Category Archives: Nanaimo
Nanaimo rents continue bucking national reduction trends
NANAIMO - Despite consistent year-over-year drops in most parts of the country, rents continue rising in the Harbour City. The March 2026 Rentals.ca report, released Monday, March 9, shows average ren...
Mar 10, 2026 Rental rates in Nanaimo continue to rise year over year, despite big drops in other communities across B.C. and Canada (Image Credit: Dreamstime)
Alleged Parksville COVID vaccine violator wins court battle
NANAIMO - Accused of not being properly vaccinated and lying about it, a former mid-Island health professional has been found not guilty of a pair of provincial Public Health Act charges. Diana Paloma...
Mar 10, 2026 A judge believed a former Parksville health professional Diana Paloma Ramirez, despite the BC Prosecution Service contending she was not properly vaccinated and lied about her vaccination status. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Approval process for Snuneymuxw to vote in Nanaimo elections starts soon
NANAIMO - Approval is being sought from local voters to allow on-reserve members of Snuneymuxw First Nation (SFN) to participate and vote in City elections. The joint application from the City and SFN...
Mar 09, 2026 The City of Nanaimo is launching an alternative approval process on Wednesday, March 11, asking for voter approval to allow on-reserve members of Snuneymuxw First Nation to vote in local, municipal elections. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Traffic delays near Nanaimo hospital's main entrance
NANAIMO - Expect vehicular traffic delays this week around the main entrance of Nanaimo Regional General Hospital (NRGH). Starting Tuesday, March 10, BC Hydro crews along Dufferin Cres. will be workin...
Mar 09, 2026 Expect some delays along Dufferin Cres. in front of the main entrance of NRGH this week, as BC Hydro installs power lines for the under-construction Nanaimo Cancer Centre. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Concept plans for Norwell refit include roundabouts, bigger transit exchange
NANAIMO - Roundabouts, an expanded transit exchange and narrower crossing distances are all envisioned in early concept plans for a revamped Norwell Dr. The City has begun a second round of public con...
Mar 09, 2026 A widened transit exchange, coupled with new roundabouts and shorter crossing distances are all included in early planning for a revamp of Norwell Dr., next to Country Club Centre. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)
'Many of these people have been living in vans:' Bowser seniors' housing complex opens
BOWSER - A difference-making independent housing facility north of Qualicum Beach is open. Lighthouse Villa offers seniors 65-years-old and up affordable rent in a 22-unit single-storey unfurnished de...
Mar 08, 2026 Conveniently located in Bowser's village core beside Magnolia Court, Lighthouse Villa opened on March 1. (Image Credit: Bowser Seniors Housing Society)
Final 'spring forward' to bring new routines and challenges for B.C.
NANAIMO - Clocks are about to change in B.C. for the final time in the foreseeable future.The annual spring forward time change, into Daylight Saving Time, will happen at 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 8 wit...
Mar 07, 2026 Clocks will spring forward one hour early Sunday morning, and stay there for the foreseeable future with no November 'fall back' planned. (Image Credit: Dreamstime)
'Get their hands dirty:' PreVIU Days gives future students a university sneak peek
NANAIMO - Vancouver Island University is offering prospective students of all ages a chance to get hands-on experience with several of their programs, absolutely free of charge. PreVIU Days runs from ...
Mar 06, 2026 Vancouver Island University is hosting PreVIU Days from March 9-22, a chance for potential VIU students to get a taste of their preferred program at no cost. (Image Credit: VIU)
RDN completes $1.3M purchase of former French Creek School site
COOMBS - The site of the former French Creek School is now in the hands of the Regional District of Nanaimo. The RDN announced on Thursday, March 5, the successful purchase of the 3.7-hectare site, lo...
Mar 06, 2026 The Regional District of Nanaimo has completed its $1.3M purchase of the former French Creek School site, located at 2350 Alberni Hwy. in Coombs. (Image Credit: RDN)
Port Theatre cancels scheduled Nanaimo performance from controversial comedian
NANAIMO - Following public outcry and Council direction to review its booking practices, the Port Theatre will not host a controversial entertainer later this month. The scheduled March 21 Ben Bankas ...
Mar 05, 2026 A now removed event listing from the Port Theatre's website featured Ben Bankas' performance, scheduled for March 21. The event will no longer be held at the venue. (Image Credit: Port Theatre)