
Okanagan

Agricultural needs
Seasonal housing in Glenmore gets green light
Kelowna City Council has said yes to a proposal for temporary housing for over a hundred agricultural workers along Glenmore Road North.The proposal for the parcel near John Hindle Drive, above a cherry orchard, includes housing the 105 workers in 15 dormitory trailers.Additional facilities would include four washroom ...
1h ago
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Fire Bans
Category 2 and 3 Fire Bans taking effect Thursday
The season's first fire bans for the Okanagan and surrounding area come into effect this week.The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) will put a ban on Category 2 and 3 open burning within the Kamloops Fire Centre starting at noon Thursday, May 7.The bans for the area that include Vernon, Kelowna and the Okanagan and Shuswap ...
7h ago
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Pain at the Pumps
Vernon and Kelowna gas prices jump overnight, topping $2 per litre
Okanagan drivers are seeing higher fuel prices this morning as costs continue to climb across the region.In Vernon, the average price for a litre of regular fuel soared to $2.04.9 Tuesday, May 5. That marked a 21 cent increase from the previous day's average.At some Kelowna stations, prices jumped overnight from about ...
8h ago
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Seeking Information
Kelowna RCMP seek help finding missing woman
Kelowna RCMP are asking for the public's help in locating a missing woman.Amanda Batchelar, 42, was reported missing last week. Police say Batchelar was last seen near Reid's Corner in Rutland on April 30, 2026, after her family reported her missing the same day. Officers say there is concern for her health and well-be...
8h ago
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What Matters
Fire Bans
Category 2 and 3 Fire Bans taking effect Thursday
7h ago

Sponsored Content
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Water Main Repair
Water outage to affect dozens of Coldstream properties
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Youth Mental Health Services
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Sponsored Content
Back-to-Back awards
Ready for Wildfires, Other Situations
City of Vernon urging action under Emergency Preparedness Week
May 04, 2026
Evacuation Preparedness
Pet owners urged to be prepared in case of major wildfire events
May 04, 2026


