Rob Gibson – Oct 11, 2022 / 9:15 pm | Story: 389893
Contributed
UPDATE 9:15 p.m.
A wildfire smouldering in the mountains above West Kelowna is still estimated as 1.6 hectares in size.
The McDougall Creek fire, which is believed to be caused by lightning, is burning northwest of the Rose Valley Reservoir where helicopters were filling their buckets on Tuesday.
While a small plume was visible from the fire Tuesday morning, that had been reduced to a light haze by dusk.
The fire is still classified as out of control.
UPDATE: 3:22 p.m.
The BC Wildfire Service says the McDougall Creek fire, burning above Bartley Rd. is now at an estimated 1.6 hectares in size.
The fire is classified as out of control.
There are seven BCWS personnel responding along with two helicopters.
Photo: Jesse Cholette
UPDATE 12:18 p.m.
The BC Wildfire Service continues to battle a blaze that sparked above Bartley Rd. in West Kelowna.
The fire, called the McDougall Creek fire, remains listed as out of control and is now 1.1 hectares in size.
BC Wildfire Service spokesperson Melanie Bibeau tells Castanet, “there are two initial attack crews with an officer and two helicopters supporting fire suppression.”
The #BCWildfire Service is responding the McDougall Creek wildfire (K52661) located approximately 5 km north of #WestKelowna. The wildfire is currently 0.6 hectares in size and is classified as Out of Control. Personnel are on scene and a helicopter is supporting. pic.twitter.com/T9yB9EqCDk
— BC Wildfire Service (@BCGovFireInfo) October 11, 2022
UPDATE 9:40 a.m.
The West Kelowna Fire Department and crews from BC Wildfire Service are on the scene of a wildfire about eight kilometres up the Bartley Forestry Road.
According to West Kelowna assistant fire chief Lionel Bateman, the fire is estimated at about 0.4 hectares in size and is burning in an area difficult to access.
Light brown smoke from the fire can be seen billowing from the area.
No structures are at risk at the present time.
“Please note that with a very dry, and warm fall, the fire danger is still high,” said Bateman.
“Please ensure all fires are completely extinguished and care is taken in the back country.”
ORIGINAL 8:30 a.m.
West Kelowna Fire crews are on alert after what appears to be a forest fire in the hills above West Kelowna.
West Kelowna Fire Chief Jason Brolund tells Castanet, “there appears to be a fire above Bartley Road outside of the city. Our crews are standing by and BC Wildfire service is investigating.”
This is a developing story and Castanet will have more information as soon as it become available.
Photo: BCWS
Residents of the Central and South Okanagan are being warned about a large controlled burn to start later this month.
The BC Wildfire Service, Penticton Indian Band and Okanagan Nation Alliance are conducting the 170-hectare burn with support from Gorman Brothers Ltd. and the Okanagan Shuswap Resource District.
The Penticton Indian Band and the BC Wildfire Service will carefully control and monitor the fire at all times. Smoke and flames may be visible from Peachland, Summerland, Kelowna, Penticton and surrounding areas, and to travellers along Highways 97 and 97C. The exact location of the burn was not disclosed.
Preparation work for the burn could start as early as Oct. 17. Smoke may be visible through to Nov. 30.
The exact timing of the burn will be dependent on weather, site and venting conditions. Ignition will proceed only if conditions are suitable and will allow for quick smoke dissipation.
The burn is aiming to reduce wildfire fuel, restore the ecosystem and mule deer winter range and “enhance Indigenous cultural values in the area while also supporting the traditional use of fire as a tool to improve the landscape,” said BCWS.
Photo: Contributed
More racist graffiti is being spread around the community, this time in West Kelowna.
A West Kelowna resident tells Castanet on Oct. 1 two vehicles near Mount Boucherie Secondary School were seen spray painting the ‘N’ word on several doors.
‘Video footage [showed it] appeared to be teenagers. I can confirm that two houses had the same word, and two cars were spray painted. [It’s] just sad that these young kids are doing it,” the resident said.
West Kelowna RCMP have been contacted.
On Sunday, Kelowna RCMP said they are calling for anyone in the neighbourhood of Dr. Knox Middle School who may have information or video footage related to racist graffiti sprayed this weekend to come forward.
