February 29 - 2024

The Merritt U13 minor hockey team crowns their vic-

on home tournament. Page 19. Photo/Merritt Minor Hockey Association

From pit stop to travel destination

“We’re working really hard on rebranding Merritt as a really fun place to stay at,” Tourism Nicola Valley tourism advisor Greg Girard said.

Onceseen as merely a pit stop for travellers, Merritt is undergoing a transformation to become a tourism hub.

Greg Girard, tourism advisor at Tourism Nicola Valley, said that it was about time to change Merritt’s branding as a “passing through” type of town to a travel destination.

“I think our biggest thing is that our branding in the past hasn’t been good,” he said. “We’re working really hard on rebranding Merritt as a really fun place to stay at. There’s a lot of things to do in all four seasons.”

For Girard and the tourism group, the idea is that they could be a self-fulfilling entity that could generate their own revenues for their own projects.

There are a few projects that Tourism Nicola Valley is prioritizing at the moment, such as the new tour bus, which will allow visitors to go sightseeing important locations and activities – such as mountain biking, snowmobiling and others – within Merritt and the Nicola

Valley.

Girard says they are super excited about the bus, and describes it as “a red light going down the street” that you can’t miss.

“Now we get to start combining things to build assets. We’ve got cidery, honey, we got produce, we got art, all of these things, but they are spread out throughout Lower Nicola and Merritt, and now we get to bring it all to one,” he added. “Instead of them coming to us and setting up a farmers market, we’re going to bring the bus to them.”

Aside from the tour bus, Tourism Nicola Valley is also a new ‘Adventure Centre’, which aims to be a hub for travellers to book their activities, tours and guides, as well as a new digital sign that will be installed at the top of the hill.

“We want to turn that into an opportunity for all the travellers that are coming here, to educate them, to tell them that we have these four seasons, that we have wonderful things 100 kilometres around our community,” Girard said. “There’s a ton of good stuff, you just got to learn about it.”

The new adventure hub is set to be

located downtown, right next to Spirit Square with the idea to bring more people and new money to the area.

“Right now we’re recycling our money through locals, that’s how we’re sort of keeping everyone alive,” Girard said. “We’re not here to take money away from anyone, all we’re here to do is we’re going to build a traveller economy, that’s bringing in new money into the town, money we’ve never had before.”

According to Girard, the group is also planning to launch a new community sightseeing app, which will allow community members and visitors to see what the group is working on.

“Once we have those all done up, then we’re pretty excited about our other plans that we have coming down, which are gonna complement what we’re initially putting in place,” he added.

As Tourism Nicola Valley continues to shape Merritt’s tourism for the best it can be, Girard sees a bright future for the area.

“We’re pretty excited about the future of Merritt and the adventure tourism market that we’re developing.”

Greg Girard, Melvina White and Tourism Nicola Valley directors and members pose in front of the new tour bus. Photo/Laísa Condé

Nicola Mining to survey on copper project

Kenneth Wong REPORTER@MERRITTHERALD.COM

In search of new copper deposits, Nicola Mining Inc. has contracted Saskatoon-based firm Dias Geophysical to conduct a 3-D induced polarisation survey.

Dias Geophysical was founded in 2014 and specialises in airborne and ground geophysical surveys. A 3-D induced polarisation survey (IP survey) sends electric currents into the ground, geophysicists are then able to figure out what resources are underground and their quantity.

“What we’re looking for is, besides expanding what’s already here, is if we can find a whole new porphyry or a whole new deposit, and that’s what we’re looking for,” said William Whitty, vice-president of exploration for Nicola Mining Inc.

“If this went into production, you’d have hundreds of jobs, easily,” said Whitty. “And that’s just the direct employment by the mine, then you’ve got all the contractors and all the sup -

port to make that thousands.”

Nicola Mining Inc. has spent several years conducting various different surveys to find copper.

A 2023 drilling survey revealed extensive potassic and propylitic alterations which are indicators of copper deposits.

“Remember that copper conducts, so you can see the conductivity of the ground based on the copper percentage,” said Peter Espig, the chief executive officer and director of Nicola Mining. “And so that’s really what the IP survey does, it allows you to see the efficiency of the currents flowing in the ground.”

“It’s a decade of work that has gotten to the point that we’re going to be doing the IP, which is going to be followed up by drilling based on the IP,” said Espig.

