Okanagan-Similkameen Regional District

(Photo- Pacific Economic Development Canada)

Princeton gets $750k in funding to revitalize downtown core

Federal government commits investment to town’s tourism sector

 

Flames from a vehicle fire on Highway 3 spread up hill. (Facebook)

Flames from vehicle fire quickly spread off Highway 3 east of Keremeos

There is a detour available via Highway 3A, but a variable speed corridor is in effect

 

Vaseux Lake is ready for use again thanks to the return of a milfoil harvester for the first time in 30 years. (Photo- Vaseux Lake Stewardship Association)

South Okanagan lake ready for easy use again after 30 years

Milfoil harvesting will resume at Vaseux Lake, south of Okanagan Falls

 

Penticton RCMP responded to reports of shots fired in Okanagan Falls Saturday, Aug. 6, and found a woman suffering from serious injuries. A man was taken into custody without incident. (file photo)

RCMP investigate Okanagan Falls shooting

Woman found suffering from serious injuries Saturday, Aug. 6; man taken into custody without incident

Penticton RCMP responded to reports of shots fired in Okanagan Falls Saturday, Aug. 6, and found a woman suffering from serious injuries. A man was taken into custody without incident. (file photo)
Clay Smith, father, digging a trench to prevent encroachment of the fire (Caillum Smith/Preserved Light Photography)

Father-son duo fights South Okanagan wildfire to save their home

Their neighbour’s home was lost in the blaze

Clay Smith, father, digging a trench to prevent encroachment of the fire (Caillum Smith/Preserved Light Photography)
Sand and sandbag locations will be listed on theRDOS Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) website: https://emergency.rdos.bc.ca/If you require assistance with sandbagging, please connect with friends, family or volunteer organizations.The RDOS does not deliver sand or sandbags to private residences or businesses. Filled sandbags are not available from the RDOS.

Overland flooding confirmed south of Oliver

The regional district is currently monitoring the situation near Road 22

Sand and sandbag locations will be listed on theRDOS Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) website: https://emergency.rdos.bc.ca/If you require assistance with sandbagging, please connect with friends, family or volunteer organizations.The RDOS does not deliver sand or sandbags to private residences or businesses. Filled sandbags are not available from the RDOS.
In November, flooding affected the community of Princeton and the surrounding area. At present, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen is warning residents of the possiblity of flooding throughout the regional district. (Photo Marcie Anne Roberts)

Flood preparations urged in Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen

High snowpack could lead to flooding events throughout region

In November, flooding affected the community of Princeton and the surrounding area. At present, the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen is warning residents of the possiblity of flooding throughout the regional district. (Photo Marcie Anne Roberts)
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen is urging people to prepare ahead of time before potential disasters prompt evacuation orders. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

Flood risk increases considerably in South Okanagan

‘Prepare now for spring freshet and potential flooding,’ a local public notice says

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen is urging people to prepare ahead of time before potential disasters prompt evacuation orders. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)
Vandals have struck the park bathrooms in Okanagan Falls six times over the last two weeks. (Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen)

Okanagan Falls parks closed after being vandalized 6 times in 2 weeks

The beachfront parks require at least $1,500 in repairs

Vandals have struck the park bathrooms in Okanagan Falls six times over the last two weeks. (Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen)
(Black Press file photo)

$300 million expansion of Penticton Regional Hospital officially complete

The project includes a new hospital pharmacy and 480-stall parkade, says the B.C. government

(Black Press file photo)
The Nk’Mip fire east of Osoyoos caused hundreds of evacuations with many of them seeking support with the Penticton Emergency Support Services. (File photo)

Osoyoos Fire Rescue bracing for potential early wildfire season

The department reported a slower start to 2022 than last year

The Nk’Mip fire east of Osoyoos caused hundreds of evacuations with many of them seeking support with the Penticton Emergency Support Services. (File photo)
The Ministry of Transportation did not receive any bids from contractors to work on previously planned safety improvements to the intersection of Highway 97 and 3A. (Photo: Facebook)

Safety improvements to dangerous Highway 97 and 3A intersection delayed

The Ministry of Transportation didn’t receive any bids from contractors for the project

The Ministry of Transportation did not receive any bids from contractors to work on previously planned safety improvements to the intersection of Highway 97 and 3A. (Photo: Facebook)
An abandoned Oliver home was destroyed by a fire overnight on April 30. (Photo: Oliver and Area Community Hub Page, Facebook)

Vacant home destroyed in Oliver fire, deemed suspicious

The blaze occurred just after midnight on Saturday, April 30

An abandoned Oliver home was destroyed by a fire overnight on April 30. (Photo: Oliver and Area Community Hub Page, Facebook)
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)
Richard Cannings, MP for South Okanagan-West Kootenay, tabled Bill C in the House of Commons on March 31, proposing to eliminate the federal excise tax on low-alcoholic beer. (Photo: Facebook / Richard Cannings)

B.C. MP wants to eliminate tax on low-alcohol beer

Beer with an alcohol percentage of 0.5 or below is subject to the new proposal

Richard Cannings, MP for South Okanagan-West Kootenay, tabled Bill C in the House of Commons on March 31, proposing to eliminate the federal excise tax on low-alcoholic beer. (Photo: Facebook / Richard Cannings)
Village at Smith Creek in West Kelowna is among the latest health facility in the Okanagan to declare a COVID-19 outbreak. (Village at Smith Creek)

Interior Health reports new COVID-19 outbreaks at Okanagan health facilities

The outbreaks were declared at the facilities on Jan. 16

Village at Smith Creek in West Kelowna is among the latest health facility in the Okanagan to declare a COVID-19 outbreak. (Village at Smith Creek)
The RDOS issued a potential ice jam warning on area rivers, including the Similkameen River on Wednesday morning. (Photo issued by the RDOS’ EOC Director)

Ice jams could cause Similkameen River to rise

The district said that water levels can rise over minutes or hours during an ice jam

The RDOS issued a potential ice jam warning on area rivers, including the Similkameen River on Wednesday morning. (Photo issued by the RDOS’ EOC Director)
Residents of Fenchurch Avenue in Princeton are cleaning up following recent flood damage. The owner of this property said the Tulameen River forced open his front door Sunday night. Photo Andrea DeMeer Nov. 18

Assistance available to those affected by flooding in Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen

Emergency Operations Centre and Emergency Support Services providing help following floods

Residents of Fenchurch Avenue in Princeton are cleaning up following recent flood damage. The owner of this property said the Tulameen River forced open his front door Sunday night. Photo Andrea DeMeer Nov. 18
Flood waters in Princeton, while not directly impacting Ridgewood Lodge, have forced the evacuation of long-term care residents due to lack of water and heat. File Photo Andrea DeMeer

Flooding continues to affect Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen

Regional district provides assistance to those affected by flood waters

Flood waters in Princeton, while not directly impacting Ridgewood Lodge, have forced the evacuation of long-term care residents due to lack of water and heat. File Photo Andrea DeMeer
Diamonds, a proposed development north of Summerland, would allow 106 residential units overlooking Okanagan Lake. (Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen image)

Large development proposal near Summerland defeated

Diamonds would have had 106 residential units, built in two phases

Diamonds, a proposed development north of Summerland, would allow 106 residential units overlooking Okanagan Lake. (Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen image)