Top Stories – July 21 – Throttle Lockers Charges

Two Kelowna men are among those charged in connection with an alleged “support club” for the Kelowna chapter of the Hells Angels. Trafficking and possession charges had been approved against 53 year old Zale Coty and Jacob Cavanaugh, who’s 29. An investigation led police to a group called the Throttle Lockers Motorcycle Club, and they seized more than $330-thousand dollars, as well as drugs, a handgun, replica handgun and various items related to drug trafficking.

Heads up for some lane closures downtown next week. Beginning Monday closures will be in effect on Clement between Ellis and Richter for water main replacement. Drivers can expect delays from 7am to 5:30pm as the south side of Clement east bound will be closed and traffic in both directions will flow on the north side of the median.

Stats Canada reports the annual consumer price index climbed to 8.1 percent last month, but some economists are predicting that inflation may have peaked in the country. Inflation in June reached its highest yearly rate in nearly four decades, and was up from 7.7 percent in May. It was largely due to higher gas prices.

WestJet workers at the Calgary and Vancouver airports have voted in support of a strike if their union can’t reach a deal with the airline. YLW could be part of a trickle down effect for delays. Unifor says more than 700 baggage and customer service agents, as well as other employees, could walk off the job as early as next Wednesday. The union says wages are the key issue for a first contract.

The Transportation Safety Board has sent a team of investigators to the site of a float plane crash that injured all six people on board in central BC. It went down in what’s being described as an emergency landing at Lorna Lake in the South Chilcotin mountains. Tyax Air Services, says the pilot and one passenger were admitted to hospital for further care after being airlifted out.

A Vernon doctor is facing two charges of sexual assault. RCMP say Dr. Peter Inkpen was arrested a week ago after an investigation into the allegations involving two victims. He has been released from custody on conditions to have no contact with the alleged victims.

We can expect higher temperatures as a high-pressure ridge is moving into BC and may result in heat warnings this weekend or early next week. However unlike last year’s heat dome, Victoria says we are not anticipating an extreme heat emergency. The Province released an Extreme Heat Preparedness Guide to help people with tips about how to stay safe when temperatures rise. Check it out at preparedbc.ca/extremeheat .

The second round of catch basin mosquito control hits many Central Okanagan neighbourhoods next week. Weather permitting Regional District crews with Mosquito Control signs will be dropping water soluble pouches containing a mosquito larvicide into roadside catch basins. About 12-thousand of them will be treated as part of the RDCO Mosquito Control program.

The top school official in Uvalde, Texas, has recommended firing the police chief who was central to the botched response to the mass shooting at a school. The school board will consider firing Pete Arredondo at a special meeting on Saturday. He’s been accused by state officials of making several critical mistakes during the May 24th attack at Robb Elementary that killed 19 students and 2 teachers.

Sports

Two games in the CFL tonight. At 4 Ottawa hosts Montreal in a game where both teams have 1 win between them this season. Then at 7, the 3 & 1 BC Lions host Hamilton and their 1 & 4 record.

There’s a report that Matthew Tkachuk told the Calgary Flames that he won’t sign a long-term deal with the club. The Flames filed for club-elected salary arbitration on Monday, making him ineligible to sign an opposing team’s offer sheet.

The PGA Tour picks up today with the 3M Open at TPC Twin Cities in Minnesota. The event has a purse of 7.5 Million dollars and 6 Canadians are set to tee off.

The Toronto Blue Jays and Major League Baseball are discussing the idea of hosting the 2027 All-Star Game at Rogers Centre. Only two Midsummer Classics have taken place outside of the United States. The Montreal Expos held one in 1982, and the Blue Jays hosted the other in 1991.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders cancelled yesterday’s practice after six more players test positive for COVID. The number of players in protocol is now ten. As of last night, no decisions had been made regarding the status of today’s practice or Saturday’s game against the Argos.

Henrik Stenson is out as 2023 European Ryder Cup captain after reports he is joining LIV Golf. He served as vice-captain during Europe’s loss at Whistling Straits in 2021.