Sooke

Aaron Trotter said his parents never pressured him into hockey, which kept his love for the game going. (Courtesy of Michael Trotter)

Langford goalie working toward NCAA, NHL dreams

Aaron Trotter overcame a number of challenges to earn Division I scholarship

 

Sooke alternative rock band Shale has released its first single – To The Ground – which saw more than 4,000 streams in five days. (Contributed - Serena Haley Photography)

‘Pretty unbelievable’ – Sooke rockers Shale breaking out with debut single

To The Ground has been streamed more than 4,000 times in five days

 

Sooke School District said registration numbers were strong once again for nature and French immersion kindergarten in the 2022-2023 school year, and officials are expecting the same for regular kindergarten registration when it opens on Jan. 24. (File - Black Press Media)

Sooke School District sees steady numbers for kindergarten registration

Lack of qualified teachers limiting French immersion curriculum

 

Pavement failure and rutting on Charters Road are due to cold and rainy weather. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Charters Road construction will trigger traffic delays in Sooke

Repairs underway on weather-damaged roadway this week

Pavement failure and rutting on Charters Road are due to cold and rainy weather. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
Pavement failure and rutting on Charters Road are due to cold and rainy weather. Temporary measures are in place and the sites will be monitored for any further maintenance until repairs can be completed later this year, say district officials. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke promises to fix potholes as cold, wet weather creates road issues

Biggest areas of concern reported on Otter Point and Charters roads

Pavement failure and rutting on Charters Road are due to cold and rainy weather. Temporary measures are in place and the sites will be monitored for any further maintenance until repairs can be completed later this year, say district officials. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
OPINION SIG

MAYOR’S MESSAGE: Several major projects planned for Sooke this year

Affordable housing projects expected to open in 2022

  • Jan 17, 2022
OPINION SIG
Sooke Mayor Maja Tait says the district is prepared to address additional policing costs arising from the increasing population. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke looks ahead to address policing costs

Plans are in place for growing population

Sooke Mayor Maja Tait says the district is prepared to address additional policing costs arising from the increasing population. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Sooke resident Leslie Speed has published the Crabapple Tree inspired by a poem she wrote when she was a young child. (Contributed - Leslie Speed)

Sooke children’s book reflects seasonal changes

Local author publishes and illustrates first book

Sooke resident Leslie Speed has published the Crabapple Tree inspired by a poem she wrote when she was a young child. (Contributed - Leslie Speed)
Canada celebrations in Sooke are expected to return this year. District council has agreed to fund the July 1 event. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Plans for Canada Day celebration moving ahead in Sooke

Popular community event to return after COVID absence

Canada celebrations in Sooke are expected to return this year. District council has agreed to fund the July 1 event. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Paramedic specialists Brian Twaites and David Hilder debrief after responding to a drug overdose. Over the past several years the drug overdoses not only across British Columbia but throughout Canada have grown. (Jonathan Hayward - The Canadian Press)

Sooke sets new record for drug overdose calls

Every health region in B.C. saw an increase in overdose calls during 2021

Paramedic specialists Brian Twaites and David Hilder debrief after responding to a drug overdose. Over the past several years the drug overdoses not only across British Columbia but throughout Canada have grown. (Jonathan Hayward - The Canadian Press)
A Boeing Flying Boat CF ALB docking in Victoria harbour in 1931. The Weiler Building and the Empress Hotel can be scene in the background. (C0ntributed - Sooke Region Museum)

SOOKE HISTORY: Sooke’s connection to an early Boeing flying boat

The vessel delivered mail between Victoria and Seattle in the 1930s

  • Jan 13, 2022
A Boeing Flying Boat CF ALB docking in Victoria harbour in 1931. The Weiler Building and the Empress Hotel can be scene in the background. (C0ntributed - Sooke Region Museum)
This home at SookePoint is one of eight grand prize options in the 2022 B.C. Children’s Hospital Lottery. (Contributed - B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation))

Sooke home grand prize option in B.C. Children’s Hospital lottery

SookePoint property comes with cash and vehicle

This home at SookePoint is one of eight grand prize options in the 2022 B.C. Children’s Hospital Lottery. (Contributed - B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation))
Xeriscaping – the practice of designing landscapes to reduce or eliminate the need for irrigation – will be discussed at the Jan. 26 meeting of the Sooke Garden Club. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

SOOKE GARDEN CLUB: Xeriscaping – gardening in a changing climate

How to reduce the need for water in your garden

  • Jan 13, 2022
Xeriscaping – the practice of designing landscapes to reduce or eliminate the need for irrigation – will be discussed at the Jan. 26 meeting of the Sooke Garden Club. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
The Bosley’s by Pet Valu crew participated in the Sooke Santa Claus parade in December. Store owner Ashley Kilpatrick said the biggest challenge in 2021 was keeping up with the changes in provincial health guidelines. ((Contributed - Bosley’s by Pet Valu)

Sooke businesses weather COVID storm

Local merchants appreciate community support

The Bosley’s by Pet Valu crew participated in the Sooke Santa Claus parade in December. Store owner Ashley Kilpatrick said the biggest challenge in 2021 was keeping up with the changes in provincial health guidelines. ((Contributed - Bosley’s by Pet Valu)
Conservation officer Peter Pauwels said coastal wolf attacks on dogs are rare near Greater Victoria. (File photo courtesy of Ian McAllister/Pacific Wild)

Hiker rescues dog from jaws of wolf in rare Sooke area attack

The hiker was walking with their dog on a trail on Broom Hill

Conservation officer Peter Pauwels said coastal wolf attacks on dogs are rare near Greater Victoria. (File photo courtesy of Ian McAllister/Pacific Wild)
The Sooke Arts Council’s gallery reopens on Feb. 12 with a new show. (Photo courtesy of Sooke Arts Council)

Sooke Arts Council paints a pretty picture of 2022

After what’s being enthusiastically framed as a successful year, members of the…

The Sooke Arts Council’s gallery reopens on Feb. 12 with a new show. (Photo courtesy of Sooke Arts Council)
View Royal Mayor David Screech finds himself annually explaining to residents that property taxes don’t increase or decrease to the same degree as property assessments. With assessments jumping 25 to 30 per cent in his municipality alone, he felt the need to post an explanation on social media. (Black Press Media file photo)

Assessments vs. property tax: Greater Victoria valuations soar, taxes may not

Average increase, municipal budget shape tax increases more than individual assessment hike

View Royal Mayor David Screech finds himself annually explaining to residents that property taxes don’t increase or decrease to the same degree as property assessments. With assessments jumping 25 to 30 per cent in his municipality alone, he felt the need to post an explanation on social media. (Black Press Media file photo)
OPINION SIG

LOCAL HISTORY: CNR line was important to early Vancouver Island industry

For five decades, freight transported between Sooke and Leech River for offloading in Victoria

  • Jan 7, 2022
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OPINION SIG

CURATOR’S CORNER: Belvedere frequented often by royalty, celebrities

Hotel was the forerunner to Castle

  • Jan 7, 2022
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The History and Restoration of the Sheringham Point Lighthouse is among the many courses presented by Sooke Region Lifelong Learning this year. (Contributed - Lee-Ann Ruttan)

Sooke Region Lifelong Learning serves up new courses

Education by donation from January to May

The History and Restoration of the Sheringham Point Lighthouse is among the many courses presented by Sooke Region Lifelong Learning this year. (Contributed - Lee-Ann Ruttan)