10 dead in shootings
Sextortion cases on the rise
Deaths a homicide-suicide
Canada Post gets a bailout
Arrested for link to Wedding
Judge shrugs off sanctions
Grand jury refuses to indict 
Images of masked intruder
Susan Collins to run again
FDA rejects mRNA flu vax
Submarine contract this year
Google, Meta, push back
Warriors add defence
Para snowboard showdown
UBCO clinch playoffs
Hope of more awareness
Roan leaves talent agency
Epstein files worry royals
Top Stories for January 12, 2026
Hiker missing near Lake Country found dead
A search for a missing hiker Sunday ended in tragedy near Lake Country. Central Okanagan Search and Rescue crews were called out at 9 p.m. to help track down a...
Asking price for two-bedroom rent in Central Okanagan hits three-year low
The average asking price for a two-bedroom rental in Central Okanagan hit a three-year low in December. Based on data combed from Castanet’s classifieds...
Trailer released for Kelowna-shot 'Canada Shore' MTV reality series
The trailer for the Kelowna-shot ‘Canada Shore’ reality series dropped Monday. Debuting on Jan. 22 on Paramount+, the series is a spinoff of the...
Kelowna home surrounded by RCMP on Monday morning
Police briefly surrounded a home in a Kelowna neighbourhood Monday morning. "Kelowna RCMP responded to a disturbance within a residence in the 200 block of...
Man accused of sexually abusing child breached probation by attending Vernon gym
A man facing child sexual abuse charges in Ontario was sentenced to jail time last month for attending a gym in Vernon, in breach of his bail conditions. In a...
Do you feel safe in the downtown core of your city?
Police say crime in Kamloops is dropping in a number of key areas, but they know many in the community don’t feel much safer. Kamloops RCMP Supt. Jeff...
Atmospheric river brings heavy rain to Coquihalla, Highway 3
Heavy rain is in the forecast for two mountain passes, Environment Canada is warning motorists. Highway 3, from Hope to Princeton via Allison Pass, and the...
Organized crime enforcement team launches in Kelowna
A gang enforcement team launched in Kelowna this month, following a “targeted policing” operation that resulted in significant seizures of firearms,...
Highway 1 closed all day Monday between Revelstoke and Golden for avalanche control
Avalanche control work will again close the Trans-Canada Highway through Rogers Pass on Monday. Drive BC is advising travellers that Highway 1 will be closed as...
Waterfront path downtown Kelowna closing for construction
A segment of the pathway along Okanagan Lake in downtown Kelowna will close this week for construction. The pathway in Kerry Park between The Sails on Bernard...
Country music star Waylon Wyatt, who rose to fame on TikTok, to play Kelowna in July
A rising star on the country music scene is bringing his Canadian tour to Kelowna this summer. Waylon Wyatt, who rose to fame on TikTok, is scheduled to play at...
Evacuation orders and alerts as rain batters Vancouver Island
Heavy rain brought by an atmospheric river system has swollen rivers across British Columbia's south coast and triggered a series of evacuation orders,...
National recall issued for no name brand beef burgers over E. coli
A national recall has been issued for no name brand beef burgers due to E. coli concerns. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency said Monday the recall was...
Kamloops actor Hudson Williams continues meteoric rise with Golden Globes appearance
The Tournament Capital’s brand new pop culture icon was on stage at the Golden Globes on Sunday night presenting an award. Hudson Williams and Connor...
17-year-old in 'critical condition' after alleged hit-and-run in Richmond
A 17-year-old was sent to the hospital in critical condition on Saturday after an alleged hit and run on No. 3 Road in Richmond. Richmond RCMP and BC Emergency...
B.C. plans ban on use of lead shot in all hunting
Should lead-based shotgun pellets be fully banned for hunting in B.C.? The provincial government has proposed the ban as a part of more than 60 changes planned...
