Category Archives: Nanaimo
RDN does not expect lowered Witchcraft Lake to lead to groundwater loss
NANAIMO - Recent mandated dam-clearing work at a lake on the lower slopes of Mount Benson is not expected to have notable impacts on scarce local groundwater inventory, according to the Regional Distr...
Jan 24, 2026 Vegetation, debris and trees were removed late in 2025 from Witchcraft Lake Dam, allowing increased flows down McGarrigle Creek, and thus lowering Witchcraft Lake. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Permit renewed for downtown Parksville condo development
PARKSVILLE - Plans to put condos on an undeveloped lot near downtown Parksville are in the works once again. A development permit was reissued for a currently vacant lot at 440 Island Hwy. W, just nor...
Jan 24, 2026 Artist rendering of what a development at 440 Island Hwy. W, just north of Parksville's downtown core will look like, after it had a development permit which previously lapsed reissued. (Image Credit: City of Parksville)
'Heavy smoke' from downtown Nanaimo fire in vacant commercial building
NANAIMO - No injuries were reported after a fire in an unoccupied commercial building in Nanaimo's Old City Quarter neighbourhood. Fire crews were called to the building at 395 Selby St near Franklyn ...
Jan 23, 2026 Nobody was inside when a commercial building caught fire in Nanaimo's Old City Quarter on Friday afternoon. (Image Credit: Nanaimo Fire Rescue)
'We cannot take on anymore:' Qualicum council pushing back on projects amid Eaglecrest redevelopment
QUALICUM BEACH - Following purchase of the property in late 2025, planning is consuming considerable time for staff navigating a major redevelopment of the Eaglecrest Golf Course lands.The Town of Qua...
Jan 23, 2026 The Town of Qualicum Beach is continuing to chip away at the all-encompassing challenge of redeveloping Eaglecrest Golf Course lands, which were acquired in late 2025. (Image Credit: Eaglecrest Golf Coast/Town of Qualicum Beach)
Alberni residents rally after racist imagery painted over Residential School memorial
PORT ALBERNI - Racist graffiti left for a third time on a key marker of Residential School remembrance in the community is causing locals to say enough is enough. Vandals attacked The Orange Bridge on...
Jan 23, 2026 Community members showed up in large numbers to help cover up racist symbols left on a Residential School memorial bridge in Port Alberni this week. (Image Credit: David Wiwchar/93.3 The Peak)
Nanaimo anglers and fishing guides worried about potential changes to Salmon Allocation Policy
NANAIMO - Anglers, tour guides and conservation groups are more than concerned about potential changes to rules around salmon fishing, saying British Columbians fishing rights could be eroded. The Dep...
Jan 23, 2026 Concerns are being raised about potential changes to the federal Salmon Allocation Policy, with advocates saying Canadians' right to fishing could be "extinguished." (Dreamstime)
Community-powered Repair Cafe returns to Qualicum Beach
QUALICUM BEACH - A complimentary fix-it event for everything from old appliances to refurbished clothing has been a big hit in Qualicum Beach. The volunteer-driven Oceanside Repair Cafe returns on Sat...
Jan 22, 2026 Another edition of Oceanside Repair Cafe returns to Qualicum Beach on Saturday, Jan. 24. (Image Credit: Oceanside Repair Cafe )
Nanaimo Mounties seek man believed to be actively evading arrest
NANAIMO - Local Mounties are continuing their months-long search for a man wanted on break and enter charges.Riley David Quin, 45, is wanted in connection with a December 2022 break and enter at Ancho...
Jan 22, 2026 45-year-old Riley David Quin is wanted by Nanaimo RCMP in connection to a December 2022 break and enter at a local family medical clinic on Waddington Rd. (Image Credit: Nanaimo RCMP)
'It just took off like wildfire:' health foundation fundraiser shatters expectations
NANAIMO - Despite a languishing economy and competing winter holiday season priorities, mid Islanders stepped up to the plate. Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation (NDHF) recently capped its two-m...
Jan 22, 2026 A fundraising campaign far exceeded expectations for the Nanaimo District Hospital Foundation in their quest to build a senior-friendly ER at NRGH. (Image Credit: File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
'Can't really be viewed as good news:' 2025 third hottest year on record, with more heat expected
NANAIMO - It'll likely be one of the hottest years on record, a trend expected to continue for at least the next five years. That's according to the latest report from Environment and Climate Change C...
Jan 21, 2026 A new report from Environment and Climate Change Canada says 2025 was among the hottest three years on record, with the trend not expected to cool off in the coming years. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)