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Damien Smith, with father Thomas Smith, is “frozen” with joy as he watches a special message Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds recorded for Damien’s 9th birthday on Tuesday, Nov. 24, 2020. (Contributed)

Shuswap boy celebrates 9th birthday with family, community and Ryan Reynolds

People from around the world send birthday cards showing young Canoe resident he’s not alone

Helen Watson, posing for a photo for her 100th birthday, turned 105 on Saturday (Nov. 21). (File photo)

B.C. woman who survived Spanish Flu turns 105

Helen Watson has packed a lot into life – including being in two pandemics

Dwight Ballantyne started #WeSeeYou day to draw more attention to the plight of remote indigenous communities. (Special to The News)

B.C. man aims to bridge gap between remote communities and rest of Canada

Schools across country to send activity kits to isolated towns for Dwight Ballantyne’s #WeSeeYou Day

Renegade Prospectors co-founders Rick Curiston and Tina Francis pose near Cayoosh Creek. Former Agassiz resident Curiston recently celebrated one year sober from alcohol and eight years drug-free, loving his new lease on life, family and their love for treasure hunting. (Contributed Photo/Tina Francis)

Former Agassiz DJ turned prospector finds treasure, renewed life in Lillooet

Eight years drug-free, Rick Curiston reflects on his passion for agate, gold hunting

Renegade Prospectors co-founders Rick Curiston and Tina Francis pose near Cayoosh Creek. Former Agassiz resident Curiston recently celebrated one year sober from alcohol and eight years drug-free, loving his new lease on life, family and their love for treasure hunting. (Contributed Photo/Tina Francis)
Salla Sukow sings the women warrior song at a recent Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw gathering. Ceremony will be part of the Indigenous Court process. (Zoe Ducklow photo)

Indigenous Court to offer alternative sentencing options for northern Vancouver Island

Final approval from the Judicial Council is expected in January

Salla Sukow sings the women warrior song at a recent Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw gathering. Ceremony will be part of the Indigenous Court process. (Zoe Ducklow photo)
Carolyn and Steve Touhey came across a pod of humpback whales while on their boat Sunday, Oct. 25. Photo supplied

VIDEO: Boaters encounter pod of humpbacks in Georgia Strait

Pod spotted between Comox and Texada Island

Carolyn and Steve Touhey came across a pod of humpback whales while on their boat Sunday, Oct. 25. Photo supplied
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Berlin zoo pandas celebrate their first birthday
Miss Canada 2020
Amateur Photographer of the Year 2020
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Actor Ryan Reynolds surprised a Shuswap family with a special birthday message to their son who was worried he'd be alone on his 9th birthday on Nov. 24. (Tiffanie Trudell/Facebook)

Ryan Reynolds text almost gives away Shuswap boy’s birthday surprise

Deadpool actor helps remind eight-year-old Canoe resident he’s not alone

Actor Ryan Reynolds surprised a Shuswap family with a special birthday message to their son who was worried he'd be alone on his 9th birthday on Nov. 24. (Tiffanie Trudell/Facebook)
Oct. 4 to 10 is Make-a-Will Week in British Columbia. If you haven’t made a will, or if you would like to update yours, this is the time to do it. (Image by Susan Sewert from Pixabay)

QUIZ: Where there’s a will, there’s a way

The week of Oct. 4 to 10 is Make-a-Will Week in British Columbia. Have you made your will?

Oct. 4 to 10 is Make-a-Will Week in British Columbia. If you haven’t made a will, or if you would like to update yours, this is the time to do it. (Image by Susan Sewert from Pixabay)
Danielle Saddleman and Shane Miller OKIB business owners are reclaiming their family and hope to see more people choose the same path. (Kelsie Kilawna, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter)

Confronting their addictions to make way for healing — a B.C. love story

‘I think what’s helped us is that we had to understand our past and move forward’

Danielle Saddleman and Shane Miller OKIB business owners are reclaiming their family and hope to see more people choose the same path. (Kelsie Kilawna, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter)
Avid walker George Doi of Langley celebrated a milestone on Sept. 17, when he completed a virtual walk around the world (Special to Langley Advance Times)

A (virtual) walk around the world by 88-year-old B.C. man

George Doi says it’s simple: ‘I like walking’

Avid walker George Doi of Langley celebrated a milestone on Sept. 17, when he completed a virtual walk around the world (Special to Langley Advance Times)
How much do you know about television programming? (Pixabay)

QUIZ: Do you know what’s on TV?

Fall is normally the time when new television shows are released

How much do you know about television programming? (Pixabay)
A black bear similar to this one charged at a Summerland woman bike riding on Conkle Mountain in Summerland (September 2020.) (Black Press file photo)

‘I could hear him huffing and see the whites of his eyes,’ says Okanagan woman about her bear encounter

Bear charges at woman mountain biking on Conkle Mountain

A black bear similar to this one charged at a Summerland woman bike riding on Conkle Mountain in Summerland (September 2020.) (Black Press file photo)
Conservative MP Todd Doherty is asking children to submit artwork for his 2021 calendar. (Angie Mindus - Williams Lake Tribune)

MP Doherty asks students to submit artwork for his 2021 calendar

The deadline for submissions is Nov. 6, 2020

Conservative MP Todd Doherty is asking children to submit artwork for his 2021 calendar. (Angie Mindus - Williams Lake Tribune)
Apples are a prominent crop in British Columbia and elsewhere in Canada. (Photo courtesy Summerland Varieties)

QUIZ: A celebration of apples

September is the start of the apple harvest

Apples are a prominent crop in British Columbia and elsewhere in Canada. (Photo courtesy Summerland Varieties)
People’s Choice winner: Eileen Harris of Kelowna, bumble bee clinging to grass.

PHOTOS: BC SPCA announces winners in 12th annual wildlife photo contest

From stoats to skunks, bears to bees, amateur photographers capture province at its wildest

People’s Choice winner: Eileen Harris of Kelowna, bumble bee clinging to grass.
In 1909 students in Garnet Valley near Summerland attended a school in their area. Their teacher was Miss Ballantyne. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)

QUIZ: Are you ready for the school year?

How much do you know about schools and education?

In 1909 students in Garnet Valley near Summerland attended a school in their area. Their teacher was Miss Ballantyne. (Photo courtesy of the Summerland Museum)
Kittens Toast (left) and Jersey (right) need support for their medical recovery after falling from highrises. (BC SPCA handout)

Two B.C. Kittens in need medical support after falling from highrises

BC SPCA starts fundraising for kittens in Victoria and Vancouver

Kittens Toast (left) and Jersey (right) need support for their medical recovery after falling from highrises. (BC SPCA handout)
Devon Muhlert

Music teacher from Terrace marks 50 years in industry

Jack of all trades Devon Muhlert celebrates milestone amid COVID-19

Devon Muhlert
On Labour Day, Canadians will pay tribute to the accomplishments of workers. This year, Labour Day falls on Sept. 7. (File photo)

QUIZ: How much do you really know about work and labour

The Labour Day weekend, in early September, is a time to celebrate workers

On Labour Day, Canadians will pay tribute to the accomplishments of workers. This year, Labour Day falls on Sept. 7. (File photo)
Nicole and Ben Stringer have spent the summer working to bring awareness to life-saving medication for cystic fibrosis patients. (Twila Amato - Black Press Media)

‘Nothing’s working anymore’: West Kelowna woman shares her fight with cystic fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects the lungs and intestines among other organs

Nicole and Ben Stringer have spent the summer working to bring awareness to life-saving medication for cystic fibrosis patients. (Twila Amato - Black Press Media)