Shannon Quesnel
Shed fire killed by garden hose
OKANAGAN FALLS - A small shed fire was doused by an Okanagan Falls resident early Monday morning. The Okanagan Falls Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire in the area of Brockie Place and Micmac Court shortly after 9 a.m. An OK Falls firefighter says there was no damage done and "It could have been...
Fire destroys car, carport
PENTICTON - Fire destroyed a car and carport Monday night at 475 Wade Ave. West. Firefighters were on scene at about 11 p.m. Part of the home was also damaged. The property owners are not allowed to return home until given permission by Penticton Fire and Rescue. More to come.
Latvian takes Granfondo 2013’s top prize
PENTICTON - Andzs Flaksis of Latvia won Sunday's biggest bicycle race, a 160-kilometre long journey, in three hours, 55 minutes and 13 seconds. He competed in the granfondo portion of the 2013 Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan cycling event. More than 2,500 riders came out to compete on Penticton's streets and Okanagan Valley highways. Clayton Meisner...
Penticton based winery finalist in prestigious contest
PENTICTON - A local winery is a finalist for the Pacific Entrepreneur Of The Year 2013 contest. Ernst and Young, an international accounting group, put Painted Rock Winery of Penticton on its finalist list for the winery's job creation efforts. The group also called Painted Rock "an ultra-premium Okanagan estate vineyard/winery" that competes on the...
Global Spectrum selected again to run SOEC
PENTICTON - Penticton sticks with Global Spectrum who won the bidding war to run the South Okanagan Event Centre complex. Penticton and the company signed a 5.5 year management contract. Global Spectrum will run the centre's operations, marketing, food and beverage services and ticketing. The announcement came after a special council meeting held early Monday...
Penticton to get new coat of paint from Benjamin Moore contest
PENTICTON - Main Street is going to get a new look through a social media-fueled paint contest. A portion of Penticton will get covered in colour thanks to the thousands who voted online at Benjamin Moore 2013 Main Street Matters Program. Nearly half a million votes as well as stories and videos on www.paintwhatmatters.com and...
Heatstroke, death possible results of leaving animals in cars
PENTICTON - A dog can have brain damage if left in a hot car for 10 minutes but knowing that isn't going to stop people from leaving their pets in vehicles. "The overriding thing is no matter how much information we put out, no matter how much we publicize this... it's been happening already," South...
Granfondo officials warn drivers of road closures
PENTICTON - Thousands of cyclists racing through the region on Sunday will close down several streets. The third annual Valley First Granfondo Axel Merckx Okanagan will have more than 3,000 racers zooming through Penticton, Summerland, Okanagan Falls, Oliver and Kaleden before returning to the finish line at Penticton's Gyro Park on Main Street. There will...
Extra caution urged in hot, dry weather
PENTICTON - Drying forest fuels and grasslands means fire danger ratings are likely to increase across most of B.C. The ratings are mostly moderate or low, but are already high in some areas, B.C. Wildfire states. Small campfires are permitted throughout the province so long as campers follow campfire rules. Campers should check if there...
Rural man heads up regional district
PENTICTON - The regional district acclaimed Mark Pendergraft to the big chair formerly held by MLA Dan Ashton. Pendergraft has been the acting chair of the Regional District Okanagan Similkameen board since Ashton stepped down to run in the provincial election in May. Director and Summerland Mayor Janice Perrino is happy with the new chair....
City to hold byelection on Sept. 7
PENTICTON - Penticton will hold a Sept. 7 byelection despite objections over the timing. The byelection process started when former mayor Dan Ashton resigned after being elected as Penticton's MLA. Acting mayor Garry Litke said he wants the job but he will have to resign as a councillor first. The byelection will also determine who gets...
FN wants $43K for its contribution to Similkameen water plan
PENTICTON - A First Nation and the regional district are at odds over a fee the former wants to charge for its contribution to a water study. The Lower Similkameen Indian Band wants $43,755 for its share of the work on the Similkameen River Watershed Plan. The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen is hesitant about paying....
Acting mayor urges residents to build emergency kits
Emergency preparedness kits can spare a lot of grief especially when on the road or in a home without power or running water. Acting mayor Garry Litke reminded Penticton residents to keep a kit that can last them for 72 hours. "Emergencies can take an incredible toll on families." Penticton residents had a small taste...
Robinson Street businesses want Backstreet Boulevard to put them on the map
JOURNALIST WANTS ROBINSON STREET NAMED AFTER LOVERBOY VOCALIST PENTICTON - Robinson Street is slated to become Backstreet Boulevard despite minor protesting at Tuesday's city council meeting. One person suggested naming it after former Penticton resident and Loverboy lead singer, John Mike Reno. Property and business owners asked council to change the name and were supported...
Four portable washrooms to relieve downtown visitor pressures
PENTICTON - New portable washrooms are expected to reduce the number of anxious visitors looking for the washrooms of downtown businesses. Four new stalls will go to the Nanaimo Hall site, near the Urban Agricultural Society Gardens. The Downtown Penticton Association stated businesses have been asking for this solution. The association will pay for the...