Nanaimo news

• ATVBC recommends members postpone riding due to fire risk

  08-08-2026 01:15 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  One B.C. organization that advocates on behalf of off-road riders is recommending that its members postpone riding until conditions improve, while another says that it respects whatever decision its members make.
  On Aug. 5, both the Quad Riders ATV Association of British Columbia (ATVBC) and the Four Wheel Drive Association of BC (4WDABC) issued statements about the current situation in the province’s backcountry.
  ATVBC has recommended that its members postpone any riding they have planned
  
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• UPDATE: Quilpituk Creek wildfire being held, area being assessed before residents can return home

  13-08-2026 17:34 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  UPDATE 8:23 a.m.
  The Quilpituk Creek wildfire is being held, according to BC Wildfire Service (BCWS).
  Being held means that “based on fuel and weather conditions and resource availability, to remain within the current perimeter, control line or boundary.”
  At this time, all evacuation orders and alerts remain in place. However, the Central Okanagan Emergency Management EOC will be deploying “a rapid damage assessment team to assess readiness for re-entry.”
  “Significa
  
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• UPDATE: Smoky conditions could be seen at being held Bradley Creek wildfire

  13-08-2026 17:23 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  UPDATE 8:12 a.m.
  Much like the Quilpituk Creek wildfire, smoke might become more visible and fire behaviour may increase due to the expected weather conditions at the Bradley Creek wildfire on Thursday, says BC Wildfire Service.
  “During the afternoon, temperatures and relative humidity may reach levels that can increase fire behaviour,” said BCWS. “Smoke haze may be present this morning but is expected to clear by mid-morning, resulting in improved visibility and cleaner air ov
  
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• Challenging conditions expected for Brunswick Complex wildfires on Thursday

  13-08-2026 17:19 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Challenging conditions are expected for the Brunswick Complex wildfires on Thursday (Aug. 13) before more moderate conditions return on Friday (Aug. 14).
  The Brunswick Complex is comprised of the 61,618-hectare Ainslie Creek wildfire and the 8,818-hectare Brunswick Creek wildfire.
  According to the latest update from BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), the challenging conditions are expected across the Ainslie Creek fireground on Thursday.
  Fire behaviour increased on the south flank of the fire on Wednes
  
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• UPDATE: Warm temperatures could increase fire activity at Quilpituk Creek wildfire

  13-08-2026 17:06 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  UPDATE 7:58 a.m.
  Smoke might become more visible and fire behaviour may increase due to sunny, warm, and dry conditions expected on Thursday, says BC Wildfire Service.
  “During the afternoon, temperatures and relative humidity may reach levels that can increase fire behaviour,” said BCWS. “Smoke haze may be present this morning but is expected to clear by mid-morning, resulting in improved visibility and cleaner air over the fire complex.”
  On Thursday, BCWS crews are conti
  
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• Extinguishing hot spots, mop-up duties taking place at being held Bradley Creek wildfire

  13-08-2026 14:54 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Fire crews continue to extinguish hot spots and perform mop-up duties at the Bradley Creek wildfire.
  The blaze, which was discovered on July 31, continues to be classified as ‘being held’, which means that, based on fuel and weather conditions and resource availability, the fire should remain within the current perimeter, control line, or boundary. It has been held since Saturday.
  “Within the fire perimeter, smouldering pockets of deep-burning heat produced increased smoke yest
  
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• Fire activity ‘predominantly limited’ at Quilpituk Creek wildfire

  13-08-2026 14:45 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  No visible open flame was observed at the Quilpituk Creek wildfire on Wednesday, Aug. 12, but weather concerns are on the horizon.
  In its latest update, which came at 6:44 p.m. on Wednesday, BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) said the fire activity experienced throughout the day and expected to remain the same throughout the night was “predominantly limited to smouldering ground fire, with a slow rate of spread, white smoke, and no visible open flame observed.”
  Crews continue to extinguish h
  
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• Crews continue to establish control lines at Bald Range wildfire west of Summerland

