Category Archives: Nanaimo
Brain-injured offender sentenced for series of Nanaimo crimes
NANAIMO - A troubled childhood, traumatic brain injury, and substance abuse culminated in a downward spiral for a Nanaimo man. Mathew James Roberts, 26, was recently handed a nine-month time-served ja...
Jul 6, 2026 An early morning June 9, 2025 arson at the Wakesiah Ave. Esso service station represented the most serious offence by a brain-injured man's extended run-ins with the law. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Nanaimo's Rotary Bowl partially closed for major upgrades
NANAIMO - Construction has started at Nanaimo's Rotary Bowl to enhance several areas of the heavily used site. They include a new high jump area in a more central location, a new pole vault track, a s...
Jul 5, 2026 Work has already started at Nanaimo's Rotary Bowl Track and Field facility, with improvements planned for multiple areas. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Valued Nanaimo thrift store saved
NANAIMO -A pillar of Nanaimo's Harewood neighbourhood facing imminent closure has been resurrected.It turns out the new owners weren't far away.Local residents Matthew Mikolas and his fiance Khyara Hi...
Jul 4, 2026 Formerly known as Deni's Dynamite Deals, a well known fixture of Nanaimo's Harewood community will continue its tradition of community service under new owners. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Treasured Qualicum Beach lodge re-opens
QUALICUM BEACH - Destined to be torn down, a Qualicum Beach landmark was saved by sheer determination.St. Andrews Lodge, a modest and long-closed waterfront resort dating back to 1938 on Island Hwy. W...
Jul 3, 2026 St. Andrews Lodge, with notable English-inspired design elements, is back to its former glory. (Image Credit: Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)
'A lot of fun:' funds raised for pets in need during Nanaimo SPCA's Lock-in For Love
NANAIMO - Animal lovers spent all last month raising money for their local SPCA, with some spending time behind bars until their fundraising goals could be met.The BC SPCA's 10th annual Lock-in for Lo...
Jul 3, 2026 Almost $10,000 was raised in Nanaimo during the tenth annual Lock-in For Love event, with volunteers spending time ”locked” in kennels with adoptable animals on Saturday, June 27. (Image Credit: BC SPCA Nanaimo)
'Numbers are down:' Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival cancelled
NANAIMO - This year's Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival, scheduled for July 11-12, has been cancelled, with organizers citing a lack of paddlers to put on the event. Organizers say while they had teams reg...
Jul 3, 2026 The Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival, scheduled for July 11-12, has been cancelled this year due to a lack of participants, with organizers citing several reasons for the downturn in paddlers. (Image Credit: Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival)
Despite dry & hot June, forest fire threat held in check for now
NANAIMO - Much of June was a scorcher with multiple daily heat records set for the mid-Island and abroad, however a late-month turnaround helped ease the threat of forest fires. Sam Bellion, fire info...
Jul 3, 2026 Despite the hot weather in June, including a few record-breaking days across the mid-Island, a late-month dip in temperature helped keep the wildfire risk at bay. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNow)
Increased water restrictions coming for Parksville and Ladysmith
PARKSVILLE - While a day of rain was a welcome relief on Thursday, mid-Island communities are still planning to increase their water conservation efforts. Starting Friday, July 3, the City of Parksvil...
Jul 2, 2026 Starting Friday, July 3, the City of Parksville is moving to stage four water restrictions, while the Town of Ladysmith moves up to stage three. (Image Credit: Dreamstime)
'Life is pretty good right now:' Nanaimo's Dylan Coghlan back with Golden Knights
NANAIMO - Unclear if he'd ever get another meaningful shot to live out his childhood dream, things are falling into place for Nanaimo's Dylan Coghlan.The 28-year-old defenceman signed a two-year, one-...
Jul 2, 2026 Armed with a new two-year, one-way contract, 6'2” defenceman Dylan Coghlan is returning to the Vegas Golden Knights. (Image Credit: Vegas Golden Knights)
'Destructive behaviour:' Ladysmith seeks provincial help for ongoing Banon Creek Rd. issues
LADYSMITH - Ongoing issues around illegal camping, dumping and vandalism continue to plague a popular wooded area south of Ladysmith, as the Town calls on the B.C. government for help. On May 19, the ...
Jul 2, 2026 Vandalism to the access gate for the Banon Creek Forest Service Rd. south of Ladysmith has been a recuring issues since mid-May when the Town locked the gates during the week in a bid to protect the area from potential damage caused by encampments. Now, they're asking the province for more help. (Image Credit: Town of Ladysmith)