The IP survey is scheduled to take place late April to early May, covering 4.5 square kilometres at the Craigmont Mine, separated into two zones: the MARB-CAS Zone just west of the embayment zone and the West Craigmont Zone.

Photo/Merritt RCMP

Kenneth Wong

Merritt RCMP is seeking public assistance in locating Merritt woman Tara Moran last seen in Merritt on Jan. 31 this year.

Moran is described as 27 years olds, standing at 5’11”, approximately 141

pounds with black hair and hazel eyes. Despite last being seen on Jan. 31, Moran was reported missing Feb. 21. Authorities are concerned for Moran’s health and well-being and are requesting anyone with information on her whereabouts to contact their local police or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-2228477 (TIPS).

As a dedicated Merrit t- based realtor, my deep local roots of fer a unique perspective on the real estate market Being born and raised here, I possess an intimate knowledge of neighborhoods, histor y, and the vibrant communit y

My passion for real estate is fueled by a genuine love for Merrit t With firsthand experience of the town’s grow th, I can guide you seamlessly through buying or selling I pride myself on personalized and at tentive ser vice, commit ted to making your real estate journey in Merrit t smooth and stress-free

Merrit t is not just a market to me; it ’s home W hether you’re a firsttime buyer, a growing family, or downsizing, let me be your guide in navigating the Merrit t real estate market Together, we can turn your real estate dreams into a realit y in the town I proudly call home

Thanumi Thasanga Jayasinghe

3 years & 9 months old

ALBAS: Escalator tax hurts farmers

My office, which serves the large Central OkanaganSimilkameen-Nicola riding, maintains a 24/7, 365-day-ayear telephone answering service to ensure accessibility.

This is driven by my belief that all citizens should be heard, including those unable to

municate during standard work hours due to work or caretaking commitments.

One such group of individu-

als who have been voicing their concerns to me while working around the clock are farmers. Many have shared with me that they anticipate a devastating 80 to 100 per cent expected loss of their crops due to this year’s cold snap. While the total damage is still unknown, preliminary reports are alarming.

The provincial government runs a crop loss program, significantly underwritten by the fed-

eral government. However, the process from initial assessments to receiving the cheques can take considerable time, as the wheels of government move slowly. This poses challenges for small and medium-sized farm operations, potentially causing major shortterm cash flow issues.

Farmers, already dealing with crop damages, are bracing for another challenge.

On April 1, the federal

carbon tax and B.C.’s provincial carbon tax will rise from $65 to $80 per tonne, as mandated by the Trudeau Government. This represents an increase of over 20 per cent in the carbon tax, surpassing the current inflation rate.

While certain farm fuels are exempt from this tax, other inputs like fertilizers, natural gas for heating barns, and diesel for transport, are all subject to the carbon tax. These additional costs contribute to higher prices for Canadian produce, causing inflation at your local grocery store and makes Canadian

agriculture exports less competitive against countries without a carbon tax.

Our Conservative official opposition caucus will continue to oppose carbon taxation. My focus this week, however, is on the annual excise escalator tax established by Trudeau in 2017.

Those involved in value-added agricultural businesses like wineries are particularly affected.

Products produced after April 1 will be subject to a 4.3 per cent increase due to Trudeau Government’s automatic “excise

escalator tax” on beer, wine, and spirits. This tax, which increases annually and is pegged to inflation, does not require a parliamentary vote, essentially bypassing Parliament.

I have strongly opposed this form of taxation without representation and at the time put forward a motion to block its adoption.

Unfortunately, the Trudeau Government used its majority to legislate this excise escalator tax.

Given the current crisis in our local agricultural sector and ongoing negative impacts of carbon tax

increases on farmers, now is not the time to further increase excise taxes.

If the escalator tax increase were debated in the House, a vote could be held, allowing constituents to hold their Members of Parliament accountable for their vote.

My question to you this week is: Do you support this automatic escalator tax? Why or why not?

Dan Albas represents the electoral district of Central Okanagan–Similkameen–Nicola in the House of Commons of Canada. You can reach him at Dan. Albas@parl.gc.ca or toll-free at 1-800665-8711.

Retraction Notice: correction of previous article

In our Feb. 22 edition, The Merritt Herald published an article titled “Council weighs tax hike or reserve use amid crisis”. We regret to inform our readers that errors were made in the reporting of this article, and we apologize for any confusion or misunderstanding that may have resulted.

