Top Stories for April 1, 2024
'No carbon tax' protest to cause traffic disruptions on B.C. highways
A planned protest could cause disruptions on three major highway routes in B.C. Emil Anderson Maintenance, the highway contractor for the Fraser Valley, warned...
Florence Pugh is 'loud and proud'
Florence Pugh “couldn’t live any other way” than to be “loud, opinionated and very proud”. The ‘Dune: Part 2’ actress...
Pathways officials 'beyond frustrated' after tenants forced to evacuate
"Beyond frustrated!" That's how Pathway's executive director Charisse Daley described a decision to evacuate the 68-unit Hadgraft-Wilson Place...
West Kelowna native returns to Central Okanagan after Nunavut tenure
From West Kelowna to Iqaluit and back again. That basically sums up the journey for Geoffrey Oliver, who has joined Kelowna’s HM Commercial Realty as a...
Big White CEO calls for removal of danger trees from Myra Bellevue Park
A prominent member of the Kelowna community is speaking out, calling for the removal of danger trees at Myra Bellevue Park. Peter Plimmer, president and CEO at...
Gmail revolutionized email 20 years ago. People thought it was Google's April Fool's Day joke
Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin loved pulling pranks, so much so they began rolling outlandish ideas every April Fool's Day not long after...
French couple living at Big White planning a cycling trip across Canada in order to raise funds for reforestation
A young couple living at Big White Ski Resort will be heading out on April 6th for a bike trip across Canada. Solène Soton and Kevin Firmin, originally...
Gillian Anderson and Rufus Sewell recreate a royal media disaster in Prince Andrew drama 'Scoop'
As the past few weeks have shown, British royalty and the media can be an explosive mix. The absence of the Princess of Wales after abdominal surgery in January...
Vernon home to the tiniest Taco Time in North America
Vernon has many claims to fame: Trail Capital of B.C., three lakes bordering the town and home base to large companies like Tolko and Kal Tire. Perhaps the...
New York inmates are suing to watch the solar eclipse after state orders prisons locked down
Inmates in New York are suing the state corrections department over the decision to lock down prisons during next Monday's total solar eclipse. The suit...
Invaders from underground are coming in cicada-geddon. It's the biggest bug emergence in centuries
Trillions of evolution’s bizarro wonders, red-eyed periodical cicadas that have pumps in their heads and jet-like muscles in their rears, are about to...
Ballard Power Systems signs largest order ever with European bus manufacturer Solaris
Ballard Power Systems says it has signed a long-term supply agreement with European bus manufacturer Solaris Bus & Coach that it calls its largest order...
Donald Trump's social media company lost $58 million last year. Freshly issued shares tumble
Less than a week after a flashy stock market debut, Donald Trump's social media company is disclosing that it lost nearly $58.2 million in 2023. Losses in...
HSBC Canada branches reopening under RBC brand with takeover complete
RBC is reopening HSBC Canada branches under its own brand on Monday after closing its takeover of the bank last week. Ahead of the deal closing, RBC said it...
Judge expands Trump's gag order after ex-president's social media posts about judge's daughter
The judge in Donald Trump's hush-money criminal case expanded the former president's gag order Monday after the former president assailed the...
Lou Conter, last survivor of USS Arizona from Pearl Harbor attack, dies at 102
The last living survivor of the USS Arizona battleship that exploded and sank during the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor has died. Lou Conter was 102. Conter...
Donald Trump has posted a $175 million bond to avert asset seizure as he appeals NY fraud penalty
Donald Trump posted a $175 million bond on Monday in his New York civil fraud case, halting collection of the more than $454 million he owes and preventing the...
Kelowna Ringette Association team wins third consecutive Best in the West tournament
It was third time lucky for the Kelowna Ringette Association Open A team at the Best in the West tournament in Calgary over the Easter weekend. The Open A Team...
Environment Canada forecasting beautiful spring week across the Thompson-Okanagan
The sunshine will be out for the majority of the week across the Thompson Okanagan, according to Environment Canada. You may want to get your sunscreen out for...
'It just needs to stop': Carbon price protesters slow traffic on Trans-Canada Highway
Horns blared along the Trans-Canada Highway west of Calgary on Monday as a protest against the hike in the federal carbon price slowed traffic to a crawl....
Millions of recalled Hyundai and Kia vehicles with a dangerous defect remain on the road
In September, Hyundai and Kia issued a recall of 3.4 million of its vehicles in the United States with an ominous warning: The vehicles should be parked...
Premiers making 'political hay' out of carbon pricing increase, Trudeau says
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says premiers would rather complain and "make political hay" out of his federal carbon pricing program than present an...
