- BCWS: 'We must be ready'Kamloops 4:00am - 1,228 views
- Poachers facing steep finesKamloops 4:00am - 2,008 views
- Book sale back for springKamloops Mar 18 - 1,187 views
- Recognized for river rescueKamloops Mar 18 - 5,678 views
- $50K to support local youthKamloops Mar 18 - 1,630 views
- Rain showers on the wayKamloops Mar 18 - 3,837 views
- Firefighter attack leads to jailKamloops Mar 18 - 10,223 views
- More than 2,200 km walkedKamloops Mar 18 - 1,866 views
Kamloops
BCWS says small weekend wildfires underscore importance of preparedness
BCWS: 'We must be ready'
A couple of wildfires were sparked in the Kamloops Fire Centre during an unseasonably warm weekend — events that underscore the importance of being prepared for a potentially challenging season ahead, according to a BC Wildfire Service director.
A three-hectare wildfire near Lumby and another wildfire north of Penticton, less than a hectare in size, are now considered to be under control. Both fires were discovered Sunday.
During a Monday news conference about drought and the upcoming spring melt and wildfire season, Cliff Chapman, BCWS director of provincial operations, noted spring fires are common, but aside from this weekend’s abnormal rise in temperature, the agency is readying for what may be a difficult season.
“There hasn't been a year in my 21-year career where we haven’t responded to fires in the spring — however, it’s March. And obviously we're seeing almost 20 C weather right now,” Chapman said.
“There’s a bit of heightened concern right now. Saying that, this is only going to last for a few days, and then we'll get back into a bit more of a normal seasonal pattern.”
Rain sorely needed
He noted data from BCWS superintendent of predictive services showed there’s more than 40 millimetres of rain in a two-week period needed to alleviate the drought conditions which exacerbate wildfire risk.
“The chance of that [amount of rainfall] happening — we haven’t seen that happen in the last number of years. And so it's not so much about being concerned for us, it’s about being prepared. That's what we're focused on,” Chapman said.
He said among other things, this involves ensuring more fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters are available when crews need them, along with securing tools and technology to better forecast and monitor conditions.
“I think that we have outlined that this is the normal for B.C. We must be ready for what fire season may bring each and every year. And when you put that on top of the drought conditions we've been discussing today, we are certainly seeing some of the variables line up that we could have a very challenging fire season,” he said.
“Again, I want to stress we need to be focused on the May and June rains, to see if we get any break in getting rain into the ground so that we can see a bit of a change in the dryness of our fuels — but right now we’re not seeing that rain in the forecast.”
Monitoring 'daily' for bans
High drought conditions led to BCWS announcing an incoming fire ban for the Cariboo Fire Centre. The ban on category two and three open burning fires will take effect on March 28.
Chapman didn’t say if the Kamloops Fire Centre could see a similar ban this early in the season, but noted BCWS has been keeping an eye on the conditions, even through the winter.
“We're monitoring daily to see when we meet those thresholds for the three categories of prohibitions which we may put in,” Chapman said.
He added category two and three burning include backyard burning and pile burning, while category one burning includes campfires. He said Kamloops will likely see all three prohibitions in effect this fire season, but noted the agency is trying to be more “nimble” if and when conditions change.
“I suspect that as we see summertime approaching that you will likely see us putting on prohibitions for all three types of fires, and you'll also see us take them off — and that's something that we're trying to be more responsive as an organization, that once we put them on, that they don’t just stay on,” Chapman said.
“If the conditions return back to somewhere favourable for us in B.C., then you'll see those prohibitions come off — and then they might come back on again in a few weeks time.”
Poachers plead guilty, face steep fines for ill-fated Kamloops-area hunting trip
Poachers facing steep fines
Three poachers who were part of an ill-fated hunting trip near Barriere four years ago will likely be ordered to pay nearly $20,000 in fines after pleading guilty to charges alleging they killed deer, marmot and grouse out of season.
