Rebecca Willson

Serene Harcus says Interior Health’s internal mental health support system has left her without support or the counselling she needs.
(Rebecca Willson/Salmon Arm Observer)

‘Falling through the cracks’: Mental health support gap leaves B.C. care aid struggling

“A person should not have to beg for their life because of mental health”

Serene Harcus says Interior Health’s internal mental health support system has left her without support or the counselling she needs.
(Rebecca Willson/Salmon Arm Observer)
Llamas at the Llama Sanctuary have found a new home at the Recline Ridge EcoPark in Tappen. (Llama Sanctuary photo- Facebook)

Shuswap-based Llama Sanctuary makes second move in one month

Camelids and caretakers settling into permanent home in Tappen, hosting welcome-back event

Llamas at the Llama Sanctuary have found a new home at the Recline Ridge EcoPark in Tappen. (Llama Sanctuary photo- Facebook)
A plane crashed into a field near Club Shuswap Golf Course in Canoe during the morning of Friday, April 28. (Club Shuswap Golf and RV photo)

Update: Pilot unharmed when ultralight clips fence next to Canoe field

Fire department says aircraft falls short of fairway at Club Shuswap Golf Course

A plane crashed into a field near Club Shuswap Golf Course in Canoe during the morning of Friday, April 28. (Club Shuswap Golf and RV photo)
A dog found severely matted and in pain on a Sorrento property received some needed TLC from a local groomer, Donna Meads, who is now interested in adopting the pup. (Amy Berry photo)

Severely matted and in pain, dog found wandering Shuswap given new ‘leash’ on life

A Rover Makeover grooming, community support helping neglected dog find new family

A dog found severely matted and in pain on a Sorrento property received some needed TLC from a local groomer, Donna Meads, who is now interested in adopting the pup. (Amy Berry photo)
Brownie, one of the llamas moved to The Llama Sanctuary’s new home in Mara on March 31, 2023. (The Llama Sanctuary/ Facebook)

Llama Sanctuary finds last-minute Shuswap home following eviction

Llamas and alpacas safely moved to property in Mara, move cost nearly $26k

Brownie, one of the llamas moved to The Llama Sanctuary’s new home in Mara on March 31, 2023. (The Llama Sanctuary/ Facebook)
(Left to right) Splatsin Tkwamipla7 Sabrina Vergata, Wenecwtsin Wayne Christian, Elder George William, and Tkwamipla7 (councillors) Theresa William and Leonard Edwards look on as (front, left to right) Federal Minister of Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu, Splatsin Kukpi7 Doug Thomas and B.C. Minister of Children and Family Development Mitzi Dean hold up the signed coordination agreement. Federal and provincial officials, Kukpi7 Thomas and all Tkwamipla7 members signed the agreement. (Rebecca Willson/ Eagle Valley News)

VIDEO: Splatsin signs historic child and family protection agreement with BC, federal governments

Elders, council, honoured guests gather to celebrate legal support, $136 million over 10 years

(Left to right) Splatsin Tkwamipla7 Sabrina Vergata, Wenecwtsin Wayne Christian, Elder George William, and Tkwamipla7 (councillors) Theresa William and Leonard Edwards look on as (front, left to right) Federal Minister of Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu, Splatsin Kukpi7 Doug Thomas and B.C. Minister of Children and Family Development Mitzi Dean hold up the signed coordination agreement. Federal and provincial officials, Kukpi7 Thomas and all Tkwamipla7 members signed the agreement. (Rebecca Willson/ Eagle Valley News)
Sicamous RCMP, assisted by Salmon Arm RCMP and Kelowna specialized forces, arrested a Salmo man on two outstanding warrants in a Malakwa RV park on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (Black Press file photo)

Salmo man arrested in Shuswap RV park after 5-hour standoff

Tear gas used in Malakwa arrest by Salmon Arm, Sicamous RCMP and region’s Emergency Response Team

Sicamous RCMP, assisted by Salmon Arm RCMP and Kelowna specialized forces, arrested a Salmo man on two outstanding warrants in a Malakwa RV park on Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (Black Press file photo)
Statistics about the local health region Sicamous is in were shared by harm reduction coordinator Myanne Peacock and other representatives from Interior Health in a presentation to Sicamous council at the March 8 committee of the whole meeting. (Interior Health image)

