Nanaimo

PORTRAIT OF AN ESCAPE ARTIST: Bandit, a cat with a never-ending need to embark on new adventures. (Philip Wolf photo)

Wolf: The cat came back… then left again for his latest epic adventure

COLUMN: Reunions with missing pets make for an interesting tale

PORTRAIT OF AN ESCAPE ARTIST: Bandit, a cat with a never-ending need to embark on new adventures. (Philip Wolf photo)
Thermometers hit 13.2 C in Nanaimo yesterday (Feb. 7), according to Environment Canada data. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Thermometers hit 13.2 C in Nanaimo yesterday (Feb. 7), according to Environment Canada data. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
The announced COVID-19 outbreak has been declared over at the Heights at Mt. View care home in Saanich. (Photo courtesy of Google Streetview)

COVID-19 outbreak over at Saanich care home, new one declared in Nanaimo

Three resident cases are associated with the new outbreak

The announced COVID-19 outbreak has been declared over at the Heights at Mt. View care home in Saanich. (Photo courtesy of Google Streetview)
Tagen Marshall. (PQB News file photo)

Inspirational young Parksville man reaches fundraising goal in quest for specialized van

Column: VIU honour student Tagen Marshall grateful for community support

Tagen Marshall. (PQB News file photo)
Barbara Dobbyn, of Barbara Anne Photography, says she pursued her dream business during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)

COVID-19 leading to more home-based businesses in Nanaimo

People deciding to pursue dream businesses amidst pandemic

Barbara Dobbyn, of Barbara Anne Photography, says she pursued her dream business during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Karl Yu/News Bulletin)
A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared over at Eden Gardens. (News Bulletin file)

Outbreaks at Eden Garden, Kiwanis Village Lodge in Nanaimo over

COVID-19 outbreak protocols ended, but staff, residents continue to be monitored for symptoms

A COVID-19 outbreak has been declared over at Eden Gardens. (News Bulletin file)
An outbreak limited to the first floor of Beacon Hill Villa in Victoria was declared Thursday following positive tests among three residents. (Photo courtesy of Google Streetview)

COVID-19 outbreaks declared at long-term care homes in Victoria, Nanaimo

A separate care facility outbreak in Victoria was declared over Thursday

An outbreak limited to the first floor of Beacon Hill Villa in Victoria was declared Thursday following positive tests among three residents. (Photo courtesy of Google Streetview)
BC Ferries is warning of possible service disruptions in the coming months as the Omicron variant spreads. (Don Denton/file photo)

BC Ferries anticipating service disruptions in coming months as Omicron spikes

Company expects inter-island routes to be especially affected by crew shortages

BC Ferries is warning of possible service disruptions in the coming months as the Omicron variant spreads. (Don Denton/file photo)
Don Denton/News staff
October 17 2012 - Passengers stand on the top outside deck of the BC Ferries' vessel Coastal Celebration in Active Pass during  a sailing from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay.
Don Denton/News staff
October 17 2012 - Passengers stand on the top outside deck of the BC Ferries' vessel Coastal Celebration in Active Pass during  a sailing from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay.
A block of Vancouver Avenue in Nanaimo was closed after a tree fell and brought down utility poles and communication lines. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Woman narrowly escapes injury from falling Nanaimo tree, utility poles and wires

Tree brought down communication lines and several utility poles, but woman unhurt

A block of Vancouver Avenue in Nanaimo was closed after a tree fell and brought down utility poles and communication lines. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
The Eden Gardens care home in Nanaimo is among five Island facilities where new COVID-19 outbreaks were announced by Island Health on Wednesday morning (Jan. 5). (Black Press Media file photo)

Five COVID outbreaks declared at Victoria, Nanaimo long-term care homes

The majority infected are staff and outbreaks are restricted to one floor or unit

The Eden Gardens care home in Nanaimo is among five Island facilities where new COVID-19 outbreaks were announced by Island Health on Wednesday morning (Jan. 5). (Black Press Media file photo)
A home on Stephenson Point Road is one of six residential properties on the road that ranked among the top 10 of Nanaimo’s highest-assessed homes listed by B.C. Assessments in 2022. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo’s top 10 highest-assessed properties for 2022