Upon further review, it has become clear that certain facts presented in the article were inaccurate. We wish to set the record straight and provide the correct information to our readers.

The following corrections have been made:

- “City of Merritt faced with dilemma of raising taxes on residents or drawing from federal and provincial reserves.”

The reserves mentioned by the City of Merritt during council are money saved by the City, not from federal and provincial fundings or reserves.

- “In the more recent meeting, councillors discussed how this tax increase would be executed.”

- “The follow-up to a similar discussion from a meeting on Jan. 23 earlier this year, council members voted 4-2 in favour of raising taxes to offset operat-

ing costs.

- “Councillors decided it would be better for the town to gradually increase tax by eight per cent annually over a three-year period rather than immediately raising taxes by 25 per cent.”

In an interview with the Herald, City of Merritt Director of Finance Kevin Natkinniemi said that up until today, council hasn’t finalized their decision on taxes. He added that there will be a financial planning bylaw, which covers five years and will likely be presented to council in March.

“There’s two bylaws related to taxation that have not been presented to council yet. These are fees and charges for services that the city provides. So that’s where a schedule has been laid out for several years, to provide a forward looking view to residents as to what the costs will be for them for the service that’s provided.”

Not all things were raised by the 25 per cent. Some of the fees and charges are going up 25 per cent for water and sewer utilities, therefore those aren’t taxes, but utility bills.

Natkinniemi also said there will be some

proration of old rates and new rates.

“Twenty five per cent was for the first year of that schedule, and I believe it was five per cent for the other two years for water and sewer. For something like garbage, it was 10 per cent, right? So not everything was done at 25 per cent. Each fee was looked at individually to look at, you know, what’s the cost of that service, what’s the correct level of subsidization.”

We recognize the importance of accuracy and transparency in our reporting, and we are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.

The Herald recognizes an ethical responsibility to promptly correct all factual errors, large or small. We encourage you to contact us if you think you see a mistake. Messages about news coverage, comments about the opinion section can be sent to newsroom@ merrittherald.com and publisher@merrittherald.com

Sincerely,

Merritt Herald

Students donate to Food Bank

On Feb. 16, Collettville Elementary students gave a cheque to Nicola Valley Food Bank following the Gift Giving

Extravaganza.

Every December, Collettville Elementary School participates in a “Gifting Giving Extravaganza” for families to donate gently used items for students to bring home as gifts during the holiday season.

The event was once known as “Harambee,” a Kenyan tradition of community fundraising. The Swahili word means “all put together” and is also the official motto of Kenya, appearing on its coat of arms.

Last December’s extravaganza had Collettville Elementary School raise $946.85 to support the local food bank.

The extravaganza also gives students the opportunity to think beyond themselves and put thinking into action for the people in the community.

“The kids definitely look forward to this annual event and the funds raised previously went toward the sponsorship of a student overseas to attend school,” Ange Russell said. “I think this has really helped the kids realize that actions both big and small can make a big impact on those around you.”

KINDERGARTEN 2024 STUDENT REGISTRATION

Nicola-Similkameen School District

Kindergar ten establishes a strong foundation for lifelong learning , as teachers provide dynamic, play-based oppor tunities to help each child grow and learn. Our child-centered programs de velop a sense of well-being and belonging and offer oppor tunities for exploring , creative play, de veloping language and literacy while focusing on social responsibility and cultural diversity.

Kindergar ten provides our young learners with an enriched learning experience at their own unique de velopmental le vel. We look forward to working with each Kindergar ten child’s family as we welcome you to your child’s ne w school community.

Please visit our website www.sd58.bc.ca for a complete overvie w of our online registration process.

REGISTRATION SCHEDULE

March 1 to 15, 2024

For September, 2024:

To register, a child must be 5 years of age on, or before, December 31, 2024

Parents should register their child at the neighbourhood school

Please visit our website www sd58 bc.ca for a complete overview of our online registration process.

If you are unable to register online, please contact your neighbourhood school

When registering online you will need your child’s Birth Certificate, immunization record, Care Card and proof of ad-dress when registering.

Parents interested in a Kindergarten distance education program for their child, can contact the South Central Interior Distance Education School at 250-378-4245

Parents wishing to enrol their child in the French Immersion Program are required to register at Collettville Elementary.

