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Marshall Jones
News is best when it's local, relevant, timely and interesting. That's our focus every day.
We are on the ground in Penticton, Vernon, Kelowna and Kamloops to bring you the stories that matter most.
Marshall may call West Kelowna home, but after 16 years in local news and 14 in the Okanagan, he knows better than to tell readers in other communities what is "news' to them. He relies on resident reporters to reflect their own community priorities and needs. As the newsroom leader, his job is making those reporters better, ensuring accuracy, fairness and meeting the highest standards of journalism.
Firefighters douse flames at Kelowna hotel
KELOWNA — Firefighters knocked down a blaze in an out-building of a Kelowna hotel but say they don't know how it started. Around 8:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9, Kelowna Fire Department got numerous calls about a fire at Kelowna Inn and Suites. They found flames coming from the roof of a pool building. It wasn't...
Guys loves their cats
With this many cats, it was just a matter of time before they lit up YouTube, although not for the reasons you may think. These guys considered their many, many cats in the architectural design of their home and you can't say it isn't attractive. Those must be some happy cats. Then, Jimmy Kimmel breaks...
JONESIE: But what about the trolls?
We love feedback on our stories. It's the surest sign we are providing news and stories people care about. We actually appreciate it when you point out a mistake or a spelling error. We try to answer questions and take advice on follow up questions and updates. But when the masses arrive in the comments...
SNOW DAY TWO: Schools closed in the Central Okanagan
KELOWNA — Students are staying home for one more day as the Central Okanagan School District lets city road crews catch up on snow clearing. Weather conditions have improved and a snowfall warning from Environment Canada ended at 4 a.m. today, Jan. 6, school officials said in a statement on district website it is "still...
2014 NEWSMAKER OF THE YEAR: Smith Creek fire
THIS WEEK, INFONEWS.CA IS COUNTING DOWN THE TOP FIVE NEWSMAKERS OF 2014. TODAY: NUMBER ONE KELOWNA — The sight of helicopters bucketing water, planes dropping retardant and a giant plume of smoke has become part of the Okanagan summer. This year was a long fire season highlighted by the evacuation of 2,500 people in West...
The good, the bad and the ugly animals stories of 2014
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Few things concern readers like the plight of an animal or the outrage over animal cruelty. Animals made news across the region this year for a variety of reasons, not all of them warm and fuzzy. We've got adventurous cats, strange encounters with cougars, some surprising information about dogs and the people who...
Eight stories that melted your heart in 2014
WARNING: BRING TISSUE THOMPSON-OKANAGAN — Some of our favourite stories this year showed us the strength of human spirit, courage, kindness, creativity, determination and perseverence — long before it coincided with December holidays. We all know life isn't easy, but we look for these kinds of stories to borrow some inspiration, some wisdom and strength....
Small furnace fire quickly snuffed
KELOWNA — Residents at a home on Cook Road managed to keep a furnace fire at bay with their own fire extinguisher before fire crews arrived to put it out. Platoon Capt. Steve Wallick says they were called to the scene in the 600 block last night, Dec. 29. They extinguished the blaze and ventilated...
UDPATE: Coquihalla reopened; delays near Lytton
ROCK SLIDE ON HIGHWAY 1 NEAR LYTTON THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Traffic appars to be moving smoothly on Highway 5 this morning, though travellers on Highway 1 near Lytton should still expect delays. Last night, travellers to and from Vancouver were told to expect major delays after a serious accident closed Highway 5 for several hours due...
The D’oh of Homer: Popular ‘Simpsons’ sitcom goes high-brow in US college courses
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Bart and Lisa Simpson have been in elementary school for 25 years. But that hasn't stopped them from showing up on college campuses.
UPDATE: Bank robbery suspect turns himself in to Kelowna RCMP
KELOWNA – A man wanted in connection with a Kelowna bank robbery turned himself into police Thursday night. Rory Richard Feeney, 31, was identified as the man who allegedly demanded money from a teller at the downtown branch of the TD Bank on Tuesday, according to RCMP. Police say no weapon was used, no one...
