Top Stories – Mar 23 – Stay Off Fields

It may be tempting to kick a soccer ball around on the fields but the City of Kelowna would like people to stay off them for now. The grass needs to be fully dried out and actively growing before the spring season begins to ensure quality turf and to avoid divots. Ball diamonds are scheduled to open April 7 and the remaining fields are scheduled to open on the 14th, weather permitting.

Police say two more bodies were recovered yesterday from the wreckage of a building in Old Montreal that was destroyed by fire last week, bringing the total number of confirmed victims to four. Authorities have not confirmed how many of the missing people were tourists but said they were from Quebec, Ontario and the United States.

You wouldn’t expect anything less, but TikTok’s CEO plans to tell Congress that the video-sharing app is committed to user safety, data protection and security, and keeping the platform free from Chinese government influence. He is to answer questions today from U.S. lawmakers concerned about the social media platform’s effects on its young user base and possible national security risks

Kelowna city council issued development permits for a 192 unit rental apartment building downtown at Lawrence and Gordon. The six-storey structure would have two levels of underground parking and a 50 space daycare center. There would be 91 one-bedroom apartments, 74 two-bedrooms and 27 three-bedrooms.

Canada is extending its emergency visa application period for Ukrainians looking to leave their country. The deadline to apply for the three-year visa will be extended to July 15th from its original deadline of March 31st. Ukrainians will still be able to apply for traditional work, study and visitor permits to come to Canada after the application period expires.

An 8,000 kilometre seaweed belt in the Atlantic Ocean is expected to wash onto beaches in the Caribbean, South Florida, and the Yucatán Peninsula over the next few months. The biomass stretching from West Africa to the Gulf of Mexico contains scattered patches of seaweed on the open sea, rather than one continuous blob. It’s not dangerous but is rather a nuisance of thick, brown algae that carpets beaches, releasing a pungent smell as it decays.

Kelowna Council gave first reading to a proposed Official Community Plan amendment to change the future land use designation of Kelowna Springs golf course to Private Recreational from Industrial. The property is still zoned Parks and Open Space and the amendment was forwarded to the June 6 public hearing.

The federal Liberals are moving ahead with plans to create an ownership registry after promising to increase transparency about who owns and controls corporations. It’s designed to make it easier to identify owners of corporations who launder money, commit financial crimes or evade taxes.

President Joe Biden and first lady Dr. Jill Biden arrive in Ottawa today and the streets and skies are showing signs of the security locals can expect for the country’s first presidential visit in seven years. Ottawa police have warned residents of an increased police presence, as they turn parking lots into staging areas for officers. The Armed Forces also confirmed it would be providing air security during Biden’s visit.

Sports

The West Kelowna Warriors won’t know until the weekend who they will be playing in the BC Hockey League playoffs. As it stands right now the teams in 3rd to 7th place are only separated by three points. For example, West Kelowna is in 4th and Vernon is in 6th with both having 58 points.

The Vancouver Canucks host the San Jose Sharks tonight before they hit the road for three games. Face off is at 7 at Rogers Arena.

Major League Baseball will be making minor changes to rules regarding the new pitch clock but won’t be changing the time restrictions players have been getting accustomed to during spring training. The average length of a game has dropped to 2 hours and 36 minutes from 3 hours and 1 minute.