Oak Bay News Staff

Emerson, a juvenile elephant seal, rests on the beach in Oak Bay after a weekend jaunt across nearby Beach Drive. Fisheries and Oceans Canada hopes he can safely remain there, despite the busy atmosphere, until he finishes moulting. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

Seal can stay on Greater Victoria beach if he doesn’t ‘go rogue’: DFO

Emerson’s Sunday stroll takes a toll on Oak Bay traffic

Emerson, a juvenile elephant seal, rests on the beach in Oak Bay after a weekend jaunt across nearby Beach Drive. Fisheries and Oceans Canada hopes he can safely remain there, despite the busy atmosphere, until he finishes moulting. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Black Pearl and her 2024 calf. (Clint William/Eagle Wing Tours/PWWA
)

PHOTOS: B.C. whale watchers document first baby humpback of 2024

Hundreds of humpback whales are expected to feed in the area through fall

Black Pearl and her 2024 calf. (Clint William/Eagle Wing Tours/PWWA
)
Oak Bay Deputy Police Chief Julie Chanin takes over the chief constable role June 1. (Black Press Media file photo)

Next Oak Bay police chief is the 1st woman in the role for Greater Victoria

Deputy Chief Julie Chanin takes helm June 1

Oak Bay Deputy Police Chief Julie Chanin takes over the chief constable role June 1. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Island Health 2SLGBTQIA+ liaison nurse program is being held at Royal Jubilee Hospital and occasionally at Victoria General Hospital. (Black Press Media file photo)

Health Authority launches B.C.’s first 2SLGBTQIA+ liaison nurse program

Program available at Island Health’s Royal Jubilee Hospital and occasionally at Victoria General

The Island Health 2SLGBTQIA+ liaison nurse program is being held at Royal Jubilee Hospital and occasionally at Victoria General Hospital. (Black Press Media file photo)
The almond croissant, a partnership between 49 Below and GoodSide Pastry House, is a good example of upcycled ice cream options at the Oak Bay ice cream shop. (File - courtesy 49 Below)

B.C. ice cream maker battles shrinkflation one sweet spoonful at a time

Tax-avoiding 500 ml packages ‘still snack size if you believe it is,’ says 49 Below

The almond croissant, a partnership between 49 Below and GoodSide Pastry House, is a good example of upcycled ice cream options at the Oak Bay ice cream shop. (File - courtesy 49 Below)
The Fairmont Empress came in 10th in the 2023 Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Top 10 Hotels in Canada 2019 list. Magnolia Hotel & Spa, the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, Brentwood Bay Resort and Spa also earned spots in the annual lists. (Black Press File Photo)

B.C. hotels and resort land on global list of best in hospitality

Oak Bay, Empress, Magnolia and Brentwood Bay all named Conde Nast Traveler favourites

The Fairmont Empress came in 10th in the 2023 Conde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Top 10 Hotels in Canada 2019 list. Magnolia Hotel & Spa, the Oak Bay Beach Hotel, Brentwood Bay Resort and Spa also earned spots in the annual lists. (Black Press File Photo)
Baby seal Bertha Island is in care at Marine Mammal Rescue Centre after being plucked from Cattle Point in Oak Bay. (Marine Mammal Rescue Centre photo)

Baby seal Bertha found on B.C. beach and now beefing up in rescue centre

Beaches become seal nurseries each summer, but a pup alone isn’t always in trouble

Baby seal Bertha Island is in care at Marine Mammal Rescue Centre after being plucked from Cattle Point in Oak Bay. (Marine Mammal Rescue Centre photo)
Oak Bay Fire Department Lt. Kyle Beaumont asks people to leave the pets at home, while using ‘Sparky’ as an example. (District of Oak Bay/Instagram)
Oak Bay Fire Department Lt. Kyle Beaumont asks people to leave the pets at home, while using ‘Sparky’ as an example. (District of Oak Bay/Instagram)

Don’t leave dogs in hot cars, B.C. firefighters plead in short video

Leave Sparky at home, with a friend or at least use dog mode

Oak Bay Fire Department Lt. Kyle Beaumont asks people to leave the pets at home, while using ‘Sparky’ as an example. (District of Oak Bay/Instagram)
Oak Bay Fire Department Lt. Kyle Beaumont asks people to leave the pets at home, while using ‘Sparky’ as an example. (District of Oak Bay/Instagram)
Don’t leave dogs in the car, even with the air conditioner running, begs the BC SPCA. (BC SPCA photo)

