Martha Wickett

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An old burn pile was reignited near the Westwold landfill and discovered May 1, 2022. (Patrick Green photo)

Woman charged in connection with multiple wildfires east of Kamloops

Joint investigation between RCMP and BC Wildfire Service leads to four counts of arson

An old burn pile was reignited near the Westwold landfill and discovered May 1, 2022. (Patrick Green photo)
The Bulk Pangaea, a 225-metre bulk carrier, picked up Shuswap resident Don Cavers (at back with white hair) in a life raft in the Caribbean Sea in mid-December 2021 and took him to Jamaica after his disabled sailboat crashed on a reef. (Photo contributed)

VIDEO: Shuswap man defies odds when his tiny life raft found in Caribbean Sea

Blind Bay resident floats for six days, consuming only nacho chips, crackers and tiny fish

The Bulk Pangaea, a 225-metre bulk carrier, picked up Shuswap resident Don Cavers (at back with white hair) in a life raft in the Caribbean Sea in mid-December 2021 and took him to Jamaica after his disabled sailboat crashed on a reef. (Photo contributed)
This photo from Conny Amelunxen, a snow avalanche forecaster and photographer, was taken Nov. 19, 2021, four days after the landslide that destroyed a portion of Highway 99, also called the Duffey Lake Road, and claimed the lives of five people. The landslide, at the right, can be seen leaving the logging road and heading down to Highway 99. (Contributed)

‘Predictable and preventable’: Engineer says abandoned logging road contributed to fatal B.C. landslide

Fingers pointed only at intense storms when resource roads may be at root of many slides in province

This photo from Conny Amelunxen, a snow avalanche forecaster and photographer, was taken Nov. 19, 2021, four days after the landslide that destroyed a portion of Highway 99, also called the Duffey Lake Road, and claimed the lives of five people. The landslide, at the right, can be seen leaving the logging road and heading down to Highway 99. (Contributed)
Bonnie Thomas and her son Darcy Andrew escaped from their burning home west of Salmon Arm on Switzmalph land about 3 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 8 after someone was seen running away from the house. (Contributed)

Home destroyed in fire; Salmon Arm RCMP track footprints to unconscious man 2km away

Man witnesses believe started fire flees for two kilometres, officer performs CPR for an hour

Bonnie Thomas and her son Darcy Andrew escaped from their burning home west of Salmon Arm on Switzmalph land about 3 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 8 after someone was seen running away from the house. (Contributed)
People gather at the edge of the pond at the Salmon Arm campus of Okanagan College on Dec. 6 during the United Against Violence Against Women candlelight vigil held to mark the 1989 massacre of 14 women at Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal as well as to remember and bear witness to the women murdered and missing in the Okanagan-Shuswap and beyond. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)

Emotional vigil held on day police find remains of Shuswap woman missing for 5 years

Annual vigil pays respects to women killed in the École Polytechnique massacre and local women

People gather at the edge of the pond at the Salmon Arm campus of Okanagan College on Dec. 6 during the United Against Violence Against Women candlelight vigil held to mark the 1989 massacre of 14 women at Ecole Polytechnique in Montreal as well as to remember and bear witness to the women murdered and missing in the Okanagan-Shuswap and beyond. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)
From top left, clockwise, Caitlin Potts, Ashley Simpson, Deanna Wertz and Nicole Bell. With the remains of Ashley Simpson found in 2021, three women from the Shuswap and North Okanagan are still missing – Caitlin and Deanna for five years, Nicole for four. (Photos contributed)

RCMP find remains of Shuswap woman missing for five years, former boyfriend charged

The news they’ve been praying for brings both happiness and sadness for Ashley Simpson’s parents

From top left, clockwise, Caitlin Potts, Ashley Simpson, Deanna Wertz and Nicole Bell. With the remains of Ashley Simpson found in 2021, three women from the Shuswap and North Okanagan are still missing – Caitlin and Deanna for five years, Nicole for four. (Photos contributed)
Rob Hislop and his spouse Tammy were visiting family in Chilliwack for the weekend of Nov. 12 when they discovered with frustration they wouldn’t be returning to Salmon Arm. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)

Floodwaters in Chilliwack bring inspiration for Salmon Arm couple

A shift to ‘smelling the roses’ while stranded changes a week away

Rob Hislop and his spouse Tammy were visiting family in Chilliwack for the weekend of Nov. 12 when they discovered with frustration they wouldn’t be returning to Salmon Arm. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)
A man who appeared in Salmon Arm Court Nov. 9, 2021 is faces charges of possession of child pornography and breaching conditions of his release by having more than one ‘mobile communication device.’ (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)

Man charged with possessing child porn in Salmon Arm also facing voyeurism charge in Burnaby

Incident in Salmon Arm alleged to have taken place in 2020, alleged offence in Burnaby from 2018

A man who appeared in Salmon Arm Court Nov. 9, 2021 is faces charges of possession of child pornography and breaching conditions of his release by having more than one ‘mobile communication device.’ (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward)
BC Supreme Court rules on Oct. 8, 2021 that three men can be extradited to U.S. to face charges in connection with an alleged 2006 cannabis smuggling operation from the Okanagan-Shuswap to California. (File photo)

Extradition ordered in alleged Okanagan-Shuswap cannabis smuggling via hollow logs

Three men to be extradited to U.S. in connection with trafficking charges involving B.C., California

BC Supreme Court rules on Oct. 8, 2021 that three men can be extradited to U.S. to face charges in connection with an alleged 2006 cannabis smuggling operation from the Okanagan-Shuswap to California. (File photo)
A memorial for the five victims of July’s fatal crane collapse in Kelowna stands in front of the Bernard Block construction site as two new tower cranes are assembled at the site on Oct. 26, 2021. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)

