Penticton news

Keremeos self storage lockers targeted by thieves

PENTICTON - Several customers are missing items following a break in at a Keremeos self storage compound. Thieves cut locks on several units in the Keremeos self storage facility, located on Veterans Avenue sometime between 10 p.m., Monday, Dec. 20, and 1:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 21, Keremeos RCMP Cpl. Kathleen Thien says. A chain link fence...

Penticton property tax increase on the way

PENTICTON - Penticton City Council and staff are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel following a lengthy budget meeting in council chambers this week, and it could cost taxpayers upwards of $81 per year. Council took a long look at the 2016 operating budget yesterday morning, Dec. 21, followed by a longer...

Driver loses control, rolls into ditch on Okanagan highway

WEST KELOWNA - A vehicle heading south on Highway 97 just outside of West Kelowna is on its roof in the ditch after the driver lost control this morning. A driver exiting the Okanagan Connector for the Okanagan Highway lost control and rolled the vehicle, coming to rest on the roof Tuesday morning, Dec. 22....

It’s not Christmas in Penticton until…

PENTICTON - There are several signs the Christmas season is upon us in Penticton. 1. It’s a sign of Christmas in Penticton when you see emergency vehicles, buses, taxis and personal vehicles adorned with antlers. What other time of the year does anyone attach fake antlers to their vehicles? It's a trend that seems to be on the rise...

‘Lesser evil’ driving infraction earns fines, lengthy licence suspension

PENTICTON - A man who called his choice to drive while his license was suspended a “lesser of two evils” will spend at least another year without his licence following a courtroom appearance in Penticton. Steven Gary Mason faced Judge Gale Sinclair in Penticton court on today, Dec. 21, on two counts of driving while...

Okanagan Similkameen Regional District office upgrades, upgraded

PENTICTON - The upgrade to the Okanagan Similkameen Regional District office building is on budget thanks to a gas tax grant from the Union of B.C. Municipalities. The board of directors have approved some add ons to the building renovations, in addition to giving final budget approval to the project. Chief administrative officer Bill Newell...

Government, charities work towards a solution to homelessness in Penticton

PENTICTON - Progress is being made by a coaltion of several groups involved in a mission to find a solution to homelessness in Penticton. About 25 people from government and local community groups have met to exchange information and ideas, and plan how they will move forward to find a solution to homelessness in the...

Okanagan to enjoy warm and white Christmas

OKANAGAN - It will be a pretty typical week when it comes to weather in the Okanagan, with temperatures expected to stay near seasonal normals for much of the Christmas week. Environment Canada is calling for highs ranging from 0 Celsius to -3 Celsius most days this week, though Kelowna is expected to hit a...

Regional District and City of Penticton operating hours over the holidays

PENTICTON - The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen and the City of Penticton will be open during the holiday season, taking three days off through Christmas. The main office at 101 Martin St. will close Friday, Dec. 25, Monday, Dec. 28 and Friday, Jan. 1, but will be open regular hours the remaining days, from...

Christmas tree recycling in the South Okanagan

PENTICTON - It's easy to recycle your Christmas tree in the South Okanagan. Penticton firefighters will pick up Christmas trees from Dec. 27 to Jan. 18 for a donation which will go the the B.C. Professional Firefighters Burn Fund and Muscular Dystrophy charities. You can call 250-490-2315 to arrange for collection. Trees can also be dropped off at...

Students pass exam speaking traditional Nsyilxcn language

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – Two Westbank First Nation students have completed an oral exam aimed at preserving their traditional language. Jordan Coble and Flynn Wetton completed their first exam that is part of a four-year Nsyilxcn language program that began in September 2015. The exam was given in front of fellow students, teachers and visitors on Nov....

Naramata and Summerland refugee groups coordinate efforts with MP Cannings

PENTICTON - Two refugee support groups in the South Okanagan are going to work together with help from local MP Dick Cannings. Representatives from the Naramata Syrian Refugee Initiative and the Summerland Refugee Group meet with the South Okanagan-West Kootenay MP this week to discuss refugee issues in the two communities, according to a media release. Laura...

Penticton council seeks clarification of fleet expense

PENTICTON - Penticton city councillors have taken exception with the name of a budget item they feel is misleading to taxpayers. City staff have a budget line called "mayor and council" worth $11,000. The expense is for the operation and maintenance of SUVs owned by the city for use by some employees and council. Chief financial...

Good chance of a white Christmas in the Okanagan

OKANAGAN - Mother Nature looks prepared to give us a white Christmas this year, with a snow overnight and at least a chance of snow expected every day this weekend. Environment Canada is calling for snowfall to end this morning, Dec. 18, and will be followed by a chance of rain or flurries later today....

Oliver emergency services called to lake rescue

PENTICTON - Emergency services converged on Tuc el nuit Lake in Oliver yesterday afternoon after a teenager went through the ice. Oliver Volunteer Fire Department spokesperson Rob Graham says the fire department, Oliver RCMP and B.C. Ambulance were called to the scene at approximately 3:30 p.m., Dec. 17, after receiving a call of a person...

Man accused of slashing pizza deliverer released on bail

PENTICTON - A  Penticton man alleged to have attacked a pizza delivery man with a box cutter has been released on bail. Dayne Douglas Jones, charged with aggravated assault, assault with a weapon and resisting a police officer, was granted release on $5,000 bail following an appearance in Penticton court this afternoon, Dec. 17. The...

Christmas hamper deliveries set for this weekend in Penticton

PENTICTON - The Society of St. Vincent De Paul Christmas Hamper drive is coming to a conclusion with final preparations being made for delivery of Christmas hampers this weekend. St. Ann’s Parish Office Manager Melinda Edis says volunteers are busy packing hampers today, Dec. 17, for delivery tomorrow. More than 400 hampers are being prepared....

$1M Lotto ticket sold in the Okanagan

OKANAGAN – Someone in the Okanagan is one million dollars richer after getting an exact match in the Lotto 6/49 Guaranteed Prize Draw Breakdown yesterday, Dec. 16. According to the 6/49 website, the prize has yet to be claimed but was sold somewhere in the Okanagan. Guaranteed Prize draw prizes are not shared with other...

UPDATE: Missing Penticton teenager found

UPDATE: 3:22 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015 PENTICTON - RCMP says the 18-year-old girl reported missing today, Dec. 17, has been located, and she is safe and sound. All personal information has been removed from this article. 12:04 P.M., Thursday, Dec. 17, 2015 PENTICTON - RCMP are asking for the public’s help to locate a missing...

Break-ins and thefts from vehicles keep Penticton RCMP hopping

PENTICTON - Thefts from vehicles and break-ins have kept Penticton RCMP busy. There were a rash of vehicle break-ins on Rogers Place in the city on Dec. 8, according to Cpl. Don Wrigglesworth. The next day an unlocked vehicle on South Main was entered and a GPS and sunglasses were taken. Wrigglesworth says police also responded...

Penticton council looking at property tax increases

PENTICTON - Minimal tax increases over the past few years have caught up with the City of Penticton as staff and council met yesterday to begin scrutinizing the 2016 budget. This was council’s first major budget session this year and they didn't get a lot off good news from staff. Chief administrative officer Eric Sorenson...

Accused Kelowna trailer park killer released on bail

KELOWNA – The Kelowna man accused of killing his ex-girlfriend in April 2014 has been released on bail. Ryan James Quigley, 36, has been in custody since he was arrested at a residence on Coronation Avenue on April 4, three days after the body of Amy Jane Parkes was found inside a mobile home on...