Top Stories – Sept 16

You may already see some campaign signs up, but tomorrow officially marks the start of the municipal election campaign season. Elections BC is reminding candidates, elector organizations, and third party advertising sponsors that there are expense limits. Voting day is Saturday October 15th.

While transit workers in the Central Okanagan are increasing job action, their counterparts in the North Okanagan are just beginning theirs. Bus drivers in Vernon and the Shuswap are not wearing uniforms and are passing out information to passengers. Both groups have the same employer, First Transit, and those in the North have some bargaining scheduled for the end of the month.

Buckingham Palace released details of the state funeral to take place for Queen Elizabeth on Monday. It will begin at 3am our time. After, the coffin will be transported from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch near Buckingham Palace on a horse-drawn gun carriage, with King Charles and other Royal Family members walking behind. They will then hold a private burial service at the King George VI Memorial Chapel, where the Queen will be interred with her late husband, Prince Philip.

Canada is sending 15 delegates to the Queen’s state funeral as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Governor General Mary Simon and their spouses will lead the delegation. Former prime ministers Kim Campbell, Jean Chrétien, Paul Martin and Stephen Harper will be joined at Westminster Abbey by Assembly of First Nations National Chief RoseAnne Archibald.

There were 192 deaths from toxic drugs in BC in July… a big jump from the 147 recorded in June. The BC Coroner’s Service says nearly 1,300 deaths due to toxic drugs have been reported between January and July… a record number for the first seven months of a calendar year. In Kelowna, there have been 51 deaths so far this year, compared to 75 in all of 2021.

A study by JD Power shows Canadians are charging slightly less to their primary credit cards than they did a year ago as inflation remains high and buy now, pay later services grow more prominent. However it found cash, debit and other non-credit card-related spending is up 51% this year. Personal loans are the most popular lending alternatives, considered by 21% of customers mulling a large purchase, followed by buy now, pay later companies at 17 percent.

Bears are bulking up for winter hibernation right now and their favorite foods are fruit that has fallen from trees and salmon. With that in mind, comes the annual reminder that visitors to parks should travel in a group and make some noise on trails to let bears know you’re around. And if you are picking up fruit off the ground, make sure you put it in a secured container.

Accelerate Okanagan has launched a Salary and Compensation Study, which in addition to salaries, will assess aspects of benefits. It’s open to Okanagan companies through November 4, and is designed to support businesses that would like to check their salary and compensation practices. Companies looking for more information, or wanting to take part in the study can visit Accelerate Okanagan’s website.

BC M.P. Elizabeth May says she never threatened to quit the Green Party, and an email suggesting as much was a “mischaracterization” by a well-meaning staffer. An internal email from MP Mike Morrice’s office, said he and May were ready to leave and sit as Independents if the party leadership race was suspended. The Greens launched the contest this summer.

Sports

The Kelowna Rockets wrap up their pre season with 2 games against the Vancouver Giants tonight and tomorrow. Tonight they’re at Prospera Place for a 7:05 face off and tomorrow they move to the Fraser Valley.

The Blue Jays are finally getting to play a different team. After 5 against Tampa, the Baltimore Orioles are at Rogers Centre for 3 games this weekend.

Just 3 games for week 16 in the CFL. The Elks take on the Roughriders tonight at 6:30, then tomorrow it’s Winnipeg and Hamilton at 1, followed by the Lions in Calgary at 4.

The Tampa Bay Rays made major league history yesterday by starting nine Latin American players against the Toronto Blue Jays. It happened as baseball celebrated Roberto Clemente Day, honoring the late Hall of Fame outfielder from Puerto Rico.

Week 2 in the NFL began last night in Kansas City and saw the Chiefs improve to 2 & 0 with a 27-24 win against the Chargers. It continues this weekend with the Seahawks taking on the 49ers Sunday at 1pm and there are 2 games on Monday night.

Seahawks safety Jamal Adams will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn quadriceps tendon. Adams was hurt while trying to sack Russell Wilson in Monday’s win over the Denver Broncos.