CKFR-AM (Kelowna, BC)

Forest industry groups in British Columbia say the forest sector is at a “breaking point,” and are calling on the B.C. government to strike a new provincial crisis action group. “Its mandate should be clear: get economically viable wood moving, reduce costs, remove regulatory barriers, stabilize fibre supply, protect operating businesses, and retain—not retrain—British Columbia’s skilled forestry workforce,” the groups said in a letter dated Sept. 4 but released publicly on Wednesday.

The average asking rent for all property types in B.C. was $2,387 in August, down 4.7 per cent from a year earlier, according to the latest report from Rentals.ca and Urbanation. The average was essentially unchanged from July. The average rents for studios had the steepest declines last month, down eight per cent to $1,834. Rents for one-bedrooms fell six per cent to $2,048. The average asking rent for shared accommodations in B.C. was $909, down 4.5 per cent from a year ago.

B.C Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay has unveiled her updated shadow cabinet after nine MLAs fled the party in recent weeks. On Aug. 14, Peter Milobar was the first to announce he was leaving the caucus over frustrations with Findlay’s leadership and would sit as an Independent. Findlay announced on Aug. 24 that Kelowna-Mission MLA Gavin Dew had replaced Milobar as finance critic as part of a mini shuffle of critic roles.

Kelowna RCMP have surrounded a house on DeHart Avenue near Central School; however, police say the incident is not related to the school. According to reports, the school is closed, and one of the teachers told Vista Radio an armed individual broke into the home and is refusing to leave. Police are telling the individual to exit the home with their hands up as they are under arrest. Police have the house completely surrounded, and a large police presence can be observed in the area.

West Kelowna Fire Rescue (WKFR) say they were notified of a structure fire Tuesday, September 08, around 6pm in the 3500 block of Old Okanagan Highway. WKFR reports they were able to contain the fire to the house of origin and protect surrounding properties. The structure was deemed unsafe to enter with an excavator needed to help expose hidden fires throughout the building. 4 engines, three safety officers, one ladder truck, and one command unit responded for WKFR.

West Kelowna RCMP are investigating after a teenage girl was reportedly chased by an unknown person dressed in a costume resembling the Cat in the Hat. The Cat in the Hat is a story written by Dr. Suess about a mischievous, talking cat. Police say the incident occurred on Aug. 24 around 9 p.m. in the 2000 block of Shamrock Drive. The young girl was able to safely reach her home, and officers are working to identify the individual involved.

The game got off to a quick start as the Warriors scored a pair of goals in the first four minutes, with the first one coming at the 1:56 mark off the stick of Joe Marchi and the second coming two minutes later from Olivier Chan. The Vipers responded with a goal of their own just under two minutes later as Massimo Santa Maria got the puck past Warriors goaltender Ethan Sawyer to cut the deficit to just a goal.

The petition to recall Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream MLA Tara Armstrong is on hold indefinitely; however, the proponents still plan to hold her accountable. Armstrong has faced significant scrutiny since being elected under the Conservative banner in 2024. Armstrong has been criticized for her attacks on First Nations, including the use of the Nazi slogan “blood and soil” to criticize a First Nations treaty during a sitting of the legislature.

Kelowna RCMP are investigating a stabbing that occurred Thursday night near Dilworth Drive and Summit Drive that left the victim with serious  but non life threatening injuries. The RCMP  had the dog team out  in efforts to find the attacker  but  police believe he escaped  on a scooter. The stabbing took place around  1015pm last  night If you have any information or dash cam video pertaining to  the incident you are asked to call RCMP In The News

West Kelowna Councillor Stephen Johnston has officially launched his bid to become the city’s next mayor. Johnston has filed his nomination papers to succeed Mayor Gord Milsom, who is not seeking re-election. Johnston is currently the only candidate listed in the mayoral race, though the final list of candidates will not be available until Sept. 11. The two-term councillor was first elected to West Kelowna council in 2018 and was re-elected in 2022.