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It was a wild afternoon on the Malahat, where an 18-wheeler hit a power line, sparked a brush fire, and knocked out power to 1,600 customers. The motorway mishap happened near South Shawnigan Lake Road at about 3:45 pm, and forced police to shut down the highway in both directions for several hours. CHEK News reports it was slowly reopening last night.
— Mark
Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes
🌡 Weather Forecast
NEWS
Police warn parents as young riders caught on e-scooters and e-dirt bikes in Westshore
E-dirt bikes should stay on the trails and not be driven on roadways, Westshore RCMP say. Photo: Shutterstock
E-bikes and e-scooters are gaining in popularity—and they’re popping up a lot on police blotters.
Since May 2026, Westshore RCMP says it’s received more than 34 complaints involving e-scooters, e-bikes and e-dirt bikes being operated on public roadways.
“What concerns us most is the dangerous manner in which some e-dirt bikes are being operated,” said Cpl. Nathan Brown, who oversees the Westshore RCMP Traffic Unit.
“These are high-powered machines that riders can easily lose control of, putting themselves and others at serious risk of injury.”
Earlier this week, witnesses called in reports of a rider doing wheelies and other stunts in the Millstream Village Shopping Centre parking lot.
It turned out it was a 13-year-old. Police took his e-dirt bike for seven days and handed him a $368 ticket.
In another case, an 11-year-old was found riding an e-scooter: riders must be at least 16 years old to do that in BC.
Westshore RCMP is reminding parents and guardians that children must be 14 to ride a light e-bike (maximum 25 km/hr) and 16 years or older to ride a standard e-bike (maximum 32 km/hr).
E-dirt bikes are considered off-road vehicles and can’t be driven on public streets. Anyone caught doing it may face charges and penalties under the BC Motor Vehicle Act, including:
No insurance: $598
No driver’s licence: $276 and three driver penalty points
No helmet: $138 and two driver penalty points
Driving without due care and attention: $368 and six driver penalty points
Driving without reasonable consideration: $196 and six driver penalty points
Seven-day vehicle impoundment
Additional penalties for stunting-related offences
⚠ Capital Bulletin
Cook Construction: expect delays on Cook between Slater and Tolmie today 7am-7pm.
Saanich road closure: Obed between Earl Grey and Qu’Appelle today 9am-3:30pm.
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
On the water today? Check the tide times for Victoria.
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NEWS
Log-rolling competition coming to the Inner Harbour next week
Image art: Red Bull
The Inner Harbour will be rocking and rolling on July 18, but it won’t be the usual music or boat festival making waves at the downtown site. Instead, Victoria will host the Red Bull Log Drivers event, where a few brave souls will test their agility by running across a floating obstacle course.
The course will be made entirely of logs that spin and shake as competitors attempt to sprint across—and, if they're lucky, not tumble into the water.
Each race will be timed, and winners will take home a cash prize: first place gets $1,500, second place $750, and third place $500. There will also be a “special prize” for the best-dressed competitor, according to Red Bull.
In the first round, 128 participants will compete in qualifier runs. The fastest 64 will then advance to the “main-event heats.”
The competition is open to anyone—“no experience necessary, just the nerve to step on the logs,” says Red Bull—but registration is required and costs $20. If you’re more interested in schadenfreude than stumbling over logs yourself, spectators can watch for free.
This story ran for our Insiders on July 5. Consider becoming an Insider today and be the first to receive stories every Sunday.
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⭐️ Capital Picks
🎸 Phillips Backyard Festival weekend begins today.
🎵 Rocking Summer on Station Avenue is 7-9pm tonight in the Legion parking lot.
🥍 Langley Thunder at Victoria Shamrocks tonight at 6:30, Q Centre.
🇲🇽 Festival Mexicano is tomorrow and Sunday at Ship Point.
🧹 The Metchosin Summer Witches Market is tomorrow 10am-4pm.
⚾ 2026 WCL HR Derby and All-Star Game are next Tuesday and Wednesday at RAP.
