Nanaimo news

• Registration on for fifth Hub City Soap Box Derby in Nanaimo

  23-06-2026 00:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Racers are sought as registration for a Nanaimo soapbox derby is under way.
  The Hub City Soap Box Derby will take place down Wall Street in Nanaimo on Aug. 15 with participants building non-motorized racers that will go down the hill “powered by gravity and a shared sense of community,” a press release stated.
  All proceeds benefit Nanaimo Child Development Centre.
  The stock division is available for people aged six to 16 years, with a kit provided and prizes for carts that go the fas
  
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• Man, woman found dead on remote road near Nakusp: criminality not suspected

  23-06-2026 21:40 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Police say the deaths of two people whose bodies were discovered in a remote area near Nakusp are not currently being treated as criminal in nature.
  The Nakusp RCMP is working with the BC Coroners Service following the discovery of two bodies along the Tate Creek Forest Service Road.
  Police said they received a report at about 9:17 a.m. on June 16 of a burned vehicle and a body in the vicinity.
  Investigators determined the vehicle had become stuck in difficult terrain and appeared to have subseq
  
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• Man believed to have been swept away in Columbia River: Castlegar RCMP

  23-06-2026 21:27 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Castlegar RCMP say a missing man, who is believed to have been swept away in the Columbia River, may have drowned.
  Officers were called after multiple reports of a lone man in distress in the Columbia River on June 21 around 9:30 p.m., according to a news release from Castlegar RCMP Tuesday (June 23).
  Police said witness reported seeing a man being carried downstream by current.
  A backpack, believed to belong to the man, was later found along the shoreline.
  Castlegar Search and Rescue, Columbia
  
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• Collaboration important for economic success, Nanaimo conference hears

  23-06-2026 21:01 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Working together collaboratively and with respect for each other will help lead to economic prosperity in Nanaimo, and across B.C., was the message participants of the Indigenous Resource Opportunities Conference heard.
  On June 5, stakeholders gathered from across B.C. in Nanaimo to discuss resource opportunities with one of the panels, Rising Tides Lifts all Boats: Collaborative Economic Development in Canada, focusing on the need for joint collaboration on economic development opportunities.
  O
  
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• Progress slow but visible, five years after Lytton fire

  23-06-2026 21:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Five years after the Lytton Creek fire tore through the Village of Lytton, longtime resident and first-term mayor Denise O’Connor expresses frustration about the slow pace of recovery but sees multiple signs of progress.
  On June 29, 2021, much of British Columbia was in the grip of a heat dome that saw temperature records shattered. On that day, Lytton recorded the highest temperature ever seen in Canada: 49.6 C.
  The next day, with temperatures falling to a comparatively mild 39 C, a fire
  
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• Junior Shamrocks win hosting rights for 2027 Minto Cup at Colwood’s Q Centre

  23-06-2026 21:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The biggest prize in Canadian junior box lacrosse is officially bound for the West Shore.
  The British Columbia Junior A Lacrosse League (BCJALL) board of governors voted to award the 2027 Minto Cup to the Victoria Junior Shamrocks. The national Junior A championship will take over Colwood’s Q Centre in August of next year.
  View this post on InstagramA post shared by BC Jr A Lacrosse League (@bcjralacrosse)The event annually crowns the national champion following a tournament that includes
  
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• Suspect in Montreal shooting that left 3 dead is identified as Alberta man

  23-06-2026 20:52 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The suspect in a Montreal shooting on Monday that left three people dead, including a civilian and a police officer, has been identified as a 25-year-old from Alberta.
  Seth Scott Hatfield, the alleged shooter, is from Lethbridge, the Quebec coroner confirmed to Black Press Media Tuesday (June 23). A civilian, 68-year-old Montreal man Michel Mizrahi, and Service de Police de la Ville de Montréal officer, 34-year-old Mohamed Lamine Benredouane from Laval, were also killed.
  Coroner Martine L
  
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• Gravel nationals end abruptly amid soaring temps in Cowichan

