Category: News
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Photo by 9th Lab, provided by KFPAPEAK PERFORMANCE
The annual Kamloops Festival of the Performing Arts returns to Kamloops from Feb. 22 to March 14. The festival showcases performances in categories like choral, instrumental music, voice, strings, dance, speech and dramatic arts, and piano, like in this photo from the 2025 festival.
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Drug decriminalization pilot ends
The provincial government has ended its three-year pilot project that saw personal possession of illicit drugs decriminalized. The problems with the pilot became apparent quickly, drawing criticism from advocates and the political opposition alike, with many pointing out the missing pieces. Provincial data collected from 2014 to October 2025 shows nearly 19,000 deaths due to…
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Councillors call out mayor over risks from motion
Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson’s motion to bar family members of councillors from working for the city has failed. Council addressed Hamer-Jackson’s motion at the Feb. 3 regular council meeting, with councillors concerned over the risks it presented. The motion would have prohibited the hiring or employment of immediate family members of councillors while the councillor is…
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Defamation lawsuit dismissed
Kamloops Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson’s defamation lawsuit against Coun. Katie Neustaeter has been thrown out by a B.C. Supreme Court judge. Neustaeter had filed to have the case dismissed under the Protection of Public Participation Act (PPPA), which is intended to protect discourse in the public interest. The written ruling, given on Jan. 30 by Justice…
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Milobar sets sights on leadership of BC Conservative Party
Former Kamloops mayor and Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar has entered the leadership race for the Conservative Party of British Columbia. Milobar told the Chronicle he wants the party to focus on serious issues like health care, crime and safety, affordability, and education. As part of the rules for the contest, candidates must agree not…
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New SD73 secretary-treasurer ready to get started in district
Having spent 15 years in the world of school-district finances, Kim Morris sees few new challenges ahead as she steps into the role of SD73 secretary treasurer on March 2. Which isn’t to say there won’t be hurdles she and her team will have to overcome. Inflation, capital expenditures, and child care for parents are…
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Brock blaze part of downward trend in property fires
House fires are becoming less common in Kamloops, but a pre-Christmas blaze on Argyle Avenue served as a reminder that fire remains an ever-present risk, even in well-established neighbourhoods. “I think, in the grand scheme of things, fires should be trending downwards because of the education and the knowledge people are possessing,” said Josh Cowen,…
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Series of January fires keep fire crews, RCMP busy
Kamloops firefighters and RCMP responded to a series of blazes across the city and surrounding area in January, with several incidents under investigation and others determined to be accidental. Investigators were called into action on Jan. 7 after multiple vehicles were set on fire in the 200 block of Victoria Street West. Firefighters arrived to…
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Cedar removal program open for 2026
A popular City program designed to reduce the risk of a wildfire sparking within town limits has already kicked open the doors to applicants ahead of the summer forest-fire season. The Community Fuel Reduction Incentive was to roll out in March but Josh Cowen, Kamloops Fire and Rescue’s life and safety educator, opened the intake…
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Photo by Alex Beckett/Kamloops StormEYES ON THE PRIZE
The Kamloops Storm is heading into 2026 at the top of the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League. Pictured is forward Luca D’Amore.