Jennifer Smith

Cherryville youth were left waiting for a school bus that never showed up Jan. 12, in -28C weather. (Charlie Redstone photo)

Kids wait in -28 C cold for Okanagan school bus that never came

Route 42 was cancelled, but some had no notification

Cherryville youth were left waiting for a school bus that never showed up Jan. 12, in -28C weather. (Charlie Redstone photo)
Debi Gare is hoping a family heirloom that was mistakenly given away will be returned. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

‘I thought it was junk’: B.C. woman looking to retrieve family heirloom

When Vernon’s Louise “Thup” Sammartino died, her daughter gave away a special brooch

Debi Gare is hoping a family heirloom that was mistakenly given away will be returned. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
The Avian flu has been detected in Summerland and a protected zone has been set up by the CFIA. (Black Press file photo)

Two cases of avian flu identified in Okanagan

Investigations underway in Central and North Okanagan

The Avian flu has been detected in Summerland and a protected zone has been set up by the CFIA. (Black Press file photo)
The Greater Vernon Homeless Memorial at Polson Park commemorates those lost to the homelessness and drug epidemic. It will be moving to a new spot in 2024. (Bowen Assman- Morning Star)

Homeless deaths rise in Okanagan

Kelowna and Vernon saw 14 and 13 deaths last year

The Greater Vernon Homeless Memorial at Polson Park commemorates those lost to the homelessness and drug epidemic. It will be moving to a new spot in 2024. (Bowen Assman- Morning Star)
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)
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 hosted rallies as they try to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement. (Roger Knox - Black Press)

Tentative deal reached with B.C. long-term care workers

7 Good Samaritan Canada sites include Vernon, Salmon Arm and Penticton

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 hosted rallies as they try to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement. (Roger Knox - Black Press)
A child was flown from Lumby by BC air ambulance to Kelowna April 4, 2020, where they died the next day. (File photo)

Death of child in Okanagan leads to neglect charges

2 facing failure to provide the necessaries of life to a child following 2020 death

A child was flown from Lumby by BC air ambulance to Kelowna April 4, 2020, where they died the next day. (File photo)
The Okanagan Indian Band Fire Department attended a trailer fire Sept. 23 where two bodies were discovered inside. (File photo)

2 bodies found in B.C. trailer fire

No criminality suspected in Westside Road blaze

The Okanagan Indian Band Fire Department attended a trailer fire Sept. 23 where two bodies were discovered inside. (File photo)
Residents are urged to not feed wildlife, or leave garbage or food out for them to access. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Don’t feed the wildlife: B.C. city urges animal-smart behaviour

Residents reminded to harvest fruits, nuts, vegetables and keep attractants secured

Residents are urged to not feed wildlife, or leave garbage or food out for them to access. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
17 dogs have been seized from a North Okanagan breeder. (BC SPCA photo)

16 Yorkshire terriers, pregnant Pomeranian seized from B.C. breeder

BC SPCA caring for 16 Yorkshire terriers and 1 pregnant Pomeranian

17 dogs have been seized from a North Okanagan breeder. (BC SPCA photo)
A sign has been put up in Vernon's Polson Park after a sighting of a black bear was confirmed on Monday, Aug. 28. (Contributed)

Bear breaking into B.C. homeless tents euthanized

Conservation Officers removed the black bear from a Vernon park Friday morning

A sign has been put up in Vernon's Polson Park after a sighting of a black bear was confirmed on Monday, Aug. 28. (Contributed)
Smoky skies have plagued the Okanagan for weeks due to wildfires in the area. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Smoky skies cloud B.C. air quality

Another advisory in place for several regions of province

Smoky skies have plagued the Okanagan for weeks due to wildfires in the area. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Smoke settles over Okanagan Lake Saturday, Aug. 26 with Fintry in the background. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Air quality advisory continues for much of B.C.

Smoky skies bulletin issued Monday, Aug. 28

Smoke settles over Okanagan Lake Saturday, Aug. 26 with Fintry in the background. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Wildfire smoke continues to fill the air, as seen over Okanagan Lake from Vernon Friday, Aug. 25. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Wildfires drive back smoky skies across B.C.

Air quality advisory for many regions, including Okanagan

Wildfire smoke continues to fill the air, as seen over Okanagan Lake from Vernon Friday, Aug. 25. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Fintry residents Real Gousy, Rick Walker and Elsa check in at the Emergency Support Services reception centre at Vernon's Kal Tire Place Friday after being evacuated. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

More than 1,000 wildfire evacuees in Vernon

Most from West Kelowna, Westbank First Nation, Westside Road, Kelowna and Lake Country, some from Shuswap area

Fintry residents Real Gousy, Rick Walker and Elsa check in at the Emergency Support Services reception centre at Vernon's Kal Tire Place Friday after being evacuated. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Firefighters needed to be shuttled by helicopter to the blaze burning in Spallumcheen in tough terrain. (Township of Spallumcheen photo)

UPDATE: Wildfire near Armstrong under control

BC Wildfire made ‘significant progress’ on Baker Forest Service fire on Thursday

Firefighters needed to be shuttled by helicopter to the blaze burning in Spallumcheen in tough terrain. (Township of Spallumcheen photo)
Trails of wildfire smoke seen from Okanagan Centre south of Ceasars close to Shelter Cove Tuesday, April 22, 2023. (Jordy Cunningham - Black Press Media)

3 new Okanagan spot fires being held, under control

Fire near Fintry doused by locals, 2 near Mabel Lake

Trails of wildfire smoke seen from Okanagan Centre south of Ceasars close to Shelter Cove Tuesday, April 22, 2023. (Jordy Cunningham - Black Press Media)
Premier David Eby takes questions from the media during a news conference in West Kelowna on Aug. 22, following a helicopter tour of wildfire devastation in the Central Okanagan. (Gary Barnes/Capital News)

Premier Eby tours wildfire devastation in Central Okanagan

Non-essential accommodation in West Kelowna still banned

Premier David Eby takes questions from the media during a news conference in West Kelowna on Aug. 22, following a helicopter tour of wildfire devastation in the Central Okanagan. (Gary Barnes/Capital News)
Fintry residents Real Gousy, Rick Walker and Elsa check in at the Emergency Support Services reception centre at Vernon’s Kal Tire Place Friday after being evacuated. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Kelowna wildfire evacuees in Vernon praying they have a home to return to

Hundreds registering at ESS from multiple fires burning

Fintry residents Real Gousy, Rick Walker and Elsa check in at the Emergency Support Services reception centre at Vernon’s Kal Tire Place Friday after being evacuated. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Thick wildfire smoke can be seen from Highway 97 in Lake Country Friday morning. (Contributed)

B.C. boy’s birthday flight cancelled due to Okanagan wildfires

Wildfires in Kelowna, West Kelowna, and Lake Country have forced the closure of airspace

Thick wildfire smoke can be seen from Highway 97 in Lake Country Friday morning. (Contributed)