Penticton
Mosquitoes having a ‘perfect’ year
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN — No, you are not imagining things, the mosquitoes are actually worse this year, thanks to high water, cooler temperatures and wet weather. If you’ve ventured outside at all over the last month you have swatted at mosquitoes or came away with a bunch of itchy welts. Or maybe you donned your DEET and...
Teachers and government ‘not even close’ to a deal
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN — There is still a major gap between the teachers' union and the government when it comes to a new collective agreement and the education minister says as it sits the union’s proposal simply is not affordable. “We are not even close to where we need to be to get a negotiated agreement,” Peter...
Bring on the summer
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Saturday is the official start of summer and so far Mother Nature looks like she will cooperate in allowing us to celebrate in style. Highs of 28-29 C are forecast across the region for Saturday and by Monday we should be seeing highs of 32 C or 33 C. Meteorologist David Jones says...
Website reveals secrets of Okanagan residents
OKANAGAN – A Penticton woman has started a web page that makes public many Okanagan residents' deepest, darkest secrets. Okanagan Confessions attracted more than 3,000 members in its first two weeks and warning—this site is not safe for work. The page's lone administrator, known as Admin, says the only advertising she has done is post the link...
20 events to share with Dad this Father’s Day
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Rather than spending Father’s Day at home, there are many events to take Dad to this weekend. No matter what his hobby is – from fishing, to antique cars, rodeos, football and more – there’s an event for each Dad on Sunday, June 15. Weather throughout the region is set to be rainy...
Teachers agree to full strike
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN — More than 28,000 B.C. teachers voted in support of moving to a full strike, a move that could come as early as next week. In total more than 33,000 teachers took part in the vote Monday and Tuesday, with 86 per cent voting in support of stage three action. “Thank you for standing...
UPDATE: Snow hits Interior highways
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN — Yes, summer is technically only nine days away and yes, it seems like a cruel joke, but there was snow on the Interior highways tonight. Environment Canada ended a severe thunderstorm watch for the Okanagan earlier this evening, but not before issuing a special weather statement warning of up to five centimetres of...
Superstitious day off to inconspicuous start
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Friday the 13th is a day revelled by the superstitious and often considered unlucky. But this year the full moon, also a key event in the world of superstitions, also falls on Friday, June 13, making the day even more important in the world of supernatural beliefs. In B.C. the full moon technically...
Full strike could begin Tuesday, no school Monday
OKANAGAN - This week could be the last week of school for many students, the teachers’ union announced this morning it will be moving to a full strike beginning Tuesday unless a deal can be reached on the collective agreement. An email was sent to teachers Thursday night and quickly news spread on social media....
UPDATE: Thunderstorm watch today, wet weather this weekend
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - If you were hoping for a warm, sunny weekend so you could fish or golf with dad, you may be a bit disappointed about the wet weather forecast in store for the next few days — though there should be a reprieve from those wet skies on Father’s Day. To get the forecast...
City takes action against residents building without permits
PENTICTON - The City may have to take action against residents who violated city law by constructing a building on their property without having the proper permits. The residents of 229 Scott Avenue have not responded to the City’s requests to apply for construction permits after it was discovered the owners were constructing an additional...
City faces maintenance costs that could have been avoided
PENTICTON - As a result of poor planning, the city needs to front a good chunk of money to replace pool tiles at the community centre. The pool tiles are causing safety issues, specifically as a slipping hazard. In order to maintain the tiles and keep them clean enough to prevent slipping, it would cost...
Snow basins still high, flood threat low
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Recent snow basin numbers show there is a lot more snow than normal in much of our region even though rivers have begun receding throughout the rest of the province. The North Thompson snow basin now sits at a near normal 101 per cent though the South Thompson sits at 126 per cent....
Charges laid in bomb scare
PENTICTON - RCMP are laying criminal charges against a Penticton man who was creating bombs at his home. Staff Sgt. Kurt Lozinski could not disclose the name of the suspect, a 30-year-old man, who has been released from custody on conditions. The man does not have a criminal history, however the Vancouver-based RCMP bomb squad...
National BMX series bunnyhops through Kelowna this weekend
KELOWNA – Even if you don't know the difference between a barspin and a bunnyhop, organizers of the Kelowna Firestorm BMX Nationals say this weekends event has something for everyone. The third in a series of six nationals will be held in Kelowna June 13-15 and Kelowna BMX Club president Jeff Ingram says more than...