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Vernon news
How the Mounties got their money
VERNON - Mounties didn’t really get their man, but they did get his money. Earlier this month, North Okanagan RCMP traffic police smelled marijuana coming from a vehicle travelling in front of them on Highway 6. Police said the vehicle also had expired registration on the licence plate. They arrested the driver for possession of a...
Gas prices steady in the Okanagan while Kamloops prices drop
OKANAGAN - While gas prices were trending downwards earlier this week drivers in the Okanagan didn’t get a break, unless they were up in Kamloops where prices dipped well below a dollar per litre. According to Gas Buddy, an online consumer reporting website, gas prices are currently in the 107.9 to 109.9 cents per litre...
Compassion spared Kelowna man death by cop
“HE WOULD PUT THE REVOLVER TO HIS HEAD AND HE’D JUST SIT THERE WITH IT IN HIS MOUTH.” LANGUAGE ADVISORY KELOWNA – A dangerous situation in downtown Kelowna last summer could have turned tragic if it wasn’t for the actions of a group of strangers and a compassionate response by an arresting police officer. On...
Pickup truck driver goes ‘on a rampage’ in Vernon
VERNON – The driver of a pickup went on a rampage in Vernon yesterday afternoon and a witness says it looked like "something out of a movie." Jason Spencer, who works at Central Tarp on Kosmina Road, says around 4 p.m., Nov. 18, a “crazed driver in a blue pickup truck went on a rampage”...
Okanagan growers debate marketing future of Ambrosia apple
OKANAGAN - Producers of the Ambrosia apple are considering whether to extend a levy used to market the new varietal. Ambrosia producers have paid a $.25 per lb. levy since 2001, shortly after the new apple was introduced, used to promote the fruit to consumers and further its research. The levy was renewed in 2006...
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...
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...
Man breaks into Vernon home, helps himself to a snack
VERNON - A local man accused of breaking into a woman’s home not only helped himself to her personal belongings — he also made himself something to eat. A local woman phoned 911 around 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 16 after she found a strange man in her house, RCMP Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy says. “He had...
Crews begin lifting rails off CN Okanagan corridor
CENTRAL OKANAGAN – Crews have begun lifting the rails from the former CN railway corridor,…
Alpine skiing opening five days early at Silver Star
VERNON - The plan was to open Nov. 26 but after nearly 150 centimetres of snowfall, Silver Star Mountain is ready to open a bit earlier. The ski resort announced it would be opening three chairlifts and at least 25 runs starting at 8:30 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 21, a full five days ahead of the...
A book about a booger by two Vernon women
VERNON - The Doubt Booger is going to make you forget all about those nagging little worries. Written by Beth McCarthy Marks and illustrated by Nadine Wilson, both of Vernon, the newly released children’s book is about the pesky effect of self-doubts. “Remember when you were small; those little worries that gnawed on you? You...
Vernon’s first provincial Snow Show raises $11k for kids with disabilities
VERNON – The first ever B.C. Provincial Snow Show in Vernon raised more than $11,000 for a Lake Country charity. The Snow Show, which amalgamated three smaller events around the provinces, took over Kal Tire Place last weekend and attracted more than 14,000 fans of the white stuff. Roughly 100 vendors displaying everything from snow...
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...
French Tricolour tribute to people of Paris at Vernon city hall
VERNON – Three trees at Vernon city hall have been lit with the red, white and blue of the French flag in an effort to express solidarity with the people of France following the terror attacks in Paris. Infonews.ca columnist and Vernon city councillor Scott Anderson posted a picture of the decorated trees to Facebook...
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...
Hot weather, wildfires and changes in agriculture mean less Okanagan honey in the pot
OKANAGAN - An abnormally hot and dry summer appears to have had an unwelcome impact on Okanagan honey production. Helen Kennedy, who runs Arlo’s Honey Farm in Kelowna with her husband Rick Appel, says the season started off with an unusually early honey flow in May, likely due to above average spring temperatures. A productive...
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. ...
Kelowna woman guilty of possessing 15 kg of bath salts drug imported from China
KELOWNA – A West Kelowna woman has been found guilty of possessing 15 kg of a new synthetic drug she received in the mail from China. Nicole Marie Hubek, 32, was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking for bringing what RCMP say was up to $1 million worth of Methylone, also known as...
Okanagan theft ring targeting Ford trucks broken up
THOMSON-OKANAGAN - An Okanagan-based theft ring with a taste for Ford F-350 pickup trucks has been busted by police. Seven people have been charged with multiple offences after a seven-week investigation by the Kelowna RCMP street enforcement unit, RCMP spokesman Const. Jesse O’Donaghey said during a press conference today, Nov. 13. An upswing in Ford...
Rainy weekend ahead in the Okanagan, avalanche risk increases in southeastern B.C.
OKANAGAN - A storm system skirting much of the region will move on this morning, though a weekend of rain is still in store for the Okanagan. The strongest winds came in the Penticton area yesterday, Nov. 12, with Environment Canada recording strong wind gusts since yesterday morning and the strongest reaching in excess of...
Kamloops and Vernon Finning locations will stay, unknown if job cuts will hit locally
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - While Finning International announced another round of cuts the company says Southern Interior locations won’t be moving or amalgamating. The company, which is the world's largest dealer for Caterpillar equipment, has bases in Canada, where it's headquartered in Vancouver, South America and Europe. The cuts, announced today, Nov. 12, are company-wide. Hilary Anaka,...