Saanich Peninsula

Bob Peart of the Friends of Shoal Harbour Society joins Robert Bateman and Margaret Atwood as winners of the Douglas H. Pimlott Award from Nature Canada. He received the award in a ceremony last week. (Courtesy of Nature Canada)

Sidney’s Bob Peart wins top national conservation award

Nature Canada represents 30,000 members and more than 1,000 nature organizations

Bob Peart of the Friends of Shoal Harbour Society joins Robert Bateman and Margaret Atwood as winners of the Douglas H. Pimlott Award from Nature Canada. He received the award in a ceremony last week. (Courtesy of Nature Canada)
Scott Davies of Cube Project Management checks out his plans for four three-storey mixed use buildings at 2270 Harbour Rd., the former site of the Blue Peter Pub and Restaurant, which burned down in 2011. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Former Blue Peter Pub site in Sidney to become mixed-use development

Four 3-storey buildings to feature living space over industrial/commercial uses

Scott Davies of Cube Project Management checks out his plans for four three-storey mixed use buildings at 2270 Harbour Rd., the former site of the Blue Peter Pub and Restaurant, which burned down in 2011. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Sidney Shutterbugs Camera Club president David Milner and vice-president Ron MacDonnell stand in the new photographers GALLERY, which will host an exhibition of photos by club members starting May 6. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney Shutterbugs Camera Club’s work showcased in first of its kind gallery show

Club formed 30 years in 1992 and is open to anyone with an interest in photography

Sidney Shutterbugs Camera Club president David Milner and vice-president Ron MacDonnell stand in the new photographers GALLERY, which will host an exhibition of photos by club members starting May 6. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
The District of North Saanich would retain the right to purchase undeveloped portions of the Panorama Recreation Centre lands for $10 for a future library under a land transfer agreement with the CRD. (Black Press Media file photo)

CRD set to purchase Panorama Recreation Centre lands in North Saanich for $10

Municipality retains right to purchase undeveloped land for a library

The District of North Saanich would retain the right to purchase undeveloped portions of the Panorama Recreation Centre lands for $10 for a future library under a land transfer agreement with the CRD. (Black Press Media file photo)
This was the aftermath after a vehicle hit the Oceanna building in downtown Sidney. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Garbage truck plows into downtown Sidney building

91-unit-rental building damaged in collision

This was the aftermath after a vehicle hit the Oceanna building in downtown Sidney. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Coun. Jack McClintock says North Saanich has not done enough to engage and consult the public on North Saanich’s involvement with a new roundabout in Sidney near the future Amazon facility. (Black Press Media file photo)

North Saanich to fund its share of new roundabout in Sidney out of reserves

Coun. Jack McClintock questions substance, process behind $1-million contribution

Coun. Jack McClintock says North Saanich has not done enough to engage and consult the public on North Saanich’s involvement with a new roundabout in Sidney near the future Amazon facility. (Black Press Media file photo)
Adrian Bogdan, assistant director and archivist, Alyssa Gerwing, executive director, and Sydney Fuhrman, education and outreach coordinator, have already left or are leaving the Sidney Museum and Archives. (Amanda Cribdon Photography/Submitted)

Sidney Museum and Archives says goodbye to a trio of staff

Executive director Alyssa Gerwing leads list of depatures

Adrian Bogdan, assistant director and archivist, Alyssa Gerwing, executive director, and Sydney Fuhrman, education and outreach coordinator, have already left or are leaving the Sidney Museum and Archives. (Amanda Cribdon Photography/Submitted)
Randy Evans, second-vice president of Unit 302 of the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans, stands outside the club’s offices. A fundraiser scheduled for May 7 will raise funds in support for Ukraine as defends itself against Russia’s war of choice. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney veterans club to host May 7 fundraiser for Ukraine

Full-day fundraising event will include musical offerings, dance

Randy Evans, second-vice president of Unit 302 of the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans, stands outside the club’s offices. A fundraiser scheduled for May 7 will raise funds in support for Ukraine as defends itself against Russia’s war of choice. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
According to Statistics Canada, the average age in Victoria CMA is 44.8 years with variations across the region. Langford is the youngest community at 39.1 years with Sidney the oldest at 56 years. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria residents older than B.C., Canadian average

West Shore boasts youngest population while Saanich Peninsula has the oldest

According to Statistics Canada, the average age in Victoria CMA is 44.8 years with variations across the region. Langford is the youngest community at 39.1 years with Sidney the oldest at 56 years. (Black Press Media file photo)
Bill Singer checks for proof of vaccination at the doors of the Rumrunner Pub, which he owns and manages in Sidney. His decision to keep the vaccination requirement in place has sparked online criticism but also earned praise from customers. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney restaurant still checking vaccine passports receives support from patrons

Owner Bill Singer thought other establishments would make the same decision

Bill Singer checks for proof of vaccination at the doors of the Rumrunner Pub, which he owns and manages in Sidney. His decision to keep the vaccination requirement in place has sparked online criticism but also earned praise from customers. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Laura Huebner, 47, was last seen April 24 at Victoria International Airport. (Courtesy Sidney/North Saanich RCMP)