If you have any questions, please contact your neighbourhood school:

DIAMOND VALE ELEMENTARY • 250 - 378 - 2514

MERRITT BENCH ELEMENTARY • 250 - 378 - 2528

MERRITT CENTRAL ELEMENTARY • 250 - 378 - 9931

NICOLA-CANFORD ELEMENTARY • 250 - 378 - 2172 COLLETTVILLE

• 250 - 378 - 2230

Kenneth Wong REPORTER@MERRITTHERALD.COM

Photo/Ange Russell

•

•

Services Provided to most areas of Merritt

•

must be 4 yrs old by Dec. 31, 2024)

• Home Visiting Program

• Transportation provided for all Head Start programs

•

Services 0 to 6 years old

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Bass Coast announces ‘first wave’ of 2024 lineup

Laísa Condé

NEWSROOM@MERRITTHERALD.COM

Music festival aficionados, the first wave of the 2024 Bass Coast lineup is finally here.

Attendees at the 2024 Bass Coast festival can expect an “extraordinary double headliner” with Brooklyn-based rapper Leikeli47 and Maine bass music producer Of the Trees.

Joining them, artists debuting at Bass Coast this year include ‘Queen of Berlin groovy house’ Cinthie, UK garage brothers Bakey and Breaka, as well as Conducta.

Artists like Danny Daze, Ash Lauryn, JPS, K+Lab, techno production duo Kassian, Magugu, Pluralist, Prosumer, among others, are also set to debut at this year’s festival.

Many beloved Bass Coast alumni are also set to return to the festival this year, such as renowned party starter Bianca Oblivion, Juno-nominated house duo

Smalltown DJs, as well as Vancouverbased multi-instrumentalists Lazy Syrup Orchestra.

Ivy Lab, Mikey Lion, The Funk Hunters, Machinedrum, Mat the Alien, as well as Bass Coast co-founder and musical director The Librarian are also all set to return to the festival.

“Spanning genres, continents and eras, this electrifying roster of artists represents a bold leap into the future,” Bass Coast Co-Founder Andrea Graham said. “This lineup showcases artists who are spearheading innovation and are masters of their craft.”

Future announcements are expected soon and will include information on interactive art installations, performance artists, mural artists, workshops, musical artists, and more.

The Bass Coast Festival will run from July 12 to 15 in Merritt. You can find the full list of artists performing at the festival and tickets on sale at www.basscoast.ca

Bass Coast will take place in Merritt from July 12 to 15. Photo/Herald file.

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Edison Motors, MSS collab for electric go-kart

Kenneth Wong REPORTER@MERRITTHERALD.COM

Edison Motors collaborates with Merritt Secondary School in building electric go-karts.

Edison Motors is a Merritt based company that converts old semi trucks into electric trucks. Edison also manufactures their own electric hauling trucks: the L500 and L750.

MSS students will design and engineer go-karts in a series of three challenges. A race for the fastest lap time, a tractor pull to see which vehicle can haul the most weight, and an off-road obstacle course to test if carts can handle all terrains. Students will also get bonus points for the coolest looking kart.

Students will be provided key components such as electric motors, batteries and controllers.

“We’ve got a pretty cool design, we’re gonna be building a sliding system for the seat and the battery for weight distribution, and we’ve got some

cool suspension designs from dirt bikes and snowmobiles,” said Mack Klassen, one of the students working on the gocarts.

Auto shop teacher Ryan Smith hopes that through this challenge, students will gain team building knowledge and practical skills. “As far as the learning goes, everything from design layout, AutoCAD, electrical connections, fabri-

cating, the mechanical workings, theory, breaking.”

The winning team of each challenge will receive a $500 scholarship. Overall winning team will receive a $1,500 scholarship as well as an offer for a paid summer position at Edison Motors to improve their electric vehicle fabrication skills.

All team members must be MSS students or faculty, team’s vehicles should also all meet safety standards meaning the kart should have seat belts, helmets, working brakes, no dangerous metal protrusions and operate under 78 volts.

In the last week of May, schools from across Canada and one school in Houston, Texas, will come to Merritt to compete in the three challenges.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Find out who the Chamber is, our accomplishments and our goals for the future by attending our AGM.

Thursday March 21 from 6:00-8:00 PM.

At the Country Music Hall of Honor, 2025 Quilchena Ave.

