Kevin Laird

A forest of seaweed floats in the ocean. Synergraze Sustainable Agriculture and T’Sou-ke Nation have partnered to develop a process for turning seaweed into an additive for cattle feed. Still, it hasn’t come without controversy in East Sooke. (Shutterstock)

T’Sou-ke chief defends seaweed project as ‘environmentally friendly’

Synergraze plan faces criticism from environmental advocates

A forest of seaweed floats in the ocean. Synergraze Sustainable Agriculture and T’Sou-ke Nation have partnered to develop a process for turning seaweed into an additive for cattle feed. Still, it hasn’t come without controversy in East Sooke. (Shutterstock)
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Sooke proposes property tax hike of 9.3 per cent

Budget increase due to inflation and new requests

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The Capital Regional District board has turned down a proposal to split a 10-hectare parcel of East Sooke into two because directors found no agricultural advantage. (Lynda McFaul - Shutterstock)

CRD rejects proposal to subdivide East Sooke property

Decision based on preserving agricultural land

The Capital Regional District board has turned down a proposal to split a 10-hectare parcel of East Sooke into two because directors found no agricultural advantage. (Lynda McFaul - Shutterstock)
LETTER SIG

LETTER: Forests can’t absorb all greenhouse gas emissions

Re: Availability of cheap natural gas applauded (Letters, March 2) I was…

LETTER SIG
Creyke Point at East Sooke Regional Park. (Lynda McFaul - Shutterstock)

Subdivision for East Sooke search and rescue property fails on unanimous vote

RCM-SAR wants to sell four-hectare parcel of land

Creyke Point at East Sooke Regional Park. (Lynda McFaul - Shutterstock)
Inclement weather has forced cancellation of the Westcoast Sooke 10K on Sunday. (Shutterstock)

Snowy weather forces cancellation of Sooke 10K

Region expected to get up to 15 centimetres of snow this weekend

Inclement weather has forced cancellation of the Westcoast Sooke 10K on Sunday. (Shutterstock)
The first RapidBus route between the West Shore and downtown Victoria to begin on April 10. The RapidBus route aims to have transit faster and more reliable than driving a car. (Contributed - B.C. Transit)
The first RapidBus route between the West Shore and downtown Victoria to begin on April 10. The RapidBus route aims to have transit faster and more reliable than driving a car. (Contributed - B.C. Transit)
The Hope Centre at 6626 Sooke Rd. Sooke was forced to close its emergency homeless shelter on Wednesday night. (File - Black Press Media)

Lack of staff forces Sooke emergency shelter to close during extreme weather

Move highlights the need for stable funding, says local politician

The Hope Centre at 6626 Sooke Rd. Sooke was forced to close its emergency homeless shelter on Wednesday night. (File - Black Press Media)
RCMP seized drugs, firearms and prohibited devices in two raids in Sooke. A Sooke man faces numerous charges. (Courtesy Sooke RCMP)

Sooke man arrested twice in two weeks on drug and weapons charges

RCMP seizes drugs, firearms, prohibited devices in two raids

RCMP seized drugs, firearms and prohibited devices in two raids in Sooke. A Sooke man faces numerous charges. (Courtesy Sooke RCMP)
The Westcoast Sooke 10K hits the road on Feb. 26, with organizers expecting more than 400 runners. (Contributed - Vancouver Island Runners Association)

Record-breaking turnout expected at Sooke 10K

The fourth race in the Vancouver Island Race Series is on Feb. 26

The Westcoast Sooke 10K hits the road on Feb. 26, with organizers expecting more than 400 runners. (Contributed - Vancouver Island Runners Association)
A retired water tower in East Sooke. A new report outlines ways to improve the water system in the area. (Lynda McFaul - Shutterstock)

East Sooke’s water improvements could cost $160 million

Potable water options examined in new report for area that has long faced water shortages

A retired water tower in East Sooke. A new report outlines ways to improve the water system in the area. (Lynda McFaul - Shutterstock)
The CRD board wants more information about a proposed communications tower in East Sooke. (Capital Regional District)

