Saanich

Police and coroners on scene at Cumberland and Union Roads following a fatal collision in September 2019. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich residents signal need for speed reduction, road safety on Union Road

Neighbours launch petition, more than 550 sign to show support

Police and coroners on scene at Cumberland and Union Roads following a fatal collision in September 2019. (Black Press Media file photo)
Police are warning the public after a possible bear sighting in the 300-block of Viaduct Avenue West Wednesday night. (Bill Pennell/Unsplash)

Saanich police warn of potential bear sighting near Viaduct Avenue

Officer unable to locate the bear in the area

Police are warning the public after a possible bear sighting in the 300-block of Viaduct Avenue West Wednesday night. (Bill Pennell/Unsplash)
A reported cougar sighting near Cordova Bay prompted a warning from police. (Unsplash)

Cougar sighting near Cordova Bay prompts police warning

Be mindful of surroundings, family members, pets, says Saanich police

A reported cougar sighting near Cordova Bay prompted a warning from police. (Unsplash)
The Landmark Cinema at University Heights announced the facility’s permanent closure on July 17. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Screens go dark as Saanich’s Landmark Cinema announces permanent closure

Movie theatre announces closure July 17 on social media

The Landmark Cinema at University Heights announced the facility’s permanent closure on July 17. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
Saanich council has approved a motion to seek non-farm use for land near Prospect Lake Elementary School so that additional parking and portable classrooms can be brought in. (Google Maps)

Saanich makes ALC appeal for Prospect Lake Elementary parking, portables

Council votes in favour of seeking non-farm use designation

Saanich council has approved a motion to seek non-farm use for land near Prospect Lake Elementary School so that additional parking and portable classrooms can be brought in. (Google Maps)
A great horned owl found dead near Kings Park was likely killed by rat poison. On Monday evening the District of Saanich voted unanimously to ban municipal use of anticoagulant rodenticides. (Photo Courtesy of Robert Vanzella)

Saanich bans municipal rodenticide use after owl deaths

District unanimously approves ban and community education

A great horned owl found dead near Kings Park was likely killed by rat poison. On Monday evening the District of Saanich voted unanimously to ban municipal use of anticoagulant rodenticides. (Photo Courtesy of Robert Vanzella)
The Saanich Fire Department is investigating an early morning fire at Strawberry Vale Elementary school that caused extensive damage to the roof. (Photo courtesy Tamara Pillipow)

UPDATED: Saanich firefighters investigate early morning fire at elementary school

Fire crews remain on scene at Strawberry Vale Elementary

The Saanich Fire Department is investigating an early morning fire at Strawberry Vale Elementary school that caused extensive damage to the roof. (Photo courtesy Tamara Pillipow)
While home sales saw an immediate dip, Greater Victoria’s rental market may not feel the impact of COVID-19 for several months. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)

COVID-19: Coming months will reveal fate of Greater Victoria’s rental market

Post-secondary school closures, unemployment could impact landlords, renters

While home sales saw an immediate dip, Greater Victoria’s rental market may not feel the impact of COVID-19 for several months. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)
The Spirit Orcas, a group of Greater Victoria swimmers with intellectual disabilities, are taking on the Saanich Peninsula in an epic, 80-kilometre, eight-week journey to raise money for COVID-19 relief. (Courtesy of Susan Simmons)

Spirit Orca swimmers tackle 80-kilometre Peninsula swim for COVID-19 relief

Greater Victoria swimming group starts eight-day challenge July 1

The Spirit Orcas, a group of Greater Victoria swimmers with intellectual disabilities, are taking on the Saanich Peninsula in an epic, 80-kilometre, eight-week journey to raise money for COVID-19 relief. (Courtesy of Susan Simmons)
The body of Capt. Kevin Hagen, from Nanaimo, was returned to Vancouver Island on June 27. He was one of six who died in a helicopter crash in the Mediterranean Sea in late April. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

VIDEO: Motorcade procession memorializes Nanaimo pilot killed in military helicopter crash

Police-escorted procession brought Capt. Kevin Hagen’s remains to Saanich funeral home

