Brendan Shykora

Vernon resident Blake Dergez, accused of shining a powerful laser pointer at passing airplanes in Vernon, will stand trial May 17, 2023. (Morning Star file photo)

Vernon man accused of shining laser at airplanes to stand trial in May

Blake Everett Dergez remains in custody, has trial in Penticton Aug. 21 on other charges

Vernon resident Blake Dergez, accused of shining a powerful laser pointer at passing airplanes in Vernon, will stand trial May 17, 2023. (Morning Star file photo)
Thompson-Okanagan athletes make their way to the floor at Kal Tire Place during the opening ceremonies of the B.C. Winter Games Thursday night, March 23, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Let the games begin: B.C. Winter Games in Greater Vernon officially underway

The torch is lit and over 900 athletes are ready to compete from Friday to Sunday

Thompson-Okanagan athletes make their way to the floor at Kal Tire Place during the opening ceremonies of the B.C. Winter Games Thursday night, March 23, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Donia Strand and Elizabeth Eckert made a presentation to the Regional District of North Okanagan board of directors about their concerns about off-leash and at-large dogs at on-leash parks Wednesday, March 22, 2023. (Black Press file photo)

Women present dog control concerns to North Okanagan directors

Donia Strand and Elizabeth Eckert have launched a petition calling for more dog control in on-leash parks

Donia Strand and Elizabeth Eckert made a presentation to the Regional District of North Okanagan board of directors about their concerns about off-leash and at-large dogs at on-leash parks Wednesday, March 22, 2023. (Black Press file photo)
The City of Armstrong is reminding property owners to prepare for possible flooding during the spring freshet season in a press release issued Thursday, March 23, 2023. (OKIB photo)

Armstrong braces for possible flooding during spring freshet

A free sandbagging station is available to property owners

The City of Armstrong is reminding property owners to prepare for possible flooding during the spring freshet season in a press release issued Thursday, March 23, 2023. (OKIB photo)
Now with a new name, the Big Cheese festival in Armstrong is back for its 10th year, with events on tap April 14 and 15, 2023. (Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce photo)

New name, same cheesy goodness at North Okanagan festival

The Big Cheese, formerly known as Cheese… It’s A Natural, will mark its 10th year April 14 and 15

Now with a new name, the Big Cheese festival in Armstrong is back for its 10th year, with events on tap April 14 and 15, 2023. (Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce photo)
The District of Coldstream’s spring garden waste and leaf drop-off program will begin on Sunday, April 2, 2023. (Pixabay photo)

Garden waste, leaf drop-off program ready for spring in Coldstream

The program starts April 2 and runs until May 28

The District of Coldstream’s spring garden waste and leaf drop-off program will begin on Sunday, April 2, 2023. (Pixabay photo)
An online petition opposing new rules at Vernon’s Pleasant Valley Cemetery has garnered more than 1,300 signatures as of Wednesday afternoon, March 22, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

More than 1,000 sign petition opposing new rules at Vernon cemetery

Vernon resident Joseph Langlois says the cemetery bylaw change ‘was not thought out properly’

An online petition opposing new rules at Vernon’s Pleasant Valley Cemetery has garnered more than 1,300 signatures as of Wednesday afternoon, March 22, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Barbara Keith has been announced as the new board president for the Arts Council of the North Okanagan. The Arts Council announced the change in leadership Wednesday, March 15, 2023. (Arts Council of the North Okanagan/Facebook)

North Okanagan Arts Council announces new president

Barbara Keith is taking over the reins from Jeanne Byron who served over 5 years on the board

Barbara Keith has been announced as the new board president for the Arts Council of the North Okanagan. The Arts Council announced the change in leadership Wednesday, March 15, 2023. (Arts Council of the North Okanagan/Facebook)
A woman has shared her encounter with a nurse at Vernon Jubilee Hospital in a pair of videos on TikTok, saying she received insufficient care while experiencing a mental health crisis at the hospital. (Savanna Hedstrom/TikTok)

Woman facing mental health crisis says she was refused a face-to-face with doctor at Vernon hospital

