Wolf Depner

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A five-year Statistics Canada survey on victimization found rates of respondents self-reporting physical and/or sexual violence in their spousal or partner relationships came down between 1999 and 2019. (Pixabay)

Self-reported spousal violence on decline; women still more likely to suffer

Findings capture conditions before COVID-19 pandemic sent many into isolation

A five-year Statistics Canada survey on victimization found rates of respondents self-reporting physical and/or sexual violence in their spousal or partner relationships came down between 1999 and 2019. (Pixabay)
New figures from ICBC show that on average, 250 pedestrians are injured in 350 crashes every year on Vancouver Island. (Black Press Media File)

ICBC figures show an average of 250 pedestrians injured every year on Vancouver Island

Nearly half of all pedestrian fatalities happen between October and January as the weather worsens

New figures from ICBC show that on average, 250 pedestrians are injured in 350 crashes every year on Vancouver Island. (Black Press Media File)
While conditions were relatively calm Sunday morning in downtown Sidney, wind and rain associated with a major storm approaching Vancouver Island have intensified. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

UPDATE: Wind and rain intensifies across Greater Victoria as storm arrives

Almost 6,000 BC Hydro customers across southern Vancouver Island without power

While conditions were relatively calm Sunday morning in downtown Sidney, wind and rain associated with a major storm approaching Vancouver Island have intensified. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Michael Simmons, vice-chair of the Saanich Inlet Protection Society (SIPS) says a new act designed to rid local bays of dilapidated boats has made zero difference in Central Saanich’s Brentwood Bay. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Abandoned boat legislation is sinking warns Central Saanich group

Officials waiting too long to remove dilapidated boats, says Saanich Inlet Protection Society

Michael Simmons, vice-chair of the Saanich Inlet Protection Society (SIPS) says a new act designed to rid local bays of dilapidated boats has made zero difference in Central Saanich’s Brentwood Bay. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
According to Statistics Canada, prices at the gas pump rose 32.8 per cent in September 2021 compared with September last year as inflation rose 4.4 per cent on a year-over-year basis in September, the fastest pace since February 2003. (Black Press Media File)

Gas prices fuel highest inflation rate in nearly two decades

Gas prices jumped 32.8 % while inflation rose 4.4 % on a year-over-year basis in September

According to Statistics Canada, prices at the gas pump rose 32.8 per cent in September 2021 compared with September last year as inflation rose 4.4 per cent on a year-over-year basis in September, the fastest pace since February 2003. (Black Press Media File)
Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, speaks about drug use during a speech in the legislature. (Government of British Columbia)

Adam Olsen reveals past drug use in an attempt to end stigma

MLA for Saanich North and the Islands talks about cocaine, other substance use in his 20s

Adam Olsen, MLA for Saanich North and the Islands, speaks about drug use during a speech in the legislature. (Government of British Columbia)
North Saanich last month joined the City of Victoria in expressing concern about the release of violent or repeat offenders into the community while awaiting disposition of their charges, but comments from local police raise questions whether the community is actually experiencing problems described in the letter. (Black Press Media File)

North Saanich joins City of Victoria in expressing concern about COVID-19 bail conditions

But police in North Saanich haven’t seen changes to release conditions since onset of pandemic

North Saanich last month joined the City of Victoria in expressing concern about the release of violent or repeat offenders into the community while awaiting disposition of their charges, but comments from local police raise questions whether the community is actually experiencing problems described in the letter. (Black Press Media File)
As part of small business week (Oct. 18 to 22), Sidney BIA is offering various discounted programs to help small local businesses succeed online. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)

Sidney BIA helping local small businesses succeed online

Business group offers discounted programs during small business week

As part of small business week (Oct. 18 to 22), Sidney BIA is offering various discounted programs to help small local businesses succeed online. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)
Sidney BIA’s seventh annual Halloween Spooktacular will give trick-or-treaters like Jennifer Weiss (right) and Heidi Duncan other options to mark the season. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney’s downtown to become spooktacular

Halloween event running Oct. 22 to 31 includes spooky community pumpkin patch

Sidney BIA’s seventh annual Halloween Spooktacular will give trick-or-treaters like Jennifer Weiss (right) and Heidi Duncan other options to mark the season. (Black Press Media file photo)
Sidney council started the process on Oct. 12 of creating a committee promising to improve livability, inclusivity and accessibility for persons with different abilities. (Black Press Media file photo)

Plans for new tri-municipal committee promise to improve accessibility on Saanich Peninsula

North Saanich and Central Saanich to follow Sidney to look into regional accessibility committee

