Hollie Ferguson

People walk up stairs to the entrance of the Royal BC Museum. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Royal BC Museum starting community engagement after controversy over costly rebuild

The community engagement initiative will begin phase one in January, holding 3 sessions that month

People walk up stairs to the entrance of the Royal BC Museum. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
Police stand watch over the scene of a bank robbery in Saanich which left two suspects dead and six police officers injured. (Black Press Media file photo)
Police stand watch over the scene of a bank robbery in Saanich which left two suspects dead and six police officers injured. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Greater Victoria Coffee Ride Cyclists, or the Cycling Santas, gifted eight-year-old Ramsey Frombach with a new bike after seeing her riding every day, in every weather. (Courtesy of Joyce LaRose)

Christmas comes early for determined Saanich Peninsula cyclist

Cycling Santas gift eight-year-old with new bike

The Greater Victoria Coffee Ride Cyclists, or the Cycling Santas, gifted eight-year-old Ramsey Frombach with a new bike after seeing her riding every day, in every weather. (Courtesy of Joyce LaRose)
The inflatable unicorn snow-blower is a Sooke tradition that brings joy to all. (Courtesy of Kiya Carscadden)

Sooke snow-blowing unicorn returns, bringing smiles along the way

The unusual snow-fall is second on the list of magical things you might see in Sooke today

The inflatable unicorn snow-blower is a Sooke tradition that brings joy to all. (Courtesy of Kiya Carscadden)
Cook Street is home to many businesses, including a dance shop, coffee and ice cream shops, thrift stores, restaurants and more. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

Victoria stores struggle with ‘business as usual’ amid homeless crisis

Local shops seeing theft, disruptions and filth, but groups offering services say they are listening

Cook Street is home to many businesses, including a dance shop, coffee and ice cream shops, thrift stores, restaurants and more. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
Hossein Reyhani at the B.C. legislature on Thursday, Dec. 15 in support of anti-government protests in Iran. He hopes to interact with lawmakers to pass them information and a list of requests on behalf of Iranian-Canadians that will further support the protests that are working to change the way Iran is governed. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

Protesters call for action on Iran with hunger strike at the B.C. legislature

The ongoing protests are in response to government killings of women and protesters in Iran

Hossein Reyhani at the B.C. legislature on Thursday, Dec. 15 in support of anti-government protests in Iran. He hopes to interact with lawmakers to pass them information and a list of requests on behalf of Iranian-Canadians that will further support the protests that are working to change the way Iran is governed. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
Shirley Lou Hansen, a resident of Parkwood Place, helps a student place her gingerbread house in the village. (Courtesy of Cheryl Chalifour)

Victoria seniors and students work together for Habitat for Humanity

Local seniors and students spread holiday spirit, building an intergenerational gingerbread village

Shirley Lou Hansen, a resident of Parkwood Place, helps a student place her gingerbread house in the village. (Courtesy of Cheryl Chalifour)
Craigflower bridge is the site where Reena Virk was murdered by a pack of teenagers in 1997. (Dunc Malcolm/News staff)
Craigflower bridge is the site where Reena Virk was murdered by a pack of teenagers in 1997. (Dunc Malcolm/News staff)
Grant money aims to help businesses with improvements. (Pexels photo)

Esquimalt launches grants to support revitalization and business improvements

The new program will work to fill the gaps left by the repealed 2015 tax exemption bylaw

Grant money aims to help businesses with improvements. (Pexels photo)
Lawyers on Stage Theatre Society on stage. (Courtesy of Lawyers on Stage Theatre Society)

Greater Victoria law community stage Dracula for charity

Proceeds from this year’s show will go to two local charities working to end poverty and suicide

Lawyers on Stage Theatre Society on stage. (Courtesy of Lawyers on Stage Theatre Society)
St. Paul's United Church will host new group aimed at helping LGBTQ2+ connect. (Courtesy of St. Paul's United Church)

