Archives for July 2020

 

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Town Council and staff are aware of odour issues again this year from the wastewater treatment plant by the golf course and associated wastewater system in the community. We take these odour issues seriously, and understand the frustration that residents feel as this issue remains unresolved and seems to recur each year. Wastewater treatment and disposal are complex matters and the Town can’t simply change operating procedures or buy an additive that will resolve the situation despite claims that could bedone and the problem would be resolved.

The Town has budgeted for system improvements in its Financial Plan designed to improve the treatment and disposal of wastewater and address odour concerns including the recently completed Main Wastewater Pumping Station (MWWPS) at a cost of approximately $5M. The new MWWPS includes screening capacity designed to remove solids and other discarded materials often found in wastewater before pumping effluent to the sewage lagoons for treatment. This will reduce the accumulation of sludge in the lagoons and improve bacteriological processes that treat wastewater. The Town will likely need to de-sludge the sewage lagoons again in the near future now that the MWWPS is online to improve system operation.

The Town has recently completed works to improve aeration to the treatment plant, hoping that it would improve dissolved oxygen levels in the ponds; oxygen is key in the support of the biological processes. The Town has budgeted for an Operational Assessment of the lagoons in 2020 to review and improve operational processes as well as potential capital improvements to access the treatment process.

Why does the Wastewater Treatment Plant smell so bad at certain times of year?

The odour concerns seem to be worst during periods of hot weather and when the Town experiences its seasonal peak visitation in the summer months. The wastewater treatment system receives inflows in the summer that are far greater than the amount usually received during non-peak months. The treatment system is designed to receive these additional flows, but the treatment process needs to adjust and this takes time. Odours are further exacerbated by the higher temperatures due to a rise in water temperature.

There are many factors influencing why this occurs and why residents experience issues with offensive odours. Addressing this problem has proven difficult and despite it being a concern for many years a final solution has not been identified. The size of the ponds, variation in volumes and composition of inflows as well as climatic conditions makes it difficult to predict when the odour issues might arise but generally it is worst when the weather is hot. While offensive, these odours do not present a risk to public health

 

A Friday treat

Test the bump

Street is now open

Cost of a Miracle

(Snopes labels this widely circulated story as undetermined, some churches and organizations claim it is true, and some call it a fabrication. Perhaps the value of the story lies elsewhere, namely in the importance of self-sacrifice.)

A little girl went to her bedroom and pulled a glass jelly jar from its hiding place in the closet.  She poured the change out on the floor and counted it carefully, three times. Carefully placing the coins back in the jar and twisting on the cap, she slipped out the back door and made her way 6 blocks to Rexall’s Drug Store. She waited patiently for the pharmacist to give her some attention but he was too busy at this moment. Tess twisted her feet to make a scuffing noise. Nothing. She cleared her throat with the most disgusting sound she could muster. No good. Finally she took a quarter from her jar and banged it on the glass counter. That did it!

“And what do you want?” the pharmacist asked in an annoyed tone of voice. “I’m talking to my brother from Chicago whom I haven’t seen in ages,” he said without waiting for a reply to his question. “Well, I want to talk to you about my brother,” Tess answered back in the same annoyed tone. “He’s really, really sick … and I want to buy a miracle.”
“I beg your pardon?” said the pharmacist. “His name is Andrew and he has something bad growing inside his head and my Daddy says only a miracle can save him now. So how much does a miracle cost?” “We don’t sell miracles here, little girl. I’m sorry but I can’t help you,” the pharmacist said, softening a little.

“Listen, I have the money to pay for it. If it isn’t enough, I will get the rest. Just tell me how much it costs.” The pharmacist’s brother stooped down and asked the little girl, “What kind of a miracle does your brother need?” “I don’t know,” Tess replied with her eyes welling up with tears. I just know he’s really sick and Mommy says he needs an operation. But my Daddy can’t pay for it, so I want to use my money.”
“How much do you have?” asked the man from Chicago. “One dollar and eleven cents,” Tess answered barely audibly. “And it’s all the money I have, but I can get some more if I need to.”
“Well, what a coincidence,” smiled the man. “A dollar and eleven cents—the exact price of a miracle for little brothers.” He took her money in one hand and with the other hand he grasped her mitten and said “Take me to where you live. I want to see your brother and meet your parents. Let’s see if I have the miracle you need.”

That well-dressed man was Dr. Carlton Armstrong, a surgeon, specializing in neuro-surgery. The operation was completed free of charge and it wasn’t long until Andrew was home again and doing well. Mom and Dad were happily talking about the chain of events that had led them to this place. “That surgery,” her Mom whispered, “was a real miracle (actually divine providence). I wonder how much it would have cost?” Tess smiled. She knew exactly how much a miracle cost…one dollar and eleven cents plus the sacrificial faith of a little child.

Henry Wiebe

Lion’s Park – Oliver

House of Hog

Kelowna – The Robbery unit of the Kelowna RCMP General Investigation Section is investigating after an unknown male suspect allegedly robbed a bank in Kelowna’s Mission.

On July 31, 2020 just after 10 a.m., RCMP received a report of a bank robbery in progress at the RBC branch located on Pandosy Street in Kelowna. All available RCMP resources flooded the immediate area to search for the suspect. Front line officers were supported by the Police Dog Services on the ground, and the RCMP Air Services helicopter from above.

Police learned that the suspect had entered the financial institution where he produced what appeared to be a handgun and demanded cash. He fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of money.

“Officers are conducting a coordinated search for the individual and are asking the public to report any suspicious activity immediately,” states Cpl. Jocelyn Noseworthy spokesperson for the Kelowna RCMP. “Please do not approach or attempt to stop this person if you believe you have seen him.”

