Nanaimo news

• Winners unveiled at B.C.’s international sand sculpting festival

  13-07-2026 06:50 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The duo of Hanneke Supply and Helena Bangert took first place in the doubles category of the 2026 Quality Foods Sand Sculpting Competition in Parksville on July 12.
  The three-day competition in the community park drew 30 sand sculptors from all over Canada and the world to create their best representation of the ‘Beauties and Beasts’ theme within 30 hours.
  ‘Touched by the Beast’ by Supply and Bangert is about staying connected to nature, rather than a screen.
  It features
  
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• AI control: Victoria councillors put data centres on the agenda

  14-07-2026 01:40 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A pair of Victoria councillors hope to inspire data centre talk at the Capital Regional District level.CRD directors, and Victoria councillors, Jeremy Caradonna and Coun. Dave Thompson will ask the regional environmental committee that meets Wednesday (July 15) to have staff research on AI data centres, their potential environmental, utility and land-use impacts in this region, and potential policy options for regulating data centres in the Capital Region.
  “When it comes to AI data centres
  
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• Nanaimo RCMP seeks help identify alleged assaulter

  14-07-2026 01:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Nanaimo RCMP is seeking witnesses following an alleged assault of a woman jogging.
  The incident occurred at approximately 4:20 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9, on Second Street near Pine Street.
  The woman, age 21, told police that while out for a run, an unknown man riding a bicycle approached her from behind and allegedly grabbed her buttocks.
  The suspect then rode off.
  He is described as Caucasian, approximately 35-years old and about 6’3” tall.
  The suspect has a slim build, short brow
  
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• Mosaic changing how it approaches recreation on Vancouver Island forest lands

  14-07-2026 01:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  Mosaic Forest Management, owner of 550,000 hectares of Vancouver Island’s forest, is revisiting how it will allow access to its lands for recreation.
  After receiving over 7,600 responses to its 2025 survey, and undergoing an internal evaluation of how the forestry company manages recreation on its lands, the Mosaic team has concluded that recreation “has outgrown the program built to manage it.”
  “The challenge is bigger than any single gate or policy, and there are opport
  
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• VIDEO: B.C. cathedral bells still ringing strong after 90 years of history

  14-07-2026 01:15 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The bells of Victoria’s Christ Church Cathedral rang for an extended period on the morning of July 12 as the cathedral marked the 90th anniversary of its first ringing.
  Beginning at 9:30 a.m., members of the Cathedral Guild of Ringers performed a quarter peal — a 45-minute change-ringing performance involving 1,260 unique bell sequences.The 10 ringers – each assigned to a specific bell – used the same technique believed to have been used during the original performance wh
  
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• Security increased after vandalism incident at B.C. sand sculpture competition

  14-07-2026 01:15 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Parksville Beach Festival is increasing security on-site after suspected vandalism to several sculptures at the Quality Foods Sand Sculpting Competition over the weekend.
  Cheryl Dill, president of the Parksville Beach Festival Society, said the number of security guards has been doubled, as well as patrols by an additional company.
  “We have increased security and feel confident in the improvements so far,” Dill told the PQB News. “The cameras in the community park have been ver
  
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• B.C. Nurses’ Union to pause picket lines as mediation begins

  14-07-2026 00:58 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  In a gesture of “good faith,” the B.C. Nurses’ Union has agreed to pause picket lines as it enters mediated talks with the Health Employers’ Association of B.C., the union announced on Monday, July 13.
  Picket lines will be paused at the end of the day on Tuesday.
  Nurses’ union president Adriane Gear issued a statement saying the union is entering mediation with “cautious optimism” that it can reach terms to resolve members’ complaints on staff safe
  
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• Sean Edward McKierahan

  14-07-2026 00:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  In Loving Memory ~
  Sean Edward McKierahan passed away on June 29, 2026 at Nanaimo Regional Hospital at the age of 75. He leaves behind Kathy, his wife of 48 years, his sons, Connor and Ian (Andrea), grandchildren, Tegan, Hanna, Maddie and Ben, his brother Angus, brother-in- law Bob (Margaret) and their families.
  Sean always described himself as an educator. Over the course of his career, he taught at the elementary, secondary, and university levels before finishing his career as Assistant Superi
  
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• B.C. grants environmental assessment for sand mine near Prince George

  14-07-2026 00:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  B.C. has issued an environmental assessment certificate for a new open-pit silica sand mine north of Prince George.
  The Vitreo Minerals-owned Angus Project, roughly 60 kilometres north of Prince George and 10 kilometres east of Bear Lake, is expected to generate $300 million in investment, creating 150 jobs during construction and 140 during operations.
  The type of sand produced by this mine is used in hydraulic fracturing, commonly referred to as fracking, to prop open the fractures created in
  
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• Nurses picket outside NRGH calling for improved nurse retention and workplace safety

  13-07-2026 22:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Health-care workers took to the picket line on Monday outside Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, as the B.C. Nurses’ Union have expanded protests to different hospitals across the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.
  The B.C. Nurses’ Union began a strike on July 2, with 98.2 per cent of more than 50,000 nurses voting in favour of job action. The main call from the union is for the provincial government to bring “a meaningful general wage increase and solutions that improve nurs
  
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• Nanaimo council won’t support campaign to keep Snowbirds in the air

  13-07-2026 21:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Supporting the continuation of Canada’s iconic Snowbirds demonstration squadron is not on the radar of Nanaimo’s city council.
  Council voted at its meeting on July 6 against supporting a national campaign to keep the Snowbird squadron, which tours North America to demonstrate the skill and teamwork of the Royal Canadian Air Force, in the air when the squadron is grounded after this year’s flying season.
  Canada’s Defence Minister David McGuinty announced in May that the Sn
  
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• B.C. nurses expand strike to Vancouver Island as bargaining stalls

  13-07-2026 21:10 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Picket lines expanded to Vancouver Island on July 12 as the British Columbia Nurses’ Union (BCNU) intensified job action after bargaining with health employers reached another impasse.
  Union members began picketing outside Victoria General Hospital early Sunday morning, with additional job action planned at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital and Royal Jubilee Hospital.
  In an address to a large crowd of nurses waving flags and ringing bells outside the hospital, union president Adriane Gear
  
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• Opening weekend draws more than 8,600 visitors to Parksville Beach Festival

  13-07-2026 20:45 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The 2026 Parksville Beach Festival is off to a strong start with thousands of visitors taking in the April Wine concert and Quality Foods Sand Sculpting Competition July 10 to July 12.
  8,629 visitors watched 30 world-class sculptors transform 255 cubic yards of sand into works of art during the competition, according to a news release by Parksville Beach Festival Society.
  On Saturday evening, more than 2,300 music fans filled the Parksville Outdoor Theatre for a performance by Canadian rock lege
  
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• Specialty ‘custom cutters’ added to BC Timber Sales program

  13-07-2026 20:41 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  B.C.’s Forests ministry is expanding a program that allows value-added manufacturers to access BC Timber Sales logs to include specialty “custom cutters” who supply unique wood products to buyers around the world.
  These manufacturers supply wood for everything from specialty windows and doors to Japanese temples. But unlike other value-added manufacturers that use BC Timber Sales logs, these businesses don’t have their own mills.
  There are about 40 custom cutter companies
  
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• Port Alberni port authority hopes to attract more cruise ship business

  13-07-2026 20:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Port Alberni Port Authority wants to expand its cruise ship business following the first cruise ship visit to the city’s deepsea port since 2019.
  The World, a 165-unit residential cruise ship, spent two nights June 20-21 berthed at the PAPA wharf across from the Maritime Discovery Centre, and travellers aboard the luxury vessel had the opportunity to explore the city.
  “It was incredible to see the community come together to welcome visitors back to our waterfront,” said Mik
  
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• Baynes Sound observatory upgrade supports B.C. shellfish industry

