Penticton contractor facing lawsuits in the millions sees second business tied up in legal trouble – Penticton News

Photo: Josh Shulman

The Apex Freestyle Snowboard Club saw some incredible success at last weekend’s BC Snowboard provincial Snowboardcross series event, which took place at Big White Resort.

Program director and head coach Josh Shulman shared that the team competed in two races over the course of the weekend.

“SBX racing is similar to BMX racing and skicross. Four racers at a time charge down the track in a race to the finish line. The action is fast paced and intense,” he added.

“This event brought more than 10 teams and over 100 racers from around B.C. including Silverstar, Revelstoke, Rossland, Sun Peaks, the Vancouver area, Whistler and even a club from California, to Big White to race on a fast SBX track.”

The Apex club brought four athletes to race in three different categories, including Nathan Hamm in Mens U13, Stone Shulman and Chase Giesbrecht in Mens U15 and Hailey Zednai in Womens U18.

Zednai won gold on Saturday and Sunday, while Hamm won bronze on Saturday and Sunday and Giesbrecht won bronze on Sunday.

“This coming weekend our slopestyle team heads up to Big White to take part in the BCSnowboard provincial slopestyle series,” Shulman said.

“If you have a young snowboarder in your household who’s keen to find a fun pack of other shredders to rip with or maybe even interested in competing, throw our club an email and let’s get them involved.”

Reach out over email at [email protected] or for more info or to register for any club programs, head over to their website here.

Photo: Josh Shulman

Photo: Josh Shulman

Photo: Contributed

Summerland Charity Shops Society presenting their $630,000 donation to the Community Foundation. (from left to right) CFSOS Chair – Robin Robertson, SCSS Directors – Bruce Hallquist, Orv Robson and Scott Boswell, CFSOS CEO – Aaron McRann

The Summerland Charity Shop Society has donated $630,000 to the Community Foundation of the South Okanagan Similkameen.

The society, which operates under the moniker Penny Lane, made the donation this week, $100,000 of which is committed to the Summerland High School to support local youth.

A further $30,000 will go to the weekend food backpack program through the Summerland Food Bank and Resource Centre.

“We are thrilled to be able to add to our Community Legacy Fund and high school bursaries to support youth for decades to come,” said Orv Robson, a director of Penny Lane.

“The donation to the foundation will increase the legacy fund to over $1M dollars and the donation to the high school will provide bursaries for Grade 12 students going on university, college and technical certification.”

Penny Lane stores operated in Summerland from 2001 to 2013, as second hand stores.

Through the years, the stores expanded through the youth centre to two stores downtown.

“It’s been a great ride from when we first opened a storefront in 2001. We reached our 5 year financial objectives in 18 months. Our initial goal was to support at-risk youth and our motto was if we can save one child it will all be worth it – as it turns out we were able to support many youth in our community,” said Bruce Hallquist with the society.

Over the years they have created jobs and business training opportunities. The Penny Lane stores hae since closed, but the Penny Lane Community Legacy Fund continues.

Aaron McRann, CEO of the Community Foundation adds “[They] have been steadfast supporters of our Foundation and even longer of our community. Their leadership and dedication to youth programs and initiatives have made a lasting impact,” said Aaron McRann, CEO of the Community Foundation of South Okanagan Similkameen.

“By establishing and making this significant contribution to their community fund, they’ve further strengthened an incredible resource that will support local youth for generations to come. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the SCSS for their vision, generosity, and unwavering commitment to our community.”

Photo: District of Summerland

Melissa Taylor speaks to council on Tuesday with the support of the Summerland Minor Baseball teams in the chambers

Summerland council will need more time to decide if they can financially support the restoration of a local baseball field, a movement spearheaded by a family hoping to honour their son.

Husband and wife fundraising team Jeff and Melissa Taylor are working on breathing back life into Living Memorial Park.

Their son, Hendriks Jon Taylor, passed away last summer at the age of 16. Hendriks had lived with a brain tumour and ultimately took his own life.

