Afternoon News Update for May 5 2020

The Mayor of Nanaimo has enlisted the help of the city's business and social service leaders to create a plan to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The Mayor's Task Force on Recovery and Resiliency will recommend immediate economic recovery strategies in the short term and identify ways to build local resilience in the longer term. Its plan and recommendations to council are expected in the fall. Mayor Leonard Krog says his Task Force will work with individuals, businesses and community groups to support community-driven ideas and solutions to economic recovery. The group includes the President of Vancouver Island University, the Chair of the Nanaimo Port Authority, the Executive Director of the local United Way, the CEO of the Petroglyph Development Group from the Snuneymuxw First Nation and the Regional Managing Partner of Vancouver Island, MNP, an accounting and business consulting firm.The president of the BC Fruitgrowers Association says he's underwhelmed by a federal announcement aimed at assisting Canada's food producers. Today, the federal government announced a $238 million program to help farmers and cattle and hog producers weather the COVID-19 crisis. That's far short of the two-and-half-billion dollar ask from those groups. Fruit Growers president Pinder Dhaliwal says “The announcement today addresses the immediate needs for the beef and livestock producers and processors, but has not addressed the immediate needs of the fruit, vegetable and grain sectors,”Two Nanaimo teenagers are facing charges of arson and theft, in relation to an incident where a flare was let off at the Circle K convenience store and gas bar on Sunday night. Police allege the 16-year-olds shoplifted some items, then lit a flare inside the store before leaving. The store clerk was not injured, but the ensuing fire means the store remains closed indefinitely. Police were able to identify the teens with video surveillance from the site. One was arrested in a south Nanaimo home on Sunday, the second was arrested in Ladysmith on Monday. Both are in custody and are expected to appear in youth court this afternoon.Written and reported by Lisa Cordasco. Senior Reporter and News Director for CHLY 101.7FM.Have a tip? Email: [email protected]: @lisacordasco / @chly1017FMFunded in part by the Local Journalism Initiative of the Government of Canada through Heritage Canada in partnership with the Community Radio Fund of Canada.