Local
Kelowna camps and clubs expand offerings during strike
KELOWNA – With teacher job action escalating to full strike next week, several local organizations have added programs and extended hours to help parents out. The H2O Centre will open their slides and other attractions at noon instead of 4 p.m. starting Monday, and general manager Cory Krist says they have also instituted morning and...
Site chosen for new West Kelowna Civic Hall
WEST KELOWNA – The District of West Kelowna has settled on a location for a new municipal hall. Mayor Doug Findlater announced Tuesday council had accepted a bid from New Town/Sturgess Group to construct a 24,000 sq. ft. hall at 3641 Elliott Rd. The hall will include a public plaza, office building, up to two...
Kelowna’s vacancy rate among lowest in Canada
KELOWNA – Kelowna is one of the hardest cities in the country to find apartments to rent, according to a national rental market survey. The 2014 study compares vacancy rates and average rent in cities across the country. It lists Kelowna as one of the bottom three in terms of availability. While the average vacancy rate of rental...
RCMP warn out-of-town gangsters to stay away
KELOWNA - With summer just around the corner and numerous high draw events on the calendar, the local RCMP are warning out-of-town gang members to stay away from Kelowna. RCMP Const. Kris Clark says police have noticed a considerable rise in gang presence over the past several years, especially during the summer months, and they...
Kelowna orchard wants apple vodka distillery
KELOWNA – Owners of a Southeast Kelowna apple orchard have been given the green light to seek approval from the Agricultural Land Commission to construct an apple vodka distillery and tasting room. The application was made by Blair and Kelly Wilson of Wallace Hill Rd. The subject property is a 20.3 acre apple orchard with...
Locals to rally against smart meters Saturday
KELOWNA – A nationwide protest against the forced implementation of smart meters will get support from a group of Kelowna locals this weekend. “June 14 is a national day of protest,” says Rozjael Young, one of the volunteers of the rally. “There are several other places in B.C. that are protesting against the smart meters, which leak...
Pedestrian hit on highway
KELOWNA – A man was questioned by police Tuesday morning after the vehicle he was driving struck a pedestrian on Harvey Ave. According to a report by Global Okanagan, witnesses say the woman was injured near the Gordon Dr. intersection. The driver of the truck remained at the scene and spoke with police while the...
Wipeout-style water attraction approved for City Park
KELOWNA – A new water park is coming soon to the shores of Okanagan Lake off City Park. Consisting of interlocking inflatable modules with a maximum capacity of 60 people at a time, city property manager John Saufferer says the park will be similar to the inflatable obstacle courses used in the TV show Wipeout....
The price to park goes up at many meters around Kelowna
KELOWNA – A 150 per cent increase in on-street parking fees comes into effect today, but the city says many meters won’t be adjusted for several more weeks. Plans to raise the rates were announced in January, with council voting to raise prices for the first time in 20 years. As of today, the cost...
National BMX series bunnyhops through Kelowna this weekend
KELOWNA – Even if you don't know the difference between a barspin and a bunnyhop, organizers of the Kelowna Firestorm BMX Nationals say this weekends event has something for everyone. The third in a series of six nationals will be held in Kelowna June 13-15 and Kelowna BMX Club president Jeff Ingram says more than...
West Kelowna school gets last stop on cross Canada tour
WEST KELOWNA – Students in West Kelowna will be treated to a special presentation Friday as a reward for their help in getting a school built in Kenya. Mt. Boucherie Secondary will host the final performance of the Spencer West “We Create Change” tour. The tour includes a presentation by humanitarian Spencer West, a performance...
Chinese buyer snaps up Lake Okanagan Resort
WEST KELOWNA – Lake Okanagan Resort has been sold to a Chinese buyer. The 300 acre property north of West Kelowna was previously owned by Calgary based Northwynd Resort Properties. It includes a nine-hole golf course, 158-slip marina, tennis courts, a 240 room hotel and 15-acres of undeveloped land. It also has the only beach on...
Vernon man sues Aeroplan over cancellation of points
KELOWNA – An Vernon man claiming thousands of dollars in damages as a result of a consumer loyalty program that cancelled his points, will have to wait for another lawsuit to be settled before his case can be heard. John David Romanchuk alleges Aeroplan, a program where members accumulate points for making purchases, unilaterally cancelled...
Traffic stop results in dial-a-dope arrest
KELOWNA – A traffic stop of a high-end SUV in Kelowna last Friday resulted in the arrest of a man police believe was operating a dial-a-dope service. RCMP Const. Kris Clark says Street Enforcement Teams have been investigating a group of individuals selling drugs out of a rental apartment downtown. Last Friday plainclothes officers conducted...
Stranger replaces disabled man’s stolen scooter
KELOWNA - Thanks to the kindness of a stranger, Jason Kemps is back behind the wheel after thieves slashed his fence and stole his mobility scooter from his yard. Kemps, who lost his arm and leg in 1993, relied on his orange and black Gio scooter to get around town until late last month when...