Meaghan Archer
Looking for an apartment in Penticton? Don’t be picky
PENTICTON — Finding a rental apartment may cost you, depending on what you’re willing to settle for. Rental costs are increasing in Penticton, but availability rates are on the decline, according to the spring Rental Market Survey released by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. The overall availability rates in Penticton have dropped in the...
ARCHER: When mistakes go public
When you make a mistake at work, how bad is it really? You order extra stock or you miss a meeting and chances are it doesn't have massive public ramifications. The City of Penticton's finance department made a simple mistake on this year’s property tax notices, yeah... it blew up in public. They entered values...
City gets wrong school district on property tax forms
PENTICTON - Property owners will be mailed amended property tax notices after the City noticed an administrative error, naming the wrong school district. The 2014 property tax calculations listed the school district as District 53, Okanagan-Similkameen, rather than the correct District 67, Okanagan-Skaha. “We sincerely apologize to affected property owners for the erros, and regret...
Valley First named title sponsor for Penmar Community Arts Centre
PENTICTON - Valley First was announced as title sponsor for the Penmar Community Theatre this morning during a groundbreaking ceremony, marking the start of construction for the theatre’s additions. The Penmar Community Arts Society has named the new theatre Valley First Community Arts Centre after the title sponsor. This is the second major sponsorship in...
City takes action against residents building without permits
PENTICTON - The City may have to take action against residents who violated city law by constructing a building on their property without having the proper permits. The residents of 229 Scott Avenue have not responded to the City’s requests to apply for construction permits after it was discovered the owners were constructing an additional...
City faces maintenance costs that could have been avoided
PENTICTON - As a result of poor planning, the city needs to front a good chunk of money to replace pool tiles at the community centre. The pool tiles are causing safety issues, specifically as a slipping hazard. In order to maintain the tiles and keep them clean enough to prevent slipping, it would cost...
Council approves Skaha Hills sewage connection system
PENTICTON - City council approved a sewage connection system agreement with the Penticton Indian Band for the new Skaha Hills Development. The joint-agreement project was first discussed by the Committee of the Whole in May and was approved at last night’s council meeting. The plan will cost the city $285,000 but will bring a return...
Charges laid in bomb scare
PENTICTON - RCMP are laying criminal charges against a Penticton man who was creating bombs at his home. Staff Sgt. Kurt Lozinski could not disclose the name of the suspect, a 30-year-old man, who has been released from custody on conditions. The man does not have a criminal history, however the Vancouver-based RCMP bomb squad...
Murderer scheduled to make official complaint against Crown
PENTICTON — An ex-RCMP officer and convicted murderer wants a Crown prosecutor removed from his case. Appearing in Penticton Provincial court Tuesday, Keith G. Wiens said he will be filing an application to have prosecutor John Swanson removed from the case, citing a conflict of interest.' Swanson didn't prosecute the murder trial; he's prosecuting Wiens...
Judge says domestic abuser fighting ‘losing battle’
PENTICTON — A provincial court judge says there’s no hope ordering mandatory counselling for a serial domestic offender since he's been doing it for 15 years. Neil Allison Ryerson, born in 1968, was sentenced today in Penticton Provincial Court to six months in jail for beating up his now ex-girlfriend. Ryerson has an extensive criminal...
Submerged vehicle pulled from Okanagan Lake
PENTICTON — RCMP pulled a submerged vehicle out of Okanagan Lake early Wednesday morning. They received a call just before 5 a.m. that a vehicle veered off the road and into the water. The driver, passenger and their three dogs escaped the vehicle and were not injured but were taken to hospital for precautionary measure....
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...
Drift days tearin’ up the speedway
PENTICTON - If you've never checked out local drifters at Penticton Speedway, the guys at DriftUnion have put together video footage from the first round of the 2014 Drift Days on May 24. Shawn Browne, Drift event coordinator, has organized Drift Days for the last six years. It’s a chance for local drivers to participate...
Measles came across the border: Have you had your shots?
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - If you haven’t had a measles shot yet, you better get on it. Recently, Interior Health confirmed a measles case in Alberta and are recommending everyone have up-to-date immunizations. “So far in Interior Health we have only had one recent measles case, but that can change at any time especially with the increase...
Mayor says nudists can bare all at public beach
PENTICTON - Despite ongoing disputes over land use at Three Mile Beach, Mayor Garry Litke says he has no issue with nudists using public property. “Things can carry on the way they always have,” he says. When the private property owner raised concerns about the public disrespecting his land, the city worked with the provincial...