Top Stories – Nov 29 – Highways Still Closed

With another storm system expected to hit the coast tomorrow, the precautionary closure of highways continues. Transportation and geology officials are concerned that more mudslides and debris flows on the already saturated hills and mountains could be triggered. Keep up to date with the closures on Highways 1, 3 and 99 at drivebc.ca .

The province hopes British Columbians can step up to help people impacted by flooding. For every $1 someone donates to Flood Relief, the Government of Canada and BC Government will match it to become $3, until Dec 26. Donate at redcross.ca or text BCFLOODS to 30333. People impacted by flooding can get info on the red cross website.

Starting today, a major flood protection project will begin on the Mill Creek corridor. Enterprise Dog Park and the Okanagan Rail Trail will be closed near the work areas. Rail Trail traffic will be detoured along the existing gravel trail network on the South side of Mill Creek.

As of Friday, 91% of eligible people 12 and older in BC have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 87.6% have received their second. There were 341 new cases in the province, which included 77 for Interior Health. In all of BC, 291 individuals were in hospital and 115 were in intensive care.

Residents in communities served by the Wilson’s Landing fire department should watch for the flashing lights for the 10th annual Santa Run food collection this evening. From 6-9pm, department members accompanied by Santa will travel throughout the areas they serve from Traders Cove to Shelter Cove, collecting food and cash donations for the West Kelowna branch of the Central Okanagan Community Food Bank.

Cannabis stores in BC can now sell what the government calls ‘accessories’, but that does not include potato chips or comic books. Licenced stores can now sell things like clothing, books, artwork and other items that have a clear link to cannabis. Retail stores are also prohibited from selling tobacco, liquor or solvents.

Starting tomorrow, anyone getting on a plane or train in Canada needs to show proof they are fully vaccinated if they are 12 or older. The period for providing a recent negative covid test ends, but masks still must be worn. The vaccinated proof applies to travel within Canada or leaving the country.

Interior Health will be rolling-out community vaccine clinics again in rural and remote communities. They will allow people 18 and older get their booster shots and children aged 5 to 11 get their pediatric vaccine. The clinics will start in December, and community members will be notified by Immunizations BC when it’s time to book their appointment.

The Central Okanagan Regional District had news for those impacted by the White Rock Lake wildfire. Garbage and Recycling fees for residents with destroyed primary structures will not be charged from October 2021 onwards, until rebuilding of the structure is complete. Residents that have pre-paid for October, November, and December will receive a refund.

Sports

The Vancouver Canucks are in Montreal today to take on the Canadiens at 4:30. Yesterday in Boston, even a disallowed goal wasn’t enough to prevent a 3-2 Bruins win and the Canucks suffering their 4th straight loss.

The Texas Rangers and former Blue Jay infielder Marcus Semien agreed to a seven-year, 175-million dollar contract. Texas was in the market for a starting shortstop after a rough 2021 campaign that saw it finish last in the American League West with a 60 & 102 record.

Two wins for the Kelowna Rockets at Prospera Place. They beat Spokane 2-1 in a shootout and took Prince George 4-1. Next up is a Wednesday visit from the Vancouver Giants.

Just 2 more weeks in the CFL schedule. Hamilton beat Montreal and will play Toronto in the east final, while Saskatchewan will take on the Blue Bombers in the west after beating Calgary in overtime. Both games are on Sunday.

In BC Hockey League play on the weekend, the West Kelowna Warriors beat the Smoke Eaters in Trail, but lost at home to Cranbrook. The locals travel to Vernon on Wednesday.

Scott Mellanby resigned as assistant general manager of the Montreal Canadiens a couple of days ago. He may have seen the writing on the wall because the team fired GM Marc Bergevin, assistant GM Trevor Timmins, and senior vice president of public affairs and communications Paul Wilson yesterday.