Nanaimo file #2024-30628
In September a man reported that he had received a threatening email from Masonburton357@gmail.com The email said he was in possession of compromising videos and photos taken from the complainant’s dark web activities If the complainant did not send $2000 in bitcoin, the videos and pictures would be sent to his contact list. The email also gave the complainant’s full name and phone number. Attached to the email was a PDF file with instructions on how to send the bitcoin and google street view image of his property. Investigators and the complainant believe that an account /registration information of the complainant had been hacked allowing the suspect access. The complainant told police he had no dark web content and would ignore the email. He did though want others to be made aware.
Nanaimo file #2024-30653
Earlier in the year a woman reported receiving an email from kenn.sabo11@hgmail.com indicating the suspect had hacked the complainant’s computer and was in possession of compromising pictures and videos of the complainant’s online activities. The suspect said that if $1950 in Bitcoin was not sent, the compromising information would be sent to the complainant’s contact list. Attached to the email was a google street view of the complainant’s residence. No money was sent and the email was deleted.
Nanaimo file #2024-30670
A man reported that his wife had recently received an email from an unknown person threatening to send compromising photos/videos of her to her contact list if she did not send a certain amount of Bitcoin. A google street view of their home accompanied the email. The complainant said his wife works at large company and its personnel database had recently been hacked. He believed this was how the suspect obtained the information.
If anyone has information on any of these incidents, please call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345. To find out more about current frauds and scams visit the Canadian Anti- Fraud Center website.
Nov 2
Nanaimo soldiers who died during the First and Second World Wars will be in the spotlight from now until Remembrance day in VIU’s memorial project. It displays the names of more than 200 soldiers in locations across the city. Their names came from the Dallas Square Cenotaph. A special section highlights local Indigenous soldiers, thanks to research conducted by VIU Elder-in-Residence Geraldine Manson. See the FULL STORY.
Friends can make miracles. The First Nanaimo Scout Hut suffered a fire, vandalism and theft within two weeks. A appeal quickly raised $6,000 to cover replacing the doors and locks. By Friday they beat the target, with one single contribution of $4,000. The Hut near Comox Road and Wallace Street was built in 1926 and has been the gathering spot for countless Scouts since 1930. It almost went up in smoke Oct. 16 when someone set fire to the outside followed by a break-in with damage and theft of items including an AED. MORE
The Salvation Army kettle drive is looking for volunteers. If you’re interested but not sure what’s involved there’s an orientation session on Nov. 14. There will be two sessions on that day, one at 2 pm, and 7 pm at the church at 505 Eighth St. You need to attend only one sessions. Sports or service teams are welcome to attend as well. You don’t have to sign up in advance, there’s plenty or room. So just drop in at either session.
Union and management are in a showdown over port operations in the province. The BC Maritime Employers Association has issued a lock out notice to the International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514, starting Monday at 9 a.m. affecting 700 port foremen. The union had earlier issued a 72-hour strike notice to begin at 8 a.m. Monday. It will shut down all cargo operations of BCMEA Member companies across the province but will not affect longshore operations on grain vessels or cruise operations. MORE
Watch those horny dear now that it’s rutting season. Police on the Island are issuing a warning about deer rutting season after a dog was gored to death by a buck in Oak Bay . . . Overwhelmed RCMP had their hands full with a Halloween gathering in Mission with about 300 young people involved. Offences included assault, rocks thrown at a car, fireworks being shot at cars, and fireworks being set off in the direction of buildings. One officer was struck with a baton . . . Chief Chris Roberts of the Wei Wai Kum First Nation voiced disappointment after a Campbell River city committee rejected name changes for Discovery Passage, Quinsam River, and Tyee Spit . . . Trans-gender athlete Harriette Mackenzie of Vancouver Island University accuses Columbia Bible College's basketball coach of questioning the right to play and instructing players to target her during recent PacWest women's basketball games . . . New Westminster Mayor Patrick Johnstone's apparently didn’t know any better when he accepted a freebe trip to Dubai for a climate conference. That violated the city's Code of Conduct, however, the breach was inadvertent and the mayor acted in good faith, ruled ethics commissioner Jennifer Devins . . . It’s no surprise that snow is falling on highways in the Interior, prompting reminders to drive carefully. Up to 30 cm (12 inches) could fall by late Saturday . . . B.C. Supreme Court has reacted to trouble before it starts by granting a buffer zone around one of the province's largest Sikh temples in advance of expected confrontations between protesters and Indian consular officials today . . . A South Surrey landlord who evicted a long-time tenant only to rent out the same unit months later for more money has been ordered to compensate him $16,480.
