SEPTEMBER 2026
VOLUME 3|NO. 9
ENDING STIGMA
We help turn LOC A L Y GENEROSIT into LAST ING Y COMMUNIT IMPACT. www.bcicf.ca
A6 Changes to remuneration What was once a policy for the city’s councillors is now a bylaw
Back to School As summer break comes to a close, kids across the district head back to school
A3 Cardiac unit to reopen The long-closed cardiac care unit at Royal Inland Hospital will reopen in 2026
Kamloops will once again mark World Suicide Prevention Day with a community event and optional walk on Sept. 5 at McArthur Island Park. This event, now in its fourth year, is for people who have been affected by suicide or who would like to learn more, and is intended to help reduce the stigma around the subject of suicide.
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A23 Celebrating children and art
return to class. The 2026–27 school year kicks off Tuesday morning when elementary and secondary students alike return to class at 10:30 a.m. Of the estimated 15,695 students expected to walk through classroom doors, some 453 will report to Sníne Elementary in Pineview Valley as it welcomes learners for the first time. Sníne has been in the works for years, with the intention of relieving overcrowded classrooms at McGowan Park Elementary. For school trustees and SD73 administrators, the opening day has been a long
time coming and a welcome relief, said school board chair Heather Grieve. “It was a lot of engagement with the McGowan community when McGowan was very heavily over capacity,” said Grieve. Parents, students and school district staff worked hard and showed flexibility in making the situation at McGowan Park work for as long as it did, including busing students to and from Pineview, she said. The hope is the new school will allow most students to walk to and from school while freeing up much-needed space. Grieve remembers being a parent at David Thompson Elementary when it was filled beyond capacity. When SD73 reopened Westsyde Elementary, the amount of space freed up was visibly noticeable as soon as you walked into the school.
Kamloops will be hosting more than 3,000 participants
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“It creates a much better feeling environment when you don’t have that hustle and bustle that’s there all the time,” said Grieve. Secretary-treasurer Kim Morris said eliminating one bus route from Pineview to McGowan Park Elementary could also lighten the district’s financial burden, but she won’t know for sure until final enrolment numbers come in later this month. School districts are primarily funded based on student enrolment. SD73 superintendent Mike St. John echoed Grieve’s excitement at the opening of Sníne Elementary, but he is also looking forward to the start of the school year in general. He said the coming 10 months will also be a time of “strategic revision” for the district, and administrators will be looking for input from parents, students and partner groups.
Every student has a story, and the district would like to know what brings them joy, what their culture and background are like, and how staff and administrators can best support them, said St. John. “Developing a culture where kids feel connected and they feel cared for and where they run to school and walk home,” he said. “They can’t wait to get there in the morning, they don’t want to leave at night. That starts with the care, and the love, and the engagement the classroom teacher, but also the extra supports that are offered if needed.” On Tuesday, elementary schools will dismiss students two hours earlier than usual, at 12:39 p.m. Secondary schools will remain in session until 3 p.m. Regular school hours resume Wednesday, Sept. 9.
Y programs help offset back-to-school anxiety
Jason Hewlett: Reporter The Children’s Arts Festival news@kamloopschronicle.com is back again for September
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New school adds to excitement for 2026–27
News. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A3 Jason Hewlett: Reporter Opinion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A8 news@kamloopschronicle.com Good News Round-Up ����������������� A10 Community. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A11 A new elementary school is openArts & Entertainment . . . . . . . . . A23 ing its doors in Kamloops for the first Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A28 time in more than 20 years, adding to Travel ������������������������������������������� A32 the excitement as students prepare to
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Although the return to school can be an exciting time for students, it does come with a certain level of anxiety for children and their parents alike. Fortunately, the Kamloops YMCA BC has a number of programs that can help mitigate any tension families might feel after the school bell rings on Sept. 8. Jenna Nickle, manager of Mental Wellness for Kamloops YMCA BC, said children spend all summer playing and enjoying time outside and now, for the next 10 months, are being asked to sit still indoors and learn. This can cause a certain level of anxiety we, as adults, don’t always think about. On top of that, be it the child’s first year in elementary school or heading into their Grade 12 year, they are faced with new teachers, new peers and a new curriculum, which also causes an amount of tension and anxiety year to year, said Nickle. “Even if it’s the same physical building there’s still a whole lot of change,” she said. “And that’s not even accounting for kiddos whose families
moved or maybe went through separation or are doing any of those things also in alignment with the school year.” The move into kindergarten and again from elementary into high school can be the most stressful times for children and youth. Nickle said Grade 8, when kids are typically 13 years old, can feel very young when paired with the late-teen Grade 12s. These times cause anxiety in parents as well. Nickle said there are worries about their child struggling in school or having difficulty making friends, or even the right friends. This can create an environment where the child’s anxiety feeds off the parents, and vice versa. Which is why the Kamloops YMCA BC offers a full spectrum of prevention and early intervention programs to help all ages cope with anxiety and stress. Nickle said the Y works with people who suffer from low mood and family changes as well. For children aged five to seven, there’s Mindful Yoga, which teaches breathing techniques and games that can ease anxieties and help children be more in the moment. The next age cohort, which is for eight- to
Nancy Bepple Kamloops City Council Caring - Committed - Connected
Re-elect October 17 Authorized by Donna Gibson, Financial Agent | donna@cfo-2go.ca
12-year-olds, has Growing Mindfully, a program created in Kamloops that is now offered provincewide. Children enjoy an hour of learning how to be mindful by being taught breathing, coping skills and emotional regulation techniques, balanced by an hour of physical activities. “It’s awesome to see something born in Kamloops grow like that,” said Nickle. Kamloops YMCA BC also offers gender-based programs like BRAVE for boys and GLOW for girls and non-binary youth. Both are participant-driven and have, in the past, focused on wellness topics like friendships, hygiene, stress, and goal and value setting. Y Mind Teen is for youth 13 to 17 and is offered at the John Tod Centre and within a variety of schools, including Sa-Hali and Brocklehurst secondary. Much like Growing Mindfully, this program is designed to teach teens techniques to cope with and overcome stress and anxiety. Nobody’s Perfect Parenting, Circle of Security Parenting, and Growing Mindfully Parenting are three programs that help parents learn similar coping skills as their children. For more information or to register, email mentalwellness@ymcabc.ca or visit ymcabc.ca.
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A 4 September 2026
NEWS
KAMLOOPSCHRONICLE.COM
New Majority focuses on younger voters
RCMP continue investigation into Kamloops homicide
Sean Brady: Reporter news@kamloopschronicle.com
Jason Hewlett: Reporter news@kamloopschronicle.com
The B.C. RCMP Southeast District Major Crime Unit is continuing to investigate the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of a 25-year-old Kamloops man whose body was found inside a burning vehicle last summer. Police responded to a vehicle fire on Tranquille-Criss Creek Road at about 4 a.m. on Aug. 23, 2025. Inside the black 2019 Volkswagen Golf, investigators found the body of Kamloops resident Dillen Bain. Police believe the vehicle was intentionally set on fire after being left along a service road. Before the fire, the Golf was seen travelling through the North Shore area of Kamloops accompanied by a blue vehicle. Investigators are hoping to speak with anyone who may have seen Bain in the hours leading up to his death, or who may have information that could help establish what happened. Anyone with information who has not yet spoken with police is asked to contact the Southeast District Major Crime Unit information line at 1-877-987-8477. The investigation remains active.
Youth focused get-out-the-vote group New Majority has undertaken work in Kamloops in an attempt to boost turnout for the upcoming municipal election. While get-out-the-vote work is common in federal and provincial elections, little has been done to help boost municipal election turnout, which has historically hovered around 30 percent. But among youth, that number is figured to be even lower. Agerelated voter turnout data is hard to come by and not provided by Elections BC, but New Majority executive director Amanda Munday figures turnout for those ages 18 to 24 is around 20 to 25 percent at best. “We always ask people we approach if they know an election is happening. It’s usually about 20 percent awareness for a municipal election,” Munday said. Over the summer, New Majority took advantage of the
“
The design of this event was, hey, just come out for a drag night. That then allows us to talk about the election and bring people in for fun.
”
– AMANDA MUNDAY New Majority Executive Director
Canada Summer Jobs program to hire two local students to host events that would attract young people, including a movie night and a drag event. Munday called both events a success and said the drag event, called Divas for Democracy, was particularly well attended. “The design of this event was, hey, just come out for a drag night. That then allows us to talk about the election and bring people in for fun,” Munday said. In the 2025 federal election, the nonpartisan organization took credit for a seven percent increase in youth voter turnout. To achieve that, the organization ballooned from a permanent staff of five to more than 800 workers staffing phone banks and door-to-
door canvassing during the election. New Majority is focused on face-to-face interactions rather than online advocacy and discussions, and for good reason. “When you rely on digital communications and algorithms, we know tech companies will serve people content they engage with already,” Munday said. The organization applied for Canada Summer Jobs grants strategically, focusing on areas with a lot of young people but low voter turnout. Recently, it has focused on the Ontario and B.C. municipal elections, the Quebec provincial elections and the upcoming referendum in Alberta. “They’re given eight weeks to host community driven events,
all designed, planned, promoted and executed by that young person, who is given a small budget,” Munday said. “So we know that anything we do in Kamloops will at least boost awareness, and ideally boost turnout,” she said. Data was also collected at the event and those in attendance could opt to give their information for later contact. New Majority plans to use that data in a phone bank to further its getout-the-vote message closer to election day. Munday said engaging young people about municipal elections can be particularly effective, since they are usually about relating to people, rather than parties. “It’s unbelievable, because to me, all issues in some way intersect with municipal policies and governance. Everything has municipal oversight in some way, but there’s a misconception that municipal politics is just about garbage and bike lanes. It’s so much more expansive than that,” she said.
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September 2026
5A
More than 35 candidates currently running in civic election Sean Brady: Reporter news@kamloopschronicle.com
More than 35 people have put their names forward for mayor, council, or school trustee ahead of the upcoming general local elections, which will take place on Oct. 17. Candidates won’t be official until declared by the city’s chief election officer on Sept. 11, but many have already announced their intention to run. Three candidates have announced for mayor, including current mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson, current councillor Mike O’Reilly, and former councillor Nelly Dever.
The remainder of the current council, including Bill Sarai, Nancy Bepple, Dale Bass, Kelly Hall, Stephen Karpuk, Katie Neustaeter, and Margot Middleton have all indicated they will be running again. Incumbents will face a slew of newcomers, with 13 new council candidates announced as of Chronicle press time. They include union representative Brian Andrews, businessman and former RCMP auxiliary Christopher Mitra, healthcare worker Cindy Sonne, former council and two-time B.C. Conservative candidate Dennis Giesbrecht, pulp mill worker Doug Ronnquist, retired contractor
Joe Mauro, advocate Kathrine Blair-Wunderlich, meme creator Nevin Webster, former B.C. Green Party candidate Randy Sunderman, tire shop manager Rob Bertrand, former Canada Post worker Troy Loewen, advocate Ian Head, and support worker Lyndsay McDonald. School trustee candidates running for the KamloopsThompson Board of Education will include at least six incumbents from the nineseat body, and likely more will follow before the deadline. Five seats on the school board will be elected for Kamloops, while the rest will represent other areas, including Clearwater, Barriere, Chase, Sun Peaks and Logan
KCA work currently under budget Sean Brady: Reporter news@kamloopschronicle.com
An early progress report on the Kamloops Centre for the Arts indicates the project is currently $5 million under budget. Matt Kachel, the city’s infrastructure delivery divisional manager, provided an update on two major projects to council on Sept . 1. Kachel said the under-budget report stems from tender results coming in under budget, certain risks being retired as work progresses and moving past the higher risk elements of construction. “There’s potential for further savings or mitigation as we work through the rest of the risks of the project,” Kachel said. Excavation and shoring at the downtown site is nearly complete, with foundation work, crane rental and concrete pumping expected next. Kachel said tariffs continue to impact project costs, but have been planned for.
“Did we know they were going to be where they are right now? No, I don’t think anybody did. It’s still a pretty good amount to be able to deal with uncertainty in the market,” Kachel said. Corporate services director David Hallinan said tariff impacts only concern orders from the United States — something he said the city will avoid whenever possible, opting to pay shipping charges for materials from Europe or Asia when opportune. Hallinan said Canadian materials are being sourced primarily or initially, and that most tariffs on relevant materials are around 25 to 50 percent at the moment. “There’s a certain amount of cushion built into our agreement, but it does have its limits, as well,” Kachel said. The arena multiplex project in Dufferin, meanwhile, is currently in the project cost validation phase. See MULTIPLEX on A34
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Lake. Those who have officially announced their intention to run include Jodhbir Kang and Cole Hickson, each first elected in 2022. John O’Fee, Diane Jules, Kathleen Karpuk, and Heather Grieve have indicated to other media their intention to run again but had not made public announcements as of Chronicle press time. It is not yet clear if Rhonda
Kershaw or Shelley Sim will run again. The campaign period will begin Sept. 19 and general voting day is Oct. 17. Nomination packages will be available on the City of Kamloops website until the Sept. 11 nomination deadline. To be eligible to vote, you must be a Canadian citizen, be at least 18 years old, have lived in B.C. for at least six months, and not be disquali-
fied from voting by law. Advance voting will be available at two locations: Heritage House in Riverside Park at 100 Lorne St. and the McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre lounge at 1665 Island Pkwy. It will be available on Oct. 7, Oct. 10 and Oct. 14 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The City of Kamloops says details on how to cast a mailin ballot will be announced on Sept. 8. Fulton & Company LLP
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Potential for hot, dry fall sparks further fire concerns Jason Hewlett: Reporter
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Shorter days and morning dew are helping dampen wildfire activity, but the risk of forest fires remains heading into September as hot, dry conditions could persist. “We’re not out of the woods yet,” said Sarah Budd, an information officer with the B.C. Wildfire Service. Of chief concern are underlying drought conditions, particularly in the central and southern Interior of the province, where, aside from a period of late-August precipitation, rain has been scarce for most of the summer. The subtropical system that came up from the United States on Aug. 22 caused 11,500 lightning strikes across the southern third of the province. Budd said those strikes sparked 147 new fires within 72 hours. Fortunately, as of press time, 131 of the blazes were either under control, being held, or out. Many of the province’s wildfires are still classified as out of control, with four major fires causing the most concern. These include the Big Bar fire near Clinton, the Pear Lake fire in the
Cariboo, the Bald Range fire near Summerland, and the Ainslie Creek and Brunswick Creek fires in the Fraser Canyon. “There’s still some challenges on that incident [Big Bar],” said Budd. “It is our largest fire in the province this year.” In the Nicola Valley, cooler temperatures and higher humidity helped tame the Ainslie Creek fire, prompting the Thompson-Nicola Regional District to lift an evacuation alert for some 620 properties. However, an alert remains in place for about 280 properties, while an evacuation order continues to affect just under 60 properties southwest of Merritt. The Quilpituk Creek fire northwest of Kelowna has been declared under control, allowing an evacuation alert in the area to be lifted. Meanwhile, all remaining evacuation alerts around Peachland have been rescinded after the B.C. Wildfire Service determined the threat posed by the Bald Range fire had passed. “We’re feeling very confident there,” said Budd. While cooler weather did provide a reprieve, Budd warned that conditions can
quickly change as the calendar turns to September. The benefits of fall include earlier sunsets, cooler nights and morning dew. However, with drought conditions like those the region is experiencing, fire fuels can dry out quickly and be quick to burn should a fire spark, she said. “We would need to see several consistent days of precipitation to start to see a change in their condition,” Budd said. Without access to a crystal ball, Budd hesitates to make a prediction for what September will bring to the fire situation. With the potential for a Super El Nino, there could be a long, hot, and dry spell ahead. “Our fuels are dry enough that they are still susceptible to ignition when we’ve got lightning coming through with precipitation,” she said. Anyone who spots a wildfire while outdoors is asked to call *5555 from a cell phone or 1-800-663-5555 from any phone, or report it through the B.C. Wildfire Service app. Photos submitted through the app can help crews assess the situation, which Budd said are very helpful for crews attacking these fires.
