Thursday, May 7, 2026

Good Morning

Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10, and we’re putting together a little community gallery. Got a favourite photo of your mom, your kids’ mom, your grandma, or the woman who raised you? Send it our way with a sentence or two about why she’s great.

Reply to this email or DM us on Instagram by Friday, May 8 at noon. Only send something you’re comfortable seeing in Sunday’s Kamloops Digest.

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📰 News

The costs hearing tied to the mayor’s dismissed defamation suit has wrapped. B.C. Supreme Court Justice Jacqueline Hughes reserved her decision after Wednesday’s proceedings; Coun. Neustaeter is seeking legal costs plus $10,000 in damages after Hamer-Jackson’s claim was dismissed in January. (CFJC Today)

A 10-court indoor pickleball facility is planned for Valleyview. Pickleplex Kamloops owner Sam Beggs says the facility is planned for part of The Brick’s longtime space at 1689 E. Trans-Canada Hwy., with hopes of opening by the end of the year after the furniture store moves. (Castanet)

ICCHA-Wish says its Red Carpet Gala raised more than $100,000 for cardiac care at RIH. The non-profit says the money is intended for equipment for a cardiac procedure room, and that it has now raised more than $1.1 million toward a standalone catheterization lab in Kamloops. (CFJC Today)

The midweek farmers’ market season is underway. The Wednesday market runs on the 400-block of Victoria Street from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. until the end of October, with vendors starting on the sidewalk beside the TNRD building before the season expands. (Castanet)

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🏛️ City Hall

Council heard provincial budget changes could raise costs for the city and residents. A staff memo says the province’s expansion of PST to professional services could increase municipal costs for audit, legal, engineering and architectural work, while a $200 reduction to the Home Owner Grant is expected to hit many homeowners in 2027. (Radio NL)

Kamloops will test Voyent Alert on Friday, May 8. The city says the test will go out by SMS, phone call, email and mobile app notification, and is asking app users to confirm the app is still installed, enabled and tied to the right location. (City of Kamloops)

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🚨 Safety

The city’s emergency operations centre is preparing for wildfires, extreme heat and other incidents. Emergency preparedness manager Ty Helgason said the city plans in advance so it can work from established plans during high-pressure incidents; United Way is also urging residents to prepare grab-and-go bags, emergency kits and evacuation plans. (CFJC Today)

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📅 Events

Brock Secondary hosts a kids carnival fundraiser Friday, May 8. The event runs 4:30 to 8:30 p.m., with inflatables, carnival games, food and prizes raising money for students’ overseas trip to visit historical war sites in Europe. (Castanet)

Kamloops Artists Group opens its fine art show and sale Friday, May 8. The show runs May 8 to 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. (Castanet)

A free lawn bowling try-it event runs Saturday, May 9 at McArthur Island. The listing invites curious newcomers to give the sport a try. (Castanet)

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🛣️ Roads & Weather

⛽ Cheapest gas: Regular is listed at 189.9¢/L at Costco on Versatile Drive. (Gas prices)

🌤️ Weather ahead: Environment Canada calls for sun and a high of 28°C Thursday, cloud and 22°C Friday, then sun and 26°C Saturday. AQHI is forecast at moderate.

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🎮 Daily Game

Travle — get from one country to another by naming connected countries in as few steps as possible.