More Americans identify as political independents, a new poll shows
Americans are increasingly rejecting the two major political parties, according to new polling. Just under half, 45%, of U.S. adults now identify as...
Mattel adds an autistic Barbie to doll line devoted to showcasing diversity and inclusion
Mattel Inc. is introducing an autistic Barbie on Monday as the newest member of its line intended to celebrate diversity, joining a collection that already...
Kelowna council pauses decision on agreement with RDCO
A long-standing agreement that gives City of Kelowna directors on the RDCO board a say on land-use matters outside its boundaries has been put on hold. The...
YMCA launches free virtual health program for young men
The YMCA of Southern Interior BC is launching a new free virtual mental health program aimed at helping young men across the province manage stress and anxiety....
Suspect in B.C. double murder arrived in Canada on student visa weeks earlier: Crown
The trial of three men accused of killing a couple in a violent invasion of their Abbotsford, B.C., home is underway, with the prosecution alleging the suspects...
Rally in Kelowna backs latest uprising in Iran
Hundreds of people rallied near the waterfront in downtown Kelowna in support of Iran on Sunday afternoon. They were there to show support for the latest round...
Not Just Tourists expands into the Okanagan, bringing medical aid to those in need
A global grassroots charity is expanding into the Interior, with the launch of a Not Just Tourists chapter in the Okanagan. Not Just Tourists — known as...
Changes could be coming to short-term rentals in rural parts of the Central Okanagan
The Regional District of Central Okanagan is considering overhauling its Airbnb rules, but they want your feedback before taking any action. The RDCO launched a...
Canucks say goalie Thatcher Demko expected to miss 'a week or two' with latest injury
VANCOUVER — The Canucks have sent all-star goalie Thatcher Demko back to Vancouver so medical staff can evaluate his latest injury. Head coach Adam Foote says...
Charter challenge of religious exemption to assisted dying law heads to court in B.C.
The B.C. Supreme Court is set to begin hearing a case this morning that questions whether religious hospitals have the right to refuse certain procedures. Dying...
Chinese newspaper Ming Pao winding up Canadian operations, laying off 60 staff
Chinese-language newspaper Ming Pao Daily News, which has newsrooms in Richmond, B.C., and Toronto, is winding up its Canadian operations. A letter from Ming...
Man hospitalized with serious injuries after late-night fire burns Tk'emlups home 'to the ground'
A man suffered serious injuries on Sunday night in a house fire that destroyed a home on the Tk’emlups reserve. According to police, emergency crews were...
Photographer and news outlet sue RCMP, alleging wrongful arrest at pipeline protest
A photographer and the news organization that sent her to cover an anti-pipeline protest in British Columbia are suing the RCMP for wrongful arrest in a case...
Another suspect arrested in $20M gold heist at Toronto Pearson airport in 2023
Police in Peel Region say another suspect has been arrested in the theft of more than $20 million in gold and $2.5 million in cash from Toronto's Pearson...
Arsonist pleads guilty to setting Prince George brewery fire
Richard Alex Gordon Titchener pleaded guilty as charged on Monday, Jan. 12 to lighting the fire that destroyed CrossRoads Brewing and Distillery in downtown...
Increased transit service rolls out in Kelowna
Expanded public transit service launched in the Central Okanagan earlier this month, adding new routes, more frequent buses and handyDART service on Sundays....
MNP report says Canadians expect 2026 to be challenging for their finances
A new report by insolvency firm MNP Ltd. suggests Canadians are expecting their household finances will come under pressure this year. The report says 71 per...
Trump says Iran wants to negotiate as the death toll in protests rises to at least 646
U.S. President Donald Trump said Iran wants to negotiate with Washington after his threat to strike the Islamic Republic over its crackdown on protestersthat...
Power briefly lost to 8,000 homes in Lake Country
Thousands of BC Hydro customers in Lake Country were briefly without power Monday afternoon. According to BC Hydro, 8,782 customers were without power due to a...
