John McDonald
John began life as a journalist through the Other Press, the independent student newspaper for Douglas College in New Westminster. The fluid nature of student journalism meant he was soon running the place, learning on the fly how to publish a newspaper.
It wasn’t until he moved to Kelowna he broke into the mainstream media, working for Okanagan Sunday, then the Kelowna Daily Courier and Okanagan Saturday doing news graphics and page layout. He carried on with the Kelowna Capital News, covering health and education while also working on special projects, including the design and launch of a mass market daily newspaper. After 12 years there, John rejoined the Kelowna Daily Courier as editor of the Westside Weekly, directing news coverage as the Westside became West Kelowna.
But digital media beckoned and John joined Kelowna.com as assistant editor and reporter, riding the start-up as it at first soared then went down in flames. Now John is turning dirt as city hall reporter for iNFOnews.ca where he brings his long experience to bear on the civic issues of the day.
If you have a story you think people should know about, email John at jmcdonald@infonews.ca
Rock fall closes popular hiking trail in Kelowna
KELOWNA – A geotechnical expert is examining the area after a rock fall closed a…
Rash of armed robberies in the region gets a closer look from RCMP
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – They would have had to drive awfully fast to make this date but…
Kelowna moves to shut down abusers of agricultural land
KELOWNA – Misuse of agricultural land could soon see a few local businesses in front…
City of Kelowna won’t reveal names of agricultural land abusers
KELOWNA – Companies and property owners found misusing agricultural land in East Kelowna will be…
Kelowna taking a hard look at RV parks on farmland
KELOWNA – Bylaw officers in Kelowna are looking closely at RV parks operating on agricultural…
Price tag proves biggest hurdle for Kelowna’s pedestrian, bicycling plan
KELOWNA – A consultant’s report has identified numerous gaps in Kelowna’s pedestrian and cycling network.…
Customer gets gun in face, no booze, during liquor store robbery
KELOWNA — Someone in Kelowna got more than they bargained for when visiting a local…
Former Central Okanagan schools superintendent signs on with UBC Okanagan
KELOWNA – Former superintendent of schools for the Central Okanagan school district Hugh Gloster didn’t…
Kelowna wants you out of your car and on your bike
KELOWNA – There’s going to be a lot more cycling and walking in Kelowna’s future.…
East Kelowna sightings just cougars and bobcats doing what they do
KELOWNA – A spate of recent cougar sightings, mainly in East Kelowna, are nothing much…
Lake Country avoids property tax increase for 2016
KELOWNA – Lake Country stands alone amongst communities in the Okanagan in approving a zero…
Water board calls on province to take action on invasive mussels
OKANAGAN - The Okanagan Basin Water Board is using the province’s declaration of June as Invasive Species Action Month to prod it into increasing its role in the fight against zebra and quagga mussels. “Awareness is great but action is better. The water board is doing all it can within its mandate to prevent the...
Winter perfect time to control rodent infestations
KELOWNA - Winter is the perfect time to trap and kill rats and mice, the City of Kelowna says. Cold weather limits food sources forcing the rodents to search further afield for food, including inside houses, urban forestry supervisor Blair Stewart says in a media release. Baited traps are more effective during food scarcity, Stewart...
Idling cars and air quality the subject of Okanagan College study
CENTRAL OKANAGAN - What the public thinks about idling vehicles and their effect on local air quality is the subject of a new study by an Okanagan College business student. Fourth-year student Alex Fullerton has developed the idling and air quality survey and an accompanying Facebook page, which directs participants to the anonymous questionnaire he...
Hockey dad needs help putting on tournament for sick kids
OKANAGAN - A Kelowna hockey dad is looking for a little corporate muscle to put on the Winter Classic, an outdoor hockey tournament at Apex Mountain resort. Yannick Lescarbeau, who manages the Kelowna Minor Hockey Atom Development B team, started the tournament last year as a fundraiser for the SickKids Foundation. The tournament will pit...