The curtain is about to go up on the next chapter for an iconic Vernon venue.The Towne Theatre on 30th Avenue holds its grand reopening event on Thursday, May 16, after a seven-week closure for a major renovation.The upgraded Towne Theatre reopens on May 16 after seven-week closure (Vernon Matters photo)"We are ve...

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...

Fireworks likely won't be shot off during Vernon's Canada Day celebrations this year, but a representative for the group organizing the event says it will still feature lots of activities.Mayla Janzen of the Vernon-Okanagan Inspired Community Events (VOICE) Society, the organization that took over the event from the No...

Groups and individuals that serve veterans in Vernon will get to access a specific training opportunity for the first time later this month.The Mainland B.C. Military Family Resource Centre (BCMFRC) will run its Mental Health First Aid - Veteran Community training in Vernon.The program is a free, two-day workshop for f...

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...

A wanted man who tried to escape police on Westside Rd. was apprehended over the weekend.Vernon North Okanagan RCMP say frontline officers received information about a wanted man at a residence on Head of the Lake Rd. at approximately 2:15 p.m. Saturday, May 12.Police arrived at the scene and noted a vehicle associated...

A number of North Okanagan communities and First Nations are getting funding from the province for road safety projects.It's part of $866,000 in Vision Zero grants that have been announced for 56 communities to help prevent road-related injuries and deaths."The Vision Zero grants go a long way to prioritizing safe...

What is your favourite sport? Lawn bowling is not traditionally high impact - Beach mornings with Brian & Rebecca #beachmorningswithbrianandrebecca #tryitituesday #beachradiovernon #vernonbc #beachradio #lawnbowling #lawnbowlingisafullcontactsport #polsonpark

Vernon city council was displeased to learn of the costly delays in the Lakeview Wading Pool Revitalization project.At the regular meeting Monday, May 13, council learned that a power connector that had been approved in the design phase had failed an inspection.That lead to a budget shortfall of $262,192 to cover contr...

Vernon city council has decided to approve additional funding for operations at O'Keefe Ranch.The historic site had asked the city for $70,000 in funding, building on the $80,000 already approved by the city this year and bringing the total funding from Vernon up to its original ask of $150,000.READ MORE: O'Keefe Ranch...

The Canadian government is propping up a program to help B.C. residents make the switch to heat pumps.Through Canada's Low Carbon Economy Fund and the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Program, Ottawa is investing $103.7-million into the CleanBC Better Home Energy Savings Program, which will provide grants to low- and mid...

A local service provider is encouraging people learn more about programs and services available for victims of child abuse and sexual assault.Victims and Survivors of Crime Week is commemorated from May 12-18 in an effort to raise awareness of the issues victims face and the services, assistance and laws in place to su...

Two Clarence Fulton Secondary students made a presentation to Vernon council Monday (May 13), speaking in support of expanding free transit for teens in every transit system in B.C. Jade Ha and Haylee Andal were asking council to write a letter of support for the program to the province, and they will also ask the city...

Work to mitigate wildfire risks will be undertaken in the city's southeast end.As part of ongoing fire mitigation efforts, crews will be thinning, limbing, clearing and piling fire fuels on the Crown Land at the end of Eastside Rd. south of Ellison Provincial Park.It's scheduled to start as early as Monday, May 13, and...

City of Vernon contractors will begin crack sealing roads on Monday, May 13.The primary focus of sealing activities will be in the north end of the Vernon as well as parts of Silver Star Road and the Foothills. The sealing program is expected to take about three weeks to complete.Motorists are reminded to slow down in ...

The federal government has provided financial aid to the Community Futures British Columbia, and the local branch is getting a portion of the funds.Through the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacificCan), $3.9-million in federal funds was provided to Community Futures British Columbia, which has 34 branc...

The O'Keefe Ranch and the Interior Heritage Society are asking for some financial aid from the City of Vernon.The Ranch has requested the city provide $70,000 in funding so it can fully run its operations over the summer.The Ranch originally requested the city provide $150,000 in financial aid for 2024, but Vernon coun...

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...

Work to improve Vernon Creek and make it more resilient to flooding in Polson Park is set to begin this summer.Phase 1 of the Polson Park Vernon Creek Naturalization project is scheduled to start in June.A contractor has been found to do the first phase of the project, with an option to undertake the second phase based...

A lot more money is needed to complete the revitalization work at the Lakeview wading pool.A report to Vernon City Council stated the work is progressing to upgrade the pool, known as the Peanut Pool, but the associated costs have increased by over $262,000.The report stated the power connection that was originally app...

Student housing is still on track to open at the Okanagan College Vernon campus in time for the upcoming fall semester.Construction of the building that will be home to Okanagan College Vernon (OC Vernon) students began in April of 2023 and has made some serious progress since then."For where we're supposed to be ...

The City of Vernon is replacing a traffic signal controller next week that will disrupt traffic.Crews will replace the unit at the intersection of 32nd Ave. and 33rd St. on Monday, May 13.Work will begin at 8 a.m. and could take up to four hours to complete.The city warns that the work will cause traffic disruptions, a...

The 2024 Enterprize Challenge was held last night at the Vernon Performing Arts Center - a competition where entrepreneurs go through business planning and pitching to a team of judges.First place winner (and people's choice winner) - Sage Dental Hygiene takes home nearly $35,000 in prizes.Second place went to Errands ...

The local labour statistics saw some improvements monthly in April.Statistics Canada reported the unadjusted unemployment rate for the Thompson-Okanagan economic region, which includes Vernon, was 5.8 per cent in April. That was down from the rate of 6.7 per cent recorded in March.The local unadjusted employment rate c...

A Lumby woman can live more comfortably thanks to donations from local businesses and contractors.KT Fairglass, which previously donated a window to a family in need as part of the company's new Community Give-Back project, was informed of Violet Cox, a Lumby woman who's luck had gone from bad to worse."She has be...

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...

Hundreds of people came out on a beautiful spring day in Vernon to show their support for mental health. The annual Block Party was held at Polson Park Thursday. The event allowed people to find out more about local mental health initiatives, while enjoying live entertainment and a barbecue. CMHA Block Party in Polson ...

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 ...