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WEEKLY NEWS FOR OCT. 1

Good morning folks, 

First off, don’t forget SPIN’s all-candidates forum is tonight from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sun Peaks Centre in the Conference Room. Please try to attend in person if you can as there will be no livestream or recording. 

Support the presentation of this all-candidates forum with a one-time contribution to Sun Peaks Independent News.

This week I sat down with Jason White, who will be acclaimed mayor of Sun Peaks. He told me about his plans, goals and what made him decide to run. 

“I’ve lived here for over 30 years, it’s a pretty big deal to live here that long and understand how the place operates,” he said. 

Read more below. 

Next, I talked to Jennifer Witzaney from the Sun Peaks Freestyle club about how Janna Brown was honoured as a Sport BC Community Sport Hero for her work volunteering. Brown also shared some fond memories about her time volunteering for the club over the past eight years. 

Scroll to read more. 

Plus, the province will be going to the polls Saturday, Oct. 24 for a snap election, one week to the day that residents will be voting in local general elections.

We’ll be working to keep you in the loop for both elections through Q&As and voting guides, so make sure to fill out our provincial candidate survey with the questions you want us to ask MLA candidates leading up to the election. The survey will close Monday, Oct. 5 at 9 a.m. 

I’ll be covering the forum, so I hope to see you tonight! 

Enjoy this autumnal weekend Sun Peaks!

SUN PEAKS MAYOR-ELECT JASON WHITE EYES INFRASTRUCTURE, SCHOOL AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH AS PRIORITIES

After more than 30 years of living and working in Sun Peaks, local business owner Jason White is preparing to lead the community through its next stage of growth. 

JANNA BROWN HONOURED AS A SPORT BC COMMUNITY SPORT HERO

After 8 years volunteering with the Sun Peaks Freestyle Club, Brown is recognized for her dedication to competitive snowboarding and the athletes in the Sun Peaks community. 

PROVINCIAL ELECTION ANNOUNCED FOR LATE OCTOBER

Premier David Eby calls provincial snap election for Saturday, Oct. 24, cites tariff stressors as election focus.

YOU SHOULD KNOW 🎤️

Local and regional tidbits to be aware of.

📚 Each October marks Canadian Library Month and this year, The Thompson-Nicola Regional Library is launching TNRL’s Next Chapter. Fill out this survey to help shape the future of your library services. The survey will be able to detect what aspects of the library people value most, where improvements could be made and which role the library’s services should be playing in the community. The survey is open Oct. 1 for the entire month.

📝 There will be a public hearing in the Sun Peaks Centre Boardroom on Tuesday Oct. 6 at 3 p.m. to consider the Official Community Plan Bylaw. Any written submissions submitted before 1 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 1 will be included in the council agenda package. You can email your written submissions here. Read SPIN’s coverage of the update process here.

🐻 Sun Peaks Bear Aware shared in a Facebook Post two bear cubs have been taken in by The Northern Lights Wildlife Society. Both cubs are healthy and doing well! Sun Peaks Bear Aware wants to remind everyone that bears will be in Sun Peaks for another five weeks, so secure or remove all bear attractants and report any to the municipality. This could save a bear’s life!

👩‍✈ The Kamloops Airport Authority Society is seeking applications for its board of directors. Folks from varying backgrounds are invited to apply, including tourism, aviation, law, economic development, marketing and communications and Indigenous relations, among others. Learn more about the role here. 

🪧 Community leaders and politicians are rallying behind Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc following a demonstration of Second Sons Canada, a men's-only white nationalist group, near the former Kamloops Indian Residential School with residential school denialism propaganda and racist slogans Sunday, Sept. 27. While there may be limits to how the government chooses to intervene in situations like this, communities can go much farther. If you observe suspicious or concerning activity, report it to the RCMP immediately. Talk to your friends, family and neighbours, and ensure those in your circle understand the importance of tolerance, inclusivity and empathy. Everyone has a role in challenging racism, white supremacy and residential school denialism when they see it, Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society reminds us.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT 👀

NEW SIGN CLARIFIES CAMPING RULES AT MCGILLIVRAY LAKE OUTPOST SITE

Overnight camping has never been permitted at the site, but the rule had not previously been promoted or enforced.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK 📸

The Sun Peaks bike park has officially closed for the season. Photo by Noelle Suzuki

EVENTS 🎫

🍁 The annual Sun Peaks tradition, Giving Tuesd-eh, falls on Oct. 13. From Oct. 1 to 13, Tourism Sun Peaks will match all donations (to a set maximum) given to a local organization. Donations will be accepted both online and during both market days in this period. For more information, email Tourism Sun Peaks here.

🍂 Only a few more weeks of Sun Peaks Market Days. Head to the village on Oct. 4 for Sun Peaks Fall Market Day from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. From fresh fruits to handmade jewellery, the market has a variety of goods lined up in the village for folks to take a gander and support local businesses. Shoppers are encouraged to bring reusable bags for purchases.

WEEKLY 

Sundays

👩🏼‍🌾 Stroll through the Sun Peaks Farmers' Market from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

⛪️ Sun Peaks Church will be holding a service every Sunday evening at 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome to join at the Annex.

📚 The Thompson-Nicola Regional Library’s mobile library visits Sun Peaks School every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Whitecroft Village from 2:15 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. 

Tuesdays

💪🏽 Join Heffley Creek Hall for Golden Fitness classes, all ages and fitness levels welcome. Dancersize is at 11 a.m., followed by gentle weights at 12:30 p.m., Tai Chi walking at 1:30 p.m., chair pilates at 2 p.m. and chair yoga at 2:30 p.m.

Fridays

❤️ AA community addictions meetings run every Friday at Sun Peaks Secondary beside the Health Clinic, starting at 7:30 p.m. 

DOWN THE HILL

🚵‍♀️ Head over to the Paramount Theatre for A Mountain Bike Film Festival. On Oct. 2 at 6 p.m. join for an evening of film with the mountain bike community. Tourism Kamloops is partnering with the Kamloops Film Society for this three hour evening with beverages, silent auction and a big-screen experience. Click here for more information. 

🍩 The ninth annual Run 4 Donuts event will be held on Oct. 3 at Riverside Park. Options to run 2.5 km, 5 km and 10 km are available with donuts to eat on the trail. Click here to register and to support the Kamloops Food Bank.

🧺 The Painted Turtle Artisan Market is on Oct. 4 at BC Wildlife Park starting at 9:30 a.m. Join for an Autumnal shopping experience surrounded by nature. Click here for more information.

KEEP IN TOUCH 📲

Did you know we are on social media? While Meta’s response to Bill C18, the Online News Act, significantly reduced the amount we are able to post on Facebook and Instagram, SPIN posts regularly on BlueSky. From time-to-time we may even hop on a TikTok trend! Follow us on both using the icons at the end of this email.

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