Top Stories – March 30 – Doc Suspended

As the BC College of Physicians and Surgeons continues its investigation, a doctor has been suspended. Stephen Malthouse is accused of signing false statements about covid vaccines and masks. He works on Denman Island. A year ago he recommended using ivermectin as a treatment, which is against BC Centre for Disease Control Guidelines.

U-S regulators have authorized another COVID-19 booster for people age 50 and older. They say it offers extra protection for the most vulnerable in case the coronavirus rebounds. The FDA’s decision opens a fourth dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines to that age group at least four months after their previous booster.

Ukraine’s President says that the talks with Russian negotiators have given some positive signals but warned Russia can’t be trusted. Russia announced after talks between the delegations in Istanbul, Turkey, that it will significantly reduce military operations near Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv. It did not say if the troops were returning to Russia.

Work is underway to create an Indoor Recreation Facilities Strategy which will help guide Kelowna’s investment in sport and recreation facilities over the next 10-20 years. Every Kelowna household will receive a coded postcard via Canada Post. The code is required to access the survey, it can only be completed once per household, and must be done by April 22.

Starting Monday and lasting through early July, McKinley Road between the Hilltown Drive extension and Glenmore Road North will be closed for road realignment work. Only access to homes within the closure will be provided. McKinley Landing and Beach traffic should follow detour signs to access Glenmore North.

In the wake of the sudden death of drummer Taylor Hawkins, the Foo Fighters have canceled their world tour for the foreseeable future. Sadly that includes the October 1st date in Penticton. In a statement, the band said “let’s take this time to grieve, to heal, to pull our loved ones close and to appreciate all the music and memories we’ve made together.”

The Regional District operating budget totals just over 59-million dollars, up 2.5% from 2021. Regional Board Chair Loyal Wooldridge says it prioritizes the ongoing support needed for those recovering from last summer’s White Rock Lake wildfire and to bolster the regional emergency management program.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland plans to deliver the federal budget next week. Freeland told the House of Commons she will unveil the government’s spending plans next Thursday in a document that has been expected to focus on measures to spur economic growth. It is also expected to include the first steps on national pharmacare and dental care.

RCMP in Manitoba say a Hells Angels member is among 22 people arrested after a four-year investigation into a Canada-wide operation that involved trafficking drugs and firearms. One full-patch member from Greece is in custody and police are looking for two more men, including one from the Lower Mainland.

Sports

We’ve mentioned him before as a BCHL Star of the week, now John Evans of the West Kelowna Warriors is one of the Stars of the Month. In March, Evans scored nine goals to lead all league players, and added seven assists to finish with 16 points, tied for the lead.

The Vancouver Canucks will try and bounce back from that 4 to 1 loss in St. Louis Monday when they take on the Blues tonight at Rogers Arena. The Puck drops at 7 with Thatcher Demko expected to be in goal.

The next World Cup of Hockey will not feature any untraditional squads. Team North America and Team Europe won’t be part of the tournament in 2024. It will return to its previous format, which includes only teams representing specific countries.

NFL owners have approved a change to the overtime rule guaranteeing that both teams have a possession in playoff games. The modification comes in the wake of the ending of the postseason game between the Chiefs and the Bills after Kansas City scored a touchdown to end the game without Buffalo getting a possession.

The NHL says the salary cap will increase by 1 million dollars to a total of 82.5 million beginning next season. This would be the first increase and first change to the league’s salary cap since it rose by 2 million in 2019-2020. Ten years ago it was about 60 Million bucks.

Baltimore Ravens announced Tuesday that head coach John Harbaugh signed a three-year extension that will keep him under contract through 2025. The Ravens are 137-88 with nine postseason berths and a Super Bowl championship in his 14 seasons in charge.