Top Stories – Dec 29 – 1,700+ New Cases

The overall numbers can’t be precise as a few testing clinics on the south coast have been shut down for Christmas, but the health ministry reported a preliminary 1,785 new cases of covid-19 in BC yesterday. That included 269 in the Interior. There has been no update on hospitalizations, Omicron cases or deaths since Christmas Eve.

Once again Christmas Trees will be chipped for free in the Regional District. From now to January 31 they can be dropped off – no decorations please – at one of 5 locations in the region. You can find all the locations and the hours they are accepting trees at rdco.com/recycle .

Canadian air travelers are experiencing an uptick in flight cancellations this holiday season, but airlines say weather is a bigger factor than COVID. Between December 22 and Boxing Day, Flair Airlines canceled nine percent of its scheduled flights while WestJet canceled seven percent. Air Canada canceled four percent according to an airline data company.

Good news if you have an excess amount of styrofoam lying around after Christmas. Collection has resumed at all depots in the Recycle BC program within the Central Okanagan. It does not go in the curbside carts. Collection was paused due to exceptional circumstances with unprecedented flooding and closures of major transportation corridors.

West Kelowna’s annual Snow Star program is back for another winter season. It celebrates great neighbours who help others by clearing snow and ice from driveways or sidewalks. For more information and to nominate your West Kelowna resident Snow Star, visit OurWK.ca/SnowStar .

The spreading Omicron covid variant seems to be putting a damper on in-person sales buying after Christmas… but that could be a good thing. The Retail Council of Canada says many stores have been dealing with a glut of product over the last few months, which could mean bigger discounts as prices are cut to move product off shelves and make space for upcoming seasons.

Over the past year, the Kelowna RCMP has received numerous complaints about a guy selling magic mushrooms, LSD and cannabis to teens. A search warrant at a condo in the 1700 block of Richter netted about 4 pounds of mushrooms, 40 lbs of Cannabis, 1300 tabs of LSD, $10,000 in cash and a Jaguar SUV. Two men aged 37 and 50, were arrested and will be facing charges under the Controlled Drugs & Substances Act and Cannabis Act.

Rapid COVID-19 tests will be available at Interior Health Community testing centres, beginning this week. I-H says they are only for people experiencing symptoms and according to risk factors. Supplies may be limited. In Kelowna the testing centre is at 2180 Ethel, and on the west side it’s at Carrington Plaza.

Even though the Coquihalla has been reopened to commercial traffic, the provincial State of Emergency remains in place. The government says there is still a lot of repair work to be done in the wake of the flooding and mudslides last month. Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth thanks all British Columbians for their patience and compliance during these challenging times, and to the crews who have worked tirelessly to get highways back open.

Sports 1

At the World Juniors yesterday, Canada thumped Austria 11-2. 16 year old Connor Bedard with 4 goals. That follows their Boxing Day win over the Czechs. Canada plays Germany today at 4.

The Kelowna Rockets were back at it last night after the Christmas break. In Kamloops, the Rockets tied the score at 1 with 10 seconds left in the 3rd period, and Andrew Cristall bagged the OT winner for Kelowna.  The two teams will wrap up the year tonight at Prospera Place at 7.

The West Kelowna Warriors have the first of two BCHL games tonight against Penticton to finish 2021. The puck drops at Royal LePage Place at 7.

The Canucks are scheduled to be south of the border tonight to take on the Ducks in Anaheim before bussing it to L-A for a game against the Kings tomorrow .

After a loss against Osoyoos last night at Rutland arena, the Kelowna Chiefs play the Coyotes tonight in the south Okanagan in their last game of the year.

Oilers star Connor McDavid says another World Cup of Hockey would be a “great second option,” but there is no true substitute for the Olympics. The 2016 event was the last best-on-best tournament. McDavid was captain of Team North America, which boasted a roster from Canada and the United States aged 23 and under.