Julie Whittet
New pier washes into Kelowna’s waterfront
KELOWNA - In just over half an hour the city's downtown marina gained a brand new attraction. Floating on pontoons, a 334-foot wooden boardwalk was towed into the waters at the end of Bernard Avenue this afternoon. It's the core component of Kelowna's first ever public pier. Over the past few months construction crews have...
Kelowna Liberals outspend NDP to bag the May election
KELOWNA - It's no secret political parties open their wallets to win votes, and according to the expenses reported by Kelowna's MLAs - it costs to be on top. According to financial reports released today by ElectionsBC all three of Kelowna's Liberal MLAs had the most expensive campaigns in the May general election. Kelowna-Mission's Liberal...
Charity cyclist and pet dog struck by car
KELOWNA - Mike Harrison and his dog Emmy were pedaling into Kelowna last night to complete their biking fundraiser when struck by vehicle. Miraculously, they suffered only minor injuries including some scrapes and bruises from the collision on Hwy 3 between Grand Forks and Greenwood. It was the last leg of their 2000 km trek...
UPDATE: Elderly man pulled from downtown marina dies
UPDATE: 10:38 a.m. Aug. 19, 2013 KELOWNA - An elderly man pulled from the water at the Kelowna Yacht Club has died. Despite efforts to revive him, the man, 66, succumbed in hospital Aug. 16. No further information is available at this time from RCMP. The investigation by the Coroners Service continues. KELOWNA - An...
Wedding in the fire spawns documentary film ten years later
KELOWNA – Ten years ago, in the thick of B.C.'s worst firestorm, a large family gathering evacuated from Eight Mile Ranch and a group of complete strangers came together to celebrate a wedding. Nothing was going to stop Adrianne and John Roberts from tying the knot on Aug. 23, 2003. Despite the Okanagan Mountain Park...
Kelowna chemists put the ‘French paradox’ to the test
KELOWNA – A tiny family of potent molecules might just be the reason to uncork a new bottle of wine tonight – for your health. New research conducted by UBC Okanagan chemists has uncovered a variety of previously undetected molecules in wine believed to have life prolonging effects on its drinkers. Associate Professor Cedric Saucier...
On 10th anniversary of Okanagan firestorm BC forestry minister calls for caution
KELOWNA - On August 16th, ten years ago, a single strike of lightning ignited B.C.'s worst wildfire on record. For this 10-year anniversary, Minister of Forests and Kelowna-Mission MLA Steve Thomson says the tragedy still stands as a painful reminder of the risk of careless fire use. Today's late summer, tinder-dry landscape reflects the same...
The Okanagan feeling the pride; record turnout for LGBT events
KELOWNA – A peaceful family and pet-friendly march along the downtown waterfront Saturday culminated into the biggest pride celebration the city has ever seen. Save for an exuberant 'flash mob' breaking into dance, the march was a quiet procession. The rainbow-colours worn by participants (dogs included) performed a more symbolic action. Still fairly nascent in...
Apple Triathlon races through downtown Kelowna this weekend
KELOWNA - Expect to hit a few road blocks driving into downtown this weekend. Roughly 1,200 athletes from Kelowna and beyond will be competing in a closed course triathlon at the heart of the city. By the same token, those hanging out in downtown Saturday and Sunday will get a chance to see the Kelowna...
New public pier opens in September
KELOWNA - By late September residents and visitors will have a brand new pier to dock their boats on the downtown waterfront. The developer responsible for the project, Westcorp Properties Inc., is getting ready to float the 300 foot stretch of pier into downtown from the Westside of the lake, where it was constructed. It...
Pride petition votes for a rainbow crosswalk in Kelowna
KELOWNA - In the midst of Pride Week the idea of bringing a bit more colour to our city streets is getting some attention. Spearheaded by SunFM DJ Ian MacKinnon, Okanagan Pride has launched a petition to bring a permanent rainbow coloured crosswalk to the streets of Kelowna. With over 500 signatures already, they're halfway...
Young girl latest to come too close to Okanagan rattler
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW KELOWNA -A young girl and a few pets have already come painfully close to the Okanagan's most common snake this summer—the northern Pacific rattlesnake. Interior Health confirmed that a young girl was rushed to Kelowna General Hospital last Friday evening after getting bit by the highly venomous snake. The girl...
Junior rangers training in Kelowna air space
KELOWNA - As part of their summer training in the Okanagan, the Junior Canadian Rangers will take to the clouds above Okanagan Lake this week. In the coming days expect to see military helicopters in the sky, to train young cadets in the air. "The helicopters are out today, tomorrow and the next day," says...
City councillors get a peak at plans for WFN private clinic
KELOWNA – As more details come forward about B.C.'s next big luxury hospital, there's more to the picture than just destination healthcare. The $138-million, 100-bed, entirely private funded facility would not only be the first of its kind in Canada, but will also deliver the specific health care needs of a new First Nations Health...
Online auction in memory of Kelowna teen’s death
KELOWNA - The recent passing of 17-year-old Marissa Ginter has prompted a strong reaction from the Kelowna community. Those who knew Ginter and those who did not are coming together to commemorate the young girl's life by raising money for a downtown youth group. Ginter was found lifeless in her bed on the morning of...