
Okanagan

National Recognition
West Kelowna doctor receives national women's health award
Local physician Dr. Unjali Malhotra was recently honoured by the Federation of Medical Women of Canada, earning an award for excellence in women's healthcare research and education.Malhotra, a menopause and women's health physician based in West Kelowna, was awarded with the Enid Johnson MacLeod Award, which represents...
22h ago
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Additional Forum
Kelowna Chamber to host provincial election forum next month
Kelowna-area voters will have an opportunity to hear from provincial election candidates at an all-candidates forum next month.The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event Oct. 20 at the Kelowna Events Centre, bringing together candidates from Kelowna-Mission, Kelowna Centre and Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream....
Sep 25, 2026
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Fall Upgrades
Park visitors can expect localized closures during fall bridge upgrades
Fall construction will temporarily disrupt access to a handful of areas in two Central Okanagan regional parks, while the majority of both sites remain open.The Regional District of Central Okanagan is replacing vehicle crossings at Johns Family Nature Conservancy Regional Park and Bertram Creek Regional Park as part o...
Sep 25, 2026
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Local election
Kelowna mayoral race: Dyas unveils 'Treatment First' approach
Kelowna mayoral candidate, incumbent Tom Dyas, has unveiled what he calls a Treatment First approach as the first part of his re-election platform.Dyas said four years ago, when he came into office, Kelowna was under real pressure with crime and disorder affecting neighbourhoods and businesses, and a rental vacancy rat...
Sep 25, 2026
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What Matters
Drought Level 4
Okanagan still experiencing drought conditions heading into mid-fall
Sep 24, 2026

Sponsored Content
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Snap Election
Conservative candidate announced for Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream
Sep 24, 2026
Snap Election Reaction
Area Conservative MLA calls snap provincial election "unnecessary"
Sep 24, 2026

Sponsored Content
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Missing since Tuesday Evening
VSAR searching for missing paddleboarder on Okanagan Lake
Sep 23, 2026
Drug Trafficking Investigation
Vernon "drug house" raided for second time in two months
Sep 22, 2026