CRD calls for review of controversial East Sooke tower project

Directors want detailed information from proponent

The CRD board wants more information about a proposed communications tower in East Sooke. (Capital Regional District)
The Sooke Shelter Society is gearing up for its second year hosting the Coldest Night of the Year walk and is encouraging Sooke Region residents to bundle up and join in on Feb. 25. (File - Mike Youds - Special to Black Press Media)

Coldest Night of the Year organizers in Sooke set $25K fundraising goal

Feb. 25 event raises funds for programs for those experiencing hunger, homelessness and hurt

The Sooke Shelter Society is gearing up for its second year hosting the Coldest Night of the Year walk and is encouraging Sooke Region residents to bundle up and join in on Feb. 25. (File - Mike Youds - Special to Black Press Media)
Sandcut Beach is the focal point of a planned 84-campsite development near Shirley. (Shutterstock.com)

Developer plans to start building campsite resort this year near Shirley

Sandcut Properties and Developments wants to build 39 cabins, 84 campsites

Sandcut Beach is the focal point of a planned 84-campsite development near Shirley. (Shutterstock.com)
Crews work on Highway 14 between Otter Point and Woodhaven roads last summer. Associated Engineering won the construction management and supervision contract at the B.C. Transportation Conference for the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies - British Columbia, for their work on the project. (File – Ministry of Transportation)

Engineering firm recognized for work on Highway 14 project near Sooke

“Associated Engineering clearly defines excellence,” province said in statement

Crews work on Highway 14 between Otter Point and Woodhaven roads last summer. Associated Engineering won the construction management and supervision contract at the B.C. Transportation Conference for the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies - British Columbia, for their work on the project. (File – Ministry of Transportation)
Parked cars covered with snow. Snow removal in Sooke is a problem, says resident in a submission to council. (File - Shutterstock.com)

Pedestrian frustrated by Sooke’s lack of snow clearing

Accessibility hampered by ‘impassable sidewalks’

Parked cars covered with snow. Snow removal in Sooke is a problem, says resident in a submission to council. (File - Shutterstock.com)
The Sooke Region Communities Health Network is holding an online fundraising event to raise money for the Gathering Place, a seniors and multi-generational community center next to the public library. The auction takes place from Feb. 10 to 12. (Contributed – SRCHN)

Sooke group hosts online auction to raise funds for intergenerational community centre

There will be about 200 items donated by Sooke residents and businesses at the auction

The Sooke Region Communities Health Network is holding an online fundraising event to raise money for the Gathering Place, a seniors and multi-generational community center next to the public library. The auction takes place from Feb. 10 to 12. (Contributed – SRCHN)
A construction site in Sooke in May 2021. The District of Sooke is making headway on reducing the time to obtain a building permit. (File – Sooke News Mirror)

Building permit backlog pared down in Sooke

Approval time shortened from three months to 35 days

A construction site in Sooke in May 2021. The District of Sooke is making headway on reducing the time to obtain a building permit. (File – Sooke News Mirror)
Sooke is a fishing hotspot for five species of salmon and halibut. (Contributed - Fishing-Booker)

Sooke one of the best places to fish in Canada: survey

‘Fishing is on fire practically all year’

Sooke is a fishing hotspot for five species of salmon and halibut. (Contributed - Fishing-Booker)
Lynda Slater (left) and Randy Wolters of the Sooke Arts Council present a $1,595 cheque to Sooke Region Communities Health Network representatives Mary Dunn and Carol Pinalski. SRCHN will use the funds to build a new community centre. (Kevin Laird – Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke Arts Council gives boost to Gathering Place fundraising

$1,595 donation raised at summer art event

Lynda Slater (left) and Randy Wolters of the Sooke Arts Council present a $1,595 cheque to Sooke Region Communities Health Network representatives Mary Dunn and Carol Pinalski. SRCHN will use the funds to build a new community centre. (Kevin Laird – Sooke News Mirror)
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