North Okanagan

Here’s your first look at the Hopkins movie shot around the Okanagan
VERNON - Enderby debuts on the cinematic world stage this week at the Venice Film Festival, but for those of us without a plane ticket, at least there’s a sneak peak video to be seen. A teaser from Go With Me, produced by Enderby Entertainment and filmed locally, is now available. It offers up a...

Damage at popular North Okanagan camping area puts province in action
VERNON - Those who frequent Grizzly Lake on the Aberdeen Plateau above Vernon during the summer camping season might notice some changes over the next couple years. Recreation Sites and Trails B.C., a branch of the Ministry of Forests, is proposing an approximately 30-unit campground at the north end of Grizzly Lake. Okanagan District recreation...
ELECTION 2015: What you didn’t know about North Okanagan-Shuswap Green Party candidate Chris George
VERNON - This might come as a surprise, but North Okanagan-Shuswap Green Party candidate Chris George used to vote right wing. But the longtime businessman always felt like something was missing from that end of the political spectrum. When he started learning more about the Green Party platform he realized it was fiscally responsible, while...

Coroner identifies North Okanagan man killed in crash
SPALLUMCHEEN - The B.C. Coroners Service has released the name of a North Okanagan man who died in a car accident last week. He was Matthew Jordon Maxime, 30, of Enderby, the Coroners Service says in a media release. Maxime was driving on Highway 97 near Eagle Rock Road in Spallumcheen, just south of Armstrong,...

ELECTION 2015: Getting to know Jacqui Gingras, North Okanagan-Shuswap NDP candidate
VERNON - For North Okanagan-Shuswap NDP candidate Jacqui Gingras, running in the 2015 federal election has been four years in the making. The longtime Okanagan resident committed herself to the task shortly after NDP leader Jack Layton died in 2011. Inspired by his call for all Canadians to consider serving their communities, Gingras stepped up....
ELECTION 2015: Why North Okanagan-Shuswap candidate Cindy Derkaz wants to earn your vote
VERNON - You might know her from her days working at Derkaz Shoes, her parent’s shop, or from her involvement in organizations like the Shuswap Community Foundation or Shuswap Trail Alliance. And now, Cindy Derkaz is introducing herself in a new capacity, as the Liberal party candidate for the North-Okanagan Shuswap riding. Derkaz grew up...

Taxman phone scam heating up this summer
VERNON – Scammers are calling into the southern Interior again pretending to be with the Canada Revenue Agency and separating people from their hard-earned money. RCMP are warning people not to give any personal or banking information over the phone after reports of people being targetted in the North Okanagan recently. “In this scam, a person...

Mark your calendars: North Okanagan-Shuswap all candidates forum happening next month
VERNON - North Okanagan and Shuswap residents will get a chance to learn more about their federal election candidates at an upcoming forum. It’s still a month away, leaving ample time to mark the free event on your calendar. Local candidates in the federal election will state their platforms and take questions in written form...
Armstrong moves to elevated watering restrictions
ARMSTRONG - Armstrong residents are being told to cut back on water use. The city has implemented stage two water restrictions, which means residents can’t use sprinklers or irrigation systems to water lawns, gardens trees or shrubs. Washing driveways, sidewalks, parking lots or exterior building surfaces is also banned, according to a notice on the...

Push for traffic light at Stickle Road in Vernon continues
VERNON - There continues to be widespread disagreement over what to do with Stickle Road. While the Ministry of Transportation scrapped it’s original plan and is now touting the idea of a protected T intersection, local government officials remain unimpressed. The ministry presented its revised plan to the North Okanagan Regional District board of directors...

Mixed views on proposed Shuswap River boating restrictions
VERNON - There’s been plenty of interest in proposed boating regulations on the Shuswap River, though it's still to early to tell which side of the debate the majority lands on. The North Okanagan Regional District has so far received 1,065 electronic surveys, plus 118 paper copies submitted in response to the proposed changes, which...

Voluntary boat check program hitting the water in Vernon
VERNON - Starting this weekend you will be able to ensure your boat meets necessary safety standards through a voluntary pre-check program offered by RCMP volunteers. The Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP Marine Unit will start a voluntary vessel safety pre-check at the Paddlewheel Park boat launch on July 11. The aim is to help speed up...
One homeless man’s long road to finding affordable housing in Vernon
“I HAD TO ASK FOR HELP. IT WAS EITHER THAT, OR I’D STILL BE HOMELESS” VERNON - For the last 10 years, Roy You has lived on and off the streets. He travelled far from the Splatsin First Nation reserve where he grew up, searching for work in different places, never staying long. Many nights...

SAR teams look for closure in cold case
LYTTON - It was nine months since a Lytton man was last seen and on Sunday local search and rescue crews hoped to finally solve the mystery of his disappearance and bring closure to his family. Gordon Davis, 87, was last seen riding his ATV on Aug. 30, 2014. Two days later his ATV was...

UPDATE: Severe thunderstorm warning ended for North Okanagan, watch ended for Okanagan and Shuswap
VERNON – Environment Canada has ended a severe thunderstorm warning for the North Okanagan which included the city of Vernon. The severe thunderstorms have weakened or moved out of the region, according to Environment Canada. Meteorologists were tracking a severe thunderstorm capable of producing strong wind gusts, up to penny-size hail and heavy rain. The...