Refreshments provided Please RSVP at info@merrittchamber com

Everyone welcome

invites you to our ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

March 28, 2024 at 6:30 pm at the Civic Centre, room 4 NVFB Society members, and people interested in becoming members, are urged to attend The more members we have signed up – the better our qualifications for grants to help us build our new facility! Membership is not onerous – the fee is just $5 00 and there is just the one meeting a year However, for those who wish to be more involved, we do have openings on our Board of Directors that need to be filled

Refreshments will be served Our Annual Per for mance Review will be available Lear n about our proposed plans/dreams/wishes for our new facility that we will be building y-acquired property!

Tennis club seeks City aid for deteriorating courts

Laísa Condé

NEWSROOM@MERRITTHERALD.COM

Merritt tennis enthusiasts are facing a crisis as local courts deteriorate.

The current facilities, located by the Golf Clubhouse constructed back in the 1980s, have deteriorated due to land movement and lack of drainage, which has caused serious cracks to the courts’ surface See POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS Page 15

Ben van der Gracht

250-374-3344 ext 244 bvandergracht@morellichertkow.com

Jacob M Brown

250-374-3344 ext 264 jbrown@morellichertkow com

Photo/Tennis Tourist

New bridge construction begins in Rocky Pines

Kenneth Wong REPORTER@ MERRITTHERALD.COM

A groundbreaking ceremony held on Feb. 26 marks the beginning of the construction for replacement bridge in Rocky Pines.

The previous bridge was destroyed by flooding in 2017. After years of lobbying with the federal and provincial governments, the Lower Nicola Indian Band has contracted Ruskin Construction to build the bridge.

Once built, the bridge will provide the community a much needed escape route for residents in the area.

“This one was huge because this is our major community. People think you drive through Shulus, the band office, the fire hall, the arena, it’s a small little village compared to here. We have a lot of people that live up here and we have a lot of people that don’t have transportation,”

LNIB Chief Stuart Jackson said. “We attended an emer-

gency management meeting for the Province in Osoyoos last November and that’s where we had an opportunity to speak to the Province, but also speak to the federal government to explain to them the concerns that we have, because of the lack of access for our community.”

Other members will also benefit from the easier access to go hunting and gathering sage and other items for spiritual purposes.

“It’s just another route for them that’s more convenient and I think in some ways, even probably more safe because you’re not having to battle Aberdeen Road and Highway 8 to get to something that’s just across the way.”

The bridge will run from Hummingbird Road and Yap Skim Drive across the creek.

“We put the shovel in the ground today, construction starts next week, and they’re hoping that the project will be coming to fruition at the end of August of this summer, 2024,” said Chief Jackson.

Construction begins to replace bridge that was destroyed in the 2017 flooding in Rocky Pines. Photo/Kenneth Wong

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Possible solutions include rehab existing tennis courts in town

From Page 13

and retaining wall.

As of now, two out of the four tennis courts up at the Golf Clubhouse are still safe to be used by the tennis club, while the other two are out of service due to safety risks and bad surface.

Diane Quinn, secretary at the Merritt Tennis Club, said that the club needs support from the city in getting a new site for the courts.

“We had that (courts) under lease with the idea that we would maintain that, which we have done for over 30 years,” she said. “So all of a sudden this is devastating, you know, first the bank and then the land movement, these deep cracks.”

‘‘

According to Green, the “cracks in the surface are getting to a point where the repair contractors don’t want the work anymore.”

Green added he was concerned that the retaining wall could potentially rotate and or come down, which made him initiate a geotechnical investigation to understand the level of risk in the area.

After the investigation, it was recommended that part of the area was closed, especially close to the retaining wall, due to the risk of it coming down.

‘We just don’t need it for 25 or 30 people,’

Bal Bains, VicePresident of the Merritt tennis cluB

Bal Bains, vice-president of the Merritt Tennis Club, added that the courts are needed for the community of Merritt as a whole.

“We just don’t need it for 25 or 30 people,” he said. “People coming from other cities thinking about ‘hey, we might move to Merritt’, but then if there’s a tennis fan they might think ‘they don’t even have a court’.”

Rick Green, director of public works and engineering services at City of Merritt, said the tennis courts – including the retaining wall – were built by volunteer community labour at the time, around 30 years ago.

“It’s served well for a lot of years and it’s getting to that, you know, rehab point of frost action, you know, the movement of the river, a little bit of flooding probably contributed a little bit as well to the dynamics underneath the courts themselves,” he added. “So the courts themselves have been experiencing a fair bit of cracking over the last handful of years that have been being patched.”

