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Articles by Gary L. Barnes
One day closure for Kids Care Spray Park in West Kelowna
The Kids Care Spray Park at Westbank Centre Park will be closed from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Aug. 15 for repair work. Julia’s Junction, the dog park, and the community garden will stay open and accessible during the repairs. A list of West Kelownal parks, trails, and beaches can be found on the city’s website.
'Trying to extort fees': Kelowna watercraft operators push back
Fed up and feeling ignored, a group of Kelowna watercraft rental operators say city hall is strong-arming them with unfair fees, poor planning, and a refusal to listen. Following a recent meeting with city staff, the group formed the Kelowna Watercraft Rental Association (KWRA) to push back on the constant issues they deal with at the Water Street boat launch. “We want to cooperate with the city because we work here every day,” said Denys Storozhuk, owner of Okanagan Experience.
What began as a Kelowna woman’s tribute to her late cousin has grown into a nationwide wave of awareness, inclusion, and support for Canadians living with autism. Kim Inglis launched Making Waves for Autism in 2024 in honour of her cousin Tyler, who passed away in August 2023. He left behind a wife and a young son on the autism spectrum. To pay tribute and raise awareness, Inglis paddled 365 kilometres solo that first year.
Man charged with explosives, arson in incident that shut down Kelowna bridge
A 61-year Kelowna man has been charged with several offences in connection with an incident that shut down William R. Bennett Bridge in January.
FortisBC's LNG facility in Kelowna approved, addresses winter gas shortfall
The BC Utilities Commission (BCUC) has approved a FortisBC project that will help meet an expected shortfall of natural gas in the Okanagan in winter 2026-27. The Okanagan Capacity Mitigation Project (OCMP) involves the construction of a small-scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage and send-out facility along Spall Road in Kelowna, next to an existing natural gas station on industrial-zoned land owned by FortisBC.
Power of uncertainty threatens Kelowna’s real estate development: UDI
Kelowna’s real estate development industry is facing major uncertainty as FortisBC warns it may not be able to guarantee power for new projects in the coming years. “In recent weeks, several developers have been informed that power cannot be assured for projects until 2027 to 2029,” states an Urban Development Institute (UDI) media release.
RCMP deem suspicious package found in downtown Kelowna harmless
A suspicious package found in downtown Kelowna on Tuesday (Jan. 7) was not an improvised explosive device (IED) according to RCMP. Around 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, police responded to a call about a suspicious backpack located in the 300-block Leon Avenue which was believed to contain an IED. The area was cordoned off and several businesses were evacuated.
Sicamous man charged with drugs, firearms offences after border probe
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has laid charges against Sicamous resident Jesse Pat Lyle for firearms and drug trafficking offences. The case began on April 26, when CBSA officers at Vancouver International Airport Commercial Operations intercepted and seized three prohibited devices in a courier package addressed to a Sicamous man. On June 4, investigators, with assistance from the RCMP, executed search warrants targeting the individual’s vehicle and boat.
Driver stays on scene after woman hit and killed on Highway 97 in Kelowna
Kelowna RCMP said the incident happened around 6 p.m. Dec. 16 A woman was hit and killed on Highway 97 on Monday (Dec. 16) night. Kelowna RCMP said the incident happened around 6 p.m. in the 3600-block of Highway 97 (near Sexsmith Road). She was rushed to hospital but later died of her injuries. Police stated the driver remained on scene and that there is no criminality or impairment suspected in the incident.
UBC Okanagan Heat ends 2024 with losses in basketball, volleyball
The UBC Okanagan (UBCO) Heat men's and women’s basketball teams ended the 2024 portion of their season with losses to the UFV Cascades on Saturday (Nov. 30). The men’s team fell 92-75, with Jalen Shirley leading the Heat scorers with 17 points. DJ Frye added 16 points and five rebounds. The loss drops the men's record to 3-7, placing them sixth in the Canada West Pacific Division. The women’s team lost 63-40. Lily Pink earned Player of the Game honours with 11 points, five rebounds, and one steal.
Vandals topple trees in Kelowna's Mission Ridge Park
An RCMP investigation is underway into who cut down a number of Ponderosa pines in Kelowna’s Mission Ridge Park. The incident was reported to the City of Kelowna and attended by staff who discovered 10 mature pines that were destroyed and two were damaged. “We are taking this offense seriously,” said Todd Cashin, urban forestry manager for the city.
