A local school group is raising money to ensure all kids have a place to play.Hillview Elementary Parent Advisory Council (PAC) is running a 50/50 Raffle to raise money for a new accessible playground at the school.The PAC said Hillview "supports many students with diverse learning and accessibility needs, yet the...

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 ...

Select properties in an area off Highway 97 have been advised to boil their water before drinking.Greater Vernon Water and the Regional District of North Okanagan issued a Boil Water Notice (BWN) for properties on Stepping Stones Cres. and for 360 to 380 Stepping Stones Drive Tuesday, May 5."A power outage in the ...

Water will be temporarily turned off for dozens of properties Thursday.Greater Vernon Water and the Regional District of North Okanagan said a water main repair was needed in Coldstream that would cause an outage from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, May 7.The water outage would affect the following properties:10303 Coldstre...

The fundraiser in support of the region's new youth mental health services hub has hit a milestone after opening to the public.The Vernon and District branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA Vernon) will be building and operating Foundry North Okanagan in downtown Vernon to offer a range of health and me...

The City of Vernon is asking people prepare for wildfires and other emergency situations.May 4 marked the start of Emergency Preparedness Week in B.C., and the city suggested that could serve as a reminded for people to take action and ensure they are ready for a serious event.Know the Risks: Understand the hazards spe...

A community celebration will be held in support of the agencies that provide local mental health supports.The Vernon and District Branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA Vernon) will host its annual Block Party Thursday, May 7.The event, held out front of the Museum and Archives building from 12 to 2 p.m...

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...

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...

A pair of Vernon residents have already spent over 24 hours on the streets in a bid to raise awareness about what it's like to be homeless.Tracey and Jimmy Miller of the Packman Open Hearts group are on a 72 hours campaign that sees them staying on the streets and sleeping outdoors from noon Friday to noon Monday, for ...

Representatives from a local homeless outreach group have begun their awareness and fundraising campaign.Tracey and Jimmy Miller of the group Packman Open Hearts began their Reality Check - Life Without a Home initiative Friday, May 1.The pair will spend at least 72 hours sleeping on the streets as a way to raise aware...

A milestone has been hit in enhancing local mental health services thanks to a major contributor.Vernon Jubilee Hospital (VJH) Foundation committed to donating $500,000 towards Foundry North Okanagan.Operated by the Vernon and District branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA Vernon), Foundry will provide...

RCMP have asked the public for assistance in a theft investigation.Vernon police said two people entered a business on Anderson Way on April 14 and stole over $1,000 in tools and merchandise.Police released the image of one of the suspects in hopes to identify the person. One of the suspects in the alleged theft of ove...

The accused in an alleged bestiality case is due back in court later this month.Seth Christian was charged with the count in relation to an alleged assault of a horse at a local equestrian centre in January. He was arrested and charged later that month. CCTV images of Christian assaulting the horse were posted on socia...

Local high schoolers are taking it upon themselves to protect Kalamalka Lake.As part of the Climate Action ripple Effect (CARE) program, a group of Vernon Secondary Students have put forward an idea to replacing existing signage at key locations with new educational signs about the impacts illegal dumping and littering...

Vernon's municipal leaders are calling for some clarity and data on housing regulations at the Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) convention.At the SILGA convention, held in Revelstoke April 29 to May 2, Vernon will bring forward two resolutions for discussion: Provision of Data Concerning the Specu...

A house in the BX area was was the site of a significant fire Thursday morning.The blaze started at the house in the 6900 block of Pleasant Valley Road shortly after 8 a.m. April 30, causing the road to be closed near the Vernon Christian School. Flames coming from the house on PV Road (Image Credit: Beach Radio Listen...

Camping out is now no longer permitted at a park just outside Vernon's downtown core.The city's Parks and Public Spaces bylaw was amended to no longer allow overnight sheltering at Hidden Park.City Council gave first, second and third reading to the amended bylaw at the meeting Monday.The amendment came following a del...

Construction of Vernon's new recreation centre has been making progress, though there has been a slight hiccup.An update on the construction of the Active Living Centre (ALC) stated there was an issue that could cause a slight delay in opening the new facility."During the first quarter of this year, additional san...

Vernon's mayor has raised concerns about how air quality in the city is monitored.The province's air quality sensor is located at the Okanagan Science Centre, adjacent to Highway 6.Due to its location, the Ministry of Environment and Parks' sensor reads high dust levels that may not accurately reflect air quality condi...

A decision to reduce the permissible lot size for secondary housing in Coldstream has been postponed.At the meeting Monday, April 27, Coldstream Council was presented a staff report recommending that Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) be allowed on agricultural properties 2.0 hectares and larger.The report said ADUs were a...

With wildfire season fast approaching, the District of Coldstream is offering a free service to help protect people's properties.As part of the municipality's larger FireSmart work, Coldstream residents will be able to access a free wood chipping service.This program will allow residents to dispose of woody debris and ...

The case of the alleged murder that took place in Lumby last year will be going to trial next month.Tatjana Stefanski was reported missing from her home in Lumby on April 13, 2024, and the following day police located her body in a remote area.Tatjana's ex-husband, Vitali Stefanski, was located in the general vicinity ...

The City of Vernon has identified some land owned by senior levels of government that could be used for new non-market housing.Vernon's Non-Market Housing Land Task Force (NHLTF) was tasked with finding property within the municipality that could be used for supporting or affordable housing, and found four properties t...

A National Day of Mourning event was held outside Vernon City Hall Tuesday.The event was held to honour the workers who fell ill, were injured, or lost their lives due to workplace incidents."In 2025, workplace injuries and illnesses claimed the lives of 138 workers in B.C.," Justin Comeau, a Prevention Offic...

An online fundraiser has been launched to support a local man involved in a motorcycle crash.The GoFundMe for Stacey Winters says the man was involved in a "devastating motorcycle accident" on April 21 when he suffered serious injuries. As of the latest update he was in critical condition at the Intensive Car...

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...

People will be strapping on their helmets and hitting the road on their bikes in support of youth mental health.The Vernon and District branch of the Canada Mental Health Association (CMHA Vernon) will hold its Ride Don't Hide event June 7.It will see participating riders cycle one of five routes spanning four to 50 ki...