Category Archives: (Portal – Vernon Matters) Kelowna
B.C. Wine Growers applaud BC Liquor Store ban on U.S. products
Wine Growers B.C. is giving its full backing to the B.C. government’s move to pull all U.S. alcohol off B.C. Liquor Store shelves in response to threatened trade tariffs from President Donald Tr...
Mar 11, 2025
Kelowna mayor returns to duty after medical emergency
The Mayor of Kelowna is back on the job after a month-long recovery from a rare medical condition. Tom Dyas was diagnosed with a vertebral artery dissection, which caused a clot after sneezing unexpec...
Mar 10, 2025
Local CCTV footage helps track down suspected arsonist
Another example of CCTV surveillance footage helping track down the bad guys in Kelowna. RCMP said they’ve arrested a 40 year old man in connection to the early morning arsons last month on Spri...
Mar 07, 2025
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Mar 04, 2025