It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Harada House in Herald, CA gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Herald, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Melanie Daly, Director of Sales & Marketing for Always Best Care, truly goes above and”
“Had a great experience”
“Dan has such a big heart for seniors especially for veterans. If you know a”
“Always Best Care has been providing me with service since January 2023. All the”
“We contracted with Always Best Care, located at 1406 Blue Oaks Blvd, Roseville, CA (916)”
“It all starts with Kristie, the scheduler! We are hard to please, but she has”
“Always Best Care has been a wonderful addition to my mom’s home care. We”
“Caring, professional, and truly dependable. They treat clients like family.”
“This company is amazing. I would recommend it to everybody. If you need reliable, loving,”
“Always Best Care is showing me how having good care is the best care and”
“As a Disabled vet I have appreciated the caregivers Always Best Care has provided. Among”
“Our family has used your service for our daughter Tamara Bohringer, who has stage 4”
“Monique m is amazing work we had a good conversation she is amazing”
“Victoria Bourke has been helping take care of my grandfather for sometime now! She is”
“Great caregivers who go above and beyond! Absolutely love Melia B! She is so joyful”
“Shoutout to Laura for being an incredible caretaker for my mom Mae! Always prompt, thoughtful”
“We are happy we chose Always Best Care to help our loved one recuperate from”
“Annie N. is the best caregiver. She goes above and beyond to care and assist”
“Gabby is very sweet and always conscience of job and our needs. She is”
“Lynette Devan has been our caretaker since January 2024. We have been very pleased and”
“We have received excellent care from Always Best Care for the past two years. They”
“Always Best Care is a great option in the Boston area if you’re looking for”
“We had an amazing experience with Always Best during a very challenging time. Their coordination”
“Great care for my husband, David Reynolds. We are happy with our caregiver Shristi”
“Eshneet with Always Best Care is an honest and trustworthy person. I would highly recommend”
“Melanie Daly, Director of Sales & Marketing for Always Best Care, truly goes above and beyond for the families she serves. Even though her primary service areas are Lafayette and Roseville, she thoughtfully referred a wonderful family to Brentwood Grove Senior Living, where they’ve now chosen to move into one of our spacious 2-bedroom apartments. Melanie’s professionalism, compassion, and commitment to finding the right fit for seniors make her an outstanding partner in senior placement. Highly recommend!!!!”
“Had a great experience”
“Dan has such a big heart for seniors especially for veterans. If you know a veteran who just needs some who will listen to their needs or someone to talk to who understands what they are going through contact Dan at always best care. Thanks, Dan, for being a caring person who really cares about people first.”
“Always Best Care has been providing me with service since January 2023. All the caregivers are very competent. The two who have been with me most of the time and provided me with the highest quality of care are Lorainne Nanca and Janie Torkelson. We could not do without them. Update 12/13/25 by Dennis Letl [husband]. Ann passed away on 11/15. We had secured the services from Always Best Care in January 2023, having them for nearly 3 years until Ann passed say. The care givers were exceptional. The ones who stood out included Lorainne, Janey, Cheyanne, Tiara, and Victoria. They all responded to Ann’s needs in a respectful and professional manner. And, in addition, the office staff were also extremely proficient and professional in their interaction with us. We highly recommend Always Best Care for care giving and related services. Dennis Letl.”
“We contracted with Always Best Care, located at 1406 Blue Oaks Blvd, Roseville, CA (916) 266-6453), and couldn’t be happier. From the start, they conducted an excellent and thorough evaluation of our needs by Susan, care manager, and then assigned Jennifer, our service provider, who goes above and beyond every day. She is strong, capable, and caring. I highly recommend this office for in-home health care services. — Tony Wood”
“It all starts with Kristie, the scheduler! We are hard to please, but she has persevered and helped us find the right match. She is a thoughtful, kind and smart member of your team! Beth Cutler has become our most trusted helper. She is open to new routines and remembers all our little quirks. She has become a wonderful cook! She checks in if we ask for a new recipe, but she needs no tutoring the next time. She is prompt, resourceful and caring. She is a good problem solver and has initiated some great routines. She does laundry and tends to my needs. Nancy Farías has become our weekend caregiver. She sees what needs to be done and uses her time here like a whirlwind. She vacuums, mops the kitchen, does laundry and fixes our lunch and dinner - she is a confident cook and a caring helper. She too remembers how we like things to be done. She wants feedback and cheerfully adjusts things.”