Changes to remuneration for council Sean Brady: Reporter news@kamloopschronicle.com
Council has approved changes to the city’s council remuneration policy, converting it from a policy to a bylaw — a move the city said will increase transparency and strengthen accountability. The conversion does not affect salaries for mayor or council, but it does increase the annual maximum expense allowance from $5,000 to $8,000. It also allows the city to withhold or reduce pay to those who are in debt to the city. In April, Beem Credit Union filed a petition in B.C. Supreme Court seeking foreclosure on Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson’s downtown property due to unpaid debts of more
than $450,000. The mayor has been trying to sell the property since 2024 and, according to the petition, also has unpaid property taxes. It is not known if any other members of council currently owe property taxes or other debts to the city. According to the report prepared by city staff and presented to council, converting the policy into a bylaw would increase transparency for council compensation, clarify applicable remuneration and expense processes, strengthen administrative certainty and accountability, and establish a clear and consistent regulatory framework. Prior to discussing the proposed bylaw, the city’s corporate officer Maria Mazzotta invited declarations of conflict of interest. See MOTION on A34
NEWS
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RIH cardiac unit to reopen next year Sean Brady: Reporter news@kamloopschronicle.com
Interior Health will be reopening a longclosed cardiac care unit at Royal Inland Hospital in early 2027. The work involves moving the four-bed unit and integrating it into the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU). Along with that work, Interior Health said it will also be investing in cardiac care education for new staff, as well as further recruitment efforts to staff the unit. “These efforts build employee expertise by investing in targeted education and development, creating a sustainable internal pipeline of coronary care unit (CCU) staffing. This is supported by ongoing recruitment of nursing staff,” said Diane Shendruk, IH vice-president of clinical operations. The change won’t result in more beds at the hospital, since the CCU beds were previously being used in another unit, and donated equipment was still being put to use. “It will improve the flow of critically ill cardiac patients through the hospital, getting them the right care in the right location,” said Dr. Nicole Desforges, senior medical director of acute services. The CCU was first established in 2018, but shuttered in 2020 due to staff shortages related to the pandemic. Its initial opening was sup-
ported by equipment funded by Iccha/Wish, a non-profit organization focused on raising money for the hospital that has, to date, raised more than $2.6 million. Co-founder Al Patel had been growing increasingly frustrated with delays in reopening the unit, but said news of the reopening was “the greatest news I could ever hear.” Patel founded Iccha/Wish with coronary care in mind, but in the past it has funded a range of equipment, including X-ray machines, neo-natal equipment, ultrasound machines, monitors and more, as well as bursaries for nursing students studying at Thompson Rivers University. Each year, Iccha/Wish holds a gala to fundraise for various projects. Now that the CCU is being re-established, Patel has set his sights on the next step — a catheterization lab at Royal Inland Hospital. Currently, anyone needing the services of a cath lab must travel to Kelowna. Patients can be stabilized at Royal Inland, but must travel to receive further care. Patel wants that to change. Interior Health has previously said there is not enough patient demand to warrant a catheterization lab in Kamloops, but has suggested that there will be by 2040. “We have the money. We have the skills. Waiting until 2040 is outrageous. We cannot wait that long,” Patel said.
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TFSAs: A Less Taxing Way to Invest Rewind to 2009 when Canadians were introduced to a new savings vehicle that would become one of the most powerful tools for building tax-free wealth: the Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA). In the early years, investors were keen to see how much interest they could earn in this new “savings” account. We quickly realized perhaps a better name would have been a Tax-Free Investment Account, as investors are not limited to cash savings and can hold many different investment options similar to Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs). How They Work A Canadian resident can open a TFSA at the age of majority, which is 19 years old in BC. Available contribution room begins accumulating at age 18 and, similar to an RRSP, unused contribution room carries forward indefinitely. The 2026 annual TFSA contribution limit is $7,000. An individual who was at least 18 years old in 2009 and has never contributed to a TFSA could have accumulated contribution room of up to $109,000 in 2026. Money inside a TFSA can be withdrawn at any time and any gains, whether from interest, dividends, or capital appreciation, are completely tax-free. Investors can also re-contribute amounts
withdrawn beginning the following calendar year without impacting their regular contribution room. You can check your available TFSA contribution room through your CRA My Account portal or with assistance from your tax professional. We generally recommend keeping TFSA accounts organized and carefully tracking contributions and withdrawals. The penalties for overcontributing remain significant and are currently 1% per month on excess amounts. Pro Tip #1: If your TFSA is maxed out, you can provide funds to your spouse to contribute to their TFSA without triggering attribution rules, allowing you to utilize their available contribution room. For estate planning purposes, TFSAs allow you to name a beneficiary, helping assets transfer efficiently to loved ones tax free and outside of probate. Pro Tip #2: If naming your spouse as beneficiary, consider designating them as a successor holder rather than a beneficiary. This allows the TFSA to be added to the surviving spouse’s TFSA without affecting their own TFSA contribution room. The Power of Tax-Free Investing Example 1 Bob contributes $7,000 at the beginning of each year to his TFSA and earns an average annual return of 5%. After 10 years, his TFSA could grow to approximately $92,000. After 20 years, it could exceed $243,000, all completely tax-free. Example 2 Sara receives an inheritance and contributes $109,000, utilizing all her available TFSA room. If she earns an average return of 5% annually and never contributes another dollar, her TFSA could grow to approximately $178,000 after 10 years and nearly $290,000 after 20 years, all without paying tax on the growth.
Pro Tip #3: TFSA withdrawals do not affect income-tested government benefits such as Old Age Security (OAS), making TFSAs an attractive savings vehicle for retirees. TFSA or RRSP? A common question we are asked is: “Is it better to save in an RRSP or TFSA?” The answer depends on your current income, expected retirement income, and overall financial goals. An RRSP contribution generates a tax deduction, investments grow tax-deferred, and withdrawals are taxed when funds are eventually taken out. This often occurs during retirement, when individuals may be in a lower tax bracket than during their working years. A TFSA is funded with after-tax dollars and receives no tax deduction; however, all future growth is tax-free and withdrawals are never taxed. If you are currently in a lower tax bracket and expect to remain in a relatively low tax bracket throughout retirement, contributing to a TFSA rather than an RRSP may make more sense. Conversely, if you are currently in a higher tax bracket and anticipate being in a lower tax bracket in retirement, an RRSP contribution may provide greater benefits. Another situation where a TFSA can be especially valuable is following a financial windfall, such as an inheritance, the sale of a property, or a gift. By investing through a TFSA, all future growth can remain tax-free. As always, we encourage working with a financial professional to determine the approach that best suits your personal circumstances. Until next time…Invest Well, Live Well.
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The views expressed are those of Eric Davis, Senior Portfolio Manager and Senior Investment Advisor, Keith Davis, Associate Investment Advisor, and Heidi Bradley, Associate Investment Advisor, of TD Wealth Private Investment Advice, as of August 18, 2026, and are subject to change based on market and other conditions. Davis Wealth Management Team is part of TD Wealth Private Investment Advice, a division of TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. which is a subsidiary of The Toronto-Dominion Bank. ®The TD logo and other TD trademarks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank or its subsidiaries.
A 8 September 2026
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’VE NEVER MET an elected official who wakes up in the morning thinking “how can I make my community worse today”. Just given the law of probabilities, I assume elected officials who do ask themselves this dark question must exist somewhere. But they also must be extremely few and far between. I’ve met hundreds of local elected officials across the country, served with dozens of them, and have become good friends with a fair few of them. I have been so impressed by an overall ironclad commitment to the health and wealth of the people they represent. Does this mean they won’t make mistakes? No. Does this mean you have to always agree with them? No. But it does mean, and I must emphasize this, that
these are people with good intentions and with the desire to serve others. So, I raise this dark question that almost never enters an elected official’s head (whatever time of day) because recently I have been unfortunately doom scrolling through some really depressing Kamloops ARJUN SINGH politics Facebook groups. Stronger Bonds According to many of the info@kamloopschronicle.com posts, almost every elected official is corrupt and (250) 377-1797 / or incompetent and / or for our current Mayor. But I hell bent on driving our don’t think those left out of beloved community into my choices are bad people the ground. — quite the opposite in fact. I exaggerate, but only a I simply disagree with them little. And I also don’t want on policy or their approach to minimize legitimate to council work. strong frustrations and concerns with our local leadHuge thanks to all the ers. I likely will not vote for candidates in the civic elections, standing up, when all the incumbent councillors running for re-election. few do, to serve. In the past I most likely will not vote couple of civic elections,
about 25 to 30 people put their name forward on the ballot. This will be the first civic election since 2005 where my name won’t be on the ballot. If candidates will indulge me, here are some thoughts for you from six civic election campaigns. Campaigns can be tough and they can also be really enjoyable. People will sometimes doubt your good intentions, you should still hold on to them dearly. It is such a wonderful experience to learn about our community, to listen to your fellow citizens, and to share your ideas and questions. Savour that. Kamloopsians are good people and so many people will open their minds (and sometimes even their hearts) to you. There also will likely be
some tough questions and people who will act selfishly. Prepare yourself the best you can, read up on city operations and community topics and opportunities, and don’t overpromise. If you don’t know an answer or haven’t given something a lot of thought, say that and commit to getting back to people when you have learnt more and thought further. Give people your attention and also decide where your boundaries are if things get a bit much. I had someone who used to love calling at 11:30 p.m. And remember the loudest voices and the most negative voices are not representative of the vast majority of us who wake up indeed wanting Kamloops to be a better place every day.
Why there will be a big turnout this election
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AIT, WHAT? Have you finally lost it, Mel? A big turnout?’ Well, no, I haven’t. There’s always much fretting about low turnouts in our civic elections and, given past results, it’s not unfounded, but current conditions suggest 2026 will be different. True, most civic elections in Kamloops attract only about 30 percent of eligible voters. The rest would rather stay home and watch Netflix than get up and trek to the polls. In 2022, the turnout was, to be exact, 30.42 percent — almost identical to Kelowna. In 2018, the previous election year, the turnout was 30.6 percent. In 2014, 34.9 percent. Indeed, if we trace the turnout back to 1990, in most years it was in the low 30s or high 20s. That’s 11 elections. But, there have been rare exceptions, with the turnout tipping above 50 per cent a couple of times. Community groups try their best (as they should) to boost turn-
MEL ROTHENBURGER Armchair Mayor
out with information campaigns, forums and entreaties to protect democracy by using our voting privilege, and they debate electronic and mail-in voting, even compulsory voting. Meanwhile, political scientists analyze the things that might affect turnout — busy lifestyles, education levels, income stats, gender, home ownership vs. rentals, etc. None of that matters. Upward blips in turnout occur when no incumbent is running for mayor
(2022 being an exception), there’s a really big issue, or when voters are fed up with the current council and want change. The last two seldom come into play. The first is paramount. Voters put a lot of focus on the top job. They know name recognition counts, and unless the incumbent mayor has really messed up, they leave him or her be, and don’t bother voting. It doesn’t escape me that a) the incumbent is running again, and b) he’s been, well, not without controversy. To some, he’s an unmitigated disaster; to others, he’s a folk hero, Don Quixote tilting at the windmill we call City Hall. Everybody knows his name — he’s Reid Hamer-Jackson, who sometimes calls himself “the Real Mayor of Kamloops.” This mayor is a reason to vote. With the race shaping up to be between him and incumbent councillor Mike O’Reilly (with Nelly Dever and Ray Dhaliwal being possible wildcards), people not only are
intensely interested, but they believe they can have an impact. And then there’s that thing about major issues. There will be at least two of them in this election. One is street disorder, and the fact the current council has failed at doing much about it. The other is transparency and engagement, and the fact the current council has repressed it with restrictions on public feedback, with the added annoyance of using the alternative approval process. Third is whether the public’s disaffection with the current council and its perceived dysfunction is real. We’ve had lawsuits, leaks, almost daily insults, and a councillor who was forced to apologize for lying. Elections are always about status quo vs. change. This time, voters will want a say. Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops, a former school board chair, and is a retired daily newspaper editor. He publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website.
KAMLOOPSCHRONICLE.COM Imagine a trafficless Victoria Street
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Editor: Regarding Mel Rothenburger’s comments about the Seymour Street and Lansdown Street one ways. I may have an idea that could end the discussion. Making Seymour a two-way street again would create an imbalance of traffic lanes and create more congestion on Seymour. I would propose turning Victoria Street from Second to Sixth (or Seventh) into our own version of trafficless Granville Street in Vancouver. This would allow Victoria Street to become that people-friendly, quieter, storefront-forward place for all of us to enjoy. A walking Victoria Street would allow the streetlights at Third, Fourth and Fifth to be replaced with a pre-planned, syncopated set of pedestrian lights on both Seymour and Lansdown, which would hasten traffic flow and be safer for those on foot. Considering the lack of foot traffic on Victoria Street now I can see this being a win-win for traffic and business in our downtown core. I would love to have lunch or dinner downtown on a real, comfortable, made-for-people restaurant patio where patrons can truly feel like they can “relax and stay awhile”!
B.C. needs leadership that moves beyond excuses. A good start would be giving a higher priority to pushing the success rate upwards on initial attack. Every fire caught early means a great deal to those living nearby. In an era of changing weather and landscapes, when fires burn hotter and spread faster, an extra fast, hard-hitting and sustained air response is critical. Playing the odds or penny-pinching on air attack is not strong leadership. The B.C. air fleet needs considerably more aircraft on seasonal standby, especially heavy lift rotary aircraft. As a former BC Wildfire Protection Officer and Incident Management Team member, dispatching the right type and number of aircraft upon discovery determines the outcome. More powerful aircraft available for both day and night operations is essential to hold fires promptly, improve initial attack success, and reduce the risk of mass evacuations, widespread smoke, and destruction. In times of drought all fires deserve to be held quickly from the air before smoke or stronger winds make suppression more difficult, or before they multiply in size days later. With the right senior leadership, the BCWS can do better.
Hoping to see a strong voter turnout
Lack of response from council
Jeff Owens Kamloops
Dear Editor: It has been a long time since I last penned a letter to the editor of a Kamloops newspaper. I was initially very unhappy with the discontinuation of our regular local paper and pleased to see the emergence of the Chronicle. I have always been a proponent of local print media for its connection to the community and importance in offering valuable information, be it sports, obituaries, political endeavours, controversy, and occasionally holding feet to fire if necessary. As well as so much more. Given the municipal election being on the horizon, and the nature of some of the online opinions (as noted by Arjun Singh recently), I very much hope that voters will make a strong turnout and be very careful in marking their ballots. The anticipated large number of candidates could have a negative effect on the outcome, and encouraging a wholesale change in our municipal government might be the wrong plan. Thanks for the Chronicle, and I will continue to enjoy the updates on what is happening in our fair city.
Patrick C. McDonald Kamloops
BC Wildfire Service needs to do better
Dear Editor: With each passing fire season, and now with large fires burning in the Okanagan, Cariboo, and Fraser Canyon, it is becoming increasingly clear that the senior leadership of the BC Wildfire Service and the Minister of Forests need to be replaced. Every spring, the Minister says the province is ready and prepared for the season ahead. Really? And when a fire goes over the hill, they are ready with their excuses.
Clarence Friesen Kelowna
Dear Editor: I recently wrote individually to some councillors running for re-election about a long-standing community safety concern involving a nuisance property in my neighbourhood. Four out of six did not reply. After I later wrote to the entire Council expressing my disappointment, Coun. Bill Sarai, currently Deputy Mayor, did reply. He provided some background and indicated that the City, RCMP, and Community Safety are aware of the problem and continue to deal with it. I thanked him, but replied that his response had not addressed my main question: Are there any further steps or other avenues that could be pursued to bring this long-standing problem to a resolution? I received no response to that follow-up. I understand there are limits to what municipal government can do. But when a community safety problem has persisted for years, I believe residents have every right to ask: What else can we do? I remain disappointed that I received no response from some of the other councillors I had originally emailed. I don’t expect councillors to always agree with me or have an immediate solution, but I do expect elected representatives to respond when citizens raise serious concerns. In my view, it’s high time for fresh ideas, fresh voices, people prepared to think outside the box, and councillors who will respond to citizens’ concerns. Those will be important considerations when I cast my vote in the upcoming municipal election. I hope other citizens feel the same on election day.