Vernon historian Terry Hurst honoured for her extensive body of work
On Dec. 12, 2025, Vernon lost an important local historian with the passing of Terry Hurst. Terry made significant contributions to the documentation of...
Seth Rogen, 'KPop Demon Hunters' and 'Heated Rivalry' stars shine at Golden Globes
Life imitated art for Seth Rogen as he won big at Sunday’s Golden Globes, capping a maple leaf-stamped fever dream of a night that also saw “K-Pop...
'Heated Rivalry' rewatch event brings fans together at Montreal bookshop
On Sunday nights at an independent bookstore in Montreal, a city known for its love of hockey, fans of the hockey romance TV series "Heated Rivalry"...
Apple calls on Google to help smarten up Siri and bring other AI features to the iPhone
Apple will rely on Google to help finish its efforts to smarten up its virtual assistant Siri and bring other artificial intelligence features to the iPhone as...
Trump's legal attack on Powell underscores his aim for full control over Fed
The Department of Justice’s threat to criminally indict Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell has set up a tense showdown between the White House and the...
Liberal MPs leave delegation to Taiwan to 'avoid confusion' as Carney heads to China
Two Liberal MPs say they are quitting a sponsored trip to Taiwan early to "avoid confusion" about Canada's China policy as Prime Minister Mark...
Broadway business owners seek lifeline grants as street closure looms
Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant Business Improvement Area (MPBIA) is warning that more business failures are likely if subway construction completely closes...
Repeat Kamloops burglar sentenced to jail for string of break-ins, thefts
A repeat Kamloops burglar who caused thousands of dollars in damage when he broke into an academic building at Thompson Rivers University to steal a computer...
Accused in Ryan Wedding case set to make bid for bail ahead of extradition hearing
An Ontario man accused of laundering funds for an international drug smuggling operation is set to start making his bid for release ahead of his extradition...
2025 jobs numbers mask uncertainty, growing disparities: economist
At first glance, economist Kaylie Tiessen said, the new 2025 jobs numbers from Statistics Canada look unremarkable. In December, the unemployment rate hit 6.8...
Calgary water use remains too high as recently broken water main goes through testing
The City of Calgary says water use remains too high as testing continues on a recently repaired watered main that ruptured late last month. City officials say...
As Canada tries to reduce its dependence on the US, its leader will visit China to rebuild ties
A leader of the Canadian government is visiting China this week for the first time in nearly a decade, a bid to rebuild his country's fractured relations...
UBCO Heat basketball guard Jalen Shirley sets team record for points in a game with 43
UBCO Heat basketball player Jalen Shirley continues to make history. The fifth-year guard set the program record for points a game, with an efficient 43 in his...
Police seek suspects in theft of 8 luxury cars from Oakville, Ont., dealership
Police west of Toronto say they are looking for suspects after eight high-end vehicles were stolen in an overnight break-in at an Oakville, Ont., leasing...
Saskatchewan Premier Moe joining Prime Minister Carney on trip to China
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is set to join Prime Minister Mark Carney on a visit to China this week. Moe says they'll be meeting with Chinese officials...
Work starts on Kamloops housing project aimed at helping people transition out of shelters
Work is underway on McGill Road to build a 55-unit supportive housing project aimed at helping people transition out of shelters and into permanent homes. Brett...
Kamloops Mounties credit targeted policing for notable drops in key crime categories in 2025
Police say crime in Kamloops is dropping in a number of key areas, but they know many in the community don’t feel much safer. Kamloops RCMP Supt. Jeff...
Venezuelans in the US are torn between joy and worry after ousting of Maduro
In the days since the Trump administration ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in a late-night military raid, Alejandra Salima has spoken to...
Mental fitness test for suspect in killing of B.C. RCMP Const. Shaelyn Yang
A judge has ordered a mental fitness assessment for the man accused of killing British Columbia RCMP officer Const. Shaelyn Yang more than three years ago....
