Glynn Brothen

Glynn Brothen

Australia to send support for B.C. Wildfire

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Several wildfire specialist management teams from Australia will touch down in Vancouver this weekend to help respond to several wildfires across the province. “The high number of active wildfires in the province is stretching our firefighting resources,” said Minister of Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Steve Thomson. “In addition to the support...

Woman awarded over $366K after vehicle incident

KAMLOOPS – A Kamloops woman was awarded over $366,000 in Kamloops Supreme Court after a truck pulling a U-Haul struck the side of a car on a busy highway. The woman was driving 90 km/hr on the highway approaching Peterson Creek bridge when the truck pulling the U-Haul hit the left side of the woman’s...

Police need more information to find missing 17-year-old

KAMLOOPS - Officers are asking the public to submit any information which could help their search for Hayley Haines, 17, who was last seen on August 4.  The First Nations teenager is described as 5' 4", 110 pounds with long brown hair and brown eyes.  Police are very concerned as the teen has left for...

Ontario and Quebec sending more crews to help B.C. Wildfire

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – More than 220 personnel will arrive from Ontario and Quebec Friday and Saturday to help B.C. Wildfire staff in their efforts to battle blazes across the province. The incident management team and sustained action firefighting personnel will help over 1,600 provincial staff, 930 contractors and roughly 100 other out-of-province staff. An additional 80...

Grant could ease rural patients’ access to health care

KELOWNA – A $20,000 grant from the Canadian Institute of Health Research will help an interdisciplinary team from UBC and Interior Health continue research and development of 'telehealth' communications. The pilot is set to help patients with atrial fibrillation – a common heart condition – in rural areas. “Often the only option for older adults...

Train accident a “sad reminder” of trespassing risks

KAMLOOPS – A representative from the Canadian Pacific Railway is calling the incident which left one man dead and another injured a “sad reminder” of the dangers of trespassing. On Aug. 6 around midnight the two men were walking along the tracks at the intersection of East Trans Canada Highway and Comazzetto Road, near Valleyview when they...

Owner of Dallas Stars found guilty of environmental charges

KAMLOOPS – Tom Gaglardi, owner of the NHL's Dallas Stars, and his company Northland Properties Corporation, were convicted Thursday morning of harmfully altering a fish habitat while constructing their family vacation home. “There was an element of wilfulness and a desire to get the job done and if necessary, seek forgiveness later,” Provincial Court Judge...

“Hot Nite in the City” will show the cars of the future

KAMLOOPS – The B.C. Sustainable Energy Association is offering Kamloops residents the chance to look at the cars of the future at this year’s Hot Nite in the City event. This weekend, visitors can expect to see three electric vehicles – a Nissan Leaf, a Smart Electric Drive and a Tesla Model S. All three...

Paul Lake fire hall given the go-ahead

PAUL LAKE – Paul Lake will get its fire hall after receiving support from 60 per cent of residents during the petition process. Following project approval from the province, the Thompson Nicola Regional District will borrow $260,000 on behalf of Paul Lake Fire Protection to build the hall. Petition forms were sent to owners of...

BROTHEN: Waiting for facts is hard, but probably best

We demand answers when we see the damage at Mount Polley but inevitably those answers take longer than we like as they test and measure and study. And while we wait to understand the full scope of the carnage created when the tailings pond at the mine near Likely, B.C. failed, flooding forests and rivers...

Kamloops woman’s remains found at White Lake

KAMLOOPS - Police say the human skull found June 1 near White Lake belongs to Samantha Paul, a 26-year-old woman who went missing last year. While police received dozens of tips, Samantha’s reason for disappearance was not resolved. The remains do not indicate foul play, however it has not been ruled out RCMP stated in a press...

Residency program launches for new doctors at Royal Inland Hospital

KAMLOOPS - New doctors in Kamloops can complete their entire post-grad training in Kamloops, since the new family practice residency site has launched at Royal Inland Hospital. “Training family practitioners here in Kamloops gives them an opportunity to discover this great region and they will hopefully return for their practice careers,” said Health Minster Terry...

UPDATE: Downtown cordoned off, evacuated due to gas leak

KAMLOOPS - Part of Victoria Street was evacuated by RCMP Tuesday afternoon after a natural gas line broke on Lansdowne Street. Traffic RCMP continue to block traffic between 1 to 2 Avenues on Lansdowne while Victoria Street businesses have re-opened. Business owners are advised to keep windows open. While the gas leak has been stopped,...

TRU to receive $265K for more spots in trade programs

KAMLOOPS – To combat growing worker demand for the liquefied gas industry among others, the B.C. government has agreed to allocate $265,000 for Thompson Rivers University to add a total 52 spots to its welding, carpentry and electrician training programs. The amount funded to the university is part of a $6.8 million provincial wide program....

UPDATE: Severe thunderstorm warning north of Kamloops ended

NORTH THOMPSON – Environment Canada has ended a severe thunderstorm watch for the North Thompson area. The alerted areas included Williams Lake and 100 Mile House. Weather conditions were favourable for the development of wind gusts and large hail. Hail has the potential to damage property or cause injury. Strong winds could damage buildings, overturn...