Okanagan elections bring new mayors and tight races across the valley
Voters across the Okanagan elected new mayors in several communities on October 17, unseating incumbents in Vernon, Armstrong, Enderby and Penticton, while preliminary results showed narrow contests in Lake Country and Peachland.
RDOS board approves comprehensive review of fire services
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) Board of Directors has approved a comprehensive review of its fire services, with an independent consultant expected to examine current operations and make recommendations to guide future decisions.
The travelling pants: Nanaimo RCMP solve mystery after box falls off truck
The curious case of Nanaimo's travelling pants has been solved, with police revealing that several pairs of tactical trousers had quite literally fallen off the back of a truck.
West Kootenay election results: Trail elects new mayor, close races for regional directors
Trail has elected a new mayor, preliminary results show a change of leadership in Castlegar, and several regional district directors are trailing challengers following the October 17 local elections across the West Kootenay.
Castlegar RCMP confirm missing woman found deceased
A 41-year-old woman who was reported missing in Castlegar more than six weeks ago has been found deceased, according to an update issued by Castlegar RCMP on Thursday, Oct. 15.
East Kootenay election results bring new mayors and two seven-vote contests
Voters across the East Kootenay elected new municipal leaders Saturday, Oct. 17, with preliminary results showing changes in Cranbrook, Kimberley, Fernie and Elkford, while two contests elsewhere in the region were separated by just seven votes.
Man arrested after alleged knife incident involving youths in Tumbler Ridge
A man is in police custody following an incident in which he allegedly displayed a knife toward several young people in Tumbler Ridge over the weekend.
Free one-on-one recovery support available for Bald Range wildfire households
Households that lost their homes in the Bald Range wildfire can access free, one-on-one assistance with housing, financial support applications and recovery planning through a service announced by the District of Summerland on Oct. 19.
Nine new pickleball courts open at Kelowna’s Glenmore Recreation Park
Nine new outdoor pickleball courts opened at Glenmore Recreation Park on Oct. 8, expanding public recreation facilities in north Kelowna as construction continues on other parts of the park.
RDOS doubles free radon test kits to 400, opens registration in five electoral areas
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen is offering 400 free residential radon test kits this fall, doubling the number available through its participation in a national testing program last year.
Rossland voters head to polls Saturday to elect mayor and six councillors
Rossland voters will elect a mayor and six city councillors on Saturday, October 17, with polls open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at City Hall.
More than 11,000 Kelowna voters cast ballots as final advance voting day approaches
More than 11,000 ballots have been cast in Kelowna's 2026 municipal election, with one advance voting day remaining before residents head to the polls on Saturday, October 17.
Kelowna ends indoor tennis agreement, seeks new partner for five-court facility
The City of Kelowna has terminated its agreement with Tennis Clubs of Canada for a planned indoor tennis facility at Mission Recreation Park, saying the organization did not meet its obligations for capital investment and construction.
RDOS says no evidence of staff impersonation after earlier wildfire-area warning
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen says it has no evidence that anyone falsely claimed to represent the regional district during a visit to a wildfire-affected property, correcting a public warning issued three days earlier.
RDOS open-burning season begins with authorization and air-quality requirements
The fall open-burning season began Thursday, October 15, in five Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen fire-protection areas, with residents required to obtain authorization and check air-quality conditions before burning.
RDOS completes 2026 improvements at historic Adra Tunnel
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) has completed a series of trail and visitor-facility improvements at the historic Adra Tunnel, building on the restoration that reopened the Kettle Valley Rail Trail landmark to the public in May 2025.
Keremeos RCMP seek witnesses after fatal crash into Similkameen River
Police are seeking witnesses and video footage after a vehicle left the roadway and entered the Similkameen River on Oct. 6, leaving a 17-year-old girl dead and other occupants injured.
Nelson police seek public's help finding missing man known as Buzz
The Nelson Police Department is asking for the public's help locating a 48-year-old man named Colin, also known as Buzz, who was last seen in Nelson on Oct. 6.
Rossland council asked to investigate sponsorship, trail funding changes
Rossland council will be asked Monday to support recreation staff in further investigating recommendations that include a City sponsorship framework, naming recognition, annual trail-maintenance funding and a more formal public review of major recreation capital projects.
Kelowna RCMP investigate alleged Lower Mainland kidnapping
Kelowna RCMP are investigating an alleged kidnapping in which a person was taken from the Lower Mainland to Kelowna and held against their will, in what police believe was an attempt to put pressure on one of the victim’s associates.