250530

Rustad's grandstanding was simply juvenile

All the world is a stage and we are but players in the drama. If that’s true, what about our government?

Conservative Leader John Rustad raised a fuss because a Zoom screen of one MLA was blurred during a crucial vote. He says the NDP’s Rick Glumac’s vote should not have counted in the close vote in which the Speaker eventually cast the deciding vote, siding with the government. Defeat of the bill would have meant calling an election.

Rustad already has a credibility problem for his party, and this type of activity doesn’t change the picture, it’s juvenile.

There's nothing better

in the weak bullpen

250530

We’re knee-deep in cow pies and they’re getting deeper. The provincial government is floundering around like a fish out of water and the next election is more than three years away.

You don’t have to look beyond the basics to see the evidence – hospital emergency rooms being shut down again and again, health care in general, a faltering education systems, crime rates rising, there’s no end in sight for homelessness. It’s getting worse daily.

All those issues can be fixed with enough money, but in too many cases that’s being wasted on ideology like “stopping” climate change with electric cars, EV charging stations, rejecting pipelines, and on and on. No amount of money will ever stop climate change, it’s here, we just have to adapt and learn to live with it.

Premier David Eby is a one-man gang, maneuvering to concentrate more and more power in his hands. What makes it worse is the Official Opposition is not up to the task either, having a considerable credibility gap compounded by their political inexperience.

And then there are the special interest groups lining up for goodies.

When simple facts

expose real problems

250529

Sometimes no comment is necessary when facts prove all we need to know.

Involuntary mental treatment has been a not topic in British Columbia with the government openly rejecting that for drug use and mental health. They’ve been paying lips service, diverting the topic to civil rights. Now we learn almost 6,000 people were on leave from involuntary mental health care in the province last week. That's right, involuntary detainment and given leave.

It’s known as extended leave, in which a patient is allowed back into the community while remaining under care. It’s been in focus since the suspect in the Lapu Lapu Day festival attack was on extended leave at the time.

Health Minister Josie Osborne says as of last week 5,915 people were on extended leave in B.C. Those people have teams assigned to support them and ensure they have access to what they need.

As stated, some times you don’t have to express an opinion, let the facts speak for themself. MORE

250528

Today's biggest problem

is not enough intercourse

Go ahead, look it up in the dictionary – “communication or dealings between individuals or groups.”

As society, we don’t agree to disagree any more because of fear of offending, ending civil debate. It has become a question of your opinion against everyone else’s without room for the other side. Refusal to talk to each other has led to no talking at all with nothing but platitudes or insults.

I’ve been publishing opinions for years but I notice they have become toothless, holding back for fear of hurt feelings. More of us need to say it as it is. We need to do a lot more thinking and a lot more debating without anger. Or insults.

I’m stepping out with this little section of the universe – Opinionated and Uncensored – so we can say what we think by injecting more piss and vinegar to stir people to do some serious thinking. Agree or disagree, as long as it makes you think, as long as it gets your brain in gear.

If you disagree, don’t hesitate to respond, or ignore it. We all need a little more discourse. If that offends you, there’s a delete button on your computer.

And that's my opinion.

‘The Electric City’

is not a pretty picture

250526

City council recently got a reality check when new projections put their five-year fiscal plan in fairy tale land.

Soaring infrastructure costs make the figures in that plan unworkable throwing property tax projections out of sight. Money earmarked for infrastructure falls far short of new estimates.

From this point on city councillors will need to put on their thinking caps to determine real priorities for present and future necessary expenditures.

The city has engaged in frivolous spending in recent years – like bicycle paths to nowhere, electric vehicle charging stations, electric cycles. That’s a can or worms in itself.

An unattribued YouTube video is floating on social media and it’s not a pretty picture of what it calls “The Electric City.” By this morning it had 1,200 views. You can watch it HERE if you have the stomach for it.

Minimum wage hits $17.85

250531

The minimum wage goes up to $17.85 across the province on June 1, a 2.6-per-cent increase. And that has a cascading effect as wages above that level also tend to increase. On a standard work week that adds up to $660 a week.

