Kelowna News‹ Jan 14 to 20, 2018 ›
MacDonald takes home title
Two and a half years after Kelowna-based mixed martial artist Rory MacDonald lost his UFC title fight, he finally earned himself a belt Saturday night in...
Task force goes national
Work being done by Kelowna's Journey Home task force is getting noticed by two nationally-recognized organizations dealing with homelessness. Observatory, a...
Entertainment this week
Ever wonder who's the better kisser, Jennifer Aniston or Angelina Jolie? In this weeks Entertainment Week in Review, you finally get the answer.
Ride-hailing, onboard?
The NDP government is expected to introduce legislation in the fall to allow services such as Uber and Lyft to operate in B.C. While most are onboard with this...
MacDonald fights for title
Kelowna's own Rory MacDonald will step into the cage tonight for a Bellator MMA title fight. McDonald, who trained at Toshido MMA in Kelowna, will face...
Finding a solution
The poverty rate in B.C. is among the worst in Canada. The Poverty Reduction Strategy aims at helping to reduce the poverty rate across B.C. Community meetings...
Cooking with Sous Soul
The Canadian Culinary Championships return to Kelowna Feb. 2-3. Eleven of the best chefs from across the country have competed to represent their regions, with...
Backcountry danger
If you go out in the woods today, tell someone where you are going. "File a travel plan with someone including where you are going and when you are coming...
Native carving at college
An internationally renowned master carver and Indigenous artist will lead the course teaching students about the traditional skills and knowledge he has working...
Boost for childcare
The provincial government is ponying up to train a dozen early childhood educator assistants in the Okanagan. Shane Simpson, B.C.’s Minister of Social...
Castanet Kid Report
This week's Castanet Kid Report with pint-sized correspondent Ariella Amato.
Safe after chilly night
UPDATE 12:30 p.m. Ephraim Nowak, President and Search Manager with Central Okanagan Search and Rescue, tells Castanet News a couple who ventured out near Oyama...
Swept away in Mexico
UPDATE: 8:50 a.m. Shannon Christensen with Kelowna's Mamas for Mamas is thanking her lucky stars this morning after spending close to an hour (she says in a...
Facelift for downtown mall
Kelowna's Towne Centre Mall is getting a facelift. The downtown mall, originally built in 1981, was sold in February of last year. A development permit...
2014 champ is back
The Canadian Culinary Championships return to Kelowna Feb. 2-3. Eleven of the best chefs from across the country have competed to represent their regions, with...
Stranger in bed: victims
Two women in their twenties recounted for a Kelowna jury, Thursday, how a man sexually assaulted them while they slept. Shea Gardecki, 39, of Peachland, is...
$88M in drugs recovered
More than $88 million worth of illegal drugs have been taken off the streets in the Central Okanagan as a direct result of Crime Stoppers. Another $4.3 million...
Imagine city's next steps
Filmmaker @ohboyson imagines Kelowna as a responsible community. Discover the draft community vision created by the citizens of #Kelowna at...
IH leaders humbled
UPDATE: 1:15 p.m. Interior Health has responded to Castanet News with a statement from Mal Griffin, IH vice-president of human resources. Griffin says that last...
Putting Kelowna on the map
A renowned Montreal artist is updating a popular "geopictorial" map of Kelowna. Jean-Louis Rheault is creating a new version of the map that's...
Forman stone-faced
UPDATE: 10 a.m. Jacob Daniel Forman, 34, appeared via video in Kelowna court Thursday morning. Forman showed no emotion during his brief video appearance,...
Restoring Vernon Creek
Restoration work is scheduled to begin next Monday on Upper Vernon Creek. The creek was damaged during last spring's historic floods. The existing damaged...
Professor in the kitchen
The Canadian Culinary Championships return to Kelowna Feb. 2-3. Eleven of the best chefs from across the country have competed to represent their regions, with...
Okanagan helping hand
Crystal Grymaloski's life changed just before Christmas this year. The Okanagan nurse, who trained at KGH and is currently working at Vernon Jubilee...
Rutland murder to trial
Steven Randy Pirko will face trial in Supreme Court for the murder of Christopher Ausman. Judge Monica McParland told a courtroom filled with family members on...
Record holidays at resort
Big White is coming off of its busiest Christmas season ever. Two huge events contributed to record-breaking numbers on the ski hill. Those were Cruz the Blues,...
Waiting on miracle kidney
Jes Jaswal has spent his entire life in hospitals, searching for a one-in-a-million kidney. Jaswal has been living without either of his kidneys for the past 13...
