Community

Kenthen Thomas will be performing traditional stories for B.C. Culture Days. (Twila Amato/Black Press Media)

VIDEO: Salmon Arm teacher performs for B.C. Culture Days, shares Secwépemc legends

This year’s event features a video series from rural B.C. communities

Kenthen Thomas will be performing traditional stories for B.C. Culture Days. (Twila Amato/Black Press Media)
Glasses clink during a wine tasting at West Kelowna's Grizzly Winery on April 13, 2021. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)

Discounted wine tours offered to Okanagan emergency, health-care workers

The owners wanted to support firefighters, nurses in this troubling time

  • Sep 3, 2021
Glasses clink during a wine tasting at West Kelowna's Grizzly Winery on April 13, 2021. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)
Nurses locking arms in front of a crowd of over 1000 anti-vaccine passport protesters on Sept. 1, 2021. (Twila Amato/Black Press Media)

Fundraiser set up to support Kelowna healthcare workers after anti-vax protests

Donations will go to Kelowna General Hospital

Nurses locking arms in front of a crowd of over 1000 anti-vaccine passport protesters on Sept. 1, 2021. (Twila Amato/Black Press Media)
Two-time heart transplant recipient Robbie Thompson, seen here with the family dog, Oreo, explains why mass vaccinations are important for immuno-compromised people like himself. Photo supplied.

Two-time B.C. heart transplant recipient urges COVID vaccine opponents to reconsider

Vancouver Island man asks people to consider the greater good

Two-time heart transplant recipient Robbie Thompson, seen here with the family dog, Oreo, explains why mass vaccinations are important for immuno-compromised people like himself. Photo supplied.
The Armstrong Regional Cooperative’s annual Fuel Good Day is set for Tuesday, Sept. 21, at its gas bars in Vernon, Armstrong and Salmon Arm. Ten cents from every litre of gasoline sold that day will go to selected North Okanagan-Shuswap charities and organizations. (ARC photo)

Cooperative helps fuel North Okanagan-Shuswap charities

Armstrong Regional Cooperative’s annual Fuel Good Day is Sept. 21, and a dime from every litre of gas sold goes to selected organizations

The Armstrong Regional Cooperative’s annual Fuel Good Day is set for Tuesday, Sept. 21, at its gas bars in Vernon, Armstrong and Salmon Arm. Ten cents from every litre of gasoline sold that day will go to selected North Okanagan-Shuswap charities and organizations. (ARC photo)
The Carr’s Landing Community and Recreation Association in Lake Country has refurbished the welcome sign to the community by again adding the sternwheeler famous for delivering mail and supplies to the orchard community in the 1900s. The sign’s original sternwheeler photo had faded out over time due to the elements. (Contributed)

Carr’s Landing spruces up welcome sign

Faded picture of well-known sternwheeler replaced after original photo faded out over time due to the elements

The Carr’s Landing Community and Recreation Association in Lake Country has refurbished the welcome sign to the community by again adding the sternwheeler famous for delivering mail and supplies to the orchard community in the 1900s. The sign’s original sternwheeler photo had faded out over time due to the elements. (Contributed)
Is the O’Keefe Ranch milkmaid a victim? Or is she the killer? Help solve the crime as the historic ranch hosts its popular Murder Mystery: Murder Comes to Noggin Valley on Sept. 23 and 24. (Yana Crane Photography)

Life at Spallumcheen ranch can be ‘murder’

Historic O’Keefe Ranch brings back popular murder mystery Sept. 23 and 24, and the public can help solve the dastardly crime

Is the O’Keefe Ranch milkmaid a victim? Or is she the killer? Help solve the crime as the historic ranch hosts its popular Murder Mystery: Murder Comes to Noggin Valley on Sept. 23 and 24. (Yana Crane Photography)
Meet Enchante.

