NANAIMO - The number of people out of their homes has increased as a fire in the hills above Cameron Lake continues to burn.BC Wildfire Service personnel, supported by local volunteer firefighters, continue to battle the Wesley Ridge wildfire, burning on the northern side of Cameron Lake since it was discovered Thursda...

NANAIMO - A mid-summer long weekend combined with favourable weather will see ferries heavily relied on.According to BC Ferries, vehicle reservations are booked for peak sailings on the Departure Bay - Horseshoe Bay terminal during the BC Day long weekend. Senior communications officer Sonia Lowe estimates a five per c...

UPDATE: As of 12:55 p.m., the wildfire above Cameron Lake, known as the Wesley Ridge wildfire, is now 125 hectares in size. Residents and anyone near Horne Lake to the northwest of the wildfire are being asked to stay within 100 metres of the shore, as helicopters are using the lake to fill their water buckets.EARLIER:...

NANAIMO - An expert's report of a fatal highway crash south of Nanaimo has been revealed, representing a key plank in Crown counsel's case during an ongoing trial. Findings from the suspect vehicle's data recorder, as well as physical on-scene evidence, were outlined on Thursday, July 31 by an RCMP collision reconstruc...

NANAIMO - A pair of cell towers for the Harewood neighbourhood have been approved by the City, despite some health concerns from locals. A pair of TELUS-owned, 15.7-metre streetlight/antenna monopoles is being planned along Shepherd Ave, right before Fifth St. on city-owned property, with council recently approving a l...

NANAIMO - Instances of deaths related to drug toxicity are dropping across the region from their record highs.New data from the BC Coroners Service published Thursday, July 31, show 32 people have lost their lives to unregulated drugs in Nanaimo through the first six months of the year, among 77 similar deaths for the ...

NANAIMO - An expanding wildfire above the north side of Cameron Lake has ballooned to an estimated 60 hectares as of 3:00 p.m. Thursday afternoon, tripling in size from the morning. Evacuation orders are now in place for the Regional District of Nanaimo's electoral area F in zone F1, located on the north side of Camero...

NANAIMO - An extended stretch of hot, dry weather is pushing fire danger ratings to their maximum levels. New data from the provincial government showed eastern Vancouver Island, including Nanaimo, Parksville and Qualicum Beach, under an 'extreme' fire danger rating on B.C.'s five-step scale, indicating the area has &q...

NANAIMO - Mounties are investigating after a 25-year-old Nanaimo man was hit and killed by a vehicle this week, after reportedly being seen lying on the roadway. On Tuesday, July 29, around 10:20 p.m., emergency services responded to St. George St. just east of the Canco service station. Reserve Cst. Gary O'Brien with ...

NANAIMO - Criminal code charges have been applied against a woman for allegedly misappropriating funds from a since-defunct Nanaimo non-profit agency, as well as a private business. The BC Prosecution Service (BCPS) announced this week the approval of two counts each of theft and fraud over $5,000 against 56-year-old J...

NANAIMO - A near-complete lack of rain for the month of July is prompting local officials to take extra measures to conserve the water supply.A vast majority of the Regional District of Nanaimo will move into stage four water restrictions, beginning Friday, Aug. 1.The move prohibits the use of sprinklers of any kind, w...

NANAIMO - Improvements to Westwood Lake Park are making the area more accessible for all. While phase one upgrades included parking lot upgrades, which were completed two years ago, the latest round of improvements to First Beach opened in time for the May long weekend. Improved accessibility was a big focus during the...

ERRINGTON - A strikingly unique bird beloved by visitors, staff and volunteers at a renowned Oceanside area wildlife refuge has unexpectedly passed away. Blizzard, a popular white raven, was discovered deceased in its cage on Monday, July 28, representing a tough setback for the North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre. (...

NANAIMO - Thirty-three animals, comprising cats and dogs, about half of which are puppies, were recently surrendered to the SPCA's Nanaimo branch. A Tuesday, July 29 news release from the BC SPCA stated the surrenders were made earlier this month from a Nanaimo property with feces and urine found throughout the unsanit...

