Salmon Arm

Ivan and Jamie Gracia represent for Mexico at last year’s Gathering Together Multicultural Festival in Salmon Arm. The two operate Salmon Arm restaurant Cantina Vallarta. This summer, Ivan opened new Mexican restaurants in Sicamous and Lake Country. (File photo)

Salmon Arm restaurateur brings taste of Mexico to Sicamous and Lake Country

Cantina Vallarta owner Ivan Gracia embraces opportunities amid pandemic

Ivan and Jamie Gracia represent for Mexico at last year’s Gathering Together Multicultural Festival in Salmon Arm. The two operate Salmon Arm restaurant Cantina Vallarta. This summer, Ivan opened new Mexican restaurants in Sicamous and Lake Country. (File photo)
Leha Ward-Marshall and sister-in-law Crystal Wood of U Grow Girl could be seen selling bouquets this summer during downtown Salmon Arm’s Alexander Street market. Proceeds from the sales will go towards their goal of building a retreat at their North Okanagan Shuswap farm for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. (Contributed)

Shuswap farmers aim to grow healing retreat for childhood sexual abuse survivors

Cyrstal Wood has made it her mission to support fellow survivors

Leha Ward-Marshall and sister-in-law Crystal Wood of U Grow Girl could be seen selling bouquets this summer during downtown Salmon Arm’s Alexander Street market. Proceeds from the sales will go towards their goal of building a retreat at their North Okanagan Shuswap farm for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. (Contributed)
Adam and Genean Morrow are on the verge of opening their new brewery the Morrow Beer Company in Salmon Arm. (Jim Elliot-Salmon Arm Observer)

New microbrewery a dream come true for Salmon Arm couple

Adam and Genean Morrow plan to open the Morrow Beer Company in November

Adam and Genean Morrow are on the verge of opening their new brewery the Morrow Beer Company in Salmon Arm. (Jim Elliot-Salmon Arm Observer)
Destanne Norris will hold a book signing at Gallery Vertigo in Vernon on Oct. 2 and at the Salmon Art Gallery on Nov. 14. Norris’s book, Leah’s Gift, focuses on the life-altering experience of her daughter’s death. (Keylight Photography)

Vernon author’s book describes how child’s death transforms mother’s life

Destanne Norris to hold book signings in Vernon and Salmon Arm

Destanne Norris will hold a book signing at Gallery Vertigo in Vernon on Oct. 2 and at the Salmon Art Gallery on Nov. 14. Norris’s book, Leah’s Gift, focuses on the life-altering experience of her daughter’s death. (Keylight Photography)
Destanne Norris will hold a book signing at Gallery Vertigo in Vernon on Oct. 2 and at the Salmon Art Gallery on Nov. 14. Norris’s book, Leah’s Gift, focuses on the life-altering experience of her daughter’s death. (Keylight Photography)

Former Shuswap resident’s book describes how child’s death transforms mother’s life

Destanne Norris to hold book signings in Vernon and Salmon Arm

Destanne Norris will hold a book signing at Gallery Vertigo in Vernon on Oct. 2 and at the Salmon Art Gallery on Nov. 14. Norris’s book, Leah’s Gift, focuses on the life-altering experience of her daughter’s death. (Keylight Photography)
The BC SPCA in Salmon Arm is welcoming applications from low-income families in the Shuswap region for low-cost spay neuter surgeries. (Contributed)

Shuswap BC SPCA launches spay/neuter program for low-income residents

Program available to low-income residents in the region

The BC SPCA in Salmon Arm is welcoming applications from low-income families in the Shuswap region for low-cost spay neuter surgeries. (Contributed)
Salmon Arm Law Courts. (File photo)

Theft-related charges in Salmon Arm deliver accused 140 days in jail

Man sentenced must also stay away from 10th Street SW and two local businesses

Salmon Arm Law Courts. (File photo)
Alana Giesbricht and her daughter Camryn enjoy some time relaxing before Camryn heads off to her first day of kindergarten on Sept. 11. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)

COVID-19 makes its mark on Shuswap schools, teachers and parents

Pandemic keeps more students than expected away from conventional schooling

Alana Giesbricht and her daughter Camryn enjoy some time relaxing before Camryn heads off to her first day of kindergarten on Sept. 11. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)
Shuswap search and rescue crew respond to dirt biker injured on Mount Ida

Shuswap search and rescue crew respond to dirt biker injured on Mount Ida

North Vancouver man transported to hospital for treatment of injuries

Shuswap search and rescue crew respond to dirt biker injured on Mount Ida
Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo, photographed with wife Georgina following his 2017 election win, is opposed to BC Premier John Horgan calling a snap election amidst the current pandemic. (File photo)

Shuswap MLA opposed to ‘opportunistic’ snap election

Greg Kyllo says fall election would essentially shut down government when it’s needed most

Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo, photographed with wife Georgina following his 2017 election win, is opposed to BC Premier John Horgan calling a snap election amidst the current pandemic. (File photo)
Thomas Hardy and teammate Elora Van Jarrett, both from Salmon Arm, share a laugh with their Peak Pursuit team during the World’s Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji in September 2019. (Contributed)

