Further restrictions will be coming down the pipe that will affect agricultural properties in the North Okanagan.With Stage 3 Water Restrictions in place and concerns about the water reservoir levels still high Greater Vernon Water will be limiting agricultural customers to 30 per cent of their annual water allocation,...

The District of Coldstream has plans to amend its Official Community Plan to ensure water supply is protected, and wants the public to have their say in the change.Under the proposed amendment, language would be added to the OCP's Policy section.Consider the capacity and long-term sustainability of regional water suppl...

The highway through Vernon was slowed down due to a small flood caused by a smashed hydrant Friday morning.At around 11:45 a.m. July 10, a semi truck turning off Highway 97/32nd Street into the Chevron gas station allegedly jumped the curb and knocked over a fire hydrant at the corner of 33rd Avenue.The incident caused...

The labour force in the Thompson Okanagan improved last month, but joblessness remained fairly high.Statistics Canada reported the economic region that includes Vernon had an unadjusted unemployment rate of 7.5 per cent in June.That rate was an improvement from the 8.1 per cent unemployed in May, but still well above t...

A lawyer and long time community leader will throw his hat in the ring for a seat on Vernon City Council.Dustin Griffin announced his candidacy, saying he wants council to be more open to shaping the city's work around the community's feedback."Of course, I will bring my professional skills and training to the job...

Once again, people looking to cool off from the summer heat face a delay in accessing a local amenity.The District of Coldstream said the Lavington Outdoor Pool opening had to be pushed back again.The pool was expected to open June 27, but mechanical issues were uncovered that forced its opening to first be pushed back...

A motorcycle rider was taken hospital after a crash on Commonage Road south of Vernon.Vernon North Okanagan RCMP said officers were called out to the scene near the intersection of Bailey Road around 7:50 a.m. Thursday for reports of a crash.Investigators found that a passenger vehicle had slowed to pull over to the si...

Two people lost their lives to illicit substances in Greater Vernon in May.The preliminary figures from the B.C. Coroners Service indicated there had just been six fatal overdoses in the North Okanagan community in 2026. Those included the two in May, one in March, and three in January.In Kelowna, there were three drug...

The Okanagan has again been ranked at Drought Level 4.The ranking, which was given for the third week in a row July 9, is the second-highest drought rating and indicates severe conditions.The B.C. River Forecast Centre said the streams in the region had high water temperatures and declining flows. The agency specifical...

A special workshop will be held to ensure people are prepared for emergency situations that arise with another hot, dry summer on the horizon.NexusBC Community Centre in Vernon will host its Emergency Preparedness Workshop for Older Adults July 22.The workshop will teach people how to prepare for emergencies that are c...

Interior Health has urged people to be prepared for lower air quality as wildfire smoke could drift into the North Okanagan.The B.C. Wildfire Service's forecast said smoke from the fires burning near Boston Bar, south of Lilloeet, could blow east and settle over the North Okanagan and Shuswap, especially around Armstro...

Vernon, BC - The North Okanagan was well represented in the 2026 Rowcliffe Cup Final on Sunday afternoon as the Armstrong Shamrocks and Vernon Tigers squared off at Kelowna Memorial Arena. Armstrong punched its ticket to the championship game with a dominant 21-5 win over the Kamloops Rattlers on Saturday, while Vernon...

A new watermilfoil harvester has been christened and named following a public contest.The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) held a contest to name the new machine designed for chopping, collecting and clearing invasive Eurasian watermilfoil from area lakes.The contest received over 340 submissions, and after reviewing ...

Mounties in Vernon have asked the public for help finding a visitor who has been missing for almost two weeks.Phil Lazenby of Calgary was reportedly in Vernon around June 27, but has not been seen or heard from since.Lazenby was described as a 41-year-old Caucasian man, standing 5'10" (178 cm) tall and weighing 15...

The City of Vernon, City of Enderby, City of Salmon Arm and Regional District of North Okanagan will implement their own campfire bans in alignment with the broader prohibition.Effective at noon Friday, July 10, campfires will not be permitted within the North Okanagan and Shuswap cities, the RDNO Electoral Areas, or w...

A project aimed at using reclaimed water for irrigation in the North Okanagan has a new hurdle to face.The Regional District of North Okanagan had proposed borrowing up to $4.8 million to help fund the construction of the North Okanagan Wastewater Recovery Project (NOWRP).The RDNO sought public approval for the borrowi...

Non-profits in Coldstream have until the end of the month to have their property taxes waived.The deadline for organizations to apply for permissive tax exemptions for 2027 is July 31.Permissive tax exemptions must be applied for each year, and there's no guarantee an organization will be granted one even if it receive...

A campfire ban for the Okanagan and surrounding area will come into effect ahead of the weekend.The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) will implement the ban for the entire Kamloops Fire Centre effective noon July 10.The ban, which will build on the BCWS's previous orders prohibiting categories 2 and 3 open burning and use o...

The B.C. Hockey League has released its 2026-27 regular season schedule, with the new campaign getting underway Sept. 18 and several Interior B.C. teams set to open the season.The Vernon Vipers will begin their season on the road against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks at Rogers Rink. The matchup will mark the first of 54 r...

People who like to spend time outdoors have more trails to walk or ride.A new 14 kilometre section of the Splatsin te Secwépemc / Shuswap North Okanagan Rail Trail from Grindrod to Rosemond Lake Bridge has opened to the public, giving people a total of 34 kilometres of new trail between Armstrong and Sicamous to...

The housing market was more in favour of the seller in the North Okanagan last month.The Association of Interior Realtors (AoIR) said the benchmark average prices for single family homes and for townhouses in the North Okanagan rose in June, though apartment and condominium prices declined.Single Family Homes - $784,50...

People in need of access to healthy foods have more opportunities to get their pantries filled.Salvation Army Vernon expanded its Food Bank hours to be open from noon to 6 p.m. on Monday, and open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays. This will allow more flexibility for people who work to still be able to acce...

A range of projects aimed at improving the community and wellbeing of people in the North Okanagan are getting some additional funding.Community Foundation North Okanagan (CFNO) announced at its annual reception June 10 that a total of 68 projects will be getting backed by a combined total of over $437,000 in funding t...

Construction of a major new water plant in Spallumcheen has begun.The township said site preparation was underway for the construction of the North Okanagan Wastewater Recovery Project (NOWRP) at a site on L&A Cross Road.Motorists were advised to be cautious and follow all traffic control measures around the area a...

The woman who was reported missing July 1 was located.Vernon North Okanagan RCMP said the woman was safe and well, and thanked the public for their assistance.

North Okanagan Hospice Society celebrated a milestone year for the Hospice House with a successful Kentucky Derby Garden Party.The organization (NOHS) held the party with around 85 guests adorned in fitting attire for the theme such as elegant hats, beautiful dresses and sharp suits who enjoyed snacks and drinks, parti...

Tennis courts in Coldstream will be closed to the public for several weeks.Starting Monday, July 6, the Kalavista Tennis Courts will be closed to the public for resurfacing work.The project will be done in phases. The work will start with crews removing the existing surface, repairing and regrading the subbase, and ins...

The Lavington Outdoor Pool faces another delay before opening.The pool was slated to open June 27, but mechanical issues were found at the facility that needed to be remedied.The District of Coldstream said at the time that the repairs would be completed in time to reopen the pool by July 6.However, an update from the ...