Category Archives: Nanaimo
'Just be yourself:' aspiring Nanaimo engineer earns prestigious scholarship
NANAIMO - When Kayla Okada heard the news she'd been selected for the prestigious Loran Scholar Award, she'd already mentally prepared herself for disappointment. "I was so shocked, I started crying o...
Mar 26, 2026 Kayla Okada, 18, will study at UBC this fall in its engineering program, with future goals of joining the space exploration industry. She was one of 34 recipients this year of the prestigious Loran Scholar Award. (Image Credit: Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Several close calls for Parksville homeowners prompts warning from firefighters
PARKSVILLE - Inattentive chefs and overzealous landscapers have kept local firefighters busy in the first three months of the year. Emergency crews were called out to a home on Maple Cres. around 11 a...
Mar 25, 2026 A series of kitchen-related fires from inattentive cooks is prompting a warning from Parksville firefighters, who have attended to an increasing number of similar situations already this year. (Image Credit: Dreamstime)
'A little surprising:' wind damage in Nanaimo not expected by meteorologists
NANAIMO - An overnight windstorm was forecast to hit Vancouver Island, but the damage left behind in some areas surprised meteorologists. Environment Canada data shows wind gusts peaked at just 57 kil...
Mar 25, 2026 Strong winds and stronger gusts came somewhat as a surprise for the Nanaimo region Tuesday evening, resulting in damage to multiple areas of the city. (Image Credit: Port of Nanaimo)
Power back on following intense windstorm through Nanaimo & Oceanside
NANAIMO - Power is restored to a vast majority of BC Hydro customers after an impactful wind storm knocked tens of thousands off the grid.Emergency crews and Hydro crews responded through the night to...
Mar 25, 2026 Downed trees and power lines were a common sight through much of the area, including here on Townsite Rd. Tuesday afternoon and evening, due to a strong windstorm. This tree branch fell on a parked vehicle, no-one was injured. (Image Credit: Tanya Blake)
'DIY tinkerers:' Repair Cafe returns to Nanaimo
NANAIMO - A popular volunteer-based fix-it event is returning to the Harbour City, helping to divert more items from the landfill. Repair Cafe Nanaimo returns on April 11, from 1 to 4 p.m. at St. Andr...
Mar 25, 2026 After an 11-year hiatus, Repair Cafe Nanaimo is returning on April 11, where broken household items can be worked on by volunteer experts, free of charge. (Image Credit: Repair Cafe Nanaimo on Facebook)
Wind storm knocks power out for thousands in Nanaimo & Oceanside
NANAIMO - A strong windstorm has cut thousands of residents across the mid-Island off the grid. BC Hydro reports around 40,000 customers on central and northern Vancouver Island were without electrici...
Mar 24, 2026 Over 25,000 BC Hydro customers are without power Tuesday afternoon, the result of a strong wind storm moving through the region. Trees across wires, such as this one on Departure Bay Rd. in Nanaimo, were a cause of many outages. (Image Credit: Jade Coral)
Potential future Nanaimo Hub location identified, multiple roadblocks remain
NANAIMO - Local organizations working with those living rough in the community believe they've found a long-term home for a community hub, but several challenges remain. Representatives from Nanaimo F...
Mar 24, 2026 Multiple people can be seen outside the Nicol St. entrance to The Hub, which does valuable work in connecting people to healthcare and housing supports, but has also had its challenges with social disorder. It will close March 31, 2026 with no replacement location identified yet. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
VIDEO: 'Gifting me these moments:' Nanaimo woman performs live with Goo Goo Dolls
NANAIMO - A local woman recently had the thrill of a lifetime after being invited on-stage to perform with one of her favourite bands. Sam Hackett, 36, was plucked out of the audience and performed Th...
Mar 24, 2026 Nanaimo resident Sam Hackett (left) performing live with Goo Goo Dolls singer John Rzeznik during the Thursday, March 19 show in Victoria. (Image Credit: Submitted/Sam Hackett)
Nanaimo woman fined after fatal 2024 collision at Woodgrove Centre
NANAIMO - Originally charged with dangerous driving causing death, a local woman will instead pay a fine stemming from a fatal motor vehicle incident in 2024. Jazmin Faye Patenaude, 24, pleaded guilty...
Mar 23, 2026 Jazmin Faye Patenaude walks into the courthouse in Nanaimo on Tuesday, March 17, to appear in connection with a fatal motor vehicle incident at Woodgrove Centre two years prior. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)
55+ BC Games gives over $70,000 to Nanaimo organizations
NANAIMO - A major economic boost is being felt locally, thanks to the Harbour City playing host to a major sporting event last fall. The 55+ BC Games took place in Nanaimo in September, where over 2,7...
Mar 23, 2026 Almost $75,000 has been distributed to Nanaimo organizations thanks to the 55+ BC Games legacy funds, after playing host to the games in September. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)