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Meaghan Archer
RCMP report nine break-ins and thefts in five days
PENTICTON - There's been a recent rash of break-ins and thefts over the past week and Mounties believe some may be linked. Police responded to eight break-ins between Friday, Oct. 17 and Monday, Oct. 20. Six of the break-ins happened in apartment building laundry rooms. The unknown suspects broke into and damaged coin-operated laundry machines...
A little less housing but more happy residents for Scott Avenue
PENTICTON - The residents of Scott Avenue can breathe a sigh of relief knowing an undesired rental property will not be built on their street. Council made a decision this week to nix a plan that’s been in the works for over two years. A third public hearing was held at City Hall Monday night...
Bobbitt hearing could extend into the new year
PENTICTON - The dangerous offender hearing for David Bobbitt may continue into the new year after a Supreme Court Justice ordered a recall on a witness whose whereabouts are unknown to the court and police. Defence lawyer Jim Pennington applied for the right to further question the witness who testified earlier in the hearing that Bobbitt...
Penticton gets two more fire fighters and home-base training
PENTICTON - The city is expanding its firefighting resources by adding three personnel, including a training officer, to the team. Two firefighters and a training officer will be hired to start January 1, 2015. Discussions with the Penticton Indian Band led the city to expand its coverage area and allow the band’s volunteer firefighters to...
Oregon man sent to Kamloops prison for child porn
PENTICTON - An Oregon man has been added to the sex offender list after he was sentenced today in Penticton for possession of child pornography. Sidney B. Van Valkenburgh, 49, was arrested at the Osoyoos border on Jan. 9, 2014 while driving a commercial truck north to distribute roofing products in Osoyoos. Border officers found...
Development director leaves city job to take over campus position
PENTICTON - The city will lose one of its greatest assets when development planner Anthony Haddad heads north to work on the expansion of the UBC Okanagan campus. Haddad leaves for his new position as the director of campus planning and development at UBC Okanagan in Kelowna, in a few weeks time. Haddad has been...
Still no RCMP invoice for Boonstock
PENTICTON - It’s been almost three months since Boonstock weekend and festival organizers still have not received a copy of the RCMP expense report, which outlines additional costs incurred over the four-day festival. Forty officers were scheduled to work the festival weekend and racked up a $200,000 bill paid for by Boonstock. But in September,...
The Penticton Library wants to help you get Dirty Books cheap
PENTICTON - If your personal library is in need of an update, now’s your chance to fill the shelves with new books from the Penticton Library’s Dirty Book Sale. The foyer at the library-museum building will be full of books ready for sale at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday morning. The books are not racy though....
ARCHER: Do signs mean anything?
If you left your house at all this week, you’ve seen all the election signs that went up after nominations closed last Friday. They come in all sizes and colours, some with photos, others with their catch phrases. They are all trying to catch the attention of community members—the electorate—and make a name for themselves....
Grab your steins; it’s Oktoberfest time
PENTICTON - It’s time to dust off those beer steins and iron the lederhosen’s because Oktoberfest is coming to Penticton this weekend. Imported and local beer will be flowing and traditional german grub, including bratwurst and strudel, will be on hand. The beer selection includes a varieties from Erdinger and Stiegl breweries in Germany, Cannery...
Two panhandlers get off with community service
PENTICTON - Two Penticton men charged for panhandling were each sentenced to an absolute discharge after completing community service. Jordan B. Ricketts and Erwin A. Sedlmeier were both charged with one count of soliciting a person in a vehicle after panhandling at an intersection in Penticton earlier this year. Both men completed 15 hours of...
No takers: Olalla water commission gets appointed
SOUTH OKANAGAN - The Olalla water commission race has been deemed a ‘non-election’ since no nominations were submitted for the four available positions. There has been a challenge in retaining elected officials in the Olalla community since 2008, says Christy Malden, chief elections officer for the Regional District of the Okanagan-Similkameen. It has been difficult...
Sex assault decision now up to the judge
A change PENTICTON – A decision is still pending after crown and defence wrapped up…
Keremeos sex offender to be sentenced in December
PENTICTON - Sexual offender Roy Charles O’Donaghey should learn his fate this December... if he shows up, that is. O’Donaghey was scheduled to be sentenced October 8, 2014 but didn’t show. A warrant was issued for his arrest and he turned himself in to RCMP in Chilliwack a few days later. Instead of keeping him...
Son fundraises for parents who lost home in fire
PENTICTON - The children of Penticton house fire victims are fundraising money to help get their parents back on their feet. Last Thursday, the house at 313 Norton Street went up in flames, taking down the roof and leaving much of the building destroyed. The couple living in the home were renters, and have been...
Mayoral candidate says his crimes are in his past
PENTICTON - Mayoral candidate Jukka Laurio says his time spent in jail for sexual offence is in the past and people should focus on what he’s doing now to improve the community. Laurio, who announced he was running for mayor of Penticton last week, has a serious criminal record including drug trafficking and possession conviction...
Shane Koyczan has done it again, this time for the environment
PENTICTON - Spoken word poet Shane Koyczan leads us through another universe with his latest piece of work. The Okanagan native and The Short Story Long has released his latest speaking word poem, titled, “Shoulders,” that features a short video and Koyczan’s narration. His smooth, deep, fluid voice takes the listener on a journey and...
Jukka Laurio takes second attempt at mayoral seat
PENTICTON - The mayoral race just got a little tougher with local business owner Jukka Laurio filing to become the third candidate. Laurio is no stranger to city politics, having run for mayor in 2011, but he says he’s more focused this time around. “I’m going to give Penticton a job,” he says. He explained...
Teens reclaim social media by spreading #cyberlove
PENTICTON - A couple of Summerland highschool students are encouraging their peers to spread the love online through a new campaign. Caitie Shaw and Dan Nixon started the #cyberlove campaign through the Youth Empowerment Project to connect with and empower youth all over the world to create positive change. The campaign kicks off on October 10—World...
Soupateria expects 150 for Thanksgiving meal
PENTICTON - The Soupateria will be filled with smells of turkey, pumpkin pie and apple spice as they serve up a Thanksgiving meal this holiday long-weekend. Anyone is welcome to stop by the Soupateria on Monday, Oct. 13 between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. (one hour) for a hot, traditional Thanksgiving meal. The Soupateria hosts...
Keremeos sex offender turns himself in to police
PENTICTON - There is no longer a warrant out for the arrest a Keremeos sex offender who turned himself in to police in Chilliwack, Thursday. Roy Charles O’Donaghey never showed up to his sentencing Wednesday in Penticton Provincial Court, resulting in a warrant being issued for his arrest. His court case has been scheduled for...
House fire takes down roof, everyone safe
PENTICTON - The roof of a Penticton home came crashing down in flames last night after flames originated in the home’s kitchen. Penticton Fire Department was called at 8:40 p.m. Thursday night to attend a possible kitchen fire at 313 Norton Street. Two engines and six fire fighters attended the scene, and two additional alarms...
ELECTION 2014: Your Penticton candidates
PENTICTON - Friday was the last day for council candidates to submit their nomination papers and officially lock themselves into the race. There are a few unexpected names on the list — some old faces and some new ones, but mostly the latter. There are three mayoral candidates — Andrew Jakubeit and John Vassilaki, both...
ARCHER: What will your vote stand for?
Rapper Lil’ Jon’s “Rock the Vote” video is going viral and for good reason. The video, which shows young celebrities turning out to vote in the U.S. midterm elections, demonstrates the significance of voting. Everyone has something they can fight for, and represent with their vote. Our municipal election isn’t on the same scale, but...