Shannon Quesnel
Crown wants dangerous offender status for Penticton man
PENTICTON - David Wesley Bobbitt could be in jail until the day he dies if Crown prosecutors get him declared him a dangerous offender, one of the harshest punishments available in the Canadian justice system handed out to the likes of serial killer Paul Bernardo and Vancouver rapist Dawson Davidson. Bobbitt was convicted in April to...
Cheap elections, 3-year terms don’t mix for School District 67
PENTICTON - If School District 67 wants to save thousands of taxpayer dollars its trustee elections have to stay in-sync with municipal elections, even if held every four years instead of three. Board trustee Walter Huebert said at Monday's special public meeting, four years is too long for school trustees to sit in office because...
Nature advocates want official status for park
PENTICTON - Even though city staff treat the esplanade park near Marina Way as one of the city's own, advocates want council to make it official. Right now the esplanade park and its trails, located between Vancouver Hill, Marina Way and the Kettle Valley Railway North, is looked after by advocates and city staff. Two...
City to start food truck pilot program next year
PENTICTON - Fast food lovers will get an extra helping with a mobile vendor pilot program next summer. This includes motorized and non-motorized vehicles selling hot food or other goods. Last year the vendor program expanded and raised $37,000 in revenue for the city, recreation general manager Chuck Loewen said at Monday's council meeting. Now...
City withdraws tax talons, reverses some clawbacks
PENTICTON - Christmas came before Halloween this year for three not-for-profits who have been put back on the taxman's "good" list. Property owned by the Senior's Drop-In Centre, the South Okanagan Similkameen Brain Injury Society and two properties owned by the Salvation Army were put back on the tax exemption roll at Monday's council meeting....
Licensed pot grower arrested
SUMMERLAND - Police busted a licensed cannabis grower in Summerland and seized 492 marijuana plants late last week. Summerland RCMP used a search warrant at a commercial business in the 9000 block of Shale Avenue on Friday evening to arrest a 31-year-old man who allegedly broke the conditions of his cannabis production license. Summerland RCMP...
City cuts caboose loose for marina park consideration
CITY WILL EXAMINE COSTS OF FLAT CAR FOR MARINA PARK PENTICTON - The Marina Way Park will not be the end of the line for lonely cabooses. The waterfront enhancement committee was considering a train's caboose, wherever one can be found, being brought to the park on Okanagan Lake but costs and availability were an...
Fintry Queen owner wants council onboard with Penticton project
PENTICTON - The owner of the Fintry Queen might have to wait for city council's reaction about his idea of parking and operating the 325-person boat from a spot near the Kiwanis Walking Pier. The waterfront advisory committee had an in-camera session last week with the Fintry Queen up for discussion. No details from the...
City to charge property owner for retaining wall repairs
PENTICTON - A no-show at Monday's city council meeting means the owner of 2379 Wiltse Dr. will get a bill for repairs when the city fixes a wood retaining wall threatening the stability of nearby homes. The retaining wall, owned by John Nemes, sits below other properties. The condition of the wall is poor enough...
Big resort project big “breakthrough” for city
PENTICTON - A real estate director called the $250-million Skaha Hills development, "a breakthrough for Penticton." The Penticton Indian Band announced the Skaha Hills plan last week, a 600-home project located on the bench west of Penticton's airport. As well as providing new homes, averaging around $400,000 each, it will have resort-style accommodations, a golf...
PHOTOS: Fall fashion collides with evergreens at college campus
PENTICTON - The Okanagan Valley might not have unbroken kilometres of October colours but if you know where to look you'll find the latest in fall flora fashions. Red, gold, brown and yellow brush shared the same landscaped spaces at Okanagan College's Penticton Campus with other trees and shrubs refusing to conform with their green...
Damaged dish temporary setback for observatory
PENTICTON - A helicopter damaging a nearly 200-square metre radio telescope will become a learning experience as well as a month-long delay for the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory's role in an ambitious global science endeavor. On Thursday a large helicopter was delivering a thin radio telescope dish from its place of manufacture to the observatory...
Gort’s Gouda given OK to produce some cheeses
VERNON - Gort’s Gouda Cheese Farm has been given the OK by the province to start selling cheeses not affected by a recall due to an outbreak of E. coli. Gort's owner Cathy Wikkerink said she was given the green light by the B.C. Centre for Disease Control recently and hopes to be making deliveries...
Beer, classical music offers contrast of choice
PENTICTON - Culture is full of colour this weekend with two different events offering very different experiences. On Saturday, visitors should bring an empty belly for the fourth annual Oktoberfest event and an appreciation for accordion music. Visitors can also choose to hear the fine tunes of the Okanagan Symphony the same day. The beer...
Missing woman located
PENTICTON - The family of a missing Penticton woman feared the worst when they lost cell phone contact with her five days ago. Amber Lawrence, reported missing to RCMP by a co-worker Oct. 10, was found several days later and she's safe. Her sister Amanda Lawrence blames the disappearance on lack of cell phone service....