The suspect is described as male, wearing a dark baseball cap, sunglasses, a grey hoody and a mask.

The rules state that anyone travelling TO Alaska must cross at one of the following locations in BC:

•Abbotsford-Huntingdon (British Columbia)

•Kingsgate (British Columbia)

•Osoyoos (British Columbia)

The Canada Border Services Agency is tightening up the rules for Americans and other foreign nationals travelling through Western Canada on the way to Alaska, in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Beginning Friday, foreign nationals travelling to Alaska for non-discretionary purposes will only be allowed to enter the country through five border crossings in Western Canada.

Each visitor will be allowed a “reasonable period of stay” to make the journey, but will be limited to following “the most direct route” to Alaska, according to a CBSA press release. They must avoid all national parks, leisure sites and tourism activities along the way, and must report to Canadian border officers when they leave the country.

Every driver will be given a tag to hang from their rear-view mirror “to support compliance,” the press release says. That tag will include the date by which they must leave Canada.

Source: CBC

Flight over Pond

Look for banner above as well

Interior Health is reporting zero new cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, July 29, marking the first stagnant day in case growth since July 6.

Interior Health sits at 356 total positive cases of the virus since the pandemic began. The two people who were hospitalized in the region have been released, leaving zero COVID-19 patients in Interior Health hospitals.

There are 56 active cases in self isolation. 2 deaths in the region. No one affected in a hospital.

IH and Dr. Bonnie Henry will release details today about the Kelowna cluster – parties centered around Canada Day.

Details will show more than a hundred people affected from all the province and some in Alberta.

August 1st weekend – play it safe – make the holiday one of family and friends and a small bubble to boot.

 

Fire restrictions went in place across B.C.’s Central Interior this week and for those heading into the bush for the long weekend  – campfires are still allowed.

As of noon Wednesday, Category 2 and 3 open fires, along with fireworks and sky lanterns, are banned within the Kamloops Fire Centre – a region which includes all the of the Thompson-Okanagan. Open fires include all fires larger than 0.5 metres in width and height.

But as for campfires – those less than 0.5 metres will still be permitted across the region through the long weekend.

While campfires are still allowed across the Kamloops Fire Centre region, some jurisdictions may still prohibit campfires. Kelowna, for example, bans campfires within city limits at all times of the year.  The entire province has seen a slow start to the wildfire season, due to a wet spring and early summer. But with hot, dry weather hitting the Interior over the past week, and the forecast looking similar, that could turn around quick.

 

Summer has finally arrived and the almost normal amount of traffic and people are enjoying the Region. It may seem it is just as busy as usual but for our struggling small businesses this is a make or break season for the year 2020 and it is not business as usual. Small business retail may or may not survive.
Restaurants at half capacity don’t pay the bills and Resorts that we’re unable to start until more than a third of their high season was already gone will be watching their balance sheets and hoping to clear this year without adding massive debt.
Those individual consumers who have managed to get through the last few months working or receiving any kind of income need to buy local. Shopping on line was a virtual necessity under Covid restrictions but in Level 3 we are all able to get out and buy in person what we need, online shopping does not support our local economies or the friends and neighbours who work in retail in our small communities.
Buy Local
The Town of Oliver will be unveiling, in the near future, a plaque commemorating the 100 year anniversary of the building of the “Ditch” or what we all know as the South Okanagan Irrigation system. In 1919 construction of the dam at McIntyre Bluff began to divert water into the irrigation system and the first Water Improvement District in BC was also created to manage the system. The gravity fed irrigation system would be completed seven years later.
The then Premier of British Columbia, John Oliver, created this Soldiers Settlement Project to provide work and viable settlement lands for the returning WW1 soldiers. 150 men would work on this project for seven years completing 40 kilometres of canal from Vaseaux Lake to the US border.
Today the system is just under 20 kilometres in length providing more than 600 irrigation water services for approx 5200 acres of land. The remaining agriculture land is irrigated directly from the Okanagan River Channel under individual water licenses.
The beautiful landscapes, the fruits and ground crops, and the Wine Industry in the South Okanagan would not be possible without this system.
Thank you to the Town of Oliver for their incredible management of this system and to the ongoing support of all the citizens of Oliver and Area C of the Regional District.
The BC Legislature continues to work through tabled Legislation and Financial Estimates (from pre-Covid) for each of the Ministries. Approx two dozen MLA’s rotate through in person attendance in the Chamber and everyone else attends virtually through large screens set up on site. Hansard, who stitches it all together, has done an amazing job, so that those who like to watch the Legislative channel, do not miss anything. As a BC Liberal Caucus we have voted against (and lost because of Green support for the NDP) Bill 7 which gave Govt more decision making power not requiring the entire Legislature and Bill 11, which is the NoFault Insurance enabling legislation.

A you-tube video has just been released featuring the City of Grand Forks and its people. The music video asks the people of Grand Forks to “Say What You Will” to illustrate community spirit. This spring just as Covid restrictions were ramping up, the video production team, headed by singer/songwriter, Justin Hines, brought the project to Grand Forks and began filming families and friends on their porches where they were asked to write on a white board anything that offered encouragement or said how they felt about their Community. The result is heartwarming and I’d like to think it represents a little something in all of us as we face multiple challenges, personal and otherwise.

