OIB forestry celebrates with community and partners
The Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) Forestry department recently hosted its annual partnership day bringing together diverse community and business voices.
Category: Business
Tree fruit, wine grape sectors partner on labour
Four industry associations from BC’s tree fruit and wine grape sectors are joining forces in a bid to address the common challenge of labour through a jointly led Regional Labour Coordination Project.
New business group urged to work with chamber
A fledgling business advocacy group likely came away disappointed after its attempt to have town council give it special recognition was met with little enthusiasm from council members.
Kismet’s Manpreet Dhaliwal one of 30 young changemakers
Kismet Estate Winery has announced that its Head Winemaker, Manpreet Dhaliwal, has been named to the “30 Under 30 Class of 2026” by the publication BCBusiness.
FortisBC announces January electricity rate hikes
FortisBC electricity customers will welcome in the New Year with a 3.63 per cent general rate increase as of January 1, 2026.
Cascadia Osoyoos branch creates $1 million endowment
A new chapter in community giving has begun in Osoyoos with the local branch of Cascadia Credit Union (formerly the Osoyoos Credit Union) making a $1 million gift to establish a legacy fund with the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen (CFSOS).
Consumer group warns of wildfire scams
Wildfire season in the Okanagan region may be relatively quiet so far this season, but the Better Business Bureau (BBB) is warning that scams around wildfire donations are heating up fast.
Pocket Guide
New CEO for Wine Growers BC
The Wine Growers British Columbia Board of Directors has announced the appointment of Jeff Guignard as the organization’s new CEO, effective April 28, 2025.
Wolf Tree Coffee to open café in new location
Oliver’s boutique coffee brand, Wolf Tree Coffee Co., may have been forced out of their current location but for fans of its small-batch roasted beans a new location not far from town will also feature a full café experience.
Fruit growers get $5 million extreme weather help
BC tree-fruit growers are getting more support from the provincial government to help fortify their orchards against the increasing incidence of extreme weather.
Blasted Church’s Tanya Martin recognized in industry award
Chosen from over 100 nominees, Tanya Martin, Director of Operations at Blasted Church Vineyards in Okanagan Falls has been recognized as one of “Wine’s Most Inspiring People 2025” by the Wine Industry Advisor publication.
FortisBC to hike gas charges 17.5 per cent on Jan. 1
Residential gas customers are set to get hit by a price hike by FortisBC Energy Inc. (FortisBC) on January 1, 2025 with consumers expected to see an increase of around $14.25 per month based on a monthly consumption of about 7.5 gigajoules (GJ).
OCU in merger discussions with two other credit unions
Osoyoos Credit Union (OCU) along with two other community-focused BC credit unions have commenced merger discussions.
Osoyoos’ 85th St. Plaza gets an early opening
BC Premier David Eby and a handful of cabinet ministers joined Osoyoos elected officials, town staff and local residents for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the 85th St. Plaza on Tuesday afternoon.
Pocket Guide
BC wine association emphasizes wineries open for business
In the face of doom and gloom around the widespread vine death that resulted from a devastating cold snap in January, wine association Wines of British Columbia has highlighted the more than 60 events and new wine tourism experiences available over the next two months.
Secrest Hill campsite gets kitchen shelter upgrades
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) is continuing upgrades to the Secrest Hill Agricultural Worker’s Campsite (formerly Loose Bay Campground) located at 500 Secrest Hill Road in rural Oliver’s Electoral Area “C”.
Osoyoos ‘opts in’ for tougher short term rental regulation
Osoyoos Council has voted to “opt in” to the Province’s principal residence requirement permitting short term rentals in Osoyoos under the government’s tough new framework introduced last October.
JF Kustoms snags two top automotive awards
JF Launier, local car craftsman and founder of JF Kustoms, celebrates with car owner Kevin Mindel of Chilliwack, for his fifth Great 8 Winner award at the Detroit Autorama making history as the builder with the most wins.
OIB partners industrial group with Skemxist Solutions
The Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) and The Sutherland Group of Companies – a resource extraction and related industrial support group – have formed a limited partnership company Skemxist Solutions to tap the heavy industry market in Western Canada.
Cannings presses Liberals on support to devastated wine sector
NDP MP Richard Cannings (South Okanagan – West Kootenay) urged the Liberal government on Friday (Feb. 16) to step up and help support grape and fruit farmers in the southern interior of BC following yet another devastating event resulting from climate change.
Black Press enters creditor protection; sale pending
The largest non-daily newspaper publisher of newspapers in B.C. has entered creditor protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA).
Extra! Extra! Read all about it!
The next chapter in the storied history of the two local newspapers of Oliver and Osoyoos is set to be written as the Times Chronicle is merging with the Okanagan Valley’s leading digital news platform, Castanet.
Growers respond to wage hike
A recent 2.8 per cent wage hike for hand-harvest farm workers is sitting well with the BC Fruit Growers’ Association (BCFGA).