'Stranger tried to kill me'
Man missing, 2 others alive
Downtown Vancouver fire
China extends olive branch
Gov. Gen. to attend funeral
India suspends water treaty
Trump blames Zelenskyy
$28 trillion in damage 
The Bay to fully liquidate 
Markets up after comments
Anxiety in forestry sector
Hockey fans travel to U.S.
Okanagan ref honoured
Vees scouting for season
No Canadian finalists 
Gosling will bring the 'cool'
'Suspect' digs for the truth 
Top Stories for March 18, 2025
Kelowna drag queen performer sues for defamation
A well known Kelowna performer is suing the people allegedly behind a false “malicious and defamatory campaign.” Tyson Cook, who performs in drag...
Rare white crow visits the Okanagan with some more common birds of a feather
Cathy Morgan was looking into her Carr’s Landing yard this weekend when she saw a familiar, albeit uncommon, sight. A white bird with black eyes, a black...
Notorious Kelowna Hells Angels house being knocked down
One of Kelowna's most notorious buildings is being knocked down. The City of Kelowna's recently acquired Hell’s Angels clubhouse on Ellis Street...
As vacancy rate rises, Kelowna councillors wonder if it's too much
Is Kelowna being oversaturated by rental developments? As the city has fought to catch up with the construction of rental units over the past decade, questions...
With the current tensions between the U.S. and Canada would you holiday in the U.S?
Immigration lawyers say the case of a Vancouver woman detained in the United States over a denied visa is a warning to other Canadians that it's no longer...
Trump and Putin agree to an immediate ceasefire for energy and infrastructure in Ukraine conflict
President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed during a lengthy call Tuesday to an immediate pause in strikes against energy and...
Stock market today: US stocks fall as Wall Street waits for the Fed
U.S. stocks are falling as Wall Street waits to hear from the Federal Reserve, which will make its latest announcement on interest rates Wednesday. The S&P...
Vancouver International Auto Show removes Tesla, citing safety concerns at event
The Vancouver International Auto Show says it has removed Tesla from participating in this week's event over safety concerns. Executive Director Eric...
Concerns remain over the lack of a school site in Kelowna's new North End plan
Kelowna city council got a chance to review and comment on the vision for the redevelopment of the city’s North End. The final iteration of the plan came...
Previously classified files related to JFK assassination released
Previously classified documents related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy were released Tuesday evening following an order by President...
Blue Rodeo, Jann Arden headline Summer Concert Series at Mission Hill
Blue Rodeo and Jann Arden highlight the star-studded roster of performers who will take to the outdoor amphitheatre stage at West Kelowna's Mission Hill...
Kelowna business among recipients of $6.6 million grant to boost B.C. food manufacturing
A new wave of support for food and beverage manufacturers across B.C. was announced Tuesday at a Kelowna news conference. As part of the BC Manufacturing Jobs...
Forests minister in the Okanagan as industry braces for tariffs
Forests minister Ravi Parmar is in the Okanagan this week meeting with an industry under siege. Longtime systemic challenges facing the forest sector have been...
Developer lowers prices to help more buyers get into housing market
A Kelowna developer, Millennial Developments, is passing on savings to Canadian first-time homebuyers. Revo Kelowna, a Millennial Developments Smart Community,...
Wildfire expert urges prevention of human-caused fires ahead of potentially active fire season
While it’s too early to know exactly what this year’s fire season will hold, a wildfire expert says early forecasts suggest the stage is being set...
Vernon Ultra Athlete Shanda Hill battling injury in Africa
Vernon Ultra Athlete Shanda Hill is now battling an injury causing her severe pain as she pushes to complete the Deca Ultra South Africa. Early Tuesday morning,...
Justin Baldoni's attorney addresses potential settlement with Blake Lively
Justin Baldoni's attorney insisted they may not be open to a settlement with Blake Lively. The actress, 36, and 41-year-old filmmaker have been embroiled in...
Vernon RCMP apprehend car jumper under Mental Health Act
Mounties have tracked down the man who was jumping in front of cars in Vernon last week. In an email, Cpl. Tania Finn with the Vernon RCMP said officers found...
