NANAIMO - Those interested in running in this fall's local government election can learn more about the process leading up to election day and the role of an elected official.The City of Nanaimo and Regional District of Nanaimo are co-hosting a pair of candidate information sessions on Wednesday, July 15 at the Regiona...

NANAIMO - The E&N Trail is once again being expanded, providing a link between neighbourhoods in south Nanaimo. During the Monday, July 6, meeting, councillors approved allocating up to $550,000 to build a recreational trail within the E&N railway corridor, connecting Junction Ave. to Extension Rd. in Chase Riv...

NANAIMO - After reaching nearly nine per cent in April, greater Nanaimo's unemployment rate dipped for a third consecutive month, according to newly released Statistics Canada data.The most recent federal employment report showed the Nanaimo area's jobless rate was 7.4 per cent in June, a notable drop from 8.5 per cent...

PARKSVILLE - Some of the top sand sculptors in the world are creating their masterpieces for the enjoyment of over 100,000 people. The annual Parksville Beach Festival Sand Sculpting Competition began with the 'pound-up' stage on Thursday, July 9, with designs under construction through Sunday, July 12 on Parksville's ...

QUALICUM BEACH - Complaints and concerns surrounding noise from the municipally owned Qualicum Beach Airport were once again aired out to council by members of the public. A report detailing the airport's activity so far this year was presented at the Wednesday, July 8, committee of the whole meeting, with multiple peo...

NANAIMO - Plans are advancing for a significant City of Nanaimo investment at Loudon Park.With a $11.4 million budget, the City and an architectural firm are leading the ambitious boathouse/community amenity building initiative, as well as expanded beachfront and other additions at the park off the end of Victoria Ave....

NANAIMO - Thirty seven people have died in Nanaimo from the toxic drug supply in the first five months of the year, surpassing last year's pace, according to newly released BC Coroners Service (BCCS) data. Four deaths in Nanaimo in May are among 10 deceased across all of central Vancouver Island, which includes communi...

NANAIMO - Creating dangerous driving conditions, annoying neighbours, and blocking emergency vehicles are a few of the reasons local Mounties are stepping up patrols for street racers and reckless bikers. Vehicles using public roads as drag strips and motorbikes doing dangerous, high-speed stunts are causing serious co...

NANAIMO - A local theatre is ready to welcome back movie-goers to take in its upgraded and more comfortable theatre settings. Landmark Cinemas, which operates the Avalon theatre at Woodgrove Centre, has completed its interior renovations, bringing recliner and luxury seating, an IMAX screen and another screen enhanced ...

NANAIMO - One of Nanaimo's most persistent and prolific thieves is once again a wanted man. A provincial court judge issued an arrest warrant for Peter Jonathan Cameron Ludvigson, 50, on Monday, July 6 after he no-showed for court. More than a dozen criminal code charges have been laid against Ludvigson since last fall...

NANAIMO - Fines have never been issued before in the 10-year history of the Regional District of Nanaimo's automated curbside collection program, but that could change. At the very least, increased inspections and education are pledged following a recent fire that wiped out a key collection compound, believed to have b...

PARKSVILLE - A proposed housing development in the Englishman River area of Parksville has cleared a regulatory hurdle after eliminating apartments from the plan. A zoning and development bylaw amendment is required for the 145-acre lot at 1465 Greig Rd., located west of Hwy. 19A, to build a maximum of 330 units across...

NANAIMO - Safety concerns along a busy and challenging corridor have been presented, however it's unknown how the City of Nanaimo will formally respond.In particular, the Departure Bay Beach stretch was the focus of local resident Anna McKenzie speaking as a delegation at the Monday, July 6, Nanaimo City Council meetin...

UPDATE: As of 1:54 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, the wildfire near Mt. Prevost is now classified as 'being held' at 2.23 hectares.NORTH COWICHAN - A wildfire sparked north of Duncan on Monday remains burning out of control, but growth was slow overnight.The fire is located near Mt. Prevost, about three kilometres north of D...

