Pnmar06070815

BCHL PLAYOFFS: Penticton Vees edge Warriors in West Kelowna

WEST KELOWNA - Connor Chartier picked a good time to get his first playoff goal. Chartier scored the game-tying goal and setup the game-winner in the third period, as the Penticton Vees edged the West Kelowna Warriors 3-2 in game four of their BCHL Interior Division semi-final in West Kelowna Saturday, March 7. Dakota Conroy...

Layoffs announced as Keremeos youth treatment centre closes doors

PENTICTON - A Keremeos residential treatment facility for addicted youth known as The Crossing suddenly closed its doors yesterday, ending the service and sending roughly 20 people out of work. The facility was operated by Portage British Columbia, which confirmed the closure today, March 6. Portage spokesperson Christina Panagio said after a dispute with the...

Local cop walks the beat old style

PENTICTON - Penticton RCMP Corporal Don Wrigglesworth is common sight on Penticton city streets these days. But he’s a rare sight as well. Wrigglesworth is the city’s full-time community policing corporal, and in taking on the job has brought some good old-fashioned tradition to Penticton’s police force. Wrigglesworth is a rare sight because he is...

Lumby students dominate college spaghetti bridge contest

KELOWNA - It came down to a battle between three friends from Lumby at Okanagan College’s 32nd annual Spaghetti Bridge Contest held at the Kelowna campus today. Grade seven student Adrian Schartner from Lumby placed first with his bridge weighing 982.6 grams and supporting 275.6 kilograms before spectacularly collapsing in front of cheering friends, peers,...

When to start reserving provincial camping sites

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Camping enthusiasts can set their alarms for the 9 a.m. opening of the online camping reserve system, Sunday, March 15. The interactive reservation website displays availability, layout and amenities for 115 front country campgrounds in 99 provincial parks. Reservations can also be made on the go using smartphones, but you aren't limited to...

KOOPMANS TRIAL: More oddities as key witness wraps up testimony

PENTICTON - The key witness in the John Ike Koopmans murder trial continued to grapple with defence lawyers under cross-examination today. Bradley Martin took the witness stand for the third day in Penticton Supreme Court on Friday, March 6. He already told the jury he overheard Koopmans arguing with two other friends, Rose Fox and...

BCHL PLAYOFFS: Penticton Vees outlast Warriors for triple OT win

WEST KELOWNA - In a game that seemed it would never end, Mitch Newsome scored midway through the third overtime period, as the Penticton Vees outlasted the West Kelowna Warriors 4-3 in game three of their Interior Division Semi-Final on Friday night, March 6, at Royal LePage Place in West Kelowna. Newsome roofed a pass...

Early morning blaze in West Bench

PENTICTON - The quick response by Penticton firefighters limited damage to West Bench property this morning. Penticton firefighters responded to the report of a fire on Jonathan Drive at 4:36 a.m., Friday, March 6, Penticton Deputy Fire Chief Dave Spalding says they sent two engines with on shift crews, with extra staff called in. The...

Few viable options for reducing “penalizing” electrical connection fees

PENTICTON - Penticton's city councillors are concerned with the high fee the city charges to hook up or to disconnect someone's electricity, but according to the city's utility manager, there's not much they can do about it. The city charges $68 to disconnect the electricity to a home for non-payment and then another $68 to...

Wildfire risk a concern this weekend

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - People are urged to be cautious with any open burning this weekend as we get set to experience warmer temperatures and a continued early drying trend. With temperatures set to hit the double digits every day over the next week, B.C. Wildfire warns there is an increased 'preventable' wildfire risk heading into the...