Category Archives: Nanaimo
Nanaimo judge fines fishing guide for sloppy record-keeping
NANAIMO - A routine inspection last summer netted a guide a costly fine. Ruzheng Ma, 71, was sentenced last month at provincial court in Nanaimo after he pleaded guilty to a pair of fisheries act viol...
Sep 7, 2026 A fishing trip cost a guide roughly $16,000 after Ruzheng Ma was fined and has to refund his guests the value of 20 confiscated fishing rods. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Parksville emergency number being 'spoofed' by scammers
PARKSVILLE - Scammers appear to be targeting Oceanside residents by using a local emergency management number. The City of Parksville is reporting an uptick in residents receiving calls, apparently co...
Sep 6, 2026 The City of Parksville says they've seen an uptick in reports of spoofed calls being received by local residents. Scammers are using an emergency management number owned by the City to try and trick people out of money or personal information. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Free youth ridership program begins across RDN Transit system
NANAIMO - All youth across the mid-Island will ride for free on transit, beginning this weekend. A program approved by the Regional District of Nanaimo Board in April will see free annual Umo passes m...
Sep 6, 2026 Fall transit schedules come into effect on Sunday, coupled with the launch of a new program offering free transit for youth aged 13 to 18 years old across the Regional District. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
'It's just grown so much, it's amazing:' hundreds of Nanaimo kids get their Fresh Start
NANAIMO - Hundreds of local kids are receiving the freshest possible start to a new school year. The 12th annual Fresh Start event was held Saturday, Sept. 5, in downtown Nanaimo at Diana Krall Plaza ...
Sep 5, 2026 Dave Lawrence's 12th annual Fresh Start drew hundreds to Diana Krall Plaza in downtown Nanaimo and the adjoining Vancouver Island Regional Library Nanaimo Harbourfront branch on Saturday, for free haircuts and back-to-school supplies. (Image Credit: Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Mail-in voting applications available for upcoming local election
NANAIMO - Mid Island local governments have mail-in voting packages available for those hoping to take advantage of the option ahead of next month's general local election.A Friday, Sept. 4 City of Na...
Sep 4, 2026 Mail-in ballot applications are an alternate voting option for next month's local election. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)
'It's amazing:' back-to-school donations piling high for Nanaimo's Fresh Start
NANAIMO - With Saturday being the big day, a local barber thinks this year's Fresh Start will be his best year ever.Back for its 12th year, Fresh Start offers free back-to-school haircuts and a collec...
Sep 4, 2026 Dave Lawrence is getting ready to cut hundreds of kids' hair during the 12th annual Fresh Start event on Saturday, Sep. 5, at Diana Krall Plaza in downtown Nanaimo. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Child exploitation warrant leads to major Nanaimo drug bust
NANAIMO - Police probing indications of child sex abuse/exploitation material uploaded by a Nanaimo man unexpectedly morphed into a substantial drug trafficking investigation. Angelo Anthony Banez, 34...
Sep 4, 2026 Angelo Anthony Banez, 34, was jailed for over nine years following a significant drug and child sex abuse/exploitation material bust at his townhouse unit off Wakesiah Ave. in the fall of 2023. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
'Drug traffickers just got an eviction notice:' new 250 Terminal housing to be recovery focused
NANAIMO - Loud and prolonged calls from local officials and advocates regarding a supportive housing complex in the city have finally been answered.The provincial government confirmed on Thursday, Sep...
Sep 3, 2026 To be re-addressed at 250 Bryden St., new housing construction at 250 Terminal Ave. will be dry and recovery-focused thanks to a change in direction from the provincial government. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)
'Ready to work:' Third generation police puppy joins Nanaimo RCMP
NANAIMO - Local Mounties are welcoming their newest member in training, despite being only three months old. Basko is a German Shepherd puppy and is currently training in Nanaimo to become a Police Se...
Sep 3, 2026 Three-month-old Basko is the Nanaimo RCMP's newest recruit, being trained locally for the next few years with hopes of following in the paw prints of his father and grandfather. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Man sentenced for violent, random north Nanaimo stabbing
NANAIMO - A troubled man impacted by severe trauma and substance misuse began stabbing a victim unknown to him following a brief confrontation last summer.A sentencing hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 2, i...
Sep 2, 2026 The complex background of 26-year-old offender Kyeuno Patterson of Nanaimo was outlined during a sentencing hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 2 in Nanaimo. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)