Nanaimo news

• Thomas J. McGladrey

  03-11-2026 05:43 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  In Loving Memory ~
  July 30, 1944 ~ October 24, 2026
  It is with great sadness I announce that my dear husband and best friend of 56 years passed away from bladder cancer on October 24, 2026 at the age of 82 years.
  Tom was born in Fernie, BC and came to Nanaimo at age 6. He worked as a Boilermaker #359, Field Member, and Welder for many years. Tom was predeceased by our precious son David in 1997, his parents Cy and Gladys, and brother Jack. Survived by wife Brenda and his westie Bailey.
  Will love
  
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• Draisaitl nets 2 as Edmonton Oilers dump Vancouver Canucks 4-2

  08-11-2026 06:51 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  Leon Draisaitl scored twice, helping the Edmonton Oilers to a 4-2 win over the visiting Vancouver Canucks in NHL action Saturday at Rogers Place.Mattias Ekholm and Jason Dickinson also tallied for the Oilers (12-3-3), with Connor McDavid adding three assists and Devon Levi making 20 saves for the win in goal.
  Max Sasson and Brock Boeser replied for Vancouver (3-15-1), while Leevi Merilainen stopped 26 of 29 shots in absorbing the netminding loss.
  Edmonton opened the scoring 9:14 into the first p
  
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• Windstorm knocks out power to more than 10,000 in Cowichan

  08-11-2026 05:46 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  A wind and rainstorm has left more than 10,000 Cowichan Valley residents in the dark Saturday night, Nov. 7.
  As of 9 p.m., outages stretched from Maple Bay to Westholme, Duncan, Ladysmith, Mill Bay and Youbou.
  Large outages include one described on the BC Hydro website as north of Mays Road affecting 2,131 customers, one stretching from Maple Bay through Genoa Bay, Somenos Road and Quamichan area affecting 2,205 customers, one in the Sahtlam, Hillcrest Road and Paldi areas affecting 1,902 custom
  
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• District of Lantzville council holds inaugural meeting

  08-11-2026 04:00 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  The newly-elected councillors in Lantzville have been sworn in and appointed to various roles.
  The District of Lantzville held its inaugural meeting in Costin Hall on Wednesday, Nov. 4, in which councillors and the acclaimed mayor were sworn in by Judge Colleen Spier. Councillor-elect John Westby, was absent and sent his regrets, Mayor Mark Swain said.
  The report detailing the 2026 District of Lantzville general election results were received and approved unanimously by council. In the report, i
  
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• Edmonton Elks beat B.C. Lions 28-16, will meet Montreal in Grey Cup

  08-11-2026 03:44 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  The B.C. Lions saw their 2026 Grey Cup dreams come to an end Saturday in Edmonton.
  Quarterback Cody Fajardo passed for 274 yards and a touchdown and also rushed for 84 yards and a major, leading the host Edmonton Elks to a 28-16 win over the Lions before more than 40,000 fans in the CFL’s Western Final at Commonwealth Stadium. It was the first playoff game hosted by the Elks franchise since 2015.
  Austin Mack also scored a touchdown for the winners, who will face the Montreal Alouettes in the G
  
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• CBC broadcaster who honed culinary teaching skills in Victoria cooks up kitchen manual

  08-11-2026 02:00 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  The name Khalil Akhtar may ring bells for longtime local CBC radio listeners or those who dabbled in cooking classes at The Atrium in Victoria.For a little over a decade, ending in 2019, Akhtar served as co-host for On the Island with Gregor Craigie. Over those years, he also created a food column the city is where Akhtar first began culinary teaching at Cook Culture (now gone from the iconic downtown Victoria building).He’d routinely teach classes on the principles of Indian cuisine, as a dom
  
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• Four cougars spotted in Saanich backyard, goat killed

  07-11-2026 20:45 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  Four cougars were spotted in a Saanich backyard on Nov. 7, where they killed a goat before leaving the property.
  Saanich Police were called to the 4000-block of Prospect Lake Road after a resident reported seeing four cougars in their backyard.
  According to police, the cougars killed one of the resident’s goats, which was being kept in a fenced area of the property.
  By the time patrol officers arrived, the cougars had left the area and could not be located.
  The BC Conservation Officer Service
  
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• 1 grizzly bear captured in Bella Coola following fatal attacks

  07-11-2026 18:46 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  Testing is underway to determine if a captured grizzly bear in Bella Coola is linked to the recent attack that claimed the life of a mother and daughter.In a Friday, Nov. 6 Facebook post, BC Conservation Officer Service (BCCOS) stated one grizzly bear has been captured.“In coordination with wildlife biologists and the provincial wildlife veterinarian from the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, the bear will be safely cared for while assessments are completed,” the post reads.
  
