Community

Penticton Bylaw officer Glenn Smith, as well as resident Zak Laycock (not pictured), received the Governor General Award from the Royal Canadian Humane Association to recognize their heroism in a summer 2019 incident. (Contributed)

Bylaw officer and Penticton resident given awards for intervening in sexual assault

Bylaw officer Glenn Smith said he was simply in the right place at the right time

 

Ideal Energy Solutions will be offering grants for local non-profits. (Facebook)

Ideal Energy Solutions offering community grants

The Penticton company is offering 10 $1,000 grants

 

The home of an Indo-Canadian family in Summerland was vandalized on the evening of July 13. Another incident in Summerland was reported to police on the morning of July 14. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)

YEAR IN REVIEW: Summerland home was vandalized with racist graffiti

Community responds with shock and support following incident in July

 

Quinisco Blue Coyne was born Dec. 20, 2020, at Penticton General Hospital. Photo contributed

Princeton’s ‘first family’ grows by eight pounds, eight ounces

Quin Blue Coyne already has at least 1,000 relatives

Quinisco Blue Coyne was born Dec. 20, 2020, at Penticton General Hospital. Photo contributed
Gord Portman, 47, was awarded by the Royal Canadian Humane Association for his role in helping to save two people from a Penticton house fire in March. (Jesse Day - Western News)

Penticton man recognized with Canadian bravery award for intervening in house fire

Gord Portman will look to continue his life-saving ways after the fire inspired him to get sober

Gord Portman, 47, was awarded by the Royal Canadian Humane Association for his role in helping to save two people from a Penticton house fire in March. (Jesse Day - Western News)
Steve McKenzie, Lynda Jones Layng and Lisa Spalding have been braving the cold waters of Okanagan Lake every morning. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)

Near freezing temperatures won’t keep these South Okanagan swimmers out of the lake

The trio of swimmers have been swimming in Okanagan Lake since the community centre pool closed

Steve McKenzie, Lynda Jones Layng and Lisa Spalding have been braving the cold waters of Okanagan Lake every morning. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)
This year, Christmas dinner will not be the same as in past years. (File photo)

Summerland Christmas dinner matchup will not proceed

Event organized by NeighbourLink Summerland cancelled because of pandemic

This year, Christmas dinner will not be the same as in past years. (File photo)
Lights are in place at Rotary Pier in Summerland. The lighting work is part of an initiative to light up the route of the Giants Head Grind. (Contributed)

Organizers lighting route of Giants Head Grind in Summerland

Lighting initiative to begin at Okanagan Lake this year

Lights are in place at Rotary Pier in Summerland. The lighting work is part of an initiative to light up the route of the Giants Head Grind. (Contributed)
Penticton City Staff will recommend to council in their Tuesday, Nov. 17 meeting that the city extend a pilot project to allow open consumption of alcohol on some beaches through summer 2021. (BC Ale Trail photo)

Legal beach drinks could return to Penticton next summer

Penticton was one of three B.C. communities to allow open alcohol in some public spaces this summer

Penticton City Staff will recommend to council in their Tuesday, Nov. 17 meeting that the city extend a pilot project to allow open consumption of alcohol on some beaches through summer 2021. (BC Ale Trail photo)
Penticton man Rylan Hernberg will spend all of World Kindness Day, Nov. 9, 2020 performing acts of kindness such as giving flowers, coffee, a smile and much more just to brighten the day of strangers. (Contributed)

Penticton man goes all out to celebrate World Kindness Day

Nov. 13 is World Kindness Day

Penticton man Rylan Hernberg will spend all of World Kindness Day, Nov. 9, 2020 performing acts of kindness such as giving flowers, coffee, a smile and much more just to brighten the day of strangers. (Contributed)
Ms. V’s Outdoor Exploration Centre, a new space at Pearson Road Elementary School, was officially opened Nov. 6. (Phil McLachlan - Capital News)

‘A beautiful dedication to a beautiful person’; Okanagan school opens new outdoor space

Pearson Road Elementary opens new space in honour of Isabel Alves-Vicente, currently fighting ALS

