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Vernon
Groundbreaking training will help Vernon search and rescue help you
VERNON - Members of Vernon Search and Rescue are trying something new as they huddle around a helicopter watching a teammate dangle a few feet off the ground. The apparatus they're using is called a winch, and it will allow qualified technicians the ability to descend as much as 300 feet to the ground to...
Early morning car crash under investigation
VERNON - Police are investigating a series of events ending with a car crash and no sign of the occupants. It all started shortly after midnight Sept. 28 when the Vernon RCMP received a report of a car speeding through the intersection of 32 Avenue and 32 Street. “The silver car with two occupants was...
Three cougars shot while fourth remains at large in BX
VERNON - Conservation officers shot three cougars stalking household pets in the BX area of Vernon, but remain on the lookout for a fourth cat still at large. Terry Myroniuk, with the B.C. Conservation Service, says officers were called out Sept. 21 after the first cougar killed a dog. The owner had let her dog...
Fire bans open up as autumn weather settles in
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Fall does not just mean sweater weather, it also means open fires are again allowed throughout the region as temperatures continue to drop. Open fires will be allowed in the Salmon Arm Fire Zone as of Wednesday, Oct. 1. The ban was lifted for the Clearwater Fire Zone on Sept. 15. B.C. Wildfire...
Tax watchdog running for re-election in Vernon
VERNON – Keeping an eye on how the City of Vernon spends property tax dollars has been Vernon councillor Bob Spiers mission from day one and he plans to continue the mission for another term. Spiers has announced he will run for re-election to council, ruling out a run for the mayor’s chair, which he...
Future of Kin Race Track on the table
VERNON - The future of Kin Race Track will on the table at a public meeting this weekend. The Okanagan Equestrian Society is holding a public input and information meeting on Saturday to discuss options around the replacement of the grandstands, which were destroyed in a suspected arson earlier this year. “While insured, the insurance proceeds...
Tearful testimony from cops who thought they were going to die
KELOWNA – Two RCMP constables, testifying in the Kelowna Supreme Court trial of accused Westside Road shooter Michael Ellis Thursday afternoon, relived a day they will never forget. Const. Tara Schneider was working general duty in Vernon the afternoon of July 31, 2012 when a call that police were in pursuit of a suspect who...
Jamie Morrow wants to be Vernon’s next mayor
VERNON - Another candidate is in the running for City Hall’s top seat. Jamie Morrow, 54, wants to have a hand in shaping the City of Vernon’s future. The events and program assistant for Okanagan College’s School of Business wants to see Vernon continue to grow as a vibrant and healthy community where future generations...
List of child porn charges against ski coach grows
VERNON - A Seattle ski coach with an impending trial in Vernon was indicted on more child pornography related charges across the border this week. On Wednesday, a U.S. federal grand jury indicted Jason Christopher Paur, 44, on five charges, including two counts of production and transportation of child pornography, and one count each of...
The Vernon SPCA needs your help
VERNON - The Vernon SPCA needs a little help from its friends. Branch manager Chelsea Taylor says donations are down at the moment. The non-profit organization relies on the public not only financially, but through donated cat litter, laundry detergent, garbage bags and other essential items. “We seem to be running out of those (items)...
Extra pay for mayor and council approved
VERNON - The next people who sit on Vernon city council will have the option of getting paid to attend meetings, on top of the salary they already receive. Mayor and council decided to keep the stipend at the current $137 for half or full day meetings, but not before throwing out a proposal to...
Vernon councillor seeks another term
VERNON - Councillor Brian Quiring will seek another term on Vernon council this fall. A partner with MQN Architects, Quiring has lived in Vernon since 1993 and served on council for the last three years. He graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Master of Architecture degree and supports development and construction as an...
There’s a passionate new face in the Vernon election race
VERNON - A passionate newcomer determined to put some personality in local politics has announced she’s running for a seat on Vernon city council. Dalvir Nahal, 38, is a first time councillor candidate. Born in India and raised in Vernon, she’s called the city home for the last 36 years. The energetic and candid breast...
ELECTION 2014: Innovation changes everything in this campaign
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Knocking on doors, shaking hands, advertising and putting up signs: If you ran for council anytime before the last 10 years, that’s how you got exposure. If you ran in 2011, you probably added Facebook and Twitter to your arsenal. But this year, candidates have all the tools of a major political party...
WATCH: Vernon Search and Rescue to demo groundbreaking rescue technique
VERNON - Vernon Search and Rescue is taking its skill set to all new heights. The unit is launching a ground-breaking, two-year pilot project to test out an operation known as the Helicopter Winch Rescue. The procedure is used around the world, as well as inby the Canadian Coast Guard, the military and specialized emergency...
Prolific fraudster at it again
KELOWNA - A man known as a serial scammer is believed to be behind the latest string of reports in Kelowna. Police investigators say it appears a 40-year-old Kelowna man with a long list of convictions appears to be at it again, often using the story of a broken down truck or claiming he's a...
Raising cash for face-to-face meetings between victims and criminals
VERNON - Sitting down at a table with someone who committed a crime against you, getting answers about why they did it, and talking about what can be done to repair the harm isn’t the conventional ending in the justice system. It’s called restorative justice, and has helped people on both sides of the equation...
North Okanagan residents warned of scammers
VERNON - Asked for money by phone, email, or in person, it doesn’t matter to the police — they’re reminding you to be cautious when handing over your cash. RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says the detachment receives around a dozen calls from people scammed out of their money every week. “We are reminding people again...
No victims, no charges in Vernon pepper spraying
VERNON – Vernon RCMP haven’t been able to find the victims of a pepper spraying spree just south of downtown Sunday evening. Police say they responded to a report of three men and two women pepper spraying people in the 3600-block of 27th Avenue at around 5 p.m. Officers arrested four people and took them...
Punched, kicked in the head and left unconscious at a bar
VERNON - A Vernon man was allegedly punched, kicked in the head and left unconscious at a local bar Sunday night and police need help with the investigation. Police are still trying to put the pieces together after the aggravated assault at Monashee’s Bar and Grill. RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says officers were dispatched to...
What Monday will look like for back to school
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Schools across the province are set to reopen to students Monday now that the provincial government and teachers have successfully negotiated a new contract. Many districts are adopting ‘normal opening day procedures’ for Monday, Sept. 22 and here is a breakdown of what you can expect in each district. Individual schools may adopt...
Curtain closes on Vernon arts collective
VERNON - The curtains have closed at a venue where many local artists played their debut concerts and presented their first art shows. The Hub Arts Collective, operated by actor and director Matthew Brown, welcomed soap makers, clothing designers, culinary artists, performance artists, comedians, dancers, painters and local bands, among other talents, over its three...
The agreement that got teachers back to school
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Teachers agreed to a new contract with the government after more than 18 months of negotiations and while not all the details have been released a picture of the deal is starting to emerge. Negotiations began in February 2013 and by the end of the school year the contract expired. Negotiations continued through...
Final weekend of summer bringing the heat
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - The first day of fall is around the corner, but before it arrives, we get the chance to bask in the final weekend of summer. The autumnal equinox falls on Tuesday, Sept. 22 in our part of the world, marking the end of summer and the beginning of fall. Before that can happen...