Category Archives: Nanaimo
Local graffiti artist spreads 'stay strong' message in downtown Nanaimo
NANAIMO - A largely deserted corner of Nanaimo's downtown core recently got a much-welcomed splash of colour from a local graffiti artist. Hugo Bedard, a line cook at Modern Cafe, got the assignment f...
Apr 05, 2020 Hugo Bedard's artwork spreads a 'stay strong' message on boarded up doors of the Modern Cafe in downtown Nanaimo. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Early release for non-violent offenders under review, prison officials implement COVID-19 response plan
NANAIMO - Early release for certain prisoners is one of numerous changes impacting the province's prison and judicial system during the evolving COVID-19 pandemic.Risk assessments are underway to dete...
Apr 04, 2020 BC Corrections is reviewing the suitability of releasing certain non-violent prisoners early to ease inmate populations amid the COVID-19 health crisis. It's not known if any NCC inmates have or will be granted early release. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Two more cases of COVID-19 confirmed on Vancouver Island
NANAIMO - The number of COVID-19 cases on Vancouver Island has increased for the second consecutive day. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced two new cases of the virus in the Island H...
Apr 04, 2020 Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases on Vancouver Island continues to rise. (CBC)
'Catastrophic' water main break closes portion of Bowen Road, some residents without water
NANAIMO - A large water main rupture described by a city official as the most significant in recent memory is expected to close southbound traffic on a portion of Bowen Rd for one week. Bill Sims, Nan...
Apr 04, 2020 Soutbound traffic on Bowen Rd. between Meredith Rd. and Dufferin Cres. is expected to be closed for roughly one week after a substantial water main break on the evening of Friday, April 3. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Water main break transforms Nanaimo's Bowen Rd. into running river
NANAIMO - A water main break along one of Nanaimo's busiest corridors snarled evening traffic on Friday, April 3.Shortly before 7 p.m., a water main broke along Bowen Rd. near the intersection with Du...
Apr 03, 2020 The intersection of Bowen Rd. and Dufferin Cres. was inundated with water on Friday evening following a water main burst. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)
COVID-19 cases on Vancouver Island rise slightly for only third time this week
NANAIMO - The rise of COVID-19 cases on Vancouver Island appears to be slowing. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced two new cases of the respiratory virus on Vancouver Island, bringin...
Apr 03, 2020 Dr. Bonnie Henry announcing two more confirmed COVID-19 cases on Vancouver Island. (Gov't of BC)
Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay BC Ferries route nixed during COVID-19 pandemic
NANAIMO - Ferry travel to and from Nanaimo will soon be severely limited as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. BC Ferries announced new routes starting Saturday, April 4. The entire Departure Bay to Hor...
Apr 03, 2020 There will soon only be four sailings from Nanaimo to the Lower Mainland during the COVID-19 pandemic. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Nanaimo RCMP respond with guns drawn to Port Place Mall
NANAIMO - A serious police presence was called to the Port Place Shopping Centre for what ended up being a "ridiculous" false alarm. Cst. Gary O'Brien said a firearms call at the downtown mall came in...
Apr 03, 2020 Nanaimo RCMP officers found a 45-year-old man who'd thrown away a broken pellet gun, not someone with a workable firearm at Port Place Shopping Centre. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Confusion reigns as Nanaimo council decides how to help the homeless during pandemic
NANAIMO - Motions on the fly, amendments to those motions and fatigue took their toll on Nanaimo councillors when discussing how to handle the COVID-19 pandemic. "This is not a good way to make public...
Apr 03, 2020 Nanaimo councillors led a roundtable of confusion about how to better communication with service providers and direct staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. (file photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
First 2 COVID-19 deaths on Vancouver Island announced
NANAIMO - The first two deaths on Vancouver Island have been recorded from the evolving COVID-19 health crisis.Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry made the announcement during her daily media b...
Apr 02, 2020 Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced the first two deaths on Vancouver Island from COVID-19. Health Minister Adrian Dix said 8 people with the virus are currently in hospital on Vancouver Island. (B.C. Government)