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Penticton news
Fire crews anxiously watch weather at Testalinden Creek
PENTICTON - B.C. Wildfire firefighters expect to spend an anxious day on the front lines in the battle against the Testalinden Creek wildfire with strong wind in the forecast. Fire information officer Heather Rice says the wind is expected to pick up from the south around noon today, Aug. 28, which could be detrimental to...
Evacuation alert expanded for Testalinden Creek wildfire
PENTICTON - A forecast for increased wind has resulted in an expansion of the evacuation alert for the Testalinden Creek wildfire. The Regional District Okanagan-Similkameen issued the evacuation alert expansion late in the day yesterday, August 27. The notice applies to properties north of the Testalinden Creek fire area, along Tinhorn Creek, Old Golf Course...
Communities on edge: Thompson-Okanagan fire officials field calls for false alarms
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Fire appears to be at the forefront of many peoples’ minds across the Thompson-Okanagan. With wildfires burning across the province and a blanket of smoke from Washington hanging in the air, fire officials say they are receiving a number of reports which are in fact nothing more than false alarms. In the North...
Okanagan Lake water level not bad, next year could be the problem
OKANAGAN - Despite sitting smack dab in a region beset by a level four drought, Okanagan Lake is not doing too badly when it comes to water level, at least at first glance. Estimates from the natural resources ministry predict the lake won’t go down as far as it has in previous drought years. It's...
It’s bear season: how to keep yourself (and your dogs) safe
THOMPSON–OKANAGAN – If you haven't seen a bear in town, you just might soon. Provincial WildSafe B.C. Coordinator Frank Ritcey says the number of bear sightings was down considerably at the start of the season but have steadily climbed. Bears are becoming more visible because of the change in weather and their pre-hibernation activities. “When...
Penticton seeks to be a more inclusive community
RAINBOW CROSSWALKS? PENTICTON - Penticton City Council wants to be an inclusive community, and they are seeking ways to demonstrate that idea. Noting the recent installation of rainbow crosswalks in nearby communities such as Princeton, Summerland and Kelowna to demonstrate inclusivity of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning community, council recently asked city staff...
Challenge week underway in Penticton
PENTICTON - Challenge Penticton weekend is descending upon the city, and along with the main event on Sunday there are numerous other events that involve the whole family. In addition to Challenge races for kids and casual participants, the Downtown Penticton Association will be hosting numerous activities and entertainment in Gyro Park on Friday, Aug....
Whereabouts of missing workers from Vernon remain a mystery
VERNON - Two months after going missing, four migrant workers last seen in the Okanagan still have not been located. The four men, from Mexico, were working at an orchard in Vernon before going missing in late June. According to the Vernon RCMP, they’d been in Canada for ten days before taking a cab from...
Possibility of ’ember showers’ from U.S. fire causes Grand Forks evacuation alert
GRAND FORKS – An evacuation alert has been issued for some residents of Grand Forks due to the possibilty of embers being blown across the border from the 19,000 hectare Stickpin wildfire in Washington State. The alert was issued today, Aug. 26 ahead of strong winds expected in the coming days, according to a post...
Chronic offender Ronald Teneycke in hospital
PENTICTON - The man who led police on a recent manhunt in the South Okanagan is in hospital and unable to make a routine court appearance. Ronald Arthur Teneycke’s counsel, Michael Welsh, appeared in court without the accused, and was not in a position to speak to a bail hearing. Welsh also noted he lacked...
Burning vehicle starts grass fire on Okanagan Connector
KELOWNA – A vehicle on fire in the westbound lane of the Okanagan Connector has started a small grass fire 26 kilometres west of Kelowna. Seven firefighters are on scene of what B.C. Wildfire Officer Melissa Klassen describes as a primarily Rank 1 “smouldering ground fire with some open flame.” Klassen says poor visibility from...
Body found in Vernon’s Polson Park
VERNON – RCMP have confirmed the body of a male was found in Polson Park in Vernon this morning. Media spokesperson Gord Molendyk says the body was found near the lawn bowling area just after 10 a.m. and a large section of the park has since been cordoned off. The investigation is still in the...
