• Stabbing in Port Alberni leaves one dead, one in custody

    Stabbing in Port Alberni leaves one dead, one in custody
    Port Alberni RCMP says no threat to public after incident
  • Island artist stirs memories of Japanese Canadian life during B.C. exile

    Island artist stirs memories of Japanese Canadian life during B.C. exile
    Sitting in Colwood’s Goldfinch Arts Centre, Langford artist Marlene Howell can’t quite believe what she sees.
    “Pinch me,” she says.
    Hanging on the walls around her is a body of work two years in the making, made possible by a grant from the Japanese Canadian Legacies Society.
    “Usually I can do two or three paintings a year, but I promised them 12 because I wanted this project so badly,” she says. “The president of the society at that time said to me, tha
  • ‘We will do better’: Vancouver Island district to review prison break alerts

    ‘We will do better’: Vancouver Island district to review prison break alerts
    How Metchosin residents are alerted in the event of a prison break from the William Head Institution is under scrutiny.
    “I think that Facebook and email just doesn’t cut it,” said Coun. Steve Gray at the July 13 council meeting, reflecting on the events following the escape of “dangerous” prisoner Ernest Egon Jensen last month.
    In the hours after Jensen’s escape on June 28, an alert was posted on the Correctional Service of Canada’s (CSC) Facebook page.
  • Island MP Johns calls for less red tape on disability programs

    Island MP Johns calls for less red tape on disability programs
    Nearly 400 people attended a series of Disability Tax Credit workshops hosted by Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns across the riding earlier this month, highlighting a growing need for help navigating federal disability programs.
    Workshops were held in North Nanaimo, Parksville, Port Alberni and Courtenay on July 6 to July 8. High demand required additional sessions in some communities.
    The workshops provided information on Canada’s Disability Tax Credit, related federal disability benefits
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  • B.C. man stepping back in time to sail around the world

    B.C. man stepping back in time to sail around the world
    An Abbotsford man will soon embark on a journey around the world, but it’s going to take a lot longer than 80 days, as he navigates the Earth’s waters without the help of GPS.Few people have even attempted to do what Isa Rosli will start this September, with fewer than 20 people having qualified for the 2026 Golden Globe Race.The gruelling challenge takes place every four years and includes sailors from around the world, but Rosli is the only Canadian on the roster this year.Although
  • Kelowna woman highlighted by SPCA for milestone in foster care

    Kelowna woman highlighted by SPCA for milestone in foster care
    A Kelowna woman has helped give more than 100 cats another chance at life.
    Brenda Larson has been volunteering as a foster with the BC SPCA since May 2015, loving on stray and abandoned cats before they reach their forever home.
    “Fosters like Brenda truly help save lives,” said Shannon Paille, BC SPCA Kelowna manager. “We couldn’t help as many animals as we do without our foster team. Not only do they give animals a safe space to decompress and heal, but they also help us
  • Former Kelowna Falcons player drafted to the MLB

    Former Kelowna Falcons player drafted to the MLB
    A former baseball player for the Kelowna Falcons was selected in the 2026 Major League Baseball Draft (MLB).
    ​Pitcher Griffin Naess was drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 15th round, 457th overall, on July 12.
    The 21-year-old pitched for the Falcons during the 2023 season before taking the mound for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo out of California.
    ​According to Baseball Reference, the pitcher played seven games for the Falcons, including one start. In that time, Naess posted a 2-1 record
  • What’s On, July 15

    What’s On, July 15
    MUSIC
    V. Vecker, Lori Goldston and summeramp will be playing on July 16 at The Vault Cafe at 9 p.m. Tickets are $20. Goldston is a renowned cellist who had performed with Nirvana on the Unplugged album.
    James Vickers Band will be playing on July 17 at The Queen’s at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance, and $25 at the door, and $15 for advance tickets for seniors and minors. Minors must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Tickets are available at www.showpass.com.
    Druin, Circle of Tita
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  • Graham Warhurst

