- Luxury cabins at Niche
West Kelowna 4:00am - 1,746 views
- Boil water notice lifted West Kelowna Feb 15 - 7,780 views
- Watermain repair complete West Kelowna Feb 14 - 4,154 views
- Spongy moth spray stopped
West Kelowna Feb 13 - 8,279 views
- WFN helps fight cold
West Kelowna Feb 13 - 6,274 views
- Hudson Rd. woes continue
West Kelowna Feb 12 - 18,233 views
- Traffic slowed on bridge West Kelowna Feb 12 - 22,533 views
- Cemetery rates skyrocket
West Kelowna Feb 12 - 14,816 views
West Kelowna
West Kelowna winery diversifies, adds all-season accommodation
Luxury cabins at Niche
After a string of difficult years for vineyards and other farmers in the Okanagan, many are looking to diversify their operations.
At Niche Wine Co. at the top of Bartley Road in West Kelowna, they are giving agri-tourism a try.
“We have three modular-built cabins and you can stay right in the centre of the vineyard,” says co-owner Joanna Schlosser.
“They are all identical in terms of the layout. They are designed kind of like an elevated hotel room,” says Schlosser. “So, open-concept bathroom, soaker tub, shower, queen-sized bed, small sitting area and of course, a wine fridge.”
Called Outside Inn, the three units are Canadian-made seacan-style pods. The winery worked closely with the City of West Kelowna to ensure it complied with local zoning and building regulations.
Niche was hit hard by the McDougall Creek wildfire in 2023 and like many others in the Valley also suffered cold weather damage last growing season. Schlosser wanted to tap into the growing popularity of experiential agri-tourism.
“People are looking for something that is more than just a stay in a hotel room, so something that feels immersive.”
Niche will be soft-launching Outside Inn later this month. Reservations will then open up to the general public in the first week of March.
“We talk a lot about, in the Okanagan, how popular we are in the spring and summer, but I think the fall and winter are also incredible times to be here. So, we’re hoping to attract guests all year round,” Schlosser adds.
She notes that Outside Inn isn’t the only way Niche is looking to get more value out of its land. They have invested in a small, European-designed tractor that will allow them to plant other crops between the rows of vines, to generate additional revenue.
Hudson Road precautionary boil water notice rescinded
Boil water notice lifted

The City of West Kelowna has rescinded the precautionary boil water notice for the 26 residences on Hudson Road, following consecutive positive lab results confirming the safety of the water supply.
The affected properties are now cleared from the precautionary boil water notice, including:
South/Southwest side of Hudson Road: 1009, 1019, 1029, 1039, 1049, 1059, 1079, 1089, 1099, 1107, 1119, 1129, 1139, 1149, 1159, 1169, 1179, and 1189.
North/Northeast side of Hudson Road: 1060, 1098, 1132, 1142, 1150, and 1152.
North/Northeast side of Paula Road: 2643 and 2653.
While the boil water notice has been lifted for these addresses, high-velocity water flows may have disturbed sediment in pipes in some adjacent areas of the Rose Valley Water Service Area.
Residents are advised to avoid using discolored or turbid water. If water remains discolored after running cold taps for 10 minutes, they should contact Public Works Utilities at 778-797-2246.
As an additional precaution, parents in the Rose Valley Water Service Area are still advised to use an alternative water source when reconstituting baby formula.
Further testing at key locations in the system will be conducted.
The bulk water filling station at Shannon Lake and Asquith Roads remains open.
Residents are reminded to bring clean bottles for filling and to exercise caution due to icy conditions.
Additionally, Hudson Road is narrowed, with a reduced speed limit of 30 km/h from Guidi to Concord, through at least Tuesday morning, February 18, as gravel replacements and repaving are scheduled to take place in warmer temperatures.
Transit will continue its regular schedule throughout the Family Day long weekend, ending Monday, February 17.
Watermain break that caused icy mess fully repaired
Watermain repair complete

The City of West Kelowna is reporting that the Hudson Road water main break that flooded a portion of Highway 97 earlier in the week is fully repaired.
In a statement released Thursday, the City of West Kelowna said that with the bulk of the repair fixed the remaining tasks are road repaving and some more water testing
Intermittent delays may be needed for possible clean up and city staff are accessing the required equipment to temporarily repave the road. Permanent repaving will be competed in warmer weather this spring
The bulk filling station at Shannon Lake and Asquith Roads remains open to provide an alternative source of water. Those using it are asked to bring clean bottles for filling.
"The water main repair is completed, however, 26 residents remain on a precautionary boil water notice until test results are received," reads the notice.
"Hopefully over the long weekend, at which time we would provide another update on the status of the notice. Please see below for the list of addresses that remain on the precautionary boil water notice."
Drivers are also reminded to be careful along the area.
Pedestrians can pass safely along the sidewalk on Hudson Road between Guidi Road and Westlake Road.
The broken watermain sent water and debris down Highway 97 Monday night not long before midnight, causing a large span of the route to be an icy mess.
People took to social media Monday night saying that the conditions were treacherous in the immediate aftermath, with water freezing to windshields and creating an impassable and slick surface to drive on. At least one crash was reported.
RCMP said there was a two vehicle collision due the break and the water freezing on the highway but no injuries were reported.
Spongy moth spray stopped for the time being; victory claimed
Spongy moth spray stopped

