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Witnesses sought in crash that left Kelowna cyclist in coma
KELOWNA - RCMP are looking for witnesses in crash that left a Kelowna cyclist in a coma. Trevor Bohac, 42, was riding his bike eastbound on Robson Road West with his dog on Sept. 1 shortly after 4 p.m. when he was struck by a vehicle turning into a driveway. His leg was broken and...
West Kelowna singer named best new artist at Indigenous Music Awards
WEST KELOWNA - A local First Nation singer and songwriter has won Best New Artist at the Indigenous Music Awards in Winnipeg. Kelly Margaret Derrickson, daughter of Grand Chief Ron Derrickson, beat out five other artists for the prestigious award on Friday, Sept. 11. Her debut album, Warriors of Love, was released in 2013 and...
Local immigrant making sure Mexican culture is celebrated in Kelowna
KELOWNA - A Kelowna bar is holding an event Wednesday night to help some local immigrants feel a little closer to home on a special day. Carmen Ruiz says Mexican Independence Day is important for the roughly 1,500 Mexicans living and working in the Okanagan. “This something that makes us really excited,” she says. “Lots...
ELECTION 2015: NDP candidate vows to do more than toe the party line
WEST KELOWNA - The NDP candidate for the Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola riding believes her experience in urban and rural communities make her the best candidate. Angelique Wood, 45, grew up in Vancouver but moved to the small town of Hedley in 2006. In Vancouver she worked as an art dealer for First Nation and Inuit art...
Two arrested for series of Kelowna vehicle thefts
KELOWNA – Two men have been charged with multiple offences relating to what police call a series of vehicle thefts in Kelowna this month. On Sep. 6 the Kelowna RCMP Street Enforcement Team with the assistance of a police dog arrested two men for possession of break-in instruments and theft of motor vehicles. Kody James...
UPDATE: Owner reunited with artificial leg found on Penticton street
UPDATE: 3:20 P.M., SEPT. 15, 2015 The owner of the prosthetic leg found on Lakeshore Drive over the weekend has been found, Penticton RCMP report. Penticton City bylaw officers called the detachment to say they knew the owner of the leg, Penticton RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth says in a press release. The woman had...
ELECTION 2015: Are you in the new Kelowna riding?
ELECTION 2015 – Those who don't know the exact latitude of where they live may be confused by the Elections Canada description of the new electoral district of the Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola. Even the name is complicated. Made up of areas from the former ridings of Okanagan-Coquihalla, Kelowna-Lake Country and the British Columbia Southern Interior, the...
Kelowna area kokanee runs looking strong despite warm, low water
KELOWNA – While many rivers and streams around B.C. are seeing below-average numbers of salmon spawning as a result of warmer temperatures and lower water levels, Mission Creek Regional Park staff say their salmon numbers are higher than they’ve been in two years. Park interpreter Nicole Kittmer says they currently have around 6,000 salmon in...
Put your best paw forward this weekend and help stop animal abuse
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – This weekend thousands of animal lovers from across the Thompson-Okanagan will help stop animal abuse simply by walking their dogs. For more than a decade, residents of cities across the province have laced up their sneakers for the Scotiabank and BCSPCA Paws for a Cause Walk. Manager of the Kelowna SPCA Suzanne Pugh...
West Kelowna mom says B.C. Transit is preventing her from filing complaint
KELOWNA – A local mother says B.C. Transit has brushed aside her complaints one of their drivers verbally abused her and another was driving dangerously. Carrie Watson, 43, had just left an event at the Parkinson Recreation Centre with her five-year-old daughter the evening of Aug. 29. They boarded the 97 bus headed downtown where...
Okanagan church group spends $60k to bring family from Syria
KELOWNA – Three local churches who spent $60,000 to bring a family from to Kelowna from Syria this summer are raising funds to bring even more refugees from the civil war-torn country. For 30 years the Central Okanagan Refugee Committee have rescued families and individuals from countries afflicted with famine, wars and disease. Six months...
Etsy craft market coming to Kelowna
KELOWNA - For the second year in a row, Kelowna crafters can get their Etsy fix in real life, instead of through a computer. On Sept. 26, Etsy: Made in Canada will be at Sandhill Winery for a free crafters market featuring handmade items from more than 30 Canadian artisans. Last year roughly 3,000 people...
