Oliver & Osoyoos News
Photo: Casa Del Lago
Casa Del Lago is one of two housing complexes seeking water exemptions in Osoyoos.
Two Osoyoos housing communities seek water exemptions this year, as the desert town faces a critically low water supply.
During Tuesday's committee meeting, the two housing complexes gave presentations seeking water exemptions. Last year, approved stratas could apply water restrictions per sprinkler head rather than by unit number.
Sole Vita strata, which was granted watering exemptions in 2024, requested additional watering exemptions for 2025.
The strata's irrigation partner said the complex spent $250,000 on new landscaping, which removed overhead spraying to transition to ground irrigation. The change is expected to reduce Sole Vita's water consumption across 18 zones from 126 gallons per minute to 15 gallons per minute, the irrigation company said.
"What they're asking for is just to be able to get the same allowances that they had last year, until the plants get an opportunity to establish themselves, so they don't lose all the money that they spent," said Martin Hahn, owner of C3 Industries and Sole Vita's irrigation partner.
The committee discussed temporary water exemptions, such as 60 or 90 days to allow for the strata's 900 new plants to be established.
Additionally, Casa Del Lago condos and guest house also sought watering exemptions, saying the restrictions don't account for multi-unit properties compared to single family homes.
"We are somewhat disappointed to see this year's bylaw that we will be limited to four hours of watering per day, rather than six. From last year, even at six hours, we suffered damage in many areas," said John Lamb on behalf of Casa Del Lago.
The condominium complex said it lost four mature trees and 100 square meters of lawn. Lamb added that Casa Del Lago is also working with C3 Industries on climate-appropriate landscaping.
On April 22, council voted to move to a three-zone watering system, which was set in place to reduce the burden on the town's critically low water supply by a third, as opposed to a half, in summer months.
During that meeting, council also discussed forgoing watering exemptions for housing complexes as a way to conserve water.
Council will decide whether or not the housing complexes will be granted exemptions at an upcoming meeting.
Photo: WildSafeBC
Bear seen near Station Street in Oliver.
A bear has been spotted in the Station Street area of Oliver this week.
In a public notice Wednesday morning, the Town of Oliver alerted people to the sighting.
The municipality added that the animal conservation officer has been notified.
According to the province, here are some safety tips if you encounter a bear:
- Do not feed bears. It's against the law to feed dangerous wildlife.
- Remain calm. Do not run or climb a tree. Slowly back away, talking to the bear in a quiet, monotone voice. Do not scream, turn your back on the bear, kneel down or make direct eye contact.
- Keep away from the bear. Do not try to get closer to it. If the bear gets too close, use pepper spray (within 7 metres) or something else to threaten or distract it.
- Stay together. If you are with others, act as a group. Keep children close – pick up and carry small children.
- Go indoors. Bring pets indoors if possible.
- Watch the bear until it leaves. Make sure the bear has a clear escape route. After the bear is gone and it's safe, make sure there is nothing in the area that will attract bears back again.
For more information on bear safety, click here.
Photo: Sarah Crookall
Osoyoos fails recycling audit.
The Town of Osoyoos has failed its latest recycling audit, with items like books and clothing being incorrectly tossed in bins.
During a Tuesday committee meeting, town staff shared the failed results from the latest Recycle BC audit, later approving a new recycling strategy.
"When people put material in recycling bin, they have good intentions, but sometimes we put things in there that we shouldn't," said Rod Risling, chief administrative officer.
"We do know that there's an issue within the community. It wasn't just a one time hit that we exceeded [recycling errors]. We've always been just on that line of potentially exceeding."
Top incorrectly recycled items within the town include: soft and hard cover books, ceramics, scrap metal, as well as textiles and clothing.
With the latest failed audit, Recycle BC has mandated the Town of Osoyoos create a plan to reduce such recycling errors.
As such, the town will be focusing more on education, training recycling collectors, enforcing recycling rules, and reporting back to Recycle BC.
Additional information will soon be posted to the town website, and stickers will be added to bins.
"If there are contaminants within recycling, we're gonna leave education material, and if the property owner has failed, or there's things in there that shouldn't be, we're gonna continue to repeat the audit on that same property until such time that we get compliance," Risling said.
Risling added that while there is a focus on a soft enforcement approach, repeated bin audits could warrant a visit from bylaw to offending properties.
Committee also discussed adequately cleaning recycling products.
"Anything that goes into the recycling needs to be clean. And I have seen several things, people throw peanut butter containers into the recycling, but they don't wash them out first," said mayor Sue McKortoff.
McKortoff added that unclean products get sorted back into the trash at the Osoyoos and District Sanitary Landfill.
Additionally, the committee went over simplifying recycling messaging.
