2021 Year in Review

(Twitter/BC Conservation Officer Service)

Otter with a toothache, cougar in a pink collar top most ‘unique’ calls for BC COS in 2021

Conservation Officers handle 30,000 calls per year on average

 

During the spring and early summer, crews repaired damages to a lakefront pathway in Summerland. The pathway had been damaged by flooding in 2017 and 2018. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)

YEAR IN REVIEW: Summerland pathway repaired following flood damages

Flooding in 2017 and 2018 destroyed path along Okanagan Lake

 

The municipality of Summerland is exploring the concept of an eco-village development near the community’s solar project. (District of Summerland graphic)

YEAR IN REVIEW: The evolution of Summerland’s solar project

Rising prices led to council revisiting scope and scale of proposed initiative

 

The mural, sponsored by the Lekhi family, at Summerland Middle School, reflects diversity. (John Arendt photo)

YEAR IN REVIEW: Summerland murals have message of unity

Two murals are now displayed on walls of schools in Summerland

The mural, sponsored by the Lekhi family, at Summerland Middle School, reflects diversity. (John Arendt photo)
Crews have been working on the Oasis development on Lakeshore Drive in Summerland. The development is for two six-store residential buildings facing Okanagan Lake and a mixed-used commercial and residential building facing Lakeshore Drive. Each of the two residential buildings will contain 12 units, at 140 square metres in size. Floors are terraced and each unit will have a large deck and a pool. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)

YEAR IN REVIEW: Summerland issued single building permit worth more than $23.5 million

Large-scale development received green light from Summerland council

Crews have been working on the Oasis development on Lakeshore Drive in Summerland. The development is for two six-store residential buildings facing Okanagan Lake and a mixed-used commercial and residential building facing Lakeshore Drive. Each of the two residential buildings will contain 12 units, at 140 square metres in size. Floors are terraced and each unit will have a large deck and a pool. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)
In previous years, hundreds have participated in the Giant’s Head Run during the Summerland Action Festival. In 2021, for the second consecutive year, the festival has been cancelled. (Summerland Review file photo)

YEAR IN REVIEW: Summerland festivals were cancelled or modified in 2021

Ongoing COVID-19 restrictions affected special events in the community

In previous years, hundreds have participated in the Giant’s Head Run during the Summerland Action Festival. In 2021, for the second consecutive year, the festival has been cancelled. (Summerland Review file photo)
Surrey-raised pro wrestler John “Earthquake” Tenta made a name for himself on the WWF circuit (now WWE) in the early 1990s. (contributed photo)

Favourite Black Press Media stories of 2021, chosen by our journalists

Our editorial staff share their favourite stories from the year across our 80 local publications

Surrey-raised pro wrestler John “Earthquake” Tenta made a name for himself on the WWF circuit (now WWE) in the early 1990s. (contributed photo)
In late June, temperatures were well above normal and Summerland has shattered several previous daily high temperature records. Typically, the warmest days of the year in Summerland are Aug. 1 to 4, with an average maximum temperature of 27.8 C and an average minimum temperature of 14.5 C. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)

YEAR IN REVIEW: Summerland’s heat records shattered

New records set for hottest ever temperature and for hottest December temperature

In late June, temperatures were well above normal and Summerland has shattered several previous daily high temperature records. Typically, the warmest days of the year in Summerland are Aug. 1 to 4, with an average maximum temperature of 27.8 C and an average minimum temperature of 14.5 C. (John Arendt - Summerland Review)
MP Dan Albas was re-elected in the Sept. 20 federal election, receiving close to half of the popular vote in the riding of Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola. (Adrian Wyld/CP photo)

YEAR IN REVIEW Albas retains Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola riding

Federal election was held on Sept. 20

MP Dan Albas was re-elected in the Sept. 20 federal election, receiving close to half of the popular vote in the riding of Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola. (Adrian Wyld/CP photo)
Nine-year-old Emily Loewen at Vedder Park on July 11, 2021 after raising hundreds of dollars from a group of motorcycle riders for Lytton wildfire victims with her lemonade stand. (Darcy Loewen photo)

Cats, grandmas and twins: Here are 7 B.C. stories that brightened 2021

2021 wasn’t the year that most hoped for but there were glimmers of joy nonetheless

Nine-year-old Emily Loewen at Vedder Park on July 11, 2021 after raising hundreds of dollars from a group of motorcycle riders for Lytton wildfire victims with her lemonade stand. (Darcy Loewen photo)
From Jan. 1 to Dec. 15 this year, 40,333 babies were born in the province. (Pixabay photo)

