Michael Vavaroutsos

A bleached and dying Porites lobata colony on Kiritimati (Christmas Island). (Julia K. Baum/Contributed to Black Press Media)

Record-high ocean temperatures hurting coral reefs: UVic study

Coral reef ecosystems are worth US $375 billion annually, and are a key source of food and income

A bleached and dying Porites lobata colony on Kiritimati (Christmas Island). (Julia K. Baum/Contributed to Black Press Media)
Twitter logo. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

How businesses respond to Twitter complaints can affect reputation: study

10,000 tweets were collected and analyzed to show the responses to consumer complaints

Twitter logo. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Roberta Templeton, veterinarian at Manzini Animal Hospital and a locum veterinarian. (Roberta Templeton/Contributed to Black Press Media)

B.C. vet says people can help sick pets without ever leaving home

Animal doctor wants more people to know about online veterinary telemedicine.

Roberta Templeton, veterinarian at Manzini Animal Hospital and a locum veterinarian. (Roberta Templeton/Contributed to Black Press Media)
The Torquemasters Auto Extravaganza, with the Sidney, B.C. backdrop. (Ken Coward/Contributed to Black Press Media)

Sidney getting torqued for annual extravaganza for hot rod lovers

From brand-new Corvettes to classic hot rods, Torquemasters has something for everyone to enjoy

The Torquemasters Auto Extravaganza, with the Sidney, B.C. backdrop. (Ken Coward/Contributed to Black Press Media)
Ally Briscoe breaking the world record in the single buck event at the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS International Women Cup 2023 in Rotterdam on June 10, 2023. (Ally Briscoe/Contributed to Black Press Media)

World-record holder ready to defend her Canadian Logger Sports Championship

North Island’s Ally Briscoe recently broke the world record for the single buck in Europe

Ally Briscoe breaking the world record in the single buck event at the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS International Women Cup 2023 in Rotterdam on June 10, 2023. (Ally Briscoe/Contributed to Black Press Media)
The Cadboro Bay Festival returns to Gyro Park Sunday (Aug. 6) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Courtesy of Sarah Faria)

The Cadboro Bay Festival offers fun for the entire family

While there won’t be a sand-sculpting competition, the festival will include a variety of activities

The Cadboro Bay Festival returns to Gyro Park Sunday (Aug. 6) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Courtesy of Sarah Faria)
Bighorn sheep near Radium Hot Springs. (Chris Stannell/Contributed to Black Press Media)

Overpass to help protect bighorn sheep from fatal car crashes in B.C. Kootenays

This will help to make the certain stretch of Highway 93/95 safer for drivers and animals

Bighorn sheep near Radium Hot Springs. (Chris Stannell/Contributed to Black Press Media)
The 19-rider 2023 Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock team includes five West Shore RCMP officers, two from Saanich and one from the Canadian Military Police based in Esquimalt. The team that rides the Island to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society this fall was announced May 12 at St. Margaret’s School in Saanich. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

4 from Victoria, Esquimalt to pedal across the Island to fight cancer

Tour de Rock participants are cycling to raise money for children fighting cancer

The 19-rider 2023 Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock team includes five West Shore RCMP officers, two from Saanich and one from the Canadian Military Police based in Esquimalt. The team that rides the Island to raise funds for the Canadian Cancer Society this fall was announced May 12 at St. Margaret’s School in Saanich. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Jayla Jeske, winner of a ‘Live Life. Pass It On.’ scholarship for organ donation awareness. (Jayla Jeske/Contributed to Black Press Media)

Saanich high school student wins scholarship for organ donation awareness

Jayla Jeske organized Green Shirt Day events at her school, reaching over 2,600 people each year

Jayla Jeske, winner of a ‘Live Life. Pass It On.’ scholarship for organ donation awareness. (Jayla Jeske/Contributed to Black Press Media)
Gordon Head Garden Club. (Harry Felsing/Contributed to Black Press Media)

Gordon Head Garden Club connects with community for 70 years

The club just celebrated its 70th anniversary this year

Gordon Head Garden Club. (Harry Felsing/Contributed to Black Press Media)
Indigenous medicine bags. (Fraser Health/Contributed to Black Press Media)

Indigenous medicine bags help with healing at B.C. hospitals

These four-ingredient homemade medicine bags are both spiritual and tangible

Indigenous medicine bags. (Fraser Health/Contributed to Black Press Media)
Balraj Partridge after completing the Drop Zone at last years Easter Seals BC/Yukon’s annual Drop Zone fundraiser. (Jennifer Vasarhely/Contributed to Black Press Media)

Young B.C. man in wheelchair rappels down building to raise money for Easter Seals

Balraj Partridge suffers from spina bifida, a birth defect in an area of the spinal column

Balraj Partridge after completing the Drop Zone at last years Easter Seals BC/Yukon’s annual Drop Zone fundraiser. (Jennifer Vasarhely/Contributed to Black Press Media)
Christoph Deeg, a researcher with the Pacific Salmon Foundation’s Salmon Health team and lead author of the paper. (Alanna D Photography/Contributed to Black Press Media)

eDNA helps to analyze the challenges salmon face while navigating at sea

Pacific salmon spend most of their life in the ocean, but research on their survival is uncommon

Christoph Deeg, a researcher with the Pacific Salmon Foundation’s Salmon Health team and lead author of the paper. (Alanna D Photography/Contributed to Black Press Media)
Andrew MacFarlane from VCH, Squamish Nation member, former elected councillor k'ana Deborah Baker, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside and Julia Kaisla, executive director of CMHA North and West Vancouver branch, celebrating the creation of Recovery College YVR, helping to focus on addressing gaps in mental health treatment, on May 2, 2023 (Charlotte Gilmour/Contributed to Black Press Media).

B.C. ‘recovery college’ looks to bridge gaps in mental health, substance use disorder

This program offers free courses, from self management to pet therapy

Andrew MacFarlane from VCH, Squamish Nation member, former elected councillor k'ana Deborah Baker, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside and Julia Kaisla, executive director of CMHA North and West Vancouver branch, celebrating the creation of Recovery College YVR, helping to focus on addressing gaps in mental health treatment, on May 2, 2023 (Charlotte Gilmour/Contributed to Black Press Media).
On June 1, B.C. will offer rebates of up to $1400 for residents over the age of 19 who have purchased an e-bike (Clarise Larson/Contributed to black Press Media).

B.C. joins global trend in e-bike rebates; expected to see uptick in rider use

E-bikes can make for a faster commute, and can lower your carbon footprint

On June 1, B.C. will offer rebates of up to $1400 for residents over the age of 19 who have purchased an e-bike (Clarise Larson/Contributed to black Press Media).