Top Stories for May 23, 2023
'Animal lover' gets house arrest for fatally shooting hunter's dog
A self-described "animal-lover" who shot and killed a dog belonging to a hunter who lives in the area after finding it barking up a tree on his rural...
Trans-Canada Highway reopened between Revelstoke and Golden
UPDATE 4:35 p.m. DriveBC reports the highway has now reopened. Drivers should expect significant delays while the traffic backlog clears. Castanet has requested...
Power back on for thousands in West Kelowna, Peachland impacted by outages
UPDATE: 8:00 p.m. BC Hydro reports that power has been restored to thousands of properties in Peachland and West Kelowna impacted by earlier outages. According...
Man wins wedding confetti cannon claim against Lake Country winery
B.C.’s Civil Resolution Tribunal has ordered an Okanagan wedding venue to pay a man $2,685 after it withheld part of his damage deposit claiming confetti...
Two arrested after police standoff in Oliver
UPDATE 6:50 p.m. A police standoff in Oliver has ended peacefully with the arrest of a man and woman. At around 6:30 p.m., a man and woman exited the garage...
Officials still watching Mission Creek closely with rain in the forecast
Residents along Kelowna's Mission Creek aren't out of the woods yet. The BC River Forecast Centre upgraded high streamflow advisories on Monday to flood...
Vernon woman experiencing homelessness: 'Hopeless half the time'
A Vernon woman experiencing homelessness is trying to get off the streets, but says it’s nearly impossible to do so. She and her boyfriend are currently...
Kelowna woman wins Buckshot endurance cycling race
Add another title to Meaghan Hackinen’s list of cycling endurance race victories. The Kelowna woman outpedalled the competition to cross the finish line...
Kamloops doctor plans to start family practice after childhood in foster care
A Kamloops doctor says she plans to set up a family practice in the community after spending her formative years in foster care with parents suffering from...
Pedophile entertainer Rolf Harris dead at 93
Pedophile entertainer Rolf Harris has died aged 93. The death of the convicted sex predator was confirmed by the registrar at England's Maidenhead Town Hall...
Former South Rutland PAC treasurer pleads guilty to theft
The former treasurer and head of fundraising of South Rutland Elementary’s parent advisory council has pleaded guilty to stealing from the school’s...
Kelowna COVID protest leader back in court for assault trial
Following a nearly 12 week hiatus, the assault trial of David Lindsay resumed in a Kelowna courtroom Tuesday morning. Lindsay, the leader of a group which...
Fire-spitting monster truck puts on a wheel-y good show at BC Ferries terminal
People travelling during long weekends in B.C. are used to ferry sailing waits, but it’s not every day there's an entertaining show while waiting at...
Should Canada hold a formal inquiry into foreign interference?
Special rapporteur David Johnston said Tuesday that a formal inquiry into foreign interference is not needed, but that public hearings should be held as part of...
Apple Bowl packed full of dogs for Kelowna Kennel show
The Victoria Day long weekend went to the dogs. From May 19 to 22, the Kelowna Apple Bowl was packed full of beautiful dogs and their owners competing at the...
Vernon lawyer to sell off land to pay back taxes
A Vernon area lawyer who owes years of back taxes to the federal government and is being investigated by the Law Society of British Columbia is seeking to sell...
Mounties say North Shore police presence linked to investigation of Brock shooting
UPDATE: 6:03 p.m. A police presence seen on Cornwall Street Tuesday evening is connected to the ongoing investigation of a weekend shooting in Brocklehurst,...
E. Jean Carroll adds Trump's post-verdict remarks to defamation case, seeks at least $10M
E. Jean Carroll, the advice columnist who won a $5 million sexual abuse and defamation award against former President Donald Trump, is seeking at least $10...
Crash slowing westbound traffic on Bridge Hill
A crash is blocking a westbound lane of Highway 97 on Bridge Hill, causing delays. Emergency crews are at the scene. The extent of any injuries is not known....
Johnston advises against inquiry, but aims to hold hearings on foreign interference
UPDATE: 9:15 a.m. Special rapporteur David Johnston said Tuesday that a formal inquiry into foreign interference is not needed, but that public hearings should...
Doctors concerned more people using cannabis during pregnancy
Researchers say an increase in emergency room visits and hospitalizations related to cannabis use by pregnant women is raising concerns about risks including...
Central Okanagan food bank holding helicopter ball drop fundraiser
The Central Okanagan Food Bank has launched a unique fundraising campaign that will culminate in a helicopter ball drop next month. On June 16 at...
Mattea Roach advances to final of 'Jeopardy Masters' tournament
Toronto trivia titan Mattea Roach has made it to the final round of "Jeopardy Masters." The Canadian writer and podcaster came in second and third in...
DeSantis to announce 2024 presidential bid Wednesday on Twitter Spaces with Elon Musk
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will announce his 2024 presidential campaign in a Twitter Spaces event with Elon Musk on Wednesday, according to two people with...
'Gnarly looking': Traveller shares photos of ceiling that YVR hasn't fixed for 4 years
B.C.'s largest airport has had some significant upgrades over the past few years, including its multi-million Pier D expansion that included the addition of...
Canada has highest household debt level in G7: CMHC deputy chief economist
Canada's housing agency says the country has the highest level of household debt in the G7, making its economy vulnerable to a global economic crisis....
'Ridiculous feathers': Fancy pigeon abandoned at Burnaby park
It took an online village to rescue a fancy pigeon abandoned at a Burnaby park last week. Metrotown resident Ashley Viljoen was taking a pre-work walk at...
Craig Conroy promoted to general manager of Calgary Flames
CALGARY — The Calgary Flames promoted from within and gave former player Craig Conroy his first job as an NHL general manager. The Flames introduced the...
Rules for cyclists when riding on the road with others cyclists
Bill 23 - 2023 has received first reading in the B.C. Legislative Assembly. The bill is an attempt to bring a bit more order into the interactions between...
Toddler playing outside struck by stray bullet at Utah day care
A two-year-old was shot in the head by a stray bullet while playing outside at day care in Utah, authorities said Tuesday. The Spanish Fork Police Department...
Sending patients to U.S. for cancer care "too little, too late' says MLA
The headlines have been shocking this last week as the B.C. government announced it was going to start sending patients to Bellingham, Washington for...
Ford decides to keep AM radio on 2024 models, will restore AM on two electric vehicles from 2023
Owners of new Ford vehicles will be able to tune in to AM radio in their cars, trucks and SUVs after all. CEO Jim Farley wrote in social media postings Tuesday...
Volunteer bat counters sought in Okanagan
Spring is here, and with warmer nighttime temperatures, B.C. bats are now returning to summer roost sites. The BC Community Bat Program says one of the more...
West Van police disperse crowds of unruly teens after hundreds gather at Ambleside on weekend
West Vancouver police spent two nights on the long weekend dealing with calls about fights, noise and drunk teens after crowds of hundreds gathered at Ambleside...
Advance polls for Alberta election open today, following long weekend rallies
Advance polls open today as Alberta's election campaign continues in the final week before voting day on May 29. United Conservative Leader Danielle Smith...
Pathologist in B.C. murder trial says he's not certain where teenage girl was killed
The forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy on the body of a 13-year-old girl found dead in a Burnaby, B.C., park says he can't be certain she was...
Expedition race begins at Keefer Lake, will take adventurers across the Okanagan
Expedition Canada racers have begun an epic trek in the Monashee Mountains that will take them through Coldstream and across the Okanagan before winding up in...
Kelowna Dolphins Artistic Swim Club wins medals at provincial championships
Several members of the Kelowna Dolphins Artistic Swim Club captured medals at the provincial championships held in Nanaimo over the weekend. “We are so...
Thousands flocked to the Falkland Stampede over long weekend
Organizers of the Falkland Stampede say everything went off without a hitch over the three days of the 103rd event. Rodeo manager Melissa Seaman says things...
Wish you could tweak that text? WhatsApp is letting users edit messages
Wish you could reword that snarky text message you just sent? WhatsApp is allowing users to do just that, for up to 15 minutes after they send a message. The...
Only two major Canadian grocers label 'farmed salmon,' finds report
Most major grocery chains in Canada fail to label their salmon products as “farmed,” according to a new sustainability report. The annual scorecard,...
Catholic clergy sexual abuse of kids far more common than church acknowledged
Illinois’ attorney general released the results of a sweeping investigation into allegations of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy on Tuesday, saying...
Burglary at downtown business nets $60, causes more than $1,000 in damage
A downtown Kamloops business is out more than $1,000 after an early-morning burglary on Tuesday. Jeremy Tilburt, general manager of the Great Canadian Oil...
Okanagan Indian Band to host pow wow June 10-11
The Okanagan Indian Band will hold its first annual pow wow in June. The colourful event will take place June 10-11 at the Komasket arbour on Westside Road. It...
Lightning strike on Anarchist Mountain sparked weekend fire
Thunderstorms over the weekend spawned significant lightning strikes across the Interior including one on Anarchist Mountain igniting a ground fire. On the...
Ottawa announces new trusted-traveller program to speed up airport lines
The federal government is rolling out a revamp of its trusted-traveller program to help clear clogged airports as the summer travel season kicks off. Transport...
Central Okanagan dog ambassadors out and about this summer
Wherever you find dogs in the Central Okanagan, you’ll find Kaia and Nolan this summer. They’re dog ambassadors and they’re looking forward to...
Shelters fill, residents rush to safety as Super Typhoon Mawar approaches Guam
President Joe Biden approved an emergency declaration as an intensifying Super Typhoon Mawar approached Guam, where anyone not living in a concrete house was...
More heavy rain expected in Shuswap, North Thompson
More rain is in the forecast of the Shuswap and regions north. Environment Canada has extended a special weather statement for the Shuswap, North Thompson,...
More than 10,000 square kilometres of land has burned in Alberta due to wildfires
Wildfire officials say more than 10,000 square kilometres of land has burned in Alberta this year as dozens of wildfires continue across the province. Christie...
Car seats and baby formula are regulated - is social media next?
The U.S. surgeon general is warning there is not enough evidence to show that social media is safe for children and teens — and is calling on tech...
Investor-occupants made up almost 10% of B.C. homeowners in 2020: Statistics Canada
Investor-occupants made up almost 10 per cent of homeowners in British Columbia in 2020, Statistics Canada said Tuesday. A new report from the data agency shows...
Canadian National Institute for the Blind mobile hub rolls into Kelowna
The Canadian National Institute for the Blind rolled out its mobile hub in Kelowna this week. It’s a new program delivery model where the CNIB tours...
All evacuation orders lifted in northeastern B.C. as rain dampens wildfire threat
All evacuation orders related to wildfires in northeastern British Columbia have now been lifted or downgraded to evacuation alerts as heavy rain eases the fire...
Rotary Club of Kelowna donates two vehicles to community groups
The Rotary Club of Kelowna presented $45,000 in donations Tuesday at the Coast Capri Hotel to a pair of local non-profits that will use the funds to buy new...
BC Highway Patrol celebrates the 150th anniversary of the RCMP with safety checks
BC Highway Patrol is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. On Tuesday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., BC Highway Patrol invited...
Burnaby men charged in suspected inter-provincial drug ring
Two Burnaby men have been charged in connection with a suspected drug trafficking ring supplying “large amounts of illicit drugs” across Western...
Spot fire west of Penticton believed started by lightning now under control
One of the multiple fires sparked over the weekend by the thunderstorms rolling over the Okanagan Valley is now under control. On Sunday evening, a new spot...
Police in Chilliwack cancel shelter-in-place alert for residents
Police in Chilliwack say a call to shelter in place has been cancelled and an "active, ongoing, high-risk police incident" that began Monday night has...
Walk for Alzheimers to take place in Kelowna May 28
When Diane and Michael Chopek of Kelowna exchanged their wedding vows 35 years ago, they not only pledged their commitment to each other but also to their...
Peachland group holding annual bird tour in watershed
Volunteers from the Peachland Watershed Protection Alliance (PWPA) are working to ensure that local northern pygmy owls don’t suffer. On June 3, the group...
Traffic disruption planned on Penticton's Power Street
Penticton motorists should be aware that traffic will be restricted on Power Street this week. Between the Wade Avenue roundabout and Westminster Avenue,...
Talks moving forward on key Canada-U.S. treaty on Columbia River management
Canadian and U.S. officials have wrapped up the latest round in a five-year negotiation to modernize a major treaty on flood control and power generation on the...
Five things we learned in David Johnston's first report on foreign interference
Special rapporteur David Johnston released his first report on foreign interference on Tuesday, which involved analyzing recent media reports on allegations by...
