A look back at what made the news in past years.
Week of Sept. 9
Angry scrawls on private property signs, the Victoria Shamrocks looking for revenge following Mann Cup qualifications, a Corvette crash that sent it’s alternator through the window of another car, a failed kidnapping attempt in broad daylight and children nine to 12-years-old setting off a fire that spread out over two hectares are among the news items from past editions of the Goldstream Gazette going back three decades.
2005 - Sept. 7
Angry messages and a dismantled wire fence have confused and upset a local landowner. Signs on his own property saying, “We ask that you please keep outside this fence line” were vandalized, smothered in a layer of red marker stating “RESIDENTIAL MOVEMENT” and “SELFISH PRICK.” The 5.5-acre property had been brought forth to the District of Highlands for a covenant to protect it from overdevelopment despite the fact the farmer’s own property would take a steep hit in property value from the action so the vandalism was confusing for the farmer.
Also making the news in 2005
Craig Didmon inaugurates the new Spencer Hockey Academy to almost a full cohort of youth. Nearly 60 Grades 8 and 9 students participate in a program the Spencer Middle School teacher modelled with Hockey Canada guidelines in designing the curriculum. Students spend three days on the ice, and two in the classroom learning sports and academic theory in addition to regular core classes at school.
The Victoria Shamrocks Lacrosse team is hungry for a rematch with the Peterborough Lakers after losing to them in six games in 2004. This year’s Mann Cup takes place in Victoria.
1995
Royal Roads University officially opened as a university and not a military one for the first time in five decades. Classes are open to the public following a $1-million dollar renovation for the transformation from a military college taking place in just 90 days.
Also making the news in 1995
An amazing crash that crushed a Corvette has left all injured with survivable injuries. A Chevrolet Corvette collided with and was run over by a furniture delivery van on the Trans-Canada Highway but the car’s lone occupant amazingly survived. The van ended up down an embankment following the crash that sent the Corvette’s alternator hurtling through the air into another vehicle and lodged into the window. The woman driving that car left uninjured.
Speed limits in Highlands have been dropped dramatically. The municipal council recently passed a bylaw restricting speeds to no more than 30 kilometres per hour on all but a few portions of three roads in the District of Highlands. Speed limits used to be a blanket 50 kilometres per hour.
1985
John Schuttinga, who threatened to resign his chairmanship of the planning and zoning committee and his membership of other council committees said he has decided against resigning. His resignation was sparked by a proposed development permit for the Bingo Palace due to open shortly on Colwood Corners where he charged unwarranted interference by mayor Geoff Dunn and Ald. Brian Dallin in his area of control.
Also making the news in 1985
Two hectares of extremely steep grassed and treed terrain were extensively damaged by a bush fire set by three youths aged nine to 12 playing with a lighter. Two forestry water bombers dropped eight loads of water atop Blinkhorn Mountain in Metchosin to help get the the blaze under control.
RCMP set up road blocks and searched Metchosin with a helicopter and police dogs but were unable to locate a man who allegedly grabbed a 17-year-old woman from behind and tried to drag her into bushes near First Duke Road. The woman managed to escape when the man fled after a motorist saw what was happening and pulled over to offer assistance.
- Complied by Arnold Lim