Penticton

The Canadian Forces SkyHawks parachute team touched down at Okanagan Lake Park for the 75th-anniversary of the Penticton Peach Festival on Aug. 4. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)

Look up in the sky: The SkyHawks are back for Penticton’s Peach Festival

The Canadian Armed Forces Parachute team returns on opening day

The Canadian Forces SkyHawks parachute team touched down at Okanagan Lake Park for the 75th-anniversary of the Penticton Peach Festival on Aug. 4. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)
Okanagan Hockey Academy’s David Hoy scored his team’s first goal on Saturday, March 11, against the Rink Hockey Academy Kelowna U17 in Penticton. The OHA secured a 4-1 victory to open its CSSHL Championships in 2023. (Logan Lockhart/Western News)

PHOTOS: Okanagan Hockey Academy, Kelowna battle at CSSHL Championships in Penticton

The tournament ends March 19 and features 86 teams from across North America

Okanagan Hockey Academy’s David Hoy scored his team’s first goal on Saturday, March 11, against the Rink Hockey Academy Kelowna U17 in Penticton. The OHA secured a 4-1 victory to open its CSSHL Championships in 2023. (Logan Lockhart/Western News)
Skiers from across the Interior competed in the Sporting Life OK NGSL Zone Finals on March 4 and 5, at the Apex Mountain Resort near Penticton. (Photo- Greg Jaron)

More than 140 athletes from across B.C.’s Interior ski for gold at Apex Mountain

The Sporting Life OK NGSL Zone Finals took place on March 4 and 5

Skiers from across the Interior competed in the Sporting Life OK NGSL Zone Finals on March 4 and 5, at the Apex Mountain Resort near Penticton. (Photo- Greg Jaron)
This Penticton art duo were one of two winners to win a $100 prize at Okanagan Lake Park on Saturday, April 1, 2022, at the first-ever Ignite the Arts’ Sculpture Contest. (Logan Lockhart -Western News)

Popular festival returns to make Penticton ‘cultural capital of B.C.’ again

The second annual Ignite the Arts Festival runs from March 24 to April 2

This Penticton art duo were one of two winners to win a $100 prize at Okanagan Lake Park on Saturday, April 1, 2022, at the first-ever Ignite the Arts’ Sculpture Contest. (Logan Lockhart -Western News)
Apex Mountain Resort has finished in the top 10 of this year’s Mackenzie TopPeak competition. (Apex Mountain Resort)

National TV broadcast recognizing Apex Mountain Resort; hill wins $2k in competition

Online voters had their say and selected Apex as one of the best ski communities in Canada

Apex Mountain Resort has finished in the top 10 of this year’s Mackenzie TopPeak competition. (Apex Mountain Resort)
The Ooknakane Friendship Centre in Penticton (Western News File)

Penticton’s Indigenous friendship centre sued for allegedly forcing out ex director

The lawsuit claims it was part of a concerted effort to force out all non-Indigenous staff

The Ooknakane Friendship Centre in Penticton (Western News File)
Staff members from Valley First gather around for Feed the Valley Night at the South Okanagan Events Centre. The initiative returns Friday night, March 10, when the Penticton Vees battle the Langley Rivermen. (Mark Brett/file photo)

Here’s what’s happening this weekend in the South Okanagan

Feed the Valley Night, Seedy Saturday, lots of hockey and much more coming up

Staff members from Valley First gather around for Feed the Valley Night at the South Okanagan Events Centre. The initiative returns Friday night, March 10, when the Penticton Vees battle the Langley Rivermen. (Mark Brett/file photo)
The Canadian Sport School Hockey League Championships and Penticton have reached a five-year deal, worth a total of $500,000 to keep the tournament in the city until at least 2029. (Mark Brett, file photo)

Penticton, CSSHL Championships ink 5-year, $500K deal to keep hockey tournament local

Economic impact to Penticton will be close to $40 million over length of contract: City

The Canadian Sport School Hockey League Championships and Penticton have reached a five-year deal, worth a total of $500,000 to keep the tournament in the city until at least 2029. (Mark Brett, file photo)
Skaha Meadows Golf Course in Penticton opened for the season on Feb. 8, 2023. Snowfall shortly after put a halt on consistent operations until early March. As of March 8, they are open for the season. (Photo- Skaha Meadows Golf Course/Facebook)

Golf in February: Penticton course the first in Okanagan to open for season

Skaha Meadows opened Feb. 8; Penticton Golf and Country tees off March 9

Skaha Meadows Golf Course in Penticton opened for the season on Feb. 8, 2023. Snowfall shortly after put a halt on consistent operations until early March. As of March 8, they are open for the season. (Photo- Skaha Meadows Golf Course/Facebook)
Penticton mayor Julius Bloomfield addresses a large crowd at a Chamber held meeting at Okanagan College on March 8. The new mayor addressed housing, community safety and touched on the budget. (Monique Tamminga Western News)

