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Julie Whittet
WIENS TRIAL: No fingerprints found on murder weapon
Two weapons were found at the blood splattered crime scene where the body of Lynn Kalmring was found lifeless on August 16, 2011. One was a nine millimeter handgun sitting on the bed she shared with partner Keith Wiens and the other a 12 inch (27 cm) kitchen knife loosely gripped in her left hand....
Crime scene still being pieced together in murder trial for Penticton ex-mountie
OFFICER DESCRIBES BLOOD-STAINED KNIFE IN HANDS OF VICTIM With new details coming to light on the murder of Lynn Kalmring, the question still remains what happened on the very early morning of August 16, 2011 that led to the fatal shooting. A number of police and family witnesses have already testified at the Kelowna Supreme...
Forensic evidence and photos shown to jury in Wiens trial
Forensic specialist Cpl. France Burke arrived at a crime scene on 3333 South Main St. in Penticton where just seven hours earlier police found a woman lying dead in her bedroom. It was 8:25 a.m. when Cpl. Burke entered the family home and began recording all the details that would help explain how and why...
WIENS TRIAL: Police describe crime scene at gated residence in Penticton
KELOWNA — It was already a busy night for Penticton RCMP when an alert sounded…
Final work on Bernard Ave coming September
It's back to business as usual for shop owners along downtown Kelowna's Bernard Avenue this afternoon. After more than three months of non-stop construction the road will open to traffic at 5 p.m. today from Abbott to Pandosy Street.
New pier to float into Kelowna’s downtown marina
With Phase Two of the Bernard Avenue revitalization wrapping up tomorrow all eyes will be turning to Kelowna's downtown marina. Construction of two new piers is already well underway. Across the lake just off Westside road, developer Westcorp Properties Inc. is in the process of building steel pontoons. Once ready they will be put onto...
WIENS TRIAL: Sister describes final words with murder victim
911 CALL FROM WIENS: "CAN YOU HEAR ME? I JUST SHOT MY WIFE." Shelley Pertelson…
WIENS TRIAL: Wife was shot in face, may have been holding knife: Crown
THE ISSUE IS WHETHER THE KNIFE WAS IN HER HAND WHEN SHE WAS FATALLY SHOT.…
Kelowna land owner turns farm into fairway
A local farm in Southeast Kelowna wants to get the ball rolling on their tourist appeal. McMillan Farms on Berard Avenue is known for their fall pumpkin patch, corn maze and hay-rides, but soon they will be inviting visitors to play golf. And it won't involve expensive greenways or golf clubs. The sport known as...
Bike rentals to get test run in downtown Kelowna
This summer visitors to downtown Kelowna will be able to go for a lake-side spin on rented wheels. A temporary bike rental operator stationed in front of the Queensway boat launch will be the first of its kind for the downtown area. City property manager Ron Forbes says bike rentals are available in other areas...
Kelowna’s new Bernard Avenue opens to traffic Friday
In just a couple days you will be able to drive along Bernard Avenue to where it meets Kelowna's downtown waterfront. Crossing signals are already flashing, soon to be used by pedestrians who once again will be pausing for cars. After more than three months of renovations, workers from CGL Contracting are finishing the final...
An uncertain future for addiction services in wine country
"MORE MONEY IS NOT NECESSARILY WHAT WE NEED." In a city where wineries and distilleries are the lifeblood of its culture and tourism, the closure of its detox centre and an uncertain future for addiction treatment services in Kelowna stands out like a red wine stain. When Kelowna's main addiction services centre announced its...
Video of alleged purse snatching not meant for web
UPDATE: PURSE SNATCHING VIDEO NOT MEANT FOR PUBLIC EYES An error in standard police investigation protocol led to premature online broadcasting of an un-edited surveillance video from Kelowna's Original Joe's restaurant. Constable Kris Clark of the Kelowna RCMP says it's normal for the victim of a crime to be shown the video but not provided...
Downtown cafe Duncan’s Bistro to be re-named by new owners
If you like coffee and work near Lawrence Avenue in downtown Kelowna you've probably met Duncan. Free Wifi, all-day breakfast and a familiar face are some of the draws that bring regular customers to Duncan's Bistro and Bar. But in two weeks the cafe will be looking a little different. Under the new name "O-Lake...
No more truck traffic for Kelowna’s downtown core
Those who live and work in Kelowna's downtown core will soon be able to enjoy the streets free of truck traffic. But residents along Gordon Drive can expect just the opposite. Industrial traffic currently travelling to and from the city's north end will be re-routed along Gordon Drive from Highway 97 to Clement Avenue with...
Former Merritt police chief may escape criminal record for stealing seized cocaine
A former commander of the Merritt RCMP who confessed to stealing drugs from his police department likely won't spend any time behind bars, and may not even have a criminal record. Stuart Seib, 54, was arrested January 10, 2012 after telling another officer he had been using cocaine stored in the detachment's exhibit locker. He...
Central Green site may finally get some attention
"YOU WON'T FIND SIX ACRES IN DOWNTOWN KELOWNA EVER AGAIN." It may not be long before the ambitious, long-awaited plan for the Central Green project is launched into action. Last April the city put four of the sites on the subdivided property up for sale and prospective buyers have until June 21 to put in...
New road to Lake Country to slow it down for locals, tourists
Most roads get people to and from their destination but the stretch of highway between Winfield and Oyama could soon be the final stop for Okanagan residents and visitors. A world-class recreation corridor is the latest idea for the well-travelled eight kilometers of Highway 97 running along Wood Lake. With the new highway detour set...
Nine-year-old Kelowna girl challenges McDonald’s CEO
Happy meals don't win any smiles from this nine-year-old Kelowna girl. On the contrary, child food activist Hannah Robertson had some hard hitting questions for a McDonald's CEO yesterday. At their annual shareholder meeting yesterday in Illinois, Roberston told CEO Don Thompson that McDonald's is tricking children. "I don't think it's fair when big companies...
Why farming in Kelowna is still viable
To call Oyama's Gatzke Orchards a farm doesn't cut it. It's also a fruit market, cafe-bakery, restaurant, a wedding and music venue, and one of the Okanagan's unique tourist attractions. This is what owner Alan Gatzke calls “diversifying” and he says it churns out the profits of a 35-acre farm from just 25 acres. And...
Vancouver film shooting in Kelowna next week
Kelowna and Vernon will each take the spotlight next week with the kick-off of a new film production right here in the Okanagan. Areas of Kelowna, West Kelowna and Summerland will take centre stage for a Vancouver-based TV film production. Stars including Kelly Rutherford (Gossip Girl, Scream 3) and Natasha Henstridge (The Secret Circle, CSI Miami)...
Weather alert: heavy rain to hit Kelowna today
Kelowna residents can safely lay off the lawn sprinklers this week. The city will continue to get its fair share of the rain storm currently hitting B.C.'s Southern Interior. Last night Environment Canada issued a weather summary forecasting heavy showers later today. By 7 p.m. last night Kelowna had between 26 and 33 mm in...
Trial begins in Kelowna next week for Penticton ex-cop charged with murder
A retired Summerland RCMP officer from Penticton is expected to stand trial next week for second-degree murder. Keith Gregory Wiens confirmed his trial date before Kelowna Supreme Court justice Geoff Barrow and jury next Monday. He is represented by defence lawyer Ian McKay. The trial is expected to last three weeks. Jury members will be...
New school in the works for Kelowna’s Upper Mission
Youth living in the the Upper Mission area of Kelowna will have a school of their own in the not too distant future. The Central Okanagan School District announced yesterday it has pinned down a location for the site of the future school that will service grades six through eight. The seven-acre site will be...