Student tackles pollution
Man presumed drowned
Whistler market bucks trend
Health Canada recalls 
Woman died in mall parking
Shot while waiting for bus
Pupy the elephant arrives
Canadian drummer arrested
94-mile canal linking Gulf
Deadly airstrike on oil port
Pricey chocolate this Easter
WestJet withdraws pilot plan
Flames come up short 
3 Rockets crack top 100
Vees ready for round 2
Haley Joel Osment charged
Drake pushes on with suit
Crowe memoir out this fall 
Top Stories for March 14, 2025
Elon Musk slams B.C.’s Tesla charger rebate ban
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Inc. (Nasdaq:TSLA) and a senior advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump, had a short response to B.C. Premier David Eby’s...
Over 450 tickets issued B.C.-wide in 'slow down and move over' blitz
More than 450 tickets were handed out across B.C. as authorities urge drivers to "slow down and move over." The law requires drivers to slow down and,...
B.C. Interior's first Tesla store opens in Kelowna
The B.C. Interior's first Tesla dealership and service centre opened this week in Kelowna. Previously, the customers or Tesla owners had to travel to...
'I got the reaction I wanted'; Kamloops-area man sentenced for threatening Trudeau's children
A Kamloops-area man who threatened Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s children says he was just looking for a reaction — and he got it. Sean Fearnside,...
McDonald's returning to downtown Kelowna, opening on Bernard Avenue
McDonalds will be returning to downtown Kelowna for the first time in well over a decade. The fast food giant is proposing to take over the Bean Scene coffee...
Eby announces ending of provincial carbon tax
British Columbia's Premier David Eby says his government will repeal the province's carbon tax this legislative session, after new Prime Minister Mark...
Three CF-18 fighter jets flew over Kelowna Friday afternoon
Three CF-18 fighter jets flew over Kelowna Friday afternoon. The three jets roared above the city sometime between 3 and 3:30 p.m. and conducted a...
Okanagan Falls cliffside estate, designed by famed architect, up for sale
An estate on the cliffs of Skaha Lake, complete with its own chapel and designed by a famed architect, is on the market. Skaha Mountain Estate at 264 Eastside...
Hudson's Bay to liquidate entire business, still seeking additional capital
The death knell is ringing for Canada’s oldest company. Hudson’s Bay announced late Friday evening that unless it finds a more viable path forward,...
B.C. ports monitoring Alaska senator’s cruise-ship bypass threat
UPDATE: 6:50 p.m. British Columbia Premier David Eby says he is standing firm behind the legislation granting the province the ability to levy new fees on U.S....
Driver of hit-and-run in Kelowna identified and ticketed
The driver involved in a hit-and-run incident Thursday morning in Kelowna has been located, according to police. The incident occurred between 7:30 a.m. and...
Killer of former Air India bombing suspect gets another sentence in Kelowna
A hitman who was threatening people in downtown Kelowna one night in the summer of 2021 was sentenced to four years and nine months in prison, though...
Man who drove through Kelowna homeless encampment avoids jail
A man who drove through Kelowna's Rail Trail homeless encampment in 2022, running over a man who was inside a tent, was sentenced Thursday to a period of...
Student union approves UBC Okanagan Conservative Club
After much controversy, the Student Union at UBC Okanagan has given its stamp of approval to a campus Conservative Club, according to the university’s...
House fire near downtown Kelowna began with burning mattress
UPDATE: 9:45 p.m. Friday night's fire at a house on Kelowna's Centennial Crescent was started from a burning mattress, according to the Kelowna Fire...
Hundreds of federal offices could begin closing this summer at DOGE's behest, AP reveals
Federal agencies will begin to vacate hundreds of offices across the country this summer under a frenetic and error-riddled push by Elon Musk’s...
Gene Hackman and Betsy Arakawa's dog likely died of dehydration and starvation, report says
An examination of the dog found dead along with actor Gene Hackman and his wife in their Santa Fe home shows dehydration and starvation were likely what led to...
