Category Archives: Nanaimo

Province announces two additional COVID-19 cases on Vancouver Island, 472 total in British Columbia
NANAIMO - The provincial health officer has confirmed 48 new cases of COVID-19 in British Columbia.Included in the new cases are two additional cases in the Island Health region, bringing the total to...
Mar 23, 2020 Dr. Bonnie Henry announced two new cases of COVID-19 on Vancouver Island. (Government of B.C.)

Renowned track & field champion, longtime Nanaimo educator passes away
NANAIMO - A well known Nanaimo educator and decorated track and field star has passed away.Phil Olsen, 63, died Sunday March 15 after suffering a heart attack while collecting firewood in the Nanaimo ...
Mar 23, 2020 Phil Olsen of Nanaimo built a distinguished athletic career as a javelin thrower, which included an appearance in the finals of the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal. He was an 11-time Canadian champion. (Nancy Olsen)

Free animal clinic celebrating one year in Nanaimo
NANAIMO - A beloved animal clinic for those without the cash to pay vet bills is celebrating a milestone. The Helping Paws community clinic has run once a month at St. Peter's Church for a year, with ...
Mar 22, 2020

City of Nanaimo close all playgrounds after public comments, concerns
NANAIMO - City officials have followed the lead of other municipalities in the region, along with pressure from Nanaimo residents and shut down playgrounds during the COVID-19 pandemic.On Friday, Marc...
Mar 21, 2020 The City of Nanaimo has closed all playgrounds under its control as a measure to stop the transmission of COVID-19. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

18th annual Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival cancelled over COVID-19 concerns
NANAIMO - There won't be dozens of dragon boats in Nanaimo waters and hundreds of spectators watching this summer. The annual Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival, in its 18th year, is cancelled for 2020. "Th...
Mar 21, 2020 Dozens of dragon boats won't be in the water this year as social distancing becomes the dominant way to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. (submitted/Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival)

Seven new cases of COVID-19 confirmed on Vancouver Island, salons and tattoo parlours ordered to close
NANAIMO - The provincial health officer has confirmed 74 new cases of COVID-19 in the province including seven new cases on Vancouver Island. The announcement from Dr. Bonnie Henry brings the total of...
Mar 21, 2020

'There's nothing to compare this to:' tourism operators struggle to navigate COVID-19 uncertainty
NANAIMO - Local hospitality providers are being forced into survival mode as social distancing and self-isolation become common practices to fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Several area restaurants have ...
Mar 21, 2020 The Grand Hotel in Nanaimo is one of dozens of hospitality providers struggling to navigate the constantly changing COVID-19 pandemic. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Fund established for overwhelmed and critical Nanaimo service providers
NANAIMO - Service providers at the frontlines of helping vulnerable populations are being overwhelmed as the COVID-19 crisis escalates. Signy Madden, executive director of the United Way Central and N...
Mar 20, 2020 The Local Love in a Global Crisis Fund aims to help overwhelmed service providers who are on the frontlines of care. (UWCNVI)

Vancouver Island cases of COVID-19 reach 30, dining in restaurants now banned
NANAIMO - The total number of COVID-19 cases on Vancouver Island has reach 30, with eight new cases announced by the province on Friday, March 20. It brings the total of confirmed cases in British Col...
Mar 20, 2020

City of Parksville shuts down playgrounds to reduce COVID-19 transmission
PARKSVILLE - All playgrounds under the City of Parksville's control are closed indefinitely in a bid to help slow the spread of COVID-19.The Friday announcement from the City is effective immediately ...
Mar 20, 2020 All City of Parksville playgrounds are closed indefinitely. The order applies to playgrounds on City property and does not cover school district property or other public parks and trails in Parksville. (Alex Rawnley/NanaimoNewsNOW)