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Pnjan2016

Penticton waterpark debate reaches new low with misguided message

PENTICTON - A Penticton woman expressing support for a waterpark in Skaha Park is dismayed and offended after receiving a personal attack simply because of her stance on the development. Amber Fradin has a sign in her window that reads “Support the Skaha Marina Improvement Project” along with directions to the group’s Facebook page. “No...

Farm outbuilding destroyed in Summerland fire

PENTICTON - A farm building is Summerland was heavily damage by fire yesterday morning. Summerland firefighters were called at about 11:10 a.m., Jan. 13, to the fire in an outbuilding at 9505 Gilman Road. The first crews on the scene say the 1,200 square foot building was engulfed in flames. Crews had some difficulties fighting the...

Summerland community comes out to discuss possible Trout Creek Elementary closure

SUMMERLAND - It was a packed house of parents, concerned residents, students, and Summerland councillors during a meeting this week to discuss possible school closures in the school district. Yesterday, Jan. 13, a meeting was held at Trout Creek Elementary School to allow the public to express concerns about a recently announced option for school...

Hockey dad needs help putting on tournament for sick kids

OKANAGAN - A Kelowna hockey dad is looking for a little corporate muscle to put on the Winter Classic, an outdoor hockey tournament at Apex Mountain resort. Yannick Lescarbeau, who manages the Kelowna Minor Hockey Atom Development B team, started the tournament last year as a fundraiser for the SickKids Foundation. The tournament will pit...

RCMP seeks couple who stopped to help after Christmas Eve crash near Summerland

SUMMERLAND - A couple stopped to help the people injured in a crash on Christmas Eve day near Kickininee Park south of Summerland, and RCMP are now hoping to hear from them. Around 8:30 a.m., Dec. 24, RCMP were called to a two-vehicle collision on Highway 97. It was determined a brown Honda Odyssey minivan...

Petition hopes to raise $1B for biking in B.C.

OKANAGAN - The B.C. Cycling Coalition is mounting a campaign to petition the province to provide $1 billion for bike trails in B.C., and a local group working to make an Okanagan Valley-long trail more public is supporting the initiative. “We want the provincial government to help enable everyone in the province to cycle and...

Gloomy dark clouds over the Okanagan won’t part any time soon

OKANAGAN - That stifling grey pall of gloom hanging over the Okanagan is here courtesy of El Nino and Environment Canada says we can expect more of the same for at least the next ten days. Meteorologist Matthew MacDonald says we are at the mercy of major weather systems conspiring to blot out the sun. That...

Coroner identifies Summerland woman who crashed into Okanagan Lake

OKANAGAN - The B.C. Coroners Service has confirmed the identity of a Summerland woman who died last week after her vehicle slid into Okanagan Lake. Elena Sagario Holly, 42, was driving alone on Highway 97 southbound near Summerland around noon Jan. 4 when her car slid off the road and into Okanagan Lake during bad...

Trucks being targeted by thieves in the South Okanagan

PENTICTON - Thieves appear to be targeting Ford trucks in the South Okanagan, and RCMP believe this rash of stolen trucks is related to other thefts as well. A man who left his 1995 Chrysler Intrepid to warm up at the Holiday House Motel returned to find it missing at approximately 8 a.m. Wednesday morning,...

Snowfall warning for Coquihalla Highway

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - While temperatures continue to warm up in town, a system is expected to drop enough snow on area highways today to prompt a snowfall warning for at least one section of highway. Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for the Coquihalla Highway from Hope to Merritt, where up to 25 centimetres of...

Sentence for weapons infractions includes restorative justice

PENTICTON - Sentencing passed on an Oliver man who pled guilty to firearms and mischief infractions has left the door open for participation in a restorative justice program following a hearing in Penticton court today, Jan. 11. Judge Meg Shaw left mandatory conditions off orders to the accused not to go near the two victims...

Mild week ahead for the Okanagan

OKANAGAN - We can expect temperatures to hover around the freezing mark this week, with temperatures expected to be at or near seasonal normal temperatures throughout the Okanagan. Environment Canada is calling for daytime high temperatures to range from -1 Celsius to 2 C this week, with overnight lows expected to reach between 0 C...

The unusual reason why a judge delayed sentencing

PENTICTON - A Naramata man will spend four months in jail because of an exchange of vitriolic text messages that turned into an armed altercation. But jail comes later. Before he was sentenced for mischief and assault with a weapon, Daryn E. Semancik asked court for a delay in sentencing so he could make arrangements...

Warmer weekend ahead for the Okanagan

OKANAGAN - After cooler temperatures and lots of snow over recently, this weekend marks what should be a welcome break for many in the Kamloops area. Environment Canada is calling for highs to be just above seasonal normals of -1 Celsius all weekend, with Penticton expected to reach 2 C today, Jan. 8, and tomorrow,...

International expert says global warming good for Okanagan wines

OKANAGAN - An Australian winemaker says in a CNBC opinion editorial that global warming is going to turn the Okanagan into the best wine region in the world in the coming years. Philip Mcgahan starting making wine in in Hunter Valley, Australia in 2002. The area regularly reaches more than 40 Celsius and with temperatures...

Sex offender arrested on outstanding warrants

PENTICTON - A man convicted of possessing child pornography is behind bars this morning awaiting a court appearance in Penticton. Jason David Anderson was arrested in the Penticton area this morning for failing to comply with his probation order. Anderson was sentenced to a 90-day intermittent jail term for possessing child pornography in August 2013....

Taser used to subdue man threatening shoppers and police at Penticton mall

PENTICTON - A man who allegedly assaulted a senior and threatened shoppers and police with scissors at Cherry Lane Mall this weekend was eventually calmed by officers but not before they had to use a taser to subdue him. Police responded to calls of a man being assaulted in the northwest parking lot of Cherry...

City and Penticton Indian Band sign agreement to grow local economy together

PENTICTON - The City of Penticton and the Penticton Indian Band have agreed to work together to develop the local economy. The two governments signed an agreement today, Jan. 4, to work together on tourism and economic development, according to a media release. The Penticton Indian Band has agreed to zone some of its land for...

UPDATE: SUV plunges into Okanagan Lake near Penticton; Summerland woman killed

PENTICTON –  The driver of a SUV that plunged into Okanagan Lake from Highway 97 between Penticton and Summerland this morning has died. South Okanagan Traffic Services media spokesperson Sgt. Harold Hallett confirmed this afternoon, Jan. 4, the 42-year-old Summerland woman behind the wheel died in Penticton Regional Hospital as a result of the injuries...

Weather warming up, snow on the way in the Okanagan

OKANAGAN - Temperatures are set to warm up this first week of 2016, and along with those warmer temperatures will be several days of snow. Temperatures stayed at or below seasonal normal lows the past few days but after today are expected to be a bit warmer than the -6 Celsius that is typical at...

Kelowna will spend millions on new vehicles in 2016

KELOWNA - Kelowna will be dropping lots of money on new wheels this year as it prepares to replace an assortment of vehicles. The city will spend almost $2 million in 2016 replacing 25 vehicles or pieces of equipment of various types that are at the end of their service life cycles. That includes 15...