The woman’s TikTok video has been viewed more than 218,000 times

A woman has shared her encounter with a nurse at Vernon Jubilee Hospital in a pair of videos on TikTok, saying she received insufficient care while experiencing a mental health crisis at the hospital. (Savanna Hedstrom/TikTok)
The 21st annual North Okanagan Drive Thru Breakfast by United Way, presented by Total Restoration Services, runs Wednesday, March 22, from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Prestige Vernon Lodge and Conference Centre. (Morning Star - file photo)

Vernon United Way drive-thru breakfast to drive home funds for food security

The breakfast fundraiser takes place from 6:30-9 a.m. Wednesday, March 22, at the Prestige Vernon Lodge

The 21st annual North Okanagan Drive Thru Breakfast by United Way, presented by Total Restoration Services, runs Wednesday, March 22, from 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the Prestige Vernon Lodge and Conference Centre. (Morning Star - file photo)
Vernon Compassionate Friends and the Emily Dahl Foundation have announced that Dr. Joanne Cacciatore (pictured) will hold a keynote presentation at the Vernon Towne Theatre Thursday, June 22, 2023. (Missfoundation.org)

Bereaved mother to offer hope to parents like her with Vernon presentation

Dr. Joanne Cacciatore’s presentation will take place at the Vernon Towne Theatre June 22

Vernon Compassionate Friends and the Emily Dahl Foundation have announced that Dr. Joanne Cacciatore (pictured) will hold a keynote presentation at the Vernon Towne Theatre Thursday, June 22, 2023. (Missfoundation.org)
A public hearing for a development proposing to build 16 lots on McLennan Road took place at the Regional District of North Okanagan building Thursday, March 9, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Water the top concern at public hearing for proposed North Okanagan subdivision

The proposed development on McLennan Road would comprise 16 lots on 30 hectares of land

A public hearing for a development proposing to build 16 lots on McLennan Road took place at the Regional District of North Okanagan building Thursday, March 9, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Honey the Pomeranian showed off her outfit at a dog parade during SilverStar Mountain Resort’s Dog Day event Friday, March 10, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

PHOTOS: A doggone good time at Vernon’s SilverStar Mountain Resort

SilverStar’s Dog Day featured a weiner race, an obstacle course, a doggy dance-off and more

Honey the Pomeranian showed off her outfit at a dog parade during SilverStar Mountain Resort’s Dog Day event Friday, March 10, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Coldstream firefighters battle a house fire Friday, March 10, 2023. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

Two hospitalized for smoke inhalation following Coldstream house fire

The two were reunited with their cat Saturday; house a total loss

Coldstream firefighters battle a house fire Friday, March 10, 2023. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
A power outage is affecting nearly 3,600 Vernon customers Saturday, March 11, 2023. (BC Hydro image)

UPDATE: Power back on for thousands in Vernon following outage

The power outage started around 10:45 a.m. March 11

A power outage is affecting nearly 3,600 Vernon customers Saturday, March 11, 2023. (BC Hydro image)
(Lisa Mazurek photo)

Vernon Vipers down Salmon Arm Silverbacks 5-2

Vipers forward Reagan Milburn had a goal and an assist on the night

(Lisa Mazurek photo)
Lynda Saundry, born 1961, is charged with the murder of North Okanagan resident Barry Jones in July 2020. (Facebook photo)

Trial date set for North Okanagan murder suspect

Lynda Saundry will stand trial April 24

Lynda Saundry, born 1961, is charged with the murder of North Okanagan resident Barry Jones in July 2020. (Facebook photo)
Vernon’s Upper Room Mission provided 1,750 showers for homeless individuals in the past year, the mission said in a Facebook post March 2, 2023. (Pixabay photo)

Mission gives Vernon’s homeless hope, providing 1,750 showers a year

The Mission also provided 848 loads of clean laundry and new clothing for 1,297 people

Vernon’s Upper Room Mission provided 1,750 showers for homeless individuals in the past year, the mission said in a Facebook post March 2, 2023. (Pixabay photo)
(Big White Resort photo)

Vernon ski resort hosts Peak Pride festival

Events are on tap all weekend until Sunday, March 12

(Big White Resort photo)
Kelowna Law Courts. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)

North Okanagan murder suspect abandon’s bail application, will remain in custody

Jevon Daniel Smith was arrested in 2021 in connection to the shooting death of Dakota Samoleski

Kelowna Law Courts. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)
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