Skinnytato, a family-run Polish influenced restaurant located at 615 Johnson Street for the past 5 years, has closed its doors for good on September 6th, 2015.

The restaurant was known for their stuffed potato pancakes, perogies, and for being the only restaurant in Victoria to serve Polish beer.

Founders, Greg and Katherina Koper, posted the following message on their website and Facebook page:

“With deep gratitude, we would like to thank you, our extended family, for your support over the last 5 years.  It has been an honour and our dream come true to host you each and every day, but alas, retirement beckons and we look forward to what adventures lie ahead.

Again, please accept our heartfelt gratitude. We have been blessed with the kindest, most loyal customers in Victoria.

We will miss you all.”

Saanich Police and BC Conservation Service are reminding pet owners of the potential dangers from wild animals following a cougar attack on Saturday evening that has left a medium sized dog with injuries.

Shortly before 6 p.m. on Saturday, September 12, a resident in the 5900 block of Wallace Drive, around the area of Heals Rifle Range, was in the yard with their dog. The dog wandered into a thick bush area on the property and a short time later the dog was heard in distress.

The home owner observed that a cougar had injured the dog and was attempting to leave the property with the family pet. Thankfully, as the cougar was negotiating its way from the property, the dog was able to get free, and was recovered by its owners.

The dog has undergone at least one surgery to date to repair puncture wounds to its head and neck. Although the dog may require further medical care, it is expected to survive.

The cougar in question was last seen heading in the direction of the Heals Rifle Range which is in close proximity to Gowland Tod Provincial Park and the Mount Work Regional Park (Durrance Lake).

The BC Conservation Service has been advised and are aware of the circumstances of this incident. No other similar incidents have been noted and there have been no recent reports of livestock being affected.

“It does not appear that the animal in question was actively hunting ” Sgt. Steve Eassie said.

“Instead, it would appear that the cougar was confronted by the dog, and simply attempted to seize the opportunity of a relatively simple food source”.

Founded in 2014, G Day is a community-based rite of passage event series that welcomes girls into adolescence. Over 700 people have attended G Day events in Vancouver and Toronto, through which lives have been changed, dreams inspired and relationships strengthened. And the movement is spreading: the first G Day Victoria will take place September 20.

On that day, over 300 people will unite to become “the Village”: Girls, “Champions” (girls’ parents, caregivers, elder siblings, and other supportive adults) and a team of dedicated volunteers and presenters.

The day includes a range of inspiring speakers and interactive activities addressing topics such as sisterhood, leadership and social change, positive self-esteem and body image for the girls, while Champions learn from experts about parenting and relationship issues. The integration of art, movement and music help make the day fun and engaging for all participants. At the end of the day, Champions join the girls in a secular ritual to demonstrate that these girls are seen, heard, and cared for by their community.

Tickets are $75 each. Ticket price includes snacks (for Girls) and a dessert reception for Girls and Champions. Girls must bring a lunch; Champions have the option of bringing their own or purchasing lunch from nearby vendors.

G Day Victoria’s presenter lineup boasts several well-known local personalities including:
● KOOL 107.3 Morning Host Robin Farrell
● Writer Monique Gray Smith
● Bellyfit founder Alice Bracegirdle
● Award-winning Sexual Health Educator Saleema Noon

Click here for a full list of confirmed presenters.

A dozen people are homeless and a pet was killed after fire ravaged a century-old home in Victoria Monday morning, but firefighters say it could’ve been much worse.

No one was injured after flames broke out at the Tudor-style home at 811 St. Charles Street at around 9:10 a.m., according to fire officials.

Viewer video caught flames shooting out of a top-floor window as thick smoke poured from the roof.

Erin Dopko, who lives beside the home, said she spotted smoke as she was letting her dog outside, and that’s when the quick-thinking neighbour took action.

“The door was closed, but I could hear voices from inside yelling ‘call 911,’” she said.

Continue reading at CTV Vancouver Island

A BC Transit bus driver was recovering in hospital Friday after being assaulted by an upset passenger. He has lacerations to his face and possible broken ribs.

