A look through the Sooke News Mirror archives.

November 21, 2007

Playground bullies

Jordan River is not only suffering publicity from the pangs of development but it continues to suffer from a bad reputation of “localism.”

Surfers have been riding the waves on this stretch of the West Coast for over 20 years and they want to continue doing just that.

The problem, according to many sources, is those who have historically surfed in the area want no one else to experience Jordan River’s surf.

Last month a cameraman was assaulted, spat on, and had to rescue his equipment before it was tossed in the water. He said he was lucky to get away with his gear intact. A vehicle had its windows smashed with a baseball bat, apparently in front of witnesses. No one did a thing about it, although the RCMP is investigating.

Others have been threatened while some have been made to feel very unwelcome on the waves and on the beach.

November 23, 2005

Local teen in the running for Victoria Idol

The competition is heating up in the search for a Victoria Idol as a contestants head into semi-finals this weekend.

Edward Milne Community School student Carmen Nelson is one of 20 singers selected in October’s preliminary rounds to advance to the semi-finals.

The talented teen – who entertained the crowd at the preliminaries with her take on Hotel California – performs November 26 at Isabelle Reader Theatre for a chance to land a berth in the January 21 finals.

November 28, 2001

Septic failures cause Sooke to smell

Some residents in the Murray Road area don’t look forward to rain.

“It smells so bad here,” said one resident who did not want to be identified.

The problem is septic tank systems failing and pungent, untreated sewage flowing into open ditches.

There have been reported failures in various Sooke locations including Whiffin Spit, Otter Point Road, and Quartz Road according to municipal engineer Gary Smirfitt.

“There is a danger, we haven’t had big outbreaks but it certainly isn’t a healthy situation,” said Smirfitt about the sewage pouring into ditches next to yards where children play.

Sooke councillor Ron Dumont said the high fecal coliform levels and the failed septic tanks show a need for sewers in Sooke.

November 26, 1997

Sooke post office works during strike

Through wind, rain, sleet and snow – and even Canadian Union of Postal Workers’ labour disputes – local mail will go through because the seven inside workers who sort the mail at the post office belong to a different union.

Sooke’s postal workers are members of the smaller Canadian Postmasters and Associates Assistance Association rather than the striking CUPW.

“Anything mailed around Sooke goes out,” said local postal worker Esther Van Ek, adding that local postal contractors are still delivering what little mail there is.

Local residents should not expect mail from outside the Sooke area, however, Van Ek said government cheques would be delivered.

“They’re making sure the old age security cheques and welfare cheques go through,” she said.

November 27, 1991

Sooke Road four-laning by 1995?

A Western Communities transportation study says Sooke Road from Humpback Road to Sooke Village should be four-laned with an 80 km/h speed limit by 1995 to serve the needs of an expanding community.

The report goes on to suggest that the preferred route between Sooke and Victoria in the next decade could be an 80 km/h four land highway running along Sooke Road to Humpback and then along a realigned Humpback to the Trans Canada Highway.