Municipal Government

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

 

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

 

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

 

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)
Penticton City Hall. (File photo)

Penticton councillors defend tax increase for 2022

The DPA and Chamber both called for reductions to the proposed 8.5% hike

Penticton City Hall. (File photo)
The City of Vernon has now implemented a vaccination policy for employees and volunteers who support municipal services. (Black Press Media file photo)

Vernon institutes vaccination mandate for employees, volunteers

Staff and volunteers with municipal services must have COVID vaccines by Jan. 14, 2022

The City of Vernon has now implemented a vaccination policy for employees and volunteers who support municipal services. (Black Press Media file photo)
At least 10 signs appear in a one block span of Martin Street for the new bike lane. The city wants to borrow against its utility reserves to pay for the $4.7 million second phase of the bike lane. (Monique Tamminga Western News)

Penticton looking at pulling from utility reserve to fund $4.7 portion of bike lane

The bike lane project is one part of $47 million in capital spending for 2022

At least 10 signs appear in a one block span of Martin Street for the new bike lane. The city wants to borrow against its utility reserves to pay for the $4.7 million second phase of the bike lane. (Monique Tamminga Western News)
Penticton City Hall. (File photo)

Penticton looking at potential 8.5 per cent tax increase

The 2022 pre-draft budget will be going for public feedback this month

Penticton City Hall. (File photo)
The Children’s Showcase invited Axis Theatre to present in the Cleland Community Theatre, one of many venues and organizations that MP Richard Cannings wished he could have recognized in his statement on the House of Commons floor. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)

City and culture on track to pre-pandemic return in Penticton

Use of fields, community centre and theatre are looking positive for 2022

The Children’s Showcase invited Axis Theatre to present in the Cleland Community Theatre, one of many venues and organizations that MP Richard Cannings wished he could have recognized in his statement on the House of Commons floor. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)
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11 candidates in the ring for Vernon council seat

Sherrilee Franks, Andrew Wylie, Kevin Demers, Catherine Lord and Ed Stranks file papers for byelection

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Penticton City Hall. (Western News - File)

Penticton gears up for 2022 budget process

Feedback sought on hot topics like the bike route, Northern Gateway and building replacements

Penticton City Hall. (Western News - File)
An Abbotsford restaurant's toilets have been generating interest among toilet channels on YouTube.

Sewer rates raised 3% for next 5 years in Vernon

Increase flushes out sewer reserve to the tune of $1.4 million

An Abbotsford restaurant's toilets have been generating interest among toilet channels on YouTube.
Vernon’s Ken Holland (right), president of hockey operations and general manager of the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers, receives his hometown’s highest honour, the Freedom of the City of Vernon Award, from Vernon Mayor Victor Cumming at city hall Tuesday, Oct. 26. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

Edmonton Oilers’ GM humbled by Vernon hometown honour

Ken Holland was presented Freedom of City award at Vernon City Hall

Vernon’s Ken Holland (right), president of hockey operations and general manager of the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers, receives his hometown’s highest honour, the Freedom of the City of Vernon Award, from Vernon Mayor Victor Cumming at city hall Tuesday, Oct. 26. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
Three people have put their name forward on opening day of nominations to run for a vacant seat on Vernon council. (File photo)

Three individuals put names forward for Vernon byelection

Flora Evans, Arthur Gourley and Stephanie Hendy came forward on the opening day of nomination period

Three people have put their name forward on opening day of nominations to run for a vacant seat on Vernon council. (File photo)
The Kettle Valley Steam Railway was one of 11 non-profit organizations to receive a tax exemption from the municipality of Summerland. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)

Summerland approves tax exemptions for non-profit organizations

Full and partial exemptions affect 11 organizations and 1.35% of general property tax revenues

The Kettle Valley Steam Railway was one of 11 non-profit organizations to receive a tax exemption from the municipality of Summerland. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)