Bowen Assman

Alexanne Lepage on top of the podium after winning gold in the 100 metre breaststroke race at the 2023 World Junior Swimming Championships, held in Netanya, Israel. (Contributed)

Vernon swimmer roars to gold at World Juniors in Israel

Alexanne Lepage beat championship record holder Eneli Jefimova for gold in the 100 m breaststroke

Alexanne Lepage on top of the podium after winning gold in the 100 metre breaststroke race at the 2023 World Junior Swimming Championships, held in Netanya, Israel. (Contributed)
Izabella Marshall, with her dad Jody, after winning on June 17 the junior dragsters Division Six competition at the Mission Speedway in the Fraser Valley. (Contributed)

The art of drag racing, with 12-year-old Vernon phenom

Izabella Marshall has already sped to accolades on the junior dragster circuit

Izabella Marshall, with her dad Jody, after winning on June 17 the junior dragsters Division Six competition at the Mission Speedway in the Fraser Valley. (Contributed)
RDKB Area C/Christina Lake Director Grace McGregor hopes to lead by example. She participated in the Christina Lake Fire Rescue sprinkler program and installed a WASP gutter-mounted sprinkler system on her own Christina Lake home. Homes that observe FireSmart principles and install sprinkler systems are more likely to withstand wildfire. Photo: Submitted

Don’t turn on roof sprinklers in wildfire fight: Vernon fire chief

If evacuating from a wildfire, do not turn on your sprinklers

RDKB Area C/Christina Lake Director Grace McGregor hopes to lead by example. She participated in the Christina Lake Fire Rescue sprinkler program and installed a WASP gutter-mounted sprinkler system on her own Christina Lake home. Homes that observe FireSmart principles and install sprinkler systems are more likely to withstand wildfire. Photo: Submitted
The brush fire where the body was found was located at a homeless encampment, near the intersection of Hwy 97 and 48th Ave. (Jennifer Smith-Morning Star)

Body found in B.C. homeless fire

No criminality expected in brush blaze

The brush fire where the body was found was located at a homeless encampment, near the intersection of Hwy 97 and 48th Ave. (Jennifer Smith-Morning Star)
Vernon Jubilee Hospital. (Morning Star file photo)

B.C. health minister visits Vernon hospital

Adrian Dix was in Okanagan to speak with doctors about problems faced

Vernon Jubilee Hospital. (Morning Star file photo)
The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP has identified the kayaker that went missing on Kalamalka Lake during a storm on Monday, July 24, 2023, as Eli Buruca. His body was recovered on Aug. 16, 2023. (Submitted photo)

Kayaker’s body recovered in B.C. lake

Eli Buruca went missing on July 24 and volunteer efforts helped RCMP recover the body

The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP has identified the kayaker that went missing on Kalamalka Lake during a storm on Monday, July 24, 2023, as Eli Buruca. His body was recovered on Aug. 16, 2023. (Submitted photo)
Chalupa, a Chihuahua, did not survive a helicopter crash near Enderby Saturday, Aug. 12. (Facebook photo)

Dog dies from B.C. helicopter crash, pilot missing after leaving scene

Chalupa the Chihuahua did not survive

Chalupa, a Chihuahua, did not survive a helicopter crash near Enderby Saturday, Aug. 12. (Facebook photo)
As of Monday afternoon, the scene of the helicopter crash has been cleaned up, however the pilot still remains unaccounted for. (Brendan Shykora-Morning Star)

Pilot missing after leaving scene of helicopter crash in North Okanagan

A small dog is also missing after the crash

As of Monday afternoon, the scene of the helicopter crash has been cleaned up, however the pilot still remains unaccounted for. (Brendan Shykora-Morning Star)
The Township of Spallumcheen is looking to monitor its water usage. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Okanagan has one of the highest water use rates per person in Canada

Spallumcheen asking residents to do what they can to be water warriors and conserve

The Township of Spallumcheen is looking to monitor its water usage. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
B.C.’s only FASD clinic is located in The People Place in Vernon. (Bowen Assman- Morning Star Photo)

Lack of funding to sink B.C.’s only FASD clinic in Vernon

“If we close, patients with FASD will be lost and will be hard or impossible to recreate.”