Ms. V’s Outdoor Exploration Centre, a new space at Pearson Road Elementary School, was officially opened Nov. 6. (Phil McLachlan - Capital News)
NeighbourLink Summerland volunteers have been calling people on their client list during the COVID-19 pandemic, as previous services have been suspended. (Black Press file photo)

Summerland organization promotes calls to check in with neighbours

NeighbourLink Summerland volunteers making phone calls to shut-ins during pandemic

NeighbourLink Summerland volunteers have been calling people on their client list during the COVID-19 pandemic, as previous services have been suspended. (Black Press file photo)
Penticton couple Scott and Jessica Tregoning have an Oct. 15, 2020 Zoom meeting with a local fertility clinic. (Contributed)

Penticton couple seek help to cover surrogacy costs

After losing two babies, the Tregonings have reached out to the community for assistance

Penticton couple Scott and Jessica Tregoning have an Oct. 15, 2020 Zoom meeting with a local fertility clinic. (Contributed)
Trayce Bennett, 12, has been in and out of BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, struggling with severe health issues since he was three months old. A GoFundMe page has been started to help his mother cope with the financial impact of his illnesses. (Contributed)

Community supports mother of Okanagan boy battling severe illnesses

Trayce Bennett, 12, has been in and out of BC Children’s Hospital since he was three months old

Trayce Bennett, 12, has been in and out of BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, struggling with severe health issues since he was three months old. A GoFundMe page has been started to help his mother cope with the financial impact of his illnesses. (Contributed)
Avid walker George Doi of Langley celebrated a milestone on Sept. 17, when he completed a virtual walk around the world (Special to Langley Advance Times)

A (virtual) walk around the world by 88-year-old B.C. man

George Doi says it’s simple: ‘I like walking’

Avid walker George Doi of Langley celebrated a milestone on Sept. 17, when he completed a virtual walk around the world (Special to Langley Advance Times)
The Pedersen family is thrilled to win Tripadvisor’s Traveller’s Choice award for their Desert Model Railroad attraction in Osoyoos. (contributed photo)

Osoyoos model train attraction wins Tripadvisor award

Desert Model Railroad wins nod for Traveller’s Choice

The Pedersen family is thrilled to win Tripadvisor’s Traveller’s Choice award for their Desert Model Railroad attraction in Osoyoos. (contributed photo)
Vancouver Island family overwhelmed with 14 Lab puppies

Vancouver Island family overwhelmed with 14 Lab puppies

Litter may be one of the biggest ever

Vancouver Island family overwhelmed with 14 Lab puppies
COVID crushes North Okanagan spelling bee buzz, teams needed for new fundraiser

COVID crushes North Okanagan spelling bee buzz, teams needed for new fundraiser

Trivia night Sept. 22 can support local literacy

COVID crushes North Okanagan spelling bee buzz, teams needed for new fundraiser
Premier John Horgan, right, walks with Hardy Wentzel, CEO of Structurlam in Okanagan Falls in this 2019 file photo. Structurlam, which employs around 200 people, is one of the leading economic drivers in Okanagan Falls. (Black Press file photo)

Economic recovery emphasized for Okanagan Falls

Small community in South Okanagan has been struggling since before COVID-19 pandemic

Premier John Horgan, right, walks with Hardy Wentzel, CEO of Structurlam in Okanagan Falls in this 2019 file photo. Structurlam, which employs around 200 people, is one of the leading economic drivers in Okanagan Falls. (Black Press file photo)
Penticton boy Carter Verge wasn’t expecting much on his birthday Monday, Aug. 24, 2020 due to the pandemic but a group of unknown motorcyclists literally made his birthday wish come true. (Contributed)

VIDEO: Motorcyclists make Penticton boy’s birthday unforgettable

Carter Verge’s fifth birthday was one he’ll never forget

Penticton boy Carter Verge wasn’t expecting much on his birthday Monday, Aug. 24, 2020 due to the pandemic but a group of unknown motorcyclists literally made his birthday wish come true. (Contributed)