Category Archives: Nanaimo
Moth eradication paying off in Nanaimo/Oceanside region
NANAIMO - No low-flying, moth-attacking planes will be zooming by again this year in the mid-Vancouver Island region following prior intensive efforts. B.C.'s Ministry of Agriculture and Food identifi...
Jan 19, 2026 The European spongy moth (Lymantria dispar; formerly referred to as gypsy moth) has been the source of ongoing eradication efforts. (Image Credit: (B.C. Ministry of Agriculture and Food))
New chief & fire truck opening new era for Coombs-Hillier fire department
COOMBS - A new fire chief and a new fire engine are ushering in a period of transition and investment for the Coombs-Hilliers Volunteer Fire Department. The Regional District of Nanaimo has appointed ...
Jan 18, 2026 New Coombs-Hilliers Volunteer Fire Department chief Enzo Calla (left) officially receives command of the department from the retired Ron Schildroth (right). (Image Credit: RDN)
RDN closing Arrowsmith SAR funding shortfall while calling for province to do more
NANAIMO - A sizable funding deficit has narrowed considerably for a local search and rescue operation.Facing a $160,000 shortfall in its expenses for 2026, a request made by Arrowsmith Search and Resc...
Jan 18, 2026 Arrowsmith Search and Rescue's $160,000 budget deficit for 2026 is all but gone as the Regional District of Nanaimo stepped up with additional funding, however Board Directors say more from the province is needed. (Image Credit: Arrowsmith Search and Rescue)
Trail grade signage being considered at Nanaimo's Westwood Lake
NANAIMO - New signage may soon be coming to the city's most popular lake spots, so trail users can be more prepared for what's ahead. A pilot project is being proposed for the trail system at Westwood...
Jan 17, 2026 Plans are in the works to add new signage around Nanaimo's Westwood Lake Park to indicate the difficulty of the next trail section. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)
'A lasting legacy:' $5.2 million bridge replacement project slated for Nanaimo-area trail
NANAIMO - Accessibility, usability, and replacement of aging structures are behind a pair of new bridge builds in Cedar. The Regional District of Nanaimo Board gave approval to an estimated $5.2 milli...
Jan 16, 2026 Both the Thatcher Creek (pictured) and Nanaimo River bridges of the Morden Colliery Regional Trail require replacement and will be rebuilt in 2028 after approval by the RDN board this week. (Image Credit: ISL Engineering)
Nanaimo senior jailed for collecting thousands of child abuse images
Editor's note: This article contains details of child sex abuse material. Reader discretion is strongly advised. NANAIMO - A retiree tried to rationalize his substantial child exploitation material ha...
Jan 16, 2026 Lars Friis, 77, during a break in his provincial court sentencing hearing in Nanaimo on Thursday, Jan. 15. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)
'The right thing to do:' red tape around proposed Lantzville long-term care centre clears
LANTZVILLE - Support was unanimous, albeit somewhat muted, for zoning amendments which will allow construction of a much-needed long-term care facility to proceed.District of Lantzville councillors he...
Jan 15, 2026 A proposed long-term care facility in Lantzville has passed third reading for OCP and zoning bylaw amendments, with Island Health needing an exemption for building height and other factors. (Image Credit: Island Health)
Vehicle tracking technology thwarts truck thieves captured north of Nanaimo
PARKSVILLE - Three people accused of stealing a truck from an Oceanside hotel were quickly tracked down thanks to the vehicle's onboard technology.Two men, aged 19 and 31, and a 32-year-old woman are ...
Jan 15, 2026 Oceanside RCMP officers were able to track down a stolen vehicle thanks in large part to the vehicle's manufacturer providing real-time location data after it was reported stolen by its owner. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
'A teacher and a friend:' Nanaimo professor named as victim in Saanich murder
NANAIMO - A Vancouver Island University (VIU) professor is being remembered for her dedication and passion after she tragically lost her life from alleged intimate partner violence. Dr. Laura Gover-Ba...
Jan 15, 2026 41-year-old Dr. Laura Gover-Basar, a VIU professor for over a decade, was found dead in a Saanich home on Jan. 5, and her ex-husband, Muhammed Basar, is facing a murder charge and remains in custody. (Image Credit: GoFundMe)
Push for cath lab & patient tower at Nanaimo hospital including lobby groups, federal government meetings
NANAIMO - Patience continues to wear thin as patients continue to wait in hallways at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital. Calls are increasing for immediate action on a new catheterization lab for card...
Jan 15, 2026 Advocates for much needed improvements at NRGH will be making this case in Ottawa next week. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)