Nanaimo news

• Robert Russell Burke

  04-06-2026 00:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  November 9th, 1958 – May 8th, 2026It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Robert Burke, who passed away on May 8, 2026, at the age of 67. Born in Chilliwack, BC on November 9th, 1958, Rob lived life fully and unapologetically on his own terms. He was known for his big personality, loyalty, quick wit and generosity. He loved music, time with friends and family, social gatherings, and especially enjoyed his time at the family cabin at Horne Lake. He had a way of making people
  
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• Local Chinese association wants 880 Hecate St. listed on Nanaimo’s heritage registrar

  04-06-2026 14:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Sherron Soo wants the Chinese community’s rich contribution to Nanaimo’s history recognized and embraced.
  Soo is the chair of the recently formed Nanaimo Chinatown Heritage Foundation, and one of the foundation’s first priorities is to have 880 Hecate St., one of the last remaining buildings still standing from the last of the city’s four Chinatowns that burned to the ground in 1960, listed in Nanaimo’s heritage registrar.
  She said the building is privately owned an
  
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• A better way to train your dog than saying “no” all the time

  04-06-2026 14:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Anyone who has lived with a dog has probably caught themselves saying “no” dozens of times a day. “No” for jumping, barking, pulling on leash or counter surfing.
  While the word may interrupt the behaviour in the moment, it often fails to teach the dog what they should be doing instead.
  Think about it this way. Imagine you’re at work and your manager walks up to you and says, “you’re doing your job wrong,” and then walks away. No explanation. No gui
  
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• Motorcycle driver dies in Port Alberni MVI

  04-06-2026 05:20 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The driver of a motorcycle is dead after a motor vehicle incident in Port Alberni.
  Mounties responded to the incident at approximately 10:30 p.m. on May 29. Cpl. Jonathan Fischer of the Port Alberni RCMP confirmed in a statement the driver did not survive their injuries.
  The motorcycle was travelling west on River Road near Yew Street but not at an intersection.
  “No factors have been ruled out. We’re still awaiting the traffic analysts’ report to reconstruct what happened that
  
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• Empress Hotel workers issue strike notice, Saturday picket line possible

  04-06-2026 04:50 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Unifor Local 4276 has served strike notice at the Fairmont Empress Hotel, which means they could be on the picket line as early as 9 a.m. on Saturday, June 6.
  The decision comes after the employer failed to address their calls for wages, mental health benefits, and protection for gratuity earners, the union said.
  Workers in housekeeping, the front desk, maintenance, and banquet events and other departments voted 99 per cent in favour of a strike on April 1, the strongest mandate in the history o
  
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• Rossland hill closure linked to search in Trail man’s disappearance

  04-06-2026 03:22 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A police operation that shut down the Rossland hill for several hours Monday was connected to the ongoing investigation into the suspicious disappearance of Trail resident Mark Konrad, RCMP confirmed Wednesday.
  The Southeast District Major Crime Unit said investigators executed a search warrant June 1 at 1381/1383 Highway 3B near Warfield as part of the investigation into Konrad’s disappearance.
  Read more: RCMP seek public’s help in disappearance of Trail man
  “Highway 3B was te
  
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• Suspect in Nanaimo vehicle theft and fraud arrested

  04-06-2026 01:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Nanaimo RCMP have arrested a 36-year-old man in connection with an alleged theft of a vehicle and related fraud offences that occurred in May.
  In a press release on Wednesday, June 3, the Nanaimo RCMP stated that the suspect has been charged with theft of motor vehicle, possession of stolen property over $5,000, use of a stolen credit card, and breach of a probation order.
  He was was remanded into police custody and is awaiting a bail hearing.
  His next court appearance is scheduled for June 15,
  
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• Canada pumps money into forestry as task force warns of ‘existential risk’

