What was supposed to be a quick shopping trip has created major problems for one Calgary couple.

“I was probably in the store for maybe 15-20 minutes? Came out, my car was gone,” explained Alexis Solberg. “The car was not running, it was locked, it was right in front of the doors. So how that happens? I do not know.”

Having the car stolen was bad enough, but what made it even worse was the fact her wedding dress and her fiance’s wheelchair were in the 2020 white Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Jeremy Van Deventer needs the wheelchair to help him get around after being diagnosed with ALS in October. The Jeep was new to them  – they sold their two older vehicles to afford it, as it was easier for Van Deventer to get in and out of. Having it stolen has created significant challenges.

“We really haven’t left the house since (the Jeep was stolen),” Van Deventer said.

With their wedding scheduled for the middle of March, having to replace what was stolen while continuing to prepare for their big day has meant they’re stretched incredibly thin.

“With him not working anymore, I’m his full-time caregiver, and I go to school,” Solberg noted. “Finances are tight, they’re very, very tight.”

Thankfully, family has been able to help in the interim, getting a new wheelchair for Van Deventer, and while Solberg is still hoping to get the dress back, she says there’s something else more important.

“We’re just trying to be positive,” shared Solberg. “And you know? I’d wear sweatpants just so I can marry him.”

Besides keeping an eye out on social media to see if the thieves would try selling the items, they’re also hoping, by some faint chance, their possessions will be returned.

“Maybe somebody was just kind enough not to destroy it or throw it in the garbage,” Solberg supposed. “If you could just give it back to us that would be amazing.”

Calgary Police Service is aware of the incident and is investigating. The couple also has a GoFundMe to help cover costs related to the theft.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Feb. 22 is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day and this year, the hospitality industry in Saskatchewan has put a spotlight on the crime that lurks in the shadows.

With hotels being a common venue for human trafficking, the Hotel Association of Canada launched a nationwide campaign called No Room for Trafficking, in hopes of having all hotel staff trained in prevention.

Saskatoon Destination Marketing Hotels Board vice-chair Kecia Batting says the training really helped hotel staff become aware of the signs of trafficking.

“(The training program taught) our staff how to recognize the signs, to see, to take the precautions on how to address the situation, just the signs to look for,” shared Batting.

The signs of trafficking can sometimes be hard to spot. RCMP said victims can be exploited through forced sexual services, forced labour and organ removal. Some human trafficking victims are not aware of their surroundings or are unable to provide identification documents. Some have bruises or brand-like tattoos and are frequently accompanied by a trafficker.

According to data from Statistics Canada, in 2024 Saskatchewan exceeded the national rate of human trafficking with 154 incidents reported from 2014 to 2024.

“Creating awareness for it is very, very important in our community because sometimes we don’t think about that this is happening in our communities,” said Batting.

To try to lower these numbers across the country, Canadian singer Paul Brandt has taken up the cause. Brandt’s #notinmycity foundation raises awareness and support for victims of human trafficking.

“Not only is it one of the fastest growing crimes in our country, but it’s an over $180-billion per year industry; traffickers in Canada are making over $280,000 per year per victim,” explained Brandt.

While on tour, Brandt also worked with performing centres like TCU, sharing ways local businesses can help prevent this crime.

“You know, in Saskatchewan now, both main airports, we’re seeing a hotel industry that are coming on board,” Brandt said. “We’re seeing support from performance venues. Everyone’s looking for the way that they can contribute. And I love that!”

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Several Canadian airports say people wanting to use NEXUS or Global Entry at U.S. pre-clearance are out of luck, as both programs are currently unavailable.

On Sunday, the X accounts for multiple airports including Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary and Montreal posted advisories that access to the programs for U.S.-bound flights were closed.

“Passengers travelling through U.S. Customs at YYC should allow for extra time to pass through security checks,” Calgary International Airport wrote in an X post.

Toronto Pearson International Airport also advised on X that travellers were encouraged to use the Mobile Passport Control app to expedite processing at U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

In a statement, Vancouver International Airport indicated the suspension of access to both pre-clearance programs is due to the ongoing partial government shutdown south of the border.

“Please be aware that access to NEXUS and Global Entry pre-clearance programs for U.S.-bound flights at YVR are currently suspended until further notice due to the partial U.S. Government shutdown,” a post on the airport’s website says. “This change may impact processing times for travellers departing for the U.S.”

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Sunday it would shut down the Global Entry program as long as the partial shutdown was in effect.

