Top Stories – Aug 11 – Telephone Town Hall

Everyone is invited to join a live, interactive telephone town hall at 7pm to discuss COVID-19 vaccination efforts in the Interior Health region. It will be hosted by Health Minister Adrian Dix, provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, and representatives from I-H. To participate, on Wednesday, Aug. 11 at 7:00 p.m., dial: 1-877-229-8493 and enter ID code 117216. Live streaming and closed captioning at gov.bc.ca/vaccinationTTH

There were 187 new cases of Covid-19 in Interior Health yesterday as part of 395 in all of BC. Brookhaven Care Centre in West Kelowna has 22 cases: five residents and 17 staff, while Cottonwoods Care Centre long-term care in Kelowna has 11 cases: eight residents and three staff.

Many insurance companies are refusing to insure residential homes near active wildfires right now and it might be a struggle to get insured until the season is over. People who are currently living on the property will have to stay there until the new owners are able to get their financing, which includes the insurance. The same problems could apply to people buying boats, ATVs, and motorcycles.

No changes yesterday from the regional district regarding Evacuation Alerts and Orders for the White Rock Lake wildfire at the top end of Westside Road. In the south Okanagan, the Thomas Creek fire by OK Falls was being worked on by 112 firefighters, while the Nk’Mip fire by Osoyoos was estimated at 17,500 hectares and being actioned by 132 firefighters.

Moderna has reached a deal with the Canadian government to build a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in to make vaccines and shots. The plant aims to provide Canadians with access to domestically manufactured mRNA vaccines against respiratory viruses, including Covid, seasonal influenza, and possibly other vaccines. Its location is still being worked out.

New York governor Andrew Cuomo says he will resign in 2 weeks after a state attorney general investigation concluded he had sexually harassed a number of women. President Joe Biden was among those who called for him to step down.

No skipping past the Highway using Louie Drive for the next couple of months. Westbank First Nation is fixing it up between Old Okanagan and the entrance to Swiss Chalet so it is closed. When reopened, there will be a 4-way stop at Louie and Old Okanagan.

Lake Country RCMP located and arrested a man for attempted murder after a report of an assault with a weapon resulting in serious injuries. It happened Friday morning on Pow Road. 29-year-old Jermain Goren Walker was charged with one count of Attempted Murder, and remains in custody at this time.

If the smoke stays away, conditions should be good later tonight for the annual Perseid Meteor Shower. Scientists say this year’s will probably produce the greatest number of meteors in the early morning tomorrow and Friday as there’ll be no moon to ruin the show.

Sports

The Kootenay International Junior Hockey League has come to an agreement with InStat Hockey for the 2021-22 hockey season. At the team level, coaches and players can receive detailed game-by-game analytical reports, and player shifts.

He may have a new contract but Aaron Rodgers may not play for Green Bay in any preseason NFL games. But, this isn’t a new thing. He last lined up under center in the preseason in 2018, albeit for just one series.

The B.C. Lions are preparing Canadian rookie Nathan Rourke to start Thursday night against the Calgary Stampeders but haven’t ruled out veteran Mike Reilly playing. Reilly was listed as “limited” at practice with a right elbow injury.

Tony Esposito, the Hockey Hall of Fame goalie, died Tuesday at age 78 from pancreatic cancer. The younger brother of Phil Esposito, won 418 games for the Black Hawks from 1969-84.

Soccer star Lionel Messi arrived in Paris to complete the move that ends his career-long association with Barcelona. Word is the 34-year-old Argentine star has agreed to a two-year contract with Paris Saint-Germain.

A pair of sneakers Kobe Bryant gifted to a fan following his regular-season debut with the Lakers in 1996 are being sold at auction. Bidding on the shoes opens today with a starting price tag of $100,000 and is expected to reach up to half a Million.