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Kelowna news
IT department prepares for digital future at City Hall
KELOWNA - The City of Kelowna is moving to bolster information technology and lessen the risk of future redundancy, data breaches and possible failure of key systems, says a new report. Information services manager Rob Entwistle, in a report to council, says the department is moving ahead in four of 19 areas identified in its...
Full moon makes for memorable ice wine harvest
KELOWNA – Fans of the syrupy and sweet ice wine from Summerhill Pyramid Winery were out all night this week, helping bring in the harvest. Vineyard manager Willem Semmelink says almost 30 volunteers bundled up and hit the vines Wednesday and Thursday nights as the temperature fell far enough to make picking and transporting the...
Pedophile released from prison won’t be coming back to Kelowna
KELOWNA – A spokesperson from the Provincial Parole Board says a convicted pedophile who is considered a high risk to reoffend will not be coming back to Kelowna. Shaun Joshua Deacon, 50 was released from prison Nov. 26 where he was serving time for a third breach of conditions imposed after he pleaded guilty to...
Rail removal to cause weekend traffic disruptions in Lake Country
LAKE COUNTRY – Crews are working their way north as they dismantle an old railroad…
Islamic Centre in Kelowna hopes to demystify Islam with Open Mosque Day
KELOWNA – For those who have never been inside, a mosque can seem a mysterious place. Images of incense and ornate rugs facing the same direction, robed men on bent knees who are clearly very serious about their religion. It’s not an easy place to walk into. That’s why Kelowna resident Adnan Akiel Ahmad Bhat decided to organize...
Penticton man identified as victim in fatal Okanagan Connector crash
KELOWNA – The first big winter storm on the Okanagan Connector and Coquihalla highways proved deadly early this month. A car crash claimed the life of a Penticton man on Highway 97C around 1:30 p.m., Nov. 16, according to a media release from the B.C. Coroners Service. Martin Lewis Schultz, 44, was the driver and...
Province wants to know where you would put a second bridge across Okanagan Lake
KELOWNA – Here’s a chance to move beyond complaining about local traffic to actually providing…
Local pub to hold fundraiser for Mandy and Me Trailriding
KELOWNA – Rose’s Waterfront Pub is holding a fundraiser for a West Kelowna woman who has to hand over the title to her five-acre ranch in a few weeks. Silverado Socrates is the owner and operator of Mandy and Me Trailriding. A few years ago she was given a loan for $600,000, which was lost...
Work begins on new dike for Mission Creek restoration in Kelowna
KELOWNA - City crews have taken the first step in reversing decades of misguided management of Mission Creek in Kelowna. The first phase of the Mission Creek Restoration Initiative began this week with the closing of the creek’s south dike between Casorso Road and Gordon Drive, according to a city media release. With creek waters...
UPDATE: Suspect in Kelowna cop car ramming arrested
KELOWNA – Police have tracked down the suspect wanted for a hit and run involving a Kelowna RCMP cruiser. RCMP say thanks to numerous tips from they public they found the black Nissan involved in the crash and arrested the driver yesterday, Nov. 26. Police were called about a suspicious vehicle in the 1600 block...
Cold snap continues in the Okanagan
OKANAGAN - While the temperatures continue to remind us why the stereotype of all Canadians living in parkas and igloos exists, it is nowhere near the record lows recorded in the Okanagan. Environment Canada is calling for temperatures to remain well below zero all weekend but is forecasting the mercury to hit near seasonal normal...
Popular rink to open next week in Stuart Park
KELOWNA - Crews have begun making ice at the popular Stuart Park outdoor rink in Kelowna with opening planned for next week. City crews will be working afternoon shifts from 4 p.m. to midnite at Stuart Park over the next few days readying the rink for an opening Tuesday, Dec. 1, according to arenas supervisor...