Princeton has recently installed new entrance signs that showcase the best of our Forestry Heritage. They were done by Sitka Log Homes in 100mile. They have also installed an incredible collection of statues that are situated all around the Community. They have hit the target of being the Statue Capital of Canada. Please don’t just drive by Princeton on your next trip to the Coast, stop and enjoy all the wonderful art.
We receive many emails daily through our Office. Those that are mass email mail outs/form letters, we forward to the appropriate Ministries. And there are hundreds of those on a variety of current issues. I understand you wanting to add your voice to many others on issues that are sensitive to your philosophies and beliefs and my Office is sending them on. All personal issues are dealt with as quickly as possible but we are also dealing with Ministry Staff who are working from home and things can take a bit longer to get you an answer. And we don’t expect everyone to be happy with the answer either.

Thank you to all the local Highway Staff who are quick to respond to all concerns from the South Okanagan/ Boundary/Similkameen.

The office will be closed the first 2 weeks of August 1 -15  for staff holidays.

Linda Larson, MLA
Boundary Similkameen

Busy evening for Oliver Fire Fighters

 

8:14 pm – called to Coast Oliver Hotel, an alarm sounding – cooking in a room. All patrons evacuated.

No smoke detected – cleared stink of burning food. no damage, no injuries

 

7:49 pm – called to Deer Park to assist an ambulance crew with a patient

7:48 pm – report of a Propane Leak in a residence near Road 1.  Investigated

6: 34 – dispatched to an accident north of Oliver adjacent to the four way passing zone at McIntrye Bluff.

No extrication needed

An employee of the contractor that operates the Osoyoos Landfill was taken to hospital after inadvertently crushing a container of chlorine that had been improperly disposed.

On July 28 at 1020am, Osoyoos RCMP responded to a medical emergency at the Osoyoos Landfill. A contractor’s employee compacting freshly dumped waste drove over a container of solid chlorine pucks that is believed to have been disposed of contrary to landfill regulations and the disposal of hazardous wastes.

The employee immediately suffered a medical emergency after inhaling some of the discharge from the pucks. He was able to remove himself from the area and call for help.

BC Ministry of Environment attended to assess the measures taken to isolate the area while waiting for the response contractor to arrive, while Work Safe BC inspected the site to determine how the spill occurred and to ensure compliance with occupational health and safety requirements.

Fortunately the affected employee as well as the rest of the employees were experienced in how to handle unexpected spills and their quick actions saved the affected employee from further injury.

The Town contacted an environmental agency who attended the Landfill and packaged the damaged pail and chlorine pucks in a UN rated poly drum and took them for proper disposal. The loader that contacted the chemical was cleaned by the agency and they inspected the area to determine if there were any more distributed in the area.

It is clear this spill was caused by someone improperly disposing of a pail of solid chlorine pucks into the Town’s waste system, said Sgt Jason Bayda, Osoyoos RCMP Commander. This should be a reminder to all that disposing of hazardous materials into a waste container can cause serious injury or death to those working with the garbage down the line. Hazardous materials need to be disposed through the proper disposal/recycling process.

New protocol

60 students in a ‘group’ in elementary and middle schools

120 students in a ‘group’ in high schools

Groups are not classes but students in any school will be – divided into these “student” groups that may see kids only in class or in school social settings.

Take an elementary school of 300 students – the day, the hours, the operations will be divided into the five groups.

Example – using above only 60 elementary students would play together outside – not the entire school.

The number goes up in high school as students likely to understand better – hygiene and social distancing.

More later on ODN

***

The B.C. government says most students will return to school for full-time in-person classes in September.

The restart will see students from kindargarten through to Grade 12 back in class on Sept. 8.

“The classroom is an essential part of a child’s social, academic and mental development, and that’s why we are working hard to ensure students can safely spend the next school year with their teachers and classmates,” said Education Minister Rob Fleming on Wednesday.

As part of the school restart, students will be divided into “learning groups” which are comprised of a consistent group of students and staff members.

According to the provincial government, the consistency of learning groups will help reduce the risk of transmission spreading quickly within a school and will help health authorities perform faster contact tracing, should a COVID-19 exposure be found.

Meanwhile, the B.C. government plans to spend $45.6 million to help schools prepare for the school year.

The funding will go towards covering increased cleaning expenses, the installation of more hand-washing stations and for supplies like masks.

As schools reopen to in-person learning, staff, students and their families are asked to monitor themselves daily for symptoms of COVID-19 and to remain at home if they feel at all unwell.

The B.C. government says it is continuing to develop operating guidelines for schools, which are being informed by a steering committee that includes teachers, parents, support staff, Indigenous rightsholders, the public health sector and other relevant parties.

The province says that families can expect to hear from their school district or independent school for further updates on their specific facilities as the summer progresses.

_ Quebec: 59,073 confirmed ( 5,670 deaths, 50,886 resolved)

_ Ontario: 38,986 confirmed (2,769 deaths, 34,741 resolved)

_ Alberta: 10,470 confirmed (187 deaths, 8,886 resolved)

_ British Columbia: 3,523 confirmed (194 deaths, 3,076 resolved)

_ Saskatchewan: 1,218 confirmed (17 deaths, 907 resolved)

_ Nova Scotia: 1,067 confirmed (63 deaths, 1,004 resolved)

_ Manitoba: 391 confirmed (8 deaths, 319 resolved)

_ Newfoundland and Labrador: 266 confirmed (3 deaths, 259 resolved)

_ New Brunswick: 170 confirmed (2 deaths, 165 resolved)

_ Prince Edward Island: 36 confirmed (including 36 resolved) no deaths

_ Yukon: 14 confirmed (including 11 resolved) no deaths

_ Northwest Territories: 5 confirmed (including 5 resolved) no deaths

_ Nunavut: No confirmed cases – no deaths

Left to right:

Andrew Reeder – RDOS Manager of Operations
Michelle Weisheit, Chair – Water Committee – Willowbrook
Rick Knodel, Rural Area C – RDOS

Willowbrook Boil Water Notice lifted

The Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen (RDOS) has completed upgrades to the Willowbrook water system and has lifted the Boil Water Notice. The RDOS installed a chlorinator and chlorine tank at the Willowbrook pump station as part of the project. A Groundwater at Risk of Pathogens (GARP) study shows only chlorine is required to treat water in Willowbrook, and secondary treatment is not required at this time. Andrew Reeder, RDOS Manager of Operations says the upgrade will save Willowbrook residents between $500,000 and $600,000.

