Provincial Government

Alberta Environment Minister Jason Nixon is seen during a news conference in Calgary on Sept. 15, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Todd Korol

Alberta revives ‘turn-off-taps’ resources bill that sparked legal row with B.C.

Alberta Environment Minister Jason Nixon says it’s prudent to have such legislation

Alberta Environment Minister Jason Nixon is seen during a news conference in Calgary on Sept. 15, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Todd Korol
In a Jan. 18 notice, Interior Health and Salmon Arm West Elementary confirmed a member of the school community tested positive for COVID-19 and, due to a possible transmission, advised students who ride School District 83's Monkey Bus be monitored for symptoms of the virus. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

Upgrades roll in for Okanagan schools

Vernon, Central Okanagan, South Okanagan and Shuswap provincial funds set for capital projects

In a Jan. 18 notice, Interior Health and Salmon Arm West Elementary confirmed a member of the school community tested positive for COVID-19 and, due to a possible transmission, advised students who ride School District 83's Monkey Bus be monitored for symptoms of the virus. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)
Gavel (Courtesy photo)

EDITORIAL: High marks for Canada’s democratic process

Accusations of widespread corruption do not hold up

  • Apr 22, 2021
Gavel (Courtesy photo)
B.C. homeowners are being urged to take steps to prepare for the possibility of a flood by moving equipment and other assets to higher ground. (J.R. Rardon)

‘Entire province faces risk’: B.C. citizens urged to prepare for above-average spring flooding

Larger-than-normal melting snowpack poses a threat to the province as warmer weather touches down

B.C. homeowners are being urged to take steps to prepare for the possibility of a flood by moving equipment and other assets to higher ground. (J.R. Rardon)
The Chilliwack Chiefs and Coquitlam Express will finally play games in early April as the BCHL squeezes in a shortened 20 game season. Just-announced provincial funding may help the junior A league offset financial losses caused by the COVID pandemic. (Darren Francis photo)

Province provides relief funding for amateur sport

The government is directing $15 million to teams/leagues impacted by the COVID pandemic

The Chilliwack Chiefs and Coquitlam Express will finally play games in early April as the BCHL squeezes in a shortened 20 game season. Just-announced provincial funding may help the junior A league offset financial losses caused by the COVID pandemic. (Darren Francis photo)
Royal LePage Place, along with the adjacent Jim Lind Arena are the two ice arenas operated by the City of West Kelowna..—Image credit: contributed

$442,200 to replace aging ammonia chiller at West Kelowna arena

West Kelowna is the recipient of a provincial grant to replace the ammonia chiller

Royal LePage Place, along with the adjacent Jim Lind Arena are the two ice arenas operated by the City of West Kelowna..—Image credit: contributed
The 2016 National Youth Homelessness Survey — which surveyed 1,103 young people who experience homelessness in 47 communities across Canada — found that 57.8 per cent of youth surveyed reported having some sort of involvement with the child welfare system. (Pixabay)

B.C. extends emergency supports for youth ‘aging-out’ of foster care

Youth will either be able to stay in their placements or receive financial support, Ministry says

The 2016 National Youth Homelessness Survey — which surveyed 1,103 young people who experience homelessness in 47 communities across Canada — found that 57.8 per cent of youth surveyed reported having some sort of involvement with the child welfare system. (Pixabay)
(Pixhere photo)

B.C. dentists argue for COVID-19 vaccine priority after ‘disappointing’ exclusion from plan

Vaccines are essential for dentists as patients cannot wear masks during treatment, argues BCDA

(Pixhere photo)
Hillview Elementary students Emma Li and Mina Nadeau were awarded by the Premier’s office for winning the annual holiday card contest. (Karen Rogers photo)

Vernon students’ art featured on Premier’s cards

Hillview youth chosen for annual holiday card contest

Hillview Elementary students Emma Li and Mina Nadeau were awarded by the Premier’s office for winning the annual holiday card contest. (Karen Rogers photo)
Vernon-Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu says she welcomes the provincial boost to area parent advisory councils especially after such a challenging year in an announcement Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. (Black Press - file photo)

