Nanaimo news

• FVRD downgrades Boston Bar evacuation orders, residents allowed to return

  05-08-2026 22:48 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Several evacuation orders have been downgraded to evacuation alerts in the Boston Bar area.
  According to a news release from the Fraser Valley Regional District on Wednesday (Aug. 5), the areas of Boston Bar, North Bend and Canyon Alpine, Fishblue Lake, Scuzzy Creek south of Boston Bar, and Nahatlatch and North Boothroyd are now under evacuation alerts instead of orders.
  Per the release, BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) advised that risk has “sufficiently subsided” and residents can return
  
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• UPDATE: Several Summerland small businesses affected by Bald Range wildfire

  11-08-2026 03:47 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  UPDATE: 6:44 p.m.
  Some small businesses have been greatly affected by the Bald Range wildfire, in and around the area, especially Summerland.
  While the Regional District of the Okanagan Similkameen has not had access to re-enter the area affected by the blaze as it remains a live wildfire, plans for a rapid damage assessment are underway.
  As well, the RDOS is looking to the next staged or phased process, which includes bringing residents back into Summerland and the surrounding area, said Graham
  
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• B.C. man charged with sexual assault in Ontario

  11-08-2026 02:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A Maple Ridge man has been charged following a sexual assault on July 30 in North Bay, Ontario.
  Nazif Kamenjas, 58, is accused of restraining and sexually assaulting a woman after encouraging her to consume an alcoholic beverage during a brief encounter on the street and following her home.
  Police said the woman was later able to seek help, and was transported to hospital for treatment.She reported the incident to police on July 31.
  Later that same day, Kamenjas was located and arrested without
  
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• Victoria man builds community with Queen Mary-modelled little free library

  11-08-2026 01:45 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Tourists getting off cruise ships and thousands of visitors roaming around Victoria flock to a unique little free library at Ogden Point.
  If the creator, Jeff Apolinario, is around, he will chat with the visitors and offer treats to the dogs who stop by.
  Among thousands of little free libraries in Greater Victoria, this specific one has been turning heads, likely due to the attention to detail Apolinario has given to the model.
  Not everyone suspects the model to be a little free library at first
  
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• Fundraiser launched to support injured Vancouver Island firefighter

  11-08-2026 01:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A GoFundMe page has been launched to support a Ucluelet firefighter injured during a wildfire deployment.The fundraiser was launched on Aug. 8 and explains that Adam Howe suffered a tibial plateau fracture and now faces a long recovery following surgery.“Adam was in the hospital on the mainland for four days before having very serious surgery on his leg. This being said, the costs of food/travel/rent and bills are going to start piling up and his wife and children are left with no main sou
  
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• B.C.’s deficit ends fiscal year $3.2 billion lower than budget

  11-08-2026 01:17 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Turns out, B.C. spent $3.2 billion less than budgeted last year — at least when a large tobacco settlement and some delays to expensive projects are factored in.
  After a full accounting of the province’s 2025/26 fiscal year spending, the deficit shrank from the original $10.9 billion shortfall to a more modest $7.7 billion. The total spend for the year was a little more than $94.9 billion.
  While the revision includes a one-time $2.561 billion tobacco settlement added to the books aft
  
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• Man injured in grizzly bear attack near Pemberton

  11-08-2026 01:01 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  B.C. Conservation Officer Service says there is no ongoing threat to other backcountry users after a grizzly bear attack near Pemberton.Conservation officers responded to a report of a grizzly bear attack Sunday evening in the backcountry area of the Rutherford Creek drainage, a Facebook post from the service says.B.C. Conservation Officer Service said the investigation determined the attack was “defensive in nature” and was the result of a “close-range surprise encounter.&rdqu
  
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• VIDEO: B.C. whale watching captain sounds alarm for tangled humpback calf

  11-08-2026 00:42 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A tangled humpback calf is swimming free thanks to a Victoria whale watching company.
  An Eagle Wing Tours captain first spotted the calf tangled in fishing gear Aug. 6, travelling with its mother, known as Tempest, near the south coast of Vancouver Island.
  After reporting the sighting to Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), the Eagle Wing Tours vessel and its 12 guests stayed on the scene, monitoring the two whales at a distance until a Straitwatch support boat arrived.
  “It’s critical
  
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• Man arrested in Summerland evacuation area as officials ask for patience

  11-08-2026 00:11 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  One man has been arrested by the RCMP within the Summerland evacuation order area, as local officials ask for patience from residents who want to return to their homes.During the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen’s live broadcast on Aug. 10 in response to the Bald Range Wildfire, Summerland’s CAO Graham Statt said the community is still in the response phase for the current emergency.“That means there’s still live wildfire in and around the community,” said
  
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• Winless streak reaches one year as Pacific FC grabs point against Toronto in Langford

  10-08-2026 23:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Pacific FC has officially gone one year without a win.
  The Tridents ended their five-game losing streak with a 1-1 draw against Inter Toronto on Saturday (Aug. 8), but the grim milestone still loomed large.
  Despite the overarching drought, Pacific showed promise once again, as confidence in their attack continues to grow under Terry Dunfield.
  That promise culminated in the 44th minute when the Tridents gained the advantage off the foot of Yann Toualy.
  Toualy was the recipient of a brilliant run
  
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• UPDATE: RCMP kills wrong bear following attack of 3 year old in Lower Mainland

  10-08-2026 23:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A black bear killed by the RCMP following an attack on a three year old in Maple Ridge, was not the right one.
  BC Conservation Officer Service released a statement on Monday, Aug. 10, saying one bear was “dispatched” by the RCMP on site of the attack on Sunday, at a residential propertyin the 12300 block of 240 Street.However, upon completion of the necropsy, the agency said, “the black bear was determined to not be the offending black bear responsible for yesterday’s bea
  
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• RCMP kills wrong bear following attack of 3 year old in Lower Mainland

  10-08-2026 23:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A black bear killed by the RCMP following an attack on a three year old in Maple Ridge, was not the right one.
  BC Conservation Officer Service released a statement on Monday, Aug. 10, saying one bear was “dispatched” by the RCMP on site of the attack on Sunday, at a residential propertyin the 12300 block of 240 Street.However, upon completion of the necropsy, the agency said, “the black bear was determined to not be the offending black bear responsible for yesterday’s bea
  
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• Langford defenceman helps Canada reclaim gold at Hlinka Gretzky Cup

  10-08-2026 23:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Langford’s Brock Cripps is an international gold medallist once again.
  The 17-year-old defenceman helped Canada reclaim the Hlinka Gretzky Cup on Saturday (Aug. 8), as Canada cruised past the United States 8-1 in the gold-medal game in Edmonton, Alta.
  Cripps, who developed with the Juan de Fuca Minor Hockey Association, finished fourth in scoring by a defenceman in the tournament, registering one goal and five assists for six points in five games.View this post on InstagramA post shared by
  
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• Okanagan RCMP seeking witnesses to ignition of fatal Bald Range wildfire

  10-08-2026 23:11 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Police are seeking public assistance with their investigation into the cause of the deadly Bald Range Wildfire west of Summerland.
  The Penticton South Okanagan Similkameen Regional RCMP are looking to speak to any witnesses who were in the Princeton-Summerland Road, Bathville Road, Crump Recreation Site and the Trout Creek Recreation Site areas in the afternoon of Aug. 7.Police are looking for any dashcam footage, photos, videos and other information to review.The exact cause of the fire current
  
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• Council adopts new off-street parking bylaw

  10-08-2026 23:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A new bylaw intended to reduce reliance on personal vehicles and better support walking, rolling, cycling and transit within Nanaimo has been adopted by council.
  Council voted for the off-street parking bylaw, with councillors Sheryl Armstrong and Ian Thorpe opposed, at a meeting on July 27.
  The bylaw is intended to modernize the city’s parking regulations to better match land use, location, access to transit and real-world parking demand.
  As well, the bylaw looks to help manage population
  
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• Overflowing Island provincial park porta-potties ‘unacceptable’, say campaigners

  10-08-2026 21:52 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Concern has been raised about the upkeep of portable toilets at Goldstream Provincial Park.
  For the hundreds of visitors who pass through the park’s day-use area each day, porta-potties have been available since mid-July while the washroom building remains temporarily closed.
  Until recently, just two portable toilets were available, and regular weekly visitors say they have often been found in an unsatisfactory state.
  “This Tuesday (Aug. 4), those bathrooms, both of them, were overfl
  
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• No off-road vehicles allowed on Crown land in parts of wildfire-hit southern B.C.

  10-08-2026 21:45 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Off-road vehicles are prohibited on Crown land throughout the Southeast, Kamloops and Cariboo fire centres immediately due to wildfires.
  The prohibition is being put into place to protect public safety, according to a press release from the BC Wildfire Service Monday (Aug. 10). It also includes parts of the Coastal Fire Centre.The ban also includes the Rocky Mountain Natural Resource District and the Selkirk Natural Resource District.
  “The operation of any off-road vehicle for recreational
  
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• Strap in: Victoria flight cancelled after child refused to wear seatbelt

  10-08-2026 20:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Porter Airlines is apologizing after an outgoing Victoria flight was cancelled due to a child who would not secure their seatbelt.
  According to the Victoria Airport Authority, the Porter flight to Toronto was first delayed and subsequently cancelled after it was unable to depart before YYJ’s scheduled airfield closure on Aug. 6.
  The airline told the Peninsula News Review the aircraft left the terminal and proceeded to the runway for departure before a young child who was standing in their
  
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• NOTICE OF PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO BOARD PROCEDURE BYLAW

  10-08-2026 20:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Meeting: Board Meeting, Tuesday, September 8, 2026
  Time: 1:00 p.m.
  Place: Board Chambers, 6300 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo
  Notice is hereby given that the Board, at its regular meeting scheduled for September 8, 2026, may consider proposed amendments to its Board Procedure Bylaw, “Regional District of Nanaimo Board Procedure Bylaw No. 1862, 2022”, including:Amending Section 2, “Definitions”, to add a definition for “Hybrid Meeting” and revise the definition of &
  
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• 8 transitional recovery beds open in Port Alberni

  10-08-2026 20:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  People with substance use challenges will have another treatment option closer to home in Port Alberni and the West Coast. Provincial Health Minister Josie Osborne recently announced eight new transitional recovery beds will open at an undisclosed location in Port Alberni.
  Inlet Recovery Home will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week providing transitory care for people waiting to get into a rehabilitation facility, Island Health noted. Clients will typically stay between 30 and 90 days. Va
  
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• Non-profit hopes to score $75K in fundraiser for Nanaimo-Ladysmith students

  10-08-2026 20:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  While the Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools year doesn’t start for another month, money and supplies are sought to give students in need a helping hand.
  Nanaimo-Ladysmith Schools Foundation’s Stock the Lockers campaign is on until Sept. 15, with a fundraising goal of $75,000 set, according to Crystal Borbandy, foundation executive director.While supplies are sought, elementary school students’ needs can go beyond pencils and notebooks, she told the News Bulletin.
  “I think
  
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• THINKING OF RUNNING FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT? CANDIDATE INFORMATION SESSION

  10-08-2026 19:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Are you thinking of running for local government in the October 17, 2026, general local elections? Attend the August 12 candidate information session to learn what being an elected official for a municipality or the regional district is all about. The session will cover the duties and commitments of municipal and electoral area elected officials, as well as key information about the election process.
  Wednesday, August 12
  6-9 p.m.
  Grand Strathcona Room, Tigh-Na-Mara, 1155 Resort Drive, Parksville
  
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• District of Lantzville: 2026 GENERAL LOCAL ELECTION BRITISH COLUMBIA – PUBLIC NOTICE

  10-08-2026 19:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  NOTICE OF NOMINATION PERIOD
  Public Notice is given that nominations will be received for candidates for the following District of Lantzville offices of:
  Mayor — one (1) to be elected
  Councillor — four (4) to be elected
  All offices are four-year terms on the District of Lantzville Council.
  Nomination documents will be received by the Chief Election Officer (CEO) as follows:QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE
  A person is qualified to be nominated, elected and to hold office as a member of the Di
  
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• 1 charged with uttering death threats against Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney

  10-08-2026 19:22 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A 51-year-old man from Montréal has been charged in an investigation into death threats against Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.Marc Porlier is charged with uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm to a person under section 264.1 of the Criminal Code, the RCMP’s Federal Policing Eastern Region announced Monday (Aug. 10).
  He allegedly made the threatening remarks in an email sent to a senator, “among other individuals,” RCMP said.Police said the investigation wa
  
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• Saanich Fire sends crews to help with wildfires amid provincial state of emergency

  10-08-2026 19:20 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Saanich Fire members join those from across the country and beyond to suppress wildfires in interior B.C. this month.
  Three members of the Saanich Local 967 officially deployed with the district’s Wildland 1 vehicle on Aug. 8 to assist the BC Wildfire Service.
  “Our crew is prepared to support operations on the ground to help protect lives, property, and critical infrastructure,” the union said, sharing the news on social media. “Please join us in wishing our members a saf
  
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• Bald Range wildfire west of Summerland grows to over 15,000 hectares

  10-08-2026 18:57 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Bald Range wildfire west of Summerland has grown to over 15,000 hectares.In a Monday morning, Aug. 10 update, BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) said winds shifted easterly to westerly on Sunday. The shift in winds cleared the air in the northeast corner of the blaze, increasing the fire’s intensity to displaying Rank 4 behaviour, instead of the Rank 2 to 3 behaviour showed earlier in the day.
  BCWS said it is still prioritizing the drainage between Fish Lake and Garnet Valley. There, crews are
  
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• Shifting winds potentially to increase activity on Quilpituk Creek wildfire

  10-08-2026 18:45 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Quilpituk Creek wildfire remains out of control, with afternoon winds potentially increasing activity later in the day on Aug. 10.
  The fire remains at an estimated 1,238 hectares in size, unchanged from the previous update by the BC Wildfire Service on Sunday, Aug. 9.
  Heavy smoke from the fire is expected to remain in the area through the day.Controlled burns that were planned to remove 100 hectares of unburnt fuel between the fire perimeter and established control lines on Aug. 9 weren&rsqu
  
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• Shifting winds could increase activity on Quilpituk Creek wildfire

  10-08-2026 18:45 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Quilpituk Creek wildfire remains out of control, with afternoon winds potentially increasing activity later in the day on Aug. 10.
  The fire remains at an estimated 1,238 hectares in size, unchanged from the previous update by the BC Wildfire Service on Sunday, Aug. 9.
  Heavy smoke from the fire is expected to remain in the area through the day.Controlled burns that were planned to remove 100 hectares of unburnt fuel between the fire perimeter and established control lines on Aug. 9 weren&rsqu
  
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• Brunswick Complex wildfires grow to over 60,000 hectares combined

  10-08-2026 17:44 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Brunswick Complex wildfires have grown to over 60,000 hectares combined.
  Both the 8,755-hectare Brunswick Creek fire and 51,772-hectare Ainslie Creek fire that make up the complex remain out of control, according to the latest update from BC Wildfire Service on Monday morning (Aug. 10).
  Eleven evacuation orders and 13 evacuation alerts are in effect in relation to the fires.
  Due to the Ainslie Creek fire, the Thompson Nicola Regional District issued an evacuation order for 57 addresses in th
  
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• Mother concerned about lack of signage at summer schools

  10-08-2026 14:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A Nanaimo mother wants the city to review its signage polices for summer and year-round schools.
  Speaking to council at a meeting on July 27, Andréa Coutu, who had earned a trade ticket as a flag person earlier in her life, said she recently noticed while dropping off her son at a Nanaimo school that school zones in the city aren’t currently marked for all-year, balanced calendar or summer-school sites.
  She said each school district’s calendar sets out the beginning and the en
  
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