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
Central Okanagan school district readies itself for legal pot
CENTRAL OKANAGAN – While some governments and institutions have asked for more time to prepare for legal cannabis, the Central Okanagan school district is ready to go. “Let’s face it, we’ve been in the business of detecting impairment for generations,…
Green gold rush fizzles as Okanagan cannabis companies see stock prices fade
OKANAGAN – A sector-wide 'green gold rush' at the beginning of 2018 that saw most cannabis stocks soar, including several in the Okanagan, has fizzled somewhat with most share prices falling back to previous levels. Beginning in November 2017, and…
Emerging cannabis industry luring agricultural workers from traditional crops
WEST KELOWNA – Attracting workers to agricultural jobs has always been difficult with generally low pay for hard work. But a local vineyard manager says it’s been even tougher than usual this year to find people to pick grapes and…
West Kelowna wants to know where to put the pot shops
WEST KELOWNA – Would you be alright with a pot store in the same strip mall where you pick up your groceries? And how late should the store be allowed to remain open? It’s questions like these that make up…
Calling about cannabis: Kelowna already hearing from would-be pot shop operators
KELOWNA – The City of Kelowna has already received a flurry of phone calls in the wake of Monday’s release of the provincial government’s regulatory and distribution scheme for legal cannabis. “We’ve had quite a bit of phone traffic but…
Okanagan companies see cannabis stocks soar during ‘green gold rush’
OKANAGAN – The “green rush” for Canadian marijuana stocks in advance of legalization next summer has helped several Okanagan companies increase their value by tens of millions of dollars over the last couple of months. Market stars like Aurora and…
Kelowna RCMP raid legal grow-op with alleged ties to Hells Angels
KELOWNA – In what can only be described as a joint operation, Kelowna RCMP say the have seized a significant amount of cannabis based a tip from Nova Scotia. Kelowna RCMP spokesperson Const. Lesley Smith said in a press release…
Researchers at UBCO, TRU playing catch-up on cannabis’ health and commercial potential
KELOWNA – With legalization looming, it’s high time to figure out what else cannabis is good for. And with at least 90 other cannabinoids on top of the one that produces the sought-after high, there’s lots of potential, according to…
User survey reveals drugs of choice in Thompson-Okanagan
INTERIOR HEALTH LEADS THE WAY IN DISTRIBUTION OF NALOXONE KITS THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – A recent survey of chronic drug users across the province is providing new insights into drug use in the Interior Health Authority. Among them is more accurate information…
UBC Okanagan announces development of pot breathalyzer on 4/20
OKANAGAN – A new tool will help marijuana users and police monitor level of consumption, but announcing it on 4/20 could be seen as a buzzkill to many on the user side. With legalization looming, UBC Okanagan chose today, the…