Brendan Shykora

Emergency crews responded to a fully involved truck fire in Vernon in the early morning hours of Thursday, March 30, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Fire that destroyed truck in Vernon deemed suspicious

Police have video of a person inside the truck shortly before it went up in flames

Emergency crews responded to a fully involved truck fire in Vernon in the early morning hours of Thursday, March 30, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
The City of Vernon has introduced a new permit to allow businesses in the downtown core to expand their retail and patio spaces outdoors. The city announced the new permit Tuesday, March 28, 2023. (City of Vernon photo)

Downtown Vernon businesses can now expand patios into parking space

The city unveiled a new outdoor commercial use permit Tuesday, March 28

The City of Vernon has introduced a new permit to allow businesses in the downtown core to expand their retail and patio spaces outdoors. The city announced the new permit Tuesday, March 28, 2023. (City of Vernon photo)
Police in Vernon are in search of Vanessa Vanderest, 26, who has been missing from her Vernon home since March 21, 2023. (RCMP photo)

Police seek help finding missing Vernon woman

Vanessa Vanderest, 26, has been missing since March 21

Police in Vernon are in search of Vanessa Vanderest, 26, who has been missing from her Vernon home since March 21, 2023. (RCMP photo)
Vancouver Coastal karate athlete Haumi Tarighatbin (red) faces off against Cancouver Island Central Coast athlete Hudson Ball Saturday, March 25, 2023, during the Greater Vernon B.C. Winter Games at Kalamalka Secondary School. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

PHOTOS: Athletes dazzle on Day 2 of B.C. Winter Games in Greater Vernon

Competition in the Games continued Saturday; run through to 12 p.m. Sunday, March 26

Vancouver Coastal karate athlete Haumi Tarighatbin (red) faces off against Cancouver Island Central Coast athlete Hudson Ball Saturday, March 25, 2023, during the Greater Vernon B.C. Winter Games at Kalamalka Secondary School. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
A GoFundMe campaign has been launched for a man injured while snowmobiling at Hunter’s Range near Enderby March 3, 2023. (GoFundMe photo)

Fundraiser for North Okanagan man with serious spinal cord injury tops $36K

Gary Matvenko was injured March 3 while unloading his snowmobile near Enderby

A GoFundMe campaign has been launched for a man injured while snowmobiling at Hunter’s Range near Enderby March 3, 2023. (GoFundMe photo)
Vernon resident Blake Dergez, accused of shining a powerful laser pointer at passing airplanes in Vernon, will stand trial May 17, 2023. (Morning Star file photo)

Vernon man accused of shining laser at airplanes to stand trial in May on other charges

Blake Everett Dergez remains in custody, has trial in Penticton Aug. 21

Vernon resident Blake Dergez, accused of shining a powerful laser pointer at passing airplanes in Vernon, will stand trial May 17, 2023. (Morning Star file photo)
More than 900 athletes are competing in the B.C. Winter Games from Friday, March 24, to Sunday, March 26, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Let the games begin: B.C. Winter Games in Greater Vernon officially underway

The torch is lit and over 900 athletes are ready to compete from Friday to Sunday

More than 900 athletes are competing in the B.C. Winter Games from Friday, March 24, to Sunday, March 26, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
(Sir Winston's photo)

Lake Country couple new owners of popular Vernon Pub

Cory Jmaeff and his partner Juli Spearing take over Sir Winston’s, have experience in the industry

(Sir Winston's photo)
Now with a new name, the Big Cheese festival in Armstrong is back for its 10th year, with events on tap April 14 and 15, 2023. (Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce photo)

New name, same cheesy goodness at North Okanagan festival

The Big Cheese, formerly known as Cheese… It’s A Natural, will mark its 10th year April 14 and 15

Now with a new name, the Big Cheese festival in Armstrong is back for its 10th year, with events on tap April 14 and 15, 2023. (Armstrong Spallumcheen Chamber of Commerce photo)
A woman has shared her encounter with a nurse at Vernon Jubilee Hospital in a pair of videos on TikTok, saying she received insufficient care while experiencing a mental health crisis at the hospital. (Savanna Hedstrom/TikTok)

Woman facing mental health crisis says she was refused a face-to-face with doctor at Vernon hospital

