Nanaimo news

• Province rules out repurposing Cowichan District Hospital

  17-07-2026 20:04 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The provincial government has ruled out repurposing Cowichan District Hospital once it is replaced in 2027, prompting North Cowichan council to demand an explanation.The 60-year-old hospital on Gibbins Road is scheduled to be replaced by Quw’utsun Valley Hospital on Bell McKinnon Road in 2027.In her June 29 letter, Josie Osborne, minister of Health, said the hospital, built in 1967, “has reached the end of its functional life and is not being considered for alternate uses.”That
  
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• Amber Alert issued for 6-year-old child from Alberta, possibly in Okanagan

  17-07-2026 23:24 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Six-year-old Lanakai Morrison, who was reportedly taken by his mother, Krista Morrison and her partner Daniel Ludwig, remains missing, and Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit continues to seek assistance in locating the child.
  Also missing is four-year-old Karl Morrison, Ludwig’s son.
  The children are suspected of being with Krista and Ludwig.
  Police believe they were in the Okanagan Valley near Vernon, possibly travelling east towards the Kootenays, but note “they are very mobile and cou
  
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• Pickleballooza tourney set for Beban Park courts in Nanaimo

  17-07-2026 22:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Sports courts in Nanaimo are expected to be packed with pickleballers and paddles for a tournament in August.
  Pickleballooza is set to run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8 at the pickleball facility at Beban Park, and while players will be going head-to-head and medals handed out, Jessica Marley, tournament organizer, said the atmosphere will be more casual than competitive
  “My husband plays and he was looking for me to do a tournament where it was friendly,” said Marley. &
  
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• HVAC, renos among work during Nanaimo Aquatic Centre closure

  17-07-2026 21:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  City of Nanaimo is reminding users of Nanaimo Aquatic Centre that the swimming pool facility will be temporarily shuttered for seven weeks.
  In a social media post, the city said Nanaimo Aquatic Centre will receive annual maintenance work beginning Monday, July 20, with the entire facility closed except for the CBI Health physiotherapy clinic.
  A new water feature, replacement of heating-ventilation-air conditioning equipment and renovation work on the guest services area are three key components,
  
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• Grandson of NHL legend Ken Dryden signs with B.C. junior hockey team

  17-07-2026 21:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Hunter Dryden has a last name that hockey fans recognize instantly.
  The 19-year-old goaltender is the grandson of Hockey Hall of Famer and six-time Stanley Cup champion Ken Dryden, while his mother, Tammy Lee Shewchuk, won Olympic gold with Canada’s women’s hockey team in 2002.
  Now, the Connecticut product is taking the next step in his career after committing to the Victoria Grizzlies for the 2026-27 BCHL season.
  “I’ve always kind of been battling with being my own perso
  
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• Two Nanaimo e-scooter collision in one month prompts warning from RCMP

  17-07-2026 20:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Nanaimo RCMP is again reminding residents, parents, and youth about the importance of helmet use and following provincial regulations surrounding e-bikes and e-scooters after a recent collision involving an electric scooter rider in Nanaimo.
  It’s the second collision involving e-scooters in the city in the past month.
  The latest incident occurred just before 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 9, at the intersection of Uplands Drive and Villa Road.
  The preliminary investigation determined that
  
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• Abbotsford Canucks’ Google numbers decrease year-over-year

  17-07-2026 20:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Similar to the team’s tumble in the standings, the Abbotsford Canucks’ Google Trends data experienced a significant drop year-over-year.
  Google Trends statistics obtained by The News show a decrease of approximately 70 per cent when the time period of July 2025 to July 2026 is compared to July 2024 to July 2025.
  Google Trends track Google searches for terms over a set period of time and allow users the ability to look at historical information and also compare search terms.
  The 2025-
  
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• Garlic powder sold at Dollarama recalled

