Vanderhoof, Omineca Express

After an intense summer wildfire season, rain and cooler weather in late August and early September moderated fire behaviour across British Columbia, according to the BC Wildfire Service. Neal McLoughlin, superintendent of predictive services with BCWS, said fire activity in the B.C. Interior peaked in July and August. However, while precipitation has helped, fire activity continues and underlying drought concerns remain present.

A local Kelowna band is honouring Canadian music legend Gordon Lightfoot with a tribute show on Oct. 4. John Paul Byrne, singer for the group, said the moment will be a special one as he saw Lightfoot’s last show in the city 12 years ago, on Oct. 29, 2014. “I was lucky to meet him that night and in the short chat we had, I suggested to him, that his huge 1970 hit, ‘If You Could Read My Mind’, might well be the best song ever written,” said Byrne.

There were 38 brave souls who rappelled down 23 storeys in Kelowna to support people with disabilities. On Sept. 22, the Easter Seals Drop Zone was held in the Landmark District. People came out dressed in their superhero best to soar above the clouds, rappell down the tower, and raise funds for the organization. Could you rappel down 23 storeys?

The affiliate arrangement between the Kalamazoo Wings and the Canucks organization will continue for this season. A Wings spokesperson confirmed to The News earlier this month that the partnership has been extended for the 2026-27 campaign. The two organizations began this current collaboration back in 2023 and it was originally a one-year deal. The following year saw the affiliation renewed for two seasons.

B.C. Conservative Leader Lorne Doerkson called the NDP’s decision to go to a snap election “cynical,” slamming NDP Leader David Eby for comparing wildfires to the trade dispute with the United States. Eby triggered a snap election earlier Tuesday, saying his party needs to gain a renewed mandate to deal with the economic impact of tariffs. Doerkson sought to put to rest any confusion about his “interim” leader tag.

Prince George RCMP are investigating four robberies at vape and cannabis stores, with police believing the same suspects are responsible for each one. According to an RCMP press release, the robberies happened between Sept. 6 and Sept. 19 at businesses on Massey Drive, Westwood Drive and Strathcona Avenue. The first incident was reported the evening of Sunday, Sept. 6, at a business on Massey Drive. Mounties said staff were robbed with bear spray.

Health Minister Ravi Kahlon is not running for re-election. “After three election cycles, I believe this is the right time for the next champion of North Delta to step forward and carry this work on,” Kahlon said in a social media post. B.C. NDP Leader David Eby called a snap election earlier Tuesday. More to come.

Tsetsaut Skii km Lax Ha Nation and the Gitxsan Huwilp Government are calling for specific measures to address the impacts of Seabridge Gold’s KSM project as the province reconsiders its substantial-start determination.

Elenore Sturko is now the only incumbent MLA still with CentreBC heading into the provincial elections, less than a week after eight sitting MLAs announced they would be joining the centrist party. Sturko told Today In BC Tuesday (Sept. 22) that the seven others, including the party’s incoming leader Peter Milobar, had rejoined B.C. Conservatives under interim Leader Lorne Doerkson. CentreBC’s president Mike Wignall slammed that decision in a statement.

The riding of Cariboo-Prince George has been officially renamed Cariboo-Prince George-Omineca. On Tuesday, Sept. 22, Todd Doherty, the member of parliament for the newly christened Cariboo-Prince George-Omineca, put out a release announcing the change. He explained this change came about following consultation with residents across the riding, especially in the Vanderhoof area.