Top Stories – Feb 28 – Ukraine Fights Back

In Ukraine, the Russian invasion and circling of the capital of Kyiv continued on the weekend, but met with unexpected opposition. Many world leaders, including the head of NATO, condemned Vladimir Putin’s announcement that he put nuclear defense forces on alert. Canada and the European Union said it would close its airspace to all Russian aircraft. Meantime, police have detained more than 5-thousand people in Russia over anti-war rallies against invasion.

We were told with the Russian invasion of Ukraine that gas prices would go up. It didn’t take very long as most stations in the Central and South Okanagan are selling for $1.69 a litre for regular… 14 to 17 cents more than last week. However, prices around Vernon were still around a buck-52 yesterday. It’s as high as $1.85 on the south coast.

On Friday, BC joined other provinces in an immediate halt to the importing and sale of Russian liquor products from BC Liquor Stores and liquor distribution centres as a response to the invasion of Ukraine. The province also announced a 1 Million dollar donation to the Red Cross to support those suffering from the attack. Canadians can donate at redcross.ca and Ottawa will match donations.

West Kelowna’s Urban Re-Leaf program, where residents can buy two, 6-10 foot trees, is back for another year. They can be ordered and paid for by April 3 and with 500 trees available this year, there are 4 different species. More info at westkelownacity.ca/urbanreleaf .

A security guard at UBCO was assaulted early Saturday morning and was taken to hospital with life-threatening injuries. RCMP say the assault, by a man who worked there, happened in one of the buildings. The suspect was located and arrested under the Mental Health Act. Police say it was an isolated incident and there is no danger to anyone on campus.

Heads up that starting tomorrow Old Vernon Road will be closed between Airport Way and Spencer Road for 3-4 weeks and traffic will be detoured to Bulman Road. This is to allow for replacement of the bridge over Mill Creek. The bridge approaches will also be raised to better-protect them from high water events.

The Stuart Park ice rink will close at 10 AM tomorrow. Skate rentals will remain available on site until today. Indoor public skating also wrapped up for the season Friday at the Capital News Centre, however public skate times remain available at Memorial and Rutland Arenas. For more information about public skating times at indoor ice rinks, visit kelowna.ca/skating

It’s March 1st tomorrow and that means yard waste pickup returns. Anyone who’s part of the Central Okanagan curbside collection will be able to put out yard waste every second week until the end of December. It’s composted and given new life as a soil enhancer, so it’s important to keep it free of any plastic, garbage or other matter that could contaminate the end product or damage equipment.

BC reported 583 new covid 19 cases on Friday including 183 for Interior Health, which again was the most of any health authority in the province. 91 percent of all adults in BC have had 2 vaccine doses, while 57.4 percent have had a booster. The weekend numbers will be released later today.

Sports

The Canucks began their 4 game road trip at Madison Square Garden yesterday with a 5-2 win over the Rangers. Two point games for JT Miller and Tyler Myers. Vancouver takes on the Devils this afternoon at 4:30.

Fox Sports is apparently talking to former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton about replacing Troy Aikman as its top NFL game analyst. Aikman is reportedly set to leave the network and Joe Buck for a five-year, $90-million contract at ESPN.

The Kelowna Chiefs had a win and a loss on the weekend and now trail Summerland 3 games to 1 in their KIJHL playoff. Game 5 is tonight at 7 at Rutland Arena.

At the PGA Tour’s Honda Classic in Florida, Sepp Straka became the first Austrian to win on the tour. He shot 4 under in the last round to finish at 10 under par and take home 1.4 Million dollars.

Three games on the weekend for the Kelowna Rockets. They split their home and home games with the Blazers and against the T-birds yesterday Kelowna picked up a 4-3 win. The Rockets play another game in Seattle tomorrow.

Locked-out players and management officials were bargaining for the seventh straight day Sunday, just one day before Major League Baseball’s deadline to salvage March 31 openers and a 162-game schedule. 16 exhibition games were cancelled today.