RDOS manager moving on
For a second straight year, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen is losing its emergency services manager. Paul Edmonds’ last day in the position will be Aug. 24. He joined the regional district early this year, bringing 23 years of experience in national disaster management in the United Kingdom. Edmonds said he has a new opportunity to do […]
Urban winery in Osoyoos?
The first urban winery in Osoyoos will soon be opening its doors right in the heart of town. Bruce Fuller, founder and former proprietor of Rustico Farm and Cellars, announced Tuesday he has entered into a preliminary agreement for a spot on Main Street to develop Osoyoos Urban Winery, which will be an Old West-themed […]
Buffers to limit pot shops
The City of Penticton is proposing to limit the number of marijuana dispensaries in the city to about seven, not through a hard cap, but through a series of buffer zones limiting their placement to certain parts of the community. The city released a proposed framework Tuesday for handling retail cannabis in advance of an […]
Population, income booming
The Central Okanagan is growing faster than B.C. and Canada in a number of ways. The Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission released its 2018 Regional Economic Profile and Five Sector Profile Reports on Tuesday, and it confirmed what was already quite evident: the area is booming. The area’s population and income are growing at a […]
Many tech jobs available
If you’re looking for a job, the Okanagan Valley tech sector has plenty of openings. Accelerate Okanagan, which is the region’s tech hub in downtown Kelowna, reported Tuesday morning there are more than 100 available jobs in the industry. Everything from animator to WordPress developer to startup coach is up for grabs. Visit Accelerate Okanagan’s […]
Business owners disheartened
More than 80 per cent of Kelowna Chamber of Commerce downtown business owners say their safety and security concerns have increased in the last year. Kim Williams, the CEO of the Wild Kingdom adult store on Lawrence Avenue, is one such owner who is getting fed up with the situation. “It’s taken a toll on […]
Raises for mayor, councillors
Future Vernon councillors and mayors will be paid more. The current sitting council supported the recommendations of an independent third party committee to increase the base salaries of councillors and the mayor in yearly increments over the next four years based on population. Starting November 1, the sitting mayor’s base rate will increase at $1.90 […]
Transit business booming
Kelowna’s share of regional transit costs will only increase slightly over the life of the current agreement, thanks in large part to a healthy increase in revenues. Financial analyst Jeremy Hunt told council Kelowna’s share of transit revenues have jumped by 6.7 per cent, due mainly to increased ticket sales and passenger passes. Even with […]
Smoke hard on lungs
Outdoor workers in the Okanagan have a tough go of it when smoke in the air causes the air quality health index to rise. At the present time, the entire valley is facing a “very high risk” due to health impacts from wildfire smoke. For workers and others whose days must be spent outside, it can be […]
Google back in Kelowna
It’s that time again. Google is updating its Google maps and street view services in portions of the Okanagan. The specially equipped vehicles include a pole-mounted, rooftop camera. This particular vehicle was seen driving throughout downtown Kelowna. It also made a loop around the City Hall parking lot. It was just a year ago in July […]
