Vernon news
Anti-bullying program legit, but RCMP not involved
"THE TELEMARKETERS ARE QUITE PUSHY IN THEIR ATTEMPTS TO GET PEOPLE TO SUPPORT THE (ANTI-BULLYING) CAMPAIGN" VERNON - RCMP say they are not behind numerous calls to residents asking for money to support an anti-bullying program, though the calls are legitimate. The Canadian Police Association has hired a contractor to campaign for donations for a...
Smoky skies advisory issued for entire Thompson-Okanagan region
THOMPSON OKANAGAN – If the visible smoke in the sky wasn't enough to warn you, a smoky skies advisory has now been issued for a large portion of the Southern Interior. The Ministry of Environment, in collaboration with the Interior Health Authority, has issued a smoky skies advisory for the Thompson, Shuswap, Nicola, Fraser Canyon,...
Vernon cyclist dies of crash injuries
VERNON - A Vernon cyclist has died after suffering serious injuries in a car accident last week. The 38-year-old woman, whose name is not yet being released, was hit by a truck the morning of Thursday, July 2, on 25 Avenue. RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says it appears the woman rode in front of the...
Cyclist suffers life threatening injuries in Vernon accident
VERNON - A cyclist was seriously injured early this morning after being struck by a vehicle. The accident happened around 6:20 a.m. Thursday, July 2, in the 3400 block of 25 Avenue. The cyclist, a 38-year-old woman, sustained serious, life-threatening injuries, and has been moved to Kelowna General Hospital, says RCMP Const. Karla Ivany. The...
People ignoring campfire ban in Okanagan
‘THERE’S THE ODD FEW THAT DON’T THINK THE BAN APPLIES TO THEM’ VERNON - Fire officials in Vernon are surprised some people are still not getting the message about the importance of campfire bans. Twice Monday night, the Vernon Fire Department was called to illegal campfires in peoples’ backyards, deputy fire chief Lawrie Skolrood says....
RCMP reunite missing dog with family
KAMLOOPS - Saundra Potter didn’t expect to come home without a dog when she took a family trip to Kelowna to run an errand. Potter and her three children left their dog Bailey in the back of her truck with a blanket, food and water when they entered a store to grab barbecue supplies last...
Deer found hanging by leg rescued by Vernon men
'IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A HORRIFIC DEATH’ VERNON - A deer left hanging from a chain link fence was rescued by two Vernon men over the weekend. Pete Wise, who operates a wildlife control company, was making his rounds at the Vernon airport early Saturday morning when he noticed the deer hanging by its leg....
Man accused of running down paper carrier during police chase won’t face judge until 2016
KELOWNA – A preliminary inquiry of prolific offender Donald Maxwell Brodie, accused of critically injuring a paper carrier while evading a police road block in 2013, has been set for early 2016. Brodie, 35, is charged with criminal negligence causing bodily harm, flight causing bodily harm, impaired driving causing bodily harm and two counts of...
Police dive teams return to Kal Lake in search of missing man
VERNON - Police teams are focussing efforts on Kalamalka Lake as they search for a man missing since June 27. Curtis Wilson, 24, was last seen with his friend Shane Letkeman, 32, who was found dead in the lake June 28. Wilson’s family reported him missing last week, and police launched a full scale search...
Vernon’s Pospisil beats Troicki to advance to Wimbledon quarter-finals
LONDON – Unseeded Canadian Vasek Pospisil rallied for a five-set victory over Viktor Troicki on Monday to reach the Wimbledon singles quarter-finals for the first time in his career.
More evictions expected, more affordable housing likely lost in Vernon
NOWHERE TO GO VERNON - Not long after eviction notices were served to tenants of the Green Valley Motel, residents of another low-cost apartment building in Vernon are counting what they believe could be their final days. The Belair Apartments on 32 Street, just down the road from Boston Pizza, recently sold, and that’s left...
Trial ends for Okanagan women accused of defrauding govt of $200 million in taxes
"I THOUGHT IT WAS GREAT. I'D NEVER MADE THAT KIND OF MONEY." KELOWNA – She got paid the same as her business partner - up to $7,000 a month - but she was only a secretary. At least that’s what one of the two women accused of helping 224 clients defraud the Canada Revenue Agency...
Federal justice minister to speak in Vernon
VERNON - Justice Minister Peter MacKay is one of several high profile speakers lined up as part of a speaker series for the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce. MacKay will speak at a luncheon on Wednesday, July 8, about ‘a successful budget, a secure Canada.’ “Mr. MacKay’s visit to Vernon highlights a very busy July...
City puts brakes on community group wanting to build new Vernon bus shelters
WHAT GOES ON CITY PROPERTY MUST MEET CITY POLICY VERNON - The intentions behind a grassroots movement to spruce up Vernon’s run-down bus stops are good ones, but the City of Vernon is still putting brakes on the project, at least for now. Vernon-based organization Noteworthy Neighbourhoods hoped to get started building a new, covered...
Elite pro riders at Silver Star this weekend
VERNON - Silver Star’s B.C. Cup Downhill Series race this weekend is set to be one of the best biking events of the summer, with close to 250 riders, including 30 pro racers, expected on the mountain. The B.C. Cup races are a huge draw for downhill biking athletes who have aspirations to compete at national...