New Central Okanagan public schools superintendent
A new face will represent public schools in the Central Okanagan. The board of education announced Tuesday the appointment of Jon Rever to the position of...
B.C. liquor importers see financial ruin with stock in ‘lockdown’
In its rush to pull American alcohol products from store shelves, the B.C. government appears to have overlooked a key issue: importers are now stuck with...
Tesla driver crashes moments after speeding away from police on Highway 1 near Lytton
An identity thief who led Mounties on a short-lived high speed chase in a Tesla has been sentenced to two years in prison. Jefrey Brian Vinluan, 38, pleaded...
Liberals lagging well behind other parties on nominating candidates as election looms
With a federal election call expected any day now, the Liberal party is trailing well behind its rivals on nominating candidates. The Conservatives have...
Central Okanagan residents urged to be bear aware this spring
As temperatures rise and bears emerge from hibernation, the Regional District of Central Okanagan and BC Conservation are urging residents to take action to...
Historic bridge near Enderby will be demolished
The historic Baxter Bridge will be demolished, according to the Ministry of Transportation. The old one-lane wooden Baxter Bridge on Trinity Road, about 11...
B.C. failing to show how it calculates forest carbon, audit finds
British Columbia’s government has failed to transparently show how it calculates carbon in the province’s forests — numbers critical when...
Carney announces plans to boost Canada's military footprint in the Arctic
Prime Minister Mark Carney said Tuesday that Ottawa will expand the Canadian Armed Forces’ presence in the Arctic and turn to Australia's...
Memorial for Kelowna crane collapse going ahead
Fencing has gone up around Knowles Heritage Park, as long-held plans for the memorial dedicated to victims of a 2021 Kelowna crane collapse start taking shape....
Nickelback headed to Vancouver Island for the first time in 20 years this summer
Nickelback will play their first concert on Vancouver Island in 20 years this summer — one that has the potential to set an attendance record in the...
Inflation's surprise jump could push Bank of Canada to pause rate cuts
A surprise jump in inflation and a flood of "noise" in the economy may push the Bank of Canada to pause its interest rate cuts next month, some...
Ford says energy surcharge remains on table but he won't 'antagonize' U.S. in talks
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is keeping the possibility of reintroducing a surcharge on electricity exported to the United States in his back pocket, but says for...
RioCan outlines property exposure as it calls HBC creditor filing 'disappointing'
RioCan Real Estate Investment Trust says Hudson's Bay creditor protection filing is "disappointing" as it calls for fair and balanced...
Vehicle struck while making left turn in Spallumcheen: Vernon RCMP
The car crash on Highway 97A in Spallumcheen was between a passenger vehicle and a transport truck towing concrete, according to Vernon RCMP. Mounties say at...
Telus, Nvidia announce AI-investment plans in Kamloops
Canadian telecommunications giant Telus is announcing upgrades to its facility in Kamloops alongside a new "sovereign AI factory" being constructed in...
Taylor Swift dominated the iHeartRadio Music Awards 2025
Taylor was the big winner at the iHeartRadio Music Awards 2025. The 35-year-old pop megastar was honoured with nine prizes at the ceremony in Los Angeles'...
Summerland man files lawsuit against multiple RCMP officers and mayor
A Summerland resident who has a contentious relationship with local council and is well-known in the community for his litigious activities has filed suit...
Axworthy 'deeply dismayed' as eastern European states propose leaving landmine treaty
Former foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy wants Canada to mount a campaign with like-minded countries to stop eastern European allies from leaving a treaty...
North Vancouver RCMP arrest alleged police impersonator, seek additional victims
North Vancouver RCMP say they have arrested a man who allegedly pretended to be a police officer earlier this month. Local Mounties received reports of a man...
Conservatives say there will be no media seats on Poilievre's election campaign
The Conservative party is breaking from tradition and will not be allowing media onboard planes and buses for Pierre Poilievre's election campaign. In an...
B.C.'s Forests Ministry told to protect cultural sites, First Nation's water source
The Forest Practices Board says the British Columbia government "did not follow the law" when it approved range use plans that near the Halfway River...
