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Vernon news
Shelter Cove fire remains steady during the day
WEST KELOWNA - B.C. Wildfire has been hitting smoke on the south flank of the Shelter Cove fire with air tankers but other than that, not much has changed today in the 430-hectare blaze. The evacuation order continues for 70 homes along Westside Road which is closed in both directions between Cinnabar Creek and La...
Take a seat at the painted piano downtown Vernon
VERNON - The people of Vernon are making beautiful music together, thanks to a colourful, communal piano on Main Street. The old upright piano appeared about three weeks ago on the sidewalk outside a 30 Avenue business, Good Gracious. The store’s former owner Dave Russell, who is now retired, came up with the idea after...
UPDATE: Bolean Lake wildfire near Falkland flares up
FALKLAND - After seeing no growth Tuesday night, the Bolean Lake wildfire near Falkland expanded in size Wednesday. B.C. Wildfire estimates the blaze, located five kilometers northwest of Falkland, is now 348 hectares as of 2:18 p.m. on Wednesday, July 22. The fire was a reported 250 hectares earlier in the day and showing a...
Surprise gives Armstrong woman the ‘wedding of a lifetime’
THE WHOLE TOWN WAS BASICALLY IN ON IT ARMSTRONG - Joan Jong was sad to be missing the Saturday farmers market in Armstrong — even if it was because she was getting married. She’s been selling vegetables at the market, which her family helped establish many years ago, for practically her whole life. But as...
Behind the line at the Shelter Cove wildfire
KELOWNA – The Shelter Cove wildfire along Westside Road continues to grow, however Wildfire B.C. says homes and other structures are not threatened and they are confident they will have it under control soon. The fire, which was first reported Monday afternoon, is not yet contained and continues to burn roughly 430 hectares of dry,...
Why Vernon fields are being watered daily despite water restrictions
VERNON - A number of people are complaining about watering restrictions in Vernon, but it’s not quite what you think. Greater Vernon Water manager Zee Marcolin says most people are getting the message about stage one restrictions and have reduced their water consumption accordingly — no big objections there. What people are complaining about is...
Health authority hard hit by influenza last season
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - The Southern Interior was hard hit by influenza last season with a jump in confirmed cases and deaths. But at the same time, the flu season here in the Interior Health Authority was typical of what the rest of Canada experienced. Dr. Gillian Frosst, an epidemiolgist with the heatlh authority, told the board...
Bolean Lake wildfire near Falkland continues to burn
FALKLAND - The Bolean Lake wildfire near Falkland continues to burn aggressively, although a change in weather is giving crews a better chance to hold it back. The wind died down enough on Tuesday, July 21, for air tankers to return to the skies above the 230-hectare fire, B.C. Wildfire information officer Kelsey Winter says....
No fishing in several South Okanagan rivers and streams this summer
PENTICTON – Fans of fishing across the province will be disappointed to learn that as of July 15 they will no longer be permitted to fish many rivers and streams in the South Okanagan this summer due to low flows and warming water temperatures. For the rest of the summer all streams and rivers in...
Summer watering restrictions likely as province records average lowest snowpack levels in 31 years
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - The lastest snowpack measurements from the provincial government’s river forecast centre are showing record low levels in some areas including the Okanagan and Similkameen regions. Without substantial rain in the next couple of months, reservoirs across the region will also be lower than normal, likely leading to water use restrictions in many communities...
Elevated watering restrictions in effect for Greater Vernon Water customers
VERNON - Heavier water restrictions are being imposed on Greater Vernon residents. The North Okanagan Regional District announced stage one restrictions for Greater Vernon Water customers Tuesday, July 7. Water reservoirs filled early this year and stopped spilling on June 10, water sustainability coordinator Jennifer Miles says in a media release. “This means we are...
UPDATE: Evacuation order issued for aggressive wildfire near Falkland
FALKLAND - An aggressive wildfire in the Bolean Lake area of Falkland has prompted an evacuation order. The blaze, which was reported to B.C. Wildfire about 2 p.m. Monday, July 20, quickly grew to an estimated 300 hectares in size up from four hectares earlier in the day. B.C. Wildfire reported Tuesday morning the blaze...
The cost of free parking in Vernon
VERNON - Easing up on paid parking downtown Vernon is leaving the city with a gap in revenue. In the past year, city council approved a number of initiatives aimed at making the downtown area more customer friendly, and while it’s too early to see if they’re working, the changes are already revealing financial side-effects....
First wife testifies in trial of former Vernon cop charged with child porn
KELOWNA – The first wife of a former Vernon RCMP officer charged with child porn described him as a confrontational man who often raised his voice. Jennifer Fisher and Ryan Hampton’s marriage officially ended in 2011, the same year he married his accuser, Valerie Little. Little, herself a member of the RCMP, told police she...
Pedestrian struck on Vernon crosswalk in critical condition
VERNON - A pedestrian is in critical condition after being hit by a car while using a Vernon crosswalk Saturday morning. The 53-year-old Vernon woman was walking in the crosswalk at Tronson Road and Okanagan Landing Road just after 7 a.m., Saturday, July 18, when she was hit by a car, RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk...