July 29 - Oak Bay victim identified

Good morning !

Lately there have been quite a few restaurants, cafes, and bars announcing that they’re calling it quits. But today we have some good news on that front: One coffee shop has been saved—and taken over—by its regulars. More on that below, but first a story on one of the biggest Indigenous gatherings on the West Coast.

— Cam

⛅ Today's weather: Mainly cloudy, clearing near noon. High 23C/ low 12C.

🌫️ Air quality: Low risk projected (2/10) but light smoke expected.

NEWS

Island First Nations paddlers join over a hundred others in major water journey

Local nations are among those joining a massive annual Pacific Northwest flotilla—with some travelling hundreds of kilometres to join up. Tomorrow a week of celebration and ceremony will begin as the flotilla reaches the Washington-area Muckleshoot Indian Nation.

The summer trips have Indigenous voyagers from across the West Coast, right up to Alaska, recreating their ancestors’ water journeys. These journeys aren’t just about the destination—the trip is also about connecting with other nations along the route, and about rediscovering and re-establishing parts of culture that not so long ago were prohibited.

Read the full story on the gathering.

Capital Bulletin

🗳️ Ravi Parmar sworn into BC Legislature as new MLA for Langford-Juan de Fuca.

🏛️ RBCM’s Old Town reopens today: After closing in Jan. 2022, the historical Victoria exhibit returns with updated signage and reimagined spaces.

💸 Canada Workers Benefit payments began going out yesterday following their recent increase.

CORRECTION: BC Transit does not intend to fully electrify by 2024, as misstated yesterday. It plans to be all-electric by 2040, and to roll out its first wave of electric buses, here in Victoria Regional, before 2024.

NEWS

Group of regulars save beloved coffee shop

Three retirees who met as regular customers of Stick in the Mud in Sooke have formed a co-operative to salvage the coffee shop after the owner said he was shutting it down.

They trio raised money by gathering 400 pledges from other local fans of the shop, many of whom have personal stories of how the cafe had affected and connected them over the years.

The owner signed a letter of intent on the very last day the shop was open.

Now the group’s plan is to keep it open in the short term by using that community funding, and transitioning the business into an employee-owned co-operative for the long haul.

Read more on how they salvaged the shop at The Westshore.

Also in the latest Westshore edition: A new CAO in Sooke, a new school and daycare in South Langford, and the limits of the new cell service on Hwy 14.

NEWS

Victim in Oak Bay suspicious death identified

The man whose body was found in bushes on Beach Drive between Monterey and King George Terrace has been identified by police as Steven Middleton, 33. The death, discovered Wednesday, is considered suspicious and is being investigated by the Vancouver Island Integrated Major Crime Unit.

Saanich Police seek information about Middleton in the days leading up to his death, and dashcam footage from that evening recorded anywhere on or near a long stretch of Beach Drive. That stretch goes from Gonzales Bay up to Cordova Bay, between Tue. at 10pm and Wed. at 7am.

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Capital Picks

🎤 IYAKT Indigenous Music Festival: The annual festival will include food trucks, craft vendors, and performances by Auntie Kate and the Uncles of Funk, Lost Talkers, and Paint the Town Red. Today (4-9pm) at Hampton Park in Saanich.

🎉 Eats & Beats Beach Party: This beach party will feature live music, an international food truck festival, a street market, and a craft beverage garden. Today at Royal Beach near Metchosin and Latoria, 1-8pm.

🖼️ Sooke Fine Arts Show: Check out artwork from over 300 artists starting today until Aug. 7 at SEAPARC Leisure Complex.

🛍️ The Bay Centre is now open until 8 pm Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Plus this summer, get 3-hours free parking on weekends and park for FREE weekdays after 5 pm. Visit today.*

🎸 The Brandon Isaak Trio at Hermann’s Jazz Club: The blues and roots musician will perform with his trio today, doors at 5:30pm and show from 7-9:30pm.

🎙️ Sue Decker at St. Paul's United Church, playing roots and blues tunes with her band today, 7-9pm.

🧘 LAB Yoga Festival: The outdoor yoga festival at Bilston Creek Lavender Farm will include classes, workshops, music, and food trucks. 11am-5:30pm.

🎻 Symphony in the Summer Festival: Enjoy some classical music this week at several concerts across the city through to Aug. 5. The Victoria Symphony will perform today at Market Square, 4pm.

🕺🏿Afro-disiac at the VEC with Njoki Njoki, Peaches N Screams, and Quarterback’s return to Victoria. Billed as a night to celebrate Queer Joy, Black & Indigenous bodies, and explore our sexiest selves. Victoria Event Centre / 9pm.

🌱 Habitat Restoration at Knockan Hill Park: Help the Greater Victoria Green Team remove invasive Himalayan blackberry, English ivy, Scotch broom, and bur chervil today, 9am.

🌲 Emily Carr walk and talk: Two walks around James Bay today to learn about the famous painter: morning (10am-12pm) and afternoon (2-4pm).

😊 Now hiring: Food Security Intern at Fernwood NRG.

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In Other News

🗞️ Publication ban denied for Greg Martel case
The Victoria mortgage broker’s whereabouts—and the missing $226M he owes investors—are still unknown. But the little information provided to investigators will not be hidden from the public after a judge denied Martel’s request, saying investors have a right to know. Marte’s brokerage, Shop Your Own Mortgage, was put into receivership in May after several investors filed lawsuits.

🐋 Humpback entangled in two floats near Tofino
Officials are struggling to keep track of the whale’s location but aim to find and untangle it quickly; tangled whales often starve due to difficulty staying fed when slowed by fishing debris. [Ha-Shilth-Sa]
Another humpback was found tangled near Haida Gwaii a month ago, and grey whales sometimes become tangled during their migration past the Island.

🚨 Two assaulted after approaching man allegedly setting grass fire
A woman, 67, was hospitalized with “potentially life-altering injuries,” police said, after being hit in the face on Fort near Fernwood on Wed. around 7pm. A suspect was arrested nearby.

🤝 Now Hiring

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• Community Engagement Manager at Dance Victoria

• Delivery Driver at Auto Logistics

• Food Security Intern at Fernwood NRG

• Accounting Technician at Westin Bear Mountain Resort & Spa

• Lighting and Scenic Technician at the Butchart Gardens

Looking for more openings? See 50+ jobs open now on YYJobs.

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In Case You Missed It

🏛️ Behind the scenes at the Royal BC Museum: With Old Town set to reopen today, get a look at the museum’s inner workings. [Capital Daily]

🎸 Colwood beach party is stacked with good food and music: Today’s Eats & Beats Beach Party at Royal Beach will feature food trucks and BC bands. [Tasting Victoria]

🚒 Friday morning car fire on the Trans-Canada near Burnside off-ramp. [CHEK]

📰 Friday’s headlines: Victoria organizations to receive funds to combat racism, Oak Bay death considered suspicious, electric buses coming to Victoria, and more. [July 28]

🐻 French Beach campground closed until Mon. after a bear ripped into three tents and an occupied vehicle. Last Aug., Lakeview Park at Lake Cowichan was closed due to a bear trying to get into people’s tents—an experience a local father described to Capital Daily.

⛴️ Coastal Celebration returns to service after the suspension of all of its sailings since July 19 due to mechanical issues.

👟 Shoe with suspected human foot found at Gonzales Beach; the Island’s sixth such discovery since 2007. [Times Colonist]