“Always Best Care has been a wonderful addition to my mom’s home care. We have had many caregivers over the years but Raj has been so good with my mom. She is proactive and never misses a beat.. Raj has been an integral part of our family and we are so fortunate to have her….I also want to thank Kristie and the entire team behind the scenes making things as smooth as possible…”
“Caring, professional, and truly dependable. They treat clients like family.”
“This company is amazing. I would recommend it to everybody. If you need reliable, loving, compassionate in‑home care, you’ll feel so comfortable knowing your loved one is in great hands.”
“Always Best Care is showing me how having good care is the best care and my care-give Nicole is always giving me support for whatever”
“As a Disabled vet I have appreciated the caregivers Always Best Care has provided. Among those, Rashida B. has been exceptional. Recently I spent six weeks in a VA hospital and was very thankful that Rashida was able to resume her caregiving upon my return - and she didn't miss a beat. I wish to thank her and the scheduling team at Always Best Care that made my return home as seamless as possible.”
“Our family has used your service for our daughter Tamara Bohringer, who has stage 4 cancer, for the last 13 months. Juana Felix every Monday for 3 hours. Also, Ashley Wright every Thursday for 8 hours. They both helped taking care of her needs and their companionship has been priceless. Thank you for your services. Also add Janie Torkelson who has helped our regular care givers.”
“Monique m is amazing work we had a good conversation she is amazing”
“Victoria Bourke has been helping take care of my grandfather for sometime now! She is the best! So helpful, and attentive to his needs! Always appreciate her and the care she gives to my grandfather!”
“Great caregivers who go above and beyond! Absolutely love Melia B! She is so joyful and willing to try anything. Also love our weekend team Roseanne and Christine. Thank you everyone! The Sanchez Family”
“Shoutout to Laura for being an incredible caretaker for my mom Mae! Always prompt, thoughtful and caring???????????????????????????????????? also have to say Vivian is another great person. So resourceful kind and lovely. We also enjoy Cristina’s assistance So happy we found Always Best Care!!!”
“We are happy we chose Always Best Care to help our loved one recuperate from a lengthy hospital stay. Victoria and Tiera have been wonderful help and easy to have in our home. They were the first caregivers we’d ever had and were a bit concerned how it would out. We are very pleased. Anita and Rashida, while new to our family, have been a great help, too. Yes, 5 Star service all! The office staff is very professional and quick to answer any question.”
“Annie N. is the best caregiver. She goes above and beyond to care and assist my disabled father. She is highly experienced and professional. She always has a pleasant attitude and making sure all his basic needs are met. I noticed the difference in his mental health and working on his abilities to thrive, not focused too much on his disability. I highly recommend Always Best Care. They are great communicating with you and scheduling to ensure you have the right caregiver.”
“Gabby is very sweet and always conscience of job and our needs. She is great.”
“Lynette Devan has been our caretaker since January 2024. We have been very pleased and this is my second review of Lynette 's service to us through always best. To put it succinctly, she is the BEST!. She continues to be self-motivated, helping us with cooking, incidental, laundry, gardening and watering and just loves our birds. My sister, Ann, is especially pleased with Lynette's services. Somehow, she has not gotten tired of my dad's stories and can hold her own with telling her own stories of a very fascinating life. WE are extremely pleased with always best providing Lynette's service. Jim & Ray Moitoza”
“We have received excellent care from Always Best Care for the past two years. They have consistently provided supportive, kind, and reliable caregivers, as well as top notch communication and support around scheduling. Our current caregivers, Juana and Shannon, have been the best medicine for my disabled husband. It has been a blessing to be able to rely on them to provide the much needed support at this time in our lives. We look forward to seeing them every week and every member of the family feels supported. Kamala has always been a responsive and flexible person to reach out to with questions or requests/changes in scheduling as well. All of the staff we have interacted with have been great. We have worked with 2 other agencies in the past and ABC is above and beyond any of our past experiences.”
“Always Best Care is a great option in the Boston area if you’re looking for private Home-care and other services. It came highly recommended.”
“We had an amazing experience with Always Best during a very challenging time. Their coordination of services and quality of caregivers are exceptional. We were especially appreciative of the caregiving support of Brianna. She was not only intuitive, but also very compassionate and professional. We highly recommend them.”
