Community

Alexandra “Annabelle” Lee and her grandpa Bryan Weightman enjoyed a shopping spree at the Sicamous Askew’s foods location after Weightman won a draw for a gift card. (Submitted)

Sicamous seven-year-old fills grandparents’ shopping cart after contest win

When her grandparents won an Askew’s Foods gift card, Alexandra Lee got to handle the shopping

 

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

 

Elise Verge gets a preview of a CT exam at Penticton Regional Hospital. The South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation has successfully raised $3 million for a second CT at PRH to be operational by early 2022.(Submitted)

Community comes through for $3M CT scanner at Penticton Regional Hospital

The second CT scanner would be located near the emergency department

 

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

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

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)
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
6-six-year-old Orion Parisien-Wawea, who has leukemia, and his mom Sierra Book were gifted a new Nintendo Switch gaming console Monday Dec. 21, 2020 thanks to the giving spirit of a Penticton business owner that quickly spread throughout the community, leading to four other struggling families receiving gifts. (Jesse Day - Western News)

Penticton’s giving spirit shines as donations for struggling families pour in

Six-year-old with cancer receives Nintendo; community rallies behind game shop to help more families

6-six-year-old Orion Parisien-Wawea, who has leukemia, and his mom Sierra Book were gifted a new Nintendo Switch gaming console Monday Dec. 21, 2020 thanks to the giving spirit of a Penticton business owner that quickly spread throughout the community, leading to four other struggling families receiving gifts. (Jesse Day - Western News)
Grade 7 students from Summerland Middle School dropped maple syrup and other donations at the Summerland Food Bank on Dec. 17. (Contributed)

Summerland students bring maple syrup and other donations to food bank

Grade 7 class at Summerland Middle School worked together on donation initiative

Grade 7 students from Summerland Middle School dropped maple syrup and other donations at the Summerland Food Bank on Dec. 17. (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 Penticton 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)
From left to right, Lori Motluk, Izabela Szelest, Dr. Jeff Harries and Aaron McRann are spreading a message of hope with the formation of a new national non-profit, the Canadian Alcohol Use Disorder Society.(Submitted)

Penticton physician launches national Alcohol Use Disorder research group

‘It’s at the heart of so many social issues like homelessness, domestic violence and unemployment’

From left to right, Lori Motluk, Izabela Szelest, Dr. Jeff Harries and Aaron McRann are spreading a message of hope with the formation of a new national non-profit, the Canadian Alcohol Use Disorder Society.(Submitted)
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)
Coyote Cruises, K’ul Group, JCI Penticton and Royal LePage have partnered together for this year’s river channel clean up. (Western News File)

Volunteers needed for Oct. 18 community cleanup of River Channel

Staggered and socially distanced shifts will be available

Coyote Cruises, K’ul Group, JCI Penticton and Royal LePage have partnered together for this year’s river channel clean up. (Western News File)
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)