Top Stories – Mar 17 – More Sweeping

Kelowna started this week and West Kelowna will start street sweeping next week. Crews will begin in the Gellatly Bay, Glen Canyon and Goats Peak neighbourhoods and work their way to higher elevations. You can get all the details on when they will be in a particular neighborhood at westkelownacity.ca/streetsweeping .

A Victoria-based non-profit is providing low-cost, fully functioning 3-D-printed prosthetic arms to amputees in resource-poor countries. Nick Dechev says the Hands for Ukraine project was launched shortly after Russia invaded and demand for prosthetics ballooned. He recently visited Lviv, where he set up one of two clinics he hopes will help the growing number of amputees across the country.

Former governor general David Johnston will oversee investigations into foreign interference in Canadian elections. His recommendations could include a public inquiry or another independent review process. The federal Liberals have pledged to make any recommendations public and abide by the guidance.

People in Edmonton and across Canada are paying tribute to two city police officers who were fatally shot early yesterday morning. Constables Brett Ryan and Travis Jordan were gunned down while responding to a domestic violence call. A police source says the shooter was a 16-year-old boy who also shot and wounded his mother. He was found dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

If you’re looking for a career in or around Kelowna, check out the Hiring and Post Secondary Education Event in a couple of weeks. Over 50 top exhibitors from BC will be there to accept your resumé. It takes place Thursday March 30 from 11-3 at the Coast Capri Hotel.

Even though more than half of Canadians think it’s time to reassess our relationship with the monarchy, the Prime Minister says there will be a special ceremony in the country in May to mark the coronation of King Charles III. It will be in Ottawa and be one of several events held over two days around May 6.

The Ladies Closet Cleanout returns on Sunday at the Laurel Packing House in Kelowna. There will be over 40 tables with gently used ladies’ clothing, shoes, and accessories available for sale at 50-80% off retail prices. It’s a cash-only event and costs 5 bucks to get in and it’s in support of The Bridge Youth Recovery House. Details at greatclosetcleanout.com .

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce says businesses expect subdued sales in the short term as they face continued cost and labour pressures, despite slowing inflation. The retail, accommodation and food services sectors are feeling the most pressure. Companies with at least five employees plan to address it through higher wages, more flexible work arrangements, and enhanced training.

Poland will send four Soviet-era Mig fighter jets to Ukraine, becoming the first NATO country to send planes since Russia invaded last year. The Polish President said they would be sent in the coming days, with others handed over in the future. Ukraine has previously asked Western countries for modern fighter jets such as the F-16.

Sports

As the regular season winds down, the Kelowna Rockets find themselves with another home and home series with the Kamloops Blazers this weekend. First game goes tonight in Kamloops with the pregame show on 104.7 The Lizard at 6:35. They are at Prospera tomorrow for a 7pm face off.

Last night at Mullett Arena in Tempe, Arizona, the Canucks opened their 3 game road trip with a 3-2 loss to the Coyotes. They head to L-A tomorrow.

The Women’s World Cup is getting an increase in prize money of more than 300% to 110-Million dollars for this year’s 32-team tournament. That’s still about a quarter of what the 32 men’s teams shared at last year’s World Cup.