An Okanagan environmental advocacy group is claiming victory.
The Kelowna Citizens Safety Association sent out a press release last week, praising its own efforts in stopping the province from its annual spray of BTK, a long-standing effort aimed at keeping the spongy moth, once called the gypsy moth, from destroying fruit trees.
That the spraying is not happening this year appears to be true. The Ministry of Forests has no scheduled spongy moth spraying for 2025, according to its website.
“Invasive spongy moth populations are a direct threat to many kinds of plants and urban trees that thrive in B.C., including many diverse agricultural crops as well as native flowers and plants that are crucial for the environment and traditional uses,” a ministry representative said in a statement.
“Following analysis of our successful 2024 treatments, the ministry is deferring the 2025 treatment program. Ongoing monitoring will take place to manage for any future potential treatments.”
How that success was measured, how the monitoring will carry on remains to be seen.
Regardless, Lloyd Manchester, president of the West Kelowna Branch of the KCSA, praised the decision, emphasizing the importance of community education and regulatory reform.
"This cancellation allows us to work collaboratively with communities to educate them about the hazards of being aerially sprayed, to push WorkSafe BC to implement aerial pesticide regulations, make presentations to school boards, and work with farmers to investigate soil contamination and effects on seedlings," Manchester said in a statement.
"Aerial spraying of our communities is unacceptable and must be discontinued because it increases the potential to harm the elderly, immunocompromised, children, pets, and passersby."
Last year, Manchester, launched an effort to stop the spraying, and he unsuccessfully attempted to share that information with West Kelowna. He said there are health concerns related to the spray. Those included respiratory, vision, cardiac, neurological, gastrointestinal and skin issues.
The province has denied that these could be the result of the spray program.
Foray 48B is a biological insecticide that is widely used in B.C. and is registered with the Organic Materials Review Institute. The active ingredient in Foray 48B is the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki, known as Btk.
On a Ministry of Environment website, it states that Btk is a bacterium harmful only to moth and butterfly caterpillars. It must be applied by spraying and it keeps the sponge moth, once called the gypsy moth, at bay.
Above all else, the province says the spray only affects moth and butterfly larvae and can be used safely around humans and other animals.
Westbank First Nation distributes warming supplies
WFN helps fight cold

The Westbank First Nation is helping homeless and low-income residents make it through this cold snap.
With funding from a United Way British Columbia cold weather preparedness grant, the WFN is distributing kits that include warm clothing, blankets and emergency supplies.
"Our goal is to support a robust community response plan to save lives and reduce injuries during cold weather,” said Tracey Amy, regional coordinator of community impact and investment with United Way B.C.
“This funding will enhance our ability to respond effectively and expand our network to ensure equitable support for citizens in need."
The grants were made possible by the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness, with a focus on Northern B.C., the Southern Interior and the Thompson-Nicola Cariboo regions. WFN was one of 19 local governments and organizations that received funding.
United Way BC’s Emergency Response provides year-round support to individuals, families, and communities impacted by extreme weather events including wildfires, floods, and extreme cold.
Fourteen homes still without water as Hudson Road watermain repairs continue
Hudson Rd. woes continue
The City of West Kelowna says crews are continuing to make progress on the ongoing repairs to a significant watermain break on Hudson Road that began early Tuesday morning.
According to a press release from the city, work will extend into Wednesday evening and will likely continue Thursday, February 13.
To facilitate the repairs, Hudson Road will be closed between Guidi and Concord Roads from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 12.
The closure will also cause delays to transit services on two routes, Lakeview 20 and Bear Creek 29, which will be rerouted.
Fourteen homes on Hudson and Paula Roads remain without water.
Additionally, a precautionary boil water notice remains in effect for 26 residences on Hudson and Paula Roads in the immediate vicinity of the break.
Due to the high flows during the watermain break, sediment may have been stirred up in the pipes, affecting water quality in adjacent areas of the Rose Valley Water Service Area.
Residents are advised to run their cold taps until the water runs clear. This should only take a few minutes.
As an additional precaution, parents in the Rose Valley Water Service Area are urged to use an alternative water source for reconstituting baby formula until further notice, or at least until repairs are completed.
A bulk water filling station is available at Shannon Lake and Asquith Roads for residents needing an alternative source of water.
Vehicle incident slows traffic into Kelowna
Traffic slowed on bridge

