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More cuts on the horizon for Vernon School District

VERNON - More cuts are on the way in the Vernon School District. The provincial government requires $437,000 of cuts in non-instructional costs at School District 22 next year, rising to $814,000 in 2016/17. “Our School District has suffered many cuts in funding in recent years. We’re proud that we’ve kept much of the cost...

Fire and vandalism draw authorities to Armstrong middle school

ARMSTRONG - A fire at Lenwood Middle School in Armstrong had 32 firefighters jumping out of bed at 2:30 a.m. Wednesday. Initially reported as a structure fire, members feared the worst. But Armstrong-Spallumcheen Fire Chief Ian Cummings says it was just a small fire in a garbage can a few feet from the school. “There...

Bomb threat forces evacuation at Salmon Arm school

SALMON ARM - The students of a Salmon Arm middle school were evacuated Tuesday after a prank bomb threat. The threat was at Shuswap Middle School and students were evacuated to the school field and then moved to South Broadview Elementary while police investigated, School District 83 stated in a press release. By 12:38 p.m.,...

School back on in Kamloops

KAMLOOPS - In case there was any doubt in your mind, yes schools are set to reopen in School District 73 Wednesday after two snow days in a row. Students have been out of school since Dec. 19 when winter break began. Schools were ready to reopen Monday, Jan. 5 but Mother Nature had other...

Vernon, North Okanagan-Shuswap School Districts call students back to class

UPDATE: POWER BACK ON IN MOST SHUSWAP SCHOOLS, CLASSES A GO  NORTH OKANAGAN - The North Okanagan-Shuswap and Vernon School Districts are welcoming students back to class Wednesday, Jan. 7. The green light from the ditricts comes after two snow days due to severe weather. School District 83 hadn’t called a snow day in decades....

Second snow day in a row for North Okanagan-Shuswap students

SCHOOL DISTRICTS 22 AND 83 CANCEL CLASS VERNON - Students in the Vernon and North Okanagan-Shuswap School Districts are getting a second snow day Tuesday, Jan. 6.  School District 83 announced Monday evening it will be shutting down all schools due to the continued winter storm warning and Environment Canada’s prediction of freezing rain. District...

First snow day for North Okanagan-Shuswap students in decades

VERNON - It takes a lot for the North Okanagan-Shuswap School District to shut down schools and call for a snow day. Even on Monday with 35- 50 cm of snow accumulating around the region, the district remained hopeful school would carry on. It wasn’t until the eleventh hour — after other districts around the...

UPDATE: It’s officially a snow day for all North Okanagan students

UPDATE 8 A.M. JAN. 5: NORTH OKANAGAN SCHOOLS SHUT DOWN, VERNON RECREATION PROGRAMS CANCELLED VERNON - It’s officially a snow day in the North Okanagan. Despite plans to open schools as usual this morning, School Districts 22 and 83 have announced school is cancelled today, Jan. 5. “Due to the fact many staff are reporting...

Charity comes easy to this Kelowna family

KELOWNA – For the third year in a row a Mission family is showing that charity doesn’t have to be a lot of hard work. For the past two years, the de Haas family have partnered with a local pizza shop to donate more than a dozen pizzas they take to school and offer to...

UPDATE: School lockdown ends, RCMP discover deceased suspect

KAMLOOPS - Following a manhunt on Lac Le Jeune road, police discovered the suspect who was considered armed and dangerous in the vehicle they were searching for throughout the afternoon of Dec. 9. The 40-year-old man was found deceased from an apparent self-inflicted wound. A firearm was recovered nearby. Police began their investigation and subsequent...

Power outage planned for Peachland, school closed

PEACHLAND – Residents of Peachland have another day in the dark ahead of them as BC Hydro plans to shut off power to 5,000 homes and businesses Friday. Crews will be repairing lines affected by the heavy snow fall today between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. and are warning residents to be prepared. Peachland Elementary...

Vernon residents wake up to blanket of snow

YOUR PHOTOS FROM AROUND THE NORTH OKANAGAN VERNON - North Okanagan residents woke up to a thick blanket of snow Wednesday morning. Environment Canada is calling for 2-4 cm of snow today, though the white stuff is expected to change to rain sometime this morning. The dump of snow means buses in the Vernon school...

Minivan strikes school bus with 14 teenagers inside

FALKLAND - A school bus driving 14 teenagers home was struck by a minivan Monday afternoon, sending a student to hospital. RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says the bus was just pulling onto Highway 97 near Falkland after dropping off a student when a minivan plowed into the rear of the bus. The minivan went into...

Learn more about Vernon school board candidates at upcoming forum

VERNON - A chance to learn more about your Vernon school board candidates is approaching. The Vernon Teachers’ Association, in partnership with the District Parent Advisory Council, will hold a public forum for Vernon and Coldstream school trustee candidates on Tuesday, Nov. 4 from 7-8:30 p.m. in the Vernon Secondary School Theatre. “Teachers and parents...

School district ‘extremely disappointed’ with labour strife

KELOWNA - The Central Okanagan Board of Education is ‘extremely disappointed’ in the lack of movement between the B.C. Teachers’ Federation and the B.C. Public School Employers’ Association, which could result in schools not being open next week as planned. Trustees say they have been pushing the two parties to bring in a mediator to...

School district calls special meeting on proposed pellet plant

VERNON - The Vernon School District wants assurances a proposed pellet plant won’t be harmful to student health. Superintendent Joe Rogers says the school board will hear from Pinnacle Renewable Energy and Tolko Wednesday night at a special meeting. The companies want to build the pellet plant near Lavington Elementary, next to Tolko’s existing mill...

School bus cuts get rough ride

VERNON - A school board decision to cut Vernon bus routes is getting a rough ride from parents. School District 22 is tightening up the routes to save approximately $125,000 from its budget. Around 300 students living 2.4 km or more from their school will now have to find another way to get to class....

School’s out, but provincial exams will be written

NORTH OKANAGAN - There will be picket-free entrances for grade 10-12 students writing their provincial exams in the North Okanagan. While school is out for students across the province, a ruling from the Labour Relations Board means grade 10-12 students will write their provincial exams as scheduled and have them marked. All other school exams...

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...

Reactions to full teacher strike vary

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Earlier this week teachers voted to move to a full strike if necessary and Thursday morning the teachers' union gave the necessary 72 hours notice. If an agreement is not reached by the end of the day Monday teachers will begin a full strike Tuesday, June 17. Monday was declared a study session....

Child care programs filling up fast upon full strike notice

VERNON - At least one Vernon child care organization is filling up fast following the announcement of a full teacher strike. The North Okanagan Child Care Society is expanding its programs next week to give parents a safe place to put their children while school is out. Executive director Hollie Henderson says full day camps, typically...