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New COVID varient, Omicron: BC statement, and WHO statement
Dr. Bonnie Henry, B.C.’s provincial health officer, and Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, have issued the following statement regarding a new variant of concern (VOC), Omicron: “We support the measures taken today by the federal government in response to the … Continue reading →
Self-employed individuals whose employment income was less than $5,000 and who applied for the CERB will not be required to repay the CERB
Self-employed individuals who applied for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) and would have qualified based on their gross income will not be required to repay the benefit, provided they also met all other eligibility requirements. The same approach will … Continue reading →
Protect yourself during this Holiday Season
It is this wonderful time of the year where festivities are taking place, Christmas shopping is getting busier and people are gathering together to celebrate. It is also this time of the year where thieves and porch pirates are taking … Continue reading →
End fracking industry’s free ride with water; groups urge government to include water subsidies in gas royalty review
VANCOUVER – Public health, public policy and environmental organizations say the government must expand its current review of the fracking industry’s low natural gas royalty rates to include the significant ways that the industry’s unsustainable water use is subsidized. In an open … Continue reading →
341 new BC COVID-19 cases, 6 deaths, Nov 26, 2021
As of Friday, Nov. 26, 2021, 91.0% (4,219,790) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 87.6% (4,060,193) have received their second dose. In addition, 91.4% (3,954,871) of all eligible adults … Continue reading →
424 new BC COVID-19 cases, 3 deaths, Nov 25, 2021
As of Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021, 91.0% (4,218,099) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 87.5% (4,056,728) received their second dose. In addition, 91.4% (3,953,383) of all eligible adults in … Continue reading →
UPDATE: Police looking to speak with transit bus passenger regarding a previous incident
On November 12, 2021, West Shore RCMP issued a media release seeking information about two BC Transit bus passengers. See previous media release here: Police looking to speak with transit bus passenger regarding a previous incident. Investigators have since obtained … Continue reading →
Rainfall warning continues for West Vancouver Island
Rain, at times heavy, is expected. The ground, already near saturation, has little ability to absorb further rainfall. Heavy rain continues today. Additional rainfall of 40 to 50 mm will bring the total rainfall to 150 to 200 mm. Rain will … Continue reading →
322 new BC COVID-19 cases, 9 deaths, Nov 24, 2021
As of Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021, 91% (4,216,384) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 87.4% (4,053,088) have received their second dose. In addition, 91.4% (3,951,940) of all eligible adults … Continue reading →
Rainfall warning issued for West Vancouver Island, Nov 24 2021
From Environment Canada A rainfall warning is in effect for West Vancouver Island. Rain, at times heavy, is expected. The ground, already near saturation, has little ability to absorb further rainfall. A round of heavy rain is on its way to … Continue reading →
Five paid sick days coming Jan. 1
Paid sick leave will be standard for workers (including full- and part-time, temporary and casual) in British Columbia beginning Jan. 1, 2022, with a minimum of five paid sick days each year. B.C. becomes the first province in Canada to legislate … Continue reading →
Grants available, supporting reconciliation, diversity, B.C.’s heritage
Indigenous communities, local governments and eligible organizations can apply for funding under the 150 Time Immemorial program for projects that promote and educate British Columbians about diversity, inclusion, reconciliation and resiliency. The $30-million 150 Time Immemorial program is a partnership … Continue reading →
Sooke Philharmonic Chorus’s “Sing Noël” concert marks return to in-person performances
Kick off the Christmas season with Sing Noël, the first in-person concert of the Sooke Philharmonic Chorus, taking place December 4 and 5 in Sooke. The 33-person chorus (reduced numbers due to COVID) will perform festive repertoire selected by music … Continue reading →
Human serial suer strikes again: Durkin files a defamation lawsuit against Capital Daily
