Kevin Laird

Sooke Celtic is looking forward to the Vancouver Island Soccer League Divison 3 playoffs at the end of February. (courtesy of Sooke Celtic)

Sooke Celtic soccer gears up for playoffs

There’s a youth movement afoot with Sooke Celtic that bodes well for…

Sooke Celtic is looking forward to the Vancouver Island Soccer League Divison 3 playoffs at the end of February. (courtesy of Sooke Celtic)
LETTER SIG

LETTER: Two-minute tag and gas pedal to death

It takes about two minutes for a mortician to verify the identity…

LETTER SIG
The new mural at Saseenos Elementary was created by Indigenous artist Jordanna George, a former student at the school. (Google maps)

Sooke school selects salmon work by Indigenous alum as new logo

Artist Jordanna George is a member of the T’Sou-ke Nation and former Saseenos student

The new mural at Saseenos Elementary was created by Indigenous artist Jordanna George, a former student at the school. (Google maps)
Sooke Wastewater Treatment Plant manager Paul Bohemier at the two sequential batch reactors. Three different cycles happen in the SBRs: aeration, settling and decanting. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Royal flush: Behind the scenes at the Sooke wastewater plant

One flush and it’s gone is not exactly how it works

Sooke Wastewater Treatment Plant manager Paul Bohemier at the two sequential batch reactors. Three different cycles happen in the SBRs: aeration, settling and decanting. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
District of Sooke council has finalized its 2022 budget. (File-Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke budget gets final approval, but decision not without drama

Councillors approve 6.09% property tax increase for 2022

District of Sooke council has finalized its 2022 budget. (File-Sooke News Mirror)
Construction is beginning on a new housing development along Wadams Way in Sooke. A local advocacy group wants the district to pause new development to review its commitment to climate actions. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Group calls for moratorium on new development in Sooke

Transition Sooke fears town can’t meet its greenhouse gas emission guidelines

Construction is beginning on a new housing development along Wadams Way in Sooke. A local advocacy group wants the district to pause new development to review its commitment to climate actions. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
Cathy and Janice Gouk say that serving free Christmas lunches is their gift to the community that supports them all year round. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke cafe owner ‘shocked, honoured and humbled’ to win business of the year

Cathy’s Corner Cafe, Sooke Food Bank multiple winners for 2021 Business Excellence awards

Cathy and Janice Gouk say that serving free Christmas lunches is their gift to the community that supports them all year round. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Two tugboats and a supply vessel will be part of East Sooke’s Western Canada Marine Response base. The tugs will escort oil tankers through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. (Contributed - Trans Mountain)

West Shore-based tugs to escort oil tankers through Strait of Juan de Fuca

Vessels will operate out of Sc’ianew First Nation’s Cheanuh Marina at East Sooke

Two tugboats and a supply vessel will be part of East Sooke’s Western Canada Marine Response base. The tugs will escort oil tankers through the Strait of Juan de Fuca. (Contributed - Trans Mountain)
There were several trucks decorated with Christmas lights in the Sooke Santa Claus Parade. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke sparkles during annual Santa Claus Parade

32 entries were in this year’s parade, led by Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy

There were several trucks decorated with Christmas lights in the Sooke Santa Claus Parade. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
The Capital Regional District is making the rounds of Greater Victoria municipalities requesting additional funding for new climate change initiatives, one of which is to hire a new electric vehicle program coordinator. (Twitter - City of Victoria)

Sooke backs CRD climate initiative

Greater Victoria municipalities have until Dec. 17 to choose whether to support tax hike

The Capital Regional District is making the rounds of Greater Victoria municipalities requesting additional funding for new climate change initiatives, one of which is to hire a new electric vehicle program coordinator. (Twitter - City of Victoria)
Librarian Nathalie Jones, left, and Sooke Literacy Project outreach coordinator Kate Barton show storyboards that will be displayed in local business, from Dec. 11-18. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Winter version of StoryWalk lines Sooke storefront windows

Eleven businesses taking part in the project that runs Dec. 11-18

Librarian Nathalie Jones, left, and Sooke Literacy Project outreach coordinator Kate Barton show storyboards that will be displayed in local business, from Dec. 11-18. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
Cyclist Max McCulloch catches air off a jump on the Organ Donor trail in the Hartland area of Mount Work Regional Park. (File - Black Press Media)

Sooke Bike Club, CRD ink deal to maintain mountain bike trails

Licensing agreement covers Sea to Sea Regional Park in Sooke Hills

Cyclist Max McCulloch catches air off a jump on the Organ Donor trail in the Hartland area of Mount Work Regional Park. (File - Black Press Media)
The District of Sooke is expecting to hand residents a six per cent tax increase this year. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke residents urged to share their views on budget

Draft document contains $19.8 million in operating expenses, $11.7 million in capital projects

The District of Sooke is expecting to hand residents a six per cent tax increase this year. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
The Sooke Christmas Bureau is gearing up for another busy campaign. Applications for the Christmas Bureau hamper campaign are available at the Sooke Food Bank or the Sooke Family Resource Centre. (File - Thinkstock)

Sooke Christmas Bureau preparing for increased demand

Application deadline Dec. 3 for families in need

The Sooke Christmas Bureau is gearing up for another busy campaign. Applications for the Christmas Bureau hamper campaign are available at the Sooke Food Bank or the Sooke Family Resource Centre. (File - Thinkstock)
A map of the Sooke Santa Claus Parade, which takes place on Sunday, Dec. 5. (Contributed - District of Sooke)

Santa Claus Parade returns to Sooke streets

Popular parade returns after a two-year absence

A map of the Sooke Santa Claus Parade, which takes place on Sunday, Dec. 5. (Contributed - District of Sooke)
Road projects in Sooke will impact drivers in the coming days, says the District of Sooke. (Kevin Laird- - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke motorists will face more delays due to road projects

Short-term traffic disruptions at Church and Otter Point roads

Road projects in Sooke will impact drivers in the coming days, says the District of Sooke. (Kevin Laird- - Sooke News Mirror)
The EMCS Wolverines begin their 2021-22 season on Dec. 7, with a rookie roster and many expectations. (File - Metro-Creative)

Sooke high school squad eyes start of basketball season

EMCS hopes to top senior boys division this year

The EMCS Wolverines begin their 2021-22 season on Dec. 7, with a rookie roster and many expectations. (File - Metro-Creative)
Sooke district council is opening the door to email voting with alternative approval process elections. (Image - Facebook)

Sooke allows email ballots on alternative approval process voting

The policy decision comes on the heels of a controversial APP held last summer

Sooke district council is opening the door to email voting with alternative approval process elections. (Image - Facebook)
District of Sooke council is searching for ways to help local entrepreneurs find retail space. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Lack of retail space hampering Sooke business community

‘Finding space is a challenge,’ says Mayor Maja Tait

District of Sooke council is searching for ways to help local entrepreneurs find retail space. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Sooke council has begun discussions for the 2022 budget. (File - YouTube)

Sooke council likely looking at tax increase for 2022

Over the last 10 years, Sooke property owners have paid an average of 2.16 per cent annually in municipal taxes

Sooke council has begun discussions for the 2022 budget. (File - YouTube)