  23-06-2026 20:45 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Known as “The Legend”, the Burnt Bridge Gravel Fondo slated for June 14 in the Cowichan Valley was to also serve as the 2026 Canadian Gravel Championships.
  Though the race began — and some elite riders had even crossed the finished line — the event was terminated abruptly mid-race due to soaring temperatures and the strain it put on the event’s medical staff.
  An official statement from race director Jon Watkin of Panache Cycling Sports Ltd., explained that riders we
  
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• Live in the Moment as Portugal. The Man headlines Kelowna music festival

  23-06-2026 20:19 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Denim on the Diamond is back for 2026 with one of the most popular bands in alternative music today.
  Portugal. The Man will headline the City Park festival on Sunday, Sept. 13, it was announced on Tuesday.
  “The Grammy-winning, multi-platinum alternative powerhouses are bringing their legendary live performance straight to City Park,” said Denim on the Diamond on social media.
  The Alaska-found, but now based in Oregon band that’s been around for 22 years now, won the Best Pop Du
  
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• ‘What the hell happened?’: Saanich falls back to non-binding amalgamation question

  23-06-2026 19:50 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Saanich residents won’t see an anticipated referendum question on amalgamation when they head to the polls this fall. Likely, instead, they’ll find another public opinion question after the province told the district it wouldn’t authorize a binding referendum question.Disappointment and dissatisfaction were on display across the board – from the council table, to the public in chambers and those participating in the June 22 committee meeting online – as council cons
  
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• BC Transit opens $7 million training centre in Victoria

  23-06-2026 19:43 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A new BC Transit training centre is up and running in Victoria.
  BC Transit announced on June 22 that the new facility at the Victoria Transit Centre is designed to support maintenance teams with hands-on learning environments and modern training tools.
  “As the BC Transit fleet evolves with the introduction of battery electric buses, specialized training that goes beyond traditional practices is required, and this facility will ensure BC Transit’s existing fleet and future electrified
  
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• $2M cost estimate dampens plan for Parksville highway name changes

  23-06-2026 19:25 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The plan to rename Highway 19A and Highway 4A within Parksville city limits has stalled, after a staff report estimated the costs involved at more than $2 million.
  The change to Ocean Boulevard and Mountainview Boulevard would affect 674 addresses, including Oceanside Health Centre, Parksville Community Park, the Parksville Museum and Wembley Mall, according to a report by Ayla Defoor, manager of engineering.
  The report also found more than 1,000 bylaws, policies, business licences and other doc
  
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• RCMP calls up 19% in North Cowichan/Duncan detachment

  23-06-2026 19:23 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Both crimes against persons and property are up in North Cowichan in the first three months of 2026 compared to the same time frame the year before.
  Staff Sgt. Ken Beard, officer in charge of the North Cowichan/Duncan detachment, gave his quarterly report to North Cowichan council on June 17, reporting an increase in overall files in the detachment’s jurisdiction to 5,740 from 4,828 in the same period the previous year.
  “The files jumped 19 per cent from 2025 to 2026,” Beard to
  
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• Ladysmith seniors skunk national competition, win Canadian cribbage title

  23-06-2026 19:15 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  What began as a casual entry into a local Legion cribbage tournament ended with four Ladysmith seniors taking home the top prize in the Canadian cribbage world.
  Heather Taylor, Miriam Reid, Eric Nernberg and Rob Johnson represented British Columbia at the Dominion Cribbage Championship held in Nova Scotia in late April, defeating teams from across the country and overcoming a scoring error that initially left them believing they had finished tied for second place.
  After officials reviewed the re
  
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• Lytton fire activity expected to increase as temperatures reach 36C

  23-06-2026 19:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Saw Creek wildfire in Lytton remains at 704 hectares on Tuesday morning (June 23) after sparking on June 19.
  According to BC Wildfire Service (BCWS), activity on the blaze decreased overnight due to cooler temperatures and light winds.
  Crews and structure protection personnel prioritized the protection and defence of structures in the fire area.
  However, the blaze remains burning at Rank 1 – 2. The different Ranks can be found on the provincial website.
  There are 197 BCWS firefighters
  
