The voting booths were less busy for the snap provincial election this October.ElectionsBC said the Vernon-Lumby riding saw a total of 26,277 votes cast.That was down from the 2024 election, which saw 27,729 votes cast across the riding.Similar declines in voter turnouts were recorded in the other ridings across the No...

Suspected illicit drug deaths saw another increase locally this September, but Vernon and the province are not on track to have another record high for death tolls.The B.C. Coroners Service said four fatal overdoses were recorded in Vernon last month, up from the two deaths seen locally in August.As of the end of Septe...

An out-of-the box, unique burger was overwhelmingly loved by the public in this year's Golden Burger Challenge.Cambium Cidery won the People's Choice trophy after serving up the Big Quack, a duck confit burger featuring crispy duck prosciutto, brie, endive and apple slaw, peking sauce, and black garlic ketchup.The Rost...

Students in School District 22's Awaken Education Program are putting on a special event to support their class.The students will host a Haunted Holidays House at Clarence Fulton Secondary School November 25.The unique haunted house will run from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and there will also be a bake sale and local vend...

The Golden Burger title will be handed out at a special event this evening.Over the course of October, 10 local restaurants served up unique and creative burgers in support of the North Okanagan Community Life Society (NOCLS), with $5 from each meal sold going towards the group's work assisting people living with disab...

The District of Coldstream is bringing in a new Chief Financial Officer.Terry Martens will take on the role as of overseeing the municipality's money November 19.The new CFO, or Director of Financial Administration, holds professional designations of Chartered Professional Accountant and Certified General Accountant, a...

One person was killed in a serious crash outside Salmon Arm Friday evening.RCMP said a Mustang and Audi were heading west on Trans Canada Highway into Salmon Arm at high rates of speed, in excess of around 140 kilometres per hour.Shortly before 7:40 p.m., the Mustang attempted to pass the Audi but lost control and spun...

Ceremonies honouring Canada's fallen soldiers will be held in Vernon November 11.The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25, in partnership with the City of Vernon, will host a Remembrance Day ceremony at Kal Tire Place.Doors will open for the event at 9 a.m. and feature a musical prelude, a parade, a service, and a minute of...

The federal government has committed to renewing the program that provides financial aid to the winery sector, which is being seen as welcome news.In Budget 2026, the federal government committed to extend the Wine Sector Support Program with a $176.9-million investment over three years.The program provides financial a...

The region that includes Vernon saw some positive gains to the workforce last month.Statistics Canada says the Thompson-Okanagan economic region had an unadjusted unemployment rate of 6.6 per cent this October. That was an improvement from September's rate of 7.0 per cent, and down from the rate of 7.3 per cent unemplo...

Vernon's first year under the housing target program saw some major gains in reaching the desired goal.In September of 2025, the province challenged the city to reach a housing target of bringing 1,849 net new housing units online over a five year period.A city staff report said the first year saw 468 net new homes com...

The North Okanagan saw another dip in the housing market last month. The Association of Interior Realtors (AoIR) said a total of 126 sales were recorded in the area this October. That was down from September's 129 sales, and below the 149 sales recorded in October 2025.Most housing types in the area also saw prices dec...

The local non-partisan agency that advocates for local business is hoping to see the new provincial government take actions that bolster the North Okanagan's economy.The Conservative Party of B.C. was elected into office in the fall vote, and Sonja Harkness, Executive Director of the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce,...

A non-profit has made a monumental commitment to support youth in the Okanagan and across B.C. looking to further their education.United Way B.C. said it would be distributing a combined $800,000 through its Youth Futures Education Fund next year.The program provides youth entering post-secondary education with support...

The local theatre and arts facility has a new leader at the helm.The Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre named Dan Proulx as their new executive director."I'm thrilled to step into this role and work alongside such an amazing team, one that is deeply dedicated to enhancing the cultural vibrancy of our commu...

A local organization is asking for the public's help ensuring seniors have a happy holiday.NexusBC Community Resource Centre in Vernon has put out a call for the public to participate in the annual Making Spirit Bright campaign.The campaign supports low-income seniors facing financial hardships, living alone, or who do...

The District of Coldstream will be putting on two events next Wednesday to mark Remembrance Day.The municipality said a pancake breakfast would be offered at Lavington Fire Hall from 9 to 10:30 a.m. November 11, followed by a Remembrance Day Ceremony at Lavington Park's Cenotaph at 10:45 a.m.In Coldstream, a Remembranc...

Local Mounties seized drugs and other items in a search of a Vernon residence last month.As part of a drug trafficking case, Vernon North Okanagan RCMP executed a search warrant at a residence in the 3200-block of 25th Avenue on October 22.The search led to police finding and confiscating a quantity of suspected cocain...

The Mayor of Vernon is ready to work with the incoming provincial government, though she is unsure if that will see any changes to investments or programs the city had previously accessed.The Conservative Party of B.C. ousted the B.C. NDP in the snap election this fall, and Mayor Kari Gares said they will need some tim...

A man who was missing for over a month has been located.Vernon North Okanagan RCMP said the 54-year old man was found, and was safe and well.

The Regional District of North Okanagan's new Board of Directors are ready to come back together and serve the broader area.The board, made up of local municipal leaders, have their inaugural meeting Wednesday.The meeting will see the board confirm the results of the local general election, and set a schedule for meeti...

An agency that supports heritage sites and associated projects is providing some financial aid to support knowledge-sharing programs being led by the Okanagan Indian Band.Through its Legacy Fund, Heritage B.C. said it would be supporting the OKIB in developing a 13-x̌iyáɬnxʷ (moons) calendar and foraging book...

Pop culture enthusiasts, gamers, collectors and others have a chance to gather for a day of nostalgia and fun. Vernon Comic Con will host its RetroMania at the recreation centre Saturday."With something for everyone, RetroMania offers visitors the opportunity to rediscover the toys, games, books, coins, cards, clo...

Vernon's new municipal leaders had their first debate of the term at the inaugural meeting Monday evening.A special meeting was held at the Creekside Conference Centre to swear-in Vernon's new mayor and council.The event saw Mayor Kari Gares swear the oath of office to Supreme Court Justice, Gary Weatherill, followed b...

The cost to dispose and divert waste in the North Okanagan will be going up in 2027.Effective Jan. 1, the Regional District of North Okanagan's (RDNO) landfill and transfer station fees will increase. This will be the third increase as part of a four-year rate schedule approved by the RDNO Board of Directors in 2024.Th...

Cyclists will mount stationary bikes and take a class in support of a good cause.Cops for Kids is hosting its Clip In for Families spin classes at World Health and Fitness in Vernon's north end Saturday.The two 30-minute sessions will provide financial assistance for the cause that supports kids facing medical, physica...

A call for local musicians and artists across Canada has been issued for the 35th annual Roots and Blues festival.Last year's event brought out over 29,500 live music fans to take in the sounds of over 40 performers at the festival in Salmon Arm.Organizers are looking to grow on the success of the festival by issuing a...

A fundraiser to support end-of-life care has launched in the North Okanagan.The North Okanagan Hospice Society (NOHS) kicked off its 2026 Journeys Annual Giving Campaign Monday.The fundraiser encourages people, businesses and organizations to donate in support of NOHS's programs and services, including end-of-life care...