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WEEKLY NEWS FOR APRIL 16

Good evening folks,

This week, we have one very special introduction: Noelle Suzuki will join Sun Peaks Independent News as a community reporter. Noelle is originally from Canmore, Alberta, which accounts for her love of all things snow and mountains. 

More recently she has been living in Nanaimo, studying journalism while editing and founding online literary magazines. Now she’s trading in the island life for a slice of Sun Peaks. You can read more about Noelle in her introduction below. We are so excited for her to join our small (but mighty) team, and hope you are, too. 

Next, I chatted with a few people who helped me do some *ahem* math for you all on the Thompson-Nicola 2026 budget. It’s not just anyone I do numbers for so please offer your thanks. Municipal CAO, Deanna Campbell, Colton Davies, communications and marketing manager and Austin Potts, TNRD finance manager, guided my number crunching to help you all understand how this budget affects your wallet. 

If you’re a bit confused about what the TNRD is and how the regional governing body works, read this explainer from our Kamloops sibling publication The Wren. Some of the specifics are related to Kamloops, but as a member of the TNRD it might help you understand why your tax money goes there. 

Plus, the Whitecroft Community Association is petitioning to reduce the speed in the village from 50 kilometres per hour to 30 kilometres per hour. In her SPIN reporting debut, Noelle chatted with the association president about why this matters. 

Finally, Noelle wrote a story about Olympian Elli Terwiel, who shares what makes Sun Peaks special. This story is a collaboration, with files from reporter Aibiike Alymova, who sat down with Terwiel to learn about her experience growing up here. 

P.S. Our home issue hits the shelves this Friday! Thank you so much to contributor Louise Hudson and local residents Marj and Roy Knive and Sarah and Andrew Skinner, who opened their homes up to SPIN for some very special renovation recaps. We will share a few of the stories from that issue next week so keep your eyes peeled.

MEET NOELLE SUZUKI, SUN PEAKS INDEPENDENT NEWS’ NEWEST COMMUNITY REPORTER

Noelle Suzuki, a graduate from Vancouver Island University is joining Sun Peaks Independent News.

SUN PEAKS RESORT MUNICIPALITY TO PAY $90,000 MORE IN REGIONAL TAX FEES 

The average homeowner will pay $562 to the Thompson-Nicola Regional District in taxes this year.

WHITECROFT COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION AND RESIDENTS PUSH FOR LOWER SPEED LIMITS

The petition aims to reduce speeds across the village as safety concerns grow over narrow roads and increased activity.

FROM SUN PEAKS TO SOCHI: ELLI TERWIEL’S OLYMPIC JOURNEY

Olympian Elli Terwiel discusses the unwavering support from the Sun Peaks community as she reflects on her Olympic Journey.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT 👀

THIS YEAR’S ANNUAL SHOW-N-SHINE WILL HONOUR JIM DAVIES, ‘A HUGE SILENT HERO’

Organizers of the Show-N-Shine car show are seeking volunteers to help make the memorial as large as Jim Davies’ legacy.

YOU SHOULD KNOW 

Local and regional tidbits you should be aware of.

❄️ Snowpack conditions are stable in Kamloops despite a lack of snow this season, according to the most recent Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletin delivered by the province. The North Thompson basin has 115 per cent of normal snow. However, other regions like the southern Interior are showing early concerns for drought in line with the effects of climate change. 

📄 The province is moving to implement mandatory code of conduct for municipal councils and regional district boards in B.C., largely driven by the struggles in Kamloops and other municipalities like Harrison Hot Springs. Proposed legislative amendments include a code of conduct addressing behaviour like bullying or harassment.

🐻 Last week, we reported on Sun Peaks Bear Aware’s (SPBA) call for donations for Jelly, a seven-week-old bear cub found alone near Heffley Lake. SPBA is sponsoring the little cub and needs around $4,000 for his care, as well as donations of peanut butter and more. He is now living at Northern Lights Wildlife Society, which posted an update this week! Watch that video here, and read our full story here. 

EVENTS 🎫

Ongoing until April 30

🏂 Shops around the village are holding a spring sale to clear out winter merch. Score up to 70 per cent off and update your gear for next season. 

WEEKLY

Sundays

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. 

Mondays

Quizzy Rascal Quiz Nights are back! Running every Monday at Morrisey's Public House. Table reservations are strongly encouraged to guarantee a spot. Phone or email: scraig@sunpeaksgrand.com to reserve your table for a specific night or for the whole season. Teams of up to six, two dollar cash entry per person, prizes to be won!

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. 

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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