Category Archives: Nanaimo
BC's minimum rate jumps, still well below Nanaimo area living wage
NANAIMO - Steadily climbing over the last several years, another minimum wage boost in B.C. is in effect.However, the newly adopted $18.25 minimum wage in place as of Monday, June 1 for most employees...
Jun 02, 2026 B.C.'s minimum wage recently increased to $18.25 an hour from $17.85. (Image Credit: Dreamstime)
Six arrested south of Nanaimo following lengthy, multi-city highway chase
UPDATE - Nanaimo RCMP report a sixth person was arrested Tuesday in connection to the lengthy chase through the morning hours.Three were released unconditionally, while another three remained in polic...
Jun 02, 2026 Officers block traffic on Timberland Rd. while they search for multiple people following a car thefts in the Comox Valley and subsequent chase down Island on Tuesday, June 2. (Image Credit: Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Nanaimo-bound U.S. healthcare workers facing rental housing roadblock
NANAIMO - What's been a growing infusion of healthcare workers to the mid-Island over the last 12 months is facing a notable roadblock: a lack of pet-friendly rentals.Several healthcare workers who ar...
Jun 02, 2026 American healthcare workers, such as Cassandra Lee (second from right), moving to Nanaimo for work are facing major challenges in finding places to live if they want to bring their pets with them. (Image Credit: Cassandra Lee)
New ferry arrives, slated to serve Nanaimo-Gabriola route this summer
NANAIMO - Leading a group of four new vessels built for smaller inter-island routes, a new ferry to serve the Nanaimo Harbour-Gabriola Island route has arrived. Recently built at a Romanian shipyard, ...
Jun 01, 2026 Island xwsaĺux̌ul has arrived in B.C. waters after leading the first of four new Island Class vessels built in Romania to serve inter-island routes. (Image Credit: BC Ferries)
Severe drought conditions affect Nanaimo, surrounding region
NANAIMO - Much of Vancouver Island is already under severe drought conditions, nearly three weeks out from summer. The B.C. drought portal went live last week, with eastern Vancouver Island already at...
Jun 01, 2026 With a warmer and drier-than-average summer expected this year, weather experts are already concerned about how it will impact our watersheds, with much of Vancouver Island already facing drought conditions. (Image Credit: File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
'Highly unusual:' car pulled from Nanaimo's Westwood Lake
NANAIMO - Nobody was found inside a car submerged at Nanaimo's Westwood Lake. Nanaimo Fire Rescue (NFR) crews were called to Westwood Lake Park on Monday, June 1 just after 10:00 a.m. after a passerby...
Jun 01, 2026 Nanaimo Fire Rescue were called to Nanaimo's Westwood Lake shortly after 10 a.m. on Monday, June 1, after someone noticed a vehicle completly submered in the water. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Early summer conditions sees increase to Parksville water conservation
PARKSVILLE - Hot, dry weather recently, and more in the forecast, is forcing the hand of local water watchers. Beginning Monday, June 1, the City of Parksville will move to stage three water restricti...
Jun 01, 2026 Water restrictions in Parksville are increasing, beginning Monday, June 1, with a move to stage three for residents in the city. (Image Credit: Dreamstime)
Crashes at Nanaimo's busiest intersections nudge downward
NANAIMO - Despite a growing population, newly released data shows the number of collisions at Nanaimo's highest crash intersections continues inching downward.Intersection crash data released by ICBC ...
Jun 01, 2026 Sixty-six crashes were reported in 2025 at the Island Hwy./Norwell Dr./Bowen Rd./ intersection last year, the highest crash-prone intersection in Nanaimo. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
'Exactly the kind of density I'm interested in:' zoning proceeds for Departure Bay Rd. property
NANAIMO - Rezoning is set to proceed for a highly visible lot along Departure Bay Rd. City Councillors proceeded through second and third reading of a zoning amendment bylaw on Monday, May 25, for a p...
May 31, 2026 Rezoning is poised to proceed for a Departure Bay Rd. property, initially knocked back due to density concerns. The large lot is slated to eventually feature 19 row-style townhouses, each with three bedrooms. (Image Credit: Joyce Reid Troost Architecture)
Family Day festivities in Qualicum Beach takes over town core
QUALICUM BEACH - At risk of not proceeding this year due to a prior lack of volunteer support, a full offering of family-friendly events are going ahead in Qualicum Beach. Offered annually since 1976,...
May 31, 2026 The Family Day parade is a focal point of the annual event. (Image Credit: Town of Qualicum Beach)