LOCAL
UBC Dementia Research Receives $500,000 Boost for Revolutionary Blood-Based Testing
The Cowell Foundation invests $500,000 in CLEAR Foundation to fund UBC’s groundbreaking biomarker research and blood-based dementia testing.

Transforming Dementia Diagnosis at UBC
The landscape of Alzheimer’s research in British Columbia has received a significant boost following a $500,000 investment from The Cowell Foundation. This visionary gift, directed to the CLEAR (Canadians for Leading Edge Alzheimer Research) Foundation, is set to accelerate the development of biomarker-based detection methods at the University of British Columbia’s newly inaugurated Core Facility for Neurology Biomarker Innovation (CFNBI).
Located within the UBC Hospital, the CFNBI represents a critical step forward in neurological science. Under the leadership of Dr. Cheryl Wellington, a Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, the facility is focused on a transformative goal: replacing expensive neuroimaging and invasive lumbar punctures with simple, accessible blood tests. These tests detect protein biomarkers that reflect real-time biological changes in the brain, offering a window into the progression of dementia long before traditional symptoms may surface.
Investing in Talent and Technology
The four-year commitment from The Cowell Foundation will be split between two primary initiatives. First, an Operating Grant will provide critical resources to established dementia researchers in British Columbia. Second, a Research Trainee Award will fund the development of the next generation of scientific talent, ensuring that the province remains at the forefront of global medical innovation.
Dr. Wellington’s team has already established a formidable track record, boasting over 50 publications and more than 70 managed projects. Their collaborative network of 140 experts has already attracted upwards of $75 million in funding, but this new investment specifically targets the practical application of biomarker technology to make diagnosis more equitable and timely for patients throughout the region.
The Growing Urgency of Dementia Research
The timing of this investment is critical. Currently, more than 770,000 Canadians are living with some form of dementia, and projections suggest this figure will nearly double by 2050. As the population ages, the demand for early and accurate diagnosis becomes a matter of public health necessity. Early detection is widely considered the key to effective intervention and, eventually, a cure.
In a statement, the Cowell family emphasized the personal nature of their contribution, noting the profound impact the disease has on families and caregivers. By funding the CLEAR Foundation—which directs 100% of public donations toward research—this gift ensures that the path toward a future free from dementia remains a top priority for Canadian science.
LOCAL
Your Current 3 Day Forecast — October 14, 2026
Your Current 3 Day Environment Canada forecast for Kamloops, Merritt, Clearwater, Cache Creek, Salmon Arm.
THE THOMPSON CURRENT · WEATHER
Your Current 3 Day Forecast
October 14, 2026
Across our communities
| Community | High / low | Rain | Wind | Alert |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamloops | 17° / 6° | 0% | SE 10 km/h | None |
| Merritt | 18° / 1° | 0% | SW 15 km/h | None |
| Clearwater | 14° / 0° | 0% | S 20 km/h | None |
| Cache Creek | 17° / 6° | 0% | SE 10 km/h | None |
| Salmon Arm | 16° / 4° | 0% | VR 10 km/h | None |
Kamloops
Now
8.4°
Mainly Clear
Sunrise 7:24 a.m. · Sunset 6:09 p.m.
Moon: Waxing crescent · 16% lit
Observed 11:00 p.m.
Next 12 hours
Tonight
Clear. Increasing cloudiness near midnight. Fog patches developing after midnight. Low 6.
Rain 0%Wind 10 km/h
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. Clearing in the afternoon. Fog patches dissipating in the morning. Wind becoming east 20 km/h in the morning. High 17. UV index 3 or moderate.
Rain 0%Wind 15 km/h
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud. Windy. High 17.
Rain 0%Wind 20 km/h
Merritt
Now
4.9°
Current condition unavailable
Sunrise 7:25 a.m. · Sunset 6:12 p.m.
Moon: Waxing crescent · 16% lit
Observed 11:00 p.m.
Next 12 hours
Tonight
Clear. Becoming partly cloudy after midnight. Fog patches developing after midnight. Low plus 1.
