7 articles found
Financial challenges of travelling for medical care down-Island can be overwhelming for some
Here we go again, the Okanagan Sun and St. Clair Saints meet on the national stage for the second straight season and third time in four years, this time for the CJFL National Semi-Final. They met in 2022 in this very game with the Sun earning a 42-24 victory in Windsor en route to capture the Canadian Bowl. Then last season, again in Windsor, the Saints returned the favour with a 37-22 win to capture their first national title since 1999. One could consider Saturday’s game in Kelowna, the rubber match with the winner advancing to the 2025 Canadian Bowl. Both teams come into the ballgame undefeated. The defending champion Saints stream rolled through the Ontario Conference outscoring opponents 66-9 along the way. In the playoffs they were tested in the semifinal but beat the newly expanded Sault Ste. Marie Cougars, before shutting out the Hamilton Hurricanes in the Ontario final for their fourth straight Teddy Morris Trophy. The Sun won the right to host this game by going through the 10-game BC Conference regular season unblemished, then swept through their two playoff games beating the VI Raiders and Westshore Rebels. This game should come down to the defensive side of the ball. Both offences are extremely talented with several different weapons and threats to choose from, so which defence will be able to make a stop or two? The Saints feature All-Stars Jaylin Burnett and Chris Rivero on the line, Mo Ibraheem at the linebacker position and Brandon Vecchio in the secondary, while the Sun can counter with JaQuintis Summers, Jarveon Williams and their combined 24 sacks up front, Phil Palmarin at linebacker and ballhawk Tariq Brown on the backend. During the regular season the Saints kept teams under 10 points on average and earned the shutout during the Ontario final, but that game was shortened due to lightning. The Sun defence also kept the opposition under 10 during the regular campaign and averaged 19 points allowed in the two playoff games. If the defences can’t slow down the offences, fans could be in for a good old-fashioned shootout at the Apple Bowl. The Saints scored 66 points a game in the regular season and love to throw the ball with All-Star quarterback Matthew Guenette and his record setting 35 touchdown passes. He has a flurry of receivers at his disposal but his “go-to” guy is Cameron St. Kitts-Park who turned in a fantastic season of 56 receptions, 760 yards and nine touchdowns. First-year Saint Marselio Mendez was also an impact receiver making 30 catches for 611 yards and 11 majors. On the ground All-Star running back MJ Doyle-Marshall can chew up yards in a hurry and is difficult to bring down with his 215-pound frame. He rushed for 640 yards on 82 carries this year with nine touchdowns. The Sun offensive numbers are similar to the Saints scoring over 52-points a game. Quarterback Liam Kroeger is coming off his best game of the season after throwing for 2860 yards and 26 touchdowns. He threw for two and ran for two touchdowns in the first half of the Cullen Cup last weekend alone. He has a solid group of receivers at the ready with the likes of Jordayne Falconer and Seth Famakinde who both hauled in majors last weekend. All-Star running back Gerren Hardisty is a power runner with speed and like Doyle-Marshall doesn’t go down very easily. He is one of three CJFL running backs to hit the 1000-yard plateau this year and came back to junior football this season to be in this very game. The offensive lines on both sides could be the difference markers giving their quarterback time to throw the ball while blowing open holes for the running backs. They are loaded with experience and All-Stars but will have their hands full with the speed and power coming from the defensive lines and blitzing linebackers. In every game field position is obviously important and this game features All-Star return specialists on both sides with Mendez and Falconer who have the ability to break one to the house every single time they touch the ball. Falconer returned three punts for touchdowns this year while Mendez had a pair. Speaking of Special Teams, both Liam Attwood and Joe Newton-Grain have a strong right leg in the kicking game and can put points on the board when a drive stalls. Bottom line, this game will be fun to watch and an instant classic as these two showcase so many talented players. The winner will advance to the 2025 Canadian Bowl on November 9th and visit either Regina or Saskatoon for the 117th national championship.
