Community

Timea Borvas and Eva Poloskey put together a box of chocolates. Poloskey, owner of Accent Chocolate in Penticton, is handing down the reins to Borvas and Nikoletta Tormas. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)

After nearly 3 decades of sweet success, Penticton’s Accent Chocolate passes the torch

Eva and Les Poloskey are retiring, but not before they’ve trained their successors

Timea Borvas and Eva Poloskey put together a box of chocolates. Poloskey, owner of Accent Chocolate in Penticton, is handing down the reins to Borvas and Nikoletta Tormas. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)
The Penticton Minor Lacrosse Association has started a petition to

‘Kids just want to play’: Penticton Lacrosse petition reaches 300 for indoor space

The local association lacks space and has had to play home games as far as Vernon

The Penticton Minor Lacrosse Association has started a petition to
Ignite the Arts’ “Parade For No Reason” came to downtown Penticton on Friday, March 31 and featured fire-spinners. (Brennan Phillips- Western News)

‘Magical’: Penticton comes together, makes Ignite the Arts Festival a success yet again

‘People are coming together and realizing the most valuable asset we own is community’: Paul Crawford

Ignite the Arts’ “Parade For No Reason” came to downtown Penticton on Friday, March 31 and featured fire-spinners. (Brennan Phillips- Western News)
Left to right: Friends Steve Abbey, Tyler Lamb, Andy Hamilton, who was in his eighth year of attending Okanagan Fest of Ale and Jeff Henderson enjoying the event at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre in 2018. (Brennan Phillips/Western News)

Thirst grows as Okanagan Fest of Ale ‘returns to roots’ next week in Penticton

The popular beer festival returns indoors on April 14 and 15, following a multi-year hiatus

Left to right: Friends Steve Abbey, Tyler Lamb, Andy Hamilton, who was in his eighth year of attending Okanagan Fest of Ale and Jeff Henderson enjoying the event at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre in 2018. (Brennan Phillips/Western News)
Dean Readman with his collection of gift cards after winning Vernon Morning Star’s $2,023 shopping spree contest (Bowen Assman- Morning Star photo).

Coldstream man wins Vernon shopping spree

The Morning Star’s first ever shopping spree contest saw Dean Readman win $2,023 in gift cards

Dean Readman with his collection of gift cards after winning Vernon Morning Star’s $2,023 shopping spree contest (Bowen Assman- Morning Star photo).
Chris Mathieson marked 10 years as general manager of the Grist Mill and Gardens heritage site in Keremeos on April 1. (Grist Mill and Gardens/ Facebook)

‘Come back and see it’: Keremeos Grist Mill manager keeps on trucking 10 years later

Chris Mathieson took over operations at the Grist Mill in 2013

Chris Mathieson marked 10 years as general manager of the Grist Mill and Gardens heritage site in Keremeos on April 1. (Grist Mill and Gardens/ Facebook)
Cascades Casino in Penticton will continue its efforts this April in matching donations of up to $2,500 to the OSNS Child and Youth Development Centre. Megan Windeler (OSNS) accepts a cheque and a donation of toys from Megan Schmidt (Manager of Guest Services, Site Marketing Promotions, Cascades Casino) and Shane Squires (General Manager, Cascades Casino) (Photo- OSNS Child and Development Centre)

Penticton casino donates toys, over $2k to OSNS Child and Youth Development Centre

Cascades Casino will be matching donations of up to $2,500 all April long

Cascades Casino in Penticton will continue its efforts this April in matching donations of up to $2,500 to the OSNS Child and Youth Development Centre. Megan Windeler (OSNS) accepts a cheque and a donation of toys from Megan Schmidt (Manager of Guest Services, Site Marketing Promotions, Cascades Casino) and Shane Squires (General Manager, Cascades Casino) (Photo- OSNS Child and Development Centre)
Ignite the Arts’ “Parade For No Reason” came to downtown Penticton on Friday, March 31. (Brennan Phillips- Western News)

VIDEO: Fire-spinners, brass musicians star at ‘Parade For No Reason’ in Penticton

The event kicked off the Ignite the Arts Festival’s final weekend in 2023

Ignite the Arts’ “Parade For No Reason” came to downtown Penticton on Friday, March 31. (Brennan Phillips- Western News)
A kitten rescued from a feral colony in Midway looks at The Gazette Wednesday, May 26. The kittens will soon be up for adoption at the SPCA in Penticton. Photo: Laurie Tritschler

$1k in 4 hours: Penticton rallies for local BC SPCA after dog, cat food shortage

Community response comes after the centre issued a call for help on Facebook, March 30

A kitten rescued from a feral colony in Midway looks at The Gazette Wednesday, May 26. The kittens will soon be up for adoption at the SPCA in Penticton. Photo: Laurie Tritschler
(Logan Lockhart- Western News)

