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provincial government
Electric fence provides shocking experience for foraging bears
OKANAGAN – To a hungry bear, nothing says go away like an electric shock to…
Speculation and vacancy tax exemption forms are in the mail
Kelowna and West Kelowna residential property owners will soon be getting letters from the province…
B.C. government launches survey following frustration from cellphone users
The B.C. government has launched a survey in order to gain insight on what issues…
What SilverStar’s approval as a resort association means, and why some are opposed
The provincial government's approval to enable SilverStar to become a Resort Association only benefits commercial…
Southern Interior the only region where BC United lead in the polls
If an election were held tomorrow, voters in the Southern Interior would choose a BC…
Town hall with B.C. Premier for residents of Vernon-Monashee and Boundary-Similkameen
Residents of Vernon-Monashee and Boundary-Similkameen get their chance to ask Premier David Eby anything. There…
Vernon MLA disappointed by arena ‘hiccup’, says minister is on it personally
VERNON - Vernon’s MLA isn’t happy about ongoing delays surrounding a referendum for a new ice sheet. The provincial government rejected, for a second time, a referendum proposal from the City of Vernon and the North Okanagan Regional District, putting the initiative even further behind schedule. Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster says he’s ‘disappointed with how...
Kelowna water utility finally adopts watering restrictions
KELOWNA - There is still no compelling reason to introduce watering restrictions but the City of Kelowna water utility is doing it anyway. “It’s based on supporting the provincial drought response, it's political, there is no technical reason,” Adrian Weaden says. The water quality supervisor says the decision was made this week to heed the...
Province’s new Stickle Road proposal fails to impress Vernon officials
VERNON - Better, but not good enough is the message Vernon council sent to the Ministry of Transportation during a presentation about a new idea for improving the Stickle Road intersection. Plans for a right-in, right-out only access to and from Stickle Road on Highway 97 just north of the city were scrapped in May...
Special occasion liquor licences now available online
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - A program by the provincial government to make it easier to get a special occasion liquor licence has been opened up to the Southern Interior. The licences are now available online in the Thompson-Okanagan. The B.C. Liquor Distribution Branch began a pilot program in the Lower Mainland in early February and has now opened...
West Kelowna wants to be a city not a district; using alternative approval process to make it happen
WEST KELOWNA - Like an awkward teenager, not quite sure where it fits in, the District of West Kelowna is looking to grow up into a full-fledged city. “We have about 31,000 or 32,0000 people. We are in within the population range,” Mayor Doug Findlater says. “It would be more recognizable as a city in...
More cuts on the horizon for Vernon School District
VERNON - More cuts are on the way in the Vernon School District. The provincial government requires $437,000 of cuts in non-instructional costs at School District 22 next year, rising to $814,000 in 2016/17. “Our School District has suffered many cuts in funding in recent years. We’re proud that we’ve kept much of the cost...
A Penticton proposal getting support from unexpected places
PENTICTON - Penticton council has an unexpected supporter for its push to put oversight for large-scale events under the provincial umbrella—the Boonstock Music and Arts festival. All but one member of Penticton's councillors and mayor used the Union of B.C. Municipalities Convention this week to lobby provincial government ministers hard to take on the regulatory...
Penticton airport runway to be repaved; passengers accommodated
PENTICTON - The airport runway maintenance project starting next week will impact flights and could potentially have a negative impact on visitors' perceptions of Penticton. Air Canada, the main airline that flies out of Penticton Regional Airport, is jumping through hoops to make sure passengers are properly accommodated, the city's Colleen Pennington said. According to...