Local News

Vandalism Comes with Big Bill for School District
Vandalism has cost School District 68 nearly $50,000 so far this school year, but the situation is improving.

Last school year's vandalism bill in the Nanaimo-Ladysmith district was nearly $77,000, and it was a whopping $149,000 the year before that.

School District 68 Board Chair Jamie Brennan says vandalism is by no means a victimless crime. He says...(For full story click on title) 

Real Estate Board Applauds Home Buyer Tax Credit
The outgoing president of the Vancouver Island Real Estate Board says the first-time home buyer tax credit should have a very positive impact locally.

Nanaimo Realtor Jim Stewart says the credit forms a favorable climate for first time home buyers. He says...(For full story click on title) 

NDP's Krog Reacts to Budget
Nanaimo NDP MLA Leonard Krog isn't about to pat the government on the back for how its finances are handled.

Finance Minister Kevin Falcon projects we'll have a surplus budget in two years, but Krog isn't buying it. He says the promise of a surplus budget down the road isn't credible. Krog points out...(For full story click on title) 

Liberals Introduce 2012-2013 Budget
British Columbia's Liberal government is promising to balance its budget in time for next year's provincial election.

Finance Minister Kevin Falcon has tabled the province's 2012-2013 budget, forecasting a deficit of $968 million dollars for the coming fiscal year.

Falcon says...(For full story click on title) 

Vandals Cause $5000 in Damage to School
Vandalism continues to be a big problem at Uplands Park Elementary School.

Broken windows discovered Saturday morning will cost an estimated $5000 to repair.

Dog feces were smeared on the front door and window of the school as well.

Earlier this month a small fire was ignited outside the school. 

VIU to Host Climate Change Symposium
The public is welcome at a free climate change symposium being held Tuesday at VIU.

The event runs from 9 to 3 and is being hosted by a student outreach group hoping to promote awareness of the effects of climate change.

Faculty adviser Erik Krogh says their goal is to focus on the indisputable facts. He says...(For full story click on title) 

Brothers Charged with Robbery
Two brothers have been charged with robbery after a man was beat up on Saturday night.

It happened on Victoria Crescent just after 10:30 when a 19-year-old man reported he was assaulted and robbed.

The victim was punched repeatedly...(For full story click on title) 

RCMP Investigate "Sudden" Death
A 56 year old woman died suddenly over the weekend.

Nanaimo RCMP Constable Gary O'Brien says an investigation into the incident is underway.

He says members responded to a report of a female in medical distress in the Newport Hotel parking lot around 12:30 in the morning on Saturday the 18th. When they arrived on scene they found the female deceased.

O'Brien says...(For full story click on title) 

Teacher's Association Leaders Take Concerns to MLA's
Presidents of teacher's associations from all over B.C. travel to Victoria this week to discuss the ongoing teacher's strike with their MLA's.

Nanaimo Teachers' Association President Derek Degear says he wants to focus on class sizes. He says...(For full story click on title) 

Close Call at Nanaimo Pre School
An impaired driver was nabbed by an off-duty police officer when she had passed out with her van running Thursday.

Police say the van was in reverse and positioned in front of the Beban Park Daycare.

The woman had been charged with impaired driving and had her license revoked just six days earlier, after allegedly...(For full story click on title)

Billionaire Jimmy Pattison buys into Quality Foods
It's a financial shot in the arm for Oceanside based Quality Foods.

BC billionaire Jimmy Pattison has invested in the grocery store chain, however, financial terms of the deal are not being released.

Quality Foods marketing director Rob McKay says the money will help the company grow, adding that includes a desire to expand their Nanaimo location on Turner Road.

McKay says Pattison is simply providing money and says the deal will not affect how Quality Foods is run. 

NDP Forestry Committee Tours Local Mills
Nanaimo's Coastland Wood Industries played host to the provincial New Democrat Forestry Committee yesterday.

The Committee is touring the province's saw mills, discussing ways to reduce raw log exports/

NDP forest critic Norm MacDonald says since 2001 the provincial forest industry has lost 35,000 full time jobs.

He wants to see more logs processed in BC mills, and less sent overseas.

BC Premier, Christy Clark, however, says that the log exports have created two thousand new jobs. 

Downed Power Pole in Errington
Luckily no one was hurt after a power pole was deliberately cut down Thursday morning in Errington.

Oceanside RCMP Cpl. Jesse Foreman says police were called to a downed power line at the end of Dunn Road.

He says...(For full story click on title)

NEDC Working Towards Mentorship Program
The Nanaimo Economic Development Corporation is setting up a mentorship program for entrepreneurs.

C.E.O Susan Cudahy says the program will seek government funding to groom entrepreneurs primarily in the technology and digital fields. She says entrepreneurs will be offered experienced mentors and access to venture capital. She says...(For full story click on title) 
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