The Willowbrook water system is located within Electoral Area “C” between Oliver and Okanagan Falls. It provides drinking water and irrigation water to approximately 80 connections. “The improvements to the Willowbrook water system were completed with 100% grant funding,” says Area “C” Director Rick Knodel. “The work will not result in any tax increases for residents.”

“Lifting the Boil Water Notice is welcome news for all Willowbrook residents,” says Michelle Weisheit, chair of Willowbrook Water Advisory Committee. “We appreciate the time and effort that has gone into completing this project.”

Ownership of the Willowbrook water system was transferred from Willowbrook Utilities Ltd to the RDOS in 2016. The water source for Willowbrook water is a groundwater well which pumps into the distribution system to a reservoir on a nearby property. The reservoir feeds the distribution system of approximately 4.5 km of pipe, by gravity to each connection.

Background

The project funded primarily from Gas Tax Funding – so all the capital costs not bourne by local residents.

The Regional District’s current priority is focused on providing sufficient treatment that will allow the Boil Water Notice to be lifted for the system. A chlorine dosing system was added in 2018, however to be effective in disinfection, a chlorine contact system is required to extend the contact time of the chlorine before the treated water would reach the first service connection. With the installation of a chlorine contact time system, the water system will be able to protect against viruses (4-log removal) and bacteria (E. coli, fecal coliforms, and total coliforms).

Funding for the chlorine contact system installation is being provided through an allocation RDOS Electoral Area “C” – Community Works Gas Tax Funds from the Area Director. In August 2019, Associated Engineering started on the design for the Chlorine contact time system with construction planned for early 2020.

For the past few weeks I have been spending time with my daughter, on Vancouver Island, she lives in a smallish village with very pretty town centre. The town council have decided to keep box stores and franchises out of their community so it is really enjoyable to browse round the assortment of small, mainly family owned, stores all of which seem to be thriving in the busy little village.

Qualicum Beach is largely a retirement community and it was pleasing to see so many or the shoppers putting on their masks before entering stores. There are fairly strict Covid protocols being adhered to with hand sanitizer prominently placed by the doorway and one way systems in effect where possible. I was however, shocked to see that nearly every store had a sign stating that abusive or threatening behaviour to staff members would not be tolerated.

It seems so unlikely that this apparently peaceful, law abiding community would need to have these sort of signs posted. However I witnessed two upsetting events where a staff member was belittled and verbally abused. The first was in the local thrift store, one of my favourite haunts, where the staff are all volunteers. I was waiting to pay for my new (to me) outfit and observing protocol by standing on the line of tape, when an man, my age, came inside the store and walked straight past the hand sanitizer, with its large “please use” sign, The clerk called to the man to please use the sanitizer. He refused saying it was poisonous, so she offered him a pair of new, plastic gloves from a full box of gloves, sitting on the counter. He came out with a string of abuse about controlling women and ridiculous rules, he ended with the F word, then turned and left.

I felt a bit shaken and I was not even on the receiving end of his diatribe, the clerk was also about my age and obviously upset but she said it was all part of the job and most people were nice. The other instance was at the grocery store with someone who was asked to not put her reusable bags on the counter, to fill them. She remarked that for years, the store had been encouraging people to use them and went on to complain about stupid rules and regulations in a very loud voice. Not particularly offensive but how often do clerks hear this sort of grumbling every day.

While I certainly understand the frustrations of having to deal with all the restrictions of today’s world, and wonder how happy we will be in winter, if we have to stand, shivering in line, outside the bank or drug store, this is part of our world until a vaccine is not only created, but widely used, and we had better learn to make the best of it. Acceptance is not giving up ones rights, it is common decency, and if you don’t like having to deal with it, there are ways to avoid it. Almost anything can be ordered on line and delivered right to your door, including groceries, Restaurants offer delivery so if you don’t like the way things are, you have alternatives. I also have rights, those of being able to shop in peace, without listening to you spouting off about rules. If you don’t like the way things are, stay home or go and live off the grid and hunt for your food, I don’t think there are rules posted in the bush!

Pat Whalley

Rotary Club 400

WEEK 4

JULY 28, 2020 REGULAR DRAW WINNER OF $52.00 – Ticket 381 – Linda Larson

JULY 28, 2020 REGULAR DRAW WINNER OF $100 – Ticket 187 – Richard Simmons Jr.

CHIEF CLARENCE LOUIE

The Okanagan Nation Alliance (ONA) is pleased to announce that Chief Clarence Louie, who has served for the last 34 years as Chief of the Osoyoos Indian Band, has been elected by the ONA Chiefs Executive Council as Tribal Chair and spokesperson of the ONA.

Chief Louie is the longest standing Chief within the Nation and will no doubt provide strong leadership based on his years of experience, knowledge and past service to the Nation.

Chief Louie will be taking over as Tribal Chair from Dr. Grand Chief Stewart Phillip after his almost 16
years as Tribal Chairman. The ONA would like to acknowledge his lifetime commitment to the defense of Indigenous Peoples’ Title and Rights, his service to the Syilx Okanagan People and our advancement as a Nation.

The Okanagan Nation Alliance and its Chiefs’ Executive Council represent Syilx Okanagan Nation
members and are mandated to protect, advance and defend Syilx Okanagan Nation collective Title and
Rights.

