Ben Low-On – Jul 9, 2025 / 12:07 pm | Story: 560665
Photo: Ranger Rick Magazine
There are less than two days left to vote for James Malay.
There are less than two days left to vote in the quarter finals for the next Jr. Ranger, and a Vernonite is in the running.
Vernon eight-year-old James Malay currently sits in fifth place in the Jr. Ranger contest. Winners are decided by a total number of online votes and only the first place contestant moves to the semi finals, according to Malay’s mom, Jocelyn Dickie.
“He is constantly checking in and asking to see how he’s doing today,” said Dickie.
The concert features youth outdoor enthusiasts from Canada and the U.S.
The winner will appear in a Ranger Rick magazine and learn from wildlife expert and television personality Jeff Corwin, and win $20,000.
“Overall, he has really had fun doing the competition. He’s really enjoyed seeing all the community support and the support from his family and friends,” said Dickie.
Malay’s contest page states that “James loves that nature is full of amazing animals, trees, and plants that give us the things we need to live. He loves hiking, exploring, camping, swimming, skiing, sledding, and running through the forest.”
The magazine is in association with the National Wildlife Federation.
Ben Low-On – Jul 9, 2025 / 4:00 am | Story: 560532
Ben Low-On
The Med Restaurant in downtown Vernon is one of the first in the area to operate an extended patio – a space which blocks off a small portion of the street for wining and dining.
Owner James Fradley told Castanet the patio space feels similar to the ones in Europe where he grew up.
“It’s about just creating a more inclusive, inviting and vibrant space for residents and for tourists alike,” said Fradley.
Built on the street is a temporary wooden patio with tables, chairs and umbrellas where restaurant goers can dine outside.
The space is a part of the boardwalk patio pilot program run by the Downtown Vernon Association (DVA). Keelan Murtagh, Downtown Vernon Association executive director, said the DVA covers all costs and permitting fees, gives building materials to different businesses, and manages applications.
“This initiative aligns directly with the DVA’s strategic goal of activating public space and improving the vibrancy of downtown,” said Murtagh.
In March of 2023, the City of Vernon opened up applications for outdoor commercial use permits. Businesses could apply for permits for the use of city sidewalks and boulevards, opening the way for patios like these.
“We’re excited to be part of this movement here in Vernon, some other patios starting to pop up as well,” said Fradley.
The Med serves foods from around the Mediterranean. The restaurant is open for dinner Monday through Saturday from 4 p.m. until close, and also opens for lunch Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Any business interested in patio spacing is encouraged to contact the DVA.
Photo: Chelsey Mutter
BC EHS urging drivers to be cautious on roads.
After a fatal crash near Vernon Monday evening, BC Emergency Health Services are reminding drivers to be cautious on roads.
BC EHS paramedic public information officer Brian Twaites is issuing safety tips after a Vernon man crossed the centre line on Highway 97 Monday night and died after being brought to hospital.
The public is urged to never drive when tired, never use a cellphone or mobile device while driving, and never drive after using substances like alcohol.
Twaites said drivers shouldn’t brush their hair, shave or apply makeup while operating a vehicle, and passengers should not distract the driver.
“As a reminder, with more people expected on the roads in the summer, BC EHS reminds all drivers to pay extra attention to road safety,” Twaites said.
Paramedics and first responders thanked the public for staying alert on the road.
Photo: Fletcher’s Keep Senior Dog Foundation
Ollie is looking for a new forever home after his owner passed away unexpectedly.
A local dog charity is hoping to find a new fur-ever home for a poodle whose owner passed away unexpectedly.
The North Okanagan’s Fletcher’s Keep Senior Dog Foundation said a nine-year-old, 45-pound standard poodle cross named Ollie is looking for a new home after his lifelong human passed away unexpectedly.
“He’s been left confused and grieving, but is now in the kind care of retired-veterinarian David who’s working with us and helping him transition,” said the foundation. “While safe for now, he urgently needs a new forever home where he can heal, feel secure, and share the love he has in abundance.”
