Countdown is on for Canada Day celebrations in Kelowna – Kelowna News
Photo: Brayden Ursel
Saint Joseph’s Catholic Elementary School hosted a car wash to help raise money for the people of Ukraine as they defend themselves from Russian invasion.
Kate Hopley’s 6th grade class came up with the fundraiser themselves as a part of their justice program. They were inspired by a classmate who is Ukrainian and currently has family family overseas.
“The students have really embraced the social justice program in grade six, and they’ve held several special events this year, so this is their last big push at the end of the year in support of their classmate,” said Hopley.
“The goal is to raise some money in support of the people in Ukraine, and the goal is to have fun, learn the joy of giving, and that our classmate feels supported.”
Nazariy, the young Ukrainian boy, is happy to see his classmates come together at the end of the school year to do something special for him and his family back home.
“It makes me feel proud that we are actually doing something because it’s not only their war, it’s our war. If you could do anything like go to an organization, please help because hundreds of people are dying,” he said.
The Kelowna Fire Department took part in the car wash as well, showing the kids how to wash a car with a firehose, and to even let Nazariy ride shotgun in a parked firetruck.
“He had a big excited smile and he wanted to see the fire truck, so we just put him right up there in the jump seat and he had a giant smile on his face, and it puts smiles on our faces too.”
All funds raised at the St. Joesph’s Catholic School will help humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.
It’s been a couple years since Kelowna has celebrated Canada Day to the fullest, but this year, Festivals Kelowna is ready to bring the celebration back bigger and better than ever.
“It’s really exciting,” said Kelowna mayor Colin Basran on Wednesday.
“To make this announcement today and to move forward with a full slate of festivities, it’s always been our biggest party of the year. But I think this is going to be the biggest gathering of residents not only from Kelowna but from around the region that we’ve seen in a really long time.”
In addition to celebration, Basran said Canada Day should be an opportunity for people to reflect on Canada’s history after probable grave sites of Indigenous children have been found at residential schools across the country.
“Canada’s history isn’t as bright and shiny as we have portrayed it in the past, so I still think there is reason to gather as a country, but I think more than ever it’s now time to take that moment when we do gather to reflect on not only where we come from and that we have things we need to rectify, but also how do we move forward collectively as a country?”
Canada Day in Kelowna serves as a great way to get different cultures together, and there are several big events you can’t miss, the mayor added.
“Probably my favourite things about Canada Day are the Folk Fest of course, to be able to come down and you know try different foods and see different and really cool cultural groups. And then of course fireworks. There’s going to be thousands of people down here watching the fireworks and that’s always really exciting.
Kelowna is expecting more than 60,000 people to flock into the downtown core to get together and celebrate being Canadian.
The full schedule of the day’s events can be found here. Festivities kick off at 10 a.m. on July 1.
Photo: Festivals Kelowna
Photo: Help us find Chelsea Cardno
Police say the investigation into the disappearance of Chelsea Cardno will continue until she is located.
“We will continue to follow-up on any tips or investigative avenues and work with COSAR to determine future search avenues,” said Staff Sgt. Janelle Shoihet of the BC RCMP on Wednesday.
Cardno, 31, vanished after leaving her home on June 14 at around 8 a.m. to walk her dog JJ along Mission Creek. Her vehicle was found parked on Pasadena Road, but besides that, no trace of her has been found. It is believed she may have fallen into the high-running creek.
Her mother, Diane, took to Facebook on Wednesday to express gratitude for the community’s efforts in finding her daughter.
She highlighted the efforts of volunteers with Central Okanagan Search and Rescue for their “unwavering” dedication to finding Cardno “even when the weather and levels of the creek have not been favourable.”
“To the RCMP who have tirelessly been following up on the overwhelming amount of leads coming and eliminating all other possible scenarios,” Diane continued.
She also thanked the members of the public who showed up on Saturday for a search party along Mission Creek.
“It really does take your community coming together to make things happen and for that I will be forever grateful.”
“I will never give up hope, she is my second born, my baby girl, my sweet pea.”
Madison Erhardt
UPDATE 1:36 p.m.
The Wicker Land delivery van has been recovered.
General manager Dan O’Brien tells Castanet RCMP managed to recover the van, “there is some damage because the van was hotwired and the ignition is all torn apart.”
O’Brien says, “we’re thankful for the RCMP’s quick and efficient service.”
ORIGINAL 12:18 p.m.
Staff at Wicker Land Patio Furniture are left scrambling after the company van was hot-wired and stolen from the business’s parking lot Tuesday morning.
The incident was captured on camera just after 4 a.m.
The suspect is seen walking up to the van, unlocking the driver-side door with tools, hot-wiring the car and driving off in the span of 20 minutes.
“It looks like he would have done it before since he came with a bag of tools. I’d say he was prepared for it,” assistant manager Keith Geronazzo said.
The van is used for a number of different tasks.
“It is pretty important. We use it for deliveries, any kind of in the fieldwork that we would do and of course moving any projects from our store to our warehouse and vice versa.”
Just one week prior to the theft, the van was broken into and the back window was smashed.
“We had the back window basically just tapped and we were anticipating taking it in for a repair, but the guy beat us to it. It has been rough.”
Geronazzo says crime in the area is becoming more prevalent.
“Last year we had fires in the parking lot, our dumpsters are frequently targeted for people either diving in or just dumping their junk in front too.”
Kelowna RCMP has been notified of the theft.
“We are now using personal vehicles, but depending if we get the van back at all and what kind of shape it is in we will probably have to look at purchasing a new vehicle and or at least in the meantime renting,” Geronazzo added.
Photo: File photo
Motorcycles outside the Kelowna Hells Angels clubhouse in May 2019.
Three B.C. Court of Appeal justices are hearing the B.C. Government’s appeal of a high-profile civil forfeiture case this week involving three Hells Angels’ clubhouses, including the one in Kelowna’s North End.
In June 2020, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Barry Davies ruled against the B.C. Civil Forfeiture Office in its attempt to seize Hells Angels’ clubhouses in Kelowna, Nanaimo and East Vancouver.
The government had claimed the clubhouses would be used in the future to engage in unlawful activity, but close to 13 years after the Civil Forfeiture Office filed the first proceedings, and after a year-long trial, Justice Davies dismissed the government’s actions. He also ruled the part of the Civil Forfeiture Act that relies on property that is “likely to be used in the future to engage in unlawful activity” is unconstitutional, as it is outside of the province’s jurisdiction.
The B.C. Government appealed Justice Davies’ ruling shortly after it was delivered, and this week, Justices Mary Newbury, Christopher Grauer and Leonard Marchand are hearing submissions in the appeal.
It’s not clear when the appeals court will make a ruling on the high-profile case. If the B.C. Government is successful in the appeal, a second trial could be ordered, or the Appeals justices could rule the properties simply be forfeited.
The Civil Forfeiture Act became law in B.C. in 2005, and allows the government to seize property that’s alleged to be connected to criminal offences. The government can proceed with forfeitures whether or not criminal charges have been laid against an individual. While forfeiture matters are heard in civil court, where the standard of proof is on a “balance of probabilities,” criminal matters are decided on the higher bar of “beyond reasonable doubt.”
The attempted seizure of the Hells Angels’ clubhouses has been winding its way through the justice system for 15 years.
The B.C. Civil Forfeiture Office first brought the case against the Hells Angels in 2007, in an attempt to seize their Nanaimo clubhouse. In August 2012, police raided the club’s Kelowna clubhouse at 837 Ellis Street, and the province began forfeiture proceedings against it, and the Hells Angels’ East Vancouver clubhouse, several months later.
Back in 2014, Justice Davies called the series of pretrial applications in the matter “never-ending.”
The clubhouses have continued to be used by the Hells Angels, although the assets have been frozen since 2016.
While the government initially alleged the clubhouses had been used in unlawful activity in the past and were likely to be used in the future to engage in unlawful activity, the Civil Forfeiture Office narrowed its allegations in August 2015, only claiming the properties would be used in the future to carry out crimes.
Ultimately, Justice Davies ruled this aspect of the Civil Forfeiture Act is unconstitutional, but the government has been able to continue to rely on this aspect in other civil forfeiture cases, pending the result of this appeal.
Submissions in the appeal are scheduled to carry through to Friday.
