West Shore

A black bear lumbers along the banks of the Sooke River. A wildlife advocate says that weather impacts bears’ behaviour because it affects their food source. (Contributed - Gary Schroyen)

Bears need personal space as they prepare for winter, says B.C. wildlife advocate

Spring and summer weather affecting black bear hibernation schedule

 

Jeff Morrow’s Atkins Road property was heavily damaged by flood waters during the record-breaking Nov. 15, 2021 storm. (Black Press Media file photo)

A year after record-breaking storm nearly took his house, B.C. man shares costly journey

Jeff Morrow thankful for the support he has received, feels better support system still needed

 

Placing coins on gravestones is a practice that is believed to have started during the Vietnam War. (Black Press Media file photo)

Coins on tombstones, an American tradition that has gradually taken root in Canada

Denomination of coin can show relationship to fallen soldier

  • Nov 11, 2022

 

Inmates at the William Head Institution show off their Royal Canadian Legion Branch 91 poppy box. Since at least 2016, inmates at the institution have been making donations to the West Shore Legion’s poppy campaign. (Courtesy of William Head Institution)

B.C. prisoners pitching in to keep memory of wartime sacrifices alive

Inmates at the William Head Institution on Vancouver Island make annual donations

Inmates at the William Head Institution show off their Royal Canadian Legion Branch 91 poppy box. Since at least 2016, inmates at the institution have been making donations to the West Shore Legion’s poppy campaign. (Courtesy of William Head Institution)
A defaced road sign of a logging truck is seen near the protest site of Fairy Creek on southern Vancouver Island on Oct. 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

BC Supreme Court rejects old growth protesters application to combine their cases

Application called for court to join and stay proceedings due to RCMP’s “alleged systemic misconduct”

A defaced road sign of a logging truck is seen near the protest site of Fairy Creek on southern Vancouver Island on Oct. 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Lt.-Gen. Jennie Carignan is the Canadian Armed Forces’ Chief of Professional Conduct and Culture, and is leading a ‘fundamental shift’ in how the army, navy, and air force manages its professional conduct and culture. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Armed forces conduct chief talks about making a ‘fundamental shift’ in Canada’s military

Lt.-Gen. Jennie Carignan leads charge to address internal sexual misconduct, racism and misogyny

Lt.-Gen. Jennie Carignan is the Canadian Armed Forces’ Chief of Professional Conduct and Culture, and is leading a ‘fundamental shift’ in how the army, navy, and air force manages its professional conduct and culture. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
This orca-themed Sooke listing is making a splash on social media. (Realtor.ca)

A whale of a good time: Orca-themed home hits the market in Greater Victoria

Whale-themed listing making a splash on social media

This orca-themed Sooke listing is making a splash on social media. (Realtor.ca)
Salmon at Goldstream Provincial Park in Langford. (Black Press Media file photo)

See B.C.’s salmon run in action this fall with a new interactive online map

Spotting map includes over 70 family-friendly locations across province

Salmon at Goldstream Provincial Park in Langford. (Black Press Media file photo)
John Prevost uses art in his own healing journey and to help others. See story on page A6. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)

From residential school to prison, B.C. man has come a long way in healing journey

Decades of addiction led Vancouver Island artist John Prevost to help others

John Prevost uses art in his own healing journey and to help others. See story on page A6. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)
Sasha Perron ran 216 kilometres in just 18 days last year – one for each child found at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, plus an extra one for all the children who weren’t found. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)

Next generation looks to take some of the burdens from residential school survivors

Greater Victoria’s Sasha Perron highlights survivors’ strength and resilience

Sasha Perron ran 216 kilometres in just 18 days last year – one for each child found at the site of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, plus an extra one for all the children who weren’t found. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)
Janet Hanuse (left) with her youngest child Elleanna Hunt. Their family is working on breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma from residential schools. (Photo by Nicole Crescenzi)

Breaking the cycle: How one B.C. woman’s healing journey is being passed to her children

