Top Stories – Sept 28 – Covid Briefing Today

Over the weekend in BC there were just over 22-hundred positive tests for Covid 19. In the Interior, there were 525 new cases to bring the total active cases to 1,159. There were 18 deaths from the virus in the province with 5 in Interior Health. Dr. Bonnie Henry and Health Minister Adrian Dix will give a public briefing today at 12:30.

The Central Okanagan Chapter of Mothers Against Drunk Driving has set a goal of $20,000 for its first fundraiser. The virtual fundraiser, called Champions for MADD, will be held on October 15, at 7pm. It will feature a silent auction, live auction, musical performances, and guest speakers. Auction items include 2 tickets to anywhere WestJet flies (and back) and a Vegas vacation package.

If ‘here kitty kitty’ is in your future, this my be the time. The BC SPCA is offering half price adoptions on most animals this week, not just cats. It applies to all companion animals, small animals and farm animals, with the exception of horses.

It has been less than a month since the Mt. Law wildfire, but starting Friday, open burning permits will be available for eligible Central Okanagan property owners from their local fire service. Before lighting any fire, all of the Provincial Open Burning Smoke Control Regulations must be met by calling the toll-free Outdoor Burning Hotline.

Indigenous service providers are receiving $1.5 million in provincial funding to address the urgent need for culturally safe and trauma-informed mental health and wellness supports for residential school survivors. It will also support Indigenous peoples as a result of the ongoing findings at former Residential Schools. This funding is part of $12 million announced in June for the BC Residential School Response Fund.

Sixty−two per cent of eligible voters cast ballots in last week’s federal election. That’s about average turnout for recent Canadian elections despite the challenges of the pandemic. Elections Canada says almost 17 million Canadians voted, out of 27.4 million eligible electors. Sixty-seven percent voted 2 years ago.

Normally on a Stat Holiday, BC Transit reduces service, but that will not be the case on Thursday. The company says it will be a regular weekday schedule for National Truth and Reconcilliation Day. Transit says it wants to make sure there is enough service, but will take a look at the numbers to decide what to do in the future.

Even with more than 51-hundred new covid cases on the weekend, Alberta premier Jason Kenny is ruling out a return to more restrictions. Alberta has no requirement for proof of vaccination and students do not have to wear masks when seated at school. There are more than 1,000 people in hospital with covid-19.

Aurora Cannabis blamed lockdowns for a 45 percent plunge in consumer sales as it continued to restructure its operations in its fourth quarter. The Edmonton-based company said the health crisis pushed its net revenue from consumer sales to $19.5 million for the three months ended June 30, down from 35.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2020.

Sports

In NHL exhibition in Abbotsford last night the Canucks scored 3 first period goals against Calgary and went on to a 4-2 win. Next up is a return match to the Saddledome on Friday.  Elsewhere, Toronto dropped a 5-2 decision to Montreal.

There is a rare Tuesday game in the CFL. The 1-5 Ottawa RedBlacks host the 2-4 Edmonton Eskimos.

The West Kelowna Warriors have a few more BCHL preseason games left. One of them is tonight when they host Prince George at Royal LePage Place at 7.

In contrast to a new NBA policy, the NHL will not allow unvaccinated players to enter Canada to play games. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly recently said he expects 98% of NHL players to be fully vaccinated by the start of the regular season, leaving just 10-15 poke-free.

Hockey Canada has canceled 3 tournaments due to the pandemic. They include the National Women’s Under-18 Championship in Dawson Creek, the Canadian Tire Para Hockey Cup in Nova Scotia, and the World Junior A challenge in Cornwall, Ontario.

The Blue Jays host the Yankees for a 3 game series starting tonight at Rogers Centre at 4pm. It’s the final week of the regular season and Toronto is 1 game out of a wildcard spot.