Mina, a self-proclaimed outdoors lover and traveller, said she planned to use some of the winnings to travel, though had no exact plans aside from wanting to go “somewhere overseas.”

She added “it feels like a dream” and that it’s “surreal to this day” that she managed to scratch her way to the top prize.

—

by Liam Verster

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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...

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major response

Park arrest prompts major emergency response in West K

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Possible firearm involved

One person apprehended in connection with suspicious activity in Coldstream

One person was arrested but later released in connection to what police say was suspicious activity in Coldstream.Vernon North Okanagan RCMP received a report of a suspicious individual outside a residence on Tamarack Drive shortly after midnight Thursday, Dec. 11.It was believed the person could potentially be in poss...

Dec 13, 2025

Fatal Collision, Highway Closed

One person dead in crash near Revelstoke

A fatal crash occurred on Highway 1 east of Revelstoke Friday morning.RCMP responded to a report of two semis that collided head-on on the highway at approximately 9:20 a.m., Dec. 12.First responders attended and one of the drivers was declared deceased at the scene, while the other was taken to hospital in critical co...

Dec 13, 2025

Salaries

Vernon Council to discuss lesser pay increases

Vernon's Mayor and Councillors will have their remuneration going up next year, but not by as much as previously expected.At the request of Councillor Kari Gares, city staff have developed a plan to maintain the remuneration rates at the 2025 level for 2026.This would see the mayor's remuneration increase by $4,638 to ...

Dec 12, 2025

Police Watchdog Investigation

Nakusp RCMP member not facing charges relating to fatal crash

Charges are not being pursued against an officer involved in a fatal crash in Nakusp.The B.C. Prosecution Service (BCPS) says an investigation was launched into an incident that occurred on November 25, 2024, when a member of the Nakusp RCMP spotted an alleged stolen vehicle.The member followed the vehicle and activate...

Dec 12, 2025

Taekwon-Do Tournament

Sundance Martial Arts finishes first overall at Western Canadian Championships

The local martial arts school proved its mettle at a major tournament.Sundance Martial Arts placed first overall at the 2025 Western Canadian ITF Taekwon-Do Championships.The Vernon-based dojo secured the title after its athletes took home 20 gold, 17 silver, and 32 bronze medals across nearly all age categories."...

Dec 12, 2025

Economic Trouble

Central Okanagan tops Canada in apartment vacancy rates

Kelowna and the surrounding Central Okanagan region are now facing the highest apartment vacancy rate of any major city in Canada.That is according to the latest data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.The area-which includes Peachland, West Kelowna, Kelowna, and Lake Country-saw its rental vacancy climb ...

Dec 12, 2025

Off-Season Freestyle Training

Silver Star Freestyle Club raising money for a new air-bag training site

The local freestyle ski group is raising money for a brand new, off-season training equipment.Silver Star Freestyle Club wants to establish an Air-Bag Training Site, where the athletes can practice their skiing and snowboarding skills when the snow is not flying."This facility will allow our athletes to have acces...

Dec 12, 2025

Kelowna woman ready to travel after lotto win

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