VIDEO: Penticton offers background for commercial starring Carey Price, Kaylyn Kyle
PENTICTON - Where does one of the biggest stars in the National Hockey League shoot a commercial? Penticton, of course. Montreal Canadiens goaltender and MVP Carey Price stars in a commercial for Under Armour that was shot last month in Penticton. It also features Canadian women’s soccer world cup midfielder Kaylyn Kyle. The commercial is...
Top antique and art appraiser makes stop in the Southern Interior
KELOWNA - Here’s your chance to find out if that old painting hanging in the bathroom is really a Picasso or not. Professional antique and art appraiser Peter Blundell is making a one-day stop in Kelowna where he will appraise those uncertain antiques, collectibles and art pieces and tell you whether they are treasure or...
Daily non-stop flights announced between Kelowna and Victoria
KELOWNA – Travelers to Vancouver Island now have a non-stop flight to Victoria out of Kelowna International Airport. Pacific Coastal Airlines announced the seven day a week service Tuesday, Aug. 15, saying it will benefit communities on the island as well as the Okanagan. Effective Oct. 27, the Saab 340 aircraft will depart YLW at...
So You Think You Can Dance coming to Kelowna
KELOWNA – The top ten finalists from this year’s So You Think You Can Dance will be performing in Kelowna in January. The show is part of a North America tour that features the best dancers from the twelfth season of the 13-time Emmy Award-winning show on Fox and CTV. Judge, executive director and co-creator...
Missing woman with health concerns found
CENTRAL OKANAGAN - A missing Kelowna woman with health concerns has been located, according to RCMP. Brittany Nelson, 30, has been located and is safe and sound," Cpl. Joe Duncan says in a release sent one day after friends reported her absence. To contact the reporter for this story, email John McDonald at jmcdonald@infonews.ca or...
Smoky skies continue, no end in sight to fire season
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - With smoke-filled skies and reports of new fires almost every day, it begs the question that’s on everyone’s mind: When will this end? “It’s a good question. There is no hard and fast measure that tells us when things are done. Every season is its own animal,” Kevin Skrepnek says. And B.C. Wildfire’s...
How to lockdown a correctional centre job
PENTICTON - The South Okanagan will get an economic shot in the arm when the Okanagan Correctional Centre is completed in late 2016 and the recruitment process for jobs at the prison continues. More than 240 full-time correctional officer jobs will open up, creating opportunities for those interested in the demanding role as a correctional...
Smoke wreaks havoc on already-weakened hearts and lungs
SOUTHERN INTERIOR - Looks like the smokey skies will be with us until at least tomorrow and that means more discomfort for those with chronic heart and respiratory problems. “When we talk about smokey skies, we’re talking about the tiny solid particles that remain suspended in the air. The major concern is particles smaller than...
Mom raises $14K for Cuddle Cots across Thompson-Okanagan
WEST KELOWNA – What started as an idea to bring to Kelowna General Hospital a device which gives parents of stillborn children a few extra days with their child will now help families across the entire Thompson-Okanagan. In less than three months West Kelowna resident Kristin Esmail has raised enough money to buy four Cuddle...
B.C. crews begin work on Washington wildfire
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - B.C. Wildfire firefighters have begun work on a Washington-based wildfire inching its way toward the Canadian border. With five kilometres left before reaching Canada, B.C. crews have been deployed to suppress the Stickpin Fire which is now estimated to be 19,240 hectares in size. Plans so far are for crews to assess the...
Accused in double murder cases pursues mistrial
PENTICTON - The defence lawyer for the man convicted in the double homicide of two Princeton residents and the attempted murder of a third is applying for a mistrial application. Lawyers handling the Koopmans murder trial discussed future court appearances for sentencing and a mistrial application in Penticton Supreme Court today, Aug. 24. John Ike...
Decision on Kelowna Mountie accused of assault expected in September
LANGUAGE ADVISORY KELOWNA – The judge in the trial of a Kelowna RCMP constable accused of assaulting an elderly bar patron will have to decide if the officer believed John McCormick was obstructing justice when he refused to leave Rose’s pub in downtown Kelowna last summer. Judge Gregory Koturbash heard final submissions in Kelowna Provincial...