Top Stories for January 8, 2025
Downtown block re-opened after 'suspicious backpack' incident
UPDATE 5:45 a.m. The 300-block of Leon Avenue was re-opened late Tuesday night, following an investigation into a suspicious backpack. It took more than eight...
Mask mandate returns to B.C. healthcare facilities
UPDATE 1:30 p.m. The Ministry of Health expects masking rules to remain in place in B.C. healthcare facilities until the spring. The ministry says it has...
California wildfires 'very difficult to watch' says West Kelowna fire chief
Raging wildfires that have killed at least five people and destroyed over 1,000 structures are “very difficult to watch” for the fire chief in West...
Pacific Palisades fire is most destructive in Los Angeles history
Fierce wildfires are raging in the Los Angeles area, fueled by powerful Santa Ana winds, sending residents fleeing from burning homes through flames, ferocious...
B.C. Ferries passenger goes overboard near Tsawwassen; sailings cancelled
A B.C. Ferries passenger went overboard near Tsawwassen on Wednesday, prompting the cancellation of two sailings on the Duke Point-Tsawwassen route. The 10:15...
B.C. court approves class-action lawsuit about privacy over Home Depot receipts
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge says a class-action lawsuit can go ahead alleging Home Depot violated its customers' privacy when collecting and...
Do you think wearing masks again in hospitals will control the spread of viral respiratory illnesses like influenza, RSV and COVID-19?
Masks are now required in hospitals and other healthcare settings across B.C. Visitors and patients to Kelowna General Hospital on Wednesday are being asked to...
Judge asked to hear new bank evidence about fraudulent Teichrieb property transaction
A B.C. Supreme Court judge has been asked to hear new evidence about what officials at a Kamloops bank knew when ownership of Kristopher Teichrieb’s home...
Developer, contractor fined $2,500 after Kelowna worker falls from third storey
A developer and subcontractor have been fined $2,500 each after a Kelowna worker was seriously hurt in a fall from height. Executive Flight Centre Developments...
Summerland man in feud with neighbouring mushroom farm continues to bring issues to court system
The fight between two neighbouring properties in Summerland continues in the legal system, with a new petition to the civil courts filed on Monday. Brad Besler,...
Chief of Manitoba First Nations Police Service believed dead after house fire
The chief of the Manitoba First Nations Police Service is believed to have died after an early morning house fire. RCMP say they were called early Wednesday to...
Retaliatory tariffs expected next week as Trudeau, premiers meet on Trump threats
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Canada's premiers will meet in Ottawa Jan. 15 to finalize a plan to respond to tariff threats from U.S. president-elect...
Kelowna Nordic Ski Club has big fundraising mountain to climb after losing grant
The Kelowna Nordic Ski and Snowshoe Club has a lot of fundraising to do after missing out on a provincial grant. The club announced Wednesday that it was...
Teenager killed by train north of Kamloops, death not believed to be suspicious
Barriere Mounties say the death of a 15-year-old boy who was struck by a train near Vinsulla on Sunday is not believed to be suspicious. RCMP Staff Sgt. Kris...
Celebrities among thousands evacuated in Los Angeles fires
Wildfires that ripped through the Pacific Palisades neighborhood of Los Angeles forced many Hollywood stars, including Mark Hamill, Mandy Moore and James Woods,...
Lake Country students to revisit Y2K in a time capsule opening
Casting her mind back to the year 2000, Bonnie Alguire can’t help but pause and marvel at how fast time has gone by. Her memories about what the city she...
Backpack that prompted Kelowna block closure not explosive
Eight hours after cordoning off a downtown Kelowna block, a backpack that sparked concern was found to be a non-issue. Kelowna RCMP sent out an update early...
Scooter rider hurt after being struck by vehicle in Kelowna
Police closed the intersection of Rutland and Mugford roads Tuesday evening after a scooter rider was hit by a vehicle. RCMP say an officer was flagged down at...
Is Donald Trump kidding? Americans in Canada react to tariff, annexation threats
Incoming U.S. president Donald Trump has been courting controversy in Canada since his election victory, with threats to impose whopping tariffs on Canadian...
'Extremely icy' roads play a role in Hwy 3 crash leaving one dead, another seriously injured
"Extremely icy" conditions contributed to a crash east of Osoyoos Monday afternoon, resulting in one dead and another seriously injured. The fatal...
How Justin Trudeau captured the zeitgeist, and how he lost it
In his early days as prime minister, Justin Trudeau was "cool." In the year that followed his majority sweep into power, he appeared in the pages of...
Rockets move Andrew Cristall in seven player deal
Andrew Cristall is now a Spokane Chief. The Kelowna Rockets number two all-time scorer was sent to the Chiefs this morning in a blockbuster deal. In return, the...
