Saanich News Staff

Instead of getting a Maltese puppy through an online sale, a Saanich woman was scammed thousands of dollars and threatened. Photo: Noelle on Unsplash

Saanich woman fleeced, threatened in double scam – puppies and gift cards

Check gift cards for tampering when out buying, warn police

Instead of getting a Maltese puppy through an online sale, a Saanich woman was scammed thousands of dollars and threatened. Photo: Noelle on Unsplash
The Saanich Fire Department responding to a fire Monday (Dec. 19) on Richmond Road. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)

Saanich road reopens after morning fire at multi-unit home

Nobody was home at the time of the upper-floor fire at the Richmond Road home

The Saanich Fire Department responding to a fire Monday (Dec. 19) on Richmond Road. (Jake Romphf/News Staff)
The English department at the University of Victoria is rethinking its practice of quoting disturbing passages in classic literature, after the use of the N-word in a lecture led to a complaint from a student.

Indigenous law unit at UVic receives $1.2-million grant to enhance influence

Unit is looking to rebuild Indigenous law in Canadian, global legal systems

The English department at the University of Victoria is rethinking its practice of quoting disturbing passages in classic literature, after the use of the N-word in a lecture led to a complaint from a student.
The Saanich Fire Department has recently hired 10 firefighters to fill two 24/7 positions and improve response times. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich recruits 10 firefighters to reduce response times

Full-time medic unit to operate out of Station No. 3

The Saanich Fire Department has recently hired 10 firefighters to fill two 24/7 positions and improve response times. (Black Press Media file photo)
When complete, the new Cedar Hill Middle School campus is expected to boast two sports fields, a basketball court, outdoor gathering spaces, additional parking, an on-site pick-up and drop-off space and a multi-use path along Cedar Hill Road with a raised curb and separated pedestrian and bike lanes. (Courtesy SD61)

Greater Victoria school board reveals $46.5M new school design for Cedar Hill

Construction on low-carbon, seismically safe replacement school set to start in summer 2023

When complete, the new Cedar Hill Middle School campus is expected to boast two sports fields, a basketball court, outdoor gathering spaces, additional parking, an on-site pick-up and drop-off space and a multi-use path along Cedar Hill Road with a raised curb and separated pedestrian and bike lanes. (Courtesy SD61)
Saanich police are looking to identify a suspect after someone swiped mail from a mailbox on Christmas Avenue. (Courtesy Crime Stoppers)

Greater Victoria Crime Stoppers seeks tips on alleged porch pirate

Crime Stoppers also remind residents to be wary, bring in mail promptly to avoid porch pirates

Saanich police are looking to identify a suspect after someone swiped mail from a mailbox on Christmas Avenue. (Courtesy Crime Stoppers)
Saanich police evacuated the Cornett Building at the University of Victoria after a shooting threat was reported. (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)

UPDATE: University of Victoria shooting threat found on bathroom wall sparks evacuation

Saanich police said the threat was written on a bathroom wall in Cornett building

Saanich police evacuated the Cornett Building at the University of Victoria after a shooting threat was reported. (Brendan Mayer/News Staff)
Police are investigating an early morning crash in the forested area of PKOLS. (Courtesy Saanich Police Department)

Alcohol believed to be a factor in early morning crash in Saanich

Saanich police are investigating the incident, which sent one person to hospital

Police are investigating an early morning crash in the forested area of PKOLS. (Courtesy Saanich Police Department)
Saanich police are asking for the public's assistance in finding missing 72-year-old Allen Laatsch, last seen in the Panama Flats area on Monday (Nov. 28) night. (Black Press Media file photo)

UPDATE: Saanich police locate Allen Laatsch

Laatsch was subject of Nov. 29 missing person investigation

Saanich police are asking for the public's assistance in finding missing 72-year-old Allen Laatsch, last seen in the Panama Flats area on Monday (Nov. 28) night. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. is investigating after a Saanich shoplifting suspect was injured in a Nov. 26 incident. The IIO investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing. (Black Press Media file photo)

Police watchdog investigating after Saanich shoplifting suspect falls several storeys at Uptown

