July 1st....

Canada's birthday celebrated at home and abroad
Playing ball hockey in Afghanistan, eating bison burgers in London, watching a parade in Halifax — these are just some of the ways Canadians across the country and around the world celebrated the nation's 142nd birthday Wednesday.
http://tinyurl.com/mf57o5

Air Canada now allowing pets in cabin
Starting Wednesday, pets in approved carriers are allowed on both regular Air Canada and regional Jazz flights, provided the container fits under the seat.
http://tinyurl.com/n4d85p

Newroundup @ Wed June 18th 2008

Some from Canada, as well as the Okanagan, today folks;

Lakes across Canada face being turned into mine dump sites
Lakes are in B.C., Manitoba, Newfoundland and Labrador, NWT and Nunavut. CBC News has learned that 16 Canadian lakes are slated to be officially but quietly "reclassified" as toxic dump sites for mines. The lakes include prime wilderness fishing lakes from B.C. to Newfoundland. Environmentalists say the process amounts to a "hidden subsidy" to mining companies, allowing them to get around laws against the destruction of fish habitat.
Click to Read Full Article @ http://tinyurl.com/5nxdfk

- Remember though, global warming and the threat to the environment is all down to the rest of us, remember that OK, you lot, especially when you have to pay the new "carbon tax"..... (Editor)

Taser ban threat to Canada police
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are using stun guns too often and their use should be temporarily banned if levels are not curbed, a watchdog has said.
Click to Read Full Article @ http://tinyurl.com/6bjjyk

News Roundup, June 10th 2008

Residents win heliport fight
North End residents have won a battle to keep a heliport out of their neighbourhood, but say the war‘s not over.
Read Full Article @ http://tinyurl.com/3pcjl4

Valley really into the swing of golf
If you need proof of golf‘s role in the economic engine that helps drive the Okanagan, look no further than Thomas McBroom. The Toronto landscape architect has just watched his Tower Ranch golf course design open along the hillside northeast of Kelowna, and will see his Kinnikinnik plan come to life in McKinley Landing in 2010.
Read Full Article @ http://tinyurl.com/3pnhnp

Bunny lovers fail to sway council
The rabbit roundup and extermination program will proceed after Kelowna city council declined Monday to revisit the controversial plan.
But Mayor Sharon Shepherd expressed the hope that the contractor hired to do the job will make some rabbits available to those groups or individuals who want to protect them.
Read Full Article @ http://tinyurl.com/4q3uh4

If you have a news story or item you want to submit, or leave comments and get involved after each article.

Cellphone hijacked during holiday...

Cellphone hijacked during holiday...



His cellphone never left his sight, but a Kelowna man
vacationing in Mexico had his phone number stolen anyway and used to make
long-distance calls.



Thieves used monitoring equipment to pick Jon Maycock‘s
electronic serial number and cell number out of the air when he was in Mexico
earlier this month. They then started selling long-distance calls using his
phone number. It‘s called “cloning” the number.



(Read Full Article)

Rutland BMX Track....

When I was playing in the indoor soccer season, one of my team-mates, Parker, was telling me about his upcoming BMX Season. He mentioned the Rutland track a couple of times, but I never knew where it was, only ever going to the skateboard track. So when this item came up on the news bulletin, I was interested to find out more;

BMX Track Gets Facelift - The Kelowna BMX bicycle motocross track behind the Rutland Arenas will be closed until Sunday April 1st to allow reconstruction for the 2007 race season. (Read Full Article)

You need a basic bike to get involved and obviously some protection, primarily a helmet(!), but some padding for the bars on your bike and you're set to give it a try.

For more info on the track the 2007 season, or to get involved, check out
http://www.kelownabmx.com/

You can also find links on the site to other BMX clubs in the Okanagan, if you're further away. Me, I'm off to get my helmet. See you there!

Other News

NewsDesk

A cat that escaped the clutches of a large bird of prey has one fewer life.
Royalty, a two-year-old Persian, apparently fell from the air after the bird snatched her in its talons in December. (Read Full Article)

Some news from around BC today,....

Watch your cards out there! Take care when you are shopping;

Debit Card Scam

At least 100 people are believed to have fallen victim to a massive debit-card-skimming scam at Delta's Scottsdale Centre mall in which criminals made duplicate cards and then withdrew money from bank machines across the country. (Read Full Article)

And take care when you're chatting with your friends in the coffee shop....

Some of the words you use everyday could now land you in trouble with the law. (Read Full Article)

NewsDesk

Drilling For Water

They haven't hit the mother lode. No gold, no oil, just plenty of water. (Read Full Article)

College Keeps Tuition Frozen

On Tuesday, the board decided not to increase tuition fees for provincially supported programs in 2007-08. (Read Full Article)