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Latest SPN Headlines
Weather warning for West Vancouver Island
From Environment Canada issued 3:46 PM PST Wednesday 22 January 2020: Rainfall warning in effect for West Vancouver Island. Rain, at times heavy, is expected. An intense frontal system is currently crossing Vancouver Island. Moderate rain is falling over west … Continue reading →
Nominations for Environmental Writing being Accepted
Take the opportunity to be recognized for your work by submitting your environmental reporting for the Art Downs Memorial Award! Entries are being accepted for the BC Wildlife Federation’s Art Downs Award. This award is given to recognize excellence in writing … Continue reading →
Marine boardwalk reopens, following storm damage repairs
The marine boardwalk between Ed MacGregor Park and the Rotary Pier has been reopened after a brief closure to evaluate damage sustained during last week’s winter storm. Temporary railings have been installed to ensure public safety and allow for pedestrian … Continue reading →
Westshore’s Major Crime Unit investigates homicide (Access Closed to Sooke Hills Wilderness))
On January 20th, 2019, at approximately 11:30 pm the West Shore RCMP responded to a report of a single-vehicle collision near the 3100 block of Humpback Road in Langford. Police attended the scene and located a deceased male inside the … Continue reading →
Awareness Film Night presents honey bee film, just in time for honey bee mine day
-Jo Phillips, Awareness Film Night On February 12, 2020, Awareness Film Night will be presenting a 2019 documentary film created by beekeeper and cinematographer Peter Nelson that unveils the fascinating world of honeybees, transported back and forth across the continent … Continue reading →
Income disparity in perspective: 22 of the world’s richest men have more wealth than all the women in Africa
The world’s 2,153 billionaires have more wealth than the 4.6 billion people who make up 60 percent of the planet’s population, reveals a new report from Oxfam today ahead of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland. Global inequality is shockingly … Continue reading →
CIRA funds digital literacy, cybersecurity, and internet infrastructure projects through $1+ million in grants
Last week, the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) announced the opening of its annual $1+ million Community Investment Program granting initiative for 2020. Beginning on January 15, 2020, not-for-profits, charities, and researchers are invited to apply for funding that will … Continue reading →
DriveSmartBC: Pedestrian Visibility at Night
–Constable Tim Schewe I read an article recently about conspicuity for police officers working on the highway. It suggested that the reflective vests and jackets that we use to stand out and be identified by drivers at night were not … Continue reading →
REMINDER: Free Falls Prevention Series starts January 21, 2020
REMINDER: Starting January 21st, this 6 part series will be held in Sooke and Shirley respectively. Check out the poster for more details, or email srchn@sookeregionchn.org. Sooke, BC, December 16th, 2019 – The SOOKE REGION COMMUNITIES HEALTH NETWORK (SRCHN) has … Continue reading →
Royal Tab: Vast majority don’t want to pay costs associated with the Sussexes’ move to Canada
The bombshell news that Prince Harry and his wife Meghan – the Duke and Duchess of Sussex – were not only seeking to partially quit the Royal Family but also take up part-time residence in Canada may have set the … Continue reading →
Employment Standards Presentation: Jan 28
B.C.’s Employment Standards Act applies to most employers and employees. Do you know your rights and responsibilities? About this Event Join BC Public Service for a presentation on the Employment Standards Act for employers and employees. The presentation will cover … Continue reading →
Disability Tax Credit / RDSP Info Session: Jan 23, Westshore
Join the CRA for an info session on Disability Tax Credits and RDSP’s About this Event Topics covered include: What Disability Tax Credits (DTC) are What Registered Disability Savings Plans(RDSP) are Who is eligible Why the DTC and RDSP can … Continue reading →
Tax Tip: Donate to a charity. Claim your tax credit
Did you donate to a Canadian registered charity or another qualified donee? You may be eligible for a tax credit. Claim your tax credit To claim this charitable tax credit, save your official donation receipts from any registered charities or other qualified donees. Once you have … Continue reading →
Municipalities may be able to offer tax relief to small businesses & non-profits, if new provincial legislation is passed
Small businesses, non-profits and arts and culture organizations paying high property taxes through their commercial leases will be able to get relief through interim business property tax relief legislation that is under development. The legislation, to be introduced this spring, would give … Continue reading →
Weather warning: When one door closes (snow be gone) another opens (wind begins)
Environment Canada has issued a wind warning for the Greater Victoria region and West Vancouver Island. Strong winds that may cause damage are expected or are occurring (depending on when you read this). An approaching Pacific storm system will give … Continue reading →
Applications open for BC Parks Student Ranger Program
Young adults keen to work outdoors this summer and to acquire a diverse range of job skills can now apply for the BC Parks Student Ranger Program. Now in its third season, the Student Ranger Program provides 48 young adults … Continue reading →
Province invites early-adopter communities to pilot new mobility technologies
People in B.C. are one step closer to hopping on e-scooters to get around town. Communities interested in being on the front lines of testing new and emerging transportation technologies (such as e-scooters and electric skateboards) are invited to submit … Continue reading →
Weather returns to normal, snowstorm has some lingering effects.
Today’s forecast calls for rain, with a chance of flurries for a short period this afternoon. Looking ahead, temperatures will be rising. Visit SPN Weather and Traffic for streaming information. Yesterday’s storm still has several lingering effects. The Sooke School … Continue reading →
Sooke schools open (except Port Renfrew), school buses not running
According to the Sooke School District’s website, they are open but no buses are running. January 16, 2020 Schools* are open today but buses are not running. Snow on sidewalks and piles of snow on the sides of the roads … Continue reading →
Sooke School District (SD62) anticipates being open on Thursday
From their news website: “January 15, 2020 “Thank you to all our families for your flexibility with our closure today. A huge thank you to our grounds and facilities staff who have been out clearing our school grounds. “With the … 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.
For local businesses: If you are a business and would like to advertise with us (and enjoy 40,000+ views a month), look at our advertising page for details. Contact us for more information.
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