Devon Bidal

When the wind howls, trees can come down and bring power lines with them. (Lexi Bainas/News Staff)

VIDEO: Tips to stay safe around downed, damaged power lines

‘Always treat the line as though it’s still energized,’ advises BC Hydro

When the wind howls, trees can come down and bring power lines with them. (Lexi Bainas/News Staff)
The ticket Brittney Taylor received was for a violation of a Class 7 license restriction, but she has had a Class 5 license for more than six years. (Photo courtesy Brittney Taylor)

B.C. mom gets $368 traffic ticket for touching phone mounted to dashboard

Lawyer says that ticket is ‘invalid’ and officer gave inaccurate information

The ticket Brittney Taylor received was for a violation of a Class 7 license restriction, but she has had a Class 5 license for more than six years. (Photo courtesy Brittney Taylor)
Offering rides for a fee isn’t legal in B.C. unless specific requirements are met including having the proper license and insurance. (BeyondDC/Flickr)

Designated drivers who charge for rides in B.C. may be breaking the law

A specific licence, proper insurance among the requirements for ‘side-hustle’ rides

Offering rides for a fee isn’t legal in B.C. unless specific requirements are met including having the proper license and insurance. (BeyondDC/Flickr)
A man and his dog were rescued after their boat began to sink near the west side of the Tillicum bridge. (Google Maps)

B.C. police rescue man and his dog from sinking houseboat

Both were rescued safely from the Gorge Waterway just after 4:30 a.m. Friday

A man and his dog were rescued after their boat began to sink near the west side of the Tillicum bridge. (Google Maps)
Canada Post carrier seriously injured after dog attack in Greater Victoria

Canada Post carrier seriously injured after dog attack in Greater Victoria

The employee was bitten on the hand and arm

Canada Post carrier seriously injured after dog attack in Greater Victoria
Magda Szajcz, a Saanich veterinarian, brings Salmon, her parti coloured poodle, to work with her every day. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

B.C. vet talks tips for winter travel with pets

Going to see the vet the day before a trip is never a good idea

Magda Szajcz, a Saanich veterinarian, brings Salmon, her parti coloured poodle, to work with her every day. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
Shyanne Palmer and her son, Ashton, are staying in Victoria while her partner recovers from serious injury at the Royal Jubilee Hospital. (Shyanne Palmer/Facebook)

Campbell River mom’s iPhone containing priceless photos stolen from Victoria hospital parkade

The phone contained photos, heartbeat recordings of her late son

Shyanne Palmer and her son, Ashton, are staying in Victoria while her partner recovers from serious injury at the Royal Jubilee Hospital. (Shyanne Palmer/Facebook)
The 47th Annual Rick Lapointe Memorial hockey tournament was cut short for some after an illness outbreak among the players. (Santeri Viinamäki/Wikimedia Commons)

‘Norovirus-like’ outbreak interrupts Bantam hockey showcase in Greater Victoria

Several athletes were sent home, quarantined on the ferry

The 47th Annual Rick Lapointe Memorial hockey tournament was cut short for some after an illness outbreak among the players. (Santeri Viinamäki/Wikimedia Commons)
B.C. pharmaceutical company’s stocks double in value after successful lupus drug trial

B.C. pharmaceutical company’s stocks double in value after successful lupus drug trial

More than 40 per cent of patients using voclosporin saw improvements in kidney function

B.C. pharmaceutical company’s stocks double in value after successful lupus drug trial
Coquitlam teachers Tessa Voykin (left) and Diether Malakoff (middle) and Lake Cowichan Teachers’ Association President Chriss Rolls (right) came to Victoria to protest with about 300 other BCTF members on Saturday. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

B.C. Teachers’ Federation protests outside BC NDP Convention

‘Our working conditions are the kids’ learning conditions and you can’t separate that,’ teacher says

Coquitlam teachers Tessa Voykin (left) and Diether Malakoff (middle) and Lake Cowichan Teachers’ Association President Chriss Rolls (right) came to Victoria to protest with about 300 other BCTF members on Saturday. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
While the Saanich Official Community Plan discourages new drive-thrus due to emissions caused by idling cars, there are no bylaws prohibiting bike ride-thrus. (Black Press Media file photo)

