Interior Health (IH) is advising Scotch Creek private well users to take precautions following a large diesel spill that occurred at about 7:30 p.m. May 5 at a local gas station.

IH is recommending individuals who rely on private wells for drinking water to monitor their water for possible impacts. Diesel fuel has a very distinct odour and can be detected at very low concentrations in drinking water.

This would include dwellings south of and including:

Spring is in the air, and for many of us in the Interior, it’s time to roll up our sleeves and dive into spring cleaning.

Before sweeping, dusting and decluttering, however, there’s something else that could be in the air that’s important to be aware of: hantavirus.

This is part one of our two-part series on resources and supports available to older adults who want to age well in place in their homes, and options for when there are too many risks to being at home.

Oliver and area residents are advised of temporary changes to emergency department hours at South Okanagan General Hospital.

Emergency services will be unavailable from 7 p.m. on Saturday, May 2 until 7 a.m. on Sunday, May 3, 2026. Patients can access emergency care at Penticton Regional Hospital during this time.

All other inpatient services will continue at South Okanagan General Hospital.

Name: Dr. Elena Karissa Schroeder (she/her/hers)
Job Title: Hospitalist
Length of Service: 5 years
Worksite: East Kootenay Regional Hospital
Community: Cranbrook
Ancestral Territory: Ktunaxa
Favourite Quote / Advice to Live By: “Physicians go into medicine to help others. Physicians go into leadership with the same intentions—to help others.”

Your child’s first word is a delightful milestone and one that’s often recorded and long remembered.

But did you know before—and long after—baby’s first word there are a lot of other speech and language milestones your baby will reach? In the first year of life, babies have so much to tell you and are such good communicators, even if they’re not talking yet.

Not all children develop at the same pace, however. If your instincts are telling you something is amiss, listen to them and reach out to a speech-language pathologist at Interior Health (IH).

Please see the attached document to learn more about the look, contamination, and risk associated with the current drug alert.

Thousands of volunteers of all ages work alongside our staff across the Interior Health (IH) region. Volunteers complement the care provided by our professionals, and are welcomed, respected and valued members of the IH care team.

The incredible work, kindness and dedication of our volunteers make a huge difference in delivering outstanding care and positive experiences to the people we serve.