Top Stories – Jan 20 – 4 Day Work Week?

A survey by recruitment firm Robert Half suggests a four-day work week may be gaining mainstream momentum in corporate Canada. As workplaces continue to fine-tune post-COVID pandemic schedules and working conditions, the poll found that 91 per cent of senior managers support a four-day work week for their team. It also found most feel their company will move to a shorter work week within five years.

Last week, the Kelowna RCMP Internet Child Exploitation Unit searched a home in regards to a Possession of Child Pornography investigation. One individual was taken into custody and was later released without charges pending a forensic search of the devices seized. This is the second dedicated detachment based Unit of its kind within the BC RCMP. Info about child sexual exploitation, can be sent to cybertip.ca or call the police.

Canada will maintain a presence in the Middle East, but the Armed Forces will be shrinking its footprint in the region. That means more troops will be sent to Europe, where the Canadian Army faces new demands due to Russia’s war in Ukraine. The increased demands abroad, as well as at home, come at a time when the military is facing a personnel shortage.

West Kelowna crews are conducting forest fire mitigation work over the next two to three weeks mid-slope on the northeast side of Mt. Boucherie above Hudson Road Elementary. Smoke from the project may be visible during this time. Recreation users should use caution while hiking, avoid staging areas and watch for crews and equipment.

Researchers say reducing daily caloric intake may be more effective at promoting weight loss than intermittent fasting. Investigators at three major health systems in the U-S followed weight trends of adults over a period of six years before enrolling them in the study. They found that consuming smaller meals helped with weight loss more than intermittent fasting.

Actor Alec Baldwin has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of a cinematographer on a New Mexico movie set in October, 2021. A weapons specialist has also been charged in the fatal shooting, which happened during rehearsals for the movie “Rust.” Baldwin has described the killing as a tragic accident.

An alleged drug dealer was arrested while waiting in his vehicle on Hwy 97 in West Kelowna after causing chaos on the streets. RCMP say the man, who is well known to them was found in possession of drug paraphernalia and they seized a significant amount of suspected crack, fentanyl and pot. Police had been told the suspect had been driving erratically near Shannon Lake School and he drove up onto a sidewalk almost hitting a child.

People with residential properties in some areas with the highest demand in the province will soon receive their 2023 speculation and vacancy tax declaration letter. Kelowna and West Kelowna are included in those areas. If a property owner uses their unit as a principal home, rents it out for more than six months of the year or meets other rental exemption criteria, they are exempt from paying the tax.

A proposal to ban tobogganing at all but two municipal parks in Oshawa, Ontario, is drawing criticism from lawyers who say the plan won’t boost safety but could limit access to the popular winter activity. Lawyers say the restriction appears to be an example of often overstated municipal liability risks outweighing tobogganing demand.

Sports

The Kelowna Rockets have 3 games this weekend in hopes of breaking the 4 game losing streak. They play the Vancouver Giants in Langley tonight with the pregame show at 7:05 on 1047 The Lizard. Then its back to Kelowna for games against the Giants tomorrow and the Royals on Sunday afternoon.

The Canucks continue their homestand tonight hosting San José at 7. Vancouver’s record is currently 18-23-3.

NFL playoffs continue this weekend with 2 games tomorrow – Jacksonville at Kansas City and Giants at the Eagles, and 2 on Sunday – Bengals at Bills and Dallas at San Francisco.