Lachlan Labere

Jayda Koppel was expecting to develop a black eye, in addition to having a concussion and other injuries sustained after she and a friend were allegedly assaulted by an unknown driver in Silver Creek on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. (Jayda Koppel photo)

‘She was a beast’: B.C. women recovering after alleged assault by unknown driver

Both young victims sustained concussions, other injuries in altercation in Silver Creek

Jayda Koppel was expecting to develop a black eye, in addition to having a concussion and other injuries sustained after she and a friend were allegedly assaulted by an unknown driver in Silver Creek on Wednesday, March 8, 2023. (Jayda Koppel photo)
Professional chocolate sommelier Geoseph Domenichiello offers educational chocolate tastings in Salmon Arm. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)

Salmon Arm chocolate sommelier passionate about opening minds and palates

Geoseph Domenichiello has been involved in the world of fine chocolate for 15 years

Professional chocolate sommelier Geoseph Domenichiello offers educational chocolate tastings in Salmon Arm. (Lachlan Labere-Salmon Arm Observer)
Salmon Arm’s Jim McConnell and Juanita Austin spent 58 days over the summer travelling across the country to PEI and back in their electric vehicle. (Contributed)

Salmon Arm couple put their electric vehicle to the test in cross-Canada road trip

A Salmon Arm couple’s cross-Canada journey by electric vehicle had their EV…

Salmon Arm’s Jim McConnell and Juanita Austin spent 58 days over the summer travelling across the country to PEI and back in their electric vehicle. (Contributed)
Salmon Arm’s Jim McConnell and Juanita Austin spent 58 days over the summer travelling across the country to PEI and back in their electric vehicle. (Photo contributed)

Salmon Arm couple put their electric vehicle to the test in cross-Canada road trip

Juanita Austin and Jim McConnell suggest charging station network along Highway 1 could be better

Salmon Arm’s Jim McConnell and Juanita Austin spent 58 days over the summer travelling across the country to PEI and back in their electric vehicle. (Photo contributed)
Salmon Arm resident Tim Kubash said a lack of staffing contributed to him being prevented from boarding his WestJet flight home from Victoria on Dec. 3, 2022. (Tim Kubash/Facebook)

Salmon Arm man kept from boarding WestJet flight due to battery in wheelchair

Incident took place on International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Salmon Arm resident Tim Kubash said a lack of staffing contributed to him being prevented from boarding his WestJet flight home from Victoria on Dec. 3, 2022. (Tim Kubash/Facebook)
Santa Claus (Chris Emery) has been hearing Christmas wishes at the Centenoka Park Mall for more than 14 years. (Brian Bannister photo)

Shuswap Santa puts his Facebook hacker on the naughty list

Chris Emery humbled by calls of support after attempts by hacker to swindle friends

Santa Claus (Chris Emery) has been hearing Christmas wishes at the Centenoka Park Mall for more than 14 years. (Brian Bannister photo)
Firefighters from the Malakwa Fire Department and others from the Shuswap participate in a live-burn training exercise. (File Photo)

New builds made of combustible materials make for hotter blazes: Shuswap firefighters

‘It really is a dangerous environment now. Stuff can be replaced but firefighters cannot’

Firefighters from the Malakwa Fire Department and others from the Shuswap participate in a live-burn training exercise. (File Photo)
Salmon Arm resident Chris Lethbridge is speaking out against B.C.s new tax rules for privately sold used vehicles after being told he owed provincial sales tax based on an $11,000 estimate for a used truck that cost him $2,100. (Contributed)

‘It’s ludicrous’: Salmon Arm man resists new rules for private vehicle sales in B.C.

‘I’m not paying about $1,300 in taxes on a vehicle I paid $2,100 for.’