Arena business
Prospera Place operator gets political with City contract
The outgoing operator of Kelowna's biggest arena, Prospera Place, is entering the local election fray.They're highlighting the City's move away from them, an all-Canadian company, in favour of what they've labelled an American-directed one.GSL will cease to operate in 2029, but has made a public call for municipal elec...
Sep 25, 2026
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Drought Level 4
Okanagan still experiencing drought conditions heading into mid-fall
The Okanagan's drought conditions were unchanged heading into the last week of September.The B.C. River Forecast Centre said the region was still classified at Drought Level 4 with a High Water Scarcity Level Thursday.The Okanagan was the only region in B.C. with a drought rating level that high, and the only other are...
Sep 24, 2026
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Snap Election
Conservative candidate announced for Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream
An entrepreneur and high-ranking member of the Conservative Party of B.C. will run for the joint North-Central Okanagan riding seat.Pavneet Singh aims to represent Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream in the snap provincial election.Singh has lived in the Okanagan for 25 years and over that time he has launched and operated...
Sep 24, 2026
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Municipal Voting
Kelowna voters have several options for October election
Kelowna voters can cast their ballots by mail, during advance voting or on general voting day in the Oct. 17 local election.Advance voting runs Oct. 7 to 16 at locations across the city.Mail ballots can be requested online, at City Hall or by calling 250-469-8645. Sept. 29 is the deadline to request a ballot for Canada...
Sep 24, 2026
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Ongoing Investigation
Alcohol believed to be factor in fatal Bennett Bridge crash
Police say alcohol is believed to have been a contributing factor in Tuesday's fatal crash on the William R. Bennett Bridge, while the nearly five-hour closure has also renewed calls for a second Okanagan Lake crossing.BC Highway Patrol released the update Wednesday as investigators continued looking into the crash tha...
Sep 24, 2026
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Green Light
Six-storey mixed-use development approved for Churchill Road in West Kelowna
West Kelowna council has approved a zoning change that will allow a six-storey mixed-use development on Churchill Road.Council unanimously adopted the zoning amendment Sept. 22, allowing four properties currently zoned for single-family and duplex residential use to be rezoned to the Westbank Urban Centre - Commercial ...
Sep 24, 2026
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Snap Election Reaction
Area Conservative MLA calls snap provincial election "unnecessary"
A local MLA is displeased with the call for a snap provincial election in late-October.David Eby announced Tuesday the legislature was dissolved and a provincial election would go October 24, much to the ire of a local representative."It's an unnecessary election at this time, they have the majority" David Wi...
Sep 24, 2026
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Community Support
Kelowna man identified after fatal motorcycle crash
A Kelowna man killed in a motorcycle collision last week has been identified as Stefan Vracarevic.Vracarevic died Sept. 17 after his motorcycle and a car collided near Harvey Avenue and Ethel Street at about 10 p.m.Kelowna RCMP say the driver of the car stayed at the scene and has been co-operating with investigators.A...
Sep 23, 2026
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Missing since Tuesday Evening
VSAR searching for missing paddleboarder on Okanagan Lake
Search and rescue workers continue looking for a paddleboarder who went missing on Okanagan Lake.Around 7 p.m. Tuesday, first responders were called out for a marine incident on the lake. Two paddleboarders, a man and a woman, were in distress between Fintry Provincial Park and Carr's Landing.The woman was located and ...
Sep 23, 2026
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Proposed Framework
Kelowna plans next steps for North Glenmore growth
Kelowna city staff are recommending a three-year planning process for North Glenmore, beginning in 2027, subject to budget approval.The proposed framework would examine transportation, water and wastewater capacity, environmental constraints, parks, infrastructure costs and potential development phasing.A study present...
Sep 23, 2026
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Running Again
Loewen launches re-election bid in Kelowna Centre as B.C. election gets underway
B.C.'s provincial election campaign is officially underway after Premier David Eby called a snap election, with Kelowna Centre MLA Kristina Loewen announcing she will seek re-election.Loewen says she is entering the campaign with momentum, pointing to an energized team and what she describes as a strong record in Kelow...
Sep 23, 2026
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Investigation complete
Broken rotor blade cause of 2023 YLW emergency landing
The Transportation Safety Board said a broken rotor blade caused an engine fire that forced a WestJet flight to make an emergency landing at Kelowna International Airport three years ago.The Dash-8 carrying 74 passengers and four crew was flying from Kamloops to Calgary in March 2023 when an engine fire warning sounded...
Sep 23, 2026
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Provincial vote
'Eby's top priority in snap election is self-preservation': Local BC Conservative
A local BC Conservative says Premier David Eby's snap election is effectively so he can run against President Donald Trump in the U.S. mid-terms and run away from his own record in this province.Kelowna-Mission MLA Gavin Dew called the decision "selfish and sneaky" and said the timing was opportunistic to tak...
Sep 23, 2026
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Serious Crash
Traffic moving again after crash closes Bennett Bridge, snarls morning commute
The William R. Bennett Bridge has reopened following a lengthy Tuesday morning closure caused by a serious collision.The crash happened shortly after 4 a.m. on Highway 97, bringing westbound traffic from Kelowna toward West Kelowna to a standstill.The southbound portion of the bridge between Pandosy Street and Campbell...
Sep 22, 2026
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Political turmoil
'Come together, rebuild trust': Local BC conservative MLA reacts to Findlay resignation
A local BC Conservative MLA said the next step is to "...come together, rebuild trust, and make sure we are focused on the job British Columbians elected us to do."In an email to Vernon Matters, MLA for Kelowna Centre, Kristina Loewen, said the party has the opportunity to put their differences aside followin...
Sep 21, 2026
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Missing Since 2016
Remains of woman missing over 10 years found near Yankee Flats
Police have discovered the remains of a woman who went missing more than a decade ago.Deana Mildred Wertz was reported missing July 22, 2016, and was suspected of being in the Yankee Flats area. Vernon North Okanagan RCMP said that on Sept. 13, civilian dog trainers working in a thick, wooded area in the 2000-block of ...
Sep 21, 2026
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Invasive Species
OBWB sounding alarm over growing risk of golden mussels
The regional water advocate group has issued a warning of an increasing risk from an invasive species.The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) said in a release that invasive golden mussels have been aggressively and rapidly spreading in California, adding "recent research suggests the mussels can survive transit thr...
Sep 21, 2026
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Back in Kelowna
Rockets welcome back Tomas Poletin from Islanders
The Kelowna Rockets are getting a key offensive piece back just in time for a weekend rivalry series.Forward Tomas Poletin has been reassigned to the Rockets by the New York Islanders after attending the team's rookie camp and appearing in a preseason game Sunday.The 19-year-old Czech winger was Kelowna's first overall...
Sep 21, 2026
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Making a Splash
New free public swim venue for Kelowna's City Park
A new public swimming venue is planned for Kelowna's City Park, bringing back a historic swimming destination on Okanagan Lake.The conceptual project includes eight 50-metre swim lanes, protected swimming areas, sun decks, shaded areas, accessible gangways and diving platforms. It could also accommodate water polo and ...
Sep 21, 2026
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Looking Ahead
Kelowna council to review 10-year capital plan, now nearing $3 billion
Kelowna's proposed 10-year capital plan is growing to nearly $3 billion as the city faces higher construction costs and continued growth.The 2027-2036 plan totals about $2.935 billion, an increase of $112 million from the current 2026-2035 plan.The biggest increases include $76 million for the Clement Crosstown Connect...
Sep 21, 2026
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Pulling the Plug
Kelowna reminds residents to drain pools carefully as summer winds down
The City of Kelowna is reminding residents to take care when draining backyard pools, hot tubs and outdoor water features as summer comes to an end.The city says proper drainage practices help protect Okanagan Lake, local aquatic habitats and the community's drinking water source.Residents with chlorinated pools or wat...
Sep 18, 2026
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Prepare Now for Ongoing Drought
Water advocacy group urges preparedness, warns of drought in 2027
The regional water protection advocacy group is sounding the alarm about persistent drought conditions heading into next year.The Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) said four straight years of droughts and historically low precipitation in the winter and spring of 2026 culminated in some extremely low lake, streamflow a...
Sep 18, 2026
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Push for funds
West Kelowna pushes province on wildfire funding, health services at UBCM
West Kelowna officials pressed the provincial government for more support on wildfire mitigation, health services and seniors housing during meetings at the Union of B.C. Municipalities conference this week.Mayor Gord Milsom and council met with provincial ministers and senior staff in Vancouver from Sept. 14 to 18 to ...
Sep 18, 2026
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Deadly Crash
Motorcyclist killed in Kelowna collision
A motorcyclist is dead following a two-vehicle collision in Kelowna Wednesday night.Kelowna RCMP responded to the intersection of Harvey Avenue and Ethel Street at about 10 p.m. Sept. 17 to assist B.C. Emergency Health Services with a collision involving a motorcycle and a sedan.Police say the motorcycle rider was dece...
Sep 18, 2026
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