Top Stories for March 16, 2023
Source says suspect who killed two Edmonton officers was 16, also shot his mother
UPDATE 5:15 p.m. A police source says a suspect who shot and killed two Edmonton police officers was 16 years old and that he also shot and wounded his mother....
Mother left 'devastated' after conviction of son's killer overturned
“Devastated.” That's how Annie Hutton describes her feelings after the man convicted of murdering her son successfully appealed his conviction...
Is B.C. in store for another hot summer?
The Farmer Almanac’s long-range forecast is predicting another hot summer for most of Canada, while in B.C., it is calling for seasonal but dry weather....
Man dies in Salmon Arm hospital following violent incident in which he was struck by vehicle
A man has died in hospital following a dispute that turned violent in Salmon Arm. Salmon Arm RCMP say officers responded at 4:25 p.m. March 6 to a disturbance...
Lake Country Fire Department rescues dog stuck on ice on Wood Lake
UPDATE: 4:32 p.m. The Lake Country Fire Department has rescued a dog that was trapped on thin ice out on Wood Lake. The dog was spotted by the fire department...
Do you think former governor general David Johnston is the right person to oversee investigations into foreign interference in Canadian elections?
Former governor general David Johnston is the "eminent Canadian," as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau put it, who will oversee investigations into...
Pornhub owner MindGeek purchased by private equity firm
Private equity firm Ethical Capital Partners (ECP) is acquiring MindGeek, the owner of Pornhub. The terms of the transaction are not being publicly disclosed....
Former Kelowna piano teacher faces trial for alleged child sex crimes
A piano teacher who's charged with sexually assaulting one of his child students appeared in Kelowna court Thursday morning for the beginning of his trial....
Kelowna International Airport expects 130,000 passengers during the spring break rush
The spring break rush has begun at Kelowna International Airport. YLW expects 130,000 passengers to pass through the terminal from now until April 3. “For...
Big banks create $30B rescue package for First Republic
Eleven of the biggest banks in the country announced a $30 billion rescue package for First Republic Bank on Thursday, in an effort to prevent the...
Mother enraged as killer claims BC murder victim Amanda Zhao might be alive
In 2002, Yang Baoying flew from China to Vancouver to identify her daughter Amanda Zhao’s body. The 21-year-old English student’s remains had been...
Guards union says second pigeon with a backpack found in B.C. prison
A pigeon wearing a tiny empty backpack has been captured inside a federal prison in British Columbia, in what a union official says was likely another plan by...
Province granted injunction to keep man away from West Kelowna offices
The provincial government has succeeded in getting a court order to keep a repeat offender from its social services office in West Kelowna. Late last year, the...
Accused in 2021 Shuswap murder released on bail
The man accused in a 2021 Shuswap murder has been granted bail. Paul Vincent Binder is charged with second-degree murder in the death of John Vance, 32, who...
Prosecutor: Black man smothered to death at mental hospital
Security camera footage from a state mental hospital shows a Black Virginia man who was handcuffed and shackled being pinned to the ground by seven deputies who...
Why 'vegetarians only' ads are part of B.C.'s rental market menu
Looking for a place to live in B.C. can be a strange ordeal, with would-be renters forced to navigate things like small space “luxury rentals,”...
Kelowna seniors complete six-marathon major series
Three Kelowna marathon runners recently returned home from Tokyo after completing all six races of the Abbott World Marathon Majors, with one of them setting a...
US releases video of Russian jet dumping fuel on its drone
The Pentagon on Thursday released footage of what it said was a Russian aircraft pouring fuel on a U.S. Air Force surveillance drone and clipping the...
Question of if Kelowna Springs should be park or industrial will again be debated by council
Parkland or industrial. That's the question Kelowna city council will again ponder when the future land use of Kelowna Springs Golf Course comes up for...
B.C. Mounties announce results of organized crime drug investigations
RCMP in British Columbia say they've disrupted major organized crime groups that are flooding the streets with toxic drugs in two separate investigations...
Day parole for Kamloops voyeur who hid 'spy cam' to catch teen naked
A Kamloops man sentenced to more than two years in prison after hiding “spy cameras” in his bathroom to catch his roommate’s teenaged daughter...
