UPDATE: Merry Creek fire now 90% contained, evacuation orders and notices have been lifted
Based on the recommendation from BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) regarding the 20-hectare Merry Creek wildfire (N51165), the Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) is rescinding the Evacuation Order for 31 properties and the Evacuation Alert for one property in Electoral Area J as of 12:30...
From The Hill — Richard Cannings
On Saturday I took part in the send-off ceremonies in Penticton for the Syilx Caravan for the Children that went to Kamloops to grieve for the 215 children who were found in unmarked graves on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School in the Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation. A good crowd had gathered, ...
Category 2 fire prohibitions to start in the Southeast Fire Centre
Effective at 12:00 pm (noon) on Friday, June 25, 2021, Category 2 and Category 3 open fires, as well as other equipment and activities will be prohibited throughout the Southeast Fire Centre. This prohibition is being implemented due to increased fire danger ratings caused by a warming trend throughout the Southeast Fire...
Penticton/Oliver - Two churches destroyed overnight in suspicious fires
A Catholic Church on the Penticton Indian Band and a Catholic Church on the Osoyoos Indian Band have been destroyed in overnight fires. On June 21, 2021 at 1:22 a.m., a Penticton RCMP officer was on patrol when he observed fire coming from the Sacred Heart Church on Green Mountain Road. By the time the officer arrived on...
Two small fires being reported in Southeast Fire Centre
The BC Wildfire Service is reporting a small fire Sunday in the Arrow Lakes region. The BC Wildfire Service interactive map shows a .01 hectare fire at Hutchinson Creek. The cause of the fire is unknown. The Hutchinson Creek is one of two fires being reported in the Southeast Fire Centre. The other fire — .02 hectare Hall...
RCMP release name of victim in 2015 Creston murder, request public info
The RCMP Southeast District Major Crime Unit (MCU) is looking to advance the criminal investigation into the homicide death of a 26-year-old Creston man, whose body was located inside a residence near Creston in 2015. Click here to view the original news release published on June 3, 2015 On May 31, 2015 at 3:14 p.m., Creston...
Join the Lake Biodiversity Photo Challenge
This summer Living Lakes Canada is calling on all Columbia Basin residents to get involved in the Lake Biodiversity Photo Challenge. Simply snap a photo of your favourite lake(s) and submit it to the contest for a chance to win prizes from Kicking Horse Coffee and Lush. Photo submissions will be accepted until July 31, 2021...
B.C. prepares to move to Step 2 of its restart plan
Beginning on Tuesday, June 15, 2021, British Columbia will take the next step in safely bringing people back together, transitioning into Step 2 of BC’s Restart plan, including lifting restrictions on travel within B.C. “Thanks to our collective efforts and commitment to get vaccinated,...
Selkirk College Seeks Community Input for President Search
The Selkirk College Board of Governors has begun the process of finding a new president and is seeking community input on what traits will be most important in guiding regional post-secondary into the future. Earlier this year, Selkirk College President Angus Graeme announced that he will be retiring from his position in May...
Interior Health adding drop-in hours to COVID-19 vaccine clinics
Interior Health immunization clinics across the region are adding and extending hours for drop-in vaccinations. Drop-in access is for people who are 12+ (born in 2009 or earlier) who have not received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine. People can arrive, register on the spot, and receive their vaccine. No advance appointments...
