At around 2 a.m. on July 25, an RCMP officer driving northbound on Terminal Ave., by Terminal Park Mall, spotted a speeding southbound vehicle, found to be travelling 118 kilometres per hour in the 50 zone.

Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW by the time the officer could turn around to pursue, the car had gone, with reports of a crash nearby coming a short time later near the intersection of Blythe Ave. and St. George St.

“Members responded and found the vehicle in the ditch with no driver around. A search of the area located the alleged driver, and that person was arrested. It turns out they were a 13-year-old, and they admitted to driving their parent’s car without their permission.”

While the vehicle was not a write-off, according to Mounties, there was still notable damage from the incident.

The girl was taken into custody for a short period of time before being released to their parents.

Investigators are maintaining an open conversation with the family to try and avoid more serious consequences.

“It’s really going to come down to the dialogue between the parents [and officers] to try to find a way to ensure the youth doesn’t do this again and understands the gravity of the situation.”

Criminal Code charges are a possibility, according to police.

No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.

Subscribe to our daily news wrap. Local news delivered to your email inbox every evening. Stay up to date on everything Nanaimo and Oceanside.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook

The BC Hockey League team has entered into a four-year agreement with Chris Jaycox Productions to install and operate a 20′ by 10′ LED video wall in their home rink, being installed this week on the arena’s far wall.

Clippers’ manager of ticket sales, digital marketing and fan engagement Owen Stanley told NanaimoNewsNOW it’s a massive addition to their game night presentation.

“I definitely think the fan experience this year is going to take a big step up. We’ve implemented a lot of systems and stuff for fan experience this year that we’re looking forward to getting to use, and the graphics for the video board on a game day are going to be Canucks-level style graphics.”

Four cameras will track the play, including a roaming camera for promotions in the stands and two above-the-net cameras for replays.

Kiss cams and a full suite of engaging elements are also planned, Stanley said, and the addition of a screen comes at the ideal time for a team fresh off a nail-biting BCHL Finals series last season.

“The usual game day stuff that you’d see at an NHL hockey game, that’s the goal. We’d like to implement as much as we can from that higher level of hockey back into the game-day experience here in the BCHL at Frank Crane Arena.”

The addition of a video wall, or Jumbotron, at Frank Crane Arena has been a long-term ask from the Clipper fanbase, Stanley said, and the team is excited work done over several years is finally paying off.

“Being able to finally bring that into Frank Crane Arena and have it a part of a fan’s game day experience is just a tremendous accomplishment. We’ve worked super hard to come to an agreement on what we can do with it and how we can get it, and it’s finally here.”

Stanley said the one area they need to be careful is during official reviews of plays by the on-ice officials.

Replays of those events are not permitted during a review, however Stanley said once decisions are made, they can replay the visuals to fans in the stands.

Operation of the screen will happen from the existing gondola at Frank Crane Arena.

The screen itself is one the Nanaimo NightOwls used during the summer season.

Follow us on Facebook. Join Everything Nanaimo on Facebook and stay connected with everything happening on central Vancouver Island.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook

Demolition crews arrived this week on Parkhill Terrace to begin the tear-down process of the the old school site, which is expected to be completed this fall.

School District 68 expects a new Ladysmith Intermediate School on the property will open for the fall of 2029, featuring 14 elementary classrooms, a multipurpose room, media and technology centre, gymnasium, and before/after school care spaces.

In addition, Ladysmith Primary School is being expanded, with the addition of 250 new student spaces across 10 classrooms, among numerous other additions.

View of the gated off-leash dog park adjacent to École Davis Road Elementary School. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Ladysmith Primary will be switched from its existing K-3 format to K-7, while Ladysmith Intermediate School, located on French St., will also be a K-7 school when the newly built school is ready, shifting from the existing grades four through seven offering.

An expanded Ladysmith Primary School is expected to be ready to handle extra students and staff in the fall of 2027.

The new-look Ladysmith Intermediate School will offer a dual-track English/French immersion curriculum.

This past April, education minister Bowinn Ma was in Ladysmith to announce provincial funding for the new school ($37 million) as well as an expanded Ladysmith Primary School ($15 million).

