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Meaghan Archer
Council looks at options to end the city’s tagging problem
PENTICTON - An end to tagging in downtown Penticton may be just around the corner, so long as council can agree on a feasible and effective plan to eradicate the vandalism. City Council was presented Monday with several solutions to the tagging problem that received a lot of attention in the spring. Already there are...
Farmers Market wants more space for wine vendors
PENTICTON - Local wineries and breweries are now able to sell liquor and hold tastings at Penticton farmers markets, but some concerns regarding space and competition are already arising. Council passed an amendment at Monday night’s council meeting to change the definition of an outdoor market to include the sale and tasting of wine and...
Washington wildfire smoke spreads north
SOUTH OKANAGAN - Smoke caused by Washington wildfires has been steadily creeping up the South Okanagan valley since Monday afternoon. There has been little smoke around the Penticton area from the Apex and Jura Mountain fires that have been burning for more than a week, so just how big are these fires in Washington that...
Local wineries bring Canadian wine to the table in new documentary
OKANAGAN - The Okanagan Valley is the latest subject of exploration for a documentary on Canadian wines. Local production artists and videographers Jon Hunwick and Kenton Gilchrist of Asymetriq Productions Inc. are filming for their latest documentary, titled Ventures in Wine Country, the story of three Okanagan wineries and their progress of becoming contenders on...
Tourism marketing succeeds in Penticton despite funding setback
PENTICTON - Tourism officials say tourism is not in danger this season despite a pending court decision for the lawsuit between the City and the Penticton Hospitality Association regarding provincial funds. Earlier in the season, provincial hotel tax funds were frozen because of an ongoing dispute with the city and the hospitality association about how...
Jura Mountain fire almost entirely contained
PENTICTON - The Jura Mountain wildfire is now 90 per cent contained as crews continue to calm the flames. The fire is estimated to be 460 hecates in size and believed to be human caused. There are 27 firefighters, 20 service staff, 2 helicopters, 8 pieces of heavy equipment with air tankers hitting the fire...
Apex wildfire still not out after one week
PENTICTON - A fire that broke out last week on Apex Mountain continues to burn but is 75 per cent contained as of Monday morning. The fire is estimated to be 345 hectares in size and believed to be human caused, however an investigation is still underway. There are 15 firefighters and one piece of...
Okanagan Valley contender for top wine region in world
OKANAGAN - The Okanagan Valley is a top contender for USA Today’s 10 Best Wine Regions to visit. The valley is up against world-renowned wine regions including Tuscany and Veneto, Italy; Nappa Valley, California; Rhone, France; and Marlborough, New Zealand. “Having visited Nappa Valley and Tuscany I firmly believe the Okanagan Valley is equal, if...
UPDATE: Boot Hill fire partially contained
PENTICTON - A fire burning 30 kilometres southwest of Penticton near Lookout Mountain is now 50 per cent contained. As of Saturday night the fire is mapped at 100 hectares, down from the 138 ha it was thought to be Friday, and was caused by lightning. It is was first discovered Monday, July 14 and...
UPDATE: Jura Mountain fire 70 per cent contained
PENTICTON - The wildfire burning near Jura Mountain remains 460 hectares in size and is still 70 per cent contained Sunday. The blaze is burning near five kilometres southeast of Missezula Lake. There are 27 firefighters, 4 helicopters, 9 pieces of heavy equipment with air tankers hitting the fire as needed, according to the B.C....
UPDATE: Apex wildfire now 60 per cent contained
PENTICTON - The wildfire on Apex mountain has burned 345 hectares and is now 60 per cent contained. The evacuation alert issued Wednesday remains in place for the lower portions of Green Mountain and Apex Mountain Roads, though it has been lowered to nine properties from 13. B.C. Wildifre has also reduced the amount of resources...
Smith Creek fire closes parks; music will still be heard
WEST KELOWNA - Three Central Okanagan Regional District parks are closed in West Kelowna because of the danger from Smith Creek wildfire. Glen Canyon, Shannon Lake, Rose Valley Regional Parks are all closed as a result of fire activity and will remain closed until further notice. "The Regional District apologizes for any inconvenience and encourages...
