Monique Tamminga

RCMP search for suspects involved in break-ins and vehicle thefts in the Carmi area of Penticton on Friday, morning. The suspect pair were arrested in West Kelowna later that morning. (Ellen Girouard)

Alberta pair face serious charges for scary Penticton incident that led to West Kelowna arrests

The man and woman are charged with break and enter, pointing a firearm and uttering threats

RCMP search for suspects involved in break-ins and vehicle thefts in the Carmi area of Penticton on Friday, morning. The suspect pair were arrested in West Kelowna later that morning. (Ellen Girouard)
The free to attend Movable Feast brings to the stage an outstanding lineup of Indigenous artists, including Juno award winners Digging Roots playing at the Cleland Theatre on March 29. The event is part of the Ignite the Arts Festival. (Contributed)

Music, art and theatre on display at Ignite the Arts this weekend in Penticton

A parade for no reason, 1 minute plays, 50 musical acts from March 29 to April 2

The free to attend Movable Feast brings to the stage an outstanding lineup of Indigenous artists, including Juno award winners Digging Roots playing at the Cleland Theatre on March 29. The event is part of the Ignite the Arts Festival. (Contributed)
RCMP search for suspects involved in break-ins and vehicle thefts in the Carmi area of Penticton on Friday, morning. The suspect pair were arrested in West Kelowna later that morning. (Ellen Girouard)

Scary moments in rural Penticton end with arrests in West Kelowna

Heavy police presence after man and woman accused of theft in Carmi neighbourhood

RCMP search for suspects involved in break-ins and vehicle thefts in the Carmi area of Penticton on Friday, morning. The suspect pair were arrested in West Kelowna later that morning. (Ellen Girouard)
Former long-time Summerland lifeguard Edward Casavant, also known as Eddie Spaghetti, had been granted day parole two years into his five-year sentence. (File photo)

Former Okanagan lifeguard sex offender to continue day parole until 2025 release

Edward Casavant, 58, diagnosed pedophile was a swim instructor/lifeguard for 35 years

Former long-time Summerland lifeguard Edward Casavant, also known as Eddie Spaghetti, had been granted day parole two years into his five-year sentence. (File photo)
Oliver's emergency closed again for lack of doctors. (File photo)

‘Unexpected’ lack of doctors closes Oliver’s emergency overnight

South Okanagan General Hospital opened again at 8 a.m. March 26

Oliver's emergency closed again for lack of doctors. (File photo)
Tulameen fire chief Jody Woodford was honoured for her heroic efforts during the November 2021 floods at a ceremony where MLA Rolly Russell and Bowinn Ma, Minister of emergency management and climate readiness presented her with the prestigious Medal of Good Citizenship. (Contributed)

Similkameen fire chief honoured for heroic efforts during November 2021 floods

‘I knew that the situation was deteriorating around us and I had to help’: Fire chief Jody Woodford

Tulameen fire chief Jody Woodford was honoured for her heroic efforts during the November 2021 floods at a ceremony where MLA Rolly Russell and Bowinn Ma, Minister of emergency management and climate readiness presented her with the prestigious Medal of Good Citizenship. (Contributed)
Nadiaa Synystia stands with Penticton resident Diane MacDonald who took in her family of four and her cousin’s family of three after they fled Ukraine and had nowhere to go. (Brennan Phillips Western News)

From war-torn Ukraine to peaceful Penticton: More host families needed

Two families grateful for new-found safety and host family who took them in

Nadiaa Synystia stands with Penticton resident Diane MacDonald who took in her family of four and her cousin’s family of three after they fled Ukraine and had nowhere to go. (Brennan Phillips Western News)
Roch Fortin of Maple Roch taps sap from some sugar trees on the Nomad Cidery property in Summerland. (File photo)

See, smell and taste how maple syrup is made in Summerland today

Sap tapped from local sugar trees is being boiled and turned into syrup

Roch Fortin of Maple Roch taps sap from some sugar trees on the Nomad Cidery property in Summerland. (File photo)
A truck was found fully engulfed on Island Rd. near Highway 97 in Oliver March 14. (Kathy Giguere Facebook)

Torched truck in Oliver reported stolen the next day: RCMP

No occupants in sight when the truck was fully engulfed in flames on March 14

A truck was found fully engulfed on Island Rd. near Highway 97 in Oliver March 14. (Kathy Giguere Facebook)
Commando Bay was a secret training base for a special operations unit called Operation Oblivion where Chinese Canadian volunteer soldiers were selected to train to go behind enemy lines. The wharf in this picture is no longer there, nor is any evidence of the camp except a plaque. (Okanagan Historical Society/Greater Vernon Museum & Archives/Rick Wong)

