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Penticton news
Penticton search and rescue targeted by thieves
PENTICTON –The volunteers with Penticton Search and Rescue showed up at the group’s hall Saturday morning, Oct. 24, for a training exercise to find they were the victim’s of a break-in and theft. “We sure got a shock,” president Dale Jorgensen says in a media release. Thieves broke into two of the organization’s trailers. A...
Continuing upgrades announced for Olalla’s water system
PENTICTON - The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen has announced the awarding of the engineering design for water main upgrades to Olalla's water system. The upgrades are part of a continuing program to renovate the Olalla water system, part of which was upgraded in 1999 when a new well, pump, concrete reservoir and pump house was...
Martin Street Outreach centre officially opens doors
PENTICTON - The Martin Street Outreach Centre has officially opened its doors. The primary and community based care centre has been operating at 437 Martin Street since May, but had it's officially opening today, Oct. 23. The Outreach Centre is already serving 350 clients, according to Penticton physician Dr. Kyle Stevens, who has played a...
Kelowna tourists caught in path of worst hurricane in history
KELOWNA - A small group of tourists from Kelowna who are vacationing in Nuevo Vallarta are fleeing to higher ground to escape the strongest hurricane ever recorded. Rod Robinson, owner of Bogie and Bacall Hair Salon in Orchard Park Mall, is travelling with his wife Donna and friends Denny and Patty Pirot, who are also...
Oktoberfest in Penticton this weekend
PENTICTON - Crisp, sunny days and cool, frosty nights may be a sign of the impending winter season, but there is still lots going on this weekend in Penticton. The Penticton Trade and Convention Centre plays host to the sixth annual Penticton Oktoberfest, which takes place on Saturday, October 24 starting at 6 p.m. The convention centre...
Hot drink sales at downtown Penticton store donated to Soupateria
PENTICTON - As the days get cooler and nights get longer, the need for a food becomes a higher priority for people in need in Penticton. SmartShopper Value Variety Convenience store owner Leigh Follestad is helping the Penticton Soupateria out today, Oct. 23, by donating 100 per cent of money he makes through the sale...
Community Foundation initiative aims to strengthen neighbourly relations
PENTICTON - The City of Penticton is giving the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan-Similkameen $5,000 toward a fund to help residents pay for neighbourhood events like block parties. The Foundation's executive director Aaron McRann approached city council with a request to match funds with the organization in order to leverage equal funding from the...
Sun and frost this weekend in the Okanagan
OKANAGAN - Temperatures should be close to seasonal normals, on both the high and low end, this weekend and with those cooler overnight temperatures comes frost. Environment Canada is calling for a high in the double digits today, Oct. 21, and Saturday, with a high of 9 Celsius being forecast for Sunday. The seasonal normal...
City hopes economic investment zone keeps casino in Penticton
PENTICTON - City hall staff hope to build on the success of Penticton’s Economic Incentive Zones with the introduction of a new city-wide tax break for developers which is aimed at keeping Gateway Casino in town. After hearing the Penticton Lakeside Resort will not renew the Lake City Casino lease when it expires in May...
Action packed afternoon on Sunday at Penticton Speedway
PENTICTON - It’s the final weekend for racing events at Penticton Speedway and the track is going out with a bang — literally. Penticton Speedway owner John Aantjes says the Halloween Destruction stock car races on Sunday will include a hit-to-pass event involving race cars towing boats and travel trailers. “It’s great family entertainment, I...
Police act quickly after young Penticton girl subjected to offensive sexual remarks
PENTICTON - Inappropriate comments made to a school girl by a 40 year old intoxicated man resulted in quick police action by Penticton RCMP on Tuesday, Oct.20. Penticton RCMP Staff Sgt. Kurt Lozinski said today, Oct. 22, RCMP responded to an incident at Carmi School just before 3 p.m Tuesday. It involved a man who...
