Don Descoteau

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The cost of potentially counting deer regionwide was among the issues that prompted Capital Regional District committee members to vote against pursuing a greater CRD role in deer management. (Black Press Media file photo)

Expanded deer management a non-starter for Greater Victoria

Capital Regional District committee maintains current level of support

The cost of potentially counting deer regionwide was among the issues that prompted Capital Regional District committee members to vote against pursuing a greater CRD role in deer management. (Black Press Media file photo)
Members of the Victoria Police Department, some of whom are shown here observing a moment of silence for victims of a mass shooting in Nova Scotia, experience stress and potential trauma more than most other workers, says Chief Const. Del Manak. While the number of shifts lost at VicPD are soaring, he sees it as a sign people are taking their own health and wellness seriously. (Black Press Media file photo)

Skyrocketing number of lost shifts at Victoria police has a positive side, chief says

Chief Const. Del Manak says officers, staff being more proactive looking after their mental health

Members of the Victoria Police Department, some of whom are shown here observing a moment of silence for victims of a mass shooting in Nova Scotia, experience stress and potential trauma more than most other workers, says Chief Const. Del Manak. While the number of shifts lost at VicPD are soaring, he sees it as a sign people are taking their own health and wellness seriously. (Black Press Media file photo)
Rendering offers an overhead view of proposed tiny home community using repurposed shipping containers in the Caledonia/Vancouver street parking lot next to Royal Athletic Park. Council voted to allow Aryze Developments apply for a temporary use permit as part of the project. (Courtesy Aryze Developments)

Anonymous donor boosts shipping container housing project in Victoria

Donor promises to match further donations until $500,000 goal is met

Rendering offers an overhead view of proposed tiny home community using repurposed shipping containers in the Caledonia/Vancouver street parking lot next to Royal Athletic Park. Council voted to allow Aryze Developments apply for a temporary use permit as part of the project. (Courtesy Aryze Developments)
Tarpaulin-covered tents sit next to one of the ponds in Beacon Hill Park. The location of the Meegan community care tent has still not been nailed down, as Victoria council rejected the recommendation offered by city staff. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

Location of care tent for Victoria’s Beacon Hill campers still not settled

Council roundly rejects Avalon Road site, road’s edge on Cook Street appears the top alternative

Tarpaulin-covered tents sit next to one of the ponds in Beacon Hill Park. The location of the Meegan community care tent has still not been nailed down, as Victoria council rejected the recommendation offered by city staff. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
Standardized foundation skills assessment tests in B.C. schools will be going ahead later than usual, from Feb. 16 to March 12 for students in Grades 4 and 7. (Black Press Media file photo)

COVID-affected school year perfect time to end standardized tests: Greater Victoria teacher union

Foundational skills testing of Grade 4 and 7 students planned for February ad March

Standardized foundation skills assessment tests in B.C. schools will be going ahead later than usual, from Feb. 16 to March 12 for students in Grades 4 and 7. (Black Press Media file photo)
Rendering shows murals decorating the proposed tiny home community in the Caledonia/Vancouver street parking lot next to Royal Athletic Park. (Courtesy Aryze Developments)

Tiny homes project on Victoria parking lot gets boost from council

Shipping container neighbourhood stems from Aryze Development idea

Rendering shows murals decorating the proposed tiny home community in the Caledonia/Vancouver street parking lot next to Royal Athletic Park. (Courtesy Aryze Developments)
Air conditioning units atop The Summit at Quadra Village have been the source of a hum that made life at home miserable in summer for some nearby residents. The Capital Regional Hospital Board is investing in more technology to help remedy the problem. (Photo dHK Architects)

Work to resolve The Summit hum in Victoria continues through winter

Neighbours of Hillside Avenue care facility won’t know until spring whether solutions work

Air conditioning units atop The Summit at Quadra Village have been the source of a hum that made life at home miserable in summer for some nearby residents. The Capital Regional Hospital Board is investing in more technology to help remedy the problem. (Photo dHK Architects)
Idle tour buses lined up at Ogden Point on a sunny afternoon at the Victoria waterfront. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)

B.C. motor coach industry at the breaking point, says Victoria operator

John Wilson wants province to know bus companies are critical to B.C.’s tourism economy

Idle tour buses lined up at Ogden Point on a sunny afternoon at the Victoria waterfront. (Don Descoteau/News Staff)
The 13th annual Cool Aid Coat Drive, on through Jan. 15, 2021, seeks donations of warm clothing items for passing along to people in need. (Courtesy Victoria Cool Aid Society)

Cool Aid coat drive keeps Victoria’s vulnerable residents warmer

Donate your unused coats, jackets, gloves, mittens and sweaters by Jan. 15

The 13th annual Cool Aid Coat Drive, on through Jan. 15, 2021, seeks donations of warm clothing items for passing along to people in need. (Courtesy Victoria Cool Aid Society)
The Juan de Fuca pool opens up again Jan. 20, after being closed since last March due to ongoing public health restrictions due to the pandemic. (West Shore Parks and Recreation)

