Dec 23 - Skateboarder in critical condition

Good morning !

We hope those who observe Hanukkah enjoyed yesterday’s eighth and final day.
We are off until the new year, so we will take this opportunity to wish all those who celebrate Christmas a very merry one and a happy New Year.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌦️6 / 5

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 5 / 4

Christmas Day: 🌧️ 6 / 4

7-day forecast

NEWS

Police seek dashcam footage in 2 collisions

A skateboarder was, at last report, in critical condition after being hit by a vehicle Sunday night in Vic West.

VicPD said several paramedic units and fire crews arrived at the impact scene at Bay and Tyee, treated the injured person, and took them to the hospital.

A crash reconstruction team closed the roadway to investigate until about 3am, police said. There were no immediate details about the injured person’s age or identity. Last night, VicPD said they expected to have an update on their health today. 

VicPD is asking anyone with dashcam footage from the area around 8pm to contact them.

Meantime, Saanich Police are hoping drivers may step forward with footage from Douglas and McKenzie last Thursday between 5pm and 5:30pm.

It was around that time that a black SUV exited a northbound lane of the Pat Bay Highway, turned east onto McKenzie, and slammed into a cyclist who was walking their bike through the intersection.

The cyclist was knocked to the ground, and the SUV sped away, Saanich Police said. 

The cyclist declined medical assistance, and police were not called to the incident, they said. 

A Christmastime alert about counterfeit money 

Saanich Police are issuing a warning about bogus $100 bills being passed in stores and in private transactions via Facebook Marketplace. 

They said they’ve received several reports of fake hundreds being used lately and strongly suggest that if you get one, to immediately call the police.

Here’s a Bank of Canada cheat sheet on how to spot phony bills. 

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

All Clipper sailings are cancelled today due to a mechanical issue.

Galloping Goose closed between Cecelia and Gorge East. Detour via Waterfront. [CRD]

Saanich road closures: 
* Iona between Cedar Hill X and Broadmead, through Jan. 16, 24/7, for sidewalk work
* Rowan at Cedar Hill, today, 8:30am-4pm, for valve repair
* Near 611 Ridgebank, today, 9am-3:30pm, for water work

Saanich Single-lane, alternating traffic: 
* Cedar Hill between Derby and Pear, today, 8:30am-4pm for valve repair

Recalls: Various pistachio products, due to salmonella, and Pillsbury brand Pizza Pops pepperoni and bacon, due to E.coli.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

GVPL shares the most borrowed books in Victoria this year

The Greater Victoria Public Library released its annual roundup of the most-borrowed titles—and the city has once again proven that it’s populated by voracious readers.
From Jan. 1 to Nov. 30, Victoria library users borrowed more than 3.1M physical items and more than 2.5M digital titles. 

Digital borrowing continued to increase this year, following a trend that has been seen over the last “several years,” the library said, adding print readership remained strong.

How people consume their reading, be it print, digital, or audio, appears to correlate with genre interest, the library found. Because of this, for the first time, the GVPL is releasing the year’s top titles based on format. 

GVPL CEO Maureen Sawa said in a release that this approach helps the library understand how people are engaging with stories, which enables the library to better respond to changing community needs. 

“Our community continues to demonstrate a remarkable appetite for reading in all formats,” Sawa said. 

For print and ebook fiction, The Women by Kristin Hannah was the No. 1 most borrowed. It’s the second year the book has scored this title, with the GVPL attributing its popularity to word of mouth. Overall, historical fiction and crime thrillers dominated print borrowing, with several titles of these genres in the top 10.

The nonfiction print list shows a growing interest in current events, communications, and sociology. Jonathan Haidt’s The Anxious Generation was the top choice in this category.

Popular ebook nonfiction titles showed a sustained demand for self-help and personal development reads, with James Clear’s Atomic Habits appearing on the list for the sixth year in a row.

Audio, however, is more influenced by BookTok and “showed the greatest divergence from other formats,” according to the GVPL.

Romantasy writer Rebecca Yarros’s Onyx Storm topped the fiction list with more than twice the checkouts of the next highest title. Full-cast and duet readings were “highly sought after,” the library said.

Of the nonfiction audiobooks borrowed, memoirs and self-help titles were the most popular, especially when narrated by the author. Britney Spears’s The Woman in Me took the No. 1 spot in this category. 

Check out the full list of Victoria’s favourite reads here.

This story ran for our Insiders on Dec. 21. Consider becoming an Insider today and be the first to receive stories every Sunday.

SPONSORED BY PHS COMMUNITY SERVICES SOCIETY

Give the gift of hope

Please help housing provider PHS Community Services Society reach its $100,000 goal to support people in crisis this holiday season.

PHS is a registered charity that cares for individuals struggling with homelessness, mental health, and addictions in Vancouver and Victoria.

 In Victoria, this includes 290 units of housing with round-the-clock supports, a homeless shelter, and a 22-bed recovery program.

People of all ages and backgrounds are losing their homes because they can’t keep up with skyrocketing rents and the cost-of-living crisis. 

They need safety, dignity, and a place to call home—and you can help make that happen.

Please donate to PHS by Dec. 31 to bring hope to those who need it most.

