Penticton
Drought levels worsen in Okanagan and North Thompson
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Drought conditions are worsening in the region, enough according to the government to increase the drought rating for both the Okanagan and North Thompson regions by one level. The Okanagan Region is now enduring level four drought conditions while the North Thompson is facing level three, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources....
Penticton stray cat found with bullet debris in knee has leg amputated
PENTICTON - A four-year-old tabby cat was brought in as a stray with a limp from an old injury, and an X-ray showed he still had debris from a bullet in his knee, which was causing pain, swelling and chronic arthritis in the young cat. Sunny was brought to the South Okanagan-Similkameen SPCA shelter as...
New film ‘The Orchard’ shooting in the Okanagan
KELOWNA – An independent film company has chosen the Okanagan for an upcoming production that starts filming this weekend. Vancouver-based Mutant Films, Inc. starts shooting The Orchard, on Aug. 10 The film stars Matt Angel of R.L Stine’s The Haunting Hour, CSI Miami and CSI NY, and Morgan Taylor Campbell of Super Natural, Spooksville, and The Killing. It is written and...
Hot start to August in the Okanagan
RAIN EXPECTED THIS WEEK OKANAGAN - It was a hot and sunny August long weekend in the Okanagan but expect things will cool off a bit during the week. Temperatures easily soared above the 30 Celsius mark every day this past weekend and while today, Aug. 4, will see the mercury hit just above seasonal...
Run away from your smoking addiction
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - A new program is popping up around the country which will help you run away from your problems. The Running Room is launching a Run To Quit program, which will be backed by federal funding and support from the Canadian Cancer Society. The program is designed to help smokers quit by incorporating running...
Want quick attention to Fortis over-billing? Go to the media
WORKED FOR THIS GUY KELOWNA – Media attention got an almost immediate result for a local celebrity who went to the news with a $4,500 power bill for a cabin that wasn’t even there. Gary Fong, a world-famous photographer and inventor made headlines last week when he went public with a massive bill for his...
Urgent dredging at busy boat launch put off until fall
KELOWNA - A mechanical failure in specialized equipment has forced the City of Kelowna to reschedule urgent dredging at the Cook Road boat launch. The city announced just two days ago it’s largest boat launch would close for a week at the height of the boating season, but now says the work will have to...
Province pulls plug on Coldwater River water use
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - In a bid to help struggling salmon populations, water use reduction measures have been imposed on the Coldwater River. The province issued the restriction today, July 31, banning all water use or diversion from the Coldwater River and its tributaries from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. effective immediately. The restriction escalates to a...
No elevated Okanagan watering restrictions — yet
OKANAGAN - Despite record-breaking heat and little rain in the forecast, Okanagan communities remain under normal, or phase 1, watering restrictions, but be warned — that could change. Water utilities are keeping a close eye on supply, demand and weather predictions for the summer, but haven’t yet been forced to elevate restrictions. Kelowna’s five water...
Okanagan to enjoy a sunny and hot long weekend
OKANAGAN - It looks like Mother Nature will be showing off again this weekend, with hot temperatures and lots of sun expected for the August long weekend. Following highs in the low-30s Thursday, Environment Canada is calling for temperatures to reach 36 Celsius in Vernon and Kelowna today, July 31, and 34 C in Penticton....
Fire risk high and heading higher into B.C. Day long weekend
DON'T BE STUPID WITH FIRE THIS LONG WEEKEND THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - There are currently two fires of note and more than a dozen active fires burning in the Kamloops Fire Centre and with yet another hot, dry week ahead of us the fire danger rating is quickly heading into the extreme level throughout the region once...
Snowbird pilots to hold a meet and greet session in Penticton
PENTICTON - Snowbirds crew members will be getting up close and personable with Penticton residents while they aren't in the air next week. The Royal Canadian Air Force's Snowbirds will be performing their airborne acrobatics on Wednesday, August 5 in a 40 minute show which begins at 6 p.m., but crew members will be in the...
Kelowna to retain control over YLW until 2054
KELOWNA – The City of Kelowna will remain in charge of the Kelowna International Airport until 2054 thanks to a 20-year lease extension by the federal government. Until that time, Kelowna will remain responsible for management, operation and development of the largest airport in the B.C. Interior. Kelowna mayor Colin Basran says the extension is...
Westjet adds extra non-stop flight between Kelowna and Edmonton
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - People in the Southern Interior will soon have another option when it comes to choosing a flight to Edmonton. Calling it a vote of confidence in the Edmonton metro region, Westjet has announced increased non-stop service to the Prairie city from B.C. and Saskatchewan. Starting Dec. 15 Kelowna will see one extra flight...
PHOTOS: Centre of Gravity 2015
KELOWNA – More than 20,000 people attended the 8th annual Centre of Gravity extreme sports and music festival in Kelowna over the weekend, but despite having the best lineup of talent of any previous year, rainy weather kept ticket sales down slightly. In past years they have sold out, however event organizer Scott Emslie said...