The École Kelowna Secondary School choir will be the focal point of what is expected to be a highlight of the upcoming Foreigner concert at Prospera Place on Nov. 7. The choir will be escorted on stage to back up the band for their performance of I Want To Know What Love Is, Foreigner’s biggest-selling single. Michael Bluestein, keyboard player for Foreigner, said it is a highlight moment of the show, as the band recruits a local choir to perform the backup singing role at every venue on their concert dates. “A crew member looks after all that. They are ushered on stage, told where to stand, and they rehearse their part in advance to be ready for the concert,” Bluestein said. “It is amazing to see as the kids are so into it, smiling, beaming and really excited to be part of the song performance.” When the announcement of the KSS choir was made earlier this month, KSS teacher Sheila French said, “I know it will change their lives. And I know that they’re going to love it…absolutely everybody should be in a choir.” KSS choir member Thomas Abresch called it a dream come true, saying he really loves ‘80s music and was a big fan of Foreigner in particular. “I’m really excited. I think my dad is super-pumped, this is definitely his jam, and it’s my jam, too.” Those comments come as literal music to the ears of Bluestein, a long-time musician who has found a musical home touring with Foreigner dating back to 2009. Bluestein grew up in the Boston area with a dream of becoming a musician. He started taking classical piano lessons at age nine and pursued his interest in pop, jazz and soul music, graduating from high school and enrolling at Berklee College of Music, where he further studied jazz piano and composition. After receiving his Bachelor of Arts in music at Berkley, he moved to San Francisco in 1994, where he became a musician fixture in the Bay Area music scene. He would record three CDs of his own, play in other jazz bands and earn a living as a music sideman in San Francisco. But he decided to relocate to Los Angeles in 2003 to seek new opportunities in the music business, playing with bigger-name performers and be part of larger-scale concert tours. His journey led him to be hired to tour and record with Boz Scaggs in 2003, Anastacia from 2004-06, Enrique Iglesias (2007-08) and Roger Hodgson (2009). He was given the heads-up about an audition call by Foreigner in search of a keyboard player, and he responded. “It was not a huge cattle call type of thing…I think there were maybe five or six people who they auditioned, and I got picked to join the band,” he said. “It’s like everything in life, it’s about one per cent inspiration and 99 per cent perspiration that gets you these opportunities.” Bluestein recalled that while he was a big fan of Foreigner growing up, he had to practice the music sheets for Foreigner songs and learn the chord progressions. “I came into the audition and played keyboards for several songs – Feels Like The First Time, Jukebox Hero, I Want To Know What Love Is and Waiting For A Girl Like You, as I remember. “Growing up, I always liked Foreigner, and the lead singer, Lou Gramm, had an impact on me. Songs like Cold As Ice, Feels Like The First Time and Long, Long Way From Home influenced me in a big way.” He says keyboards have not always been front and centre in what is largely a guitar-driven rock’n roll sound for Foreigner, but he says many of their songs are still influenced significantly by keyboards. He says that for him, Jukebox Hero is probably his favourite song to play in concerts because of the keyboard influences in that hit from the Foreigner 4 album. Like the other members of the current touring rendition of Foreigner, none of the original musicians who formed the band are part of the group. Foreigner began as a compilation of various musicians who came together to form the group, led by guitarist Mick Jones and keyboardist Al Greenwood in 1976. Joining them were guitarist Ian McDonald, bass player Ed Gaglardi and drummer Dennis Elliott, with the final piece seeing their search for a lead singer end with discovering Lou Gramm. The band’s debut album, Foreigner, was released in 1977 and sold five million copies. Foreigner’s following two albums, Double Vision and Head Games, were released in 1978 and ’79 respectively, both featuring multiple hits. But after Head Games, the band began to splinter apart as Greenwood and McDonald left the band over musical differences, and Jones began to assert greater control over Foreigner’s musical direction. Working with legendary producer John “Mutt” Lange, the group’s next album, the biggest-selling of their career, Foreigner 4, was released in 1981. That would be followed by their next album, Agent Provocateur, in 1984, which featured the hit single I Want to Know What Love Is, the ballad that the KSS choir will sing backup to on Nov. 7. Guitarist Mick Jones and lead singer Lou Gramm had an acrimonious history at various times throughout their tenure together with the band, with Gramm ultimately leaving the group for good in 2003. Jones noted that the two parted ways because of a lack of communication. “I think we really tried hard to save it, but it got to the point when we both realized that to go on would be detrimental to both of us,” he said. But Jones continued to keep the band name alive, recruiting new musicians and eventually finding a new frontman in Kelly Hansen, who joined the group in 2005, and who just recently announced his decision 20 years later to step aside and retire from the music scene. Meanwhile, Jones, diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, has been unable to continue touring with Foreigner in recent years. Bluestein said that with Hansen leaving the group, guitarist Luis Maldonado has stepped up to take on the additional role of lead vocalist. He says while the band has gone through turmoil and changeover since first being formed in 1976, the legacy of their music has continued to endure, and remains as much fun for the band today to perform as it is for the audiences to listen to. “For many of us, these are songs we grew up listening to,” Bluestein said.
