Top Stories – Apr 6 – Lots Of Cops

A large police presence in Rutland yesterday was to serve a search warrant. RCMP say it happened in the 200 block of Nickel road. They add that there is nothing for the public to worry about and they don’t expect to release any more information.

The provincial government is proposing amendments to the motor vehicle act that would allow BC to regulate automated vehicles. It would include licensing, insurance, and support research, testing and use of these vehicles on roadways. Highly and fully automated vehicles are not currently authorized for manufacture or sale under federal law.

A lawyer told a Federal Court hearing, the government was justified in using the Emergencies Act last year, as the “Freedom Convoy” movement showed no signs of being brought under control. Civil liberties and constitutional defence groups have argued this week that the government did not meet the legal threshold for taking the extraordinary step.

Design concepts have been drafted that include revamped parking areas and upgrades to two key trails in Kalamoir Regional Park. Check out yoursay.rdco.com to view the parking and Sunnyside and Water Front trail concepts. The Regional District will use the new plan to guide management of the park over the next 20 years.

After the Coquihalla was closed last week due to snow, people hitting the road for the Easter Long Weekend are reminded to prepare for changing and unpredictable road conditions. ICBC data shows an average of two people are killed and 610 others are injured in 2,200 crashes in BC over the weekend.

Former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney’s family says he is recovering after undergoing treatment in Montreal for prostate cancer. His daughter Caroline says the family expects the 84 year old to be “back to normal in the coming weeks.” He was prime minister from 1984 to 93, as leader of the Progressive Conservatives.

As expected, BC’s minimum wage is going up on June 1st. It will rise from $15.65 an hour to $16.75. The provincial government says the 6.9% increase reflects BC’s average annual inflation rate in 2022. The same increase will apply to wages for residential caretakers, live-in home-support workers and camp leaders.

The SPCA in BC says it is experiencing an influx of surrendered puppies, some of which were bred as pandemic pets. 350 puppies have come into its care this year, compared to 200 at the same time in 2022. The agency says many are from individuals who turned to breeding to make money during the pandemic but are now overwhelmed with the costs of caring for animals as the market for puppies has decreased.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to neighbouring Poland has brought pledges of deeper military and economic co-operation. Poland’s president says 10 more MiG-29s are on the way. Zelenskyy says his government welcomes businesses that want to help with Ukraine’s post-war rebuilding, which the World Bank has estimated could cost 411-Billion dollars.

Sports

The Kelowna Rockets season is over after a 3-0 loss to Seattle last night. The T-Birds took the best of 7 in 4 straight games.

In the BCHL playoffs in Vernon last night, the Vipers scored three goals in the first period and went on to beat West Kelowna 7-0. With the best of 7 tied at 2, game 5 goes tomorrow at Royal LePage Place.

The Vancouver Canucks will try and get back on the winning track tonight when Chicago visits Rogers Arena at 7.

One of the biggest golf tournaments of the year gets underway today as the Masters tees off at Augusta. Scottie Scheffler, who currently sits atop the PGA Tour rankings is the defending champion.