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Local mountie takes a plunge for ALS research
KELOWNA – Const. Kris Clark of the Kelowna RCMP made a splash Friday afternoon, in support of ALS research. Clark was nominated by a host of a local radio station earlier this week to take the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, a viral sensation that is raising money and awareness for ALS research. Clark says he...
Vandalism likely caused 1000 litre oil spill at district office
KELOWNA – An apparent act of vandalism at a Regional District office has caused a massive amount of used motor oil, diesel and transmission fluid to spill onto a parking lot Friday morning. Andy Brennan of the Regional District says operation crews arriving at 6 a.m. found the spill. “It seems like somebody overnight put...
UBCO student union removes The Phoenix from campus
KELOWNA – The Phoenix, UBCO’s 25 year-old campus newspaper, is being removed from campus. The move is part of the UBCO student union's (UBCSUO) re-allocation of space in the UNC, which will see Resource Centers merged and new businesses added. “It just comes down to the utilization of space,” UBCSUO President Rocky Kim said, “we have...
Dancing in the Park final party set to swing
KELOWNA – With the third season of Dancing in the Park coming to an end this month, organizers say interest in the free outdoor dance event continues to grow. The program is intended to promote active living in the community and has taken place every Wednesday evening since July 2. With professional instructors and an...
Paralyzed FMX rider Bruce Cook gets stolen bike back thanks to social media
KELOWNA – Thanks to social media and the quick actions of a friend, paralyzed freestyle…
Fast charge stations for electric cars proposed for West Kelowna
WEST KELOWNA – Fast charging stations for electric cars could be coming soon to West Kelowna. The new stations, part of a province-wide initiative put forward by B.C. Hydro, will recharge a vehicle in approximately 30 minutes using direct current (DC) instead of the several hours needed at a regular AC household outlet. Facilities manager...
Athletes race in 32nd Apple Triathlon
KELOWNA – One of the Okanagan’s most historic and recognized sporting events is back this weekend for the 32nd year in a row. The Kelowna Apple Triathlon is a 10 km run, 40 km bike and 1.5 km swim event that takes athletes along Lake Okanagan, up Knox Mountain and back down through Glenmore. The...
Elliott Road reopens to public after seven month closure
WEST KELOWNA – The section of Elliott Road between Main Street and Dobbin will reopen to vehicle and pedestrian traffic Monday after being closed for more than seven months for construction of a new transit exchange. Construction of the Westbank RapidBus transit exchange won't be completed until the end of the month and motorists are...
Suncor gets official green light to fly employees out of YLW
KELOWNA – Suncor Energy received permission Monday to continue to run their own airline for their employees out of Kelowna International Airport. The energy company has previously been using the airport on an ad-hoc basis however the new agreement will allow the city to collect airport improvement fees at a rate of $15 per passenger....
A quick recap of PeachFest 2014
PENTICTON - The city was buzzing with excitment this weekend over the 67th annual Peach Festival, a longstanding Penticton tradition. Canadian rock legends The Stampeders and Trooper both took to the stage and played two great shows to huge crowds. Okanagan Lake beach was full of people during the day, enjoying the hot Okanagan weather,...
Vassilaki considering trading his council seat for mayor
PENTICTON - Local businessman and city councillor John Vassilaki plans to run for mayor in the upcoming municipal election this fall. Vassilaki says he is considering running for mayor and will make a public announcement at the end of the month. He will have some competition for the hot seat, as current Mayor Garry Litke...
Increasing rental expenses to blame for rise in cost of living
KELOWNA - The cost of living in the Central Okanagan has risen again in 2014. A report from the Regional District says for a family of four to stay out of debt, at least one parent needs to earn a minimum of $18.42 per hour working full time. Last year, the same family needed to earn...
Free downtown dental clinic cuts ribbon on expanded facility
KELOWNA – When Marie Bergman’s broken tooth became infected, she knew her options were limited. Homeless and living on the streets of Victoria, she sought help from a local not-for-profit dental clinic but was told she would have to wait at least four years. “They didn’t want to touch it,” Bergman says. “My health was...
First sentencing for smuggling cocaine through fruit grinding machine
KELOWNA – One of three men found guilty of helping to bring close to 100 kilograms of cocaine into B.C. from South America was sentenced in Kelowna Supreme Court Wednesday. Mexican national Salvador Ascencio-Chavez, 47, was sentenced to 13 years in jail Wednesday for his role in importing 97 kg of cocaine into Kelowna in...
Feast of Fields connects farm and table
KELOWNA – The Okanagan Feast of Fields is back again this year, celebrating the harvest and highlighting the connections between local farmers and chefs. The wandering festival brings together 30 restaurants and 30 wineries, distilleries and breweries into one location and will take place at the Okanagan Lavender & Herb Farm August 17. Feast of...
House on Knox Mountain is a model for wildfire prevention
KELOWNA – The city would like to see more houses just like the one at the top of Knox Mountain. The house, which is in a potential wildfire zone, is surrounded by a gravel perimeter, the roof is covered in fire retardant shingles and all the vents have been covered with mesh. The land around...
New weekend and more competition means COG not yet sold out
KELOWNA – One of Canada’s hottest beach festivals is back again this year, but Center of Gravity founder Scott Emslie says ticket sales are down compared with last year. “We sold out by May last year,” he says. “We’re 90 per cent sold out right now so tickets will be available at the gate.” The...
VIDEO: Balcony fire in Rutland
KELOWNA – No one was home when a fire broke out on the patio of an apartment on the corner of Mills Road and Highway 33 Tuesday afternoon. Platoon captain Eric Simpson says the fire started just after 4 p.m. in the second floor unit of 123 Mills Road. It originated on the patio and...
IN PHOTOS: A Dragon Boat Festival with real smoke and fire
KELOWNA – Despite a 400 hectare wildfire burning in West Kelowna, the 8th annual Kelowna Dragon Boat Festival went ahead as planned last weekend. The festival is made up of a series of races where teams of amateur rowers decorate boats and compete for the fastest time. Teams from B.C. and Alberta came together off...
Police warn gangsters to avoid Kelowna this weekend
KELOWNA – With one of the city’s biggest festivals taking place in downtown Kelowna this weekend, local RCMP are once again issuing a public warning to gang members planning to take part. Sgt. Lindsey Houghton of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit says every year gangs are drawn to the Okanagan, but they are not...
PHOTOS: Tattoo festival back for second year
KELOWNA – The Okanagan’s only tattoo culture and arts show was back in Kelowna over the weekend for the second year in a row. The Okanagan Tattoo Show is becoming an annual event drawing thousands of fans of body modification and tattoo culture to Parkinson Recreation Centre over the weekend. Aside from having some of...
Canada’s oldest swim event takes place this weekend
KELOWNA – Canada’s biggest and longest running swim event is back in Kelowna for the 66th year in a row. This Across the Lake Swim will be the biggest yet with 900 participants signed-up to swim 2 km from the Old Ferry Wharf in West Kelowna to City Park. Participants leave the shores of West Kelowna...
Playground approved for Mission Recreation Park
KELOWNA – Councillors approved funding Monday for a new children’s playground in Mission Recreation Park. “Over the past few years, regular users have expressed a desire to install a playground to provide children of the participants a fun and safe play option when at the ball park,” says community recreation coordinator Chris Babcock. “After raising...
Council signs off on election restrictions
KELOWNA – A bylaw passed by councillors Monday caps the number of election signs you can legally display on your property. Effective immediately, no private or public places can display more than two signs for any single candidate. According to Karen Needham, the changes have been made as a result of concerns raised by council...