Ottawa Valley family returns from church on Christmas Eve to find presents stolen

An eastern Ontario family returned from Christmas Eve mass to find that someone had broken into their home near Douglas, Ont., and stolen their presents, according to police.

Police investigate death of 4-year-old boy in Wendover

Ontario Provincial Police are investigating the Wednesday morning death of a four-year boy in Wendover, Ont.

'It hasn't been a great year': Jim Watson talks 2016 police issues in Ottawa

From the death of Abdirahman Abdi to a near-record homicide rate, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson sits down with the CBC's Lucy Van Oldenbarneveld for a look back at a troubling 2016.

Senators set to honour Daniel Alfredsson by retiring No. 11

by Lisa Wallace

The Ottawa Senators will honour Daniel Alfredsson by raising his No. 11 to the rafters on Thursday, making him the first player to have his jersey retired by the organization.

Star Ottawa cyclist Ellen Watters dies from crash injuries

by Julia Wright

Ellen Watters, a Canadian competitive cyclist critically injured in a collision with a car while on a training ride in Sussex, N.B., has died. She was 28.

Unions put lawsuit against federal government over Phoenix fiasco on hold

The Public Service Alliance of Canada and another dozen unions agreed to put their lawsuit against the federal government over the Phoenix payroll fiasco on hold in exchange for more "information sharing and communication" from the government, according to a consent order approved by Federal Court on Dec. 22.

NYE 2016: Road closures as we ring in the new year

Watch out for a slew of road closures in the downtown core as Ottawa rings in 2017 — which kicks off a year-long celebration of Canada's 150th birthday.

Automated hiring system for federal interpreters postponed for 5th time

by Amanda Pfeffer

Now more than a year overdue, the software to hire freelance interpreters is under scrutiny by a Senate committee, concerned it could threaten the promise of bilingualism set out in the Official Languages Act.

Check your route before your commute: new express bus numbers in effect

Some changes are coming to the OC Transpo routes, including a fare hike for most riders starting Jan. 1. But first, express route numbers have changed to new "Connexion" route numbers.

Temperature expected to hold steady near –5 C in Ottawa today

Expect two centimetres of fresh snow this morning, then a mix of sun and cloud with the temperature holding steady at –5 C.

'If you don't use it, you lose it': historian teaches university course to seniors

by Robyn Miller

A history professor is taking his university seminars out of lecture halls and into seniors' residences across Ottawa in an effort to prove that the interest in learning is not defined by age.

Puck drops today for 18th annual Bell Capital Cup

Thousands of minor hockey players have arrived in Ottawa and will take to the ice today as the 18th annual Bell Capital Cup gets underway.

Fun, free family events for New Year's Eve

by Elise von Scheel

You've probably been so busy counting down the days until Christmas that you didn't realize the new year is almost upon us. With 2017 peeking its head around the corner, here are some free activities the whole family can enjoy on New Year's Eve.

More donors needed to avoid blood shortage in Ottawa area

by Andrew Foote

Canadian Blood Services says not enough people in Ottawa are making donation appointments. If more donors don't come forward, the area could face a blood shortage.

Recap Rangers rally past Senators with Holden's go-ahead goal

Defenceman Nick Holden scored the go-ahead goal less than seven minutes into the third period, lifting the New York Rangers to a comeback 4-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday night.

Ottawa distillers take high road in trademark battle with MTO

by Mario Carlucci

The owners of Ottawa’s only craft distillery say they’re feeling bullied by the provincial government — and it all stems from a logo that resembles a highway sign.

It'll cost you more to fuel your car, heat your home starting Jan. 1

by Mike Crawley

People across Ontario will be paying more to fill up their cars and heat their homes starting Jan. 1, when the Liberal government's new cap-and-trade plan takes effect.

Marcel Desjardins: Year-end Q&A; with architect of Redblacks' Grey Cup team

by Mario Carlucci and Dan Séguin

Dan Séguin got to chat with Ottawa Redblacks general manager Marcel Desjardins at TD Place ahead of the Christmas break. If you think Desjardins is taking some well-earned time to relax and enjoy his Grey Cup victory, you’d be wrong.

Hydro vault explodes at National Research Council headquarters

A hydro vault exploded on the property of the National Research Council's Ottawa headquarters late on Boxing Day, causing a large fire and power outage.

Backcountry snowmobiling's popularity endangering Quebec forestry industry

In the winter, snowmobiling is a popular way to get around in rural Quebec, but a recent boom in backcountry snowmobiling is threatening the forestry industry and causing conflict between land owners and thrill seekers.

These 3 tweets sparked news coverage in Ottawa in 2016

News stories can start with just one tweet. We dug through Ottawa's top stories in 2016 to find the top three.

'It's just chaotic': Boxing Day freezing rain turns roads treacherous

by Trevor Pritchard

Environment Canada continues to warn people in Ottawa and throughout eastern Ontario not to travel on Boxing Day as freezing rain hits the region.

For members of Ottawa's gay community, George Michael was an 'inspiration'

by Robyn Miller

Members of Ottawa's gay community are mourning the loss of British pop star George Michael, calling him an "inspiration" and a "queer icon" for people questioning their own sexuality.

Cycling, gun rights, Roosh V were Ottawa's trending stories in 2016

We delved through our top stories in 2016 and found the four posts that gained the most traction on social media.

Ghosts, goosebumps and laughter on list of post-Christmas fun

by Sandra Abma

If you're at loose ends the week between Christmas and New Year's Eve, the CBC's Sandra Abma has a few suggestions.

5 videos in 2016 that Ottawa couldn't stop watching

A cyclist with a hobby for the digital age. A heated moment in a city council meeting. A young boy with a song for a baby girl. When it comes to the year's top videos, good things came in small packages.

What to see, stream or skip this holiday season

by Eli Glasner, Jelena Adzic

CBC Entertainment's Eli Glasner and Jelena Adzic compile a list of big and small screen pleasures to savour, plus a few to avoid.

From moose tongue to Algonquin rabbit stew: some Indigenous holiday dishes

by Martha Troian

From canned moose to rabbit stew, here are just a few of the meals that Indigenous people are sitting down to this holiday season.

Video Queen's cold keeps her from traditional Christmas church service

Queen Elizabeth's annual Christmas message, recorded well before Dec. 25, reflects on the past year and calls for the world to come together and work towards peace. A heavy cold kept the Queen from attending the traditional Christmas morning church service near her Sandringham estate in Norfolk, England.

Former Smiths Falls Hershey Factory worker's wonton success story

by Stu Mills

A former Smiths Falls Hershey factory worker has struck it rich in the wonton business, with his Wonton Crunch products flying off the shelves — and his family business set to expand.

Ottawa's year in news: 10 stories that mattered

by Mario Carlucci

Some big stories in this city are of interest here, and only here. But Ottawa is also a city that attracts national and international headlines. So now, in no particular order, we present 10 Ottawa news stories that mattered.

Analysis The year of the fentanyl crisis: How we got here

by Nicole Ireland

The rise in fentanyl deaths in Canada in 2016 is part of an "unprecedented drug safety and public health crisis" that has been in the making for 20 years, says a Toronto doctor who specializes in pharmacology.

Dogs saved from slaughter at meat festival in China make new home in Ottawa

by Robyn Miller

After travelling halfway around the world, 10 dogs rescued from a meat festival in China are getting settled at foster homes in Ottawa.