Aaron Guillen

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The Sooke School District raised more than $18,000 for the Goldstream and Sooke food banks from the funds of 10,000 Tonight in December 2020. The funds go two- to 2.5-times further due to the buying power of the food banks. (Black Press Media file photo)

SD62 high school students raise more than $18,000 for food banks

Edward Milne in Sooke rakes in $11,000 alone

The Sooke School District raised more than $18,000 for the Goldstream and Sooke food banks from the funds of 10,000 Tonight in December 2020. The funds go two- to 2.5-times further due to the buying power of the food banks. (Black Press Media file photo)
Sooke’s Edward Milne Community School raised more than $11,000 for 10,000 Tonight, the annual event that usually collects non-perishables for the Sooke Food Bank. This year, the school only accepted online donations and held an online auction. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sooke school crushes 10,000 Tonight goal, raises $11,000 for Sooke Food Bank

Online auction replaces collection of food items

Sooke’s Edward Milne Community School raised more than $11,000 for 10,000 Tonight, the annual event that usually collects non-perishables for the Sooke Food Bank. This year, the school only accepted online donations and held an online auction. (Black Press Media file photo)
SD62 bus driver Kerry Zado said it’s common to see drivers lose their patience and pass by his bus while he’s picking up students during the morning commute. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)

School bus driver laments motorists who pass while red lights are flashing

All buses in Sooke School District outfitted with stop sign cameras

SD62 bus driver Kerry Zado said it’s common to see drivers lose their patience and pass by his bus while he’s picking up students during the morning commute. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)
Inmates at Metchosin’s William Head Institution are being given COVID-19 vaccines as part of the first phase. Around 600 inmates will be vaccinated in the coming days. (Black Press Media file photo)

William Head inmates in Metchosin receive their first doses of COVID vaccine

Priority set for older inmates and those with underlying medical conditions

Inmates at Metchosin’s William Head Institution are being given COVID-19 vaccines as part of the first phase. Around 600 inmates will be vaccinated in the coming days. (Black Press Media file photo)
Stair care in Colwood Colwood Coun. Michael Baxter says Latoria Creek Park is now more enjoyable and safe to take a stroll through due to the latest upgrades completed on the staircase. Four long sets of nature stairs now include slip-proof metal steps. The elevated staircase also allows for better air flow to slow the rotting process, and metal handrails to prevent splinters. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)

Colwood unveils massive upgrade to popular park staircase

Upgrades include slip-proof metal steps, metal handrails and raised design

Stair care in Colwood Colwood Coun. Michael Baxter says Latoria Creek Park is now more enjoyable and safe to take a stroll through due to the latest upgrades completed on the staircase. Four long sets of nature stairs now include slip-proof metal steps. The elevated staircase also allows for better air flow to slow the rotting process, and metal handrails to prevent splinters. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)
A Sooke woman is speaking up after she was almost tricked by a lottery scam, claiming she had won $950,000 with Set for Life Lottery. (File Photo)

‘I wanted it to be true so badly’: Sooke woman almost falls for lottery scam

88-year-old received letter stating she had won $950,000

A Sooke woman is speaking up after she was almost tricked by a lottery scam, claiming she had won $950,000 with Set for Life Lottery. (File Photo)
Coaches with the Juan de Fuca Minor Hockey association have had to get creative during their weekly practices to keep players interested and improving their skills without physical contact. (Damian Kowalewich photo)

West Shore minor hockey coach shares what it’s like on the ice without parents, fans

Most practices consist of relay races, goalie shots and passing drills

Coaches with the Juan de Fuca Minor Hockey association have had to get creative during their weekly practices to keep players interested and improving their skills without physical contact. (Damian Kowalewich photo)
(File - Sooke News Mirror)

Man exposes himself to woman, children on Sooke trail

Suspect believed to be between 55 and 65 years of age

(File - Sooke News Mirror)
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said a lack of experienced crew members and the inability to detect navigational errors is what led to a Sooke search and rescue boat running aground in February 2019. (Twitter / @VicJRCC_CCCOS)

TSB: Sooke search and rescue boat crash caused by ‘misinterpretation of navigational information’

Crew members were lacking experience and unable to detect navigational errors

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada said a lack of experienced crew members and the inability to detect navigational errors is what led to a Sooke search and rescue boat running aground in February 2019. (Twitter / @VicJRCC_CCCOS)
Sooke is one of eight RCMP-serviced municipalities in the southern Vancouver Island being asked by the province to start paying the bills for E-Comm’s police dispatch service by 2022. (Black Press Media file photo)

Province wants Sooke to cover police 911 costs by 2022

Sooke is one of eight RCMP-serviced municipalities in southern Island rollout plan

Sooke is one of eight RCMP-serviced municipalities in the southern Vancouver Island being asked by the province to start paying the bills for E-Comm’s police dispatch service by 2022. (Black Press Media file photo)
After four days, Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue have called off their search for Langford’s Timothy Ross, 38. They presume he drowned while kayaking. (Contributed - RCMP)

Search called off for kayaker missing near Sooke, officials say

Langford’s Timothy Ross, 38, most likely drowned, according to JDF search and rescue

After four days, Juan de Fuca Search and Rescue have called off their search for Langford’s Timothy Ross, 38. They presume he drowned while kayaking. (Contributed - RCMP)
Sooke’s Jim Bottomley is among a handful of futurists based in Canada. “I want to help people understand the future of humanity.” (Aaron Guillen - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke man reveals how he made a living predicting the future

63-year-old has worked with politicians, car brands, and cosmetic companies

Sooke’s Jim Bottomley is among a handful of futurists based in Canada. “I want to help people understand the future of humanity.” (Aaron Guillen - Sooke News Mirror)
Timothy Ross is described as 5’8” and 170 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes. (Contributed - RCMP)

Kayak belonging to missing Langford man found in Sooke

Ground and air crews continue search Wednesday

Timothy Ross is described as 5’8” and 170 pounds with blond hair and blue eyes. (Contributed - RCMP)
Langford resident J Scott said although she’s grateful that the two buildings proposed near her home along Fairway Avenue have been reduced to six-storeys, it’s still too tall. (Black Press Media file photo)

Proposal for two six-storey buildings still too tall, says Langford resident

First hearing for development in quiet neighborhood set for Jan. 18

Langford resident J Scott said although she’s grateful that the two buildings proposed near her home along Fairway Avenue have been reduced to six-storeys, it’s still too tall. (Black Press Media file photo)
Already this month the BCSPCA’s Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre in Metchosin has admitted 20 pine siskins found to be affected by salmonella. That’s on top of the 12 it received in December. (John Gordon photo)

Deadly salmonella outbreak flying through Greater Victoria songbird population

Experts say feeders must be either cleaned or taken down to avoid bird deaths

Already this month the BCSPCA’s Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre in Metchosin has admitted 20 pine siskins found to be affected by salmonella. That’s on top of the 12 it received in December. (John Gordon photo)
Emily Rose laid down a kindness rocks at a tribute to 16-year-old Andre Courtemanche, whose body was found Saturday at Goldstream Provincial Park in Langford. (Emily Rose photo)

‘It’s heartbreaking:’ Calls for increased mental health support following death of Langford teen

16-year-old Andre Courtemanche’s body was found at Goldstream Provincial Park

Emily Rose laid down a kindness rocks at a tribute to 16-year-old Andre Courtemanche, whose body was found Saturday at Goldstream Provincial Park in Langford. (Emily Rose photo)
Metchosin Mayor John Ranns said he has no plans to relieve Coun. Kyara Kahakauwila as deputy mayor. Kahakauwila has come under public scrutiny after travelling to Mexico for a wedding in December. (Submitted file photo)

Residents fuming, calling for Metchosin councillor to resign following travel to Mexico

Mayor John Ranns has no plans to remove Kahakauwila as deputy mayor

Metchosin Mayor John Ranns said he has no plans to relieve Coun. Kyara Kahakauwila as deputy mayor. Kahakauwila has come under public scrutiny after travelling to Mexico for a wedding in December. (Submitted file photo)
The body of missing Langford teen Andre Courtmanche, 16, was found in Goldstream Provincial Park on the evening of Jan. 9. Police do not suspect foul play and the cause of death is still under investigation. (Courtesy of West Shore RCMP)

Body of missing 16-year-old Langford teen found in Goldstream Provincial Park

Discovery made by search and rescue teams on Saturday evening

The body of missing Langford teen Andre Courtmanche, 16, was found in Goldstream Provincial Park on the evening of Jan. 9. Police do not suspect foul play and the cause of death is still under investigation. (Courtesy of West Shore RCMP)
(Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria politicians’ travel activities come under fire

‘Do as I say, not as I do, is the worst example of behaviour,’ says Saanich mayor

(Black Press Media file photo)
Registration for French immersion and nature kindergarten programs in the Sooke School District start at 8 a.m. on Jan. 11. Regular kindergarten registration begins on Jan. 25. Sangster Elementary is one of two schools in the district offering nature kindergarten. (File - Black Press Media)

Sooke school district continues lottery system for nature, French immersion kindergarten

Registration begins on Monday (Jan. 11) at 8 a.m.

Registration for French immersion and nature kindergarten programs in the Sooke School District start at 8 a.m. on Jan. 11. Regular kindergarten registration begins on Jan. 25. Sangster Elementary is one of two schools in the district offering nature kindergarten. (File - Black Press Media)