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FILE - The Iron Sheik arrives at the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles on July 15, 2009. The Iron Sheik, born Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri, died Wednesday, June 7, 2023, at age 81. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles, File)

The Iron Sheik, charismatic former pro wrestling villain and Twitter personality, dies at 81

The Iron Sheik, a former pro wrestler who relished playing a burly,…

 

A brush fire on KVR Trail in Penticton on Wednesday, June 7. (Brennan Phillips/Western News)

Smoky skies in Penticton as crews attack fast-moving brush fire on KVR Trail

Smoke is visible from across the northeast side of the city

 

South Okanagan-West Kootenay MP Richard Cannings speaks Monday, June 5, in the House of Commons during an emergency debate about wildfires in Canada. (Parliment of Canada)

South Okanagan-West Kootenay MP leads ‘emergency debate’ in Ottawa over wildfires

MP Richard Cannings is calling on the federal government to increase its role in wildfire management

 

Skaha Beach in Penticton saw plenty of activity on Tuesday, Aug. 17 during a warm summer day. Penticton and Osoyoos are among Canada’s favourite getaway destinations in recent months. Data released from Google Aug. 14, 2020 shows three Okanagan cities in the top-five fastest rising hotel destinations in Canada. Beaches and wineries are among the popular attractions for visitors. (John Arendt - Black Press)

‘Extraordinary’ heat in the Okanagan as 120-year-long records shattered in May

Month-long temperatures in the region recorded at 3 to 5 C above normal

Skaha Beach in Penticton saw plenty of activity on Tuesday, Aug. 17 during a warm summer day. Penticton and Osoyoos are among Canada’s favourite getaway destinations in recent months. Data released from Google Aug. 14, 2020 shows three Okanagan cities in the top-five fastest rising hotel destinations in Canada. Beaches and wineries are among the popular attractions for visitors. (John Arendt - Black Press)
FILE — This March 28, 2017 photo, provided by the New York State Sex Offender Registry, shows Jeffrey Epstein. Nearly four years after Epstein died in jail in New York, the AP has obtained more than 4,000 pages of documents related to his death from the Bureau of Prisons under the Freedom of Information Law. (New York State Sex Offender Registry via AP, File)

New details of Jeffrey Epstein’s death and the frantic aftermath revealed in records obtained by AP

Two weeks before ending his life, Jeffrey Epstein sat in the corner…

FILE — This March 28, 2017 photo, provided by the New York State Sex Offender Registry, shows Jeffrey Epstein. Nearly four years after Epstein died in jail in New York, the AP has obtained more than 4,000 pages of documents related to his death from the Bureau of Prisons under the Freedom of Information Law. (New York State Sex Offender Registry via AP, File)

Two-vehicle crash slows down traffic on Kelowna’s Harvey Avenue

RCMP and Kelowna Fire are currently on scene

The new style Conair Dash 8s air tankers have landed in Penticton for wildfire season. (Monique Tamminga Western News)

New-style air tankers touch down in Penticton

Conair has brought a pair of its Dash 8-400AT to the city’s airport, ahead of wildfire season

The new style Conair Dash 8s air tankers have landed in Penticton for wildfire season. (Monique Tamminga Western News)
The Keremeos Rodeo Hall after it was vandalized early Friday morning, May 26. (Photo- Peter Kolisnyk)

‘Heartbreaking’: Close to $5k in estimated damage after vandals hit Keremeos Rodeo Hall

Community has rallied to help with cleanup efforts since the newly-built hall was vandalized

The Keremeos Rodeo Hall after it was vandalized early Friday morning, May 26. (Photo- Peter Kolisnyk)
A newly-installed rainbow crosswalk from Queen’s Park Elementary School to the Penticton Trade Convention Centre on Power Street. (Brennan Phillips/Western News)

‘No place for hate’: Penticton’s leaders address backlash against rainbow crosswalk

A new rainbow crosswalk has been installed on Power Street from Queen’s Park Elementary

A newly-installed rainbow crosswalk from Queen’s Park Elementary School to the Penticton Trade Convention Centre on Power Street. (Brennan Phillips/Western News)
Oliver deputy fire chief Byron Somerville, right, was presented last week with a provincial medal from fire chief Bob Graham, for his 25 years of service at the department. (Photo- Oliver Fire Department/Facebook)

Oliver deputy fire chief honoured province-wide for 25 years of service

Byron Somerville reached the community milestone last week

Oliver deputy fire chief Byron Somerville, right, was presented last week with a provincial medal from fire chief Bob Graham, for his 25 years of service at the department. (Photo- Oliver Fire Department/Facebook)
Some Osoyoos residents have noted a foul smell in the community. The town says it’s caused by a sewage treatment failure. (File photo)

