Quick dredging work by the City of Kelowna along with provincial staff and contractors allowed them to reopen the Cook Road boat launch earlier than expected and in time for the holiday weekend.The City announced the public amenity reopened Friday.Low lake levels and sand buildup had gradually reduced access at the lau...

With wildfire smoke hanging over the Okanagan this long weekend and possibly beyond, Interior Health advised people take care of their mental health and wellness.The health authority stated one of the best ways a person can ease their mind during wildfires is to create emergency plans and kits for themselves, family me...

Smoke drifting into the Okanagan Valley have triggered air quality warnings.An Orange Warning was issued for the North Okanagan and a Yellow Warning was put in place for the Central Okanagan shortly before noon on Friday.The smoke caused the air quality health index rating to rise to Very High in the North Okanagan, an...

An ATV rider has died in Peachland.West Kelowna RCMP said it happened Wednesday afternoon in the area of the former Gladstone Mine near the 4600-block of Ponderosa Road.A preliminary investigation indicated the ATV left the trail, travelled down a steep embankment, and rolled before coming to rest against trees.Police ...

More traffic congestion can be expected in Kelowna's waterfront as more boaters use the Water Street launch while the Cook Street launch is dredged.The city has called on all boaters to use a designated route which involves moving north along Ellis Street, then turning left on Water Street at Prospera Place before turn...

The Okanagan has reached the apex of the drought severity scale, and is facing a significant water scarcity issue.The B.C. River Forecast Centre said that as of Thursday, July 30, the Okanagan was at Drought Level 5, the highest rating on the scale.The Okanagan was also facing a "high" water scarcity level, w...

Something is being done about the Cook Road Boat Launch in Kelowna, which has been unable to safely accommodate vessels due to the low lake levels.Dredging activity gets underway Thursday.The City stated it would complete the work as quickly as possible to improve launch access and functionality during ongoing low wate...

It was an opportune bust by West Kelowna's drug section earlier this week.Frontline officers found evidence of drugs after initially responding to a suspected break and enter on Tuesday at an address in the 2100-block of Ensign Quay.Police say a significant amount of suspected illicit drugs, cannabis products, and unst...

Over two dozen new affordable homes are coming online in Penticton.Through the Community Housing Fund, a new a five-storey, 28-unit affordable housing project has been built in the city's downtown core for Indigenous families, individuals and Elders."People deserve the option to affordably live in the community th...

A temporary water restriction has been put into place for the Salmon River Watershed in an effort to protect the local fish population.The river and watershed in the Shuswap has seen persistently low streamflows due to the drought this summer, threatening the survival of local Chinook salmon populations.The restriction...

A Rotary-led campaign in support of a new invasive mussel detection tool has surpassed its goal.Groups across the region raised more than $109,000 in support of an environmental DNA mussel detection system. That brought the fundraiser total up to $584,000, well above the goal of $475,000.The funds will go to support a ...

There are plans to widen Highway 97 through Kelowna, but don't hold your breath.The work is likely many years off as the City and Ministry of Transportation are set to create a corridor protection plan that ensures space is available for future rapid transit lanes.In the near and medium term there are plans to potentia...

Okanagan College has reached its $14 million fundraising goal and will finish construction of the Don Folk and Family Recreation and Wellness Centre this fall.The Kelowna campus will finally have a gymnasium for intramural leagues and tournaments as well as convocation ceremonies.Over the last three years, hundreds of ...

A person was apprehended and drugs and guns were seized after an investigation into a problem residence in Kelowna.In early July, Kelowna RCMP's Target Team was tasked with investigating a problem residence at a seniors' housing complex in the 800 block of Jones Street.Initiated by reports from community members allegi...

Enforcement of Kelowna's non-potable water allotment for agricultural users are being increased.Under Stage 2 Water Restrictions, agricultural properties in Kelowna connected to the non-potable water system were given reduced water allotment limits of 80 per cent.A city staff report said most properties were complying ...

The major question in Kelowna city politics has been answered: Mayor Tom Dyas is running again.In announcing his intensions Tuesday, Dyas said when he came into office four years ago the city got back to basics and invested in housing, roads, recreation and services... and now it's time to keep building.Under his leade...

The regional library has lost some financial support.The Okanagan Regional Library (ORL), which has branches throughout the region including in Vernon, said it had lost $45,742 in provincial funds that was reallocated away from large urban libraries.In response to the funding loss, the ORL wrote a letter expressing con...

With less than three months to the city council and school trustee elections, the City of Kelowna is giving prospective candidates a heads up on some timelines. It will offer free information sessions at 6 p.m. on August 12th and 19th giving an overview of what it's like to serve as a councillor and how to run in the u...

With less than three months to the municipal election it seems one candidate, Trevor McAleese, is dominating the social media video space in Kelowna.McAleese, who ran, unsuccessfully, for the NDP in the last federal election, has been posting regular multiple short video clips on Facebook and Instagram since launching ...

Police are investigating a fatal collision in Kelowna Sunday.Kelowna RCMP said a mobility scooter rider was struck by a charter bus on Benvoulin Road, near Rampone Road, at around 1:30 p.m. July 26.The scooter rider was rushed to hospital, but did not survive his injuries."The victim was a 97-year-old male living ...

A brake fire on a transport truck caused delays on the William Bennett Bridge Sunday evening. Firefighters quickly brought the situation under control, but two firefighters suffered minor injuries after a small explosion beneath the trailer. Northbound traffic was affected for about 30 minutes.In a media release, the K...

Sunday 5:20 p.m.The BC Wildfire Service reported early Sunday afternoon that the status of the wildfire burning near the La Casa area was "Being Held." That means based on fuel and weather conditions and resource availability, the fire was expected to remain within the current perimeter, control line or bound...

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...

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...

Low water levels on Okanagan Lake are creating challenges for boaters, with several launch sites facing reduced access due to ongoing drought conditions.The City of Kelowna is warning boaters to plan ahead before launching or retrieving watercraft, saying lower lake levels are increasing the risk of damage to boats, tr...

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...

Local businesswoman Nikki Csek is taking a run at Kelowna City Council in the October election.The founder and CEO of Csek Creative and NowMedia Group, said her campaign isn't the beginning of her service to Kelowna but simply the next way she hopes to serve.She's served on boards, chaired organizations, and volunteere...

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...