It’s back-to-school and back to 30 km/h for Victorians starting next week.

The kids are back to school next week, which means speeds in school zones will be back in effect starting Tuesday, September 6th. 

The Greater Victoria School District and the Victoria Police Department are reminding drivers to slow down and exercise caution as students return to school.

School zones will be in effect across the Greater Victoria region on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

VicPD Speed Watch volunteers will be conducting a back-to-school speed watch blitz across Victoria and Esquimalt, in an attempt to keep everyone safe. 

“Every school day for the month of September, teams of VicPD Speed Watch volunteers wearing reflective vests will be at highly-visible locations near schools reminding drivers that students are heading back to class,” Chief Del Manak said. 

“Their presence will provide plenty of advance warning to drivers to slow down and look out for students before they get to our officers conducting school zone enforcement.”  

The driver of a white Tesla had was arrested Thursday afternoon after  a head-on collision with an Oak Bay Police cruiser near UVic.

In a media release, Saanich Police said the incident started around 3:45 p.m.,  officers spotted a man driving in a “dangerous manner” near the intersection of Cedar Hill Cross Road at Shelbourne Street.

The vehicle was seen driving into oncoming traffic and failing to stop at traffic lights, so police attempted to stop the vehicle as it headed eastbound towards the University of Victoria.

Police continued to pursue the vehicle due to the threat to public safety and called for additional assistance, including officers from Oak Bay Police.

“Due to concern for public safety and everyone on the road this afternoon, police continued to pursue in an attempt to stop the driver as soon as it was possible to do so,” said Saanich police in a statement.

The Tesla ended up crashing head-on into an Oak Bay police cruiser that was assisting with the call, as well as two Saanich police vehicles, at the intersection of Gordon Head Road and Campus Crescent.

Once police had the vehicle stopped, the male driver of the car refused to exit the vehicle.

He was eventually removed from the car and taken into custody with help from the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team and police dogs.

Happy to report that our officer that was involved in the incident is doing well and is back at home. https://t.co/lree6CY8D8

— Oak Bay Police (@OakBayPolice) September 2, 2022

A supportive recovery home in Victoria was destroyed by flames Thursday, displacing four residents.

Victoria Fire Department responded to an early morning fire at the heritage home in the 1000-block of Princess Avenue. 

They arrived on the scene at 8:45 a.m. and the house was already fully engulfed in flames.

According to fire officials, the blaze started at the front of the house and quickly spread to the whole main floor and upper balcony.

Despite the quick spread of the flames, firefighters had the house fire under control within minutes of arrival. 

All occupants were able to evacuate safely so one was hurt or injured in the fire.

The home was owned by BC Health and operated by Island Health as a supportive recovery house.

The cause of the house fire is still under investigation. 

UVic is expanding student housing on campus, with the grand opening of their newest residence and dining building this month. 

The residence, one of two new housing buildings set to open on campus, is now ready for students to move in.

UVic’s newest student housing and dining building will provide an additional 398 beds for students, bringing the number of on-campus student beds to more than 2,500, the most in UVic’s history.

“Our government continues to work to remove the barriers British Columbians are facing. Victoria has one of the lowest rental vacancy rates in the province, making it challenging for post-secondary students to secure housing,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training. 

“Between 2001 and 2016, the old government only built 130 student beds. The outcome was many students were pushed into local rental markets in communities like Victoria. Our government is making different choices, working with colleges and universities to build 8,000 student housing beds across B.C. to make post-secondary education more affordable for students and provide relief for local renters.”

UVic’s first-year on-campus housing guarantee means the new building will primarily benefit first-year students at the university. This guarantee helps new students acclimate to campus life through living in residence.

In addition to student housing, the eight-storey building includes a two-storey, 715-seat dining hall equipped to serve 10,000 meals a day to students, staff, faculty and the public. 

“With assistance from the Province, we are working to remove barriers and make higher education accessible for more students at UVic,” said Kevin Hall, president, University of Victoria. 

“On-campus housing helps students transition to post-secondary studies and creates a sense of community and connection. These new student-housing buildings will also help to alleviate pressure on the rental market in the surrounding community.”

UVic was the second post-secondary institution in the province to access the BC Student Housing Loan Program, a $450-million initiative launched in 2018 to make housing more affordable and available for students. 

The first student housing building has been built and completed on schedule. The second student housing building will be completed a year ahead of schedule in summer 2023 and will provide an additional 385 beds. 

Both student-housing buildings will be constructed using natural products, including stone and wood, consistent with the Province’s CleanBC plan and have been designed and constructed to achieve Passive House and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) V4 Gold certification. 

