Sidney

Michael Goodchild, executive director of the Sidney Museum and Archives, stands next to the permanent Lego display. The museum’s popular Lego exhibit, featuring more than 800 kits, opens Dec. 1 and runs until March 31, 2023. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney’s museum builds into Christmas with Lego exhibit

The familiar display returns for its 17th season a month earlier than usual

 

A report cites the intersection of Highway 17 and Beacon Avenue as an area of “high concern” for both cyclists and pedestrians. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Report raises safety concerns about Highway 17 / Beacon Avenue in Sidney

Report finds gaps in Sidney’s active transportation network

 

Sidney’s new economic development stands accused of lacking detail and failing to meet expectations. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney councillors give new economic development plan thumbs-down

Plan said to be lacking details and might not be available for strategic planning next year

 

Criminal code offences in the jurisdiction of Sidney/North Saanich RCMP rose by 24 per cent during the first nine months of 2022 compared to the same period last year. (Black Press Media file photo)

Crime in Sidney and North Saanich returning to pre-pandemic levels

Offences across major crime categories rose 24 per cent compared to a year ago

Criminal code offences in the jurisdiction of Sidney/North Saanich RCMP rose by 24 per cent during the first nine months of 2022 compared to the same period last year. (Black Press Media file photo)
KELSET Elementary School principal Tassie Harris (left) and Knights of Columbus Sidney trustee Joe Bourdeau with a jacket the group gave to a student at the school. (Courtesy of Joe Bourdeau)

Knights of Columbus Sidney donates coats to kids

Some Ukrainian refugees received coats at Parkland Secondary School

KELSET Elementary School principal Tassie Harris (left) and Knights of Columbus Sidney trustee Joe Bourdeau with a jacket the group gave to a student at the school. (Courtesy of Joe Bourdeau)
Shantael Sleight, outreach co-ordinator with the Saanich Peninsula Literacy Society, and Wakefield Manor resident Geri Holland, stand next to the new little free library that opened on Third Street in Sidney. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney residents beam during opening of newest free little library

Located near Wakefield Manor, the library is helping making literacy more accessible

Shantael Sleight, outreach co-ordinator with the Saanich Peninsula Literacy Society, and Wakefield Manor resident Geri Holland, stand next to the new little free library that opened on Third Street in Sidney. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
A large crowd gathered on Beacon Avenue for Sidney’s 2022 Remembrance Day parade. (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Full Remembrance Day ceremony returns to Sidney

This was the first full Remembrance Day ceremony in the town since before the COVID-19 pandemic

A large crowd gathered on Beacon Avenue for Sidney’s 2022 Remembrance Day parade. (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)
Sidney’s new council is set to consider a revised application for the 2180 Beacon Ave. W. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney council to consider revised proposal for five-storey building off Highway 17

Revised plans call for 140 units at 2180 Beacon Ave. W.

Sidney’s new council is set to consider a revised application for the 2180 Beacon Ave. W. (Black Press Media file photo)
Val Noyes of Saanich Peninsula Legion Branch No. 37 presents Sidney Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith with the first poppy of the season. (Courtesy Town of Sidney)

Annual Sidney poppy campaign kicks off with Sidney Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith receiving the first one

Donations to poppy campaign raised a record $180,000 in 2021

Val Noyes of Saanich Peninsula Legion Branch No. 37 presents Sidney Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith with the first poppy of the season. (Courtesy Town of Sidney)
Coun. Sara Duncan said climate change will make it impossible for Sidney to replace Beacon Wharf with a comparable facility. (Black Press Media file photo)

Beacon Wharf essentially unsafe, will need to be torn down, says Sidney councillor

Coun. Sara Duncan also questioned the generational fairness of maintaining the iconic wharf

Coun. Sara Duncan said climate change will make it impossible for Sidney to replace Beacon Wharf with a comparable facility. (Black Press Media file photo)
Several Sidney/North Saanich RCMP vehicles and officers at Beacon Avenue and Highway 17 on Oct. 13 around 4:30 p.m. for what turned out to be a false alarm. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

High-risk police response blamed on 2 false alarms, say Sidney/North Saanich RCMP

Individual in distress, false panic alarm to blame

Several Sidney/North Saanich RCMP vehicles and officers at Beacon Avenue and Highway 17 on Oct. 13 around 4:30 p.m. for what turned out to be a false alarm. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Former Sidney firefighter Ted Clarke celebrates his 100th birthday with a fire brigade parade and photo with Mayor Cliff McNeill-Smith (left) and Deputy Fire Chief Mike Harman (right). (Town of Sidney/Facebook)

