The city of Kelowna has announced the top three finalists across all the categories for the 50th annual Civic & Community Awards.People and organizations will be honoured at a community gala in early May in categories such as volunteers, artists, coaches, athletes, businesses, and non-profits.And of course there is...

A Kelowna man has been arrested on almost two dozen counts of theft.Kelowna RCMP said a team of investigators charged a man with 21 counts of Theft Under $5,000 from a single local business after collecting evidence including banking records, video surveillance, and statements.On March 24, a 37-year old Kelowna man was...

The Township of Spallumcheen will host an informative event about emergency topics.The Emergency Preparedness and FireSmart Open House will be held at Spallumcheen's Municipal Hall from 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 8.The event will see Mayor, council and staff provide members of the community with information about work ...

The executive director of Hadgraft Wilson Place, the five-storey apartment block damaged and then hastily evacuated a year ago in the downtown, says he's excited by the creation of a task force aimed at finding a solution.Alan Clay with Pathways Abilities Society says it's a complicated issue but all options are being ...

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...

A joint task force of the three parties involved in the future of downtown Kelowna's Hadgraft Wilson Place (HWP) said they are working to develop a sustainable and long-term solution. However it was not immediately clear what that solution is.Eighty-four residents living in HWP had to be evacuated last April 2024 due t...

The mayor of Kelowna says the changes made at the outdoor shelter site for homeless people along the rail trail this week were for public safety. Tom Dyas said in recent months there had been a rise in criminal activity at the location between Ethel and Richter, creating safety concerns for those living in the tent enc...

The Liberal Party now has a runner in next month's federal election race.Biologist, Dr. Anna Warwick Sears, who calls herself a political centrist with sound policy ideas, has been acclaimed by the party for the Vernon - Lake Country - Monashee riding.She was the NDP candidate in Kelowna - Lake Country - Coldstream for...

One of our local federal Liberal candidates for next month's general election is leaving no doubt about the focus of her campaign.Juliet Sicotte is the Liberal Party candidate for Okanagan Lake West-South Kelowna.Asked if more traditional bread and butter election issues were being sidelined because of the tariff and s...

It was quite the pleasant shock for one Kelowna resident.June Bakala thought she had won $2,000 on a Sparkling Riches Scratch & Win ticket - but a closer look revealed her winnings were far more than that."I was at home and thought I had won $2,000," Bakala recalled of the moment she discovered her win. &...

The City of Kelowna says the fencing they've put up at the designated outdoor shelter space - or tent encampment - does not make that area a concentration camp or cage.Community Safety Director Kevin Mead was responding to some criticism about the clean up of the site between Ethel and Richter streets Wednesday.Speakin...

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...

Lake Country RCMP are investigating potential criminal charges after a truck was driven across the trails causing damage to the new Lake Country Bike park earlier this week. Based on their investigation, police said an uninsured 2014 Dodge truck had gained access to the trails at 8865 Okanagan Center Rd West and was dr...

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...

A Kelowna man is facing a series of serious charges following the dramatic incident on the William R. Bennett Bridge earlier this year. Roy Winter, 61, has been charged with arson, explosives-related offences, and more, after the Jan. 27 event shut down the bridge for many hours. Winter is alleged to have parked a van ...

Kelowna's housing market just hit a new high - and not in a good way. A new report from RatesDotCa says buying a home here now costs more than in Calgary or Ottawa. With an average price of $1,076,000, you would need to earn $234,000 a year to afford it. The problem? The median family income is just $120,000. That is a...

The Independent Investigations Office (IIO) of BC has completed its investigation into a fatal motor vehicle incident in Kelowna last month.On Feb.27, an unmarked police vehicle was following an uninsured black BMW on Highway 97, which was involved in a collision with two other vehicles - a Mitsubishi SUV and Mazda - l...

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...

April 1 is the official kick-off to Community Clean-up Month and the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) is offering residents gloves and bags for neighborhood clean-ups. Trash collection is also arranged after the event.Communities are encouraged to get together and make an impact.In a media release, Cynthia ...

The cities of Kelowna and West Kelowna are back with an affordable tree purchase program aimed at improving the environment.In Kelowna, the NeighbourWoods program helps residents plant trees to combat urban heat, improve air quality, and support local wildlife. Eight varieties are available for pre-order starting March...

Are they your Juke Box Heroes, or perhaps they give you Double Vision?Legendary rock outfit Foreigner are coming to Kelowna.The band will play at Prospera Place November 7, with a special performance from 54-40. Tickets go on sale March 28.Promotional material for their tour dates in Canada later this year said Foreign...

The Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) seeks to borrow a further $2.5 million for the remaining construction costs for the Okanagan Regional Library (ORL) branch at the new West Kelowna City Hall building.So far, $8 million has already been borrowed for the facility.Using the Alternative Approval Process, 10 ...

CALGARY - The Western Hockey League has awarded an expansion franchise to Penticton, B.C. for the 2025-26 season. The WHL made the announcement Monday, in addition to initiating a franchise application process for Chilliwack, B.C., to begin play in the 2026-27 campaign. The expansion increases the number of teams in th...

Police closed off a major road for about half an hour as they searched a property in downtown Kelowna Thursday.Kelowna RCMP confirmed with Vernon Matters that local offices along with members of the Southeast District Emergency Response Team executed a search warrant a residence in the 700 block of Harvey Ave. at aroun...

A Lumby man will be forced to spend almost 24 full months on house arrest following an investigation by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).Eric James Canel plead guilty to three firearm-related offences stemming from the CBSA criminal investigation on March 15, 2025.He was sentenced to two years minus one day of ...

Environment Canada is warning that snow could fall on the highways connecting the Interior and the coast.The weather agency issued a special weather statement, saying that a pacific frontal system moving into the area could bring "a significant amount of snow accumulation" in the high elevation passes of the ...

Outdoor enjoyers in the North and Central Okanagan will benefit from provincial investments at two local parks.The province upgraded amenities at the Kalamlaka Lake Provincial Park in Coldstream along with Sun-Oka Beach Park near Summerland."Sun-Oka and Kalamalka Lake showcase some of the best beaches, trails and ...