  13-08-2026 14:45 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Fire crews continue to work, but there are weather concerns at the Bald Range wildfire west of Summerland.
  As of Thursday morning (Aug. 13), all evacuation orders and alerts remain in place. However, in its Wednesday night update, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS)’s Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) said it’s working on a plan for a staged re-entry when it’s safe for residents to return home.On Wednesday (Aug. 12), fire crews continued to establish backup con
  
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• Business Notes: Dairy Queen’s Miracle Treat Day fundraiser, new restaurant and more

  13-08-2026 14:40 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  It is Miracle Treat Day again at Nanaimo’s three Dairy Queen today.
  Miracle Treat Day is an annual fundraiser in which 100 per cent of the sales from all the Blizzard Treats sold at most Dairy Queens in Canada that day go to local Children’s Miracle Network hospitals.
  Most Dairy Queens on Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland contribute their proceeds from Miracle Treat Day to the B.C. Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, the only dedicated pediatric hospital in the province, in
  
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• New exhibition in Nanaimo Art Gallery focusing on effects of climate change

  13-08-2026 14:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A new Nanaimo Art Gallery exhibition is focusing on the effects of climate change.
  Biophilia opened on Aug. 1 and will be running until Oct. 11. The exhibition was curated by Marianne Cloutier and Anne-Marie St-Jean Aubre, and is produced and circulated by Musée d’art de Joliette, an art museum located north of Montreal.
  Jesse Birch, Nanaimo Art Gallery curator, told the News Bulletin that the exhibit fit with the theme of this year’s showcases, answering the question, “
  
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• Lower Mainland family appreciates any excuse to devour Blizzard treats

  13-08-2026 14:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Lilah Rickson is a huge fan of anything pink, so it’s no surprise to Geoffrey that his three-year-old daughter’s new favourite DQ Blizzard flavour is cotton candy.
  The three-year-old Langley City toddler was asked to pose for a few promotional pictures for the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation and Dairy Queen on Monday, and during her family’s visit to the local eatery, Lilah was given her first-ever tasting of the vibrant pink and purple ice cream treat interspersed with
  
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• Deez restaurant in Qualicum Beach to close doors after 25 years

  13-08-2026 04:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Deez restaurant in Qualicum Beach will serve its last customers on Aug. 22, which will be its final day of business after 25 years.
  “We are incredibly thankful for our time at Deez. We are focusing on ensuring our team members remain employed and taken care of, and we are deeply grateful for all the stories and memories our guests have created within these walls, both during our time and before,” Eli Brennan, founder and operating partner of Moments Hospitality, told the PQB News.
  Th
  
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• Vancouver Island woman’s action helps save 4 kittens

  13-08-2026 03:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A chance encounter along a rural road south of Parksville led to the rescue of four kittens, thanks to the persistence of a local resident and the expertise of a volunteer animal rescuer.
  Nikki Welz was walking through the Nanoose Bay area July 7, when she spotted a mother cat huddled beside the road with several kittens. Sensing something was wrong, she returned a short time later to check on them. As soon as she stopped, the frightened cats disappeared into nearby bushes.
  Determined to help, W
  
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• Search for bear continues in Lower Mainland attack

  13-08-2026 02:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The search for an adult black bear that attacked a three-year-old girl in Maple Ridge was ongoing as of 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 12, as BC Conservation Officers continued to gather information and observe bears in the area.
  The attack took place on Sunday, Aug. 9, at around 11:30 a.m., on a residential property in the 12300-block of 240 Street, where Anaiyah was playing outside on the deck of her home.Conservation officers said a parent, who was nearby, was able to intervene and chase the bear
  
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• Improper fish records sees man fined $8K in B.C. provincial court in Nanaimo

  13-08-2026 01:59 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Improper recording of ling cod catch has led to an $8,000 fine for a fishing guide from China caught off the waters of Nanaimo and Gabriola Island.
  Ruzheng Ma, 71, pleaded guilty to producing false records and catching and possessing illegally caught fish from an incident that occurred over a year ago, and on Wednesday, Aug. 12 pleaded guilty to both counts with Emma Reaume, Crown counsel, and Charis Liu, defence counsel, entering a joint submission to Judge Chris Churchill in B.C. provincial co
  
