Oct 5 - Victoria is #1

Good morning !

If you think you live in one of the greatest places on earth—you’re right! At least according to Condé Nast Traveler readers, who voted Victoria the No. 1 best small city in the world. You can read more on this below, but we’d love to read your humble brags about why Victoria is the best, so feel free to send them our way!

— Robyn

Today’s approx read time: 7 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ 19 / 9

Tomorrow: ☀️ 22 / 8

Day after: ☀️ 23 / 8

7-day forecast

🚘️ Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

COVID outbreak in unit at Vic General

Currently 11 cases have been linked to the hospital, with eight people remaining in care, Island Health told Capital Daily.

The outbreak is isolated to unit 6C, a general medicine unit. All infected patients are considered to have mild cases.

Island Health stressed that VGH is still a safe place to seek care, and the outbreak is reflective of the rising rate of COVID in the community, saying “the source of infection is often outside of the hospital.”

One in 13 people in BC is believed to be infected.

The outbreak was declared Tuesday, the same day BC resumed a mask mandate for health-care workers, volunteers, and visitors to hospitals and other health-care facilities.

Mask ambassadors have returned to Victoria hospitals to ensure the mandate is enforced.

COVID booster vaccines are expected to be available this month, with invitations sent directly through text or email to those who have been previously vaccinated.

- Robyn Bell

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Wanted person: Milad Herbert, 32, is wanted Canada-wide for suspension of his statutory release after walking away from a Victoria halfway house.

Health Canada recall: George brand baby sleepers have been recalled due to choking hazards.

NEWS

Oak Bay & Saanich will tackle fires together for 5 more years

The two municipalities just signed a contract extension that will see their fire departments continue to provide each other backup. Like the Victoria-Esquimalt fire services agreement, it allows for coordinating ground resources, particularly during high-risk incidents or if one department becomes overwhelmed.

The renewal comes after a summer of widespread wildfire risk and several prominent local urban fires. As the region’s population—and dryness—has increased, Saanich and Oak Bay have added staff through council funding and recent recruitment drives. That hiring brought Oak Bay its first woman firefighter and a new chief—Saanich’s former deputy chief, Frank MacDonald.

But this expansion brings some growing pains.

Read more details on the fire department’s collaboration—and challenges.

- Sidney Coles

VIC PRIDE

Tourists name Victoria #1 best small city in the world

Victoria has been recognized as the No. 1 small city in the world, and people in the know—tourists—also ranked the city in the Top 10 of best cities for food and for friendliness on the planet.

Readers of the travel and luxury magazine Condé Nast Traveler voted the provincial capital and our lovable little burg the best small city in the world, beating out the filming location for King’s Landing in Game of Thrones—Dubrovnik, Croatia—along with Bruges, Belgium; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

“It’s an honour and a testament to this incredible city that travellers to Victoria are picking up on what we as locals and as an organization know makes this destination stand out—from the rich culture and history to the incredible hyper-local cuisine,” said Paul Nursey, CEO of Destination Greater Victoria. The tourism organization says visitors contribute $2.3B to the area’s economy every year.

The Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards are voted by the magazine’s readers, who are invited to rate the world's most distinguished cities, islands, hotels and resorts, cruise ships and airlines. Half a million readers took part in the 36th annual survey, with only 10 cities chosen as a favourite for each category.

Victoria’s top ranking for best small city was only one of the categories it was named in. Our city placed #8 behind front-running San Sebastian, Spain, which was deemed this year’s world’s best city for food. And when it came to friendliest city, Victoria ranked #3—ahead of Quebec City and Dublin—in a category dominated by Canadian towns such as Edmonton (#2) and Calgary (#1).

- Mark Brennae

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⭐️ Capital Picks

🐻 Photo: See a bear on a Vancouver Island beach at sunset.

🐙 Salish Sea Idol: Vote for your favourite sea creature and help fundraise for the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea. Get an inside peek into operations at the centre with James MacDonald’s photo series for Capital Daily.

🎙️ Meet Sahil Bloom in Vancouver: Our mainland colleagues are bringing the creator and entrepreneur to town next month. Find out more.

🗞️ In Other News

Stabbing near McDonald’s on Pandora
A man, 26, was found with stab wounds at Pandora and Cook early yesterday morning. The incident is under investigation.

Victoria Hospitals Foundation seeks $11M for MRI machines
The technology would be used to serve patients at both VicGeneral and the Jube. Donations for "Imaging is Power" can be offered here. [CTV]

CRD rejects using biosolids as local fertilizer
Staff recommended the plan, following the loss of the Richmond treatment plant that Hartland landfill used to send its human waste to. But some CRD environmental services committee members don’t want biosolids used on land—though the main proposed alternative is shipping them to Nanaimo for that same use. [CBC]

Nanaimo farmers market destroyed by fire
The blaze happened overnight at Cassidy Farm and Market Deli along Hwy. 1, across from the Nanaimo airport. No injuries were reported, but the place was levelled. [Nanaimo News Now]

70-year-old man assaulted on Pandora
The man had been collecting refundable containers late on the night of Sep. 26 when he was attacked by three people. VicPD say the assailants used bear spray, a taser and a metal stool in the attack. VicPD Video (Warning: Contains graphic content.)

SPONSORED BY UNITED WAY SOUTHERN VANCOUVER ISLAND

Win big, give bigger!

Join the excitement with a ticket to the Community Campaign Raffle! Support United Way Southern Vancouver Island’s mission to raise $5 million for local seniors, families, and those facing mental health and addiction challenges. Incredible prizes, such as a “Destination Vacation,” are up for grabs. Raffle draw on October 13th - Amazing prizes, fabulous cause; you truly can't lose!

🗓️ Things to do

Dragon Feast: Enjoy a Chinese culinary experience at this special dinner, hosted at Don Mee Seafood at 5:30pm.

Abra Cadabra: This Abba tribute band will take the stage at Mcpherson Playhouse to perform the Swedish band's biggest hits. Show at 7:30pm.

K-Pop Night at Lucky: This K-Pop dance party will feature your favourite music videos on a big screen. Starts at 10pm.

Tropical Thursday at Paparazzi: Enjoy this tropical dance night featuring reggaeton music. Starts at 10pm.

Have an event to promote? Get in touch and let us know!

👀 In Case You Missed It

Tuesday’s headlines: BC Ferries to face fines for sailings cancelled due to being short-staffed, Saanich council releases new strategic plan. [Capital Daily]

Video: Cars burst into flames in Oak Bay.

Mansion price drops $1M after stalling on the market in Oak Bay. [Victoria News]

Missing person: William Hall, 36, has not been seen by his family since March and is believed to be in Nanaimo.

Duncan police shooting investigation closed: A man shot by police in May wasn’t seriously injured and the investigation of the shooting is over.

Motorcyclist dies near Jordan River: The motorcyclist, 56, slammed into a pickup truck en route to a campground and died at the scene, Sooke RCMP said.

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That’s it!

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