Top Stories – June 21 – Long Day

Today is the first day of summer, National Indigenous Peoples Day and the longest day of the year. Locally, the sun rose at 4:49 and won’t set until 10 past 9 this evening, giving 16 hours, 21minutes and 4 seconds of daylength. Tomorrow we start to slide toward winter as we lose those 4 seconds. And don’t forget the Turtle Island Festival on Leon around Ellis from 10-7 today.

There was word late last night that a Canadian military surveillance aircraft has detected underwater noises as a massive search continued in a remote part of the North Atlantic for a submersible that vanished while taking five people down to the wreck of the Titanic. A statement from the U.S. Coast Guard did not elaborate on what rescuers believed the noises could be, though it offered a glimmer of hope for those lost abroad the Titan as estimates suggest as little as a day’s worth of oxygen could be left if the vessel is still functioning.

Former Conservative prime minister Brian Mulroney is heaping praise on Prime Minister Trudeau for his leadership. In a speech to delegates at a business forum in Nova Scotia, he said Trudeau will be remembered for handling the pandemic as well as any other world leader and for renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement with former president Donald Trump.

Kelowna Council reviewed and approved the City’s 2022 Annual Report. In addition to highlighting key projects and work carried out over the prior year, the report includes detailed information about the city’s operating and financial activities. It’s also using new technologies, including predictive modelling, to assist with projects ranging from community planning to disaster response.

If you think you are having to spend way too much money on rent and utilities, you are not alone. The Canadian Rental Housing Index found that between 2016 and 2021, the largest increases in average rents in Canada were in BC, which saw a 30% jump. Sixteen percent of renters in the province are using more than half their income to pay for rent and utilities each month, which the index considers a crisis level of spending.

Quebec has banned fireworks ahead of its Fete Nationale holiday as more than 100 wildfires burn across the province. There’s also a ban on outdoor fires, but not including Montreal Island or neighbouring Laval. The province’s holiday, also known as St-Jean-Baptiste Day, is celebrated on June 24th.

Canada Day festivities will be mostly at Waterfront Park in Kelowna this year, with some events including the official ceremony at Prospera Place. Things will kick off at 11am with various live performance stages, play areas, places to eat and a marketplace, before wrapping up with fireworks at 10. Details and schedules are in the Canada Day link at festivalskelowna.com .

BC is launching a 20-million-dollar flood mitigation program for the Fraser Valley. The government says it will help support farmers and food resiliency in prime agricultural areas that were inundated by floodwaters in November 2021. Victoria says climate change is expected to bring more frequent and intense flooding to the region, so it’s important to take action now.

A United States federal jury has convicted a Quebec man of running a 20-year mail fraud scheme that stole more than $175 million. Patrice Runner was convicted in a New York District Court after he mailed letters supposedly from psychics to millions of Americans. The letters promised recipients that the psychic would help them achieve wealth and happiness for a fee.

Sports

At Elks Stadium last night 2 runs in each of the 2nd and 7th innings lifted the Kelowna Falcons to a 6-4 win against Bellingham. They’ll play again this evening at 6:35.

Hamilton quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell won’t play in Friday’s home-opener against the Montreal Alouettes. He left during the fourth quarter of Sunday’s loss to Toronto with what the team called a “lower-body injury.”

New England Patriots defensive back Jack Jones pleaded not guilty to nine counts of weapons violations in connection with his arrest at a Logan Airport security checkpoint with two loaded guns in his carry-on bag.

Toronto Raptors guard Gary Trent Jr. will opt into his $18.5-million option for next season. Trent wants to remain with the team, and both parties will work on a long-term contract.