Kevin Laird

A new District of Sooke recruitment and retention program includes boosts in pay and a goal of supporting firefighters and their families. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Pay boost, other supports part of Sooke plan to recruit and retain firefighters

District program includes a goal of supporting firefighters and their families

A new District of Sooke recruitment and retention program includes boosts in pay and a goal of supporting firefighters and their families. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Jeff Reid cuts out troublesome weeds during an invasive plant removal event at Broomhill Park on Friday. The day was sponsored by the Juan de Fuca Community Trails Society and the District of Sooke. (Kevin laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Invasive weeds taken out on Earth Day

Broomhill targeted for weed action by district and volunteers

Jeff Reid cuts out troublesome weeds during an invasive plant removal event at Broomhill Park on Friday. The day was sponsored by the Juan de Fuca Community Trails Society and the District of Sooke. (Kevin laird - Sooke News Mirror)
The Sooke Homeless Coalition wants to work with the District of Sooke to offer stable, safe places for homeless people to park recreatioal vehicles. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke Homeless Coalition seeks safety for people sleeping in cars

Emergency billeting idea would link homeless with property owners

The Sooke Homeless Coalition wants to work with the District of Sooke to offer stable, safe places for homeless people to park recreatioal vehicles. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
The public will get a chance to offer more input on Sooke’s draft official community plan at a May 7 open house and later at a June 10 public hearing. (Courtesy of District of Sooke)

District of Sooke OCP passes first reading

Open house, public hearing set for this spring

The public will get a chance to offer more input on Sooke’s draft official community plan at a May 7 open house and later at a June 10 public hearing. (Courtesy of District of Sooke)
More people are stepping forward to resume volunteering in Sooke, say officials. (Metro-Creative)

Volunteers return after the pandemic

Sooke Region Volunteer Centre sees new interest in volunteering

More people are stepping forward to resume volunteering in Sooke, say officials. (Metro-Creative)
Sooke’s new fire truck will feature artwork from T’Sou-ke Nation. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke sets aside $2,500 for Indigenous art on fire truck

Sooke’s new fire truck will feature artwork from T’Sou-ke Nation. The decals…

Sooke’s new fire truck will feature artwork from T’Sou-ke Nation. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Sooke council continues to debate its draft official community plan. (Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke eyes first reading, more public input on community plan

Sooke’s OCP heads to first reading

Sooke council continues to debate its draft official community plan. (Sooke News Mirror)
Sooke district council gave three readings to a motion that amends a zoning bylaw to reinstate an additional 10 units per hectare for increased underground parking in developments. (Metro-Creative)

Sooke councillors consider support for incentives to boost housing density

Developers urged to build underground parking in exchange for more units

Sooke district council gave three readings to a motion that amends a zoning bylaw to reinstate an additional 10 units per hectare for increased underground parking in developments. (Metro-Creative)
Despite the province investing a record $2 billion in school capital projects over the next three years, the need for new and upgraded facilities in Sooke continues to rise.

Sooke School District still struggling to keep up with population growth

New Sooke elementary school planned for 2027

Despite the province investing a record $2 billion in school capital projects over the next three years, the need for new and upgraded facilities in Sooke continues to rise.
The last remaining payphone in Sooke is in its last days. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Hanging up Sooke’s last payphone

Loss of service could impact residents without means to own a cellphone, councillor says

The last remaining payphone in Sooke is in its last days. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
Sooke is not participating in this year’s Communities in Bloom program. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke pulls out of Communities in Bloom provincial competition

‘It’s a year to take a pause for applause,’ mayor says; Sooke has won six of the last nine years

Sooke is not participating in this year’s Communities in Bloom program. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
Scotch broom is an invasive plant introduced to Vancouver Island in the mid-1800s. The plant spreads rapidly on rights-of-way, trails, forest roads, under power lines and any disturbed land. (Shutterstock)

Spring blooms in Sooke a sign of unwanted Scotch broom

Volunteers, council call for all hands on deck this spring to help remove noxious weed

Scotch broom is an invasive plant introduced to Vancouver Island in the mid-1800s. The plant spreads rapidly on rights-of-way, trails, forest roads, under power lines and any disturbed land. (Shutterstock)
A construction worker balances on a roof beam. The District of Sooke is streamlining its building permit process to allow for quick turnaround times. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke makes ‘huge headway’ on reducing building permit delays

Municipal staff has approved 40 applications in the last three weeks

A construction worker balances on a roof beam. The District of Sooke is streamlining its building permit process to allow for quick turnaround times. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Sooke Fire Rescue Station No. 1 is undergoing a major building renovation this spring. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke council OKs $106,761 electrical contract for fire hall

It is part of a $500,000 project to correct deficiencies

Sooke Fire Rescue Station No. 1 is undergoing a major building renovation this spring. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
Lora de Vries with some of her collection of sea glass. “I got hooked on the thrill of finding these little pieces of history,” she says. (Contributed - Lora de Vries)

PHOTOS: Sooke collector perfects beauty in sea glass

Lora de Vries finds treasure in gift from the sea

Lora de Vries with some of her collection of sea glass. “I got hooked on the thrill of finding these little pieces of history,” she says. (Contributed - Lora de Vries)
The District of Sooke wants to do more public consultation before proceeding with its official community plan. Council requested staff to schedule an open house on the OCP for this spring. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke looks to have more in-person public input on community plan

Mayor says council connecting with residents important; spring open house on OCP proposed

The District of Sooke wants to do more public consultation before proceeding with its official community plan. Council requested staff to schedule an open house on the OCP for this spring. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Canada Day celebrations return to the Sooke River Flats on July 1. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Canada Day celebrations returning to Sooke

Canada Day celebrations will return to Sooke this year after a two-year…

Canada Day celebrations return to the Sooke River Flats on July 1. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
The District of Sooke is planning a three-week-long road closure for Charters Road beginning on March 7. (District of Sooke)

Construction of underground services leads to spring road closures in Sooke

A section of Charters Road will be closed to traffic until March 25

The District of Sooke is planning a three-week-long road closure for Charters Road beginning on March 7. (District of Sooke)
Vital Vittles opens its doors to the dining room on March 18. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Vital Vittles reopens doors after pandemic

First meal served up on March 18

Vital Vittles opens its doors to the dining room on March 18. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
The District of Sooke hopes a zoning bylaw amendment will encourage developers to build underground parking. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke’s density bonus program being tweaked

Bylaw change aims to increase underground parking, housing options

The District of Sooke hopes a zoning bylaw amendment will encourage developers to build underground parking. (File - Sooke News Mirror)