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Vernon news
Water board wants more control over what people do in watersheds
OKANAGAN - In an effort to put a stop to mud-bogging and pit toilets near reservoirs, the local water board is supporting a call for greater control over source watersheds. “The board wants our members to have more control and the province to give more support to water utilities to protect the quality of their...
Community celebration at Kal Beach in Vernon a hit
VERNON - It was a beach party to remember. Hundreds attended an event at Kal Beach Friday featuring activities, live music and plenty of community spirit, as well as a few National Hockey League players. The highlight for many was meeting past and present hockey idols. Jesse Vandenbrand, 7, could barely contain his excitement as...
West Kelowna mom raises funds to give more parents of stillborn babies a few extra days together
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – A West Kelowna woman who lost her baby shortly before giving birth to him has successfully raised enough money to bring a device to Kelowna General Hospital that will give other parents going through the same thing a little bit of comfort. Now she’s planning to do the same for Vernon, Penticton and...
Police confirm identity of Black Mountain murder victim but still no arrests
KELOWNA – RCMP have confirmed the identity of the man found murdered in his home on Black Mountain earlier this week. The body of Amardeep Singh Ahluwalia, 47, was found in his home on Feedham Avenue in the early morning hours of July 7. Police have said very little about the cause of death but...
Coffee, creativity and a cause come together at Vernon coffee shop
VERNON - Maybe you come for the coffee. Maybe the atmosphere. Maybe the constantly changing art. And this month, you might come to Vernon’s Bean Scene Coffee House to show your community spirit. Every month, the Bean Scene strips the art on its walls and puts up a new show. It’s a fun change of...
Midnight boat crash on Kal Lake
VERNON - Two people were left with serious injuries following a midnight boat crash on Kalamalka Lake yesterday, July 9. Two boats were heard heading out just before midnight and a short time later a resident called 9-1-1 when they thought they heard the boats collide. RCMP quickly responded and located a boat owner able...
Family of man presumed drowned in Kalamalka Lake desperate for answers
VERNON - The family of a missing man presumed drowned in Kalamalka Lake is raising funds to continue the search for their loved one by hiring a specialized team. Police dive teams spent multiple days unsuccessfully scouring the lake and surrounding area for Curtis Wilson, who has been missing for nearly two weeks now. RCMP spokesperson...
Jury finds Okanagan women guilty of teaching fraudulent tax scheme that cost government millions
KELOWNA – Two Okanagan women who helped defraud the Canadian government of roughly $200 million in taxes have been found guilty of all charges by a jury in Kelowna Supreme Court. Donna Marie Stancer and Deanna Lynn Lavalley were both charged with making false statements in their own personal income tax returns, counselling others to commit...
Officials suspect Molotov cocktail used in Lumby fire
LUMBY - Police believe a Molotov cocktail is to blame for a small, yet potentially serious, fire in Lumby. Firefighters were called to a residential road in Lumby around 10 p.m. Tuesday, July 7, for a report of a grass fire. While the fire was small and did no real damage to the property, officials...
Three Vernon cyclists hit by vehicles cause for concern
VERNON - All road users are being reminded to be careful after three separate incidents over the past week left two cyclists injured and a third dead over. Jennifer Wadsworth, a mother of two, was biking on 25 Avenue on July 2 when she rode in front of a pickup truck. She was rushed to hospital,...
$110,000 pontoon boat stolen from Kelowna business turns up in Alberta field
KELOWNA – Thanks to social media a luxury pontoon boat that was stolen from a Kelowna business last weekend has been recovered in Alberta. The boat, a 2015 Campion Biltmore worth more than $110,000, was taken from Banner Recreational Products some time Sunday. Amanda Jefferson, Marketing Co-ordinator at Banner Recreation and Marine, says the suspects...
Missing documents for Westbank audit mysteriously resurface
WHAT IT MEANS TO RECALL PETITION FOR CHIEF AND COUNCIL | In February, Westbank First Nation members demanded an audit of band dealings in the Lake Okanagan Wellness Centre after they found themselves on the hook for $7.9 million. When they failed to get it, they pursued the recall of Chief and council. In our ongoing...
Chance, community spirit, and the power of social media reunite lost cockatiel with Vernon family
VERNON - It would have been a different story if Allison Griffiths hadn’t taken the afternoon off. But she did, and when she got home, it was as if a lost little bird was just waiting for her. She noticed the exotic, grey and yellow cockatiel on a neighbour’s roof and thought, “That’s not a...
Coroner identifies woman killed on bicycle in Vernon
VERNON - A woman killed when she was hit by a pickup truck while riding her bike in downtown Vernon July 2 has been identified. Jennifer Wadsworth, 37, of Vernon, was a mother of two daughters. She was riding eastbound on 25 Avenue at roughly 6:20 a.m. when she was in a collision with the truck. She...
Voluntary boat check program hitting the water in Vernon
VERNON - Starting this weekend you will be able to ensure your boat meets necessary safety standards through a voluntary pre-check program offered by RCMP volunteers. The Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP Marine Unit will start a voluntary vessel safety pre-check at the Paddlewheel Park boat launch on July 11. The aim is to help speed up...