Photo: Google Street View
UPDATE: 11:30 a.m.
A new temporary shelter being created inside the former BC Tree Fruits packinghouse on Ellis Street is expected to open sometime in September or October.
According to officials with BC Housing, renovations to convert the building into a shelter are underway, and are expected to be complete sometime in September.
The shelter will include about 60 beds, which will serve as a replacement for the Doyle Avenue shelter.
BC Housing says the shelter at 550 Doyle will close as scheduled July 1 to make way for redevelopment of the property owned by UBC Okanagan.
ORIGINAL: 4 a.m.
BC Housing has confirmed a homeless shelter will be located within the former BC Tree Fruits packinghouse at the corner of Ellis Street and Bay Avenue in Kelowna’s north end.
Rumours the agency was looking at the property began circulating earlier this month, however officials with BC Housing said only they were considering the location, but no decisions had been made.
A letter sent to businesses and residents in the neighbourhood obtained by Castanet News says BC Housing, in partnership with the Kelowna Gospel Mission, will be opening a “temporary shelter” at 858 Ellis for those experiencing homelessness.
“As you may be aware, Kelowna is in immediate need of shelter space and this space will provide our neighbours with the first step to getting into more permanent and supportive homes,” the letter reads in part.
“The support services available will be designed to help guests access resources that can help change lives.
“In the coming weeks, we will be reaching out to the community to provide more information about the space and the services it will offer.”
The letter indicates the shelter will open in the fall, although an exact month is not specified.
It will house approximately 60 people and is slated to be operational through the spring of 2024 when the lease expires.
The shelter, once operational, will operate 24/7, providing guests with access to a bed, warm meals and support services.
There are presently three temporary shelters being operated in the city, including a 60-bed facility jointly run by BC Housing and the Gospel Mission.
The former packinghouse property was purchased late last year by The Mission Group for $23.75 million.
Castanet has reached out to both BC Housing and the Kelowna Gospel Mission for further comment.
Madison Erhardt
It’s the day many have been waiting for.
B.C.’s first King Taps location is officially open for business.
The restaurant is located at 1352 Water Street and offers 270 degrees of indoor and outdoor Lake Okanagan views across two-levels.
King Taps Lakeside offers main course and shareable menu items, family-style dining, regional wines, and over 50 rotating taps.
The original King Taps opened in Toronto’s financial district in 2017.
“We’re beyond excited to be opening our second King Taps location, and first in B.C., along downtown’s iconic waterfront. As Kelowna’s new waterfront hangout, everyone is invited to discover our outstanding service, selection and style. We’ve got something for everyone, whether guests are looking for a casual drink, elevated fine-dining or anything in between,” said Thomas Beetlestone, Regional Manager at King Taps.
Beetlestone says over 150 people have been trained and hired.
“At King Taps Lakeside, our chefs create best-in-class entrees, shareable plates, pizza-lover-pizzas, mouth-watering handhelds and more, including gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan-friendly options,” said James Bunting, Regional Chef at King Taps.
“Our kitchen team strives to make memorable, delicious food accompanied by complementary drinks, including the best in Okanagan wines. We’ve got something for everyone.”
With the restaurant right by the water nearby boaters will be able to pick up takeout items or bags of ice with the QR code.
The restaurant will offer takeout through KingTaps.com and delivery via DoorDash.
Reservations are also available online and walk-ins are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The location is open Sunday through Wednesday 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m, and Thursday through Saturday 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Photo: Contributed
James Kay is first out of the gate.
The former development engineering manager with the City of Kelowna is the first non-incumbent to formally declare his candidacy for city council.
Kay announced Wednesday morning he will seek one of the eight councillor seats when voters elect a new municipal government in October.
Running a campaign focused on “Putting Kelowna Residents First,” Kay says the city needs to focus on sustainability with a renewed focus on growing revenues, reducing costs, and ensuring resources go to the areas most needed, including the infrastructure to support growth.
“I’m running to ensure Kelowna continues on a path of responsible growth,” says Kay.
“We need to make sure we can provide the services, facilities and infrastructure that residents need, and prioritize investments that will make a positive difference to all Kelowna residents… all while getting the best value for our money.”