Ford pitches Trump on grand energy plan in effort to avoid tariffs
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is pitching U.S. president-elect Donald Trump on a vision to supply the two nations with energy, as he positions himself as the...
West Kelowna seniors invited to free 'Nourish and Thrive' event
Anyone over the age of 55 in West Kelowna is invited to learn more about living and aging well as we head into 2025. United Way British Columbia and the Central...
Justice Department says it plans to release only part of special counsel's Trump report for now
The Justice Department said Wednesday that it will release special counsel Jack Smith’s findings on Donald Trump’s efforts to undo the results of...
City of Kelowna looking for non-profit to operate three new daycares
The City of Kelowna has begun the search for an organization to operate three new daycare centres in the city. The city has issued a request for proposals...
No parole for B.C. child killer
B.C. child killer Shane Ertmoed has been denied day parole. Ertmoed abducted Heather Thomas, 10, from outside her father’s townhouse complex in Cloverdale...
Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol rioter arrested in Whistler
An American fugitive’s snowboard trip to Whistler was cut short this week, four years to the day after he illegally entered the U.S. Capitol building with...
'Kids get traumatized': Calgary research looks to reduce stress in family law cases
The University of Calgary is embarking on a research project to remedy the long-standing concern that, for families, there is very little that's civil about...
Flying taxis are on the horizon as aviation soars into a new frontier
When he was still a boy making long, tedious trips between his school and his woodsy home in the mountains during the 1980s, JoeBen Bevirt began fantasizing...
Penticton will not host Canucks Young Stars this year; mayor hopes Canucks will return
UPDATE: 4:15 p.m. Penticton's Mayor Julius Bloomfield has provided a statement reacting to the loss of the Canucks Young Stars event this year. “The...
Fire hydrants ran dry in Southern California just when they were needed most
The water system used to fight the Palisades fire in Los Angeles buckled under the demands of what turned out to be the most destructive fire in Los Angeles...
National Board of Review Awards hold space for ‘Wicked’
Days after “Wicked” went home from the Golden Globes with a single award for box office achievement, the National Board of Review Awards held space...
Canada rises slightly in global passport ranking
The Canadian passport ranks below 22 countries for visa-free access to countries around the world, according to London, England-based Henley &...
Thai police say Chinese actor was trafficked to Myanmar to work in a scam operation
A Chinese actor who disappeared after traveling to Thailand and was found near the border of Myanmar in an area where online scam networks operate was a victim...
AIM Roads urges drivers in the North Shuswap to use caution after repeated moose sightings
North Shuswap motorists are being advised to use extra caution on Squilax-Anglemont Road after a rash of moose sightings in the area. “A mother moose and...
Mounties seize 171,000 packs of illicit cigarettes in Langford, B.C.
Mounties in British Columbia say officers have seized more than $1.7 million worth of contraband tobacco after executing a search warrant at a property in...
Will Vancouver’s Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts ever be demolished?
Will Vancouver’s Georgia and Dunsmuir viaducts ever be demolished? That question was partly answered in October 2015 when the Gregor Robertson-led city...
Businesses team up with MADD Central Okanagan to inject fun into dry January
Taking part in dry January doesn’t have to be all about staying at home and denying yourself. Revelry Food + Music Hub on Ellis Street in Kelowna is...
'What are we talking about?' Experts respond to Trump's 'economic force' comments
Incoming U.S. president Donald Trump's threats to use "economic force" against Canada and its industries are sparking worry and disbelief....
ByteDance's Lemon8 gains traction amid TikTok ban threat as creators push the app
Hearing a lot about Lemon8 lately? You’re not the only one. Amid a looming U.S. ban on TikTok, content creators have been pushing the platform's...
'On the frontline': Quebec planes and B.C. firm's helicopters battle L.A. wildfires
Firefighting aircraft provided by the Quebec government and a B.C.-based company are helping to battle the massive wildfires tearing through the Los Angeles...
'Obamacare' hits record enrollment but an uncertain future awaits under Trump
A record 24 million people have signed up for insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act, former President Barack Obama's landmark health...
A Russian missile attack in southern Ukraine has killed at least 13 civilians, officials say
A Russian missile attack on the southern Ukraine city of Zaporizhzhia killed at least 13 civilians and injured dozens Wednesday, officials said. Footage posted...
Two bodies found after vehicle fire extinguished in B.C. regional park
Police say two bodies were found inside a vehicle that had allegedly been set on fire in a regional park in Abbotsford, B.C. They say officers and firefighters...
