• Squirrels are damaging some maple syrup operations

    Squirrels are damaging some maple syrup operations
    Producers say replacing damaged equipment can be time-consuming and expensive
  • Canucks dumped 4-1 by Blue Jackets as losing skid reaches 9 games

    The skid continues for the Vancouver Canucks.
    The Canucks dropped their ninth straight game, falling 4-1 to the host Columbus Blue Jackets in NHL action Thursday at Nationwide Arena.
    Charlie Coyle, Kirill Marchenko, Zach Werenski and Kent Johnson scored for the Blue Jackets (21-19-7). Elvis Merzlikins earned the win in goal, stopping 30 shots.
    Brock Boeser scored the lone goal for Vancouver (16-25-5), his first marker since Nov. 28. Kevin Lankinen took the loss in net, making 32 saves.
    Coyle got
  • $10K fine upheld against Edgewood ostrich farm

    After losing all of their animals, Universal Ostrich Farm must also pay a $10,000 fine.
    The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) issued the fine and violation to the Edgewood farm after it failed to report an outbreak in the approximately 400 bird herd in December of 2024.
    The entire flock was ultimately killed due to the outbreak, but the farm contested the violation notice and attached fine with the Canada Agricultural Review Tribunal.
    Tribunal chairperson Emily Crocco upheld the decision in
  • Okanagan’s En’owkin Centre receives federal funds for national arts program

    For over 20 years, the En’owkin Centre in Penticton has supported the education and development of Indigenous artists across Canada, and with recently announced funding, it will continue to do so for the next three.
    Kelowna MP Stephen Fuhr, Secretary of State for Defence Procurement, presented the Jan. 15 announcement at the En’owkin Centre on Sn’pnktn (Penticton) Indian Band on the behalf of Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Marc Miller.
    The $960,000 in funding from th
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  • Bishnoi gang news surprises B.C. premier on 1st day of India trip

    Premier David Eby said he was “incredibly concerned” to see news reports about an internal RCMP memo containing talk of an alleged link between the Lawrence Bishnoi gang and the Indian government right after he landed in the country on a trade mission.
    “It was challenging,” he said on a Thursday Zoom call with reporters. “We almost cancelled meetings here until we were able to see the full document.”
    Eby downplayed the significance of the information after see
  • Lonn Lawrence Kirschbaum

    April 22,1969 – January 2, 2026
    I am heartbroken to announce the sudden passing of my son Lonn at ARH following a brief illness.
    Predeceased by his dad on October 30, 2025, he is lovingly survived by his mother, Dorothy, son Tyler, daughter Ashley, five grandsons, and Lyrics, his cat. Cherished by his family and many friends, he was the joy of our lives.
    Lonn was a beloved Bowen Islander, part of the zest of old Bowen. ”….he had a good heart and will never be forgotten”.
  • B.C. paramedics union pursuing mandate to serve strike notice

    B.C.’s paramedics union is taking steps towards job action after last month’s breakdown in negotiations with the province.
    On Thursday, Jan. 15, the Ambulance Paramedics of BC (APBC)/CUPE 873 warned via social media that a looming provincewide strike vote could “seriously cripple our already fragile healthcare system.”
    “We need to return to the bargaining table – now,” said APBC, noting a disruption to paramedic services “risks serious impacts to 9
  • Four sex assault charges laid against Maple Ridge city councillor

    Maple Ridge city councillor Ahmed Yousef now faces four charges of sex assault, added to charges of common assault and firearms offences announced last year.
    On Jan. 15, in Port Coquitlam provincial court, the new charges were sworn against Ahmed Antar Yousef Mohamed. Three of the charges involve one complainant, and one charge is in relation to a different complainant.
    His first appearance on these matters is scheduled for Feb. 12, in Port Coquitlam provincial court.
    There is a ban on publishin
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  • B.C. man charged after someone tried to set sleeping SkyTrain passenger on fire

    A 37-year-old Surrey resident has been charged in connection with a December 2025 alleged “unprovoked assault” on a man who was sleeping on the SkyTrain.
    On Dec. 16, a man was asleep on a SkyTrain that was travelling from Vancouver to Burnaby when the suspect “allegedly poured a liquid on the victim’s clothing and attempted to ignite it,” noted a Metro Vancouver Transit Police news release Wednesday (Jan. 14). “Several bystanders intervened, removed the suspec
  • Jail for recording minor in Penticton Community Centre changeroom

    ~Warning: This story contains references to child sexual abuse that may be upsetting to some readers.
    A Penticton man will spend 45 days in jail and 10 years on the sexual offenders registry for recording a video of a minor showering at the Penticton Community Centre in 2024.
    Zachary Nicholas Sarault, 24, appeared in Penticton Provincial Court on Jan. 14 to hear his fate after having previously pleaded guilty to the charges of secretly recording nudity in a private place and possession of child
  • Reece Howden breaks records, makes ski cross racing history

