Lachlan Labere

Jenny and Michael Vu recently celebrated the grand opening of their new restaurant, Weekends Restaurant & Lounge, at 321 Alexander St. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

Salmon Arm couple capture spirit of the weekend with new restaurant

Hanoi 36 owners Jenny and Michael Vu open Weekends Restaurant & Lounge

Jenny and Michael Vu recently celebrated the grand opening of their new restaurant, Weekends Restaurant & Lounge, at 321 Alexander St. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)
The District of Sicamous has received an application for a demolition permit for 1133 Paradise Ave., where the former Secret Garden Restaurant stands after years in disuse. (File photo)

Former Sicamous eatery in disuse facing demolition

Property owner issued $23,000 in tickets for building’s ‘unsightly and hazardous’ condition

The District of Sicamous has received an application for a demolition permit for 1133 Paradise Ave., where the former Secret Garden Restaurant stands after years in disuse. (File photo)
Whizbang Boxing coach and co-owner Shawn Desautels works the speed bag. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

Salmon Arm couple’s boxing gym on good footing in city’s downtown

Whizbang Boxing’s Shawn Desautels aims to foster a love for the sweet science

Whizbang Boxing coach and co-owner Shawn Desautels works the speed bag. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)
Macton Milton Gomez (left) and Harigaranraj Ramakichenin are both employees of Tamil Kitchen in Nelson under the Rural and Norther Immigration Program. This employment puts them on a fast track to permanent resident status, and helps the business owner with the local labour shortage. (Bill Metcalfe photo)

Rural immigration program expanding to benefit Shuswap employers

Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot operating in Vernon since 2020

Macton Milton Gomez (left) and Harigaranraj Ramakichenin are both employees of Tamil Kitchen in Nelson under the Rural and Norther Immigration Program. This employment puts them on a fast track to permanent resident status, and helps the business owner with the local labour shortage. (Bill Metcalfe photo)
The BC Coroners Service is investigating a motor-vehicle collision on Highway 1 west of Salmon Arm that left two dead on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. (File photo)

Two killed in Highway 1 collision near Salmon Arm

BC Coroners Service investigating

The BC Coroners Service is investigating a motor-vehicle collision on Highway 1 west of Salmon Arm that left two dead on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. (File photo)
The BC Prosecution Service announced no charges have been approved against two members of the RCMP involved in the arrest of a suspect with outstanding warrants on April 14, 2020, near Sicamous. (File photo)

RCMP officers won’t be charged after suspect injured in 2020 arrest near Sicamous

BC Prosecution Service says available evidence does not meet charge assessment standard

The BC Prosecution Service announced no charges have been approved against two members of the RCMP involved in the arrest of a suspect with outstanding warrants on April 14, 2020, near Sicamous. (File photo)
In March 2022, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District posted a stop work order and a do not occupy notice on two 10,000 square-foot buildings located on a 40-acre property in the North Shuswap. The buildings were under construction to house cannabis production facilities. (CSRD image)

Stop work order, do not occupy notice posted on proposed Shuswap cannabis facility

CSRD to issue notice of building regulation contravention on Garland Road property

In March 2022, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District posted a stop work order and a do not occupy notice on two 10,000 square-foot buildings located on a 40-acre property in the North Shuswap. The buildings were under construction to house cannabis production facilities. (CSRD image)
North Shuswap Brandi Hansen said she was disheartened to find dozens of severed, declawed bear paws dumped in a culvert alongside a North Shuswap road on Sunday, May 23, 2021. (Contributed)

Severed bear paws found along North Shuswap forest road linked to taxidermy business

Conservation Officer Service says paws ‘inadvertently fell out of the back of the individual’s truck’

North Shuswap Brandi Hansen said she was disheartened to find dozens of severed, declawed bear paws dumped in a culvert alongside a North Shuswap road on Sunday, May 23, 2021. (Contributed)
John MacLean (CSRD)

Columbia Shuswap Regional District welcomes new administrator

John MacLean to begin work with local regional district in November

John MacLean (CSRD)
Flags were lowered to half mast at Salmon Arm city hall Thursday morning, Sept. 8, following news that Queen Elizabeth II had died. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

Shuswap residents pay respect, share memories of Queen Elizabeth II

‘You cannot replace Queen Elizabeth. She was one of a kind’

Flags were lowered to half mast at Salmon Arm city hall Thursday morning, Sept. 8, following news that Queen Elizabeth II had died. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)
A large police presence showed up at a residence on 8th Avenue NE in Salmon Arm on Tuesday morning, Sept. 6, 2022. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

Man wanted in connection with Ranchero shooting arrested in Salmon Arm neighbourhood