Sidney church to host support group for LGBTQ+ seniors

St. Paul’s United Church aims to fill gap in providing LGBTQ+ seniors with resources and information

St. Paul's United Church will host new group aimed at helping LGBTQ2+ connect. (Courtesy of St. Paul's United Church)
Anthony Thomas, 27, has been convicted in the death of a 51-year-old pedestrian, killed in Central Saanich. (Black Press File Photo)

Family in tears as driver sentenced in ‘heartbreaking’ Central Saanich crash

Anthony Thomas killed one woman in a crash that also left her sister with life-altering injuries

Anthony Thomas, 27, has been convicted in the death of a 51-year-old pedestrian, killed in Central Saanich. (Black Press File Photo)
Protestors gathered outside Government House in Victoria on Dec. 7, 2022 to fight against proposals that would see an expansion in the fossil-fuel industry in B.C. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

Environmental alliance calls for end to fracking as Eby swears in new cabinet

Members staged demonstration at Government House in Victoria ahead of swearing-in ceremony

Protestors gathered outside Government House in Victoria on Dec. 7, 2022 to fight against proposals that would see an expansion in the fossil-fuel industry in B.C. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
Dave Bergman was identified by his daughter after his body was found by Saanich Police near Swan Lake in October. (Courtesy of Kori Balaberda)

‘He was a loving man’: Daughter remembers dad who was found dead in Saanich tent

Dave Bergman was a loving man who, like many others, struggled with the stigma around mental health

Dave Bergman was identified by his daughter after his body was found by Saanich Police near Swan Lake in October. (Courtesy of Kori Balaberda)
A map of Esquimalt in 1913 on display at the Esquimalt Archives. (Courtesy of Tara Zajac)

Esquimalt Archives reopen to public after damaging flood

The archives, which had to be moved after flooding in a previous building, await a permanent home

A map of Esquimalt in 1913 on display at the Esquimalt Archives. (Courtesy of Tara Zajac)
Dave Bergman was identified by his daughter after his body was found by Saanich Police near Swan Lake in October. (Courtesy of Kori Balaberda)

‘He was a loving man’: Daughter remembers dad who was found dead in Saanich tent

Dave Bergman was a loving man who, like many others, struggled with the stigma around mental health

Dave Bergman was identified by his daughter after his body was found by Saanich Police near Swan Lake in October. (Courtesy of Kori Balaberda)
The service will include a candlelight vigil to honour those who have been harmed based on their gender. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria church to hold service commemorating victims of gender-based violence

First Metropolitan United Church will hold the service to remember those targeted because of gender

The service will include a candlelight vigil to honour those who have been harmed based on their gender. (Black Press Media file photo)
Volunteers (from left) Adrian D’Silva, Alex Wright, Veronica Carroll, Mike Lukoni and Tracey D’Silva. (Courtesy of the Children’s Health Foundation)

Jeneece Place gets decked out for the holidays

Local couple steps up to spread holiday cheer in View Royal for the 11th Christmas in a row

Volunteers (from left) Adrian D’Silva, Alex Wright, Veronica Carroll, Mike Lukoni and Tracey D’Silva. (Courtesy of the Children’s Health Foundation)
The shop uses funds from resales and donations to fund community programs that support women and others. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

‘It was a labour of love’: Women in Need Resale non-profit opens new shop in Saanich

The new store will help the non-profit provide community services to women and LGBTQIA2S+ people

The shop uses funds from resales and donations to fund community programs that support women and others. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
Teams use the colour green to signify their commitment to talking about mental health and spread the word about Buddy Check for Jesse. (Courtesy of Buddy Check for Jesse Facebook)

Victoria organization encourages coaches to end the stigma around mental health issues

Buddy Check works to normalize talking about mental health issues, which can strike at any age

Teams use the colour green to signify their commitment to talking about mental health and spread the word about Buddy Check for Jesse. (Courtesy of Buddy Check for Jesse Facebook)