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Meaghan Archer
Submerged vehicle pulled from Okanagan Lake
PENTICTON — RCMP pulled a submerged vehicle out of Okanagan Lake early Wednesday morning. They received a call just before 5 a.m. that a vehicle veered off the road and into the water. The driver, passenger and their three dogs escaped the vehicle and were not injured but were taken to hospital for precautionary measure....
Measles came across the border: Have you had your shots?
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - If you haven’t had a measles shot yet, you better get on it. Recently, Interior Health confirmed a measles case in Alberta and are recommending everyone have up-to-date immunizations. “So far in Interior Health we have only had one recent measles case, but that can change at any time especially with the increase...
STUDENT WALKOUT: Students show teachers who’s boss
PENTICTON - At 10 a.m. this morning, a handful of students left their oversized classrooms to hold signs on the sidewalk, announcing their frustrations towards their teachers who walked out of schools last week. A group of grade nine girls from Pen High said their teachers think it’s ironic the students are walking out of...
Taxi hits young boy on bike and no one pays attention
PENTICTON - On Saturday afternoon, a young woman witnessed a collision between a taxi and a young cyclist. She was the only one who reported the incident to RCMP even though there were numerous people around the area. Cory Nelmes, 23, called 911 after she saw a yellow Penticton taxi, turning right, hit a boy...
Nudists fight for their community, heritage site
PENTICTON - Nudists who use Three Mile Beach say they'll respect a private land owner's decision to fence off his property but they don't want to lose complete acess to the beach, a historical nudist location since the 1930s. The small beach in Naramata is jointly owned by the City of Penticton, the provincial government...
Boonstock lines up board of directors
PENTICTON — A community-based board of directors was announced this weekend for the Boonstock Entertainment and Arts Society, a group created to support and promote local arts, music and culture in the Okanagan Valley. “This board is independent with its own mandate but will work in tandem with the Boonstock Productions executive team to ensure...
RCMP ride UTVs and respond to crime spikes
OSOYOOS — RCMP have responded to a spike in thefts from vehicles in the Osoyoos area over the last couple of weeks. While many of the vehicles were unlocked, RCMP are reminded people to make sure their cars are locked and no valuables are in sight. And as some people are stealing from cars, others...
Judge says domestic abuser fighting ‘losing battle’
PENTICTON — A provincial court judge says there’s no hope ordering mandatory counselling for a serial domestic offender since he's been doing it for 15 years. Neil Allison Ryerson, born in 1968, was sentenced today in Penticton Provincial Court to six months in jail for beating up his now ex-girlfriend. Ryerson has an extensive criminal...
Local winemaker gets creative with how he makes his wine
PENTICTON - Local winemaker Tony Lewis is trying a creative approach to winemaking by mixing his musical and inventing talents into the barrells of wines and translating the results into a fundraiser for orphans in Haiti. Lewis was inspired by his daughter, who, for her third birthday, wanted to have a music-themed party where all...
Penticton to host 2015 GoMedia Canada Marketplace
PENTICTON - Journalists and media from all over the world will come to wine country next year as Penticton hosts the 2015 GoMedia Canada Marketplace. GoMedia, part of the Canadian Tourism Commission, is the biggest annual consumer media show in the country. The events hosts industry partners from across Canada, the U.S. and 10 international...
Local historians say latest heritage plan will fail, again
PENTICTON - Local historians say the latest heritage plan organized by the RDOS is not going to succeed because similar plans have always failed in the past. A report will be made by contractors hired by the RDOS listing all the possible heritage sites in the district and how they can be restored and turned...
Chamber of Commerce endorses Boonstock Music Festival
PENTICTON - The Penticton Chamber of Commerce announced its endorsement of the Boonstock Music Festival, coming to Penticton in August. The announcement was made Wednesday at the Commerce’s Board of Directors meeting. The endorsement acknowledges the work organizers have put, and are putting safety and success into the planning of the event. “I am extremely...
