• LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Downtown Nanaimo dependent on traffic flowing

    LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Downtown Nanaimo dependent on traffic flowing
    City of Nanaimo also needs to make downtown safer for it to thrive, says letter writer
  • Nanaimo building under construction burned to the ground

    Nanaimo building under construction burned to the ground
    A house under construction on Stobart Road, near the intersection of Jingle Pot and Mill roads, burned to the ground on Sunday.
    On the afternoon of Sunday, June 14 at about 2:30 p.m., assistant fire chief Troy Libbus, with Nanaimo Fire Rescue, said fire personnel arrived to find the building fully engulfed in flames.
    He said the two-storey building consisted of a stick frame and a roof at the time of the fire.
    “Our fire crews went on what’s called a defence attack in which we don&rsq
  • 9 people suffer burns at Cultus Lake Waterpark after incident involving electricity

    9 people suffer burns at Cultus Lake Waterpark after incident involving electricity
    Emergency responders were called to the Cultus Lake Waterpark on Monday (June 15) for a medical emergency involving electricity and several patrons who suffered burns.
    It was reported initially that a group of youth had suffered burns to their feet.
    Communications over the scanner said arriving crews found nine patients, who were conscious and breathing, and most were children between 10 and 12 years old.
    The call came in over the scanner at 11:20 a.m. asking for Chilliwack Fire Department, RCMP
  • 9 people suffer burns at Cultus Lake Waterpark after electrical incident

    9 people suffer burns at Cultus Lake Waterpark after electrical incident
    Emergency responders were called to the Cultus Lake Waterpark on Monday (June 15) for an electrical incident that led to several patrons being burned.
    It was reported initially that a group of youth had suffered burns to their feet.
    Communications over the scanner said arriving crews found nine patients, who were conscious and breathing, and most were children between 10 and 12 years old.
    The call came in over the scanner at 11:20 a.m. asking for Chilliwack Fire Department, RCMP and BC Ambulance
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  • Closing submissions delayed in Lumby murder trial

    Closing submissions delayed in Lumby murder trial
    WARNING: this article contains content related to a domestic violence murder trial which may be distressing to some readers. Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you know has been harmed by domestic violence (gender-based violence), contact Archway Society for Domestic Peace at 250-542-1122 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week).
    Closing submissions from Crown and defence in the murder trial of a Lumby man have been delayed.
    The submissions in the second-degree murder trial of Vitali Stefans
  • Protesters gather as One B.C. uses Kelowna-owned venue to host meeting

    Protesters gather as One B.C. uses Kelowna-owned venue to host meeting
    MLA and One B.C. leader Dallas Brodie’s most recent town hall has sparked discussion on whether or not the City of Kelowna should allow municipal space to platform controversial speakers.
    On Sunday, June 14, Brodie came to Kelowna and spoke to about 100 attendees at the Parkinson Recreation Centre’s (PRC) Apple Room.
    While Brodie covered a variety of topics surrounding the NDP’s governance of B.C., a majority of her time was spent talking about Indigenous issues in the province
  • End of B.C. rural healthcare bonus could worsen staffing challenges, Union says

    End of B.C. rural healthcare bonus could worsen staffing challenges, Union says
    A program designed to attract and retain rural healthcare workers is coming to an end this year.
    According to the B.C. government website, the Provincial Rural Retention Incentive (PRRI) is a monetary incentive of up to $2,000 per quarter, for a maximum of $8,000 per year, for healthcare workers in 74 communities across B.C., including Quesnel. The incentive, which started back on April 1, 2024, is scheduled to finish by Sept. 30, 2026.
    During her visit to G. R. Baker Memorial Hospital in Quesne
  • Vancouver’s 1st FIFA match led to TransLink’s busiest Saturday since Olympics

    Vancouver’s 1st FIFA match led to TransLink’s busiest Saturday since Olympics
    TransLink says there were more than one million boardings on June 13, the system’s busiest Saturday for a BC Place event since the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.
    There were 1,031,000 boardings on Saturday, a 14.3-per-cent increase from the typical 901,600 boardings, a news release from TransLink said Monday (June 15). There was a total of 648,200 daily trips, which was a 17.8-per-cent increase from a typical day of 550,300 trips.
    Ridership on Saturday also surpassed both Taylor Swift’s Sat
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  • ‘Nothing can go wrong unless the head falls off’: Secret life of UVic’s mascot

