The agency that advocates for the protection of local water sources has a new plan to follow over the coming years.The Okanagan Basin Water Board has developed its 2026-2030 Strategic Plan.The plan has three core focus points, and those each have a number of key priorities:Advancing Science, Environmental Monitoring, a...

Okanagan College is expanding access to post-secondary education with the launch of a new Open Studies program.The program allows students to take individual credit courses without enrolling in a full diploma or degree. The initiative, which begins with Fall 2026 course offerings, it is also is designed to give learner...

Kelowna council will review a new financial update Monday showing the city's first-quarter 2026 results remain in line with expectations.A report to council said the city recorded approximately $62 million in revenue between January and March, or about 12 per cent of the annual budget. Fees and charges made up the larg...

The Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission (COEDC) has launched a refreshed online Business Resource Hub aimed at making it easier for local entrepreneurs and companies to access support services in one centralized location.The platform brings together business programs, services and organizations from across...

The margin was razor-thin.For the second straight game at the Memorial Cup, the host Kelowna Rockets were within reach of a victory. But for the second straight game, they came away empty-handed.A 3-2 overtime loss to the Chicoutimi Saguenéens on Sunday night dropped the Rockets to 0-and-2 at the tournament and ...

Construction is entering the final phase on the Don Folk and Family Recreation and Wellness Centre at Okanagan College as fundraising efforts continue to build around the project.The facility, scheduled to open in fall 2026 on the college's Kelowna campus, will include a competition-size gymnasium, fitness and weight-t...

A new resource has come online to assist police in the Southern Interior when dealing with complex cases.The province has rolled out the HealthIM app in the Okanagan and surrounding regions, which is a screening tool loaded onto officer-issued phones to be accessed when responding to calls relating to mental health or ...

Drivers in West Kelowna should expect delays later this month as asphalt remediation gets underway on a stretch of Old Okanagan Highway.From May 25 to 29, crews will be working between Chieftain Road and Reece Road, with single-lane alternating traffic in place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Two-way traff...

Festivities for the 2026 Memorial Cup in Kelowna got underway on Thursday, with the city rolling out a waterfront welcome before holding a parade in downtown.The trophy crossed Okanagan Lake with members of Westbank First Nation ahead of a celebration at Stuart Park, marking the start of a tournament that runs through ...

Due to dry conditions and increased seasonal water demand, the Regional District of Central Okanagan is implementing Stage 2 outdoor watering restrictions effective immediately for three community water systems.This measure is about a month ahead of normal.Star Place, Falcon Ridge and Sunset Ranch will be limited to tw...

The annual Make Water Work campaign is underway in the Okanagan.Spearheaded by the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) and FireSmart B.C., the program encourages people to choose drought tolerant plants, water wisely, and plant strategically when tending their gardens. The OBWB has put together a list of around 100 plant...

Starting Monday until May 29th, Springfield Road will be closed between Neptune and Belgo for paving work. Traffic will be rerouted using nearby roads and marked detours. The Rutland Roundabout will open once work is complete, improving safety and flow. Plan ahead and follow all posted construction signs.

The Okanagan appears headed for another drought this summer. According to the B.C. River Forecast Centre, the region's snowpack had dropped to just 16 per cent of normal by May 15 - down sharply from 31 per cent at the start of the month. The latest report says seven snow monitoring stations across the province recorde...

West Kelowna RCMP say proactive policing led to the arrest of two people after a stolen vehicle investigation on Wednesday. Officers tried to stop a stolen Ford F-350 on Highway 97C near Peachland, but the driver fled and nearly hit an officer. Police safely arrested both occupants shortly after bringing the situation ...

It's a boost for Kelowna families living or working at or near YLW, as the Kelowna Airport YMCA Child Care Centre has expanded to add 24 new infant-toddler spaces for children under 36 months.With the expansion, the centre will now offer 110 licensed child care spaces, including 36 infant-toddler spaces and 74 spaces f...

Kelowna welcomes the Memorial Cup Thursday with a special "Arrival of the Cup" at 4:30 p.m. starting at City Park.The Cup will arrive by canoe and be passed from Indigenous Veterans to the Canadian Armed Forces in a ceremonial handoff.A parade will move through Bernard Avenue and Water Street, ending at Stuar...

With snowpack levels at or near historic lows, the Syilx Okanagan Nation is calling on actions to protect the region's watersheds.The First Nation declared a Watershed Emergency Wednesday, May 20, as snowpacks across the region ranged from just nine to 69 per cent of normal as of May 1, raising concerns about water sho...

The group hoping to remove a local MLA from office are biding their time before filing the official paperwork.Tara Armstrong was elected in the Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream riding as a member of the Conservative Party of B.C. in the 2024 provincial election, then later left the party to join One B.C., though now sit...

West Kelowna council is moving ahead with zoning changes aimed at increasing infill housing - new homes built within existing neighbourhoods.The proposed updates would make it easier to add secondary suites, carriage homes, duplexes, townhouses and apartments.Changes include larger secondary suites and fewer design lim...

Kelowna is gearing up for another GoByBike Week, running May 30th through June 5th.The community event encourages residents to leave the car at home and use a bike for commuting, errands or recreation.Cyclists who register at GoByBike Kelowna can log their rides for a chance to win prizes.The City says continued invest...

West Kelowna Mayor Gord Milsom is pushing the province for more support on key community issues.Milsom met with Premier David Eby earlier this month to discuss mental health services, wildfire funding and affordable housing.The mayor says West Kelowna needs better mental health and substance use services closer to home...

RCMP say the investigation into the 1989 homicide of Elsie Friesen remains active more than three decades later.Police say Friesen was last seen in the Winfield area in the days leading up to her disappearance in early April of 1989.Mounties are again highlighting a tractor-trailer driver she appeared to recognize alon...

Kelowna is getting international recognition for its food and wine scene.National Geographic has named the city one of the '15 Best Places in the World for Food Right Now.'The article praised the Okanagan's wineries, restaurants and farm-to-table culture.Several local wineries and the Boucherie wine trail were also fea...

The 2026 Memorial Cup is returning to Kelowna for the first time in more than 20 years. City officials say the tournament is expected to bring $22.5 million in economic impact while attracting hockey fans from across Canada.Drivers should expect road closures and delays on Thursday during the Memorial Cup arrival parad...

It was a wild time at the Vernon Athletic Park as a local athlete took off her shoes and attempted to set a record for running barefoot.Savanah Wild hit the track at 8:17 a.m. Monday, May 18, and finished her 50 kilometre barefoot run at 1:27 p.m., clocking in a new unofficial record of 5:08:11. Savanah Wild crossing t...

Kelowna RCMP are reminding drivers to slow down as Canada Road Safety Week begins ahead of the May long weekend.Police say there will be increased enforcement, road checks, and Mandatory Alcohol Screening across the city.Sgt. Kyle Ushock says traffic and collisions typically rise over the holiday weekend."During t...

Travel plans for the May long weekend could be impacted by a return to winter conditions in the mountains.Environment Canada says Allison Pass, Pennask Summit, and Coquihalla Summit are most at risk for accumulating snow.The agency is urging motorists to slow down, adjust driving to conditions, and allow extra travel t...

The May long weekend is the unofficial green light for Kelowna's summer season, kicking off a stretch of major events. The Memorial Cup takes centre stage, drawing Canada's best junior hockey teams to the city.Hoopfest fills the downtown streets in early June, followed by Touchdown Kelowna bringing CFL action later in ...