  04-06-2026 00:46 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Canadian government is continuing to pour money into the forestry sector as federal and provincial ministers meet this week in B.C. and try to stem the spiral of an industry in crisis.
  Federal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson opened the Council of Canadian Forest Ministers in Langford on Wednesday (June 3) by announcing an additional $130 million and by promising an “action plan” to be unveiled by the end of the week. This adds to the $2 billion announced since l
  
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• Three-generation cycling team goes for Guinness World Record in Chilliwack

  04-06-2026 00:38 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Three generations of cyclists are hoping they’ll make it into the Guinness World Records having completed a long-distance cycling event.
  Gary Baker of Chilliwack, who turns 80 in two months, along with his 50-year-old son Mike Baker and 20-year-old grandson Ben Baker of West Vancouver, completed the Flèche Pacifique randonneuring event on May 23 in Chilliwack.
  Randonneuring is a long-distance, non-competitive cycling sport. It comes from the French word randonnée loosely mean
  
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• Sentence upheld for man guilty of stabbing B.C. cop

  04-06-2026 00:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The man who stabbed a Kelowna cop in the face in 2022 has been lost his appeal of his sentence.
  Richard McCrae was convicted of aggravated assault of a police officer and on Nov. 28, 2025 sentenced to six years imprisonment plus three years on probation.
  McCrae appealed his sentence, arguing he should have received time served, which equated to four-and-a-half years, followed by two years probation.
  The sentence handed down effectively resulted in almost a year and one half more in custody.
  The
  
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• B.C. gets a ‘D’ in 2026 poverty report card

  04-06-2026 00:11 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  B.C. has received a ‘D’ grade from Food Banks Canada in its latest Poverty Report Card.
  Food Banks Canada released its annual Poverty Report Card Monday (June 1) and the country as a whole received a D+. The grade, according to the report, is driven “primarily by a sharp deterioration in perceptions about the adequacy of government support combined with sustained affordability pressures.”
  B.C. was just behind the national mark with an overall grade of D-, which the report
  
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• Nanaimo NightOwls’ bats fly in 2026 West Coast League home opener

  04-06-2026 00:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Nanaimo NightOwls rebounded from a two-game losing streak, to down the Kelowna Falcons 4-1 in their 2026 West Coast League baseball home opener.
  In front of 1,364 faithful at Serauxmen Stadium on Tuesday, June 2, NightOwls’ starting pitcher Damian Pasillas struck out four to earn the win.
  Ziah Chang, NightOwls’ designated hitter, scored off a Jacob Hayes (first base) single in the first inning. Ethan Reynolds (right field), hit a home run in the third, driving in Chang and Ryder
  
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• Kamloops area cub’s tragic end tempered by rescue of 3 orphaned bears

  04-06-2026 00:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A black bear cub that was rescued near Kamloops on World Bear Day has met a sad end.
  The cub, named Jelly, was found near Heffley Lake in late March and transported by various caretakers to the Northern Lights Wildlife Society (NLWS) shelter in Smithers.
  On May 24, the shelter shared some heavy news about the cub.
  “It is with immense sadness that we have to share the loss of our bear cub Jelly,” they wrote in a Facebook post. “Our team is extremely affected by this loss, and we
  
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• What’s On, June 3

  03-06-2026 23:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  MUSIC
  Nanaimo Idol – Round One singing competition will be at the Queen’s on June 3 at 6:30 p.m. showcasing talented performers from across Nanaimo and Vancouver Island.
  The Unending – War of Akrasia w/ Dendros will be performing at the Globe Live Studio on June 3 at 7 p.m. This is a 19+ event. Tickets are available at www.theglobelivestudio.com.
  Devours, Wants, Zoe the Strange will be performing wave, synth pop and electroni at the Globe Live Studio on June 5 at 6 p.m. Tickets
  
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• Stefanski trial: Court sees evidence from Lumby area crime scene

  03-06-2026 23:15 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  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).
  A cell phone. A bent knife. A body found down a steep embankment.
  These pieces of photo evidence and more have been entered as exhibits during a North Okanagan murd
  
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• Aggressive bear complaints leads to closure of section of Westwood Lake trail