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• 2nd day of summer sees Vancouver Island daily temperature records fall

  23-06-2026 18:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  For the second consecutive Monday, the Gonzales weather station in Victoria recorded a record-breaking warm day.The second official day of summer, June 22, saw several sites in the Greater Victoria area break daily temperature records.Victoria hit a high of 30.9 C, beating the June 22, 1936 record of 28.9. Gonzales Point and Esquimalt both hit a record of 27 C, two degrees over the old record set in 1961.
  On June 15, the Gonzales station hit 28.1 C, over the 27. 8 C record set for the same day i
  
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• 2nd day of summer sees Vancouver Island daily tempearature records fall

  23-06-2026 18:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  For the second consecutive Monday, the Gonzales weather station in Victoria recorded a record-breaking warm day.The second official day of summer, June 22, saw several sites in the Greater Victoria area break daily temperature records.Victoria hit a high of 30.9 C, beating the June 22, 1936 record of 28.9. Gonzales Point and Esquimalt both hit a record of 27 C, two degrees over the old record set in 1961.
  On June 15, the Gonzales station hit 28.1 C, over the 27. 8 C record set for the same day i
  
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• Princeton mayor asks for action from province on homelessness

  23-06-2026 17:55 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Town of Princeton is asking the B.C. government to take action to address the issues of homelessness, mental health, substance use and environmental challenges affecting the community.
  A three-page letter from the town, dated June 15, was sent to Premier David Eby and numerous provincial ministers and officials.
  Mayor Spencer Coyne said Princeton has faced a worsening homelessness crisis for several years and local service providers, organizations and volunteers have worked to respond.
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• American citizen drowns after kayak capsizes on Okanagan Lake

  23-06-2026 17:50 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Quickly changing weather conditions has led to the death of an United States resident on Okanagan Lake.
  On Friday, June 19 around 7:13 p.m., West Kelowna RCMP received reports that a kayak had capsized with two people in it near Westbank First Nation Beach, in the 2100-block of Boucherie Road. The kayak capsized after sudden windy conditions, according to RCMP.
  Both individuals attempted to swim to shore, but one kayaker went under the water and never resurfaced.
  First responding officers arrive
  
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• Province launches program targeting repeat property crime offenders across B.C.

  23-06-2026 17:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Repeat property-crime offenders are now in the crosshairs of the province and RCMP.
  Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Nina Krieger was joined by Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo-Gabriola, Insp. Donavan Tait, from the Nanaimo RCMP, and other officials in Nanaimo on Monday, June 22, to announce the province is investing $16 million over two years to launch the Chronic Property Offending Intervention Initiative province-wide.
  Tait said the C-POII is modelled on the successful Repeat Vi
  
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• Victoria’s Spencer Carbery inks multi-year extension with Washington Capitals

  23-06-2026 16:55 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Spencer Carbery has signed a multi-year contract extension to remain head coach of the Washington Capitals. Since taking the Washington job in May 2023, Carbery has posted a 134-83-29 record.
  Along with graduating from Claremont Secondary School, his playing days started locally.
  During the 1999-00 season, Carbery suited up in 34 games with the VIJHL’s Peninsula Panthers and three games with the BCHL’s Victoria Salsa. The following season, he joined the BCHL full time with the Cowich
  
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• WORLD CUP DAILY, June 23: Messi scores record 18th; England can advance with win today

  23-06-2026 16:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Daily FIFA World Cup match updates and news for Black Press Media publications.
  Monday was a big day at the World Cup where Lionel Messi became the tournament’s record goalscorer with 18 all-time, and Kylian Mbappe moved joint-second with two of his own as Argentina, France and Norway advanced to the playoff Round of 32.
  Argentina’s Messi scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Austria in Dallas, while Mbappe netted two of his own in a 3-0 romp over Iraq in Group I action in Philadelphia
  
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• Nanaimo pitches for a mini-pitch

