Top Stories – Nov 14 – Pre-Chilled

Last week’s snow and the cold snap, are not expected to have negative impacts on Okanagan wineries. The Wine Growers of BC says there was a mad dash by Okanagan growers to harvest grapes ahead of the snow. And even though it was a late start to the season this year, there were prime growing conditions in the summer and fall, which should translate to an excellent 2022 vintage.

A warning for international students in Kelowna after one was scammed out of $3,500. A caller told the student she would be deported if she did not pay in crypto currency. Police remind everyone that if a caller will not let you off the phone or makes threats if the call ends, this is a clear sign of fraud.

NASA’s moon rocket needed only minor repairs after enduring a hurricane at the pad and is on track for its first test flight this week. Artemis 1 has a two-hour launch window starting at 10am Wednesday for the agency’s first integrated flight test of its Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft. The mission to orbit the moon is scheduled for between 26 and 42 days.

At the inaugural meeting of the Regional District Board, Kelowna councillor Loyal Wooldridge was acclaimed by directors to serve a second year as chair. West Kelowna mayor Gord Milsom was acclaimed as vice-chair serving for a fifth year. There are 12 members of the Board from central Okanagan cities, electoral areas and WFN.

Green Party members started casting their ballots on the weekend in a leadership contest that will culminate with the announcement of a winner on Saturday. There are six names on the ranked ballot, but four of the candidates intend to implement a co-leadership model if they are elected. One of them is familiar… Elizabeth May, the longtime Member of Parliament from BC

Reports say Ontario’s top doctor will recommend the public begin masking today in an effort to help overwhelmed children’s hospitals. There will be no mask mandate. Hospitals have said they are cancelling surgeries to redeploy health-care workers to intensive care and emergency departments.

The Lake Country Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards is celebrating its 19th Anniversary. Nominations for awards are open until the 21st for businesses. Details are on the Lake Country Chamber of Commerce website…. just scroll down a bit.

Home renovations are still a big thing. Homeowners spent on average about $13,000 last year renovating the inside of their home, and about $6,600 on outdoor projects. Numbers from home improvement company HomeStars also found that homeowners expect to spend an average of more than $25,000 for home renovations in the current year.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is on a tour in Southeast Asia and announced nearly $1 million to help remove unexploded landmines and cluster bombs from the region. It will support grassroots and government projects in Cambodia and Laos to clear unexploded ordinances, which stem from civil wars as well as American bombing during the Vietnam War.

Sports

The Okanagan Sun came back from a 15-0 deficit in the second quarter in Regina to win the Canadian Bowl Championship 21-19 over the hometown Thunder.

Toronto will play Winnipeg for the Grey Cup on Sunday in Regina. The Argos beat Montreal in the East final while Winnipeg beat the Lions 28-20 in the West

Former Canucks Roberto Luongo, and Daniel and Henrik Sedin will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame today.

Monday Night Football is a battle in the NFC East with the undefeated Philadelphia Eagles hosting the 4 & 5 Washington Commanders.