Meaghan Archer

PENTICTON -- Canada Customs got lucky last week when an officer spotted what appeared to be invasive mussel species attached to a boat crossing the Osoyoos border headed for Lake Okanagan.  Legally, customs officers have no authority to hold travellers back from crossing the border if their watercraft is infested with mussels. They got lucky...

PENTICTON -- Council chambers turned into a cockfighting ring last night as jokes were tossed around during a serious debate about backyard hens. Coun. John Vassilaki and Coun. Wes Hopkin had a little tiff, started by the witty, young councillor.  “I was born in a home with five people, that had eight chickens living in...

PENTICTON - After admitting not enough attention was paid to detail, city council will readdress renewing a licence-to-use permit for a downtown teaching garden. Council voted against an agreement renewal with the Penticton Urban Agriculture Association to reissue a permit allowing the gardening group to harvest produce on a specified lot downtown. The Ellis and...

PENTICTON -- Challenge Penticton will no longer be directed by the Penticton Triathalon Race Society but by a private organizer, so long as they fit the job qualifications. The Penticton Triathlon Race Society built the Challenge brand up from scratch in this community but the volunteer board members can no longer provide the manpower necessary...

PENTICTON – Council debated whether an Okanagan shuttle service would direct customers away from the Penticton airport and if public funds should be spent on the private project. The shuttle service plan was created by the South Okanagan Ground Transportation Committee that is comprised of volunteers, including Robert Lintell, who made a presentation during last...

PENTICTON - Council jumped the gun on a decision not to renew a downtown teaching garden because they didn’t realize what was actually happening. Councillors admitted to not knowing the truth about a community issue they voted against during previous council meetings — and not communicating with involved parties to notify them their project was...

PENTICTON -- Family friendly water activities are coming back to Penticton this summer so long as all goes according to plan for Penticton Water Sports. Chuck Loewen, the City’s general manager of facilities, museum and recreation services, presented a plan for a new aqua park on Okanagan Lake to council during today’s committee of the...

PENTICTON -- City councillors, RCMP officers and staff stood outside city hall Monday afternoon as the city was given a large cheque for a community policing program from the provincial government and Penticton MLA Dan Ashton. The former Penticton mayor gave $14,800 to the city to fund a community policing program for at-risk male youth....

PENTICTON -- Council thought they had the last word on the unrenewed downtown garden, but community organizers are ready to show their green thumbs. Councillor John Vassilaki said they were not impressed with the way the garden was left. The city issued a temporary use permit to the Penticton Urban Agriculture Association for a plot...

PENTICTON -- A Princeton man charged with attempted murder and aggravated assault at the Princeton Dairy Queen restaurant was sent to the West Coast for a 30-day psychiatric examination. James Buhler, 52, was absent from court today but his lawyer, Stanley Turner and the Crown agreed on the evaluation. He is due back in Penticton...

PENTICTON -- A convicted sex offender will appear in court Monday after police arrested him yesterday near Okanagan Falls. Ronald Teneycke is being held in custody at Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre and will appear in Penticton Provincial Court on Monday at 11 a.m. via video conference. Teneycke is charged with breach of probation, failure to...

PENTICTON -- School lets out for two weeks of spring break tomorrow, so here are some activities to keep the kids busy while they’re out of the classroom: XploreSportZ Spring Break Camp -- Run wild during this all-day camp where instructors will teach kids new sports and activities. Spring Break at the Library -- Learning...

PENTICTON -- Penticton’s tourism industry is looking to benefit as a result of a new flight service from Calgary to Penticton that was launched today by Jump On Flyaways. And it’s not just the tourism industry that will benefit from Calgarians vacationing in Wine Country — it’s the whole city. Tourists, even if visiting on...

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN -- Power outages were reported across the Okanagan this morning, from Osoyoos all the way up to Kelowna, but the problem appears to be fixed. FortisBC tweeted "Power now restored to all our customers in the #Okanagan. Thanks for your patience!” Large parts of Kelowna, Big White, Osoyoos and Keremeos were affected but power...

PENTICTON -- The 88th annual Kiwanis festival kicked off two months of performances from local youth. The festival, which began in 1926, provides an opportunity for young performers to show their talents, and learn and grow through their respected practices. Performances are critiqued by judges from all over Western Canada and the United States. Scholarships...

PENTICTON -- Elementary school test result data is useless unless educators are willing to invest in new programming options. “You can’t control where kids are coming from or what their strengths are,” said Sharon Sola, principal at Carmi Elementary. Teachers need to work with children and the strengths they bring to the table. The tests...

PENTICTON -- A flight service connecting Penticton to Calgary is launching tomorrow after several months of preparation. Jump On Flyaways is offering weekend round-trips from Calgary to Penticton at discounted rates. The planes will depart Calgary International Airport at prime times and return the passengers from Penticton Regional Airport on Sunday evening. The offer currently...

PENTICTON -- This year’s first Food Truck Culture Rally is making an early appearance this weekend and the event is one of eight scheduled for spring/summer 2014. On the menu is Thai from Jamplees Thai Kitchen, tacos from Surf Side California, and lots of meat sandwiches from Gung Ho Gyozas. The food truck season does...

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN -- Osoyoos and Salmon Arm have both won $25,000 in arena upgrades after being voted into the Top 8 in the West as part of Kraft Hockeyville’s annual contest. Today is the last day to vote communities into the semi-finals of their East/West divisions. Two communities from the West, and two from the East...

PENTICTON -- Penticton schools ranked all over the board on the latest Fundamental Skills Assessment tests, according to a new report by the Fraser Institute released Monday. The tests are issued to students in Grade 4 and 7, but parents have the option to not have their kids tested. Penticton’s Holy Cross Elementary received a...

PENTICTON  -- Tourism Penticton is playing a round of musical chairs, with newly appointed vice chair and board members. Diana Stirling, who has been a member of the Society since its foundation in 2012, was promoted to the position of vice chair. She is also a local businesswoman and owner of LocoLanding Adventure Park. The...