Foul smell recently produced in Osoyoos a result of sewage treatment failure: Town

Officials are ‘90 per cent confident’ the odour was caused by water treatment facility failure

Some Osoyoos residents have noted a foul smell in the community. The town says it’s caused by a sewage treatment failure. (File photo)
The 13th annual B.C. Cone Zone campaign urges drivers to slow down and take care in a vulnerable workplace. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. driving campaign hammers home importance of watching out for roadside crews

‘Over the past 10 years, 12 workers have died at the roadside’

The 13th annual B.C. Cone Zone campaign urges drivers to slow down and take care in a vulnerable workplace. (Black Press Media file photo)
B.C.’s Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives, Vancouver-Kensington MLA Mable Elmore, at the Lakeside Resort in Penticton on Friday, May 12, for the Confronting the White Elephant, Exploring Anti-Racism forum.

B.C.’s head of anti-racism visits Penticton for ‘Confronting the White Elephant’ forum

‘We need your help to identify how we move forward,’ said Mable Elmore at the anti-racism forum

B.C.’s Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives, Vancouver-Kensington MLA Mable Elmore, at the Lakeside Resort in Penticton on Friday, May 12, for the Confronting the White Elephant, Exploring Anti-Racism forum.
Skaha Beach in Penticton. Tempertures in the Peach City starting Sunday, May 14, will reach up to 32 C. (John Arendt - Black Press)

Upcoming heat wave could break records in the Okanagan, experts say

Penticton, Kelowna and Vernon will see temperatures rise above 30 C starting Mother’s Day

Skaha Beach in Penticton. Tempertures in the Peach City starting Sunday, May 14, will reach up to 32 C. (John Arendt - Black Press)
Modelling shows the wave amplitude in Esperanza Inlet and Nootka Sound following a hypothetical 9.0 magnitude earthquake in the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Photo courtesy Ocean Networks Canada

Modelled tsunami would take 20 minutes to reach Vancouver Island — study

Model based on magnitude 9.0 quake in Cascadia Subduction Zone

Modelling shows the wave amplitude in Esperanza Inlet and Nootka Sound following a hypothetical 9.0 magnitude earthquake in the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Photo courtesy Ocean Networks Canada
The Kettle River rages under the Black Train Bridge on Kettle River Drive in Grand Forks last Friday evening. photo Chris Hammett

Grand Forks flooding recedes, another crest expected by end of week

Flood mitigation holding, city remains vigilant even as emergency order lifted

The Kettle River rages under the Black Train Bridge on Kettle River Drive in Grand Forks last Friday evening. photo Chris Hammett
Supt. Brian Hunter. (Phil McLachlan photo)

Penticton’s top police officer stepping away from role due to cancer

RCMP Supt. Brian Hunter was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer

Supt. Brian Hunter. (Phil McLachlan photo)
A response between The Ha-ma-yas Guardians, the Canadian Coast Guard and Western Canada Marine Response Corporation raised a sunken diesel tanker off Hardwicke Island last week. Photo courtesy DFO Marine Mammal Response Unit

Coastal First Nations Guardians key to fuel truck spill response

Local knowledge of area proved vital to success of salvage

A response between The Ha-ma-yas Guardians, the Canadian Coast Guard and Western Canada Marine Response Corporation raised a sunken diesel tanker off Hardwicke Island last week. Photo courtesy DFO Marine Mammal Response Unit
Temperatures across the region have jumped up to 28 C, following a colder-than-normal beginning of April with many hitting the beach for the first time this year. (John Arendt - Black Press file photo)

‘Extraordinary weather’: Record-breaking temperatures in Okanagan

Kelowna experienced its warmest April day ever, but with the heat has come flooding

Temperatures across the region have jumped up to 28 C, following a colder-than-normal beginning of April with many hitting the beach for the first time this year. (John Arendt - Black Press file photo)
Penticton’s Ellis Creek in 2018, after the city had warned of flooding. The city this weekend is monitoring snowmelt and the potential for flooding with temperatures on the rise. (Photo- Dustin Godfrey)

City of Penticton monitors snow melt, potential flooding as temperatures rise

Public urged to avoid recreational activities like fishing and swimming this weekend

Penticton’s Ellis Creek in 2018, after the city had warned of flooding. The city this weekend is monitoring snowmelt and the potential for flooding with temperatures on the rise. (Photo- Dustin Godfrey)