Lachlan Labere

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The Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development has chosen to remove unauthorized work done on the historic Eagle Pass fire lookout. (Contributed)

‘Beyond belief’: Decision made to remove unauthorized work at historic Shuswap fire lookout

Salvageable material at Eagle Pass lookout to be saved for possible future restoration project

The Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development has chosen to remove unauthorized work done on the historic Eagle Pass fire lookout. (Contributed)
The South Shuswap Chamber of Commerce is concerned local businesses will be burdened with enforcing the B.C. government’s proposed vaccine card. (File photo)

Asking businesses to enforce vaccine card is too much, says South Shuswap chamber

Chamber says businesses are already struggling with restrictions, impact of wildfires

The South Shuswap Chamber of Commerce is concerned local businesses will be burdened with enforcing the B.C. government’s proposed vaccine card. (File photo)
A man and a woman are in police custody following an alleged targeted attack west of Salmon Arm on Aug. 23, 2021. (File photo)

Salmon Arm RCMP recommend kidnapping charge in alleged targeted attack

Police say suspects broke into house, attempted to hide from officers

A man and a woman are in police custody following an alleged targeted attack west of Salmon Arm on Aug. 23, 2021. (File photo)
The Salmon arm and Shuswap Lake Agricultural Association announced Tuesday, Aug. 24, that the 2021 Salmon Arm Fair was being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions. (File photo)

Salmon Arm Fair organizers announce event’s cancellation

Recent pandemic restrictions, safety concerns and timing crunch led to decision

The Salmon arm and Shuswap Lake Agricultural Association announced Tuesday, Aug. 24, that the 2021 Salmon Arm Fair was being cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions. (File photo)
Firefighters block off a section of Highway 97A during earlier firefighting efforts on the Two Mile Road wildfire near Sicamous. (CSRD photo)

Province eyes post-wildfire debris flow mitigation plans along Highway 97A near Sicamous

Debris flows are a post-fire hazard and can be triggered by intense rainfall, says ministry

Firefighters block off a section of Highway 97A during earlier firefighting efforts on the Two Mile Road wildfire near Sicamous. (CSRD photo)
A person is receiving medical attention after allegedly attacking three Salmon Arm RCMP officers on Monday, Aug. 16, 2021. (File photo)

Salmon Arm RCMP officers unharmed after alleged attack by person wielding machete, scythe

Person was apprehended with conductive energy weapon, transported to hospital

A person is receiving medical attention after allegedly attacking three Salmon Arm RCMP officers on Monday, Aug. 16, 2021. (File photo)
Shuswap Clothing and Shoe Company owner Gerald Forman will be marking the store’s 100th anniversary on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

Salmon Arm clothier celebrates a century in business

Shuswap Clothing and Shoe Company’s Gerald Forman to mark anniversary on Aug. 25

Shuswap Clothing and Shoe Company owner Gerald Forman will be marking the store’s 100th anniversary on Wednesday, Aug. 25, 2021. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)
A motor-vehicle collision closed Highway 1 seven kilometres west of Chase early Tuesday morning, Aug. 17, 2021. (Drive BC map)

UPDATE: Highway 1 west of Chase reopens after closure due to collision

According to Drive BC, the incident occurred between Old Highway and Ska-Hiish Drive

A motor-vehicle collision closed Highway 1 seven kilometres west of Chase early Tuesday morning, Aug. 17, 2021. (Drive BC map)
The Columbia Shuswap Regional District issued an evacuation order for neighbourhoods southeast of Falkland on Sunday night, Aug. 15, 2021.

Evacuation order issued for neighbourhoods southeast of Falkland

Yankee Flats, Glenemma back on evacuation alert due to White Rock Lake wildfire

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District issued an evacuation order for neighbourhoods southeast of Falkland on Sunday night, Aug. 15, 2021.
With increased fire behaviour expected, B.C. Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth urged people not to travel to North Okanagan communities over Aug. 13-15 weekend. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Wildfires: Public urged not to travel to North Okanagan communities over weekend

Increased fire activity forecasted, next 72 hours will be critical says ministry

With increased fire behaviour expected, B.C. Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth urged people not to travel to North Okanagan communities over Aug. 13-15 weekend. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Columbia Shuswap Regional District issued a response to misinformation about an alleged wildfire shared on social media that caused panic and tied up resources on Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021. (File photo)

Misinformation about alleged Shuswap wildfire prompts panic, unnecessary use of resources

Columbia Shuswap Regional District responds to rumour of fire on Bastion Mountain

Columbia Shuswap Regional District issued a response to misinformation about an alleged wildfire shared on social media that caused panic and tied up resources on Thursday, Aug. 12, 2021. (File photo)
Salmon Arm Fire Chief Brad Shirley issued a public reminder/warning in response to reports of discarded cigarette butts and careless burning. (File photo)

Person found torching weeds prompts public reminder, warning from Salmon Arm fire chief

‘With all the warnings provided, we are issuing fines without hesitation.’

