Vernon

An up-close view of the sensors. So far, 60 of them have been installed in Vernon. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

VIDEO: Early wildfire detection system tested, launched in Vernon

The system, by SenseNet, uses sensors and cameras to detect anomalies and alert firefighters to wildfires faster

An up-close view of the sensors. So far, 60 of them have been installed in Vernon. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Once a teacher in his native Nigeria, Folu Oloyede is now an early childhood education assistant in Vernon. (Contributed)

‘Stuck’ in Canada, Nigerian man finds purpose in Vernon

3 month visit turns to 3 year separation from family amid pandemic

Once a teacher in his native Nigeria, Folu Oloyede is now an early childhood education assistant in Vernon. (Contributed)
(Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Explosive device found in Vernon could have caused ‘serious injury’: RCMP

The device was found in a parked vehicle on 43rd Avenue while police were making an arrest

(Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Lee and Sondra Watkins will not have to pay nearly $2,800 in fines for living in their RV on family-owned property in Vernon. (change.org)

B.C. city rescinds fines for living in RV on farm, won’t go after others

Lee and Sondra Watkins faced nearly $2,800 in penalties for contravening a Vernon bylaw

Lee and Sondra Watkins will not have to pay nearly $2,800 in fines for living in their RV on family-owned property in Vernon. (change.org)
The Wes Craig rink from Duncan is representing B.C. in the men’s draw at the 2023 Everest Canadian Senior Men’s and Women’s Curling Championships, and remains in the mix for a Saturday morning semifinal spot Dec. 9. (Contributed)

B.C. teams still in mix at Canadian senior curling finals in Vernon

Final draw at 6 p.m. Friday to determine final four placings in both women’s and men’s draws

The Wes Craig rink from Duncan is representing B.C. in the men’s draw at the 2023 Everest Canadian Senior Men’s and Women’s Curling Championships, and remains in the mix for a Saturday morning semifinal spot Dec. 9. (Contributed)
Vernon North Okanagan RCMP has offered up some tips to help safely do online shopping over the holiday season. (Vernon North Okanagan RCMP)

B.C. RCMP unwrap some safe online shopping tips for the holidays

Online shopping can be done safely and securely, if you take these precautions

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP has offered up some tips to help safely do online shopping over the holiday season. (Vernon North Okanagan RCMP)
The Wes Craig rink from Duncan is representing B.C. in the men’s draw at the 2023 Everest Canadian Senior Men’s and Women’s Curling Championships at the Vernon Curling Club. The team has clinched a spot into the eight-team championship pool. (Contributed)

B.C. rinks into championship round at Canadian Sr. Curling Finals in Vernon

Wes Craig of Duncan, Diane Gushulak of New West will advance from round robin; Saskatchewan teams 6-0

The Wes Craig rink from Duncan is representing B.C. in the men’s draw at the 2023 Everest Canadian Senior Men’s and Women’s Curling Championships at the Vernon Curling Club. The team has clinched a spot into the eight-team championship pool. (Contributed)
Team Diane Gushulak from New Westminster won their third straight game Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the 2023 Everest Canadian Senior Men’s and Women’s Curling Championships at the Vernon Curling Club. (Contributed)

B.C. women’s rink rocking at Canadian senior curling finals in Vernon

Diane Gushulak of New Westminster has won three in a row; B.C. men from Duncan suffer first loss

Team Diane Gushulak from New Westminster won their third straight game Tuesday, Dec. 5, at the 2023 Everest Canadian Senior Men’s and Women’s Curling Championships at the Vernon Curling Club. (Contributed)
Corey Akerman and Diane Thiessen are getting married Dec. 30, 2023, at O’Keefe Ranch after winning an all expenses paid shotgun wedding contest put on by the ranch and wedding specialist Dee Cristante. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Winners of B.C. shotgun wedding contest ready to tie the knot

Corey Akerman and Diane Thiessen marriyig before a live public audience at Vernon’s O’Keefe Ranch

Corey Akerman and Diane Thiessen are getting married Dec. 30, 2023, at O’Keefe Ranch after winning an all expenses paid shotgun wedding contest put on by the ranch and wedding specialist Dee Cristante. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Hospital Employees Union members from Vernon’s Heron Grove hosted a two-hour rally outside the facility Wednesday, Sept. 27. Staff at Heron Grove and six other facilities owned and operated by the Good Samaritan Canada Society have now ratified a new five-year collective bargaining agreement. (Roger Knox - Black Press)

B.C. facility HEU workers ratify deal

Five-year deal signed into 2025 at Good Samaritan Canada facilities in Vernon, Penticton, Salmon Arm

Hospital Employees Union members from Vernon’s Heron Grove hosted a two-hour rally outside the facility Wednesday, Sept. 27. Staff at Heron Grove and six other facilities owned and operated by the Good Samaritan Canada Society have now ratified a new five-year collective bargaining agreement. (Roger Knox - Black Press)
Superintendant Shawna Baher of the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP has accepted a new position on Vancouver Island, leaving a void in Vernon for the time being. (Contributed)

