Wolf Depner

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Salvatore Vetro has launched a recall petition against Premier David Eby. (Photo courtesy of Salvatore Vetro)

Premier David Eby called a ‘dictator’ in recall petition citing Bill 36

Petition by former HandyDART driver and aspiring actor concerns Bill 36

Salvatore Vetro has launched a recall petition against Premier David Eby. (Photo courtesy of Salvatore Vetro)
Geoff Dickson, president and chief executive officer of the Victoria International Airport, Sidney Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith and North Saanich Mayor Peter Jones stand near the site of the proposed roundabout near the Amazon facility in Sidney. The three parties recently formalized their funding agreement for the $6.4 million project. (Town of Sidney/Submitted)

Deal reached for $6.4M roundabout near Amazon in Sidney

Sidney and VAA will pay 41.4 per cent each, North Saanich 17.2 per cent

Geoff Dickson, president and chief executive officer of the Victoria International Airport, Sidney Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith and North Saanich Mayor Peter Jones stand near the site of the proposed roundabout near the Amazon facility in Sidney. The three parties recently formalized their funding agreement for the $6.4 million project. (Town of Sidney/Submitted)
Panther Robson Scott (left) and the rest of his team found themselves at the wrong end of a 6-2 loss against the Saanich Predators Friday at North Saanich’s Panorama Recreation Centre. The Panthers then lost their second straight game against the Predators 4-3 Sunday. (Christian J. Stewart Photography/Submitted)

Peninsula Panthers speared not once but twice by Saanich Predators

Back-to-back losses against South Division rival leaves Panthers one point ahead of Predators for second

Panther Robson Scott (left) and the rest of his team found themselves at the wrong end of a 6-2 loss against the Saanich Predators Friday at North Saanich’s Panorama Recreation Centre. The Panthers then lost their second straight game against the Predators 4-3 Sunday. (Christian J. Stewart Photography/Submitted)
The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce will be lobbying for more housing as part of a renewed emphasis on advocacy. Executive director Al Smith said improving the housing stock will help address the staffing shortage facing the region. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Build housing on Saanich Peninsula to ease looming staff shortage: chamber

Saanich Peninsula Chamber calls for 10,000 more units across Peninsula by 2030, other changes

The Peninsula Chamber of Commerce will be lobbying for more housing as part of a renewed emphasis on advocacy. Executive director Al Smith said improving the housing stock will help address the staffing shortage facing the region. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Former councillor candidate Eric Diller, who has been involved with the Parking Reform Network and Better Transit Alliance, says less parking offers economic, ecological and quality-of-life advantages. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney needs to stop hysteria about losing parking spots: advocate

Eric Diller says community needs to see true cost of parking in debate over bicycling lanes

Former councillor candidate Eric Diller, who has been involved with the Parking Reform Network and Better Transit Alliance, says less parking offers economic, ecological and quality-of-life advantages. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
This map created through the Capital Regional District mapping system shows the geography of a dispute between Gobind Farms and the owners of the two properties to the left of the farm. (CRD Mapping Service)

‘Malicious’: Lawsuit filed over blockage of North Saanich waterway

Gobind Farms, neighbouring private property owners and District of North involved

This map created through the Capital Regional District mapping system shows the geography of a dispute between Gobind Farms and the owners of the two properties to the left of the farm. (CRD Mapping Service)
Policing, specifically the cost thereof, is one of the drivers in the Central Saanich’s draft budget for 2023. It plans to increase revenue from property tax by 4.95 per cent. (Central Saanich Police/Submitted)

Central Saanich eyes tax hike as policing, labour drive up costs

Proposed budget of $38.5 million plans to raise revenue from property taxes by 4.95 per cent

Policing, specifically the cost thereof, is one of the drivers in the Central Saanich’s draft budget for 2023. It plans to increase revenue from property tax by 4.95 per cent. (Central Saanich Police/Submitted)
Central Saanich looks to increase the number of people using bicycles in the community through its active transportation plan. (Black Press Media file photo)

Seven projects among active transportation priorities in Central Saanich for 2023

Projects include installation of new sidewalks and several concept plans

Central Saanich looks to increase the number of people using bicycles in the community through its active transportation plan. (Black Press Media file photo)
Sales in Greater Victoria were down nearly a third in 2022 compared to 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria real estate sales crater by nearly a third in 2022

Experts say new federal, provincial regulations will make little difference

Sales in Greater Victoria were down nearly a third in 2022 compared to 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)
North Saanich's REACH! Children’s Ensemble, formed for a one-off event performance on Dec. 3 commemorating Human Solidarity Day, will continue with rehearsals set to start Jan. 19 at McTavish Academy of Art in North Saanich. (Photo courtesy of Peter Brimacombe)

North Saanich children ensemble to reach beyond one-off performance

REACH! Children Ensemble to resume rehearsals Jan. 19

North Saanich's REACH! Children’s Ensemble, formed for a one-off event performance on Dec. 3 commemorating Human Solidarity Day, will continue with rehearsals set to start Jan. 19 at McTavish Academy of Art in North Saanich. (Photo courtesy of Peter Brimacombe)
Students of Hastings Martial Arts follow the instruction of Cory Hastings during a winter spirit training session in the waters off Sidney’s Glass Beach. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney’s Glass Beach becomes outdoor dojo for brave students

