Aug 22 - VicPD Chief to be replaced next year

Good morning !

They may look sweet and cuddly, but a gang of river otters has been wreaking havoc on Island View Beach, harassing dogs and their owners. Unfortunately, an attack from these otters led to fatal injuries for one golden retriever and officials are now warning dog owners to be careful when visiting the beach.

Of course, not all otters are bullies—two sweet sea otter pups, who were found orphaned and malnourished near the Island, have officially arrived at their permanent home at the Vancouver Aquarium after successful rehabilitation. Check out their fluffy lil’ faces in Capital Picks.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌦️ 18 / 13

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 17 / 14

Saturday: 🌧️ 17 / 12

7-day forecast

NEWS

VicPD Chief Del Manak to step down next summer

The search for Manak’s replacement is underway after the VicPD board hired a firm to recruit a new chief constable for the force that oversees Victoria and Esquimalt.

Manak’s contract has been extended an additional eight months, with his contract end date moved to August 31, 2025. When his contract ends, he will have served as the VicPD Chief for just shy of 10 years, having started as interim chief in 2016 before his official promotion in 2017. He joined VicPD in 1993 after beginning his career in Vancouver.

“This is a critical time in the evolution of police services, and the Victoria Police Department faces both unique and general challenges,” said Manak. “I am proud to continue leading our department and serving our communities as the board takes the time they need to conduct a thorough selection process.”

VicPD Board Chair Micayla Hayes—who became the first non-mayor police board chair for the city after she was elected in the last meeting, with the updated Police Act no longer requiring Victoria and Esquimalt mayors in the role—said in a statement that choosing a new chief constable is “one of the most important decisions a police board will ever make.”

“This is a complicated task, and we will be taking the time to ensure that we make the best selection possible,” Hayes said.

Executive search firm Pinton Forrest & Madden Group Inc. (PFM) will handle the hunt for a new chief, having been awarded a $60K contract. Hayes says the search will be “an exhaustive nationwide process” to find someone fit for the role.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Road closure: BC Hydro work at Burnside & Washington starts today. 9am-3pm. 

Road closure: Caledonia closed between Blanshard and Douglas today from 7am-3:30pm.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

EVENTS

Tasty food experiences happening in Victoria

Here in Victoria, we have an abundance of fresh food, great chefs and farmers, and seemingly endless options for a good meal. This weekend there will be two exciting tasting events to sample local food and drink—and be wowed by food purveyors from across the Island.

Tequila tasting tonight

Tonight, popular Victoria restaurant Fathom is hosting a special one-night only dinner and tequila tasting menu for the Fathom Patron Dinner. Check out the restaurant’s all-season terrace while enjoying a five-course gourmet dinner—each course accompanied by the perfect pairing of Patron. Blueberry scallop gravlax, dungeness crab with chicken chicharrones, and chorizo-stuffed calamari are just some of the delights paired with the ideal tequila.

Read more about Fathom’s Patron Dinner here.

Feast of Fields

The 23rd Annual Vancouver Island Feast of Fields is taking place on Sunday at Heritage Acres in Saanichton—if you’re curious where your food comes from, this is the event for you. Putting emphasis on the connections between farmers and chefs and field to table cuisine, Feast of Fields is a three-hour wandering gourmet harvest festival that takes place every year near Victoria. Visitors can stroll across a big field with a glass of wine and napkin in hand to explore the exciting offerings of some of the Island’s best chefs.

Read more details on the Feast of Fields here.

SPONSORED BY TOURISM KELOWNA

Don't miss out on an Okanagan summer

Sun-drenched days are here and there's still plenty of time to experience an Okanagan summer. Make the most of the season by paddleboarding or kayaking on Okanagan Lake, biking along rail trails and urban surroundings, or hiking the surrounding hillsides and forests, where you can encounter the brilliance of nature just steps from the city. 

Continue the adventure exploring the region's local flavours by visiting farms and orchards, dining at farm-to-table restaurants, and savouring craft sips at wineries, breweries, cideries, and distilleries. 

Plan your visit now.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🫐 Sea gooseberry: See the small blobby jellyfish on a beach in San Josef Bay. [Facebook photos]

🩰 Dance Victoria's special presentation of Royal Winnipeg Ballet's Nutcracker returns to the Royal Theatre this winter. Early Bird tickets are on SALE NOW (until September 16).*

🦦 Homecoming: Two sea otter pups rescued near the Island are now at the Vancouver Aquarium. The pups were found weeks apart in critical condition. While they’re not fit for the wild without their mothers, they’re on the mend and doing well.

