Samantha Duerksen
@samduerksen.bsky.social
I'm a writer and journalist (Victoria News) with a passion for politics, health and compelling community stories – also editor of Tweed magazine and a feature writer for Boulevard.
Artist and cat sitter on the side. 🖌🐈
Artist and cat sitter on the side. 🖌🐈
Reposted by Samantha Duerksen
Victoria film captures ‘imperfect and messy’ reality of disability and family
vicnews.com/2026/02/04/v...
vicnews.com/2026/02/04/v...
Victoria film captures ‘imperfect and messy’ reality of disability and family - Victoria News
Heart-felt indie film, Mildlife, has Canadian premiere at Victoria Film Festival on Feb. 11
vicnews.com
February 4, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Victoria film captures ‘imperfect and messy’ reality of disability and family
vicnews.com/2026/02/04/v...
vicnews.com/2026/02/04/v...
Had a blast trying some of 64 restaurants at Dine Around's kick-off gala last night.
Dine Around kicks off in Greater Victoria with 11 new participating restaurants
vicnews.com/2026/01/23/d...
vicnews.com/2026/01/23/d...
Dine Around kicks off in Greater Victoria with 11 new participating restaurants - Oak Bay News
It’s Dine Around’s biggest year yet, with over 60 restaurants offering set-price, three-course menus
oakbaynews.com
January 23, 2026 at 9:07 PM
Had a blast trying some of 64 restaurants at Dine Around's kick-off gala last night.
Reposted by Samantha Duerksen
“I found coming back to Sidney, people want to eat in a hurry, get out in a hurry,” Matt Jackson says. “We want people to order a bottle of wine and spend the evening with us, and I’m still trying to teach people here in Sidney to embrace that.”
peninsulanewsreview.com/2026/01/18/s...
peninsulanewsreview.com/2026/01/18/s...
Sidney chef at Atelier sets a new pace - Peninsula News Review
After years in high-pressure kitchens abroad, Matt Jackson has returned home to focus on slow dining
peninsulanewsreview.com
January 19, 2026 at 5:52 PM
“I found coming back to Sidney, people want to eat in a hurry, get out in a hurry,” Matt Jackson says. “We want people to order a bottle of wine and spend the evening with us, and I’m still trying to teach people here in Sidney to embrace that.”
peninsulanewsreview.com/2026/01/18/s...
peninsulanewsreview.com/2026/01/18/s...
Reposted by Samantha Duerksen
Interior architectural designer Alexis Solomon faced a familiar challenge with this Saanich home – helping a modern family find flow, function and beauty.
saanichnews.com/2026/01/18/v...
saanichnews.com/2026/01/18/v...
Victoria designer tips: Creating a beautiful home that flows seamlessly - Saanich News
Alexis Solomon of MINT Freshly Inspired Design helps a modern family find function, flow and beauty
saanichnews.com
January 19, 2026 at 5:58 PM
Interior architectural designer Alexis Solomon faced a familiar challenge with this Saanich home – helping a modern family find flow, function and beauty.
saanichnews.com/2026/01/18/v...
saanichnews.com/2026/01/18/v...
Reposted by Samantha Duerksen
One of the most lopsided results you'll ever see in a poll, from our weekend Washington Post poll www.washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
January 5, 2026 at 3:39 PM
One of the most lopsided results you'll ever see in a poll, from our weekend Washington Post poll www.washingtonpost.com/politics/int...
Reposted by Samantha Duerksen
January 5, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Reposted by Samantha Duerksen
When abuse happens at work: what the Saanich Red Barn case reveals
saanichnews.com/2025/12/19/g...
saanichnews.com/2025/12/19/g...
Group says Saanich voyeurism case brings deeper issues to light - Saanich News
Expert says the case involving non-consensual recordings highlights how employers can prevent abuse
saanichnews.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:09 PM
When abuse happens at work: what the Saanich Red Barn case reveals
saanichnews.com/2025/12/19/g...
saanichnews.com/2025/12/19/g...
Had so much fun working on this one! Amazing looks put together by Emily Hamel of House of Savoy.
Dress code: dazzle. Oak Bay stylist gives 'hostess with the mostest' looks for the holidays. #Tweedmagazine
oakbaynews.com/2025/12/13/d...
oakbaynews.com/2025/12/13/d...
Dress code: dazzle in Greater Victoria - Oak Bay News
House of Savoy owner and stylist Émilie Hamel puts together sparkling holiday looks
oakbaynews.com
December 15, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Had so much fun working on this one! Amazing looks put together by Emily Hamel of House of Savoy.
Reposted by Samantha Duerksen
It all started when Reverend Sr. Ingrid Andersen was “feeling a bit sad” because her son and daughter-in-law were unable to join her at Christmas. “I was thinking nobody should be alone at Christmas ... And I said, you know, I’ve got this crazy idea.”
goldstreamgazette.com/2025/12/13/c...
goldstreamgazette.com/2025/12/13/c...
Colwood church addresses ‘pandemic of loneliness’ with free Christmas lunch - Peninsula News Review
Reverend describes first lunch as ‘most fun I’ve had at a Christmas day since I was a kid’
peninsulanewsreview.com
December 15, 2025 at 4:38 PM
It all started when Reverend Sr. Ingrid Andersen was “feeling a bit sad” because her son and daughter-in-law were unable to join her at Christmas. “I was thinking nobody should be alone at Christmas ... And I said, you know, I’ve got this crazy idea.”
goldstreamgazette.com/2025/12/13/c...
goldstreamgazette.com/2025/12/13/c...