Carbon pricing 101: What today's increase could mean for you
The national price on pollution will rise by $15 per tonne today. Here's some questions answered about what this could mean for you. Who pays the carbon...
Gas carbon tax up, MP pay up, CTF calls both out
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is criticizing the federal government for hiking carbon and alcohol taxes today along with increasing Member of Parliament...
South Korea says North Korea has test-fired a missile into its eastern waters
South Korea’s military says it has detected that North Korea fired at least one ballistic missile toward waters off its eastern coast, adding to a series...
Microsoft splits Teams from Office after antitrust scrutiny
Microsoft will stop packaging its Teams videoconferencing app with its Office software after the practice attracted antitrust scrutiny. The tech giant said...
Google to purge billions of files containing personal data in settlement of Chrome privacy case
Google has agreed to purge billions of records containing personal information collected from more than 136 million people in the U.S. surfing the internet...
Towns on solar eclipse's path of totality brace for a crush of visitors
Municipalities across Central and Eastern Canada have spent months preparing for an event that will last just three-and-a-half minutes: a total solar eclipse...
B.C. residents to save money on energy bills with new credit
British Columbians will see a new credit applied to their energy bills starting this month. The B.C. Electricity Affordability Credit — announced by the...
Group of volunteers does some spring cleaning in Rutland
A dedicated group of community volunteers spent part of their Easter weekend doing a little spring cleaning. Volunteers descended on Rutland for their annual...
Vernon SilverStar Mountain Resort plans to open for the summer June 21
Mountain bikers rejoice, there are new features, woodwork and major trail updates at Vernon's SilverStar Mountain Resort. The all-seasons North Okanagan...
Florida Supreme Court upholds state’s 15-week ban on most abortions, paving way for 6-week ban
The Florida Supreme Court on Monday upheld the state's ban on most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, which means a subsequently passed six-week ban can...
House arrest for Kamloops thief who walked out of Winners, The Home Depot with expensive merchandise
A Kamloops man who stole hundreds of dollars worth of items from local retailers has been ordered to spend the next three months under house arrest. Charles...
UBCO study shows virtual rehabilitation provides benefits for stroke recovery
University of British Columbia Okanagan researchers are exploring new treatment methods to help people who have suffered a stroke. Strokes often impact...
Kelowna Rockets look to take advantage of home ice in series with Wenatchee
The Kelowna Rockets are back inside the friendly confines of Prospera Place after earning a split of the first two games of their best-of-seven Western...
No one claims responsibility for monitoring public health standards amid asbestos clean up in Vernon
Who’s looking out for the public’s health and safety amid asbestos clean up of the fire site in downtown Vernon? According to multiple agencies,...
Syria says an Israeli airstrike has destroyed Iran's consulate building in Damascus, with deaths
An Israeli airstrike has destroyed the consular section of Iran's embassy in Damascus, killing or wounding everyone inside, Syrian state media said Monday....
Avenues of access: Connecting with Kelowna city officials
The past few months have seen immense change affecting countless municipalities due to sweeping legislative changes happening at the provincial level. As a city...
Ontario may see non-tech teachers in new mandatory tech ed classes
Ontario is proposing to allow teachers without technological credentials to teach certain tech courses for the next school year, which teachers and principals...
Airlines, shippers pitch feds on sustainability to keep up with other countries
Airlines and marine shippers are asking Ottawa to beef up funding for sustainable transport that would be put toward infrastructure projects and updates to...
S&P/TSX composite nudges higher to new record close; commodity prices gain
Canada's main stock index edged slightly higher to a new record close Monday, helped by commodity price gains that lifted the energy and mining sectors. The...
Penticton council set to adopt zoning change to allow for controversial sixplex
Penticton council is expected to adopt bylaw changes to allow for a controversial sixplex in the north end of town this week. At Tuesday's meeting, staff...
How to make an Easter ham last all week
The beauty of making a baked ham for Easter (or any holiday or large gathering) is that there's bound to be leftovers. Leftover ham, which will last for up...
Israeli troops withdraw from Shifa Hospital, Gaza's largest, after 2-week raid
Israel's military withdrew from Gaza’s largest hospital early Monday after a two-week raid, in which it said it killed some 200 militants and detained...
Online or accountant: What's best at tax time?
As tax season approaches, Canadians are faced with the perennial question, "should I use online tax filing software or hire a professional...
Penticton Peach Fest announces mesmerizing new act to lineup
Get ready to be mesmerized at Peach Festival this summer, with the appearance of The Reveen Show. Ty Reveen will being his "mind-bending hypnotism"...
Highway 1 eastbound lane reopens after motor vehicle incident in Valleyview
An eastbound lane on the Trans-Canada Highway in Valleyview was briefly blocked after a motor vehicle incident on Monday. Kamloops Fire Rescue, RCMP and...