Witnesses say Kelowna driver who critically injured cyclist was drinking, distracted and lied to police
"CAN YOU COME HELP ME STAND UP BECAUSE I'VE JUST BEEN HIT BY A TRUCK" KELOWNA – A cyclist who was hit by a truck and critically injured in Rutland last week told his girlfriend police have the wrong man pegged as the driver. Jill Hamer, 40, had just left dinner with her common-law husband...
Big Brother Canada stars spend the weekend in Peachland
KELOWNA - Stars of the Canadian version of the TV game show Big Brother were in Peachland over the weekend, meeting fans and signing autographs. Davis Cove Lakeshore Resort manager Shelley Peach originally arranged for 13 houseguests to come to her resort after missing an opportunity to meet them in Vancouver in the spring. She...
ELECTION 2015: Liberal candidate says Metis heritage, law degree influenced her decision to run
WEST KELOWNA - Liberal MP candidate Karley Scott’s first vehicle was a snowmobile. As a Metis, she also spent much of her first year in a papoose on her dads back in La Ronge, Sask. She says her unique upbringing is what makes her a good lawyer and is also what will make her a...
Judge clarifies order for dangerous dog that mauled Okanagan Lhasa apso cross
KELOWNA - A provincial court judge has issued a clarification of an order for one of two dogs that fatally mauled a 12-year-old Lhasa apso cross in Peachland on New Years Day 2015. The small dog named Charlie was walking with owner Jeff Clark on Jan. 1 when they were approached by two off-leash dogs...
ELECTION 2015: From martial arts instructor to MP, incumbent Dan Albas says he’s ready to fight
WEST KELOWNA – Dan Albas is not just a Conservative, he says, he is also a trusted local politician who puts his constituents needs ahead of his party. The incumbent is seeking re-election in the newly formed riding of Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola. The new riding, which as of 2015 encompasses areas from three different electoral districts,...
Drive B.C. adds eight new highway webcams to help you plan your trip
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – Just in time for winter, Drive B.C. has installed eight more highway cams between West Kelowna and Kaleden, and in the Merritt area to help drivers assess road conditions and traffic. The cameras include four south of West Kelowna on Highway 97 and Highway 97C, and three near Kaleden in the South Okanagan....
Filmed in the Okanagan: TV show focuses on traditional First Nation food
OKANAGAN – A TV series about gathering and cooking wild food will air on the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network next week. And it was filmed in the Okanagan. Quest Outwest: Wild Food follows Syilx storyteller and Penticton resident Tracey Kim Bonneau as she hunts and forages around the Okanagan looking for traditional ingredients she prepares...
Udderly Awesome long weekend coming up
KELOWNA – With sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 20’s, the September Long Weekend is likely your last chance for summer fun. The largest agricultural fair in B.C. takes place in Armstrong this weekend. The 116th Interior Provincial Exhibition runs until Sunday with events for the whole family. The theme for this year is “Udderly...
UPDATE: Kamloops teen located
UPDATE: 3:39 P.M., SEPT. 23, 2015 RCMP say McKenna Smith has been located and is safe. 3:16 P.M., SEPT. 3, 2015 KAMLOOPS – RCMP are looking for an 18-year-old Kamloops girl who has been missing since the beginning of the month. McKenna Smith was reported missing by her family on Sept. 1 after their last...
Dropping wildfire threat reopens part of Knox Mountain Drive
KELOWNA – Although the majority of Knox Mountain Drive will remain closed due to the risk of wildfire, the road will be reopened to vehicles as far as the first lookout tomorrow. The Friday, Sept. 4 opening comes after the road was closed in July due to the high risk of fire. Urban Forest Technician...
Okanagan episode of Amazing Race Canada to air next week
SUMMERLAND – Fans of the Amazing Race Canada will see some familiar sights next week. The Summerland area will be featured in Wednesday’s episode of the hit CTV show where pairs of Canadians race around the world hoping to be the first to reach the final destination and claim the $250,000 prize. Contestants will be...
Summerhill Winery steps up starling control with this amazing toy
KELOWNA - A local winery is using a unique form of pest control to keep an invasive species from stealing their grapes. Summerhill Pyramid Winery in Upper Mission is one of the few completely organic wineries in the Okanagan. They don’t use pesticides to control insects but there is another pest capable of causing even...