Martha Wickett

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Michael Heater from Salmon Arm was the happy winner of the Lotto Max Extra draw on May 3, winning $500,000. (BCLC photo)

Salmon Arm resident sets sights on new truck after lottery win

Matching all four Extra numbers on Lotto Max provides $500,000 prize

Michael Heater from Salmon Arm was the happy winner of the Lotto Max Extra draw on May 3, winning $500,000. (BCLC photo)
A Shuswap man was awarded more than $1 million in damages by BC Supreme Court in May 2022 after he was badly injured in 2018 when his dirt bike hit a chain strung across a rural road in Mara, south of Sicamous. (rihaij/Pixabay photo)

Shuswap man awarded $1.3 million following ‘horrific’ dirt bike crash

Judge says crash south of Sicamous left driver to endure a ‘very great amount of pain and suffering’

A Shuswap man was awarded more than $1 million in damages by BC Supreme Court in May 2022 after he was badly injured in 2018 when his dirt bike hit a chain strung across a rural road in Mara, south of Sicamous. (rihaij/Pixabay photo)
The Salvation Army’s Lighthouse Shelter in Salmon Arm will close its doors permanently on May 31, 2022. Plans are underway to come up with options that better meet the needs of people who are without homes. (File photo)

Homeless shelter in Salmon Arm to close its doors permanently

Groups working together to provide options that better meet needs of individuals

The Salvation Army’s Lighthouse Shelter in Salmon Arm will close its doors permanently on May 31, 2022. Plans are underway to come up with options that better meet the needs of people who are without homes. (File photo)
An old burn pile was reignited near the Westwold landfill and discovered May 1, 2022. (Patrick Green photo)

Woman charged in connection with multiple wildfires east of Kamloops

Joint investigation between RCMP and BC Wildfire Service leads to four counts of arson

An old burn pile was reignited near the Westwold landfill and discovered May 1, 2022. (Patrick Green photo)
The man charged with second-degree murder in the death of Ashley Simpson was denied bail in BC Supreme Court in Kamloops on May 12, 2022. (File photo)

Man charged with murder in death of Shuswap woman denied bail

Derek Favell faces second-degree murder charge in death of Ashley Simpson

The man charged with second-degree murder in the death of Ashley Simpson was denied bail in BC Supreme Court in Kamloops on May 12, 2022. (File photo)
These are examples of the types of signs that can appear on non-gendered public washrooms. (File photo)

‘Not just two options’: Salmon Arm to work towards non-gendered washrooms in city

Council votes unanimously to start with changing single-stall facilities

These are examples of the types of signs that can appear on non-gendered public washrooms. (File photo)
School District 83 is appealing a $200,000 penalty from March 2022 regarding handling of possible hazardous materials like asbestos after a contractor reportedly did not follow a work plan. (School District 83 photo)

3 small holes at Salmon Arm school lead to $200,000 WorkSafe BC fine

Fine review requested after contractor at Bastion school reportedly deviates from asbestos plan

School District 83 is appealing a $200,000 penalty from March 2022 regarding handling of possible hazardous materials like asbestos after a contractor reportedly did not follow a work plan. (School District 83 photo)
Late on May 2, volunteers Allen Langworth and Rob Sutherland, captain, with the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station #106 Shuswap on rescue boat Tolonen remove a boat on a log boom in Shuswap Lake near Copper Island without any further damage. Other crew members not pictured were Tamara Lansing and Dave Harvey. (Marine Search and Rescue photo)

Shuswap marine search and rescue helps couple after boat collides with log boom

Boat operator misreads lights marking the tug and log boom, no one injured

Late on May 2, volunteers Allen Langworth and Rob Sutherland, captain, with the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue Station #106 Shuswap on rescue boat Tolonen remove a boat on a log boom in Shuswap Lake near Copper Island without any further damage. Other crew members not pictured were Tamara Lansing and Dave Harvey. (Marine Search and Rescue photo)
About 11 a.m. Saturday, April 30, six runners remained on the BC Backyard Ultra in Salmon Arm, with Ihor Verys from Chilliwack, left, in the lead and Daylan Wizniuk from Camrose, at right, as they head out for Lap 29. Verys completed another 10 laps to win. (Lachlan Labere - Salmon Arm Observer)

Winner of Salmon Arm’s BC Backyard Ultra keeps running for 39 hours

Chilliwack man completes 261.3 kilometres while running day and night for 2 days

About 11 a.m. Saturday, April 30, six runners remained on the BC Backyard Ultra in Salmon Arm, with Ihor Verys from Chilliwack, left, in the lead and Daylan Wizniuk from Camrose, at right, as they head out for Lap 29. Verys completed another 10 laps to win. (Lachlan Labere - Salmon Arm Observer)
Serena Caner, president of the Shuswap Food Action Society, helps presenter Brad DeMille of DeMille’s Farm Market, both part of the community food resiliency panel at the Southern Interior Local Government Association Conference in Salmon Arm April 27-29, 2022, as he demonstrates the difference in price between local and imported vegetables. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)

‘You’re going to start getting hungry’ if Southern Interior food producers aren’t supported

Food resiliency panel at conference in Salmon Arm speaks of need for local food security

Serena Caner, president of the Shuswap Food Action Society, helps presenter Brad DeMille of DeMille’s Farm Market, both part of the community food resiliency panel at the Southern Interior Local Government Association Conference in Salmon Arm April 27-29, 2022, as he demonstrates the difference in price between local and imported vegetables. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)
Jesse Wente, keynote speaker at the Southern Interior Local Government Association Convention in Salmon Arm April 27 to 29, told delegates that ‘to heal ourselves we must confront the trauma we have and that we cause.’ (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)

