Top Stories – Oct 4 – Prolific Offender Caught

Kelowna RCMP caught another prolific offender after a report that someone had broken into a business in the 1900 block of Bredin Road early yesterday. They recovered some property in a couple of wagons. The suspect is from the Lower Mainland and is listed on 220 police files including shoplifting, theft of vehicle, causing a disturbance and assault. He has been convicted 33 times since 2017.

A 27 year old Kelowna man is facing charges after 3 purses were stolen from older women as they dealt with their groceries. The thefts happened over 4 days. Using descriptions from the victims, RCMP were able to identify a suspect and arrest him and he could be charged with Theft Under $5000 and Possession of Stolen Property.

In case you didn’t know, tomorrow is Energy Efficiency Day. FortisBC, is reminding customers to prepare for colder weather by monitoring their energy use and familiarizing themselves with steps they can take to conserve energy and save money on their monthly energy bill. Heat loss is money loss, so the company has some tips to keep that heat inside the home. Go to fortisbc.com/tips .

Don’t expect that extra bump in your GST refund payment to come this month. The legislation to provide it has not passed in the House of Commons yet. Canada Revenue Agency says if it passes it would come as a one time payment outside the regular schedule.

In West Kelowna, crews will begin construction work today to install water mains on Westlake Road to connect to the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant. This is the final phase of construction required prior to connecting residents to the new water system. Westlake Road from Starlight Crescent to Horizon Drive will be closed to vehicle traffic 24 hours a day, including weekends until Nov. 30.

Finding a use for surplus apples has been fruitful for a group of students from Okanagan College. They were named 2022 National Champion by Enactus Canada. Their Fruit Snaps project takes unused apples and creates nutritious apple chips through a partnership with the North Okanagan Gleaners Society. The chips are then donated to local schools, community organizations, and developing countries.

Days after the skies cleared and the winds died down in Florida, Hurricane Ian’s effects persist. People face another week without power and others are being rescued from homes inundated with floodwaters. At least 68 people have been confirmed dead from Cuba to North Carolina.

A teacher at Peachland Elementary school has received a regional Certificate of Achievement from the Prime Minister’s Awards for Teaching Excellence. Christi Ogg teaches kindergarten and grade 1 and was recognized for exemplary teaching skills that lead to highly successful learning and social outcomes for her students.

Apple Music has crossed a huge milestone, offering its 100 millionth song on the streaming service. That’s more than YouTube Music’s 80 million, Spotify’s 82 million tracks and podcasts, and Amazon Music’s 90 million songs. Forty percent of Apple Music’s offerings are in English and the number of languages and dialects are up to 350.

Sports

Kelowna Rockets forward Andrew Cristall was named WHL Player of the Week for last week. The 2023 NHL Draft prospect recorded five points in two outings last week, helping the Rockets split a two-game road series against the Prince George Cougars.

In NHL exhibition in Edmonton last night, the Vancouver Canucks suffered their 5th straight loss, this time 7-2 to the Oilers. They’ll play again tomorrow at the Abbotsford Centre.

The Toronto Blue Jays began their last regular season road trip in Baltimore last night. The rains came down hard in the 8th inning and the game was eventually called and the Blue Jays ended up winning by a score of 5 to 1.

White Sox manager Tony La Russa announced he’s stepping down from his position due to health issues. He said he had an issue fixed in the spring relating to a pacemaker installed in February, but a second one showed up in August.

Monday Night Football was in San Francisco and the 49ers sent the hometown fans home happy with a 24-9 win over the LA Rams. Both teams are now 2 & 2, just like Arizona and Seattle in the NFC West.

Senators goalie Cam Talbot will miss five-to-seven weeks with an upper-body injury. The team claimed Magnus Hellberg off waivers from the Kraken to help fill the void. Ottawa picked up Talbot in an offseason trade with Minnesota.