"After the last meeting, I went on the website to try to figure out what is yes and no, and it's basically paralysis by analysis, there's so many options." said Coun. Johnny Cheong.
The town will likely look to other municipalities for more recycling and educational strategies. Risling added that there is a cost associated with the Recycle BC program, so there is incentive to improve.
The town anticipates Recycle BC will audit Osoyoos' recycling quarterly moving forward.
For more information on recycling standards from Recycle BC, click here.
Photo: Contributed
Low-flying helicopter is travelling the Similkameen Valley for mosquito control May 13.
A low-flying helicopter is travelling the Similkameen Valley for mosquito control on Tuesday.
In a press release Tuesday morning, the Lower Similkameen Indian Band told residents the aircraft would be flying low in the area for the "next while."
"The yellow [and] grey A-Star aircraft [C-FSOZ] is from Eclipse Helicopters in Penticton, and will have an apparatus that is underneath the machine being used to dispense mosquito larvae control pellets," reads the press release.
The helicopter is under contract by LSIB's land owners and will be flying various times depending on weather conditions.
Photo: LSIB
Lower Similkameen Indian Band offices
The Lower Similkameen Indian Band is warning the community that a slope monitor warning has been extended in the Ashnola and Chopaka areas.
Weather forecasts show that rain or snow may fall in the coming days, which may cause instability in slopes in the area.
Previously, the warning was only in place until May 13, but as of today, May 12, that has been extended through May 15.
"Should any further updates be recommended, LSIB will notify everyone as soon as possible. Please take your safety & the safety of others as your first priority," reads an LSIB press release.
Slopes in the area are being monitored closely. Anyone who spots slope movement should first get to a safe place away from the area, then call 911 to report it.
Photo: Casey Richardson
International Dachshund Day at Road 13 on June 21
Get ready for International Dachshund Day at Road 13 Winery in Oliver next month.
The South Okanagan vineyard is inviting Dachshunds and their owners, along with people who just love wine and dogs, to come out for a bit of fun on Saturday, June 21.
The winery's first-ever event will include wiener dog races, a costume contest, prizes, and gourmet hot dogs from The Wienery Food Truck.
"Everyone’s welcome, dog owner or not. Reserve your spot as a racer or spectator and raise a glass with us," they shared in their event announcement.
Race and event entry is free.
For more information and to reserve your spot, click here.
Keith Lacey - Local Journalism Initiative - May 10, 2025 / 1:00 pm | Story: 549644
Photo: FIle Photo
RDOS directors talk on how homelessness needs to be tackled together
Several directors with the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen made it clear Thursday that homelessness is not just a Penticton issue — it’s a growing concern affecting smaller towns and rural communities across the region.
This discussion followed a presentation on the success of Penticton’s Temporary Winter Shelter (TWS) this past winter, delivered by Penticton Chief Administrative Officer Anthony Haddad and Julie Czech, the city’s General Manager of Public Safety and Partnerships, during Thursday’s RDOS’s bi-weekly board meeting.
Penticton councillor and RDOS board member Isaac Gilbert proposed a motion requesting that the RDOS continue to provide 20 per cent of the overall funding to support the TWS.
Located in Penticton’s industrial park on Warren Avenue, the shelter operated at full capacity from its opening in November. Although it was originally scheduled to close at the end of March, the provincial government — through BC Housing—extended funding to keep the shelter open until the end of May. A long-term agreement between BC Housing and the City of Penticton is reportedly in the works to keep the shelter open year-round.
However, after Gilbert introduced his motion, several rural directors voiced concern, emphasizing that further financial commitments require deeper discussion.
RDOS CAO Jim Zaffino advised that such a decision should be made during the 2025–26 budget process.
“That would start with the budget process,” said Zaffino. “There’s an impact statement — who pays and how much — so if the board is considering this, we can include it, and then the board can vote on it at that time.”
Director Matt Taylor said he was pleased the board wasn’t moving forward with the motion immediately, stating that there wasn’t a clear business case for the RDOS to commit 20 percent of the shelter’s funding.
“I’m probably one of the strongest proponents of this initiative,” said Taylor. “But I’d encourage staff to put together a business case to support what you’re asking for.”
Gilbert responded that the presentation by Haddad and Czech already offered a compelling case.
“We have people currently sheltering on Ministry of Transportation (MOT) land in Penticton, and we’re starting to see homelessness moving up the valley,” he said.
Gilbert argued that many users of the TWS and Penticton Regional Hospital come from outside the city, and it’s only fair for the RDOS to help fund the shelter.
“I think that 20 percent represents the RDOS being part of the solution,” he said. “The shelter benefits communities across the region.”
But Director Bob Coyne, who represents rural Princeton, disagreed.