The VanIsle 360 two-week yacht race round Vancouver Island launches this morning. The large entry of about 45 boats has forced a change in the start line to the outside of Newcastle Island. The harbour has become busier with seaplane and ferries. MORE

The province has designated $5 million for a new safety program to reduce lower level crime like robbery, shoplifting, vandalism, property damage and non-violent street crimes in high-traffic business areas. The new C-STEP program will give police more tools to respond to street crimes, including shoplifting, theft and property damage. The province says the program comes as a result of listening to communities and police around the province. The RCMP will administer the program. The funding will support increased patrols targeting street crime like open drug use and trafficking, disturbances and public intoxication, and to work with businesses and social services on co-ordinated plans to pre-emptively address street disorder. MORE

Culture adds spice to your life, especially when it’s comes in the form of medal-winning performers. Vesna Ukrainian Dancers welcome guest performances by Vesna Ukrainian Singers, Courtenay's Dolyna Ukrainian Dancers and Cassandra Karras' School of Highland Dance on Sunday at the Malaspina Theatre. Vesna's adult and junior members won gold, while seniors brought home two silver medals from the B.C. Ukrainian Dance Festival this month. Vesna instructor Jeanne Rudy says there are 22 regions in Ukraine, all with unique costumes and styles of music influenced by their regions. MORE

Nicholas Francis Harris, 46, who fled the scene after rolling his luxury car, and possession of $140,000 of cocaine, has been sentenced to five years in jail. He pleaded guilty to drug trafficking charges as well as possessing a loaded handgun during Nanaimo-based offences. Crown prosecutor Ian McFadgen said Harris flipped his 2021 Jaguar Convertible in April 2022 south of Brooks Landing. He fled on foot and was finally arrested after a chase. FULL STORY.

QUOTABLE – Old people don’t worry about climate change because they’ve seen 50 years of hysteria about nothing.

If you see a lot of flag waving today, it's Mayor Leonard's Krog's birthday. I guess I'm buying lunch.

New MP Tamara Kronis puts spotlight on Nanaimo drug crisis

250529

Nanaimo Ladysmith member of Parliament Tamara Kronis focussed on drugs and the mental health in her first speech in the House of Commons. SEE VIDEO

A man was quickly arrested after a shotgun was fired into a home in South Wellington. Multiple police cruisers arrived at high speeds on Tuesday on the the Old Island Hwy. and Trans Canada Highway, bound for Thatcher Road. R/Cst. Gary O’Brien said police saw a man walking out of the home. He was taken into custody without incident, and a shotgun was found nearby. MORE

The wildfire season is on the way putting many communities on the alert with restrictions beginning to roll out. The first includes a prohibition on Category 2 and Category 3 open fires by the Coastal Fire Centre. This does not include campfires, which are considered Category 1 and will be permissible for the time being. The ban starts on Friday, ending most burning activity until Oct. 31, including Vancouver Island, many Gulf Islands, the Lower Mainland and the Sunshine Coast. MORE

QUOTABLE – All the money you spent on food in your lifetime has been flushed down the toilet.

Atrocious video way off the mark

350529

By Kathy Reilly

The atrocious video about our city on Nanaimonet has a couple of things that are outdated and false.

• The tent city has been gone since 2018

• The Nicol St./Terminal Avenue construction is finished and beautiful

 • The fountain is working fine

 • American cops arresting someone?

Community police volunteers patrol the streets and back alleys of the city and we see fewer and fewer problem areas. I love our city and frequent the downtown area with no fear and love that I am greeted by friendly passersby and merchants. And that is my uncensored opinion, the truth, not some fake video production.

EDITOR’S NOTE: A reputation is the hardest thing to reclaim. Once it starts rolling down hill like a snowball, picking up both speed and size, it gets out of hand. Looking the other way does not make it go away. By exposing this to the public, from annonymous sources, it sheds light on what’s out there behind our backs. Thank you for helping

'Electric City' video paints misleading picture of Nanaimo

250526

By Leonard Krog,

Mayor, City of Nanaimo

I watched the unattributed “Electric City” video. I don’t wish to sound defensive but numerous pictures of Tent City are from 2018, an American cop arresting a black man, pictures of the A&B Sound building from the past when the work is now nearly done, numerous pictures of all the street improvements we have done or are doing, as if this is bad news.

