Local
Woman killed in car crash spread joy through social media
KELOWNA – Joselyn Casavant’s Facebook status updates were "hilarious," according to one of her hundreds of friends. The 21-year-old who died after being hit head-on by a speeding Honda on McCurdy Road last weekend is being remembered by family and friends as someone who genuinely cared about making other people happy. Anthony Kuchma, 23, first met...
Local singer takes home award for best female country music star
KELOWNA – A singer-songwriter born in Kelowna won the Coachella Valley Music Awards for best female country music album this month. Kelly Margaret Derrickson, daughter of First Nation Grand Chief Ron Derrickson, took home the award May 17. Nominations are made by 200 industry insiders, including radio and TV personalities, music writers and journalists, music...
Solar Road stabbing victim identified, murder charges laid
WEST KELOWNA – The man who died after being stabbed in the chest during a fight in West Kelowna April 29 has been identified and charges against the suspect upgraded to second-degree murder. Jose Amestica, 50, will appear in court June 2. He was originally charged with aggravated assault until the victim, Kevin McNally, 44,...
Kelowna company expands delivery to Europe and Asia
KELOWNA – The company formerly known as Kelowna Flightcraft is expanding its cargo routes overseas. Now called KF Aerospace, the Kelowna-headquartered aviation services company will have routes four times a week between Toronto and Europe via Brussels and daily service between Toronto and Atlantic Canada. Within two months the network will expand to include all...
Campapalooza campacacancelled
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – A first-of-its kind event that gives parents a chance to get a taste of all the different summer camp options in one place has been cancelled. Campapalooza was to be held at Okanagan College May 30, but according to their website has been 'postponed until April 2016.' The event would have brought together...
‘He’s grabbing onto my gun,’ says cop charged with assault
LANGUAGE ADVISORY KELOWNA – An RCMP officer accused of assault says the elderly bar patron he took to the ground, punched three times and arrested last year was going for his gun. “I (felt) a very distinct feeling on my right hip,” the accused, Const. Grant Jacobson, 32, said in court today, May 26. “In...
UPDATE: Barfly says RCMP officer assaulted him after long day at the pub
LANGUAGE ADVISORY KELOWNA – A Kelowna man says a local RCMP constable assaulted him during an arrest at a downtown pub after 13 hours of drinking last summer. Const. Grant Jacobson pleaded not guilty to criminally assaulting John Patrick McCormick, 61, on the patio of Rose’s Pub in Kelowna at around 2 a.m. June 28,...
UPDATE: Kelowna teen located
UPDATE: 10:56 A.M., MAY 25, 2015 RCMP say Raven Graham has been located. 3:32 P.M., MAY 8, 2015 KELOWNA – A 17-year-old girl from Kelowna who police say went missing April 14 may in fact be in Alberta. RCMP issued a media release Tuesday, May 5, asking for the public’s help locating Raven Graham, but according...
Okanagan diners reap the rewards of an early spring
OKANAGN – The early spring across the Okanagan this year is not only good for your tan but for local restaurants and family kitchens as well. Across the valley, farmers are busy harvesting crops which normally wouldn't be ready for weeks. Fruits, berries, veggies and field crops all got a jump start this year, which...
Penticton man found badly beaten on side of road
PENTICTON – A man is in police custody after what police are calling “a serious assault” that left a Penticton man badly injured on the side of the road Thursday morning. According to a release, Penticton RCMP were called to the 3 km mark on Shingle Creek Road off Green Mountain Road shortly after 8:30...
Ducklings saved by local business owner
KELOWNA – When Noel Wentworth saw an anxious-looking duck on the side of the road last week he knew something wasn’t right. Wentworth and his family were driving home on Glenmore Road around 8 p.m. May 16 when he saw a panicked mother duck on the opposite side of the road. “She was basically running...
You have a few more months to register your off-road vehicle
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – Good news for the estimated 200,000 trail riders across the province as the government has pushed the deadline to register off-road vehicles from June 1 to Nov. 1. According to a press release sent Wednesday, May 20, the deadline change will give users more time to prepare for the mandatory registration as well...
Westside Road shooter could get dangerous offender status
KELOWNA – The man who shot at police as he and two accomplices fled from police along Westside Road in 2012 will be evaluated by a psychiatrist to determine if he is a dangerous offender. In late February, Michael Ellis, 41, was found guilty of unlawful discharge of a prohibited weapon, armed robbery, attempted robbery,...
Check out all your summer camps before you sign up
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – A first-of-its-kind kid’s camp expo coming to a community near you is your chance to get a taste of all the fun activities available to keep your little ones busy all summer long. Campapalooza is a chance to meet counsellors and see what all the great summer camps offer for toddlers to teens...
More delays along Lakeshore Road
KELOWNA – If you thought delays along Lakeshore Road were over, think again. Crews have begun prep work for the South Pandosy Transit Exchange project between KLO Road and Lanfranco Road and although both lanes will largely remain open, lane restrictions will be implemented causing delays along the busy corridor. According to the City of...