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• UPDATE: Evacuation orders, alerts to remain in place for Bald Range Wildfire

  13-08-2026 01:43 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  UPDATE: 4:04 p.m.Evacuation orders and alerts will remain in place on Wednesday for the Bald Range Wildfire, stated the Central Okanagan Emergency Management.
  The blaze currently spans 18,450 hectares in size and saw growth toward the boundary of the Regional District of Central Okanagan and Peachland.
  The wildfire remains active and dynamic, meaning conditions could change quickly. Central Okanagan Emergency Management advised residents to follow all evacuation orders and be prepared to leave o
  
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• B.C. lawsuit against parking app settled, 35 cent payout for members

  13-08-2026 01:17 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Settlement members in a B.C. class-action lawsuit against a parking app will be receiving 35 cents each.
  Justice Shannon P. Ramsay, in a July 29 decision, found the settlement to be reasonable, with only two objectors.
  Plaintiff Tyson Larence was seeking settlement approval against Honk Mobile Inc., a parking app.
  Larence brought forward the Canada-wide class-action lawsuit for people who used the app between June 23, 2022 and July 24, 2024. He alleged that Honk was failing to disclose the servi
  
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• Legislative committee calls on B.C. to back down on PST expansion

  13-08-2026 00:29 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A legislative committee made up mostly of members of the government’s own party is recommending the province back down on a planned expansion of the provincial sales tax.
  “What we’ve seen here is the NDP members of the committee recognizing just how incredibly unpopular the PST hike is, and giving a clear signal to the Finance Minister that she needs to back away from this hike,” said B.C. Conservative MLA Gavin Dew, who is not on the committee, but has been a vocal oppon
  
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• Shakespeare improvisation play coming to Nanaimo Fringe Festival

  13-08-2026 00:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The crowd gets to take part in putting together an improvised Shakespearian epic at an upcoming Nanaimo Fringe Festival show.Spontaneous Shakespeare will be performed on Friday, Aug. 14 at 9 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 15 at 1:30 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 16 at 2:45 p.m., at St. Andrew’s United Church.
  Brent Hirose, artistic director of The Spontaneous Shakespeare Company, which helps put on the play, told the News Bulletin that the show is entirely improvised Shakespearean style-plays performed in
  
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• William (Bill) Donald Manners

  12-08-2026 23:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  May 31, 1955 – July 17, 2026
  With deep sorrow, we mourn the passing of Bill Manners. He is predeceased by his father, William Dawson Manners, his mother Barbara Delores Manners née Webster, and is survived by his wife, Niki Kudaka, his brother Frank Manners, his sister Sharleen (Phil) Davies and her children and grandchildren, and his half-sister Marianne Shokey.
  Born in Vancouver, Bill moved with his family to Nanaimo in 1971. He was a man of many talents and wide-ranging interests
  
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• Nanaimo senior arrested after allegedly exposing himself at Maffeo Sutton Park

  12-08-2026 23:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A Nanaimo senior has been arrested and charged with two counts of committing an indecent act.
  After an investigation by the Nanaimo RCMP, the 65-year-old has been remanded into police custody and is awaiting a bail hearing.
  On Aug. 6, at approximately 9:30 a.m., Nanaimo RCMP received a report that a man had allegedly exposed himself to a woman while she was jogging near the waterfront trail and playground area of Maffeo Sutton Park.
  Officers immediately attended the area, obtained a description
  
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• Comox Valley athlete competes for Canada’s Strongest Man title

  12-08-2026 23:05 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Competing at Canada’s Strongest Man takes power, stamina and agility, and Comox Valley strongman Sean Hayes proves the sport also demands a lot of heart.
  While deadlifting a truck, pressing a 350 pound log overhead, or shouldering a 1000 pound yoke are all obvious feats of strength, what makes the strongman sport even more challenging is that it tests all forms of strength: maximal, static, dynamic and endurance.“It’s supposed to be a test of your entire body strength,” s
  
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• PHOTOS: BC Wildfire Service sets up base in Okanagan Falls

