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Shelley Jordan
Sewer and recycling rate changes for West Kelowna residents
West Kelowna residents will see a substantial increase on their July utility bill, a result of increased costs associated with the Regional Westside Wastewater Treatment Plant. The District of West Kelowna was advised by the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) that it would be charged an additional $494,265 for sewer service based on adjustment...
Landmark Supreme Court ruling grants land title to B.C. First Nation
OTTAWA – For the first time, the Supreme Court of Canada has recognized a First Nation's title to a specific tract of land — a historic decision with major implications for contentious energy projects such as the Northern Gateway pipeline.
‘Strong suspects’ but no charges in B.C. Highway of Tears investigation: RCMP
VANCOUVER – The Mountie overseeing the investigation into the murders and disappearances of women and girls along British Columbia's so-called Highway of Tears says his officers have a number of "strong suspects," but they have yet to uncover enough evidence to lay charges nearly two years after the last major break in the case.
B.C. must do more to highlight drowning dangers for young people: coroner
VICTORIA – The coroners' service says the dangers of drowning haven't sunk in with many British Columbians, especially teenage males who believe they can swim out of danger even if they've been drinking alcohol.
10-year-old quadruplets from Kamloops all diagnosed with Lyme disease
KAMLOOPS – A family of 10-year-old quadruplets in Kamloops, is dealing with more devastating news about the health of their children.
CBC to cut newscasts, more jobs; broadcaster will also reduce newsroom space
TORONTO – The CBC is slashing some 20 per cent of its workforce over the next five years, while cutting back evening newscasts and in-house production and raising the possibility of selling its flagship headquarters in Toronto.
What’s happening with school report cards and outstanding library books
KELOWNA - Parents of high school students in District 23 can expect report cards in the mail over the next few weeks, but opportunities to pick up belongings or to drop off text or library books will be decided by individual schools. Grade 12 students, having now written mandatory provincial exams, will receive report cards...
CRTC makes Do Not Call list permanent
The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) today announced that the registration of telecommunications numbers on the National Do Not Call List will now be permanent. Initially, number registrations with the national list were for a set amount of time, after which Canadians would have had to re-register their numbers. This change enhances the CRTC’s...
Explosion rips through mall in Nigerian capital, killing at least 21
BUJA, Nigeria – An explosion blamed on Islamic extremists rocked a shopping mall in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, on Wednesday and police said at least 21 people have been killed.
Blue Water Project grant awarded for valley-wide water projects
OKANAGAN-SIMILKAMEEN - The 2014 RBC Blue Water Project has donated $90,000 to the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen for valley-wide water conservation projects. "Water is one of the most precious resources on earth. Everything we do depends on it - it is vital to our social and economic well-being," said Gord Nixon, CEO, RBC. "We are...
Canada Day hours of operation at civic properties
KELOWNA - To mark Canada Day, City Hall will be closed Tuesday, July 1. City of Kelowna property taxes are due on Wednesday, July 2. Payments can be made by online or telephone banking, by mail and in person at City Hall (1435 Water St., Kelowna B.C. V1Y 1J4), and at deposit boxes located at...
Westside Farm Loop launches July 3
The Westside Farm Loop is a collection of more than a dozen farms, fruit stands, u-pick operators, the farmer’s market, Gellatly Nut Farm, and other farm related activities located in West Kelowna. The goals of the Westside Farm Loop are to help increase awareness of West Kelowna’s farms, stimulate visits to the farms, and celebrate...
Regional Board highlights – June 23, 2014
Regional Growth Strategy Bylaw Adopted The Regional Board has adopted the new Regional Growth Strategy (RGS) Bylaw No. 1336. The RGS update has been underway since 2010 after consulting several times with the public, stakeholders, local governments, the Westbank First Nation and Okanagan Indian Band and many provincial and senior government agencies. The bylaw updates...
UBC signs MOU with Basque Institute of Competitiveness – Orkestra
UBC has signed the first of several memoranda of understanding with key European institutions for increased collaboration in research, visits by faculty and students and the sharing of information and scientific materials. The first agreement with the Basque Institute of Competitiveness – Orkestra was signed by Deputy Vice-Chancellor Deborah Buszard and Dean of the Faculty...
MP Okanagan-Coquihalla report: Recent changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program
This past week the Government announced significant changes to many classifications within the temporary foreign worker program (TFWP). Reaction to these changes has been diverse and includes comments that range from suggesting the changes do not go far enough to suggestions the changes in many cases are so significant that they amount to the phasing...
Kelowna city council highlights: June 23, 2014
Award for Financial Reporting Council received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Award for Financial Reporting for the City of Kelowna’s 2012 Annual Report. Since 2002, the City of Kelowna has received the Canadian Award for Excellence in Financial Reporting for preparing comprehensive annual financial reports that evidence the spirit of transparency and full disclosure....
Economic Development Awards shine spotlight on Kamloops
Venture Kamloops, the economic development arm of the City of Kamloops, has just been awarded the “Economic Development Marketing Award” at the BC Economic Development Association’s annual awards. The Venture Kamloops team couldn’t be more proud. “We’re excited for this win,” says Jim Anderson, Executive Director of Venture Kamloops. “This was a collaborative project between...
Open House in Shannon Lake Regional Park
You’re invited to learn about a proposed project for Shannon Lake Regional Park that would provide more accessible opportunities for fishing. Regional Parks Services staff will be on hand for an Open House in Shannon Lake Regional Park, located at Swite Road and Shannon Lake Road in West Kelowna. It goes from 4 p.m. to...
2014 Canadian National DH Championships come to Sun Peaks
The Sun Peaks Bike Park will return to its rich history of hosting large scale downhill racing events with the Canadian National Downhill Championships from July 10 to 13, 2014. It has been a road of progression over the past two summers with a very successful 2012 BC Cup, followed by an equally successful 2013...
Line Painting of District Roads
The District of West Kelowna’s Roads Department has begun its annual line traffic line painting. All roads that were painted in prior years will be repainted as well as selected pavement markings. These markings include crosswalks, arrows, and stop bars. Motorists may experience minor delays as crews are working, and are cautioned not to drive...
Reminder: Kelowna taxes due July 2
Kelowna property taxes for 2014 must be paid by midnight, Wednesday, July 2. Payments can be made: - at your bank/credit union in person, online or by telephone; - via drop boxes at City Hall’s Water Street entrance, Doyle Avenue parking lot exit or Parkinson Recreation Centre’s front counter; - at City Hall’s Revenue Branch...
North Korea warns US movie about plot to assassinate Kim Jong Un an “act of war”
SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea is warning that the release of a new American comedy about a plot to assassinate leader Kim Jong Un would be an "act of war."
B.C. prevents commercial marijuana grow-ops from getting farm tax break
VANCOUVER – The B.C. government says medical marijuana companies won't be able to take advantage of a property tax break that was designed for agriculture.
Texts of Mother’s, Father’s Day email MacKay sent to Justice Department staff
OTTAWA – The texts of a Mother's Day message and a Father's Day message sent to employees of the Justice Department this spring: