Local News

Former Kwalikum Secondary student Harrison Houde has found success as an actor. (Submitted photo)

Former Vancouver Island student makes his mark in Hollywood

Qualicum’s Harrison Houde an inspiring act for youngsters to follow

Former Kwalikum Secondary student Harrison Houde has found success as an actor. (Submitted photo)
Parksville’s McMillan Arts Centre will open again on June 18. (File photo)

Parksville’s McMillan Arts Centre set to reopen on June 18

Local artists will have work on display; COVID-19 protocols observed

  • May 30, 2020
Parksville’s McMillan Arts Centre will open again on June 18. (File photo)
Brian Butler (left) and Mayor Lisa Helps at the 2019 Victoria Book Prizes Announcement Gala. (File contributed/Victoria Book Prize Society)

City seeks submissions for annual Victoria Book Prizes

City of Victoria Butler Book Prize, Children’s Book Prize each come with $5,000

Brian Butler (left) and Mayor Lisa Helps at the 2019 Victoria Book Prizes Announcement Gala. (File contributed/Victoria Book Prize Society)
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Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice coffee pods are displayed at a Target store, Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023, in New York. The latte that made pumpkin spice a star is turning 20. And unlike the autumn days it celebrates, there seems to be no chill in customer demand. Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte goes on sale Thursday in the U.S. and Canada. It’s the coffee giant’s most popular seasonal beverage, with hundreds of millions sold since its launch in 2003. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte turns 20, beloved by millions, despised by some
Artists perform at Cirque du Soleil Ovo at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)
VIDEO: Cirque du Soleil wows Victoria audience with Ovo
View Gallery curator Chai Duncan admires the work of graduating visual art student Hailin Zhang, one of the artists in the upcoming End Marks grad show. (Josef Jacobson/News Bulletin)
VIU visual art grad show presented as virtual gallery tour due to COVID-19
Lantzville singer Raymond Salgado will sing ‘O Canada’ before the Vancouver Canucks’ upcoming game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on April 17. (Photo submitted)
Lantzville singer to perform ‘O Canada’ at Vancouver Canucks game
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Neighbours gathered to enjoy a musical tribute on the bridge leading to a home on Brookview Drive in Metchosin. The band played John Prine songs in memory of the singer-songwriter who died on April 7. Less than one year ago, their bridge was host to a memorial for their neighbour, Martin Payne, who was found dead in his home in July. (Shalu Mehta/News Staff)

‘The stream is my medicine’: Payne, Prine and the healing power of music in Metchosin

Metchosin neighbours host musical tribute on bridge where memorial was held last summer

Neighbours gathered to enjoy a musical tribute on the bridge leading to a home on Brookview Drive in Metchosin. The band played John Prine songs in memory of the singer-songwriter who died on April 7. Less than one year ago, their bridge was host to a memorial for their neighbour, Martin Payne, who was found dead in his home in July. (Shalu Mehta/News Staff)
Scott Stanton and Salina Hoffman tied the knot on Saturday and were surprised by friends and family who had gathered outside to watch the ceremony from a distance. (Provided by Scott Stanton)

Friends, family suprise Current Swell singer and new wife with socially distant wedding

‘We just thought we were going over there to have a glass of champagne and do some paperwork’

Scott Stanton and Salina Hoffman tied the knot on Saturday and were surprised by friends and family who had gathered outside to watch the ceremony from a distance. (Provided by Scott Stanton)
All 12 GVPL branches closed after tonight amidst COVID-19 fears. (Black Press Media file photo)

Greater Victoria libraries shut doors until further notice

All GVPL, VIRL branches close after tonight amidst COVID-19 fears

All 12 GVPL branches closed after tonight amidst COVID-19 fears. (Black Press Media file photo)
Former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama’s talk at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre on March 31 has been postponed due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19. (Black Press Media file photo)

Michelle Obama talk in Victoria postponed amidst COVID-19 concerns

Province bans gatherings of more than 250 people

Former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama’s talk at the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre on March 31 has been postponed due to concerns over the spread of COVID-19. (Black Press Media file photo)
I Never Sang for My Father opens at St. Luke’s Players Community Theatre on March 11. (Photos from St. Luke’s Players)

St. Luke’s Players bring heartwarming drama to the stage in Saanich

‘I Never Sang for My Father’ is deeply moving, strikes universal chord on the topic of aging parents

I Never Sang for My Father opens at St. Luke’s Players Community Theatre on March 11. (Photos from St. Luke’s Players)
Michelle Obama: In Conversation in Victoria, March 31

Michelle Obama: In Conversation in Victoria, March 31

Former First Lady hosted by Victoria Chamber for moderated event at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre

Michelle Obama: In Conversation in Victoria, March 31
Acclaimed Cuban jazz pianist Pablo Cardenas is one of the performers taking part in We Are One! at First Metropolitan United Church on Saturday, Nov. 30. (Photo contributed by West Coast Reach Association)

We Are One! celebrates solidarity, inclusion with song and dance

Nov. 30 performance includes performers from across Greater Victoria

  • Nov 18, 2019
Acclaimed Cuban jazz pianist Pablo Cardenas is one of the performers taking part in We Are One! at First Metropolitan United Church on Saturday, Nov. 30. (Photo contributed by West Coast Reach Association)
Audience members at the Vic Theatre frequently dress up like characters from The Rocky Horror Picture Show when attending the film. (Photo via Victoria Film Festival)

Advice for first-time Rocky Horror Picture Show attendees

Get ready to dance, sing and throw toast

Audience members at the Vic Theatre frequently dress up like characters from The Rocky Horror Picture Show when attending the film. (Photo via Victoria Film Festival)
Kathy Page (left) and Aidan Cassie each walked away with the Victoria Book Prize on Wednesday night. (Facebook/Victoria Book Prizes)

Two local authors walk away with Victoria Book Prize

Kathy Page and Aidan Cassie each walked away with a literary award

Kathy Page (left) and Aidan Cassie each walked away with the Victoria Book Prize on Wednesday night. (Facebook/Victoria Book Prizes)
The cast of Sooke Harbour Players upcoming attraction practices their lines as they prepare for the show. (Contributed)

Sooke Harbour Players head outdoors

A duo of comedies the latest offering from local theatre company

The cast of Sooke Harbour Players upcoming attraction practices their lines as they prepare for the show. (Contributed)
Sooke artist Sheila Thomas with her pet poodle Stroodle. Thomas wants to live the life of Canadian art icon Emily Carr for one year. (Contributed)

In the footsteps of Emily Carr

Following in a hero’s footsteps sometimes means filling some pretty big shoes.…

Sooke artist Sheila Thomas with her pet poodle Stroodle. Thomas wants to live the life of Canadian art icon Emily Carr for one year. (Contributed)
Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone was released on June 26, 1997. (IMDB Photo)

Making Millennials feel old: the first Harry Potter book was released 22 years ago

Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone was released on June 26, 1997

Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone was released on June 26, 1997. (IMDB Photo)
Calgary Flames center Derek Ryan (10) tries to get a shot past Vancouver Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) during first period NHL action at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Wednesday, Oct, 3, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Feed your hunger for Canucks hockey in Victoria this September

NHL team to host camp at Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre, exhibition vs. Calgary set for Sept. 16

Calgary Flames center Derek Ryan (10) tries to get a shot past Vancouver Canucks goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) during first period NHL action at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Wednesday, Oct, 3, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
The Gettin’ Higher Choir will perform it’s 22nd annuual Spring Benefit Concert for Mozambique on June 15 at the Alix Goolden Hall. (Black Press Media File Photo)

Folk troubadour joins Gettin’ Higher Choir for Victoria concert

June 15 performance at Alix Goolden Hall will benefit Mozambique

The Gettin’ Higher Choir will perform it’s 22nd annuual Spring Benefit Concert for Mozambique on June 15 at the Alix Goolden Hall. (Black Press Media File Photo)
Rifflandia turns 10 years old this year, and the festival’s line-up is bigger and more diverse than ever spanning country, rock, and electronic music over the four-day event. Photo contributed

Rifflandia Festival cancelled for 2019

Early Bird tickets can be refunded at point of purchase, or held and redeemed for 2020

Rifflandia turns 10 years old this year, and the festival’s line-up is bigger and more diverse than ever spanning country, rock, and electronic music over the four-day event. Photo contributed
On March 20, Judith Conway and her overdose awareness display were blessed by Pope Francis. The display is made up of flags and ribbons honouring those who have died of overdoses and those currently struggling with addiction. Photo courtesy Judith Conway

Special Report: Opioid overdose display gets blessing from the Pope, awaits a city-approved spot

Judith Conway’s large display represents people who have died from opioid overdoses

On March 20, Judith Conway and her overdose awareness display were blessed by Pope Francis. The display is made up of flags and ribbons honouring those who have died of overdoses and those currently struggling with addiction. Photo courtesy Judith Conway
Dr. Jason Wale is working to address the opioid crisis in the emergency departments at Victoria General Hospital and Royal Jubilee Hospital. (Shalu Mehta/News Staff)

Special Report: Front line work by caring emergency doctors

Dr. Jason Wale uses unique program to help people with addictions in Greater Victoria

Dr. Jason Wale is working to address the opioid crisis in the emergency departments at Victoria General Hospital and Royal Jubilee Hospital. (Shalu Mehta/News Staff)