Penticton man faces four charges, granted bail
By Shannon Quesnel A Penticton man was given bail today and is expected back at court to face four charges including the breach of a peace bond. Duane Bevz of Penticton has been charged with a breach of undertaking (peace bond), theft of a motor vehicle and two counts of theft under $5,000. These charges...

Speeder, photo radar debate divides Penticton council
By Shannon Quesnel Speed readers, photo radars and speed bumps were neck-'n-neck but none won the debate race during Penticton council Monday night. The three traffic tools were compared on how best to punish speeders roaring past Parkway Elementary School. A 3-3 voting split on how to proceed meant the issue goes back to staff...

Martin Street gets $684K parking package from Penticton council
By Shannon Quesnel Martin Street will get some road TLC from the City of Penticton if everything goes according to a downtown improvement plan. More flexible parking between Westminster Avenue and Nanaimo Avenue would mean more space for street events, says Barb Haynes, chair of the Downtown Revitalization Project. She was before city council on...

City wants to fly hospital expansion banner on hospital
By Shannon Quesnel Penticton city council wants to hang a banner that promotes a new $300-million health centre on Penticton Regional Hospital. The banner reads, “Penticton Hospital Expansion Now! prhtower.ca”. It appeared last week at the doctors' town hall meeting. It was later hung on the overpass over Channel Parkway. Coun. Wes Hopkin says while...

Five year sentence for man after stepson found dead
By Shannon Quesnel A stepfather arrested in Osoyoos last week faces five years in prison from two convictions made in connection to the death of his stepson in 2000. Lloyd Cook was sentenced in a Prince George courtroom on Tuesday. He will serve five years in a federal prison and be given 30 days credit for...
It’s official: No PRH tower in B.C. budget
By Shannon Quesnel Penticton Regional Hospital has been left off the B.C. government's nice list and will not get a new $300-million health centre this year. The government plans to invest $2.6 billion for health care projects around the province but the PRH tower is once again not on the list, according to the 2013/14...
Chamber of commerce GM resigning
By Shannon Quesnel The area's business community will have to do without Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce's Erin Hanson at the end of March. The general manager is leaving her post after two years for personal reasons and the chamber has already started its search for a replacement. Before she leaves she will...
Premier’s new health centre promise not very promising
By Shannon Quesnel Premier Christy Clark was praised and criticized by a Penticton doctor following her hospital visit on Friday. Dr. David Paisley appears skeptical during an interview at his office on Monday. The doctor printed off a letter he wrote to the premier after her visit to Penticton Regional Hospital. In it he thanked...
Huge crowd shows support for Penticton doctors, new health centre
By Shannon Quesnel More than 750 people showed up to Penticton's convention centre to support the community's doctors in their effort to get funding for a new health centre. The South Okanagan Event Centre parking lot was jammed and its conference room was standing room only Wednesday night. Inside the public listened to how Penticton...
Penticton needs hard data on mule deer issue: conservation group
By Shannon Quesnel A B.C. conservation group wants Penticton to ask questions first and maybe shoot later - or not at all - when it comes to the community's mule deer issue. An actual count of deer is needed, says Sally Kilburg, chair of the Okanagan Similkameen Conservation Alliance. OSCA promotes environmental awareness in the...
New police chief needs thundering, velvet hand: mayor
By Shannon Quesnel A thundering hand and a velvet touch are two qualities needed in a new police chief, says Mayor Dan Ashton. Outgoing Penticton RCMP Inspector Brad Haugli will leave big shoes to fill as he moves to another position with the RCMP, according to the mayor. Haugli served as the officer-in-charge (OIC) for...
Public needed at new health centre meeting tonight at SOEC
By Shannon Quesnel Penticton-area doctors want the public to make some noise tonight at 6:30 p.m. at the South Okanagan Events Centre. Area physicians want public support to kick the provincial government into funding its share of a $300-million patient care tower. Tonight will also be a public information session on the pros of a...

Penticton man earns ticket for parked car collision
A ticket was the only penalty for a Penticton driver who struck a parked car in front of Clancy's Pub Monday night. A green Ford Focus collided with a parked car in front of the Martin Street tavern some time before 8:45 p.m. says RCMP Sgt. Rick Dellebuur. No one was injured. “The driver advised...
Area handyman wants to nail down prize and hosting career
By Shannon Quesnel A Summerland man wants to win Canada's Handyman Challenge and get a hosting gig on TV. The first episode of Canada's Handyman Challenge finals starts tonight at 7 p.m. on HGTV. Summerland carpenter John Rousseau, 29, is one of 15 finalists competing for a $25,000 grand prize. His closest rival is 40-year-old...
Police nab wanted Osoyoos man
RCMP arrested an Osoyoos man after he did not show for the verdict in a manslaughter case. Lloyd William Cook, 55, was apprehended at an Osoyoos residence yesterday morning. Cook will be transported to Prince George for court. Cook has been accused in the death of his stepson. A bench warrant was issued for his...