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Air Quality Advisory For The North Okanagan Continues Because of Dust From Environment Canada: Alerts for: Okanagan Valley Statements 9:39 AM PDT Wednesday 22 March 2023 Special air quality statement in effect for: North Okanagan DUST ADVISORY CONTINUED FOR VERNON (March 22, 2023 08:00 - Kamloops) The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy in collaboration with the Interior Health Authority issued a Dust Advisory for Vernon on March 17, 2023. The advisory remains in effect due to high concentrations of coarse particular matter that are expected to persist until there is precipitation, dust suppression or a change in traffic patterns. Levels tend to be highest around busy roads and industrial operations. This advisory is in effect until further notice. Exposure is particularly a concern for individuals with chronic conditions such as asthma, COPD, heart disease, and diabetes; respiratory infections such as COVID-19, pregnant women, infants, and older adults. Persons with chronic underlying medical conditions or acute infections should postpone or reduce strenuous exercise until the advisory is lifted. Where appropriate, maintain physical distancing. Anyone experiencing symptoms such as continuing eye or throat irritation, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, cough or wheezing, should follow the advice of their health care provider. Staying indoors helps to reduce particulate matter exposure. Real-time air quality observations and information regarding the health effects of air pollution can be found at https://www.gov.bc.ca/airquality. For more information on current air quality, visit www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/air. Visit www.airhealth.ca for information on how to reduce your health risk and your personal contribution to pollution levels, as well as for current and forecast AQHI values. Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. Issued by Environment Canada and the B.C. Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy

From Environment Canada: Alerts for: Okanagan Valley Statements 12:45 AM PDT Saturday 18 March 2023 Special air quality statement in effect for: North Okanagan Elevated pollution levels are expected or occurring. DUST ADVISORY IN EFFECT FOR VERNON (March 17, 2023 11:00 - Cranbrook) The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy in collaboration with the Interior Health Authority has issued a Dust Advisory for Vernon because of high concentrations of coarse particulate matter that are expected to persist until there is precipitation, dust suppression or a change in traffic patterns. Levels tend to be highest around busy roads and industrial operations. This advisory is in effect until further notice. Exposure is particularly a concern for individuals with chronic conditions such as asthma, COPD, heart disease, and diabetes; respiratory infections such as COVID-19, pregnant women, infants, and older adults. Persons with chronic underlying medical conditions or acute infections should postpone or reduce strenuous exercise until the advisory is lifted. Where appropriate, maintain physical distancing. Anyone experiencing symptoms such as continuing eye or throat irritation, chest discomfort, shortness of breath, cough or wheezing, should follow the advice of their health care provider. Staying indoors helps to reduce particulate matter exposure. Real-time air quality observations and information regarding the health effects of air pollution can be found at https://www.gov.bc.ca/airquality. For more information on current air quality, visit www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/air-land-water/air.

Roads are decent in and around Vernon considering the season. Different story West of Kamloops. The Coquihalla is a mess and Hwy 3 is almost as bad. The Okanagan Connector isn't too great either. Highway 1 is good up to Revelstoke

RCMP are looking for the publics help to determine what or who started a fire in an illegal trash heap near Polson Park Wednesday, March 8th at 11 pm. Polson Park Garbage fire at Pottery and Polson by track

Creekview Heights Fire Vernon. March 1, 9 am. Reports of thick black smoke coming from 3rd-floor unit. Building evacuated. No reports of injuries. Full call out for Vernon Fire Rescue Services.

