Victoria News Staff

A fuel-absorbing boom in an ecologically sensitive area near Washington state’s San Juan Island on Aug. 17. (U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Northwest/Twitter)

Crane arriving later this week to pull fuel-leaking boat from waters near Greater Victoria

Aleutian Isle sank on Aug. 13, causing diesel spill

A fuel-absorbing boom in an ecologically sensitive area near Washington state’s San Juan Island on Aug. 17. (U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Northwest/Twitter)
The average rent for all property types in Victoria jumped 27 per cent in July over the same month in 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria rents spike at fastest rate in the country in past year

Cost of 2-bedroom suite reaches $2,836, a jump of 34.8 per cent over July 2021

The average rent for all property types in Victoria jumped 27 per cent in July over the same month in 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)
The U.S. Coast Guard on Aug. 16 recovers most of a seine fishing net that detached from a vessel that sank off between Washington state and Greater Victoria on Aug. 13. (U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Northwest/Twitter)

Currents, depth continue to hamper fuel spill response near Victoria

Accessing fishing boat still presenting a challenge, almost a week after it sank

The U.S. Coast Guard on Aug. 16 recovers most of a seine fishing net that detached from a vessel that sank off between Washington state and Greater Victoria on Aug. 13. (U.S. Coast Guard Pacific Northwest/Twitter)
Victoria’s Magnolia Hotel and Spa was fifth on the list of Tripadvisor’s top-rated Canadian stays. (Courtesy of Magnolia Hotel and Spa)

B.C. hotels make up the majority of highest-rated Canadian stays

B.C. properties well represented on Tripadvisor’s top 25 hotels in Canada list

Victoria’s Magnolia Hotel and Spa was fifth on the list of Tripadvisor’s top-rated Canadian stays. (Courtesy of Magnolia Hotel and Spa)
A Save Old Growth supporter sits atop the Victoria visitor centre Aug. 9 in a protest against old-growth logging in B.C. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Topless demonstrator perches on B.C. rooftop to expose need for ‘dramatic change’

Save Old Growth supporter launches downtown Victoria protest to end all old-growth logging

A Save Old Growth supporter sits atop the Victoria visitor centre Aug. 9 in a protest against old-growth logging in B.C. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Victoria man Scott Graham has been missing in Spain since mid-July when he lost his phone, passport, and possibly his kidney-transplant medication. (Courtesy Georgia Graham)

Investigation continues into disappearance of B.C. man in Spain

Scott Graham was last seen on July 15 in Madrid

Victoria man Scott Graham has been missing in Spain since mid-July when he lost his phone, passport, and possibly his kidney-transplant medication. (Courtesy Georgia Graham)
A technician doing maintenance on the pipe organ at St. John the Divine Church in Victoria was trapped for a short period of time Wednesday morning (July 27), a situation that prompted a response by Victoria firefighters and paramedics. (St. John the Divine/Facebook)

B.C. firefighters respond after technician trapped behind church organ

No serious injuries result from situation, Victoria Fire Department said

A technician doing maintenance on the pipe organ at St. John the Divine Church in Victoria was trapped for a short period of time Wednesday morning (July 27), a situation that prompted a response by Victoria firefighters and paramedics. (St. John the Divine/Facebook)
BC Ferries anticipates moving nearly 140,000 vehicles and more than 400,000 foot passengers over the long weekend. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. Ferries prepares for busy B.C. Day long weekend

Expected heavy traffic volumes will see fleet operating at maximum capacity

BC Ferries anticipates moving nearly 140,000 vehicles and more than 400,000 foot passengers over the long weekend. (Black Press Media file photo)
Victoria’s Fairmont Empress hotel was third best city hotel in Canada by Travel + Leisure. (Courtesy of Fairmont Empress hotel)

Five B.C. hotels hit Canada’s Top 10 for international travellers

Victoria’s Empress, Hotel Vancouver among a 6 Fairmont properties on the Travel + Leisure list

Victoria’s Fairmont Empress hotel was third best city hotel in Canada by Travel + Leisure. (Courtesy of Fairmont Empress hotel)
A video on TikTok showing passengers thanking BC Transit drivers has almost three million views. (The Fat Passport/TikTok)

Sorry, but polite B.C. transit service has TikTok world talking

Victoria video of people thanking bus drivers sparks debate and raises eyebrows

A video on TikTok showing passengers thanking BC Transit drivers has almost three million views. (The Fat Passport/TikTok)
BC Ferries is warning customers it is experiencing issues with credit and debit transaction onboard its vessels and at many of its terminals Friday due to the nationwide Rogers outage. (Black Press Media file photo)