RCMP said man taken into custody on warrants from Salmon Arm and North Okanagan

A large police presence showed up at a residence on 8th Avenue NE in Salmon Arm on Tuesday morning, Sept. 6, 2022. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)
A large police presence showed up at a residence on 8th Avenue NE in Salmon Arm on Tuesday morning, Sept. 6, 2022. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

Video of suspicious activity prompts large RCMP presence at Salmon Arm residence

Neighbour was informed police were after person involved in shooting

A large police presence showed up at a residence on 8th Avenue NE in Salmon Arm on Tuesday morning, Sept. 6, 2022. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)
This option for the future Shuswap Healing Centre at 200 Main Street shows about 3,100 square feet or .7 acres of green space and 39 parking stalls. A development permit for the healing centre is expected to be coming to the Sept. 28 Sicamous council meeting. (District of Sicamous image)

Council chooses more green space, less parking for Shuswap Healing Centre

Development permit expected for Sept. 28 Sicamous council meeting

This option for the future Shuswap Healing Centre at 200 Main Street shows about 3,100 square feet or .7 acres of green space and 39 parking stalls. A development permit for the healing centre is expected to be coming to the Sept. 28 Sicamous council meeting. (District of Sicamous image)
Critical care air ambulance paramedics stationed in Kamloops now have full-time access to blood products for life-saving transfusions. (File photo)

Kamloops, Kelowna air ambulance paramedics now equipped for life-saving transfusions

Pre-hospital blood previously only available to critical care paramedics in Lower Mainland

Critical care air ambulance paramedics stationed in Kamloops now have full-time access to blood products for life-saving transfusions. (File photo)
At its Aug. 18 meeting, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District board suspended the regional district’s COVID-19 vaccine policy for CSRSD firefighters. (File photo)

Columbia Shuswap Regional District suspends COVID-19 vaccine policy for firefighters

Regional district lost 45 firefighters after policy went into effect

At its Aug. 18 meeting, the Columbia Shuswap Regional District board suspended the regional district’s COVID-19 vaccine policy for CSRSD firefighters. (File photo)
In November 2021 the Columbia Shuswap Regional District board approved a COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination Policy requiring staff, contractors, paid on-call firefighters and emergency management volunteers to be vaccinated. (CSRD photo)

Columbia Shuswap Regional District to discuss suspending vaccine policy for firefighters

Staff proposing removal of vaccine requirement for contractors, elected officials

In November 2021 the Columbia Shuswap Regional District board approved a COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination Policy requiring staff, contractors, paid on-call firefighters and emergency management volunteers to be vaccinated. (CSRD photo)
This iconic vintage British sports car, a Morgan, was a people’s choice contender at the 21st Annual Car Show at R.J. Haney Heritage Village and Museum on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

Time to shine: Classic and antique automobiles converge at Shuswap event

R.J. Haney Heritage Village and Museum hosts 21st Annual Car Show

This iconic vintage British sports car, a Morgan, was a people’s choice contender at the 21st Annual Car Show at R.J. Haney Heritage Village and Museum on Sunday, Aug. 14, 2022. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)
Shuswap nature photographer Ron Banville pays close attention to the birds that nest in Salmon Arm’s bird sanctuary, and has captured numerous images of ducklings, goslings, grebettes and other newborn birds. (Ron Banville photo)

‘Everybody loves the otters’: Shuswap photographer enjoys sharing ‘what’s really going on’

Ron Banville’s affection for Salmon Arm bird sanctuary finds following on Facebook

Shuswap nature photographer Ron Banville pays close attention to the birds that nest in Salmon Arm’s bird sanctuary, and has captured numerous images of ducklings, goslings, grebettes and other newborn birds. (Ron Banville photo)
Independent Investigations Office of BC determined excessive force was not used when officers arrested a woman who was reportedly causing a disturbance at a Salmon Arm residence on Feb. 13, 2022. The woman’s arm was broken during her arrest. (Black Press file photo)

Broken arm not a result of excessive force by Salmon Arm RCMP, says police watchdog

Woman’s arm broken while officers attempted to place her in handcuffs at house party

Independent Investigations Office of BC determined excessive force was not used when officers arrested a woman who was reportedly causing a disturbance at a Salmon Arm residence on Feb. 13, 2022. The woman’s arm was broken during her arrest. (Black Press file photo)
Highway 1 was closed in both directions following a multiple-vehicle collision on the Bruhn Bridge at Sicamous on Thursday evening, July 28, 2022. (Contributed)

Transport truck driver fined after Bruhn Bridge collision near Sicamous

Eight people sent to hospital in July 28 crash on Highway 1 bridge

Highway 1 was closed in both directions following a multiple-vehicle collision on the Bruhn Bridge at Sicamous on Thursday evening, July 28, 2022. (Contributed)
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