That announcement came a day after DHS said it planned to shut down both Global Entry and the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) PreCheck program. DHS later cancelled the PreCheck closure.

The shutdown began Feb. 14 after Democrats and the White House were unable to reach a deal on legislation to fund DHS. Democrats have been demanding changes to immigration operations core to President Donald Trump’s deportation campaign.

The NEXUS program speeds up border crossings for frequent travellers from Canada and the U.S., according to Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. Customs officials. It works by expediting the crossing of pre-screened travellers and allowing border officers to focus more attention on stopping illegal activities and criminals.

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers to use expedited kiosks when entering the United States from abroad. There’s no specific government data that shows how much time passengers save at airports or other ports of entry from Global Entry but travel industry experts estimate that Global Entry cuts the amount of time passengers spend getting through customs to 5 to 10 minutes, from an average of 30 to 90 mins for regular customs lines.

Those who have Global Entry also receive TSA PreCheck. The Department of Homeland Security said in 2024 that more than 20 million Americans had TSA PreCheck, and millions of those Americans have overlapping Global Entry memberships.

—with files from Global News’ Aaron D’Andrea and The Associated Press

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Canadians in Puerto Vallarta forced to shelter in place due to cartel violence. An investigation is released into the fall of a gondola at Kicking Horse Mountain Resort in Golden. And, local hockey fans heart-broken after Canada loses to the U.S. in the Winter Olympics’ gold medal match.

Watch ‘Global News at 6 BC’ for the latest news in British Columbia.

Click here for more Global BC videos

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Cohen Bidgood scored twice and added an assist as the London Knights doubled up the Sudbury Wolves 4-2 on Feb. 22 at Canada Life Place.

Bidgood now has four goals and three assists in his past three games.

The Knights roared out to a 4-0 lead through 20 minutes as Bidgood scored twice and helped to set up another.

The first was set up by Will Nicholl and the second came off of a steal on the right side of the Wolves zone.

Jaxson Cover then fed Nicholl 26 seconds later to make it 3-0 Knights.

Cover had two assists in the opening 20 minutes and also chased down Chase Coughlin of Sudbury to deny a breakaway and drew a penalty at the other end of the ice on the same shift.

On that power play Bidgood got the puck on goal and Braiden Clark hammered home a rebound for his 14th goal of the year with just eight seconds showing on the clock and London led 4-0 heading to the dressing room.

Sudbury’s 2025 first-round pick Brayden Bennett scored the only goal of the second period as he deflected a Genc Ula shot into the Knight net at 13:49.

In the third period, Wolves defenceman Artem Gonchar snapped a shot through traffic from the middle of the blue line with 4:21 remaining to tighten the score to 4-2.

London held on from there and moved to within three points of Sault Ste. Marie for fourth place in the Western Conference. Each team now has 11 games remaining in the regular season.

The Knights outshot the Wolves 38-28.

Seb Gatto made 26 saves for his 17th win of the year for London.

The Knights were 1-for-3 on the power play and 4-for-4 on the penalty kill.

The downs and ups of Oliver Bonk and Landon Sim

Former Knights defenceman Oliver Bonk was recalled from the American Hockey League’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms for a day. Bonk practiced with the NHL’s Philadelphia Flyers and was then reassigned to Lehigh Valley indicating he could be close to seeing some time in the big league. If and when Bonk debuts he would join Flyers teammate Denver Barkey and Easton Cowan and Sam Dickinson as the fourth player from the 2025 Memorial Cup Championship team to already make their NHL debut.

Former Knight forward Landon Sim is back with the Toronto Marlies. Sim missed time with a lower body injury early this year and had been sent to Cincinnati of the ECHL where he played 18 games. Sim scored one of the most memorable goals in London’s championship run last season when he knocked a rebound out of the air and in against the Oshawa Generals to score the insurance goal in the J. Ross Robertson Cup clinching Game 5 of the OHL Championship Series.

Up next

The Knights will finish their six-game home stand when they host the Windsor Spitfires at Canada Life Place on Friday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m.

Windsor has the upper hand in the six-game season series having won two of the three games played so far but London won the most recent game when Andoni Fimis scored in overtime at the WFCU Centre on Dec. 6.

