Community

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)
Project Mama Duck is a new pedestrian safety program run by the Ridge Meadows RCMP Road Safety Target Team, which is seen here crouching next to a goose. (Ridge Meadows RCMP/Special to The News)

RCMP launches new Project Mama Duck pedestrian safety program in B.C. city

The RSTT educational program focuses on the Maple Ridge area of Lougheed Highway

Project Mama Duck is a new pedestrian safety program run by the Ridge Meadows RCMP Road Safety Target Team, which is seen here crouching next to a goose. (Ridge Meadows RCMP/Special to The News)
Pawsome breaking news: CARE Network is raising funds for a mobile vet clinic. (Submitted photo)

GIVING BACK COLUMN: CARE Network launches B.C.’s first non-profit mobile vet clinic

West Coasters can host a fun Spay-ghetti, No Balls Dinner Party to help raise funds

  • Feb 10, 2023
Pawsome breaking news: CARE Network is raising funds for a mobile vet clinic. (Submitted photo)
A Youth Academy camp leader checks out the participants’ build for an engineering/physics activity at a STEM & Sport camp for 9- to 12-year-olds in July. Photo supplied

North Island College Youth Academy summer camp schedule set to be released

North Island College Youth Academy’s 2023 summer camp schedule will be released…

A Youth Academy camp leader checks out the participants’ build for an engineering/physics activity at a STEM & Sport camp for 9- to 12-year-olds in July. Photo supplied
Ben Baker died of an accidental overdose on Jan. 23, 2023. The family is fundraising for two memorial benches to make a monetary donation in Ben’s name to The Last Door in New Westminster. (Ben Baker’s Legacy/GoFundMe)

Benches in West Kelowna, Lower Mainland help keep man’s legacy alive

All additional donations will be donated to the treatment facility Ben stayed at

  • Feb 2, 2023
Ben Baker died of an accidental overdose on Jan. 23, 2023. The family is fundraising for two memorial benches to make a monetary donation in Ben’s name to The Last Door in New Westminster. (Ben Baker’s Legacy/GoFundMe)
Show the ocean how you really feel this Valentine’s by doing a beach clean of your favourite spot. (Submitted photo)

GIVING BACK COLUMN: Love Your Beach Clean Day Feb. 14, 2023

Romanticize your connection with the environment this Valentine’s

  • Jan 29, 2023
Show the ocean how you really feel this Valentine’s by doing a beach clean of your favourite spot. (Submitted photo)
Interpretive Skills Workshop participants discussing opportunities for young Interpreters on the West Coast. (Marianne Paquette photo)

Youth workshop inspires the next generation of interpreters

West Coast N.E.S.T. teaches Tofino-Ucluelet youth about working in tourism education

  • Jan 28, 2023
Interpretive Skills Workshop participants discussing opportunities for young Interpreters on the West Coast. (Marianne Paquette photo)
Kayla Castellarin of the BC SPCA Alberni-Clayoquot Branch feeds Herby the cat some treats on his first birthday, Friday, Jan. 20, 2023. Staff decorated Herby’s living quarters for the occasion. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Herby the black cat seeks fur-ever home on Vancouver Island

Alberni-Clayoquot SPCA staff throw party for one-year old cat who has spent 70-plus days in care

Kayla Castellarin of the BC SPCA Alberni-Clayoquot Branch feeds Herby the cat some treats on his first birthday, Friday, Jan. 20, 2023. Staff decorated Herby’s living quarters for the occasion. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Celebrations for Lunar New Year feature a lion dance, which is a way to cleanse spaces of bad vibes and bring in good luck for the new year. This lion and drum are used to by the Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club to practice for performances. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)

VIDEO: Island leaps into year of the rabbit with celebrations in Victoria’s Chinatown

Lunar New Year celebrations will include lion dancing, music, lucky red envelopes and lots of food

Celebrations for Lunar New Year feature a lion dance, which is a way to cleanse spaces of bad vibes and bring in good luck for the new year. This lion and drum are used to by the Wong Sheung Kung Fu Club to practice for performances. (Hollie Ferguson/News Staff)
Cake was served at the retirement celebration for the BC Ferries’ vessel M.V. Powell River Queen at the Quathiaski Cove ferry terminal on Quadra Island Tuesday, Jan. 17. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror

58-year-old Quadra Island ferry unable to complete last day as retirement party gets underway

Powell River Queen taken out of service due to mechanical failure while being celebrated by community

