Investigation
Teen killed in fatal fall from cliff not using climbing gear: RCMP
VERNON - It looks like an 18-year-old wasn’t using any safety equipment when he decided to go rock climbing and wound up taking a fatal fall from a rock face near Vernon on the weekend. The teenager, who has yet to be identified, was camping with three friends when the group decided to go rock...
Molotov cocktail chucked at Vernon church
VERNON - Police and the Fire Department are investigating after a molotov cocktail was thrown at the Vernon Family Church Monday night. Deputy Fire Chief Lawrie Skolrood says a nearby resident noticed a large flame around 7:30 p.m. outside the church, located on 25 Avenue, and phoned 911. “It’s very fortunate the building was stucco...
Residents respond to Enderby eviction notice
"I AM EXTREMELY ANGRY WITH THE CITY AND HOW THEY'VE DEALT WITH THINGS." ENDERBY - Zhao Walker, a 25-year-old artist who hitchhiked to the area four years ago, is one of the people who lived in the back of the Gypsy Bazaar in Enderby before the city evicted them. For years, he helped run the...
Rescuing a horse? Here’s what you’re getting into
“AT THIS POINT, EVERYONE’S THINKING WITH THEIR HEARTS” ARMSTRONG - We’ve seen a lot of generosity and kindness in the weeks following an animal cruelty case, but the SPCA is cautioning people not to let good intentions cloud their judgement. Armstrong man Gary Roberts faces two charges of animal cruelty, and has been court ordered...
Vernon’s connection to a Lower Mainland gang called the Unknown Soldiers
GANG SETS UP ‘DRUG FRANCHISES’ IN SMALL COMMUNITIES; POLICE BELIEVE VERNON WAS ONE OF THEM VERNON - Mounties believe the alleged drug runner arrested last month in a targeted police investigation is involved with a relatively new gang calling itself the Unknown Soldiers. Sgt. Lindsey Houghton with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of British Columbia...
NEWSMAKERS 2014: String of arsons go down as worst in recent memory
THIS WEEK, INFONEWS.CA IS COUNTING DOWN THE TOP FIVE STORIES OF THE YEAR. TODAY: NUMBER THREE VERNON - Authorities called it the worst fire-setting spree in recent memory, and with the close of 2014, we still don’t know who’s responsible. Over 20 fires were set across the city this past year, beginning in late spring...
WorkSafeBC investigating technician’s fall at Sagebrush Theatre
KAMLOOPS - WorkSafeBC is investigating a technician's serious fall during the intermission of Peter and the Starcatcher at the Sagebrush Theatre on the evening of Dec. 5. Catrina Crowe, a spokesperson for the Western Canada Theatre, says the investigation will review all of the extensive safety procedures the company and Sagebrush Theatre has in place...
Vernon RCMP still looking for driver who ran from accident scene
VERNON - Police continue to investigate a two vehicle accident that left a woman with life changing injuries. RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk said an appeal for information generated several tips about the Dec. 3 car crash, which left a 44-year-old woman with numerous broken bones and a fractured spine. She continues to recover at Vancouver...
UPDATE: Man in fatal industrial accident in Spallumcheen identified
SPALLUMCHEEN - The B.C. Coroners Service has identified the man who died in a fatal industrial accident in Spallumcheen Wednesday afternoon. He was John Elliot Sleypen, 50, of Kamloops. A Valley Roadways truck driver had just delivered a load of posts to Rapid-Span Structures on Industrial Drive in Spallumcheen around 1:30 p.m. He was in...
Woman found in Kelowna alley dies from injuries
KELOWNA – An 83-year-old woman found with serious injuries in an alley in downtown Kelowna early Sunday morning has died in hospital. RCMP say the woman was found alone in the lane between the Kelowna Daily Courier building and the McWilliams Centre at 580 Doyle Ave. at about 1:13 a.m. She was rushed to Kelowna...
Interior Health employee investigated for alleged sexual assault of ‘vulnerable’ resident
NOT THE FIRST ALLEGATION: POLICE VERNON - Interior Heath Authority is reviewing an employee who was investigated by police for an allegation of sexual assault on a 'vulnerable' care facility resident. Interior Health informed police of the allegations in July 2014 but the incident happened some time before. Vernon RCMP says interior health didn't report...
Investigation of alleged assault by Penticton police officer dismissed
PENTICTON - No charges will be laid against a police officer who allegedly assaulted a woman while she was in custody. An investigation conducted by the Independent Investigations Office “concluded there is no substantial likelihood that the officer … would be convicted of any offences arising from the circumstances.” In April 2014, an officer was...
ARCHER: The importance of being a jury member
I spent three days this week at the Penticton courthouse sitting in on a coroner’s inquest for the death of a 30-year-old man, Steven Joseph Scott, who died two years ago while in police custody. I had never been to an inquest before and was happily surprised to find the five-person jury and all the...
Suspicious Vernon fires are back
VERNON - A recent spike in suspicious fire activity has the community wondering if Vernon’s alleged serial arsonist is back. The city was hit with over 20 suspected arsons during the summer, from burnt grandstands to torched boats, but there hadn’t been any new fires since September until recently. A construction site suspiciously caught fire...
Surrendered dog in animal cruelty case stolen from SPCA
PENTICTON - One of the dogs under the care of the SPCA following an animal cruelty investigation in Vernon was stolen Wednesday night. South Okanagan/ Similkameen branch manager Corinne Ross says staff arrived Thursday morning to feed the dogs and realized one of the surrendered carlin pinschers was gone. “Someone had taken wire cutters and...