  17-07-2026 18:51 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Health Canada has issued a recall on a brand of garlic powder sold at Dollarama stores and is urging people to stop using it immediately.Heavenly Spices brand Garlic Powder has been recalled due to bacillus cereus, which can cause food poisoning, diarrhea and gastroenteritis.The recall is for the 70g product with UPC 6 67888 50634 7 and best-before date 2029 JAN 30 GP 30ZV PIT.If you have the affected product and would like a refund, contact Dollarama at [email protected] with a picture of th
  
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• Headline history: Fight goes on for proportional representation

  17-07-2026 18:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The traditional first-past-the-post voting system almost ended in B.C. a little over two decades ago, but was stopped short of the 60 per cent needed.
  A guest column in the April 5, 2005, edition of the Nanaimo News Bulletin was written by the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform, which encouraged people to vote for a form of proportional representation in a provincial referendum on the issue in May of that year.
  If the referendum was successful, proportional representation would have re
  
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• Local man wins big at international custom guitar build competition

  17-07-2026 17:43 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Steve Arneill’s transition from amateur to competitive guitar builder began with a simple desire to repair his brother’s old, neglected instrument.
  A three-year journey has seen the Campbell River resident evolve into a skilled craftsman, recently showcasing his work on an international stage.
  Arneill’s path into lutherie began about three years ago, when he decided to restore his brother’s guitar, which had spent years sitting in a storage locker. The repair project didn
  
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• Colleen Elizabeth Ettinger

  17-07-2026 17:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  In Loving Memory ~
  May 4, 1939 – July 4, 2026
  The family wishes to announce the peaceful passing of Colleen Elizabeth Ettinger on July 4, 2026 at her Kiwanis Lodge residence.
  Born in Nanaimo, B.C. on May 4, 1939, to the late Colin and Winnifred McKenzie.
  Her family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to the fourth floor staff for their exceptional care for the last 4 years while she lived at Kiwanis lodge.
  Colleen will be celebrated in a private family service.
  Full obituary can be v
  
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• Severe Thunderstorm Warning in place for much of Island

  17-07-2026 17:14 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Much of Vancouver Island is under a yellow watch for severe thunderstorms for the rest of the day, Friday, July 17.The warning applies to Vancouver Island, excluding the area from Courtenay to Victoria along the east coast.Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing heavy rain, Environment Canada’s warning says.“When thunder roars, go indoors! Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Don’t drive through flooded
  
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• Vancouver Island rider gears up to cycle 400 kilometres for charity

  17-07-2026 16:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Parksville resident Doug Watson is planning to ride 400 kilometres and raise $5,000 during the month of August for The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) in support of its 10th annual Great Cycle Challenge Canada.
  Founded in 2016, Great Cycle Challenge Canada has grown to become one of the biggest cycling events in the country, according to a news release.
  “This is the fifth time I have participated in Great Cycle Challenge,” Watson said. “During those years, I rode 2,147 ki
  
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• VI Raiders aspire to make playoffs again in 2026 junior football season

  17-07-2026 14:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  With the regular season kicking off, the Vancouver Island Raiders are fine tuning their play ahead of the opener.
  Nanaimo’s Canadian Junior Football League team will start 2026 B.C. Football Conference play at home against the Okanagan Sun on Saturday, July 18 at Q’unq’inuqwstuxw Stadium. The Raiders finished 2025 with a 5-4-1 record and lost 43-12 to Okanagan in the BCFC semifinals.
  Trevor Bowles, offensive line coach, said approximately 50 per cent of last year’s squad
  
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• Langley loves its kitties, and there’s stats to prove it

  17-07-2026 03:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Langley topped the list for the community that loves its cats the most, based on adoptions, and the purchase of toys, treats, and other enrichment products.
  Ahead of PetSmart Charities of Canada National Adoption Week (July 20 to 26), PetSmart unveiled its second annual Top Cat-Loving Cities ranking. The list reveals that suburban communities and mid-sized cities continue to lead the way in feline affection.
  “Cats have become an increasingly important part of family life for Canadians from
  
