Top Stories – Nov 24 – Coquihalla Incident

The Coquihalla Highway was closed yesterday afternoon between Hope and Merritt, but this time it had nothing to do with snow. It was initially called an ‘active and unfolding police incident’ and a number of RCMP vehicles were seen speeding in that direction through West Kelowna. It was reopened just before 7pm, but police said no further info would be released until today.

The Province has committed 230-million dollars over the next three years to bolster RCMP staffing levels throughout BC. It will be for detachments to hire new recruits coming out of Depot, rather than go through a municipality’s budgeting process. Premier David Eby said there are about 277 vacancies.

A Canadian teenager was killed and dozens of people were injured in two explosions at bus stops in the middle of morning rush hour yesterday in Jerusalem. The Canadian ambassador confirmed the fatality. It was the first attack on civilians in Israel since 2016.

Good news for anyone wanting to travel the Trans Canada Highway between BC and Alberta. The Kicking Horse Canyon section will reopen tomorrow at 6am. Nearly two kilometres of new eastbound bridge and viaduct structures will be in use, getting rid of the old, sharp corners.

Some new cars have long waiting times until delivery, so more and more people are deciding to keep up maintenance on their current vehicle. BCAA says 70 percent of drivers in the province are hanging on to their cars longer than they had initially planned. About 93 percent of people they surveyed said it was worthwhile to invest in their used cars because of the cost of replacing it.

Police in Alberta and B.C. have arrested seven individuals who allegedly formed a multimillion-dollar, multi-year, nationwide money laundering ring tied to real estate in Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto. Business in Vancouver reports that not only were they moving cash, which in one year amounted to 24 Million dollars, it went back to at least 2013.

Joggers, athletes and people keeping fit in the gym may be able to get rid of clingy damp clothes after workout. Working with Lululemon, UBC Okanagan researchers and their partners are working to develop a next-generation fabric that will keep a person warm, dry and comfortable regardless of temperature and level of exertion. No indication when the products might be available.

The mayor of Burlington, west of Toronto says municipal employees will have to wear masks for the next six weeks amid rising illnesses among staff and in the wider community. She says increasing staff absences have made it difficult to deliver city services and the situation is causing burnout among those remaining who must cover the work of their sick colleagues.

The Emergency SOS satellite system has been operating on the iPhone 14 in Canada for a week. Outdoor experts welcome the new technology; however, they warn those wanting to use it to have a good understanding of how it works. You can use the device to text emergency services by satellite connection without cellular and Wi-Fi coverage. BC Adventure Smart says completing a trip plan that outlines your destination is vital to help find you.

Sports

The Kelowna Rockets mini 2-game winning streak came to an end in Seattle last night after the T-Birds took a 4-2 win. The Rockets stay south for a game tomorrow in Everett.

Canada’s first soccer game in 36 years at the Men’s World Cup was a 1-0 loss to Belgium. The next game is Sunday against Croatia.

The Vancouver Canucks got 2 goals in the third period and hung on for a 4-3 win against the Avalanche in Denver. Next up is a Saturday game in Vegas.

It’s Thanksgiving Day down south so that means turkey and football. Buffalo and Detroit at 9:30, Giants and Cowboys at 1:30, and Minnesota hosts New England at 5:20.