Kelowna Fire Department on the scene of an accident at a home along Muir Road

Truck smashed in driveway

Photo: Contributed

The Kelowna Fire Department is on the scene of an accident at a home along Muir Road in Rutland.

A bystander says a truck destroyed another parked truck in a driveway, impacting a fence, deck, and pool.

The cause of the crash is unknown at this time.

Kelowna firefighters stop garage fire from spreading to home

Fire contained to garage

Photo: Madison Reeve

Fire scorched a garage on Mustang Court Sunday afternoon.

Quick work by the Kelowna Fire Department helped save a home on Mustang Court near Academy Way Sunday afternoon.

“When crews arrived initially there was heavy black smoke coming from the garage,” said KFD Platoon Captain Corrie Lang. “Crews made entry through the garage and extinguished the fire.”

He says the fire did not spread from the attached garage to the home.

There was one man home at the time. He got out safely and no one was injured.

Platoon Captain Lang noted that the cause of the fire was not obvious at first inspection so an investigation will be opened to determined what sparked it.

Photo: Madison Reeve

Emergency crews outside a home where a garage fire broke out Sunday afternoon.

People dumped piles of trash outside bottle depot Saturday

Piles of trash outside depot

Photo: Contributed

The assistant manager of Columbia Bottle Depots on Kent Road in Kelowna says she came into work on Sunday morning disgusted by what some members of the community had done.

Yvonne says she arrived at 8 a.m. to find multiple mounds of garbage sitting outside the door of the business.

"There were mountains of it. On our back gate, it was all where we do our household garbage and recycling. It was piled as high as the gate... people's garbage, recycling, and their bottles. It was all across the entire parking lot. Out in front, there were 20 boxes of electronics thrown in the middle of our parking lot and garbage everywhere."

"It was terrible; it was actually disgusting that people have no courtesy and zero respect... all the way down the sidewalk. Believe it or not, the homeless helped us clean it up," Yvonne said.

The Depot is typically open on Saturdays, but was closed yesterday due to National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Maggie says she headed to the depot first thing Sunday morning and was also disgusted by what she saw.

"It's sad. How can people do this? Somehow, the citizens of Kelowna thought it was their right to dump everything outside the gates, including garbage and grass clippings that the depot doesn't take. How can Kelowna residents be so inconsiderate?" she said.

"Come on, everybody. Somebody has to clean that stuff up and give your freakin' head a shake," she added.

Photo: Contributed

Castanet's Week in Review with Brayden Ursel

Castanet's Week in Review

Castanet's Week in Review for the week of Sept. 24 - 30, 2023.

Construction can now begin on expansion of the terminal at YLW

Expansion of YLW to begin

Photo: Kelowna International Airport

Construction should begin soon on the large terminal expansion at Kelowna International Airport.

The city this week issued a $70 million building permit for the airport project.

The terminal expansion at YLW is part of a $108 million expansion project which was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The expansion, expected to be complete by 2026 will increase the airport's security screening area and expand the departures lounge, while increasing food and beverage options.

About 5,590 square-metres will be added to the terminal building, while 1,200 square-metres of existing space will be renovated.

Passengers will see changes to parking in long-term Lot A and restricted access into the terminal building from the south end of the building, while demolition work will start in the security screening area.

Kelowna adventure racer headed to World Championship with two teammates he’s never met

Worldwide adventure seeker

A Kelowna adventure racer is hoping to reach the pinnacle of his sport.

Curtis Johnson Morrison is training to compete in the Adventure Racing World Championship in South Africa on October 19. He’s part of a four person team that includes a husband and wife team from South Africa (Di and Neil Steenkamp) whom he’s never met in person.

He says each team member has their strengths that will help them complete the gruelling course.

“My partner from Victoria (Riley De Blonde), he’s a really good kayaker for example. The couple that we’ve met up with, the husband and wife combo, they’re also really world-class paddlers.

“I grew up on a mountain bike on the trails up behind Crawford, so I’ve got a base in that,” says Johnson Morrison, who says that’s what he enjoys about being part of a team sport.

“When one guy is sort of struggling, having a tough go, the others can cheer him on and help him go.”

He’s inspired by and wants to represent Kelowna athletes who he sees out on the trails and the lake everyday. His motto has always been ‘do cool stuff and get outside’.

“I think it really helps with people’s mental health being physical and that hits close to home for me,” adds Johnson Morrison.

His team, named the Springbok Zambonis in tribute to their Canadian and South African roots, will traverse the course with little to no sleep and without the aid of GPS. The event is a combination of orienteering, trekking, mountain biking, paddling and mountaineering.

He hopes they will be able to complete the 700+ kilometre race in 6 to 7 days. You can follow their progress here.

Okanagan film and TV industry to hold second forum this year

Spotlight on movies & TV

Photo: Rob Gibson

The Okanagan TV and film industry is holding its second industry forum in October.

Damon Gregory of EMC Studios says the event follows up the "big success" of the first forum in February.

The local industry plans on making the forum a twice-annual event, said Gregory.

"Attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from, and connect with long-time industry leaders, hear the engaging career journeys of these leaders and gain insights, advice and guidance from those who have successfully navigated this dynamic industry," Gregory said.

Film and TV production in the Okanagan has been on the rise and industry experts are hoping to capitalize on the growth by attracting and training new recruits.

The event takes place October 14, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Kelowna Film Studios, 100-1516 Keehn Road.

"Forum number two is shaping up to be an unmissable gathering of visionaries, storytellers and creative minds. With a star-studded panel of industry experts already confirmed to attend, prepare yourself to be immersed in riveting discussions and groundbreaking insights. This event will be an unparalleled networking opportunity as we unite to further shape the future of the Okanagan television and film industry," says Gregory.

Tickets for the event are $25.

