Lachlan Labere

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Shuswap residents lined up along Highway 1 in Salmon Arm show their love and support of truckers taking part in the Freedom Convoy that passed through Salmon Arm on its way to Ottawa on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022.. (Jamie-Lee Smoch/Jamie-Lee Photography)

Shuswap residents show love and support for truckers in ‘Freedom Convoy’

Salmon Arm RCMP grateful for respect, safety shown during ‘largely peaceful and lawful protest’

Shuswap residents lined up along Highway 1 in Salmon Arm show their love and support of truckers taking part in the Freedom Convoy that passed through Salmon Arm on its way to Ottawa on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022.. (Jamie-Lee Smoch/Jamie-Lee Photography)
The School District 83 board of trustees is urging employees not yet fully vaccinated to do so as soon as possible. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

North Okanagan-Shuswap school board supports collection of employee vaccination status

School district would collect vaccination status if requested by Interior Health

The School District 83 board of trustees is urging employees not yet fully vaccinated to do so as soon as possible. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
School District 83 superintendent Donna Kriger praised Armstrong Elementary School principal Corrinne Langston for doing a “tremendous job managing a very, very difficult situation.” A two-day functional closure due to a staffing shortage began on Friday, Jan. 14, and was extended the following week to Friday, Jan. 21. (File photo )

North Okanagan-Shuswap school trustees cautioned COVID-19 may push some schools online

Superintendent praises school district employees, calling them all ‘heroes’

School District 83 superintendent Donna Kriger praised Armstrong Elementary School principal Corrinne Langston for doing a “tremendous job managing a very, very difficult situation.” A two-day functional closure due to a staffing shortage began on Friday, Jan. 14, and was extended the following week to Friday, Jan. 21. (File photo )
Silver Creek resident Pat Peebles has launched a petition in response to the spike in assessed property values seen throughout North Okanagan-Shuswap communities. (Facebook image)

‘Fight it’: Spike in assessed property values prompts Shuswap woman to start petition

Resident criticizes timing of increase amid pandemic and after catastrophic events

Silver Creek resident Pat Peebles has launched a petition in response to the spike in assessed property values seen throughout North Okanagan-Shuswap communities. (Facebook image)
Paul White is planning to refloat his boat the Mandalay B, which took on water over the winter and sank where it is moored at McKay Bay in the North Shuswap. (Melissa Bloxham/epicnorthshuwap photo) Paul White is planning to refloat his boat the Mandalay B, which took on water over the winter and sank where it is moored at McKay Bay in the North Shuswap. (Melissa Bloxham/epicnorthshuwap photo)

Plans in store to refloat iconic antique North Shuswap boat

Owner Paul White spent 10 years restoring historic vessel originally built in Vancouver

Paul White is planning to refloat his boat the Mandalay B, which took on water over the winter and sank where it is moored at McKay Bay in the North Shuswap. (Melissa Bloxham/epicnorthshuwap photo) Paul White is planning to refloat his boat the Mandalay B, which took on water over the winter and sank where it is moored at McKay Bay in the North Shuswap. (Melissa Bloxham/epicnorthshuwap photo)
School District 83 announced, due to a staffing shortage, a two-day functional closure of Armstrong Elementary on Jan. 14 and 17 was being extended to Jan. 21. (File photo )

Closure of North Okanagan-Shuswap school extended after three staff test positive for COVID-19

Initial ‘functional closure’ announced after teachers refuse work

School District 83 announced, due to a staffing shortage, a two-day functional closure of Armstrong Elementary on Jan. 14 and 17 was being extended to Jan. 21. (File photo )
School District 83 says immediate action was taken after rodent droppings were found in some rooms at Shuswap Middle School following the winter break. (File photo)

Pest control brought in to Salmon Arm school after rat droppings found

School district says rodents have been trapped, point of entry repaired

School District 83 says immediate action was taken after rodent droppings were found in some rooms at Shuswap Middle School following the winter break. (File photo)
Tyson Still and Theresa Payton are the owners of Stillfood Bistro and Cappuccino Bar, which opened on Alexander Street in downtown Salmon Arm on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

Salmon Arm couple share passion for plant-based food at new bistro

Tyson Still and Theresa Payton open Stillfood Bistro and Cappuccino Bar

Tyson Still and Theresa Payton are the owners of Stillfood Bistro and Cappuccino Bar, which opened on Alexander Street in downtown Salmon Arm on Wednesday, Jan. 12, 2022. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)
Salmar Theatres general manager Joel de Boer was grateful to end 2021 on a high note with the release of Spider-Man: No Way Home and other December blockbusters. (Lachlan Labere - Salmon Arm Observer)

Winter return of beloved webheads sweetens year end for Salmon Arm movie theatre manager

Salmar Grand to open four days a week in response to slowdown in movie releases

Salmar Theatres general manager Joel de Boer was grateful to end 2021 on a high note with the release of Spider-Man: No Way Home and other December blockbusters. (Lachlan Labere - Salmon Arm Observer)
School District 83 announced on Jan 13 that, due to a staffing shortage, a two-day functional closure of Armstrong Elementary would take place Jan. 14 and 17. (File photo )

Two-day ‘functional closure’ announced for North Okanagan school after teachers refuse work

