Top Stories – Dec 1 – Fees Going Up

Kelowna Council is increasing membership fees effective January 1, and drop-in admission fees on July 1 next year at H2O Adventure & Fitness Centre. Cost for an adult drop-in fee goes to $12.50 from $12, while youth goes to $9.75 from $9.30. The child/youth membership goes to $47.25 from $45.

The Santa Bus is back on the roads around the Central Okanagan this year. There will be 25 stops to collect toys, food and donations for the Salvation Army Christmas Assistance Program. It kicks off next Monday at Save On Foods in West Kelowna. For the full schedule, there’s a poster on our FB page.

Starting today, the provincial government is reducing child care fees by as much as $550 per child every month, for families accessing care at participating licensed child care centres. Funding is being provided directly to the eligible centres to lower fees, so families don’t need to apply to get the additional savings. It’s also limiting fee increases to ensure stability and predictability for families and providers.

The Downtown Kelowna Winter Street Market returns on Saturday. Water Street between Queensway and Doyle will be closed to vehicle traffic starting at 5:30am and will remain closed until about 8:30pm. The roundabouts at Queensway and Doyle will stay open. For complete event details, visit downtownkelowna.ca .

Kelowna RCMP Superintendent Kara Triance updated Council on public safety and crime data between April 1 & September 30. She said that while calls for service are down overall compared to 2021, calls are up in the downtown core. Increases were noted in disorder calls, business break and enters, bike thefts, and robberies.

With the holiday season upon us, the RCMP is reminding shoppers and business owners to be vigilant as break and enters along with theft have increased. Place your purchased packages in the trunk of your vehicle or under a cover instead of leaving them on your back seat, and park in a well-lit area. If you are shopping online consider sending packages to your work or an address where someone can receive them.

Kelowna Council agreed to parking fee increases at YLW effective January 3. The increases affect most locations, including valet, aircrew, UBCO student and staff, short-term, and long-term lots. Costs will be $24.25 per day in short term, and $15.75 per day in long-term parking to a maximum of $78.75 a week.

The Coroner’s Service reports at least 179 lives lost to toxic drugs in BC in October. Of the more than 1,800 this year, 70% of those dying were between the ages 30 and 59, and 78% were men. In Kelowna this year, there have been 71 deaths compared to 75 in all of 2021.

The leader of the Islamic State group was killed in battle recently according the group’s spokesman but he gave no further details. He’s the second I-S leader to be killed this year at a time when the extremist group has been trying to rise again with sleeper cells carrying out deadly attacks in Iraq and Syria.

Sports

Canada’s men’s team plays its final game at the World Cup in Qatar this morning. Kick off against Morocco is at 7.

The Florida Panthers bring a 3 game losing streak into Rogers arena tonight for a face off against the Canucks at 7.

Thursday Night Football has Buffalo in New England at 5:15.

Penguins star defenseman Kris Letang suffered a stroke Monday and is out indefinitely. His condition isn’t believed to be career-threatening.

Mike Weir will become the first Canadian to captain a Presidents Cup team. He will head the International side for the 2024 event at Royal Montreal Golf Club.