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Commuters in Langford and Esquimalt may be spending a little more time in their vehicles as major infrastructure projects cause traffic delays. FortisBC is replacing 590 metres of gas main between West Shore Parkway and Langford Lake Road. Expect a lot of starts and stops in the area for the rest of the month.

In Esquimalt, there’s water main construction below ground and more above for new bike lanes and other infrastructure upgrades. Expect alternating traffic on Esquimalt from Admirals to Lampson from 9am to 3pm for the next 3-4 months.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

Today: ☀️ 26 / 14

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 26 / 13

Sunday: 🌤️ 24 / 15

7-day forecast

No one was injured when a patient reportedly threatened hospital staff with a knife at the Royal Jubilee yesterday morning.

VicPD said that at around 6:30am they received a complaint about a person with a knife assaulting staff. 

“Given the threat to public safety, multiple police resources were dispatched and quickly apprehended the person,” they said in a release. 

Island Health said hospital security guards received a call about a patient threatening staff with a knife. The guards “quickly responded and secured the area and the small folding knife" before VicPD arrived and briefly held the patient in custody. 

“The patient remains at [the] hospital and is being cared for in a secure area,” Island Health said in an email to Capital Daily.

“We are incredibly thankful to the care providers and staff on the unit and Protection Services Officers for their quick and professional response in a challenging situation,” the health authority said. 

“We are also appreciative for the support of VicPD.”

VicPD said the investigation is in its preliminary stages and won’t be saying much more about it publicly.

Road closures in James Bay today through tomorrow for the David Foster Foundation concert in the Inner Harbour. Belleville closed from 7am today until Sunday morning.

Colwood: Temporary closure on Galloping Goose, between Atkins and Wale, today through Aug. 19, 9am-3pm. [CRD]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

On the water today? Check the tide times for Victoria.

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August in Greater Victoria is a month filled with vibrant markets and rooftop parties. Gardens come alive with music in the air, fireworks in the sky, and stages feature everything from classical opera to Afrobeats to acoustic tributes.

It's a good month to wander and to let the long summer evenings lead you somewhere unexpected.

Here’s our August guide to things to do in and around Greater Victoria.

🥍 Victoria Shamrocks host Nanaimo Timbermen in Game 3 of WLA semifinals tonight at 6:30pm at the Q Centre.

⚽ Pacific FC hosts Inter Toronto tomorrow at 2pm, Starlight Stadium.

😺 Cat Video Fest: 75 minutes of pure feline fun at the Vic Theatre. Matinees tomorrow and Sunday.

🎹 David Foster Foundation 40th Anniversary Celebration at the Inner Harbour is tomorrow at 7:30pm 

🎞️ Outdoor Movie Night: Mamma Mia, on a 40-foot screen, Aug. 15 at Saanich Fairgrounds.

Saanich Police add drones to ‘support frontline policing’
Saanich PD has launched a Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) program to “enhance officer and public safety.” The department said drones don’t replace responding officers; they provide additional information to assist them and other emergency responders on the ground. The small aircraft will be used in critical incident response, missing person investigations, crime-scene management and public event monitoring, emergency disaster response, and training, Saanich PD said. [Saanich PD]

Canada’s biggest aquatic taxonomy lab moving to Esquimalt 
The lab, which focuses on identifying, classifying and naming organisms, won’t have far to go—it’s currently located in Victoria’s Rock Bay neighbourhood. Biologica Environmental Services Ltd. has been seeking industrial zoning and more lab and office space. The new Esquimalt location—a two-storey warehouse on Aldebury—is close to the water and is more transit-accessible, including for its employees, some of whom bike to work. The company analyzes algae, zooplankton, and invertebrates for environmental assessments. [Black Press]

Hiker found in Strathcona Park after being missing for 4 days 
The Comox Valley hiker was located yesterday after going missing on Monday, prompting a large-scale search. Search-and-rescue teams from across the Island and Lower Mainland, a canine team, and two helicopters were sent to look for the 25-year-old. The man was separated from his partner while summiting Mount Albert Edward—the sixth-highest peak on the Island—and chose to descend the steep terrain to a nearby lake, going off trail, when he got lost. [CHEK]  

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⛵ Maritime Museum of BC: Pay-What-You-Can Friday: The museum opens its doors at a price of your choosing. Maritime Museum of BC. Today. 9:30am-4:30pm. [Info]

🎶 Mary Kastle: A free folk/soul concert as part of the city's summer series running Fridays-Mondays through Labour Day. Cameron Bandshell. Today. 1:30–3:30pm. [Info]

🤣 The Crowd Work Show: Nash Park and Alex Forman take the stage with absolutely nothing prepared, finding the funny entirely through crowd interaction. The Mint. Tonight. 8pm. [Info]

🎞️ Free-B Film Festival 2026: B-movie classics and nostalgic cinema return to the park under the stars in Beacon Hill Park. The Labyrinth screens tonight at 9pm; Planes, Trains and Automobiles screens tomorrow at 9pm. [Info]

🥧 James Bay Community Market: In its 31st year, the market attracts 60+ tents bustling with excited vendors. Tomorrow. 494 Superior. 9am–3pm. [Info]

👒 Moss Street Market: A weekly Saturday market running through the summer. Moss Street. Tomorrow. 10am–2pm. [Info]

🐈 Cat Video Fest 2026: Seventy-five minutes of the internet's finest feline chaos. Part of proceeds go to local cat charities and shelters. The Vic Theatre. Tomorrow. 3pm. [Info]

🎵 Turnip the Beet: Live music and meat draws. Feel free to bring in your own snacks or support restaurants in the area. Esquimalt Legion Branch. Tomorrow. 3-6pm. [Info]

🎸 Altered by Mom with Alexandria Maillot and Cold Fame: Juno-winning Toronto rock trio Altered by Mom brings its female-fronted chaos-with-a-party-vibe to the stage alongside local support acts. The Coda. Tomorrow. 6:30–8:30pm. [Info]

🪕 Harry Manx Live: Canada's "Mysticssippi Blues Man" Harry Manx fuses deep blues with Indian classical music across banjo, slide guitar, harmonica, and his signature 20-string Mohan veena. Alix Goolden Performance Hall. Tomorrow. 7:30–9:30pm. [Info]

🌃 Island Star Party 2026: Join amateur astronomers to talk about astronomy and observe celestial objects after dark at Stephen’s Anglican Church. 2pm today-12pm Sunday. [Info]

🍅 Highlands Farm and Craft Market: Locally made and grown vegetables, baking, preserves, woodwork, art and more. Caleb Pike Heritage Park. Sunday. 10am-1pm. [Info]

Thursday’s headlines: Candidate scorecard being prepped for the Oct. 17 municipal election; Killer whales come back; Victoria’s Chelsea Green is crowned queen of WWE. [Aug. 6]

Saanich team—representing Canada—is dispatched from the Intermediate World Series in California. [CHEK] 

Oak Bay deer birth control: The District of Oak Bay is requesting access to private properties while crews administer immunocontraceptive treatment to deer. Property owners can fill out the consent form here.

Witnesses & dashcam footage sought in cyclist collision at Parkside and Winchester. [Saanich PD]

Then and now: Do you recognize these old Victoria landmarks? [Facebook photos]

Ross Bay Villa Historic House and Garden Tours: today and tomorrow.

Summer Block Party at Mayfair is tomorrow, 12-4.

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