Alleged school strip search
Ferry needed a tow
High-risk offender arrested
Canadians back grid
Student mourned in Ontario
Not likely a Canadian pope
Insurers sued after fires 
Harvard sues 
Noem's purse stolen
Walgreens opioid settlement
Bay artifacts won't be cheap
Examining RFK Jr.'s claims
Archers strike gold
Olympic team prep revised
Rockets alum in playoffs
Pedro in 'active denial'
'Sinners' leads box office
Hilaria Baldwin 'grateful'
Top Stories for April 14, 2025
Infamous offender Curtis Sagmoen died at Vernon motel
It appears notorious North Okanagan offender Curtis Wayne Sagmoen died at the Tiki Motel in Vernon. After news broke on Friday of Sagmoen's death, a source...
Large-scale Kelowna fentanyl trafficker granted full parole after serving less than half of sentence
A Kelowna man who was behind what police described as “one of the most significant” fentanyl/carfentanil exportation enterprises in Canada has been...
Kelowna culinary scene mourns beloved front-of-house manager Mia Papadopoulos
You might have been welcomed by her sunny smile if you ever took a cooking class at the Lakehouse Home Store & Cooking School on Bernard Avenue or if you...
Kelowna moves forward with $242-million recreation centre
Describing the project as one that may well become a “legacy” of the current city council, Kelowna councillors moved the $242.3 million plan to...
Sun FM returns to Kelowna airwaves as part of B.C. radio landscape shakeup
Sun FM will be returning to Kelowna's airwaves as a part of a shakeup of the B.C. Interior's radio landscape. Vista Radio has completed the acquisition...
Trial now underway for Kamloops lawyer accused of murdering his client
UPDATE: 12:31 p.m. Butch Bagabuyo’s first-degree murder trial is now underway in a Kamloops courtroom. Lawyers spent the morning slowly filing exhibits...
Kelowna teacher's lesson on arousal misunderstood, says defence lawyer
It’s yet to be decided whether or not a former Kelowna teacher is guilty of trying to engage one of his former students in a sexual relationship, but both...
Have you cut back on purchases as a result of tariffs?
A survey from insolvency firm MNP Ltd. suggests Canadians' outlook for their personal finances has brightened even as they've taken steps to cut their...
Short-term rental hosts anxiously waiting for registration applications to be approved by May 1 deadline
Some short-term rental owners are getting anxious as the clock ticks down to a B.C. government deadline to register their units. As of May 1, platforms such as...
Trump floats another pause on automobile tariffs
U.S. President Donald Trump floated another possible pause on automobile tariffs after 25 per cent duties were placed on vehicles and auto part imports earlier...
Residents of Kelowna neighbourhood fed up with fires at abandoned properties
Six weeks ago an abandoned house went up in flames along Dougall Road South. Since then, there have been more fires at a group of abandoned homes and...
Manitoba ends some electricity exports to U.S., with plans to turn northward
Manitoba will soon have more energy for itself and other Canadian jurisdictions after two hydroelectric contracts with a Minnesota utility expire at the end of...
Helen’s Acres in Kelowna hoping for another bumper crop, hosts season opener
The organization that runs Helen’s Acres Community Farm in Kelowna is ready to launch what it hopes will be another record-breaking season. Trinity Legacy...
'We should be fine': Impact of U.S. tariffs not a major worry for new Flames arena
It's three floors down and nowhere to go but up for the new $900-million arena for the NHL’s Calgary Flames, even with the ongoing tariff war with the...
Kelowna speeders to be sent letters asking them to slow down
Volunteers are hitting the streets of the Central Okanagan, reminding drivers to slow down. The Kelowna RCMP’s Speed Watch program is a partnership with...
Pair of otters pose for nature photographer in Kelowna
A Kelowna nature photographer got more than she bargained for at Bertram Creek Regional Park this past weekend. Angelique Sellars says she has lived in Kelowna...