This means reduced energy, operating and maintenance costs, and lower carbon emissions.

Saanich fire crews were able to stop the spread of a fire at a vacant home in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The Saanich Fire Department responded to a house fire around 1:30 a.m. in the 3200 block of Wascana Street.

A neighbour called 911 to report the fire and soon after 19 firefighters arrived on scene to extinguish the flames, Deputy Chief Trevor Stubbings told Victoria Buzz.

The fire started inside the vacant home, but caused significant damage to the exterior of the house as well.

No one was injured during the fire and no surrounding homes were damaged due to the blaze.

The investigation is still ongoing, according to Saanich Fire Department.

British Columbia has been ranked the favourite province by Canadians, when asked to choose another province besides their own.

According to a study by Leger, a marketing firm, BC has been ranked as the favourite province/territory of Canadians. 

The survey was completed by 1516 Canadian residents, aged 18 and older from August 19th to 21st.

The survey asked respondents a series of questions, which determined which of the provinces, other than respondent’s own, are their favourite. 

As a result, BC topped the list as the country’s favourite province.

BC took 30% of the votes, followed by Alberta with 12% and Nova Scotia with 10%. 

According to the survey, Atlantic Canadians are least likely to select BC as their favourite province (12%). Alberta was the most likely to select BC as their favourite province (67%).

When it came to specific reasons respondents would consider when determining their favourite province, over half of Canadians cited landscapes as a major factor. 

The nature and wildlife of a province came second (42%). 

BC won second place for geography and landscapes (65%) after Newfoundland and first in nature and wildlife (60%). 

As for Canadian’s least favourite province? Quebec topped the list. 

You can see the full report here.

Camosun College has given a crosswalk at each campus a burst of colour, reflecting the Progress Pride flag. 

The crosswalks, a visual show of support for Pride, was created in consultation with the Camosun College Student Society (CCSS). 

The design consists of six colour ribbons and five colour chevrons painted on the crosswalk surface. 

Based on the iconic rainbow flag, the design celebrates diversity and a more inclusive society.

“The inclusive crosswalks are a demonstration of our commitment to a campus where everyone feels like they belong,” says Dr. Lane Trotter, college president. 

“Camosun is continuing its work on building a more equitable, diverse and inclusive community, and the painting of a crosswalk serves as a constant and visible reminder that all are welcome.”

The crosswalk at Interurban is between the Alex & Jo Campbell Centre for Health and Wellness and the Centre for Business and Access. The crosswalk at Lansdowne is in the P3 short-term parking lot off Foul Bay Road near the fountain. 

“The Student Society at Camosun continues to build on the vision of a community that is open, responsive, and respects the rights, differences, and dignity of all people,” said Jessie Naadei Niikoi, CCSS, External Executive. 

“Pride is more than just a single month as work to promote, educate and drive awareness about equity for all sexual and gender diverse people is something that needs to happen throughout the year.”

VicPD are looking for witnesses who may have video to come forward after a man was stabbed in the chest this afternoon.

According to police, the incident occurred around 2 p.m. Tuesday in the area of Rock Bay Avenue and Gorge Road East.

Police received reports that a man was being attacked by another person with a knife.

The victim said he was outside of his home when a stranger approached him and demanded a cigarette.

When the he said “no”, the man stabbed him in the chest.

Police said the victim fled from his attacker, who continued to follow him.

A witness who saw the attack called 911 and warned the suspect he was on the phone with police which helped thwart a further assault.

The victim was able to capture a photo of the suspect before he fled the area which helped police locate the man a short time later.

When officers approached him, the man first turned away from them and began reaching into his waist area.

As police told him he was under arrest, the suspect spun back towards them and brandished a knife.

He raised the knife above his head and began yelling at officers, according to VicPD.

One of the officers drew his duty pistol while another discharged his taser on the man, causing him to drop the knife and fall to the ground.

The suspect was arrested and the knife was seized.

The victim suffered a non-life-threatening stab wound to the chest as well as other injuries during his escape from his attacker.

Police said he declined further medical treatment.

“As is standard practice anytime a CEW is deployed, the suspect was transported to hospital for evaluation,” said VicPD in a statement.

“He was treated and released from hospital and transported to VicPD cells where he is being held for morning court.”

Several people were seen filming the arrest in a heavily populated area and investigators are asking anyone with video of the incident and/or the arrest to call VicPD at (250) 995-7654.

A 56-year old man from Vancouver is dead after a tubing incident on the Cowichan River.

