Top Stories – June 7 – Heat Alert System

The Province is launching the BC Heat Alert and Response System to help ensure people have the tools they need to stay safe during heat events. If needed, there will be text alerts for extreme heat and it’s bringing in additional measures to bolster the ambulance service to better respond to an increase in 911 calls. The plan is to expand the care and treatment that paramedics and first responders can provide.

A Penticton man was arrested in connection with two robberies in Kelowna. A box of cigarettes was taken from a gas station and a laptop from Walmart, where two employees were pepper-sprayed. The suspect was identified from surveillance video and later spotted by an off-duty officer getting into a taxi. When he was dropped off on Pandosy, RCMP were waiting for him and following a short foot chase, he was taken into custody.

Another example from the Spring run off and recent rains. Rising water levels forced the closure of the Casorso Road bridge underpass along the Mission Creek Greenway. Hikers and walkers are reminded to keep themselves and their pets away from the banks of the creeks as they could suddenly give way.

Former Hedley front man Jacob Hoggard must live at his Vancouver home or another preapproved address and be home between the hours of 10pm and 6am, except in the case of emergencies. The judge in his case tightened bail restrictions after Hoggard was found guilty of raping an Ottawa woman, but not guilty of groping and raping a teenage fan. Sentencing will come at a later date.

Kelowna RCMP responded to what was reported as a driver in distress early yesterday morning. They tried to stop him at Ellis and Bernard, but he kept going, with police following without lights and sirens. Eventually, the driver stopped at a home where he was taken into custody and transported to hospital under the Mental Health Act.

Conservative leadership candidates say they’ve sold memberships to hundreds of thousands of Canadians ahead of the September vote. One claims he signed up more than 300-thousand. However the party leadership says it will not be commenting on specific numbers from any candidate.

A good portion of West Kelowna is under a water quality advisory. Both the Rose Valley and Sunnyside/Pritchard systems are affected due to increased turbidity. Children, the elderly and those with weakened immunity must use water brought to a rolling boil for one minute or more, or use an alternative safe source like the bulk filling station at Shannon Lake and Asquith Roads.

Yesterday’s arrival of the World War 2 de-Havilland Mosquito at Kelowna International had to be postponed due to technical issues in Vancouver. The 2-engine, wooden combat aircraft is destined to be a part of the KF Aerospace collection. You can follow them for updates on Twitter @KfAerospace .

BC’s first case of monkeypox has been confirmed in Vancouver. Scientists are waiting for confirmation from the National Microbiology Lab and Vancouver Coastal Health is conducting public health follow-up. Monkeypox is mainly spread from person to person through contact with sores and items like bedding or towels that have the monkeypox virus on them.

Sports

The Edmonton Oilers’ season is over as Colorado scored early in overtime to take a 6-5 win in game 4. Former Kelowna Rocket Leon Draisaitl had 4 assists for the Oilers. And the Rangers will try to go up 3 games to 1 tonight in their Eastern Conference final in Florida against Tampa.

Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri is unlikely to return during the playoffs after undergoing surgery on his thumb. He was injured in the early stages of Game 3 on Saturday after being boarded by the Oilers’ Evander Kane. Kane was suspended for last night’s game.

Kevin Bieksa says he wants to officially retire from the NHL as a Vancouver Canuck. The Hockey Night in Canada Broadcaster says he’d like to sign for one day to make his retirement official.

The Boston Bruins have fired head coach Bruce Cassidy, who led them to the Stanley Cup Final in 2019, the best record in the league the next year and at least 100 points in each of his four full non-pandemic seasons behind the bench. He becomes a top candidate for vacancies in Philadelphia, Chicago, Winnipeg, Vegas and Detroit.

Tiger Woods is staying with the PGA Tour. Reports say he turned down at least 100-Million dollars to play in the new league backed by Saudi Arabia. Jack Nicklaus, who’s now 82, said no thanks to 100 Million bucks to be associated with it.