Director of Safety and Emergency Management. He also added that BC Transit is assisting VicPD with the investigation.
One criminal mastermind in Saanich had his plans busted by police officer on Tuesday afternoon.
At approximately 2 p.m., a Saanich Police Traffic Safety Unit officer noticed a vehicle with a thick plastic covering on their rear license plate, making it impossible to read. The officer found this suspicious and wondered if the driver was trying to hide if their vehicle was insured, so he pulled over the vehicle, a grey Audi A4, on the 3800 block of Quadra street.
The lack of insurance was just the tip of the iceberg, the officer discovered, as he approached the luxury sedan.
The 33-year-old Victoria man driving the car was breaking a number of laws. First and foremost, he was already a prohibited driver, secondly the vehicle was not insured, and lastly the license plates on the vehicle were simply laminated pieces of paper.
The man was then arrested for prohibited driving and for altering a license plate, his vehicle was towed and impounded for 7 days, and he was issued a $707 violation ticket for having a plastic cover on his plates and for having no insurance.
“Although the results of this vehicle stop were surprising, this is a great example of the work our Traffic Safety Unit does on a daily basis to help keep our roads safe and to hold drivers accountable for their actions,” said Sgt. Julie Fast, Saanich Police, in a release.
Victoria’s Capital City Comic Con is fast approaching and our excitement to meet some of the celebrity guests, exhibitors, artists, and cosplayers is building!
With six celebrity guests and dozens of comic book creators making their way to the island, this year’s Con is going to have plenty to do for fans, cosplayers, and everyone in between at the beautiful Crystal Gardens.
Star Trek alum and animation voice actress Marina Sirtis is just one of the recognizable guests who will be at the convention to meet and get autographs from, alongside Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Riverdale’s Skeet Ulrich, and the exemplary Malcolm McDowell.
You also won’t want to miss Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’s Dan Fogler and Star Trek’s Garrett Wang!
The Capital City Comic Con’s detailed but streamlined program and schedule here to help you plan out your weekend activities.
List of celebrity guests:
Marina Sirtis – Star Trek: The Next Generation
Jake “The Snake” Roberts – World Wrestling Federation
Skeet Ulrich – Riverdale
Malcolm McDowell – A Clockwork Orange
Dan Fogler – Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Garrett Wang – Star Trek Voyager
The convention begins this Friday!
Excelsior!
ONE MORE DAY (27 hours actually…but who's counting!) We can barely contain our excitement!
The training may include overturned vessels and smoke.
Officials ask that people avoid calling 9-1-1 unless there is an emergency.
There is a planned Search & Rescue exercise on March 21 from 1-4pm in @CityOfVictoria’s outer harbour. The Coast Guard & first responders will be conducting an on-water exercise that may include smoke/overturned vessels. Do NOT call 9-1-1, unless it’s a life-threatening emergency
It’s official, Canada is once again one of the happiest places on earth.
The World Happiness Report has just released its 7th annual ranking, and out of the 156 countries assessed, the Great White North placed 9th overall.
The report ranks countries based on the Gallup World Poll survey data, which asks people to base the happiness of their life on a scale of 0 (low) to 10 (high). Respondents are asked about six key areas, levels of GDP, life expectancy, generosity, social support, freedom, and corruption.
The 2019 report took combined survey results from over three years, 2016 to 2018.
While Canada holds a spot in the top 10 happiest countries in the world, its rank of 9th is the lowest position we have received since the report was started in 2012. In the past 7 years, our country has fluctuated between 5th and 7th place.
The United States also took a hit in this year’s ranking, dropping to 19th place, a decline of 5 spots since 2018.
Meanwhile, for the second year in a row, Finland was titled the happiest country in the world. Denmark was considered a close second and Norway rounded out the top three.
South Sudan had the lowest ranking overall, with a score of 2.85 out of 10. Canada, in contrast, has a score of 7.28 while the top country, Finland, earned a 7.77.
Have you been looking for the picture-perfect backdrop for your latest Instagram post? Look no further than Uptown’s ‘The Room’: Picture Playground!
The interactive pop-up exhibit opened up at Uptown on March 15th and includes brightly coloured installations holding a Californian hot-spot theme. The Room is designed for guests of all ages to snap and upload Instagram-worthy photos using the hash tag #theroomatuptown.
With everything from a brightly-coloured ball-pit (cannon balls, anyone?), to ice cream shop themed selfie stations, and even a beautifully decorated and functional swing to play on, The Room is a veritable theme park for all things friendly and fun, no matter what your age!
Entry is FREE into this one-of-a-kind cornucopia of perfect-selfie opportunities, and the event runs until March 31st, making it a must-see (and must-snap!) during your Spring Break festivities. The Room’s doors are open everyday from noon until 6 p.m., and it’s located right across from Brown’s Socialhouse on Uptown Boulevard.
A Victoria man who went missing earlier this week was found deceased in Port Renfrew Wednesday night.
Ronald Facey, 69, was last seen leaving his home on Sunday, March 17th. After he left his family had no contact with him and described the lack of communication as “out of character”.
In a release, VicPD said his death is not considered suspicious, but the investigation continues with help from Sooke RCMP and the BC Coroners Service.
Victoria Police appreciate the assistance they received from the public.
Sadly, Ronald Facey was located in Port Renfrew deceased last night. We’re continuing our investigation with the assistance of the @SookeRCMP and @bccoroners The death is not considered suspicious. We appreciate the assistance received from the public. #yyj
While offers came in from around the world, Bridget Matewish, granddaughter of Ron Hale who built Howard in 1998, and her family narrowed down the gnome’s home to five Vancouver Island locations.
Currently, Howard sits in front of a Chevron gas station in Nanoose Bay. After falling into disrepair, the company told Matewish that Howard would be destroyed if he was not moved. A GoFundMe campaign was started and now the giant gnome will get the repairs he needs.
The five locations where Howard may move to are:
Galey Farms, Saanich
Fast Time Grand Prix, Parksville
Log Cabin General Store, Parksville
Treasures, Curio and RV Park in Coombs
White River Resort in Sayward
“We have narrowed it down to our final 5, although we appreciate each and every interested party and offer of support,” reads an update from Howard the World’s Tallest Gnome Facebook page.
“We are taking his longevity and care into account as well as ensuring he will continue to be in the family based environment he was originally built for.”
The family is expected to make a final decision on Tuesday, March 26th.
As of yesterday, Spring has officially sprung, and there’s plenty to do today to help kick off the season! On today’s agenda there’s a RuPaul Drag Race star to see, a local farmers market to explore, and more.
Without further ado here are 5 things to do in and around Victoria today.
Get ready for an unforgettable night of stand up comedy with RuPaul’s Drag Race Miss Congeniality and All-Stars S2 finalist, Katya Zamolodchikova!
Katya’s hilarious show wasn’t originally going to come to Victoria, but after overwhelming demand the drag queen is coming to the McPherson Playhouse for one night only!
When: Doors open at 7:00 p.m., show begins at 8:00 p.m.
Where: The McPherson Playhouse, 3 Centennial Square
Get your business cards ready, its time for the 2019 Marketplace Mixer!
Network with hundreds of people and meet over 50 businesses and business owners who will be showcasing their services and products. There’s also hundreds of dollars worth of door prizes at the event!
Come check out the Room, a FREE interactive pop-up exhibition at Uptown Shopping Centre that’s designed to provide the perfect environment for some quality pics. There’s one dozen displays available so take your pick!
FLUX media gallery is continuing its noir screening series with the classic 1949 film, DOA (Dead On Arrival)!
The frantically paced plot follows a doomed man’s quest to find out who has poisoned him and why. Come see why reviewers say DOA has one of the most innovative opening scenes of all time.
Come check out this large and local indoor farmers market!
The market helps support local growers and producers who use environmentally sound farming practices and helps build connections within the community. And of course, the food is tasty, local, and fresh!
