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Shelley Jordan
Man to answer for string of robberies
KAMLOOPS - Charges have been laid against 24-year-old man as an RCMP investigation into a string of robberies wraps up. Justin Hodge is alleged to have committed a number of offences. He is accused of stealing a vehicle from the Salish Esso gas station June 27. He will also face the judge for allegedly injuring...
Rockets players keep busy at NHL camps
With seven players taken in the last two NHL Entry Drafts, Kelowna Rockets players have been keeping themselves busy this summer attending various NHL prospects camps. More than half of the Rockets draft-eligible returning players have attended an NHL prospect camp this summer and several will be back in their NHL city's later this year...
Interface fire risk prepare now
In the last decade, the Okanagan has experienced some devastating fires, including the Okanagan Mountain Park wildfire that destroyed more than 230 homes in Kelowna (2003) and the wildfires in Glenrosa (2009) and Peachland (2012). The onset of warm, dry weather brings the possibility of wildland fire activity. People living in high risk interface fire...
Big White receives prestigious Canadian ski patrol award
Kelowna, BC – Big White Ski Resort's new President Peter Plimmer is pleased to accept the national award for Outstanding Contribution to the CSP from Colin Saravanamutto, CEO of the Canadian Ski Patrol. This award is given to an individual or organization to recognize an extraordinary contribution to the Canadian Ski Patrol System. “It is...
NDP’s Dix calls Liberals cheats over ethnic vote scandal
VICTORIA – Opposition New Democrat Leader Adrian Dix says British Columbia's Liberals are cheats as the ongoing debate about the failed Liberal plan to court ethnic voters turned into a name-calling contest.
Eight Kamloops men with ties to West Coast gang charged following take down of local cocaine ring
KAMLOOPS - Charges have been laid against eight Kamloops men after an eight-month undercover drug investigation in 2012 that brought down a local criminal organization with ties to a gang in the Lower Mainland. "The significance here is we have eliminated an organization — a criminal organization," said RCMP Sgt. Gary Senner. The investigation, dubbed 'Project...
New interim fire chief for North Westside Fire Rescue
A new interim Fire Chief has been named by the Regional District of Central Okanagan to serve residents in the North Westside Fire Protection District. Effective Aug. 2, 2013, Doug Gardiner will, on a temporary basis, take over the chief’s duties for the paid on-call department serving the communities of Killiney Beach, Westshore Estates, Fintry...
Water board given five year go-ahead for Okanagan milfoil control
Kelowna, B.C. – Working with the Province of B.C., the Okanagan Basin Water Board (OBWB) has been given a five-year agreement for milfoil control on Okanagan Lakes, ensuring improved work flow for the program. The OBWB has been responsible for control of invasive Eurasian watermilfoil in Okanagan valley lakes since the 1970s. In recent years,...
Debris cleanup plan for Mission Creek
At the request of the Provincial Government, a plan has been developed by the Regional District of Central Okanagan Emergency Program for cleaning up and disposing of residential construction materials in Mission Creek. Emergency Management BC has approved funding for the project that will see the collection of man-made residual debris, downstream from a creek-side...
West Kelowna council highlights for July 9
Saddle Ridge Drive Subdivision Council gave first and second readings to Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw amendments to allow a five-lot subdivision at 2649 Saddleridge Drive in the Smith Creek neighbourhood. Council requested that input be sought from the Agricultural Advisory Committee before scheduling the application for a public hearing. Anders Road Development Council...
New woodlot licence available near Enderby
The Province continues to expand forest opportunities for individuals, groups and First Nations with the offering of a new woodlot licence near Enderby, Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo announced today on behalf of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson. The woodlot (W2024) is about 20 kilometres north of Enderby and covers 1,186 hectares with an allowable annual...
Man celebrates birthday by paying it forward
VERNON - The RCMP were surprised this morning when a man approached the detachment desk carrying boxes of donuts. Rob Ellis of Armstrong turns 47 today and woke planning to celebrate his birthday by executing 47 random acts of kindness. Number three on his list was to visit the Vernon RCMP detachment where he dropped...
