Brendan Shykora

Brian Thomas Isaac’s debut novel, All the Quiet Places, was named a finalist for the 2022 Governor General’s Literary Award. (Photo: brianthomasisaac.com)

Falkland author to read from debut novel at Vernon library

Brian Thomas Isaac will read from All the Quiet Places, which was nominated for numerous awards last year

Brian Thomas Isaac’s debut novel, All the Quiet Places, was named a finalist for the 2022 Governor General’s Literary Award. (Photo: brianthomasisaac.com)
Heather Barker, 37, died in hospital after she was found unresponsive in a Vernon home in March 2018. (File photo)

Vernon group highlights rising femicide ahead of local manslaughter sentencing

Archway Society for Domestic Peace comments on the “heartbreaking” killing of Heather Barker

Heather Barker, 37, died in hospital after she was found unresponsive in a Vernon home in March 2018. (File photo)
RCMP vehicles were stationed outside Clarence Fulton Secondary School in Vernon after a hold and secure was reportedly activated Friday, June 2, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Brief hold and secure reportedly activated at Vernon high school

The hold and secure was allegedly due to the explosion of an aerosol can

RCMP vehicles were stationed outside Clarence Fulton Secondary School in Vernon after a hold and secure was reportedly activated Friday, June 2, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Vernon E Ride is bustling with customers on the first day of B.C.’s new e-bike rebate program Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Vernon e-bike shop bustling on first day of new rebate program

British Columbians can claim up to $1,400 towards their purchase of an e-bike starting June 1

Vernon E Ride is bustling with customers on the first day of B.C.’s new e-bike rebate program Thursday, June 1, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
A challenge against Splatsin Kukpi7 (Chief) Doug Thomas’ leadership has been dismissed by a panel of three court-appointed lawyers Friday, May 26, 2023, meaning Thomas will continue to be the band’s chief. Thomas remains suspended with pay until the conclusion of another hearing, which is expected to take place this week. (Splatsin photo)

Splatsin chief to remain in power as band members lose challenge of his leadership

A panel of lawyers dismissed the challenge by those seeking to remove Kukpi7 Doug Thomas

A challenge against Splatsin Kukpi7 (Chief) Doug Thomas’ leadership has been dismissed by a panel of three court-appointed lawyers Friday, May 26, 2023, meaning Thomas will continue to be the band’s chief. Thomas remains suspended with pay until the conclusion of another hearing, which is expected to take place this week. (Splatsin photo)
The Community Dental Access Centre in Vernon celebrated its 10th year of serving the North Okanagan in September 2022. (Morning Star file photo)

‘Create a smile, change a life’: Vernon non-profit dental clinic making a difference

For more than a decade, the Community Dental Access Centre has created smiles for people, no matter their income

The Community Dental Access Centre in Vernon celebrated its 10th year of serving the North Okanagan in September 2022. (Morning Star file photo)
Armstrong’s Marty Eckert was handed the keys to his new Volkswagen Taos Wednesday, May 31, 2023. Eckert won the car through Tim Hortons’ Roll Up the Rim to Win contest. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Armstrong man Rolls Up new Volkswagen with Tim Hortons coffee

‘I thought it was a joke. I had to call my wife to come and verify that it was actually real’

Armstrong’s Marty Eckert was handed the keys to his new Volkswagen Taos Wednesday, May 31, 2023. Eckert won the car through Tim Hortons’ Roll Up the Rim to Win contest. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Firefighters in Coldstream are battling a major house fire on Hawthorne Place Friday, Jan. 14. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

Vernon arson suspect to stand trial after preliminary inquiry

Matthew Eric Mason is the suspect tied to a fire that destroyed a Coldstream home in early 2022

Firefighters in Coldstream are battling a major house fire on Hawthorne Place Friday, Jan. 14. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
Vernon mother Cory Taylor is fighting the city’s decision to remove a tribute to her late son at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery, in line with new rules banning all but floral arrangements at the cemetery. (Cory Taylor photo)

New Vernon cemetery rules dismantle Vernon mother’s tribute to late son

Cory Taylor is fighting the city over a helmet memorial that was removed from her son’s gravesite

Vernon mother Cory Taylor is fighting the city’s decision to remove a tribute to her late son at the Pleasant Valley Cemetery, in line with new rules banning all but floral arrangements at the cemetery. (Cory Taylor photo)
Looking to revitalize the rainbow crosswalk on 30th Avenue, the City of Vernon attempted to remove crosswalk May 11, but ran into some technical difficulties. Now, the city is closing the road Thursday, June 1, 2023, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. to remove the crosswalk. It is expected the crosswalk will be repainted June 14. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

City of Vernon makes 2nd attempt at revitalizing rainbow crosswalk

The crosswalk first needs to be removed, which will take place June 1. A detour on 30th Ave. will be in effect

Looking to revitalize the rainbow crosswalk on 30th Avenue, the City of Vernon attempted to remove crosswalk May 11, but ran into some technical difficulties. Now, the city is closing the road Thursday, June 1, 2023, from 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. to remove the crosswalk. It is expected the crosswalk will be repainted June 14. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Cera Yorke (left) of Canadian Mental Health Association and Vicki Proulx of North Okanagan Youth and Family Services Society take in the Community Foundation’s 2023 grants reception on May 25. (Submitted photo)

More than $250K heading to North Okanagan charities

Community Foundation North Okanagan’s spring grants program is supporting 28 charities this year

Cera Yorke (left) of Canadian Mental Health Association and Vicki Proulx of North Okanagan Youth and Family Services Society take in the Community Foundation’s 2023 grants reception on May 25. (Submitted photo)
SilverStar Mountain Resort has released its schedule for the 2023 summer season, which kicks off June 23. (Greg Huszar photo)

Full slate of summer events ahead for Vernon’s SilverStar Mountain Resort

The summer events schedule kicks off June 23 with the opening of the bike park

SilverStar Mountain Resort has released its schedule for the 2023 summer season, which kicks off June 23. (Greg Huszar photo)
Marty Eckert of Armstrong is the winner of a 2023 Volkswagen Taos through the Tim Hortons Roll Up the Rim to Win promotion. Eckert will be presented with the car Wednesday, May 31, 2023. (Volkswagen Canada photo)

Armstrong man wins new car from Tim Hortons Roll Up the Rim

Marty Eckert will be presented with a new Volkswagen Taos Wednesday, May 31

Marty Eckert of Armstrong is the winner of a 2023 Volkswagen Taos through the Tim Hortons Roll Up the Rim to Win promotion. Eckert will be presented with the car Wednesday, May 31, 2023. (Volkswagen Canada photo)
A Diamond Dance at Vernon’s Best Western Premier hotel on Anderson Way will raise money for the Animal Auxiliary Thrift Store June 3, 2023. (Submitted photo)

UPDATE: ‘Diamond Dance’ to benefit Vernon animals cancelled

Event slated for June 3 had to be cancelled

A Diamond Dance at Vernon’s Best Western Premier hotel on Anderson Way will raise money for the Animal Auxiliary Thrift Store June 3, 2023. (Submitted photo)
Armstrong Mayor Joe Cramer cuts the ribbon at Fieldnotes Market general store’s opening day Saturday, May 27, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Bringing Europe to Armstrong: Enterprize-winning general store opens doors

Fieldnotes Market on Okanagan Street had its opening day Saturday, May 27

Armstrong Mayor Joe Cramer cuts the ribbon at Fieldnotes Market general store’s opening day Saturday, May 27, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Vernon’s Upper Room Mission is looking for volunteer hairdressers to be able to offer free haircuts to people that need them. The mission is hoping to offer the service by mid to late June, 2023. (Pixabay photo)

Hairdressers needed to help Vernon’s less fortunate with free haircuts

Upper Room Mission is looking to offer people haircuts who otherwise can’t afford one

Vernon’s Upper Room Mission is looking for volunteer hairdressers to be able to offer free haircuts to people that need them. The mission is hoping to offer the service by mid to late June, 2023. (Pixabay photo)
The brand-new Coldstream Community Hall was unveiled to the public Friday, May 26, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

‘It’s incredible’: Coldstream Community Hall, child care centre opens doors

The new hall has a capacity of up to 300 people and comes with a childcare centre with 84 seats

The brand-new Coldstream Community Hall was unveiled to the public Friday, May 26, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
A vending machine at The Royal apartment building on 37th Avenue in Vernon is selling beer, which concerns at least one tenant of the building. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

‘Pop or pilsner’: Vernon apartment’s beer vending machine causes concern

Concerned tenant says anyone can access the vending machine, no matter their age

A vending machine at The Royal apartment building on 37th Avenue in Vernon is selling beer, which concerns at least one tenant of the building. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
The Regional District of North Okanagan is reminding residents that cardboard doesn’t belong in the garbage after a waste composition study in 2021 and 2022 found that cardboard was one of the most frequently found items in garbage. (Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye photo)

Trashed: Vernon garbage full of cardboard

Waste composition study found cardboard was one of the most frequently found items in landfill

The Regional District of North Okanagan is reminding residents that cardboard doesn’t belong in the garbage after a waste composition study in 2021 and 2022 found that cardboard was one of the most frequently found items in garbage. (Jeffrey Heyden-Kaye photo)
Hannah Gordon, Grade 7 late French Immersion student at Harwood Elementary, with CPF BC & Yukon Executive Director Jason Howe. Gordon took home a bronze medal at the 2023 Canadian Parents for French B.C. and Yukon Provincial Concours D’art Oratoire. (Submitted photo)

Vernon students talk their way to podium at French-speaking competition

Two youth won gold and another won bronze at the Provincial Concours D’art Oratoire

Hannah Gordon, Grade 7 late French Immersion student at Harwood Elementary, with CPF BC & Yukon Executive Director Jason Howe. Gordon took home a bronze medal at the 2023 Canadian Parents for French B.C. and Yukon Provincial Concours D’art Oratoire. (Submitted photo)