Kelowna News

European vacation in Kelowna

AM 1150 — Fri, 18 May 2012 23:20:00 GMT

An encouraging sign for BC tourism.

International visitors to our province was up close to 12 percent in March as compared to last year.

"Europeans tend to like to travel in the off season. You will see a greater amount of visitation from European in Kelowna in the spring and particularly in the fall."

Tourism Kelowna's Catherine Frechette admits BC, Alberta and Ontario visitors are the bread and butter when it comes to tourism traffic in the Okanagan in the summer.

Mayor's Caucus wraps up in Penticton by forming Premier Round Table

AM 1150 — Fri, 18 May 2012 22:26:00 GMT

The BC Mayors Caucus has wrapped up two days of meetings in Penticton.

The mayors created a Premier's Roundtable in an effort to discuss public policy changes with the province that affects the budgets of local governments.

Penticton Mayor Dan Ashton says by coming together as a single voice they can better serve the interests of all citizens.

"We have to learn how to do better with what we have without continually going to the taxpayer. In my opinion, their is only one taxpayer and Fred and Mary have had enough with contributions."

The mayors also agreed to meet on an annual basis.

Knox Mountain Hill Climb organizers in big bind

AM 1150 — Fri, 18 May 2012 21:05:00 GMT

A setback to the safety of both the drivers and spectators taking part in this weekend's Knox Mountain Hill Climb.

Organizer Brian Fulton says they are in desperate need of a volunteer fire fighter.

"The Saturday fire fighter called me just before noon and told me I can't make it and I have to work. So that leaves us looking for a fire fighter position and the rescue truck".

Fulton says he is looking for a retired fire fighter that can lend a hand Saturday who is able to respond to emergency situations should they arise.

If you can help, call Fulton at 250-878-2133.

Life jacket awareness event at Kelowna Yacht Club

Hayley Cooper — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:35:00 GMT

Safe Boating Week begins Saturday and the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron is marking the occasion at the Kelowna Yacht Club.

Spokesperson Marguerite Berry says their group will be launching its "We Wear It" promotion, raising awareness on the vital importance of life jackets.

Berry says fatalities are up 56 per cent in paddle boat sports.

"All paddle boards, canoeing, incidents have been greatly increased with fatalities because people are not wearing a life jacket."

The Squadron will be at the Kelowna Yacht Club, giving out free hot dogs to anyone wearing a life jacket tomorrow, between 11:30 and 1.

The Mustang and Coast Guard Auxiliary will be giving away free C02 cartridges to anyone that pulls the cord on their life jackets.

Rutland May Days

Wendy McLeod — Fri, 18 May 2012 13:06:00 GMT

Rutland May Days has returned for its 53rd year.

New this year is the pancake breakfast on Saturday to kick off the parade.

Coordinator Chris Brown says they've even brought something new in geared more towards guys attending the event.

"Last year people said to me, you've got something for everyone here accept for the dads. This year we've brought lawnmower racing in. From 2PM - 4PM and 6PM - 8PM on Saturday, and then again from 4PM - 2PM on Sunday. They're professional lawnmower racing and they put on a great show."

Westcoast Amusements will also be in attendance with a number of rides including something more for kids.

"They've got a kiddie-land this year, they've not had it in the past. There will also be 18 rides on the grounds this year, some of them we've never had before."

Besides rides, there will be food and of course plenty of entertainment.

Cost to get in is only a toonie.

Shoppers and Sammy J's open at new shopping centre in West Kelowna

Wendy McLeod — Fri, 18 May 2012 12:58:00 GMT

The first Okanagan Lake Shopping Centre businesses are finally up and running.

On Thursday, Shoppers Drug Mart and Sammy J's opened their doors.

A number of other businesses within the strip mall should open sometime in June and July, including Landmark Cinemas.

Another round of businesses will start up in 2013.

Meanwhile work continues on the Nancee Way underpass. Crews should complete it sometime this fall.

Missing Man UPDATE

Hayley Cooper — Thu, 17 May 2012 23:48:00 GMT

An ATV believed to belong to a missing Kelowna man has been located.

The green ATV, which belongs to Bill Hermakin, was found on the Kettle Valley Railway above Naramata near Penticton, burned up.

Hermakin was reported missing April 30th.

The 49 year old was last seen April 26th driving his turquoise 1996 Ford F-250 with the Quad in the back.

He was wearing blue jeans, a green stripped long sleeve shirt and a black vest at the time.

Investigators determine cause of Rutland house fire

Hayley Cooper — Thu, 17 May 2012 21:13:00 GMT

Kelowna Fire Investigators now know what caused a massive house fire in Rutland Wednesday.

Deputy Fire Chief Thomas Doherty says someone on site was lighting cardboard boxes as a way of disposing them.

"However the boxes spread to nearby hedges which spread to the nearby attic and destroyed the home."

Crews were called to the home at 3363 Springfield Road around 3pm Wednesday and by the ime they arrived, flames were shooting out of the roof.

Doherty says no charges will be laid.

BC Coroner confirms identity of plane crash victims

Hayley Cooper — Thu, 17 May 2012 19:33:00 GMT

The three people that died in Sunday's plane crash near Kelowna are all from West Vancouver.

The BC Coroners Service is confirming the identity of the three as 52 year old pilot, Colin Moyes, 81 year old Peter Brooke Lovelace Keate and his 79 year old wife, Inez Helen Keate.

Regional Coroner Mark Coleman says an autoposy will be conducted on Moyes.

"As would be the case with any pilot that has died in an air crash. The two passengers will not. The cause of death is pretty apparent as being injuries sustained in the crash."

The three had just taken off from Kelowna around 6:30pm, enroute to Pitt Meadows, when the Beaver float plane crashed into a hillside off Highway 97C near Brenda Mines and burst into flames.

The Transportation Safety Board is examing parts of the aircraft, trying to determine what caused the crash.

Plane crash victims could be named today

AM 1150 — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:54:00 GMT

The Regional coroner is expected to reveal the names of the two unknown victims of last Sunday's float plane crash this morning.

The pilot of the plane, which crashed just near the Okanagan Connector west of Peachland, has been identified as 52 year old Robert Moyes of North Vancouver. Moyes is said to be an experienced pilot who had flown between the Fraser Valley and Kelowna several times.

He was engaged to be married next month and leaves behind a fiance and an 11 year old son.