Local News

Ladysmith RCMP are investigating the suspicious death of a 76-year-old North Oyster man. A neighbour called 911 at 11:30 a.m.

Former lieutenant governor Steven Point has resigned as chair of the advisory committee on safety and security of vulnerable women because of lawsuits over the Robert Pickton murders.

A head-on collision in Merville at 7:30 a.m. Friday was the third fatal crash Comox Valley RCMP has responded to in the last 10 days. Both drivers had to be extracted from their vehicles by Courtenay firefighters.

Defending Giro d’Italia champion Ryder Hesjedal of Victoria calls it “heartbreaking” and “devastating.” Fans and observers sensed something was off. Hesjedal confirmed their suspicions by withdrawing from the 2013 Giro cycling race, citing illness.

The Very Rev. Logan McMenamie expressed relief Friday at the recovery of valuable artifacts stolen from Christ Church Cathedral.

A 15-year-old Saanich girl who was last seen by family on Monday has been located, said Saanich Police. Sarah Grace Watts was found in the Vancouver area last night. “Watts is safe and has been reunited with her family,” Sgt. Steve Eassie said today.

Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin hopes the city will be able to retrofit its downtown parking machines to allow them to sell bus passes.

A former Tofino housekeeper who gained Internet celebrity as a homeless, hatchet-wielding hitchhiker earlier this year was arrested Thursday for allegedly beating a New Jersey lawyer to death, authorities said.

The Victoria communications firm that helped rebrand VicPD and save the Victoria International Marina project is being tapped to make over the region’s controversial sewage-treatment project.