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Adam Proskiw
Adam has lived in B.C. most of his life. He was born in the Caribou, grew up in the Okanagan, went to university on Vancouver Island and worked as a news photographer in Vancouver. His favourite stories incorporate meaningful photography and feature interesting, passionate locals. He studied writing at UVic and photojournalism in California. He loves talking tractors, dogs and cameras and is always looking for a good story.
Adam Proskiw's Stories
Strangers save cat and dog trapped in burning house
WEST KELOWNA – Dwight Unrau says he knew as soon as he kicked open the door to the house that there was no way he would be able to get up the stairs. “No one was going up there without oxygen,” he says. “It was thick, black smoke right to the floor. There was no way...
Increasing rental expenses to blame for rise in cost of living
KELOWNA - The cost of living in the Central Okanagan has risen again in 2014. A report from the Regional District says for a family of four to stay out of debt, at least one parent needs to earn a minimum of $18.42 per hour working full time. Last year, the same family needed to earn...
Risk of fire prompts closure of Mt. Boucherie to the public
WEST KELOWNA – A high forest fire hazard rating in the area of Mount Boucherie has prompted the city to close the park to the public until further notice. The District of West Kelowna Mayor Doug Findlater says hot, dry conditions have made this one of the busiest forest fire seasons on record and he...
Free downtown dental clinic cuts ribbon on expanded facility
KELOWNA – When Marie Bergman’s broken tooth became infected, she knew her options were limited. Homeless and living on the streets of Victoria, she sought help from a local not-for-profit dental clinic but was told she would have to wait at least four years. “They didn’t want to touch it,” Bergman says. “My health was...
Feast of Fields connects farm and table
KELOWNA – The Okanagan Feast of Fields is back again this year, celebrating the harvest and highlighting the connections between local farmers and chefs. The wandering festival brings together 30 restaurants and 30 wineries, distilleries and breweries into one location and will take place at the Okanagan Lavender & Herb Farm August 17. Feast of...
Cyclist on sidewalk collides with car
KELOWNA – A female cyclist was taken to KGH with minor injuries Tuesday after she collided with a car at the entrance to Future Shop. Kelowna Fire Capt. Steve Roshinsky says the woman, estimated to be in her 40’s, was travelling eastbound along Harvey Ave. Roshinsky says after the impact, she went over the hood...
House on Knox Mountain is a model for wildfire prevention
KELOWNA – The city would like to see more houses just like the one at the top of Knox Mountain. The house, which is in a potential wildfire zone, is surrounded by a gravel perimeter, the roof is covered in fire retardant shingles and all the vents have been covered with mesh. The land around...
Just another day at the office for Smith Creek fire pilots
KELOWNA – If you ask the helicopter pilots about their role in bringing the 400 hectare Smith Creek wildfire under control, they’ll probably tell you it was all in a day’s work. Pilot Robert Stevens flies one of four Bell 212 helicopters Wildcat uses to fight fires for the province. When the Smith Creek blaze...
PROSKIW: What’s a dog owner to do?
PROSKIW: There’s been a lot of discussion about dogs being left in vehicles lately, and as a dog owner for the last 14 years I understand the frustration being felt right now. Bringing your dog with you in a car now means getting almost nothing else done. I don’t even want to leave my vehicle...
New weekend and more competition means COG not yet sold out
KELOWNA – One of Canada’s hottest beach festivals is back again this year, but Center of Gravity founder Scott Emslie says ticket sales are down compared with last year. “We sold out by May last year,” he says. “We’re 90 per cent sold out right now so tickets will be available at the gate.” The...
West Kelowna residents thank firefighters with signs and free lemonade
WEST KELOWNA – A neighbourhood in West Kelowna that was one of the first to be evacuated by the Smith Creek fire last week are busy putting their lives back together, but not too busy to say thank you. Sheri Dodd and her family live at the end of Cobblestone Drive. They were told Thursday...
UPDATE: Smith Creek residents get all clear for flood risk
WEST KELOWNA – A major storm that passed through the area caused no flooding or erosion damage in the hills above Smith Creek. With heavy rain expected Wednesday afternoon, professionals studying the fire worried it could bring erosion or flooding. Much of the vegetation was consumed by wildfire and they were concerned heavy rain could...
