Community

Elizabeth Pete is a survivor of St. Joseph’s Mission in Williams Lake. (Patrick Davies photo - 100 Mile Free Press)

WATCH: Kamloops bound convoy greeted by Canim Lake Band in 100 Mile House

More than two dozen members of the Tsq’escenemc people (Canim Lake Band) showed up

Elizabeth Pete is a survivor of St. Joseph’s Mission in Williams Lake. (Patrick Davies photo - 100 Mile Free Press)
Phyllis Zella took this great photo of Friday's sunset in Penticton. (Facebook)

Okanagan Lake turns pink during Friday’s sunset

Colours of first orange and then pink delight South Okanagan sky watchers

Phyllis Zella took this great photo of Friday's sunset in Penticton. (Facebook)
Wayne Derkach buys a raffle ticket off Funtastic general manager Akbal Mund in support of local sports groups Friday in front of ARC Liquor. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)

Funtastic still pitching in support for North Okanagan sports groups

Despite no ball tournament or music festival, organizers are fundraising to give back

Wayne Derkach buys a raffle ticket off Funtastic general manager Akbal Mund in support of local sports groups Friday in front of ARC Liquor. (Jennifer Smith - Morning Star)
A fundraiser intended to fund the search of Vancouver Island’s five residential school for children’s remains topped $100,000 Friday (June 4). Pictured is a church at Chawathil First Nation on Highway 1, on May 31, 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)

Fundraiser to search more B.C. residential schools tops $100,000

Indigenous leaders hope to use radar technology to search for lost children on Vancouver Island

A fundraiser intended to fund the search of Vancouver Island’s five residential school for children’s remains topped $100,000 Friday (June 4). Pictured is a church at Chawathil First Nation on Highway 1, on May 31, 2021. (Black Press Media file photo)
BGC Williams Lake staff includes youth outreach worker Dylan McGuire (back from left), youth engagement worker with NOOPA Jo O’Connor, youth engagement worker Mycaela Ryckman, independent living co-ordinator Derek Godin (front from left), manager of club operations Krista Harvey and harm reduction co-ordinator Laurel White. The group is welcoming the organization’s, formerly Boys and Girls Club of Williams Lake and District’s, new name, BGC Williams Lake. (Greg Sabatino photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

Boys and Girls Club rebrands to ‘BGC Canada,’ citing push for gender-inclusivity

Club says it already opens its doors to all kids and teens and its name should reflect that

BGC Williams Lake staff includes youth outreach worker Dylan McGuire (back from left), youth engagement worker with NOOPA Jo O’Connor, youth engagement worker Mycaela Ryckman, independent living co-ordinator Derek Godin (front from left), manager of club operations Krista Harvey and harm reduction co-ordinator Laurel White. The group is welcoming the organization’s, formerly Boys and Girls Club of Williams Lake and District’s, new name, BGC Williams Lake. (Greg Sabatino photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
Volunteers work on a past year’s poppy fund activities at the Trafalgar/Pro Patria Legion on Gorge Road in Victoria. The provincial government announced $1.5 million in one-time funding for B.C. and Yukon legions on June 2 to help them stay open through the remainder of the pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)

B.C. government announces $1.5 million in pandemic relief for struggling Legion branches

Property tax exemption is what Legions really need, Victoria branch president says

Volunteers work on a past year’s poppy fund activities at the Trafalgar/Pro Patria Legion on Gorge Road in Victoria. The provincial government announced $1.5 million in one-time funding for B.C. and Yukon legions on June 2 to help them stay open through the remainder of the pandemic. (Black Press Media file photo)
Birthday girl Lexi Theissen celebrates her ninth birthday with her friends Jeffery Brown and Ryder Hornhardt at Atlantis Waterslides’ opening weekend Sunday afternoon. (Lisa VanderVelde/Morning Star)

Okanagan’s only waterslides eye Canada Day opening

COVID-19 restrictions remain in place as directed by provincial health orders

Birthday girl Lexi Theissen celebrates her ninth birthday with her friends Jeffery Brown and Ryder Hornhardt at Atlantis Waterslides’ opening weekend Sunday afternoon. (Lisa VanderVelde/Morning Star)
After a one year hiatus, the Naramata Community Market returns Wednesday, June 2 from 4 to 7 p.m. (Submitted)