B.C. geoduck exports facing possible devastation as Chinese tariffs loom
British Columbia seafood producers are bracing for impact as China is slated to impose 25-per-cent tariffs on geoduck clams, a move that could devastate the...
Consider planting an extra row for the hungry in your garden this spring
If you’re gearing up to plant fruits, vegetables or herbs this spring, why not grow some extra to donate to your local soup kitchen or pantry? The...
Myths of the B.C. forest industry
Successive B.C. governments have failed to seriously overhaul forestry policy. The late Upton Sinclair, a distinguished American author and political activist...
Shopify shares to trade on Nasdaq, moving from New York Stock Exchange
Shopify Inc. is moving its U.S. stock exchange listing to the Nasdaq from the New York Stock Exchange, beginning March 31. The Canadian technology company says...
B.C. truckers fear becoming victims of U.S. tariff war
How the B.C. government can directly respond to U.S. trade threats is relatively limited, largely because the province cannot set tariffs. But new provincial...
Bull riders to return to Prospera Place
Bull riding will return to Kelowna’s Prospera Place this summer. Professional Bull Riders Canada bucks into the Central Okanagan on July 17. Some of the...
Highway 1 east of Lytton to see intermittent closures due to construction work
The Trans-Canada Highway near Lytton will be closed a few times in the coming week as construction work takes place. In a news release, the Ministry of...
City of Kamloops posts RFP for contractor to eradicate Japanese beetles from River Street
The City of Kamloops is looking for a contractor that can help eradicate Japanese beetle from public sites affected by the insect — including a downtown...
New executive director at Okanagan Basin Water Board
The Okanagan Basin Water Board has announced its new executive director. Melissa Tesche comes to the organization from past roles as general manager of the BC...
Bicycles and motorcycles in bus lanes
Question: Now that cycles and motorcycles are defined as “vulnerable road users,” why are they not allowed in bus lanes? (Please note, I am not...
Fire fuel removal day planned for Magic Estates and Clifton area
The Clifton Magic Neighbourhood Association (CMNA) is organizing a FireSmart fire fuel removal day next week. On March 24 starting at 7 a.m., residents in the...
'He lost a rap battle that he provoked': Drake's record label seek to have lawsuit dismissed
Drake's record label are seeking to have his lawsuit against them dismissed, arguing he "encouraged" his feud with Kendrick Lamar. The Canadian...
B.C. inflation jumps past national average in February
The West Coast was not spared the “massive” leap in inflation that hit Canadian consumers last month. B.C.’s inflation rate reached three per...
Alberta won't use public money to clean up abandoned wells: Energy Minister
Alberta's energy minister says the government will never use public tax dollars to clean up abandoned oil and gas wells. Brian Jean says it will never be an...
Vancouver’s housing market better prepared for tariffs than Toronto’s, says TD
Vancouver’s housing market is stronger than Toronto’s heading into turbulence brought on by tariffs, according to an analysis by TD Economics. TD...
B.C. company plans to ignite fusion within three years
Under the din of an industrial alarm, dozens of engineers stare at their screens, braced for the unexpected. “Ready to fire!” shouts the lead...
Firehall burglar stands accused of breaking into Kamloops church
A 25-year-old Kamloops man is in jail facing charges stemming from a burglary at a Brocklehurst church. Police were called to a report of a break-in at about 3...
NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams return to Earth after 9 months stuck in space
Stuck in space no more, NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams returned to Earth on Tuesday, hitching a different ride home to close out a saga that...
Fear at isolated Antarctica base as a man is accused of attacking a colleague and making threats
A member of a South African research team that is confined for more than a year at an isolated Antarctica base was put under psychological evaluation there...
Osoyoos locals recall historic gold mine tunnels on Kruger Mountain
A photo is stirring up a historical blast from the past regarding the old Dividend-Lakeview Gold Mine on Kruger Mountain in West Osoyoos. Last week, Osoyoos...
'Wall full of flames': Community rallies behind Vancouver residents displaced by fire
Two separate apartment fires in just five days have resulted in multiple people being displaced from their homes in Vancouver’s West End. The fires took...
Canada's Homan beats United States and Turkey at world women's curling championship
A two-win day for Rachel Homan has her Canadian team in a second-place tie at the midway point of round-robin play at the LGT world women's curling...
