Dawn Gibson

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A grey whale off the coast of Vancouver Island is being monitored by Canadian and U.S. researchers, as it has developed lesions after being tagged last year. To try and prevent systemic infection from developing, the team administered antibiotics to the whale on March 31 and April 1. (Photo from the NOAA Fisheries website)

Tagged grey whale off Vancouver Island given treatment after developing lesions

Canadian and U.S. whale experts administered antibiotics to the animal on March 31, April 1

A grey whale off the coast of Vancouver Island is being monitored by Canadian and U.S. researchers, as it has developed lesions after being tagged last year. To try and prevent systemic infection from developing, the team administered antibiotics to the whale on March 31 and April 1. (Photo from the NOAA Fisheries website)
Eli, left, Brent, Lindsay and Ava Wilson. (Photo courtesy of Lindsay Wilson)

West Shore families share experience in raising a child with autism

Two families reveal some parallels, but circumstances are different for everyone

Eli, left, Brent, Lindsay and Ava Wilson. (Photo courtesy of Lindsay Wilson)
Joyce, Tyler and Clarence Lazaruk. The family moved to Langford two years ago in order to live closer to their oldest son, Chad. (Dawn Gibson/News staff)

Vancouver Island parents seek a comfortable future for their son with autism

Joyce and Clarence Lazaruk moved to the Island with their son Tyler, 37, to be closer to family

Joyce, Tyler and Clarence Lazaruk. The family moved to Langford two years ago in order to live closer to their oldest son, Chad. (Dawn Gibson/News staff)
A hooded oriole was spotted visiting a feeder in Sidney, by resident Stan Coe. The photo has been flagged on the BC Rare Bird Alert website. (Photo courtesy of Stan Coe)

Rare bird spotted visiting a Vancouver Island backyard feeder

Hooded orioles are generally found in hotter climates, local bird watcher says

A hooded oriole was spotted visiting a feeder in Sidney, by resident Stan Coe. The photo has been flagged on the BC Rare Bird Alert website. (Photo courtesy of Stan Coe)
The 10-part Netflix series Maid, which is being exclusively shot in Greater Victoria, has been filming in Langford and Colwood over the past two weeks. On April 7, filming will take place on the east side of the Esquimalt Lagoon. (Black Press Media file)

Netflix series ‘Maid’ filming in Colwood

10-episode Warner Bros. production filmed exclusively in Greater Victoria

The 10-part Netflix series Maid, which is being exclusively shot in Greater Victoria, has been filming in Langford and Colwood over the past two weeks. On April 7, filming will take place on the east side of the Esquimalt Lagoon. (Black Press Media file)
Wild ARC and the BC SPCA highlighted ways we can keep baby birds safe this spring, as nesting season is in full effect from March to July. (Photo from the Wild ARC Facebook Page)

B.C. wildlife groups hatch tips on keeping baby birds safe this spring

Your guide on what to look for when you encounter a stray baby bird

Wild ARC and the BC SPCA highlighted ways we can keep baby birds safe this spring, as nesting season is in full effect from March to July. (Photo from the Wild ARC Facebook Page)
Farmers markets across the region are getting their ducks in a row for opening day. Most are planning a modified setup to continue complying with provincial health restrictions. (Photo courtesy of the Goldstream Market)

West Shore and Sooke farmers’ markets gear up for opening day

Markets modified to comply with health restrictions

Farmers markets across the region are getting their ducks in a row for opening day. Most are planning a modified setup to continue complying with provincial health restrictions. (Photo courtesy of the Goldstream Market)
West Shore RCMP has four officers specially trained as Drug Recognition Experts. (Black Press Media file photo)

Drug recognition expert brings specialized knowledge to Vancouver Island policing

West Shore police department has four officers specially trained in drug recognition

West Shore RCMP has four officers specially trained as Drug Recognition Experts. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Spirit of Vancouver Island vessel docked at the Tsawwassen terminal. (Black Press Media file photo)

