Penticton Herald
PENTICTON HERALD
A couple of comedians from Saskatchewan have shared some cheeky critiques on the Okanagan’s public art. Leroy and Leroy are from Moose Jaw but travel throughout Canada to create content. They’ve amassed a following of over 633,000 on TikTok. One Leroy...
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New proposal for 434 Lakeshore
Penticton City Council will engage the public before deciding whether to rezone 434 Lakeshore Dr. Currently it’s an empty lot with zoning that allows for up to four units. For 110 years it was home to the Warren House until it burned down on the...
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Bannister championed our veterans
Penticton veteran Ron Bannister, a tireless advocate for veterans’ causes, died last week after a lengthy illness. He was 86. Bannister devoted decades of his life to supporting fellow veterans through the Royal Canadian Legion, the Royal Canadian Air...
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PENTICTON HERALD
Three corporate pizza chains suddenly want a slice of Summerland’s pie. For years, the local market had been dominated by local favourites like Yaki's Pizza & Subs, Prima Pizza & Chicken, and Murray’s Pizza & Pasta. Several other local restaurants...
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HAVING FUN AT MAPLEFEST
Young Bryan Wassmer eyeballing maple cotton candy as mom and dad Erica and Elijah Kliever look on at the first annual Penticton MapleFest hosted by École Entre-lacs. See event coverage by Gord Goble on Page A3.
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HOOPS, I DID IT AGAIN
Similkameen Sparks in Keremeos won the provincial Single-A senior boy’s basketball championships this past weekend in Langley. The team beat Vancouver’s St. John’s Eagles in the final 75-63 led Ey Balkaran LLdKar and -aVdeeS DKalLwal wLtK 21 SoLntV...
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Naramata Bench Society claiming a major victory
The developers who pitched a project that led to the formation of the society for the Preservation of the Naramata Bench’s have thrown in the towel after years of opposition. Canadian Horizons has put 1050 Spiller Rd. (129 acres) and 880 Naramata Rd....
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Mountie, suspect both injured during arrest on Lakeshore Drive
The eastern block of Lakeshore Drive in Penticton became a crime scene on Tuesday morning. The Penticton South Okanagan RCMP posted to Facebook saying Dn RIfiFHU DnG susSHFW wHUH Lnjured on the morning of the incident, but the post appears to have...
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The little team that could... Vees make Canadian history
PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. -- The Penticton Vees went toe-to-toe with the top team in the WHL Eastern Conference on Friday night and emerged with a dramatic 3-2 shootout victory over the Prince Albert Raiders, setting a new CHL expansion wins record in the...
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EYE ON THE PRIZE
Skip Neil Dangerfield of the Victoria Curling Club shouts instructions to members of his rink at the Curl BC Seniors Championships at the Penticton Curling Club. Dangerfield is the two-time defending winner of the event. Action, which is free to watch,...
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Okanagan food hub set to boost local producers
SUMMERLAND — Construction of the building to house the Okanagan Food and Innovation Hub at 15815 Hwy. 97 is on schedule for completion in May. The concrete footings and pillars have been poured, and placement of the walls and roof structure of the...
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PENTICTON HERALD
Vernon-based Sadok Ukrainian Dance Ensemble performs to a packed hall at Penticton’s OneWorld Multicultural Festival, Saturday. See event coverage on Page A3.
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LAKERS NET A BIG WIN
Pen High Lakers coaches gives some instructions to his team during Thursday’s first game of the Okanagan 3A Sr. Boys Basketball Championships at Penticton Secondary School. The Lakers defeated Vernon’s Seaton Sonics 79-63. The tournament concludes...
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Shelter approved to remain open three more years
The temporary emergency shelter on Dawson Avenue will remain open for at least three more years. The lease for the shelter at 441 Dawson Ave. expires at the end of March 2026. It was originally granted for November 2024 to March 2025, and subsequently...
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FAMILY DAY FUN
Dad Rylan Hernberg has some Family Day fun with daughters, 10-year-old Penelope, left, and Adaline, age 7, at the Penticton Community Centre auditorium on the holiday Monday.
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A love story for the ages
Even after six decades of marriage, Gary and Susi Cullums are still crushing on each other. “I try to sneak into (Gary’s room) so I can sleep there lots,” Susi said. “I have a lazy boy chair beside his bed and we’ll hold hands for quite a while at...
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If you build it they will come
Jeff and Melissa Taylor -- along wLWh hundrHdV RI SODyHrV Dnd SDrents involved in Summerland Minor Baseball -- are counting down WhH dDyV WR RSHnLnJ nLJhW DW WhH rHvLWDOLzHd LLvLnJ MHPRrLDO PDrN. Thanks to an extraordinary community fundraising...