The woman’s TikTok video has been viewed more than 218,000 times

A woman has shared her encounter with a nurse at Vernon Jubilee Hospital in a pair of videos on TikTok, saying she received insufficient care while experiencing a mental health crisis at the hospital. (Savanna Hedstrom/TikTok)
BGC Okanagan is closing its preschool program at Lavington Elementary School, confirmed in a letter to parents dated Feb. 7.
(Brendan Shykora/Morning Star)

North Okanagan preschool program shutting down

Preschool at Lavington Elementary School extends last day of operation

BGC Okanagan is closing its preschool program at Lavington Elementary School, confirmed in a letter to parents dated Feb. 7.
(Brendan Shykora/Morning Star)
Honey the Pomeranian showed off her outfit at a dog parade during SilverStar Mountain Resort’s Dog Day event Friday, March 10, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

PHOTOS: A doggone good time at Vernon’s SilverStar Mountain Resort

SilverStar’s Dog Day featured a weiner race, an obstacle course, a doggy dance-off and more

Honey the Pomeranian showed off her outfit at a dog parade during SilverStar Mountain Resort’s Dog Day event Friday, March 10, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Coldstream firefighters battle a house fire Friday, March 10, 2023. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

Two hospitalized for smoke inhalation following Coldstream house fire

The two were reunited with their cat Saturday; house a total loss

Coldstream firefighters battle a house fire Friday, March 10, 2023. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
A power outage is affecting nearly 3,600 Vernon customers Saturday, March 11, 2023. (BC Hydro image)

UPDATE: Power back on for thousands in Vernon following outage

The power outage started around 10:45 a.m. March 11

A power outage is affecting nearly 3,600 Vernon customers Saturday, March 11, 2023. (BC Hydro image)
Peak Pride is on at SilverStar Mountain Resort, with events on tap until Sunday, March 12, 2023. (Submitted photo)

Vernon ski resort hosts Peak Pride festival

Events are on tap all weekend until Sunday, March 12

Peak Pride is on at SilverStar Mountain Resort, with events on tap until Sunday, March 12, 2023. (Submitted photo)
Kelowna Law Courts. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)

North Okanagan murder suspect abandon’s bail application, will remain in custody

Jevon Daniel Smith was arrested in 2021 in connection to the shooting death of Dakota Samoleski

Kelowna Law Courts. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)
A new stage has been reconstructed at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre, which will reopen for regular performances starting Saturday, March 11, 2023. The theatre’s main stage was damaged by a burst pipe and subsequent flooding in December 2022. (Submitted photo)

Vernon Performing Arts Centre opens curtain following flood damage

A burst pipe in December caused water damage to the main stage, forcing shows to move elsewhere

A new stage has been reconstructed at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre, which will reopen for regular performances starting Saturday, March 11, 2023. The theatre’s main stage was damaged by a burst pipe and subsequent flooding in December 2022. (Submitted photo)
Jessica Jynn Ruschiensky, 29, is wanted for theft and failing to comply with a probation order. The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP put out a call to the public for help in locating her Wednesday, March 8, 2023. (RCMP photo)

Vernon police search for woman wanted for theft

Jessica Lynn Ruschiensky is also wanted for failing to comply with a probation order

Jessica Jynn Ruschiensky, 29, is wanted for theft and failing to comply with a probation order. The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP put out a call to the public for help in locating her Wednesday, March 8, 2023. (RCMP photo)
A dust advisory has been extended in Vernon Wednesday, March 8, 2023. (Morning Star - file photo)

Dust worsens in Vernon, extending air quality advisory

Dust advisories are frequent in Vernon

A dust advisory has been extended in Vernon Wednesday, March 8, 2023. (Morning Star - file photo)
Slash piles will be burned on Okanagan Indian Band land sometime this week, according to a post on the OKIB website March 3, 2023. (Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services photo)

Slash piles to be burned on Okanagan Indian Band land

The slash piles come as a danger tree removal project comes to a close in the Six Mile Creek area

Slash piles will be burned on Okanagan Indian Band land sometime this week, according to a post on the OKIB website March 3, 2023. (Cranbrook Fire & Emergency Services photo)
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