Nick Carter Kamloops
September 2026
9A
Pick-up The Kamloops Chronicle at the following locations:
Aberdeen Aberdeen Mall Tiny Library...................................Aberdeen Mall Chartwell Ridgepointe Retirement Residence...1789 Primrose Ct Chopped Leaf Aberdeen....................1180 Columbia St W G115 Fresh Street Market...............................................Aberdeen Mall Gold Leaf Pastries......................................... 14-1415 Hillside Dr Kamloops Seniors Village..............................1220 Hugh Allan Dr On the Rocks.................................................... 1265 Rogers Way Pharmasave Aberdeen............................... 68 - 1395 Hillside Dri Pizza Now.......................................................1415 Hillside Dr #2 Runners Sole................................................1395 Hillside Dr #74 Straight 8 barbers Aberdeen..........................1390 Hillside Dr #5 Tim Hortons...................................................... 1285 Rogers Way Twin Rivers Market................... Unit A1420, 1420 Hugh Allan Dr Barnhartvale HappyValley Foods....................................6221 Barnhartvale Rd
Brocklehurst Riverbend Pharmasave...................................760 Mayfair St #3, Flutter Buys Thrift Store.......................... 1800 Tranquille Rd #14 Parkcrest Neighbourhood Store.....................2091 Parkcrest Ave RiverBend & Mayfair Manor..................................760 Mayfair St Downtown 7-Eleven..................................................... 615 Seymour St & 6th Amplified Cafe.......................................................465 Victoria St Amplifon Clinic Kamloops........................300 Columbia St # 104 Andres Tire World............................................. 341 Victoria St W Artisan Market.......................................................705 Victoria St Big Little Science Center..................................... 458 Seymour St Bikley Law.....................................................186 Victoria St #301 Boomers Auto................................................... 375 Victoria St W Brownstone Restaurant.........................................118 Victoria St Cafe Motivo...........................................................229 Victoria St Canada’s Best Value Inn................................. 1390 columbuia St Carlos O’Bryan’s Neighborhood Pub.....................357 Victoria St Centerpoint Printing..................................................500 Victoria Central Station Pub.......................................................126 4 Ave Columbia Street Pharmacy.........................112-300 Columbia St Continental Barber Shop.......................................319 Victoria St Cordo Restaurant........................................... 540 Victoria Street Daana Paani - The Indian Grocery Store............ 414 Seymour St Denny’s - Downtown..........................................570 Columbia St Dollarama.......................................................450 Lansdowne St Dorian Greek House..............................................430 Victoria St Downtown Kamloops BIA......................................... 246 2nd Ave Downtown Library.......................................... 465 Vicroria Street Embers..................................................................650 Victoria St Fade Away Barber SHop.......................................156 Victoria St Frankly Coffee And Bistro................................437 Lansdowne St Frick and Frack............................................... 577 Victoria Street He Brew’s Ahava Coffee Inc..................................210 Victoria St Hearing Life....................................................321 Nicola St #208 Hello Toast.............................................................428 Victoria St Jacob’s Noodle & Cutlet............................................ 260 4th Ave Kamloops Art Gallery.................................... 465, Victoria Street Kamloops Brain Injury Association.......................408 Victoria St Kamloops Community YMCA-YWCA................. 400 Battle Street Kamloops United Thrift.......................................... 421 St Paul St Kekuli Cafe................................................300 Columbia St #101 Kipp-Mallery Pharmacy..................3rd Avenue & Victoria Street Kirstens Hideout Café.......................................1390 Columbia St London Drugs.........................................450 Lansdowne St #216 Mauryas Restaurant..............................................165 Victoria St Mittz Kitchen.......................................227 Victoria St, Kamloops Nandis Restaurant..............340 Victoria Street Nutters Everyday Naturals ........................................................440 Seymour Street Paramount Theatre........................................ 503 Victoria Street Pavillion Theatre..............................................1025 Lorne Street
Pratt’s Compounding Pharmacy.......................321 Nicola Street RBC Dominion Securities.......................186 Victoria St Suite 402 Red Collar Brewing..........................................355 Lansdowne St Royal Inland Hospital..............................311 Columbia St W 2T2 Sacred Grounds Coffee Bar................................311 Columbia St Save-On-Foods Downtown....................450 Lansdowne St #200 Senor Froggy’s Downtown.....................450 Lansdowne St #235 Seymour Dental.................................................. 737 Seymour St TD banks ................................................ 301 Victoria St Unit 102 The Art We Are Cafe..............................................246 Victoria St The Book Place..............................................................248 3 Ave The Noble Pig........................................................650 Victoria St The Vic Downtown...............................................377 Victoria St, Thompson Rivers Medical Clinic.......................... 851 Seymour St Urban Systems..............................................................121 5 ave Wilson Beck Insurance............................................. 574 Lorne St Juniper Ridge Juniper Market....................................... 301 Highland Rd #2049 North Kamloops 5Bean Brewbar................................................. 289 Tranquille Rd 7-Eleven............................................1790 Tranquille & Desmond Bailey’s Pub................................................................1050 8th St Bright Eye Brewing........................................... 292 Tranquille Rd Centre for Seniors Information...................25-700 Tranquille Rd Chartwell Kamloops Retirement...................... 628 Tranquille Rd Chopped Leaf North Hills........................ 700 Tranquille Rd #45a Cottonwood Manor...............................730 Cottonwood Avenue Craigs Bakery.......................................... 1800 Tranquille Rd #29 Dearborn Ford.... 2555 East Trans Canada Highway Frontage Rd Denny’s - Northshore....................................... 898 Tranquille Rd Edo Japan.................................................. 700 Tranquille Rd #46 Gords Appliances + Mattress Centre................ 948 Tranquille Rd Halston Pub...........................................................1271 Salish Rd Hasty Mart.................................................................1105 8th St John Tod Centre Y....................................................150 Wood St Josey’s Hair Salon............................................ 665 Tranquille Rd Logjam Coffee.................................................. 437 Tranquille Rd Manshadi Pharmacy........................................ 374 Tranquille Rd McArthur Island Sports & Events Centre.....1665 Island Parkway Melon Hair Lounge.......................................................860 8th St Mt Paul Community Food Centre......................140 Laburnum St No Limits Fitness..........................................................905 8th St North Shore Library.......................................... 693 Tranquille Rd North Shore Pharmacy..................................... 231 Tranquille Rd Overlander Residential Care................................ 953 Southill St, Red Beard Cafe................................................. 449 Tranquille Rd Safeway Fortune..................................................750 Fortune Dr Sarah’s Independent Grocers................... 700 Tranquille Rd, #49 Save-On-Foods Brocklehurst................... 1800 Tranquille Rd #38 Scotiabank on the Shore.................................. 781 Tranquille Rd Senor Froggy’s North Shore........................... 724 Sydney Ave #9 Sikh Cultural Society.................................. 700 Cambridge Cresc Straight 8 barbers – Northills Mall................ 3-700 Tranquille Rd The Salvation Army.................................................344 Poplar St The Shore Cannabiz Shop................................ 399 Tranquille Rd The Shores Retirement Residence........ 870 Westminster Avenue Tranquille Market........................................... 1170 Tranquille Rd Wild Bird Center............................................... 760 Tranquille Rd Yew Street Food Hall...................................................107 Yew St Sahali Adrenas Bookstore.....................................#1, 9010 Columbia St Aqua Pure....................................................... 1320 Dalhousie Dr Bannister Chevrolet.......................................950 Notre Dame Dr Bannister Hyundai.........................................948 Notre Dame Dr Berwick on the Park..................................... 60 Whiteshield Cres
More pickup locations on A11
A 10 September 2026
Pick-up The Kamloops Chronicle at the following locations: Best Western Plus..............................................660 Columbia Str Canada Games Aquatic Centre.............................. 910 McGill Rd Columbia Diner.................................................555 Columbia Str Connect Hearing................................................ 1315 Summit Dr Earls.................................................................... 1210 Summit Dr EZ Vape.....................................................1210 Summit Dr #915 Fox and Hounds Pub.......... Sahali Mall, 945 W Columbia St #20 FraserCart Indian Store.................................795 McGill Rd #103 FreshCo......................................................... Columbia & Summit Golds gym........................................................... 906 Laval Cresc Kamloops Hearing Aid Centre........................ 414 Arrowstone Dr Kipp-Mallery Pharmacy (Landmark).................Summit & McGill Marjorie Willoughby Hospice.................... 72 Whitesheild Cres S Mercedes Benz Kamloops..................................... 695 Laval Cres Mr Lube Summit................................................. 1200 Summit Dr Nature’s Fare Markets - Kamloops.......500 Notre Dame Dr #100 Pure Pharmacy..........................................#10 - 1380 Summit Dr Ramada..........................................................555 W Columbia St Save-On-Foods Summit Dr.......................1210 Summit Dr #100 Stock Pot Cafe..........................................................7 - 970 Laval Superstore......................................................910 Columbia St W Tim Hortons....................................................910 Columbia St W Tim Hortons....................................................910 Columbia St W Tournament Capital Centre.................................... 910 McGill Rd Toyota..................................................................1355 Cariboo Pl Vista Inn.........................................................628 Columbia St W Waypoint Convenience.............................910 Columbia St West Wheaton Buick GM ......................................685 Notre Dame Dr Pritchard Pritchard Store.................................... 4132 Trans - Canada Hwy Stoney Flats Harvest...................................4227 Stoney Flats Rd Tkemlups Erwins................................................................ 419 Mt Paul Way Purity Feed....................................................471 Okanagan Way Agri Supply............................................................782d Tagish St Sweláps Market................................. 100 - 302 Yellowhead Hwy AgeCare Sunriveres............................................580 Shuswap Rd Valleyview Amsterdam Cafe..........................................111 Oriole Rd Unit 1 Clearview Glass..................................... 2059 Trans Canada Hwy Kamloops Mazda............................... 2595, E Trans-Canada Hwy Kamloops Ram Dodge Jeep....2525 East Trans Canada Highway Frontage Rd McCracken Station Pub..................................1626 Valleyview Dr Office Pub.............................................................2020 Falcon Rd PetroCan Convenience Store.................1885 Trans-Canada Hwy Pharmasave Orchards Walk.............101 - 3200 Valleyview Drive Remedy’sRx....................................1967 Trans-Canada Highway Riders Motor Inn....................................1759 Trans-Canada Hwy Rivershore Chrysler Jeep............... 2477 East Trans-Canada Hwy Save-on Valleyview........................2101 Trans - Canada Hwy #9 Shoppers Drug Mart................... 2121 Trans-Canada Hwy Unit 2 Straight 8 barbers Valleyview.................................168 Oriole Rd The Residence at Orchard’s Walk.........3300 Valleyview Dr. #100 Valleyview Barbershop.................................... 2172 Flamingo Rd Volkswagen Kamloops.......................... 2483 Trans Canada Hwy Westsyde Hamlets........................................................ 3255 Overlander Dr Save-On-Foods Westsyde.............................................Westsyde Black Pines Restaurant....................................2992 Westsyde Rd The Westsyder Neighbourhood Pub...............3369 Westsyde Rd Westsyde Pool & Fitness Centre............................. 859 Bebek Rd
More locations added frequently. Check KamloopsChronicle.com for the complete list.
Good News
KAMLOOPSCHRONICLE.COM
Still more to celebrate in Kamloops this month! The Interior Authors Group released its latest anthology, Colours of Canada, in July 2026: “In the IAG’s twenty-year history, our writers have created seven anthologies, releasing our Colours of Canada anthology in July. We are eclectic writers who connect during monthly meetings held at the North Shore Community Centre, 730 Cottonwood Avenue, Kamloops, or via Zoom with surrounding communities, especially during the winter months. Together we learn new aspects of our craft, share our writings and encourage each other, especially as we collaborate to create our anthologies. You can find us at our popup Book Booth at the Kamloops Farmers’ Market where we display and sell our books. We also bring the Book Booth to local Christmas fairs in Kamloops. We invite you to check us out at our September start-up meeting. To learn more, search online for our blog: Interior Authors Group.” Sue Steenson is continuing to do amazing work leading the organization of the annual Terry Fox run. Sue seems to be everywhere in town these days with her life size cut out of Terry. This year’s run in Kamloops kicks off the morning of Sunday Sept. 20 at the Riverside Park Bandshell. For more information visit run. terryfox.ca/129893 Middleton family donates $160,000 to Kamloops Search and Rescue: “Kamloops Search and Rescue (KSAR) is pleased to announce a significant personal donation from Kamloops residents Margot Middleton and family, supporting the organization’s plans for a new, purpose-built Search and Rescue facility at 4420 Devick Road in Kamloops. The 2026 Kamloops and District Chamber Business Excellence Awards finalists are: City of Kamloops Community Service Award • Kamloops Art Party • The Wren News • Progressive Planet Andre’s Electronic Experts Retailer of the Year • 4 Generations Creations • Sweläps Market Castanet Kamloops Service
This year’s Terry Fox run is taking place on Sept. 20. From left are Robert Klarich, CFJC TV Midday Host Tania Cronin, and Sue Steenson. Provider 1 to 10 Staff Award • Kamloops Art Party • Wild Ridge Structures and Services • Central Interior Pumps Ltd. I.T. ISIN Solutions Service Provider 11+ Staff Award • Tk̓emlúps Petro Canada, 560 Powwow Trail • Hosenbocus & Co. Chartered Professional Accountants Ltd. • HUB International Rocky Mountaineer Environmental Leadership Award • Kamloops Hospice Association, Flutter Buys • Progressive Planet • Grasslands Conservation Council of British Columbia Teck Highland Valley Copper Excellence in Trades Award • MXS Electric Inc. • Central Interior Pumps Ltd. • Electric Avenue Contracting Ltd. Open Door Group Inclusive Leadership Award • Kamloops Immigrant Services • Kamloops Art Party • The Kamloops & District Society for People In Motion BCLC Innovation Award • Kamloops Art Party • Kamloops Hospice Association • River City Fibre Limited Partnership
Trans Mountain Corporation Not for Profit of the Year • The Kamloops & District Society for People In Motion • Music for the People Society • Grasslands Conservation Council of British Columbia • Kamloops Immigrant Services Community Futures Thompson Country Emerging Business of the Year • Fullest Table • Sweläps Market • Manila Social Sc.wén̓wen Economic Development Indigenous Business Excellence Award • 4 Generations Creations • Electric Avenue Contracting Ltd. • Tk̓emlúps Petro-Canada Interior Indigenous Community Futures Employer of the Year Award • Generation Private Wealth, Harbourfront Wealth Management • 4 Generations Creations • Progressive Planet TRU Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics Young Entrepreneur of the Year • Carolanne Kreiser — Fly Fitness Aerial Studio Inc. • Tatiana Suminas — Calibri Cleaning Corp.
• Ashley Michel — 4 Generations Creations Venture Kamloops Small Business of the Year • Wild Ridge Structures and Services • Cooler Trailers • 4 Generations Creations Generation Private Wealth - Harbourfront Wealth Management Businessperson of the Year • Carly Schmidt — Kamloops Art Party • Mike O’Reilly — Comet Industries Ltd. • Debora DeLyzer — The Kamloops & District Society for People In Motion Hat tip to Castanet Kamloops for first publishing this list. Kamloops is an amazing community with a long-standing culture of kindness and looking out for one another. We need to talk about this more, give it more attention, and keep strengthening our collective goodness. We, at the Kamloops Chronicle, feel it’s so important to share good news regularly and that’s what this space is about. We encourage you to submit your good news by calling 250 8519630, emailing us at info@kamloopschronicle.com or sending us mail to PO Box 814, Station Main, Kamloops BC, V2C 5M8.
KAMLOOPSCHRONICLE.COM
COMMUNITY
September 2026
11 A
Kamloops suicide prevention event returns for fourth year Kamloops will mark World Suicide Prevention Day with its fourth annual community event and optional walk on Sept. 5 at McArthur Island Park. The free gathering will take place from 10 a.m. to noon near the boat launch area at 1655 Island Parkway. No registration is required. The event was first opened to the public in 2023, following a smaller gathering organized the previous year by Linda Bailey, who lost her son Mason to suicide in November 2019. Rebecca Sanford, facilitator of the Kamloops Suicide Loss Support Group and one of the event organizers, said the public event grew out of the desire
to bring the wider community together. Sanford said the first year exceeded organizers’ expectations, attracting more than 200 people. Attendance has remained at roughly 200 to
250 people annually, with a mix of returning participants and newcomers. “It’s unfortunate that so many people in the community have been impacted by suicide,” Sanford said. “But we’re
Stseptékwles re Sk’elép
5th ANNUAL
es re wl S k é lm fiil f m k s s t u f f u o o
p lé ’e ival st e
Film Festival
The event will also feature activities, snacks, tote bags and free T-shirts for early attendees. Sanford said organizers hope the event continues to reach more people in the coming years, including residents who have not been directly affected by suicide. “The hope is always that we continue reaching more people,” she said, “not only people who are impacted, but people who maybe are just curious and want to learn more about suicide and how to support people that they know who’ve been impacted, and what resources are out there.” If you or someone you know may be affected by suicide or struggling with suicidal thoughts, reach out to someone you trust or connect with local mental health and crisis support resources.
5th ANNUAL
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Indigenous
conversations about their experiences or seeking help. “The biggest way that stigma shows up is silence,” Sanford said. “The more we talk about it, we make it okay to have those conversations and to reach out for help.” The event is entirely funded through community donations. Local organizations and businesses contribute financially, while other agencies attend to provide information and resources. This year’s participating organizations are planned to include the Canadian Mental Health Association, Interior Health Authority’s Early Psychosis Intervention Program and the CIRCLE Program operated by the Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society. CIRCLE provides peer support for people in crisis in the community.
e lavits
news@kamloopschronicle.com
always so grateful when people who maybe aren’t connected to the support group find out about the event and decide to attend.” Sanford said the event is intended for people directly affected by suicide, as well as those who want to learn more about how to support others. “People who are impacted by suicide, whether that’s suicide attempts or suicidal thoughts and behaviour, oftentimes feel like they’re alone,” she said. “The more people know about suicide and how to talk about it, and the more people who feel comfortable talking openly about it, the better off everyone is.” For Sanford, one of the central goals is addressing the stigma surrounding suicide. She said that stigma can prevent people from having open
Sts ep Indige n
Anna Montaner: Reporter
Septt 2255 -- 2277 Sep
2026 2 02 026
25.09.26 to 27.09.26 PARAMOUNT THEATRE
SCHEDULE NOW & TICKETS LIVE STSEPTÉKWLES RE SK’ELÉP (COYOTE STORIES) INDIGENOUS FILM FESTIVAL
thekfs.ca/IFF
SEP 25 - 27, 2026
A 12 September 2026
KAMLOOPSCHRONICLE.COM
What is the cost of not building? The BC condo bailout Part 2 This is the second part of a planned three-part piece on the B.C. housing crisis. Part three will follow.