REGULAR OPEN MEETING

 

Bylaws

• Off-street Public Parking Regulation Amendment Bylaw No. 1274.05, 2020 was adopted.   The Town leases property at 6901 Main Street for boat trailer parking.  This parking lot provides an area in the community for out of town residents or visitors to park their boats and trailers which eases the parking burden on Town roadways.  The amending bylaw will amend the lot open and close times, possibly extend the operating season and review the current fees charged and what the administrative costs are associated to the boat trailer parking lot.
• 2020 Annual Tax Sale Deferral Bylaw No. 1365, 2020 was read for a first, second, and third time and subsequently adopted under Ministerial Order No. M192. This bylaw defers the annual tax sale to September 27, 2021 in order to assist tax payers facing financial difficulties as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Business

• Council received the 2019 Draft Annual Report and made it available for public inspection. The report will be considered by Council at the August 17, 2020 Annual General Meeting being held at 1:00 PM at the Sonora Community Centre Gymnasium located at 8505 68^th Avenue.
• Council approved the Land Transfer Agreement between the Town of Osoyoos and The Owners of The Palms and authorized the Chief Administrative Officer to take all necessary steps to carry out the terms of the agreement. This agreement covers the lands donated by the Robert L. Conconi Foundation located at 6010 Maple Drive, which is adjacent to The Palms.

 

Reports

• Councillor King encouraged residents and visitors to remember physical distancing protocols and wear masks when indoors when physical distancing cannot be achieved or in public spaces.
• Councillor Bennett gave kudos to Town staff for their hard work during the busy summer months.
• Councillor Harvey attended two Okanagan Regional Library budget committee meetings.
• Mayor McKortoff noted that the Town is busy with many visitors who are here on vacation. She urged everyone to stay safe and remember that when you look after yourself you are helping the community. The Mayor encouraged everyone to wear a mask when out in public.
• Mayor McKortoff attended the Market on Main Street.

BC Emergency Health Services (BCEHS), who operates BC Ambulance, can clarify the facts about an incident on the Hike and Bike Trail written about on July 10, as well as general information on medical responses to the popular trail.

On July 6, BCEHS received a medical emergency call at 9:44 am for a bike incident along the trail. A local paramedic crew was immediately dispatched and arrived on scene 11 minutes later. The patient was cared for by paramedics and transported in stable condition to the hospital.

Paramedics in the South Okanagan have responded to hundreds of medical calls on the Hike and Bike Trail. Protocols on response to the trail have been in place for more than two decades, and include keys with access to the gates where vehicle access is restricted.

There’s never been an issue with access for our paramedics.

Those using the Hike and Bike Trail can be reassured that if emergency medical attention is required, BCEHS will send the closest ambulance to patients as quickly as possible.

 

Shannon Miller
Communications Officer
BC Emergency Health Services

JC – there is a huge demand for pictures of green grasshoppers.

Even more if you can make them purple

This hopper is a bit square….. just an example of an earlier debate we had.

Monday evening – gas spill at two Oliver Town locations – Hwy 97 at Similkameen and in the mall near No frills. Time 6:21 pm

Monday night – car rollover with a utility pole taken out – took about 2 hours to clear the highway. Location north of Park Rill Rd. Time 10:39 pm

Town of Oliver council wants more info, on duck smell, duck noise before making a new “fowl” decision.

Chickens are allowed in Oliver…..
Ducks are not

If a duck is not allowed – complaints arise…..

After a fairly brief chat today council told staff to bring more info to councillors before any final changes needed to a bylaw on animals, fowl or other things with four legs in Oliver.

***

Request to Town of Oliver

To the members of council:

Thank you for hearing our family’s request to keep ducks in substitute of chickens for home egg production.

When we looked at the town bylaws we did not find any bylaw forbidding keeping domestic ducks for eggs and so we used the guidelines provided for keeping chickens for home egg production.

For a couple years we had been considering backyard egg production. We are a family of 6 and typically use 5-6 dozen or more eggs per month. During this year’s pandemic we have gone through grocery store restrictions with only 1 dozen available to purchase at a time or many times none available when they have run out. We decided that for food security for our family to start this year.

Why then did we choose ducks and not just go with chickens?

When researching backyard egg production we came across many articles about the benefits of ducks compared with chickens.

1.Duck eggs are larger.

2.The whites of duck eggs are more dense than chicken eggs and provide more lift in baked goods.

3.Ducks do not scratch or peck, when letting ducks out in your garden or yard they still eat bugs and pests but do not scratch up your garden or yard the way chickens do.

4.Many small duck breeds, such as our Cayuga, are quieter than chickens.

5. Duck poop is a cold compost, chicken poop is not;
meaning duck poop can be put directly onto our garden for fertilizer without harming the plants but chicken poop needs to be composted or rot for a season before it can be placed as fertilizer on a garden.

After considering all these benefits, and being that we live across the street from a farm with a very loud rooster and chickens, we decided that ducks would be a better fit for our family and hopefully more considerate to our neighbours.

We know that ‘noises’ can be offensive to some neighbours and with 4 children playing outside during the day and my husband’s late/middle of the night fire calls we realize we are not the quietest house on the block. However, we do our best to be considerate and know that our ducks are very quiet in their house at night and during most of the day and just get excited during feeding time and when I let them out into their pen at 8am in the morning.

Thank you again for taking the time to read and consider our request.

Graham Family, Meadows Drive.

Staff recommend that the request be denied. Council will consider Monday. ** Correction staff did not recommend in favour but is leaving the matter for the council members. My mistake.

Editor’s Note – Rob – 2 dozen please.

