Top Stories – Nov 2 – Snow Ready

Kelowna says its crews and equipment are ready for winter, including the new blower, Snownado. The city has stockpiled more than 20,000 tons of sand and crews will be out around the clock, seven days a week when needed. First priority goes to high traffic roads like Gordon Drive, then collectors like Richter and others with bus routes, school zones, town centres and emergency vehicle stations. kelowna.ca/snow for more info.

Former BC Premier John Horgan is getting a new job as the Prime Minister announced he has been appointed Canada’s next ambassador to Germany. Trudeau says Horgan is a passionate public servant and an experienced leader, and he’s confident that he’ll continue to serve Canada well to advance the two countries’ common interests.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency issued a recall of President’s Choice white sliced mushrooms in BC and Alberta. There is a possible listeria contamination and consumers should throw the 454 gram product away or return it to the store where it was purchased.

A 5 million dollar donation from the Jim Pattison Foundation to the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation will go toward a new Centre for Health System Learning & Innovation. It will be the first of its kind with a focus on rural, remote, Indigenous, and community health-care. It will primarily be a virtual network that connects innovators, clinical teams, researchers, patients and families, to discover and implement innovative health-care solutions.

A report from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business found nearly half of BC small businesses have been directly or indirectly impacted by crime. Many say they are struggling to manage property damage, theft, litter, loitering, and public intoxication. Some report having to pay more to attract and retain employees, further contributing to labour shortage challenges.

A man is facing charges after police say he tried to steal an ambulance in Saskatoon. Paramedics were helping a patient beside the vehicle when a man climbed behind the wheel, running over the foot of one of the paramedics when he drove away. Bystanders were able to stop the ambulance and a 45-year-old man is charged with theft and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing bodily harm.

BC Housing says the first location for tiny homes in Kelowna will be on city-owned land at 759 Crowley Avenue. The new development will provide 60 temporary single-room units of supportive housing that are quick and easy to install. Homeless individuals moving into these new homes will be assessed and matched with appropriate supports.

Get used to calling the Capital News Centre sports complex a new name starting January 1. It be known as MNP Place after the accounting firm secured the naming rights for an undisclosed amount. MNP has been in the area since 2005, the same year the sports complex opened.

Mexico’s government is not going to provide loans to the 377 hotels in Acapulco that were destroyed or badly damaged last week by hurricane Otis. A 3.4-Billion-dollar aid package includes payments of up to $3,000 per damaged home, packages of appliances and weekly food supplies for each family. The storm killed at least 46 people and it’s estimated 220-thousand homes were damaged.

SPORTS

The Texas Rangers are the World Series champions. A 5-0 win against the Diamondbacks last night gave them the series 4 games to one.

It’s a late start for the Vancouver Canucks in San Diego. Face off against the Sharks is at 7:30.

As the NHL thinks about it, the Western Hockey League announced mandatory neck guard protection for all players, effective tomorrow, or as soon as the equipment’s available. All players will be required to wear it on-ice including games and practices.

Thursday Night Football is an AFC battle in Pittsburgh. The Steelers host the Tennessee Titans with kickoff at 5:15.