Top Stories – Nov 19 – Months To Repair

The Transportation Ministry says the reopening of Highway 3 between Princeton and Hope is still feasible for later this weekend, but it won’t be ‘business as usual’. Trucks destined for the interior and the rest of Canada are rerouting through Washington and coming back in to Canada at crossings such as Osoyoos. When asked how much it is going to cost to fix and repair everything, Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth said … “a lot”.

The Transportation Ministry says like the Coquihalla and Highway 1, Highway 8 between Merritt and Spences Bridge may be the most damaged. And the RCMP says 4 people have been reported missing along Highway 99 where there were mudslides. The body of a woman has been recovered but police fear more may be found.

Another 240 members of the Canadian Forces are expected to arrive in BC in the next few days to assist with flood recovery efforts. They are coming in a truck convoy from Edmonton when they determine which route would be best.
120 have already been sent to Abbotsford. There will also be more air support for evacuations according to the federal government.

It may be a little too late for some stores, but Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran is asking people to stop hoarding food. He reiterated what Premier Horgan said, that the current limited supply of some products is expected to be temporary as new routes to the Interior are developed, so he urges people to be patient and considerate of others. Basran also thanked everyone who is working hard on the response including the volunteer Emergency Support Service staff who have helped thousands of people this year displaced by fire and floods.

High school football teams in the interior are upset over a ruling that means they won’t be able to compete for provincial championships this year. BC School Sports is modifying its championship structure to a regional style event due to the flooding events. It means interior teams are excluded from competing against the coast. Local school teams affected are the KSS Owls and Rutland Secondary Voodoos.

United Way BC has launched a new fundraising campaign… the United for BC Flood Response fund. Money raised will be distributed to support those who are displaced or have lost housing, belongings, employment, or suffered physical or mental health trauma. Prospera Credit Union and the Steelworker Humanity Fund have each stepped up with 50-thousand dollar contributions.

The number of new cases of covid 19 continues to climb in the interior once again with 85 reported yesterday. There were 468 in BC. There were 612 active cases in Interior Health, about the same as Wednesday. Sun Pointe Village long-term care in Kelowna has 10 cases… seven residents and three staff.

BC Housing and Turning Points provided West Kelowna council with an update on the opening of a new temporary shelter. It is scheduled to open this week at 2515 Bartley Road. The facility will offer 38 beds, bathrooms, warm meals and supportive services for people experiencing, or at risk of homelessness on the Westside. At least two staff will be on site around the clock.

The federal government is announcing today that Health Canada has approved the COVID-19 vaccine for children aged five to 11. Provinces have said they are poised and ready to start vaccinating as soon as doses are distributed. Canada is expecting an accelerated delivery of 2.9 million child-sized doses… enough for a first dose for every child in the five to 11 age group.

Sports

The Kelowna Rockets will try to extend their 4 game WHL winning streak this weekend against the last team to beat them. The Rockets are in Portland for games tonight and tomorrow against the Winterhawks.

The Canucks are one of 2 NHL games tonight when the Jets are at Rogers arena. The other game is also on the west coast as Seattle hosts Colorado.

The West Kelowna Warriors are undefeated so far this month and the BCHL squad will hope to keep that going this weekend. They have games tonight and tomorrow in Salmon Arm against the Silverbacks.

The BC Lions play their final game of the season tonight against the only western team with a worse record. Kickoff at BC Place against Edmonton is at 730 following the eastern game between Ottawa and Montreal.

The Kelowna Chiefs are on the road tonight in Armstrong against the Knights, but you can get your junior hockey fix at Rutland Arena tomorrow at 7 when Osoyoos makes the trip to the Central Okanagan.

It’s the third race in 3 weeks on the 3rd continent for the Formula 1 teams. After races in Mexico and Brazil, they have moved everything to Qatar in the middle east for Sunday’s race.