UPDATE: One dead in single vehicle crash on Connector, highway reopens
CENTRAL OKANAGAN – A man died in an early morning crash on Highway 97C at the Pennask summit. RCMP and B.C. Ambulance paramedics were called to the scene, Oct. 22, and while RCMP will not confirm if anyone was hurt, Global Okanagan reports one man was killed in the single vehicle accident. The man, who is...
City seeks to smooth out casino relocation with bylaw amendment
PENTICTON - City Council is smoothing the way for Gateway Casinos to relocate on city-taxed property. A zoning amendment that would include casino operation as a defined use was requested by staff at a council meeting earlier this week. Director of Development Services Jules Hall said staff were alerted through media reports the Penticton Lakeside...
Kokanee salmon population explodes in Okanagan Lake with biggest spawn in quarter century
OKANAGAN - It’s a record year for Kokanee salmon spawning on Okanagan Lake. Jason Webster, a Vernon-based fisheries biologist, says more than 300,000 shore spawners were counted during this year’s annual survey — the most in more than 25 years. “It’s turning into a cyclical thing where every four years there’s a great big run,...
City park concession operator seeks public input to improve location
PENTICTON - One of Penticton’s concession contractors wants public input on how his concession might be improved. Gord Ferguson told Penticton City Council this week he is looking for ways to improve Lakawanna Park, including the building and services offered by his food concession. Calling the building 'an absolute eyesore,' Ferguson said the park, with...
Three patients remain in hospital after violent attack near Lillooet
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Three of the original 11 people who were admitted to Interior Health hospitals after an attack at the Bridge River Indian Band office near Lillooet remain under medical care. “One patient is in serious but stable condition and two are stable and beginning their recovery,” Tracy Watson of Interior Health says. The patients...
Photo contest awards best in local escapes and landscapes
PENTICTON - Photographers of the South Okanagan got out their cameras in response to the Sep.t 21 launch of a photography contest sponsored by Tourism Penticton. The organization announced the winners of their “Escapes & Landscapes Photography Contest" on Oct. 19, selecting the top three photos from more than 130 entries. Doug Cox took first...
Winter forecast is warm with lots of snow
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – AccuWeather is forecasting one of the warmest winters on record for much of Canada, thanks to El Nino. Western Canadians can expect above to well-above temperatures as a prevailing westerly flow delivers milder Pacific air across the region, according to a news release. “Compared to last winter, there will be more snow across...
Collision on Main and Industrial closes intersection in Penticton
PENTICTON - A collision at the intersection of Main Street and Industrial Ave slowed traffic for roughly a half hour just before noon today, Oct. 21. Dennis Smith of Penticton Fire Department said two people were taken to hospital by ambulance after a black Honda Civic and a burgundy GMC Sierra collided in the intersection....
Penticton set to add more snow removal equipment to roster
PENTICTON - City staff are preparing for winter with a pitch to city council for more snow removal equipment. Buiding and Permitting Manager Ken Kunka asked council for an additional $20,000 to purchase more ice and snow clearing equipment. The request was made to facilitate clearing of nearly 10 kilometres of city lanes that will...
Meteor shower peaks over the Southern Interior this week
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - If clouds part enough tonight you may be able to get a glimpse of the Orionid meteor shower as it peaks early Thursday morning. The Orionid meteor shower, which is formed from the debris of Halley’s comet, is known for producing bright and quick meteors. This meteor shower runs throughout October and into...
Fentanyl confirmed in some South Okanagan overdoses
PENTICTON – Test results have confirmed the drug fentanyl was present in some of the…
Penticton council considers conservation fund
PENTICTON – Environmental projects and programs within the city could soon be funded by a…
Penticton police bust boozy driver, catch car thief
PENTICTON - A man wanted for several crimes and an impaired driver were removed from city streets last week. On Wednesday, Oct. 14, Penticton resident Jesse Armstrong was arrested for possession of a stolen vehicle dating back to Sept. 17. A video from local businesses showed him associated with the vehicle in question. He also...