Top Stories – March 29 – Attempted Murder

A man now faces a number of charges in connection with the stabbing of a Kelowna RCMP officer on Ellis St. on the weekend. 39-year-old Richard McCrea has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault, attempt to disarm a police officer, possession of a weapon and resisting arrest. He has been remanded into custody until his next court appearance on April 11. The officer was treated at KGH and is recovering at home.

More than 6,000 students in Kelowna, Victoria, West Kootenays, and South Coast will learn cycling skills and safety over the coming weeks as the fourth season of Everyone Rides Grades 4-5 begins. Students at 60 elementary schools will participate in two sessions to build cycling skills and confidence.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave Prime Minister Justin Trudeau an update yesterday on new ceasefire talks with Russia that are being held amid Ukrainian claims of military gains against Russian forces. On Twitter, Zelenskyy said he discussed co-operation with Trudeau on defence and sanctions pressure. The two leaders talked about more humanitarian, financial and military support.

A New Brunswick man who suffered minor injuries when a military base near Ukraine’s western border was hit by Russian missiles two weeks ago is home. Twenty-four-year-old Hunter Francis, a former Canadian Forces member, had travelled to Ukraine to volunteer against the Russian military.

U.S. and British officials say that Moscow has increasingly focused on fighting the Ukrainian forces in the east of the country while digging in around Kyiv and other big cities and pummeling them with rockets and artillery. Russian attempts to swiftly capture Kyiv and other big cities in the northeast have been repelled by well-organized Ukrainian defenses. Almost 4 million refugees have fled the country.

Ottawa has announced it will enter into final negotiations with Lockheed Martin on purchasing the F-35 fighter jet. While this doesn’t mean a deal to purchase the stealth fighter is officially done, it does mean Canada is on the verge of finally choosing a replacement for its aging CF-18s. The plan is to buy 88 new fighters for up to 19 Billion dollars.

Kelowna’s Childhood Connections announced the soft opening of their new Family Centre at Highway 97 and Burtch. Some programs will include a free toy lending library for kids up to 12, free play therapy for children in financial need, and the Nourish Families Initiative. Later this spring, they will open a drop-in program with occasional childcare for kids between the ages of 18-months until they enter Grade 1. More info at childhoodconnections.ca .

Amendments coming to the Property Law Act will create a new Homebuyer Protection Period so prospective buyers won’t feel pressured into making a decision in today’s hot housing market. They will give people buying a home more time to consider their offer, ensure financing and get a home inspection, instead of feeling like they need to waive those conditions.

Sports

The St. Louis Blues ended a 4 game home skid with a 4-1 win over Vancouver yesterday. The Canucks head home now for a rematch against the Blues tomorrow.

The NFL draft is headed to the Motor City. Detroit will host the 2024, 3-day event after it’s held in Vegas this year and Kansas City in 2023.

Baseball pre season yesterday saw the Blue Jays drop a 5-4 decision to the World Champion Atlanta Braves. Toronto takes on the Yankees tomorrow. The regular season starts April 7.

State and county taxpayers will be asked to commit 850 million dollars in public funds toward construction of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills’ new stadium. It has a projected price tag of 1.4 Billion, as part of a 30-year lease agreement.

Former Kelowna Rocket Leon Draisaitl was named one of the NHL Stars of the Week. The Oilers centre led the NHL with six goals in four games including a hat-trick in a game Edmonton lost to Calgary.

The NHL is changing the location of its annual awards show. They will take place on either the night before Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final or on the off-day between Games 3 and 4 in the city hosting those games.