BC's first tornado of the year
Supporting fire evacuees
BC Wildfire shifts tone
Convicted of killing officer
Arrests for distraction thefts
Schools face budget issues
More prisoners swapped
Judge guards peace institute
Kyiv comes under attack 
Trump threatens more tariffs 
Hudson's Bay reaches deal
Energy sector wants wins
Oilers tie up series
Teen off to main draw
Vees make roster moves
Arson suspected at Cannes
Diddy trial's key moments
Jussie Smollett settles case
Top Stories for December 12, 2024
Vernon woman being evicted after receiving pay raise
A Vernon single mother is being evicted from her home after receiving a pay raise – meaning she's ineligible for rent subsidy, but unable to afford...
Search continues for missing Sun Peaks skier two days after last appearance
UPDATE: 1:04 p.m. Kamloops Search and Rescue crews are still searching in Sun Peaks for a missing skier who hasn't been seen since Tuesday morning. In a...
Second man who planned 2011 Kelowna gangland slaying gains release
One of the men behind the daylight killing of a well-known B.C. gangster is about to get his first brush with freedom in years. Jujhar Khun Khun, 37, reached...
Kelowna father has to buy daughter new wagon after thief makes off with prized possession
A Kelowna father is adding a new wagon to his Christmas wish list after his daughter's wagon was stolen from in front of his home Wednesday morning....
Kelowna's Island Stage has been demolished as crews rejuvenate Waterfront Park
Kelowna's Waterfront Park has been undergoing some big changes in recent months. The Island Stage in Kelowna's Waterfront Park has been completely...
'Christmas is a Christian holiday,' says Kelowna Centre MLA after sign removed
A Nativity scene in downtown Kelowna has sparked a bit of controversy over the last few days. On Dec. 10 a group of Kelowna Atheists asked the City of Kelowna...
BC Conservative MLA accused of being a Manchurian candidate, Rustad defends free speech amongst caucus
A former BC United MLA who defected to the BC Conservative Party in June has been accused of being a “Manchurian candidate” Thursday morning by the...
Do you agree with Donald Trump being named Time's Person of the Year?
Donald Trump has been named Person of the Year by Time magazine. The president elect - who previously took the title in 2006 - beat out a shortlist that...
Kelowna cyclist, semi-truck crash being investigated by police watchdog
Events leading to a Kelowna cyclist being injured in a semi truck crash has been brought to the attention of B.C.'s police watchdog. "Shortly after 5...
Thief takes Off with Christmas decorations at Kelowna home
A Kelowna resident has taken to Facebook to help identify a man that stole her Christmas decor on Sunday morning. The resident, who lives on Lester Road...
New chocolate shop opens in downtown Kelowna
A sweet new store has opened in downtown Kelowna, just in time for Christmas. Accent Chocolate, which has been operating in Penticton for nearly 25 years, now...
Red Bird owners expand by purchasing Vice and Virtue, plan to retool and reopen
The owners of Red Bird Brewing have announced they have purchased Vice and Virtue Brewing Co. just days after it was revealed the brewery would change hands....
Can West Kelowna's Glenrosa neighbourhood support new development?
A new development proposed in Glenrosa has prompted several concerns from one West Kelowna councillor. Coun. Tasha Da Silva, who lives in Glenrosa, voiced those...
Mounties investigating threat directed towards Enderby school
UPDATE 11:30 a.m. Mounties have identified a possible source of the threat against A.L Fortune Secondary School in Enderby. Cpl. Tania Finn with the North...
B.C. Supreme Court certifies class-action lawsuit against Airbnb
The B.C. Supreme Court has certified a class-action lawsuit against Airbnb that alleges the short-term rental company has breached provincial consumer...
Man who set fires at Calgary city hall lost testicle during police standoff: watchdog
Alberta's police watchdog says a machete-wielding man who set fire to Calgary city hall in 2022 ended up losing a testicle after police shot him nine times...
Vernon North Okanagan RCMP investigating suspicious death on small downtown park
Vernon North Okanagan RCMP are currently investigating a suspicious death which occurred in the city's downtown core. Cpl. Tania Finn said on Monday, Dec....
