Category Archives: Nanaimo

Silly Boat Regatta to fill Maffeo Sutton Park with fun and cheer
NANAIMO - Dozens of Nanaimo sailors will take to the waters for a fierce, brutal and incredibly intense competition to see who has the fastest and silliest boat. The 35th annual Silly Boat Regatta tak...
Jul 12, 2019 Creativity is untamed and wild during the Silly Boat Regatta. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Strike negotiations between union, Western Forest Products slow with disputes over mediators
NANAIMO - A further roadblock was erected on the path towards the end of strike action between the United Steelworkers Union and Western Forest Products. USW 1-1937 president Brian Butler announced Fr...
Jul 12, 2019 The USW says they can't believe Western Forest Products wouldn't want respected mediator Vince Ready working on their dispute. (USW 1-1937)

Would-be thieves attempt late-night Nanaimo bank robbery
NANAIMO - An attempted bank robbery like something out of a movie was thwarted by the rising sun and loud noise. Two people, one of which is believed to be a woman, were seen by security cameras outsi...
Jul 11, 2019 Two people, one of whom is believed to be a woman, outside Nanaimo's north Scotiabank. (Nanaimo RCMP)

Pilot project aims to help Nanaimo women suffering period poverty
NANAIMO - A pilot project aims to help find the best way to assist vulnerable Nanaimo women who have to choose between food and menstrual products.The United Way Period Promise Research Project is bui...
Jul 10, 2019 A pilot program will track how many free menstrual products are used and by who, to craft better policies and eliminate barriers for women in need. (Pixabay)

New road represents early catalyst in overhaul of south downtown Nanaimo waterfront
NANAIMO - The City believes a roadway extension will lay the foundation to help transform the unsightly south downtown waterfront area.Crews are wrapping up the extension of Front St., which now meets...
Jul 10, 2019 The City anticipates the new link from Front St. to Port Dr. will open shortly and help transform the area to include public amenities. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewNOW)

'We're excited about it:' earthquake warning technology put to the test
NANAIMO - A new earthquake warning system is in place to give south coasters a potentially life-saving heads up in case a large quake hits. Ocean Networks Canada public safety program manager Teron Mo...
Jul 09, 2019 An earthquake detection device being installed on the floor of the Pacific Ocean off the west coast of Vancouver Island. (Ocean Networks Canada)

Issues of trust revealed to be at heart of Nanaimo's supervised consumption site saga
NANAIMO - The sometimes fraught relationship between Nanaimo administration and Island Health, specifically regarding the downtown overdose prevention site, has revealed itself to be a major issue in ...
Jul 09, 2019 The overdose prevention site on Wesley St. is seen by many to be a hub for many downtown disorder issues but also live-saving efforts in the overdose crisis. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Trial date set for legal dispute over Newcastle temporary housing
NANAIMO - The process for introducing roughly 80 units of temporary housing into a downtown Nanaimo neighbourhood will be examined in the courts. Newcastle area residents will be in the Supreme Court ...
Jul 08, 2019 Island Crisis Care Society and the province will be in court on Sept. 30 for a lawsuit disputing how roughly 80 units of temporary housing were introduced into the Newcastle neighbourhood. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Nanaimo woman discovers $500K lotto win while waiting for dentist
NANAIMO - A grandmother's life has changed dramatically after a trip to the dentist turned into a $500,000 lottery win. Gurmail Sidhu, 79, checked her numbers while waiting for the dentist on July 5."...
Jul 08, 2019 Gurmail Sidhu, 79, never thought a trip to the dentist could be so remarkable. (BCLC)

Nanaimo building permits exceed $300M so far in 2019
NANAIMO - It's been a banner year for construction in Nanaimo, exceeding what was already expected to be a significant surge. The City of Nanaimo confirmed roughly $230 million in residential construc...
Jul 08, 2019 Roughly 1,300 housing units are being built across Nanaimo, whether they be single-family, multi-family or hotel. (City of Nanaimo)