“It’s been such an incredible loss. This idea came to us probably the second day after he had passed, that we just needed to do something to keep his memory alive and to give back to this community that’s been so good to us and was so good to him,” Melissa told Castanet at the time.

“We’re really motivated to honour him by redoing these fields.”

The parents want to rename “Field 2” to Field 96, named after Hendriks’ jersey number, but otherwise keep the name Living Memorial Park.

Their fundraiser, which has a goal of $750,000, would go towards completely renovating the field and surrounding area, including adding new lighting, grandstands, batting cages, redoing the field, adding new fencing, and new bases and upgrading the bathrooms which have fallen into disrepair.

The Taylors have also applied for the Toronto Blue Jays Field Of Dreams grant, which provides funding to design, refurbish and build local baseball diamonds in communities across the country.

Melissa shared in an update to Castanet in December that they have been screened into the final stage of the Blue Jays Cares Foundation grant.

“Our application was ‘very well received.’ We are thrilled as this could mean a very substantial investment,” she added.

The family, along with the Summerland Minor Baseball Association (SMBA) appeared before Mayor and council on Tuesday, asking the district to allocate funds to match the potential award from the Blue Jays Cares Grant, Field of Dreams Program up to the amount of $250,000.

To date, SMBA has raised more than $75,000 through a GoFundMe and has plans in place for a variety of fundraising efforts that will continue locally, and on the coast, as they move into spring.

While they have a letter of support from council on the project to include in their application, having an agreed financial match confirmed adds a competitive edge to be awarded the Field Of Dreams grant.

Coun. Janet Peake asked if they have to match the $250K commitment, or what the options were.

Melissa explained that if council does not agree on the full contribution of the one-third cost of the project, SMBA would secondarily ask for them to consider a lesser amount rather than have no contribution.

“We don’t have to match it, we are asking that you match it,” she added.

The rebuild’s largest expense is lighting the field, and Melissa said that part could be delayed, but they are aiming to get it done.

“I think this is an amazing project,” Coun. Adrienne Betts said. “I know that our recreation facilities and amenities cost a tremendous amount of money, so that’s a really hard balance that we’ll try to figure out along the way.”

Mayor Doug Holmes said he appreciated the breakdown of costs for the budget of the park renovation, and asked if they had looked at the operational and maintenance costs.

“I don’t expect that there will be significant costs,” Melissa answered, pointing out that in discussions with district staff and park personnel, grass cutting and irrigation are already in place.

“If we got to a place where we get lighting…there would be some increased electrical costs but the maintenance budget is already in place.”

Melissa added that there is a time pressure for council’s answer, as the support for Blue Jays Cares Field of Dreams grant has until Jan. 31, 2025, to be formally submitted.

Holmes said it would unfortunately be tough to give a commitment by the end of January, given the large cost request and the need to have staff look into the budget.

Council’s next meeting will not be until February and they are nearing the final reading for adoption of this year’s budget.

Staff will be bringing back budget advice and options for consideration at the next council meeting on Feb. 11.

Photo: File photo

A pair of Naramata residents have filed a lawsuit against multiple Penticton RCMP officers, alleging police used excessive violence while conducting a traffic stop for expired insurance.

Kelly Hohmann, 63, and Sylvia Hohmann, 61, submitted the civil claim on Jan. 8, 2025, alleging that on Nov. 15, 2024, multiple officers escalated a ticket-issuing instance with what the Hohmanns allege was an “evil motive.”

According to the claim, Kelly was driving his ABC Septic Services company vehicle along Government Street when a marked RCMP vehicle pulled him over.

After handing over his license and registration, Kelly alleged that RCMP Const. Garrett Fast informed him the vehicle’s insurance was expired, and the work truck he was driving needed a National Safety Code number on the vehicle door, something Kelly claimed he was not aware his vehicle was required to display.

According to Kelly, as Fast returned to his RCMP vehicle, he called his wife to inform her about the turn of events.

Further discussion ensued as to whether the NSC number was necessary to be displayed. The officer allegedly informed Kelly he might need to have the vehicle towed.

Kelly doesn’t dispute the insurance had expired, but he said he heard sirens approaching and then saw multiple new police officers approaching as he stood by his vehicle.

