Oct 15 - Massage assaults trial begins

Good morning !

We hope you had a relaxing and rejuvenating long weekend. This shortened week brings the final days of the BC election, with advance voting available today & tomorrow. Find your nearest location here, and read some of our election coverage here.

Today we open with a look at a long-awaited trial for allegations that emerged very publicly more than 3 years ago now.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ⛅ 15 / 9 

Tomorrow: 🌧 15 / 8

Thursday: 🌧 15 / 7

NEWS

Trial begins for Victoria massage worker accused of 10 sexual assaults

The BC Supreme Court heard its first testimonies last week from women accusing Ajesh Jacob of assaulting them while they received massages. 

Allegations emerged in spring 2021 that a worker at downtown massage and reflexology business Big Feet had sexually touched clients. Early 2021 had brought sexual-misconduct reckonings to several Victoria industries including bars and restaurants and real estate. 

Online claims about the Fort Street spa led to VicPD arresting Jacob on one count and announcing they believed there had been more incidents and asking for more accusers to come forward. The Big Feet location manager told CTV Jacob left in April 2021 when she learned of the allegations and asked him to resign. 

By that fall the total count grew to 10, from 10 different women and dating back to 2019. 

Because some allegations were made publicly, Jacob’s lawyers will argue that stories were exchanged by different accusers prior to trial, CHEK reported. Also per CHEK, prosecutors say witnesses vary in how specifically they identify the alleged assaulter, and some say the man was introduced as “Sam”—a name that one testimony will link to Jacob. 

Friday’s witness alleged that a worker matching Jacob's description exposed her, touched and commented on her backside, and brushed her hand against his genitals, the Times Colonist reported. Thursday’s witness said she had buried her memory of being touched until it was brought up by hearing of similar experiences—which Jacob’s defence lawyer pushed her on. 

Other witnesses’ allegations include direct sexual touching of accusers, from groping to insertion of fingers. 

The trial will resume next Monday and is expected to continue through November. A translator is being used to convert testimony into Jacob’s first language. 

As of last fall, the Lower Mainland chain Big Feet Health announced that the Victoria location was no longer affiliated. The foot massage business at that Fort location is now Happy Feet Reflexology. 

NEWS

Antarctic expedition headlines big year for local ocean research

This month UVic-based Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) released its annual report, highlighting science and tech advancements from Spring 2023 to 2024.

Highlights include:

• Sending out 7 Argo floats to monitor dissolved oxygen, temperature, seawater salinity, and pressure.

• 3 expeditions to conduct maintenance on ONC’s observatories on the floor of the Pacific Ocean (another just went out with a new underwater robot) 

• Progress with ONC’s Earthquake Information Messaging System, designed to give operators of critical infrastructure systems early warning.

But the local org's biggest 23-24 milestone is its expedition to Antarctica, which marks the first time in 18 years that ONC has monitored oceans beyond Canada.

Thanks to a partnership with the Spanish National Research Council, ONC is now operating a subsea observatory at the Spanish Antarctic Station. ONC was chosen for its expertise in designing & running underwater stations in polar conditions. The daily station will collect year-round, near-real-time data on ocean conditions there.

Capital Daily profiled that new Antarctic project here. 

With files from Victoria Tech Journal.

NEWS

8 Victoria cafés to try this fall

Fall is the perfect season to grab a hot drink and stay cozy. Whether you are looking to get a good quality coffee, an excellent pastry, or warm up as you watch tree leaves fall through a café window, Victoria’s coffee scene has everything to offer. Seasonal brews, local roasts, specialty drinks (butterscotch latte, anyone) creative takes on classic espresso drinks, tasty food, and more.

Here's a look at some of the must-visit coffee spots in Victoria this season. See the list at Tasting Victoria.

