Top Stories – May 12 – FireSmart Grants

Grants of up to $500 are available, on a first-come, first-serve basis, to City of West Kelowna and Westbank First Nation property owners who take steps to protect their homes from wildfire using FireSmart principles. West Kelowna Fire Rescue Chief Jason Brolund says actions that residents take within 10 metres of their homes will have the biggest impacts in reducing the threat of wildfire. More info at westkelownacity.ca/firesmart .

Canada’s Transport Minister says the airport security agency is increasing its staffing, but a lack of workers is not the main culprit for the unacceptable delays passengers are facing this spring. He says out-of-practice travellers are causing delays at security checkpoints and changing flight schedules have also resulted in large volumes of flights leaving and arriving at the same time.

An expert panel tasked with helping to shape a federal bill to curb online abuse suggests it cover Airbnb as well as video games and even private communications. The panel believes any future online abuse law should have a broad scope, covering not just Twitter and Facebook but also smaller online platforms, including crowdfunding apps.

An application for a rezoning and Official Community Plan amendment for the next phase of development at The Ponds subdivision at 1450 Steele Road in the Crawford area came before Kelowna Council. The proposal includes extending Steele Road, plus parkland to protect Crawford Slough and a trail connection between Mair Pond and Hill Spring Park. Council gave first reading and forwarded the proposal to a May 31 public hearing.

Salmon Arm will see hundreds of firefighters this weekend. Columbia Shuswap Regional District Fire Services and the Salmon Arm Fire Department are co-hosting the British Columbia Fire Training Officers Association conference. The six-day convention will have between 120 and 150 people take part in hands-on training, educational workshops and networking opportunities.

NATO leaders are bracing as Russia’s war in Ukraine grinds into its third month with little sign of a decisive military victory for either side and no resolution in sight. Energy and food security are the most immediate worries, and the possibility of a stalemate is fueling concerns that Ukraine may remain a deadly battlefield for months, or even years, to come. President Zelenskyy is now asserting that Ukraine will not only beat back the current invasion, but regain control of Crimea.

Kelowna Council approved a new water rate structure for golf courses in Southeast Kelowna using non-potable water for irrigation. The goal is to ensure fairness and equity among city water customers. Staff looked at other water providers in the valley to compare what they charge golf courses for irrigation water to ensure that Kelowna is fair and competitive.

The federal government says it is giving 3.5 million dollars for two projects to help improve access to abortion services in Canada. The funding stems from a year-old budget pledge to spend 45 million over three years. Health Canada says nine contribution agreements worth 15.2 million have been signed.

Anyone planning to travel to European countries by plane will no longer be required to wear a face mask in airports and during flights in Europe, starting May 26. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control says the development and continuous updates of the Aviation Health Safety Protocol, in light of the COVID-19 situation, have provided better knowledge of the risk of transmission of the virus and its new strains. Masks still have to be worn in airports and on planes in Canada.

Sports

In Calgary last night, the Flames took a 3 games to two lead in their NHL playoff series with the Stars thanks to a 3-1 win. Calgary can wrap it up tomorrow night with a win in Dallas.

Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse will miss tonight’s game for headbutting Kings forward Phillip Danault on Tuesday. Nurse launched himself at Danault in the final seconds of the second period but was not penalized.

The Leafs and Kings can move on to the next round of the NHL playoffs with wins tonight. Toronto is in Tampa Bay to take on the Lightning at 4:30 while the Kings and Oilers face off in Los Angeles at 7.

Wednesday’s baseball game between the Cleveland Guardians and Chicago White Sox was postponed due to multiple positive COVID-19 tests within the Guardians organization. The Blue Jays were in Cleveland last weekend.

The Blue Jays are off today before kicking off a weekend series in Tampa tomorrow. Yesterday in New York, they lost 5-3 and are now 6 games back of the AL East-leading Yankees.

The PGA Tour is in Texas this week for the AT&T Byron Nelson. K.H. Lee is the defending champ after he grabbed his first tour win last year. The total prize money for the event is 9.1 Million dollars