Both schools will be prefabricated builds, with the Ladysmith Intermediate School project marking the first time in the province an entire public school is being built using the prefabrication method.

Subscribe to our daily news wrap. Local news delivered to your email inbox every evening. Stay up to date on everything Nanaimo and Oceanside.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook

• When and how did you get involved with Special Olympics?
  • Ashley has been a dedicated Special Olympics athlete for 17 years. When she moved to B.C. from Winnipeg, she got involved in Special Olympics swimming, and her mother took on the important volunteer role of Local Coordinator.
  • “Now I participate in most of the summer and winter sports all of the time,” Ashley says. “I am so happy and love being so involved with Special Olympics. I am busy all of the time. I look forward to going, trying my best, playing golf, and being with all of the other athletes.”

• What sports do you participate in?
  • Ashley competes in golf, track and field, soccer, curling, softball, basketball, and bocce. She’s also a committed participant in the Club Fit fitness training program.
    • She is known as a determined competitor who doesn’t quit!

• What is your favourite Special Olympics experience to date? / What are some of your biggest achievements in Special Olympics so far?
  • Ashley says her favourite Special Olympics experience to date is winning a gold medal competing in golf at the 2025 Special Olympics BC Summer Games in Prince George. “It made me so happy. I had been to Provincial Winter Games twice before for curling, but I was so excited to go to the Provincial Summer Games for golf. This is the best I have done so far. Everyone is so excited for me.”

• What competitions have you been part of recently and/or upcoming?
  • Through her success in the 2025 SOBC Games, Ashley earned the opportunity to advance to the National Games level and represent our province with pride in the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games, set to be held August 11 to 15 in Medicine Hat, Alberta.
    • The 2026 SOC Games will be Ashley’s first National Games!
  • “I just want to play my best and have a wonderful time with all of the other athletes. I will learn and see what everyone else is doing,” Ashley says. “Yes, a win would be great, but I do know that there are so many great athletes out there.”
    • “She’s been practicing steadily and is ready for the challenge,” Ashley’s family said.
  • Learn more about Ashley and Special Olympics Team BC 2026: https://www.specialolympics.bc.ca/so-team-bc-2026-profiles/ashley-thompson/

• What would you say about Special Olympics to encourage someone to get involved?
  • Ashley and her family always talk about Special Olympics and always ask their friends and their families to join in on the sports.

• A bit more about Ashley
  • “I love sports and like to do all that I can. … I am very smart but also very quiet, so people don’t know how smart I am.”
  • Ashley is well known as a quiet, steady presence who gives her time and support to help all the fundraising and awareness events that SOBC – Oceanside runs. She also volunteers in other community roles, and participates in a wide range of local programs and activities.
    • The Special Olympics BC – Oceanside golf program has been very successful and very supportive of Ashley and her fellow athletes, benefitting from amazing support from the community. In 2024, SOBC – Oceanside hosted the Golf Regional Qualifier where Ashley earned the opportunity to advance to Provincial Games in Prince George. She returned in 2025 with a GOLD medal, and is now preparing to go to Medicine Hat this August for the National Summer Games.

Special Olympics BC is dedicated to enriching the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and building inclusion through the power and joy of sport.

In 55 communities around the province, including 10 right here on Vancouver Island, Special Olympics provides year-round sport, youth, and health programs and empowering competitions to more than 3,400 athletes with intellectual disabilities of all ages and a wide range of ability levels.

Athletes access Special Olympics BC’s life-changing programs and competitions at low or no cost, thanks to the dedicated efforts of our 2,200 coaching and organizing volunteers, and the generous support of our sponsors and donors.

They are always in need of volunteers! To get involved, click HERE

]]> https://www.885thebeach.com/2026/08/13/special-olympics-bc-spotlight-ashley-thompson/feed/ 0 https://www.885thebeach.com/2026/08/12/country-wide-cycling-tour-for-parkinsons-comes-to-the-mid-island/ https://www.885thebeach.com/2026/08/12/country-wide-cycling-tour-for-parkinsons-comes-to-the-mid-island/#respond Wed, 12 Aug 2026 23:37:19 +0000 Syndicated Content 2026-08-12T23:37:19+00:00 http://nanaimonewsnow.com/2026/08/12/country-wide-cycling-tour-for-parkinsons-comes-to-the-mid-island/ NANAIMO — An annual bike ride across Canada raising funds for those living with Parkinson’s disease is criss-crossing Vancouver Island this week.

