April 1 - Homicide in Victoria

Good morning !

You may be seeing a fair share of joke and hoax headlines this morning, but rest assured that everything in the newsletter today is just the normal news.

We’re not playing any pranks on you—we don't want to confuse anybody, and it wouldn't be a great fit with today's fairly serious top story. But we’d be happy to hear about any pranks that you played (or had played on you).

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️ 15 / 6

Tuesday: 🌤️ 14 / 3

Wednesday: 🌦️ 11 / 4

7-day forecast

NEWS

Stabbing leaves a man dead, a worker hospitalized, and a suspect in custody

A 4am Sunday morning call about a stabbing led to the discovery of a man already dead near Blanshard and Pandora, Victoria police say. Another victim had non-life-threatening injuries, and the block was shut to traffic.

Police said, in a brief Sunday release, that one person was arrested and that there is no further risk to the public, but that “further details cannot be shared at this time.” The Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit is investigating.

Ocean Island entrance is part of crime scene

As of Sunday evening, bloodstains remained visible on the north-side sidewalk and yellow tape and officers continued to close off the south-side sidewalk in front of Ocean Island Inn, as well as the hostel's front entrance. One chair sat outside within the taped area. Those staying in the hostel had access via the back entrance.

One guest told Capital Daily that the hostel occupants had received little information, but that an upper-floor bathroom was also cordoned off and that a knife was visible on the floor of the now-off-limits front lobby area.

Front-desk worker was injured

An Ocean Island manager told the Times Colonist that the person hospitalized was a front desk agent at the hostel. Residents of the Cool Aid Society, meanwhile, told CHEK they had heard “screaming and squabbling” out by the bus stop in the night, and that a figure was seen lying in the stop just after two men argued there. 

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Sun & cloud this week—except for a mid-week shower—and highs of 11-15.

Malahat delayed on Sunday due to crash just north of Shawnigan Lake Road, per DriveBC.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

5 local cafes serving the perfect matcha latte

Bright green with an earthy flavour, matcha can be slightly daunting to newcomers. First appearing in China during the Tang dynasty, the finely ground tea made its way to Japan during the 12th century, where it was popularized and became a fixture of Japanese tea ceremonies.

Full-bodied in flavour, matcha is a hearty tea that has been steadily growing in popularity worldwide. Matcha lattes are an especially accessible introduction to the tea—here are several Victoria cafes that have been perfecting them.

Plus: Read Capital Daily's feature on the enduring local popularity of tea in general.

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🍱 Victoria named #3 for food among Canadian cities in new ranking. [Tasting Victoria]

🏆️ Which local restaurants will win? Vote for your favourites in the Tasting Victoria Awards. [Vote]

🤿 Kelp covered in large hooded nudibranchs, seen during a scuba dive northwest of Ucluelet. [Video]

🩰 Dance Victoria presents audience favourite Ballets Jazz Montréal who will perform a mixed contemporary dance program at the Royal Theatre on April 26 and 27.*

📸 Desaturated downtown: Black-and-white snapshots of city streets. [Instagram]

🤝 Now hiring: VP, Fund development and communications at YMCA YWCA of Vancouver Island.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Local firefighters’ gear may contain dangerous chemicals 
New information about PFAS (“forever chemicals”) in fire gear has prompted peninsula MLA Adam Olsen to propose a BC bill that would require PFAS-free foam by 2026 and clothing by 2029. [Saanich News]

Local cyclist showcases pedal (and petal) power
Angela Gabaldon has amassed a following online for showcasing downtown Victoria through photos featuring her flower-adorned bike. [CHEK]

Units now being leased at delayed Sooke housing project
The 170-unit partly affordable project was completed but sat empty for much of the winter and spring for reasons that have not yet been fully clarified. [Citified] A similar project did open successfully last fall in fast-growing but housing-strapped Sooke.

With locals left stranded, Salt Spring may expand bus service
Unlike most urban transit systems, Salt Spring bus ridership grows in the summer. This has led to locals being left behind at stops as busses already fully packed with tourists pass by. [Gulf Islands Driftwood]

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Rowhomes at Royal Bay now selling

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🗓️ Things to do

🦋 Earth Day Scavenger Hunt: Participate in this animal-themed scavenger hunt at Victoria Butterfly Gardens from today until April 30. Included in admission.

🎭 The Marriage of Figaro: The preview performance of the Mozart opera will take place at The Royal Theatre. Today. 7pm.

🎥 Origin at Cinecenta: The biographical drama film from director Ava DuVernay will be shown at the UVic theatre. Today. 7pm.

🎶 Ukulele Strumalong: Grab your ukulele and head down to The Fernwood Inn for a night of music. Today. 7-9pm.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Wildfire fighter, ocean explorer, teen author, and other speakers will feature at TEDxVictoria's return. [Vic Tech Journal]

Sunday was Trans Day of Visibility: Greater Victoria has Canada’s highest percentage of transgender and nonbinary residents, and the world’s largest archive of materials on gender diversity.  

Canucks playoff ticket prices announced.

Saturday news: How our harbour avoids bridge and boat disasters. Islanders win blues Juno. Bikefest is back. [March 30]

That’s it!

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