Aug 8 - Saanich says goodbye to Canadian Little League playdowns

Good morning !

Some exciting baseball has been on display in Saanich over the last week. And it all came to a conclusion yesterday at the Canadian championships. That’s our uplifting first story.
Our second is hardly as rosy.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ 22 / 12

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 26 / 14

Sunday: ☀️ 26 / 15

7-day forecast

SPORTS

Layritz Little Leaguers’ first loss comes at the exact wrong time

In the end, Little Mountain was a hill too big to climb for host Layritz Little League, which fell 8-0 to Team BC in yesterday’s 2025 Canadian Little League Championship final in Saanich.

Team BC, represented by Little Mountain—which trains in the shadow of Vancouver’s venerable Nat Bailey Stadium—advances to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa. For the third time in 15 years, Little Mountain has earned the honour of wearing the Maple Leaf there.

“We knew we had to play our best, and unfortunately, we just didn't quite have it today,” said Layritz manager Jim Beech, whose club struggled at the plate against Team BC hurler Tyson G-Ronse, who was named MVP.

“He shuts down pretty much every team we've seen,” Beech said. “So, you know, credit to him and their good team over there.”

Layritz went a perfect 6-and-0 in the round robin—including a 4-3 win over Team BC—and separated themselves from Quebec in the semifinals to make it seven straight.

Team BC went 6-1 before dispatching Alberta 10-0 en route to a remarkable total run differential (runs scored vs. allowed) of +79.
The Mainlanders scored in each of the first three innings before putting up a five-spot in the fifth to quiet the overflow Layritz Park crowd estimated at 3,000.

Scuttled by the pandemic in 2020 and again in 2021, Layritz was finally able to host the tournament for the first time since 1991—they won it all in 1999 in View Royal—so Beech and his coaches put the team through some serious paces.

“We're talking three days a week for two years, all through the winters, all through the summers, travelling to Washington for tournaments, just really putting time and effort into the kids,” said Graham Plumb, president of Layritz Little League.

So the disappointment was ripe.

“They were devastated,” Beech said of his players.

“So I just told them, ‘You guys are better off for the two years you spent here. You guys are the best versions of yourselves—just remember that going forward.’”

The weeklong tournament will be fondly remembered for its tremendous sun-drenched crowds and the tireless efforts of 90 volunteers, who collectively put in 500+ hours in support of 80 area businesses to throw a pretty darn good baseball party.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Wesley Ridge fire continues to be out of control, growing to 571 ha as of 8:30pm yesterday. [BC Wildfire Service]

Reduced parking at Horth Hill next Wed. [CRD]

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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NEWS

58 Islanders killed by toxic drugs in May and June

Six people in Greater Victoria were killed by drugs in May, and 15 were killed in June, according to data released last week by the BC Coroners Service (BCCS).

On the Island, illicit drugs took the lives of 58 people: 27 in May and 31 in June. In the first six months of this year, 163 Islanders were killed by toxic drugs, with 56 of these deaths occurring in the South Island

Provincewide, 292 people were killed by toxic drugs in the two months, with 145 dying in May and 147 in June. So far this year, 915 people have died from drugs. While still far too high, the average monthly rate of deaths this year is lower than last year, showing a consistent downward trend.

Fentanyl remains the most deadly substance on the Island, where the powerful opioid has been linked to 82% of drug deaths so far this year, according to BCCS data.

Stimulants like cocaine are being detected more in expedited toxicology testing on the Island—in June, 96% of drug deaths involved a stimulant (many of these deaths also included a mix of other substances). In March, stimulants were tied to 58% of Island drug deaths.

Deaths tied to “other opioids” (which includes any non-fentanyl-related opioid) have dropped significantly since the beginning of the year. In January, 37% of Island drug deaths involved an “other opioid,” and by June, 3% involved these substances.

The number of people dying from drugs on the days following income-assistance payments appears to be going down.

In 2022, BCCS data showed an average of 8.2 drug-related deaths on days after cheques were issued, two deaths a day more than on other days. This year, on average, there are 6.4 deaths in the payment period, compared with 4.2 on regular days.

SPONSORED BY THE BUTCHART GARDENS

Enchanted Evenings: Wednesday to Sunday at The Butchart Gardens

Indulge in a perfect summer evening at The Butchart Gardens. Join us for a delightful dinner surrounded by breathtaking views, followed by live entertainment from our outdoor stage. After the show, wind down the evening by taking in the soft glow of Night Illuminations as you stroll the garden pathways.