Sidney council started the process on Oct. 12 of creating a committee promising to improve livability, inclusivity and accessibility for persons with different abilities. (Black Press Media file photo)
Gordon Lee has been the Peninsula Panthers’ photographer since 1999. (Photo courtesy of Peninsula Panthers)

Long-time Peninsula Panthers’ photographer remembered as a true professional

Gordon Lee was a fixture in the Greater Victoria sports scene

Gordon Lee has been the Peninsula Panthers’ photographer since 1999. (Photo courtesy of Peninsula Panthers)
Sidney/North Saanich RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance following a collision that left a cyclist with serious injuries Monday afternoon. (Black Press Media file photo)

Cyclist left with serious injuries after collision with motorist in North Saanich

Police looking for witnesses, dashcam footage

Sidney/North Saanich RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance following a collision that left a cyclist with serious injuries Monday afternoon. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Sidney Sparkles Christmas Parade won’t be happening after all, the public heard Saturday, after organizers had first announced the event’s return following its cancellation in 2020 because of COVID-19. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney Sparkles Christmas Parade first shines on, then dims off

Organizers are cancelling 2021 parade due to COVID-19 concerns

The Sidney Sparkles Christmas Parade won’t be happening after all, the public heard Saturday, after organizers had first announced the event’s return following its cancellation in 2020 because of COVID-19. (Black Press Media file photo)
Recently acquired 19-year-old Ashton Luken stopped 15 shots during the Panthers’ 6-5 overtime loss to the Victoria Cougars Sunday night. (Photo by Tina Doehnel)

Peninsula Panthers claw a point off Victoria Cougars in narrow loss

The Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League team is also dealing with a rash of injuries

Recently acquired 19-year-old Ashton Luken stopped 15 shots during the Panthers’ 6-5 overtime loss to the Victoria Cougars Sunday night. (Photo by Tina Doehnel)
According to Statistics Canada, Greater Victoria’s unemployment stood at 4.2 per cent in September, unchanged from August. (Black Press Media File)

Greater Victoria’s unemployment well below provincial average

Local unemployment figures of 4.2% below B.C.’s 5.9% and Canada’s 6.9% rate

According to Statistics Canada, Greater Victoria’s unemployment stood at 4.2 per cent in September, unchanged from August. (Black Press Media File)
Nuu-chah-nulth and Kwakwaka’wakw drummers sing the Grease Trail Song during a totem pole unveiling ceremony in Port Alberni. Canada’s Indigenous population is expected to grow faster than the country’s non-Indigenous population in the next 20 years, including in B.C. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. could be home to 500,000 Indigenous people by 2041

Canada’s Indigenous population growth projected to outpace non-Indigenous in next 20 years

Nuu-chah-nulth and Kwakwaka’wakw drummers sing the Grease Trail Song during a totem pole unveiling ceremony in Port Alberni. Canada’s Indigenous population is expected to grow faster than the country’s non-Indigenous population in the next 20 years, including in B.C. (Black Press Media file photo)
Sidney Museum and Archives, led by executive director Alyssa Gerwing, will once again get into the Halloween spirit this year by hosting a jack-o’-lantern hunt Oct. 22 to 31. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney Museum to host jack-o’-lantern hunt

Event runs Oct. 22 to 31 as part of Sidney Business Improvement Area Society’s Halloween Spooktacular

Sidney Museum and Archives, led by executive director Alyssa Gerwing, will once again get into the Halloween spirit this year by hosting a jack-o’-lantern hunt Oct. 22 to 31. (Black Press Media file photo)
Sidney’s chief administrative officer says a lot of work needs to be done for the community to reach its carbon emission goals. (Black Press Media file photo)

A lot of work ahead for Sidney to meet its climate change emissions goals, says CAO

But Randy Humble also said reductions are achievable with community-wide effort

Sidney’s chief administrative officer says a lot of work needs to be done for the community to reach its carbon emission goals. (Black Press Media file photo)
Sidney has announced the official re-opening of Parking Lot B between Second and Third streets. The lot was unavailable during the construction of the Oceanna Building. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Downtown parking lot re-opens in Sidney

Re-opening of Parking Lot B adds 35 free public parking spaces

Sidney has announced the official re-opening of Parking Lot B between Second and Third streets. The lot was unavailable during the construction of the Oceanna Building. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Sidney's Beacon Wharf

Sidney councillor says more process around Beacon Wharf needed

Coun. Peter Wainwright warns against expectations of quick action

Sidney's Beacon Wharf