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Soupateria has to relocate
The decision to help relocate the Penticton Soupateria was made for economic and logistical reasons, a spokeswoman for St. Saviour’s Anglican Church said. The soup kitchen has been asked to vacate its current site by May 31. The news became public...
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Canada’s ‘kindest community’ wins $100K contest
A small number of registered non-profits in PHacKlanG KavH a cKancH for a sKarH of a $100,000 prize. TKH town's GHsignation as tKH ‘Kindest Community in Canada’ in a contHst sponsorHG by Coca-Cola brings witK it a winGfall to bH split among tKH...
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Seven Toronto cops accused of being in cahoots with mob
6HYHn 7RURnWR SROLFH RIfiFHUV DnG RnH UHWLUHG RIfiFHU DUH DPRnJ 27 suspects facing charges in an organized crime and corruption investigation allegedly involving bribery, conspiracy to commit mur GHU DnG GUuJ WUDIfiFNLnJ, DPRnJ other offences, York...
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Be kind, kids remind us
Kindness is on next week’s lesson plan at schools throughout the South Okanagan. Real Acts of Caring Week 2026 runs from Feb. 8 to 14. It’s the time of year when students throughout School District 67 brush up on compassion, as they think of clever new...
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HERE YOU COME AGAIN
Hey, it’s Dolly Parton. No, actually it’s Snakebite board member Izabela Szelest (left) and event co-sponsor Hanan Campbell from Delicato at opening night of Penticton’s 8th annual Snakebite Film Festival, Thursday. The opening night featured an encore...
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B.C.-based Pattison says it didn’t know connection with ICE
ASHLAND, Virginia — A gigantic warehouse across the street from an outdoor equipment store hDV EHFRPH D flDVhSRLnW Ln 9LUJLnia as the U.S. grapples with the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown -- and a British Columbia company has been pulled...
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Prystay criticizes city decision to rebuild Kiwanis Pier at half length
A policy advisor at the Penticton Lakeside Resort says the City of Penticton is making a mistake by not rebuilding the Kiwanis Walking Pier to its original length. David Prystay shared his concerns in an interview, calling the decision to replace the...
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PENTICTON HERALD
You will seldom meet a woman as proud of her Indigenous culture as Dolly Kruger, so being honoured with a national award as a role model for her business success is something she will always cherish. Kruger, who was raised on a working ranch in the...
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City council supports extending Penticton’s temporary shelter
Penticton Coun. Ryan Graham said it would be “asinine” to close down Penticton’s temporary winter shelter when the current contract with BC Housing expires at the end of March and throw 40 homeless people out on the street... and the majority of...
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More like Bluebird Monday
Blue Monday was definitely not a downer day up high in the Okanagan. The third Monday in January has that unhappy moniker thanks to pretty reliable bad weather, a financial hangover from Christmas spending, and failed New Year’s resolutions. Some say...
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Artist development to continue at En’owkin Centre
A program that has helped develop and promote hundreds of Canada's top Indigenous artists for more than two decades will continue for another three years at Penticton's En'owkin Centre thanks to an almost $1 million investment from the federal...
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WHL’s NeWest team exteNds WiN streak
Jacob Kvasnicka of Penticton Vees takes a shot on Kamloops Blazers goalie Logan Emonstone during Western Hockey League action, Friday at the South Okanagan Events Centre. Combined with an additional win in Kamloops on Saturday, the Vees are winners of...
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Freedom of information requests to RDOS double
There were more Freedom of Information applications made to the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen in 2025 than in the previous two years combined. The RDOS board of directors received a staff report on Thursday summarizing the requests...
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Check your numbers!
Albertina K.’s decision to buy a Lotto 6/49 ticket “on a whim” for the Feb. 15, 2025 draw could have gone unnoticed -- literally. The Penticton resident nearly missed claiming her $245,448.80 prize after the winning ticket sat forgotten in her purse...
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New gallery boss introduced, grateful for the opportunity
After more than 30 years in the construction industry, Jim Minshull says landing a job in the arts is literally a “dream come true.” Minshull, 56, has been named the new executive director of the Penticton Art Gallery (PAG) and officially began his...
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Legion looks ahead to 100th anniversary
When the Penticton branch of the Royal Canadian Legion turns 100 in 2026, it will mark more than a milestone anniversary. It will represent a century of remembrance, community support, and evolving traditions at the heart of the city. Founded in 1926...
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Fraser, Harbinson voted Newsmakers of the Year
GFraser believed the Penticton Vees had reached the summit of Junior A hockey -- and that was precisely why it was time to climb a new mountain. After six decades of unparalleled success in the British Columbia Hockey League, the Vees entered a new era...
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Fairview Encampment lingers as council rejects tiny homes option
This is the final article in a series of five on the year’s top stories. More than two months after B.C.’s then–Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon pledged provincial help to address the homeless encampment at Highway 97 and Fairview Road, the situation...