Kyaw Aue Thah, 37, Boe Boe Gyi, 55, and Ywa Baw Mu, 33, pleaded guilty Friday in Kamloops provincial court. Thah pleaded guilty to one count of killing grouse, mule deer and marmot out of season, while Gyi and Mu pleaded to one count of being a party to killing grouse, mule deer and marmot out of season.
Court heard the trip was Thah’s idea. He convinced a fourth accused, Tin Hla, to come along and let the group use his pickup truck. Hla was also the only of the four licensed to hunt or possess a firearm.
The men travelled from Surrey to the Little Fort area, arriving on Thuya Lake Forest Service Road in the early-morning hours of May 9, 2020.
Spotlights used in hunt
“After arriving, the group began hunting during nighttime hours with the aid of a spotlight searching for wildlife,” Crown prosecutor Monica Fras said in court.
“They eventually spotted a deer, and Gyi told Thah to shoot the deer while Gyi and Mu shined spotlights on the deer. Thah exited the vehicle and shot the deer two to three times before it died.”
A short time later, still using spotlights, the men located and shot a second deer.
In the morning, when the men went to field dress the animals, they found that one of the deer was pregnant. They left the two unborn fawns in a gut pile that was discovered days later.
Marmot exacts some revenge
The men kept hunting, shooting several grouse and two squirrels before encountering a marmot. Fras said Thah shot the animal.
“However, the shot did not kill the marmot,” she said. “And while attempting to retrieve it, the marmot bit his finger, causing Thah to club the marmot to death.”
The men were stopped by a BC Conservation Officer Service member for a check while still in the bush. The officer eventually located bags containing two deer, one marmot, two squirrels and multiple grouse.
Fras said the maximum penalty in such cases is significant — a $100,000 fine and up to a year in prison.
'Premeditated and deliberate'
She is looking for an $8,000 fine for Thah, and fines of $5,000 for Gyi and Mu. All but $100 of each penalty would go to the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund.
“The hunting activity was premeditated and deliberate, considering the spotlights, firearms and propane torches were packed and brought from a different city,” she said.
Thah, Gyi and Mu have all agreed to pay the fines as set out by Fras. Thah and Mu have asked for seven years to pay, while Gyi wants two years.
“I learned a lesson in a very hard way,” Thah said in court through an interpreter.
The three men are scheduled to return to court for sentencing on April 18.
Hla has not pleaded guilty and his whereabouts are unknown, Fras said. He is wanted on a warrant.
Barb’s Used Book & Music Sale returning to St. Andrews on the Square in time for spring
Book sale back for spring
The Kamloops Symphony’s perennial fundraiser Barb’s Used Book & Music Sale will be returning to St. Andrew’s on the Square this spring.
The symphony says it has received a large quantity of donated used books, sheet music, vinyl records and CDs that will be sold off to raise funds for the KSO’s operating expenses.
Prices will be increased to $3, higher than the previous starting point of $2. All children’s books will remain $2 each.
“The semi-annual sale has been wonderfully successful for so many years due to its highly organized donations of books and music, and the KSO’s team of dedicated volunteers,” the KSO said in a news release.
“All money raised by the sale goes towards the Kamloops Symphony’s operating expenses, which includes everything from concert productions to educational programs.”
Donations will be accepted at St. Andrew’s on the Square from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. from April 1 to 3.
The KSO said it is unable to accept tattered or dirty books, magazines, copies of Readers Digest, encyclopedias, textbooks, and VHS and cassette tapes.
The fundraiser is named after former KSO board member Barb Corbishley, and has run consistently since 1997.
The spring 2024 sale will run from April 6 to 20. The historic downtown church will open its doors from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays
Kamloops father, son who rescued capsized boaters on Canada Day awarded medal
Recognized for river rescue
A Kamloops man and his son have been honoured by the BC and Yukon lifesaving society, both receiving the Silver Medal of Merit for rescuing capsized boaters on Canada Day last summer.
Chris Carlson said he and his son Ben were invited to attend the 112th B.C. & Yukon Lifesaving Society event held in Vancouver earlier this month.
