Top Stories – Jan 10 – Kelowna Action Plan

Kelowna Council will receive the 2022 action plan today that includes 135 projects. They include the development a Community Safety Plan, work on several active transportation corridors, planning and design for the Capital News Centre expansion, and design and construction of Phase 1 of Dehart Park. For more information and to read the plan, visit kelowna.ca/actionplan .

Most students across BC return to class today after the extra week off following Christmas. And with that, Education Minister Jennifer Whiteside says attendance will now determine the response to a covid outbreak in schools. She says schools will be monitoring attendance closely and will notify public health and the school community if it dips below typical rates for this time of year.

Despite the record heat, flooding, and snow, some people still can’t resist calling 911 for things that were definitely not emergencies. Some of the to nuisance calls last year included: complaining the barista mixed up their coffee order, wondering why the bus wasn’t coming, and a pedestrian was splashed on the sidewalk. If it is a true emergency, call 911, but if you want to report a messy roommate, don’t.

When Vernon RCMP responded to a call about a suspicious car last week they made a discovery that was of interest to their West Kelowna counterparts. The car was the one associated to Dayton McAlpine, who’s wanted for a violent assault. McAlpine was not around and is still at large and considered to be dangerous.

The weekend covid numbers for BC will be released later today. On Friday, the Health Ministry reported about 31-hundred new cases in with 19-hundred of those on the south coast. There were 526 in the interior as the number of people in hospital increased to 44, with 24 of them in critical care. There were 9 deaths from the virus in the province.

Canada’s largest private-sector union is calling on the Feds to push back a port plan that would impose tighter environmental restrictions on container trucks. With the gnarled global supply chain, Unifor says the Port of Vancouver’s long-scheduled ban on semi-trucks older than 10 years should be delayed beyond its slated date of February 1. It says unless Ottawa steps in, gridlock will overtake the country’s biggest port.

West Kelowna Fire Rescue responded to reports of a vehicle fire with extensions to a structure in the 3400 block of Rosedale Place in Glenrosa yesterday morning. Crews were able to quickly extinguish the fire and confine it to the garage area, but the house sustained significant smoke damage. There were two occupants with one suffering minor burns and smoke inhalation. The fire was not suspicious in nature.

Interior Health is advising local residents that COVID-19 rapid antigen tests are temporarily unavailable at the IH Community Collection Centres in Kelowna and West Kelowna. Testing by appointment continues to be available. You can make an appointment online through the COVID-19 Test Booking Form 24 hours a day, or call 1-877-740-7747 for assistance between 8am & 7pm seven days a week.

Dr. Bonnie Henry has issued a new order requiring all businesses to have COVID-19 Safety Plans in effect. These practices include the use of barriers; reducing crowding and the mixing of staff, and working from home if possible. She adds the vast majority of businesses have already stepped up with their own plans.

Sports

The Vancouver Canucks’ game against Ottawa on the weekend was postponed by the NHL because of the 50% rink capacity limits due to covid. The team hits the road for a Florida swing this week playing the Panthers tomorrow and Lightning on Thursday.

The Calgary Stampeders and veteran quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell have come to terms on a restructured contract for the 2022 season. The 31 year old owns the best winning percentage among starting quarterbacks in league history.

The Kelowna Rockets played Portland on Saturday and in a tight contest posted a 3-1 loss. Two Rocket games scheduled for Prince George this week have been postponed as the Cougars are in covid protocol. Kelowna is scheduled to host Victoria Friday and Saturday.

The Carolina Panthers plan to keep head coach Matt Rhule for the 2022 season. The 46-year-old has led Carolina to a 10-22 record in two seasons. He was hired on a seven-year, $62-million contract in 2020. The Broncos meantime, fired Vic Fangio.

The San Jose Sharks placed Vancouver-born forward Evander Kane on unconditional waivers to terminate his contract for breach of his NHL Player Contract and for violation of AHL COVID-19 protocols. He was the Sharks’ leading scorer last season and will forfeit almost 23 Million dollars for the pink slip.

There’s word the Seattle Seahawks don’t plan on trading Russell Wilson this offseason and are proceeding as if he’ll be their starting quarterback next year. Wilson is under contract for two more seasons, but his name has floated in trade rumors over the past year.