regional district

Push for traffic light at Stickle Road in Vernon continues

VERNON - There continues to be widespread disagreement over what to do with Stickle Road. While the Ministry of Transportation scrapped it’s original plan and is now touting the idea of a protected T intersection, local government officials remain unimpressed. The ministry presented its revised plan to the North Okanagan Regional District board of directors...

Retiring regional district public works manager turning hobby into second career

PENTICTON - More art is in the future of retiring Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen Public Works Manager Doug French. French will be retiring from his position at the end of March, when Roger Huston joins the regional district to take over the public works reins. French has been with the RDOS for five years....

Race on to save CN Rail corridor deal despite no vote

KELOWNA - Whether it takes a referendum in Lake Country or Kelowna buying the whole thing outright, both politicians and staff in the two municipalities say they’re determined to find a way to make the CN Rail corridor purchase a reality. “We see this as too good an opportunity to pass up,” said City of...

Home burns as water woes hamper fire response

KELOWNA — A fire that destroyed a log home in the hills behind Kelowna International Airport is a reminder of the risk that can come with living in semi-rural ares—the fire-fighting effort was hampered by the lack of a nearby fire hydrant and compounded by steep terrain and icy roads. “It dramatically affected our efforts,”...

Changes to curbside waste collection on Christmas and New Year’s

KELOWNA – Kelowna residents with curbside waste pickup normally scheduled for Thursday and Friday will have to wait an extra day to get rid of their Christmas and New Year’s trash. With no collection on Christmas and New Year’s day, for those weeks Thursday pickup will happen on Friday, and Friday pickups will be made...

ELECTION 2014: Greater Vernon Water referendum crushed

VERNON - The Greater Vernon Water referendum failed to garner support from voters. Asked if they supported borrowing up to $70 million to bring the water system up to provincial safety standards, 7,918 residents (64 per cent) voted no, and 3,999 (34 per cent) voted yes. Endorsing the referendum would have meant the average domestic...

No takers: Olalla water commission gets appointed

SOUTH OKANAGAN - The Olalla water commission race has been deemed a ‘non-election’ since no nominations were submitted for the four available positions. There has been a challenge in retaining elected officials in the Olalla community since 2008, says Christy Malden, chief elections officer for the Regional District of the Okanagan-Similkameen. It has been difficult...

Director leads motion against proposed gravel pit

VERNON - A resident’s attempt to build a gravel pit on the outskirts of the City of Vernon has revealed concerning flaws in the application process, says a North Okanagan politician. Not for the applicant, but for people in the community affected by the potential noise, dust and economic impact of the gravel pit itself....

Changes coming to 911 service

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – Starting this fall, the first person you talk to when you dial 911 will not be in your city. Emergency calls placed from the Regional Districts of Central Okanagan, North Okanagan, Okanagan-Similkameen, Thompson-Nicola, Columbia-Shuswap, Squamish-Lillooet (North), Central Kootenay, East Kootenay and Kootenay-Boundary Regional Districts will be answered through E-Comm, the emergency communication centre...

New regional district boss hired from within

VERNON – The directors on the Regional District of the North Okanagan board didn’t have to look far to hire a new Chief Administrative Officer. The regional district’s top job has gone to David Sewell who has been the Chief Financial Officer for almost 5 years. He replaces Trafford Hall who left the district in...