October 21, 2025 • 18 mins
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:02):
Check podcasts. This is an abbreviated version of check News
watch full Check newscasts week days at five, six, and ten,
or anytime one, Check plus or checknews dot CA.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
You can't run hide forever It's wrong. Charles Matters, Family Matters.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
It's been a year since a young father was killed
in a hit and run on his community has tripled
the reward in a desperate bid for answers.
Speaker 4 (00:32):
I am fortunate enough to.
Speaker 5 (00:36):
Live in a vehicle.
Speaker 6 (00:37):
I live in a deep liberty.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
Sidney's decision to vote against opening an emergency weather shelter
spurs the communities unhoused.
Speaker 6 (00:45):
To speak out.
Speaker 7 (00:48):
I do not want these kids to be displaced. I
do not want these kids to have to quit football.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
Unless they live in the right neighborhood. New rules could
keep high school football players on the sidelines.
Speaker 6 (00:59):
Check News Arts.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Now, Good evening, Thanks very much for joining us tonight.
The surname of First Nation is renewing its call for
information about a fatal hidden run that killed a beloved
member nearly a year ago. The First Nation is nearly
tripling the reward offered for information about what happened, and
(01:23):
it's also installed a sign where the fatal collision happened
Kendall Hanson reports.
Speaker 8 (01:30):
Still too emotional to speak publicly. Family members hug Rachel Sampson,
the mother of twenty one year old Charles Tommy, a
beloved young father struck and killed here nearly a year ago.
She's here with other family and friends ramping up their
public appeal for information.
Speaker 9 (01:47):
As you can imagine, his family is still looking for answers.
We are asking for anyone's help or may have witnessed
or heard anything regarding the hit and run that on
the evening of October twenty fourth. The police come forward.
Speaker 8 (02:04):
They've now put up this sign on the edge of
Harmack Road near where Charles was struck and killed on
the evening of October twenty fourth, as he was walking
home after fishing. The driver never stopped, but those who
came upon the scene right after did.
Speaker 5 (02:18):
They quickly became apparent that he was in a bad situation.
It didn't take long for me to look around and say,
this is not right, this is not you know, there
was a lot of good people there, but obviously.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Obviously somebody lack humanity.
Speaker 6 (02:36):
What we know is a vehicle was seen lead in
the area at a high rate of speed.
Speaker 8 (02:39):
Police are here slowing traffic is The First Nation appeals
for information please say their investigation remains active, though no
new update on any progress was offered today.
Speaker 9 (02:50):
Yeah, we haven't had any updates as of late. But
you know, maybe with us reaching out again today we
can have somebody that'll come forward.
Speaker 8 (03:00):
The First Nation is also announcing its significantly increasing its
reward for information. From the thirty five hundred first offered
in December.
Speaker 9 (03:09):
We have increased the reward to ten thousands. Please, if
anybody knows anything, please come forward.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
It's heartbreaking to know that there's somebody out there that's.
Speaker 10 (03:23):
Not coming forward and not speaking up.
Speaker 11 (03:27):
We have a young mom here that deserves closure.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
I think it's going to be eating away at whoever's
absolutely absolutely you can't run and hide forever. It's wrong.
Child's mattered, family matters, So come forward and do the
right thing.
Speaker 8 (03:44):
If you have information, you're asked to calls the name
of councilor Kate good Nanaimo RCMP, or anonymously through crime stoppers.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Victoria and Obay Polie say a man has been arrested
in connection with a series of break and enters on
Monday were reported in the two hundred block of Beechwood Avenue,
the three hundred block of Saint Charles Street, the seventeen
hundred block of Lillian Road, and the two thousand block of.
Speaker 6 (04:08):
Carrick Street in Oak Bay.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
In most cases, a man was reported either attempting to
break in or leaving a home with jewelry and other
personal items. Vick PD says they responded with significant resources
and arrested a man near Saint Charles Street.
Speaker 8 (04:21):
Of Bay.
Speaker 6 (04:22):
Police say a fifty four year old man remains in custody.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
West ur RCMP asking for the public's help locating a
man who is wanted on several youth sex crime charges.
Police are searching for thirty nine year old Nicholas Garfius,
who is wanted on four charges sexual assault, invitation to
sexual touching, sexual interference, and exposure of genital organs to
a person under sixteen. If you see him, do not approach,
(04:47):
but call your local police immediately. West Shoor RCMP officers
are now equipped with body worn cameras, a move police
say will improve evidence gathering and strengthen transparency and accountability
in the community.
Speaker 12 (05:01):
Our officers will start recording before they arrive on scene.
