Thursday, August 20, 2026

📰 News

Interior Health has recorded 713 animal exposures so far this year—already 90 more than in all of 2025. The health authority says bat encounters are driving increased demand for rabies vaccines and immunoglobulin, although there is no provincial shortage. Bats are B.C.’s only known wildlife reservoir for rabies. Anyone bitten, scratched or touched by a bat, including through clothing, should wash the area and seek medical assessment promptly; rabies is almost always preventable when treatment begins before symptoms. (Castanet)

The Kamloops Blazers have traded 20-year-old forward Josh Evaschesen to his hometown Medicine Hat Tigers. Kamloops receives first- and fourth-round selections in the 2027 WHL draft and a sixth-round pick in 2029. Evaschesen scored 33 goals and 73 points in 67 games last season. He had planned to play NCAA hockey at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, but opted to remain in the WHL. (Radio NL · KamloopsBCNow)

Tolko has curtailed veneer production at Heffley Creek because wildfire and drought are limiting access to logs. Its plywood and laminated-veneer-lumber lines are continuing as fibre supplies permit, and the full operation employs about 250 people. Reports disagree on the timeline: CFJC said the curtailment has no scheduled end, while Castanet reported that a Tolko spokesperson expects veneer production to resume next week. The company has not disclosed how many employees are affected. (CFJC Today · Castanet)

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🏛️ What Changed

Construction is underway on the permanent secondary road connecting Juniper Ridge and Rose Hill. The two-lane Qu’Appelle Boulevard extension is expected to be finished in late 2027, giving Juniper residents another public route after the 2021 interface fire exposed the neighbourhood’s limited access. The City and Juniper West Developments are building different portions of the project; earlier estimates put their components at $4.5 million and $6.7 million respectively. (Castanet)

The Clinton Health and Wellness Centre reopened Wednesday after nearly four weeks offline. The Cariboo Highway facility is again providing basic care, lab work and nursing from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. It closed July 24 because of the Pear Lake wildfire and evacuation. (CFJC Today)

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🚨 Safety

A planned ignition is underway on the Ainslie Creek wildfire’s southern flank. Updated mapping puts the fire at roughly 65,876 hectares. The operation is intended to remove fuel between the fire and established control lines in the Fraser Canyon, reducing the chance of further southward spread. Officials told Merritt residents there is no immediate threat to the city, while crews continue securing the eastern flank and maintaining evacuation plans if conditions change. (Castanet · Castanet)

Kamloops RCMP are seeking witnesses to a downtown assault that sent a man to hospital. Police say the attack happened shortly before 1:30 a.m. on August 14 near the 300 block of Victoria Street. The victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Anyone with information or surveillance, cellphone or dash-camera footage can contact Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000. (CFJC Today · Castanet)

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📅 Events

The Kamloops Events directory has 413 listings from 24 local calendars. Here are five Thursday options.

Music at the Museum invites children up to age five to sing, dance and play. The summer drop-in at the Kamloops Museum and Archives costs $8 and may move outdoors if weather permits. (Kamloops Museum and Archives)

Ocean Explorers sends children ages six to 12 on a robotic pirate-ship challenge. Participants guide a robot mouse through obstacles to unlock a treasure chest at the North Kamloops Library. (TNRL)

Writers Circle offers adults an inclusive place to share work and create together. The group meets at the downtown Kamloops Library. (TNRL)

Divas 4 Democracy brings free drag performances, trivia and civic engagement to Embers Brewhouse. Local performers Autumn Horizon and Miss Mousse headline the community event. (Eventbrite)

Timbre Wolves plays Music in the Park at 7 p.m. The free classic-rock set takes place at the Riverside Park Rotary Bandshell. (City of Kamloops)

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🛣️ Roads & Weather

🌤️ Cloud should clear Thursday as the temperature climbs to about 34°C. The latest AQHI reading was 3.35, in the moderate-risk range, and a yellow air-quality warning remains active. Friday is forecast to be sunny with a high near 36°C.

No useful new Kamloops-area road closure was identified in the latest source check. Wildfire conditions can still change regional routes quickly, so check the current route immediately before travelling outside the city.

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🎮 Daily Game

Semantle: home in on a secret word by how close each guess is in meaning.