“So that essentially has put us in a position where we’ve had to constrain certain areas of the court, which is two of the four tennis courts that are not playable right now due to proximity to this wall.”

According to Green, there has been talks between the City and the Merritt Tennis Club about a possible new location for new courts.

“There’s an old tennis court at Voght Park that could possibly be rehabbed and reinstituted, but it would involve, obviously, some surface work, fencing again and things like that to get it up to usable condition,” he added. “There have been conversations about using the courts up on the Bench a little bit more and then obviously looking at other locations around town where new courts can be built in that aren’t so susceptible to geotechnical movement near the river.”

The Merritt Tennis Club will be giving a presentation to city council on March 12, and prior to that meeting, they will be hosting their annual general meeting on March 3 to discuss ideas on possible solutions for the matter.

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK S - 7X sizes in stock

KAMLOOPS: 743 VICTORIA ST • 250-377-8808

CHILLIWACK: 44310 YALE RD • 604-392-9969

NOTICE OF INTENT TO TREAT: PEST MANAGEMENT PL AN #2022-2027 AND CONFIRMATION #402-0685-22-27

The M inistr y of Forests, Thompson Ok anagan Region, is planning to aerially treat up to 25,000 hec tares of Douglas-fir forest to reduce damage caused by the western spruce budworm (Choristoneura freemani)

The biological insec ticide Foray 48B (Bacillus thuringiensis var kurstak i) will be applied by rotar y-wing aircraft (315B Lama and Hiller UH12E T helicopters) once on each site at 2 4 litres/ha from approximately June 5 to July 5, 2024, depending on weather conditions

The proposed treatment sites are located within the K amloops and Merritt Timber Supply Areas ( TSA)

Kamloops TSA proposed treatment sites:

• Cultus-Stink ing Lake

• McLean Lake

• Hat Creek

• Anderson Creek

Merritt TSA proposed treatment sites:

• Swakum Mountain

• Kentuck y-Bluey Lakes area

• Loon Lake

• Mamit Lake

All sites proposed for treatment are covered by the Southern Interior Area Forest Health Program Pest Management Plan #2022-2027 confirmation #402-0685-22-27.

The Pest Management Plan and maps of proposed treatment areas may be viewed at: Ministr y of Forests, Thompson Okanagan Region, Forest Health, 441 Columbia Street, Kamloops, B.C., V2C 2T3

Anyone wishing to contribute information about the proposed treatment sites may send comments by mail to the address above or by email to Lorraine Maclauchlan at Lorraine.Maclauchlan@gov.bc.ca until Thursday, April 25, 2024.

Understanding Trauma

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) defines trauma as a result of an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that an individual experiences as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening. These experiences can have lasting adverse effects on a person’s mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual wellbeing. Childhood traumatic stress occurs when traumatic events overwhelm a child’s or teenager’s ability to cope, such as:

• Neglect and psychological, physical, or sexual abuse

• Domestic violence or intimate partner violence

• Community and school violence (including bullying)

• Natural disasters

• Terrorism, war, and refugee experiences

• Serious accidents, life-threatening illness, or sudden or violent loss of a loved one

Traumatic Stress

Every individual is different and incidents that traumatize one person may not affect another. As stated by the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN), children or teens who have been exposed to trauma and violence may be more likely to bully others and be bullied.

Some children who experience trauma and bullying may have strong feelings of distress, while other children may appear desensitized. As an example, a study on bullying and posttraumatic stress found that some children may repress their thoughts or feelings about what took place. This can lead to numbness or loss of interest in activities. This study also found that children may experience intrusive thoughts, such as sudden flashbacks of their bullying experience. It is important that caregivers understand how to respond to bullying and are sensitive to possible traumatic stress.