“This could turn into a very heated discussion quickly,” he warned. “The changes we’ve seen in our community just in the last few weeks are drastic. Jumping in now to say we’re doing this or that is like getting the horse out of the barn too early. We need to hear what others have to say.”
Coyne also pointed out that people released from the Okanagan Correctional Centre in Oliver often end up in Princeton and become part of local homeless camps.
“We have to look at the big picture — not just one success story,” he said.
His son, Princeton Mayor Spencer Coyne, echoed the sentiment, stressing that homelessness is a regional issue, not just a Penticton problem.
He said he could not support funding for a facility that, while effective, is not yet approved to operate beyond May.
“I’m interested in a broader regional conversation,” he said. “Not just here at the board table, but involving our full teams. We have a growing issue in Princeton, with more than 30 people experiencing homelessness.”
He noted a back-and-forth movement of unhoused individuals between Penticton and Princeton, reinforcing the need for coordinated regional planning.
“This isn’t just a Penticton issue — it works both ways,” he said. “We need City of Penticton staff and regional staff to sit down together. Arguing this as a political point doesn’t help. It’s a real issue, and it needs real action.”
Summerland Mayor and RDOS Director Doug Holmes agreed, stating homelessness is increasing in his community as well.
“We need a regional approach,” said Holmes. “We’re seeing homelessness in Summerland at levels we’ve never seen before.”
He added that the appropriate place for solutions is among senior management teams across the region — not in response to a single motion during a board meeting.
Board Chair Mark Pendergraft thanked the directors for their contributions, acknowledging that the issue would certainly return for further discussion.
Gilbert’s motion was never voted on.
Photo: Village of Keremeos
Councillor Evans, Mayor Wiebe, Councillor Henderson, Councillor Holley, and Councillor Elliott pose with the award in front of the Every Child Matters crosswalk.
The Village of Keremeos was honoured last month by the Southern Interior Local Government Association for their work in reconciliation initiatives.
The village shared that they received the SILGA Community Excellence Award for Social Responsibility, after being nominated for their “Every Child Matters” crosswalk.
The crosswalk connects Municipal Hall to Memorial Park and was done in partnership with the Lower Similkameen Indian Band (LSIB).
The yearlong project was started with the current Mayor Jason Wiebe and the LSIB Language and Cultural Support Worker, Stacey Donovan. It was unveiled in July of 2023.
The award was presented to the Mayor at the annual convention of SILGA earlier this month.
"The Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) is comprised of elected officials from 37 cities, towns, villages, districts and regional districts in South Central BC. Every year awards are handed out to promote the environmental, social, and economic well being of member communities and to share ideas and best practices throughout the SILGA area," the village added.
Photo: Town of Oliver
Coun. Aimee Grice (right) awarded with SILGA certificate this month.
Town of Oliver councillor and past president of the Southern Interior Local Government Association Aimee Grice was recognized for her service with the association this month.
SILGA is made up of elected officials from 37 municipalities across the Southern Interior, aiming to connect members, educate, and advocate on their behalf.
Grice served as president of SILGA, and was awarded with a certificate of life membership for her role in May. On Monday, the town congratulated Grice on her recognition.
"It was really humbling to receive. I really value the SILGA board and the work that SIGLA does," Grice said.
"It's been a really valuable organization to be a part of. For myself, just in my sort of growth as a councillor [...] to make those connections and expand myself and my knowledge."
Now, the Oliver councillor holds a supporting role within the association as past president.
"There's a [new] president who is Coun. Louise Wallace Richmond from the City of Salmon Arm, so I like to just sort of be there. I'm still a board member [...] but I try to be there to lend my guidance and experience as much as I can as well."
The lifetime membership status will grant Grice into SILGA's future conferences and events.
"If I'm going to be a lifetime member of any organization, I'm glad it's this one. I'm quite honoured," Grice said.
Photo: Rock Creek Fall Fair
Rock Creek Fall Fair
The annual Rock Creek Fall Fair is still a few months away, but the 50/50 action has already begun.
One lucky winner will win up to $60,000 on the 50/50 ticket, which is a key source of funding to ensure the popular fair gets up and running every September.
Known as "the biggest little country fair around," the event embraces the Boundary lifestyle and agricultural traditions, with everything from a 4H stock show, to Saturday night motor madness, to arena events, live entertainment, carnival rides and a midway — plus, of course, delicious food.
It's all happening Sept. 13 and 14.
The 50/50 proceeds this year will go towards a new tractor for the non-profit association.
Only up to 12,000 tickets will be sold, at $10 per ticket.
Tickets are now on sale online here. If there are some left, they will be sold in person at the fair.
Winners will be contacted after the draw on the 14th.
For more information about the draw and the fair, click here.
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