Nanaimo synagogue holds ‘Solidarity and prayer for Israel’ service

On Wednesday evening, members of Nanaimo’s Jewish community packed the small synagogue in Rabbi Bentzi Shemtov’s home in north Nanaimo for a “Solidarity and Prayer for Israel” service.

NewsMick SweetmanOctober 13, 2023Nanaimo, Israel, Chabad of Nanaimo, Jewish community

Advocates say more overdose prevention sites are needed if public drug use law is enacted

The BC NDP introduced legislation that would prohibit use of illicit drugs in public spaces, but advocates say more overdose prevention sites are needed.

NewsMick SweetmanOctober 7, 2023David Eby, drug policy, NANDU, Pivot Legal Soceity

Residential school survivors tell their stories at VIU

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation was marked across Canada on Sept. 30 to remember the survivors of Canada’s residential school system, and the children who never made it home.

Protesters against logging of old growth forests picket NDP MLA offices

Protests against the logging of old growth forests took place Thursday at Nanaimo MLA Sheila Malcolmson’s office marking the three-year anniversary of the provinces’ Old Growth Strategic Review.

NewsMick SweetmanSeptember 29, 2023old growth, Shelia Malcomson, Sierra Club, David Quigg, forestry, environment

Cumberland adopts village-owned rental policy

The Village of Cumberland is looking to attract new staff to the village, including on-call firefighters, with the purchase of a three-bedroom house with an attached studio suite.

NewsMick SweetmanSeptember 27, 2023Cumberland, Village of Cumberland, Comox Valley, Housing

Nanaimo council passes bylaw banning natural gas heating in new homes

Nanaimo city council voted 5-3 to adopt changes to Nanaimo’s building bylaw banning natural gas heating in new buildings at its meeting on Monday.

NewsMick SweetmanSeptember 26, 2023Nanaimo, City of Nanaimo, Zero Carbon Step Code

Nanaimo District Secondary School vandalized with hateful graffiti

Nanaimo District Secondary School was vandalized over the weekend with racist, homophobic and transphobic slurs written on the front doors of the school.

NewsMick SweetmanSeptember 25, 20232SLGBTQ, NDSS, schools, crime

Marine heatwaves a threat to B.C.’s shellfish industry says expert

Dr. Timothy Green, Canada Research Chair in Shellfish Health and Genomics at Vancouver Island University, says marine heatwaves are a threat to B.C’s $20 million shellfish industry.

NewsMick SweetmanSeptember 22, 2023climate, shellfish, Salish Sea, VIU, bussiness

Anti-SOGI protest in Nanaimo outnumbered by counter-protesters

Several hundred pro-LGBTQ activists counter-protested a smaller protest opposed to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity programs in schools at various locations in Nanaimo on Wednesday.

Mick SweetmanSeptember 21, 2023SOGI, David Wang, Nanaimo, protest, LGBTQ

Parksville-Qualicum MLA Adam Walker blames premier for staff being 'intimidated' after being booted from NDP caucus

Adam Walker says he will clear his name and ‘all options are on the table’ including joining another party after getting booted from the BC NDP Caucus.

NewsMick SweetmanSeptember 19, 2023Adam Walker, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, politics

Nanaimo climate activists march for an end to fossil fuels

Over 100 climate activists in Nanaimo marched from Maffeo Sutton Park to Nanaimo City Hall calling for an end to fossil fuels on Friday.

NewsMick SweetmanSeptember 19, 2023Nanaimo, climate, protest

Nanaimo mayor calls decriminalization a failure

Nanaimo Mayor Leonard Krog says that drug decriminalization in B.C has been a failure as Health Canada bans possession near playgrounds, splashpads and skateparks.

NewsMick SweetmanSeptember 15, 2023City of Nanaimo, David Eby, Decriminalization, drug policy, Leo, Ian, Hiliary Eastmure, Janice Perrino, Ben, Paul, Over

Nanaimo council discusses possible public drug use bylaw

On Monday, Nanaimo city council discussed a staff report on a possible bylaw that would regulate public drug use, but advocates say that isn't the solution.

NewsMick SweetmanSeptember 13, 2023City of Nanaimo, Nanaimo, overdose crisis, Nightkeepers

Comox Valley moves to Stage 3 watering restrictions to protect salmon

The Comox Valley Regional District moved new stage three watering restrictions on Monday to help conserve water flows for the salmon spawning in the Puntledge River.

NewsMick SweetmanSeptember 11, 2023Comox Valley, Courtenay, Comox, drought

Oceanside task force looking to establish tiny home village for the homeless

The Oceanside Task Force on Homelessness is looking for land to create a village of tiny homes for people who are experiencing homelessness in the area.

NewsMick SweetmanSeptember 8, 2023Oceanside, Qualicum Beach, Parksville, Housing, Island Crisis Care Soceity, BC Housing

RCMP launch back-to-school safety blitz

Nanaimo RCMP were at Departure Bay Elementary on Wednesday reminding drivers to slow down and pay attention in school zones as part of a back-to-school safety blitz.

NewsMick SweetmanSeptember 6, 2023Nanaimo, RCMP, road safety, schools, Ben Gesselbract, City of Nanaimo