Author: Emily Thompson

Smithers town council has awarded the airport master plan contract to Patricia Maloney Consulting. The consulting firm will develop a comprehensive new plan for Smithers Regional Airport (YYD), whose last master plan was completed in 2009. Earlier in 2025, the Town applied for a grant through the BC Air Access Program with the help of Moorhouse Aviation. The application was successful, securing $35,000 to support the creation of the new master plan. The Town then issued a request for proposals to select a qualified firm to provide professional consulting services. The new plan will offer a full overview of the…

A tragic case of animal violence shook Nanaimo on Saturday morning when a dog named Storm was shot and killed. The incident took place just before 10 a.m. near Holly Avenue and Rosehill Street, an area lined with apartment buildings. According to police, several shots were fired, sparking an ongoing search for the suspect. Investigators from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said early findings suggest the shooting was not random. Constable Gary O’Brien, spokesperson for the Nanaimo detachment, explained that the investigation is still in its early stages and many details remain unclear. However, police believe the act was…

A human rights complaint about medically assured ferry loading in Nanaimo has been dismissed, but the traveller involved may still receive a settlement. The B.C. Human Rights Tribunal released its decision on July 17 following a case brought by Roger Chin. The complaint arose from a 2019 incident when Chin, who had suffered a brain injury, was not permitted to bypass a two-sailing wait at Departure Bay while trying to reach Horseshoe Bay. He presented a doctor’s note written in 2016 but did not have formal approval under B.C. Ferries’ medically assured loading program. Without that approval, priority boarding was…

The British Columbia police watchdog has opened a new office in Nanaimo to enhance investigative operations on Vancouver Island. The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIOBC) confirmed in its 2024-25 annual report that the regional office on Uplands Drive is now fully operational. The initiative to establish regional offices began in 2023-24, according to IIOBC spokesperson Simon Druker. Nanaimo was selected for its central location on the island, which is expected to improve response times, strengthen recruitment and retention, and enhance collaboration with local governments, Indigenous communities, and police agencies. So far in 2025, three cases involving the Nanaimo RCMP…

Two sailors reported missing in Nanaimo have been found safe after nearly a month of uncertainty. Police confirmed that 30-year-old Robert Stalker and his 33-year-old sailing partner, Julie De Myer, were located in the Nanaimo area on different days. Stalker was reported missing last week by his family after he had not been in contact, which they said was out of character. Authorities added De Myer to the missing persons report because she was believed to be travelling with him on their sailboat. The pair had last been heard from on July 20, sparking concern among family, friends, and the…

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds are set to perform over Nanaimo Harbour on Friday evening, weather permitting. Officials say the iconic aerial display will go ahead as planned, though conditions could affect how the team flies. Capt. Phil Rochon, public-affairs officer for the Snowbirds, explained that the final decision is made at “showtime.” The pilots can adjust their flight based on cloud height and visibility, choosing from three options: a high show with full aerobatics, a low show with modified maneuvers, or a flat show featuring formation changes without aerobatics. “We prefer to do our high show,” Rochon said, noting that…

B.C. Ferries is seeking help to find Luigi, a black and white tuxedo cat who went missing during the 10:15 a.m. sailing from Nanaimo to Tsawwassen on August 9. Luigi was inside his owner’s vehicle when he slipped out through a small window left open for air. The vehicle also contained a white Labrador. Luigi escaped on the lower car deck, where passengers are not allowed to stay during the trip. Despite a thorough search by the ferry crew and Luigi’s family, the cat could not be found. B.C. Ferries reminds passengers that while dogs are allowed in designated areas,…

Nanaimo physician Dr. Robin Love has been awarded the Order of British Columbia, the province’s highest honour. The recognition celebrates his outstanding leadership, commitment to education, and dedication to improving palliative care both in Canada and abroad. For more than 26 years, Dr. Love has been a central figure in advancing compassionate end-of-life care on Vancouver Island. His work has touched countless patients and families while setting a model for healthcare professionals across the province and beyond. The provincial government described him as a visionary leader who transformed palliative care services. His approach has inspired a global standard of care…

Police in Nanaimo are searching for a man who was reportedly seen hitting and kicking his dog in public. The disturbing incident took place on July 27 around 6:30 p.m. on Selby Road. A nearby witness contacted the police after witnessing the violent act involving a German Shepherd-type dog. The witness told police they saw a man punching and kicking his dog in the 200 block of Selby Road. When the witness shouted at the man to stop, the suspect allegedly became aggressive. He walked toward the witness and demanded to see their phone, suspecting that he was being filmed.…

A large wildfire northwest of Nanaimo on Vancouver Island is growing quickly and has forced many people to evacuate their homes. The Wesley Ridge wildfire started on July 31 on the north side of Cameron Lake. It has spread to cover 389 hectares, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service. Strong wind gusts pushed the fire’s edge toward nearby homes, causing concern for residents. The Regional District of Nanaimo has issued evacuation orders and alerts for homes near Little Qualicum River Village. So far, 191 homes are under evacuation orders, which means residents must leave immediately. Another 283 homes are on…