Top Stories – June 29 – Horgan To Step Down

Saying that he wanted to put speculation about his future to rest, Premier John Horgan will retire this fall. He says his recent battles with cancer have taken a lot of his strength and he has asked the party to hold a leadership convention. Horgan says he knows that he would not be able to run for another term after serving for two. In the meantime, he will keep the job and the leadership responsibilities that go with it until a new leader is chosen.

The River Forecast Centre issued a High Streamflow Advisory for Mission Creek and its tributaries. The Centre says flow conditions in Okanagan creeks remain relatively high due to the combination of delayed snowmelt and recent heavy rain9. Creeks are at risk for sudden rises and potential flooding if heavy rain occurs within a watershed.

We’ll soon see more local regions highlighted on wine labels with six new areas in the Okanagan Valley being recognized for their grape growing and wine making. They are: East Kelowna Slopes, Lake Country, South Kelowna Slopes, Summerland Bench, Summerland Lakefront, and Summerland Valleys.

The annual turbidity in West Kelowna’s Rose Valley reservoir has initiated a Water Quality Advisory for everyone who gets water from there. That includes the entire Lakeview-Rose Valley system. The Boil Water notice continues for Sunnyside/Pritchard, and an advisory also continues for those on WFN Reserve 9.

The Insurance Bureau of Canada says there is now a path to begin the recovery for Lytton almost a year after two people died and most of the community was destroyed by a wildfire. The bureau says debris removal is starting on insured properties, raising hopes that Lytton will soon return as a thriving community. The wildfire on June 30 last year is now estimated to have caused more than 100 million dollars in insured damage.

Turkey has agreed to lift its opposition to Sweden and Finland joining NATO. It ends an impasse that had clouded a leaders’ summit opening in Madrid amid Europe’s worst security crisis in decades, triggered by the war in Ukraine. Top of the agenda in meetings today and tomorrow is strengthening defenses against Russia, and supporting Ukraine.

Today is the last day of school for those who aren’t already out in the Central Okanagan school district. And while that means the kids won’t be in school, they will probably be out on the streets so take extra care when driving. Classes will resume Tuesday September 6th.

Over the next two weeks intermittent night work is occurring on Chute Lake Road between Main Street and South Crest Drive for road resurfacing. Single lane alternating traffic will be in place beginning at 7pm for milling of the existing pavement and preparation for repaving. Paving is anticipated Monday until Wednesday, between 7pm and 6am, weather dependent.

An attempted bank robbery in Saanich ended with 2 suspects shot dead and 6 injuries to officers on the Emergency Response Team. Three of the six officers who were shot are members of the Saanich Police Department, while the other three are members of the Victoria P-D. It happened yesterday morning around 11 when the ERT responded to a call about an armed robbery.

Sports

At Rogers Centre last night the Blue Jays started the game with 3 runs in the first inning and also got 2 in the bottom of the 9th to take the second of their 3 game series 6-5. They’ll play game 3 later this afternoon.

It’s not too surprising that BC Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke was named one of the league’s top players for last week. He passed for 436 yards, a CFL single-game record by a Canadian quarterback and completed 39 of 45 passes including four for touchdowns.

Scotiabank is pausing its sponsorship of Hockey Canada amid an ongoing scandal involving the sports organization’s settlement of a sexual assault lawsuit. It canceled its scheduled marketing and events at the World Juniors in August, as investments will be redirected in part to the Hockey Canada Assist Fund and the Women’s World Championship.

Serena Williams has lost her first singles match in nearly a year, getting beat by 115th-ranked Harmony Tan of France at Wimbledon. Williams, who is now 40, is a 23-time Grand Slam champion.

Toronto Blue Jays slugger Vlad Guerrero Jr. rejected an opportunity to participate in the 2022 Home Run Derby in order to avoid reinjuring his wrist. Guerrero was never placed on the injured list but missed a couple games in May due to a sore left wrist.

Former Pro Bowl cornerback Aqib Talib is joining Amazon’s team for Thursday Night Football for pregame, halftime, and postgame coverage. Amazon’s star-studded crew also features the likes of Richard Sherman, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Al Michaels, and Kirk Herbstreit.