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Vernon news
Accused Kelowna trailer park killer released on bail
KELOWNA – The Kelowna man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend in April 2014 has been released on bail. Ryan James Quigley, 36, has been in custody since he was arrested at a residence on Coronation Avenue on April 4, three days after the body of Amy Jane Parkes was found inside a mobile home on...
Conviction thrown out for man accused of driving into Vernon firefighter
VERNON - A man convicted of dangerous driving causing bodily harm will have his case heard again due to a technicality. Ian Douglas Burns, 28, was found guilty of hitting BX/Swan Lake firefighter Stephan Hidasi with his truck, but a judge has now deemed that ruling null because court procedures weren’t followed. Crown spokesperson Neil...
A dog bite, an arrest, an RCMP firing and lots of finger-pointing in Vernon neighbour dispute
VERNON - A bitter dispute between neighbours is playing out publicly in Vernon after one man claims to have been set up by a retired policeman, who has since been fired from a civilian position with the Vernon detachment. The case, which began with an alleged dog bite, was supposed to be heard in court,...
Tragedies compound for West Kelowna, Vernon families
CHILD STILL RECOVERING FROM CAR ACCIDENT, GRANDMA IN COMA FOLLOWING SEPARATE ACCIDENT KELOWNA - The Vernon woman who was hit by a car at a crosswalk over the weekend is the grandmother of the eight-year-old West Kelowna boy who was dragged by a van in front of his parents this past summer. Jonah Pevach, an...
She taught hundreds how to defraud the government but says she is the victim
"SHE WAS THE FACE, THE VOICE AND THE BRAIN BEHIND (THE SCHEME)." KELOWNA – The woman who helped hundreds of people defraud the government of millions of dollars in taxes between 2007 and 2012 claims she is the victim and begged the judge not to send her to jail. This summer, a Supreme Court jury found...
Options of new welcome to Vernon signs ‘too bland’
VERNON - Vernon council trashed a series of design ideas for the city’s new welcome signs, calling for more playfulness and vibrancy. This week council was shown three options for the signs, which are being redone, but quickly sent staff back to the drawing board. The draft designs featured wood material, and a large white...
Vernon council exploring options for largely empty downtown parkade
VERNON - Concerns around safety might be deterring people from using downtown Vernon’s parkade. The parkade only has about 35 per cent usage, council learned on Monday, Dec. 14, leading Coun. Catherine Lord to question why it's not better used. “We need to do something to make it more attractive for people, especially if we...
The story behind this collection of quirky salt and pepper shakers
VERNON - Hundreds of endearing salt and pepper shakers on display at a Vernon coffee shop are capturing peoples’ hearts and their curiosity. Looking like something out of miniature world, the collection of salt and pepper shakers can be found at the Bean Scene Coffee House on 30 Avenue in downtown Vernon. Inside the glass...
Vernon city council endorses controversial marina on Okanagan Lake
VERNON - Vernon city council has done a 180-degree-turn when it comes to a controversial marina on Okanagan Lake. Outback Resort’s proposed marina in South Bay, near Ellison Provincial Park, got support from Vernon council today, Dec. 14 — with a few conditions. The support hinges upon the removal of all the resort’s existing buoys...
Vernon woman hit by car remains in hospital
VERNON - A local woman remains in hospital after getting hit by a car Saturday evening. A car travelling east on 30 Avenue collided with the woman around 5:30 p.m. Dec. 12, Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy says. The 45-year-old woman was taken to Vernon Jubilee Hospital for treatment of serious injuries. She has since been transferred...
Temperatures cooling off in the Okanagan this week
OKANAGAN - The temperatures will drop back below 0 Celsius this week after a long run of weather warmer than seasonal normals in the Okanagan. Environment Canada is calling for the mercury to stay around 2 C to 4 C throughout the region today, Dec. 14, but then the overnight temperature will drop to as...
Why workers at some City Halls must take holidays in December
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Civic governments in Kamloops, Vernon and Penticton keep their main offices open over the holidays but they do it a little differently in the Central Okanagan. City Halls in both West Kelowna and Kelowna will be closed for the week between Christmas and New Years along with the offices of the Central Okanagan...
