Temperatures to drop after scorcher today
Weather that’s unusually warm but not quite record breaking will envelop the Okanagan today.
The high should be 32 C in Kelowna, Penticton and Vernon, according to Environment Canada.
While several degrees above the normal high for mid-August of 27 C, that’s still well below record levels.
The warmest Aug. 20 in Penticton, for example, was in 2009 when the temperature hit 36 C.
After today, temperatures should fall back into the seasonal range or slightly above average for the rest of the month, The Weather Network says, with lots of sun and little chance of rain right through the Labour Day weekend.
Alcohol believed a factor in crash on Wood Lake
A man is facing charges of operating a personal watercraft while intoxicated after two of the watercraft collided on Wood Lake, near Oyama, last Thursday.
The collision happened about 3:30 p.m., 12 metres from shore. Two men in a nearby boat rescued the two operators and brought them to shore. One reported minor injuries to police.
Police say a 37-year-old Edmonton man provided breath samples that were twice the legal limit.
RCMP are asking any witnesses, including the two men in the boat, to contact them at 250-766-2288.
Police arrest suspect in ‘Deadpool’ robbery
A mask may have helped identify a thief in a Vernon robbery.
Police say they have arrested a suspect in an Aug. 1 armed robbery, in which the suspect was described as wearing a “Deadpool” mask.
The thief threatened staff with a knife, but left the gas station with just a beverage and small toy after becoming impatient.
“As a result of the initial media release to the public, police received many viable tips and a suspect was identified,” said Cpl. Tania Finn, media relations officer with the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP.
Police executed a search warrant at the suspect’s residence and seized items relevant to their investigation. A 19-year-old Vernon man was arrested and remains in custody.
Deadpool is a foul-mouthed action hero who wears a mask to hide his disfigurement.
3-vehicle crash lands biker in hospital
A motorcyclist was hospitalized with serious injuries following a three-vehicle collision Sunday afternoon on Westside Road.
The motorcycle, operated by a 38-year-old Lake Country man, was headed north on Westside Road when it collided with an SUV turning left onto a side road, police said. The motorcycle then collided with a pickup truck travelling behind the SUV.
“As a result of the initial impact, it appears the operator of the motorcycle was thrown from the motorcycle prior to the motorcycle colliding with the third vehicle,” said Cpl. Tania Finn, spokesperson for the Vernon North Okanagan RCMP. “Due to the seriousness of the motorcyclist injuries, BC Air Ambulance attended to the scene to transport the man to hospital.”
The four occupants of the SUV and the lone occupant of the pickup were treated by paramedics at the scene for non-life-threatening injuries. RCMP continue to investigate.
Bus driver struck by illegal smoker
A transit driver who tried to enforce a nosmoking rule at a bus stop Monday was assaulted, Vernon police say.
The 59-year-old driver got out of his bus when he noticed a man smoking at the Vernon transit station at 8:45 a.m. But when he approached the man to tell him of the no-smoking rule, he was grabbed and physically assaulted.
The suspect then spat on a woman who attempted to intervene in the assault.
Police found the suspect nearby and arrested him without incident.
The bus driver is recovering in hospital, police say.
Grass fire extinguished near Connector
A grass fire that was spreading into trees was quickly knocked down Saturday evening.
The blaze was reported at 7:30 p.m. by many people near the Highway 97-Okanagan Connector interchange between Peachland and West Kelowna.
Fanned by strong winds, flames were moving
uphill, West Kelowna fire Chief Jason Brolund said.
Firefighters from three West Kelowna halls, as well as members of the BC Wildfire Service, were able to quickly contain the blaze. No homes were threatened and no evacuations were required.
The fire did not extend beyond two-10ths of a hectare. It is considered suspicious, and investigators are trying to determine the cause.
“The public is thanked for their quick reporting of this fire to 911,” Brolund says.
Motorist flees after hitting pedestrian
A 20-year-old man is in serious but stable condition in hospital after being struck by a hitand-run driver Saturday in Kelowna.
The incident happened at the corner of Bernard Avenue and Lakeview Street, near the Bankhead General Store, at 6:44 p.m.
“It was heartening to see countless bystanders stop to provide assistance and comfort to the pedestrian who lay injured on the roadway,” Kelowna RCMP Cpl. Jesse O’Donaghey said in a release.
“We are now encouraging anyone who witnessed the collision unfold to contact police immediately with your information,” said O’Donaghey, who also appealed for anyone with dash cam footage to call police.
The “notably damaged” suspect vehicle was spotted by witnesses being driven toward the William R. Bennett Bridge, O’Donaghey said.
The vehicle was found later by police along Westside Road. A 23-year-old man from Kelowna was arrested, and investigators conducted an impaired driving investigation.
Police arrest suspect in Peachland shooting
A man has been arrested in connection with a shooting at a home in Peachland.
The 31-year-old was taken into custody on Friday in West Kelowna.
Police say the victim in the Aug. 11 shooting, at a trailer park on the south side of Peachland, has been released from hospital and is recovering from the gunshot wound at home.
Microbrewery proposed for downtown Kelowna
Another small-scale brewery is proposed for Kelowna’s downtown north end.
The owners of Jackknife Brewing have plans to open soon at 727 Baillie Ave.
On Aug. 27, city council will consider whether to support or oppose the company’s application for a provincial liquor licence.
Planners recommend endorsement, saying the business fits in with the evolving commercial landscape in the area.
“The north end industrial area has a number of small-scale breweries and wineries,” planners write in a report to councillors.
Plans show a capacity of 70 people indoors and a 21-person patio.
“There are no residential dwellings in the immediate vicinity and the noise from the lounge and patio should not be a nuisance,” city planners say.
Other breweries and wineries in the area include Calona Wines, Sandhill, Kettle River, Vice and Virtue, and Red Bird.
Penticton-Kelowna bus to start runs Sept. 3
A new bus route linking Penticton and Kelowna will launch on Sept. 3.
The No. 70 Penticton-Kelowna bus, part of the South Okanagan-Similkameen Transit System, will provide two round trips at commuter times each weekday and two additional midday trips on Mondays.
It will also stop in Summerland.
The fare will be $5.
The No. 60 Osoyoos-Kelowna bus, which stopped in Penticton and ran only on Mondays, will be discontinued.
More information and schedules will be available at bctransit.com/south-okanagan-similkameen.
Peachland Fall Fair to mark 100th year
The 100th-anniversary Peachland Fall Fair will be held Sept. 7 and 8 at the town’s community centre.
The theme for this year’s event is “Pride in our past, faith in our future.”
Gardeners are invited to submit their best products in categories such as fruits, vegetables and flowers, which have been part of the fair since 1919.
“But many new categories have also emerged, such as recycled creations, writing categories, and an expanded photography section that now includes digital creations,” said Peachland Mayor Cindy Fortin.
There are 73 categories in the baking section alone, 48 categories for flowers, 30 needlework categories, and 46 categories in handicrafts.