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Kamloops
Kamloops faces worker shortage over next 10 years: Consultant
30,000 TO 35,000 VACANCIES; 70 PER CENT NEED REQUIRE POST-SECONDARY OR SKILLS TRAINING KAMLOOPS – Businesses in the Thompson-Cariboo region may have a tough time replacing retiring workers over the next ten years and job seekers who want in will have to bring the right skills and education, says a labour market consultant. Rob Malatest,...
Keeping safe on Halloween night
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - The first thing that comes to mind on Halloween is safety, at least for parents. Kids are only thinking about the candy and costumes, but there are ways to help keep them safe on Halloween night, even if it’s the last thing on their minds. Always make sure young children are accompanied by...
Kamloops band in finals for Peak Performance Project
KAMLOOPS - A Kamloops band might just be on the brink of stardom and a serious cash prize. The top three artists from B.C.’s PEAK Performance Project were announced yesterday, Oct. 29, and include Van Damsel; a Kamloops indie-pop band. The winner will be announced at the finale concert on Nov. 19 at the Commodore...
More than 10,000 people want B.C. to stop the time change
KAMLOOPS - The petition to stop Daylight Saving Time has surpassed it’s goal of 10,000 signatures, meaning the provincial government is mandated to review it. Former Kamloops Chamber of Commerce president Bob Dieno and his friend Tara Holmes began the petition and Facebook page on Monday and by 3:50 p.m. Oct. 30, the petition reached 11,000 signatures....
Historical solar project moves ahead at newest Kamloops park
KAMLOOPS - The newly renovated West Highlands Park Community Centre will soon be home to the largest solar project in Kamloops history. Installation has begun on rooftop solar panels that will harvest 27,600 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, or the equivalent of the electricity used by two and a half average B.C. households. “Featuring a...
Lawyers deliver closing remarks on Kamloops manslaughter case before jury decides
KAMLOOPS - The case against a man accused of setting a fire which caused the death of one of his house guests has concluded and now jurors are being asked to consider if one of the key witnesses in the case was honest or started the fire himself. Crown Prosecutor Neil Flanagan and defence counsel...
Highway 1 closed west of Chase
KAMLOOPS - A rock slide at Hoffman’s Bluff has shut down the Trans-Canada Highway just west of Chase this afternoon. The slide, which happened around 2:30 p.m., is about 10 kilometres west of Chase and has closed down all lanes of traffic. Detours are available via Highway 97B or Highway 97. Drive B.C. says an...
Sentencing postponed for man who killed girlfriend as court examines his mental health
KAMLOOPS - A man who confessed to killing his ex-girlfriend and pleaded guilty will not be sentenced now that his lawyers have requested a hearing to determine if suffered from a mental illness at the time of the incident. Christopher Frank Butler appeared in Kamloops Supreme Court today, Oct. 30 with two lawyers to request...
What exactly is Jacko Lake?
KAMLOOPS - The Lac Le Jeune Road exiting Kamloops is a paved road leading to a host of lakes in the region, but the turnoff to nearby Jacko Lake is full of bumps. It’s windy and dusty, but a tranquil glossy fishing hole is your reward at the end of the drive. The area is...
It could be a wet Halloween in Kamloops
KAMLOOPS - While the mercury will remain quite a bit above normal for much of Halloween weekend, Mother Nature seems intent on ensuring we don’t have too much fun. Environment Canada is calling for highs of 12 to 14 Celsius this weekend, several degrees above the seasonal normals of 9 C normally seen at this...
Keeping the homeless safe during extreme winter nights in Kamloops
KAMLOOPS - Anyone needing a warm place to sleep during extreme weather nights this winter will not be turned away from the Emerald House Emergency Shelter. The shelter, which has a divided space for both men and women, is run by the Canadian Mental Health Association’s Kamloops chapter downtown, is the designated extreme weather emergency...
Man who attacked sheriff, corrections officer escapes lengthy jail sentence
KAMLOOPS — A local homeless man narrowly avoided a lengthy federal prison sentence for his attacks on peace officers and making a threat against a witness. Matthew Charles David Hein, 28, pleaded guilty to three charges in Kamloops Provincial Court today, Oct. 29. All the offences occurred while Hein was serving a sentence at Kamloops...
