Jodi Brak

Kiki, one of the mammoth donkeys at the Turtle Valley Donkey Refuge. His calm, quiet nature made him a perfect fit to be trained for riding. (Turtle Valley Donkey Refuge/Facebook)

VIDEO: ‘Mammoth’ donkeys stand tall at B.C. interior sanctuary

Big animals prove they have a gentle soul, quiet nature

Kiki, one of the mammoth donkeys at the Turtle Valley Donkey Refuge. His calm, quiet nature made him a perfect fit to be trained for riding. (Turtle Valley Donkey Refuge/Facebook)
Human waste as fertilizer proposal prompts Shuswap opposition

Human waste as fertilizer proposal prompts Shuswap opposition

Chase area residents seek to spread awareness of potential effects of biosolids

Human waste as fertilizer proposal prompts Shuswap opposition
Pee-ew: B.C. ranch using processed sewage as fertilizer opposed by neighbours

Pee-ew: B.C. ranch using processed sewage as fertilizer opposed by neighbours

Turtle Valley residents concerned over possible soil, water contamination

Pee-ew: B.C. ranch using processed sewage as fertilizer opposed by neighbours
Wire snare traps such as this are frequently used when trapping small game and pests, and can cause severe injury to animals caught in the trap. They tighten as the animal struggles, making it especially dangerous if caught around a dog’s neck. (File photo)

B.C. needs to update laws to protect pets from dying in snare traps: Animal activists

The Fur-Bearers advocate for new rules on setting traps near public areas

Wire snare traps such as this are frequently used when trapping small game and pests, and can cause severe injury to animals caught in the trap. They tighten as the animal struggles, making it especially dangerous if caught around a dog’s neck. (File photo)
Pacu is likely the largest pet fish you’ll find in the Shuswap, and at 28 years old and going strong he is likely the oldest as well. He currently lives a carefree life in his special tank at Ed’s World of Critters and Supplies in Salmon Arm. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)

Video: Meet Pacu, the Shuswap’s largest and oldest pet fish

Relative of the piranha draws new visitors every year

Pacu is likely the largest pet fish you’ll find in the Shuswap, and at 28 years old and going strong he is likely the oldest as well. He currently lives a carefree life in his special tank at Ed’s World of Critters and Supplies in Salmon Arm. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)
Salmon Arm Bulldogs Boxing coach Peggy Maerz watches as Jordan Metz takes on Dominic Barbosa in an exhibition match during the Hit 2 Fit charity boxing event at Westgate Public Market on Saturday, March 11.

Wheelchair boxing demo prompts B.C. gym to take a jab at national movement

Shuswap boxing coach spearheads initiative for disabled athletes with international assistance

Salmon Arm Bulldogs Boxing coach Peggy Maerz watches as Jordan Metz takes on Dominic Barbosa in an exhibition match during the Hit 2 Fit charity boxing event at Westgate Public Market on Saturday, March 11.
A quick Google search of kangaroo burger recipes yields pages of positive reviews and recipes from people who experimented with cooking it. (Flickr/Andy L)

B.C.’s adventurous eaters develop taste for kangaroo meat

Butcher and chef Colin Walker says culinary experiment well received

A quick Google search of kangaroo burger recipes yields pages of positive reviews and recipes from people who experimented with cooking it. (Flickr/Andy L)
Canadian rap artist, speaker and author Duane ‘D.O.’ Gibson will be visiting 25 schools in B.C. to deliver a motivational message to students through music. (Image contributed)

Canadian rapper, speaker Duane ‘D.O.’ Gibson to perform for B.C. students

Tour seeks to deliver positive messages to youth through music

Canadian rap artist, speaker and author Duane ‘D.O.’ Gibson will be visiting 25 schools in B.C. to deliver a motivational message to students through music. (Image contributed)
The results of Earthquakes Canada’s online survey asking who felt the Earthquake on the evening of March 2. The purple boxes represent areas where weak tremors were felt and the blue box is an area where slightly more severe shaking was experienced. (Earthquakes Canada Image)

Loud bang, shaking felt in B.C.’s interior caused by minor earthquake

Shuswap Emergency Program alerted but no damage reported

The results of Earthquakes Canada’s online survey asking who felt the Earthquake on the evening of March 2. The purple boxes represent areas where weak tremors were felt and the blue box is an area where slightly more severe shaking was experienced. (Earthquakes Canada Image)
Lola Thomas-Purdaby, Selena Davis, Angel Cameron, Jada Michel, Sasha Johnny, Cece Thomas-Jules, Lana Thomas-Johnny, Hannah Willis and Brooke Stensrud teamed up with the music initiative N’We Jinan to produce their song, Worthy, about the effects of bullying, anxiety and depression on youth. (Image credit: Facebook/N’we Jinan)                                Lola Thomas-Purdaby, Selena Davis, Angel Cameron, Jada Michel, Sasha Johnny, Cece Thomas-Jules, Lana Thomas-Johnny, Hannah Willis and Brooke Stensrud teamed up with the music initiative N’We Jinan to produce their song, Worthy, about the effects of bullying, anxiety and depression on youth. (Image credit: Facebook/N’we Jinan)

