Penticton news

Gap between rich and poor getting wider in South Okanagan-Similkameen: Vital Signs report

PENTICTON - The third annual Vital Signs report has given the South Okanagan-Similkameen failing grades when it comes to jobs, affordable housing and the gap between the rich and poor. The report is produced by the Community Foundation of Okanagan-Similkameen and studies 11 issues in an attempt to define the overall health and wellbeing of...

Penticton mother of two faces eviction for paperwork error

'NOW I HAVE LITERALLY NOWHERE TO GO, EXCEPT BACK TO THE WOMEN'S SHELTER WITH MY TWO KIDS' PENTICTON - A Penticton family facing an uncertain future as the eviction deadline on their subsidized housing nears says difficulty with ministry paperwork is to blame and wishes her landlord would show a little bit of compassion for...

Provincial funding announced for City of Penticton labour study

PENTICTON - The City of Penticton will be able to move forward with a planned labour market study thanks to a provincial funding announcement made today. MLA Dan Ashton and several city dignitaries were on hand, Oct. 9, to announce $71,300 in community and employer partnership funding from the Ministry of Social Development and Social...

Mount Baldy to open for the upcoming ski season

PENTICTON - South Okanagan ski enthusiasts can begin preparations for a new ski season at Mount Baldy. Following fears the ski resort, about 40 kilometres east of Oliver, may not be ready for the coming season, the Baldy Capital Corporation announced today, Oct. 9, preparations are being undertaken to fully open the ski resort for...

Penticton service club pledges $250,000 to hospital project

PENTICTON - The South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation took a leap forward toward their fundraising goal of $20 million this week. Penticton’s Rotary Club pledged $250,000 towards the foundation’s Patient Care Tower campaign, beginning with member John Rankiw’s individual donation of $100,000, according to a media release. Club spokesperson Ben Amos says the group originally...

You may not be thankful for the weather in the Okanagan this long weekend

OKANAGAN - It may be a long weekend typically filled with family, friends and lots of food, but much of this Thanksgiving weekend will also be wet and windy. While both the high and low temperatures are expected to be above normal throughout the weekend there will also be a chance of rain and strong...

Reports of school closures in Kaleden and Naramata unfounded

PENTICTON - School enrolment in District 67 is down this year but it’s nothing to panic about yet, says School District 67 Board Chair Linda Van Alphen. The district is down 30 students over last year, which is less than officials had anticipated, Van Alphen says, adding Superintendent Wendy Hyer noted recently a number of...

Some Kaleden residents driving to Penticton to cast ballot after polling boundary changes

PENTICTON - A number of voters in the community of Kaleden are discovering to their dismay their polling station is no longer just down the street following changes to the community's polling boundaries. Assistant returning officer Douglas Youngstrom says this year’s polling boundary runs along Skaha Lake, all the way to Penticton, placing a number...

ELECTION 2015: Prime Minister’s Penticton campaign stop confirmed

PENTICTON – Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s campaign machine rolls into Penticton today. The Conservative leader will be holding two photo opportunities for the media, Sept. 13, at unconfirmed locations. At 6:15 p.m., Harper will be joined by South Okanagan-West Kootenay Conservative candidate Marshall Neufeld at Brutus Truck Bodies at 682 Okanagan Ave. East to “deliver remarks,”...

Okanagan wineries report progress in efforts to rein in legislation

OKANAGAN - Small and medium sized wineries say efforts are working to slow the province’s issuing of liquor licenses to allow wine sales in grocery stores. Following a meeting held at Poplar Grove Winery in Penticton last week, the B.C. Alliance for Smart Liquor Retail Choice reported the group met with staff of Premier Christy...

Penticton Search and Rescue bulking up on recruits

PENTICTON - Penticton Search and Rescue beefed up its ranks during a recent recruiting campaign. Search and Rescue spokesperson Randy Brown says 25 applicants were reviewed and 17 eventually selected. Those 17 began initial training Monday night, Oct. 5. The new recruits begin with a basic 70-hour search and rescue course, which will take about...