Vernon

Vernon man facing luring, child porn charges to be sentenced

VERNON - A Vernon man facing luring and child pornography charges will be sentenced this week. David Clayton Willerth, born in 1974, is charged with 25 counts, including luring children under 16 by computer, making or publishing child pornography, and invitation to sexual touching of a person under 16. Willerth’s lawyer, David Johnson, appeared in...

Good citizens lend a hand in Vernon police pursuit

VERNON - Members of the public played a big role helping authorities track down a man running from police. Police first tried to arrest the 21-year-old suspect on Oct. 28 after he allegedly assaulted a pedestrian. When the officer approached him, he ran. On Oct. 30, around 4:40 p.m., the officer recognized the suspect walking...

Vernon RCMP investigate gun theft

VERNON - Police are appealing to the public for information about a break-and-enter over the weekend. RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says around 3:45 p.m. Sunday, officers responded to a report of a break-and-enter in the 9500 block of Highway 97. An entire gun safe containing 17 rifles and five handguns was stolen from a shed...

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...

Poppy campaign is underway

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - The annual poppy campaign began on Halloween and runs until Remembrance Day. Every year legions around the country sell poppies, the international symbol of remembrance, from the last Friday in October through to Nov. 11. Cadets, veterans and volunteers will be out in the community peddling poppies and donation boxes are going up...

Vote Elephant Storage signs mock actions at Vernon City Hall

VERNON - When he heard his city councillors were openly breaking one of their own bylaws, Vernon resident Wade Cantalope decided to have some fun. You may have noticed a slightly unusual political sign along the roadways: Vote Elephant Storage Centre. Cantalope, who owns the storage company, isn’t actually running in the election. His campaign...

Okanagan sex offender arrested on outstanding warrants

TWO MEN ARRESTED UNDER B.C. FUGITIVE RETURN PROGRAM THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - A man convicted of sexual touching in a Penticton court last summer has been arrested by Kamloops RCMP and returned to Ontario on outstanding warrants, while another man with outstanding warrants stemming from an alleged domestic incident was arrested in the North Okanagan and returned...

Ghosts of the Southern Interior

FROM ALBERT OF SAGEBRUSH TO LOYD OF TOWNE THEATRE THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - If spooky is what you are after this Halloween you are in luck, the region is ripe with ghosts and haunted houses sure to make your hair stand on end. In Kamloops, one of the most famous haunted buildings is Padova, the old sanatorium...

No treats from Mother Nature this Halloween

ENVIRONMENT CANADA PREDICTS AN UMBRELLA IS IN YOUR FUTURE THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - If makeup is part of your Halloween costume you may want to come up with a plan ‘B’ as it looks like Mother Nature will not be doling out any weather treats Friday. The forecast calls for cool temperatures and rain. The rain forecast...

HELSTON: We should expect more from our MP

The Vernon mayor and our MP are duking things out in a war of words, sparring over the federal government’s role in reducing homelessness. But never mind the federal government, what is the role of our local MP? Colin Mayes, the Member of Parliament for the Okanagan-Shuswap riding, is our elected representative at the House...

It’s all about safety on Halloween

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - The first thing that comes to mind on Halloween is safety, at least for parents. Kids are only thinking about the candy and costumes, but there are ways to help keep them safe on Halloween night, even if it’s the last thing on their minds. Always make sure young children are accompanied by...

MP’s remarks were ‘uninformed and disappointing’: Vernon homeless shelter

‘I WISH I HAD CONFIDENCE THAT I HAVE SUPPORT FROM MY MP’ VERNON - The executive director of a local organization committed to getting Vernon’s homeless people off the streets says recent comments made by the region’s MP are misinformed, especially considering the high number of deaths on its streets the past two years. Barbara...

Open burning goes ahead, smoke visible

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Cooler temperatures and lighter winds mean conditions are safe for open burning in most areas, and that means we can expect to start seeing more smoke in the air. B.C. Wildfire officials sayprivate landowners, Wildfire Management Branch personnel and industry partners are burning piles of wood debris to reduce wildfire risks. The provincial...

Complementary enterprise pitched for Vernon visitor centre

VERNON - A local politician wants to bring Vernon’s arts and culture to a main pit stop on any tourist’s jaunt through town. Expressions of interest are being accepted for a vacant section of the new visitor centre on 39 Avenue, and City of Vernon councillor Mary-Jo O’Keefe sees it as an opportunity. “I would...

Video showcases Canadian lack of tolerance… for racism

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Canadians have come together over the past week to not only remember the lives of two soldiers who were killed in cold blood on Canadian soil, but to defend the rights of Muslims across the country. Prime Minister Stephen Harper was quick to call the man who shot Cpl. Nathan Cirillo at the...

Vernon RCMP seek victims of early morning theft from vehicles

VERNON - If items went missing from your car overnight, there’s a chance police have both the culprit and your belongings. Just before 8 a.m. Wednesday morning, police were called to the 900 block of Waddington Drive, where two employees caught a man rummaging through a staff vehicle. The suspect was flipping through papers and...

Be leery of this email targeting education support payments

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Parents looking to get the $40-per-day temporary education support payment promised by the government during the B.C. teachers’ strike are advised to be aware of a fraudulent email which includes a link to a false Canada Revenue Agency website. A Maple Ridge woman contacted the RCMP after receiving an email which linked to a site...

Vernon Mayor calls for MP resignation for ‘disturbing’ homelessness comment

VERNON - Okanagan-Shuswap MP Colin Mayes is under fire for ‘disturbing’ comments he made at a recent homelessness event, with Vernon’s mayor suggesting he resign. In what was meant as a solemn dedication by the community to commemorate and recognize some 14 homeless people who have died on Vernon streets in the past two years,...

Local golf courses plead with city over escalating water rates

VERNON - Local golf courses are pleading with the City of Vernon for a break on escalating water rates, calling this the most challenging time the industry has ever faced. Four local golf courses—Predator Ridge, The Rise, Vernon Golf & Country Club and Hillview Golf—told Vernon council they are paying inordinate fees compared to other...

Why wildland firefighters keep coming back

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - It can feel like warfare; heading into a fire, in the middle of nowhere for days on end at the mercy of Mother Nature. Yet something about being on the battle lines draws in wildland firefighters season after season. For Jarvis Manuel, a 14-year veteran with B.C. Wildfire, it’s the people. For Thomas...

Suspicious Vernon fires are back

VERNON - A recent spike in suspicious fire activity has the community wondering if Vernon’s alleged serial arsonist is back. The city was hit with over 20 suspected arsons during the summer, from burnt grandstands to torched boats, but there hadn’t been any new fires since September until recently. A construction site suspiciously caught fire...

Vernon man arrested for splattering blood on Tim Hortons customers

VERNON - A man is in custody following a bizarre incident at a Vernon restaurant Saturday afternoon. Police say he was intentionally splattering people with his blood around 1:37 p.m. at the Tim Hortons on 58 Avenue near Walmart. “He had a cut on his hand and was just flicking blood... in the direction of...

Get your skis shined up

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Two of the three big ski hills in the region are starting to see snow accumulate and that means one thing, ski season is just around the corner. The first runs are set to open Nov. 22 at Sun Peaks Resort near Kamloops, though preseason race training will start as soon as there...