Kelowna  

Crash slows traffic on Kelowna's Bernard Avenue

Crash slows traffic

Photo: Kathy Michaels

UPDATE 2:10 p.m.

Police say they responded to a two-vehicle crash at the intersection of Bernard Avenue and Richter Street.

Paramedics were also called to the scene, “but it is unknown if there are any injuries,” said a police spokesperson.

ORIGINAL 1:20 p.m.

A police incident briefly closed westbound traffic on Bernard Avenue between Richter and Ethel streets.

RCMP vehicles are stationed at both ends of the block, although eastbound traffic is still flowing.

The Kelowna Fire Department was initially called to the scene but has since departed.

Police are also now in the process of leaving the scene along with a pickup on the back of a tow truck. It appears westbound traffic will be allowed back onto Bernard Avenue shortly.

Castanet has reached out to RCMP for information.

Photo: Kathy Michaels

Options for Sexual Health clinics in Southern Interior face closure

Sex health clinics may close

Photo: Castanet

Options for Sexual Health offer various sexual and reproductive health services.

The organization that runs 52 clinics supporting reproductive and sexual health across B.C. may close the majority of its locations without the support of the province.

Insufficient funding and financial challenges has Options for Sexual Health facing the high likelihood of closing up to 83 per cent of its 52 clinics.

Those clinics serve an estimated 14,000 people with a variety of sexual and reproductive health services, and there are 13 in the Southern Interior alone, including locations in Kelowna, Penticton, Vernon, Lumby, Salmon Arm, Sicamous, Grand Forks, Trail, Nelson, Naksup, Kaslo, Fernie and Cranbrook. In 2010, Interior Health pulled sexual health services out of public health.

The province, in the meantime, says its working toward a solution.

“The Ministry of Health and the Provincial Health Services Authority continue to work with Options for Sexual Health and other partners to find a pathway forward to support the delivery of care," the Ministry of Health said in a statement.

What that may be remains to be seen.

The president of the board of directors for Options, Kaye Hare, said in a recent email that the organization needs $800,000 for the next fiscal year to keep just 50 per cent of their clinics open, though without bridge funding there would be a greater number of closures. The clinics would also look at reduced service hours and laying off the majority of its clinic RNs, coordinators, and admin staff, Hare said.

Options has been operating under sustained financial strain for 12 years and minimal core funding increases have not been able to keep up with the rising costs of healthcare, inflation, and the increasing cost of living.

"With no substantive increases to our core funding during this time, rising healthcare costs, inflation, and the growing cost of living have outpaced our ability to meet the demands of need for our health care services," reads an open letter posted on the organization's website.

"Additionally, while nursing wages in BC have risen, Options has not been able to match these increases due to insufficient funding."

The organization is asking that those who see value in the service reach out to the province.

Options clinics are the only provider of vital sexual and reproductive health services, including birth control, cervical screenings, STI testing and treatment, and more.

In July 2023, the organization was already facing signs of strain that they said at the Kelowna office was facing a shortage of administrative clinical staff, nurses and doctors that has been exacerbated by the pandemic and struggles of the broader healthcare system.

New Year's celebration set for tonight in downtown Kelowna

Ready to ring in 2025

Photo: Festivals Kelowna

Kelowna residents can ring in 2025 ahead of the midnight countdown with Valley First’s New Year’s Eve celebration at Stuart Park this evening.

The family-friendly event will run from 6 to 9 p.m., culminating with a fireworks display at 9 p.m.

Launched in 2012, the event continues to be free for the community.

It features a variety of activities, including live music, a kids' zone with games, dancing, and crafts, as well as skating opportunities throughout the evening.

To accommodate the celebration, parking will be restricted along Water Street between Queensway and Doyle Avenue from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Parking spots will be available at the Plaza Parkade (1360 Ellis Street), Memorial Parkade (1420 Ellis Street), and Chapman Parkade (345 Lawrence Avenue).

For more details about the event, visit festivalskelowna.com.

Defence lawyer of prolific child sex offender says the system has failed his client

Assault a 'system failure'

A prolific child sex offender will serve additional time behind bars following an attempted sexual assault of an 11 year-old girl at a Kelowna equestrian facility on Feb. 9, 2024.

Taylor Dueck, 30 was sentenced Monday to two-years-less-a-day in jail, and to another three years of probation.

Dueck has multiple prior convictions for sexually assaulting minors and was serving a three-year probation term for previous convictions when the attempted assault occurred at the equestrian facility.

Defence lawyer Robert Larmer says his client, who has partial fetal alcohol syndrome, has been assessed as having an IQ of somewhere between 56 to 67.

"Jail is not where a mentally handicapped person should be, particularly when they are vulnerable and low functioning, it doesn't help him, it doesn't help society, but it's also the only option here given Mr. Dueck's record," he said.

Dueck has also been diagnosed with PTSD, major depressive disorder, expressive language disorder and ADHD.