Top secret WW2 training base once existed north of Naramata

Only a plaque remains for Chinese-Canadian soldiers who spent 1944 summer training there

Commando Bay was a secret training base for a special operations unit called Operation Oblivion where Chinese Canadian volunteer soldiers were selected to train to go behind enemy lines. The wharf in this picture is no longer there, nor is any evidence of the camp except a plaque. (Okanagan Historical Society/Greater Vernon Museum & Archives/Rick Wong)
Baldy Mountain is experiencing so much snow they are extending their season until Easter long weekend. (Baldy Mountain)

Too much snow! Ski mountain near Oliver extends season

Baldy Mountain Resort will stay open until the end of Easter weekend

Baldy Mountain is experiencing so much snow they are extending their season until Easter long weekend. (Baldy Mountain)
Ostap Tryhub who recently had to leave his home in war-torn Kyiv, Ukraine is the Penticton Western News' carrier of the month. (Western News photo)

From war torn Ukraine to Penticton paper route

13-year-old Ostap got the paper route so he could buy his mom a present

Ostap Tryhub who recently had to leave his home in war-torn Kyiv, Ukraine is the Penticton Western News' carrier of the month. (Western News photo)
Nor-Val Rentals store in Oliver on Maple Avenue was broken into in the middle of the night March 10 and numerous expensive electrical tools stolen. They are asking people to be on the look out for Milwaukee tools. (Facebook)

Oliver business offers $1,000 reward after being latest victim of break-ins

Numerous expensive tools stolen from Nor-Val Rentals

Nor-Val Rentals store in Oliver on Maple Avenue was broken into in the middle of the night March 10 and numerous expensive electrical tools stolen. They are asking people to be on the look out for Milwaukee tools. (Facebook)
This was the Connector Saturday evening, March 11. Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for Highway 5, 3 and 1 with up to 25 cm falling and extreme driving conditions. (Facebook)

Heavy snowfall warning for Coquihalla, Highway 3 and 1

Extreme driving conditions and up to 25 cm to fall on Sunday to Tuesday

This was the Connector Saturday evening, March 11. Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for Highway 5, 3 and 1 with up to 25 cm falling and extreme driving conditions. (Facebook)
Penticton Firefighters go into a building in the 400 block of Main Street where a storage room had been broken into and a mattress was on fire on March 8. The building houses residents, a coffee house and Twisted Chopsticks Eatery. (Brennan Phillips Western News)

‘My business almost went up in flames’: Downtown Penticton restaurant owner vents frustration

A mattress fire is deemed suspicious in a building that houses residents and Twisted Chopsticks

Penticton Firefighters go into a building in the 400 block of Main Street where a storage room had been broken into and a mattress was on fire on March 8. The building houses residents, a coffee house and Twisted Chopsticks Eatery. (Brennan Phillips Western News)
A 19-year-old man was run over and left with serious injuries while the driver fled the parking lot of the Popeye's and Dominos restaurants at 2050 Main Street. (Google)

Hit-and-run in Penticton parking lot leaves victim with serious injuries

Police are looking for South Asian man driving a low-riding grey sedan

A 19-year-old man was run over and left with serious injuries while the driver fled the parking lot of the Popeye's and Dominos restaurants at 2050 Main Street. (Google)
Penticton mayor Julius Bloomfield addresses a large crowd at a Chamber held meeting at Okanagan College on March 8. The new mayor addressed housing, community safety and touched on the budget. (Monique Tamminga Western News)

Penticton mayor heads to Victoria for face-to-face on mental health addictions funding

Julius Bloomfield spoke to Chamber members about how to make it a vibrant city again

Penticton mayor Julius Bloomfield addresses a large crowd at a Chamber held meeting at Okanagan College on March 8. The new mayor addressed housing, community safety and touched on the budget. (Monique Tamminga Western News)
Lee Agur (far right) along with Brent and Cassie Marshall hand Lyndie Hill a cheque for the Youth Outdoor Recreational Society. (Submitted)

Penticton businesses help donate $7,500 to get kids back to nature

Donation goes to local Youth Outdoor Recreation Society to pay for kids to join camps

Lee Agur (far right) along with Brent and Cassie Marshall hand Lyndie Hill a cheque for the Youth Outdoor Recreational Society. (Submitted)
Penticton Indian Band. (Submitted logo)

School district hosting flag raising and renaming ceremony with Penticton Indian Band

PIB flag will be raised alongside Canada flag and the ICM building is getting a Syilx name

Penticton Indian Band. (Submitted logo)
Oliver Fire Department. (Submitted photo)

Pet dies in Oliver house fire

The home on Road 18 was heavily damaged

Oliver Fire Department. (Submitted photo)
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