And, BC Ferries, which we don’t control, without mention of the successful HULLO, which we don’t control either. Don’t forget the shot about cruise ships when we are getting four this year and 10 next year makes me just a little frustrated.

However the point about bike lanes is somewhat accurate though even there much of those are provided along with the sidewalks by developers with new developments, not by the City per se. Moreover the charging stations shown I believe are all offered by mall owners. 

Maybe we need the Chamber of Commerce or Tourism Nanaimo to do a positive video in response that might explain why we are one of the fastest growing places in Canada. 

On the infrastructure side, generally those costs far exceed Consumer Price Index inflation but we have no control over those costs and represent what the private sector can demand. We have no choice, however, and eliminating all of the money we actually spend on bike lanes would make little difference to the budget.

Just saying.

250528

Stash the chainsaws, Loudon Park trees are safe for now

City council is going back to the drawing board for new designs for a boathouse at the park on Long Lake. The review will also take another look at designs and the price tag. Council dry docked the previously-approved $10.8-million boathouse design. Community members raised opposition to the number of trees that would need to be removed at the park. MORE

Some downtown businesses have had it to the hilt with the ongoing shutdowns due to construction work on Commercial Street. Morgan Carey, of Real Estate Webmasters, says it doesn’t look even close, and it’s the end of May. He owns several downtown buildings and says tenants are struggling financially. “This is clearly supposed to be done, and as far as I know, the city has not offered to do anything for them,” said Carey. Municipal governments can’t offer tax breaks to businesses impacted by construction. Workers now plan to complete work by June 19, in time for the first Night Market of summer. MORE

RCMP seek help to find 45-year old Riley Quinn, who is wanted on an outstanding warrant for Break and Enter. Despite the best efforts of investigators, Quinn cannot be located. The warrant stems from December 2022 in which Quinn is charged with breaking into Anchor Family Medicine on Waddington Road. Quinn is 5 foot 10, 150 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. The picture is three years old. He has a tattoo on his left wrist of TJPW 020518 and one on his right upper arm of PRIDE. Anyone with information, please call the Nanaimo RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.

QUOTABLE – With all the debate about male athletes in women’s sports, look for the madam’s apple.

250527

Nowhere over the rainbow. The rainbow is setting on Nanaimo's bright welcome sign at Maffeo-Sutton Park. The 15 bands of colour in the letter "o" will be replaced by a new look after city council voted to commission a new design. The sign was vandalized last month and city staff reported limited success in preventing further vandalism. A maple leaf theme is one of the ideas and Coun. Sheryl Armstrong said another idea was incorporating the blue and white waves from the city's logo. MORE

Get your lounger and retire to the patio with a nice cool one in hand. A ridge of high pressure is making its way to Vancouver Island with the mercury climbing as high as 80 degrees. That's 27 for you young whipper snappers. Don’t hesitate because it won’t sick around, says Environment Canada meteorologist Colin Fong. That’s about five degrees above normal. Today’s the peak heat before a ridge of high pressure moves off after today. The heat wave will spread across Nanaimo, Victoria, Duncan and Campbell River. MORE

City’s infrastructure continues to challenge the city's cash coffers, and computer technology needs are no exception. The Enterprise Resource Platform for all financial processes, including payroll and financial reports will reach its lifespan by the end of the year. The finance and audit committee has recommended increasing the ERP budget to $5.1 million an increase of $1.9 million. MORE

The Nanaimo RCMP have warrants for the arrest of 25-year old Eric Kivell, for assault with a weapon, uttering threats and breach of an undertaking. He recently missed a court appearance and warrants were issued for his arrest for several incidents, included assaulting a bylaw officer with a pole at a homeless encampment and uttered threats. Kivell is 5’ 11”, 160 pounds with black hair and brown eyes. He should be considered violent and unpredictable. If you know where he is, please call the RCMP non-emergency line at 250-754-2345.