What Helps After Trauma from Bullying

While each child may react differently to trauma, parents, caretakers, and teachers may be able to recognize some signs of traumatic stress. For example, preschool children may have nightmares or fear of separation. Elementary school children may feel shame or anxiety, or have trouble concentrating. Kids in middle and high school may show signs of depression or engage in selfharm behaviors. Child trauma survivors are more likely to have academic problems and increased involvement with the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

Parents, teachers, and other trusted adults can help children or teens who experience traumatic stress from bullying. According to NCTSN’s Effective Treatments for Youth Trauma, some approaches that help children and teenagers who have experienced trauma, including bullying, are:

• Ensuring the child or teen is safe and seek ways to prevent future bullying experiences

• Talking through what happened and why, to help clear up misconceptions about their role in the traumatic event

The Connection between Bullying and

• Teaching stress management and relaxation techniques, to help them cope

Lower

How Schools and Teachers Can Help Schools can adopt a trauma-informed approach, by training teachers and staff skills to handle and recognize traumatic stress or other signs of trauma. These skills allow teachers to help or find other supports and services for students in need. Resources like the Trauma-Sensitive Schools Training Package from The National Center on Safe Supportive Learning Environments (NCSSLE) may help schools adopt traumainformed approaches to create safe and supportive learning environments. These include:

• Educating school staff about trauma and its

Reducing trauma-related triggers in the school

• Considering trauma in all assessment and protocol behavior plans

• Ensuring students and families have voice, choice, and empowerment

• By adopting trauma-informed approaches, schools can help prevent bullying and trauma at school, and provide a positive school culture for both students and staff. Parents, caregivers, teachers, and schools all play an important role in preventing and addressing bullying and its harmful effects.

Cents win streak now at four games

Roger White MERRITTHERALD.COM

For the first time since the 2018-2019 BCHL hockey season, the Merritt Centennials are riding a four-game winning streak which has catapulted the franchise into sixth place in the league’s Interior Division standings.

The Centennials look to ride the momentum into March after an impressive February which saw the club win five of the eight games played including back-toback wins over the Salmon Arm Silverbacks last weekend during a home and home series. The Silverbacks make a return visit to the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena (NVMA) on Friday night looking to avenge last week’s losses.

On Friday night, goaltender Andrew Ballantyne was solid between the pipes stopping 49 of 51 shots he faced in regulation and overtime as well as putting on a clinic during the shootout stopping all eleven shooters he faced in the Cents 3-2 victory. Luke Pfoh had a goal (9) and

an assist for the Centennials while Jaxon Murray sniped his 17th of the season during regulation. Jack Ziliotto was the shootout hero notching the only goal both teams would score despite both sending eleven skaters to the dot hopeful to win the game.

On Saturday night, Ballantyne recorded his first BCHL shutout as the Centennials blanked the Silverbacks 4-0 at the NVMA. The Whitby, Ontario native turned aside all 28 shots he faced for his fourth consecutive win and helped earn him the BCHL’s Third Star of the week after posting a dazzling .975 SV%.

The Cents opened the scoring in the first period with Matt Gillard (1) and Jack Ziliotto finding the back of the net to open a 2-0 lead and give Ballantyne all the support he would need for his eleventh win of the season. Zachary Losier (14) and Kieran Poulin (5) rounded out the scoring for the Cents who outshot the Backs 33-28.

Following this Friday night’s tilt with Salmon Arm (44-26-15-0-3) at the NVMA, the Cents (44-18-223-1) square off with the Prince George Spruce Kings

(44-14-27-3) who sit last in the Interior Division. The Centennials and Cranbrook Bucks are tied for sixth spot in the division however the Cents have the advantage based on the season series with the Bucks’. Both games this weekend at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena begin at 7 p.m.

New curling team triumphs with 8-ender

Kenneth Wong REPORTER@MERRITTHERALD.COM

Latest addition to the Merritt Curling Club, the Sutton Team won 12-6 against Montgomery rink during the season’s playoffs.

Consisting of Paul Sutton, Emery Grismer, Jim Johnson, and Josh Roda, the team came together after a couple of camping trips and conversations about joining the curling club.

Despite starting as strangers, the camaraderie and support from club members made their transition seamless.

In their Feb. 22 game, the team led by Roda as their skip, strategized to keep stones in play to put pressure on the opposing team as they were down by one going into the fourth end.

The front end, Grismer and Johnson, got into third stones from Sutton who managed to get two more stones into the house.

Roda, knocked two stones out of the house, a crucial shot in that game with the final score being 12-6 against the Montgomery rink, who were the number one seed in the playoffs.

The Merritt Curling Club will have their men’s championship tournament on Friday, March 15.

Paul Sutton, Emery Grismer, Jim Johnson and Josh Roda won 12-6 against the Montgomery rink on Feb. 22. Photo/Merritt Curling Club

Photo/Christina Gillett

U13 Merritt team clinches victory in home tournament

organized,” Denton said.