Dozens show up for open house on proposed jet fuel plant on Tk'emlups reserve
Some community members hoping to learn more about a large-scale fuel plant proposed for the Tk’emlups reserve say they still have some questions after...
Fewer US grandparents are taking care of grandchildren, according to new data
Fewer grandparents were living with and taking care of grandchildren, there was a decline in young children going to preschool and more people stayed put in...
Sir Elton John brands legalization of marijuana 'one of the greatest mistakes of all time'
Sir Elton John thinks legalizing marijuana in America and Canada has been "one of the greatest mistakes of all time". The 77-year-old singer, who has...
YLW sees busiest year in history at 2.1 million passengers
Kelowna International Airport (YLW) is celebrating a landmark year, with passenger numbers climbing to unprecedented levels. December alone is expected to see...
Burping caused roadside drinking test problems, B.C. man claims
A B.C. man wants B.C. Supreme Court to overturn a decision upholding a roadside prohibition after a breathalyzer test, saying a review of that ban was flawed....
BC government to restore tax credit for Interior animation studios
A tax credit is being restored for the animation industry in the Okanagan after it was axed by the NDP government in the 2024 budget. During a news conference...
Some downtown Kelowna roads will be closed Saturday due to the Parade with a Purpose
Some downtown Kelowna roads will be closed this Saturday as the fifth annual Parade with a Purpose moves from Kettle Valley for the first time. Vehicles and...
Two types of Stanley travel mugs recalled due to burn hazard
One of the most popular names in travel mugs is the subject of a recall. Health Canada has issued a consumer product recall for Stanley-brander...
Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what's next for those who oppose Trump
She’s an Iraq War combat veteran and sexual assault survivor who has advocated for years to improve how the military handles claims of sexual misconduct....
Donald Trump named Time's Person of the Year
Donald Trump has been named Person of the Year by Time magazine. The president elect - who previously took the title in 2006 - beat out a shortlist that...
East Coast storm makes a mess at ski resorts as strong winds cause power outages
Colder weather began to return Thursday after a storm that swept up the East Coast delivered a blow to New England, packing powerful gusts that knocked out...
In Nigeria's lithium boom, many mines are illegal and children do much of the work
Dressed in a faded pink dress, 6-year-old Juliet Samaniya squats under scorching skies to chip at a jagged white rock with a stone tool. Dust coats her tiny...
3 men say in lawsuits that Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs drugged and sexually assaulted them
Three men sued Sean “Diddy” Combs in New York on Thursday, claiming the hip-hop mogul drugged and raped them. The lawsuits, which were filed...
Kamloops gunman released from prison despite 'problematic' behaviour
A Kamloops man who accidentally fired a handgun during a robbery in a Brocklehurst apartment, striking a neighbour sleeping in an adjacent suite, is once again...
Kamloops Mounties arrest Quebec man in relation to gang-related murder in Montreal
Kamloops Mounties arrested a man on Wednesday who was wanted in connection with a gang-related murder in Quebec. Pierre-Andre Baptiste, 35, is charged with...
Meta donates $1 million to Trump's inauguration fund
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said it has donated $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration fund. The donation comes...
Kelowna's most wanted
Crime Stoppers is asking the public’s assistance in locating the following male who is wanted on a province-wide warrant in effect as of Dec. 10, 2024. ...
Former Alberta premier Rachel Notley quitting legislature seat as of Dec. 30
Former Alberta premier and NDP Leader Rachel Notley is leaving the legislature. Notley announced on social media that, as of Dec. 30, she is resigning as the...
Truck stolen in Richmond, driver arrested in Washington State after jumping border
A stolen black pickup truck appears to have been chased by police from Richmond to the U.S. border on Thursday afternoon with the driver finally arrested in...
Meta donates $1 million to Trump's inauguration fund
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, said it has donated $1 million to President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration fund. The donation comes...
South Okanagan Crime Stoppers seeking public help finding wanted man
Crime Stoppers South Okanagan-Similkameen is asking the public to keep an eye out for a wanted man. William Leonard Gaddy, 34, is wanted on an outstanding...
