U-Haul data shows Kelowna a top destination in Canada – Kelowna News

Photo: GoFundMe

A Peachland family is left reeling after the sudden passing of Jim Collins, a loving husband and father to four girls.

Jen Collins tells Castanet her husband died suddenly early Saturday morning.

Collins says she was waiting for the ambulance for what felt like forever.

“I think it took them just over 30 minutes, and then they worked on him for 45 minutes. They did the defibrillator and all the injections and medications, and there was nothing.”

“It was horrific.”

Collins says she was never told why the ambulance was delayed.

“I live in Peachland, and the Peachland Fire Department even got there after the ambulance,” she added.

Castanet has reached out to BCEHS for comment.

Collins says autopsy results are expected to be complete sometime on Monday.

A GoFundMe campaign has been created to help the family with funeral and living expenses.

“Jim was the sole provider for his family, their whole world and the best dad anyone could ever ask for. He was generous with his time and energy, always willing to help a friend in need,” Craig Collins shared online.

Jim Collins owned and operated a home renovation company.

He was 45 years old.

“He was loved and adored by many. He was a super dad to four beautiful daughters and the most loving husband to his wife. He was the hardest worker and took pride in his work ethic. You knew you could count on him with just a handshake,” a friend wrote.

Cindy White

It was a memorial and a show of solidarity.

Members of the Iranian-Canadian community gathered at Kerry Park Sunday afternoon to remember the victims of Flight PS752. They drew an airplane in chalk and then lit candles around the outline of the plane.

Flight PS752 was shot down by the Iranian military shortly after takeoff from Tehran in January 2020. All 176 people aboard the Ukrainian Airlines plane were killed. Among them were 55 Canadian citizens and 30 permanent residents, many who were Iranian-Canadian academics.

Sunday’s rally was one of several held across the country.

“To mourn for this event, (but) we would also like to show our solidarity and unity for the revolution in Iran,” said professor Ray Taheri from the School of Engineering at UBC Okanagan. “We want to show that this revolution will never stop as long as the Iranian regime is doing their cruelty and atrocities to the Iranian people.”

Also among the approximately 100 people who attended the memorial was Nassim, a newcomer to Canada.

She spent the first two anniversaries of the tragedy in Iran.

“I remember deep, deep sadness that I was feeling. But this year, I feel the anger. Because we are not just here for the 3rd anniversary of the flight, but also to support (the) ongoing uprising inside Iran.

“Just yesterday (Saturday) morning they executed two young men, innocent young men, like the rest of those killed during these 100-and-some days,” said Nassim.

The Iranian community has gathered almost every weekend in downtown Kelowna in support of the uprising.

The death toll is estimated at nearly 600 during the nationwide protests in Iran that began over the death of a young woman in police custody. Government security forces have arrested thousands of mostly young people, and have carried out a number of executions in recent weeks.

Madison Erhardt

You may want to get out your rain boots this week.

Environment Canada is forecasting rain and snow for the majority of the week with temperatures above freezing.

“Looking early into the work week we are looking at some snow development to pull through. It will be pretty marginal,” said Ken Dosanjh, Environment Canada meteorologist.

“Wednesday night into Thursday will will see a deep low pressure system that will bring snow into the Okanagan. We are looking at rising freezing levels.”

Normal temperatures for this time of year hover around -2 C with a low of -8 C.

“It is just a much warmer air mass that is going to start to push through. We could see some phase changes between snow or rain,” Dosanjh added.

Monday should reach high of zero with snow. The overnight will drop down to -3 C with periods of snow expected.

Tuesday and Wednesday will feel mild with a high of 1 C and a mix of sun and cloud.

Thursday will see snow or rain with a high of 2 C.

Friday and Saturday will also be wet with a chance of showers or flurries and a high of 3 C.

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Photo: Contributed

Kelowna city council is being asked to give its approval to the next portion of “The Ponds” development in the Upper Mission.

The proposal before council is to rezone nearly two hectares of property on Hewetson Court to accommodate 31 townhouse units which would be a mix of single-detached and semi-detached housing.

Council initially approved a ‘Neighbourhood 3 Area Structure Plan’ for The Ponds more than 15 years ago.

Staff says the plans envisioned a “logical patters of development for Neighbourhood 3 that would result in a high quality, attractive and complete community.

“The Area Structure Plan notes that the development concept has been formulated to work harmoniously with the topography, and to retain the integrity of water features and their surroundings.”

Staff indicate the area is suitable for density in the range of 15 to 20 units per hectare. The applicant is proposing 16.9 units per hectare.

The development would be situated directly below Kuiper’s Peak Mountain Park, and would include pedestrian access to the park as well as a statutory right-of-way to allow public access through the site.

“Due to the regulatory complexity of developing land within environmentally sensitive and hillside areas, staff are recommending final adoption be considered subsequent to the issuance of a Natural Environment and Hazardous Condition Development Permit.”

Photo: Contributed

Tony and Ayden Freund

A new Okanagan company’s mission is to have you and your home covered, giving you more time to enjoy the finer things in life.