Prime Minister Mark Carney set to host meeting with Canada's premiers Friday
Prime Minister Mark Carney is hosting a meeting with Canada's premiers on Friday. The prime minister's office and the office of Ontario Premier Doug...
Germany's likely next leader wins parliament's backing for huge defense and infrastructure spending
Germany’s would-be next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, won lawmakers’ approval Tuesday for ambitious plans to loosen the nation’s strict debt...
Trump says his administration is set to release JFK files with no redactions
President Donald Trump says files related to the 1963 assassination of President John F. Kennedy will be released Tuesday without any redactions, making good on...
Is social media the new union battleground?
Airplanes with standing sections. An extra fee for boarding charged at airport terminals. Even smaller carry-on luggage allowances. These are a few of the...
AI is turbocharging organized crime, EU police agency warns
The European Union's law enforcement agency cautioned Tuesday that artificial intelligence is turbocharging organized crime that is eroding the foundations...
Husband of police officer killed by drunk driver awarded Coronation Medal
The husband of a West Shore RCMP officer who was killed by a drunk driver in Langford in 2016 has been awarded a King Charles III Coronation Medal to recognize...
What to know about the bird flu outbreak in wild birds and what it means for backyard bird feeders
Bird flu has devastated poultry and dairy farms, and sent the price of eggs soaring in the United States since it was first detected in North America in late...
League structure changes announced for 2026-27 KIJHL season
While the playoffs continue in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) the league is in the midst of major changes that could affect all of its...
Alberta health authority confirms another measles case in province's south
Alberta's front-line health authority says it has learned of a confirmed case of measles in the province's south. The case comes after others were...
Black Canadians see progress to improve workplace, but problems remain: KPMG report
A new report says a vast majority of Black Canadians feel their employer has made progress in creating a more equitable workplace, but more than three-quarters...
Hungary’s parliament passes a law banning Pride events, in a new assault on LGBTQ+ rights
Hungarian lawmakers on Tuesday passed a law banning Pride events and allowing authorities to use facial recognition software to identify attendees, continuing a...
Canadian farmland values rise nine per cent, but rate of growth on a downward trend
Average Canadian farmland values continued their more than 30-year streak of increases last year, but Farm Credit Canada says the rate of growth is slowing and...
Alphabet to buy cybersecurity startup Wiz for $32 billion
Google owner Alphabet will buy cybersecurity firm Wiz for $32 billion — in a deal set to boost the tech giant’s in-house cloud computing amid...
No charges for Vancouver officer involved in fatal 2022 shooting: prosecutors
A Vancouver Police officer will not be charged over a fatal shooting in a city rooming house in May 2022. The British Columbia Prosecution Service says in a...
McDonald's Canada testing a vegetable-based burger — again
McDonald's Canada is trying its hand at a vegetable-based burger — again. The fast-food chain announced Tuesday that it will test its new McVeggie at...
A Dutch 'fish doorbell' has turned into an unlikely online hit combining slow TV and ecology
The central Dutch city of Utrecht has installed a “ fish doorbell ” on a river lock that lets viewers of an online livestream alert authorities to...
Team-based primary care clinic in Penticton given $1M donation from SOS Medical Foundation
A non-profit seeking to expand out a team-based primary care clinic in Penticton has received their first major donation. The SOS Health Care Society has been...
Indigenous leadership conference Gathering Our Voices brings 1,000 youth to Kamloops
More than a thousand Indigenous youth will on the campus of Thompson Rivers University this week for a leadership training conference. In a news release, the BC...
S&P/TSX composite index down in late-morning trading, U.S. stocks also in the red
Canada's main stock index fell more than 150 points in late-morning trading, weighed down by losses in the industrial and technology sectors, while U.S....
Assault charges for man accused of bear-spraying Mounties in Nanaimo, B.C.
RCMP have arrested a man who allegedly bear-sprayed two officers in Nanaimo, B.C. Police say they were called out Saturday afternoon to a report of a man...
Reconstruction of Albert McGowan water park in Kamloops to start next week
Work to install new water park equipment in an Upper Sahali park will begin next week. The City of Kamloops said reconstruction of the Albert McGowan water park...
