Community

Members of Penticton and District Search and Rescue at the group’s 50th-anniversary party at Gyro Park in Penticton on May 27. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)

Happy Birthday: Penticton Search and Rescue celebrates 50 years at Gyro Park

Party featured food, live music and interactive games from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Members of Penticton and District Search and Rescue at the group’s 50th-anniversary party at Gyro Park in Penticton on May 27. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)
The West Kelowna Fire Department hosted their annual FireSmart Family Day on Saturday, May 27. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)

PHOTOS: Annual FireSmart Family Day sparks fire preparedness in West Kelowna

Children had the chance to spread a fire hose and sit in a fire truck

The West Kelowna Fire Department hosted their annual FireSmart Family Day on Saturday, May 27. (Jordy Cunningham/Capital News)
Thousands of rubber ducks were drooped in the Penticton Channel on Saturday, May 27, for Operation Duck Drop. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)

Operation Duck Drop: Penticton Channel hit with thousands of rubber ducks

The event benefits the Penticton Indian Band and the South Similkameen Brain Injury Society

Thousands of rubber ducks were drooped in the Penticton Channel on Saturday, May 27, for Operation Duck Drop. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)
Before students were given a close-up look at a Penticton RCMP car, they were walked through an educational display. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)

PHOTOS: Hundreds of kids get behind-the-scenes look at City of Penticton services

From electric bucket rides to an up-close look at an RCMP car, there was lots to see on May 26

Before students were given a close-up look at a Penticton RCMP car, they were walked through an educational display. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)
Tronson Road beach access trail. (ROGTS photo)

Celebrate B.C.’s Trails Day in its capital, Vernon

Ribbons of Green Trails Society invites community out for International Trails Day

Tronson Road beach access trail. (ROGTS photo)
All 144 golfers take part in a photo before teeing off at the 38th annual Kelowna Chamber Golf Tournament on Wednesday, May 24. (Kelowna Chamber/Contributed)

More than $3,500 raised at Kelowna Chamber golf tournament

The event took place at The Harvest Golf Club

All 144 golfers take part in a photo before teeing off at the 38th annual Kelowna Chamber Golf Tournament on Wednesday, May 24. (Kelowna Chamber/Contributed)
The annual Armstrong Regional Co-op Fuel Good Day, which raises funds for local charities and non-profits, will be held Tuesday, Sept. 19, in Vernon, Armstrong, Salmon Arm and Cranbrook. (Contributed)

Okanagan, Shuswap East Kootenay charities can fuel up funds

Applications being taken for Armstrong Regional Co-op annual Fuel Good Day Tuesday, Sept. 19

The annual Armstrong Regional Co-op Fuel Good Day, which raises funds for local charities and non-profits, will be held Tuesday, Sept. 19, in Vernon, Armstrong, Salmon Arm and Cranbrook. (Contributed)
The 19th annual People Place Garden Tour takes place Saturday, June 10, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Seven gardens in Vernon and Coldstream are available to be seen. Tickets are $20 each with proceeds going to The People Place. (Morning Star - file photo)

Vernon garden tour raises blooms, funds

19th annual People Place Garden Tour goes Saturday, June 10, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Greater Vernon

  • May 26, 2023
The 19th annual People Place Garden Tour takes place Saturday, June 10, between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. Seven gardens in Vernon and Coldstream are available to be seen. Tickets are $20 each with proceeds going to The People Place. (Morning Star - file photo)
CNIB Foundation SmartLife store representative Luke Jukes (right) discusses technology for the visually impaired with Desert Cove’s Pauline Huth during the CNIB Mobile Stop in Vernon Thursday, May 25, at the Okanagan Regional Library. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)

CNIB goes mobile bringing new visually impaired technology to Okanagan

CNIB Foundation’s Mobile Hub completes three-city tour with aids for those with vision loss

CNIB Foundation SmartLife store representative Luke Jukes (right) discusses technology for the visually impaired with Desert Cove’s Pauline Huth during the CNIB Mobile Stop in Vernon Thursday, May 25, at the Okanagan Regional Library. (Roger Knox - Morning Star)
Hannah Gordon, Grade 7 late French Immersion student at Harwood Elementary, with CPF BC & Yukon Executive Director Jason Howe. Gordon took home a bronze medal at the 2023 Canadian Parents for French B.C. and Yukon Provincial Concours D’art Oratoire. (Submitted photo)

Vernon students talk their way to podium at French-speaking competition

Two youth won gold and another won bronze at the Provincial Concours D’art Oratoire

Hannah Gordon, Grade 7 late French Immersion student at Harwood Elementary, with CPF BC & Yukon Executive Director Jason Howe. Gordon took home a bronze medal at the 2023 Canadian Parents for French B.C. and Yukon Provincial Concours D’art Oratoire. (Submitted photo)
Students from SD23 competed in the annual SumoBot challenge in Kelowna on May 25, 2023. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)