    The World Cup ski cross season has started, and Cultus Lake’s Reece Howden is already dominating the slopes.
    There were five races in December and he won three of them consecutively, and breaking world records in the process.
    Howden’s first win this season was in Arosa, Switzerland. He earned his 19th gold medal there, surpassing Jean-Frederic Chapuis (France) with 18.
    Howden was dominate, winning each of his heats.
    “That’s 19, right?” said a smiling Howden at the f
  • 17-year-old charged with manslaughter over 2024 teen overdose death in Prince George

    Prince George RCMP’s Serious Crime Unit has arrested a 17-year-old youth in relation to the fentanyl overdose death of a 16-year-old teen that happened over a year-and-a-half ago.
    On Jan. 13, 2026, members of the Prince George RCMP arrested the 17-year-old on a search warrant. The BC Prosecution Service has approved one charge of manslaughter in relation to the investigation.
    The 17-year-old was taken to court and was released on the conditions.
    “This is a tragedy, and our thoughts c
  • Abbotsford Canucks defender Kirill Kudryavtsev named to AHL All-Star Classic

    Abbotsford Canucks defenceman Kirill Kudryavtsev has been named an American Hockey League all-star.
    The Russian product is the fourth player in franchise history to participate in the all-star game and joins Christian Wolanin (2023), Arshdeep Bains (2024) and Ty Mueller (2025) in the history books.
    This year’s AHL All-Star Classic occurs on Feb. 10 and 11 in Rockford, Ill.MAJOR STAR POWER
    Details on the 2026 #AHLAllStar rosters: https://t.co/uTnPeYQ6QW: https://t.co/NSA3PfTnvU pic.twitter.
  • Woman pleads guilty to 3 child sexual abuse charges in Abbotsford

    A woman who faced 13 charges in Abbotsford – including for sexual offences against a child and the possession of child sexual abuse material – recently pleaded guilty to three of the offences.
    Siobhan Kirby, 35, pleaded guilty in December to making, publishing or possessing child sexual abuse material; sexual exploitation; and telecommunication to lure a child under the age of 18.
    The other 10 charges, which are expected to be stayed at sentencing, included sexual assault, invitation
  • Avalanche Canada begs caution as wind slab buries Rogers Pass skier

    Four backcountry skiers had their destination in sight last Saturday afternoon when a wind slab took their group for a brief but buckling slide, burying one who was quickly rescued without injury.
    A Mountain Information Network (MIN) report shared with Avalanche Canada recounted that the group had been 500 metres away from the Asulkan Cabin in Glacier National Park on Jan. 10 when the leader triggered a wind slab avalanche down the sheltered left side of the slope they were ascending along.
    READ
  • B.C. equestrian charged with sexual exploitation

    A Langley man has been charged with two counts of sexual exploitation of two victims, and the police are asking the public to come forward if there’s any additional information.
    Isauro Antonino Flores, a Langley resident, has been charged with two counts of sexual exploitation, in relation to two victims. Investigators believe there may be additional individuals within the equestrian community who have information but have not yet come forward.
    Langley RCMP are seeking additional informati
  • Mercedes-Benz enters the Abbotsford EV charging market

    There are now more local electric vehicle charging options than ever before, with Mercedes-Benz recently opening its first three Lower Mainland stations, including one right here in Abbotsford.
    These new charging hubs all have 400 kW Alpitronic chargers, which are the first of their kind in Canada, and are able to provide a vehicle with more than 300 km of range in only 10 minutes.
    This is good news for not just Mercedes-Benz customers, but for all EV drivers, since the charging stations use a f
  • Recall petition planned against Okanagan MLA despite ‘very challenging’ goal

    An upcoming petition is aiming to recall Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream MLA Tara Armstrong from her seat in Victoria.
    Armstrong, who was voted into the Legislative Assembly in the 2024 provincial elections, has stirred B.C. politics, switching from a Conservative to an Independent before helping find the OneBC party, which she was removed from in December 2025.
    Armstrong and OneBC have proposed numerous controversial bills in Victoria, some of which propose that the National Day for Truth and R
  • City doing ‘everything within our authority’ for public safety: Surrey mayor

    Surrey’s mayor issued a statement regarding ongoing violence Thursday, saying the city is doing everything within its power to help ensure public safety.
    Mayor Brenda Locke noted her deep concern about the ongoing extortions and gang-related violence happening throughout the city in the Thursday (Jan. 15) statement, saying that extortions and more recent gang-related violence have impacted far too many in the community for more than a year.
    “Everyone deserves to feel safe in their ne
  • Abbotsford wrestlers shine at Miri Piri Wrestling Championship Tournament

    Hundreds of wrestlers from all across British Columbia and Alberta congregated at Abbotsford’s Ag-Rec Centre for the 19th annual Miri Piri Wrestling Championship Tournament on Sunday (Jan. 11).
    The familiar settings seemed to provide a bit of an edge for local wrestlers, as hosts Miri Piri Wrestling Club placed first for all teams with 22 points. The Abbotsford-based club has been training local grapplers since 1996.
    View this post on InstagramA post shared by North Wrestle (@northwrestle)
  • Former B.C. Liberal minister Iain Black enters B.C. Conservative leadership race

