North Okanagan Regional District

Hayley Bouzek of Gold Fox Acres petting zoo gives a llama a peck at the Llama Kissing Booth, a main attraction at the Rusty Spur in Lumby Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023, when the feed and pet food store held a grand opening community event in its new location. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Llama kissing booth a hit at North Okanagan event

The Rusty Spur’s grand opening community event had a bit of everything

 

Adult Western corn rootworms feasting on a corn plant. The insects, which are highly destructive to corn crops, were discovered in the North Okanagan and Shuswap for the first time in August 2023. (B.C. Ministry of Agriculture photo)

Pest that devastates corn crops found at North Okanagan, Shuswap farms

The Western corn rootworm causes over $1 billion of damage to U.S. corn crops each year

 

Mayors Christine Fraser of Spallumcheen (left) and Joe Cramer of Armstrong (right) offer congratulations to 2023 Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Gail Salter at a special event for her and past winners of the honour Tuesday, Sept. 12, at the Armstrong Legion. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

Tea celebrates Armstrong Spallumcheen Citizens of the Year

Current award winner Gail Salter saluted by dignitaries, joined at Legion by 10 past winners

 

Splatsin Kukpi7 (Chief) Doug Thomas and his aunt, Coun. Beverly Thomas, have been removed from office following a decision by the First Nation’s Complaints and Appeal Board issued Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. (Splatsin photo)

Splatsin chief, councillor removed from office over financial policy breaches

Kukpi7 Doug Thomas and Coun. Beverly Thomas are barred from running for office for 8 years

Splatsin Kukpi7 (Chief) Doug Thomas and his aunt, Coun. Beverly Thomas, have been removed from office following a decision by the First Nation’s Complaints and Appeal Board issued Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023. (Splatsin photo)
A house fire in Lumby that broke out around 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, has been deemed accidental. (Nadine Cvd/Facebook)

Fundraiser launched to help Lumby mom of 7 who ‘lost everything’ in house fire

Blaze broke out around 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5

A house fire in Lumby that broke out around 4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2023, has been deemed accidental. (Nadine Cvd/Facebook)
Unlike last year, the sunflowers aren't growing well due to drought and smoke. (Bloom Flower Festivals photo)

Drought, smoke stunt sunflower festival in Armstrong

The only one of its kind in the Thompson-Okanagan cancels 2 weeks ahead of opening

Unlike last year, the sunflowers aren't growing well due to drought and smoke. (Bloom Flower Festivals photo)
Gregory and Patricia Thomason of Grindrod bought a Lotto 6/49 ticket on a whim in Salmon Arm, resulting in a million dollar payout. (BCLC Photo)

Million dollar whim for North Okanagan couple

The Thomasons from Grindrod bought a Lotto 6/49 ticket in Salmon Arm, which won $1 million

Gregory and Patricia Thomason of Grindrod bought a Lotto 6/49 ticket on a whim in Salmon Arm, resulting in a million dollar payout. (BCLC Photo)
17 dogs have been seized from a North Okanagan breeder. (BC SPCA photo)

17 small dogs seized from North Okanagan breeder

BC SPCA caring for 16 Yorkshire terriers and 1 pregnant Pomeranian

17 dogs have been seized from a North Okanagan breeder. (BC SPCA photo)
Fish the dog has gained 10 pounds since being brought in after being found emaciated near Enderby at Kingfisher. The BC SPCA hopes somebody will adopt Fish. (Contributed)

Emaciated Lab found in North Okanagan putting on the pounds

Fish – so named as he was found near Kingfisher – continues to get better at BCSPCA branch in Salmon Arm

Fish the dog has gained 10 pounds since being brought in after being found emaciated near Enderby at Kingfisher. The BC SPCA hopes somebody will adopt Fish. (Contributed)
Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) can now be found at seven locations in and around Enderby, including the pool (left) and Visitor Centre (right), following the purchase of the devices by the city and several partners. (Contributed)

Enderby shows heart with purchase of AEDs

Automatic External Defibrillators have been bought and placed at seven important community locations

Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) can now be found at seven locations in and around Enderby, including the pool (left) and Visitor Centre (right), following the purchase of the devices by the city and several partners. (Contributed)
The Forest Practices Board has rejected an appeal of a decision to permit logging on Rose Swanson Mountain in Spallumcheen in a decision published Aug. 15, 2023. (Rose Swanson Mountain/Facebook)

