Kelowna council is moving forward with changes to address complaints about construction noise.After reviewing the options and looking at what other communities do, council decided to allow the noise during a reduced window on weekends and banning it on statutory holidays except if a variance is granted.The current byla...

Expect to see more police vehicles and traffic enforcement on the roads for the Victoria Day long weekend, which is considered the unofficial start to the tourism season in the Okanagan.It's part of Canada Road Safety Week, a national campaign to encourage safe driving to save lives and reduce injuries on Canadian road...

BGC Okanagan is the latest non-profit organization to receive the Beach Radio Community Airtime Award.The Vernon radio station, in partnership with North Okanagan Construction, present an advertising grant of $35,000 semi-annually to a non-profit group or charitable organization to help them raise awareness of their pr...

People experiencing homeless in Kelowna will soon have access to temporary homes.Trailside Transitional Housing, located at 2740 Highway 97 North, features 60 new temporary modular homes, including 14 that are wheelchair-accessible, to be used by people in need.The facility will prioritize seniors and people living wit...

People who buy tickets for events at the Kelowna Community Theatre are advised to be cautious if they are going through ticket re-sellers."All tickets for shows taking place on the Kelowna Community Theatre main stage should be purchased directly from the theatre's box office either online, in-person (1375 Water S...

Rising water levels have led to the closure of the the Casorso Road bridge underpass along the Mission Creek Greenway in Kelowna.The Regional District of Central Okanagan said that area will remain closed until the levels recede and visitors are asked to respect any barricades and closure signs.Pedestrians and cyclists...

A tragic incident forced the cancellation of a pickleball tournament in Vernon this weekend.The Vernon Pickleball Association says its 'Battle in the Palace' mixed doubles tournament on Saturday, May 11 was cancelled mid-way through after a 49-year-old male competitor from Kelowna suddenly collapsed on the courts durin...

The BC Wildfire Service discovered a 2.5-hectare wildfire burning on Saturday (May 11) northeast of Merritt about eight kilometres up Swakum Mountain Forest Service Road. Swakum Mountain is about 35 kilometres northeast of Merritt, just west of Highway 5. The fire was discovered at 10:35 a.m. on Saturday and its cause ...

As temperatures are on the rise, the Regional District of Central Okanagan is reminding people not to leave their pets in vehicles.The RDCO says temperatures inside vehicles can climb significantly, even when parked in the shade, and within 10 minutes the mercury can reach to levels that can seriously harm or kill a pe...

CASTLEGAR, B.C. - British Columbia's finance minister says she won't be running again in the next provincial election after serving in the legislature for nearly two decades. Katrine Conroy says it will be hard to leave the people she's worked with over the years, but at 66, it's time to step back to spend time with he...

The Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) has raised its fire danger rating to level four, or high, for all its regional parks.The RDCO updated the rating as continued dry conditions and rising temperatures increase the fire risks in the region.The regional district asks visitors to be careful and follow all fir...

The motor vehicle collision on Highway 97 south of Peachland resulted in one fatality.West Kelowna RCMP and the B.C. Coroner's Service confirmed that one person died due to the collision that occurred around 2:45 p.m. Thursday, May 9, south of Hardy Falls Regional Park.The RCMP said the investigation into the circumsta...

A spot fire that sparked north of West Kelowna was quickly extinguished.The B.C. Wildfire Service said the fire started in the Blue Grouse Mountain area northwest of Traders Cove and Bear Creek Provincial Park at around 4 p.m. on Thursday.The fire burned 0.1 hectares of terrain and B.C. Wildfire Service responded and h...

A Salmon Arm resident is celebrating after winning a half million dollars from a B.C. lottery game.Michael Strauch matched 4/4 Extra numbers from the April 26 Lotto Max draw, netting him a $500,000 prize.Strauch purchased and verified his ticket from Matchbox Smoke and Vape Shop in Salmon Arm and was shocked when the r...

A series of mountain bike competitions will be riding into the Vernon area this summer.The Crankworx Summer Series will be held at SilverStar Mountain Resort, and this year will feature a brand-new women's event.The mountain bike festival will run from August 2 to 4, and along with its regular schedule, it will feature...

UPDATE:Highway 97 is expected to reopen at 6 p.m., according to DriveBC.The highway south of Peachland was closed as police investigated the scene of what they deemed a "serious motor vehicle collision." --Traffic on Highway 97 south of Peachland is stalled due to a serious motor vehicle collision.RCMP said t...

The Canadian Premier Soccer League will kick off its 2024 edition of the "On Tour" series at the Kelowna Apple Bowl next month.Vancouver FC will play Cavalry FC of Calgary in their second meeting of the regular season on Sunday, June 16, starting at 2 p.m. "Our new On Tour series is an innovative way to ...

RCMP in Kamloops say they have concerns about public safety after a recent increase in organized crime violence in the city.The Mounties have issued a warning following a recent series of shots fired reports, arsons, and targeted criminal acts believed to be connected to two men involved in the conflict. Investigators ...

Fire crews in Lake Country were on the scene of a structure fire Tuesday night.It broke out around 7 p.m. in the OKGN Market building in the 9900-block of Highway 97."Upon attendance, officers found the building full of smoke and fire inside. Fortunately no one was injured as the building was closed and unoccupied...

The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League is mourning the loss of Castlegar Rebels forward Nathan (Nate) Jackman, who passed away in a car accident early Sunday just north of Nelson.Jackman, who recently completed his rookie season with the Rebels, was set to celebrate his high school graduation later this month....

People are reminded to think about their pets -- in addition to family members -- when making plans for emergencies.The BC SPCA says pets are often forgotten when these plans are being put together.Bill Penhallurick, the BC SPCA's manager of emergency response, said making a plan for your pet not only ensures their saf...

Intact Financial Corp. has launched a pilot program to reduce wildfire damage to customers' homes in Western Canada as another season of elevated fire risk approaches.The insurer says it has contracted Wildfire Defense Systems to provide prevention services when a wildfire is less than five kilometres away from the hom...

Kamloops council's Committee of the Whole has voted to ask Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson to resign.The vote came shortly after the provincially-appointed municipal adviser to Kamloops council delivered his report for the first time in public - putting Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson squarely in the crosshairs.NEW - #Kamloops Counc...

Public drug use is once again illegal in British Columbia. Health Canada approved the B.C. government's request to once again make it illegal to use illicit substances in public spaces "Addiction is a health matter, not a criminal justice one, but that doesn't mean that anything goes. Parks and beaches have to be ...

A driver in Kelowna literally backed into trouble.RCMP say officers were assisting paramedics in the 400-block of Lawrence Avenue on Saturday, May 4 around 1:15 a.m. when an officer noticed a white SUV backing up nearby that hit a parked police vehicle before attempting to drive away."The driver was stopped immedi...

A portion of a road in rural Spallumcheen will be closed for a few hours Tuesday, May 14.The Township of Spallumcheen said a portion of Back Enderby Rd. between Highway 97A and Mountain View Rd. will be closed from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. for pulverization. Traffic will be detoured via Mountainview Rd.Signage of the work and...

Some area highways may see some light snowfall on Monday.Environment Canada issued special weather statements for the Coquihalla and Highway 3 on May 6, stating there was a potential for flurries over high elevation mountain passes."A Pacific frontal system will move across B.C. today (Monday)," the weather a...

The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP are seeking the owner of a small urn that was found in a Vernon park. The urn was turned into police in April by a member of the public who found it in Linear Park along 25th Avenue. If you believe it is yours and can prove ownership, please contact the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP at (250)...