Juan de Fuca pool to reopen in Colwood after 10-month shutdown for COVID

West Shore Parks and Recreation using federal/provincial restart funding to reopen facility

The Juan de Fuca pool opens up again Jan. 20, after being closed since last March due to ongoing public health restrictions due to the pandemic. (West Shore Parks and Recreation)
Nominations are open for the 2021 Greater Victoria Business Awards, hosted by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. (Courtesy The Chamber)

Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce kicks off 2021 award season

John Espley named Chamber Member of the Year, business category nominations open through Jan. 25

Nominations are open for the 2021 Greater Victoria Business Awards, hosted by the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce. (Courtesy The Chamber)
Discarded construction materials make up nearly 40 per cent of all materials sent to the landfill from sources in the city of Victoria. The Zero Waste Victoria program aims to reduce the total of these and other materials going to Hartland Landfill. (Zero Waste Victoria)

City of Victoria on the road to zero waste

Long-term plan aims to cut landfilled waste from city sources by 50 per cent in 20 years

Discarded construction materials make up nearly 40 per cent of all materials sent to the landfill from sources in the city of Victoria. The Zero Waste Victoria program aims to reduce the total of these and other materials going to Hartland Landfill. (Zero Waste Victoria)
The Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria’s Tools for Equity received $30,000 from the City of Victoria to do a bystander intervention training program, in the latest round of participatory budgeting. Twenty-six project applications were voted on by the public and seven received funding. (ICA Greater Victoria)

Residents give green light to seven projects funded by City of Victoria

Latest round of participatory budgeting sees $50,000 awarded for newcomer initiatives

The Inter-Cultural Association of Greater Victoria’s Tools for Equity received $30,000 from the City of Victoria to do a bystander intervention training program, in the latest round of participatory budgeting. Twenty-six project applications were voted on by the public and seven received funding. (ICA Greater Victoria)
View Royal residents and local history fans can find the late Maureen Duffus’ book, Craigflower Country, An illustrated history of View Royal 1850-1950, at the town hall. (maureenduffus.com)

Town hopes to rekindle interest in View Royal history

Craigflower Country talks about the area’s past to 1950

View Royal residents and local history fans can find the late Maureen Duffus’ book, Craigflower Country, An illustrated history of View Royal 1850-1950, at the town hall. (maureenduffus.com)
Victoria Royals winger Keanu Derungs will suit up for team Switzerland at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championships in Edmonton this holiday season. (Kevin Light/Courtesy Victoria Royals)

Victoria Royals winger wearing the red and white of Switzerland at world juniors

Keanu Derungs looks to help his country medal for just the second time in seasonal hockey favourite

Victoria Royals winger Keanu Derungs will suit up for team Switzerland at the 2021 IIHF World Junior Championships in Edmonton this holiday season. (Kevin Light/Courtesy Victoria Royals)
Santa Claus made an appearance at the recent Christmas hamper night in Esquimalt. (Photo by Terry Hopkins)

Visit from Santa adds excitement to hamper night in Esquimalt

Celebration of Lights volunteers and others assemble, hand out Christmas groceries

Santa Claus made an appearance at the recent Christmas hamper night in Esquimalt. (Photo by Terry Hopkins)
Being prepared for snowy or slippery driving conditions on the Malahat is the responsibility of drivers. (Facebook/Milaine Berard)

Being proactive when snow hits can help avoid messes on the Malahat

Road maintenance crew boss says setting up tire check stations earlier would have helped Monday

Being prepared for snowy or slippery driving conditions on the Malahat is the responsibility of drivers. (Facebook/Milaine Berard)
Greater Victoria magician Jason Verners is performing an online show Jan. 5, using a new high-tech format. (Courtesy Jason Verners)

Virtual magic takes Victoria’s Verners to the next level

Interactive Jan. 5 show via Moment House aims to stretch beyond typical streaming platform

Greater Victoria magician Jason Verners is performing an online show Jan. 5, using a new high-tech format. (Courtesy Jason Verners)
The Northstar Organics team takes a break during the growing season in Saanichton. The South Island FarmHub program has enhanced the notion of food security and connected residents with their local farms. (Courtesy CR FAIR)

Fresh regional produce available for Christmas in Victoria

South Island FarmHub helps maintain connection between local farmers and consumers

The Northstar Organics team takes a break during the growing season in Saanichton. The South Island FarmHub program has enhanced the notion of food security and connected residents with their local farms. (Courtesy CR FAIR)
(Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria tries again on regional transportation strategy

CRD board requests priority list to improve people-moving, reduce emissions in region

(Black Press Media file photo)