Brendan Shykora

Adult Western corn rootworms feasting on a corn plant. The insects, which are highly destructive to corn crops, were discovered in the North Okanagan and Shuswap for the first time in August 2023. (B.C. Ministry of Agriculture photo)

Pest that devastates corn crops found at North Okanagan, Shuswap farms

The Western corn rootworm causes over $1 billion of damage to U.S. corn crops each year

Adult Western corn rootworms feasting on a corn plant. The insects, which are highly destructive to corn crops, were discovered in the North Okanagan and Shuswap for the first time in August 2023. (B.C. Ministry of Agriculture photo)
A COVID-19 outbreak was declared at Vernon Jubilee Hospital Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

COVID outbreak at B.C. hospital results in one death

Four people have been infected since the outbreak was declared Monday, Aug. 28

A COVID-19 outbreak was declared at Vernon Jubilee Hospital Monday, Aug. 28, 2023. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above houses in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, August 18, 2023. Canadian insurers are grappling with higher risk of wildfires amid a record-breaking season, and experts say rising premiums are just one part of how the industry is seeking to adapt to an ever-changing new normal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

More West Kelowna residents heading home as evacuation order downgraded to alert

The change is for the Tallus Ridge, Shannon Woods Drive and Rainbow Road areas

The McDougall Creek wildfire burns on the mountainside above houses in West Kelowna, B.C., on Friday, August 18, 2023. Canadian insurers are grappling with higher risk of wildfires amid a record-breaking season, and experts say rising premiums are just one part of how the industry is seeking to adapt to an ever-changing new normal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
BC Wildfire Services continue to battle the McDougall Creek wildfire that’s been burning since Tuesday, Aug. 15. (BC Wildfire Services)

Evacuation order lifted for some Westbank First Nation properties

Properties on Lindley Drive and Lindley Road have been downgraded to an alert

BC Wildfire Services continue to battle the McDougall Creek wildfire that’s been burning since Tuesday, Aug. 15. (BC Wildfire Services)
The Clarke Creek wildfire in Lake Country started Aug. 18, 2023 (Contributed)

UPDATE: No change in size of McDougall Creek wildfire in West Kelowna

‘People must remember, the fire is being held, the fire is not out,’ Lake Country’s mayor cautioned

The Clarke Creek wildfire in Lake Country started Aug. 18, 2023 (Contributed)
Evacuation orders have been downgraded in the Shuswap Friday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2023. (CSRD photo)

Evacuation order lifted for more Shuswap areas

Residents can now make their way home, but are still under an evacuation alert

Evacuation orders have been downgraded in the Shuswap Friday afternoon, Aug. 25, 2023. (CSRD photo)
The BC Wildfire Service continues to respond to the McDougall Creek wildfire in the Central Okanagan Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. (BC Wildfire photo)

BC Wildfire conducting aerial ignition on McDougall Creek wildfire

Crews are working to strengthen control lines in the northern portion of the McDougall Creek wildfire

The BC Wildfire Service continues to respond to the McDougall Creek wildfire in the Central Okanagan Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. (BC Wildfire photo)
The Walroy Lake wildfire sits at 794 hectares going into Wednesday, Aug. 23 and continues to display low fire activity. (Mark Rogers/Facebook)

Feelings of elation as Walroy Lake wildfire held, Kelowna evacuees to return home

Residents can visit cordemergency.ca for the latest updates to evacuation orders

The Walroy Lake wildfire sits at 794 hectares going into Wednesday, Aug. 23 and continues to display low fire activity. (Mark Rogers/Facebook)
A total of 90 properties have been partially or fully damaged by the McDougall Creek wildfire in the North Westside, fire chief Ross Kotscherofski said in a media conference Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. (Sharon Smith/Facebook)

90 properties damaged by wildfire in North Westside

Fire chief says rain, cooler temperatures have made firefighting easier

A total of 90 properties have been partially or fully damaged by the McDougall Creek wildfire in the North Westside, fire chief Ross Kotscherofski said in a media conference Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023. (Sharon Smith/Facebook)
An evacuation order has been issued for the Celista area in the North Shuswap up to Evans Road Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. (CSRD photo)

Evacuation order expanded in North Shuswap community

The Celista area up to Evans Road is under an evacuation order due to Lower East Adams Lake wildfire

