From a sweltering extended summer to a mild start to winter, 2025 was a record-breaking year for warmth for much of the Okanagan. It was the warmest year on record for Vernon and Kelowna, and the fourth-warmest year for Penticton. Kelowna’s average temperature for the year came in at 10.6 degrees Celsius, which was 2.4 […]

A Chilliwack pastor ticketed for in-person worship during lockdowns has had the matter set aside in Provincial Court of B.C. The Alberta-based Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms announced on Jan. 8 that both convictions had been “vacated” for Pastor John Koopman of the Free Reformed Church in Chilliwack. In 2022 Koopman was charged with participating

The Chilliwack Mural Festival has put out the call for muralists and musicians for 2026. “We’re thrilled to open applications for the 2026 Chilliwack Mural Festival and to see interest from artists and musicians working at every scale,” said Lise Oakley, executive director of the Chilliwack Arts Council. “The festival continues to grow in both

The District of Hope has hired private security to patrol the streets following a “recent spike of wire thefts” in Hope. According to Kevin Dicken, director of operations for the district, district staff were informed last week (Dec. 28 – Jan. 4) that the wire theft has spread from Richmond Hill to Park Street and

Maple Ridge Lions Club is hosting its annual day of mid-winter fun and expects hundreds of people to attend again this year. The Winter Family Fun Day & Market will be held on this year’s Family Day – which falls on Monday, Feb. 16, running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Albion Fairgrounds,