🤝 Now hiring: Pyrotechnician/Lighting and Scenic Technician at Butchart Gardens.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Otters fatally injure dog, harass others at Central Saanich beach
A golden retriever was reportedly euthanized after being bitten and held underwater by a group of river otters at Island View Beach. Another dog and owner were harassed by otters at the beach on a separate occasion and that same owner said he’s seen it happen to other dogs in the area. [Peninsula News Review]

Firefighter union to meet with premier over VicFD suspension
Victoria’s firefighter union confirmed yesterday it has agreed to meet with BC Premier David Eby after a member was suspended for one day last week for writing to Eby asking the province to stop the opening of the new street access hub on Dowler. Eby told Chek News that anyone should be able to write to his office without consequences; Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto said the next day that the premier’s comments were inappropriate. The union says it has appealed the decision, calling for a full rescission of the suspension. [CHEK]

Saanich police joins other BC forces dropping surnames from missing person alerts
Saanich updated its policy last month, following VicPD which made the change late last year, aiming to avoid future harm for those who are missing once they return to their daily lives. Other major police forces in cities like Toronto and Calgary began the initiative earlier this year as well. RCMP continues to publish surnames, citing a need for clarity. Data shows police can solve cases without surnames—between April 1 and June 30, VicPD received 301 missing persons reports, with all of them solved. [CTV]

🗓️ Things to do

🖼️ Out of the Mist and Into the Light: This curated exhibition in Colwood at the Arts & Culture Centre showcases the work of 10 artists across a range of disciplines. Until Sept. 20. [Info]

🎵 John Fogerty: See the Creedence Clearwater Revival frontman at this solo show at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre. Fri. 7:30pm. [Info]

🎺 Viva Latin America: Pablo Cardenas and The West Coast Cuban Orchestra presents this night of Latin American music at Hermann’s Jazz Club tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]  

🌼 When Fern Flowers Bloom: As a part of Victoria Fringe Festival, Sarah Ivanco and Erik Karklins give a dramatic performance told through traditional Latvian folklore at SKAM Satellite Studio tomorrow. 6pm. [Info] 

🎶 Harbour Blues 'n Roots Festival: The Dip: The Seattle-based R&B band will perform with Krystle Dos Santos opening at Ship Point tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]

🕊️ Pony and Bologna: Matthew Gordon’s dramedy play explores grief during Victoria Fringe Festival at Intrepid Studio tomorrow. 6:30pm. [Info] 

🎭 Castle of Glass: Victoria-based band The Wasteland Preachers perform this musical at Metro Studio during the Victoria Fringe Festival tomorrow. 5:15pm. [Info] 

✍️ Dear Jax: Learn about the late journalist Susan Maclean through her letters written to her spiritual guide Jax at Wood Hall tomorrow. 6:45pm. [Info]

🎥 Free-B Film Festival: Watch the 2003 rom-com Down With Love on Fri and 1957 sci-fi film Plan 9 from Outer Space on Sat at the Cameron Bandshell at Beacon Hill Park. 9pm. [Info] 

💛 Good Grief: See this one-man Fringe show about dealing with the loss of a parent at The Bauman Centre. Tomorrow and Sat. 6:45pm. [Info]

🧶 City of Gardens Quilt Show and Sale: Victoria Quilters’ Guild hosts an art sale at Pearkes Recreation Centre featuring over 250 quilts. Tomorrow to Sunday. 10am-5pm. [Info] 

🎉 Pagliacci’s 45th Anniversary Street Party: Celebrate this community gem with live music and dancing in the street in front of the restaurant. Sat. 4-10pm. [Info]

🇯🇲 🇹🇹 🇬🇾 i-Land Caribbean Festival: Check out Victoria’s first-ever Caribbean Carnival event at Centennial Square, with a parade down Government, live music—featuring soca, calypso, and reggae—delicious food, history info, and kids activities. Parade at 11am, festival at 12pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Wednesday’s headlines: New middle school for Langford; Plans for hard-to-house long-term care patients; Ditidaht Nation saves lake. [August 21]

International Indigenous conference taking place at Camosun this week. [Capital Daily]

Little tentacles: Barnacles moulting on the beach in Tofino. [Facebook photo]

Late-night eats in Victoria. [Tasting Vic]

More trails open in Sooke with wildfire under control. [The Westshore]

Full moon rises above cruise ships at Ogden Point. [Facebook photo]

That’s it!

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