The passenger approached the driver to request to get off the bus at Douglas Street at Kings Road. However, that stop is no longer active and the bus driver informed the rider he would  have to wait until the next stop. That’s when the passenger attacked while the bus was still in motion. The driver was able to pull over the bus at the intersection of Douglas and Bay Streets while the attack continued.

Passengers called 911 as they fled the bus and the assault appears to have continued as the driver himself left the bus.

The assailant then fled the scene but was located not far from the incident. He was taken into custody.

“Many of those on the bus left before speaking with officers and our investigators would like to speak with them,” said Victoria police spokesman Bowen Osoko.

Additionally officers would like to speak with anyone who has information about this incident. If you have any information about this incident you are asked to call (250) 995-7654.

We are just days away from the 148th annual Saanich Fair and on Wednesday evening, fair organizers revealed a new “Play Zone” for the kids.

This years Saanich Fair,  will feature a brand new 5,000 square foot “Kidz Zone” thanks to the hard work by Kathy MacDonald and Catriona McHattie who raised donations from local businesses in the community.

Fair organizers have created the interactive area to teach kids about farming and sustainable agriculture, and to give the families a free place for their children to come and play. The play area includes face painting, a selfie booth, 16 feet of colouring wall, bean bag toss, a milking station, a horse braiding area, and then an interactive area for the kids to drive remote tractors. There will also be John Deere tractor racing three times a day.

UPDATE| Sachitha Attawar has been located by a VicPD staff member on her lunch.
Thank you for your help in sharing her information. It was the sharing that led to her being located.

From VicPD: VicPD Missing Persons Unit Detectives, Patrol Officers and members of our Focused Enforcement Team need your help as we search for missing 75-year-old woman Sachitha Attawar.
Sachitha Attawar is described as an East Indian woman, 75-years-old with shoulder length, curly to frizzy black hair. Sachitha stands 4’9” tall. She has a medium build. She was last seen wearing black pants, black walking shoes and black shoes. She was also wearing a dark pink top with a white cross-pattern stripe on the left front shoulder.

Sachitha was last seen leaving the Days Inn in the 400-block of Belleville Street at 6:20pm last night. She has not been seen since.Investigators have reason to believe that Sachitha may be suffering from a medical condition and that she may need urgent medical care. If you see her, or know where she is, please call 911.

Press Release:

Steelhead LNG  announced earlier today a pre-construction agreement with pipeline developer Williams to commence with the design and regulatory approvals for the Island Gas Connector Project (Project), a proposed natural gas pipeline which will transport natural gas to Vancouver Island where Steelhead LNG is exploring the development of two liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities.

With the Malahat Nation, Steelhead LNG is pursuing the development of the proposed Malahat LNG Project, a floating natural gas liquefaction and export facility located on the shoreline of Malahat Nation-owned land approximately 5 miles (8 kilometers) south of Mill Bay, BC, on the east coast of Vancouver Island. On the west coast of Vancouver Island, Steelhead LNG is exploring the development of a proposed LNG facility with the Huu-ay-aht First Nations at Sarita Bay, BC, 46.5 miles (75 kilometers) southwest of Port Alberni.

The Project would be an independent pipeline that would transport natural gas 33 miles (52.8 kilometers) from Williams’ Northwest Pipeline’s interconnect with Spectra Energy’s BC Pipeline system at Sumas, Washington to Cherry Point, Washington. From there, it would travel 47 miles (75.2 kilometers) subsea, landing directly at the proposed Malahat LNG Project. While, the first phase of the Project would be constructed to supply the Malahat LNG facility, the Project would be designed to meet the potential capacity requirements of both proposed LNG facilities, thus offering potential shared infrastructure benefits. Delivering supply to the proposed LNG Project at Sarita Bay would require an additional independent pipeline from the east coast of Vancouver Island to Sarita Bay, designed, owned and operated by a separate Canadian entity and subject to its own regulatory approval process.

“Our partnership with one of the world’s leading builders and operators of natural gas pipelines is a significant step forward for both of our proposed projects,” said Nigel Kuzemko, CEO, Steelhead LNG. “Williams shares our commitment to environmental and social responsibility and we look forward to working with them to develop a natural gas pipeline whose design, route, construction and operation meets the needs and standards of potentially affected Aboriginal groups, communities, governments, regulators, our Projects, and partners. Steelhead looks forward to working with potentially affected Aboriginal groups in Canada to explore opportunities for them to share in the economic benefits of the Canadian portion of the Project.”

Williams will design, construct and operate the Project. As an international pipeline, the Project will be subject to the approval of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in the United States and the National Energy Board in Canada.

The proposed Project will undergo rigorous regulatory, environmental and technical assessments. As part of the proposed Project, Steelhead LNG and Williams will also undertake an extensive consultation and engagement process with potentially affected Canadian Aboriginal groups, United States Tribes, landowners, local stakeholders and communities.

Just when they thought they had seen it all.

Victoria Police had no idea of what to expect when they received a call of a man with a knife chasing another person around Ross Bay cemetery while wearing a unicorn mask.

While a couple were walking along the Dallas Road waterfront, it appeared trouble was brewing in Ross Bay Cemetery.

At around 7 p.m., the 911 Communications Centre received a call from a concerned citizen. The caller reported that a man was being chased through Ross Bay Cemetery and appeared terrified. The man was being chased by a seemingly mystical equine/human hybrid, armed with a knife. In other words, one man was chasing another through Ross Bay Cemetery wearing a unicorn mask and carrying a large hunting knife.

“Sometimes, unfortunately, we get calls that can be described as fanciful at best, erring on the side of caution, we always respond to the situations as though they are exactly what callers are reporting them to be.” police spokesman Bowen Osoko said in a statement.

“In this case, the call was exactly as described.”

Officers arrived to find one man, wielding a large, black, hunting knife over his head, wearing a unicorn mask, while another man was frantically attempting to avoid this first man, by getting into his vehicle. Officers approached with great caution and issued commands for the unicorn-masked male to drop his weapon.

Both men complied with officers commands and quickly revealed that they were, in fact, attempting to make a “funny video”.

Two Victoria men in their early 30s explained their intent to officers and were both understanding and apologetic for the unintended impacts of their actions.

With the unicorn unmasked, no charges were laid, no unicorn tears were collected and all was once again tranquil on the shores of Ross Bay.

RCMP were called to another serious collision in the 4200 block of the Trans-Canada Highway shortly after 8 o’clock Sunday evening. The accident occurred just north of Aspen Rd. It was the third serious crash to close the Malahat in less than 48 hours.

In a statement released by the West Shore RCMP, it appears a blue Suzuki motorcycle heading north, crossed the center line and collided head-on with a southbound truck which was pulling a 30 foot trailer.

There were three occupants in the pick-up truck. They were transported to hospital to be assessed for unknown injuries. The 40 year old motorcyclist unfortunately died at the scene.

Just after midnight, Shauna-lynn Christine Pearson, one of the occupants of the truck, wrote the following message on the Victoria Buzz Facebook page: “Hey i was one of the passengers in the truck my mom and stepdad are okay. thank you to every one that helped us at the scene we all really appreciated it! every one is fine, just all cuddled up watching a movie thankful that we’re okay. R.I.P to the man on the motorcycle and i send my prayers out to his family and loved ones”

Several hours later, she commented again with “I’ve never been in a car accident before now.  I cant even sleep, I just keep picturing the motorcyclist and the condition he was in. Every time some one you love leaves the door never ever forget to tell them you love them“

An RCMP Traffic Analyst/Reconstructionist and BC Coroners Service are also investigating the crash. Preliminary evidence recovered at the scene suggested that speed was a factor in the crash.

The Malahat was closed in both direction for several hours as a result. The road re-opened at approximately 1:00 am.

The family of the  deceased motorcyclist has been notified. Victim Services has been assisting the people involved in this tragedy.

