Brennan Phillips

Osoyoos’ Watermark Beach Resort is suing multiple companies and people after it was scammed for over $50,000 in April, 2023. (Google Streetview)

Osoyoos resort suing after being scammed for over $50K

The resort’s mattress supplier had his email hacked for the scam

Osoyoos’ Watermark Beach Resort is suing multiple companies and people after it was scammed for over $50,000 in April, 2023. (Google Streetview)
Kasari Govender, B.C. Human Rights commissioner, speaks after releasing the final report on her inquiry into hate during the COVID-19 pandemic, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

BC Human Rights Commissioner talks battling hate in Penticton

The Commissioner sat down for a one-on-one interview with the Western News

Kasari Govender, B.C. Human Rights commissioner, speaks after releasing the final report on her inquiry into hate during the COVID-19 pandemic, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Former mayor John Vassilaki has lost one of two lawsuits against his brother Nicholas. (City of Penticton file photo)

Former Penticton mayor’s lawsuit against his family deemed ‘manifestly deficient’

John Vassilaki sued his family for freezing him out of their businesses but had lack of evidence

Former mayor John Vassilaki has lost one of two lawsuits against his brother Nicholas. (City of Penticton file photo)
Colton Jacob Thorsen. (Facebook)

Osoyoos man waits to hear his fate over 2020 shooting

Judge to weigh Colton Thorsen’s progress and the seriousness of the incident

Colton Jacob Thorsen. (Facebook)
Elder Grace Greyeyes of the Penticton Indian Band cut the ribbon for the official ceremonial opening of the rainbow crosswalk at Queen’s Park Elementary School. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)

Human Rights Commissioner to visit Penticton to talk about hate

Local leaders have been invited to the SOICS event

Elder Grace Greyeyes of the Penticton Indian Band cut the ribbon for the official ceremonial opening of the rainbow crosswalk at Queen’s Park Elementary School. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)
Barricades are up ahead of construction for a new gas station, convenience store and drive-thru fast food restaurant in Keremeos. (Mary-Ellen Woroby - Facebook)

Keremeos may be getting its first drive-thru fast food restaurant

Chevron is coming to town and likely so is Triple-O’s

Barricades are up ahead of construction for a new gas station, convenience store and drive-thru fast food restaurant in Keremeos. (Mary-Ellen Woroby - Facebook)
An occupied residence next to the Theo’s Restaurant parking lot that was set on fire by a suspect who was arrested on Sept. 18. (Brennan Phillips - Penticton Western News)

Penticton man sentenced to time served for arson behind Theo’s Restaurant

Owen Dean Winchester has spent nearly 600 days in jail and said he is clean now

An occupied residence next to the Theo’s Restaurant parking lot that was set on fire by a suspect who was arrested on Sept. 18. (Brennan Phillips - Penticton Western News)
Elder Grace Greyeyes of the Penticton Indian Band cut the ribbon for the official ceremonial opening of the rainbow crosswalk at Queen’s Park Elementary School. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)

Penticton blesses and cuts ribbon for rainbow crosswalk

There was no place for hate at the Friday ceremony

Elder Grace Greyeyes of the Penticton Indian Band cut the ribbon for the official ceremonial opening of the rainbow crosswalk at Queen’s Park Elementary School. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)
The fire that destroyed a garage on Killarney Street in Penticton on June 1 is under investigation. (Jen Annett - Facebook)

Fire that destroyed Penticton garage under investigation

No injuries were reported

The fire that destroyed a garage on Killarney Street in Penticton on June 1 is under investigation. (Jen Annett - Facebook)
The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen has provided sand, sandbags and instructional videos for Faulder residents affected by regional flooding. (Photo courtesy of the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen)
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen issued a water quality advisory for the Faulder region while the resin that removes the uranium is replaced. (Photo courtesy of the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen)
The Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen has provided sand, sandbags and instructional videos for Faulder residents affected by regional flooding. (Photo courtesy of the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen)
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen issued a water quality advisory for the Faulder region while the resin that removes the uranium is replaced. (Photo courtesy of the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen)
Penticton’s Law Courts. (File photo)

Man who broke his victim’s face gets 18 months jail for Osoyoos assault

The victim required 40 staples to seal up his head injury

Penticton’s Law Courts. (File photo)
The Ooknakane Friendship Centre in Penticton. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)

A 5th lawsuit filed against Penticton Indigenous friendship centre by ex-employee

The five lawsuits share similar elements and stories about the centre’s operations

The Ooknakane Friendship Centre in Penticton. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)
The Keremeos Bypass will undergo repaving until at least June 8. (Photo- DriveBC)

Keremeos Bypass closed for expansion

The road is being repaved and is expected to be fully reopened by June 8

The Keremeos Bypass will undergo repaving until at least June 8. (Photo- DriveBC)
Penticton’s Law Courts. (Western News File)

Penticton man guilty of possessing more than 300 child sexual abuse images

Over 300 images and one video were recovered by RCMP

Penticton’s Law Courts. (Western News File)
Penticton court.

Maskless-man guilty of assault on Summerland store owner during COVID

The assault happened in 2021 at the height of COVID-19 safety measures

Penticton court.
Wade Cudmore seen here with his mom Kathy Richardson, will stand trial in Kelowna for the murders of the Fryer brothers found dead in Naramata in May 2021. Cudmore’s mom was found murdered in her home in June 2021. (Facebook)

Man accused of Naramata double-homicide appears for pretrial in Kelowna

Wade William Cudmore is set to go to trial in 2024

Wade Cudmore seen here with his mom Kathy Richardson, will stand trial in Kelowna for the murders of the Fryer brothers found dead in Naramata in May 2021. Cudmore’s mom was found murdered in her home in June 2021. (Facebook)
Carmi Elementary School (Google Streetview)

Penticton partnering with local schools to make safer routes

The city will be working with Carmi and Uplands first and experts

Carmi Elementary School (Google Streetview)
The Cirque Du Soleil show Corteo will be in Penticton for eight shows in January, 2024. (Cirque Du Soleil - MajaPrgomet)

Cirque du Soleil’s Corteo coming to Penticton for 8 shows in 2024

The arena production will be at the SOEC for 4 days in January

The Cirque Du Soleil show Corteo will be in Penticton for eight shows in January, 2024. (Cirque Du Soleil - MajaPrgomet)
Pure fentanyl is being sold as meth in Penticton, and it carries an extremely high risk of overdose and fatal overdose. (Interior Health)

Pure fentanyl being sold as meth in Penticton

The drugs have an “extreme risk” of overdose and fatal overdoses

Pure fentanyl is being sold as meth in Penticton, and it carries an extremely high risk of overdose and fatal overdose. (Interior Health)
Canadian punk stars Billy Talent will be in Penticton with special guest Gob in October. (Contributed)

Billy Talent and Gob coming to Penticton

The Canadian punk stars play the SOEC in October

Canadian punk stars Billy Talent will be in Penticton with special guest Gob in October. (Contributed)