In custody for the last four years on a series of reported offences, alleged gangster Ekene Anigbo is facing new charges while awaiting trial for the murder of a Naramata woman. Ekene Anigbo and Jalen Falk were arrested and charged with first-degree murder in April 2023, in connection with the death of Kathy Richardson, who was found dead at her home in Naramata in June 2021. The most recent charge, sworn in on Oct. 15, alleges that Anigbo assaulted a peace officer in Oliver in September 2025, according to court records. It is unclear when Anigbo returned to B.C., as he was in Ontario at the Millhaven Institution when he reportedly stabbed a fellow inmate in 2024. Anigbo was already in custody when he was charged with Richardson’s murder in 2023, after he was arrested in October 2021 on multiple outstanding warrants for breaching probation and assault. At the time of the arrest, Anigbo had numerous guns and ammunition in his possession and was subsequently charged with firearms-related offences. Prior to his October arrest, on May 17, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) issued a public warning for “gangsters” who were believed to be a risk to the public, including Anigbo. “Our police intelligence leads us to believe that the individuals we have identified today may be targeted by rival gang members,” VPD Chief Const. Adam Palmer said at the time. “My greatest concern right now, related to the ongoing gang violence, is that an innocent bystander will be hurt or killed during a shooting targeting a gangster.” That same month, the bodies of Carlos and Erick Fryer were found by hikers in a remote area near Naramata. Wade Cudmore, Richardson’s son, was found guilty of their murder and received a life sentence in 2024. Richardson was found murdered in her home less than a month after the Fryers’ bodies were discovered. One day after Richardson’s body was found, Cudmore was arrested and charged with first-degree murder for the Fryer deaths. Anthony Graham, co-accused with Cudmore in the Fryer brothers’ deaths, has not been seen since 2021. Anigbo is schedueld to be in Penticton Provincial Court on Oct. 29 to fix a date for his next court appearance on the charge of assaulting a peace officer. The murder charges against him and Falk are currently expected to be heard in 2026 in Kelowna, following a pre-trial conference earlier in 2025.
