Ella Matte

Saanich Coun. Teale Phelps Bondaroff is a co-founder of AccessBC. (Ella Matte/New Staff)

Saanich group celebrates campaign that led to free contraception in B.C.

A few friends complaining about expensive birth control turned into a provincial motion

Saanich Coun. Teale Phelps Bondaroff is a co-founder of AccessBC. (Ella Matte/New Staff)
Two Victoria Clipper vessels pass each other. One is on the way to Seattle and the other is about to dock at the Belleville Terminal, which is set to be redeveloped. (Black Press Media Photo File)

$303M redevelopment of Victoria/Washington State ferry link moves forward

Request issued for design and construction of downtown Belleville terminal

Two Victoria Clipper vessels pass each other. One is on the way to Seattle and the other is about to dock at the Belleville Terminal, which is set to be redeveloped. (Black Press Media Photo File)
Craig Thompson, president of the Royal Canadian Legion B.C./Yukon Command, shakes hands with Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin after he presented her with the first poppy of the 2023 poppy campaign. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

First poppy presented in Victoria to kick off 2023 campaign

Funds support veterans, families, seniors and educational initiatives

Craig Thompson, president of the Royal Canadian Legion B.C./Yukon Command, shakes hands with Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin after he presented her with the first poppy of the 2023 poppy campaign. (Ella Matte/News Staff)
Jennifer Bonnell posing with her book Stewards of Splendor: A History of Wildlife and People in British Columbia. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

‘A big book’: Author teams with Victoria museum for wildlife history book

The 496-page book presents B.C. findings from 1774 to the present

Jennifer Bonnell posing with her book Stewards of Splendor: A History of Wildlife and People in British Columbia. (Ella Matte/News Staff)
Cole Alexander is a Saanich teenager trying to get his driver’s licence. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

Greater Victoria family cries foul over driving test delay due to diabetes

A processing delay with teen’s medical form makes him unable to book a test

Cole Alexander is a Saanich teenager trying to get his driver’s licence. (Ella Matte/News Staff)
BC Community Bat Program is encouraging people to get involved this coming Bat Week. (Courtesy of Osoyoos Desert Centre)

Victoria Bat Week a fang-tastic time to learn about the only flying mammals

The BC Community Bat Program has a variety of ways to contribute during the week

BC Community Bat Program is encouraging people to get involved this coming Bat Week. (Courtesy of Osoyoos Desert Centre)
Grade 4 student Finely Comartin is dyslexic and since doing online tutoring he has moved up eight reading levels. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

‘Absolutely unfair’: Family of Saanich dyslexic child detail thousands in costs

Parents are requesting the province provide funded diagnoses and updated learning material

Grade 4 student Finely Comartin is dyslexic and since doing online tutoring he has moved up eight reading levels. (Ella Matte/News Staff)
Craigdarroch Castle executive director John Hughes holds up an old pot and lid in the newly restored Dunsmuir-era kitchen. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Victoria’s Craigdarroch Castle reveals restored Dunsmuir-era kitchen

It was no piece of cake as the project took 5 years to complete

Craigdarroch Castle executive director John Hughes holds up an old pot and lid in the newly restored Dunsmuir-era kitchen. (Ella Matte/News Staff)
A teenager was arrested after a fire was set in a BC Ferries ship’s washroom. (Black Press Media Photo File)
A teenager was arrested after a fire was set in a BC Ferries ship’s washroom. (Black Press Media Photo File)
On Aug. 31 at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital, 18 patients tested positive for COVID-19 although the hospital did not declare it an outbreak. (Black Press Media File Photo)

18 COVID-19 cases not called an outbreak at Saanich Peninsula Hospital

But 11 cases at Victoria General Hospital were classified as an outbreak

On Aug. 31 at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital, 18 patients tested positive for COVID-19 although the hospital did not declare it an outbreak. (Black Press Media File Photo)
Grade 12 Lambrick Park Secondary student Kenyon Lee who graduated from police camp in March, stands in front of the Greater Victoria Police Foundation sign. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

Greater Victoria Police Foundation launches to foster community mentorship

Funding for programs outside of police budgets, including spring break police camp

Grade 12 Lambrick Park Secondary student Kenyon Lee who graduated from police camp in March, stands in front of the Greater Victoria Police Foundation sign. (Ella Matte/News Staff)
Marathon course map for Oct. 8. (Courtesy of the Victoria marathon website)

Weekend road closures coming for the Royal Victoria Marathon

The annual Thanksgiving marathon will fill the streets of Victoria and Oak Bay

Marathon course map for Oct. 8. (Courtesy of the Victoria marathon website)
Left to right: Vitalii Andriievskyi training in combat systems and Jose Manzano training in naval engineering on HMCS Winnipeg. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

Esquimalt-based navy staff learning to ‘work as one mechanism’

‘It’s great because people are coming with great energy’

Left to right: Vitalii Andriievskyi training in combat systems and Jose Manzano training in naval engineering on HMCS Winnipeg. (Ella Matte/News Staff)
Diagnosed with hydrocephalus and a severe spinal cord compression, Odette Shackleton depends on MRIs for routine health check-ups. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

Campaign aims to raise $11M for MRI machines in Greater Victoria hospitals

Victoria General and Royal Jubilee hospital’s will get 3 MRIs

Diagnosed with hydrocephalus and a severe spinal cord compression, Odette Shackleton depends on MRIs for routine health check-ups. (Ella Matte/News Staff)
Rain has not dampened the spirits of the Tour de Rock riders who experienced a heavy downpour heading to Qualicum Beach. (Michael Briones photo)

Final three days of Tour de Rock events held in Greater Victoria

Cyclists will finish at the steps of the B.C. legislative

Rain has not dampened the spirits of the Tour de Rock riders who experienced a heavy downpour heading to Qualicum Beach. (Michael Briones photo)
Grapes grown at the Symphony Vineyard in Central Saanich. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

How weather impacts Vancouver Island’s wine industry

‘On the whole global warming is bad for humanity, but not so bad for our local grape industry’

Grapes grown at the Symphony Vineyard in Central Saanich. (Ella Matte/News Staff)
Victoria author Jean Paetkau with her new book Blood on the Breakwater at the Breakwater in James Bay. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

Victoria children’s book author writes murder mystery set in James Bay

This is the author’s ‘first book for grownups’ after writing three children’s books

Victoria author Jean Paetkau with her new book Blood on the Breakwater at the Breakwater in James Bay. (Ella Matte/News Staff)
Forest ecologist Becky Miller showing the flammability of a grand fur tree. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

Parks Canada responds to backlash about Sidney Island deer eradication

Questions are answered about the process and timeline of the project

Forest ecologist Becky Miller showing the flammability of a grand fur tree. (Ella Matte/News Staff)
Kurtis Bunnett getting a haircut at Project Reconnect in Royal Athletic Park on Tuesday, Aug. 22. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

Service providers come together to support Victoria’s homeless population

‘Homelessness is an issue that affects everyone,’ says event organizer

Kurtis Bunnett getting a haircut at Project Reconnect in Royal Athletic Park on Tuesday, Aug. 22. (Ella Matte/News Staff)
Upcoming Tombo restaurant is under renovations while the Agrius sign still hangs above on Yates Street. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

Wave of new Victoria restaurants taking over space of closed eateries

La Taqueria on Fort Street is the latest to close down

Upcoming Tombo restaurant is under renovations while the Agrius sign still hangs above on Yates Street. (Ella Matte/News Staff)