Penticton news

Fruit pest prevalence prompts regional district reminder
PENTICTON - As cherry season peaks in the South Okanagan, backyard fruit growers are being reminded to be vigilant about controlling fruit tree pests. The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen has had a bylaw in place since 2001 for all rural electoral areas and the Town of Oliver requiring residents with cherry trees to control...

Be fire safe, not sorry, when you use your tools and toys in the bush
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - If you plan on being a lumberjack or ripping around on your ATV in the bush this weekend, B.C. Wildfire Management is asking you to take into account the fire risk before firing up a chainsaw or starting up the quad. “If members of the public or industry personnel plan to do any...
Accused in Penticton shooting granted bail
PENTICTON - The man accused in a shooting incident near Penticton’s northeast boundary was released on bail today, July 17. Matthew James Cameron, accused of one count of attempted murder in a shooting incident that took place Monday night, July 13, on Lindsay Road in Penticton, was delivered to court but did not make an...

School bus crash near Osoyoos
PENTICTON - A car crash on Highway 3 near Osoyoos yesterday afternoon involving a school bus narrowly avoided tragic consequences. RCMP say a collision between a Dodge pickup towing a travel trailer and the school bus took place on Highway 3, 20 kilometres west of Osoyoos at about 1:30 p.m., Thursday, July 16. According to...

Weekend events include Peach Classic Triathlon and Bull-a-rama
PENTICTON - The oldest triathlon race in the Okanagan takes place for the 33rd time this weekend starting from Rotary Park. The Peach Classic, which goes Sunday July 19 at 7 a.m., is an Olympic and sprint distance race which involves a 1.5 and 750 meter sprint swim, a 40 kilometre Olympic or 20 kilometre...

Judge orders former Mountie charged with child porn be allowed to shave, change clothes
KELOWNA – Ryan Hampton, a former Vernon RCMP officer facing child porn charges in Kelowna Supreme Court, has not changed his clothes in eight days. Hampton, who has been in custody since his arrest in June 2013, was supposed to be shipped back to Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre on the weekends, but was kept in...

New Penticton city manager ready to assume the reins
PENTICTON - Penticton’s new Chief Administrative Officer has been busy this week getting acquainted with city personnel and procedures as he comes out of retirement to take on the city manager’s job Eric Sorensen does not have any municipal government experience, but has an extensive background in the private sector. He was president and CEO...

Hampton disputes testimony he left images of child porn for his wife to find
KELOWNA – The former Vernon Mountie facing child porn charges in Kelowna says he didn’t tell an investigator he left images and videos of child porn on a flash drive for his wife to find, directly contradicting testimony given by the Sargent who first interviewed him in May of 2013. Ryan Hampton is on trial...

RCMP are looking for help to find South Okanagan prolific offender
PENTICTON – RCMP are on the hunt for an Okanagan Falls man with a long criminal record who has been on the lam for almost three weeks. Ronald Teneycke was sentenced to 90 days in jail following a conviction April 9, 2015 on a charge of making or possessing an explosive without lawful excuse. He...

Province to review bus industry after two Coquihalla crashes
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Two major bus crashes in the last year resulted in serious injuries and now the provincial government is moving forward with a safety review on the motor coach industry. Minister of Transportation Todd Stone says the review will include examining safety statistics, analyzing vehicle inspections and vehicle licensing. It will also compare the...

Police reveal second victim in Penticton shooting
PENTICTON - Police have revealed further information regarding a shooting incident near the city’s northeast boundary earlier this week. Penticton RCMP say a second person was wounded following a shooting in the 2000-block of Lindsay Road at approximately 10:20 p.m. on July 13. Police say the persons involved knew each other. The suspect and one...

Solve the clues and find the treasure at Kamloops’ newest attraction
KAMLOOPS - You and three friends enter a parlour decorated with antiques and cat-themed trinkets. The door closes behind you, the clock starts and you hear the voice of a lady named Margaret. She tells you she has an estate, and the clues leading to her fortune are in the very room you’re standing in....

Mayor discusses city’s philosophy behind new CAO hire
PENTICTON - The City of Penticton means business as it welcomes a new Chief Administrative Office to city staff. Penticton’s new city manager is coming into the office with no prior experience, but Mayor Andrew Jakubeit says he doesn’t think that will be an issue. The city announced yesterday the hiring of Eric Sorensen as...

Vehicle ends up in Okanagan River Channel
PENTICTON - An early morning car crash ended with a vehicle in the Okanagan River Channel this morning. Penticton RCMP, B.C. Ambulance and Penticton Fire Department personnel responded to call at 12:34 a.m., July 16, to the crash at the intersection of Skaha Lake Road and Channel Parkway. RCMP ensured everyone had made it out...

Warthog art piece reunited with owner
PENTICTON - The owner of a rather unique piece of art is happier than a pig in - well, you know - after finding her lost art treasure this morning, July 15. Just after 9 a.m., Judy Rowe of Penticton appeared at the Penticton RCMP detachment to claim a metal sculpture of a warthog, Penticton...