Justin Samanski-Langille

Following an incident at Thetis Lake which sent two to hospital, B.C. Emergency Health Services is reminding residents of some key water safety tips ahead of the long weekend. (Courtesy CRD)

B.C residents warned to stay safe as long weekend kicks off summer fun on the water

Ambulance service urges caution as warm weather will likely see people flock to lakes and beaches

Following an incident at Thetis Lake which sent two to hospital, B.C. Emergency Health Services is reminding residents of some key water safety tips ahead of the long weekend. (Courtesy CRD)
Revellers enjoy the first Friday at the Station pop-up beer and music event organized by the Victoria Beer Society and held at Langford Station Friday, May 12. At the event, the society announced the popular Langford Beer Festival is returning larger than ever July 15 to Starlight Stadium. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Sprawling Langford Beer Festival tapped to return bigger than ever this summer

The Victoria Beer Society announced its return at the first Fridays at the Station pop-up of 2023

Revellers enjoy the first Friday at the Station pop-up beer and music event organized by the Victoria Beer Society and held at Langford Station Friday, May 12. At the event, the society announced the popular Langford Beer Festival is returning larger than ever July 15 to Starlight Stadium. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Rory Smith celebrates after winning his race during the final race night at the Westshore Motorsports Park Saturday, Sept. 17 2022, as the track shuts down permanently. Smith said in a lot of ways the fact the speedway is gone has not quite hit him yet, but as what would normally be the start of his racing season approaches, the reality of the loss of such a unique and storied space is expected to sink in. (Black Press Media file photo)

One year after the final Western Speedway season start, racers begin to mourn

Work progressing on finding property for a new track location

Rory Smith celebrates after winning his race during the final race night at the Westshore Motorsports Park Saturday, Sept. 17 2022, as the track shuts down permanently. Smith said in a lot of ways the fact the speedway is gone has not quite hit him yet, but as what would normally be the start of his racing season approaches, the reality of the loss of such a unique and storied space is expected to sink in. (Black Press Media file photo)
In her backyard studio in Langford, Kimberly Anne Reid sculpts glass into unique jewelry artfully incorporating cremated remains to help people keep the memories of their loved ones close. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

B.C. artist incorporates cremated remains into glass sculpture to keep memories alive

Kimberly Anne Reid is creating one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted glass jewelry in her backyard

In her backyard studio in Langford, Kimberly Anne Reid sculpts glass into unique jewelry artfully incorporating cremated remains to help people keep the memories of their loved ones close. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Salmon make their way up stream to spawn in Goldstream Provincial Park on Friday, Nov. 25, during the 2022 salmon run. (Black Press Media file photo)

‘Somebody needs to speak for the fish’: protest launched against Malahat widening

Carl Olsen is organizing weekly demonstrations over concerns the project will impact salmon spawning

Salmon make their way up stream to spawn in Goldstream Provincial Park on Friday, Nov. 25, during the 2022 salmon run. (Black Press Media file photo)
The eradication of Fallow Deer on Sidney Island has renewed questions about the ethics of deer culls. (Parks Canada/Submitted)

Parks Canada plan to eradicate invasive deer from B.C. island approved

Sharpshooting of 500-1,000 deer from helicopters, on the ground will proceed off Greater Victoria

The eradication of Fallow Deer on Sidney Island has renewed questions about the ethics of deer culls. (Parks Canada/Submitted)
(Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

‘I’m hooked’: Vancouver Island woman takes daily cold plunge, says you should too

Gery Lemon says the practice has helped her physically and mentally, and others are joining up

(Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
At 102 years old, Peter Chance had the opportunity to take to the skies again – and even take the controls – thanks to friend Paul Seguna and the Victoria Flying Club. (Courtesy of Paul Seguna)

‘Excitement beyond measure’: B.C. vet takes to the skies again to pilot a plane at 102

Peter Chance took flight, and the controls, thanks to friend Paul Seguna and the Victoria Flying Club

At 102 years old, Peter Chance had the opportunity to take to the skies again – and even take the controls – thanks to friend Paul Seguna and the Victoria Flying Club. (Courtesy of Paul Seguna)
Parks Canada and its partners on the Sidney Island Ecological Restoration Project are seeking to eradicate the invasive fallow deer population on the island. The island’s residents are set to vote on March 2 whether or not to give their approval of that part of the wider project. (Courtesy of Parks Canada)

B.C. residents to vote on plan to eradicate invasive deer

The proposed move is part of the wider Sidney Island Ecological Restoration Project

Parks Canada and its partners on the Sidney Island Ecological Restoration Project are seeking to eradicate the invasive fallow deer population on the island. The island’s residents are set to vote on March 2 whether or not to give their approval of that part of the wider project. (Courtesy of Parks Canada)
Among the potential expansion projects outlined in Victoria International Airport’s new master plan are a series of expansions to the terminal building in order to accommodate projected passenger traffic growth, with the expansions split into several phases, shown in this rendering. (Courtesy of Victoria International Airport)

Victoria airport eyeing major expansions over next 20 years

The expansions are based on projected passenger growth, but will only be made real if growth occurs

Among the potential expansion projects outlined in Victoria International Airport’s new master plan are a series of expansions to the terminal building in order to accommodate projected passenger traffic growth, with the expansions split into several phases, shown in this rendering. (Courtesy of Victoria International Airport)
Greater Victoria’s Naomi Morrell – a.k.a Scream Soda – has earned a spot on team Canada for the Junior Roller Derby World Cup in France this July after just five years playing for Victoria’s Rotten Apples. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

