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Kamloops news

Armstrong fair fun gets underway

ARMSTRONG - The Armstrong fair gets into full swing today. The 116th annual Interior Provincial Exhibition runs Wednesday, Sept. 2, to Sunday, Sept. 6. Rides, live music, farming displays, vendors and a variety of entertainment is all on hand for the highly anticipated end of summer event. This year’s theme — Udderly Awesome! Party till...

‘Too soon’ say critics of decision to lift campfire ban

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Some fire-shocked B.C. residents are questioning the decision by the Ministry of Forests to lift the campfire ban that has been in place since early July. The ministry announced Monday afternoon the ban would be lifted on Crown lands and campsites in the South East and Kamloops fire centres and many communities and regional districts...

Local girl to make TV debut on First Dates Canada tonight

KELOWNA - A local model and freestyle motocross rider will appear on the debut episode of a new TV show that films couples on first dates in all their awkward glory. First Dates Canada was filmed in Vancouver earlier this year and debuts on the Slice Network for the first time tonight, Sept. 1. Kelowna’s...

Big Brother Canada cast coming to Okanagan to help local girl with depression

PEACHLAND – Cast members of TV game show Big Brother Canada will be in Peachland this weekend to help cheer up a local 15-year-old struggling with mental illness. Thirteen cast members from all three seasons, including season two runner up Neda Kalantar, will be at Davis Cove Lakeshore Resort Sunday, Sept. 6. Manager Shelley Peach...

Summer likely over but long weekend forecast sunny

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – If there will be any more hot summer days this year, they will come in the last two weeks of September, but the chances are summer is over in the Thompson-Okanagan. Residents from Kamloops to Penticton are currently experiencing lower than average temperatures for this time of year and that probably won’t change...

UPDATE: Body of missing Kamloops woman located

UPDATE: 3:49 P.M., SEPT. 1, 2015 RCMP confirm a body found in a wooded area this morning, Sept. 1, in the Juniper area is that of Lyla Brace. 3:24 P.M., AUG. 31, 2015 KAMLOOPS - RCMP are asking for help in locating a woman who was last seen Sunday evening. Const. Jason Epp says Lyla...

Weekend rain should help improve air quality in Thompson-Okanagan

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – The rain falling throughout the Thompson-Okanagan today should help with the forest fire smoke in the air. Although Environment Canada meteorologist Louis Kohanyi isn’t optimistic the rain forecast to fall throughout the weekend will be enough to lift the special air quality statement issued for the region. The forecast is calling for showers...

Interior Health may review case after senior receiving home care burned to death

KAMLOOPS - Interior Health may conduct a review of a Kamloops senior's file to determine if there should be improvements to senior care after the woman died from injuries relating to a fire in her home. Matilda ‘Tillie’ Olineck, 72, was smoking a cigarette before she caught fire in her chair at the Glenfair senior's...

Drink and learn: A new kind of art class

KELOWNA – A unique new kind of art class that combines painting with alcohol is coming to Kelowna, West Kelowna and Penticton next month. Paint Nite is not your average art class, says administrator Jacqueline Wong. “This is more than just painting,” she says. “It’s socializing with family and friends and anytime you include alcohol...

Appeal denied for man convicted in child porn ring

KAMLOOPS — The B.C. Court of Appeal dismissed a man’s request to overturn his conviction on several child porn charges because of his right to privacy. David Caza was convicted in 2012 after police discovered he was participating in an international exchange of child pornography images online. To avoid detection by police, Caza renewed his...

Communities on edge: Thompson-Okanagan fire officials field calls for false alarms

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Fire appears to be at the forefront of many peoples’ minds across the Thompson-Okanagan. With wildfires burning across the province and a blanket of smoke from Washington hanging in the air, fire officials say they are receiving a number of reports which are in fact nothing more than false alarms. In the North...

What’s in a name? Two days’ worth of debate

'IT'S LIKE A BOY NAMED SUE': JUDGE KAMLOOPS — The ‘what’s in a name’ case is taking longer than expected as lawyers continue to argue in Kamloops Supreme Court if a homeless man committed an illegal act when he gave police doing a street check a different name than his legal birth name and continued...