Coding kids in Kelowna caught in the wrestling ring for annual robot competition

Students from 17 different schools participated

  • May 25, 2023
Students from SD23 competed in the annual SumoBot challenge in Kelowna on May 25, 2023. (Brittany Webster/Capital News)
From May 29-June 4, travel by bike or other wheels for a chance to win prizes. (Photo contributed: NOCS)

GoByBike Week wheels out in Vernon

The annual challenge to encourage eschewing vehicles takes place May 29- June 4

From May 29-June 4, travel by bike or other wheels for a chance to win prizes. (Photo contributed: NOCS)
Liam Caldwell swears in “Emperor Palpatine”, Zach Walters, during a mock trial at Law Day in Penticton’s courthouse on May 24. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)

Photos: Students find Luke Skywalker not guilty at Penticton Law Day

Around 90 students took part in mock trials and more at the courthouse

Liam Caldwell swears in “Emperor Palpatine”, Zach Walters, during a mock trial at Law Day in Penticton’s courthouse on May 24. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)
Madame Cola, designed by Shirley McLim. Can-can dress crafted from pop tabs and crochet thread for the bodice, and coke tins, crochet thread and stiff wire for the skirt. Hat and rose accessories made from coke tins. Model: Tiffany McLim. Photo: Bill Metcalfe

PHOTOS: Nelson fashion show features wearable art made of trash

The show attracted some very skilled designers to work with throw-away materials

Madame Cola, designed by Shirley McLim. Can-can dress crafted from pop tabs and crochet thread for the bodice, and coke tins, crochet thread and stiff wire for the skirt. Hat and rose accessories made from coke tins. Model: Tiffany McLim. Photo: Bill Metcalfe
Staff at Orchard Valley Retirement help Gord and Doreen Ellinson celebrate their 70th anniversary. (Contributed)

Seniors celebrate 70th anniversary at Vernon retirement home

Gord and Doreen Ellinson mark special ocassion at Orchard Valley

Staff at Orchard Valley Retirement help Gord and Doreen Ellinson celebrate their 70th anniversary. (Contributed)
Ellen Zilkie holds the card she received from a stranger after she found $4,000 cash on the street in Salmon Arm on May 12 and returned it to the bank where a customer came looking for it. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)

‘I’d never held $4,000 before:’ Salmon Arm citizen doesn’t hesitate to find owner of $100 bills

Cash found on street by woman who typically works several jobs, lives on low income

Ellen Zilkie holds the card she received from a stranger after she found $4,000 cash on the street in Salmon Arm on May 12 and returned it to the bank where a customer came looking for it. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)
Part of a 2023 parent and sibling quality of life survey, a Meet & Greet will be held Wednesday, May 24 at 3 p.m. at the Night Café in Salmon Arm. (Contributed)

Improving quality of life in Shuswap for parents, siblings of LGBTQ2SI+ people

Meet & Greet taking place Wednesday, May 24 at 3 p.m. in Salmon Arm

Part of a 2023 parent and sibling quality of life survey, a Meet & Greet will be held Wednesday, May 24 at 3 p.m. at the Night Café in Salmon Arm. (Contributed)
The 2022 Walk for Alzheimer’s at Skaha Lake saw a large turnout. (Jessica Wittman photo)

Penticton couple share their journey ahead of Walk For Alzheimer’s

Walk For Alzheimer’s at Gyro Park on Sunday, May 28

The 2022 Walk for Alzheimer’s at Skaha Lake saw a large turnout. (Jessica Wittman photo)
Students from Keremeos’ Similkameen Elementary Secondary School dialed in to participate in the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen’s May 19 board meeting as part of Local Government Awareness Week. (RDOS)

Similkameen Elementary Secondary students learn about local government

The third week of May is Local Government Awareness Week

Students from Keremeos’ Similkameen Elementary Secondary School dialed in to participate in the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen’s May 19 board meeting as part of Local Government Awareness Week. (RDOS)
Mike Gee held the first annual Seamus’ Stroll last year in memory of his late son in Campbell Valley Regional Park to raise funds for the Langley Foundry facility for youth mental health in memory of his late son (inset). On June 4, the second 3K walk will take place. (Langley Advance Times files)

Remembering his son: why a B.C. dad purchases birthday cakes for strangers

Mike Gee hopes others will do the same

Mike Gee held the first annual Seamus’ Stroll last year in memory of his late son in Campbell Valley Regional Park to raise funds for the Langley Foundry facility for youth mental health in memory of his late son (inset). On June 4, the second 3K walk will take place. (Langley Advance Times files)