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Shelley Jordan
Aboriginal post-secondary education: working for the future
By Amrik Virk Minister of Advanced Education With the start of another post-secondary school year, our government is working diligently to ensure Aboriginal people can access the education and training they will need to take full advantage of job openings we expect in the years ahead. Labour market forecasts estimate one million jobs will be available here by 2020...
B.C. Liquor Stores collect over $170,000 for Alberta flood relief
VANCOUVER - BC Liquor Stores customers donated over $170,000 as part of a summer campaign to assist people affected by devastating floods in Alberta. One hundred per cent of these funds have been forwarded to the Canadian Red Cross Alberta Flood Relief Fund. The donated money helped the Canadian Red Cross to: * Distribute nearly one million relief...
Moody’s reconfirms B.C.’s triple-A credit rating
VICTORIA - Moody's Investors Service has reconfirmed British Columbia's Aaa credit rating, noting the Province's reputation for prudent fiscal management, Finance Minister Michael de Jong announced today. Moody's notes: "British Columbia's Aaa... ratings are supported by the Province's strong fiscal flexibility and track record of prudent financial management." The report also says: "strong fiscal management and performance in recent years enabled...
Blazers acquire Tyson Ness from Rebels
KAMLOOPS – The Kamloops Blazers have acquired 20-year-old forward Tyson Ness from the Red Deer Rebels in exchange for a 3rd round WHL Bantam Draft pick in 2014. Ness has spent the past three seasons with the Rebels. The 5’11” and 180lb forward played all 72 games last season scoring 19 times and adding 20...
One person confirmed dead after suspected outbreak of E. Coli in Okanagan cheese
OKANAGAN - One person has died following a suspected outbreak of E. Coli in Gort’s Gouda cheese, made in Salmon Arm. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency recalled 14 of the company's cheeses Tuesday, and may recall more products as the investigation progresses. A spokesperson for the B.C. Centre for Disease Control says there have been...
Thieves crash gate with SUV
LAKE COUNTRY - Police believe thieves smashed an SUV through a compound gate to get away with a coveted UTV. Police were called to the 9500 block of Jim Bailey Road at about 4:45 a.m. Sept. 16. to investigate a damaged gate. When they arrived, they found several vehicles were damaged during the theft that...
Watchdog to release report on neglected girl who died in grandparents’ care
VICTORIA – British Columbia's children and youth representative will shed light this morning on an interprovincial transfer that preceded the starvation and death of an aboriginal girl.
Premier honours public servants in B.C’s Interior and North
VICTORIA - The outstanding achievements of B.C.'s public service employees in the Interior and the North have been recognized with the Premier's Awards, Premier Christy Clark announced. "This year's recipients are passionate, innovative professionals who made contributions in different ways," said Premier Clark. "But they all share a passion and commitment to improving the lives of British Columbians." More than...
Premier honours public servants in B.C’s Interior and North
VICTORIA - The outstanding achievements of B.C.'s public service employees in the Interior and the North have been recognized with the Premier's Awards, Premier Christy Clark announced. "This year's recipients are passionate, innovative professionals who made contributions in different ways," said Premier Clark. "But they all share a passion and commitment to improving the lives of British Columbians." More than...
Students give high marks for training
VICTORIA - The most-recent round of student outcomes surveys show that 93 per cent of post-secondary students, who completed programs at British Columbia's public universities, colleges and institutions, are satisfied with their education and training. "These results are very encouraging and would be an A+ equivalent in most institutions," said Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk. "Students are our most-important source...
Road closure for Run in Colour
Saturday, Sept. 21, marks the first 5K Run in Colour race in Kelowna. The fundraising event for Kelowna General Hospital will have runners pass through four colour stations located in parks throughout the city’s north end: Jack Brow Park, Sutherland Park, Knox Mountain Park and Walrod Park. Runners will keep to the sidewalks, pathways and...
BC Chamber applauds rethink of local government finances, calls for cost control
KELOWN – The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, in concert with the BC Chamber of Commerce commend UBCM (Union of British Columbia Municipalities) for its efforts to strengthen local government finances, but urges local governments to commit to new levels of spending discipline. “With B.C.’s infrastructure deficit placing significant costs at local governments’ doors, it’s great...