When: 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Esquimalt Recreation Centre, 527 Fraser Street
On Monday, a group of children were reportedly spotted playing with used syringes they found at a Saanich park.
According to Saanich Police, they were contacted at approximately 8:30 a.m., by a concerned citizen. The caller said there were needles scattered around Hampton Park and a group of kids were using them to play ‘darts’.
Once police arrived, the children were nowhere to be seen but officers did locate the syringes.
“When we got there, we didn’t find the kids that had been playing with them but we did find a number of needles and some were uncapped,” Sgt. Julie Fast of the Saanich Police department told Victoria Buzz.
The needles were collected by police and safely disposed of.
Victoria Police sadly found 69-year-old man Ronald Facey deceased in Port Renfrew on Wednesday night.
Before his disappearance, Facey was last seen leaving his home on Sunday, March 17th.
Victoria Police, Sooke RCMP, and the BC Coroners Service are investigating. However, no foul play is suspected at this time.
Victoria Police thank the public for their assistance.
Earlier:
Victoria Police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a missing 69-year-old man.
Ronald Facey was last seen leaving his home at approximately 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, March 17th. At the time he was driving his white Honda Ridgeline truck that was towing a white Casita camping trailer.
The truck has a BC license plate “CG 4316”, and the trailer has a BC “959 830” plate.
Family members say that it is out of character for him not to be in touch and are very concerned for his well being.
Facey is described as a Caucasian man standing 5’ 11” tall and weighing 200 pounds. He has brown hair and green eyes.
Anyone who spots Facey or his truck and trailer is asked to call 911.
A free app just launched for immigrants and refugees to assist them as they settle in to BC and our city.
The mobile app, Arrival Advisor, will help newcomers find information about local services and can be customized to fit their individual needs.
Users start by answering an optional and anonymous questionnaire that will then produce recommendations and step-by-step guidance on topics such as medical services
plan registration, housing, employment, banking, schools, child tax credits, government programs, and more.
“This is one stop for newcomers to British Columbia in their own language so they know the
steps necessary to establish themselves and their families as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said Arrival Advisor Community Outreach and Engagement Coordinator Jean Parlina in a statement.
“It fast tracks newcomers by providing services specifically tailored to their needs while bridging gaps in accessibility to information.”
The app launched province wide and will assist roughly 70,000 BC immigrants that move to the province each year.
Arrival Advisor is currently available in three languages, English, French, and Arabic, with plans to add Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Korean, Punjabi, and Tagalog within the next few months.
The app was developed by non-profit Vancouver-based developers PeaceGeeks. The non-profit won a $750,000 prize from the 2017 Google.org Impact Challenge Canada competition to build Arrival Advisor. Additional funding was also provided by the provincial government.
Arrival Advisor is available for free on Apple App and Google Play.
Dental care will soon be more accessible for many British Columbians this year, following an announcement by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction.
In a release, the province said it would be doubling the amount of annual operating support for twenty-four not-for-profit dental clinics around the province which will help provide more low-cost and free dental care to approximately 54,000 people living in poverty.
In total, $3.6 million will be dispersed over the next three years, including a $2-million upgrade to dental equipment — like X-ray machines, dental chairs, pediatric equipment, and computer software — for all of the clinics.
“Too often, people living in poverty cannot afford to take proper care of their teeth because they have to put the basics like food and shelter first,” said Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction in a statement.
“Access to quality, affordable dental health and hygiene care should be available to more people, and that’s why we’re making it a part of this government’s efforts to reduce poverty throughout B.C.”
Support from the BC Dental Association
The increased funding for dental care is part of the provincial government’s TogetherBC program, which hopes to reduce BC’s overall poverty rate by 25% and the child poverty rate by 50% by 2024.
“Oral health is an important component of our overall health,” said Raymon Grewal, president of the BC Dental Association.
“This funding will play a critical role in enhancing the access to dental care for financially vulnerable British Columbians, improving their quality of life and employment opportunities while also reducing the cost to the public health-care system by helping these patients remain free of oral pain and infection.”
