Brennan Phillips

Victory Church homeless shelter had the highest calls for police service above everywhere else, at 290 calls for service, in the first three months of the year. (Jesse Day Western News)

Penticton drops lawsuit against BC Housing; new shelter proposed

A new shelter will go beside Compass Court and Victory Church shelter will close spring 2022

Victory Church homeless shelter had the highest calls for police service above everywhere else, at 290 calls for service, in the first three months of the year. (Jesse Day Western News)
This home at 2357 Cornwall Drive was sold by the city for $150,000 at auction. It was assessed at $420,000. BC Ombudsperson filed a report saying the city failed to help a vulnerable person and sold her home over not paying $10,000 property tax. (Logan Lockhart Western News)

Update: Penticton to pay $140K to vulnerable woman who lost home over unpaid taxes

Mayor offers apology to woman who lost her home to the city after not paying $10K in taxes

This home at 2357 Cornwall Drive was sold by the city for $150,000 at auction. It was assessed at $420,000. BC Ombudsperson filed a report saying the city failed to help a vulnerable person and sold her home over not paying $10,000 property tax. (Logan Lockhart Western News)
The company behind the truck caught on dashcam passing on a double yellow on Highway 5A on Dec. 9 has had their licence suspended according to Transportation Minister Rob Fleming. (Jim Beckett - Facebook)

Company has B.C. operating licence suspended after truck caught driving dangerously on Hwy 5A

The CVSE is conducting on ongoing investigation and audit of the company

The company behind the truck caught on dashcam passing on a double yellow on Highway 5A on Dec. 9 has had their licence suspended according to Transportation Minister Rob Fleming. (Jim Beckett - Facebook)
During the height of the rising waters on Nov. 15, the Similkameen River came close to touching the underside of Keremeos��� White Bridge. (Brennan Phillips - Keremeos Review)

B.C. reviewing municipal flood responsibility following devastating storms

The B.C. Liberal government of 2003 shifted the responsibility to municipalities

During the height of the rising waters on Nov. 15, the Similkameen River came close to touching the underside of Keremeos��� White Bridge. (Brennan Phillips - Keremeos Review)
The For the Children Caravan, made up of members of the Syilx Okanagan Nation Alliance’s constituent First Nations, including the Lower Similkameen Indian Band, departed from Penticton on June 30 to head to the site of the Kamloops Residential School where 215 children’s bodies were uncovered. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)

‘Truth and Reconciliation is an action, not a day off’: Lower Similkameen Indian Band Chief

Many left wondering over new statutory Truth and Reconciliation Day, says Chief Keith Crow

The For the Children Caravan, made up of members of the Syilx Okanagan Nation Alliance’s constituent First Nations, including the Lower Similkameen Indian Band, departed from Penticton on June 30 to head to the site of the Kamloops Residential School where 215 children’s bodies were uncovered. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)
BC Housing has proposed that Victory Church at 352 Winnipeg Street in Penticton be used to shelter up to 42 people experiencing homelessness from Oct. 2020 to March 2021. (Jesse Day - Western News)

BC Housing vows to fight for ‘vital’ Penticton shelter in court

The filing is in response to the city’s civil claim filed in July

BC Housing has proposed that Victory Church at 352 Winnipeg Street in Penticton be used to shelter up to 42 people experiencing homelessness from Oct. 2020 to March 2021. (Jesse Day - Western News)
(Black Press Media files)

RCMP investigating after young man found dead outside Penticton Secondary School

Officers were called at around 6 a.m. to the field outside the school

(Black Press Media files)
An aerial photo from the White Rock Lake wildfire. (BC Wildfire Service)

BC Wildfire: ‘Wind is our greatest enemy’ for Okanagan blazes

High temperatures but lack of wind seen as favourable to progress on wildfires

An aerial photo from the White Rock Lake wildfire. (BC Wildfire Service)
The fire currently burning above Pottery Road in Vernon. (Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star)

Drone spotted flying near out of control Vernon wildfire

The incident was reported by the BC Wildfire Service on Twitter

The fire currently burning above Pottery Road in Vernon. (Roger Knox - Vernon Morning Star)
Penticton mayor John Vassilaki and Minister of Housing David Eby have been battling over the Victory Church shelter and BC Housing projects in the city. (File photos)

