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Julie Whittet
Sobering centre a top priority for downtown Kelowna
Premier Christy Clark was all ears when she made a visit with Kelowna's city councillors last week. Of the three top priorities council shared with Clark, sobering up downtown Kelowna was one of them. Along with high profile projects like the extension of Highway 33 and the centralization of Interior Health offices, they discussed the...
Designs for new RCMP building to cost Kelowna $200,000
Designs for the new Kelowna RCMP building will cost the city $200,000 and that's before they start digging. City councillors approved today a design budget for the new detachment to be relocated to the north end of downtown Kelowna on Clement Avenue between St. Paul Street and Richter Street. The building is expected to be...
Lighter fruit harvest for Kelowna this summer
Crates of plump red strawberries were hard to resist at the Kelowna Farmers' and Crafters' Market this Saturday. The arrival of the strawberry harvest kicks off the Okanagan's soft fruit season – which is a full week ahead of schedule this year. Local farmer and orchardist Alan Gatzke says we can thank the warm weather...
Age 25 and up for this new downtown Kelowna venue
A new entertainment venue on Lawrence Avenue in downtown Kelowna wants to raise the bar on the minimum age of its patrons. The developer of 'The Mixing Room' is seeking a liquor licence permitting only those 25 and older to pass through its doors. The kitchen and bar venue would operate at a capacity of...
Severe thunderstorm watch in effect for the Interior
Get ready for a repeat of last week's torrential downpours. A system of cold air is moving in from the south with the potential to stir up trouble when it meets the hot air mass we had over the weekend. Environment Canada has issued an advisory about possible thunderstorms today in areas of the B.C....
Why some Kelowna developers are building for renters only
In a housing market with plenty of condos for sale some Kelowna residents are choosing the path of less commitment: renting. In 2011 thirty per cent of the city's population reported living in rented dwellings. For those who can't yet afford to buy a house finding a place to call home can prove a challenging...
Take dad for a race, fishing trip or car show this weekend
Thinking of getting dad something special for Father's Day? Over at the Kelowna Mercedes-Benz dealership you'll find a set of wheels worth scoping out. A custom-built black Lexus LFA is one of only ten released in Canada. The rare hand-built sports coupe that tops out at 326 kilometers an hour cost just over $1,000,000 to...
Surrey man faces 7 to 10 years in prison for Kelowna armed robbery
FIRED TWICE AT POLICE A Surrey man is facing a minimum jail sentence of seven years for robbing a Kelowna jewelry store in December 2011. Devan Markcus Wong pleaded guilty to robbing Premier Pawn shop at gunpoint and shooting twice at police before taking a pizza delivery driver hostage and fleeing to West Kelowna. The...
Bernard Avenue at Richter Street closes for paving
KELOWNA - Consider taking an alternate route into downtown today. Bernard Avenue between Richter and St. Paul Street will be closed to traffic for its final paving. The top lift paving caps off Phase One reconstruction of Bernard Avenue. The road should re-open to traffic by 5 p.m. tonight. Expect more lane restrictions tomorrow, Friday...
Adrian Dix announces Carole Gordon to run for NDP in Kelowna by-election
Residents of Kelowna's Westside riding will be able to cast their vote for NDP candidate Carole Gordon in the by-election this July. Gordon will be competing against Premier Christy Clark in the traditionally B.C. Liberal stronghold. Adrian Dix announced Gordon's candidacy this afternoon on Kelowna's downtown waterfront. “People are going to vote for their local...
Police seek details on alleged sex assault in West Kelowna
West Kelowna RCMP continue to investigate an allegation of sexual assault in a West Kelowna neighbourhood, but aren't ringing alarm bells yet. Police haven't said much since a local news outlet published interviews with neighbours in the area who said a 17-year-old girl was sexually assaulted while walking on a trail near Glenrosa middle school...
WIENS TRIAL: Abrupt adjournment puts off case for one week
Final witness testimonies in the jury trial for Keith Gregory Wiens could not go ahead as planned today in Kelowna Supreme Court. After an hour and a half delay Justice Geoff Barrow advised the jury an unexpected issue had arisen between the crown and defence counsel. Barrow told the 12 jury members they were to...
All-season soccer stadium to open beside Kelowna’s H20 centre
Soccer players of all ages in Kelowna will have a brand new facility for training, competing and recreation. The Kelowna United Football Club will be opening a brand new all-season stadium in the Mission Recreation Park just north of the H2O centre and it should be up and running by the fall or winter this...
Sean Upshaw to run for BC Conservatives in Westside by-election
Former Penticton candidate for the B.C. Conservatives Sean Upshaw will be squaring off against Premier Christy Clark in the by-election for Westside Kelowna. Last week Ben Stewart announced he would be stepping down as MLA to allow Clark to run for the Westside riding after losing her seat in Vancouver-Point Grey. Upshaw says he's happy...
Lake Country visitor’s centre gets new home at Gatzke Orchards
This June, visitors to Lake Country can head to a rural farm to get the scoop on local attractions. Gatzke Orchards will be a one-stop shop for those looking to sample fresh okanagan fruits while figuring out what to do during their visit. Economic Development Manager Ryan Roycroft says while most people now use the...