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Kelowna
More weather records broken in Interior
BACK TO NORMALS BY SUNDAY THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - As temperatures soared as high as 15 degrees above seasonal normals more weather records were broken across the region Wednesday. According to Environment Canada, temperatures reached 15.6 Celsius in Kamloops Wednesday, nearly three degrees higher than the previous record for the second day in a row, while Vernon...
Convicted killer due for sentencing for ramming police car
"IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT PERIODS OF INCARCERATION HAVE AFFECTED HIM." KELOWNA – A Kelowna man with an extensive criminal history is being sentenced for using a stolen truck to ram a police car as he tried to evade arrest only one year after being released from prison for a 2005 manslaughter conviction. "It was only...
Energy efficiency program puts $700K back in UBCO hands
KELOWNA - An energy efficiency program at UBC Okanagan resulted in $700,000 in rebates since it was first implemented in 2005. Upgrades began in the gymnasium, where energy-efficient lighting was installed. From there, the University has worked alongside FortisBC during large campus expansion projects to ensure they meet the new standards while most older campus...
Weather record set in Kamloops, Okanagan communities just shy
COULD BE ANOTHER RECORD DAY IN INTERIOR THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Kamloops was among a handful of B.C. communities to set new weather records as temperatures soared to above 14 Celsius Tuesday. According to Environment Canada Kamloops reached a high of 14.2 C Tuesday, 3.6 degrees higher than the previous record that was set in 1896. Today...
IH secures enough flu vaccine to open postponed clinics
OKANAGAN - Some flu clinics postponed last week have been rescheduled now that Interior Health has secured enough vaccine. An additional 10,000 doses of influenza vaccine means IH can open their doors for public flu clinics starting next week. There are multiple options for those seeking the jab. Kelowna – The December 15 public drop-in...
Test results back on trees suspected of being poisoned
KELOWNA – Test results on a stand of trees the City believes were poisoned to improve someone’s view of the lake last month have come back inconclusive. Environment manager Todd Cashin says they still believe the trees were vandalized but whoever did it must have used a chemical that is quite common and ultimately untraceable....
Hells Angel sentencing could be postponed until after Christmas
KELOWNA - What was supposed to be a day of final submissions ahead of sentencing has turned into a multi-day examination into the lives of two men convicted of multiple weapons charges. Admitted Hells Angel Joseph Bruce Skreptak and alleged gang associate Cory Montemurro asked to postpone sentencing until early January so they can spend...
Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Lynyrd Skynyrd coming to Kelowna
KELOWNA - The band Lynyrd Skynyrd will make Kelowna their sweet home for one night to share more than 41 years of southern rock with fans. The show takes place March 19, 2015 with tickets going on sale Dec. 12 at 1 p.m. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famers rose to prominence in 1973...
Firefighters called to apartment fire on De Montreuil Crt.
KELOWNA - Residents were evacuated when a fire broke out in a second floor apartment at 3175 De Montreuil Crt. in Kelowna Monday afternoon. Shortly after 1 p.m. Dec. 8, 2014 firefighters received a call about the fire at Willowbrook Gardens. When they arrived they found a mattress was in open flame in a bedroom...
Freezing rain, warm temperatures in forecast
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - After more than a week of below normal temperatures we finally climbed above 0 Celsius this weekend, and temperatures will continue to warm up over the next few days. Over the past 10 days we went from a heavy snowfall to well below normal temperatures and then this weekend to a couple days...
Suspicious fire at Kelowna care home
KELOWNA – Staff and residents at a Kelowna care home in the Mission were forced to evacuate Saturday after a small, deliberately set fire. Kelowna Fire Rescue received an alarm from the White Heather Care Home at 3728 Casorso Rd. The small fire in the activity room was put out by the building’s sprinkler system...
Self harm among Okanagan youth higher than rest of province
OKANAGAN – The results of a province-wide survey on the health of B.C. adolescents shows that young people in the Okanagan are more likely to participate in activities that risk their health than teens in the rest of the province. The study was conducted by the McCreary Centre Society and looked at survey responses from...
