pat wallace

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...

Hockey Day in Canada announces its Kamloops lineup

KAMLOOPS – The nation’s favorite past time is coming to town and with it brings four days of events and festivities centred on all things hockey. The 16th annual Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada will be in Kamloops from Feb. 3 to Feb. 6, 2016. The last time the national event was held in B.C. was...

Smoking ban for Kamloops parks and civic building properties approved

KAMLOOPS - Smokers enjoying a break in Riverside Park or outside City Hall will soon be required to butt out, though the mayor doesn't believe the new regulation will actually be enforceable. A smoking ban in parks was originally discussed by councillors in July but was tabled to give staff time to look into it. Council wanted...

KGHM and anti-Ajax group being asked to help fund independent review

KAMLOOPS – An independent review of the Ajax Mine proposal is expected take place this fall and council has decided both KGHM and the Kamloops Area Preservation Association, a vocal opponent of the proposed mine, should help foot the bill. KGHM Ajax Mining is expected to submit its environmental application to the province by the end...

Wineries director suspects ‘gross misuse of process’ in council’s about-face

KAMLOOPS – Local wineries thought they’d won a victory only to have it taken away yesterday, August 18, by city council and Coun. Pat Wallace in particular: They will effectively be blocked from selling B.C. wines in grocery stores thanks to a new city bylaw. Wallace originally voted during against a plan to create a one-kilometre...

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...

Council to consider permanent smoking ban in Kamloops

KAMLOOPS – A temporary ban on smoking in nature areas of the city is currently in place, but a local resident wants council to consider a permanent ban on smoking in all parks. Resident Bob Wren calls smoking in parks a 'repetitive problem' and says he is 'chased away' by wafting cigarette smoke while at...

Kamloops pesticide ban passes, will be implemented January 2016

KAMLOOPS – Next year residents of Kamloops will no longer be able to hire licensed applicators to spray their lawns or ornamental shrubs. A ban on cosmetic pesticide use was passed today, July 14, in city council to a round of applause from those who remained in council chambers for the decision.  The proposed ban,...

Support for late night patios at new Kamloops casino

KAMLOOPS – When the new casino in Aberdeen opens later this summer patrons will be able to sit on a Cascades Casino patio into the wee hours of the morning. Located on Versatile Drive just off the highway near the Aberdeen and Pine View Valley neighbourhoods, council shot down a city staff suggestion to close...

Anonymous donation makes cenotaph facelift a reality

KAMLOOPS – The clocks on the Battle Street cenotaph could soon be ticking once again, thanks to a $50,000 anonymous donation. This week council approved to accept an anonymous donation meant specifically to repair cenotaph. The project originally sought funding in the fall of 2014. Repairing the cenotaph and completing landscape alterations was expected to...

Kamloops councillors back hospital laundry workers

KAMLOOPS - The health of the hospital is so much more than just doctors and nurses and potential job cuts to laundry services could deeply hurt the hospital. This is the message Donisa Bernardo, the Hospital Employees' Union's financial scretary, brought to Kamloops city council Tuesday, April 14. The organization is concerned about the amount...