“I didn't know if it was going to be a scam or not when they first contacted me,” Carlson joked.
“I saw past events had been on YouTube so maybe, and they got us a discounted rate at the Pan Pacific. So we're staying in a five star hotel and it was just awesome.”
Rubbing elbows with dignitaries
Carlson said they had the opportunity to meet dignitaries like B.C. Premier David Eby and the Deputy Mayor of Vancouver at the event where they were awarded their medals.
Among other recipients of the Silver Medal of Merit included Kelowna Rockets forward Ty Hurley.
Carlson and his son were honoured with the award after rescuing two boaters who had capsized on the Thompson River.
The pair came across the boaters while kayaking up the river at night following Canada Day celebrations. Hearing their cries for help, the father and son eventually managed to pull them ashore.
“I relive the day every day in my head,” Carlson said.
“Would they have drowned? I don't know. But I think we were there at the right time to prevent that for sure.”
'Trying to do our best'
Carlson said he was mostly just proud of his son for staying cool under pressure and working as a team to save the boaters.
“I just can't imagine at 16 getting this recognition for saving lives. It's pretty awesome, but I think he fully deserves it for sure,” Carlson said.
Carlson said their medals have been framed at home.
“I think we did well in representing Kamloops, for trying to do our best,” Carlson said.
“It's just really cool. It's been a really cool experience, the whole thing.”
RIH Foundation gets $50K donation to support youth with mental health, substance use disorders
$50K to support local youth
A $50,000 donation to the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation will be used to hire a clinician care co-ordinator, a role the foundation said will address the needs of Kamloops-area youths with mental health and substance use concerns.
The donation comes from the RBC Foundation through RBC Future Launch with the goal of supporting RIH’s Parkview Child and Adolescent Mental Health Program.
“RBC remains committed to driving more equitable prosperity within our communities. This includes partnering with healthcare providers to enable access to mental health services and resources for youth when and where they need it,” said Mark Beckles, RBC Vice President, Social Impact & Innovation.
“Through our partnership with the RIH Foundation, the RBC Foundation will help to unlock these important resources in the Thompson Cariboo Shuswap region.”
The RIH Foundation said they have matched the donation with the aid of additional donor support.
According to the hospital’s foundation, there is an urgent need for accessible care and support services for youth with mental health and substance use disorders with one in five youth struggling with mental health.
“RIH Foundation acknowledges the profound and enduring difference this gift will make in the lives of adolescents, youth and their families in our region,” said RIH Foundation CEO Heidi Coleman.
The Parkview Child and Adolescent Mental Health Program is an outpatient crisis stabilization mental health initiative for youth. RIH said the programs plays a pivotal role in the region.
Forecast calls for chances of rain to replace sun, temperatures to dip in Kamloops region
Rain showers on the way
The coming week is forecast to see sunny skies being replaced by clouds and chances of rain showers in the Kamloops region, according to Environment Canada.
The forecast calls for temperatures to peak early in the week with highs around 20 C before dipping to around 9 C by the weekend.
Sunny skies are expected Monday with a high of 20 C. Clear skies will continue into the night as temperatures drop to an overnight low of 3 C.
Tuesday will continue to see Sunny skies with a daytime high of 20 C. Temperatures will reach a low of 5 C as skies remain clear.
A 70 per cent chance of showers is anticipated for Wednesday as temperatures drop to a high of 14 C. A 40 per cent chance of showers is predicted overnight with a low of 3 C.
Thursday is expected to see a 40 per cent chance of showers, with cloudy skies and a high of 7 C. Skies will remain cloudy as chances of showers continue into the evening, alongside a low of 2 C.
Friday will again see a 40 per cent chance of showers and an expected high of 9 C. Chances of rain showers or flurries are predicted overnight as temperatures reach a low of 1 C.
Chances of rain are forecast to be around 30 per cent over the weekend, with daytime highs around 9 C.