Cartoons kill: Kids’ animated films rife with death, may upset little ones: study
TORONTO – Nemo's mother is eaten by a barracuda; Tarzan's parents fall prey to a leopard; and don't forget Bambi's mother — she was gunned down by a hunter. Children's animated films are rife with murder and mayhem.
Parents flock to eBay to dress their children like Prince George for Christmas
LONDON – Parents looking to dress their toddlers like Prince George for Christmas may be too late.
B.C. Liberals OK controversial Site C dam project
VICTORIA - British Columbia's government has given the green light for construction of the massive Site C hydroelectric dam on the Peace River in the province's northeast. Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett says the decision to go ahead with the $8.5-billion project is what's best for ratepayers and what's best for B.C. The dam...
Sony hackers reference 9-11 in ominous threats in first phase of “Christmas gift” data dump
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Hackers calling themselves Guardians of Peace made ominous threats Tuesday against movie theatres showing Sony Pictures' film "The Interview" that referenced the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
West Kelowna hit and run foiled
WEST KELOWNA - A car involved in a three vehicle crash Monday morning in West Kelowna was allegedly fleeing from police. Officers were investigating a suspected stolen vehicle when the driver, who did not have insurance left the scene and crashed into three other vehicles according to an RCMP media release. The incident happened at...
Overnight fire contained to vehicle
KELOWNA — Firefighters were able to prevent a car fire from spreading to a home last night. Kelowna Fire Department was called shortly after 11 p.m. Dec. 3 to 1606 Lindsay Drive. Platoon Capt. Kelly Stephens says they found a car with flames coming from the engine compartment. It was in the driveway not far from...
Is this the end for Wendy’s Dreamlift Day?
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - It may be the end of an era for Wendy’s Dreamlift Day, a unique and popular Thompson-Okanagan fundraising event. For more than 20 years, Wendy’s restaurants in the area donated all funds raised from one day of sales — totalling more than $1 million in that time — and gave children with special...
ELECTION 2014: BASRAN IS NEW MAYOR: defeats former Mayor Sharon Shepherd
KELOWNA - This time, youth beat experience. Colin Basran, a one-term councillor, who turned 37 yesterday, defeated one the city's most experienced candidates, Sharon Shepherd. Shepherd was a three-term councillor and two-term mayor before she was defeated in 2011 by Walter Gray, who endorsed Basran. This was to be Shepherd's political return, but a massive...
JONESIE: What is really going on with Taxpayers First?
The Kelowna municipal election has truly taken a turn for the bizarre courtesy of the City’s first political slate. If you haven’t been keeping track, nearly every day Taxpayers First has one-upped itself on pie-in-the-sky goodies that make American politics look sane and orderly. Already they’ve made hundreds of millions of dollars in promises along...
Kelowna lawyer fined $10,000 for these two words
LAWYER AND COP SQUARED OFF IN COURTHOUSE Language advisory KELOWNA - A local lawyer is paying a hefty price for a heated exchange with a police officer while trying to resolve a case in the Kelowna Law Courts in 2011. Marty Johnson, who practices criminal defence and personal injury law, was suspended from practicing law...
JONESIE: Kelowna Mountain, Taxpayers First and Sharon Shepherd
The Kelowna municipal election may mean little for the 60 to 70 per cent of residents who won’t vote for a mayor and councillors, but it’s absolutely vital for one resident of the Central Okanagan Regional District. If developer Mark Consiglio hopes to achieve any of his dreams of developing Kelowna Mountain into a profitable...
Why police are investigating after a minor fire
KELOWNA - Police are now following up on a house fire on Gordon Drive yesterday afternoon after firefighters figured out what caused a small blaze. Occupants of the home at 3049 Gordon Drive had already put out the fire before Kelowna Fire Department arrived but investigation determined it was started by the production of a...
SHE’S BACK: Sharon Shepherd to make another run for Mayor of Kelowna
KELOWNA - Former Mayor Sharon Shepherd has confirmed she will run again for Mayor of Kelowna. She has called a press conference for tomorrow and confirmed her intentions on a Twitter page @mayorshepherd. "I have the experience to lead our city of Kelowna to being the best, most beautiful mid-sized city in North America," the...