Johnson Bentley Memorial Aquatic Centre reopens
Starting today, September 16, Johnson Bentley Memorial Aquatic Centre reopens to the public following a short closure that was required due to construction and the annual maintenance shutdown. A temporary entrance has been provided during the construction period. The pool, weight room, fitness and general programs are all open from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m....
Cornered woman strikes cop car during chase
WEST KELOWNA - A 42-year-old West Kelowna woman is in custody after leading a slow speed chase and crashing into a police car. At about 3 p.m. yesterday, West Kelowna RCMP noticed a white Ford Expedition leaving a known drug house. The officer followed the SUV for awhile before flipping on the emergency equipment. The...
Recreation centre flood damage causing delays
COLDSTREAM – Opening of some areas of the Vernon Recreational Centre will be delayed because of flood damage from September 2. The Vernon Recreation Centre is currently shutdown for annual maintenance, with the opening originally scheduled for September 23rd. The flood earlier this month was caused when a pressure reducing valve increased the water pressure...
Harper talks wine and weed in West Kelowna
WEST KELOWNA – The Prime Minister steered clear from the pipeline controversy during his speech to a crowd of mostly party faithful at a scenic vineyard in West Kelowna Friday evening, but he did touch on wine and weed. Caucus members from across the province, including local members of parliament Dan Albas and Ron Cannan,...
Free training for coaches during BC Coaches Week
VICTORIA - In honour of BC Coaches Week (Sept. 14-22, 2013), coaches will have the opportunity to take advantage of free National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) courses, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Coralee Oakes announced today. The courses are being offered throughout the province, with a particular focus on communities that normally would not have access to them....
Safety improvements for B.C. communities
VICTORIA - The Government of British Columbia is investing $5 million this year for more than 50 projects in communities throughout B.C. that will improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists on provincial highways and roads. The Community Safety Enhancement Program was launched following the 2010 Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) convention. Since then, 120 safety enhancement projects...
Man shot in Kelowna
KELOWNA - A Kelowna man, 47, was shot in the leg and taken to hospital Wedesday night. Police responded to the report of a shooting in the 1900 block of Burtch Road in Kelowna at about 5:45 p.m. Sept. 11. When Mounties arrived, the found the man was suffering from a gunshot wound though the...
Poet and artist Chantal Neveu launches UBC’s Visiting Author series
Crossover book Coït introduces author to new readers Chantal Neveu, an influential Québécoise poet, author and interdisciplinary artist, opens UBC’s 2013-14 Visiting Author series. Neveu mixes multiple forms of art to deliver new insights into language and culture. She will give a reading of her work at the Okanagan Regional Library, 1380 Ellis St., Kelowna,...
Stand-off in north Glenmore ends in suicide
KELOWNA - Police action on Clifton Road yesterday to deal with an armed suicidal man was too late—he was dead before police even arrived. Police closed the road near Boppart Court most of the day and called in the Southeast District Emergency Response Team. They tried to speak to the 68-year-old man inside, but got...
Liberal policies will mean massive rate hikes at B.C. Hydro
VICTORIA — Leaked documents have revealed that the B.C. Liberal government knew massive rate increases were in store at B.C. Hydro, but hid that information until after the election, say New Democrats. The documents show British Columbians can expect to see a shocking 26 per cent hike in their hydro bill by 2016, a hike...
Still time to register for trunk sale
Want to unclutter your life, and sell, trade or give away some of your gently used stuff? Then there’s still time to register for the fall Trunk Sale at Okanagan College. Organized by the Regional Waste Reduction Office, the Trunk Sale is one huge community garage sale in the Okanagan College campus parking lot Saturday...
Fuel modification continues in Rose Valley Regional Park
Over the coming months a small fuel modification project will continue in a section of Rose Valley Regional Park. During the past year, as crews have been available, the B.C. Wildfire Management Branch has been working in a two-hectare portion of the park off Bowes and Pettman Roads.* Crews are brushing, thinning and removing fire...