Toonie kindness
NEWS: Support grows for supervised consumption site /A5 Toonie group making a ARTS: Victoria Film Festival kicks off /A9 difference in the community SPORTS: Badminton player preps for Winter Games /A12 Page A10
VICTORIANEWS Wednesday, February 3, 2016
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The search for Harold Backer Son focusing on memories of his father, who was last seen Nov. 3, 2015 Pamela Roth Victoria News
On the night of Nov. 2, 2015, Harold Backer made arrangements to give his son Harrison the traditional tie he had worn during his younger years studying at Brentwood College School. The gesture was normal, as Harold (a former rower who competed three times in the Olympic Games) had already passed down some of his old Olympic shirts to his son, who graduated from the same private boarding school in 2014. Living close to one another in Victoria, Harold swung by Harrison’s home that night, gave him the tie and said good night. It was the last time Harrison has seen or spoken with his 52-year-old father — a man he describes as fun, intelligent and an all around good friend. Unaware anything was wrong, Harrison went to work the next day, then later visited his sister. On his way home he received a text message from his
step mother, asking if he knew where Harold was. Earlier, Harold told his wife he was going for a bike ride, but had yet to come home. “I just knew something was wrong when she texted me and said he didn’t have his phone. He always takes his phone with him,” said Harrison. “The first thought that came to my mind was he went on a bike ride, he’s been gone all day and he’s in a ditch somewhere and probably hurt. I didn’t think anything more than that, but it’s still a terrible feeling just to think about that.” The following hours were spent searching the Galloping Goose Trail where Harold said he was going for a ride. Later that day, however, a man closely matching Harold’s description was seen leaving Victoria on the Coho ferry, sparking police to expand their search to include the Port Angeles Police Department. PlEASE SEE: Son frustrated, Page A3
Don Denton/Victoria News
See through sign Sparks fly inside the information sign outside the Save-On-Foods Memorial Centre on Blanshard Street as a worker grinds down metal on the roof during work on the structure.
Two little pigs closer to returning home Kendra Wong Victoria News
A Vic West man fighting to have outdated city bylaws changed is one step closer to bringing his potbelly pigs back home. For the last four months, Mike Downey has been visiting his two potbelly pigs Athena and Vishnu at a farm in Brentwood Bay on the west side of the Saanich Peninsula. Downey was forced to get rid of his pets after the City of Victoria told him
they are in violation of city bylaws and threatened him with a $250 fine for every day the animals remained in the home. However, living on a farm hasn’t been easy for the two domesticated pigs, who have lived with Downey for just over three years. Downey said the pigs have gained significant weight from the unlimited amount of grass theyOUhave access to. E H S N 2-4 PEN used U to the warmth Both pigs, who Oare S D T AN of a home, haveSAnot adapted to living in a horse stall, so Downey set up a tent and tarp with sleeping bags and pillows
to keep them warm. Vishnu, the larger of the two pigs, has also developed breathing problems. “This tears me apart inside, mentally. Every time I go outside with my clothes on and I feel as though it’s cold, all I can think about is how much they must be suffering,” Downey said. “It’s the most bothersome issue for me to know that my pigs aren’t healthy or happy . . . it’s been one of the worst winters of my life.” PlEASE SEE: Councillor supportive, Page A3
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