Nanaimo councillor calls for vacancy control as rent skyrockets

A Nanaimo city councillor is calling for provincial vacancy control as the average price for a vacant two-bedroom apartment in Nanaimo jumps to just under $2,000.

NewsMick SweetmanJanuary 31, 2024Housing, rental, Hiliary Eastmure, Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation

New act, service aim to protect those whose intimate images shared without their consent

Victims who have had intimate images shared without their consent can now access new supports to stop the distribution and to take back control of their images.

NewsLauryn MackenzieJanuary 31, 2024Nanaimo, intimate images

New transitional housing project announced for Chase River

The province of British Columbia and the City of Nanaimo have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that outlines the shared responsibility for reducing homelessness in the city.

NewsMick SweetmanJanuary 29, 2024Housing, Nanaimo, Ravi Khalon, Leonard Krog

The Vault Cafe celebrates 10 years

Amongst the bustling downtown area, in an old bank building is the Vault Cafe. The cafe which has been known as a hub for coffee and community, is celebrating its ten-year anniversary this weekend.

NewsLauryn MackenzieJanuary 26, 2024Nanaimo, The Vault Cafe, Music

Body of missing boater found

Nanaimo RCMP in conjunction with RCMP West Coast Marine Services and Search and Rescue are actively searching for an overdue boater, 35-year-old Ryan Pratt.

NewsLauryn MackenzieJanuary 26, 2024Missing Person, Nanaimo, RCMP

Premier rejects call for non-prescribed safe supply as BC sets drug death record

A total of 112 people In Nanaimo died from unregulated drugs in 2023, a 43 per cent increase over the previous year.

VIU students make space to talk about mental health

January 24th is Bell Let’s Talk Day, a day started to bring awareness and support to those experiencing mental health problems.

NewsLauryn MackenzieJanuary 24, 2024Nanaimo, VIU, Vancouver Island University, mental health

Art therapist helps teens envision their goals

Amélie Blanchard, a registered art therapist, is facilitating a drop-in vision board session for teens at the Nanaimo Art Gallery on Wednesday, January 24.

ArtsMick SweetmanJanuary 23, 2024Nanaimo Art Gallery, mental health

Green Party Indigenous affairs critic guilty of contempt of court

The Green Party of Canada’s Indigenous affairs critic Angela Davidson, also known as Rainbow Eyes, was convicted of seven counts of criminal contempt of court on January 18 for her participation in an anti-logging blockade near Fairy Creek on West Vancouver Island in 2021 and 2022.

NewsMick SweetmanJanuary 23, 2024Fairy Creek, old growth, logging, Angela Davidson, Ben Issit, crime

Qualicum Beach finds a new proposed location for pickleball courts

Pickleball has been a hot topic over the last couple of years for council members on Vancouver Island. From both the growth in popularity and the noise it can cause, towns like Qualicum Beach are finding ways to embrace the sport.

NewsLauryn MackenzieJanuary 19, 2024Qualicum Beach, Pickleball

Second AAP for Nanaimo Operations Centre starts

The City of Nanaimo is holding an Alternative Approval Process starting on January 18 to seek approval from voters for a $48.5 million loan for the first phase of the Nanaimo Operations Centre.

NewsMick SweetmanJanuary 18, 2024City of Nanaimo, Nanaimo Operations Centre, AAP, Alt, Sandy Bartlett, Bill Sims, Sheryl Armstrong

Heavy snow closes schools and stops transit in Nanaimo

It’s a snow day for students in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith, Qualicum and Comox Valley School Districts as all classes are cancelled today.

NewsMick SweetmanJanuary 17, 2024weather, snow

Paige Pierce named Nanaimo’s Youth Poet Laureate

Paige Pierce, 21, is Nanaimo’s new Youth Poet Laureate after being appointed to the position by Nanaimo city council for a two-year term.

ArtsMick SweetmanJanuary 16, 2024poetry

Nanaimo council approves letter of support for Habitat for Humanity Mid-Vancouver Island

At a Nanaimo city council meeting on Monday, council voted in favour of writing a letter of support to Habitat for Humanity Mid-Vancouver Island for a future project in the city.

Trudeau does not support premise of South Africa’s genocide case against Israel

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters on Friday that Canada supports the International Court of Justice, but does not agree with the premise of South Africa’s genocide case against Israel.

NewsMick SweetmanJanuary 12, 2024Israel, Palestine, protest, Sara Kishawi, International Court of Justice, Justin Trudeau

Night work to affect late night and early morning sailings for those on Gabriola Island

Gabriola islanders will want to double-check how they will be commuting to Vancouver Island and back starting next week, as BC Ferries starts night work on both terminals.

NewsLauryn MackenzieJanuary 12, 2024Nanaimo, Federal services, HPV, Cervical Cancer, cancer, HPV test