El Salvador President Bukele says he won't be releasing Kilmar Abrego Garcia back to the US
President Donald Trump 's top advisers and Nayib Bukele, the president of El Salvador, said Monday that they had no basis for the small Central American...
SD73 trustee Jo Kang to table motion to suspend all board of education pay
With dozens of jobs proposed to be cut in the Kamloops-Thompson school district, trustee Jo Kang says he'll be bringing forward a motion to ask the board of...
Southern California rocked by a strong earthquake near San Diego
Southern California was rocked by a strong earthquake Monday morning near San Diego. The earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 5.2 and was near the mountain...
Realtor from Kamloops named Association of Interior Realtors president
A Kamloops resident is the new Association of Interior Realtors president. Kadin Rainville, who has been practising in the Kamloops and Thompson Nicola Regional...
Retrial opens for Sarah Palin's libel suit against The New York Times
A retrial is set to begin Monday for Sarah Palin’s libel lawsuit claiming The New York Times libeled her in an editorial eight years ago. The onetime...
Sunny week ahead, highs above 20 C on Friday
Get the shorts, shades and sunscreen ready. We’re in for some brilliant weather as we head towards the Easter long weekend. A mix of sun and cloud is...
Trans-Canada Highway closing overnight near Tappen for bridge construction
The Trans-Canada Highway will be closed overnight near Tappen as bridge construction continues, with motorists warned to expect delays up to 30 minutes. Bridge...
B.C. unions claim foreign workers threaten maritime wages, workforce safety
Several maritime union leaders claim that shipping-related employers may be misusing Ottawa’s temporary foreign workers program to hire an increasing...
Car crashed into hair salon in Penticton
A car crashed into a hair salon in Penticton Monday. A Castanet reader spotted the incident and shared photos of the incident at First Choice Hair Cutters. No...
Nvidia plans to manufacture AI chips in the US for the first time
Nvidia announced Monday that it will produce its artificial intelligence super computers in the United States for the first time. The tech giant said it has...
Trade war could boost mass-timber construction in B.C., says developer
As Canadian softwood lumber gets squeezed out of the U.S. market, B.C. homebuilders should seize the opportunity to embrace mass-timber construction, says a...
Loaded dump truck impounded in B.C. after driver found intoxicated, police say
The British Columbia Highway Patrol says a loaded dump truck is sitting in an impound, while the driver faces allegations of impairment. Officers received a...
City of Vernon makes counterclaims to lawsuit filed by local businessman
The City of Vernon says there is no merit to a lawsuit filed by a property owner late last year. The update comes as the city filed its response to local...
'This whole year has been a nightmare': partner of Tatjana Stefanski hopeful for justice
It’s been one year since Mounties discovered the body of local mother Tatjana Stefanski in rural Lumby. Jason Gaudreault, Tatjana’s partner at the...
Man watches as person 'in distress' steals his car in New West
A man responding to a person “in distress” watched in disbelief as the other man drove away in his car. New Westminster police responded to a 911...
Charlebois: Counter-tariffs, not Trump, hurting Canada’s food economy
Canada’s food processing sector is becoming increasingly vulnerable – not merely due to global market volatility, but as a direct consequence of...
Four skiers injured on one icy West Vancouver slope, North Shore Rescue says
North Shore Rescue members were called to the same steep cliff four times over the weekend where skiers were slipping and sustaining serious injuries. While...
Blue Origin launches an all-female celebrity crew with Katy Perry, Gayle King and Lauren Sanchez
Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin launched his fiancee Lauren Sanchez into space Monday with an all-female celebrity crew that included Katy Perry and Gayle King....
Leslie Odom Jr. to reprise his Tony-winning role in 'Hamilton' this fall
Leslie Odom Jr., one of the original cast members of the mega-hit Broadway musical “Hamilton,” is coming back for another shot, a role he says...
