Top Stories – Oct 24 – Covid Pardons?

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is looking into whether she can pardon those fined for non-criminal violations of health restrictions during the pandemic. She says not wearing a mask is not a thing that people usually get fines and prosecuted for. On her first day as premier she said the unvaccinated were the most discriminated group she has seen in her lifetime.

There’s a shift in road closures this week as construction continues in the Lakeshore, Richter and Lanfranco triangle. Lakeshore will be fully closed, between Lanfranco and Richter all week. It’s for servicing work to supply the new construction in the area, including water tie-ins and sanitary sewer improvements.

Hurricane Roslyn made landfall on Mexico’s west coast yesterday between Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan as a Category 3 storm with maximum sustained winds of around 190 kilometres per hour. It toppled trees and flooded some streets as authorities asked residents to not go out as crews worked to clear a landslide that had blocked a local highway.

The Family Monster Bash returns to Kelowna on Sunday from 1-4 at the Capital News Centre. Family members can enjoy all kinds of activities, including an obstacle course, a bouncy house, active games on the sports field and Halloween-themed games. It’s free to get in, but they ask you to bring a donation for the food bank.

Regulations prohibiting the sale, purchase or transfer of handguns within Canada are now in effect. Canadians can still own firearms with a license and some must also be registered. The law also prevents people from bringing newly acquired handguns into the country.

A wildfire that almost destroyed an Indigenous-led research station in the Northwest Territories is expected to have far-reaching effects on environmental research. Five of nine buildings at the Scotty Creek Station, south of Fort Simpson burned to the ground, destroying equipment, lab space and sleeping quarters. It is one of the busiest research stations in the North.

Interior Health declared a COVID outbreak at the Spring Valley Care Centre in Kelowna. The health authority said the outbreak affects the Orchard, Vintage and Sun Valley units of the long-term care facility.

The BC Government is getting feedback from the public to help develop a flood mitigation plan. It says with climate change and more frequent extreme weather events, a strategy must be updated to help prepare for and mitigate the effects of flooding. The province is also engaging with local governments, first nations and industries.

The man credited with starting the Red Bull empire of energy drinks and extreme sports has passed away. Dietrich Mateschitz was 78 and reports say he had been ill for some time. He was big was on extreme sports at an early age and brought Red Bull into the sporting world, where it has enjoyed success across multiple disciplines, especially Formula One.

Sports

Kelowna Rockets lost 5-4 on the weekend as Winnipeg scored with 23 seconds left. Next up is a 2 game trip to Portland this weekend

The Vancouver Canucks have Carolina tonight at 7:30 and they are still looking for their first win of the season.

The Okanagan Sun won the Cullen Cup with a 38-0 shutout of Westshore and will play St. Clair in Windsor on Sunday for the Intergold Cup.

Sunday Night Football saw Miami beat Pittsburgh 16-10, and the Monday Night game has the Bears in New England.

The Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros are World Series bound, after winning their League Championship Series yesterday.