Top Stories – March 24 – Shelter Leases Extended

Leases have been extended on the Richter Street and Doyle Avenue shelters in Kelowna. BC Housing, along with Turning Points and the City, has signed an extension to continue offering 50 beds at the Richter site for another year. BC Housing has also agreed to extend the lease for the Union Gospel-operated 60-bed shelter on Doyle until June 30.

BC reported an additional 269 covid cases yesterday, bringing the total since the pandemic began to 354,603. There were 73 in Interior Health, bringing the total to just over 62-thousand.

Federal NDP health critic Don Davies says he expects the Liberal government to make good on its renewed promise to deliver national pharmacare, but perhaps not all at once. The Liberals have promised in their new confidence and supply agreement with the NDP that they will pass a Canada Pharmacare Act by the end of next year. Davies says he expects to see it built up over many years.

NATO estimates that 7 to 15,000 Russian soldiers have been killed in four weeks of war in Ukraine. By way of comparison, Russia lost about 15,000 troops over 10 years in Afghanistan. Ukraine has released little information about its own military losses, and the West has not given an estimate, but President Volodymr Zelenskyy said nearly two weeks ago that about 13-hundred Ukrainian servicemen had been killed.

Stats Canada says the number of people travelling to Canada in January was up from a year earlier. Trips by U.S. residents was 218-thousand, up from 86-thousand the year before, while trips from other countries doubled to 79-thousand. Canadian residents returned from 690-thousand trips to the United States in January, up from 265-thousand in 2021.

Canada and the United States have started talking about ways to make it easier for law enforcement officials to navigate privacy laws when investigating criminal activity. US Attorney General Merrick Garland says a new data-sharing deal would enhance public safety and security while protecting privacy and civil liberties in both countries.

A proposal for a hotel and spa development in the Shannon Lake neighbourhood in West Kelowna came to a screeching halt at this week’s council meeting. On a tie vote, council did not give first reading to amendments to the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaws to accommodate the proposed destination development on Shannon View Drive.

People 18 and over can now pick up covid rapid tests at no charge. The packages of 5 tests are available at most local pharmacies and you must show your Care Card to get one. All they ask is that you don’t go to get one if you are not feeling well.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asked European leaders to come together as democracies in the face of Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine and tackle rising uncertainties citizens have about the future. He says economic uncertainties have percolated for years, but are now stoked by rising global inflation. Trudeau will join other NATO leaders today to co-ordinate the alliance’s response to Russia’s attack.

Sports

In Denver last night there was no scoring in the 1st or 2nd periods, but then in the 3rd, Brock Boeser and JT Miller scored 2 minutes apart and that was enough for the Canucks to start the road trip with a 3-1 win against the Avalanche. Today Vancouver is in Minnesota for a 5pm start.

He couldn’t reach a new deal with Kansas City so star receiver Tyreek Hill is going to the Dolphins for 120-Million over 4 years. In return, the Chiefs get 5 draft picks.

The Kelowna Rockets are still looking for their first win since March 6th. In Victoria last night they had their 2nd straight loss to the Royals. It’s another home and home set with Kamloops this weekend.

San Francisco Giants outfielder Joc Pederson called out Cleveland, Baltimore, and Pittsburgh for not spending enough money to field decent teams for their fans. Their payrolls are between 57 and 69 Million dollars, while the Dodgers, Mets and Yankees spend between 252 and 292 Million.

Canadian running back Wayne Moore is back with the BC Lions. The 30 year old retired from football before the start of training camp last year after being involved in a car accident.

Canadian Corey Conners won his first match at the World Golf Championships in Texas yesterday. He was playing Paul Casey. The other Canuck in the field, Mackenzie Hughes, lost to Dustin Johnson.