community
ARCHER: The importance of being a jury member
I spent three days this week at the Penticton courthouse sitting in on a coroner’s inquest for the death of a 30-year-old man, Steven Joseph Scott, who died two years ago while in police custody. I had never been to an inquest before and was happily surprised to find the five-person jury and all the...
Who is Elvena Slump?
PENTICTON - We know Elvena Slump for her letters to the editor and recent controversy over a lawsuit filed against her by the city for remarks she made about senior staff in those letters. But this isn’t her first controversy. Slump, 76, spent nearly two decades working in print, publishing news, including a paper called The...
Who let the fish out? Penticton Indian Band opens hatchery
PENTICTON - The new sockeye salmon hatchery on the Okanagan River is a First Nations and salmon success story according to the Penticton Indian Band chief. The Penticton Indian Band held a ceremony for the grand opening of the hatchery Sunday. The Band has had a very successful salmon program for over a decade, and...
Dip your paddle in the water this weekend at Steamfest Regatta
PENTICTON - Experience a bit of Penticton history at the Steamfest Regatta this weekend on Okanagan Lake. The Regatta races were held on Okanagan Lake a hundred years ago, and the tradition stays alive today with the community-building event. The Penticton Museum has worked to restore four war canoes it received in 2010, and hopes...
Council candidate wants to make Penticton a role model for Canada
PENTICTON - Tarik Sayeed can often be found in the gallery during city council meetings, but now he’s looking for a new spot—around the table. Sayeed, 36, is a local entrepreneur and community activist. He founded the Zero Plastic Bags initiative, was listed on the Chamber’s Top 40 Under 40 list, and has most recently...
Community gives Kingfisher Interpretive Centre a leg up
KINGFISHER - Good things are hatching at the Kingfisher Interpretive Centre. The salmon hatchery and educational centre located 25 kilometers east of Enderby was hit hard by a massive flood and debris flow in May. The deluge brought logs, mud and silt surging into the centre’s buildings and trails, damaging the hatchery and causing the loss...
Grab your cameras and binoculars; Marina Way Lookout is open
PENTICTON - The Marina Way Lookout officially opens Thursday evening, revealing the newest view of Okanagan Lake with a celebration and historical tour. The reconstruction project was part of the city’s waterfront enhancement strategy. The vision was to transform the abandoned peninsula — formally used as a Canadian National Railway loading dock — into a...
Loud Challenge fireworks a ‘first world problem’
PENTICTON - There has been buzz around town that some people are less than thrilled about the midnight fireworks that followed the Challenge Penticton triathlon Sunday. Several Facebook posts suggest the loud fireworks woke them from their slumbers Sunday night, while others barely noticed.. “I am that ‘younger generation’ and midnight on a Sunday was...
Community Centre offers Day Camp for kids if strike continues
PENTICTON - The Community Centre has organized day camps for school kids ages 6 to 12 starting Sept 2. if teachers remain on strike. Camps are offered Sept. 2 to 5 and Sept. 8 to 12, with additional weeks added as needed. Kids will participate in activities, including swimming, games, crafts and sports from 9...
Challenge Penticton lines up weekend full of events
PENTICTON - The second Challenge triathlon is this Sunday and there are lots of all-ages events lined up in the days before the race. Events start Thursday, Aug. 21 and run for four days. There will be fun runs, a junior triathlon race, party in the park, free yoga and a charity swim. The whole...
TimeForChange members to speak out at council
PENTICTON - Members of the “TimeForChange” Facebook group are taking the conversation offline and onto the streets this evening. They have organized to meet in front of City Hall at 5:30 p.m. Monday before the city council meeting. The goal of the congregation is to make sure city council knows the group is serious about...
Teens finalists in World Summit Youth Award for epilepsy support
SUMMERLAND - A group of young activists are finalists for the World Summit Youth Award for their work in epilepsy awareness. The Epilepsy Awareness Squad, created by high school students Caitie Shaw and Dan Nixon in June 2013, was among 1896 applicants from 138 UN countries for the award. The group uses its website and...
A quick recap of PeachFest 2014
PENTICTON - The city was buzzing with excitment this weekend over the 67th annual Peach Festival, a longstanding Penticton tradition. Canadian rock legends The Stampeders and Trooper both took to the stage and played two great shows to huge crowds. Okanagan Lake beach was full of people during the day, enjoying the hot Okanagan weather,...
Challenge home-stay program a rewarding experience
PENTICTON - Chris Hawkins is no stranger to triathlon races — being a four-time Ironman participant he knows the importance of pre-race preparation, such as rest, good diet and peace and quiet. That’s why last year, Hawkins, his wife (also a triathlete) and their two young daughters hosted professional athlete Chris Bagg and his wife...
What you need to know about Peach Fest
PENTICTON - The 67th annual Peach Festival starts Wednesday and runs all weekend, so here are a few tips, reminders and schedules to make sure you get the most out of the event. ENTERTAINMENT Emerson Drive kicks things off Wednesday night, followed by Trooper on Thursday, and The Stampeders on Saturday. A full list of...