“Kelly was under the understanding he was getting a ticket and the vehicle was being towed. Kelly could not understand why so many [officers] were attending when Fast was already writing the ticket in his RCMP vehicle,” said the publicly-filed civil claim.

The claim stated that soon after, Kelly’s wife Sylvia arrived to see several police cars with their lights and sirens on at Carmi Avenue and Government Street, and pulled out her phone to record the situation. She informed them she had a close family member with the RCMP.

Sylvia claims to have asked for the officers’ names, which was allegedly declined, then was told to go away. The court document stated she refused to do because her name was on the insurance papers.

“Before Sylvia could finish responding to the officers, and without any provocation from Kelly, one of the unknown officers maliciously and recklessly heaved Sylvia against an RCMP vehicle with his elbow forced into Sylvia’s spine,” the lawsuit claims.

She was then allegedly handcuffed.

Kelly turned to see his wife with an officer behind her in what appeared to be a chokehold. She was then allegedly shoved into the back of an RCMP vehicle. According to the notice of civil claim, she was told she was under arrest for obstruction.

Kelly claims he responded by asking officers to let go of his wife, then he alleges officers jumped onto his back and proceeded to push him towards the ground, where he hit his head and was injured during a handcuffing.

From there, Kelly briefly lost consciousness and when he regained it, he began screaming for help, the lawsuit alleges.

Both Hohmanns were taken to the Penticton RCMP detachment.

Kelly alleges he felt dazed and repeatedly requested to go to the hospital while at the detachment.

When the pair were released, Kelly was informed he was looking at a charge of obstruction, while Sylvia did not receive any charges.

They were released and family took them to hospital, according to their account. There, Kelly claims he was diagnosed with a concussion and further claims he has since been diagnosed with post-concussive syndrome along with other physical and mental health complications.

The couple claim they can no longer operate their business and Kelly is no longer able to work.

The Hohmanns are suing for a general damages and costs from the RCMP officers, along with the Attorney General of Canada and the Ministry of Public Safety.

The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General said in an emailed statement that as the case is in front of the courts, they are unable to provide a comment at this time.

The RCMP and the BC Prosecution Service did not immediately respond to a request for comment — but police have historically told Castanet they cannot comment on open cases before the courts.

None of the allegations in the lawsuit have yet been proven in court, and all named parties have a right to respond with countersuits should they choose to do so.

Photo: Contributed

A hot spot for brunch and sandwiches in downtown Penticton is seeking new ownership, listing their business for sale this week.

Luke Walsh, a co-owner of Loki’s Garage on Front Street, shared that after five years in business, they are looking for somebody else to take over the helm.

“While the experience has been rewarding, opening Loki’s into the pandemic and growing a business over these last five years has been tiring,” Walsh shared in an emailed announcement.

“Loki’s is ready for new owners that will bring back the enthusiasm that was shown with daily baking and a focus on prepping all ingredients in house.”

The restaurant was the former Burger 55 location before Walsh took over the spot with chef Marcus Lenk and Alethea Trovao.

“With three full years left on the lease we are confident the new ownership will not only maintain, but build on the good name of Loki’s,” he added.

“We are excited to see what the next ownership group can achieve with this great name and location.”

The business is listed at $425,000.

Photo: Contributed

Photo: Contributed

The Penticton RollerSkate Society is excited to announce an upcoming fundraising event that promises music, prizes, food and more.

The society is dedicated to spreading the joy of roller skating and roller derby with the community, aiming to offer affordable rentals and accessible participation, plus lessons and more, for all ages.

They host events in the spring, summer and fall at locations like the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre, the Activate Penticton outdoor rink, the Penticton Lakeshore boardwalk and other locations throughout the South Okanagan.

On Feb. 22 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., join their Punk Rock Prom event at Clancy’s Pub.

There will be a live band, karaoke, 50/50 draw, door prizes, a photo booth and more.

Plus special “Derby Smash” burgers will be on special for $8.95 with the purchase of a drink.

Tickets are $25 in advance online here.

