North Okanagan Regional District

Now with a new name, the Big Cheese festival in Armstrong is back for its 10th year, with events on tap April 14 and 15, 2023. (Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce photo)

New name, same cheesy goodness at North Okanagan festival

The Big Cheese, formerly known as Cheese… It’s A Natural, will mark its 10th year April 14 and 15

 

This house on George Street in Enderby is free if you want it – you just have to remove it from the property. (Jodi-Rae Hutter photo)

Okanagan house listed free – with a catch

You can have the 105-year-old house on George Street in Enderby; you just have to move it

 

Enderby’s David Strain matched five of six numbers in a February Lotto 649 draw to win more than $88,000. (BCLC photo)

Lotto win a relief for Enderby resident

David Strain won more than $88,000 in Feburary Lotto 649 draw

 

Kelli Rose holds a photo of her daughter Tiffany, and her dog Lily. Tiffany died in 2005, leading Rose to The Compassionate Friends in Vernon. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Compassion continues for grieving Vernon parents

Compassionate Friends group going strong despite recent risk of folding

Kelli Rose holds a photo of her daughter Tiffany, and her dog Lily. Tiffany died in 2005, leading Rose to The Compassionate Friends in Vernon. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
The second Bloom Tulip Festival in Spallumcheen, on Knob Hill Road, will run May 4-28. Advance tickets for the popular event go on sale online Friday, March 17. (Morning Star - file photo)

North Okanagan tulip festival ready to bloom

Advance tickets on sale for Bloom Tulip Festival in Spallumcheen

The second Bloom Tulip Festival in Spallumcheen, on Knob Hill Road, will run May 4-28. Advance tickets for the popular event go on sale online Friday, March 17. (Morning Star - file photo)
Coldstream firefighters battle a house fire Friday, March 10, 2023. The district’s fire investigator is getting close to pinpointing a cause of the blaze that displaced three people. (Morning Star- file photo)

Coldstream house fire cause still unknown

Duplex fire that displaced three people Friday, March 10, started in first-floor bedroom

Coldstream firefighters battle a house fire Friday, March 10, 2023. The district’s fire investigator is getting close to pinpointing a cause of the blaze that displaced three people. (Morning Star- file photo)
The Olympic Peninsula Equine Network' new Western Treasures and Used Tack store offers western clothing, jewelry, decor and horse equipment for sale by donation that will serve as an ongoing fundraiser for the nonprofit. Sequim Gazette photo by Erin Hawkins

Horsey Ladies Okanagan round up new fundraiser

Tack sale April 1 raises funds for an equine coach to benefit student

The Olympic Peninsula Equine Network' new Western Treasures and Used Tack store offers western clothing, jewelry, decor and horse equipment for sale by donation that will serve as an ongoing fundraiser for the nonprofit. Sequim Gazette photo by Erin Hawkins
The Armstrong Shamrocks (white) and Vernon Tigers have received permission from the Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League to merge their organizations into one for the 2023 season. (Morning Star- file photo)

Vernon Tigers, Armstrong Shamrocks merge junior lacrosse clubs

Move also affects Salmon Arm; team to play home games in all three cities

The Armstrong Shamrocks (white) and Vernon Tigers have received permission from the Thompson Okanagan Junior Lacrosse League to merge their organizations into one for the 2023 season. (Morning Star- file photo)
Vernon North Okanagan RCMP officers’ roadside screening devices got a workout over the weekend, as the local constabulary took four suspected impaired drivers off the road. (Morning Star - file photo)

Four impaired drivers taken off North Okanagan roads

Drivers from Vernon, Armstrong and Kelowna have licenses suspended, vehicles towed

Vernon North Okanagan RCMP officers’ roadside screening devices got a workout over the weekend, as the local constabulary took four suspected impaired drivers off the road. (Morning Star - file photo)
BGC Okanagan is closing its preschool program at Lavington Elementary School, confirmed in a letter to parents dated Feb. 7. (Brendan Shykora/Morning Star)

North Okanagan preschool program shutting down

Preschool at Lavington Elementary School extends last day of operation

BGC Okanagan is closing its preschool program at Lavington Elementary School, confirmed in a letter to parents dated Feb. 7. (Brendan Shykora/Morning Star)
Coldstream firefighters battle a house fire Friday, March 10, 2023. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

Two hospitalized for smoke inhalation following Coldstream house fire

The two were reunited with their cat Saturday; house a total loss

Coldstream firefighters battle a house fire Friday, March 10, 2023. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
Coldstream firefighters battle a house fire Friday, March 10. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

Fire breaks out in North Okanagan home

Flames and thick smoke coming from structure

Coldstream firefighters battle a house fire Friday, March 10. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
Kelowna Law Courts. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)

North Okanagan murder suspect abandon’s bail application, will remain in custody

Jevon Daniel Smith was arrested in 2021 in connection to the shooting death of Dakota Samoleski

Kelowna Law Courts. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)
Okanagan Para Swimming members Senna Entner of Vernon (left) and Brea Duncan of Armstrong won silver and gold, respecively, in the S7 100 metre backstroke at the B.C. Winter Provincial Swimming Championships in Victoria. (Facebook photo)

North Okanagan Para swimmers rock B.C. Winter provincials

Brea Duncan, Senna Entner and Jacob Brayshaw return with medals, records, personal best times

Okanagan Para Swimming members Senna Entner of Vernon (left) and Brea Duncan of Armstrong won silver and gold, respecively, in the S7 100 metre backstroke at the B.C. Winter Provincial Swimming Championships in Victoria. (Facebook photo)
Erica Clark and her husband and brother have launched a new business venture, Six Mile Convenience Store, on Westside Road. The store had its first day of business Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

New convenience store near Vernon fills void left by 2021 wildfire

Six Mile Convenience Store had its opening day Saturday, March 4

Erica Clark and her husband and brother have launched a new business venture, Six Mile Convenience Store, on Westside Road. The store had its first day of business Saturday, March 4, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Lumby’s Michael Leach (left) and guide Chase Ferguson of Vernon (second from left) won gold in Para-Alpine Skiing’s men’s slalom race Thursday at the Canada Winter Games. West Kelowna’s Samuel Peters (right) was fourth and Ronan Wiens of Salmon Arm (second from right) was sixth. The event was held at Crabbe Mountaiin Ski Resort in New Brunswick. (Facebook photo)

North Okanagan athletes collect Games gold

Skier Matthew Leach, guide Chase Ferguson win gold in Para-Alpine Skiing at Canada Winter Games

Lumby’s Michael Leach (left) and guide Chase Ferguson of Vernon (second from left) won gold in Para-Alpine Skiing’s men’s slalom race Thursday at the Canada Winter Games. West Kelowna’s Samuel Peters (right) was fourth and Ronan Wiens of Salmon Arm (second from right) was sixth. The event was held at Crabbe Mountaiin Ski Resort in New Brunswick. (Facebook photo)
A preschool program at Lavington Elementary School is closing down, BGC Okanagan said in a letter to parents dated Feb. 7, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

North Okanagan preschool program shutting down

The preschool at Lavington Elementary School will have its last day of operation March 17

A preschool program at Lavington Elementary School is closing down, BGC Okanagan said in a letter to parents dated Feb. 7, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Vernon-based Tolko Industries Ltd. has announced a resumption of operations at lumber divisions in Armstrong and Soda Creek, in the Cariboo, following a two-month curtailment. (File photo)

Operations resume at Tolko lumber mills in Cariboo, North Okanagan

Lumber divisions at Soda Creek and Armstrong return to work March 6 after a two-month curtailment

Vernon-based Tolko Industries Ltd. has announced a resumption of operations at lumber divisions in Armstrong and Soda Creek, in the Cariboo, following a two-month curtailment. (File photo)
Lumby’s Matthew Leach (left) and guide Chase Ferguson of Vernon (second from left) won gold in Para-Alpine Skiing’s men’s slalom race Thursday at the Canada Winter Games. West Kelowna’s Samuel Peters (right) was fourth and Ronan Wiens of Salmon Arm (second from right) was sixth. The event was held at Crabbe Mountain Ski Resort in New Brunswick. (Facebook photo)

Lumby’s Leach, Vernon’s Ferguson collect Games gold

Skier Matthew Leach, guide Chase Ferguson win gold in Para-Alpine Skiing at Canada Winter Games

Lumby’s Matthew Leach (left) and guide Chase Ferguson of Vernon (second from left) won gold in Para-Alpine Skiing’s men’s slalom race Thursday at the Canada Winter Games. West Kelowna’s Samuel Peters (right) was fourth and Ronan Wiens of Salmon Arm (second from right) was sixth. The event was held at Crabbe Mountain Ski Resort in New Brunswick. (Facebook photo)
Armstrong’s Interior Provincial Exhibition salutes its annual rodeo during the event as the 2023 theme puts the sport in the theme spotlight: Giddy Up ‘N Go. (Morning Star - file photo)

Armstrong IPE giddy over 2023 theme

The annual exhibition salutes rodeo with its chosen theme of Giddy Up ‘N Go

Armstrong’s Interior Provincial Exhibition salutes its annual rodeo during the event as the 2023 theme puts the sport in the theme spotlight: Giddy Up ‘N Go. (Morning Star - file photo)