Community

Tappen resident Larry Anderson won the guaranteed $1-million prize from the June 8, 2022 Lotto 6/49 draw. (Contributed)

Tappen resident still in shock from $1 million lottery win

Larry Anderson purchased winning ticket at Blind Bay Village Grocer

During the Gathering Together Festival on June 27 in Downtown Salmon Arm, Paul Lefebvre focuses on a big bubble hovering in front of his face, but his baby Luc is too enthralled with a new friend to notice. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)

In photos: Gathering Together Festival celebrates diversity in Salmon Arm

Cultural traditions, foods, music, language, dance and more shared downtown

Lori-Ann Williams is a co-recipient of the 2022 Fred Heslop Award, which is presented annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to BC Hockey, their association and community. (Photo contributed)

Outstanding Salmon Arm Minor Hockey volunteer honoured by BC Hockey

Provincial organization recognizes contributions to BC Hockey, the local association and community

Ontario-based ribbers competing in the Penticton Rotary Ribfest. (Logan Lockhart-Western News)

Okanagan’s only Ribfest this summer sees huge crowds in Penticton

Food will be served up out of five trucks until Sunday night

Ontario-based ribbers competing in the Penticton Rotary Ribfest. (Logan Lockhart-Western News)
Enjoy the dog days of summer in the Okanagan (File)

Dog ambassadors are paw-trolling the Central Okanagan

Regional District of Central Okanagan Dog Ambassadors are out to keep people safe and educated

Enjoy the dog days of summer in the Okanagan (File)
A rainbow crosswalk in Peachland. (Contributed)

Local groups look to paint rainbow crosswalk in Penticton

The Downtown Penticton Association will request council’s approval on July 5

A rainbow crosswalk in Peachland. (Contributed)
Kids were eager to enjoy some cake at Davison Orchard during Canada Day celebrations Friday, July 1. (Contributed)

No fireworks but lots of fun for Canada Day celebrations in Vernon, Armstrong

Plenty of ways to celebrate our country’s 155th birthday

Kids were eager to enjoy some cake at Davison Orchard during Canada Day celebrations Friday, July 1. (Contributed)
A full rainbow was captured from The Vines near The Rise Golf Course in Vernon Thursday, June 30. (Dianne Freeman photo)

PHOTOS: Full double rainbow captured over Vernon

Residents caught the spectacular sight on camera June 30

A full rainbow was captured from The Vines near The Rise Golf Course in Vernon Thursday, June 30. (Dianne Freeman photo)
On Friday, July 1, Canada will celebrate its 155th birthday. How much do you know about Canada, its history and its people? (Black Press file photo)

QUIZ: How much do you know about Canada?

Canada’s 155th birthday is on Friday, July 1

On Friday, July 1, Canada will celebrate its 155th birthday. How much do you know about Canada, its history and its people? (Black Press file photo)
Stephanie Thor and her dog Bailey are joined by another dog as they cool off at Kin Beach (Lisa VanderVelde/Morning Star)

Views, vines and vivacious vacations in Vernon

The Okanagan Valley Chambers of Commerce created videos highlighting local communities

Stephanie Thor and her dog Bailey are joined by another dog as they cool off at Kin Beach (Lisa VanderVelde/Morning Star)
A memorial for the five victims of July’s fatal crane collapse stands in front of the Bernard Block construction site in downtown Kelowna as two new tower cranes are assembled at the site on Oct. 26, 2021. (Capital News)

Mission Group holds moment of silence on anniversary of Kelowna crane collapse

Five men died when a crane collapsed at a downtown Kelowna construction site July 12, 2021

  • Jun 29, 2022
A memorial for the five victims of July’s fatal crane collapse stands in front of the Bernard Block construction site in downtown Kelowna as two new tower cranes are assembled at the site on Oct. 26, 2021. (Capital News)
Summerland Secondary School’s graduates of 2022 toss their hats to mark the end of high school. The high school graduation ceremony was held on June 27. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)

Summerland honours 97 students at grad ceremonies

Graduates were presented with diplomas on June 27

Summerland Secondary School’s graduates of 2022 toss their hats to mark the end of high school. The high school graduation ceremony was held on June 27. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)
Terry and Darrell Fox. (Submitted Photo)

PODCAST: Darrell Fox discusses his brother Terry’s Marathon of Hope

TODAY IN B.C.: ’Terry always compared running a marathon a day to going through cancer’

Terry and Darrell Fox. (Submitted Photo)
From the April 23, 1975 Observer: "The Scout Hall was packed with eager bargain hunters Saturday morning as the Girls' Hospital Aid held its popular annual rummage sale. Proceeds are used to aid hospital projects." Image courtesy of the Salmon Arm Observer photograph collection in the Archives at R.J. Haney Heritage Village and Museum.

