Highlands

Crime was down 5.3% overall on the West Shore in 2022. (Black Press Media file photo)

West Shore RCMP aims to start mental health team to tackle rise in violent crime, shoplifting

Langford sees crimes against people jump to 673 in 2022, up from 580

 

SD62 had to cancel one of its bus routes on Feb. 15 due to a driver being out sick. (Black Press Media file photo)

SD62 faring better than other districts with school bus driver shortages

District hiring more on-call drivers, but not facing high cancellation numbers other areas are

 

Luna, a five-year-old bull mastiff-golden retriever cross, survived seven days trapped on a narrow ledge high above the waters of Finlayson Arm. (Courtesy Saryta Schaerer)

Courageous canine survives seven days stuck on ledge after fall from Highlands cliff

Luna reunited with her owner following a harrowing rescue

 

Tony and Naomi Ko outside the Metchosin Country Store in Metchosin. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Best of the West Shore convenience stores

Four stories from community pillars

Tony and Naomi Ko outside the Metchosin Country Store in Metchosin. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
The Langford Fire Rescue team held Halloween drive-thru events the past two years due to COVID. (Black Press Media file photo)

West Shore fire departments hosting Halloween events

Events will feature free hot dogs and candy, but no fireworks or bonfires

The Langford Fire Rescue team held Halloween drive-thru events the past two years due to COVID. (Black Press Media file photo)
Crews had to hike down a steep pathway called the Rabbity Trail to reach the fire in Gowlland Tod Provincial Park, 20 metres up from the waterline of the Saanich Inlet. (Black Press Media file photo)

‘Scariest time of year’: Another wildfire extinguished, this time in Highlands

Crews hiked down steep hills in Gowlland Tod Provincial Park to reach the fire

Crews had to hike down a steep pathway called the Rabbity Trail to reach the fire in Gowlland Tod Provincial Park, 20 metres up from the waterline of the Saanich Inlet. (Black Press Media file photo)
Delays are expected this week due to the construction of a roundabout at Millstream Road and Bear Mountain Parkway. (Courtesy City of Langford)

Delays expected this week with Millstream roundabout construction in Langford

Millstream Road/Bear Mountain Parkway intersection down to single lane alternating traffic

Delays are expected this week due to the construction of a roundabout at Millstream Road and Bear Mountain Parkway. (Courtesy City of Langford)
A crash on Island Highway at Six Mile Road back in March. (Black Press Media file photo)

West Shore Crash Map: The top intersections reporting collisions last year

Many intersections have been top of the list in their respective municipalities for years

A crash on Island Highway at Six Mile Road back in March. (Black Press Media file photo)
Santa Claus makes his way through Langford along side his friends at Langford Fire Rescue Christmas Eve. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Thousands raised for Goldstream Food Bank thanks to Santa and West Shore fire departments

The annual Santa runs were a success once again this year despite the pandemic and some poor weather

Santa Claus makes his way through Langford along side his friends at Langford Fire Rescue Christmas Eve. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
A stolen van was found crashed into a rocky embankment on the side of Millstream Road around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday (Sept. 29). (Courtesy West Shore RCMP)

Police dog finds suspect from stolen van crash in West Shore

Van crashed on Millstream Road near Lost Lake Road at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday

A stolen van was found crashed into a rocky embankment on the side of Millstream Road around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday (Sept. 29). (Courtesy West Shore RCMP)
The Highlands District Community Association is petitioning the Supreme Court of Canada to determine whether B.C. mining officials should include climate change in issuing mining permits. (Black Press Media file photo)

Highlands resident group turns to Supreme Court for help on Millstream mining issue

Community association to bring its climate change argument to federal court

The Highlands District Community Association is petitioning the Supreme Court of Canada to determine whether B.C. mining officials should include climate change in issuing mining permits. (Black Press Media file photo)
West Shore RCMP bike unit officers pause for a photo with a family that was spooked by a bear in Gowlland Tod Provincial Park last weekend. (Photo courtesy of West Shore RCMP)

