Top Stories – March 28 – Local Cop Stabbed

A Kelowna RCMP officer was stabbed while checking out a disturbance in the 1000 block of Ellis St. early Sunday morning. The officer called for help and the area was flooded by police who arrested the suspect. Both were taken to hospital. The officer suffered serious but non-life threatening injuries, while the suspect suffered non-life threatening injuries.

A boil water notice remains in effect for part of the Lakeview-Rose Valley water system in West Kelowna due to turbidity. There’s a map of the Lakeview Heights area affected on our Facebook page… just scroll down a bit. The bulk water station on Asquith Road is available for anyone that needs safe drinking water.

ICBC is giving us some of our money back because of the record high gas prices. Eligible customers with a basic plan will start receiving $110 into their bank account or credit card, depending on how they pay, in May. Those who pay cash will get a cheque in June and most commercial customers will receive a rebate of $165. You will NOT get a text or email about it.

Kelowna will begin annual dredging of the Cook Road boat launch today to remove the buildup of sand that drifts in from the mouth of Mission Creek. The sand will be re-located to Rotary Beach, so a section of that parking lot will be temporarily closed. The boat launch will be closed and fencing will be in place until work is complete, hopefully early next month.

An upcoming project will expand cellular coverage along 92 kilometres of Highway 3 by adding 11 new cell towers between Hope and Keremeos. The province has recognized that it’s a key transport route for both commercial and recreational travellers. Right now there are coverage gaps between Hope and Manning Park and between Princeton and Keremeos.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused the West of cowardice as his country fights to stave off Russia’s invading troops. He again made a plea yesterday for fighter jets and tanks to sustain a defense as the war grinds into a battle of attrition. Ukraine says to defeat Russia, the West must provide fighter jets and not just missiles and other military equipment.

A fundraiser after the death of a snowboarder last December has resulted in a 17-thousand dollar donation to Central Okanagan Search and Rescue. It was started by the family of Ryan Fletcher who died in a snowboarding accident in the Big White Mountain Ecological Reserve. COSAR was tasked with the search and subsequent recovery and the family wanted to show its appreciation.

Knox Mountain Drive will open to vehicles to the first lookout today. From the results of a study last year on usage and accessibility, City Council endorsed a two-year strategy trial allowing for vehicle access to the first lookout daily from noon to 8pm. During the pandemic, visitor numbers to Knox Mountain Park have doubled during peak times.

Elections Canada was taken by surprise by last week’s announcement that there could be major reforms coming to the way people vote, including a three-day-long polling period. The Liberal-NDP agreement said the government would work with Elections Canada to explore ways to make it easier for people to vote, including possibly extending election day to three days. The chief electoral officer was to present a detailed report in a few weeks on the 2021 election to Parliament, with recommendations for improvements in the future.

Sports

The Vancouver Canucks continue their road trip today in Saint Louis. It’s a 430 start against the Blues. In Dallas on Saturday, they took a 4-1 win over the Stars.

Well that didn’t last long. Henry Burris is no longer an offensive consultant with the BC Lions… after just 10 days on the job. Burris left for a coaching opportunity in the National Football League.

In their final meeting of the season, and after 5 losses in 3 weeks, the Kelowna Rockets beat the Kamloops Blazers 5-3 on Saturday night to end a 7 game losing skid. A few days off now before Prince George visits Prospera Place on Friday.

Canada’s men’s soccer team is going to the World Cup in Qatar in November. A 4-0 win over Jamaica yesterday assured them of a spot in the Big Show for the first time since 1986.

The West Kelowna Warriors ended their BCHL season with 10 straight wins, the last 2 on the weekend against Penticton and Merritt where 5, third period goals helped them to a 7-2 final. They begin their first round playoff series against the Vernon Vipers at home on Friday.

In Formula 1, reigning champion Max Verstappen held off last week’s winner Charles Leclerc, for the win on the street circuit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The teams move out of the Middle East and head to Australia in a couple of weeks.