  23-06-2026 14:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The City of Nanaimo is hoping to have a mini-pitch installed in Beban Park.
  At its meeting on June 17, the city’s finance and audit committee voted to submit an expression-of-interest letter to the Mini Peaks Legacy Project to set up a mini-pitch in the park.
  If the city is chosen to host a 60-foot by 120-foot mini-pitch, the Mini Peaks Legacy Project would cover the full cost of installing it, while the city would be responsible to pay $213,600 for site preparation.
  Coun. Erin Hemmens sai
  
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• Indigenous Peoples Day in Nanaimo included visit from Prime Minister

  23-06-2026 02:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Hundreds celebrated National Indigenous Peoples Day at Nanaimo’s Maffeo Sutton Park, plus a visit to the Nanaimo Museum by the Prime Minister in recognition of the day.
  National Indigenous Peoples Day, originally named National Aboriginal Day, was formed in 1996, following calls from various Indigenous groups, including the Assembly of First Nations and the Sacred Assembly, wanting a national holiday to celebrate the contributions of Indigenous Peoples.
  In Nanaimo, Mid-Island Métis
  
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• Small wildfire west of Cobble Hill under control

  23-06-2026 01:26 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A small wildfire discovered June 21, west of Cobble Hill, is listed as under control by BC Wildfire Service.
  The suspected cause is humans, according to the Coastal Fire Centre. It is sized at 0.02 hectares and is near Lakeshaw Road. The fire is not expected to spread beyond the current perimeter.
  Due to dry and hot conditions, the fire danger class in that area is listed as 4 – High Danger.
  
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• Interior Wildlife Rehabilitation Society in B.C. developing framework for beaver translocation

  23-06-2026 01:05 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Beavers Nelson and Tina from the Interior Wildlife Rehabilitation Society are helping shape the future of relocation for the species.
  The pair first came to the rehabilitation centre in the summer of 2024.
  “Tina was still at nursing age; they were both far too young to be wandering alone outside of their respective lodges,” reads the release by Interior Wildlife Rehabilitation Society.
  “These kits were not conflict beavers, but orphaned and transferred to the Interior Wildlife
  
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• 105-year-old dies of smoke inhalation days after fire at B.C. seniors complex

  23-06-2026 00:41 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Elsie Hellstrom thought she would die “freezing in a fire”.
  For two hours on March 9, the 105-year-old resident of Chartwell Carrington House in Mission was left behind in the second floor stairwell while the seniors complex was engulfed in flames around her.
  Firefighters managed to rescue Hellstrom from the burning building, but she died five days later on March 14 after suffering from smoke inhalation, dehydration, and hypothermia.
  “She was just telling everybody how scared s
  
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• Man allegedly bear sprays cricketers, breaks player’s arm in Vancouver: Police

  23-06-2026 00:39 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A man has been arrested after allegedly bear-spraying cricketers and breaking the arm of a player in Vancouver, police say.
  The department is investigating the alleged assault that took place at 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 20 at Connaught Park in Kitsilano where a 45-year-old man allegedly bear sprayer a group of cricket players and broke the arm of one.
  Police say a game was underway when the suspect allegedly walked across the pitch and “repeatedly interrupted the play.” He was asked
  
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• B.C.’s Carey Price among 2026 Hockey Hall of Fame inductees

  22-06-2026 23:58 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Anahim Lake’s Carey Price has been named as one of the 2026 inductees in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
  The selection committee announced Price as one of the six individuals elected on Monday (June 22). Price was among five in the player category, with one in the builder category.
  “Hockey has taught me a lot of life lessons, especially persistence and never giving up,” Price said in the news release. “The game has given me the opportunity to work with dedicated and talented peo
  
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• Property control probe expanded Canada-wide to parent company of Safeway, IGA

  22-06-2026 23:17 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Competition Bureau of Canada has been granted expanded orders to investigate the parent company of Safeway, IGA and FreshCo to assess whether its practices harm competition in the retail grocery industry.
  The Federal Court issued orders for the Competition Bureau to advance its investigation into Empire Company Ltd.’s use of property controls in Canada, according to a news release Monday (June 22). Empire is the parent company of Safeway, IGA, FresCo, Sobeys, and Farm Boy.
  There are Sa
  
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