Greater Vernon Water advised select customers to boil water following a water main break Monday.GVW issued the precautionary notice for properties between 1800 and 1901 19th St. on March 31.The properties on 19th St. under the precautionary Boil Water Notice (image courtesy of GVW via the RDNO)The utility provider said...

An Independent will have his name on the local ballots at the 2025 Federal Election.Elections Canada confirmed Korry Zepik was running as an Independent in the Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee riding.Zepik said on his website that he was born and raised in Northwestern Ontario, worked in the oil and gas sector, and was a m...

The O'Keefe Ranch is one of 12 finalists in the Next Great Save 2025 Competition.The competition collects public votes, with the up to $65,000 in cash prizes available to protect heritage places in Canada.O'Keefe Ranch entered the competition with an effort to win money to preserve the mansion, the centrepiece of the r...

Warren Road in Coldstream was closed Monday to facilitate infrastructure construction, and will remain closed for the week.The District of Coldstream said, as of 8 a.m. Monday, March 31, Warren Road was closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic between Highway 6 and Buchanan Road for the construction of a watermain....

The province will host a series of budget consultations in the summer, including one in Vernon.The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services will host public consultations on the next provincial budget and make recommendations based on the feedback collected on key priorities.As part of those consult...

The local fire department hosted a multi-day training wildfire training opportunity for Interior firefighters.From March 25 to 28, Vernon Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) hosted the Responding to the Interface program which saw firefighters attend classes and participate in hands-on training to learn about fire response sce...

Salmon Arm RCMP is seeking public assistance in locating Derrick Ryde, who was reported missing on March 25.Police said they are very concerned for Ryde's health and well-being and friends and family report that it is out of character for him to be out of contact for this long.Derrick Ryde, 34, was last seen on Februar...

One person was taken into custody after a four-hour stand-off Thursday night in Spallumcheen.At around 10:20 p.m., the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP received a report of a disturbance at a residence in McLeod Subdivision.According to a media release from Mounties, the initial information indicated a man allegedly armed wi...

-- UPDATE --Police have confirmed that a body was found Friday, but the death was not initially considered suspicious.Vernon North Okanagan RCMP said the body of a 33 year old man was located on a forest service road near Lumby.Mounties said criminality was not suspected, and that police and the B.C. Coroner Service we...

A man facing charges including flight from police will be in court in early April.The B.C. Prosecution Service said Dale Babiy will appear in Vernon court for an arraignment hearing on April 3.Babiy was arrested on warrants in December of 2024, during which he tried to use a stolen vehicle to flee from police.RCMP used...

The Pat Duke Memorial Arena will be getting an upgrade in the spring.Starting April 1, construction equipment will start arriving at the arena so the metal roof and a portion of the building cladding can be replaced.The arena that hosts minor hockey, figure skating, ringette, and leisure skating in Lumby was originally...

People disposing of waste at the Armstrong/Spallumcheen Diversion and Disposal Facility (ASDDF) will be limited in what and how much they can dump.The Regional District of North Okanagan said the landfill on Powerhouse Rd. was nearing capacity, and disposal limitations would be required for several months as an upgrade...

Recreational facilities in Vernon will be temporarily closed for scheduled maintenance.The City of Vernon said the Vernon Aquatics Centre and the Fitness Gym will be closed for spring maintenance between Monday, March 31, and Wednesday, April 2.The facility should be ready to reopen Thursday, April 3.The temporary clos...

The owner of the Vernon Vipers is praising the Penticton Vees for their move to the Western Hockey League (WHL). John Glen, speaking from his home in snowy St. Albert, Alberta, told Pattison Media's RocketFAN, "It's a smart business move for them." The Vees were granted an expansion franchise by the WHL on Mo...

Almost two dozen properties Willow Drive have been placed under a Water Quality Advisory.The advisory was issued for 20 properties by Greater Vernon Water Thursday, March 27, following a water main break in the South Vernon neighbourhood.Properties on Willow Drive under the Water Quality Advisory (photo courtesy of GVW...

A court case involving a helicopter crash in Shuswap River two years ago is moving along.Vincent Porteous was arrested in January 2025 following a 16-month investigation into a crash in the river near Mable Lake, east of Enderby, in August 2023.The helicopter's occupants were injured in the crash. Porteous was allegedl...

-- UPDATE --Greater Vernon Water has rescinded a Water Quality Advisory for a BX neighbourhood.The advisory was issued for an area that includes Barker Rd. and parts of Silver Star Rd. after a water main break Wednesday.GVW said sample testing Thursday showed the waters disinfection levels were back within the safe dri...

-- Update --The vehicle allegedly involved in a pedestrian collision in downtown Vernon Wednesday afternoon did not remain on scene after the accident.Vernon North Okanagan RCMP told Vernon Matters a pedestrian was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of 34th St. and 30th Ave. at approximately 4:30 p.m., March 26.Po...

The local candidates for the 2025 Federal Election will take to the stage at an All-Candidates Forum next month.The Greater Vernon Chamber will host the event featuring the Vernon-Lake Country-Monashee riding candidates at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 17.The event, which w...

Recreational housing prices in the Okanagan Valley saw annual declines last year.That's according to year-over-year data from Royal LePage.North Okanagan Housing Types2023 Median Prices2024 Median PricesAnnual ChangesSingle Family$725,000$720,000- 0.1 per centSingle Family, Waterfront$1,850,000$1,660,000- 10.3 per cent...

People wishing to build on or modify their properties will have fewer fees to pay moving forward.At the regular meeting Monday, March 24, Vernon City Council approved amendments to the Fees and Charges Bylaw that the removal of numerous fees.Those include the complete removal of fees and charges associated with land us...

The accused in a second degree murder case will be heading to trial.The case against Vitali Stefanski, charged in the death of his ex-wife, Tatjana Stefanksi, was due to proceed with a preliminary inquiry between March 31 and April 3.However, the B.C. Prosecution Service said the Crown decided to proceed with a direct ...

-- Update -- The collision on the highway through Coldstream Tuesday reportedly occurred when a cyclist lost control and crashed into a vehicle.Vernon RCMP were dispatched to the scene of the crash on Highway 6 at Ricardo Road, near the Vegpro International warehouse, for reports of a cyclist and vehicle collision at 3...

The consumer carbon tax in British Columbia is being eliminated.The B.C. Government will introduce legislation Monday, March 31, to remove the consumer carbon tax effective April 1. This will align with the removal of the federal carbon tax on consumers.The province said it was contacting fuel sellers and natural gas r...

The jazz club in downtown Vernon is looking to expand its capability for hosting events.The Vernon Jazz Club applied to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch to change it's liquor service from the current hours of 7:15 to 11:45 p.m., to instead be able to serve between 11 a.m. and 1 a.m.The non-profit, volunteer-ru...

Cricketers will have a place to play in the North Okanagan.At the regular meeting Monday, March 24, Vernon city council was presented with a proposal to approve the installation of a cricket pitch at the DND grounds, and to provide up to $30,000 for its construction.The playing field would be artificial turf on top of ...

One of our favourite events to emcee A record year for Valentines for Mexico with $64,860 raised!!!! All money raised goes to support orphanages and families in Mexico and Cuba. Each year, a portion of the proceeds is also donated to a local family. The recipient this year is the son of Tania Hollingsworth. S...

A proposal to review the impacts supportive housing and social programs have on neighbouring businesses and residents will not go ahead, though did spark a lively debate in the council chambers.At the regular council meeting Monday, March 24, Coun. Kari Gares put forward a Notice of Motion that asked staff to provide a...