Roger Knox

The McDougall Creek wildfire near West Kelowna continues to grow Friday morning after growing significantly overnight. Vernon businesses are stepping up to help those affected by evacuation orders. (Grant Rammel/Facebook)

B.C. businesses pitch in wildfire support to Okanagan evacuees

Hair washes, free food and discounts are being offered to evacuees

The McDougall Creek wildfire near West Kelowna continues to grow Friday morning after growing significantly overnight. Vernon businesses are stepping up to help those affected by evacuation orders. (Grant Rammel/Facebook)
North Okanagan-Shuswap Conservative MP Mel Arnold (left) and colleague, MP Michelle Fererri of Peterborough-Kawartha (Ontario) meet with media in Vernon Friday, Aug. 11, at the Schubert Centre. Fererri is the shadow cabinet critic for families, children and social development. She and Arnold spent two hours listening to concerns in the riding from invited stakeholders. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

Canada abound in crises: Ontario MP during Vernon visit

Michelle Ferreri is a Conservative shadow cabinet critic for families, children and social development

North Okanagan-Shuswap Conservative MP Mel Arnold (left) and colleague, MP Michelle Fererri of Peterborough-Kawartha (Ontario) meet with media in Vernon Friday, Aug. 11, at the Schubert Centre. Fererri is the shadow cabinet critic for families, children and social development. She and Arnold spent two hours listening to concerns in the riding from invited stakeholders. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
Vernon’s Gabe Kibblewhite, 14,is making an amazing recovery from serious injuries, including multiple skull fractures, after being struck by a vehicle riding his scooter on Friday, July 28. Kibblewhite is now recuperating at home. (Facebook photo)

Vernon miracle teen continues road to recovery

Gabe Kibblewhite, 14, is home less than a week after multiple serious injuries when hit by vehicle

Vernon’s Gabe Kibblewhite, 14,is making an amazing recovery from serious injuries, including multiple skull fractures, after being struck by a vehicle riding his scooter on Friday, July 28. Kibblewhite is now recuperating at home. (Facebook photo)
Vernon chiropractor Murray Stephen Kievit will give up his registration with the College of Chiropractors of B.C. in a hearing Monday, July 31, after a complaint about inappropriate touching was levied against the doctor. Kievit denies the allegation. He is also facing two criminal charges of sexual assault. A three-day trial on the matter starts Jan. 15, 2024. (whitehousewellness.ca photo)

Inappropriate touching leads to Vernon chiropractor handing in registration

Murray Kievit denies complaint but will give up registration Monday, July 31

Vernon chiropractor Murray Stephen Kievit will give up his registration with the College of Chiropractors of B.C. in a hearing Monday, July 31, after a complaint about inappropriate touching was levied against the doctor. Kievit denies the allegation. He is also facing two criminal charges of sexual assault. A three-day trial on the matter starts Jan. 15, 2024. (whitehousewellness.ca photo)
Vernon’s Heron Grove long-term care facility is one of seven long-term care facilities in B.C. operated by Good Samaritan Canada – and one of four in the Okanagan-Shuswap – where Hospital Employees’ Union members have voted overwhelminly in favour of strike action. (Black Press - file photo)

HEU members at 7 B.C. care facilities vote yes to strike

98 per cent vote in favour of job action to back demands for new deal with Good Samaritan Canada

Vernon’s Heron Grove long-term care facility is one of seven long-term care facilities in B.C. operated by Good Samaritan Canada – and one of four in the Okanagan-Shuswap – where Hospital Employees’ Union members have voted overwhelminly in favour of strike action. (Black Press - file photo)
Bailey Millan-Brule, a youth advisory committee member for the Vernon branch of Canadian Mental Health Association, is pleased a Foundry centre for youth aged 12-24 will be located in Vernon. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

More mental health, substance use support for North Okanagan youth

Foundry B.C. announces one of 12 new centres provincewide for young people 12-24 will operate in Vernon

Bailey Millan-Brule, a youth advisory committee member for the Vernon branch of Canadian Mental Health Association, is pleased a Foundry centre for youth aged 12-24 will be located in Vernon. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
A strike vote will be conducted among staff at Vernon’s Heron Grove facility and six other such long-term residences in B.C. in a dispute with the facilities’ employer, Good Samaritan Canada, over contracting out jobs and benefits. (Morning Star - file photo)

Staff at Okanagan-Shuswap seniors care homes heading to strike vote

7 B.C. facilities; two main issues fueling the fire

A strike vote will be conducted among staff at Vernon’s Heron Grove facility and six other such long-term residences in B.C. in a dispute with the facilities’ employer, Good Samaritan Canada, over contracting out jobs and benefits. (Morning Star - file photo)
Vernon’s Dr. Margo Greenwood will be named an Officer of the Order of Canada on Wednesday, June 21, in Ottawa. (File photo)

Vernon, B.C. woman named to Order of Canada

Dr. Margo Greenwood to be honoured for decades of innovative research in early childhood education

Vernon’s Dr. Margo Greenwood will be named an Officer of the Order of Canada on Wednesday, June 21, in Ottawa. (File photo)
RCMP vehicles were stationed outside Clarence Fulton Secondary School in Vernon after a hold and secure was reportedly activated Friday, June 2, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Small explosion led to hold-and-secure at Vernon school

Students outside and near Fulton Secondary were behind blast that led to safety measure activation

RCMP vehicles were stationed outside Clarence Fulton Secondary School in Vernon after a hold and secure was reportedly activated Friday, June 2, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Vernon Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu addresses the crowd at the opening of the new accessible and inclusive playground at Vernon’s Alexis Park Elementary School Tuesday, May 16. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

PHOTOS: More B.C. school playgrounds made inclusive and accessible for all

Vernon elementary school hosts B.C. education minister who announces similar projects in 25 school districts

Vernon Monashee MLA Harwinder Sandhu addresses the crowd at the opening of the new accessible and inclusive playground at Vernon’s Alexis Park Elementary School Tuesday, May 16. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
Vernon’s Elsie Wilson, who operated the FM. Ladies Wear Shop with her late husband, Jack, on 30th Avenue from <tcxspan tcxhref="19681996" title="Call 1968-1996, via 3CX">1968-1996,</tcxspan> celebrates her 100th birthday Thursday, May 18. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

Vernon ‘wallflower’ blossoms through to 100

Elsie Wilson, long-time, well-known Vernon businesswoman, becomes centenarian Thursday, May 18

Vernon’s Elsie Wilson, who operated the FM. Ladies Wear Shop with her late husband, Jack, on 30th Avenue from <tcxspan tcxhref="19681996" title="Call 1968-1996, via 3CX">1968-1996,</tcxspan> celebrates her 100th birthday Thursday, May 18. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
Vernon’s Holly Wise (third from right, wearing apron) has become the first woman certified as an instructor with the B.C. Trappers Association. (Facebook photo)

Okanagan woman traps historic certification

Vernon’s Holly Wise becomes first woman certified instructor with 78-year-old B.C. Trappers Association

Vernon’s Holly Wise (third from right, wearing apron) has become the first woman certified as an instructor with the B.C. Trappers Association. (Facebook photo)
Spallumcheen Mayor Christine Fraser (left) accepts the Southern Interior Local Government Association’s 2023 Economic Development Award from Community Excellence Awards sponsor representative Jamie Kozak of Urban Systems at the Prestige Vernon Lodge Friday, April 28. The township won a second award at SILGA for Environmental Sustainability. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

Vernon hosts record-breaking SILGA

Annual Southern Interior Local Government Association puts wrap to four-day event in North Okanagan

Spallumcheen Mayor Christine Fraser (left) accepts the Southern Interior Local Government Association’s 2023 Economic Development Award from Community Excellence Awards sponsor representative Jamie Kozak of Urban Systems at the Prestige Vernon Lodge Friday, April 28. The township won a second award at SILGA for Environmental Sustainability. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
Coldstream’s Dean Francks (left, with daughter Kristen after the pair won the B.C. Senior Girls AA Volleyball Championship in Merritt in December 2022) has been named a B.C. School Sports Citation of Excellence Award Winner for 2022-23. (Contributed)