⭐️ Capital Picks

⚾ HarbourCats host Riverhawks in WCL playoffs. [6:35 tonight at RAP]

🐉 Victoria Dragon Boat Festival is tomorrow.

🎸 Phillips Backyard Festival Reverb. [Today-Sun]

🌭🍨 Langford-Highlands MLA Ravi Parmar’s Big Summer Bash is tomorrow. [BBQ & Shrek]

🗞️ In Other News

Man convicted of first-degree murder sent back to William Head
Treyvonne Willis was removed from the minimum-security prison in Metchosin earlier this year and sent to a medium-security facility after it was found that he had an inappropriate relationship with a female correctional manager. In Feb., a corrections officer at William Head reported he saw the two kissing in a room accessible only to staff. Willis claims they only hugged and argued that the warden didn’t prove the kiss happened. A BC Supreme Court judge sided with Willis and ordered that he be sent back. [CHEK]

Climate change is the cause of algae blooms in Canada’s lakes, says study
The examination of 80 lakes across Canada found that average algae levels spiked sevenfold since the 1960s compared to the previous century, including lakes located far from human activity. These algae blooms can suck oxygen from the water, killing wildlife. The toxic blooms could also impact drinking water. This summer has seen swimming closures at multiple Greater Victoria lakes due to toxic algae blooms. [Yahoo! / CP]

Retired police officer assists Oak Bay PD in nabbing fleeing driver
The former OBPD officer happened to be in the area when a driver—who was in violation at a traffic stop—attempted to flee on foot down Hampshire. The former officer decided to discreetly follow the driver, and OBPD said he was instrumental in catching him. [Times Colonist]

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🗓️ Things to do

🎶 Sooke Music & Arts Festival: Econoline Crush and DJ Natty headline the 10th edition of this festival. Fred Milne Park. Today 4:20pm-10:30pm. Approximately 15 family-friendly acts tomorrow 12pm-10:30pm. [Info]

🍷 Savour Saanich: Take a self-guided tour celebrating local farmers, food producers, chefs, vintners, and brewers with tastings, workshops, and farm tours. Various locations throughout Saanich. Madrona Farm tomorrow. 9am-2pm. PKOLS Market Sun. 10am-2pm. [Info]

🍻 Fridays at the Station: This weekly bash features local beers, live music, and a farm-to-table market. Langford Station. Today. 4-8pm. [Info]

🎵 J.S. Bach's Magnificat: Experience the choral highlight of summer with the grand finale of the SING THE NORTH Summer Choral Festival led by Canadian legend Howard Dyck. Christ Church Cathedral. Tomorrow. 7:30-9:30pm. [Info]

😂 Sammy Obeid: Borderline Funny: Netflix comedian and world record holder for performing 1,001 nights in a row, brings his Domestic Tourist tour to Victoria for one night only. The Vic Theatre. Tomorrow. 4:30pm. [Info]

🎲 Patch Notes: The Improv Show for Nerds: Join improvisers from across Victoria's scene as they dive into sci-fi, fantasy, gaming, and comic book worlds, starting with creating a brand-new superhero. 734 Aldebury Street #203. Tomorrow. 8pm [Info]

🎸 Versa, Dreamworld Panic, and Tal Voda: Experience diverse contemporary rock with Victoria's longest-tenured post-rock/prog band, celebrating their new album alongside genre-bending art-rock acts. The Coda Bar Stage. Tomorrow. 6:30pm [Info]

💐 31st Annual Arts & Music in the Gardens Festival: Support local artists and vendors, listen to live music, or stroll through the Gardens (or all three) at the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific. The Gardens at HCP (12 km north of downtown Vic). Tomorrow & Sun. 9am-4pm. [Info]

🎉 Langford Summer Bash: A night of fun, food, and fantastic vibes—organized by MLA Ravi Parmar—in Veterans Memorial Park tomorrow. 6pm. [Info]

🎨 Bowker Creek Brush-Up: Presented by the Oak Bay Community Artists Society, more than 2K attendees will meet with 40+ artists who will demonstrate their art creation process. Sun. 11am-4:30pm. Free. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Thursday’s headlines: Blanshard synagogue hit with antisemitic graffiti; Semi-truck crashes into Galey’s Farm; HarbourCats lose, host playoff game tonight. [Aug. 7]

Dragon boats return to Victoria's Inner Harbour. [Capital Daily]

Orcas in Inner Harbour make a splash. [CHEK]

Longtime downtown tobacconist to close. [Times Colonist]

Heartbroken: family of BC mother & daughter killed by felled tree. [CTV]

Beaver smooch: See two beavers swim and bond on the central Island. [Island Deborah / Facebook]

That’s it!

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