The sexual assault sparked a large public and political outcry after it was learned that Dueck's supervisor, an employee of Community Living BC subcontractor Personal Lifestyle Support Ltd., was sitting in his vehicle when the incident occurred.

Premier David Eby called the incident a “massive failure of judgment” at every level.

Community Living BC is a Crown corporation that provides supports and services to adults with developmental disabilities.

“This horrific incident should never have happened,” said Community Living BC in a statement to Castanet.

Dueck's lawyer says a lot of the blame should fall on the support worker.

"That full-time worker, instead of doing his job, sat in the car scrolling on his phone leaving Mr. Dueck unsupervised and as a result the offence happened. Had he done his job we wouldn't be here today, Mr. Dueck wouldn't be in custody, the complainant wouldn't have had this scary incident happen."

"So the system did fail. All of us are here today at the public's expense because that worker didn't do what was required of him," Larmer added.

-with files from Nicholas Johansen and Kathy Michaels

'Hopefully I won’t ever do this again,' says cognitively-challenged Kelowna sex offender

Sex offender 'very sorry'

Photo: Abbotsford police

Police photos of Taylor Dueck with different hair length and facial hair.

A Kelowna man whose attempted sex assault of a child sparked widespread public outrage was sentenced Monday to two-years-less-a-day in jail, and to another three years of probation.

With time served, Taylor Dueck, 30, will spend an additional 249 days behind bars for an incident at a local equestrian centre where he'd been volunteering earlier this year.

“I’m doing all the best I can to not re-offend by taking medications; I'm speaking to psychologists once a week in jail. I’m very sorry for all this damage that I've done to this little girl,” Dueck said, before his sentence.

“Hopefully I won’t ever do this again.”

Defence lawyer Robert Larmer and Crown counsel Kevin Short jointly proposed the sentence to judge Andrew Tam, and he accepted, acknowledging that the circumstances of the case were unusual.

“As counsel put it, this is the most serious offender who committed the least serious offence,” Tam said.

Tam said Dueck was working at a local ranch February 2024 when the 11 year old girl entered the washroom he was in.

Dueck put his finger to his mouth, said “shh” and asked her to unzip her jacket.

She started to do so, then Dueck told her “I’m going to kiss you.”

The child told him “no” pushed him, and they both quickly exited the bathroom.

The only physical contact between the two was that push and the child — described in court as “with it” and “sharp as a tack” — quickly reported the incident.

While Dueck’s previous crimes weren’t the focus of Monday’s hearing, they again loomed large as lawyers and Tam said that without proper supports in place, the likelihood he’d re-offend was all but inevitable.

“This is a particularly challenging case because there are a number of principles in play, and they push the ultimate result in different directions,” Tam said.

Dueck’s previous criminal history is, by far, the most aggravating feature, Tam said.

“He has previously been convicted of five sexual offences, some of which resulted in penitentiary terms,” he said.

The first four charges were in 2014, and the corresponding sentence was five years. He’d only won back his freedoms for a short time when he re-offended in 2020 and was sentenced to another 12 months. Then came the most recent incident.

“Through the psychological report file, and indeed, by Mr. Dueck’s own admission, he is a danger to the community in that he seems unable to curb his urges to have sexual contact with young people,” Tam said, adding that means the court has to consider separating Dueck from society.

“At the same time, a sentence must be proportional to the gravity of offence and the degree of responsibility of the offender.”

In this case, he said, the details of the crime are toward the lower end of the offences he sees.

Then there are Dueck’s specific circumstances.

Dueck suffers from a host of cognitive and psychological challenges. He has been assessed as having an IQ of somewhere between 56 to 67 and was, himself, the victim of sexual abuse while growing up in foster care.

Among other things, his past diagnoses include PTSD, major depressive disorder, expressive language disorder, partial fetal alcohol syndrome or alcohol related neuro-developmental disorder, as well as ADHD.

His lawyer pointed out that someone with the cognitive deficiencies he has does not belong in prison, however, there is not any better place for him.

Larmer added later, that the sentence was one that his client was pleased with, having already pleaded guilty to breaching probation and attempting a sexual assault.

Larmer said that if his case worker had been doing his job correctly, neither his client or the little girl would be in the position they found themselves in.

Former Kelowna-Mission MLA Renee Merrifield brought up the incident in B.C.'s Legislature and that issue was one that raised concerns across government.

Premier David Eby called the incident a “massive failure of judgment” at every level, calling the subcontractor that employed the supervisor “obviously negligent and incompetent.”

Back in February, then-Minister of Public Safety Mike Farnworth ordered an investigation into any possible systemic failures that allowed for the alleged assault to occur.

“I am extremely concerned, in fact very angry over what has happened, that's why I have ordered an investigation for a full accounting of what took place — involving all provincial agencies and federal agencies and officials that were involved in this situation," Farnworth said back in late February.

“I want to ensure that these were not systems failures. I want to ensure that everything that should have been done was done, because quite frankly this should never happen.”

To date, no results of the investigation have been publicly released and its not clear if the investigation has been completed.