‘I just started yelling’: Vancouver Island teen makes national roller derby team

Naomi Morrell – a.k.a Scream Soda – will compete in the world cup in France this summer

Greater Victoria’s Naomi Morrell – a.k.a Scream Soda – has earned a spot on team Canada for the Junior Roller Derby World Cup in France this July after just five years playing for Victoria’s Rotten Apples. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Victoria’s Phillips Brewing and Malting Co. is shifting to an employee ownership model after 21 years under the sole ownership of founder Matt Phillips. (Courtesy Phillips Brewing and Malting Co./Facebook)

Employees set to take over Vancouver Island’s popular Phillips brewery

Move will see all full-time employees of three years or more eligible to buy shares

Victoria’s Phillips Brewing and Malting Co. is shifting to an employee ownership model after 21 years under the sole ownership of founder Matt Phillips. (Courtesy Phillips Brewing and Malting Co./Facebook)
Kamila Nowak, director and instructor at The Lab Westshore yoga studio, practices some poses Thursday, Dec. 15. The studio expects a busy new year as people make new year’s resolutions, but UVic psychology professor Frederick Grouzet cautions people to ensure they are finding personal motivation for a resolution, rather than an external motivation, if they want to succeed. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Right motivations key for New Year’s resolutions, says University of Victoria professor

Wanting to start anew is natural for humans, but pressure to do so makes it harder to succeed

Kamila Nowak, director and instructor at The Lab Westshore yoga studio, practices some poses Thursday, Dec. 15. The studio expects a busy new year as people make new year’s resolutions, but UVic psychology professor Frederick Grouzet cautions people to ensure they are finding personal motivation for a resolution, rather than an external motivation, if they want to succeed. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
BC Hydro said it is taking reports of increased power grid attacks in the U.S. seriously, and has enhanced the security of its infrastructure in response. (Black Press Media file photo)

BC Hydro taking ‘additional steps’ to protect grid after string of U.S. attacks

The power utility said it can’t go into details of what security enhancements have been made

BC Hydro said it is taking reports of increased power grid attacks in the U.S. seriously, and has enhanced the security of its infrastructure in response. (Black Press Media file photo)
Robinson’s Outdoor Store co-owners Erin Boggs and Matt King show off some of the store’s fly fishing gear. The store expects a busy Boxing Day this year as it will be the first time they have been able to go all-out on the sales event since the pandemic started. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Boxing Day expected to be lined up out the door at Victoria outdoor store

Robinson’s Outdoor Store sees the event as way to thank community for pandemic support

Robinson’s Outdoor Store co-owners Erin Boggs and Matt King show off some of the store’s fly fishing gear. The store expects a busy Boxing Day this year as it will be the first time they have been able to go all-out on the sales event since the pandemic started. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Cameron Bell stands with a hospital worker he drove to work Tuesday (Dec. 20) as part of a group of off-road driving enthusiasts helping hospital workers commute during the snow storm. (Courtesy of Cameron Bell)

Vancouver Island off-roaders step up to get hospital staff to work in snowstorm

A Vancouver Island Facebook group sprung into action to ensure hospitals have the staff they need

Cameron Bell stands with a hospital worker he drove to work Tuesday (Dec. 20) as part of a group of off-road driving enthusiasts helping hospital workers commute during the snow storm. (Courtesy of Cameron Bell)
BC Hydro said there is no cause for concern after Greater Victoria residents took to social media to report crackling and popping sounds coming from power lines in recent weeks. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Snap, crackle, pop: Salt spray blamed for odd sounds from B.C. power lines

Residents in Victoria region have been taking to social media to report odd sounds on powerlines

BC Hydro said there is no cause for concern after Greater Victoria residents took to social media to report crackling and popping sounds coming from power lines in recent weeks. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
The group leading the search for a new location for the former Western Speedway has identified another potential location. (Black Press Media file photo)

Search moving in right direction for new Western Speedway location

A new, promising location has been identified, but talks remain in their early stages

The group leading the search for a new location for the former Western Speedway has identified another potential location. (Black Press Media file photo)
Reynolds Antiques and Collectibles was robbed over night, with at least $100,000 in gold and jewelry missing just as the busy holiday shopping season gets underway. (Courtesy of Luke Reynolds)

Vancouver Island antique shop robbed of at least $100K in gold and silver

Sooke’s Luke Reynolds is trying to remain positive as the busy holiday shopping season approaches

Reynolds Antiques and Collectibles was robbed over night, with at least $100,000 in gold and jewelry missing just as the busy holiday shopping season gets underway. (Courtesy of Luke Reynolds)
Tracy Singleton, Meghan Rawlins, and Evie Frisque are seen at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto where Rawlins designed more than a dozen courses for the prestigious equestrian show. (Courtesy of Meghan Rawlins)

Islander only woman in Canada to earn elite equestrian course design certification

Meghan Rawlins is the only woman in Canada with FEI Level 3 certification

Tracy Singleton, Meghan Rawlins, and Evie Frisque are seen at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair in Toronto where Rawlins designed more than a dozen courses for the prestigious equestrian show. (Courtesy of Meghan Rawlins)