Blanket Home Services is calling itself the Okanagan’s first subscription-based preventative maintenance solutions company. Clients pay a monthly fee to Blanket, which will do proactive maintenance on their homes in an effort to prevent those big-ticket disasters that can put a big hole in your bank account.

Tony Freund and his son, Ayden, created the company, which they feel will help those who do not want to waste their valuable time standing in line at the local hardware store, seniors who can no longer do certain house chores and property management companies.

“We started this business seeing a gap in the services being provided in the industry,” Tony Freund said in a press release. “There are companies providing forms of handyman services or maintenance. However, we are the only company that truly has everything covered.”

Freund said Blanket will address more than 175 mechanical, electrical, structural, safety and seasonal items annually. While they are doing this they also will repair a loose door handle, replace a light bulb or ensure the dishwasher is draining properly.

More information about Blanket Home Services can be found on its website.

Photo: Contributed

A Juno-nominated singer and songwriter is coming to Lake Country.

Luca Fogale of Burnaby is set to kick-off his Run With The Lights 2023 Canadian tour at the Creekside Theatre on Feb. 9.

After touring Europe through the fall and winter months of 2022, Fogale is ready to perform back in B.C., levelling up from performing in coffee shops to larger scale stages like concert halls.

Performing with a live band, the tour will hit multiple cities across Canada.

“Everyone at Creekside Theatre is thrilled to welcome Luca and his fans to our intimate auditorium, and to have an opportunity to present this concert,” said cultural development coordinator Ryan Donn.

“This venue is known for providing a superior listening experience and a wonderful stage for the performers. This is an opportunity for all music lovers in the Central Okanagan.”

The west coast singer and songwriter was nominated at the Juno Awards in the category of Adult Contemporary Album of the Year.

Fogale’s hit song “I don’t want to lose you” has over 14.5 million listens on Spotify., while his latest single “Every Colour” has cleared eight million.

As of January 4, tickets are 50 per cent sold out, but you can reach out to purchase yours at www.creeksidetheatre.com

Photo: Contributed

It didn’t quite reach its goal, but Habitat for Humanity Okanagan still raised more than $17,000 during its second annual Jingle Bell Build last month.

The group set out to raise $30,000 this year, but supply chain issues caused the fundraiser to start later. The money will go towards Habitat’s current Lake Country project that will build 12 affordable homes.

“We’re thankful for the generosity of our community, and passion of our cause partners in reaching this achievement,” Habitat for Humanity Okanagan CEO Andrea Manifold said in a press release. “They have not only helped us raise $17,000-plus dollars, but they have helped to ensure more families in need have a safe, decent, affordable place to call home.”

The Jingle Bell Build is a gingerbread house building competition. People bought kits for $25, built their best gingerbread house and submitted pictures of their creations.

Winners were declared in several categories through online voting and a panel of judges. The Ivans won the family/individual category, while Cohesion Land Design captured the team event. The Bowolin family, meanwhile, was the people’s choice winner.

Re/Max Kelowna was the presenting sponsor, and other supporters were Acorn Homes, Emil Anderson, CHBA-Central Okanagan, Westwood Cabinets, Norelco Cabinets, Interior Savings, Domino’s Pizza and Cowan Insurance.

Photo: Contributed

Pushor Mitchell has entered a team in Swinging with the Stars for the first time, and it will be hosting a launch party to give even more support to Central Okanagan Hospice Association.

The Kelowna law firm and Grant Thornton LLP will be co-hosting a dance party on Saturday, Jan. 21, at BNA Tasting Room in downtown Kelowna. DJ Invizible will provide the music, there will be Asian fusion appetizers from BoxcAr, two drink tickets and a “night of bustin’ a move for a great cause,” according to a press release.

There will also be live auction items, including a track day at Area 27, courtesy of August Motorcars, a suite for 10 at a Kelowna Rockets game, courtesy of Pushor Mitchell, and a helicopter tour, courtesy of Okanagan Mountain Helicopter.

Swinging with the Stars will take place Saturday, Feb. 25, 2023, at Delta Marriott Grand Okanagan Resort. Pushor Mitchell’s team, which is called Pushor Real Good, is made up of eight lawyers who will be performing a hip hop routine under the guidance of professional dance instructor Jen Large.

“COHA plays a very important role locally by providing a community where no one has to die or grieve alone,” Pushor Mitchell managing partner and COHA board member Joni Metherell said. “We are pleased to have a team in the event, as our firm is about more than writing cheques; we try to get involved in the causes we support.”

Tickets for the Jan. 21 dance party at BNA can be purchased here.

Photo: Contributed

The Valens Company is one step closer to becoming part of the SNDL family.

Last week, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice granted a final order approving the sale agreement the two companies agreed upon last summer.

Shareholders of Valens, a Kelowna manufacturer of cannabis products, will receive 0.3334 of a common share of SNDL for each common share they own.

The all-stock transaction is valued at $138 million and is expected to become official later this month.

SNDL is a cannabis and liquor company based in Calgary.