Latest from Claire Palmer
Mount Arrowsmith has been a landmark for centuries. Now, it could anchor Port Alberni's future
Mount Arrowsmith is one of the first things you see when you come over the hump of the Alberni Summit and descend into the valley. The mountain has long held an important place in local First Nations histories — but is also playing an important role in the future of the city.
Port Alberni feeling the housing pinch as city grows
An interim housing report presented in December suggests Port Alberni build over 1,200 units of housing over the next five years to keep up with demand as the city's population grows.
2024 REPLAY
Couple hit with $13K vacancy tax bill despite living in home year-round
Madison and Charlotte Becerra bought their detached home in Ladysmith, B.C., two years ago and live in it year-round, but because they are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents, they cannot apply for an exemption from the speculation and vacancy tax.
2024 REPLAY
Couple hit with $13K vacancy tax bill despite living in home year-round
Madison and Charlotte Becerra bought their detached home in Ladysmith, B.C., two years ago and live in it year-round, but because they are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents, they cannot apply for an exemption from the speculation and vacancy tax.
Despite setbacks, downtown Nanaimo business owners say they believe in the neighbourhood
Downtown Nanaimo businesses say they believe in what the historic Commercial Street has to offer locals and tourists, despite a downturn in foot traffic due to construction, amongst other factors.
Expect travel delays, as Islanders head to Vancouver for Eras Tour
B.C. Ferries and Hullo Ferries are warning passengers to give themselves extra time when travelling this weekend as thousands head to the mainland for Taylor Swift.
Non-profit that runs Nanaimo, B.C., soup kitchen locked out by landlord
The charity that runs a Nanaimo, B.C., community soup kitchen has been locked out by its landlord over rent arrears, but the landlord says the kitchen's lease was terminated due to "ongoing and significant breaches."
Concerns raised over lack of cold weather shelters in southeast Vancouver Island's Oceanside region
With cold weather approaching, community workers in the Oceanside area are raising the alarm over a lack of warming centres and shelter space for those on the streets.
Nanaimo's plan to borrow $90M for public works yard faces pushback
The City of Nanaimo is seeking to borrow $90 million to update its public works yard, which staff says was built in the 1960s and is in dire need of upgrades. It's the city's third attempt to get approval through a controversial process that residents are pushing back on.
B.C. boy denied full-time class due to lack of school assistants
Five-year-old Daniel Gardner, who is blind and has epilepsy and autism, was set to start kindergarten with the help of an educational assistant. But he's been denied his full-time start to learning after the Nanaimo-Ladysmith school district said it was struggling to find qualified EAs.