Top Stories – Sept 8 – New Local Fire

BC Wildfire crews were attacking a new blaze from the ground and air west of Glenrosa last night between Trepanier and the ski club. The Jack Creek fire was last estimated at 2 hectares. Ten firefighters were on the ground yesterday evening but it wasn’t known if they were going to stay overnight. Helicopters and air tankers did what they could before it got dark.

The provincial government has announced that rent increases for next year will be capped at 2 percent, instead of the usual inflation rate plus 2 percent, which is far higher. Also, the Climate Action Tax Credit for low and moderate income British Columbians will increase to an additional $164 per adult and $41 per child. And in January, February and March, the BC Family Benefit will rise by as much as $58.33 per child.

If you thought you’d been seeing For Sale signs up at homes a lot longer these days, you are right. Single family home sales in the Central Okanagan were down by 28 percent, to 170 last month compared to a year ago. The benchmark price remained just over a Million dollars.

A prolific shoplifter was to appear in court yesterday after West Kelowna RCMP found him with a car load of stolen stuff. The man, who police didn’t identify, was spotted loading stolen merchandise into his vehicle and arrested him on the spot. RCMP say the stolen goods he’s responsible for have been valued in the thousands of dollars.

Smoke that was visible and ‘smellable’ over a lot of Kelowna early yesterday was probably coming from a boat that caught fire while it was on a lift by the Eldorado. Kelowna Fire department suspects that the motor or something linked to the motor was running all night and because the boat was out of the water, it overheated and caused the fire. There were no injuries but the boat is pretty much a write-off.

There is a tentative contract agreement between the BC General Employees Union and the province. These are people who work in the Liquor Distribution Branch, social services, and public safety, including sheriffs and correctional officers. The Union says the deal offers wage increases between 10 and 12% plus a one time subsidy payment for 20 job categories.

Here’s something you thankfully don’t see everyday. RCMP say a Kelowna private school bus driver has been nailed for speeding… in a school zone. There were kids on board at the time, but police did not say where it happened. The bus was stopped, the driver was given a written warning and the driver’s supervisor was also contacted.

A mobile home was heavily damaged by fire early yesterday morning on Jaud Road in Southeast Kelowna. First arriving crew reported heavy flames and black smoke coming from the home. Four engines, a bush truck, a command unit, safety unit, RCMP, Fortis and paramedics were sent to the 430am fire along with 22 fire personal. There was no one home at the time.

After several days of intense investigation and searching, a tragic incident that left 10 people dead and 18 others wounded has come to an end. Saskatchewan RCMP confirmed suspect Myles Sanderson was arrested yesterday near Rosthern, between Saskatoon and Prince Albert. Associated Press reported that after he was arrested, he died, apparently from self-inflicted injuries. Myles and his brother Damien Sanderson were named as suspects in the Sunday attacks. Damien’s body was found on Monday.

Sports

As you may have heard, there’s a new place to get all your Kelowna Rockets info. It’s called Rocketfan, and will have team interviews, backgrounders and news you won’t find anywhere else, including insight from play by play guy Regan Bartel. Check out the website at rocketfan.ca and Instagram @rocketfan.ca .

The Edmonton Oilers announced the establishment of a franchise Hall of Fame and a star-studded group will be inducted into the inaugural 2022 class. Wayne Gretzky, Jari Kurri, Grant Fuhr, Paul Coffey, Mark Messier, Glenn Anderson and Kevin Lowe will be among the 10 inductees on November 3.

The NFL regular season kicks off tonight with just 1 game as the Buffalo Bills visit the Rams in Los Angeles. There are no games tomorrow or Saturday, but a full slate of 14 contests on Sunday.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have released controversial defensive lineman Garrett Marino. He was suspended for four games earlier this year after an illegal hit and using racial language at Redblacks’ quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, and an illegal hit on offensive lineman Dino Boyd.

New York Jets quarterback Zach Wilson will miss at least the first three games of the season. He was initially given a two-to-four week timeline after suffering a meniscus tear and bone bruise in the preseason opener and undergoing surgery. Joe Flacco will be the starting pivot.

The Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson have been discussing a contract extension during the offseason. However, there’s nothing imminent as he looks for a fully guaranteed deal heading into the final year of his rookie contract. He will make 23 million this season after making only 9.4 million in his first four campaigns combined.