Market forces lift single-family home assessments 34 per cent

A home on Stephenson Point Road is one of six residential properties on the road that ranked among the top 10 of Nanaimo’s highest-assessed homes listed by B.C. Assessments in 2022. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Jonah O’Connor, of Headstock Entertainment, adds ambience to Commercial Street for people who ventured out to do some last-minute Christmas shopping or patronize downtown coffee shops and restaurants Thursday, Dec. 23. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo business community challenged by latest round of COVID restrictions

Public health orders will be ‘brutal’ for bars, says Nanaimo chamber of commerce

Jonah O’Connor, of Headstock Entertainment, adds ambience to Commercial Street for people who ventured out to do some last-minute Christmas shopping or patronize downtown coffee shops and restaurants Thursday, Dec. 23. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Chief Bill Cranmer of ‘Na̲mg̲is First Nation, BC Ferries planning and business advisor Linda Provost and BC Ferries president and CEO Mark Collins at a ceremony revealing the name of one of the new hybrid ferries that will service the Nanaimo-Gabriola route starting next year. (Photo submitted)
Chief Bill Cranmer of ‘Na̲mg̲is First Nation, BC Ferries planning and business advisor Linda Provost and BC Ferries president and CEO Mark Collins at a ceremony revealing the name of one of the new hybrid ferries that will service the Nanaimo-Gabriola route starting next year. (Photo submitted)
RCMP police dog handlers Cpl. Dean Muir, left, and Const. Matthew Tomasson show off a blanket crocheted for police service dog Herc. (Photo submitted)

Vancouver Island woman crochets police dogs blankets for Christmas

Woman who loves to crochet creates blankets for all four of Nanaimo RCMP’s police service dogs

RCMP police dog handlers Cpl. Dean Muir, left, and Const. Matthew Tomasson show off a blanket crocheted for police service dog Herc. (Photo submitted)
Sheldon James Johanson. (PQB News file photo)

Vancouver Island man who flipped stolen pickup sentenced to 16 months in jail

32-year-old pleads guilty to 3 charges related to March 2021 incident

Sheldon James Johanson. (PQB News file photo)
The MV Zim Kingston arrives in Nanaimo Harbour last week. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Island MPs want a federal response plan for container debris spills

Emergency plan ‘best response to minimize the impact of spills’ — MP Lisa Marie Barron

The MV Zim Kingston arrives in Nanaimo Harbour last week. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
Charles Nelson, executive director of the Society for Equity, Inclusion and Advocacy, sits among offices devoid of staff. Nelson and volunteers are trying to keep some services operating after the society laid off staff upon discovering some of its operating funds had allegedly gone missing. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo non-profit lays off staff, shutters services after possible misappropriation of money

RCMP investigating after Society for Equity, Inclusion and Advocacy’s operating funds go missing

Charles Nelson, executive director of the Society for Equity, Inclusion and Advocacy, sits among offices devoid of staff. Nelson and volunteers are trying to keep some services operating after the society laid off staff upon discovering some of its operating funds had allegedly gone missing. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
An artist’s rendering showing conceptual buildings making up the Bowers District on the Green Thumb property on Hammond Bay Road. (Barefoot Planning and Design image)

Nanaimo’s huge Green Thumb plan gets go-ahead to move to public hearing stage

Approximately 2,500 homes pitched for ‘Bowers District’ in the north end

An artist’s rendering showing conceptual buildings making up the Bowers District on the Green Thumb property on Hammond Bay Road. (Barefoot Planning and Design image)
Nanaimo’s Demitria Rounis is Royal International Miss Canada Role Model for Western Canada. (Jesse Miller Photography photo)

Nanaimo university student wins Miss Canada Pacific crown

Demitria Rounis will compete in international pageant next year

Nanaimo’s Demitria Rounis is Royal International Miss Canada Role Model for Western Canada. (Jesse Miller Photography photo)