NANAIMO - A local man is out $400 after his empathy and compassion overrode due diligence during a recent parking lot exchange. RCMP say the victim was loading their groceries into the back of their vehicle at the Real Canadian Superstore on Metral Dr. on Monday, July 28 at around 12:30 p.m. when a man, who appeared to...

NANAIMO - The status of Council's support for an overdose prevention site in the city's downtown will be decided in the fall. After Coun. Ian Thorpe moved for the City to request Island Health close the OPS at 250 Albert St., Councillors voted 6-3 to push any decision on the matter to the fall, once a meeting with the ...

NANAIMO - A detailed eye witness account of the untimely death of a construction worker south of the city has been revealed during the outset of an emotionally charged trial. Christanne Marie Boufford, 53, is charged with dangerous driving causing death and dangerous driving causing bodily harm for a late-night Septemb...

NANAIMO - As cases of skin cancer continue to increase in the province, a group of mobile dermatologists is inviting mid-Island residents to come and get their moles checked out.The Mole Mobile will be on the mid-Island this week at select Save-on-Foods locations, including in Parksville, Nanaimo, and Duncan.Put on by ...

UPDATE: As of 1:00 p.m. on Monday, July 28, the wildfire south of Nanaimo is now marked as 'being held' and remains two hectares in size. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. EARLIER - NANAIMO - Firefighting crews watching an under control wildfire situation along Nanaimo River Rd. have had their attentio...

NANAIMO - A notorious local fisherman will spend the next six years behind bars and will also have to split a fine of over $1 million with his wife, after being sentenced for numerous violations.Scott Stanley Matthew Steer, 47 was sentenced in a B.C. Supreme Court in Nanaimo on Friday, July 25, over six months after he...

NANAIMO - A longtime tubber with a history of being a top finisher reclaimed his World Championship Bathtub Race title. Trevor Short of Ladysmith zipped back into Nanaimo Harbour on his super-modified tub, ringing the bell with an unofficial time of 1:17:46 to win this year's race in front of thousands of onlookers at ...

NANAIMO - Making the step up to junior hockey will likely be a smoother transition for a pair of forwards looking to make their mark with the VIJHL's Nanaimo Buccaneers. Madden Cruickshank, 17, and Lukas Needham, 15, both recently signed agreements to suit up for the Buccaneers for the 2025/26 season. Cruickshank, born...

NANAIMO - Despite mixed results on the pitch, year three of the city's League1 soccer franchise is being viewed as a success for showcasing local talent.Both Nanaimo United men's and women's squads travel to play Unity FC in Surrey on Saturday, July 26, wrapping seasons where the both teams finished in the bottom half ...

ERRINGTON - A dedicated volunteer fire department is celebrating 60 years in operation with a family-friendly community event.The Errington Volunteer Fire Department is hosting its 60 anniversary celebration on Saturday, July 26, from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. at their Number One firehall at 960 Errington Rd.EVFD Chie...

NANAIMO - Apartments and a coffee shop are planned for a south end neighbourhood. A development permit application is before the City of Nanaimo for 79 residential units in a four storey building on the southwestern corner of Haliburton St. and Finlayson St., attached to a ground level coffee shop. Project architect Ma...

QUALICUM BEACH - Making a quick fix to a wide array of items is the goal behind a returning community event this weekend.A Repair Cafe will again take place at St. Stephen's United Church Hall on Village Way in Qualicum Beach on Saturday, July 26 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., where volunteers will offer their skills and expe...

NANAIMO - After almost a year of road closures and construction delays, the revamped downtown core is ready to show off its new shine. An official grand opening of the long-awaited sections of Commercial St. between Wharf and Bastion Streets was held on Thursday, July 24, and while pedestrians appeared to enjoy the loo...

NANAIMO - Thousands of people will converge in downtown Nanaimo this weekend, culminating with the World Championship Bathtub Race on Sunday, July 27, at Maffeo Sutton Park. A ticketed concert at the park Friday evening by tribute bands Doobie Brothers Experience and Eagle Eyes is followed by a full weekend of activiti...