Vernon RCMP arrest pair who broke into Vernon business
Vernon RCMP has arrested a pair of suspects in a break and enter at a Vernon business on Sunday morning. RCMP was called to a business in the 1200 block of...
Variety BC closes affordability gaps so children with complex health needs can pursue passions
For Sara, a 16-year-old from Castlegar, being on the ice is where she feels most herself. She loves to spin and push her body to discover what she’s...
Vancouver continues to prepare for FIFA World Cup 2026
Organizers are billing it as a “beautiful game in a beautiful place.” The game is soccer—better known as football in Europe and other...
Design for new Vernon roundabout heads to council
The design of a new roundabout in Vernon will be presented to councillors on Monday, Jan. 12 The roundabout is a part of the 43 Avenue Corridor Improvement...
Nelson residents could be facing higher than consumer price index tax increase in 2026
Nelson residents will likely be facing a municipal property tax increase this year much higher than the consumer price index (CPI), according to a city budget...
Average asking rents in Canada fell year-over-year every month of 2025: report
Asking rents in Canada fell 2.3 per cent year-over-year in December to an average of $2,060, marking a full calendar year of declines as prices reached their...
Hudson's Bay ephemera, Indigenous art slated for online auction this month
The latest round of Hudson's Bay treasures to hit the auction block is packed with ephemera and Indigenous art. Heffel Fine Art Auction House revealed...
Hearing into police action in Myles Gray's 2015 beating death to begin next week
British Columbia's police watchdog agency says a 10-week public hearing into the death of Myles Gray after a beating by Vancouver officers will begin next...
Kamloops RCMP investigating pair of related arsons, seek suspects
Kamloops RCMP believe two fires from the last several days were arson, and they believe the same suspects are responsible for both. In a news release, Kamloops...
Penticton car dealerships raffle car in support of local charity
Bannister Chevrolet and Kia Penticton will be raffling a car in support of local charity programs this month. On Jan. 30, the car will be given away at the...
Oliver council to vote on adding two youth councillors
The Town of Oliver will decide on whether it will be adding two youth councillors to the table. On Monday, the municipality will vote on a recommendation...
Key money takeaways from 2025 to strengthen your finances in 2026
As we move into the second week of January, many Canadians are still taking stock of what the past year meant for their money. While 2025 wasn’t without...
President of O’Keefe Ranch & Interior Heritage Society seeking answers from City of Vernon
Doug MacGregor, president of the O'Keefe Ranch and Interior Heritage Society (ORIHS), wants answers from the City of Vernon. "We want answers about the...
Officials say Canada unlikely to get Chinese tariffs dropped but can expect progress
Federal officials briefing reporters ahead of Prime Minister Mark Carney's visit to China say there might be relief coming soon on Chinese tariffs, but not...
First-time home buyers: How to get ready before you fall in love with a house
After years of working with first-time buyers, I’ve learned that most people don’t struggle because they can’t afford a home, they struggle...
Carney to discuss major projects, conservation with Coastal First Nations on Tuesday
Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet with Coastal First Nations on Tuesday to discuss major projects and marine conservation. Carney is travelling to Prince...
Let's Move Studio giving away $1K Reset Era priza package
Let’s Move Studio is giving Castanet Kamloops readers the chance to win a prize pack worth $1,000. The Reset Era 21-day fitness challenge at Let’s...
Penticton Search and Rescue assist in slippery, steep conditions
Penticton Search and Rescue are pleased with results after quick action Sunday. The team responded to a call in Olalla to assist with the transport of an...
Police investigate after man found dead in burning home in Surrey, B.C.
Police in Surrey, B.C., are investigating after a man's body was found inside a burning home in the Metro Vancouver city. Surrey police say emergency...
Mild weather draws skaters to new outdoor rink at Riverside Park
Riverside Park’s new outdoor skating rink drew steady crowds over its first weekend, as Kamloops families took advantage of mild winter weather. The...
