Friday is finally here but before you start your weekend, take a moment to catch up on some of this week鈥檚 news from the Interior.

COVID benefits to blame for lacking employment, says 琉璃神社 West MLA

琉璃神社 West MLA Ben Stewart received some heat after he tweeted that COVID government benefits were to blame for the lack of workers.

He said the aid was discouraging people from seeking re-employment.

鈥淏usiness owners across BC are struggling to stay open as gov鈥檛 (sic) programs don鈥檛 encourage workers to seek employment,鈥� he tweeted over the weekend.

After 18 years of wowing train enthusiasts, the Osoyoos Desert Model Railroad will close its doors for the final time after the Labour Day weekend.

The owners, Poul and Ulla Pedersen, said the COVID restrictions have made keeping their doors open difficult, so they decided to retire instead.

The Osoyoos Desert Model Railroad features more than 4,000 square feet of displays with trains running on over two kilometres of track. Ulla hand-painted the thousands of tiny figurines in the display.

Another community staple will be closing its doors soon, this time in the North Okanagan.

Vernon鈥檚 Temptasian will be serving its last dish at the end of August after 13 years of service. Joe Ng and his wife May said it was a hard decision to make and they are sad to say goodbye, but they are looking forward to retirement.

The restaurant was a true family business, with the Ngs鈥� children and their spouses helping with the business.

Temptasian鈥檚 owners said a new business will take over the location, but they are not disclosing its name yet.

Salmon Arm has given staff the go-ahead to look into zoning options when it comes to the city鈥檚 aquifers and how they are used.

Local municipalities aren鈥檛 generally consulted regarding licensing groundwater extraction for commercial salts, but Salmon Arm鈥檚 councillors want a say in what happens with their aquifers.

Council members voted unanimously to develop options for regulating land use and to get a legal opinion on them.

twila.amato@blackpress.ca
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