Forest Board not appealing changes to Rose Swanson Mountain logging plan

Forest Practices Board encouraging the creation of a new management plan that reflects public input

The Forest Practices Board has rejected an appeal of a decision to permit logging on Rose Swanson Mountain in Spallumcheen in a decision published Aug. 15, 2023. (Rose Swanson Mountain/Facebook)
Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP arrested an Alberta woman driving a vehicle reported as stolen Tuesday, Sept. 5. (File photo)

Alberta woman arrested in connection with stolen vehicle stopped near Vernon

Driver and lone occupant facing multiple charges

Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP arrested an Alberta woman driving a vehicle reported as stolen Tuesday, Sept. 5. (File photo)
The Splatsin Complaints and Appeal Board has dismissed a petition to remove councillor Theresa William from office. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)

Petition to remove Splatsin councillor from office fails

Theresa William’s paid suspension was lifted by a Splatsin Complaints and Appeal Board decision

The Splatsin Complaints and Appeal Board has dismissed a petition to remove councillor Theresa William from office. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)
A house fire in Lumby is not being considered suspicious. The fire broke out around 4 p.m. Tuesday, Spet. 5, 2023. (Nadine Cvd/Facebook)

Lumby family displaced by house fire

The blaze, sparked Tuesday afternoon, is not being considered suspicious

A house fire in Lumby is not being considered suspicious. The fire broke out around 4 p.m. Tuesday, Spet. 5, 2023. (Nadine Cvd/Facebook)
Field of Screams is back for its 10 year, featuring four freaky corn mazes at O’Keefe Ranch in Spallumcheen. The first day of the haunted corn maze is Sept. 29, 2023. (Submitted photo)

10 years of terror at Spallumcheen’s Field of Screams

4 haunted corn mazes to visit at O’Keefe Ranch starting Sept. 29 with dates throughout October

Field of Screams is back for its 10 year, featuring four freaky corn mazes at O’Keefe Ranch in Spallumcheen. The first day of the haunted corn maze is Sept. 29, 2023. (Submitted photo)
The North Okanagan Trap and Skeet Club hosted their annual Labour Day Classic, which saw over 70 athletes come out for the trap event. (Bowen Assman-Morning Star)

PHOTOS: North Okanagan welcomes top shooters for annual Labour Day Classic

The North Okanagan Trap and Skeet Club played host to the event

The North Okanagan Trap and Skeet Club hosted their annual Labour Day Classic, which saw over 70 athletes come out for the trap event. (Bowen Assman-Morning Star)
More than 200 people gathered at a town hall at the Westwold Community Hall Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, where seven MLAs heard the concerns of local farmers and ranchers regarding a fish protection order that has cut off irrigation at a critical time for crops. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Westwold farmers irate, fear crops will be lost as fish protection order cuts off water

Seven MLAs heard the concerns of local farmers and ranchers at a community meeting Saturday morning

More than 200 people gathered at a town hall at the Westwold Community Hall Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, where seven MLAs heard the concerns of local farmers and ranchers regarding a fish protection order that has cut off irrigation at a critical time for crops. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
BC United leader Kevin Falcon purchases a cowboy hat on his first visit to the Interior Provincial Exhibition in Armstrong Friday, Sept. 1, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

BC United leader Kevin Falcon swoops into Armstrong IPE, talks local issues

Kevin Falcon paid his first ever visit to the Interior Provincial Exhibition Friday

BC United leader Kevin Falcon purchases a cowboy hat on his first visit to the Interior Provincial Exhibition in Armstrong Friday, Sept. 1, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Historic O’Keefe Ranch in Spallumcheen is bringing back its highly popular murdery mystery evening with a six-night run of Vermin in Vernon, Sept. 14-16, and 21-23. (Contributed)

Murder’s afoot at Spallumcheen ranch

O’Keefe Ranch presents Vermin in Vernon, a murder mystery, for six nights in September

Historic O’Keefe Ranch in Spallumcheen is bringing back its highly popular murdery mystery evening with a six-night run of Vermin in Vernon, Sept. 14-16, and 21-23. (Contributed)
Police deployed a spike belt to stop a suspect in a chase Aug. 31. (Vernon North Okanagan RCMP file photo)

Police chase Vernon man down Westside in alleged gun incident

Spike belt used, suspect still flees but later caught up with

Police deployed a spike belt to stop a suspect in a chase Aug. 31. (Vernon North Okanagan RCMP file photo)