Top Stories – Jan 4 – License Renewal

It’s a new year so time to renew your dog’s license, or get a new one if a puppy was in your Christmas stocking. In RDCO go to rdco.com/dogs to do that and if you renew before the end of February, you’ll save $20. On WFN, call the cashier at the main office to renew now, or go in if you’re registering a new family member.

A 19-year-old Ottawa man has been arrested for allegedly posting threatening tweets targeted at Parliament Hill, the Department of National Defence and two embassies. RCMP say Daniel Houde was arrested then released on unspecified conditions and will be in court on January 18. He allegedly targeted the embassies of the United States and China.

As expected, the Chinese government is unhappy that Canada and other countries are creating new COVID restrictions for people flying from China, but business groups say the policy won’t impact trade. Starting tomorrow, Canada will require air travellers from China to have a recent negative test. The Canada China Business Council says the change likely won’t affect trade, since flights between the countries have been sparse.

Across BC, lottery winners claimed $802 million in prizes in 2022. The BC Lottery Corporation says there were 24.5 million winning tickets worth 226 Million bucks sold in the Thompson Okanagan region. Aside from the winners, funds from lottery tickets sold in BC go to things like health care, education and community programs.

Don’t expect an increase in the homeowner grant from the province on your property taxes this year. The government says the amount will stay the same as 2022. The basic grant amount is as much as $770, or up to $1,045 for homeowners 65 or older, veterans and for people who have a disability or live with a relative who has a disability.

The lawyer for an Indigenous woman from Saskatchewan accused of faking her and her son’s death before illegally crossing the border into the United States has indicated her intention to go to trial. Dawn Walker and her seven-year-old child were reported missing in July after her pickup truck was found near a river. She faces nine charges, including child abduction, forging a passport, and identity fraud.

The RCMP are thanking the public for help in locating the two men accused of the November 2021 assault of a youth on the Rail Trail in Kelowna. One of the accused was released while the co-accused is in jail. Both Kelowna men are required make a court appearance next Monday.

Freedom Convoy 2.0 appears to be a bust. Canada Unity, one of the anti-government protest groups is calling off plans to restage the event this February. Founder James Bauder initially planned to bring a four-day blockade to Ottawa but then said it would be moved to Winnipeg. Now in a Facebook post he says it’s not going to happen, citing security breaches and personal character attacks on him.

Elon Musk is trying to slash expenses at Twitter to as close to zero as possible while his personal wealth shrinks. This apparently has included falling behind on rent payments at the company’s offices. Twitter owes $136,000 in overdue rent on its offices in a building in San Francisco, according to a lawsuit filed by the landlord.

Sports

WHL last night at Prospera Place the Rockets lost 4-2 to Victoria. Next up is a home and home series with Kamloops later this week.

It’s semi final day at the World Juniors in Halifax. In the first game Czechia plays Sweden at 11:30, and that’s followed by Canada and the United States at 3:30.

The Canucks dropped their 3rd straight game last night, this time 6-2 to the Islanders.

There was nothing new yesterday on the condition of Buffalo Bills Safety Damar Hamlin. His heart stopped, but was restarted following a routine tackle in the Monday Night game. He remains in ICU at U of Cincinnati Medical Center.

The Toronto Raptors are home today hosting the Bucks at 4:30.