Austin Westphal

Campus View Elementary in Saanich has a new soft, non-slip playground surface made from 281 recycled B.C. scrap tires. (Courtesy Tire Stewardship BC)

Old tires give one Saanich elementary school’s playground a sustainable makeover

Campus View Elementary installs new playground surface made from recycled tires

Campus View Elementary in Saanich has a new soft, non-slip playground surface made from 281 recycled B.C. scrap tires. (Courtesy Tire Stewardship BC)
The District of Saanich reached a tentative settlement with municipal workers represented by CUPE Local 2011 on Tuesday (Oct. 25) morning. (Black Press Media file photo)

District of Saanich, labour union reach tentative agreement after nearly a year

Municipal workers to vote on terms of agreement Nov. 3

The District of Saanich reached a tentative settlement with municipal workers represented by CUPE Local 2011 on Tuesday (Oct. 25) morning. (Black Press Media file photo)
A provincial court has ruled that a judicial recount is not required for a close council race, the District of Saanich announced on Oct. 25. (Black Press Media file photo)

There won’t be a recount in tight Saanich council race

Rishi Sharma requested the recount after falling short of Teale Phelps Bondaroff by only 11 votes

A provincial court has ruled that a judicial recount is not required for a close council race, the District of Saanich announced on Oct. 25. (Black Press Media file photo)
Retired Staff Sgt.-Maj. Kathy Rochlitz (left), Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin, Craig Thompson, Dave Sinclair and Norm Scott pose for a photo after presenting the first poppy at Government House on Oct. 25. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

B.C. lieutenant governor presented with first poppy to kick off 2022 campaign

Funds raised from annual Royal Canadian Legion poppy campaign supports veteran

Retired Staff Sgt.-Maj. Kathy Rochlitz (left), Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin, Craig Thompson, Dave Sinclair and Norm Scott pose for a photo after presenting the first poppy at Government House on Oct. 25. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Victoria police officers are reaching out to hair salons and spas in downtown as they continue to investigate a string of break-ins and robberies that stretch back to Aug. 31. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria police warn downtown spas, salons amid string of break-ins, robberies

Nine incidents of break-in, theft have been identified since Aug. 31

Victoria police officers are reaching out to hair salons and spas in downtown as they continue to investigate a string of break-ins and robberies that stretch back to Aug. 31. (Black Press Media file photo)
B.C.’s director of police services says the Township of Esquimalt needs to pay its share of the Victoria Police Department 2022 budget increase. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

Esquimalt ordered to pony up its portion of 2022 Victoria police budget increase

Esquimalt council voted against police budget expansion in March

B.C.’s director of police services says the Township of Esquimalt needs to pay its share of the Victoria Police Department 2022 budget increase. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Saanich mayoral candidate Dean Murdock explodes into excitement after winning a race that what nothing short of suspenseful. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

Dean Murdock edges out Fred Haynes for Saanich mayor

Colin Plant tops the vote for councillor, one of six incumbents to be re-elected

Saanich mayoral candidate Dean Murdock explodes into excitement after winning a race that what nothing short of suspenseful. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized just under 650 kilograms of methamphetamine, in addition to a loaded 9mm pistol in May. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Alberta man faces prison time for attempting to smuggle boatload of meth into Sidney

U.S. authorities intercepted Ted Karl Faupel before he returned to Canadian waters

U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized just under 650 kilograms of methamphetamine, in addition to a loaded 9mm pistol in May. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Fred Haynes (left) and Dean Murdock (right) are running for the mayor’s seat in the District of Saanich. (Submitted file photos)

Saanich mayoral candidates face off in feisty debate

Housing is a key issue for incumbent Fred Haynes and challenger Dean Murdock

Fred Haynes (left) and Dean Murdock (right) are running for the mayor’s seat in the District of Saanich. (Submitted file photos)
Police have cordoned off a section of Haynes Road in addition to a section of the Swan Lake trail in Saanich. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

Police incident closes section of Swan Lake trail in Saanich

Detectives on scene for investigation

Police have cordoned off a section of Haynes Road in addition to a section of the Swan Lake trail in Saanich. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Scott Adams (left) poses for a picture with several players from the Victoria Cougars Junior Hockey Club after donating blood. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

Local hockey enthusiast inspires next generation of players to give blood in Saanich