I
N JUNE 2026, the federal and provincial governments announced a plan, potentially worth up to $1.45 billion, to purchase roughly 2,200 unsold condo units and convert them into a rent-to-
buy pathway to homeownership. Premier David Eby said the programme is intended for people who “aren’t going to qualify for social housing”, namely renters with stable, middle incomes who lack a down payment. Housing researchers at the University of British Columbia estimate that BC is short by hundreds of thousands of homes, and
most of that shortfall falls on very low- and low-income households, whom this programme was never built to reach. Middle-income renters in British Columbia face a genuine crisis. A teacher, a nurse, a tradesperson with a stable paycheque and no parental wealth are not privileged people gaming the system. If a
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rent-to-buy pathway helps some of them build equity they would otherwise never accumulate, that is a real benefit for real families. The problem is not that this programme exists. The problem is what had to be sacrificed to make room for it, and what that sacrifice reveals about which needs are treated as expandable and which as expendable. Last month’s column traced how Canada’s federal government built housing policy around mortgage insurance from the outset, funded permanent non-market housing through the 1970s and 1980s, and cut that funding in 1993. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s (CMHC) own audit confirms that decision. The Parliamentary Budget Officer has since linked it to a social housing stock that stopped growing while the rest of the housing system kept expanding around it. British Columbia’s 2026 decision follows the same pattern. CBC News reported that BC’s February 2026 budget reallocated nearly $1.4 billion from its housing strategy, largely by suspending the Community Housing Fund. The condo purchase plan, announced four months later, carries an almost identical price tag, roughly $1.45 billion. On the public record, the two announcements are not literally the same dollars moving from one programme to another. What is harder to dispute is the sequenc-
RADHIKA TABREZ Social Justice Watch
ing: a government that could not sustain grant funding for non-profits building homes for the poorest renters found, within the same budget year, financing for a programme serving renters who do not qualify for that help in the first place. As of August 2026, no specific transaction is on the table. The direct government contribution is $300 million, with the remainder financed through leveraged financing. The suspension had already incurred real costs. Housing groups in Surrey and Squamish had spent millions preparing shovel-ready projects before the funding disappeared. The Union of BC Municipalities reports that dozens of approved Indigenous housing projects were disproportionately affected by the same funding freeze.
The Cost of Not Building This is where the argument shifts from economics to ethics, and from ethics to plain common sense. Research on homelessness has established a causal chain that runs in one direction: unaffordable
housing produces homelessness, and homelessness produces a cascade of social costs that the public bears, whether it wants to or not. A 2022 study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City found that Housing First assistance, which provides housing without preconditions, reduces the likelihood of jail within 18 months by 95 percent, of criminal charges by 85 percent, and of emergency cash assistance by 80 percent. The cost savings from fewer jail stays, emergency room visits, and police contacts offset programme costs within 18 months. A systematic review of 26 studies found that Housing First reduced homelessness by 88 percent and improved housing stability by 41 percent compared with treatment-first approaches. In Denver, a Housing First programme reduced police contacts by 34 percent and arrests by 40 percent. In New York, participants in the FUSE programme spent 95 fewer days in jail over ten years. In Canada, the At Home/ Chez Soi trial, the largest randomised controlled trial of its kind, found that Housing First produced better outcomes than requiring treatment or sobriety before housing. The causal direction matters. The claim here is not that homeless people are criminals. Rather, it is that homelessness, as a condition of extreme stress and exposure, produces behaviours that lead to police contact, emergency health interventions, and institutional cycling. Prevent homelessness, and you prevent the downstream costs. See PATTERN on A13
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The pattern that matters Continued from A12 The research is not ambiguous on this point. What does that mean for the condo bailout? Every unit of non-market housing not built because the Community Housing Fund was suspended is not just a missed opportunity for a family to have a stable home. It is a future cost in policing, jails, emergency departments, and social services that the province will pay regardless. The government is not saving money by cutting affordable housing. It is shifting costs from prevention to crisis management and paying more for the privilege. That gives the government a stronger ethical and social reason to fix affordable housing than to support builders of expensive condos. It is not charity. It is arithmetic.
The Pattern, Elsewhere Ireland’s Tenant in Situ scheme, which allows local authorities to buy rental properties to prevent tenants from losing their homes, shows a similar arc on a shorter timeline. Launched in 2023 with real funding, it began buckling within a couple of years. One council reported more than a hundred purchases on hold, with only a fraction expected to close. By early 2026, funding cuts across ten local authorities ranged from 70 per cent to near-total elimination year on year. This is not unique to housing, or to Canada or Ireland. In 2008, Washington authorised $700 billion for the U.S. bank bailout and acted within weeks. In 2009, Ottawa and Ontario invested roughly $14 billion in GM and Chrysler, framed as urgent given the jobs at stake, and recovered only a portion. Years later, Ottawa quietly wrote off part of what remained without disclosing the amount, citing commercial confidentiality. But here is the pattern that matters most for understanding whether this is about one party or one moment. In 2008 and 2009, Stephen Harper’s Conservative government provided what the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) estimated at $114 billion in support to Canadian banks during the financial crisis, while the official narrative claimed
“
Whatever you call it, the pattern is the same across parties and sectors: when capital is in distress, governments of every stripe find the money and the urgency. When programmes for the poor face cuts, they vanish quietly, often without a word of explanation.
”
that Canada had the “most sound banking system in the world” and needed no bailouts. The support came through CMHC mortgage purchases, Bank of Canada loans, and U.S. Federal Reserve facilities. The banks remained profitable throughout, and their CEOs received raises. The federal government called it “liquidity support.” The CCPA called it a bailout. Whatever you call it, the pattern is the same across parties and sectors: when capital is in distress, governments of every stripe find the money and the urgency. When programmes for the poor face cuts, they vanish quietly, often without a word of explanation. The final column in this series will examine what it would take to break this pattern: the structural incentives that perpetuate it, the infrastructure priorities that reveal where governments actually place their bets, and the proven models, both abroad and at home, that show a different path is possible. Social Justice Watch is a column about structural patterns in public policy based on the author’s research. The author welcomes constructive feedback, factual corrections and substantive counterarguments at editor@kamloopschronicle.com
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We care. We help.
A 14 September 2026
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son M. Beck Insurance Services Rooted in Kamloops. Ready for What’s Next. son M. Beck Insurance Services, our area of expertise is We We help. People are the nce, but our area care. of passion is community.
of a community and as a local business, we feel strongly being an integral part of the ecosystem.
Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services, our area of expertise is urance, but our area of passion is community. PeopleFoundation are the very proud to support the Royal Inland Hospital se a community and as a local business, we feel strongly be of part of the thriving Kamloops community. out being an integral part of the ecosystem.
’re very proud to support the Kamloops Chronicle d to be part of the thriving Kamloops community.
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A message from Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services (Kamloops) Inc., a subsidiary of Arthur J. Gallagher Canada Limited If you’ve ever started a business in Kamloops, bought a commercial property, taken Lorne on St.employees, or navigated the complexities of running a there’s a good oops,not-for-profit, B.C. V2C 1W3 chance someone has told you: you need a good insurance broker. What they might not have told you is what a truly great one actually looks like. A great insurance broker doesn’t just sell you a policy and send you an annual renewal notice. They sit at the table with you. They learn your business from the inside out. They help you spot the risks you may not have considered yet, and they make sure that when something goes wrong, because in business something almost always inevitably will, you want to have protections in place. That’s the business Rob Lemire has been building in Kamloops for the last 24 years. Rob Lemire grew up understanding that community isn’t something that happens around you, it’s something you build, together, over time. His family instilled in him early on that when a community gives you opportunity, you give back with your time and your money. That lesson has never
B Kamloops
left him. You can see it in the Gallery, Kamloops Timeraiser, way he runs his business, the the BC Wildlife Park, local organizations he has served, school sports teams, and a and the causes he shows up full roster of Rotary events for, year after year. including Bollywood Nights, Rob’s career in insurance spans Crabfest, and more. 24 years. After honing his skills “When clients start working at Simmons Black & Emsland with us, they quickly realize and Valley First Insurance that we don’t just manage their Services, he opened Wilson insurance. We become part of M. Beck Insurance Services their business team,” Rob says. (Kamloops) Inc. in 2017 with Our team has built a strong a clear purpose: to be the reputation in overall insurance kind of insurance partner portfolio advice and risk that Kamloops businesses management, with specialized deserve.We care. We help. depth in Construction, Not-ForOver the years, he has Profits, and Directors & Officers served as: insurance. Most recently, the team has added Life Insurance • A Board Member and and Life Planning to what they President of the Canadian offer, meaning the team can Home Builders’ Association from 2016 to 2020 now look after virtually any insurance need, commercial, • Board Member and personal, or otherwise, under President of the BC Interior Community Foundation from one roof. 2017 to 2024 Behind every great brokerage is a team of people who make • Board Member and Current the work possible every day. President of the Rotary Club At Wilson M. Beck Insurance of Kamloops West Services in Kamloops, that He also currently sits on the team is one of the things Rob committee for the Kamloops is most proud of, and for good YMCA-YWCA Capital reason. Campaign, helping bring the city’s new YMCA building to life. Insurance, at its best, is a relationship business. It Through Wilson M. Beck requires people who are Insurance Services, Rob and genuinely curious about the his team support a wide range businesses they serve, who of community organizations stay on top of a constantly throughout the year, including shifting industry, and who are the Royal Inland Hospital there when a client actually Foundation, Kamloops Hospice, the Kamloops Art needs them, not just at renewal
time. Building a team with all of those qualities, in a market like Kamloops, takes time and real intention. Rob has done exactly that. Here are a few of the people you might meet when you walk through the door. Lindsay Hobson has been a part of the Wilson M Beck Family for over 20 years. She moved back to Kamloops and helped Rob initiate and build our Kamloops office from the ground up. Her specialty is construction and surety, and if you have ever had the opportunity to have her look after your insurance, you will know that her attention to detail is literally second to none. Looking to connect with someone on our Team? Laurel Humberstone joined Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services five years ago in an entry-level position and has worked her way up steadily. She’ll be the first to tell you what keeps her here: no two days are the same. Working alongside business owners demands creative thinking, genuine trust, and the kind of adaptability that turns a client relationship into a real partnership. She also loves that Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services makes space for its people to be part of the community, through fundraising events, volunteer
days, and everything in between. Outside the office, Laurel can be found on a slopitch diamond, a basketball court, a snowy hill, or out on the trails with her dog. David Haywood has been working in insurance and financial services since 2002, which means he’s seen just about everything the industry can throw at a business owner. He specializes in employee benefits and in tax, estate, and insurance planning, the kind of complex, intertwined work that requires someone who can make technical concepts genuinely understandable. He enjoys helping clients cut through the complexity and put practical strategies in place that protect their businesses, their employees, and their families. Outside of work, David is deeply invested in giving back. He is a Society Member of the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation, an active member of the Rotary Club of Kamloops West, and the founder of Bridging the Gap, a program he created to provide food and direct support to people experiencing homelessness and poverty in Vancouver. He spends his spare time outdoors, golfing, cooking, and with his sons, Luke and TJ. Max Patel is one of the newest faces on the team, joining Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services as an Account Executive. In his role, he helps businesses of all kinds identify risk, manage it thoughtfully, and put the right insurance protections in place so that business owners can keep their focus where it belongs, on running and growing what they’ve built. Max is a relationshipfirst person who believes that good insurance starts with really understanding a client’s world. When he’s not working, you’ll find him outdoors, on foot, on the water, or on two wheels.
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A New Chapter: Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services Joins Gallagher Our House Insurance Team Lynda MacKenzie, Laura Guillemette, and Kathy Dube, bringing a combined insurance experience of over 90 years, this team truly cares about getting you the right home insurance policy. House insurance is more intricate than ever, and requires more attention to detail than ever, and this team does just that every year. This team represents the kind of people Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services deliberately hires, but behind every client interaction is a group of advisors, account managers, and support staff who bring the same curiosity, the same care, and the same commitment to the table every single day. They’re the ones who answer the phone,
Rob Lemire
communicate with clients on the day to day. They’re the ones who remember the details of you without having to be reminded, because they’ve made it their business to know. That team, all of them, is what makes Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services more than just an insurance office. It’s what makes it a genuine partner to the businesses and people of this city. A New Chapter: Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services Joins Gallagher This year, Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services became part of something bigger. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., known simply as Gallagher, is one of the world’s largest and most respected
David Haywood
insurance brokerage and risk management firms. Founded nearly 100 years ago and headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois, Gallagher today operates in more than 130 countries, employs over 70,000 people worldwide, and generates $13.8 billion in annual revenue. In Canada alone, Gallagher spans the country with more than 30 offices and close to 1,400 employees. For a locally rooted office like Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services, joining Gallagher means something very specific: the people, the relationships, and the community commitment that have always defined this office stay exactly as they are. What changes is what’s available behind the scenes, including global
Laurel Humberstone
expertise, advanced tools, data and analytics, and access to markets and resources that weren’t within reach before. But most importantly, a focus on support for the community that has supported them. In other words, you still get Rob. You still get the team you know. You still get the local office that genuinely knows your business and your industry. What you also get now is the weight of one of the world’s great insurance organizations working alongside them on your behalf. Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services and Gallagher are, in many ways, a natural fit. Both are brokerages run by brokers, organizations where the client relationship comes first. Both are deeply committed to community
involvement and to delivering service that is consultative, specialized, and built for the long term. Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services has spent years developing specialized expertise in industries like construction, not-for-profits, and First Nations organizations, and Gallagher’s global reach and complementary strengths mean that expertise can now go further than ever. Over time, the Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services brand will evolve toward the Gallagher name, but that transition will be handled with the care and respect for regional relationships that Gallagher has brought to every community it has become part of around the world.
Max Patel
Proud Title Sponsor:
The Gur Singh Memorial Golf Tournament This September, Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services is proud to serve as title sponsor of the annual Gur Singh Memorial Golf Tournament, a community event that embodies exactly the values this office was built around. The tournament was created in 2004 by Dr. Gur Singh, a neurosurgeon who came to Kamloops in 1967 and spent decades serving the entire B.C. Interior, for many years as its only neurosurgeon. When he retired with more time to give, Dr. Singh turned his attention to the Kamloops Brain Injury Association, an organization that provides critical programs and support to people living with brain injury in the Kamloops region. He started an annual golf tournament to raise funds for the KBIA, and it grew into one of the most beloved fundraising events in the city. Dr. Singh passed away in 2015, but his legacy lives on in the tournament that now bears his name. More than two decades in, it has raised over $1 million for the KBIA, sells out every year, and draws the business community together in a spirit of giving that Dr. Singh himself put best: this community has provided me and my family with a wonderful life and opportunities, and I like to give something back. For Rob Lemire and the Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services Kamloops team, those words could not ring more true. After 24 years working in insurance and nearly a decade building the Kamloops office into the kind of brokerage that genuinely gives as much as it gets, sponsoring this tournament isn’t a marketing decision. It’s a reflection of who they are, what they believe in, and how they’ve chosen to do business in this city from the very beginning. Because when a community comes together, the impact we can create for the people around us is so much greater than anything any one of us could accomplish alone. That belief is what brings the Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services team to the course as the title sponsor of the tournament this September, and we hope to see you out there too!
We Care. We Help. Wilson M. Beck Insurance Services (Kamloops) Inc. 574 Lorne St. Kamloops, BC V2C 1W3
A 16 September 2026 ELECTION
ELECTION DAY DAY October 17 ELECTION
October 17 ELECTION 2026 DAY ELECTION 2026
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Bylaw approved after discussion
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Continued from A5 Coun. Neustaeter recused herself, citing her involvement in the mayor’s LISTEN LISTEN LISTEN defamation lawsuit against her, which LISTEN was dismissed by a B.C. Supreme Court judge in January. Hamer-Jackson later LEARN LISTEN LEARN LEARN appealed that dismissal and the case LEARN is still ongoing in the B.C. Court of LEAD Appeal. LEAD LEAD LEAD LEARN When Hamer-Jackson attempted to continue the meeting, Mazzotta sought further clarity from him regarding any potential conflicts, FOR SCHOOL TRUSTEE LEAD given Neustaeter’s reason for stepping FOR SCHOOL TRUSTEE FOR SCHOOL “As an educator for 25 years,TRUSTEE I bring a unique out of the meeting. SCHOOL TRUSTEE perspective FOR that will shine a light on how the District’s “As an educator for 25 years, I bring a uniquefamilies The mayor argued that his litigation policies and decisions can impact students, that25 will shine light on how the District’s “As anperspective educator for years, Iabring a unique and employees in the classroom.” did not involve the city, despite the policiesthat andwill decisions can impact students, families perspective shine a light on how the District’s “Asand an educator for 25 years, I bring a unique employees MY 3 PRIORITIES:in the classroom.” fact that Coun. Neustaeter is eligible to policies and *Strong, decisions impact families perspective that will shine a lightstudents, on how the District’s Safecan and Supported Students MY 3 PRIORITIES: andpolicies employees in the classroom.” have her costs covered through indemand decisions can impact students, families *Strong, Safe and Supported Students FOR SCHOOL TRUSTEE *Frontline Voices at the Table and employees in the classroom.” nification by the city, should she be MY 3 PRIORITIES: *Frontline Voices at the Table Safe and Supported Students found liable. MY 3*Strong, PRIORITIES: Evidence-Based Governance “As*Strong, an*Responsible, educator for 25 Students years, I bring a unique Hamer-Jackson spoke over Mazzotta Safe and Supported *Responsible, Evidence-Based Governance “Effective leadership identifies the needs or gaps, then intervenes perspective that will *Frontline Voices at the Tableshine a light on how the District’s repeatedly while she was further before a crisis occurs!” “Effective leadership identifies thecan needsimpact or gaps, then intervenes families policies and decisions students, explaining the inquiry. *Frontline Voices at the Table before a crisis occurs!” and employees in the classroom.” *Responsible, Evidence-Based Governance “That’s great. That’s great. This “Effective leadership identifies the needs or gaps, then intervenes Evidence-Based Governance MY *Responsible, 3 PRIORITIES: is Reid Hamer-Jackson and Keturah before a crisis occurs!” *Strong, Safe and Supported Students Neustaeter, not the City of Kamloops,” “Effective leadership identifies the needs or gaps, then intervenes he said. before a crisis occurs!” *Frontline Voices at the Table “So you are on the record as stating that you do not believe yourself to be Authorized by Troylana Manson (Financial Agent) Email: troylana63@gmail.com *Responsible, Evidence-Based Governance in conflict with this council remunera2026 2026
Troylana MANSON Troylana MANSON Troylana Troylana MANSON MANSON
Troylana MANSON
tion bylaw?” Mazzotta asked again. “That’s correct,” Hamer-Jackson replied. Once the discussion began, HamerJackson recommended to table the bylaw conversion until after the election. Coun. Mike O’Reilly seconded the motion by Hamer-Jackson to postpone the matter, hoping for further discussion, but Hamer-Jackson himself voted that down once seconded, apparently confusing his own motion for the bylaw itself, which had not yet been discussed.
Coun. Bill Sarai then inquired with the mayor what reason he would have to postpone, considering it would only affect travel expenses, which he said have increased since the policy was last updated, and would not affect council’s pay directly. Hamer-Jackson’s argument for postponement didn’t win over Sarai. “I’m not sure if you know, but on Oct. 17, there’s an election,” HamerJackson said, suggesting the next council tackle the matter instead. The bylaw was approved, with only Hamer-Jackson in opposition.
“Effective leadership identifies the needs or gaps, then intervenes before a crisis occurs!”
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Alpenglow Arts Festival part of five-year event strategy for Sun Peaks
Two-day September festival aims to bring music and immersive art to the mountain community while growing fall tourism Anna Montaner: Reporter
news@kamloopschronicle.com
Jann Arden will headline the 2026 Alpenglow Arts Festival at Sun Peaks, an event Tourism Sun Peaks hopes will help establish the mountain community
as a destination for arts and entertainment beyond the winter season. The festival begins Sept. 18 with Arden and her trio performing at Sun Peaks Centre Stage from 6–9 p.m. The two-day event continues Saturday with the Alpenglow Living Gallery,
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an immersive arts experience featuring art, photography, live performance and interactive installations. For Naomi Kerchinsky, executive director of Tourism Sun Peaks, the festival is part of a broader strategy to bring visitors to the destination during its traditionally softer spring, summer and fall periods. “When I started, the board was looking to switch our mandate to a split of destination marketing and management,” Kerchinsky said. “Part of that is looking at events as a lever to pull new and different markets into softer periods in Sun Peaks.” The festival also grew from an effort to make greater use of Sun Peaks Centre, including its arena, which had been underused as an entertainment venue. Tourism Sun Peaks tested the venue in 2024 with a performance by Brett Kissel to determine whether audiences would purchase tickets for concerts there. The organization then self-promoted shows before seeking outside promoters to establish the venue as a viable location for professional entertainment. MRG Live is now working with Tourism Sun Peaks on the festival and is responsible for booking the talent. The company has also been involved with other Sun Peaks events, including Rockin’ in the Peaks and the Heartland Country Festival. The festival’s development is part of a five-year
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event strategy designed to create new experiences while generating economic benefits for the community. “We want economic impact to our village,” Kerchinsky said. “That means heads in beds, people staying overnight, and being part of that experience.” Tourism Sun Peaks is also aiming to make the venue attractive to performers and audiences who might otherwise associate the space primarily with hockey. Kerchinsky said the festival’s concert setup is designed to create an inti-
mate experience while maintaining the advantages of the covered outdoor venue and its mountain surroundings. “What I want visitors to take away is getting this professional event experience in this laid-back mountain town where you can golf and hike and bike by day and then go to this incredible concert by night,” she said. This year’s festival will expand its arts component through the Living Gallery on Saturday, transforming the venue into an evolving
creative space. The long-term goal is to make the festival an experience that attracts visitors regardless of which artists are performing. “We see it just growing to a place of sustainability so that it’s something that people, no matter what the talent is being booked in the show, want to be part of this beautiful arts experience in our mountains,” Kerchinsky said. Additional artists, experiences and programming for the festival are expected to be announced soon.
I’m Margot Middleton I’m running Four years of experience. A and steady voice for Kamloops.
forKamloops re-electionCity to Kamloops City Council thismy fall. Serving on Council has strengthened commitment toThoughtful thoughtful Leadership governance,and practical I bring Sounddecision-making, Counsel and a strong future for our community. to my business and my family, and I plan to do the same if re-elected Kamloops City Council. My priorities for the next fourto years:
I’m Margo for re-elec
My keyfor areas of focus are: Opportunities Youth Opportunities for Youth Growing Clean & Light Industry
I bring Tho to my busi the same i
LivabilityIncreased for All Capacity for Clean/Light Industry Livability for All Respectful Governance & Community Participation
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The Power of Participation There is more work to do. I would be honoured to continue doing it on behalf of Kamloops. I invite you to learn more at margotmiddleton.ca CALL OR TEXT
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I hope I canMiddleton count on your support and your vote. Re-elect Margot to Kamloops City Council.
Margot Middleton Learn more at margotmiddleton.ca
Authorized by Mike Waithe, Financial Agent, 250.318.8006
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September 2026
19 A
Nobody told them it was over Fire season teaches us to measure things by their absence. We learn what a horizon is worth by losing it for three weeks. Then the wind shifts, the world hands it all back without ceremony, and we are left holding a gratitude with nowhere to put it. September gives us somewhere to put it, and it leads us here. From Sept. 8–12, roughly 2,500 people aged 55 and older will arrive in Kamloops for the 55+ BC Games. Twentyseven sports and activities. Competitors from all twelve provincial zones. Swimming, triathlon, track and field, cycling, pickleball, lawn bowling, cribbage, disc golf. Kamloops was last hosted in 2022. This time, the Games come to us. Last autumn, I wrote to you from Nanaimo, where I went to watch these Games, expecting to clap politely and then reward myself with a Nanaimo bar. Instead, I was rearranged by two women who could outswim, outsing, and almost certainly outlive me. I have thought about them all year. I think about them on the mornings when my shoulder aches and the water looks cold, and the sensible thing would be to stay in bed. Here is what I have come to believe, after that morning and after Nanaimo. We are handed a story about aging that runs in only one direction. Decline. Management. A long, careful lowering of expectations. It arrives so early and so constantly that most of us absorb it unnoticed, and by fifty we have
AMY TUCKER
Welcoming Wellness begun to negotiate downward. We say we used to run. We say we were a swimmer once. We put our own capacity in the past tense, even though we are still standing in the present. What happens on those pool decks and start lines is a correction. Someone will touch the wall in her eighties with the same fierce attention she brought to it at twenty. Someone will play his first competitive match at 67 because a door closed and he declined to believe it was the only one. None of this is decoration. It is evidence. And this is the part I most want younger readers to hear, because it follows from that correction. The story reaches you early. It reaches you at twenty-two, when you quit the sport you loved because you were never going to be elite. It reaches you at thirty, when you decide you have missed your window. It reaches you at forty, in the shape of a shrug. Every person competing in Kamloops next week was told at some point, in some quiet way, that it was over. Every one of them declined to believe it. If you are young, come and
watch anyway. Bring your grandmother. Better, bring the friend who has stopped moving. Sit close enough to see what a body looks like when nobody has talked it into stopping, and learn that beginning is a skill you practice rather than a chance you get once. Here is my invitation, then. Go and watch. Pick one venue, one afternoon, and sit in the stands. Stay long enough for it to land. Volunteer. The Games require more than a thousand volunteers each year to run. Sign up if you can. And if you find yourself thinking, quietly, that you could do that, note the thought. Surrey hosts in 2027. Registration for this year’s Games opened in March, which gives you roughly 14 months to become a person who has signed up for something. One more thing, and August taught it to me, before we get to next week. The hills came back. The Games are coming. Whatever the sky is doing on the eighth, two and a half thousand people will be in this city insisting that it is never too late, and never too early, to begin. I intend to be among them. Come with me, and I hope to see you there. Dr. Amy Tucker proudly calls herself an “accidental athlete.” A senior competitive swimmer, open-water enthusiast, and member of Canada’s Age-Group Triathlon Team. After nearly two decades of teaching, she now writes about bodies, resilience, and the case for beginning at any age.
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Fitness in the time of smoke Watching our beautiful stairs. There’s a serious workout. summer, once more stolen by Most communities offer wildfire smoke, is depressing. indoor pools. In Kamloops, Even more so hearing that it swimmers have three. A could extend into the fall and casual swim, laps, aquafit, return next year. We wait all and even playing with your year for summer and then — grandchildren in the pool this!? constitutes a workout. Dr. Michael Koehle knows, Martial arts clubs are welin minute detail, what the coming to all ages: karate, tai complex wildfire smoke recipe does inside your body. Not MARG ARCHIBALD chi, taekwondo, boxing and Aging Fitfully only is he a medical doctor, kick boxing — you’ll find he has a Ph.D in kinesiology. them on-line and discover He teaches in both streams they are more fun than you and researches athletes and pollution. He would have thought. also has clients in their 70s, 80s, and 90s so YMCA fitness opportunities — the air he knows senior fitness. He understands is clean, cooled, and the range is astonishing: gentle seniors’ classes, bar classes, step the damage done by wildfire smoke in our classes, line dancing, and for those ready bodies and he understands the damage to challenge themselves, spinning classdone to a senior body by stopping, or never es on stationary bikes and HIIT – high-instarting, a fitness regime. tensity-interval-training – just like it Dr. Koehle endorses moving your fitness sounds. These facilities provide thoroughly routine inside, into clean, filtered air, and equipped workout rooms with every kind keeping at it. So here’s a list of ideas for of weight imaginable, plus treadmills, step doing just that in Kamloops BC, ideas that machines, and recumbent bikes. apply in cities from Barcelona to Boston Kamloops’ Tournament Capital Centre Bar, where fitness is an issue in the time of Field House is now re-opened from annuwildfire smoke. al maintenance and the space, equipment, For walkers: walking in malls, sports support available there is reasonably priced facilities with indoor tracks, libraries, and with special classes and rates for seniors. even in your own building, upping your See STAY on A21 game to stairs, even running up and down
LifelongLearning Daytime classes
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KALS OFFERS OVER 50 CLASSES IN OUR FALL SEMESTER (SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER)
Check out the full program at www.kals.ca for course descriptions & instructor profiles
Enjoy everything from field trips to the McAbee Fossil Beds, the Secwépemc Museum, and more, livestreams from The Guardian on Art in Wartime Ukraine and End Times Fascism, and classics like News and Views and Come to the Concert. Featuring new instructors on topics as diverse as Improv for Fun and Community, Law and Policy in our New Space Age, and Attention, Working Memory, and the Aging Brain.
Classes fill quickly — don’t be disappointed.
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Phone: 250-376-1525 | Email: info@kals.ca Office/Mail: #101 - 1550 Island Parkway, Kamloops, BC V2B 0H7 (McArthur Island Old Golf Course Building) Office Hours: Mon-Fri 9 am - 4 pm (closed 12-1 pm)
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KAMLOOPSCHRONICLE.COM
September 2026
21 A
Stay inside when working out Continued from A20 Branch out, think of summer as the time you experiment: Pilates, yoga, dancing — modern, tap, social ballroom, Highland, even pole dancing — why not? Get out and go bowling, play billiards, go indoor skating, try an indoor climbing wall or trampoline, explore what your community has on offer. Consider investing in your fitness with a qualified personal trainer. That focussed work can do more than keep you out of the smoke, it lets you up your game. If you can find an on-line class with a qualified instructor and have an air filter at home or in your building’s community room, you can bring in a friend or two to join you. Note: without an air purifier, your residence could contain up to 75 percent of the pollution from outside. Just power through and keep exercising outdoors? Dr. Koehle knows why not. When exercising, the toxic mix of 2.5 particulate matter (microscopic) and gasses in wildfire smoke are breathed in at ten times your stationary breathing rate. And then that soup starts its work in your nose, throat, lungs, and your eyes. Coughing, red eyes, sore throat, heaviness in your chest. We know all about that. Once in your lungs, this brew does more lasting damage and anyone with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease —
“
If you can find an online class with a qualified instructor and have an air filter at home or in your building’s community room, you can bring in a friend or two to join you. Note: Without an air purifier, your residence could contain up to 75 percent of the pollution from outside. COPD, emphysema — can tell you what that is like. But this gift keeps on giving. Wildfire pollutants can make it through your lung’s protective barrier into your bloodstream and that’s where the serious, long-term damage gets done. Dr. Koehle sees three diseases that can result: heart disease, diabetes, and dementia. Three life-altering diseases. Dementia certainly gets our crossword puzzling attention. Dementia strikes fear in all our hearts and the silent advancement of that is unnerving. Why are seniors on the list of individuals particularly vulnerable to the effects of wildfire smoke? Dr. Koehle explains that, unbeknownst to us, our bodies have probably aged in subclinical ways that we haven’t noticed. Those leave us wide open to further damage from smoke. Staying active is the only tool we have to combat natural aging. Why not just take a break from our fitness routine during smoke? What’s
”
wrong with a fitness holiday? Dr. Koehle is adamant that “all three of those diseases are reduced in people who maintain their fitness.” He is an advocate, based on the science he knows and the front-line research he does, that finding ways to keep fit is what matters. Keep doing it and find clean air to do it in — that’s your best bet. This is now the way our summers unfold. Let’s not get caught flat footed. Let’s go into our summers with a list of keep-on-keepingon and play through, fitfully. Hear Dr. Koehle at: www. youtube.com/@agingfitfully where you will also hear Kamloops Health and Wellness Coordinator, Kimberley Maine, outline safe, indoor alternatives. Margaret Archibald is an 80-year-old Canadian retiree, who is neither medically nor fitness trained. She is not qualified to diagnose nor recommend health or fitness. She is simply learning how to develop her own fitness, bound and determined to keep on loving aging.
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Join us to better help understand your Bible Sep 22 - Who is God? Sep 29 - Read your Bible Oct 6 - The Bible: God's Message Oct 13 - Read your Bible contact@ReadYourBible.ca www.ReadYourBible.ca
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Reach out to Elsa Poppleton at elsa.poppleton@newgold.com.
A 22 September 2026
COMMUNITY
KAMLOOPSCHRONICLE.COM
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE IDEAL FOR AGES
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WCT’s theatre season is getting off to a monster-filled start with an interactive presentation especially for young audiences and a grown-up musical mix of sci-fi, comedy, and horror just in time for Halloween. But that’s just the beginning.
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September 2026
23 A
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Carnival Craze takes over the Children’s Arts Festival Juli Harland: Reporter news@kamloopschronicle.com
C
LOWNS, ART, face painting and a whole lot of buttons are coming to Riverside Park this September as the Kamloops Arts Council’s Children’s Arts Festival returns, this time with two days of free creative fun! This year’s festival runs Sept 25–26, kicking off on the Friday evening with a free Kamloops Art Party workshop. On Saturday, the Carnival Craze themed Children’s Festival takes over Riverside Park East. For Kamloops Arts Council Program Coordinator, Tiana Aguiluz, choosing this year’s theme was about keeping the annual festival both fresh and accessible. The goal was to bring a new theme to a popular children’s event. “I’m always trying to bring new life into, like, the events that I do, because, you know, they occur every year. We don’t want them to get boring or stale,” Aguiluz said. This year, that meant bringing the carnival to Riverside Park! “We’ve never done a carnival, and I personally love the carnival,” she said. “What kid doesn’t like the carnival?” The event will feature a stage filled with both new performers and returning favor-
ites, along with community booths offering many different activities throughout the day. The full lineup of performers and participating community groups will be announced in mid-September. Stay tuned to the Kamloops Arts Council website for updates! Some favorite activities
will also be on hand, including painting, sticker-making, face painting, henna and the ever-popular button maker. “The kids go crazy for that, actually,” Aguiluz said. “I think it broke, like, midway last year, and there was a frenzy.” She assured me that the button maker is up and running and ready to go!