It turns out David was also a neighbour of Ollie’s old owner.
Fletcher’s Keep founder Anita Dunford told Castanet they received a call from the sister of Ollie’s previous owner, who lives out of province. From there, Dunford tracked neighbour David down where he was vacationing in France. The retired vet came back from holiday to ensure Ollie was cared for and to help find him a new home.
Ollie has now been with David for about a week. He says Ollie is a social dog that’s friendly with strangers, other dogs and children.
David said the dog has reasonable recall, is thriving on a GI-friendly diet, requires no medications and is “loving, loyal and so deserving of a second chance.”
Anyone interested in adopting Ollie can email Fletcher’s Keep or message them on Facebook. Dunford said David will be vetting people, and the foundation does not charge any kind of adoption fee.
“it’s all community pulling together because Vernon dog control were great. I liaised with them, and they liaised with the sister, and we liaised with Creekside Vet, we were all trying to pull together to figure out if he was on meds and getting checked,” Dunford said.
The foundation is currently fundraising through an online 50/50 draw to keep providing care to senior dogs like Ollie.
Ben Low-On – Jul 8, 2025 / 2:42 pm | Story: 560499
Photo: District of Coldstream
Areas in red will be closed to the public during construction
Coldstream Park is getting an upgraded irrigation system.
Construction on the system will run from July. 8 to Aug. 29. During the installation, the ball field area and the path leading to De Jong Drive will be closed to all users.
The play area, picnic shelter, and washroom facilities will remain open to the public throughout the project, but parking may become limited.
The District of Coldstream asks anyone who is driving near the construction zone to use caution.
Photo: Pixabay
Water Quality Advisory now in place.
Water leak detection test have placed one Vernon community on a water Quality Advisory, according to the Regional District of North Okanagan.
The WQA is in effect now until July 9 at 5 p.m. and includes 849-899 Mt Bulman Place.
“Operators will be shutting off water service to perform leak detection tests in the area. In preparation for this, Greater Vernon Water requests that you remove any outdoor or indoor hoses from standing water or disconnect them from the water system to prevent any back siphonage during the shutdowns,” reads a release from the RDNO.
The advisory is in conjunction with Interior Health and the RDNO will be sampling water once water services resume.
The level of treatment provided by the RDNO has been maintained, but some customers may wish to boil their water for at least one minute when preparing food, drinking, washing fruits and vegetables, making beverages or ice or brushing their teeth.
Photo: RDNO
Map of affected properties.
Ben Low-On – Jul 8, 2025 / 12:18 pm | Story: 560479
Photo: File photo
North Okanagan RCMP are investigating a fatal collision on Highway 97
The North Okanagan RCMP are investigating a collision that claimed the life of one person on Highway 97.
On July 7 at about 8:20 p.m. frontline officers, emergency personnel, and RCMP responded to a serious collision on the highway between Vernon and Kamloops near Tonasket Road.
An investigation found a Subaru travelling north crossed the centre line and into oncoming traffic, colliding with a southbound Mercedes.
BC EHS paramedic public information officer Brian Twaites said EHS provided emergency medical treatment to three patients on scene.
“One patient was transported to hospital in critical condition. A second patient was transported to hospital in serious but stable condition. The third patient was transported to hospital in stable condition,” said Twaites.
Mounties say the 36-year-old driver and lone occupant of the Subaru was removed from the vehicle and transported to hospital, but the Vernon man did not survive.
Both the driver and passenger of the Mercedes sustained non life-threatening injuries.
After the collision, the highway was closed for several hours to allow police to investigate and emergency personnel to complete their duties.
Photo: Contributed
Coldstream sanitary work will close Aberdeen Road at Selkirk Drive.
Sanitary sewer works in Coldstream will close a portion of Aberdeen Road for the rest of the week – limiting access to the Regional District of North Okanagan building.
