Mandy Moraes

Firefighters battle a blaze on Muzwell Hill in the Extension area at approximately 11 a.m. March 28. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)

Massive blaze destroys rural house south of Nanaimo

Ammunition removed and cats succumb to fire in Extension area near Nanaimo

Firefighters battle a blaze on Muzwell Hill in the Extension area at approximately 11 a.m. March 28. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)
Ken Lawson, left, Chris Casillan, Roman Danylo and Michael Teigan will bring their revamped and refreshed improv show as the Comic Strippers to Nanaimo’s Port Theatre on March 3. (Submitted photo)

Comic Strippers bring ‘revamped and refreshed’ show to Vancouver Island

March 3 performance at the Port Theatre combines song, dance, and improvised games and sketches

Ken Lawson, left, Chris Casillan, Roman Danylo and Michael Teigan will bring their revamped and refreshed improv show as the Comic Strippers to Nanaimo’s Port Theatre on March 3. (Submitted photo)
Siblings Solon McDade, left, Shannon Johnson and Jeremiah McDade will perform at Nanaimo’s Unitarian Hall on Feb. 22 as part of their West Coast tour. (Photo by Dustin Delfs/Laughing Dog Photography)

Celtic-folk family band makes Vancouver Island its first stop in West Coast tour

The McDades play Nanaimo, Courtenay, Victoria and Quadra Island

Siblings Solon McDade, left, Shannon Johnson and Jeremiah McDade will perform at Nanaimo’s Unitarian Hall on Feb. 22 as part of their West Coast tour. (Photo by Dustin Delfs/Laughing Dog Photography)
Southern resident J-pod orcas were spotted challenging the currents in Dodd Narrows off Joan Point Park around mid-day on Feb. 14. (Submitted photo)

VIDEO: J-pod orcas ride a fast ocean current in a narrow passage off Nanaimo

Runner captures video of southern resident killer whales in Dodds Narrows on Feb. 14

Southern resident J-pod orcas were spotted challenging the currents in Dodd Narrows off Joan Point Park around mid-day on Feb. 14. (Submitted photo)
Grade 10 student Maeci Parsonage, left, and Grade 12 student Anna Hill are frustrated with Nanaimo Christian School’s stance on what is an appropriate club name for LGBTQ students. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)

Vancouver Island Christian school won’t allow ‘Queer-Straight Alliance’ as club name

Independent school superintendent says ‘Space for Belonging’ name is less polarizing

Grade 10 student Maeci Parsonage, left, and Grade 12 student Anna Hill are frustrated with Nanaimo Christian School’s stance on what is an appropriate club name for LGBTQ students. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)
Brent Murphy, left, and David King, took turns carrying an Australian shepherd back to its owner’s vehicle after the dog sustained an inconspicuous life-threatening injury along Cable Bay Trail on Dec. 31. (Danny Dares Photo)

Good Samaritans help rescue dog with life-threatening injury along Island trail

Owners tracked down heroes within two hours through social media post after Nanaimo area scare

Brent Murphy, left, and David King, took turns carrying an Australian shepherd back to its owner’s vehicle after the dog sustained an inconspicuous life-threatening injury along Cable Bay Trail on Dec. 31. (Danny Dares Photo)
Nanaimo author Daryl Ashby holds a paperback copy of his latest book ‘Nobody’s Boy: Ralph Harris – The Northern Connection’ released in mid-November. (Submitted photo)

Nanaimo writer recounts criminal life of Ladysmith drug smuggler

Daryl Ashby released ‘Nobody’s Boy: Ralph Harris – The Northern Connection’ this past fall

Nanaimo author Daryl Ashby holds a paperback copy of his latest book ‘Nobody’s Boy: Ralph Harris – The Northern Connection’ released in mid-November. (Submitted photo)
Dance captain Jacq Smith, as seen in the 2019 performance of the Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular, will also be a part of this year’s production at Nanaimo’s Port Theatre from Dec. 13-18. (Bonner Photography)

Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular will bring seasonal sparkle to Nanaimo

Festive production featuring various dance and musical styles starts Dec. 13 at the Port Theatre

Dance captain Jacq Smith, as seen in the 2019 performance of the Yellowpoint Christmas Spectacular, will also be a part of this year’s production at Nanaimo’s Port Theatre from Dec. 13-18. (Bonner Photography)
Damonde Tschritter will headline the Big Beast Comedy tour as the series rolls through Nanaimo on Dec. 7. (Submitted photo)

Three stand-up comedians cruise through Vancouver Island as part of Big Beast tour

Tschritter, Gaskin, Beuhler in Nanaimo, Alberni, Qualicum Beach, Lake Cowichan and Parksville

Damonde Tschritter will headline the Big Beast Comedy tour as the series rolls through Nanaimo on Dec. 7. (Submitted photo)
Illustrations in graphite by Karen Sim depicting monsters with their offspring. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)

More than 40 artists to participate in Nanaimo Art Walk this weekend

Event happens in and around downtown Nanaimo on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 3-4

Illustrations in graphite by Karen Sim depicting monsters with their offspring. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)
Juno award winner and CCMA winner Jess Moskaluke will perform two shows in one night at the Queen’s in Nanaimo on Nov. 25. (Submitted photo)

