Good morning {{First name}}!

I never met Jesse Adams.
But I choked back tears yesterday as I learned his story—how he helped innocent animals who were scared, hungry, and confused in a terrifying war zone.

Thank you, Jesse. For all you did for these vulnerable creatures.
You are a hero, an angel of hope, and a lasting inspiration.

Our first story details what happened.

— Mark

_{Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes}

Today: 🌦️ 10 / 8

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 10 / 7

Friday: 🌦️ 9 / 7

7-day forecast

A man who devoted his life to rescuing animals in unsafe places has died in an unsafe place.

Jesse Adams, founder of Sooke-based RainCoast Dog Rescue, was killed Sunday in Ukraine, where he was saving people and animals by moving them away from towns and villages near the war’s front lines.

“We are heartbroken by the death of our friend and fellow rescuer, Jesse Adams—volunteer and founder of RainCoast Dog Rescue Society in Canada,” Ukraine-based Animal Rescue Kharkiv, with whom Adams was working, posted on social media. 

The volunteer group said Adams was helping to evacuate animals from Kramatorsk, a city near the front lines, when an FPV (first-person view) drone attacked the vehicle he was in, which had just been loaded with rescued animals. 

“Jesse sustained severe injuries and was immediately taken to a local hospital,” it said. “Doctors performed resuscitation efforts and emergency surgery, but tragically, despite their best efforts, they were unable to save his life.”

“We are grateful for the time we had with him, for his courage, and for every life he helped us save,” the group said.

Mark Brennae has more about Jesse Adams here.

Craigflower Bridge maintenance: Admirals down to a single, alternating lane, 9am-3pm. Periodic overnight road closures until Oct. 31.

Six Mile Road improvements: single-lane alternating traffic and reduced speed limit at Damon.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

On the water today? Check the tide times for Victoria.

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Hermann's Jazz Club's reopening is in sight, but unforeseen costs are delaying the final touches, the venue's operator said yesterday.

Hermann's and the neighbouring View Street Social were set to close permanently earlier this year when their operator, Arts on View Society (AVS), found itself $450K in debt, with costs continuing to pile up and major repairs needed. 

Victoria music fans quickly stepped in and fundraised the cash to keep the businesses going. In May, the venues closed for much-needed repairs. 

That work is nearing completion, and AVS has been eyeing a reopening this fall. Patrons can expect a new seating layout, a relocated bar at Hermann's and a stage for karaoke at View Street Social. New kitchen and draft equipment, carpeting, and speakers have also been added. 

"The heavy lifting has been done; the major projects are complete," said Al Smith, board chair of Arts on View Society, in a video update on the renovation. 

Read the rest of Robyn Bell’s story here.

The screen goes off. The argument starts. This evening is about stepping out of that loop without dropping your limits.

A practical parenting night with expert Dr. Allison Rees. Join us on Monday, Nov. 2, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm in the Upper Hall of the Gorge Pavilion.

Get Tickets.

🏰 Murder on Paper Street returns to Craigdarroch Castle next month.

🥞 Celebrate the season at Pancakes & Pajamas on Dec. 6! Delicious brunch, holiday activities, and a story with Santa at Hotel Grand Pacific.*

🐶🐱 Top dog and cat names in Canada 2026. [CHEK]

📚 Celebrating libraries: Share how the Greater Victoria Public Library has made a difference in your life for a chance to win a $200 gift basket. Contest closes Saturday.

*Sponsored Listing

When owls attack: cover your head and move quickly near Mile Zero
The City of Victoria has placed signs across from Mile Zero warning anyone walking or running nearby, particularly through the wooded area along the bluffs, to be mindful of an aggressive owl. A barred owl attacked the same person twice within three days recently near the bike and pedestrian paths on Dallas near Douglas. The city advises people in the area to walk quickly and cover their head and hair—and to be extra careful if you have a ponytail, which the animal could misidentify as food. [Times Colonist]

Greater Victoria Sports Hall of Fame welcomes 8 inductees
The class of 2026 is comprised of five athletes, including a former NHL  goalie, one coach, an official, and the Royal Victoria Yacht Club. Ron Grahame, who played for the Bruins, Kings and Nordiques, joins rugby player Phil Mack, diver Riley McCormick, soccer player Bruce Twamley, triathlete Melanie McQuaid, athletics official Keith Newell, and swimming coach Peter Vizsolyi in the Hall, located in the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre. The induction ceremony is slated for Nov. 7 at the Delta Ocean Point Resort. [Black Press]

Dead humpback found near where BC Ferries' vessel hit whale
The lifeless whale was found near the Grace Islands, the same general area where BC Ferries’ Queen of Surrey reportedly hit a humpback on Oct. 18. Researchers at the time feared the strike—which occurred between Gambier and Keats islands—was fatal given the vessel's speed, and passenger accounts indicate the ferry didn't slow down after the collision. Fisheries and Oceans Canada is working to recover the carcass. BC Ferries said it was unclear whether this is the same whale and what caused its death. [CHEK]

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🎭 Betrayal: This Harold Pinter play, which deconstructs a failed relationship in reverse, is showing at The Belfry. Through Nov. 22. [Info]

📖 Book Launch: The Old World: Victoria author Jaye C. Watts introduces the second installment in his dystopian science fiction trilogy at theDock. Friday. 7-9pm. [Info] 

🚣☠️ Something Wicked This Way Floats: A Halloween paddle, so grab a paddleboard, kayak, or canoe—or whatever floats your cauldron. Gorge Waterway. Saturday. 2pm. [Info]

⚱️ Pacific Rim Potters: Fall Show & Sale. Join 12 professional and semi-professional ceramic artists from across South Vancouver Island. Knox Presbyterian Church Hall. Nov. 7. 10am-4pm. [Info]   

🖼 Rock Bay Square Arts and Industry Open House: 30+ visual artists, skincare manufacturers, craft ice cream makers, coffee roasters, and more open their studios for this free event. Nov. 7. 10am-4:30pm. [Info]

🎞️ Film premiere: Listen, Our Children Are Speaking to You: This powerful film follows Musgamakw Dzawada̱’enux̱w youth as they journey through their ancestral territories by canoe, reconnecting with their culture. Vic Theatre: Nov. 7. 4-8pm. [Info] 

🔮 Intuitive Arts Festival: Victoria’s longest-running gathering of psychics, healers, and spiritual seekers. 195 Bay. Nov. 7 & 8. 10am-5pm. [Info] 

🎵 No Place Like Home: Songs of memory, love and return performed by Capriccio Vocal Ensemble at Christ Church Cathedral. Free admission to veterans. Nov. 11. 3pm. [Info]

💼 Power Lunch: Connecting leaders over lunch. Felix Vallieres talks about building a business that depends less on you. Mary Winspear Centre. Nov. 20. 12pm. [Info] 

Tuesday’s headlines: Greg Martel, the $300M con man; One person still unaccounted for in hotel blaze near downtown; BC Ferries fires CEO Nicolas Jimenez. [Oct. 27] 

Traffic delays on Burnside East, between Douglas and Alpha, for BC Hydro utility work through Nov. 6, 9am-3pm. 

Galloping Goose closed in View Royal: Between Island Highway and Atkins, through Friday. [CRD]

Ukraine war survivor finds her voice in Victoria’s Sing Your Joy choir. [CHEK]

Murdock, councillors bid emotional farewell as Saanich prepares for new council. [Times Colonist]

The Gift of Socks: Cool Aid Society's annual sock campaign launches to raise $10K to provide 10K socks to Victorians in need. [Details] 

Holy Mola! A large ocean sunfish was spotted in cooler waters near Port Hardy. [Facebook video] 

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