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Meaghan Archer

Meaghan Archer

Political group hosts members-only meetup

PENTICTON - Politics have become popular in Penticton again — largely because of the Facebook group TimeForChangePenticton — and members are holding a meet-up Monday night to discuss hot topics around town. The meet-up is the next step in the group’s campaign to make change happen in Penticton. The creation of the group came first,...

This is what Penticton used to look like

PENTICTON - Driving through the streets of Penticton, you may not realize how many businesses or homes have been sitting on the same soil for over a hundred years. It is easy to take the beauty of our city for granted but every once in a while it is nice to stop and take a...

Community Centre offers free classes next week

PENTICTON - It’s time for a new season to start, and with that comes a new recreation guide, therefore the Community Centre is offering free classes and programs next week. Try It For Free Week is scheduled for Sept. 8 to 14. People can try different recreation and aqua fitness programs, including Zumba, yoga and...

I spy: Have you seen these endangered species of the South Okanagan?

PENTICTON - The South Okanagan is a vast land full of rare, strange and interesting creatures. And it is known as one of the most at risk regions in all of Canada, according to the South Okanagan-Similkameen Conservation Program. Most at-risk species can be divided into four categories: Wetlands, grasslands, forests and riparian areas. Here’s...

City and electrical workers make union agreement

PENTICTON - A negotiated agreement has been reached between theElectric Utility employees, and the City of Penticton and IBEW Local 213. The five-year agreement calls for two per cent increases each year in the term. The agreement was signed by union members on Thursday, Aug. 28. “The City is very pleased to have successfully negotiated...

ARCHER: City staff aren’t immune from taxpayer scrutiny but here’s a better idea

PENTICTON - City Hall has quite the series of plot lines going these days, with lawsuits, legal threats to citizens, complaints from residents and rallies outside on the street. Mayor and city councillors have taken a lot of heat from the media and public, whether it’s about vote results, a development project, or the use...

Your weekend: Sunny skies, jazz and dragon boats

PENTICTON - The summer may be coming to an end, but sunny weather and great events are lined up for another fun weekend. It's Jazz Festival weekend, and over on Skaha Lake, it's the annual Dragon Boat Festival. Penticton’s dragon boat teams will take to the waters in their long, slim boats and paddle through...

Vassilaki gunning for the hot seat

PENTICTON - From the steps of City Hall, Coun. John Vassilaki announced he will run for mayor in the upcoming municipal election and work to restore power back to the hands of city council. Recent issues, including the city’s lawsuit against the Penticton Hospitality Association, have cost taxpayers thousands of dollars. “And no one has...

This is how a 76-year-old woman responded to threats from Penticton city hall

PENTICTON - A local woman refuses to apologize to city staff about comments she made in letters sent to city staff and council, and puts herself at risk to be sued. Elvena Slump, 76, has been an outspoken member of the public and has written several letters to local media and city council critical of...

Power outage scheduled for Penticton industrial area

PENTICTON - A warning for those in Penticton's industrial area. There is a scheduled power outage Friday morning. The power will be out from approximately 6:30 to 7:30 a.m., affecting 40 customers in the area of Dawson Avenue and Government Street. “The scheduled work involves replacing an auto transformer, which helps provide backup power between...

Want to be a correctional officer at the new Okanagan prison?

PENTICTON - B.C. Corrections is looking for South Okanagan residents interested in becoming correctional officers to work at the new prison when it opens in 2016. The Justice Institute and B.C. Corrections will hold information sessions in Osoyoos, Penticton and Oliver throughout October and November. There will be orientation sessions to provide an overview of...

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...

Family sets up memorial fund for hit-and-run victim

PENTICTON - The family of a young man killed in a hit-and-run accident have set up a memorial fun in his name to help support the three young children that survive him. Scott Michaud, 27, was found dead in the early morning of August 12 alongside Skaha Lake Road in Penticton. Police said Michaud’s injuries...

ARCHER: Can you have your event and quiet weekend too?

There are always going to be people who don't approve of noise, location or some other detail of an event. Even events like Challenge that are very well accepted by the community and city officials get some negative remarks, such as blocked off roads, congested traffic and loud fireworks. Following social media this week, it...

Penticton gets new business from Alberta

PENTICTON - City officials say Penticton is seeing more businesses and people coming to town from Alberta, and Jet Power and Controls Ltd. is the most recent. The Alberta-based business is in the process of opening a manufacturing plant in Penticton’s industrial sector. Jet Power is a growing company, having doubled in size every year...

Grab your cameras and binoculars; Marina Way Lookout is open

PENTICTON - The Marina Way Lookout officially opens Thursday evening, revealing the newest view of Okanagan Lake with a celebration and historical tour.  The reconstruction project was part of the city’s waterfront enhancement strategy. The vision was to transform the abandoned peninsula — formally used as a Canadian National Railway loading dock — into a...

Skaha Hills Winery to release two labels in 2015

PENTICTON - Skaha Hills Winery is gearing up for this year’s harvest and will release its first batch of white wines next summer. The Winery will release two white labels in 2015, a Viognier, and a Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon blend. Red grapes harvested this year will be made into three red labels—a Merlot, Syrah,...

Community Centre offers Day Camp for kids if strike continues

PENTICTON - The Community Centre has organized day camps for school kids ages 6 to 12 starting Sept 2. if teachers remain on strike. Camps are offered Sept. 2 to 5 and Sept. 8 to 12, with additional weeks added as needed. Kids will participate in activities, including swimming, games, crafts and sports from 9...

School district ‘extremely disappointed’ with labour strife

KELOWNA - The Central Okanagan Board of Education is ‘extremely disappointed’ in the lack of movement between the B.C. Teachers’ Federation and the B.C. Public School Employers’ Association, which could result in schools not being open next week as planned. Trustees say they have been pushing the two parties to bring in a mediator to...