What happens to the deer now?
PENTICTON -- After what seemed like an endless debate on what to do with the city’s deer problem, city council decided to do nothing. They voted to save $15,000 that was originally allocated to the project, and focus on bigger issues. Mayor Garry Litke said staff and council have explored all options and found too...
Jury finds stabber not guilty
PENTICTON -- Joshua Pio wiped tears from his eyes as he sat in the prisoner’s box in Penticton Supreme Court after a jury found him not guilty. Pio’s mother, who sat behind him in the gallery every day of his trial, burst into tears when she learned her son won't go to jail for stabbing...
Council does the chicken dance
PENTICTON -- A high volume of citizen emails led Councillor Judy Sentes to request backyard chickens be part of the next council meeting, tonight at 6 p.m. There are mixed responses from citizens about backyard chickens - those who have them love them, and those who don’t want them gone. One resident spoke to council...
The deer are back… on council agenda
PENTICTON -- A citizen delegation is scheduled for Monday’s council meeting, to talk, once again, about Penticton’s mule deer problem. Residents have been complaining about the growing deer population and looked to council for answers, but none have yet been given. There has been talk of relocating the animals, but others object they will just...
Weapon used in bar stabbing revealed
'I STABBED HIM, I STABBED HIM IN THE BACK." PENTICTON -- An RCMP witness showed jurors the knife allegedly used in a bar stabbing as an assault trial continues today in Penticton Supreme Court. Const. Ryan Shedden was on patrol the night of New Years Eve 2012 when he received a call to meet a fellow...
Stabbing wasn’t the first battle between these two
STABBING ACCUSED CARRIED KNIFE FOR 'SELF-PROTECTION' PENTICTON -- The man charged with assault with a weapon admitted to a jury today to stabbing his opponent during a bar fight two years ago, but said he pulled the knife in self defence. Joshua Pio, 24, has been on trial in Penticton Supreme Court all week, facing...
Firefighters get burned on own website
PENTICTON -- The Naramata fire department thought it was cutting costs by letting an old website domain lapse, but didn't realize the porn industry would be making money off it. In 2012, Naramata’s volunteer fire department stopped operating on its own website, and transferred to the free page set up on the Regional District of...
Still awaiting psych results from Mayfair Motel stabbing
PENTICTON — A Penticton court will have to wait a little longer to hear results of a psychological assessment on a man who nearly killed two strangers at a Penticton motel earlier this month. Scott James Lefteruk, 40, appeared in a Penticton courtroom today by video from a forensic psychology institute. He faces numerous charges...
‘My white shirt was red and torn’
PENTICTON — Witnesses had different explanations as to how a fight began in a local bar two years ago. But all who were at the scene said there was a knife and a stabbing. A fight between Joshua Pio and Dwayne Gabriel broke out on Jan. 1, 2012, shortly after the New Years’ countdown at...

Man pepper-sprayed in Osoyoos ATM robbery
PENTICTON —Osoyoos RCMP suspect two men who robbed a local business of its ATM machine Friday knew the area well. The first man entered Spirit Ridge Resort and immediately used pepper spray on a front desk security guard. Pictures released by Osoyoos RCMP Cpl. Jason Bayda show a second man entered carrying a red dollie...

The main event on Main Street lights up
PENTICTON -- Main Street lights up tonight with the launch of Penticton’s first projection art show. Projection art shows have lit up buildings all over the world with shows of various magnitudes, but all with the goal of entertaining audiences and showcasing art. The show’s organizer, Tarik Sayeed, has chosen local Penticton artists to feature...
A reason to celebrate February
PENTICTON -- A project art show is scheduled to light up downtown buildings and beat the February blues. This is the first ever projection art show in the Okanagan. The goal is to showcase how vibrant Penticton is and help support local artists, Sayeed said during Monday’’s city council meeting. The show will begin at...

Get thirsty, Penticton
PENTICTON -- The Okanagan Fest-of-Ale is returning to Penticton this year for three days of beer-guzzling good times. This year marks the 19th annual festival, featuring breweries from around the province, including four from Penticton: Orchard Hill Cidery, Tin Whistler Brewery, Cannery Brewing and Barley Mill Brew Pub. The Fest-of-Ale is a charity organization that...

Vees to honour team chaplain at tonight’s home game
PENTICTON -- The Penticton Vees are honoring team Chaplain Jamie Weberg, who was recently diagnosed with bone cancer, at their home game tonight. The Vees are facing off against the Trail Smoke Eaters on home ice this evening, but before the game gets going there will be a video presentation and honorary puck drop. The team...

Princeton man to stand trial for murder, attempted murder
PENTICTON — A Princeton man charged with two counts of murder and one count of attempted murder was ordered Wednesday to stand trial. After nearly six days of a preliminary hearing, Penticton Provincial Court Judge Greg Koturbash determined the Crown had enough evidence to compel John Ike Koopmans, 51, to trial. Robert Keith Wharton, 44,...