Cake was served at the retirement celebration for the BC Ferries’ vessel M.V. Powell River Queen at the Quathiaski Cove ferry terminal on Quadra Island Tuesday, Jan. 17. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror
Crime Stoppers in Nanaimo has reorganized to improve the safety of tipsters and now receives information from across the central Island and Gulf Islands. (File photo)

Police and volunteers on the mid-Island recognize National Crime Stoppers Month

Restructured chapter to receive tips from across the central Vancouver Island region

Crime Stoppers in Nanaimo has reorganized to improve the safety of tipsters and now receives information from across the central Island and Gulf Islands. (File photo)
Left to right: Penticton Vees Bradly Nadeau, Ryan Hopkins, Aydar Suniev and Josh Nadeau will be participating in BCHL’s 60th Anniversary Prospects game at the SOEC Friday night. The weekend All Star and Alumni games continue Saturday at the outdoor rink. (Logan Lockhart Western News)

Expect large crowds, road closure near Penticton’s outdoor rink for BCHL all-star games

Martin Street partially closed Saturday while alumni, skills and all star games take place

Left to right: Penticton Vees Bradly Nadeau, Ryan Hopkins, Aydar Suniev and Josh Nadeau will be participating in BCHL’s 60th Anniversary Prospects game at the SOEC Friday night. The weekend All Star and Alumni games continue Saturday at the outdoor rink. (Logan Lockhart Western News)
Members of staff place the copies of the new book by Prince Harry called “Spare” at a book store in London, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. Prince Harry’s memoir “Spare” went on sale in bookstores on Tuesday, providing a varied portrait of the Duke of Sussex and the royal family. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

QUIZ: How well do you know the royals?

Prince Harry’s book, Spare, has been attracting plenty of attention

Members of staff place the copies of the new book by Prince Harry called “Spare” at a book store in London, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2023. Prince Harry’s memoir “Spare” went on sale in bookstores on Tuesday, providing a varied portrait of the Duke of Sussex and the royal family. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
The Tofino Ucluelet Culinary Guild (TUCG) carries products like kelp seasoning made by Tofino-based, Indigenous owned Naas Foods. (Naas Foods photo)

Tofino Ucluelet Culinary Guild brings local food to local tables

The non-profit links local food producers with West Coast restaurants

  • Jan 11, 2023
The Tofino Ucluelet Culinary Guild (TUCG) carries products like kelp seasoning made by Tofino-based, Indigenous owned Naas Foods. (Naas Foods photo)
The 40-acre Maris Estates oceanfront property has been gifted to the Comox Valley Regional District through the federal Ecological Gifts Program. Photo supplied

40 acres of oceanfront property donated to Comox Valley Regional District to create a park

The Comox Valley Regional District has received a donation of 40 acres…

The 40-acre Maris Estates oceanfront property has been gifted to the Comox Valley Regional District through the federal Ecological Gifts Program. Photo supplied
First Link® Dementia Helpline can provide you with the support and answeres you need.

Stand up against dementia stigma this Alzheimer’s Awareness Month

Jana Schulz of Cranbrook, B.C. – a registered social worker, working as…

  • Jan 9, 2023
First Link® Dementia Helpline can provide you with the support and answeres you need.
Team Canada forward Marie-Philip Poulin (29) celebrates with her gold medal after defeating the United States in women’s hockey gold medal game action at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. How many medals did Canada win in the 2022 Winter Olympics? THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

QUIZ: How much do you know about the news of 2022?

A lot happened during the past 12 months

Team Canada forward Marie-Philip Poulin (29) celebrates with her gold medal after defeating the United States in women’s hockey gold medal game action at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing on Thursday, Feb. 17, 2022. How many medals did Canada win in the 2022 Winter Olympics? THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
Santa and Mrs. Claus take a well-deserved break after reading through all the Black Press Media papers in Greater Victoria to update the naught and nice list. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)

10 questions with Santa and Mrs. Claus

Black Press Media staffers put together a line of questioning for the…

Santa and Mrs. Claus take a well-deserved break after reading through all the Black Press Media papers in Greater Victoria to update the naught and nice list. (Christine van Reeuwyk/News Staff)
Kala Doneyhue pictured inside her 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, after winning Penticton’s Huber Bannister Christmas car giveaway on Dec. 23, 2022. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)

VIDEO: Working 7 days a week with 2 kids, B.C. single mom surprised with car

Huber Bannister Chevrolet held its second annual Christmas car giveaway on Dec. 23

Kala Doneyhue pictured inside her 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, after winning Penticton’s Huber Bannister Christmas car giveaway on Dec. 23, 2022. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)