Tag Archives: Health
Top Stories of 2019: Invasive giant hornets arrive in Nanaimo
NANAIMO - Intimidating and massive invasive Giant Asian Hornets building nests in Nanaimo caused a buzz throughout the community and province.Three of the largest hornets in the world were discovered ...
Dec 17, 2019 The discovery of around 150 live Asian Giant Hornets in the Robins Park area of Nanaimo caused a buzz throughout the community and abroad. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Youth pregnancy rates dropping in Nanaimo, still higher than B.C. average
NANAIMO - The local teen pregnancy rate has steadily dropped in recent years but still far exceeds the provincial average. Provincial data showed 7.3 teenagers in Nanaimo per 1,000 between the age of ...
Dec 12, 2019 Rates of teen pregnancy are steadily dropping in Nanaimo, but are still higher than other parts of the province and mid-island. (Shutterstock)
Almost 14,000 Canadians killed by opioids since 2016: new national study
OTTAWA - New numbers released Wednesday show close to 14,000 Canadians have been killed by opioids over the last four years and more than 17,000 people have been hospitalized for opioid-related p...
Dec 11, 2019
'Pray and stay' vigil at Parksville church filling the gap of cold weather shelter
NANAIMO - A Parksville church is filling the need for a cold weather shelter in the Oceanside area as work is done behind the scenes for a more permanent and suitable location. St. Anne's Church, whic...
Dec 09, 2019 Pews at St. Anne church were transformed into beds for the less fortunate in the Oceanside region over the weekend and will continue to do so this season. (Adam Fras/Facebook)
Baby bed program expanding to help babies sleep soundly
NANAIMO - An effort to give babies a safe place to sleep is expanding across Vancouver Island. Island Health's baby bed program is now offered throughout central and northern Vancouver Island. It was ...
Dec 05, 2019 Baby beds include the sturdy carboard box, mattress, sheets and a onesie for children. (Island Health)
Law-abiding man turned heavy crack cocaine user sentenced for terrifying rampage
NANAIMO - A middle-age man with no prior criminal history spiraled out of control due to a crack cocaine addiction, leading to a shocking crime spree in Parksville. Robert Douglas Lightle, 45, receive...
Dec 04, 2019 Allsbrook Rd. in Parksville, where Robert Douglas Lightle, 45, went on a shocking rampage after excessive crack cocaine use. (Google Earth)
Section of Blueback Stairs to be replaced, beach access temporarily closed
NANAIMO - Crews are busy replacing a portion of the stairs leading to the bottom of popular Blueback Beach in Nanaimo's north end. Al Britton, the City's manager of parks operations, expected the stai...
Dec 03, 2019 The in-ground stairs at the top of the Blueback Beach access point will be removed in exchange for an above-ground wooden staircase. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Saskatchewan chief disappointed at lack of long-term help to stop suicides
REGINA - The chief of a northern Saskatchewan First Nation says he is disappointed at the lack of long-term help from the provincial and federal governments to deal with what he says&nb...
Nov 28, 2019 (Submitted photo/The Canadian Press)
Island Health takes over Nanaimo Seniors Village due to serious concerns
NANAIMO - Island Health has been forced to step in and take control of a Nanaimo seniors home due to an "unprecedented" number of issues.Nanaimo Seniors Village will now be overseen by seniors care ad...
Nov 27, 2019 The Nanaimo Seniors Village on Uplands Rd. is now run by Island Health, not the company Retirement Concepts, amid concerns of neglect and poor staffing. (Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)
35-bed emergency shelter reopens as Nanaimo homelessness crisis worsens
NANAIMO - More doors have opened for Nanaimo's homeless as the weather takes a turn for the worse. The 35-bed shelter in St. Peters Hall has re-opened for the second year, starting Monday, Nov. 25. It...
Nov 25, 2019 A 35-bed shelter in St. Peters Hall has re-opened for its second year as the homelessness crisis in Nanaimo worsens. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)