‘Healing energy for all living things’: Syilx artist unveils new mural in Penticton

The mural, completed in 2017, was unveiled during this year’s Ignite the Arts Festival on Main Street

(Logan Lockhart- Western News)
This Penticton art duo participated in the Sculpture Contest at the Ignite the Arts Festival’s art walk. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)

PHOTOS: ‘No shortage of vibrancy’ at Ignite the Arts Festival’s Walk in Penticton

With 25 different venues and hundreds of artists, Saturday afternoon was a ‘celebration of culture’

This Penticton art duo participated in the Sculpture Contest at the Ignite the Arts Festival’s art walk. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)
Amelia Sirianni is the new executive director of Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services Society. (Contributed)

Vernon immigrant society names new executive director

Amelia Sirianni promoted from director of operations

  • Mar 23, 2023
Amelia Sirianni is the new executive director of Vernon and District Immigrant and Community Services Society. (Contributed)
The Alzheimer Society of B.C. is hosting a webinar for North Okanagan residents who can get useful information on how sensory changes affect a person’s ability to interact with the surrounding environment and perform routine tasks. The webinar takes place Wednesday, March 29, at 2 p.m. (Contributed)

Alzheimer Society of B.C. hosts webinar for North Okanagan residents

The 60-minute web presentation is slated for Wednesday, March 29, at 2 p.m.

The Alzheimer Society of B.C. is hosting a webinar for North Okanagan residents who can get useful information on how sensory changes affect a person’s ability to interact with the surrounding environment and perform routine tasks. The webinar takes place Wednesday, March 29, at 2 p.m. (Contributed)
The Victoria petting zoo welcomes its first two baby goats of the season – Jupiter and Solaris. (Beacon Hill Children’s Farm/Facebook)

Tragic birth in Victoria petting zoo leads to happy beginnings for 2 mama goats

Goat run returns to Beacon Hill Park as children’s farm welcomes spring babies

The Victoria petting zoo welcomes its first two baby goats of the season – Jupiter and Solaris. (Beacon Hill Children’s Farm/Facebook)
Share your opinion about living in the North Okanagan in a short survey and pass the link along to your neighbours and networks! Courtesy CFNO

Seeking Community Input: What do you think about life in the North Okanagan?

Your input is needed to help measure the vitality of our communities

  • Mar 20, 2023
Share your opinion about living in the North Okanagan in a short survey and pass the link along to your neighbours and networks! Courtesy CFNO
The LMEC Siding and Community Roofing crew are hard at work replacing the old roof at the North Okanagan Hospice House. (Contributed)

North Okanagan Hospice House gets helping hand

4 businesses chipping in to provide new roof

The LMEC Siding and Community Roofing crew are hard at work replacing the old roof at the North Okanagan Hospice House. (Contributed)
Kelowna skyline. (Photo/Darren Kilby via Wikimedia Commons)

Kelowna’s population growing quickly and getting younger: Report

The city’s median age (42.4) is slightly below the provincial median (42.8)

Kelowna skyline. (Photo/Darren Kilby via Wikimedia Commons)
This Penticton art duo were one of two winners to win a $100 prize at Okanagan Lake Park on Saturday, April 1, 2022, at the first-ever Ignite the Arts’ Sculpture Contest. (Logan Lockhart -Western News)

Popular festival returns to make Penticton ‘cultural capital of B.C.’ again

The second annual Ignite the Arts Festival runs from March 24 to April 2

This Penticton art duo were one of two winners to win a $100 prize at Okanagan Lake Park on Saturday, April 1, 2022, at the first-ever Ignite the Arts’ Sculpture Contest. (Logan Lockhart -Western News)
Apex Mountain Resort has finished in the top 10 of this year’s Mackenzie TopPeak competition. (Apex Mountain Resort)

National TV broadcast recognizing Apex Mountain Resort; hill wins $2k in competition

Online voters had their say and selected Apex as one of the best ski communities in Canada

Apex Mountain Resort has finished in the top 10 of this year’s Mackenzie TopPeak competition. (Apex Mountain Resort)
Skaha Meadows Golf Course in Penticton opened for the season on Feb. 8, 2023. Snowfall shortly after put a halt on consistent operations until early March. As of March 8, they are open for the season. (Photo- Skaha Meadows Golf Course/Facebook)

Golf in February: Penticton course the first in Okanagan to open for season

Skaha Meadows opened Feb. 8; Penticton Golf and Country tees off March 9

Skaha Meadows Golf Course in Penticton opened for the season on Feb. 8, 2023. Snowfall shortly after put a halt on consistent operations until early March. As of March 8, they are open for the season. (Photo- Skaha Meadows Golf Course/Facebook)