UPDATE 11 a.m.
Traffic returned to its regular flow by late morning.
ORIGINAL 7:48 a.m.
The commute into Kelowna from West Kelowna is slow going, yet again.
Witnesses are reporting that there was a crash at the base of the Bennett Bridge heading into Kelowna and emergency crews are on site.
In turn, northbound traffic is backing up for some distance.
The cost of dying is going up as cemetery rates in West Kelowna takes a significant jump
Cemetery rates skyrocket

The cost of accessing services provided at the West Kelowna cemetery are going up - in some cases by as much as 112 per cent.
West Kelowna council approved the increases Tuesday in an effort to vastly improve services and conditions at the Elliott Road facility.
The cemetery has been called deplorable as staff have been unable to keep up with demands as rates charged at the cemetery are not adequate to hire the staff necessary to keep up.
As a result, council in a 4-2 vote elected to add an additional 25 per cent to proposed fee increases for specific services, including a 112 per cent jump in traditional casket burials, from $2,795 to $5,920.
In-ground cremations are going up 75 per cent to $1,844, ossuary cremations up 45 per cent to $539, columbarium cremations up 30 per cent to $5,363 and Mausolea 25 per cent to $29,311.
Most of the rates are still lower than Kelowna and in line with other cemeteries in the valley.
The increases will allow the cemetery to have one full-time administrator and the equivalent of 1.8 maintenance staff as well as increase operating hours.
The huge jump comes after a similar increase in 2019 when it was determined revenues were not sufficient for true self-sufficiency.
It’s a situation not lost on Coun. Rick de Jong.
“I’m tired of having this conversation of constantly being behind the eight-ball in a service that is supposed to be self-sustaining,” said de Jong.
“I want to make sure we don’t get caught again, that we don’t have a conversation four years from now..here we are, the rates didn’t keep up again and service levels are declining and we’re having to augment from the parks department when it is supposed to be self-sustaining.”
He also reminded council the increase proposed will not affect taxes.
Mayor Gord Milsom was joined by Coun. Stephen Johnston in opposing the motion.
Milsom argued the increase is too severe.
“I would feel comfortable in supporting the benchmark proposed increases that are fairly significant and two FTE’s, and challenge staff to find a way to increase the service levels with two FTE’s,” said Milsom.
“The benchmark plus 25 per cent, that’s a significant increase.”
Check your pipes: Cold snap could cause costly leaks
Check for frozen pipes
A water main break along Hudson Road sent water and debris rushing down the driveway of a home in West Kelowna late Monday night.
There wasn’t much the homeowners could do to prevent it but there are some things you can do to head off a burst water line in your own home, and prevent costly damage.
One of the first things to remember when cold weather sets in is to make sure you don’t have any water lines exposed to the elements.
“So, something like a trailer, for instance, that has water lines underneath, if you can run some heat tape around your pipes. Extra insulation is always going to help,” says Richard Brewer, a project manager with Total Restoration Services.
“You need a little bit of water flow to stop it freezing, so if you’re really concerned just turn the tap on a little bit, so the water is moving and that should help.”
He says one of the most common causes of burst pipes in the Central Okanagan is when people forget to remove their garden hose from the outside tap before winter.
“If you leave your hose pipe connected to that faucet, there's a very good chance that that will freeze and break. And when you go to use it in the spring it will leak into your house because the frost-free pipe is actually inside your home even though the faucet is outside,” Brewer explained.
Another common problem is when people turn their heat off or down substantially when they go on vacation. Brewer says if you are going to be away for an extended period, turn off your main water source to the home and drain the pipes before you leave.
A good sign you might have a leak is a sudden drop in water pressure. However, a leak sometimes won’t rear its head until after a cold snap, when the melt begins.
A quick response is key to preventing damage to your home.
“Mould growth can start after two days,” says Brewer.
“You don’t want to leave it because, at the end of the day, it’s your health that you’re going to be putting at risk if you don’t deal with it straight away.”
Repairs to the burst water main on Hudson Rd. continued all day Tuesday. Some homes were without water and were being directed to a City of West Kelowna filling station at Shannon Lake Road and Asquith Road.
Vehicles slide, crash amid icy conditions on Highway 97 in West Kelowna
Crashes on Highway 97
Highway 97’s northbound lanes were blocked at Boucherie Road on Tuesday evening, with West Kelowna drivers reporting vehicle crashes amid slippery, icy conditions.
Video footage submitted to Castanet shows a number of vehicles sliding into each other while braking on the highway.
One vehicle can be seen in the ditch, while another is shown veering off the road as traffic comes to a halt.
The incident happened about 4 p.m.
DriveBC reported the highway’s northbound lanes had been cleared by about 6 p.m.
?CLEAR. #BCHwy97 #WestKelowna - Expect delays as congestion eases. #KelwonaBC https://t.co/26rjqAatXi
— DriveBC (@DriveBC) February 12, 2025
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