Category Archives: Nanaimo

Nanaimo's Port Theatre expansion dreams dashed after funding falls through
NANAIMO - A long-sought after expansion to downtown Nanaimo's Port Theatre has hit a major stumbling block. The Port Theatre Society had applied to the Investing in Community Infrastructure Program to...
Mar 25, 2020 Plans for a major expansion to the Port Theatre, featuring a new rehearsal space and up to 240 seats, wasn't selected for funding. (Google Earth)

COVID-19 cases on Vancouver Island rise slightly to 47
NANAIMO - The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Vancouver Island continues to steadily rise. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced there are now 47 confirmed cases of the respira...
Mar 25, 2020 Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases on Vancouver Island continues to rise. (CBC)

Province announces $500 a month to help impacted COVID-19 tenants and landlords
NANAIMO - Measures will soon be in place to help renters and landlords struggling to pay their bills in the COVID-19 pandemic. Premier John Horgan and housing minister Selina Robinson announced and de...
Mar 25, 2020 B.C. premier John Horgan announced a $500 a month aid package for those worried about paying rent during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Gov't of B.C.)

Nanaimo blood donation clinics fill up as residents take message to heart
NANAIMO - The message "It's in you to give" is being heard loud and clear by people living in the Nanaimo area.All three blood donation clinics scheduled for March 31, April 1 and 2 in Nanaimo are nea...
Mar 25, 2020 Blood donation clinics in Nanaimo are fully booked for later in March. (submitted/Canadian Blood Services)

Vancouver Island COVID-19 cases hit 44 as number of recovered cases jumps
NANAIMO - The number of people on Vancouver Island who've contracted COVID-19 continues to steadily rise. Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, in her daily press conference, said five new cases...
Mar 24, 2020 Dr. Bonnie Henry announcing the number of people who's recovered from COVID-19 has jumped dramatically in recent days. (BC Government)

Number of RDN Transit buses limited in response to COVID-19
NANAIMO - Unused bus routes are being curtailed throughout the RDN as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. BC Transit announced on Tuesday, March 24 the service will switch to summer schedules, which feat...
Mar 24, 2020 There will be less RDN Transit buses on the road as unused routes are curtailed. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Nanaimo and mid-island school playgrounds now off limits
NANAIMO - The last playgrounds still open for families feeling the pressure of social distancing are now closed. The Nanaimo Ladysmith School District, Qualicum School District and Alberni School Dist...
Mar 24, 2020 The last playgrounds open during the COVID-19 crisis are now closed after both SD68 and SD69 made the decision to close school playgrounds. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Wild armed robbery goes off the rails in Nanaimo, one man charged
NANAIMO - A man was arrested following a bizarre botched armed robbery at the 7-Eleven convenience store in Harewood.Nanaimo RCMP said it happened Friday, March 20 at 4:30 p.m. when the man walked int...
Mar 24, 2020 An attempted robbery in Harewood lead to a comedy of errors for the would-be thief. The 29-year-old man faces charges and a June court appearance. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

City of Nanaimo shuts down sports courts, other outdoor rec amenities
NANAIMO - Further closures from the City of Nanaimo have been announced in efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.All of the City's outdoor sports courts, skateboard parks, bike parks and gated dog pa...
Mar 23, 2020 The pickleball court at Beban Park is one of several popular sports courts now closed by the City of Nanaimo. (Dan Marshall/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Province announces $5 billion COVID-19 aid package
NANAIMO - B.C.'s Finance Minister described a multi-billion dollar aid fund as an initial step in providing financial relief to British Columbians during the COVID-19 crisis.Carole James unveiled the ...
Mar 23, 2020 Finance Minister Carole James said a $5 billion dollar fund is an initial start to help British Columbians recover from the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. (The Canadian Press)