Kevin Laird

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James Sails reached the summit of Mount Everest on May 24. (Submitted by James Sails)

Retired soldier conquers Mount Everest, fulfilling lifelong dream

East Sooke resident journeys to top of world in mountaineering quest

James Sails reached the summit of Mount Everest on May 24. (Submitted by James Sails)
A home under construction at Woodland Creek in Sooke. The district is on the province's 'naughty list,' and must to speed up home construction or face penalties. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke mayor surprised as district lands on housing ‘naughty list’

Maja Tait says district has difficulty hitting housing targets due to provincial funding delays

A home under construction at Woodland Creek in Sooke. The district is on the province's 'naughty list,' and must to speed up home construction or face penalties. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
According to the Capital Regional District, finding free-living nematodes, even deceased ones, at a drinking water tap in the Greater Victoria Drinking Water System is highly unlikely. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)

Water purity in Greater Victoria under scrutiny after unusual organisms discovered

CRD says culprit likely harmless drain worms

According to the Capital Regional District, finding free-living nematodes, even deceased ones, at a drinking water tap in the Greater Victoria Drinking Water System is highly unlikely. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)
Kayakers at Sombrio Beach. The group faced several narrow escapes on a day that looked perfect for an ocean excursion along the coast. (Contributed - Kat Loveys)

Lessons Learned: Kayakers’ harrowing experience highlights water safety

Boaters overcome by gusty winds and violent waves

Kayakers at Sombrio Beach. The group faced several narrow escapes on a day that looked perfect for an ocean excursion along the coast. (Contributed - Kat Loveys)
A cellphone tower. The Sooke to Port Renfrew cellphone project received nearly $5 million in funding from the province and $695,000 from Rogers Communications. (Shutterstock)

A 70-km stretch of Highway 14 on Vancouver Island finally gets wireless coverage

The project received $5 million in funding from province and $695,000 from Rogers Communications

A cellphone tower. The Sooke to Port Renfrew cellphone project received nearly $5 million in funding from the province and $695,000 from Rogers Communications. (Shutterstock)
The District of Sooke awarded more than $122,000 in community grants this year. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Council approves over $122K for non-profits in Sooke

Some councillors question process

The District of Sooke awarded more than $122,000 in community grants this year. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Sooke council voted for a 6.99 property tax hike, down from the 9.3 per cent first proposed. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke property taxes reduced following B.C. Assessment data change

Property tax hike remains at 7%

Sooke council voted for a 6.99 property tax hike, down from the 9.3 per cent first proposed. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
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Sooke proposes property tax hike of 9.3 per cent

Budget increase due to inflation and new requests

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The Capital Regional District board has turned down a proposal to split a 10-hectare parcel of East Sooke into two because directors found no agricultural advantage. (Lynda McFaul - Shutterstock)

CRD rejects proposal to subdivide East Sooke property

Decision based on preserving agricultural land

The Capital Regional District board has turned down a proposal to split a 10-hectare parcel of East Sooke into two because directors found no agricultural advantage. (Lynda McFaul - Shutterstock)
Inclement weather has forced cancellation of the Westcoast Sooke 10K on Sunday. (Shutterstock)

Snowy weather forces cancellation of Sooke 10K

Region expected to get up to 15 centimetres of snow this weekend

Inclement weather has forced cancellation of the Westcoast Sooke 10K on Sunday. (Shutterstock)
The first RapidBus route between the West Shore and downtown Victoria to begin on April 10. The RapidBus route aims to have transit faster and more reliable than driving a car. (Contributed - B.C. Transit)

Victoria transit commission chair prioritizes collaboration for regional transportation

‘We need to work together,’ says Maja Tait

The first RapidBus route between the West Shore and downtown Victoria to begin on April 10. The RapidBus route aims to have transit faster and more reliable than driving a car. (Contributed - B.C. Transit)
RCMP seized drugs, firearms and prohibited devices in two raids in Sooke. A Sooke man faces numerous charges. (Courtesy Sooke RCMP)

Sooke man arrested twice in two weeks on drug and weapons charges

RCMP seizes drugs, firearms, prohibited devices in two raids

RCMP seized drugs, firearms and prohibited devices in two raids in Sooke. A Sooke man faces numerous charges. (Courtesy Sooke RCMP)
A retired water tower in East Sooke. A new report outlines ways to improve the water system in the area. (Lynda McFaul - Shutterstock)

East Sooke’s water improvements could cost $160 million

Potable water options examined in new report for area that has long faced water shortages

A retired water tower in East Sooke. A new report outlines ways to improve the water system in the area. (Lynda McFaul - Shutterstock)
Crews work on Highway 14 between Otter Point and Woodhaven roads last summer. Associated Engineering won the construction management and supervision contract at the B.C. Transportation Conference for the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies - British Columbia, for their work on the project. (File – Ministry of Transportation)

Engineering firm recognized for work on Highway 14 project near Sooke

“Associated Engineering clearly defines excellence,” province said in statement

Crews work on Highway 14 between Otter Point and Woodhaven roads last summer. Associated Engineering won the construction management and supervision contract at the B.C. Transportation Conference for the Association of Consulting Engineering Companies - British Columbia, for their work on the project. (File – Ministry of Transportation)
Parked cars covered with snow. Snow removal in Sooke is a problem, says resident in a submission to council. (File - Shutterstock.com)

Pedestrian frustrated by Sooke’s lack of snow clearing

Accessibility hampered by ‘impassable sidewalks’

Parked cars covered with snow. Snow removal in Sooke is a problem, says resident in a submission to council. (File - Shutterstock.com)
Sooke is a fishing hotspot for five species of salmon and halibut. (Contributed - Fishing-Booker)

Sooke one of the best places to fish in Canada: survey

‘Fishing is on fire practically all year’

Sooke is a fishing hotspot for five species of salmon and halibut. (Contributed - Fishing-Booker)
HMCS Calgary returns to CFB Esquimalt from an overseas operation. The ship will be one of many using Whiskey Hotel to conduct surface gunnery training beginning this year. (Cpl. Jay Naples – Canadian Armed Forces)

Navy resumes surface gunnery training in Juan de Fuca after years-long whale study

The Whiskey Hotel firing range located between Sooke and Port Renfrew

HMCS Calgary returns to CFB Esquimalt from an overseas operation. The ship will be one of many using Whiskey Hotel to conduct surface gunnery training beginning this year. (Cpl. Jay Naples – Canadian Armed Forces)
Lorelee Parker, Vancouver Island Regional Library manager for Sooke and Port Renfrew, was excited to see the opening of the new Sooke branch in June. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror) Lorelee Parker, Vancouver Island Regional Library manager for Sooke and Port Renfrew, was excited to see the opening of the new Sooke branch in June. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

YEAR IN REVIEW: Pandemic shadow followed Sooke into 2022

How does one begin to unpack a year like 2022 in Sooke?…

Lorelee Parker, Vancouver Island Regional Library manager for Sooke and Port Renfrew, was excited to see the opening of the new Sooke branch in June. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror) Lorelee Parker, Vancouver Island Regional Library manager for Sooke and Port Renfrew, was excited to see the opening of the new Sooke branch in June. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
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Sooke bylaw change opens door to ‘economic diversity’

New law provides more uses for retail, office, health and personal services

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The serval is a wild cat native to Africa. It is widespread in sub-Saharan countries, except in rainforest regions. (Shutterstock.com)

Escaped exotic cat spotted roaming Sooke neighbourhood

African serval cat missing since Sunday

The serval is a wild cat native to Africa. It is widespread in sub-Saharan countries, except in rainforest regions. (Shutterstock.com)