In a news release, the District of Coldstream said Aberdeen Road at Selkirk Drive will be closed from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily starting today until July 11.
Work is associated with the Aberdeen Sanitary Sewer Project currently underway on Selkirk Drive. The closure is due to the depth of evacuation work and safety concerns for local traffic and pedestrians.
Detours will be available, but vary depending on the type of vehicle being driven.
Everyday vehicles and light trucks needing to access Selkirk Drive or the RDNO office will be detoured via a paved path between Inverness Drive and Selkirk Drive.
Heavy duty trucks, vehicles towing trailers, buses, and emergency services will be granted access through the construction zone, and are asked to contact Chapman Industries at 250-549-2907 (office) or to 250-550-6563 (Site Supervisor) in advance to coordinate access.
There will be no thru traffic from Aberdeen Road to or from Highway 6 – all thru traffic will need to detour via Middleton Drive or Kalamalka Road.
The Selkirk Drive and Aberdeen Road intersection will re-open daily, from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.
Photo: District of Coldstream
Map of work.
Photo: District of Coldstream
Map of work
Photo: Facebook
Shuswap River in Enderby posted by the Shuswap River Ambassadors.
With temperatures expected to hit 32 C this week people in the North Okanagan may be headed to the Shuswap River in Enderby to cool down – one group is reminding people to take precautions by the water.
The Shuswap River Ambassadors say the river has decreased 14 inches since July 2, but there remains a swift current in the river.
“Keep an eye on children/weak swimmers at the beaches along the river. Prepare to not panic when caught in the current and do not try to swim against it, swim downstream on an angle until you reach the shore,” said the group on Facebook.
Hazards are continuously changing with logs/debris floating down and getting hung up throughout the river.
The group says they’ve received reports of people having issues between Eby’s water access point and Belvidere Park due to down trees and dead heads.
People heading down the river on inflatables are advised to bring paddles to help navigate.
Life jackets are also always a requirement on human-powered vessels and Conservation Officers have been monitoring on the water and at launch sites/beaches.
Currently, there’s no sandbar at Tuey Park (Waterwheel Beach).There’s an emergency throw ring at Tuey Park, and life jackets available at the Kid’s Don’t Float Kiosks at both Tuey and Belvidere Parks.
The Shuswap River Ambassadors aim to educate recreational river users about risks, hazards, and safety on the river. More information on the group can be found online.
Photo: Chelsey Mutter file photo
Janet Ward has been denied a death benefit after her husband passed in July 2023.
A Vernon widow is taking her insurance company to court for denying her life insurance claim in her husband’s death.
Janet Ward filed a notice of civil claim in B.C. Supreme Court against Co-Operators Life Insurance Company and Cumis Services Incorporated for denying her the death benefit for her husband Ian Ward.
Court documents claim the insurance company approved Ian’s application for increased death benefit of $97,054 in 2020.
When Janet tried to claim the death benefit in July 2023 after her husband died of a heart attack that month, she ran into troubles. In September that year the insurance company told Janet it was denying the claim, and a month later said the denial was based on misrepresentations in the 2020 application.
“CSI did not indicate that the denial was based on fraud,” reads court documents.
According to the claim, the insurance company required Ian to resubmit a health questionnaire when the couple applied to increase their death benefit. Once the new policy was approved, the company cancelled the couples old benefit without notifying them.
Court documents say Ian filled out the questionnaire accurately “to the extent of Mr. Ward’s knowledge or understanding at that time.”
Janet claims the couple paid premiums for the death benefit “from the time the policies were purchased until the time the claims referred to herein were made.”
The death benefit was intended to provide peace of mind to the couple that funds would cover outstanding mortgage payments in the case either of them died.
The court claim says the insurance company failed to deliver the death benefit, didn’t act in good faith and didn’t have reasonable information to reject the death benefit
Janet is seeking a declaration that CSI is required to pay the death benefit as well as various damages including for breach of contract.
None of the allegations have been tested in court.
More Vernon News