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Penticton news

Rock-in-sock attacker loses appeal

PENTICTON - A man convicted of two years less a day for a vicious attack on a Penticton man will serve his full sentence after losing his appeal this week. Anthony Leonard Donald Samuelson argued his sentence was unduly harsh and requested instead a three-year suspended sentence or a reduction of the present jail term....

Apex community saddened by death of co-owner

PENTICTON - One of the most popular and highly respected residents in the village at Apex Mountain Resort died this week. Resort co-owner Louise Burgart, 68, died of a suspected heart attack on Sunday, Jan. 25. When Burgart hadn't been seen for a few days an Apex staff member, sent to check on her, found...

Lots to do in Penticton on Family Day

PENTICTON - You won’t have far to go to enjoy a full slate of Family Day activities in Penticton. The city’s community centre is teaming up with Coldwell Banker Okanagan Realty to assemble an all-ages road hockey game with the Penticton Vees from noon to 2 p.m. on Feb. 9.  Some equipment courtesy of Pacific...

Summerland woman putting the pedal to the metal at ARCA racing event

SUMMERLAND - A Summerland woman is getting ready for the ride of her life as she prepares for an Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA) race at Daytona. Sarah Cornett-Ching has been driving for half her life — and she’s only 24. She began her racing career at Penticton Speedway, where she first got behind the...

Lower speed limit in downtown Penticton accepted by most

PENTICTON - Residents appear to be content to slow down, be safe and enjoy the scenery in the Penticton's downtown core. City of Penticton communications officer Simone Blais says the reaction to the recent the drop in the speed limit downtown to 30 kilometres per hour, “Hasn’t been overly surprising.” “We’ve had some positive comments from...

Cat loses leg after getting caught in trap

PENTICTON – Phoenix the cat has definitely used up one of his nine lives after he was caught in a leg hold trap in Penticton. A local woman and her kids found the cat and surrendered him to AlleyCATS Alliance. “What was in the box was a very frightened, beautiful soft gray cat with large...

Crime is on the rise in Penticton

PENTICTON — Crime in Penticton appears to have gone up significantly in the last year and calls to Penticton RCMP is rising fast.  According to a report by Penticton RCMP Supt. Kevin Hewco, calls for service in 2014 was up seven per cent over 2013 to 4,054 but in the last quarter it was 22 per...

“Mayor’s Minute” blog provides instant update on city happenings

PENTICTON - A new feature on the City of Penticton’s website will update you on all things Penticton in one minute. The “Mayors Minute” blog launched this week as a new feature on the city’s website. The blog gives many residents an easy to access opportunity to read about council news and councillors’ thoughts. Mayor...

Last week to nominate best business in Penticton

PENTICTON - Now is your chance to give your favourite Penticton business some great publicity - but only until Jan. 30 at 4 p.m. That’s the deadline for nominations for the Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce’s 28th annual business excellence awards. The awards take place Feb. 21 at the Penticton Trade and Convention...

Penticton taxpayers to face one time tax bite for RDOS building upgrades

PENTICTON - Penticton ratepayers will face a one-time tax bite from the regional district this year. The Regional District of Okanagan - Similkameen gave first reading to the 2015 budget on Jan. 22, and will now hit the road as staff and local politicians seek public approval through numerous municipal and electoral area meetings. Penticton’s...

School board and council take step toward open dialogue

PENTICTON - School District 67 has needs and Penticton council has the muscle to get things done so the two got together for a lunchtime discussion Monday to start a conversation. During a short Committee of the Whole meeting that followed, school board chair Linda Van Alphen said the two groups had a good conversation....

City’s economic initiatives gaining momentum

PENTICTON - Penticton Economic Development Officer Colleen Pennington is looking forward to 2015 as the city’s initiatives show signs of bearing economic fruit. Pennington said 2014 ended well, with the December announcement of Sangsters takeover of the former Trophic Nutritional Supplements building in the city’s industrial area. Pennington also noted the arrival of Jet Power...

High demand for welding classes at Okanagan College

PENTICTON - In spite of falling oil prices, the demand for welders remains high - and Okanagan College in Penticton is helping to answer that need. South Okanagan-Similkameen Regional Dean Donna Lomas said the college has heard from employers from throughout the South Okanagan and beyond about the need for welders, so the college has...

Study approved to decide locations for smelly composting facilities

PENTICTON - A curbside program to collect kitchen and other organic waste for recycling into compost is moving forward with a study to figure out the best locations for processing facilities. The Regional District Okanagan Similkameen approved the siting study after receiving a Green Municipal Fund Grant for up to half the total budget required...

Alleged thief’s guns were within reach during RCMP chase

OSOYOOS - RCMP arrested the armed driver of a 'getaway' vehicle that made it to Osoyoos following an alleged break and enter in Midway, B.C., January 23. In a media release, Mounties say the 2003 Dodge Dakota was stolen from Grand Forks. It was then driven to Midway where Daniel Wayne Miller, 43, of Cranbrook...

Downtown Penticton speed limits now consistent at 30 km/h

PENTICTON - The City of Penticton wants you to slow down and take a look at what the city has to offer. Speed limits in the commercial downtown core are now a uniform 30 km/h. Following last year’s Martin Street upgrades, a need to have a more pedestrian-friendly downtown was envisioned by mayor and council....

Okanagan Falls man with lengthy criminal record back in court

PENTICTON — An Okanagan Falls man with a long history of offences makes a return appearance in Penticton court today with two new charges. Ronald Arthur Teneycke was charged three days ago with one count of making or possessing explosives and one count of firearms possession. Teneycke’s sister, Linda Walker told reporters today’s court appearance...

Cirque du Soleil coming to the Okanagan

PENTICTON - Varekai, filled with magical forests, whimsical creatures and adventure, will be making a five-day stop at the South Okanagan Events Centre this spring. The Cirque du Soleil production will be in Penticton for seven performances from May 13 to 17 and will feature the mystical world of Varekai, where a ‘young man takes...

Directors voice policing issues to region’s top cop

PENTICTON - The recent graffiti epidemic was just one of the topics Penticton RCMP's top cop spoke about during the Regional District board meeting Jan. 22. Penticton RCMP Superintendent Kevin Hewco discussed the RCMP’s annual performance plan with regional directors, a means by which each municipality is able to identify their own exclusive policing needs,...

No appeal for man convicted of assaulting woman, biting her labia

PENTICTON - Brian Douglas Louie will remain behind bars for the completion of a 2.8 year sentence after losing his appeal on Jan. 20. Louie was convicted of aggravated assault and assault causing bodily harm for a violent attack on a woman in 2012, during which he bit off a piece of her labia during...

Snowbirds returning to thrill Penticton

PENTICTON - You will have to look up, way up, to see the highlight of the Peach Festival this year. The Snowbirds are returning to Penticton after a two year absence to kick off the August celebration. The precision flying squadron will perform over Okanagan Lake in celebration of the Peach Festival opening day on...

UPDATE: Naramata Centre to close after 70 years

NARAMATA - Naramata Centre, a pillar of the community since the late 1940s, is closing its doors after nine months of labour struggles, declining revenues and a failed plan to push forward. A release late Wednesday, Jan. 21, says the board of directors decided to pull the plug effective immediately, sending some 34 workers represented...