An evacuation order has been issued for the Celista area in the North Shuswap up to Evans Road Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. (CSRD photo)
The BC SPCA is offering support to pet owners who are dealing with the threat of wildfires. (BC SPCA photo)

BC SPCA taking in pets of wildfire evacuees, deploying more staff in Thompson-Okanagan

BC SPCA has 24 animals in their care with more requests coming in

The BC SPCA is offering support to pet owners who are dealing with the threat of wildfires. (BC SPCA photo)
A number of properties on Rawson Road as well as the northern reach of Tsútswecw Park are under an evacuation due to the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. (Shuswap Emergency Program photo)

Evacuation order issued for Adams Lake properties in Shuswap

Ferry service closed except for evacuees, emergency services

A number of properties on Rawson Road as well as the northern reach of Tsútswecw Park are under an evacuation due to the Lower East Adams Lake wildfire Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. (Shuswap Emergency Program photo)
The Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival will go on despite smoky skies from nearby wildfires, the festival announced on Facebook Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Black Press Media)

Show will go on: Salmon Arm ROOTSandBLUES proceeding as planned

Organizers say Salmon Arm ‘is not under any direct wildfire threat’

The Salmon Arm Roots and Blues Festival will go on despite smoky skies from nearby wildfires, the festival announced on Facebook Friday, Aug. 18, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Black Press Media)
Highway 6 has been closed by a vehicle incident east of Cherryville Friday night, Aug. 18, 2023. (DriveBC photo)

UPDATE: Highway 6 reopens east of Vernon after vehicle incident

No detour available as of 8:15 p.m.

Highway 6 has been closed by a vehicle incident east of Cherryville Friday night, Aug. 18, 2023. (DriveBC photo)
An Australian couple vacationing in the Shuswap captured photos of a bald eagle that appears to have been ensnared by a fishing line on Aug. 3, 2023. (Neil Poh photo)

Bald eagle snagged by fishing line spotted at B.C. lake

An Australian couple captured photos of the eagle while vacationing in the area

An Australian couple vacationing in the Shuswap captured photos of a bald eagle that appears to have been ensnared by a fishing line on Aug. 3, 2023. (Neil Poh photo)
Evacuation alerts currently in place for Lee Creek and Scotch Creek could be upgraded to evacuation orders due to windy conditions Thursday afternoon, Aug. 17, 2023. (CSRD photo)

Evacuation orders loom in Shuswap as heavy winds could increase wildfire activity

CSRD urging those on evacuation alert from the Adams Lake wildfire to be prepared to leave

Evacuation alerts currently in place for Lee Creek and Scotch Creek could be upgraded to evacuation orders due to windy conditions Thursday afternoon, Aug. 17, 2023. (CSRD photo)
Six men were charged in relation to a large-scale drug lab bust in Lumby in 2018. (RCMP photo)

Large Okanagan drug lab leads to 11 years jail for 2 men

Trent Fussi and Robyn Bryson are among six people to be sentenced after the lab was busted in 2018

Six men were charged in relation to a large-scale drug lab bust in Lumby in 2018. (RCMP photo)
A fire broke out in an industrial area of Merritt Saturday, July 29, 2023. (Jordy Cunningham - Capital News)

BREAKING: Fire sends thick smoke above industrial area of Merritt

A helicopter could be seen dumping water on the blaze around 4 p.m. Saturday

A fire broke out in an industrial area of Merritt Saturday, July 29, 2023. (Jordy Cunningham - Capital News)
A smoky skies bulletin has been issued for much of B.C. Friday, July 14, 2023. (Dave Ardill photo)

Wildfire smoke affecting air quality throughout B.C.

A smoky skies bulletin has been issued for a large eastern portion of the province

A smoky skies bulletin has been issued for much of B.C. Friday, July 14, 2023. (Dave Ardill photo)
A 63-year-old man died while learning to paraglide during a Freedom Paragliding School lesson near Lumby Thursday, July 13, 2023. (Freedom Flight Park/Facebook)

Man dies while learning to paraglide in North Okanagan

The 63-year-old man fell about 25 feet during a solo training flight Thursday morning

A 63-year-old man died while learning to paraglide during a Freedom Paragliding School lesson near Lumby Thursday, July 13, 2023. (Freedom Flight Park/Facebook)