Naramata Community Market opens Wednesday, June 2

Opening day will have food trucks, local entertainment, produce and artisans

After a one year hiatus, the Naramata Community Market returns Wednesday, June 2 from 4 to 7 p.m. (Submitted)
Contributed photo

Support your local BC SPCA through Lock-In for Love virtual fundraiser

The funds raised will go toward caring for local animals and cruelty investigations

Contributed photo
Jen Anderson, staff and youth from the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club say thanks to 100 Men Who Care, following a donation of $2,580. (Contributed)

Three South Okanagan Similkameen charities receive funding

Donations presented by 100 Men Who Care

Jen Anderson, staff and youth from the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club say thanks to 100 Men Who Care, following a donation of $2,580. (Contributed)
BC Cancer Foundation canvassers are recognizable by their teal vests and ID badges. (Foundation file photo)

B.C. Cancer Foundation canvassers going door-to-door

Residents asked to support monthly donor program, but warned canvassers do not take cash

BC Cancer Foundation canvassers are recognizable by their teal vests and ID badges. (Foundation file photo)
Sweatin’ for Science participants have collectively clocked 90,000+ kilometres during the fundraiser – the equivalent of more than one lap around the perimeter of BC and Yukon.

Sweatin’ for Science group collectively travels the distance of one lap around the perimeter of BC and Yukon

Funds will make science fairs more accessible for those who might not otherwise be able to take part

  • May 31, 2021
Sweatin’ for Science participants have collectively clocked 90,000+ kilometres during the fundraiser – the equivalent of more than one lap around the perimeter of BC and Yukon.
The earliest record of wine production in the Okanagan Valley dates back to Father Pandosy’s Okanagan Mission in 1859. Today, the wine industry represents an important part of the British Columbia economy. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

British Columbia wine industry began in 1850s

Father Pandosy’s Okanagan Mission produced wine in 1859

The earliest record of wine production in the Okanagan Valley dates back to Father Pandosy’s Okanagan Mission in 1859. Today, the wine industry represents an important part of the British Columbia economy. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
One of the mama cats and her babies. (Contributed)

Okanagan charity hopes to rescue cats from cull in Alberta community

There is a serious overpopulation of cats in the hamlet of Dixonville

One of the mama cats and her babies. (Contributed)
A kitten rescued this week 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

BC SPCA concerned about feral cat colonies across West Kootenays

The SPCA recently partnered with Grand Forks’ cat shelter to rescue a feral colony in Midway

A kitten rescued this week 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
LeAnne Jakubeit was a mother, a mentor, a supporter of the arts, youth and her community

Women In Business: A tribute to Penticton’s grooviest businesswoman

LeAnne Jakubeit of Grooveyard Records, was a mentor, a mother and music lover

LeAnne Jakubeit was a mother, a mentor, a supporter of the arts, youth and her community
Chilliwack metal sculptor Kevin Stone has been commissioned to construct a larger than life Tyrannosaurus Rex sculpture that will be put on display for all of Penticton to see. (Kevin Stone/Instagram)

Penticton to become home to a larger-than-life Tyrannosaurus rex

Renowned B.C. metal artist Kevin Stone has been hired to bring his work to Penticton

Chilliwack metal sculptor Kevin Stone has been commissioned to construct a larger than life Tyrannosaurus Rex sculpture that will be put on display for all of Penticton to see. (Kevin Stone/Instagram)
HOPE Outreach is asking for men’s clothing and toiletry that they can distribute to their clients and partner community agencies. (Black Press Media file)

Okanagan outreach service in need of men’s clothes to distribute

HOPE Outreach said men’s clothes are not donated very often

HOPE Outreach is asking for men’s clothing and toiletry that they can distribute to their clients and partner community agencies. (Black Press Media file)
Host families are needed to open their doors to international students coming to schools in Vernon, Coldstream and Lumby. (SD 22 photo)

Vernon families sought to host immunized international students

‘We look for families who are warm and welcoming,’ coordinators say

Host families are needed to open their doors to international students coming to schools in Vernon, Coldstream and Lumby. (SD 22 photo)
Enzo, the cat, has been found and safe at home after two months on the lam. (Facebook)

Penticton cat missing for 2 months found safe and sound

Enzo, an indoor cat, got out and had a large adventure around town

Enzo, the cat, has been found and safe at home after two months on the lam. (Facebook)