Speaker 13 (05:05):
And we'll let you know at the earliest opportunity that
the camera is on.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Body cameras will be activated in situations including crimes in progress,
mental health calls, public disorder protests, and other investigations. Cameras
will not be used for the purpose of twenty four
hour recording surveillance or where intimate searches are conducted. All
officers using the cameras have received training on when and
how they're used, as well as how they recorded. Data
is securely stored and managed. The program also follows strict
(05:33):
privacy and data protection policies. Six weeks ago, the town
of Sydney voted against opening an emergency weather shelter at
a local senior's independent living home. Speakers of the public
meeting voiced concerns about drug use, theft, and violence. But
the community is unhoused, say they just want a warm
place to stay when winter hits. Mary Griffin reports, So
(05:55):
it is really Matthew.
Speaker 14 (05:57):
This jeep Liberty is April Lusha's home.
Speaker 4 (06:00):
So I have like ten inches of home here to
sleep on. I managed to get it for free. I
have tartstailroom stuff to help keep up with the mold.
I was Luckily I was gifted right behind here. You
can't really see it, but I have a porta potty
so that I can use waskerm in the night.
Speaker 14 (06:18):
Homeless for more than a year, Lushaw says it's been
impossible to find a place to live she can afford,
and she says she is the face of homelessness in
the town of Sydney.
Speaker 4 (06:29):
There's not a lot of people to be like, Yeah,
I am a young person that is homeless, and I'm
homeless because disability doesn't give much for housing.
Speaker 14 (06:37):
Good evening everyone. My name is April. Lushaw spoke to
Sydney Council last month before a vote on whether or
not to open an emergency weather shelter. Their proposed location
was Wakefield Manor, a senior's independent living facility on Third
Street that's owned by Beacon Community Services. If approved, it
would have had space for ten to twenty beds and
(06:59):
been open around ten days a year.
Speaker 4 (07:01):
It's about safety on the worst nights of the year,
when freezing rain, snow or wind may take can make
it dangerous just to try.
Speaker 8 (07:08):
And rest all those in figions.
Speaker 14 (07:10):
But after considerable public outcry, council voted it down a.
Speaker 5 (07:15):
Post councer Novak, councer Grenette myself and Councermintua Emotion is defeated.
Speaker 14 (07:23):
Homeless for more than a decade. Harry Hammond says the
decision is a disappointment. Although he pays for a storage
locker that he lives in, he would still go to
a shelter in extreme weather.
Speaker 15 (07:33):
What was that big snowstorm that was at the end
of twenty twenty two, believe it or not, I actually
stayed under the foyer year, but I certainly would have
gone to it because that was snow for quite a
few days.
Speaker 14 (07:47):
Hammond says there are many I'm housed in the town
who would also use it.
Speaker 15 (07:51):
The twenty to thirty living in their vehicles in Sydney,
and I would say maybe close to that same that
are just outdoors.
Speaker 4 (08:02):
I keep my dirty laundry underneath my seat. I also
keep more laundry in my front. If you want to
go in there, you can.
Speaker 7 (08:09):
It's a math, but it's what works.
Speaker 14 (08:12):
For me right now. While Sydney Council at the time
said it would consider reopening a search for a shelter site,
for now there are none, meaning people like April Lusha
will have to survive in their vehicles or worse for
yet another winter.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
On Checkpoint tonight, we're asking if you think emergency shelter
spaces should be made available in all municipalities. You can
vote at czechnews dot Ca. We'll have results a little
bit later in the broadcast. It's promising hundreds of rental
units in three towers, the tallest of which we'll talk
twenty two stories. A private developer in partnership with BC
Housing is set to bring in over five hundred rental properties.
(08:51):
Besides some below market rentals, it will include shops, a
new grocery store, and a public plaza.
Speaker 6 (08:56):
Chattis Leo reports.
Speaker 8 (08:58):
Oh sap.
Speaker 11 (09:01):
Seepacha Laca songhis elected Counselor and Elder. Frank George welcomes
delegates and developers for the launch of a massive rental
unit project that's been four years in the making. WHOA
With shovels in the ground, people in Victoria will soon
have access to more than five hundred new rental homes,
shared workspaces, retail spaces, a public plaza, and a thrifty foods.
Speaker 16 (09:25):
This mixed use development is an excellent example of what
we can achieve together through partnership.
Speaker 11 (09:31):
On the corner of Douglas and Caledonia, three distinct towers
will overlook the city, with the tallest one soaring to
twenty two stories. One owned by BC Housing, will offer
one hundred and thirty three units, twenty percent of which
will be offered at below market rates.
Speaker 17 (09:47):
The province is proud to support this project through BC Builds,
with seventy three million in construction financing and a grant
of eight million dollars for one of the three residential
towers that will sue stand here.
Speaker 11 (10:01):
The units in the other two towers will be offered
at market rental rates and will be owned and managed
by Charged Developments. But Charge says their building will have
much more to offer than just housing.
Speaker 16 (10:11):
Over sixty thousand square feet of restaurant, retail, commercial and
co working space, a dedicated childcare center, and the market
rental housing will have over ten thousand square feet of amenities.
