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Marshall Jones
News is best when it's local, relevant, timely and interesting. That's our focus every day.
We are on the ground in Penticton, Vernon, Kelowna and Kamloops to bring you the stories that matter most.
Marshall may call West Kelowna home, but after 16 years in local news and 14 in the Okanagan, he knows better than to tell readers in other communities what is "news' to them. He relies on resident reporters to reflect their own community priorities and needs. As the newsroom leader, his job is making those reporters better, ensuring accuracy, fairness and meeting the highest standards of journalism.
LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Thanks to all who helped with Lindsey Hauck fundraiser
Dear Editor, On October 23, 2014 our friend (Lindsey Hauck) was seriously injured in a car accident which killed another friend (Erin Smith) both nurses in Vernon. We organized a fundraiser which took place on January 31, 2015 and it was called “Sugar Skull Party/Fundraiser for Lindsey Hauck”, which raised over $6500!! We had a...
Kelowna Mountain developer made a massive contribution to Taxpayers First
KELOWNA — Taxpayers First—the City of Kelowna’s first slate of candidates—spent more than $50,000 trying to get elected in the November municipal election, nearly all of it coming from the five candidates themselves except for the nearly $19,000 from the man behind Kelowna Mountain. Mark Consiglio contributed $18,960 in two separate donations, according to campaign...
Tail-wagging beagle Miss P—from Enderby—wins best in show at Westminster
NEW YORK, N.Y. – A soft-spoken Canadian-born beagle really raised a ruckus.
Why a fire in Rutland could have been a lot worse
KELOWNA — Firefighters put out a structure fire in Rutland last night that could have been a lot worse. Kelowna Fire Department was called to the blaze in the 400 block of Rutland Road North overnight and found smoke and flames coming from a six-plex multi-family home. Platoon Capt. Tim Light says they managed to...
Papa John’s rescues Dreamlift
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN — Papa John's pizza outlets in Kelowna, West Kelowna and two in Kamloops have stepped up to revive the Sunshine Dreams for Kids program in the area after Wendy's outlets in the area pulled out earlier this year. Papa John's will continue the tradition of donating all proceeds and staff wages for one day...
Firefighters douse flames at Kelowna hotel
KELOWNA — Firefighters knocked down a blaze in an out-building of a Kelowna hotel but say they don't know how it started. Around 8:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9, Kelowna Fire Department got numerous calls about a fire at Kelowna Inn and Suites. They found flames coming from the roof of a pool building. It wasn't...
Woman arrested breaking into Salvation Army
KAMLOOPS — A woman was arrested inside the Salvation Army Thrift Store on Tranquille Road early this morning clutching the property she intended to steal, police say. RCMP Sgt. Michael Buxton-Carr says in a release they were alerted to the break-in by a member of the community who saw the 28-year-old woman smashing a window...
Guys loves their cats
With this many cats, it was just a matter of time before they lit up YouTube, although not for the reasons you may think. These guys considered their many, many cats in the architectural design of their home and you can't say it isn't attractive. Those must be some happy cats. Then, Jimmy Kimmel breaks...
UPDATE: Naramata Centre to close after 70 years
NARAMATA - Naramata Centre, a pillar of the community since the late 1940s, is closing its doors after nine months of labour struggles, declining revenues and a failed plan to push forward. A release late Wednesday, Jan. 21, says the board of directors decided to pull the plug effective immediately, sending some 34 workers represented...
JONESIE: But what about the trolls?
We love feedback on our stories. It's the surest sign we are providing news and stories people care about. We actually appreciate it when you point out a mistake or a spelling error. We try to answer questions and take advice on follow up questions and updates. But when the masses arrive in the comments...
EDITOR’S NOTE: New Kamloops editor
We are pleased to announce today that Jennifer Stahn is now our Kamloops editor. Officially. Truth is, shortly after she joined our team in February 2013, Jennifer emerged as a leader and fierce champion for Kamloops. It's about time her title caught up to her. While we continue to share resources between the Okanagan and...
SNOW DAY TWO: Schools closed in the Central Okanagan
KELOWNA — Students are staying home for one more day as the Central Okanagan School District lets city road crews catch up on snow clearing. Weather conditions have improved and a snowfall warning from Environment Canada ended at 4 a.m. today, Jan. 6, school officials said in a statement on district website it is "still...
2014 NEWSMAKER OF THE YEAR: Smith Creek fire
THIS WEEK, INFONEWS.CA IS COUNTING DOWN THE TOP FIVE NEWSMAKERS OF 2014. TODAY: NUMBER ONE KELOWNA — The sight of helicopters bucketing water, planes dropping retardant and a giant plume of smoke has become part of the Okanagan summer. This year was a long fire season highlighted by the evacuation of 2,500 people in West...
2014 NEWSMAKER OF THE YEAR: Boonstock
PENTICTON — Oh, Boonstock. How we would have loved to crown you Newsmaker of the…
The good, the bad and the ugly animals stories of 2014
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Few things concern readers like the plight of an animal or the outrage over animal cruelty. Animals made news across the region this year for a variety of reasons, not all of them warm and fuzzy. We've got adventurous cats, strange encounters with cougars, some surprising information about dogs and the people who...
NEWSMAKERS 2014: A resolution between hospitality association and City of Penticton
This year has finally brought a resolution to the dispute between the City of Penticton and the Penticton Hospitality Association. It took a B.C. Supreme Court decision, $42,000 of taxpayer-funded legal fees for the city, delays in spending for tourism promotion, and looking silly to the public at large, but yes, a resolution. And that’s...
Eight stories that melted your heart in 2014
WARNING: BRING TISSUE THOMPSON-OKANAGAN — Some of our favourite stories this year showed us the strength of human spirit, courage, kindness, creativity, determination and perseverence — long before it coincided with December holidays. We all know life isn't easy, but we look for these kinds of stories to borrow some inspiration, some wisdom and strength....
NEWSMAKERS 2014: Out with the old, in with the new
Not every municipal election would qualify for a newsmaker, but Penticton voters didn't just elect a new mayor, they gave it an overhaul and that's good for number three on our list. With former Mayor Gary Litke deciding not to run after a tumultuous time in the big chair, long-time councillor John Vassilaki losing in...
NEWSMAKERS 2014: The true horror of David Bobbitt
Number four on our list of newsmakers in 2014 is a story of pure evil that can’t end soon enough. We knew a little about what David Bobbitt did to a 22-year-old woman and her baby when they happened upon his second hand store in 2011. He pleaded guilty to those charges in April and...
Small furnace fire quickly snuffed
KELOWNA — Residents at a home on Cook Road managed to keep a furnace fire at bay with their own fire extinguisher before fire crews arrived to put it out. Platoon Capt. Steve Wallick says they were called to the scene in the 600 block last night, Dec. 29. They extinguished the blaze and ventilated...
NEWSMAKERS 2014: Former Penticton city councillor sentenced for sex crimes
PENTICTON — As we count down our top five newsmakers of 2014, we begin with a story that reinforces a concept we should all understand: Anyone is capable of committing a heinous crime. Before this year, you might have recognized the name Gary Leaman from his term as a Penticton City councillor from 2002 to...
Six injured in accident; police caution travellers
KAMLOOPS — Police say six people were injured in a single vehicle accident today and suggest poor tires may be a factor. Tk'emlups Rural RCMP Staff Sgt. Doug Aird said the Surrey driver of a 2010 Lexus SUV lost control on Heffley Louis Creek Road Christmas day around 11:40 a.m. The vehicle crossed the centre...
Police take prohibited weapon off the street
KAMLOOPS — Police say they arrested two people and removed a prohibited weapon thanks to a tip from the public. Kamloops RCMP Sgt. Michael Buxton-Carr says police don't know why the man and woman had a 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun at the Kamloops Greyhound Bus Depot on Christmas Eve but do not believe there was any...
UDPATE: Coquihalla reopened; delays near Lytton
ROCK SLIDE ON HIGHWAY 1 NEAR LYTTON THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Traffic appars to be moving smoothly on Highway 5 this morning, though travellers on Highway 1 near Lytton should still expect delays. Last night, travellers to and from Vancouver were told to expect major delays after a serious accident closed Highway 5 for several hours due...