Vernon

Your chance to see a blood-red moon this week

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Not only do we get to view a full moon and a minor meteor shower this week, we will also be treated to a total lunar eclipse that will give the moon a blood red colour. In our end of the world, the eclipse is expected to be visible from start to finish,...

Will Vernon have to turn away exhibitors from its own international art show?

VERNON - An international art show—the likes of which has never been seen before in the Okanagan—is coming to Vernon, but organizers don’t know where they’re going to put it. The Okanagan Print Triennial was launched by the Vernon Public Art Gallery, the Kelowna Art Gallery and UBC Okanagan in Vernon in 2009 as a...

Vernon man expected to plead guilty to luring, child porn charges

VERNON - A Vernon man was scheduled to enter intended guilty pleas Monday in Vernon Supreme Court on various child pornography related charges, but that won’t happen for another few weeks. David Clayton Willerth, born in 1974, faces 25 counts, including luring children under 16 over the computer, making or publishing child pornography and invitation...

Vernon police arrest two alleged drug traffickers

VERNON - A targeted RCMP drug trafficking investigation within the city of Vernon resulted in two arrests Friday. The first man, a 26-year-old White Rock resident, was arrested in his vehicle Oct. 3. In a media release, Vernon RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says the man was in possession of cocaine and heroin packaged for sale....

Man charged with aggravated assault that left victim with serious head injuries

VERNON - A charge has been laid in connection with a violent assault that sent a man to hospital with a fractured skull. Lucas Slizak, 23, faces a charge of aggravated assault in relation to a Sept. 21 incident at Monashee’s Bar and Grill. The victim, a 23-year-old Vernon man, was allegedly punched, kicked in...

Run for the Cure at Marshall Fields

VERNON – The annual fundraising effort for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation goes Sunday morning in Vernon. Marshall Fields on Okanagan Landing Road is the new location for the 23-year for the CIBC Run for the Cure. Registration and donation drop-off is at 8:30 a.m. with opening ceremonies at 9:30 a.m. The event features a...

What does a school board trustee do?

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Most people have heard of a school board, and school trustees, but what exactly is the role of a trustee? Nominations have opened in advance of the municipal elections throughout the province on Nov. 15. Keep in mind that school districts are a huge employers with big, taxpayer-funded budgets, so even if you...

Take advantage of the harvest this fall by attending some of these events

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – Fall is upon us. The new season calls for pumpkin-inspired goodies, warmer coats, leaf raking, choosing the perfect turkey and finding the Halloween costume to help you win the contest. But the season also brings a bounty of fun events, most of which are family-friendly. Take a look and see what communities in...

Okanagan Regional Library eyes staff and service cuts

OKANAGAN - The union representing Okanagan Regional Library workers is sounding the alarm over proposed staff and service cuts at branches throughout the valley. Deb Dolman, vice president of CUPE Local 1123, says an alarming 375 staff hours at 19 branches are on the chopping block as part of the regional library’s plan to improve...

Millions announced for upgrades to Westside Road

WEST KELOWNA – Premier Christy Clark announced Friday that the province would invest $45 million over five years to upgrade one of the worst roads in B.C. The first step involves widening an 800 metre section from Waterfront Farm to Blue Grouse as well as installation of roadside barriers and rock protection.   Construction on...

HELSTON: A test for distracted driving

My thumbs play hopscotch on the keyboard, darting from letter to space bar, and as they root around for the exclamation point, I fail to notice a dog bounding onto the road. My focus rears up from the text message but it’s too late. Good thing it’s just an obstacle course and the golden retriever...

Lost, confiscated and forgotten at the Kelowna airport

KELOWNA - Wallets, passports and designer bags—among hundreds of other lost items—are collected, meticulously logged and stored by the Kelowna International Airport each month. Only some find their way back home. Reuniting items with their owners is always the goal, says airport spokesperson Jenelle Hynes, it’s just not always the reality. Some items are given...

Half of all wildfires caused by people this year

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - A total of 169, or 49.9 per cent, of all wildfires in the Kamloops Fire Centre have been human-caused this year. Kayla Pepper of B.C. Wildfire says of the 339 fires in the fire centre we are about as close to half as you can get right now, though usually lightning fires outnumber...

So you want to be a city councillor? Here’s what it takes

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Most people realize there is a city council in place to help run the city, but few understand just what goes into being the mayor or a councillor. While the roles can change significantly depending on the city, the council member and the needs of the community at that time, we decided to...

Risk of frost in the forecast

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Cover your fragile plants and get your ice scrapers ready, fall is officially here and with that comes a risk of frost. With highs of 13-15 Celsius Thursday and temperatures expected to dip as low as 2 C overnight at airports throughout the region Environment Canada is calling for a risk of frost...

Sinkhole opens up and swallows Vernon city dump truck wheel

VERNON - A Vernon City dumptruck became stuck today in a sinkhole that formed overnight on 31 Street between 33 Avenue and 34 Avenue. The sinkhole was caused by a water main break and water has been turned off. A detour was put in place, so no vehicles except those with the city are permitted...

IN TWEETS: It’s October already

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Autumn may have officially arrived with the fall equinox Sept. 22, but for many, it’s the first day of October that really feels like the start of a new season.  Oct. 1 delivered sunny skies across the valley and warm enough temperatures to still get away with shorts and a T-shirt. But on...

Future uncertain for Canada’s oldest horse-racing track

VERNON - The future of horse racing in the Interior remains more uncertain thanks to mounting woes for Vernon's troubled Kin Race Track. The society that runs the track has battled for years to keep it open. Already tight on cash from fighting a legal battle with the City of Vernon to continue racing horses...

Snow tire season is upon us

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Slushy sections hit the Connector for a brief time Tuesday afternoon and as of Wednesday morning winter tires are a requirement on most B.C. highways. While winter does not officially start until late December snow can fall, especially on mountain passes, a lot earlier and as a result provincial regulations require winter tires...

You won’t believe what a tourist found while visiting Vernon

VERNON - Most people go home from a dig at Canada’s only opal mine with a small trinket. Others, like Donna Nelson, get very lucky. On a recent trip to Vernon, the Saskatchewan woman and her husband went on a dig with Opal Resources Canada, which operates the Opal Miners Gift Shop on Highway 97...

Christy Clark attending two events in the Okanagan today

KELOWNA - Premier Christy Clark is in the Okanagan and will stop in Vernon and Kelowna for a pair of special events. At 2:45, Oct. 1, Clark will speak to the Canadian Association of Retired Persons Okanagan Chapter to celebrate National Seniors Day in Vernon. The event will be held at Sparkling Hills Resort in...

Vernon council candidate has a legacy to honour

VERNON - The latest person to announce her candidacy for a Vernon City Council seat says she has politics in her blood — after all, her grandfather was an Alderman for the city 50-plus years ago. Kari Gares was born in Vernon and has a degree from UBCO in history and psychology. She describes herself...

Former NDP candidate seeks a seat on Vernon city council

VERNON - A former NDP candidate is running for a seat on Vernon city council. Mark Olsen has lived in Vernon for 28 years and wants to give back to his community. The CUPE school support staff president was an NDP candidate in the last provincial election. Olsen believes one of the big issues in...

Interior Health hospitals middle of pack

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - People in the Interior are more likely than other Canadians to drink heavily but they are also more likely to be active, according to recent statistics for the Interior Health Authority that ranked the region in the middle of the pack across the country. A new website compares hospitals, health regions, provinces and...