Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
The seemingly abandoned boat at Paddlewheel Park (photo by Liam Verster / Vernon Matters)
By Liam Verster
Possible Abandoned Boat

City staff asked to investigate abandoned boat at Paddlewheel Park

Mar 12, 2025 | 6:00 AM

The City of Vernon will be investigating a possible abandoned boat in Okanagan Lake.

At the regular city council meeting Monday, March 10, Councillor Brian Quiring said it appeared that an abandoned, derelict boat had been left half-ashore near the boat ramp and dock at Paddlewheel Park.

Quiring said the vessel had been semi-beached near the park “for quite a while” and he wished to have it dealt with ahead of boating season, noting it could become problematic if started leaking oil into the water.

City staff were tasked with investigating the boat and providing an update at the next council meeting.

View Comments

Other Matters

Pay
Vernon's mayor and council pay going up as originally planned
The local municipal leaders are getting the pay raise originally set for the coming year, after justifying the increase as fair and a way of attracting people to do the job.At the regular meeting Monday, Vernon City Council was presented with a possibility of increasing their remuneration at the same rate of 2025 for t...
1h ago
Read More
Official Community Plan
Vernon's new OCP officially adopted
The plan that guides Vernon's growth vision and strategies for the next 20 years is now in place.Vernon City Council adopted the new Official Community Plan (OCP) at the regular meeting Monday, Dec. 15.Just before council passed the bylaw to adopt the plan, Mayor Victor Cumming thanked the public for their role in prov...
1h ago
Read More
Shopping Interruption
Vernon's mall evacuated after fire alarm pulled
People had their shopping interrupted due to a false alarm at Vernon's mall Sunday.Vernon Fire Rescue Services responded to the Village Green Shopping Mall after the fire alarm went off at approximately 12:15 p.m. Dec. 14.The mall was evacuated as firefighters cleared the scene, where they determined it was a false ala...
2h ago
Read More
Highway alerts
Two orange rainfall warnings issued as heavy rain threatens southern B.C. highways
A strong frontal system is bringing heavy rain to southern British Columbia today, with total rainfall amounts expected between 60 and 80 millimetres. Areas affected include the Manning-Skagit Valley, Highway 3 from Hope to Princeton via Allison Pass, and the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt. Environment Canada ...
5h ago
Read More
Missing Snowmobilers
Three sledders, two whom were missing for days, rescued from Hunters Range area
Three snowmobilers are recovering after getting lost in the Hunters Range area last week, two of whom were out in the wilderness for multiple days.Vernon Search and Rescue (VSAR) said a pair of sledders went out riding in the LaForge area of Hunters Range Tuesday, Dec. 9, but did not return home.The following day VSAR ...
6h ago
Read More
Short term benefits
UBCO study finds microdosing lifts mood and creativity
A UBC Okanagan study suggests microdosing psychedelics can boost mood, creativity and focus-but only on the days it is done.Researchers tracked more than 1,400 participants from 49 countries, who reported feeling more productive, connected and positive on microdosing days. The effects faded on non-dosing days.Microdosi...
7h ago
Read More
Holiday changes
Central Okanagan residents urged to note holiday garbage schedule
Residents in the Central Okanagan are being reminded that curbside garbage and recycling schedules will change over the holiday season.The Regional District of Central Okanagan says there will be no collection on Christmas Day, Thursday, Dec. 25, or on New Year's Day, Thursday, Jan. 1. Thursday routes will instead be p...
7h ago
Read More
Council grants
Vernon to distribute over $50k in Council Discretionary Grants, $20K to the food bank
The City of Vernon has over $50,000 to give to local non-profits and organizations.A city staff report stated that there were five applicants who should be awarded funds through the October intake of the Council Discretionary Grant program. One of those agencies is receiving nearly half the available funds.The report r...
Dec 14, 2025
Read More
major response
Park arrest prompts major emergency response in West K
West Kelowna RCMP are sharing information after a major operation by the Emergency Response Team on Thursday. The drug section, with support from various other units made an initial arrest at City Park in Kelowna. That prompted them to execute a search warrant at a residence on Scott Crescent in West Kelowna and that i...
Dec 13, 2025
Read More

What Matters

Pay
Vernon's mayor and council pay going up as originally planned
1h ago
Official Community Plan
Vernon's new OCP officially adopted
1h ago
Shopping Interruption
Vernon's mall evacuated after fire alarm pulled
2h ago
Highway alerts
Two orange rainfall warnings issued as heavy rain threatens southern B.C. highways
5h ago
Missing Snowmobilers
Three sledders, two whom were missing for days, rescued from Hunters Range area
6h ago