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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.
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...
UPDATE: Masked thieves hit storage lockers in Sun Rivers
HAVE POLICE RECOVERED YOUR STUFF? KAMLOOPS — Police are looking for three people wearing masks who broke into several storage units in Sun Rivers early this morning. Police say the thieves got into 16 storage lockers in the storage rooms for three apartments on Talasa Way. They used bolt cutters to open the lockers but...
The D’oh of Homer: Popular ‘Simpsons’ sitcom goes high-brow in US college courses
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. – Bart and Lisa Simpson have been in elementary school for 25 years. But that hasn't stopped them from showing up on college campuses.
UPDATE: Bank robbery suspect turns himself in to Kelowna RCMP
KELOWNA – A man wanted in connection with a Kelowna bank robbery turned himself into police Thursday night. Rory Richard Feeney, 31, was identified as the man who allegedly demanded money from a teller at the downtown branch of the TD Bank on Tuesday, according to RCMP. Police say no weapon was used, no one...
Cartoons kill: Kids’ animated films rife with death, may upset little ones: study
TORONTO – Nemo's mother is eaten by a barracuda; Tarzan's parents fall prey to a leopard; and don't forget Bambi's mother — she was gunned down by a hunter. Children's animated films are rife with murder and mayhem.
Parents flock to eBay to dress their children like Prince George for Christmas
LONDON – Parents looking to dress their toddlers like Prince George for Christmas may be too late.
B.C. Liberals OK controversial Site C dam project
VICTORIA - British Columbia's government has given the green light for construction of the massive Site C hydroelectric dam on the Peace River in the province's northeast. Energy and Mines Minister Bill Bennett says the decision to go ahead with the $8.5-billion project is what's best for ratepayers and what's best for B.C. The dam...
Sony hackers reference 9-11 in ominous threats in first phase of “Christmas gift” data dump
LOS ANGELES, Calif. – Hackers calling themselves Guardians of Peace made ominous threats Tuesday against movie theatres showing Sony Pictures' film "The Interview" that referenced the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
Okanagan man facing sex charges
PENTICTON - A Summerland man is awaiting a new court date on several sex offences. Joshua James Roberts is accused of several offences out of Summerland and Penticton including sexual exploitation, child luring, possessing child pornography, invitation to sexual touching and assault with a weapon. According to Global Okanagan news, Roberts was granted bail Wednesday....
West Kelowna hit and run foiled
WEST KELOWNA - A car involved in a three vehicle crash Monday morning in West Kelowna was allegedly fleeing from police. Officers were investigating a suspected stolen vehicle when the driver, who did not have insurance left the scene and crashed into three other vehicles according to an RCMP media release. The incident happened at...
Overnight fire contained to vehicle
KELOWNA — Firefighters were able to prevent a car fire from spreading to a home last night. Kelowna Fire Department was called shortly after 11 p.m. Dec. 3 to 1606 Lindsay Drive. Platoon Capt. Kelly Stephens says they found a car with flames coming from the engine compartment. It was in the driveway not far from...
UPDATE: Arrest made after Kamloops Mountie shot
SHOT MOUNTIE RECOVERING AFTER SUCCESSFUL SURGERY KAMLOOPS – Kamloops RCMP have made an arrest outside a residence in Batchelor Heights in connection with the shooting of an officer early this morning. The emergency response team took a 36-year-old man into custody at approximately 3:30 p.m. The arrest took place nearly 12 hours after Cpl. Jean-Rene...
Is this the end for Wendy’s Dreamlift Day?
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - It may be the end of an era for Wendy’s Dreamlift Day, a unique and popular Thompson-Okanagan fundraising event. For more than 20 years, Wendy’s restaurants in the area donated all funds raised from one day of sales — totalling more than $1 million in that time — and gave children with special...