Montreal billionaire Robert Miller facing new sex charges involving underage girl
Montreal billionaire Robert Miller is facing criminal charges of sexual misconduct involving a new complainant who was under the age of 14 when the alleged...
B.C. mutual fund dealer fined $50K after diverting $3.8M of seniors’ funds
Canada’s investment industry regulator has banned B.C. mutual fund dealer Lorne Stuart Allison from conducting further securities-related business after a...
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can affect more than just activity
Hyperactivity, or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, better known as ADHD, is a disorder in children and adults characterized by hyperactive behaviour,...
Canada can't say when it will clear 140,000 backlogged cases for First Nations kids
Canada has told the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal it can't say when it will work through a backlog of some 140,000 cases related to First Nations child...
Meta gives in to CRTC disclosure order on Online News Act compliance
After initially fighting the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, Meta has complied with an order from the regulator to publicly...
Stricter penalties, rules needed to combat copper wire theft, telecoms tell senators
Canadian telecommunications companies are calling for stiffer penalties targeting copper wire theft and new rules that would limit the vandals' ability to...
Charitable donations still down from postal strike
Empty envelopes with stamps affixed to them are stacked up at Freedom’s Door. The Kelowna charity, which has been helping men achieve a sober life for the...
'Keep that magic alive': Why a Kelowna man serves as a local Santa
The story of a little girl who had her wagon stolen from the carport in front of her Rutland home this week touched a nerve, with multiple people reaching out...
Placenta tissue saved this man's leg from amputation. How can more people benefit?
Placenta tissue saved Ron Williams’ leg from being amputated below the knee. Williams, a 64-year-old Toronto screenwriter, was packing for a move in March...
Eby fired her. Now, Selina Robinson tells all in new book
In early February, days after Coquitlam–Maillardville MLA Selina Robinson came under fire for calling Gaza a “crappy piece of land,” B.C....
Police say suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO killing wasn't a client of the insurer
The man charged with killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was never a client of the medical insurer and may have targeted it because of its size and...
Air Canada to offer free Wi-Fi on flights for Aeroplan members, sponsored by Bell
Air Canada plans to offer free Wi-Fi to Aeroplan members aboard its flights starting next year, building on a partnership with telecom giant Bell that already...
Doctor-led South Okanagan group running pilot project for autism assessments
A group of South Okanagan healthcare professionals and parents have come together in the hopes of proving there may be a better way to diagnose autism — a...
Trump brushes off Ford's threat to cut Ontario's electricity exports to U.S. states
Incoming U.S. president Donald Trump is brushing off Ontario's threat to restrict electricity exports in retaliation for sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods....
Canada not a significant source of fentanyl flowing into U.S., CBSA says
Canadian border officials told members of Parliament Thursday that Canada is not a significant source of fentanyl headed into the United States. Aaron McCrorie,...
Crash kills Chase man near Pritchard; witnesses sought
Evidence of a fatal crash on Kamloops Shuswap Road near Pritchard is being sought by Mounties. A white Chevrolet pickup left the road and struck a tree at...
DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
DoorDash will require its drivers to verify their identity more often as part of a larger effort to crack down on unauthorized account sharing. DoorDash has...
Selena tribute show coming to Kelowna Community Theatre
A local tribute act to Selena, the queen of Tejano music, will play at Kelowna’s Community Theatre next year. Corazón: The True Selena Experience...
Man, 44, charged in alleged Burnaby golf course assault
A 44-year-old man has been charged in connection with an altercation at the Burnaby Mountain Golf Course in October. Police were called to the golf course on...
Elon Musk wants to turn SpaceX's Starbase site into a Texas city
SpaceX is launching a new mission: making its Starbase site a new Texas city. Billionaire Elon Musk 's company on Thursday sent a letter to local officials...
As tourists discover Finland's Santa Claus Village, some locals call for rules to control the masses
Shuffling across icy ground on a cold December afternoon, lots of tourist groups poured into Santa Claus Village, a winter-themed amusement park perched on the...
American who says he crossed into Syria on foot is freed after 7 months in detention
An American who says he crossed into Syria on foot has been released after seven months in detention. Travis Timmerman told the Al-Arabiya TV network in an...
