A newcomer in local politics is looking to tackle the water supply issue in the North Okanagan.Rachel Enns was elected to serve as Director of the North Okanagan Regional District Area C (BX/Silver Star) in the municipal election.Enns received 524 votes (66.3 per cent), beating out incumbent and two-term former Directo...

After taking four years off, the former Mayor of Armstrong is back and ready to lead the community.Chris Pieper was elected back into the mayoral seat in the 2026 local general election, returning to office after not running in 2022.Pieper told Vernon Matters he took that time off to travel, but having served 14 years ...

A local theatre is getting some financial aid to support its venue.The Armstrong Regional Co-op and Federated Co-op Limited (FCL) announced a joint $30,000 donation to the Caravan Farm Theatre.The donation, coming through Co-op's Community Match Fund, will go to support the Caravan Farm Theatre's Timber Barn Venue Adap...

Youth from the Okanagan and beyond gathered in Vernon Monday to learn conflict-resolution skills.The Okanagan Indian Band's Youth Leadership Council held their What Happens Upstream conference at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre, with a theme of "Good Conflict."The event aimed to teach young peo...

A GoFundMe has been launched to help a man who lost his vehicle in a fire.The online fundraiser said Dean was driving on the highway when a vehicle in front of him swerved to avoid hitting a toolbox that had fallen into the road.Dean was unable to avoid hitting the toolbox, which punctured the fuel line and caused the ...

A man is in custody after breaking in and stealing items from a Vernon business.Vernon North Okanagan RCMP responded to an alarm at a business in the 5200 block of 24th Street in the early morning hours Sunday.Officers learned from the property representative that a man had broken into a business, and upon arrival foun...

There were no changes to those serving the Township in Spallumcheen this year, and the local leaders are ready to get back to work representing the citizens.Christine Fraser was elected to serve as Mayor for her sixth term in the local general election Saturday, winning the race with over 70 per cent of the vote.The en...

Vernon has a new leader in charge of the city.Kari Gares was elected to the role in the local general election with preliminary results showing she earned nearly 41 per cent of the vote.The Mayor-Elect is ready to take the reigns when she's back in the council chamber."I think what we need to figure out first and ...

Early results are in for the 2026 municipal election and a new mayor has been elected.In Vernon, Kari Gares has been named winner of the Mayor's seat with 4,284 votes, or 40.9 per cent of the voter's support.Wayne Lippert finished second in the mayoral race with 30.6 per cent of the voter's support, followed by incumbe...

Several blocks in Vernon's Bella Vista neighbourhood will be under a Precautionary Water Quality Advisory following some work on the system.Greater Vernon Water said a leak in the area will be repaired on the morning of Tuesday, October 20, and while service will try to be maintained it may result in a loss of water to...

Community groups, sports organizations, and others looking to host events at the local recreation centres can now submit their applications.The City of Vernon has opened its application process for booking out the Active Living Centre's gymnasium and indoor track, as well as the Dogwood and Priest Valley gyms, for the ...

The third annual What Happens Upstream Youth Conference will be held Monday to teach young people some important life skills.Put on by the Okanagan Indian Band's Youth Leadership Council and the What Happens Upstream Planning Committee, the event will have the theme of kʷu ʔasəlʔ aʔspuʔús, meaning "We...

The Coldstream and Lavington firehalls will both be putting on fireworks shows to mark Halloween.The Lavington Fire Hall will host their event at Lavington Park Oct. 24.The celebration will feature a bonfire, barbecue, fireworks display, and a 50/50 raffle.The event will begin at 6 p.m. and the show will start at 8 p.m...

Vernon saw some modest gains in housing construction last month, though the sector has still seen a slow down on an annual basis.Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) said Vernon had 11 new housing projects started this past September. Those involved eight single family homes, two semi-detached houses, and one...

