Sooke PocketNews is a hyper-local online newspaper that covers all things Sooke, all the time. SPN is a “community-authored news” service, so the more we receive from you, the more we can publish. Submit an Article here!
Latest Headlines
DriveSmartBC: Settling a debate about impeding traffic
–Constable Tim Schewe I’ve probably said this before, but when I applied the same tolerance under the speed limit as I did for those driving over the speed limit and factored in the advisory signs for speed I seldom found a driver … Continue reading →
Free reading by local author Trudy Spiller at Sooke Library, next Saturday
On Saturday, August 24, from 10:30-12 local author Trudy Spiller will be at the Sooke branch of Vancouver Island Regional Library for a reading of her children’s book Trudy’s Healing Stone. This is a free event for families and children … Continue reading →
Through the Lens of a Newcomer: Get on the Bus, Gus. Make a New Plan, Stan.
–by G.K. Sydney (photos and column) So, as promised, this is the first installment of the “Missing Sooke” series of adventure tales. We will start by telling you about the first event in the “new plan,” that of visiting a … Continue reading →
Celebrate 20 with the District of Sooke, ON RIGHT NOW! (Saturday, Aug 17)
On right now! Some photos follow. Don’t forget to visit the recycling fairy. She’s very kind and will lend you her outfit if you agree to have your photo taken in it. Starting at dusk, around 8:30, they will be … Continue reading →
Reminder: Housing Needs Assessment Survey, add your thoughts!
This year, the District of Sooke is collecting information for the first Sooke Housing Needs Report through a Housing Needs Survey. Over the last decade, the housing market in the District of Sooke and the Capital Regional District has seen … Continue reading →
Only two weeks left! Don’t wait to enter and vote in the BC SPCA’s Wildlife-in-Focus contest
ENTER OR VOTE TODAY From brightly coloured bluebirds to intense looks from an Arctic fox, entrants are stunning us once again with their photo submissions to the BC SPCA’s Wildlife-in-Focus Photography Contest, which is open for entries until until midnight Aug. 31. … Continue reading →
More focus on outreach, treatment key to preventing suicides
Providing young people with the everyday tools and skills to support mental well-being and ensuring that health professionals have clear and accessible mental health practice and treatment guidelines are among the key recommendations of a death review panel into child … Continue reading →
CTF urges BC residents to write letter, asking politicians to stop ICBC monopoly
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) launched a 30-foot tall ICBC monopolist man balloon at Lewis Park in Courtenay, B.C. today, protesting the government-forced ICBC monopoly. “While drivers on the Island are trying to enjoy their summer road trips, taking the … Continue reading →
Illicit drug deaths show decline for first half of 2019
Source: B.C. Coroner The BC Coroners Service has published updated reports on illicit drug toxicity deaths and fentanyl-detected drug deaths to the end of June 2019. Key preliminary findings of these drug death reports are below. Data are subject to change: In … Continue reading →
West Shore RCMP investigate rental scam, offer prevention tips
Source: West Shore RCMP, image from Flickr The West Shore RCMP are currently investigating two separate reports of rental scam relating to a residence on the 2800 block of Pickford Ave in Colwood. In both cases the victims had spoken … Continue reading →
Join a community art project and paint some rocks and fish at Saturday’s festivities
–Submitted by community volunteers working with Sooke district staff The District of Sooke invites you to celebrate Sooke’s 20th anniversary at the August 17th Saturday’s family picnic and movie night in a special way … with a community art project. … Continue reading →
Sooke is recruiting PAID on-call fire fighters, apply now!
The Sooke Fire Rescue Department is now accepting applicants for Paid on Call Firefighter positions. Join the team and gain valuable skills that enable you to help residents of Sooke in a time of need. All Firefighter training, health and wellness … Continue reading →
Persons of interest identified in the murder of Martin Payne, Metchosin
The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit (VIMCU), are continuing the investigation into the murder of Martin Payne, whose body was located in his home in Metchosin July 12, 2019. “The investigative team has made great progress in the investigation,” … Continue reading →
Ethics Commissioner finds Trudeau contravened the Conflict of Interest Act
Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner Mario Dion today released the Trudeau II Report, an examination of the allegation that the Prime Minister sought to influence the Attorney General of Canada in her decision on whether to intervene in a criminal … Continue reading →
Assistance requested for unsolved July 18th assault in Rutledge Park (Cloverdale Ave, Saanich)
–Saanich Police media release At about 11 pm on July 18, 2019, a 31-year-old woman was walking home through Rutledge Park when an unknown man wrapped his arms around her upper body from behind. The man didn’t say anything and … Continue reading →
BC’s Oil and Gas Commission: industry demands trump public interest, says new report
Numerous environmental offences have happened because British Columbia’s Oil and Gas Commission has failed to be tough on the fossil fuel companies it regulates, says a new Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives report that calls for substantial reforms based on … Continue reading →
Sooke Rd just west of Goldstream closed as RCMP investigate 3:44am crash
–West Shore RCMP media release On August 14th at approximately 3:44 am the West Shore RCMP responded to a report of a single-vehicle collision on Sooke Rd just west of Goldstream Ave in Colwood. The vehicle had gone off-road and … Continue reading →
Wednesday morning commuters: Crash alert in Colwood
Reports on social media are showing a crash on Sooke Rd in Colwood between Kelly and Wale roads, on Wednesday, Aug 14. The road is expected to open at around 8:30 am. SUV involved in an early morning single-vehicle collision … Continue reading →
Contained fires allowed in Sooke, an August rarity
Sooke Fire Rescue Service has posted the following notice on its Facebook page. We’re sharing it wider. Below are the fire regulations in greater detail. From their website: “Reminder that outdoor open burning of any type is prohibited within Sooke … Continue reading →
“Significant amounts” of drugs off the streets: VicPD seize cash, drugs, and loaded gun
–A VicPD media release A Victoria man is facing multiple charges after VicPD officers seized a loaded handgun, $25,000 in cash, and significant amounts of cocaine, methamphetamine and fentanyl during an arrest on July 4th, 2019. Officers with VicPD’s Strike … 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