city council

Council lifts self-imposed gag order on Ajax delegations at meetings

KAMLOOPS - It took nearly an hour of back and forth between council members, but a vote allowing the public to again be able to speak about the proposed Ajax Mine during council meetings has passed. A moratorium was put in place on delegations and public enquiries regarding the proposed mine during council meetings after...

Walsh to take another run at saving former Kamloops Daily News building

KAMLOOPS - After a confusing meeting back in December that left Coun. Denis Walsh frustrated by his own mistake, he plans on bringing the issue of saving the former Kamloops Daily News building back to council next week. Walsh announced in a news release he once again plans to ask council to rescind his own...

Kamloops utility rates could increase in 2016

KAMLOOPS – Residents of Kamloops may see a difference in their utility bills come the New Year. Kamloops city councillors will consider proposed new utility rates for 2016 next week during the regular council meeting, Dec. 1. Water, sewage, garbage and recycling have all increased over the past five years at an average of roughly...

First term Kamloops councillor looks back on the year that was

KAMLOOPS – With now one year under his belt, first time Kamloops city councillor Dieter Dudy admits to challenges, being unprepared and and being surprised by more than one council outcome. Regardless, he’s enjoying the ride and thoroughly enjoys serving Kamloops. Dudy is an organic grower by trade who runs a home delivery service and...

Start designing your coop: Backyard chickens closer to reality in Kamloops

KAMLOOPS - Kamloops residents may soon be able to keep their own backyard coops as urban chickens moved one step closer to reality this week. Staff will move forward with creating an outline for what urban chickens in Kamloops should look like after city council approved an urban agriculture plan this week. In a look...

Councillor changes mind: One kilometre between liquor stores now a bylaw

KAMLOOPS – If you thought Kamloops City Council's attempt to regulate where liquor vendors may locate was a done deal three weeks ago, think again. Liquor stores in the city won't be able to do business within one kilometer of each other after all. Three weeks ago, the concept was defeated at public hearing. Now...

West Kelowna considering lifeguards in Gellatly Bay

WEST KELOWNA - Lifeguards could soon be watching over swimmers at the CNR wharf in Gellatly Bay. West Kelowna staff have outlined in an information report possible options and the cost of hiring lifeguards to watch over the popular swimming spot during the busy summer months. The wharf was reconstructed in 2014, adding in jumping...

Family with prohibited pet pig appeals to Vernon council

VERNON - This little piggy wants to stay home, but a little known Vernon bylaw stands in the way. In the hope of keeping their pet pig Felix, a local family is asking Vernon council for a variance to the Animal Regulation and Animal Pound Bylaw, which states swine cannot be kept within the city,...

Vernon recreation fees going up

VERNON - Residents will notice new prices when they pay for recreation services, but a Vernon councillor insists the fee increase is a reasonable one. The cost for rentals, programs and recreation services is going up 2.6 per cent this year. Coun. Catherine Lord says the increase is needed to cover rising operational costs. “It’s...

Protest against Penticton winery liquor license fails

PENTICTON - Local outcry over a Naramata winery’s application for a special events liquor license had the makings of a major protest. When it was all over, there appeared to be little substance to the negative views heard in council chambers earlier this week though. Bench 1775 Manager Val Tait explained the reasons behind her...

Gymnastics society stretching for more room in Vernon

VERNON - A local gymnastics society is hoping a partnership with the city will lead to a bigger, better centre for Vernon youth in the next few years. The North Valley Gymnastics Society was founded in 1993 and for a long time ran its programs out of the Beairsto Elementary School gym. In 2004, issues...

Vernon offers new grant program with hope of expanding limited rental housing options

VERNON - Building a new rental unit in Vernon? There’s a grant for that. To combat a shortage of rental housing in the city, Vernon council has introduced a new grant program to encourage development. Up to $4,000 per unit is now available for the construction of rental complexes. The city hasn't seen the construction...

Vernon’s Green Valley Motel on police and council radars

VERNON - A notorious Vernon motel was thrust under the spotlight at a recent Vernon city council meeting. During a presentation by acting RCMP Supt. Jim McNamara, Coun. Brian Quiring brought up his concerns about the Green Valley Motel on Highway 97 across from Polson Park. “It appears to be a haven for people that...

BROTHEN: Community cooperation in Kamloops a model for others

Anytime you talk about your city and what you like most about it, you're bound to compare it to other communities. One thing Kamloops has above most cities in the province's interior is its progressive friendship between the local band and municipal staff.  Both groups meet up once a year for lunch to talk about...