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Vernon
Semi-legal marijuana grow operators arrested
VERNON - Police believe a North Okanagan couple was stealing electricity from B.C. Hydro to power their legal medical marijuana grow-op. RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk says a man and woman, both 39, were arrested after police executed a search warrant at 1645 Simons Road in Spallumcheen. The investigation between police and B.C. Hydro began in...
Police seek answers in Vernon teen’s death
VERNON - Police are working to give a grieving family answers in the tragic boating death of a Vernon teen. Officers are investigating the death of Miles Wohlford, 14, who fell off his tube and was struck by the boat and its propeller June 28 on Okanagan Lake. “The investigation is to thoroughly look into...
Hot, dry June could lead to more fires in July
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Hot, dry and stormy. June was not an ideal month throughout the Kamloops Fire Centre and concerns July could be a very active fire season are still very real. Overall temperatures were slightly above normal and slightly less rain fell. Combined with periods of lightning activity this led to more than 40 new...
Canada Day water skiing mishap claims Coldstream woman’s life
LUMBY – A 46-year-old Coldstream woman is dead after a water skiing accident on Sugar Lake on Canada Day. Lumby RCMP say they received a report at about 6:15 p.m. on July 1 about an unconscious woman. The victim had been water skiing with her husband driving the boat and family members acting as spotters....
UPDATE: Fire burning near Sicamous smaller than originally thought
KAMLOOPS - A fire burning in a cut block east of Shuswap Lake that is ‘quite visible’ from Sicamous was likely started by lightning last night and B.C. Wildfire crews expect more of these types of fires could pop up over the next week. “There was quite a bit last night and we’re forecasting lightning...
Vigilance and caution urged on lakes following tragic boating accident
VERNON – A Vernon teenager remains in critical condition in hospital after he was run over by a powerboat on Okanagan Lake Saturday evening. Miles Wohlford, 14, was with a group of friends tubing on the northern arm of the lake off Westside Road near Mary Anns Road around 6:10 p.m. RCMP Cpl. Gerry Kovacs...
Teachers union, province too far apart for mediation
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - The teacher’s union and the province are too far apart for mediation to be productive, a potential mediator has decided, and the union is blaming the province. B.C. Teacher’s Federation President Jim Iker says exploratory discussions with B.C. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Kelleher and the B.C. Public School Employers’ Association saw the government...
Higher speeds coming to a highway near you
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Three highways will see speed limits increase to 120 km/h today and another 1,300 km of highways will see the increase later this summer. Over 9,100 km of highways were surveyed during a Rural Highway Safety and Speed Review and Minister Todd Stone says several key points are now being addressed — speed...
Another late night fire in Vernon
VERNON – Another fire had to be put out by Vernon Fire and Rescue overnight. Police didn't say if the pile of tires found burning on 34 St. Tuesday at around 12:45 a.m.is the latest in a string of 20 suspicious fires in the Vernon area. Items torched included vehicles, a boat, wooden pallets, a dumpster...
How Vernon does Canada Day
VERNON – The Canada Day celebrations in Vernon this year includes what promises to be an emotionally charged moment. The City of Vernon is unveiling the new Patrick Nicol memorial in Polson Park, the venue for the annual festivities. Mr. Canada Day, as Nicol was known, died earlier this year after a long battle with cancer. After...
Expect a hot Canada Day
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - After a mix of rain and cloud much of the weekend Mother Nature has decided to smile down on Canada Day with a lot of sun and heat. The entire Interior will be drenched in temperatures between 32-35 C on July 1 and then Wednesday will also be around 34 C but neither...
Vernon fire crews put out arson fire number 19
VERNON – You can hear the frustration in Capt. Dan Walker’s voice as he talks about Vernon Fire and Rescue crews putting out yet another arson fire in the city. This time someone climbed over the fence at a locked compound behind the Rona Home Centre on 58 Avenue in Vernon’s north end early Saturday...
VIDEO: ‘Our Voice Our Teachers’
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Two independent film makers under the name TNT Creation have joined the political battle in support of teachers this week with a video showcasing why and how Kamloops residents support B.C. teachers. The video, shot over two days, features Timo Sargent in front of the camera and Tim Unaegbu behind it. In a...
Kesler traded to Ducks
VANCOUVER - Everyone expected change after yet another rough season for the Vancouver Canucks and today months of speculation ended with the trade of Ryan Kesler to the Anaheim Ducks. The Canucks picked up centre Nick Bonino, 26, defenceman Luca Sbisa, 24, and the 24 and 85 picks in the 2014 NHL Draft, which begins...
Quebec cheese pulled form B.C. shelves
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - A cheese possibly containing a toxin produced by Staphylococcus bacteria has been pulled from the shelves of B.C. retailers this week as a food recall warning is expanded. The original recall was issued on June 20 for Le Moutier Goat Cheese out of Quebec and Thursday the recall was expanded to include the...
HELSTON: Behind the scenes with reporters and mourners
When someone’s death impacts the community, reporters have an uncomfortable job to do. We want…
Vipers open BCHL season against Cowichan Valley
CHILLIWACK – The BCHL is opening the 2014-15 season with the Bauer Showcase in the Fraser Valley this fall. The Vernon Vipers will open the showcase at Prospera Place in Chilliwack against the Cowichan Valley Capitals on Friday, Sept. 19. The Snakes will take on the Victoria Grizzlies on Saturday. All 16 BCHL teams will...
RCMP cruiser rammed by suspects in stolen pick-up
VERNON – A pair of Albertans are in court Thursday to answer to a variety of charges in connection with an RCMP chase, which ended with a stolen truck ramming a police cruiser. It started at 11:50 a.m. when the Loss Prevention Officer at Buy Low Foods in Vernon reported he was following shoplifters in...
Civic arena activities could move to Kal Tire Place for $13.9M
VERNON – Rather than updating the aged Civic Arena, the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee has proposed building a smaller ice-sheet on the same property as Kal Tire Place should tax-payers consent to a $13.9 million price tag. Doug Ross a manager at the City, says while several options were considered - building a 400-seat venue...
Summer school will be picketed if no deal reached this week
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - The teacher collective agreement will be discussed by both sides at a meeting today but the union president says teachers have agreed to strike through the summer if needed. “Mediation is the only way to bridge the gap between the two sides,” Jim Iker says. “(If no agreement is made) teachers will extend...
Water main burst, crews on scene
VERNON – A water line on 27 Avenue and 43 Street broke around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, however the leak has been isolated and full repairs are expected to be complete by tomorrow. Tanya Laing, a spokesperson for the City of Vernon, says traffic is currently being re-directed. “There are flaggers on site who are...
RCMP investigate reports of shots fired in Vernon
VERNON - Mounties investigated reports of gunfire in the 3200 block of 22 Street in Vernon during the wee morning hours Tuesday. At about 1 a.m. police were told of two men arguing and shots fired. The men knew each other, RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk said in a press release. Before officers arrived, one left...
Lumby murder victim touched many lives through teaching
VERNON - A North Okanagan teacher allegedly murdered by her boyfriend will be remembered for her contagious smile, kindness and compassion. Linda Ross, a teacher in school district 22’s Alternate Learning Program, was found dead at the Trinity Valley Road home she shared with her partner, Howard Everett, who now faces a second degree murder...
Recreation services getting more expensive
VERNON - It will cost more to take a dip, go for a skate and bounce a basketball at Vernon’s public recreation facilities this September. Prices for rentals, programs and services will rise by 2.6 per cent, even though the department’s costs are inflating by 5.6 per cent owing to wage and utility increases. The...