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There’s Something Strange in the Neighbourhood – Greatest International Scavenger Hunt coming to Sooke
–submitted by Marleen Kiral, Sooke Hear ye, Sooke! You might see some unusual activity going on in Sooke and on facebook. Each year, during the first week of August, tens of thousands of people partake in a global scavenger hunt … Continue reading →
Rent relief extended for one month, for small businesses (federal gov)
Today, the federal government announced that the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) will be extended by one month to help eligible small business pay rent for August. All provinces and territories continue to participate in this initiative, and collaborate … Continue reading →
Travel restrictions to Canada remain in place for August long weekend
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is reminding all travellers ahead of the upcoming August 3, 2020, Civic Holiday and long weekend, travel restrictions are still in place at all Canadian international border crossings. These measures remain in place until … Continue reading →
COVID-19: BC Stats (50 new cases), July 31, 2020
Since the last report, there have been 50 newly registered COVID-19 cases in B.C. Cases: Total confirmed cases in B.C. since the pandemic began: 3,641 Vancouver Coastal Health: 1,088 (up 12) Fraser Health: 1,889 (up 24) Island Health: 144 (up … Continue reading →
Survey: British Columbians support continuing COVID emergency housing supports and bold housing policies post-pandemic
The provincial government’s decision to end BC’s COVID-19 rental supplement and to lift the eviction ban for non-payment of rent as of September 1 is counter to British Columbians’ support for continuing emergency measures, a new poll commissioned by the Canadian … Continue reading →
COVID-19: BC Stats (29 new cases), July 30, 2020
Since the last report, there have been 29 newly registered COVID-19 cases in B.C. Cases: Total confirmed cases in B.C. since the pandemic began: 3,591 Vancouver Coastal Health: 1,076 (up 5) Fraser Health: 1,865 (up 19) Island Health: 143 (up … Continue reading →
Sooke Fine Arts Show—there’s still room for art in the social distance!
–Submitted to SPN Like every summer, this year’s Sooke Fine Arts Show, open now until August 3, offers an exquisitely curated gallery of inspirational art pieces from Vancouver Island and BC’s coastal island artists. But unlike every summer, this year’s … Continue reading →
COVID-19: BC Stats (41 new cases), July 29, 2020
Since the last report, there have been 41 newly registered COVID-19 cases in B.C. Cases: Total confirmed cases in B.C. since the pandemic began: 3,562 Vancouver Coastal Health: 1,071 (up 4) Fraser Health: 1,846 (up 31) Island Health: 143 (up … Continue reading →
Public schools K-12 set to resume in-class instruction full time, September 8
BC students from Grades K-12 will return to school on Sept. 8, 2020, with full-time in-class learning, in Stage 2 mode. (Note the school’s system rates directly opposite to the re-opening phases with 1 to 4 where “4” is a … Continue reading →
COVID-19: BC Stats (23 new cases), July 28, 2020
Since the last report, there have been 23 newly registered COVID-19 cases in B.C. Cases: Total confirmed cases in B.C. since the pandemic began: 3,523 Vancouver Coastal Health: 1,067 (up 7) Fraser Health: 1,815 (up 15) Island Health: 143 (up … Continue reading →
Provincial “affordable” housing project: Studio apartments to consume half of minimum wager’s income
Today, the Province announced another “affordable housing” project in Victoria for renters, targeting middle-income and double-income households. Those working for minimum wage and well below a living wage standard, these funded projects will still consume 50% or more of your … Continue reading →
Province increases e-bike rebates to increase affordability
The Province is increasing e-bike rebates for individuals and businesses to help make electric-powered bikes more affordable and accessible, while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions. People who trade-in a vehicle to scrap now have access to a rebate of $1,050 … Continue reading →
COVID-19: BC Stats (81 new cases over the past 3 days), July 27, 2020
Since the last report, there have been 81 newly registered COVID-19 cases in B.C. including 7 epi-linked cases. Saturday, July 25: 36 Sunday, July 26: 21 Monday, July 27: 24 Cases: Total confirmed cases in B.C. since the pandemic began: … Continue reading →
SURVEY: Help Sooke businesses recover by sharing your changing shopping needs
The Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce is interested in what local people want and need from Sooke businesses, in the present and the future. This is why it is conducting a survey (see below) of Sooke consumers to help local … Continue reading →
Heatwave hits Sunday and Monday
–From Environment Canada A ridge of high pressure will build over southern BC this weekend producing the highest temperatures experienced so far this summer over the Lower Mainland, Sea to Sky and Vancouver Island. Daytime maximums will reach the low … Continue reading →
Bitcoin fraudster slithering around Langford
On July 2nd 2020, the West Shore RCMP was contacted by a Langford resident who reported being defrauded. The victim received a phone call from what appeared to be the West Shore RCMP non-emergency line, a common scam where fraudsters … Continue reading →
COVID-19: BC Stats (27 new cases), July 24, 2020
Since the last report, there have been 27 newly registered COVID-19 cases in B.C. including one epi-linked case. Cases: Total confirmed cases in B.C. since the pandemic began: 3,419 Vancouver Coastal Health: 1,057 (+6) Fraser Health: 1,764 (+14) Island Health: … Continue reading →
Recovery should include key actions on child care and employment insurance reform
Experts propose full response plan, including key actions on child care and employment insurance reform The federal government’s role as backstop during the COVID-19 pandemic doesn’t end with the first wave of reopening—Canada needs to step up with more investments … Continue reading →
COVID-19: BC Stats (30 new cases), July 23, 2020
Since the last report, there have been 30 newly registered COVID-19 cases in B.C. including one epi-linked case. Cases: Total confirmed cases in B.C. since the pandemic began: 3,392 Vancouver Coastal Health: 1,051 (+2) Fraser Health: 1,750 (+8) Island Health: … Continue reading →
Motorcyclist arrested after fleeing from Saanich police
A witness alerted police to a motorcycle that had crashed in the 3800 block of Finnerty Road after it had failed to stop for police earlier in the morning. On July 22, 2020, at 6:30 a.m. Saanich Police received a … Continue reading →
ABOUT US
Sooke PocketNews is your only Sooke daily online community resource. Real news, no paper.
For local readers: SPN provides up-to-the-minute information on local traffic issues, weather, and dining options. We even offer a daily/weekly/monthly horrorscope (err… horoscope). We will be adding new features, and responding continually to community wants and needs. To add your opinion(s), contact us and tell us what you are thinking! To support us, tell local businesses that you get your community news from PocketNews.
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On supporting local: Sooke PocketNews encourages readers to access their news from multiple sources. We are fortunate to have a number of independent publications, most notably The Rural Observer and Sooke Scoop (among others). Each provides a different focus, a different angle, and a different perspective. We also advocate buying locally first. We offer first advertising opportunities to local businesses. However, maintaining this site is a full-time job (and then some). Because those pesky high-maintenance humans producing the content, maintaining the site and promoting content still need to eat and find shelter from the February rain, we do consider out-of-town sponsors who serve the good people of Sooke.
Ultimately, SPN is here for you. We aspire to fulfil your electronic curiosity about the events in our community.
Britt’s doing a fabulous job! Very difficult work, extremely long hours… and she has to put herself out there to “those unforgiving critics”. It’s not easy… but I can always count on SPN to do it right!
So awesome!! Keep up the great work 🙂
Awesome work!!!
You rock!!!!!
Best page yet for local info