Community

The Central Okanagan Search and Rescue team is looking for new members. (Central Okanagan Search and Rescue)

Have outdoor knowledge? Volunteer with Central Okanagan Search and Rescue

COSAR is hosting an open house night tonight at their hall on Old Vernon Road

Kane Blake and the Okanagan Forest Task Force received an award that highlighted the work they do in the Okanagan backcountry. (Conservation Officer Service/Submitted)

Okanagan forest cleanup group receives award from Conservation Officer Service

Okanagan Forest Task Force recognized for hard work cleaning up backcountry

Tanya Roche (right), with her grandmother Helen Kunz, who died in 2019. In honour of her grandma, Roche, a rare O-negative blood type, donates blood every October. (Contributed)

Revelstoke woman makes Okanagan trip to donate blood in honour of grandma

Vernon blood donation marks third time giving rare O-negative blood type

Kate Fagervik, artistic director of the Salmon Arm Pride Project, and organizer Althea Mongerson stand in the Pride Palace across Hudson Avenue from the art gallery on Monday, Oct. 18, the beginning of the Salmon Arm Pride Project Arts & Awareness Festival, continuing to Oct. 24. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)

Support for Salmon Arm’s Pride Project Festival delights organizers

Events include guided walks, art exhibition, craft sales, digital film festival and more

Kate Fagervik, artistic director of the Salmon Arm Pride Project, and organizer Althea Mongerson stand in the Pride Palace across Hudson Avenue from the art gallery on Monday, Oct. 18, the beginning of the Salmon Arm Pride Project Arts & Awareness Festival, continuing to Oct. 24. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)
Basic jobs like cleaning out your gutters in the late fall can help avert disaster later in the year, and save money on energy bills. (Contributed photo)

Credit Union staff make a difference throughout Okanagan

Day of Difference sees employees lend a hand where needed

Basic jobs like cleaning out your gutters in the late fall can help avert disaster later in the year, and save money on energy bills. (Contributed photo)
Central Okanagan Search and Rescue assisted Kelowna RCMP in finding a missing woman Saturday, April 3, 2021. (Royce Sihlis photo)

Volunteer to be a member of Central Okanagan Search and Rescue

COSAR will hold an open house this Wednesday

Central Okanagan Search and Rescue assisted Kelowna RCMP in finding a missing woman Saturday, April 3, 2021. (Royce Sihlis photo)
Jordan Abbate (left) was the winner of the largest pumpkin grown for the annual contest during the 21st Harvest Pumpkin Festival in Armstrong Oct. 10-12. Abbate’s winning gourd weighed in at 948 pounds. (Contributed)

Armstrong’s pumpkin festival a smash

Chamber of commerce pleased with how community came together to celebrate return of popular fall festival

Jordan Abbate (left) was the winner of the largest pumpkin grown for the annual contest during the 21st Harvest Pumpkin Festival in Armstrong Oct. 10-12. Abbate’s winning gourd weighed in at 948 pounds. (Contributed)
Salmon Arm Salvation Army Lt. Joel Torrens and Keli Westgate Lekker Land Design have been working together with other community partners, including the Shuswap Food Action Society, on the creation of a food forest on the Salvation Army property at 441 3rd Street SW. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

Community food forest taking root at Salmon Arm Salvation Army property

Edible landscape designed to require less maintenance and watering

Salmon Arm Salvation Army Lt. Joel Torrens and Keli Westgate Lekker Land Design have been working together with other community partners, including the Shuswap Food Action Society, on the creation of a food forest on the Salvation Army property at 441 3rd Street SW. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)
Students wrote notes and letters of gratitude and created art, which they will present to Kelowna Fire Department's Station 8 crew on Friday (Oct. 15). (Stacy Ramdyal)

Kelowna students thank firefighters with coffee, treats, and cards

Watson Road Elementary students wanted to thank local firefighters for their work

Students wrote notes and letters of gratitude and created art, which they will present to Kelowna Fire Department's Station 8 crew on Friday (Oct. 15). (Stacy Ramdyal)
(The Great Closet Cleanout)

