Top Stories – Nov 17 – Closed For A While

No indication yet from Drive BC on when the major routes to the interior from the coast will reopen. It will be weeks or months for the Coquihalla as many parts of the highway were just washed away. The Trans Canada remained closed in the Fraser Canyon and between Hope and Abbotsford, while Highway 3 is dealing with a mudslide near where the Hope Slide happened and flooding between Princeton and Hedley, but the government says it could be the first to reopen.

Authorities have confirmed that at least one person died in a mudslide on Highway 99 near Lillooet yesterday. Authorities have had more reports of missing people and spotted more vehicles may have been caught in it.

Insurance experts say record rainfall in southern BC is highlighting the increasing risks of flood damage and the need for homeowners to prepare. The weekend storm that saw Hope hit with 174 millimetres of rain in a single day, has helped push up home insurance premiums by 20 to 25 percent in the past six years. Some are adding flood insurance to their coverage when they can, but companies are being selective on who they’re offering coverage to.

Kelowna was the third most expensive place to rent an apartment in Canada in September. That’s up a spot from August. A one-bedroom was going for $1,670, while a 2-bedroom was $2,070 according to Zumper, which used to be called PadMappers. Vancouver was the most expensive with a one-bedroom going for 21-hundred.

Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos says the federal government will announce changes to COVID-19 prevention measures at the Canadian border “very soon.” Ottawa has faced mounting pressure for weeks to do away with a requirement for fully vaccinated travellers into Canada to provide an expensive, negative molecular COVID test.

Kelowna RCMP Target Team arrested a local man in possession of a stolen truck and flat-deck trailer from Alberta. He was arrested earlier this month and when police searched a property associated to him, they recovered a pickup that had been stolen in Vernon in June. The 48 year old is facing charges of Driving while Prohibited and numerous criminal charges.

There were just 39 new cases of covid 19 reported for the interior health district yesterday and there were 683 active cases. As for vaccinations, 86.8 percent of those 12 and over in BC have received 2 doses. Dr. Bonnie Henry says children between 5 and 11 could start getting the vaccine before Christmas.

BC Conservation Officers in the North Okanagan and General Investigations Section teamed up to conduct sustained patrols in the Salmon Arm area over the weekend. In total, 173 hunters were checked, with 35 tickets and 27 warnings being issued. One person was arrested for failing to stop and one firearm was seized.

Canada is getting a new airline as startup carrier Lynx Air, which used to be called Enerjet, says it will launch a new service from its headquarters in Calgary. It will be an ultra-low-cost carrier, offering stripped-down fares to budget-conscious travellers. It has firm orders in place for a total of 46 Boeing 737s over the next seven years.

Sports

It’s a 6pm start at Rogers Arena tonight as the Canucks host the Colorado Avalanche. Vancouver will try to break a 4 game losing streak where they have been outscored 22 – 8.

BC Lions head coach Rick Campbell says rookie Nathan Rourke will start at quarterback for Friday’s regular season finale with the Edmonton Elks. He has completed 29 of 48 passes for 395 yards and two touchdowns while adding 77 yards and two majors on 11 carries.

In the CFL in Toronto last night, the Edmonton Elks beat the Toronto Argonauts 13-7. It’s a quick turnaround for Edmonton as they play the Lions on Friday.

There’s a report that Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Boston Red Sox and English football team Liverpool, is in talks to buy the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins have been owned by Mario Lemieux and investor Ron Burkle since 1999 when they bought the team out of bankruptcy.

The Toronto Blue Jays and right-hander Jose Berrios agreed to a seven-year, $131-million contract extension. The two-time All-Star could’ve tested free agency after next season.

The Baltimore Ravens released running back Le’Veon Bell, who made five appearances for the club. The 29-year-old split last season dressing for both the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs before being signed to the Baltimore practise squad.