On Monday, August 29th,  Lake Cowichan RCMP responded to help with an incident at Marie Canyon off of Riverbottom Road.

Witnesses told police the man had been floating on an inflatable tube with friends and had planned to get out of the water before the Marie Canyon rapids but he was unable to do so.

“The friends of the deceased lost sight of him, but later located him approximately 500 meters down the river,” said Sergeant Chris Manseau, acting Senior Media Relations Officer for the BC RCMP.

“When the man was found he was in immediate medical distress, and first aid measures were given immediately.”

Paramedics and members of the Lake Cowichan Fire Department also assisted with life saving measures but the man died at the scene, police said.

“The Cowichan River is a very popular spot for tubing and swimming, and the RCMP want to remind those partaking to use caution as sudden changes in the river can cause unforeseen hazards,” said Manseau.

“Though important, swimming skills alone aren’t always enough to save a life. Many drowning incidents involve other factors that swimming skills alone cannot prepare an individual for.”

The identity of the victim has not been released.

The Lake Cowichan RCMP and BC Coroners Service are investigating.

A Victoria man was surprised when he realized his $10,000 lotto win was actually $75,000!

“I thought I had won $10,000,” Heinz Burki recalled. 

“I told my wife we get to go on a trip and then I realized I forgot to scratch a letter off, and I actually won $75,000,” he said excitedly. 

Burki won the top prize of $75,000 from BCLC’s Deluxe Crossword Scratch & Win game, purchasing his ticket from the Save-On-Foods on Foul Bay Road. 

He discovered he had won after arriving back home.

When asked how he plans on spending his winnings, Burki says he plans on sharing some of the money with his daughter and travel with his wife.

A GoFundMe has been set up for a family mourning the loss of an inspiring Saanich entrepreneur and her baby.

Founder of PACHULAH, Amanda Welch, known to many as Mandy, died August 23rd, one day after baby Rachelle Daisy Green-Welch.

“We thought we were having a baby, but instead we had an angel. I’m sure you had to leave us as well, to go take care of our little angel baby girl,” reads a tribute posted on the companies Facebook page by her husband, Daniel Welch.

“You were the most incredible, talented, breathtakingly beautiful woman and the impact you had on so many people was astounding … The accomplishments you made in such a short time is spectacular, but you’ve left us too soon.”

Following the announcement, tributes and messages began to pour in from customers and the business community.

“Mandy an incredible entrepreneur opened her first store at Uptown in 2016 designing and creating the stunning jewelry you see from the kiosk today,” Uptown wrote in a tribute.

“We are grateful she chose Uptown to cultivate her creativity and business. Mandy’s positive bright light and presence will be greatly missed and our thoughts are with her family at this most difficult time.”

Welch first launched Pachulah at Uptown in 2016, months later, she took part in celebrating Victoria Buzz’s 50,000 fan celebration by giving away one of her hand-crafted necklaces.

Her business quickly grew catching the interest of local and international buyers, which led to Welch opening a second location in Waikiki in 2018.

Mandy’s uncle, Murray Sharrat launched a GoFundMe as a way to support her husband and 22-month-old son, Dante.

“Amanda… and her unborn daughter, Rachelle Daisy, passed away suddenly on August 23rd. Mandy was a beautiful, free-spirited woman who enlighted everyone she touched. Her infectious smile and kindness left a lasting impression on everyone she met,” said Sharrat in the GoFundMe.

Sharratt said the funds will be used to help Dan and Dante navigate the world without Mandy.

As of this publication, the fundraiser has raised $4,485 of its $20,000 goal.

“Rachelle Daisy Green-Welch was a perfect little baby girl. I got to hold her and say goodbye and I know one day you, me, Dante and Rachelle, Goldie, Akoya, Sadie and the chickens will all be reunited,” said Mandy’s husband.

“I look forward to this day, but for now we’ve got some work to do. I will always love you, and I will always live with the honor of knowing you and getting to spend so much wonderful time with you. Rest In Peace my Wife. I love you to the moon and back. “

A new survey conducted by ICBC has revealed almost half of drivers in BC are using their phones to talk or text while driving.

Of those surveyed, 43% of drivers admit to using their phone at least once out of every 10 trips, a statistic up from 33% in 2019.

Drivers continue to use their phones while driving, despite 73% of respondents believing it is likely they will be caught by police holding or handling their electronic device. 

According to ICBC, one in four fatal crashes in the province are caused by distracted driving, claiming the lives of 76 British Columbians each year. 