Salmon Arm resident Chris Lethbridge is speaking out against B.C.s new tax rules for privately sold used vehicles after being told he owed provincial sales tax based on an $11,000 estimate for a used truck that cost him $2,100. (Contributed)
Sicamous RCMP are seeking a suspect involved in a sexual assault that occurred near Parkview Elementary School on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. (File photo)

Sicamous RCMP seek suspect after youth sexually assaulted near school

Incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 21

Sicamous RCMP are seeking a suspect involved in a sexual assault that occurred near Parkview Elementary School on Friday, Oct. 21, 2022. (File 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)
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)
Hiker Jason Reedyk found the rehabilitated historic Eagle Pass Lookout destroyed by fire, part of it still burning, on Tuesday afternoon, Aug, 2, 2022. (Jason Reedyk photo)

‘Rehabilitated’ historic Eagle Pass Fire Lookout in Shuswap destroyed by blaze

Hiker finds part of Eagle Pass Lookout still burning

Hiker Jason Reedyk found the rehabilitated historic Eagle Pass Lookout destroyed by fire, part of it still burning, on Tuesday afternoon, Aug, 2, 2022. (Jason Reedyk photo)
Chase RCMP, the BC Highway Patrol and the BC Coroners Service are investigating a motor-vehicle collision that took the lives of three Shuswap residents on Tuesday, July 5, 2022. (Black Press file photo)

Three Shuswap residents killed in head-on collision on Highway 1

Police say eastbound sedan traveled into oncoming lane of westbound SUV

Chase RCMP, the BC Highway Patrol and the BC Coroners Service are investigating a motor-vehicle collision that took the lives of three Shuswap residents on Tuesday, July 5, 2022. (Black Press file photo)
The Columbia Shuswap Regional District is making sand and bags available for filling. (CSRD file photo)

Snowmelt, rain prompts flood watch for several Shuswap rivers

Columbia Shuswap Regional District making sand and bags available

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District is making sand and bags available for filling. (CSRD file photo)
Miracle has been recovering in the care of Shuswap Paws Rescue Society volunteer Siobhan Rich and is coming up for adoption. (Contributed)

‘Worst condition I’ve ever seen:’ Dog rescued in the Shuswap earns Miracle name

Shuswap Paws Rescue Society volunteer encourages donations for ongoing efforts

Miracle has been recovering in the care of Shuswap Paws Rescue Society volunteer Siobhan Rich and is coming up for adoption. (Contributed)
On Feb. 8, police reported a Salmon Arm man wanted by the RCMP and missing since Jan. 21 was arrested in Ontario. (File photo)

Wanted Salmon Arm man missing with two daughters arrested in Ontario

RCMP reported man went missing from Salmon Arm home on Jan. 21

On Feb. 8, police reported a Salmon Arm man wanted by the RCMP and missing since Jan. 21 was arrested in Ontario. (File 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 )

Okanagan school temporarily closes as teachers refuse to work, citing student mask exemptions

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 )
A still from security camera footage shows a man making a rude hand gesture towards a Salmon Arm Pizza Hut employee during an exchange in which racist comments were allegedly made towards the restaurant’s staff Monday night, Nov. 29, 2021. (Contributed)

B.C. Pizza Hut employee shaken after being target of racist comments

RCMP say a Kelowna resident was advised not to return to the business

A still from security camera footage shows a man making a rude hand gesture towards a Salmon Arm Pizza Hut employee during an exchange in which racist comments were allegedly made towards the restaurant’s staff Monday night, Nov. 29, 2021. (Contributed)
With multiple road closures in B.C. affecting transportation of mail across Western Canada, Canada Post is warning customers that deliveries may be delayed. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz)

Highway closures: Canada Post warns B.C. customers that deliveries may be delayed

Mail that cannot be delivered being held in ‘safe and secure’ facilities

With multiple road closures in B.C. affecting transportation of mail across Western Canada, Canada Post is warning customers that deliveries may be delayed. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz)
Merritt on Monday, Nov. 15, following torrential downpour for several hours, sparking flooding and evacuation orders. (Bailee Allen photo)

Merritt under evacuation order as flooding wreaks havoc across B.C.

Evacuation order issued for all of Colletteville and the wastewater treatment plant has failed

Merritt on Monday, Nov. 15, following torrential downpour for several hours, sparking flooding and evacuation orders. (Bailee Allen photo)