CBC.ca | Daybreak South

The dangers of sharing a bed with infants

2013-05-24T17:45:40Z

(courtesy Canadian Paediatric Society)

A study just published in the British Medical Journal is warning parents not to share a bed with their newborn babies.

The study is the largest-ever analysis of the risks of co-sleeping and it examined the results of five major studies that included a total of six thousand children.

It found that bed sharing led to a five-fold increase in the risk of sudden infant death, even when the parents didn't smoke, drink or take drugs.

The study said authorities should, "take a more definite stand against bed sharing, especially for babies under three months."

It's something Miranda Halladay has been urging for ten years after her son Rex died as they shared a hospital bed together shortly after his birth.

Government won't buy out Johnson's Landing

2013-05-24T17:01:47Z

Aerial shot of houses hit by Johnson's Landing slide (courtesy CBC)

For people who live in Johnson's landing in the West Kootenay, the past year has been a series of tragedies after a landslide demolished homes and properties and killed four people.

As we've been hearing on the news, residents attended a public meeting yesterday where they discussed the details of a final report into the slide.

The results reveal more bad news with more than a dozen properties at serious risk of further slides.

Gail Spitler lives just north of the slide area and she was at yesterday's meeting. We also hear from Nelson Creston MLA Michelle Mungall who says there is no good reason for the province not to buy people out.

Saving St. Aiden's in Rutland

2013-05-23T17:15:24Z

(courtesy flickr.com)

Kelowna has a long list of heritage sites that people want to see preseved, however, the city has limited money.

There is only $630,000 for heritage projects and almost half of that money will go to an old church, St Aidan's in Rutland.

The Anglican church is currently unoccupied and is owned by the city.

Back in the 1990's it was almost demolished, but folks like Arlene Gaal fought to save it.

We speak to both Arlene and Kelowna city councillor Robert Hobson.

Historic O'Keefe Ranch faces uncertainty

2013-05-23T16:57:56Z

(courtesy O'Keefe ranch)

After a six month review of their operations, the people who run the O'Keefe Ranch in Vernon thought their funding from the city was secure, they even expected an increase.

Then they heard in the media that funding would be cut gradually over the next five years from $150,000 a year to just $10,000.

The O'Keefe Ranch has been around since 1867 and includes a post office, blacksmith shop, grist mill, church and cemetery.

General Manager Glen Taylor thinks it's worth keeping around for long time yet. Chris Walker also spoke to Vernon city councilor, Mary-Jo O'Keefe, no relationship to the original O'Keefe Ranch owners, who's been involved as the city's representative for the Ranch.

Life as a Mormon missionary in the Okanagan

2013-05-23T16:36:11Z

(courtesy CBC)

You may have seen them on the sidewalks of Kelowna and avoided them.

They may have knocked on your door and you pretended not to be home.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has sent two young missionaries to Kelowna to do their job of converting you to the Mormon faith.

We all know what it's like to be on the receiving end of that effort, but what's it like to be them?

Chris Walker had a chat with them in downtown Kelowna.

Body checking soon banned for kids hockey?

2013-05-23T13:40:32Z

(courtesy CBC)

Hockey Canada is meeting over the next few days and could decide to take that step for players under 13 that could see body checking banned.

Hundreds of delegates from across the country are in Charlottetown this Thursday for the start of Hockey Canada's annual general meeting.

They're also voting on the national ban is expected this weekend.

Dan Pollard is with C-B-C Sports... he's also the President of the Uxbridge Minor Hockey Association, in southern Ontario.

Health Canada's major change in blood donations policy

2013-05-23T13:06:06Z

(courtesty CBC)

Health Canada says homosexual men may now donate blood with restrictions.

Gay men can give blood as long as they haven't had sex with a man in the previous five years.

Until now, men who have had sex with a man, even once, since 1977, were not eligible to donate blood.

We asked people in Kelowna what they think and we also spoke to Helen Kennedy, executive director with E-gale Canada, Equality For Gays and Lesbians Everywhere, who says this change as just one step in the right direction.

