TOPIC: CBC SOUTHERN INTERIOR-KOOTENAYS

$5-million provided for climate program to help B.C.'s tree fruit growers in extreme weather

Funding comes after many B.C. crops, including cherries, plums, peaches and nectarines, were nearly wiped out by an extreme cold spell in January 2024. 

Environment Canada warns of wintry conditions along B.C. South Coast

Snowfall warnings issued for Sea to Sky Highway, Kootenay Pass and the Yellowhead region. Rainfall warnings have also been issued for section of Metro Vancouver and the western Fraser Valley.

Canada closes border between B.C.-U.S. crossing at Pacific Crest Trail

The Canadian Border Services Agency says hikers on a trail that crosses into British Columbia from Washington state will no longer be allowed to proceed without first entering Canada through a designated entry point.

Kelowna bridge reopens after explosives team give all-clear to removal of suspicious van

The William R. Bennett Bridge connecting West Kelowna to Kelowna reopened Monday afternoon after being completely closed for almost 11 hours due to a police incident involving a distraught man.
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Mayors along the Canada-U.S. border form alliance against Trump tariffs

As Canada waits to see whether U.S. President Donald Trump imposes a 25 per cent tariff on all imports, some mayors in towns along the border have formed an alliance. As Corey Bullock reports, the tariffs would devastate towns like Creston in British Columbia.

Vape detectors at B.C. high school have reduced students vaping in washrooms, principal says

Summerland Secondary principal Alen Stel says a pilot project of installing vaping detectors in school bathrooms was so successful, he hopes to install more.
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Boil water advisory for Cranbrook, B.C., lifted

Around 20,000 residents in Cranbrook, located in the Kootenays, had been told to boil their water after a maintenance mishap on Wednesday. As Corey Bullock reports, the advisory was removed two days earlier than expected.

Cranbrook, B.C., lifts boil water advisory after 2 days

The city of Cranbrook, B.C., in the Kootenays has lifted a city-wide boil water notice that was issued on Jan. 16.
CBC Explains

Why critical minerals mined in B.C. could stop being exported to the U.S. amid Trump tariffs

B.C. Premier David Eby hinted on Tuesday that critical minerals manufactured in Trail, B.C., could be subject to an export ban if proposed tariffs by U.S. president-elect Donald Trump go through. Here's what critical minerals are and why they could be an important bargaining chip as Canada looks to respond to Trump.

RCMP, DJs and bar issue warning about drink spiking in Fernie, B.C.

RCMP in B.C.'s Elk Valley have issued a public warning after receiving four separate reports of drinks being drugged in the community of Fernie.

This ostrich farm survived wildfires. Now, avian flu means 400 birds need to be culled

An ostrich farm in B.C.'s West Kootenay has been ordered to cull its entire herd of 400 birds after the Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed the presence of avian flu there. 

67-year-old skier dies after falling into snow well at B.C.'s Fernie Alpine Resort

A 67-year-old man has died after falling into a deep snow well at Fernie Alpine Resort in B.C.'s Kootenay region.

Downtown Kelowna roads reopened after police investigate 'suspicious backpack'

An area of downtown Kelowna, B.C., has reopened after RCMP told businesses to shelter in place Tuesday afternoon due to a "suspicious backpack."

Raise a glass! Okanagan wine industry toasts resilience after devastating 2024 freeze

The B.C. government's relaxation of grape imports and taxes allowed the industry to focus on winemaking skill, not valley soil, winery owners say.

B.C. wineries allowed to sell directly to Alberta consumers again

British Columbia wineries can again sell their products directly to Alberta consumers, months after an interprovincial deal was announced between the two provinces last summer. 

Fine of $140K for Teck Coal upheld after worker severely injured in explosion

B.C.'s Environmental Appeal Board has upheld a $140,000 fine handed to a coal mining company after a contracted mechanic suffered "life-altering" injuries while changing a tire at its Elkford, B.C., operations.

They got married 56 years ago. Until now, they'd never seen their wedding photos

Until recently, the Sharmans had never seen their wedding photos from 1968. But on Christmas Eve 2024, the couple — happily married for more than 56 years — saw their wedding photos for the first time. 

B.C. winery fined $118K and permanently banned from temporary foreign worker program

Employers found to be non-compliant with regulations under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) can receive a monetary penalty, a ban on hiring temporary workers, or, as in the case of this B.C. winery, both. According to the government website, a permanent ban is issued only for the most serious violations under the TFWP. 

B.C. communities welcome late reprieve to keep vital ferries running amid contract dispute

Residents in B.C.'s small Kootenay communities of Glade, Harrop and Procter are celebrating a temporary reprieve in a labour dispute that threatened to drastically reduce cable ferry services vital to their daily lives.

Kelowna man charged with child porn offences following international investigation

A 46-year-old Kelowna, B.C., man is facing child pornography and child luring charges following a police investigation that spanned several countries, according to RCMP.

Vancouver's wet 2024 offers little relief to rest of B.C. as drought persists

Atmospheric river events and other storms along the B.C. coast did not translate to drought relief elsewhere in the province.

Panic in tiny Kootenay towns as local ferry strike escalates

A sense of panic is growing in tiny southeast British Columbia communities around Kootenay Lake over fears they will be cut off from their neighbours and jobs by an escalating ferry service labour dispute, according to a local businesswoman.

Repeat B.C. offender pleads guilty to sexually assaulting person under 16

A repeat offender has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a person under 16 years of age at a Kelowna, B.C., equestrian facility earlier this year.
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A truck driver's quiet kindness on the highway leads to gratitude and recognition

A B.C. truck driver is being recognized for his good deed after he went far out of his way to anonymously reunite an Alberta woman with her lost purse.

B.C. woman wins $740K in civil suit over botched renovation that left her home 'gutted'

A Kelowna, B.C., woman has been awarded over $740,000 after she sued a contractor, who was also one of her neighbours, over botched renovation work that, according to a court decision, ended up completely gutting her house.