Okanagan

Penticton Indian Band Chief Greg Gabriel speaks to the Sacred Hearts Catholic Church burning down early Monday morning, June 21, 2021. (Monique Tamminga Western News)

Penticton Indian Band Chief and Council denounce Truth and Reconciliation Day

No substantive actions to date to show a sincere commitment for reconciliation, says Chief Gabriel

Penticton Indian Band Chief Greg Gabriel speaks to the Sacred Hearts Catholic Church burning down early Monday morning, June 21, 2021. (Monique Tamminga Western News)
Kelowna’s Gospel Mission. (Michael Rodriguez - Capital News)

Kelowna agencies collaborate to tackle COVID-19 spike in homeless population

Outbreaks or exposures at shelters were not recorded on Interior Health’s list of public exposures

Kelowna’s Gospel Mission. (Michael Rodriguez - Capital News)
A parked Kelowna RCMP cruiser on Alumni Way on Sept. 23. Mounties have asked the public to avoid the area of Academy Way due to an ongoing police incident. (Twila Amato/Capital News)

Police response near UBC Okanagan caused by man allegedly wielding gun

The length of the closure is not yet known at this time

A parked Kelowna RCMP cruiser on Alumni Way on Sept. 23. Mounties have asked the public to avoid the area of Academy Way due to an ongoing police incident. (Twila Amato/Capital News)
Curtis Sagmoen can be seen leaving the courthouse in Vernon following Day 2 of his trial on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019. (Caitlin Clow - Vernon Morning Star)

Okanagan offender Curtis Sagmoen allegedly terminated from LNG site in Kitimat

Kitimat’s City Centre Mall was vandalized with spray paint saying, ‘LNG Canada hires serial killers’

Curtis Sagmoen can be seen leaving the courthouse in Vernon following Day 2 of his trial on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2019. (Caitlin Clow - Vernon Morning Star)
Okanagan residents can gather around the campfire this weekend as the BC Wildfire Service has lifted the prohibition effective Sept. 10, 2021. (File photo)

Campfire ban lifted in Okanagan

Kamloops and Boundary zone prohibitions eased as of Friday at noon

Okanagan residents can gather around the campfire this weekend as the BC Wildfire Service has lifted the prohibition effective Sept. 10, 2021. (File photo)
Six Vernon immigrants share who they miss most in Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services Society’s new video campaign. (VDISS)

Video campaign aimed at Canada’s newcomers hopes to boost COVID-19 vaccination rates

Local immigrants ask the question ‘Who do you miss?’ in vaccine awareness videos

Six Vernon immigrants share who they miss most in Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services Society’s new video campaign. (VDISS)
The Skaha Creek fire taken Sunday night, Aug. 29. (Brennan Phillips/Penticton Western News)

B.C. wildfires a `wake-up call’ to return to Indigenous-led fire management

The BCWS should be working with and learning from sqilxw Peoples

The Skaha Creek fire taken Sunday night, Aug. 29. (Brennan Phillips/Penticton Western News)
Ivermectin is a medication that is used to treat parasite infestations in dogs, cats and large animals. While a form of ivermectin that is safe for human consumption exists, it is not approved to treat or prevent COVID-19. (Pexels)

Some B.C. residents are seeking out horse dewormer to treat COVID-19

Misinformation about ivermectin has been spread online, identifying it as a treatment for COVID-19

Ivermectin is a medication that is used to treat parasite infestations in dogs, cats and large animals. While a form of ivermectin that is safe for human consumption exists, it is not approved to treat or prevent COVID-19. (Pexels)
A photo of a drug lab found in a home ordered evacuated due to the Mount Law wildfire. (Contributed/West Kelowna RCMP)

Police uncover drug lab in West Kelowna home under evacuation order due to Mount Law wildfire

Mounties found a drug lab while helping evacuate homes near the Mount Law wildfire on Aug. 21