B.C. First Nations youth ready to sing during International Women’s Day

Group requested to peform their song ‘Worthy’ during New Westminster event

Lola Thomas-Purdaby, Selena Davis, Angel Cameron, Jada Michel, Sasha Johnny, Cece Thomas-Jules, Lana Thomas-Johnny, Hannah Willis and Brooke Stensrud teamed up with the music initiative N’We Jinan to produce their song, Worthy, about the effects of bullying, anxiety and depression on youth. (Image credit: Facebook/N’we Jinan)                                Lola Thomas-Purdaby, Selena Davis, Angel Cameron, Jada Michel, Sasha Johnny, Cece Thomas-Jules, Lana Thomas-Johnny, Hannah Willis and Brooke Stensrud teamed up with the music initiative N’We Jinan to produce their song, Worthy, about the effects of bullying, anxiety and depression on youth. (Image credit: Facebook/N’we Jinan)
Magnus Sandell of the Sea to Sky ski club comes into the finish line just ahead of Wyatt Gitt of the Hollyburn club, with Samuel Muddiman of the Larch Hills and Dylan Shivers of the Telemark Nordic Club. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)

PHOTOS: Skiers from across B.C. take part in Okanagan championship

Hundreds of skiers gather in the Larch Hills for a sunny day of ski competition

Magnus Sandell of the Sea to Sky ski club comes into the finish line just ahead of Wyatt Gitt of the Hollyburn club, with Samuel Muddiman of the Larch Hills and Dylan Shivers of the Telemark Nordic Club. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)
Recent legislation came into effect Feb. 22 to protect B.C. farmland. (File photo)

Legislation to protect B.C. farmland comes into effect

Regulations enhance food security, encourage long-term farming

Recent legislation came into effect Feb. 22 to protect B.C. farmland. (File photo)
An illustration of a Basilosaurus, which cryptozoologist Karl Shuker theorized could be hidden in Shuswap Lake, contributes to the legend of Shuswaggi. (Image contributed)

Have you heard the legend of Shuswaggi, the Shuswap Lake monster?

Witness accounts as old as 1904, and as recent as 2018, place a creature in the lake’s depths

An illustration of a Basilosaurus, which cryptozoologist Karl Shuker theorized could be hidden in Shuswap Lake, contributes to the legend of Shuswaggi. (Image contributed)
From left, Tara Willard, School District #83 Indigenous education worker, teacher Sue Whitehead, Molly Cooperman and Brenda Melnychuk of The Adams River Salmon Society pose with Grade 6/7 students and their entry into the How Can We Help the Salmon Come Home contest. (Lachlan Labere/Salmon Arm Observer)

B.C. students win Great Waters Challenge video contest

Video, mural and song about saving the salmon claims the top prize

From left, Tara Willard, School District #83 Indigenous education worker, teacher Sue Whitehead, Molly Cooperman and Brenda Melnychuk of The Adams River Salmon Society pose with Grade 6/7 students and their entry into the How Can We Help the Salmon Come Home contest. (Lachlan Labere/Salmon Arm Observer)
Construction underway on one of the 10 planned 10,000 square foot buildings which will contain cannabis grow operations near Celista. (File photo)                                Construction underway on one of the ten planned 10,000 square foot buildings which will contain cannabis grow ops near Celista. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)

B.C. securities regulator probes ‘most expansive’ alleged trading scheme in its history

Liht Cannabis Corp states it’s doing internal investigation, welcomes BC Securities Commission probe

Construction underway on one of the 10 planned 10,000 square foot buildings which will contain cannabis grow operations near Celista. (File photo)                                Construction underway on one of the ten planned 10,000 square foot buildings which will contain cannabis grow ops near Celista. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)
Medical cannabis operation in B.C. Interior may face regulatory hurdles

Medical cannabis operation in B.C. Interior may face regulatory hurdles

Residents’ views mixed, uncertainty regarding ALC support could affect facility

Medical cannabis operation in B.C. Interior may face regulatory hurdles
A group of supporters stand with candles and posters containing images of missing women in the Shuswap area outside the Malakwa Cafe Nov. 2, as part of a vigil held on what would have been Nicole Bell’s 33rd birthday. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)

Candlelight vigil honours the memory of Nicole Bell and other missing B.C. women

Friends and supporters share memories, grief and healing moments

A group of supporters stand with candles and posters containing images of missing women in the Shuswap area outside the Malakwa Cafe Nov. 2, as part of a vigil held on what would have been Nicole Bell’s 33rd birthday. (Jodi Brak/Salmon Arm Observer)
B.C. RCMP seize 1400 marijuana plants in the Shuswap

B.C. RCMP seize 1400 marijuana plants in the Shuswap

Search warrant reveals grow operation in Malakwa, near Sicamous

B.C. RCMP seize 1400 marijuana plants in the Shuswap
A group of activists with the Okanagan Animal Save group come together around a Rocana Meats delivery truck for a photo during a protest at the company’s facility in Salmon Arm Monday, Oct. 1. (Facebook/Okanagan Animal Save)

Activists mount protest outside B.C. pig slaughterhouse

Protestors quickly disperse after call to RCMP reporting trespassing

A group of activists with the Okanagan Animal Save group come together around a Rocana Meats delivery truck for a photo during a protest at the company’s facility in Salmon Arm Monday, Oct. 1. (Facebook/Okanagan Animal Save)
Environment Canada warns of early snowfall on Interior passes, Coquihalla

Environment Canada warns of early snowfall on Interior passes, Coquihalla

Special weather statement issued for B.C. Interior

Environment Canada warns of early snowfall on Interior passes, Coquihalla