Elevate your local knowledge
Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!
Local
Celebrate a revitalized downtown at the city’s block party
PENTICTON - The City is hosting a block party next week to celebrate the newly revitalized Westminster-Martin western gateway. Revitalization of the 200 block of Martin Street between Westminster Avenue and Nanaimo Avenue was the first phase of the City’s Downtown revitalization plan. Construction began in late February and finished at the end of May,...
Website reveals secrets of Okanagan residents
OKANAGAN – A Penticton woman has started a web page that makes public many Okanagan residents' deepest, darkest secrets. Okanagan Confessions attracted more than 3,000 members in its first two weeks and warning—this site is not safe for work. The page's lone administrator, known as Admin, says the only advertising she has done is post the link...
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...
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’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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Police investigating person of interest in burning hedge
KELOWNA – RCMP are investigating a person of interest who may have information about how a row of hedges caught fire Monday night. Kelowna fire crews were called to a home on Raymer Rd. and Grenfell Cres. at around 9:30 after neighbours reported seeing 30 foot flames coming from a dozen tall cedars on the...
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...
Teacher strike hits childrens’ festival where it hurts
"WE'RE JUST TRYING TO DO THE BEST WE CAN IN THIS SITUATION." KELOWNA - Organizers of a West Kelowna childrens' festival are worried the ongoing dispute between the BCTF and the province will hurt attendance at the 8th annual Interior Savings Fat Cat Children's Festival this weekend. Artistic director Dorothee Birker says teachers bringing kids...
Dan Albas named first MP for new riding
WEST KELOWNA - MP Dan Albas has been acclaimed as the first MP for the newly-formed riding of Central Okanagan Similkameen Nicola. Albas, who is wrapping up his first term as the MP for the Okanagan-Coquihalla, was the only nominee whose application was received by the Conservative Riding Association before nominations and voting closed May...
Retirement age begins in prison for this child molester
KELOWNA – A 64-year-old man is going to jail for molesting two of his own relatives almost 30 years ago. The man, who can't be named by court order, appeared in court Monday with his current wife and pleaded guilty to charges of indecent assault, gross indecency and sexual assault. He admitted to sexually abusing...
Former co-accused in smuggling case will be paid to testify
KELOWNA - A Supreme Court Justice ruled Friday that a West Kelowna man living in Manitoba will be reimbursed for expenses incurred while testifying in a criminal trial in Kelowna. Barry Ready, now 53, was at one time a co-accused in the trial of Clifford Roger Montgomery and Tariz Mohammed Aslam of Surrey. Both men...
Crime stats on the rise as cops catch more criminals, RCMP
KELOWNA – Incidents of domestic violence and other crimes are on the rise in Kelowna, but it’s not because there are more bad guys out there, the good guys are just getting better at catching them, according to RCMP Superintendent Nick Romanchuk. In his regular report to city council, Kelowna's top cop said the city saw...
Bernard Avenue revitalization is officially over
KELOWNA – After two years of construction the revitalized Bernard Avenue will finally open to vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Representatives of the city, including Mayor Walter Gray, gathered at the corner of Pandosy and Bernard Friday afternoon to officially announce the completion of the $14.3 million project. Work began in September 2012 and was completed...