1 injured after fire destroys building in Kelowna
Update 1:26 p.m.: Fire crews have knocked down a building fire at Benvoulin and Casorso roads, however, flames are still visible as firefighters have the blaze under control. Update 12:59 p.m.: A building on fire at Benvoulin and Casorso roads has collapsed. Update 12:55 p.m.: Firefighters have their hands full with a building fire at Benvoulin and Casorso roads. Battling the fire has been made challenging as there are no hydrants in the immediate area.
Bull riders return to Kelowna – Salmon Arm Observer
Bull riders return to Kelowna Professional Bull Riders Canada returns to the Okanagan July 20 After a four-year hiatus, the thrill of eight seconds is returning to Kelowna. Professional Bull Riders Canada (PBRC) brings its elite Cup Series to Prospera Place on July 20 for the PBR Okanagan Challenge. The elite Cup Series actually debuted in Kelowna in 2018.
Education urged for B.C. businesses in battling bogus bills
Bank of Canada analyst Farid Salji speaks to business owners about counterfeit bills at Kelowna RCMP headquarters. (Photo/Kelowna Cap News) Education urged for B.C. businesses in battling bogus bills ‘We have materials designed for everybody, and everything is absolutely free’ Combating counterfeit cash in Canada has come a long way in the last 20 years.
Education urged for B.C. businesses in battling bogus bills
Combating counterfeit cash in Canada has come a long way in the last 20 years. According to Bank of Canada (BoC) statistics, 2004 was the peak season for counterfeiters, with 470 fake bills to every one-million authentic notes in circulation. It cost the economy $13-million. “We were probably one of the highest in the G7 groups,” said Farid Salji, an analyst at BoC.
Sports recap: Silvertips stop surging Kelowna Rockets
Kelowna Rockets’ Mark Liwiski celebrates a power-play goal in 6-2 loss to Everett (Photo/WHL game video) Sports recap: Silvertips stop surging Kelowna Rockets Kelowna Chiefs came away with a 4-3 overtime win The Kelowna Rockets had their eight-game win streak snapped, losing 6-2, to the Silvertips in Everett Sunday night. Both Rockets’ goals came in the second period. Mark Liwiski (14) scored on the power-play at 4:30, with assists from Andrew Cristall and Pavel Novak.
6 vehicles crash on Highway 97 in Kelowna
6 vehicles crash on Highway 97 in Kelowna Burtch Road and Harvey Avenue crash. (Gary Barnes/ Capital News) Burtch Road and Harvey Avenue crash. (Gary Barnes/ Capital News) Burtch Road and Harvey Avenue crash. (Gary Barnes/ Capital News) A six-vehicle collision is blocking Highway 97 at Burtch Road. The incident happened about 4 p.m., Monday.
Drug making the rounds on Kelowna streets contaminated: IH
(File photo/Interior Health) Drug making the rounds on Kelowna streets contaminated: IH Health authority says ‘Down’ contains Fentanyl and other unknown substances. A contaminated drug alert has been issued for Kelowna by Interior Health. The drug is described as purple chunks with a chalky texture. It’s being sold under the name “Down.” IH says it contains Fentanyl, BIH Benzodiazepines, and may contain carfentanil or other unknown substances.
City council looks to understand mental health and substance use on Kelowna streets
Concerns over getting people living on the street with mental health and substance use issues the help they need was a topic of frank discussion at council this week. The medical director for the Interior Health Mental Health Substance Use network, Dr. Paul Carey, and network director Debi Morris spent more than an hour and a half speaking to council about the Mental Health Act (MHA) and answering their questions.
Kelowna Rockets players get NHL Central Scouting nod
(Photo Credit:Kelowna Rockets) Kelowna Rockets players get NHL Central Scouting nod Other Okanagan hockey products are also on the list Two Kelowna Rockets players have made the NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings. Forwards Max Graham of Kelowna and Nolan Flamand of Saskatoon are ranked 168 and 187 respectively. The Midterm Rankings were issued Wednesday (Jan 12) by the NHL Central Scouting Service.
Coldstream hockey products make NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings
Jace Weir (Red Rebels Deer) Coldstream hockey products make NHL Central Scouting Midterm Rankings Jace Weir and Austin Roest have caught the eye of NHL scouts Two Coldstream hockey products have caught the eye of the NHL Central Scouting Service in their Midterm Rankings. Jace Weir (17), a defenceman with the Red Deer Rebels (WHL), is ranked 55 by Central Scouting, while Everett Silvertips (WHL) forward Austin Roest (17) is ranked 186.
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