Top Stories – Sept 29 – Ian Comes Ashore

Hurricane Ian made landfall in Florida as a category 4 storm about noon our time yesterday but the strongest, most destructive winds came ashore about 5 hours after that. Residents were told to prepare for 8 to 14 feet of storm surge. Hundreds of thousands of people are without power this morning and because of the damage, could be without it for weeks.

The COVID-19 fall booster program started this month and will be joined by the annual flu vaccine campaign in October. It will launch the week of Oct. 11, following the long weekend, and vaccines will be available in participating pharmacies and health authority clinics. Public health officials continue to recommend the flu shot for everyone older than six months and its free.

Believe it or not it’s getting to be that time when Winter tires are required for traveling the mountain highways. Trucks need to carry chains. Saturday, which is October 1st, is the changeover date. Tire experts recommend ones with the three-peaked mountain and snowflake symbols, as they perform better than the mud and snow tires once the temperature drops below seven degrees.

As we observe National Day for Truth and Reconciliation tomorrow, the Westbank First Nation Museum in the Okanagan Landing Shopping Centre will be open from10am to 4pm. It will be premiering its newest exhibit “What Does it Mean to be Syilx?”. The exhibit focuses on the voices of community members and their artistic and written expression of identity. Everyone is welcome to drop-in, enjoy some bannock and tea, and learn all about the syilx people.

More drugs are off the streets after an RCMP officer checked a car near the rail trail homeless camp. The driver was unlicenced and was told the car would be towed. When the driver was getting his stuff, police found what appeared to be a small amount of drugs on the seat and floor mat. An arrest was made and during a subsequent search RCMP located several bags of illicit drugs, large amounts of cash, baggies, and an airsoft pistol.

Tourism Minister Melanie Mark, who is the first, First Nations woman MLA, has told Premier Horgan that she is resigning her cabinet portfolio to go on medical leave to focus on pressing and urgent personal matters. The premier has asked Lisa Beare, the Minister of Citizens’ Services, to assume responsibility for Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, effective immediately.

Transit buses could stay at the barn starting next Wednesday. Central Okanagan drivers say the employer, First Transit, has shown no interest in returning to the bargaining table. So far, in an effort not to stage a walkout, drivers have ditched their uniforms, are not forcing people to pay fares, and have refused to work overtime.

The BC Coroners Service says toxic drugs claimed the lives of at least 169 people in August, down from July, but bringing the total number of lives lost this year to 1,468. Seventy-one percent of those dying were between 30 and 59, and 78% were men. In Kelowna, there have been 54 recorded deaths this year, which is on pace to be the worst year ever.

As the cold months approach, Snowbird Advisor president Stephen Fine says some Canadians are opting for a shorter travel period to the U-S, or eyeing different destinations due to the rising cost of everything combined with a weak Loonie. He says some are opting for more cost-effective destinations outside of the States, including Mexico, Costa Rica and Belize… and do a four-month stay rather than the typical six.

Sports

The Kelowna Rockets are on the road this weekend with 2 games in Prince George against the Cougars. You will hear all the action on 1047 The Lizard and rocketfan.ca . First game goes tomorrow and Regan Bartel will have the pre-game show at 6:30. Saturday’s game starts 1 hour earlier.

The Toronto Blue Jays are off today before the Boston Red Sox are at Rogers Centre for 3 games on the weekend. Last night against the Yankees, they lost 8-3. New York’s Aaron Judge hit home run #61, 61 years after Roger Maris hit the record in 1961.

The West Kelowna Warriors have their first 2 home games of the season this weekend. First up, the Wenatchee Wild are at Royal LePage place tomorrow at 7. That’s followed by a game against the Penticton Vees on Saturday, also at 7.

The BC Lions are still at home this week for a game which on paper at least, shows they should win. The Ottawa Redblacks are at BC Place stadium tomorrow night at 7:30.

The Vancouver Canucks have 2 exhibition games against the Seattle Kraken over the next few days. The first is tonight at Roger’s Arena at 6:30, then they move to Seattle for a game on Saturday.

Thursday Night Football is at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati as the as the 1 and 2 Bengals host the 3 and 0 Miami Dolphins. Kick off is at 5:15. The Seahawks are in Detroit Sunday morning.