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Government

City questions regional district over unpaid fire bill

VERNON - There’s some financial confusion between local governments about an unpaid firefighting bill. The City of Vernon invoiced the Regional District of North Okanagan for $78,777 in relation to fire protection services at a devastating landfill fire in August 2013. “The bills are still not paid,” Vernon mayor Rob Sawatzky says. “I’m a bit...

Vernon Mayor calls for MP resignation for ‘disturbing’ homelessness comment

VERNON - Okanagan-Shuswap MP Colin Mayes is under fire for ‘disturbing’ comments he made at a recent homelessness event, with Vernon’s mayor suggesting he resign. In what was meant as a solemn dedication by the community to commemorate and recognize some 14 homeless people who have died on Vernon streets in the past two years,...

ELECTION 2014: Which candidates will step down from high-ranking community groups?

PENTICTON - A handful of council hopefuls may have to leave their high-ranking board positions with community organizations if they are elected next month. Max Picton, Chairman of the Tourism Penticton board, and Campbell Watt, President of the Chamber of Commerce, have both said they will leave their respected positions if they are successful in...

ARCHER: Holding government leaders accountable

Government bodies get a bad rap when it comes to spending money, and sometimes the facts prove our tax dollars are not being well spent. But when government officials show us what's in their pockets, it becomes easier for the public to trust their leaders and the decisions they make on behalf of the community....

Province questions Kinder Morgan

KAMLOOPS — Kinder Morgan has not been providing sufficient information about how it plans to mitigate concerns in Kamloops and elsewhere and the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office is not pleased. The province submitted more than 70 information requests, specific to spill response, prevention and recovery systems as part of the National Energy Board’s review of...

Province shakes hands with China over blueberry and cherry deal

THOMPSON–OKANAGAN – Expecting to grow provincial agrifood exports by $100 million throughout the next few years, Agriculture Minister Norm Letnick and the provincial delegation have agreed to send B.C. blueberries and cherries to China. The agreement came out of a trade mission to China earlier this month.  Letnick led the trade agreements and was joined...

Medicinal marijuana company to set roots in Lumby

LUMBY - The Village of Lumby is open for a once outlawed business and at least one company is highly interested. True Leaf Medicine Inc., chaired by former B.C. premier Mike Harcourt, is waiting for full approval from Health Canada to open a marijuana production facility in Lumby. The municipality recently passed legislation allowing medical...

Former Kamloops judge seeks return to justice with NDP nomination

KAMLOOPS – Calling the Harper government “ruthless, arrogant and out of touch,” Kamloops lawyer Bill Sundhu made his pitch for a federal New Democratic Party nomination in a press release this morning. Sundhu cited several issues Canadians face - saying they are either “ignored or trivialized or worse – belittled.” He cites climate change, heath...

Dan Albas named first MP for new riding

WEST KELOWNA - MP Dan Albas has been acclaimed as the first MP for the newly-formed riding of Central Okanagan Similkameen Nicola. Albas, who is wrapping up his first term as the MP for the Okanagan-Coquihalla, was the only nominee whose application was received by the Conservative Riding Association before nominations and voting closed May...