Top Stories – Feb 17 – Yacht Club #1

The Kelowna Yacht Club is the first freshwater marina in the province to achieve a five-anchor rating from Clean Marine BC. It’s also the first to be certified in the interior by the voluntary eco-certification program for marinas, harbour authorities, yacht clubs, and boatyards. The Georgia Strait reports the ratings reflect operational practices and initiatives that help to reduce the impact of recreational boating in BC.

Canada’s premiers wrote to Prime Minister Trudeau asking for regular reviews to be established as part of health care funding talks, saying the system needs predictability. Ottawa has offered more than $46 Billion to provinces and territories to augment the Canada Health Transfer but the premiers say it’s not enough.

Tesla is recalling nearly 363,000 vehicles with its ‘Full Self-Driving’ system to fix problems with the way it behaves around intersections and following posted speed limits. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says the company will fix it with an online software update.

Kelowna will share in some $20 Million in active transportation grants from the province. The exact amount wasn’t released, but it will go toward the Casorso Active Transportation Corridor Project. This work will extend the Ethel/Casorso Corridor from KLO to Lanfranco by adding protected bike lanes.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is recalling PC brand “Canadian Cheddar” cheese due to possible Listeria contamination. The affected product is 250 grams and has a best-before date of Aug. 24. It was sold in Loblaw stores including Superstore, but so far there have been no reported illnesses.

President Joe Biden has addressed the recent shooting down of a Chinese spy balloon and 3 other objects over the U-S and Canada. Biden said they don’t yet know exactly what the 3 objects were but the current assessment is that they were most likely balloons tied to private companies, recreation, or research institutions.

More than 110 volunteer and composite fire departments throughout BC will receive a share of $6.3 million to bolster firefighting response. In the Central Okanagan Regional District, Joe Rich Fire Rescue and North Westside Fire Rescue have been approved for $57,600 in training and equipment.

The Interior Health authority is the recipient of ‘Canada’s top employers for young people’ award. C-E-O Susan Brown says she’s incredibly proud of their employees and grateful for their commitment, even during challenging times in health care. It’s the first time I-H has won the national award, although it has been named to the list of BC’s top employers nine times.

Some experts say Canada needs to improve security in the Arctic after four flying objects were recently discovered, tracked and shot down in recent weeks. Former Joint Task Force North commander Pierre Leblanc says investments should include a deep-sea port and a new airport in Resolute Bay. Leblanc says successive federal governments have not sufficiently invested in the country’s defence, including surveillance of Arctic waters.

Sports

The Kelowna Rockets have two home games over the long weekend. Pregame show on 1047 The Lizard for tomorrow’s contest against Portland begins at 6:35. Tri Cities is here Monday afternoon at 2.

The Canucks have one more home game before they hit the road for a couple. The Flyers visit Rogers Arena tomorrow night at 7.

The BC Lions added another veteran and two-time Grey Cup champion to the fold with the signing of American defensive back Mike Jones. He spent last year in Montreal.