Wolf Depner

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Organizers say some 100 vehicles rallied against plans by the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Victoria to sell 40 acres of its 98-acre property in Metchosin. (Barb Sawatsky/Submitted)

Proposed subdivision of green space in Metchosin draws 100 vehicles in protest

Plans for land owned by Boys Girls Club of Greater Victoria affects entire region, say residents

Organizers say some 100 vehicles rallied against plans by the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Victoria to sell 40 acres of its 98-acre property in Metchosin. (Barb Sawatsky/Submitted)
Robert Schram, here seen in January 2016, died Saturday, according to a friend. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney, Saanich Peninsula mourn the death of Mr. Beads

Bead artist Robert Schram was a familiar, well-loved figure in Sidney and beyond

Robert Schram, here seen in January 2016, died Saturday, according to a friend. (Black Press Media file photo)
Peninsula Alert System will offer more alerts under a new platform coming online March 25. Existing subscribers will receive a prompt to register at the new website. New subscribers can sign up any time by visiting the website of their local municipality. (Black Press Media File)

New emergency alert platform for Saanich Peninsula Alert promises more options

Upgraded system goes online March 25

Peninsula Alert System will offer more alerts under a new platform coming online March 25. Existing subscribers will receive a prompt to register at the new website. New subscribers can sign up any time by visiting the website of their local municipality. (Black Press Media File)
A cat died in this house fire in Sidney Sunday afternoon. The fire started on the house’s deck and spread from that point. Sidney Volunteer Fire Department Chief Brett Mikkelsen said the permanent presence of crews at the Community Safety Building prevented worse damage. (Photo courtesy of Clayton Firth)

UPDATED: Dog saved from Sidney house fire

Woman living in the house has also received emergency support

A cat died in this house fire in Sidney Sunday afternoon. The fire started on the house’s deck and spread from that point. Sidney Volunteer Fire Department Chief Brett Mikkelsen said the permanent presence of crews at the Community Safety Building prevented worse damage. (Photo courtesy of Clayton Firth)
Office vacancy rates are rising in Greater Victoria while the supply of industrial land is shrinking. (Black Press Media File)

Report finds supply of industrial land in Greater Victoria shrinking

Office vacancy rates in Greater Victoria continue to rise

Office vacancy rates are rising in Greater Victoria while the supply of industrial land is shrinking. (Black Press Media File)
SD62 has announced a COVID-19 exposure at David Cameron Elementary in Colwood. (Black Press Media file photo) SD 62 (Sooke) has announced a COVID-19 exposure at David Cameron Elementary in Colwood. Potential exposure dates are Monday, Feb. 22; Tuesday, Feb. 23; and Wednesday, Feb. 24. (Black Press Media File).

COVID-19 exposure at Colwood’s David Cameron Elementary

Potential exposure dates are Feb. 22-24

SD62 has announced a COVID-19 exposure at David Cameron Elementary in Colwood. (Black Press Media file photo) SD 62 (Sooke) has announced a COVID-19 exposure at David Cameron Elementary in Colwood. Potential exposure dates are Monday, Feb. 22; Tuesday, Feb. 23; and Wednesday, Feb. 24. (Black Press Media File).
Central Saanich has received funding for a new multi-use pathway that promises to improve access to Butchart Gardens. (Black Press Media File)

Central Saanich receives grant for multi-use pathway to Butchart Gardens

Province funds entirety of $322,800 project through economic recovery grant program

Central Saanich has received funding for a new multi-use pathway that promises to improve access to Butchart Gardens. (Black Press Media File)
Council has recommended that the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) approve a cannabis retail application by Buds Cannabis. It plans to open the store in the 9700-block of Second Street. It would be the business’ second outlet (it has an outlet in Central Saanich) and the second such business in Sidney. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney recommends approval of licence for second pot shop

Councillors also push back against public concerns about Sidney’s image

Council has recommended that the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) approve a cannabis retail application by Buds Cannabis. It plans to open the store in the 9700-block of Second Street. It would be the business’ second outlet (it has an outlet in Central Saanich) and the second such business in Sidney. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
Ownership of SISȻENEM — also known as Halibut Island located east off Sidney Island — has transferred to W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council after The Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC) had purchased the island for $1.55 million. (The Land Conservancy/Submitted)

SISȻENEM (Halibut Island) transfers to W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council under historic agreement

The Land Conservancy purchased the 9.67-acre island for $1.55 million with help from unnamed donor

Ownership of SISȻENEM — also known as Halibut Island located east off Sidney Island — has transferred to W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council after The Land Conservancy of British Columbia (TLC) had purchased the island for $1.55 million. (The Land Conservancy/Submitted)
Shannon Davis, manager at Sidney’s Star Cinema, holds up the largest available bag of popcorn available for sale at the theatre. It also also sells four smaller sizes in generating revenue following its closure last fall because of COVID-19. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)

