South Okanagan

Fixed agenda at Indian band forum

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer Protocol agreement is focus of forum   The agenda planned for a forum hosted by the Regional District Okanagan –Similkameen Thursday in Osoyoos , was replaced by a discussion on an earlier agreement between three Indian Bands...

Doctors' bounty a hit in Princeton

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer Hospital in Princeton   This week's announcement that the BC government and BC Medical Association have established an incentive to improve doctor care in rural communities,  was well received in...

Making tracks in Naramata

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer Dennis Smith hopes to see new trail take shape   The idea of having a trail running from the lake to the Kettle Valley Rail Trail in Naramata has been discussed for years. Now, Naramata Parks and Recreation is looking into making...

Wild horses overwhelm rescuer

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer Horse rescuer Theresa Nolet   Theresa Nolet wants to step up public awareness about wild horses, after two were recently killed on Highway 97. Not only are horses who roam in the West Bench area of concern to the longtime...

French education's failing grade

Parents and students concerned about the selection process for late French immersion in School District 67 were in attendance at Monday’s school board meeting. Their hope is the district will open a second French immersion class at Summerland Middle School to accommodate all interested...

Winery ready to cork new blend

  Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer Winemaker Sal D'Angelo Sal D’Angelo, owner of D’Angelo Estate Winery on the Naramata Bench, first made a mix of ice wine and brandy three years ago in Ontario. This spring he is releasing the unique product in...

It's time to be bear aware

  Photo: Contributed - Glenn Wardley File photo taken in 2012 shows bears near Trout Creek, Summerland Bears in the Okanagan have enjoyed a nice long slumber, and if the good weather continues from mid to late March they will soon awaken, according to Zoe...

A problem to rein in wild horses

Wild horses roam free near Mt. Baldy - raw video by Deborah Pfeiffer In the aftermath of the death of two feral horses on Highway 97, the Penticton Indian Band and local authorities say there are no easy solutions to controlling the wild horse population. The band, the Regional...

Forum for local governments

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen will host a Community to Community Forum involving local First Nations and key representatives from various levels of government. Photo: Contributed The South Okanagan Similkameen Community to Community Forum is scheduled...

False fire report at ambulance station

    Photo: Contributed - Google Street View Summerland Fire and Rescue received a report of smoke sighted above the BC Ambulance Service station in Summerland Friday evening at 8:50 p.m. According to Duty Officer George Pugh, crews on scene saw no...

Hedley Homicide

  Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer Property of Doug Smith 12:55 p.m. update: The Southeast District Major Crime Unit have confirmed they are investigating a homicide in Hedley. Hedley resident Ralph McKay said he heard that Smith was shot in the head and...

Bones & CSI solve cold case

A cross border double mystery has been solved.  High-tech, CSI-style identification methods and grunt work helped BC Mounties and US officials crack a cold case with the identification of human remains found in Washington. It was discovered the bones are those of a Keremeos man, Miguel Joao...

New owners buy home 'Inn' time

Photo: Deborah Pfeiffer Inn under new ownership   A historic building, which has served as a hotel and home to the man who started the fruit industry in the Naramata area, is under new ownership. Penticton realtor Julius Bloomfield and his wife...

Forest fuel hazard reduction

  The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen and the Penticton Indian Band, PIB,  are cooperating on the clean-up of forest fuels in the community of Faulder. The community protection project will involve the selective thinning of understory trees behind homes or...

Cougar shot in Summerland

Photo: Frank Fenwick Cougar shot in Summerland   When Don Gemmell looked out his bedroom window Friday morning, he saw something he won't soon forget. Just a few feet away on the deck of his Summerland home lay a large female...

Former Iraq hostage speaks in Naramata

Photo: Contributed James Loney to speak in Naramata   Peace activist and author James Loney will speak about his experiences and discuss the power of non-violence in people’s lives at Naramata Centre on Sunday, March 3. The talk follows a three...

Rural water improvements given boost

Oliver will complete the third and final phase of its Rural Water Twinning Project thanks to $1,243,000 from the Canadian government through the Gas Tax Fund transfer. The project, started in 2006, will provide potable water to approximately 1,500 residents and many businesses in the rural...

16 guns recovered in raid

  Photo: RCMP The Princeton RCMP executed a search warrant on February 20, and found a cache of firearms. The guns had been stolen during a break and enter in the Princeton area just days earlier. Early in the morning Princeton RCMP executed a search warrant at...

Naramata, Apex pair for wine festival

  Photo: Contributed - www.apexresort.com Apex Mountain Resort and the Naramata Bench Wineries Association are partnering to hold the first wine festival at the resort, titled 'Vertical & Vintages', March 8 to 10. The feature event of...

National park report

The Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) released a new report this week, deeming the National Park South Okanagan Lower Similkameen as feasible to move ahead to the next phase of negotiations. “It has taken eight years to ensure that the Okanagan Nation is in a position to be able to...