    Graham Warhurst
    In Loving Memory ~
    Graham Warhurst passed away peacefully on June 19th at the age of eightyseven at his home in Nanaimo surrounded by family. He leaves behind his children Gillian, Simon, Mairi and Pippa and two loving sons-in-law Spencer and Martin. In addition, he will be greatly missed by his grandchildren Alex, Meg, Tessa, Piper, Keenan, Spencer, Natalie and North. His absence will be felt at Spencer’s upcoming marriage to Savannah. He also leaves behind his sister Norma who lives in K
  • Drew Samarin

    Drew Samarin
    We are remembering our dear brother with heavy hearts today on his birthday, July 15th. Not a single hour goes by that we don’t think of Drew since his passing 73 days ago, on May 4, 2026. Drew was an honourable man, who lived his life with integrity. He had a huge heart, was a deep thinker, and possessed a great wit and sense of humour.
    Growing up, Drew was never mean nor impatient with us, however he did give us funny nicknames. In the summers we enjoyed many family camping adventures to
  • Douglas Randall Anthony

    Douglas Randall Anthony
    In Loving Memory ~
    December 10th, 1950 – October 25th, 2025
    Please join us to honor the memory of Douglas Randall Anthony, beloved spouse of Roberta (Bobbi), who passed away suddenly and unexpectedly October 25th, 2025. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday August 22nd, 2026 from 1-4PM at 6722 Alger Road, Lantzville. Doug was born in Winnipeg, December 10th , 1950 to Michael and Catherine Anthony. Growing up in “the Peg”, his youth was filled with outdoor hockey, trips
  • Learner caught going 97 km/h over speed limit on B.C.’s Sea to Sky Highway

    Learner caught going 97 km/h over speed limit on B.C.’s Sea to Sky Highway
    A motorcyclist with her learner licence got her motorcycle impounded after police say she was going 177 km/h in an 80 zone on the Sea to Sky Highway.
    A B.C. Highway Patrol officer was near Furry Creek on Highway 99 when they got a speed reading of 177 km/h in an 80 zone on July 11, police said in a news release Wednesday (July 15).
    Police said the driver was a 22-year-old Vancouver woman who only had a Class 7 (passenger vehicle learner) and a Class 8 (motorcycle learner) licence.
    She ended up g
  • WJ (Bill) McCullough (Colonel Ret’d)

    WJ (Bill) McCullough (Colonel Ret’d)
    1935 – 2026
    Bill passed away peacefully at home. He is survived by his wife Denyse (Chateauvert), his brothers Don and Harry from Guelph, Ontario and our Nanaimo family the Mitchells. Bill was born in Guelph, Ontario, he joined the Canadian Armed Forces in 1960 and enjoyed an exciting career over the next 30 years. He was awarded the Meritorious Service Cross in 1985 for his conspicuous courage and distinguished conduct earned in Lebanon as Chargé d’Affaires for the Canadian E
  • Sylvia Dorman (Nickeas)

    Sylvia Dorman (Nickeas)
    July 30, 1938 – July 1, 2026
    Sylvia Dorman (née Nickeas) left this world on July 1, 2026, surrounded by her loving family at Lakeside Gardens. Her time there was filled with new friends, adventures and word games. We are thankful for their care of our beloved Sylvia. Carrying with her a lifetime of stories that shaped the hearts of everyone fortunate enough to hear them. She leaves behind a legacy of laughter, kindness, resilience, and adventure that will continue to live on through
  • Michael Joseph McHale

    July 30, 1943 – March 28, 2026
    Passed away on March 28, 2026, at NRGH. He leaves behind two daughters Paula (Rob) and Carole (Glen), ex/lifelong friend Huguette, two grand daughters Justine and Victoria, sisters Anna and Maria (Kim), nieces and nephews, friends and family across the world. Predeceased by his mother Phyllis (1943), parents Thomas Gerald (2009) and Daisy (2010), brother Gerard (2002), sister-in-law Valentine (2023) and brother-in-law Gary (2014).
    Michael was born in England
  • WORLD CUP DAILY, July 14: Spain heads to the finals

