Penticton news
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....
Penticton city councillors share their festive season traditions
PENTICTON - We asked Penticton’s politicians to share their memories about their Christmas traditions, what they remembered most fondly about Christmas with their families and what traditions they follow from year to year. It’s a busy time for everyone but two Penticton councillors took the time to reply to our questionnaire to give residents a...
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...
Some quirks of the calendar will bring you a lot more fun next year
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Before you book your vacation next year, you might find some surprises you haven’t seen on the calendar — like an extra four long weekends next year. Thanks to a few quirks of the calendar, all four date-based holidays fall on or near weekends this year. Canada Day, Remembrance Day and New Years...
Penticton Christmas tree recycling program back for another year
PENTICTON - Penticton residents will have the opportunity to recycle their Christmas trees once again this year. City residents can drop their trees off at Fire Hall #2 at 285 Dawson Ave. where they will be collected, chipped and recycled. Drop offs are permitted between Dec. 26, 2015 and Jan. 31, 2016. For more information,...
Christmas laser lights causing problems for Okanagan airport
PENTICTON - A new form of Christmas lighting may have been at issue behind a police incident at Penticton Regional Airport earlier this month. RCMP were called to Penticton Regional Airport on Sunday evening, Dec. 13, after a pilot reported seeing a green laser light flash in the cockpit as he was about to land,...
Holiday changes for garbage pickup in the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen
PENTICTON - Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen residents will not receive garbage collection on Christmas and New Year’s Day as the pickup schedule is revised to accommodate the holiday season. Collection on those two days will shift to Saturday, Dec.26 and Saturday, Jan. 2. Penticton city residents with regular Friday collection and residents in Keremeos,...
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...