Top Stories – Apr 14 – Rental Prices

Kelowna is the 14th most expensive rental market in the country according to rentals.ca’s latest report. A one bedroom averaged $1,936 a month… up about 28% from a year ago.. second only to Red Deer at 29%. A two bedroom came in at $2,647… a jump of 6% from last month and 9.2% from a year ago.

Interior Health has issued a warning about tainted cocaine that may be fatal for those who ingest it. IH says the coke has been found to contain fentanyl. In cases located across the agency’s coverage area, the substance has been connected with overdose incidents and fatalities.

The United Nations may soon start questioning Canada’s definition of “quick” now that the government has given itself three more years to deliver a 200-soldier force for peacekeeping. Prime Minister Trudeau first committed Canada to providing a quick-reaction force in 2017. But after having already given a one year extension on an initial five-year deadline, the government says it now has until March 2026.

If you need assistance from search and rescue this is the place to get it this weekend. More than 70 search and rescue members from around BC will be in Kelowna for some rope training. It has seven instructors giving educational sessions and allowing SAR members a chance to practice their high-angle rope rescue skills and techniques.

A rise in mammals infected with bird flu has put Canadian wildlife and public health experts on alert. Recent research by federal scientists warns of a potentially devastating pandemic if the virus going through poultry flocks eventually mutates to spread between people. Avian influenza cases are very rare in humans with fewer than a dozen confirmed H5N1 cases globally since 2020.

At least 19 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines are set to expire by the end of the year in Canada. Some of those doses could be used in campaigns if the National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends further boosters based on evolving scientific evidence. Spring boosters are targeted at more vulnerable groups including people age 65 and older, as well as others at high risk of severe illness.

Elections BC has released the financial report of how much the political parties raised last year. The NDP was on top at just over 4 million dollars while the Liberals were next at 2-1/2 Million. They were followed by the Green party at 1-million and the BC Conservatives at 85,000 dollars.

The province is reminding us to be ready for fire and water over the next few months. Residents living near creeks and streams are encouraged to move equipment and other assets to higher ground and clear perimeter drains, eavestroughs and gutters. For those in a more wooded area, have an emergency kit ready to go if you need to get out and create a buffer zone around the property clear of debris and flammable material, such as wood piles and dry leaves.

Canada’s electronic spy agency says it issued a warning as soon as it learned of hackers gaining access to the country’s gas distribution network. However, officials won’t say when that happened. The head of the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, says Canada is a potential target for cyberattacks, particularly given the country’s support for Ukraine.

Sports

At the Women’s World Hockey Championships in Brampton, Sweden scored with 9 seconds left in the third period to tie Canada at 2. However Canada got the overtime winner to move on to the semi finals tomorrow at 1 against Switzerland.

The Canucks wrapped up their season in Arizona with a 4-3 overtime win. Connor Garland, with his third of the game scored the winner.

The Toronto Blue Jays home stand continues this weekend as Tampa Bay starts a visit to Rogers Centre this afternoon. Yesterday, the Tigers beat the Jays 3-1.