Brennan Phillips

A Lewis Woodpecker, just one of the many species at risk that are in the proposed boundary for a new national park in the South Okanagan Similkameen (Photo courtesy of Paul Graham)

Talks ongoing about national park in South Okanagan Similkameen

If approved the park would cover 270 square kilometres and protect dozens of species at risk

A Lewis Woodpecker, just one of the many species at risk that are in the proposed boundary for a new national park in the South Okanagan Similkameen (Photo courtesy of Paul Graham)
Blair Balch, 49, is awaiting sentencing related to the explosions that rocked Penticton earlier in 2021. (RCMP)

‘I apologize for scaring the public’: Penticton bomber sentenced to 270 days in jail

Blair Robert Balch admitted to setting off 3 explosive devices in 2021

Blair Balch, 49, is awaiting sentencing related to the explosions that rocked Penticton earlier in 2021. (RCMP)
A former nurse at Summerland Seniors Village has given up their license for a year for bullying colleagues in 2020, among other issues. (Summerland Review File)

Year suspension for Okanagan nurse who admitted to bullying colleagues

The nurse was working at the Summerland Seniors Village at the time

A former nurse at Summerland Seniors Village has given up their license for a year for bullying colleagues in 2020, among other issues. (Summerland Review File)
Penticton Law Courts (File photo)

Okanagan man’s $300 a day meth habit fueled 9 day auto crime spree: Lawyer

Jesse Shawcross stole multiple vehicles over nine days in 2019

Penticton Law Courts (File photo)
A swimmer has found a man’s wedding ring in the popular Penticton river channel that sees hundreds of people a day during the summer. (Mike Biden photo)

Wedding ring lost for 17 years returned to B.C. couple in time for 20th anniversary

The ring was recovered by a swimmer in August, 2022

A swimmer has found a man’s wedding ring in the popular Penticton river channel that sees hundreds of people a day during the summer. (Mike Biden photo)
Drones and unmanned aerial vehicles are restricted from flying near any wildfire due to the safety risks for the low-flying firefighting aircraft. (UBC photo)

BC Wildfire Service calls out ‘extremely dangerous’ drones near Keremeos Creek Wildfire

The drones led to a shutdown of aerial firefighting efforts on Monday

Drones and unmanned aerial vehicles are restricted from flying near any wildfire due to the safety risks for the low-flying firefighting aircraft. (UBC photo)
Flames from a vehicle fire on Highway 3 spread up hill. (Facebook)

Highway 3A from Keremeos to Penticton reopens

Reduced speed limits and additional RCMP will be along the road

Flames from a vehicle fire on Highway 3 spread up hill. (Facebook)
A photo from the Cedar Creek Ranch near Olalla on Aug 3. Volunteers assisted firefighters until the early hours of the morning to protect the ranch. The cattle ranch is still standing thanks to all the firefighters and helping hands of the community. (Facebook)

B.C. man has helped battle many wildfires – but nothing like the Keremeos Creek fire

“The sound was as if you were on the tarmac at the Vancouver Airport and let a 767 land on you”

A photo from the Cedar Creek Ranch near Olalla on Aug 3. Volunteers assisted firefighters until the early hours of the morning to protect the ranch. The cattle ranch is still standing thanks to all the firefighters and helping hands of the community. (Facebook)
Residents in Osoyoos are being warned to boil their water before drinking. Some residents didn't need that warning as they took to social media to share images of their brown water. (Facebook)

Dark brown water coming out faucets as Osoyoos expands boil water advisory

The advisory impacts several hundred homes

Residents in Osoyoos are being warned to boil their water before drinking. Some residents didn't need that warning as they took to social media to share images of their brown water. (Facebook)
WestJet has added a new direct route between Penticton and Vancouver. (Western News file)

