Nov 5 - Hand, foot, and mouth disease detected, says SD62

Empower single-parent families to thrive by DONATING TODAY

Good morning !

Geez, it gets dark early now, eh?
Can’t wait until we’re past Dec. 21, and the number of daylight hours begins to grow.

Our first story isn’t about being alarming; it’s about reminding. We’re getting to the time of year when kids get sick at school.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 6 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌧️ 13 / 10

Tomorrow: 🌦️ 12 / 9

Friday: ⛅ 12 / 8

7-day forecast

NEWS

Island Health confirms hand, foot, and mouth disease cases

Island Health has confirmed it has been informed by SD62 of “reported cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease,” which is generally a mild and common childhood illness that is not considered serious in most cases. But it can be uber uncomfortable, and it is highly contagious.

The school board did not confirm which schools were experiencing the reported cases or how widespread they were.
In an email to Capital Daily, an SD62 spokesperson said the school board “is aware of reports of hand, foot, and mouth disease within our community” and that it continued “to follow guidance and direction from Island Health.” 

A Capital Daily reader said two schools were affected, and sent a screenshot showing an online conversation that took place Monday between parents in which one anonymous member posted, “There’s an outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth disease, and I know for sure that some kids are still being sent to school with it.”

SD62 would not say how many schools—or whether more than one—were affected.

“It’s not the role of school districts to confirm diagnoses or share private health information unless it is under the direction and guidance of their local health authority, in our case, Island Health,” SD62 said.

Parents were being diligent, though.
“I’m keeping my child home because I care about not making other people’s kids sick,” one poster said in the online chat.
“Please check your kids, and keep them home if u see any bumps.”  

Bumps associated with hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) typically appear on the palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and near the mouth. They can also appear on the buttocks, legs, arms, and elbows.

The disease often begins with a mild fever and sore throat before those bumps appear. A red rash featuring small blisters is also common and usually goes away after seven to 10 days, HealthLink BC said.

HFMD is not always reported. It is caused by enteroviruses, is most common in children younger than 10—although older kids can get it—and usually occurs in the summer or fall, according to HealthLinkBC.
Dehydration is the most common complication, as a sore throat makes it difficult to swallow. 

It usually takes three to six days for symptoms—sore throat, fever, headache, loss of appetite—to appear. Diarrhea and vomiting are also possible.

For more information on symptoms and care, visit this page at HealthLink BC.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Dog treat Recall: Certain Puppy Love and Puppy World Brand raw pet treats recalled due to possible Salmonella contamination.

Free BC Ferries, BC Transit, and TransLink services for veterans on Nov. 11.  

Saanich road closure: Maddock W. between Tillicum and Orillia for paving, today through Friday, 7am-5pm, weather permitting.

Saanich single-lane alternating traffic: near 3970 Wilkinson, today and tomorrow, 9am-3:30pm.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Developer alleges negligence by the City of Langford in latest chapter of condemned Danbrook One tower

Centurion Apartment Properties Ltd. is seeking damages for “dangerous defects” from the municipality and several engineering and construction firms over the unsound structure in the 11-storey Danbrook One building (also known as RidgeView Place). 

Centurion recently filed an amendment to its civil claim, saying Langford was negligent in its approval of the building’s occupancy license and sale to the property company. It also alleges the original owner, Loco Investments Inc., and designer DB Services of Victoria—both owned by Margaret McKay—had beneficial interests in selling the 90-unit building.

Capital Daily has been reporting on the years-long controversy of the building’s structural issues, which forced the tower to be evacuated twice within four years.

Residents first moved into Danbrook One in March 2019, but behind the scenes, concerns around the building’s structural integrity were brought to the engineering firm Sorensen Trilogy in 2018, according to the original lawsuit filed by Centurion in 2021.

Another concern was brought to the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of BC (EGBC) in early 2019, with Langford notified of the complaint nearly a month after residents moved in. This is the main sticking point of the recent claim amendments, with Centurion arguing that the city misled the company into thinking it was purchasing a structurally sound building. 

Read the full story here.

SPONSORED BY CONTINUING STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF VICTORIA

How soft skills lift leaders higher

While technical and analytical abilities are important, the most in-demand leadership skills fall under the umbrella of soft or “power” skills. 

“Soft skills are what enable leaders to actually lead,” describes Dr. Jo-Anne Clarke, dean of Continuing Studies at UVic.

Emotional intelligence, adaptability, conflict resolution, cultural awareness, and coaching are often essential, underdeveloped skills in new managers or technical experts.

Anna Marie White, a long-time instructor, debunks common myths around soft skills. “Leadership can be an intimidating word, but becoming a good leader really just means becoming good at working with people,” she shares.

Continuing Studies at UVic also offers custom group training in soft skills designed to address each organization’s unique goals. Get in touch to learn more.

⭐️ Capital Picks

📚 2025 Greater Victoria Little Free Library Awards voting ends tomorrow.