Independent body should investigate Senate antics, Siddon

2013-05-22T16:56:36Z

(courtesy CBC)

People continue to question Senator Mike Duffy and his 90 thousand dollar gift from the Prime Minister's former chief of staff.

There are questions about the legality of such a gift to a senator and the timing of it.

Canadians wonder if they can believe Prime Minister Stephen Harper when he says he knew nothing about it.

Former Federal Fisheries Minister, Tom Siddon also has questions. He served during the Mulroney era and now lives in Penticton.

Radium tourist attraction leaves stinky mess

2013-05-22T16:36:33Z

(courtesy CBC)

Radium is well known for it's hot springs, it's mountain vistas and it's Bighorn sheep.

These characters provide eye candy for many tourists who pass through.

But for Melva Barrault, the sheep are an odourous problem with as many as 80 hanging out on her lawn, leaving a mess behind.

She wrote to village council earlier this month about her concerns hoping to get answers.

We also spoke to Ron Verboom, a village councillor.

Loving or leaving the Cedar Hedge

2013-05-22T16:18:21Z

Have you ever heard of the group Citizens against Cedars? There are people who are ready to join even a ficticious group.

Tim Wohlberg went to a local big box store to find out if his distain for cedar hedges is shared by anyone else.

The green shrubbery provides privacy and look great, so what's not to love?

If you're Gwen Steele, executive director of the non-profit Okanagan Xeriscape Association, there are a few reasons.

Have Cancer, Will Cycle

2013-05-22T14:29:35Z

(courtesy cbc)

Two Hundred and four thousand kilometres. It's enough to circle the globe 5 times.
Now imagine cycling that distance. Throw in 28 cancer operations, 48 knee operations, a couple of dogs, a whole lot of generosity and you've got Randolph Westphal's epic journey.

Randolf says he survives from the generosity of the people he meets and talks to on his trip. He's in the guiness book of world records for his cycling accomplishments with his dogs.

He dropped by the CBC yesterday to share his story with the CBC's Tim Wohlberg.

Randolph's website:
http://www.randolph-westphal.de/

The dangers of pretty flashes and rolling thunder

2013-05-21T19:19:51Z

(Courtesy CBC)

'Tis the season for thunderstorms and they are certainly in the forecast.

Whether you're a fan, or not, Doug Lundquist, a meteorologist with Environment Canada has some good thoughts about flashes and the bangs and how to conduct our self safely when the show starts.

Consider the impact of a different voting system

2013-05-21T19:04:29Z

(courtesy CBC)

If B.C. used the Single Transferable vote, as was voted on some years ago, who would have won the election?

Earlier this month, we told you about a study looking at three voting options, such as Proportional Representation and the STV.

Today, we have their results, sort of.

Turns out, the study suffered from a familiar problem, that of low turnout.

Doctor Allan Craigie is a researcher with U.B.C. and Laval University and a member of VotesBC.org.

A retired OK doctor may have found healthy way

2013-05-21T18:49:30Z

(courtesy CBC)

A retired physician may have found a way to get people excited about healthy eating and living.

Doctor Gerry Karr is the founder of a pilot project aimed at improving community health in in the Okanagan Similkameen.

He has convinced mayors, municipal leaders, schools and health officials and the Penticton Indian Band to start up the Okanagan Similkameen Healthy Living Coalition.

The five year pilot will get all the groups working together toward the same goal.

Riding American thunder safely

2013-05-21T18:35:54Z

(courtesy Gillianne Richards and CBC)

Clutch in, brake on, gear down, throttle up, fasten you're helmets.

With the warm weather in full swing, aficionados of the open road have been called to action with engines and mufflers roaring.

You may even feel a little nervous as you drive by, not sure how to travel by them safely or if you can look them in the eye.

Motorbikers are now everywhere and our arts and culture columnist Gillianne Richards has saddled up to the idea of becoming a biker.

Pulling in on her Harley 8-83 Sportster, she tells us how she did it safely.