Buy Canadian draws more shoppers to local farmers' market

When threats of a trade war between Canada and the United States at the beginning of this year started to grow, a lot of Canadians stopped and took a closer look at where their produce was coming from.

Lauryn MackenzieAugust 19, 2025Nanaimo, Tod Maffin, Farmer's Market, produce, buy local, buy canadain, fruits

BC SPCA warns of wildfire smoke affecting pets

Air quality warnings continue for several regions in the central Vancouver Island area due to the nearby wildfires. The BC SPCA is warning pet owners to keep their pets inside during smoky conditions.

Lauryn MackenzieAugust 15, 2025Nanaimo, Wildfire, Smoke, Wildfire smokw, pets, animals, cats, dogs

Family music camp strikes a new chord in the Comox Valley

Jam Camp, a musical summer camp for families across B.C., is coming to Vancouver Island for the first time this August and will be taking place at Camp Gilwell just outside Courtenay.

NewsHeather WatsonAugust 8, 2025Comox Valley, camping, community, culture, family, music, outdoors, summer

Fresh Start back-to-school event in great need of backpacks for children

As the need for more school backpacks grows, Fresh Start’s charity drive is figuring out what to do as they see a lack of donations compared to previous years.

Lauryn MackenzieAugust 7, 2025Nanaimo, Poverty, Fresh start, chilhood ooverty, back to school, backpacks

United Way BC opens fund for those affected by Wesley Ridge fire

As the Wesley Ridge fire continues to burn in the Cameron Lake area, United Way BC has opened its wildfire fund to help those affected by the fire.

Lauryn MackenzieAugust 7, 2025Nanaimo, Wildfire, BC Wildfire Service, Wesley Ridge, Wesley Ridge fire

Comox Valley doctor and town councillor talks platform in race for BC Greens leadership

The BC Green Party leadership race is on, and Comox Valley’s own Jonathan Kerr is one of three candidates running. Kerr is a local family doctor, Vice-Chair of the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD), and is serving his second term as a councillor in the Town of Comox.

NewsHeather WatsonAugust 6, 2025Comox Valley, Jonathan Kerr, BC Greens, BC Green Party, politics, leadership race, election

New art exhibits at the Nanaimo Art Gallery invite people to dance, jump, and play inside the gallery

Art galleries tend to be pretty quiet spaces, but a new exhibit at the Nanaimo Art Gallery is welcoming visitors to jump, dance, and play around.

Lauryn MackenzieAugust 1, 2025Nanaimo, Nanaimo Art Gallery, PLay, play

Comox Valley Pride has new host — the new non-profit organization Queer Centre

Comox Valley’s new organization Queer Centre is hosting Pride this year, with events spanning the weekend of August 21st to 24th, including the 3rd annual Pride Parade on Saturday August 23rd.

Heather WatsonJuly 30, 2025Comox Valley, queer, Pride, lgbtq2s+, Queer Centre, City of Courtenay, culture, community

New Westwood Lake Park upgrades bring more inclusion to the lake

As summer heats up, Westwood Lake Park is a go-to spot for many locals, and the City of Nanaimo has finished upgrades that will allow many more people to get out and enjoy the lake.

Lauryn MackenzieJuly 30, 2025Nanaimo, Westwood lake, Inclusiom, inclusion, Assibility, disabilities

National Youth Orchestra to play in Nanaimo, featuring local talent

A local musician has reached a life goal as they play a hometown show while on tour with the National Youth Orchestra of Canada.

Lauryn MackenzieJuly 28, 2025Nanaimo, Music, National Youth Orchestra of Canada

Closed no more! Majority of Commercial Street reopen following months-long construction

Commercial Street has unveiled a new look as the first phase of downtown street upgrades comes to a close.

Lauryn MackenzieJuly 25, 2025City of Nanaimo, Commercial Street, Construction

Texada residents “devastated”: Tex the grizzly killed

The grizzly bear who had taken up residence on Texada Island was found shot dead July 15th. The bear, nicknamed Tex by local resident and advocate Katrin Glenn-Bittner, had been on the island since late May.

Art and science meet to visualize the history of Nanaimo

Art and data meet in a new art piece now on display at Oliver Woods Community Centre, visualizing the history of Nanaimo.

Lauryn MackenzieJuly 17, 2025Nanaimo, Public Art, City of Nanaimo

Conservation group monitors Western painted turtle nesting habits at Buttertubs Marsh

Buttertubs Marsh Park is a bird watcher’s paradise, but the marsh is also home to another animal that, while not always seen, is at risk of being endangered.

Lauryn MackenzieJuly 3, 2025Nanaimo, Turtles, Western Painted Turtle, turtle, Buttertubs marsh

Nanaimo’s world record title dethroned, but won’t stop people’s love for the Nanaimo bar

On May 17, people near and far gathered at Vancouver Island University in Nanaimo to see the unveiling of a record-breaking Nanaimo bar.

Lauryn MackenzieJuly 2, 2025Nanaimo, City of Nanaimo, Nanaimo Bar, World Record

City of Nanaimo to look at banning the sale of invasive plants

As invasive species cause harm to native ecosystems around the world, on a local level, the City of Nanaimo is looking at banning the sale and distribution of certain invasive plants.

Lauryn MackenzieJune 26, 2025Nanaimo, City of Nanaimo, invasive plants, invasive species, environment