Germany has legalized possession of small amounts of cannabis
Marijuana campaigners in Germany lit celebratory joints on Monday as the country legalized possession of small amounts of cannabis for recreational use over...
Vernon Friends of the Library to host its biggest book sale of the year
Time for book enthusiasts to get excited as an annual mega book sale returns to Vernon. The Friends of the Library is once again hosting its biggest used book...
Firms, consumers more optimistic about economy amid expected rate cuts: BoC surveys
The Bank of Canada says business and consumer sentiment improved during the first quarter of the year, despite higher interest rates still putting a drag on the...
When speaking in public, hook your audience from the start
I have less than eight seconds to capture your attention with this month’s column. In fact, you’re probably already considering clicking away from...
Newfoundland's premier asks Trudeau for meeting to discuss carbon price alternatives
One of seven premiers who asked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to pause the consumer carbon price increase is now asking for a meeting to discuss alternatives,...
Canada's Haiti airlift expands to include relatives, residents and charter flight
Canada is expanding its evacuation of citizens from Haiti to include relatives and Canadian permanent residents, starting Wednesday if conditions allow. The...
Organizers expect free Kamloops Holi celebration to be well attended this year
The organizers behind Kamloops Holi: Rang De Basanti say they are preparing for what could be their biggest celebration yet. The Festival of Colours, a free...
Rescuers look for improved tides this week in effort to save orphaned B.C. whale
The tides are expected to be more promising this week in the northern Vancouver Island lagoon where an orphaned orca so far can’t be convinced to leave....
Pro-Palestinian protesters say cops used excessive force; Toronto police reject claim
Pro-Palestinian groups say Toronto police had planned in advance to use increased levels of force against protesters at a weekend rally, an allegation firmly...
Futuristic laser tag business opens in Oliver this April
A modern laster tag facility is opening along Sawmill Road in Oliver on April 15th, filling a gap in youth-orientated activities in the community. Offering...
Penticton Trade and Convention Centre looking at busy month of fun ahead
"Four seasons of fun" is an ongoing collaboration between Castanet and Visit Penticton showcasing what Penticton has to offer all year round. Watch...
FUBAR The Live Show to make stop in Kamloops during western Canada tour
A live show based on a cult classic film says it will be “given’r” as its western Canada tour makes a stop in Kamloops next weekend....
Penticton Pistoleras roller derby team gearing up for launch of new season
The Penticton Pistoleras roller derby team is getting ready to lace up for their 2024 season. The first bout of the year takes place April 20 versus Kelowna...
Amazing Race to Inclusion returns to downtown Kamloops in early May
Planning is underway for the fourth annual Amazing Race to Inclusion, a Kamloops event where participants race to complete challenges which provide a glimpse of...
Parkland refinery returns to normal operations after unplanned January shutdown
Parkland Corp. says its refinery in Burnaby, B.C., returned to normal operations on March 29. The company says the return comes after an unplanned shutdown on...
Trudeau announces national school food program to feed 400,000 more kids per year
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the upcoming federal budget will include a national school food program. Trudeau made the announcement in Toronto today with...
KCBIA says businesses weighing costs, benefits with new extended patio program
An extended patio program approved by Kamloops council has potential to bolster vibrancy on city streets, but it could see a slow uptake this year as businesses...
City of Salmon Arm to receive $411K grant for multi-use path connecting uptown, downtown
The City of Salmon Arm will be receiving $411,000 through the BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program to help pay for the downtown to uptown...
Drivers advised to watch for road marking crews in Penticton
Penticton residents are reminded to watch for road crews as spring road marking begins. It is set to begin April 1. Traffic control will be in place as crews...
Fluctuating temperatures, mix of sun and cloud in forecast for Kamloops region
The Kamloops region is forecast to see fluctuating temperatures, days of overcast skies and chances of showers over the coming week, according to Environment...
Planned outage affecting more than 2,200 customers in Oliver area
UPDATE: 6 p.m. Power has been restored to 2,246 customers around the Oliver area. Power was turned off shortly after 4 p.m. for what FortisBC said were repairs....
Canada likely to avoid recession, begin recovering in second half of 2024: Deloitte
Canada looks set to dodge a recession despite the ongoing downward pressure from higher interest rates, Deloitte Canada said in its economic outlook report. A...
TRU board gives approval to new aging health research centre
Thompson Rivers University will be getting a new research centre with the aim of finding ways to improve the health of older adults living in rural areas. The...
Oliver council to vote on declaring Moose Hide Campaign Day, aimed at reducing IPV
The Town of Oliver council is about to decide whether it will declare May 16 as Moose Hide Campaign Day, recognizing Indigenous reconciliation and intimate...