“Great care for my husband, David Reynolds. We are happy with our caregiver Shristi S”
“Eshneet with Always Best Care is an honest and trustworthy person. I would highly recommend Always Best Care and Eshneet for helping your loved ones find the right senior care.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Herald Community Park in Herald, CA with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Harold & Belle's or visit Fort Ord National Monument, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Herald, CA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Herald, CA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Herald, CA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Community members gathered at the Acton branch of the Halton Hills Public Library on Sept. 10 to unveil Halton’s fifth Garden of Hope, marking World Suicide Prevention Day.Featuring hand-painted rocks adorned with messages of kindness and encouragement, the installation offers a permanent public space designed to foster connection, reduce stigma and spark conversations about mental health.The garden also features a QR code that links visitors to mental health resources and community services.Organized in partnershi...
Community members gathered at the Acton branch of the Halton Hills Public Library on Sept. 10 to unveil Halton’s fifth Garden of Hope, marking World Suicide Prevention Day.
Featuring hand-painted rocks adorned with messages of kindness and encouragement, the installation offers a permanent public space designed to foster connection, reduce stigma and spark conversations about mental health.
The garden also features a QR code that links visitors to mental health resources and community services.
Organized in partnership between the Halton Hills Public Library and the Halton Suicide Prevention Coalition, the Acton installation follows last year’s garden at the Georgetown branch.
Beverly King, chief librarian and CEO of the library, emphasized the vital role libraries play as inclusive community hubs.
“Creating welcoming spaces where people feel connected and supported is an important part of who we are as a library and as a town,” King said. “Every painted rock represents a message of hope or encouragement from someone in our community — a reminder of the strength that comes from supporting one another and that no one is alone.”
Mayor Ann Lawlor highlighted the collective responsibility required to address mental health challenges, noting that suicide prevention requires collaborative action across families, neighbours, organizations and all levels of government.
“May this garden of hope serve as a lasting reminder that every life has value, every person deserves support and even the smallest message of hope can make a difference,” Lawlor said.
Melanie McGregor, chair of the HSPC, detailed the origin of the annual initiative, which grew out of pandemic-era neighbourhood walks where painted rocks provided unexpected encouragement during challenging times.
“You never know where that connection could come from,” she said. “It could be seeing the Garden of Hope and having a message resonate, encouraging people to reach out to resources.”
Aligning with this year’s theme, “Changing the Narrative,” McGregor announced upcoming coalition campaigns specifically designed to support men and youth — two key demographics identified through regional research.
Nelson Borges, founder of Capillary Wave Community — a grassroots mental health organization based in Burlington that serves Halton Region — shared his own journey with severe anxiety and panic attacks while working in the construction industry.
He said men account for nearly three-quarters of suicide deaths in Canada and 82 per cent of confirmed suicide deaths in Halton in 2022.
“One of the biggest challenges we face with men’s mental health is that many men spend their entire lives learning how not to talk about what hurts,” Borges said.
What started as a peer support group with five members has expanded to 400 registered members. Through that expansion, Borges has seen the power of connection.
“Men don’t always need someone to fix them,” he said. “Sometimes they need somewhere they can take the armour off, and that connection saves lives.”
Maria Estrada, program manager at Unsinkable Youth — a free mental health and peer support program for youth aged 16 to 26 provided by the charity Unsinkable — drew on her own experience with anxiety, depression, self-harm and multiple suicide attempts to make the case for naming suicide directly and creating spaces where young people feel seen as full human beings — not just diagnoses.
“When we talk about suicide and suicide prevention, we talk a lot about statistics,” Estrada said. “But I am not a statistic, I am Maria. I use my lived experience so that no 12-year-old has to navigate this alone.”
More information about suicide prevention and local resources can be found on the HSPC’s website.
Individuals struggling with mental health can call the Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST) at 1-877-825-9011 or Distress Centre Halton at 905-877-1211.
MONCTON - So far so good for Team Canada at the NORCECA men's continental volleyball championship.The unbeaten Canadians beat Puerto Rico 25-19, 25-17, 25-17 on Saturday at the Avenir Centre to improve their Group A record to 2-0. Canada beat Curaçao on Friday.Canada led the way in attacks (43-28), blocks (12-4) and aces (5-3). The hosts had the top four individual scorers, led by Eric Loeppky (15 points) and Sharone Vernon-Evans (13), while Stephen Maar and Jackson Howe chipped in 12 each.Pedro Molina (10 points)...
