Good morning {{First name}}!

Now that we’re into autumn, I think it’s fair to look back and call it a pretty darn good summer. The first half of September often seems to be an extension of a hot August.
Thank you, weather gods.

I am grateful.

— Mark

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

Today: 🌧️ 14 / 10

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 16 / 9

Sunday: 🌤️ 15 / 9

7-day forecast

Elections BC needs 17K people to act as voting officers for the Oct. 24 provincial election—that new one slated for seven days after the Oct. 17 municipal election.

“On average, we would be looking to hire approximately 150-200 in each neighbouring electoral district,” an Elections BC spokesperson said.

That would mean as many as 1,600 workers will be needed for the South Island’s eight electoral districts: Victoria-Swan Lake; Victoria-Beacon Hill; Langford-Highlands; Saanich South; Saanich North and the Islands; Oak Bay-Gordon Head; Esquimalt-Colwood; and Juan de Fuca-Malahat. 

Most positions are for just one day, although others may require more.

Information and tabulator officers are paid $329 for the day, plus $64 for classroom training and $19 for online training. Ballot-issuing officers, who verify voter ID, close the voting station and pack up all materials, are paid slightly more, $342, along with the training wages. 

Election officials must be at least 15 years old, legally allowed to work in BC, have a valid email address, and have access to a computer to complete online training, which is mandatory, even if taken previously. 

It’s a long day, starting at 7am and ending at approximately 10pm, so 15 hours. 

“Election officials must be prepared to sit or stand for extended periods,” the Elections BC website says.

Applications are accepted online and in person at each of the province’s 93 district electoral offices.

Missing person: Nancy Steck, 59, last seen Sept. 14 near Duncan. [RCMP]

Public Warning: Fraudulent callers impersonating Saanich Police.

Expect traffic disruptions and temporary road closures in Vic West, throughout James Bay, and along the route for the BC Law Enforcement Memorial Run and Ride to Remember today. 9am-4pm. [VicPD]

Saanich Road Closure: Mortimer between Shelbourne and Palo Alto today, 8:30am-3:30pm.

Driving today? Check current traffic conditions on Google.

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

The Greater Victoria School District says a teachers’ union report on student-on-teacher violence raises important questions about how to best support students and staff in “increasingly complex educational environments"—but to call it “violence in schools” risks oversimplifying things.

The Greater Victoria Teachers’ Association says that on any given school day, an average of 21 incidents of student-on-teacher violence take place at SD61 schools.

The school district took exception with the wording. 

“Using the language ‘violence in schools’ risks oversimplifying a complex reality that could have a harmful impact on families with young children navigating behavioural challenges,” it said.

The report said 95% of the 165 teachers (out of approximately 2K in total) who responded reported they experienced violence in the classroom within the last year and that 88% of teachers polled said violence is impacting the learning environment significantly. 

“I've been hit, kicked, scratched, bitten,” GVTA president Carolyn Howe told CBC. “I've been shouted at and threatened. I've dodged flying objects in my classroom." 

Small sample size

SD61 said the survey had an 8.3% response rate and uses data from a specific period, representing 3.7% of the more than 20K SD61 students.

“Of the District data referenced in the report, 96% involve young, elementary-school-aged children whose behaviour reflects challenges with communication, self-regulation, mental health, or disability-related needs rather than an intent to cause harm,” the school district said. 

SD61 said it’s important to recognize that behaviour is often a form of communication, especially when children aged 5 to 10 are learning to regulate their emotions and responses to stress or frustration. 

“When children struggle to communicate their needs, our responsibility is to understand and respond to the underlying factors contributing to their behaviour.”

This story ran for our Insiders on Sept. 20. Consider becoming an Insider today and be the first to receive stories every Sunday.

🏒  Victoria Grizzlies vs. Surrey Eagles, home opener tonight at Q Centre. 

🏒 Victoria Royals vs. Vancouver Giants, home opener tomorrow night at SoFMC. 

🍃 Free leaf mulch, compost, and wood chips today in Jubilee. James Bay, tomorrow. [City of Vic] 

🎈 Victoria Foundation celebrates 90 years. [Tomorrow at Victoria Conference Centre]

📋 An injury, illness, a hospital stay. The people helping ask, "Which pharmacy? Who has a spare key? Pet care?” This fill-in organizer keeps households running.*

🍫 Chocolate: A Tasting Event is Oct. 25 at Crystal Garden. [Info]

*Sponsored Listing

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Explore Shawnigan Retreats and plan your getaway today. Learn more about Shawnigan Retreats.

