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
Drug toxicity deaths decrease, risk of harm remains high in B.C.
Despite fewer illicit drug toxicity deaths in the province in 2019, the BC Coroners Service continues to urge caution due to an unpredictable, toxic, illicit drug supply that is present in British Columbia. The BC Coroners Service reports that there … Continue reading →
Canada has failed to reduce persistent racism in the labour market: Report
-Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, media release Despite an increasingly diverse population, a new report released in December, 2019 reveals that little-to-no progress has been made towards reducing racism in labour market outcomes. Canada’s Colour Coded Income Inequality, released by the Canadian … Continue reading →
New provisions of Air Passenger Protection Regulations coming into force
Starting this Sunday, December 15, air passengers will have new rights under the Canadian Transportation Agency’s (CTA) Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR). Airlines flying to, from and within Canada will need to provide passengers with: compensation of up to $1,000 for flight delays or cancellations for reasons within the … Continue reading →
SD62 Secondary students collect record amount for food banks
–SD62 Communications The Sooke School District (SD62) is thrilled to announce that the 10,000 Tonight initiative to feed the Western Communities as well as Sooke and Port Renfrew, was once again, a smashing success! On Wednesday December 11th, volunteer student … Continue reading →
10,000 affordable non-market rental housing units needed annually to stem Metro Vancouver’s housing crisis
To fully address Metro Vancouver’s housing crisis, an ambitious program of building 10,000 new units of non-market rental housing annually is needed, including public housing and co-ops that are truly affordable for ordinary households, says a new report released today … Continue reading →
Free Naloxone training in Sooke, Dec 22
–Hermione Jefferis, Manager of Community Health (Victoria and Westshore), AVI Health & Community Services The holidays can be a particularly stressful time for people with substance use disorders and those who love them. Please join folks from AVI Health & … Continue reading →
Restaurateurs benefit from ‘house-made’ changes allowing small-batch house-made dairy dishes
British Columbians are now able to enjoy small-batch dairy products, such as “house-made” yogurt and ice cream, in more restaurants. A change in regulation makes it easier for small businesses to make and serve these products. Moving forward, licensed restaurants … Continue reading →
Twas the night before, the night before, the night before, the night before Christmas with Carolyn Mark, The Basin Boys, and Cortes Rocks
Our 2nd Annual Concert Event this year supporting a food drive for the Sooke Food Bank, A Silent auction supporting the Sooke Shelter Society, and a 50/50 in support of the Sooke Legion. Door Prize! Come on out and support … Continue reading →
Santa comes to Otter Point, collecting food and handing out candy canes, Saturday
As posted on Facebook: Santa is coming to Otter Point this Saturday evening starting at 5pm. He will be riding in an Otter Point Fire Engine touring through the district collecting food for the Sooke food bank and handing out … Continue reading →
Student struck at EMCS Crosswalk in stable condition
–SD62 Communications notification Prior to the start of the school day, a student was struck by a vehicle in the crosswalk in front of Edward Milne Community School. The student has been transported to the hospital. While we don’t know … Continue reading →
First conviction under new regs sees $2,000 fine for approaching a whale too closely
In August 2019, in Prince Rupert Provincial Court, the Honourable Judge George Leven found guide Scott Babcock guilty of a violation under the Marine Mammal Regulations. Justice Leven ordered Mr. Babcock to pay a fine of $2,000. Mr. Babcock also did … Continue reading →
Expanding palliative, end-of-life care: Greater Victoria
People in Greater Victoria will benefit from improved palliative and end-of-life care with more community hospice beds and acute palliative care beds at the Royal Jubilee Hospital. Island Health, in partnership with Victoria Hospice, is adding eight new community hospice beds to Victoria … Continue reading →
New District fees and charges to take effect January 1, 2020
–District of Sooke media release At the December 9, 2019, Regular Council meeting, District of Sooke Council adopted Fees and Charges Bylaw No. 752, 2019, along with sixteen related amendment bylaws. Bylaw 752 will increase the fees and charges associated … Continue reading →
Sooke Folk Music Celebration, Dec 21 (doors open at 6:30 pm)
–Sooke Folk Music Society The Sooke Folk Music Society (SFMS) Coffee House series, winds up each calendar year with a festive all-open stage. Performers and patrons are welcome to celebrate the solstice together on December 21st from 7:30 to 10:00 … Continue reading →
Report: BC Hydro data links holiday hosting to increased electricity use
A new BC Hydro report finds British Columbians’ knack for hosting guests on Christmas Day contributes to a 15 per cent increase in the electricity used in B.C. homes, leading to post-holiday costs for many. The report titled Hosts use … Continue reading →
Holiday wellness: Tips to stay safe this season
–Island Health The winter holidays are a time for family, friends and cheer, but for many of us, the season also delivers added emotional stress and holiday hazards. “People who consciously slow down during this busy season are going to … Continue reading →
AVI seeks socks for the season
–Hermione Jefferies, AVI If you are able to support AVI Victoria this winter we have a few ways you can do so: please see the poster for our sock drive, and the links below for the Mealtrain sign up and … Continue reading →
International: Educating girls is the right thing to do – for them and for the planet
–Plan International Canada With dire warnings from UN Secretary General Guterres that time is running out to turn around the catastrophic impacts of climate change, a powerful strategy to both mitigate climate change risks and help communities adapt is being … Continue reading →
EMCS Leadership Program’s 10,000 Tonight happens tonight!
-Article, poster and photo submitted by Marin Clarkston on behalf of EMCS Leadership The Edward Milne Community School Leadership Program is happy to once again host the fifth-annual 10,000 Tonight Holiday Food Drive, running on Wednesday, December 11th from 5-9 pm. … Continue reading →
Gallery: The Big Truck Christmas Light Parade, December 2019
The following photos are from John Penner. … 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