Kelowna author - bestseller
Kelowna author Tyrell Johnson's debut novel has landed on the national bestseller's list. Johnson's "Wolves of Winter" hit the Globe and...
Sip, savour and save!
Dine Around Thompson Okanagan is back and it's more delicious than ever before. Over 300 foodies participated in the official launch party at Okanagan...
First Nation foodie TV
A second season of the documentary series Quest Out West Wild Food is returning to the Okanagan. The season launches Thursday, Okanagan Film Commissioner Jon...
Funding for tech programs
The B.C. government is making more money available for tech programs at UBC Okanagan and Okanagan College. The announcement was made Tuesday by Advanced...
It could save your life
A search and rescue member covering the Okanagan for eight years says there's no excuse for not being prepared in the backcountry. Justin Evans, 2017's...
Urban deer your problem
Education is the route the City of Kelowna wants to take in dealing with a growing urban deer population. Forestry supervisor Blair Stewart says the deer...
How old is your brain?
A new documentary on aging and your brain is screening at UBCO at the end of the month. Castanet got an exclusive preview when one of the film's...
Above and beyond
Civic Award nomination deadline is fast approaching - January 26, 2018. Help recognize the contributions of outstanding organizations and individuals in the...
More student housing
Kelowna city council has paved the way for a new housing development on McIntosh Road in Rutland aimed at students. Council Monday gave initial approval to...
Mayor, council at odds
Call Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran a dreamer. When it comes to a preferred redevelopment plan for the Capri-Landmark town centre, the mayor is dreaming big. While...
Rutland murder in court
Friends of Christopher Ausman, a 32-year-old man found dead in 2014, filled a Kelowna courtroom, Monday. Details heard in court left many distraught. Friends...
City winery sheds tradition
A new winery set to open in the middle of downtown Kelowna will break the traditional mould with more than just its urban location. Jason Alton says he’s...
Jury for B&E sex assault
A jury has been selected for the trial of a Peachland man accused of sexually assaulting two women while they slept. Shea Gardecki is facing two counts of...
Central Green project a go
Kelowna city council gave its blessing to a four-story, 55 unit strata development within the Central Green site. The development is the final for-purchase...
Cause of death unknown
Investigators are working to determine the cause of a mobile home fire that left one man dead. Firefighters responded to the blaze at Lake City Homes Estates...
Barn razed by blaze
When they arrived the structure was fully involved in flames so they began a defensive attack to ensure the blaze wouldn't spread to any other structures....
A mild and wet week
Although it's mid-January, temperatures will feel more like October this week. Environment Canada is forecasting mild temperatures and rain for the...
Jail guard wages decided
An arbitrator tasked with deciding how much Commissionaires BC has to pay the 17 guards it employs at the Kelowna jail cells has handed down his decision....
Construction site robbed
RCMP are investigating after materials and tools were stolen during a break and enter from a downtown Kelowna construction site on Sunday. A suspect cut through...
What's Blue Monday?
Jan. 15 marks Blue Monday. But what is it? Blue Monday is considered to be the most depressing day of the year. The term was first coined in 2005 by a U.K....
Wild driver still on lam
Kelowna RCMP are on the hunt for a driver who fled from a routine traffic stop last Friday. Police tell Castanet news Emergency crews and the motoring public...
Sex-show bail jumper bust
RCMP have collared a man wanted in connection with a live sex show that turned into an armed robbery. Cal Little was arrested Sunday afternoon in Kelowna....
Flower art fights cancer
A Kelowna artist who's had her work featured on Canada Post stamps is putting her paintbrush to work to raise funds for colorectal cancer research. Laurie...
Cash boost for seniors
Five Okanagan seniors organizations have received a boost from the federal government. Kelowna-Lake Country MP Stephen Fuhr announced the $86,356 in funding on...
All hail ride-hailing
The City of Kelowna believes any fees or taxes collected from the impending introduction of ride-hailing services in the province should be returned to...
Flight of a lifetime
Two Scouts Canada youth received the flight of a lifetime on Sunday. Scouts Canada hosted a fundraiser to support the youth's adventures by selling popcorn....
Death at mobile home fire
UPDATE: 3:27 p.m. Neighbours living at Lake City Homes Estates said the person who died in an early morning fire was a man living at the mobile home. Kevin...
New Central Green project
Another Central Green development permit application is coming before Kelowna city council Monday. A week after council questioned the lack of height being...