It's the season for soups: here are five tips to throw the coziest of soup parties.
oakbaynews.com/2025/12/14/t...
oakbaynews.com/2025/12/14/t...
December 15, 2025 at 4:27 PM
It's the season for soups: here are five tips to throw the coziest of soup parties.
oakbaynews.com/2025/12/14/t...
oakbaynews.com/2025/12/14/t...
Reposted by Samantha Duerksen
SIPP pitches economic value to Greater Victoria councils amid budget talks
peninsulanewsreview.com/2025/12/11/s...
peninsulanewsreview.com/2025/12/11/s...
SIPP pitches economic value to Greater Victoria councils amid budget talks - Peninsula News Review
CEO Aaron Stone highlights regional accomplishments, new 2030 economic plan and structural challenges
peninsulanewsreview.com
December 11, 2025 at 4:20 PM
SIPP pitches economic value to Greater Victoria councils amid budget talks
peninsulanewsreview.com/2025/12/11/s...
peninsulanewsreview.com/2025/12/11/s...
Reposted by Samantha Duerksen
New calf sighted with B.C.’s endangered orcas a ‘huge, welcome surprise’.
Read more at: vicnews.com/2025/12/10/v...
Read more at: vicnews.com/2025/12/10/v...
December 10, 2025 at 9:08 PM
New calf sighted with B.C.’s endangered orcas a ‘huge, welcome surprise’.
Read more at: vicnews.com/2025/12/10/v...
Read more at: vicnews.com/2025/12/10/v...
Reposted by Samantha Duerksen
The pies must go on: Victoria Pie Co. makes a revival in Greater Victoria
vicnews.com/2025/11/22/t...
vicnews.com/2025/11/22/t...
The pies must go on: Victoria Pie Co. makes a revival in Greater Victoria - Victoria News
A former employee was green lit to continue the legacy of a beloved local business
vicnews.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:23 PM
The pies must go on: Victoria Pie Co. makes a revival in Greater Victoria
vicnews.com/2025/11/22/t...
vicnews.com/2025/11/22/t...
Reposted by Samantha Duerksen
Victoria dives into possibility of expanded Gorge swim dock
vicnews.com/2025/11/25/v...
vicnews.com/2025/11/25/v...
November 25, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Victoria dives into possibility of expanded Gorge swim dock
vicnews.com/2025/11/25/v...
vicnews.com/2025/11/25/v...
Reposted by Samantha Duerksen
November 19, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Reposted by Samantha Duerksen
Victoria Police seek local training academy to ease officer shortage
Read more at: vicnews.com/2025/11/14/v...
Read more at: vicnews.com/2025/11/14/v...
November 17, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Victoria Police seek local training academy to ease officer shortage
Read more at: vicnews.com/2025/11/14/v...
Read more at: vicnews.com/2025/11/14/v...
Reposted by Samantha Duerksen
Victoria opens new 100% donor-funded cancer support centre
Read more at: vicnews.com/2025/11/14/v...
Read more at: vicnews.com/2025/11/14/v...
November 14, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Victoria opens new 100% donor-funded cancer support centre
Read more at: vicnews.com/2025/11/14/v...
Read more at: vicnews.com/2025/11/14/v...
November 11, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Reposted by Samantha Duerksen
A Victoria cancer team is building next-gen ‘sport CARs’ to take on solid tumours, with promising results so far.
vicnews.com/2025/11/06/v...
vicnews.com/2025/11/06/v...
November 7, 2025 at 4:50 PM
A Victoria cancer team is building next-gen ‘sport CARs’ to take on solid tumours, with promising results so far.
vicnews.com/2025/11/06/v...
vicnews.com/2025/11/06/v...
Reposted by Samantha Duerksen
Victoria council is weighing deep program cuts, including funding for Canada Day and the Bike Valet, to keep the city's portion of the tax hike to 4%.
vicnews.com/2025/11/06/v...
vicnews.com/2025/11/06/v...
Victoria council sharpens knives for program cuts to keep tax hike to 4% - Victoria News
Bike valet, Canada Day festivities and youth bus pass among the items on the chopping block
vicnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Victoria council is weighing deep program cuts, including funding for Canada Day and the Bike Valet, to keep the city's portion of the tax hike to 4%.
vicnews.com/2025/11/06/v...
vicnews.com/2025/11/06/v...
Reposted by Samantha Duerksen
Victoria council defeats motion to close supervised drug‑consumption sites
vicnews.com/2025/11/07/v...
vicnews.com/2025/11/07/v...
November 7, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Victoria council defeats motion to close supervised drug‑consumption sites
vicnews.com/2025/11/07/v...
vicnews.com/2025/11/07/v...
Reposted by Samantha Duerksen
Victoria revises affordable housing incentive after low developer interest
vicnews.com/2025/11/10/v...
vicnews.com/2025/11/10/v...
November 10, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Victoria revises affordable housing incentive after low developer interest
vicnews.com/2025/11/10/v...
vicnews.com/2025/11/10/v...
Reposted by Samantha Duerksen
‘Many difficult decisions ahead’: Victoria budget cut talk has begun. Victoria council has agreed to keep the youth bus pass program, but has voted to eliminate other programs.
vicnews.com/2025/11/10/m...
vicnews.com/2025/11/10/m...
‘Many difficult decisions ahead’: Victoria budget cut talk begins - Victoria News
Victoria council has agreed to keep the youth bus pass program, but eliminated other programs
vicnews.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:00 AM
‘Many difficult decisions ahead’: Victoria budget cut talk has begun. Victoria council has agreed to keep the youth bus pass program, but has voted to eliminate other programs.
vicnews.com/2025/11/10/m...
vicnews.com/2025/11/10/m...