According to an article on the Capital Daily news (and Court Services Online), Timothy Craig Durkin has filed a defamation suit against Capital Daily. Jimmy Thomson of Capital Daily now appears on a list of legal actions initiated by Durkin. … Continue reading →
324 new BC COVID-19 cases, 1 death, Nov 23, 2021
As of Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, 90.9% (4,214,774) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 87.4% (4,050,134) have received their second dose. In addition, 91.3% (3,950,456) of all eligible adults … Continue reading →
Safe, effective COVID-19 pediatric vaccine available for children aged 5-11
Children in British Columbia five to 11 years old will soon have access to Pfizer’s COVID-19 pediatric vaccine. On Nov. 19, 2021, after a thorough review, Health Canada approved the Pfizer vaccine for children five to 11. This vaccine uses … Continue reading →
🎄Sooke Christmas Bureau Campaign Begins🎄
The Sooke Christmas Bureau’s goal is to provide a generous hamper for those individuals and families who need some help over the holidays. Last year we had unprecedented support from this community and are very optimistic for 2021! The Christmas … Continue reading →
Five reports of romance/crypto currency scams in 10 days
Richmond RCMP want to warn the public about romance/crypto currency scams after receiving five reports in a 10-day period earlier this month. These types of frauds are not unique to Richmond and an extensive joint release was issued by BC RCMP earlier … Continue reading →
1,052 new BC COVID-19 cases, 10 deaths, Nov 22, 2021 (3 days)
As of Monday, Nov. 22, 2021, 90.9% (4,213,371) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 87.3% (4,047,568) have received their second dose. In addition, 91.3% (3,949,189) of all eligible adults … Continue reading →
Four confirmed dead and one remains missing from the highway mudslide during the atmospheric river rainfall
Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner, has released the following statement about search and recovery efforts at the mudslide at Duffy Lake: “Over the past five days, a small team of forensic coroners has worked alongside law enforcement and search and rescue … Continue reading →
497 new BC COVID-19 cases, 3 deaths, Nov 19, 2021
As of Friday, Nov. 19, 2021, 90.8% (4,209,651) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 87.0% (4,034,962) have received their second dose. In addition, 91.2% (3,945,908) of all eligible adults … Continue reading →
Starting Nov 30, Canadians going south can re-enter Canada without COVID test if gone for under 72 hours
Effective November 30, 2021, fully vaccinated individuals with right-of-entry to Canada who depart and re-enter the country within 72 hours of leaving Canada will not have to present a pre-entry molecular test. This exemption is only for trips originating in Canada taken by fully vaccinated Canadian citizens, permanent … Continue reading →
Personal use vehicles limited to 30 litres of gas
Non-essential vehicles, including the general public, will still have access to fuel available through retail gas stations. People will be limited to 30 litres per trip to the gas station.
Continue reading →Health Canada authorizes use of Comirnaty (the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine) in children 5 to 11 years of age
SPN NOTE: Parents in British Columbia can register their child now to get ready. Read the BC response to this announcement, below. The following comes from Health Canada: Today, Health Canada authorized the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine in children 5 … Continue reading →
Coquihalla Highway damage following the mudslide, helicopter views
The following three short videos were posted by Kamil Karamali (@KamilKaramali, a TV reporter and anchor for Global News) on Twitter. Another shocking visual of the damage to Coquihalla Highway from Sunday’s landslides. Spotted just south of Sowaqua Creek on … Continue reading →
Letter: No need to panic purchase gas, its shortage is rumoured not real
I live on the border between Sooke and Metchosin now, previously in Sooke proper. My wife of 12yrs works as a TCP for a company that maintains the highways of the South Island. The “gas shortage” is an illusion. Tues … Continue reading →
Government of Canada to assist British Columbia with response to extreme flooding
Yesterday, the Minister of Emergency Preparedness, the Honourable Bill Blair, confirmed that the Government of Canada has approved a Request for Federal Assistance from the Province of British Columbia to help with their response to extreme flooding in the province. … Continue reading →
Financial assistance available for people affected by flooding
Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) is now available for eligible British Columbians in southwest, central and southeast areas of the province and Vancouver Island who were affected by flooding and landslides from Nov. 14-16, 2021. This assistance includes all Indigenous communities, electoral … Continue reading →
468 new BC COVID-19 cases, 9 deaths, Nov 18, 2021
As of Thursday, Nov. 18, 2021, 90.8% (4,207,832) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 87% (4,030,851) have received their second dose. In addition, 91.2% (3,944,285) of all eligible adults … Continue reading →
Highway 1 Malahat overnight closures ended, two way traffic may resume Monday
Repairs to Highway 1 at Tunnel Hill on the Malahat have progressed well, and no further overnight closures are needed. Repairs will continue through the weekend. While work is underway, drivers can expect single-lane alternating traffic with some intermittent closures … Continue reading →
Letter: Council considers cutting spending recommended by Climate Action Committee, in the face of climate change
Sooke Council’s budget meeting scheduled for November 15, 2021, was cancelled due to flooding. The agenda prepared for the cancelled meeting indicates that Council is considering cutting the $226,000 budget recommended by its own Climate Action Committee by more than half. … Continue reading →
Media Should Cover Climate as a Crisis, say Scientists and Journalists
Canadian Association of Journalists Many of the countries that gathered in Glasgow for the recent COP26 summit may not yet be treating climate change as a crisis. But a first-of-its-kind Canadian study that surveyed climate scientists, journalists, and the public for their opinions … Continue reading →
Video: Fresh look at Jordan River, a hidden treasure at Sooke’
Here’s a look at one of the many local hidden treasures, just minutes from your doorsteps if you happen to be lucky enough to live in Sooke. The following comes from Outlast Overland on Youtube: “This week we visit the … Continue reading →
324 new BC COVID-19 cases, 7 deaths, Nov 17, 2021
As of Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021, 90.7% (4,206,179) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 86.9% (4,027,146) have received their second dose. In addition, 91.2% (3,942,820) of all eligible adults … Continue reading →
BC declares state of emergency as the province recovers from the atmospheric river of Nov 15
The B.C. government is declaring a provincial state of emergency to mitigate impacts on transportation networks and movement of essential goods and supplies, and to support the provincewide response and recovery from the widespread damage caused by severe flooding and … Continue reading →
Province implements disruption-free bubble zone (read: antivaxxer protesters), expiring July 2023
New legislation will help maintain access to critical services that British Columbians rely on and protect those who provide those services, as the Province moves to prevent disruptive behaviour from affecting schools and health-care facilities. The proposed legislation will protect … Continue reading →
338 new BC COVID-19 cases, 1 death, Nov 16, 2021
As of Tuesday, Nov. 16, 2021, 90.7% (4,204,465) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 86.8% (4,023,930) received their second dose. In addition, 91.1% (3,941,248) of all eligible adults in … Continue reading →
Overnight Malahat closures to repair corridor
Drivers are advised that the Malahat section of Highway 1 between West Shore Parkway and Tunnel Hill will be closed in both directions overnight each night from Nov. 16-22, 2021. The full overnight closure is required to repair the highway at … Continue reading →
Boil Water Advisory for Port Renfrew Water Service – Juan de Fuca
Residents in the impacted area should BOIL their drinking water until further notice. The Capital Regional District (CRD) in consultation with Island Health have issued a Boil Water Advisory for the Port Renfrew Water Service Area in the Juan de … Continue reading →
1,270 new BC COVID-19 cases, 16 deaths, Nov 15, 2021 (3 days)
As of Monday, Nov. 15, 2021, 90.7% (4,203,257) of eligible people 12 and older in B.C. have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 86.8% (4,021,455) have received their second dose. In addition, 91.1% (3,940,151) of all eligible adults … Continue reading →
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Sooke PocketNews is your only Sooke daily online community resource. Real news, no paper.
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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