Elevate your local knowledge

Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!

Select Region

Selecting your primary region ensures you get the stories that matter to you first.

Kelowna news

UBCO students hold moment of silence for victims of world tragedies

KELOWNA - Students at UBC Okanagan held a moment of silence Wednesday, as a way to bring attention to the number of tragedies that have happened around the world this month. The day started at noon and included talks by representatives from several cultural clubs on campus. It was organized by Ryan Kaila, who wanted to...

Space heater fire sends one to Kelowna hospital

KELOWNA - An early morning fire caused extensive smoke damage and sent one person to hospital yesterday. Kelowna Fire Department was called to a furnace fire in the 700-block of Coronation Avenue around 3 a.m., Nov. 18. When they arrived they found fire inside the entrance of a carriage house and were able to quickly...

Wildlife festival lands in Kelowna this weekend

KELOWNA - A traveling festival of wild animals from around the world is coming to Kelowna for three days this weekend. Featuring birds of prey, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates, The Wildlife Festival has already made stops in Chilliwack, Hope, Kamloops and Merritt and will be at the Westbank Community Centre in West Kelowna Friday,...

Lake Country couple start multi-million dollar legging company

LAKE COUNTRY - A young Lake Country couple had no idea their idea to start a legging company would grow so fast. Addie and Chris Pafiolis started SweetLegs in their house in Lake Country just one and a half years ago. In that time they have sold more than half a million pairs of the...

Creatique offers incubator to Kelowna artists

KELOWNA - A Kelowna artist is trying to establish a drop-in place for those with a creative flair to have a monthly meeting of minds. Liam Danger Park says he was inspired to start Creatique as an outlet and incubator for local artists. "It's a social gathering for all kinds of creatives to come together...

Kelowna-area politician’s loose lips have her facing possible penalties from colleagues

ALLEGEDLY GAVE UNTRUE INFORMATION; FILM COMMISSIONER FEARED LOSS OF JOB KELOWNA - A local politician is already in hot water with her colleagues, but tomorrow we should know exactly how much. Patty Hanson, a veteran director at the Central Okanagan Regional District, faces what amounts to a disciplinary hearing by her colleagues on the board....

Student apartment proposed for Rutland raises concerns about parking, not parties

KELOWNA - Concerns from city councillors about a student housing complex proposed for the Rutland town centre are focused not on the party potential of the 72 college students who might live there, but on potential parking problems. The 4.5-storey 23-unit apartment building proposed for Dundas Road and Highway 33 would provide students housing in...

Kelowna dentists administer dose of compassion to local refugees

KELOWNA - A group of Kelowna dentists have come together to provide an essential service to a Syrian refugee family who moved to Kelowna this past summer.  The Central Okanagan Refugee Committee has helped bring several families to the Okanagan from Syria. Committee chair Marilyn Perry says although the churches that make up the committee...

Buying local, without leaving home, a popular choice for Okanagan holiday shoppers

OKANAGAN - It’s already well known that online shopping has taken over a large piece of the Christmas retail pie, but that doesn’t mean people are giving up on buying local to fill the stockings this Christmas. You don’t have to go out to a farmer’s market or holiday craft fair to buy local, you...

City announces new beachfront park for Kelowna

KELOWNA - The City of Kelowna has announced the purchase of a piece of lakeshore property that will allow for the creation of a new beachfront park. Mayor Colin Basran says the city has spent $12 million acquiring the property located on Lakeshore Drive near Lexington Road. "This will create a legacy for our community...

Help Kelowna’s homeless before refugees? Here’s how

KELOWNA - Interest in helping the homeless appears to be reaching new highs since Canada announced it would attempt to bring 25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada before the end of the year. The move has created significant debate about Canada’s role in settling some of the millions of refugees escaping the Syrian civil war. It’s...

Future of Kelowna farm divides city council

KELOWNA - The owners of a former strawberry patch looking for support in removing their property from the Agricultural Land Reserve saw the request die on the vine Monday with council split down the middle. The trigger for the lengthy debate was application to the Agricultural Land Commission by Gabriel and Linda Coupal to pull...

Final paving means end of Ethel Street construction is in sight

KELOWNA - A downtown Kelowna street is scheduled for final paving this week, putting it on pace to be reopened by the end of the month.  Ethel Street from Harvey Avenue to Bernard Avenue will receive final paving this week and is scheduled to reopen at the end of November. The improvements include a separate...

CARMA Project provides wheels for those in need

CENTRAL OKANAGAN - Life just got a little easier for a pair of single moms in Kelowna who each picked up the keys to new car. Lena Jung and Kalista Copes where chosen by the CARMA Project, as the recipients of two refurbished vehicles, a 1999 Toyrotal RAV4 and a 1996 Chevy Lumina. Jung and...

Parking to get pricier in Kelowna

KELOWNA - Parking your car in Kelowna may get more expensive, and the penalties for those who violate the parking rules might go up as well. City parking manager Dave Duncan, in a report to council, says the recommendation for rate increases comes as a result of an rise in transit fares this September, which...

Wet and windy start to the week in the Okanagan

OKANAGAN - On the heels of a wet and windy Sunday, a mix of rain and snow will kick off the week in the Okanagan, along with strong winds. Environment Canada recorded precipitation throughout the region on Sunday, with the Vernon area receiving the most, 13.8 millimetres, and more rain and snow is expected this...

More heavy snow on southern Interior mountain highways; Kamloops gets a dump

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – The heavy snow originally forecast to let up overnight continues today in southern Interior mountain passes, while snow also fell Kamloops and more can be expected this morning. Environment Canada has updated the special weather statement this morning, Nov. 15, calling for more heavy snow on the Okanagan Connector from Kelowna to Merritt,...

Winter driving conditions with heavy snow in mountain passes

SNOWFALL WARNING FOR SOUTH THOMPSON THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – The heavy snow is forecast on the highways through mountain passes in the southern Interior today, Nov. 14, and overnight will make travel a challenge, and winter tires or chains a necessity. Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement warning of up to 40 centimetres of snow...

Local agencies preparing for Syrian refugees, awaiting government direction

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - It's unknown how many Syrian refugees will be arriving in the souther Interior, but in the meantime, officials with the Immigrant Service Society of B.C. are looking for housing to place those escaping the conflict in the Middle East. Director of settlment services Chris Friesen says the are awaiting to receive further direction...

On the ground in Paris: The terrorist attack as seen in social media

PARIS, FRANCE - News sources are reporting at least 100 people are dead following an attack in Paris Friday evening, Nov. 13.  As of 5 p.m. Nov. 13, The Associated Press reports at least six attacks including a hostage situation have led to the carnage, which began in a well-known concert hall in the city. ...