Top Stories – Aug 16 – Know Him?

RCMP have released two images from surveillance cameras of a man they would like to talk to in connection with a homicide downtown on Saturday night. He is described as white, 30 to 40 years old, shaved or bald head and wearing a black T-shirt with a distinctive red logo. There are pictures in Today’s News on our website. Call the RCMP non emergency line if you recognize him.

A family from Surrey is grieving after a family member’s body was recovered from Okanagan Lake. The 26 year old fell in at the marina in downtown Kelowna and didn’t surface. Using an underwater drop camera, Central Okanagan Search and Rescue was able to locate the man.

The Canadian Real Estate Association says home sales fell for the fifth consecutive month between June and July, but the latest drop was the smallest of the five. The month over month decline was 5.3 percent, but compared to a year ago, sales tumbled 29 percent. Sale prices were lower as well following the February peak.

Life got a whole lot easier for a West Kelowna woman after winning a 31 Million dollar Lotto Max Jackpot. Jennifer Cole won the draw that happened July 8th and went to Kamloops last week to pick up the huge cardboard cheque. She says retiring, spending time with family and figuring out what to do with 31 Million bucks are in her immediate plans.

A rotating strike by the BCGEU is underway after months of bargaining failed to produce a deal between the union and government. Liquor Distribution Branch wholesale and distribution centres in Kamloops, Delta, Richmond and Victoria were behind picket lines yesterday as was a customer service centre in Burnaby. Some union members such as forest fire fighters and jail guards are deemed essential.

CTV chief news anchor Lisa LaFlamme says she was blindsided when Bell Media told her it was ending her contract after 35 years with the network. LaFlamme, who’s 58, will be replaced by 39 year old Omar Sachedina, who was born in Vancouver. She said “While it is crushing to be leaving CTV National News in a manner that is not my choice, please know reporting to you has truly been the greatest honour of my life.”

Police say one person was killed in that accident yesterday morning on Highway 97 at Boucherie in West Kelowna. A car ran into the back of a loaded logging truck that was stopped at a northbound red light. The man who died was a 53 year old local resident and father. RCMP are asking anyone who witnessed it or may have dashcam footage from around 4:55 am to contact the West Kelowna detachment.

Leckie Road is closed to vehicle access on both sides of Hwy 97, along with continuing lane closures on the highway, from 9pm to 7am until the end of the month. Another southbound left turn lane is being added to add capacity in part, for the new Costco, which is footing some of the construction cost. Drivers can access local businesses off Enterprise or Banks during the closures.

All evacuation orders and alerts remained in place yesterday for those affected by the Keremeos Creek wildfire. The number of firefighters has dropped to about 350 from more than 400 but there were 17 helicopters bucketing water. Nearby communities can still expect to see smoke within the fire’s perimeter over the coming weeks.

Sports

Canada stayed undefeated for the preliminary round of the 2022 World Junior Hockey Tournament with a 6-3 win over Finland. The quarterfinals are tomorrow and our guys will play Switzerland at 4pm at Rogers Place in Edmonton.

The Major League Baseball season will end on November 5th at the latest. The league announced the Wild Card series will begin October 7th with only 2 days with no games in between.

Andrew Harris’ season, and the Toronto Argonauts running game could be at risk due to an injury he picked up against the Tiger-Cats. The running back was undergoing an MRI with concerns he could have a torn pectoral muscle, which could end his season depending on the degree of the tear.

The Blue Jays dropped a 7-3 decision to the Orioles in the Battle of the Birds in Toronto yesterday. They play their second of 3 games just after 4 this afternoon.

Porsche has given a hint about an entry into Formula 1 with a trademark of the word ‘Finally’, but where the ‘F’ and ‘i’ are replaced with ‘F1’. It has been rumoured to be ready to take a 50% stake in the Red Bull team, supplying engines starting in 2026.