BC Ferries vessel returns to dock, passenger detained by RCMP for violating COVID-19 orders

Spirit of Vancouver Island from Swartz Bay delayed, passenger ticketed

The Spirit of Vancouver Island vessel docked at the Tsawwassen terminal. (Black Press Media file photo)
In the Facebook group, Field Naturalists of Vancouver Island, a special sighting was recently shared of some swimming polychaetes in the waters of East Sooke. Louise Page, who teaches invertebrate biology and marine biology at the University of Victoria, identified the giant swimming worms to likely be Nereis brandti, also known as “the giant piling worm.” They typically live buried in the sand during the year, but when triggered by a lunar cue, will swim up in the water column to mate. (Photo courtesy of Louise Page)

Giant marine worms rising from burrows along Vancouver Island coast

Triggered by a lunar cue, the shallow water marine worms wiggle up into water column to mate

In the Facebook group, Field Naturalists of Vancouver Island, a special sighting was recently shared of some swimming polychaetes in the waters of East Sooke. Louise Page, who teaches invertebrate biology and marine biology at the University of Victoria, identified the giant swimming worms to likely be Nereis brandti, also known as “the giant piling worm.” They typically live buried in the sand during the year, but when triggered by a lunar cue, will swim up in the water column to mate. (Photo courtesy of Louise Page)
Renovations at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre in Colwood are progressing, as the arena floor and stands have been fully removed and will be replaced. The $1.9 million project is expected to be complete by June. (Photo courtesy of Grant Brown)

PHOTOS: Renovations on schedule at Juan de Fuca Rec Centre in Colwood

New rink, child care centre both expected to be complete in June

Renovations at the Juan de Fuca Recreation Centre in Colwood are progressing, as the arena floor and stands have been fully removed and will be replaced. The $1.9 million project is expected to be complete by June. (Photo courtesy of Grant Brown)
The Hudson Place 2 development, located at 1700 Blanshard St., received a $100-million loan from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The affordable housing development by Townline Homes will feature 247 multi-residential units. (Photo courtesy of Townline Homes)

Government announces $100-million loan towards Victoria affordable housing project

Townline Homes development will feature 245 multi-residential units

The Hudson Place 2 development, located at 1700 Blanshard St., received a $100-million loan from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The affordable housing development by Townline Homes will feature 247 multi-residential units. (Photo courtesy of Townline Homes)
Students in the outdoor education class at Belmont Secondary School spent a day removing broom from the small forest area near the school. Read story, page A7. (Photo courtesy of Dayna Christ-Rowling)

Langford students banish broom from forest at Belmont Secondary School

Students uncovered native plants being compromised by the invasive species

Students in the outdoor education class at Belmont Secondary School spent a day removing broom from the small forest area near the school. Read story, page A7. (Photo courtesy of Dayna Christ-Rowling)
Neill Wakefield, who appeared primarily on season five of the Discovery Channel TV show Highway Thru Hell, recently moved to Langford with his wife Tiffany. The couple, who met through the towing industry and married four years ago, wanted to settle here to live closer to family. (Photo courtesy of Neill Wakefield)

Highway Thru Hell tow truck driver shifts gears, moves to the Island

Neill Wakefield and wife, Tiffany, settle on West Shore to be closer to family

Neill Wakefield, who appeared primarily on season five of the Discovery Channel TV show Highway Thru Hell, recently moved to Langford with his wife Tiffany. The couple, who met through the towing industry and married four years ago, wanted to settle here to live closer to family. (Photo courtesy of Neill Wakefield)
Wild ARC has been sharing tips on how homeowners can protect wildlife as they do spring cleaning and yard work. Eastern cottontail rabbits (pictured above) build their nests in shallow grooves in the ground, using a mixture of fur and dry grass. (Photo from Wild ARC Facebook page)

