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Rdos
Financial muscle for mussel awareness program
PENTICTON - Waterways in the South Okanagan will receive an extra measure of protection in the fight to prevent the spread of an aquatic invasive species this summer. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen received a $100,000 grant from the project this week. The grant will be used to educate and inform the public, working in conjunction...
Funding to help with mussel control in South Okanagan
PENTICTON - The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen is getting some financial help in its fight to prevent quagga and zebra mussels from finding their way into the Okanagan. The RBC Blue Water project recently announced $100,000 in grant funding will be made available to the regional district to bolster their Okanagan Aquatic Invasive Species...
Volunteer fire departments facing news standards, higher costs
PENTICTON - New provincial regulations affecting the province's fire departments was a topic of discussion for the Regional District Okanagan Similkameen’s Emergency Services Supervisor at a recent committee meeting. RDOS supervisor Dale Kronebusch provided directors with a snapshot of changes coming to the region’s fire departments as a result of the recently introduced B.C. Fire...
Beach use in Okanagan Falls restricted because of species at risk
PENTICTON - A policy regarding species at risk and restricted beach usage at an Okanagan Falls park is not getting much support from a regional district committee. At an environment committee meeting last week regional directors said they disagreed with the restrictive policy. The committee, including Area ‘D’ Director Tom Siddon, were most upset at...
South Okanagan Transit Future Plan moves into new phase with board approval
PENTICTON - The region’s long term transit plan took a step forward wiht the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen board’s approval of the Transit Future Plan. The document describes a vision for the South Okanagan’s transit network over the next 25 years. Regional Transit manager Daniel Pizarro told the board the next steps are not...
RDOS board seeking further information on capital funding reallocation request
PENTICTON - A request by Interior Health to redirect hospital funding has regional district directors asking questions. Interior Health wants the regional district to redirect $37,000 budgeted toward a pediatric patient room at Penticton Regional Hospital in order to provide a personal safety system for the hospital’s Inpatient Psychiatry Unit. A staff report tabled at...
Disposal costs for burned materials on the rise
PENTICTON - The tragedy of a structure fire is hard enough, but it is about to be exacerbated by an increase in dumping fees for burned waste at Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen landfills. Burned waste is generally derived from structure fires and some of the materials may contain lead, mercury and other hazards, making...
Regional District looks at transit future in South Okanagan
PENTICTON - The future of transit in the South Okanagan and Similkameen includes more connections to Kelowna and increased ridership. B.C. Transit staff have been busy meeting with local politicians across the province about the developing Regional Tranist Future Plan and made a stop in Penticton on April 2 to update Okanagan Similkameen Regional District...
No solutions on the horizon to urban deer management issues
PENTICTON - Municipalities looking for a solution to excessive deer in their neighbourhoods shouldn’t hold their breath waiting for workable legislation from the B.C. government. The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen met with the province and a handful of other municipalities for a two day workshop to discuss urban deer issues. Regional district Chief Administrative...
Regional water conservation projects receive water board funding
PENTICTON - The Regional District Okanagan Similkameen has received some welcome grant funding from the Okanagan Basin Water Board. The RDOS recently received grant funding for two water conservation projects, in the form of $28,840 from the OBWB to support Phase two of the Regional Water Use Regulation and Conservation Bylaw and Phase one of...
Regional district directors say more policing needed for Oliver area
PENTICTON - The South Okanagan’s new correctional facility is barely under construction, but already causing policing issues in the Regional District Okanagan Similkameen. The regional district board is concerned about an increased need for police officers in the South Okanagan as construction on the corrections facility in Oliver ramps up. Chief Administrative Officer Bill Newell...
What a former U.S. deputy district attorney does for RCMP
PENTICTON - The man responsible for civilian oversight into critical police incidents discussed his mandate with members of the Regional District Okanagan Similkameen board on March 19. Chief Civilian Director of the Independent Investigations Office of B.C. Richard Rosenthal was on a tour of regional police facilities and local governments to talk about the IIO’s...
Regional district board hopes to create fertile economic environment
PENTICTON - The regional district continues to be interested in economic growth, but for the time being will not be implementing a full regional economic development service. The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen board of directors discussion regarding the establishment of a regional economic development service focused on the need for public assent for such...
The one thing you must know before renting out your home this summer
PENTICTON – Summer is on the way, and local governments have some words of advice…
Regional district directors talk local issues with two B.C. cabinet ministers
PENTICTON - Two B.C. cabinet ministers have met directly with regional district board directors on their home turf for the first time. Agriculture minister Norm Letnick and Tourism and Skills Training minister Shirley Bond met with members of the Regional District Okanagan Similkameen board of directors on Thursday, Feb. 5 for a general discussion of...
Study approved to decide locations for smelly composting facilities
PENTICTON - A curbside program to collect kitchen and other organic waste for recycling into compost is moving forward with a study to figure out the best locations for processing facilities. The Regional District Okanagan Similkameen approved the siting study after receiving a Green Municipal Fund Grant for up to half the total budget required...
Okanagan Falls meeting to discuss dual park proposals
PENTICTON - Residents of Okanagan Falls and Heritage Hills will have an opportunity to have their say about two park proposals for the communities at an upcoming meeting. The meeting will be held Tuesday, Jan. 13 at the Seniors Centre in Okanagan Falls, starting at 7 p.m. and is designed to address the possibility of...
Vandalized cafe may be linked to municipal election
OLIVER - An Oliver cafe owner says he won’t take election signs down, even after his business was vandalized in what appears to be anti-election behaviour. John Micka, owner of Sunshine Cafe in Oliver has to replace his cafe-front window after it was shot at by a pellet gun. The shot left several small holes...
No takers: Olalla water commission gets appointed
SOUTH OKANAGAN - The Olalla water commission race has been deemed a ‘non-election’ since no nominations were submitted for the four available positions. There has been a challenge in retaining elected officials in the Olalla community since 2008, says Christy Malden, chief elections officer for the Regional District of the Okanagan-Similkameen. It has been difficult...
How the Penticton Indian Band is handling wild horses
PENTICTON - Wild horses are becoming a greater problem in Penticton as they continue to wander off band land and onto highways, causing injury to themselves and drivers. But despite the need to remove hundreds of horses, the band chief says there will always be horses on their land. There are over 600 horses on...
Time to grab your election nomination forms
PENTICTON - Nomination packages for the uncapping municipal election can be picked up starting today at the Regional District offices and online. The packages include necessary forms and information to help candidates, such as dates, process and strategic plans. Candidates are required to have two qualified nominators sign their nomination. There is no nomination deposit...
UPDATE: Boot Hill fire partially contained
PENTICTON - A fire burning 30 kilometres southwest of Penticton near Lookout Mountain is now 50 per cent contained. As of Saturday night the fire is mapped at 100 hectares, down from the 138 ha it was thought to be Friday, and was caused by lightning. It is was first discovered Monday, July 14 and...
TransitBC looks to Okanagan residents for ideas connecting communities
PENTICTON - TransitBC is sending its Transit Future Team to the Okanagan to get feedback from residents on the kind of long-term transit plan they would like in their communities. This visit is part of the second phase of a new transit plan the Regional District of the Okanagan-Similkameen and TransitBC to make transit more...
Bear euthanized for attempted break and enter
NARAMATA — A conservation officer was forced to put down an unhealthy looking bear trying to break into a home in Naramata on Wednesday. Officials say the bear was most likely trying to get food. It had been under surveillance after it was spotted a few days ago with its sibling and mother. However, the...