"The forum promises to be an invaluable event for professionals, talent, students and anyone passionate about this industry and our community," Gregory continued.

"It is also an excellent opportunity for local business owners to understand the economic impact and what support services are needed as the industry grows locally."

Kelowna, Vernon, the Shuswap added to the BC Bird Trail

Joining the BC Bird Trail

Photo: Castanet

Parts of the Okanagan and Shuswap are now on the BC Bird Trail.

Launched in September 2020, the BC Bird Trail is a source of information on attractions, activities, and accommodations related to birdwatching in the province for both novice and experienced birds.

The new birdwatching trails being launched this season include individual outposts in Kelowna, Vernon, and the Shuswap.

“Birding is a fast-growing tourism experience in BC, and we have some of the best locations, trail systems, and rare bird species to offer,” says Caitlin Thompson with the Salmon Arm Economic Development Society, which collaborated with Shuswap Tourism and the District of Sicamous Development Corp. on the Shuswap Outpost.

Self-guided travel itineraries for visitors and locals include key birding-related information like a list of birds you might spot in the area in any given season and some of the avian hotspots. Each trail and outpost also includes transportation information, bookable outdoors experiences like golf courses, bike rentals, and helitours, and top picks for shopping, dining, and accommodations.

Some of the recommended hotspots to visit in Kelowna are Rotary Marsh Park and Munson Pond, while the Vernon Outpost includes Swan Lake Nature Reserve and Cools Pond, among others.

Fall is a great time to birdwatch because many species are migrating this time of year. You might spot trumpeter swans, warblers, harlequin ducks or even turkey vultures.

Visit bcbirdtrail.ca for an up-to-date list of birds you can expect to see along each trail and outpost.

Funding for the BC Bird Trail is provided by Destination BC, with support from Birds Canada, Indigenous Tourism BC and more than a dozen additional tourism partners throughout the province.

Ki-Low-Na Friendship Centre was packed for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event

'We must never forget'

Photo: Nicholas Johansen

The Ki-Low-Na Friendship Centre was packed with orange shirts Saturday afternoon, as people from the community came out to recognize National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

The event kicked off at 2 p.m. at the Leon Avenue location in downtown Kelowna, with drumming performances from both the local women's group and men's groups. The space was full of people of all ages, from the very young to elders, and those of all ages joined in on the drumming.

Lynette Granger, with the Ki-Low-Na Friendship Centre, spoke about Canada's history of residential schools and the Government of Canada's attempt to eliminate Indigenous culture.

“Here we are today to first of all recognize and admit that this happened, that these atrocities, these terrible awful things that happened to families, torn apart, their culture tromped on ... and treated less than human. We must never forget. We are here first of all to remember and pay tribute to those who didn't make it,” Granger said.

“And also to pay tribute to the survivors who had to carry on and whose families had to carry on with the damage and to help people repair.

“This day is about, yes, remembering some very tragic things, but it's also remembering 'I need to also honour my ancestors by healing.'”

The speakers spoke against a backdrop of photos and paper cut-out red dresses, with the names of missing and murdered Indigenous women – a powerful reminder of the generational pain and trauma Indigenous people deal with.

Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas and city councillor Loyal Woolridge also spoke at the event.

“My good friend [Ki-Low-Na Friendship Centre executive director] Edna [Terbasket] always says, the first step is acknowledging and learning the truths,” Woolridge said.

“Before we can talk about reconciliation, it's that process of not understanding, because we can't, but acknowledging those truths so we can walk together on this path of reconciliation.”

The Ki-Low-Na Friendship Centre is open to the public until 4 p.m. Saturday.

KF Centre For Excellence takes top building prize

Awards keep coming for KF

Photo: Contributed

KF Centre For Excellence

KF Centre For Excellence won big at the 2023 Thompson Okanagan Commercial Building Awards ceremony Thursday night at the Coast Capri Hotel in Kelowna.

Out of 40 projects competing for top honours, KF Centre For Excellence was the Judge's Choice Best Overall entry winner in the 12th annual event.

The awards are designed to honour the best of the best in commercial, industrial and revenue-producing properties from Kamloops to Osoyoos completed between Jan.1 and Dec. 31, 2022.

Sawchuk Developments Ltd. was the General Contractor for the KF Centre for Excellence at 5800 Lapointe Drive near Kelowna Airport and Meiklejohn Architects Inc. was the architect and designer. The centre was also named the Award of Excellence winner in the Tourism & Hospitality category, and Meiklejohn Architects of Penticton was also named the Architect of the Year at the awards.

The Construction Company of the Year award was given to Stretch Construction of Kelowna and the Company Safety Award went to Traine Construction & Development of Kamloops.

Other Category winners were:

• Affordable Housing: The Village At Okanagan Landing of Vernon.
• Community Institutional: Coldstream Community Centre and Child Care Facility of Coldstream.
• Industrial: Ace Plumbing and Harmony Homes of Kelowna.
• Mixed Use: Apollo 1 of West Kelowna.
• Multi-Family Condominium: Fairway 10 of Kamloops.
• Multi-Family Town Home: Ledge On Lakeshore of Kelowna.
• Office: Oliver Dental Care of Oliver.
• Purpose Built Rental: The View – Hillside of Kamloops.
• Retail: Kelowna Toyota of Kelowna.
• Awards of Merit (runners-up) went to:
• Affordable Housing: Powley Court of West Kelowna.
• Community Institutional: Lake Country Fire Hall of Lake Country and Thompson Rivers University Early Childhood Education Centre of Kamloops.
• Industrial: Adams Road Industrial of Kelowna.
• Multi-Family Condominium: Vita Vernon.
• Office: Westridge of Spallumcheen.
• Purpose Built Rental: Evangel Family Manor of Kelowna.