West Shore RCMP bike unit cops help bear-spooked young family to safety

Police offer up safety tips on how to be bear aware in local parks

West Shore RCMP bike unit officers pause for a photo with a family that was spooked by a bear in Gowlland Tod Provincial Park last weekend. (Photo courtesy of West Shore RCMP)
O.K. Industries is building a quarry next to Capital Regional District land, as shown in this map from the rezoning applicaiton. (Photo courtesy District of Highlands)

Millstream Quarry wins again in court against Highlands community’s appeal

Judges rule province not obligated to investigate climate change before issuing permit

O.K. Industries is building a quarry next to Capital Regional District land, as shown in this map from the rezoning applicaiton. (Photo courtesy District of Highlands)
Local cyclist Max McCulloch catches air off a jump on the Organ Donor trail in the Hartland area of Mount Work regional park. The Capital Regional District parks committee approved new guidelines for mountain biking in CRD parks, but left room for adjustments. (Black Press Media file photo)

CRD parks mountain biking guidelines a hot topic in Greater Victoria

Committee approves guidelines, short-term actions, wants more scrutiny during parks planning process

Local cyclist Max McCulloch catches air off a jump on the Organ Donor trail in the Hartland area of Mount Work regional park. The Capital Regional District parks committee approved new guidelines for mountain biking in CRD parks, but left room for adjustments. (Black Press Media file photo)
Highlands Fire Department and paramedics rescued an injured hiker at Lone Tree Hill in 2018. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich, Central Saanich and Highlands fire departments implement updated mutual aid partnerships

New agreements ensure cross-border cooperation, efficient response in high-risk incidents

Highlands Fire Department and paramedics rescued an injured hiker at Lone Tree Hill in 2018. (Black Press Media file photo)
Following a cease work order from the District of Highlands in October, the BC Supreme Court ruled Jan. 20. that bylaws won’t apply to O.K. Industries’ work until its quarrying activity is complete. (Courtesy of District of Highlands)

BC Supreme Court rules Highlands quarry work can continue

District bylaws won’t apply until quarrying activities are complete

Following a cease work order from the District of Highlands in October, the BC Supreme Court ruled Jan. 20. that bylaws won’t apply to O.K. Industries’ work until its quarrying activity is complete. (Courtesy of District of Highlands)
Fire crews from the Highlands and Langford joined forces to rescue a dog that fell down a cliff in Gowlland Tod Provincial Park. (Highlands Fire Rescue/Facebook)

Highlands, Langford firefighters rescue dog from 60-foot gully in Gowlland Tod Provincial Park

Third dog rescued from same area in past year, fire chief says

Fire crews from the Highlands and Langford joined forces to rescue a dog that fell down a cliff in Gowlland Tod Provincial Park. (Highlands Fire Rescue/Facebook)
This map of OK Industries’ plans for a quarry was taken from the 2015 report for the rezoning application. (Photo courtesy District of Highlands)

BC Supreme Court tosses out application to stop work on Highlands quarry

Highlands District Community Association will not suffer irreparable harm if work begins, says judge

This map of OK Industries’ plans for a quarry was taken from the 2015 report for the rezoning application. (Photo courtesy District of Highlands)
O.K. Industries is looking to build a quarry next to Capital Regional District land, of which the aquifer sits underneath. This map was taken from the 2015 report for the rezoning application. (Map courtesy of the District of Highlands)

Opposition to gravel quarry in Highlands gains traction

Impact on drinking water a major concern

O.K. Industries is looking to build a quarry next to Capital Regional District land, of which the aquifer sits underneath. This map was taken from the 2015 report for the rezoning application. (Map courtesy of the District of Highlands)
Highlands Mayor Ken Williams said the District will be hostng a public engagement session in the new year about the growing number of illegal secondary suites that are popping up throughout the municipality. (Gazette file photo)

Highlands takes aim at illegal secondary suites

Report estimates roughly 30 to 50 per cent of homes have unauthorized dwellings

Highlands Mayor Ken Williams said the District will be hostng a public engagement session in the new year about the growing number of illegal secondary suites that are popping up throughout the municipality. (Gazette file photo)