🐦‍⬛ RPBO Presents: Christmas Bird Count for Kids! Join us for a free, family-friendly winter bird event! Spot and count birds, enjoy hot chocolate, crafts, and explore feathers and skulls. Saturday, Dec. 13. Register here.*

🏰 Holidays at Hatley Castle. [Dec. 7, 14, & 21]

🧑‍🧒 1Up Victoria Single Parent Resource Centre: Building Hope for Single Parents, One Family at a Time. Empower single-parent families to thrive by donating today.*

^{*Sponsored Listing}

SPONSORED BY CHILDREN’S HEALTH FOUNDATION OF VANCOUVER ISLAND

Pancakes and Pajamas is back!

Join Pancakes and Pajamas on Sunday, Dec. 7, at the Hotel Grand Pacific for a holiday brunch that gives back. Choose between two seatings, 9am or 12:30pm. Enjoy delicious food and family-friendly activities in your festive wear—all while making a difference for Island kids and families.

🗞️ In Other News

Equipment stolen from Westshore hockey team, with players with developmental disabilities
The equipment belonged to the South Island Ravens, which enrolls players of all ages with developmental challenges. It was taken from a storage room at the Juan De Fuca Recreation Centre in Colwood sometime between Sept. 28 and Oct. 19. Ten pairs of skates, 10 team jackets, two sets of goaltender gear, and two pairs of goalie skates were taken. The equipment was worth roughly $3,500. Ravens GM Gus Ascroft said losing the apparel “affects our ability to get players on the ice.” [RCMP] 

Belmont football player earns TSN / NFL award, $3K in equipment for school 
Bulldogs defensive back Isaac Bamara made a highlight-reel interception that earned him national recognition as the Week 9 NFL Canada Way to Play Award winner. Three weeks ago, Bamara’s mom videotaped his pick-six (he ran it in for a touchdown), and the Grade 12 student sent it to TSN, which features a weekly amateur football segment honouring players who demonstrate the game’s skills. It then shows a video of the play. Belmont Secondary School will also receive $3K worth of equipment from Football Canada.

Federal Liberals table ‘investment’ budget for ‘generational’ shift
Released yesterday, Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first budget features $141B in new spending over the next five years, offset by $51M in cuts and other savings. There’s $115B for infrastructure, $30B for defence, and $25B for housing. A deficit of $78B is anticipated this fiscal year. There are plans to increase access to the Canada Disability Benefit, promises to review ATM/bank fees, beef up youth employment, and support Canadian musicians. There’s also a promise to explore Canada’s participation in Eurovision, the 70-year-old international song contest that gets great TV ratings. There was also some money for upgrades to Victoria’s Royal Athletic Park. [CTV]

SPONSORED BY DANCE VICTORIA

Canadian Premiere of Hung Dance (Taiwan)

Hung Dance (Taiwan) makes its Canadian debut with the award-winning BIRDY at the Royal Theatre, Nov. 14 & 15. Choreographer Lai Hung-Chung fuses martial arts, Peking opera, and striking feather headpieces [Ling Zi] to explore freedom, conformity, and resilience in a visually stunning reflection on the human longing to fly free.

🗓️ Things To Do

🎭 Burning Mom: Watch a one-woman show about a mother's unexpected journey of self-discovery after her husband's death, as she takes their RV to Burning Man despite her children's concerns. The Belfry Theatre. Today. 1pm & 5pm. Through Nov. 23. [Info]

🎵 Haus of Owl Creation Club Flip Night: Join Victoria's beat-making community to create sample-based music, share techniques, and experiment with your MPC, SP404, or laptop alongside fellow producers. Haus of Owl. Today. 7pm-9:30pm. [Info]

😂 Phillips Comedy Night at the Mint: Enjoy weekly standup comedy hosted by Morgan Cranny and Drew Farrance while savoring West Coast Himalayan cuisine in this popular downtown comedy showcase. The Mint. Today. 8pm. [Info]

♂️ The Men’s Circle at UVic: A drop-in discussion group for men and masculine-identified folks to discuss their challenges and celebrate their wins in their lives as men. B028, Student Union Building. Tomorrow. 6pm. [Info]

🎭 2025 West Shore Arts Gala: Featuring live performances, great food, silent and live auctions, networking, and your chance to show your support for the creation of a West Shore Arts and Culture Centre. Tomorrow. Olympic View Golf Course. [Info]

 🧶 Victoria Quilters’ Guild Christmas Sale. Fabulous textile creations, hand-made quilts, and items that showcase our Guild members’ talents. Emmanuel Baptist Church. Friday & Saturday. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tuesday’s headlines: Latest toxic death statistics show 93 people in our area have died this year; J-Pod calf believed to have died; Blue Jays made an impression on many of our readers. [Nov. 4]

Victoria doctors use non-invasive treatment to help patients with paralysis. [Times Colonist]

Missing person found: Kyla, 34, has been located, says RCMP.

Close Pacific Ocean fish farms, says First Nations’ declaration, signed by 24+ hereditary chiefs and leaders. [CHEK]

Landmark Cowichan case will be a hot topic as First Nations leaders meet with provincial cabinet ministers. [CTV]

Galloping Goose to close weekdays near Viaduct Park, Nov. 17 through December. [CRD] 

That’s it!

If you found something useful, consider forwarding this newsletter to a fellow Victorian.

And before you go, let us know: