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- Aug 6 - Crisis claims 245 Islanders in first half of year
Aug 6 - Crisis claims 245 Islanders in first half of year
6 spots for cheap food. Local student wins economics bronze.
Capital Daily Team
August 06, 2024
Good morning !
We hope you had a good long weekend, and that the return to a shortened week isn't too busy for you.
News today on a local student's success, and the latest toxic drug death numbers—which put the Island on pace for its most deaths on record, even as BC's pace dips slightly compared to last year.
— Cam
How do you find the short week after a Monday holiday? |
Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
245 Islanders lost to drug poisonings this year
Death rates for women have been rising in recent years. BC CDC chart.
Last week's drug toxicity numbers from the BC Coroners Service brought 2024 stats to the year's halfway mark. While this year is tracking to have fewer deaths than last, the Island specifically is on pace for its deadliest year yet, and there are still six fatal drug deaths in BC every day. There are already about as many Island deaths as in the entirety of 2017 or 2018.
The rate of women dying has also risen substantially since the 2020s began.
The North Island and Central Island continue to be among the worst affected in BC, with 79 and 63 deaths per 100,000 people respectively.
The latest stats show 44 new Island deaths in May and 39 in June. In the South Island 33 people died in those two months, followed by 31 in the Central Island and 19 in the North. But the lower Northern population makes that last number arguably the most troubling; this year's rate of 79 deaths per 100,000 is a stark rise above any previous year, and double the rate in Greater Victoria.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Find parkade spots in real time with Victoria's parking tracker.
Keating Cross overpass closed Weds night (10pm‐6am). [Info / detour]
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
NEWS
Local student takes third in the International Economics Olympiad (IEO)
Chau Anh Ngo. Photo submitted
Athletes aren't the only Islanders winning medals lately.
A week ago, Pearson College UWC student Chau Anh Ngo concluded the IEO with a bronze medal. From July 22 to 30, she competed in Hong Kong against high school students from 38 countries in a free annual econ and finance competition.
It has been a strenuous road for Ngo, who spent hours every day dedicating her time to learning material, practising questions, and balancing daily activities. To even make it to the IEO, she had to be among Vietnam's five top competitors.
Read more about her success, and what it took, at The Westshore.
FOOD
6 spots for cheap eats in Victoria
Photo: La Taquisa / Facebook
While Victoria has some incredible fine dining experiences, there are also many gems across the city that are serving up delicious eats for a reasonable price.
It is no secret that life has been getting increasingly more expensive, so Tasting Victoria decided to highlight some favourite places that are serving quality dishes that do not break the bank. From diner fare and wraps to seafood and comfort food, these are half a dozen go-to spots for cheap eats.
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⭐️ Capital Picks
🌊 Jellies dying on the shore to restart the process of their life cycle. [Photos + blog]
⛵ Beautiful green Little Tribune Bay on Hornby Island, shot by James MacDonald.
🤝 Now hiring: Christmas Installers at The Butchart Gardens.
🗞️ In Other News
BC Day marks 50th anniversary
The now-busy holiday weekend began in 1974 with mixed uptake by companies. It was overshadowed in the news by Richard Nixon's resignation in the US, but brought an estimated 25 deaths on roads, lakes, and train tracks. [Times Colonist]
Future Olympians: Island rowers advance to world championships
The 8-person men’s U19 team—which includes six Island rowers—will compete at the World Rowing Championships in St. Catharines, Ont., Aug.18-25. The team, which trains on the Island has a GoFundMe campaign to help cover travel costs.
Canada’s quarterfinal today evokes Victoria's basketball legacy
In 1936, three locals won medals, while players from the 1980s UVic dynasty faced Michael Jordan in the Olympic semis. In 2000, Victoria's Steve Nash couldn't overcome France—the same country Canada's best team ever faces today at 9am. Those players will seek to rectify Canada's NBA-heavy roster's failure to win the 2021 Tokyo qualifiers that Victoria hosted. [Times Colonist]
🗓️ Things to do
🎻 NZ String Quartet: Pamela Highbaugh Aloni joins for a night of symphony music at UVic’s Phillip T. Young Recital Hall. Today. 7:30pm. [Info]
🎙️ Folk Music Series: Backyard Boulevard and Sofia Miller will perform at the Cameron Bandshell at Beacon Hill Park. Today. 6-8pm. [Info]
🎵 Music at Ship Point: Carolyn Mark will perform country music in the Inner Harbour. Today. 6-7pm. [Info]
🎥 Yintah at Cinecenta: The film about the Wet’suwet’en people asserting their sovereignty will be shown at the UVic theatre. Today. 5pm and 7:30pm. [Info]
🌱 Victoria Compost Education Centre: Annual all-organic plant sale. Stay for a while and enjoy bike pedal-powered music in the garden. Entry by donation or free for CEC members. Dogs welcome. 1216 North Park. Aug. 10. 10am-Noon. [Info]
🎐 Hiroshima-Nagasaki Day Lantern-building, Taiko drummers, Furusato dancers, music, & more at this free event dedicated to building peace. 6-9pm Tuesday at Gorge Park Pavilion (1070 Tillicum). [Event]
CORRECTION: Yesterday’s newsletter incorrectly listed the Sunday Wonderment hours for the Monday Wonderment music. We regret the error and apologize to any readers whose plans were affected.
👀 In Case You Missed It
Nanaimo hammer thrower makes history: Ethan Katzberg wins gold. [Monday newsletter]
Why the Island is losing 2 lighthouse keepers. [Sunday newsletter]
Basking shark meets Salt Spring paddleboarder—a rare sight. [CHEK]
Some nearby residents want Malahat barrier after head-on weekend crash. [CHEK]
Evacuation orders near Chilcotin River as water starts coming over dam. [CityNews]
That’s it!
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