Environment

Pandemic sees interest drive up for car-sharing in Nanaimo and elsewhere

NANAIMO - While COVID-19 caused bumps in the road for car-sharing cooperative Modo, the transportation alternative appears to be regaining traction.Modo marketing director Selena McLachlan said their ...

Oct 22, 2020

City of Nanaimo's plastic bag ban awaits provincial approval

NANAIMO - Pending a blessing from the province, single-use plastic bags containing retail purchases will be banned in the city of Nanaimo.Council approved a new bylaw during their meeting on Monday, O...

Oct 20, 2020

'Discovery by little Nathan:' 12-year-old makes fossil find in southern Alberta

Aspiring paleontologist Nathan Hrushkin speaks with pride about his "killer resume." The Grade 7 student from Calgary discovered a rare dinosaur skeleton earlier this year at Horseshoe Canyon in the B...

Oct 15, 2020

Seismologists monitoring tremor and slip event ahead of province's largest earthquake drill

NANAIMO - It's a busy time for seismologists on the B.C. coast.The Great BC Shakeout earthquake drill is at 10:15 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15 with participants encouraged to drop, cover and hold on. The...

Oct 14, 2020

Significant upgrades at Benson Creek Falls Regional Park underway, some trails closed

NANAIMO - Numerous safety upgrades at a popular mid island hiking destination are getting started, kickstarting a substantial overhaul of prized Benson Creek Falls Regional Park.The Regional District ...

Oct 13, 2020

Downed float home at Valdes Island removed, no further damage expected

NANAIMO - Federal officials don't believe any environmental impacts will result from the untimely demise of a float home just off the east shore of Valdes Island.The 65 foot long float home sank due t...

Oct 04, 2020

Widespread automated garbage rollout hits mid island streets

NANAIMO - A much discussed switch has taken effect bringing automated garbage collection fo thousands of single-family homes.Remotely controlled arms are now grabbing recycling and food waste bins wee...

Oct 01, 2020

Asian giant hornet sightings evade widespread monitoring effort

NANAIMO - Fears have eased about an invasive honey bee-killing insect making B.C.'s south coast and the pacific northwest a permanent home. Provincial apiculturist Paul van Westendorp reported no new ...

Alex Rawnsley Sep 26, 2020

3,000 hectares of land returned to Snuneymuxw First Nation, lawsuit against province dropped

NANAIMO - Snuneymuxw First Nation has grown with the return of roughly 3,000 hectares of land. The land parcels are predominantly on Mt. McKay, just south of the Nanaimo River, and on the back of Mt. ...

Sep 22, 2020

Death of mother grizzly a 'big loss' for bear population in Banff park: experts

Wildlife experts say the death of a mother grizzly bear and her two cubs - including a rare, blond-headed grizzly - in Banff National Park is a major loss to the population.Parks Canada has said that ...

Sep 16, 2020