Friend of victims in deadly Kelowna crane collapse want probe complete before work resumes

Petition launched as two new cranes are assembled at worksite

A memorial for the five victims of July’s fatal crane collapse in Kelowna stands in front of the Bernard Block construction site as two new tower cranes are assembled at the site on Oct. 26, 2021. (Aaron Hemens/Capital News)
Chase RCMP searched to no avail for a suspect in an alleged assault in Chase on Oct. 14. (File photo)

Chase RCMP say they can’t find suspect who allegedly assaulted girl on trail

Police receive report of assault near skate park on Oct. 14 in Shuswap community

Chase RCMP searched to no avail for a suspect in an alleged assault in Chase on Oct. 14. (File photo)
Salmon Arm Secondary graduate Michael Worobey, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Arizona, provides information on the coronavirus and vaccine. (Contributed)

Virus specialist raised in Salmon Arm recommends more COVID rapid testing

Michael Worobey says vaccines ‘incredibly safe,’ still effective against delta variant

Salmon Arm Secondary graduate Michael Worobey, professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Arizona, provides information on the coronavirus and vaccine. (Contributed)
A GoFundMe campaign was set up for the Stemmer family after brothers Eric (pictured with his family) and Patrick Stemmer were killed in a crane collapse in Kelowna. (GoFundMe image)

GoFundMe set up for Salmon Arm brothers killed in crane collapse

Stemmer Construction operated crane which collapsed in Kelowna

A GoFundMe campaign was set up for the Stemmer family after brothers Eric (pictured with his family) and Patrick Stemmer were killed in a crane collapse in Kelowna. (GoFundMe image)
Joe Wilson with his children Kechia Wilson, Wes Snukwa (Wilson) and Spotted Eagle Williams of the Lytton First Nation, prior to the June 30, 2021 fire that may have destroyed their family home. (Contributed)

Salmon Arm man devastated after fire destroys Lytton First Nation community

Homes of relatives, childhood friends, possibly his own family’s home, struck by fire

Joe Wilson with his children Kechia Wilson, Wes Snukwa (Wilson) and Spotted Eagle Williams of the Lytton First Nation, prior to the June 30, 2021 fire that may have destroyed their family home. (Contributed)
The majority of city council votes in favour of this design for a new Salmon Arm flag on Monday, May 10, 2021. (City of Salmon Arm image)

Majority of council salutes new flag for Salmon Arm

Two councillors raise concerns about logo being too corporate for a flag

The majority of city council votes in favour of this design for a new Salmon Arm flag on Monday, May 10, 2021. (City of Salmon Arm image)
Gin, one of the Kantymirs’ two sheep. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)

Sheep start up ATV, sit in cars and go for walks in Salmon Arm

Until they bought two sheep, Ken and Karleen Kantymir didin’t realize just how social the animals are

Gin, one of the Kantymirs’ two sheep. (Martha Wickett-Salmon Arm Observer)
The parents of 12-year-old Halle Krawczyk of Salmon Arm received welcome news on Dec. 7, 2020 that the Medical Services Plan has reversed its decision and would fund her surgery in the United States for a rare cancer. However, the family is told they are still faced with at least $150,000 in additional expenses to be incurred during the six months in the U.S. throughout the surgery and recovery. (Contributed)

MSP to fund Salmon Arm girl’s surgery to combat rare cancer after reversing decision

Medical Services Plan reverses decision to not help with U.S. cost, parents still face $150,000 bill

The parents of 12-year-old Halle Krawczyk of Salmon Arm received welcome news on Dec. 7, 2020 that the Medical Services Plan has reversed its decision and would fund her surgery in the United States for a rare cancer. However, the family is told they are still faced with at least $150,000 in additional expenses to be incurred during the six months in the U.S. throughout the surgery and recovery. (Contributed)
A Clearwater woman was charged on Sept. 7, 2020 with second-degree murder in the death of a man. (Black Press file photo)

Clearwater woman charged with second degree murder in death of man after 911 call

Police report that deceased man was found in remote area of Adams Forest Service Road

A Clearwater woman was charged on Sept. 7, 2020 with second-degree murder in the death of a man. (Black Press file photo)
The Parmenter family stands outside the Salmon Arm Law Courts on Tuesday, July 22, 2020, while attending the murder trial of Matrix Gathergood who is facing a murder charge for the killing of Gordon Parmenter. From left, Gordon’s grandson Jonathan, his spouse Peggy, his sons David and Tony, Tony’s spouse and Gord’s daughter-in-law Melissa, and Gord’s grandson Lucas. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)

Judge to decide if accused Salmon Arm church shooter not guilty due to mental disorder

Court heard that man charged believed his life was in danger when he shot church elder

The Parmenter family stands outside the Salmon Arm Law Courts on Tuesday, July 22, 2020, while attending the murder trial of Matrix Gathergood who is facing a murder charge for the killing of Gordon Parmenter. From left, Gordon’s grandson Jonathan, his spouse Peggy, his sons David and Tony, Tony’s spouse and Gord’s daughter-in-law Melissa, and Gord’s grandson Lucas. (Martha Wickett - Salmon Arm Observer)
Salmon Arm’s Neil Piper just received his second lottery win in a few years, this one a $500,000 Lotto Max prize. (Contributed)

Okanagan man claims second lottery win with help from beloved dog

Lotto Max ticket purchased by Salmon Arm man earns him $500,000 prize

Salmon Arm’s Neil Piper just received his second lottery win in a few years, this one a $500,000 Lotto Max prize. (Contributed)