  13-07-2026 19:44 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Baynes Sound shellfish industry generates approximately $180 million in economic activity for the province, providing year-round jobs to rural and Indigenous communities and food security for the region.
  Thanks to upgrades made at Ocean Network Canada’s (ONC) Baynes Sound ocean observatory, the shellfish industry will be benefit from more comprehensive monitoring of the effects of ocean acidification and hypoxia (decrease in oxygen). Warming temperatures and increased carbon dioxide in
  
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• Baynes Sound observatory upgrade supports BC shellfish industry

  13-07-2026 19:44 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Baynes Sound shellfish industry generates approximately $180 million in economic activity for the province, providing year-round jobs to rural and Indigenous communities and food security for the region.
  Thanks to upgrades made at Ocean Network Canada’s (ONC) Baynes Sound ocean observatory, the shellfish industry will be benefit from more comprehensive monitoring of the effects of ocean acidification and hypoxia (decrease in oxygen). Warming temperatures and increased carbon dioxide in
  
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• PHOTOS: More than 80K paint B.C.’s capital all colours of the rainbow for Pride

  13-07-2026 18:45 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  While people around the world adorned themselves in their national colours to support their World Cup teams over the past few weeks, residents of Victoria and beyond chose to drape themselves in rainbow colours to celebrate and support this year’s Pride parade.
  Held on the sunny morning of July 12, the parade drew more than 80,000 spectators to the streets of the capital city, where they cheered on more than 140 entries and hundreds of marchers along the 2.4-kilometre route.
  Hosted by the
  
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• Ahousaht First Nation unveils new 127-acre luxury resort

  13-07-2026 18:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  A new 127-acre luxury resort is welcoming guests to the serenity of Quait Bay.
  The Ahousaht First Nation has announced the official opening of Wahous Wilderness Lodge and the Nation’s ḥaw̓iiḥ are excited to be offering a rare and innovative opportunity for visitors to experience the ḥaḥuułi
  “When you come to Wahous, you are visiting our home. We will welcome you the way we have always welcomed people — with respect, with food, with stories,&rdq
  
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• Man presumed dead after falling from tube into Okanagan Lake

  13-07-2026 18:10 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  West Kelowna RCMP is investigating after a man presumably drowned during an outing on the lake.At around 11:53 a.m. on Saturday, July 11, the 45-year-old man was thrown into Okanagan Lake and did not resurface.
  Following this, a search was conducted for the man on Okanagan Lake with the Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) deploying its marine and air resources to help find him.
  During the evening of July 11, the search was suspended as authorities could not establish a reliable search are
  
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• WORLD CUP DAILY, July 13: No matches Monday

  13-07-2026 16:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Daily FIFA World Cup soccer match updates and news for Black Press Media publications.
  It is the first time since 1990 that all four semi-finalists are prior World Cup champions.
  There are no matches until Tuesday, when France takes on Spain in the semifinals in Dallas at 12 p.m. PT.
  England will take on Argentina on Wednesday at 12 p.m.
  If England’s Harry Kane scores Wednesday, he would be tied with England’s Gary Lineker’s record of scoring in four
  successive World Cup appear
  
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• Dragon boat races at Westwood Lake in Nanaimo to benefit NRGH oncology clinic

  13-07-2026 14:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Cancer treatment in Nanaimo will benefit from an upcoming dragon boat race event.
  The second iteration of the Westwood Lake Dragon Boat Regatta takes place at Westwood Lake Park from Saturday-Sunday, July 18-19 with money raised going to the oncology clinic at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, according to Tom Arnold, president of VI Paddling, event organizer.“It’s really just about supporting this important part of our sport, where particularly Nanaimo has always been a focus for b
  
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• Search halted for woman swept over Stamp Falls near Port Alberni