Penticton mayor heads to Victoria for face-to-face on mental health addictions funding

Julius Bloomfield spoke to Chamber members about how to make it a vibrant city again

Penticton mayor Julius Bloomfield addresses a large crowd at a Chamber held meeting at Okanagan College on March 8. The new mayor addressed housing, community safety and touched on the budget. (Monique Tamminga Western News)
Riders in the 2022 Okanagan Granfondo at the start line in downtown Penticton last July. (Monique Tamminga Western News)

Okanagan Granfondo staying in Penticton for 5 more years

The now-called Okanagan Granfondo Penticton returns on July 9

Riders in the 2022 Okanagan Granfondo at the start line in downtown Penticton last July. (Monique Tamminga Western News)
Maui’s Teahouse in Penticton is nominated in two categories for the 2023 Small Business BC Awards. The bubble tea cafe was named after Maui the dog. (Maui’s Teahouse Facebook.)

Penticton bubble tea café nominated for pair of Small Business BC awards

Maui’s Teahouse opened in July 2022 and can be voted for in two different categories

Maui’s Teahouse in Penticton is nominated in two categories for the 2023 Small Business BC Awards. The bubble tea cafe was named after Maui the dog. (Maui’s Teahouse Facebook.)
Okanagan Para Swimming members Senna Entner of Vernon (left) and Brea Duncan of Armstrong won silver and gold, respecively, in the S7 100 metre backstroke at the B.C. Winter Provincial Swimming Championships in Victoria. (Facebook photo)

North Okanagan Para swimmers rock B.C. Winter provincials

Brea Duncan, Senna Entner and Jacob Brayshaw return with medals, records, personal best times

Okanagan Para Swimming members Senna Entner of Vernon (left) and Brea Duncan of Armstrong won silver and gold, respecively, in the S7 100 metre backstroke at the B.C. Winter Provincial Swimming Championships in Victoria. (Facebook photo)
Hungry Bear Power Bites Café is opening on April 1, inside the Penticton airport. (Photo- Penticton Regional Airport)

New café opening inside Penticton Regional Airport

Hungry Bear Power Bites Café opens on April 1

Hungry Bear Power Bites Café is opening on April 1, inside the Penticton airport. (Photo- Penticton Regional Airport)
Built in 1915, this Tudor-style home that has been Bogner's restaurant since 1976 will be torn down and turned into office space. (Monique Tamminga Western News)

Final approvals pave way for demolition of historic Penticton restaurant

Ministry of Transportation approved termination of the land use contract for Bogner’s

Built in 1915, this Tudor-style home that has been Bogner's restaurant since 1976 will be torn down and turned into office space. (Monique Tamminga Western News)
Nickel Plate Nordic Centre is once again hosting the Okanagan Cup’s ski races in March 2023. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)

Teck Okanagan Cup ski races returning to Nickel Plate Nordic Centre near Penticton

The season’s final regional cross-country event kicks off March 12

Nickel Plate Nordic Centre is once again hosting the Okanagan Cup’s ski races in March 2023. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)
Scales of justice at Vancouver law courts. (File photo)

No jail time for elderly man guilty of child sex offenses in Princeton

The man volunteered for years at the garden and reading program of a local elementary school

Scales of justice at Vancouver law courts. (File photo)
From Feb. 22 to 26, Apex sent 11 freestyle skiers to the BC Freestyle Timber Tour and Super Youth Comp Circuit in Fernie. (Photo- Submitted)

Freestyle skiers from Penticton bring home medals after competition in Fernie

Apex skiers will compete at the BC Games in Vernon and Junior Nationals in Ontario later this month

From Feb. 22 to 26, Apex sent 11 freestyle skiers to the BC Freestyle Timber Tour and Super Youth Comp Circuit in Fernie. (Photo- Submitted)
Penticton’s Ciara Browne, 16, won a bronze medal for Team BC at the 2023 Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island. (Photo- Armando Tura/Team BC)

Penticton karate star captures bronze medal for Team BC at Canada Winter Games

16-year-old Ciara Browne shined in Prince Edward Island last week

Penticton’s Ciara Browne, 16, won a bronze medal for Team BC at the 2023 Canada Winter Games in Prince Edward Island. (Photo- Armando Tura/Team BC)
The 27th annual Penticton Home and Reno Show welcomed thousands of people to the city’s trade and convention centre on Saturday, March 4. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)

PHOTOS: Thousands enjoy the signs of spring at Penticton Home and Reno Show

Within two hours, more than 2,500 people walked through the show’s doors

The 27th annual Penticton Home and Reno Show welcomed thousands of people to the city’s trade and convention centre on Saturday, March 4. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)