Melissa Fryer

Fireworks or not, city has Halloween spirit

As far as rituals go, Halloween is one of our most interesting.

Nanaimo sawmill slated for closure

NANAIMO – Western Forest Products has announced plans to close its sawmill on Nanaimo’s waterfront by the end of the year.

Tax dollars can always be better balanced

The question comes down to money – how much taxpayers can bear when the province and the federal government are already taking a big chunk.

Life in the fast lane has new meaning in B.C.

From my observations behind the wheel, people make strange choices at any speed.

Judge dismisses case against Nanaimo school district over south-end facilities plan

NANAIMO – Snuneymuxw First Nation launched legal appeal after closure of several south-end schools.

We’ll always need more women in politics

Women are under-represented in politics at every level, whether it’s at the council table, provincial legislature or federal Parliament.

Colliery dam risk lowered

NANAIMO – Technical committee expects remediation costs to be less than expected.

Vulnerable women need our attention

NANAIMO – Number of missing or murdered indigenous women tops 1,100 in Canada.

Election seasons underway in B.C.

NANAIMO – Recent elections highlight importance of voting.

Canada plays follow the leader on pot laws

NANAIMO - Washington and Colorado lead the way on legalizing marijuana use.

Liquor reforms give people freedom

Thanks to a host of reforms regulating liquor sales and consumption, I won’t have to hide my drink in a travel mug at music festivals.

People are the key to any community

The names might change and the stories might stay the same, but at the end of the day it’s the people who make the difference.

The past year featured dozens of stories that could be considered for the top news stories of the year.

TOP NEWS STORIES: Difficult to choose just five

NANAIMO – Top stories carried over into following year.

The past year featured dozens of stories that could be considered for the top news stories of the year.
The decision to remove, and then remediate, the Colliery dams was one of the most contentious issues of 2013.

TOP NEWS STORIES: Work on Colliery dams could take two years

NANAIMO – The decision to remove, then remediate, the Colliery dams was one of the most contentious of 2013.

The decision to remove, and then remediate, the Colliery dams was one of the most contentious issues of 2013.
Five people help make headlines in 2013. Clockwise from top left: Kennedy Baker, Michelle Stilwell, Jeff Solomon, Ted Swabey and Doug White.

NEWSMAKERS: Not hard to find newsmakers in Nanaimo in 2013

NANAIMO – More people help make headlines in the News Bulletin in 2013.

Five people help make headlines in 2013. Clockwise from top left: Kennedy Baker, Michelle Stilwell, Jeff Solomon, Ted Swabey and Doug White.
Erin Burden, News Bulletin advertising representative, and the rest of staff are collecting coins of all denominations to help bring joy to children this Christmas. The newspaper launches its inaugural Coins for Kids campaign today (Nov. 21) to help purchase presents for children from Nanaimo’s economically disadvantaged families.

Fundraising drive changes it up for charity

NANAIMO – News Bulletin renames its annual penny drive to Coins for Kids.

Erin Burden, News Bulletin advertising representative, and the rest of staff are collecting coins of all denominations to help bring joy to children this Christmas. The newspaper launches its inaugural Coins for Kids campaign today (Nov. 21) to help purchase presents for children from Nanaimo’s economically disadvantaged families.
605 Collective performs New Animal, a modern dance piece exploring inherent survival instincts in humans.

New animal

NANAIMO – A modern dance piece looks at survival instincts inherent in humans

605 Collective performs New Animal, a modern dance piece exploring inherent survival instincts in humans.
Singer John McDermott performs in Nanaimo Sunday (Oct. 20) as part of his 20th anniversary tour.

Platinum anniversary

NANAIMO – John McDermott celebrates 20 years in front of audiences around the world

Singer John McDermott performs in Nanaimo Sunday (Oct. 20) as part of his 20th anniversary tour.

Cuts unlikely to improve happiness

When there’s less to go around, priorities are identified pretty quickly.

Reconciliation Week offers chance to heal

NANAIMO – Events at Vancouver Island University shed light on events that took place at residential schools.