Logan Lockhart

Alberni Valley Bulldogs’ forward Ethan Bono tangles up Penticton Vees defenceman Gabriel Guilbault at the end boards during the second period of the Bulldogs’ BC Hockey League home game on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. (KAICEE TROTT/ Special to the AV News)

Penticton Vees, Alberni Valley Bulldogs ready to make history in BCHL Finals

‘When you get to the finals, it’s not about upsets, favourites or underdogs,’ said Fred Harbinson

Alberni Valley Bulldogs’ forward Ethan Bono tangles up Penticton Vees defenceman Gabriel Guilbault at the end boards during the second period of the Bulldogs’ BC Hockey League home game on Friday, Nov. 25, 2022. (KAICEE TROTT/ Special to the AV News)
Penticton’s Mae Smith celebrated her 100th birthday at the Concorde Retirement Community on Wednesday, May 3. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)

‘I’m so fortunate’: Penticton’s Mae Smith celebrates 100th birthday

The Penticton resident was joined by family and friends to mark the milestone Wednesday

Penticton’s Mae Smith celebrated her 100th birthday at the Concorde Retirement Community on Wednesday, May 3. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)
Saturday’s special weather statement includes Boundary, West Kootenay, Arrow Lakes - Slocan Lake, as well as Highway 3 from Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass and Elk Valley. (Photo- DriveBC)

Special weather statement issued for Highway 3 from Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass

Environment Canada is calling for 30 to 50 millimetres of rain, starting Sunday and easing on Monday

Saturday’s special weather statement includes Boundary, West Kootenay, Arrow Lakes - Slocan Lake, as well as Highway 3 from Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass and Elk Valley. (Photo- DriveBC)
Germany’s Marcel Noebels, left, challenges for the puck with Canada’s Troy Stecher during the Ice Hockey World Championship group B match between Germany and Canada at the Arena in Riga, Latvia, Monday, May 24, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Sergei Grits

VIDEO: Calgary Flames’ Troy Stecher sends Penticton Vees message before BCHL playoffs

The Richmond-born defenceman played three seasons with the Vees, winning the Fred Page Cup in 2012

Germany’s Marcel Noebels, left, challenges for the puck with Canada’s Troy Stecher during the Ice Hockey World Championship group B match between Germany and Canada at the Arena in Riga, Latvia, Monday, May 24, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Sergei Grits
On March 18 BC Corrections said the Okanagan Correctional Centre (OCC) in Oliver was closed to visitors and volunteers until further notice due to COVID-19. (File photo)

B.C.’s largest prison in Oliver is only at 20% capacity

167 prisoners out of a capacity of 800 are currently at the Okanagan Correctional Centre

On March 18 BC Corrections said the Okanagan Correctional Centre (OCC) in Oliver was closed to visitors and volunteers until further notice due to COVID-19. (File photo)
Duncan Keith, a three-time Stanley Cup champion, was named Tuesday, Feb. 28, to the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023. The announcement was made at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, the home of the hall of fame. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)

Duncan Keith, Brent Seabrook headline B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame Class of 2023

The 2007 Vancouver Giants will join the former Chicago Blackhawks duo for induction this summer

Duncan Keith, a three-time Stanley Cup champion, was named Tuesday, Feb. 28, to the B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023. The announcement was made at the South Okanagan Events Centre in Penticton, the home of the hall of fame. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)
The volunteers who maintain Penticton’s outdoor rink on 107 Martin Street. Front row from left to right: Frank Gair, Mark Hammerquist, Cathy Terris, Chris Terris, John Buckley, Lance Zablotney, Patrick Meyer, Chris Araki. Back row from left to right: Gord Barnes, Dave Burgoyne. Missing from picture: Ralph Consolo, Kent Fiske, Lloyd Lindsay, and crew chief Cam Gunning. (Contributed)

Meet the volunteers who make the Okanagan’s newest outdoor rink a reality 7 days a week

‘All of them just want to do something that makes our community better to live in,’ said Gord Barnes

The volunteers who maintain Penticton’s outdoor rink on 107 Martin Street. Front row from left to right: Frank Gair, Mark Hammerquist, Cathy Terris, Chris Terris, John Buckley, Lance Zablotney, Patrick Meyer, Chris Araki. Back row from left to right: Gord Barnes, Dave Burgoyne. Missing from picture: Ralph Consolo, Kent Fiske, Lloyd Lindsay, and crew chief Cam Gunning. (Contributed)
Four-time Stanley Cup champion Scott Niedermayer was among those in the 2023 BCHL Alumni Game in Penticton on Saturday, Jan. 21. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)

PHOTOS: Scott Niedermayer, BCHL alumni lace up the skates at Penticton’s outdoor rink

The 2023 alumni game was part of the league’s 60th-anniversary all-star game weekend

Four-time Stanley Cup champion Scott Niedermayer was among those in the 2023 BCHL Alumni Game in Penticton on Saturday, Jan. 21. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)
The B.C. Hockey League has announced its lineup for the 2023 Skills Competition this Saturday, Jan. 19. (Photo- BCHL)

Fastest skater? Hardest shot? Lineup for BCHL’s skills competition announced in Penticton

Hometown brothers Josh and Bradly Nadeau will represent the Vees on Saturday

The B.C. Hockey League has announced its lineup for the 2023 Skills Competition this Saturday, Jan. 19. (Photo- BCHL)
Left to right: Penticton Vees Bradly Nadeau, Ryan Hopkins, Aydar Suniev and Josh Nadeau will be participating in BCHL’s 60th Anniversary Prospects game at the SOEC Friday night. The weekend All Star and Alumni games continue Saturday at the outdoor rink. (Logan Lockhart Western News)

Expect large crowds, road closure near Penticton’s outdoor rink for BCHL all-star games