A photo of a drug lab found in a home ordered evacuated due to the Mount Law wildfire. (Contributed/West Kelowna RCMP)
The Okanagan Mountain Park fire of 2003. (Capital News file)

Lessons learned from Kelowna’s infamous 2003 Okanagan Mountain Park wildfire

Evacuees, officials of 2003 blaze lay out what lies ahead for those who lost their homes this year

The Okanagan Mountain Park fire of 2003. (Capital News file)
A man looks towards the White Rock Lake fire from downtown Kelowna on Aug. 15, 2021. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)

Conditions at Okanagan’s Mount Law, White Rock Lake fires remain volatile

A detailed damage assessment will be done when it is safe to do so, say wildfire officials

A man looks towards the White Rock Lake fire from downtown Kelowna on Aug. 15, 2021. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)
July Mountain wildfire off Coquihalla, Sunday Aug. 15. (Contributed/Andy Levang)

Wildfires force thousands to evacuate, highways to close across B.C. Interior

Multiple highways are closed and several communities are evacuating due to fires

July Mountain wildfire off Coquihalla, Sunday Aug. 15. (Contributed/Andy Levang)
Kyle Gianis. (Kyle Gianis/Instagram)

RCMP cleared in Okanagan campground death of B.C. man with gang ties

Kyle Gianis died of self-inflicted wounds at a campground near Enderby days after surviving a shooting in Kelowna

Kyle Gianis. (Kyle Gianis/Instagram)
Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry talks about B.C.’s plan to restart the province during a press conference at Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on May 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

‘At this point, we don’t have a choice’: Kelowna restaurants, pubs react to latest health measures

For some owners, the announcement of the recent health measures came as no surprise

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry talks about B.C.’s plan to restart the province during a press conference at Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on May 25, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Kelowna General Hospital. (Michael Rodriguez/Capital News)

Surgeries bumped in Kelowna due to spike in COVID patients amid outbreak

‘Our hospital is swamped with COVID patients, almost entirely unvaccinated’

Kelowna General Hospital. (Michael Rodriguez/Capital News)
Central Okanagan Search and Rescue members with Smokey the dog on Aug. 6. (Central Okanagan Search and Rescue/Facebook)

Dog thrown from car during wildfire evacuation, adopted by Central Okanagan Search and Rescue

Smokey the dog will been handed over to Dr. Moshe Oz at Rose Valley Veterinary Hospital

Central Okanagan Search and Rescue members with Smokey the dog on Aug. 6. (Central Okanagan Search and Rescue/Facebook)
(Regional District of Central Okanagan)

Nearly 1,000 Okanagan properties under evacuation as White Rock Lake wildfire rages

The affected area runs south from Ewings Landing to the south end of La Casa Lakeside Resort

(Regional District of Central Okanagan)
As of Thursday, Aug. 5, the White Rock Lake wildfire was estimated to be 32,500 hectares in size. On Aug. 4, in response to the fire, an evacuation order was issued for Falkland in Electoral Area D of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. (BC Wildfire Service photo)

Hundreds in Vernon on evacuation alert due to White Rock Lake wildfire

City of Vernon issues alert for residences northeast of Okanagan Lake

As of Thursday, Aug. 5, the White Rock Lake wildfire was estimated to be 32,500 hectares in size. On Aug. 4, in response to the fire, an evacuation order was issued for Falkland in Electoral Area D of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. (BC Wildfire Service photo)
Man brought to shore in Summerland by private boat on Okanagan Lake. (John Arendt/ Summerland Review)
Man brought to shore in Summerland by private boat on Okanagan Lake. (John Arendt/ Summerland Review)
Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry will be providing an update on COVID-19 in the Interior Health region on Wednesday, July 28. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)

Mask mandate returns to Central Okanagan, COVID-19 outbreak declared

The Interior Health region leads recent provincial COVID-19 case counts

Health Minister Adrian Dix and Dr. Bonnie Henry will be providing an update on COVID-19 in the Interior Health region on Wednesday, July 28. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)