Top Stories – May 3 – Be Bear Aware

There is a high amount of spring bear activity being reported in Central Okanagan communities right now. The areas include: Southeast Kelowna; around the base of Mt Boucherie; Old Mission Rd area in Lake Country and Robinson Place in Peachland. Bears can be attracted to unnatural foods such as garbage, birdfeeders and compost. You can report sightings or conflicts with bears in urban areas to the Conservation Officer Service.

While some organizations have panned a report that recommends a provincial police force over the RCMP, The BC Urban Mayor’s Caucus welcomes the recommended reforms. Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran, who is co-chair of BCUMC says they are pleased to see the need for a health-centred approach for responding to mental health, addictions and other complex social issues were accepted and are now recommended as necessary reforms. The group did not comment on the proposed move away from the RCMP.

Ottawa’s police services says the weekend’s “Rolling Thunder” protest in the capital cost an estimated 2-1/2 to 3 million dollars to police. The rally was organized by Freedom Fighters Canada, a group dedicated to protesting COVID-19 mandates. Police say the protest, which was relatively peaceful, could have gone another way if officers had not been so well-prepared.

Lynx Airlines brands itself as an Ultra Low Cost Carrier and is now offering limited flights to Calgary and Vancouver as it continues its startup. The airline is offering fares from as low as $39 to and from Kelowna for a limited time. You’ll pay for checked bags and advance seat selection. Lynx flies the Boeing 737-Max8 and is looking to add about 40 aircraft over the next few years.

The first civilians evacuated from the bombed-out steel plant that became the last stronghold of Ukrainian fighters in Mariupol slowly started their way toward safety Monday. More than 100 people including elderly women and mothers with small children will take shelter in a city about 230 kilometres to the Northwest. However, there was word at least some of them were apparently taken to a village controlled by Russia-backed separatists.

The Conservative party has confirmed that six candidates have been verified as leadership contenders after passing the final hurdles to getting their names on the ballot. They had to submit the full 300-thousand bucks required in registration fees and a compliance deposit, along with signatures from 500 party members, by last Friday to be verified. The Conservatives will announce their new leader on Sept. 10.

Festivals Kelowna is looking forward to the return of one of the biggest events in the Valley… Canada Day. The big party on the waterfront hasn’t happened since 2019 and it usually attracts upwards of 55-thousand people. In case you’ve forgotten, the Canada Day celebration includes food, drinks, live music, things for kids and a lot of other activities.

BC Highway Patrol officers had a busy Sunday taking excessive speeders off the roads around Merritt. RCMP said one car was travelling at 187 km/h in a 110 zone. Excessive speeding fines range from 368 to 483 dollars, your car is towed and there are no rental agencies in Merritt. Could be an expensive cab ride home… if one will do the trip.

Canada’s privacy commissioners say it should be illegal for police to use facial recognition technology to monitor people involved in peaceful protests. They acknowledge the tool can be used to help solve serious crimes, locate missing people and support national security. But they say facial recognition use by police is not subject to a clear and comprehensive set of rules.

Sports

The West Kelowna Warriors have 1 more chance tonight to get back into their BCHL playoff series with the Penticton Vees. Penticton took a 5-2 win last night and lead the best of seven, 3-0. Game 4 goes at 7pm at Royal LePage Place.

Five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has been suspended six games for violating the NFL’s Performance Enhancing Drug policy. The Arizona Cardinals star will be allowed to take part in team preseason practices and games before serving the ban.

The Chicago Blackhawks have assigned 2021 second-round pick, forward Colton Dach from the Kelowna Rockets to the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League. The IceHogs are set to host the Texas Stars for a best-of-three first-round playoff series beginning tomorrow.

Toronto Raptors head coach Nick Nurse downplayed rumors about him potentially leaving the organization to join the Lakers next season. Nurse has two years remaining on his contract with the Raptors and he’s also signed up to coach Team Canada through the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

The CFL Draft kicks off this afternoon at 5. Edmonton has the first overall pick, followed by Ottawa then BC. The order will stay the same in each of the 8 rounds unless there has been a trade.

The Atlanta Falcons cut running back Mike Davis after just one season where he tallied 138 rushes for 503 yards and three touchdowns through all 17 games. The 49ers drafted Davis in 2015, and he spent time with the Seahawks, Panthers, and Bears before his last stint with the Falcons.