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP superintendant leaving for Vancouver Island

Shawna Baher has accepted the position of chief superintendent based in Victoria

Superintendant Shawna Baher of the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP has accepted a new position on Vancouver Island, leaving a void in Vernon for the time being. (Contributed)
A petition to allow a Vernon family to live on a farm in a fifth wheel has garnered 4,121 signatures as of Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. (change.org photo)

B.C. city reconsidering ban on people living in RVs on agricultural land

Possible change of heart comes after Vernon couple’s lengthy battle with over farm living arrangement

A petition to allow a Vernon family to live on a farm in a fifth wheel has garnered 4,121 signatures as of Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. (change.org photo)
The Vernon Curling Club foursome of Tyler Orme (from left), Trevor Perepolkin, Jamie Austin, and Rob Nobert still have a shot at a medal at the Everest Canadian Men’s and Women’s Curling Club Championships in Winnipeg starting Sunday, Nov. 20. (curling.ca photo)

B.C. rink falls to B event at Canadian club finals

Tyler Orme’s rink from the Vernon Curling Club drops 8-4 decision to Saskatchewan in A-side semifinal

The Vernon Curling Club foursome of Tyler Orme (from left), Trevor Perepolkin, Jamie Austin, and Rob Nobert still have a shot at a medal at the Everest Canadian Men’s and Women’s Curling Club Championships in Winnipeg starting Sunday, Nov. 20. (curling.ca photo)
Cats left in crates on side of Vernon road. (OHS)

3 cats abandoned on Vernon road side now in care of Okanagan rescue

The three cats were left inside three crates on the side of a road in Vernon

Cats left in crates on side of Vernon road. (OHS)
The Vernon Curling Club foursome of Tyler Orme (from left), Trevor Perepolkin, Jamie Austin, and Rob Nobert have qualified for the playoffs in the 14-team men’s draw at the Everest Canadian Men’s and Women’s Curling Club Championships in Winnipeg. (curling.ca photo)

B.C. champs roll into Canadian curling club playoffs

Tyler Orme, Trevor Perepolkin, Rob Nobert and Jamie Austin finish round-robin at 4-2

The Vernon Curling Club foursome of Tyler Orme (from left), Trevor Perepolkin, Jamie Austin, and Rob Nobert have qualified for the playoffs in the 14-team men’s draw at the Everest Canadian Men’s and Women’s Curling Club Championships in Winnipeg. (curling.ca photo)
This is Finnegan a male 15 year old Himalayan cross. He is in foster care with the Okanagan Humane Society. (Facebook)

Okanagan rescues look to fill gap after Vernon BC SPCA closure

The Vernon shelter closed due to a number of ongoing structural integrity issues

This is Finnegan a male 15 year old Himalayan cross. He is in foster care with the Okanagan Humane Society. (Facebook)
Vernon’s Rose the Jack Russell mix is featured in the month of June on the national 2024 Companions for Change calendar. (Beacon Communications photo)

Paddleboarding B.C. pup featured in fundraising calendar

Rose, a Jack Russell mix, appears in 2024 Companions for Change calendar

Vernon’s Rose the Jack Russell mix is featured in the month of June on the national 2024 Companions for Change calendar. (Beacon Communications photo)
The B.C. SPCA has made the difficult decision to close the Vernon branch. (Submitted)

Deteriorating building pushes BC SPCA to close Vernon branch

Animals being moved to Salmon Arm, Kelowna, Penticton, Kamloops shelters

The B.C. SPCA has made the difficult decision to close the Vernon branch. (Submitted)
A petition to allow a Vernon family to live on a farm in a fifth wheel has garnered 4,121 signatures as of Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. (change.org photo)

Petitioners rally for B.C. family living ‘unlawfully’ in RV on family farm

A petition for the city to allow the family to live in a fifth wheel on a family farm has eclipsed 4,000 signatures

A petition to allow a Vernon family to live on a farm in a fifth wheel has garnered 4,121 signatures as of Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. (change.org photo)
Vernon’s Jim Cotter helped Brad Gushue of St. John’s and Team Canada clinch first place at the Pan Continental Curling Championship at the Kelowna Curling Club Thursday, Nov. 2. Canada advanced to Saturday’s gold-medal game with an 8-3 win over Team USA in a Friday morning semifinal. (File photo)

Canada moves to Pan Continental Curling final in B.C.

Brad Gushue beats Team USA 8-3 in Friday semi; Vernon’s Jim Cotter helps Gushue clinch top playoff seed

Vernon’s Jim Cotter helped Brad Gushue of St. John’s and Team Canada clinch first place at the Pan Continental Curling Championship at the Kelowna Curling Club Thursday, Nov. 2. Canada advanced to Saturday’s gold-medal game with an 8-3 win over Team USA in a Friday morning semifinal. (File photo)