Okanagan College culinary students process 2,000 pounds of fish for Kelowna Gospel
Two-thousand pounds of Arctic char arrived at the Okanagan College (OC) culinary school earlier this year. The big donation from Road 17 Fish Farms gave...
Majority of gas stations in Vernon raised prices
Just in time for the soon-to-be cancelled federal and provincial carbon taxes, the price of gas has gone up in Vernon. Most Vernon gas stations have raised the...
Prime Minister Mark Carney's cabinet terminates consumer carbon price
The Liberal government is immediately ending the consumer carbon price and made the change official during Prime Minister Mark Carney's first cabinet...
Blood moon eclipse dazzles in night sky
B.C. residents were treated to a spellbinding total lunar eclipse as the skies cleared overnight on Thursday, March 13. Rosanna Tilbrook, an astronomer at the...
While Kelowna's crime rate drops, sense of safety does not
Despite a significant investment in public safety resources, Kelowna residents don’t appear to feel any safer. This comes from a progress report on city...
Florida's citrus industry faces threats from hurricanes, disease and real estate
As Trevor Murphy pulls up to his dad's 20-acre (8-hectare) grove in one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States, he points to the...
Thompson-Okanagan consumers, businesses already seeing impact of tariffs
As the Canada-U.S. trade war intensifies, Okanagan consumers and businesses are feeling the strain of rising costs, particularly in industries reliant on key...
Mark Carney is Canada's 24th prime minister
Mark Carney has been officially sworn in as Canada's 24th prime minister in a ceremony at Rideau Hall, about an hour after Justin Trudeau formally resigned....
Large development spanning 12 properties on Bernard up for council discussion
UPDATED TO INDICATE THE PROJECT CONSISTS OF TWO BUILDINGS, NOT ONE. A massive housing development encompassing an entire city block will be up for discussion...
Teen dies after car crashes into tree in Vancouver's Stanley Park
Police in Vancouver say an 18-year-old man has died in an early morning car crash in Stanley Park. They say in a news release that the driver of a white BMW was...
Collision between semi and van in Spallumcheen sends two to hospital
UPDATE 1:56 p.m. Two people have been brought to hospital following Friday's mid-day car crash. “BC Emergency Health Service received a call at 11:45...
Tariffs could be last nail in the coffin for B.C. salmon farms
A Buy Canadian campaign fuelled by Donald Trump’s trade war has many Canadians these days scrutinizing labels in grocery stores. But when it comes to...
Germany foreign minister voices strong support for Canada's territorial sovereignty
Germany's foreign minister is sending a strong message of support to Canadians in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's economic threats and talk of...
B.C. prison inmate charged with second-degree murder after fatal cafeteria fight
An inmate at a British Columbia prison has been charged with second-degree murder over a death in a cafeteria fight. Homicide investigators say Therae...
Penticton strata ordered to pay $17k from insurance payout for lot repairs
B.C.’s Civil Resolution Tribunal has ordered a strata to pay up for the repair of a Penticton lot following a roof leak, which the resident claims have...
FortisBC keeps residential gas prices the same this spring
The cost of residential gas for FortisBC customers will remain the same this spring. In a press release Friday, FortisBC says the British Columbia Utilities...
Teenager in hospital with serious injuries following altercation in North Kamloops, police say
A teenaged boy is in hospital with serious injuries following an altercation Thursday night in North Kamloops. According to police, the incident took place at...
Joly tells G7 counterparts Trump's annexation threats 'not a joke'
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly told her G7 counterparts Friday that U.S. President Donald Trump's annexation threats against Canada are not a...
'Living library' opened at Okanagan Chabad House
The Okanagan Chabad House has opened a living library. The library contains over 1,000 adult and over 100 children’s books dedicated to Jewish heritage,...
