Local
Convicted killer due for sentencing for ramming police car
"IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT PERIODS OF INCARCERATION HAVE AFFECTED HIM." KELOWNA – A Kelowna man with an extensive criminal history is being sentenced for using a stolen truck to ram a police car as he tried to evade arrest only one year after being released from prison for a 2005 manslaughter conviction. "It was only...
Test results back on trees suspected of being poisoned
KELOWNA – Test results on a stand of trees the City believes were poisoned to improve someone’s view of the lake last month have come back inconclusive. Environment manager Todd Cashin says they still believe the trees were vandalized but whoever did it must have used a chemical that is quite common and ultimately untraceable....
$20,000 worth of pro camera equipment reported stolen
KELOWNA – An early morning break and enter has cost a Kelowna camera store close to $20,000 in professional equipment. The theft happened at Lens and Shutter on Harvey Ave. around 4 a.m. Wednesday morning. Store manager Jaime Paniagua says he found out about the theft when the security company called and told him three...
Basran, new council sworn in for Kelowna
KELOWNA – The youngest mayor in Kelowna’s history was sworn into office Monday night along with his new council of eight. In his first speech as mayor, Basran, 37, thanked his family and supporters and outlined the areas he feels are key to a successful term. Areas like transportation, support for small business, social programs,...
Deal signed for Okanagan rail line
OKANAGAN – A deal between the consortium of municipalities and CN Rail to buy the decommissioned rail corridor between Kelowna and Coldstream has been reached. The consortium, made up of Kelowna, Lake Country, Coldstream, along with the North Okanagan and Central Okanagan Regional Districts, have agreed to buy the 47.5 kilometre long stretch of railway...
Kelowna lawyer helping veterans get the help they need
"ONCE YOU'RE IN THAT HOLE IT CAN BE VERY HARD TO CLIMB OUT. THAT'S WHERE WE COME IN." KELOWNA – A local lawyer has made it his mission to help marginalized B.C. veterans transition to civilian life. Matthew Canzer is a Kelowna lawyer who recently started the B.C. chapter of the Veterans Emergency Transition Services....
Ogopogo art and the origins of the valley
OKANAGAN – Strange etchings at the bottom of Lake Okanagan are among the latest revelations included in the third edition of a best-selling book about the origins of the Okanagan. First published in 1994 and updated in 2004, the first two editions of Okanagan Geology sold more than 10,000 copies. Editor and author Murray Roed...
Municipalities granted one week extension to submit rail trail proposal
KELOWNA – The consortium of municipalities hoping to buy the decommissioned CN rail corridor between Kelowna and Vernon have been granted a one week extension to submit their value assessment proposal to the Canadian Transportation Agency. The acquisition team – made up of Kelowna, Lake Country, Coldstream, North Okanagan and Central Okanagan Regional Districts –...
Nominate a small B.C. business before time runs out
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - The Small Business B.C. Awards is accepting nominations and already a few local businesses and entrepreneurs have been recognized for their contributions and achievements. Nominations and votes will be accepted until Nov. 30, 2014 and is open to all new and existing businesses registered in B.C. with fewer than 50 employees. The Top...
UBCO hosts WFN art forum Friday
KELOWNA – A public forum examining the impact Westbank First Nations art has had on the revitalized downtown is taking place at the Alternator Centre this Friday. The hour long forum, part of a monthly series called Alterknowledge that looks at social issues in the Okanagan, is organized by faculty at UBCO in partnership with the...
Latest WFN art honours veterans of all backgrounds
WEST KELOWNA – A new sculpture by renowned First Nation artist Smoker Marchand was unveiled in West Kelowna Tuesday. Marchand says the steel monument, which depicts three warriors in full battle dress, represents veterans of all backgrounds who have served in the military. “I wanted to show a strong Indian man. I wanted to show...
Interest on first day civic election advance polls same as 2011
KELOWNA – More than 1,500 people took to the polls on the first of four advance voting days in the Kelowna civic election Wednesday and early numbers indicate interest in the 2014 election is roughly similar to 2011. While total advanced voter turnout on the first day is significantly lower this year – 2,063 compared...
West Kelowna candidates forum tonight
WEST KELOWNA – On the day advanced voting opens across the valley, candidates for mayor, councillor and school trustee will be at Constable Neil Bruce Middle School in West Kelowna Wednesday night for the first all candidates forum. The three part forum, organized by the Westside Board of Trade, starts with candidates for council at 6:30...
Admitted child pornographer opts to start sentence early
KELOWNA - A man who admits to making child pornography in 2007 and 2008 has opted to go into custody early. David Gerald Smart, 42, pleaded guilty to making and possessing child pornography in Kelowna and Cranbrook between Nov. 1, 2007 and Jan. 31, 2008. Charged in August 2013, Smart was granted bail and released, but on Tuesday...
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...