Penticton news
Lapse in judgement results in loss of driving privilege
PENTICTON - A moment’s inattention proved to be a costly mistake for a Keremeos man in Penticton court yesterday, Dec. 1. Fausto J. Bernard will not be able to drive for at least six months after Judge Gregory Koturbash convicted him for driving without due care and attention. Bernard was driving on Highway 3A on...
Changing speed limit signs on the way for B.C. highways
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Highway drivers will start seeing variable speed signs later this winter as the Ministry of Transportation begins installing them this week, though they won't be functioning until early in the new year. The pilot project, which is currently in its testing phase, will include signs on sections of the Trans-Canada, Sea to Sky...
Stolen tools found by Penticton police
PENTICTON - Tools were stolen in Penticton while other tools were discovered in Okanagan Falls last week by Penticton officers, who also dealt with the aftermath of an icy Highway 3A this past week. The owners of a trailer stored at Penticton Self Storage discovered a break and enter on their property Monday, Nov. 23,...
Peach City radio finds a home in Penticton
PENTICTON - Penticton’s Peach City Radio has found a location for its radio station studio. This week the community radio society announced it will be moving into the Cannery Trade Centre in 2016. The society has been extensively looking at possible locations since it obtained its broadcast license earlier this year. A recent vacancy in the...
Sleeping in the wrong place, waking up in a foul mood results in probation
PENTICTON - A Penticton man who "got up on the wrong side of bed” received 12 months’ probation for his crankiness in Penticton court today, December 1. Crown Prosecutor Kurt Froehlich told court Bryson Alexander Diaz, along with his girlfriend, was found sleeping in the vestibule of the Royal Bank of Canada’s Apple Plaza branch...
Penticton police continue to nab impaired drivers
PENTICTON - In what may be a sign of the season, Penticton RCMP found themselves handing out several Immediate Roadside Prohibitions last week, and they weren’t even conducting roadside checks at the time. Detachment officers handed out three 90-day driving prohibitions on Thursday, Nov. 26, alone, Penticton RCMP media spokesperson Corporal Don Wrigglesworth says. A...
Vernon marijuana dispensaries warned by police to shut down
VERNON - Medical marijuana dispensaries in Vernon have been warned to close their doors. Hasia Glaim co-owns MMJ Total Health Care on 31 Avenue downtown Vernon and was surprised to get a visit from the Vernon RCMP Nov. 24. “We were given a verbal warning to shut down as we are operating illegally and we...
Possible cougar encounter near Lakawanna Park in Penticton
PENTICTON - Reports of a possible cougar, or bobcat, in Penticton last night remains unresolved because conservation officers are unable to confirm the sighting. Officers were called to the area of Lakeshore Drive at Lakawanna Park last night, Monday, Nov. 30, after reports of a cougar in the area, Penticton RCMP Media spokesperson Corporal Don...
Penmar Society working against time to save Penmar building
PENTICTON - It’s do or die this month for the PenMar Community Arts Theatre initiative. The Penmar Community Arts Society has just 15 days to raise $190, 000 to complete the restoration of the Penmar theatre building or the project faces the very real prospect of being lost. As of noon on Monday, Nov. 30, $3,575...
Early morning blaze destroys travel trailer in Okanagan Falls
PENTICTON - Okanagan Falls volunteer firefighters were hampered by cold temperatures and a lack of fire hydrants while fighting a blaze just south of the community early this morning. Firefighters arrived at a property at the corner of Highway 97 and Alba Road at about 1:30 a.m., Nov. 30, to find a travel trailer completely...
South Okanagan and Similkameen fire department radio upgrades nearing completion
PENTICTON - Cost savings are being realized as the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen moves into the final phase of its region-wide emergency communications upgrade. Planetworks Consultant Doug Joinson told a recent regional district board meeting the elimination of Okanagan Mountain as a radio repeater site saved $750,000 and $70,000 in annual maintenance costs. The...
Penticton emergency photographer answers call, day or night
PENTICTON - A Penticton man’s interest in photography and emergency services has made his photos a sought after commodity among media, police and fire services. Skylar Noe-Vack, 20, has been following emergency vehicles around the city and throughout the South Okanagan since the fire at the Slack Alice bar back in 2012. He documented that...
Penticton man identified as victim in fatal Okanagan Connector crash
KELOWNA – The first big winter storm on the Okanagan Connector and Coquihalla highways proved deadly early this month. A car crash claimed the life of a Penticton man on Highway 97C around 1:30 p.m., Nov. 16, according to a media release from the B.C. Coroners Service. Martin Lewis Schultz, 44, was the driver and...
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...
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...