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• Highway 1 remains closed at Boston Bar due to wildfires

  17-07-2026 01:55 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Highway 1 is still closed at Boston Bar due to the ongoing Brunswick Creek and Ainslie Creek wildfires, the Transportation Ministry advised Thursday (July 16).
  Highway 1 is now closed east of Boothroyd and west of Boston Bar.
  The ministry said traffic control has been established at Hope and Lytton to prevent access into the affected area. There is also overhead message signs and portable message boards alerting travellers of the closure.
  The province says the closure will remain in place until
  
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• B.C. court certifies class action against e-cigarette maker JUUL

  17-07-2026 01:15 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The B.C. Supreme Court has certified a nationwide class action lawsuit against e-cigarette maker JUUL Labs Inc. and associated company Altria Group Inc.
  Two representative plaintiffs in the case, Owen Mann-Campbell and Robert Osborn, allege the companies deceptively marketed their product as a safe alternative to smoking and “conspired together to addict a new generation to nicotine.”
  After six years and an attempt to appeal a partial certification decision, Justice Christopher Giasc
  
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• B.C. youth watchdog points to stalled child welfare reforms

  17-07-2026 01:06 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  B.C.’s watchdog for children and youth says progress has been inconsistent two years after her office released its initial report into children who were either seriously injured or died while in care.
  Representative Dr. Jennifer Charlesworth provided a progress report on Thursday to the July 16, 2024 Don’t Look Away report. She said progress is underway, but pointed to siloed systems, lack of early intervention services, and workforce challenges preventing consistent progress.
  The 20
  
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• Car hits front of pet-supply store in Nanaimo

  17-07-2026 00:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A window was damaged and one woman was treated for non-life threatening injuries, following a vehicle crashing into a pet-supply store.
  On Thursday, July 16 just after 10:30 a.m., Nanaimo RCMP, the fire department and emergency medical services responded to the call at Brooks Landing Shopping Centre.
  A driver of the older model Mazda was treated at the scene, and then transported for medical treatment for her non-life threatening injuries.
  Investigators were able to determine that the driver had
  
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• Delta to open first-of-its-kind in B.C. ash scattering site

  16-07-2026 23:38 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  B.C. has given the go-ahead for a first-of-its-kind dedicated ash scattering site to be created at the Fraser Viewpoint on Tilbury Island in Delta.
  “This site will provide a place for people to gather, respect the wishes of their loved ones and carry out meaningful cultural and spiritual traditions in the communities they call home,” Attorney General Niki Sharma said at an event at the site on Thursday (July 16).
  The scattering of a deceased person’s ashes in running water is n
  
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• New Nanaimo theatre group planning first show

  16-07-2026 22:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A new Nanaimo theatre group has been formed and is already planning its first show, Frankie and Johnny In the Clair de Lune, for later this year.
  Butterfly Theatre has been formed by owner and operator Rebecca Godin, who decided to start it after taking a hiatus from producing plays.
  “I continue to act, but I also gave birth to my amazing daughter, who I am raising, and then this past year, I decided it is time to produce a play again,” Godin recalled. “I chose the name butterf
  
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• Man charged after serious assault at Vancouver Island park

  16-07-2026 20:50 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A man has been charged following a serious assault in Saanich’s Gorge Park.
  Saanich police responded to reports of an alleged assault near the Craigflower Bridge on July 11.
  Officers found a male victim suffering from significant but non-life-threatening injuries. The victim was taken to hospital for treatment.
  A portion of Gorge Park was temporarily closed while police conducted an examination of the scene.
  On July 14, police arrested Kyle Dustin David Aird. He has since been charged with
  
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• Trees in Nanaimo save the city $13.7 million, according to a report

