Author: Ruby Carter

Firefighters in Lake Country acted fast on Monday morning to stop a small wildfire before it could spread. The fire started on the west side of the Lakes subdivision and was quickly brought under control by the local fire department. According to the District of Lake Country, the fire was reported early in the day and appeared briefly on the BC Wildfire Service map as measuring just 0.0009 hectares. Crews worked efficiently to extinguish the flames, and officials have since declared the blaze as held. Firefighters remained on site near Lower Spion-Kop to ensure there were no lingering hot spots.…

Three wildfires broke out east of the Central Okanagan on B.C. Day, with crews working to contain the blazes. The largest fire, west of Keefer Lake, covers two hectares. It was discovered Monday, August 7, at 3:47 p.m. BC Wildfire Services reports that the cause is suspected to be lightning. The fire is currently out of control, and crews are monitoring its spread closely. Two smaller spot fires were also reported. One is at Home Creek, just north of Graystokes Provincial Park, and the other is at Bison Lake. Both cover only 0.009 hectares and are also believed to have…

Lake Country ArtWalk 2025 will feature a rare opportunity for visitors to attend an exclusive Sveva Caetani film screening. Coldstream artist and filmmaker Heidi Thompson will host two special sneak preview screenings of her new documentary Sveva Caetani: Recapitulation – A Journey. The screenings are part of ArtWalk’s sit-down events, giving audiences a chance to experience Caetani’s life and art in an immersive cinematic format. The first screening will take place on Saturday, September 6, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at Creekside Theatre. A second screening will follow on Sunday, September 7, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at the George…

A single-vehicle crash shut down Pelmewash Parkway in Lake Country on August 23, sending a driver into police custody. The incident occurred around 6:26 p.m. when a boat and trailer fell off a vehicle, blocking the parkway and prompting an emergency response. Two fire trucks and multiple police units arrived at the scene to secure the area and manage traffic. BC Emergency Services attended to one person for medical evaluation. Police investigations revealed that the driver, an adult male, was arrested after failing a roadside breath test. RCMP officers read him the Roadside Screening Device demand, which led to his…

Lake Country has officially welcomed its first RCMP commander, Staff Sergeant Jon Collins. His appointment was announced on August 21, marking an important milestone for the community after becoming a standalone detachment. Collins brings with him more than two decades of operational and leadership experience within the RCMP. His career has spanned several key postings across British Columbia, where he built a strong reputation for investigative work and community engagement. He began his career in Williams Lake before moving to Kelowna, where he served in the Southeast District as part of the general investigation team. He later joined the major…

A long-standing tradition of trust in Lake Country has come under strain after a local farm stand was raided this week. The stand, part of B&T Orchards, relies fully on the honour system, where customers take fresh produce and leave money in a cash box without supervision. For many in the community, including frequent shopper Linda Seeley, the system reflects the values of honesty and fairness that help small farms thrive. “They put their trust in people,” she said. “And to see someone violate that trust ruins it for everybody.” Earlier this week, that trust was broken. Owner Mike Mitchell…

Joy Haxton, executive director of the Lake Country Food Assistance Society, has been awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal, one of Canada’s most prestigious honours. Nearly 60 people gathered on August 8 to celebrate her achievement, recognizing her outstanding service and leadership in the community. “This medal is not just a personal honour, but a reflection of the collective effort of our staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners who stand together every day to fight food insecurity,” Haxton said. “I’m deeply humbled and grateful.” Haxton has led the society for over a decade, growing its programs and building partnerships…

Lake Country has unveiled the winners of its Street Banner Program. This initiative showcases local art on banners throughout the town centre. The program is led by the Public Art Advisory Commission (PAAC). Artists connected to Lake Country were invited to submit designs in various styles. These included photography, digital art, collage, painting, illustration, and printmaking. After careful selection, twenty unique designs were chosen. These banners will decorate public spaces, adding color and creativity while highlighting local artists. Janice Larson, Chair of the Lake Country PAAC, shared her thoughts on the project. She said, “These banners serve as visual stories—celebrating…

Power has been restored for more than 3,400 properties in Lake Country and Fintry following a morning outage on Saturday. The disruption affected 3,432 homes and businesses, leaving them without electricity since 8:03 a.m. The cause of the outage is still unknown and remains under investigation by the utility company. BC Hydro crews were dispatched promptly and arrived at the site around 9:50 a.m. to address the issue. The power cut impacted an area west of Broadwater Road and north of Wilson Landing. It stretched beyond Kiliney Beach, affecting residents and businesses across the region. Efforts by the crews ensured…