Public washrooms at Riverside Park in Penticton replace old models
New accessible washrooms have arrived in Riverside Park, meaning old washroom facilities will be removed. Preliminary work will begin Wednesday and continue...
Kelowna Legion branch donates $7,000 to Air Cadet squadron
Kelowna Legion Branch 26 has made a $7,000 donation to the 243 Ogopogo Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron, recognizing the strong connection between the two...
Take hassle out of business travel with Uniglobe Direct's corporate travel department
Business travel. Those two words together often sends shudders down spines in offices across the globe, including the Okanagan. Travelling for work can be a...
West Kelowna Fire Department hosting FireSmart Family Day
The West Kelowna Fire Department is inviting the community to Fire Smart Family Day on May 27. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fire Hall No....
B.C. port expansion threatens endangered killer whales, claims court challenge
A controversial port expansion project at Roberts Bank south of Vancouver is facing a judicial review after three environment groups claimed its operations will...
RCMP reflect on painful history on Canada's police service's 150th anniversary
When Canada's founding leaders first conceived of a federal police service, history tells us it was merely an emergency measure, a contingency plan to...
Duteau Creek expected to rise quickly as Haddo Lake to spill over
UPDATE: 3:20 p.m. The Regional District of North Okanagan says Greater Vernon Water's Grizzly and Aberdeen dams have both reached their maximum capacity....
Penticton Eagles celebrate another successful year donation over $40K
The Fraternal Order of the Eagles' Penticton chapter handed out a generous amount of donations to local charities in need this past year, totalling over...
Kamloops Fish and Game Club's free family fishing event set for Father’s Day
Join the Kamloops Fish and Game Club on June 18 for a day of free fishing, with gear provided. Family Fishing Day has been an annual event put on by the club...
PUR KIDS Foundation offering continuous support to Central Okanagan Hospice Association
When a death occurs, it is important to not forget about the children. Adults focus on the funeral and getting their loved one’s affairs in order, while...
Predator Ridge unveils private-label lager at long weekend community barbecue
Predator Ridge residents celebrated the good life at a 'Backyard BBQ' over the long weekend. The resort unveiled its own private-label lager during the...
Federal government pledges $5M to Chinese Canadian Museum in Vancouver
The Chinese Canadian Museum in Vancouver has received about $5 million in new federal funding ahead of its opening on July 1. Federal International Trade and...
Vernon tattoo parlour holds flash tattoo fundraiser for BC Children's Hospital
People lined up overnight in hopes of getting a tattoo in support of the BC Children's Hospital Foundation. Five Fathoms Tattoo Shop in Vernon, held its...
Vernon to axe odd bylaw exemption allowing bylaw staff to use crossbows
Vernon bylaw officers will no longer legally be allowed to carry crossbows – not that they did, anyway. City council passed a resolution Tuesday to remove...
Kamloops councillor aims to represent the region on FCM board of directors
Nancy Bepple, a Kamloops councillor, is hoping to bring regional representation to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities board of directors. Bepple attended...
RareBirds Housing Co-operative celebrates 10-year anniversary with open house
This month marks the 10-year anniversary of the RareBirds Housing Cooperative, and residents of the sustainable living project are celebrating by hosting an...
Judy Maile awarded for years of volunteering at Vernon Abbeyfield House
A longtime Vernon volunteer has been awarded for her dedication. Judy Maile was recently given an Abbeyfield Champion Award for her years of volunteer work on...
Swimming, snacks and more as carnival hosts Vernon teen night
Teens looking for something to do are being invited to show up at the Vernon Rec Centre this Friday. The Vernon Winter Carnival Society is hosting a fun night...
Rain closes Vernon sports fields to avoid turf damage
Rainy conditions have closed Vernon sports fields. "Due to the current weather conditions, city-owned grass sports fields (including baseball diamonds) are...
WCT youth theatre school actors prepare for weekend performances
A group of talented young actors will take to the stage later this week for Stage One Theatre School's first performances of the year. The shows on Friday...
Grand opening of new Coldstream Community Hall set for Friday
Coldstream's new Community Hall opens to the public this week. A grand opening will be held Friday, beginning with a ribbon cutting at 1 p.m. The event will...
Grade 5 students learn from RDOS directors for Local Government Awareness Week
To celebrate Local Government Awareness Week (LGAW), the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen collaborated with the Similkameen Elementary Secondary School...