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IWAV granted $18,500 from collective fundraising network of 100+ Women Who Care

Eighty-two members of the 100+ Women Who Care Salt Spring group gathered via Zoom on a rainy November 17th to hear compelling five-minute presentations from three worthy Island causes. An anonymous vote was cast in real time, revealing the charity of choice who will receive a $18,500 pooled collection is IWAV, or Islanders Working Against Violence. “Our staff are thrilled for this amazing contribution from women in our community to extend our outreach services and support for our second stage residents,” explains IWAV’s Executive Director Kisea Petersen. “These women have left intimate partner violence or other gender-based violence and look to IWAV to help them regain confidence, resiliency, and a healthier future for them and their children.” For almost 30 years IWAV has been providing safety and services for women experiencing violence, abuse, and poverty. With 28 staff and several volunteers, it operates multiple programs and facilities including a 24-hour crisis line…
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Salt Spring Island Fire Rescue attends structure fire at 257 Maliview Drive

At 11:57 on Thursday Nov. 25, 2021 Salt Spring Island Fire Rescue was dispatched to a residential structure fire at 257 Maliview Dr. At 12:10 PM, both Engine 1 and Tender 1 from the Ganges Firehall were on scene and found smoke coming from the bottom unit of a fourplex residential structure. With efficient manpower on scene from a fast response, fire crews went offensive on the fire, sending an interior team inside the structure to extinguish the fire. Crews were able to knock down the fire and contain it to the room, and unit, of origin and prevent any extension into the adjacent units. Hydro was shut off to the area to allow crews to complete their work. There was a total of three fire apparatus on scene and sixteen firefighters responded. Emergency Social Services were called to attend to provide services to the occupants that were displaced from the unit where the fire occurred. All other occupants were able to return to their units after a check of each unit was complet…
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Salt Spring RCMP Community Report - 2021, 3rd Quarter Statistics

Salt Spring RCMP responded to 886 calls in the 3rd quarter of 2021 (July 1 – September 30) and as of October 1, 2021, have responded to 2,263 calls for service thus far this year. Various investigations undertaken in this quarter include a child pornography distribution file, 31 assaults, 33 sex-related offences and 9 weapons/firearms investigations. There were also multiple COVID-related reports, 36 motor vehicle incidents/collisions (MVI’s) and 144 mental health/check well-being reports. SSI RCMP issued 51 traffic tickets, gave 97 traffic warnings and conducted 340 foot patrols in Centennial Park and other areas; 65 bar walks were also performed and a dozen impaired drivers were taken off the road. Traffic enforcement was conducted all over Salt Spring Island but special attention was made to seatbelt use around Ganges, speed enforcement on Cusheon Lake Road and Long Harbour Road, as well as compliance of school and playground zones. Some of the calls in the last few mo…
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Prepare for a series of storms to hit B.C.

The Province is urging people to prepare and be diligent as Environment and Climate Change Canada issues weather alerts for a series of storms with heavy rain, strong winds and snow in some areas. The storms are expected to arrive in B.C. later today, Wednesday, Nov. 25, through to next week. Winter storm, rainfall, wind, snowfall and flood warnings have been issued throughout B.C.’s coastal areas, including the north coast, central coast and Vancouver Island. Special weather statements are in effect for Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, Squamish to Whistler and the Sunshine Coast. Flood conditions may arise in the areas over the period of these storms. The River Forecast Centre has issued high streamflow advisories for all regions of the coast. People in these areas are asked to avoid all non-essential road travel during the upcoming storms. For up-to-date public weather alerts, visit Environment and Climate Change Canada's website. People living in thes…
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ASK Salt Spring with Islands Trust’s Local Trustee Laura Patrick on climate change, sewage systems, housing and more

Fifteen people came to welcome and ask questions of one of the Islands Trust’s Local Trustees, Laura Patrick, at this ASK Salt Spring gathering. During her Territorial Acknowledgment, Laura described a concept that resulted from a dialogue about incorporating indigenous knowledge into integrated land use planning: We should be thinking in terms of land relationship planning as opposed to land use planning. Laura appreciated that the word relationship evokes human connection and responsibility for the land. Before fielding questions, Laura recognized with pride the large number of islanders who are doing good and caring work within and for the community. While it is easy to focus on what is not getting accomplished, she asked us to acknowledge the amazing work that is largely being done by volunteers and the many energetic nonprofit organizations - day after day enriching all of our lives. With the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 26) just wrapping up in Glasgow, a…
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Obituary: Louise Harkema

It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Louise Jocelyn Harkema. She left her 64 years on this earth November 10th , after a difficult battle with cancer. Louise was born October 19th, 1957 in Port Alberni, British Columbia to Jan and Louise Harkema. She is survived by her children Elisha (Jordan) and Jocelyn, her granddaughter Piper, siblings Derek, Mary, Andrea, Ellen (Hans), and Harold (Sandy), sister-in-law Dawn and many nieces and nephews who will miss her dearly. She was predeceased by her parents, brother Jan Mark Harkema and niece Darcy Hughes. Louise was an autonomous and ever-evolving person that marched to her own beat. She made many strong connections mentally and spiritually as a Mother, a Sister, an Auntie, a friend, a Therapist and a Teacher. In these connections her loving memory lives on. Though she spent many years building her successful business as a Massage Therapist/ Svroopra yoga Teacher and raising her two children in Calgary, Al…
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Salt Spring Island Fire Rescue appointments Jamie Holmes to Fire Chief

The Board of Fire Trustees and Salt Spring Island Fire Rescue are pleased to announce the appointment of Jamie Holmes to Fire Chief. Chief Holmes has been exceptional in his role of Acting Fire Chief since November 14, 2020. A strong leader with a wealth of experience, SSIFR is fortunate to have him at the helm. Chief Holmes has achieved 25 years of exemplary service since joining the department in 1996 as a Paid-on- Call Volunteer. He Joined the career ranks in 2002 and ascended to Deputy Chief in April 2021. Recently, Chief Holmes was awarded the British Columbia Training Officer Association Meritorious Service Medal for his decade of executive service to the association. During his 15-year tenure as training officer, our department successfully trained many volunteer Firefighters that went on to become career professionals, both here and in other departments across the country. Chief Holmes set a benchmark that members be trained to the NFPA 1001 standard, which ensure…
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Provincial disaster financial assistance available to Salt Spring Island area residents

BC residents impacted by recent flooding may be eligible for provincial Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA), including those in the Capital Regional District’s Electoral Areas: Salt Spring Island, the Southern Gulf Islands, and Juan de Fuca. This financial assistance is a grant program provided by the province and is in place to help replace or restore uninsurable essential items and property that have been destroyed or damaged. The provincial DFA is available to qualifying home owners, residential tenants, small business owners, farm owners, and charitable organizations who experience property damage due to the rains on November 14 and 15, 2021, where the losses could not be insured or where other programs are not available. Financial assistance is provided for each accepted claim at 80 percent of the amount of total eligible damage that exceeds $1,000, to a maximum claim of $300,000. Applications for the provincial DFA must be submitted by February 12, 2022. Full det…
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