Sunday, May 24, 2026

☕ Good Morning

Sunday, May 24 has a sharper local mix: a downtown building is losing a name, Highway 1 is moving again after a serious Saturday, May 23 crash, Riverside Park has its summer station back, and a Kamloops teacher just made a bird guide big enough to justify stopping on a walk.

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📰 News

Henry Leland House is getting a new name. Castanet reports ASK Wellness will rename the supportive-housing building at 506 St. Paul St. after Washington police said forensic DNA tied Leland to the 1986 killing of Carol Traicoff in Wenatchee. The letters have already been removed, and ASK says the new name will come through discussions with Tk’emlups, Skeetchestn, community partners and residents. (Castanet)

Riverside Park’s summer station is open again. Tourism Kamloops’ Loop Explore Station is set up near the outdoor skating loop and food-truck area until the Labour Day long weekend. Castanet says it includes free secure bike parking, local tips from the Roam Ambassador team and rentals for scooters, e-bikes, paddle gear and roller skates through partner apps and operators. (Castanet)

Downtown Kamloops is searching for its next BIA leader. Castanet reports the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association has launched a national search and hopes to have a new executive director in place by mid-summer. Jeremy Heighton is still filling in on an interim basis while the organization works through its renewal and expansion process. (Castanet)

A Kamloops teacher turned 10 years of birding into a 400-page field guide. Castanet reports Tom Beeke’s Birds of Kamloops and the Thompson-Nicola Regional District covers about 300 species with roughly 1,000 photos, maps and habitat notes. Beeke says the book is meant to help everyone from beginners to serious birders better notice what lives here. (Castanet)

Kamloops Y has a June family week on the calendar. Healthy Kids Week runs June 14 to 20, with the Teddy Bear Mother Goose Picnic returning June 18 at the John Tod Y outdoor field. Castanet says last year’s picnic drew 745 people. (Castanet)

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🏛️ City Hall

Council meets Tuesday, May 26 at 1:30 p.m. The regular meeting agenda is posted on CivicWeb, with the full packet available for anyone who wants to scan the items before the meeting. (City of Kamloops)

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🚨 Safety

Highway 1 reopened after a serious Saturday, May 23 crash in Kamloops. CFJC reports a westbound 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle swerved into the trailer of a semi near Pacific Way and Copperhead Drive around 9 a.m. The Chevelle driver was taken to Royal Inland Hospital with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. The semi driver was not hurt. (CFJC Today)

Benina Jepkoech has been identified after the North Thompson River crash. CBC reports the 24-year-old, originally from Kenya, is presumed drowned after a car entered the river in Kamloops. A friend remembered Jepkoech as humble, respectful and friendly. (CBC)

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📅 Events

Fleetwood Magic plays Sunday, May 24. The event listing bills it as an authentic Fleetwood Mac tribute show, which is probably the most straightforward Sunday-night plan on the board. (Castanet)

Monte Creek Winery has a flower workshop Sunday, May 24. Wedding Flowers ~ Made By You is aimed at couples, wedding parties and anyone who wants a hands-on floral-arranging session. (Castanet)

Back in Play is collecting sports gear Friday, May 29. The trade-in and donation event is the useful kind of closet clean-out: gear that is sitting around can help make sports more accessible for another family. (Castanet)

The BC SPCA Fur Ball returns Saturday, May 30 at TRU. The benefit gala includes dinner, live music, entertainment, prizes and the return of the cuddle lounge. (Castanet)

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🛣️ Roads & Weather

☁️ Cloudy, but still usable: Environment Canada calls for mainly cloudy skies and 24°C Sunday, May 24, then a chance of showers and 21°C Monday, May 25. AQHI is low.

🚧 Highway 1 work west of Chase starts Monday, May 25: DriveBC says crews will be working between Willow Road and Old Highway through Thursday, May 28, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Expect minor delays. (DriveBC)

🚧 Highway 1 bridge work continues in Kamloops: DriveBC says construction between Pacific Way and Summit Drive continues until June 15, 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)

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🎮 Daily Game

Flagle — guess the country from its flag. You get six attempts, with distance and direction hints after each guess.

KamloopsContractors.ca is a free local directory I made to make it easier to find Kamloops-area contractors by trade.