New conservation area announced for Rocky Mountain Trench in B.C.
Another piece of the puzzle for conservation efforts along the Rocky Mountain Trench in B.C. is in place. Nature Conservancy Canada says wildlife including...
Employers should prepare for sickest month of the year, says HR software firm
Employers should have clear sick-day policies and encourage vaccinations to prevent impacts to productivity and bottom lines, according to human resources...
Canadian Forces Snowbirds will bring their aerial show to Peach Fest 2025 in Penticton
The Penticton Peach Festival is excited that the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be back this summer. “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome the...
China ends planning meeting with vows to stabilize its economy, but gives no details on stimulus
Chinese leaders wrapped up a two-day planning meeting in Beijing on Thursday with pledges to take a more proactive approach in pepping up the world's...
Habitat for Humanity 50/50 lottery to provide housing in the Okanagan
Time is running out to purchase a ticket for the 'You Win, We Build' 50/50 lottery. All tickets purchased support Habitat for Humanity’s work to...
Vancouver Island First Nation whose ex-chief met Capt. Cook files claim against B.C.
A Vancouver Island First Nation whose people were the first to greet European explorers in the region almost 250 years ago is taking British Columbia to court,...
Kamloops postal workers call resolution of unfair labour complaint 'a huge win'
Striking Kamloops mail carriers say the resolution of an unfair labour practice complaint against Canada Post is a huge win. More than 55,000 postal workers...
Creditors approve proposed $32.5B deal with tobacco giants today: lawyer
A proposed deal that would see three tobacco giants pay out billions to provinces and territories, as well as smokers across Canada, has been approved by the...
Alberta to put $29M into border security patrol unit with sheriffs, dogs, drones
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the province is putting $29 million into creating a new sheriff patrol unit to shore up security at the Canada-United States...
Kamloops retailer raises concerns over confusion caused by federal GST relief measures
It’s already a busy time of year to sell toys, and a Kamloops business owner says a federal government plan to provide temporary sales tax relief only...
New $1.4M fund aims to bring more veterinarians to rural B.C.
A new program is offering up to $25,000 to help clinics attract more veterinarians to the rural British Columbia. Businesses can apply for a portion of the $1.4...
Kamloops council opts to allow electric kick scooter rentals on city streets
Electric kick scooters will soon be available to rent on Kamloops streets. City council on Tuesday voted 8-1 to join a three-year pilot project and to establish...
Stressed about the cost of the holidays? How to talk to loved ones about cutting back
When Deidre Cross was tens of thousands of dollars in debt, the holiday season became the tipping point that sparked her journey to get out of the red. “I...
Concern over Syria's chemical weapons stockpile triggers emergency meeting of global monitor
The global chemical weapons watchdog opened an emergency meeting on Thursday to discuss the situation in Syria over concerns about the country’s stockpile...
Vernon cat left orphaned without its insulin now in Okanagan Humane Society care
A diabetic cat left without insulin shots for an unknown period of time after its owner passed away is doing much better, according to the Okanagan Humane...
Hardest-hit Nigeria is latest African country to provide malaria vaccine to young children
Ominike Marvis has lost count of the number of times her 6-year-old son has had malaria. So when Nigeria started offering a malaria vaccine, she was eager to...
B.C. compost facility penalized $120,000 for leaking effluent into waterways
A B.C. composting facility has been penalized nearly $120,000 for leaking effluence into ditches that ultimately drain into the Fraser River and the nearby...
Nanaimo mayor expresses frustration after needle attack on city worker in park
The City of Nanaimo worker stabbed with hypodermic needles this week in a park bathroom is recuperating at home while Mounties scour the city for two suspects...
B.C's Kaela Hansen, Emma Regan best friends and now teammates at AFC Toronto
TORONTO — Kaela Hansen and Emma Regan have been friends for ever. Now they are teammates again, this time with AFC Toronto of the new Northern Super League....
Nearly half of US teens are online 'constantly,' Pew report finds
Nearly half of American teenagers say they are online “constantly” despite concerns about the effects of social media and smartphones on their...