Tim Hortons lovers will now have double the reason to pick up a steaming hot double double for their morning commutes.
The coffee and donut giant has finally launched a rewards program across Canada, giving customers one free any-sized coffee, tea, or baked goods (except for Timbits and bagels) after every seventh visit.
There are three ways to hop on the Tim’s Rewards program:
Visit any Tim Hortons in Canada to pick up a reusable loyalty card.
Download Tims Rewards to your digital wallet on your iPhone or Android device and use it the same way as you would use a reusable loyalty card.
Download the updated Tim Hortons mobile app, which allows you to track your status, scan for rewards and order directly through the app where you can earn visits and redeem rewards.
“Tim Hortons has some of the most loyal guests in Canada and Tim’s Rewards allows us to say thank you,” said Alex Macedo, President of Tim Hortons in a release.
“We heard from our guests that a new rewards program had to be easy to use and redeem, that’s why we offer both a reusable card and a digital friendly app.”
You can register your card online here or through the Tim Hortons app and both will let you keep track of your visit count and balance.
Plus, for a limited time only, customers will receive a free reward following their first purchase after they have registered.
The first month of 2019 saw a significant drop in overdose deaths compared to the same time last year, according to the BC Coroners Service.
In January of 2018, the coroners office reported 130 overdose deaths in BC and at the end of the year, in December, 2018, there were 116 overdose deaths. In January of 2019, the province saw 90 overdose deaths, a 31% drop from the same time last year and a 22% decline from one month earlier.
In total, the number of illicit drug overdose deaths in BC in January of 2019, equaled approximately 2.9 deaths per day.
While the number of overdose deaths appears to be on the decline, the rate of fentanyl and carfentanil continues to rise.
In 2018, there was a total of 1,310 overdose deaths that featured fentanyl, a 7% increase from 2017.
Meanwhile, in January 2019, carfentanil was detected at a much higher rate than last year and contributed to 13 overdose deaths. In comparison, in 2018, the synthetic opioid was detected in 35 overdose deaths for the entire year.
According to the coroners service, Victoria saw the third highest amount of drug overdoses in 2018, just behind Vancouver and Surrey.
In January of 2019, Victoria saw five overdose deaths and Nanaimo saw one.
Overdose deaths continue to be the number one cause of unnatural deaths in British Columbians by a landslide.
With recent measles outbreaks appearing in Vancouver and Washington State, the Ministry of Health has launched a catch-up immunization program to help families ensure that their children are protected from measles.
Government health authorities will administer the program – which will be available in schools for all children in kindergarten through to grade 12 – in public-health units, community health centres, and mobile community clinics where necessary.
The Ministry of Health hopes that offering vaccinations in schools and public health centres will make it easier and stress-free for parents to get their children protected from measles.
The program will run from April through June of this year.
“With outbreaks of measles occurring globally and here in B.C., we know we will see threats of further outbreaks and can be doing more to raise immunization rates,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health in a release.
“Our goal is to immunize as many people as possible before the end of the school year. The purpose, ultimately, is to reach an immunization rate of 95% as recommended.”
In order for everyone to be vaccinated, the province has purchased $3 million in the vaccine, roughly the equivalent of a regular one year supply.
Child immunization records will become mandatory
The program is the first step in preparing families for the mandatory reporting of a child’s vaccination status, which is planned for Fall 2019.
Parents can check their child’s records through their primary care provider or through a public-health unit. Parents can also give their child’s vaccination record to their local public-health unit to have it added to the provincial registry.
If a child’s current record is already on file with a local health unit, parents do not need to provide one again.
If you or a family member do not have a record or proof of immunity, the person is considered unimmunized and unprotected – it is safe to repeat immunizations.
“Safeguarding the health and well-being of children, staff and teachers who come into our classrooms and their family members at home is one of our highest priorities,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Education.
“The K-12 education system plays a critical role in raising awareness of the importance of childhood vaccines and increasing immunization rates. We are continuing to work across government, and with our education and health community partners, to help curb preventable outbreaks and increase student safety.”
