Top Stories – March 23 – Ukraine Fights On

Ukrainian forces fought off continuing Russian efforts to occupy Mariupol and claimed to have retaken a strategic suburb of Kyiv yesterday. They are mounting a defense that it is stoking fears Russia’s Vladimir Putin will escalate the war to new heights. President Joe Biden said the more Putin’s back is against the wall, the greater the severity of the tactics he may use.

Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly says confronting the actions of an irrational Vladimir Putin will be a key task for Justin Trudeau and his European allies. The PM will join other NATO leaders tomorrow to co-ordinate the military alliance’s response to Russia’s attack on Ukraine and will meet with fellow G7 leaders before returning to Canada on Friday.

In less than three weeks, BC Liquor and BC Cannabis store customers have donated more than 530-thousand dollars in support of the Canadian Red Cross’s Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal. The Red Cross provides immediate and ongoing relief efforts, long-term recovery, resiliency and other critical humanitarian activities. Funds go to Ukraine and surrounding countries, including supporting populations displaced by the conflict.

It wasn’t quite a baby boom, but there were 6,136 newborns in Interior Health hospitals last year, an increase of 489 over 2020. There were 1,808 births at Kelowna General, 197 more than 2020. That was the largest number in all of I-H.

After an increase in January, Fortis BC says its gas rates for customers will stay the same at it’s April 1 quarterly setting. That means the price will remain stable until at least June 30. FortisBC reviews the rates with the BC Utilities Commission each quarter.

New year, new pavement management program for Kelowna as about 10.5 km of streets and intersections will be resurfaced. The annual pavement management program has a budget of $3.5 million and some of the major projects include Sutherland Avenue from Burtch to Highway 97, and the Ellis Street and Clement Avenue intersection.

There were another 76 new covid 19 cases for interior health yesterday as part of 259 in all of BC. 93.4% of eligible people 12 and older in have received their first dose of vaccine, 91% received their second and 57% have had their booster.

The province has launched a study to identify sector-wide challenges BC’s non-profits are facing. It will be focused on the experiences of entry and mid-entry-level workers in organizations with fewer than 50 employees. The 20-month study will look for solutions to address long-standing challenges like labour pressures, working conditions and compensation.

Canadian fashion mogul Peter Nygard will be extradited to the United States to faces sex-related charges, but only once his criminal case in Canada has been completed. The 80 year old was first arrested in Winnipeg in 2020 under the Extradition Act after being charged with nine sex-related counts in New York. He was later charged in Toronto with six counts of sexual assault and three counts of forcible confinement dating back to the 80’s.

Sports

In Victoria last night, 2 third period goals lifted the Royals to a 4-2 win over Kelowna, handing the Rockets their 5th straight loss. They will play again tonight, same place, same team.

Word now is that the Carolina Panthers don’t have any interest in pursuing a trade for Cleveland Browns quarterback and TV commercial star Baker Mayfield. The news comes after a report that Mayfield’s camp had preliminary talks with the Panthers and Seattle Seahawks.

As Spring Training continues in Florida, the Blue Jays and third baseman Matt Chapman agreed to a two-year, $25-million deal. Toronto got Chapman from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for four players last Wednesday.

Meantime, at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida yesterday, the Jays won their 3rd straight preseason game, beating the Yankees 9-2.

The Canucks begin a 4 game road trip in Denver today. Vancouver will look to break the 3 game losing skid at 6:30 against the Avalanche.

The World Golf Championship Match Play tournament gets underway today in Austin, Texas. Two Canadians are participating with Corey Conners playing Paul Casey, while Mackenzie Hughes takes on Dustin Johnson.