A former mayor of Vernon and family doctor is looking to get back in the council chambers.Rob Sawatzky announced he will run for a City Council seat in the fall election.Sawatzky served as Mayor of Vernon from 2011 to 2014, and said he and council accomplished a lot and developed some progressive programs during that t...

The local MLA has urged people conserve water as work continues to find a solution to the water scarcity issue in the North Okanagan.In a media release, Harwinder Sandhu said the water scarcity concern in the North Okanagan is raising concerns for the agricultural sector, but work is underway to try to alleviate those ...

Saturday 9 p.m.The La Casa Wildfire was measured at 5.18 hectares late Saturday. In an update, Central Okanagan Emergency Management said while significant progress has been made on the blaze, residents in the area will continue to see flames, smoke and firefighting activity as BC Wildfire continues ground and aerial o...

City council has given initial approvals for a proposed senior supportive housing development in Vernon's north end, despite some discussion involving parking at the property.A developer wants to build a five-storey, 126-unit supportive senior housing building at a vacant lot at 5,000 24th Street. The development would...

Okanagan sports heroes were celebrated at a special event in Vernon.On July 20, Sport BC recognized 18 volunteers in the Okanagan with 2026 Community Sport Hero Awards.The awards celebrated the individuals who make amateur sports possible in their community."Volunteers are the backbone of sport in British Columbia...

A local organization has asked for aide in making sure seniors stay cool and safe during the summer.Some seniors in B.C. are eligible for provincial assistance accessing a portable air conditioner.However, to fill the gaps and ensure seniors who do not qualify for the provincial program, NexusBC runs its own operation ...

A local business owner will throw his hat in the ring for the upcoming municipal election. David Scarlatescu, owner of the Fig Bistro and co-founder of Millennium Valley Productions, announced he would run in the Local General Election for a seat on Vernon City Council.Scarlatescu has lived in Vernon for the last 20 ye...

Air quality conditions are improving across the Okanagan after wildfire smoke blanketed much of the region Thursday, creating hazy skies and unhealthy conditions for some residents.Smoke from multiple wildfires burning across British Columbia moved into the Southern Interior, affecting communities throughout the valley...

The province's fruit industry advocacy group has called for a halt in the current water management approach for local agricultural properties. As of July 13, Greater Vernon Water (GVW) was authorized to shut off water service to agricultural properties that had reached their seasonal water allocation limit.B.C. Fruit G...

A new supportive housing project in Vernon will get some municipal support.At their meeting on Monday, July 20, Vernon City Council was asked to waive the Development Cost Charges (DCCs) for the project at the site of the former Polson Park Motel on 24th Avenue.City staff recommended waiving $125,518 in fees and coveri...

A tractor fire at a farm north of Lumby has claimed the life of one person.At around 2:25 p.m. Wednesday, July 22, police and firefighters were called to a farm in the 1300-block of Trinity Valley Road for a report of an out of control fire.The fire started from a tractor and baler then spread to the fields, nearby tre...

A North Okanagan resident has been fined under the Wildfire Act.At around 8 a.m. Friday, July 17, Lumby Fire Department were called out to a rural property east of the community for a burning complaint.Firefighters arrived on the scene and found a man had lit a fire, contrary to the existing ban, and was burning garbag...

The water level at Lake Okanagan has dipped to a new low.The B.C. River Forecast Centre said the daily water level has dropped to its lowest point on record dating back 80 years. The black line indicates the current daily water level for Lake Okanagan, which was at a historic low (Image Credit: B.C. River Forecast Cent...

A crosswalk in Vernon will be painted to honour those who have served the nation.City Councillor Teresa Durning put forward a motion at Monday's meeting to install a Veteran's crosswalk at the intersection of 31st Avenue and 30th Street.The commemorative crosswalk would be located near Cenotaph Park and installed with ...

Local Mounties have asked parents to step up and try to stop dangerous activities on local roads.Vernon North Okanagan RCMP said they have seen an influx of youth riding e-dirt bikes on public roads, but these vehicles do not comply with Motor Vehicle Act regulations and cannot be insured or registered, and therefore a...

The price tag for a flood protection project at a key city asset has doubled.The City of Vernon had planned a flood protection project for the Vernon Water Reclamation Centre, as the facility was found to be vulnerable during high flow events, posing operation and flood risk concerns for the centre and the downstream c...

Police cancelled the Amber Alert issued shortly after midnight Wednesday for a missing West Kelowna boy.At 12:03 p.m. July 22 the RCMP cancelled the alert.Police said multiple tips led to the child being found in Vernon."We would like to thank the public, the media, and our policing partners for their assistance,&...

The City of Vernon is hoping to use reclaimed water to support local agriculture producers.The city and the Regional District of North Okanagan tasked staff with conducting a feasibility assessment on using reclaimed water to top up the Goose Lake Reservoir.The idea came in response to the declining water supply and in...

Vernon and the North Okanagan is getting an infusion of cash to help with responding to emergencies.Through a provincial investment, Vernon's EOC will receive $30,000 for training, tabletop exercises and full-scale exercises to built and test capability.Another $30,000 will go to the Regional District of North Okanagan...

An attempt to set a new world record by swimming the full 106-kilometre length of Okanagan Lake fell short, but the fundraising aspect of the endeavour was still successful.Jessi Harewicz had planned to swim the entire length of the lake from Vernon to Penticton in support of Foundry projects in Vernon, West Kelowna an...

Enderby will increase its water restrictions ahead of the weekend.Starting Friday, July 24, all properties connected to Enderby's drinking water system will be under Stage 2 water restrictions.Stage 2 means people with odd-numbered addresses will only be able to water their lawns and gardens using sprinklers or irrigat...

The Mayor of Vernon will throw his hat back in the ring and look to win a third term in his seat.Victor Cumming announced he would run for mayor again in the fall election.In a release, the Cumming said a lot had been accomplished over the past eight years under his leadership, including "delivering on the communi...

Armstrong's downtown core will be getting a makeover.The Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce was successful in an application for a $25,000 grant in support of its Downtown Armstrong Facade Improvement Program.The program will provide eligible business and property owners with financial aid to improve and enhanc...

The Member of Parliament for Vernon-Monashee has come out strongly in opposition of supportive housing in the community.Speaking to Vernon City Council, Conservative Party MP Scott Anderson said the city had been used as a "testing site" for supportive housing and that it had been a failed experiment."Th...

A wildfire in the North Okanagan has been contained.The B.C. Wildfire Service (BCWS) officially deemed the Fairbrother Creek fire as being under control at 12:26 p.m. Monday, July 20.The designation indicated the fire was not expected to spread beyond its current boundary.The fire north of Cherryville sparked Friday an...

Local artists with lived experience of mental health challenges will have their works on display as part of an annual event.The Vernon branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA Vernon and District) will hold its 23rd annual Awakening the Spirit Art Show and Sale at the Vernon Community Arts Centre July 23 ...

Two children missing from a Northern Alberta town were suspected of being in the Okanagan Valley near Vernon.On July 8, Beaverlodge RCMP and Alberta RCMP Major Crimes Unit issued an Amber Alert for Lanakai Morrison. The Alert was later cancelled, but the six year old boy remained missing.Police said Lanakai may be with...

The Vernon Vipers have a new look for the 2026-27 season and beyond.The local BCHL team has rebranded with a new logo and new colour scheme ahead of the upcoming hockey season. The new Vernon Viper logo (Image Credit: Vernon Vipers) "[The inspiration for the design is] we wanted to be a true viper, the snake that'...