Climate scientist warns warmer and drier conditions on Vancouver Island could lead to more severe wildfires this season

Fire season is underway in B.C. This year it could be more severe than usual.

NanaimoJeannie LinMay 25, 2026Vancouver Island, Wildfire

Oceanside not-for-profit signals 'SOS' to keep youth, family, and senior programs running

Since 1968, the Society of Organized Services has been working to meet the needs of school children, families and seniors throughout the Oceanside area. Now the organization needs money to make sure those programs and services can continue.

WorkBC and VIVRS team up to help job seekers with opening a new pop up shop in downtown Nanaimo next month

A new pop up shop is offering job seekers free professional clothing donated by the community.

NanaimoLuis ZablahMay 21, 2026Nanaimo, WorkBC, Renewed 4 You, VIVRS, Employment, Interviews

Over a month since the closure of Hub and the need for a new location is felt more than ever

It has been over a month since a year-round drop-in service hub closed in downtown Nanaimo, leaving many community services looking for new ways to keep those living on the street from falling through the cracks.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieMay 21, 2026Nanaimo, The Hub, Hub, Service Hub, SECA, South end community, unhoused, Housing

‘Paying it forward’: How one bakery in downtown Nanaimo is making sure nobody goes hungry

Operating on Commercial street in downtown Nanaimo since 2018, Red’s Bakery has been described by its supporters as a pillar of downtown Nanaimo. The bakery’s Pay It Forward system provides free meals to anyone and everyone who comes in and asks.

NanaimoJeannie LinMay 15, 2026Nanaimo, bakery, food

Western Edge Theatre gears up for its last show of the season, in time for Men’s Mental Health Month.

With Men’s Mental Health month coming up, Nanaimo’s Western Edge Theatre prepares for its last show of the season, Canadian made play, 7 Stories.

The Backyard is back: With renovations almost complete it opens its doors to Nanaimo once again

With summer right around the corner, the annual Nanaimo music festival is back with a fresh new paintjob after adapting to challenges faced in 2024.

NanaimoLuis ZablahMay 13, 2026Nanaimo, Sunk City, Backyard Fest, Music, Festival

Nanaimo gathers to honour missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls

Every May is a reminder of the crisis impacting B.C.’s missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls.

NanaimoJeannie LinMay 8, 2026Nanaimo, Nanaimo\, MMIW, indigenous

New house program to give love and community while undergoing cancer treatment

On January 1st, 2025, Carly Carey, got the news no one ever wants to hear, she had been diagnosed with cancer.

Nanaimo Museum exhibit looks at farming and food security through past and present

Nanaimo has a deep rooted history in farming, and Grow Nanaimo, a new exhibit at the Nanaimo Museum examines it.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieMay 1, 2026Nanaimo, Nanaimo Museum, agriculture, Farms, Farming

Community comes out to support Volunteer Nanaimo during a time of need

Community members, members of government, and local organizations came together Wednesday April 29 to show support for Volunteer Nanaimo.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieApril 30, 2026Nanaimo, Volunteer, Volunteer Nanaimo, funding

Second annual Infusion sees skyrocketing number of participants and interested healthcare workers

Hundreds of Americans once again came to visit the Harbour City this past weekend, but this time, many healthcare workers came to learn more about making Nanaimo their new home.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieApril 28, 2026Nanaimo Infusion, Tod Maffin, USA, Americans, Healthcare, Healthcare workers, Nanaimo, NRGH

All speakers opposed at second night of Cable Bay public hearing

Once again the Shaw Auditorium was packed with concerned locals before city council, voicing their opinions on the proposed rezoning of land near the popular Cable Bay trail.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieApril 24, 2026Cable Bay, Cable Bay Trail, Harmac, Public Hearing, City of Nanaimo, RDN, Reg

For 21st year, VISFF partners with CineVic local films to Nanaimo

Local and international short films will be on full display this weekend at the Malaspina Theatre at Vancouver Island University.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieApril 16, 2026Vancouver Island Short Film Festival, Film

Grief Fire held at Vancouver Island University 10 years after toxic drug crisis declared

On April 14, 2016, the Government of British Columbia declared a public health emergency in response to the increase in toxic drug deaths happening across the province.

With a boom in clean energy, a new art exhibit at the Nanaimo Art Gallery, looks at the true cost of it all

While countries around the world work to switch from fossil fuels to green renewables, a new exhibit takes a step back and gives voice to those affected and affecting the clean energy transition.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieApril 13, 2026Nanaimo Art Gallery, Argentina, Nanaimo, lithium, lithium mining

Hamilton Marsh Regional Park officially opened by RDN

After decades of work by local ecological groups, Hamilton Marsh Regional Park is officially open.

Nanaimo youth, youngest artist to be selected for City’s street banners

Imagination and creativity are on full display across the harbour city’s downtown, and along Bowen Road as the City of Nanaimo displays a new banner design by a local youth artist.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieApril 3, 2026Art, Community Art, City of Nanaimo

Looking out for the ‘little guys.’ A new eDNA collection method to research Salish Sea forage fish

In the face of a global biological crisis, a Vancouver Island research group is using new environmental DNA techniques to help better understand some of the coast's smallest fish.

Youth and ‘hidden homelessness’ data now being counted in United Way Point-in-Time Count

Once again the numbers of those living unhoused in Nanaimo remains high as United Way BC releases the latest numbers from the 2025 Point-in-Time (PiT) Count.

NanaimoLauryn MackenzieMarch 27, 2026Homelessness, Nanaimo, Point-in-Time Count