  03-06-2026 23:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A number of aggressive bear complaints in the Westwood Lake area led to the City of Nanaimo to partially close a two-kilometre section of the Westwood Lake Park trail loop.
  On Tuesday, June 2, the city made the move to close a section of the park and issue a notice over social media, which the city parks and recreation department was the result of recommendations made by the B.C. Conservation Service.
  “There have been many recent bear sightings in parks (in the area) and bear signage was a
  
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• 4 B.C. defenders on Canada’s 26-man roster for FIFA World Cup

  03-06-2026 21:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Four soccer players with B.C. roots are named to Canada’s 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a five-week tournament played in Canada, Mexico and United States starting Thursday, June 11.
  National team head coach Jesse Marsch confirmed his player selections May 29, two weeks ahead of Canada’s first match June 12 in Toronto.
  B.C.-raised players on the roster are all defenders — Niko Sigur, 22, of Burnaby (Hadjuk Split pro team), Alistair Johnston, 27, of Vancouver (Celtic
  
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• Fire at Ladysmith Secondary closes school Wednesday, June 3

  03-06-2026 20:56 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Ladysmith Secondary School was closed on Wednesday, June 3 following a fire the night before that appears to have started in a computer lab.
  Ladysmith Fire/Rescue and members of the North Oyster Fire/Rescue department responded to the blaze on Tuesday, June 2 at around 6 p.m.
  Ladysmith Ambulance Service was also on the scene along with BC Hydro crews, in case power needed to be turned off. It’s reported that no students were in the building at the time and a custodian said the fire was dis
  
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• ‘Used to bring a family back together’: B.C. SAR volunteer finds missing dog after 4 days

  03-06-2026 20:44 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Four days after going missing following a serious car crash, an Australian Shepherd named Daisy has been reunited with her family, safe and sound thanks to a Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) volunteer.
  ​The dog vanished on Saturday, May 30, after her family vehicle was involved in a rollover incident near Big White Ski Resort.
  ​“Daisy has been found,” said family relative Annelilse Freeman on Facebook on Tuesday night, June 2.
  ​“She did circle back t
  
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• Penticton joins B.C. lawsuit against makers of ‘forever chemicals’

  03-06-2026 20:42 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Penticton is set to be a class representative in a B.C. lawsuit against the makers of so-called “forever chemicals” that the province says are involved in contamination of drinking-water systems.
  By joining the national suit, filed in June 2024 with the B.C. Supreme Court, the City of Penticton will represent municipalities and ensure the “experience and evidence of local governments is included as the case moves forward,” according to the province.
  The defendants are man
  
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• Nanaimo car repair shop’s bay door badly damaged in theft of vehicle

  03-06-2026 20:15 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Precise Mechanical Repairs’ Applecross location in Nanaimo saw extensive damage to one of its bay doors after thieves broke in and stole a car in the early morning hours of June 2.
  Owner Jeff Whitworth said at approximately 4:30 a.m., the shop’s security video recorded two men in a red Nissan X-Trail pulling up to the door.
  He said they used a blunt object to punch through the glass on the door and let themselves into the garage.
  Whitworth said the men went immediately to the 2006 Si
  
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• Island mother pedals 1,000 kilometres for childhood cancer fundraiser

  03-06-2026 20:15 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A Victoria mother whose son has spent more than two years undergoing treatment for leukemia is preparing to cycle more than 1,000 kilometres across Vancouver Island to support families facing childhood cancer.
  Jen Millar will join eight other cyclists in this month’s End2End relay, a non-stop fundraising ride for the Island Kids Cancer Association (IKCA). The team will travel from Victoria to Port Hardy and back between June 16 and 18, covering more than 1,000 kilometres in less than 48 ho
  
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• Car repair shop’s bay door badly damaged in theft of vehicle

