Top Stories – Aug 31 – Still Burning

It may not look like it from some vantage points, but there is still a lot of fire burning up behind West Kelowna according to fire chief Jason Brolund. He says the position of the wildfire in the Powers Creek drainage area means that it could move towards Glenrosa under certain conditions and remain a threat for a while depending on the weather. Brolund says they will continue to take decisive actions to protect the neighbourhoods threatened by the wildfire. Property owners that have suffered losses due to the McDougall Creek wildfire will be offered escorted bus tours into the devastated areas. Only those whose properties have sustained a total loss or properties damaged to the point they cannot be occupied at this time will be able to participate. RCMP, Emergency Operations Centre Planning staff and mental health professionals will be on the visits to offer support.

The Northwest Territories has extended its state of emergency until September 11th as fires burn across the territory in this unprecedented wildfire season. Nearly 70% of the territory’s population have left until officials say it’s safe enough to return.

An audited public accounting of BC’s financial records shows the province posted a surplus of more than $700 million in the 2022-2023 budget year. Finance Minister Katrine Conroy forecast three years of consecutive budget deficits last March, with the current 2023-24 budget projected to bring a deficit of $4.2 Billion.

Two people with ties to Kelowna face charges in Edmonton related to operating a Ponzi scheme for more than 12 years. Curtis Gordon Quigley and Kathleen Treadgold turned themselves in to Edmonton Police Service and are jointly charged with 80 counts of fraud over $5,000 and one count of laundering proceeds of crime totaling 7.8 Million dollars. Police say the scheme was based in Kelowna and Edmonton and scammed people as far away as Australia. Authorities believe there may be more victims of Group Venture Inc. and urge them to come forward.

Kelowna RCMP are looking to return a piece of dental equipment to its owner. It was found earlier this month in what appeared to be an abandoned rental truck on Harvey Avenue. There is a picture of the “Procera Scanner Mod 50” in the Top Stories category on our website and police are asking the owner to get in touch with them.

The Transportation Ministry says it will be several days before Highway 97 can reopen between Peachland and Summerland. A landslide closed that section Monday night, and a geotechnical assessment is being done. The ministry is working on providing a local detour using a forest service road.

In case you hadn’t heard, we have a new member of the family. Our parent company, Pattison Media has a deal to buy CKOV-FM, known as 103.9 The Lake, from Paul Larsen. Including our friends down the hall that will give Pattison 3 radio stations in Kelowna, if approved by the CRTC.

The Canadian Armed Forces will end its “inflexible and inhuman” mandatory reporting policy. Members will still be able to report misconduct, but they will no longer face possible penalties for failing to report something they experience or witness. The change is meant to give victims of sexual misconduct control over the reporting process.

SPORTS

The Blue Jays are off today before hitting the road for the weekend in Colorado. Yesterday at home Alejandro Kirk had three hits and three RBIs, Chris Bassitt and Jay Jackson combined on a five-hitter and Toronto beat the Washington Nationals 7-0 to take 2 of 3 games.

Nathan Rourke is joining the practice roster with the Jacksonville Jaguars after clearing NFL waivers following his release from the team. Rourke worked out for 12 teams this past off-season, and the Jags made clear throughout the preseason that he was not in competition for the backup job behind Trevor Lawrence.

Sheldon Keefe signed a multi-year contract extension with the Maple Leafs, keeping him the team’s head coach. The pact is for two seasons through 2025-26. The value was not announced.