PHOENIX FALLING First overpaid, now underpaid, new mom fights pay problems from hospital

by Julie Ireton

If Sebastienne Critchley wasn't in the neonatal intensive care unit this December watching over her son, she was likely on the phone with the Phoenix pay centre, trying to figure out when her long list of pay problems would be remedied.

Meet Max, the dog who helps Ottawa paramedics deal with tough calls

For Ottawa's paramedics, responding to fires, shootings, suicides and other difficult situations is all part of the job description. And when things get too stressful, there's Max.

Police investigate after shot fired in Orléans

Ottawa police are investigating after a single gunshot was fired Friday morning in Orléans.

City urging NYE partygoers to pick up overdose kits

by Ashley Burke

The City of Ottawa is urging partygoers who use drugs recreationally to carry naloxone kits with them on New Years Eve to prevent fentanyl-related deaths.

Carleton Place hospital facing outbreak of norovirus

An outbreak of norovirus has forced the Carleton Place and District Memorial Hospital to close a section of its inpatient unit, the hospital says.

'We're alert': Ottawa police beef up security as big crowds expected downtown on NYE

The Ottawa Police Service is bracing for bigger crowds in downtown Ottawa this New Year's Eve as we kick off Canada's 150th birthday — and beefing up security in response to threats of terrorism seen in various parts of the world in 2016.

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.

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.

Coach Bonk: Sens fan favourite back in Ottawa coaching minor hockey

by Andrew Foote

Longtime Ottawa Senator Radek Bonk is now enjoying his new role as a coach for his son's Kanata Blazers peewee team.

RECIPE Newfoundland Jiggs dinner gets a modern spin on D is for Dinner

For many Newfoundland folks, Jiggs dinner — a hearty combination of salt beef and vegetables like potatoes and cabbage — is a weekly tradition. But it's not often found in spring roll form.

Ontario man fined $1,000 after squirrel dies of dehydration

A Marmora, Ont., man has been found guilty of animal cruelty after the squirrel he kept in cage under the hot, summer sun died of severe dehydration.

PHOENIX FALLING Tax headaches expected from payroll fiasco

by Julie Ireton

With the new year on the way, many federal public servants who are still caught in the midst of the Phoenix payroll fiasco are worried and confused about filing their taxes.

A New Year's present: your hydro bill will drop Jan. 1

by Mike Crawley

Hydro bills for residential and small businesses customers in Ontario will drop by eight per cent effective Jan. 1, as the government begins a rebate of the provincial portion of the HST on electricity.

Morning snow to end by noon — but it returns with up to 10 cm on NYE in Ottawa

Flurries in the morning are expected to end by noon in Ottawa but winds gusting at up to 50 kilometres per hour will continue into the evening as the temperature drops to –16 C overnight.

Red, black and gold: Ottawa's big wins top our list of 2016 sports stories

by Andrew Foote

Ottawa's athletes and teams picked up some big wins on big stages in 2016.

'I will forever be a Senator': Daniel Alfredsson's No. 11 raised to the rafters

by Trevor Pritchard

Daniel Alfredsson received a standing ovation and fans cheered and sobbed as the Ottawa Senators retired his No. 11 Thursday night — making him the first player in the team's modern era to receive the honour.

Death of Ottawa-based cyclist prompts push for 'Ellen's Law'

by Julia Wright

Cyclists devastated earlier this week by the death of competitive cyclist Ellen Watters are renewing their push for a one-metre rule on New Brunswick roads - a fight they say they've been engaged in for over a year.

Recap Senators fall to Red Wings on Alfie night

by Lisa Wallace

The Detroit Red Wings spoiled an otherwise perfect night for Daniel Alfredsson as they defeated the Ottawa Senators 3-2 in overtime Thursday night. Anthony Mantha scored the game winner at 1:07 of overtime after Bobby Ryan turned over the puck.

Flu season arrives early, slams clinics over holidays

by Ashley Burke

Doctors' offices and clinics across Ottawa are swamped with coughing, feverish patients with sore throats this holiday season. According to Ottawa Public Health, the flu has arrived early this year at a highly contagious time.

Ottawa family in Zika travel feud with Air Canada gets partial refund

by Marc-André Cossette

An Ottawa man says he was surprised and frustrated when Air Canada was initially unwilling to review his family's travel plans after his wife unexpectedly became pregnant.

How many calories in that fast-food meal? Ontario menu labelling legislation takes effect Jan. 1

Restaurant-goers in Ontario are going to notice a little extra something on some menus as of Jan. 1: calorie counts.

Ski hills back in business with more traditional winter weather this year

by Andrew Foote

Ski hill operators in the Ottawa-Gatineau area say they're back on track after a warm, wet and short last season.

Man stabbed in Blossom Park early Thursday morning

A 29-year-old man was taken to hospital in serious but stable condition after he was stabbed in Ottawa's Blossom Park neighbourhood early Thursday morning.

Man loses thumb in industrial lift at Ottawa garage

A 25-year-old man lost his thumb when his hand was pinched in an industrial lift at an auto repair garage on Colonnade Road on Thursday morning.

Photos 'Moving' to see former Sandy Hill church transformed into community hub

A historic church in Sandy Hill that has seen both a royal wedding and a former prime minister's funeral has been transformed into a community hub.

Critter countdown: CBC Ottawa's best animal stories of 2016

Check out the top five news items on living things that aren't humans produced by CBC Ottawa in 2016.

LeBreton redevelopment and Uber legalization top municipal stories of 2016

by Joanne Chianello

From the approval of Uber to the recommendation of a location for a new central library, it's been a big year for municipal issues in the City of Ottawa.

Year-end Q&A;: taking stock of LRT work in 2016 and beyond

by Mario Carlucci and Adrian Harewood

There have been some bumps (and a sinkhole) along the way, but the engineers leading Ottawa's LRT construction say they're still on track to begin service in 2018. CBC Ottawa's Adrian Harewood spoke to Steve Cripps and Chris Swail about the year that was, and the year ahead.

Vast vintage VW collection near Cornwall is about to V-double

by Stu Mills

An Eastern Ontario man who already owns what may be the largest collection of vintage Volkswagens in the province has acquired pieces amassed over half a century by a wealthy American VW aficionado, doubling the size of his original collection.

More than two dozen businesses want the city to pay for losses due to Rideau sinkhole

by Ashley Burke

More than two dozen businesses want the city to pay for damages and loss of business they say is a direct result of the massive sinkhole that opened up on Rideau Street in June.

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.

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.

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.

'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.

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.

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.