Local News

Six RCMSAR Shuswap Station 106 volunteers were awarded the National Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Operational Merit Medal for their help in rescuing a 68-year-old hiker who fell off of a cliff on Sept. 9, 2020. (Facebook)

Shuswap search and rescue volunteers receive medal for life-saving mission

Rescue effort focused on 68-year-old hiker who fell 10 metres off a cliff

Penticton’s Ez-Vape location off Hwy 97 (Clayton Whitelaw/Penticton Western News)

Penticton RCMP looking for suspect in armed robbery of vape shop

Suspect threatened an employee, stole cash and product in Sept. 12 robbery of EzVape

Penticton resident Taig Savage's critically injured body was found at the track of Pen Hi in the early morning hours of Sept. 5. RCMP released his identity nearly a week later. (RCMP handout)

Fundraisers set up for family of Penticton murder victim

This isn’t the first tragedy the Savage family has endured

Multiple police cars can be seen in the area behind the Four Seasons Resort. (Black Press file photo)

Woman found dead at Highway 33 and Nickel Road in Kelowna

The death is believed to be suspicious

Multiple police cars can be seen in the area behind the Four Seasons Resort. (Black Press file photo)
The Falkland Community Church is raising funds to cover insurance costs, and possibly for roof repairs, with a garage sale Saturday, Sept. 25. (Contributed)

Garage sale helps Falkland church keep doors open

Sept. 25 event raising funds to cover insurance costs

The Falkland Community Church is raising funds to cover insurance costs, and possibly for roof repairs, with a garage sale Saturday, Sept. 25. (Contributed)
This photo was taken at the first ever Witches Paddle in the Shuswap. Since then, organizers say the turnout has increased by almost three times, and they can’t wait to see how this year’s Oct. 3 event turns out. (Facebook/Shuswap Witches)

Shuswap Witches to paddle in support of local fire departments

Annual event will be held on Oct. 3 at 1 p.m.

This photo was taken at the first ever Witches Paddle in the Shuswap. Since then, organizers say the turnout has increased by almost three times, and they can’t wait to see how this year’s Oct. 3 event turns out. (Facebook/Shuswap Witches)
Video
Voters shared with Black Press Media what their pandemic voting experience was like. (Elections Canada)
VIDEO: Voters on their pandemic election day experience
A man enters an advance polling station in Ottawa, Friday, Sept. 10, 2021. Advance polls opened today ahead of the Federal Election Sept. 20th. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Liberal push to make election a referendum on pandemic only partly successful
Vernon Jubilee Hospital. (File photo)
Black Press Media Weekly Roundup: Top headlines this week
Alberta Premier Jason Kenney announces new COVID-19 measures for Alberta in Calgary, Wednesday, Sept. 15, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh
Alberta introduces new rules, passport as COVID puts health system days from collapse
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Jan Seelinger died in a motorcycle crash on Highway 97A/Springbend Road in June 2021. (Contributed)

Fatal motorcycle crash revs Sicamous man to drive for upgrades to Enderby intersection

After his sister died in a June 2021 crash, Steve Seelinger has invited officials to review section of Highway 97A

Jan Seelinger died in a motorcycle crash on Highway 97A/Springbend Road in June 2021. (Contributed)
People opposed to vaccinations and masking entered schools in and around Salmon Arm on Sept. 17 They also recently protested at the School District 83 office. (Martha Wickett/Salmon Arm Observer)

‘Unacceptable’: Protesters enter Salmon Arm schools, forcing hold and secure procedures

Teacher said he didn’t feel safe for students or staff

People opposed to vaccinations and masking entered schools in and around Salmon Arm on Sept. 17 They also recently protested at the School District 83 office. (Martha Wickett/Salmon Arm Observer)
Several of North Okanagan-Shuswap PPC candidate Kyle Delfing’s campaign signs have been targeted by vandals spraying ‘fascist’ or drawing toothbrush moustaches on. (Caitlin Clow - Vernon Morning Star)

Vernon, Salmon Arm signs hit by vandals not surprising: PPC candidate

‘Hate isn’t just directed at skin colour,’ North Okanagan-Shuswap candidate Kyle Delfing says

Several of North Okanagan-Shuswap PPC candidate Kyle Delfing’s campaign signs have been targeted by vandals spraying ‘fascist’ or drawing toothbrush moustaches on. (Caitlin Clow - Vernon Morning Star)
The Salmon Arm Silverbacks’ first preseason game of the 2021-22 BCHL season will take place on Sept. 21. (Tami Quan Photography)

Salmon Arm Silverbacks are almost back in action

First preseason game takes place Sept. 21 against the Vernon Vipers

The Salmon Arm Silverbacks’ first preseason game of the 2021-22 BCHL season will take place on Sept. 21. (Tami Quan Photography)
Smoke continues to be visible from the White Rock Lake wildfire, as pictured Sept. 9. (Ian Kalamazoo photo)

