Local News

A fallen tree lays on top a car parked on Nowell Street near Chilliwack Central Road on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2020 during a wind storm in Chilliwack. Another windstorm is forecast for B.C.’s South Coast beginning Sept. 24. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress)

Power outages, rising rivers expected as storm heads for B.C.’s South Coast

First fall storm set to begin Sunday on Vancouver Island, Monday in Metro Vancouver

South Okanagan General Hospital (File photo)

South Okanagan emergency department closes overnight due to doctor shortage

Oliver’s mayor calls the recent slew of closures ‘unacceptable’

West Kelowna author Andrew Buckley (left), with Penticton Wine Country Writers’ Festival directors Faye Arcand and Jim Jackson. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)

‘Growing organically’: Wine Country Writers’ Festival returns to Penticton

More than 100 writers, publishers and agents in the city for annual gathering

Marie Nobles on Sept. 23, 2023, at Tim Horton’s parking lot for the annual Rex Gill memorial ride. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)

‘We’re here for him’: Annual Rex Gill memorial ride returns to Penticton

Dozens raise money for two Okanagan causes and ride through region to honour late local man

Marie Nobles on Sept. 23, 2023, at Tim Horton’s parking lot for the annual Rex Gill memorial ride. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)
Robert Kingswood, 46, in handcuffs outside the Vernon Law Courts Saturday, Sept. 22, 2023. Kingswood was sentenced to five years in jail for a random attack on a disabled woman in October 2021. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Vernon man sentenced to 5 years for ‘brutal’ attack on disabled woman

Robert Kingswood violently attacked the woman unprovoked outside a liquor store in October 2021

Robert Kingswood, 46, in handcuffs outside the Vernon Law Courts Saturday, Sept. 22, 2023. Kingswood was sentenced to five years in jail for a random attack on a disabled woman in October 2021. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Representatives from Vernon Fire Rescue Services, Vernon’s Emergency Support Services Program, BC Emergency Health Services, the SPCA, the Salvation Army, St. John Ambulance, and Wayside gathered at Vernon's Kal Tire Place on Thursday, Sept. 21, to receive banners filled with messages of thanks from community members. (City of Vernon photo)

Banner job done by Okanagan responders, volunteers amid wildfires

Large thank-you banners signed by the public presented to First Responders and volunteers

Representatives from Vernon Fire Rescue Services, Vernon’s Emergency Support Services Program, BC Emergency Health Services, the SPCA, the Salvation Army, St. John Ambulance, and Wayside gathered at Vernon's Kal Tire Place on Thursday, Sept. 21, to receive banners filled with messages of thanks from community members. (City of Vernon photo)
The Willowbrook Volunteer Fire Department helped fight the Upper Park Rill fire and one of its trailers was broken into. RCMP recovered most of the stolen items. (Willowbrook VFD Facebook)

Oliver man arrested for alleged theft from Willowbrook Fire Department

Three pumps had been stolen from the fire department’s structural protection unit

The Willowbrook Volunteer Fire Department helped fight the Upper Park Rill fire and one of its trailers was broken into. RCMP recovered most of the stolen items. (Willowbrook VFD Facebook)
The constriction of a 14-unit townhome is being proposed on Martin Street in Penticton. (Photo- City of Penticton)

Public hearing set for 14-unit townhouse development on Penticton’s Martin Street

Development heads to a public hearing after three-storey plan clears first hurdle with council

The constriction of a 14-unit townhome is being proposed on Martin Street in Penticton. (Photo- City of Penticton)
The highlight to Wine Country Weekend is the ever-popular grape stomp at the Festival of the Grape happening Sunday, Sept. 24 at Oliver Community Park. (Western News file photo)

Here’s what’s happening this weekend in the South Okanagan

Bonnie Raitt at the SOEC kicks off a busy first weekend of autumn in the region

The highlight to Wine Country Weekend is the ever-popular grape stomp at the Festival of the Grape happening Sunday, Sept. 24 at Oliver Community Park. (Western News file photo)
The Township of Spallumcheen has begun legal action against a Reservoir Road property. (Morning Star - file photo)

Property owner taken to court by North Okanagan township

Legal action commenced over unauthorized buildings and occupation

The Township of Spallumcheen has begun legal action against a Reservoir Road property. (Morning Star - file photo)
Penticton’s Rex Gill was killed in a mistaken identity case in January 2019. His murder remains unsolved. The fifth memorial ride for Rex takes place Sept. 23 from Penticton to Osoyoos. (Contributed)

Rex Gill memorial ride returns to Penticton

The Saturday, Sept. 23 ride is in memory of Rex Gill and his late friend Mike Courtenay

Penticton’s Rex Gill was killed in a mistaken identity case in January 2019. His murder remains unsolved. The fifth memorial ride for Rex takes place Sept. 23 from Penticton to Osoyoos. (Contributed)
A Shuswap Community Foundation logo made to promote #ShuswapStrong in the wake of wildfires. The foundation announced the Emergency Response Grants program Aug. 30, 2023. (Shuswap Community Foundation image)

Electoral areas contribute $25,000 to Shuswap wildfire relief

Grant-in-aid fund to support Shuswap Community Foundation Emergency Response Fund

A Shuswap Community Foundation logo made to promote #ShuswapStrong in the wake of wildfires. The foundation announced the Emergency Response Grants program Aug. 30, 2023. (Shuswap Community Foundation image)
The rhythm of hand drums resonates among people attending a ceremony Saturday, Sept. 16, for the unveiling of a landmark sculpture created by Skwlāx artisan Shayne D. Hunt and David Jacob Harder at R.J. Haney Heritage Village & Museum. (Kayleigh Seibel Photography)

Secwépemc sculpture ceremony spurs reflection on wildfires, climate and loss

Third in series of landmark sculptures unveiled at R.J. Haney Heritage Village & Museum

  • Sep 21, 2023
The rhythm of hand drums resonates among people attending a ceremony Saturday, Sept. 16, for the unveiling of a landmark sculpture created by Skwlāx artisan Shayne D. Hunt and David Jacob Harder at R.J. Haney Heritage Village & Museum. (Kayleigh Seibel Photography)
This utility trailer was stolen on Aug. 25, and found on Green Mountain Rd. $100,000 worth of tools inside were stolen and remain missing. (Penticton RCMP)

Naramata utility trailer stolen and emptied of $100k of tools

Longtime local business decimated with tools still missing over 3 weeks later

This utility trailer was stolen on Aug. 25, and found on Green Mountain Rd. $100,000 worth of tools inside were stolen and remain missing. (Penticton RCMP)
RCMP impounded a teen’s BMW after they were stopped for excessive speeding. (Black Press Media file photo)

Osoyoos teen’s vehicle impounded after speeding 50km/h over limit

The New Driver of the BMW was clocked doing 130 km/h in an 80 zone

RCMP impounded a teen’s BMW after they were stopped for excessive speeding. (Black Press Media file photo)
Vernon Fire Rescue Services crew jumps on a small grass fire at the north entrance to Becker Park on 39th Avenue at around 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20. The fire was quickly extinguished. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

Fire at Vernon park quickly doused

Vernon Fire Rescue Services crew douses flames at north entrance to Becker Park off 39th Avenue

Vernon Fire Rescue Services crew jumps on a small grass fire at the north entrance to Becker Park on 39th Avenue at around 12:15 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20. The fire was quickly extinguished. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
Around 50 One Million March 4 Our Kids protesters were met by a Love is Louder counter protest at Gyro Park in Penticton. (Brennan Phillips Western News)

Love is Louder drowns out Hands Off Our Kids protesters in Penticton

Anti-LGBTQ2S+ protest and counter protest took place at Gyro Park Wednesday

Around 50 One Million March 4 Our Kids protesters were met by a Love is Louder counter protest at Gyro Park in Penticton. (Brennan Phillips Western News)
The Polson Park Bandshell was rented out prior to the protest by a group of anti-protesters. (Bowen Assman- Morning Star)

Hundreds turn out in clash of support over SOGI in Vernon

People from both sides showed up at city hall this morning

The Polson Park Bandshell was rented out prior to the protest by a group of anti-protesters. (Bowen Assman- Morning Star)
The One Million March for Children is planning nationwide school walkouts and gatherings, in an effort to remove SOGI education from schools. (March for Children Facebook)

Hands off our kids rallies coming to Okanagan

Vernon Teachers’ Association responds to The Million March for Children, aimed at removing SOGI in schools

The One Million March for Children is planning nationwide school walkouts and gatherings, in an effort to remove SOGI education from schools. (March for Children Facebook)
Black smoke was seen in the skies of Oliver due to a structure fire around 3 p.m. on Sept. 18. (Shawna Michaud - Facebook)

Suspicious house fire sends black smoke into sky above Oliver

The home previously had a fire in 2022 that rendered it uninhabitable

Black smoke was seen in the skies of Oliver due to a structure fire around 3 p.m. on Sept. 18. (Shawna Michaud - Facebook)