Top Stories – Oct 3 – Transit Talks

A meeting is scheduled for tomorrow between the union representing transit drivers in Kelowna and First Transit. Just one day of negotiations is initially scheduled. Drivers had threatened to walk off the job on Wednesday, saying the company had shown no interest in trying to reach a new contract. The employer asked for the meeting.

A former Lumby resident is hoping to get as many friends and family to donate plasma and blood before her birthday on Oct. 14th. Angie Clowry, who now lives in Kelowna, says she recently donated plasma at the Orchard Park Mall. Due to the critical need, she’s challenging others to roll up their sleeves to help neighbours and strangers.

Canada is facing a wave of retirements driven by workers in high-pressure sectors, with an increasing number retiring before they turn 65. Two-thirds of those were in four industries: health care, construction, retail trade, and education and social assistance. In one sector it likely means there’s a wave of highly skilled nurses leaving the profession, perhaps due to burnout after two years of the pandemic

This is the time of year that bears think about nothing but eating. Wildsafe BC Central Okanagan says with their high food motivation and noses that can smell over 1km away, it is imperative for us to manage stuff so bears are not lured into our communities. That includes, but is not limited to, garbage, bee hives, pet foods, barbeque grills and wildlife feeders. It is important to contact Conservation Officers at first sight of bears.

Starting Wednesday and lasting for one week, North Westside Road residents will have a special opportunity to dispose of unwanted bulky household items. Residents with proper ID can dispose of large household items for $20 per truckload during regular hours at the transfer station. No hazardous waste including computers and electronics will be accepted and cash or cheques will be the only accepted payment.

Some people, mostly federal employees and some union members had Friday off for The National Day of Truth and Reconciliation. It is a stat in New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and the First Nation’s Leadership Council would like to see it made a holiday in BC. Chief Terry Teegee says if the Province of is genuinely committed to reconciliation, it must prioritize public commemoration.

You can now spend more time with a potential pet you’d like to adopt from the SPCA. The organization has returned to its pre-covid hours and is allowing walk-in adoptions again. It says very few of pets that were adopted during covid when more people were at home, are being given up after people began returning to their former routines.

The $70 million Lotto Max jackpot went unclaimed on Friday. However of the 40 available Maxmillion prizes of $1 million each, seven winning numbers were drawn, two of which will be shared by two ticket holders. Two of the tickets were bought in BC. The jackpot for the next draw tomorrow will be an estimated $70 million, with 47, $1 million Maxmillion prizes.

Canada slapped new sanctions on Russian officials and elites after President Putin formally annexed four regions of Ukraine after what most of the world called a sham referendum. Putin’s proclamation of Russian rule over 15 per cent of Ukraine… the biggest annexation in Europe since the Second World War… comes as Russian forces have faced setbacks on the battlefield.

Sports

In Prince George on the weekend, the Kelowna Rockets lost 6-3 on Friday, but bounced back with a 5-1 win on Saturday. The Victoria Royals visit Prospera on Wednesday.

The Vancouver Canucks have a couple of exhibition games against the Oilers this week. Tonight they are in Edmonton at 6 and on Wednesday they play again, but in Abbotsford.

The West Kelowna Warriors are now 3 & 1 on the season. They beat Wenatchee 7-4 on Friday, but lost 10-3 to Penticton the next night. The Warriors have 2 games in the Kootenays later this week.

Yesterday’s Formula One race in Singapore, saw Red Bull driver Sergio Perez lead from the green flag to the checkered flag in a race that was delayed an hour by a torrential downpour just before it was to begin. The teams finish packing up today and head to Japan for a race this weekend.

The Blue Jays are in Baltimore to take on the Orioles 3 times this week starting today. That will wrap up the regular season. On the weekend Toronto swept Boston, by a total score of 25-3.

Making birdie on his second playoff hole, Canada’s Mackenzie Hughes conquered Austria’s Sepp Straka at the PGA Tour’s Sanderson Farms Championship yesterday. The final putt secured the Hamilton, native’s second Tour title after winning the 2016 RSM Classic.