Top Stories – Nov 26 – Coquihalla By January?

BC’s Transportation minister says the Coquihalla highway could reopen to limited traffic by the end of January. Rob Fleming said the province is reasonably optimistic that enough repairs to 5 damaged or wiped-out bridges can be completed to allow commercial traffic on the road, weather permitting. Meantime Fleming said Highway 1 through the Fraser Valley is now open, with no travel restrictions, but there will be lower speed limits.

The weekly update showed a drop in the number of new covid-19 cases in the Central Okanagan. There were 140 reported for the past week compared to 227 the week before. Cases were also down in Vernon, Kamloops and Salmon Arm. They were up in Penticton, and Armstrong-Spallumcheen.

Some Canadians who received a pandemic jobless benefit are set to receive notices that they have to repay some of the aid. Ottawa says there are still recipients who owe some or all of the $2,000, specifically those who were not entitled to it or didn’t collect CERB for at least 20 weeks. Anyone who needs it will get a flexible repayment schedule and there will be no penalties or interest charged on the overpayment.

Kelowna Parks says the Stuart Park ice rink is being groomed for an anticipated opening next Wednesday. Unlike last winter, no reservations are required for the free outdoor rink, although skates can be rented if needed. After the 9am first day opening time, it’s open from 6am to 11pm daily.

There were 424 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, bringing the total in BC since the pandemic began to 216,758. There were 93 positives for Interior Health where 43 people are in hospital, 29 in critical care.

Supply chain disruptions have Ottawa and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority working together to ease bottlenecks. The federal ministers of transport and emergency preparedness say the Feds are providing up to 4.1-million dollars to relieve congestion at Vancouver ports. It will address supply chain disruptions caused by the aftermath of the floods.

Tomorrow is the annual “Stuff the Cruiser Toy Drive”. The Kelowna RCMP is once again partnering with the Salvation Army to ensure that every child has a present this holiday season. It’s happening from 10-4 in the north parking lot of the RCMP Detachment on Richter as well as the Toys-R-US on Harvey. They’re looking for new, unwrapped toys for newborns to 12 year olds.

Police have released video of two people alleged to have been involved in a robbery at a gas station on Springfield Monday night. It was the second robbery at the station in a week and RCMP are hoping the public can help identify them. There’s a link to the video here: https://1047thelizard.ca/2021/11/25/video-of-robbery-suspects-released/

Flooding and road damage was so bad around Spences Bridge along Highway 8, some residents may not be able to return home for years. Steven Rice, who is a farmer from the community southwest of Kamloops, says the Nicola River, which runs along Highway 8, has changed course and left some farms under water. He says governments need to increase relief efforts and help winterize affected properties to ensure no more damage takes place.

Sports

The Kelowna Rockets have 2 home games this weekend. The Spokane Chiefs are at Prospera Place tonight while Prince George visits tomorrow. Both games start at 7.

The Canucks road trip continues today in Columbus against the Blue Jackets at 4. Then it’s on to Boston for another 4pm game on Sunday.

The West Kelowna Warriors are in Trail for a BCHL game tonight against the Smoke Eaters. They’re back at Royal LePage Place tomorrow at 7 for a visit from the Cranbrook Bucks.

In the KIJHL this weekend, the Kelowna Chiefs have just one game. It’s tonight at 7 at Rutland Arena when the Kamloops Storm pay a visit.

In the golf world, The Match – Five goes today and tomorrow at the Wynn Golf Club in Vegas and features a couple of guys who have garnered a lot of attention in the past year. Brooks Koepka takes on Bryson DeChambeau.

Former Kelowna Rocket and current Edmonton Oilers star Leon Draisaitl is on a historic pace nearly a quarter of the way into the NHL season. Through 19 games, he has 20 goals and 20 assists. That projects to 86 goals and 86 assists in 82 games.