Category Archives: Nanaimo
Thousands of young students participate in longstanding Nanaimo event
NANAIMO - Well clear of 3,000 School District 68 students are taking part in inclusive, low-pressure events designed to get kids moving. Healthamongus, now in its 19th year, features elementary-aged s...
May 11, 2026 There's smiles aplenty at the annual Healthamongus event happening at Harewood Centennial Park this week. (Image Credit: City of Nanaimo)
'About as bad as it could be:' scarce snow increasing mid-Island drought concerns
NANAIMO - Mountain snowpack levels on Vancouver Island continue to be one of lowest in the province, a steep decline compared to this time last year. According to the May 1 report from the Ministry of...
May 11, 2026 Vancouver Island still has the lowest average snowpack levels in the province at 27 per cent of normal as of May 1, while the provincial average is at 83 per cent. (Image Credit: File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Property tax rates being locked in across mid-Island communities
NANAIMO - Property tax rate changes either already have, or are being locked in this week, ahead of a Friday deadline. Municipal and regional governments have until May 15 to submit their updated five...
May 11, 2026 Financial plans and associated property tax increases must be locked in before a May 15 deadline, with local and regional Councils and Boards finalizing their processes this week. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Asbestos contractor botched Ladysmith & Chemainus projects
NANAIMO - Described as disregarding the most basic regulations, a judge found a contractor guilty of several Workers Compensation Act violations he faced. Since dissolved Absolutely Above All Hazmat S...
May 10, 2026 After a mountain of evidence was presented at trial, contractor Christopher John Young was convicted of nine Workers Compensation Act violations related to residential asbestos removal projects in Ladysmith and Chemainus late in 2021. (Image Credit: Dreamstime)
VIDEO: Mid-Island fire departments hold first-ever group training exercise
NANAIMO - A massive exercise involving a majority of the regional fire departments looked to refine wildfire skills ahead of what's forecast to be a busy season. Crews from Nanaimo Fire Rescue, along ...
May 09, 2026 Firefighters from Nanaimo Fire Rescue and the surrounding volunteer departments gathered for wildland training at the Nanaimo Military Camp on Saturday. (Image Credit: Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)
30th anniversary season kicking off for Cedar Farmers Market
NANAIMO - The unofficial start of summer across the mid-Island comes Sunday.The Cedar Farmers Market will open up its 30th anniversary season on Sunday, May 10, its traditional Mother's Day start, wit...
May 09, 2026 Thousands of people are expected at the year's first Cedar Farmers Market, with last year's Mother's Day opener setting a new record for attendance at the event. (Image Credit: File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
'There was just no nuance:' Gabriola advocates praise BC Ferries change on damaged EVs
GABRIOLA ISLAND - A change in procedure from BC Ferries is being welcomed by drivers of electric vehicles on island communities. Beginning Tuesday, May 19, electric vehicles needing to be towed or car...
May 09, 2026 Transportation of immobile electric vehicles will be permitted on board BC Ferries beginning later this month, however any damage to the vehicle cannot impact its frame or battery integrity. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Mole mobile returns to Nanaimo for free skin cancer screenings
NANAIMO - Dermatologists on wheels are returning to the mid-Island this weekend to provide free skin cancer screenings in honour of May being Melanoma Awareness month. Put on by Melanoma Canada, toget...
May 08, 2026 The Mobile Mole clinic is back on the mid-Island this weekend, offering free, drop-in skin checks for skin cancer. (Image Credit: Mole Mobile on Facebook)
Nanaimo remains among dwindling number of cities with increasing rents
NANAIMO - The tide appears to be turning for renters nationwide, with the Harbour City lagging behind much of the country. Rentals.ca published their May 2026 National Rent Report, showing a 4.7 per c...
May 08, 2026 Rental rates in Nanaimo continue to see year-over-year increases, despite a growing number of Canadian cities and communities seeing substantial drops. (Image Credit: Dreamstime)
'One of my bucket list items:' Nanaimo RCMP rider lining up for 2026 Tour de Rock
NANAIMO - Cst. Josh Waltman acknowledges the training is difficult, but his struggles on two wheels are nothing compared to kids battling severe illness and the impact on their families. Waltman, a me...
May 08, 2026 Cst. Josh Waltman of the Nanaimo RCMP detachment will represent the mid-Island during the 2026 Tour de Rock, beginning mid-September. (Image Credit: Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)