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Kamloops news
Heavy rain on the way; flash flooding risk
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - A system of heavy rain is on the way to the Thompson-Okanagan with the potential to cause flash flooding. Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement covering the South and North Thompson, Nicola, Shuswap and Okanagan. An area of rain embedded in thunderstorms is expected to develop over the Similkameen tomorrow afternoon,...
Vernon tree removal ‘another straw in the demise of the herons’
VERNON - A North Okanagan city is standing by its decision to allow a stand of trees to be chopped down despite concerns within the community it could impact an at-risk species of bird. With a tree removal permit in hand from the City of Vernon, a housing developer removed the tall Cottonwood and poplar...
Lightning strikes keep crews hopping dousing wildfires
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Thunderstorms moving through the region ignited several new fires in the Kamloops Fire Centre. The fire danger rating for the Kamloops Fire Centre is high to extreme, with more lightning in the forecast for today, Aug. 13. “We did see lightning move through the area, followed by reports of fires yesterday, so we...
ELECTION 2015: New federal electoral boundaries in place
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Boundary changes for ridings in the Thompson, Okanagan and Similkameen regions are in place for the upcoming federal election. The redistribution process of the most recent review, which is required every 10 years, began in 2012 and new federal electoral districts were approved for the first general election to be called after May...
Why you’ll want to reserve your Okanagan red wines this year
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - All through the Okanagan region, winemakers are getting excited about prospects for this year’s grape crop. Hot, sunny days that have been relatively constant since early June have brought this year’s vintage along at blazing speed, and Okanagan winemakers believe the conditions are right for one of the best vintages ever. “It’s definitely...
UPDATE: Ed Gyoba was out of options for dealing with nephew before he was killed, wife says
KAMLOOPS — Shane Takeshi Gyoba was ‘broken’ in the years leading up to his uncle’s…
Roots and Blues Festival takes over Salmon Arm this weekend
SALMON ARM - The Shuswap will be filled with the sounds of brass and bluegrass as the 'summer destination spot for fans and lovers of music' takes over Salmon Arm this weekend. Now in its 23rd year, the Roots and Blues Festival features an eclectic mix of music from Blues to Bluegrass, Celtic to Cuban...
VIDEO: Kamloops Pipe Band gets results in Scotland
KAMLOOPS - As one of only five Canadian bands at a recent festival in Perth, Scotland, the Kamloops Pipe Band put on a memorable performance this past weekend and earned a second place finish. The Kamloops Pipe Band was the only band representing B.C., the other bands were out of Edmonton, Alta., and Dartmouth, NS.,...
TRU to develop policy on sex assault without statistics on campus incidents
"IF YOU DON'T KNOW HOW MANY ARE HAPPENING ON CAMPUS... THEN HOW CAN YOU REALLY UNDERSTAND HOW TO ATTACK THE ISSUE?" KAMLOOPS — Thompson Rivers University released an interim protocol to support and respond to students who are victims of sexual assault, but a student who was attacked twice on campus says a developing policy...
‘I thought I just witnessed somebody being murdered’
KAMLOOPS — The last thing Gil Anderson saw before he walked his daughter to school on the morning of June 2, 2014 were two silhouettes fist-fighting in his neighbour's yard before one knocked the other over and delivered three blows to its opponent’s head with a shovel. “After I heard the first strike of the...
VIDEO: A bird’s eye view of the Shuswap
SHUSWAP - If you thought the Shuswap was beautiful from the ground, you won’t believe how it looks from the air. A video by Deep Rooted Media called called Soarin’ Over the Shuswap offers sweeping views of the region’s lakes, mountains and farms, all in gloriously vivid colours. Captured with a drone, the video gives viewers...
Former Kamloops city councillor fined for taking advantage of society funds
KAMLOOPS — A former city councillor and director of the Kamloops Heritage Railway Society who shifted $100,000 of organization money into his account and back twice will face a $2,000 fine after pleading guilty to two counts under the province’s Society Act. Joe Leong, 65, was originally charged with two counts of fraud, two counts...