Don’t break a window: BC SPCA outlines how best to handle a dog left in a hot car

Signs of heatstroke and how to help your pets during heat waves

Don’t leave dogs in the car, even with the air conditioner running, begs the BC SPCA. (BC SPCA photo)
SMONECTEN (McDonald) Campground in North Saanich. (File photo courtesy of Parks Canada)

Hotline helps Canadian camping newbs with the scoop on poop and other questions

Those with non-emergent camping conundrums can call 1-844-SCOUT101 or go online to plan ahead

SMONECTEN (McDonald) Campground in North Saanich. (File photo courtesy of Parks Canada)
Charelli’s Cheese Shop, Delicatessen, and Catering in Oak Bay offers grilled cheese sandwiches by donation on National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day (April 12) in support of the ALS Society of BC. (Black Press Media file photo)

Say cheese: Canada’s 2nd favourite sandwich gets its own day April 12

Canadians urged to enjoy some gooey good grilled cheese April 12

Charelli’s Cheese Shop, Delicatessen, and Catering in Oak Bay offers grilled cheese sandwiches by donation on National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day (April 12) in support of the ALS Society of BC. (Black Press Media file photo)
BCZ0214, a new mom, spotted in the busy waters south of Victoria. (Joe Zelwietro photo – Humpback Whales of the Salish Sea/Facebook)

Humpback comeback: More whales spotted in Salish Sea this year than any other

‘The Salish Sea has become the whale equivalent of a busy school zone’

BCZ0214, a new mom, spotted in the busy waters south of Victoria. (Joe Zelwietro photo – Humpback Whales of the Salish Sea/Facebook)
An Oak Bay Police Department (OBPD) car parked outside the office on Monterey Avenue. (Black Press Media file photo)

Tyre Extinguishers: Environmental activists deflate tires on 34 SUVs in Greater Victoria

The group, called Tyre Extinguishers, wants to eliminate SUVs in cities

An Oak Bay Police Department (OBPD) car parked outside the office on Monterey Avenue. (Black Press Media file photo)
Artwork seized from a Greater Victoria art dealer accused of stockpiling pieces and cutting off communication with owners. (Photo courtesy of Saanich police)

Tens of millions worth of art seized from Greater Victoria dealer in fraud investigation

More than 1,000 pieces of art discovered in storage units across capital

Artwork seized from a Greater Victoria art dealer accused of stockpiling pieces and cutting off communication with owners. (Photo courtesy of Saanich police)
A trio of baby squirrels is healing at the Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre in Metchosin. (BC SPCA photo)

Hard-luck baby B.C. squirrels on the mend after hard falls break their legs

Windstorm, falls from trees leave 10 baby squirrels in care at West Shore rehab

A trio of baby squirrels is healing at the Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre in Metchosin. (BC SPCA photo)
Snohomish Pie Company serves this apple berry crumble pie and others on Pi Day. (File photo courtesy of Kaley Nigg)

Happy Pi Day, celebrate with pie

For many, the best way to celebrate is with its homonym

Snohomish Pie Company serves this apple berry crumble pie and others on Pi Day. (File photo courtesy of Kaley Nigg)
According to FishSounds.net, fish enjoy lively conversations over the coral reefs. (Photo by Kieran Cox)

University of Victoria researcher helps build global inventory of fish grunts, squeals

Research helps better understand how noise impacts marine life

According to FishSounds.net, fish enjoy lively conversations over the coral reefs. (Photo by Kieran Cox)
Betty White at age 96 ahead of the PBS documentary Betty White: First Lady of Television. White died Dec. 31, and fans hope to flood animal rescue centres with cash on what would have been her 100th birthday, Jan. 17. (File photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)

#BettyWhiteChallenge floods internet as late icon’s 100th birthday approaches

Fans take to social media to pledge $5 donations to animal welfare on Jan. 17

Betty White at age 96 ahead of the PBS documentary Betty White: First Lady of Television. White died Dec. 31, and fans hope to flood animal rescue centres with cash on what would have been her 100th birthday, Jan. 17. (File photo by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS)