Kamloops News

Fire at Mission Flats landfill now extinguished, Kamloops fire chief says

Garbage fire is finally out

Photo: John Olynick

A fire is burning in a metal pile at the Mission Flats landfill Wednesday morning.

UPDATE: 5:05 p.m.

Kamloops Fire Rescue Chief Ken Uzeloc has confirmed a fire burning Wednesday at the Mission Flats landfill was declared out just after 3:30 p.m. after having burned for some eight hours.

Reports of smoke coming from the landfill came in prior to 7 a.m.

The Ministry of Environment is reporting that some runoff from fire suppression efforts was observed to have reached the Thompson River below the landfill, but the City of Kamloops implemented mitigation measures to prevent fire suppression runoff from entering the river.

UPDATE: 11:25 a.m.

The City of Kamloops says garbage collection will not be impacted by a fire burning Wednesday at the landfill on Mission Flats.

Coun. Stephen Karpuk, deputy mayor for May, said the city has made alternative arrangements to dispose of its garbage at another facility.

He said the Mission Flats landfill will remain closed for the day, with electronic message boards placed along Mission Flats Road to provide notice.

Karpuk said civic operations staff are monitoring the city's water supply to Mission Flats Road because the firefighting efforts require higher volumes of water.

"While progress has been made, fire suppression efforts are expected to continue throughout most of the day," he told Castanet Kamloops.

"My understanding is it's going to be a while they're still trying to pull the pile apart and get to the hot spots."

Meanwhile the City of Kamloops has also lifted its shelter-in-place recommendation and residents can resume regular activities.

UPDATE: 10:01 a.m.

Kamloops Fire Rescue Chief Ken Uzeloc says a fire at the Mission Flats landfill is still burning, but it's been contained.

He told Castanet it will still take several hours for firefighters to get it out.

Uzeloc said the fire is burning in the metals area of the yard, which contains items including appliances, old lawnmowers and metal chairs.

He said the cause of the landfill fire has not yet been determined and may be difficult to pinpoint.

ORIGINAL: 7:44 a.m.

A fire at the Mission Flats landfill in Kamloops has sent plumes of black smoke into the air above the city, but fire crews below are working to get things under control.

Kamloops Fire Rescue has been on scene of the blaze since early Wednesday morning, city officials said in social media update.

"Smoke from the fire may be harmful to residents," city officials said.

"Residents are asked to avoid any areas affected by smoke. Those living within the area should shelter in place with windows and doors closed."

A call has been made to the fire department for more information.

The City of Kamloops said the Mission Flats Landfill will be closed for the day due to the situation.

Dr. Airini to be formally installed as TRU's fifth president

Ceremony for new president

Photo: Castanet

Dr. Airini will take over as TRU's president and vice-chancellor when her term starts July 1.

Thompson Rivers University’s incoming president will be formally installed at a public ceremony next month.

Dr. Airini, who goes by a single name, will be TRU's fifth president and vice-chancellor when she takes over the role from Brett Fairbairn on July 1.

She previously worked as the dean of the faculty of eduction and social at TRU, where she helped create initiatives including Knowledge Makers and the Coyote Project. Most recently she has served as provost and vice-president Academic at the University of Saskatchewan.

“Installation ceremonies are steeped in tradition,” said acting board chair David Hallinan.

“They represent more than formality — they mark the start of a relationship between the president and the university community. We are pleased to welcome Dr. Airini into this important role.”

Airini holds graduate degrees from institutions in New Zealand and Canada. She’s a Fulbright scholar, award-winning educator, researcher and advisor for global agencies, including the United Nations food and agriculture organization, according to TRU.

“My role is to listen, to serve, and to lead,” Airini said. “This installation is about TRU’s foundations and future — the people here, the work ahead and the trust we build together.”

The installation ceremony will be held on June 25 in the BC Centre on TRU's campus from 10:30 a.m. to noon. The event will be live-streamed and will be followed by a public reception.

Speaking with Castanet in April, Airini said her goal as the university’s next president is to leave TRU better than how she found it.

Enrolment up five per cent as Kamloops Minor Baseball Association kicks off season

Baseball season is back

Photo: Josh Dawson

Hundreds of young baseball players and their coaches were at Norbrock Stadium on Tuesday night for the KMBA's opening ceremony, kicking off the 2025 season.

Hundreds of young ball players were out on the field at Norbrock Stadium on Tuesday to officially start the Kamloops Minor Baseball Association’s 61st season.

Parents filled the stadium’s bleachers on Tuesday night as 75 teams marched onto the field in an opening ceremony.

KMBA President Earl Corsi said enrolment this year across seven divisions is 777 players — up five per cent over 2024.

McArthur Island will be busy this coming long weekend with KMBA hosting the River City Classic, featuring 28 teams competing in 13U, 15U and 18U divisions.

For more information about the KMBA, click here.

Photo: Josh Dawson

Hundreds of young baseball players and their coaches were at Norbrock Stadium on Tuesday night for the KMBA's opening ceremony, kicking off the 2025 season.

BCWS stages training exercise south of Kamloops, warns about smoke in area

Smoke visible south of city

Photo: BC Wildfire Service

Controlled burns in the Stake Lake area on Wednesday are part of a BC Wildfire Service training exercise, the agency says.

The BC Wildfire Service says smoke might be visible south of Kamloops on Wednesday as crews use small burn piles to simulate a fire response.

The training exercises are scheduled to take place in the Stake Lake area, and BCWS said smoke could be visible to nearby residents and motorists on nearby highways.

“This is an important part of our annual provincial crew leader training camp to prepare our staff for the season ahead,” BCWS said in a statement.

“The exercise provides our staff with valuable experience responding to live fire in a training environment before engaging in active wildfire response.”

BCWS said the piles will be kept small and 65 firefighters will be on site to ensure safety.

Mountie testifying at Kamloops lawyer's murder trial says victim had rope on neck, feet

Rope on victim's neck, feet

Photo: Castanet

Police investigate in March of 2022 after a body was discovered inside a van parked on this driveway in Dufferin

WARNING: This story contains details some readers might find disturbing.

A Thompson Rivers University professor’s body had been bound with rope when it was found inside a storage tote in the back of a rented cargo van, a judge has been told.

Kamloops lawyer Butch Bagabuyo, 57, is standing trial in B.C. Supreme Court on one count of first-degree murder, accused of killing his client, 60-year-old Mohd Abdullah on March 11, 2022.

According to prosecutors, Bagabuyo and Abdullah conspired in 2016 to hide $774,000 from Abdullah’s ex-wife during their separation. Abdullah, a computer sciences instructor at TRU, was trying to collect that money in the months leading up to his death, growing increasingly frustrated and “frantic,” court has heard.

The Crown has alleged that Bagabuyo killed Abdullah after burning through the hidden cash, stabbing him to death and then enlisting the help of an unknowing elderly friend to rent a cargo van and dispose of the evidence.

Abdullah was reported missing after failing to show up for work on March 14, 2022. His body was discovered three days later in the back of a cargo van parked outside the home of Bagabuyo’s friend.

A forensic pathologist is expected to testify that Abdullah died from multiple stab wounds to the chest and neck, including some that penetrated his heart. Prosecutors have said police found blood-spatter evidence inside Bagabuyo's Victoria Street law office.

According to the Crown, Bagabuyo spent Abdullah’s money on his personal living expenses and had very little other income. A forensic accountant is expected to provide evidence about that later in the trial.

Crime scene investigator

RCMP Sgt. Christopher Elwood continued his testimony in court on Tuesday. He was the lead forensic identification investigator in the probe into Abdullah’s death, and he now co-ordinates forensic identification training for the RCMP in Ottawa.

Elwood used photos he took to walk the court through a number of crime scenes, including the Dufferin home where the cargo van was found parked with Abdullah’s body inside.

Court has previously heard the grim discovery was made after the grandson of Bagabuyo’s elderly friend opened the van and looked inside.

Justin Robertson said he removed a tarp and two ratchet straps from the bin and opened the lid. He said he moved a few items around in the bin before noticing a socked foot and a leg in jeans.

Police were called to the scene a short time later and investigators opened the bin to confirm Robertson's find. A Mountie earlier said Abdullah was on his back in the bin with his legs tucked in toward his chest and his feet crossed at the ankles.

Rope found around body

Court heard Elwood was the first officer to investigate the bin’s contents beyond confirming the find.

Elwood described finding yellow nylon rope “in the neck area” and “down around the feet” of Abdullah.

He said the decision was made to leave the body in the bin.

“It was determined that we weren’t going to move the deceased from the bin,” Elwood said.

"It was best to go to autopsy as is, so we were trying to minimize any handling of the body at that time.”

Midway through trial

It’s going to be more of the same photo evidence for the rest of the week, prosecutors say.

RCMP Cpl. Mike Desmond is expected to take the witness stand after Elwood, and his evidence will introduce more crime scene photos.

According to the Crown, that evidence should take up the remainder of the week.

Bagabuyo’s nine-week trial hits the midway point this week, slated to run until June 20.

The trial continues in Vancouver on Wednesday.

Kamloops committee recommends bus fare increase; TRU enrolment decline a factor

Gradual fare increase OK'd

Photo: KTW file photo.

A Kamloops council committee has recommended a gradual increase in bus fares.

City of Kamloops transportation staff say Thompson Rivers University students make up half of the city’s transit users — and an expected decline in international enrolment could mean less revenue to support the bus system.

During Tuesday’s committee of the whole meeting, Kamloops council members approved a gradual increase in transit fees after hearing fares hadn’t increased in 14 years — and low fares made it more difficult to cover operational expenses.

Nii Noi Akuetteh, the city’s transportation engineer, said since the last fare review, the city is facing increased operational costs and planned transit expansions that require additional funding.

He noted additional revenue is needed to offset a projected decrease from declining TRU enrolment.

“Due to the federal foreign policy changes, TRU is forecasting lower student enrolment, specifically international student enrolment. The reason this is important is because TRU students form approximately 50 per cent of our ridership — and therefore a dip in student enrolment automatically means revenue from TRU could dip too,” Akuetteh said.

Government policy changes have caused TRU's new international enrolment to drop by hundreds in the fall and winter semesters, forcing the university to reduce spending by millions in next year's budget.

“The decrease in enrolment, coupled with increased operational costs and our planned transit would mean that we will need some revenue increases to offset these projected decreases.”

He noted Kamloops has lower fares than similar transit systems in other cities — an average difference of $0.50 for a single use pass to a $11.75 difference for an adult monthly pass.

David Hallinan, the city’s corporate services director, added the transit system is funded by a combination of taxation, BC Transit contributions, and user fees. Past councils have approved additional service hours, and while the taxation portion of the funding model has increased, user fees have lagged behind.

The committee of the whole was presented with four options for fare increases, opting for a plan that would gradually increase the cost of fares and fare products every two years until 2029, with the option of extending this schedule.

With this plan, the cost of a single-use pass would rise from $2 to $2.25 this fall, $2.50 by September 2027, and $3.00 in September 2029.

The cost of a day pass would increase from $4 to $4.50 this fall up to $6 by 2029. An adult monthly pass would rise from $50 to $55 this fall, and would cost $70 as of September 2029.

Across all options, there was a minimal increase in concession fares, while the student semester pass, health connection fares and U-Pass are exempt from the fare review.

All at once?

Coun. Kelly Hall said he felt the gradual fare increase was better for the community and bus ridership, and would give council more time to evaluate how to increase transit performance.

“This gives you an opportunity to have a vision, to enhance the services over a period of time. It also gives the rider an opportunity to adjust based on the transit fares that are going to be charged over that period of time,” Hall said.

Coun. Nancy Bepple said she preferred another option, which would have seen fares rise in alignment with similar transit systems in other cities. Passes would see a single increase, with day passes rising from $4 to $6, and monthly passes from $50 to $70.

Bepple said a healthy reserve would allow the city to provide more transit service hours at a faster rate, with studies showing people are willing to pay a little more for better transit service.

“The price is actually less important than the service that they can get — and we can get to better service faster by going to [this option],” she said.

But Coun. Katie Neustaeter said the gradual option provided the “predictability of increase without sticker shock,” noting a larger, sudden fare increase could result in more ridership decline.

“Let's put a plan in place right now that's steady, that's predictable, that doesn't deter ridership, that doesn't cause undue burden, but also reaches into the future,” she said.

The committee ultimately voted in favour of recommending the gradual option. The committee’s transit fare recommendation will be put before council for final approval at a later meeting.

A BC Transit report earlier this year showed ridership in Kamloops is seeing a steady post-pandemic increase, with last year’s top performing routes including those servicing Tranquille Road, Gleneagles Drive and Aberdeen.

Last year, council agreed to put a little more than $1 million toward improving bus service along a number of busy routes. In total, 8,000 more service hours — the equivalent of three extra buses — will be dedicated to restoring service levels for routes with the highest ridership. These include Route 1 (Tranquille), Route 3 (Westsyde) and Route 7 (Aberdeen).

At that time, council heard demand for transit had grown, with ridership numbers rebounding after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kamloops Conservative MPs back Poilievre after leader's election loss

Tory MPs still back Poilievre

Photo: Canadian Press

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre speaks during a news conference in New Westminster B.C., on Sunday, April 6, 2025.

The Conservative MPs representing Kamloops' two ridings say party leader Pierre Poilievre has their support, but it looks like neither of them were prepared to give him their seat in the House of Commons.

The leader of the Official Opposition lost his Ottawa seat in the April 28 election after representing the area for more than 20 years.

Asked after the election whether he would give up his seat if requested by Poilievre, Caputo said “that would be an interesting discussion.”

“I don't see that happening, to be very candid,” he said.

The newly re-elected MP said he was surprised to see Poilievre lose his Ontario seat.

“It's never easy to see somebody lose their riding,” Caputo said.

Poilievre is expected to seek a seat in Alberta in a byelection after MP Damien Kurek offered to resign to allow the party leader the chance to run again.

Asked whether he would have resigned his seat to Poilievre if asked, Arnold said he “hadn't really put much consideration into it,” and noted the scenario didn't come up.

He's still their guy

Caputo said Poilievre was elected with 70 per cent of the vote from Conservative Party members, and that shouldn’t be forgotten.

“I don't believe that a leader should be easily displaced, especially somebody who grew our vote total and had the highest vote total since Brian Mulroney,” Caputo said, adding he was interested in hearing what new plans Poilievre and his fellow Tories have in mind.

Asked the same question, Arnold said he's "absolutely behind" Poilievre.

“I can't wait until he gets back to appear in the House of Commons himself again," he said.

Kurek won his riding of Battle River-Crowfoot in this past election with about 82 per cent of the vote. Caputo won Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola with 51 per cent of the vote and Arnold won Kamloops-Shuswap-Central Rockies with 52 per cent.

MPs cannot resign for a month after official election results are tallied.

Reflecting on election loss

Meanwhile, during last week’s Conservative caucus meetings in Ottawa, MPs chose Andrew Scheer to lead their party in Parliament during the spring sitting.

The Saskatchewan MP-elect and former party leader will assume the duties of Opposition leader in the House of Commons when the sitting begins May 26.

Those meetings are confidential, but Arnold told Castanet they went well.

“We're looking forward to getting back in the House of Commons and holding government accountable again,” he said.

Reflecting on the caucus meetings, Caputo noted the Conservatives grew their support to 41 per cent of the vote, which ordinarily could be majority government territory.

“Clearly, we have work to do to to grow that number and I think that we're just singularly focused on that,” Caputo said.

Caputo said his party is still reflecting on what lessons will be drawn from last month's vote.

“We'll have somebody who will likely prepare a report to kind of dig into things,” he said.

“It’s not just as simple as saying, 'What do you change?' You've got to know who voted for you this time that may not have, who didn't vote for you this time, who voted for you last time?”

SD73 board approves Sníne elementary catchment changes for 2026 opening

School shakeup approved

Photo: Josh Dawson

In February, the board of education heard Sníne elementary was on track to open by September 2026.

The SD73 board of education approved a swath of catchment area changes for schools on Kamloops' south shore that will come into effect when Sníne elementary officially opens next year.

The $65-million, 453-seat Sníne elementary school officially broke ground last summer and is slated to open by September 2026, barring any delays.

The district’s Future Growth Planning Committee for Sníne Elementary was formed last fall and has been gathering feedback on proposed catchment changes intended to level out space pressures on the south shore once Sníne opens.