    WORLD CUP DAILY, July 14: Spain heads to the finals
    Daily FIFA World Cup soccer match updates and news for Black Press Media publications.
    Spain is heading to the World Cup final for the first time in 16 years, after defeating France 2-0 on Tuesday (July 14).
    Spain’s Mikel Oyarzabal scored the first goal of the match from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute, and Pedro Porro added a second in the second half.
    The last and only time Spain reached the World Cup championship match was in South Africa in 2010, when they defeated the Netherlands
  • New art at Nanaimo’s McGregor Park to commemorate Japanese Canadians

    New art at Nanaimo’s McGregor Park to commemorate Japanese Canadians
    The area along the waterfront known as McGregor Park is getting a makeover.
    The park, which is a part of the Nanaimo Harbour Front Walkway and located directly across the harbour from the Port Theatre, will become home to a permanent landscape art installation celebrating Japanese-Canadian heritage in Nanaimo through design and public art integrated into the natural landscape.
    With funding from the Japanese Canadian Legacies Society and the City of Nanaimo, the project is intended to create a la
  • Okanagan soccer team disqualified from Provincial Championship after unprofessional conduct

    Okanagan soccer team disqualified from Provincial Championship after unprofessional conduct
    A youth soccer team from Kelowna was disqualified from the 2026 U17 Provincial Championship in Nanaimo over the weekend despite never losing a game.
    ​The Okanagan FC and the Saanich Fusion U17 teams were both disqualified from the provincial championship following their actions in the final group game of the tournament, which saw both teams play the match against each other in a non-competitive manner.
    ​Prior to meeting in round-robin play, both teams were undefeated and had already
  • Nanaimo council supports funding application for Duke Point interchange project

    Nanaimo council supports funding application for Duke Point interchange project
    Nanaimo’s city council will support an application for federal funding for the proposed Duke Point interchange project, but with some conditions.
    After a discussion at a special council meeting on Monday, July 13, that was scheduled specifically to decide whether to provide a letter of support to Seacliff Properties for its funding request, council decided a compromise was necessary.
    Seacliff Properties, the proponent of the Sandstone development that would see more than 2,000 homes constr
  • 5 First Nations ink deal for ownership stake in part of LNG Canada Phase 2

    5 First Nations ink deal for ownership stake in part of LNG Canada Phase 2
    LNG Canada is offering a group of five B.C. First Nations, the opportunity to invest in a $1 billion liquefied natural gas storage tank that would be built as part of the facility’s Phase 2 expansion.
    The First Nations, through the MNT Investments limited partnership, will be able to invest in the project by purchasing the giant 225,000-square-metre storage tank — which would be the largest in Canada — and leasing it back to LNG Canada for the operational life of the project.
    L
  • ‘Significant’ wildfire events likely in B.C. later this week: officials

    ‘Significant’ wildfire events likely in B.C. later this week: officials
    B.C. wildfire officials presented a grim forecast on Tuesday (July 14).
    Despite the province experiencing a relatively light wildfire season so far, extremely dry forest fuels and a high likelihood of lightning without rain mean fresh fires are expected in the coming days.
    Dry lightning and wind are forecast across most of B.C. starting Wednesday afternoon and are expected to continue into Thursday and Friday. Southern parts of the province will see the highest risk.
    “This is absolutely th
  • ’Significant’ wildfire events likely in B.C. later this week: officials

    ’Significant’ wildfire events likely in B.C. later this week: officials
    B.C. wildfire officials presented a grim forecast on Tuesday (July 14).
    Despite B.C. experiencing a relatively light wildfire season so far, extremely dry forest fuels and a high likelihood of lightning without rain mean fresh fires are expected in the coming days.
    Dry lightning and wind are forecast across most of B.C. starting Wednesday afternoon and expected to continue into Thursday and Friday. Southern parts of the province will see the highest risk.
    “This is absolutely the time to be
  • Pacific Arts Market in Nanaimo, an art gallery and active community space

    Pacific Arts Market in Nanaimo, an art gallery and active community space
    Art is gracing the new Soundworks building in downtown Nanaimo.
    Pacific Arts Market gallery held its grand opening Saturday, July 11 on Wallace Street, at the site of the old A&B Sound store.
    Previously operating out of Vancouver, Crystal Cornthwaite, owner, said she was happy to find an “amazing space” downtown and the focus is on local art.
    “It’s mainly from around Nanaimo, but also all of B.C. … We’ve got photography, painting. We’ve also got loc
  • Lantzville council moves to borrow $3 million for Dickinson Road