Harpreet Badohal is carrying the NDP colours in Okanagan Lake West-South Kelowna
Over the past few weeks, Castanet News has featured candidates seeking your vote in each of the two Central Okanagan ridings leading up to the April 28 federal...
Alberta reports 16 more cases of measles, bringing total to 74
Alberta is reporting 16 more cases of measles, bringing the provincial total to 74 since the beginning of March. The government says the new cases were reported...
Power back on to most customers after car crash in the Oyama area
UPDATE 3:30 p.m. Power has been restored to all but 10 customers in the Oyama area of Lake Country. BC Hydro says the outage was caused by a motor vehicle...
Poilievre promises justice reform using notwithstanding clause, Carney talks defence
Liberal Leader Mark Carney and Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre are both campaigning in Montreal today and making announcements about defence procurement...
Prosecutor says Sean 'Diddy' Combs’ lawyers are looking for reasons to delay his May trial
A federal prosecutor in New York said Monday that lawyers for music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs are looking for reasons to delay a sex trafficking...
As legacy of Ford fades in Brazil, China's BYD looks to extend global lead in EV sales
When Chinese automaker BYD Co. announced plans to build a massive factory in the hardscrabble city of Camacari, in Brazil’s northeastern Bahia state,...
Canadians cutting spending, delaying purchases amid tariff turmoil: MNP survey
A survey from insolvency firm MNP Ltd. suggests Canadians' outlook for their personal finances has brightened even as they've taken steps to cut their...
First Nations Health Authority backs harm reduction on B.C. overdose anniversary
The top doctor at British Columbia's First Nations Health Authority says deaths from toxic drugs may have dipped, but now is not the time to pull back on...
Work on another roundabout in Vernon will start after the Easter weekend
Work on the Silver Star Road at Phoenix Drive roundabout will begin after the Easter long weekend. At their regular meeting Monday, Vernon city council will get...
What to know about Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and the alleged arson at his official residence
A man is facing charges after authorities say he broke into the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion in the middle of the night, set a fire that left...
Patriotism not always the best move when it comes to your investments
As the trade war between Canada and the United States drags on, many Canadian investors are understandably uneasy about their exposure to U.S. markets. Some...
Lake Country’s Creekside Theatre to host New York City-based comedian Pedro Gonzalez
The first Latin American immigrant comedian to appear on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert is coming to the Central Okanagan. In between shows from Los Angeles...
What to know about Harvey Weinstein's #MeToo retrial with jury selection set to get underway
Five years after Harvey Weinstein was convicted of rape and hauled to jail in handcuffs, the former movie mogul returns to a Manhattan courthouse Tuesday for a...
Lower Similkameen Indian Band urging vigilance after two unnerving incidents
The Lower Similkameen Indian Band has acknowledged two "concerning incidents" that kicked off this month. On Thursday, April 3, LSIB resources...
'It is a next chapter': Ontario legislature set to choose first female Speaker
The members of Ontario's legislature are set to make history today by selecting the province's first female Speaker — but just who will take up...
From BC to your home: These local designers create custom storage for every space
For Stephan Maingot, a beautiful home extends beyond lines, colours and contours. It also carries a pledge to the environment, so generations of Canadians can...
World markets advance as tech shares get lift from exemption of US tariffs on electronics
World markets rallied Monday after U.S. President Donald Trump said electronics such as computer chips, smart phones and laptops won’t face the same U.S....
Cirque du Soleil’s production of CRYSTAL arrives in Kelowna in May
Imagination, self-discovery, love and, ultimately, triumph of the human spirit. They are themes as timeless as the company behind the show itself. Cirque du...
Hungary passes constitutional amendment to ban LGBTQ+ public events, seen as a major blow to rights
Hungary’s parliament on Monday passed an amendment to the constitution that allows the government to ban public events by LGBTQ+ communities, a decision...
Noodlebox Penticton officially opening doors
A much-anticipated new franchise restaurant in Penticton is finally open. Noodlebox, a Victoria, B.C.-born Asian-fusion stir-fry restaurant, has been the...