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Small Hedley lot sparks big debate over provincial one-hectare policy
A simple request to subdivide a small lot in the village of Hedley ignited a heated debate over the province’s controversial “one-hectare policy” at last week’s Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) board meeting. A Hedley property owner...
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Plan afoot to change the highway
Removing highway traffic from one Westbank road is an idea that found immediate favour when presented this week to some of the few people walking along the noisy route. The only real question they had was, How quickly could this be done? “Having the...
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Food insecurity: ‘staggering’
A food security report that shows one in four British Columbians are suffering from some form of food insecurity is “staggering”, says a longtime food security expert. The demand for community food programs is steadily growing across the South...
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Final chapter of Okanagan Granfondo ends tragically
Okanagan Grandfondo’s 2025 event -when a cyclist was killed after colliding with a vehicle -- turned out to be the finale. The bike race began in 2011 and was held annually except for the COVID years -- 2020 and 2021. After 12 events over 14 years,...
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The SeaSon GivinG
of Local philanthropist Janet Parker donated $50,000 to Dragonfly Pond Family Society this month. Dragonfly Pond Family Society, now in its 25th year, supports families of children with complex care needs by offering inclusive programs and activities,...
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Cirque MusiCa
Eliza James plays the violin as part of her above-stage performance at the South Okanagan Events Centre during the Cirque Musica Holiday Wonderland show. See photo coverage by Mark Brett on Page A2.
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Teddy Bear Picnic
Penticton Vees Kash Alger-East helps pick up some of the hundreds of teddy bears tossed onto the ice following the team’s first goal in Saturday’s Western Hockey League game at the South Okanagan Events Centre. All donations will go to the Salvation...
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Penticton teen cast as Nutcracker Prince
Penticton teenager Aleksander Filipovic is stepping into the shoes of The Nutcracker. The timeless tale is retold each year by Mission Dance Company, when it gets performed throughout the valley during the holidays. Filipovic, who is 16, worked on the...
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Council rejects tiny home project
The controversy surrounding a proposed tiny homes project has led Penticton council to reject plans for a 50-unit development in the city’s industrial park. After a 45-minute emotional debate on Tuesday, a majority of councillors voted against a staff...
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PENTICTON HERALD
Brent Burton and his family enjoyed more than a decade of peace and quiet on their two-acre property in Kaleden. That’s why it’s so hard for him to believe there have now been four separate incidents in less than three years— including two serious...
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Apex Mountain resort puts opening on ice
Apex Mountain Resort will delay its planned opening on Dec. 6 due to insufficient snow on the lower slopes. “The decision comes down to safety,” said James Shalman, general manager at Apex “While recent weather delivered significant snowfall to the...
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Toy Story
Leadership students at Pen-Hi are inviting the public to be part of this year’s Toys for Tots to Teens. Swing by the school on Thursday, Dec. 11 between 7 and 11 a.m. to donate a new toy, gift card or money, and then enjoy some breakfast and live...
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Christmas season kicks off in the South Okanagan
Christmas-themed community events are almost always a hit in communities across the province – and Canada for that matter – but very few can match the excitement of the Christmas Light-Up in Summerland. More than 10,000 of the district’s 12,000...
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Robin Agur fondly remembered
a lifelong South Okanagan resident known for his love of the outdoors, generosity, and deep ties to the region, died peacefully at his home this past Sunday. He was 76. Born in Summerland in 1949, Agur was part of a pioneer family that settled in the...
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Penticton gathers to remember
“We will never forget. We will always remember.” Those words echoed through the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre on Tuesday morning as hundreds gathered for the city’s annual Remembrance Day ceremony. About 400 people filled the main ballroom to...
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Rocking the Rink
Ranked 34th in the world, Victoria skip Cameron de Jong delivers a rock with team members Corey Chester, left and Alex Horvath, right in a match against the Carpenter rink of B.C. at the Nufloors Penticton Curling Classic at the Penticton Curling Club....
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Council backs third McDonald’s
Another set of golden arches will soon be erected in Penticton, as city council approved moving forward with a new McDonald’s restaurant on Eckhardt Avenue W. following a public hearing Tuesday evening. It will be the third McDonald’s in Penticton...
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Penticton soprano turning music into force for change
Lyric coloratura soprano Tracy Fehr generously uses her prodigious talents to help others, performing medieval to contemporary music with orchestras, chamber ensembles and as a solo recitalist at home and abroad. A Penticton resident, Fehr recently...
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SparK lit For ignite the
An organizational kickoff meeting was held this week in the basement of Tempest Theatre for the 2026 Ignite the Arts Festival. More than 60 arts lovers attended. The festival will again be run the weekend of March 27-29 at various downtown music...
