Kendra Crighton

Naden Abenes was laid off from her jobs as a room attendant at the Hyatt Regency in Vancouver when the pandemic hit. She now worries about what will happen when government assistance ends. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)

Laid-off hotel workers begin hunger strike demanding job protection

Laid-off workers not sure what they’ll do when government support programs end

Naden Abenes was laid off from her jobs as a room attendant at the Hyatt Regency in Vancouver when the pandemic hit. She now worries about what will happen when government assistance ends. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)
A homeless woman was given an 18-month jail sentence after an operation by VicPD to combat drug trafficking in the 900-block of Pandora Avenue. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)

Homeless woman sentenced to 18 months in jail for selling drugs to Victoria police officer

Officer paid $20 for a substance consisting of heroin, fentanyl and caffeine

A homeless woman was given an 18-month jail sentence after an operation by VicPD to combat drug trafficking in the 900-block of Pandora Avenue. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)
Protesters staged a ‘noise demo’ at the Lifestyle Market on Douglas Street on April 16. (Photo by Mike Graeme)
Protesters staged a ‘noise demo’ at the Lifestyle Market on Douglas Street on April 16. (Photo by Mike Graeme)
Victoria council has deferred more than $20 million worth of projects in order to avoid a deficit for the 2020 fiscal year but will move ahead with hiring for two new positions. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria council avoids 2020 deficit by deferring over $20 million in capital projects

The city will move ahead with hiring for two new positions

Victoria council has deferred more than $20 million worth of projects in order to avoid a deficit for the 2020 fiscal year but will move ahead with hiring for two new positions. (Black Press Media file photo)
Mayor Lisa Helps and the Downtown Victoria Business Association want fewer newspaper boxes downtown. (DVBA)

Victoria mayor wants newspaper boxes removed from downtown streets

Mayor Lisa Helps says the boxes are not needed, often filled with garbage

Mayor Lisa Helps and the Downtown Victoria Business Association want fewer newspaper boxes downtown. (DVBA)
On Thursday, Victoria council will review a report on the 2020 budget. (Black Press Media file photo)

City of Victoria expecting a 2020 deficit between $12.5 to $17.5 million

Victoria lost $1.2 million per month just from reduced parking fees during onset of pandemic

On Thursday, Victoria council will review a report on the 2020 budget. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women of Colour has written an open letter to Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, who is leading the investigation into racist games being played in emergency rooms across the province. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Non-profit alleges Island Health not interested in holding people accountable for racist acts

Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women of Colour writes open letter to racism investigator

The Support Network for Indigenous Women and Women of Colour has written an open letter to Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond, who is leading the investigation into racist games being played in emergency rooms across the province. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)
The 2020 Point-in-Time Count found at least 1,523 people were experiencing homelessness in the CRD. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)

Greater Victoria Point-in-Time count finds more than 1,500 people homeless

Capital Regional District says count should be treated as an underestimate

The 2020 Point-in-Time Count found at least 1,523 people were experiencing homelessness in the CRD. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)
Correne Antrobus rallies at the Ministry of Health building in Victoria on Friday, July 31 to draw attention to the ongoing overdose crisis. 2020 (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Rally at Ministry of Health calls attention to deadliest month of overdoses

For second consecutive month, province records highest number of overdose deaths

Correne Antrobus rallies at the Ministry of Health building in Victoria on Friday, July 31 to draw attention to the ongoing overdose crisis. 2020 (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)
Police and fire vehicles are on scene near the intersection of West Saanich Road and Glanford Avenue. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

Fire crews extinguish Saanich balcony fire

Dark smoke could be seen coming from the apartment building

Police and fire vehicles are on scene near the intersection of West Saanich Road and Glanford Avenue. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
Derik Christopher Lord was 17 when he and another high school student, David Muir, carried out a plan by a third teen, Darren Huenemann, to kill Huenemann’s mother and grandmother in October 1990. (Parole Board of Canada photo)

Saanich man serving life sentence for killing two as a teen gets extended day parole