Coverage will begin at 6:30 p.m., on 980 CFPL, at www.980cfpl.ca and on the iHeart Radio and Radioplayer Canada apps.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The Milan Cortina Olympics ended Sunday as the twin flames in co-host cities Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo were extinguished as part of a closing ceremony inside the ancient Verona Arena, roughly mid-distance between the far-flung mountain, valley and city venues that made these the most spread-out Winter Games ever.

In declaring the 2026 Games over, International Olympic Committee President Kirsty Coventry told local organizers that they “delivered a new kind of winter games and you set a new, very high standard for the future.”

A total of 116 medal events have been held in eight Olympic sports across 16 disciplines, including the debut of ski mountaineering this year, over the course of 17 days of competition.

The closing ceremony paid tribute to Italian dance and music — from lyric opera to Italian pop of the 20th century to the DJ beat of Gabry Ponte, who got the 1,500 athletes on their feet for an upbeat dance number while colour confetti exploded on stage.

Earlier, the 2026 Winter Olympians filed into the arena waving small national flags to a rousing medley of Italian pop hits from the 20th century as the crowd sang along, taking their seats in the stone arena in places marked by green, red and white lights for the Italian flag.

The Canadian Olympic Committee said approximately 90 of Canada’s 207 athletes in Milan Cortina marched in the closing ceremony, with speedskater Valérie Maltais and short-track speedskater Steven Dubois carrying the Canadian flag into the stadium.

The 2 1/2-hour ceremony opened with a whimsical tribute to Italian lyric opera, with the stage director rousing not only the closing ceremony cast, including Italian singer Achille Lauro, but also long-dormant opera characters tucked away in crates within the amphitheatre’s tunnels.

On stage, Madama Butterfly in a bright pink and green costume and Aida in golden tiers were unpacked from mirrored crates while 17th century musicians played the joyous “Libiamo ne’ lieti calici” from La Traviata, a nod to the Arena’s long history as the venue for a summer opera festival.

The opera characters, led by the jester Rigoletto, spilled out into the piazza outside, mixing with the bemused athletes who were flag-bearers for their countries, some ofwhom pulled out their phones to film.

In a key moment, the Olympic flame encased in a Venetian glass vessel was carried into the Arena by Italian gold medallists from the 1994 Lillehammer Games. The Olympic rings illuminated in white appeared high on the stone stairs behind the stage, flanked by national flags, when one raised the flame in the centre of the stage.

This was the first Olympics for Coventry, a two-time Olympic champion in swimming, who watched much of the ceremony alongside Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Some 12,000 spectators joined the athletes and officials for the closing ceremony, which was much more intimate affair than the opening ceremony starring Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli inside Milan’s San Siro soccer stadium, attended by more than 60,000 people.

Key moments included the Olympic flag is handed over to the next Winter Games host nation, France.

The Milan Cortina Games spanned an area of 22,000 square kilometres (8,500 square miles), from ice sports in Milan to biathlon in Anterselva on the Austrian border, snowboarding and men’s downhill in Valtellina on the Swiss border, cross-country skiing in the Val di Fiemme north of Verona and women’s downhill, curling and sliding sports in co-host Cortina d’Ampezzo.

It’s a model that will remain for future Games, to avoid the expense of building new facilities. The 2030 Winter Games in the French Alps will stage events in the Alps and Nice, on the Mediterranean Sea, while speedskating will be held abroad in a venue to be decided.

The closing ceremony concluded with the Olympic flames extinguished at the unprecedented two cauldrons in Milan and Cortina, viewed in Verona via video link. A light show substituted fireworks, which are not allowed in Verona, to protect animals from being disturbed.

The Milan Cortina Paralympics’ opening ceremony will also take place in the Verona Arena, on March 6, and the Games will run until March 15.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

The Curator independently decides what topics and products we feature. When you purchase an item through our links, we may earn a commission. Promotions and products are subject to availability and retailer terms.

I’ve been cleaning professionally for 18 years, and I still get a specific kind of satisfaction from this: watching someone realize that the product they’ve been ignoring under their sink is secretly a genius tool for a completely different problem. Let’s walk through some double-duty for items you have at home already (and if you don’t, I’ve got links for you from top brands like Cascade, Bounce and Dawn). Here we go!

 

1. Dishwasher Tablet to Clean Greasy Air Fryer Basket

The Problem

Your air fryer is one of the greatest inventions of the last decade — until you have to clean the basket. The baked-on grease and carbon buildup that accumulates on the grate and in the basket is resistant to heavy scrubbing (you can wreck the nonstick coating), and most baskets aren’t fully dishwasher-safe. So people either scrub ineffectively or live with a grimy basket.

