Kelowna News

A woman managed to escape a would-be attacker who was later responsible for two police cars being destroyed.

RCMP say a woman was walking along Borden Street at about 7:20 Friday night when a man in a vehicle came up to her and tried to get her into the car. The woman refused, at which point the man tried to grab her to drag her into the vehicle. The woman managed to escape on foot and called police.

A short time later, police say they found the suspect in his vehicle and tried to pull him over. Police ended up chasing the suspect to the intersection of Richter Street and Raymer Avenue, where the suspect lost control of the vehicle.

The man plowed his vehicle into an RCMP cruiser, and a second police vehicle was unable to avoid crashing into the suspect vehicle. The man, 27, was arrested and taken into custody.

Two police officers sustained minor injuries and were treated at KGH and released. All three vehicles were heavily damaged.

The suspect faces possible charges of assault, dangerous driving, engaging in police pursuit, breach of conditional sentence order and is to appear in Court on March 13.

Kelowna RCMP Traffic Services are asking anyone who may have witnessed this accident at Richter Street and Raymer Avenue to contact them.

If you're a little groggier than normal this weekend, you won't be alone.

It's that time of year when we "Spring Ahead" and lose an hour of sleep.

Saturday night, we turn our clocks ahead one hour as most Canadians convert to Daylight Savings Time.

Fort St. John, Charlie Lake, Taylor and Dawson Creek and Creston in British Columbia and most of Saskatchewan (except Denare Beach and Creighton) do not make the change.

Until 2006, we reverted to Daylight Savings Time the first Sunday in April.

That changed in 2006 when the government passed legislation to convert to Daylight Savings Time three weeks earlier.

This change in Daylight Saving Time kept Canada's Daylight Saving Time pattern consistent with the United States which enacted into law a broad energy bill that extended Daylight Saving Time in the same manner.

You're reminded to move your clocks ahead one hour before you go to bed Saturday night.

Charges are pending against a man who pointed a gun at a Walmart staff member.

Two men were caught on store surveillance stealing a flat screen TV at the Kelowna Walmart just after 3 p.m. Thursday.

Constable Steve Holmes says the suspects selected a television and took it out of the store without paying for it.

“Loss Prevention Officers followed the two and intercepted them outside of the store, after the suspects had dropped the TV after taking it outside of the Walmart,” says Holmes.

He says one of the suspects then produced a handgun and showed it to the LPOs, who backed off to watch the suspects escape in a Ford Explorer.

“Investigation led police to one of the suspect's residence in the 700 block of Irma Road in Rutland. Police attempted to contact the suspect, who instead called the police detachment. The suspect spoke with a Staff Sergeant who convinced the suspect, and another man believed to be the driver of the Explorer, to give themselves up.”

Holmes says both left the residence where they were arrested without incident.

“The Ford Explorer, that was not stolen, was also seized. The 26-year-old suspect is facing charges of pointing a firearm, carry a concealed weapon and theft under $5000 and will be held in custody pending an appearance before a Justice.”

He says investigation continues with respect to procuring charges against the 45-year-old male driver, who is also a Kelowna resident.

Police continue to look for the second suspect, who is described as Caucasian 5'11" tall, medium build with short dark hair and goatee. He was wearing a white hoodie, white tee shirt, white baseball cap with a black design on the front, jeans and runners.

See another photo of the suspects.

The execution of drug warrants at two Kelowna residences Thursday night has led to the arrest of a gang member from the lower mainland.

Members of the RCMP's Drug Section, along with other detachment members, raided two units in the Discovery Bay complex on Sunset Drive.

Constable Steve Holmes says police went into the units at around 8:40 p.m. and immediately arrested a 28-year-old man.

“[He] is a known member of the gang called the Red Scorpions and is a resident of Burnaby. The man was found within reach of a loaded handgun at the time of his arrest,” says Holmes.

He says two women, aged 20 and 23, were arrested as they attended the two residences while RCMP were on scene.

“Along with the loaded handgun, which is believed to be stolen, police seized three ounces of crystal methamphetamine, half an ounce of powdered cocaine, 1.5 ounces of crack cocaine, a large quantity of steroids, a bulletproof vest, $25,000 cash and other evidence, including stolen property, from the residences.”

Holmes says two of the three are appearing in court Friday to face numerous charges, including possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a firearm while on a prohibition order, possession of a restricted weapon, careless storage of a firearm, possession of stolen property and possession of a scheduled substance (in relation to the steroids.)

One of the women accused was released on a promise to appear in court at a later date.

It's time to change the time.

