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Jennifer Stahn
Dogs, horses seized from Clearwater property
KAMLOOPS — The B.C. SPCA says special constables have seized 16 badly neglected dogs and two horses from a rural property in Clearwater. Senior animal protection officer Kent Kokoska says the standard poodle cross golden retrievers were filthy and severely matted and were living in unacceptable conditions while the quarter horses were found in substandard...
Tax hike sits just below 5%
TOUGH DECISIONS AHEAD ON SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET KAMLOOPS — An outdoor artificial skating rink, another police officer, more transit hours, funding for the Thrive Festival and a new performing arts centre were among the two dozen requests put before council today, which if all approved would add $2.37 million to the 2014 budget. The tax increase...
Columbia Street changes on hot seat
KAMLOOPS — If you have ever driven down Columbia Street between 1 Avenue and 6 Avenue you probably have an opinion over what needs to be done to improve that particular stretch of roadway. Share it with city staff this Wednesday evening at a public meeting aimed specifically at the planned reconstruction of Columbia Street....
Young designer commands Kamloops runway
QUINN COLLIER ISN'T A SECRET ANYMORE KAMLOOPS — Each turn on the catwalk is like the page of a story Quentin Collier wants to tell: A sweet, innocent girl heads to Los Angeles where she is transformed by a rocker lifestyle. This story is the inspiration behind the designs in 16-year-old Collier's latest fashion line...
Students to enjoy two weeks of spring freedom
KAMLOOPS — You asked, the school district answered. After hearing the public, teachers and staff sound off, a two week spring break is on the books for next school year. The discussion became serious about a year ago with several people asking about the possibility after the province granted each district the responsibility to set...
Young Kamloops rapper inspired by homelessness
'YOU GOTTA KEEP GOING ON' KAMLOOPS — “Mom,” William Scott yelled out from his bath just over a week ago. “Write this down for me.” Vicki Scott scrambled to find a piece of paper to scribble the first four lines of her son's song. A week later, after he finished it, she asked him to...
Closure of Stuart Wood building still on agenda
KAMLOOPS — The closure of Stuart Wood School and relocation of staff and students up the hill is still one of several boundary and enrolment changes under consideration by the school district. In November School District 73 released a report outlining several changes it was looking at over the next few years to help alleviate...
Major renos on way for Pavilion Theatre
KAMLOOPS — The Pavilion Theatre is looking at a summer shut down as Western Canada Theatre addresses yet another part of the building in desperate need of renovations — the heating and ventilation. “It was an old renovated building when we took it over,” General Manager Lori Marchand says, “Some of the issues have grown...
Celebrate Chinese New Year, arts and sports this weekend
KAMLOOPS — Bundle up to head outdoors this weekend, or you can warm up by taking in some of the many indoor activities this weekend by trotting on up to Sun Peaks to celebrate the Chinese New Year, shooting over to one the city arenas to take in hockey and heading to the Tournament Capital...
BCLC president resigns
KAMLOOPS — The head of the B.C. Lottery Corporation is resigning to go to the private sector, he announced this afternoon. President and CEO Michael Graydon said he is leaving the company, effective immediately and Jim Lightbody, Vice President of Casino and Community Gaming, will step in as interim CEO. Lightbody has been with the...
Olynyk part of NBA All-Star weekend
KAMLOOPS — Kamloops' own Kelly Olynyk is one of nine National Basketball Association rookies chosen to take part in the Rising Stars Challenge during the All-Star weekend mid-February. Olynyk was drafted 13 overall at the NBA draft this past June and quickly made waves in the league as a Boston Celtic. He has averaged 18.3...
February to see cold start
KAMLOOPS — The dream that spring had sprung early is over. A dump of snow is being followed by cold temperatures and some even colder winds over the next week. More snow fell overnight and at higher elevations in the city resulting in a couple inches of snow accumulation. Thanks to the strong winds that...
Bridge delays approved
KAMLOOPS — In an effort to save time, money and stress on area businesses and residents, bridge repairs will just have to wait another year. Council agreed with the staff suggestion a full overhaul of the Overlanders Bridge deck should be put off until 2015 so that proper research can go into the repairs needed...
Two injured in knife fight
KAMLOOPS — Two males are recovering from stab wounds and another is appearing in court Thursday after a fight outside of the downtown Library Wednesday evening. Kamloops RCMP attended to a report of an assault with a weapon outside of 465 Victoria St. just after 6 p.m. The three males left before police arrived but...
Turn Down the Heat Week
KAMLOOPS — Collect your sweaters and turn down the thermostat, Turn Down the Heat Week begins Saturday. Turn Down the Heat Week is a collaboration between business improvement areas in the province and Fortis B.C. to help educate the public about reducing energy consumption while helping those in need at the same time. Two dozen...
Downtown Biz shares dream for future
KAMLOOPS — Planters, paint, patios and food trucks are all part of the dream Gay Pooler has for the downtown core, and much of it will begin this year. The Kamloops Central Business Improvement Area general manager says they want to set the stage for more people to enjoy the downtown area by building on...
UPDATE: Heavy snow on way for highways, Similkameen
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – A system moving through the Southern Interior has triggered a snowfall warning in the southern part of the region and could produce another 15 centimetres of snow on the southern mountain passes today. Environment Canada says a band of heavy snow is moving through the region and will likely produce 5-10 cm of...
Social media awareness starts at home
KAMLOOPS – If you use your phone when you're not supposed to, maybe at work or while driving, why would you expect more from your kids? We are the example for our kids, we are their guides and if we don't fully understand what technology is capable of it is a lot harder to protect...
$120,000 for Clearwater teacher memorial
KAMLOOPS — A memorial playground in honour of teachers Courtney and Skye Buck has received $120,000 as one of the grand prize winners of the Aviva Community Fund. The Bucks were teachers at Raft River Elementary School when they were both killed, along with their unborn son, in a car accident in December 2012. The...
One driver, two drug seizures
KAMLOOPS — A driver is facing several charges after drugs were found in the vehicle when he was stopped in Barriere and again nine days later near McLure. The 50-year-old Clearwater man was stopped on Jan. 17 in Barriere and the officer noted signs of impairment. A drug recognition expert concluded the driver was impaired...
Crime numbers on ‘upswing’
KAMLOOPS – More officers doesn't necessarily mean less crime according to RCMP statistics. The numbers show a nearly eight per cent increase in crime and a nearly full staff roster in 2013. In total 14,499 actual offences occurred during the year, up from just over 13,300 in 2012. Mueller notes the numbers don't tell the whole...
Sun Peaks skier heading to Sochi
KAMLOOPS – Elli Terwiel will hit the slopes in Sochi as part of the Canadian Olympic Team in February. After announcing the first six racers earlier this month Alpine Canada announced the final nine alpine ski racers heading to the Olympics this afternoon. Terwiel joins Erin Mielzynski and Larisa Yurkiw of Ontario and Marie-Pier Prefontaine,...
City wants ability to question pipeline project
KAMLOOPS – Anyone can submit a letter of comment about the proposed Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion project through the application process but city staff are hoping to question, cross examine and present information of their own by getting intervenor status. Staff are asking council to allow them to pursue intervenor status because of the potential...
Temporary repairs on deck
OVERLANDERS BRIDGE OVERHAUL TO BE PUT OFF ANOTHER YEAR KAMLOOPS – City staff is recommending council put off the full overhaul of Overlanders Bridge until 2015 and instead focus on temporary improvements to the surface this year. The $6.12 million rehabilitation project was approved last year but much needed upgrades to the sidewalk would require...