Hello there!

The Galloping Goose is one of the best local amenities, connecting the region through peaceful bike and pedestrian trails. But that peace was broken on part of the trail last week by a bizarre incident of violence. In today's lead story, we look at the overarching issue of safety along the popular trail network and what's being done about it.

— Cam

NEWS

Latest attack on the Galloping Goose raises safety concerns

Last week, a violent incident on the Galloping Goose put the spotlight back on safety concerns on the trail for pedestrians and cyclists. A man wearing a balaclava attacked four young people near Atkins Avenue and Westwind Drive using bear spray and a knife. The incident highlighted the safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists on the trail. 

Over the past decade, there have been multiple assaults along the 60km trail that goes from Victoria to Sooke, many of which occurred at night when people were on the trail alone. Some other incidents include an August 2013 attack on a Saanich woman, a June 2014 sexual assault near Jacklin Road, and several robberies and assaults in subsequent years. The most recent attack in July 2022 involved a man exposing himself to a woman in Metchosin.

This latest incident on Sept. 4 is renewing calls for increased lighting and other safety measures on the trail. A 2019 CRD survey found that the top user concerns were “increase in user volumes and speed, lack of separation between trail uses, poor trail etiquette, lack of lighting, safety concerns at intersections, and crime.” There are plans for improved lighting on specific trail sections—but not throughout the trail.  

As for the attack on Sept. 4, the West Shore RCMP confirmed that a 32-year-old man is in custody and facing multiple charges. 

Read the full story by Sidney Coles on the Sept. 4 attack, the trail’s safety concerns, and the RCMP’s response.

SPORTS

Far from Colwood home arena, Shamrocks battle on and off the field for national cup

The Victoria Shamrocks played much of their undefeated 18-0 regular season and league-winning playoff run at the Q Centre in Colwood. But this week, for their biggest test, they play every game on the road in Ontario.

The Shamrocks are competing for the national Mann Cup against Ontario champs Six Nations Chiefs. No BC team has won the cup on the road in nearly 40 years.

Shamrocks rocked by sudden rule change

In an effort to change that, the BC Lacrosse Association applied this spring to reclassify to a “Type 2” province. This would allow the Western Lacrosse Association (WLA) champion to bring up to 3 players to the Mann Cup from teams it had defeated along the way.

That move to rebalance the national cup won 10-1 approval in May from Lacrosse Canada Member Associations. But this month, while WLA champ Victoria was already in the air headed east, Lacrosse Canada changed its tune. Victoria would no longer be able to incorporate its pickups from the Salmonbellies: league-leading scorer Will Malcolm and defender Mike Messenger.

The WLA blasted the national body on Victoria's behalf, saying “Lacrosse Canada has once again miserably failed its members” by abruptly undercutting a team—and a regional league—without giving a reason.

Victoria weighed boycotting the finals but decided to play under protest

The locals won Game 1 and lost Game 2 before a new verdict came in from the Sport Dispute Resolution Centre of Canada (SDRCC). Malcolm and Messenger are eligible after all.

That boost wasn't enough on Tuesday, though, as Six Nations came back from a 5-2 Shamrocks lead to win Monday's Game 3. To hoist the Cup, and make all of these hurdles worth it, Victoria must now win 3/4 games this week—with a little help from its new friends.

Game 4 is tonight at 5pm (schedule) with a viewing party at Browns Socialhouse in Langford.

Around the 'Shore

🍲 Sooke Food Bank ran out of meals last week: The Thursday hamper give-out was stocked with 500+kg of food for 225 households. But by 1:30pm, the stock was all used up and the bank had to close early. It had a record-high 16 new signups. [CHEK]

🌿 Capital region residents are invited to attend an introductory workshop about gardening with drought-resistant native plants. Registration includes a pack of locally grown native seeds.*

🚨 SUV driver hits mother & 11-month-old in Langford roundabout while they were crossing sidewalk at Peatt & Brock on Weds. West Shore RCMP say it’s “remarkable” that the woman, 25, had only non-life-threatening injuries and the baby in her stroller had no major injuries (but was rushed to hospital as a precaution). [West Shore RCMP]

🏡 Quarry Villas at Royal Bay: These 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom, duplex or triplex homes, line European-inspired streets, are moments from the ocean, and include a wealth of amenities.*

🗳 Esquimalt councillor will run in Esquimalt-Colwood: The NDP has replaced the abruptly abandoned candidacy of incumbent MLA Mitzi Dean with first-time Township councillor Darlene Rotchford. Currently the only other candidate is the Greens’ Camille Currie. 

*Sponsored Listing

Community Events

🛠 Repair Cafe Westshore: Get your broken things fixed by volunteers. 11am-3pm on Sunday at Juan de Fuca Rec. [Info]

🎤 Open Mic Tuesdays & Karaoke Fridays at the Sooke Legion. 

🎉 In Sight Festival: Visit Colwood's Meadow Park this weekend for music, cultural dancing, drumming, children’s activities, visual arts, storytelling, and food.

🎶 Rifflandia is on this weekend at its new harbour home in Victoria's Rock Bay. [Info]

🧹 Westhills Park Community Clean-up 10am-1pm Saturday. 

🏈 Westshore Rebels vs. Langley Rams: Sunday 4-6pm (doors 3pm) at Starlight. It's Minor Football Night, so the Saanich Wolverines and Westshore Warriors atom teams will scrimmage at halftime, and all minor football players who show up in their jersey get in free. [Tickets]

What’s Offshore?

Nothing anchored directly off of the Westshore right now, but you may have recently seen these in the distance from Metchosin, Colwood, Esquimalt, or Victoria.

🚢 The MSC Gisele is a container ship built in 2015 and is sailing under the flag of Madeira. It is sailing from 🇺🇸 Seattle ➡ 🇨🇦 Vancouver.

⛴ The San Felipe is a container ship built in 2014 and is sailing under the flag of the Marshall Islands. It is sailing from 🇨🇦 Prince George.

Westshore Snaps

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