Shannon Quesnel
UPDATE: Fake chemtrail letters released in West Kelowna and Penticton
UPDATE: 4:48 p.m. July 17, 2013 The City of Kelowna has verified a fraudulent letter warning residents about toxic chemtrails has been distributed to local residents. Communications supervisor, Jodie Foster Sexsmith told Infotel News the city is aware of the letters and has contacted the Ministry of the Environment about them, to let them know...
Stormy U.S. weather heads to Okanagan
OKANAGAN - Wet and stormy weather is flying up from the deserts south of the border into the Okanagan. B.C. meteorologist Doug Lundquist said Arizona and other southwest desert regions in the United States are going through their monsoon season. That moisture has made its way up through California and into southern B.C. This means...
Tractor-trailer crash sends 3 to hospital, investigation continues
SUMMERLAND - A transport truck crash on Monday, just north of Summerland, sent three people to hospital with minor injuries. A Freightliner tractor hauling a flatbed and two-by-four lumber failed a right hand turn causing the vehicle to flip onto its side Monday afternoon, RCMP Cpl. Bruce Haley said. The truck was heading south towards...
Free clothing store to meet needs of homeless, poor
PENTICTON - A free clothing store is a community must-have according to a local deacon. The free store is at Saint Saviour's Anglican Church parish hall on Orchard Street near the Soupateria kitchen. The store runs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every second and third Friday of the month. About 70 people came in...
Water contest to cut down on water waste
PENTICTON - A water contest might cut down on Okanagan's high water consumption. Okanagan residents use 675 litres of water per person per day, twice the Canadian average, the Okanagan Basin Water board stated. Residents tend to drink more water and dump more water on their lawns and gardens. Outdoor Okanagan water consumption accounts for...
UPDATE: Traffic moving normally after Summerland accident
UPDATE 6 a.m. July 16 Traffic appears to be moving normally after the accident site has been cleaned up. UPDATE 6:11 p.m., July 15 An overturned truck just north of Highway 97 is blocking north bound traffic. The driver of the transport truck and driver and passenger of a flipped car had minor injuries, according...
Summerland to pursue bear safety education program
PENTICTON - Two slain bears are two too many for Summerland Mayor Janice Perrino. A couple of bruins were put down by conservation officers for safety reasons this past year in the Summerland area. Violent contact between humans and wildlife is one reason why WildSafe B.C., the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen and the community are...
E.coli bacteria levels prompt no-swim warning
UPDATE: Manitou Beach is safe to use for swimming again. The Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen removed its recommendation for users to not swim at the beach over elevated E.coli bacteria concerns. The district was informed by Interior Health that water samples taken on July 12 have come back with good results. This update was added at...
School workers poised to strike
Penticton elementary school workers are ready to strike over no wage increase for the past four years. They make up the 27,000 CUPE education workers who voted to strike in almost all of the 57 kindergarten to Grade 12 locals in 53 school districts. CUPE education workers include education assistants, clerical staff, trades, aboriginal workers,...
Regional board to borrow $1.6M for new 911 service
PENTICTON - An upgraded 911 system to the tune of $1.6 million will provide better consistent emergency services for 20 regional fire departments. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen was given the go-ahead to borrow the $1.6 million to pay for the new service. When the RDOS borrows money in this fashion residents can oppose it...
Wood products company adds robot to employee roster
PENTICTON - A specialist wood producer continues to grow in size even as the wood-hungry housing market continues to decline. Bill Downing, president of Structurlam Products, explained the business produces materials for large commercial operations and employs more than 150 people in the Okanagan Valley. They assemble wood materials to be used in place of...
Fire chief wants backyard fire users to follow fire rules
PENTICTON - Several burning complaints sparked Penticton Fire and Rescue to warn barbecue and home fire lovers. Fire chief Wayne Williams said the department has gotten three smoke and fire complaints over the past week. Some complaints were made to the chief's face. "I've been approached by people in the street about it, so we...
Minivan crushes moped on Martin Street
PENTICTON - A moped and its rider collided with a truck late Wednesday afternoon just outside the Eckhardt Dental Centre on Martin Street. Emergency responders had the truck's driver back her vehicle up and off the trapped moped. The two-wheeler was under the larger vehicle's front end and was mostly destroyed. There was no sign...
Large boat smashes into Kiwanis Walking Pier late Tuesday night
%%Embed1%% PENTICTON - A 28 foot boat hit and landed on top of the Kiwanis Walking Pier late Tuesday night near the Penticton Lakeside Resort. Police said alcohol might have played a part. No one was hurt in the incident. The craft was sitting near the end of the pier and was visible for most...
Fire leaves residents without access to home
PENTICTON - Fire destroyed a car, carport and part of a kitchen late Monday night at 475 Wade Ave. West. Residents Luis Montgomery and his mother, Janine, visited their home Tuesday afternoon with a fire marshall. Yellow tape was banded around the property. Luis does not recall much of what happened before the fire started....