Columnist at mall with new book

Columnist Harvie Barker will be at Cherry Lane Shopping Centre today and Saturday selling his new book A Good Word In Season Volume 8, a collection of his stories published in the Penticton Herald. With the purchase of Volume 8 at the regular price of $10, individuals may buy up to four copies of any of his previous books (Nos. 1-7) for only $5 each due to the generosity of an anonymous donor.

MLA treated to $6,100 Taiwan trip

Penticton MLA Dan Ashton reported an all-expenses-paid trip to Taiwan in his latest public disclosure statement.

Ashton valued the trip at $6,100 for airfare, accommodation, meals, local transportation and venue fees.

It was provided by the Taiwan Economic Cultural Office in Vancouver and took place Dec. 2-9, 2015.

A total of six B.C. Liberal MLAs went overseas together to discuss trade and opportunities for closer ties between Canada and Taiwan.

Willowbrook water quality iffy

A water-quality advisory has been issued for the Willowbrook water system due to the presence of total coliform bacteria.

Children, seniors and people with weakened immune systems should seek alternate sources of water or boil tap water for at least one minute, according to the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, which posted the alert Thursday in conjunction with Interior Health.

The RDOS cautioned, however, that the advisory is different from a more serious boil-water notice.

“The associated health risks have been assessed to be minimal at this time,” a press release noted.

Alarm box

Emergency fire crews responded to the following calls for service within the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen. Thursday 4:37 a.m., Wilson Street, medical assist Wednesday 7:58 a.m., Ridge Place, medical assist

8:19 a.m., Paris Street, medical assist

9:51 a.m., Road 3, Oliver, assist other agency 3:07 p.m., Main Street, alarm 3:14 p.m., Allison Street, minor fire

10:01 p.m., Skaha Lake Road, medical assist

11:40 p.m., 7th Ave., Okanagan Falls, medical assist