  13-07-2026 03:53 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The search for a woman who was swept over Stamp Falls at Stamp River Provincial Park has been put on pause.
  Searchers said after five days of searching, including an underwater search by the RCMP Dive Team, they have halted for now.
  ‘Today was an incredibly difficult day for everyone involved,” a spokesperson with Alberni Valley Rescue Squad said on July 9.
  “Most importantly our thoughts are with the family and loved ones affected by this tragedy. We cannot imagine what they ar
  
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• Nanaimo’s council defers decision to support funding for Duke Point interchange project

  12-07-2026 23:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Nanaimo’s city council wants more information before deciding whether it will provide a letter of support for an application for federal funding for the proposed Duke Point Interchange project.
  Council decided at its meeting on Monday, July 6 to defer the decision to provide the letter to Seacliff Properties, the proponents of the Sandstone development that would see more than 2,000 homes constructed in southern Nanaimo, despite the fact that the deadline for submitting the application, al
  
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• BC Wildfire says drone disrupted aerial operations at Brunswick Complex blaze

  12-07-2026 22:32 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Amidst firefighting efforts in the massive Brunswick Complex wildfire, BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) has put out an advisory reminding residents about the consequences of interfering with wildfire suppression efforts.
  The Brunswick Complex wildfire sits at a total 18,859 hectares as of Sunday, July 12.
  On July 11, BCWS shared on Facebook how suppression efforts have been effected from the opening of Highway 1.“We received multiple reports of drivers speeding, or stopping on the side of the hi
  
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• Suspected sand sculpture vandalism saddens Parksville Beach Fest officials

  12-07-2026 22:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  The Parksville Beach Festival Society says it is “deeply disappointed” following damage to several sculptures currently being created for this year’s Quality Foods Sand Sculpting Competition.
  The damage, suspected to be vandalism, has required competing sculptors to spend valuable time repairing their works rather than focusing on completing their creations, according to a news release by the society.
  The repairs are essential to ensure the sculptures can be enjoyed by visitors
  
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• Nanaimo Concert Band holding free comedy-centric concert

  12-07-2026 20:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Comedic musical pieces will be front and centre at a free performance by Nanaimo Concert Band.
  The band, which has been in existence for 154 years, will be holding The Make ‘em Laugh Summer Concert on Monday, July 13 at Maffeo Sutton Park, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
  Under the direction of Scott MacInnes, the band will be playing TV comedy themes, music that is for circus clowns, and humorous music from Spike Jones to Leroy Anderson.
  Barbara Tease, percussionist and band director of publicity
  
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• WORLD CUP DAILY, July 12: England and Argentina head to semi-finals

  12-07-2026 16:00 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Daily FIFA World Cup soccer match updates and news for Black Press Media publications.
  England and Argentina are heading to the semi-finals after defeating Norway and Switzerland, respectively.
  England’s Jude Bellingham scored both goals for his team, the first in the 45+2 minute and the second in the 93rd. England won 2-1 after extra time.
  Argentina also went to extra time during its match with Switzerland, as they were tied 1-1 at the end of regular time. Argentina scored two goals durin
  
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• Business Notes: Merit Home Furniture store is having a big clearance sale

  12-07-2026 14:30 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Nanaimo’s Merit Home Furniture store is having a summer-clearance sale and is offering great bargains to its customers.
  Manager Bill Manhas said the sale runs until the end of July.
  “People tend to do work around their homes and buy new furniture through the summer up until November because the weather is better for moving things around,” said Manhas, who started at the store in 1988 as a delivery person when he first arrived in Nanaimo from India, and rose through the ranks to
  
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• QUIZ: Are you ready for a summer vacation?

  12-07-2026 14:20 via nanaimobulletin.com
  
  Now that the school year is over and the hot summer weather has arrived, many Canadian families will enjoy summer vacations.
  Across the country, there is plenty to see and experience, including natural wonders, dynamic cities, unique festivals and celebrations and remote wilderness areas.
  How much do you know about Canada’s many remarkable attractions?
  Put your knowledge to the test with these 10 questions.
  Good luck.
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  READ MORE: QUIZ: Are you ready for the Stanley Cup?
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