AlleyCats: Be an adoption hero

Meet Enchante who is available for adoption in the Okanagan

  • Sep 1, 2021
Meet Enchante.
Hazel Thompson celebrated her 100th birthday Aug. 25, 2021, at Heaton Place in Armstrong. (Contributed)

Barbie clothing designer celebrates 100th birthday in Armstrong

‘We lived through a really neat age; everything from horse and wagon to man on the moon’: Hazel Thompson

  • Sep 1, 2021
Hazel Thompson celebrated her 100th birthday Aug. 25, 2021, at Heaton Place in Armstrong. (Contributed)
Bryan Halvorson of the Tolko Log Haulers' Group presents a $10,000 cheque to the Literacy Society of the North Okanagan, accepted by executive director Wendy Aasen. (Contributed)

$10K Tolko donation kicks off Vernon’s Raise a Reader campaign

Literacy Society of the North Okanagan raising funds, which are partially matched

Bryan Halvorson of the Tolko Log Haulers' Group presents a $10,000 cheque to the Literacy Society of the North Okanagan, accepted by executive director Wendy Aasen. (Contributed)
Six Vernon immigrants share who they miss most in Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services Society’s new video campaign. (VDISS)

Vernon non-profit up for $100K prize with latest COVID-19 vaccine campaign

Local immigrants ask the question ‘Who do you miss?’ in vaccine awareness videos

Six Vernon immigrants share who they miss most in Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services Society’s new video campaign. (VDISS)
(iStock)

United Way distributes car seats, baby care packages in Southern Interior

The organization distributed 215 car seats and 50 baby care packages in the Okanagan

(iStock)
Tina Whiting is given a new wheelchair by Laura Wilson, Parkinson’s Support Group, and Ralph Whittle, Lions Club, to help her get around as she battles Parkinson’s. Donations for such equipment can be made Sept. 11 and 12 as part of the virtual Superwalk. (Contributed)

Parkinson’s group support keeps Vernon woman moving

Upcoming virtual Superwalk raising funds to find a cure

Tina Whiting is given a new wheelchair by Laura Wilson, Parkinson’s Support Group, and Ralph Whittle, Lions Club, to help her get around as she battles Parkinson’s. Donations for such equipment can be made Sept. 11 and 12 as part of the virtual Superwalk. (Contributed)
(Pixabay)

Annual golf fundraiser brings in $75K for BGC Okanagan

The funds will benefit children and youth across the Okanagan Valley

(Pixabay)
Singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Jodie B (pictured) is set to take the stage at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Sept. 24, 2021. (File photo)

Proof of vaccinations needed for these upcoming Vernon performances

Comedian Mike Delamont and musician Jodie B set to take stage in September

Singer, producer and multi-instrumentalist Jodie B (pictured) is set to take the stage at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre Sept. 24, 2021. (File photo)
Nalayia Taylor and Rhyan Leggett Grayston raise funds for firefighters at their roadside sales table at the corner of 10th Street SW and 10th Avenue SW on Friday, Aug. 27. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)

Young Salmon Arm residents raise funds for firefighters

Thoughts of wildfire crews having to sleep in tents and use porta-potties part of inspiration

Nalayia Taylor and Rhyan Leggett Grayston raise funds for firefighters at their roadside sales table at the corner of 10th Street SW and 10th Avenue SW on Friday, Aug. 27. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)
The unity mural is taking shape at Summerland Middle School. (Monique Tamminga Western News)

Mural to bring unity takes shape in South Okanagan

The mural is idea of local Indo-Canadian family whose home was hit by racist graffiti

The unity mural is taking shape at Summerland Middle School. (Monique Tamminga Western News)
Vernon residents cheer on firefighters as they return to camp from the White Rock Lake fire. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

PHOTOS: Faces of the heroes fighting the White Rock Lake wildfire

Vernon residents cheer on firefighters twice daily as they return to camp

Vernon residents cheer on firefighters as they return to camp from the White Rock Lake fire. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
The fourth annual Stand Up For paddleboard fundraiser, organized by Brittney Page and Kristin Postill raised $34,000 for Archway Society in Vernon Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (Contributed)

Paddleboarders raise $34K for Vernon non-profit

Stand Up For Archway tipped the duo’s annual fundraiser over $100K for local groups

The fourth annual Stand Up For paddleboard fundraiser, organized by Brittney Page and Kristin Postill raised $34,000 for Archway Society in Vernon Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. (Contributed)
A meeting of Moms Stop The Harm members in Kelowna. Each white cross represents a life lost. The group hosts an event in Kelowna Aug. 31 for International Day of Overdose Awareness. (Nicole Richard - Wax Pencil Imagery)

Overdoses and suicides among teens concern Okanagan parents

‘I’ve never seen anything like this in the last 16 years’: The Compassionate Friends

A meeting of Moms Stop The Harm members in Kelowna. Each white cross represents a life lost. The group hosts an event in Kelowna Aug. 31 for International Day of Overdose Awareness. (Nicole Richard - Wax Pencil Imagery)