You’ll receive a 2025 tax receipt for your contribution.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🔆 Times Colonist Christmas lights map.

🌞 Make career goals feel less like a dream. Skill up today with Continuing Studies at UVic and step into your future with confidence.*

🛍️ Sabayon’s has opened in the Bay Centre. [Details]

🎁 Royal BC Museum | IMAX® Victoria Make memories all year with a family membership. Enjoy exhibits, events, and big screen adventures starting at $138.*

❄️ Island Olympian: Victoria cross-country skier Amelia Wells to compete for Canada in February’s Winter Olympics in Italy.

🌿 New from Mateína: A zero sugar, organic yerba mate that delivers clean, balanced energy—no crash, no weird ingredients. Just plant-powered fuel that works.*

🎥 30th anniversary of Apollo 13, the first Hollywood feature film remastered to IMAX format. [Dec. 26-28 at RBCM]

🥳 The Belfry Theatre is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. Help build for the next 50 years of new theatre by making your $50 gift today!*

🌲🍾 Christmas Tree Chip & Bottle Drive for Lakehill Legends U15 fastball team. [Jan. 3, Ambassador Park]

*Sponsored Listing

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🗞️ In Other News

VIHA wins case, prevents Island man’s ‘death plan’ for wife with Alzheimer’s from making her health decisions
Island Health said the woman, 77, needed to be shielded “against the likelihood of death at the hands of her husband,” who had “repeatedly” said he would end his wife’s life—and then take his own—if she was not deemed eligible for assisted suicide. In 2021, the woman, who has advanced Alzheimer’s, was found unable to consent to MAID because of her dementia. BC’s Supreme Court removed the husband as her personal representative in favour of their daughter. [CHEK / CP]

Fired Greater Victoria Harbour Authority CEO sues for wrongful dismissal
Robert Lewis-Manning is suing the GVHA, which he claims made false allegations about his actions in its decision in September to terminate him. He is seeking $225K in compensatory damages. In its response to Lewis-Manning’s claim, the GVHA asserts that he violated the code of conduct by engaging in a secret romantic relationship with the wife of a subordinate employee and was dishonest about it when confronted by the board of directors. None of the allegations in either claim has been proven in court. [Times Colonist]

Santiago’s Cafe in James Bay, Koto Sushi Izakaya on Fort close
Santiago’s closed over the weekend, after 32 years of serving Tex-Mex as “Victoria’s favourite Nacho King,” per an online thank-you post from owners Tim and Kim. Santiago’s introduced many in Victoria to South American-inspired tapas. Downtown, one of the city’s older sushi and izakaya-style restaurants appears to have shut its doors without a public announcement. Koto had been a popular spot for sake and rolls for more than a decade. [Victoria Buzz]

Canada Post reaches tentative deal with union
In September, Canada Post workers went on strike for the second time in less than a year. In October, it became a rotating strike before talks resumed in late November. Yesterday, the postal service and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) announced a tentative agreement had been reached, which includes a 6.5% wage increase in the first year and 3% more the following year. The deal would be in effect until the end of January 2029. Union members will vote on the draft pact early next year. [CBC]

🗓️ Things To Do

🎞️⛰️ The Sound of Music (No Minors) 19+: Belt out along with Julie Andrews' Maria and the von Trapp kids at this adults-only screening with cocktails. The Vic Theatre. Today, Saturday & Monday. 6pm/6:30pm. [Info]

🎺 Anise Russow Quintet: Toronto-based jazz and soul vocalist returns home for the holidays with an immersive evening featuring top Victoria musicians. Hermann's Jazz Club. Friday. Doors 5:30pm, show 7-9pm. [Info]

👂🌊 Relics: Playing the Music of Pink Floyd: Experience early Pink Floyd, focusing on 1967-1975 with songs from A Saucerful of Secrets, Ummagumma, and Meddle. Hermann's Jazz Club. Saturday. Doors 5:30pm, show 7-9pm. [Info]

🎞️🚂 Doctor Zhivago: Love, revolution, and snowy Russian landscape collide in this five-Oscar-winning epic with an intermission. The Vic Theatre. Sunday. 6:30-9:45pm. [Info]

🎷Rowan Farintosh Group: The award-winning saxophonist leads Victoria's top session musicians through contemporary genres rooted in jazz improvisation. Hermann's Jazz Club. Sunday. Doors 5:30pm, show 7-9pm. [Info]

🩰🎼 Ballet Victoria's The Gift of the Nutcracker: The timeless classic featuring the Victoria Symphony and Ballet Victoria dancers in this beloved holiday tradition. Royal Theatre. Sunday, Monday & Tuesday. 7:30pm/2pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Sunday’s headlines: Immigration support should be seen as an investment, not a cost, says Victoria ICA CEO; Weekly roundup; Strange confrontation alleged at Oak Bay Rec Centre. [Dec. 22]

December events happening in Greater Victoria. [Capital Daily]

If you Hope to travel over the holidays: Hwy 3 to re-open soon. [Times Colonist]

Why some hummingbirds stay on the Island through winter. [CHEK]

Located: Missing person, 15, last seen Dec. 17 in Colwood. [RCMP]

Still closed: Temporary trail closure at Island View Beach due to storm damage. [CRD]

That’s it!

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