Nanaimo news

• Vancouver Island pilot, forestry worker killed in helicopter crash

  15-07-2026 20:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Two people have died after a helicopter crash in Loughborough Inlet, just north of Sayward on Tuesday morning.
  According to a Facebook post by Campbell River-based West Coast Helicopters, a Hughes 500 helicopter was being flown in the area for forestry operations. At 6:15 a.m., the helicopter went down with a pilot and two forestry workers from CFMG. The pilot, Riley Browne who worked for West Coast Helicopters, and a CFMG crew member did not survive. The other CFMG crew member did survive the c
  
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• Residents in City of Nanaimo invited to take part in roving garage sale

  15-07-2026 22:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  City of Nanaimo residents can take part in a roving garage sale style event this weekend.
  The Reuse Rendezvous goes Saturday-Sunday, July 18-19, allowing people to leave clean, gently-used unwanted items at the curb in front of their residences, marked with a “Free” sign, allowing others to browse and take them home, said a press release.
  Items can include furniture, tools, clothing, sporting goods, toys and books that are in “good, usable condition.”
  In order to allow fo
  
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• Victoria whale watching company sale ‘opens the door to reach more people’

  15-07-2026 21:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A longtime local wildlife tour company promises little will change in its relationships with local Indigenous communities, environmental organizations, researchers, educators and community groups in the wake of its sale to Pursuit Attractions and Hospitality.The sale closed Tuesday (July 14) as Pursuit purchased Eagle Wing Tours – Victoria’s top-rated whale watching and marine wildlife experience. Both companies say the business will continue to operate from Fisherman’s Wharf w
  
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• Teamwork with First Nation, company, B.C. gov’t helps forest business grow

  15-07-2026 20:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Teamwork was key for bolstering an Indigenous forestry operation in central B.C., stakeholders stated at a business conference in Nanaimo.
  Lake Babine Nation was front and centre at the Seeing the Forest and the Trees panel discussion June 4 at the Indigenous Resource Opportunities Conference in Nanaimo, with Duane Crouse, Lake Babine Nation Forestry operations manager; Jeff Mycock, vice-president of Canadian Woodlands for West Fraser Timber Co.; Mike Beck, operations manager of Capacity Forest
  
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• Antique Truck Show returns to Forest Discovery Centre July 18

  15-07-2026 19:48 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Truck lovers rejoice, the BC Forest Discovery Centre’s annual Antique Truck Show is back for another year. The show comes for one day only: Saturday, July 18.
  “Trucks of all sizes will be displayed, with an amazing barbecue to keep the good times rollin’,” said organizers.
  A standard admission ticket gets you into the centre to see the trucks, along with steam train rides, and access to the museum’s exhibits. Visit the permanent Forest Forever exhibit and the visiti
  
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• Comox to host Island’s first EV-powered movie night

  15-07-2026 19:40 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Comox is going to be the first community on Vancouver Island to host a fully electric vehicle-powered movie night.
  On July 24, BC Hydro and the town of Comox will be hosting a screening of Disney’s Hoppers, and the movie will be powered entirely by an electric vehicle.
  “The event will see noisy, gas‑powered generators replaced with a quiet, setup that runs off an EV battery — eliminating noise, fumes, and emissions,” says a release from BC Hydro. “It’s a
  
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• No tsunami warning after small quake 200 km from Port Hardy

  15-07-2026 19:35 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  No tsunami is expected after a 4.2 magnitude earthquake occurred about 200 km west of Port Hardy Tuesday morning.
  The quake took place at 3:58 a.m. at a depth of 10 km., 197 km west of the Vancouver Island town.
  There was no shaking felt and no damage to any structures.
  There have been 11 other quakes in the same general area so far this year. They have ranged in magnitude from 3.93 to 4.8. In 2025, 27 quakes were registered in the area off northern Vancouver Island.
  
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• New bus pilot project connects Gold River and Campbell River

  15-07-2026 19:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  People wanting to travel between Campbell River and Gold River can now take the bus.
  IslandLinkBus recently launched a pilot project, operating a bus for the summer between the two communities. There is also a stop at the Strathcona Park Lodge. The service will run twice daily in each direction, Thursday through Monday, making it easier to explore the region, connect with communities, and enjoy everything the area has to offer.
  While this is an IslandLinkBus initiative, the SRD will be keeping a
  
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• Island artist stirs memories of Japanese Canadian life during B.C. exile

  15-07-2026 19:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  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
  
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• ‘We will do better’: Vancouver Island district to review prison break alerts

  15-07-2026 19:25 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  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.
  
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• Island MP Johns calls for less red tape on disability programs

  15-07-2026 19:20 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  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

  15-07-2026 19:18 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  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
  
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• Kelowna woman highlighted by SPCA for milestone in foster care

  15-07-2026 19:06 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  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
  
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• Former Kelowna Falcons player drafted to the MLB

  15-07-2026 19:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  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
  
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• What’s On, July 15

  15-07-2026 18:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  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

  15-07-2026 18:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  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
  
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• Drew Samarin

  15-07-2026 18:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  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
  
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• Douglas Randall Anthony

  15-07-2026 18:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  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
  
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• Learner caught going 97 km/h over speed limit on B.C.’s Sea to Sky Highway

  15-07-2026 18:25 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  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
  
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• WJ (Bill) McCullough (Colonel Ret’d)

  15-07-2026 17:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  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
  
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• Sylvia Dorman (Nickeas)

  15-07-2026 17:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  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
  
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• Michael Joseph McHale

  15-07-2026 17:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  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
  
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• WORLD CUP DAILY, July 14: Spain heads to the finals

  15-07-2026 16:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  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
  
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• New art at Nanaimo’s McGregor Park to commemorate Japanese Canadians

  15-07-2026 14:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  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
  
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• Okanagan soccer team disqualified from Provincial Championship after unprofessional conduct

  15-07-2026 14:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  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
  
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• Nanaimo council supports funding application for Duke Point interchange project

  15-07-2026 01:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  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
  
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• 5 First Nations ink deal for ownership stake in part of LNG Canada Phase 2

  15-07-2026 01:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  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
  
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• ‘Significant’ wildfire events likely in B.C. later this week: officials

  14-07-2026 22:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  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
  
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• ’Significant’ wildfire events likely in B.C. later this week: officials

  14-07-2026 22:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  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
  
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• Pacific Arts Market in Nanaimo, an art gallery and active community space

  14-07-2026 22:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  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
  
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