Five months time served for man who attacked on-duty Kamloops Fire Rescue captain
Firefighter attack leads to jail
A Kamloops man has been ordered to spend five months in prison after admitting to assaulting an on-duty Kamloops Fire Rescue captain — an incident that put the firefighter off work for more than a year with “deep psychological” trauma.
Mitchell James Nesbitt, 33, was sentenced Thursday in Kamloops provincial court after pleading guilty to one count of assault.
Court heard KFR crews were called to an address in the 500-block of Tranquille Road on June 24, 2022, for a fire burning complaint.
Crown prosecutor Evan Goulet said the firefighters arrived to find evidence of a fire. A man and a woman in the area told them there was no fire, and the firefighters responded by saying they did not appreciate being lied to.
“Mr. Nesbitt became verbally aggressive,” he said. “The firefighters told them that they were going to call the police and that they should move along.”
As the firefighters were walking away, Nesbitt threw an item that whizzed past KFR Capt. Alexander Shepherd’s head.
“A hard fist-sized object flew past his ear and had been thrown by Mr. Nesbitt, as seen by the other two firefighters who were there,” Goulet said.
“The three of them restrained Mr. Nesbitt until the police arrived and Mr. Nesbitt was arrested.”
Goulet said the incident took a serious toll on Shepherd, who only recently returned to work.
“This incident, though in some ways it may not seem significant because it did not cause any physical injury, it had a deep psychological impact on Mr. Shepherd,” he said.
Nesbitt has 26 prior convictions on his criminal record, including five for assault. He apologized in court prior to sentencing.
“I’m sorry I did these things,” he said, appearing in court via video from Kamloops Regional Correctional Centre.
Kamloops provincial court Judge Roy Dickey sentenced Nesbitt to 150 days time served and a further 12 months of probation, with conditions prohibiting him from having any contact with Shepherd or possessing any weapons.
Nesbitt was also handed a five-year firearms ban and ordered to submit a sample of his DNA to a national criminal database.
Red-shirted CAP team active in North Kamloops, downtown throughout 2023
More than 2,200 km walked
The Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association’s Customer Care and Patrol team patrolled thousands of kilometres across both sides of the river in 2023, addressing safety concerns while keeping in contact with businesses, tourists and residents.
During Tuesday’s council meeting, Howie Reimer, KCBIA executive director, said CAP teams — wearing the familiar red shirts and hats — are patrolling the North Shore as well as the downtown community.
“Customer Care Patrol team is now serving both sides of the river, assessing and responding to issues of public safety,” Reimer said.
“Members now receive additional training in mental health, first aid and de-escalation. CAP is integral to our events, activating space, collecting data, conducting surveys and distributing materials to businesses.”
Reimer said CAP team members picked up and disposed of 1,076 pieces of drug paraphernalia, including needles, spoons and pipes.
“CAP patrolled over 2,200 kilometres in 2023. We called RCMP, Community Services and outreach 179 times, and interacted with businesses and visitors 148 times,” Reimer said.
“They picked up thousands of foils, they distribute naloxone kits, call for ambulance, help remove encampment materials, garbage and graffiti.”
Reimer said the CAP team will see its annual increase in team members over the summer months.
Last year, the KCBIA learned its CAP team wouldn’t be receiving wage subsidies through the Canada Summer Jobs program in 2023 after the federal government decided that BIAs wouldn’t be eligible for this type of funding stream.
After the federal government’s decision, the KCBIA worked to secure additional funding so it could again bolster the CAP team’s numbers during the busy summer season. As part of this process, the KCBIA and NSBIA were in talks with the city to provide more municipal dollars for the program.
Reimer told council this year, Service Canada has reversed its decision and decided BIAs are indeed eligible for the program — but that doesn’t guarantee the KCBIA will receive funds from the government.
“Due to oversubscription of the program, securing funds is tenuous,” Reimer said.
“Thanks to the safeguard provided by the city, the summer CAP team will go ahead with six students getting the opportunity to acquire valuable work experience in a variety of skills."
