Sooke PocketNews is a hyper-local online newspaper that covers all things Sooke, all the time.
Monday’s Committee of the Whole meeting considers Lot A and Cannabis
From the Keycorp report that Council will consider On Monday, January 21, the District of Sooke will meet as a Committee of the Whole (COW). These meetings are less formal than Regular Council meetings. Council cannot pass any motions, by … Continue reading →
British Columbians to benefit from more treatment options
British Columbians living with certain chronic conditions, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and severe asthma, now have more treatment options available to them to better manage their condition. Seven limited coverage drugs are now available under the PharmaCare Special Authority … Continue reading →
Hundreds of B.C. students turned away from popular french programs
–Canadian Parents for French, B.C. and Yukon branch Ninety Vernon parents camped outside school district offices Monday night in an effort to register their children in French immersion. Unfortunately, Vernon isn’t the only school district where demand is exceeding program capacity, forcing school districts … Continue reading →
Small earthquake shivers through Sooke, January 16 2019
At about 7:47 pm Pacific Standard Time (3:47 UTC), a small earthquake was felt in Sooke. Here is a screen shot of the Port Renfrew Seismogram viewer from Natural Resources Canada, accessible from the Sooke PocketNews Weather page: Note that the … Continue reading →
Controversial Ad: Is the Gillette ultimately positive or negative?
Have you seen this incredibly viral and controversial ad by Gillette, which has already had over 12 million views in the few days that it’s been released? It’s currently trending as #2 on Youtube. Their message, according to their Youtube … Continue reading →
Pipeline demonstrators block public access to RCMP Westshore detachment
On January 16, 2019 at 09:00 am approximately 40 pipeline demonstrators disrupted community policing operations at West Shore RCMP detachment. Demonstrators gathered in front of the RCMP detachment while officers stood by to keep the peace. You need to login … Continue reading →
Sooke seals the deal, allows temporary use permits in Gateway area
At the recent Regular Council meeting held on January 14, 2019, council hesitantly checked the final checkbox and approved the final housekeeping matter, allowing for Temporary Use Permits in the Gatewood Residential designation area, a bylaw modification initiated by the previous … Continue reading →
Nine Sooke employees recognized for length of dedicated service
At Monday’s Regular Council meeting, a number of staff were recognized for their length of service. Recognized for five or more years of dedicated service were: You need to login to view the rest of the content. Please Login. Not … Continue reading →
Canada updates travel advisories, cautioning on trips to China
The Great Wall of China, by Jakub Hałun, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia The Canadian government has updated it’s travel advisories to include a high caution on travel to China. They urge potential visitors to China to “exercise a high degree of … Continue reading →
Council did not support the removal of 7166 West Coast Road from the ALR
At their January 14 Regular Council meeting, elected officials considered a staff-generated report recommending that Council reject an application for exlude the lot at 7166 West Coast Road from the Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR). You need to login to view … Continue reading →
Sooke settles on two-seater Timberwolf toilets at John Phillips Memorial Park
A picture of the proposed design vault toilet to be installed at the John Phillips Memorial Park. Council met for its first regular council meeting of 2019 on Monday, January 14, with the public portion of the meeting starting at … Continue reading →
Statistics Canada reports that tourism spending is growing in Canada
Canada’s tourism sector is a driver of the Canadian economy: it contributes to economic growth and creates opportunities and jobs for the middle class across Canada. The tourism sector is an important source of employment for Canadians, supporting 1.8 million … Continue reading →
Coastal communities to benefit from new VIU fish-health lab
Communities dependent on fisheries are getting help in protecting British Columbia’s fish stocks through the new, provincially funded Centre for Innovation in Fish Health at Vancouver Island University (VIU). Climate change is threatening the sustainability of coastal communities that depend … Continue reading →
A year in review: BC RCMP highlights from 2018
The best part of any police officer’s shift, besides catching bad guys is when they get to spend time in their own community. There were many moments throughout 2018 where RCMP members were able to spend some time and connect … Continue reading →
Groundbreaking ceremony sees construction start for Sooke’s second co-housing project
– article and photos submitted by Georgina Patko, Executive Director Connections Place, photo credit: various On Friday, January 11, West Wind Harbour Cohousing celebrated the groundbreaking of their exciting new development on Goodmere Road. With Shirley Alfonse of the T’souke Nation blessing … Continue reading →
Meanwhile in Sooke: January 5 – 11, 2019
The following photos come from the Facebook page, Meanwhile in Sooke, a page operated by Benjamin Kendrick and populated by the good residents of Sooke. Visit his online store here. These are the photos from this past week. Enjoy! Last 10 Meanwhile … Continue reading →
Department of Finance Canada launches consultations on Open Banking
–This article includes additional resources on Open Banking and an explanatory video. The Department of Finance Canada recently released a consultation paper on the merits of open banking. The release of the paper and the launch of public consultations marks the next … Continue reading →
Opinion: The more women in government, the healthier a population
Edwin Ng, University of Waterloo and Carles Muntaner, University of Toronto In November 2015, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau formed the first gender-balanced cabinet in Canadian history. In announcing his cabinet, he ensured that half of his closest advisers (15 out … Continue reading →
Sooke Folk Music Society features Stephen Hardy Palmer playing heartfelt music for happy people
The Sooke Folk Music Society is proud to present Stephen Hardy Palmer this Saturday, January 19th, 2019. You need to login to view the rest of the content. Please Login. Not a Member? Join Us
Someone who bought a 649 ticket in Sooke is a guaranteed winner (open)
The following was posted on the Lotto 649 site, regarding the January 12, 2019 6/49 draw: This SPN announcement in no way constitutes official notice, that can only come from the official lottery people. So, get out your tickets, visit … Continue reading →
Sooke, In OTHER News (via Google Search)
- French Immersion feedback positive for Vernon School District - Vernon Morning Star
- Sooke approves new toilets for popular park - BCLocalNews
- Politicians ignore threats to planet - Times Colonist
- Lotto winner to build family dream house in Sooke - CHEK
- Jack Knox: The rumbles are back. And they're LOUD - Times Colonist
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- Call for crash investigation - Canada News - Castanet.net
- Stranded seal rescue begins - Canada News - Castanet.net
- Amtrak service between Vancouver and Bellingham cancelled due to mudslide - CBC.ca
- Cubs rescued from dumpster as mamma bear calmly looks on - CBC News
- Two taken to hospital after falling out of canoe in Sooke at Kemp Lake - CHEK
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- Battle for race track is over - Vernon News - Castanet.net
- French Immersion feedback positive for Vernon School District - Vernon Morning Star
- Lotto winner to build family dream house in Sooke - CHEK
- Awards finalists announced after ‘good year for business’ on the Island - Alberni Valley News
- B.C. government seeks to ease traffic on southern Vancouver Island - Global News
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District News
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The Latest District Meetings
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Want to know who’s in court today?
- Daily Court Lists, Supreme Court
- Criminal Courts List
- Supreme Court Hearing List (Select “Victoria” from the drop-down menu)
ABOUT US
Sooke PocketNews is your always-free 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