Several racist remarks and images, including the N and F words and swastikas, were found on the middle school Sunday.
“It’s disturbing to see this kind of hate,” said Const. Mike Della-Paolera, Kelowna RCMP media relations officer, in a news release issued Monday.
“There is no place in Kelowna for this lack of humanity and our investigators are working with the school to track down and identity those responsible.”
Anyone with footage or information can reach out to Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300 and reference file number 2022-63798.
Photo: West Kelowna RCMP
RCMP in West Kelowna kept an impaired driver from getting back on the road after citizens complained about a bizarre parking job.
On Oct. 9 at about 9 p.m. police responded to a large, busy parking lot on Louie Drive. They had received word that a driver had parked their vehicle on the sidewalk in the front entrance of Superstore before going shopping.
RCMP identified the driver when they returned to the vehicle, and the driver was subsequently determined to be impaired by drugs.
The driver was fined and their drivers licence suspended.
In the last five days, police have identified 11 impaired drivers in West Kelowna and served driving prohibitions and impounded vehicles.
“Most of these investigations were self generated by the police officers on patrols during the Thanksgiving long weekend and serve as a good reminder to always assign a sober designated driver,” said inspector Pikola, officer in charge of the West Kelowna RCMP Detachment.
Castanet Staff – Oct 8, 2022 / 9:00 am | Story: 389485
Photo: Rusty Ensign
Castanet News has distributed a questionnaire to city council candidates in both Kelowna and West Kelowna to help voters get to know those putting their names forward. Between the two cities, 45 people are running for city councillor.
All candidates have been given the same questions and answers have been edited for clarity and brevity when needed. Responses will be published daily in the weeks ahead. An interactive database of Okanagan candidates, including previous questionnaire stories, is here and is being updated daily.
Election day is Oct. 15.
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West Kelowna candidate: Rusty Ensign
Why would you make an effective city councillor?
I would make an effective councillor because of my experience, knowledge, contacts and proven ability to bring people together. Being born and raised here I have a historical background that would be valued. With a term off council, I will be far better councillor. Knowing how government works, then watching from the outside, will allow me to be far more objective, effective and focus on what really matters. Serving on the water board will help me get to the reason for so many boil water advisories. My experience on multiple boards has taught me how to collaborate, facilitate, convince and be convinced!
In your view, what is the number one issue facing the city today, and how would you deal with it knowing city hall only has so much power?
I’d like to say getting things done at city hall. But I won’t. Obviously it’s traffic. Money we send to Victoria has grown immensely since the last interchange was built ten year ago. It’s time we got some of it back. Our traffic affects the entire Okanagan. Using the Southern Interior Local Government Association pass a motion to in turn be passed at UBCM to request the province properly fund our transportation deficit. Lobby the minister and new Premier at UBCM meetings. In collaboration with MOT study, facilitate and adopt a long term transportation plan.
It could be decades before a second bridge is built across Okanagan Lake. How do you deal with West Kelowna’s transportation bottleneck in the meantime?
The first bridge was opened by Princess Margret in 1957. Two lane alternating in 1982. The new bridge was opened in 2008 by Bill Bennett. We already need to do the quickest fix by alternating lanes and no light at Abbott. After that my preference is six-laning Dobbin Road with one over or underpass. Give us our main street back. We need a long term frontage road plan on both sides of 97. An interchange at Daimler and another at Boucherie. Eliminate the other accesses. Two interchanges will fix it not five. At this point I’ll take what we can get
Do you think West Kelowna is growing too fast?
Yes it has recently been growing too fast. During these growth spurts the city gets behind on what DCC’s really should be as costs rise. City infrastructure projects should not be done at the same time as a red hot construction market. Public projects should not be competing with private projects and driving up the costs for both. City projects should be done during the slow times to save costs and keep the boys busy. The market has a cycle and every boom is over. In the end the growth all balances out.
How would you make West Kelowna more affordable?