NANAIMO - A Habitat for Humanity home is in for a makeover along with a new family. Habitat for Humanity Mid-Vancouver Island (Habitat MVI) opened a month-long application process on Monday, July 6, for its home at 651 Second St., located near Fairview Elementary School. With nineteen homes in Habitat MVI's portfolio, ...

NANAIMO - Compliance checks by a conservation officer in Nanoose Bay cost a Parksville man a hefty fine and a hunting ban.Aaron Adam Illes, 48, pleaded guilty to altering a license or permit late last month at provincial court in Nanaimo, leading to a $2,500 fine and two-year hunting prohibition under the provincial Wi...

NANAIMO - A popular cafe south of Nanaimo is expanding, bringing its unique service closer to the high seas. Coco Cafe on Cedar Rd., known for employing people with varying abilities, has officially taken over the concession duties for the Hullo ferry service, located inside a silver Airstream trailer outside the fast-...

NANAIMO - A troubled childhood, traumatic brain injury, and substance abuse culminated in a downward spiral for a Nanaimo man. Mathew James Roberts, 26, was recently handed a nine-month time-served jail sentence after pleading guilty to six offences for incidents between late 2024 and late last year, including assaults...

NANAIMO - Construction has started at Nanaimo's Rotary Bowl to enhance several areas of the heavily used site. They include a new high jump area in a more central location, a new pole vault track, a sprint start extension into the oval, and the installation of a new irrigation system and sod in the infield. Nanaimo Tra...

NANAIMO -A pillar of Nanaimo's Harewood neighbourhood facing imminent closure has been resurrected.It turns out the new owners weren't far away.Local residents Matthew Mikolas and his fiancée Khyara Hiles recently purchased the community staple, Deni's Dynamite Deals, well known for its eclectic collection of af...

QUALICUM BEACH - Destined to be torn down, a Qualicum Beach landmark was saved by sheer determination.St. Andrews Lodge, a modest and long-closed waterfront resort dating back to 1938 on Island Hwy. W at Buller Rd., fell into disrepair and was once slated to be demolished by the Town.A fall 2020 in-camera decision to d...

NANAIMO - Animal lovers spent all last month raising money for their local SPCA, with some spending time behind bars until their fundraising goals could be met.The BC SPCA's 10th annual Lock-in for Love event culminated on Saturday, June 27, when multiple people spent the day in a kennel with a rescue animal, "loc...

NANAIMO - This year's Nanaimo Dragon Boat Festival, scheduled for July 11-12, has been cancelled, with organizers citing a lack of paddlers to put on the event. Organizers say while they had teams registered from the Mainland, Alberta, and even the United States, an increase in similar events being hosted at home have ...

NANAIMO - Much of June was a scorcher with multiple daily heat records set for the mid-Island and abroad, however a late-month turnaround helped ease the threat of forest fires. Sam Bellion, fire information officer with the Coastal Fire Centre, said the late-month rainfall and lowered daytime temperatures moderated co...

PARKSVILLE - While a day of rain was a welcome relief on Thursday, mid-Island communities are still planning to increase their water conservation efforts. Starting Friday, July 3, the City of Parksville is moving to stage four water restrictions, while the Town of Ladysmith goes to stage three. For Parksville residents...

NANAIMO - Unclear if he'd ever get another meaningful shot to live out his childhood dream, things are falling into place for Nanaimo's Dylan Coghlan.The 28-year-old defenceman signed a two-year, one-way contract extension with the National Hockey League's Vegas Golden Knights worth $850,000 for next season, followed b...

LADYSMITH - Ongoing issues around illegal camping, dumping and vandalism continue to plague a popular wooded area south of Ladysmith, as the Town calls on the B.C. government for help. On May 19, the access gate to the Banon Creek Forest Service Rd., a Crown-land backcountry area located at the end of South Watts Rd., ...

NANAIMO - Annual property taxes need to be paid by the end of the day, or you'll pay more. All-mid-Island municipalities and rural areas from Ladysmith to Qualicum Beach face a Thursday, July 2 property tax deadline, with varying fines applying for non-compliance, depending on location. Nanaimo property taxes hiked by ...