That Science Gang kids show is coming to the Vernon & District Performing Arts Centre Wednesday
Hailed as the ultimate Kids Series performance of the 2024-25 Spotlight season, The Alphabet of Awesome Science is coming to Vernon. All the way from Australia,...
Okanagan Fest of Ale announces winners after successful weekend in Penticton
That's a wrap on another successful Okanagan Fest of Ale weekend in Penticton. Fifty B.C.-based craft brewers took over the Penticton Trade and Convention...
Statistics Canada reports February wholesale trade figures up 0.3 per cent
Statistics Canada says wholesale trade, excluding petroleum, petroleum products, and other hydrocarbons and excluding oilseed and grain, rose 0.3 per cent to...
These Easter eggs have been decorated by the Sorbian community for thousands of years
Anke Hanusch dips her tool into dark blue wax and dots it precisely on a yellow-dyed Easter egg in her hand. Back and forth, wax to egg, egg to wax, as the...
Lillooet Hospital emergency room to remain open Monday night
UPDATE 7:30 p.m. Interior Health has announced that the Lillooet Hospital and Health Centre emergency department will stay open on Monday night. Staffing...
Rory McIlroy wins Masters playoff to complete the career Grand Slam
AUGUSTA, Ga. (AP) — The closer Rory McIlroy came to fulfilling his lifetime dream — winning the Masters — the more it kept slipping away. Sunday at...
Community group hosting federal election town hall in Kelowna
If you're looking for more information on the upcoming federal election, the OCCA Communities Association is hosting a vote pop-up event downtown. The...
Meta faces historic antitrust trial that could force it to break off Instagram, WhatsApp
A historic antitrust trial began Monday for Meta Platforms Inc. in a case that could force the tech giant to break off Instagram and WhatsApp, startups it...
Canada's LNG industry set to take flight as interest reignites in Alaska megaproject
Hundreds of kilometres up the Pacific coast from where Canada’s first liquefied natural gas export terminal is set to start up this summer, a monster lays...
Meta says it will resume AI training with public content from European users
Social media company Meta said Monday that it will start using publicly available content from European users to train its artificial intelligence models,...
Essential online safety tips for seniors in 2025
As seniors increasingly embrace the digital world, whether for social media, online shopping, or staying connected, cybercriminals are targeting them more than...
Mario Vargas Llosa, Peruvian author and Nobel literature laureate, dies at 89
Peruvian author Mario Vargas Llosa, Nobel literature laureate and a giant of Latin American letters, died Sunday. He was 89. He was a prolific author and...
S&P/TSX composite up more than 200 points in early trading, U.S. stocks also higher
Canada's main stock index was up more than 200 points in early trading while U.S. markets pushed higher even after U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick...
Osoyoos' auto body shop takes on member contributing to award-winning build
An acclaimed Osoyoos auto body repair shop officially welcomes new but familiar talent. This month, JF Kustoms awarded David Launier with an auto body and...
Meta faces historic antitrust trial that could force it to break off Instagram, WhatsApp
Meta Platforms Inc. faces a historic antitrust trial beginning Monday that could force the tech giant to break off Instagram and WhatsApp, startups it bought...
Sunny skies, rising temperatures expected in Kamloops region: Environment Canada
Temperatures could climb as high as 25 C this week as sunny conditions dominate the forecast, according to Environment Canada. Monday will see a mix of sun and...
Next Iran-US nuclear talks will be held in Rome, AP source says
Talks between Iran and the United States over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear program appeared ready Monday to leave the Middle East, as an Italian...
Two men charged with firearms offences related to Sicamous parking lot shooting
Two men arrested and charged for the attempted shooting of a person known to police in Sicamous last Sunday will appear in court this week. In a statement...