Compact tractors stolen from Oliver business
Thieves used the cover of darkness to pull off the theft of two compact Kubota tractors from a store compound in Oliver Monday. The two Kubota tractors on the lot at Gerard's Equipment & Sales on Highway 97 are valued at about $34,000 and were apparently loaded and taken late at night. Oliver RCMP were...
Premier says Liberals do not pay to hush critics
VICTORIA – Premier Christy Clark says her government doesn't pay hush money to silence potential critics.
Canadian Press NewsAlert: Sun Media cutting 360 jobs and closing 11 papers
MONTREAL – Sun Media Corp. says it's cutting 360 positions and closing 11 publications across the country, including its 24 Hours free daily newspapers in Ottawa, Calgary and Edmonton.
Springer Park officially opens
The District of West Kelowna and the Gateway development on Brown Road have teamed up to upgrade Springer Park in Westbank Centre. Mayor Doug Findlater officially opened the park Tuesday, using the opportunity to thank Gateway developer Jamie Cooper for donating $100,000 to improve the park at the corner of Elliott and Bering Roads. “I...
Hungry aboriginal kids, adults were subject of nutritional experiments: paper
Recently published historical research says hungry aboriginal children and adults were once used as unwitting subjects in nutritional experiments by Canadian government bureaucrats.
UPDATE: Hwy 33 near Goudie to open shortly
UPDATE: 3:15 p.m. July 16, 2013 Kelowna RCMP say cleanup on Highway 33 is almost complete. One lane is currently open allowing alternating traffic to pass. Both lanes should be open in the next 15 minutes. UPDATE: 3:10 p.m. July 16, 2013 Drive B.C. is reporting highway 33 near Goudie Road is still closed both...
Semi bursts into flames; threatens nearby forest
PEACHLAND - A semi truck that flipped on Highway 97C near Peachland yesterday burst into flames prompting police and forestry crews to the scene. The 61-year-old driver from Delta advised he was having trouble with his brakes as he descended the Brenda Mines hill just before 1 p.m. He was travelling eastbound about 12 km...
Government doing fewer inspections of forest and range practices
An investigation into government's inspections of compliance with forest and range practice legislation found that the number of inspections is one-third of what it was a few years ago, according to a report released today. "The Forest and Range Practices Act is intended to keep environmental standards high, with strong compliance and enforcement. Government needs to demonstrate that it is...
Grand opening celebrates residential care in Lumby
LUMBY - Representatives from inSite Housing, Hospitality & Health Services Inc. (inSite) were joined by Interior Health, municipal officials, community members and health-care partners for a grand opening celebration at Monashee Mews, a new residential care facility in Lumby. “Monashee Mews is a wonderful addition to Lumby,” said Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster. “I’ve heard from...
UBC engineers assist Penticton with energy reduction goals
Researchers will look at everything from recycling to electrical consumption The City of Penticton will get a helping hand from UBC’s Okanagan campus to reach its goal of reducing corporate greenhouse gas emissions. Prof. Keith Culver, the director of UBC’s Okanagan Sustainability Institute, connected City of Penticton staff with Prof. Rehan Sadiq and Assoc. Prof....
Crime Stoppers most wanted: Benjamin Dean Grant
Crime Stoppers is asking the public’s assistance in locating the following male who is wanted on a province-wide warrant as of July 16, 2013. Benjamin Dean Grant (DOB 1989-10-20) is wanted for one count of trafficking a controlled substance. Grant is described as a 23-year old white male, 6’1” tall and 199 lbs. He has...
Man assaults bus driver for refusing unscheduled stop
A transit bus driver received a "flurry of fists" to the head during a routine run into West Kelowna Saturday night. The bus was travelling along Highway 97 toward West Kelowna about 11:40 p.m. July 13 when a male passenger started yelling at the driver to let him off on Boucherie Road. The driver told...