Top Stories – Jan 10 – Biz License Deadline

There is one week left to renew Kelowna business licenses before the January 16 deadline which will bring a $25 late fee. It can be done through the Property Account system introduced by the City in 2020. For info on how to set up and use an account, go to kelowna.ca/business .

It has been more than a decade since it was first announced, but Canada is finally upgrading its jet fighter fleet. The government says Canada will ultimately buy 88 F-35s at an estimated cost of $19 billion, with the first to be delivered in 2026. Canada is expected to pay $85 million per jet, which officials say is the same price as the United States.

China has just reopened its borders to International travel following the outbreak of covid a couple of years ago. The problem is a resurgence in the disease that is expected to generate 800 Million cases by the Spring. That’s 21 times the population of Canada.

The Province is making it easier for internationally educated nurses to work in the health-care system. They won’t be required to pay application and assessment fees upfront, which cost more than $3,700. Also, nurses returning to practice will be eligible to access as much as $10,000 in bursaries for any additional education that’s required.

The Nova Scotia Securities Commission is warning about a cryptocurrency scam that has so far cost residents hundreds of thousands of dollars. Since the fall more than 20 people have reported losing about $750,000. The regulator says victims of the scam received texts, emails or messages on social media, with an advertisement for crypto trading.

Californians are grappling with flooding and mudslides as the latest in a series of powerful storms hit the state. The weather forced schools to close yesterday, toppled trees and left tens of thousands without power. Evacuation orders were issued for about 32,000 people in Santa Cruz County because of rapidly rising rivers and creeks.

Don’t expect the price at the pump to drop back to where it was a few weeks ago anytime soon. Calgary-based Cenovus Energy says its refinery business for the fourth quarter of 2022 and the first quarter of 2023 will be weaker than expected. It says extreme winter weather, along with operational issues and third-party pipeline outages, has negatively affected its U.S. and Canadian operations.

The Saskatchewan Health Authority is trying to get rid of 559 pallets with more than 354-thousand litres of hand sanitizer. It was supplied by the Public Health Agency of Canada as part of a large volume of medical supplies sent across the country throughout the pandemic.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his North American counterparts have condemned the uprising in Brazil. In a joint statement, Trudeau, U-S President Joe Biden and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said they stand with Brazil as it safeguards its democratic institutions and support the free will of the people of Brazil. They said they look forward to working with the new leader.

Sports

The Prince George Cougars are in town tonight for a rare Tuesday WHL game against the Rockets. You can hear all the action on 1047 The Lizard starting with Regan Bartel’s pregame show at 6:35.

The Vancouver Canucks will try and get back on the winning track today as their eastern road trip continues. Face off against the Penguins is at 4.

The Calgary Stampeders have signed Canadian defensive lineman Kelon Thomas from the Okanagan Sun. The 22-year-old from Scarborough, Ont. made 42 tackles, 18 sacks, four forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one blocked kick over three seasons with the team.

Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin said he returned to Buffalo with a lot of love in his heart to continue his recovery in a hospital there. It happened a week after going into cardiac arrest and having to be resuscitated on the field during a game in Cincinnati.