COMMUNITY
Salish Sea Researcher Identifies Dead Humpback Spotted Near Ferry Collision Site
A dead humpback whale has been spotted in Howe Sound near the site of a recent B.C. Ferries collision, prompting an investigation by federal officials.
Dead Whale Found Floating in Howe Sound
A dead humpback whale was reported floating near Grace Point in Howe Sound on Monday, roughly a week after a B.C. Ferries vessel hit a whale in the area. Federal authorities with the Fisheries Department received photographs of the carcass but have not yet verified if it is the animal involved in the Oct. 18 collision.
During that mid-October sailing between Keats Island and Grace Point, two whales were observed near the ferry before one surfaced directly in front of the ship and was struck. Officials are currently trying to locate the floating carcass to conduct a necropsy if feasible to determine how the animal died.
Local Researcher Identifies Missing Tail Fluke
Although the dead whale’s tail fluke was missing and its dorsal fin was not visible in photos sent by a local resident, researcher Tasli Shaw identified the animal as Notcho, also cataloged as BCX1700. Shaw, co-founder of Humpback Whales of the Salish Sea, recognized the humpback by its right pectoral flipper.
Notcho had frequented the Salish Sea each summer since 2017 to feed. Shaw noted she had personally watched the male whale interact with other humpbacks in competitive behaviors and follow females around the area.
Community Engagement and Investigation
The Fisheries Department stated it is connecting with the Squamish Nation regarding ceremonial, social, or cultural interests connected to the deceased animal. Department personnel are also attempting to gather further details and confirm the whale’s identity.
COMMUNITY
This weekend in Okanagan: Fri 6 — Sun 8 November
12 things to do in Okanagan, Fri 6 — Sun 8 November.
The Okanagan Current · What’s on
This weekend
Fri 6 — Sun 8 November
What’s on between now and Sunday night.
The week at a glance Fri 6 — Sun 8 November
All day First Friday Art Trail Artist Studios, Vernon and Coldstream 12 pm Friday Happy Hour District Wine Village, 100 Enterprise Way British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T0 Canada, Oliver 1 pm First Friday Art Trail featuring Mandi Irmen Vernon Public Art Gallery 6:30 pm Cooking Class Dinners Hester Creek Estate Winery, 877 Road 8 · Box 1605 British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T0 Canada, Oliver 6:30 pm Moontricks Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre, 3800 33rd St Vernon, BC V1T 5T6 7:30 pm A Christmas Twist Venables Theatre, Oliver
8 am The Dolly Drag Show | Obstacle Challenge Riding 4 Life Ranch, 5621 Sawmill Rd, Oliver, BC V0H 1T0, Oliver 1 pm Artist Talk: Darian Goldin Stahl Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon 5 pm Diwali Party 2026 Kismet Estate Winery, 316 Rd 20 British Columbia Oliver V0H1T0 Canada, Oliver 7:30 pm A Christmas Twist Venables Theatre, Oliver
What’s on 12 events
First Friday Art Trail
- Time
- All day
- Where
- Artist Studios, Vernon and Coldstream
Friday Happy Hour
- Time
- 12 pm
- Where
- District Wine Village, 100 Enterprise Way British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T0 Canada, Oliver
@ Every FRIDAY is Happy Hour!
First Friday Art Trail featuring Mandi Irmen
- Time
- 1 pm
- Where
- Vernon Public Art Gallery (confirmed by the desk)
@ Date: Friday, November 6th, 2026 Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Location: Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Downtown Vernon Admission: Free | Everyone…
Cooking Class Dinners
- Time
- 6:30 pm
- Where
- Hester Creek Estate Winery, 877 Road 8 · Box 1605 British Columbia Oliver V0H 1T0 Canada, Oliver
@ Join one of only 14 guests seated in our state of the art demonstration kitchen for a locally sourced, seasonally inspired menu skillfully paired with our…
Moontricks
- Time
- 6:30 pm
- Where
- Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre, 3800 33rd St Vernon, BC V1T 5T6
A Christmas Twist
- Time
- 7:30 pm
- Where
- Venables Theatre, Oliver
@ About the Performance SOAP presents A Christmas Twist, a delightfully twisted mash-up of two Dickens classics: A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist.
The Dolly Drag Show | Obstacle Challenge
- Time
- 8 am
- Where
- Riding 4 Life Ranch, 5621 Sawmill Rd, Oliver, BC V0H 1T0, Oliver
@ CLASS LIST – 9am start Cash grab (warm up round) Lesson Horse Roulette Rough stock (very green horse) My first rodeo (very green rider) L’il cowpokes (12…
Artist Talk: Darian Goldin Stahl
- Time
- 1 pm
- Where
- Vernon Public Art Gallery, 3228 31st Ave, Vernon
@ The Vernon Public Art Gallery is pleased to host an artist talk by Darian Goldin Stahl on Saturday, November 7 from 1-2 PM, in-person at the gallery.
