Evacuation orders ease across Southern Interior as wildfire recovery expands
Wildfire conditions across the southern Interior have eased enough for more communities to move into recovery, but active fires, access restrictions and evacuation measures remain in parts of the Okanagan and West Kootenay.
Syilx Okanagan Nation calls for greater understanding of reconciliation and land rights
The Syilx Okanagan Nation is calling for greater public understanding of reconciliation and agreements between First Nations and the provincial government, saying misconceptions about private land ownership are shaping some of the discussion taking place in British Columbia.
B.C. judge narrows WestJet passenger-rights lawsuit over flight-delay reimbursements
A B.C. Supreme Court judge has narrowed a consumer lawsuit challenging WestJet’s handling of passenger expenses during flight disruptions, striking portions that sought to recover money for affected travellers while allowing the broader case against the airline to continue.
Vernon strata ordered to pay owners $44,800 after court finds they were unfairly singled out
A Vernon strata has been ordered to pay two owners $44,800 after a B.C. Supreme Court judge found they were unfairly singled out during a years-long dispute over rooftop planters and irrigation.
Castlegar man sentenced to house arrest in Kamloops after conviction for possessing cocaine for trafficking
A Castlegar man convicted of possessing 444.6 grams of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking has been sentenced to two years less a day under a conditional sentence order requiring him to live under 24-hour house arrest at the Mustard Seed in Kamloops.
Longtime Kaslo councillor Rob Lang dies after nearly 15 years in office
Longtime Kaslo councillor Rob Lang has died after nearly 15 years of service on village council.
Sixth B.C. Conservative MLA shifts to Independent status in less than two weeks
A sixth B.C. Conservative MLA has left the party’s caucus in less than two weeks, with Abbotsford South MLA Bruce Banman announcing Thursday that he will sit as an Independent.
Ezra Creek wildfire remains out of control at 116 hectares north of Castlegar
The Ezra Creek wildfire northeast of Castlegar remained out of control at 116 hectares Thursday afternoon following rapid growth a day earlier. Three smaller lightning-caused fires in the Greater Trail area were listed as being held or under control.
The smartest man Dolly Parton knew could not read
Lee Parton could not read or write, but his daughter called him the smartest man she had ever known. Before he died in 2000, he told Dolly Parton that the Imagination Library was probably the most important thing she had ever done, and she treasured the compliment because she believed his illiteracy had prevented him from fulfilling some of his dreams.
Sarah Vanderzon to join John Muirhead for two Okanagan shows
Quebec-born folk and Americana singer-songwriter Sarah Vanderzon will make back-to-back Okanagan appearances this fall as a special guest on John Muirhead’s The Never Ending Road Tour. The performances are scheduled for Penticton on Nov. 18 and Lake Country on Nov. 19.
UBCO Heat open Canada West soccer season Thursday against Trinity Western
The UBC Okanagan Heat will begin their 2026 Canada West men’s soccer season Thursday in Kelowna, hosting the Trinity Western Spartans at Nonis Sports Field.
B.C. reports 138 suspected unregulated-drug toxicity deaths in June
British Columbia reported 138 deaths due to suspected unregulated-drug toxicity in June, an average of about 4.6 deaths each day, according to preliminary data released Tuesday by the BC Coroners Service. The service’s previous bulletins reported 109 deaths in May 2026 and 147 deaths in June 2025, although all three monthly figures remain subject to revision.
Central Okanagan festival brings classical music to Kerry Park
Kelowna’s downtown waterfront will host classical voice, strings and piano Wednesday as the Central Okanagan Performing Arts Festival presents OVATION in the Park. The free concert runs Aug. 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Kerry Park, 1480 Mill St., and attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or blanket.
RDCO backs Joe Rich RCMP radio site, right-of-way for rebuilt Blue Grouse line
The Regional District of Central Okanagan board supported two provincial Crown-land applications involving communications infrastructure at its Aug. 20 meeting. One is for a proposed RCMP radio communications site serving Joe Rich and Highway 33, while the other concerns a BC Hydro statutory right-of-way associated with a transmission line on Blue Grouse Mountain.
Ian Paton leaves B.C. Conservative caucus, says he and Peter Milobar plan new party
Delta South MLA Ian Paton has left the B.C. Conservative caucus and says he intends to establish a new provincial party with Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar.
RCMP renew appeal one year after Dillen Bain found dead in burned vehicle
Major crime investigators are renewing their appeal for information one year after 25-year-old Dillen Bain was found dead inside a burned vehicle near Kamloops. The BC RCMP Southeast District Major Crime Unit says Bain’s death is being investigated as a homicide and is seeking information about what happened before his death on Aug. 23, 2025.
IIO investigating after youth seriously injured in Nelson police custody
The Independent Investigations Office of BC (IIO) is investigating after a youth sustained serious but non-life-threatening injuries while in custody at the Nelson Police Department. The incident occurred Aug. 11, according to an IIO release.
Police seek 13-year-old last seen in Chilliwack
Chilliwack RCMP are asking for the public’s help locating 13-year-old Zayn Johnston, who was last seen Aug. 6. Investigators believe he may currently be in the Langley area.
Two arrested after stolen vehicle recovered in Slocan area
A report from the public led Slocan Lake RCMP to a stolen vehicle near Mulvey Creek on Aug. 20. Two occupants were arrested after police said the vehicle attempted to evade officers.
Rossland’s Bodhi Kuhn named to Canada’s downhill team for world championships
Rossland downhill racer Bodhi Kuhn will represent Canada at the UCI Mountain Bike World Championships in Italy next week, returning to a venue where he recorded one of the biggest wins of his junior career.