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Close Encounters in Summerland
An unidentified flying object that’s parked in Summerland appears to be extra terrestrial in nature. For anybody travelling along Victoria Road S. over the past week, the silver saucer with a spaceman in the driver’s seat is hard to miss. But while...
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Chamber honours Cannery as Business of the Year
Cannery Brewing Co. won the prestigious Business of the Year, presented at the 38th annual Business Excellence Awards, presented by Total Restoration Services. “It was my absolute and humble privilege to accept this amazing award on behalf of the team...
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B.C.’s prehistoric past comes to life in Penticton
Dinosaurs roamed the earth so long ago that it can be easy to forget how some made their homes right here in British Columbia. And as palaeontologists continue to expand their understanding of prehistoric creatures, the team at Royal BC Museum are...
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ExpEriEncing phEnomEnal
thE The night sky is being graced this month by Comet A6 Lemmon, which is visible with binoculars. It’s easy to see from atop Anarchist Mountain – where local astronomer Debra Ceravolo framed it above the Town of Osoyoos and to the left of the Big...
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Boultbee no longer a BC Conservative
Citing a loss of trust and respect for a leader she once admired, Penticton-Summerland MLA Amelia Boultbee announced Monday she is leaving the B.C. Conservative Party and will sit as an independent. Speaking on the legislature steps in Victoria,...
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Curling club could be swept over to McLaren
The Penticton Curling Club has had the same home for as long as most locals can remember. But as city council contemplates the future of ice surfaces in Penticton, City staff have recommended sweeping the curling sheets from the South Okanagan Events...
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Hitting her stride as a comedian in her 80s
Lydia Edwards is a volunteer at the Penticton Seniors’ Drop-In Centre Society who discovered one of her talents a little later in life – stand-up comedy. Edwards likes to help out in the kitchen during bingo games. Her first comedy routine was...
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100 More Homes recognized for assisting Penticton’s homeless
What began as a grassroots effort to support Penticton’s homeless population has evolved into a model being considered by communities across B.C. Launched in 2016, the 100 More Homes Penticton initiative started with a simple goal: house 100...
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PENTICTON HERALD bump gets a facelift
Plans to improve South Main Street have hit another speed bump – it turns out the brand-new speed bump near Green Avenue wasn’t a good fit. A block of South Main was closed this week during construction on a new tabletop-speed bump, which is expected...
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Council proceeds on tearing down Memorial
Penticton’s iconic but aging Memorial Arena would be demolished and replaced with a modern twin-pad facility near the South Okanagan Events Centre, under a proposal that is moving forward in the planning stages following a presentation to city council...
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Meet the Vees... an expansion team that’s actually good
The Penticton Vees are quickly making a name for themselves in the Western Hockey League. Towards the end of their time with the BCHL, the Vees were juggernauts. In 2021/22 and 2022/23, the team finished the playoffs as champs with back-toback Fred...
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Student housing on the way
In less than a year, the sounds and smells of sawdust and power tools will be replaced with the aroma of bacon and the rhythm of music, as the new student residence at the Penticton campus of Okanagan College becomes home to dozens of students. As the...
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From service club to community hub
The Penticton Elk’s Lodge -the big white and purple building on Ellis Street -is a landmark in Penticton, but not enough locals have experienced the wonders of what goes on inside. “I’ve talked to a lot of people who drove by hundreds of times, with a...
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WHL welcomed to Penticton
Vees fans welcomed the Western Hockey League to Penticton with open arms Friday. A sellout crowd of 5,007 watched as the Kelowna Rockets edged the Vees 5-4 in their home opener at the South Okanagan Events Centre. The capacity crowd went wild when...
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PENTICTON HERALD
Let the Participants in the ever-popular Great Zucchini Bobsled Race watch the action as decorated sleds leave the start gate as part of the Summerland Fall Fair events Saturday. All eyes remain on Summerland this weekend for the 10th annual Ryga Arts...
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Countdown on for season opener
The Penticton Vees have officially announced their leadership group for the upcoming 2025–26 season -- the team’s first in the Western Hockey League. Defenceman Nolan Stevenson will wear the “C” as team captain, while Ryden Evers, Matteo Danis, Diego...
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PENTICTON HERALD
FReSh oFF the gRiLL Wild Mountain Clinical Counselling hosted a Community BBQ Fundraiser at its Penticton headquarters on Friday. Pictured is owner Christel Mitchell, owner of Wild Mountain Clinical Counselling, and to the right of her are volunteers...
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Sage Mesa standoff
A young woman who recently purchased a home on the failing Sage Mesa water system received the loudest applause of the night when she demanded the provincial government contribute to the multi-million-dollar infrastructure project. Over 200 residents...
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Recruitment model may get RDOS backing
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) board will consider providing funding to a local organization that has successfully recruited doctors and healthcare professionals to the region over the past 15 years. During a recent presentation,...
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