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🗞 In Other News
Man guilty of second-degree murder in stabbing outside Victoria hostel
A Victoria judge rejected Robert Henry Travers’ argument that he stabbed Jayden Gauthier, 21, outside the Ocean Island Inn in self-defence. The judge said Travers’ testimony that he was worried for his safety was inconsistent with CCTV footage captured of the 2024 murder. Gauthier was heard on video pleading for Travers to stop, while Travers repeatedly told Gauthier to “die” while stabbing him. A sentencing date is expected to be set on July 15. [Times Colonist]
Turkish community raising money to send home body of man murdered in Saanich
Mirac Kutbay was attacked on July 3 on Quadra near McKenzie and died of his injuries in the hospital. His family and friends want his body repatriated, and at the request of the Turkish Consulate in Vancouver, the Canadian Turkish Educational and Cultural Foundation (CTECF) has begun a donation drive to raise the $15K-$20K it will cost to transport Kutbay’s body to Turkey. Suleyman Budak, 30, has been charged with first-degree murder in Kutbay’s death. [Black Press]
BC nurses to picket Victoria General Hospital on Sunday
Talks between the union representing 55K nurses and the Health Employers Association—which negotiates on behalf of health authorities and nonprofit employers—have broken down, and the union is pressuring the province to get involved. The BC Nurses’ Union (BCNU) is picketing at hospitals on the mainland and on Sunday will be protesting in front of Victoria General. Picketers will be on the line the following day in Nanaimo and at the Royal Jubilee on Tuesday. [BC Nurses’ Union]
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🗓 Things To Do
🛍️ Bastion Square Market: A local market running through the summer season in Bastion Square. Every Friday. 11am–6pm. [Info]
🎻 Odyssey String Quartet: See this free acoustic string concert at Cameron Bandshell today. 1:30–3:30pm. [Info]
🎭 SKAMpede: This professionally curated outdoor performance festival features multiple 10-minute plays along a section of the Galloping Goose, today through Sunday. [Info]
🎉 Green Party Party: BC Green Party hosts a summer bash with artists, games, and dancing at the Fernwood Community Centre today. 6-10pm. [Info]
🎶 Canadian Beauty: Acoustic Grateful Dead Tribute: Victoria's Canadian Beauty will celebrate Lucky Budd's birthday with a rare acoustic set at The Coda tonight. 6:30–8:30pm. [Info]
⚓ Maritime Museum of BC: Pay-What-You-Can Friday: The museum opens its doors at a price of your choosing today. [Info]
🌻 James Bay Community Market: This beloved neighbourhood market happens every Saturday, now through October. 9am–3pm. [Info]
🥕 Moss Street Market: This weekly outdoor market happens every Saturday at Sir James Douglas Elementary. 10am–2pm. [Info]
💐 Blossom Your Pride: The sixth annual Pride celebration at the Yates Street Community Garden features live music, bouquet-making, and sweet treats tomorrow. 10:30am–12:30pm. [Info]
🎶🍺 The Victoria Stampede: Big Patio Days. Country and western theme, so dress appropriately at Market Square tomorrow 12-10pm. [Info]
🎶 Free Music in the Park: Daniel Cook & The Radiators play the Cameron Bandshell in Beacon Hill Park tomorrow. 1:30-3:30pm. [Info]
🎸 Sue Foley: One Guitar Woman: Grammy-nominated guitarist Sue Foley will perform her solo acoustic tribute to the female pioneers of guitar at Mary Winspear Centre tomorrow. 7:30pm. [Info]
🤣 Pride Week at Hecklers: This lineup, featuring hilarious queer talent such as Victoria-raised Jess Lupini and headliner Steev Letts, takes place tomorrow. 8pm. [Info]
👀 In Case You Missed It
Thursday’s headlines: Local charities get $6M funding boost; Christ Church Cathedral marks 90 years of its bells; Man charged with murder after Quadra attack victim dies. [July 9]
Rare dolphin sighting near the North Island. [CHEK]
Phillips Backyard Festival is expecting record attendance this weekend, thanks to a buzzy lineup. [Times Colonist]
Central Saanich’s Silver Rill Corn turns 100. [CTV]
Tree trimmings needed: Wild ARC seeks greenery donations, including cedar branches or other native plants, to create a comforting home for animals in recovery. [Details]
Pride Parade is on Sunday beginning at 11am.
The Victoria Half Triathlon, 5K, 10K and 21K are Sunday at Elk / Beaver Lake. [Info]
That’s it!
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