District of Highlands

A screenshot of Google Maps from Friday Aug. 4 at around 11:30 a.m., which suggested drivers that are looking to travel up the Malahat Highway use Finlayson Arm Road as a way to beat the traffic. (Courtesy of Google Maps)

Island officials plead with Google to stop sending traffic down ‘cow trail’

Narrow, rural road Finlayson Arm Road is increasingly used as a way to avoid Malahat traffic snarls

 

The District of Highlands is warning motorists to expect closures on a section of Ross Durrance Road in December as BC Hydro crews perform tree work. (Black Press Media file photo)

Highlands warning of road closure for tree work

A section of Ross Durrance Road will be closed during business hours Dec. 9 to 21

 

2022 municipal election (Black Press Media)

Who’s running for council on the West Shore?

Council candidates gear up for Oct. 15 election

2022 municipal election (Black Press Media)
Crews had to hike down a steep pathway called the Rabbity Trail to reach the fire in Gowlland Tod Provincial Park, 20 metres up from the waterline of the Saanich Inlet. (Black Press Media file photo)

‘Scariest time of year’: Another wildfire extinguished, this time in Highlands

Crews hiked down steep hills in Gowlland Tod Provincial Park to reach the fire

Crews had to hike down a steep pathway called the Rabbity Trail to reach the fire in Gowlland Tod Provincial Park, 20 metres up from the waterline of the Saanich Inlet. (Black Press Media file photo)
Jurisdictions policed by the West Shore RCMP in general saw a reduction in overall crime severity rates for 2021, the lone exception being View Royal, which experienced a slight increase from 2020 numbers. (Black Press Media file photo)

Crime levels trending downward on West Shore: StatsCan report

Langford leads way in crime severity reductions; overall and violent crimes drop

Jurisdictions policed by the West Shore RCMP in general saw a reduction in overall crime severity rates for 2021, the lone exception being View Royal, which experienced a slight increase from 2020 numbers. (Black Press Media file photo)
The District of Highlands is seeking public input on the draft South Highlands Local Area Plan between now and July 10. (Black Press Media file photo)

Highlands seeks public input on draft local area plan

Residents can provide feedback on the South Highlands Local Area Plan until July 10

The District of Highlands is seeking public input on the draft South Highlands Local Area Plan between now and July 10. (Black Press Media file photo)
The District of Highlands has passed what Mayor Ken Williams calls a status quo budget with a three-per-cent tax increase, which he said maintains current service levels while growing the district’s financial reserves for future infrastructure needs. (Black Press Media file photo)

Highlands passes status quo budget with 3-per-cent tax increase

One third of hike to boost district’s reserves for future infrastructure renewal

The District of Highlands has passed what Mayor Ken Williams calls a status quo budget with a three-per-cent tax increase, which he said maintains current service levels while growing the district’s financial reserves for future infrastructure needs. (Black Press Media file photo)
The District of Highlands has approved more than $14,000 in grants-in-aid to local non-profit organizations. (Black Press Media file photo)

Highlands approves more than $14k in grants-in-aid

The funds will support several local non-profit organizations

The District of Highlands has approved more than $14,000 in grants-in-aid to local non-profit organizations. (Black Press Media file photo)
The District of Highlands is seeking public input on implementation options for the B.C. Energy Step Code aimed at encouraging energy efficiency in new construction. (Black Press Media file photo)

District of Highlands seeks public input on energy efficiency code implementation

The B.C. Step Code would set efficiency requirements for new construction in the district

The District of Highlands is seeking public input on implementation options for the B.C. Energy Step Code aimed at encouraging energy efficiency in new construction. (Black Press Media file photo)
The District of Highlands continues to make progress on the South Highlands Local Area Plan, and Mayor Ken Williams said his hope is it will be completed later this year. (Black Press Media file photo)

Highlands council taking deeper dive into survey data before local area plan moves forward

More detail on public engagement sought before council gives staff direction on plan

The District of Highlands continues to make progress on the South Highlands Local Area Plan, and Mayor Ken Williams said his hope is it will be completed later this year. (Black Press Media file photo)
O.K. Industries will be allowed to continue working at the Highlands quarry after the B.C. Court of Appeals decision. (Courtesy of District of Highlands)

Appeals court rules against Highlands in quarry case

District has fought to stop work on site since 2016

O.K. Industries will be allowed to continue working at the Highlands quarry after the B.C. Court of Appeals decision. (Courtesy of District of Highlands)
District of Highlands council has approved the spending of COVID funds to upgrade the audio-visual technology and acoustics in the community hall. (Black Press Media file photo)

District of Highlands approves use of COVID funds to upgrade community hall

The funds will be used to improve audio-visual technology and acoustics for hybrid council meetings

District of Highlands council has approved the spending of COVID funds to upgrade the audio-visual technology and acoustics in the community hall. (Black Press Media file photo)
The District of Highlands is warning residents to expect delays with temporary road closures along two roads due to emergency flood damage repairs. (Black Press Media file photo)

Temporary road closures into next week as crews repair damage in Highlands

Sections of Millstream Lake Road and Ross Durrance Road will be closed for 20 minute stretches

The District of Highlands is warning residents to expect delays with temporary road closures along two roads due to emergency flood damage repairs. (Black Press Media file photo)
Oh DEER! 
A deer feasts on grass at the Caleb Pike Heritage Park in the Highlands. (Kendra Wong/News Gazette staff)

Caleb Pike Heritage Park still standing strong in Highlands

Society volunteers keeping spirit alive despite pandemic challenges

Oh DEER! 
A deer feasts on grass at the Caleb Pike Heritage Park in the Highlands. (Kendra Wong/News Gazette staff)
Highlands residents protest outside the O.K. Industries’ work site along Millstream Road on Thursday, Feb. 4. The protesters would like to see a reform of the B.C. Mines Act. (Dawn Gibson/News Staff)

Protests hold firm against work on Highlands quarry site

B.C. Supreme Court ruled in January that O.K. Industries site work can continue

Highlands residents protest outside the O.K. Industries’ work site along Millstream Road on Thursday, Feb. 4. The protesters would like to see a reform of the B.C. Mines Act. (Dawn Gibson/News Staff)
Following a cease work order from the District of Highlands in October, the BC Supreme Court ruled Jan. 20. that bylaws won’t apply to O.K. Industries’ work until its quarrying activity is complete. (Courtesy of District of Highlands)

BC Supreme Court rules Highlands quarry work can continue

District bylaws won’t apply until quarrying activities are complete

Following a cease work order from the District of Highlands in October, the BC Supreme Court ruled Jan. 20. that bylaws won’t apply to O.K. Industries’ work until its quarrying activity is complete. (Courtesy of District of Highlands)
A brown llama named Sparkle is missing in the Highlands and was last seen heading towards Munn Road. (ROAM – Reuniting Owners with Animals Missing/Facebook)

The Sparkle is gone in Highlands

Missing llama broke through a fence Sunday afternoon and hasn’t been seen since

A brown llama named Sparkle is missing in the Highlands and was last seen heading towards Munn Road. (ROAM – Reuniting Owners with Animals Missing/Facebook)