Close to 30 karate students performed 100 punches while standing waist deep in water

Students of Hastings Martial Arts follow the instruction of Cory Hastings during a winter spirit training session in the waters off Sidney’s Glass Beach. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Privately owned James Island again topped the list of South Vancouver Island’s highest assessed properties, according to data from BC Assessment for 2023 reflecting market value as of July 1, 2022. Its value stood at $61.23 million. (Sotheby’s International Realty photo)

Greater Victoria’s West Shore sees highest increases in property assessments

But Oak Bay, North Saanich and the Saanich Peninsula retain the most exclusive properties

Privately owned James Island again topped the list of South Vancouver Island’s highest assessed properties, according to data from BC Assessment for 2023 reflecting market value as of July 1, 2022. Its value stood at $61.23 million. (Sotheby’s International Realty photo)
North Saanich won a long-running legal battle against a property owner who had constructed what a court called three unauthorized suites. One of the individuals living in the suite has what the ruling calls a mental disability.

North Saanich wins injunction over unauthorized housing units

Ruling judge suspends injunction for eight months to help affected tenants

North Saanich won a long-running legal battle against a property owner who had constructed what a court called three unauthorized suites. One of the individuals living in the suite has what the ruling calls a mental disability.
Crews from two departments include Central Saanich responded to the aftermath of a collision on Highway 17 that sent this vehicle down an embankment near the future Keating Flyover. (Ryan Vantreight/Submitted)

Monday morning collision sends vehicle down Central Saanich embankment

Two women suffered non-critical injuries in incident that happened Monday morning at 10:30 a.m.

Crews from two departments include Central Saanich responded to the aftermath of a collision on Highway 17 that sent this vehicle down an embankment near the future Keating Flyover. (Ryan Vantreight/Submitted)
Sidney Town Crier Kenny Podmore led the procession down Beacon Avenue on Sept. 19 as part of a ceremony organized by the Town of Sidney to mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her funeral. (Black Press Media file photo)

Ukraine War, death of Queen Elizabeth II and municipal election define Saanich Peninsula in 2022

Housing, rising inflation and hunger among key issues in region

Sidney Town Crier Kenny Podmore led the procession down Beacon Avenue on Sept. 19 as part of a ceremony organized by the Town of Sidney to mark the passing of Queen Elizabeth II on the day of her funeral. (Black Press Media file photo)
Workers picking 15 different types of fruits and vegetables including strawberries stand to earn more as their piece rates will rise starting Jan. 1 under a provincial mandate. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich Peninsula fruit, berry growers now have to pay workers more

The provincially-mandated increase comes into effect Jan. 1 in response to rising inflation

Workers picking 15 different types of fruits and vegetables including strawberries stand to earn more as their piece rates will rise starting Jan. 1 under a provincial mandate. (Black Press Media file photo)
Bus jumping lanes at the intersection of Highway 17 and Mount Newton Cross Road, here seen during their construction in late spring 2022, are now ready to use, the province announced Dec. 29. (Black Press Media file photo)

Bus queue jump lanes added in Saanich Peninsula

The lanes start before the intersection of Highway 17 and Mount Newton Cross Road

Bus jumping lanes at the intersection of Highway 17 and Mount Newton Cross Road, here seen during their construction in late spring 2022, are now ready to use, the province announced Dec. 29. (Black Press Media file photo)
Ryan Grambart, here seen earlier in the season, currently leads Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) with 27 goals. (Christian J. Stewart Photography/Submitted)

Peninsula Panthers win 12th one-goal game of the season

Defending Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League champs have played in 20 one-goal games

Ryan Grambart, here seen earlier in the season, currently leads Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (VIJHL) with 27 goals. (Christian J. Stewart Photography/Submitted)
Sidney Volunteer Fire Department Chief Brett Mikkelsen says the department has never been busier with calls up some 25 per cent in 2022 over historic peak in 2018. (Town of Sidney/Submitted)

Sidney fire department broke ‘all’ records for calls in 2022. But why?

Other factors cited by fire chief include end of COVID-19 restrictions, higher density and climate change

Sidney Volunteer Fire Department Chief Brett Mikkelsen says the department has never been busier with calls up some 25 per cent in 2022 over historic peak in 2018. (Town of Sidney/Submitted)
Firefighters from all three municipalities on the Saanich Peninsula responded to a fire Tuesday morning in downtown Sidney on Third Street. Police had earlier arrested a man during what police called an “interrupted arson.” (Sidney Volunteer Fire Department/Twitter)

Starting point of fire linked to Sidney arson case may never be found

Sidney Volunteer Fire Department Chief Brett Mikkelsen said it was fortunate building was unoccupied

Firefighters from all three municipalities on the Saanich Peninsula responded to a fire Tuesday morning in downtown Sidney on Third Street. Police had earlier arrested a man during what police called an “interrupted arson.” (Sidney Volunteer Fire Department/Twitter)