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We’re already one week into July, if you can believe it. I may be alone here, but there's something about the summertime passing by that makes me panic about making the most of it. Thankfully, this week is expected to bring ideal Victoria weather—perfect for getting out and enjoying the city.

One of my favourite places to soak up summer is PKOLS (Mount Doug). Unfortunately, not everyone has been showing this Saanich gem the love it deserves. That's our first story today.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

Today: ⛅ 24 / 13

Tomorrow: ☀ 23 / 12

Day after: ⛅ 21 / 13

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The PKOLS–Mount Douglas Conservancy is speaking out after reports of vandalism and harassment against Saanich parks staff and volunteers. 

As part of the district’s People, Pets, and Parks strategy, new signs were placed in the park to indicate where dogs are allowed off-leash and fencing was installed to protect sensitive wildlife along these trails. 

The conservation group says these new features have recently been damaged. The group shared images of wire fencing that had been cut and bent and a sign with offensive graffiti penned overtop information about on-leash trails.

“These actions are disrespectful, costly, and ultimately detract from the shared goal of protecting and enjoying this special place,” the PKOLS–Mount Douglas Conservancy wrote in a statement.

It’s not the first time the fencing has been damaged since it was installed earlier this year. In March, Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock shared a video urging PKOLS visitors to respect the newly installed fencing along Glendenning Trail after it had been vandalized.

Saanich’s animal bylaw has been a polarizing topic. At the direction of the provincial government in 2021, the district began tightening its policies on leashing dogs in sensitive wildlife zones. Since then, there have been several heated debates between community members and officials. 

“While we appreciate that changes to the park may result in differing opinions, vandalism, harassment, and vigilantism are not constructive responses,” said the PKOLS–Mount Douglas Conservancy. “Such behaviour is unacceptable and has no place in our community.” 

The conservation group says it has found and removed flyers “targeting members of Saanich council.” It has chosen not to make the content of the flyers public, “out of respect and consideration for these individuals.”

The group says its volunteers have worked for decades to successfully restore the park’s fragile ecosystems, but recently the area has “suffered significant degradation” from people and dogs going off designated trails.

“Every ecosystem in PKOLS (Mount Douglas Park) is an endangered ecosystem, the majority of which are classified at the highest level of global conservation concern—Critically Imperilled: facing immediate extirpation or extinction,” the group says.

The park is currently a candidate for a National Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) designation. If it becomes  KBA-designated, it will be the second in Saanich after Swan Lake-Christmas Hill. 

There are eight distinct ecosystems within the park, including coastal Douglas fir and Garry oak meadowlands.

Missing woman: Kiara Rakvag Zimmerman, 18. [RCMP]

Victoria road closure: View is closed today, east of Douglas. 7am-7pm. 

Saanich road closure: Rutledge between Scotia and Tolmie, today through July 31. 8am-4pm.

Intersection at Keating Cross and Central Saanich closed overnight for paving. 8pm-5am.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

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Police are keeping a tight lid on information about what they are calling “a confrontation involving multiple people” near Beacon Hill Park on Friday.

Three people suffered non-life-threatening injuries, two of whom were taken to the hospital and have since been released. As of late yesterday, police wouldn’t reveal what kind of weapon was involved.

Hussein Saadedeen, 20, faces several charges, including aggravated assault and two counts of assault with a weapon.

The second person is a youth whose name cannot be disclosed publicly. They face charges of aggravated assault, two counts of assault with a weapon, and carrying a concealed weapon.

Police aren’t saying much about the altercation, which started at around 10pm at or near the park and at Mile 0. Social media was rampant with reports of a violent melee. Multiple police cars were seen speeding down Dallas.

VicPD is asking anyone who may know about the incident to speak with investigators by contacting the E-Comm non-emergency line at 250-995-7654 ext. 1 and reference file number 26-27379.

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🚘 Oak Bay Collector Car Festival is on July 19. [Register/Volunteer]

🌿 New from Mateína: A zero-sugar, organic yerba mate that delivers clean energy — no crash, no weird ingredients. Just plant-powered fuel that works.*

🌱 Victoria seed library returns to GVPL’s Central Branch. Pick up or drop off seeds during the library’s open hours. [Details]

🏠 Seniors and their families are thinking ahead about a home’s long-term fit for aging in place. This free screening guide helps with the process.*

📸 Victoria 1860: See a 19th-century view of the city, taken from Vic West. [Facebook photo]

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Youth arrested after alleged robbery involving bear spray, knife at Langford Walmart
West Shore RCMP says it’s still looking for three other youth suspects linked to an alleged robbery attempt in the Walmart parking lot on Friday night. According to the RCMP, four youths were performing stunts on e-dirt bikes before threatening a victim with bear spray and a knife and demanding the person hand over their belongings. Officers say they attempted a traffic stop on the group, but the suspects rode off. One youth abandoned their bike and ran away on foot near Bear Mountain before officers tracked them down and made an arrest. 

Sidney teen to represent Canada at world paddling championship
Last September, Paige Emanuel won both the Under-16 and Under-19 divisions at the national trials—and she hadn’t yet turned 14. In May, the Fairway Gorge Paddling Club member was named the second-fastest female paddler in Canada across all age divisions. Next for Emanuel, who has been paddling for just two years, is the world championship in Singapore next month, where she will compete in the U16 and U19 women’s V1 500-metre sprint. [Black Press]

Search continued yesterday for missing swimmer at Stamp River Provincial Park
Police say a woman was swept away by the river’s current on Sunday and had not been located as of yesterday. The search resumed Monday, leading to a closure of the trail closest to Stamp Falls. The rest of the park remains open to visitors. Paramedics were also called to the falls on Sunday to care for a different patient who was sent to the hospital in stable condition. [CHEK]

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👢 Kinky Boots: The North American tour of the hit musical, featuring music by Cyndi Lauper, will stop in Victoria for a run at the Royal Theatre. Today through Sunday. [Info]

🎶 Rubber Tire Peep Show: The Canadian music collective will bring country sensibility and rock and roll spirit to The Coda tomorrow. 6:30pm. [Info]

🐕 Big Gay Dog Walk: This Victoria Pride highlight returns with a scenic group walk, costume and dog tricks contests, and pet vendors at Banfield Park tomorrow. 5:30-8pm. [Info]

🎻 Stringo Bingo: Join this unique bingo night where participants guess which contemporary tune is being performed live by a string quartet at The Mint. Friday. 6:30pm. [Info]

🎭 SKAMpede: Victoria’s premier outdoor performing festival returns for its 18th year. Join one of two tours—on foot or bike—that follow the Galloping Goose, with performance stops along the way. Friday through Sunday. [Info]

🏳️‍🌈 Pride Parade and Festival: The colourful, family-friendly parade returns to downtown Victoria, followed by the Pride Festival in MacDonald Park. Sunday. 11am. [Info]

Sunday’s headlines: Curious theft from a downtown church; 2 arrested after violence on Dallas; Weekly roundup. [July 5]

Events happening in July in Greater Victoria. [Capital Daily] 

Health + Homecoming Gala for Victoria Cool Aid Society tickets on sale. 

The 37th Art Gallery Paint-In is July 18 on Moss.

Closure of Dallas, near Memorial intersection, through to the fall. [Details]

Sooke road closure: Harbourview closed through July 10 and July 13 to 14, 8:30am-3:30pm.

2nd-largest whale in the world: Rare fin whale sighting in Salish Sea near Race Rocks. [Black Press]

Saanich road closures:

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