Top Stories – Apr 25 – Fatal Accident

A terrible accident in West Kelowna yesterday morning. An 82-year-old woman was struck and killed by a pickup in a parking lot at the WalMart on Louie Drive. RCMP say the driver remained on scene and was cooperating with police. The victim’s family has been notified, but her name has not been released.

Less than a week for eligible property owners, farmers and other large lot owners with permits from their local fire department, to conduct Open Burning. Sunday is the last day to burn specific wood debris outdoors. Both the Venting and Air Quality must be good for burning to happen in the Central Okanagan and details are at rdco.com/airquality .

The union representing thousands of striking federal civil servants has moved its picket lines to strategic locations, such as ports, that are more likely to have an impact on the federal government. Meanwhile, the Union of Taxation Employees, which is negotiating a contract for more than 35-thousand striking Canada Revenue Agency workers, says it hasn’t been at the bargaining table in a week.

A large willow tree which is inside an active construction area for Kelowna’s newest waterfront park on Cedar Avenue was set on fire on Saturday… Earth Day. The fire was discovered burning in the root system about 1:30pm and the tree was significantly damaged and will need to be removed. Anyone who may have witnessed the vandalism, or has information, is asked to call RCMP or crime stoppers.

Drivers who didn’t slow down and move over for flashing lights on Highway 97 at the Ellison Lake turnoff yesterday afternoon, got a first hand reminder. The Kelowna RCMP and BCAA were set up with a tow truck that had its lights flashing as part of the Slow Down, Move Over, Drivers Awareness Campaign. A total of 265 drivers at 2 locations were given warning letters.

The Transport Minister says airlines’ use of loopholes around traveller compensation, especially during the pandemic, left Ottawa with no choice but to strengthen passenger rights rules. Carriers frequently cited safety as the reason for last-minute cancellations. Amendments also ratchet up the maximum penalty for carrier violations to $250,000… a tenfold increase, which airlines say could trickle down in the form of higher fares.

One man is in hospital in critical condition and another is in custody after a serious incident on Abbott Street in Kelowna Saturday morning. RCMP say the injured man had fallen from a second floor balcony of the apartment in the 1700 block. Police are asking anyone who witnessed the event or has video from around the area at 7am, to contact them.

Kelowna Council approved a 3.78% increase in property taxes yesterday. Notices will be sent out in late May and payment is due July 4. The total includes other levies the City collects on behalf of the Province, the Regional District, Okanagan Library, and BC Assessment Authority.

A study by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business says the average small business owner is working the equivalent of an eight-day workweek due to staffing challenges, especially in Western Canada. In BC, 75% of small business owners say they are working much longer hours. To compensate for staff shortages, it was 84% in hospitality and 82% in agriculture.

Sports

The Toronto Blue Jays began a home stand against the Chicago White Sox and a four-run fourth inning helped the home squad to a 5-2 win. They will play again today at 4.

Sean White of the BC Lions will be the second top earning kicker in the CFL this season. The White Rock native will earn a base of $130,000 with bonuses it could go to $133,000… 3,000 less than Saskatchewan’s Brent Lauther.

The deal is finally done, Aaron Rodgers is joining the New York Jets from the Green Bay Packers. The Jets will get the quarterback and two draft choices, while the Packers will receive three draft picks.