Speaker 11 (10:26):
All three towers will feature one, two and three bedroom
units ranging from five hundred and twenty three square feet
to nine hundred and seventy one square feet.
Speaker 18 (10:35):
And I think that you'll see over the next few
years that this investment is the beginning of a remarkable
change in the north end of downtown and what we
consider to be the next phase in creating community and
creating vibrancy, and creating an opportunity for the city to
change in a very intentional way.
Speaker 11 (10:51):
With work now officially getting underway, it's expected all three
buildings will be ready for tenants by twenty twenty nine.
Speaker 3 (11:00):
A small earthquake that rumbled on the south end of
Salt Spring Island was lightly felt across the region this morning.
The three point one magnitude quake was recorded about five
thirty am south of Rucckle Provincial Park, at about thirteen
kilometers north of Sydney. According to Earthquakes Canada, dozens reported
feeling the earthquake, most of them from Salt Spring Island
and the Senach Peninsula.
Speaker 6 (11:18):
But it was felt as far away as Colwood and
Cobble Hill.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
Researchers say they're pretty sure they know the identity of
a young whale hit by a hollow ferry near Vancouver
last week. A naturalist with Wild Whales Vancouver spotted an
injured humpback calf in the area where a hello ferry
hit a whale near Vancouver Friday afternoon, The whale named Skipper,
was seen with a deep gash near its dorsal fin,
consistent with a ship's strike. The calf born this year
(11:45):
was seen with its mother, named zig Zag at the time.
Hello Ferries said the crew of the vessel stopped and
executed an evasive maneuver as soon as it spotted the whale,
but that had likely made contact with a whale. Fisheries
and Oceans Canada says it's investigating the crash and that.
Speaker 6 (11:59):
Hello Ferries is cooperating well.
Speaker 3 (12:02):
There's a long tradition of high school football in Greater Victoria,
but there's a short list of schools with programs. A
petition has sprung up with people asking not for more
schools to offer football, but for players out of catchment
to be able to play. Joan Cunningham has more on
why some budding football careers are being sacked.
Speaker 10 (12:24):
For your kid to play high school football, you've got
to live within the lines. Catherine Edwards is lucky because
she lives within the catchment lines of Spectrum School, so
her son can play.
Speaker 7 (12:34):
He is doing amazingly though, and he ends every game
so with a smile on his face.
Speaker 10 (12:38):
But she feels the program is losing ground. Catherine says
the school stopped allowing players to transfer from other catchments.
This year, it's junior varsity team folded due to a
lack of players, so they've brought those junior kids onto
the senior team. And when Grade nine's from Spectrum line
up against Grade twelves from other schools, the results aren't pretty.
Speaker 8 (12:57):
What was a scorer in the last game.
Speaker 7 (12:59):
It was fifty seven for Mount Doug.
Speaker 10 (13:02):
Lopsided scores are the reason Catherine started a petition asking
for the goalpost to be moved. For catchments and recruiting,
there are only three high schools on the South Island
with football programs, Spectrum, Mount Doug and Belmont. If your
kid loves the game but lives outside the catchments, they
have to stop.
Speaker 7 (13:17):
I do not want these kids to be displaced. I
do not want these kids to have to quit football.
They work so hard. Football is one of the biggest
commitment sports.
Speaker 10 (13:25):
Community leagues only go up to grade eight. Rob mccarran's
son was born to play.
Speaker 5 (13:30):
I'll leave it to you the kise which one is mine?
Speaker 10 (13:33):
At thirteen years old, six foot two and two hundred
and ninety pounds, this eighth grader could block for any
quarterback in the land. He's not a kicker, no, but
here's the kicker. They live in souk So next year
it's game over.
Speaker 5 (13:45):
He loves football with his whole heart and he is
really terrified that he's not going to be able to
play anymore after the season is over.
Speaker 10 (13:53):
Rather than drop back and punt on his son's football career,
he'll pack up and move.
Speaker 5 (13:57):
No desire whatsoever to go to Elberta again. That's what
it takes to keep my sign in football. That's what
we'll do.
Speaker 10 (14:03):
The petition calls for catchment lines to be relaxed for
recruitment to keep kids in the game.
Speaker 7 (14:08):
Figure out a solution to either changing the rule challenging it,
come up with maybe an exception for our region since
we only have three high schools with football.
Speaker 10 (14:16):
Meantime, she's trying to get a new program off the ground,
a community association for Greater Victoria kids in high school
to play regardless of their address and be part of
the Vancouver Mainland Football League, which already has teams in
Couch and Nanaimo, Colemox and Campbell River.
Speaker 7 (14:30):
And I'm just really excited to make the ball accessible
to everybody, a.
Speaker 10 (14:34):
League she hopes can kick off as soon as spring.