Photo: Casey Richardson

Member of Parliament Dan Albas pins the King Charles III?s Coronation Medal on Janet Parker, during a presentation with Mayor Julius Bloomfield

A woman known for her generosity, drive and support for a Penticton recovery society was recognized on Tuesday.

Janet Parker was awarded the King Charles III’s Coronation Medal for her work with Discovery House and the community, all of which she did in honour of her late son.

They shared she was chosen for her “exceptional contributions and dedication to fostering community development, enhancing local support networks, demonstrating extraordinary generosity to non-profit organizations, and showcasing her brilliant business acumen.”

Elected officials, Penticton mayor and council, along with board members came together for the official ceremony to honour Parker.

The award was formally presented by Member of Parliament Dan Albas and Mayor Julius Bloomfield.

“A lot of families suffer from the loss of those people that are affected by addiction. And different families, they all feel the pain of it, and some members of those families handle it in a different way, and they use it as a trigger to light with passion the work to make sure that others don’t suffer the same fate,” Bloomfield said to the crowd inside the Winnipeg Street house.

Parker has working with them since her son Colin passed away from an overdose on Oct. 4, 2016, donating tens of thousands of dollars each year to Discovery House.

She began working with the organization in 2017, deciding to turn pain into something positive.

Parker told Castanet it wasn’t easy.

“I think about him every day.”

But she believed in the work they did, and used her community connections to help them grow.

Her work has helped the society add on more recovery beds, expand their footprint and build independent living homes.

Executive director Blaine Russell said the list is endless in regards to the good work Parker has done.

“I’ve known her, from being a resident myself to where we are now,” he said.

“Janet’s generosity, the way she handles herself, her commitment to the countless hours working on our board, helping us with fundraising, just really built that. I don’t think this organization, honestly, would be where it is without the great support of Janet Parker. We’re so grateful and lucky to have Janet as a part of this organization.”

Parker thanked everyone who has helped make Discovery House what it is today and said she was honoured to receive the medal.

She hopes to see more recovery beds added, along with treatment for long term aftercare.

“We always have a waiting list. So that means there’s people out there, and that means there’s lives we could be saving and making a difference,” Parker said.

Discovery House continues to need provincial, federal and citizen support to help it run. For more information, head to their website here.

Photo: Casey Richardson

Photo: Contributed

Many Hats Theatre Company in Penticton is excited to welcome its winter production from the mind of a beloved Canadian playwright classic.

“The Ladies Foursome,” inspired by Norm Foster’s “The Foursome,” will take to the stage at the Cannery Trade Centre from Feb. 7 to March 2, featuring local talent.

Many Hats describes the show as a “testament to enduring friendship,” featuring the story of three longtime friends grieving the death of their fourth on the golf course, and learning secrets about her and themselves throughout their 18 holes with a mysterious new friend of the deceased.

“You will both laugh and cry before [the end] as secrets are discovered, confessions made, relationships tested, and friendships are developed,” Many Hats says.

Tickets are $35 for adults and $33 for seniors and students. For more information, click here.

Photo: Contributed/JoJo Mason

Penticton Peach Festival has announced that JoJo Mason will headline its Tim Hortons Country Night this upcoming summer.

Peach Fest is a free five-day entertainment spectacular that is signature to the South Okanagan, capping off each day with a live music show on the main stage at Okanagan Lake Park, each with a different theme.

JoJo Mason is an up-and-coming country star that will headlining Thursday, Aug. 7.

“We are beyond thrilled to have JoJo Mason headline Tim Hortons Country Night at the Peach Festival this year,” said Alysha Forrest, entertainment director of the Penticton Peach Festival, in a press release.

“JoJo is a powerhouse talent with a unique sound that blends country and soul in a way that truly resonates with audiences. His dynamic performances make him the perfect fit for our festival, and we’re so excited to see the crowd light up at the Peters Bros. stage this August.”

Fans might know his recent successful singles “Better On You” and “Bottom Shelf.”

Peach Fest 2025 takes place Aug. 6 to 10. More headlining acts and entertainment attractions will be announced in coming weeks.

YouTube JoJo Mason