News Briefs: January 21, 2015 issue

News January 21, 2015

Camosun’s Carpentry students become humanitarians

Habitat for Humanity Victoria’s project on Cedar Hill X Road has given Camosun College’s Carpentry program a chance to gain hands-on experience building four townhomes. The four-plex is being built to promote homeownership and break the cycle of poverty, giving low-income families a chance to own their own homes. The project is expected to be complete by September.

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Learn more about Camosun’s carpentry department in our January 21, 2015 issue (photo by Jill Westby/Nexus).

 

Chargers women’s basketball team results

The Camosun Chargers women’s basketball game on Friday, January 9 began with the Vancouver Island University Mariners completing the first quarter with a 22-6 lead over the Chargers. Camosun fell to the Mariners with a final score of 68-48. On Saturday, January 17 the team came back with a game played at Langara College, defeating Langara 71-66.

And.. men’s basketball team results

The Chargers men’s basketball team went head-to-head with the number one nationally ranked Vancouver Island University Mariners on January 9. Despite keeping pace with the Mariners throughout the game, the Chargers fell over the last few minutes with the Mariners pulling ahead, 79-71. On Saturday, January 17 the team played at Langara College, with Langara winning, 75-62. The Chargers teams will host Quest and Capilano at PISE on January  23 and 24.

Volleyball teams sweep UFV

Returning to PACWEST league play, the Camosun Chargers volleyball teams swept the University of the Fraser Valley Cascades on January 16 and 17, with both the women’s and men’s Chargers teams winning 3-0 in all four matches. The Chargers teams will play in Abbotsford on January 23 and 24 against the CBC Bearcats.

Student federation endorses minimum wage increase

The Canadian Federation of Students-BC has officially endorsed the BC Federation of Labour’s call for an increase in the province’s minimum wage. In a press release, provincial federation chairperson Zach Crispin said a minimum-wage increase to $15 would be “an important step to challenge growing inequality in BC.” BC’s minimum wage has been frozen for two years while student costs, such as housing and tuition, continue to rise.

Give via granola

All Thrifty Foods locations across Victoria are selling a new and local granola, with all proceeds supporting Cool Aid’s Every Step Counts running and walking program. The program has the goal of encouraging people to stay healthy. The campaign combines the beneficial aspects of eating granola, buying and supporting local, and aiding a charity devoted to society’s health. The initiative began on January 8, and all Thrifty Foods will be selling Granola That Counts until February 6.

Obama makes college free while Clark increases tuition

US President Barack Obama announced plans earlier this month to eliminate the first two years of tuition costs at community colleges. This is in direct contrast to the recent decision by Christy Clark’s BC Liberals’ decision to introduce fees for high-school equivalent courses at postsecondary. “BC has a projected budget surplus in excess of $400 million; there is simply no justification for cutting funding to basic education and asking students and families to pay more,” said Zach Crispin, Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students-BC, in a press release.

Mayor Atwell having all sorts of trouble

Saanich Mayor Richard Atwell admitted to lying about having an affair with a female election-campaign worker, and he has also claimed that the regional traffic police are bordering on harassing him and that Saanich information technology staff installed spyware on his computers without his consent. It has also been reported that a 911 call was made in December, when Atwell alleged he had been assaulted by the election-campaign worker’s fiancé. No charges have been laid.

Douglas construction frees up space for cyclists and transit

Downtown may suffer traffic congestion for months ahead as the construction gets rolling on Douglas Street to create the second round of bus and bike lanes, stretching from Hillside Avenue to Tolmie Avenue. The lanes will be exclusively designated for bikes and busses between 3-6 pm from Monday to Friday.

New road from highway to Sooke?

The City of Langford is seeking $24 million to create another route for commuters to get from the Trans-Canada Highway to Sooke. The proposed Sooke connector is to run between the Westshore Parkway and Sooke Road. The project would create a significant number of jobs and, if approved, would begin as early as this fall, with completion in summer of 2017.

Accused terrorists plead not guilty

John Nuttall and Amanda Korody pled not guilty to charges of knowingly facilitating a terrorist activity, conspiracy, and making or possessing an explosive device. The two were arrested in the summer of 2013 for allegedly planting pressure-cooker bombs at the Legislature in Victoria on Canada Day. Jury selection began today and the trial, which is expected to last 18 weeks, is set to begin February 2.

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