Weapons Seized
West Kelowna RCMP seize firearms, arrest one on Boucherie Road
West Kelowna RCMP say one person is in custody following a police operation Monday that resulted in the seizure of multiple firearms, ammunition and body armour from a home on Boucherie Road.Police, with support from the Southeast District Emergency Response Team, West Kelowna Crime Reduction Unit and First Nations Pol...
9h ago
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Arrest
Cops bust suspect with hidden compartment in vehicle
A hidden compartment didn't fool police during a bust of a suspect in the KLO Road and Benvoulin Road area.Kelowna RCMP say they identified a person of interest parked in a vehicle last week, Tuesday.The suspect was part of an ongoing drug trafficking investigation, with connections to the Lower Mainland and organized ...
May 05, 2026
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Evacuation Preparedness
Pet owners urged to be prepared in case of major wildfire events
With dry, hot conditions already felt in the Okanagan, the B.C. SPCA is urging pet owners be prepared in case a wildfire does spark. The agency said the unseasonably dry and warm weather have led to many British Columbians being wary of wildfires this summer, and have put forward some tips so people could ensure the sa...
May 04, 2026
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Fee Consideration
Kelowna council to debate higher fees, fines for road-use permits
City council is set to consider a series of increases to fees and fines tied to construction and other activity that impacts public roads.A report going to council Monday recommends changes to the Road Use Permit program, which regulates everything from road closures and traffic disruptions to temporary construction fe...
May 04, 2026
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Construction Closure
Rail Trail to be closed for erosion prevention work
A major section of the Rail Trail in Coldstream will be temporarily closed later this month.The Regional District of North Okanagan (RDNO) said the trail would be closed between Kick Willie Road and Kekuli Bay Provincial Park from May 19 to June 5."The closure is required to allow important erosion-prevention work...
May 04, 2026
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Arrests Made
West Kelowna RCMP make arrests in March break and enter
West Kelowna RCMP say arrests have been made in connection with a break and enter at a local vape shop earlier this year.Police say the incident happened March 25 just before 4 a.m. at Kelowna Vapor Lounge, when two suspects smashed a front window and entered the business for less than two minutes. Investigators say th...
May 04, 2026
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Construction Season
Lakeshore Road reduced to one-way traffic for construction
Construction season is in full swing. Drivers in Kelowna should expect traffic changes on Lakeshore Road starting Monday as a section of the busy corridor is reduced to one-way flow for about a month.The change will affect the stretch between Lanfranco Road and Richter Street, with northbound traffic detoured via Richt...
May 01, 2026
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Accessible Equipment
Kelowna school getting new playground with provincial funding
A French school in Kelowna is getting new playground equipment thanks to a provincial investment.Through Budget 2026, the province has provided École De L'Anse-Au-Sable with $200,000 for modern, inclusive and accessible playground equipment.The Kelowna school is one of 25 across B.C. benefiting from investments ...
May 01, 2026
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Scam Alert
Kelowna RCMP warn of rising fraud cases involving impersonation scams
Kelowna RCMP are warning residents to stay vigilant after a rise in fraud cases involving scammers posing as government officials, financial institutions and law enforcement.Police say the suspects are using spoofed phone numbers to appear legitimate and are pressuring victims with urgent claims designed to create pani...
May 01, 2026
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Music Festival
Rock The Lake adds Classified and Hailey Benedict to 2026 lineup
Rock The Lake Music Festival has expanded its 2026 lineup with the addition of Classified and Hailey Benedict, organizers announced Friday.The Canadian hip-hop artist and rising country performer will join the bill at the three-day festival, set for July 10 to 12 at Prospera Place in Kelowna.Organizers said the updated...
May 01, 2026
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Moving up
UBCO Heat star player heads to Vancouver Bandits
It's a big step up for young UBCO Heat basketball player Jalen Shirley.The Kelowna-based Shirely has been signed to a contract by the Vancouver Bandits.The club said his development with the Heat is a testament to the rapid growth of youth basketball in B.C., even away from the Lower Mainland.Shirely is the UBCO Heat's...
May 01, 2026
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Growing Problem
RCMP warn of surge in illegal e-bike use in West Kelowna
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are stepping up enforcement as high-powered e-bikes and electric dirt bikes become more common in West Kelowna.Police say complaints are rising, particularly involving youth riding on roads, sidewalks and trails with machines that don't meet legal standards. Cpl. Tyrone Wilton says the...
Apr 30, 2026
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Water Conservation Measures
Lake Country implementing water restrictions Monday
The District of Lake Country is bringing in water restrictions after the weekend.Effective Monday, May 4, the municipality will have Modified Stage 2 Water Restrictions in place, meaning people will only be able to water their lawns, flowers, plants and shrubs twice a week:Addresses ending in 0 - Saturday and Wednesday...
Apr 30, 2026
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Chamber Reaction
Kelowna chamber backs key measures in federal spring update
The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce says the federal government's spring economic update includes targeted measures that could help stabilize the economy and address challenges in the Okanagan.The chamber points to a focus on workforce shortages, private-sector growth and cutting red tape as positive steps, along with effo...
Apr 30, 2026
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New Role
Kelowna mayor named chair of Municipal Finance Authority
Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas is adding another role to his portfolio. Dyas has been elected chair of the Municipal Finance Authority of British Columbia, taking on a leadership role with the organization that helps fund public infrastructure across the province.The Municipal Finance Authority of British Columbia is a co-oper...
Apr 30, 2026
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Road Awareness
BC Highway Patrol ramps up enforcement for May safety campaign
Drivers across B.C. can expect increased police enforcement in May as the BC Highway Patrol launches its annual High-Risk Driving and Motorcycle Awareness campaign.Officers will be targeting speeding, impaired, distracted and aggressive driving as traffic volumes rise with warmer weather."There are two keys to kee...
Apr 28, 2026
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Business Expansion Opportunity
New industrial park being developed in Lumby
North Okanagan businesses are getting a new opportunity to expand their operations.The Village of Lumby said it was developing the new Lumby Industrial Park.Located along Highway 6, the 16-acre, five-lot site will be suitable for a range of industrial, manufacturing, logistics, forestry and agricultural operations, all...
Apr 28, 2026
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High-tech Rescue
AirTag helps rescuers track down missing kittens in East Kelowna
Call it a high-tech rescue.A mother cat and her newborn kittens are safe and recovering after rescuers in the Okanagan used an AirTag to track down the hidden litter in a forested area of East Kelowna.The Okanagan Humane Society says a pregnant stray cat was first spotted on April 15, prompting a search effort by a loc...
Apr 28, 2026
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Conservation
Stage 2 water restrictions in West K
Water restrictions remain in place for West Kelowna because of the low snowpack, which has already melted off in most of the watershed, according to officials.Stage 2 regulations mean even-numbered addresses can water on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Odd-numbered addresses water on Wednesdays and Sundays.Automatic sprinkler ...
Apr 27, 2026
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Advocacy
Local atheist group call for Census action
A local organization is calling on the public to formally report if they are not religious in the upcoming 2026 Census.The Kelowna Atheists, Skeptics and Humanists Association (KASHA), is launching a national campaign urging Canadians to accurately report "no religion".The Census form asks for respondents to ...
Apr 27, 2026
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Regional Meeting
Kelowna council to join regional leaders in Revelstoke
Kelowna's elected officials, along with those from across the Southern Interior, are gathering in Revelstoke this week for a major regional convention focused on local government priorities.The Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) convention runs from April 29 to May 2, bringing together delegates fro...
Apr 27, 2026
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Significant Bust
Two arrested after major cash, drug, firearm seizure in Kelowna
Two men are facing potential charges after Kelowna RCMP say a coordinated operation uncovered a significant cache of illicit drugs, firearms and cash earlier this month.The RCMP Crime Reduction Unit executed search warrants at multiple residences on April 15, with assistance from the Southeast District Emergency Respon...
Apr 27, 2026
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Early Morning Blaze
Truck fire in Kelowna parkade deemed suspicious
A fire inside an underground parkade at a Kelowna apartment building is being treated as suspicious after firefighters discovered a burning vehicle early Thursday.Kelowna Fire Department crews were called to The Rise at 540 Dougall Road following an alarm. When firefighters arrived, they found smoke pushing through the...
Apr 27, 2026
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12 hectare blaze
Wildfire near Chase controlled
A relatively large wildfire in the Shuswap has been contained.The B.C. Wildfire Service said the blaze was reported near Chum Lake, outside the community of Chase, Friday, April 24.The fire burned 12.38 hectares of terrain but the provincial wildfire service had it Under Control by around noon Saturday.It's suspected t...
Apr 26, 2026
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