Parkinson Canada’s Spinning Wheels Tour involves teams riding across all ten provinces this summer, with a fundraising goal of $200,000 for B.C., and close to a million dollars country-wide.

Tour co-chair Lloyd Taylor, 59, was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2020.

He began experiencing tremors, and was amazed when realizing that riding a bike eased those symptoms tremendously.

“As soon as I started pedalling, the tremor would stop, and the only other time the tremor stops is when I sleep. My symptoms have progressed over the years, and it’s not quite the full erasing of the symptom anymore, but still calms them significantly. It’s remarkable.”

NanaimoNewsNOW spoke with Taylor on Monday, Aug. 10, while he rested just outside of Ladysmith, on only his second day of cycling, making the approximately 80-kilometre journey with his team from Mill Bay to Nanaimo.

A Toronto resident, Taylor and six others will be cycling 425 kilometres over eight days across the lower half of Vancouver Island, returning to Nanaimo on Wednesday, Aug 12, to complete another 80-kilometre loop into Lantzville and Nanoose Bay.

A look at the B.C. leg of the Spinning Wheels Tour, before heading into Alberta by the middle of August. (Image Credit: Pedaling for Parkinson Canada)

Taylor said researchers haven’t been able to pinpoint exactly why cycling appears to alleviate some Parkinson’s symptoms.

“Ballroom dancing is another. Boxing is another. Seems to be anything that combines sort of movements and thought, cardio and balance. And cycling seems to be the leading one. Nobody understands quite why, medically, they can’t figure out why cycling does what it does.”

With a personal goal of $10,000, Taylor raised more than half of that amount by only the third day of riding his bike.

He said community building and spreading awareness about Parkinson’s is his primary motivator to fight back against the disease impacting more than 120,000 Canadians.

“People invariably speak to us as we ride, and after a conversation, kindly, they want to do something, and so we have the opportunity for them to donate. All of the funds get funneled back into communities that we ride through to support exercise programs for people living with Parkinson’s.”

Lloyd Taylor (R) with his Spinning Wheels groups along Coastal B.C. during last year’s tour. (Image Credit: Spinning Wheels 2025)

Along with his fellow riders and a support vehicle, Taylor’s wife Jane is also by his side while he rides.

She said those whose loved ones are living with Parkinson’s are more than willing to speak to them about their experiences.

“It’s a really hard disease, and everyone progresses so differently. So everybody wants to talk about it. It’s your grandpa, or your dad, or your mom, or your sister, or whoever. As a caregiver, I know there’s so many varied symptoms, and you’re watching this person who was perfectly healthy slowly lose things.”

She said the actual number of Canadians with Parkinson’s is likely underreported due to the varying nature of symptoms, and a hesitancy for a person to admit they have the disease.

“There’s something about it that makes people hide. There’s an embarrassment factor. It is the fastest-growing neurological disease in the world, and there’s no known cause, there’s no cure, and nowhere is it growing faster than Canada.”

According to Parkinson Canada, they estimate over 150,000 Canadians will be living with Parkinson’s by 2034.

Age is the primary risk factor, with most people diagnosed being 65 years of age or older.

Around 10 per cent of cases are linked to genetics, while environmental factors such as exposure to certain chemicals also play a role.

The B.C. leg of the Spinning Wheels Tour wraps up in Victoria on Aug. 14, before heading east and completing circuits in all ten provinces before the grand finale in Ontario on Sept. 27, with a national fundraising goal of just over $900,000.

More information on the Spinning Wheels Tour, including how to participate or donate, can be found here on their website.