The federal government is ultimately accountable for the current lack of affordability that has led to current market conditions. The city can go after real estate market investors that are abusing the market with short term rentals and Airbnb. This needs to be regulated through a bylaw and enforced. Furthermore it must be investigated not complaint driven by bylaw enforcement. Permitting fees should be increased and more staff hired with a streamlined application process. Developers and builders would be happy to pay to save unnecessary costs, time and money!
If you had $1 million to spend on anything in the city, how would you spend it?
Put it in a reserve fund for waterfront acquisition for the perennial enjoyment of all of our citizens!
Leadership, development and infrastructure seem to be the biggest issues facing Peachland voters as they decide who will lead their community for the next four years.
When Peachlanders go to the polls Oct. 15 to elect a new council, they’ll have three familiar faces to choose from for mayor.
Incumbent Cindy Fortin, who won a drawing of lots after she finished in a dead heat with Harry Gough in 2018, is seeking a third term as mayor.
She’s being challenged by former mayor Keith Fielding who was ousted by Fortin in 2014, and Patrick Van Minsel who is completing his first term on council.
“I feel I have so much more to give to this community,” said Fortin when asked why she is seeking a third term.
“There’s just so much going on that I feel I can add more to what I have already done for this community. And, I also have really good relationships with the ministers, higher levels of government and their staff.”
Fortin admits development is the number one issue as it always seems to be in Peachland.
When it comes to Beach Avenue, Fortin says there is a wide difference in opinion as to what people like and don’t like, but believes it’s time to bring everyone together and redo the plan.
“I want to make sure we redo a Beach Avenue plan and bring everybody in that we can possibly get in to give their voice to what they would like to see along Beach Avenue.
“But, I have to stress there are so many other roads, so many other neighbourhoods and so many other people that live in Peachland.
“We have to think of the community as a whole.”
Her number one priority if re-elected would be to connect sewer to as many in the community as possible.
She also says there is a need for a cumulative effect study on the community’s watershed, which she says she has raised with Land, Water and Resource Stewardship Minister Josie Osborne as well as more affordable housing for Peachland’s seniors.
Fielding, who served as mayor from 2008 to 2014 and is presently on council, says council lacks leadership to build consensus.
“We don’t have that at the present time. I’m talking about the mayor’s role which is to provide that type of inspiring leadership,” says Fielding.
“We’ve got to establish where the community is, where it wants to b in the future and how to get there. That requires a much more consultative, and listen not tell orientation.
“Without that, we are just drifting and our future as a community is going to be decided by the ambitions of developers, rather than what the community aspires its future to look like.”
Fielding points directly at Beach Avenue and a decision by council prior to the 2018 election to allow construction of a five-storey building.
“There is strong support for a three-storey height level along Beach Avenue,” he contended.
“That is a key issue in the community, as is reinstating the sustainable downtown plan. When I was mayor, I worked with the UBC School of Architecture that resulted in a widely supported and popular plan for the downtown area and that had a three storey height limit on properties fronting onto Beach Avenue.”
While the issue is a rehash of the 2018 campaign, Fielding does not believe the results of that election conclude residents are OK with the five-storey decision.
He says he is concerned Peachland is losing its small town charm.
Van Minsel, who won his first seat on council in 2018, says leadership and communication are both lacking in Peachland.
Since earning a seat on council, he says he has discovered a lack of partnerships, with both residents and senior levels of government.
“I think I can do better,” says Van Minsel.
“You have to connect. In order to bring money to our town, you have to connect with the federal and provincial governments on a level that is respectful, where you engage with each other.”
Van Minsel says the municipality is almost demanding things from federal and provincial governments instead of trying to work together and find a way to help each other.
Over the course of the campaign, Van Minsel says he has knocked on about 1,500 doors and spoken to 1,000 Peachland residents.
“I have heard mostly from people up the hill…they want more infrastructure like sewers.
“Some people want more sidewalks and people want more attention to their area instead of always looking at Beach Avenue.
“I agree with that. It ‘s important to us tourism wise, but it’s time to start concentrating on the needs of people not living on Beach Avenue.”
One thing voters won’t have to worry about this time around is a judge determining the outcome as was the case four years ago.
Since Fortin and Gough finished in a tie in 2018, council has amended its election bylaws which now requires a runoff between mayoral candidates who may finish tied on election night.
