Nanaimo news

• Teck Trail receives $400M from new critical minerals fund

  08-07-2026 00:15 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources announced a $400-million investment in Teck Trail Operations to enhance its critical minerals processing capacity.
  The Honourable Tim Hodgson met with Teck workers, staff and local and provincial representatives at a ceremony at Teck Trail on Tuesday, July 7, where he launched the Canada Critical Minerals Accelerator (CCMA), while announcing a Strategic Investment Agreement signed by Teck Resources Ltd, the CCMA, and the Canada Growth Fund.
  “Can
  
  Read more

• City of Nanaimo, RDN to give prospective candidates the 411 on elections

  09-07-2026 03:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  With B.C. municipal elections coming this fall, aspiring politicians in Nanaimo and area will have a chance to learn the basics during a pair of information sessions.
  In a press release, City of Nanaimo said it is collaborating with Regional District of Nanaimo to offer people a chance to “learn more about the role of elected officials and the election process.” The first session takes place in Nanaimo at the RDN’s headquarters on 6300 Hammond Bay Rd. on Wednesday, July 15 and
  
  Read more

• UVic alumnus Simon Keith celebrates 40 years with donor heart

  09-07-2026 01:45 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  More people have walked on the moon than have lived four decades with a donor heart. On July 7, Simon Keith joined that exclusive club, marking exactly 40 years since his first life-saving transplant.
  Long before he became the first athlete in the world to play professional sports after a heart transplant, Keith grew up in Greater Victoria. He played youth soccer with the Lower Island Youth Soccer Association before suiting up for the Prospect Lake Lakers in the Vancouver Island Soccer League.
  H
  
  Read more

• Search finds no evidence after report of body ‘floating’ in Slocan River: RCMP

  09-07-2026 01:45 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  RCMP say that a search has yielded no evidence after a report of a body “floating” in the Slocan River on Tuesday.
  Nelson RCMP received a report on July 7 around 12:45 p.m. from a concerned citizen who believed they may have seen a body “floating” in the river between Slocan Park and Passmore, approximately one hour earlier.
  A news release says there was an “extensive search” of the area by police, search-and-rescue personnel and local fire departments, but &l
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• PHOTOS: Eagle chick returns to its Victoria nest after BC SPCA checkup

  09-07-2026 01:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A baby eagle found on the ground in Beacon Hill Park is safely nesting again after a wellness check at the the BC SPCA site in Metchosin.The eaglet was found last week and taken to the Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre before being returned to the busy Victoria park.“Huge thanks to parks staff, the BC SPCA and Wild ARC teams and everyone who helped give this eaglet another chance to soar,” the city said announcing the chick’s return.Wild ARC sees about 3,000 animals annually, w
  
  Read more

• Native plant gardener in Nanaimo’s south end shares success ahead of pollinator project

  09-07-2026 01:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A “patchwork” of urban native plant gardens will begin springing up this fall throughout Nanaimo’s Old City Quarter, as part of Nanaimo Area Land Trust’s pollinator patchwork project.
  Linda Brooymans, NALT stewardship, told the News Bulletin, the organization will be meeting with about 21 interested property owners through the Nanaimo Old City Association this summer to begin putting plans in place to install pollinator-friendly gardens around the community.
  NALT will dis
  
  Read more

• Michelle Kocourek, Nanaimo’s ‘Queen of all things Silly Boat,’ dies

  08-07-2026 23:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A linchpin of a cherished and popular Nanaimo fundraising event has died.
  In social media posts, Nanaimo Child Development Centre announced that Michelle Kocourek, resource development coordinator, died Friday, July 3 after a battle with cancer – she was 67.
  She retired in 2019, but returned in 2022 and among her projects, the centre’s annual Silly Boat Regatta fundraiser, which takes place on July 19.
  She was with the centre for 20 years, which offers services to children with devel
  
  Read more

• 3 rescued after vessel sinks on Stuart Lake near Fort St. James

  08-07-2026 23:16 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A man had to cling to debris from his sunken vessel for more than an hour after it capsized on Stuart Lake near Fort St. James on Tuesday, July 8.
  Fort St. James RCMP say three people needed to be rescued after a 17.5-foot vessel capsized near Sowchea Bay. Before officers arrived, RCMP say a nearby resident heard cries for help, launched their boat, and went to assist.
  One man and a child made it safely to shore, but another adult male needed to be rescued.
  The individual who was left behind had
  
