Top Stories – Mar 27 – Grass Fire Damages Home

The temperatures may not be hot around here yet, but the grass is certainly drying out. West Kelowna firefighters had to deal with a grass fire on Shamrock Drive on Friday that got a little bit too close to a house. The building sustained minor damage and the fire department is reminding people it’s time to start being real careful.

RCMP are asking for the public’s help after a shooting left two people injured in Chilliwack. Police responded to multiple reports of a disturbance followed by gun shots at the entrance to the city’s Rotary Trail park. Though the investigation is in its early stages, police believe the incident was targeted and may be linked to the ongoing gang conflict in the Lower Mainland

Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced plans to station tactical nuclear weapons in neighbouring Belarus. Putin says it comes in response to Britain’s decision last week to provide Ukraine with armour-piercing rounds containing depleted uranium. Russia has falsely claimed the rounds have nuclear components.

The Skogie’s Car Washes in Kelowna and Vernon will be supporting a local wildlife foundation. The Wild Things Rehab Society wants to build its first facility in Kelowna, and Skogies is supporting it by donating two dollars from every automated Deluxe car wash. It runs for 4 days starting Friday and punch in 2345 as the code.

A breeding colony of blue herons in Stanley Park is thriving despite it being located right next to tennis courts. They were first documented in 1921 where they court, build nests, lay eggs and parent their chicks. About 90 were born last year, even as the colony overcame persistent eagle raids and a nesting season delayed by winter weather.

Canada’s restaurant industry is bracing for the biggest jump in the country’s alcohol excise duty in more than 40 years. It’s spurring warnings the tax hike could force some bars and restaurants out of business. The federal beverage alcohol duty is set to increase 6.3 per cent on April 1.

The BC Winter Games wrapped up in the Vernon area yesterday with the Fraser River zone coming out on top with 99 medals while Vancouver-Coastal was next with 89. The Thompson-Okanagan was third with 80 medals, 28 of them gold. The economic spinoff for the North Okanagan from the Games is estimated at $1.2 million.

The federal Liberals are set to unveil a budget tomorrow intended to show their plans to keep Canada competitive amid the clean energy transition. Ottawa has also promised big bucks for health care. And with the cost of living still a top economic issue, there are signs the budget will include new affordability measures.

The Canadian Armed Forces is under fire for its plan to cut thousands of troops off a cost-of-living allowance without much notice. It announced last week that about 7,700 members will no longer receive the top-up starting in July. Retired lieutenant-general Guy Thibault says members are growing angry over how they are being treated by the government and chain of command, which he worries is exacerbating the military’s current personnel crisis.

Sports

The Kelowna Rockets wrapped up the regular season by splitting their two games with the Vancouver Giants, each team winning at home. The Rockets begin their playoff run Friday in Seattle against the T-Birds.

The West Kelowna Warriors won both their weekend games and will begin the BCHL playoffs at Royal LePage Place Friday against Vernon.

All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner is reuniting with the Seattle Seahawks on a one-year contract worth $7 million after 1 year with the Rams.

Just two more preseason games for the Toronto Blue Jays before they begin playing for real on Thursday. They take on the Phillies this morning at 10 and tomorrow at 9.