Top Stories – Feb 25 – Full Mobilization

Ukraine is ordering a full military mobilization to challenge the Russian invasion. President Zelenskyy says despite Russia’s claim that it is only attacking military targets, civilian sites have also been hit by missiles. Word is that women and children are allowed to leave Ukraine, but men between 18 and 60 are not. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Russia’s attack on Ukraine is also an attack on democracy and the greatest threat to European democracy since World War 2. He announced more sanctions against Russia which included companies in aerospace, I-T and mineral sectors. Trudeau says sanctions that maximize impact are the way to react as he believes Vladimir Putin thinks he can act with impunity.

Anti-vaccine protestors who disrupted a Remembrance Day service in Kelowna last year, could still face legal action. CTV News reports RCMP have forwarded a report on the incident to prosecutors, but Police did not say whether they were recommending charges. Inspector Ian MacIntosh said they would investigate what offenses may have been committed.

Rebates of up to $1500 are available for Central Okanagan residents that recycle an old wood burning appliance with newer, cleaner burning technology. Upgrading outdoor wood boilers is now included in the rebate program along with increased incentives for Westbank First Nation members. Details at rdco.com/airquality.

Once again, the Great Okanagan Beer Festival has been cancelled. It’s usually held in late Spring, but the lifting of covid restrictions doesn’t give breweries and restaurants enough time to prepare for full capacity events. They’ll try again for May of 2023.

Gas prices around a buck-and-a-half a litre in the Okanagan could soon be a distant memory. Russia’s attack on Ukraine is putting even greater pressure on an already surging oil price environment and that will cost Canadians more at the pump. At least one analyst expects an increase of a nickel a litre in the near future.

Beginning Monday, utility work will start in preparation for the future Bertram Pedestrian Overpass across Highway 97. Crews will be onsite for utility relocation and underground work on Bertram, from Leon to the highway. That section of Bertram will be closed for the duration of the project sometime next year.

Once again, Interior Health led all regions in BC with 194 new covid cases yesterday. There were 597 in BC but just 64 in Vancouver Coastal. In the past 24 hours, nine new deaths were reported, for an overall total of 2,840.

Ever been following a car at night with no tail lights? As of September 21 Transport Canada will require that all new vehicles sold in the country have either: tail lights that come on automatically with daytime running lights, headlights, tail lights, and side marker lights that turn on automatically in the dark, or a dashboard that stays dark to alert the driver to turn on the lights.

Sports

Kelowna Rockets have 3 games this weekend. They are at home tonight at 7 taking on the Blazers. Tomorrow, they make the return trip to Kamloops before heading to Seattle for a game on Sunday.

Formula 1 has canceled this year’s Russian Grand Prix in Sochi which was scheduled for September. World champion Max Verstappen had called for the event to be canceled.

The Vancouver Canucks ended the Calgary Flames’ 10 game winning streak last night by a final score of 7-1. One of the highlights was a JT Miller penalty shot goal with 5 seconds left in the 2nd period. Vancouver hits the road for 4 games beginning Sunday in New York City against the Rangers.

Major League Baseball says only four days remain to salvage March 31 openers and a full season. It told locked out players that games will be canceled and not made up if a labour contract is not agreed to by the end of Monday.

KIJHL playoffs resume tonight in Summerland between the Steam and Kelowna Chiefs. Summerland won the first 2 games of the best of 7 earlier this week.

Going into the second day of the Honda Classic in Florida, Kurt Kitayama has a 1 stroke lead on the rest of the field at 6-under. Three Canadians including Merritt’s Roger Sloan are 5 shots back.