Top Stories – Apr 25 – Ukraine/U.S. Meeting

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine enters its third month President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin in Kyiv. Before the session, Zelenskyy said he was looking for the Americans to produce results, both in arms and security guarantees. He has stressed repeatedly that his country needs more heavy weapons, including long-range air defense systems and warplanes.

Don’t forget that starting today, Abbott Street between Osprey and West will be closed for utility improvements ahead of the Abbott Active Transportation Corridor. The sidewalk on the east side of Abbott will stay open, but the west side one will be closed. The work is expected to last for about three weeks.

Canada has relaxed travel requirements for children and fully vaccinated travellers but some measures remain in effect. They will no longer have to follow certain covid safety protocols for 14 days after entry to the country, including things like wearing masks. Air and rail travellers must continue to wear a mask throughout their trip for now.

Kelowna City Council will consider a 3.94 per cent tax increase today as part of the 2022 Financial Plan. That would translate to an additional $86.47 per year, or $7.20 a month, for the City portion on an average residential property tax bill. It includes continued investment in safety with the addition of 17 public safety related positions, including 11 new RCMP officers.

Today through Thursday May 5, KLO Road between Lakeshore and Tutt will be closed in both directions. Its to allow for utility work and paving in that half-block, and will include restoration and updates to the road, curbing and vegetation. A detour will be in place.

A Coquitlam company has developed a device that can be strapped to your wrist and detect if you’re experiencing a drug overdose and notify first responders instantly. Oden Health Solutions was winner of the Coast Capital Venture Prize competition at Simon Fraser University. The company says the 30-thousand dollar grant that goes with it will help take the vision to a production reality.

A man was tasered by RCMP Saturday morning near Rutland Park. Witnesses told police they saw a gun fall from his waistband and he picked it up and walked away. He refused to comply with officers demands when he was confronted and made motions that he was going for a gun. A black BB handgun was recovered and the suspect was being held in custody facing possible weapons charges.

As the ground dries out, open burning season in the Central Okanagan ends on Saturday. Until then when conditions allow, all eligible property owners, farmers and other large lot owners with permits from their local fire jurisdiction can burn specific wood debris outdoors. As well, they must follow the BC Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation.

Somewhere in the Canadian Arctic dozens of dogs are running over ice and snow under Nunavut’s high April sun as they race and pull sleds. Fourteen teams took off from Arctic Bay last week and are expected to arrive in Igloolik today, a trek of 500 kilometres. There are seven camps where racers can stop with food and support for the participants and their dogs.

Sports

The Kelowna Rockets got into penalty troubles Friday and lost their first WHL playoff game 6-0 to Seattle. On Saturday, it was a 7-3 loss. Kelowna will try and get back into it when they are on the ice at Prospera Place tomorrow night.

At the World U18 Hockey Championship in Germany, Canada is off today after a loss to the U-S and a win over Germany. In that game a player on each team got a 25 minute penalty for an illegal check to the neck or head. Canada plays the Czech Republic tomorrow morning at 6:30 as the round robin continues. (Games on TSN)

The West Kelowna Warriors will play the Penticton Vees for the Interior Division title in the BC Hockey League playoffs. The Warriors picked up a 6-3 win in Salmon Arm on Friday to take the best of seven, 4 games to 1. The first game in Penticton will be on Friday.

Pascal Siakam scored 15 of his 34 points in the fourth quarter, Gary Trent Jr. added 24 as the Raptors beat the Sixers 110-102 on Saturday. Game 5 is tonight in Philadelphia with the 76ers leading 3 games to 1.

A BC Hockey League radio colour commentator has been fired for making racist remarks regarding a player of Asian descent during a broadcast. Bruce MacDonald helped call the games for the Port Alberni Bulldogs and after the comment during the second period of the game he was pulled out of the booth and fired.

The Canucks are down to the last 3 regular season games this week after a 6-3 loss in Calgary on the weekend. They host Seattle tomorrow, L-A on Thursday and wrap it up in Edmonton on Friday.