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WEEKLY NEWS FOR SEPT. 17

Good afternoon folks,

The team at Sun Peaks Independent News just sent our paper to the printer, and this one is a special edition. We swapped out our September Arts Issue for an Election Issue, to help residents go to the polls informed. 

Below you’ll find an article detailing the findings of our reader survey, which gave us questions to take straight to candidates. Each candidate responded, so scroll down to read how they will handle issues around healthcare, infrastructure and more. 

A big thanks to all the candidates running in the election for meeting our deadline for print. We will be rolling out the full Q&As and profiles online over the next few weeks leading up to early voting, so be sure to visit our election landing page often. 

To wrap up our election-related news, SPIN will be hosting an all-candidates forum on Sept. 24 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Sun Peaks Conference Room. This event, unlike past forums, will not be live-streamed, so please save the date.

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

This week, I talked with Sun Peaks Fire Rescue’s Fire Chief Dean Schiavon about the Emergency Management Program and Organization bylaw that was adopted in the most recent council meeting. 

While the bylaw won't have a discernible impact on residents, Schiavon said it will help provide a stronger legal standing when it comes to navigating emergencies and council's directions, plus will support with training staff.

Scroll to read more.

Lastly, I talked to Alice Muirhead, president of the Sun Peaks Community Health Association about the status of the health centre and when its doors are anticipated to reopen. 

While she can’t say when the clinic will have a physician, she said the association is working to recruit health-care providers and open sustainably. 

“We are really trying to do our due diligence and take steps really thoughtfully,” Muirhead said. 

We only have 10 more days of hike and bike season, be sure to get your runs in before the lifts close on Sept. 27! 

Enjoy the weekend Sun Peaks!

HERE’S WHAT SUN PEAKS RESIDENTS WANT TO KNOW FROM  THE 2026 GENERAL ELECTION COUNCIL CANDIDATES

From healthcare to transparency, council candidates respond to reader questions ahead of the 2026 general election.

SUN PEAKS ADOPTS NEW EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT BYLAW

New bylaw formalizes Sun Peaks’ emergency management structure as the municipality works on an updated plan and hazard risk assessment.

SUN PEAKS COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSOCIATION CONTINUES WORK TO RECRUIT HEALTH-CARE PROVIDERS

The Sun Peaks Community Health Association is recruiting multidisciplinary providers and seeking funding, with hopes of reopening within two to three months, president says. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT 👀

FAMILY OF BEARS ENTERS UMBRELLA CAFÉ CAUSING ‘MINIMAL DAMAGE’

A sow and two cubs accessed the cafe, owned by Sun Peaks Resort LLP, through an air intake early yesterday morning.

YOU SHOULD KNOW 🎤️

Local and regional tidbits to be aware of.

♻️ For the month of September, the Sun Peaks Freestyle Club is fundraising for new trampolines through a bottle drive. Trampolines will help assist athletes with their aerial awareness during tricks. Drop off your cans to either Unit B - 1395 Battle St., 963 Camosun Cres. or 611 Fortune Dr. and ask the staff to deposit credit to the Sun Peaks Freestyle Club account. After donating, add your name to this form for a chance to win a free winter training day!

🛣 On Sept. 22, the upper portion of Industrial Way will be closed to public access from 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The transfer station will be closed for this day and bottle drop-off and organic waste will also be closed for these hours. 

🎥 ArtZone Sun Peaks is now taking submissions for the annual Local Filmmakers Contest, which returns for its seventh year in January. There is no entry fee for submissions, which close Dec. 1. Folks within a 100 kilometre radius, including Kamloops, Barrière and Clearwater are welcome to turn in films for the two categories, which include the 60 second shred-it and short film. Winners of the contest will have their films shown in The Sun Peaks Film Festival with about 15 films being shown throughout the weekend of Jan. 14 to 16. Learn more here. 

🔥 The Thompson-Nicola Regional District FireSmart Homeowner Rebate program deadline has been extended to Oct. 31. This program is open to all Electoral Area property owners and will cover up to $1,000 for fire mitigation done within 30 metres of a home. Learn more here.

🗳️ Eight candidates will be acclaimed to the Thompson Nicola Regional District board during the 2026 general election, Castanet reports. Only two electoral areas will hold a vote in October; Area E, Bonaparte Plateau and Area I, Blue Sky Country. The board is made up of 10 rural electoral area directors, the mayors of the member municipalities, including Sun Peaks and the six highest-polling Kamloops councillors from the most recent civic election.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK 📸

Enjoying the last couple weeks of the summer season on the Sunburst Express lift. Photo by Noelle Suzuki

EVENTS 🎫

🚲 The Summer Stoke Series is back for its final session on Sept. 18 at the Sun Peaks Progression Park Pump Track from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. All ages are welcome for a head-to-head pump track race for $15 with spectators welcome to come watch. 

🎤️ Jann Arden and her trio are opening for Tourism Sun Peaks and MRG Live’s Alpenglow Festival on Sept. 18 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Head over to the Sun Peaks Centre Stage for some live music from a multi-platinum, award-winning singer, songwriter, actor and author. For more information or to get your ticket click here. 

📸 Join Bill Fell for the “old school” meets “new school” Photography Workshop. A practical outdoor session will follow the theory session. On Sept. 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. head over to the Sun Peaks Centre and be sure to bring your own camera! Click here to secure your spot.

🚵‍♀️ The end of summer retail sale comes to a close on Sept. 27. With up to 40 per cent off goods, head over to Elevation Bike, Ski & Board, John Tod Trading Co., The North Face Mountain Outfitters, Three Peaks (Patagonia) and the Golf Pro Shop while they clear out their summer gear in preparation for the winter season. For more details, contact 250-578-5474.

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 Circle Creek Ranch & Equestrian Centre from Sept. 18 to 21 for the 88th annual Kamloops Provincial Winter Fair. From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., enjoy vendors, food trucks and come see the animals for some free family fun. For more information click here. 

🏒 The Kamloops Blazers home opener is on Sept. 19 at 6 p.m. Make your way down to the Sandman Centre to support the local hockey team in their upcoming season. Click here to secure your ticket.

🪘 The Tapestry Festival Multicultural Event is on Sept. 19 at Mcdonald Park. Enjoy a full day of entertainment from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with performances featuring drumming, dancing, singing and a Chinese Dragon. This event is free for the family and will include face painting, games, crafts, inflatables and vendors. Click here to learn more.

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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