Municipal Government

Nanaimo city council, at a meeting this week, voted to repeal a bylaw relating to public morals which prevented people from making use of any “profane, obscene, blasphemous or grossly insulting language.” (City of Nanaimo image)

B.C. city repeals 130-year-old bylaw banning drunken singing

City of Nanaimo retains bylaw banning nuclear weapons, but takes several other bylaws off the books

 

Tiny Town was the creation of the late Jim Allen and modelled after his hometown of Youghal, County Cork, Ireland. (File photo)

Time’s up for Tiny Town as weather, vandals take toll on B.C. model village

Miniature structures modeled after Irish town

 

B.C. Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency Preparedness Jennifer Rice. (Norman Galimski/Black Press)

B.C. rolls out emergency preparedness funds for First Nations and municipalities

Funding will go toward capacity building for emergency support in those communities

 

Jesse Wente, keynote speaker at the Southern Interior Local Government Association Convention in Salmon Arm April 27 to 29, told delegates that ‘to heal ourselves we must confront the trauma we have and that we cause.’ (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)

‘Spot on brain’ story helps urge Southern Interior leaders to promote healing

Author, broadcaster Jesse Wente receives standing ovation for talk at Salmon Arm convention

Jesse Wente, keynote speaker at the Southern Interior Local Government Association Convention in Salmon Arm April 27 to 29, told delegates that ‘to heal ourselves we must confront the trauma we have and that we cause.’ (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)
Jesse Wente, keynote speaker at the Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) AGM and Conference in Salmon Arm April 26-29, poses for a photograph in Toronto in 2018. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)

Wildfires, climate change, lessons, successes featured at Salmon Arm conference

200 delegates and guests expected in the Shuswap for Southern Interior local government gathering

Jesse Wente, keynote speaker at the Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) AGM and Conference in Salmon Arm April 26-29, poses for a photograph in Toronto in 2018. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)
The city of Penticton didn’t renew the lease of the Peach to Diana Stirling and instead gave it to a company out of Alberta. (The Peach photo)

Feeling the squeeze: Penticton tries to explain choosing lemonade stand over The Peach

City also awarded Sudbury Beach concession to Nauti Dog Café operated by the Gallaghers

The city of Penticton didn’t renew the lease of the Peach to Diana Stirling and instead gave it to a company out of Alberta. (The Peach photo)
The District of Tofino is celebrating the successful hiring of three new staffers for its Community Children’s Centre. (file photo)

Staff-strapped B.C. town scores childcare workers with free tuition, housing

District of Tofino takes unique approach to address childcare resource crunch

The District of Tofino is celebrating the successful hiring of three new staffers for its Community Children’s Centre. (file photo)
North Westside residents can get a start on prepping their properties in case of an emergency this spring. The Regional District of Central Okanagan has located two self-serve sand and sandbag stations at the Killiney Beach and Westside Road fire stations. (Black Press file photo)

North Westside preparing for spring flooding

Sand and sandbags located at North Westside fire halls for those who want to get a head start on their properties

North Westside residents can get a start on prepping their properties in case of an emergency this spring. The Regional District of Central Okanagan has located two self-serve sand and sandbag stations at the Killiney Beach and Westside Road fire stations. (Black Press file photo)
An independent task force will examine compensation for Summerland’s municipal council. (Summerland Review file photo)

Task force to review pay for Summerland council members

Remuneration and benefits will be considered, with changes taking effect Jan. 1, 2023

An independent task force will examine compensation for Summerland’s municipal council. (Summerland Review file photo)
The district of Lake Country is proposing a 6.12 per cent tax hike for 2022. (District photo)

6.12% tax hike on tap for Lake Country

Public input considered at budget meeting

The district of Lake Country is proposing a 6.12 per cent tax hike for 2022. (District photo)
Ron Ewert has been named the new fire chief for North Westside. He starts Feb. 22. (RDCO photo)

From Vancouver to Okanagan: new fire chief for North Westside

Ron Ewert comes to Okanagan from Vancouver with plenty of experience

Ron Ewert has been named the new fire chief for North Westside. He starts Feb. 22. (RDCO photo)
Construction on two new drive-thru restaurants in Vernon: Triple O’s and Popeyes on 27th Street, is just one of the developments adding to the city’s record year of construction. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Big year for building in Vernon

