Brennan Phillips

Penticton Mayor John Vassilaki. (Contributed)

Penticton mayor accused of making death threats in family feud: court documents

Penticton’s mayor threatened siblings lives, says court documents filed by brother

Penticton Mayor John Vassilaki. (Contributed)
Scales of justice (file photo)

Architect ordered to pay $9M in lawsuit over failed Osoyoos seniors development

Cactus Ridge was intended to be a 92-unit assisted living property built in 2008

Scales of justice (file photo)
Canada forward Emily Clark (26) scores on Switzerland goaltender Saskia Maurer during second period women’s ice hockey semifinals action Monday, February 14, 2022 at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

4 Olympians carry Penticton with them to Beijing

Olympic Women’s Hockey had 4 alumni from Penticton’s Okanagan Hockey Academy program

Canada forward Emily Clark (26) scores on Switzerland goaltender Saskia Maurer during second period women’s ice hockey semifinals action Monday, February 14, 2022 at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
A ‘Freedom Convoy’ protester was filmed hurling racist abuse and invectives at students outside the Southern Okanagan Secondary School in Oliver on Friday, Feb. 11. (Youtube)

RCMP investigating racist abuse hurled at Okanagan students during ‘Freedom Convoy’ protest

A viral video has students saying ‘you are literally arguing with children’

A ‘Freedom Convoy’ protester was filmed hurling racist abuse and invectives at students outside the Southern Okanagan Secondary School in Oliver on Friday, Feb. 11. (Youtube)
14 criminal charges have been filed against 41-year-old Cameron Edward Jake Urquhart accused in the violent attack on staff at the Village of Keremeos offices. (Facebook)

Man arrested in sledgehammer, knife attack on B.C. village staff

The 41-year-old man accused of assaulting employees and a police officer

14 criminal charges have been filed against 41-year-old Cameron Edward Jake Urquhart accused in the violent attack on staff at the Village of Keremeos offices. (Facebook)
The league will be celebrating with an outdoor all-stars game in Penticton in January, 2023. (BCHL)

BCHL pushes 60th Anniversary in Penticton to 2023

The league decided to delay the game based on the province’s current COVID-19 situation

The league will be celebrating with an outdoor all-stars game in Penticton in January, 2023. (BCHL)
Transport trucks hauling trailers travel on the Coquihalla Highway after it was reopened to commercial traffic as heavy equipment is used to rebuild the southbound lanes that were washed away by flooding last month at Othello, northeast of Hope, B.C., on Monday, December 20, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Coquihalla opens to commercial traffic; Hwy 3 to fully open Tuesday

Highway 99 is also open for non-essential travel

Transport trucks hauling trailers travel on the Coquihalla Highway after it was reopened to commercial traffic as heavy equipment is used to rebuild the southbound lanes that were washed away by flooding last month at Othello, northeast of Hope, B.C., on Monday, December 20, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
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)
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)