Kelowna’s fall closet cleanout event back this year

The fashion flea market is held twice each year

(The Great Closet Cleanout)
An anti-vaccine protest was staged outside of the school grounds for Rutland Middle and Rutland Senior Secondary schools on Wednesday afternoon, which led to an interaction between students and the protesters, and the RCMP having to attend the scene. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)

Central Okanagan school board chair upset with B.C. premier, Dr. Bonnie Henry

Moyra Baxter says a school staff vaccine mandate should be a provincial health order, not an edict from school boards

An anti-vaccine protest was staged outside of the school grounds for Rutland Middle and Rutland Senior Secondary schools on Wednesday afternoon, which led to an interaction between students and the protesters, and the RCMP having to attend the scene. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)
It’s spa day over at the Peskelly skeleton house in Trout Creek. (Facebook)

Popular Summerland skeleton display welcome baby girl

Dr. Bones delivers skeleton baby on Trout Creek lawn

It’s spa day over at the Peskelly skeleton house in Trout Creek. (Facebook)
Alden Bigsby created many wooden pieces in his retirement after teaching shop in schools. (Heaton Place photo)

North Okanagan senior carves fond teaching career

At the local pool hall, he was considered a front runner in Snooker 101

Alden Bigsby created many wooden pieces in his retirement after teaching shop in schools. (Heaton Place photo)
Vernon-based Tolko Industries Ltd. has again partnered with the Orange Shirt Society for an annual art contest. (Tolko photo)

Vernon company draws up Orange Shirt Day contest

Tolko Industries renews partnership for art contest with Orange Shirt Society

Vernon-based Tolko Industries Ltd. has again partnered with the Orange Shirt Society for an annual art contest. (Tolko photo)
Kelowna drag queens Ella Lamoureux, right, and Jenna Telz prepare before a show at the Friends of Dorothy Lounge on Oct. 1. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)

Creating Queens: Kelowna’s Indigenous drag queens use their platforms to inspire

Two local drag queens have helped pave the way for nearly 30 drag performers

Kelowna drag queens Ella Lamoureux, right, and Jenna Telz prepare before a show at the Friends of Dorothy Lounge on Oct. 1. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)
Former Vancouver Canucks and Vernon Vipers hockey player Aaron Volpatti (left), joins the Golden Burger Challenge in support of the North Okanagan Community Life Society at The Roster. The challenge is underway at 10 local restaurants until Oct. 24. (Roster photo)

Search for best burger in Vernon begins

Golden Burger challenge is also a fundraiser for event organizer North Okanagan Community Life Society

Former Vancouver Canucks and Vernon Vipers hockey player Aaron Volpatti (left), joins the Golden Burger Challenge in support of the North Okanagan Community Life Society at The Roster. The challenge is underway at 10 local restaurants until Oct. 24. (Roster photo)
The City of Vernon will add an outdoor skating rink to the planning process for the development of the Kin Race Track Lands park. (City of Vernon photo)

Outdoor rinks skates into Vernon’s Kin Race Track plans

Staff recommendation voted on unanimously by council to add outdoor rink to planning process

The City of Vernon will add an outdoor skating rink to the planning process for the development of the Kin Race Track Lands park. (City of Vernon photo)
JoeAnna’s House offers affordable, on-site accommodations for out-of-town families with loved ones receiving care at KGH. Since opening in 2019, the house has been entirely supported by community donations. (Contributed)

KGH Foundation to host second annual Day of Giving for JoeAnna’s House in Kelowna

JoeAnna’s House offers affordable, on-site accommodations for out-of-town families

JoeAnna’s House offers affordable, on-site accommodations for out-of-town families with loved ones receiving care at KGH. Since opening in 2019, the house has been entirely supported by community donations. (Contributed)
West Kelowna’s Salvation Army Thrift Store is set to host its grand reopening on Oct. 16. (Kelowna Salvation Army Thrift Store/Facebook)

Westbank Salvation Army Thrift Store hosting reopening event

The store recently received a major facelift

West Kelowna’s Salvation Army Thrift Store is set to host its grand reopening on Oct. 16. (Kelowna Salvation Army Thrift Store/Facebook)
(Black Press Media file photo)

Habitat for Humanity Okanagan hosting bottle drive for Lake Country homes project

The group is raising funds for its current project of building 12 affordable homes in Lake Country

(Black Press Media file photo)