Prison for man with hepatitis C who stabbed store employee with dirty needle
KAMLOOPS – Stabbing a store employee with a dirty needle has netted a Kamloops man with hepatitis C more than two years in prison.
Premier meteor shower to light up the sky this week
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - One of the best meteor showers of the year is set to peak this week, sending up to 60 shooting stars through the sky every hour. The Perseids meteor shower is visible from July 17 to Aug. 24 every year and is set to peak overnight Wednesday, Aug. 12 this year. Environment Canada...
TRU law school professor files civil suit against former interim dean
KAMLOOPS — A professor at the newest law school in Canada is suing the program’s former interim dean for defamation alleging she spread a rumour to edge him out as competition and maintain her higher ranking role at the university. Craig E. Jones, a professor at the recently established Thompson Rivers University law school, filed...
Smoke over Southern Interior from Coastal Fire Centre
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Smoke drifting into the Southern Interior is likely coming from the 1,370-hectare Harrison Lake fire that has been burning for just over a week now. As of 4 p.m. the air quality health index was sitting at a low rating throughout the region but Melissa Klassen of B.C. Wildfire says the smoke rolling...
Evidence at Ashcroft man’s murder trial includes bloody shovel and shallow grave for uncle
KAMLOOPS — What happened in a one-hour period last summer in Ashcroft is the centre of discussion in the latest murder trial taking place in Kamloops Supreme Court. Shane Takeshi Gyoba, 28, is accused of second-degree murder in the death of his uncle, Ed Gyoba, 66, whom he was living with in Ashcroft. In the...
UPDATE: Kamloops boy located
UPDATE: 7:09 P.M., AUG. 10, 2015 RCMP say Bryston Krug has been located unharmed and has been reunited with his family. 2:01 P.M., AUG. 10, 2015 KAMLOOPS - A 12-year-old boy has once again gone missing and Kamloops RCMP are hoping the public will help locate him. Bryston Krug was reported missing Sunday evening, Aug....
Flagging violent inmates viewed as interim solution
KAMLOOPS - An order to flag violent inmates at the Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre may help prevent workplace violence, but it might not do much to curb the underlying issues. The WorkSafe B.C. order to readily identify inmates with a history of violence is a soft approach to the daily safety issues officers face in...
Big fires down but not out in Kamloops Fire Centre
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - The only two wildfires of note in the Kamloops Fire Centre have been downgraded to patrol status. Shelter Cove fire off Westside Road near Kelowna and Bolean Lake fire near Falkland were downgraded August 5 and will now be monitored by crews of five firefighters. “Patrol status means they are done active fire...
Whooping cough on the rise across Interior Health region
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - An increase in cases of whooping cough across the Interior Health Authority, but primarily in the Central Okanagan, has prompted a warning from public health officials. Medical health officer Dr. Kamran Golmohammadi says in 2015 there has already been 58 confirmed cases of whooping cough, also known as pertussis, with 36 of them...
Violence prevention funding on the way for Hillside Centre
KAMLOOPS – It took several high profile assaults and meetings with the B.C. Nurses' Union, but the province is funding violence prevention initiatives at psychiatric facilities across B.C. The $2-million announcement, made today, Aug. 6 by Health Minister Terry Lake and B.C. Nurses’ Union President Gayle Duteil, will provide violence prevention action to four different...
Kitten rescued from rat trap needs a new home
KELOWNA – A young kitten is in need of a good home after a caring West Kelowna man rescued her from a rat trap last weekend. The kitten, which Dr. Moshe Oz of Rose Valley Veterinary Clinic says is around 10 weeks old, was found in a glue trap, which uses an adhesive substance to...
Drought levels worsen in Okanagan and North Thompson
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Drought conditions are worsening in the region, enough according to the government to increase the drought rating for both the Okanagan and North Thompson regions by one level. The Okanagan Region is now enduring level four drought conditions while the North Thompson is facing level three, according to the Ministry of Natural Resources....