Kelowna Mountain says wind, not vandals, destroyed suspension bridge
KELOWNA – A suspension bridge at Kelowna Mountain Resort has been heavily damaged, but the reason for it remains a mystery. While many observers have presumed it was vandalism, the owners say that's not true. A post on the Kelowna Mountain Facebook page says it was damaged by wind. “Kelowna Mountain has NOT been vandalized,”...
Elderly Kelowna woman hit by car dies from injuries
KELOWNA – An 83-year-old woman hit by a car driven by a 72-year-old in Kelowna has died in hospital from the serious injuries she sustained in the collision. Kelowna RCMP say the victim was hit in the crosswalk at KLO Road and Richter Street around 11:19 a.m., Nov. 24. “The Kelowna driver attempted a left...
The unusual way some local residents mourn through Facebook
"IT'S NICE TO KNOW THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO LOVED HIM." KELOWNA – Earlier this month Facebook announced a new option designed to help you get over a relationship breakup without blocking or unfriending your ex. But some Okanagan residents are using Facebook to help get over an even greater loss. Three years ago, suddenly and...
Kelowna church prepares to welcome and support Syrian refugee family
KELOWNA - Four generations of a Syrian family will soon be enjoying the relative safety of life in Kelowna with the support of a local church congregation. Kelowna Gospel Fellowshop Pastor Mike Penninga says he’s not yet sure when the Tounousian family, originally from Allepo, will arrive in Canada but when they do, they can...
Another reprieve for Interior Health laundry workers
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - The Hospital Employees’ Union is welcoming news that Interior Health is delaying its decision to contract out laundry services. New Interior Health President and CEO Chris Mazurkewich says in a release today, Nov. 25, not to expect a decision before March 2016. He’s been on the job less than a month and wants...
Overturned candle burns down motorhome in Glenmore
KELOWNA - An overturned candle completely destroyed a motorhome in Glenmore this morning. The owner of the 40-foot motorhome was inside when the fire started just before 11 a.m. today, Nov. 25, on Rojem Road, but managed to escape. The reisdent was taken to hospital for minor smoke inhalation. An overturned candle is being blamed...
Trial date set for man accused of unprovoked murder on Kelowna bus
KELOWNA – The man accused of stabbing and killing a fellow bus user in front of dozens of witnesses last year will take place in June before a judge and jury. Tyler Jack Newton, 25, is charged with second-degree murder for what police call an unprovoked attack on KF Aerospace employee Caesar Rosales, 55, on...
Animation diploma in the works at Okanagan College
KELOWNA - Responding to the demands of industry, Okanagan College could soon be offering a diploma in 2D animation. Artistic skills are in high demand in the Okanagan and around the world, and the two-year diploma will prepare would-be animators for careers as character designers, storyboard artists, background painters and animators, according to a proposal...
Water main break disrupts service in East Kelowna
KELOWNA - A broken water main in East Kelowna has cut off water service to a number of homes. Service will be affected for several hours and crews are on site making repairs, South East Kelowna Irrigation District spokesman Toby Pike says in a press release. The areas and address affected include the 3300, 3400...
New rules, new date confirmed for Centre of Gravity 2016
KELOWNA - Kelowna’s biggest extreme sports and music festival has announced it will be returning again in 2016, but with a few changes. The most significant change is instead of happening the end of July, Centre of Gravity 2016 will take place July 8 to 10. This is the second date change to the beach...
One year in, new Kelowna councillors are finding their groove
KELOWNA - It’s been a year since three brand new members joined Kelowna city council and while they don’t agree on everything, they do agree on one thing — it’s been a fast ride. “It went by in a blink of an eye,” Coun. Brad Sieben says. “It seems like just yesterday we were planting...
Conflict of interest at city hall sets back West Kelowna resort approval
WEST KELOWNA - A West Kelowna developer will have to wait a little longer for council to approve a large tourist resort and park because of a conflict of interest with a first-term councillor. Mayor and council had approved a zoning amendment requested by West Bay Vineyards, which is looking for permission to build a...