Pnjan2016

Penticton council approves casino relocation proposal
PENTICTON - A proposal to relocate the Lakeside Casino in Penticton received approval from council this week. City council approved the relocation to a site on the South Okanagan Events Centre property following a series of open houses that followed the unveiling of the proposal in early November. A staff report to council Monday, Jan....

Investigation continues into single vehicle fatality near Penticton
PENTICTON - The Summerland woman who died after her vehicle slid off Highway 97 between Penticton and Summerland was driving below the posted speed limit, police have determined. Investigators have determined the 42-year-old Summerland woman was driving below the speed limit just prior to her losing control, RCMP media spokesperson Dan Moskaluk says in a...

Two properties in South Okanagan make top 100 assessment list
PENTICTON - Only two South Okanagan properties made it on to this year’s Thompson - Okanagan top 100 valued residential properties list in 2016. The two properties are both located in Summerland. Coming in 48th on the list is 903 Dent Road, waterfront property valued at $4,398,000. The second, placing 84th on the list, is...

Mother nature not cooperating with City of Penticton’s efforts to clear snow
PENTICTON - A lengthy period of cold temperatures is hindering City of Penticton efforts to clear the city’s streets. City Communications Officer Simone Blais says Mother Nature isn’t playing nice as the city’s public works department plugs away at city streets. “Penticton has received over 17 centimetres of snow in the last week. Road crews...

Penticton Search and Rescue’s busiest year yet
PENTICTON - Penticton Search and Rescue was called upon in 2015 like no other year before it. Search and Rescue President Dale Jorgensen says 2015 was “one heck of a year” for the search and rescue team as he offered year-end reflections to the media today, Dec. 30. He said Penticton Search and Rescue answered...

Warmer weekend ahead for the Okanagan
OKANAGAN - After cooler temperatures and lots of snow over recently, this weekend marks what should be a welcome break for many in the Kamloops area. Environment Canada is calling for highs to be just above seasonal normals of -1 Celsius all weekend, with Penticton expected to reach 2 C today, Jan. 8, and tomorrow,...

International expert says global warming good for Okanagan wines
OKANAGAN - An Australian winemaker says in a CNBC opinion editorial that global warming is going to turn the Okanagan into the best wine region in the world in the coming years. Philip Mcgahan starting making wine in in Hunter Valley, Australia in 2002. The area regularly reaches more than 40 Celsius and with temperatures...

Taser used to subdue man threatening shoppers and police at Penticton mall
PENTICTON - A man who allegedly assaulted a senior and threatened shoppers and police with scissors at Cherry Lane Mall this weekend was eventually calmed by officers but not before they had to use a taser to subdue him. Police responded to calls of a man being assaulted in the northwest parking lot of Cherry...

City and Penticton Indian Band sign agreement to grow local economy together
PENTICTON - The City of Penticton and the Penticton Indian Band have agreed to work together to develop the local economy. The two governments signed an agreement today, Jan. 4, to work together on tourism and economic development, according to a media release. The Penticton Indian Band has agreed to zone some of its land for...

UPDATE: SUV plunges into Okanagan Lake near Penticton; Summerland woman killed
PENTICTON – The driver of a SUV that plunged into Okanagan Lake from Highway 97 between Penticton and Summerland this morning has died. South Okanagan Traffic Services media spokesperson Sgt. Harold Hallett confirmed this afternoon, Jan. 4, the 42-year-old Summerland woman behind the wheel died in Penticton Regional Hospital as a result of the injuries...

Weather warming up, snow on the way in the Okanagan
OKANAGAN - Temperatures are set to warm up this first week of 2016, and along with those warmer temperatures will be several days of snow. Temperatures stayed at or below seasonal normal lows the past few days but after today are expected to be a bit warmer than the -6 Celsius that is typical at...

Kelowna will spend millions on new vehicles in 2016
KELOWNA - Kelowna will be dropping lots of money on new wheels this year as it prepares to replace an assortment of vehicles. The city will spend almost $2 million in 2016 replacing 25 vehicles or pieces of equipment of various types that are at the end of their service life cycles. That includes 15...

Hundreds of hardy souls take New Year’s plunge in Okanagan Lake
PENTICTON - Sub zero temperatures and a snow covered beach failed to deter hundreds from participating in this year’s Summerland Polar Bear Dip. Summerland Kinsman Club President Mike Petkau says roughly 200 dippers took to Okanagan Lake today, Jan.1, to start the new year with an icy plunge. Petkau estimates up to 500 in total...