Battle between Penticton and B.C. over homeless shelter officially before the court

The city filed their official petition before the Supreme Court on Wednesday, July 6

Penticton mayor John Vassilaki and Minister of Housing David Eby have been battling over the Victory Church shelter and BC Housing projects in the city. (File photos)
Nothing remains after a fire consumed the Chopaka Church in the early hours of June 26. (Jen Louie - Facebook)

Similkameen Indian Bands ‘in disbelief and angered’ over burning of Catholic churches

Two churches in the valley burned down on June 26

Nothing remains after a fire consumed the Chopaka Church in the early hours of June 26. (Jen Louie - Facebook)
Nothing remains after a fire consumed the Chopaka Church in the early hours of June 26. (Jen Louie/Facebook)

UPDATE: RCMP investigating suspicious fires that burned 2 South Okanagan churches

Chief Keith Crow said the acts only brought more pain to residential school survivors

Nothing remains after a fire consumed the Chopaka Church in the early hours of June 26. (Jen Louie/Facebook)
Penticton mayor John Vassilaki and Minister of Housing David Eby have been battling over the Victory Church shelter and BC Housing projects in the city. (File photos)

Penticton heads to court over homeless shelter as BC Housing audit begins

The city was not satisfied with the response from Minister David Eby regarding the ongoing situation

Penticton mayor John Vassilaki and Minister of Housing David Eby have been battling over the Victory Church shelter and BC Housing projects in the city. (File photos)
The mountain hideaway north of Bridesville will be changing its name following a warning over the usage of ‘hobbit’ by Warner Bros. (Instagram)

Hobbit-themed Okanagan getaway changes name after threat from Warner Bros.

Warner Bros. issued a trademark infringement warning over the use of the word ‘hobbit’

The mountain hideaway north of Bridesville will be changing its name following a warning over the usage of ‘hobbit’ by Warner Bros. (Instagram)
RCMP. (Black Press File)

Major Crimes called in after 2 bodies discovered on remote road near Penticton

A manhunt involving a police helicopter took place on May 10

RCMP. (Black Press File)
Keith MacIntyre - BC Libertarian

Penticton’s Keith MacIntyre new leader of the B.C. Libertarian Party

The Penticton businessman was voted in by members of the party on May 8

Keith MacIntyre - BC Libertarian
Summerland’s positive test rate is much higher than surrounding local health areas, according to internal BC CDC documents. (BC CDC)

Summerland 3rd behind Surrey, Abbotsford in daily per capita COVID-19 cases

Interior Health is rolling out additional vaccine availability to the community

Summerland’s positive test rate is much higher than surrounding local health areas, according to internal BC CDC documents. (BC CDC)
Justin Jack-Thomas congratulates a competitor in the BC Bike Race for finishing the first part of the Cowichan Valley stage in 2018. (Black Press Media file)

BC Bike Race bringing two events to South Okanagan

The mountain race will be joined by a gravel course race

Justin Jack-Thomas congratulates a competitor in the BC Bike Race for finishing the first part of the Cowichan Valley stage in 2018. (Black Press Media file)
The city asking the public if they want to pursue legal action against the province and their decision to override the city on the Victory Church issue. (Jesse Day Western News)

Penticton ready to sue province over homeless shelter

City council voted unanimously to authorize legal action

The city asking the public if they want to pursue legal action against the province and their decision to override the city on the Victory Church issue. (Jesse Day Western News)
Minister of Housing David Eby called Penticton city council’s decision to try and close a shelter housing 42 people ‘disgraceful’ while opposition leader Shirley Bond called Eby a bully on Thursday morning. (File photo)

Opposition leader takes Minister Eby to task over Penticton shelter handling

The two politicians shared jabs during the Thursday morning session of the Provincial Legislature

Minister of Housing David Eby called Penticton city council’s decision to try and close a shelter housing 42 people ‘disgraceful’ while opposition leader Shirley Bond called Eby a bully on Thursday morning. (File photo)
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