Youth have collective wisdom that helps them navigate changes in society. Like salmon swimming upstream year after year. The Okanagan Indian Band’s (OKIB) Youth Leadership Council, with help and support from the band’s public safety department, have taken the salmon comparison and run with it with whopping success. The youth council’s second annual What Happens Upstream – A Time For Action conference on Monday, Oct. 20, at Vernon’s Prestige Hotel and Resort, drew a capacity crowd of 300 attendees aged 14 to 25 who wanted – needed – their voices to be heard. “The challenge the salmon face every year going upstream symbolizes our youth, and with our logo being a salmon egg, the youth need to know that the work that needs to be happening is not for them now, but for future generations,” said Odessa Clough from OKIB’s public safety department. “So the youth are swimming upstream to lay their eggs of wisdom for the next generation.” The day-long conference highlights the importance of collaboration, emphasizing that while individual efforts matter, it’s the group’s strength that shapes a bright future. Emmerie-Rae Louis is a recent high school graduate who sits on the OKIB youth council. She encourages all youth to recognize they have a voice, and use it. “People want to hear you talk, and what you need or want in your life,” said Louis, 18. “If it’s at school, home, workplaces, or extra-curricular programs, we want to hear what you have to say, and we want to support them.” OKIB’s public safety department is set up to provide support, education, awareness, and advocacy, to counselling to elders, and even to help navigate the justice system. It’s most important function, however, is the gathering of the youth leadership council. “It’s really important to create safe spaces for our youth to gather, to share, and to support them in any capacity that we can,” said Jami Tonasket from public safety. “It’s a safe space that’s very much needed in our community, the youth have a space (at the OKIB office) and make it their own,” said Tonasket. “The safe space reflects our OKIB youth council. The murals on the wall, the pictures, they’re all chosen by our youth. They made it their safe space, where they can learn, they can drum and sing, talk to elders, and really just share among themselves and with the adults and the community what their needs are.” One of the first things keynote speaker Vanessa Mitchell noticed as she walked around the packed tables of the conference rooms was a murmur and rustling, indicating the use of items left on the centre of each table. “Organizers ensured inclusivity, I love it,” said Mitchell, an elected school board trustee in the Vernon School District. “There are so many different ways of learning and listening that’s available. It was great to see and hear that.” Mitchell would have loved to attend the conference had there been one when she was growing up. “Mostly because it’s local,” she said. “Most of the times we would have had to go to Vancouver for such an event. These organizers have opened this conference to all youth, they can take away connections, they get a sense of belonging, and learn that it’s okay to ask for help and not know everything. “They will find new resources and tools as they navigate life.” Joining Mitchell as a keynote address speaker was Okanagan hip-hop artist K.A.S.P. (Keeping Stories Alive for the People). He spent his youth in East Vancouver and Penticton (where he resides today), growing up in 33 foster care homes and 13 groups homes. He’s worked with the like of RunDMC, Fredro Starr (ONYX), and Shyheim (Wu-Tang Clan), but jumped at the chance to present at the conference. “I love performing locally and helping inspire youth, empowering them and showing them they can do whatever they want, no matter where they are in life,” said K.A.S.P. “I’ve got tons of new music coming out, I’ve won lots of awards, all while living in Penticton. It doesn’t matter where you live, but how hard you work and put your mind to it.” Akasha Eustache has certainly been empowered. Eustache, 21, from the OKIB youth council, was one of the organizers of the day-long conference. Since she joined the council and began organizing events like What Happens Upstream, Eustache has felt her confidence soar. “I feel more confident speaking out on my own needs and other people’s needs,” said Eustache. “We’re next. We want to create something good, not just for us but for the younger generation. It’s important for us to take care of our community and the younger ones. Our generation, we’re doing a lot of work, we’re not just sitting around.” OKIB Chief Dan Wilson knows the youth leadership council is vital to the band. “We need to keep consulting with youth and their views, they’re our future leaders,” said Wilson, who also shared how he overcame what he called “cultural embarrassment” as a high school student in Vernon. He was at the Vernon Senior Secondary auditorium in 1977, listening to a talk from OKIB Councillor Ray Williams, who noticed Wilson sitting at the back of the auditorium with his head hanging down. Williams caught up to Wilson in the school parking lot. “‘Danny,’ he said, ‘I never want to see that again. You have to be proud of our culture. You’re one of our future leaders, people your age look up to you,’” recalled Wilson. “He said, ‘Keep your head up. Like a flag, you’re representing us.’ I took his advice when I went to university and wherever I went I would keep my chin up. “Our youth today are like that.” Reaction to the one-day conference – both years – has been “nothing short of awesome,” said Verlynn Mariano with the public safety department. “We’ve worked with the youth and youth-oriented organizations like NOYFSS (North Okanagan Youth and Family Services Society), School District 22, Vernon Native Housing, they’ve all really supported us this year and last year,” she said. “The youth have been very proud and gained so much confidence that they’ve shared this with their networks. It’s a full house with youth participating eagerly. They tell us they need this, need a platform to share their voices, their ideas, their solutions to things.” Plans have already begun for the third annual conference in 2026. “We just might need a bigger venue,” smiled Eustache. READ MORE: Youth conference sparks call for action in Vernon READ MORE: Hometown player signs with Vernon Vipers
Another respiratory illness season is fast approaching, but the biggest threat to public health might not even be the viruses themselves. The real danger to public safety might be a 30-second social media video, say B.C. health officials. “Get your information from a reputable source; social media is not a scientific source of health information,” deputy provincial health officer Dr. Martin Lavoie said in a press conference in Victoria on Wednesday (Oct. 22). Health Minister Josie Osborne said much of the misinformation influencing Canadians’ opinions isn’t even from Canada. She said much of the anti-vaccine messaging Canadians are being exposed to is coming from outside our borders, “particularly the United States.” With vaccine hesitancy on the rise, Lavoie and Osborne both said it’s becoming increasingly important to ensure the public has accurate information on the safety and effectiveness of vaccines. “We are only in the beginning of the virus season,” Dr. Lavoie said, stressing the importance of preventative measures like vaccination and personal hygiene, as well as infection control measures like staying home or wearing a mask. The Ministry of Health said over two million British Columbians received invitations to book their vaccination through BC Get Vaccinated, the provincial booking system launched in 2021. Although skepticism around vaccination as a whole has been on the rise, health officials said, British Columbians seem to be taking the flu season seriously. Between Oct. 14 and 19, just under 275,000 British Columbians had received their flu shots for the year — an increase from last year’s first week of vaccinations. “Getting a vaccine is an act of care and an act of community,” Osborne said. She explained that getting vaccinated is “the simplest and most effective way” individuals can contribute to public health. While health officials look to strengthen their public messaging on the importance of vaccines, they’re also encouraging anyone with concerns or anxieties about vaccines to speak with their health-care professionals. Officials said vaccination isn’t just about protecting ourselves, but also about reducing the risk of transmitting illness to vulnerable populations like children, seniors and pregnant women. Influenza and COVID-19 vaccines have been available free of cost to British Columbians since 2021. Appointments can be booked online through BC Get Vaccinated or by phone at 1-833-838-2323.
By Bob Marjanovich The Canadian Football League has announced its nominees for this season’s Most Outstanding Player Awards and we’ve decided to break it all down for you from a B.C. Lions perspective. All of the statistics provided are those heading into the final weekend of the regular season. MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER: B.C. nominee – Nathan Rourke It’s pretty much a given that Rourke will be the Western nominee while Hamilton’s Bo Levi Mitchell will be the Eastern rep. There isn’t much to chose from when looking at the passing numbers as Rourke (4,922 yards passing with 29 touchdowns) and Mitchell (5,032 yards passing with 34 touchdowns) are very close but it should be noted that Rourke played two fewer games due to injury. What should sway this