Community

Crofton Elementary School students learned about a wide variety of invisible disabilities through a school project and shared the findings with the public. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Uncovering the facts about invisible disabilities

Teacher’s own children the impetus for school project

Shamrocks are associated with Ireland, but a four-leaf clover is much more rare. Do you know the odds of finding a four-leaf clover? (Pixabay.com)

QUIZ: How Irish are you?

St. Patrick’s Day, on March 17, is a celebration of Ireland and Irish culture

Women, male allies, children and dogs are all smiles after a sun-soaked Women’s Day gathering. (Nora O’Malley photos)

PHOTOS: International Women’s Day Walk in Ucluelet

The Westcoast Community Resources Society (WCCRS) held a peaceful community march through…

For her father’s birthday, Christine Fritz made a donation at the Canada Blood Services Clinic in Walnut Grove on Saturday, March 11. It was her eighth contribution. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)

Daughter donates blood for dad’s birthday

‘If I’m out there donating, someone else is donating for him’ B.C. woman says

For her father’s birthday, Christine Fritz made a donation at the Canada Blood Services Clinic in Walnut Grove on Saturday, March 11. It was her eighth contribution. (Dan Ferguson/Langley Advance Times)
Tammy Young beams with excitement when she returns from her first call with the Salmon Arm Fire Department. (Photo contributed)

‘I fell in love with it’: Salmon Arm woman always wanted to be a firefighter

Fire department celebrates its female firefighters on International Women’s Day

Tammy Young beams with excitement when she returns from her first call with the Salmon Arm Fire Department. (Photo contributed)
Ethan, 12, suffered damage to his leg after falling under a Kelowna transit bus on Feb. 28, 2023. (GoFundMe)

Fundraiser tops $10,000 for Okanagan boy injured after falling under bus

The GoFundMe says donations will help with cost of physiotherapy

  • Mar 7, 2023
Ethan, 12, suffered damage to his leg after falling under a Kelowna transit bus on Feb. 28, 2023. (GoFundMe)
Name the puppy contest press conference at BC RCMP headquarters in Surrey on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. The two dogs are Tuesday’s announcement- Rip and Rev- were some of the last German Shepherd puppies born at the Centre last year. (Photo: Anna Burns)

BC RCMP asks youth to help ‘Name the Puppies’

The RCMP is asking for help in naming 13 German Shepherd puppies that will be born this year

Name the puppy contest press conference at BC RCMP headquarters in Surrey on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. The two dogs are Tuesday’s announcement- Rip and Rev- were some of the last German Shepherd puppies born at the Centre last year. (Photo: Anna Burns)
Drummers sing as they walk into the Sts’ailes Lhawathet Lalem (Healing House) on Friday, March 3. (Adam Louis/Observer)

PHOTOS: ‘This beautiful work’: Sts’ailes First Nation welcomes 29 baskets home

Ancestral baskets repatriated to First Nation from Kilby Historic Site

Drummers sing as they walk into the Sts’ailes Lhawathet Lalem (Healing House) on Friday, March 3. (Adam Louis/Observer)
Wounded Warrior Run BC team members finish their 10th annual run at Market Square in Victoria Sunday (March 5). (Brendan Mayer/Black Press Media Staff)

10th annual Wounded Warrior Run BC raises an estimated $150K

Wounded Warriors helps Canadian Armed Forces members, veterans and first responders

Wounded Warrior Run BC team members finish their 10th annual run at Market Square in Victoria Sunday (March 5). (Brendan Mayer/Black Press Media Staff)
A new Youth Room in Tofino hopes to match the success of a similar space in Ucluelet. (Toni Buston photo)

New inclusive space opens for youth in Tofino

Youth Room opens to let young locals exist in a judgment-free, stigma-free environment

A new Youth Room in Tofino hopes to match the success of a similar space in Ucluelet. (Toni Buston photo)
A GoFundMe page has been started for the family of late North Island pilot Patrick Lehman. (Patrick Lehman Facebook photo)