    ‘Nothing can go wrong unless the head falls off’: Secret life of UVic’s mascot
    Inside the heavy costume of Thunder, the University of Victoria mascot, there is no cooling fan.
    Elena Mairs spent up to four hours at a time sweating inside the oversized Viking suit over the past four years, sneaking into closets between basketball games just to take the head off and catch her breath.
    But keeping her identity a complete secret from thousands of cheering fans was the real trick.
    When Mairs finally revealed her face at the Vikes season finale, the crowd was completely stunned. T
  • Police asking for help identifying woman

    Police asking for help identifying woman
    The Nanaimo RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in identifying a woman.
    Investigators believe that this individual may have information that will assist in a police incident that occurred just after 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9, at Rexall Drugs, located in the Southgate Mall.
    The woman is Caucasian, 35-40 years old, wearing a white sweater and black pants and carrying a black sling purse over her shoulder.
    If anyone has information on the identify of this person, they’re asked to
  • WORLD CUP DAILY, June 15: Germany, Sweden win big Sunday; 4 matches today

    WORLD CUP DAILY, June 15: Germany, Sweden win big Sunday; 4 matches today
    Daily soccer match updates and news about the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
    Dominant performances by two European nations highlighted Sunday action at the FIFA World Cup.
    Not surprisingly, Germany dismantled Curacao 7-1 in Houston before Sweden stunned Tunisia 5-1 in Monterrey on a day when four matches were played, with four more scheduled today (Monday) on Day 5 of the men’s soccer tournament.Yasin Ayari buries a ROCKET after a disaster in the Tunisia box to put Sweden up by one! pic.twitter.com/
  • New class of graduating sheriffs means more help for Nanaimo courthouse

    New class of graduating sheriffs means more help for Nanaimo courthouse
    With sheriffs from the Class of 2026 completing training at Justice Institute of B.C., more help is headed to the courthouse in Nanaimo.
    In a press release, the B.C. Ministry of the Attorney General said 17 people graduated from the institute on June 8 and will begin working at courthouses across the province as part of the B.C. Sheriff Service. They underwent “rigorous academic, physical and scenario-based training” and are in the midst of on-the-job training with seasoned sheriffs.
  • Port Alberni paramedic retires after 34 years on the job

    Port Alberni paramedic retires after 34 years on the job
    On his last day as a paramedic in Port Alberni, Diljeet Hundal got to wear his very first uniform from 1992.
    Hundal was all smiles as he reflected on 34 years of helping people in Port Alberni.
    “I’ve lived here all my life. I’ve worked with the ambulance service for 34 years. I started in 1992 as a part-timer and I’ll be retiring as a full-timer as of Friday (May 29),” he said.
    Fresh out of high school, he was hired at a sawmill in town. When the mills started to ex
  • PHOTOS: Nanaimo Pride parade celebrates progress

    PHOTOS: Nanaimo Pride parade celebrates progress
    Hundreds gathered from across Vancouver Island to witness or take part in Nanaimo Pride’s biggest parade and festival to date, with 75 floats and a celebratory energy unmatched.
    The parade marched through downtown Nanaimo on Sunday, June 14, representing the long advocacy for 2SLGBTQIA+ rights across the country.
    One attendee, Julie Rogers came out as lesbian 48 years ago when she was 17. She said that for her, Pride represents freedom to be who people are in this world and feel welcomed.
  • THORPE REPORT: Nanaimo junior volleyballers claim pennants

    THORPE REPORT: Nanaimo junior volleyballers claim pennants
    In a recent column we gave credit to top local high school senior-level volleyball teams from this past season. Now we acknowledge the efforts of junior and elementary players, focussing on girls’ team.
    Let’s start with the junior girls’ squad from Dover Bay Secondary. Coached by Terry Palfrey along with Alicia Wynia, Sumiko Palfrey, Kaitlyn Carlson, Julia Roman, and Erika Fay, the team was first at Districts, first at North Islands, then second at Islands and ninth at provinci
  • WORLD CUP DAILY, June 14: ‘Socceroos’ win historic match in Vancouver; 4 games Sunday

    WORLD CUP DAILY, June 14: ‘Socceroos’ win historic match in Vancouver; 4 games Sunday
    Daily soccer match updates and news about the 2026 FIFA World Cup, continuing until July 19.
    Australia and Türkiye soccer fans flooded Vancouver for the city’s first-ever FIFA World Cup match on Saturday evening (June 13).
    Australian 20-year-old Nestory Irankunda raced down the pitch to open scoring in the 27th minute, netting the historic first World Cup goal ever scored at BC Place Stadium as yellow-clad “Socceroos” celebrated.20-year-old Nestory Irankunda stuns Tür
  • Business Notes: Carlos O’Bryan’s Neighbourhood Pub adding large patio

    Business Notes: Carlos O’Bryan’s Neighbourhood Pub adding large patio
    Customers at Nanaimo’s Carlos O’Bryan’s Neighbourhood Pub will soon be able to enjoy a new waterfront patio experience.
    The award-winning pub that overlooks Newcastle Channel and Stones Marina is adding a 2,500 square feet patio to allow a bigger space for its customers to sit back and savour the great food and cold drinks at Carlos O’Bryan’s while watching water traffic pass by in the channel.
    Owner/operator Elaine Nelson-Hosak said the plan is for the new patio, w
  • QUIZ: A celebration of summer sports

    QUIZ: A celebration of summer sports
    During the long, hot days of summer, there are plenty of opportunities for sport.
    Soccer, football, baseball and other team sports are popular. Solitary pursuits, including triathlon also take place during the summer months.
    In celebration of summer activities, here are a dozen questions about sports and sporting culture. How many can you answer correctly?
    Good luck.
    READ MORE: QUIZ: The pursuit of Olympic excellence
    READ MORE: QUIZ: Are you ready for the Stanley Cup?
    READ MORE: QUIZ: The contin
  • Harris tosses 3 TDs as Roughriders trip B.C. Lions 31-27 in CFL thriller

    Harris tosses 3 TDs as Roughriders trip B.C. Lions 31-27 in CFL thriller
    Trevor Harris threw for 417 yards and three touchdowns – all to Samuel Emilus – lifting the host Saskatchewan Roughriders to a thrilling 31-27 win over the B.C. Lions in the 2026 CFL season opener for both teams Saturday at Mosaic Stadium in Regina.
    Kian Schaffer-Baker had 11 receptions for 165 yards for the winners (1-0), with KeeSean Johnson catching nine balls for 131 yards. Kicker Alex Hale booted three field goals and three converts.
    Quarterback Nathan Rourke was 24-for-37 for 3
  • Family event in Nanaimo’s south end features a pet parade

    Family event in Nanaimo’s south end features a pet parade
    A procession of dogs was among the attractions of a community celebration in the south end of Nanaimo.
    South End Day was held at Deverill Square Park Saturday, June 13 offering a variety of family-friendly events courtesy of the Nanaimo South End Community Association, including a pet parade.
    It is the 34th iteration of the event, according to Allison Ainsley, association board executive member and an organizer.
    “It started off as a miner’s picnic, and we changed it to South End Day
  • Nanaimo’s council considers banning camping in two downtown parks

    Nanaimo’s council considers banning camping in two downtown parks
    It’s likely that overnight camping in two neighbourhood parks in downtown Nanaimo will soon be banned.
    City council voted unanimously at its meeting on June 1, to prepare a bylaw amendment that would see Nob Hill Park and Deverill Square Park added to the list of parks where temporary shelter and overnight accommodations are prohibited.
    Coun. Erin Hemmens introduced the motion after many weeks of dialogue with representatives from the South End Community Association, the Milton-Hecate Bloc
  • LETTER TO THE EDITOR: A four-year plan that deserves a closer look

    LETTER TO THE EDITOR: A four-year plan that deserves a closer look
    To the editor,
    The Regional District of Nanaimo is moving ahead with the Departure Bay Pump Station and Forcemain project, a $19 million plus replacement of an aging 50-year-old sewer forcemain running roughly four kilometres from the Departure Bay Pump Station to the treatment centre on McGuffie Road. Renewed infrastructure is important, to be sure. My concern is how the work is being staged, and the impact to the health and safety.
    Beginning in 2027, the plan enforces one-way southbound traffi
  • WORLD CUP DAILY, June 13: Show time in Vancouver tonight; Canada ties opener

    WORLD CUP DAILY, June 13: Show time in Vancouver tonight; Canada ties opener
    Daily soccer match updates and news about the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which continues until July 19.
    It’s time for Vancouver to shine on the FIFA World Cup stage tonight (Saturday) when Australia takes on Türkiye, 9 p.m. start at BC Place Stadium.
    Saturday is a busy four-match day in the tournament with Qatar playing Switzerland in Group B action (noon, in San Francisco), Brazil battling Morocco (3 p.m., New York) and Haiti facing Scotland (6 p.m., Boston), prior to the late game in Vanc
  • RCMP: Beware of fake jewelry scammers active on Vancouver Island

    RCMP: Beware of fake jewelry scammers active on Vancouver Island
    The Oceanside RCMP is warning residents to beware of fraudsters.
    Police say the scammers are active in the mid-Island area, trying to sell fake jewelry or steal real jewelry from unsuspecting residents using well-practised scam techniques.
    Sgt. Shane Worth said on the morning of June 6, Oceanside RCMP investigated two incidents in Parksville where a man driving a black Audi SUV stopped and sought directions from pedestrians. During the conversations, the man and his female passenger handed jewel
  • ‘Not negotiable’: Syilx Okanagan Nation says Brodie, One B.C. not welcome

    ‘Not negotiable’: Syilx Okanagan Nation says Brodie, One B.C. not welcome
    The Syilx Okanagan Nation is “outraged” that Vancouver-Quilchena MLA Dallas Brodie and her One B.C. party will hold a town hall at Kelowna’s Parkinson Recreation Centre on June 14.
    The Okanagan Nation Alliance issued a statement on Friday, June 12, following a similar release from the Kelowna Pride Society, which called on the City of Kelowna “to reaffirm its commitments to reconciliation, the BC Human Rights Code, UNDRIP, DRIPA, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Ca
  • COLUMN: City should think carefully on how to fill gaps in local workforce

    COLUMN: City should think carefully on how to fill gaps in local workforce
    Discussions around what to do to prepare communities to face the economic challenges they face in the future are always fascinating.
    The latest chapter on the issue was presented by Nanaimo’s economic development officer Amrit Manhas at the council meeting on May 25.
    During her presentation on the city’s annual state of the economy report, Manhas pointed out that Nanaimo is having a hard time attracting mid- to large-sized employers to set up shop here.
    She said that while the paucit
  • Who’s open, who’s closed as HGTV crew starts Home Town Takeover in Port Alberni?

    Who’s open, who’s closed as HGTV crew starts Home Town Takeover in Port Alberni?
    When the City of Port Alberni was announced June 9 as the first participant of Home Town Takeover Canada, it took everyone by surprise—especially businesses in the Harbour Quay area. The quay was announced as the first civic space to receive a makeover.
    The city had already approved renovations to the quay, but they were going to happen a few weeks down the road. “Due to the time constraints of the show’s production, this work will begin immediately,” the city announced o
  • Unique Spirit of Tomorrow car drives to inspire at Vancouver Island museum

    Unique Spirit of Tomorrow car drives to inspire at Vancouver Island museum
    A unique new installation at Heritage Acres features sleek lines crafted at the hands of an innovative mind.The Spirit of Tomorrow was a fast car back in its day. Not many cars were hitting 100 miles an hour back in 1939, notes Tim Lindsay, nephew-in-law to the man who built it.He’s become the caretaker and historian, documenting the Spirit’s travels and history in hopes of inspiring other young minds in the future.
    It’s why Lindsay made a website, and the root of seeking out a
  • How are ticket prices looking in Vancouver on FIFA World Cup Eve?

    How are ticket prices looking in Vancouver on FIFA World Cup Eve?
    ‘Twas the night before FIFA World Cup and all through B.C., ticket prices were higher than a Douglas fir tree.
    Abbotsford grass has been installed inside BC Place with care, with hopes that Messi or Mbappe could be there.
    History will be made when Australia and Turkey square off at BC Place on Saturday (June 13) for the first-ever men’s World Cup game in Vancouver.
    That same history will likely extend to the box office, with the most astronomical get-in prices in provincial sports hi
  • A world-class Tudor treasure: B.C. hotel reigns as Canada’s best

    A world-class Tudor treasure: B.C. hotel reigns as Canada’s best
    Another hotel in Greater Victoria is making headlines after entering a world ranking. Abigail’s Hotel in Victoria has been named Canada’s best hotel and the seventh best in the world by TripAdvisor.
    It was recognized as the best hotel in Canada for the second year in a row, and is the only Canadian hotel to be included in the global ranking list.
    Abigail’s Hotel, located at 906 McClure Street, is a 30-room, adult-only boutique property that has been operating since the 1930s.
    I

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