Final Smith Creek fire evacuees going home
WEST KELOWNA – Almost one week after it started, the last residents forced out by the Smith Creek fire are going home. The evacuation order has been rescinded for the final inhabited property on Dixie Rd. as of 1 p.m. today. A local state of emergency continues in West Kelowna and the fire remains active....
VIDEO: Balcony fire in Rutland
KELOWNA – No one was home when a fire broke out on the patio of an apartment on the corner of Mills Road and Highway 33 Tuesday afternoon. Platoon captain Eric Simpson says the fire started just after 4 p.m. in the second floor unit of 123 Mills Road. It originated on the patio and...
IN PHOTOS: A Dragon Boat Festival with real smoke and fire
KELOWNA – Despite a 400 hectare wildfire burning in West Kelowna, the 8th annual Kelowna Dragon Boat Festival went ahead as planned last weekend. The festival is made up of a series of races where teams of amateur rowers decorate boats and compete for the fastest time. Teams from B.C. and Alberta came together off...
Police warn gangsters to avoid Kelowna this weekend
KELOWNA – With one of the city’s biggest festivals taking place in downtown Kelowna this weekend, local RCMP are once again issuing a public warning to gang members planning to take part. Sgt. Lindsey Houghton of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit says every year gangs are drawn to the Okanagan, but they are not...
PHOTOS: Tattoo festival back for second year
KELOWNA – The Okanagan’s only tattoo culture and arts show was back in Kelowna over the weekend for the second year in a row. The Okanagan Tattoo Show is becoming an annual event drawing thousands of fans of body modification and tattoo culture to Parkinson Recreation Centre over the weekend. Aside from having some of...
Premier tours West Kelowna evacuation centre
WEST KELOWNA – Premier Christy Clark was in West Kelowna Friday addressing questions about the fire budget and touring the temporary evacuation centre set up at Mt. Boucherie Senior Secondary. “They are incredibly organized,” she said. “We have emergency services on the ground, we have doubled the resources that are in the air and we...
Eyesore motel blasted by Kelowna city council
KELOWNA – A boarded up motel on Harvey Avenue is getting some negative attention from Kelowna city council for its shabby appearance. The derelict Ponderosa Motel sits just east of Parkinson Recreation Centre at 1864 Harvey Ave. Coun. Robert Hobson says the motel, which closed in 2011, has become an eyesore. “It is incredibly ugly,”...
Canada’s oldest swim event takes place this weekend
KELOWNA – Canada’s biggest and longest running swim event is back in Kelowna for the 66th year in a row. This Across the Lake Swim will be the biggest yet with 900 participants signed-up to swim 2 km from the Old Ferry Wharf in West Kelowna to City Park. Participants leave the shores of West Kelowna...
Playground approved for Mission Recreation Park
KELOWNA – Councillors approved funding Monday for a new children’s playground in Mission Recreation Park. “Over the past few years, regular users have expressed a desire to install a playground to provide children of the participants a fun and safe play option when at the ball park,” says community recreation coordinator Chris Babcock. “After raising...
Council signs off on election restrictions
KELOWNA – A bylaw passed by councillors Monday caps the number of election signs you can legally display on your property. Effective immediately, no private or public places can display more than two signs for any single candidate. According to Karen Needham, the changes have been made as a result of concerns raised by council...
This popular city road might be up for a name change
KELOWNA – One of the Mission’s most used roads could be in line for a name change. Swamp Road is a major, two-lane road connecting Casorso with DeHart. On Monday, Coun. Andre Blanleil said he has heard complaints from several area residents who feel the name is less than attractive. “Some of the neighbours in...
Man killed trying to stop vehicle rolling off cliff
KELOWNA – An attempt to stop a vehicle from rolling off a cliff near Big White had tragic consequences for a 67-year-old Cawston man Sunday. The man, whose identity is being withheld pending notification of family, had parked his Jeep on a narrow forest service road close to a cliff. When the vehicle started rolling...