Elevate your local knowledge
Sign up for the iNFOnews newsletter today!
Meaghan Archer
Boonstock gives $4.5 million boost to Penticton economy
PENTICTON - Survey results released Tuesday by Boonstock festival organizers show a total economic impact of $4.5 million for the Penticton region generated by the festival over the August long weekend. Some 2,500 people responded to the survey — roughly a quarter of the 8,621 "unique attendees" over the three-and-a-half day event, according to the...
BOBBITT: Forensic officer gives crime scene evidence
PENTICTON - Crown prosecutors called four witnesses to the stand, including a forensic identification officer, this afternoon during the dangerous offender hearing and sentencing of alleged sexual assault offender David Bobbitt. The hearing reconvened in Penticton Supreme Court Tuesday after a two month hiatus. Crown prosecutor Nashina Devji called witnesses to the stand in relation...
Dangerous offender hearing reconvenes this afternoon
PENTICTON - The dangerous offender hearing and sentencing of a Penticton man charged with sexual assault, aggravated assault and unlawful confinement, will reconvene in Penticton Supreme Court today after a two-month break. David Wesley Bobbitt last appeared in court the week of June 23 for the start of his dangerous offender hearing and sentencing for...
Bikers stand tall against child abuse
PENTICTON – A group of tattooed and leathered bikers stand outside the Penticton Courthouse, having…
Why First Nations chiefs and councillors can’t be compared to city councils
PENTICTON - The Chief of a local First Nations band says he wants to see more respect throughout the province and the country for the roles band chiefs and councillors play. New federal laws requiring First Nations to release audited financial statements publicly has brought numerous comparisons between First Nations chiefs and councillors to city...
Boonstock survey: A new location, a new experience
PENTICTON - They came, they saw, they got dirty and partied. Now Boonstock wants to hear from you how it went. Boonstock Music and Arts Festival organizers today released an online survey for festival attendees to provide feedback. The survey was posted on Boonstock’s official Facebook page and people are already posting comments about how to...
“Head-banging druggie” discussion positive for community, says city councillor
PENTICTON - A controversial comment made by a Penticton city councillor has sparked imaginations in Penticton with the creation of t-shirts, hashtags and Facebook groups with the slogan “head-banging druggie,” but the councillor being targeted sees the backlash as a benefit for the community. Coun. Katie Robinson said, “I’m not a head-banging druggie,” at last week’s...
PHA wants to move forward, work with city
PENTICTON - The Penticton Hospitality Association plans to move forward with a positive attitude now that the lawsuit is over between the association and the city, but directors are not impressed with how the city dealt with the matter. In a press release, association directors said the city has been out to get them since...
Psychologist: Ex-city councillor has narcissistic personality disorder
PENTICTON - Former city councillor Gary A. Leaman, who pleaded guilty of sexual assault, tested high on a court-ordered psychiatric exam for narcissistic personality disorder. Nalini Joneja, a clinical psychologist with Forensic Psychiatric Services was questioned by Crown prosecutor Catherine Crockett and defence counsel Michael Welsh on her report of the psychiatric exam done in...
RCMP: Pressure for emergency services reaches unprecedented level over long weekend
PENTICTON - RCMP said the pressure Boonstock put on emergency services over the long weekend was taken to unprecedented levels. In a statement released Wednesday, Const. Kris Clark said the large number of overdoses and the death of a 24-year-old Alberta woman caused “alarm for the overwhelmed emergency and security operations”. RCMP provided additional resources...
Councillor says Boonstock for “head-banging druggies”
PENTICTON - City Coun. Katie Robinson made an unexpected comment about Boonstock at last night’s council meeting, causing gallery members to gasp and other councillors to hold their heads in their hands. “I’m not a head-banging druggie, so I wasn’t interested in it whatsoever,” Robinson said of the festival. Robinson has been outspoken about her...
Tent Graveyard: The aftermath of Boonstock
PENTICTON - The Boonstock grounds that held over 8,000 people this weekend is now littered with tents, lawn chairs, beer cans and confetti, leaving crews with a lot of work on their hands. The festival received mainly positive reviews about performances and artists that took the stage this weekend — even headliner Macklemore asked to be...
Victim of suspected overdose identified
PENTICTON – The 24-year-old woman who died of a suspected overdose at Boonstock on Friday…
BOONSTOCK: Macklemore and Ryan Lewis take it home
PENTICTON - International music sensations Macklemore and Ryan Lewis closed out the show Sunday night at Boonstock, the music festival that's been rocking Penticton all weekend long. There were more attendees Sunday night than anytime over the weekend—an additional parking lot was opened up and RCMP worked as security for the long lines of people...
BOONSTOCK: 24-year-old woman dies of suspected drug overdose
PENTICTON – A Boonstock attendee died from an overdose Friday night after being taken to…
IN PHOTOS: Boonstock Saturday
PENTICTON - Boonstock attendees are spending their days at the beach, lounging at the campsite, and taking a break from the dancing and patrying that happens at night. Take a look at what was happening on Skaha Lake-Airport Road beach, and the Boonstock grounds and campsite today. %%embed1%% To contact the reporter for this story,...
BOONSTOCK: The festival in the eyes of campers
PENTICTON - Andrea Vischler and Kelsey Johns sit in what could be considered the living room of their campsite, a rug spread out, pillows propped up and chairs and stools for resting on. This is not their first rodeo—the girls clearly know how to attend a festival in style and comfort. They drove from their...
IN PHOTOS: Boonstock
PENTICTON - The first full day of Boonstock is over and it doesn't seem like the dust has gotten to too many concert-goers. WIth bandanas over their faces, people continued to dance, jam and party as bands and DJs tore up the stages last night. The campsite is full of people, some who've set up...
Here’s what the Osoyoos Indian Band chief and council are paid
OSOYOOS - Newly released Osoyoos Indian Band financial statements show a huge gap between First Nations and local governement when it comes to salaries and expenses. The 2014 financial documents, submitted as required by the new First Nations Financial Transparency Act, outline the earnings and expenses of Chief Clarence Louie and the band's five councillors....
What you need to know if you’re coming to Boonstock
PENTICTON - If you’re heading out to Penticton this weekend for the Boonstock Music and Arts Festival you may have some questions about the grounds, booze, and what to do in town while giving your liver and ears a break. Here’s the low-down: ACCESS The festival grounds can only be accessed from the North side...
Penticton Indian Band reinstates support for Boonstock
PENTICTON - The Penticton Indian Band has retracted a statement that was accidentally released earlier today withdrawing their support for Boonstock Music and Arts Festival this weekend. Chief Jonathan Kruger said organizers have now met all the band's requirements and they will continue to support the festival. Organizers had not yet provided the $200,000 bill...
Lack of communication, planning turned Boonstock into Drystock
PENTICTON - It's official: Boonstock will be dry. The Liquor Control and Licensing Board said today the Boonstock Music and Arts Festival organizers cannot appeal their decision not to issue a liquor licence, leaving the 8,000 or so fans per day to get creative if they want their booze. The board said organizers failed to...
Council keeps neutral stance about Boonstock
PENTICTON - City Council remains neutral about endorsing Boonstock after a letter was sent by the Chamber of Commerce asking council to reconsider its decision. The Chamber has been an enthusiastic supporter of the music festival and said it’s good business to get behind a new business operation of this size. Campbell Watt, Chamber president...
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...