Glynn Brothen
Stealing fund raising money is thirsty work and it cost him seven months
KAMLOOPS - A minor indulgence at the crime scene led to the arrest of a man who eventually pleaded guilty to robbing the Kamloops Curling Club of fundraising money, cash floats and alcohol. Kamloops Provincial Court Judge Chris Cleaveley sentenced Jeffrey Mark Balmes, 47, today, May 19, after the accused pleaded guilty to stealing more...
Police asking for public’s help in missing person case
KAMLOOPS - Police are asking for the public’s assistance in the search for a man reported missing May 18. Cpl. Cheryl Bush, a spokesperson for the Kamloops RCMP detachment, says the police helicopter, the dog unit and Kamloops Search and Rescue spent the evening searching the area where the man’s truck was located. Agency members...
Man with handgun arrested
KAMLOOPS - Police took three people into custody Monday afternoon in response to reports of two males fighting involving a handgun. Investigators responded to the 100 block of Columbia Street for the fight when they were told about a third man who may have a handgun used a possible threat, said Staff Sgt. Dave Lucas...
WASELENKOFF ACQUITTED: Why police sometimes fail to get fingerprints
KAMLOOPS — When he acquitted a retired Kamloops school teacher of possession of child pornography, a Kamloops Supreme Court justice said the Crown provided no direct link between Jerry Waselenkoff and a stack of compact discs stashed in the floorboards below his apartment. Police managed to get fingerprints off the CDs but unlike typical crime...
Norovirus complaints traced back to Kamloops restaurant
KAMLOOPS - Fourteen people fell sick with norovirus after eating at a North Shore restaurant earlier this month, but Interior Health Authority says restaurant staff followed corrective measures suggested by investigators to prevent a re-occurence. After eating at Minos Greek Restaurant the weekend of May 1 and 2, three groups of diners came forward to...
WASELENKOFF TRIAL: Retired teacher not guilty of possessing child porn
KAMLOOPS - While a Kamloops Supreme Court Justice acknowledged the testimony of a retired teacher was "carefully woven" in his trial for possession of child pornography, he delivered an acquittal today, May 14. Jerry Waselenkoff was charged with one count of possessing child porn after a downstairs neighbour, Frans Van Der Woning, located four cases...
REMINDER: Mock-emergency event at TRU today
KAMLOOPS - The Thompson Rivers University campus is hosting a mock full-scale live emergency scenario from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. today, May 14. Over 400 emergency personnel and volunteers are expected to participate in the event, which will close some access roads and portions of the campus. Summit Road and McGill Road access points...
WASELENKOFF TRIAL: Porn sites redirected him to child porn, accused says
"I DON'T WANT PEOPLE THINKING I'M A PERVERT HERE. I'M QUITE WITHIN THE NORM." KAMLOOPS - A Crown prosecutor accused a retired teacher of lying to a Kamloops Supreme Court Justice May 13, after interrogating him on how four disk cases with child pornography ended up underneath the floor of his McGill Road apartment. Jerry...
WASELENKOFF TRIAL UPDATE: Accused challenges neighbour’s accusations
KAMLOOPS - The relationship between a man charged with possessing child pornography and a neighbour who testified against him was far different than what court heard, according to the accused. Retired teacher Jerry Waselenkoff took the stand as a defence witness Tuesday, May 12 to say he and his neighbour Frans Van Der Woning had...
WASELENKOFF TRIAL: UPDATE: Computer expert recovered deleted child porn links
KAMLOOPS – Two investigators who examined compact disks and a laptop allegedly belonging to a retired teacher found elements of child pornography on both, according to testimony in Kamloops Supreme Court today, May 11. Cpl. Barry Salt searched Jerry Waselenkoff’s laptop for child pornography after police seized it from the accused's apartment on McGill road...
Mom’s lessons helping daughters cope with her loss
KAMLOOPS - When Valerie Brook passed on to her daughters her love of music, it was a gift they would never be without. She would listen for hours, take them to music lessons, attend their concerts, encourage them. Loralie Loewen, 30, played the violin and Crystal Greffard, 31, the piano since they were children. Music...
New lane closure impacts traffic flow during Overlanders Bridge construction
KAMLOOPS - While construction is moving forward on the Overlanders Bridge, the latest lane closure will add to the traffic delays over the next four weeks. Starting at 6 a.m. Friday morning, crews closed the Fortune Drive overpass and the northbound off ramp. Crews have also adjusted the Leigh Road and Fortune Drive traffic signal....
POLICE WEEK: A look at what police and partner agencies do for Kamloops
KAMLOOPS - Local RCMP along with partner agencies plan to tell the public more about the work they do at this weekend's event to celebrate National Police Week. On Saturday, May 9, the public is invited to join local agencies in the Sahali Mall parking lot from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to see educational...
UPDATE: Kamloops police find missing 13-year-old
KAMLOOPS - Officers found a missing teenager who was last heard from yesterday, Wednesday, May 6. Shyla Billy is 13 years old, aboriginal, 5'3" and weighs 130 pounds. She has brown hair with blonde highlights and brown eyes. Cpl. Cheryl Bush, a spokesperson for the Kamloops RCMP, said police were concerned for Billy's well-being and...
First Nation protests as highway widening moves forward
CHASE - Despite support from First Nation leadership, not all band members are in favour of the second phase of construction the widening of the Trans-Canada Highway near Chase. Robin Billy, chief of the Adams Lake First Nation in Chase, says he’s not aware of how many people are standing in protest of the provincial...