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• ‘It was a series of moments’: How a Victoria designer found his craft

  07-11-2026 18:00 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  Watching his older friends pour every ounce of their time and paychecks into the gritty Tokyo tattoo scene, a young Rio Kaneki realized something was missing. He saw a relentless, absolute devotion to a craft, and he wanted it for himself.
  Finding that passion took a severe motorcycle crash, a lucky break to land a job at a screen printing shop, and a move across the Pacific to Victoria. Today, he has built a life around his creative output, but he is quick to correct anyone who gives him the wr
  
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• B.C.’s first detection of avian influenza this season is in Chilliwack

  07-11-2026 17:31 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  B.C.’s first detection of avian influenza of the season was found in Chilliwack.
  The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) reported that it happened in a commercial poultry flock in Chilliwack and the detection date was Friday, Nov. 6.
  A primary control zone is “to be determined” for the location.
  “To date, the most common avian influenza virus in domestic birds has been highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), subtype H5N1,” according to CFIA. “Avian influenza is not a food safety
  
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• Ladysmith Lions celebrate 85 years

  07-11-2026 14:30 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  For more than 85 years “where there’s a need, there’s a Lion” has been the slogan of the Lions Club of Ladysmith.
  On Sunday, Oct. 25 the Ladysmith Lions Club marked it’s 85th anniversary with a celebration dinner at the Ladysmith Seniors Centre.
  Catered by the seniors the event featured guests from all over the Island as well as District Governor Joanne Payment, and Mayor Deena Beeston. Hosted by past district governor, and now Ladysmith Lions president, Lorne Bunyan, the event feature
  
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• Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district student numbers lower, but nearly static

  07-11-2026 13:30 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  The numbers of students enrolled in Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools have remained fairly static compared to last school year.
  Based on the September enrolment count, there are 15,259 full-time equivalent students for 2026/27, 58 off the district’s projection of 15,201, an Oct. 28 staff report stated. Of that, 5,928 students are attending high school, 8,743 elementary, and 588 enrolled in programs, such as students in the career technical centre, learning alternatives or in their sixth year of
  
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• James Stewart Ainsley (Jim)

  07-11-2026 06:02 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  In Loving Memory ~
  Aug 31, 1946 ~ Oct 23, 2026
  It is with breaking hearts we announce the passing of Jim Ainsley. He leaves behind his wife, and Life Partner Marilyn Strongitharm, Ainsley, daughter Sarah, brother Brien (Jane), sister Wendy Cooper, (Craig) and sister Terry McDougall, along with many nieces and nephews.
  He began his life in Calgary first born to Marjorie and Ralph, a bit of a wild youth, He broke his arm riding a bull, but also played guitar. Early on he moved to BC and attended S
  
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• UPDATE: Comox Valley RCMP has one individual in custody after Merville incident

  07-11-2026 03:15 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  Comox Valley RCMP confirmed that they have one individual in custody following the Nov. 6 incident that led to the closure of the area around Coleman and Hardy roads in Merville.
  “There was no threat directed toward the general public at any time and we thank everyone for their patience and cooperation,” Comox Valley RCMP said in a 6:45 p.m. post made to their Facebook page.
  At around 2:30 p.m. in the afternoon on Nov. 6, members of local social media groups reported the closure of Coleman R
  
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• Funds being raised for Okanagan flagger hit by car in work zone

  07-11-2026 01:17 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  Donors are chipping in financial support for a Spallumcheen flagger who was struck by an SUV in a work zone last month, leaving her with severe injuries.Michelle Tapp has been a flagger for 10 years, making sure people navigate work zones safely. She clocked in at 6 a.m. on the morning of Oct. 7, a day that started out normally until a life-altering incident took place.The details of what happened aren’t fully clear. The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP says it’s investigating the incident but did
  