This weekend, most Canadians will convert to Daylight Savings Time by moving clocks ahead one hour before going to bed Saturday night.

With the conversion to Daylight Savings Time comes a warning from the Insurance Corporation of B.C. -- rest up before your Monday morning commute.

Over a five-year period (2005 to 2009) ICBC says there were 850 crash incidents on the Monday following the time change compared with 690 the Monday prior to the time change.

That's an increase of 23 per cent.

ICBC says that while there will be more daylight, the time change can have an effect on some people's sleep patterns, resulting in a disruption in their 'biological clock.'

The insurance corporation has some advice for motorists:

Get some rest: Try to get to bed earlier – and to help yourself to fall asleep faster – exercise during the day, have a hot bath or shower before going to bed and treat yourself to a book and a warm glass of milk.

Plan ahead: Give yourself extra time to drive to and from work next week.

Slow down and keep your distance, especially with more pedestrians and cyclists on the road.

Lights on: Continue to use your headlights at all times to ensure you are visible to pedestrians and other road users. Make sure your headlights are clean (splattered mud can cloud them) and that all bulbs (both high and low beam) are working properly.

Be a role model: Set an example by making smart driving decisions – whether it’s to your children, passengers or other road users. Your smart decisions can have a significant influence on others.

A thief looking for cash distressed the animals at the Kelowna SPCA branch early Friday morning.

Luckily, the animals weren't the target of the thief. He only did minor damage and got away with some Canadian Tire money, no cash.

Mike McGree, animal management coordinator, says a man broke the front glass door of the Casorso Road shelter just after 4:30 a.m.

“He looked like he knew what he was looking for. He went right to the front counter, where, during the day we keep our cash donations box. At night, all we keep out is the box for donations of Canadian Tire money,” says McGree.

He says they have video surveillance of the break in.

“The suspect is a man between the ages of 20 and 35. He was wearing gloves and a white hoodie.”

McGree says the animals were not harmed, but they were distressed by the loud, shrill alarm that went off when the thief broke the glass.

“I estimate it will cost us about $1,000 to replace the door.”

He says two local companies, Alanridge Construction and Crystal Glass, have stepped up and offered to help the shelter fix the damage done by the break in.

This isn't the first smash and grab the Kelowna SPCA has had to deal with. In June 2009, a similar incident took place where someone threw a rock through the front window.

Constable Steve Holmes says two other businesses, Alpine Pet Hospital on Baron Road and Allure Beauty Lounge on Sutherland, were broken into between 4:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. Friday.

He says thieves made off with an undisclosed amount of cash at those two locations.

According to Holmes, it's too early to say if the break-ins are connected.

Link: Smash and grab at Kelowna SPCA

It seems someone went to a lot of trouble to get a measly $5.

That was the total haul from three early morning B&E's police believe may be linked.

Between 4:20 a.m. and 5 a.m. Friday, three buildings were broken into.

Constable Steve Holmes says in all cases, the suspect broke in by smashing the glass front doors of the buildings.

Once inside, the thief searched for cash, but did little damage.

“The first was an alarm call to Alpine Pet Hospital on Baron Road at 4:22 a.m. The glass front door was smashed out with a rock, and there were signs that the culprit(s) searched through the front counter area, but nothing appeared to have been taken,” says Holmes.

He says the second alarm was heard at 4:38 a.m. coming from the SPCA on Casorso Road.

“The front glass door was smashed out and the only thing that was taken was a donation box for collecting Canadian Tire Money. The box and it's contents were discovered on the ground outside the building. Nothing else appeared to have been taken.”

Holmes says the third alarm was triggered at 4:55 a.m. at Allure Beauty Lounge on Sutherland Avenue.

“Once again, the front glass door was smashed, and the only thing that was taken was a $5 bill that was removed from the cash till.”

He says so far, no suspects have been identified.

“Police suspect, but cannot confirm, that the break and enters are connected.”

Link: Thief takes SPCA's Cdn. Tire money

Highlights of the Regional Board Meeting – March 11:

Proposed Hydraulic Lake Regional Park:

The Regional Board has approved preparation of an application to the Provincial Integrated Land Management Bureau for tenure of Crown land that would be included in the Regional Park system. This application will be submitted after coordinating an agreement with the Westbank First Nation. The ILMB application will be supported by a Crown land Acquisition and Management Plan developed for the Regional District and approved by the Board. The proposed Hydraulic Lake Regional Park is subject to approval of the 2010 – 2014 Five Year Financial Plan.

