Nanaimo news

• Drones, ATVs hamper B.C.’s wildfire fighting efforts

  18-07-2023 22:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Anyone caught operating a drone in the vicinity of a wildfire could face fines or jail time
  
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• ‘Aftershocks’ continue weeks after 7.0M earthquake at Yukon-Alaska border

  02-01-2026 05:03 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Several earthquakes that struck near the Yukon-Alaska border late on New Year’s Eve are part of an ongoing series of aftershocks following one of the biggest earthquakes ever recorded in Canada.
  The 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck on Dec. 6, 2025 was one of the largest recorded earthquakes in the country since seismologists started tracking these kinds of events about 100 years ago, according to Nick Ackerley, a seismologist with the Canadian Hazards Information Service of Natural Res
  
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• New book explores Nanaimo’s unknown history

  02-01-2026 03:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  More than 100 stories about Nanaimo’s history are at the heart of T.W. Paterson’s new non-fiction book Unknown Nanaimo.
  For sale online and at Windowseat Books, the 270 pages contain numerous true anecdotes from 1853-1900, including downtown hangings and how 1884 was considered a relatively good year as only 31 people died in city mines.
  Paterson said he had to set parameters for the book, otherwise it could have been “the size of a catalogue.”
  “What is today’
  
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• Greater Victoria welcomes the Island’s first baby of 2026

  02-01-2026 01:40 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Greater Victoria welcomed Vancouver Island’s first newborn in the early hours of Jan. 1.
  Sahit Pratap was born at 3:48 a.m. at Victoria General Hospital, weighing three pounds, one ounce, according to a Facebook post from Island Health.In B.C., Kelowna welcomed the province’s first baby of the year. The infant, whose name and gender have not yet been released, was born at Kelowna General Hospital at 12:18 a.m., weighing six pounds, eight ounces, according to a post on X from the B.C.
  
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• ‘A little blessing’: Interior Health’s 2nd baby of 2026 born in Kamloops

  01-01-2026 23:38 via nanaimobulletin.com
  After a week’s worth of patiently waiting, a Kamloops couple has their good luck charm.
  Crystelle Jose Areuano, 23, and Paul Ibizugbe, 29, are overjoyed upon the arrival of their first child, a baby girl, who was born at 4:54 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 1 at Royal Inland Hospital, making her the second 2026 baby born in the entire Interior Health region.
  Baby Eliana weighs in at six pounds and just under two ounces.
  Areuano said Thursday afternoon that the name means “God has answered,&rdquo
  
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• Nanaimo News Bulletin’s most-memorable animal stories of 2025

  01-01-2026 22:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  10. New data shows which bee species buzzing around Vancouver Island farms, March 22
  ​New data indicated 60 bee species and morpho-species can be found on Vancouver Island farms, including the threatened Western bumble bee and the non-native Eastern bumble bee.
  The study, conducted by Bonnie Zand, involved collecting samples of bees from 19 different farm sites across the Island between 2021-22. Areas included Cowichan Valley, Comox Valley, Victoria, Nanaimo and Qualicum Beach. More than 7
  
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• It’s a boy! Northern Health announces first Quesnel baby of 2026

  01-01-2026 20:42 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Quesnel’s first baby of 2026 has been born, and it’s a boy.
  Northern Health announced Quesnel’s first baby of the new year just after 11 a.m. on Jan. 1.
  Baby Ezren was born at G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital at 5:47 a.m. on Jan. 1 to parents Kendra and Reighven, of Quesnel.
  Ezren weighs in at six pounds and three ounces.
  Congratulations to the family!
  
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• B.C.’s 1st baby of 2026 born in Kelowna

  01-01-2026 17:45 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Kelowna has welcomed B.C.’s first baby of 2026.
  The baby, whose name and gender has not yet been revealed, was born at Kelowna General Hospital at 12:18 a.m., weighing six pounds and eight ounces, according to a post to X from the B.C. government.
  The Health Ministry said in a previous media advisory that the New Year’s baby “symbolizes the start of the new year and represents the first of approximately 40,000 babies who are expected to be born in British Columbia in 2026.&rdqu
  
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• Nanaimo News Bulletin’s photos of the year 2025

  01-01-2026 14:05 via nanaimobulletin.com
  The Nanaimo News Bulletin’s favourite photos of the year were taken by staff members Chris Bush, Jessica Durling, Tyler Hay, Mandy Moraes, Greg Sakaki and Karl Yu during 2025.
  
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• BC Hydro survey looks to the zodiac for signs of 2026 energy habits

  01-01-2026 14:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  A new survey conducted on behalf of BC Hydro shows 83 per cent of British Columbians plan to make a New Year’s resolution.
  Some of those respondents – about one-in-five – believe their zodiac signs could influence those plans, including how they will manage energy use in the new year, BC Hydro said Wednesday (Dec. 31) in an info bulletin. The most common resolutions focus on health and wellness at 37 per cent, reducing stress and prioritizing mental health at 19 per cent, and i
  
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• QUIZ: Reviewing the news of 2025

  01-01-2026 13:50 via nanaimobulletin.com
  A lot happened in Canada over the past year.
  In addition to a federal election, sports events, entertainment and business news, there were also some events in Canada that drew international attention in 2025.
  How much do you know about the news over the past 12 months?
  Put your knowledge to the test with these 12 questions.
  Good luck.READ MORE: QUIZ: The quest for information
  READ MORE: QUIZ: A celebration of bears
  READ MORE: QUIZ: Time to enjoy a delicious pizza
  
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• Nanaimo News Bulletin’s Beefs of the Year 2025

  01-01-2026 02:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  The Nanaimo News Bulletin continues a tradition with its annual Beefs of the Year on New Year’s Eve. Here are 10 of the most outrageous beefs submitted by readers during 2025.
  To start sending in beefs and bouquets for publication in 2026, e-mail [email protected].
  Happy New Year to all readers.
  10.
  To the person who wanted to act a fool at the fest.9.
  I was crossing Townsite and you blasted me with your car’s horn. I am 82 and unwell.8.
  I think it’s possible someone j
  
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• From Ottawa to ostriches, Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee MP reflects on 2025

  01-01-2026 00:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  This past year as the Member of Parliament for Vernon–Lake Country–Monashee has felt like a decade packed into 12 months: exhausting, eye-opening, and one of the greatest honours of my life.
  I’ve spent it bouncing between Ottawa and the grounded, everyday reality of people back home in the riding who don’t care about the political circus—they just want someone to fix problems and tell them the truth.
  First and foremost, I have to give kudos to a rockstar staff. Jasm
  
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• Langley Rottweiler gifts $10K in groceries to complete strangers

  31-12-2025 23:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Buttercup the dog and her human, Nick Catroppa, stood outside the Murrayville IGA on the afternoon of Tuesday, Dec. 23, with grocery store patrons stopping to meet their four-legged benefactor.
  His Rottweiler had paid for their groceries as a Christmas gift to complete strangers, Catroppa told them. The total amount came to almost $10,000 with many benefiting.
  “It would have been in the 100 plus [range],” noted Palle Knudsen, the vice president of operations for Georgia Main Food Gro
  
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• Nanaimo News Bulletin’s stories of the year 2025

  31-12-2025 22:45 via nanaimobulletin.com
  On the last day of the year, Dec. 31, it’s fitting to look back on 2025 and take time to remember and reflect what happened in Nanaimo.
  There were plenty of highlights and headlines – too many to choose just a single story of the year. Instead, we went with 10 stories that seemed to generate the most ink: the resumption of public works yard planning after a change to AAP rules, hospital improvements and shortcomings, a federal election that brought change to local representation, inc
  
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• 1 taken into custody, 1 assaulted in Fort St. John home invasion

  31-12-2025 21:51 via nanaimobulletin.com
  A suspect remains in custody after a home invasion in Fort St. John where one person was assaulted.
  Fort St. John RCMP Sgt. Dwayne Croll said it was an “isolated, targeted incident” and both the suspect and the victim are known to police, according to a news release from police Wednesday (Dec. 31).
  RCMP was called to a home in the area of Peace River Road and 111th Avenue on Tuesday for a report of an unknown male holding a gun and trying to get into the home.
  Officers responded imme
  
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• Identity crisis: Independents wary as B.C. Conservatives try to figure out party’s path

  31-12-2025 21:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  It was meant to be a political party where people could speak and vote freely.
  The “big tent” B.C. Conservatives began 2025 ready to check the power of the governing NDP. The party held 44 seats to the NDP’s 47. The B.C. Greens held two.
  Then personalities and politics collided.
  Conflict burst into the B.C. legislature hallways and onto news headlines. By the end of the year, the Conservatives tenuously held onto 39 seats, and the leader who grew the party from an electoral has
  
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• Coroners Service investigating death in Silver Star Provincial Park

  31-12-2025 21:15 via nanaimobulletin.com
  The B.C. Coroners Service is investigating a death in Silver Star Provincial Park.
  The death stems from an incident that occurred around noon on Sunday, Dec. 28, involving a snowmobiler, a spokesperson for the Coroners Service confirmed to The Morning Star Wednesday, Dec. 31.
  Because the investigation is ongoing, the Coroners Service said it couldn’t provide any further information.
  The Morning Star has reached out to the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP for more information.
  
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• Herbert Harrington

  31-12-2025 20:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Herbert Thomas Harrington, beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend, passed away at NRGH on December 17th, 2025 with his family by his side.
  Please see the full obituary at: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/en-ca/obituaries/nanaimo-bc/herbert-harrington-12672791
  Dad was born in Princeton BC to Herbert and May Harrington on March 28th, 1940 . He was predeceased by his dear sisters (Ann, Lorraine) and their spouses, as well as his beloved niece (Rene) and nephews (Glen, Brian). Loving
  
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• Beefs & Bouquets, Dec. 31

  31-12-2025 20:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  BOUQUET To Jeff, owner of West Temp Heating and Cooling, for the excellent service, communication and going above and beyond to keep our home nice and warm again for the winter season.
  BEEF To the beefer who complained about “putting money into a cushy waiting room for senior citizens instead of focusing on waiting times,” the waiting room for senior citizens is designed to do exactly what you’re complaining about. It was addressed in several news articles as a direct solution
  
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• Quartet of B.C. products named to Canadian Olympic men’s hockey team

  31-12-2025 20:24 via nanaimobulletin.com
  A quartet of B.C. athletes will don Canadian colours for the men’s hockey team at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy.
  Abbotsford’s Devon Toews, Aldergrove’s Shea Theodore, Vancouver’s Macklin Celebrini and West Vancouver’s Sam Reinhart were all named to the team during a press conference on Wednesday (Dec. 31).Here are the 2⃣5⃣ players who will wear theat #MilanoCortina2026!Voici les 2⃣5⃣ joueurs qui porteront laà Milan-Cortina!ROSTER:
  
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• What’s On, Dec. 31

  31-12-2025 20:15 via nanaimobulletin.com
  MUSIC
  Eras: A tribute to Taylor Swift plays New Year’s Eve at the Queen’s Hotel on Dec. 31 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets $35 or $55 for both that night’s shows at www.showpass.com/nye2026thequeens.
  Vault New Year’s Eve party at the Vault Café with Mood:Lite, Numbia, Void DJs, MC Eye Labia and more on Dec. 31 starting at 8 p.m. Admission $15-20.
  New Year’s Eve Party with Big Daddy Band happening at the Moose Lodge on Dec. 31 from 8 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Tickets $40 at the do
  
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• Penticton turns 117: Municipality celebrates New Year’s Eve birthday

  31-12-2025 20:10 via nanaimobulletin.com
  When New Year’s Eve comes, so does another birthday for Penticton.
  Dec. 31, 2025, marks 117 years since the community was incorporated as a municipality.
  Penticton later became a city in 1948, seven years before the Vees defeated the Soviet Union 5-0 to win the World Cup in Krefeld, Germany, a moment that helped the community achieve international fame.
  At the time of its first incorporation in 1908, Penticton had a population of around 600.
  Two years later, in 1910, it was announced that
  
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• Northwest B.C. congregation prays for youth who allegedly burned down church

  31-12-2025 19:32 via nanaimobulletin.com
  The congregation of Burns Lake’s Island Gospel Fellowship is praying for the young person who allegedly burned down their church.
  On Dec. 22, Burns Lake Fire Rescue responded to the call of a fire at the church on Hwy 35. When firefighters arrived, the sanctuary was fully engulfed, but they were able to prevent the blaze from spreading to the attached gymnasium, which, on initial assessment, only suffered smoke and water damage.
  The fire was immediately deemed suspicious, and shortly after
  
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• 14 vehicles impounded after BC Highway Patrol catches speeders on Sea to Sky

  31-12-2025 19:31 via nanaimobulletin.com
  On Christmas Day, one BC Highway Patrol officer removed 14 “excessive speeders” from the Sea to Sky Highway.
  A news release from BC Highway Patrol Wednesday (Dec. 31) says the stretch of Highway 99 has become “notorious for speeding,” and the agency is the one that “must deal with the deadly crashes that result.”
  It adds that every driver who had their vehicle impounded on Christmas was at least 40 km/h over the speed limit, and two were caught doing 145 km/h
  
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• District of Lantzville Notice of Public Hearing: Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 6:00pm

  31-12-2025 19:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  District of Lantzville Council will hold a public hearing as part of the regular Council meeting on Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 6:00pm, and livestreamed at lantzville.ca to receive and consider input from all persons who believe that their interest in property is affected by the following proposed bylaws:
  “District of Lantzville Official Community Plan Bylaw No.150,2019,Amendment (6910 Lantzville Road) Bylaw No.424,2025”
  “District of Lantzville Zoning Bylaw No.180,2020,Amen
  
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• Committee Regular Meeting Dates

  31-12-2025 19:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Meeting Location: RDN Board Chambers, 6300 Hammond
  Bay Rd., Nanaimo
  Electoral Area Services Committee (EASC) Meeting 1 p.m. Board Meeting 1 p.m.For more information, visit the RDN meeting calendar at www.rdn.bc.ca/agendas-minutes-videos.
  For more information, please contact:
  250-390-4111 or toll free at 1-877-607-4111
  [email protected]
  Disclaimer: The 2026 Board and Electorel Area Services Regular Meeting Schedule is subject to change. To verify the accuracy of this information, please contact
  
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• Mill Bay farm warning of fearless cougar

  31-12-2025 19:20 via nanaimobulletin.com
  A family in Mill Bay is looking for solutions and safety after their pet cat was killed by a cougar on Dec. 28.
  Danya Hillyard and her family operate an organic hobby farm near the Brentwood Bay ferry terminal that has goats, ducks and other animals, and she said the cougar had been seen stalking the farm’s animals for several days before it boldly tried to snatch the cat from the deck.
  Hillyard said her mother-in-law interrupted the attack and the cougar released the cat, but the beloved
  
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• Skyrocketing heat highlights risks facing B.C. in first disaster report in 28 years

  31-12-2025 17:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  A recent report highlights the importance of understanding and reducing disaster and climate risks in B.C.
  The B.C. Disaster and Climate Risk and Resilience Assessment (DCRRA), the first in-depth update on provincial risk since 1997, flags rising temperatures and sea levels, and the potential implications of earthquakes, including a megathrust with a magnitude of 9.0 should it strike off Vancouver Island.
  Notably, the report warns that the annual average surface temperature in B.C. is rising muc
  
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• $40M in motorcycles seized as part of FBI pursuit of fugitive B.C. ex-Olympian

  31-12-2025 16:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Motorcycles valued at $40 million USD, two Canadian National Snowboarding Series medals, and some interesting artwork were some of the items police in Mexico seized after executing multiple search warrants in December in relation to FBI fugitive Ryan Wedding.
  Photos of the items believed to be owned by the former Canadian Olympic athlete, who is now one of the FBI’s 10 most wanted fugitives, were released by the Los Angeles FBI division, on Monday, Dec. 29, and on Tuesday, Dec. 30, noting
  
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