Katherine Engqvist

Local service providers have been working hard through the pandemic to make sure youth aren’t falling through cracks in Greater Victoria’s mental health system. (Pixabay photo)

Mind the Gap: Meet the people working to keep kids alive

Greater Victoria youth in crisis impacting more than families

Local service providers have been working hard through the pandemic to make sure youth aren’t falling through cracks in Greater Victoria’s mental health system. (Pixabay photo)
The emergency department at Victoria General Hospital. Sarah and her daughter frequent the ER as they can’t find supports in the community. (Black Press Media file photo)

Mind the Gap: Children in crisis

Navigating Greater Victoria’s mental health system

The emergency department at Victoria General Hospital. Sarah and her daughter frequent the ER as they can’t find supports in the community. (Black Press Media file photo)
Local police and fire departments have expressed concerns as members are still waiting for COVID-19 vaccines. (Black Press Media file photo)

Island firefighters, police left searching for leftover COVID-19 vaccines

Departments still waiting despite being identified as a priority, leadership concerned about safety

Local police and fire departments have expressed concerns as members are still waiting for COVID-19 vaccines. (Black Press Media file photo)
A gas pump at a filling station in Montreal. (THE CANADIAN PRESS file photo/Graham Hughes)

Vancouver Island motorists paying more at the pumps than other Canadians as prices jump

Of 18 major Canadian cities, Vancouver, Victoria residents paid the most for gas in December

A gas pump at a filling station in Montreal. (THE CANADIAN PRESS file photo/Graham Hughes)
A 45-metre tall call tower is proposed for Westhills Stadium. (Black Press Media file photo)

New cell tower proposed for Westhills Stadium in Langford

Tower will increase capacity in congested network: staff report

A 45-metre tall call tower is proposed for Westhills Stadium. (Black Press Media file photo)
Firefighters respond to a fire on Heatherly Road in Colwood Jan. 19. (Photo courtesy of View Royal Fire Rescue)

Two people escape injury in Colwood house fire

Heatherly Road fire started on a covered porch

Firefighters respond to a fire on Heatherly Road in Colwood Jan. 19. (Photo courtesy of View Royal Fire Rescue)
Jail cell - Reporter file photo

Two of Greater Victoria’s most notorious teenaged killers have parole privileges extended

Derik Lord gets overnight privileges while Kelly Ellard’s are extended

Jail cell - Reporter file photo
Victoria General Hospital’s emergency entrance. (Black Press Media file photo)

UPDATE: Power restored at Victoria General Hospital

View Royal hospital operated on generator power for several hours following windstorm

Victoria General Hospital’s emergency entrance. (Black Press Media file photo)
West Shore fire chiefs (from right) Dean Ford (Highlands), Paul Hurst (View Royal), Stephanie Dunlop (Metchosin), Chris Aubrey (Langford) and John Cassidy (Colwood) are concerned about the community’s well-being after seeing a dramatic increase in mental health calls. (Katherine Engqvist/News Staff)

Vancouver Island first responders raise alarm after dramatic increase in mental health calls

Frontline braces, fearing for community’s mental health over winter

West Shore fire chiefs (from right) Dean Ford (Highlands), Paul Hurst (View Royal), Stephanie Dunlop (Metchosin), Chris Aubrey (Langford) and John Cassidy (Colwood) are concerned about the community’s well-being after seeing a dramatic increase in mental health calls. (Katherine Engqvist/News Staff)
B.C. Emergency Health Services primary care paramedic Em Funk shows off the personal protective equipment their team uses whenever they are dealing with a suspected case of COVID-19 while on the job. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)

COVID-19 infection rate among B.C. paramedics almost zero

Eight B.C. Emergency Health Services Members have tested positive for COVID-19

B.C. Emergency Health Services primary care paramedic Em Funk shows off the personal protective equipment their team uses whenever they are dealing with a suspected case of COVID-19 while on the job. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)
The remains of the Capital CityCentre Hotel after a late-night fire tore through the building Thursday, Nov. 5. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)
The remains of the Capital CityCentre Hotel after a late-night fire tore through the building Thursday, Nov. 5. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)
B.C. Ambulance Services’ Island manager Brad Cameron (from right) with primary care paramedics Em Funk, Tyrone Trotter, Fiona Galvin and Peter Hill at their Leigh Road station. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)

Vancouver Island heroes reflect on 2020

First responders share some of the ways they have continued to doing their jobs through the pandemic

B.C. Ambulance Services’ Island manager Brad Cameron (from right) with primary care paramedics Em Funk, Tyrone Trotter, Fiona Galvin and Peter Hill at their Leigh Road station. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)
(Black Press Media file photo)

Be prepared: Know what to do in the event of a tsunami warning

Localized alert systems can provide potentially life-saving information

(Black Press Media file photo)
Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie is calling for more in-community supports. (Black Press Media file photo)

The State of Aging: COVID-19 exposed a long-term care system already in crisis

A look at Greater Victoria’s aging population and what that will mean for the future

Seniors Advocate Isobel Mackenzie is calling for more in-community supports. (Black Press Media file photo)
Kelly Ellard and her father Lawrence leave the Vancouver courthouse. (File photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Teen killer Kelly Ellard gets day parole extension allowing up to five days at home

Ellard is serving a life sentence for the 1997 murder of 14-year-old Reena Virk

Kelly Ellard and her father Lawrence leave the Vancouver courthouse. (File photo by THE CANADIAN PRESS)
View Royal Fire Chief is calling for solutions after two preventable incidents at Thetis Lake over the long weekend. (Black Press Media file photo)

View Royal fire chief calls for realistic solutions to ‘mess’ at Thetis Lake

Emergency crews harassed while extinguishing brush fire, rescuing drunk 15-year-old during long weekend calls

View Royal Fire Chief is calling for solutions after two preventable incidents at Thetis Lake over the long weekend. (Black Press Media file photo)
One person died following a head-on crash on an undivided corner of the Trans-Canada Highway between Leigh Road and West Shore Parkway in Langford in January 2019. (File photo from BC Transportation/Twitter)

Work ahead of schedule to improve deadly stretch of Trans-Canada Highway in Langford

Temporary measures were installed after two fatal crashes in less than a month

One person died following a head-on crash on an undivided corner of the Trans-Canada Highway between Leigh Road and West Shore Parkway in Langford in January 2019. (File photo from BC Transportation/Twitter)
Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre. (Black Press Media file photo)

Investigation launched after sudden death of Saanich inmate

B.C. Corrections, B.C. Coroners Service investigating cause, circumstances surrounding death

Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre. (Black Press Media file photo)
When announcing the project, provincial minister Lisa Beare said the new overpass on Highway 17 at Keating Cross Road will cost at least $44 million, with actual construction of the flyover scheduled to start as early as 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)

Work gets underway on Pat Bay Highway overpass at Keating Cross Road

Motorists are advised to expect some delays in July and August

When announcing the project, provincial minister Lisa Beare said the new overpass on Highway 17 at Keating Cross Road will cost at least $44 million, with actual construction of the flyover scheduled to start as early as 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Independent Investigations Office of BC was called to investigate after a woman had her arm broken while being taken into police custody on the West Shore. (Black Press file photo)

IIO finds no excessive force used by West Shore RCMP officers during arrest

Police watchdog called to investigate after woman breaks arm while being taken into police custody

The Independent Investigations Office of BC was called to investigate after a woman had her arm broken while being taken into police custody on the West Shore. (Black Press file photo)