Keremeos fruit producer sues Richmond farm for an alleged $14K in unpaid losses
A Keremeos fruit producer has filed a lawsuit against another Richmond, B.C. farm to the tune of $14,000 in alleged losses. According to the lawsuit filed...
Toxic drugs kill 21 in Southern Interior in January
Twenty-one people died of drug overdose in the B.C. Southern Interior in January, with Kelowna seeing the largest share of death. Seven people were killed by...
New provincial fuel regulations welcomed by proponents of Tk'emlups biofuel refinery
The economic winds appear to be blowing in the right direction for the proponents of a large-scale biofuel refinery proposed for a plot of land across the North...
Hip-hop artist Sean 'Diddy' Combs pleads not guilty ahead of May sex trafficking trial
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs returned to federal court in New York City on Friday, pleading not guilty to the latest version of an indictment charging him...
Lake Country motel set to be demolished in coming days
The long-awaited demolition of the Airport Inn Lakeside in Lake Country is expected to begin in the next few days. Heavy equipment has been moved onto the...
Street sweeping underway in West Kelowna
Crews will be out in force beginning next week to remove the remnants of winter sanding from West Kelowna roadways and sidewalks. Street sweeping will begin in...
Crash slowing Harvey Avenue near Ethel Street
Traffic is being slowed on Harvey Avenue due to a crash near Ethel Street. Four cars were involved in a rear-ender crash, a motorist tells Castanet. Two cars...
TSX, U.S. markets rally Friday, gold price tops US$3,000 an ounce for first time
Canada's main stock index gained 1.5 per cent Friday, rallying alongside U.S. markets to end an otherwise grim week for equities, while the price of gold...
Court approves sales of two plants owned by company linked to listeria outbreak
A court has approved the sale of two facilities owned by the Canadian company that processed plant-based milk linked to a deadly listeria outbreak. Court...
More than 50 universities face federal investigations as part of Trump's anti-DEI campaign
More than 50 universities are being investigated for alleged racial discrimination as part of President Donald Trump’s campaign to end diversity, equity...
US wine shops and importers say Trump's threatened 200% tariff on European wines would kill demand
The United States is suddenly looking less bubbly for European wines. President Donald Trump on Thursday threatened a 200% tariff on European wine, Champagne...
American who snatched a baby wombat from its mother leaves Australia
An American influencer left Australia on Friday after the government announced it was reviewing her visa over a video she posted of her snatching a baby wombat...
Vernon's Shanda Hill in first place of the Deca Ultra South Africa race
Day 6 of the Deca Ultra South Africa is over and Vernon's Shanda Hill remains in first place. The world-class ultra athlete is in the cycling portion of the...
Justin Trudeau has resigned as prime minister as Mark Carney gets set to take over
Justin Trudeau visited Gov. Gen. Mary Simon this morning and formally resigned as prime minister. Mark Carney will be sworn in as Canada's 24th prime...
Local group rallying to save historic bridge east of Enderby
A group of Enderby residents is hoping to save an iconic and historic bridge from being demolished. The old one-lane wooden Baxter Bridge on Trinity Road, about...
Family 'optimistic' that B.C. woman detained in U.S. will be back within 24 hours
The family of a Vancouver woman detained in the United States after her visa was denied at a border crossing in California says she may be home "in the...
Dr. Mehmet Oz heads to the Senate with pitch to oversee America's health insurance programs
Dr. Mehmet Oz, President Donald Trump's pick to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, will testify before the Senate Finance Committee on...
Wide variety of floors plans and great prices make Ascent by Highstreet a great value
Ascent by Highstreet in Kelowna’s Upper Mission is the Okanagan’s best-selling new condo community — and for good reason. With studio, one-,...
Mining company fined $114K for polluting B.C. river with high cobalt levels
A mining company has been handed a $114,750 penalty for repeatedly sending cobalt-laced waste into a B.C. river at levels as high as 7,000 per cent above legal...