  03-06-2026 20:15 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Precise Mechanical Repairs’ Applecross location in Nanaimo saw extensive damage to one of its bay doors after thieves broke in and stole a car in the early morning hours of June 2.
  Owner Jeff Whitworth said at approximately 4:30 a.m., the shop’s security video recorded two men in a red Nissan X-Trail pulling up to the door.
  He said they used a blunt object to punch through the glass on the door and let themselves into the garage.
  Whitworth said the men went immediately to the 2006 Si
  
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• ‘Gender apartheid’: B.C. march pushes online learning for Afghan women

  03-06-2026 20:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Following 9/11, U.S. President George W. Bush signed a joint resolution authorizing the use of force against those responsible for the Sept. 11 attacks. This later became the legal basis for the Bush administration’s decision to take measures against terrorism, including the invasion of Afghanistan.
  Two decades later, with the death toll rising to over 176,000 people, including Afghan civilians, military personnel and American forces, the U.S. withdrew from the Central Asian country, leavi
  
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• Cowichan resident completes 5-year, $25K fundraiser for cardiac monitor

  03-06-2026 19:51 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Wanda Smith was determined to pay it forward and after almost five years, she’s reached her $25,000 goal, which will purchase a new cardiac monitor for the Quw’utsun Valley Hospital.
  It all started on Jan. 24, 2018, Smith said. She was working for the provincial government at the time and was leading a conference in Richmond for 25 out-of-town employees. Even though she wasn’t feeling well when she woke up that morning, she put in a workout, ordered room service, and started th
  
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• Dogs go on tour to help snuff out disease in B.C. Interior hospitals

  03-06-2026 19:33 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A team of dogs are making waves in the B.C. healthcare sector.
  Five specially trained canines put in a shift at Kelowna General Hospital (KGH) on Tuesday, June 2, to help mitigate disease in the healthcare centre.
  “We’re doing a tour of the Interior,” said Lale Aksu, assistant manager at the Canines 4 Care program operating out of Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH). “We are going from Penticton, Kelowna, Grand Forks, all the way out to Cranbrook, and then Trail and Nelson, th
  
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• Most crash-prone intersection in Nanaimo keeps crown in 2025

  03-06-2026 19:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The old Island Highway-Bowen-Norwell intersection has maintained its record in 2025 for being the intersection in Nanaimo.
  According to ICBC data, there were 66 crashes reported at the intersection in 2025, a slight decline from 73 in 2024. Second place also remained the same, going to the old Island Highway, Aulds Road and Hammond Bay Road intersection, which saw 65 crashes, down from 72.The old Island Highway at Rutherford and Mostar roads intersection, which took top spot in 2023, with 73 cra
  
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• Governments invest $355 million for planting 125 million trees in B.C.

  03-06-2026 19:05 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Surrounded by hundreds of thousands of saplings at Western Forest Products in Central Saanich, the Ministry of Forests announced the provincial and federal governments will be investing more than $355 million towards reforestation programs that will plant more than 125 million trees.
  Reforestation is crucial to B.C. forestry, says Western Forest Products CEO Steven Hofer, with their saplings not only replacing harvested trees, but also donated to habitat restoration and wildfire recovery.
  &ldquo
  
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• B.C.’s forest friends converge in Vernon

  03-06-2026 19:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Community forest leaders, partners and supporters from throughout the province are meeting in Vernon this week.
  The BC Community Forest Association (BCCFA) will hold its 2026 Conference and AGM from June 3 to 5 to connect, collaborate, and explore the challenges and opportunities for community forests in the years ahead.
  This year, attendees will also tour the Monashee Community Forest, a partnership of the Splatsin First Nation and the Village of Lumby.
  “We are looking forward to welcomin
  
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• Julie Ann Paul

  03-06-2026 18:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Feb 01, 1948 (Toronto, Ont.) – Apr 12, 2026 (Nanaimo, B.C.)
  Julie was a charismatic and creative woman whose home was full of color, her own creations and the art from those she knew. Many would associate her with style and fashion, always coordinated and on point. She was generous with people on the streets. A kind and thoughtful person striving to care for others in her own unique way. Julie did not speak of love but believed more in the action of caring. She leaves behind her brother Br
  
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