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Shelley Jordan
Westside Farm Loop launches July 3
The Westside Farm Loop is a collection of more than a dozen farms, fruit stands, u-pick operators, the farmer’s market, Gellatly Nut Farm, and other farm related activities located in West Kelowna. The goals of the Westside Farm Loop are to help increase awareness of West Kelowna’s farms, stimulate visits to the farms, and celebrate...
Regional Board highlights – June 23, 2014
Regional Growth Strategy Bylaw Adopted The Regional Board has adopted the new Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) Bylaw No. 1336. The RGS update has been underway since 2010 after consulting several times with the public, stakeholders, local governments, the Westbank First Nation and Okanagan Indian Band and many provincial and senior government agencies. The bylaw updates...
UBC signs MOU with Basque Institute of Competitiveness – Orkestra
UBC has signed the first of several memoranda of understanding with key European institutions for increased collaboration in research, visits by faculty and students and the sharing of information and scientific materials. The first agreement with the Basque Institute of Competitiveness – Orkestra was signed by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Deborah Buszard and Dean of the Faculty...
MP Okanagan-Coquihalla report: Recent changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program
This past week the Government announced significant changes to many classifications within the temporary foreign worker program (TFWP). Reaction to these changes has been diverse and includes comments that range from suggesting the changes do not go far enough to suggestions the changes in many cases are so significant that they amount to the phasing...
Kelowna city council highlights: June 23, 2014
Award for Financial Reporting Council received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Award for Financial Reporting for the City of Kelowna’s 2012 Annual Report. Since 2002, the City of Kelowna has received the Canadian Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting for preparing comprehensive annual financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure....
Open House in Shannon Lake Regional Park
You’re invited to learn about a proposed project for Shannon Lake Regional Park that would provide more accessible opportunities for fishing. Regional Parks Services staff will be on hand for an Open House in Shannon Lake Regional Park, located at Swite Road and Shannon Lake Road in West Kelowna. It goes from 4 p.m. to...
Line Painting of District Roads
The District of West Kelowna’s Roads Department has begun its annual line traffic line painting. All roads that were painted in prior years will be repainted as well as selected pavement markings. These markings include crosswalks, arrows, and stop bars. Motorists may experience minor delays as crews are working, and are cautioned not to drive...
Reminder: Kelowna taxes due July 2
Kelowna property taxes for 2014 must be paid by midnight, Wednesday, July 2. Payments can be made: - at your bank/credit union in person, online or by telephone; - via drop boxes at City Hall’s Water Street entrance, Doyle Avenue parking lot exit or Parkinson Recreation Centre’s front counter; - at City Hall’s Revenue Branch...
North Korea warns US movie about plot to assassinate Kim Jong Un an “act of war”
SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea is warning that the release of a new American comedy about a plot to assassinate leader Kim Jong Un would be an "act of war."
B.C. prevents commercial marijuana grow-ops from getting farm tax break
VANCOUVER – The B.C. government says medical marijuana companies won't be able to take advantage of a property tax break that was designed for agriculture.
Texts of Mother’s, Father’s Day email MacKay sent to Justice Department staff
OTTAWA – The texts of a Mother's Day message and a Father's Day message sent to employees of the Justice Department this spring:
Police hunt for bank robbery suspect
KELOWNA - Mounties are looking for information about a man who robbed the Bernard Avenue CIBC Monday afternoon. The man went into CIBC located at 328 Bernard Avenue at about 2:30 p.m. June 23 and demanded money from the attendant, Sgt. Wade Severson said in a press release. The teller handed over the undisclosed amount...
Five-year agreement covering 47,000 B.C. health-care workers ratified
VANCOUVER – A contract covering 47,000 health-care workers in British Columbia has been ratified by the 11 unions involved.
Story of scarred girl allegedly tossed out of KFC could be a hoax
MISSISSIPPI - The story about a little girl allegedly asked by a KFC employee to leave because of facial injuries may be a hoax. The company's internal investigation found no evidence of the reported events, or that the girl was ever at the the restaurant, according to various news reports. An outside investigator has been...
Coroner determines death on Raymer Road not suspicious
KELOWNA - Mounties were called to investigate a death in the Raymer Road area of Kelowna this afternoon. While the death was initially considered suspicious, the B.C. Coroners Service has now confirmed the death is not suspicious. RCMP and B.C. Coroners Service continue to investigate. To contact the reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw...
Dan Lambert promoted to Rockets head coach
KELOWNA - The Kelowna Rockets has promoted Dan Lambert from assistant to head coach in the wake of Ryan Huska who announced he's moving on to the Calgary Flames' farm team. Lambert becomes the franchise's eighth head coach, bringing with him five seasons of experience as assistant coach. This is an opportunity Ryan has deserved...
Social media scavenger hunt pays it forward
KELOWNA - A local woman is transforming the pay it foward idea into a fun social media scavenger hunt to find stashed cash. The Real Mommy blog describes how Alison Ruks, a lifestyle author, chartered herbalist and proud mother and wife, had her first pay it foward experience at a local Star Bucks as she...
Mediator Vince Ready unavailable for B.C. teachers strike
VANCOUVER — Educators huddled Sunday night, trying to come up with a plan B after a veteran mediator declined their invitation to help resolve British Columbia's teachers strike. B.C. Teachers Federation spokesman Rich Overgaard says Vince Ready didn't have time in his busy schedule to mediate the dispute that has closed classrooms to more than...
New B.C. liquor laws bring happy hour to British Columbia
VICTORIA - Happy happy hour, British Columbia. New liquor laws took effect Friday that allow bars and pubs to offer for the first time the popular time-limited drink specials. B.C. was the only province in Canada that did not allow licensed bars and restaurants to change their prices during the course of a day. Under...
Woman stops for ducks; guilty in 2 deaths
MONTREAL — A Canadian woman who parked her car on a highway to help a group of ducklings on the side of the road was found guilty Friday of causing the deaths of a motorcyclist and his passenger daughter who slammed into her car.
If the pot doesn’t worry you, the bacteria might: Food safety a new frontier for legal pot
DENVER – The marijuana in those pot brownies isn't the only thing that can potentially make consumers sick. Regulators are now taking a closer look at how those pot-infused edibles are actually made.
Flaming car in RCMP chase had children inside
LAKE COUNTRY - Two children were inside a car that caught fire during a police chase late Thursday night. A 48-year-old Kelowna man in a white Acura was tracked by officers while speeding north on Old Vernon Road in Kelowna at 11:30 p.m., June 19. He continued onto Highway 97 toward Lake Country. The car...
Handsome mug shot of California felon goes viral
STOCKTON, Calif. – A handsome mug shot of a Northern California man arrested on felony weapons charges has gone viral on social media, attracting more than 30,000 "likes" and drawing comments praising his high cheek bones, chiselled face and striking blue eyes.
Private bill would increase oversight of Canada’s electronic spy service
OTTAWA – A private member's bill sponsored by the Liberal defence critic would bolster oversight of Canada's electronic eavesdropping agency by transferring some ministerial powers to the courts.