  Read more

• Advertisement

• Alberta lands $13-billion Meta data centre project

  08-07-2026 23:03 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Meta Platforms, the company behind Facebook, has announced a $13 billion investment in Alberta.
  In a July 8 release, the Alberta government announced the company intends to build its first Canadian data centre in the province within Sturgeon County.
  The construction will represent “one of the largest private-sector investments in Canadian history,” creating more than 3,000 construction jobs and 300 permanent jobs when the site goes operational.
  The site is expected to generate about
  
  Read more

• Profits from Okanagan-based Ponzi scheme targeted by B.C. Supreme Court

  08-07-2026 22:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A B.C. Supreme Court justice has ruled that profits earned through a Ponzi scheme must be repaid to help compensate investors who lost money.
  On July 3, Justice Fitzpatrick approved that the trustee of the scammer’s estate switch course to enact a procedure to retrieve the “unjust enrichment and money” gained by those who profited from the scheme.
  The case surrounds Okanagan resident Curtis Quigley, who was charged along with his partner, Kathleen Treadgold, by the Edmonton Pol
  
  Read more

• RCMP rescue 11 people from overturned canoe in Burrard Inlet

  08-07-2026 21:33 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Eleven people had to be rescued following a distress call for an overturned canoe in the Burrard Inlet off the coast of Ambleside Beach in West Vancouver.
  RCMP’s Tactical Marine Operations Group, which has been deployed to Vancouver for the World Cup activities in Vancouver, was doing patrols in Burrard Inlet on July 5 around 3:30 p.m. when they heard a distress call on Marine VHF Channel reporting an overturned canoe off the beach in West Vancouver, police said in a news release Wednesday
  
  Read more

• THE MOJ: Vancouver loses another sports-talk radio station

  08-07-2026 21:20 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  It’s happened again.
  Another sports-talk radio station in Vancouver has been shut down.
  News began leaking on Sunday night that changes would be coming to Rogers’ properties across the country including Sportsnet 650 in Vancouver.
  In talking to one individual on Monday night who is employed by Rogers, he knew there would be some cuts coming but what he didn’t know was that both Sportsnet 650 and News 1130 would be shuttered.
  When the news did come out on Tuesday morning, he was
  
  Read more

• Man charged with murder after victim of Saanich assault dies

  08-07-2026 20:29 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  One man has been charged with murder following an assault that took place in Saanich late last week.
  On July 3, Saanich PD began investigating a serious assault that took place in the 4000 block of Quadra Street just before 5 p.m. the same day.
  The victim was taken to hospital in serious condition, and 30-year-old Suleyman Budak was arrested and charged with aggravated assault in connection with the incident.
  In a July 8 news release, Saanich PD announced that the victim of the assault had succu
  
  Read more

• Woman rescued from capsized boat off Richmond dies in hospital: RCMP

  08-07-2026 20:06 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The charter fishing boat that sank off the coast of Richmond in June has been located more than 150 metres below the surface.
  Richmond RCMP released new details Wednesday (July 8) about the vessel and the people on board at the time of the sinking. Ten people – eight charter guests, the vessel operator and a person assisting the operator – were on board the boat when it sank. Four people were rescued and the remaining six were initially reported missing but then presumed drowned hour
  
  Read more

• Island city eyes Swedish approach to slow speeding drivers in playground zone

  08-07-2026 20:04 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Colwood has its sights set on slowing down lead-footed drivers near a popular park.
  Designated a ‘playground zone’, a stretch of Kelly Road adjacent to Herm Williams Park has a 30 km/h speed limit.
  However, according to Coun. Ian Ward, residents have flagged concerns about vehicle speeds within and approaching the playground zone, as well as a lack of enforcement.
  To combat the issue, Ward has proposed the city explore speed-control options, including conventional measures such as ra
  