Get hopped up on this Kamloops Beer Festival

KAMLOOPS — If you can’t wait until Oktoberfest to get drinking, the Kamloops Beer Festival, better known as ‘Brew Loops’, might be the best place to get your fix for craft beer next month. The four-day September festival with several events will take place at three craft brewery locations: The Noble Pig, Red Beard Cafe...

It’s bear season: how to keep yourself (and your dogs) safe

THOMPSON–OKANAGAN – If you haven't seen a bear in town, you just might soon. Provincial WildSafe B.C. Coordinator Frank Ritcey says the number of bear sightings was down considerably at the start of the season but have steadily climbed. Bears are becoming more visible because of the change in weather and their pre-hibernation activities. “When...

Who’s to blame for wrong name? Man who gave it or police for not checking it

'SURELY BEFORE YOU GOT ACROSS THE THRESHOLD OF THE COURTROOM, THE POLICE COULD HAVE FIGURED OUT THESE THINGS': JUDGE KAMLOOPS — If a person gives a false name to police, is it up to the police, the Crown or the accused to prove who the person really is? It's a case lawyers are calling 'unique'...

Possibility of ’ember showers’ from U.S. fire causes Grand Forks evacuation alert

GRAND FORKS – An evacuation alert has been issued for some residents of Grand Forks due to the possibilty of embers being blown across the border from the 19,000 hectare Stickpin wildfire in Washington State. The alert was issued today, Aug. 26 ahead of strong winds expected in the coming days, according to a post...

Burning vehicle starts grass fire on Okanagan Connector

KELOWNA – A vehicle on fire in the westbound lane of the Okanagan Connector has started a small grass fire 26 kilometres west of Kelowna. Seven firefighters are on scene of what B.C. Wildfire Officer Melissa Klassen describes as a primarily Rank 1 “smouldering ground fire with some open flame.” Klassen says poor visibility from...

Body found in Vernon’s Polson Park

VERNON – RCMP have confirmed the body of a male was found in Polson Park in Vernon this morning. Media spokesperson Gord Molendyk says the body was found near the lawn bowling area just after 10 a.m. and a large section of the park has since been cordoned off. The investigation is still in the...

Top antique and art appraiser makes stop in the Southern Interior

KELOWNA - Here’s your chance to find out if that old painting hanging in the bathroom is really a Picasso or not. Professional antique and art appraiser Peter Blundell is making a one-day stop in Kelowna where he will appraise those uncertain antiques, collectibles and art pieces and tell you whether they are treasure or...

Daily non-stop flights announced between Kelowna and Victoria

KELOWNA – Travelers to Vancouver Island now have a non-stop flight to Victoria out of Kelowna International Airport. Pacific Coastal Airlines announced the seven day a week service Tuesday, Aug. 15, saying it will benefit communities on the island as well as the Okanagan. Effective Oct. 27, the Saab 340 aircraft will depart YLW at...

So You Think You Can Dance coming to Kelowna

KELOWNA – The top ten finalists from this year’s So You Think You Can Dance will be performing in Kelowna in January. The show is part of a North America tour that features the best dancers from the twelfth season of the 13-time Emmy Award-winning show on Fox and CTV. Judge, executive director and co-creator...

Daughters struggle for answers about dementia care after mom suffers horrific death

'SHE COULD HAVE GONE FROM ANY ONE OF HER ILLNESSES," DAUGHTER SAYS, 'BUT SHE BURNED ALIVE." KAMLOOPS — A series of government-funded senior care failures and one last cigarette killed Matilda ‘Tillie’ Olineck, her family says. Jeanne and Jackie Olineck — Tillie’s daughters — were cleaning up their mothers apartment at the Glenfair Complex downtown...

Man survives collision with Kamloops train

KAMLOOPS - A 70-year-old man is lucky to be alive this afternoon after the vehicle he was driving collided with an oncoming train. At roughly 1:45 p.m. the man was on Highland Drive and police believe he was trying to turn onto Highway 1, but completely missed the turn, slid down an embankment and hit...