Christine van Reeuwyk

The Contra puzzle has no firm solution, but several creative options, says the Victoria toymaker that invented it. The puzzle is set to launch Jan. 26. (Courtesy of Aroundsquare)

Victoria toymaker’s puzzle with no solution offers ‘joy of open-ended building’

‘Because they can fit together in any arrangement there’s no frustration’

The Contra puzzle has no firm solution, but several creative options, says the Victoria toymaker that invented it. The puzzle is set to launch Jan. 26. (Courtesy of Aroundsquare)
A B.C.-based home recycling company offers up this cozy Oak Bay house for $125,000 delivered and installed. (Courtesy Nickel Bros.)

Oak Bay ‘Doll House’ up for grabs for $125,000 – delivery included

Nickel Bros. routinely recycles homes, moving them around the Pacific northwest

A B.C.-based home recycling company offers up this cozy Oak Bay house for $125,000 delivered and installed. (Courtesy Nickel Bros.)
The Victoria-based Pony Communications team is passionate about what it does, even when working on a space toilet campaign. (Courtesy Pony Communications)

Space toilet for NASA: Victoria firm clinches award for unique campaign

Founder adamant team spirit earned Pony Communications an Inc. business award

The Victoria-based Pony Communications team is passionate about what it does, even when working on a space toilet campaign. (Courtesy Pony Communications)
Polluted stormwater flows through a storm drain connected to a local waterway. (Courtesy Peninsula Streams Society)

Testers find tire toxin lethal to salmon in coho-bearing Saanich stream

Peninsula Streams Society is involved in a deeper look at the impacts of 6PPD-Q across the Island

Polluted stormwater flows through a storm drain connected to a local waterway. (Courtesy Peninsula Streams Society)
City streets remain slick as the sun rises in Victoria on Wednesday (Jan. 17) with snow and ice expected for much of the day. (Lauren Collins/Black Press)

Victoria, Sooke schools open, Saanich closed due to ‘significant snow’

Greater Victoria, Sooke school districts maintain classes

City streets remain slick as the sun rises in Victoria on Wednesday (Jan. 17) with snow and ice expected for much of the day. (Lauren Collins/Black Press)
Former Langford resident singer-songwriter Nate Silas launches the single Wandering Lunacy – a memoir for a late friend – on Jan. 19. (Courtesy Nate Silas)

U.K. singer-songwriter’s latest single celebrates Langford, late friend

Nate Silas plans to donate proceeds to The Compassionate Friends

Former Langford resident singer-songwriter Nate Silas launches the single Wandering Lunacy – a memoir for a late friend – on Jan. 19. (Courtesy Nate Silas)
People enjoying the pop-up ice rink at Bow pond in Saanich. (Photo courtesy of Michael Motek)

More snow, freezing rain could cause havoc on Greater Victoria streets

Temperatures hovering near 0 C create uncertainty over what may fall from the skies

People enjoying the pop-up ice rink at Bow pond in Saanich. (Photo courtesy of Michael Motek)
Hill busy with children and a growing number of adults enjoying the snow in North Saanich near Victoria International Airport. (Black Press Media photo))

As arctic outflows creep into Vancouver Island, here’s how to prepare

Wind chill effects could lead to temperatures feeling as low as -20C in some areas

Hill busy with children and a growing number of adults enjoying the snow in North Saanich near Victoria International Airport. (Black Press Media photo))
The basic pet grab and go bag. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Simple steps for preparedness as extreme weather set to hit Greater Victoria

Some things are free – like knocking on the neighbour’s door

The basic pet grab and go bag. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
The regional trail at Borden and McKenzie features bollards with good visibility. (Google Maps)

Saanich asks CRD to pull bollards that cause cyclists ‘horrific’ injuries

While no firm policy exists, district veers away from using the concrete posts

The regional trail at Borden and McKenzie features bollards with good visibility. (Google Maps)
Makwa is among the artists showing in the exhibit Building Bridges: An art exhibit by local street community artists at Cedar Hill Rec. Centre Jan. 10 to Feb. 4. (Photo by Star Casement)