Check out https://www.exnews.net/ "House Fire in Enderby" at https://www.exnews.net/post/house-fire-in-enderby

Snow Warning Drive BC Camera tour February 25 2023

Check out ExNews.net February 25th, 2023 - Vernon, British Columbia. A snow warning has been issued for the Vernon area. The forecast calls for cloudy skies and snow beginning this morning with an estimated 2 to 4 cm, except 5 cm near Enderby and Lumby. The warning is expected to continue throughout the day, with strong winds becoming southeast at a speed of 20 km/h early in the afternoon. The high temperature is expected to be minus 3, with a wind chill of minus 11 in the morning and minus 6 in the afternoon. As the day progresses, the snowfall is expected to intensify, with snow at times heavy tonight. The amount of snow is estimated to reach 10 cm, except for 20 cm near Enderby and Lumby. The wind is expected to increase up to 15 km/h, and the temperature is expected to remain steady near minus 5, with a wind chill near minus 7. The snowstorm is expected to cause major disruptions to transportation, with roads likely to be hazardous and slippery. Residents are being urged to avoid any unnecessary travel and to stay indoors if possible. In the event of an emergency, the public is advised to contact the relevant authorities for assistance. The snowfall is expected to taper off on Sunday morning, with the sky mainly cloudy and a 60 percent chance of flurries. The wind is expected to become southwest at 20 km/h, gusting to 40 in the afternoon. The high temperature is predicted to be plus 1, with a wind chill of minus 7 in the morning. The UV index is still forecast to be 1 or low. Stay safe, stay warm, and stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.

From Drive BC - INCIDENT "Highway 1 Both Directions - Highway 1, in both directions. Avalanche control work planned between Woolsey Creek Bridge and Glacier National Park West Boundary for 17.8 km (1 km west of East Boundary of Mount Revelstoke National Park to 1 km east of West Boundary of Glacier National Park). Starting Tue Feb 21 at 12:00 PM PST until Tue Feb 21 at 2:00 PM PST. Road closure planned. Detour will not be available. Next update time Tue Feb 21 at 2:00 PM PST. Last updated Mon Feb 20 at 1:39 PM PST. (DBC-49300)"

BX Fire crews rescued the driver of a cement truck that left an East Vernon road early Friday morning. The incident happened a couple of kilometers up Hartnell Road just after 8 am To free the truck driver from the heavily crushed cab BX firefighters used the jaws of life. The driver was transported to hospital. The exact cause for the accident is still under investigation but the crushed gravel road was reported to be slippery at the time of the incident Vernon Cement Trucks Rolls Into Ravine Injuring Driver The 10 meter long truck slid at least ten meters down a approx. 45-degree slope, snapping trees along the way. It's believed the truck rolled as it fell into the ravine. The driver's injuries are unknown. Police crime scene tape remains up.

Don't forget to check ExNews.net Yesterday the weather was almost spring-like in Vernon. Today, an early morning snowfall caught some drivers by surprise. Pleasant Valley Road was extremely slippery resulting in several minor accidents. Reports of several cars and possibly even a school bus leaving the road kept first responders busy for much of the early morning. By noon most of the snow had melted. No serious injuries were reported

Highway 8 was closed for 361 days following the atmospheric river event on Nov. 14, 2021 that washed out 25 sites or Sections of the Spences Bridge Merritt Highway. Some sections of washed out highway still cling to the bank of the Nicola River having been replaced in part by new sections of road across the river.

Spences Bridge to Merritt in 5 minutes on Highway 8 February 5th 2023

Part 2 - Snow Sculptures Vernon Winter Carnival 2023 Completed Check out part 1of carving snow sculptures here https://youtu.be/D7RY5T5GZPU Check out the Vernon Winter Carnival Parade here https://youtu.be/1ivL9JCkCX8 Check out the finished snow sculptures for the Vernon Winter Carnival here https://youtu.be/cJ2LkrCjVLg Check out hot air balloons at Polson Park for the Vernon Winter Carnival here https://youtu.be/kgD1eElyxhk

Watch the entire (almost) Vernon Winter Carnival Parade 2023 from the comfort of your favorite chair. Then check out ExNews.net Check out part 1of carving snow sculptures here https://youtu.be/D7RY5T5GZPU Check out the Vernon Winter Carnival Parade here https://youtu.be/1ivL9JCkCX8 Check out the finished snow sculptures for the Vernon Winter Carnival here https://youtu.be/cJ2LkrCjVLg Check out hot air balloons at Polson Park for the Vernon Winter Carnival here https://youtu.be/kgD1eElyxhk