    Lantzville council moves to borrow $3 million for Dickinson Road
    Lantzville council has approved three readings for a proposed bylaw that would allow the district to borrow about $3 million for improvements onto Dickinson Road – but two of the three reading votes were close.
    According to a report to council by Julia Seppola, director of financial services and Prab Lashar, chief administrative officer, the bylaw is set to borrow the funds for rehabilitation and reconstruction of Dickinson Road from Shook Road to Lantzville Road.
    Staff recommended the bor
  • Sooke pilot dies in helicopter crash while battling Colorado wildfire

    Sooke pilot dies in helicopter crash while battling Colorado wildfire
    A veteran firefighting pilot from Sooke has died after the helicopter he was flying crashed into a Colorado reservoir while battling a wildfire.
    The Gunnison County Sheriff’s Office identified the pilot as Nicholas Dale, 56, of Sooke. Dale was flying a Kaman K-1200 K-MAX helicopter conducting aerial suppression work on the Gold Mountain Fire when it crashed into Silver Jack Reservoir shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday, July 12.
    Dale was the aircraft’s only occupant. His body was recovered f
  • Man arrested in Kamloops for violent offences in Cranbrook, Chilliwack

    Man arrested in Kamloops for violent offences in Cranbrook, Chilliwack
    Police have arrested a man in Kamloops for serious violent offences that took place in Chilliwack and Cranbrook.
    Zachary Ortloff, 24, was arrested on two warrants, on June 24 at about 11:30 a.m.
    Kamloops RCMP stated that an officer with their Crime Reduction Unit (CRU) “observed, identified and confirmed” it was Ortloff, and he was arrested safely by officers.
    The warrants were related to serious violent offences which included aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and assault ca
  • Medical emergency turns BC Ferries vessel back to Victoria, delays sailings

    Medical emergency turns BC Ferries vessel back to Victoria, delays sailings
    A medical emergency onboard a BC Ferries vessel is impacting sailings Tuesday morning (July 14).
    BC Ferries said a Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen vessel is returning to dock due to a medical emergency.
    Currently, the 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. sailings from Swartz Bay are expected to be delayed as a result.
    “We will keep you informed as more information becomes available,” said a BC Ferries advisory. “As soon as the matter is resolved, the vessel will resume service.”
  • Canadian, world music icons headline Islands Folk Festival in Cowichan

    Canadian, world music icons headline Islands Folk Festival in Cowichan
    Islands Folk Festival celebrates 42 years at Providence Farm from July 24 to 26, this year featuring performances from Canadian and world music icons.
    “After 42 years, we all feel incredibly fortunate to be the stewards of what is surely becoming one of Canada’s great long-running festivals,” said artistic director Jack Connolly. “With that comes a responsibility to keep it viable, fresh, and to keep improving the audience experience while creating a place where people ca
  • Public art in Nanaimo helps reduce vandalism and other crimes

    Public art in Nanaimo helps reduce vandalism and other crimes
    Public art does more than just add beauty and colour to the city.
    Jaime-Brett Sine, the city’s cultural coordinator, told council at its meeting on July 6 that a study by the Philadelphia Arts Program showed a reduction of crime of up to 42 per cent surrounding new public art in urban areas.
    “That includes from vandalism and tagging to violent offences, so we know (public art) makes a significant difference,” she said.
    “When a space looks intentionally cared for, people b
  • WORLD CUP DAILY, July 14: Semi-finals start today

    WORLD CUP DAILY, July 14: Semi-finals start today
    Daily FIFA World Cup soccer match updates and news for Black Press Media publications.
    The semi-finals start today with France taking on Spain in Dallas at 12 p.m. PT.
    Spain has the upper hand, having won seven of their last ten encounters, including a 2-1 win in the 2024 EURO semi-finals and a 5-4 victory at the 2024-25 UEFA Nations League semi-finals.
    However, France has won 17 of its last 20 World Cup matches.
    DID YOU KNOW?
    “Kylian Mbappé scored the winner when France defeated Sp

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