  Read more

• What’s On, July 8

  08-07-2026 20:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  MUSIC
  Sparkle Blood, Aversions, Ancient City Teahouse Party and Death Drops will be performing at The Globe Live Studio on July 10 at 6 p.m. It will be an all-ages indie and alternative show. Tickets are available at www.theglobelivestudio.com.
  Tight Hair Disco will be playing at The Queen’s on July 10, with doors at 6:30 p.m. They are Victoria’s only all-disco tribute party band. Tickets are are available at www.showpass.com.
  Allan Moreau and Travis Preston will be playing tradition
  
  Read more

• Crown calls for three months prison for Langley ex-Mountie

  08-07-2026 19:45 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  LANGLEY ADVANCE TIMES – Crown prosecutors called for a three-month prison sentence for an ex-Langley Mountie convicted of assaulting a prisoner – the second time they have asked a judge to impose that penalty.
  Former RCMP staff sergeant Damian Volk was convicted last year of assault in two separate trials.
  On Tuesday, July 7, Volk was back in B.C. Supreme Court in New Westminster before Justice Terence Schultes for his second sentencing hearing, over the July 1, 2020 assault of Jason
  
  Read more

• Victoria mayor writes to province in favour of medical cannabis club

  08-07-2026 19:05 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  In an email sent to Attorney General Niki Sharma and Minister of Public Safety Nina Krieger, Victoria Mayor Marianne Alto voiced support for the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club (VCBC) – which has recently experienced a slew of legal problems that threaten the future of the service.
  Dated June 29, the letter that was sent on behalf of city council stems from club president Ted Smith’s tearful presentation to council in May, asking council to support the non-profit that provides cannabis
  
  Read more

• Courtenay dad scores $250,000 Scratch & Win prize

  08-07-2026 18:52 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Courtenay resident Edward G. was enjoying the England versus Ghana World Cup soccer game on June 23 when something out of the ordinary happened.
  Often during World Cup halftimes, people go for snacks, stretch their legs, or take a moment to reflect on the game. This time, however, Edward reached for the Scratch & Win his daughter had given him for Father’s Day.
  “I scratched the ticket during halftime. I noticed the number 46 matched for a prize but assumed there was a mistake and
  
  Read more

• Duncan council votes unanimously to renew permit for The Village transitional housing

  08-07-2026 18:45 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Duncan council voted unanimously on June 22 to renew the temporary use permit for The Village located at 610 Trunk Rd., a transitional housing location that supports up to 40 people.
  Council authorized the first TUP for The Village back in December, 2021, with Cowichan Housing Association as the original applicant, and use began by January, 2022. The site has been in operation ever since with Lookout Housing and Health Society as the operator.
  BC Housing, which owns the site, said this model has
  
  Read more

• Weird, wonderful donations keep Vancouver Island wildlife rehab moving

  08-07-2026 18:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Pillowcases and pruning fallout come in handy for wildlife in care at the BC SPCA site in Metchosin.
  While greenery may feel more appropriate for wildlife, clean pillowcases in decent condition are a key care item for hundreds of patients that come through the doors of the Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre (ARC).
  Volunteers and staff use them to line holding boxes, baby bird basket and baby raccoon den boxes, setting the critters up for comfort and easy cleaning. The fabric sacks also provide li
  
  Read more

• Brunswick complex fires grow to over 11,000 hectares combined

  08-07-2026 17:54 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Brunswick Complex wildfires in the Fraser Canyon have sprawled to a combined size of over 11,000 hectares as of Wednesday morning (July 8).
  According to the latest update from BC Wildfire Service, the Brunswick Creek fire has grown to 2,594 hectares and the Ainslie Creek fire has grown to 8,816 hectares.
  BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) said high winds led to the extreme fire behaviour. An incident management team is managing the fires, with 160 firefighters, 58 structure protection personnel and
  
  Read more

• Longtime debris-clearing volunteer a familiar roadside sight for Island drivers

  08-07-2026 16:35 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  You may already be familiar with this month’s Climate Hugs recipient, Jayson Perry.
  Drivers in Parksville and the surrounding area will have observed him at roadside, wearing an orange jumpsuit with his bike and trailer alongside. His volunteer mission is to retrieve garbage and recyclables dumped in the ditches and green spaces beside our highways. Jayson is a longtime resident of Oceanside, the impact of the pandemic hit him hard; he lost not only his woodworking business but his home as
  