Blood donors helped save Adam Scott after life-changing car accident

Scott Adams (left) poses for a picture with several players from the Victoria Cougars Junior Hockey Club after donating blood. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
The University of Victoria’s Mirai Hayashi takes a shot at the Cordova Bay Golf Course in Saanich. Vikes men’s and women’s golf teams earned two medal in team competition and two medals in individual competition at the 2022 Canada West Championship, Oct. 3 and 4. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

Vikes men take gold, women win silver at Canada West Golf Championships in Saanich

Athletes from nine universities across Western Canada competed in teams, individually

The University of Victoria’s Mirai Hayashi takes a shot at the Cordova Bay Golf Course in Saanich. Vikes men’s and women’s golf teams earned two medal in team competition and two medals in individual competition at the 2022 Canada West Championship, Oct. 3 and 4. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Salmon at Goldstream Provincial Park in Langford. (Black Press Media file photo)

See B.C.’s salmon run in action this fall with a new interactive online map

Spotting map includes over 70 family-friendly locations across province

Salmon at Goldstream Provincial Park in Langford. (Black Press Media file photo)
Local volunteer Katherine Pulak plants a native conifer sapling at Saxe Point Park during a TD Tree Day event, hosted by the Greater Victoria Green Team and the Township of Esquimalt, on Saturday, Oct. 1. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

Out with the invasive, in with the native: Greater Victoria Green Team takes to Esquimalt

Approximately 200 trees, shrubs planted at Saxe Point Park

Local volunteer Katherine Pulak plants a native conifer sapling at Saxe Point Park during a TD Tree Day event, hosted by the Greater Victoria Green Team and the Township of Esquimalt, on Saturday, Oct. 1. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Through song and dance, Friday’s (Sept. 30) South Island Powwow at Victoria’s Royal Athletic Park memorializes the past and future of First Nations and Metis people. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

PHOTOS: South Island Powwow in Victoria celebrates Indigenous culture, resiliency

Survivors, families recognized in spirit of reconciliation

Through song and dance, Friday’s (Sept. 30) South Island Powwow at Victoria’s Royal Athletic Park memorializes the past and future of First Nations and Metis people. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Sasha Perron is a survivor of intergenerational trauma. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)

Next generation looks to take some of the burdens from residential school survivors

Greater Victoria’s Sasha Perron highlights survivors’ strength and resilience

Sasha Perron is a survivor of intergenerational trauma. (Arnold Lim/Black Press Media)
Students, community members, First Nation elders and residential school survivors gathered at Na’tsa’maht, an open-sided structure inspired by Coast Salish designs, located at Camosun College’s Lansdowne campus on Thursday, Sept. 29 to commemorate Orange Shirt Day. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Camosun College commemorates Orange Shirt Day

Students, community members gather to honour residential school survivors

Students, community members, First Nation elders and residential school survivors gathered at Na’tsa’maht, an open-sided structure inspired by Coast Salish designs, located at Camosun College’s Lansdowne campus on Thursday, Sept. 29 to commemorate Orange Shirt Day. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Corinne Saad, executive director of Gorge View Society, discusses the joint list of calls to action during a media event on Sept. 22 at the Camas Gardens Supportive Housing Site in Victoria. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

Housing crisis takes centre stage in Greater Victoria

Non-profit housing providers give calls to action ahead of elections

Corinne Saad, executive director of Gorge View Society, discusses the joint list of calls to action during a media event on Sept. 22 at the Camas Gardens Supportive Housing Site in Victoria. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Residents can provide feedback on the proposal for a new Belleville Terminal online from Sept. 20 to Oct. 20. (Black Press Media file photo)

New Belleville Terminal critical as Victoria could lose U.S. border service, warns ferry president

Redevelopment project prompted by Canada-U.S. customs agreement

Residents can provide feedback on the proposal for a new Belleville Terminal online from Sept. 20 to Oct. 20. (Black Press Media file photo)
During Smile Cookie Week, delicious chocolate chunk Smile Cookies are available at all Tim Hortons restaurants for $1 each and 23 locations across Greater Victoria will donate full proceeds to Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Smile cookie week helps families staying in Greater Victoria while receiving medical care

All proceeds from the sale of smile cookies at participating Tim Hortons to support Jeneece Place

During Smile Cookie Week, delicious chocolate chunk Smile Cookies are available at all Tim Hortons restaurants for $1 each and 23 locations across Greater Victoria will donate full proceeds to Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)