B.C.’s only FASD clinic is located in The People Place in Vernon. (Bowen Assman- Morning Star Photo)
The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP has arrested a man after a string of early morning fires. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Man charged after string of fires targeting Vernon businesses

Roman Roy Ooley, 34, has been charged with three counts of arson

The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP has arrested a man after a string of early morning fires. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Sarah Bailey grew up in Vernon, competing in track at Fulton Secondary. (Simon Fraser University Photo)

Vernon woman scores new title with NFL team

Sarah Bailey will be leading the Tennessee Titans football research and development department

Sarah Bailey grew up in Vernon, competing in track at Fulton Secondary. (Simon Fraser University Photo)
The foursome of Charlotte Routley, Lyriq Nerling, Chloe Bicknell and Caelyn Fitzpatrick after setting a provincial record in the 4 x 400 m relay. (Contributed)

Vernon Panthers break records at B.C. track championships

Charlotte Routley, Lyriq Nerling, Chloe Bicknell and Caelyn Fitzpatrick took home 2 golds

The foursome of Charlotte Routley, Lyriq Nerling, Chloe Bicknell and Caelyn Fitzpatrick after setting a provincial record in the 4 x 400 m relay. (Contributed)
Jake Suttling has undergone 11 surgeries so far on his lower body, as a team of trauma surgeons have been working hard to save his legs. (GoFundMe photo)

‘Working to save his legs’: Vernon man in need of support after motorcycle crash

On Mother’s Day, Jake Suttling was struck on his bike by a pick up truck on Hwy 6

Jake Suttling has undergone 11 surgeries so far on his lower body, as a team of trauma surgeons have been working hard to save his legs. (GoFundMe photo)
The Armstrong Tulip Festival opened on March 17, 2023 (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Heat wave fries Armstrong tulips, forcing closure of festival

Monday, May 15 is the last day that it will be open

The Armstrong Tulip Festival opened on March 17, 2023 (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
The four-day 2023 Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) conference and annual general meeting is being hosted in Vernon this week (Bowen Assman/Morning Star).

Update to B.C mental health policy, more resolutions passed at SILGA

Delegates debated 31 conflict resolutions at the annual Southern Interior Local Government Association meet

The four-day 2023 Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) conference and annual general meeting is being hosted in Vernon this week (Bowen Assman/Morning Star).
Vernon Fire Rescue Services currently has 24 auxiliary firefighters, six on active duty, 13 in training and five on temporary leave (City of Vernon).

8 Vernon volunteer firefighters resign

City of Vernon has recently hired four new full-time firefighters

Vernon Fire Rescue Services currently has 24 auxiliary firefighters, six on active duty, 13 in training and five on temporary leave (City of Vernon).
Wayne McGrath (left) with his son Gord McGrath. (Contributed)

Still got it: 79-year-old Vernon man Wayne McGrath is a hockey lifer

The former Mayor of Vernon started playing for the Moonshiners rec team 45 years ago

Wayne McGrath (left) with his son Gord McGrath. (Contributed)
Vernon couple Nolan and Taylor had three baby girls on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023, and a fundraiser has been launched after it was discovered the triplets have medical complications. (GoFundMe photo)

Community jumps in to support Vernon couple with preterm triplets

Family dealing with extensive hospital stay, after emergency surgeries were needed

Vernon couple Nolan and Taylor had three baby girls on Sunday, Feb. 26, 2023, and a fundraiser has been launched after it was discovered the triplets have medical complications. (GoFundMe photo)
The NK’Mip Canyon Desert Golf Course presents stunning views of the South Okanagan Valley. (nkmipcanyon.ca)

B.C.’s first Indigenous Golf Championship tees off in South Okanagan

The event, hosted at Nk’Mip Canyon Desert Golf Course, will see 128 golfers compete

The NK’Mip Canyon Desert Golf Course presents stunning views of the South Okanagan Valley. (nkmipcanyon.ca)