Lack of ‘ride-thrus’ a missed opportunity as ‘cyclists run on calories,’ B.C. councillor says

Councillor notes no Saanich bylaws prohibit bike drive-thrus

While the Saanich Official Community Plan discourages new drive-thrus due to emissions caused by idling cars, there are no bylaws prohibiting bike ride-thrus. (Black Press Media file photo)
Charity Millar and her family of five have been car-free for several years. (Photo courtesy Charity Millar)

B.C. mom, kids on bike turned away from Tim Hortons drive-thru

Car-free for years, Charity Millar ‘felt gross’ being denied service

Charity Millar and her family of five have been car-free for several years. (Photo courtesy Charity Millar)
On Friday evening, the B.C. Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) announced that it had rejected the recommendations laid out in the mediator’s report issued on Nov. 1. (Black Press Media file photo)

BCTF rejects mediator’s recommendations for settlement

Negotiations between B.C. teachers and the province will continue

On Friday evening, the B.C. Teachers’ Federation (BCTF) announced that it had rejected the recommendations laid out in the mediator’s report issued on Nov. 1. (Black Press Media file photo)
A man was arrested after a BC Ferries worker was assaulted on board the Coastal Celebration vessel in Tsawwassen on Oct. 22. (Black Press Media file photo)

Man arrested after BC Ferries worker sexually assaulted aboard vessel

The company has ‘a zero tolerance policy for abuse of its employees,” says BC Ferries vice president

A man was arrested after a BC Ferries worker was assaulted on board the Coastal Celebration vessel in Tsawwassen on Oct. 22. (Black Press Media file photo)
BC Ferries began the one-year trial of selling beer and wine onboard and folks have been concocting potential drink names. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

‘One Sailing White’: Passengers concoct punny drink names for BC Ferries’ onboard alcohol

One Sailing White, Expect Delay IPA and Duke Pint among the suggestions

BC Ferries began the one-year trial of selling beer and wine onboard and folks have been concocting potential drink names. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
A Big Brown Bat is one of many species that can be found on Vancouver Island. (Photo by Cory Olson)

International bat week: Focus on myth busting, conservation, celebration

International Bat Week runs from Oct. 24 to 31

A Big Brown Bat is one of many species that can be found on Vancouver Island. (Photo by Cory Olson)
Two-time Olympic medalist Ryan Cochrane from Saanich turned to a career in local real estate after retiring in 2017. (Black Press Media file photo)

Swimming Canada to close Victoria’s high performance centre after Tokyo 2020 Olympics

‘Very disappointing to see a sports federation pull its support,’ says former HCP-Victoria swimmer

Two-time Olympic medalist Ryan Cochrane from Saanich turned to a career in local real estate after retiring in 2017. (Black Press Media file photo)
Green Party Leader Elizabeth May (right) poses with her communications director, Erin Bremner-Mitchell, and her son, Robson Mitchell, at a campaign birthday party in North Saanich. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

May takes campaign detour to Saanich home riding

The campaign team shared cake, talked about climate change with local families

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May (right) poses with her communications director, Erin Bremner-Mitchell, and her son, Robson Mitchell, at a campaign birthday party in North Saanich. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
Access BC and Options for Sexual Health calls on the B.C. Government to include free birth control in the 2020 budget. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)

B.C. urged to fund free prescriptions on World Contraception Day

Groups ask B.C. government to remove cost barriers to accessing birth control

Access BC and Options for Sexual Health calls on the B.C. Government to include free birth control in the 2020 budget. (Devon Bidal/News Staff)
B.C. Lions superfan, Patrick ‘Crazy P’ Thomas is marking 15 years of cheering and spreading joy. (Photo courtesy Patrick Thomas)

B.C. Lions hype-man marks 15 years of cheers

Crazy P cheers, chants, bangs his drum and spreads a message of love

B.C. Lions superfan, Patrick ‘Crazy P’ Thomas is marking 15 years of cheering and spreading joy. (Photo courtesy Patrick Thomas)