Penticton news
Fire risk closes Giant’s Head Mountain Park to vehicle traffic
SUMMERLAND - Because of the high risk of person-caused fires, Giant’s Head Mountain Park Road is closed to vehicle traffic. The closure is effective immediately due to dry vegetation along the roadside. The fire danger rating is currently high but is expected to reach extreme in the next couple of days. “We have moved to...
Big cat sighting on Duncan Avenue in Penticton
PENTICTON - A mid-city street was the location of a cougar sighting in Penticton early this morning. Penticton Conservation Officer Mike Stern says the conservation office answered a call placed at approximately 12:30 a.m., July 21, by residents who said they possibly saw a cougar running across Duncan Avenue East, towards them. The two residents...
Penticton RCMP want help finding man with outstanding warrants
PENTICTON - A man known to be violent and considered a risk to public safety is wanted by Penticton RCMP. Officers are asking for help in locating Jessy Michaud, who has three outstanding warrants for his arrest as of July 17. The 46-year-old Caucasian is 5’9” tall and 161 lbs with brown hair and blue...
No fishing in several South Okanagan rivers and streams this summer
PENTICTON – Fans of fishing across the province will be disappointed to learn that as of July 15 they will no longer be permitted to fish many rivers and streams in the South Okanagan this summer due to low flows and warming water temperatures. For the rest of the summer all streams and rivers in...
Summer watering restrictions likely as province records average lowest snowpack levels in 31 years
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - The lastest snowpack measurements from the provincial government’s river forecast centre are showing record low levels in some areas including the Okanagan and Similkameen regions. Without substantial rain in the next couple of months, reservoirs across the region will also be lower than normal, likely leading to water use restrictions in many communities...
Regional building stats point to heightened construction activity
PENTICTON - After several years of slow growth, the Okanagan Similkameen Regional District is seeing a surge in building activity. Development services manager Donna Butler says 2014 was "a very busy year" and statistics so far indicate 2015 on track to meet or exceed last year’s building activity. To date, the regional district has issued...
Regional district office renovations to start in September
PENTICTON - The first major renovation to the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen’s headquarters on Martin Street in Penticton is late in starting, but still expected to be completed this year. The project was supposed to get started shortly after this year's budget was tabled, but a change in staff and lengthy discussions over how to...
Curbside collection initiatives could benefit from contract extension
PENTICTON - The regional district is following up on a contract option included in its curb side collection agreement to extend the present service an additional two years. With the Okanagan Similkameen Regional District’s contract with BFI Canada, which is now called Progressive Waste Solutions, slated to end on June 30, 2016, solid waste management...
First wife testifies in trial of former Vernon cop charged with child porn
KELOWNA – The first wife of a former Vernon RCMP officer charged with child porn described him as a confrontational man who often raised his voice. Jennifer Fisher and Ryan Hampton’s marriage officially ended in 2011, the same year he married his accuser, Valerie Little. Little, herself a member of the RCMP, told police she...
Where there’s smoke, there’s sanitary sewer testing
PENTICTON - Sanitary sewer smoke testing is set to begin next week at a various locations around Penticton. The city's contractor Coast Pipeline will be using smoke to locate storm water entering the sewer system, starting Monday, July 27, according to a media release. Crews will attach a smoke blower to the top of a...
Sunny week ahead for Okanagan
OKANAGAN - It was a hot, sunny and stormy weekend and this week is expected to be a bit closer to normal Okanagan summer weather. Temperatures reached as high as 36 Celsius Sunday as storms rolled through the region. While there is a risk of thunderstorms again today the chance of rain forecast for the...
Midweek crimes include man shot with an arrow
PENTICTON - Penticton RCMP were kept busy late Wednesday afternoon and evening with assaults and an attempted robbery in the city. Penticton RCMP received a call to an assault in progress at 5:18 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15 in the vicinity of West Bench Hill Road above Doc’s Golf Centre on Highway 97. Police were...
Volatile South Okanagan prolific offender suspected in Oliver armed robbery
OLIVER – The corner store in Oliver was held up by a man with a weapon on Thursday and the RCMP suspect a prolific offender wanted for not showing up to serve his jail sentence may be their man. RCMP say a man walked into Eastside Grocery at the corner of Park Avenue and Eastside...
Both sides plan city hall rally over Penticton waterfront revitalization plans
PENTICTON – Groups for and against the proposed waterfront renewal projects around Skaha Lake Marina are planning to make their views known in front of Penticton city hall Monday.
Challenge Penticton seeks funding commitment from regional district
PENTICTON - Valley First Challenge Penticton has invited the regional district to take a sponsorship role in Challenge’s triathlon races to the tune of $48,000 over three years. Challenge Penticton owners Kevin Cutjar and Michael Brown met with Regional District Okanagan Similkameen directors Thursday, July 16 to offer the board the opportunity to be the naming sponsor...