Kevin Laird

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Many dentists are worried about the Canadian Dental Care Plan’s cumbersome administrative procedures and a lack of transparent information. (Unsplash)

Vancouver Island dentist worried about hurdles in federal dental plan

Practitioners encounter bureaucratic hurdles and unclear guidelines

Many dentists are worried about the Canadian Dental Care Plan’s cumbersome administrative procedures and a lack of transparent information. (Unsplash)
A western screech owl is among at least two threatened species that have been spotted in the temperate rainforests of Tree Farm Licence 46 on Vancouver Island. (Pixabay) A western screech owl is among at least two threatened species that have been spotted in the temperate rainforests of Tree Farm Licence 46 on Vancouver Island. (Pixabay)

Court denies citizen scientist’s fight for B.C. bird habitat access

Legal battle over Fairy Creek highlights clash between industry and threatened species

A western screech owl is among at least two threatened species that have been spotted in the temperate rainforests of Tree Farm Licence 46 on Vancouver Island. (Pixabay) A western screech owl is among at least two threatened species that have been spotted in the temperate rainforests of Tree Farm Licence 46 on Vancouver Island. (Pixabay)
Elders for Ancient Forests along with people declaring themselves “land defenders” take part in a peace circle along a logging road in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, on Oct. 5, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)

B.C. logging company launches lawsuit against Fairy Creek protesters

Teal Cedar takes legal action over alleged conspiracy and obstruction in forest protest

Elders for Ancient Forests along with people declaring themselves “land defenders” take part in a peace circle along a logging road in the Fairy Creek logging area near Port Renfrew, on Oct. 5, 2021. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
CRD chief administrative officer Ted Robbins, left, Pacheedaht First Nation Chief Jeff Jones and CRD board chair Colin Plant sign a memorandum of understanding. (Contributed – CRD)

Capital Regional District, Pacheedaht forge historic government partnership

Agreement outlines collaborative priorities, aiming to facilitate respectful decision-making

CRD chief administrative officer Ted Robbins, left, Pacheedaht First Nation Chief Jeff Jones and CRD board chair Colin Plant sign a memorandum of understanding. (Contributed – CRD)
The aftermath of an accident has taken a toll on the daily life of a Sooke family. (Contributed - Jozsef Gurlay)

Car slams into pole, leaves B.C. homeowner stuck in the dark weeks later

GoFundMe launched after insurance complications leave family short of what’s needed to restore power

The aftermath of an accident has taken a toll on the daily life of a Sooke family. (Contributed - Jozsef Gurlay)
Melissa McDevitt, 38, went missing on Dec. 10, 2022 in the Sooke Potholes area. Her body was discovered Wednesday by hikers. (Courtesy Victoria Police Department)

Hikers find body of missing woman in dense brush on Vancouver Island

Group discovers Melissa McDevitt’s body in Sooke where her car was found a year ago

Melissa McDevitt, 38, went missing on Dec. 10, 2022 in the Sooke Potholes area. Her body was discovered Wednesday by hikers. (Courtesy Victoria Police Department)
A partially loaded crude oil tanker is guided out of Burrard Inlet from Burnaby’s Westridge Terminal next to the Chevron oil refinery. (File - Black Press Media)

Vancouver Island communities seek oil tanker ban during rough seas

Concerns raised over spill response, more resources requested

A partially loaded crude oil tanker is guided out of Burrard Inlet from Burnaby’s Westridge Terminal next to the Chevron oil refinery. (File - Black Press Media)
Levi Choo recovering from burns on his hands at B.C. Children’s Hospital. The Choo family received support from B.C. Children’s Hospital and the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund in dealing with the ordeal that dates back six years. (Photo submitted by family)

B.C. family shares harrowing story to raise funds for burn survivors

Hometown Heroes Lottery supports burn survivors and transform lives

Levi Choo recovering from burns on his hands at B.C. Children’s Hospital. The Choo family received support from B.C. Children’s Hospital and the B.C. Professional Fire Fighters’ Burn Fund in dealing with the ordeal that dates back six years. (Photo submitted by family)
James Sails reached the summit of Mount Everest on May 24. (Submitted by James Sails)

Retired B.C. soldier conquers Mount Everest, fulfilling lifelong dream

East Sooke resident journeys to top of world in mountaineering quest

James Sails reached the summit of Mount Everest on May 24. (Submitted by James Sails)
Twenty-three cats ranging in age from newborn to five weeks old were rescued from a Sooke-based animal welfare group. (Contributed - SAFARS)

23 kittens rescued from ‘hoarding situation’ in Vancouver Island home

Cats left without water and food, says animal welfare group

Twenty-three cats ranging in age from newborn to five weeks old were rescued from a Sooke-based animal welfare group. (Contributed - SAFARS)
The dromedary jumping-slug has a multi-coloured hump concealing a partial shell. The slug is red-listed provincially and listed as threatened under the federal Species at Risk Act. (Contributed - Kristiina Ovaska)

Scientist leaping to the defence of Vancouver Island’s dwindling jumping slug

Mapping project tracks this important indicator of the health of B.C. rainforest

The dromedary jumping-slug has a multi-coloured hump concealing a partial shell. The slug is red-listed provincially and listed as threatened under the federal Species at Risk Act. (Contributed - Kristiina Ovaska)
The water off Port Renfrew could be threatened without a federally-funded search and rescue and environmental response service in Port Renfrew, says the Pacheedaht First Nation. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

B.C. First Nation wants feds to expedite plans for marine rescue centre

Vancouver Island’s Pacheedaht chief says talks stalled on $22-million project for Port Renfrew

The water off Port Renfrew could be threatened without a federally-funded search and rescue and environmental response service in Port Renfrew, says the Pacheedaht First Nation. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Timothy Durkin is pictured in a photograph filed in Federal Court. The B.C. Securities Commission claims the Sooke man defrauded an investor out of $1 million. (Federal Court)

B.C. man accused of selling fake ownership in world-renowned Sooke Harbour House

Timothy Durkin faces B.C. Securities Commission in November

Timothy Durkin is pictured in a photograph filed in Federal Court. The B.C. Securities Commission claims the Sooke man defrauded an investor out of $1 million. (Federal Court)

Fast-spreading disease baffles wildlife experts

'Hundreds' of deer dropping dead on Vancouver Island

Fast-spreading disease has ‘100s’ of deer dropping dead on Vancouver Island

Never seen before in B.C. Adenovirus hemorrhagic disease poses no risk to humans, livestock or pets

Sooke Celtic extend unbeaten streak against Saanich Fusion

Sooke squad atop VISL Division 3 standings

Sooke Airbnb host top in B.C.

Sooke Cedar House received the most positive reviews of any Airbnb in Canada

Sooke lobbying for ban on non-essential pesticides

Earlier this year, council joined call for a provincewide ban on rat poison

Sooke will seek public input on John Phillips Memorial Park

Sooke Lions Club proposes building community centre in park

B.C. Culture Days find creative resilience in Sooke community

Virtual and in-person events being offered as part of annual celebration of the arts