5G tech in Canada faces delays due to spectrum, Huawei ban
For all its promise of increased speed, reliability and greater interconnectivity, 5G may not be quite living up to its billing, depending on the provider, the...
CBC resurrects live New Year's Eve broadcast special with coast-to-coast show
CBC is restoring its live New Year's Eve celebration. A year after the national broadcaster cancelled the 2024 countdown due to "financial...
More than 40 vehicles vandalized in Nanaimo, B.C., in one night
Mounties in Nanaimo are looking for witnesses or camera footage that may help them pinpoint the person, or people, involved in the vandalism of dozens of...
Brief strategic plans help you meet goals
I’ve spent the last few weeks working on my strategic business plan for 2025. I have a tool I use, a one-page strategic plan, that I’ve modified...
Vancouver Canucks bolster digital infrastructure with cybersecurity firm
From small businesses to large corporations, no company is immune to cyberattacks. High-profile sports teams such as the Vancouver Canucks are prime targets...
Warriors lose goaltender Dawson Labre for the balance of the season
Dawson Labre’s junior hockey career has come to an abrupt end. The 20-year-old West Kelowna Warriors goaltender is gone for the balance of the 2024-2025...
US wholesale inflation accelerated in November in sign that some price pressures remain elevated
Wholesale costs in the United States picked up sharply last month, signaling that price pressures are still evident in the economy even though inflation has...
Kamloops police asking for help to identify suspect after liquor bottle stolen
Kamloops police are asking for help to identify a suspect after a bottle of liquor was shoplifted from a Valleyview business. In a news release, RCMP said...
Vernon Search and Rescue helping in search for missing skier near Kamloops
Four members of Vernon Search and Rescue are on their way to Kamloops this morning to help search for a missing skier. Coralie Nairn, VSAR spokesperson, said...
Summerland council looking at 7.25% property tax rate increase for 2025 while cutting service levels
The District of Summerland's Mayor and Council have proposed a 7.25 per cent property tax rate increase for 2025, while also reducing service levels and...
The true spirit of the holiday season—giving changes everything
In the rush of the holiday season, it is easy to get swept up in the endless “doing”—decorating, gift buying, to-do lists, holiday parties...
GST break and $250 Working Canadians Rebate 'fiscally unwise'
We are just days away from Dec. 14, the day when the Liberal government’s temporary expansion of select GST-exempt items is scheduled to take effect. I...
Kalamalka Lake pier signage plan given approval by Coldstream council
Coldstream council has approved the general site plan for Rotary signage installation at Kalamalka Beach. The plan was approved at the District of...
Penticton RCMP warn of increased thefts targeting secure parking lots and storage facilities
Police are reminding Penticton residents to secure their personal items, after reporting a noticeable increase in thefts in parking lots and storage facilities....
Southern California forecast of cool temps, calm winds to help firefighters battle Malibu blaze
Cooler temperatures, calmer winds and a chance of rainfall in Southern California this week are forecast to help firefighters as they battle a wind-driven blaze...
Bausch + Lomb exploring several options including a potential sale
Bausch + Lomb Corp. says it's exploring several options including a potential sale of the company. The company made the comment after a request by the...
Statistics Canada says household debt-to-disposable income ratio falls in Q3
Statistics Canada says the amount Canadian households owe relative to their income fell in the third quarter as a rise in disposable income outpaced the growth...
Suncor to increase oil and gas output by up to five per cent in 2025
Suncor Energy Inc. is aiming to increase its oil output next year by up to five per cent, as it continues to work to improve its performance and lower costs...
Rockets youth back in the spotlight this weekend
The Kelowna Rockets will once again look to their youth as they head into a pair of weekend games minus five of their leaders including their top four scorers....
Worry Pets one of the unique items at the BX Entrepreneur Fair in Vernon
A BX Elementary School student wants people to worry less with the help if a fuzzy friend. Grade 6 student Julianne Holliday will be bringing her creativity to...
B.C. boosts tax incentives to support film and television production
The British Columbia government is increasing tax incentives for both local and international film and TV projects in an effort to attract more major...
Housing unaffordability still rising despite billions in government measures: PBO
The Parliamentary Budget Officer says the number of households in need is still rising even though Canada is spending billions of dollars a year to address...
