Local News Updates

Updates on what’s happening in Nanaimo and on the Salish Sea.

Local News in Nanamo and on the Salish Sea
Harm reduction education highlighted to keep students safe at Vancouver Island University
Lauryn Mackenzie
Harm reduction education highlighted to keep students safe at Vancouver Island University
Lauryn Mackenzie

As many new and returning students are settling into campus life at Vancouver Island University, students through the campus health and wellness centre want to educate students to make sure they know the impacts of the ongoing toxic drug crisis.

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Lauryn Mackenzie
Robbie Thompson looks ahead to annual Slo-Pitch Tournament
Heather Watson
Robbie Thompson looks ahead to annual Slo-Pitch Tournament
Heather Watson

This weekend the annual Robbie Thompson Slo-Pitch Tournament will go to bat, raising money for the Cancer Care Unit at the Comox Valley Hospital. This year’s fundraiser has a special focus on honouring late founder Jim Lalic, and the legacy he created within the community. 

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Heather Watson
Cumberland conk could become world’s first Official Village Fungus
Heather Watson
Cumberland conk could become world’s first Official Village Fungus
Heather Watson

Local historian Dawn Copeman has proposed the Village of Cumberland become the first municipality in the world to name an Official Village Fungus. 

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Heather Watson
Die-in demands attention to overdose deaths
Heather Watson
Die-in demands attention to overdose deaths
Heather Watson

Sunday August 31st was International Overdose Awareness Day, and communities across Vancouver Island gathered on Friday August 29th to honour the day. The Village Clinic in Courtenay hosted an event at the Comox Valley Art Gallery, including a “die-in.”

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Heather Watson
International Overdose Awareness Day recognized during march through Downtown Nanaimo
Lauryn Mackenzie
International Overdose Awareness Day recognized during march through Downtown Nanaimo
Lauryn Mackenzie

Concerned citizens took to the streets on August 29 to bring awareness to unregulated drug deaths in Nanaimo.

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Lauryn Mackenzie
New High Acuity Unit opens at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital for patients with complex care needs
Lauryn Mackenzie
New High Acuity Unit opens at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital for patients with complex care needs
Lauryn Mackenzie

The Nanaimo Regional General Hospital is set to open its newest unit for patients with complex, high-care needs in the central Vancouver Island area.

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Lauryn Mackenzie
Buy Canadian draws more shoppers to local farmers' market
Lauryn Mackenzie
Buy Canadian draws more shoppers to local farmers' market
Lauryn Mackenzie

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.

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Lauryn Mackenzie
BC SPCA warns of wildfire smoke affecting pets
Lauryn Mackenzie
BC SPCA warns of wildfire smoke affecting pets
Lauryn Mackenzie

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.

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Lauryn Mackenzie
Family music camp strikes a new chord in the Comox Valley
Heather Watson
Family music camp strikes a new chord in the Comox Valley
Heather Watson

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.

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Heather Watson
Fresh Start back-to-school event in great need of backpacks for children
Lauryn Mackenzie
Fresh Start back-to-school event in great need of backpacks for children
Lauryn Mackenzie

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.

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

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.

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Lauryn Mackenzie
Comox Valley doctor and town councillor talks platform in race for BC Greens leadership
Heather Watson
Comox Valley doctor and town councillor talks platform in race for BC Greens leadership
Heather Watson

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.

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Heather Watson

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New president hoping to help VIU navigate financial challenges in first year at the helm
New president hoping to help VIU navigate financial challenges in first year at the helm

It’s a new year at VIU, and there’s a new president on campus, looking to help steer the school through its financial challenges. Dennis Johnson was appointed as interim president in June. His tenure will be up to two years. Midcoast Morning speaks with Johnson, as well as VIU Students Union Board Chair Sarah Mei Lyana about hopes for the upcoming school year.

“Restore” celebrates expansion aimed at saving materials from landfill
“Restore” celebrates expansion aimed at saving materials from landfill

A new partnership between Habitat For Humanity’s Restore and non profit Lighthouse’s Building Material Exchange program aims to save construction material from the landfill. The Nanaimo Restore, which sells donated construction material and home furnishings, celebrated an expansion as well as the launch of the new partnership at an event Monday. Proceeds from the Restore go to Habitat for Humanity Mid Vancouver Island, which has a goal of building affordable housing. The organization most recently completed a housing project in 2021. Midcoast Morning spoke with representatives from the Restore, Lighthouse, and Habitat For Humanity Mid Vancouver Island.

Commercial Street Night Market wraps up sixth season in Nanaimo
Commercial Street Night Market wraps up sixth season in Nanaimo

Nanaimo’s night market continued to grow this year, according to its organizer. Midcoast Morning visited the market ahead of the final 2025 edition Thursday night. Plus, the Picnic in The Plaza aims to bring the community together downtown on Sunday.

Contact

News Staff

Managing Editor & Executive Producer
Jesse Woodward / jesse.woodward@chly.ca

Nanaimo Area Reporter (Local Journalism Initiative)
Lauryn Mackenzie / lauryn.mackenzie@chly.ca

Comox Valley Area Reporter (Local Journalism Initiative)
Heather Watson / heather.watson@chly.ca

Host-Producer (Mid Coast Morning)
Joe Pugh / joe.pugh@chly.ca

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