Speaker 3 (14:39):
The doors are opening for the first time tonight on
a new arts hub in downtown Victoria. The building at
seven point sixteen Johnson the Street was bought by the
Other Guy's Theater Company with a goal of an arts
hub for various organizations and artists is desperate for rehearsal
and performance space. The company has been working to pay
off the mortgage with help from a one hundred thousand
dollars grant from the and a four hundred thousand dollars
(15:01):
loan from Thrive Impact Fund, along with other donations. The
company says they're trying to help fill the void.
Speaker 13 (15:08):
For artists and so artists can come in and set
the space up how they envision it for their particular
piece of work. And it's very flexible and easy to
convert that space so artists of varying performing stripes can
use it.
Speaker 3 (15:23):
The first event tonight will be a haunted house and
a chance for artists to get their first look.
Speaker 6 (15:28):
Inside the performing hub.
Speaker 3 (15:31):
All right, it is upside time, and guys, it's hard
for me to tell from looking where you are tonight.
I like the moon lighting though it's maybe a little
bit halloween you with the purple.
Speaker 19 (15:43):
It is, and it would be an ideal spot to
drop in that Halloween or any other time.
Speaker 12 (15:48):
This is all a part of the upside.
Speaker 8 (15:50):
This week.
Speaker 19 (15:50):
We're showcasing all kinds of unique businesses in downtown Victoria.
Is part of the small business Awareness month here and
this is the Monkey See Art came perhaps the most
bizarre spot we've ever been in.
Speaker 20 (16:03):
Would you think, Yeah, it is for sure unique as well.
Me come in the staff here, they're so welcoming and
they walk you through.
Speaker 12 (16:10):
You have to you have to well, I want you
to give it all the way.
Speaker 20 (16:13):
Yeah, you can sort of be sensitized to the equipment
and everything as you as you walk in. But there
is something for everyone here, sounds and lights and different
rooms and it is interactive.
Speaker 8 (16:25):
And let's go back.
Speaker 12 (16:27):
A little bit and say, yeah, Scott Amos.
Speaker 8 (16:29):
Is back here.
Speaker 20 (16:30):
Scott come join us, and Scott would be your tour
guide when you arrive, give us sort of, you know,
an overview about the Monkey See Art.
Speaker 21 (16:37):
Kade, I'm high well, welcome to the arcade. This is
an interactive art gallery. So these are all one of
the kind sculptures that are all playable. They let up
and make music and do all sorts of different things.
Now they're unique to Victoria because they're all made here
by local Victoria artists. This is a one of a
kind experience you can only do here.
Speaker 1 (16:52):
When you walk in.
Speaker 20 (16:52):
I didn't want to give it away.
Speaker 9 (16:53):
What do you call it again?
Speaker 20 (16:54):
When you when you walk in, you have to.
Speaker 21 (16:56):
Well, you see that when we've got the machines back
from tour. Normally we send them out. When got the back,
we discovered they become infected with a strange alien life.
But don't worry, we've isolated them. We believe they're harmless.
But you see, we're artists, not scientists. So for your
own safety, when you come into the space, you need
to go through a decontamination portal. Now you get to
drive the portal yourself, but I'll show you how to
do it, and you get to drive yourself. And once
(17:16):
you're decontaminated, then you're free to enter the space and
everything is safe. And how to go through twice, maybe
a third time later we need to go through once more.
Speaker 20 (17:26):
Well, Scott's going to be our tour guide over the
next couple of hours, and all sorts.
Speaker 12 (17:30):
Of things, lots of fun. We don't know what we're doing.
We're gonna around.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
The rooms in here.
Speaker 20 (17:47):
And this is a place you want to check out.
It's at seven o six fort Street, the Monkey See
Interactive Artcade.
Speaker 6 (17:55):
Oh that looks really cool and interesting. I can't wait
to see more guys. Thanks, we'll see you in a little bit.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
Also still to come on check tonight at Popular camp
for people with disabilities is set to close temporarily.
Speaker 8 (18:06):
In this we can't be keeping the public in the dark.
That's not how you do reconciliation.
Speaker 3 (18:11):
We'll tell you both fallout from a landmark decision to
give couch and tribes land title over properties in Richmond.
Speaker 6 (18:17):
That's coming up next.
Speaker 1 (18:20):
The Road Report is brought to you by Craftsman Collision,
BC's favorite family owned craftsman Collision All Better.
Speaker 19 (18:27):
Here's a look at the current Vancouver Island road conditions
from the Drive BC webcams.
Speaker 1 (18:38):
Watch full check newscasts weekdays at five, six, and ten
or anytime on check Plus or checknews dot Ca.
Check podcasts. This is an abbreviated version of check News
watch full Check newscasts week days at five, six, and ten,
or anytime one, Check plus or checknews dot CA.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
You can't run hide forever It's wrong. Charles Matters, Family Matters.