Using electronic devices while driving is one of the most common and riskiest forms of distracted driving, increasing your risk of crashing by five times. 

ICBC and police are launching a month-long campaign urging drivers to leave their phone alone while driving by ramping up distracted driving enforcement and engaging community volunteers to conduct Cell Watch deployments to remind drivers to keep their eyes on the road.

“To ensure that we’re keeping our roadways safe for everyone, education and enforcement activities begin today throughout B.C. as part of our fall distracted driving campaign,” said Chief Constable Neil Dubord, Chair of the BC Association of Chiefs of Police Traffic Safety Committee.

“These police and community efforts are necessary as distracted driving continues to be one of the most dangerous driving behaviours impacting road safety in B.C.,” added Dubord. 

“One quick peek at your cell phone or electronic device distraction could be the difference between life and death. “

West Shore RCMP seized a loaded shotgun from a 68-year-old man in Langford on Saturday following a well-being check.

On August 27th, West Shore RCMP were conducting a well-being check in the 800 block of Van Isle Way when located the individual in his car.

Police were alerted the man may be in possession of a firearm and during a search of the vehicle, officers located and seized a loaded shotgun that was reported stolen in 2015 from Cold Lake, Alberta.

The man was arrested for possession of property obtained by crime, careless use of a firearm and unauthorized possession of a firearm.

He was transported to the hospital and later released with a court date in November.

Talk about a close call.

RCMP responded to an incident at Goldstream and Wale Road in Colwood Tuesday afternoon, after a senior in an electric scooter fell into a hole.

Westshore RCMP confirmed to Victoria Buzz that police and ambulance arrived on scene to assist the woman, who had fallen into an estimated 10-foot hole located on a construction site.

RCMP said the woman drove around pylon before descending into the hole.

BCEHS said they were called to the scene just after noon. Paramedics transported the woman to hospital in stable condition to hospital after suffering  minor injuries, such as scrapes and bruises. 

RCMP are crediting the style of scooter from stopping her from fully falling into the excavation hole.

While the investigation is ongoing, West Shore RCMP do not anticipate any charges laid in the incident.

A 51-year-old man is in police custody after threatening to kill police with his dogs near Uptown in Saanich Tuesday afternoon.

The incident occurred around 12:30 p.m. on the Trans-Canada Highway at Carey Road when officers attended a pathway near the Galloping Goose to speak to a man that had been camping in the area for several weeks.

Police said his tent was set up on private property, and that he had a large amount of personal property, and two dogs, one of which had been deemed a dangerous animal by the City of Victoria.

According to Saanich Police, he had become increasingly confrontational with police over the past few weeks about moving his property.

“Officers had engaged him with social services and housing opportunities, however, he refused both and continued to refuse to leave the private property,” said Cst. Markus Anastasiades of the Saanich Police department.

Police said they had warned him several times about moving and it was “explained to him that he would be arrested under the Trespass Act if he did not comply.”

He was issued a warning on Monday, as well as Tuesday morning, to move his encampment that was now obstructing a multi-use path in the area.

When officers spoke with the man today, he threatened to kill police with his dogs before fleeing onto the highway with his dogs. He then continued to threaten to kill police.

The highway was temporarily closed as officers worked to deescalate the situation, however, police said the man quickly deteriorated so a bean-bag shotgun was deployed on the suspect in an effort to apprehend him.

The 51-year-old suspect was eventually arrested and transported back to the Saanich Police department. He suffered minor injuries from the deployment of the bean-bag shotgun.

The dogs were not injured and were seized by the CRD Animal Control Services.

The suspect is facing charges of assault with a weapon, obstructing a peace officer and trespassing and remains in police custody.

Video from TCH near Uptown showing police attempting to secure two dogs (one deemed dangerous) after a suspect threatened to use them to kill Saanich Police officers.

See link below for full story. pic.twitter.com/EFyha8Auwf

— Mike Kelly (@mikevicbuzz) August 30, 2022

A new community park has opened in Langford, in memory of Flying Fireman Alex Davison and Robert Moore whose waterbomber plane crashed into Skirt Mountain in Langford while fighting a fire.

55 years ago, on the afternoon of July 16th 1967, a forest fire ignited on the southwest face of the mountain, quickly growing. 

The Flying Fireman responded, but tragically, as Davison and Moore fought the fire, the left wing of their Canso clipped a tree, and the plane crashed into the steep southwest slope of the mountain. 

Both men were killed instantly. 

The Flying Firemen went on to grow into the largest amphibious waterbombing unit in the world, with nearly 40 planes. The unit dissolved in 1996.