The Unexpected Fix

One dishwasher tablet – but a good one. These work exceptionally well because they work hard at cutting grease and contains powerful enzymes. Fill a basin or bucket with hot (not boiling) water, drop it in the basket, and let is soak for 30 minutes up to overnight. The next morning, use a soft cloth to remove chunks of buildup and rinse and dry before using again.[/product_listing]

 

Dishwasher tablets contain protease enzymes specifically engineered to break down protein and fat bonds — the same molecular action that dissolves baked-on casserole works identically on air fryer grease. The tablet does the work so you don’t have to.

 

You may also like:

Microfiber Cleaning Cloth – $19.99

Swiffer PowerMop Multi-Surface Mop – $39.99

Compressed Air Duster – $129.99

2. Dryer Sheet to Remove Pet Hair From Clothing (Before You Wash)

The Problem

If you have a pet, you know: washing something covered in fur often just makes it worse. The water mats the hair deeper into the fibres, and it comes out of the wash just as hairy as it went in — sometimes more so.

The Unexpected Fix

The dryer ‘sandwich’ – but with a twist. Before anything goes into the washing machine, toss the hairy item in the dryer on Air Fluff (no heat) with 2–3 dryer sheets for 10 minutes. Check the lint trap. That’s where your pet’s extra hair ended up. Once done, launder and dry the clothing as usual. You’ll notice a significant reduction of pet hair. [/product_listing]

 

Here’s the science: static electricity is what makes pet hair cling. Bounce sheets contain a cationic surfactant that neutralizes static charge, releasing the grip. Air fluff tumbling moves the hair to the lint trap. Heat would set it deeper — air fluff is the non-negotiable part of this.

 

You may also like:

Pledge Multisurface Antibacterial Cleaner Spray – $7.27

Attitude Daily Shower and Tile Cleaner – $17.99

Affresh Dishwasher Cleaner (3 Tablets) – $10.57

3. Dawn Powerwash to Clean Greasy Kitchen Cabinet Doors

The Problem

Cabinet doors above and near the stove accumulate a sticky, greasy film — a mix of cooking vapour, dust, and oxidized (yellowing) oil — that regular all-purpose sprays smear around without actually cutting through. It never looks clean and it feels sticky to the touch. Yuck.

The Unexpected Fix

Spray it directly on the cabinet door, wait 3–5 minutes, wipe with a damp microfibre cloth in a single pass. That’s it. No scrubbing. Rinse with a clean cloth and water and call it a day. The cloth will come away visibly mucky, which is also deeply satisfying.[/product_listing]

 

Dawn Powerwash is a concentrated degreasing formula that comes out foamy and clings to vertical surfaces. The surfactants surround grease molecules and lift them off the surface during the dwell time. You’re letting chemistry lift the grease instead of your elbow. Remember to test on an inconspicuous spot on painted or lacquered cabinets. This will work beautifully on laminate, wood veneer, and factory-painted finishes.

 

You may also like:

The Pink Stuff The Miracle Cream Cleaner – $7.97

The Clean People Fabric Softener Sheets – $21.99

Electric Spin Scrubber – $62.99

4. Handheld Fabric Steamer to Sanitize Kids’ Fabric, Plush and Plastic Toys

The Problem

It’s cold and flu season and you’re looking at the toys that have fallen everywhere, been chewed up and drooled all over, and played with day after day. Most of these toys you can’t put in the washing machine — the electronics, the glued eyes, the delicate stuffing. And bleach wipes near something that goes directly into a child’s face feels wrong. So most people just… don’t sanitize them. But they should be sanitized now and then, and there’s a simple way to do it.

The Unexpected Fix

Your fabric steamer — the one you use for wrinkles on your blouses. Good quality steamers reach 212°F, which the CDC confirms kills influenza viruses. The same tool works on stuffed animals, fabric toy organizers, car seat inserts, and anything else that’s fabric and handled constantly. Fill steamer and allow to heat fully — wait until steam is consistent, not spitting water. Skip toys with exposed metal parts, battery compartments, or heat-sensitive plastics. Check the toy before you start — if in doubt, leave it out.[/product_listing]

 

The key to this working is time. You need 3–5 seconds per section for the surface to reach ‘killing’ temperature. This is the difference between a cosmetic steam and actual sanitization.