Salmon Arm Fire Chief Brad Shirley issued a public reminder/warning in response to reports of discarded cigarette butts and careless burning. (File photo)
BC Wildfire Service firefighters are responding to a spot-sized wildfire north of Grindrod. (BC Wildfire map)

BC Wildfire Service attacking new wildfire in North Okanagan-Shuswap

Spot-sized fire north of Grindrod started late Monday, Aug. 9

BC Wildfire Service firefighters are responding to a spot-sized wildfire north of Grindrod. (BC Wildfire map)
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District reduced the number of properties on evacuation order and lifted alerts for other properties affected by the White Rock Lake wildfire on Monday night, Aug. 9, 2021. (TNRD map)

Number of properties on evacuation order, alert further reduced in White Rock Lake wildfire area

Thompson-Nicola Regional District updates lists of affected properties

The Thompson-Nicola Regional District reduced the number of properties on evacuation order and lifted alerts for other properties affected by the White Rock Lake wildfire on Monday night, Aug. 9, 2021. (TNRD map)
On Monday, Aug. 9, the evacuation order for Falkland, prompted by the White Rock Lake wildfire, was downgraded to an alert, while the evacuation alert for neighbouring communities was lifted. (CSRD image)

Falkland evacuation order downgraded, alert lifted for North Okanagan-Shuswap communities

Columbia Shuswap Regional District thanks firefighters, emergency response staff

On Monday, Aug. 9, the evacuation order for Falkland, prompted by the White Rock Lake wildfire, was downgraded to an alert, while the evacuation alert for neighbouring communities was lifted. (CSRD image)
The BC Wildfire Service issued a warning after a drone was spotted near the Crazy Creek Gorge wildfire on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021. (File photo)

Drone distracts firefighters tackling Shuswap wildfire

BC Wildfire Service issues warning after drone spotted near Crazy Creek blaze

The BC Wildfire Service issued a warning after a drone was spotted near the Crazy Creek Gorge wildfire on Sunday, Aug. 8, 2021. (File photo)
A structure destroyed by flames in Monte Lake Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021. (Facebook)

Structures, campground destroyed as White Rock Lake wildfire grows to 45,000 hectares

Regional district waiting until its safe before conducting assessment of the damage

A structure destroyed by flames in Monte Lake Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021. (Facebook)
Heavy smoke from wildfires continued to blanket Salmon Arm on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

B.C. residents right to blame smoke for recent feeling of fatigue

Salmon Arm doctor says mental health might also be a contributing factor

Heavy smoke from wildfires continued to blanket Salmon Arm on Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)
Displaced by the White Rock Lake wildfire, evacuees from Falkland were asked to register at Salmon Arm’s Prestige Harbourfront Resort beginning at 8 a.m. Aug. 5, 2021. (File photo)

Temporary access permits planned for evacuated Falkland property owners

BC Wildfire Service advises evacuated area currently unsafe for public access

Displaced by the White Rock Lake wildfire, evacuees from Falkland were asked to register at Salmon Arm’s Prestige Harbourfront Resort beginning at 8 a.m. Aug. 5, 2021. (File photo)
As of Thursday, Aug. 5, the White Rock Lake wildfire was estimated to be 32,500 hectares in size. On Aug. 4, in response to the fire, an evacuation order was issued for Falkland in Electoral Area D of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. (BC Wildfire Service photo)

Efforts underway to find lodging for Falkland residents under evacuation order

Columbia Shuswap Regional District says about 1,200 people from 580 properties affected by order

As of Thursday, Aug. 5, the White Rock Lake wildfire was estimated to be 32,500 hectares in size. On Aug. 4, in response to the fire, an evacuation order was issued for Falkland in Electoral Area D of the Columbia Shuswap Regional District. (BC Wildfire Service photo)