Rapattack firefighters from Shuswap take on World’s Toughest Race

Training of past and present Salmon Arm-based crew helps them complete gruelling Fiji challenge

Thomas Hardy and teammate Elora Van Jarrett, both from Salmon Arm, share a laugh with their Peak Pursuit team during the World’s Toughest Race: Eco-Challenge Fiji in September 2019. (Contributed)
Against a beautiful backdrop, signs of support line the wharf at Marine Peace Park on Thursday night, Sept 10, 2020, during the Walk the Wharf evening to raise awareness of suicide prevention. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)

Walk the Wharf in Salmon Arm lights path to suicide prevention

Peaceful evening at Marine Peace Park wharf fights isolation and powerlessness

Against a beautiful backdrop, signs of support line the wharf at Marine Peace Park on Thursday night, Sept 10, 2020, during the Walk the Wharf evening to raise awareness of suicide prevention. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)
Three charged with attempted murder after bleeding man appears at Shuswap home

Three charged with attempted murder after bleeding man appears at Shuswap home

One of the accused in the Blind Bay incident is in custody while two are still at large

Three charged with attempted murder after bleeding man appears at Shuswap home
Prolific gardener and canner Bert Revel from Salmon Arm who has won many awards for his fruit, vegetables and famous pies over the years, knows about the shortage of canning jars and lids but managed to buy some before the shortage hit. He also has a collection of jars he maintains from year to year. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)

Shortage of canning supplies in Shuswap and beyond a side effect of COVID-19

Stores across North America have run out of canning jars and lids

Prolific gardener and canner Bert Revel from Salmon Arm who has won many awards for his fruit, vegetables and famous pies over the years, knows about the shortage of canning jars and lids but managed to buy some before the shortage hit. He also has a collection of jars he maintains from year to year. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)
BC Wildfire Service reports a fire east of Highway 1 between Salmon Arm and Canoe. (BC Wildfire image)

Wildfire burning between Salmon Arm and Canoe east of Highway 1

B.C. Wildfire Service says fire person-caused

BC Wildfire Service reports a fire east of Highway 1 between Salmon Arm and Canoe. (BC Wildfire image)
Carolyn Black is pleased Interior Health recently began offering online appointment booking for its Salmon Arm outpatient lab but she is concerned about the long lineups drop-in patients experience. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)

Concerns raised by cancer patient over long lab lineups in Salmon Arm

Interior Health launches online booking while staff shortages and COVID-19 blamed for drop-in waits

Carolyn Black is pleased Interior Health recently began offering online appointment booking for its Salmon Arm outpatient lab but she is concerned about the long lineups drop-in patients experience. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)
A group of American White Pelicans sits on a sandbar near the mouth of the Salmon River and preens in July 2020. (Glynne Green photo)

Shuswap Lake becomes important layover for flight of pelicans

Birdwatchers say the number of birds stopping to and from their nesting grounds is increasing

A group of American White Pelicans sits on a sandbar near the mouth of the Salmon River and preens in July 2020. (Glynne Green photo)
Gary Turner releases an immature bald eagle at the Salmon Arm wharf which had just spent two months in a rehabilitation facility after it was rescued in July. (Jim Elliot-Salmon Arm Observer) Gary Turner releases an immature bald eagle at the Salmon Arm wharf which had just spent two months in a rehabilitation facility after it was rescued in July. (Jim Elliot/Salmon Arm Observer)

Juvenile eagle finds its wings at Salmon Arm wharf

Eagle spent almost two months at rehabilitation centre after leaving nest too early

Gary Turner releases an immature bald eagle at the Salmon Arm wharf which had just spent two months in a rehabilitation facility after it was rescued in July. (Jim Elliot-Salmon Arm Observer) Gary Turner releases an immature bald eagle at the Salmon Arm wharf which had just spent two months in a rehabilitation facility after it was rescued in July. (Jim Elliot/Salmon Arm Observer)
North Okanagan-Shuswap schools to compel mask use through kindness

North Okanagan-Shuswap schools to compel mask use through kindness

Non-compliance may result in loss of in-class instruction, bus use

North Okanagan-Shuswap schools to compel mask use through kindness
A Salmon Arm pharmacist agreed to a $25,000 and a one-year suspension following an investigation by a College of Pharmacists of B.C. Inquiry Committee. The committee considered allegations that a former Shuswap Lake General Hospital pharmacist had colluded with a local pharmacy owner in the sale of misappropriated medications. (File photo)

Salmon Arm pharmacist fined, suspended for involvement in drug sales scheme

Pharmacy owner agrees to $25,000 fine, complete ethics course for health-care professionals

A Salmon Arm pharmacist agreed to a $25,000 and a one-year suspension following an investigation by a College of Pharmacists of B.C. Inquiry Committee. The committee considered allegations that a former Shuswap Lake General Hospital pharmacist had colluded with a local pharmacy owner in the sale of misappropriated medications. (File photo)