Vance hopeful 'high-level' TikTok deal will be completed by early April
Vice President JD Vance said Friday that he was hopeful a deal to keep TikTok operating in the U.S. will be wrapped up by the early April deadline. “There...
A downed tree caused a nearly 4 hour power outage in the North Shuswap yesterday
UPDATE: 10:24 a.m. Close to 3,000 BC Hydro Customers in the North Shuswap spent nearly 4 hours in the dark after a large power outage last night. A tree falling...
'Nature at its finest': B.C. man films epic eagle hunt
A West Vancouver man was running beside the ocean this week when a commotion above him in the sky caught his attention. Turner Parkinson and his two dogs were...
Kelowna-Lake Country MP questions if there's a Team Canada approach with parliament prorogued
The ever-changing tariff threats from U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration are unjustified and represent a serious economic threat to every...
Why is an Elon Musk-backed PAC running an ad against Republican state legislators?
A group backed by Elon Musk is running ads targeting conservative Republican legislators in several states over their support of a federal drug pricing program....
Vernon orchardist is feeling optimistic about peach crops this year
Peach lovers rejoice, there is some good news about the popular fruit. Peaches in the North Okanagan have been hit hard by Old Man Winter the past few years,...
B.C.’s liquor industry remains mired in bureaucracy
B.C. has made great strides in liberalizing its liquor laws in the past dozen years, but red tape remains. Back in 2014, B.C. was the final province to allow...
Measles cases reach nearly 300 total in Texas and New Mexico. Here's what you should know
Measles outbreaks in West Texas and New Mexico are now up to nearly 300 cases, and two unvaccinated people have died from measles-related causes. Measles is...
How much sleep do you really need? Experts say it depends
Chances are, if you’re reading this, you got some sleep last night. But are you feeling rested? Experts say it's an important question to consider....
Kamloops Blazers kept slim playoff hopes alive, beating the Kelowna Rockets 5-2 Friday
The Kamloops Blazers picked up a win they desperately needed to keep their fading playoff hopes alive. Emmitt Finnie had a goal and two assists leading the...
Kelowna’s new PROLINE lounge apex of Okanagan sports betting and entertainment
Elias Pettersson leading a second-half charge to prove that the Canucks’ 2024 post-season run wasn’t a flash in the pan. Patrick Mahomes taking the...
Philippine ex-President Duterte appears by video link before international court judges in The Hague
Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte appeared Friday by video link before judges at the International Criminal Court, days after his arrest in Manila on...
California regulator mulls State Farm's request for 22% premium hike for homeowners after LA fires
California's top insurance regulator on Friday said he would approve an emergency request by State Farm to raise premiums 22% on home insurance for about a...
Advocates and family of man shot by RCMP launch 'people's tribunal' to probe police
Laura Holland's voice shook with emotion as she talked about her smart and affectionate son, saying she is "tired of waiting" for justice for him....
EU foreign policy chief says that global trade war works in China's interests
The European Union's foreign policy chief says tariffs between Western countries only serve China's interests and is calling for higher defence spending...
Conservative MPs will seek re-election, but no other Kamloops-area candidates announced
Canadians will very likely be heading to the polls for a federal election sometime in the next two months, but it’s still not clear which names will be on...
Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes returns from injury hungry for playoff push
VANCOUVER — Watching games from afar hasn’t been easy for Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes. The 25-year-old star defenceman has remained remarkably...
Regional fire departments receive funding for training and equipment
Fire departments across the Southern Interior will share in nearly $2.1 million in provincial government funding for training and equipment. The provincial...
Some student loan repayment plans have been suspended. Here's what borrowers should know
The Trump administration's recent changes to student loans are causing frustration and confusion for some borrowers. In response to a February court ruling...
Power out for more than 400 customers in the Oyama area
Power is out for 433 customers in the Oyama area. BC Hydro says the power was shut off shortly before 9:30 Friday morning, affecting customers west of Trask...
Vernon snowshoer has two more events at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy
Vernon's Danielle Pechet was just 19 seconds away from a bronze medal at the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin, Italy. Pechet was fourth in the...
Senate nears final approval of a bill that could increase penalties for fentanyl traffickers
The Senate was preparing Friday to give final approval to a bill that could result in harsher prison sentences for fentanyl traffickers as both Republicans and...
City of Penticton seeking operators for the Peach and Skaha Lake concessions
The City of Penticton is looking for operators for two concessions along its two main lake beaches. Skaha East and the Peach are both open for application,...
Pet Beach in Coldstream's Kalamalka Lake Park the victim of dog poop problems
A North Okanagan woman is sounding the alarm of over lack of pet etiquette in a local pet park. Diana Tuer and her dog, Ranger, frequent Pet Beach in Kalamalka...
FIFA drops Vancouver remix of World Cup theme song featuring local First Nations
Three local First Nations will help welcome the world to the 2026 FIFA World Cup next year through a remix of the massive event's theme song. FIFA released...
Hamas says it will release a US-Israeli hostage and 4 bodies but Israel expresses immediate doubt
Hamas said on Friday it has accepted a proposal from mediators to release one living American-Israeli hostage and the bodies of four dual-nationals who had died...
Man guilty of sex assault he claimed was consensual
Reader advisory: This story contains descriptions of sexual assault. A man has been found guilty of one count of sexual assault in Penticton Provincial Court...
Taking a closer look at the red dwarf star TRAPPIST-1
TRAPPIST-1 is a red dwarf star about 40.7 light-years away from Earth. It is of particular interest because it has seven earth-like planets orbiting around it....
Pineridge Golf Course opening for another season starting this weekend
Pineridge Golf Course is opening for another season starting this weekend. General Manager Adam Hicks said the course hopes to welcome its first golfers of 2025...
Joly, others to address media on last day of G7 foreign ministers meeting in Quebec
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly is set to address media this morning after gathering her counterparts from the U.S., Europe and Japan. She has been...
Longstanding Penticton program offers free income tax services for low-income earners
Tax season can be a nervous time for many Canadians, but it’s especially overwhelming for low-income residents as many choose not to file their taxes for...
Shuswap teachers push back against district plans to cut school library staff hours
Shuswap teachers are pushing back against school district plans to cut back on library staffing next year. At the March 9 board meeting of...
Kamloops growth touted at chamber event where trade war dominated discussion
Business and government leaders shared their vision for Kamloops as a quickly growing city — albeit one bracing for the impact of shifting tariffs —...
New location for third annual Taste of Downtown Vernon happening tomorrow
The third annual Taste of Downtown Vernon returns tomorrow, but this time at a new location. Following two smash hit years, the event is being moved to the...
Mark Carney set to become prime minister and name his cabinet this morning
Mark Carney will be sworn in as prime minister this morning at Rideau Hall, where he will also reveal his new cabinet. Carney won the Liberal leadership race...
East Shore community members plan meeting to discuss next steps amid ongoing Kootenay Lake Ferry strike
East Shore community members have organized a meeting at the Kootenay Bay ferry landing on March 16 at 1 p.m to discuss the ongoing impacts and to draw more...
All candidates in Penticton by-election speak up at public meeting
The cost of living and housing, the local economy and public safety were the key issues at the Penticton Chamber’s all-candidates meeting held at Cleland...
Salmon Arm warns residents not to be alarmed by crews clearing vegetation in Mt. Ida Park
Salmon Arm residents are advised not to be alarmed by the sound of chainsaws in Mt. Ida Park. BC Wildfire Service and Shuswap Trail Alliance crews will both be...
Penticton Neighbourhood Small Grant applications opens up
Grants worth up to $500 are now up for grabs for projects, workshops or activities in Penticton. The Neighbourhood Small Grants (NSG) program is now open for...
Kamloops city council eyes public input changes after inquiries paused
Kamloops city council is considering giving the public a soapbox during regular meetings in place of its inquiry period. Council decided in January to put a...
Travellers warned of delays as construction season officially underway for City of Penticton
Multiple construction projects are being worked on throughout the City of Penticton, including water system upgrades, paving and roadwork, and other...
RDOS hosting FireSmart Information and Pancake Breakfast in Naramata
The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) FireSmart team is holding an information session and pancake breakfast event next Saturday at the Naramata...
Tea and Tunes jam session brings community members together at Keremeos' Grist Mill
Local community members are coming together each Thursday afternoon for a Tea and Tunes acoustic jam at Keremeos' heritage Grist Mill and Gardens....
Students learn about environmental stewardship with the help of 'Yertle the Turtle,' Dr. Fish
Local students got to visit the banks of Canoe Creek to learn more about environmental stewardship with the help of classic Dr. Seuss character Yertle the...
BOOGIE THE BRIDGE: Three columnists start a seven-week journey to prepare for Boogie
Join columnists Aaron Schulze, Maximilian Ruther and Michael Potestio each Friday morning over the next seven weeks as they lace up their running shoes to take...
Salmon Arm Lions Club hosting bottle drive to support Shuswap Food Action Society
Empty cans and bottles can help keep stomachs full with a special fundraiser from the Salmon Arm Lions Club. The Lions Club is hosting a bottle drive on...
Last day to nominate local for 20th annual Spirit of Oliver Awards
Friday is the last day to nominate worthy Oliver resident for the annual spirit awards. Nominations opened to celebrate the volunteers that are the backbone of...
Past month offered some ‘unreal’ days of fishing on Kootenay Lake
The snow is disappearing fast and the weather is warming up, just in time for spring break and the latest Kootenay Lake fishing report. February started off...
Three Kootenay communities issue joint submission to the AKBLG to address homelessness and public safety concerns
Nelson, Castlegar and Trail municipal councils have issued a joint resolution to the Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Governments (AKBLG) to be presented...
City of Kamloops says Lorne Street child care centre moving ahead; opening day not yet confirmed
The City of Kamloops says its new 36-space child care centre is moving ahead, with more than $416,000 secured for the facility through a government grant. The...
Workforce housing plan is too vague for council to collaborate just yet, Salmo officials say
A housing task force is exploring ways to bring workforce housing to Salmo, either by building it directly or establishing new policies supporting its...
Intro to living mindfully talk upcoming at Nelson Library
Modern life can be overwhelming. How do we approach our busy days mindfully instead of with just a full mind? That very question is the topic of the...
Salmo's fire department is below budget, but it's for a good reason
The Village of Salmo's fire service revenue was lower than initial projections for the 2024 fiscal budget year. During a Salmo village council meeting on...
Four fire protection departments receive boost from province for training, equipment
Over $700,000 is flowing into the region from the province for fire protection services equipment and training for volunteer and composite fire departments....
Kelowna’s new PROLINE lounge apex of Okanagan sports betting and entertainment
Elias Pettersson leading a second-half charge to prove that the Canucks’ 2024 postseason run wasn’t a flash in the pan. Patrick Mahomes taking the...
Discover the intricacies of weaving through this hands-on workshop
This April, Kootenay Crafted Artisan Shop in Balour is offering a series of hands-on weaving workshops. Classes are open to individuals of all skill levels, and...
New film by Gillis and Valhalla aims to protect old growth Kootenay rainforest
The Rainbow-Jordan Wilderness is as wild a slice of wilderness as one can hope to find — a rare, valley-bottom, old growth forest. Working with a team of...
Get to know Rossland's acting mayor Stewart Spooner
As part of an ongoing series, Castanet will be highlighting each acting Mayor in Rossland throughout the year, offering the community an opportunity to get to...
