Nanaimo residents now have better access to treatment beds closer to home

More people in Nanaimo will now have access to treatment beds for substance-use care closer to home as the Ministry of Health opens six new recovery beds in Nanaimo.

Lauryn MackenzieJanuary 24, 2025Island Crisis Care Soceity, Government of BC, Ministry of Health, Addications

Maffeo Sutton Park lights up in honour of Nanaimo’s 150 anniversary

Maffeo Sutton Park in downtown Nanaimo has been lit up with several pieces of art celebrating light, land and community.

Lauryn MackenzieJanuary 23, 2025City of Nanaimo, Luminous Paths, Maffeo Sutton Park

Rescued raven gets new mews: homeless nevermore

MARS Wildlife Rescue Centre in Merville is building a new mews for resident raven Kora.

Heather WatsonJanuary 21, 2025Comox Valley, Merville, MARS, rescue centre, wildlife, wildlife rescue, volunteer, animal, environment

Cumberland recruits volunteer citizen scientists for air quality monitoring

The Village of Cumberland selected three volunteer households to install air quality monitors, funded by the BC Lung Foundation through the CVRD, to measure wood smoke levels in the valley.

Local advocate calls for continued support of sexual health clinic

After Options for Sexual Health announced at the end of 2024 that 85 per cent of its clinics are at risk of closing, a local sexual health educator is calling on continuing support for the clinics.

Lauryn MackenzieJanuary 15, 2025Options for Sexual Health, Sexual health, reproductive health, sex, STI

Land gifts and purchases expand Comox Valley parks

On Monday January 13th, the CVRD Electoral Areas Services Committee made public the acquisition and expansion of five park spaces throughout the Comox Valley.

Heather WatsonJanuary 15, 2025Comox Valley, Recreation, parks, CVRD, Electoral Areas Services Committee

Nurses rally in Nanaimo ahead of contract renegotiations as student and new nurses face concerns in the field

Over 250 nurses from around the Vancouver Island area rallied in downtown Nanaimo outside the Vancouver Island Conference Centre following a local union conference.

Lauryn MackenzieJanuary 14, 2025BC Nurses' Union, BCNU, Nanaimo

Coming together to share discoveries and long-lost stories

Historians, researchers, and curious members of the public met to showcase discoveries and share historical items for an interested audience with the Nanaimo Historical Society.

Lauryn MackenzieJanuary 10, 2025Nanaimo Historical Society, Show and Share

Women’s hockey player reflects on local impacts of professional women’s league

The Professional Women’s Hockey League’s Takeover Tour came to BC on Wednesday with a game at Rogers Arena in Vancouver; the game excited anticipation among local hockey players for the Courtenay Whalers Women’s Hockey team.

Heather WatsonJanuary 9, 2025Comox Valley, sports, Recreation, hockey, PWHL, Courtenay Whalers, women's sports

Ammonite Falls Regional Trail closed due to 'aggressive' cougar spotted in the area

Sections of the popular Ammonite Falls Regional Trail have been temporarily closed by the regional district after an aggressive cougar was spotted in the area.

Lauryn MackenzieJanuary 8, 2025

Budget simulator: City of Courtenay invites public input

The City of Courtenay has asked residents to share their priorities for City spending. The City recently launched a virtual tool giving residents a DIY approach to simulate financial planning, and an opportunity to influence budget choices for 2025.

Heather WatsonJanuary 7, 2025Comox Valley, Housing, Recreation, City of Courtenay, Budget, public opinion, finance

CVRD invites residents to unified AAP information session January 9th

The Comox Valley Regional District has sent out an open invitation to residents for an information session. The session will cover upcoming unified Alternative Approval Process initiatives

New Haida documentary The Stand premieres in Nanaimo on January 5th

Haida filmmaker Christopher Auchter’s debut feature film The Stand will premiere in Nanaimo on Sunday, January 5th at 4pm, at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre.

Heather WatsonJanuary 2, 2025Nanaimo, Film, Premiere, Haida Nation, Event, NFB

Nanaimo Youth Poet Laureate reflects on year of growth, connections, and writing

It has been a busy year for Paige Pierce as she finishes up her first year as the City of Nanaimo’s Youth Poet Laureate.

Lauryn MackenzieDecember 31, 2024Nanaimo, City of Nanaimo, poetry, Poet Laureate, Youth poet laureate

Journey of self-governance: K’ómoks appoints Dr. Marion Buller, first Justice of the Peace

On December 4th, 2024, K’ómoks First Nation appointed Dr. Marion Buller as their Justice of the Peace; a first in First Nations history in Canada.

Celebrating a 5th anniversary by winter birding on the BC Bird Trail

While the temperature drops and the sun sets earlier in the day, no matter the weather, Oceanside birder Bonnie Mullin is encouraging people to keep an eye out for wintering birds as the BC Bird Trail celebrates its 5th anniversary.

Lauryn MackenzieDecember 27, 2024Birding, Bird Watching, Oceanside, Parksville, Qualicum Beach, Birds