Boil water notice lifted in Okanagan Falls
OKANAGAN FALLS - The boil water notice issued last week for Okanagan Falls residents has been lifted. The requirement of three clean water samples was given to Interior Health by the Okanagan Falls Irrigation District. The water found to be contaminated with traces of E. Coli last week is now clean and ready to use...
ARCHER: Appreciate local history before it’s lost
There’s an old adage that says “You never know what you had until it’s gone.” Yes, it’s a bit tacky to use cliches but it may be worth taking a closer look at the people and places in your life and recognize them before they go up in smoke. Earlier this week, Keremeos lost one...
Test your skills at the fifth annual Cherry Pit Spit contest
PENTICTON - It’s pit spitting time in the Okanagan again with the fifth annual Cherry Pit Spit contest at the Naramata Farmers’ Market. The competition will be held Wednesday, July 23 at 4 p.m. at Wharf Park in Naramata. It is open to all ages and is free of cost. Naramata-fresh cherries are being provided...
Young, well-loved girl loses battle with cancer
Chloe Kroeger, 4, recently lost her ongoing battle with a rare form of cancer, called rhabdomyosarcoma. She was very young but inspired and touched a lot of people around her community and beyond. A notice of her death was posted on a Facebook support group page called "Miracle for Chloe" where hundreds, possibly thousands, of...
Smoky skies across Okanagan and Similkameen valleys
OKANAGAN - A smokey skies advisory is in effect for the Okanagan and Similkameen areas, due to high levels of wildfire smoke spreading throughout the valley. The concentration of smoke will vary as wind, fire behaviour and temperatures change. The advisory was announced Thursday morning by the B.C. Ministry of Environment. The Ministry is advising...
TransitBC looks to Okanagan residents for ideas connecting communities
PENTICTON - TransitBC is sending its Transit Future Team to the Okanagan to get feedback from residents on the kind of long-term transit plan they would like in their communities. This visit is part of the second phase of a new transit plan the Regional District of the Okanagan-Similkameen and TransitBC to make transit more...
UPDATE: Wildfire burning southwest of Oliver
OLIVER - A wildfire southwest of Oliver has damaged two buildings but no homes or residents. The fire located 8 kilometres southwest of Oliver near Mount Kobau was called in at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday and is 8.2 hectares in size as of Wednesday morning. The fire is 100 per cent contained. There are currently 14...
Still no drinkable tap water for Okanagan Falls’ residents
OKANAGAN FALLS - A boil water notice issued last week for Okanagan Falls residents won't be lifted because water samples continue to test positive for E. Coli. The bacteria was found during a routine water sampling last Thursday. Interior Health is asking for three consecutively clean samples of water from the Okanagan Falls Irrigation District...
Thefts and fires in Osoyoos can be easily avoided
OSOYOOS - RCMP say the biggest problems in Osoyoos are ones that can be avoided with a little extra care. There have been numerous thefts from unlocked vehicles and sheds, and unlocked vehicles with keys left inside. Two dirt bikes and a motorcycle were stolen from a locked, detached garage in the Spruce Court area...
Learn more about the Wiltse Area development plan
PENTICTON - A development plan that has been in the works for several years has been brought back to council, and soon, the public will have a chance to say a word or two. There will be an open house on July 16 at the Penticton Public Library for the Wiltse Area development plan. A...
Red Bridge Pub in Keremeos up in flames
KEREMEOS - The 100-year-old Red Bridge Pub in Keremeos went up in flames this morning and firefighters continue to put out hot spots into the afternoon. All staff from the Keremeos Fire Department are on scene, plus one truck and five firefighters from Kaleden and Osoyoos. No other structures are endangered at this time but...
Local governments team up to save water this summer
OKANAGAN - Okanagan mayors are challenging residents to conserve water this summer as part of the Okanagan WaterWise program. The program is an effort by the Okanagan Basin Water Board, local government and utility partners to encourage outdoor water conservation during the hot and dry summer months. Several mayors and councillors throughout the valley took...