2015 TOP STORIES: The locals who put the Okanagan on the map

OKANAGAN – Last year was big one for Okanagan film production with marquee names like Sir Anthony Hopkins and Julia Stiles filming in the area, but this year quite a few locals got their own names out to the world in 2015.

Freestyle motocross rider Bruce Cook came back from a terrible accident that left him paralyzed below the waist and this year became the first paraplegic rider to complete a backflip in front of a major audience this summer.

It was also a stellar year for Kelowna’s Toshido MMA, with Matt Dwyer’s superman punch heard around the world, Sarah Moras’ return to the octagon and newcomer Shane “Shaolin” Campbell's UFC debut in April.

A local social media expert made international headlines in 2015 when she used Facebook to find her long-lost father, who turned out to be an Elvis impersonator in Thailand.

West Kelowna’s Kelly Derrickson also had a big year, winning best female country music album at the Coachella Valley Music Awards and Best New Artist at the Indigenous Music Awards in Winnipeg.

Another West Kelowna resident, Jill Setah, made her fashion debut this year when she was invited to show her designs at Fashion Week in Los Angeles.

Pro superbike racer and champion Marcel Irnie continues to tear up the track in the U.S. despite losing two of his bikes to theft over the summer.

Kelowna local and DJ Will Ramadan released a new single with legendary UK artist Fatman Scoop to help Syrians in need.

Kelowna photographer Shawn Talbot finished his first season of 1-Stop Closer, a web based show following his travels around the world.

And Kelowna born actor and model Taylor Kitsch, best known for his portrayal of Tim Riggins on Friday Night Lights, was cast on HBO's series True Detective.

Penticton residents making the big news beyond the city limits included hometown hockey hero Duncan Keith, who was instrumental in helping the Chicago Blackhawks beat the Tampa Bay Lightning to win the Stanley Cup in June.

Keith also made headlines for his work with the team’s social media campaign called “What’s Your Goal,” where Keith helped a little girl who can neither walk or talk score a goal.

Enderby native Rick Dugdale brought a Hollywood film — and Sir Anthony Hopkins — to his home turf to make a movie. Currently living in Los Angeles, Dugdale produced Go With Me under his company, Enderby Entertainment and made his hometown extremely proud. 

Vernon woman Raji Aujla introduced an eco-friendly fashion label and plans to use the profits to provide education and skills training to youth in third world countries. 

Born and raised in Vernon, comedian Sam Mullins now writes sketch comedy for the CBC and spends time telling his most humiliating tales across North America. He returned to Vernon for a special show this year. 

Did we miss anyone? Tell us about it in the comments section below.

To contact a reporter for this story, email Adam Proskiw at aproskiw@infonews.ca or call 250-718-0428. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.