Speaker 3 (00:24):
It's been a year since a young father was killed
in a hit and run on his community has tripled
the reward in a desperate bid for answers.
Speaker 4 (00:32):
I am fortunate enough to.
Speaker 5 (00:36):
Live in a vehicle.
Speaker 6 (00:37):
I live in a deep liberty.
Speaker 3 (00:40):
Sidney's decision to vote against opening an emergency weather shelter
spurs the communities unhoused.
Speaker 6 (00:45):
To speak out.
Speaker 7 (00:48):
I do not want these kids to be displaced. I
do not want these kids to have to quit football.
Speaker 3 (00:53):
Unless they live in the right neighborhood. New rules could
keep high school football players on the sidelines.
Speaker 6 (00:59):
Check News Arts.
Speaker 3 (01:00):
Now, Good evening, Thanks very much for joining us tonight.
The surname of First Nation is renewing its call for
information about a fatal hidden run that killed a beloved
member nearly a year ago. The First Nation is nearly
tripling the reward offered for information about what happened, and
(01:23):
it's also installed a sign where the fatal collision happened
Kendall Hanson reports.
Speaker 8 (01:30):
Still too emotional to speak publicly. Family members hug Rachel Sampson,
the mother of twenty one year old Charles Tommy, a
beloved young father struck and killed here nearly a year ago.
She's here with other family and friends ramping up their
public appeal for information.
Speaker 9 (01:47):
As you can imagine, his family is still looking for answers.
We are asking for anyone's help or may have witnessed
or heard anything regarding the hit and run that on
the evening of October twenty fourth. The police come forward.
Speaker 8 (02:04):
They've now put up this sign on the edge of
Harmack Road near where Charles was struck and killed on
the evening of October twenty fourth, as he was walking
home after fishing. The driver never stopped, but those who
came upon the scene right after did.
Speaker 5 (02:18):
They quickly became apparent that he was in a bad situation.
It didn't take long for me to look around and say,
this is not right, this is not you know, there
was a lot of good people there, but obviously.
Speaker 2 (02:34):
Obviously somebody lack humanity.
Speaker 6 (02:36):
What we know is a vehicle was seen lead in
the area at a high rate of speed.
Speaker 8 (02:39):
Police are here slowing traffic is The First Nation appeals
for information please say their investigation remains active, though no
new update on any progress was offered today.
Speaker 9 (02:50):
Yeah, we haven't had any updates as of late. But
you know, maybe with us reaching out again today we
can have somebody that'll come forward.
Speaker 8 (03:00):
The First Nation is also announcing its significantly increasing its
reward for information. From the thirty five hundred first offered
in December.
Speaker 9 (03:09):
We have increased the reward to ten thousands. Please, if
anybody knows anything, please come forward.
Speaker 4 (03:18):
It's heartbreaking to know that there's somebody out there that's.
Speaker 10 (03:23):
Not coming forward and not speaking up.
Speaker 11 (03:27):
We have a young mom here that deserves closure.
Speaker 2 (03:30):
I think it's going to be eating away at whoever's
absolutely absolutely you can't run and hide forever. It's wrong.
Child's mattered, family matters, So come forward and do the
right thing.
Speaker 8 (03:44):
If you have information, you're asked to calls the name
of councilor Kate good Nanaimo RCMP, or anonymously through crime stoppers.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
Victoria and Obay Polie say a man has been arrested
in connection with a series of break and enters on
Monday were reported in the two hundred block of Beechwood Avenue,
the three hundred block of Saint Charles Street, the seventeen
hundred block of Lillian Road, and the two thousand block of.
Speaker 6 (04:08):
Carrick Street in Oak Bay.
Speaker 3 (04:10):
In most cases, a man was reported either attempting to
break in or leaving a home with jewelry and other
personal items. Vick PD says they responded with significant resources
and arrested a man near Saint Charles Street.
Speaker 8 (04:21):
Of Bay.
Speaker 6 (04:22):
Police say a fifty four year old man remains in custody.
Speaker 3 (04:26):
West ur RCMP asking for the public's help locating a
man who is wanted on several youth sex crime charges.
Police are searching for thirty nine year old Nicholas Garfius,
who is wanted on four charges sexual assault, invitation to
sexual touching, sexual interference, and exposure of genital organs to
a person under sixteen. If you see him, do not approach,
(04:47):
but call your local police immediately. West Shoor RCMP officers
are now equipped with body worn cameras, a move police
say will improve evidence gathering and strengthen transparency and accountability
in the community.
Speaker 12 (05:01):
Our officers will start recording before they arrive on scene.
Speaker 13 (05:05):
And we'll let you know at the earliest opportunity that
the camera is on.
Speaker 3 (05:09):
Body cameras will be activated in situations including crimes in progress,
mental health calls, public disorder protests, and other investigations. Cameras
will not be used for the purpose of twenty four
hour recording surveillance or where intimate searches are conducted. All
officers using the cameras have received training on when and
how they're used, as well as how they recorded. Data
is securely stored and managed. The program also follows strict
(05:33):
privacy and data protection policies. Six weeks ago, the town
of Sydney voted against opening an emergency weather shelter at
a local senior's independent living home. Speakers of the public
meeting voiced concerns about drug use, theft, and violence. But
the community is unhoused, say they just want a warm
place to stay when winter hits. Mary Griffin reports, So
(05:55):
it is really Matthew.
Speaker 14 (05:57):
This jeep Liberty is April Lusha's home.
Speaker 4 (06:00):
So I have like ten inches of home here to
sleep on. I managed to get it for free. I
have tartstailroom stuff to help keep up with the mold.
I was Luckily I was gifted right behind here. You
can't really see it, but I have a porta potty
so that I can use waskerm in the night.
Speaker 14 (06:18):
Homeless for more than a year, Lushaw says it's been
impossible to find a place to live she can afford,
and she says she is the face of homelessness in
the town of Sydney.
Speaker 4 (06:29):
There's not a lot of people to be like, Yeah,
I am a young person that is homeless, and I'm
homeless because disability doesn't give much for housing.
Speaker 14 (06:37):
Good evening everyone. My name is April. Lushaw spoke to
Sydney Council last month before a vote on whether or
not to open an emergency weather shelter. Their proposed location
was Wakefield Manor, a senior's independent living facility on Third
Street that's owned by Beacon Community Services. If approved, it
would have had space for ten to twenty beds and
(06:59):
been open around ten days a year.
Speaker 4 (07:01):
It's about safety on the worst nights of the year,
when freezing rain, snow or wind may take can make
it dangerous just to try.
Speaker 8 (07:08):
And rest all those in figions.
Speaker 14 (07:10):
But after considerable public outcry, council voted it down a.
Speaker 5 (07:15):
Post councer Novak, councer Grenette myself and Councermintua Emotion is defeated.
Speaker 14 (07:23):
Homeless for more than a decade. Harry Hammond says the
decision is a disappointment. Although he pays for a storage
locker that he lives in, he would still go to
a shelter in extreme weather.
Speaker 15 (07:33):
What was that big snowstorm that was at the end
of twenty twenty two, believe it or not, I actually
stayed under the foyer year, but I certainly would have
gone to it because that was snow for quite a
few days.
Speaker 14 (07:47):
Hammond says there are many I'm housed in the town
who would also use it.
Speaker 15 (07:51):
The twenty to thirty living in their vehicles in Sydney,
and I would say maybe close to that same that
are just outdoors.
Speaker 4 (08:02):
I keep my dirty laundry underneath my seat. I also
keep more laundry in my front. If you want to
go in there, you can.
Speaker 7 (08:09):
It's a math, but it's what works.
Speaker 14 (08:12):
For me right now. While Sydney Council at the time
said it would consider reopening a search for a shelter site,
for now there are none, meaning people like April Lusha
will have to survive in their vehicles or worse for
yet another winter.
Speaker 3 (08:27):
On Checkpoint tonight, we're asking if you think emergency shelter
spaces should be made available in all municipalities. You can
vote at czechnews dot Ca. We'll have results a little
bit later in the broadcast. It's promising hundreds of rental
units in three towers, the tallest of which we'll talk
twenty two stories. A private developer in partnership with BC
Housing is set to bring in over five hundred rental properties.
(08:51):
Besides some below market rentals, it will include shops, a
new grocery store, and a public plaza.
Speaker 6 (08:56):
Chattis Leo reports.
Speaker 8 (08:58):
Oh sap.
Speaker 11 (09:01):
Seepacha Laca songhis elected Counselor and Elder. Frank George welcomes
delegates and developers for the launch of a massive rental
unit project that's been four years in the making. WHOA
With shovels in the ground, people in Victoria will soon
have access to more than five hundred new rental homes,
shared workspaces, retail spaces, a public plaza, and a thrifty foods.
Speaker 16 (09:25):
This mixed use development is an excellent example of what
we can achieve together through partnership.
Speaker 11 (09:31):
On the corner of Douglas and Caledonia, three distinct towers
will overlook the city, with the tallest one soaring to
twenty two stories. One owned by BC Housing, will offer
one hundred and thirty three units, twenty percent of which
will be offered at below market rates.
Speaker 17 (09:47):
The province is proud to support this project through BC Builds,
with seventy three million in construction financing and a grant
of eight million dollars for one of the three residential
towers that will sue stand here.
Speaker 11 (10:01):
The units in the other two towers will be offered
at market rental rates and will be owned and managed
by Charged Developments. But Charge says their building will have
much more to offer than just housing.
Speaker 16 (10:11):
Over sixty thousand square feet of restaurant, retail, commercial and
co working space, a dedicated childcare center, and the market
rental housing will have over ten thousand square feet of amenities.
Speaker 11 (10:26):
All three towers will feature one, two and three bedroom
units ranging from five hundred and twenty three square feet
to nine hundred and seventy one square feet.
Speaker 18 (10:35):
And I think that you'll see over the next few
years that this investment is the beginning of a remarkable
change in the north end of downtown and what we
consider to be the next phase in creating community and
creating vibrancy, and creating an opportunity for the city to
change in a very intentional way.
Speaker 11 (10:51):
With work now officially getting underway, it's expected all three
buildings will be ready for tenants by twenty twenty nine.
Speaker 3 (11:00):
A small earthquake that rumbled on the south end of
Salt Spring Island was lightly felt across the region this morning.
The three point one magnitude quake was recorded about five
thirty am south of Rucckle Provincial Park, at about thirteen
kilometers north of Sydney. According to Earthquakes Canada, dozens reported
feeling the earthquake, most of them from Salt Spring Island
and the Senach Peninsula.
Speaker 6 (11:18):
But it was felt as far away as Colwood and
Cobble Hill.
Speaker 3 (11:22):
Researchers say they're pretty sure they know the identity of
a young whale hit by a hollow ferry near Vancouver
last week. A naturalist with Wild Whales Vancouver spotted an
injured humpback calf in the area where a hello ferry
hit a whale near Vancouver Friday afternoon, The whale named Skipper,
was seen with a deep gash near its dorsal fin,
consistent with a ship's strike. The calf born this year
(11:45):
was seen with its mother, named zig Zag at the time.
Hello Ferries said the crew of the vessel stopped and
executed an evasive maneuver as soon as it spotted the whale,
but that had likely made contact with a whale. Fisheries
and Oceans Canada says it's investigating the crash and that.
Speaker 6 (11:59):
Hello Ferries is cooperating well.
Speaker 3 (12:02):
There's a long tradition of high school football in Greater Victoria,
but there's a short list of schools with programs. A
petition has sprung up with people asking not for more
schools to offer football, but for players out of catchment
to be able to play. Joan Cunningham has more on
why some budding football careers are being sacked.
Speaker 10 (12:24):
For your kid to play high school football, you've got
to live within the lines. Catherine Edwards is lucky because
she lives within the catchment lines of Spectrum School, so
her son can play.
Speaker 7 (12:34):
He is doing amazingly though, and he ends every game
so with a smile on his face.
Speaker 10 (12:38):
But she feels the program is losing ground. Catherine says
the school stopped allowing players to transfer from other catchments.
This year, it's junior varsity team folded due to a
lack of players, so they've brought those junior kids onto
the senior team. And when Grade nine's from Spectrum line
up against Grade twelves from other schools, the results aren't pretty.
Speaker 8 (12:57):
What was a scorer in the last game.
Speaker 7 (12:59):
It was fifty seven for Mount Doug.
Speaker 10 (13:02):
Lopsided scores are the reason Catherine started a petition asking
for the goalpost to be moved. For catchments and recruiting,
there are only three high schools on the South Island
with football programs, Spectrum, Mount Doug and Belmont. If your
kid loves the game but lives outside the catchments, they
have to stop.
Speaker 7 (13:17):
I do not want these kids to be displaced. I
do not want these kids to have to quit football.
They work so hard. Football is one of the biggest
commitment sports.
Speaker 10 (13:25):
Community leagues only go up to grade eight. Rob mccarran's
son was born to play.
Speaker 5 (13:30):
I'll leave it to you the kise which one is mine?
Speaker 10 (13:33):
At thirteen years old, six foot two and two hundred
and ninety pounds, this eighth grader could block for any
quarterback in the land. He's not a kicker, no, but
here's the kicker. They live in souk So next year
it's game over.
Speaker 5 (13:45):
He loves football with his whole heart and he is
really terrified that he's not going to be able to
play anymore after the season is over.
Speaker 10 (13:53):
Rather than drop back and punt on his son's football career,
he'll pack up and move.
Speaker 5 (13:57):
No desire whatsoever to go to Elberta again. That's what
it takes to keep my sign in football. That's what
we'll do.
Speaker 10 (14:03):
The petition calls for catchment lines to be relaxed for
recruitment to keep kids in the game.
Speaker 7 (14:08):
Figure out a solution to either changing the rule challenging it,
come up with maybe an exception for our region since
we only have three high schools with football.
Speaker 10 (14:16):
Meantime, she's trying to get a new program off the ground,
a community association for Greater Victoria kids in high school
to play regardless of their address and be part of
the Vancouver Mainland Football League, which already has teams in
Couch and Nanaimo, Colemox and Campbell River.