*CORRECTION – The ETO for the #BCHwy1 closure in #Malahat is between 3am – 4am. http://t.co/0IaQtwu0Rb

— Drive BC (@DriveBC) August 31, 2015

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Shortly after 12:00 am on August 29th, 2015, officers with the Salt Spring Island RCMP were conducting an impaired driving checkpoint in the 100 Block of Upper Ganges Road, when a man driving a Chevrolet Blazer attempted to avoid the checkpoint, nearly striking an officer who was on foot.

A police car, stationary on the roadway at the time, was then rammed head-on by the suspect vehicle. Officers approached the SUV, smashing out the driver’s side window in an attempt to gain control of the suspect. A second police vehicle attempted to box the suspect vehicle in and was also rammed as the suspect drove back and forth between the two police vehicles, causing significant damage to both. Despite their attempts to stop the man from driving away, he managed to manoeuver his vehicle out from between the two police cars, and flee northbound on Upper Ganges Road. A third police vehicle followed the suspect vehicle, locating it a short distance away, upside-down in the ditch.

As officers and local fire crews arrived at the crash scene, they attempted to render assistance to the suspect, who was seated upright on the interior roof of the vehicle (vehicle upside down). The man then armed himself with an axe from inside the SUV, and attempted to use a lighter to light the vehicle on fire. An on-scene firefighter familiar with the suspect was successful in persuading him to surrender the axe, but the man continued to physically resist attempts by first responders to assist him. After several hours, the suspect was forced from the vehicle and apprehended under the Mental Health Act. He was transported to the local hospital for medical assessment.

The extent of the suspect’s physical injuries are unknown at this time, but not believed to be serious in nature. As per notification protocols, the Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO BC) has been notified of this incident. The IIO BC has reserved their decision on asserting jurisdiction at this time, pending a determination of the extent of the man’s injuries. They will continue to monitor this case.

The officer seated in the first police car sustained neck and back injuries. The Constable, with eight years of service, has been treated and released from medical care. He is expected to be off duty for a period of time. There were multiple witnesses in the area at the time, but thankfully none were injured.

While this investigation is in its early stages, officers have determined that the truck driven by the suspect was stolen. The motive behind the suspect’s actions are not yet known, however mental health factors may have played a role. Charges have not yet been laid, but are expected as this investigation progresses.

Police ask anyone who witnessed this incident, or captured video of it, to contact the Salt Spring Island RCMP at 250-537-5555.

Malahat is opened and after several hours of traffic backlog, we hear it is mostly cleared up now.

West Shore RCMP Press Release:

At approximately 8:48 am this morning (August 29th, 2015), the Westshore RCMP were dispatched to a two vehicle crash on the Trans Canada Highway near Goldstream Park (Malahat Drive). BC Ambulance Service and fire crews also attended.

The collision involved two passenger cars, a southbound Honda Accord and a northbound Volkswagen sedan. There were two occupants in each vehicle. All four occupants involved were transported to hospital to be assessed by medical staff for varying degrees of injury. An RCMP Traffic Analyst/Reconstructionist attended as a result of the potential seriousness of the injuries and has completed a thorough scene examination.

Investigators are examining the possibility that alcohol and driving pattern on the part of the driver of the southbound Honda may be factors in this crash. A criminal investigation is now underway.

The Highway was closed as a result of this crash and subsequent investigation. It was re-opened at 1:00 pm.

We thank delayed motorists for their patience as we conducted a detailed investigation into this crash.

As this is an ongoing investigation, no further details will be released at this time.

Campfires are once again permitted throughout Vancouver Island. The Coastal Fire Centre is rescinding its campfire ban due to forecasted cooler and wetter conditions, resulting in a decrease in wildfire risk in the region.

The following activities will now be allowed:

• Campfires, as defined by the wildfire regulation
• Open fires in an outdoor stove

Campfires cannot be larger than a half-metre high by a half-metre wide. Anyone who lights a campfire must have a hand tool (such as a shovel) or at least eight litres of water available to fully extinguish it. Never leave a campfire unattended and make sure that the ashes are completely cold to the touch before leaving the area.

