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.
Wind-driven wildfire near Gilpin contained after threatening power lines
A fast-moving wildfire near Gilpin Forest Service Road and Highway 3 prompted the shutdown of three FortisBC transmission lines Wednesday evening as crews from Grand Forks, Christina Lake and the BC Wildfire Service worked to contain the fire. Grand Forks Fire Rescue was dispatched at 6:44 p.m. Aug. 26 after smoke was reported in the area.
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.
Air-quality warning ends for Boundary, though local smoke remains in Grand Forks forecast
An air-quality warning for wildfire smoke covering Grand Forks, Midway and Greenwood ended Sunday morning, although Environment Canada continued to forecast local smoke for Grand Forks on Monday. Environment Canada listed Boundary among the regions where the yellow warning had ended in a bulletin issued at 9:42 a.m. PDT Sunday.
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.
Wildfire update: Bald Range reaches 25,021 hectares as lightning sparks new fires across southern Interior
A small wildfire reported Saturday evening in Kelowna’s Black Mountain area has been declared out, according to the BC Wildfire Service.
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.
Pet of the Week: Kittybeans
This tiny panther is Kittybeans
Sadly, Kittybeans recently lost her beloved human and, through no fault of her own, now finds herself looking for a new forever home.
Border Bruins add Miller, Walker as roster build continues
The Grand Forks Border Bruins have added a forward and a defenceman as the club continues assembling its roster for the 2026–27 season. The additions come as Grand Forks prepares for the inaugural season of the British Columbia Hockey Conference.
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.
Province promises measurable outcomes as Kootenay Lake forest plan takes shape
The B.C. government says a new plan for managing forests across the Kootenay Lake region will include clear, measurable outcomes for old forests, biodiversity, wildlife habitat and watersheds, while acknowledging that some parts of the landscape rely on younger forests aging into old-forest conditions to meet existing targets.
Cranbrook RCMP moves to inspector-led model as policing demands grow
Cranbrook RCMP is moving to an Inspector-led command structure following an 18-month review of policing in the community, a change officials say reflects the city's growth and increasingly complex public-safety demands.