Sidney fire brigade parade marks 100th birthday of former firefighter

Sunday drive-by salute honours former town superintendent of public works

Former Sidney firefighter Ted Clarke celebrates his 100th birthday with a fire brigade parade and photo with Mayor Cliff McNeill-Smith (left) and Deputy Fire Chief Mike Harman (right). (Town of Sidney/Facebook)
Firefighter Sami Turki with the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department shows Jack Boswick of Brentwood Elementary School how to operate a fire extinguisher during the department’s Grade 4/5 Fire Expo. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Fire prevention, safety in the lesson plan for Saanich Peninsula elementary students

38 elementary school classes with more than 900 students took part in Grade 4/5 Fire Expo

Firefighter Sami Turki with the Sidney Volunteer Fire Department shows Jack Boswick of Brentwood Elementary School how to operate a fire extinguisher during the department’s Grade 4/5 Fire Expo. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
The new Amazon facility in Sidney is expected to open this month. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney firefighters called to new Amazon building

No damage reported after crew stops water flow during late-night call

The new Amazon facility in Sidney is expected to open this month. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Some 400 people saw the nine candidates for Sidney councillor face off Thursday night at the Mary Winspear Centre with Stasia Hartley moderating. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

The pace of development brings out disagreements among Sidney councillor candidates

Some comments about housing also likely to raise eyebrows in North Saanich

Some 400 people saw the nine candidates for Sidney councillor face off Thursday night at the Mary Winspear Centre with Stasia Hartley moderating. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Pedestrian-activated crosswalk lights are coming to three intersections in Sidney including Resthaven Road and Brethour Avenue. The other locations are Seventh Street and Brethour Avenue and Fifth Street and Mills Road. (Wolf Depner/News Staff0

Three pedestrian-activated crosswalk lights to improve pedestrian safety in Sidney

Town staff promise additional improvements in the future as part of Active Transportation Plan

Pedestrian-activated crosswalk lights are coming to three intersections in Sidney including Resthaven Road and Brethour Avenue. The other locations are Seventh Street and Brethour Avenue and Fifth Street and Mills Road. (Wolf Depner/News Staff0
Former Sidney mayor Steve Price has retracted a statement concerning current Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith. (Contributed file photo)

Former Sidney mayor Steve Price retracts comments about Mayor McNeil-Smith

Price claimed falsely McNeil-Smith “has already mentioned that he would like to have me council”

Former Sidney mayor Steve Price has retracted a statement concerning current Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith. (Contributed file photo)
Members of the Greater Victoria Team, here seen earlier in September, working in Sidney’s Peter Grant Park, will be on site on Sept. 24 during Sidney’s third annual Tree Appreciation Day. It sees the municipality team up with Greater Victoria Green Team to help plant Douglas fir seedlings in Peter Grant Park in an area alongside KEL,SET (Reay Creek). (Photo courtesy of Greater Victoria Green Team)

Residents invited to battle climate change while helping Sidney grow

Sidney’s third annual tree appreciation day takes place Sept. 24 at Peter Grant Park

Members of the Greater Victoria Team, here seen earlier in September, working in Sidney’s Peter Grant Park, will be on site on Sept. 24 during Sidney’s third annual Tree Appreciation Day. It sees the municipality team up with Greater Victoria Green Team to help plant Douglas fir seedlings in Peter Grant Park in an area alongside KEL,SET (Reay Creek). (Photo courtesy of Greater Victoria Green Team)
Sidney fire deals with a gas leak, closing Third Street from Oakville to Bevan avenues. (Wolfgang Depner/News Staff)

Firefighters evacuate buildings as gas leak limits access to downtown Sidney

Third Street reopens after closure between Oakville and Bevan

Sidney fire deals with a gas leak, closing Third Street from Oakville to Bevan avenues. (Wolfgang Depner/News Staff)
Denny Warner, executive director of the Mary Winspear Centre, said she and the board of the Saanich Peninsula Memorial Park Society are working hard to recover the charitable status of the society, as well as the Mary Winspear Foundation, the society’s fundraising arm. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney’s Mary Winspear Centre loses charitable status

New executive director says steps are underway to recover charitable status for centre, foundation

Denny Warner, executive director of the Mary Winspear Centre, said she and the board of the Saanich Peninsula Memorial Park Society are working hard to recover the charitable status of the society, as well as the Mary Winspear Foundation, the society’s fundraising arm. (Black Press Media file photo)