Zoning Amendment Bylaw 1380.15 – 380 and 389 Chardonnay Ave – Council gave first and second reading of Zoning Amendment Bylaw 1380.15. The subject properties are seeking to rezone from RH1 (Residential High Density One) to RS1 (Residential Low Density One) to facilitate a two-lot subdivision on each of the two subject properties. The proposed zoning is in alignment with the Official Community Plan and…….

Council waived the holding of a public hearing.

Sign Regulation Amendment Bylaw 918.02 – Council adopted Sign Regulation Amendment
Bylaw 918.02. The changes to the Sign Regulation Bylaw include provisions for wine barrel
signage, bed and breakfast operations and vacation rentals, as well as several other
housekeeping amendments.

2020-2024 Financial Plan –

Operating and Capital Budget Update – Council received a quarterly update on the 2020-2024 General Operating and Capital Budget and the Water Operating and Capital Budget. As of June 30, Operating and Capital results are consistent with the budget. There have been unexpected expenditures that have occurred due to COVID-19 which are being offset throughout the year by savings of Council and staff not attending any conferences or seminars.

Grow Oliver Coordinator .15 Position – Council supported funding from remaining Rural Dividend grant funds, a Grow Oliver Coordinator (.15 Full Time Equivalent) position to implement recommendations from the Grow Oliver Actionable Economic Development Strategy.

The Grow Oliver Plan was adopted by Council on the recommendation of the Downtown Advisory Committee. One of the “quick start” actions was to have a Grow Oliver Coordinator as a dedicated, part-time (0.15) person to carry out and support Grow Oliver Actions, and the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce will support this position.

2020 Tax Sale Deferment – Council received an update from the Deputy Finance Officer on the
status of the 2020 Tax Sale process and properties with delinquent property taxes. As of July
20th, 2020 the delinquent property tax balance was $46,394 (including interest of $1,352),
which is made up of 13 properties. Unpaid property tax balances must be paid by September
28, 2020 or face Tax Sale.

Request to House Domestic Ducks – Council requested staff to bring forth additional information on the potential required amendments to Animal Control Bylaw 1224 to a future Council meeting to permit ducks within the municipality.

Rise and Report – Solar Installation at Museum – Council approved the installation of a donated six-panel pole-mounted solar array at the Oliver and District Heritage Museum.

The project was discussed in-camera as the donor wishes to remain anonymous.

Mike’s Auto
250-498-7457

Requires  full time auto body technician ( Must be Red Seal certified )

Top wages plus benefits.

If you know  of someone who would be a good fit for this position – please share the ad with them.

Please send resume to mike@mikesauto.ca 

or call Mike at 250-498-2004 for an interview appointment

Who you going to call – Mike’s Auto!

6886 Highway #97
Oliver, B.C.

5

Highway 97 Both Directions

Vehicle incident between Oliver Ranch Rd and Alba Rd (1 km south of Okanagan Falls). Road closed.

Emergency vehicles on scene. Assessment in progress. Watch for traffic control.

Next update time Mon Jul 27 at 3:00 PM PDT.

We hope that everyone is staying safe out there! We know that times have been tough, but we are eager to welcome you back. Venables Theatre is planning to launch a series spotlighting South Okanagan Similkameen performing artists this fall. We will be presenting an array of one-night only performances to a socially distanced audience. We are calling on all local artists to apply, from small dance and music ensembles, to theatre, comedy and spoken word artists. Artists are invited to apply now to perform in the new series.

With only fifty tickets available for each performance, there will be six feet around each group of patrons ensuring safe physical distancing. New box office and concession protocols have been instituted along with enhanced cleaning and sanitizing of the theatre. The theatre will continue to monitor the situation and adhere to all government orders and recommendations. We hope our audiences will join us for the safe return of live performing arts this fall.

Performing artist and groups interested in applying to be part of the series should check out venablestheatre.ca/venables-alive.

Applications must include a 3-5 minute video and be received by August 30. The selected artists will present a 60-minute performance on stage at Venables Theatre. The theatre will provide the use of the venue including the in-house lighting and audio equipment along with a technician, box office services, and marketing. Artists will also receive a guaranteed fee plus a percentage of all ticket sales.

We’re looking forward to welcoming artists and audiences safely back to the theatre very soon, (and for those still wishing to stay at home, there will be a live-stream of many of the events on an assortment of platforms).

Let’s welcome the safe return of live performing arts!

Hardt, Karl

Please see statement below regarding Interior Health’s 2020/21 Seasonal Influenza Campaign:

Interior Health (IH) needs to clarify that influenza immunizations will continue to be available through IH and our community partners this fall. We apologize for any concerns and confusion a recent letter to our community vaccine providers has created. We agree that it is even more important for people to get immunized this year given the current COVID-19 pandemic.

The only change here is to our normal drop-in clinics, which will not be happening. This recognizes that bringing in groups of people into these locations does create a risk of COVID-19 exposure, particularly to those most vulnerable to COVID-19 and the flu. Community providers like pharmacies and primary care offices were already providing 70 per cent of the immunizations in Interior Health as of last year.

People will still be able to make appointments through public health, and we are also supporting our community providers to continue making flu shots available in pharmacies, travel clinics and primary care settings.

Our priority working with our partners is to ensure everyone who wants a flu shot this season will get it.

previously

Interior Health (IH) has announced it will not be conducting mass flu vaccinations as part of its 2020/2021 seasonal influenza campaign.

“In an effort to maximize health care resources, Interior Health (IH) will be transitioning away from organizing IH mass influenza immunization clinics for the public or our employees,” reads the letter.

Instead, all members of the public, including IH employees and medical staff, are encouraged to visit their local community partner, family physician or pharmacist to get vaccinated.

