Top Stories – Dec 2 – Warming Bus

A 24-passenger bus is now parked overnight at Kelowna’s designated outdoor sheltering site, providing a safe place for people to warm up. The bus is supplied by a third-party contractor with experience providing a similar service in Vernon. It will be there through Monday morning with a driver and security and will be available as needed beyond the current cold snap and through the winter when temperatures fall.

It will be chilly and possibly snowy, but the warmth of the season will be on Brown Road in West Kelowna later today. Events for the annual Christmas light-up between Gossett and Main , which will be closed from 3 to 9, get underway at 5 with the switch being flicked at 6. Then at 8:30 there will be a high altitude fireworks display, weather permitting that we’re told can be seen from Westbank Centre to Gellatly Bay.

The three recently elected Parti Québécois members who refused to swear the oath of office to the King were barred from taking their seats in the legislature. Elected Quebec members must take two oaths – one to the Quebec people and another to the King. However, Premier François Legault said that his government would table a motion next week to abolish the oath to the King.

Free parking on Saturdays are back in the downtown core of Kelowna this month. It passed unanimously in the new council even though the city will give up 35-thousand dollars in revenue. It does not include off-street lots, no parking and handicap zones and time limits will still be in effect.

It really blows and the city thinks it needs a name. Kelowna’s new snow blower can fill 500 trucks an hour and weighs in at more than 5 tons. The winner will get a photo shoot and demonstration with the snow blower along with a Snow Angels prize pack. Entries, especially from kids are welcome and details are on the city’s website.

Ninety-four percent of BC’s 49,000 public school teachers have ratified a 3 year contract. With cost of living adjustments the total wage increase over the period could total about 13%. Other benefits include access to registered clinical counsellors and social workers, and standard maternity supplemental employment benefits across the province.

At least they won’t have to worry about the ice melting anytime soon. The Stuart Park outdoor rink is now open regular hours from 6am to 10pm daily as weather permits. If you don’t have your own skates, they are available to rent between 11am and 8pm every day except Christmas. No hockey sticks allowed and the rink is closed Monday mornings from 6-8 for maintenance.

A Kelowna RCMP officer has been found not guilty of assault in an incident dating back to May of 2020. A judge found that Constable Siggy Emmit-Steven Pietrzak used ‘necessary force’ in the arrest of Tyler Russell. He jumped in with fists flying when he saw other officers struggling to arrest Russell who was bigger and stronger than they were.

Employees in federally regulated private-sector workplaces will be eligible for 10 days of paid sick leave. As of Dec. 31, workers who have been continuously employed for at least 30 days will have access to three paid sick days. They will then get a fourth on February 1, and will accumulate one additional day at the start of every month up to a maximum of 10 days per year.

Sports

The Kelowna Rockets have the first of 3 games in 3 nights tonight in Washington. Face off against Spokane is at 7:05 with Regan Bartel’s pre game show at 6:35 on 1047 The Lizard.

Three goals in the last 2 minutes of the first period helped the Florida Panthers to a win over the Canucks. Vancouver hosts Arizona tomorrow.

In Canada’s final game at the World Cup yesterday, the men’s squad lost 2-1 to Morocco.

Thursday Night Football in New England saw the Buffalo Bills improve to 9 & 3 with a 24-10 win against the Patriots.