Kay grew and operated several small businesses before moving inside of city hall where he served as the city’s development engineering manager from 2016 to 2021.
He believes his civil engineering and infrastructure background puts him in a good position to provide “knowledgeable leadership” when it comes to the city’s most pressing needs.
“Local government provides the most direct opportunity for people to make change.
“The more of us involved, the better we’ll be able to meet the opportunities and challenges ahead.”
You can get more information at jameskay4kelowna.ca.
Brayden Ursel
A Ukrainian pastor who was captured and interrogated by Russian forces touched down in Kelowna Tuesday to show his appreciation for donations made by the Lake Country Alliance Church.
“Christian or non-Christian – everybody is helping, but there are still a lot of needs there. When it comes to churches and helping as a church … We help people with the gospel, and right now it’s very important to help this way and that way, so I am so grateful for all the churches and Christians all over the world that are helping Ukraine right now,” Dimitry Bodyu said upon arrival at Kelowna’s airport.
Bodyu, who is from the city of Melitopol, says he was having morning coffee and reading the bible with his wife when Russian soldiers suddenly charged over his fence and took him captive, something he will never forget.
“They put me into an old prison cell. It looks like no one was there for a few years, it was so dirty and everything was broken. It looked like they held someone there before me in that cell because the blood was everywhere… But the other guys that were in prison – I never saw them because we were all in different cells – but they were beating them pretty heavily.”
Not knowing if he was going to live or die, Bodyu was released after eight days of interrogation. He is now doing everything he can to help his fellow Ukrainians, including collecting donations.
David French of the Lake Country Alliance Church says they have been able to send $20,000 “directly into Warsaw to help a network of churches in Warsaw provide food, housing, medicine, whatever was needed for women and children who had to leave Ukraine and were there by themselves.”
Bodyu will visit the Lake Country Alliance Church to share his story and thank the community for their generous donations. If you wish to take part, the event will begin at 7:00 p.m. Thursday. Everyone is welcome.
Photo: Pixabay
A local organization that advocates for migrant farm workers is asking the Central Okanagan Board of Education to implement a sanctuary school policy.
Amy Cohen of Radical Action with Migrants in Agriculture will be making a presentation at the board meeting Wednesday night.
It was Trustee Norah Bowman who first introduced a notice of motion earlier this month after returning from the British Columbia School Trustees Association AGM, where a resolution was passed. It called on the BCSTA to develop a template to help boards of education remove barriers to registration for students with precarious or no immigration status in their districts.
Cohen, who is also a professor at Okanagan College, says there has been a huge increase in people with precarious or no status in the Central Okanagan over the past five years.
“It’s very difficult to track numbers of folks who have no status because they are forced to live in the shadows. We really don’t know how many people. We don’t have exact numbers, but we know from advocates and from anecdotal evidence that the number is increasing and that every year there’s probably in the hundreds of people, at least, in the Kelowna area who have no status.”
She says if you add those with precarious status, it’s likely in the thousands. How many children might be among them is unknown.
“We know our organization (RAMA) has been approached by families that have school-aged children. So, we know they’re here,” adds Cohen.
Bowman says New Westminster was the first district to introduce such a policy, so other boards have a template to draw from.
The New Westminster policy was implemented in May of 2017. It ensures families who live in the community and meet the provincial definition of being an “ordinary resident” can access school without fear that their information will be shared with federal immigration authorities, unless there is a specific case where it may be required to do so by law.
“If this motion were to pass, then the next step would be that staff would work with us to develop a policy. And then they would say, OK, how do we implement this policy? And it would be district-wide, it would absolutely be for all schools,” said Bowman.
Wednesday night is the last SD 23 Board of Education public meeting before summer holidays. Bowman says if the motion passes, a policy would likely not be ready until at least the next school year.
As for concerns that Central Okanagan schools could be pushed over-capacity by opening the door to children with precarious or no immigration status, she points out that in New Westminster, they only had six such students enrol in one school year.
For Cohen, it’s about following through on B.C.’s guarantee of access to education without fear.
“It doesn’t matter if this helps one or 100 kids, it’s worth it.
“I think kids deserve education and they have a right to education. And so, a policy like this is just the first step in ensuring that that access is there for the kids that are already here, and the kids that might come in the future.”
