Penticton news

The unusual reason why a judge delayed sentencing

PENTICTON - A Naramata man will spend four months in jail because of an exchange of vitriolic text messages that turned into an armed altercation. But jail comes later. Before he was sentenced for mischief and assault with a weapon, Daryn E. Semancik asked court for a delay in sentencing so he could make arrangements...

Weather and electrical issues take toll on Penticton arenas

PENTICTON - The City of Penticton’s recreation department took a few hits over the holidays, with weather playing a role in damage to some of the city’s recreational facilities. Communications officer Simone Blais says the last few weeks of snow build up on the north side of the Memorial Arena roof partially collapsed two of...

Man accused of thefts admits he needs help to overcome his addictions

PENTICTON - A man caught stealing from his roommate told court he’s had enough of a life driven by addiction, saying he had “thrown his hands up” in the knowledge he needed help to change his self imposed lifestyle. Jayson Kenneth Caruso pled guilty to two counts of theft under $5,000 in a Penticton courtroom...

Early season numbers show decent snowpack in the Thompson-Okanagan

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Several snow systems pommelled the region at the end of 2015, leaving the snowpack levels at a good level to start 2016. At 143 per cent, Similkameen is most above normal for this time of year, but with the lowest in the region sitting at 92 per cent of normal snowpack levels, low...

Penticton RCMP report quiet New Year’s Eve

PENTICTON - Police report few incidents New Year's Eve in Penticton, but answered several calls for vehicle thefts last week. Penticton RCMP media spokesperson Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth says it was a relatively peaceful New Year’s Eve in the city, with only three impaired drivers. Wrigglesworth says festivities were quiet at Apex Mountain Resort as well,...

Man tasered at Cherry Lane Mall to undergo psych evaluation

PENTICTON - The man at the centre of a police incident at Cherry Lane Mall on Jan. 3 made a court appearance today, Jan. 8. Danny Douglas Ross appeared by video in Penticton Provincial Court facing charges of assault, possessing a weapon for dangerous purpose, and willfully resisting or obstructing a peace officer, stemming from the...

Warmer weekend ahead for the Okanagan

OKANAGAN - After cooler temperatures and lots of snow over recently, this weekend marks what should be a welcome break for many in the Kamloops area. Environment Canada is calling for highs to be just above seasonal normals of -1 Celsius all weekend, with Penticton expected to reach 2 C today, Jan. 8, and tomorrow,...

Emergency crews respond to man down at Penticton intersection

PENTICTON - Emergency crews responded to a call of a pedestrian struck at a Penticton intersection this evening, Jan. 7. According to witness Skylar Noe-Vack, who was on scene, a pedestrian was struck at Main Street and Duncan Avenue at approximately 6:15 p.m. The victim is believed to be male, and was conscious when members...

International expert says global warming good for Okanagan wines

OKANAGAN - An Australian winemaker says in a CNBC opinion editorial that global warming is going to turn the Okanagan into the best wine region in the world in the coming years. Philip Mcgahan starting making wine in in Hunter Valley, Australia in 2002. The area regularly reaches more than 40 Celsius and with temperatures...

Lots of Penticton break-ins over the holidays

PENTICTON - Penticton RCMP responded to a series of home break-ins over the holidays. RCMP media spokesperson Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth says police received a call from a Yorkton Avenue resident on Dec. 25 who was complaining of thefts of alcohol from an outdoor refrigerator. The resident told police he had also filled a wine bottle...

New school closure option presented for Summerland

PENTICTON - The Okanagan Skaha school board is looking at another option as it plans for a possible school closure in Summerland. Board Chair Linda Van Alphen says in an email, feedback from surveys, emails and presentations in Summerland have indicated there may be another publicly acceptable option to closing Giants Head school and moving 350 students...

Sex offender arrested on outstanding warrants

PENTICTON - A man convicted of possessing child pornography is behind bars this morning awaiting a court appearance in Penticton. Jason David Anderson was arrested in the Penticton area this morning for failing to comply with his probation order. Anderson was sentenced to a 90-day intermittent jail term for possessing child pornography in August 2013....