All 16 lifts, 119 runs now open at Big White Ski Resort

All lifts open at Big White

Photo: Big White

It's a perfect day to hit the slopes at Big White Ski Resort.

Big White Ski Resort is experiencing prime winter conditions, with all 16 lifts operational and 119 runs open to skiers and snowboarders.

“It’s a great day at Big White,” said Michael J. Ballingall, Vice President of the resort.

“All lifts, all runs, everything is up and running. The snow we received two days ago is fabulous, and the conditions are outstanding.”

The resort is seeing a daily increase in visitors, with Ballingall noting a daily uptick of 7 to 11 percent in attendance. “It’s as busy as it gets. We are sold out,” he added.

As New Year’s Eve approaches, Big White is also preparing for a celebration to remember. The festivities will feature live music, free ice skating, and hot chocolate for guests to enjoy as they ring in 2025.

“It’s cold out there, so we want to make sure everyone has a place to stay on New Year’s Eve,” said Ballingall. “We don’t want anyone sleeping in their cars.”

The highlight of the evening will be the fireworks show, set to light up the sky at 9 p.m.

Kelowna business coach donates $50K to prevent youth homelessness

$50K donation to BGC

Photo: Contributed

A Kelowna-based author, business coach and influencer has donated $50,000 to BGC Okanagan’s campaign to prevent youth homelessness.

Dan Martell’s big donation brings the charity closer to its $125,000 goal, which will go towards funding drop-in programs for young people.

“This is about more than preventing homelessness,” says Martell. “It’s about giving young people hope, the tools to succeed, and the confidence to build a brighter future.”

BGC Okanagan’s drop-in programs in Oliver, Osoyoos, West Kelowna, Kelowna and Vernon are more than recreation. They can provide youth with safe, welcoming places that can create life-changing connections and opportunities.

“Sometimes, all it takes is one positive connection to change the trajectory of a young person’s life,” says Richelle Leckey of BGC Okanagan. “Our staff provide not only a safe environment but also encouragement, mentorship, and pathways to essential resources.”

Drop-in centre staff engage youth in fun, educational, and skill-building activities designed to foster confidence, resilience, and independence.

“We know prevention is key,” adds Leckey. “By equipping young people with the tools and connections they need early on, we can reduce the risk of homelessness before it begins.”

To support the campaign, go to bgco.ca.

Polar Bear Dip returning to Kelowna's Tugboat Beach

Welcome 2025 with a dip

Photo: CRIS Adaptive

Kelowna is invited to be freezin’ for a reason during the 10th annual Polar Bear Dip at Tugboat Beach.

Organized by CRIS Adaptive, the dip Jan. 1 at 2 p.m. sees the brave welcome the new year with a plunge into Okanagan Lake.

“All proceeds from this event go directly towards CRIS Adaptive and supporting adaptive, accessible, and inclusive recreation programs for people of all ages living with disabilities throughout the Okanagan,” said the event page.

Food trucks, warm beverages and music will also be on site.

The event runs 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. with the dip taking place at 2 p.m. Tickets are $15. Register online here.

Participants are encouraged to arrive early to check in.

"We always have a large volume of people arrive last minute and encourage everyone to come early to ensure you can get through registration on time," said the event page.

The water of Okanagan Lake is currently sitting at 6 C.

Kelowna RCMP confirm missing 75-year-old man found safe

Missing man found safe

Photo: Contributed

COSAR volunteers at the north end of McCurdy Road Friday evening.

Kelowna RCMP have confirmed that the 75-year-old man reported missing on Friday, Dec. 27, has been found safe.

Central Okanagan Search and Rescue (COSAR) was called to assist in the search for the man, who was last seen in the north end of McCurdy Road Friday evening as snow began to fall.

“The Kelowna RCMP thanks COSAR, the public, and local media for their assistance in locating this man,” said Kelowna RCMP spokesperson Ryan Watters.

Environment Canada forecasting periods of snow

Snow for New Year's Eve

The first few days of 2025 in B.C. are shaping up to be snowy, with chilly temperatures and flurries expected across much of the Thompson Okanagan.

On Monday, Dec. 30, residents can expect a mix of flurries and rain showers, with daytime highs reaching 3 C. As the evening sets in, temperatures will drop to -3 C, with a continued chance of flurries overnight.

New Year’s Eve promises mostly sunny skies during the day, though temperatures will be brisk, with a high of just 1 C.

For those planning to head out to celebrate, it’s wise to bundle up, as the evening will bring a drop to -4 C with periods of snow.

''The current forecast is snow. It will start late in the evening sometime near midnight, but it will just be light flurries," said meteorologist with Environment Canada Johnson Zhong.

Looking ahead to New Year's Day, Wednesday, January 1, Environment Canada forecasts a high of -1 C with more snow in the mix.

Snowfall is expected to continue on Thursday, with a high again around -1°C.

Friday will be slightly colder, with a high of -3 C and a 60 per cent chance of flurries. The weekend brings a slight warm-up, with Saturday’s high reaching 0 C and a chance of flurries.

Photo: K Koski