Vernon

Vernon marijuana dispensaries suspend retail sales in response to RCMP warning

VERNON - A coalition of Vernon marijuana dispensaries is calling for a moratorium on RCMP raids. The dispensaries are asking the RCMP to cease intervention until the new Liberal government formalizes its plans for legalization of the product, according to a statement from Imre Kovacs, a spokesperson for the coalition. Vernon’s five marijuana dispensaries were...

Expect to see more police presence in downtown Vernon

VERNON - There will be more police officers patroling the streets of downtown Vernon next year. Vernon city council recently voted to approve $330,000 for two additional officer positions effective Jan. 1, 2016. The detachment says it will use that funding to restore staffing levels in the downtown enforcement unit. “These officers will assist us...

Warm but wet week ahead in the Okanagan

OKANAGAN - With at least a chance of showers every day this week we could be in for a wet week, though the above normal temperatures should make it a lot more bearable. Environment Canada is calling for highs in the 4 Celsius to 7 C range most days this week, though the Penticton area...

The free-for-all of ‘dog rescuing’ and why so much falls through the cracks

“IT’S LIKE THE WILD WEST” VERNON - The words ‘dog rescue’ may have a ring of nobility to them, but according to animal welfare advocates, many home-based operations aren’t what you think. Kim Faulkes, an Ottawa-based animal advocate, says there are no standards in place to ensure so-called ‘dog rescues’ operate ethically. “It’s a free-for-all....

Vernon parking meter thief caught in the act

VERNON - A man suspected of breaking into over 100 parking meters has been caught. Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy says in a statement a 34-year-old man was arrested breaking into a parking meter on Centennial Drive on Friday, Dec. 4 at around 1 a.m. “To date, approximately 113 parking meters have been broken into in the...

Cooper’s converting to Save-On-Foods in Kamloops and Okanagan

KAMLOOPS – A grocery chain founded in the B.C. Interior will be changing it's name in the New Year. The four Cooper’s Foods locations in Kamloops are scheduled to be converted to Save-On-Foods by mid-February 2016, according to Julie Dickson Olmsteadc with Overwaitea Food Group. The Cooper's grocery store in Vernon and the two in...

Why this Vernon dog rescue wasn’t the saving grace it claimed to be

"I THINK SHE IS A DOG FLIPPER AND NOT SOMEBODY WHO REALLY CARES ABOUT DOGS" VERNON - After 16 years working in animal welfare, Patricia Zerr was never asked to steal a dog — until the winter of 2014 after she got involved with a Vernon-based dog rescue. She remembers driving to a home on...

Local author teaches how to make money as a backyard farmer

KELOWNA – A Kelowna man has just published a book that teaches everything you need to know about starting your own commercially successful farm in your backyard — or frontyard. The Urban Farmer is Curtis Stone's first book and is based on a the concept you don't require a large amount on land to be a...

Man struck by car in Vernon

VERNON - Police are reminding the public to stay alert after an accident involving a pedestrian and a vehicle. Mounties and the B.C. Ambulance Service were called to 43 Avenue near 34 Street in Vernon Dec. 1 around 4:40 p.m. “A 58-year-old male pedestrian had been crossing the road when he was struck by a car,” Const....

Warm and wet weekend ahead for the Okanagan

OKANAGAN - While high winds, heavy rain and record temperatures are battering coastal cities, the Okanagan can expect temperatures just above normal and rain during at least part of this weekend. Environment Canada is calling for temperatures to hit between 3 Celsius and 6 C this weekend before climbing to a high of 8 C...

Driver ticketed after fleeing the scene of Vernon crash

VERNON - The mystery behind a car crash last week in which the driver fled the scene has been solved. RCMP Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy says a witness reported seeing the vehicle leave the road and go into the ditch around 10:50 p.m., Nov. 27. The driver was then seen fleeing the scene. Emergency responders found...