MONCTON - So far so good for Team Canada at the NORCECA men's continental volleyball championship.
The unbeaten Canadians beat Puerto Rico 25-19, 25-17, 25-17 on Saturday at the Avenir Centre to improve their Group A record to 2-0. Canada beat Curaçao on Friday.
Canada led the way in attacks (43-28), blocks (12-4) and aces (5-3). The hosts had the top four individual scorers, led by Eric Loeppky (15 points) and Sharone Vernon-Evans (13), while Stephen Maar and Jackson Howe chipped in 12 each.
Pedro Molina (10 points) was the top scorer for Puerto Rico.
“Puerto Rico is always a dangerous team because they have a long history of volleyball there,” said Canada's head coach Dan Lewis. “They can be very technical and they can get momentum. You always need to have big presence of mind to play this team, but we are on a mission here to make sure that we win the pool. That’s the first goal to set ourselves up for the proper execution of the second half (of the tournament).
"There was one phase in the second set where we weren’t exactly playing our style of intensity needed to execute at a high level, but the guys corrected themselves.”
Group A action wraps up Sunday, with Puerto Rico taking on Curaçao (0-2), while Canada meets Mexico (2-0).
“Mexico is also a good team so we’ve got to come out swinging again, just take care of business and use that home crowd to get us through,” said Canada’s libero Landon Currie of Vernon, B.C.
The nine-day tournament runs through Sept. 19, with eight teams competing for three berths to the 2027 FIVB Volleyball Men’s World Cup in Poland.
The tournament will also determine the teams that advance to NORCECA’s final qualification stage for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2026.
TORONTO - McLeod Bethel-Thompson doesn't believe in moral victories.Lirim Hajrullahu's 29-yard walk off field goal earned the Toronto Argonauts a 26-23 victory over Ottawa on Saturday. But twice late in the contest the hard-luck Redblacks squandered opportunities to earn their first win."There are no moral victories when your backs are against the wall like this," said the veteran quarterback. "If you don't get that zero, that goose egg, off the board it means nothing."Just disappointed I played my ro...
TORONTO - McLeod Bethel-Thompson doesn't believe in moral victories.
Lirim Hajrullahu's 29-yard walk off field goal earned the Toronto Argonauts a 26-23 victory over Ottawa on Saturday. But twice late in the contest the hard-luck Redblacks squandered opportunities to earn their first win.
"There are no moral victories when your backs are against the wall like this," said the veteran quarterback. "If you don't get that zero, that goose egg, off the board it means nothing.
"Just disappointed I played my role in the trials and tribulations of this tough season … I've been through a lot of tough times and here's another one right in front of your face."
Hajrullahu's boot capped a stellar 12-play, 74-yard march by Toronto (7-6), which took possession at its 14-yard line with 2:25 remaining. The Argos moved six points ahead of idle Hamilton (4-9) in the battle for second in the East.
Bethel-Thompson replaced starter Jake Maier and completed 16-of-23 passes for 191 yards and a touchdown. But trailing 23-20 late in the fourth quarter, the Redblacks' (0-12) offence couldn't take full advantage of its opportunities.
Ottawa settled for Brett Lauther's 21-yard field goal at 10:09 that made it 23-23. But that followed Kalil Pimpleton's 88-yard punt return to Toronto's 17-yard line.
Following a two-and-out by Toronto, Ottawa took over at the Argos' 53-yard line. But Ralph Holley's second-down sack of Bethel-Thompson took the Redblacks out of field-goal range.
"Can't take a sack in that situation," Bethel-Thompson said. "I wish I could've got off something quicker and just get the ball out of my hands, even just throwing it into the dirt.
"This game can be very cruel sometimes, it was a very cruel ending to what could've been something very promising. Just disappointed I played my role in the trials and tribulations of this tough season."
Lauther pulled Ottawa to within 23-20 with a 28-yard field goal at 7:21. Chad Kelly found Damonte Coxie on a 21-yard TD strike a minute into the quarter giving Toronto a 23-17 lead as Redblacks' defensive lineman Luiji Vilain blocked the convert.
Toronto earned its fifth win in its last six meetings with Ottawa. Kelly was 35-of-42 passing for 443 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions before 12,494 spectators at BMO Field.
Kelly leads the CFL in passing (career-high 4,404), touchdowns (29) and interceptions (20).
