Jan 30 - 15 Fairy Creek protesters sued for $10M

Good morning !

Last week in Esquimalt, a Victoria team won the BC men’s curling title at the championship tournament. Did you catch any games at the Archie Browning Centre?

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌦️ 12 / 8

Tomorrow:  🌧️ 13 / 8

Day after: 🌧️ 10 / 8

7-day forecast

NEWS

15 Fairy Creek land defenders sued for $10M by Teal-Jones

Things have been quiet lately in the Fairy Creek watershed. Logging in the area has been deferred until 2025 and the injunction that prevented protesters from blocking the area expired months ago. But for those who were on the frontlines of the biggest act of civil disobedience in Canadian history, the fight rages on—this time, in the courts.

Logging company Teal-Jones Group, has ramped up its lawsuit against Fairy Creek blockaders, with 15 individuals and one company, Atleo River Air Service, named in their suit against the group, nicknamed the Rainforest Flying Squad (RFS).

All 15 people named have been accused of conspiracy to cause Teal-Jones—the largest privately owned logging company in BC—losses in revenue. If the company wins, those named in the suit could be on the hook for $10M.

Read Robyn Bell’s full story here.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Esquimalt public notice survey: Give input on distribution methods for Statutory Public Notices. 

BC Hydro rebate: Jan. 31 is the deadline to get a $100 rebate if you reduce electricity use by 10%.  

Island man wanted by West Shore RCMP for offences in multiple Island jurisdictions, including assault and forcible confinement.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

UVic announces new partnership for sustainable jet project

UVic’s Centre for Aerospace Research (CfAR) has partnered with Quebec-based aviation company Bombardier to develop a new sustainable jet.

UVic is the first academic partner to take part in the project, which will eventually include multiple universities across Canada.

The EcoJet research project, which was first started by Bombardier 15 years ago, is focused on creating a blended wing body design for aircrafts, which could change airflow and reduce drag that causes increased engine use. This design and other new technologies could reduce jet emissions by up to 50%.

Students will be able to get hands-on experience through the project, with Afzal Suleman, director of CfAR, saying in a statement that students will gain “critical real-world skills” to advance sustainability in aviation and redefine “the boundaries of what is possible for the future of the global aviation industry.”

Suleman called the collaboration with Bombardier “the most significant research partnership in [CfAR’s] history.”

The project could have a major impact on sustainable air travel, with Bombardier planning to eventually create a prototype for commercial flights.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🦀 Colourful underwater critters: See a free diver’s shots of Puget king crabs and starfish, captured in Island waters. 

🌴 Escape to Thailand and leave the cold weather behind, with non-stop travel from YVR.*

🦊 The people’s favourite Oak bay statue in this year’s Arts Alive crop is In-Den-tation, which invites passersby into a fox’s den. [Photo / more info] 

🤝 Now hiring: Restaurant manager at Cactus Club Cafe.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

Baby Southern Resident orca missing, believed dead
A month after the Christmastime birth of the J-pod calf, it was missing from a Jan. 27 encounter where all members of the pod were photographed. Researchers say it is likely deceased since the pod would not leave a one-month calf alone. The Center for Whale Research says the mortality rate for young calves is very high, given the lack of Chinook salmon in the area.

Victoria cyclist gets permanent ban for alleged sexual misconduct and grooming
Alexander Amiri can never again compete, coach, work at, or spectate any events by Cycling Canada or its affiliates. The cycling body said that an adjudicative panel found multiple breaches of the 2021 Cycling Canada Code of Conduct & Ethics; the release did not detail the specific allegations, citing privacy.

99-year-old sets three world records at Saanich swim meet
Competing in the 100 to 104-year age category at the Commonwealth Pool last weekend, Betty Brussel swam the 400-metre freestyle event four minutes faster than the previous record and set new records in the 50-metre backstroke and the 50-metre breaststroke. [Times Colonist]

Units damaged after kitchen fire in Langford apartment building
After a pot of oil caught fire, the occupant tried to put it out with water, causing the fire to grow. The unit of origin had the most damage, while the neighbouring units are dealing with water damage. The building, with Curious Comics on its street front, had a major fire in 2020 that led to a two-year closure. [CHEK]

Victoria team wins men’s BC curling title
Team Schneider won the men’s BC curling championships, taking place over the last week in Esquimalt, by 5-2 in the final game. This lands the team a spot at the national championship in March, taking place in Regina, Sask. The women’s title went to a Vancouver team for the second year in a row. [Victoria News]

🗓️ Things to do

Formation: A night of storytelling from Confabulation at Victoria Event Centre. Today, 6:30-9:30pm.  

Hiroshima Mon Amour at Cinecenta: The classic French new wave film will be shown at the UVic theatre. Today. 5pm and 7pm.

Kennel Club Karaoke: Henrietta Dubét will host karaoke at Vicious Poodle. Tonight. 8-11pm. 

👀 In Case You Missed It

Try these innovative mocktails being mixed at Victoria bars. [Tasting Victoria]

New walk-in clinic approved by Colwood council. [The Westshore]

Hummingbirds enjoy the warmer weather in Parksville. [Facebook photos]

Dine Around & Stay in Town is in full swing—check out the details in Tasting Victoria.

Pacific FC loses Djenairo Daniels: The striker departs with 54 appearances, 6 goals, 3 assists. [Announcement]

That’s it!

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