Urgent need for more and different types of housing in North Okanagan
The North Okanagan has reached "crisis level" on housing, and there is an urgent need for more and different types of housing. Added density through...
Princeton mayor calls for changes after semi-truck strikes school bus with kids inside
Princeton's Mayor is adding his voice to a call for dash cams to be installed in all transport trucks after a loaded semi-truck struck a school bus early...
Crime and safety still number one issue for Kelowna council
Not much has changed in Kelowna over the past four years, certainly not in the eyes of its residents or elected officials. Crime and safety once again tops city...
What to know about David Johnston, the new special rapporteur on foreign interference
Former governor general David Johnston is the "eminent Canadian," as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau put it, who will oversee investigations into...
West Kelowna crews to start watermain flushing March 21
In a few day, West Kelowna city crews will begin watermain flushing in neighbourhoods in the Rose Valley water service area. The project will start Tuesday,...
NFL player armed in shooting but fired no shots: prosecutor
Cincinnati Bengals running back Joe Mixon was armed with a legal weapon when a teenage boy was shot near the player's home earlier this month but he did not...
Health Canada issues warning over kids medicine advertised on Facebook
Health Canada is warning parents not to give their children two cough syrups that are being advertised on Facebook. The government authority said today that...
Coquitlam company fined $19,000 for years of refusing recycling regulations
Coquitlam's KMS Tools & Equipment Ltd. has been fined $19,000 by the province for refusing to comply with recycling regulations. Following repeated...
Yukon First Nation declares state of emergency over opioids 'terrorizing' community
A small Yukon First Nation says it's dealing with an "opioid emergency" that is terrorizing citizens and families with violence, crime, overdoses...
Canada will hold special ceremony to mark May 6 coronation of King Charles: Trudeau
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada will hold a special ceremony marking the coronation of King Charles on May 6. The ceremony in Ottawa will be one of...
Group calling for local control of Kelowna Regional Transit operations set to meet with local politicians
A young woman who has launched a petition calling for a local, public operator to take over Kelowna Regional Transit is encouraged to hear BC Transit has only...
B.C. arm of powerful Chinese state-owned conglomerate closes office, gallery
A subsidiary of China Poly Group, one of China’s biggest state-owned enterprises, has quietly closed its North American office in Richmond and art gallery...
Rutland apartment building would include 106 rentals and two large murals
Alberta’s Lakeview Homes has submitted a development permit application for a five-storey apartment on Robson Road in Rutland. The project, which would...
Poland plans to grant Ukraine's request for fighter jets
Poland’s president says his country plans to give Ukraine a dozen MiG-29 fighter jets, becoming the first NATO member country to fulfill the Ukrainian...
Nanaimo shooting victim remains in coma in hospital
The owner of a mechanic shop injured in a shooting in Nanaimo was scheduled for more surgery on Wednesday and could face months of recovery, his father-in-law...
Vernon RCMP seek suspect in business assault
Vernon RCMP are seeking the public's help in identifying a suspect in an assault at a local business. Police say officers responded about 2:20 a.m. Feb. 21...
UN-backed inquiry accuses Russia of war crimes in Ukraine
Russian attacks against civilians in Ukraine, including systematic torture and killing in occupied regions, amount to war crimes and possibly crimes against...
'It's a big problem': Vancouver firefighters respond to 46 fires over weekend
The Vancouver Fire Rescue Services says over 50 fires have broke out across the city in the past few days and the overwhelming majority caused damage....
'Troubling case to deal with': Infamous Penticton prolific offender sentenced for thefts, mischief
Arguably one of Penticton’s most infamous repeat thieves was sentenced for two thefts and one act of mischief on Thursday morning, and handed a jail...
Penticton council decides communications department is worth its hefty budget
Penticton city council, for the most part, thinks its communications department is worth the money it costs to operate. At Wednesday's budget deliberation,...
Questioning why grocery prices are so high
Why does Canada have such runaway food inflation when we grow so much food? It’s a common question. There are a couple of main reasons, such as rising...
Okanagan College students take second place at competition
A trio of Okanagan College students stand with the best in the world after placing second in the Royal Roads’ University Design Thinking Challenge. The...
Survey: 49% of influencers tempted to not declare all their income
If you received a free trip or new clothes for posting a certain photo or blog in 2022, then you need to report it on your tax form this year. Social media...
