Top Stories – June 13 – Ballou Reno

Improvements to a Glenmore park are beginning today. Ballou Park is undergoing construction and will be completely closed with limited access to Knox Mountain, from now until November. However, there will be a secured pathway during construction so community garden members can access their plots.

Just like many other businesses, companies at at Kelowna International Airport need workers, so YLW is having a job fair. Companies including Air Canada Express, Commissionaires, Hertz Car Rental and most of the food services are among the 14 employers taking part. It happens June 22 from noon to 8 and more details are at ylw.kelowna.ca/careers .

The federal government is pausing random COVID-19 tests at airports for vaccinated travellers, but only until June 30. Unvaccinated travellers will still be subject to testing, but the government plans to move it offsite in July. Meantime the United States has stopped requiring COVID tests before flights for all air travellers heading to the U-S. Masks are still required in all Canadian airports and aircraft.

Members of the BC Liberal party held a convention in Penticton on the weekend and one of the things to come out of it was a possible name change. The party has launched an online consultation portal for members to give their thoughts on what it could be. All members of the Party will have the chance to vote on a new name or maintain the current one by the end of the year.

If you’re heading out on the water in the next few weeks, keep your eyes open. With the Freshet almost at peak volume and levels rising, a lot of debris is flowing down streams and creeks out into the lake. Also remember that RCMP patrols are out, so make sure to boat safely and carry enough life jackets and your operator’s licence.

It’s not what many people were calling for, but a bi-partisan group of US Senators announced a deal responding to last month’s mass shootings. The modest breakthrough offers measured gun curbs and bolstered efforts to improve school safety and mental health programs. It does not include banning assault firearms such as AR-15 style rifles, or raising the legal age for buying them.

Brace yourself for a jump in your Fortis Gas bill. It has received permission for a 31 percent increase in the price of natural gas delivered to your home. It will go from $4.50 per gigajoule to $5.90, or about 11 dollars per month starting July 1st. Fortis blames the need for the increase on volatility in the energy market.

The Casorso Active Transportation Corridor between Raymer Ave. and KLO Rd. is the latest addition to Kelowna’s cycling network and it is now ready for riders. Okanagan College is one of the main destinations connected along the Ethel/Casorso ATC corridor stretching from Downtown Kelowna to the Pandosy Urban Centre. It supports a range of bicycles and scooters, making it easy for students and residents to commute.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority hopes to tackle public urination in system elevators with new technology. The MBTA, which services Boston and the surrounding area, is launching a pilot program this summer in which urine detection sensors will be placed in four downtown elevators. The sensors alert transit ambassadors, who can dispatch a cleaning crew.

Sports

The Colorado Avalanche will play the Tampa Bay Lightning for the Stanley Cup. The Lightning advanced with a 2-1 win over the Rangers on Saturday to take the Eastern Final 4 games to 2. In case you’ve forgotten, Tampa has won the last 2 Cups. Game one will be on Wednesday in Denver.

Yesterday’s Formula 1 race in Baku saw a one-two finish for Red Bull Racing with Max Verstappen taking the checkered flag and Sergio Perez, second. The teams now head to Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix this weekend.

The BC Lions had 4 touchdowns from James Butler on their way to a 59-15 rout of the Edmonton Elks at BC Place. The Lions have a couple of weeks to savour the start to the season as they don’t play again until the 25th when the Argos visit Vancouver.

The Blue Jays took 2 of 3 games against the Tigers in Detroit on the weekend, including 6-0 yesterday, and remain in 2nd place, behind the Yankees in the AL East. The Jays host the Orioles for a few games starting this afternoon.

The RBC Canadian Open in Toronto winner was Rory McIlroy, making it two years in a row for the Irishman. He finished at 19 under. Canada’s Corey Conners finished 6th at 12 under par at St. Georges.

And Canada’s Brooke Henderson won the ShopRite LPGA Classic in New Jersey. Henderson eagled the par-5, 18th hole in a one-hole playoff with American Lindsey Weaver-Wright. It’s her 11th LPGA win.