One person was taken to hospital after a crash occurred at a busy Vernon intersection Thursday.Vernon North Okanagan RCMP and B.C. Emergency Health Services responded to a crash at the intersection of 32nd Street and 39th Avenue around 3:30 p.m. Oct. 15.Police told Vernon Matters a sedan was making a left turn through ...

People looking to vote early for their Member of Legislature will have their opportunities over the next few days.ElectionsBC announced that advance voting in the provincial election will be available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the following locations and dates:Vernon-LumbyPeace Lutheran Church, Oct. 20 and 21Schubert Centre,...

Figure skating fans will get to witness a world class performance at the local arena.A special holiday-themed Stars on Ice performance will be held at Vernon's Kal Tire Place December 18.The event will be headlined by Piper Gilles and Paul Poirier, who took bronze in the 2026 Olympics and are also five-time World Medal...

Vernon saw an uptick in early votes for this municipal election.The city confirmed that 2,964 ballots were cast in early voting opportunities for Vernon Mayor, Council and School District Trustees in the 2026 local general election. Those included 1,357 votes cast on October 7, and another 1,607 ballots submitted on Oc...

People are reminded to be safe and obey the law after a 55-year-old Coldstream man was allegedly caught speeding while intoxicated on the highway.B.C. Highway Patrol said an officer was driving on Highway 6 around 8:30 a.m., Sept. 26, when they were passed by a red Corvette going 120 km/h in an 80 zone.The officer turn...

Local leaders will hit the streets to meet with business owners and managers and learn about the local economy next week.Representatives from the City of Vernon, Community Futures North Okanagan, Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Vernon Association, and Okanagan College will hold the annual Business Walks Tu...

The Okanagan continues to be ranked as abnormally dry, increasing concerns for spawning season.The B.C. River Forecast Centre said the Okanagan had a High Water Scarcity rating and was at Drought Level 2 Thursday.The region was just one of three to have a drought rating that high, all of which were located in the South...

First responders converged at the scene of a death just outside Vernon's downtown core Wednesday morning. Vernon North Okanagan RCMP said officers and members of Vernon Fire Rescue Services were called to the scene of a warming fire in the 2400-block of 34th Street around 8:30 a.m., Oct. 14. Mounties told Vernon Matter...

A member of the Syilx/Okanagan Nation has been recognized for his artistic skills. Sheldon Pierre Louis was named the recipient of the Crabtree McLennan Emerging Artist Polygon Award in First Nations Art. Louis's work spans painting, murals, media art, carving, traditional Syilx materials, and traditional hand poke tat...

Fatal overdose incidents in Vernon continued to climb over the summer months.The B.C. Coroners Service reported seven more such deaths, including five in July and another two in August.There were also six deaths linked to illicit substances in Kelowna in July and another four in August.The deaths were part of 113 fatal...

Local realtors held their 17th annual Pumpkin Patch Day earlier this month in support of wildfire relief efforts.RE/MAX Vernon Salt Fowler held their event at the Pumpkin Patch in Spallumcheen October 3, which saw some outbuildings lost in the Bradley Creek fire over the summer, though owner's home and pumpkin patch wa...

A long-time local politician is hoping to secure a provincial seat, and is willing to lose his position in local government to fill it.Kevin Acton is running as the Conservative Party of B.C. candidate for Vernon-Lumby in the provincial election.Acton has been Mayor of Lumby for four terms, since being first elected in...

A self defense course is being offered to help train up and prepare women while supporting local end-of-life care.Sarah Draht and StrongHER, who won the 2026 Enterprize Challenge with Vernon's first women's only kickboxing and self defense academy, will host a community self-defense workshop Saturday, October 17. "...

The lodge renewal project at Sovereign Lake received a major contribution from local government last month.In late-September, RDNO Electoral Area C provided $150,000 towards the Sovereign Lake Nordic Club's Lodge Legacy Project.The day lodge is over 30 years old and serves approximately 45,000 to 50,000 cross country s...