Nickel Plate Nordic Ski Club renaming lodge in honour of beloved longtime volunteer
Nickel Plate Nordic Ski Club near Penticton is honouring a beloved longtime member and volunteer by renaming their day lodge after her. On March 22, the lodge...
Lillooet hospital emergency room to see 49-hour closure this week
The emergency department at the Lillooet Hospital and Health Centre will be temporarily closed for a 49-hour stretch. In a news release, Interior Health said...
Stuck astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are finally on their way back to Earth
NASA’s two stuck astronauts headed back to Earth with SpaceX on Tuesday to close out a dramatic marathon mission that began with a bungled Boeing test...
City of Vernon requesting proposals for new scoreboard project
The City of Vernon is accepting proposals for the new video scoreboard at Kal Tire Place. After debating the high cost of the new system, Vernon council...
Osoyoos' Adega on 45th Estate Winery sold for $6.3M
Adega on 45th Estate Winery in Osoyoos has sold for $6.3 million, a significant discount from the original 2021 asking price. According to Sotheby's...
Strange foam and dead fish wash ashore at 2 Australian beaches as surfers fall sick
An Australian state closed two beaches after dead fish and an unusual off-white foam washed ashore while surfers reported feeling unwell, officials said on...
Parti Québécois win byelection, capture Terrebonne riding northeast of Montreal
The Parti Québécois recaptured a longtime stronghold northeast of Montreal, winning the riding of Terrebonne in a byelection Monday. The PQ's...
Lower Similkameen Indian Band, firefighters tackle 'fire incident' near Chopaka Bridge
UPDATE: 5:10 p.m. Keremeos Fire-Rescue has the fire contained and are patrolling for hot spots to be extinguished, according to a social media post from the...
French bulldog is still top US breed, but is another gaining momentum? Of corso
The U.S. still has a major case of French bulldog fever, but a very different breed is staunchly chasing dog lovers' hearts, according to American Kennel...
Kamloops-area schools in line for more than $300K from Ottawa for food programs
More than $300,000 in funding has been earmarked for the Kamloops-Thompson school district to support schools food programs as part of a new federal program....
Annual inflation rate jumps to 2.6% in February with tax holiday end: StatCan
The annual rate of inflation accelerated sharply to 2.6 per cent in February as the federal government’s temporary tax break came to an end mid-month,...
Trump's funding freeze leaves US allied Afghan refugees struggling for the basics
The rent is due, but Rahmani has no money to pay it. The Afghan father of two worked for a U.S.-backed organization in Kabul, which put him at risk of Taliban...
Start of early voting in Wisconsin Supreme Court race will test enthusiasm on both sides
Republicans and Democrats fighting for control of the Wisconsin Supreme Court will get a sense Tuesday of how energized their sides are with the start of early...
Beloved face of Discovery House posthumously awarded with King Charles III Coronation Medal
A Penticton man who shaped the lives of many for the better was posthumously awarded the prestigious King Charles III Coronation Medal on Tuesday. The late...
Rotary Club of Salmon Arm bringing a taste of Ethiopia to the Shuswap with fundraising dinner
Experience the flavours of traditional Ethiopian cuisine and help make a direct impact on the lives of people at home in the Shuswap and abroad in Ethiopia at...
Quebec MP, businesses to join Vermont senator's border discussion on trade war
A Liberal member of Parliament is set to join a United States senator at the Canada-U.S. border today for a discussion on how to navigate the trade war between...
Parkland names two new directors as activist investor demands board shakeup
Parkland Corp., which is facing calls from an activist shareholder for an overhaul of its board, has named two new independent directors. The Calgary-based fuel...
China's BYD launches EV charging system it says works nearly as fast as a fill up
China’s energy and auto giant BYD has announced an ultra fast EV charging system that it says is nearly as quick as a fill up at the pumps. BYD,...
Sicamous council sending a letter to Premier Eby calling for drug decriminalization to be repealed
The District of Sicamous council is calling on Premier David Eby to end the province's drug decriminalization pilot after receiving a letter from a Canadian...
Kenya hosts Dutch royals as allegations of rights abuses mount in the East African nation
Kenya is hosting the Dutch king and queen as allegations of human rights abuses are mounting in the East African country, with Kenyans writing hundreds of...
Israeli strikes across Gaza kill at least 326 Palestinians and shatter ceasefire with Hamas
Israel launched airstrikes across the Gaza Strip early Tuesday, killing at least 326 Palestinians, including women and children, according to hospital...
Report highlights how communities hardest hit by climate change can build resilient water systems
Malynndra Tome was helping to map livestock ponds in the Navajo Nation when she saw something that inspired her to act. An elderly woman was filling milk jugs...
Vendors and performers sought for Cawston's MacKenzie Road Art & Wine Festival
For the fourth year running, the community of Cawston will be host to a vibrant free community event showcasing local talents and delicacies. The MacKenzie Road...
Spring chipping returning this month in Vernon
Vernon’s spring chipping program returns this month. As residents begin spring cleaning their yards by trimming branches and clearing winter debris, the...
Arizona Supreme Court taps AI avatars to make the judicial system more publicly accessible
Arizona's highest court has created a pair of AI-generated avatars to deliver news of every ruling issued by the justices, marking what is believed to be...
Prescribed burn planned for Vernon's Longacre-Apollo Road area this week
Vernon Fire Rescue Services (VFRS) has a prescribed burn scheduled for Thursday, as a part of ongoing wildfire risk reduction work. The burn on March 20 will be...
Vernon Community Arts Centre showcasing art from instructors in new exhibit
Community art instructors are showcasing their art for the rest of the month – giving students a sneak peak at what they may learn in classes. The...
Tickets available for South Okanagan Crime Stoppers' $1K raffle package
Crime Stoppers South Okanagan-Similkameen is holding a raffle for a prize package worth over $1,000. In a social media post on Monday, the policing service...
Playoff hopes dashed as Blazers fall 5-3 to Royals
The Kamloops Blazers had their playoff hopes dashed on Tuesday night with a 5-3 trouncing at the hands of the Victoria Royals. Vit Zahejsky, Josh Kelly and...
Penticton ready to welcome 10 days of arts, culture, and creativity at Ignite the Arts
Penticton's Ignite the Arts Festival is fast approaching, with tickets available for a jam-packed experience of culture and creativity. It all gets started...
Creston sees steady population growth, despite being below provincial average projections
The Town of Creston’s population is currently on a steady incline, according to a March 6 Master Plan Draft Report. According to the review conducted by...
BCWS offers to meet with CSRD after regional district criticized new wildfire response program
The BC Wildfire Service has extended an offer to meet with the Columbia Shuswap Regional District after the board of directors sent a letter expressing...
Osoyoos council approves additional $24.5k in provincial funding to community groups
Osoyoos has approved additional funds for community groups from money remaining in the town's Resort Municipality Initiative share. Last meeting, council...
Oliver's unlimited yard collection missed and postponed to next day
Oliver residents had to wait a little longer for their unlimited yard waste collection pickup. In a public notice on Monday, the Town of Oliver announced that...
David Garneau’s Dark Chapters: A still life exhibition that speaks volumes
The Dark Chapters exhibition premieres at the Nelson Museum, Archives and Gallery on Friday, March 21 at 7 p.m., featuring a discussion with David Garneau and...
B Avenue in Kalso will be closed until further notice
B Avenue between Cross Street and Sixth Street in Kaslo will be closed to traffic on March 18 due to water main work. The Village of Kaslo has informed...
KDCFS applied for virtual meeting equipment grant to allow for more public participation
The Kaslo District Community Forest Society (KDCFS) has applied for a $500 grant to pay for new virtual meeting equipment. According to a letter signed by KDCFS...
RDCK announces permanent closure of the Winlaw Recycling Depot
At the end of the month the only recycling depot in the mid Slocan Valley will be permanently closed. The Regional District of Central Kootenay (RDCK) had...
Community engagement approves concept one, moves ahead with request for proposals
Plans are moving ahead for the neighbourhood park renewal planned for Brandson in Castlegar. After receiving city council approval on the phase three report for...
