The BC N-D-P is promising up to $90-million for involuntary mental health and addictions care in the South Okanagan.With eight days until the provincial general election, the party said it would establish a new care facility at the Okanagan Correctional Centre in Oliver for people facing severe mental health and addict...

The 2026 Memorial Cup generated an estimated $50.9 million in new spending across Greater Kelowna, setting a record for the tournament's economic impact on a host community, according to a study commissioned by the Canadian Hockey League.The 11-day tournament ran May 21 to 31 at Prospera Place, drawing 47,780 ticket sa...

Strong winds and falling snow levels are expected across the Okanagan and Central Interior on Saturday as a cold front moves through B.C.Environment Canada says wind gusts could reach 60 to 80 km/h, with the potential for fallen branches and localized power outages.Snow levels are also expected to drop, raising the ris...

Vernon saw some modest gains in housing construction last month, though the sector has still seen a slow down on an annual basis.Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) said Vernon had 11 new housing projects started this past September. Those involved eight single family homes, two semi-detached houses, and one...

Kelowna voters will head to the polls Saturday to elect a mayor, eight councillors and four school trustees for the 2026-30 term.Voting runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 13 locations across the city. More than 13,500 residents had voted during the first four days of advance voting, according to the City of Kelowna."We...

People looking to vote early for their Member of Legislature will have their opportunities over the next few days.ElectionsBC announced that advance voting in the provincial election will be available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the following locations and dates:Vernon-LumbyPeace Lutheran Church, Oct. 20 and 21Schubert Centre,...

A Kelowna roundabout at Byrns Road and Guisachan Road will close starting Oct. 19 for construction tied to the Burtch Road extension project.The closure is expected to last approximately two months, weather permitting. Drivers will be detoured via Gordon Drive, Springfield Road and Benvoulin Road.The work is part of th...

Two Okanagan hospitality leaders are being recognized for their contributions to B.C.'s food and tourism industries.Kelowna's Christina Ferreira and Okanagan-born chef Ned Bell are among 24 inductees in the 2026 B.C. Restaurant Hall of Fame class. The induction ceremony is scheduled for Oct. 19 in Vancouver.Ferreira is...

The Okanagan continues to be ranked as abnormally dry, increasing concerns for spawning season.The B.C. River Forecast Centre said the Okanagan had a High Water Scarcity rating and was at Drought Level 2 Thursday.The region was just one of three to have a drought rating that high, all of which were located in the South...

With just over a week until the provincial election, the New Democrats are taking aim at the local BC Conservative candidate and the incumbent MLA for Kelowna Centre, Kristina Loewen.It said voters "deserve qualified and serious representation that's focused on priorities like healthcare and the cost of living - n...

Fatal overdose incidents in Vernon continued to climb over the summer months.The B.C. Coroners Service reported seven more such deaths, including five in July and another two in August.There were also six deaths linked to illicit substances in Kelowna in July and another four in August.The deaths were part of 113 fatal...

Nearly 7,000 Kelowna residents have already voted in the 2026 municipal election, with three more opportunities to cast a ballot before general voting day on Saturday.The City of Kelowna says 2,811 ballots were cast during advance voting on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at Parkinson Recreation Centre and MNP Place. A further 4,16...

Kelowna voters will have another opportunity to cast their ballots in the upcoming municipal election Wednesday, with advance voting stations opening at Okanagan College and U-B-C Okanagan.The stations will be open to students, faculty, staff and the general public from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.At Okanagan College, voting will ...

This last wildfire season was another reminder about having good, strong, local fire departments and Wilson's Landing is no different.They're looking for applicants to serve their neighbours, and respond when help is needed.Applicants must be between the ages of 19 and 65, be in good physical condition, and complete a ...

A stretch of Boucherie Road in West Kelowna will be closed Thursday evening as crews carry out fall maintenance along the popular Wine Route.The city says the closure will run from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Oct. 15, between Hayman and Stuart roads.Work will include mowing, trimming, weeding, pruning trees, maintaining light...

A Manitoba-based underwater search and recovery team is heading to Okanagan Lake to assist the family of Kyle Yrjola, who has been missing since a paddleboarding incident on Sept. 22.HEART Team Inc. says it is deploying specialized underwater search and recovery equipment at the request of Yrjola's family.Yrjola and a ...

A Kelowna photographer has captured top honours in the BC SPCA's annual Wildlife-in-Focus photography contest, taking first place in the Wild Settings category with an image of a killer whale.Alan Milnes was among the winners announced Friday in the 18th annual contest, which celebrates British Columbia's wildlife and ...

The economic region that includes Vernon saw a slight decline in unemployment in the latest reporting month.Statistics Canada said the Thompson-Okanagan economic region had an unadjusted unemployment rate of 7.0 per cent in September.That was down from the rate of 7.2 per cent in August, but still above the 6.0 per cen...

Residents planning errands or activities in Kelowna this Thanksgiving Monday should check holiday hours before heading out, as several public services will be closed or operating on adjusted schedules.City Hall will be closed Monday, Oct. 12, and reopen Tuesday. Okanagan Regional Library branches will also be closed fo...

The City of Kelowna is asking residents to recognize the people who make a difference in their community, with nominations now open for the 52nd annual Civic and Community Awards.The awards celebrate individuals, organizations and businesses whose contributions strengthen Kelowna through volunteer work, leadership, art...

Kelowna International Airport is becoming a more visible platform for crime prevention, with a new campaign encouraging travellers and residents to report suspicious activity.Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers and YLW have partnered on the "Crime Doesn't Fly Here" initiative, which features new signs inside and ...

Kelowna's longest serving mayor Walter Gray is backing incumbent Tom Dyas in this month's local elections.Gray served a total of 12 years in office between the late 1990s and 200os and again in the 2010s and has cited Dyas's experience, leadership and ability to advocate for Kelowna.Gray also highlighted Dyas' relation...

The Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) Board has adopted a new Soil Removal and Deposit Bylaw for Electoral Areas East and West.The bylaw regulates the removal and placement of soil on rural properties.The RDCO said it will help protect public safety and the environment while providing landowners and develope...

It's been a long time coming but the new outdoor pickleball courts in the Glenmore neighbourhood of Kelowna are open for use.Starting Thursday afternoon, residents were able to access nine new courts at Glenmore Recreation Park.The City said the courts expand recreation opportunities in north Kelowna and provide addit...

Developers in West Kelowna will have more influence over the names given to streets in new neighbourhoods under changes approved by city council.Council approved an updated street naming policy Tuesday that shifts away from the city's previous reliance on a master list featuring historical figures and community heroes....

The recent cooler and wetter weather has had minimal impact on the ongoing drought conditions in the Okanagan.That's according to the B.C. River Forecast Centre, who stated the Okanagan was at Drought Level 2 and had a Water Scarcity Rating of High as of Thursday.The agency said the recent precipitation in the Okanagan...

Lake Country voters turned out in significantly greater numbers for the first day of advance voting in this year's municipal election.The District says 709 ballots were cast Wednesday, more than double the 342 ballots recorded on the first advance voting day in 2022. There are about 14,083 eligible voters in Lake Count...

Kelowna International Airport has switched on a new LED airfield lighting system aimed at improving visibility for pilots and safety for arriving aircraft.The more than $9-million upgrade replaces aging infrastructure and includes new lighting for the runway, taxiways and approaches, as well as updated signage and cont...