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Penticton news
Avoid the cold: Indoor things to do this weekend in Penticton
PENTICTON - For those excited about snow and cold weather, Apex Ski Resort opens tomorrow, Nov. 27. For the rest who may not want to spend too much time ouside in the cold, here are a few ways to enjoy the weekend indoors. Indoor activities in the city include a Penticton Vees game Saturday when...
Unique gifts for sale at Indigenous Arts and Craft Fair in Penticton
PENTICTON - A 10-year-old Christmas tradition continues on the Penticton Indian Reserve this weekend. The Indigenous Arts & Craft Fair takes place at the En’owkin Centre from 10 a.m until 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 5. Those looking for unique Christmas gift ideas could find what they are looking for a short drive west of...
Cold snap continues in the Okanagan
OKANAGAN - While the temperatures continue to remind us why the stereotype of all Canadians living in parkas and igloos exists, it is nowhere near the record lows recorded in the Okanagan. Environment Canada is calling for temperatures to remain well below zero all weekend but is forecasting the mercury to hit near seasonal normal...
Penticton firefighters called to garage fire
PENTICTON - Penticton firefighters were called to a garage fire early this morning, Nov. 27. The call came in at approximately 12:50 a.m. for a fully involved garage fire on Middle Bench Road, according to witness Skylar Noe-Vack. Everyone was able to exit the two storey structure safely, according to Noe-Vack, who said two engines, an...
Nursing student rallies to take the chill off Penticton’s homeless
PENTICTON - With the season’s first cold snap upon us, Penticton’s homeless are finding they have a new champion for their needs in Mike Forster. Forster is currently training to be a licensed practical nurse and while talking to harm reduction nurses from Interior Health during his studies, he began to realize the how much...
Trial for four accused in kidnapping moving forward in Penticton
PENTICTON - The trial of four men accused of kidnapping and beating another man continued to move forward in Penticton court this afternoon, Thursday, Nov. 26. Carey Anderson, Kerry James Ellis, Albert Edgar Fontaine and John Marshall Szanto are accused of kidnapping and aggravated assault, and other charges following a May 21 incident on Shingle...
Summerland Christmas Express nearly sold out
PENTICTON - For those wishing to take a ride on the Summerland Christmas Express, the last train with any room on board will be leaving the station sooner, rather than later. Kettle Valley Steam Railway marketing manager Tracey Slattery says this year’s Christmas schedule is nearly completely sold out - and that includes an additional...
Cawston man serves jail time for alcohol-induced assaults, threats
PENTICTON - A Cawston man was handed a court order to stop drinking and given time served as part of a sentence handed down in Penticton court today, Nov. 26. Gabriel Julian Labrosse was sentenced to 47 days time served by Judge Gale Sinclair on multiple charges including assault, assault with a weapon and uttering...
Kokanee numbers keep rising in Okanagan
OKANAGAN - Kokanee numbers are up from last year in all of the big valley lakes, the provincial government says. Wood Lake’s kokanee population continues to recover from a disastrous 2011 when poor in-lake conditions lead to a huge increase in fish mortality of all ages, according to a media release. Over 20,000 returned to spawn...
Evidence indicates Penticton dog attacked by deer, not cougar
PENTICTON - A Penticton resident’s pet was subject to an encounter with a wild animal yesterday — but was it a predator? Penticton conservation officer Dave Cox says his fellow officer Jeff Hanratty investigated a report of a dog encountering a cougar on Marina Way at approximately 1:30 p.m., Nov. 25. After meeting with the...
The unusual way some local residents mourn through Facebook
"IT'S NICE TO KNOW THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO LOVED HIM." KELOWNA – Earlier this month Facebook announced a new option designed to help you get over a relationship breakup without blocking or unfriending your ex. But some Okanagan residents are using Facebook to help get over an even greater loss. Three years ago, suddenly and...
New Interior Health CEO praises South Okanagan-Similkameen health care
PENTICTON - Provincial capital funding for health has been outstanding in the past decade, according to the new Chief Executive Officer of Interior Health. Chris Mazurkewich and other Interior Health officials met with members of the press this week to discuss local health issues as he toured the South Okanagan-Similkameen. “I think the track record...
