Penticton news
Provincial funding for invasive mussel control a good start
PENTICTON - The province is recognizing the need to invest in the control of invasive zebra and quagga mussels. The Okanagan Basin Water Board was pleased to see the province step up with improved protections for zebra and quagga mussels in the Okanagan Valley in late March. The province is providing $1.3 million in funding...
Funding to help with mussel control in South Okanagan
PENTICTON - The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen is getting some financial help in its fight to prevent quagga and zebra mussels from finding their way into the Okanagan. The RBC Blue Water project recently announced $100,000 in grant funding will be made available to the regional district to bolster their Okanagan Aquatic Invasive Species...
Financial muscle for mussel awareness program
PENTICTON - Waterways in the South Okanagan will receive an extra measure of protection in the fight to prevent the spread of an aquatic invasive species this summer. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen received a $100,000 grant from the project this week. The grant will be used to educate and inform the public, working in conjunction...
Formula 1 tunnel boat race team joins fight against mussel infestation
KELOWNA – The Okanagan Basin Water Board is teaming up with Formula 1 Tunnel Boat racer Mike McLellan to raise awareness for their Don’t Move a Mussel campaign. The announcement was made Tuesday, July 28, at the Water Street boat launch in downtown Kelowna. The Don’t Move A Mussel campaign is attempting to raise awareness...
Penticton council scrounges to find additional revenue to offset tax hike
PENTICTON - Penticton City Council began the City Hall equivalent of looking under the living room furniture upholstery for loose change as it took a look at fees charged in the recreation and building departments. Council scrutinized booking and administration fees for recreation and building fees, fines and business licenses during the Jan. 11 council...
Summerland community comes out to discuss possible Trout Creek Elementary closure
SUMMERLAND - It was a packed house of parents, concerned residents, students, and Summerland councillors during a meeting this week to discuss possible school closures in the school district. Yesterday, Jan. 13, a meeting was held at Trout Creek Elementary School to allow the public to express concerns about a recently announced option for school...
RCMP seeks couple who stopped to help after Christmas Eve crash near Summerland
SUMMERLAND - A couple stopped to help the people injured in a crash on Christmas Eve day near Kickininee Park south of Summerland, and RCMP are now hoping to hear from them. Around 8:30 a.m., Dec. 24, RCMP were called to a two-vehicle collision on Highway 97. It was determined a brown Honda Odyssey minivan...
Strong finish to 2015 for South Okanagan real estate markets
PENTICTON - The South Okanagan real estate market had a strong 2015 and is already starting the new year off on an optimistic note, according to a local real estate agent. Penticton real estate agent Scott Rowlands says 2015 was a very good market locally, with units sold up 19 per cent over 2014. “Listings...
Penticton looking for federal funding to help with water meter project
PENTICTON - The city has decided which project it hopes to get support from the federal government on, and water meters for irrigation systems were the winner. Penticton City Council prioritized the projects put forward by staff as candidates for funding through the Building Canada Fund Small Communities grant during a council meeting, Jan. 11....
Free parking getting scarce as Penticton moves to more paid lots
PENTICTON - Parking is going to get more expensive in Penticton, with parking pay machines set to be installed at several locations throughout the city and fees to rise at hourly and monthly lots. First implemented in 2012, council agreed to expand to the next phase of the parking strategy for 2016-2017. During the first...
Hockey dad needs help putting on tournament for sick kids
OKANAGAN - A Kelowna hockey dad is looking for a little corporate muscle to put on the Winter Classic, an outdoor hockey tournament at Apex Mountain resort. Yannick Lescarbeau, who manages the Kelowna Minor Hockey Atom Development B team, started the tournament last year as a fundraiser for the SickKids Foundation. The tournament will pit...
Petition hopes to raise $1B for biking in B.C.
OKANAGAN - The B.C. Cycling Coalition is mounting a campaign to petition the province to provide $1 billion for bike trails in B.C., and a local group working to make an Okanagan Valley-long trail more public is supporting the initiative. “We want the provincial government to help enable everyone in the province to cycle and...
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...
Gloomy dark clouds over the Okanagan won’t part any time soon
OKANAGAN - That stifling grey pall of gloom hanging over the Okanagan is here courtesy of El Nino and Environment Canada says we can expect more of the same for at least the next ten days. Meteorologist Matthew MacDonald says we are at the mercy of major weather systems conspiring to blot out the sun. That...
Coroner identifies Summerland woman who crashed into Okanagan Lake
OKANAGAN - The B.C. Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of a Summerland woman who died last week after her vehicle slid into Okanagan Lake. Elena Sagario Holly, 42, was driving alone on Highway 97 southbound near Summerland around noon Jan. 4 when her car slid off the road and into Okanagan Lake during bad...