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

Search and Rescue Prevention Program

Jan 3, 2019 | 4:46 PM

A course called “Search and Rescue Prevention” is being offered at Silver Star Mountain Resort this weekend.

Sandra Riches from Adventure Smart says the safety program helps skiers, boarders and outdoor lovers from getting lost, hurt, or in trouble while in the mountains.

She says BC’s 80 volunteer Search and Rescue groups have to respond to 1,600 rescue incidents each year.

“The volunteers respond to those who get lost, in trouble and/or hurt in the mountains. AdventureSmart increases the public’s awareness to help reduce the number and severity of these incidents in BC. We offer free outdoor safety programs to anyone who is interested in personal preparedness, trip planning, training and taking essential gear,” says Riches.

Ashley Berte and Ryan Seath are the on site contacts.

Water Shut Off Response
Fruit Growers Association call for plan to support farmers amid water shortage
5h ago
42-Unit Project
Fees waived for new supportive housing project in Vernon
5h ago
Investigation underway
One person deceased after fire at North Okanagan farm
9h ago

For more details, email kelownateam@adventuresmart

The dates are January 5 and 6 at Silver Star Mountain Resort, 9am – 3pm

The reps will deliver their ‘Survive Outside Program’ to the Vernon District Immigration Society Services on Jan. 7 from 10:30am – 12pm.

by Corey Fischer

Other Matters

Municipal election
Local media business leader to run for city council
Local businesswoman Nikki Csek is taking a run at Kelowna City Council in the October election.The founder and CEO of Csek Creative and NowMedia Group, said her campaign isn't the beginning of her service to Kelowna but simply the next way she hopes to serve.She's served on boards, chaired organizations, and volunteere...
3h ago
Read More
Water Shut Off Response
Fruit Growers Association call for plan to support farmers amid water shortage
The province's fruit industry advocacy group has called for a halt in the current water management approach for local agricultural properties. As of July 13, Greater Vernon Water (GVW) was authorized to shut off water service to agricultural properties that had reached their seasonal water allocation limit.B.C. Fruit G...
5h ago
Read More
42-Unit Project
Fees waived for new supportive housing project in Vernon
A new supportive housing project in Vernon will get some municipal support.At their meeting on Monday, July 20, Vernon City Council was asked to waive the Development Cost Charges (DCCs) for the project at the site of the former Polson Park Motel on 24th Avenue.City staff recommended waiving $125,518 in fees and coveri...
5h ago
Read More
New Charge
Man accused in Bailey McCourt killing faces additional charge
The man accused of killing Bailey McCourt is facing another criminal charge.James Plover appeared in court Wednesday on an allegation he breached a no-contact order in Pitt Meadows last September.Plover is already charged with first-degree murder in the death of his estranged wife, who was allegedly attacked with a ham...
7h ago
Read More
Investigation underway
One person deceased after fire at North Okanagan farm
A tractor fire at a farm north of Lumby has claimed the life of one person.At around 2:25 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, police and firefighters were called to a farm in the 1300-block of Trinity Valley Road for a report of an out of control fire.The fire started from a tractor and baler then spread to the fields, nearby tre...
9h ago
Read More
Burning Garbage
Fine issued for illegal burning case in Lumby
A North Okanagan resident has been fined under the Wildfire Act.At around 8 a.m. Friday, July 17, Lumby Fire Department were called out to a rural property east of the community for a burning complaint.Firefighters arrived on the scene and found a man had lit a fire, contrary to the existing ban, and was burning garbag...
10h ago
Read More
Severe Drought Conditions
Lake Okanagan level dips to record low as drought conditions continue
The water level at Lake Okanagan has dipped to a new low.The B.C. River Forecast Centre said the daily water level has dropped to its lowest point on record dating back 80 years. The black line indicates the current daily water level for Lake Okanagan, which was at a historic low (Image Credit: B.C. River Forecast Cent...
10h ago
Read More
Crime Stats
Kelowna's crime severity ranking improves, mayor says work remains
Kelowna's ranking on the national Crime Severity Index has improved, but Mayor Tom Dyas says the city still has work to do on community safety.The 2025 Crime Severity Index shows Kelowna ranked 20th out of 71 B.C. municipalities with populations above 10,000, and 273rd out of 1,039 municipalities measured across Canada...
10h ago
Read More
Poor air quality
Wildfire smoke blankets region
It may be a stay-inside kind of summer day in the Okanagan - but not because of the heat.Thick wildfire smoke has settled over the valley, with a special air quality advisory in effect across much of B.C., including the Central Okanagan. Environment Canada says conditions in Kelowna are currently rated moderate, but th...
11h ago
Read More

What Matters

Water Shut Off Response
Fruit Growers Association call for plan to support farmers amid water shortage
5h ago
42-Unit Project
Fees waived for new supportive housing project in Vernon
5h ago
Investigation underway
One person deceased after fire at North Okanagan farm
9h ago
Burning Garbage
Fine issued for illegal burning case in Lumby
10h ago
Severe Drought Conditions
Lake Okanagan level dips to record low as drought conditions continue
10h ago