Melissa Fryer

Calling it a career after 15 years

I hadn't planned to write a goodbye column

It’s high time for footwear freedom

A private member’s bill was introduced last week in the B.C. legislature to to make it illegal for employers to mandate high heels.

Jordan Bateman, B.C. director with the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation, listens to questions during a forum on Nanaimo's proposed events centre, hosted by No Vote 2017. The event attracted more than 200 people to Beban Park Thursday night.

Taxpayers’ federation doubts costs of Nanaimo’s proposed events centre

NANAIMO – Jordan Bateman was keynote speaker at No Vote 2017's forum Thursday.

Jordan Bateman, B.C. director with the Canadian Taxpayers' Federation, listens to questions during a forum on Nanaimo's proposed events centre, hosted by No Vote 2017. The event attracted more than 200 people to Beban Park Thursday night.
Stanley Cup-winning NHL defenceman Willie Mitchell signs autographs and poses for pictures with Ashley Barill, centre, and Alice Fenton.

VIDEO: Nanaimo scores with Hometown Hockey event

NANAIMO – Thousands of people crowd into Maffeo Sutton Park for nationwide broadcast.

Stanley Cup-winning NHL defenceman Willie Mitchell signs autographs and poses for pictures with Ashley Barill, centre, and Alice Fenton.
An acrobat performs in Cuisine and Confessions.

Secret ingredient: Les 7 Doigts performs in Nanaimo

NANAIMO – Circus troupe performs its fusion of dance and food with Cuisine and Confessions at the Port Theatre.

An acrobat performs in Cuisine and Confessions.
Column: Doom and gloom generated the most clicks

Column: Doom and gloom generated the most clicks

NANAIMO – Managing editor Melissa Fryer compiles the Top 10 online news stories in 2016.

Column: Doom and gloom generated the most clicks
The News Bulletin will publish on Friday, Dec. 23, 2016.

News Bulletin will publish one-time issue on Friday

NANAIMO – The News Bulletin's usual Thursday edition will hit Nanaimo doorstops on Friday, Dec. 23.

The News Bulletin will publish on Friday, Dec. 23, 2016.
Maurice Donn has retired from the News Bulletin.

News Bulletin publisher retires after decades in newspapers

NANAIMO – Maurice Donn was at the helm of the News Bulletin for 10 years.

Maurice Donn has retired from the News Bulletin.
Diane McGonigle, Pleasant Valley Elementary School principal, and Ian Thorpe, Nanaimo city councillor and Coins for Kids volunteer, were on hand Monday to help Me to We Group members Ainsley Baker, left, Sara Edmundson and Zoe Facchin kick off the school’s Coins for Kids campaign, one of several projects Pleasant Valley students are participating in through December to celebrate generosity. The school’s students, divided into Wolf, Bear, Whale and Eagle clans, are in a competition to see which clan can raise the most cash. Coins for Kids is an annual News Bulletin fundraiser that supports the Boys and Girls Club of Central Vancouver Island and the Great Nanaimo Toy Drive.

Coins for Kids fundraising drive kicks off

NANAIMO – Pleasant Valley Elementary School students raise money for annual coin drive.

Diane McGonigle, Pleasant Valley Elementary School principal, and Ian Thorpe, Nanaimo city councillor and Coins for Kids volunteer, were on hand Monday to help Me to We Group members Ainsley Baker, left, Sara Edmundson and Zoe Facchin kick off the school’s Coins for Kids campaign, one of several projects Pleasant Valley students are participating in through December to celebrate generosity. The school’s students, divided into Wolf, Bear, Whale and Eagle clans, are in a competition to see which clan can raise the most cash. Coins for Kids is an annual News Bulletin fundraiser that supports the Boys and Girls Club of Central Vancouver Island and the Great Nanaimo Toy Drive.

History holds many stories still unwritten

Since last year, we’ve published stories on Nanaimo’s history, featuring stories and objects that are familiar to some and new to others.

Sometimes sports and politics overlap

What has sparked debate, however, is whether Stilwell, or rather her detractors, can separate her track achievements from her politics.

United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island kicked off its annual fundraising campaign Thursday.

United Way fundraising campaign kicks off in Nanaimo

NANAIMO – Organization supports people and programs in each community it serves.

United Way Central and Northern Vancouver Island kicked off its annual fundraising campaign Thursday.
Chilliwack performs during the Bathtub Weeked Launch Party July 22 at Maffeo Sutton Park, along with Trooper, The Kings, Valdy, Darkhorse and DJ Mikey Mike.

Chilliwack rocks during Nanaimo Bathtub Weekend Launch Party

NANAIMO - Chilliwack, Trooper, The Kings, Valdy and others perform during the Nanaimo Bathtub Weekend Launch Party.

Chilliwack performs during the Bathtub Weeked Launch Party July 22 at Maffeo Sutton Park, along with Trooper, The Kings, Valdy, Darkhorse and DJ Mikey Mike.
River below Kinsol trestle near Shawnigan Lake.

Our forests can dry out pretty quickly

The government points to rapid snowmelt, early record temperatures and sparse spring rainfall for our current drought conditions.

River below Kinsol trestle near Shawnigan Lake.
Steve Hill performs at the Queen’s Thursday (June 30).

Steve Hill performs solo with full-band sound

NANAIMO – Blues musician performs at the Queen's Thursday (June 30).

Steve Hill performs at the Queen’s Thursday (June 30).
Members of Monster Truck pride themselves on their hard-rock sound – the kind folks listen to after a hard day’s work.

Monster Truck’s songs inspired by working-class roots

NANAIMO – Monster Truck headlines Party in the Park at Beban Park on Canada Day (July 1).

Members of Monster Truck pride themselves on their hard-rock sound – the kind folks listen to after a hard day’s work.
Local square dancers will gather in Nanaimo Friday and Saturday (June 24-25) at Cavallotti Lodge. More than 140 dancers are expected from Vancouver Island, B.C. and the Pacific Northwest.

Square dancing challenges mind, body

NANAIMO – More than 140 dancers expected during event at Nanaimo’s Cavallotti Lodge.

Local square dancers will gather in Nanaimo Friday and Saturday (June 24-25) at Cavallotti Lodge. More than 140 dancers are expected from Vancouver Island, B.C. and the Pacific Northwest.

Editor’s Notebook: Pride celebration an antidote to hate

NANAIMO – Thousands celebrated love and acceptance during Pride parade and festivities.

Comedian Randii Andii bikes up Commercial Street on a custom cycle as part of Nanaimo’s first-ever Pride Parade Sunday morning.

Pride ride

NANAIMO – First-ever Pride Parade saw crowds support inclusion and acceptance in the community.

Comedian Randii Andii bikes up Commercial Street on a custom cycle as part of Nanaimo’s first-ever Pride Parade Sunday morning.
David Gogo's Juno Award-nominated album Vicksburg Call was released on vinyl this week.

Record sales

NANAIMO – David Gogo has his latest Juno Award-nominated album released on vinyl.

David Gogo's Juno Award-nominated album Vicksburg Call was released on vinyl this week.