Follow us on Facebook. Join Everything Nanaimo on Facebook and stay connected with everything happening on central Vancouver Island.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook

Mark Nieuwejaar, 65, faces two counts of committing an indecent act in a public place after allegedly exposing himself to a pair of women across two separate incidents earlier this month.

Reserve Cst. Gary O’Brien told NanaimoNewsNOW a woman was allegedly flashed on Aug. 6 around 9:30 a.m. while jogging through Maffeo Sutton Park, and her description of the South Asian man helped Mounties link a second incident four days earlier.

“We have two counts, and based on what we know, we think there may be other victims, and they just haven’t come forward yet. We really need to hear from them because we have to get a fulsome picture of what this person is allegedly doing in our community.”

Police say the Aug. 2 report detailed a woman being followed before the alleged exposure.

Nieuwejaar remains in custody ahead of a court appearance on Tuesday, Aug. 18.

He was previously handed a two-year suspended sentence and two years’ probation for a Sept. 13, 2014, incident at Westwood Lake.

Two years later, to the day, Nieuwejaar committed another indecent act at Maffeo Sutton Park and was jailed for 48 days, followed by two years’ probation.

Nieuwejaar also has a history of break-ins in the Lower Mainland and southern Vancouver Island dating back to the late 1990s and early 2000s.

O’Brien said it’s critical investigators get a complete picture of his alleged activities and want to speak to anyone who may have dismissed any similar incidents.

“We know from behaviours that sometimes there are repeat offenders who do these activities, and that’s troubling. This is why we need to hear from other people if they have seen this person or been exposed to a situation.”

Anyone with information related to indecent exposures recently in Nanaimo is asked to contact the local detachment at 1-250-754-2345.

We’re on Bluesky! Stay up to date on news across central Vancouver Island through Bluesky, by following @NanaimoNewsNOW.bsky.social.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook

Housing and Infrastructure Minister Gregor Robertson, who’s also responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada, announced $30.5 million for 24 businesses and organizations across B.C. aimed at growth, expanding into new markets, and reducing costs.

A Government of Canada news release outlined $5.5 million for Nanaimo Forest Products, which operates Harmac Pacific pulp mill in south Nanaimo.

The funding for Harmac is to install new equipment.

“This project will help maintain forestry jobs, strengthen one of Vancouver Island’s major industrial employers, and improve the competitiveness of B.C. pulp products in global markets,” the news release stated.

Nearby business Niik Steel, located in the Duke Point Industrial Park, received $1 million to produce metal decking, flooring, and other steel building components in western Canada.

“This will strengthen domestic construction supply chains and increase access to locally made building materials for projects across B.C. and Canada.”

Niik Steel, Vancouver Island’s largest commercial steel manufacturer, received $900,000 from the B.C. government this past spring for equipment and capacity enhancements.

Niik Steel produces steel beams for a variety of commercial and institutional construction applications. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

Funding for both Nanaimo-based projects announced this week was approved by the federal government in February.

Non-profit organization Vancouver Island Economic Alliance also received $300,000 to help businesses enter new domestic and international markets.

Follow us on Facebook. Join Everything Nanaimo on Facebook and stay connected with everything happening on central Vancouver Island.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook

It happened this past April 20 at the Gabriola condo building on Promenade Dr. on Cameron Island, adjacent to the Nanaimo Harbour ferry terminal, in which the worker fell from a fifth-storey balcony onto the balcony one level below, according to WorkSafe BC.

“The firm failed to ensure that an effective fall protection system was used, that it had a written fall protection plan for the workplace, and that workers were instructed in the fall protection system and procedures to be followed before being allowed into an area where a risk of falling exists,” a WorkSafe BC penalty summary read.

United Roofing Inc. was fined $12,824.17, which the firm requested to be reviewed.

Numerous safety violations were flagged in an inspection report by WorkSafeBC. (Image Credit: Ian Holmes/NanaimoNewsNOW)

According to an inspection report authored by Nanaimo-based occupational safety officer James Leach, United Roofing had not provided its workers with adequate information, instruction, training or supervision to ensure their health and safety.

“This is evidenced by the lack of a fall protection plan and clear direction to the workers for fall protection systems to be used and where the anchor must be placed.”