 

You may also like:

Vacuum Storage Bags – $42.99

Vitruvi Cloud Bedside Humidifier – $215.24

Clorox Disinfecting Wipes – $17.07

5. #0000 Steel Wool to Remove Hard Water Stains on Glass

Super-fine #0000 steel wool. This is a professional window cleaner’s secret that works identically on shower doors, and the first time you try it, your brain will not believe what you’re seeing.[/product_listing]

 

This works safely because the Mohs hardness scale ranks glass at 5.5–7 and steel at 4–4.5. Steel is softer than glass. Physically, it cannot scratch it. The ultra-fine fibres of #0000 grade provide just enough mechanical action to break the mineral bond — without abrasion.  Start by cleaning the glass surface to remove any debris or mess, wet the glass with soapy water, and scrub the affected area with the #0000 steel wool pad in a gentle circular motion. Rinse well and buff dry with a microfiber cloth.

Five products and five new uses to make cleaning a little easier!

 

You may also like:

Scrub Daddy Scrub Mommy Sponges – $16.52

Swiffer Wet & Dry Sweeper Starter Kit – $19.98

Rubbermaid Reveal Power Scrubber – $19.98

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The Curator independently decides what topics and products we feature. When you purchase an item through our links, we may earn a commission. Promotions and products are subject to availability and retailer terms.

As someone who primarily works from home, I’m always on the lookout for finds that elevate my home – whether its for organizational workflow or kitchen help. These home gadgets are the finds you didn’t know you needed, but now can’t live without. Read on for unique finds you need to know about.

 

Bedroom

Want to make life as automated as possible? Here’s a gadget you’ll use every morning and night. The SwitchBot Curtain 3 is a smart automatic curtain opener with an upgraded high-performance motor that supports heavy curtains up to 16kg. Control it via the SwitchBot app with timers and schedules, or pair it with the SwitchBot Hub to enable voice control through Alexa, Google Home, HomeKit, SmartThings, and more for full smart home integration.[/product_listing]

 

This 9-in-1 wall outlet turns one standard outlet into five plug spaces and four USB charging ports (including two USB-C), so you can power and charge multiple devices at the same time. It also has a built-in night light that automatically turns on in the dark, plus surge protection to help keep your electronics safe.[/product_listing]

 

If your home needs a deep clean, this portable carpet and upholstery cleaner easily removes tough pet stains, dirt, and hair with its spray, scrub, and suction system. It comes with a self-cleaning tough stain tool and a pet hair removal tool, making it perfect for carpets at home or for detailing your car.[/product_listing]

 

This 9-in-1 multitool pen combines practical functions like a screwdriver, flashlight, and bottle opener into one compact design, making it a useful gift for birthdays, Father’s Day, or any special occasion.[/product_listing]

 

For the candle lover – this handy flameless lighter is designed with child safety in mind, featuring a safety lock, auto power-off, windproof plasma ignition, real-time battery display, and a lightweight, portable build for indoor and outdoor use.[/product_listing]

 

This SwitchBot gadget transforms virtually any traditional device into a smart gadget you can control remotely from your smartphone. Whether it’s a coffee maker, light switch, fan, or even a button-operated appliance, the SwitchBot acts as a mechanical finger that physically presses switches or buttons on command. With easy integration through the SwitchBot app, you can set schedules, use timers, or activate devices with a simple tap on your phone.[/product_listing]

Bathroom

The Natureva Stone Bath Mat is made from natural diatomaceous earth, instantly absorbing water and drying quickly to keep your bathroom clean and safe. Its non-slip design with grooves and a secure rubber base prevents slipping while adding a sleek, modern look to your space.[/product_listing]

 

Avoid unnecessary waste with this durable stainless steel roller that helps you get every last bit of toothpaste or other tube-based products with minimal effort. Its ergonomic design keeps tubes upright and organized, making it easy to use for toothpaste, hair colour, cosmetics, craft supplies, and more.[/product_listing]

 

Travel

Stay cool this summer with this adorable hands-free neck fan – great for beach days and a must-have for tropical travelling![/product_listing]

You may also like:

Mini Portable Fan – $15.99

Original Kitchen Gizmo Strainer for Pots – $18.99

Temperature-Controlled, Self-Heating Coffee Mug – $139.95

 

Office

Double the screens, double the fun! This Tiktok viral laptop screen extender pops out like magic, giving your laptop superpowers for multitasking, movie nights, or gaming marathons.[/product_listing]

 

