Vernon news
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...
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...
Province to fund new complex care facility for youth in Vernon
VERNON - The province has picked Vernon as one of the early implementation sites for a new residential service for youth with complex care needs. The Ministry of Children recently signed off on a five-bed complex care facility for youth aged seven to 18 in Vernon. The province isn’t saying much about the facility because...
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...
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. ...
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...
Water interruption for some Greater Vernon Water customers
VERNON – The water will be turned off for some Greater Vernon Water customers this Sunday. A valve will be replaced at a pressure reducing station at the corner of Grey Road and Buchanan Road in Coldstream on Sunday, Nov. 18, according to a media release from the Regional District North Okanagan. The water for...
Splatsin First Nation launches lawsuit against B.C. government
ENDERBY - A local First Nation has filed a lawsuit against the B.C. government accusing it of ignoring the band's jurisdiction over the welfare of its children. The Splatsin First Nation in Enderby served the province a notice of claim during a rally outside Premier Christy Clark’s constituency office in Kelowna Tuesday, Oct. 13. The...
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...
Workshop to address street safety concerns downtown Vernon
VERNON - Local agencies are responding to concerns about street safety in the downtown core by teaching businesses how to interact with street people in the area. A workshop is being offered next week to help teach businesses and property owners how to manage interactions with Vernon’s street population to prevent things from escalating. The...
Church looking for donations, volunteers to help welcome refugee family to Vernon
VERNON - A local church is asking the community to help make a difference in the lives of those impacted by the global refugee crisis. Members of Trinity United Church were moved by the magnitude of the crisis and have decided to sponsor a family, representative Marilyn Erdmann says in a statement. “Members of the...