WestJet adding direct flights between Vancouver and Penticton

The new flights will be six days a week

WestJet has added a new direct route between Penticton and Vancouver. (Western News file)
A BC Wildfire Service photo shows the southwest corner of the Keremeos Creek wildfire as of Sunday (July 31). It has since more than quintupled in size. (Courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)

UPDATE: Wildfire near Penticton more than quintuples in size

Over 300 properties now under evacuation order due to Keremeos Creek wildfire

A BC Wildfire Service photo shows the southwest corner of the Keremeos Creek wildfire as of Sunday (July 31). It has since more than quintupled in size. (Courtesy of BC Wildfire Service)
The Keremeos Creek wildfire is currently visible from the Apex Mountain Resort’s webcams. (Apex Mountain Resort)

B.C. resort village evacuated as Penticton-area wildfire approaches

Keremeos Creek wildfire estimated at 437 hectares and growing

The Keremeos Creek wildfire is currently visible from the Apex Mountain Resort’s webcams. (Apex Mountain Resort)
The Keremeos Creek wildfire, spotted on Friday, July 29, is already an estimated 100 hectares in size. (BC Wildfire Service)

Aggressive wildfire prompts evacuation orders near Penticton

The RDOS issued the evacuation order at 9:30 p.m. Friday night

The Keremeos Creek wildfire, spotted on Friday, July 29, is already an estimated 100 hectares in size. (BC Wildfire Service)
Statue of Lady Justice at Vancouver courthouse. (File photo)

Penticton man not criminally responsible for slicing victim’s throat

Roy Shannon was suffering from severe delusions and schizophrenia

Statue of Lady Justice at Vancouver courthouse. (File photo)
file photo

Quebec man arrested for shooting rifle in Okanagan campground

There were no injuries or dispute reported according to RCMP

file photo
Vehicles are seen as they drive along the Coquihalla Highway Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. Highways through southern British Columbia’s mountain passes looked more like mid-winter than mid-May as Environment Canada advised another five more centimetres of snow was expected before the latest unseasonable weather eased. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Warning for up to 10cm of snow on Coquihalla and Highway 3

Environment Canada says the snow is expected until Thursday morning

Vehicles are seen as they drive along the Coquihalla Highway Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022. Highways through southern British Columbia’s mountain passes looked more like mid-winter than mid-May as Environment Canada advised another five more centimetres of snow was expected before the latest unseasonable weather eased. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
A woman who was injured in a car crash by her husband was awarded almost $800,000 on May 11 in B.C. Supreme Court. (Pexels)

Inattentive B.C. husband owes wife nearly $800,000 after he rear-ended her car

The crash left the woman with injuries and lasting pain

A woman who was injured in a car crash by her husband was awarded almost $800,000 on May 11 in B.C. Supreme Court. (Pexels)
Cody Allen Pelletier, seen here in a photo from 2019, was arrested following a stabbing on May 3 in Penticton. (Submitted)

Cody Allen Pelletier arrested after stabbing in Penticton

Pelletier was arrested after a man checked into the Penticton Hospital with a stab wound

Cody Allen Pelletier, seen here in a photo from 2019, was arrested following a stabbing on May 3 in Penticton. (Submitted)
Highway 3 closed at Hope, vehicles being turned around due to flooding in November. Upgrades to cell service are intended to make travel along the highway safer. (Facebook)

Cell coverage upgrades coming to Highway 3 from Hope to Keremeos

The upgrades are expected to be complete by fall 2024

Highway 3 closed at Hope, vehicles being turned around due to flooding in November. Upgrades to cell service are intended to make travel along the highway safer. (Facebook)
The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is moving forward on permanent repairs to the Coquihalla (Highway 5), marking another significant milestone in the province’s recovery from the devastating November storms. (Government of B.C.)

Permanent repairs on Coquihalla highway expected in summer

The work is expected to begin and end in 2022

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is moving forward on permanent repairs to the Coquihalla (Highway 5), marking another significant milestone in the province’s recovery from the devastating November storms. (Government of B.C.)