Keep your cables organized with these gold cable clips. Crafted from durable aluminum with a sleek polished finish, these compact cable clips come with both adhesive and screw options for easy installation, keeping all your wires neatly in place on desks, nightstands, or walls.[/product_listing]

 

Stay organized with cute customizable labels. This mini label maker has smart app connectivity, inkless thermal printing, and a library of over 600 customizable templates, making it perfect for labeling anything from kitchen jars to office files.[/product_listing]

Hallway

These minimalist coat hooks can easily be added to any wall to hang up coats, scarves, hats, towels, and bags in bathrooms, kitchens, or entryways. Lacquered gold finish and crafted from durable zinc alloy with corrosion resistance for long-lasting use. Each wall-mounted hook folds 90° to save space and supports up to 3.5 pounds.[/product_listing]

Garage

This lift table cart is designed to help lift, move, and position heavy items safely and efficiently, supporting loads up to 500 lbs. Its scissor-lift platform raises up to 28.5 inches using a hydraulic pump, while the swivel wheels and non-slip pad make it easy to transport and secure heavy materials in workshops, warehouses, or garages.[/product_listing]

Kitchen

These Aieve Appliance Sliders are self-adhesive pads that make it easy to move heavy kitchen appliances like air fryers, blenders, and coffee makers without scratching countertops. They save space, protect surfaces, and allow appliances to be pushed, dragged, or rotated smoothly on wood, tile, marble, or fabric surfaces.[/product_listing]

 

This Crock-Pot is a total game changer for meal prep. It features two 3.7-quart nonstick ceramic-coated pots, letting you cook two different dishes at once – each with its own temperature and cooking settings.[/product_listing]

 

It is 5 o’clock somewhere – and with this intelligent wine dispenser, you’re always just one touch away from happy hour. Whether you’re uncorking a fine Bordeaux, pouring a smooth sake, or sampling a smoky whiskey, this smart gadget has your back. Precision-pour from 1 to 999ml? Check. One-handed touch activation? Of course. It even stops itself so you don’t have to. Now that’s what we call classy convenience.[/product_listing]

 

This sleek and sturdy coffee pod drawer can neatly store up to 50 coffee capsules. It’s the perfect kitchen addition for Nespresso lovers.[/product_listing]

 

Looking to amp up you fruit and veggie intake? You’ll need this this powerful fruit and vegetable cleaning machine, which uses ion technology to gently purify everything from produce to seafood. No chemicals and no nutrients lost.[/product_listing]

 

From stubborn jars to tricky pull tabs, this 6-in-1 opener tackles it all with eight grip sizes, a long-leverage handle, and non-slip rubber lining – making it the perfect kitchen helper for anyone, especially seniors or those with limited hand strength.[/product_listing]

 

Meet Splatypus – the adorably quirky jar spatula that scrapes, spreads, and scoops with charm, diving deep into every jar so no peanut butter, jam, or holiday cheer goes to waste; it’s the BPA-free, dishwasher-safe kitchen sidekick you never knew you needed.[/product_listing]

 

Proudly Canadian since 1945, this handy little bag sealer keeps snacks fresh, cuts open packages with ease, and sticks right to your fridge – proof that smart, joyful kitchen tools really do come in small (and magnetic) packages.[/product_listing]

You may also like:

6 Pack Under Cabinet Lights – $66.99

Hatch Restore 3 Sunrise Alarm Clock – $229.99

ecobee New Smart Thermostat – $279.96

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Canadians stranded in Puerto Vallarta amid escalating violence in Mexico’s Jalisco state say while they’re feeling calm locked down in their hotels, the surrounding area looks like a “war zone.”

A shelter in place order has been issued in the city, with the state’s governor saying federal forces carried out an operation in Tapalpa early Sunday morning, leading to clashes in the area.

“People are mostly calm and just staying tight and sort of maybe a bit quieter than usual and trying to figure out what’s really going on,” said Jeff Willis, a man from Manitoba currently staying in Puerto Vallarta. “But behind our unit, you can see multiple, multiple areas of smoke and it looks like a war zone.”

Willis said he is staying in the city near the marina, about 10 minutes from the airport which has been shut down.

He told Global News he was notified by WestJet that his flight was cancelled.

Jalisco state Gov. Pablo Lemus Navarro said in a post on social media a few hours after the reported operation that he had given the order to activate a code red.

He said vehicles have been burned and blocked in some places to hinder the actions of authorities.