  12-08-2026 22:55 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Dozens of tents have been set up in Keogan Sports Park in Okanagan Falls alongside portable buildings hosting BC Wildfire Service’s incident command for the Bald Range Wildfire.The park saw 100 Mexican wildland firefighters arrive in the evening of Aug. 10, just three days after the fire erupted west of Summerland.More firefighters from across B.C., from departments near like Kelowna, to further away like Mill Bay and Nanaimo on Vancouver Island.Chilliwack sent multiple engines, and even M
  
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• Butchart Gardens cancels fireworks as province declares wildfire emergency

  12-08-2026 22:33 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Due to the provincial state of emergency, The Butchart Gardens is cancelling its weekend fireworks show.
  The show slated for Aug. 15 is cancelled, a performance by The Temps continues, starting at 7:30 p.m. While yearlong passes are normally not valid on fireworks days, they will be honoured Saturday.Traditionally, the Central Saanich tourist destination runs its displays with strict on-site support and coverage by local firefighters. Butchart last cancelled fireworks during the 2023 provincial
  
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• 5 players from 2018 junior team breached Hockey Canada code of conduct

  12-08-2026 22:28 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Four of the players from Hockey Canada’s 2018 National Junior Team remain suspended, while another has been reinstated immediately after an appeal board determined they did breach the organization’s code of conduct.
  An independent appeal board says the five players from the 2018 junior men’s team breached Hockey Canada’s code of conduct, issuing recommended suspensions and reinstatement dates, according to a news release from Hockey Canada Wednesday (Aug. 12).
  Hockey Cana
  
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• 48-game Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League season opens Sept. 4

  12-08-2026 22:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League season just released its regular-season and exhibition schedules.
  The new season gets underway with exhibition play beginning Aug. 21, while the regular season opens Sept. 4. Each VIJHL team will play a 48-game regular-season schedule, consisting of 24 home games and 24 road games. The regular season runs through Feb. 28, 2027.
  The Oceanside Generals will be among the teams looking to make their mark in a league that has been operating since 1965. The Ge
  
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• Fundraiser started to help parents of Maple Ridge bear attack victim

  12-08-2026 21:10 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A fundraiser has been started to help the parents of a little girl attacked by a bear in Maple Ridge.Christina Bell started the GoFundMe for Andrea Lekei and her partner Bradley Farnum, so they can take time off work to help care for Anaiyah, 3, who was airlifted to BC Children’s Hospital following the attack on Sunday Aug. 9.“They are dealing with enough and shouldn’t have to worry about money on top of it all,” said Bell online.
  According to reports Anaiyah was playing
  
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• Rise in B.C. drowning deaths prompts call for safety on Victoria beaches

  12-08-2026 21:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  As swimmers across Greater Victoria flock to beaches, docks and lakes, BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) is sharing tips to keep you safe around the water.
  “While spending time near the water can be fun, it also comes with risks for those who are not prepared,” said the provincial body. “Drowning can happen quickly and quietly, often without the obvious signs people expect to see.”
  BCEHS typically sees 15 to 30 drowning-related calls per month for most of the year and
  
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• ‘Community lightens any burden’: Parkinson’s cycling tour sets off from Victoria

  12-08-2026 21:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Lloyd Taylor was diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s disease at age 53 in 2022. The diagnosis was devastating for Taylor and his loved ones, but he refused to let it dictate the course of his life.
  Instead, he took to the road — and his bike — embarking on an 8,000-kilometre journey from Victoria to Newfoundland to raise money and awareness for Parkinson’s disease.
  The same year he was diagnosed, Taylor was approached by the Spinning Wheels Tour, the organization behin
  
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• Vancouver teacher gets lifetime ban after sexual assault conviction

  12-08-2026 20:54 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A Vancouver teacher is barred from the profession after a sexual assault conviction involving a student.
  Robert Kyle Ledingham, who was employed as a band teacher by the Vancouver school district, has been given a lifetime ban by the B.C. Commissioner for Teacher Regulation, according to a July 23 decision.
  The commissioner determined Ledingham violated his privileged position of power and trust. He harmed a student’s physical and emotional safety and well-being and his conduct toward the
  
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