Sooke wildfire is out of control, but the rain is expected to help
The wildfire near the Sooke River, south of Mount Jack, has grown to 276 hectares, feeding off dry and windy conditions. But with rain yesterday and more expected today, fire crews are being positioned closer to the fire’s edge to mount a direct attack, and progress is being made, a spokesperson for Coastal Fire said. An added concern is the possibility of high winds, which could spread the fire, which was discovered on Sept. 20. [CHEK] 

Tumber Ridge shooter’s ChatGPT conversations are ‘shocking,’ BC AG says 
Attorney General Niki Sharma says details of an article describing how an AI chatbot allegedly advised the 18-year-old shooter on how to skirt its own safeguards to find information about shootings “are worse” than she could have imagined. The report in US-based magazine Mother Jones also vividly describes the effectiveness of a shotgun used in a classroom. The BC government, along with survivors and witnesses of the Feb. 10, 2026, mass shooting at Tumbler Ridge Secondary School, is suing ChatGPT creator OpenAI for negligence. [Times Colonist]

Oak Bay Police looking for missing prawn traps  
Shellfish cages set up near Discovery Island last week disappeared, according to the person who put them there. The complainant flagged down Oak Bay Police last Sunday at Willows Beach and told the officer he had secured two recreational prawn traps to a red buoy at 4pm that afternoon. When he returned two hours later, all the fishing equipment was gone. The traps and buoy were only a week old and have a combined value of $400, OBP said. [OBP]

🪴 Native Plant Workshop: Learn about native plant identification and the cultural history and ecological benefits of native plants. Swan Lake Nature Sanctuary. Today. 12pm-3pm. [Info]

🎼 Victoria Symphony: Conductor Christian Kluxen and Canadian violinist Blake Pouliot pair Sibelius's Violin Concerto with Dvorak's New World Symphony. The Farquhar at UVic. Today & Sunday. 7:30pm & 2:30pm. [Info] 

🤠 The Alan Jackson Experience: See this tribute to the country music legend at McPherson Playhouse. Today. 7:30pm. [Info]

🕺 Magnolia: Floral & Feral Rave. Soft meets wild, and the dance floor blooms after dark. The Downbeat. Tonight. 9pm-2am. [Info] 

☕ Let’s Talk Live: Conversation and connection in a relaxed, judgement-free environment. Murchies. Tomorrow. 10am-12pm. [Info]

🕢 After Hours: ‘90s Night. Step back into the ultimate era of neon, mixtapes, and iconic pop culture. Royal BC Museum. Tonight. 7-10pm. [Info] SOLD OUT

🍎 Lifecycles Community Sharing Day: Enjoy tastings of dozens of heritage apple varieties, fresh-pressed juice, free orchard tours, and children’s activities. Welland Community Orchard. Tomorrow. 11am-3pm. [Info & Shuttle times]

🚘 Broadmead Saturday Night Car Meetup: Car builders, purists, and casual spectators drive in to park, chat, swap restoration stories, and grab coffees. Canadian Tire at 801 Royal Oak. Tomorrow. 6pm. [Info]  

🎺 An Evening with Chris Botti: The Grammy Award-winning trumpeter returns to Victoria for the first time since TD JazzFest 2023. Royal Theatre. Tomorrow. 7:30pm. [Info]

🎸 Rumours: The Ultimate Fleetwood Mac Tribute. LA-based tribute act Rumours recreates the legendary band's golden era from 1975 to 1979. McPherson Playhouse. Sunday. 7:30pm. [Info]

Thursday’s headlines: Farewell, Crystal Pool; Where to view fall’s beautiful colours; Andrew Weaver running again in Oak Bay—for a different party. [Sept. 24]

Habitat for Humanity townhouse on tap for lot at 1864 Feltham in Gordon Head. [Times Colonist]

Oak Bay Police investigate suspected BC, Alberta fraud ring. [CHEK] 

Park and trail closures in Sooke due to Mount Jack wildfire: Galloping Goose Regional Trail at km 52 and Kapoor Regional Park. [CRD] 

Souper Bowls of Hope is Oct. 29 at The Union Club. 

Victoria Day 1980: See photos of the parade and collectible car showcase from 46 years ago. [Facebook photos]

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