Wildfires burn out of control across Los Angeles area and kill 5 as thousands flee homes
Wildfires that ravaged some of the most picturesque neighborhoods in the Los Angeles area continued to grow Wednesday as fire crews battled three major...
Outdoor hockey is coming to Florida. The NHL will have games in Miami and Tampa next season
MIAMI (AP) — Hockey. Outdoors. In Florida. Next season, the NHL is making it happen — twice. The NHL announced Wednesday that the Stanley Cup champion...
Victims' families, Trudeau mark five-year anniversary of Flight 752 downing
Victims' families and officials gathered Wednesday afternoon in the Toronto area to mark the five year anniversary of the downing of Ukraine International...
Syilx artist Taylor Baptiste opens new exhibition at UBC Okanagan
Syilx artist Taylor Baptiste's work is on display at the University of British Columbia Okanagan Gallery this month. Baptiste's work...
'In our thoughts': BC Wildfire Service ready to fight California fires
BC Wildfire Service is ready to jump in and help the fire fight against fierce wildfires raging in the Los Angeles area. At this time, the service tells Glacier...
Dealing with our ever-expanding portion sizes
I am doing a cleanse this week—eating minimally to reset my body after the indulgences of the holiday season. I’m measuring out tablespoons of nut...
Japan links Chinese hacker MirrorFace to dozens of cyberattacks targeting security and tech data
Japan on Wednesday linked more than 200 cyberattacks over the past five years targeting the country's national security and high technology data to a...
Carter and Biden's long friendship had wrinkles. It will be on display a final time with a eulogy
Joe Biden is the consummate Washington insider. Jimmy Carter was anything but. Yet the 46th and 39th U.S. presidents had a decades-long friendship starting when...
Work on new North Kamloops shelter to be completed in late January, BC Housing says
BC Housing says work to establish a North Shore shelter is expected to finish in late January — about a month later than initially planned. In an emailed...
Thousands flee as wildfires burn out of control in and around Los Angeles and homes are destroyed
Wildfires tore across the Los Angeles area with devastating force Wednesday after setting off a desperate escape from burning homes through flames, ferocious...
Falkland bust of Canada’s largest drug lab could curb local illicit drug supply, police say
The head of the Kamloops RCMP says a raid in Falkland last fall that took down Canada’s largest drug lab will likely have an impact curbing the local drug...
Penticton RCMP seeking man who breached probation conditions
Penticton RCMP are looking for public help in finding a man with outstanding warrants. Mark Anthony Stewart, 42, is wanted for failing to comply with his...
Peanut butter and whiskey: Not as screwy as you might think
January, if memory serves, is usually colder and darker. Usually, I am inspired to put together a short list of warm beverages to stave off the winter doldrums....
Pistol-shaped lighter leads to Victoria grocery-store evacuation, arrest
A male was arrested Tuesday inside Save-on-Foods on Pandora Avenue after Victoria police received a report that someone in the store appeared to have a pistol...
Okanagan's first inclusive sports team for youth operating in West Kelowna
**Updates to include the fact an adult league has been operating for two decades Melissa Grassmick has been busy the past few years trying to make life better...
What this week's winter wallop means for farmers across the U.S.
A nasty dose of winter weather has pummelled much of the U.S. from Kansas to the East Coast, leaving many Americans to dig out of the blizzard — including...
Dominic LeBlanc says he won't run for Liberal leadership as party caucus meets
The federal Liberal caucus gathered on Parliament Hill on Wednesday with speculation swirling about which of its members will put their names forward to lead...
Penticton's Funky Petals Flower Shop closing its doors after three years
Another downtown Penticton business is closing its doors, after seeing slower traffic and rising rental prices. Funky Petals Flower Shop, which operates a...
Egypt unveils ancient rock-cut tombs and burial shafts in Luxor
Egypt unveiled several discoveries near the famed city of Luxor on Wednesday, including ancient rock-cut tombs and burial shafts dating back 3,600 years. They...
DP World, Gemini Cooperation partnership set to boost container traffic at Vancouver port
Container traffic at the Port of Vancouver will soon begin to ramp up. DP World Ltd., the logistics firm operating the Centennial Terminal (Centerm) at the...
Police say threat of explosive device cause of B.C. courthouse, college evacuation
Police have confirmed that the threat of an explosive device was the reason for the evacuation of a large area around the New Westminster, B.C., courthouse,...
New research shows a quarter of freshwater animals are threatened with extinction
Nearly a quarter of animals living in rivers, lakes and other freshwater sources are threatened with extinction, according to new research published Wednesday....
At last, some welcome news on college costs. Tuition has fallen significantly at many schools
The cost of college keeps spiraling ever higher, right? Not necessarily. New research indicates students are paying significantly less to attend public...
Vernon warming bus expected on the streets as temperatures drop
Temperatures in Vernon are expected to drop below -10 C for the first time this season, which means the warming bus will be driving along Vernon roads, helping...
Temporary building lifted onto TRU's campus will house open learning until permanent home is found
Open learning staff at Thompson Rivers University will be placed in temporary new digs while a permanent home is found for the department on campus. Over the...
Vernon school's program of choice back again after near cancellation last year
Nearly one year after being cancelled — and then reinstated — the Awaken Inquiry and Adventure Okanagan school program of choice is holding an...
Police seek 28-year-old Kamloops woman wanted on warrants
Kamloops RCMP are asking for the public’s help to find a wanted Kamloops woman. In a news release, police said Theresa Naomi Frederick, 28, is wanted on...
B.C. man’s homicide defence awaiting further 28,000 pages of disclosure
The criminal case of Langley man charged with first-degree murder in connection with a July 2024 Vancouver shooting heard the defence should expect a further...
Suspect in taxi assault arrested in North Kamloops thanks to police dog
A police dog helped nab a suspect after a cabbie was assaulted over the weekend in North Kamloops, Mounties say. RCMP Cpl. Crystal Evelyn said the call came in...
B.C. doctors comparing H5N1 virus that infected teen with that of Louisiana patient
The BC Centre for Disease Control says it is comparing the genetic features of a local teenager's avian flu case with that of a Louisiana patient who died...
Town of Oliver merch a hit as municipality shares B.C.'s most popular baby name
Oliver council shared a lighthearted moment celebrating that the town shares B.C.'s most popular baby name in 2024. During a committee meeting on Monday,...
City of Salmon Arm asks trail users to show respect for nearby cemetery
The City of Salmon Arm is asking residents using a popular hiking trail to be respectful of the nearby Shuswap Memorial Cemetery. "The cemetery is not a...
Highway 3 near Bridesville cleared following earlier vehicle incident
UPDATE 7:37 p.m. DriveBC said in an update that Highway 3 in the Bridesville area has been cleared following an earlier vehicle incident that had reduced the...
Penticton's Snakebite Film Festival aims to create conversation, foster growth for local filmmakers
Now in its seventh year, the Snakebite Film Festival has expanded to include more films and events, including a five-day film challenge and a partnership with...
KFR asks local kids to help design cover of new educational colouring book
Kamloops Fire Rescue is calling all artists to submit their best works to be considered for the cover of a new fire safety colouring book the department is...
City of Penticton offering free transit passes for youth
Penticton youth between 13 and 24 can now ride transit for free by picking up a pass. Cards can be registered or renewed at the following locations: The...
TRU’s strong history points to a stronger future
January has long been a time to look back and look ahead. The month gets its name from the Roman god Janus, who is often depicted with two faces, one looking to...
Senior annual parking pass set to increase 37 per cent to fund city infrastructure projects
A rock solid, compassionate case for stopping an increase to senior parking passes crumbled in the face of capital reserves, infrastructure cost increases and...
The West Kootenays love for square dancing is making a comeback
It takes two to tango, but only one boot scootin' tune to learn how to line dance. Cuer and instructors Ray and Deb Schmidt are reestablishing the West...
Town of Oliver looking into possibly replacing new vehicles with electric models
The Town of Oliver is looking into the cost and feasibility of replacing all future vehicles with electric models. During a special open meeting on Monday,...
Chase garbage and recycling collection delayed until next week due to mechanical issues
Residents in the Village of Chase are advised garbage and recycling collection is on hold until further notice as the garbage truck is experiencing mechanical...
Student cultural exchange between Salmon Arm and Inashiki, Japan, will continue despite funding woes
K’wsaltktnéws Ne Secwepemcúl’ecw School District No. 83 plans to continue a student cultural exchange program offered in collaboration...
Program to assist with Nelson police staffing shortages remains up in the air
Nelson's community safety officer (CSO) told city council her position has been a success, saying it has saved the police department "time and...
Create and connect with free artist trading card maker space sessions at the Nelson Museum
Artists and creators of all ages and skill levels are invited to create and trade art cards with the Nelson Museum in 2025. Artist trading cards (ATCs) are an...
Town of Osoyoos to hear public input on the 2025 budget and tax rates
Osoyoos residents will be able to give input on the town's 2025 five-year budget and tax rates in a public meeting this week. On Thursday at 6 p.m., the...
Second phase of recreation campus engagement process nears completion with end of survey
The city’s recreation survey is set to close out today (4 p.m.) for Nelsonites and electoral area E and F residents. Part of an ongoing process to gather...