The following ban still remains in effect: backyard burning, fireworks, sky lanterns and burning barrels.

Anyone found in violation of open-burning prohibition may be issued a ticket of up to $345 or, if convicted in court, be fined up to $100,000 and sentenced to one year in jail. If the contravention causes a wildfire, the person may be subject to a penalty of up to $10,000 and ordered to pay all firefighting and associated costs.

The Coastal Fire Centre covers all of the area west of the height of land on the Coast Mountain Range north of the U.S.-Canada border at Manning Park, including Tweedsmuir South Provincial Park in the north, the Sunshine Coast, the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and Haida Gwaii.
The Fog Zone is two kilometre strip on the outer coast of Vancouver Island, from Owen Point near Port Renfrew, and stretching north to the tip of Vancouver Island wrapping back to the boundary of the District of Port Hardy. The strip stretched inland two kilometres from the high tide point.

The Coastal Fire Centre covers all BC Parks, Crown and private lands, but does not apply within the boundaries of local governments that have forest fire prevention bylaws and are serviced by fire departments. Please check with local governments for any other restrictions before lighting a fire.

To report a wildfire, unattended campfire or non-compliant open burning, call 1 800 663-5555 toll-free or dial *5555 on a cellphone.

The BCGEU and Bryce Casavant learned this week that he is being transferred out of the Conservation Officer Service.

Casavant was originally suspended in July when he followed Conservation Officer Service procedures and policies and determined the two cubs near Port Hardy should not be killed.

The officer had been ordered to kill the cubs by his superiors after they received information the cubs had, like their mother, eaten the food on the property and become habituated to human food.

But when the homeowner told Casavant that the 8-week-old bears had not been seen eating any food at the property he decided to go against his orders, according to Chek News.

Robin Campbell, manager of the recovery centre, said Casavant was right to save the cubs – since they have not become habituated to human food, they can still be reintroduced to the wild, he told CBC News.

“Our union has filed a grievance over Bryce Casavant’s original suspension. We are now in the process of filing a second grievance concerning his disciplinary transfer from the Conservation Officer Service,” says BCGEU president Stephanie Smith.

“Bryce Casavant was following clear procedures when he decided to save these young bears. We will pursue these issues to an arbitration hearing and ask an independent decision maker to find there was no just cause for the employer’s actions.”

“Casavant should not have been suspended, and he should not be transferred from his job as a Conservation Officer,” says Smith. “He has a distinguished record of public service in law enforcement. Bryce Casavant did the right thing when he decided these young bears should be assessed for rehabilitation.”

“The BCGEU has worked in good faith to negotiate a reasonable settlement that was satisfactory to Bryce Casavant and the Conservation Officer Service. We are surprised and disappointed by this punishment that removes him from his career. Our union remains committed to negotiating a fair and reasonable settlement,” says Smith. “We believe Bryce Casavant was working to the highest ideals of the Conservation Officer Service whose motto is Integrity, Service and Protection.”

The BCGEU will schedule an arbitration hearing as soon as possible.

See original story at CBC

The driest and warmest summer on record is about to receive a decent shower as a major change in the weather pattern is developing. The high pressure system that has trapped wildfire smoke over Southern B.C. will finally shift east thanks to a pair of incoming storms. The storms will merge two jet streams into a single river of sub-tropical moisture that will bathe the South Coast with the first significant rainfall in months.

UPDATE: WIND WARNING ADDED TO THE MIX. 

Environment Canada is warning of strong winds for Greater Victoria on Saturday.

A rapidly intensifying storm will move across the South Coast this morning. Winds will increase to southeast 70 km/h ahead of the front this morning. Winds will gust up to 90 km/h after the frontal passage early this afternoon. Winds will diminish later this afternoon as the low moves inland.

Wind warnings are issued when there is a significant risk of damaging winds.

Environment Canada are saying we will likely receive 80 to 120 mm of rain over the South Coast between Friday night and Monday morning.

