CP NewsAlert: Wildfire prompts evacuations in Fort St. John, B.C., city says

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...

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...

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...

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 ...

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 ...

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...

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...

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...

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...