Extracurriculars given $172K boost in Vernon-Monashee

After a challenging year, PAC support welcomed, says NPD MLA Harwinder Sandhu

Vernon-Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu says she welcomes the provincial boost to area parent advisory councils especially after such a challenging year in an announcement Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. (Black Press - file photo)
Province tracks potential deadly deer virus outbreak on Gulf Islands

Province tracks potential deadly deer virus outbreak on Gulf Islands

No known risk to human health from the virus

Province tracks potential deadly deer virus outbreak on Gulf Islands
The Vernon-Monashee candidates for the 2020 election Oct. 24, 2020, are Kyle Delfing, BC Conservatives; Eric Foster, BC Liberal Party; Harwinder Sandhu, BC NDP; and Keli Westgate, BC Green Party.

WATCH LIVE: Vernon chamber hosts virtual candidates forum

Get to know the Vernon-Monashee candidates vying for the MLA seat tonight on Zoom, YouTube

The Vernon-Monashee candidates for the 2020 election Oct. 24, 2020, are Kyle Delfing, BC Conservatives; Eric Foster, BC Liberal Party; Harwinder Sandhu, BC NDP; and Keli Westgate, BC Green Party.
The B.C. provincial election is on Oct. 24. (File photo.)

EDITORIAL: Selecting the best choice

B.C. election should be about finding the best candidates, not the least worst

  • Oct 1, 2020
The B.C. provincial election is on Oct. 24. (File photo.)
Summerland mayor Toni Boot will be the B.C. New Democratic Party candidate in the riding of Penticton in the next provincial election. (Contributed)

Boot takes leave of absence from Summerland council

Mayor is seeking election at provincial level on Oct. 24

Summerland mayor Toni Boot will be the B.C. New Democratic Party candidate in the riding of Penticton in the next provincial election. (Contributed)
Harwinder Sandhu, a Vernon registered nurse, is the declared NDP candidate for Vernon-Monashee in the upcoming Oct. 24 provincial election. Sandhu finished third in the North Okanagan-Shuswap riding in the 2019 federal election running under the NDP banner. (Black Press - file photo)

BC VOTES 2020: Vernon nurse running for NDP

Harwinder Sandhu, who ran for NDP in 2019 federal vote, is declared Vernon-Monashee candidate

Harwinder Sandhu, a Vernon registered nurse, is the declared NDP candidate for Vernon-Monashee in the upcoming Oct. 24 provincial election. Sandhu finished third in the North Okanagan-Shuswap riding in the 2019 federal election running under the NDP banner. (Black Press - file photo)
MLA Dan Ashton (Contributed)

Ashton questions need for fall provincial election

MLA for riding of Penticton has served in legislature since 2013

MLA Dan Ashton (Contributed)
Summerland mayor to represent NDP in next provincial election

Summerland mayor to represent NDP in next provincial election

Toni Boot was acclaimed as the party’s candidate on Sept. 16

Summerland mayor to represent NDP in next provincial election
Grace, an orphaned calf who called the Revelstoke maternity pen home for a year and a half, took her first steps into the wild in the spring of 2019. The caribou in the background is one of the five caribou from the now locally extinct south Selkirk and Purcell herds. (Photo by Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development)

Province announces $1.1 million in funding to restore caribou habitat

The seven projects are taking place across the province

Grace, an orphaned calf who called the Revelstoke maternity pen home for a year and a half, took her first steps into the wild in the spring of 2019. The caribou in the background is one of the five caribou from the now locally extinct south Selkirk and Purcell herds. (Photo by Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development)
Seven habitat and restoration projects will get $3 million over five years under the British Columbia Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund (BCSRIF). (DFO)

Government pledges $3M to improve salmon stocks, restoration in B.C.

Seven projects will get $3M under joint federal/provincial program to reverse declines

Seven habitat and restoration projects will get $3 million over five years under the British Columbia Salmon Restoration and Innovation Fund (BCSRIF). (DFO)
Playgrounds remain closed but parks are open in the City of Vernon. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Vernon mayor ready for recovery, cautious of second COVID-19 wave

Letter to B.C. government outlines city’s activities and eagerness to return to normal

Playgrounds remain closed but parks are open in the City of Vernon. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
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