Kelowna news
Exemption for micro suites from development charges could mean millions in lost revenue
KELOWNA - Micro suites may be a trend that gains no traction in Kelowna, but if it does the city is looking at ways to replace the revenue lost to their exemption by the province from development cost charges. “If we see 400 suites next year and 400 the year after that, then we might...
Why this controlled burn was needed in a West Kelowna park
KELOWNA - You might notice smoke coming from West Kelowna’s Kalamoir Regional Park today while crews conduct a controlled burn. Due to vandalism on some of the trees near the King Road entrance to the park, the Central Okanagan Regional District is burning wood debris that could pose a fire hazard. The regional district picked...
Website brings farm to table and also to your smartphone
KELOWNA – A Kelowna-based website is making it easier for people interested in supporting local businesses to find their soil mate. Soil Mates is a website that, using the GPS on your phone, displays nearby breweries, farms, markets and wineries. “Local farmers, raisers and producers are central to this and Soil Mate is working with...
Great Okanagan Beer Festival a first for Kelowna
KELOWNA - There's more than just wine to the Okanagan and as proof another popular fermented drink will be celebrated at the Great Okanagan Beer Festival for three whole days this May. More than 40 breweries from across the country and around the world will be offering more than 90 beers to try at sampling...
Fintry Queen investment opportunity has potential, but what about the risk?
KELOWNA — Listening to Andy Schwab talk about his plans for the Fintry Queen, it’s hard not to get caught up in his enthusiasm. “I'm feeling very confident,” says Schwab, president of the Okanagan Lake Boat Company, which owns the vessel and is proposing to resurrect the former car ferry and dinner cruise ship in...
Exactly which lands are being swapped with Westbank First Nation? Don’t ask the province
KELOWNA - The province announced a potential land transfer plus a cash payment to Westbank First Nation but refuses to say exactly where the land is. The transfer is intended to satisfy the requirements of the 2009 deal that allowed the completion of the Bennett Bridge and its western approaches. While it has gone public...
Kelowna gas prices climbing
KELOWNA – If you’re from Kelowna but driving through West Kelowna or Lake Country today, you might want to consider filling up your gas tank. According to bcgasprices.com, the average price per litre of regular gas at most Kelowna stations has gone up to 115.9 recently. That’s around 8 cents more than the national average...
Warriors set for BCHL playoffs
WEST KELOWNA - With some help on the last day of the regular season the West Kelowna Warriors are into the BCHL playoffs after 58 games. The Warriors, who grabbed the 4th seed in the Interior Division with a 6-2 win over Surrey on Saturday, were thankful for their 1st round opponent Penticton knocking off...
Rocket Goulbourne signs entry-level deal with Philadelphia Flyers
KELOWNA - Kelowna Rockets forward Tyrell Goulbourne has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. The 21-year-old Edmonton native was a third-round selection of the Flyers, 72nd overall, in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft. Goulbourne is currently in his fifth season with the Rockets and according to a media release, this is his...
Micro suite exemptions from development charges prompts policy review by city staff
KELOWNA - It’s the third micro suite project to come before Kelowna city council in the last month and there’s already concerns about the latest housing trend. Councillor Luke Stack says micro suites are exempt from development cost charges under a provincial policy. It means the city can't collect money from the developers to help...
Changes will ensure prisoners’ privacy during strip searches: RCMP
KELOWNA – Local RCMP Supt. Nick Romanchuk says after being chastised by a provincial judge for illegally broadcasting images of strip searches to a guard room at his detachment, changes have been made that will ensure privacy for prisoners. “I’m not going to get into the intricate details of what’s in there but suffice it...
Kelowna fighter makes UFC history
KELOWNA – Matt Dwyer will never forget his first trip outside of Canada. Not only did the Rutland Senior Secondary graduate score his first win in the UFC, but he did it with a rare punch that will be on highlight reels for years to come. The move he used is called a superman punch...
Okanagan entrepreneurs kick butt at awards show
OKANAGAN – A win at the B.C. Small Business Awards is no small feat, so having two businesses from Kelowna and one from Enderby honoured at the ceremony in Vancouver was a pretty big deal. Soil Mate from Kelowna grabbed the Best Concept award, Kelowna’s Float Space won for Best Emerging Entrepreneur and Mel’s Main...
’80s themed psychic ski race returns to Big White
KELOWNA – After a 20 year hiatus, the Kelowna Cup ski race is coming back to Big White. The '80s themed race is a kind of psychic slalom where racers, some wearing costumes from the '80s, make a timed run down a course and then predict what their time will be for the second run....
Here’s what the City of Kelowna is doing about climate change
KELOWNA - The city is turning climate change into revenue, some $235,000, according to a report Kelowna councillors will receive on Monday. Sustainability coordinator Tracy Guidi will update councillors on the city’s efforts to meet the goals of the Climate Action Revenue Incentive program. It helps fund local initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in...