Global Affairs Canada issued a notice on its travel advisory page for Mexico on Sunday, warning of violence and roadblocks in the country’s southwestern region.

“Criminal groups have set up roadblocks with burning vehicles in southwestern Mexico,” the notice said. “There have been shootouts with security forces and explosions.”

The agency said the roadblocks are “especially” found in Jalisco State, including Puerto Vallarta; Guerrero State, including Acapulco, and Michoacan State.

The smell from the fires has been noticeable, but Global BC producer Joan Marshall said in an interview from a condo near the city’s marina there were also “weird” sounds.

“You hear sirens quite a bit because there’s a hospital nearby, but there were some really weird car racing sounds, now that I think back, and there were a lot of sirens after that,” Marshall said. “Then I got up and looked out and I thought, ‘What is that haze in the air?’ and it turned out walking outside it was smoke from all the fires and you could smell this really acrid smell.”

Steve Mossop said he’s also stranded in Puerto Vallarta, and though he told Global News he feels safe in his hotel, he added it’s an “eerie” situation.

“There’s thick smoke lingering in the air, and it’s a bit of an eerie feeling given the tourist city that (Puerto Vallarta) is,” said Mossop, who is visiting from Vancouver.

He said he’s been in the city for the past week and a half, but now he’s not sure when they’ll get out given flights have been cancelled.

While some Canadians say they, overall, feel safe Melissa Godbout from Chilliwack, B.C. said she’s feeling “unsettled.”

“I’m starting to feel a little bit anxious, definitely very unsettled, I’m here with my kids, my whole family,” she told Global BC. “What’s really kind of alarming is that the resort seems to be carrying on like normal. It’s largely Mexican nationals staying here and they’re still carrying on swimming in the pool, playing ping pong, like it’s another day. On one hand it seems safe, but on the other hand definitely not at all.”

WestJet, Porter Airlines, Air Canada and Air Transat have all confirmed to Global News that flights to and from Puerto Vallarta on Sunday have been cancelled. WestJet says it has also cancelled 24 added flights to the city, as well as Guadalajara and Manzanillo.

Jalisco New Generation Cartel leader killed in military operation

According to the Mexican embassy in the U.S., the military operation on Sunday was conducted to achieve the arrest of Ruben “N,” also known as Nemesio Ruben Oseguera Cervantes or “El Mencho,” the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel.

Officials say during the operation, military personnel were attacked and they responded. As a result, four members of the cartel died at the scene and three others were severely wounded. Officials said they died during an airlift to Mexico City.

“Among the latter is Ruben ‘N’ (alias Mencho); however, the corresponding authorities will be in charge of the forensic activities to confirm his identification,” the embassy wrote on X.

Those who were travelling to the airport were greeted by some unexpected sights.

Randy Schmautz, a Vancouver man who lives part-time in Puerto Vallarta and is a private driver in the city, said he saw spikes thrown on the roads as he drove some people to the airport.

“I did make it there and back without a flat, I was quite happy about that,” he told Global News. “It’s eerie, it’s scary.”

He said in an interview Sunday that restaurants and stores were all closed, adding he’d never seen a situation like this in Puerto Vallarta.

“Not this one, never here,” he said.

People in the state are being urged by the Canadian government to keep a low profile, follow the advice of local authorities, and monitor local and international media to stay informed, Global Affairs Canada says.

—with files from Global News’ Angela Jung, Hersh Singh and Jordan Armstrong, and The Associated Press

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Winnipeg police say a man has been arrested in connection with the shooting of a woman at a downtown hotel.

According to police, officers responded to a hotel in the 300 block of Kennedy Street at about 3:30 p.m. on Friday for a report that a woman had been shot by a male suspect.

Police said both the suspect and victim had left the area before officers arrived.

The investigation determined that the 32-year-old woman and 20-year-old man were both inside the hotel bar when they became involved in a verbal dispute. It escalated to the point where the man shot the woman in her upper body.

The man and woman were not known to each other, police said.

Authorities say that while the woman was seriously injured, she left the hotel before police could arrive and made her way to the hospital.

A few hours later, the suspect arrived at hospital at 7 p.m. seeking treatment for a gunshot-related injury. He was quickly identified by police as the suspect and arrested at the hospital.

The 20-year-old has been charged with aggravated assault, discharging a firearm with intent, pointing a firearm, unauthorized possession of a firearm, and possession of a prohibited or restricted firearm with ammunition.

He has been detained in custody.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.