Glynn Brothen
Tk’emlups te Secwepemc to swear in new chief, council following election
KAMLOOPS - Results of the Tk’emlups te Secwepemc election are in with a new chief at the helm who will be sworn in later today. Fred (Sups) Seymour received 159 votes on election day, Nov. 14. He narrowly won with only four votes over fellow candidate Frank Paul. George Casimir received 131 votes while 100...
Court proceedings move forward in Knouff Lake dog shooting case
KAMLOOPS - Court proceedings are underway for a man accused of killing two dogs near Knouff Lake in December 2013. Richard Charles Gerald Benton, born 1969, faced a preliminary inquiry yesterday, Nov. 13 in Kamloops Provincial Court. If lawyers determine there is sufficient evidence to proceed with trial in Kamloops Supreme Court, Benton has elected...
Four Syrian families set to come to Kamloops area
KAMLOOPS - A local group started raising funds last month hoping to bring a Syrian family to Kamloops, but now their workload has increased substantially as they’ve signed on to assist four families moving to the area. Refugees and Friends Together, known as the RAFT group, began constructing a plan to bring a refugee family to...
Kamloops man escapes attacks in Paris, reported as safe
KAMLOOPS - A local business-owner travelling in Paris is now in a safe location following this afternoon’s attacks Nov. 13. Mike Miltimore, who co-owns Lee’s Music in Kamloops and is the founder of Riversong Guitars, says he was close to where shots rang out in the city but managed to leave the location to return...
On the ground in Paris: The terrorist attack as seen in social media
PARIS, FRANCE - News sources are reporting at least 100 people are dead following an attack in Paris Friday evening, Nov. 13. As of 5 p.m. Nov. 13, The Associated Press reports at least six attacks including a hostage situation have led to the carnage, which began in a well-known concert hall in the city. ...
Local agencies preparing for Syrian refugees, awaiting government direction
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - It's unknown how many Syrian refugees will be arriving in the souther Interior, but in the meantime, officials with the Immigrant Service Society of B.C. are looking for housing to place those escaping the conflict in the Middle East. Director of settlment services Chris Friesen says the are awaiting to receive further direction...
Man accused of stabbing Kamloops Walmart employee awaits bail hearing next week
KAMLOOPS - The man accused of stabbing a loss prevention officer in Walmart remains in custody awaiting a bail hearing scheduled for next week. Police arrested Connor Busteed Dufresne, 19, after responding to reports of a stabbing at Walmart on Nov. 9. The employee was taken to Royal Inland Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Dufresne...
Kamloops and Vernon Finning locations will stay, unknown if job cuts will hit locally
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - While Finning International announced another round of cuts the company says Southern Interior locations won’t be moving or amalgamating. The company, which is the world's largest dealer for Caterpillar equipment, has bases in Canada, where it's headquartered in Vancouver, South America and Europe. The cuts, announced today, Nov. 12, are company-wide. Hilary Anaka,...
A look at the candidates for chief as Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc prepares for election
KAMLOOPS - There are four candidates looking to take on the role of chief for the Tk’emlúps te Secwepemc band while another 20 candidates are hoping to make a mark as a councillor. Incumbent Chief Shane Gottfriedson announced he would not be running in the election slated for Nov. 14 after winning his campaign for...
Merritt man charged with chainsaw theft in Savona remains in custody
KAMLOOPS - A Merritt man remains in custody on theft charges after his arrest in Savona over the weekend. John Robert Beauchemin, 29 was arrested on Nov. 8 after a man reported a suspect stealing his chainsaw. The suspect left the scene in a vehicle, crashed it and then attempted to flee on foot before he...
UPDATE: One person in custody as RCMP investigate potential arson at Kamloops motel
KAMLOOPS - One person is in custody following a fire at a local motel yesterday, as RCMP investigate a potential arson. The fire destroyed one unit and affected neighbouring hotel rooms at the Star Lodge motel on Columbia Street yesterday, Nov. 11, Kamloops Fire Rescue Platoon Capt. Rob Chalmers says. “There were no injuries from what...
Making Block Watch work in Kamloops
KAMLOOPS - The Block Watch program is relatively new in the city, but several neighbourhoods have already jumped on board, either to crack down on criminal activity or prevent it. The Sahali Community Association, a group of Lower Sahali residents, is the latest neighbourhood group hoping to take part in the city-wide initiative. Jon Wilson,...
UPDATE: Missing Kamloops teen located
KAMLOOPS - A 14-year-old girl reported missing from Kamloops has been found. Police said at 9:48 a.m. today, Nov. 11, Shyla Billy was found but didn't say where. To contact a reporter for this story, email Glynn Brothen at gbrothen@infonews.ca, or call 250-319-7494. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724. — This story...
UPDATE: Kamloops police find missing 25-year-old
KAMLOOPS - A 25-year-old man who hasn't been in touch with his family since yesterday around noon has been found. Kamloops RCMP said Colby Stade was found in the Valleyview area near a trail behind the arena. He was taken to hospital by ambulance and is in stable condition. — This story was updated at...
Penticton man learns police cars are not a good carjacking target
SURREY - A Penticton man who had plans to steal a car didn’t anticipate his victims would be two undercover officers from the Surrey RCMP. Around 6:25 p.m. yesterday, Nov. 9, the officers stopped near 71 Avenue and 135 Street when a male approached the vehicle and tried to pull the plainclothes officer from the...