Tim Collins

A Sooke RCM-SAR boat crashed on the rocks in what some former members say was an inevitable accident. (file photo)

Sooke search and rescue station under scrutiny after crash

“There were things happening at that boathouse that made that accident inevitable.”

A Sooke RCM-SAR boat crashed on the rocks in what some former members say was an inevitable accident. (file photo)
Valentine’s Day deserves contemptuous ridicule

Valentine’s Day deserves contemptuous ridicule

Writer can’t resist marking the day with sarcasm and derision

Valentine’s Day deserves contemptuous ridicule
Sooke mayor returns from Cambodia with new perspective

Sooke mayor returns from Cambodia with new perspective

Worlds apart, many problems are the same

Sooke mayor returns from Cambodia with new perspective
This realistic looking DND dummy apparently went astray and was reported as a body to RCMP. A relieved RCMP detachment issues a tongue-in-cheek press release on the matter. (RCMP)

Training dummy or actual body? B.C. RCMP recovery mission takes a humorous turn

“Cold and unresponsive” body was DND training dummy

This realistic looking DND dummy apparently went astray and was reported as a body to RCMP. A relieved RCMP detachment issues a tongue-in-cheek press release on the matter. (RCMP)
Stephane Marcotte and Sarge have formed a powerful bond that allows Marcotte to lead a normal life. He takes issue with equating service dogs with emotional support animals. (Black Press)

Emotional support concept can harm legitimate service animals

True service animals are trained and certified

Stephane Marcotte and Sarge have formed a powerful bond that allows Marcotte to lead a normal life. He takes issue with equating service dogs with emotional support animals. (Black Press)
Memorial plaque to honour fallen Vancouver Island faller

Memorial plaque to honour fallen Vancouver Island faller

Cam Sullivan a young Sooke dad who met tragic death

Memorial plaque to honour fallen Vancouver Island faller
Councillors Brenda Parkinson (far left) and Megan McMath (far right) had very different perspectives on the remuneration of Council. At a Jan. 28 meeting, the issue was not resolved and postponed for at least another two weeks. (File photo)

Sooke council delays action on pay raise

Sooke pays its councillors the least of any of the Greater Victoria municipalities

Councillors Brenda Parkinson (far left) and Megan McMath (far right) had very different perspectives on the remuneration of Council. At a Jan. 28 meeting, the issue was not resolved and postponed for at least another two weeks. (File photo)
Youth mental health is becoming an increasingly important issue in schools across Canada. The Sooke school district has recognized the issue and provides a multitude of resources for students. (File photo)

Sooke school district offers help to students with mental health

Stats say that one-in-seven students will have problems

Youth mental health is becoming an increasingly important issue in schools across Canada. The Sooke school district has recognized the issue and provides a multitude of resources for students. (File photo)
The reader board outside Sooke elementary school is part of Ayre Manor’s initiative to recruit ocal nurses to work at the care home. (Tim Collins/Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke’s Ayre Manor takes unique approach to recruiting nurses

Nursing shortages part of a larger problem

The reader board outside Sooke elementary school is part of Ayre Manor’s initiative to recruit ocal nurses to work at the care home. (Tim Collins/Sooke News Mirror)
A rockslide at the Sooke Potholes has closed a portion of the viewing area at the popular tourist site. (CRD)                                A rockslide at the Sooke Potholes has closed a portion of the viewing area at the popular tourist site. (CRD)

Viewing area at Sooke Potholes likely to remain closed

Officials concerned about safety following rockslide last week

A rockslide at the Sooke Potholes has closed a portion of the viewing area at the popular tourist site. (CRD)                                A rockslide at the Sooke Potholes has closed a portion of the viewing area at the popular tourist site. (CRD)
A rockslide at the Sooke Potholes has closed a portion of the viewing area at the popular tourist site. (CRD)

Mudslide closes viewing area at Sooke Potholes

Safety concerns have led to the closure

A rockslide at the Sooke Potholes has closed a portion of the viewing area at the popular tourist site. (CRD)
Mayor Maja Tait is in Cambodia as part of a Global Affairs Canada program. (file photo)

Sooke mayor travels to Cambodia to empower women in politics

The trip is part of a Global Affairs Canada initiative

Mayor Maja Tait is in Cambodia as part of a Global Affairs Canada program. (file photo)
Sooke resident, Cinnamon Lennox, has come forward to claim her 6/49 win. (BCLC)
Sooke resident, Cinnamon Lennox, has come forward to claim her 6/49 win. (BCLC)
Problem bears in Sooke break into car and have a party in a shed

Problem bears in Sooke break into car and have a party in a shed

The real problem is people allowing access to food

Problem bears in Sooke break into car and have a party in a shed
Jeanette Marwick spent the day with her daughter this Christmas. Despite the effects of Alzheimer’s, she enjoyed the outing. (photo contributed)

Vancouver Island family shares the story of their Alzheimer’s journey

The account comes as Alzheimer’s awareness month enters its second week

Jeanette Marwick spent the day with her daughter this Christmas. Despite the effects of Alzheimer’s, she enjoyed the outing. (photo contributed)
Three donation boxes are located on the grounds of Sooke Elementary School, but only two have been retrofitted to prevent anyone from entering the box. (Tim collins/Sooke News Mirror)

Donation bin deaths raise questions about safety

Recent deaths have prompted the removal or retrofit of boxes in Greater Victoria

Three donation boxes are located on the grounds of Sooke Elementary School, but only two have been retrofitted to prevent anyone from entering the box. (Tim collins/Sooke News Mirror)
The Sooke watershed is a pristine area where nearly all the drinking water for the region is stored. (File photo)

An alternate route for Malahat shouldn’t go through Sooke watershed, says CRD director

Water supply safety more important than traffic fixes: Mike Hicks

The Sooke watershed is a pristine area where nearly all the drinking water for the region is stored. (File photo)
A portion of the Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail has been closed due to a mudslide in the area. (File photo)

Mudslide closes Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail

Public is asked to avoid the area for now

A portion of the Sooke Hills Wilderness Trail has been closed due to a mudslide in the area. (File photo)
Driving in the dark and rain can be a hazardous pursuit, but Highway 14 remains one of the most challenging stretches of road on the Island despite $10 million in improvments. (file photo)

Highway 14 improvements leave room for more

Road along Vancouver Island’s southwest coast remains a challenging stretch

Driving in the dark and rain can be a hazardous pursuit, but Highway 14 remains one of the most challenging stretches of road on the Island despite $10 million in improvments. (file photo)
(Pixabay)

The Spirit of Christmas

Faith, children and giving combine to give meaning to the season

(Pixabay)