Risk of freezing rain extended
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - A system bringing freezing rain to the Coquihalla Highway could also bring the hazardous conditions to other Interior cities and highways this weekend. Environment Canada issued a statement Thursday warning of the potential for freezing rain to develop on parts of Highways 5 and 3 and now forecasters are saying it could also...
$20,000 worth of pro camera equipment reported stolen
KELOWNA – An early morning break and enter has cost a Kelowna camera store close to $20,000 in professional equipment. The theft happened at Lens and Shutter on Harvey Ave. around 4 a.m. Wednesday morning. Store manager Jaime Paniagua says he found out about the theft when the security company called and told him three...
Just a few more days of cold
WARMER WEEKEND EXPECTED THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - We are beginning to see a break in the cold weather and by Sunday the entire region should finally be above 0 Celsius. Environment Canada was originally calling for Friday to be the day we would see temperatures rise to above normal, after a week of well-below normal temperatures. Now...
You can help build a Lake Country food bank with this simple gesture
LAKE COUNTRY – The food bank in Lake Country is asking for the public’s help winning a national competition that could put them one step closer to a much-needed new facility. The Aviva Community Fund is a Canada-wide contest soliciting community votes for ideas put forward by local non-profits and the winner gets a cash...
90 days in jail for child porn
KELOWNA - A Kelowna man will spend the next 20 weekends behind bars for having pornographic images of kids between the ages of six and 12 on his computer. Terrance Richard Avery, 68, was arrested in 2011 after police traced his IP address and obtained a search warrant for his residence. Crown prosecutor Murray Kaay says...
Basran, new council sworn in for Kelowna
KELOWNA – The youngest mayor in Kelowna’s history was sworn into office Monday night along with his new council of eight. In his first speech as mayor, Basran, 37, thanked his family and supporters and outlined the areas he feels are key to a successful term. Areas like transportation, support for small business, social programs,...
PHOTOS: Top decorating tips for the holidays
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - You have a tree. You have some ornaments. Maybe you even have some garland and ribbon. But if you are not sure what to do next, do not worry, we have some of the hottest tips from local designers to make sure your home is looking its best this holiday season. Kathy Underwood...
Kelowna man crashes and dies near Kamloops
KELOWNA - A Kelowna man was killed when he crashed with a tractor-trailer just south of Duck Range Road near Kamloops Saturday. Jairo Alexis Vicioso David, 34, of Kelowna was the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle when the accident happened at roughly 5 p.m. Nov. 28, according to an RCMP media release. David...
Kelowna lawyer helping veterans get the help they need
"ONCE YOU'RE IN THAT HOLE IT CAN BE VERY HARD TO CLIMB OUT. THAT'S WHERE WE COME IN." KELOWNA – A local lawyer has made it his mission to help marginalized B.C. veterans transition to civilian life. Matthew Canzer is a Kelowna lawyer who recently started the B.C. chapter of the Veterans Emergency Transition Services....
Cold snap still on, weekend to be warmer
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Yes, it is still cold outside. Colder than we want to admit and definitely colder than seasonal normals, but that will change by the weekend when the mercury finally rises above 0 Celsius again. After a heavy snowfall mid-week temperatures plummeted well below normal over the weekend, dropping to around -20 C plus...
Deal signed for Okanagan rail line
OKANAGAN – A deal between the consortium of municipalities and CN Rail to buy the decommissioned rail corridor between Kelowna and Coldstream has been reached. The consortium, made up of Kelowna, Lake Country, Coldstream, along with the North Okanagan and Central Okanagan Regional Districts, have agreed to buy the 47.5 kilometre long stretch of railway...
Teens learn hard way yellow light means stop not hit the gas
KELOWNA - Two teens involved in a serious collision at a Kelowna intersection managed to escape with only minor injuries Sunday night. Kelowna RCMP say an officer came upon the accident at Harvey Avenue and Spall Road at 8:09 p.m. Nov. 30. Witnesses say a black Chevy Impala traveling west on Harvey was moving fast,...