Sidney theatre fills bottom line with popcorn sales

Theatre applying to return to doing our household-only private rentals

Shannon Davis, manager at Sidney’s Star Cinema, holds up the largest available bag of popcorn available for sale at the theatre. It also also sells four smaller sizes in generating revenue following its closure last fall because of COVID-19. (Wolf Depner/News Staff)
The value of new construction in North Saanich topped $52.1 million in 2020 (Peninsula News Review)

Value of new construction in North Saanich topped $52.1 million in 2020

New figures also show 25 per cent increase in number of new secondary suites

The value of new construction in North Saanich topped $52.1 million in 2020 (Peninsula News Review)
This rendering shows plans for the new “flyover”overpass connecting northbound traffic on Highway 17 heading west on Keating Cross Road. Plans currently seeking public input propose two options for the median along Keating Cross Road. Option 1 will prevent left turns onto Tamany Drive and Buena Vista Road. Option 2 (seen here)will allow for left turns onto Tamany Drive and Bujena Vista Road. (Screencap/Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure)

Public asked for comment on proposed overpass for Pat Bay in Central Saanich

New flyover overpass proposed for Highway 17 and Keating Cross Road

This rendering shows plans for the new “flyover”overpass connecting northbound traffic on Highway 17 heading west on Keating Cross Road. Plans currently seeking public input propose two options for the median along Keating Cross Road. Option 1 will prevent left turns onto Tamany Drive and Buena Vista Road. Option 2 (seen here)will allow for left turns onto Tamany Drive and Bujena Vista Road. (Screencap/Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure)
Visitors to Island View Beach Regional Park in Central Saanich could end up paying for parking. (Black Press Media File)

Proposed parking fees for Island View Beach under fire

Central Saanich councillor says timing could not be worse

Visitors to Island View Beach Regional Park in Central Saanich could end up paying for parking. (Black Press Media File)
BC Ferries carried 2.9 million passengers and 1.6 million vehicles during the final three months of 2020, a decrease of 39.6 per cent and 22.3 per cent compared to the same period in 2019. (Black Press Media file photo)

BC Ferries’ passenger count down 42 per cent as red ink dots third quarter report

Losses would have been worse without federal-provincial funding

BC Ferries carried 2.9 million passengers and 1.6 million vehicles during the final three months of 2020, a decrease of 39.6 per cent and 22.3 per cent compared to the same period in 2019. (Black Press Media file photo)
Pickleball’s popularity is rising and Central Saanich promises to consider the needs of the sport during park master planning in 2022. But it won’t add an additional court before that process. (Black Press Media File)

Central Saanich puts pickleball off to parks master plan discussion

Municipality won’t add additional court before parks master planning

Pickleball’s popularity is rising and Central Saanich promises to consider the needs of the sport during park master planning in 2022. But it won’t add an additional court before that process. (Black Press Media File)
Higher prices at the pump contributed to a one per cent jump in the Consumer Price Index in January 2021 compared to 12 months ago. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)

Higher gas prices led to higher consumer prices in January

Prices for other goods including food also but at a slower pace

Higher prices at the pump contributed to a one per cent jump in the Consumer Price Index in January 2021 compared to 12 months ago. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press)
The number of housing units that started construction across Greater Victoria declined by 12.4 per cent in 2020 compared to the number started in 2019, according to a new report. (Black Press Media File)

New report finds residential development in Greater Victoria ‘resilient’

New construction starts drop 12.4 per cent in 2020 compared to 2019

The number of housing units that started construction across Greater Victoria declined by 12.4 per cent in 2020 compared to the number started in 2019, according to a new report. (Black Press Media File)
Canadian cannabis retailers saw their year-to-year sales of cannabis double in 2020, from about $148 million in December 2019 to $298 million in December 2020. (Black Press Media File)

Canadian retail sales of cannabis double in December 2020 compared to December 2019

COVID-19 pandemic caused largest decline in Canadian retail since 2009

Canadian cannabis retailers saw their year-to-year sales of cannabis double in 2020, from about $148 million in December 2019 to $298 million in December 2020. (Black Press Media File)
Recent comments from officials representing Washington State Ferries (WSF) offer a case of bad-news, good-news for the future of the ferry connecting Sidney with the United States. (Black Press Media File)

Sidney-to-Anacortes ferry suspended until fall 2021

WSF has no plans to cut service in long-run

Recent comments from officials representing Washington State Ferries (WSF) offer a case of bad-news, good-news for the future of the ferry connecting Sidney with the United States. (Black Press Media File)
Communication and accountability are among contributing factors for a decline in property crime in Sidney, says the head of the local RCMP detachment. (Courtesy of Sidney/North Saanich RCMP)

Sidney witnessed ‘significant fluctuations’ in crime over 2020 according to top cop

Staff-Sgt. Wayne Conley lauds decline in property crime

Communication and accountability are among contributing factors for a decline in property crime in Sidney, says the head of the local RCMP detachment. (Courtesy of Sidney/North Saanich RCMP)