Wildfire is no longer a distant backcountry problem. In Vernon, it is a neighbourhood issue, a road access issue, a water supply issue, and a local government issue. The North Okanagan has a lot of what makes life here special: forested slopes, dry grasslands, lakeside communities, and trails close to home. Those same features also mean we have to take wildfire preparedness seriously. The good news is that much of the work is practical, local, and within reach. With a backgro

Vernon is about to gain more than a new recreation building. A modern aquatic centre, connected to a broader active living vision that includes ice rinks, pool space, and room to grow, can become one of the most practical public investments our city makes. Pools and rinks matter because they serve people at every stage of life. A child learns confidence in the water. A senior keeps moving through low-impact exercise. A teenager finds a healthy place to train. A family has som