Ottawa suffered its 18th straight defeat dating back to 2025. That extended its CFL's modern-era record for consecutive defeats.
"It (a win) would mean everything, man," Bethel Thompson said. "Just to get the weight off the our shoulders, just to stop (people) talking about us, everyone is adding more weight to it.
"Just get the goose egg off our shoulders and not be some stupid mark on the long history of this. We just have to block out the outside noise and continue to go to work and chop wood."
Redblacks head coach/GM Ryan Dinwiddie made his first appearance at BMO Field since heading to Ottawa. He spent five seasons as Toronto's head coach, appearing in the East Division final four times and winning two Grey Cups (2022, '24) while being named the CFL's coach of the year in 2023 after leading the Argos to a club-record 16 wins.
Toronto was 30-13 at BMO Field under Dinwiddie and 51-35 overall. But Ottawa's struggles continue despite bringing 12 new faces — including 11 on defence — to the active roster for Saturday's contest.
Maier suffered a 12th straight defeat, extending his CFL record for most losses by starting quarterback to begin a season. Maier completed seven-of-10 passes for 42 yards before being replaced by Bethel-Thompson in the second quarter.
"Just felt like Jake was off a bit … didn't feel like he was in the right groove," Dinwiddie said. "Mac obviously gave us some juice but again, at the end, we can't take that sack.
"It's the CFL, you just have to throw the ball across the line of scrimmage (and) we have to have that in the back of our mind. We have a chance to kick a field goal and go up by three potentially there. Those are the mistakes that are costing us each week."
Defensive back King Ambers caught both of Ottawa's interceptions in the first half. He halted a 68-yard, 11-play Toronto drive in the first with a pick at the Ottawa 12-yard line.
His other came in Ottawa's end zone in the second. But he ran the ball out to the two-yard line rather than go down and put the Redblacks at their 30-yard line.
"Stay in the end zone," Dinwiddie said. "You're not giving up a single and you're not a return guy … it's just things like that.
"We preach it, preach it. Maybe we're going to have give them a written test of situations and have the guys bring it into us."
Bryson Barnes and Keelan White scored Ottawa's touchdowns. Lauther kicked the converts and three field goals.
David Ungerer III had Toronto's other touchdown. Hajrullahu added four field goals, a single and convert.
Lauther's 46-yard field goal at 12:32 of the third made it 17-17. Kelly staked Toronto to a 17-14 lead with a 34-yard touchdown pass to Ungerer at 10:21.
Bethel-Thompson found a wide-open White on a 28-yard TD strike at 7:17 after Hajrullahu hit from 35 yards out at 4:34.
Hajrullahu's 23-yard field goal to end the second quarter made it 7-7 at halftime. He capped a 47-yard, eight, play march.
Barnes put Ottawa up 7-4 with a one-yard TD run 13:07. Bethel-Thompson came off the bench to engineer the 70-yard, 13-play drive replacing Maier.
Hajrullahu put Toronto ahead 4-0 with a 25-yard field goal at 8:10. His 98-yard kickoff for a single opened the scoring just 12 seconds into the contest.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 12, 2026.
Save alerts for emergenciesDear Editor:The 1994 Garnett Fire in Penticton was a pivotal point for initiating a ‘Unified Command’ emergency management structure. While emergency personnel were able to communicate within their own departments, they recognized there was a need for intercommunication between them. This took a few years to establish but was effectively used in the 2003 Okanagan Mountain fire.Fast forward to the recent fire of Summerland. It appears the &l...
Save alerts for emergencies
Dear Editor:
The 1994 Garnett Fire in Penticton was a pivotal point for initiating a ‘Unified Command’ emergency management structure. While emergency personnel were able to communicate within their own departments, they recognized there was a need for intercommunication between them. This took a few years to establish but was effectively used in the 2003 Okanagan Mountain fire.
Fast forward to the recent fire of Summerland. It appears the ‘Unified Command’ system worked effectively and cohesively among all the emergency departments. However, the ‘Voyent Alert’ mass communication system was less than effective and random with sending out critical alerts. While the system was primarily developed as a multi-purpose critical notification service for delivering emergency warnings to municipalities, local governments and the public, it has been used to send out garbage/recycling alerts, wastewater notices, road closures or RDOS meetings. I wonder if people get numbed by the weekly alert notifications and therefore don’t pay enough attention to the critical ones?