Taxpayers heap abuse on snow removal staff

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Few things, it seems, can bring out the ugly in a person more than a snow covered street. A story posted yesterday with a photo from the perspective of a West Kelowna snowplow driver showed cars parked willy-nilly on a local road, making it virtually impossible to plow. The story touched a nerve and...

Skaha Hills adds name to Dragon Boat Festival sponsorship

PENTICTON - The Penticton Dragon Boat Festival is gearing up for the 2016 event, which is expected to attract more than 2,100 athletes. During the second week of September, the 15 year old festival will play host to more than 2,100 athletes from Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest as they compete along the north shore...

Child safety programs get a boost in Penticton

PENTICTON - Bicycling and fire safety programs in Penticton will be getting a boost thanks to a provincial grant. The Penticton Safety Village Society will put the $20,000 provincial Community Gaming Grant towards bicycle and fire safety programs for children, B.C. government caucus media spokesperson Dave Paulson says. Non-profit organizations can apply for provincial gaming...

Warmer weather on the way as Interior braces for El Niño

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - After a cold snap and day after day of snowfall, temperatures are finally expected to begin rising by the middle of January as the 2016 El Niño weather pattern hits the region. The second half of winter is when El Niño effects are generally felt in Western Canada, as the system brings winds...

Tire fire in vacant Penticton house accidentally set by homeless squatter

PENTICTON - A New Year’s Eve house fire in a vacant Wade Avenue building was not set deliberately, according to police. The fire, first spotted around 4:15 p.m. on Dec. 31, was the result of a tire catching fire, RCMP spokesperson Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth says. The tire was being used as a cooktop sitting on a...

Penticton council approves casino relocation proposal

PENTICTON - A proposal to relocate the Lakeside Casino in Penticton received approval from council this week. City council approved the relocation to a site on the South Okanagan Events Centre property following a series of open houses that followed the unveiling of the proposal in early November. A staff report to council Monday, Jan....

Investigation continues into single vehicle fatality near Penticton

PENTICTON - The Summerland woman who died after her vehicle slid off Highway 97 between Penticton and Summerland was driving below the posted speed limit, police have determined. Investigators have determined  the 42-year-old Summerland woman was driving below the speed limit just prior to her losing control, RCMP media spokesperson Dan Moskaluk says in a...

Two properties in South Okanagan make top 100 assessment list

PENTICTON  - Only two South Okanagan properties made it on to this year’s Thompson - Okanagan top 100 valued residential properties list in 2016. The two properties are both located in Summerland. Coming in 48th on the list is 903 Dent Road, waterfront property valued at $4,398,000. The second, placing 84th on the list, is...

Dryer fire results in temporary evacuation of Penticton apartment building

PENTICTON - Residents of a Brunswick Street apartment were forced from their residences for a short period yesterday evening. Firefighters responded to a call of a dryer fire on the fourth floor of a Brunswick Street apartment complex around 6:40 p.m., Monday, Jan. 4, Penticton Fire Department Deputy Chief Dave Spalding says. Firefighters arrived to find...

Taser used to subdue man threatening shoppers and police at Penticton mall

PENTICTON - A man who allegedly assaulted a senior and threatened shoppers and police with scissors at Cherry Lane Mall this weekend was eventually calmed by officers but not before they had to use a taser to subdue him. Police responded to calls of a man being assaulted in the northwest parking lot of Cherry...

City and Penticton Indian Band sign agreement to grow local economy together

PENTICTON - The City of Penticton and the Penticton Indian Band have agreed to work together to develop the local economy. The two governments signed an agreement today, Jan. 4, to work together on tourism and economic development, according to a media release. The Penticton Indian Band has agreed to zone some of its land for...

UPDATE: SUV plunges into Okanagan Lake near Penticton; Summerland woman killed

PENTICTON –  The driver of a SUV that plunged into Okanagan Lake from Highway 97 between Penticton and Summerland this morning has died. South Okanagan Traffic Services media spokesperson Sgt. Harold Hallett confirmed this afternoon, Jan. 4, the 42-year-old Summerland woman behind the wheel died in Penticton Regional Hospital as a result of the injuries...