Lawsuit filed against former hockey association treasurer, others
PENTICTON — A civil lawsuit has been filed against former hockey association board member Sandy Elder, alleging fraud and embezzlement of association funds. The claims the association's former treasurer illegally took $315,650 from the association and shared the money with five others, who are listed as “John Doe” in the suit. Elder’s husband and two...
New jail cell death inquest scheduled for fall
PENTICTON - A new date is set for a coroner’s inquest of a man who died in a police holding cell nearly two years ago. Steven Joseph Scott, aged 30, died Aug. 10, 2012 while in locked-up custody at the Penticton RCMP detachment. Inquests — a public presentation of evidence related to a death —...
Mexican drug smuggler put behind Canadian bars
PENTICTON - A Mexican drug smuggler caught at the Osoyoos border was sentenced Monday to six years in jail. Andy J. Garcia Macias, born in 1995, was arrested in January for smuggling cocaine across the U.S. border into Canada. He had travelled from Mexico, crossing the border on foot into the U.S., making his way...
Peachland council takes steps towards final approval of 125-acre development
PEACHLAND - Peachland city council is pushing forward with plans for a 125-acre development project on the Northern boundary of the lakeside city. Before council gives the project final approval, the Ministry of Transportation needs to review the plans and ensure access is possible, said Heidi Simkins, the city’s planning administrator. If council approves the...
RDOS hosts open house for new heritage plans
PENTICTON — Local government is turning to the community for input on new, more interactive heritage planning projects. The Heritage Planning Session is the first round of public engagement where community members can give input on what aspects of the region they value, such as landscapes, events, rituals or spiritual places. Organizers are trying to...
Okanagan gone ‘batty’ over new program
OKANAGAN - The Okanagan has a new bat program to help with conservation, using the public’s help in detecting bat sites. The Okanagan Community Bat Project offers resources to the public, such as bat education and options for dealing with bats in buildings. References can be found online and questions can be called in to...
Vees add new players to roster
PENTICTON — The Vees hockey team added three new players to its roster this week for the upcoming hockey season. Let’s meet the recruits: Miles Gendron Position: Defence Born: 1996 Played: Rivers School, Massachusetts Awards: Independent School League’s 2013-14 MVP, Sportsmanship award, League All-Star Fun Fact: 74th ranked Central Scouting ranked player for 2014 NHL...
Teachers on twitter: Strike news shared on social media
PENTICTON - Teachers across the province began striking this morning for better wages and smaller class sizes, among other reasons. The rotating strike is an effort to move along negotiations with the province. Here's a look at what teachers, parents and students have been saying on social media: %%Embed1%% To contact the reporter for this...
From drinking all day, to writing all morning: A conversation with Michael Pond
PENTICTON - Michael Pond, author of the new, bestselling book The Couch of Willingness spoke with Infotel News about his memoir on alcoholism and what he’s learned from his mistakes and redemptions. Here’s a look at what he had to say: Infotel News: Why did you decide to write a book about your addiction? Michael...
Conservation group rallies for support with video
PENTICTON - A national nature group made a video to support turning Okanagan land into a national park, in order to protect endangered species and grasslands wildlife. There has been controversy in the last few months around the Okanagan grasslands and how to keep them protected. Earlier this spring, the Nature Trust of British Columbia,...
Community Centre offers activities for kids impacted by teachers’ strike
PENTICTON - The Penticton Community Centre is hosting Day Camp for kids Monday May 26, for anyone looking to have some fun swimming, crafting and playing games. The camp runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and costs $27 per child. Day care is available for parents needing to drop kids off early (8 to...
Ceremony held to celebrate beginning of corrections facility
OLIVER - Ground was officially broken today by justice, city and Band officials to launch construction of the Okanagan Correctional Centre. The ceremony began with members of the Osoyoos Indian Band riding in on horses, drumming and singing traditional songs. “Thank you for honouring our land,” said Bob Etienne, a Band member who performed a...