Top Stories – October 10

The death toll from the fighting between Israeli troops and the terrorist Hamas organization was approaching 1,600 last night. What Israel is now calling a War, escalated on the weekend after Hamas launched an unprecedented incursion out of Gaza. Israel’s military says it has retaken control of all communities around Gaza. The family of a Montreal man say he was among the victims in the attack.

Seasonal closures and modification of hours will begin this week at Kelowna’s parks and sports fields. Park washrooms and water fountains, including water at off-leash dog parks, will be closed beginning Sunday for the season. Sports fields are scheduled to close for the winter on the 31st. Washrooms remain open at City, Gerstmar, Boyce-Gyro, Rowcliffe, Stuart and Rutland Centennial Parks.

Experts say vehicles that are packed with microchips and software to offer drivers more comforts also offer an open door to hackers. Checkpoint Canada says cars are vulnerable to hackers stealing sensitive information or even manipulating systems like steering wheels and brakes. Remote attacks that rely on Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and connected networks accounted for 97 percent of all breaches in 2022.

People living in Merritt were left without access to an emergency room, yet again on Sunday. It was the fifteenth time the ER has been temporarily shut down this year. The mayor says the city has done everything it can to curb the closures, but it’s now looking at withholding tax money.

Interior Savings Credit Union Members will soon be asked to approve a merger with Burnaby-based Gulf and Fraser Credit Union to create a new larger institution covering the coast and interior. The plan has received regulatory approval, and members start voting next Friday with results announced on November 7th. If approved, the merger would be effective at the start of 2024.

People in western Afghanistan have been digging through rubble with their bare hands and shovels in desperate attempts to pull victims from the wreckage left by powerful earthquakes. Entire villages have been flattened and officials say hundreds of bodies are still trapped under collapsed homes as reports say at least 2,500 people are dead. Global Affairs Canada says it’s not aware of any Canadians missing or killed.

The Glen Lake Wildfire west of Peachland has been declared under control. It was discovered on September 16th and immediately put down as human-caused although the specific cause has never been released. It grew to about 1100 hectares and forced a few evacuation orders and the number of alerts.

Work to improve safety and efficiency on Highway 1 through the Shuswap began last week. It includes widening the highway to 4 lanes, creating pullouts, and replacing the Tappen overpass. The job is expected to take three construction seasons and be completed in 2026.

SPORTS

At Prospera Place, the Kelowna Rockets picked up at 6-3 win over Spokane on Saturday, but lost 9-7 to Victoria yesterday in a game that saw no shortage of goals. Prince George is in town on Friday.

Thanksgiving Monday in the CFL saw the Montreal Alouettes thump Ottawa 29-3. The BC Lions are in Hamilton on Friday.

NFL Monday Night Football was in Las Vegas where the Raiders hung on to beat the Green Bay Packers 17 to 13. Next up on Thursday night, the Broncos travel to Kansas City.

The NHL regular season opens tonight with three games. The Canucks host Edmonton tomorrow. In the lineup for Vancouver will be forward Sam Lafferty who they got from the Leafs in exchange for a 5th round draft pick.