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Glynn Brothen
How you can help make the holidays a bit nicer for the Kamloops women living in shelters
KAMLOOPS - If you’re looking to give something back to the community this holiday season, consider taking part in the Shoebox Project to help a local woman feel special. Monique Bastemeijer is leading the Kamloops chapter of the nation-wide gift program, which assists women with lesser means feel pampered. Bastemeijer says the charity has already received...
Kamloops businessman recounts his experience when first shots rang out during Paris attacks
KAMLOOPS - A local business owner is thankful to be alive and home today, Nov. 16 following a work trip that turned tumultuous after he found himself at a downtown restaurant close to the targeted attack in Paris on Friday, Nov. 13. Mike Miltimore says he was on a trip for his Kamloops-based guitar company...
Elderly woman being treated for injuries after falling into traffic
KAMLOOPS - An elderly woman is being treated for minor injuries after she lost her balance and fell into traffic on the Overlanders Bridge this afternoon. Kamloops RCMP Const. Jason Epp says the woman was crossing the bridge close to West Victoria Street when she fell at around 1:30 p.m., Nov. 16. “Some good people...
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...
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...
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. ...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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: 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...
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...
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...
Johnny Reid to rock Kamloops’ Sandman Centre this February
KAMLOOPS - Juno award winner and country artist Johnny Reid is set to take the stage at Kamloops’ Sandman Centre this coming February. The What Love Is All About tour is set to highlight Reid’s new album released this month. A dollar from each ticket sold for his tour will go towards buying instruments for...
Marianas Trench to include Kamloops stop on latest tour
KAMLOOPS - Pop-rock band Marianas Trench plans to make a Kamloops stop at the Sandman Centre on the Never Say Die Tour this April. General public tickets will go on sale Nov. 13. Along with the headlining band will be a performance by guest band Walk Off The Earth. The multi-platinum selling band from Canada will...
Checkstops, dead wildlife keep Chase RCMP busy
CHASE - A roadside checkstop near Chase last week kept RCMP busy mid-week, while a variety of other traffic incidents and a break and enter kept officers busy leading up to the checkstop. Investigators are asking for any information relating to a cabin break and enter in Anglemont on Oct. 28. Sgt. Gary Heebner says...
UPDATE: Stabbing at Kamloops Walmart under investigation
KAMLOOPS - Police have a suspect in custody after a loss prevention officer was stabbed at Walmart yesterday evening. The officer attempted to stop a 19-year-old man who left the store without paying, before the suspect stabbed the officer and fled on foot yesterday, Nov. 9, Cpl. Cheryl Bush says in a press release. Bush...
Kamloops horse-owner claims latest scam targets hay market
KAMLOOPS - Since last summer’s drought, hay prices are on the rise and that may have led to a horse-owner and her daughter getting taken by what they call a scam while purchasing hay online. Crystal McKay says late last month, she and her mother put out a call for round hay bails on Kamloops...
Where you can pay your respects for Remembrance Day in Kamloops
KAMLOOPS - Canadians will take a moment of silence this week to honour the veterans and serving members who keep our country protected. Here are the ceremonies and events in Kamloops where you can pay your respects. On Tuesday, Nov. 10, a ceremony is scheduled at Thompson Rivers University's Student Street in the Old Main...
Learn more about what restorative justice is from victims of crime
KAMLOOPS - A national week to commemorate the practice of restorative justice is coming up at Thompson Rivers University, which will host a symposium for participants to teach locals more about it. Restorative justice is a healing approach for victims of crime and conflict, and gains accountability from offenders without vengeance. The approach is a...