Regional Transit Program Updates:

The Regional Board has adopted two resolutions that will provide some assistance to some riders of the Kelowna Regional Transit service. In the interest of continuing to provide good customer service, effective April 1, at the beginning of each month transit drivers will be allowed to provide a three day extension for a riders’ recently expired monthly pass. As well, the Regional Board has approved a request to provide an average of 700 transit tickets each month to the Central Okanagan United Way, which then provides the tickets to 17 social service organizations to assist their clients with bus transportation around the region.

Solid Waste Management Bylaw Amended:

The Regional Board has adopted amendments to the Solid Waste Management Bylaw. The change introduces a single 2010 user fee of $167.06 for all solid waste collection services paid by property owners in the Central Okanagan East and Central Okanagan West electoral areas.

Proposed Mission Creek Greenway Tunnel:

The Regional Board has approved continuing with final completion for the detailed design, environmental assessment and tender contract documents for a proposed tunnel along the Mission Creek Greenway. The study so far suggests a tunnel is feasible and estimates the cost at more than $1.1-million. After consulting with the Friends of Mission Creek and in consideration of the current economic climate, it’s recommended that this present phase of the study be wrapped up so that at a future time when conditions are more appropriate and funds are available, consideration could then be given to a tunnel construction project at this location along the Mission Creek Greenway.

Special Public Budget Meeting:

The Regional Board will hold a special public meeting on Friday, March 26 at 9 a.m. in the Woodhaven Board Room at the Regional District office, 1450 KLO Road, Kelowna. Residents are welcome to attend and comment before the Board formally adopts the 2010-2014 Financial Plan.

Governance and Services Meeting:

The Governance and Services Committee will meet Thursday, April 8 at 8:30 a.m. in the Woodhaven Board Room at the Regional District office, 1450 KLO Road, Kelowna. Residents are welcome to attend.

Next Regional Board Meeting:

The next regular meeting of the Regional Board will be Monday, March 22, at 7 p.m. in the Woodhaven Room at the Regional District office, 1450 KLO Road, Kelowna. Residents are welcome to attend.

Opinion is split among land owners in South Pandosy concerning the establishment of a Business Improvement Area.

So much so that staff is suggesting area merchants wait a year in order to obtain more support.

Council endorsed the BIA on January 25, however, final approval had to await a petition process similar to the Alternative Approval Process.

Through the process, 106 land owners were given until last Friday to voice their opposition.

Valid petitions against the BIA had to total at least half of the land owners or represent at least half the assessed value.

Deputy City Clerk Karen Needham says 45 valid petitions were received by the deadline, short of the required 53 signatures.

She says the valid petitions must also represent at least half of the total assessed values of the affected parcels of land, which is $69.9 million.

The 45 valid signatures contributed a total of $69.3 million of the assessed values.

With insufficient petitions against the BIA Bylaw, Needham says council may now consider adoption of the bylaw.

"However, given the close results of the petition, staff would like to provide council with an alternate recommendation," says Needham in her report.

"The alternate recommendation recognizes that as a new organization, the South Pandosy Business Association's efforts to establish a Business Improvement Area may require more time in order to gain greater support of the local business community and in the process, perhaps consider restructuring the proposed boundaries."

Under the proposed BIA, similar to ones in Rutland and downtown Kelowna, commercial land owners would contribute $1 for every $1,000 of assessed value.

A commercial property valued at $1M would contribute $83 a month, while at the high end, a commercial property valued at $15M would pay $1,250 a month towards the BIA.

Kelowna City Council will begin taking a second run at crafting a downtown Comprehensive Development Plan Monday.

Councillors will be provided with a 'high level' review of the history of the CD-21 Zone process to date when it meets Monday morning.

A little over two weeks ago, council voted 6-3 to rescind second and third readings of the downtown redevelopment plan.

The major stumbling block was a hotel which would sit on a portion of Kerry Park.

In rescinding second and third readings, council asked that a formal workshop be held to allow councillors an opportunity to discuss and propose possible changes.

The workshop will be held Monday, March 29.

The proposed agenda for the workshop includes:

Historical context

Process and time-lines

Mechanics of the plan

Public consultation

Community, stakeholder and previous council concerns

Plan amendments

The final product

Q and A

Real Estate and Building Services Manager Doug Gilchrest says no budget or staff time have been allocated should council determine changes to the current redevelopment plan are needed.

"Any subsequent changes to the existing CD-21 bylaws may result in the need for first reading to also be rescinded," says Gilchrest.

"All four readings of the new bylaws (and a public hearing) will need to take place. This would in turn trigger a new review of the bylaws by MoT."