‘Spot on brain’ story helps urge Southern Interior leaders to promote healing

Author, broadcaster Jesse Wente receives standing ovation for talk at Salmon Arm convention

Jesse Wente, keynote speaker at the Southern Interior Local Government Association Convention in Salmon Arm April 27 to 29, told delegates that ‘to heal ourselves we must confront the trauma we have and that we cause.’ (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)
Salmon Arm RCMP report deescalating situation on April 22 involving an upset male with a loaded handgun in a residence. (File photo)

Man with loaded handgun inside Salmon Arm home taken into custody

Two other firearms located, police say public was not in danger

Salmon Arm RCMP report deescalating situation on April 22 involving an upset male with a loaded handgun in a residence. (File photo)
The purple urn in the Simpson family home holding Ashley Simpson’s remains sits nestled among special items saved or given to the Simpson family marking the disappearance and death of their beloved Ashley. Ashley disappeared from Yankee Flats Road near Silver Creek in April 2016 and her remains were discovered near Salmon Arm in November 2021. (Photo contributed)

Family of woman killed in Shuswap looks for ‘new normal’

Holding memorial service after daughter’s remains returned to Ontario from Salmon Arm brings comfort

The purple urn in the Simpson family home holding Ashley Simpson’s remains sits nestled among special items saved or given to the Simpson family marking the disappearance and death of their beloved Ashley. Ashley disappeared from Yankee Flats Road near Silver Creek in April 2016 and her remains were discovered near Salmon Arm in November 2021. (Photo contributed)
Jesse Wente, keynote speaker at the Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) AGM and Conference in Salmon Arm April 26-29, poses for a photograph in Toronto in 2018. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)

Wildfires, climate change, lessons, successes featured at Salmon Arm conference

200 delegates and guests expected in the Shuswap for Southern Interior local government gathering

Jesse Wente, keynote speaker at the Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) AGM and Conference in Salmon Arm April 26-29, poses for a photograph in Toronto in 2018. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette)
On May 9, 2022, a date will be set in BC Supreme Court in Kamloops after a bail application involving Derek Favell, 39, was adjourned April 20. It’s expected a date will be set then for the judge to provide a decision on the application. (Kamloops This Week file photo)

Another delay in court case for man charged in death of Shuswap woman

Next court date involving second-degree murder charges in death of Ashley Simpson in Kamloops in May

On May 9, 2022, a date will be set in BC Supreme Court in Kamloops after a bail application involving Derek Favell, 39, was adjourned April 20. It’s expected a date will be set then for the judge to provide a decision on the application. (Kamloops This Week file photo)
Fire devours a barn used for storage in the 1400 block of Vella Road in Tappen during the morning of Tuesday, April 19. Although the son of the owner was living upstairs in the barn, he was not home and no one was injured. (Columbia Shuswap Regional District photo)

Fire destroys barn on Vella Road in Tappen, person was living upstairs

No one in the structure at the time, lower floor used mainly for storage

Fire devours a barn used for storage in the 1400 block of Vella Road in Tappen during the morning of Tuesday, April 19. Although the son of the owner was living upstairs in the barn, he was not home and no one was injured. (Columbia Shuswap Regional District photo)
Lily Brook takes a warm-up shot before the gold medal game against Team Quebec on April 10 in Richmond. In the foreground is Paralympian and teammate Amanda Pinheiro (Yan). (Victory Creative photo)

Salmon Arm athlete helps BC Women’s Wheelchair Basketball Team capture national trophy

Lily Brook to participate in this year’s Hit2Fit charity boxing event

Lily Brook takes a warm-up shot before the gold medal game against Team Quebec on April 10 in Richmond. In the foreground is Paralympian and teammate Amanda Pinheiro (Yan). (Victory Creative photo)
The Shuswap’s Turtle Valley Donkey Refuge will hold a Volunteer Day on April 23 followed by a reopening to visitors on April 30, 2022. (Photo contributed)

Shuswap’s Turtle Valley Donkey Refuge reopening after two-year break

Volunteer Day set for April 23 following by reopening for weekend visitors April 30

The Shuswap’s Turtle Valley Donkey Refuge will hold a Volunteer Day on April 23 followed by a reopening to visitors on April 30, 2022. (Photo contributed)
On April 14, the general manager of Fairfield by Marriott hotel locations in Vernon and Salmon Arm said the hotels would offer employment and interim accommodations to up to 10 Ukrainian refugees. (Contributed)

Fairfield by Marriott hotels in Vernon, Salmon Arm to employ, house Ukrainian refugees

General manager commits to provide interim accommodation, employment for up to 10 refugees

On April 14, the general manager of Fairfield by Marriott hotel locations in Vernon and Salmon Arm said the hotels would offer employment and interim accommodations to up to 10 Ukrainian refugees. (Contributed)
Man sentenced in Salmon Arm on April 4, 2022 to 455 days in jail, minus time served, as well as two years’ probation with 17 conditions. (File photo)

Jail time for man who caused others to fear for their safety in Salmon Arm

As well as criminal harassment, charges included break and enter with intent to commit a crime

Man sentenced in Salmon Arm on April 4, 2022 to 455 days in jail, minus time served, as well as two years’ probation with 17 conditions. (File photo)