Brendan Shykora

The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP found several explosive devices after conducting a traffic stop in Spallumcheen Monday night, Jan. 22, 2024. (Black Press file photo)

Explosives ‘resembling hand grenades’ found in car that fled B.C. police

RCMP confirm several items that resembled hand grenades contained explosives

The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP found several explosive devices after conducting a traffic stop in Spallumcheen Monday night, Jan. 22, 2024. (Black Press file photo)
Bighorn Sheep are blue-listed as an at risk species. (Submitted photo)

Domestic diseases shrinking B.C.’s wild sheep population in Okanagan

Okanagan Nation alliance calling on province to develop overarching legislation to protect the sheep

Bighorn Sheep are blue-listed as an at risk species. (Submitted photo)
The BC Supreme Court ruled Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, that two Jehovah’s Witnesses congregations, including one in Coldstream, must hand over personal information records requested by their former members to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner. (File photo)

B.C. Court orders Jehovah’s Witnesses to hand over personal information

BC Supreme Court acknowledges infringement on religious rights, say those rights are not absolute

The BC Supreme Court ruled Monday, Jan. 8, 2024, that two Jehovah’s Witnesses congregations, including one in Coldstream, must hand over personal information records requested by their former members to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner. (File photo)
Syilx Language House executive director Michele Johnson organized the book launch event. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Efforts to preserve Syilx language reach new chapter in Vernon

A trio of Syilx Elders spoke at a book launch in Vernon, introducing the ninth edition of Elder recordings

Syilx Language House executive director Michele Johnson organized the book launch event. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
One person is dead and two are seriously injured following a vehicle crash on Highway 1 near Glacier National Park that occurred around 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

1 dead, 2 seriously injured in Boxing Day crash west of Golden

The fatal collision took place on Highway 1 near Glacier National Park

One person is dead and two are seriously injured following a vehicle crash on Highway 1 near Glacier National Park that occurred around 11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
A vehicle incident has closed Highway 1 from Revelstoke to Golden Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. (DriveBC image)

UPDATE: Highway 1 reopened from Revelstoke to Golden after vehicle incident

The highway closed for 141 kilometres for about four hours Tuesday

A vehicle incident has closed Highway 1 from Revelstoke to Golden Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023. (DriveBC image)
This screen shot of a YouTube video posted by Big Tree View shows Vernon School District staff and board members walking out of a board meeting while a protester sounds off. The video was posted Dec. 15, 2023, two days after the school board’s most recent meeting. (YouTube image)

VIDEO: Protesters shut down B.C. school board meeting

A recently published YouTube video shows a woman going on a lengthy diatribe at a Vernon school board meeting

This screen shot of a YouTube video posted by Big Tree View shows Vernon School District staff and board members walking out of a board meeting while a protester sounds off. The video was posted Dec. 15, 2023, two days after the school board’s most recent meeting. (YouTube image)
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)
Workers at the Sephora store in Kamloops’s Aberdeen Mall are set to hold a strike vote Dec. 21 and 22, 2023. (Alex Passini photo)

Workers at Sephora cosmetics in Kamloops to hold strike vote

The workers’ union is preparing to take on the cosmetics giant ahead of the holiday shopping rush

Workers at the Sephora store in Kamloops’s Aberdeen Mall are set to hold a strike vote Dec. 21 and 22, 2023. (Alex Passini photo)
(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)
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)
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 North Okanagan RCMP offered tips for protecting delivered gifts this holiday season Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. (RCMP photo)

RCMP offer advice for keeping gifts safe this holiday season

With online shopping and deliveries set to ramp up, so too is the risk of thieves stealing from doorsteps

The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP offered tips for protecting delivered gifts this holiday season Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. (RCMP photo)
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)
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)
The Sterling Centre walk-in clinic in Vernon is set to close permanently Nov. 15, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Offer on the table from province to keep Vernon’s only walk-in clinic open: MLA

Harwinder Sandhu did not provide details about the offer

The Sterling Centre walk-in clinic in Vernon is set to close permanently Nov. 15, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Adult Western corn rootworms feasting on a corn plant. The insects, which are highly destructive to corn crops, were discovered in the North Okanagan and Shuswap for the first time in August 2023. (B.C. Ministry of Agriculture photo)

Pest that devastates corn crops found at North Okanagan, Shuswap farms

The Western corn rootworm causes over $1 billion of damage to U.S. corn crops each year

Adult Western corn rootworms feasting on a corn plant. The insects, which are highly destructive to corn crops, were discovered in the North Okanagan and Shuswap for the first time in August 2023. (B.C. Ministry of Agriculture photo)
A COVID-19 outbreak was declared at Vernon Jubilee Hospital Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

COVID outbreak at B.C. hospital results in one death

Four people have been infected since the outbreak was declared Monday, Aug. 28

A COVID-19 outbreak was declared at Vernon Jubilee Hospital Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above houses in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, August 18, 2023. Canadian insurers are grappling with higher risk of wildfires amid a record-breaking season, and experts say rising premiums are just one part of how the industry is seeking to adapt to an ever-changing new normal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

More West Kelowna residents heading home as evacuation order downgraded to alert

The change is for the Tallus Ridge, Shannon Woods Drive and Rainbow Road areas

The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above houses in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, August 18, 2023. Canadian insurers are grappling with higher risk of wildfires amid a record-breaking season, and experts say rising premiums are just one part of how the industry is seeking to adapt to an ever-changing new normal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
BC Wildfire Services continue to battle the McDougall Creek wildfire that’s been burning since Tuesday, Aug. 15. (BC Wildfire Services)

Evacuation order lifted for some Westbank First Nation properties

Properties on Lindley Drive and Lindley Road have been downgraded to an alert

BC Wildfire Services continue to battle the McDougall Creek wildfire that’s been burning since Tuesday, Aug. 15. (BC Wildfire Services)