in Rourke’s favor is his ability to run the ball as he’s rushed for 559 yards – the eighth best total in the CFL. WINNER: Nathan Rourke MOST OUTSTANDING CANADIAN: B.C. nominee – Nathan Rourke So if Rourke wins the Most Outstanding Player Award, how can you not vote for him as the CFL’s best Canadian player? There are several players that have had outstanding seasons such as Montreal’s Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund, Winnipeg’s Brady Oliveira and Saskatchewan’s A.J. Allen, but this should be a win for Rourke. WINNER: Nathan Rourke MOST OUTSTANDING DEFENSIVE PLAYER: B.C. nominee – Mathieu Betts This one should be interesting. Saskatchewan linebacker Jameer Thurman is a worthy candidate with 85 tackles, three interceptions and three sacks to his credit. Adeyemi-Berglund, Calgary’s Clarence Hicks and Hamilton’s Julian Howsare all have 11 sacks to their credit as well. The thing that Betts has going for him is recency bias as he has recorded 10 of his 14 sacks during the Lions’ current five-game win streak. WINNER: Mathieu Betts MOST OUTSTANDING OFFENSIVE LINEMAN: B.C. nominee – Jarrel Broxton If you are to believe the folks at Pro Football Focus or 3Down Nation’s J.C. Abbott, Broxton should be a slam-dunk winner. First the facts, as PFF named Broxton as the CFL’s highest-graded o-lineman for August and September. The Lions offensive line has allowed the fewest quarterback sacks (18) in the league and has averaged over 30 points per game. Broxton has been one of the biggest reasons why. There are other worthy candidates such as Saskatchewan’s Jermarcus Hardrick and Winnipeg’s Stanley Bryant but the numbers back Broxton. Unfortunately, hometown biases do come into play. WINNER: Too close to call. MOST OUTSTANDING SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER: B.C. nominee – Sean Whyte All Whyte has done is go 39 for 41 in field goal attempts with walk-off field goals in Montreal and Hamilton. Unfortunately for Whyte, his efficiency doesn’t make him sexy enough for voters. Sexy is Winnipeg returner Trey Vaval, who combined for 2,266 yards in the return game in 2025. The Bombers rookie also returned four kicks for touchdowns this season making him the odds-on favorite to win this award. WINNER: Trey Vaval MOST OUTSTANDING ROOKIE: B.C. nominee – Robert Carter Jr. The Lions cornerback has been a human highlight reel this season with an amazing one-handed interception in a game against Hamilton and then a pick-six and a blow-up hit last week against Edmonton topping the list. The rookie from Robert Morris has continued to get better as the season progresses to the point where he was the second-highest rated defensive back for his performance against the Elks. His toughest challenge will come from Vaval but I believe that playing on defense should carry more weight than contributions on special teams. WINNER: Should be Carter but it wouldn’t surprise me if Vaval wins. TOM PATE MEMORIAL AWARD: B.C. nominee – Andrew Peirson Although not part of the mainstream awards, this award is given to a player who exemplifies outstanding sportsmanship and who has made a significant contribution to his team and his community. I believe that all the nominated players should be recognized for their contributions to their respective communities so props to Dom Rymes (Calgary), Nyles Morgan (Edmonton), Micah Johnson (Saskatchewan), Brady Oliveira (Winnipeg), Kenny Lawler (Hamilton), Anthony Lanier II (Toronto), Tyron Vrede (Ottawa) and Geoffrey Cantin-Arku (Montreal) for giving back. It’s players like these that make the CFL special. EXTRA POINTS: * The Lions (10-7) finish their season in Regina versus the Roughriders (12-5) on Saturday at 4 p.m. (TSN; CKNW 730; Sher E Punjab Radio AM 600). * If the Lions win, they will host Calgary in the Western Semi-Final on Saturday, Nov. 1. A loss, however, complicates things. A combination of Calgary and Winnipeg winning means the Lions would crossover to the East and in all likelihood play Montreal. A B.C. loss – combined with either Winnipeg or Calgary losing would result in the Lions going to Calgary. In the highly unlikely occurrence of all three teams losing, B.C. would host Calgary. * The Lions head into Regina relatively healthy with defensive tackle Jonah Tavai (thigh) the only starter who will probably miss the game. If Tavai can’t play, expect fellow defensive tackle Tomasi Laulile to take his spot. Veteran B.C. sports personality Bob “the Moj” Marjanovich writes about the B.C. sporting scene for Black Press Media. This column is brought to you by: The West Coast Auto Group. For the very best car buying experience – be sure to check out westcoastautogroup.com. Delaney’s OK Tire Langley and Aldergrove. The experts you can trust. 19863 Fraser Highway in Langley or 3063 275a Street in Aldergrove