Cody Edward Ranger of Nanaimo has been sentenced to five years in prison, less time served, after he was convicted of drug and firearms charges after a Canada Border Services Agency investigation. Three firearm suppressors were intercepted at Vancouver Airport in 2022. An investigation by CBSA and the Vancouver Island District RCMP emergency response team uncovered various restricted weapons and meth, cocaine, MDMA, psilocybin and 22 electronic devices. MORE

QUOTABLE – So far, this is turning out to be the coldest May on record. Where are all the screaming climate emergency headlines? Oh yes, that doesn’t fit the narrative. Now just wait for the first blazing hot July day.

250525

City hiring

full-time

crime analyst

The City has a job opening for a permanent full-time Crime Analyst to support criminal investigative activities and the development of Detachment projects and programs. He/She will analyze and interpret investigative and intelligence data to monitor and identify crime patterns. The incumbent will work with minimal supervision and exercise independent action and judgment in daily work. Complex matters will be discussed with senior authorities.

For more information, go to: https://ow.ly/5pJt50VXZ6U

The City has a five-year financial plan, but soaring infrastructure costs already make those figures unworkable. Skyrocketing costs of maintaining and renewing critical infrastructure are soaring, putting property tax projections out of sight. Engineering Director Poul Rosen recently provided sticker shock for infrastructure asset management, comparing planned traffic signals and road paving and maintenance in the financial plan against actual need. Money earmarked for traffic signals within the five-year plan is $2.1 million, but the real number has climbed to $3.8 million annually. Roads and street and underground infrastructure tell a similar story. MORE

Lillooet Hospital and Health Centre emergency department is closed again for the entire weekend, marking 31 times this year. It closed at 7 a.m. Saturday and will remain closed until 10 a.m. Monday. Patients needing emergency care are advised to go to Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, about a two-hour drive. People  who need life-threatening emergency care like chest pains, difficulty breathing, severe bleeding should always call 911 for transport to the nearest available and appropriate facility, the health authority said. MORE

QUOTABLE – Most of us need a speed bump between our brain and our mouth.

250524

Woodgrove Mall owner reaches deal to take over 28 Hudson's Bay leases

The owner of Woodgrove Mall has reached a deal to buy the leases for up to 28 Hudson’s Bay stores. The Bay has agreed to the deal and seeks bankruptcy court approval. Weihong Ruby Liu, who owns three malls in B.C., plans to launch what she called a new modern department store. She is seeking to take over a group of properties the The Bay and its sister Saks businesses in Alberta, B.C. and Ontario. Liu promised to give former Bay employees priority when hiring, and said she will also give suppliers and vendors who worked with the company priority when selecting partners for the business. MORE

Bears are wandering in and out of a Parkville homeless encampment and that has area residents concerned. Video shows bears wandering into the camp in search for food and that has the community concerned about safety. Neighbours say a bus stop for students is a short distance away and the nearby road is busy with people going to and from Top Bridge Community Park. One resident stressed that they are big bears and people are not safe with bears around their tents and RVs. MORE

You'd better check your mailbox after all. The postal dispute has the union in a strike position, but they are not walking out just yet. At present it will be a ban on overtime and weekend duty, but the mail will go throught – for now.

Results are still coming infrom the federal election. A riding in Newfoundland flipped to the Conservatives on Friday after a recount which took nearly two weeks. Elections Canada declared the Conservativve the winner over the Liberals Anthony Germain by 12 votes. The election night count had Germain ahead by 12 votes. In Ontario, Conservative Kathy Borrelli won Windsor after a judicial recount confirmed her victory by four votes. That gives the Conservatives 144 seats, and brings the Liberals down to 169, three short of a majority. The Bloc Quebecois has 22, the NDP has seven and the Green Party has one. MORE

QUOTABLE – The way things are going, pensioners over 80 will soon have to be living with both their parents to receive benefits.

