Oct 1 - Another drowning in Thetis

Good morning !

Though the summer outdoor season is drawing to a close, local parks remain busy well into the fall. They feature in both of today’s top stories, which cover the ongoing dog-leashing debates and the tragic drowning of a young student.

— Cam

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: ☀️ 18 / 9

Tomorrow: 🌧️ 14 / 9

Day after: 🌤️ 15 / 10

7-day forecast

🌫️ Air quality: Low risk today (2/10). Current smoke forecast.

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

NEWS

High school student drowns in Thetis Lake

For the second time in as many months, there has been a drowning at Thetis. On Friday an international student went under before rescue services arrived. West Shore RCMP announced the death on Saturday, and View Royal Fire confirmed it to multiple outlets.

The fire department told CHEK that the boy was visible to his peers before his drowning and was only 3 metres (10 feet) from shore—but sunk 15 feet down. In several areas, the lake floor drops off abruptly from walkable to deep water.

History of Thetis deaths and close calls

On Aug. 12, a woman, 49, drowned in Thetis Lake Park around Prior Lake and McKenzie Creek Trail. Two people nearly drowned in May but were saved by a woman who received an award for her efforts.

Another international student was seriously injured in a July cliff fall, but survived. Over the past decade the lake has been especially dangerous for young newcomers; in 2017, two Japanese exchange students were rescued from drowning by paddleboarders, and in 2013 an international college student, 21, drowned.

BC drowning numbers high in recent years

There were 86 accidental drowning deaths in BC last year, per BC Coroners Service. That was the second-most in a decade, behind 2020’s 87, and 10 higher than the decade average. The Island had 18 of those, including 6 on the Cowichan River. Most of BC’s 2022 victims were male (78%), with 19-29 the most represented age group (21%).

By Cam Welch

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

What’SUP Witches Paddle cancelled at Thetis Lake, following recent drowning.

This week’s weather: Some rain tomorrow, then back up to 20+ and sunny by next weekend.

Sunday hours have resumed at the Central Branch library: 1-5pm. 

NEWS

Councillors find compromise in Saanich dog debate

After delaying the decision on changes to its animal bylaw, Saanich council has softened its restrictions on dogs in parks.

The initial plan saw Saanich parks go from leash-optional to only 57 of 170 parks allowing dogs off-leash (including 12 with permanent fenced off-leash zones). The district cited sensitive wildlife areas and a volume of complaints, including from dog owners, about experiences with off-leash dogs.

The ensuing outcry and protests from dog owners and advocates, opposing the limits, led council to amend its proposal.

Council now plans to revise several aspects of the proposed amendments, including:

• allowing leash-optional time slots from 6-9am for parks not considered conservation areas

• whether all beaches not part of the Victoria Migratory Bird Sanctuary should remain leash-optional during existing seasonal restrictions

• whether to prohibit dogs in playgrounds and changing restrictions to PKOLS (Mount. Douglas Park).

Council has decided the Glendenning trail to the summit at PKOLS will be off-leash, while the other trails there will remain on-leash. Council won’t proceed with building fencing at PKOLS.

The morning slot for off-leash dogs in parks was prioritized over an evening time (after 7pm was an additional time slot offered initially), since parks are less busy early in the day and it’s easier to pick up waste with more daylight.

This change doesn’t affect the 57 parks identified for off-leash options in the current People, Pets and Parks Strategy, which allow for all-day use rather than the 6am-9am time slot at other parks.

The timed restrictions allow everyone to use the park as they wish, Saanich Mayor Dean Murdock said at Monday’s council meeting.

By Robyn Bell

⭐️ Capital Picks

🧡 A circle of orange as locals come together for the South Island Powwow. [Colin Smith photo]

⛱️ The best breweries in the region, rounded up in a thorough list by Tasting Victoria this summer—but still relevant on a warm fall day.

⭐ Watch a starfish walk along a rock in this sped-up video from Galiano.

🌎 Make an impact in your career! Continuing Studies at UVic offers micro-credential, diploma and certificate programs. Continue your professional development.*

🧳 Visiting the Fraser Valley this fall? Our colleagues rounded up the top things to check out there this autumn, from cranberries and pumpkins to spooky scenarios and seasonal beers. [FV Current]

 🤝 Now hiring: Seasonal receptionist at Butchart Gardens.

*Sponsored Listing

🗞️ In Other News

About 10,000 attend South Island Powwow
The returning event at Royal Athletic featured art and dances from multiple Indigenous nations, and words from residential school survivors and their families and supporters. Last year required an emergency influx of 500 pizzas due to similarly high attendance, but this year plenty of bannock and more was on hand. [Times Colonist]

New affordable housing opens in Burnside-Gorge
The Oaks hosts families, seniors, and people living with disabilities with rent set to 30% of household income. The four-storey wood-frame at 9 Chown Place has 58 one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, with 12 for very low incomes and 17 for moderate incomes. [BC Gov]

Video: Humpbacks and orcas getting on like cats and dogs
The whale-vs-whale acrimony lasted about an hour in the Strait of Georgia, north of Nanaimo, in a chase partly caught on video. [Times Colonist]

Pacific FC squanders key chance to retake #2 spot
Sometimes it’s nice when your younger sibling beats you at something. But PFC’s 2-1 Saturday loss to its ownership group’s newer spinoff Vancouver FC may undermine its championship quest. Not catching Forge for second place, in the season’s final game, would mean having to play an extra playoff game. Playoff-eliminated VFC has been surging lately, while PFC has lost 5 of 9. Highlights:

🗓️ Things to do

Moondance: Listen to Van Morrison’s songbook with this tribute band at Wicket Hall. Show 2pm.

Rugby regular season wraps today up at UVic. Soccer and field hockey are also on. [Tickets]

Grow Up Conference: The best in cannabis retail in an expo at the Victoria Conference Centre, including a talk with Tommy Chong. On until Tuesday.

Sunday Blues Services: The weekend jam hosted by Deb Rhymer Blues Band runs 4-7:30 at Hermann’s Upstairs.

Vikes host men’s bball tournament: The Guy Vetrie tourney features reigning national champion Carleton. [Tickets]

Mountain Bike Fun Day: Lots for young riders to do today at Cecilia Ravine in this free event. Coached lessons, bike check-ups, meetings with local and national racers, and more.11am-3pm.

👀 In Case You Missed It

Saturday headlines: The origins of Victoria’s Orange Shirt day; local author wins award; stranger donates kidney; totem pole returned. [Sept. 30]

Proposal’s photographer found! A young couple who got engaged in the Kootenays have now located the Victorian who captured their moment.

Royals 3 Cougars 5: Prince George won both of Victoria’s home opener games, making the still-winless locals the WHL’s first team to lose 4 games this season.

Buzzworthy photo: A black-and-yellow dive-bomber interrupts a local shot of seaweed covering Cordova. [Facebook]

Sherwood says goodbye, but the local cafe’s spot near City Hall will soon be filled by a new Wind Cries Mary spinoff. [Tasting Victoria]

Seattle’s loss is Blue Jays’ gain, as Toronto secures playoff spot while Mariners drop out. [Sportsnet]

That’s it!

If you found something useful today, consider forwarding this newsletter to a peer. In a time when news is limited on social media, your inbox—and the word of a trusted friend—can be the best way to get informative media.