Dec 29 - Railway decision up ahead, and ideas for your New Year's Eve

Good morning !

It was on this day 27 years ago, a major snowstorm shut down the city.

Used to getting on average 13.7cm of snow for the entire month, 65cm fell on Victoria on this day in 1996, easily shattering the city’s one-day record of 55cm from 1916.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 4 minutes

We’re holding our 4th annual holiday fundraising drive! Every dollar readers donate from now until Dec. 31 will be matched and donated to Saanich Neighbourhood Place.

Funds raised will be used to support local families in the areas of inclusive childcare, parent education and support programs, and food equity services. Get all the details here.

Help us reach our goal of $100,000 by the end of the year! There are just 2 days left!

Special thanks to Lochside Software and Tiny Foundation for generously matching donations

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌦️ 12 / 7

Tomorrow: 🌦️ 12 / 6

Sunday: ⛅ 10 / 5

7-day forecast

NEWS

Train in Vain? Island Corridor’s future to be written soon

Deciding on what to do with the Island Rail Corridor and whether it involves restoring transit along that line has been an ongoing, seemingly endless issue in these parts ever since the E&N passenger rail service was decommissioned in 2011 due to safety concerns, and the remaining freight service between Duncan and Parksville came to an end three years later.
But don’t believe the tumbleweeds, dilapidated tracks, and rusty railway ties. 

Rail is not dead. It might be that it’s just resting. Right now, districts along the corridor are sifting through data, facts, and opinions to determine whether a service over the 289-km stretch is viable.

Last spring, the provincial government gave $18 million to five districts and 14 First Nations located along the corridor to work together to figure that out. We wrote about that recently. The financial taps will be turned off in 367 days (Dec. 31, 2024) so surely an end to this saga—which could get expensive—is not too far away. In the meantime, if you are feeling nostalgic, please peruse this brief history of the E&N Railway.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Dog licence renewal for Saanichite canines: Licences expire Sunday. Receive a discount by renewing before Feb 1. 

Missing person: John Jackson, 50, was last seen on Dec. 25 in West Sidney.

Wanted man. Do not approach. Call 911.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

FOOD

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at these Victoria restaurants

If you are still undecided about how you want to ring in the new year a couple of days from now, we thought we’d offer a quick little listing to give you some ideas.

To think we could catalogue everything that’s going on around town on the last day of 2023 would be absurd.

Victoria is such a vibrant city with spectacular beauty, burgeoning nightlife, and a growing selection from which to choose. We thought we’d give you a snapshot of Victoria’s amazing restaurants hosting dinner or evening festivities for Sunday—New Year’s Eve. 

Read Sarah Madsen’s New Year’s Eve suggestions here.

SPONSORED BY BAY AREA TIMES

⭐️ Capital Picks

🥬 Rudi is now open. The new Wind Cries Mary venture takes over the old Sherwood location. 

📖 Most borrowed books from Greater Victoria Public Library.

🔔 Ring in the new year with reliable internet without hidden fees. Affordable plans from $40 at oxio. Use code CAPITALDAILY for your first month.*

🦷 Now Hiring. Dental Assistant at Oaklands Dental.

🥑 The Gift of Good Food Holiday Fundraiser.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Saanich police officer fired for stalking ex-partner
The officer used a police database 92 times to track her and her family, and approached her at her home despite her request for no contact, according to a report from the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner. The OPCC called his actions “egregiously serious.” He retired before being disciplined, but his record will show a dismissal.

Downtown parking terminals defaced in vandalism spree
Of Victoria’s 280 parking terminals, 80 have been damaged, presumably by fire. Vandals scuffed or melted screens displaying payment instructions making it impossible to make a parking transaction. The city has ordered new screens but there’s no timeline for repair. Parking can still be paid for with the app or at a nearby working terminal. [CHEK]

Downtown bike valet extended until April
But after that, it’s unclear whether the Centennial Square service will be offered as Victoria’s city council figures out how to pay for it. The service, which hosted 37K bikes in the past 10 months, could be funded through a tax increase, user fees, or potential corporate sponsorships. [Times Colonist]

New southern resident orca identified 
J-pod’s newest member is believed to be only a few days old, having not been seen with the pod on Dec. 23. The sex of the orca hasn’t been determined, but it’s believed to be the first calf for female orca J-40. This is the second southern resident orca born this year, with one arriving this summer in L-Pod. [Center for Whale Research]

14-year-old boy dies in lawnmower crash near Nanaimo
The ride-on lawnmower the teen was controlling failed to stop at the end of a hill and collided with a pickup truck. It happened at approximately 12:30 yesterday in rural Cedar, south of Nanaimo. The boy was transported to hospital where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the truck cooperated with investigators who said they had ruled out drugs or alcohol as factors. [Nanaimo News Now]

🗓️ Things to do

🎉 Freakshow Drag: The alternative drag show hosted by Mortecai B Jatsby and The Gay Jatsby returns after a five-month hiatus. Paul Phillips Hall. Today. 5:30-8:30pm. [Info]

🩰 The Gift of Nutcracker: The Victoria Symphony plays Tchaikovsky’s timeless score in this classic ballet. Royal Theatre. Today and tomorrow. 2pm. [Info]

🧥 Ugly Sweater Open Jam: Grab your ugliest holiday sweater and head to Quadratic Sound to join this jam session open to everyone. Today. 10pm. [Info]

🥌 BC Curling Championships. Under-18/Mixed Doubles. Victoria Curling Club. Through Sunday. [Info]

🎸 Relics. Show 2: An early Pink Floyd experience. Hermann’s. Tonight. 7pm. Doors at 5:30pm. [Info]

🎚️ The End of the Year As We Know It. Hermann’s Upstairs. Tonight. 9pm. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Thursday’s headlines: Esquimalt renews VicPD for another year; museums are changing their storytelling; Metchosin drafting farmland protection plan, and more. [Dec 28]

Blue box pickups that fell on Christmas Day are rescheduled to tomorrow. 

Free New Year’s Eve rides with BC Transit. Sunday starting at 6pm.

That’s it!

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