Top Stories – Feb 8 – 32 Weekend Covid Deaths

BC reported almost 33-hundred new cases of covid-19 since Friday, including 843 yesterday where there were 281 in Interior Health. There were an additional 32 deaths during the period, bringing the total since the pandemic began to just over 27-hundred. An outbreak was declared at Spring Valley Care Centre in Kelowna, while the outbreak at KGH is over.

Licensed child care providers in BC will receive additional funding meet the challenges of pandemic-related health and safety costs. The one-time total grant of 20 Million dollars can be used to buy cleaning supplies, sanitizer, masks, and to hire an external company to clean. A provider with 25 spaces can expect to receive a grant of about $4,000.

There’s a prediction of more than one Million job openings in BC over the next 10 years. The Labour Market Outlook says those nearing the end of their education or looking for a career change should be thinking about a few areas. They include science and technology, skilled trades such as construction, automotive and cooks, and, health care.

As the State of Emergency continues in Ottawa, police are investigating a fire in the lobby of an apartment building started by 2 men which security video showed, leaving through a side door. The building had been ringed by anti-vaccine-mandate protestors blasting horns 24 hours a day for more than a week. Yesterday, a judge granted a 10-day injunction against horn honking. There was an emergency debate on the situation last night in the House of Commons.

An online fundraiser has been set up in the hopes of bringing the body of Ashley Wadsworth of Vernon back from England to be buried. Over the weekend, a large vigil was held in Chelmsford, outside London, where Ashley was living, to remember her and show support for her family. Her British boyfriend, was charged with her murder.

More than half of Canadian businesses targeted by cybercriminals in 2021 paid the amount of money demanded by their hackers, with one-third getting a negotiator involved. Businesses have become increasingly susceptible to cyberattacks as many employees continue to work remotely. Just 40 percent of organizations plan to offer training on recognizing attacks.

Kevin Falcon may be the leader of the BC Liberals, but right now he doesn’t have a seat in the legislature. That will change though as MLA Andrew Wilkinson says he will step down to let Falcon run in a by-election. Wilkinson is a former party leader who represents the Liberal stronghold of Vancouver-Quilchena.

Financial help is on the way for BC farmers hit by the devastating floods last November. Ottawa and Victoria will make up to 228 Million dollars available to help farms return to production. The program will help farmers who have incurred expenses from uninsurable damages.

The latest census numbers on Canadian population will be released tomorrow but experts are warning not to dig too deep into the numbers. That’s because it was done last year during the pandemic and immigration was down. The census is used to calculate federal transfers to provinces to pay for health care, and to cities for infrastructure needs.

Sports

On the ice in Beijing last night the Canadian women picked up a big 4-2 win over the Americans to go undefeated in the preliminary round. One of Canada’s goals came on a penalty shot. Ann-Renée Desbiens was outstanding in net. The playoffs will be set after the next two days of preliminary round games.

In BCHL play, the West Kelowna Warriors head to Merritt today for a game against the Centennials at the Nicola Valley Arena.

The Vancouver Canucks return to play tonight following the all-star break. The Arizona Coyotes visit Rogers Arena for a 7pm start.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara is out of jail after he was arrested over the weekend on a charge he beat and injured a person at a Las Vegas nightclub. He was arrested after playing in the Pro Bowl.

The Pittsburgh Penguins added star forward Evgeni Malkin to the NHL’s COVID-19 protocol list. The 35-year-old has five goals and eight assists in 12 contests since making his return in early January after knee surgery.