Top Stories – Aug 26 – More Controlled Burns

BC Wildfire says a number of planned, controlled ignitions will occur over the next several days on the Mt. Law fire, which will result in increased smoke. They will take place on both the Drought Creek and Law Creek vicinity of the fire, which will be visible along the Highway 97C corridor. West Kelowna fire chief Jason Brolund says these controlled ignitions are helpful and required to strengthen control lines.

There were more planned ignitions for the White Rock Lake wildfire yesterday. They were to secure the fire perimeter, burning north of Terrace Mountain and west toward the fire perimeter above Shorts Creek. The ignitions, northwest of Fintry Park, aim to remove about 200 hectares of fuel. Smoke was widely visible.

Interior Health is planning to bring care home residents, acute care patients and community health clients evacuated due to wildfire threats, back home. That includes a number from West Kelowna. Families will be notified as their loved ones are moved back.

Two guys who stole from a Summerland store and then hit an employee with a car as they took off, have been found and arrested. It happened Tuesday on Victoria Rd North. The suspects were tracked to an address in Penticton, where a number of firearms, stolen merchandise and drugs were also seized.

There were 252 new covid 19 cases in Interior Health yesterday. That is down 21 from the day before. 79 percent of people 12 and over in the Central Okanagan have had their first vaccine dose. That compares to 91 percent in midtown Vancouver.

Being told they’ll need to be vaccinated if they want to do anything fun, has apparently hit home with those under 40. On Monday there was an 88 percent increase in appointment bookings compared to last week. Yesterday there were almost 95-hundred bookings, an increase of 124 percent from last Tuesday.

For Lake Country residents, there will be a drop-in vaccination clinic in Oyama tomorrow. It will be at Gatzke Orchard on Pelmewash Parkway from 11-3. It’s for anyone needing a first shot, or anyone needing their 2nd if 28 days has passed. Just take your ID or vaccination card.

West Kelowna is getting two more grants from the Union of BC Municipalities. The first is for 157-thousand dollars will bolster the Peer Ambassadors program operated by Partners in Resource and assign a City Bylaw Officer through August 2022. The second is for 30-Grand and will aid in the development of a Housing Needs Assessment specific to West Kelowna as it relates to future land use.

Muslim leaders in Canada are urging members of their community to get vaccinated. Twenty-five religious leaders issued a joint statement pointing to “overwhelming, undeniable scientific evidence” of vaccine protection. The group says delaying or avoiding vaccination, unless under the advice of a medical expert, puts lives in danger, which goes against the teachings of Islam.

Sports

Team Canada takes on the Americans today at the Women’s World Hockey Championships at 3 in Calgary. Both teams are undefeated with 3 & 0 records so far.

The Edmonton/Toronto CFL game tonight was postponed after a covid outbreak among at least 11 personnel on the Elks. Meantime, the BC Lions are in Ottawa on Saturday .

The Western Hockey League says all spectators will be required to provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination before being allowed in the doors for WHL games in Kelowna, Kamloops, Prince George, Vancouver and Victoria.

After signing his 10 Million dollar contract with the Cardinals, catcher Yadier Molina says he will retire after the 2022 season. Molina’s spent his entire 18-year career with St. Louis and will now retire with the club.

Round 2 of the PGA Tour playoffs begins today with the BMW Championship at the Caves Valley Golf Club in Maryland. Corey Conners and Mackenzie Hughes are the Canadians still in contention.

Forward Derick Brasaard is now with his 9th NHL team after signing a 1 year contract with the Flyers. The 33 year old has appeared in 905 games, scored 194 goals, and contributed 309 assists.