Judie Steeves

Okanagan honey and meads brought home some awards at the weekend's annual conference of the B.C. Honey Producers in Kelowna.

Local honey products are winners

While they learned how best to manage their bees, B.C. honey producers competed over the weekend for top awards.

Okanagan honey and meads brought home some awards at the weekend's annual conference of the B.C. Honey Producers in Kelowna.

Wolf population in Okanagan growing

From none a decade ago, today it's estimated there are as many as 100 wolves in the Okanagan.

Black rats caught in a trap in the Glenmore area.

Residents must clean up to get rid of rats

Black rats are not native to the Okanagan, but they're being reported in many areas, and residents want the city to help deal with them.

Black rats caught in a trap in the Glenmore area.

Tree fruit co-op elects one new director

At this year's agm for the B.C. Tree Fruits Co-operative only one new director was elected, to fill a vacancy.

Remaining Okanagan wetlands need protection

Remaining Okanagan wetlands need protection

Wetlands are more than a haven for mosquitoes or a place to dump worn-out tires.

Remaining Okanagan wetlands need protection

Dress up or dress down, but step up

Fall is a good time of year to decide to volunteer for the non-profit organization that provides the facilities where you have fun.

B.C. wood products well-received in China, says Thomson

Forests minister Steve Thomson talks from China about the reception there of B.C.'s high-quality wood products.

Environment Minister Mary Polak talks about the proposed legislation for a new water act for B.C. at Mission Creek, while Central Okanagan Regional District chairman Robert Hobson listens.

Comment now on new water act

You need water to survive, so you may want to learn about what's proposed for the future of water management in B.C.

Environment Minister Mary Polak talks about the proposed legislation for a new water act for B.C. at Mission Creek, while Central Okanagan Regional District chairman Robert Hobson listens.
Gord Wilson, owner of Team Construction, stands outside the historic Riggs House on Ethel Street in Kelowna, after the restoration work his company did received a Heritage B.C. award on the weekend.

Provincial heritage awards brought home to Kelowna

Lorainne McLarty and the restoration of the Riggs House on Ethel Street both won provincial Heritage B.C. awards on the weekend.

Gord Wilson, owner of Team Construction, stands outside the historic Riggs House on Ethel Street in Kelowna, after the restoration work his company did received a Heritage B.C. award on the weekend.

Library budget will increase taxes

The Okanagan Regional Library board has approved a budget for 2014 that will mean a 1.77 per cent tax increase.

Wade Neukomm and his four-year-old son Logan learn about the wild world by watching nature in local natural areas such as Art Pond in West Kelowna.

Telus tower location generates opposition in West Kelowna

Westlake Road site for antennae to expand cell phone services thought by some to be too close to two nearby ponds.

Wade Neukomm and his four-year-old son Logan learn about the wild world by watching nature in local natural areas such as Art Pond in West Kelowna.

Know the regulations before hunting

Conservation officers are finding many people not following the regulations when out hunting.

Although its water is already over-allocated, the province has issued more licences on Beaver (Swalwell) Lake, a reservoir for residents of the District of Lake Country.

New water licences issued on fully-allocated reservoirs

Water districts are appealing the province's issuance of new water licences on their reservoirs because they're already fully-allocated.

Although its water is already over-allocated, the province has issued more licences on Beaver (Swalwell) Lake, a reservoir for residents of the District of Lake Country.
Working under pressure as the judges watch, young chef Zachary Drake of the Hotel Eldorado completes his winning dish of Merlot-braised oxtail with pumpkin risotto, porcini crisp and La Sauvagine gratinee at the Young Chefs' competition at Okanagan College Thursday night, one of dozens of Fall Okanagan Wine Festival Events.

Young chefs shine in Winefest contest

Everyone won in a tight contest amongst some of the region's brightest young chefs at Okanagan College Thursday evening.

Working under pressure as the judges watch, young chef Zachary Drake of the Hotel Eldorado completes his winning dish of Merlot-braised oxtail with pumpkin risotto, porcini crisp and La Sauvagine gratinee at the Young Chefs' competition at Okanagan College Thursday night, one of dozens of Fall Okanagan Wine Festival Events.

Fruit growers consider governance changes

Members of the B.C. Fruit Growers Association will hold a special meeting in early November to discuss a reorganization.

Mist at dawn is common in autumn on upland lakes where the water is still warmer than the frosty air.

Steeves/Trail Mix: Nature can out-compete technology

Autumn is a perfect time of year to get outside in the Okanagan, and there's new technology to help you get around.

Mist at dawn is common in autumn on upland lakes where the water is still warmer than the frosty air.
As pickers like Mario Cordeyo Lopez of Mexico pluck the last apples from trees in the Central Okanagan this year, estimates of the damage caused to tree fruit crops by weather this past season are becoming clear.

Damage to tree fruits could reach $18 million

Weather-related damage to tree fruit crops in the Okanagan could reach as much as $18 million this year.

As pickers like Mario Cordeyo Lopez of Mexico pluck the last apples from trees in the Central Okanagan this year, estimates of the damage caused to tree fruit crops by weather this past season are becoming clear.
Surinder Shergill of East Kelowna proudly shows off his colourful Ambrosia apples, which are currently being picked.

Top quality apples being picked

Despite damage related to weather, top quality apples are being harvested in local orchards this fall.

Surinder Shergill of East Kelowna proudly shows off his colourful Ambrosia apples, which are currently being picked.
Vegie casserole

from Jude’s Kitchen: giving thanks

Incorporating fall flavours into your Thanksgiving Dinner is a wonderful way to celebrate local farmers and products.

Vegie casserole
A spawning kokanee salmon fights his way upstream to spawn before dying.

Steeves/Trail Mix: Life’s a fight and then you die

It's not an easy life for the kokanee salmon in the Okanagan, but it's in our hands to make it less difficult if we have the will.

A spawning kokanee salmon fights his way upstream to spawn before dying.