John’s getting his name

on new university campus 

Late former premier John Horgan will have a new satellite campus at Royal Road University named in his honour. The John Horgan campus in Langford will open in September as part of a joint academic venture with the University of Victoria, Camosun College and the Justice Institute of B.C. Horgan, who served five years as premier and was later Canada’s ambassador to Germany, died last November at the age of 65 from cancer. Royal Roads is also launching a bursary in hiss name. University president Philip Steenkamp launched the bursary by donating $25,000.

The City is celebrating Access Ability Week by recognizing the progress, particularly for residents with disabilities. The City continues removing and preventing barriers that limit access to services, amenities and public life. Over the past year, the Advisory Committee on Accessibility has provided input on several key initiatives, including accessible washroom upgrades and improved signage at Westwood Lake, enhanced accessible parking across the city and a redesigned parking lot at Neck Point Park.

You’ve seen all the goofy TV spots, now Uber is bringing its ride sharing platform to Nanaimo and the central Island. It starts on province-wide on Wednesday. A spokesman said ride availability may vary depending on the number of drivers in an area, but will grow every day.

A well-known baby maker has returned to local waters, with a new baby in tow. The whale, known as “Big Mama,” got her namesake for being the mother of multiple calves over the past three decades. The newest calf, which was spotted Wednesday, is her eighth in approximately three decades. The prolific matriarch also has seven grandcalves and four great grandcalves. Big Mama and her calf were spotted off Sidney Island. The calf is estimated to be four to five months old.

The sister of a missing Nanaimo woman says she was an experienced sailor, and travelling the ocean on her boat the Gypsy Soul, that she disappeared on, was fulfilling a lifelong dream.

QUOTABLE – A friendly reminder, it’s not a conspiracy theory if it’s true

250522

No one was injured in a fire at a homeless encampment along the Nanaimo Parkway at Aulds Road this morning. Nanaimo Fire Rescue responded to multiple reports of smoke and flames in the bushes north of the intersection. A woman was in the tent at the time but she was not injured. MORE

What was all that smoke downtown early this morning? A fire at the former Howard Johnson Hotel broke out 3:30 this morning at the abandoned building which is in the process of being demolished. The fire was located in debris from the demolition process.

The curling rink is in critical condition, and it’s going to cost more than $4 million for repairs over the next few years. The city’s finance committee has recommended allocating between $4 million and $5.5 million over the next half dozen years for a new roof and concrete slab to support the ice. The curling rink has taken a back seat over recent years due to other city priorities but has now reached a critical point, 11 years past its expected service life. MORE

Pay me now or pay me later, but it’s going to cost a whole lot more if you wait. The Nanaimo Aquatic Centre needs work on its HVAC systems with cost spiraling from $5.7 million in 2022, to somewhere in the $12-million range this year. Manager of facility asset planning, Jennifer McAskill, said it was not an option on whether to do the work. The centre would face an extended shutdown during the work. MORE

QUOTABLE – Why does toilet paper need TV commercials? Who’s not buying it?

250521

Prepare for a big slap at the pumps

The last time I looked, Nanaimo gas stations were pumping for just under a buck-seventy. I hear via the grapevine that you could be paying about a dime more by the weekend. Now might be a great time to head out for a top up. I mean, a dime on 50 litres is five bucks, after all.

Nanaimo RCMP Const. Mark Hilland is facing a charge of breach of trust for incidents in Nanaimo on July 2-3, 2024. The B.C. Prosecution Service announced the charge under Sec. 122 of the Criminal Code, breach of trust by a public officer, which applies to officials who commit fraud or breach of trust in connection with the duties of their office. His first court appearance will be June 17 in Nanaimo. MORE

British Columbians getting provincial assistance need not worry about their cheques in case of a postal strike. The province is ready with a plan to distribute assistance payments beginning Friday. If the strike begins, you can pick up assistance cheques – including income and disability assistance payments – at Social Development offices. About 88 per cent of recipients use direct deposit, which will be unaffected by the postal strike. MORE

Rotating strikes at LifeLabs have ended with a new collective agreement by a government appointed mediator. About 1,200 LifeLabs workers represented by the BCGEU began rotating strikes on Feb. 19. A final report on mediation was filed on May 14, with the new collective agreement in effect until March 31, 2027.