SD73’s proposed catchment change plan was approved Monday night by the board of education.

"Catchment changes at any level create change, and change can be difficult, even when it's positive," said board chair Heather Grieve.

"We really appreciate how much time, energy and effort [staff] put into ensuring that we can make the most informed decision and support all of our students, families and staff in the transition moving forward."

The plan means students in the Pineview Valley, Lower Aberdeen, Lac Le Jeune, Cherry Creek and Tobiano areas will be pulled from McGowan Park, Aberdeen, Dufferin, and Savona elementary schools to Sníne. Sníne elementary would open at a predicted capacity of 66 per cent under the plan.

South Kamloops Secondary students in Lower Aberdeen, Lac Le Jeune, Cherry Creek and Tobiano areas will move to Sa-Hali Secondary. Students in the Upper Sa-Hali area will move from Summit Elementary to McGowan Park elementary.

An analysis of the plan states the moves would reduce overcapacity issues at Aberdeen, Dufferin, McGowan Park and Summit elementary schools, but would increase overcapacity at Sa-Hali secondary.

The board approved a second motion to allow graduating students — Grade 7s in elementary and Grade 12s in high school — their siblings and those attending schools of choice to stay at their current school.

Favourite of eight options

The report states the plan was the preferred option “from a quantitative point of view” out of eight possible options as it produced the most balanced result, although some parents said they thought I did not do enough to address capacity issues at Aberdeen elementary.

The plan was recommended to the board by the Future Growth Planning Committee over a second option based on consultation since December that would mean fewer students moving from upper Sa-Hali and Dufferin.

The district received 300 responses from consultations via Slido and 138 responses from a district survey and trustee Jo Kang, who sat on the Future Growth Planning Committee, said the feedback was taken "very, very seriously."

"I'm more than assured with this motion that was before tonight, that is what the committee felt was right for the community and the school up there," he said.

All families impacted by the catchment changes will be notified by email in June 2025, and a second time in Jan. 2026 before they come into effect in Sept. 2026.

Photo: SD73

Expected capacity at affected SD73 schools under its current catchment configuration, the plan it approved and a second option that was not favoured by the district’s Future Growth Planning Committee for Sníne Elementary.

Lillooet hospital emergency room will be temporarily closed on Wednesday

13 hour closure for ER

Photo: File photo

The Lillooet Hospital and Health Centre emergency room will be closed for a 13-hour stretch on Wednesday.

The Lillooet Hospital and Health Centre emergency room will be closed for a 13-hour period on Wednesday.

It’s the latest in a series of closures for the ER, which has now seen five temporary closures over the past week. The emergency room was most recently closed over Sunday night.

In a news release, Interior Health said emergency services will be unavailable from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14.

“Patients can access emergency care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops during this time,” IH said. “All other inpatient services will continue at Lillooet Hospital and Health Centre.”

Anyone who has a life-threatening emergency should always call 911 to be taken to the nearest appropriate and available facility. Non-emergency health information is available 24/7 on www.healthlinkbc.ca or by calling 811.

Argentine restaurant set to open in vacant downtown Kamloops storefront

Unique menu at restaurant

Photo: Castanet

Rebo’s Argentine Cuisine is slated to open in early June in the former Stills Co. location, on the corner of Fifth Avenue and Lansdowne Street.

A new restaurant set to open next month on Lansdowne Street hopes to give hungry Kamloopsians a unique new option from way down south.

Rebo’s Argentine Cuisine is slated to open in early June in the former Stills Co. location, 121 Fifth Ave.

“Basically, what we’re trying to do is bring something different to town,” Juan Rebottaro, the owner of Rebo’s, told Castanet.

“It’s going to definitely be unique — you’ve never seen anything like it.”

Rebottaro described Argentine cuisine as a blend of Italian, German and French.

“But we do it our way — the Argentinian way,” he said.

Rebottaro said he’s worked in hospitality for 30 years, with experience at restaurants in Argentina, the U.S., Mexico and New Zealand, as well as Canada. He’s been in the Kamloops area for six years.

He said he hopes to have the restaurant open by June 2, but that depends on licensing.

“Hopefully we get everything sorted out between this week and next week,” he said.