South Korea's Yoon defends martial law as an act of governance and vows to 'fight to the end'
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol defended his martial law decree as an act of governance and denied rebellion charges, vowing Thursday to “fight to...
Colombo Lodge closing in on $100K goal to bolster cancer care in Kamloops
The Colombo Lodge Society has raised $35,000 for cancer care services at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops. The society set a goal of contributing $100,000 over...
Sicamous council agrees to look into speed limit reduction for residential areas
Slower speed limits could be coming to Sicamous, but council agreed to gather more professional and community input before making any sudden decisions. At the...
Union donates to Penticton Search and Rescue
The Penticton and District Search & Rescue team gave a special shout out to the CUPE 523 Union on Thursday. Every year the CUPE 523, which represents...
42-year old Nelson man found deceased on Vancouver Island
A Nelson man was discovered dead on Vancouver Island according to Port Alberni RCMP. Police say they received a SOS notification from a Globalstar location...
Grocery retailer Empire Co. Ltd. reports $173.4M Q2 profit, sales edge higher
Empire Co. Ltd. says it earned a second-quarter profit of $173.4 million as its sales edged higher. The parent company of grocery retailer Sobeys says the...
IG Wealth Management marks 18th year donating to Christmas Cheer Fund
For nearly two decades, IG Wealth Management’s Kamloops office has supported the Christmas Cheer Fund. Andrea Ciccone, IG Wealth Management executive...
Penticton Secondary School's Toys for Tots to Teens gathering hundreds of donations
Penticton Secondary School was full of holiday cheer on Thursday, opening their doors for their annual "Toys for Tots to Teens" event. Every year,...
Transat's profit surges thanks to higher passenger traffic, compensation payout
Transat A.T. Inc. reported a big boost in profits in its latest quarter, driven by millions of dollars in compensation from an engine maker as well as an uptick...
Last Chance Gift & Artisans Expo returns to Penticton Trade & Convention Centre this weekend
There's still some time to grab local gifts at the holiday market, with the Last Chance Gift & Artisans Expo returning to Penticton Trade &...
Okanagan Symphony Orchestra’s Messiah sells out in Kelowna, tickets available for Vernon, Penticton shows
The Okanagan Symphony Orchestra (OSO) is excited to present a special holiday tradition with Handel's Messiah, featuring the OSO, the OSO Chorus, and four...
City of Penticton issues reminder to renew business licences before late fees
The City of Penticton is reminding business owners that even with mail delays on licence renewal invoices, they are still required to renew it before...
New legislation considered for reducing cost of construction of secondary suites, laneway houses
The cost to create an additional dwelling on a property in Nelson could be coming down. New legislation is being considered to reduce the cost to connect water...
Shuswap Watershed Council opens submissions for 2025 Water Quality Grants
Local agri-businesses and landowners in the Shuswap could be eligible for up to $45,000 in grant funding for undertaking projects to keep excess nutrients out...
Canada says it wants to slash its emissions by half by 2035. Will that be enough?
Canada is aiming to cut its emissions in half by 2035 compared to 2005 levels, the federal government announced Thursday, a target more modest than what a...
Sicamous council agreed to spend $800 to support annual seniors Christmas dinner
The District of Sicamous council agreed to deck the halls once more with an $800 donation to support the free Community Christmas Dinner at the Sicamous Seniors...
Selkirk College students showcase plans for 23 new businesses
Student entrepreneurs on the verge of exciting post-graduation careers presented a wide range of incredible ideas at the Selkirk College Business Plan Trade...
Nelson police budget ask tagged at 7.9 per cent to tackle staffing shortages
A recommendation for a 7.9 per cent increase to the annual budget ask for the Nelson Police Department could mean an extra $161 out of the wallets of...
Expressions of interest sought from communities with water, wastewater systems to become regional district services
With the moratorium now lifted on the acquisition of new water and wastewater systems, the regional district has opened the floodgates for assuming control of...
Salmon Arm Curling Centre offers program to get everyone into roaring game
Curling is a fantastic sport, and not only because it gets you out of the house during those long, cold winter months. Doug Murray is hoping people in the...