Roadside parking on the Island Highway at the Nanoose Flats will be prohibited about mid-June. The highway between Hillview Road in Lantzville and Arlington Road is a 90-km/h speed zone, but the shoulder of the northbound lanes has long been used by shellfish pickers. “Drivers often park on the highway shoulder to access the nearby mud flats and pick shellfish,” the Transportation Ministry announced. MORE

You won’t have to blink twice when you get a new phone number with a 257 area code, beginning Saturday. The new area code will launch gradually, joining 236, 250, 604, 672 and 778 – which are already in use. All existing phone numbers keep the same area code until there’s no more possible numbers. Special numbers, such as 911 or 811, still only require three digits to dial, regardless of where you are in the province. MORE

The season for fun on the water is back, make sure you act responsibly. Yes, you can get charged with impaired driving on the water. The RCMP Marine Unit is focussing on safety on the water during Safe Boating Awareness Week. That includes patrols on water and information kiosks to ensure boaters are prepared for the season. Cst. Dave Kokesch said make sure that you have all your safety equipment like making sure your flares are up to date. The same applies to batteries and flashlights. The fine for not having life jackets is $204. Impaired driving of a vessel is the same as driving a car or vehicle. If you’re caught, you’re going to be charged, warns Kokesch. MORE

QUOTABLE – I don’t like to think before I speak, I like to be just as surprised as everyone else about what comes out of my mouth

250520

Postal workers set to walk out Friday morning

Think twice before putting anything in the mail this week – Postal workers have issued strike notice to start at 12 a.m. local time on Friday. Canada Post said workers for both urban and rural and suburban mail carriers bargaining units had issued strike notice. Canada Post warned that a labour disruption would affect the millions of Canadians and businesses that rely on the postal service. It said if there is rotating strike action it will continue delivering in unaffected areas. In a full-out national strike, mail and parcels will not be delivered and no new items will be accepted until the disruption is over. MORE

One man was taken to hospital after a delivery vehicle flipped in the ditch between the Island Highway at Highland Boulevard this morning. Nanaimo Fire Rescue treated the driver at the scene before taking him to hospital. Fire Capt. Ian Stenberg said there is a possibly that it involved a medical emergency. Chris Bush has MORE

Two men convicted of illegally catching prawns in a closed area twice in one week have been fined nearly $40,000. Terry Ronald Lorenz, 64, was assessed a $3,000 fine and a five-year fishing ban for his role in operating a vessel on behalf of its owner and co-accused Tomby Scott Castle in 2022 in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith area. Ian Holmes has MORE

You’ve got to hand it to North Oyster volunteer firefighter Bruce McKenzie who has stepped up to the challenge as the mid-Island participant in the 2025 Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock team annual ride down Vancouver Island in September. You see, Bruce is 70 years old and is an avid rider but now he’ll take the early-season training to another level. He told NanaimoNewsNOW the bigger challenge is the length of the rides. Typically he rides between 45 minutes to an hour or more. Now, and now it’s two-plus hours in the 80-plus kilometre range, twice a week. Alex Rawnsley has MORE

QUOTABLE – Crying at someone’s funeral will not make up for not speaking to her/him while she/he was living.

250519

Gabriolans want their voice back on ferry operations

Gabriolans want ferry advisory committees reinstated. Former committee chairman Steven Earle says B.C. Ferries has not met with the committee chairs since the fall after promising a transparent process. The former advisory committees provided an outlet for coastal ferry communities to give feedback on subjects such as sailing times and scheduling, but the committees were dissolved on May 1, replaced by online feedback. MORE

A new complex-care housing project planned at 1850 Boxwood Rd will cater to people with significant mental health issues, addictions, and brain injuries. The 20-unit project will feature studio-style units, each with their own bathroom and kitchenette. Residents will have access to communal dining and amenity areas, as well as spaces to receive on-site health services. Teams of professionals will work with residents to provide the supports needed to maintain stable housing and improve their quality of life. Island Health will provide health services. Staff will be on site 24/7. MORE