Another reprieve for Interior Health laundry workers
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - The Hospital Employees’ Union is welcoming news that Interior Health is delaying its decision to contract out laundry services. New Interior Health President and CEO Chris Mazurkewich says in a release today, Nov. 25, not to expect a decision before March 2016. He’s been on the job less than a month and wants...
Apex Mountain Resort opening early amid best conditions in years
PENTICTON - November weather has been kind to Apex Mountain Resort and as a result the ski hill is opening a week early. The ski area, located 36 kilometres west of Penticton, announced this week they’ll be opening Saturday, Nov. 28, under some of the best early season snow conditions seen in years. “We had...
Local family donates $250K to Penticton hospital expansion
PENTICTON - A local family is giving back to the community through a large donation that will help provide new equipment for the Penticton Regional Hospital expansion. Anthony and Joan Vant Geloof of Starline Enterprises announced a $250,000 donation to help provide the new patient care tower with medical equipment. The couple has supported the...
Penticton gets busy with sports, toy drives and agri-food
PENTICTON - The holiday season is rapidly approaching, and with it is an increasing number of events taking place in the city. Wednesday Nov. 26, is a Wicked Wednesday event at the South Okanagan Events Centre as the Penticton Vees take on the Vernon Vipers. Tickets are $5 for adults and seniors, students aged 13...
Kip Moore tour coming to the South Okanagan
PENTICTON - Multi-platinum singer-songwriter Kip Moore is bringing his rocking country to Penticton next year. The 2016 Wild Ones tour has been extended to include extra stops in Canada, including the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, according to a press release from the events centre. Moore’s album Wild Ones is a mix of blue-collar country music...
Penticton officers deal with vehicle theft, crashes and break-ins
PENTICTON - A prolific offender is facing new charges in Alberta while local officers deal with a break-in and crashes this past week. Oliver resident Brooks Vandenbroek was detained by police in Medicine Hat, Alta., Friday, Nov. 20, and is being charged with 23 new property offences. The habitual offender last appeared in Penticton court...
Off-duty officer stops Penticton tire thieves in their tracks
PENTICTON - An alert off-duty officer foiled a pair of tire thieves last week in Penticton. Around 8:45 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 22, the off-duty officer spotted two people in the locked tire bin at Canadian Tire on Railway Avenue. Police responded to find a man and a woman in the compound. The male attempted to...
Multiple cougar sightings along Penticton Creek
PENTICTON - Several cougar sightings have been reported in the last week and conservation officers are cautioning residents to be aware of wildlife moving into the city as winter conditions descend on the region. Several possible cougar sightings in the past week are likely the result of cougars following their prey into city streets, Penticton...
Regional district looks to cut newspaper advertising costs in Okanagan-Similkameen
PENTICTON - After spending nearly $60,000 on advertising in newspapers last year the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen is hoping to reduce advertising costs going forward. Staff requested quotes from the region's print newspapers in late September. The hope is to reduce annual advertising costs from last year’s level of between $57,000 and $60,000 by placing...
One dead in collision east of Osoyoos
PENTICTON - One person is dead following a two-vehicle collision east of Osoyoos this evening. Traffic on Highway 3 was impacted for close to two hours this evening, Nov. 23, following a crash about 21 kilometres east of Osoyoos, Sgt. Harold Hallett of South Okanagan Traffic Services says in a release. A westbound Dodge pickup lost...
Okanagan Skaha school district needs can’t be based on long term hopes: board chair
PENTICTON - The chair of Okanagan Skaha school board would like to believe there will be more students moving into the region to attend classes in the future, but won't gamble away potential opportunities for today’s students based on wishful thinking. Chair Linda Van Alphen says none of the proposals out for consideration by the...
Another warrant for accused after missing Penticton court date for a fourth time
PENTICTON - A Penticton man who can’t seem to find his way to Penticton Courthouse faces a warrant for his arrest. Jayson Kenneth Caruso was scheduled to appear for sentencing on a charge of theft under $5,000 but did not make an appearance this morning, Nov. 23. Crown prosecutor Laura Drake described several other instances...