Thursday, May 14, 2026

📰 News

East Kamloops water is back for essential use, but restrictions depend on the neighbourhood. The city says Juniper, Rose Hill, and Barnhartvale are under do-not-drink-or-consume advisories; Campbell Creek, Dallas, and Valleyview are under boil-water advisories. Potable-water trucks are available 24/7 through midnight Friday at Valleyview Arena, Dallas Park, BC Wildlife Park, and Fire Hall 6. (City of Kamloops)

SD73’s 2026-27 annual budget totals $255.9 million. The district says the plan is based on 15,985 domestic student FTEs and 180 international student FTEs, a projected decline of 166 FTE from 2025-26, while adding targeted supports in counselling, inclusive education, certified education assistants and custodial services. (SD73)

Kamloops is on pace for its lowest toxic-drug death rate in a decade. CFJC reports six deaths attributed to unregulated drugs were recorded in Kamloops to the end of March, up from three through February but still tracking well below recent annual totals. (CFJC Today)

Royal Inland Hospital is using a new sensory device in the emergency department. CFJC reports the Bubble Tube Rover is meant to help calm patients with lights, bubbles, music and a projector while they wait for care. (CFJC Today)

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🏛️ City Hall

Property tax notices are going out to Kamloops homeowners. The city says property taxes and Home Owner Grant applications are due Thursday, July 2, with a 10 per cent penalty applying as of July 3 for late payments or late grant applications. City Hall will also shift tax payments to 105 Seymour Street during a planned May 20 power outage. (City of Kamloops)

City officials defended management staffing and compensation growth at committee. City staff told council CUPE staffing increased by 56.39 full-time equivalent positions from 2020 to 2026, while management staffing grew by 14.32 positions and exempt staffing increased by 14. (Radio NL)

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🚨 Safety

RCMP search warrants are tied to the May 5 downtown homicide investigation. KamloopsBCNow reports warrants were executed at two North Shore residences, with the Southeast District Emergency Response Team assisting. (KamloopsBCNow)

A Highway 1 driver had a vehicle impounded after a dangerous-driving report near Chase. CFJC reports BC Highway Patrol says officers were told of a red Mazda driving dangerously near Chase, then an unmarked Highway Patrol cruiser clocked the driver at 163 km/h in a 100 km/h zone on Highway 1 in Pritchard. (CFJC Today)

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📅 Events

The Royal Canadian Circus opens at Aberdeen Mall Thursday. The Kamloops stop runs May 14 to 18, with the official ticket page listing performances through the long weekend. (Royal Canadian Circus)

Kamloops Symphony presents Mahler on Saturday. Mahler’s Symphony No. 1 is scheduled for Saturday, May 16 at 7:30 p.m. at Sagebrush Theatre, with Raum’s Sherwood Legend also on the program. (Kamloops Symphony)

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🛣️ Roads & Weather

🚧 Highway 97 water pooling: DriveBC reports water pooling on a long stretch of Highway 97 south of Monte Creek. (DriveBC)

🚧 Highway 1 bridge work: DriveBC says bridge construction between Pacific Way and Summit Drive continues, with traffic reduced to one lane each way in the westbound lanes and overnight detours from 10 p.m. to 3:30 a.m. (DriveBC)

⛽ Cheapest gas: Regular is listed at 192.9¢/L at Costco on Versatile Drive as of Wednesday evening. (Gas prices)

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