Victoria duo breaks barriers with Saanich show by street community artists

Building Bridges: An art exhibit by local street community artists runs Jan. 10 to Feb. 4

Makwa is among the artists showing in the exhibit Building Bridges: An art exhibit by local street community artists at Cedar Hill Rec. Centre Jan. 10 to Feb. 4. (Photo by Star Casement)
Waves wash over Dallas Road and storm watchers in Victoria on Jan. 9. Wind and waves prompted the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority to close both upper and lower paths of The Breakwater. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

VIDEO: Storm surge closes Greater Victoria roads, trails, breakwater

Gale-force winds, storm surge and seasonably high tides fling waves on shore

Waves wash over Dallas Road and storm watchers in Victoria on Jan. 9. Wind and waves prompted the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority to close both upper and lower paths of The Breakwater. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
More than 10,000 customers are without power Tuesday (Jan. 9) morning. (BC Hydro)

Ferries cancelled, thousands without power as storm hits south Island

Wind to ease Tuesday afternoon, deep freeze expected Thursday

More than 10,000 customers are without power Tuesday (Jan. 9) morning. (BC Hydro)
Thursday’s deep chill could bring just about any winter weather. (Black Press Media file photo)

Welcome winter: El Nino takes a break as arctic air hits Greater Victoria

Winter weather conditions can quickly become dangerous with little or no warning

Thursday’s deep chill could bring just about any winter weather. (Black Press Media file photo)
Connie McCann, president of the Victoria Regional Pickleball Association, practises with a quieter OWL paddle at the city courts in Beacon Hill Park. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Pickleball blowing up in Greater Victoria – along with efforts to dampen noise

Players’ association president tests noise reducing paddle to start the year

Connie McCann, president of the Victoria Regional Pickleball Association, practises with a quieter OWL paddle at the city courts in Beacon Hill Park. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
The Greater Victoria Public Library axes late fines, clears backlog owed as of Jan. 10. (Black Press Media file photo)

Longest overdue book returned to Greater Victoria library 82 years late

GVPL nixes fines starting Jan. 10 in a bid to make libraries more accessible

The Greater Victoria Public Library axes late fines, clears backlog owed as of Jan. 10. (Black Press Media file photo)
Andrew Appleton, chair of the GVPL board peruses titles at the pop-up branch at the Monterey Recreation Centre in 2023. (Black Press Media file photo)

Library ditches fines, expunges accounts for Greater Victoria readers

Rise of digital materials that don’t accrue fines, means decline in revenue

Andrew Appleton, chair of the GVPL board peruses titles at the pop-up branch at the Monterey Recreation Centre in 2023. (Black Press Media file photo)
Hundreds filled Willows Park on Dec. 30, 2017 to remember Aubrey and Chloe Berry. (Black Press Media file photo)
Dec. 30 memorial Aubrey and Chloe Berry Oak Bay children murdered by their father on Christmas Day 2017. (Keri Coles/News Staff)

Oak Bay remembers murdered sisters with flowers, balloons and snacks

Chloe, 4, and Aubrey, 6, were murdered by their father on Christmas Day 2017

Hundreds filled Willows Park on Dec. 30, 2017 to remember Aubrey and Chloe Berry. (Black Press Media file photo)
Dec. 30 memorial Aubrey and Chloe Berry Oak Bay children murdered by their father on Christmas Day 2017. (Keri Coles/News Staff)
(Black Press Media file photo)

UPDATE: Missing teen located, say police

Missing person alert issued Dec. 28

(Black Press Media file photo)
The Center for Whale Research celebrates reports and photos from Puget Sound killer whale researchers Maya and Mark Sears of a new calf with J pod on Dec. 26. (Maya Sears NMFS Permit 27052/Center for Whale Research)

Southern resident orca family in Puget Sound welcomes first baby of 2023

Young killer whale documented in Puget Sound on Boxing Day

The Center for Whale Research celebrates reports and photos from Puget Sound killer whale researchers Maya and Mark Sears of a new calf with J pod on Dec. 26. (Maya Sears NMFS Permit 27052/Center for Whale Research)