Janet Hanuse talks about intergenerational trauma and how it’s impacted her family

  • Sep 30, 2022
Janet Hanuse (left) with her youngest child Elleanna Hunt. Their family is working on breaking the cycle of intergenerational trauma from residential schools. (Photo by Nicole Crescenzi)
Elder May Sam at her home in Tsartlip First Nation. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)

Decades of silence: Elder May Sam shares the abuse she endured at a B.C. Indian day school

Beaten and humiliated, Sam never told her children or husband about her experiences

Elder May Sam at her home in Tsartlip First Nation. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)
The Witness Blanket residential schools art exhibit is now available on a newly launched interactive website. (witnessblanket.ca)

B.C. artist’s Witness Blanket for National Truth and Reconciliation now accessible to all

Created by Carey Newman, the art installation had previously only been viewable in person

The Witness Blanket residential schools art exhibit is now available on a newly launched interactive website. (witnessblanket.ca)
Elder Victor Underwood near his home on the Saanich Peninsula. “Every time we talk about residential schools it always opens all the pains I’ve been carrying,” he said. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)

B.C. survivor recounts how residential school cost him his teeth and so much more

Tsawout’s Victor Underwood is a survivor of St. Mary’s Indian Residential School

Elder Victor Underwood near his home on the Saanich Peninsula. “Every time we talk about residential schools it always opens all the pains I’ve been carrying,” he said. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)
A Colwood woman was sentenced to five and a half years in jail for sexually assaulting and luring a 15-year-old boy. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria woman sentenced to 5.5 years for sexually assaulting 15-year-old boy

Consecutive sentences for two counts of sexual assault, one count of internet luring

A Colwood woman was sentenced to five and a half years in jail for sexually assaulting and luring a 15-year-old boy. (Black Press Media file photo)
Ocean Network Canada field services manager Dirk Brussow and senior project engineer Nicolai Bailly with the recovered wave glider from the seafloor geodesy system project. (Courtesy of Ocean Networks Canada)

Research off B.C. coast aims to shake our understanding of megathrust earthquakes

Ocean Networks Canada team measuring tectonic plate movements underwater

Ocean Network Canada field services manager Dirk Brussow and senior project engineer Nicolai Bailly with the recovered wave glider from the seafloor geodesy system project. (Courtesy of Ocean Networks Canada)
(Black Press Media Creative)

Province takes aim at cost of living with 2% rent cap, increased tax benefits

75 per cent of B.C. families will receive larger financial boost, says finance minister

(Black Press Media Creative)
The Ministry of Forests has upgraded Vancouver Island’s drought level warning to level 3 after a long period of hot weather and no rain. (Courtesy of Ministry of Forests)

Vancouver Island’s drought rating rises to level 3

Province asking people to cut back on water usage, may add restrictions if conditions don’t improve

The Ministry of Forests has upgraded Vancouver Island’s drought level warning to level 3 after a long period of hot weather and no rain. (Courtesy of Ministry of Forests)
One of the missing wolves, a cub called Tempest, was eventually located and is back with the pack. (Courtesy GVZoo)

Canadian forces drones tapped to help look for escaped B.C. zoo wolves

Drone used infrared imaging to search for wolves on property neighbouring the zoo

One of the missing wolves, a cub called Tempest, was eventually located and is back with the pack. (Courtesy GVZoo)
Mike Bodman, manager for base safety and environment at CFB Esquimalt said wildlife has been returning to the harbour over the past few years as the remediation project has progressed. (Courtesy of CFB Esquimalt)

Seal pup born on shores of B.C. navy base, touted as sign of successful remediation

Wildlife has been returning over the past few years as the Esquimalt Harbour cleanup has progressed

Mike Bodman, manager for base safety and environment at CFB Esquimalt said wildlife has been returning to the harbour over the past few years as the remediation project has progressed. (Courtesy of CFB Esquimalt)