Municipal Pension Retirees’ Association
Are you receiving a Municipal Pension? • Need information on preserving your pension and benefits? • Want to ensure your voice is heard? • Would you like to meet other retirees and make new friends?
Next District #9 Meeting: Tues, September 15th @ 10 am Hills of Peace Lutheran Church 695 Robson Drive Short meeting, refreshments, guest speaker
For more information or to join, please contact the Municipal Pension Retirees’ Association Phone: 250-768-1519 Website: www.mpra.ca E-mail: administration@mpra.ca
While the Children’s Festival promises to be loads of fun, there is also a bigger purpose behind the event. It is a chance to make art accessible for children and give them new and fresh opportunities to explore their own creativity. “It’s really just about, like, bringing the community
together and just giving kids an opportunity to work with their hands, explore their creativity, and kind of be open to possibilities that they might not otherwise get,” Aguiluz said. And making those opportunities accessible to families is a big part of the event. “Art’s expensive. Art workshops are
expensive, so this is a completely free day for all families,” she said. The event has an extra day this year. On Sept. 25 from 4 to 6 p.m., Kamloops Art Party will host a free workshop with 30 spots available. Registration opens at the beginning of September, with more information available through Kamloops Art Party. They are also looking for volunteers, something Aguiluz says they can never have too many of. “Always looking for volunteers,” she said. “Always. Never not looking for volunteers.” Volunteers can sign up almost until the day before festival day. Contact Kamloops Arts Council for information on that! There are other ways to support the Kamloops Arts Council and festivals such as this one. People can also support the Arts Council by becoming members, attending events, sponsoring programming, and simply spreading the word about the things they do in and for the community. The festival is geared toward kids ages two to 12, although Aguiluz isn’t planning to be too strict about that upper limit. “It’s going to be a super fun day. Everyone should come,” she said. “It’s going to be great. I’ll let some 13-year-olds in there.”
You won the lottery! ...but now you can't find the ticket!
Jackpot! is the story of a young man who wins two million dollars in a regional lottery along with his co-workers. Everyone is excited until it is discovered that he lost the winning ticket... Written by local author Wayne Howard Monson, this story is set in Kamloops and puts our community in the limelight. E-Book is available online from Amazon Books for only $2.99 USD*. Just scan the QR code. *Actual payment is in equivalent CAD.
Jackpot!
A 24 September 2026
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
KAMLOOPSCHRONICLE.COM
Tapestry Festival brings the world together in McDonald Park Juli Harland: Reporter news@kamloopschronicle.com
Presented in part by the City of Kamloops, the North Shore Business Improvement Association’s Tapestry Festival Multicultural Event 2026 is returning to McDonald Park on Sept. 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event brings together music, dance, art, food, and cultural experiences from all around the world right here in Kamloops. For Tapestry Festival organizer Patti Phillips,
the magic of the annual multicultural celebration isn’t about any particular part of the event, but when the whole thing comes together. The food, the entertainment, the culture, the people, it’s the coming together that makes it special. “It’s an event that you have to feel,” Phillips said. “You go there, and you’ve got all of these people and, you know, whether it’s Indian music or the Mexican music or Spanish, everybody gets up dancing, and it doesn’t matter
what age, or what colour or whatever. Everybody’s just all one, and that has always been my favourite part of Tapestry Festival.” This year’s entertainment schedule stretches almost continuously from the opening ceremonies to the 4 p.m. closing remarks, with performances representing cultures from across the globe. The lineup includes welcome drumming from the Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society, Desi Fusion Crew, Irish dancers, Colombia in Kamloops,
Latin and Spanish music, Grass Dance, Raiden Taiko Drums and Raiden Taiko Kids, Bollyfit Fusion, Sim’ya Ukrainian Dancers, Restoration African Choir, reggae performer Rganik and Archana Sree. And after five years of trying, Phillips has finally managed to add something that she’s been wanting for a while to the festival. “Finally, it’s taken me five years. Finally got the bagpipes,” she said. The Highland dancers, bagpipes, and drummers will help close out the afternoon’s entertainment. Away from the stage, approximately 26 cultural pavilions and vendors will make up the festival’s Multicultural Neighbourhood, where visitors can learn about different cultures, meet participants, and shop for products from around the world.
Authenticity has been important to Phillips since the festival began. “I’ve always been very strict since day one that everything must be authentic,” she said. Sharing culture in a way that is respectful and true, and bringing the beauty of those cultures within our community. That philosophy extends to the food, with around a dozen food pavilions offering flavours including Mexican, Indian, Korean, Indigenous, Filipino, Chinese, Greek, Nigerian, Colombian and Hawaiian. “Oh, my God. So much food,” Phillips laughed. “The only bad thing about that is trying to figure out, okay, where am I going to eat? Because there’s so many good ones, right?” The festival also includes an art pavilion, where artists will sell their work and create art on site, and an Around the
World Kids Zone featuring hands-on activities including button making, cultural flags and a collaborative painted mosaic. Getting to McDonald Park may also be easier this year. A new free shuttle will run approximately every 15 minutes between McArthur Island and the festival, while a free bike valet will be available for those who cycle. There will be so many great reasons to come out to the festival, but for Phillips, the success of Tapestry still comes back to the sight of people sharing the park, the music, and each other’s cultures. “The first year that happened, I mean, I had shivers and tears in my eyes because I was just so grateful,” she said. “That’s what I wanted, and it happened. And it has happened every year. That’s the biggest part for me.”
2026 - 2027 SEASON PREVIEW
LET’S GO BLAZERS! Get in the Game!
Show your support for the Kamloops Blazers and connect with thousands of passionate local readers in our 2026–2027 Kamloops Blazers Season Preview! This special print publication will kick off the upcoming season with an introduction to the team’s roster, along with engaging stories and features highlighting the players, coaches and the excitement surrounding Blazers hockey. It’s a great opportunity to put your business or organization in front of a highly engaged, community-minded audience. Join us in celebrating another exciting season of Blazers hockey and show your community spirit by advertising in this special season preview!
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Photo by All Mine Photography by Jessica
Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society
REEL INJUN PRESENTS A SCREENING OF
Beyond Cowboys and Indians
A powerful documentary that exposes the harmful stereotypes of Indigenous peoples in film and challenges the images that shaped the world’s perspective. Join us for a post-screening panel discussion. The film is provided courtesy of the National Film Board of Canada
DATE LOCATION Paramount Theater Tuesday September 503 Victoria Street 29th
TIME Doors Open 6pm Film Starts 6:30pm
© 2009 Rezolution Pictures / National Film Board of Canada
COST FREE Available at eventbrite.com Scan code for free tickets.
September 2026
25 A
A 26 September 2026
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
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Local author takes on Time Travel in new novel, The Atlas Keeper
A Step Above: Kamloops’ most refined condos & townhomes.
Juli Harland: Reporter news@kamloopschronicle.com
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After a career spanning 35 years with more than 20 books under her belt, Shuswap author Gail Anderson-Dargatz is taking readers travelling through time with The Atlas Keeper, a new novel that hit shelves Aug. 25. “It is a time travel romance, which is a weird thing for a literary writer to write,” Anderson-Dargatz said. “But, you know, I’m 60, and I’ve reached that stage where I want to play and have fun.” The novel follows 27-yearold Elsie Campbell, whose life has become stale following the death of her mother five years earlier. When Elsie discovers a magical atlas filled with maps and astrological charts, she gains the ability to visit 12 turning points in her life, both
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past and future. Though, Anderson-Dargatz said the novel is about more than just time travel and romance. “Really what she’s doing is getting perspective on her own life,” she said. “If any of us went back in time and had a five-minute conversation with our past self, or went forward in time, what would we get out of that?” For the character, Elsie, those glimpses into those 12 turning points don’t always provide the clarity or the answers that she is hoping for. Instead, she starts making decisions based on incomplete snippets of her life, with maybe some unexpected consequences. The idea for the novel has its roots in Anderson-Dargatz’s own life. During a difficult period in her 30s, she devel-
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oped a meditation practice where she imagined conversations with her future self, picturing an older woman who could offer reassurance and perspective. A method that she still utilizes now. “Recently, I came to realize I was that older person that I was talking to,” she said. Another piece of the novel idea came from conversations with her husband, a GIS analyst, about what a person’s life might look like if it were represented as a map. Together, they began creating the atlas that eventually was used to inspire the novel. Anderson-Dargatz has written Canadiana, crime thrillers, youth novels, non-fiction, and fiction, alike. This is her first dive into time travel. “I actually think this is the most complex structure for any novel that I’ve ever written,” Anderson-Dargatz said. Spreadsheets, charts, and sticky notes helped her track Elsie’s journeys through the atlas’ 12 houses. “The only thing I had missing was the red wool on the wall,” she laughed. That experimentation has resulted in a story she describes as both playful and a meditation on something she continues to learn herself: how to stay in the present.
“My brain is constantly festering on the past and problem-solving for the future, like I think most people,” she said. “So this, in a way, was a reminder to me to try to stop that and try to live right now.” Anderson-Dargatz will celebrate the release with many events throughout the Thompson-Okanagan, including a Kamloops launch at the Kamloops Public Library on Saturday, Sept. 5. At the end of the day Anderson-Dargatz said The Atlas Keeper is about finding the value in the life happening around us while we’re busy looking backward or ahead. “It’s a really fun, lovely meditation on living a full life and being here for it.” You can check out this and other novels on her website at https://www.gailanderson-dargatz.ca
KAMLOOPSCHRONICLE.COM
NIGHTLIFE September 25 @ 7:00 pm at Night Shift on Fifth: The Backstreet Butches are taking you back to the gymnasium dance floor with a Backstreet themed drag show followed by Butch Video Dance! You don’t want to miss these butch boi kings of your wet dreams, inspired by The Backstreet Boys. Dress to channel your inner Y2K icon — low-rise, frosted tips, chain wallets… we want it that way. Come throw it back, scream-sing, and rock your body right with us!
MUSIC September 9, 16, 23, 30 @ 7:00 pm at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church: Kamloops Choristers invite newcomers to sing with us to see if our group is a good fit for you. We sing a wide variety of musical styles in four part harmony. You don’t need to read music or audition, we will help you learn your part and have fun doing so. We rehearse Wednesdays for two hours starting at 7pm. Questions?: Call Margaret Brown at 250-372-8693 September 11 @ 7:30 pm at Sagebrush Theatre: Completely Credence Band: A CCR Tribute. Completely Creedence is an authentic tribute to the music of Creedence Clearwater Revival, capturing the sound, spirit, and energy of one of rock’s most iconic bands. Fronted by Jamie Robertson and backed by seasoned musicians Murray Atkinson, Lance Lapointe, and Grant Baird, the band delivers faithful renditions of CCR’s timeless hits, with a reputation for professional, high-energy performances. September 13 @ 6:30 to 8:30 pm at 345 PowWow Trail: 5th Annual
Music for the People Cultural Experience! A free night of music, cultural performances, and art showcase. Headlining are The Spiritual Warriors, blending traditional Indigenous music with contemporary roots, rock, and reggae, inspired by the land and life in the coastal mountains of the Lil’wat Nation. Other performers are: Kamloops Symphony and Sage Hills Singers, Drummers and Dancers, and local musician Jesse Jones for an unforgettable collaboration between Indigenous and non-Indigenous voices. Check out the artisan market on site between 4 and 9 pm, also. September 16, 2026, 9:00 to 11:00 am at Heritage House, The Kamloops Happy Choristers, a senior’s choir, wish to announce registration for their fall season. No audition is required; first practice will be on Wednesday, September 23 at 9:20 at the same location. Contact Richard at 250-305-8609 for more information. September 18 @ 6:30 pm at the Sandman Center: Lyle Lovett in Concert. Experience an unforgettable evening with Lyle Lovett, featuring timeless songs, masterful storytelling, and exceptional live musicianship. Enjoy a performance filled with heartfelt melodies, rich vocals, and moments that every music fan will appreciate. September 25 @ 6:45 pm at TRU Campus Activity Center: The Darkest of the Hillside Thickets! Live show during KamCon 2026! Creators of the Spaceship Zero tabletop RPG will be performing live, along with musical guests Tayos!
COMEDY
EVENTS ROUND-UP September 20 @7:30 pm at Sagebrush Theatre: Jimmy Carr - Laughs Funny Tour. Get ready, Kamloops! Comedy superstar Jimmy Carr is bringing his brand-new show, Laughs Funny, to Canada for his biggest national tour ever, 31 cities coast to coast. Known worldwide for his lightning-fast wit, dark one-liners, and unmistakable laugh, Jimmy is known world-wide, selling millions of tickets and streaming to fans everywhere. Following his sold-out 2023 tour, Jimmy returns with his fifth and most ambitious Canadian tour yet September 27 @ 2:00 to 4:00 pm at Stock Pot Cafe, the Freudian Slips presents: Monthly Improv Comedy Jam. Hang out and play some improv games. You don’t need any experience, and you’ll receive slim to nil lessons, but that’s the fun of it. Bring a good attitude and your sense of humor. Participation not mandatory. Entry by donation
September 2026 “Road Warriors, Zombies, & the PostApocalypse” series, presented by KamCon!
LITERATURE September 5 @ 1:00 to 2:30 pm at Programming Room at Kamloops Downtown Library: Gail Anderson-Dargatz Book Launch and Writers Talk. Celebrate The Atlas Keeper with TNRL’s 2024 Writer in Residence. Bring your questions about writing and publishing. The novel was released August 25. Grab a copy and come and meet the author! September 16 @ 6:30 pm at the North Shore Community Centre’s Oak Room, 730 Cottonwood Avenue: Interior Authors Group. Drop in to meet local authors interested in all aspects of writing and related activities. For more information, visit the IAG Kamloops blog-website.
DANCE
COMMUNITY
September 10 @ 6:30 pm at 1915 Westsyde Road: ‘Thompson Valley Stars’ Square & Round Dance Club in Kamloops starts lessons Thursdays, on Sept. 10, 2026. 6:30 8:00 pm at 1915 Westsyde Rd. (access from Yates Rd.). $8 per person or $15 per couple. To register, call 250 3765636 or email: poodle98@telus.net Round dance lessons start on Sept. 21, 2026, 7 - 9:00 pm.
September 5 @ 10:15 am to 12:15 pm at MacArthur Island Park: World Suicide Prevention Day. Join us in an event to bring the community together around the topic of suicide, contribute to changing the narrative, reduce the stigma, and provide hope and healing to those impacted by suicide. T-shirts (first 150 attendees), tote bags, resources, activities, and snacks will be provided. Everything at the event is free, and no registration is needed. And the walk is entirely optional. The event will be held in the boat launch area at McArthur Island
THEATRE September 12 @ 6:30 pm and 8:30 pm at Paramount Theatre: Mad Max Double Feature! The maximum force of the future strikes the Paramount Theatre with a double ‘Mad Max’ feature as part of our
September 17 @ 3:00 to 9:00 pm at Coast Kamloops Hotel and Conference Center: Kamloops
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Pop-Up Wedding Dress Sale. Selling only New Wedding Dresses and accessories (veils, belts, tiaras, etc) for the bride. Up to 80% off the MSRP. Over 600+ Designer Wedding Gowns from size 2-28. Sale runs from 3:00pm – 9:00pm with last admittance at 8:00pm. Opportunity Bridal is 100% Canadian owned and operated, proudly serving Canadians from coast to coast. September 17 @ 7:00 to 9:00 pm at Heritage House: Kamloops Naturalist Club (KNC) regular meeting with guest speaker Tom Beeke, author of the recently published guide book, Birds of Kamloops. Newcomers always welcome to KNC meetings, held the third Thursday of the month at Heritage House. September 19 @ 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at McDonald Park, KNSBIA presents: Tapestry Festival Multicultural Festival 2026! Tapestry Festival Multicultural Event is a kaleidoscope of cultures! Experience the heart and soul of Kamloops through live performances, tantalizing cuisine, and stunning arts! There will be Pavilions & Vendors in the Multicultural Neighbourhood and a fabulous Around the World Kid Zone! Join us for a day of unity and celebration! September 25 to 27 at 1055 University Drive: KamCon 2026!! Now in partnership with Arc Dream Publishing. KamCon returns with its usual full slate of other convention activities including dozens of gaming sessions, a variety of shows and panels. Our guests already include: Andrew E Gaska, William Macausland, Douglas Lloyd, Warren Banks, and Toren Atkinson. Continued on A34
PLEASE NOTE: Events are listed for the upcoming calendar month and beyond, but due to limited space, priority is given to events occurring closest to the publishing date of the current issue. Event listings are free of charge and can be sent by email to events@kamloopschronicle.com Please ensure your event is submitted by the 20th of the previous month
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A 28 September 2026
SPORTS
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Kamloops prepares to welcome BC’s 55+ Games Anna Montaner: Reporter news@kamloopschronicle.com
K
AMLOOPS WILL WELCOME more than 3,000 participants from across British Columbia and Yukon when the 55+ BC Games return to the city Sept. 8–12. The five-day event will bring together athletes aged 55 and older for competition, recreation and an opportunity to experience Kamloops as the host community. Ron McCall, president of the 55Plus Games Host Society, said the city’s history of hosting major sporting events helped make it a natural choice for the Games. Kamloops previously hosted the 55+ BC Games in 1996 and 2013, and hosted the Canadian 55+ Games in 2022. “This is the third time we have hosted the BC 55+ Games,” McCall said. “This is part of the tradition of Kamloops being involved in the Tournament Capital program.” The Games are organized through a partnership between the local host society and the BC Seniors Games Society, a volunteer-based charitable organization responsible for the overall governance of the event.