  Read more

• WORLD CUP DAILY, July 8: Argentina & Switzerland advance

  08-07-2026 16:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Daily FIFA World Cup soccer match updates and news for Black Press Media publications.
  Argentina and Switzerland have advanced to the quarter-finals after defeating Egypt and Colombia, respectively, on Tuesday (July 7).
  Egypt took an early lead in the 15th minute with a goal by Yasser Ibrahim, and in the second half they added to that lead with a goal by Mostafa Zico.
  But with just over ten minutes left in regulation time, Cristian Romero scored for Argentina and lessened Egypt’s lead to 2
  
  Read more

• Late-night parties and drag racing a concern for Departure Bay Beach residents

  08-07-2026 14:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Many of the residents in the Departure Bay Beach area are fed up with drag racing and noisy parties in the middle of the night.
  Resident Anna McKenzie appeared before Nanaimo city council at its meeting on Monday, July 6 with signatures from more than 100 residents requesting that something be done.
  She said that what is a family destination quickly becomes a nightmare in the evening and into the early hours of the morning with the incessant threat of speeding vehicles and the unacceptable noise
  
  Read more

• Fanny Bay wrestler to compete at U20 Pan-American championships

  08-07-2026 10:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Fanny Bay’s Jolina Healey joins the Wrestling Canada Lutte (WCL) team heading to the 2026 U20 Pan-American (Pan-Am) Championships, July 9 – 11, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
  The squad features 18 athletes competing in women’s wrestling and men’s freestyle.
  “Wrestling Canada Lutte is sending an experienced junior squad to the Pan-American Championships in Brazil this week,” said Chris Woodcroft, WCL High Performance Director. “The Canadian U20 Wrestling Cham
  
  Read more

• Brunswick complex wildfire shuts Hwy 1, causes Chilcotin air quality warning

  08-07-2026 06:15 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  UPDATE: 9:34 p.m.
  The Fraser Valley Regional District has upgraded the evacuation alert to an evacuation order for the area of Canyon Alpine due to the Brunswick complex wildfires.
  Evacuees in need of in-person support can go to Shxwhá:y Village, 44680 Schweyey Road in Chilliwack. The B.C. Evacuee Helpline (1-800-387-4258) is open until 11 p.m. July 7.
  The previously issued evacuation order for the North Bend area remains in effect. The previously issued evacuation alert for the Boston Ba
  
  Read more

• North American Welsh Choir to begin B.C. tour in Nanaimo

  08-07-2026 01:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The popular North American Welsh Choir will be stopping in Nanaimo to begin a tour across B.C.
  On Wednesday, July 8, at 7:30 p.m. the choir will be performing alongside local Nanaimo choir Island Bel Canto Singers at the St. Andrew’s United Church.
  The Welsh choir, who also go by the name Côr Cymry Gogledd America, bring together a group of singers from both the United States and Canada, who share a love of Welsh music, language and culture. Those singers come from three provinces an
  
  Read more

• 1 dead in Coquitlam house fire, RCMP say

  08-07-2026 00:14 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  One person is dead after a house fire in Coquitlam Tuesday morning (July 7).
  Emergency crews were called to the 700-block of Roderick Avenue around 9 a.m. for a residential fire, Coquitlam RCMP said in a news release.
  Police said that based on information from a witness, it was determined that there was one resident unaccounted for.
  As crews worked, the Coquitlam Fire/Rescue Services found a person deceased inside the home.
  Police say the identity of the person who died has not yet been determin
  
  Read more

• B.C. man among 37 charged in major U.S. crackdown on Indian crime syndicates

  08-07-2026 00:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Thirty-seven people have been charged in the United States in connection with a U.S. federal investigation into Indian crime groups that are known to engage in racketeering, targeted killings, shootings, extortion and drug trafficking across international borders.
  The investigation, called “Operation Hard Ball,” has led to 24 arrests of individuals connected to three Indian-based transnational organized crime groups: Lawrence Bishnoi, Ravinder Dhanda and Jaggu Bhagwanpuria. Law enfor
  
  Read more

Follow @news_nanaimo on Twitter!