Rob Gibson – Oct 7, 2022 / 3:39 pm | Story: 389448
Photo: Julian
A dump truck has left the road and landed in the ditch just off the on-ramp to Highway 97C from Trepanier Rd. Friday afternoon.
The photo taken by Julian shows a large truck on its side in the ditch.
“I just drove by it just 20 minutes ago (at 3 p.m.) and it was still leaking oil out of it. So I don’t think it’s been there too long.”
“There’s a big repaving going on Highway 97C. That’s the on-ramp for Hwy 97C from Trepanier Rd. It’s a tight corner they just take it too fast.”
The vehicle isn’t blocking traffic at this point but will need to be hauled out of the ditch and towed away at some point.
Photo: Julian
Castanet Staff – Oct 7, 2022 / 9:00 am | Story: 389286
Photo: Tasha Da Silva
Castanet News has distributed a questionnaire to city council candidates in both Kelowna and West Kelowna to help voters get to know those putting their names forward. Between the two cities, 45 people are running for city councillor.
All candidates have been given the same questions and answers have been edited for clarity and brevity when needed. Responses will be published daily in the weeks ahead. An interactive database of Okanagan candidates, including previous questionnaire stories, is here and is being updated daily.
Election day is Oct. 15.
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West Kelowna candidate: Tasha Da Silva
Why would you make an effective city councillor?
It’s imperative that the right people have a seat at the table, in order to continue momentum and solidify the plan for our future. I’m a natural leader and team player who enjoys building relationships and connecting with the community. I immerse myself in complex issues and contemplate decisions from multiple perspectives. I feel we have an obligation to protect and preserve our natural resources, while always pursuing balance when assessing the residential and commercial needs of our growing community. I believe that my leadership qualities and business acumen would bring a strong perspective to the table.
In your view, what is the number one issue facing the city today, and how would you deal with it knowing city hall only has so much power?
The economic health within our city directly affects the trajectory of economic growth within our community. Municipalities can leverage many tools to renew innovation and economic development for businesses in West Kelowna. Including; financial incentives, improvements to commercial areas, offering research and development tax incentives, promoting our local tourism industry, facilitating stakeholder relationships and connecting businesses in need to skilled workers. In addition to advocacy and collaboration with all levels of government in order to bring additional funding to major economic sectors
It could be decades before a second bridge is built across Okanagan Lake. How do you deal with West Kelowna’s transportation bottleneck in the meantime?
A possible second crossing is years, possibly decades, aways from becoming a reality. In the interim, we should focus on reducing the need for West Kelowna residents to cross the Bennett bridge by creating small neighbourhood centres, such as Lakeview Village, which would provide local access to services, shops and social opportunities.
We can address known areas of congestion by building interchanges at both the Boucherie-Horizon and Westlake-Hudson intersections. While continuing to advocate to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to address the West Kelowna couplet, converting Main street back to a pedestrian friendly street with mixed use development and Dobbin Rd continuing to serve as Hwy 97 access through the community.
Do you think West Kelowna is growing too fast?
Today we are at the precipice of change, with the important task of laying the groundwork for both current, and future residents of our community. It is imperative that the council in the next term finalize the Official Community Plan; in order to support our residents in their endeavours, make sure they have affordable and attainable housing, create and maintain community spaces for future generations and revitalize our plan for economic growth.
How would you make West Kelowna more affordable?
Affordable housing prices should not exceed 30% of a household’s gross annual income. West Kelowna requires a diverse supply of housing which would enable households to better determine the type of housing they want and can afford. Low to moderate income families in our community are in most need of affordable and attainable housing options. Partnering with industry stakeholders to build a combination of purpose built rentals, co-operatives, subsidized and secondary housing throughout the community, would increase housing pool options and alleviate housing shortages within our growing community.
If you had $1 million to spend on anything in the city, how would you spend it?
In the sense of municipal projects, a million dollars isn’t a big budget. With that in mind, I’d like to see the money allocated towards arts and culture, including some of the funds going towards the Boucherie Community Centre Restoration project. Once a hub for arts and culture, The City of West Kelowna already has reserve funds allocated to restoring it to its former glory. Adding $1M to this budget would open up a vast opportunity for adding additional amenities which can be enjoyed by the whole community.