A record $173.5 million in building permit values collected by city in 2021

Construction on two new drive-thru restaurants in Vernon: Triple O’s and Popeyes on 27th Street, is just one of the developments adding to the city’s record year of construction. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
Cannabis for sale in the retail market. The City of Vernon plans to reduce its application and licensing fees. (Black Press files)

Vernon trims retail cannabis application, licensing fees

Council votes to cut application fee by 50 per cent, bring licensing fee in line based on store size

Cannabis for sale in the retail market. The City of Vernon plans to reduce its application and licensing fees. (Black Press files)
Sparwood mayor David Wilks. (File photo)

‘We don’t have the capacity’: East Kootenay Mayor takes aim at COVID health orders

With limited resources, local governments and private businesses are under too much strain from public health orders according to Sparwood Mayor David Wilks

Sparwood mayor David Wilks. (File photo)
In this June 21, 2018, photo, laboratory manager Emily Savage demonstrates how she uses an instrument to photograph cannabis samples at CW Analytical Laboratories, in Oakland, Calif. California's new rules require testing of marijuana for pesticides and contaminants such as heavy metals, solvents and mold. They also say edibles must be tested to determine concentrations of the mind-altering ingredient THC. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Vernon council looks to trim cannabis retail bylaws

Amendments include changes to licensing and application fees, and a buffer zone between similar stores

In this June 21, 2018, photo, laboratory manager Emily Savage demonstrates how she uses an instrument to photograph cannabis samples at CW Analytical Laboratories, in Oakland, Calif. California's new rules require testing of marijuana for pesticides and contaminants such as heavy metals, solvents and mold. They also say edibles must be tested to determine concentrations of the mind-altering ingredient THC. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)
Teresa Durning (right) takes the oath of office from chief election officer Keri-Ann Austin during a ceremony for Vernon’s newest councillor elect Tuesday, Dec. 14, at Vernon city hall. (City of Vernon photo)

Vernon’s newest councillor takes office

Teresa Durning sworn in at special ceremony Tuesday, Dec. 14

Teresa Durning (right) takes the oath of office from chief election officer Keri-Ann Austin during a ceremony for Vernon’s newest councillor elect Tuesday, Dec. 14, at Vernon city hall. (City of Vernon photo)
Vernon council has voted in favour of a 6.88 per cent budget hike in 2022 which includes hiring more safety personnel and a return of the 1.9 per cent infrastructure levy program. (Morning Star - file photo)

Vernon council favours 6.88 per cent budget hike

Budget includes money for RCMP, safety hiring and return of infrastructure levy program

Vernon council has voted in favour of a 6.88 per cent budget hike in 2022 which includes hiring more safety personnel and a return of the 1.9 per cent infrastructure levy program. (Morning Star - file photo)
Pete Wise (left) receives the 2021 District of Coldstream Community Achievement Award from Mayor Jim Garlick Monday, Nov. 22. Wise has devoted more than 57 years to search and rescue and helping domestic and wild animals in the region. (District of Coldstream photo)

Wise choice for Coldstream achievement honour

District pays tribute to longtime search and rescue, animal volunteer Pete Wise with annual award

Pete Wise (left) receives the 2021 District of Coldstream Community Achievement Award from Mayor Jim Garlick Monday, Nov. 22. Wise has devoted more than 57 years to search and rescue and helping domestic and wild animals in the region. (District of Coldstream photo)
The City of Vernon has recently completed a street light conversion project to help reduce light population, switching out old High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lights with new Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights. (City of Vernon photo

Vernon lights the way to less pollution

Street lighting changeover project completed as city switches to LED lights

The City of Vernon has recently completed a street light conversion project to help reduce light population, switching out old High Pressure Sodium (HPS) lights with new Light Emitting Diode (LED) lights. (City of Vernon photo
Softball has been among the uses at the former Kin Race Track and could be part of the future of a new park located at the facility. The City of Vernon has created a survey for the public’s input as to what it would like to see at the site. (Morning Star - file photo)

Public ideas sought for new Vernon park

City creates survey to hear from residents about what they’d like for new park at Kin Race Track site

Softball has been among the uses at the former Kin Race Track and could be part of the future of a new park located at the facility. The City of Vernon has created a survey for the public’s input as to what it would like to see at the site. (Morning Star - file photo)