GoFundMe started for North Island pilot who passed away in November plane crash

Patrick Lehman was an avid flier and had an unbridled passion for adventure

A GoFundMe page has been started for the family of late North Island pilot Patrick Lehman. (Patrick Lehman Facebook photo)
South Surrey Grade 3 student Zhiji Dong has been honoured by Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth as “one of the brightest students in the world.” (Contributed photo)

B.C. Grade 3 student ‘one of world’s brightest’

Zhiji Dong was among highest scorers in Center for Talented Youth assessment

South Surrey Grade 3 student Zhiji Dong has been honoured by Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth as “one of the brightest students in the world.” (Contributed photo)
Canadians are making their final Registered Retirement Savings Plan contributions, in advance of the deadline. (Black Press Media file)

QUIZ: How much do you know about money and savings?

In January and February, Canadians make their final savings contributions for the tax year.

Canadians are making their final Registered Retirement Savings Plan contributions, in advance of the deadline. (Black Press Media file)
Two enormous cottonwood sasquatches and a dwarfed artist, Liam Tromans. (Photo submitted)

Island chainsaw carver’s masterpieces reach new heights

Sasquatches a towering addition to world class competitor’s art

Two enormous cottonwood sasquatches and a dwarfed artist, Liam Tromans. (Photo submitted)
Koyah Morgan, 17, says her winning design was inspired by praying hands in Indigenous culture. (Nora O’Malley photo)

Ucluelet teen wins Pink Shirt Day Canada design contest

Ucluelet Secondary School artist Koyah Morgan says her design was inspired by Indigenous culture

Koyah Morgan, 17, says her winning design was inspired by praying hands in Indigenous culture. (Nora O’Malley photo)
The week of Feb. 19 to 24 is Freedom to Read Week in Canada. (Black Press file photo)

QUIZ: How much do you know about your freedom to read?

Feb. 19 to 24 is Freedom to Read Week in Canada

The week of Feb. 19 to 24 is Freedom to Read Week in Canada. (Black Press file photo)
The Paula Ross Dance Society was founded in 1973 by prolific B.C. dancer Paula Ross.

Paula Ross Dance Society seeking new board members

Board rejuvenation needed as performing arts program gets set to celebrate 50th anniversary

The Paula Ross Dance Society was founded in 1973 by prolific B.C. dancer Paula Ross.
Suhaandeep Gill spent last week delivering special treat bags to shelters in Abbotsford, Maple Ridge and Mission. (Jessica Peters/Abbotsford News)

Kid Cupid: Young Abbotsford boy delivers love to the streets with Valentine’s Day bags

Suhaandeep Gill, 7, created thoughtful bags of much-needed items to give to three city shelters

Suhaandeep Gill spent last week delivering special treat bags to shelters in Abbotsford, Maple Ridge and Mission. (Jessica Peters/Abbotsford News)
Shaunece Labatiuk is sharing her love of chess with Ucluelet by launching what she hopes will be the first of many tournaments. (Photo submitted)

Chess tournament coming up in Ucluelet

“I love the community vibe. It’s small, but we’re mighty”

Shaunece Labatiuk is sharing her love of chess with Ucluelet by launching what she hopes will be the first of many tournaments. (Photo submitted)
The volunteers who maintain Penticton’s outdoor rink on 107 Martin Street. Front row from left to right: Frank Gair, Mark Hammerquist, Cathy Terris, Chris Terris, John Buckley, Lance Zablotney, Patrick Meyer, Chris Araki. Back row from left to right: Gord Barnes, Dave Burgoyne. Missing from picture: Ralph Consolo, Kent Fiske, Lloyd Lindsay, and crew chief Cam Gunning. (Contributed)

Meet the volunteers who make the Okanagan’s newest outdoor rink a reality 7 days a week

‘All of them just want to do something that makes our community better to live in,’ said Gord Barnes

The volunteers who maintain Penticton’s outdoor rink on 107 Martin Street. Front row from left to right: Frank Gair, Mark Hammerquist, Cathy Terris, Chris Terris, John Buckley, Lance Zablotney, Patrick Meyer, Chris Araki. Back row from left to right: Gord Barnes, Dave Burgoyne. Missing from picture: Ralph Consolo, Kent Fiske, Lloyd Lindsay, and crew chief Cam Gunning. (Contributed)
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