Unattended lithium-ion battery charging led to a residential fire in the Westwood Lake area last week, displacing a family of three. Deputy Fire Chief Stuart Kenning advises using only original chargers, avoiding over-charging, unplug when a device is fully charged, don’t charge overnight, or use damaged or frayed charging cables. MORE

Safe Boating Awareness Week kicked off kicked of today. There was an increase in boating-related incidents in British Columbia last year with 68 incidents resulting in nine deaths, six injuries and five collisions. Transport Canada also reports three people reported missing and presumed dead. Across Canada, nearly 100 people lost their lives to boating-related incidents with more than three-quarters not wearing a lifejacket. There has been a huge rise boating activity since the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 16 million Canadians taking to the water each year and boat sales surging by about 40 per cent, reports theCanadian Safe Boating Council(CSBC).

Popular outdoor retailer Mountain Equipment Company has its Roots back in Canadian soil. MEC returns home after being sold to American investors five years ago. Chief merchandising officer Chris Speyer said the primary investor of the group is Tim Gu, who is also a major shareholder in Roots, among other Canadian retail companies. The timing of the takeover is apt, given the current political climate surrounding free trade. MORE

QUOTABLE – It’s the start of a brand new day and I’m off like a herd of turtles

One big hunk of fudge

2505018 – They tried and they conquered. Vancouver Island University established a new world record on Saturday building a 1,100-pound, 70-foot Nanaimo bar. The bar was made inside the Windsor Plywood Trades Discovery Centre and was cut up and served right away to community members lined up in the rain. MORE

Police are turning to the public to help find a woman who is the object of an extensive marine search and rescue operation. Nanaimo RCMP are trying to locate Amber Nitchman, 34, the a owner of sailboat found on the shoreline on Thursday afternoon. An initial ground and water search involving the Nanaimo Search and Rescue, the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Center, Coast Guard, and the Nanaimo RCMP were unsuccessful. MORE

With the long weekend already in full swing, now is a good time to check out the reopened First Beach at Westwood Lake Park, part of the park’s $3.8 million upgrade. The First Beach improvements include the expansion of the accessible beach area, additional seating and picnic areas, upgrades to the boat launch, accessible decking down to the sand, additional trees and accessible connections to bikes and pedestrians. MORE

Lantzville is swimming against the current when it comes to watering restrctions. It’s more a matter of wording – mandatory rather than voluntary. The changes would have restricted lawn watering to one day per week under Stage 3 restrictions, putting the municipality in line with Regional District. Public workds director Glenn Morphy urged council to adopt the change. Councillors Ian Savage, Rachelle Mundell and Joan Jones stood their ground, opposed to changing the restrictions. MORE

To no one’s surprise, nearly all reservations on the major B.C. Ferry routes were sold out Friday heading into the long weekend. Nine million passengers and 3.7 million vehicles travelled by ferries between May and September and it’s expected to exceed that this year. The company says its biggest challenges are aging vessels and rising demand. BC Ferries completed maintenance and refits of 21 vessels to help ensure their reliability throughout the summer rush. MORE

QUOTABLE – Why do they call it rush hour when nothing moves?

Mount St. Helen's blew 45 years ago

2505017 – Tomorrow marks 45 years since the Mount St. Helen’s eruption. There are tons of videos on Youtube if you want to look back to that day, May 18, 1980. I was in Winnipeg where the ash from the eruption arrived a week later. You couldn’t drive without using your wipers, the ash was falling so thick.

Greater Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce

Nanaimo Business Awards

Community Builder of the Year - Nanaimo & District Hospital Foundation

Creative Services - Pye Design

Diversity & Inclusion - Nanaimo Child Development Centre Society 

Downtown Business Impact - Black Rabbit Kitchen

Family First - Nanaimo Community Hospice Society 

Financial Services - Community Futures Central Island

Food & Beverage - Red's Bakery

Health & Wellness - Sea Wolves Men's Cancer Pack

Innovation – Vegain Nutrition Inc 

Major Employer – 100+ Employees - Mid Island Co-op

Micro & Home-Based - Aligned Kitchen and Cabinets

New Business of the Year - Kinsu Chocolates 

Not-For-Profit - Island Crisis Care Society

Personal & Aesthetic Services - Candice Deanna | Makeup | Hair | Photography

Property Developer - Gulf Island Builds

Retailer - Red Shelf Decor

Small & Medium Business - Berwick on the Lake

Trades & Skilled Labour - ServiceXCEL

Young Entrepreneur - Precise Mechanical Repair

Women in Business - Jennifer Hufnagel - Hufnagel Consulting

People's Choice - Purple Cactus

QUOTABLE – Life is like a coin. You can spend it any way you wish, but you can spend it only once.