Hot Air Balloons Polson Park Vernon Winter Carnival 2023 Visit ExNews.net at https://www.exnews.net/

Day one of snow sculpting for the Vernon Winter Carnival 2023. The sculpting is being done at Silver Star Mountain resort over 3 days, finishing Sunday, February 5th. Music by - Ice Cold by Audionautix Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Artist: http://audionautix.com/

Vernon Canadian Tire Re opening soon. https://www.exnews.net/post/canadian-tire-vernon-fire-reopening-update https://www.exnews.net/post/canadian-tire-vernon-november-29th-2022

Snow fell again on the North Okanagan today. causing several accidents in the Vernon, North Okanagan. February Vernon Area Snowy Roads February 1. Check out https://www.exnews.net/

Compilation of stills showing several months in the life of a Coldstream tree

Okanagan tree leaves did not fall off like they normally do.

Visit ExNews.net at https://www.exnews.net/post/vernon-search-and-rescue-rescue-one-person-by-helicopter January 21 2023: Early Saturday afternoon Vernon Search and Rescue (VSAR) volunteers were called to assist in locating and transporting an injured person from the backcountry in the Greater Vernon area. One injured person accompanied by VSAR was transported by rescue helicopter to Vernon Regional Airport. Once there the patient was loaded on a stretcher and into a waiting ambulance. No other details are available.

January 13th, 2023: Check out ExNews.net at https://www.exnews.net/ Police are investigating a sexual assault that took place near downtown Vernon Thursday night. At approximately 11 PM Thursday (1/12/2023) RCMP received a report a woman had been sexually assaulted. The investigation is ongoing but it appears the assault happened around 6 or 7 p.m. The woman, who was engaging in sex work, was allegedly assaulted by a Caucasian male in his 20's, driving a newer, large, white SUV near the 3300 block of 31st Avenue. The woman was assaulted inside the vehicle and dropped off in the Turtle Mountain area. There may have been other [people in the suspect vehicle in addition to the driver. RCMP says they are releasing this information to the public "so vulnerable persons, especially those involved in a high-risk lifestyle, are aware for their own safety when engaging with individuals they do not know" If you have any information you are asked to contact the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP at (250) 545-7171 and quote file number 2023-57

Check out our blog at https://www.exnews.net/ Loss of cattle to Ice Covered Okanagan Lake difficult for Rancher January 6 2023: Recovery of over 30 dead cattle from Okanagan Lake continued today. The cattle perished after falling through an Ice covered North Okanagan Lake just days before Christmas. Initial witness reports put the number of cattle at approximately 50 head, with the majority making it back to shore. A person close to the family said the loss of so many cattle has been very difficult for their owner. The loss of the cattle alone is estimated to be in the six-figure range. Who picks up the cost of the recovery dive team and transportation of the carcasses by truck to an Alberta reduction facility is unknown at this time. It's also not known if the rancher has insurance that will cover this tragic loss. A dive team could be seen at the scene today preparing for the risky dive below the ice. A channel has been cut through the ice to make dragging the recovered carcasses to shore easier. The Okanagan Indian Band (OKIB) and the Ministry of the Environment are in agreement that the cattle must be removed from the frozen lake as soon as possible to avoid water quality issues. The community is helping as best they can.

RCMP Penticton release name of homicide victim Witnesses report the victim was stabbed to death while sitting in his car in the 300 block of Martin street Penticton According to the RCMP a witness to the crime reported, "the victim was sitting in his vehicle when he was approached by a male, who stabbed him multiple times and then fled on foot". RCMP have released the victims name. The man killed on December 17, 2022 in a Penticton parking lot is 61-year-old Penticton resident, Tejindar Singh Randhawa. The attack happened in a busy area of downtown Penticton with a number of businesses and significant pedestrian and vehicle traffic. Police are urging people to think back to Saturday December 17th if they were in or around the 300 block of Martin street at approxinatly 5 PM. If you think you can help contact the Penticton RCMP at 250-492-4300.