Firefighters, staff thanked for getting White Rock Lake fire under control

Out-of-town crews are now heading home as the blaze is no longer considered a wildfire of note

Smoke continues to be visible from the White Rock Lake wildfire, as pictured Sept. 9. (Ian Kalamazoo photo)
A black bear next to a trash bin. (Mark Levisay photo)

Columbia-Shuswap residents warned September usually when human-bear conflicts highest

WildSafeBC says usual food sources for bears affected by summer drought conditions

A black bear next to a trash bin. (Mark Levisay photo)
Colour Tongues hits the stage at Fernando’s Pub in Kelowna in 2020. (Contributed)

Iconic Kelowna pub, Fernando’s, shuts its doors after 10 years

Fernando’s Pub will be closing at the end of the month

Colour Tongues hits the stage at Fernando’s Pub in Kelowna in 2020. (Contributed)
The LNG storage tank is a huge round structure, which is still under construction, holds all the liquified natural gas before it's piped into ships. (LNG Canada photo)

Background checks at LNG Canada project concern MMIWG activists after Okanagan offender incident

The man was swiftly removed from the Kitimat project site after grassroots activists alerted community

The LNG storage tank is a huge round structure, which is still under construction, holds all the liquified natural gas before it's piped into ships. (LNG Canada photo)
Vernon residents line up outside Kal Tire Place Monday morning to place their advanced vote ahead of the Sept. 20 federal election. Waits of up to two hours were reported over the weekend at advance polling stations. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

North Okanagan-Shuswap voters urged to be patient Sept. 20, avoid busier times

Steep increase in riding’s advance voters over 2019, might mean less voting election day

Vernon residents line up outside Kal Tire Place Monday morning to place their advanced vote ahead of the Sept. 20 federal election. Waits of up to two hours were reported over the weekend at advance polling stations. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
A COVID-19 cluster has been identified at Pleasant Valley Secondary school in Armstrong. (Morning Star file photo)

Unvaccinated Armstrong grad students asked to stay home due to COVID school cluster

Six cases among Grade 12 students believed to have stemmed from Sept. 6 gathering

A COVID-19 cluster has been identified at Pleasant Valley Secondary school in Armstrong. (Morning Star file photo)
From left to right: Vahlleri Semeniuk on behalf of the Second Harvest Food Bank; Jaylene Bourdon on behalf of the SAFE Society; Kaily Jeffery, who raised and sold her own 4H steer; and Tony Nikic, manager of the Salmon Arm Save-On-Foods, who bought Jeffery’s steer and donated the meat to Second Harvest and the SAFE Society. (Contributed)

Salmon Arm charities, Sicamous teen benefit from grocer’s generous bid on 4-H steer

Tony Nikic, manager of the Salmon Arm Save-On-Foods, donated meat to Second Harvest, SAFE Society

From left to right: Vahlleri Semeniuk on behalf of the Second Harvest Food Bank; Jaylene Bourdon on behalf of the SAFE Society; Kaily Jeffery, who raised and sold her own 4H steer; and Tony Nikic, manager of the Salmon Arm Save-On-Foods, who bought Jeffery’s steer and donated the meat to Second Harvest and the SAFE Society. (Contributed)
Salmon Arm RCMP officers arrested a 27-year-old male on outstanding warrants for failing to comply with an existing probation order on Sept. 2, 2021. (Phil McLachlan/Capital News)

Salmon Arm RCMP seize drugs, weapons after arrest of man barricaded in residence

Fentanyl, imitation handgun among items seized by police

Salmon Arm RCMP officers arrested a 27-year-old male on outstanding warrants for failing to comply with an existing probation order on Sept. 2, 2021. (Phil McLachlan/Capital News)
A damaged car sits on a Westside Road property impacted by the White Rock Lake wildfire. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)

North Okanagan gas bars raise $8K for B.C. wildfire relief fund

Armstrong Regional Co-op donates big to Canadian Red Cross

A damaged car sits on a Westside Road property impacted by the White Rock Lake wildfire. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)
From left to right: Conservative candidate Mel Arnold, People’s Party candidate Kyle Delfing, Liberal candidate Shelley Desautels, Green Party candidate Andrea Gunner and New Democratic Party candidate Ron Johnston. The candidates all participated in the Sicamous Chamber of Commerce’s all-candidates forum on Sept. 10 and 11, 2021. (Sicamous chamber images)

North Okanagan-Shuswap all-candidates talk affordable housing

Sicamous chamber shares questions with candidates

From left to right: Conservative candidate Mel Arnold, People’s Party candidate Kyle Delfing, Liberal candidate Shelley Desautels, Green Party candidate Andrea Gunner and New Democratic Party candidate Ron Johnston. The candidates all participated in the Sicamous Chamber of Commerce’s all-candidates forum on Sept. 10 and 11, 2021. (Sicamous chamber images)