Illicit drug deaths trending down

250516 –There is a glimmer of hope as fewer people appear to be dying from toxic drugs across Vancouver Island and the province. The BC Coroners Service said nine people died from illicit toxic drugs in Nanaimo in February and March with 21 deaths across central Vancouver Island. By comparison, 48 people died on Vancouver Island, in connection to drug toxicity in March 2024 alone. MORE

Governments are doing a lot chin wagging about streamlining building processes while at the same making it more expensive. The Regional District is looking for new revenue sources to offset the costs for new solid waste and recycling facilities. Directors sent the proposal back to the committee stage for further review. The bylaw would create a solid waste and recycling facilities development cost charge for eligible projects $50,000 or more. That could generate around $127 million a year, based on estimates from current projects which would be assessed the charges. MORE

When it’s important enough Canadians are up to the task. Canadian Tire has bought the rights to Hudson’s Bay for $30 million for intellectual property belonging to the retailer. It includes the Hudson’s Bay brand, its iconic, multi-coloured stripes motif, its coat of arms and other trademarks. You’ll still be able to get the ever-popular Hudson Bay blankets at Canadian Tire, which also owns SportChek, Party City, Mark’s and Pro Hockey Life, at their 1,700 stores. MORE

Two Vancouver Island police officers have been charged with driving without due care and attention in separate incidents. The prosecution service says RCMP Staff Sgt. Steven Perret has been charged in an incident in Ladysmith last June.  In a separate incident, Cpl. Phillip DiBattista of the Central Saanich Police Service is in relation to a crash with a cyclist in May last year. DiBattista's first court appearance is scheduled for June 11 at the Victoria Law Courts, while Perret's appearance is scheduled for June 10 at Nanaimo Law Courts. MORE

QUOTABLE – My memory has become so bad I could arrange my own surprise party

Bear warning posted in Buttertubs

250515 – The city has posted warnings about a bear sighting around Buttertubs Marsh. A sow and cub were spotted there Tuesday. WildSafe B.C. notesthat while "most bear encounters result in the bear leaving an area," animals that are conditioned to associate humans with food may be more assertive or destructive. Just be careful. MORE

The Regional District is updating its Mount Benson Regional Park management plan and you can have a say. Phase one of consultation will ask public input, to help build an understanding about the park’s natural, cultural and recreational values and to collect ideas for the park’s future. You’ll get to give you input on an only survey open until June. An open house is scheduled for Saturday, May 24, at 2761 Benson View Rd. in Nanaimo from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. To learn more or to access the current 2010-20 plan or the questionnaire, visit www.getinvolved.rdn.ca/mbrp-management-plan.

Most of us will have received our tax notices this week. You’re likely to have to shell out more as the rate went up 7.8 per cent, about $222, or $18.50 per month for the average household. The bill includes requisitions for the Regional District of Nanaimo, the Nanaimo Regional Hospital District, the Vancouver Island Regional Library, Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools and B.C. Assessment. There’s the possiblty of postal strike so make sure you don’t rely on that to meet the July 2 payment deadline. You can pay through your bank or at the city's service and resource centre at 411 Dunsmuir St. MORE

When the news tap dries up you can always turn to the wide world of sports. The Canucks have named Adam Foote as their new head coach replacing Rick Tochet who has since signed for the same role with the Philadelphia Flyers. And former Lions quarterback Buck Pierce has signed on as the new head coach of the Lions. This is his third sojourn in Vancouver, twice as a quarterback and now head coach. He obviously likes it here.

QUOTABLE – Mistakes are a fact of life. It is the response to the error that counts