Top Stories – June 24 – Fatal MVA

Kelowna RCMP were investigating a fatal accident on Highway 97 near the airport that happened yesterday afternoon about 4 involving a motorcycle and a pickup. The northbound lanes of the highway were closed at Airport Way, and traffic was redirected. Police are asking witnesses to come forward or if they have any dash camera recordings from around the time of the collision to also contact them.

With Okanagan Lake sitting at full pool, any snowmelt, wind, rain or wake from boats has the potential to cause further erosion and damage to waterfront property and structures. Residents in those flood-prone areas are asked to take precautions. CORD Emergency says property owners should ensure docks are secured, anchor lines are long enough and they are asked to leave debris washing up along the lakeshore in place until water levels recede to protect the shoreline from further erosion.

Just over a week to get your property taxes paid before an automatic penalty kicks in. July 4th is the deadline and with July 1st a holiday and then the weekend, cities are urging residents to get their payments in well before that. Homeowner grants must be claimed online with the provincial government, except for residents of the Westbank First Nation who claim it through that authority.

If you have been thinking about a new career, KF Aerospace may have the answer. The company at the airport is hosting a career fair July 7 from 3 to 7pm giving an inside look at opportunities with KF’s world-leading aviation services. For entry level roles, they provide on-the-job training that allows people to work towards a nationally recognized certification. The company expects to fill over 100 jobs by next year.

The City of West Kelowna is asking for help in resolving an accident that caused damage to city property. There was an estimated $35,000 in damages to the bleachers and a fence at Darroch Park which is the ballfield adjacent to Mount Boucherie, on East Boundary Road. It happened at 5:15am April 10 and involved a light-coloured SUV… possibly an older model Nissan Pathfinder or Frontier with a canopy.

A majority of members of Parliament have voted in favour of continuing hybrid sittings in the House of Commons until June 2023. It allows MPs to attend and participate in debate virtually as long as they are in Canada. The Liberals say it’s important to allow MPs the flexibility to participate in House proceedings even if they’re sick, or unable to attend in person.

KLO Creek Regional Park is open again for visitors after it was closed June 14 due to spring freshet-fueled high-water levels in the creek and nearby trail. However the Mission Creek Greenway trail remains closed from the Peck Road parking area upstream to the Saskatoon trail below the Field Road entrance to Scenic Canyon Regional Park. As well, the underpasses at Lakeshore, Gordon and Casorso bridges remain closed until water levels go down and any damage can be repaired.

Kelowna International Airport has a new art exhibition. It spans almost 40 feet long and is eight feet tall. The inaugural installation piece is named “Kate and Molly ” by Lake Country-based artist Wanda Lock. The immersive piece was selected by the Kelowna Art Gallery, which is organizing and curating the art space at the airport.

U-S health officials ordered Juul to pull its electronic cigarettes from that market, becoming the latest blow to the company widely accused of sparking a surge in teen vaping. Parents, politicians and anti-tobacco advocates wanted a ban on the devices that many blame for the rise in underage vaping. Supporters say they can help smokers cut back on regular cigarettes.

Sports

The Colorado Avalanche will be hoping to end the NHL season tonight with a win at Ball Arena. The Avs lead the Tampa Bay Lightning 3 games to one as the Stanley Cup final returns to Denver for game 5.

It’s round 2 of The Travelers on the PGA Tour today in Connecticut. Rory McIlroy continues on a tear, sharing the lead at 8 under with American J.T. Poston. It was not a great first round for Canadians as Mackenzie Hughes, Michael Gligic and Ben Silverman only shot par.

In the CFL last night Montreal picked up its 1st win of the season while Saskatchewan picked up its 1st loss as the Alouettes won 37-13. Hamilton is in Winnipeg tonight and tomorrow has a battle of Alberta, and the BC Lions hosting Toronto.

The Blue Jays get to spend the weekend in Milwaukee where they need some wins against the Brewers. Toronto has dropped about 12 games behind the Yankees in the AL East and looking more and more like they will be hoping for a wildcard spot in the playoffs.

The BC Lions have signed Canadian receiver Shai Ross after he was released by the Edmonton Elks. He spent the 2015 season with the Okanagan Sun and was selected in the fifth round, 40th overall, by Edmonton in the 2019 CFL Draft.