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WEEKLY NEWS FOR APRIL 9

Good afternoon folks,

Spring is upon us, and with warmer weather comes increased animal activity. This week, I chatted with Sun Peaks Bear Aware and Northern Lights Wildlife Society about a little cub who was found orphaned at the end of March. 

While it’s not certain what happened to his mother, Northern Lights’ co-founder Angelika Langen reminds folks to keep an eye out for animals crossing the road. 

Many bears are orphaned as a result of vehicle collisions, she said, but a heightened awareness and reduced speed could go a long way in helping mommas and baby bears stay together. 

The cub is now with Northern Lights in Smithers, and Sun Peaks Bear Aware is sponsoring his care. You can donate to the costs of feeding him here, or bring donations of pure and unsweetened apple sauce, pure maple syrup, oatmeal and peanut butter to Ohana. 

I also chatted with Jase Petersen, Sun Peaks Alpine Fitness owner, about the gym’s new youth program. With ski season wrapping up, he wanted to ensure Sun Peaks youth, including non-competitive athletes, are building good habits in the gym. Check out our article for more information. 

Plus, the annual Show-N-Shine Car Show and pancake breakfast will be dedicated to Jim Davies, who passed away last month. This year’s event is an opportunity to “honour a hero,” organizer Deb McDougall-Bergstrand said, and volunteers are needed. Scroll down to learn more.

Finally, reporter Macarena Mantilla covered a protest and rally for trans rights down the hill in Kamloops, after Kamloops MLAs voted in favour of debating an anti-trans bill. Peter Milobar is the MLA for Kamloops Centre, which includes Sun Peaks, and the front runner of the Conservative Party of BC leadership race. 

Advocates at the rally said that while the vote to paper a piece of legislation for debate may be a customary process, entertaining the “legislated hatred” brought forward by Kelowna–Lake Country–Coldstream MLA Tara Armstrong causes real danger for trans individuals. 

“The argument can be made that they’re just looking for open and honest discussion,” one attendee said. “This is the process, and they’re just following that process. Well, when processes are harmful, we need to call them out and change them.”

Read the full story below. 

P.S. The Easter holiday affected the council schedule, so there will not be a council newsletter this week. Keep an eye on your inbox next Friday for coverage of the April 14 meeting.

SUN PEAKS BEAR AWARE SPONSORS YOUNG CUB FOUND ALONE NEAR HEFFLEY CREEK

The baby bear, named Jelly, is now under the care of Northern Lights Wildlife Society. 

SUN PEAKS ALPINE FITNESS EXPANDS YOUTH PROGRAMS

The local gym is implementing a new health and wellness program to help foster a passion for fitness among local youth.

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.

 'KIDS SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT WHO THEY ARE': ADVOCATES CALL FOR B.C. POLITICIANS TO PROTECT TRANS RIGHTS

After Kamloops MLAs voted in favour of debating an anti-trans bill, community members seek protections for trans rights. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT 👀

STRONG TRAINING SEASON LIFTS SUN PEAKS ATHLETES TO PODIUMS

Support from the Sun Peaks community and Sun Peaks Resort LLP made this year a banner training year for Sun Peaks Alpine Club, president says.

YOU SHOULD KNOW 

Local and regional tidbits you should be aware of.

💰The Thompson-Nicola Regional district approved the 2026 budget, funding 116 services.

Approximately $30.3 million of the budget is funded by taxation with $6.2 million coming from user fees, $5.3 million from provincial and federal grants, transfers from the 2025 budget surplus totalling $4.5 million and small amounts from other funding sources. 

The total tax requisition for Sun Peaks for 2026 is $1,240,175, up from $1,149,971 in 2025. SPIN is working on an article to break down this contribution, so keep an eye out next week. 

🅿️ During the March 24 meeting, council gave first, second and third readings to the Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality Parking and Traffic Bylaw amendment to update the permitted parking areas in summer months, to prevent parking on the walking path along Valley Drive.

🐶 The full Electoral Area P, which includes Whitecroft and Heffley Lake, will now receive dangerous dog control services from the TNRD after opting in this year. If you live in one of the Dangerous Dog Control service areas, you can report a complaint online here.

The TNRD Dangerous Dog Control Bylaw defines a dangerous dog as any dog that has killed or seriously injured a person or domestic animal, or there are reasonable grounds to believe it is likely to kill or seriously injure a person. The service does not provide enforcement for dogs at large or animal welfare concerns, barking dogs, dogs attacking wildlife or assertive (growling) dogs.

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. 

Ongoing until April 11

🍫 Soak in the very last of winter with s'mores at Morrissey's Public House from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. This event is weather-dependent. Please contact Morrisey’s at 250-578-6062 to confirm availability.

April 14 

🎨 Get your creative on with intro to grafitti hosted at the Heffley Creek Hall. Explore graffiti-style art using bold colours, layered textures and expressive techniques that help you tap into your unique vibe. Registration is $45 per person. 

April 15 

🎫 Enjoy a multi-course dining experience from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., featuring Phantom Creek Estates of Oliver, B.C. Cost is $129.41 per person, including taxes and gratuity.

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. The mobile library will not run April 5.

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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