The province is divided into 12 zones, which recruit and register participants. Depending on the sport, participants either register directly or
compete in zone playdowns to earn a place at the Games. Kamloops organizers have selected the sports and recruited chairs to
oversee each event, working with the BC Seniors Games organization to develop competitions and register participants. This year’s Games will feature a new sport, cornhole. Yukon will also participate for the first time as part of the provincial Games. McCall said the response to this year’s event has already been strong, with more than 3,000 people registered. Hockey, darts, cribbage, and pickleball are among the sports drawing particularly large contingents. “We have the largest contingent participating in hockey. We have one of the largest contingents in darts. We have a huge contingent playing cribbage, and we have a huge contingent playing pickleball,” he said. The event is supported by local and provincial sponsors, while the BC Seniors Games Society receives funding through the provincial government’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Sport. Local Friends of the Games contributors also support the event. Hosting the Games represents an estimated $3 million economic impact for a host community and the surrounding area.
For Kamloops, McCall said the city’s facilities, community support, and experienced volunteers are key strengths. “Kamloops has always been a very good leader in being able to put on events such as these,” he said. The BC Seniors Games Society was established in 1987 with assistance from the Recreation and Sport Branch. The organization was founded on the premise that sport and recreation opportunities for seniors could contribute to quality of life across the province. McCall expects that need to grow as more baby boomers enter their senior years. “As the population grows or as the baby boomers come into this era, there are people who want to remain active and now further understand that it’s very healthy to be active in many ways,” he said. “We see the Senior Games growing a great deal in the next 10 to 15 years.” The 55+ BC Games will run throughout Kamloops from Sept. 8–12, continuing the province’s annual tradition of celebrating sport and active living among older adults.
TRU WolfPack teams enter new season with renewed goals and challenges Santiago Rojas: Reporter
news@kamloopschronicle.com
With preseason preparations underway at Hillside Stadium, the women’s and men’s WolfPack soccer teams are back in action with new faces, different expectations and their sights set on the season ahead. “Today was our first real day on the pitch, kicking the ball around. It’s been good. The smoke hasn’t been cooperating with us, but overall, it’s been a pretty good few days,” said WolfPack women’s co-captain Bella Geremia. For the men’s team, preseason has already shown improvement from last year. Players arrived with their required documentation completed and met the physical
standards set by the team. “Before the season began, we made it very clear that we wanted the guys to arrive ready to go and in shape,” said WolfPack men’s captain Domenico Commita. “There was a specific and clear standard for what we wanted the players to achieve on physical tests, and we reached that standard. That was step one.” “Those are the fundamentals. That’s the difference this year. These small steps will take us a long way.”
From individuals to a team Beyond physical preparation, the men’s team is also trying to change its approach on the field. The WolfPack is looking to move away from
individual play and build a more collective approach. “Working together as a unit,” said WolfPack men’s coach John Antulov. “The last couple of years, we had a lot of individuality. Now we want to take that individuality, and what we are trying to do is get the guys to realize that they will have more success if the group does well.” For fifth-year players like Commita, building that collective mentality is also about leaving something behind for the next generation of the WolfPack. “I’m looking at things from the perspective of how I can take everything I’ve learned over the past years and help build something within this group that lasts,” said Commita. “No matter where we are at
the end of the season, as long as I feel the group is close and can continue moving forward, I’ll be happy.”
The WolfPack mentality The WolfPack women’s team is taking a similar approach, looking to strengthen its team philosophy and carry that mentality into every aspect of the game. “We want to have a WolfPack mentality. We hunt together, compete together, and remain unified. That’s what makes a wolf pack strong in the wild, and we’ve adopted that as our identity this year,” said WolfPack women’s head coach Mark Pennington. That philosophy is also
reflected in the relationships players have built with one another. “We’re a really strong and collective team as a whole, and we have good relationships with one another,” said Geremia. “I think that if we continue building on those relationships, we’re going to be a force both on and off the field.”
Building from last year’s lessons Last season’s results have also shaped how the WolfPack women are approaching the new campaign, with consistency becoming a key focus for the team. “We had a really good first half of the season last year, but the second half wasn’t quite
where we wanted it to be,” said Pennington. “We need to prepare in a way that allows us to have two strong halves of the season.”
Playoffs the target for WolfPack women After falling just short last season, the objective is clear for the WolfPack women: find consistency throughout the campaign and turn it into a playoff appearance, with hopes of going even further. “Our goal this year is definitely to make the playoffs,” said Geremia. “We finished one game short last year, which was very unfortunate. This year, we’re pushing for a playoff spot and hopefully a place in the Final Four as well.”
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September 2026
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OBITUARY
NEWSTROM, Robert “Elon” 1945 - 2026
We are saddened to announce that our brother, Robert “Elon” Newstrom, passed away at the age of 81 at Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice Home in Kamloops, BC, on July 31, 2026, following a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Powell River BC, on January 26, 1945, Elon was a grandson of Keremeos pioneer Harry Tweddle, a beloved grandfather who delighted all of the “boy” cousins on his ranch in Keremeos. Known as Bobby in those early years, Elon moved with his family from Keremeos to Penticton and later to Oliver, BC, where he graduated from South Okanagan Secondary School in 1965. After earning a Bachelor of Arts
in Communications from Simon Fraser University, Elon never stopped learning. He continued his education at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops where he became a familiar and well-loved figure on campus, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, followed by additional studies in the arts. Over the years, Elon enjoyed a varied career that included social counselling, working on oil rigs, ranch work, and many other pursuits. Above all, however, he was an artist—a poet and sculptor whose unique talents were admired and appreciated by all who had the privilege of knowing him. Predeceased by his parents, Walter and Margaret Newstrom
(Tweddle), Elon is survived by his three sisters: Elna Newstrom of Kelowna, BC; Linda NewstromLloyd of Havelock North, New Zealand; and Annie Hiltz (Bernie) of Mount Denson, Nova Scotia; his nephew, Brian Hale (Annette); his niece, Tania Greenwood; his cousin Greg Durnan of Arizona; and many other cousins in Canada and the United States. Our family would especially like to acknowledge our cousin Greg Durnan, whose love, unwavering support, and many kindnesses in Elon’s final days have meant more to us than words can express. Elon also leaves behind dear friends, notably Chuck St. John and Craig Scott, whose steadfast friendship and generous support helped him through what he affectionately called his “circumstances” over his last months. Our family extends its heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff of Marjorie Willoughby Snowden Memorial Hospice Home for the exceptional care, understanding, and kindness they showed Elon and all of us who shared his final weeks. We also wish to thank Father Clinton of Sacred Heart Cathedral in Kamloops for his kindness, compassion, and spiritual care.
A 30 September 2026
READING CAN CHANGE A LIFE.
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September 2026
Nemis had unique path to Blazers Gavin Nemis is not a typical Western Hockey League rookie, making the jump to the Kamloops Blazers in time for his 20-year-old campaign. “Everybody’s path is a little different,” said Nemis, a sixfoot, 170-pound forward from Winnipeg. “I started in the M.J. [Junior A Manitoba Junior Hockey League], a young guy who didn’t play too much, and kind of earned my opportunity there. That allowed me to advance to the BCHL [Junior A B.C. Hockey League], where I had a strong season, and now I’m here. I’m excited to work here and earn a spot higher up in the lineup.” Nemis tallied 14 goals and 50 points in 53 games for the Dauphin Kings in 2024–2025 and 20 goals and 48 points in 50 with the Cowichan Valley Capitals in 2025–2026. His agent reached out to Blazers’ general manager Shaun Clouston. “We immediately recognized some qualities that we felt would fit into what we’re doing,” Clouston said. “He plays with pace. He played centre and supported pucks, faces the play. He could get himself open on the breakout, redistribute the puck, went to the net and was hard on the forecheck.” Nemis signed with the Blazers in June. A successful jump to the major junior ranks seems more plausible to the Blazers considering the success last season of Junior A transfers Cooper Moore and Josh Evaschesen, said Clouston. WHL rookies at 19, Evaschesen racked up 73
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Photo by BCHL
MARTY HASTINGS The Tattle of Hastings
points, including 33 goals, in 67 games and Moore tallied 40 points, including 10 goals, in 68 games. The Blazers — who lost their top five scorers (including Evaschesen) this past off-season — are banking on offensive production from Nemis. “We felt there was a real good chance that it would
translate,” Clouston said. “He was a point-a-game in the Manitoba league. He made the move – what we would consider up – to the B.C. Hockey League and again was able to pretty much hit close to point a game in that league. We think he’s ready to take another step.” Nemis is aiming to make the most of his one season in the major junior ranks. “I’d like to get an [NCAA] Division One scholarship somewhere in the States and then, hopefully, go play professionally overseas or in North America,” Nemis said. “I take pride in the D-zone. I play a complete game. I like battling in the corners and just working hard, setting up my teammates and going to the dirty areas where not many people like to go.”
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A 32 September 2026
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T R AV E L
From Kamloops to Carolina Casandra Karpiak: Columnist
news@kamloopschronicle.com
F
la Mujeres
OR ONE SUMMER afternoon, Riverside Park belonged to Logan Stankoven. My husband, our two sons, and I were among the thousands gathered there, crowded onto the grass and along Lorne Street to welcome him home with the Stanley Cup. Children lifted homemade signs above their heads and families waited for a glimpse of the trophy most hockey players spend their lives chasing. When Stankoven finally raised the Cup over his head, the roar felt bigger than one championship. It was a hockey town watch-
ing one of its own come home with the prize he had dreamed about since he was a kid. There was something wonderfully familiar about seeing him there. Now his name is engraved on the Stanley Cup, and his hockey home is nearly 4,000 km away in Raleigh, North Carolina. For Kamloops fans who watched that August homecoming and wished they could see what comes next, there is a trip waiting on the other side of the continent: a Carolina Hurricanes home game, with Stankoven on the ice and a city worth spending a few extra days getting to know. The rink may be the reason Stankoven is in Raleigh, but it’s not the only place he
OBITUARY
Barb Hirtle
September 19, 1949 - December 19, 2025 Barb Hirtle passed away December 19, 2025. She was born in Penticton, BC on September 19, 1949. She lived in Kamloops, BC for 49 years and she lived in Calgary from 1950 to 1971. She had her daughter in 1971 and her son in 1977. She had a job at A&W in 1960 to 1970. She got married in 1970 to Ted R. Hirtle until 1979.
spends his time. Since joining the Hurricanes in March 2025, he has a list of favorite restaurants, neighborhoods and places to go when he is off the ice. The Hurricanes forward recommends Prime BBQ for barbecue, Mulino Italian Kitchen downtown or Colletta in Fenton for Italian, and O-Ku for sushi. He also likes North Hills for its shops and restaurants. Sports naturally figure into the list, too. Stankoven suggests catching a college game at UNC, Duke or North Carolina State, all within easy reach of Raleigh. Baseball fans can also head to Durham to see the Durham Bulls. For travelers who have another day to spare, Wilmington is another of his picks, about two hours east of Raleigh. Visitors can tour Battleship North Carolina, walk the Wilmington Riverwalk or continue to Wrightsville Beach on the Atlantic coast. The Carolina Hurricanes open their 2026–27 season at home on Sept. 29 against the Florida Panthers. Carolina will raise its Stanley Cup championship banner before puck drop at Lenovo Center in West Raleigh, several miles from downtown. Hurricanes fans, known as Caniacs, turn game day into a tailgate scene more reminiscent of college football than a typical NHL night. Coolers come out, local beer
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gets passed around and pickup games of roller hockey spring up before the doors open. “Lenovo Center’s parking lots usually open three hours before Hurricanes games, and tailgating is allowed. I recommend arriving early to enjoy the parking lot atmosphere, instead of showing up just before the puck drops like at a downtown venue,” said Andrés Serra, head of operations at Optimise Travel. After a home win, fans stay for the Storm Surge, when the team gathers at center ice for its signature celebration. The arena does not sit in the middle of downtown, so this is not a weekend where you simply walk out of your hotel and into the game. The city is easier to navigate by neighborhood: West Raleigh for hockey and the North Carolina Museum of Art, downtown for restaurants and museums, and Boylan Heights or Historic Oakwood for a more local feel. For visitors coming from Kamloops, the distance between the arena, downtown and Raleigh’s neighborhoods is a reason to stay longer. Spend the morning in a gallery or on an outdoor art trail, stop for barbecue or biscuits at lunch, then head to Lenovo Center early enough to catch the pregame atmosphere before puck drop. “While the main focus will
Photo by Becky Comazetto be on the game, the capital of North Carolina has an energy that’s perfect for visitors who also like the arts,” said Lonely Planet writer Caroline Eubanks. The North Carolina Museum of Art fits neatly into game
day because it is also in West Raleigh. General admission is free, and the museum includes more than 5,000 historic and modern works along with 164 acres of woodland trails and outdoor art. See THINGS on A33
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Things to see and do in North Carolina Continued from A32 Downtown, the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences has four floors of exhibits and live animals, and general admission is free. Raleigh’s broader museum scene has earned the city the nickname “Smithsonian of the South.” Then there is the food, which may be the easiest reason to stretch a hockey trip by another day. Raleigh has plenty of Michelinrecognized and James Beardconnected restaurants, but some of the best stops are more casual: whole-hog barbecue, neighborhood bakeries, food halls and breweries. For a first taste of North Carolina, start with barbecue. Sam Jones BBQ is one of the names highlighted by the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau. For families or groups, Transfer Co. Food Hall solves the problem of agreeing on one menu. The hall occupies a 43,000-square-foot space in the Olde East neighborhood and includes everything from bagels and empanadas to burritos, beer, and Japanese-inspired fare. For something with more of a Raleigh story, A Place at the Table is one of only about 60 pay-what-you-can restaurants in the One World Everybody Eats network. Eubanks suggests Poole’s Diner, St. Roch Fine Oysters + Bar and Ajja, where chef Cheetie Kumar draws on Mediterranean and Middle
Eastern flavors. Before an evening game, Wye Hill Kitchen & Brewing in Boylan Heights serves local beer from a patio overlooking the Raleigh skyline. Where you stay depends on whether the game or the city matters more. Four Points by Sheraton Raleigh Arena and Home2 Suites by Hilton Raleigh West Lenovo Center put visitors close to the arena. Downtown hotels make restaurants and museums easier to reach, but you will need a car or rideshare for a 20-minute drive from downtown. For a stay with more personality, The Longleaf Hotel occupies a renovated vintage motor lodge downtown, styled around its mid-century roots. Heights House, a restored pre-Civil War mansion in Boylan Heights, is another option for visitors who care more about neighborhood character than being close to the arena. For Canadians, RaleighDurham International Airport currently has nonstop service from Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary, according to the Greater Raleigh CVB. The Stanley Cup may have come to Kamloops for one August afternoon. Raleigh is where Stankoven gets to chase it again. For those not ready to cross the border, he comes closer to home on Oct. 20, when the Hurricanes play the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena.
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One Festival. Many Cultures. One Community.
September 2026
A 34 September 2026
KAMLOOPSCHRONICLE.COM
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Continued from A27 September 25 and 26: Children’s Arts Festival - Carnival Craze! Day 1: From 4-6pm on the 25th, head to Kamloops Art Party to enjoy a fun mask-making workshop! Children will make a carnival-inspired cat mask, bringing it to life with playful details and plenty of imagination.Every registered participant will receive FREE cotton candy! Day 2: From 9 am - 4 pm, come to Riverside Park for a day’s worth of interactive art experiences and live entertainment!
