Sooke PocketNews is a hyper-local online newspaper that covers all things Sooke, all the time.
Direct from the District
Call for members for Sooke’s Climate Change Action Committee
Members of the community are invited to apply for the District of Sooke’s Climate Change Action Committee. The purpose of this committee will be to review and identify opportunities to build local climate action awareness and promote environmental stewardship within … Continue reading →
Today’s Headlines
New stamps call attention to plight of endangered turtles
Blanding’s and spotted turtles come out of their shells for latest issue Canada Post today released stamps featuring two species of endangered turtles. The Blanding’s turtle is found in central-southwest Nova Scotia and in the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence region of southern Ontario and southwestern Quebec. Although the spotted turtle … Continue reading →
Royal Canadian Mint silver coin celebrates 50th anniversary of Plastic Ono Band’s Give Peace a Chance
In 1969, Plastic Ono Band (John Lennon and Yoko Ono) recorded Give Peace A Chance, an anti-war anthem for generations of pacifists and music fans around the world. The song was recorded live from Lennon and Ono’s Queen Elizabeth Hotel suite in downtown Montreal, where John and … Continue reading →
By Donation: The African Children’s Choir performs at the Sooke Baptist Church, June 2, 2019
The African Children’s Choir comes to Sooke on Sunday, June 2, 2019, to the Sooke Baptist Church (250-642-3424) located at 7110 West Coast Rd. The performance starts at 10:00 a.m. The African Children’s Choir melts the hearts of audiences with … Continue reading →
Angus Reid Survey results: Amid concern over spread of gun violence, majorities support ban on handguns, assault weapons
Opposition to ban on firearms driven largely by men, rural Canadians, gun owners Whether it’s recent mass killings in Penticton, B.C., ongoing gang-related shootings in Toronto, or the Quebec City mosque killings in 2017, communities across the country have been … Continue reading →
A Jordyn Borsellino Cartoon: Rose Encounters Memories
The following cartoon was created by Jordyn Borsellino, a Sooke Youth and animator. Visit Jordyn online at her DeviantArt page. Cartoons by Jordyn on SPN … Continue reading →
Wildlife in Focus from Wild Wise Sooke: Pacific Great Blue Heron
The following poster was created by Ella MacQuisten for Wild Wise Sooke. Click on the poster to see the original, larger sized work. For your reading convenience, the text is printed out below. Ardea herodias fannini – This subspecies if … Continue reading →
Dear Caterina: We love each other but can’t communicate
We love each other but don’t communicate well. Is our relationship over? Thank you. Signed Communication issues Dear Communication Issues: Just because you don’t have the same communication style or way of processing life events, doesn’t mean that you can’t … Continue reading →
DriveSmartBC: Turning Right in Sechelt
–Constable Tim Schewe This all started with a simple question from my e-mail: “Are right turn lanes allowed at 4-way stop intersections?” The story evolved as I asked questions to try and understand the situation before answering here. It turns … Continue reading →
Through the Lens of a Newcomer: The eagle has landed
–by G.K. Sydney (photos and column) “When an eagle appears, you are on notice to be courageous and stretch your limits. Do not accept the status quo, but rather reach higher and become more than you believe you are capable … Continue reading →
Taxpayers Federation reacts to federal media bailout; SPN responds
Canadian Taxpayers Federation Federal Director Aaron Wudrick released the following statement in response to the May 22 announcement by the federal government regarding its $600 million media bailout: “Canadian taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize any industry, and that … Continue reading →
Finance committee visits Colwood for Budget 2020 consultation
The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services, a parliamentary committee of the legislative assembly, will hold a public hearing in Colwood on Monday, June 10, 2019, as part of its Budget 2020 consultation. The committee invites British Columbians … Continue reading →
Keeping eye treatments safe, accessible and available for British Columbians
Eye health is important to British Columbians. That is why the Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Services Authority (PHSA) are following the recommendations put forward by all 29 retinal specialists in the Provincial Retinal Diseases Program, as well … Continue reading →
West Coast Family Medical Clinic tests out an early-bird rapid access service
We stumbled on this on Facebook, and thought we would share it to a wider audience. It’s a service modification that may benefit many, including those not on FB (and that number is growing). “EARLY BIRD GETS THE WORM!! Same … Continue reading →
Months-long investigation sees Sooke RCMP charge three alleged traffickers
Sooke Detachment RCMP are winding up an investigation spanning the past several months into local heroin/fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine traffickers. Sooke RCMP partnered with the Vancouver Island General Investigation Section and were able to gather information and successfully arrest suspected … Continue reading →
Private medical clinic to take over old laundromat on Logan Lane, September
New private practice clinic will serve to address doctor shortage With thousands of patients lacking a primary healthcare provider, Sooke is one of many communities impacted by the provincial shortage of general practitioners. Michael Forbes, a Victoria-based pharmacist and entrepreneur, … Continue reading →
Specialty Medijuana Products Inc. receives cultivation license from Health Canada for expansion facility
Choom has a 5,000 sq.ft. facility in the Sooke Business Park (Otter Point), BC along with the expansion potential to add a up to ~700,000 sq.ft., in a three story indoor and greenhouse production facility. Choom™ (CSE: CHOO; OTCQB: CHOOF), … Continue reading →
Greater Victoria Green Team tackles Kaltasin Park, volunteers needed!
Revitalize a park in Sooke by removing invasive plants!! The Greater Victoria Green Team is hosting a big community environmental volunteer activity in Sooke and the community is invited! They will be removing English ivy and other invasive plants from … Continue reading →
BCSC wins in U.S. court to enforce order against fraudster
The British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC) has won a victory in a Nevadacourt this week to enforce a $21.7-million order against fraudster Michael Lathigee – the first time a U.S. court has recognized a BCSC order for someone to repay ill-gotten gains. A BCSC panel found in … Continue reading →
CRD asks residents to help identify abandoned boats
The Capital Regional District (CRD) is asking residents to help them keep the region’s waterways safe and clean by reporting abandoned boats this summer. To report a boat in the capital region that looks abandoned or wrecked, that is onshore, … Continue reading →
BC Coroners Service data shows MVI fatalities preventable
A lack of restraint use, along with drug and/or alcohol involvement, was noted as a contributory factor to recent motor vehicle incident deaths in British Columbia, according to the most recent data published by the BC Coroners Service. The BC … Continue reading →
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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