The Climate Action Ripple Effect (CARE) program has re-branded and is looking for new mentors.The program, run by School District 22, is marking its fifth anniversary with new branding, an updated website, and strategies to boost student and community climate education, engagement and impacts.CARE sees Vernon and area ...

Greater Vernon will see a lot of investments into assets in the coming year.A report to the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee (GVAC) stated that it had over $39,500,000 worth of projects planned for 2026, though those would be majorly offset by a $20-million grant for one of the projects.The projects planned for 2026 i...

The local art scene has gotten a big boost from a sponsor and members of the public.As part of GivingTuesday, VantageOne Credit Union pledged to match $2,500 in community donations to the Vernon Public Art Gallery.The gallery had hoped to raise that sum through community donations, but the public made their support cle...

Parking permits will be available in less than a month, and can only be secured through the city's parking provider.Vernon will be selling its annual parking passes through HotSpot starting at 10 a.m. January 2.People will be able to purchase their permits through the Apple and Google apps, or via the HotSpot website.H...

The North Okanagan housing market saw a bit of a slow down last month with one realtor saying the decline was more than usual for this time of year.The Association of Interior Realtors says there were 107 units sold in the latest reporting month, which was down 10.2 per cent from the sales recorded in November of 2024....

The local ski hill will not be opening this weekend.SilverStar Mountain Resort had planned to open it's alpine runs on November 28, but pushed the opening back to December 5.SilverStar said Wednesday, Dec. 3, that it would be pushing the opening back again due to poor snow conditions.The resort did not say when it plan...

The B.C. Conservative Party says John Rustad has been "removed" as leader of the Opposition and a caucus vote has installed MLA Trevor Halford as interim leader.The announcement comes after 20 MLAs representing a majority of Rustad's caucus said they had lost confidence in him and wanted him out, but he refus...

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP have opened an investigation into an alleged incident near a local elementary school.Police say a group of students were walking on 20th Street at around 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, when a grey truck pulled up next to them.The driver of the truck, described as an older Caucasian man, asked the st...

People who know a resident that does a lot to give back to the community can now nominate them for the Good Citizen of the Year Award.The Vernon branch of Junior Chamber International (JCI Vernon) has opened its nominations for the award, and is accepting submissions through to January 12."The JCI Vernon Good Citi...

The local police force is going to get a boost over the next few years.During the Budget 2026 special meeting Monday, Dec. 1, Vernon City Council heard a report from the RCMP requesting funding to bring in more officers and members.Findings from the public engagement and survey opportunities offered in conjunction with...

Vernon saw three lives lost to illicit toxic drugs in October.The deaths came following a September when there were no fatal overdoses locally.To date, a total of 24 people have died due to unregulated drugs in Vernon this year. Kelowna meanwhile recorded seven suspected drug deaths during the latest reporting month. T...

Vernon Search and Rescue took their sleds out for their first winter rescue of the season Sunday. In a social media post, the search and resuce group (VSAR) said a couple of snowmobilers had gone for a ride up Hunters Range but got turned around. "They accessed the area using a trail that wasn't marked and wasn't ...

An annual campaign to support students and families facing hardships over the holidays is underway.The Okanagan Learning Foundation has launched its Christmas Hamper initiative, where it puts together community donations of foods, essential items, and gifts, and delivers them to families in need.The Learning Foundation...

The agency that supports local health care services is getting some extra support as part of GivingTuesday.Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation (VJH Foundation) said up to $200,000 in community donations to its Light a Bulb campaign would be matched Tuesday, Dec. 2."GivingTuesday is a global day of giving recognized...

The local cross country ski venue will play host to Canada's Olympic hopefuls.Nordiq Canada said Olympics Canada would hold its cross country ski trials at Sovereign Lake Nordic Club.The trials were originally to planned to be held at Prince George's Caledonia Nordic Ski Centre, but organizers decided to move it to the...

People are advised to be cautious as Vernon and the North Okanagan is expected to get its first big snowfall of the season.Environment Canada said a Pacific frontal system was moving into the Southern Interior Monday, Dec. 1, which could bring between 10 to 15 centimetres of snowfall to the region.The weather agency sa...

People wishing to get in the Christmas mood can now tour through the community and see the best decorated homes.John Christmas, a Vernon-based realtor, has released his annual list of the best decorated homes. This year's list highlights 20 homes in Vernon, and he also has two mini tours highlighting five homes each in...

Health care professionals involved in transplants will be thanked for their work and provided a snack this week.B.C. Transplant, Provincial Health Services Authority, and the Ministry of Health will hold its Operation Popcorn over the week of Dec. 1.Through Operation Popcorn, volunteers from B.C. Transplant will visit ...

Vernon has set its tax rate for 2026 at 9.73 per cent, a figure the mayor concedes is "...a very large number for people having to pay it."The rate was originally projected to be 10.24 per cent, but that was brought down to 9.61 per cent after accounting for a one per cent decline linked to non-market change ...

The local school district is looking to better spread out its student body through changes to the catchment areas.School District 22's Board of Education received reports outlining how Hillview Elementary, Vernon Secondary and Ellison Elementary were over crowded, and recommended changing the catchment areas to spread ...

The City of Vernon will set its budget for the coming year at a special meeting Monday.Vernon City Council will hold its budget deliberations, where they will discuss the city's spending and taxation plan, in the council chambers at 9 a.m. Dec. 1.As of the latest report, the plan called for a tax increase of 10.24 per ...

A local sport organization is providing the scoreboards for Vernon's new recreation complex. The City of Vernon has entered a sponsorship agreement with the Vernon and District Funtastic Sports Society, which is seeing the group providing some key items for the new Active Living Centre (ALC) gymnasium."Funtastic, ...

The City of Vernon has outlined nearly 200 projects to improve how people move through the community over the next two decades.At the regular meeting on Monday, Vernon City Council received the new Transportation Plan, which would replace the previous 25-Year Master Transportation Plan.The document outlines the framewo...

An Armstrong resident is prohibited from owning or residing with animals for the next decade and a half after distressed horses were found on her property.Sandra Nickolls was the subject of an investigation into an injured horse on her property, which led to the discovery of three horses in concerning condition, includ...

The Beaches concert in Vernon is sold out once again.Sirius XM released a second round of tickets for the free Music Town concert at Kal Tire Place - North Thursday morning, but tickets were sold out within half an hour.The first round of tickets were also snatched up almost immediately.The show is being put on after V...

Rosters Sports Club Bar and Grill is hoping to draw in more squash players.The club and restaurant is hosting a squash open house and is inviting both new and longtime players out to its facility.The event will go from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, and attendees will be able to tour the facility, get on the court, and m...

The District of Coldstream has given third reading to its Official Community Plan (OCP). Coldstream Council gave third and final reading to the plan after hosting a Public Hearing where residents could provide their input into the document on Nov. 10. The plan outlines the community's long-term vision for community gro...

Vernon and area residents are asked to support local for Small Business Saturday. Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce is launching the initiative with the goal of having people choose to visit local retailers for their holiday shopping Saturday, Nov. 29. The local business advocacy group said supporting local business h...