Winter storm bringing heavy snow to mountain passes
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – It wouldn’t be the weekend without a warning from Environment Canada about heavy snow on the highways through B.C. Interior mountain passes. A heavy snowfall warning has been issued today, Dec. 12, as a strong Pacific frontal system is expected to start crossing over the Interior this afternoon. Forecasters say people heading to...
How the SPCA approves dog rescue groups
VERNON - There’s a wide range of standards among rescue groups across the province, and while animals are directly involved, that doesn’t mean the SPCA has a hand in how they operate. Aspects of dog rescuing such as fostering and adoption procedures, holding periods, and vet-checks simply aren’t something the SPCA has a mechanism to...
‘My daughter’s future is in jeopardy’: Vernon mom speaks out at medical marijuana rally
VERNON - A drop of cannabis oil eaten on a cracker is making 13-year-old Tanniel’s seizure’s drop from 170 a day, to 30. “It was our life saver,” her mom, Elizabeth Bakker says. Doctors tried a number of different things, Bakker says, but Tanniel’s non-epileptic seizures weren’t getting better. Frustrated and heartbroken at seeing her...
Okanagan MP mimicks Trudeau’s Vogue cover with funny tweet
KELOWNA – Local Conservative MP Dan Albas is getting some attention in the Twittersphere this week for recreating a Vogue cover photo featuring Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. “Must. Work. On the hair. #vogue,” he tweeted Wednesday, Dec. 9. The black and white photo attached shows him seemingly lost in thought and striking a pose that...
Warm weather sticking around just a bit longer in the Okanagan
OKANAGAN - It seems our stretch of well-above seasonal normal temperatures is coming to an end, but we still have a few slightly warmer days ahead of us. Environment Canada is calling for a high of 3 Celsius today, Dec. 11, in the Vernon and Kelowna areas, with a high of 4 C expected in...
‘Put it on your roof’: Vernon woman shares tale of stolen Christmas decor
VERNON - A grinch stole a Vernon woman’s Christmas spirit. Deb Robertson says close to $600 worth of LED Christmas decorations were stolen from her yard in the East Hill area of Vernon. “It’s bad to steal from anyone any time of year, but Christmas is just the lowest of the low,” Robertson says. Taken...
State-of-the-art amphitheatre proposed for Vernon’s Okanagan College
VERNON - A large outdoor amphitheatre is being proposed for the Vernon campus of Okanagan College. The Okanagan Summer Festival Society proposed the amphitheatre, which would accommodate up to 5,500 people, at a Greater Vernon Advisory Council meeting Thursday, Dec. 10. “We see the opportunity to develop a significant addition to the cultural infrastructure...
Lumby high school students ‘shocked’ after finding forestry equipment vandalized
LUMBY - There are many perks to an outdoor classroom, but there are some downsides too, as a group of Lumby high school students have learned. A group of Charles Bloom Secondary students enrolled in the school’s unique forestry program headed up to their woodlot Dec. 8 to find their equipment vandalized and their picnic...
Medical cannabis customers to peacefully protest Vernon RCMP warning
VERNON - A public event is set for Friday to raise awareness about access to medical marijuana. The event comes on the heels of an RCMP warning to all Vernon dispensaries telling them to shut down. The warning created uncertainty for thousands of patients who buy medical marijuana from the dispensaries. A newly formed coalition...
Socks, pyjamas, and perfume among items on Christmas wish list for Vernon’s homeless
VERNON - Vernon is once again helping to make Christmas wishes come true for the city’s less fortunate. The Christmas Wish List is a collection of personal stories and wish lists from Vernon’s homeless and shelter clients. Participants are interviewed about themselves, and the gifts that would make their Christmases brighter. The responses are then...
Sensitive Santa brings Christmas closer to children with autism
KELOWNA - A visit to see Santa in the mall, along with the obligatory photo, is a rite of passage in Canada for most kids. But if your child isn’t fascinated by the flashing lights, ringing bells and ornate costumes or together it creates a kind of sensory overload that leads to anxiety and even...
Owner begs court to save dog on death row
KELOWNA – The owner of a dog that’s spent the last year on death row says the judge made a mistake. Owner Drew Panton spoke passionately and capably as he represented himself at a Kelowna Supreme Court appeal Wednesday, Dec. 9, trying to save the life of his dog Jake, an eight-year-old Presa canario that...