Top Stories – Dec 13 – Fatal Accident

RCMP say one person died in an accident near the Apple Bowl yesterday morning. It appeared a vehicle went through a fence and rolled down an embankment. It happened on Burtch Road just before Bernard and a number of roads were shut down for hours as police investigated. As of last night, no further official details had been released.

The province says about 1.6 Million people, or 30% of the population six months and older, have received a flu shot. Several respiratory viruses are causing illness right now and Influenza and COVID immunizations are free. They can be booked through the Get Vaccinated system or you may have already received a text or email invite if you have registered before.

Stats Canada says violent crime involving firearms dropped five percent in Canada between 2020 and 2021 during the pandemic. The agency says handguns were involved in 54 percent of violent crime with firearms. Violent crime in general went up 4 percent.

Believe it or not, ICBC has to get permission to NOT raise insurance rates. It has applied to the BC Utilities Commission for no increase to basic insurance premiums for the next two years. That doesn’t mean optional coverage will stay the same.

The federal government is taking applications for a one-time top-up to help tackle skyrocketing rents across the country. It’s part of the Canada Housing Benefit program and would put $500 in the pockets of low-income renters. It’s available for renting families with a net income of less than $35,000 a year, or individuals making less than $20,000. Google Canada Housing Benefit for more info.

If at first you don’t succeed….
Twitter is once again attempting to launch its premium service, a month after a previous attempt spectacularly failed. The company says those who pay will see fewer ads, be able to post longer videos and have their tweets featured more prominently.

BC Children’s Hospital has approved double-bunking patients in single-occupancy rooms as it tries to cope with an influx of patients with respiratory illnesses. A memo says similar measures have been implemented in other years and any decision must be made in consultation with the hospital’s infection prevention and control team.

The Association of Legal Aid Lawyers and Legal Aid BC have ratified a 3-year agreement with Victoria under the Shared Recovery Mandate. It could mean wage increases totalling at least 13 percent over the term. Legal Aid BC’s priority is to serve the interests of people with low incomes, but many of its services are available to all British Columbians.

The U-S Supreme Court refused a request from tobacco companies to stop California from enforcing a ban on flavored tobacco products that was overwhelmingly approved by voters in November. Nearly two-thirds approved banning the sale of everything from cotton-candy vaping juice to menthol cigarettes.

Sports

Kelowna Rockets captain Colton Dach has been selected to be on Team Canada at the World Juniors later this month… more details on rocketfan.ca And Andrew Cristall and Caden Price are going to the 2023 CHL/NHL Top Prospects Game in Langley next month.

The first semi final of the World Cup in Qatar goes this morning at 11 as Croatia takes on Argentina.

Cassie Campbell-Pascal, who captained the women’s team to Gold at the 2002 & 2006 Games, is one of the candidates to fill nine vacant Hockey Canada board of director seats.