Joan Willo Bennewith (née Moore) April 9, 1934 - July 11, 2026 We are saddened and heartbroken to announce the passing of Joan Willo Bennewith who passed away peacefully on July 11, 2026 in Ashcroft, BC at the age of 92. Joan was predeceased by her beloved husband, Stanley (Stan) Kenneth Bennewith on May 20, 2014. Joan will be deeply missed and forever remembered by her children, Mark (Eileen), Alan (Janice), Diane (Tom Elliott), and Brian (Bonnie). Her grandchildren, Brian Jr., Brandalyn, Nicole, Sean, Griffin, Elizabeth, Catherine, and Willy. Her great-grandchildren, Corbin, Ayden, Troy, Lexi, Camryn, Ryder, Hayden, Avery, Zoey, and Seth. She also leaves behind her dear sister Janet Meeks and brother Bill Moore (Kathy). Joan was born in Kamloops in 1934. She went on to graduate as a Registered Nurse in Kamloops in 1955 where she worked at the Royal Inland Hospital and
in 1961 at the Lady Minto Hospital in Ashcroft. In 1972 she carried on with the new Ashcroft and District Hospital as Director of Nursing until retirement. Mom loved to share her knowledge of cooking, baking, and canning. She also loved knitting, sewing, needlepoint, and later discovered a passion for quilting, creating beautiful handmade quilts to pass on to all the family members. She was an amazing mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother. Her unconditional love will be missed everyday. A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, September 26, officiated by Pastor Don at the Kamloops Funeral Home, 285 Fortune Drive. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Condolences may be sent to the family from www. kamloopsfuneralhome.com
SPORTS September 26 @ 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at Kamloops Longboard Park: Longboard Park’s 12th birthday celebrations! Featuring a skill contest on the black run, head-to-head matchups on the blue run, an endurance race of the entire track, and mystery challenges! This event is suitable for all ages and skill levels. From skilled riders to absolute beginners, even to those who want to come and hang out. There will also be mini-games, prizes, and giveaways throughout the day.
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Lawrence C Lemon
The family of Larry Lemon is saddened to announce his death on June 27th, 2026, at the young age of 79. Larry is lovingly remembered by Dorian, his wife of 55.5 years, his four children, Erin, Stephen, Andrew (Amanda) and Lindsay (Colin), as well as eight terrific grandchildren: Amy, Bianca, Margot, Henry, Leela, Adam, Phoebe and Ren. Larry was born in Chicago to Bob and Ermajane and lived his first nine years there and in Albany, Georgia. In 1956, the family moved to Vancouver for his father’s new job. Larry graduated from Prince of Wales High School where – fatefully - he met Dorian. He went to college in the U.S., first in Oregon and then in Washington, graduating with a journalism degree. He served in the U.S. Navy, where he was stationed in the desert just outside Fresno, California. He narrowly missed
Continued from A5 Kachel said earthworks are expected to begin this year, with 300,000 cubic metres of dirt on the move and 12,000 cubic metres of blasting work to be done — some in close proximity to a nearby Fortis gas line, which Kachel acknowledged as a challenge. At one point, Mayor Reid HamerJackson interrupted Kachel’s presentation to ask who picked the site for the arena multiplex, drawing on an anecdote that recently “some guys coming in from Alberta” had questioned the location. Bepple then attempted to answer the mayor. “Your worship, you would remember that council actually voted on this. Council chose the site,” she said. Kachel responded and said the site does have some challenges, like all sites, but it has advantages, as well. “I hear that a lot, where somebody knows somebody that said something, and I would encourage them to come talk to me. I would love to hear from them about their experience building on these sites,” Kachel said.
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I hear that a lot, where somebody knows somebody that said something, and I would encourage them to come talk to me. I would love to hear from them about their experience building on these sites.
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– MATT KACHEL City of Kamloops Infrastructure Delivery Division Manager
The building’s validated cost ranges from $161.1 million for three sheets of NHL-size ice, $168.1 million for three sheets plus a mini rink, and between $182.5 million and $188.2 million if a fifth sheet of ice is included, depending on if it is indoor or outdoor. Council has authorized up to $125 million in borrowing to fund the project. Its funding will also include $20 million in donations, $4.5 million for the TNRL library portion and $4 million from city reserves.
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March 25, 1947 - June 27, 2026 being shipped off to Vietnam on an aircraft carrier (very lucky for our family – aircraft carriers and Vietnam were extremely dangerous places). Larry worked for Canadian Press in Vancouver after graduation and then, briefly, for Uniflite in Bellingham, Washington. In 1974, Larry, Dorian, Erin (and Stephen in utero) moved to Trail, BC, where Larry worked in Public Affairs, for Cominco. After two more children (four in total now), the family moved to Kamloops in 1980, for Larry’s job in Public Affairs at Weyerhaeuser. Larry was a man of many talents and interests: he was a camper, a canoeist, a hiker, a kayaker, a skier, an archer and a cyclist. He loved music – mostly jazz and classical – and was fascinated with Astronomy. He played the trumpet and the ukulele and dabbled in harmonica. He carved wood and sculpted in clay and did wonderful, personalized cards for his children. Larry was also a keen and willing volunteer: he was a Beaver leader, a Big Buddy, a soccer coach for Lindsay’s Green Machine, a baseball coach for Steve and Andrew’s teams, an active member of Kamloops Adult Learner’s Society and a master editor for many, many family essays. He was instrumental in getting all of us through school and was always a staunch supporter and cheerleader for every activity
Multiplex location discussed
Marvin LaGrange Munro May 24, 1940 - August 17, 2026
his family took an interest in. ‘Early’ retirement was one of the best decisions Larry ever made. He asked Dorian if she wanted ‘time’ or ‘money’ and they quickly agreed on ‘time.’ Freedom 55 allowed us to travel extensively – twice to Japan as well as many trips to France and other parts of Europe, often with our bikes. It also provided a lot of time and opportunity to be with our children and grandchildren and be part of their activities. Larry’s family would like to thank our wonderful community of friends who have supported us over the years and also to send a special shout-out to Minds in Motion, the Ponderosa Adult Day Program, the wonderful Handi-Dart drivers and to Overlander Long Term Care Home. All of these organizations became an additional, welcoming community for Larry and our family. Larry’s humour, kindness and devotion to his family will forever be missed. He was, without question, the best man ever. Memorial donation may be made to the Royal Inland Hospital foundation to support the recreation programs at Overlander Long Term Care Home and/or the Ponderosa Adult Day Program. Join us for a Celebration of Larry’s life on September 12, 2026. RSVP to lzlemon32@gmail.com.
Marvin LaGrange Munro, beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and great great grandfather (“Buppa”) passed away peacefully in his sleep at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, BC, on August 17, 2026. His family is grateful to the nurses, doctors, care aides, and other staff for the excellent and compassionate care he received there. Marvin was born in Lethbridge, Alberta, on May 24, 1940, to Edith Frances (Fiala) and Francis LaGrange Munro. The family moved to Canoe, BC, in 1947 before relocating to Tappen, BC. Marvin grew up on a farm in Tappen and attended high school in nearby Salmon Arm. He graduated from J. L. Jackson Secondary School in 1958, was class valedictorian, and continued attending class reunions throughout his life. After graduation, he moved to Vancouver to study Accounting at UBC.
In 1960, he relocated to Kamloops where he articled to become a Chartered Accountant. Marvin met the love of his life, Sheran Tansley, in 1962. They married in Kamloops in 1964, settled in Valleyview, and had three daughters: Michelle, Adrienne, and Gabrielle. Marvin worked hard and graduated as a Chartered Accountant in 1965, receiving top marks on his exams. He was a partner in numerous firms before establishing his own Chartered Accounting practice, Munro and Company. In 1968, he and Sheran bought a cabin in Scotch Creek on Shuswap Lake, where their family spent many happy summers and holidays. Marvin had a creative and generous spirit. He enjoyed whittling, whistling, and watching and teaching his girls about wildlife and the stars. Marvin had a strong interest in community service, and over the years served as a director for several public companies, the Royal Inland Hospital board, the Kamloops Wildlife Park, and the University Foundation. He was also a proud Shriner, Rotarian, and Mason. He joined the Rotary Club of Kamloops in 1974 and became President in 1980. With Sheran by his side, after his successful “Marv for the Millennium” campaign, Marvin served as District Governor for Rotary District 5060 in 2000–2001. Through attendance and participation in Rotary International events and
conferences, Marvin and Sheran traveled widely and made many lasting friendships. In June 2024, Marvin’s Rotary Club held an event celebrating his 50 years as a Rotarian. At the celebration, Marvin gave an entertaining speech about the many hats he had worn over the years. Marvin also attained 60 years as a Master Mason in 2025. He held numerous leadership roles over the years, including serving on the Supreme Council 33˚ of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry of Canada as Deputy for British Columbia and Yukon Territory from 2006 to 2015. He was also Provincial Grand Master of the Royal Order of Scotland Provincial Grand Lodge, British Columbia and Yukon, from 2010 to 2015. He took pride in his Scottish heritage. Marvin is survived by his loving wife Sheran; daughters Michelle Doherty (Jamie), Adrienne Munro (Chris Mead), and Gabrielle Munro (Steve Migliarese); granddaughters Kayla Marinez (Javi), Taryn Ratz (Randy), and Emma Cannell (Nigel Lum); and seven great grandsons, one great granddaughter, and one great great grandson. There will be no service, by request. In lieu of flowers, donations in Marvin’s name can be made to the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation (www.rihfoundation.ca or 250-314-2325).
KAMLOOPSCHRONICLE.COM
September 2026
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In Loving Memory of Eileen Beblow
Rhona MacKenzie Armes IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Andrew Watson
1939 - 2026
Please join us to honour and remember Andrew on
Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, 1:30 - 3:30 pm
Big Little Science Centre 458 Seymour Street | Kamloops Guests are asked to arrive by 1:15 pm.
All are welcome to stay and connect with family and friends after the service. Refreshments will be provided.
It is with profound sadness that we announce the death of Rhona MacKenzie Armes; beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister, friend, artist, teacher. Rhona passed peacefully in her sleep on June 12, 2026. Born in South Porcupine, Ontario in 1939, Rhona was raised in Williams Lake where, at an early age, her somewhat stubborn personality was drawn to creative activities. In high school she fell in love with Gordon Armes. They married in 1959 and by 1965 they were an active family including 4 kids. While Gordon developed his education credentials between Williams Lake, Prince George, Bellingham and Kamloops, Rhona developed her love and skill in painting, mentored by Vivian Cowan and Sonia Cornwall. Rhona loved to create and she loved to learn. She
brought that passion to teaching as the Education Coordinator at the Kamloops Art Museum. Rhona continued to learn as she expanded her creative outlets to include charcoal sketching, stone sculpture, clay sculpture, wheel pottery and raku. As the Fine Arts Coordinator for John Peterson and South Kamloops Secondary she loved teaching and inspiring students to explore creative pursuits. When she retired to put more time into her pottery, she worked with the Thompson Valley Potters Guild as an outlet for her own work as well as encouraging others. During the Pinantan years before Parkinson’s limited her activity, Rhona loved her OpenArmes studio where she ran a summer school of art. Enthusiastic grandchildren had magical adventures with colour and clay. Rhona loved her broad family including friends and was always ready to support. Rhona will be missed by her family; her beloved husband of 66 years Gordon; children Trenton (Alison), Rory (Jean), Darcy (Angus), Chris (Dawn); their grandchildren Cleo, Jonas, Mathew, Abigail, Liam, Wyatt, Alicia; great grandchildren Emmalee and Everlee; as well as many extended family. Join us to celebrate Rhona and her conviction that “I’m perfect because I’m female!” September 9th, 2pm - 5pm at the Coast Hotel in Kamloops
Eileen Beblow age 93 passed away peacefully on the morning of August 13th, 2026. Eileen was born in 1933 in Big Creek in the Chilcotin area of B.C. to William and Annie Hutchinson. The second oldest of 4 sisters (Norah, Mary and Lucille) and 1 brother (Bill), she grew up in the ranch life of the Chilcotin. She married at 19 to Oscar Dupont in 1952 to have 3 children Gary, Kelly and Mark and later became widowed in 1967. Later she rekindled an old teenage relationship to have one more son named Wade. Although Eileen remained a single Mother for her remaining years, she raised the 4 boys the best she could. She worked several jobs before settling in the Catholic parish where she did Housekeeping and cooking for the Priests and Bishop for over 20 years. After retiring at 62 Eileen remarried to William Beblow in June of 1995. Living at Pinantan Lake she enjoyed boating and travelled
B.C. Saskatchewan and revisited Big Creek where she grew up and had 14 years together before Bill passed in 2009. Eileen is predeceased by her son Kelly (2020) and her Infant son named John (1955). Eileen was a selfless woman always giving of herself and time to her family, friends and work. Eileen loved to sew and was talented at embroidery and beadwork, but she was especially happy when she could hold a baby in her arms. Eileen is survived by 3 remaining sons Gary (Shelly), Mark and Wade (Charity) Dupont. Grandchildren Chad, Clayton and Ryan Dupont. Steven Edgar, Lizsa Bibeau, Mikel Dupont and Myra and Jack Dupont. Great Grandchildren Joshua and Matthew Edgar, Zachary and Aubrielle Bibeau, Finnley and Lachlan Dupont, Carter Dupont and Brooklyn and Robin Dupont. Eileen will be sadly missed and fondly thought of knowing she loved her family to her best. A Celebration of Eileen’s Life will take place on September 14th, 2026, at 12:00pm at Greenfield Place, 1835 Greenfield Avenue in Kamloops, BC.
Arrangements entrusted to Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services, Kamloops, BC
CITY PAGE
A 36 September 2026
SPORTS
KAMLOOPSCHRONICLE.COM September 2026 Scan the QR code for the City’s up-to-date news and events
Council Calendar September 22, 2026 1:30 pm ‑ Regular Meeting September 29, 2026 10:00 am ‑ Committee of the Whole
Council Meeting Recap Sign up for the Council Meeting Agendas and Highlights e‑newsletter. Kamloops.ca/Subscribe
BC Seniors Games Society
PROUD TO HOST THE 55+ BC GAMES September 8–12, 2026 55PlusBCGames.org
Sign Up for Our Monthly E-Newsletter The City of Kamloops Monthly E‑Newsletter is a condensed summary of City news and stories, delivered straight to your inbox. Each edition highlights key updates, initiatives, and community information from across the City, making it simple to stay up to date on what matters most. To stay connected, visit Kamloops.ca/Subscribe
Report an issue: 250-828-3461 For after-hours emergencies, press 1.
Thank you to the Guerin Creekers for helping keep our roadways looking their best and for showing how community spirit can go a long way.
Neighbours Come Together to Help Make Kamloops Shine More than 20 members of the neighbourhood group, the Guerin Creekers, recently came together to clean up a section of Summit Drive through the City’s Adopt‑ A‑Road program, and they had a great time doing it!
Want to make a difference in your neighbourhood? Consider getting a group, organization, or team involved in the City’s Adopt‑A‑Road/ Adopt‑A‑Trail program and help keep Kamloops clean and beautiful.
The cleanup was followed by a neighbourhood barbecue and social, giving participants a chance to connect with their neighbours while celebrating a job well done.
Volunteers have been working to keep Kamloops’ roadsides and nature trails clear of litter since the 1980s. Today, more than 120 groups and individuals are actively caring for 38 trails and 50 km of city roads.
“We had a great turnout, and everyone was thrilled to help out with the program,” said Don Johnson of the Guerin Creekers. “It was a wonderful day in every way!”
To learn more, choose an available road or trail section, and submit an application visit Kamloops.ca/AdoptARoad.
Responsible Liquor Consumption Pilot Program
Get Out and Vote
In summer 2026, the City continued a pilot program to allow responsible liquor consumption in a designated area of Riverside Park.
Saturday, October 17 is voting day for the 2026 general local election! All eligible Kamloops voters are encouraged to cast their ballots for the next Mayor, eight City Councillors, and five School Board Trustees for School District No. 73 (Kamloops‑ Thompson) Trustee Electoral Area ‑ 1.
From now until October 1, 2026, adults aged 19 and older may bring and consume their own liquor daily between 12:00 pm and 9:00 pm within a clearly marked zone near the Rotary Bandshell.
Advance voting opportunities will take place October 7, 10, and 14 at Heritage House and Sports Centre Lounge at McArthur Island.
This initiative, inspired by similar programs across Canada, aims to enhance park enjoyment while promoting responsible behavior. The location was chosen for its accessibility and alignment with existing activities.
Mail ballot packages are available to all eligible voters upon request.
Residents are encouraged to share their thoughts on the program, which will help inform future decisions. To learn more and provide feedback, visit LetsTalk.Kamloops.ca/RLCPilot.
Questions? Contact the election team: P: 250‑828‑3483 E: election@kamloops.ca For information on voting, polling locations, mail ballots, voter eligibility, and more, visit Kamloops.ca/Election.
Kamloops.ca | LetsTalk.Kamloops.ca
Love your city this election season by engaging with your community, learning about local government, and informing your vote this fall. Casting a ballot is a substantial but easy way to advocate for yourself, your family, and your community. Supporting the candidates who share your opinions, values, and priorities means you decide which voices sit at the table and who will guide the direction of your city and your home. You’re actively shaping where you live by participating in an election. Take the Love Your City quiz to be entered into a monthly draw and visit the Love Your City information booth at community events this fall to learn more. For more information, the quiz, and community event dates, visit LetsTalk.Kamloops.ca/LoveYourCity.
September 18–October 4, 2026 Culture Days is an opportunity to collectively express the full spectrum of arts, culture, and creativity in our community and across Canada. Find a range of free, hands-on arts and culture activities and events at Culture Days online at Kamloops.ca/CultureDays.
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