Local News Updates

Updates on what’s happening in Nanaimo and on the Salish Sea.

Local News in Nanamo and on the Salish Sea
Die-in demands attention to overdose deaths
Heather Watson
Die-in demands attention to overdose deaths
Heather Watson

Sunday August 31st was International Overdose Awareness Day, and communities across Vancouver Island gathered on Friday August 29th to honour the day. The Village Clinic in Courtenay hosted an event at the Comox Valley Art Gallery, including a “die-in.”

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Heather Watson
International Overdose Awareness Day recognized during march through Downtown Nanaimo
Lauryn Mackenzie
International Overdose Awareness Day recognized during march through Downtown Nanaimo
Lauryn Mackenzie

Concerned citizens took to the streets on August 29 to bring awareness to unregulated drug deaths in Nanaimo.

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Lauryn Mackenzie
New High Acuity Unit opens at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital for patients with complex care needs
Lauryn Mackenzie
New High Acuity Unit opens at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital for patients with complex care needs
Lauryn Mackenzie

The Nanaimo Regional General Hospital is set to open its newest unit for patients with complex, high-care needs in the central Vancouver Island area.

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Lauryn Mackenzie
Buy Canadian draws more shoppers to local farmers' market
Lauryn Mackenzie
Buy Canadian draws more shoppers to local farmers' market
Lauryn Mackenzie

When threats of a trade war between Canada and the United States at the beginning of this year started to grow, a lot of Canadians stopped and took a closer look at where their produce was coming from.

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Lauryn Mackenzie
BC SPCA warns of wildfire smoke affecting pets
Lauryn Mackenzie
BC SPCA warns of wildfire smoke affecting pets
Lauryn Mackenzie

Air quality warnings continue for several regions in the central Vancouver Island area due to the nearby wildfires. The BC SPCA is warning pet owners to keep their pets inside during smoky conditions.

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Lauryn Mackenzie
Family music camp strikes a new chord in the Comox Valley
Heather Watson
Family music camp strikes a new chord in the Comox Valley
Heather Watson

Jam Camp, a musical summer camp for families across B.C., is coming to Vancouver Island for the first time this August and will be taking place at Camp Gilwell just outside Courtenay.

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Heather Watson
Fresh Start back-to-school event in great need of backpacks for children
Lauryn Mackenzie
Fresh Start back-to-school event in great need of backpacks for children
Lauryn Mackenzie

As the need for more school backpacks grows, Fresh Start’s charity drive is figuring out what to do as they see a lack of donations compared to previous years.

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Lauryn Mackenzie
United Way BC opens fund for those affected by Wesley Ridge fire
Lauryn Mackenzie
United Way BC opens fund for those affected by Wesley Ridge fire
Lauryn Mackenzie

As the Wesley Ridge fire continues to burn in the Cameron Lake area, United Way BC has opened its wildfire fund to help those affected by the fire.

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Lauryn Mackenzie
Comox Valley doctor and town councillor talks platform in race for BC Greens leadership
Heather Watson
Comox Valley doctor and town councillor talks platform in race for BC Greens leadership
Heather Watson

The BC Green Party leadership race is on, and Comox Valley’s own Jonathan Kerr is one of three candidates running. Kerr is a local family doctor, Vice-Chair of the Comox Valley Regional District (CVRD), and is serving his second term as a councillor in the Town of Comox.

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Heather Watson
New art exhibits at the Nanaimo Art Gallery invite people to dance, jump, and play inside the gallery
Lauryn Mackenzie
New art exhibits at the Nanaimo Art Gallery invite people to dance, jump, and play inside the gallery
Lauryn Mackenzie

Art galleries tend to be pretty quiet spaces, but a new exhibit at the Nanaimo Art Gallery is welcoming visitors to jump, dance, and play around.

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Lauryn Mackenzie
Comox Valley Pride has new host — the new non-profit organization Queer Centre
Heather Watson
Comox Valley Pride has new host — the new non-profit organization Queer Centre
Heather Watson

Comox Valley’s new organization Queer Centre is hosting Pride this year, with events spanning the weekend of August 21st to 24th, including the 3rd annual Pride Parade on Saturday August 23rd.

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Heather Watson
New Westwood Lake Park upgrades bring more inclusion to the lake
Lauryn Mackenzie
New Westwood Lake Park upgrades bring more inclusion to the lake
Lauryn Mackenzie

As summer heats up, Westwood Lake Park is a go-to spot for many locals, and the City of Nanaimo has finished upgrades that will allow many more people to get out and enjoy the lake.

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Lauryn Mackenzie

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“Restore” celebrates expansion aimed at saving materials from landfill
“Restore” celebrates expansion aimed at saving materials from landfill

A new partnership between Habitat For Humanity’s Restore and non profit Lighthouse’s Building Material Exchange program aims to save construction material from the landfill. The Nanaimo Restore, which sells donated construction material and home furnishings, celebrated an expansion as well as the launch of the new partnership at an event Monday. Proceeds from the Restore go to Habitat for Humanity Mid Vancouver Island, which has a goal of building affordable housing. The organization most recently completed a housing project in 2021. Midcoast Morning spoke with representatives from the Restore, Lighthouse, and Habitat For Humanity Mid Vancouver Island.

Commercial Street Night Market wraps up sixth season in Nanaimo
Commercial Street Night Market wraps up sixth season in Nanaimo

Nanaimo’s night market continued to grow this year, according to its organizer. Midcoast Morning visited the market ahead of the final 2025 edition Thursday night. Plus, the Picnic in The Plaza aims to bring the community together downtown on Sunday.

Mid Island prepares to mark International Overdose Awareness Day
Mid Island prepares to mark International Overdose Awareness Day

Midcoast Morning hears about events in Nanaimo and Parksville to mark International Overdose Awareness Day. Plus VIU instructor Sarah Lovegrove, Vice President of the Harm Reduction Nurses Association speaks about the day in the context of a backlash against harm reduction.

Contact

News Staff

Managing Editor & Executive Producer
Jesse Woodward / jesse.woodward@chly.ca

Nanaimo Area Reporter (Local Journalism Initiative)
Lauryn Mackenzie / lauryn.mackenzie@chly.ca

Comox Valley Area Reporter (Local Journalism Initiative)
Heather Watson / heather.watson@chly.ca

Host-Producer (Mid Coast Morning)
Joe Pugh / joe.pugh@chly.ca

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news@chly.ca

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