    Iain Black is entering the race to be the next B.C. Conservative leader, looking to leverage his experience working for “transformative change” in business to help him fix what ails the province.
    “I’m the guy they call when things are not going well,” he told Black Press Media in an interview. “Almost every company is highly dysfunctional and is in a state of financial distress.”
    Black served as a minister under former Premier Gordon Campbell in several
  • Four-term B.C. councillor with focus on finances dies

    His own family gave a glimpse into how headstrong Vernon councillor Barry Beardsell was.
    Beardsell – who served four terms on council between 1997 and 2008, fighting to keep the city’s finances in great shape – died Jan. 9 in Vernon at the age of 85.
    “Diagnosed with cancer in 2012, his doctors gave him five years to live,” wrote the family in Beardsell’s obituary. “In his characteristic stubborn English way, he went on to prove them wrong by bringing joy
  • Tip of the ol’ cap to National Hat Day

    Hats off to National Hat Day!
    Yes, don your favourite chapeau today, Jan. 15, for its National Hat Day, celebrated each year on this date. It can be a baseball hat, sun hat, top hat, derby, fedora, hard hat, or a toque (qualifies as winter headwear in Canada).
    “We wear hats for numerous reasons,” says nationaldaycalendar.com. “Many hats protect us from elements or harm. Others are worn for ceremonial or religious reasons. Some hats just make us look good or cover up what we thi
  • B.C. newspaper hit by coconut caper over spare change

    In the thick of winter, the Revelstoke Review was in for a more tropical surprise after someone used a coconut to smash into the newspaper’s cash box – possibly nabbing enough money for a coffee.
    Black Press Media discovered the fruity phenomenon the morning of Jan. 12. Shards of coconut littered the newsstand, and white watery residue blemished the window outside the Review’s office door.
    The small metal cash box, used by non-subscribers to pay for their weekly newspaper and e
  • 2 Okanagan towns named finalists for Canada’s kindest community

    Two Okanagan communities daily acts of kindness have landed them a spot in the nationwide competition.
    Conducted by Coca-Cola, the title for ‘Canada’s Kindest Community’ comes with a $100,000 prize awarded to a local charity and a stop on the Coca-Cola Holiday Caravan 2026 tour.
    Some of the acts that Peachland and Lower Similkameen performed were:A local quilt guild donated more than 297 handmade quilts this year to the Kelowna NICU, recovery homes, women’s shelters, and
  • Shoppers customers report faulty gift cards

    Aldergrove’s Shoppers Drug Mart customers or recipients say faulty gift cards have left them without money or answers.
    Cards purchased and activated at the store showed zero balance or appeared to have already been redeemed.
    Mission resident Dan Frederick said the problem surfaced after October 2025, when he and his brother each received $100 Amazon gift cards purchased by their mother at the Aldergrove Shoppers Drug Mart location.
    “When I went to redeem it, it said the card had alre
  • Toys R Us latest major retailer to vanish from Lower Mainland shopping landscape

    The abrupt closure of Langley’s Toys R Us is the latest in a string of closures and bankruptcies that have seen once-profitable retailers vacate malls in Langley and across Canada.
    A notice posted on the store’s doors on Tuesday, Jan. 13 by Willowbrook Shopping Centre owner QuadReal Property Group said the store was in default of its lease and owed $898,337.59 in rent, operating costs, taxes, and interest. Inside, merchandise was still on shelves next to a statue of chain mascot Geof
  • Raccoons trapped in Maple Ridge yard were maimed, euthanized

    Two raccoons maimed by traps in Maple Ridge on New Year’s Eve had to be put down.
    The Fur-Bearers wildlife protection group said young raccoons were “languishing in cuff-style traps in a Maple Ridge yard” before they were humanely euthanized. The animals had been assessed by qualified wildlife rehabilitators, so the severity of their injuries could be determined.
    A volunteer from the Langley-based Critter Care Wildlife Society attended the residential property to rescue and tra
  • Now 3 concerts for Bruno Mars at BC Place Stadium in October

    Taylor Swift-level ticket demand means Bruno Mars will be playing three concerts at B.C.’s largest stadium this fall.
    His tour of North America and Europe was set to end in Vancouver on Oct. 15 at BC Place Stadium, Live Nation Entertainment announced Jan. 8.
    But strong ticket demand during an “artist presale” Wednesday led to the announcement of a second concert for Mars at the 54,000-seat stadium, quickly followed by a third. The additional dates at BC Place are Friday, Oct. 1
  • Police investigate extortion-related shooting at home in Surrey

    Police are investigating an overnight shooting at a home in Surrey’s Panorama Ridge neighbourhood that is believed to be extortion-related.
    Surrey Police responded to a call of a shooting in the 13400 block of 56 Ave around 12:50 a.m. Thursday (Jan. 15). Police found that a home and vehicle had been damaged by a shooting, but no one was injured.
    “While the motive for the shooting is still under investigation, it appears that this incident is related to the ongoing series of extortion

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