Community

Placing coins on gravestones is a practice that is believed to have started during the Vietnam War. (Black Press Media file photo)

Coins on tombstones, an American tradition that has gradually taken root in Canada

Denomination of coin can show relationship to fallen soldier

  • Nov 11, 2022
Placing coins on gravestones is a practice that is believed to have started during the Vietnam War. (Black Press Media file photo)
The Habitat for Humanity build at 1375 Piercy Ave. in Courtenay continues to take shape. When completed the project will house 12 families. Photo by Yana Dimitrova.

Habitat for Humanity survey reveals housing affordability as a top concern for Canadians

A new survey released Nov. 10 by Habitat for Humanity Canada finds…

The Habitat for Humanity build at 1375 Piercy Ave. in Courtenay continues to take shape. When completed the project will house 12 families. Photo by Yana Dimitrova.
Keremeos Subway and CanCo will play host to a holiday toy drive for the second year in a row on Dec. 3. (Submitted)

Toy drive returns to Keremeos on Dec. 3

The first drive in 2021 raised over $5,000 worth of toys for 55 local families

Keremeos Subway and CanCo will play host to a holiday toy drive for the second year in a row on Dec. 3. (Submitted)
Salmon Arm resident Peggy Ashton celebrates her 102nd birthday on Nov. 12. (Contributed)

Calm and ‘unrufflable’: Salmon Arm woman celebrates 102

Daughter describes mother Peggy Ashton as ‘calm and unruffleable’

Salmon Arm resident Peggy Ashton celebrates her 102nd birthday on Nov. 12. (Contributed)
Retired Vernon B.C. Supreme Court Justice Frank Cole has died at the age of 79. (Morning Star - file photo)

Retired Vernon Justice remembered for work ethic, laughter

Supreme Court Justice Frank Cole (retired) dies at age 79

Retired Vernon B.C. Supreme Court Justice Frank Cole has died at the age of 79. (Morning Star - file photo)
All Are Family Outreach is trying to help a local grandmother acquire a set of donated winter tires, which she is in desperate need of as winter conditions arrive early. (Pixabay photo)

Outreach society looks to help Vernon family in dire need of winter tires

All Are Family Outreach is hoping somebody can donate winter tires to a grandmother of 6

All Are Family Outreach is trying to help a local grandmother acquire a set of donated winter tires, which she is in desperate need of as winter conditions arrive early. (Pixabay photo)
Pat Wand (middle) joined by Beverley Fox (left) and Irene Ramsay (right) for their weekly bottle drive outside Penticton’s IGA. (Logan Lockhart - Western News)

Every Saturday, in snow, -20 C, count on Pat Wand working the bottle drive at Penticton IGA

Wand and set of dedicated volunteers helped raise $400K over 10 years

Pat Wand (middle) joined by Beverley Fox (left) and Irene Ramsay (right) for their weekly bottle drive outside Penticton’s IGA. (Logan Lockhart - Western News)
Chef Jade Berg on the Sunshine Coast of B.C. (HULU photo)

PODCAST.: B.C. chef Jade Berg gets creative on Disney’s ‘Chefs vs. Wild’

TODAY IN B.C.: Foraging in the woods on the Sunshine Coast to create a 5-star meal

Chef Jade Berg on the Sunshine Coast of B.C. (HULU photo)
Maureen Kennah-Hafstein

Tenacious advocate for people with Parkinson’s leaves message of gratitude

Shuswap resident Maureen Kennah-Hafstein died on Nov. 2, 2022

Maureen Kennah-Hafstein
Jessie Simpson was left with life-altering injuries after being attacked with a metal baseball bat June 19, 2016 (Sue Simpson/Facebook)

Kamloops attack victim eagerly awaiting annual Christmas cards

Cards have come from as far as England to wish Jessie a Merry Christmas

  • Nov 7, 2022
Jessie Simpson was left with life-altering injuries after being attacked with a metal baseball bat June 19, 2016 (Sue Simpson/Facebook)
A child prepares to hurl his pumpkin from the top of the Vernon fire department tower at Vernon Fire Rescue Services’ first pumpkin drop event Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

