Traffic Resumes Following Serious Morning Incident

Four people were hospitalized, including three in critical condition, after a motor vehicle incident occurred north of Merritt on Saturday morning, October 17.

DriveBC reported that the Coquihalla Highway was reopened in both directions from Exit 290 to Exit 315 at approximately 4:00 p.m., following the earlier closure.

Emergency Responders Deploy Air Ambulances

BC Emergency Health Services dispatched multiple resources after receiving a call at approximately 8:35 a.m. The response included two air ambulances, three primary care paramedic ambulances, one advanced care paramedic ambulance, and a paramedic supervisor.

According to BCEHS, crews provided emergency medical care at the scene. Two of the three critically injured patients were flown to the hospital via air ambulance, while a fourth patient was taken to the hospital in stable condition.

Campaign Trail Brings Health-Care Promises to Central Okanagan

With B.C. voters heading to the polls in four days, provincial party leaders are focusing heavily on Central Okanagan health care. B.C. NDP Leader David Eby visited City Park in Kelowna on Tuesday to elaborate on a $30-million platform commitment aimed at finishing the sixth floor of Kelowna General Hospital (KGH).

The 33,000-square-foot space has sat unfinished since the building was constructed in 2012. Under the NDP’s plan, the area would be transformed into a permanent inpatient unit, which would include space for detox beds and addiction services. Eby stated that the project is fully costed and would be funded in part by raising taxes on the province’s wealthiest residents, asserting that 96 per cent of British Columbians would see no tax increase.

Conservative Candidate Rejects Pledge as Political Maneuver

Gavin Dew, the B.C. Conservative candidate for Kelowna-Mission, criticized the pledge as a desperate and cynical promise made right before election day. Dew argued that the NDP ignored local health priorities for years while the sixth floor remained vacant and patients occupied more than 50 hallway beds.

Dew also pointed to ongoing culture and staffing issues within Interior Health, stating that doctors and health professionals have been driven away. He noted that internal memos from April showed discussions about the 6E space were already occurring among hospital executives following months of local advocacy.

Staffing and Broader Regional Priorities

Addressing questions about how the expanded floor would be staffed given widespread health-care shortages, Eby said current staff need the physical space for patients, while future growth would rely on ongoing recruitment efforts. He highlighted provincial programs targeting American health professionals, expanded training seats at UBC, and the addition of 1,400 family doctors in recent years.

Loyal Wooldridge, the NDP candidate for Kelowna Centre and former regional hospital district chair, emphasized that completing the sixth floor must coincide with expanding long-term care and substance use treatment options. He added that reducing emergency department wait times remains a frequent priority raised by local residents.

Parties Target Okanagan Ridings

The spending promise comes as political leaders make frequent stops in the region. The NDP platform also includes $90 million for 75 involuntary-care spaces at Oliver Correctional Centre, $20 million over four years for Kelowna International Airport, and funding for compassionate care beds in Oliver.

Meanwhile, B.C. Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson told a Kelowna gathering on Monday that his party would make publicly funded health care the top funding priority in every budget, pointing to a previously announced $50-million fund to support rural emergency rooms. Local candidates are set to address voters further during a Kelowna Chamber forum on Tuesday afternoon.

Legacy of Local Public Works

Geert Maas, a prominent Dutch-born sculptor whose work shaped public spaces throughout the region and beyond, passed away on Oct. 16 at the age of 82. His family noted in an obituary that his death followed several years of declining health.

Maas created numerous well-known public installations across Kelowna. His local sculptures include On the Beach located in Waterfront Park, the Circle of Friendship near Kasugai Gardens, and a large bronze apple centennial time capsule at Orchard Park Mall. He was also the creator of Butterflies Rhapsody for Central Okanagan Hospice, along with various other public art pieces in B.C. and internationally.

Community Engagement and Worldwide Recognition

Beyond his individual creations, Maas frequently involved residents directly in art projects. Working alongside his wife of 57 years, Elly, he assisted the public with the clay-tile entrance installation at the Kelowna Art Gallery. He also hosted 10 studio workshops to guide local citizens in crafting over 100 bronze medallions for the Spirit of Kelowna exhibit situated at Kelowna City Hall.

Recognized with the Okanagan Arts Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010, Maas saw his pieces placed in corporate, private, and public collections across roughly 36 countries. His family remembered him as a generous and kind individual deeply committed to his loved ones, community, and craft, who maintained a lifelong passion for Dutch soccer and possessed a keen sense of humor.

Upcoming Memorial Events

Members of the public will have opportunities to commemorate the late artist at the Geert Maas Sculpture Gardens. An art exhibit and sale is scheduled at the venue for Nov. 11 and 12, running from 2 to 4 p.m. Later in the season, a Celebration of Life will take place at the gardens on Sunday, Dec. 20, also from 2 to 4 p.m.