Speaker 7 (14:30):
And I'm just really excited to make the ball accessible
to everybody, a.
Speaker 10 (14:34):
League she hopes can kick off as soon as spring.
Speaker 3 (14:39):
The doors are opening for the first time tonight on
a new arts hub in downtown Victoria. The building at
seven point sixteen Johnson the Street was bought by the
Other Guy's Theater Company with a goal of an arts
hub for various organizations and artists is desperate for rehearsal
and performance space. The company has been working to pay
off the mortgage with help from a one hundred thousand
dollars grant from the and a four hundred thousand dollars
(15:01):
loan from Thrive Impact Fund, along with other donations. The
company says they're trying to help fill the void.
Speaker 13 (15:08):
For artists and so artists can come in and set
the space up how they envision it for their particular
piece of work. And it's very flexible and easy to
convert that space so artists of varying performing stripes can
use it.
Speaker 3 (15:23):
The first event tonight will be a haunted house and
a chance for artists to get their first look.
Speaker 6 (15:28):
Inside the performing hub.
Speaker 3 (15:31):
All right, it is upside time, and guys, it's hard
for me to tell from looking where you are tonight.
I like the moon lighting though it's maybe a little
bit halloween you with the purple.
Speaker 19 (15:43):
It is, and it would be an ideal spot to
drop in that Halloween or any other time.
Speaker 12 (15:48):
This is all a part of the upside.
Speaker 8 (15:50):
This week.
Speaker 19 (15:50):
We're showcasing all kinds of unique businesses in downtown Victoria.
Is part of the small business Awareness month here and
this is the Monkey See Art came perhaps the most
bizarre spot we've ever been in.
Speaker 20 (16:03):
Would you think, Yeah, it is for sure unique as well.
Me come in the staff here, they're so welcoming and
they walk you through.
Speaker 12 (16:10):
You have to you have to well, I want you
to give it all the way.
Speaker 20 (16:13):
Yeah, you can sort of be sensitized to the equipment
and everything as you as you walk in. But there
is something for everyone here, sounds and lights and different
rooms and it is interactive.
Speaker 8 (16:25):
And let's go back.
Speaker 12 (16:27):
A little bit and say, yeah, Scott Amos.
Speaker 8 (16:29):
Is back here.
Speaker 20 (16:30):
Scott come join us, and Scott would be your tour
guide when you arrive, give us sort of, you know,
an overview about the Monkey See Art.
Speaker 21 (16:37):
Kade, I'm high well, welcome to the arcade. This is
an interactive art gallery. So these are all one of
the kind sculptures that are all playable. They let up
and make music and do all sorts of different things.
Now they're unique to Victoria because they're all made here
by local Victoria artists. This is a one of a
kind experience you can only do here.
Speaker 1 (16:52):
When you walk in.
Speaker 20 (16:52):
I didn't want to give it away.
Speaker 9 (16:53):
What do you call it again?
Speaker 20 (16:54):
When you when you walk in, you have to.
Speaker 21 (16:56):
Well, you see that when we've got the machines back
from tour. Normally we send them out. When got the back,
we discovered they become infected with a strange alien life.
But don't worry, we've isolated them. We believe they're harmless.
But you see, we're artists, not scientists. So for your
own safety, when you come into the space, you need
to go through a decontamination portal. Now you get to
drive the portal yourself, but I'll show you how to
do it, and you get to drive yourself. And once
(17:16):
you're decontaminated, then you're free to enter the space and
everything is safe. And how to go through twice, maybe
a third time later we need to go through once more.
Speaker 20 (17:26):
Well, Scott's going to be our tour guide over the
next couple of hours, and all sorts.
Speaker 12 (17:30):
Of things, lots of fun. We don't know what we're doing.
We're gonna around.
Speaker 1 (17:46):
The rooms in here.
Speaker 20 (17:47):
And this is a place you want to check out.
It's at seven o six fort Street, the Monkey See
Interactive Artcade.
Speaker 6 (17:55):
Oh that looks really cool and interesting. I can't wait
to see more guys. Thanks, we'll see you in a little bit.
Speaker 3 (18:00):
Also still to come on check tonight at Popular camp
for people with disabilities is set to close temporarily.
Speaker 8 (18:06):
In this we can't be keeping the public in the dark.
That's not how you do reconciliation.
Speaker 3 (18:11):
We'll tell you both fallout from a landmark decision to
give couch and tribes land title over properties in Richmond.
Speaker 6 (18:17):
That's coming up next.
Speaker 1 (18:20):
The Road Report is brought to you by Craftsman Collision,
BC's favorite family owned craftsman Collision All Better.
Speaker 19 (18:27):
Here's a look at the current Vancouver Island road conditions
from the Drive BC webcams.
Speaker 1 (18:38):
Watch full check newscasts weekdays at five, six, and ten
or anytime on check Plus or checknews dot Ca.
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