SPONSORED BY BELFRY THEATRE

The play, 1939, starts October 29 at the Belfry Theatre

It’s 1939, the year of King George’s first Royal Tour of Canada, and rumour has it that a Residential School in Northern Ontario is on the itinerary. As the Welsh English-teacher rehearses her students for a performance of All’s Well That Ends Well for the King, the Indigenous actors discover surprising parallels between their various cultures and Shakespeare’s script—and set out to make his bittersweet comedy their own.

Initially produced at the Stratford Festival in 2022, 1939 was born of both family legacy and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action and has been guided by Indigenous Elders, Survivors, and ceremony throughout its development.

A Belfry Theatre and Canadian Stage joint production in association with The Stratford Festival.

Pay-what-you-want tickets are available.

⭐️ Capital Picks

🐟 Watch the salmon arrive in Ladysmith. [Videos]

🐋 An incredible close-up encounter with a humpback. Our friend James MacDonald caught the moment on camera—see it below:

🤝 Now hiring: Nursing Opportunities in Senior Care at Amica on the Gorge.

🗞️ In Other News

Langford-based national rugby team finishes 2nd in world WXV 1 tourney
The two best women's teams in the world met in Vancouver last weekend, but despite the locals’ early lead it was England that emerged—maintaining a 20-month undefeated streak and the world #1 rank. Canada, ranked #2, beat #4 France and #6 Ireland in this second edition of a new major tourney that throws together the top teams from the Six Nations and Pacific Four. [Game recap]

Port Alberni's McLean Mill hosting back-to-back feature film shoots
Off-the-grid thriller One Mile, starring Ryan Phillippe, and sequel One More Mile, are being shot at the National Historic Site (along with some scenes in Victoria and Parksville). The producer said the century-old sawmill community of 35 buildings is “unbelievably cinematic—we could never build this on set.” [Alberni Valley News]

Comox Valley frustrated as Walmart sends truckloads to landfill after fire
The store remains closed after a fire in the clothing section, but the CV Regional District has intervened after seeing 3 big trucks of merchandise taken to the dump—likely written-off over smoke damage. It's hoping to have non-perishable foods and other undamaged goods redirected to locals in need. [CHEK]

SPONSORED BY CORNUCOPIA

Savour fall’s finest at Cornucopia in Whistler

Sip, sample, and savour this fall at Whistler's premier event, Cornucopia. From November 7-17, explore over 70 tastings and events. Enjoy live multi-course culinary demonstrations, spirited parties, seminars, and winery dinners. Elevate your stay with lodging and ticket bundles starting at $95 pp/pn, plus receive a complimentary $100 dining voucher.

🗓️ Things to do

🍄 Fungi Fest at RBCM: Mushroom movies, lunchtime lichen lectures, hands-on hunts, and a Sunday show. Events all this week.

📽 “Like tears… in snow”: Cinecenta is showing Fargo today & Blade Runner tomorrow. [Showtimes]

🎸 Bands!Bands!Bands! Vol. XIV The VEC hosts one last edition of the popular series, with indie, synth-folk, guitar music, and glam-grunge. All ages. Tues. 7:30-10:30pm. [Tickets]

🥘 Food fundraiser & film screening: Bows Coffee Roasters hosts a feast of Levantine food & a showing of Wet'suwet'en resistance doc Yintah. Proceeds to Palestine, Lebanon, & Gidimt'en Yintah checkpoint. [Info]

👄 Rocky Horror at the Vic Theatre begins next week. [Showtimes / tickets]

❄ The Winter Harp tickets now available. The annual holiday concert at Alix Goolden/Victoria Conservatory of Music has added a 3pm matinee concert to accommodate more total patrons and people who would prefer the day. [Times & tickets]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Your best aurora photos—and why the lights are back. Plus: BC's fastest-growing schools, the West Coast Trail closes, and more. [Oct. 14 newsletter]

Sunday news: Island wildlife photo named world's best. Local football team heads to BC championship. Bomb threat at campaign office. [Oct. 13]

Boil water advisory on Salt Spring for part of the Highland-Fernwood water service area.

A last look at the animals as Beacon Hill Children's Farm thanks volunteers, visitors, and staff for another successful season.