  16-07-2026 20:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The total annual economic savings to the City of Nanaimo of all the trees in the municipality is approximately $13.7 million.
  Charlotte Davis, Nanaimo’s deputy director of parks and natural areas, explained to the city’s governance and priorities committee at its meeting on Monday, July 13 that this refers to the monetary cost of all the work and the services that the city’s trees are achieving in terms of climate resiliency that the city doesn’t have to do.
  “Our tr
  
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• The unlikely diplomat: How a B.C. dog became the legislature’s darling

  16-07-2026 20:20 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Leo may have lived in Greater Victoria for less than five years, but the 13-year-old dog has quickly built a reputation as one of the capital region’s most well-known pooches.
  Without saying a word, save for a few enthusiastic butt wiggles, Leo has won the hearts of residents, tourists and politicians alike. Even Prime Minister Mark Carney is among the lucky ones to have crossed paths with him.
  While every story has a beginning, Leo’s story on Vancouver Island began back in 2021, whe
  
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• Deaf community gathers intel with Victoria meeting in wake of resource cuts

  16-07-2026 20:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Deaf community on Vancouver Island is rapidly deploying resources in a bid to learn the impacts in the wake of the closure of two Island Deaf and Hard of Hearing Centre (IDHHC) Association sites.
  IDHHC provided hearing health services to thousands of clients on Vancouver Island through offices in Saanich and Nanaimo up until their sudden closures on June 30.
  The association cited rising costs alongside cuts in funding and donations. In 2023, the province cancelled contracts for family and co
  
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• Saanich police investigating 10 incidents of stolen and damaged speed signs

  16-07-2026 19:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Saanich police are investigating a series of vandalism and theft incidents involving speed reduction signs along Torquay Drive.
  Police say 10 incidents have been reported since April 29 in the 4200, 4300 and 4400 blocks of Torquay Drive, where signs have either been damaged or stolen.
  The most recent incident was reported on July 13.
  Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the incidents, noticed suspicious activity near the signs, or has information that could assist the investigation to c
  
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• RCAF rescue crews respond to Vancouver Island helicopter crash

  16-07-2026 19:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron, based at 19 Wing Comox, evacuated one survivor of the helicopter crash in the Bute Inlet area on Tuesday, July 16.According to a Facebook post by Campbell River-based West Coast Helicopters, a Hughes 500 helicopter was being flown in the area for forestry operations. At 6:15 a.m., the helicopter went down with a pilot and two forestry workers from CFMG.
  The Search and Rescue (SAR) mission was conducted under the comma
  
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• Malahat Legion celebrates 100 years on July 17

  16-07-2026 19:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Malahat Legion Branch 134 is celebrating its centennial year on July 17, as it first got its start on the same day in 1926.
  Its three core mandates are to support remembrance, support veterans, and to support the community.
  “One hundred years of service under those three main mandates is awesome,” said Legion Honours and Awards officer James Heath. “The Legion does some incredible stuff that sometimes may be overlooked, simply because we are always there.”
  To honour t
  
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• Lantzville’s Oar Road partially and temporarily closed

  16-07-2026 19:05 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Oar Road will be temporarily and partially closed for four weeks.
  The District of Lantzville, in a press release sent out on Tuesday, July 14, announced that beginning that day, the road will be fully closed due to utilities work.
  On July 21, it will re-open as a partial closure until approximately Aug. 18, when it is expected to re-open.
  People are asked to follow traffic control directions, to drive cautiously and to follow all signage and direction.
  Those who want further information are aske
  
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• Lantzville’s Oar Road partially and temporarily

  16-07-2026 19:05 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Oar Road will be temporarily and partially closed for four weeks.
  The District of Lantzville, in a press release sent out on Tuesday, July 14, announced that beginning that day, the road will be fully closed due to utilities work.
  On July 21, it will re-open as a partial closure until approximately Aug. 18, when it is expected to re-open.
  People are asked to follow traffic control directions, to drive cautiously and to follow all signage and direction.
  Those who want further information are aske
  
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