Rain 0%Wind 15 km/h
Thursday
Mainly sunny. Fog patches dissipating in the morning. High 18. UV index 3 or moderate.
Rain 0%Wind 0 km/h
Friday
Sunny. High 18.
Rain 0%Wind 0 km/h
Clearwater
Now
3.8°
Current condition unavailable
Sunrise 7:24 a.m. · Sunset 6:07 p.m.
Moon: Waxing crescent · 16% lit
Observed 11:00 p.m.
Next 12 hours
Tonight
A few clouds. Increasing cloudiness after midnight except a few clouds above the valley cloud overnight. Fog patches developing after midnight. Wind south 20 km/h gusting to 40 becoming light this evening. Low zero.
Rain 0%Wind 20 km/hGusts 40 km/h
Thursday
Clearing except mainly sunny above the valley cloud in the morning. Fog patches dissipating in the morning. High 14. UV index 2 or low.
Rain 0%Wind 5 km/h
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud. High 14.
Rain 0%Wind 0 km/h
Cache Creek
Now
9.9°
Current condition unavailable
Sunrise 7:28 a.m. · Sunset 6:13 p.m.
Moon: Waxing crescent · 16% lit
Observed 11:00 p.m.
Next 12 hours
Tonight
Clear. Increasing cloudiness near midnight. Fog patches developing after midnight. Low 6.
Rain 0%Wind 10 km/h
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. Clearing in the afternoon. Fog patches dissipating in the morning. Wind becoming east 20 km/h in the morning. High 17. UV index 3 or moderate.
Rain 0%Wind 15 km/h
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud. Windy. High 17.
Rain 0%Wind 20 km/h
Salmon Arm
Now
5.3°
Current condition unavailable
Sunrise 7:20 a.m. · Sunset 6:05 p.m.
Moon: Waxing crescent · 16% lit
Observed 11:00 p.m.
Next 12 hours
Tonight
Clear. Increasing cloudiness late this evening except clear above the valley cloud overnight. Fog patches developing late this evening. Low plus 4.
Rain 0%Wind 10 km/h
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud except sunny above the valley cloud in the morning. Fog patches dissipating in the morning. High 16. UV index 3 or moderate.
Rain 0%Wind 5 km/h
Friday
A mix of sun and cloud. High 15.
Rain 0%Wind 0 km/h
Track the weather
Last checked 2026-10-15T06:15:14.000Z · Changed: Kamloops, Merritt, Clearwater, Cache Creek, Salmon Arm · hourly · Next check 2026-10-15T07:15:00.000Z
LOCAL
Your Current 3 Day Forecast — October 13, 2026
Your Current 3 Day Environment Canada forecast for Kamloops, Merritt, Clearwater, Cache Creek, Salmon Arm.
THE THOMPSON CURRENT · WEATHER
Your Current 3 Day Forecast
October 13, 2026
Across our communities
| Community | High / low | Rain | Wind | Alert |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamloops | 18° / 7° | 40% | E 20 km/h | None |
| Merritt | 17° / 5° | 40% | SW 20 km/h | None |
| Clearwater | 16° / 4° | 0% | S 20 km/h | None |
| Cache Creek | 18° / 7° | 40% | E 20 km/h | None |
| Salmon Arm | 16° / 5° | 0% | N 5 km/h | None |
Kamloops
Now
13°
Cloudy
Sunrise 7:22 a.m. · Sunset 6:11 p.m.
Moon: Waxing crescent · 9% lit
Observed 11:00 p.m.
Next 12 hours
Tonight
Cloudy. 40 percent chance of showers overnight. Wind east 20 km/h becoming light late this evening. Low 7.
Rain 40%Wind 20 km/h
Wednesday
Sunny. High 18. UV index 2 or low.
Rain 0%Wind 10 km/h
Thursday
Sunny. High 18.
Rain 0%Wind 0 km/h
Merritt
Now
13.1°
Current condition unavailable
Sunrise 7:23 a.m. · Sunset 6:14 p.m.
Moon: Waxing crescent · 9% lit
Observed 11:00 p.m.
