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Pnjan2016

Aging City of Penticton facilities could cost $31 million to repair or replace

PENTICTON - Penticton’s public buildings are getting old and in need of repair, replacement or upgrades, city council learned this week. Council received an overview of the city's Facitlities Master Plan from its consultant which says the 25 facilities have an average age of 40 years and repairs or upgrades in the order of $31...

Penticton waterpark debate reaches new low with misguided message

PENTICTON - A Penticton woman expressing support for a waterpark in Skaha Park is dismayed and offended after receiving a personal attack simply because of her stance on the development. Amber Fradin has a sign in her window that reads “Support the Skaha Marina Improvement Project” along with directions to the group’s Facebook page. “No...

Farm outbuilding destroyed in Summerland fire

PENTICTON - A farm building is Summerland was heavily damage by fire yesterday morning. Summerland firefighters were called at about 11:10 a.m., Jan. 13, to the fire in an outbuilding at 9505 Gilman Road. The first crews on the scene say the 1,200 square foot building was engulfed in flames. Crews had some difficulties fighting the...

Strong finish to 2015 for South Okanagan real estate markets

PENTICTON - The South Okanagan real estate market had a strong 2015 and is already starting the new year off on an optimistic note, according to a local real estate agent. Penticton real estate agent Scott Rowlands says 2015 was a very good market locally, with units sold up 19 per cent over 2014. “Listings...

Penticton looking for federal funding to help with water meter project

PENTICTON - The city has decided which project it hopes to get support from the federal government on, and water meters for irrigation systems were the winner. Penticton City Council prioritized the projects put forward by staff as candidates for funding through the Building Canada Fund Small Communities grant during a council meeting, Jan. 11....

Summerland community comes out to discuss possible Trout Creek Elementary closure

SUMMERLAND - It was a packed house of parents, concerned residents, students, and Summerland councillors during a meeting this week to discuss possible school closures in the school district. Yesterday, Jan. 13, a meeting was held at Trout Creek Elementary School to allow the public to express concerns about a recently announced option for school...

Free parking getting scarce as Penticton moves to more paid lots

PENTICTON - Parking is going to get more expensive in Penticton, with parking pay machines set to be installed at several locations throughout the city and fees to rise at hourly and monthly lots. First implemented in 2012, council agreed to expand to the next phase of the parking strategy for 2016-2017. During the first...

Penticton council scrounges to find additional revenue to offset tax hike

PENTICTON - Penticton City Council began the City Hall equivalent of looking under the living room furniture upholstery for loose change as it took a look at fees charged in the recreation and building departments. Council scrutinized booking and administration fees for recreation and building fees, fines and business licenses during the Jan. 11 council...

Hockey dad needs help putting on tournament for sick kids

OKANAGAN - A Kelowna hockey dad is looking for a little corporate muscle to put on the Winter Classic, an outdoor hockey tournament at Apex Mountain resort. Yannick Lescarbeau, who manages the Kelowna Minor Hockey Atom Development B team, started the tournament last year as a fundraiser for the SickKids Foundation. The tournament will pit...

RCMP seeks couple who stopped to help after Christmas Eve crash near Summerland

SUMMERLAND - A couple stopped to help the people injured in a crash on Christmas Eve day near Kickininee Park south of Summerland, and RCMP are now hoping to hear from them. Around 8:30 a.m., Dec. 24, RCMP were called to a two-vehicle collision on Highway 97. It was determined a brown Honda Odyssey minivan...

Petition hopes to raise $1B for biking in B.C.

OKANAGAN - The B.C. Cycling Coalition is mounting a campaign to petition the province to provide $1 billion for bike trails in B.C., and a local group working to make an Okanagan Valley-long trail more public is supporting the initiative. “We want the provincial government to help enable everyone in the province to cycle and...

Gloomy dark clouds over the Okanagan won’t part any time soon

OKANAGAN - That stifling grey pall of gloom hanging over the Okanagan is here courtesy of El Nino and Environment Canada says we can expect more of the same for at least the next ten days. Meteorologist Matthew MacDonald says we are at the mercy of major weather systems conspiring to blot out the sun. That...

Get the facts on how the regional district operates

PENTICTON - The regional district is trying to make it easier for residents to understand exactly what services are offered by the government body. The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen’s Area 'D' ongoing governance study released the first series of fact sheets last week in an effort to deliver information about services currently provided by...