Category Archives: (Portal – Vernon Matters) Kelowna

Planning for vulnerable Lake Country agricultural water supply
The District of Lake Country is set to begin work on Phase 3 of the Beaver Lake Chain and Vernon Creek Water Management Plan. The plan attempts to deal with the juggling act required to keep various w...
Liam Verster Mar 07, 2025

Province recorded increase in Okanagan unhoused deaths in 2023
The B.C. Coroner Service said 42 people experiencing homelessness in the Okanagan lost their lives in 2023. The province did not provide a breakdown for specific communities, but the area where the de...
Liam Verster Mar 07, 2025

Federal investments supporting water species recovery and protections in the Okanagan
The Canadian Government has committed funding for aquatic species conservation and recovery efforts in the Okanagan and B.C. Through the Canadian Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk (CNFASAR), the...
Liam Verster Mar 05, 2025

North, Central Okanagan housing sales increased annually in February
February saw more housing sales in the North and Central Okanagan compared to the previous year, while prices also mostly increased. The Association of Interior Realtors said there were 113 housing sa...
Liam Verster Mar 05, 2025

Concerns raised about lack of water protection investments in B.C. Budget
An organization representing freshwater stakeholders has raised issues with B.C.’s budget. The B.C. Watershed Security Coalition, made up of 56 organizations including the Okanagan Basin Water B...
Liam Verster Mar 05, 2025

Bench warrant may be issued for accused in North Okanagan helicopter crash case
The accused in a North Okanagan helicopter crash in the summer of 2023 has skipped his court date and could face an arrest warrant. Vincent Porteous was charged in connection with the incident on Augu...
Liam Verster Mar 04, 2025

B.C. Budget to invest in healthcare, jobs despite nearly $11 billion deficit
British Columbia’s government has released Budget 2025, calling for increases in key sectors. The province said the budget plan includes measures to protect jobs and public services, while prepa...
Liam Verster Mar 04, 2025

Police watchdog investigating motor vehicle incident in Kelowna
The Independent Investigations Office of B.C. (IIO) has launched an investigation into a collision in Kelowna. The police watchdog said the incident occurred on Highway 97 in Kelowna around 6:15 p.m. ...
Liam Verster Mar 04, 2025

Police investigating fatal pedestrian crash in Lake Country
Mounties in Lake Country have launched an investigation into a fatal collision. RCMP said a pedestrian was struck on Highway 97 between Pelmewash Parkway and Wall Rd. around 10:30 p.m. Sunday, Mar. 2....
Liam Verster Mar 03, 2025

Replica gun seized as six female youth arrested
Six female youths were arrested on the weekend after an incident that led to the seizure of a replica handgun, a prohibited weapon, pepper spray and alcohol. Kelowna RCMP said plain clothes and unifor...
Liam Verster Mar 03, 2025