Top Stories – Sept 2 – Protest Outside KGH

Health care workers at Kelowna General hospital had to make their way through hundreds of protestors to get to and from work yesterday. Protestors were upset with everything from covid vaccinations, to masks, to carrying a vaccine passport. Mayor Colin Basran was not impressed, saying ‘To be protesting at the hospital, and to continue to demoralize our health care workers is just uncalled for and unnecessary.’

The Mount Law wildfire is still classified as out of control, despite the recent showers and cooler temperatures. Less smoke is visible as crews continue mop-up procedures, working in from the fire perimeter. BC Wildfire is also reminding hunters, hikers and ATVers to stay out of the fire zone as there is an area restriction in place.

Evacuation Orders for the Valley of the Sun subdivision have been rescinded and downgraded to Evacuation Alerts. The Rapid Damage Assessment Team will complete their assessment of neighbourhoods directly impacted by the White Rock Lake Wildfire today. For any evacuee that missed the Returning Home info session yesterday, it’s on the Regional District’s Youtube page.

In the election campaign yesterday, the Conservatives introduced a recovery plan that will make significant investments in infrastructure to create jobs and get the economy moving. The Liberals released a 53 page platform that proposes 78 Billion dollars in new spending. And the NDP said the Liberals have failed at making life better for Canadians

The federal election candidates for the two Kelowna-area ridings have been finalized. In Kelowna-Lake Country and Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola, Conservative incumbants Tracy Gray and Dan Albas will each face 4 challengers. Candidates:

Kelowna – Lake Country… Conservative: Tracy Gray, NDP: Cade Desjarleis, Liberal: Tim Krupa, People’s Party: Brian Rogers, Green Party: Imre Szeman.

Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola… Conservative: Dan Albas, Liberal: Sarah Eves, NDP: Joan Phillip, People’s Party: Kathryn McDonald, Green Party: Brennan Wauters

BC has yet to unveil details on how its system will work, but Quebecers are now required to show proof of vaccination to access businesses and events the government deems non-essential. That includes places such as restaurants, gyms and festivals. And starting on the 15th, people and businesses caught violating the health order can face thousands of dollars in fines.

The West Kelowna Walmart will be closed for at least one more day. This is in the wake of a fire in a semi trailer parked in its loading bay early yesterday morning which the fire department says is suspicious. There was a lot of smoke in the interior of the building.

There were 785 new covid-19 cases reported for BC yesterday, 266 of them in Interior Health. By comparison, there were just over 13-hundred in Alberta where 70 percent of residents 12 and over are fully vaccinated. In BC, the number is 77.5 percent.

Hurricane Ida may be long gone from Louisiana, but its effects will remain for a long time. Millions are still without power as the heat index is in the 90s fahrenheit. Adding to the misery is that people cannot get gas for generators because gas stations can’t pump without power. The power companies have not been able to stay when they will have towers, poles and lines back up.

Sports

Yes, she broke her leg. In the celebration after winning the hockey gold medal, Blayre Turnbull fell awkwardly while hugging the goalie. But she didn’t miss the ceremony as she was wheeled out on a stretcher be with her Canadian teammates.

The Jacksonville Jaguars clarified their cutdown day strategy after head coach Urban Meyer said they considered players’ COVID vaccination status. Ultimately he said they have vaccinated and unvaccinated players on the roster, but no player was released because of vaccination status.

The New Orleans Saints will host the Green Bay Packers in Jacksonville, Florida, in Week 1 while they’re displaced due to Hurricane Ida. The Saints evacuated to Dallas before the storm ripped through Louisiana, leaving much of New Orleans without power.

Blue Jays left-hander Robbie Ray is giving fans who love his tight pants an opportunity help a local charity. Ray and his wife designed shirts with his pants on them and proceeds will go to the Jays Care Foundation.

Cody Fajardo and Jonathan Woodard from Saskatchewan and BC Lion quarterback Michael Reilly were named the CFL Top Performers for the Month of August. Reilly currently leads the league with 974 passing yards, completing 71.7% of his passes and two touchdowns.

The PGA Tour’s last tournament begins today with the Tour Championship at Eastlake in Atlanta. Corey Conners is the only Canadian that made it to the final 30. The winner collects 15 Million dollars.