The body of Capt. Kevin Hagen, from Nanaimo, was returned to Vancouver Island on June 27. He was one of six who died in a helicopter crash in the Mediterranean Sea in late April. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
The Swan Lake Christmas Hill Sanctuary staff have posted signs indicating safety protocols that visitors should follow. (Black Press Media file photo)

Nature House at Saanich’s Swan Lake reopens with new hours, safety protocols

Programs for children, adults resume with limited spaces

The Swan Lake Christmas Hill Sanctuary staff have posted signs indicating safety protocols that visitors should follow. (Black Press Media file photo)
(Left to right) Travis Wilson, North Island operations manager; Andrew Wilson, operations and fleet manager; John Wilson, president and CEO; and Samantha Wilson, brand manager. (Photo courtesy Wilson’s Group of Companies)

Greater Victoria tourism industry ‘can’t wait any longer’ for financial aid

Saanich mayor, business owners call on provincial, federal governments for tourism-specific aid

(Left to right) Travis Wilson, North Island operations manager; Andrew Wilson, operations and fleet manager; John Wilson, president and CEO; and Samantha Wilson, brand manager. (Photo courtesy Wilson’s Group of Companies)
A Grade 11 student from Mount Douglas Secondary has been named one of 16 recipients of the Beaverbrook Vimy Prize – a two week, all-expenses-paid trip through Europe. (Google Streetview)

Saanich high school student wins free educational trip through Europe

Beaverbrook Vimy Prize centers on First, Second World War history

A Grade 11 student from Mount Douglas Secondary has been named one of 16 recipients of the Beaverbrook Vimy Prize – a two week, all-expenses-paid trip through Europe. (Google Streetview)
Campus View Elementary student Cecilia Ehlting raised more than $1,000 with a plant sale. (Ehlting family photo)

Cancelled school trip plants entrepreneurial seed for Saanich student

Campus View Elementary student sells plants online, donates cash to help homeless

Campus View Elementary student Cecilia Ehlting raised more than $1,000 with a plant sale. (Ehlting family photo)
Residents will soon begin moving into a new affordable housing complex at 3816 Carey Rd. (Google Maps)

New Saanich development provides options for people struggling to find housing

Residents begin moving into new affordable housing units this week

Residents will soon begin moving into a new affordable housing complex at 3816 Carey Rd. (Google Maps)
The completion date of summer 2020 for the McKenzie Interchange project hasn’t changed due to the pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)

McKenzie Interchange project on track to finish this summer

Transit stops, landscaping, lighting yet to be completed

The completion date of summer 2020 for the McKenzie Interchange project hasn’t changed due to the pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)
Saanich police stopped 22 drivers for excessive speeding in the last month. (Saanich Police Traffic Safety Unit/Twitter)

Saanich police slap 22 drivers with excessive speeding fines in April

Drivers’ cars also impounded for a week

Saanich police stopped 22 drivers for excessive speeding in the last month. (Saanich Police Traffic Safety Unit/Twitter)
Saanich student Mark Finamore (middle) attended a finalist weekend in North Carolina back in February where he met fellow finalists Helena Walsh (left) and Spencer Barry (right). (Photo courtesy Mark Finamore)

Saanich student receives full-ride Morehead-Cain scholarship to American university

Mark Finamore to attend University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Saanich student Mark Finamore (middle) attended a finalist weekend in North Carolina back in February where he met fellow finalists Helena Walsh (left) and Spencer Barry (right). (Photo courtesy Mark Finamore)
Six-year-old Callaghan McLaughlin set up a joke stand in his front yard in Cadboro Bay two weeks ago where he tells jokes for free. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Saanich boy gives free giggles with roadside joke stand

Cadboro Bay’s Callaghan McLaughlin is now a local celebrity

Six-year-old Callaghan McLaughlin set up a joke stand in his front yard in Cadboro Bay two weeks ago where he tells jokes for free. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
Teachers and staff from Lochside Elementary School planned a parade through the community on Thursday to visit their students during the pandemic. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

VIDEO: Lochside Elementary teachers missing their students plan parade through community

Firetruck, cars covered in signs, balloons wove down nearby streets to visit students

Teachers and staff from Lochside Elementary School planned a parade through the community on Thursday to visit their students during the pandemic. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)