Diwali Party 2026
- Time
- 5 pm
- Where
- Kismet Estate Winery, 316 Rd 20 British Columbia Oliver V0H1T0 Canada, Oliver
@ Diwali at Kismet is back and bigger than ever. For the past two years, we’ve celebrated Diwali with an intimate long table dinner.
A Christmas Twist
- Time
- 7:30 pm
- Where
- Venables Theatre, Oliver
@ About the Performance SOAP presents A Christmas Twist, a delightfully twisted mash-up of two Dickens classics: A Christmas Carol and Oliver Twist.
Beginner Roping with Ken Macrae
- Time
- 8 am
- Where
- Riding 4 Life Ranch, 5621 Sawmill Rd, Oliver, BC V0H 1T0, Oliver
@ Sundays at 10am Begins October 4th 10am for ground practice 11am for mounted practice (must pre-register for mounted portion) pre-register here Bring your…
Miigis – By Red Sky – SPOTLIGHT Dance Series
- Time
- 1 pm
- Where
- Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre, 3800 33rd St. Vernon, BC V1T 5T6
Also coming up 8 of 57
- Thu, Nov 5 Thursday Only PASSPORT
- Thu, Nov 5 OKIB Cannabis Referendum Advance Voting Day
- Mon, Nov 9 Drop – In Musical Jam
- Mon, Nov 9 Band Council Meeting
- Mon, Nov 9 OKIB Respiratory Illness Vaccine Clinic
- Mon, Nov 9 Seniors Winter Market
- Tue, Nov 10 Fall Longtable Communal Dinners
- Tue, Nov 10 Crash Test Dummies
Dates and names only — we confirm the details with each organiser in the edition that runs them.
Running something? Get it in front of your neighbours.
The Okanagan Current publishes this every week for readers looking for something to do. Listing is free, and what you send us is what runs — so check the details before you send them. Or post it to your municipal calendar and we will find it.
BC STORIES
A Kelowna Restaurant Brings Festive Indian Sweets to Local Diwali Celebrations
Kelowna restaurant New Punjab Sweets prepares traditional treats for Diwali on Nov. 8, as local temples restrict fireworks over environmental concerns.
Preparations Underway in Rutland
New Punjab Sweets & Restaurant in Kelowna is getting ready to mark Diwali on Nov. 8. Owner Baldev Singh will offer a wide assortment of traditional sweets at his Rutland establishment beginning Friday, Nov. 6, to launch the holiday season.
Mohini Singh, who was at the restaurant’s Rutland location on Tuesday, Nov. 3, assisting with setup, noted that customers come from all over to buy sweets, comparing the atmosphere to small shops in India.
Understanding the Festival of Lights
Diwali, known as the Festival of Lights, signifies the triumph of good over evil. Mohini Singh explained that it is the largest festival in India, celebrated by individuals of diverse backgrounds, including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists.
In northern India, the holiday’s history traces back to the Hindu epic Ramayana. The narrative tells of Prince Rama of Ayodhya returning to his kingdom following a 14-year exile, prompting citizens to illuminate his path with lamps.
Observances and Local Regulations
Traditional Diwali celebrations involve sharing food, lighting lamps, and setting off fireworks. However, firework displays will not take place at Kelowna temples this year. Mohini Singh stated that local temples are prohibiting fireworks due to concerns regarding fire safety, environmental impact, and noise.
BC STORIES
What an $80 Million Forestry Deal Means for the Sunshine Coast Community
Tla’amin Nation buys Stillwater Forest Operation near Powell River for $80M, supported by a $64M federal loan guarantee and a fibre supply deal.
A Major Transfer of Forestry Rights
In an $80-million transaction after adjustments, the Tla’amin Nation has acquired full ownership of the Stillwater Forest Operation from Western Forest Products. Announcement of the completed deal came via a joint statement from both parties on Nov. 3, 2026.
The operation spans approximately 1,540 square kilometres on B.C.’s Sunshine Coast, primarily within Tla’amin traditional territory. Through its corporate arm, Thichum Forest Products, the nation will oversee an annual allowable harvest of 469,200 cubic metres of timber from the tree farm licence.
Local Economic Impact and Agreements
Adam Culos, vice-president of forestry and forest sustainability for Thichum Forest Products, described the finalized transaction as a significant milestone for the business and the surrounding region. He noted that managing these lands aligns with Tla’amin values and long-term stewardship while supporting local jobs and retaining forestry benefits in the community.
Under a parallel long-term fibre supply agreement, the nation’s forestry enterprise will sell harvested timber to Western Forest Products to assist the company’s coastal B.C. manufacturing plants. Steven Hofer, president of Western Forest Products, stated that the sale respects the nation’s history and goals while offering stability as the company shifts toward higher-value manufacturing.
Federal Financial Support
The transaction was assisted by a $64 million loan guarantee from the Canada Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corp. Kristan Straub, president of the corporation, emphasized that the purchase places the nation in control of a major forestry venture and highlighted that high capital costs have historically hindered Indigenous groups from securing ownership in territorial projects.
Kelowna Centre may have a new MLA by Friday
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AI Stocks Tumble as U.S. Midterm Elections Send Shockwaves Through Global Markets
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