Author: Andrew Rogers

The Bear Mountain sale process is officially underway. A court-ordered bidding process for the resort’s key lands and operations will begin Tuesday, opening the door to new investors. This comes after ongoing financial problems led to receivership for the parent company. Bear Mountain, located in Langford, has been at the center of a legal and financial dispute for months. The B.C. Supreme Court approved a sale and investment solicitation process on July 15. This allows potential buyers to place bids on the resort’s properties and business units. These include its popular golf courses, tennis facilities, and other development lands. However,…

The City of Courtenay is holding public information sessions today to share details on upcoming changes to its development cost charges (DCCs). These charges are one-time fees paid by developers to help pay for infrastructure like roads, water lines, sewer systems, and parks that are needed to support growth in the community. Today’s sessions aim to help developers and residents understand the updated bylaw and what it could mean for future projects in Courtenay and the wider region. The last major update to this program happened in 2016, with a smaller revision made in 2022. The updated bylaw includes new…

The Municipality of North Cowichan has reached a new three-year labour agreement with CUPE Local 358, marking the end of a lengthy negotiation process. The agreement brings stability for both the municipality and its workers while ensuring the delivery of vital community services continues without disruption. The new deal follows several months of talks and was finalized with help from a mediator from the Labour Relations Board. Workers and management both approved the agreement after reaching a mutual understanding. The terms of the deal include a five percent wage increase for each of the next three years. In addition to…

A stalled West Kelowna industrial site is finally set to move forward after being sold for nearly $6 million. The property, located at 2530 Ross Road, had remained untouched for several years, leaving a large concrete structure standing idle. The one-acre lot features a four-storey, 47,000-square-foot concrete building shell. It was sold on June 27, according to information provided by a local real estate expert. The building permit for the project was issued by the City of West Kelowna in 2019, yet work had come to a halt and remained that way since around 2021. This long delay had drawn…

Campbell River is inviting residents to take part in shaping the city’s future. Two public sessions will be held this week to gather feedback for a major update of the city’s official community plan. This plan will guide growth and development for the next 20 years. The first session will be held on Wednesday during the CR Live Streets event on Shoppers Row. It runs from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. The second session is set for Sunday, July 27, at the Campbell River Farmers Market. It will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The city’s official community…

A couple’s relaxing night ride along Penticton’s Lakeshore boardwalk turned into a terrifying ordeal when they were attacked by a large group of people. The incident happened on the night of July 12 and left one man with a broken leg and severe bruises. Kieran and Kirsten Adams were riding their bikes around 10 p.m. after spending time at the beach. As they approached a section of the boardwalk, they encountered a large group—around 20 people—who had filled the path with beach gear. Items like children’s wagons, toys, and coolers were scattered along both sides, making it hard to pass.…

Authorities in Port Moody, British Columbia, are warning people to stay off the mudflats in the Burrard Inlet. These muddy areas may look solid but can act like quicksand, trapping anyone who steps onto them. The warning comes as warmer weather draws more visitors to local parks and trails. The city says the mudflats may seem harmless but are in fact one of the most dangerous natural features in the area. Each year, the Port Moody Fire Rescue responds to two or three rescue calls from people stuck in the mudflats. According to Deputy Fire Chief Mike Cornish, these emergencies…

People planning to visit the Mission Creek Greenway on Tuesday may need to adjust their plans. The popular Truswell Road parking lot will be closed for the entire day to allow workers to repaint the parking spaces. The lot is located at the western end of the Greenway, near Okanagan Lake. It is one of the most-used access points for walkers, joggers, and cyclists. The Regional District has confirmed that the closure is temporary and only affects the parking area. The trail itself will remain open throughout the day. The parking lot will reopen early Wednesday morning, once the work…

A strong thunderstorm swept through parts of British Columbia Monday night, leaving over 2,000 homes and businesses without power. The storm hit areas including Vernon, Coldstream, and Lake Country, where lightning and heavy rain caused power failures around the region. According to local utility officials, the total number of affected customers reached 2,111. Most of these outages occurred between early and mid-evening as the storm moved across the area. Reports showed that wind and lightning likely disrupted electrical lines. The hardest-hit areas included parts of Lake Country and Coldstream, where homes went dark around dinner time. In Vernon, several neighborhoods…

Residents in a quiet Coquitlam neighborhood are voicing frustration over a major redevelopment plan that is set to move ahead without a public hearing. The proposal, set for final council review on July 29, calls for three six-storey rental buildings near Roy Stibbs Elementary School. The affected area consists of single-family homes located close to the Lougheed SkyTrain Station. It falls under British Columbia’s new Transit-Oriented Development Area (TODA) rules, which support higher-density housing near transit lines. The redevelopment, led by Anthem Properties, would see existing homes demolished to make way for a total of 446 rental units. Many locals…