Rogers outage affecting use of debit, debit credit cards at BC Ferries terminals, on vessels

Ferry operator among many experiencing service interruption due to nationwide outage

BC Ferries is warning customers it is experiencing issues with credit and debit transaction onboard its vessels and at many of its terminals Friday due to the nationwide Rogers outage. (Black Press Media file photo)
A J-pod southern resident killer whale pictured in 2018 versus this year. Twelve J- and K-pod whales were deemed vulnerable by Washington state on June 30. (Courtesy of SR3 Sealife Response, Rehabilitation, and Research/Washington state)

12 southern resident killer whales designated as ‘vulnerable’

The whales have been identified as pregnant or in poor condition

A J-pod southern resident killer whale pictured in 2018 versus this year. Twelve J- and K-pod whales were deemed vulnerable by Washington state on June 30. (Courtesy of SR3 Sealife Response, Rehabilitation, and Research/Washington state)
Mathew and Isaac Auchterlonie, 22-year-old twins from Duncan, have been identified by police as the suspects killed during an exchange of gunfire June 28 at a bank in Saanich. (Courtesy of BC RCMP)

UPDATE: Saanich bank shootout suspects confirmed as 22-year-old twins from Duncan

No motive is known and police continue to ask the public to come forward with any information

Mathew and Isaac Auchterlonie, 22-year-old twins from Duncan, have been identified by police as the suspects killed during an exchange of gunfire June 28 at a bank in Saanich. (Courtesy of BC RCMP)
Notorious Canadian bank robber-author Stephen Reid talks to media in Victoria in 2015, before his death in 2018. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dirk Meissner)

Looking Back: Meet Greater Victoria’s most notorious bank robber

Stephen Reid spent decades in Canadian, U.S. prisons for his role in the Stopwatch Gang

Notorious Canadian bank robber-author Stephen Reid talks to media in Victoria in 2015, before his death in 2018. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dirk Meissner)
Two Save Old Growth protesters blocking Highway 1 at the Columbia River Bridge in Revelstoke. The group says it will end its highway protests as of June 29. (Josh Piercey/Revelstoke Review)

Protesters say B.C.’s old growth forest battle will no longer be blocking your commute

Save Old Growth ending campaign of highway protests while maintaining its call for logging ban

Two Save Old Growth protesters blocking Highway 1 at the Columbia River Bridge in Revelstoke. The group says it will end its highway protests as of June 29. (Josh Piercey/Revelstoke Review)
Multiple people have been injured during a gunfire exchange at Bank of Montreal location on Shelbourne Street near Pear Street. The incident happened around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday (June 28). (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Multiple people have been injured during a gunfire exchange at Bank of Montreal location on Shelbourne Street near Pear Street. The incident happened around 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday (June 28). (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Average monthly rents across Canada are 10.5 per cent higher than they were a year ago, according to a new rental report surveying 35 Canadian cities. (Black Press Media file photo)

Canadian renters see largest increase in 3 years between April and May

Vancouver, Burnaby, Victoria among country’s top 10 most expensive places to rent

Average monthly rents across Canada are 10.5 per cent higher than they were a year ago, according to a new rental report surveying 35 Canadian cities. (Black Press Media file photo)
The latest edition of Sashay Cafe has been cancelled after a phone call threatening violence. (Loveofdragvic/Instagram)

Victoria Pride Month drag show cancelled after threat of gun violence

All-ages drag show was scheduled for Saturday evening, police investigating

The latest edition of Sashay Cafe has been cancelled after a phone call threatening violence. (Loveofdragvic/Instagram)
Plans for the future of the Royal B.C. Museum continue to receive backlash as a new poll finds almost 70 per cent of British Columbians oppose the $789-million project. (RBCM/Facebook)

New Royal B.C. Museum opposed by nearly 70% of British Columbians: poll

One in five support the almost $800-million overhaul announced by the province

Plans for the future of the Royal B.C. Museum continue to receive backlash as a new poll finds almost 70 per cent of British Columbians oppose the $789-million project. (RBCM/Facebook)
Some June 10 and 12 sailings between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland on the Queen of New Westminster BC Ferries vessel have been cancelled due to staffing shortages. (Black Press Media file photo)

Six weekend BC Ferries sailings cancelled due to staff shortages

Baggage services suspended on one route, Sunshine Coasts sailings running again

Some June 10 and 12 sailings between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland on the Queen of New Westminster BC Ferries vessel have been cancelled due to staffing shortages. (Black Press Media file photo)