“We can see this huge system developing off the coast of B.C. and that is going to stream all this moisture from the tropics right at the south coast. So for Victoria is looking at about 60 maybe 70 mm of rain over the weekend,”  Environment Canada Meteorologist Matt McDonald tells CHEK News.

Due to the drought conditions over these regions, the soil has a reduced capacity to absorb water. Heavy rainfall thus increases the risk of flash flooding. Additionally, given the recent prolonged dry period, road surfaces may become slippery resulting in poor driving conditions.

To mitigate the risk of flash flooding, make sure drain spouts and sewer covers are free of debris, so water can freely drain. During heavy rains, avoid roadway underpasses, drainage ditches, low lying areas and water collection areas. They can unexpectedly flood or overflow. Do not try to drive across a flooded road. You cannot tell the condition of the road under the water.

The BC Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of a man who was found deceased near Race Rocks on Aug. 23.

He was Man (Timothy) Chu, aged 28, from London, England.

Chu, a police officer in Britain, was vacationing in the Victoria-area. On July 5, 2015, he went on a charter dive at Race Rocks, a marine ecological reserve near the eastern end of Juan de Fuca Strait. He became separated from the divemaster just before noon, and failed to surface. A massive search at the time failed to find any trace of Mr. Chu.

On Aug. 23, 2015, a fisherman spotted a deceased male off a buoy at Race Rocks. The identity of that male has since been confirmed as being Mr. Chu.

The BC Coroners Service continues to investigate this death with the assistance of the RCMP. Foul play is not suspected in this case.

The family of Mr. Chu has been notified of his death.

On Tuesday, August 24, BC Transit started to roll out the automated voice annunciators on 25 of our buses in the Victoria Regional Transit System.

The installation on the first 25 buses will ensure that the devices are working effectively with the public address system and that the street locations are being accurately announced throughout the region before final installation on the remaining 255 buses.

Bus riders will hear the new system active on all buses in the Victoria Regional Transit System by the end of October.

“We are increasingly seeing visitors who want to experience the destination as a local does, and this includes taking public transportation. Day bus passes are one of the highest selling items at our Visitor Centre. This service will greatly assist visitors in knowing where they are in the region and help ensure they have the best possible experience in the destination,” says Paul Nursey, President and CEO of Tourism Victoria.

The devices will be installed in a special bracket on each bus and will be activated at the beginning of each day for each bus. After the device has been turned on, there is nothing else for the operator to do except adjust the volume.  If for any reason there is a technical glitch with the system, BC Transit operators will call out stops verbally until the device can be serviced at the end of the shift.

“Members of the Canadian Federation of the Blind are very pleased that BC Transit is taking concrete steps to equip our buses with automated GPS stop annunciation devices. Five of us had an opportunity to test drive a demonstration bus that worked very well and with some fine tuning the new system will definitely make public transit more accessible for blind riders and many others.” -Oriano Belusic, CFB representative

Take a listen to what you can expect when you ride a bus equipped with the automated voice annunciators:

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West Shore RCMP is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a missing View Royal resident.

James MacDonald DUFFUS was last seen August 16, 2015.

Description:

• Caucasian male
• 52 years old
• 5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
• 170 lbs (77 kg)
• Dark brown/greyish hair
• hazel eyes
• has a scar under his right cheek bone

James DUFFUS usually wears a baseball cap, plaid or brown jacket and black or blue jeans and is known to travel on the Vancouver Island, including the Gulf Islands.

His sudden absence is out of character and worrisome, states Cst. Alex Bérubé, spokesperson of the West Shore RCMP.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of James DUFFUS is urged to contact their local police, or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS)

The BC Coroners Service has identified the human remains discovered near Norway Island on August 19, 2015, as those of 19 year old Delores Brown from Penelakut Island. The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIIMCU) notified the Brown family earlier today.

Delores Brown was last seen on July 27th, 2015 and was first reported missing to police on July 29th, 2015 by concerned family and friends. An exhaustive search which included Ground Search and Rescue, Marine Search and Rescue, RCMP Tactical Troop, helicopters, boats, and community searchers, was conducted in the days following her disappearance.