New local produce delivery service aims to increase access to local farm goods
A new organic food delivery business is hoping to bring fresh local produce to the doors of residents throughout the Okanagan and Shuswap in every season....
Curler's Corner: Celebrating local curling giant Brian Windsor
Curler's Corner is a column written by the Kamloops Curling Club's Randy Nelson. Published each Monday morning for the next several weeks, this column...
Grant money allowed City of Vernon to plant more trees at popular park
Becker Park is going to be a little greener after the City of Vernon received a BC Hydro Community ReGreening Program grant. An administration report that will...
KSO's 'dynamic' music director, conductor to step down at close of 2024-25 season
The Kamloops Symphony Orchestra is bidding farewell to Dina Gilbert, its “dynamic” music director and principal conductor. In a news release, KSO...
Election 2025 Q&A with NDP candidate Phaedra Idzan, running in Kamloops-Shuswap-Central Rockies
Castanet is running a series of candidate profiles in the run-up to the federal election on Monday, April 28. Between now and election day, we will publish...
Lots of unique wine experiences this BC Wine Month in Penticton
"Four seasons of fun" is an ongoing collaboration between Castanet and Visit Penticton showcasing what Penticton has to offer all year round. Watch...
Local artist donates print created from salvaged Red Bridge debris
A piece of artwork created with salvaged wood from the historic Red Bridge has been donated to the City of Kamloops. The Red Bridge burned down in a suspected...
There is a new vintage shop in Nelson and it may not be around forever
There’s a new temporary pop-up shop in Nelson that just sprang up. Lisa Winter said she decided to open up the temporary store on a whim after she had a...
Kamloops volunteers invited to 13th annual appreciation barbecue
Community volunteers are invited to Sandman Centre this week for a barbecue hosted to thank them for their time and dedication to Kamloops. In a news release,...
BC Regional Championship kart racing crowned drivers in Oliver
Rubber was burned and champions were crowned during the kart racing BC Regional Championship in Oliver over the weekend. On Sunday, finalist heats were underway...
Salmo presents new requirements for mobile food and service vendors
A suggestion that the Salmo village oversee menu items at the 2025 Canada Day celebrations to prohibit vendors from selling the same kind of food as one another...
B.C. restaurant industry faces continued challenges amid culinary labour shortages
Kyle Dampsy, owner of The Block and Railtown in Nelson, said that the amount of taxation, the increasing cost of goods, and the looming tariffs have left many...
Traffic delays on Fairview Road Bridge for inspection in Oliver
Drivers in Oliver can expect traffic delays on the Fairview Road Bridge on Monday. In a public notice, the Town of Oliver alerted people to the delays because...
Nelson police and fire department respond to dumpster fire
A dumpster fire set Sunday morning by vandals caused “significant” property damage, according to police. Nelson Police Department (NPD) officers and...
Selkirk College students transform maps from screens to physical models
Taking part in a cross-program project, Selkirk College students created a stunning collection of detailed, layered maps and 3D prints that provide an...
Emergency preparedness funding delivered to strengthen emergency support services in Kootenay-Boundary
This summer Kootenay communities will have a little more support when emergency services need to be delivered. Four local governments will be receiving money...
Panel, presentation and discussion on challenges of climate change in Kootenay region
Climate change is bringing new challenges to all areas, especially in areas like Nelson that thrive on outdoor recreation and tourism. So the question of how to...
From BC to your home: These local designers create custom storage for every space
For Stephan Maingot, a beautiful home extends beyond lines, colours and contours. It also carries a pledge to the environment, so generations of Canadians can...
Cirque du Soleil's production of CRYSTAL arrives in Kelowna in May
Imagination, self-discovery, love and, ultimately, triumph of the human spirit. They are themes as timeless as the company behind the show itself. Cirque du...
New WildSafeBC coordinator sought for 15 Kootenay communities
The communities of Rossland and Trail are searching for a new WildSafeBC coordinator. The job would require the applicant to serve the communities of Rossland...
