Man in a bit of a boat pickle in Gonzalez Bay
Plus: New temple to be built in Vic: Latter-day Saints
Good morning !
A few months ago, we told you about a 110-year-old Vic church closing its doors. Soon—no time frame given, but we’re told it’ll happen ASAP—a church of another denomination expects to be opening its doors.
It’s one of our top stories this morning. But not the only one about doors.
Do you attend religious services?
🌡️ Weather Forecast
NEWS
Saving ‘pirate’ Ryan raises jurisdictional confusion
The boat Ryan Brackenbury was piloting recently ran aground in Gonzales Bay. Brackenbury has come to be known in the neighbourhood as "pirate Ryan," partly because his dubious marine mishaps span multiple incidents, including an earlier grounding in McNeill Bay.
Some in the area sympathize, others are frustrated by the ongoing situation. The boat is damaged beyond repair and rests at a 30-degree angle on the beach. It currently doesn’t present a marine or environmental threat so all the coast guard can do is monitor the vessel. Their file on the matter has been transferred to Transport Canada.
Brackenbury finds himself camping in his damaged boat. His recent interactions with city bylaw officers highlight the jurisdictional complexity of his situation. His history and plight shed light on the struggles faced by those who have cycled in and out of touch with the law and their challenges in accessing stable housing.
⚠️ Capital Bulletin
Road closure in Sooke: Church between Throup and Wadams closed for asphalt paving today.
Johnson St. Bridge inspections and test lifts. Final day. Expect delays.
Road closure: Dallas eastbound from Douglas to Cook closed for construction today.
Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.
NEWS
Vic temple planned for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Victoria is going to become the Island’s first home to a temple for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Vic was one of 15 cities announced as destinations during the church’s Annual General Conference last week in Salt Lake City.
“The announcement is of significance because church members from Victoria or the Island will not have to rely on ferries or added costs to attend the temple in Vancouver which services the entire province,” Dale Ruttan, the church’s Victoria spokesman tells Capital Daily.
Christine Hitchmough, one of roughly 2K members of the Church of Jesus Christ in the Victoria region, takes a ferry each month to worship. She’s stoked that’s going to change. “I can hardly wait to walk through the doors of the house of the Lord in Victoria,” she said.
The location for the temple has not been chosen, but it would become the 11th in Canada and among the church’s 350 either standing, under construction, or planned. There are more than 200K Latter-day Saints in approximately 500 congregations in Canada, the church said.
Local members congregate in meeting houses in Victoria, Saanich, Sooke, Sidney, and on Salt Spring Island, Ruttan said, but those buildings aren’t temples. “Meeting houses serve as centres for public worship and community activities, while temples are dedicated to sacred ordinances and covenants made with God,” he said.
According to its website, the Church of Jesus Christ is the fourth-largest Christian church in the US, with more than half of its members living in other countries.
⭐️ Capital Picks
🍔 A&W walk-up window now open in the old Birks Jewelry location. The walk-up window is the fast food restaurant's first.
🏡 Discover the elements of living at BELLA PARK. West Coast contemporary 1 and 2 bedroom residences, designed around a unique central wellness concept. Register today.*
🎓 UVic REACH Awards: Researchers, teachers, and students recognized for their positive impact on the university.
🍷 Neighbourly Wine Co. opens: The new wine company’s tasting room in Saanichton is open on weekends from noon-5pm.
🍸️ Best happy hour? Best cocktails? Have you checked out the finalists in the Tasting Vic Awards? Vote for your top choices.
🐦 Bird or woodcarver? See the handy work of sapsuckers in Nanoose Bay. [Photos]
🤝 Now hiring: Bus driver at Victoria Senior Travel and Social Group Society.
*Sponsored Listing
🗞️ In Other News
Woman charged with stealing more than $1.7M from non-profit
The woman, who worked as a bookkeeper for the organization, is accused of wiring money into her personal account and using it to purchase a vehicle, gold, and cryptocurrency. VicPD teamed with the Canadian Embassy in Turkey, US Customs, and the RCMP to have the woman arrested and to recover $900K. [VicPD]
New tools aim to better connect people to primary care
Starting next Wed., the Provincial Attachment System, which links patients with family physicians and nurse practitioners, will be upgraded with new digital tools to speed up the matching process and provide patients with regular updates. [BC Gov’t]
Pacific FC signs 1-year deal to stay at Langford’s Starlight Stadium
The soccer club didn’t exercise its unilateral right to renew for another five-year term but the city says this is the first step to securing such an agreement before the season ends. PFC, rumoured to have been looking to move to Vic, kicks off its sixth Canadian Premier League season tomorrow afternoon at home against the Halifax Wanderers. [Langford Release]
RBCM replacing welcoming wooden entrance doors
The eye-pleasing doors and nearby windows on the east side of the museum are being upgraded to allow more light, brightening the space. The original carved wooden doors will be retained in the provincial collection and may be displayed in the future, the museum told Capital Daily.
🗓️ Things to do
😂 Bianca Del Rio: The RuPaul’s Drag Race winner will bring her standup comedy to the Royal Theatre. Tomorrow. 8pm. [Info]
🎶 Lime Cordiale: The Australian pop-rockers will perform two nights of music at Capital Ballroom. Tomorrow and Sun. 8pm. [Info]
🎩 Sin City Illusions: Be wowed by this magic show featuring two of Canada’s top magicians at McPherson Playhouse. Tomorrow. 7pm. [Info]
🎸 Pop Punk Night: Catch this lineup of pop-punk bands at Lucky Bar. Tonight. 7pm. [Info]
🎤 OK Dope: Crowd Work Show: Join in on the fun at this show where comedians chat with the audience and improvise jokes. Tonight. 8pm. [Info]
🩰 Knotted: Broken Rhythm Victoria will perform this original contemporary dance show at McPherson Playhouse. Tonight. 7:30pm. [Info]
💋 The Dirty Stones: A tribute to the Rolling Stones. The Duke. Tonight. 7pm. [Info]
👀 In Case You Missed It
Thursday’s headlines: Victoria Council told to ‘Stop the Sweeps’: RBCM to house Terry Fox collection; Sidney’s orca statue moving; And more. [Apr. 11]
Rescue materials have arrived to relocate orphaned orca in Zeballos. [Photos]
CRD’s new extreme heat information portal. [For this summer]
Oak Bay votes to ask to bring back police liaisons. [CHEK]
Undersea wonders: Nudibranchs, anemones, sea stars, and more, photographed in Barkley Sound. [Photos]