Interior Health calls for pause on Sicamous bylaw prohibiting public use of illicit drugs

Doctor, harm reduction specialists urge 6-month evaluation of decriminalization

Statistics about the local health region Sicamous is in were shared by harm reduction coordinator Myanne Peacock and other representatives from Interior Health in a presentation to Sicamous council at the March 8 committee of the whole meeting. (Interior Health image)
Brodie Wilkinson went through many designs and prototype stages before perfecting the Big Spoon Pillow. (Contributed)

Shuswap man invents solution for couples looking to cuddle more comfortably

Injuries, discomfort watching TV with wife inspired Brodie Wilkinson’s Big Spoon Pillow

Brodie Wilkinson went through many designs and prototype stages before perfecting the Big Spoon Pillow. (Contributed)
Rockin’ River Music Fest in Merritt has been cancelled for 2023, citing economic struggles. (Rockin’ River Music Fest- Facebook)

Rockin’ River Music Fest in Merritt cancelled due to financial struggles

Announcement follows Vancouver Folk Fest, Squamish Constellation Festival cancellations

Rockin’ River Music Fest in Merritt has been cancelled for 2023, citing economic struggles. (Rockin’ River Music Fest- Facebook)
Caribou herds in the Shuswap and surrounding areas remain in low numbers but have been relatively undisturbed by humans in the past year. (Black Press file photo)

Caribou herds being left undisturbed in the Shuswap and surrounding areas

Frisby-Boulder and other herds remain small in number but healthy

Caribou herds in the Shuswap and surrounding areas remain in low numbers but have been relatively undisturbed by humans in the past year. (Black Press file photo)
District of Sicamous council is sending a letter to the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to emphasize the need to prioritize and expedite the R.W. Bruhn Bridge replacement project due to safety hazards in its current state. (District of Sicamous photo)

Province urged to prioritize Highway 1 bridge replacement at Sicamous

RCMP sergeant calls Bruhn Bridge a hazard drivers have had to endure for too long

District of Sicamous council is sending a letter to the B.C. Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure to emphasize the need to prioritize and expedite the R.W. Bruhn Bridge replacement project due to safety hazards in its current state. (District of Sicamous photo)
In 2022, the BC Conservation Officer Service completed its ninth consecutive boat safety patrol program. Twenty one patrols were conducted on six priority bodies of water in the North Okanagan and Shuswap. (BC Conservation Officer Service photo)

Many lake enthusiasts in North Okanagan, Shuswap break laws over summer

Conservation officers patrolling lakes and rivers in 2022 report 71% non-compliance

In 2022, the BC Conservation Officer Service completed its ninth consecutive boat safety patrol program. Twenty one patrols were conducted on six priority bodies of water in the North Okanagan and Shuswap. (BC Conservation Officer Service photo)
Four of the six golden retriever puppies rescued from a North Okanagan property on Dec. 21, 2022. (BCSPCA/ photo)

Golden retrievers, including 6 puppies, rescued from North Okanagan property

No heat, clean water or insulation, little food accessible for nine dogs

Four of the six golden retriever puppies rescued from a North Okanagan property on Dec. 21, 2022. (BCSPCA/ photo)
Justin Eveline and his wife, Amy Bracken. The couple, known for their generosity, redirected GoFundMe donations given to Eveline after he broke his leg to fund a Christmas dinner for the homeless in Salmon Arm. (Contributed)

After breaking leg, B.C. man to pay kindness forward to people in greater need

Justin Eveline to host Christmas Eve dinner for those living rough

Justin Eveline and his wife, Amy Bracken. The couple, known for their generosity, redirected GoFundMe donations given to Eveline after he broke his leg to fund a Christmas dinner for the homeless in Salmon Arm. (Contributed)
Henry the dog is safe after roaming Sicamous for over five months. (Duffy Baker photo)

Dog reunited with Penticton owners after being lost five months in the Shuswap

Sicamous’ K9-1-1 Animal Rescue tracked down missing pup

Henry the dog is safe after roaming Sicamous for over five months. (Duffy Baker photo)