Meaghan Archer
Test your skills at the fifth annual Cherry Pit Spit contest
PENTICTON - It’s pit spitting time in the Okanagan again with the fifth annual Cherry Pit Spit contest at the Naramata Farmers’ Market. The competition will be held Wednesday, July 23 at 4 p.m. at Wharf Park in Naramata. It is open to all ages and is free of cost. Naramata-fresh cherries are being provided...
Young, well-loved girl loses battle with cancer
Chloe Kroeger, 4, recently lost her ongoing battle with a rare form of cancer, called rhabdomyosarcoma. She was very young but inspired and touched a lot of people around her community and beyond. A notice of her death was posted on a Facebook support group page called "Miracle for Chloe" where hundreds, possibly thousands, of...
Smoky skies across Okanagan and Similkameen valleys
OKANAGAN - A smokey skies advisory is in effect for the Okanagan and Similkameen areas, due to high levels of wildfire smoke spreading throughout the valley. The concentration of smoke will vary as wind, fire behaviour and temperatures change. The advisory was announced Thursday morning by the B.C. Ministry of Environment. The Ministry is advising...
ARCHER: Appreciate local history before it’s lost
There’s an old adage that says “You never know what you had until it’s gone.” Yes, it’s a bit tacky to use cliches but it may be worth taking a closer look at the people and places in your life and recognize them before they go up in smoke. Earlier this week, Keremeos lost one...
UPDATE: Wildfire burning southwest of Oliver
OLIVER - A wildfire southwest of Oliver has damaged two buildings but no homes or residents. The fire located 8 kilometres southwest of Oliver near Mount Kobau was called in at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday and is 8.2 hectares in size as of Wednesday morning. The fire is 100 per cent contained. There are currently 14...
Learn more about the Wiltse Area development plan
PENTICTON - A development plan that has been in the works for several years has been brought back to council, and soon, the public will have a chance to say a word or two. There will be an open house on July 16 at the Penticton Public Library for the Wiltse Area development plan. A...
Thefts and fires in Osoyoos can be easily avoided
OSOYOOS - RCMP say the biggest problems in Osoyoos are ones that can be avoided with a little extra care. There have been numerous thefts from unlocked vehicles and sheds, and unlocked vehicles with keys left inside. Two dirt bikes and a motorcycle were stolen from a locked, detached garage in the Spruce Court area...
Red Bridge Pub in Keremeos up in flames
KEREMEOS - The 100-year-old Red Bridge Pub in Keremeos went up in flames this morning and firefighters continue to put out hot spots into the afternoon. All staff from the Keremeos Fire Department are on scene, plus one truck and five firefighters from Kaleden and Osoyoos. No other structures are endangered at this time but...
Still no drinkable tap water for Okanagan Falls’ residents
OKANAGAN FALLS - A boil water notice issued last week for Okanagan Falls residents won't be lifted because water samples continue to test positive for E. Coli. The bacteria was found during a routine water sampling last Thursday. Interior Health is asking for three consecutively clean samples of water from the Okanagan Falls Irrigation District...
Contaminated tap water in Okanagan Falls; boil water notice issued
OKANAGAN FALLS - A boil water notice was issued Thursday for Okanagan Falls residents, after water testing results showed traces of E. Coli contamination. Residents are being warned by Okanagan Falls Irrigation District and Interior Health to boil water for one minute before drinking, preparing food, and brushing teeth. Water samples are being sent to...
Your help is needed to identify bullfrogs
PENTICTON - The Okanagan Similkameen Stewardship in partnership with the provincial government are looking for help locating bullfrog sites in the South Okanagan. The organization needs volunteer citizen scientists to help monitor bullfrogs over the next two weeks. Pond searches take place in July and a free Bullfrog Identification and Inventory Workshop will be held...
Local governments team up to save water this summer
OKANAGAN - Okanagan mayors are challenging residents to conserve water this summer as part of the Okanagan WaterWise program. The program is an effort by the Okanagan Basin Water Board, local government and utility partners to encourage outdoor water conservation during the hot and dry summer months. Several mayors and councillors throughout the valley took...
Penticton airport runway to be repaved; passengers accommodated
PENTICTON - The airport runway maintenance project starting next week will impact flights and could potentially have a negative impact on visitors' perceptions of Penticton. Air Canada, the main airline that flies out of Penticton Regional Airport, is jumping through hoops to make sure passengers are properly accommodated, the city's Colleen Pennington said. According to...
Okanagan Lake walkway opens with a splash
PENTICTON - Come celebrate the official opening of the Okanagan Lake waterfront walkway at a Beach Party fundraiser at the SS Sicamous esplanade this Saturday. Splash around in the water to help beat the heat, or take a ride on a slip-n-slide that shoots you right out into the lake. The kids can play in...
Wildfire near White Lake Observatory reduced to brush fire
PENTICTON - A wildfire near White Lake Observatory in Okanagan Falls is nearly out after fire crews worked to put out the flames Monday evening. The fire started around 4:30 p.m. with unknown cause and grew to 20 hectares in size but was reduced to a brush fire by 7:30 p.m. Monday, when B.C. Wildfire...