Derik Christopher Lord was convicted in 1992 for two counts of first-degree murder

Derik Christopher Lord was 17 when he and another high school student, David Muir, carried out a plan by a third teen, Darren Huenemann, to kill Huenemann’s mother and grandmother in October 1990. (Parole Board of Canada photo)
Ultimate Happy Hour lists daily food specials, along with daily and late night happy hour spots across Victoria. (Pixabay photo)

Victoria resident creates website to map out more than 100 local happy hour spots

Inspired by a trip to the U.S., Jordan Caron’s idea began to take shape in 2014

Ultimate Happy Hour lists daily food specials, along with daily and late night happy hour spots across Victoria. (Pixabay photo)
Tenters in Beacon Hill Park will now be forced to move to less sensitive areas after a court injunction was granted to the City of Victoria. (Black Press File Photo)

Victoria granted injunction to move tenters in Beacon Hill Park to less sensitive areas

Mayor Lisa Helps says she recognizes the move will be to ‘more visible’ areas

Tenters in Beacon Hill Park will now be forced to move to less sensitive areas after a court injunction was granted to the City of Victoria. (Black Press File Photo)
BOXCARSIX, a feminist artist collective made up of eight from the ages of 30 to 60, will open their latest exhibit Postcards from the Pandemic on Thursday at The Fifty Fifty Art Collective. (Provided by Clare Thomas)

New Victoria art show displays 600 collaboratively made postcards from the pandemic

An artist would start a card and then mail it to another who would add to or complete the design

BOXCARSIX, a feminist artist collective made up of eight from the ages of 30 to 60, will open their latest exhibit Postcards from the Pandemic on Thursday at The Fifty Fifty Art Collective. (Provided by Clare Thomas)
During the first six months of 2020, more than 700 people have died from a drug overdose across the province. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)

Vancouver Island advocates call for drug decriminalization as overdoses climb,

‘If the numbers were reversed … there would be outrage’

During the first six months of 2020, more than 700 people have died from a drug overdose across the province. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)
Harry Weiler, who was diagnosed with Leukemia, embraces a friend during the sail past. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff) (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Kite surfers gather for ‘sail past’ tribute for fellow kiter battling cancer

Harry Weiler, family and friends watched as at least two dozen kite surfers took to the water

Harry Weiler, who was diagnosed with Leukemia, embraces a friend during the sail past. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff) (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)
Tzu-I Chung, curator of the exhibit, explains the history of Fan Tan Alley and points to a map from 1891. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)

Fan Tan Alley exhibit connects Victoria visitors with history of Canada’s oldest Chinatown

Exhibit exploring local Chinese history, opium trade, discrimination opens on July 24

Tzu-I Chung, curator of the exhibit, explains the history of Fan Tan Alley and points to a map from 1891. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)
B.C. Coroners Service is investigating after a 32-year-old woman drowned at Matheson Lake Tuesday evening. (Google Maps)

‘Clearly not breathing’: Bystanders recount giving CPR to woman who drowned in Matheson Lake

Greater Victoria resident jumped into ‘superhero mode’ when she saw the scene

B.C. Coroners Service is investigating after a 32-year-old woman drowned at Matheson Lake Tuesday evening. (Google Maps)
Police Chief Del Manak is asking the Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board for support in pursuing a partnership with Island Health for civilian-led response teams. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria chief seeks support to explore civilian-led teams for ‘low risk’ mental health calls

City council passes motion recommending ban on street checks by police

Police Chief Del Manak is asking the Victoria and Esquimalt Police Board for support in pursuing a partnership with Island Health for civilian-led response teams. (Black Press Media file photo)
Simon Kitka shows his support for the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club at a rally on Thursday at the Legislature. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)

PHOTOS: Small crowd gathers at legislature in support of Victoria Cannabis Club

On Wednesday members of the community safety unit seized product from the club

Simon Kitka shows his support for the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club at a rally on Thursday at the Legislature. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)