IH assures it will “continue to support the timely and equitable distribution of influenza vaccine,” and advised them to provide IH with requirements as soon as possible.

RCMP are looking for witnesses after a man discharged several rounds of ammunition into Osoyoos Lake Sunday.

On July 26 at 7:35pm, Osoyoos RCMP received a report of a man on a boat near White Sands discharging several rounds from a firearm into the water. The man was described to be in a dark coloured boat with a white stripe and dark coloured top and was firing the gun into the water.

Police located the boat and detained the sole occupant as well as seized a folding 9mm rifle.
The man, a 47 year old from Kelowna has been released pending further investigation. He faces potential charges under the Firearms Act.

Although the lake was quite busy, police have only heard from one witness to this event. We know others must have witnessed this, said Sgt Jason Bayda, Osoyoos RCMP Commander, and we are asking any other witnesses to this reckless incident to please contact the Osoyoos RCMP.

The Osoyoos RCMP can be reached at 250-495-7236.

OLIVER, BC, CANADA – July 26, 2020 – In less than three days the wine is SOLD OUT! Thank you to all who purchased a case and supported our cause. From the entire Board of Directors of Highway to Healing, a giant THANK YOU to Betty and Chris Jentsch for their tremendous generosity and giving back to the community.

The Jentsch’s had allocated 100 cases of our Double Gold Winning 2016 Viognier

The sale is $200 + taxes per case of 12. “It is the perfect blend of great tasting wine combined with a worthwhile cause,” said Tony Munday, Vice President of Highway to Healing. “We were ecstatic when Chris and Betty approached us with the idea. We are so thankful to them for their support.”

Heron At Twin Lakes

Is that really what you want?

To get back to normal?

During April and May significant change took place to the earth and its atmosphere… it became cleaner. Back to normal means a restoration of pollution and all the deleterious items that contribute to global climate change.

I want one answer from all who contribute.

What do you really want to come back ….. as normal?

1. No face masks
2. No blue gloves
3. No social distancing
4. No excessive hand washing

Those might include my one wish.

Think about:

outdoor events

rock concerts

patio parties

dances

large events

big family gatherings

what is missing…. or what has really changed and what should we do to get back……. to NORMAL?

 

and please do not state: we should sit in the front of the TV and take our orders from ????

Is the good ship Liberal, listing or sinking? 

The Prime Minister, the Finance Minister and the Governor General are all under scrutiny.  Money and power can be a dangerous combination.

Presently the Conservatives are on the offensive, except for a bit of lip service they are alone.  The trouble for the Conservative Party is the Conservative Party.  Yes they have a whole series of valid points.  It appears many of the allegations are true or at least perceived to be true.  Their biggest problem is leadership.  

Andrew Scheer has done more harm than good.  In the leadership race, the top contenders, O’Tool and MacKay would have an uphill battle to win.  

Summer polls are what they are, the last one being in late June.

Surprisingly, the Liberals are back in majority government territory at around 39%.  The Conservatives are calling for a few resignations …not for a no confidence motion.  

They know at the moment they are not about to win.  This is what happens when special interest take over a party.  In the west social conservatives dictate the agenda.

In central and eastern Canada they are fiscal conservatives.  The party has been divided since the rise of the Reform Party. 

The other problem for the Tories is the Liberal Party.  Yes there is a scandal and it gets bigger everyday.  I think Trudeau will lose some ground by fall but not enough to give the Tories a majority.  Here is the difference, a minority Conservative government usually has a short shelf life and the Liberals regain power.

Consider, in 153 years we elected one of two parties to govern back and forth.  Perhaps that is the real problem.  Two parties with entitlement.

In the early years of Confederation it was Conservatives in power with scandals now it’s the Liberals.  All the problems we have today rest at the feet of these two parties. 

Perhaps it’s time to elect the third national party in waiting.  A fall election is unlikely and whoever provokes it might well pay a heavy price.

Fred Steele    

Heat Warning in effect for:

Central Okanagan – including Kelowna
North Okanagan – including Vernon
South Okanagan – including Penticton

Temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius combined with overnight lows near 18 degrees Celsius are expected.

Hot temperatures are expected today through Tuesday.

A strong ridge of high pressure will continue to build over the southern interior of British Columbia leading to hot conditions.

Temperatures will continue to climb over the next two days with the hottest temperatures expected to be on Monday and Tuesday.

On Wednesday temperatures will begin to moderate as the ridge of high pressure weakens…..

In the last month – I contacted two people I knew who helped us old gals and guys with computer fixes.

Both retired and/or moved on in their life.

If you want a free ad on ODN and can fix a computer… you can do two things

1. contact me at oliverdailynews@gmail.com

2. place a free ad in the ODN FREE classified section

We need to hear from you!

Otherwise we have to spend the big bucks in Penticton……

 

 

***

Computer Repairs – Will pick up and deliver. 25 Years Experience.
text or call (250) 833-2427

 

Bridge Park Oliver BC

Date of opening: ?

Is the public welcome to any of these openings around town?

From Rags to Riches

Open the cabinets in most kitchens and you find the same sort of stuff. Neatly stacked tins and packages containing foodstuffs and another one filled with baking necessities. One cupboard will contain all that is needed to make hot drinks, tea, coffee, hot chocolate and yet another will contain cups, mugs and glassware. More cupboards and drawers will have a selection of pots and pans, bowls of assorted sizes and usually a huge drawer stuffed with all sorts of utensils for any kind of cooking that is likely to take place.