Nesting season is upon us: Wild ARC urges caution when doing spring cleaning

Wild ARC and BC SPCA offer tips on how homeowners can keep wildlife safe

Wild ARC has been sharing tips on how homeowners can protect wildlife as they do spring cleaning and yard work. Eastern cottontail rabbits (pictured above) build their nests in shallow grooves in the ground, using a mixture of fur and dry grass. (Photo from Wild ARC Facebook page)
Const. Alex Bérubé, media relations officer with the West Shore RCMP, says he has encountered a wide-range of unusual incidents where people have been driving while distracted. (Shutterstock)

Caught in the act: Vancouver Island RCMP share drivers’ bizarre distractions

Shaving, eating cereal, even removing a bra are just some of the infractions observed by police

Const. Alex Bérubé, media relations officer with the West Shore RCMP, says he has encountered a wide-range of unusual incidents where people have been driving while distracted. (Shutterstock)
Father Sean Flynn performs Tuesday morning mass from outside Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church hall in Langford, to parishioners who sit comfortably inside their vehicles in the church parking lot. It’s one of the COVID-safe service options offered by the Langford church at Goldstream Avenue and Peatt Road. (Dawn Gibson/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Drive-in church service brings colour to Langford morning

Our Lady of the Rosary members enjoy mass from their vehicles Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays

Father Sean Flynn performs Tuesday morning mass from outside Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church hall in Langford, to parishioners who sit comfortably inside their vehicles in the church parking lot. It’s one of the COVID-safe service options offered by the Langford church at Goldstream Avenue and Peatt Road. (Dawn Gibson/News Staff)
Metchosin council passed a bylaw at a March 15 public hearing, which will limit further subdivision of a 40-acre portion of the Boys & Girls Club property. Boys & Girls Club of Greater Victoria Foundation told council the decision to pass the bylaw will devalue the land, and force the organization to seek a developer and fast-track subdivision of the property. (Black Press Media file photo)

Metchosin adopts bylaw to limit subdivision of Boys & Girls Club property

Club representative says bylaw will fast-track development of the land

Metchosin council passed a bylaw at a March 15 public hearing, which will limit further subdivision of a 40-acre portion of the Boys & Girls Club property. Boys & Girls Club of Greater Victoria Foundation told council the decision to pass the bylaw will devalue the land, and force the organization to seek a developer and fast-track subdivision of the property. (Black Press Media file photo)
B.C. scientist and UBC professor Shannon Berch has been leading a project that looks closely at what types of fungi grow on the roots of Garry oak trees. Metchosin mycologist Andy MacKinnon, who has been helping with the study, shared that samples from the roots of Garry oaks have revealed some species which don’t match any other in published literature. This suggests they may have found some species that are new to science. (Photo by Shlomo Shalev/Unsplash)

Scientists discover potential new mushroom species on Island’s Garry oak roots

Metchosin mycologist Andy MacKinnon co-authored a new book on fungi, to be released in summer

B.C. scientist and UBC professor Shannon Berch has been leading a project that looks closely at what types of fungi grow on the roots of Garry oak trees. Metchosin mycologist Andy MacKinnon, who has been helping with the study, shared that samples from the roots of Garry oaks have revealed some species which don’t match any other in published literature. This suggests they may have found some species that are new to science. (Photo by Shlomo Shalev/Unsplash)
Postmark Group, an Edmonton-based development firm, bought two properties at 6641 and 6643 Sooke Road last year, and is reaching out to the community and local groups for feedback before they begin planning the designs for the development. Conceptual interior renderings from a project Postmark is working on in Cumberland, BC, demonstrates their use of mass timber. (Photo contributed/Postmark Group)

Major waterfront village development eyed for Sooke

Postmark Group development firm bought two undeveloped properties adjacent downtown

Postmark Group, an Edmonton-based development firm, bought two properties at 6641 and 6643 Sooke Road last year, and is reaching out to the community and local groups for feedback before they begin planning the designs for the development. Conceptual interior renderings from a project Postmark is working on in Cumberland, BC, demonstrates their use of mass timber. (Photo contributed/Postmark Group)