Top Stories – Aug 5 – Tree Vandalism

Kelowna Parks staff are looking for the public’s help after several acts of vandalism against trees on public property. A large elm on Manhattan Drive was recently poisoned and died. And an Aspen tree in the Kuipers Peak neighbourhood was poisoned, and because of the connected root systems, seven Aspen died as a result.

Two people are in custody after RCMP responded to a motel in Merritt on Wednesday where it was reported that a number of people were seriously injured. Police believe the incident to be targeted and there doesn’t appear to be any further risk to the public.

More students in grades 11 and 12 will be able to earn both high school and post-secondary credits toward careers in early childhood education. It’s part of the introduction of 30 new dual-credit programs. About 800 students are expected to enrol in the programs by the end of 2025.

If your weekend plans include travel to, or through Keremeos, check Highway 3A’s status on Drive BC before heading out. It is still being closed from time to time to assist crews fighting the Keremeos Creek wildfire. There were a couple of mobile home park evacuations around Olalla yesterday. And there were 2 small lightning-caused fires started northwest of Chute Lake.

The Bike Big White Freeride days Mountain Bike Festival is on now at the mountain resort. The entire weekend is free for spectators… young or old, mountain biker or not. There is over 23-thousand dollars up for grabs. Details and event times are linked at the Big White website.

If you’ve had to wait a long time for a new car, you’re not alone. DesRosiers Automotive Consultants says Canadian auto sales were down 16.2 percent in July compared with a year earlier because of a shortage of vehicles. Don’t expect things to get much better anytime soon as the group says the recovery from the semiconductor shortage will be uneven.

Congratulations this morning to a local winery. Cedar Creek Estate is the 2022 WineAlign National Wine Awards winery of the year. It won 2 Platinum, 4 Gold, and 8 Silver awards. Spearhead Winery was third and Mission Hill Estate Winery was fourth. Judges tasted 19-hundred entries from more than 250 wineries in Canada.

As the economy continues to reopen, job postings around here continue to climb. The Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission says postings were up 52 percent between January and June compared to the same period a year ago. The travel sector is also bouncing back as the number of passengers going through Kelowna International was up 311 percent from a year ago… of course there are a lot more flights as well.

People are still falling victim to online relationship scams where money becomes a centrepiece. RCMP say a Kelowna man developed an online relationship with what he believed was a woman in another country, and even sent a significant amount of money to cover her debts. After getting the cash, the woman ended the relationship and his bank account is smaller.

Sports

It’s semi final day at the U-18 Hlinka-Gretzky Hockey Championship in Red Deer. Canada plays Finland at 4 this afternoon. The medal games are tomorrow at 11am and 3pm.

The Okanagan Sun have their first home game of the football season tomorrow at the Apple Bowl. The Westshore Rebels make the trip to the interior for the 7pm kickoff.

In the CFL last night the Winnipeg Blue Bombers improved to 9 wins and no losses with a 35-20 victory in Montreal. Tonight, the Ottawa Redblacks will be gunning for their second win when they host Calgary at 4:30.

In Minnesota, the Blue Jays started off their 4 game series with the Twins with a 9-3 win. They will play game 2 this afternoon just after 5… if you’re not watching U-18 hockey.

Heading into the second round of the PGA’s Wyndham Championship, John Huh from the United States has a 2 shot lead at 9 under par. Top Canadians are Micheal Gligic at 4 under and Mackenzie Hughes and Nick Taylor 1 shot behind.