politics
Council faces off: Is Stuart Wood more important because it is downtown?
KAMLOOPS - More than an hour was spent discussing the merits of keeping Stuart Wood as an elementary school and whether the city should step in to provide ‘support’ to the school district in making the decision. “Where was this passion for John Tod last term?” Mayor Peter Milobar said, “Was it because it was...
HOUSE WINS: Casino allowed to relocate to Aberdeen
KAMLOOPS - Gateway Casinos is now free to move the downtown casino to the former Rona location after a public hearing last night and approval from Kamloops city councillors. While nearly 200 people showed up for the public hearing at the Coast Hotel and Conference Centre, only a handful took to the podium to voice...
The unique approach Vernon is taking to selling itself
VERNON - A new City of Vernon tourism initiative is focussing more on recommendations shared by word of mouth than snagging a write up in a guide book. The city understands many people rely on reviews from friends and family when picking a place to visit, and it’s found a way to track how often...
Lower speed limit in downtown Penticton accepted by most
PENTICTON - Residents appear to be content to slow down, be safe and enjoy the scenery in the Penticton's downtown core. City of Penticton communications officer Simone Blais says the reaction to the recent the drop in the speed limit downtown to 30 kilometres per hour, “Hasn’t been overly surprising.” “We’ve had some positive comments from...
Increased fines would better protect animal welfare says Vernon SPCA
VERNON - The Vernon SPCA wants local governing bodies to look at ways of improving animal welfare through the use of bylaws and fines. Branch manager Chelsea Taylor came before Vernon council Monday, Jan. 26, to highlight some of the things the city, and the North Okanagan Regional District, could do for animals in the...
Park downtown Vernon for free on the following days
VERNON - There are several opportunities to park downtown Vernon without plugging the meter over the next few months. At the request of the Downtown Vernon Association, council approved free parking on Saturday, Feb. 14 from 12-3 p.m. for the Winter Carnival Chili Cook-Off event. The association also requested free parking on Feb. 21, May...
“Mayor’s Minute” blog provides instant update on city happenings
PENTICTON - A new feature on the City of Penticton’s website will update you on all things Penticton in one minute. The “Mayors Minute” blog launched this week as a new feature on the city’s website. The blog gives many residents an easy to access opportunity to read about council news and councillors’ thoughts. Mayor...
Splatsin First Nation takes lead role acquiring rail corridor
ENDERBY - The Splatsin First Nation is taking a lead role shaping the future of the abandoned Canadian Pacific Rail line between Armstrong and Sicamous. The band is hoping to bring all stakeholders together in the coming weeks to develop a plan to preserve the line in its entirety, and come up with a use...
HELSTON: Our libraries are worth the money
As the Okanagan Regional Library looks for places to snip and save costs, one municipality has stepped up as a champion for its local branch. In the last few months, we’ve heard about cuts to staff positions and reductions in business hours as part of a process to improve equity at the regional library’s 29...
The high cost of waiting to replace Vernon’s aging water system
VERNON - Costs of aging water pipes are beginning to pile up in the City of Vernon with 86 water main breaks in just the last three years—four of them this month. And the costs are not just in dollars and cents. Breaks on Nov. 25 left over 100 residents without water. Earlier in the year,...
City will fund Sundays at the Vernon Library after near cancellation
VERNON - Sundays at the Vernon Library are here to stay. The Okanagan Regional Library dodged having to cancel Sundays at the Vernon branch Friday, Jan. 16, after appealing to Vernon council for financial support in the amount of $21,000. Without the funding, executive director Stephanie Hall said the branch could be shutting down its...
Vernon tax hike lower than expected
VERNON - This year’s taxes will go up, but not as much as first expected. After three days of budget deliberations for the 2015 financial plan, council wrapped up with a hike of 3.43 per cent, down slightly from the original 3.7 per cent. “That just shows the amount of work the management and their...
Burnt out Vernon street lights a B.C. Hydro problem
VERNON - A city official is wondering what it will take for B.C. Hydro to change 29 burnt out street lights throughout Vernon. Coun. Brian Quiring illuminated his colleagues about the issue Monday, Jan. 12, saying, “Someone’s got to get Hydro’s attention and say it’s a priority.” Quiring said the lights—some of which have been...
Longer grace period coming to Vernon parking meters
VERNON - Thanks to a directive from city council, when you pay for 15 minutes of parking downtown Vernon, you now get 20. Council increased the parking meter grace period to five minutes from two Monday, Jan. 12. More than 900 parking meters will be reprogrammed at a cost of roughly $3,200 to provide the...
Lavington pellet plant opposers push politicians to stall project
COLDSTREAM - Now that the Ministry of Environment has granted a permit to the operators of a proposed wood pellet plant in Lavington, opponents of the project are increasing pressure on local politicians to stall construction. Representatives of Lavington Is For Everyone (LIFE) will go before Coldstream council tonight, Jan. 12, to ask the municipality...