Village of Lytton seeing more building permits issued after years of delays
More permits on horizon
After years of delays, more building permits continue to be issued as the Village of Lytton continues to rebuild after a fast-moving wildfire destroyed most of the community.
Lytton Mayor, Denise O’Connor, said five residential building permits have now been issued and over a dozen more permits are “in the queue,” including her own.
“My feeling is that the people right now that are rebuilding are those that had insurance,” O’Connor said.
“It's the businesses that had insurance that are rebuilding as well, the grocery store, the Chinese Museum, the Legion, I understand should be getting their building permits anytime and the rest are residential at this point.”
O’Connor acknowledged some residents won’t be choosing to rebuild and have opted to sell their properties, although she said she wasn’t aware of the intentions of any new property owners.
She said building permit fees are based on construction costs, which are currently “really high” across the province.
“The properties have been remediated and ready to go. So as I said, anybody who who has the means to do it is doing it now,” O’Connor said.
The city’s council approved a program that would reduce building permit fees by 50 per cent until the end of June this year.
State of emergency delayed permits
In a statement to Castanet, the village said its council enacted a state of local emergency following the wildfire that swept through the village in June 2021.
The state of local emergency was renewed weekly since then, eventually expiring two years later in June 2023.
“In the days following the fire, the SOLE was required for safety, protection of property and to allow remediation works to be undertaken,” the village said.
“A key consideration in keeping the SOLE in place was for the [Village of Lytton] to have continued access to privately owned properties to expedite the works to be completed.”
The village said the removal of the state of local emergency allowed property owners to access their properties and begin to make plans for rebuilding where feasible.
The village clarified it didn't believe anyone was turned away from getting a building permit while the state of local emergency was in place.
“Residents didn't apply for a building permit, because they couldn't access their properties. It wasn't the case, however, that they couldn't apply without access to their property," the village said.
Residents have waited on debris cleanup, soil removal, backfilling and archaeological work to complete before being able to rebuild their homes and businesses.
Support for business owners?
A report on tourism economic recovery delivered to Lytton’s council last week states that establishing multiple financial support programs for business owners should be a top priority for economic recovery in the village.
“Business owners have made it abundantly clear throughout this data: the majority of them cannot rebuild unless they are able to access a variety of financial assistance programs,” the report reads.
“As time advances, business owners continue to incur additional losses and forgo revenue, making recovery prospects even more grim.”
The report states the village has submitted a grant application to the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation for a rapid housing initiative, used to address urgent housing needs for vulnerable Canadians.
“Business owners have made it very clear that the majority of them cannot rebuild their businesses unless they are able to rebuild their homes or ensure their employees have homes to live in,” the report states.
“It has been recognized that access to some permanent building sites could be on the horizon, but the community needs to see progress now, before they lose hope in rebuilding the Village.”
The first commercial permits were issued in April 2022 and June 2023 to allow a TELUS building to restore services, the village said.
The first building permit was issued in October 2023 for a single-family home.
Lytton residents protested rebuilding delays in October 2023.
Applications open for community groups, mobile food vendors to take part in Canada Day festivities
Join Canada Day festivities
Community groups and food vendors are invited to apply to take part in this year’s Canada Day festivities at Riverside Park.
The City of Kamloops — in partnership with the Kamloops Arts Council and the Kamloops Multicultural Society — extended the invitation in a news release Thursday.
“Community groups and/or organizations that offer engaging, interactive and creative activities are encouraged to apply, helping to enrich the Canada Day experience for an estimated 30,000 attendees,” the statement said.
City-approved mobile food vendors are also invited to apply.
Application forms are available on the city’s website, and must be received by June 14 in order to be considered for this year’s event.
The city said artists who want to take part in Art in the Park, “a cornerstone of the Canada Day celebrations,” can apply through the Kamloops Arts Council.
“This segment of the event offers artists a platform to display and sell their works, as well as engage with the community through art,” the city said.
The city noted the Kamloops Multicultural Society organizes multicultural food vendors and will release further information later in the spring.
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