Taking the cash out of Christmas: Vernon event brings back the joy of bartering

VERNON - There are two rules at an unconventional Christmas fair in Vernon this holiday season, the first of which is: No cash allowed. That’s because participants will be trading for the goods and services on hand. Hosted by Jaye Coward and her partner Mireille Gourlay of Farm Bound the Holiday Barter Fest is perhaps...

Police activity outside Vernon apartment building explained

VERNON - Police activity outside a Vernon apartment building last week was related to a stolen property investigation, RCMP confirmed today, Dec. 3 RCMP recovered three stolen Ford pickup trucks from the residence, located in the 4700 block of 20 Street, around 8:30 a.m., Nov. 27, Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy says in a media release. Police...

UPDATE: Missing Vernon man found

UPDATE: 1:04 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 3, 2015 VERNON - Vernon RCMP have confirmed Fraser Gerrard, 25, who last seen on Nov. 19 has been located and is safe and sound. 12:15 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015 VERNON - Police are appealing to the public for help finding a man not seen since last week. Fraser...

Vernon chamber evaluates city budget with report card

VERNON - The City of Vernon hasn’t received top marks from a local business association, but it’s not failing either. The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce, which represents over 500 business members, gave the city an overall ‘B’ grade for its financial plan, general manager Dan Rogers said in a statement. The grade was part...

Damaged Vernon parking meters turn up in ‘weird’ places

VERNON - The number of vandalized parking meters in Vernon continues to climb, and the pieces are turning up in some unusual places. A further 19 meters were damaged Tuesday night, following a reported 74 over the weekend of Nov. 28 and Nov. 29, the City of Vernon’s protective services manager Clint Kanester says. In most...

Heavy snow heading for Southern Interior highways

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - After a frosty couple of weeks, the weather is warming up this week but the system bringing warm temperatures is also bringing a lot of precipitation — as much as 30 centimetres at some highway passes. Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement noting that snowfall of 20 to 30 cm is...

RCMP say ‘possible actions’ may be taken against Vernon marijuana dispensaries

VERNON - Police are confirming they visited five marijuana dispensaries in Vernon and say further action could be taken in the future. Officers visited the dispensaries to ‘outline our concerns and the potential ramifications related to business practices which do not comply with the current Controlled Drugs and Substances Act’, Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy says in...

Charges no longer being pursued against man accused of Kal Park arson

VERNON - A conviction is no longer being pursued against a North Okanagan man facing arson charges in connection to a fire in Kalamalka Lake Provincial Park last summer. Justin Rees, 24, was charged with one count of arson damaging property following the June 12 fire near Juniper Bay. At the time, authorities said the...

Vernon firefighters rescue man stuck in dumpster

VERNON - Emergency responders in Vernon recently came to the aid of a man in a rotten situation. Reported as a 'confined space rescue,' the unusual incident occurred when a man was taking out his garbage around 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 28. He accidentally tossed his keys in the dumpster along with the trash, and...

Vernon marijuana dispensaries warned by police to shut down

VERNON - Medical marijuana dispensaries in Vernon have been warned to close their doors. Hasia Glaim co-owns MMJ Total Health Care on 31 Avenue downtown Vernon and was surprised to get a visit from the Vernon RCMP Nov. 24. “We were given a verbal warning to shut down as we are operating illegally and we...

Vernon learning centre on the hunt for a new home after being told to vacate

VERNON - The Vernon School District is on the hunt for a new landlord after the decision to demolish the city-owned building the district has been leasing. School officials recently learned they won’t be able to lease the city-owned building on 29th Street anymore because it’s getting demolished. The city has asked the district to...

Block heater suspected cause of Vernon truck fire

VERNON - A block heater appears to be the culprit behind a weekend vehicle fire. Deputy fire chief Lawrie Skolrood says a Ford F350 caught fire around 4:39 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 29 in the area of Windsor Place. “It was parked within three feet of a house,” Skolrood says. “It was close enough to do...