WEB QUOTE – As you reach your older years remember to be careful you don’t get into accidents because spare parts for older models like you and I are no longer in stock.
Nov 1
Win or lose, the group or groups spearheading opposition to the Alternative Approval Process for the Public Works facility borrowing did yeoman’s work. Now the wait begins. If the total submissions is under the required threshold that's the end of it. If the no-votes submitted passed the required number they all have to be verified in order to count, and that could take a couple of weeks. I know of one group that collected and delivered around 7,000 forms and others were submitted directly by citizens. A successful vote would show you can fight city hall. If the AAP is defeated, the city has another kick at it by holding a referendum. And council should not go there until the next election in 2026.
The Regional District will lift all water restrictions today for its service areas except Decourcey and Surfside regions which will remain at stage four. Recent significant rain through October had relieved drought conditions and reduced the seasonal water demand. Stream flows have returned to normal after peaking earlier due to heavy rains. MORE
The latest port labor dispute negotiation is reaching the eleventh hour after employers presented a final offer to the union representing foremen. The International Longshore and Warehouse Union Local 514 has not responded to the B.C. Maritime Employers Association offer. Both sides confirmed earlier in the day that talks are ongoing with the help of federal mediation services. The union, which represents about 700 foremen at the ports, has said if talks break down it has a mandate from members to strike that expires on Nov. 2. MORE
The driver involved in the fatal road accident which killed Charles Tommy on Oct. 24 on Harmac Road may not be aware of the incident, says Nanaimo RCMP. Witnesses reported seeing Tommy standing on the shoulder of the road and lying on the roadway before he was struck near the Cedar Road Bridge around 7 p.m. A police statement said they have taken numerous statements and collected both dash cam footage and video surveillance from the area and are actively reviewing the video in an attempt to identify the vehicle involved.
Judicial recounts will be held next week to make a final determination on the outcome of the provincial election. The NDP won by 27 votes in Surrey-Guildford while the Conservative candidate won by 38 in Kelowna Centre. Recounts of this nature seldom result in overturning the Elections B.C. final totals. By flipping the Kelowna seat the NDP could form a majority even with appointing a Speaker.
Some of the gummies seized in a federal drug enforcement action contained 100 times the amount THC compared to licensed dispensaries. One of the dispensaries was in Lantzville. The cannabis treats pose a significant health risk to children. There have several reported cases in the past where gummies have been found mixed in with candy. Some of the effects are vomiting, agitation, confusion, slurred speech, unsteadiness on feet, slowed breathing and muscle weakness. If you suspect that your child has ingested cannabis gummies, seek medical attention immediately. If you find gummies in your children’s candy, remove them and report the incident to the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line of the Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345.
BITS AND PIECES – A downtown commercial building was damaged by fire on Tuesday. Officials suggested two squatters had built a makeshift shelter which caught fire . . . We know what’s coming, but snow in Hawaii? A blanket of snow fell on Mauna Kea summit this week, forcing the road leading to the Observatories to be closed as crews worked to clear the snow and ice . . . If you’re a pro wrestling fan you won’t be able to tune in for your favorite WWE grappling shows on Sportsnet, starting in January. It appears Netflix has bought all the rights in a 10-year, $5 billion deal . . . RCMP have seized the "largest and most sophisticated" drug-production laboratory in Canadian history, in the Interior. The chemicals and finished fentanyl products seized could have amounted to 95 million potentially lethal doses of fentanyl . . . The Parole Board has granted another six months of day parole to Kelly Ellard who killed Reena Virk in Victoria and is serving a life sentence for drowning 14-year-old Virk in 1997.
WEB QUOTE – A bad attitude is like a flat tire, you won’t go anywhere until you change it.
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