I believe the Voyent Alert system should only be used to broadcast critical emergency warnings or an imminent life-threatening situation. Although the system has been designed to connect all compatible cell phones and computers to cell towers in a specific geographical region, there is the assumption that everyone has the most recent cell phone , computer technology, and is technology savvy. In a town of 12,000 people where 30% of the population is over 65 this is not a reality and the recent fire exposed the vulnerability of this demographic. There is a need, moving forward to develop a well-coordinated, strategic approach to address the digital divide. The expansion of the critical alert system needs to include other kinds of communications such as increasing the number of sirens (Summerland Fire Department deployed theirs but Summerland is a large area), strobe lights, intercoms (loud speakers on emergency vehicles) and perhaps digital signage.
In building back our community, lets build it back better by addressing some of these deficiencies. Let’s be less critical of those who remained behind, recognizing that some of those neighbours were a great assistance to the many farmers and landowners. Let’s try to have a better understanding of what our community needs moving forward.
Mary-Anne MacDonald
Summerland
Keep our waterfront land for public use
Dear Editor:
Citizens of Kelowna, we must act immediately to keep our spectacular waterfront land in public hands.
On October 16, 2025, the city purchased the former Willow Inn property at the corner of Queensway and Mill Street from Westcorp Inc. Now, officials are rushing to sell it to a major hotel chain to build a massive, privately owned luxury hotel.
Our waterfront site is a scarce and irreplaceable public asset. Selling it permanently forfeits our future options. Wasting this premier site on a non- essential hotel—which could easily be built elsewhere—is short-sighted. Given our rapid population growth, the city will need this land for community use, including a potential new City Hall.
Even better, the best use for this site is the city’s proposed 1,600-seat Performing Arts Centre. Located just a five-minute walk from the city bus depot and adjacent to two public parkades, this location is exceptionally convenient. It would serve residents, schools, local performers, and visitors while acting as a cultural hub to attract world-class performances to the entire valley. Much like the iconic setting of the world-famous Sydney Opera House, our spectacular waterfront location would add immense character and class to downtown.
On December 1, 2025, council nearly voted to pave over Pioneer Park across from the dolphins fountain for the new arts center. Thankfully, Councillor Lovegrove convinced council to have staff find a non-park location instead. The former Willow Inn site is unquestionably the best vacant, treeless, non-park site along the waterfront.
Alarmingly, most citizens remain unaware that city hall is keeping this process quiet and secretive, holding closed-door meetings while a majority of council members vote to hand our public land over to private commercial interests.
We must make our voices heard before it is too late. Demand that mayor and council pass an immediate moratorium on selling, leasing, or accepting any offers for this property pending a public referendum. Let the voters decide the future of their waterfront land. Issue a clear warning to elected officials: stop this sell-off now, or prepare to lose our support on election day. With new candidates, ask if they support sell-off -- if their answer is yes, tell them they lost your vote .
Furthermore, I urge candidates running for council to get informed and take a firm stand. Champion keeping our precious waterfront in public hands for projects like the Performing Arts Centre—which benefits everyone—rather than selling it off to line the pockets of a select business elite. Expose this issue loud and clear: our public land is not for sale.
Robert Cichocki
Kelowna
Rocky Mountaineer
Dear Editor:
My two sisters and I just returned from a marvelous trip on the Rocky Mountaineer. The three of us are in our senior years and decided to plan a trip of a lifetime. This we did. I have to say that it was all of that and more. The time with my sisters was special and the experience on the train and enroute was more than extraordinary. Having a travel agent in the family was an asset.
We met so many diversified and interesting people during the journey. We were pleased to meet so many, many Americans who were not only enjoying our beautiful country but feeling guilty about how the current American hierarchy is treating Canada. We assured them that they will always be welcome. We have a connection which cannot be broken despite what is going on south of the border.
Finally, the staff on board provided the best service, patience and kindness that I have ever experienced. We could not help but hug each of them on our final departure. We simply fell in love.
Anyone who might be thinking about taking this very special train ride, do not hesitate. Welcome our American friends, because they are our friends. You will enjoy every minute and every mile along this beautiful route. ALL ABOARD!!!
Louise Gibson
Kelowna
*Read all of today’s Letters to the Editor in the Sept. 12, 2026 edition of the Penticton Herald
Summerland council debated at length before agreeing Tuesday night to provide $70,000 in funding towards a new $200,000 score clock for the Summerland Arena.Evan Head, safety risk manager with the Summerland Minor Hockey Association, and Terry Rolston, who has headed up the local organizing committee that brought junior hockey back to the community, made a presentation as part of their request for the cash.“I realize there’s a lot of people asking for money right now,” Head said. “Our community in a lot ...
