Penticton news
Missing woman with health concerns found
CENTRAL OKANAGAN - A missing Kelowna woman with health concerns has been located, according to RCMP. Brittany Nelson, 30, has been located and is safe and sound," Cpl. Joe Duncan says in a release sent one day after friends reported her absence. To contact the reporter for this story, email John McDonald at jmcdonald@infonews.ca or...
Improved visibility allows limited air support on Testalinden Creek fire
PENTICTON - Firefighters working the Testalinden Creek blaze are receiving some limited air support today, Aug. 25, as South Okanagan skies clear of heavy smoke. B.C. Wildfire Fire Information Officer Heather Rice said 245 firefighters are currently working the blaze, aided by 11 helicopters. “Flying is still at a minimum, but there has been some...
Smoky skies continue, no end in sight to fire season
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - With smoke-filled skies and reports of new fires almost every day, it begs the question that’s on everyone’s mind: When will this end? “It’s a good question. There is no hard and fast measure that tells us when things are done. Every season is its own animal,” Kevin Skrepnek says. And B.C. Wildfire’s...
ELECTION 2015: NDP candidate for South Okanagan – West Kootenay predicting tight race
PENTICTON - Penticton-born Richard Cannings thinks this year’s federal election will be a race between the NDP and Conservative parties in the new riding of South Okanagan - West Kootenay. The 61 year old isn’t a stranger to politics, having run as a provincial NDP candidate three years ago. “We did well, but not well...
Accused in double murder cases pursues mistrial
PENTICTON - The defence lawyer for the man convicted in the double homicide of two Princeton residents and the attempted murder of a third is applying for a mistrial application. Lawyers handling the Koopmans murder trial discussed future court appearances for sentencing and a mistrial application in Penticton Supreme Court today, Aug. 24. John Ike...
How to lockdown a correctional centre job
PENTICTON - The South Okanagan will get an economic shot in the arm when the Okanagan Correctional Centre is completed in late 2016 and the recruitment process for jobs at the prison continues. More than 240 full-time correctional officer jobs will open up, creating opportunities for those interested in the demanding role as a correctional...
Mom raises $14K for Cuddle Cots across Thompson-Okanagan
WEST KELOWNA – What started as an idea to bring to Kelowna General Hospital a device which gives parents of stillborn children a few extra days with their child will now help families across the entire Thompson-Okanagan. In less than three months West Kelowna resident Kristin Esmail has raised enough money to buy four Cuddle...
Decision on Kelowna Mountie accused of assault expected in September
LANGUAGE ADVISORY KELOWNA – The judge in the trial of a Kelowna RCMP constable accused of assaulting an elderly bar patron will have to decide if the officer believed John McCormick was obstructing justice when he refused to leave Rose’s pub in downtown Kelowna last summer. Judge Gregory Koturbash heard final submissions in Kelowna Provincial...
Arson or accident? Investigators wonder about White Lake wildfires
PENTICTON - An unusual number of wildfires occurring in the rural neighbourhoods of Kaleden and Willowbrook has local and B.C. Wildfire Service officials concerned. Fire information officer Kayla Pepper says they are concerned about the fires which have occurred in the White Lake area. She says they are working with other agencies including the RCMP...
Another break-in at a Tickleberry’s location
PENTICTON – For the second time this month, thieves have targeted one of the Tickleberry’s ice cream shops. This time the family-owned business’s location in Penticton was broken into. RCMP say Tickleberry’s on the Beach, the concession at Skaha Lake was broken into early this morning, Aug. 23. The safe was torn off the wall...
Dream wedding for a dying father
"HE'S DONE SO MUCH FOR US NOW IT'S OUR TURN TO LOOK AFTER HIM" KELOWNA – Christina Richard was just 11 years old when Eric Lavoie entered her life in 2003 and changed it forever. Her mom, Sophy Zaglis, 49, was raising five kids on her own, working as a registered nurse and volunteer with...
City grant helping to reduce fresh fruit and produce waste
PENTICTON - A City of Penticton grant is helping to reduce the amount of food wasted during the abundant summer months. The Okanagan Fruit Tree Project says the $7,000 grant has allowed the hiring of a part time coordinator to increase the amount of overproduced food redistributed to those in need. Coordinator Deb Thorneycroft says...
Initial phase of Penticton Creek restoration half complete
PENTICTON - The first phase of the Penticton Creek restoration is half finished. Reconstruction of the showcase section of creek bed began August 4. The initial project was designed to provide a demonstration to the public of what creek restoration looks like, as construction efforts worked to provide restored fish habitat, maintained flood protection and...
Airport expanding while transfer talks in limbo
PENTICTON - Expansion of the Penticton Regional Airport continues while talks with the federal government over local management of the facility appear to be in limbo. Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen director and Penticton mayor Andrew Jakubeit noted those facts following the announcement of a contract award to Penticton based Greyback Construction for expansion of...
Penticton Regional Hospital gets temporary parking lot
PENTICTON - A temporary parking lot has been approved by Penticton city council for use during construction of the new patient care tower at Penticton Regional Hospital. The parking lot on Camrose Street will be for construction workers, but there won't be a crosswalk in the middle of Industrial Avenue as originally proposed by Interior...