Curler's Corner: Four-time Brier competitor Barry McPhee is a local curling icon
Curler's Corner is a column written by the Kamloops Curling Club's Randy Nelson. Published each Monday morning for the next five weeks, this column will...
Osoyoos Coyotes host game with fire department for cancer awareness
Osoyoos Fire Rescue and the Osoyoos Coyotes of the KIJHL will be joining forces to increase cancer awareness in firefighting. On Jan. 17 at 7 p.m., the two will...
South Okanagan winter playgrounds in full swing
"Four seasons of fun" is an ongoing collaboration between Castanet and Visit Penticton showcasing what Penticton has to offer all year round. Watch...
Kamloops Film Society aims to continue growing audience, take big programming swings
The Kamloops Film Society says it’s been seeing big growth over the past year as it's taken more chances on screening unique films, and it...
'Dancing with Parkinson's' free program series coming to Penticton
A unique new research-based dance program will soon kick off a series of free classes in Penticton. Dancing with Parkinson's Canada is aimed at people...
Catch the Vees on ice, and a country star at the mic
There are just a few days left to nab tickets to the Penticton Vees' Country Night, featuring Canadian country star JoJo Mason. The Vees, who are currently...
Kamloops building permit value climbs to $350M in 2025 despite single-family slowdown
While single-family home construction slowed in 2025, Kamloops still logged $350 million in building permits as multi-family projects picked up. That makes last...
Two officers cleared in fatal shooting of Vancouver man who was wielding knife
British Columbia's civilian police watchdog agency has cleared two Vancouver officers of wrongdoing in the shooting death of a man last August. The...
Lumby outhouse races return to Oval Park on Feb. 1
Lumby's most unique event is returning in February. The annual Lumby Outhouse Races will be coming back to Oval Park on Sunday, Feb. 1. The event is a fun,...
The Big Leplowski is ready to tackle snow clearing duties around Salmon Arm
Salmon Arm residents should keep their eyes peeled during the next snowfall as The Big Leplowski is ready to roll. In a social media post, the city announced...
Latest figures show snowpack in West Kootenay rising as precipitation continues
The rain falling in the lower reaches of the West Kootenay may seem foreign for January winter, but the precipitation is contributing to an above average...
Salmon Arm Silverbacks toppled league-leading Cowichan Valley Capitals followed by loss to Cranbrook
It was a roller coaster weekend at home for the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. The team upset the league-leading Cowichan Valley Capitals with a 4-3 overtime win on...
Salmon Arm police unable to determine who drove SUV struck by a semi on Highway 1
Mounties say two occupants of an SUV were tight-lipped about who was behind the wheel after the vehicle was struck by a semi truck on the Trans-Canada Highway...
Osoyoos Rattlers receive donation from Penticton retirement residence
The Osoyoos Rattlers senior girls basketball team received a donation from a Penticton retirement residence to kick off the week. Monday morning, staff from...
Ntamtqen Community Garden to grow with new opportunities in 2026
The Ntamtqen Community Garden is stepping into the new year with new programs and community members. In a Sunday social media post, the group wished the...
Steep section of upper reach of Cottonwood Street closed by city
Foot traffic not vehicular traffic will find its way to the top of Cottonwood Street from now on after the upper reaches of the Fairview street were closed by...
No need to leave your home for physiotherapy thanks to Live + Grow Physio
Melissa Thompson started her new business, Live + Grow Physio, because she saw a need for in-home physiotherapy service in the South Okanagan. It also gives her...
Rebels get bragging rights in Highway 3 home-and-home weekend series
The slide continues as the Nelson Leafs dropped two games to their Highway 3 rivals and slipped another two spots in the overall KIJHL standings over the...
CBT grant funding improves internal and external accessibility for region’s libraries
Guided by values of equity, inclusion and innovation, the Rossland Public Library serves as a catalyst for lifelong learning and as a vibrant heart of the...
