Top Stories – Jan 19 – Open To All

Good news for travelers as the Coquihalla highway reopened today to regular traffic between Merritt and Hope. Drivers need to keep in mind that many areas are still construction zones with travel-pattern changes and reduced speed limits, that will make the trip about 45 minutes longer than normal. There will continue to be increased traffic enforcement to ensure drivers are obeying the laws and driving according to conditions.

The city of Kelowna received more than 296-thousand dollars in funding from ICBC through the Corporation’s Road Improvement Program. The City invests in transportation capital projects to maintain and improve the road network and those that have the potential to improve safety or reduce collisions.

The Provincial Health Officer has taken teacher vaccination status out of the hands of school boards. A new order says all school boards in the province will be required to collect and report the vaccination status of all staff members. It is not ordering teachers to be vaccinated, but says the information will help officials better respond to the spread of COVID in schools.

February 16th is the next time that a decision will be made on bars and crowd limit restrictions in BC. The extension came as new cases of Omicron are down from their high, but hospitalizations continue to climb. The complete ban on gyms and fitness centres is lifted as of tomorrow although spacing and capacity will be enforced and masks worn except when exercising, and proof of vaccination must be shown.

There were no injuries in a house fire yesterday afternoon in Rutland. It was in the 500 block of Dougal Road South and Kelowna Fire Department says damage was limited to the kitchen and attic area. The fire cause is not suspicious and is being investigated.

Get ready to pay more for milk… but you’ll be able to get it back if you want. Starting next month, milk and plant-based containers can be taken to Return-It depots in BC for a 10 cent deposit refund. However that means the government will be charging a dime deposit for the ready-to-drink containers at the store.

Kelowna RCMP has identified a woman whose body was located at the dog park on Glenmore Road on Sunday as 25-year-old Austyn Godfrey of Ontario. Investigators want to hear from any motorists with dash cameras who drove Glenmore Road North, in the vicinity of the dog park, between 9pm Saturday and 830am Sunday. The Serious Crime Unit is working with the Coroners Service to determine the cause of death.

There were 92 people being treated in hospital for Covid-19 in Interior Health yesterday… 17 of them in ICU. 479 new cases of the virus were reported in the region as part of 1,975 in all of BC. Booster shots have been given to 36.8% of eligible adults.

If you have a flight with WestJet planned for next month, chances are that it could be changed. The airline says it is cutting 20 percent of its flights in February due to staffing issues with Omicron, and what it calls “government barriers on our business”. This is in addition to the 15 percent consolidation announced earlier this month.

Sports

In Nashville last night, the Vancouver Canucks, without captain Bo Horvat who was added to the covid protocol list, picked up their 2nd straight road win, 3-1 over Nashville. The next scheduled game is a home contest against the Panthers on Friday.

There’s a report the NHL is set to loosen its COVID-19 testing policies by not testing asymptomatic players and staff members for the virus after the All-Star break next month. Testing would still be used for cross-border travel when required as well as for symptomatic personnel.

The Montreal Canadiens have hired Kent Hughes as the club’s 18th general manager. He has primarily worked in the NHL as a player agent.

The Dallas Cowboys expect head coach Mike McCarthy to return for a third season in 2022 despite their disappointing first-round playoff exit. McCarthy guided the Cowboys to a 12-5 mark and an NFC East title, but Dallas lost to the 49ers on Sunday.

The West Kelowna Warriors are scheduled to head across the Connector today for a 7pm game against the Centennials in Merritt. The last time they played, West Kelowna easily won 8-2.

Cleveland Browns defensive tackle Malik McDowell was arrested on charges of walking naked in public, resisting arrest, and battery on a law enforcement officer in Florida. The 25 year old has had previous alcohol-related run-ins with police.