Falling on a series of planters, as opposed to impacting a flat surface, represented an increased injury risk, Leach’s report stated.

“The employer stated to me that the worker did not have the fall restrain system adjusted properly to prevent the fall,” he wrote.

Leach also stated documentation for pre-use inspections for the scaffolding system used was not produced by the employer.

Workers were removing organic material from rooftop patios, planters and decks to apply waterproofing membrane at the time of the accident.

Roofing represents a high-risk trade in the province, in particular falls from elevation.

Between 2020 and 2024, WorkSafeBC reported 5,400 injury claims, nearly 1,900 serious injuries, and 35 fatalities involving roofers province-wide.

Follow us on Facebook. Join Everything Nanaimo on Facebook and stay connected with everything happening on central Vancouver Island.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook

The Perseids meteor shower is projected to peak overnight on Wednesday, Aug. 12, into Thursday, Aug. 13, with upwards of 50 to 100 meteors visible every hour across a majority of the night sky.

Vancouver Island University astronomy professor Dr. Gregory Arkos said the Perseids are “the old dependable one” when it comes to meteor showers.

“It’s got really a fair number of meteors every hour. You can see it’s got some fireballs in there, some brighter meteors, and colourful ones, and it’s very dependable year in and year out. It gives you that number, whereas some other meteor showers kind of wax and wane more.”

Boosting the chance of a dazzling show this year is the moon being in its new phase, reflecting minimal light towards our region.

Arkos said those keen to see the shower should venture out to an area without any overhead streetlights or other substantial light pollution.

“You don’t need a telescope, you don’t need binoculars. Go out an hour or two after the sun has set, and the sky has darkened, find yourself a spot where you’re not right under a streetlight or something bright so your eyes can dark adapt. You want to give your eyes 15 minutes to fully open up.”

Streaks will likely span the night sky, but a majority will come from the northeast, around the Perseids constellation.

A mixture of brighter and fainter streaks is expected, with one to two per minute on average.

“Some of them can be very bright fireballs, and a lot of them will be kind of the fainter ones, but you should be able to see them because you’re not competing with the moon or other artificial lighting around you.”

The Perseids aren’t the only celestial event on the calendar for Wednesday.

A solar eclipse will also occur, however the central Island won’t be able to observe it.

Arkos said Campbell River and parts of the north Island may see about one per cent coverage of the sun beginning around 8:40 a.m.

Prince George will see roughly six per cent, with the main show spanning northern Canada, Greenland, and into Europe.

A partial lunar eclipse is due Aug 27, which will be visible on the mid-Island if the weather cooperates.

Local news. Delivered. Free. Subscribe to our daily news wrap and get our top local stories delivered to your email inbox every evening.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook

The in-person session happens Wednesday, Aug. 12 at Tigh-Na-Mara Seaside Spa Resort & Conference Centre’s Grand Strathcona Room at 1155 Resort Dr. in Parksville from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Designed to showcase what being an elected official for a municipality or the Regional District is like, the sessions also offer key information about requirements of the election process.

Pre-registration is not required.

The City and RDN hosted the first of two candidate info sessions last month at the RDN’s board chambers.

The Town of Qualicum Beach hosts a similar forum on Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Council Chambers at 660 Primrose St.

Interested candidates are encouraged to RSVP by the day before the session at elections@qualicumbeach.com.

The City of Parksville hosts a candidates’ info session on Sept. 2 at City Hall between 1:30 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., with those interested encouraged to RSVP at election-official@parksville.ca.

The nomination filing period is between Sept. 1 and Sept. 11 province-wide.

General voting day is on Saturday, Oct. 17, to elect municipal, Regional District, and School Board representatives.

While not a sure-fire indication of how many candidates will be on the ballot to elect the next Nanaimo City Council, it appears interest is brisk.

As of mid-day on Tuesday, Aug. 11, the City informed NanaimoNewsNOW 25 nomination packages had been collected, while nine had been retrieved from the City of Parksville.

Subscribe to our daily news wrap. Local news delivered to your email inbox every evening. Stay up to date on everything Nanaimo and Oceanside.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook