Sign In Subscribe Now A park 15 years in the making opened to the public in Kelowna on Saturday DeHart Park officially opened to the public with hundreds of people in attendance "This is your park," said Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas to the crowd calling it a great day for the Lower Mission and entire city He added it's the perfect timing for the park to open ahead of the summer "The version for this park began in 2010 and was advanced by this council in 2022," added Dyas. "It is designed with community in mind and built to reflect what residents told us they wanted to see in a neighbourhood park." Dyas and City of Kelowna general manager of infrastructure Mac Logan both echoed the project wouldn't have been possible without funding through Development Cost Charges (DCC) which is a charge to help offset the city's cost.  "We had the opportunity and the budget to put lots of features in the park," said Logan "Really a great example of how the community can get what they want a park." The city broke ground on the project on June 26 Logan revealed the city bought the land close to 25 years ago with initial plans in 2010 and was "kicked into gear" in 2022 when the design was created He added the project's detailed design and construction cost just over $10 million.  The park is a space for people of all ages and abilities and features pickleball and tennis courts a picnic area, parking for food trucks with power "We had more community input on this park than any other park I can recall." A couple of features of the park remain under construction and the future pump track for BMX and mountain biking Logan also said the city has had to kick eager kids off the pump track over the last couple of weeks as they've tried to use it even though it's not complete yet a community garden is on the site and was there before the park was built Many trees on the property were preserved as well including one that is believed to be 200 years old The city also planted 250 new trees and 11,000 new plants I knew that today would be a great day," added Logan. "It just proves that people want this kind of space in the city.. I can't think of one that I've done that had this many people at it." City of Kelowna divisional director Derek Edstrom called the park a "hub of activity." the city had a new ribbon for the ribbon cutting which can tear into two pieces Westbank artist and knowledge keeper and member of the syilx Okanagan Nation Krystal performed a song the city is set to spend $150 million on infrastructure projects $28 million of that is going towards 23 park projects in the city Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines Hundreds of people came out to the unveiling of Kelowna's newest park Saturday morning Fifteen years after the plan for DeHart Park first began to take form and three years after city council advanced the project Mayor Tom Dyas and a number of council members held the official opening ceremony for the nine-acre park at the corner of Gordon Drive and DeHart Road “Today is more than a decade in the making,” Dyas said during Saturday's ceremony “I remember in 1996 when I moved into this neighbourhood over on Schafer Road walking by this location for many years and the old homes that were on it not really knowing or understanding what would be here in the future “I think almost all of us would be very grateful that this is the vision that we moved forward with.” The bike track won't be open to the public until the end of the month while new washrooms won't be built until the fall City of Kelowna general manager of infrastructure said the city received “valuable input” from residents in the area along with other groups like the Central Okanagan Community Garden Society Anne McClymont Elementary and the local Rotary and Lions clubs “I would say we had more community input on this park than any other park I can recall,” Logan said “It was a very positive experience .. we had the opportunity in the budget to put lots and lots of features in the park It's really a great example of how the community can get what they want in the park.” Some of the trees on the property were preserved including one large tree that's estimated to be 200 years old In addition 250 new trees were planted on the property “This park is just at the start of its journey and will become more and more beautiful in the years ahead,” said Logan “[City manager] Doug [Gilchrist] and [Divisional director] Derek [Edstrom] and the team in Parks Planning really have a vision for the parks in this city and they're acquiring property and building parks all throughout the city from Ben Lee Park to Knox Mountain to this end Kelowna is going to have an amazing legacy of parks thanks to some very visionary folks at the city.” Dyas said the new DeHart Park is part of a larger vision by the city to invest in new public spaces and parks “This aligns closely with the Imagine Kelowna vision and our Official Community Plan both which call for walkable neighbourhoods increased access to parks and spaces that support physical and mental wellbeing,” Dyas said the City of Kelowna is spending $150 million on infrastructure projects $28 million of which is dedicated to various parks in the city Logan said the DeHart Park project cost a little more than $10 million but noted that the park's development wouldn't have been possible without funding through Development Cost Charges DCC fees are charged to developers to help offset city infrastructure expenditures “The developments that are occurring around here are contributing to the money that built this park,” Logan said “I think the development industry needs to get a little bit of credit for their financial contribution and residents need to know that new development is paying for some of these features.” Access KelownaNow using your Facebook account Privacy Policy With the rain holding off and dark clouds in the sky hundreds gathered on Saturday for the official opening of DeHart Park the nine-acre community park is filled with a variety of amenities “DeHart Park is a true community park It is designed with the community in mind and built to reflect what residents told us they wanted to see in a neighbourhood park,” said Mayor Tom Dyas “It's a space that offers something for all ages and abilities walking loops and picnic areas and a community garden families can create long-lasting memories and even dogs can make new friends in the dog area.” The park was first envisioned in 2010 and then became a reality a few years ago thanks in part to the Parks Development Cost Charge program a program that is funded by developers in the area “Thanks to the funding through the Parks Development Cost Charge program and the continued involvement of the public this project was able to move from vision to reality…This is your park and I know it will serve this neighbourhood and our city for many years to come,” added Dyas there are still a few finishing touches to be made Construction on the park's washrooms is scheduled to begin this summer and the BMX pump track needs fencing and it just proves that people want this kind of space in the city...I can't think of one (park opening) that I've done that had this many people,” said Mac Logan on the attendance of Saturday’s opening “And the kids…they've been using the BMX track for probably two weeks We keep chasing them off the track,” added Logan with a laugh there are over 250 new deciduous and coniferous trees and 11,000 plants shrubs and perennials that were planted at the park with Logan explaining that the park is at the start of its journey and will become more beautiful over time “I remember in 1996 when I moved into this neighbourhood not really knowing or understanding exactly what would be here in the future,” added Dyas “But I think if we turn back the hands of time and look forward and could imagine that this would be it I think almost all of us would be very grateful that this is the vision that we moved forward with.” If you get value from KelownaNow and believe local independent media is important to our community we ask that you please consider subscribing to our daily newsletter If you appreciate what we do, we ask that you consider supporting our local independent news platform ▲ Back to Top ▲ More than five years after their Air Canada flight was delayed by 24 hours an Okanagan couple has finally received the compensation they deserved Fintry residents Andrew and Anna Dyczkowski flew from Kelowna to San Jose But their flight from Vancouver to Toronto was delayed causing the couple to miss their connecting flight to Costa Rica They ended up arriving at their final destination 24 hours later than planned The Air Passenger Protection Regulations that were introduced in 2019 required airlines to pay $1,000 if a passenger is delayed more than nine hours if the delay was within the airline's control and not required for safety purposes the Dyczkowskis filed the required paperwork and sent it off they received a judgment in their favour from the Canadian Transportation Agency in the amount of $1,000 each Air Canada had argued the flight delay had been primarily caused by weather which was unforeseeable and therefore beyond the control of the airline Air Canada filed an application with the Federal Court in Montreal seeking a judicial review of the decision claiming the complaint resolution officer had “cherry-picked the evidence in favour of the passenger.” The Dyczkowskis were named as defendants in the application leaving the couple unsure of how to proceed But after Castanet published a story in January 2024 about the couple's predicament lawyer Peter Choe reached out to the Dyczkowskis Air Canada unexpectedly dropped its case completely and paid the couple $1,000 each Andrew told Castanet he was actually looking forward to arguing the matter in court because “we knew we were going to win it.” because we didn't know what is this judicial review and federal court and all that stuff Then later on we learned it's just how the process works,” he said He now knows that if an airline wants to dispute the Canadian Transportation Agency's decision the airline must name the passengers as defendants in their court application “I think we should be left out of the whole dispute two little guys versus a giant corporation They have all the resources they want and a bunch of lawyers on staff all the time,” Andrew said Air Canada never answered Castanet's question about why the airline chose to drop the matter just days before it went in front of a judge an unnamed Air Canada representative agreed with Andrew in some respect customers are inadvertently drawn into the process which we recognize can create unease for them and which we want to avoid,” the airline said “Although the CTA’s processes and interpretations still lack transparency and clarity our record is improving as we gain some modicum of clarity on the process and our requirement to appeal to the courts is expected to become less frequent.” Air Canada added that 74 per cent of CTA complaints against Air Canada were dismissed between January and March of this year Andrew said he's happy they stuck with the fight as long as they did “The most important thing is to stand up for your rights,” he said The wait is nearly over for local Canadian Tire fans as the company’s new Kelowna store is expected to open this fall officials told KelownaNow that the new store is scheduled to open in early October Located at the former site of Costco at the corner of Hwy 33 and Hwy 97 the new building will be around 209,000 square feet in size That includes 107,000 square feet of retail ground space a 14,000 square foot service centre and a 25,000 square foot garden centre The current building on Leckie Road is a little more than 83,000 square feet in size More details about the store’s features are expected to be released closer to the opening date A Kelowna woman was released from custody last week after she was sentenced to time served for shooting her brother in the head with a shotgun Tara Lawrick, 47, was charged with attempted murder back in 2023 following an altercation at her Chapman Place apartment with her older brother who'd recently had a leg amputated following a motorcycle crash Crown prosecutor Juan O'Quinn told Justice Carla Forth there were some weaknesses in the Crown's case including the fact that the victim in the case pleading guilty to the lesser offence of aggravated assault The Crown and defence proposed a joint sentencing submission of time served Tara's brother Richard had been staying with her off and on for several weeks back in 2023 while he recovered from the amputation of his leg but Richard was also using heroin and fentanyl at the time Defence counsel Glenn Verdurmen said Richard had been physical with Tara in the past and she was afraid of him and his temper But he said despite their “rather dysfunctional relationship,” Richard needed Tara's help in his recovery Things came to a head between them in the early morning hours of March 27 and he arrived at Tara's apartment at about 2:30 a.m who was struggling with drugs and alcohol at the time and had been drinking that night and the pair got into an argument Richard wanted Tara to retrieve a bag in the basement that contained heroin Richard grabbed Tara by the leg and fell out of his wheelchair He then headbutted her while they wrestled on the floor but he grabbed it from her and unloaded the ammunition from it from “a ways back,” O'Quinn said A neighbour was woken by the noise and came to Tara's door to find Richard hauling himself out of the apartment saying “she hit me in the head with the shotgun.” Another neighbour said they were woken by Richard yelling “Tara you shot me while Richard was treated at Kelowna General Hospital for his injuries Tara apologized to the court and asked for a “second chance.” “I will forever miss him,” she said about her late brother Tara has spent about half of that time on bail in the community But Verdurmen noted she's “had some slips,” and she pleaded guilty last summer to two charges of breaching her release order just two months after the shooting She was in custody during her hearing last week Having served 342 days behind bars since the shooting, she was given enhanced presentence custody credit which worked out to about 17 months of time served Justice Forth said Tara was “truly remorseful.” “[This was] an isolated event that was out of character for Ms Lawrick and occurred suddenly during an altercation with her brother” Justice Forth said Lawrick will ever be involved in such an incident in the future.” Is there a better feeling than a Kelowna summer As the days stretch longer and the sun warms our valley the season we wait for all year is nearing We live in the most spectacular part of our country—and the rest of Canada Visitors arrive from all over because there is simply no better place to spend a summer which emptied downtown streets and forced many small businesses to close their doors testing the strength of our community and deterring visitors just as we were rebuilding and a record number of passengers arriving through Kelowna International Airport many operators were still carrying the burden of pandemic debt and tourists remained hesitant to re-commit in the wake of fire seasons and a high cost of living Added to that was the uncertainty around short-term rental rules which shrank available accommodations and left many would-be visitors unsure of where to stay But we believe things will look different this year In a time of global economic uncertainty and growing threats of a trade war there’s never been a more important moment to support local—and to support Canada This is the summer to explore our own backyard and enjoy what people from across the country and around the world travel here to experience or share your favourite patio with your friends and family Let’s do everything we can to support our local economy and bring people to our city whether they’re in Osoyoos or Ottawa And when our neighbours from Washington or California roll into town let’s welcome them with the warmth and hospitality that defines us Council aligned Kelowna’s short-term rental regulations with the provincial framework has immediately opened another 400 licensed units—bringing the total to over 800 These new regulations allow us to welcome more guests in a controlled and thoughtful way addressing neighbourhood concerns while ensuring tourists and residents alike can enjoy a peaceful and exciting summer We’re grateful to see these rentals return and we’ll continue working with all levels of government to advocate for a truly “made-in-Kelowna” approach A busy season benefits all of us—tasting rooms pour more samples With more than 40 wineries in Kelowna alone the Central Okanagan is at the heart of one of the most exciting wine regions in the world Alongside its flourishing craft brewery industry many of these wineries can be explored by bike or through one of the many curated local tour companies we’ll welcome Canada’s brightest stars for the Canadian Country Music Awards in September—a national celebration of talent but our community spirit and resilience have been unwavering do not forget to call your friends—wherever they may be—and invite them to experience Kelowna for themselves and support each other—and let’s make 2025 Kelowna’s best summer yet pleaded guilty in Vernon provincial court for illegally poaching a pregnant cow moose Conservation Officer Service (COS) reported on social media that the man was fined $4,500 and was issued a two-year hunting ban The incident happened in March 2023 when the COS received calls about a moose potentially killed in the area outside the open season The COS said they located a gut pile and the fetal calf of a moose They also found snowmobile tracks leading to a nearby residence The officers obtained and carried out a search warrant leading to the seizure of the moose carcass the man is prohibited from being with hunters anywhere in British Columbia and he is required to retake the Conservation Outdoor Recreation Education (CORE) His firearm and the moose carcass have also been forfeited “We’d like to thank the public for reporting this incident to the RAPP line,” said Conservation Officer Ken Owens Jendhel May Sico is described as a person who lived her life to the fullest she was celebrating the Lapu-Lapu Day festival with those she loved most -- her cousin Advocates in Vancouver are demanding answers and justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls on the national day of action and awareness Police say a man was arrested after allegedly threatening staff with a machete in a New Westminster restaurant last month The accused person in the deadly car attack at the Lapu-Lapu Day block party in Vancouver on April 26th appeared at the provincial Court of British Columbia 30-year-old Kai Ji Adam Lo appeared via video in court The Chilliwack RCMP says it has found a young girl who was reported missing Thursday afternoon Four people remain in critical condition in hospital and another two remain in serious condition five days after the deadly attack at the Lapu-Lapu Day festival in Vancouver on April 26 Jack Rabb has more on the efforts to support the victims 11 high school lacrosse players in New York have been charged over an alleged hazing incident involving five younger teammates Laura Aguierre looks at the disturbing allegations and the role the suspects' ages might play in what happens next Legislature Thursday preceded a scheduled court appearance Friday for the man suspected of the deadly vehicle-ramming attack in Vancouver that left 11 people dead and dozens more injured Listen to NewsRadio Vancouver live anytime and get up-to-the-minute breaking-news alerts weather and video from CityNews Vancouver anywhere you are – across all Android and iOS devices Two of Canada’s most iconic country music stars will be stopping in Kelowna and Kamloops as they reunite for an encore run of their successful co-headlining acoustic tour the duo will once again share the stage for an intimate stripped-down concert experience that spans generations of country hits “Being on tour with Terri Clark has been a highlight of my career; it’s hard to recall the last time I had so much fun,” Brandt said in a media release “When you find a chemistry that is so natural and powerful The fans have spoken—the demand is there—so here we come I can’t wait to bring Homecoming Tour 2.0 to stages across Canada.” The Regional District of Central Okanagan has closed the underpass along Mission Creek Greenway at Casorso Road due to rising water levels Flood concerns and rising water levels have prompted the RDCO to warn pedestians to respect barricades and signs posted at this location The underpass will remain closed until the water recedes "Pedestrians and cyclists are asked to use caution and only cross Casorso Road at the temporary crosswalk when it is safe Motorists are also asked to watch for Greenway users who may be using the crosswalk in this area while the underpass is closed," says a news release from the RDCO Parks staff continue to monitor creek levels along the Mission Creek Greenway and Scenic Canyon Regional Park recreational corridor during spring runoff In spring time water levels in area creeks may rise unexpectedly especially children and pets should remain safely back from creek banks which may be slippery or become unstable due to erosion," says the RDCO Anyone using Okanagan Lake is advised to watch for floating or submerged debris that may be carried into the lake by spring runoff Kelowna Beer Fest will be taking over City Park next weekend The annual celebration of brews will return to downtown Kelowna on Saturday with 35 breweries and cideries participating this year nine different DJs and aerialists showing off their skills The event is hosted by Thick as Thieves Entertainment the minds who are also behind local favourites Denim on the Diamond and AltiTunes there will be two separate time slots to choose from while the afternoon crowd can show up from 4 to 8 p.m Thick as Thieves co-founder Mitch Carefoot says they've heard feedback from previous years about lineups so they've reduced the capacity of both sessions to reduce the crowd sizes While year one had 4,000 people at the event and year two saw 3,500 people per session Carefoot says they expect between 2,000 and 2,500 people per session this year The event also serves as a fundraiser for the non-profit Central Okanagan Brewers Association which supports the local craft brewing industry Tickets to Kelowna Beer Fest can be found here There was a moment of silence to start the 14th Annual Asian Heritage Month Opening Forum in Kelowna Those in attendance at Metro Hub on Saturday paused to honour the victims of the Vancouver Lapu Lapu Day tragedy “This year’s theme calls on us not just to speak but to act; not only to hear but to truly listen; not only to stand for each other but with each other,” said OCCA Communities Association executive director Fei Lui “In times of hardship—like the recent Vancouver Filipino Festival tragedy—your presence and your support remind us that we are not alone food and a panel discussion called “Stepping into Active Allyship: Uplifting Asian Voices in the Okanagan” A total of 20 communities and organizations participated in the opening forum including the Okanagan Filipino Canadians Society Dignitaries on hand included MLA Gavin Dew city councillors Mohini Singh and Gord Lovegrove and representatives from MP Stephen Fuhr’s office Here’s what else is taking place during Asian Heritage Month in the Kelowna area: which began as the Okanagan Chinese Canadian Association but is now a multicultural umbrella organization we are building a more inclusive Okanagan,” Liu concluded It was one of the largest turnouts ever for Red Dress Day in Kelowna A crowd of close to 500 walked from the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society on Leon Avenue to the Kelowna courthouse in memory of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls and Two-Spirit People “We are here today to comfort each other We will never forget our missing and murdered women girls and Two-Spirited,” said Leanna Curtis Primary Care Network Indigenous health coordinator with the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society “The Two-Spirit get beat just for being themselves,” she said as she held back tears whose Cree name is Walking Medicine Buffalo Woman started things off with a prayer and then addressed the crowd gathered on the steps of the courthouse “Always hold hope for those that are at risk Never give up hope on all your brothers and sisters We are here and we will always be here,” said Goodeye This is the 15th anniversary of Red Dress Day which was inspired by an art installation by Métis Artist Jamie Black who hung empty red dresses in public places She had been told by an elder that red is the colour that symbolizes the spirits of the lost being called back to reconnect with their loved ones More than five years since a national inquiry into murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls handed down more than 200 recommendations only two of those recommendations have been fully implemented The Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society will join thousands of people across the country to march in memory of murdered and missing Indigenous women The Red Dress Day walk begins at the Friendship Society building at 442 Leon Ave Participants will then proceed to the Kelowna courthouse for speeches and remembrance before returning to share a meal and hear from more speakers Red Dress Day honours and brings awareness to the thousands of Indigenous women girls and two-spirit people who have been subject to disproportionate violence in Canada It has been held in communities across the country since 2014 The annual commemoration and awareness campaign was originally inspired by Métis artist Jaime Black’s REDress Projectinstallation red dresses to represent the missing and murdered women Participants in Monday’s walk in Kelowna are asked to wear red West Kelowna fire crews responded to a fire that broke out early Monday morning along Highway 97 near the intersection of Grizzly Road The photo shows the fire climbing the tree and multiple bushes catching fire around it Brolund says investigators have not determined what started the fire but that it was likely human-caused "We appreciate the quick notification from the public which allowed us to knock this down while still small," Brolund says 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- According to BC Check-Up: Invest an annual report by the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC) on investment trends across the province there were 5,018 housing starts in the Thompson-Okanagan in 2024 “We saw a significant rebound in housing construction over the past year,” said Karen Christiansen “Condos and apartments accounted for a much larger share of new housing compared to last year The increase in new housing construction came entirely from gains in higher-density housing such as condos and apartments Construction began on 4,254 attached units in 2024 Attached starts made up 84.8 per cent of starts housing starts increased by 27.6 per cent year-over-year to 3,790 and nearly 90 per cent were attached units the city is on track to meet its obligations under the Housing Accelerator Fund a federal grant that will contribute up to $31.5 billion to help increase the city’s housing supply “It’s encouraging that the region made progress on increasing the housing supply despite a slowing economy,” noted Christiansen “Major project activity also held steady in 2024.” The value of major projects in the Thompson-Okanagan was $17.8 billion in Q3 2024 Projects currently under construction made up 60.0 per cent of the total the highest proportion among B.C.’s economic regions eight projects valued at $1.37 billion were completed “Attracting investment to the region and increasing our productive capacity will be critical for the region in the years ahead,” concluded Christiansen “It will be even more crucial considering the uncertainty surrounding Canada’s trading relationship with the U.S We may not be the most affected region in the country but trade action will still have an impact According to a February 2025 report from the Canadian Chamber of Commerce Kelowna and Kamloops were among the Canadian cities least exposed to U.S out of Canada’s 41 largest cities in terms of vulnerability to U.S For more information:Jack Blackwell, Economist604.259.1143news@bccpa.ca About CPA British ColumbiaThe Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC) is the training and regulatory body for over 40,000 CPA members and 6,000 CPA students CPABC carries out its primary mission to protect the public by enforcing the highest professional and ethical standards and contributing to the advancement of public policy CPAs are recognized internationally for bringing superior financial expertise Anyone and everyone involved in tourism in the Central Okanagan is invited to Coast Capri Hotel later this month The Tourism Kelowna AGM & Tourism Industry Forum will be held on Wednesday networking opportunities and plenty of information about Tourism Kelowna’s future The event will kick off with a preview of Tourism Kelowna brand updates and upcoming initiatives followed by a session about Tourism Kelowna leadership there will be a session about market trends and digital insights The day of learning will be capped off with an industry social mixer between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m Registration information for the event can be found here Kelowna's Knox Mountain is home to one of B.C.'s longest running motorized races And Vernon historian and videographer Francois Arseneault has race footage of the popular event from 53 years ago Arseneault said “this was an ambitious film to restore.” Arseneault takes old colour and black film footage and gives it new life in a 4K digital format The Leavitt Machinery Knox Mountain Hill Climb has been an annual event in Kelowna for decades “Originally named the Okanagan Hill Climb it was first held in 1956 in Penticton on Crescent Hill Road it moved to a 1.1 mile course on the Old Okanagan Highway in Westbank from 1957-59 In 1962 the event was held on Camp Road in Winfield and finally made its way to Knox Mountain in 1966 where it has been ever since,” Arseneault said adding the 2.2 mile (3.5 km) paved road to the summit is narrow with off-camber corners and climbs approximately 800 feet (245 meters) in elevation for an average grade of 6.7% “This hour-long film is a delight to watch it’s also a slice of culture and fashion the hosts fudged a wee bit on the descriptions of the event with rain on the first day and sunny conditions on the second day they took liberties describing the unusual weather as each car’s coverage from the two days were edited into one pass.” Arseneault pointed out the audio clearly does not match on several corners as the editor appears to have taken even more liberties with sound who is also well versed on the world or race cars There are interviews including overall fastest time Jerry Olsen aboard the McLaren M8 with a 1:59:815 and Gordie Monroe 2nd with a 1:59.915 in his Brabham BT 21 Both these drivers also raced at Westwood in these cars This year’s Knox Mountain Hill Climb is being held May 17 and 18 Arseneault is always looking for more information on the vintage footage he digs up, and he encourages people to add their input in the comments section on his Youtube page. Arseneault has an extensive collection of vintage footage Anyone who may have old 16 mm or 8 mm film footage of the Vernon and Okanagan area is invited to email Arseneault at [email protected] Registration is now open for Kelowna’s first cooking academy for children and teens Little Kitchen Academy is set to open in June at Orchard Plaza It is a Montessori-inspired academy where children and teens can develop independence “Kelowna has been eagerly anticipating the arrival of Little Kitchen Academy and we’re thrilled to open registration,” LKA Kelowna owner Paul Larsen said in a press release “Our academy provides a nurturing environment where students learn essential life skills build confidence and discover the joy of cooking “We are excited to see the positive impact this will have on families and schools in our community.” Little Kitchen Academy was founded in Vancouver by Brian and Felicity Curin Instructors show the students how to safely use tools and prepare recipes but step back to closely observe the independent work This approach enables students to learn at their own pace while they acquire practical life skills that foster independence which is when the Kelowna location will officially open Registration information about Little Kitchen Academy Kelowna can be found on its website here Life has come full circle in a way for SignCraft co-owner Troy Scott purchased one of the Okanagan’s oldest sign companies last month in an all-Kelowna business deal The purchase was especially notable for Scott because his father worked for Commercial Signs during its early days Commercial Signs owner Morgan Hewitt said he knew it was time to sell the business “I have suffered some health setbacks recently and it was important that my clients get taken care of,” Morgan said in a press release “I know without a doubt SignCraft will be able to do that.” Scott and Ross said they look forward to providing Commercial Sign clients with “top-notch service” in interior signage “Our main priority was seeing this happen quickly so Morgan can work on himself and just get better,” Scott said “The stress of not having to deal with timelines should hopefully speed up his recovery.” A group of students at Studio 9 Independent School of the Arts in Kelowna are doing their best to make our community a better place "I think it's really important for kids to know that when they give back," said Cadence Trites "It's a way to increase their self-esteem." Trites says she was thrilled when members of the MAD Club came to her with the idea of hand making gift bags and filling them with toiletries and other personal essentials for Kelowna's unhoused population "We all need to give back to people that are less fortunate or need help from time to time because we get that (help) as well." which is made up of students from grades eight to 12 volunteer their lunch break time to identify ways to make a positive difference in the community and create projects to give back to others "It's just really a way that we can make a difference in the school and in the community just by little meetings and assemblies in the school or making these hygiene bags," says Sophie Byrne with the Studio 9 MAD Club The students used recycled fabrics to make the reusable bags Then they collected over 600 hygiene products The bags will be handed out to homeless residents of Kelowna on Sunday along with a weekly food distribution for those most in need The man suspected of barrelling his car through a crowd gathered for Vancouver’s Lapu Lapu festival and killing 11 people has prompted a widespread outpouring of grief and reinvigorated a call for change in B.C.’s health care system It was confirmed Wednesday the suspect was under the care of a mental health team but on extended leave at the time of the incident, prompting a provincial review and modernization of the system. “It’s a commitment to ensure an act that was introduced and passed in the '90s is meeting the moment for today’s patients for people that need this kind of care,” Premier David Eby said during an announcement about the initiative That review is something Kelowna’s mayor is welcoming “It's disheartening that it took this tragedy to highlight the gaps that we are already aware of in the mental health system,” Kelowna mayor Tom Dyas said Friday “’Is a heartbreaking situation that took place and it has brought to light that there are people out there who should truly not be directing their own care and who impose a risk on the personal safety and the safety of others within our communities.” Dyas is no stranger to the intertwining issues that arise when mental health needs outpace and overshadow resources residents’ concerns constantly make their way to his desk though few technically fall under the purview of municipal government Cities only have the tools to manage some of the fallout towns cities started working together last September to address some of their shared issues creating a more unified call to other levels of government “We need to look at advancing the mental health care systems for these individuals,” Dyas said are focused on making happen sooner than later The first is the complex care facility in Kelowna on Pacific Avenue “The province in April of 2024, announced that we would build that complex care facility which would provide 20 additional complex care spaces and 20 supportive housing units,” Dyas said we have not received a development permit or an application to look at moving that project forward.” The delay in the process is what Dyas described as concerning is not a deterrent for trying to get other resources in place also all of the mayors throughout the Okanagan have gotten together and we all recognize that our communities require two type of facilities “One is a regional Red Fish Healing Center which will be developed in the Okanagan,” Dyas said The Red Fish Healing Centre for Mental Health and Addiction that already exists in the Lower Mainland is for clients with complex and concurrent mental health and substance use disorders Dyas said he’s consulted with municipal officials across the region to see what kind of land they have available for a similar facility and they have come up with a list of options that have been sent to the province and hopefully speed up the process Dyas said the region needs a “dignified secure care facility” for people who may need to be in custody “We have a correctional facility that is available in the southern part of the Okanagan We have had discussions with Mayor Martin Johansen in Oliver and they are on side with respect to using this facility.” Dyas said that the Okanagan Correctional Centre which was built in 2016 at about $200 million has about 25 per cent occupancy “It allows for the ability to provide that dignified secure care within correctional facilities that they're looking at implementing in other parts of the province,” he said “This is something which can help our communities immediately and also help these individuals who are reaching out in different ways for the type of treatments that they desperately need.” Dyas has written the province to tell them about this potential resource the support its gained in the wider community and the growing need “We’re understanding there's huge demands with regards to what's happening throughout the province and here is an opportunity,” he said The operational costs of such a venture may not be covered off would be greatly reduced by repurposing a portion of a pre-existing facility Kelowna-Mission MLA Gavin Dew backed that call this week also asking for the province to fast track an involuntary care facility for the Okanagan While mental health supports are one avenue of support that the Dyas is looking for there’s also room for changes to federal legislation around crime Dyas pointed out that within Kelowna in 2023 there were 20 people who had had over 3,500 negative police interactions “That comes out to about 175 each,” he said On Friday Dyas was meeting with MP-elect Stephen Fuhr to discuss his wishlist and on that was changes that would deal with repeat property offenders “One of the items that goes hand in hand with this conversation is around repeat property offenders Bill C 48 was put in place by the federal government and it dealt with repeat violent offenders but it did not deal with repeat property offenders with respect to bail reform,” Dyas said Bail reform in regard to repeat property offenders is something that would make a difference in the cases of the 20 people who have caused the thousands of issues in Kelowna It would also help ensure that people in the community feel safer Eby also announced a provincial day of mourning on Friday for British Columbians to reflect on the loss of life and stand together with the Filipino community around the world The Top 40 Over 40 honourees are aged 40-plus and are entrepreneurs and leaders who are well-established in their careers in Kelowna the Top 40 were chosen by a panel of judges as ideal examples of the program's criteria Meet Alison Ruks, Executive Director at Connect Counselling & Therapy Alison was named one of Kelowna's Top 40 Over 40 for 2025 Here's a bit about her and her journey What does being named to the Top 40 Over 40 list mean to you personally and professionally I spent so much energy chasing external recognition You stop needing the applause from the outside world and start looking inward focusing less on proving myself and more on contributing meaningfully to my community Life has a funny way of rewarding you when you're no longer looking for it it feels like a quiet nod that all the hard work mattered That it wasn’t just about KPIs or achievements on paper in my current role at Connect Counselling & Therapy Connect has been providing no-cost and low-cost counselling to the community for nearly 40 years and this recognition helps shine a light on the incredible work being done there and the need to continue supporting organizations like Connect It’s an honour to stand alongside the Connect team and help ensure everyone in our community feels seen In what ways do you feel you've made a lasting impact on our community or industry One thing I’ve carried through every role and every relationship is the belief that you can't I was taught to “leave emotions at the door.” But it never sat right with me I’ve made it a point to bring heart into professional spaces My hope is that most of the folks I’ve worked with felt truly seen Because people won’t remember the spreadsheets you built or the awards you won They'll remember how you made them feel I hope I’ve left a little more kindness and appreciation in the hearts of everyone I've crossed paths with What advice do you give to those just starting out who hope to make a difference one day or What’s one piece of wisdom you wish you could share with your younger self Your tombstone won’t say “Best CEO.” It will say “Beloved Mom don’t sacrifice your whole life at the altar of career success it won’t be the quarterly reports or the job titles that fill your heart It’ll be the moments you laughed until you cried with family But never forget to focus first on the relationships and memories that truly make a life well-lived Who mentored or inspired you earlier in your career and what lasting impact did they have on you and I believe everyone should experience it at some point in their lives One of my greatest mentors has been my therapist She taught me to look beyond surface behaviours I meet pain with curiosity instead of judgment I'm not perfect by any means and I still fall into old patterns from time to time it’s made me not only a better professional and it’s brought so much peace into my life How have you navigated change and innovation in your field the pace of change over the past decade has sometimes felt like trying to ride a tornado and connect with people has changed more rapidly than I ever could have imagined The way I’ve navigated it is through a commitment to staying open a willingness to admit when I don’t know something and a lot of learning from the brilliant younger generations who are shaping the future you’ll find a way to evolve right alongside it What legacy do you hope to leave behind through your work or community involvement it would be this: Leading with heart is not a weakness The world often teaches us that success requires sharp elbows and cold calculation I hope to help make it not just acceptable to bring softness into even the hardest spaces To create safe landings for people when the world feels overwhelming I’m deeply committed to growing Connect Counselling & Therapy making sure more people in our community have access to the support they need I’m currently writing a book called Healing Outside The System which shares my personal journey of moving through trauma and an incurable disease diagnosis that was supposed to have me in a wheelchair well over a decade ago a sanctuary where people can restore their mind I often joke with friends and family that I plan to go “full hippie” one day (wink wink) and this year I’m beginning my yoga instructor training These steps are all part of a vision to create spaces where deep Because healing isn’t just about surviving It’s about remembering who you are and creating a life rooted in joy We’re not meant to walk this path alone There is a universe full of support available to us and we need more places where people can finally feel that for themselves A Rutland Secondary School Grade 10 student who won gold at the Skills Canada BC Finals is now working on his next challenge "I'm pretty nervous for it because it's a really big competition I should be pretty good for the competition," says Ryder Starling about the national finals coming up in Regina Starling takes shop class at RSS and his teacher Ian McKendrick says he doesn't see Ryder's kind of talent very often maybe two other students I've dealt with who are similar to what Ryder has," McKendrick says Starling says he gets a ton of support from both his dad and mom His mom Jennifer Starling is a teacher at RSS and so far she is winning as both a mom and a teacher he's doing great and we're proud of him and we're always gonna support him no matter what," Jennifer says Ryder will be putting in extra time at the shop The last thing he wants to do is not finish the assignment "It does put a little bit extra pressure because you just want to finish it on time and it [would] suck to get to the end and you don't have a finished product," says Ryder Starling is preparing for a two-day trial to build a different side table over 12 hours Jennifer is thankful for several local businesses that have helped get Ryder to Regina so we're having to come up with the money ourselves," she says "The Wood Lot and Gorman's Mill and places like that are giving us a bit of help Ryder will compete at the Skills Canada National Competition 2025 The City of Kelowna and the Canadian Country Music Awards are calling on local artists to help make this fall's award show an unforgettable experience the Canadian Country Music Awards are coming to Kelowna local artists are invited to pitch immersive art installations that will be displayed during Country Music Week “We’re thrilled to partner with the City of Kelowna to spotlight the creative energy of local artists during Country Music Week,” says Keith Buggy “These installations will blend the spirit of country music with Kelowna’s vibrant character — crafting immersive The Canadian Country Music Awards and the City of Kelowna are hoping submissions will celebrate Kelowna and the spirit of country music as well as encourage public interaction and engagement Projects can be any medium and will be featured in indoor and outdoor spaces throughout Kelowna's Cultural District and event venues this September Selected artists will receive $2,000 to bring their art installation projects to life The CCMA Art grant applications are now open and will be accepted until Tuesday This week's Kelowna SPCA pet of the week is Pebbles Pebbles is a a sweet bunny who loves cuddles and hanging out with the family He is a one year-old rabbit with a spunky personality If you would like to adopt him head down to 3785 Casorso Rd where the SPCA is open Tuesday to Saturday Residents of a Westside mobile home park say they have been questioned by police about a sudden death in their community People who live in Westview Village mobile home park along Highway 97 report seeing several RCMP vehicles near a home in the park since early Saturday One woman says she saw someone wearing a jacket with CORONER written on the back Another neighbour says police have been going door to door asking for CCTV footage dating back to April 18 Investigators asked about any possible altercation in the area or anything suspicious and an RCMP officer confirmed to them that there had been a death The resident noted that the serious crime unit was on the scene for hours on Sunday Castanet has contacted the RCMP to request more details A wildfire was discovered late Sunday in an area along Bear Lake Main Road The BC Wildfire Service says the fire is located just north of Lambly Lake and is being held It is 0.2 hectares and it is believed to be human-caused Another spot fire was reported on the other side of Okanagan Lake near Bertram Creek Regional Park on Thursday It was also human-caused and was brought under control quickly including eight in the Kamloops Fire Centre All the fires in the Kamloops zone are either under control or being held The bulk of this year’s fires have been in the Prince George Fire Centre in the sunshine as we approach Mother’s Day this week in the Okanagan Other than a few scattered showers in the middle of the week Environment Canada forecasts sunny conditions on Monday and Tuesday “There’s a ridge of high pressure building over southern B.C.,” said Environment Canada meteorologist Nan Lu we’re expecting sunny conditions and a slight rising temperature trend.” A mix of sun and cloud is in the forecast for Wednesday and Thursday with a slight chance of showers in some parts of the region Similar conditions are expected on Friday and Saturday Temperatures this week will be about 2-6 degrees above normal for early May Overnight lows should also be relatively mild all week Remember to share your photos to [email protected] to be featured in our gallery No one was injured in Sunday morning's fire at Fintry Provincial Park although the travel trailer that burned was completely destroyed North Westside Fire Rescue responded to the fire on Fintry Delta Road at about 5:30 a.m. and crews arrived to find a "fully involved" travel trailer according to NWFR chief Ross Kotscherofski "Fire crews were able to extinguish the fire quickly but the RV was a total loss," Kotscherofski said The cause of the fire remains under investigation An RV went up in flames in Fintry Provincial Park Sunday morning Large flames and black smoke were visible in the park Some people in the area reported hearing a loud explosion during the fire likely due to a propane tank catching fire The cause of the fire is not known at this time The RV fire comes after another large mobile home fire near Oyama early Saturday morning For nine seasons as an offensive lineman in the Canadian Football League Chuck Liebrock lined up against players who were often bigger and stronger than him.  Liebrock held his own playing in the gridiron trenches as an offensive guard for the Toronto Argonauts (1968-69) and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1970-77).  However, when the 82-year-old Kelowna resident and his wife Michele learned five years ago he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease he had to face the reality that this was one battle he would not ultimately win.  Chuck and Michele have supported each other in raising three children living the professional football life in the CFL followed by career changes and moves across Canada and weathering the wear and tear left behind on his body from football.  While they admit to being in denial when first faced with a dementia diagnosis they are learning to navigate life today which now affects more than 95,000 people in B.C That journey and talking publicly about facing Alzheimer's as a couple have led them to be the honourary patrons for this year's IG Wealth Management Walk For Alzheimer's fundraiser slated for Sunday raised $38,000 for dementia support services last year and organizers hope to exceed that this year.  While Liebrock's physical health has deteriorated in recent years he continues to go to the gym three times a week part of his routine to do all he can within his control to fight off the onset of dementia his family and in particular his grandchildren.  "If I have one dream now it is to see my one-year-old grandchild grow up because I think he will be something special," Liebrock smiled.  Liebrock was no stranger to the realities of dementia especially as a former football player who suffered concussions without the safety protocols that exist for players today.  He can recount many former teammates and friends he met through football dating back to his days in high school growing up in Windsor Liebrock has participated in research related to Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy progressive brain disease linked to repeated head impacts or concussions that is now actively researched for its association with the development of dementia.  Since there is still no way to diagnose CTE without an autopsy Liebrock has chosen to donate his brain to the research program upon his death.  Liebrock looks back on his football playing days with no regrets thankful for the life lessons and opportunities he was granted from the sport "But the protocols for dealing with concussion injuries are better today and if you could see them then you were sent back in He also has genetic connections to the disease as two of his family members were diagnosed with dementia.  "Getting a dementia diagnosis is frightening, but you can't get support if you don't talk about it," said Michele relating the importance of how dementia support groups have been both to her as a caregiver and her husband.  It provides an opportunity for communities to support people affected by the disease 'I'm doing this for you and you're doing this for me.'" the volunteer organizer for the Kelowna Walk has been a long-time champion of the importance of seeking help having been a caregiver himself for his wife after she was diagnosed with dementia.  "What I tell people is to not be afraid to ask for help that support has helped them address a mental health diagnosis that Chuck acknowledges is a "one-way street" with no cure.  "People always talk about doing things when they retire Life has changed for the Liebrocks since his diagnosis as they have let go of some of their retirement dreams.  and they used to love spending time together working in their garden Those activities have ended although he still can enjoy "coaching" Michele on where things should go in the garden.   He says his dementia impact at this point is not a loss of memory but lapses in the chronological order of those memories.  "I will remember going out for dinner with someone but have trouble remembering what day it was thinking it was yesterday when it was two days before," he said.  Michele initially noticed her easygoing husband was becoming increasingly anxious and paranoid.  Chuck himself noticed memory lapses beginning to occur about 10 years ago.  "I was getting older and I thought it was normal to remember less," he recalled.  "But then I started losing my ability to multitask That was when I first started to get concerned."  The couple made an appointment with their family doctor who referred Chuck for more testing which led to his diagnosis.  but it has also brought us closer together," Michele concludes.  there's an opportunity for success," Chuck added reflecting a mentality that allowed him to find success on the football field.  For more information about the Alzheimer's Walk and to sign up as part of a team or as an individual participant, check out the website WalkforAlzheimers.ca.  If you are affected by dementia, the Alzheimer Society of B.C. can help. Call the First Link Dementia Helpline at 1-800-936-6033 or visit alzheimerbc.org.              and receive top headlines in your inbox Monday to Saturday An Indigenous healer who was convicted of sexually assaulting a woman during a healing session in Kelowna is hoping to avoid any jail time Following a six-day trial last fall, Joseph Camille was convicted of a single count of sexual assault while Justice Briana Hardwick acquitted him on two other counts of sexual assault The assault occurred during a one-on-one healing session in a backroom of the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society on July 20 touched her inner thigh and kissed her neck at the end of the session The identity of the victim is protected by a publication ban but Justice Hardwick previously referred to her as “Claire,” which is not her real name While Camille was not an employee of the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Society he had worked out of their downtown Kelowna offices since 2018 and held a position of trust there Another woman also accused Camille of sexually assaulting her during two healing sessions but Justice Hardwick was left with some doubts about that woman's testimony Camille denied inappropriately touching either women but Justice Hardwick said she “simply [did] not believe the evidence of Mr Camille" with regards to the assault of Claire Claire spoke during Camille's sentencing submissions Friday detailing the lasting impact the assault has had on her I've been struggling to sleep and often have nightmares about the assault I feel scared and anxious when I am at home It feels like something is wrong all the time “The assault has taken away my sense of safety and security I feel like I can't trust anyone anymore and it is difficult to be around people because I am constantly on edge and losing sleep.” She said she has since been diagnosed with PTSD and is undergoing treatment She's also had to take time off work as a result of the trauma she suffered “I would like to express my feelings of anger and resentment towards the offender,” she said “[He has] caused me significant harm and loss of trust in any spiritual practices This has really messed with my thoughts and my beliefs." Crown prosecutor Jordan Schroeder told Justice Hardwick that Camille should be sentenced to between 15 and 18 months in jail while Camille's defence counsel John Hogg sought a conditional sentence order If Justice Hardwick agrees with the defence Camille would avoid jail altogether and will instead serve his sentence in the community Camille is a 69-year-old Indigenous man who attended the Kamloops Indian Residential School as a child The Supreme Court of Canada has ruled that judges must take into account how the history of colonialism has impacted an Indigenous offender's circumstances, in a landmark case called R. v. Gladue to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in Canadian jails But Schroeder said these “Gladue” factors should carry less weight in Camille's case because his victim was also Indigenous “His victim being Indigenous isn't a matter of chance but it's a product of the offence that he chose to commit .. it affects the weight that needs to be given to these Gladue factors when there's that context of selecting an Indigenous victim,” Schroeder said “The diminished moral blameworthiness doesn't apply because of that position of trust and exploiting the women who come to him with such specific histories of trauma and how that increases moral culpability.” Hogg argued that the circumstances of Camille's sexual assault was at the “one or two-end” of a 10-point scale “That has to be taken into consideration we can't lose track of the facts,” Hogg said “We're not saying it's a great thing he did He added that Camille has largely retired from his Indigenous healing practice and is now only working with clients he's known for a long time Hogg submitted a large number of character reference letters on behalf of Camille and several people were also in court Friday supporting him “I think it would be a certainty in this case – he's old he's failing and he's living with his son – the community is not going to be endangered by this man having a conditional sentence,” Hogg said “We don't need a failing 69 to 70-year-old guy with what you know about him in the Gladue report given what he's already put up with and gone through Justice Hardwick reserved her judgment on Camille's sentencing and plans to hand down a sentence later this month Claire also filed a civil suit against Camille back in 2021. While Camille denied the allegations in the civil suit Hogg said Friday that Camille has settled the suit with her Another successful Cherry Blossom Triathlon is in the books following Sunday’s event The yearly competition first started in 2014 and attracts competitors from across the province for the various race distances it offers Participants began inside the H20 Adventure and Fitness Centre for the swim portion of the event athletes made their way into the parking lot and put on their cycling gear before taking off to bike in a loop along Gordon Drive over to Swamp Road via Casorso Road and back on Gordon Drive participants transitioned off their bikes and into their running shoes racing along a course centred around Mission Recreation Park Athletes then got an extra boost near the end of their runs as crowds gathered near and at the finish line to cheer on their friends and family taking part in the event Josiah Wilkinson and Savannah Holmes were the fastest male and female competitors of this year’s triathlon The full results list can be found online at this link As spring temperatures continue to warm the Thompson Okanagan region health officials are urging residents to be on alert for ticks while enjoying outdoor activities such as hiking with wood ticks being the most commonly encountered species in the area Though Lyme disease is not as widespread in B.C experts say tick-borne illnesses are becoming more prevalent and should not be taken lightly “The bigger wood tick does carry disease … there is absolutely no question it’s just that it’s not quite as bad,” said Janet Sperling president of the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation Sperling stressed the importance of doing a thorough tick check after spending time outside take all your clothes off… focus in your hair You want to look right down even in between your toes Make sure you have looked for the tick,” she said Early removal of a tick significantly reduces the chances of illness It's also recommended to keep the tick if bitten You could at that point test the tick and the nice thing about testing the tick is you can grind up the whole tick and find out all the bacteria that were in that tick and then that is going to help guide the doctor,” she said Health officials recommend checking pets and children after outdoor excursions and to consult a healthcare professional if you suspect a tick bite or notice unusual symptoms It appears the much delayed opening of the Bertram Street pedestrian overpass is finally in sight Completion of the overpass, expected late last year, has been plagued by delays the city said challenges with the project affected the completion timeline “The city is working through logistics with independent parties including utility relocation and access to the bridge terminus and connection points,” the city said at the time Then, near the end of February, it was learned the company sub-contracted to do work on the metal safety railings was not certified to do the work Work is currently underway on assembly of safety guards security cameras and lighting installation and commissioning Coating and final flatwork (concrete) is also taking place The $12.1 million overpass connecting Central Green with downtown was a condition of provincial approval of the Central Green project City officials are shooting for completion by the end of May but Little Kitchen Academy is almost ready to welcome its first group of young students The Vancouver-based Montessori-inspired cooking school for kids aged three to 18 announced it would be expanding to Kelowna last spring It was initially expected to be ready to welcome students by the fall but it will instead be a June 2025 opening for the innovative new addition to the Central Okanagan Registration is now open for summer camps and classes that will start in June at Little Kitchen Academy in Orchard Plaza who wrapped up a three decade career in media when he sold his Kelowna radio station CKOV-FM last year and his wife Susan are the ones who brought Little Kitchen Academy to the Central Okanagan He says they’re “thrilled” to open registration and are excited to see the positive impact it will have on families and schools in the community “Our academy provides a nurturing environment where students can learn essential life skills build confidence and discover the joy of cooking,” Larsen explained The concept was originally founded in Vancouver by culinary innovator Felicity Curin and entrepreneur Brian Curin who have no doubts the school will thrive in Kelowna “We are confident that the Kelowna community will embrace this opportunity to empower their children and teens to make healthy independent choices that will benefit them for years to come,” Brian noted instructors will show students how to safely use tools and prepare recipes but step back to observe the independent work and only intervene when deemed appropriate A release from the school says the approach enables kids to learn at their own pace while they acquire practical life skills that foster independence To learn more about Little Kitchen Academy and register your child for summer camps and classes, click this link The latest round of pitches have come and gone and that means the annual Okanagan Angel Summit is down to its semifinalists who have pitched in $180,000 that will go to this year’s winner have selected 12 companies to continue their pursuits for the crown Each of them will get 10 minutes to pitch to the investors who will then select a handful of finalists to do a live pitch on finale night This year’s semifinalists represent a wide range of industries consumer packaged goods and software as a service which is co-ordinated by Accelerate Okanagan Eight of the 12 semifinalists hail from the Okanagan The homegrown companies include Kelowna’s EntheoTech Vernon’s Trueleaf Petcare and Bookyrslf Penticton’s MyStoria and Osoyoos’ Simply Sweet Games The out-of-towners include Victoria’s Save Da Sea Calgary’s HitchGuardian and Mastrius “We’ve been in a number of different summits throughout the years and the quality of the training that has happened at Accelerate Okanagan has been better than pretty much everything I’ve seen to date,” Mastrius CEO Mike deBoer said in a press release Best of Kelowna 2025, presented by Secure-Rite Mobile Storage, is officially underway and now’s the time to help your favourite local businesses get the recognition they deserve Local businesses are the heart of our community A simple vote can go a long way in boosting their visibility and showing them that their hard work doesn’t go unnoticed you’re helping them grow and attract new customers Head over to the Best of Kelowna website for full details This year we even have a chatbot ready to answer your questions and walk you through the process cheer on your favourites and help celebrate the very best of our amazing city A special thank you to our sponsor, Secure-Rite Mobile Storage — their support makes this program possible. Follow them on Instagram here. Click here for our FAQ section. real estate brokerage has been granted the opportunity to appeal a $156,750 fine for non-compliance with the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act The brokerage failed to report the sale of two properties in Kelowna and Big White Resort when “there were reasonable grounds to suspect that they related to the commission or attempted commission of a money laundering offence or a terrorist activity financing offence,” the court ruling summarized that by the time the two properties were sold the brokerage should have submitted suspicious transaction reports concerning all of its client’s transactions relating to the properties.  brokerage owner Jerry Redman submitted that Fintrac misconstrued the penalty assessment Redman said the brokerage did not report the transactions at the appropriate time because they were already subject to enforcement action by the B.C The brokerage therefore believed that reports to Fintrac were unnecessary the sales of the properties required the approval of the civil forfeiture office The judge said in imposing the fine the act required Fintrac to take three things into account: “First that penalties have as their purpose to encourage compliance with the Act rather than to punish; second the appellant’s history of compliance with the Act and related regulations.” Such factors are to be re-assessed by Fintrac in a redetermination of the fine amount Glacier Media previously reported that according to an August 2019 forfeiture claim Norwich accepted $101,000 in April 2017 from Cuatro Cienagas Inversiones Ltd (CCIL) via unregistered virtual financial firms located in international jurisdiction who operated Swiss asset management firms Wintercap SA and Silverton SA to conceal illegal securities trading Knox was sentenced to 36 months in a U.S prison for criminal securities fraud in October 2023 In January 2017, CCIL was a newly incorporated Hong Kong company controlled by “one or more of” Benjamin Kirk; his wife Kayley Tyne Johnson; and a Mexican resident named Carlos Gomez Brana Redman would not comment if Kirk is related to one of the firm’s two managing brokers who bears the same last name bought a $1.6-million property at 1214 Mission Ridge Rd. on May 18 following the transfer to Norwich (Kelowna RE/MAX) The rest of the cash went through an unnamed Kelowna law firm All the money originated from the virtual accounts and the Swiss firms Even more money flowed to CCIL to purchase a Big White ski resort property for $524,000 cash The forfeiture office successfully had CCIL Johnson and Brana pay it $2.15 million consent order that forced the sale of the properties Kirk is facing civil stock fraud allegations from the U.S in relation to the far-reaching scheme that involves over a dozen British Columbians including former lawyer and offshore shell facilitator Fred Sharp who the commission described as the “mastermind” forming a group of co-conspirators Some have been found liable for civil fraud and some face unproven criminal allegations The case against Kirk remains before the courts and allegations are unproven West Kelowna RCMP were called to what witnesses described as a “violent” altercation at a home on a vineyard property Thursday night The incident at the property at Reece and Elliott roads occurred about 8:30 p.m Witnesses described seeing one man swinging a long stick or a bat while another was threatened with a machete Brendan Dolan confirmed a disturbance did take place at the property “There were some weapons like a long piece of wood that was just swung around,” Dolan tells Castanet “The machete you referred to was just brandished but was never used during the attack or assault “All parties are uncooperative at this point so there are no real investigative leads to follow at this point.” Dolan says that could change if victims choose to re-engage police He says there were no reports of injuries and no one was taken to hospital According to Dolan it appears two groups of two were involved in the incident Dolan did say police have attended the property previously but was not aware of the circumstances The District of Lake Country is a step closer to completing a land transfer with neighbouring Kelowna The latest hurdle will be passed next week when Lake Country council is presented with results of a recently completed Alternative Approval Process Voters in the municipality were given the opportunity to voice their objection to the transfer of five properties on Bottom Wood Lake Road from Kelowna to Lake Country through the AAP Only one electoral response form objecting to the transfer was received by the municipality far below the 1,412 required to quash the land transfer The land transfer is being undertaken to make way for a 640-unit rental development The development straddles the border between the two communities Redefinition of the boundary is conditional on the City of Kelowna requesting a waiver of their elector assent requirement from the Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs Once the request has been submitted and approved the ministry can submit a recommendation to extend the boundary of a municipality to cabinet Kelowna city council has already voted to transfer their property to Lake Country Lake Country council has also given second and third readings to OCP and zoning amendments paving the way for the project to go ahead once the final boundary extension is approved Development company, Mgmt., and Ace Project Marketing Group were excited to recently celebrate a groundbreaking event at Rosevale Estates in West Kelowna a stunning location offering truly spectacular views across Okanagan Lake to downtown Kelowna Offering “Legacy Lakeview Living” Rosevale Estates will be the first phase of an elevated Located just eight minutes from downtown Kelowna and moments away from West Kelowna’s town centre the master planned community will offer a lakeview retreat with urban conveniences and endless recreational options within easy reach Rosevale Estates is the first expansion project in Kelowna for Mgmt. which has a combined 50-year track record of success in construction and real estate with a strong reputation built on its commitment to delivering high-quality value-centric projects that benefit both residents and local communities The first phase is a collection of 15 prime lake view full-ownership homesites and the community has partnered with preferred builders to allow homeowners to easily and quickly see their vision of a dream home come to life “The response to Rosevale Estates has already been incredible," says Chad MacTavish “People love that this community offers really beautiful and peaceful Okanagan living but with downtown Kelowna just a few minutes away It’s the best of both worlds.” six of the 15 homesites available in the first phase at Rosevale Estates have already been claimed by future homeowners For more information on Rosevale Estates, the community features,and available homesites, visit its website here. This article is written by or on behalf of the sponsoring client and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s assistance in locating the following male who is wanted on a province-wide warrant in effect as of April 29 Keegan Mathew BONE-SWAN is wanted for failing to comply with a probation order BONE-SWAN is described as an indigenous 28-year-old male six-feet and one-half-inch tall and 130 pounds Crime Stoppers will pay cash for information leading to the arrest of this suspect. If you see him, do not approach him. Call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or go to crimestoppers.net This article is written by or on behalf of an outsourced columnist and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet Signcraft owner Troy Scott will be taking over his father’s old workspace and the pair announced this week that the Kelowna business acquired a local competitor in Commercial Signs on April 14 It’s the end of nearly 50 years in the business for Commercial Signs which opened its doors in 1976 and once employed Signcraft founder Jim Scott “My father actually worked for Commercial Signs in the early days so this acquisition is bringing history full circle,” Scott explained Commercial Signs had enjoyed 48 successful years of business in the region and it was taken over by Morgan Hewitt in 2016 six years after he started working for the company Hewitt says he “suffered some health setbacks recently” and knew it was time to pass on the business “It was important that my clients get taken care of,” he noted “Our main priority was seeing this happen quickly so Morgan can work on himself and just get better,” added Scott While not quite as old as Commercial Signs, Signcraft is a locally-owned and -operated full-service sign and graphic design shop that began operations in 1982 The senior Scott founded the company alongside Dave Thomas and they were able to build a strong community-oriented business based on exceptional craftsmanship and service Signcraft has serviced a long list of clients and executed countless projects over the years but there’s likely one that stands out the most to long-time Kelowna residents The best-known job in Signcraft history was the iconic 40-foot Fred Flintstone created for the old Flintstones Bedrock City which was a staple of the corner of Hwy 97 and McCurdy Road until 1998 The City of Kelowna is expected to keep the status quo when it comes to the procurement of goods and services Purchasing staff are making that recommendation despite growing demands from the public and senior levels of government to consider impacts of “buy Canadian” in the wake of trade and tariff threats from south of the border And while the city does have the ability to amend bylaws to exclude U.S staff suggest the disadvantages of such a policy would far outweigh the advantages While a change in policy would support Canadian business and would not violate current trade agreements it would increase the city’s costs due to reduced competition and would limit access to specialized goods and services available from American suppliers A staff report reiterated comments made in council chambers over the past number of weeks that a majority of goods and services obtained by the city come from Canadian suppliers 45 per cent of all purchases were from companies based in Kelowna 17 per cent from Okanagan companies and 21 per cent from B.C Only two per cent were from outside Canada The report states most purchases from non-Canadian suppliers are for specialized software and equipment that do not have suitable local or Canadian alternatives “Staff recommend maintenance of the existing bylaw and associated corporate policy,” staff conclude the existing policies and practices at the city are resulting in good value for the local taxpayer align with trade agreements and best practice thresholds and results in the vast majority of procurements being awarded to Canadian firms.”