Shuswap history in pictures: Rummage sale

From the April 23, 1975 Observer: “The Scout Hall was packed with…

  • Jun 29, 2022
From the April 23, 1975 Observer: "The Scout Hall was packed with eager bargain hunters Saturday morning as the Girls' Hospital Aid held its popular annual rummage sale. Proceeds are used to aid hospital projects." Image courtesy of the Salmon Arm Observer photograph collection in the Archives at R.J. Haney Heritage Village and Museum.
Bernard Ramsay of Vernon (centre), and son Nick of Edmonton (left) is interviewed by Okanagan Skydive prior to the pair jumping out of a plane at the Vernon Regional Airport Saturday, June 25. Ramsay celebrated his 85th birthday with the jump and was joined by five family members. (Roger Knox - Black Press)

Video: Vernon senior soars from new height

Legally blind Bernard Ramsay, formerly of Quesnel, goes skydiving for first time a day after 85th birthday

Bernard Ramsay of Vernon (centre), and son Nick of Edmonton (left) is interviewed by Okanagan Skydive prior to the pair jumping out of a plane at the Vernon Regional Airport Saturday, June 25. Ramsay celebrated his 85th birthday with the jump and was joined by five family members. (Roger Knox - Black Press)
Longtime theatre director Peter Blacklock accompanies Glitter Esquivias, Ashley Koop, Griffin Webber and Natalie Kearl as they rehearse the opening song that introduces “That’s Not Shakespeare,” the 2022 Villains and Vittles Dinner Theatre production at R.J. Haney Heritage Village.

‘That’s not Shakespeare’: The history of the Shuswap’s Herald Provincial Park

Learn about the provincial site at the 28th annual Villains and Vittles Dinner Theatre production

  • Jun 27, 2022
Longtime theatre director Peter Blacklock accompanies Glitter Esquivias, Ashley Koop, Griffin Webber and Natalie Kearl as they rehearse the opening song that introduces “That’s Not Shakespeare,” the 2022 Villains and Vittles Dinner Theatre production at R.J. Haney Heritage Village.
(Brennan Phillips- Western News)

PHOTOS: Pride Month celebrated with Fruit Float down Penticton Channel

The event was organized by the South Okanagan Similkameen Pride Society

(Brennan Phillips- Western News)
Hillcrest Elementary (File photo)

Letter: Family appreciates belonging to nurturing school community

Parent expresses gratitude as children wrap up elementary school life

  • Jun 25, 2022
Hillcrest Elementary (File photo)
Paige Hilland with the SAFE Society receives food from Rotarian Grant Remus during the annual Rotary Food Drive held April 30 in Salmon Arm and other parts of the Shuswap. Residents filled bags with food, which the three Rotary clubs picked up to give to several recipient organizations. (SAFE Society image)

Service clubs in Salmon Arm endure despite declining interest in volunteerism

‘The alternative is people can just expect to pay more on their taxes’

  • Jun 25, 2022
Paige Hilland with the SAFE Society receives food from Rotarian Grant Remus during the annual Rotary Food Drive held April 30 in Salmon Arm and other parts of the Shuswap. Residents filled bags with food, which the three Rotary clubs picked up to give to several recipient organizations. (SAFE Society image)
A couple travelled from Osoyoos to Penticton on Friday, June 24, to pick up their new vehicle after winning a Canada-wide contest, courtesy of General Motors. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)

PHOTOS: Okanagan couple presented with new car after winning Canada-wide contest

‘We thought it was some scam when we found out we won,’ they said

A couple travelled from Osoyoos to Penticton on Friday, June 24, to pick up their new vehicle after winning a Canada-wide contest, courtesy of General Motors. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)