Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
By Corey Fischer

Red Cross Honours Volunteer

Dec 4, 2017 | 1:00 PM

A long time volunteer from Vernon is being honoured by the Canadian Red Cross.

Cor Zandbergen will be presented with the Order of Red Cross at a ceremony in Kelowna Tuesday, the  agency’s highest honour.

Zandbergen has provided 16 years of dedicated service assisting thousands of people impacted by disasters in Canada and around the world.

“Zandbergen lives in Vernon, but has responded to countless disasters including flooding, fires and ice storms across Canada,” says a news release fro the Red Cross. “He currently leads the Red Cross North Okanagan Personal Disaster Assistance Team, ensuring Emergency Social Services are available to people living across a land base of more than 7,800 km2. His international work has taken him to flood-ravaged parts of Pakistan, as well as New Jersey and Louisiana after major hurricanes.”

Zandbergen will be honoured at the Canadian Red Cross office on Adams Road in Kelowna  Tuesday, Dec. 5,  at 10:30 am.

Other Matters

Mechanical Issues
Opening of Lavington Outdoor Pool delayed, again
Once again, people looking to cool off from the summer heat face a delay in accessing a local amenity.The District of Coldstream said the Lavington Outdoor Pool opening had to be pushed back again.The pool was expected to open June 27, but mechanical issues were uncovered that forced its opening to first be pushed back...
1h ago
Read More
Commonage Crash
Motorcyclist hospitalized in crash near Vernon
A motorcycle rider was taken hospital after a crash on Commonage Road south of Vernon.Vernon North Okanagan RCMP said officers were called out to the scene near the intersection of Bailey Road around 7:50 a.m. Thursday for reports of a crash.Investigators found that a passenger vehicle had slowed to pull over to the si...
4h ago
Read More
Don't Move a Mussel
New boat launch signage installed to prevent invasive mussel spread
The Okanagan Basin Water Board has taken a new approach to try to prevent invasive mussels from entering the local waterways.As part of the 'Don't Move a Mussel' campaign, first-of-its kind boat launch stencils with messaging urging boaters to clean, drain and dry their vessels have been painted at select spots in West...
4h ago
Read More
Two Deaths in May
Fatal drug poisonings recorded locally in May, yearly totals still down
Two people lost their lives to illicit substances in Greater Vernon in May.The preliminary figures from the B.C. Coroners Service indicated there had just been six fatal overdoses in the North Okanagan community in 2026. Those included the two in May, one in March, and three in January.In Kelowna, there were three drug...
6h ago
Read More
Whistleblower
West Kelowna launches confidential whistleblower reporting service
The City of West Kelowna has launched a confidential third-party whistleblower service for employees, volunteers, contractors and consultants to report suspected wrongdoing involving the municipality.The service is operated by independent investigators with Southern Law LLP and is designed to provide a confidential pro...
6h ago
Read More
Sudden Death
Kelowna RCMP: Death near Mill Creek not suspicious
A death reported near Mill Creek is not considered suspicious according to Kelowna RCMP and is not believed to be related to a drowning.Police responded Wednesday afternoon to the 2600 block of Enterprise Way following a report of a sudden death.RCMP said investigators have determined there is no indication of criminal...
6h ago
Read More
Severe Dry Conditions
Okanagan at Drought Level 4 for third week
The Okanagan has again been ranked at Drought Level 4.The ranking, which was given for the third week in a row July 9, is the second-highest drought rating and indicates severe conditions.The B.C. River Forecast Centre said the streams in the region had high water temperatures and declining flows. The agency specifical...
8h ago
Read More
Wildfire, Extreme Heat Preparedness
Special workshop to prepare older adults for emergency situations
A special workshop will be held to ensure people are prepared for emergency situations that arise with another hot, dry summer on the horizon.NexusBC Community Centre in Vernon will host its Emergency Preparedness Workshop for Older Adults July 22.The workshop will teach people how to prepare for emergencies that are c...
12h ago
Read More
Locals Honoured
Two Okanagan industry leaders named to BC Restaurant Hall of Fame
Two prominent names with ties to the Okanagan food and hospitality industry will be recognized this fall with induction into the BC Restaurant Hall of Fame.Kelowna's Christina Ferreira and Okanagan-born chef Ned Bell are among 24 people selected for the 2026 class by the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association. The ...
Jul 08, 2026
Read More

What Matters

Mechanical Issues
Opening of Lavington Outdoor Pool delayed, again
1h ago
Commonage Crash
Motorcyclist hospitalized in crash near Vernon
4h ago
Two Deaths in May
Fatal drug poisonings recorded locally in May, yearly totals still down
6h ago
Severe Dry Conditions
Okanagan at Drought Level 4 for third week
7h ago
Wildfire, Extreme Heat Preparedness
Special workshop to prepare older adults for emergency situations
12h ago