Closure planned for Armstrong Elementary School on Jan. 14 and 17

School District 83 announced on Jan 13 that, due to a staffing shortage, a two-day functional closure of Armstrong Elementary would take place Jan. 14 and 17. (File photo )
Four Armstrong Elementary teachers are refusing to work in response to the number of students at the school not wearing face masks. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson)

High number of mask exemptions prompts teachers at North Okanagan elementary to refuse work

Union president says four teachers at home due to concerning number of unmasked students

Four Armstrong Elementary teachers are refusing to work in response to the number of students at the school not wearing face masks. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson)
Shuswap Search and Rescue volunteers respond to three calls for service in a period of 16 hours beginning around 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan 7, with a sledder injured near Grizzly Lake in the North Shuswap. (Shuswap Search and Rescue/Facebook photo)

Shuswap Search and Rescue crew responds to missing sledders, injury, hypothermia

Back-to-back calls began Friday afternoon, Jan. 7

Shuswap Search and Rescue volunteers respond to three calls for service in a period of 16 hours beginning around 4 p.m. on Friday, Jan 7, with a sledder injured near Grizzly Lake in the North Shuswap. (Shuswap Search and Rescue/Facebook photo)
The Adams Lake band is leading a project to restore the Upper Adams River sockeye salmon run. (File photo)

Second year of Upper Adams Lake salmon restoration project yields positive results

Addition of nutrients to lake saw increase in phytoplankton

The Adams Lake band is leading a project to restore the Upper Adams River sockeye salmon run. (File photo)
In response to a cold front moving in, the annual Larch Hills lantern ski event planned for Dec. 29 has been postponed to Jan. 8. (Brad Calkins photo)

Icy evening outing averted with postponement of Larch Hills lantern ski event

Salmon Arm: colder temperatures on the way but record-breaking lows not anticipated

In response to a cold front moving in, the annual Larch Hills lantern ski event planned for Dec. 29 has been postponed to Jan. 8. (Brad Calkins photo)
A semi and 53-foot trailer involved in a single-vehicle collision temporarily blocked Highway 1 near Sicamous on Sunday morning, Dec. 19, 2021. (RCMP photo)

53-foot trailer temporarily blocks Highway 1 following collision near Sicamous

Inspection ordered after officers find ‘minimal tread’ on trailer’s tires

A semi and 53-foot trailer involved in a single-vehicle collision temporarily blocked Highway 1 near Sicamous on Sunday morning, Dec. 19, 2021. (RCMP photo)
Salmon Arm resident Sara Mitchell was able to locate the intended recipient of a gift basket left at her house on Dec. 5. Now the recipient, Karen Whidden, is trying to find the person who made the initial delivery to say thanks. (Contributed)

Delivery mystery: Salmon Arm resident hopes to give thanks to sender

Bouquet, gift basket initially dropped off by mistake at neighbour’s house

Salmon Arm resident Sara Mitchell was able to locate the intended recipient of a gift basket left at her house on Dec. 5. Now the recipient, Karen Whidden, is trying to find the person who made the initial delivery to say thanks. (Contributed)
Vernon Search and Rescue members carefully load Michael Wilkinson, injured in a snowmobiling accident on Hunters Range, into their truck to deliver him to ambulance personnel waiting for him in the Ashton Creek parking lot at midnight on Sunday, Dec. 12. (Kari Wilkinson photo)

Teamwork helps with rescue of injured Salmon Arm sledder from Hunters Range

Vernon Search and Rescue manager praises group for doing everything right

Vernon Search and Rescue members carefully load Michael Wilkinson, injured in a snowmobiling accident on Hunters Range, into their truck to deliver him to ambulance personnel waiting for him in the Ashton Creek parking lot at midnight on Sunday, Dec. 12. (Kari Wilkinson photo)
James Dyck (sixth from left), with daughter Cadence Trottier, was the surprised and grateful recipient of a refurbished Jeep gifted to him with a year's insurance by Braby Motors, Fix Auto, Kal Tire and SASCU in the 4th annual Shuswap Christmas Car Giveaway. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

VIDEO: Salmon Arm businesses surprise former first responder with early Christmas gift

Braby Motors, Fix Auto, Kal Tire and SASCU unite for 4th annual Shuswap Christmas Car Giveaway

James Dyck (sixth from left), with daughter Cadence Trottier, was the surprised and grateful recipient of a refurbished Jeep gifted to him with a year's insurance by Braby Motors, Fix Auto, Kal Tire and SASCU in the 4th annual Shuswap Christmas Car Giveaway. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)
Areas where high intensity burns occurred in the Wiseman Creek watershed over the summer are where a debris flow is likely to begin. (BGC Engineering photo)

Sicamous trailer park at increased risk of debris flow following summer’s wildfire

Columbia Shuswap Regional District looking at mitigation options

Areas where high intensity burns occurred in the Wiseman Creek watershed over the summer are where a debris flow is likely to begin. (BGC Engineering photo)
Ernie and Donna Smith are in their second year of selling Christmas trees at their farm on Lyman Hill. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

Salmon Arm couple’s Christmas tree farm busy amid shortage

Lyman Hill residents Ernie and Donna Smith began selling their trees last winter

Ernie and Donna Smith are in their second year of selling Christmas trees at their farm on Lyman Hill. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)