VIDEO: Pumpkins go splat at Vernon fire department

Vernon Fire Rescue Services held its first pumpkin drop event Saturday

A child prepares to hurl his pumpkin from the top of the Vernon fire department tower at Vernon Fire Rescue Services’ first pumpkin drop event Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)
Remembrance banners are on display around downtown Summerland. The banners feature Summerland’s fallen from past wars and military action. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)

Summerland’s Remembrance banners feature fallen soldiers

Banners are on display around community’s downtown

Remembrance banners are on display around downtown Summerland. The banners feature Summerland’s fallen from past wars and military action. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)
Being in a wheelchair didn’t Donna Biedler from participating in an autumn-time tradition last month in Keremeos. (Submitted)

Keremeos fruit stand helps make lifelong memories for Oliver woman in wheelchair

A wheelchair-accessible path was installed at The Bears Fruit Stand prior to pumpkin season

Being in a wheelchair didn’t Donna Biedler from participating in an autumn-time tradition last month in Keremeos. (Submitted)
Jamie Bentley holds Forever Farm, the book she wrote to help raise money to support rescued animals her family supports. (Matty Sangster photo) Jamie Bentley of Celista holds Chubbs the chicken, one of the animals featured in Forever Farm, the book she wrote to help raise money to support the rescued animals her family supports. (Matty Sangster photo)

Salmon Arm student’s love for animals morphs into a book to support them

First run of Grade 12 student’s book sells out, she’s hoping to raise more funds from second printing

Jamie Bentley holds Forever Farm, the book she wrote to help raise money to support rescued animals her family supports. (Matty Sangster photo) Jamie Bentley of Celista holds Chubbs the chicken, one of the animals featured in Forever Farm, the book she wrote to help raise money to support the rescued animals her family supports. (Matty Sangster photo)
Cloverdale Library will host a free teen writing workshop on Wednesday, Dec. 19. (Gift Habeshaw / Unsplash)

Teenage creative writers sought for Okanagan awards

$200 prizes up for grabs in young writers’ contest

Cloverdale Library will host a free teen writing workshop on Wednesday, Dec. 19. (Gift Habeshaw / Unsplash)
An online fundraiser has been launched for Jessica Tetz, a Vernon woman diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. (GiveSendGo photo)

Friends and family rally around Vernon woman fighting aggressive breast cancer

Jessica Tetz just purchased her first home in Vernon and is unable to work due to chemo treatments

An online fundraiser has been launched for Jessica Tetz, a Vernon woman diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. (GiveSendGo photo)
Vahlleri Semeniuk, manager at Second Harvest food bank in Salmon Arm, said the food bank is just meeting the demand of the 225 families it serves each week. (File photo)

Salmon Arm food bank struggling to keep up with inflation

Second Harvest manager said donations dramatically down

Vahlleri Semeniuk, manager at Second Harvest food bank in Salmon Arm, said the food bank is just meeting the demand of the 225 families it serves each week. (File photo)
Dr. Reka Gustafson. (file photo)

PODCAST: Dr. Reka Gustafson talks HIV, COVID, the toxic drug crisis and mental health

TODAY IN B.C.: Medical health officer offers insight

Dr. Reka Gustafson. (file photo)
Do you know the correct name for these carved pumpkins? (Pixaby)

QUIZ: How much do you really know about Halloween?

Oct 31 is a time for candy, costumes and scary movies

Do you know the correct name for these carved pumpkins? (Pixaby)
Hunter Caulien-Matheson, 14, has produced a series of colourful and humorous comic strips that signal a future in animation. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Vernon teen expresses himself with first-rate cartoons

Hunter Caulien-Matheson is walking in the footsteps of American cartoonist Jim Davis

Hunter Caulien-Matheson, 14, has produced a series of colourful and humorous comic strips that signal a future in animation. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)