B.C.’s top baby names of 2021 revealed

Olivia and Liam are the most popular baby names once again

From Jan. 1 to Dec. 15 this year, 40,333 babies were born in the province. (Pixabay photo)
FILE - Fashion designer Virgil Abloh gives a thumbs up after the presentation of Off-White Men's Spring-Summer 2019 collection presented in Paris, Wednesday June 20, 2018. Abloh, a leading fashion executive hailed as the Karl Lagerfeld of his generation, died Nov. 28, 2021, after a private battle with cancer. He was 41. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)

Final Goodbye: Recalling influential people who died in 2021

They both carved out sterling reputations as military and political leaders over…

FILE - Fashion designer Virgil Abloh gives a thumbs up after the presentation of Off-White Men's Spring-Summer 2019 collection presented in Paris, Wednesday June 20, 2018. Abloh, a leading fashion executive hailed as the Karl Lagerfeld of his generation, died Nov. 28, 2021, after a private battle with cancer. He was 41. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus, File)
A child’s dress is seen on a cross outside a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C., Sunday, June 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Finding unmarked graves put spotlight on reconciliation in 2021

‘It’s important to remind Canadians (not to) let reconciliation become a performance’

A child’s dress is seen on a cross outside a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C., Sunday, June 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Governor General Mary Simon speaks during the Presentation of Canadian Honours at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021.The governor general said Canadians can be hopeful as they ring in the new year, despite the ongoing crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Canadians have shown resilience, compassion and adaptability in 2021: Governor General

Mary Simon says Canadians have inspired her to continue to work and find better ways to help communities thrive

Governor General Mary Simon speaks during the Presentation of Canadian Honours at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021.The governor general said Canadians can be hopeful as they ring in the new year, despite the ongoing crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Penticton resident Taig Savage was found unresponsive on the sports track at Penticton Secondary on Sept. 5, 2021. Police deemed his death a homicide. There have been no arrests or charges in the case. (Submitted)

YIR: Penticton shocked by 5 murders in 2021

The deaths of locals Kathy Richardson, Taig Savage and Clayton Dyer remain unsolved

Penticton resident Taig Savage was found unresponsive on the sports track at Penticton Secondary on Sept. 5, 2021. Police deemed his death a homicide. There have been no arrests or charges in the case. (Submitted)
Videos from throughout 2021 capture readers’ top animal encounters. (Black Press Media file photos)

Top animal videos from B.C.’s Vancouver Island in 2021

Look back at a year of adorable, breathtaking and unusual footage

Videos from throughout 2021 capture readers’ top animal encounters. (Black Press Media file photos)
Damian Warner, of Canada, celebrates after he won the gold medal for the decathlon at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Tokyo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-David J. Phillip

Decathlete Damian Warner wins Lionel Conacher Award as CP’s male athlete of the year

He set an Olympic record and a Canadian record, and became just the 4th man to top the 9,000-point barrier

Damian Warner, of Canada, celebrates after he won the gold medal for the decathlon at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 5, 2021, in Tokyo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-David J. Phillip
Former cabinet minister Kevin Falcon speaks to delegates at a B.C. Liberal leadership debate, November 2021. (B.C. Liberal Party video)

B.C. Liberals heading into 2022 with new leader, financial pressure

Party members choose from 6 candidates in early February

Former cabinet minister Kevin Falcon speaks to delegates at a B.C. Liberal leadership debate, November 2021. (B.C. Liberal Party video)
Leylah Fernandez, of Canada, returns a shot to Shelby Rogers at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, in Indian Wells, Calif. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Mark J. Terrill

Tennis player Leylah Fernandez named The Canadian Press female athlete of the year

Fernandez finished the year with a 25-17 record and she earned US$1.77 million in prize money

Leylah Fernandez, of Canada, returns a shot to Shelby Rogers at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021, in Indian Wells, Calif. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Mark J. Terrill
The Nk’Mip fire east of Osoyoos caused hundreds of evacuations with many of them seeking support with the Penticton Emergency Support Services. (File photo)

YIR: Penticton emergency services went non-stop for 5 months helping disaster victims

Volunteers helped fire and flood evacuees from 25 different communities in busiest year yet

  • Dec 28, 2021
The Nk’Mip fire east of Osoyoos caused hundreds of evacuations with many of them seeking support with the Penticton Emergency Support Services. (File photo)