Police seek missing woman last seen at Victoria International Airport

Sidney North Saanich RCMP appeal to public to find woman who may be travelling to mid Island

Laura Huebner, 47, was last seen April 24 at Victoria International Airport. (Courtesy Sidney/North Saanich RCMP)
Long-time CBC host Grant Lawrence joins musicians Kathryn Calder, Jay Malinowski and Ashleigh Ball on stage in Sidney on May 4 to celebrate the release of Return To Solitude, the long-awaited follow-up book to Lawrence’s bestselling debut. (Courtesy of Mary Winspear Centre)

Grant Lawrence to regale Sidney audience with colourful tales of Desolation Sound

Musical guests Kathryn Calder, Jay Malinowski and Ashleigh Ball join longtime CBC host

Long-time CBC host Grant Lawrence joins musicians Kathryn Calder, Jay Malinowski and Ashleigh Ball on stage in Sidney on May 4 to celebrate the release of Return To Solitude, the long-awaited follow-up book to Lawrence’s bestselling debut. (Courtesy of Mary Winspear Centre)
Owner Kathy Banks (front), employees Kaylyn Paterson (left) and Sherry Bell (right), and Banks’ husband James Anson were all smiles earlier this spring when Sidney councillors signalled support for zoning and OCP changes that could have allowed the business to operate in an industrial-zoned space. However, a legislative reversal led Banks to seek space elsewhere. (Black Press Media file photo)

Dog grooming business digs up new home in Central Saanich

Pooch Parlour had previously operated illegally out of Sidney industrial zone

Owner Kathy Banks (front), employees Kaylyn Paterson (left) and Sherry Bell (right), and Banks’ husband James Anson were all smiles earlier this spring when Sidney councillors signalled support for zoning and OCP changes that could have allowed the business to operate in an industrial-zoned space. However, a legislative reversal led Banks to seek space elsewhere. (Black Press Media file photo)
Adam Olsen is the MLA for Saanich North and the Islands. (Black Press Media file photo)

MLA REPORT: Forum tackles issue surrounding industrial parking lot in Salish Sea

Green Party MLA Adam Olsen wants province to do more about impacts of transport ships

  • Apr 30, 2022
Adam Olsen is the MLA for Saanich North and the Islands. (Black Press Media file photo)
Changes to firefighting staffing that have standardized response times to structure fires prompted Sidney council to lift certain restrictions on the design of homes and buildings. (Black Press Media file photo)

Fire-related restrictions on building design lifted in Sidney

Rules for windows, doorways in new builds relaxed with increased firefighter staffing

Changes to firefighting staffing that have standardized response times to structure fires prompted Sidney council to lift certain restrictions on the design of homes and buildings. (Black Press Media file photo)
Sidney council sent plans for this proposed four-storey development in the 9700-block of Third Avenue for additional review, even after previous parking concerns were dealt with. The design calls for a commercial ground floor and a large residence spread across three storeys. (Courtesy of MJM Architect Inc.)

Plans for mixed-use development in downtown Sidney back on

Council forwards Third Street development for more review in narrow 4-3 vote

Sidney council sent plans for this proposed four-storey development in the 9700-block of Third Avenue for additional review, even after previous parking concerns were dealt with. The design calls for a commercial ground floor and a large residence spread across three storeys. (Courtesy of MJM Architect Inc.)
Alyssa Gerwing, who became executive director of the Sidney Museum and Archives in September 2020, will leave her position effective May 14 to pursue new career opportunities. (Amanda Cribdon Photography/submitted).

Executive director moving on from Sidney Museum and Archives

Set to leave May 14, Alyssa Gerwing followed long-time director Peter Garnham

Alyssa Gerwing, who became executive director of the Sidney Museum and Archives in September 2020, will leave her position effective May 14 to pursue new career opportunities. (Amanda Cribdon Photography/submitted).
Nine municipalities on Vancouver Island, including six Greater Victoria communities, won’t have to pick up RCMP dispatching costs for another three years. (Black Press Media file photo)

9 Vancouver Island communities officially get 3-year reprieve on police dispatching costs

Downloading of RCMP call taking, dispatching costs delayed until 2025

Nine municipalities on Vancouver Island, including six Greater Victoria communities, won’t have to pick up RCMP dispatching costs for another three years. (Black Press Media file photo)
Several music-themed events are returning to Sidney’s Beacon Park for 2022, but the costs of portable toilets has led some organizers to withdraw applications. (Black Press Media file photo)

Special events set to return to Sidney parks starting in May

Cost, availability of portable toilets a roadblock for some smaller events

Several music-themed events are returning to Sidney’s Beacon Park for 2022, but the costs of portable toilets has led some organizers to withdraw applications. (Black Press Media file photo)
Michael Tellier, 37, has been sentenced in relation to his 2020 child pornography possession arrest. (Black Press Media file)

Former Greater Victoria cadets instructor sentenced for child porn possession

Michael Ryan Tellier, arrested in 2020, led squadrons in North Saanich, Victoria

Michael Tellier, 37, has been sentenced in relation to his 2020 child pornography possession arrest. (Black Press Media file)