The Town of Ladysmith is looking at redesigning its “cacophony” of a flag.

NewsMick SweetmanNovember 15, 2023Ladysmith, Town of Ladysmith, Aaron Stone, Jeff Virtanen, Justin McElroy, Dean McGee, Marsh Stevens

Over 50 local officials in B.C. call for a ceasefire in Gaza

Over 50 members of local governments in British Columbia have signed an open letter urging the Government of Canada to call for a ceasefire in the conflict in Gaza.

Housing minister says Parksville must build more long-term rentals

The City of Parksville is seeking an exemption to the province’s new law on short-term rentals for tourist accommodation areas in the city, but the minister of housing says the city needs to increase the vacancy rates for long-term rentals first.

NewsMick SweetmanNovember 9, 2023Parksville, Housing, City of Parksville, Ministry of Housing

At least 1,773 overdose calls in Nanaimo this year

Nanaimo Fire Chief Tim Doyle painted a dire picture of the overdose crisis to Nanaimo city council on Monday.

NewsMick SweetmanNovember 7, 2023Nanaimo, Nanaimo Fire Rescue, overdose crisis, health, Sheryl Armstrong, City of Nanaimo

Hundreds in Nanaimo march for a ceasefire in Gaza

About 300 people marched through downtown Nanaimo on Saturday, Nov. 4 calling for a ceasefire in Israel’s escalating war against Hamas in Gaza.

NewsMick SweetmanNovember 6, 2023Israel, Palestine, Gaza, Nanaimo, Lisa Marie Barron, protest

Nanaimo—Ladysmith MP calls for ceasefire in Gaza

Lisa Marie Barron, the NDP Member of Parliament for Nanaimo - Ladysmith, is calling on the federal government to support a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip as it enters its third week.

NewsMick SweetmanNovember 3, 2023Israel, Gaza, Palestine, Lisa Marie Barron, Sara Kishawi, Justin Trudeau

Nanaimo councillor Tyler Brown to give keynote at Urban Issues Film Festival

Nanaimo city councillor Tyler Brown is the keynote speaker at the 16th Annual Urban Film Festival is taking place on the evening Friday, Nov. 3 at Vancouver Island University. CHLY spoke with him about the challenges, and opportunities, to make Nanaimo more walkable.

NewsMick SweetmanNovember 3, 2023Tyler Brown, City, VIU, Urban Planning

City of Nanaimo funds daytime warming centre

The City of Nanaimo has voted to allocate up to $230,000 to Risebridge to operate a daytime warming centre this winter that will run seven days a week between November 14 and March 31, 2024.

Alternative Approval Process for Nanaimo Operations Centre sparks opposition

This is the final week for voters in the City of Nanaimo to file their opposition to the city taking out a loan for up to $48.5 million for the first phase of a new operations centre.

People weigh in on Five Acres Farm affordable housing proposals

Participants at the Five Acres Farm open house were given a sticker to post on one of four options showing where affordable housing could be built, plus a fifth option with no housing development.

NewsMick SweetmanOctober 27, 2023Housing, City of Nanaimo, Nanaimo, Five Acre Farm, Sheryl Armstrong, Hiliary Eastmure, Man, Foodshare

Premier David Eby addresses challenges to Vancouver Island’s economy

Premier David Eby addressed the State of the Island Economic Summit in Nanaimo on Thursday morning, speaking about housing, transportation and the toxic drug crisis.

NewsMick SweetmanOctober 26, 2023David Eby, Ec, Vancouver Island, drug policy, Housing, Highway 4, Nan

Vancouver Island economic summit focuses on collaborative solutions

The 17th Annual State of the Island Economic Summit opened at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre in downtown Nanaimo on Wednesday.

NewsMick SweetmanOctober 25, 2023Vancouver Island, Nanaimo, Leonard Krog, VIEA, economy

Funding needed for warming centres in Nanaimo

A presentation by the Nanaimo Systems Planning Organization (SPO) to city council’s governance and priorities committee meeting on Monday, stressed a dire need for multiple daytime warming centres in the city this winter, but noted there is no funding to operate them.

New long-term care home in Lantzville announced

A new long-term care home in Lantzville will bring a total of 306 long-term care beds to the region, including a 20-bed hospice unit and a 26-bed specialized population unit.

NewsMick SweetmanOctober 20, 2023health, Adrian Dix, Shelia Malcomson, Tho, NR, Lantzville

Breakfast program needs second funding extension to continue

The City of Nanaimo’s finance and audit committee is recommending that city council allocate $60,000 to continue a breakfast meal program until the end of the year.