Summerland council debated at length before agreeing Tuesday night to provide $70,000 in funding towards a new $200,000 score clock for the Summerland Arena.
Evan Head, safety risk manager with the Summerland Minor Hockey Association, and Terry Rolston, who has headed up the local organizing committee that brought junior hockey back to the community, made a presentation as part of their request for the cash.
“I realize there’s a lot of people asking for money right now,” Head said. “Our community in a lot of need, but I really do feel this is an initiative that could really help our community.”
The proposed new score clock would be fully digital and the screen would be 14 by 20 feet in size, he said, which would replace the existing non-digital score clock that is eight by 18 feet in size.
“The clock would come with two goal cameras and it would come with a hand held camera,” he said. “It basically functions as a fully functional TV screen. There would be a new speaker system with it, as well as new microphones, both cordless and wired in.”
Benefiting from a new score clock would be the Jets organization, the Summerland Skating Club, and the Summerland Minor Hockey Association.
Beyond the basics of keeping time and score, the new board would also to allow instant replay, as well as starting lineups and player profile.
“All of the fun things being a hockey player would be up there,” said Head.
Graduation ceremonies from Summerland Secondary School have long taken place at the Summerland Arena and it has been often difficult to hear or recognize who is on stage, but that would all change with a new, state-of-the-art score clock, said Head.
An exhibition game hosted by the Jets this past weekend drew more than 450 fans, the biggest crowd he’s ever seen for junior hockey in Summerland, said Head.
“This is a better fan experience. This is a full digital Led screen,” he said. “So when you go to an NHL game, a (Penticton) Vees game. This is similar to that.”.
“The quote comes in at $208,000 for this new clock,” he said. “Harris company actually came to our arena to look at it and measure things out. That’s why I’m the most confident in that one. They’ve actually seen the arena.”
The request to the district is a “big ask” for $70,000, said Head, adding the team has applied for a BC Gaming Grant to pay for half of the costs or more than $100,000.
“What I require from council is a letter of support guaranteeing funding,” he said. “We would successfully know by Dec. 31 whether we were granted the grant or not.”
The community at large is interested in helping pay for the score clock, as the local Kinsman club has shown interest, as have local hockey teams, including some teams from Summerland minor hockey, said Head.
“They are very interested in this and the user groups are willing to put money forward for this as well,” he said. “I really think this is something that’s needed and I think this would be great for our community and I think it’s money well spent.”
The Jets organization strongly supports having a new score clock installed and will do what they can to contribute funding for this project, said Rolston.
“It would really enhance our ability to showcase what we’ve got going on as well,” he said.
Coun. Janet Peake said under normal conditions, a decision for this amount of money wouldn’t be made until the next budget deliberations later this fall.
Mayor Doug Holmes said council is usually asked to make financial contributions after grant funding has been approved, not the other way around.
He asked if the committee would then return the $70,000 if grant funding was denied.
Gaming grants of $5 million annually are usually only approved only when local municipalities and communities show support financially, said Head.
Coun, Adrienne Betts said any significant funding request like this is almost always preceded by a detailed staff report and that is not the case with this request.
CAO Graham Statt said he wouldn’t recommend granting this request without a staff recommendation in favour.
There’s limited funds available and approving this funding could negatively affect future funding decisions on other important matters, he said.
“From a staff perspective, we would say it’s important to have a budget conversation about this kind of expenditure,” he said.
Holmes said he understands Statt’s concerns, but the reality is the community would be receiving a $200,000 asset for a $70,000 in funding.
“It’s a pretty good deal,” he said. “Is there a way do do it. How can we do it.”
Coun. Richard Barkwill agreed.
“I can’t resist a bargain,” he said.
Council has strongly supported Summerland Minor Baseball and its new facility, so he supports providing the funding for the score clock.
Coun. Erin Trainer agreed turning down a $200,000 asset for $70,000 in funding is too good a deal to reject.
The score clock would be installed next May as the ice has to be out for two weeks.
Council voted in favour of providing the $70,000 in funding for the new score clock, with Coun. Janet Peake, Coun. Adrienne Betts and Coun. Doug Patan voting against.
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