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• Beaded poppies worn by Indigenous peoples to commemorate veterans during Remembrance Day

  07-11-2026 01:00 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  A special type of poppy is worn by Indigenous people to commemorate those who had died serving Canada.In Canada, more than 12,000 First Nations, Inuit and Métis people have served, according to Veterans Affairs Canada.
  Joy Bremner, Métis knowledge keeper and elder, said that in wearing the beaded poppy, they are honouring the fallen members of their families.
  “So the Métis themselves have started doing beaded poppies, and because the beadwork is a fairly large component of our cultural hist
  
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• OPINION: Ottawa has a salmon farm deadline. Now it needs a funded plan.

  06-11-2026 23:46 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  With less than three years until Ottawa’s June 30, 2029, deadline to end open-net-pen salmon farming in British Columbia, the federal government still has not explained how it will deliver on its promise.
  When Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson visited Victoria on August 20, she said the ban was “certainly still in place,” then indicated that responsibility had moved to another department and declined to elaborate. Reaffirming a deadline is not the same as explaining how to meet it.
  Indust
  
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• Comox Valley RCMP respond to incident in Merville

  06-11-2026 23:32 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  Comox Valley RCMP are responding to an incident in the Coleman Road and Hardy Road area of Merville. Avoid unnecessary travel in the area and follow police directions.
  “Thank you for your cooperation as officers work to safely manage the situation,” the post said.
  Conversation on local social media groups suggest the presence of a gunman, but this has not been verified by the authorities. Various social posts say that the Emergency Response Team has been deployed to the area.
  Local groups al
  
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• Comox Valley RCMP respond to incident, Coleman and Hardy roads

  06-11-2026 23:32 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  Comox Valley RCMP are responding to an incident in the Coleman Road and Hardy Road area of Merville. Avoid unnecessary travel in the area and follow police directions.
  “Thank you for your cooperation as officers work to safely manage the situation,” the post said.
  Conversation on local social media groups suggest the presence of a gunman, but this has not been verified by the authorities. Various social posts say that the Emergency Response Team has been deployed to the area.
  Local groups al
  
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• Nanaimo avoids brunt of storm as B.C. Hydro works to restore power

  06-11-2026 22:56 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  Thousands of B.C. Hydro customers who lost their power in the Nanaimo area earlier today, had it restored by early afternoon.
  The Friday, Nov. 6 power outages, which were mainly concentrated in areas south of Nanaimo, including Cedar, Yellow Point and sections of Gabriola and Mudge islands, were caused mostly by storm and wind conditions overnight.
  But B.C. Hydro spokesman Ted Olynyk said there were thousands more customers north of Nanaimo who suffered through more windy conditions than the cit
  
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• Nanaimo avoids brunt of storm as B.C. Hydro finishes power restoration

  06-11-2026 22:56 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  Thousands of B.C. Hydro customers who lost their power in the Nanaimo area earlier today, had it restored by early afternoon.
  The Friday, Nov. 6 power outages, which were mainly concentrated in areas south of Nanaimo, including Cedar, Yellow Point and sections of Gabriola and Mudge islands, were caused mostly by storm and wind conditions overnight.
  But B.C. Hydro spokesman Ted Olynyk said there were thousands more customers north of Nanaimo who suffered through more windy conditions than the cit
  
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• Time between wildfire, storm season getting shorter: BC Hydro report

  06-11-2026 22:24 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  A new report from BC Hydro says that the impact from the province’s storm season may be determined months earlier as the wildfire and storm seasons move closer and closer together.
  BC Hydro released the report, “The new reality: Emergency season is year-round,” this month, which finds that the effects of drought, persistent heat and wildfire can linger longer after temperatures cool.
  The report argues that storm season “in many ways” now begins in the summer. Due to the wildfire season
  
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• Incoming B.C. Conservative premier Doerkson pleased with Carney budget

  06-11-2026 22:19 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  Premier-designate Lorne Doerkson says he is “pretty darn excited” about the latest federal budget’s blueprint for boosting growth and enhancing economic sovereignty.
  “Today’s federal budget is an encouraging and ambitious statement about Canada’s economic future,” he said on Thursday afternoon (Nov. 5). “It recognizes the tremendous opportunities that we have here in British Columbia.”
  B.C. Green Party Leader Emily Lowan is less enthusiastic. She called it a “central banker�
  
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• Vernon junior football team named Interior Conference Champions

  06-11-2026 21:09 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  The cats have clawed their way to the top of the pack.
  The Vernon Panthers are Interior Conference Champions in AA junior varsity football, having ended the regular season undefeated.
  Vernon won 48-8 against Kalamalka/Seaton Wednesday, Nov. 4 at Greater Vernon Athletic Park (GVAP).
  “Next stop, playoffs,” said manager Rhonda Hove.
  Karson Mackus led the game, scoring the first touchdown followed by two more. Ben Astin also got three while Kyle Fitzpatrick and Davis Gordon added to the score.
  C
  
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• ID of masked suspect sought after B&E at Off The Hook restaurant in Nanaimo

  06-11-2026 21:00 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  Nanaimo RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance to help identify a suspect in a break-and-enter at a restaurant earlier this week.
  The individual allegedly broke into Off The Hook restaurant, located at 1588 Boundary Cres., at approximately 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, and attempted to pry open the cash drawer.
  A maintenance worker heard a disturbance and confronted the suspect, who fled on foot in an unknown direction.
  Nothing was taken, however, investigators did manage to locate forensic
  
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• UPDATE: Tolko sues FortisBC over expropriation of old mill site in Kelowna’s North End

  06-11-2026 20:51 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  UPDATE 2:30 p.m.
  Negotiations took place between FortisBC and Tolko Industries before the two-acre parcel of the former mill site was expropriated, says FortisBC.
  “[We were] not able to reach an agreement that reflected fair value for our customers,” Gary Toft, FortisBC senior advisor of corporate communications told Black Press Media. “FortisBC has taken steps to acquire the land under the British Columbia Expropriation Act, which provides a clear framework for all parties.”
  FortisBC sa
  
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• Tolko sues FortisBC over expropriation of old mill site in Kelowna’s North End

  06-11-2026 20:51 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  Tolko Industries isn’t pleased with FortisBC over its former North End mill site, claiming the compensation received after expropriation wasn’t enough.
  In a civil claim filed on Tuesday, Nov. 3, Tolko Industries alleged the $7.41 million that FortisBC gave for the parcel of land doesn’t match the property value.
  Back in early 2020, Tolko Industries shut down its mill in Kelowna’s North End. Since then, the 40-acre site that consists of several separate parcels, located at Manhattan Drive
  
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• Movember campaign hits home for Campbell River fire dispatcher

  06-11-2026 20:28 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  Mark Myles’ Movember moustache has deep meaning.
  A number of years ago, the 46-year-old 911 Fire Dispatcher with the Campbell River Fire Department was in a dark place.
  So dark, in fact, that the depression he was suffering from had Myles contemplating ending it all.
  But Myles found strength from those who cared about him.
  “I couldn’t stop thinking about the important people in my life and decided it was time to admit that I needed help,” Myles shared.“So I went to the doctor and calle
  
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• Evacuation Order issued in parts Zeballos after landslide

  06-11-2026 19:33 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  The Village of Zeballos has issued an Evacuation Order for 101-118 Maquinna Ave and 216 Pandora Cres due to a landslide.
  “The landslide is a risk to life and safety. Anyone in the affected area must evacuate NOW,” says the order.
  The order notes that people in the area must:
  – Leave the area immediately.
  – Register with the local Emergency Support Services emergency reception centre at the Zeballos Fire Hall (155 Maquinna Ave.) so they can be connected with family and loved ones.
  – If
  
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• Ladysmith author creates children’s book featuring hero with Down Syndrome

  06-11-2026 19:32 via Nanaimo News Bulletin
  
  What began as a mother’s desire to tell her daughter’s story has grown into a message about inclusion and the power of seeing yourself represented in a story.
  Through her daughter’s experience, Sandra Marquis saw a need for young readers to encounter characters who experience the world in different ways. Those feelings created a story about a girl with developmental disabilities, as she hoped to give children like her daughter, Camille, a chance to see themselves reflected in the pages of
  
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