Top Stories – Jan 18 Ambulance Swiped

Penticton RCMP have arrested and forwarded charges against a man after the theft of an ambulance. Police say he got into it at the hospital and took off. It was found abandoned a few blocks away. About 45 minutes later, the suspect was found hiding in some bushes by a house after a call from a neighbour.

The deal which has the NDP supporting the Liberals in Ottawa could be in jeopardy, which could lead to a federal election. At a party retreat this week, members are expected to discuss getting more wins out of their confidence-and-supply agreement with the minority Liberals. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has threatened to pull out of the deal if action isn’t taken to improve health care.

The fastest Corvette ever made comes out later this year, and it’s not powered soley by a V8. The E-Ray is a gas electric hybrid, the first all-wheel-drive version with the front wheels running on an electric motor and the traditional 6.2-liter V8 in the back. The $104,000 car goes from zero to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds. GM says it can cover a quarter mile in 10.5 seconds.

Kelowna RCMP responded to a call early yesterday after a taxi driver was assaulted. He had picked up a man and took him to the Raymer Road and Riley Court area. The cabbie told police he was assaulted, causing the taxi to drive into a fence. The suspect, then robbed the driver, and ran off. Paramedics took the driver to hospital to be checked. The suspect was later tracked down and arrested.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says she is no longer pursuing pardons for COVID health-rule violators because Canada doesn’t work that way. Smith has delivered multiple, and at times contradictory, explanations for who she talked to and what was talked about regarding prosecutions. The Opposition called for an independent investigation into whether Smith interfered by trying to influence prosecutors.

The World Economic Forum says billionaire Elon Musk wasn’t on the guest list for the annual meeting of business executives, global leaders and cultural trend-setters in Davos, Switzerland, despite what the Twitter owner claims. A spokeperson says the last time he was invited was 2015. Musk claimed last month that he wasn’t going because it sounded boring.

Durali Properties has added a second Kelowna golf course to its portfolio of companies. It has purchased Tower Ranch for an undisclosed amount. The company already owns Sunset Ranch and other holdings including fast food restaurants, hotel, and real estate developments.

Police have released more info about a terrible crash in the Kootenays on Monday that killed 3 members of one family and left a 2 year old orphaned. RCMP say the driver was attempting a u-turn on Highway 3A north of Castlegar when it appears the car was hit by a pickup. The grandmother is looking after the child and a Go Fund Me has been set up.

Music icon Madonna will “Take a Bow” with a new tour starting this summer that will be a compilation of her best hits. The 35-city, “Madonna: The Celebration Tour” will kick off July 15th at Rogers Arena in Vancouver. She says she’s excited to explore as many songs as possible in hopes of giving her fans the show they have been waiting for.

Sports

The Vancouver Canucks begin a 4 game home stand tonight at Rogers Arena. First up are the Tampa Bay Lightning who beat them 5-4 last week.

The Toronto Raptors, who are last in the NBA’s Atlantic Conference were in Milwaukee, who are first in the Central Conference last night, and the Bucks took a 130-122 win.

The Los Angeles Chargers have fired offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi and quarterbacks coach Shane Day. Lombardi was criticized for failing to maximize the potential of QB Justin Herbert, who ranks 33rd out of 37 quarterbacks in air yards per pass attempts over the last two seasons.