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By Corey Fischer
RCMP Commander Backing Pilot Program

RCMP Commander Backing Pilot Program

Dec 10, 2018 | 6:30 AM

Vernon’s top cop will be before city council today, outlining her case for a pilot program to combat the opioid crisis.

Superintendent Shawna Baher is looking for support to provide Naloxone for individuals at risk of overdose.

Baher wants training and medication given to people being released from RCMP cells who are at higher risk to overdose due to stopping and starting drug use.

She says 23 of Vernon’s 39 overdose deaths since 2016 have involved those circumstances.

Other Matters

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...
32m ago
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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...
2h ago
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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...
2h ago
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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...
2h ago
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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...
2h ago
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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...
4h ago
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Hopes for headway
Cautious optimism from BC Wine growers after multi-provincial agreement
Wine Growers British Columbia have welcomed the agreement reached by nine provincial Premiers to expand direct-to-consumer alcohol sales across Canada.But they caution that it will not, by itself, create a truly open national market as it would also allow provinces to impose liquor board markups, fees, and other charge...
8h ago
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Commemorative Crosswalk
Veteran crosswalk to be installed in Vernon
A crosswalk in Vernon will be painted to honour those who have served the nation.City Councillor Teresa Durning put forward a motion at Monday's meeting to install a Veteran's crosswalk at the intersection of 31st Avenue and 30th Street.The commemorative crosswalk would be located near Cenotaph Park and installed with ...
22h ago
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Safety First
Vernon RCMP urge parents not to allow kids to ride e-dirt bikes on roads
Local Mounties have asked parents to step up and try to stop dangerous activities on local roads.Vernon North Okanagan RCMP said they have seen an influx of youth riding e-dirt bikes on public roads, but these vehicles do not comply with Motor Vehicle Act regulations and cannot be insured or registered, and therefore a...
23h ago
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What Matters

Investigation underway
One person deceased after fire at North Okanagan farm
2h ago
Burning Garbage
Fine issued for illegal burning case in Lumby
2h ago
Severe Drought Conditions
Lake Okanagan level dips to record low as drought conditions continue
2h ago
Safety First
Vernon RCMP urge parents not to allow kids to ride e-dirt bikes on roads
23h ago
$700K up to $1.4M
Rising costs double price of flood protection work at Vernon Water Reclamation Centre
23h ago