Death rate for people with schizophrenia tripled during B.C. heat dome, finds study
British Columbians living with schizophrenia saw a three-fold increase in deaths during the 2021 heat dome, a new study has found. Roughly 740 people are...
Street sweepers roll onto West Kelowna streets starting March 20
Spring street sweeping on residential roads is set to get underway Monday in West Kelowna. Crews will start in the Gellatly Bay, Glen Canyon and Goats Peak...
Virgin Orbit pausing all work, reportedly furloughs staff
Virgin Orbit said Thursday it is pausing all operations amid reports that the company is furloughing almost all its staff as part of a bid to seek a funding...
Final opportunity to own at Movala, the Okanagan’s best beachside community
Whether you’re seeking a one-of-a-kind summer escape, a desirable rental property or a high-end residence in a coveted destination, you’ll want to...
Government finds that Canadian Human Rights Commission discriminated against workers
A central government agency has found discrimination against workers within a Canadian institution specifically designed to root it out. The Treasury Board...
Researcher calls for more wild horse protections after 17 shot dead near Kamloops
A biologist and wild horse researcher is calling for stronger federal and provincial protections for the animals after 17 carcasses were found in near Kamloops....
Massive City Gardens development on track despite challenges, developers say
A year after ground was broken on the ambitious project, the Kelson Group’s $200-million City Gardens development in downtown Kamloops remains on track to...
Some Canadian employers offer egg freezing as part of expanded fertility benefits
Tonya Johnson, 39, is single, happy and freezing her eggs to buy a little more time before she starts a family. The procedure is costly — as much as...
Failed fare check leads to discovery of loaded handgun at Burnaby SkyTrain station: police
A 23-year-old man allegedly caught with a loaded handgun at a Burnaby SkyTrain station after he failed to pay his transit fare is in jail and awaiting a bail...
Coldstream house fire started in bedroom, cause remains unknown
The District of Coldstream says the exact cause of last week’s house fire on Torrent Drive is still unknown. The fire was battled by 20 firefighters last...
Childcare centre campaign at Vernon's Okanagan College campus gets $500,000 launch
Okanagan College Foundation kicked off its Sunflower Childcare Centre campaign with a half-million-dollar boost. The $1.25-million campaign will help build an...
Alberta earthquake felt in Dawson Creek Thursday morning
A pair of earthquakes and aftershocks originating near Reno, AB was felt in Dawson Creek this morning. Earthquakes Canada lists the events between 4.1 and 4.6....
Suspect charged with first-degree murder in 2017 Victoria death
Joseph “Bob” Gelineau, of Victoria, has been charged with first-degree murder and indignity to human remains in relation to the death of Richard...
Be careful what you read when it comes to development
Often, when you read about a new proposed development, you’re not reading something anyone other than the developer has reviewed. What you’re...
CNN travel names Vancouver Island one of world's most beautiful places
Vancouver Island has once again made international headlines as a top travel destination. CNN Travel this month named the Island as among the 25 most beautiful...
Centennial Drive residents upset over no-notice street parking change
Residents of Vernon's Centennial Drive are up in arms over a wave of recent parking tickets. Residents of the Aberdeen Heights building say parking signage...
Beloved Gibsons peacock dies in wake of dog attack
A feathered friend to many is being mourned in Gibsons. On Sunday, Janine Young and her husband found Kyle the peacock dead outside near their home. They...
NDP praises David Johnston as Tories, Bloc bemoan interference watchdog appointment
Opposition parties continue to call for a public inquiry into foreign interference, but the NDP is welcoming Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's choice of a...
Fantasy vs. Sci-fi poetry competition hits BNA next week
A sci-fi poetry slam is coming to Kelowna next week. For the past six years, the Inspired Word Cafe has offered a different take on the poetry slam, which is a...
Fishing and hunting guides angling for banner year and increased interest in outdoor activities
Three years after border closures clobbered B.C.’s tourism industry, hunting and fishing guides and lodges in B.C. say they are hoping for a banner year...
Penticton bike lane heading for Skaha Lake after council mixup
The lake-to-lake bike lane looks likely to be finished after all. A final leg of Penticton's contentious bike path has made it into the municipality's...
