Category Archives: Nanaimo
Extensive lines, traffic backlogs for free dirt donation by Nanaimo's Milner Group
NANAIMO - People eager to get their hands on some free top soil turned out in droves, causing extensive traffic backlogs in north Nanaimo on Saturday, April 11. The dirt was donated by the Milner Grou...
Apr 11, 2020 Over 1,000 vehicles lined up at Milner Group's loading yard on Biggs Road on Saturday, April 11 to receive free top soil from the company. (Kyle Ireland/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Nanaimo singer's quest to be an American Idol halted by COVID-19 pandemic
NANAIMO - A local singer is forced to trade the big stages of Hawaii and Hollywood for kayaking and hiking on Vancouver Island.Nanaimo-based singer and American Idol top 20 contestant Lauren Spencer-S...
Apr 11, 2020 Lauren Spencer-Smith (6th from left, front) with fellow top 20 competitors in Hawaii during the current season of American Idol (Lauren Spencer-Smith Facebook)
Two additional cases of COVID-19 on Vancouver Island, Easter travel discouraged
VICTORIA - There have been two new cases of COVID-19 reported in the Island Health region in the past 24 hours.Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, along with health minister Adrian Dix gave th...
Apr 10, 2020 Dr. Bonnie Henry presented her daily update for Friday, April 10 via press release, confirming two additional cases of COVID-19 on Vancouver Island. (BC Government Flickr)
Nanaimo's Salvation Army brings meal program outdoors
NANAIMO - Stomachs don't have to go empty during the COVID-19 crisis.Salvation Army Nanaimo recently put their emergency vehicle outfront the New Hope Centre in downtown Nanaimo to continue their meal...
Apr 10, 2020 The Salvation Army has called in their emergency response truck to serve meals. (submitted/Salvation Army)
Nanaimo churches gear up for online sermons over Easter weekend
NANAIMO - A major holiday in the religious calendar will look vastly different this year.Local churches forced to cancel their regular Easter sermons are expecting high-demand for their live-streamed ...
Apr 10, 2020 Generations Church in Nanaimo has increased its live streaming production after mass gatherings were prohibited due to COVID-19. (Generations Church Nanaimo Instagram)
P.E. classes focus on mental, physical health during self isolation
NANAIMO - Physical education teachers in School District 68 are looking to strike a balance between mental wellness and physical activity as they chart a path for a new curriculum.The COVID-19 pandemi...
Apr 09, 2020 School gyms in the mid island will remain empty for the foreseeable future but teachers are working on ways to keep students active at home. (SD68)
User rate payment deadlines extended as COVID-19 financial fallout comes into focus for Nanaimo City Hall
NANAIMO - Payment deadlines for user rate bills will be extended for all property owners.Nanaimo city council on Thursday, April 9 unanimously endorsed allowing property owners pay their user rate bil...
Apr 09, 2020 Nanaimo councillors grappled with major financial decisions from afar during a special meeting on Thursday, April 9. (City of Nanaimo)
COVID-19 cases rises slightly on Vancouver Island, while number of deaths in B.C. hits 50
NANAIMO - One new case of COVID-19 was confirmed on Vancouver Island for a total of 82 as the rate of the virus's growth province-wide continues to slow.Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry repo...
Apr 09, 2020 Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry reported two new deaths for a total of 50 due to COVID-19 during her daily update on Thursday, April 9. (B.C. Government)
Use of free shower program soars during COVID-19 pandemic
NANAIMO - The lineup outside a shower facility in a Nanaimo park is growing by the day. The program, run by the Unitarian Shelter at Caledonia Park and funded by the City of Nanaimo, is the only way f...
Apr 09, 2020 The number of people lining up each day from Monday to Friday for a free shower is growing rapidly. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Confirmed cases of COVID-19 grow slightly on Vancouver Island, hospitalizations decrease
NANAIMO - The province has reported two additional cases of COVID-19 on Vancouver Island. Dr. Bonnie Henry confirmed the additional positive test results in the Island Health region on Wednesday, Apri...
Apr 08, 2020 Dr. Bonnie Henry speaks from the press theatre in the Parliament Building in Victoria, delivering her daily COVID-19 update. (BC Government Flickr)