Rain stalls completion of Kamloops’ Overlanders Bridge
KAMLOOPS - With only days until its scheduled completion, Mother Nature has thrown a wrench in the Overlanders Bridge construction plans. “We’re almost there!” Transportation coordinator Colleen Lepik says, noting that, unfortunately, rain in the forecast has delayed completion of the construction project a few days past the original Oct. 31 target. “The actual date...
Performing arts centre open house in Brocklehurst tonight
KAMLOOPS - Yet another chance is being given to residents to find out more information about the performing arts centre proposed for downtown Kamloops. The North Shore Business Association, in partnership with the city of Kamloops, will host an information session tonight, Oct. 29. “We have a lot of businesses concerned about the costs of...
B.C. has highest rate of illegal cigarettes in Western Canada, study finds
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - As the province with the most contraband cigarettes in Western Canada, the amount of illegal tobacco in B.C. remains steadily high. The statistics come from the latest study commissioned by the Western Convenience Stores Association. In September researchers collected discarded cigarettes at various locations throughout the province to determine which were illegally purchased....
Evidence wraps in Kamloops manslaughter case
KAMLOOPS - A Kamloops jury finished hearing all the evidence in the trial of a man accused of manslaughter and two arson charges this week. David Peter Gordon is standing trial in Kamloops Supreme Court and is accused of setting a fire in his St. Paul Street home April 25, 2013. His roommate’s girlfriend, Cheryl...
Kamloops aims to be more green with plans to increase tree canopy in the city
KAMLOOPS - Kamloops is looking to get a little greener by planting more trees and upping the canopy cover around the city. The plan would see additional tree planting on boulevards, in urban spaces and in city parks with a goal of increasing the canopy cover to 20 per cent from the current 12 per cent....
Time appears right for petition to dump daylight saving time
KAMLOOPS - It’s been a couple days since Bob Dieno and Tara Holmes created a petition and Facebook page asking the B.C. government to consider doing away with daylight saving time and they are getting strong support from many in the province. The petition ‘stop the time change in British Columbia’ received hundreds of signatures...
Poppy campaign kicks off this week
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - This year’s poppy campaign is expected to be underway this Friday, Oct. 30. Poppies will be available at all Legion offices and members will have them available at locations throughout the city. Funds from the poppies contribute to veterans, their families and others in need of assistance in the community. The long-standing tradition...
First Nations groups need to work together to tackle Trans Mountain pipeline issue: Chief
KAMLOOPS - The proposed twinning of the Trans Mountain pipeline brought First Nations groups from British Columbia and Alberta came together in Kamloops this week and organizer Chief Aaron Sam is hoping there is strength in numbers. “We’re talking about ways we can work together and strategizing on how we want to move forward when...
UPDATE: Kamloops bus driver sent to hospital after assaulted by passenger
KAMLOOPS - A B.C. Transit bus driver was assaulted yesterday afternoon after being confronted by an irate passenger. B.C. Transit spokesperson Mike Russell, says an individual on the bus became agitated around 3 p.m. yesterday, Oct. 27. The driver pulled the bus over at Fourth Avenue and Lansdowne Street and called the transit operator for...
Trial for two youths in Salmon Arm shooting death expected next year
KAMLOOPS - The trial for a man and woman accused of gunning down a man in a Salmon Arm school yard won’t take place until next spring. Names of both accused charged with first-degree murder cannot be revealed as they were both youths at the time of the alleged offence. Their names are protected under...
Conservation officers save baby bobcat in Osoyoos
KAMLOOPS - An orphaned bobcat kitten got another chance at life after being rescued by conservation officers this summer. Officers found the kitten orphaned near Osoyoos in July and with the help of the public were able to capture it. The kitten was then transferred to the B.C. Wildlife Park in Kamloops for rehabilitation. The...
Bear spray used in Sahali 7-Eleven robbery
KAMLOOPS - A lone suspect made off with cigarettes and cash after bear-spraying the clerk at 7-Eleven Tuesday morning. A lone male robbed the 7-Eleven on Summit Drive just before 6 a.m. on Oct. 27. The male bear-sprayed the clerk and made off with cigarettes and cash. The suspect was wearing a blue jacket, red-...