Top Stories – Aug 10 – Manslaughter Charge

A manslaughter charge has been laid in connection with the death of a man in downtown Kelowna a year ago. Nicholas Epp from Chilliwack died following an altercation outside Liquid Zoo in the 200 block of Lawrence. Charged is Matthew Reimer. Information on his age and where he lives were not released.

Good news for people living in and around Osoyoos as the Eagle Bluff wildfire is listed as ‘being held’. It grew to just over 7,000 hectares on this side of the border after starting in Washington at the end of July. Hundreds were forced out of their homes and many others were on evacuation alert as it burned within a few feet of some properties.

The Hollywood writers strike reached the 100-day mark matching the length of the landmark 2007-2008 strike. The milestone comes as the U.S. film and television industries remain paralyzed by dual strikes by its actors and screenwriters. Networks are a month away from starting a new fall season, and broadcasters have already put contingency plans in place for programming that excludes their most popular scripted series.

Wind-whipped wildfires raced through parts of Maui in Hawaii destroying homes and businesses in the historic town of Lahaina. At least 6 people died and several were injured in the forced evacuation of about 2,000 people that had some head to the ocean, where they were rescued by the Coast Guard. A few were medevac’d to Honolulu for treatment of serious burns.

Longshore workers in BC voted 74.6 percent in favour of the mediated contract. Among the benefits are a base-rate wage increase from $50.64/hr this year, to $57.51 in 2026. It also contains a commitment by employers to train workers to perform maintenance on new equipment, instead of contracting it out.

Documents obtained by The Canadian Press show workers who went door-to-door to collect data for the 2021 census filed 680 injury reports. Employees were punched, threatened with firearms, spat on, sexually assaulted and Statistics Canada documented 137 cases of people’s dogs being aggressive or biting workers.

Firefighters on BC’s northern wildfire frontline wore black bandanas yesterday while others carrying helmets and axes marched in Penticton during a memorial procession to honour colleague Zak Muise. The 25 year old died late last month fighting the massive Donnie Creek wildfire in the northeast. First responders, including municipal and forest firefighters, police, paramedics and others formed a procession at Skaha Lake Park.

Kelowna RCMP are asking anyone who may have witnessed the lead-up to a single car accident, or the crash itself, to contact them or CrimeStoppers. It was a week ago today that a black Kia Soul crashed about 7:45pm at Springfield and Quigley, killing the driver, who was the only occupant. The car had been seen on Gerstmar before the accident.

Toronto born musician Robbie Robertson, who’s career included being lead guitarist and songwriter for The Band, has died at age 80. He’s remembered for classics such as Cripple Creek, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Dixie Down and his own solo hit, Somewhere Down the Crazy River. Robertson was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Canadian Music Hall of Fame as a member of The Band, and inducted to Canada’s Walk of Fame, both with The Band and on his own.

Sports

The Kelowna Falcons’ baseball season is over. They lost the second game of the best-of-3 playoff series to the Bellingham Bells last night by score of 5-3.

It’s week 10 in the CFL and it begins in Edmonton with the 0 & 8 Elks taking on the 6 & 2 Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

There is a full slate of NFL preseason games over the next 4 days starting with two today. Houston is in New England, while the Seahawks host the Vikings.

The Blue Jays and Guardians wrap up their four-game series this morning just after 10. Last night in Cleveland, it was another 1-0 game, except this time Toronto was on the winning end.