Vernon news
Strain for medical care grows as Vernon walk-in clinic reduces to half-days
VERNON - Access to medical care continues to shrink in Vernon. Shortly after it was learned the Vernon Family Doctor’s Walk-In Clinic is closing down permanently, news has come that another walk-in clinic has drastically cut its hours. The Gartree Medical Clinic in the Vernon Square Mall has reduced its hours to 8 a.m. to...
City council disagrees with upcoming bus stop change at Vernon mall
VERNON - Those who take the bus from the Vernon mall are in for some changes. There have been safety issues and close calls at the stop, which is located outside the food court at the Village Green Centre, transportation engineer Amanda Watson said during a city council meeting today, Jan. 11. The transit operator,...
Online contest puts Silver Star in North American spotlight
VERNON - The Star is getting some international attention for its cross country skiing. Silver Star Mountain Resort is in the running for a top 10 contest on USA Today for the best nordic resorts in North America. Three Olympians, Sadie Bjornsen, Holly Brooks and Sophie Caldwell were asked to nominate their favourite cross country...
Vernon man handed jail term for child porn offence
VERNON - A Vernon man has been sent to prison after getting caught possessing child pornography. A Vernon provincial court judge sentenced Karl David Lawrence to nine months in jail for the offence, longer than the four to six months requested by Crown counsel during sentencing. Police began investigating Lawrence in March 2014 when suspected...
Mild week ahead for the Okanagan
OKANAGAN - We can expect temperatures to hover around the freezing mark this week, with temperatures expected to be at or near seasonal normal temperatures throughout the Okanagan. Environment Canada is calling for daytime high temperatures to range from -1 Celsius to 2 C this week, with overnight lows expected to reach between 0 C...
Early season numbers show decent snowpack in the Thompson-Okanagan
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Several snow systems pommelled the region at the end of 2015, leaving the snowpack levels at a good level to start 2016. At 143 per cent, Similkameen is most above normal for this time of year, but with the lowest in the region sitting at 92 per cent of normal snowpack levels, low...
New water woes add to concerns at the Vernon art gallery
VERNON - The Vernon Public Art Gallery has sprung yet another leak. Water started dripping from the ceiling of the storage and permanent collections area sometime over the night of Jan. 5 to 6, according to executive director Dauna Kennedy Grant. It’s the latest in a string of leaks at the gallery over the past...
North Okanagan-Shuswap MP opens doors to constituency office
VERNON - Constituents will soon be able to visit their member of Parliament in Vernon. North Okanagan-Shuswap MP Mel Arnold’s constituency office opens Thursday, Jan. 14, on 29th Street. It’s the same office former MP Colin Mayes used. "I am very excited to officially open my office in Vernon," Arnold says in a media release....
City of Vernon reminds residents about snow and ice control
VERNON - The city is putting out some reminders after a day of heavy snowfall in Vernon. The city drew attention to several aspects of snow and ice control in a media release issued late this afternoon, Jan. 4. First off, the city says vehicles and recreational equipment parked on streets during snowfalls poses major...
North Okanagan home values trending up
VERNON - There’s an upswing in the assessed value of homes in the North Okanagan. According to B.C. Assessment’s latest number-crunching, single family residential properties rose in value in most communities in the North Okanagan and Shuswap regions between July 1, 2014 and July 1, 2015. The biggest jumps were in Spallumcheen and Salmon Arm...
Vernon RCMP looking for tips in scooter theft
VERNON - Police are hoping to track down a scooter stolen from a local woman. The black Kayshan electric scooter was stolen sometime during the night on Dec. 28 from 2305 23 St. in Vernon, Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy says. The owner doesn’t know the serial number of the scooter, but is hoping someone recognizes its...
Longer Service B.C. hours in Vernon start today
VERNON - People will have an extra hour to stop by Service B.C. in Vernon as part of a pilot project starting today. Service B.C. is testing out extended hours in response to requests from local residents, the province said in a media release. The pilot project will see the Vernon office stay open from...
Vernon RCMP wants to know if you’re missing a key and some hockey cards
VERNON - Police in Vernon are hoping to reunite a bag filled with sentimental items with its rightful owner. The red duffle bag was found on a bench outside the Alpine Centre on Kalamalka Lake Road around 11:20 a.m., Dec. 20., Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy says. Inside was a red key with the word ‘home’ on...
Warmer weekend ahead for the Okanagan
OKANAGAN - After cooler temperatures and lots of snow over recently, this weekend marks what should be a welcome break for many in the Kamloops area. Environment Canada is calling for highs to be just above seasonal normals of -1 Celsius all weekend, with Penticton expected to reach 2 C today, Jan. 8, and tomorrow,...
International expert says global warming good for Okanagan wines
OKANAGAN - An Australian winemaker says in a CNBC opinion editorial that global warming is going to turn the Okanagan into the best wine region in the world in the coming years. Philip Mcgahan starting making wine in in Hunter Valley, Australia in 2002. The area regularly reaches more than 40 Celsius and with temperatures...