Saanich police say a suspect ran to an upper parking lot before falling

The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. is investigating after a Saanich shoplifting suspect was injured in a Nov. 26 incident. The IIO investigates all officer-related incidents that result in serious harm or death, whether or not there is any allegation of wrongdoing. (Black Press Media file photo)
Camosun College’s anthropology department is hosting an event on Nov. 29 designed to help the residents of Greater Victoria think more about death. (Black Press Media file photo)

Camosun College invites Greater Victoria to learn more about death

The school’s anthropology department hosting an event Nov. 29

Camosun College’s anthropology department is hosting an event on Nov. 29 designed to help the residents of Greater Victoria think more about death. (Black Press Media file photo)
A DriveBC highway camera shows first responders on scene at the intersection of Trans-Canada Highway and Tillicum Road after a cyclist was hit early Tuesday (Nov. 22) morning. (DriveBC)

Driver ticketed for hitting cyclist in Saanich

Hazardous road conditions likely a factor in the collision, police say

A DriveBC highway camera shows first responders on scene at the intersection of Trans-Canada Highway and Tillicum Road after a cyclist was hit early Tuesday (Nov. 22) morning. (DriveBC)
Police say a fire that took place at a Saanich church overnight or early Monday (Nov. 21) morning is being treated as ‘suspicious.’ (Black Press Media file photo)

Police investigate ‘suspicious’ blaze at Saanich church

Fire likely happened overnight or early Monday morning, police say

Police say a fire that took place at a Saanich church overnight or early Monday (Nov. 21) morning is being treated as ‘suspicious.’ (Black Press Media file photo)
Saanich council candidate Vernon Lord faces a $150 fine from Elections BC for sponsoring election advertising without a proper authorization statement during the campaign period for the 2022 municipal elections. (Courtesy Vernon Lord)

Elections BC slaps third Greater Victoria municipal election candidate with fine

Saanich council candidate Vernon Lord issued penalty for election sign omission

Saanich council candidate Vernon Lord faces a $150 fine from Elections BC for sponsoring election advertising without a proper authorization statement during the campaign period for the 2022 municipal elections. (Courtesy Vernon Lord)
The Saanich Police Department has launched a new unit dedicated to investigating current and historical sexual offences. (Black Press Media file photo)

New Saanich police section focuses on investigating sexual offence allegations

Unit will investigate current and historical sexual offences

The Saanich Police Department has launched a new unit dedicated to investigating current and historical sexual offences. (Black Press Media file photo)
Saanich Police have identified the man found dead at Swan Lake in October. (Black Press Media file photo)

Saanich police identify body found at Swan Lake

Police say the death is not considered suspicious

Saanich Police have identified the man found dead at Swan Lake in October. (Black Press Media file photo)
The District of Saanich, Saanich Police Board and workers represented by CUPE Local 2011 have ratified a new three-year collective labour agreement. (Black Press Media file photo)

District of Saanich, unionized workers ratify new three-year labour contract

Contract includes improved benefits, wage increases

The District of Saanich, Saanich Police Board and workers represented by CUPE Local 2011 have ratified a new three-year collective labour agreement. (Black Press Media file photo)
A truck stopped on McKenzie Avenue near Burnside Road after it appears the load shifted. (Black Press Media photo)

Truck stops short, hampers traffic on busy Saanich corridor

Commercial vehicle stopped southbound on McKenzie Avenue near Burnside

A truck stopped on McKenzie Avenue near Burnside Road after it appears the load shifted. (Black Press Media photo)
The tent and sleeping bag police believe belonged to a man found dead near Swan Lake on Oct. 12. The photos were released on Monday (Nov. 7) as police try to identify the man. (Courtesy Saanich Police Department)

Saanich police looking to identify man found dead near Swan Lake last month

Man’s description, photos of his apparent tent released by police

The tent and sleeping bag police believe belonged to a man found dead near Swan Lake on Oct. 12. The photos were released on Monday (Nov. 7) as police try to identify the man. (Courtesy Saanich Police Department)
Members of the University of Victoria women’s field hockey team celebrating their national championship win on Saturday. (Courtesy AP Shutter)

Dynastic duo earns fitting field hockey swansong

Lynne Beecroft started and ended her career as a coach with Mollenhauers on the team

Members of the University of Victoria women’s field hockey team celebrating their national championship win on Saturday. (Courtesy AP Shutter)