Country star Jess Moskaluke plays three Vancouver Island shows

Award-winning artist nearing end of cross-Canada tour

Juno award winner and CCMA winner Jess Moskaluke will perform two shows in one night at the Queen’s in Nanaimo on Nov. 25. (Submitted photo)
Max Kolopenuk, front, who plays Brad Majors in the Satyr Players’ production of ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ is whisked away while rehearsing Time Warp. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)

VIU students have surprises in store during ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’

Two-night production takes place Nov. 19-20 at the Malaspina Theatre

Max Kolopenuk, front, who plays Brad Majors in the Satyr Players’ production of ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ is whisked away while rehearsing Time Warp. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)
Bruce Coughlan, left, Nolan Murray and Laurence Knight of the Celtic roots trio Tiller’s Folly will perform alongside special guests Valdy and Gary Fjellgaard at Nanaimo’s Port Theatre on Nov. 18. (Submitted photo)

Celtic roots trio celebrates 25 years with Valdy, Gary Fjellgaard and Irish dancers

Tiller’s Folly performs at Nanaimo’s Port Theatre on Friday, Nov. 18

Bruce Coughlan, left, Nolan Murray and Laurence Knight of the Celtic roots trio Tiller’s Folly will perform alongside special guests Valdy and Gary Fjellgaard at Nanaimo’s Port Theatre on Nov. 18. (Submitted photo)
A video about peer-assisted care teams is shown during a presentation at the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance’s State of the Island Economic Summit on Wednesday, Oct. 26. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)

Mental health and substance-use solutions pitched at Vancouver Island summit

Preventative actions, correctional release support, industry-focused resources discussed

A video about peer-assisted care teams is shown during a presentation at the Vancouver Island Economic Alliance’s State of the Island Economic Summit on Wednesday, Oct. 26. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)
Raj Banga, left, Sunita Banga, Jeet Manhas, Kaajal Manhas, Arjan Manhas, Shashi Monga and Peter Monga all meet together as part of the community organizing committee for the Beban Park social centre Diwali celebration. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)

Community members in Nanaimo celebrate Diwali, a ‘triumph of light over darkness’

Members of Indo-Canadian community and others will celebrate at sold-out event at Beban Park

Raj Banga, left, Sunita Banga, Jeet Manhas, Kaajal Manhas, Arjan Manhas, Shashi Monga and Peter Monga all meet together as part of the community organizing committee for the Beban Park social centre Diwali celebration. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)
Longtime friends and stand-up comics John Beuhler, left, and Duane Goad will take to the Terminal Bar stage in Nanaimo on Oct. 21 as part of their five-day comedy tour through the West Coast. (Submitted photos)

Two stand-up comics making multiple Island stops as part of West Coast tour

Duane Goad and John Beuhler play Qualicum Beach, Port Alberni, Nanaimo, Lake Cowichan and Parksville

Longtime friends and stand-up comics John Beuhler, left, and Duane Goad will take to the Terminal Bar stage in Nanaimo on Oct. 21 as part of their five-day comedy tour through the West Coast. (Submitted photos)
Nanaimo singer Laura Kelsey at Westwood Lake during the shooting of the cover image for her yet-to-be released single ‘Your Stormy Ways’. (Photo by Van Isle Portraits)

Nanaimo singer opening for Matthew Good on his Island tour

Laura Kelsey also set to release first single from debut album at tour start

Nanaimo singer Laura Kelsey at Westwood Lake during the shooting of the cover image for her yet-to-be released single ‘Your Stormy Ways’. (Photo by Van Isle Portraits)
Joëlle Rabu was a recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Arts and Music Award earlier this year and was honoured during a celebration ceremony in late August. (Nico Rhodes photo)

Vancouver Island torch singer receives Lieutenant Governor’s Arts and Music Award

Joëlle Rabu’s award part of celebrations in honour of late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee

Joëlle Rabu was a recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Arts and Music Award earlier this year and was honoured during a celebration ceremony in late August. (Nico Rhodes photo)
Amy Worth with the Nanaimo Youth Services Association demonstrates how participants will sleep during the organization’s ‘Roughing It’ event at Harewood Centennial Park on Sept. 23. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)

Vancouver Island event challenges people to ‘Rough It’ for youth homelessness

‘Roughing It’ outdoor overnight event to be held at Harewood Centennial Park Sept. 23-24

Amy Worth with the Nanaimo Youth Services Association demonstrates how participants will sleep during the organization’s ‘Roughing It’ event at Harewood Centennial Park on Sept. 23. (Mandy Moraes/News Bulletin)
Artist’s renderings depicting exterior and aerial views of a new Nanaimo Art Gallery at a non-site specific greenfield space located in or near the city’s downtown core. (Nordicity/City of Nanaimo images)

Consultant pitches new $20-million Nanaimo Art Gallery

Feasibility study presented to city with options for galley reconstruction or relocation

Artist’s renderings depicting exterior and aerial views of a new Nanaimo Art Gallery at a non-site specific greenfield space located in or near the city’s downtown core. (Nordicity/City of Nanaimo images)