Martin Street partially closed Saturday while alumni, skills and all star games take place

Left to right: Penticton Vees Bradly Nadeau, Ryan Hopkins, Aydar Suniev and Josh Nadeau will be participating in BCHL’s 60th Anniversary Prospects game at the SOEC Friday night. The weekend All Star and Alumni games continue Saturday at the outdoor rink. (Logan Lockhart Western News)
Penticton’s outdoor rink next to city hall plays host to the BCHL’s 60th-anniversary all-star game festivities from Jan. 20 to 22. (Logan Lockhart/Western News)

BCHL all-star weekend in Penticton set to be first of its kind

‘This event is going to be one for the books for the BCHL,’ says Steven Cocker

Penticton’s outdoor rink next to city hall plays host to the BCHL’s 60th-anniversary all-star game festivities from Jan. 20 to 22. (Logan Lockhart/Western News)
Ottawa Senators centre Kyle Turris (7) celebrates his game winning goal against the New York Rangers with teammates Fredrik Claesson (33) and Tom Pyatt (10) during the first overtime period in game five of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Ottawa on Saturday, May 6, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Scott Niedermayer, Kyle Turris among stars announced for BCHL Alumni Game in Penticton

B.C.’s own Tyler Johnston from the hit TV show Letterkenny, will also lace up the skates

Ottawa Senators centre Kyle Turris (7) celebrates his game winning goal against the New York Rangers with teammates Fredrik Claesson (33) and Tom Pyatt (10) during the first overtime period in game five of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Ottawa on Saturday, May 6, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
Kala Doneyhue pictured inside her 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, after winning Penticton’s Huber Bannister Christmas car giveaway on Dec. 23, 2022. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)

VIDEO: Working 7 days a week with 2 kids, B.C. single mom surprised with car

Huber Bannister Chevrolet held its second annual Christmas car giveaway on Dec. 23

Kala Doneyhue pictured inside her 2010 Chevrolet Equinox, after winning Penticton’s Huber Bannister Christmas car giveaway on Dec. 23, 2022. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)
Luca Di Pasquo (left) and Hank Levy in the Penticton Vees locker room one week after helping save a man who was unresponsive in a sauna room. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)

Pair of B.C. goalies save unconscious elderly man at local sauna room

‘We took it upon ourselves to carry him out,’ Hank Levy said

Luca Di Pasquo (left) and Hank Levy in the Penticton Vees locker room one week after helping save a man who was unresponsive in a sauna room. (Logan Lockhart- Western News)
A fire in Kamloops prompted safety warnings from departments in the Interior over the potential dangers of lithium batteries. (Screenshot- Kamloops Fire Rescue, Facebook video)

Explosive footage from Kamloops prompts safety warnings over lithium batteries

Defective batteries can overheat, catch fire or explode: Kamloops Fire Rescue

A fire in Kamloops prompted safety warnings from departments in the Interior over the potential dangers of lithium batteries. (Screenshot- Kamloops Fire Rescue, Facebook video)
Lytton council had its first in-person gathering since the devastating 2021 fires on Wednesday, Nov. 2. The village elected the second all-female council in B.C.’s history in 2022, and faced supply challenges ahead of its inauguration ceremony. Penticton mayor Julius Bloomfield and councillor Amelia Boultbee delivered flowers, flags, and a podium to help the village coordinate an official inauguration. (Facebook- Amelia Boultbee)

Penticton steps up for Lytton and saves village council’s inauguration ceremony

The village had supply challenges, putting its first council meeting since the fire of 2021 in doubt

Lytton council had its first in-person gathering since the devastating 2021 fires on Wednesday, Nov. 2. The village elected the second all-female council in B.C.’s history in 2022, and faced supply challenges ahead of its inauguration ceremony. Penticton mayor Julius Bloomfield and councillor Amelia Boultbee delivered flowers, flags, and a podium to help the village coordinate an official inauguration. (Facebook- Amelia Boultbee)
Outgoing Peticton Mayor John Vassilaki said Burnaby RCMP officer Shaelyn Yang should be honoured with more than just words after the officer was fatally stabbed while on duty. (Canadian Press/HO, B.C. RCMP)

Outgoing Penticton mayor calls for action in wake of Burnaby RCMP stabbing death

‘Our community is clear that they are tired of not feeling safe,’ said John Vassilaki

Outgoing Peticton Mayor John Vassilaki said Burnaby RCMP officer Shaelyn Yang should be honoured with more than just words after the officer was fatally stabbed while on duty. (Canadian Press/HO, B.C. RCMP)
Interior Health and local police are investigating an incident involving the death of a patient at the Penticton Regional Hospital on Oct. 10. (File photo)

Interior Health, RCMP investigating patient fatality at Penticton hospital

IH says there was no direct threat to staff or other patients inside the psychiatric unit

Interior Health and local police are investigating an incident involving the death of a patient at the Penticton Regional Hospital on Oct. 10. (File photo)
Penticton's Yvonne Timewell became an Ironman world champion last week in Hawaii. (Contributed)

B.C. woman captures world championship Ironman title in Hawaii

Yvonne Timewell captured the title while competing in the 55 to 59 age category

Penticton's Yvonne Timewell became an Ironman world champion last week in Hawaii. (Contributed)
B.C. health minister Adrian Dix at the Union of B.C. Municipalities last month in Whistler. (Credit: Union of B.C. Municipalities)

‘System collapsing’: B.C.’s Health Minister under fire after ‘horrifying’ story from Penticton

‘Sadly, this NDP government is not listening,’ said Penticton MLA Dan Ashton

B.C. health minister Adrian Dix at the Union of B.C. Municipalities last month in Whistler. (Credit: Union of B.C. Municipalities)