China cupboards hold several sorts of household dishes, everyday ware that is used for most meals, nicer stuff that we bring out for guests and the “real” china that we don’t use too often because we are scared of spoiling it. I don’t like to put mine in the dishwasher in case it chips, I can’t put it in the microwave as it has gold trim that sparks in an alarming way. So, generally it sits there looking pretty but unused, if fact a rather useless purchase that is only brought out for special occasions. My best friends get the regular stuff as I know they come to see me not the china, so why do I keep special stuff for people who I don’t really care for but feel I should impress????

My childhood, like that of most of my generation didn’t have kitchens that were fitted with cupboards. Most people had a couple of open shelves that contained almost everything that was needed for preparation of family meals. There was no fridge but a meat safe with a marble shelf which kept things cool.

Many people didn’t have electricity or it was a fairly new acquisition so very few electrical outlets were installed. If a kitchen had an outlet, it would be a solitary one so nobody was in a particular hurry to buy labour saving equipment. Cakes would be made in a bowl with a wooden spoon, if eggs needed to be beaten, out came the old rotary whisk or the wire whisk. Elbow grease was the driving force for all appliances in most homes.

Toast was usually made on the open fire, a long handled toasting fork and some patience would produce wonderfully toasted homemade bread which, when spread with real butter was really delicious. As more up to date ranges came along, a grill was usually the new place to toast bread.

When I was growing up the streets were filled with vendors who usually had a horse drawn cart. They brought mostly foodstuffs, veggies or fish but also carts with paraffin for oil lamps, candles and replacement wicks for gas burning lights. We also had one man who we called Johnny pots. He collected rags of any description and gave out dishes in exchange. The dishes he had were all second hand from “big” houses, the homes of who we considered the rich people. When he came into the street he would call out “pots for rags” and we would go running.

Most Lancashire people used heavy duty dishes that were decorated with the traditional blue and white rings. Almost everyone had the same blue and white mugs, flat plates and soup or dessert dishes. Our desserts were almost always some sort of pudding, ether a milk pudding or a sponge pudding with Bird’s custard, so a big, rounded dish was usually what was needed to serve the dessert in.

However, once the dish man appeared in the streets, our taste in china went up a notch. Hunting scenes were very popular on the “posh” plates, as were landscapes or fancy floral scenes. Very rarely could you manage to get more than a couple of the same pattern, but that didn’t matter, in fact it was preferable to get different designs, so everyone could claim their favourite plate.

I remember the first time I saw a soup mug, it had two handles and I claimed it for my own. I had everything served in it from soup, oatmeal or dessert. It had a smiling fox stretched out all round the outside and I loved it.

In those days, it was very unlikely that visitors stayed for a meal, they would usually get a cup of tea and a slice of home made cake, but went home for anything more substantial, so nobody I knew had “best” china. However, my grandma had a huge teapot. It was shiny black and was decorated in what she said was real gold leaf. It had been brought back from the Orient from one of her sons who was in the Merchant Navy, he brought numerous treasures that he always gave to my gran.

The teapot was never used, of course, but grandma said it was going to be left to the first person in the family who had red-headed twins. Many years later, I produced twins, one of which had auburn hair. By then grandma had gone to meet her maker and my bossy aunt, who took charge of everything, had disposed of the teapot along with everything else that my grandma held dear.

I guess we should not hoard our treasures but use and enjoy them while we can still get pleasure from them, other wise they will just go out with the garbage, sadly, the things that we hold dear mean very little to anyone else.

Will this sign survive the week

RDOS says it is set to lift the 2+ year boil water order with new features at the local domestic water utility

Date possible Wednesday July 29

Below pictures a new “chlorine contact” field where well water comes in contact with a disinfectant. Interior Health has not been happy with the testing of water for many years at Willowbrook.

In 2016 the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen assumed ownership and took over operations of the Willowbrook Water System. Numerous deficiencies have been identified in the system’s infrastructure and a master plan has been prepared to achieve the current standards for drinking water.

The Willowbrook Water System has been on a Boil Water Notice (BWN) since February 10, 2017 when a loss of positive system pressure occurred due to a power outage. Total coliform and background bacteria counts were being found sporadically in samples throughout the distribution system at that time.

Shortly after this BWN was issued, an assessment completed by the Interior Health Authority deemed that the water system source well and ground water were ‘Ground Water at Risk of containing Pathogens’ (GARP). Due to this classification, disinfection measures must be implemented in order to satisfy the requirements of the Drinking Water Protection Regulation.

Spotted on Rd 3 in Rural Area C – NO blue bags allowed after July 1st for pickup.

Not sure everyone got the message.

Engineering staff with the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development have determined that an old trestle on the Kettle Valley Rail Trail north of Tulameen is structurally unsound and no longer safe to use.

The trail is now closed to the public and will be removed. Public safety was the top priority in making this decision.

The KV-061 trestle is located about seven kilometres north of Tulameen and is part of The Great Trail (formerly known as the Trans-Canada Trail). Inspections completed by an independent engineering firm identified structural issues with the trestle (bridge), including broken and decaying support structures. It is not safe for anyone to use the bridge in its deteriorated state, including off-road vehicle operators, hikers and cyclists.

Signs will be posted to direct hikers and cyclists to an eight-kilometre detour that will allow them to bypass the closed trestle and enjoy the rest of the route. Since the detour runs alongside a road, all-terrain vehicles will have to access the trail from the community of Tulameen, or off Coalmont Road near Frembd Lake.

Ministry engineering staff are evaluating all available options to replace the trestle with a new bridge, but it is unlikely that a replacement would be completed before next year. The ministry assessed options for making a temporary repair to the trestle and determined that it was not feasible.

Recreation Sites and Trails BC staff have notified recreational user groups and the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen about the closure and will be posting signs to help trail users stay safe.