Alberni Street closed between Westminster Avenue and Vernon Avenue to complete Sheraton Hotel construction
The new six-storey hotel in Penticton's north end is nearing completion, with the final round of construction closing off a section of Alberni Street on...
Documents show Kamloops mayor made significant changes to standing committees
Kamloops Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson has made significant changes to council’s standing committee appointments, removing some councillors from their roles as...
Vancouver councillor supports foreign interference probe at municipal level
Vancouver Coun. Lenny Zhou says he is in full support of a foreign interference probe for elections at all levels of Canada's governments after he was named...
Vernon burlesque show Saturday night at Status Nightclub
Femme Fatale makes its Vernon debut Saturday night at Status Nightclub. The one night only burlesque show by the Kelowna troupe is titled Spring Fling. Femme...
Stalker found not guilty of arson at North Vancouver home of victim's family
A 40-year-old man has been found not guilty of deliberately setting fire to a house in North Vancouver where a woman had fled to escape his unwanted attention....
Yellen tells Congress US banking system 'remains sound'
A week after the second-largest bank collapse in U.S. history, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told the Senate Finance Committee on Thursday that the...
Penticton will see 9.5 per cent tax hike as per 2023 budget
After contention, a lengthy discussion and a narrow vote by council, Penticton finally has a 2023 budget plan. Deliberations took place over three days this...
Companies come together to donate new roof on Vernon Hospice
Work has begun on replacing the roof at Vernon's Hospice House. Community Roofing committed in October to put a new roof on the 27th Avenue facility, and...
Succession planning for volunteer boards
Does your board have a succession plan in place? I had the pleasure of running a workshop this past weekend for the not-for-profit organizations in the Regional...
Mounties issue reminder to lock up vehicles after spike in opportunity thefts
Kamloops Mounties are reminding the public to make sure their vehicles are locked up after a rash of recent opportunity thefts. In a news release, Kamloops RCMP...
Rare 16th century instrument focus of talk, performance in Vernon
You can hear a rare classical instrument at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre next week. The North Okanagan Community Concert Association...
Western Canada Theatre giving away tickets to Grease, free dinner
Western Canada Theatre is giving Castanet Kamloops readers the chance to win dinner and a show. The theatre company is giving away two tickets to the upcoming...
Victoria group lends a helping hand to Ukraine, setting up prosthetic clinics
Nick Dechev was startled when an air raid siren blared in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv last month. The resident of Victoria, B.C., was in Lviv setting up...
Canadian Sport School Hockey League Championships in Penticton showcases the best up-and-coming players
Up-and-coming hockey players have taken over Penticton as a part of the Canadian Sport School Hockey League Western Championships. From March 6-19, the city...
OSNS leader steps down after 10 years of helping families
For Manisha Willms, the biggest takeaway from 10 years as OSNS executive director are the smiles of the children playing just outside her office door each day....
De-Loops Designated Drivers will get you home safe
Tanya Dormuth is passionate about helping people get home safely. The Kamloops business owner, who works in healthcare during the day, owns and operates...
Penticton Speedway Foundation changes name, but keeps on feeding hungry kids
A local organization dedicated to making sure every Penticton kid has nutritious food in school recently donated $13,000 to the other local schools part of SD67...
Fortune Drive traffic shifted to two east lanes as utility work begins
Traffic along a section of Fortune Drive will go down to one lane in each direction for the next couple of months as crews begin utility work along the street....
Shift in requirements means no government funds for CAP Team this summer
The Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association has learned its Customer Care and Patrol team won’t be receiving key government funding to hire...
Vernon Winter Carnival hands out Community Awards
Vernon Winter Carnival has put the wraps on another celebration by handing out its Community Awards. The awards were handed out Wednesday night at the Elks Hall...
Connecting business, readers - Castanet wins chamber award for professional business
When local business owners connect with Castanet’s proven sales team, it’s a first step in reaching their advertising goals. “Part of my day...
Headgates Spillway Project is nearing completion, so water quality advisory has been rescinded
The Headgates Spillway Project is nearing completion, so the Regional District of North Okanagan has rescinded a water quality advisory issued last year. Since...
Comedian Andrew Grose to perform in Salmon Arm
Train Wreck Comedy is returning to the Salmar Classic Theatre in Salmon Arm, with comedian Andrew Grose set to perform. “The Salmar Classic is one of the...