Next 12 hours
Tonight
Mainly cloudy. 40 percent chance of showers overnight. Wind southwest 20 km/h gusting to 40 becoming light before morning. Low plus 5.
Rain 40%Wind 20 km/hGusts 40 km/h
Wednesday
Clearing in the morning. High 17. UV index 2 or low.
Rain 0%Wind 15 km/h
Thursday
Sunny. High 17.
Rain 0%Wind 0 km/h
Clearwater
Now
7.9°
Current condition unavailable
Sunrise 7:22 a.m. · Sunset 6:09 p.m.
Moon: Waxing crescent · 9% lit
Observed 11:00 p.m.
Next 12 hours
Tonight
Mainly cloudy. A few showers beginning after midnight. Wind south 20 km/h becoming light this evening. Low plus 4.
Rain 0%Wind 20 km/h
Wednesday
A few showers ending early in the morning then clearing. High 16. UV index 2 or low.
Rain 0%Wind 15 km/h
Thursday
Cloudy. High 12.
Rain 0%Wind 0 km/h
Cache Creek
Now
12.4°
Current condition unavailable
Sunrise 7:26 a.m. · Sunset 6:15 p.m.
Moon: Waxing crescent · 9% lit
Observed 11:00 p.m.
Next 12 hours
Tonight
Cloudy. 40 percent chance of showers overnight. Wind east 20 km/h becoming light late this evening. Low 7.
Rain 40%Wind 20 km/h
Wednesday
Sunny. High 18. UV index 2 or low.
Rain 0%Wind 10 km/h
Thursday
Sunny. High 18.
Rain 0%Wind 0 km/h
Salmon Arm
Now
9°
Current condition unavailable
Sunrise 7:18 a.m. · Sunset 6:07 p.m.
Moon: Waxing crescent · 9% lit
Observed 11:00 p.m.
Next 12 hours
Tonight
Mainly cloudy. A few showers beginning overnight. Low plus 5.
Rain 0%Wind 5 km/h
Wednesday
A few showers ending early in the morning then clearing. High 16. UV index 2 or low.
Rain 0%Wind 0 km/h
Thursday
A mix of sun and cloud. High 14.
Rain 0%Wind 0 km/h
Track the weather
Last checked 2026-10-14T06:15:14.000Z · Changed: Kamloops, Merritt, Clearwater, Cache Creek, Salmon Arm · hourly · Next check 2026-10-14T07:15:00.000Z
LOCAL
Family and Police Search for Missing Surrey Man Last Seen in Downtown Kamloops
Kamloops RCMP and a Lower Mainland family seek public assistance to locate 32-year-old Jadyn Adamson, missing since late September. Call police with info.
Search Underway for Missing Lower Mainland Resident
A family from the Lower Mainland has traveled to Kamloops in a deliberate effort to locate 32-year-old Jadyn Adamson, who has been missing for several weeks. RCMP officers were formally notified through a missing persons report filed on Saturday, Oct. 10, after family members had their last direct contact with him on Sept. 24.
Last Known Location and Frequency
Adamson is believed to have journeyed from his home town of Surrey to the Ashcroft and Kamloops areas roughly a month ago. Relatives previously spotted him near Riverside Park on Sept. 18. According to authorities, he often frequents areas near the TNRD Library situated at Fifth Avenue and Victoria Street, the London Drugs location on Lansdowne Street, Riverside Park, or local shelters. Police noted he could be traveling without personal belongings or a mobile phone.
Physical Description and Community Appeal
Described as a Caucasian male with green eyes and short brown hair, Adamson sometimes uses the name “Hiru.” Relatives expressed serious concern regarding his health and overall well-being, sharing that he has experienced notable weight loss and may be facing health challenges.
“We understand the concern and distress that families experience when a loved one goes missing,” stated Staff Sgt. Andy Lot. “We are asking residents, particularly those who frequent the downtown area, parks and local shelters, to keep an eye out for Jadyn. Our priority is to locate him and confirm his safety and well-being.”
Members of the public who have seen Jadyn “Hiru” Adamson or possess details regarding his whereabouts are urged to contact the Kamloops RCMP at (250) 828-3000.
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