ELECTION 2015: MP’s brag about accomplishments as early election expectations mount

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – With a federal election less than three months away, local MP’s are ramping up their push to promote their accomplishments over the past year. It’s not unusual for politicians to send releases to the media to show the work they do and the money they’ve secured for their areas, but a breakdown of...

Climbing advocate concerned about vehicle break ins at Skaha Bluffs

PENTICTON - A Penticton rock climber who also happens to be a director of Climbers Access Society of B.C., is concerned about a growing number of thefts from vehicles at the Skaha Bluffs parking lot. Rolf Rybak says two Alberta vehicles were broken into on July 28 at the popular rock climbing site, prying open...

Run away from your smoking addiction

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - A new program is popping up around the country which will help you run away from your problems. The Running Room is launching a Run To Quit program, which will be backed by federal funding and support from the Canadian Cancer Society. The program is designed to help smokers quit by incorporating running...

Rainbow crosswalk appears on main street Princeton

PRINCETON - Downtown Princeton is a whole lot brighter this week after the creation of a rainbow crosswalk on the town’s main thoroughfare. The rainbow crosswalk, which celebrates gay pride and have been painted in cities around the province, happened without a great deal of “muss or fuss," according to Spencer Coyne from Princeton. A...

Construction timing proving costly in creek restoration project

PENTICTON - Timing of restoration work planned for Penticton Creek is proving to be bad news for city taxpayers. Council dealt with cost overruns of $108,171 on the Penticton Creek restoration project at a special meeting of council held this week. Mayor Andrew Jakubeit says the meeting was called in order to allow contractors to...

City of Penticton assesses SOEC hotel proposals

PENTICTON - The City of Penticton has had some interest expressed in building a hotel on the South Okanagan Events Centre property. Penticton Mayor Andrew Jakubeit says the city received two written responses to an Expression of Interest soliciting proposals for a hotel to be built on the Events Centre property prior to deadline. “I’m...

Province pulls plug on Coldwater River water use

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - In a bid to help struggling salmon populations, water use reduction measures have been imposed on the Coldwater River. The province issued the restriction today, July 31, banning all water use or diversion from the Coldwater River and its tributaries from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. effective immediately. The restriction escalates to a...

Quick action prevents structure fire from spreading

PENTICTON - Penticton residents woke to an ominous cloud of smoke emanating a house fire in the upper Carmi area this morning. Penticton Deputy Fire Chief Dave Spalding says they responded to a structure fire at 6:24 a.m., July 31, on Joy Road. B.C. Wildfire crews also responded to the fire, which was located outside...

Okanagan to enjoy a sunny and hot long weekend

OKANAGAN - It looks like Mother Nature will be showing off again this weekend, with hot temperatures and lots of sun expected for the August long weekend. Following highs in the low-30s Thursday, Environment Canada is calling for temperatures to reach 36 Celsius in Vernon and Kelowna today, July 31, and 34 C in Penticton....