Okanagan coach collects provincial honour

Dean Francks led Kal Lakers Sr. girls volleyball team to B.C. title and basketball team to provincials

Coldstream’s Dean Francks (left, with daughter Kristen after the pair won the B.C. Senior Girls AA Volleyball Championship in Merritt in December 2022) has been named a B.C. School Sports Citation of Excellence Award Winner for 2022-23. (Contributed)
Greater Vernon B.C. Winter Games vice-president Cindy Masters (left) and director of marketing Lara Konkin go over some last-minute details at the Games’ media centre Thursday, March 23. The Games start tonight with the opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. at Kal Tire Place. Competition in the 15 sports runs Friday to Sunday. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

Let the (Greater Vernon) B.C. Winter Games begin

Athletes, coaches, officials begin arriving today; opening ceremony is at 7 p.m. at Kal Tire Place

Greater Vernon B.C. Winter Games vice-president Cindy Masters (left) and director of marketing Lara Konkin go over some last-minute details at the Games’ media centre Thursday, March 23. The Games start tonight with the opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. at Kal Tire Place. Competition in the 15 sports runs Friday to Sunday. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
Vernon’s Larry Kwong is given his 2011 Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame induction plaque by Vernon student Gavin Donald. A push to have Kwong inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame continues. (Morning Star - file photo)

75 years ago today: B.C. player makes hockey history

Larry Kwong became first person of Asian descent to play in NHL when he suited up for the NY Rangers

Vernon’s Larry Kwong is given his 2011 Okanagan Sports Hall of Fame induction plaque by Vernon student Gavin Donald. A push to have Kwong inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame continues. (Morning Star - file photo)
Vernon ultra athlete Shanda Hill and some of her lake-dipping friends cut a large smile into a huge chunk of ice on Coldstream’s Kalamalka Lake. Of course, the event wasn’t complete without a dip through the eyes. (Screen shot)

VIDEO: Okanagan athlete puts smile on (chunk of) ice

Vernon’s Shanda Hill and friends cut huge happy face into big ice flow on local lake, then go for dip

Vernon ultra athlete Shanda Hill and some of her lake-dipping friends cut a large smile into a huge chunk of ice on Coldstream’s Kalamalka Lake. Of course, the event wasn’t complete without a dip through the eyes. (Screen shot)
British Columbians can make bets on which hospital will deliver the first baby of 2023, up until Dec. 31 at 6 a.m. (Credit: Pixabay/christianabella)

Betting open on which B.C. hospital will deliver the first baby of 2023

B.C. Women’s Hospital holds the best odds, as usual

British Columbians can make bets on which hospital will deliver the first baby of 2023, up until Dec. 31 at 6 a.m. (Credit: Pixabay/christianabella)
An Armstrong man has lost an appeal to have his dog returned after it was seized by the BC SPCA for Ivermectin toxicity and ignoring a treatment plan laid out by a veterinarian. (Stock photo)

B.C. man has dog seized after leaving it in ‘critical distress’

Ivermectin toxicity suspected by vet leads to animal being removed from home

An Armstrong man has lost an appeal to have his dog returned after it was seized by the BC SPCA for Ivermectin toxicity and ignoring a treatment plan laid out by a veterinarian. (Stock photo)
The man who murdered Vernon’s Ashley Wadsworth in the United Kingdom on Feb. 1, 2022 has been handed a life sentence. (Ashley Wadsworth/Facebook photo)

Life sentence for British man who killed Okanagan woman

Jack Sepple admitted killing Vernon’s Ashley Wadsworth in his England home on Feb. 1

The man who murdered Vernon’s Ashley Wadsworth in the United Kingdom on Feb. 1, 2022 has been handed a life sentence. (Ashley Wadsworth/Facebook photo)