Now, the Flying Fireman Park, located at 1851 Bear Mountain Parkway, has opened in their memory. 

“On behalf of the family of Alex Davidson, we would like to thank the City of Langford for the recognition bestowed upon our father and Paddy Moore, two brave men who perished fighting a blaze a very short distance from Flying Firemen Park,” said Craig Davidson, son of Alex Davidson.

Situated on dedicated parkland acquired by the City of Langford, the Flying Firemen Park features open greenspace, outdoor exercise equipment, and an off-leash dog area.

“On behalf of Langford Council, we are honoured to commemorate the history of the Flying Firemen and acknowledge their bravery, sacrifice and dedication to public safety,” said Langford Mayor Stew Young. 

“This memorial park will serve as a reminder to all of the sacrifices made by the Flying Firemen and our local first responders.”

This dedicated parkland and open space is in addition to the 75-acres of parkland being dedicated to the city from South Point and Westview. 

The 75-acres represents 41% of the development lands. 65-acres will be dedicated by year’s end, the remaining 10-acres will be dedicated in 2023.

The BC General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) has halted strike action as talks resume with the province.

According to the BCGEU, the committee returned to the bargaining table with the BC Public Service Agency (PSA) last Thursday and made significant progress. 

The two sides will continue to meet throughout the week, hoping to finalize a tentative agreement.

The union’s overtime ban has also ended – effective immediately, with preparations underway to stand down picket lines at BC Liquor Distribution Branch locations.

The union is the province’s largest public sector union representing employees in an array of fields including wildfire fighters, social workers, sheriffs and correctional officers.

The most recent collective agreement between the union and PSA expired on April 1st and while discussions began earlier this year, talks stalled in July.

In June, 95% of the union members voted in favour of job action.

The BCGEU is asking for a 5% pay boost each year for two years or a raise to match the cost of living, whichever is higher.

Picket lines went up outside BC Liquor Distribution Branch centres in Delta, Richmond and Kamloops, as well as the wholesale customer centre here in Victoria on August 22nd.

Both parties agreed to a media blackout and no further comment will be made.

Ready to make BC it’s own country?

Neither are we, however, according to a recent poll conducted by Researchco, 23% of young BC residents (those aged 18-to-34) think we’d be better off as our own country—a proportion that drops to 19% overall when all age groups factored in.

While that percentage is a small number, young adults who reside in British Columbia say they are having a hard time envisioning the possibility of growing old in the province.

While down three points since last year, 72% of British Columbians believe they will stay in the province for the rest of their lives.

“Only 56% of British Columbians aged 18-to-34 expect to stay in the province for the rest of their lives,” said Mario Canseco, President of Research Co.

“The proportions are significantly higher among their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (70%) and aged 55 and over (84%).”

Most people polled said they were “very proud of the province that they live in” and 59% consider their views as different from the rest of the country.

Majority of those polled (63%) said they feel more in common with the people of Seattle and Portland than with those in Toronto or Montreal.

Over half of Vancouver Island residents (62%) are more likely to express an affinity towards the people of Seattle and Portland.

Three-in-ten British Columbians (30%) think that John Horgan has been the province’s best premier since 1986, followed by Christy Clark (7%), Gordon Campbell (also 7%) and Mike Harcourt (6%).

Results are based on an online study conducted from August 20th to August 22nd, 2022, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Travel is back, which means people everywhere are booking their world adventures.

Whether you are travelling solo, with another person or a group, it is important to take safety into consideration. 

But which countries rank as the safest for women to travel solo?

According to Usebounce.com, Canada ranks in the top 10 countries in the world for solo female travellers!

The report ranked countries based on the percentage of women who have reported violence, female homicide victims (per 100,000 females), safety index score (out of 100), women who feel safe walking alone at night (%), attitudes toward violence against women (%), laws on domestic violence (0 = best, 1 = worst), global gender gap index score (out of 1) and overall safety score (/10).

The Republic of Ireland topped the list, with The Emerald Isle scoring particularly highly for the laws it has in place to protect women from violence, as well as when it comes to local attitudes toward violence against women.

Austria and Norway followed in second and third place.

Canada ranked 8th on the list, with the lowest rate of domestic violence (1.9%) and a high ranking for women feeling comfortable walking alone at night (71%).

The top 10 included: 

1. Republic of Ireland 
2. Austria 
3. Norway 
4. Slovenia 
5. Switzerland 
6. Spain 
7. Portugal 
8. Canada 
9. Netherlands 
10. Poland

You can see the full report here.