Castanet Staff – Oct 6, 2022 / 9:00 am | Story: 388787
Photo: Jasmine Naaykens
Castanet News has distributed a questionnaire to city council candidates in both Kelowna and West Kelowna to help voters get to know those putting their names forward. Between the two cities, 45 people are running for city councillor.
All candidates have been given the same questions and answers have been edited for clarity and brevity when needed. Responses will be published daily in the weeks ahead. An interactive database of Okanagan candidates, including previous questionnaire stories, is here and is being updated daily.
Election day is Oct. 15.
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West Kelowna candidate: Jasmine Naaykens
Why would you make an effective city councillor?
I would make an effective city councillor because I genuinely love my city. I want to be apart of the team that moves this city forward. I listen to my community and work hard to involve many resources to ensure I make data influenced decisions. More about me can be found on my website here.
In your view, what is the number one issue facing the city today, and how would you deal with it knowing city hall only has so much power?
I prioritize our outdated infrastructure. If we can focus on a progressive approach, we can eliminate a plethora of inconsistencies that the residents of West Kelowna are facing.
- Traffic
- Affordable housing
- Safety (homelessness)
- Cost efficiency
- Conservation of mountainside
- Tourism
- Safe drinking water
The city is directly responsible for how we zone land, approve the plans for our future communities, lobby the provincial government for changes regarding expansive infrastructure (highways etc.) and raise/budget funds for all the above. I will be approaching these areas by being involved with the community and involved on council taking my constituents opinions and ensuring I stand for their ideals by putting them forward, not waiting for concerns to arise.
It could be decades before a second bridge is built across Okanagan Lake. How do you deal with West Kelowna’s transportation bottleneck in the meantime?
Traffic management is incredibly unique to each location. It factors in elements such as, length of block, green time, merge points, sprawl, under development, human error and so on. Since the science of traffic pattern is so intricate, I do not wish to state I have the answer. I believe it would be cost efficient to bring in a traffic engineer technologist to monitor our traffic patterns and find a solution. Keeping the guess work out of it will ensure we don’t waste money or simply move the problem.
Do you think West Kelowna is growing too fast?
Absolutely, and we need the right team to manage the changes that come with it. As a resident born and raised in West Kelowna it has been shocking to watch the fast-paced growth of our once, small town. This is a key factor for my inspiration to run for council. I can see the value in welcoming the growth and I want to take part in the process to ensure we are making decisions that benefit the new and honour the existing.
How would you make West Kelowna more affordable?
The goal is to keep our financial gains within our community. If we can continue to drive infrastructure forward developing desirable places to live and work that will cause multiple service providers to open causing an ecosystem for competitive rates to be available. The more diverse opportunities for work will bring in new employees who will then reinvest in the businesses available locally. Keeping our financial gains in our community and the cycle continues.
If you had $1 million to spend on anything in the city, how would you spend it?
My goals for a windfall of $1 million would be to invest it within an asset that has a modest annual return on investment of 8%.
I would probably choose to leverage the million dollars as a 25% down payment to control roughly $4 million of real estate or real estate development power ideally building city-owned housing (through the new economic development corporation) which would hopefully begin our journey of tackling our affordability issues as well as providing us with an $80,000 return (8% of 1 million) to continue to reinvest in more income producing assets or community programs which would continuously add value to West Kelowna’s growth and connectivity.
Photo: Pat Baril
Here’s something you don’t see every day.
Pat Baril was having an early morning coffee in West Kelowna when a deer wandered by the house. It was the same one that usually comes by in the morning and evenings, but this time she was with her two fawns.
Baril, loving nature and wildlife, ran to grab their camera to capture the three deer in the yard, but that’s when the special moment occurred. A bird landed on the back of the mother deer and Baril was able to capture a candid moment of the two animals together.
“I love nature and wildlife so I ran to get my good camera. I love taking pictures and capturing special moments. This one was truly special,” Baril told Castanet. “It’s all about capturing that precise moment.”
The photo was taken behind Rose Valley School on Westlake Road.
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