According to Denton, the kids were super happy with their achievement.

year, and came close, but lost in semi finals and I think we finished third once. So it was nice to be able to do that (win a tournament) at home and it didn’t come easy,” he added.

“So when the boys won, it was kind of like kind of something they hadn’t seen this year yet as far as tournaments go, right but they were challenged and they met the challenge, so we’re happy.”

Denton added that the tournament came at a perfect time, as the team prepares for the upcoming playoffs.

“I think we’ve been moving on an upward trajectory. The whole season and the playoffs are gonna be tough, we’re gonna see some teams we haven’t seen since the beginning of the season that were put in a different division,” he said. “And I think we can I think we can do it, I’m sure we can do it. But we’re going to be in tough, it’s going to be some tough competition.”

For Denton, this achievement couldn’t have been possible without the help of some key factors.

The Merritt U13 minor hockey team became hometown heroes as they skated to victory in their home tournament on Feb. 18.

The tournament, which took place at Nicola Valley Memorial Arena, saw teams from neighbouring towns and cities competing for the coveted title.

However, it was the host team that emerged victorius, much to the delight of hockey fans in Merritt.

“They’ve come a long way this year,” Coach Brad Denton said. “This tournament brought some really good competition to our boys and they rose to the occasion, right?”

Denton recalls the journey throughout the tournament.

“We did have a loss during the round-robin, which we haven’t lost the game in a long time, so that was kind of like a wake up call that when we get into playoffs, which are next weekend, they’re going to see some good competition,” he added.

Denton, who has worked as an assistant coach for a while, took the role of coach for the youth 13 division where he coaches his son.

He described the team as “a really nice group of kids” who are very coachable.

“If I can teach them things and plan my practices, so that there’s a lot of learning and fun going on, then that’s what I tried to do. I try to be super

“We’ve been in two other tournaments this

“(I’d like to give) a shoutout to all the organizers and parent helpers, it’s a ton of work and usually the coach gets to focus on the coaching part,” he added. “All this stuff that goes on behind the scenes for a tournament like that is a huge undertaking. We haven’t had a youth 13 rep hockey tournament since pre-COVID-19. It was just awesome that we were able to mait happen then have success.”

Merritt U13 minor hockey team won their home tournament on Feb.

Flash fiction contest crowns creative champions

Kenneth Wong REPORTER@MERRITTHERALD.COM

Merritt Secondary School Flash Fiction Writing Challenge announced its winners on Feb. 21.

Funded by the Merritt Secondary School parent advisory council and organized by Jennifer Denton and Lia Larson, the challenge gave students six days, between Feb. 2 to 7, to write 500 word stories.

Students were provided with three prompts their stories had to include: object, location, and genre.

“It’s more about just being able to

have a venue to showcase their talents, it involves creativity and an element of bravery to put yourself out there and try something new. Especially since they’re given some prompts that they have to include so not everything is their choice, they have to be creative and, and integrate the prompts in the best way that they can,” said Denton.

The challenge was separated into a Grade 8 and 9 division and a Grade 10, 11 and 12 division.

The Grade 8 and 9 division saw Anna Easterbrook in first place, Sophia Amiscosa in second place, and Paval Dhesa in third place.

The Grade 10, 11 and 12 saw Emily Vanroosbroeck in first place, Maggie Morris in second place, and Kelsey Cleavely in third place.

“I just want to say how incredibly proud I am of the students,” said Denton. “I look forward to doing this again next year for people, for the kids.”

Those who wish to read the winning stories are asked to check out the MSS website, as they will be published soon.

Crossroads Community Church

2990 Voght St. • 250-378-2911

Service Time: Sundays 10:00 a.m.

Merritt Baptist Church

2499 Coutlee Avenue (at Omre)

Sunday service 10 am, Phone (250)378-2464

Merritt Lutheran Fellowship

in St. Michael's Anglican Hall • 250-378-9899

Service Time: 3rd Sunday each month 1:00 p.m.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Corner of Jackson & Blair • 250-378-2919

Mass Time: Sundays 9:00 a.m.

St. Michael’s Anglican Church

1990 Chapman St. • 250-378-3772

Service Times: 2nd and 4th Sundays only - 10:00 a.m.

Trinity United Church

Corner of Quilchena & Chapman • 250-378-5735

Service Time every Sunday - 10 am

Somang Mission Community Church (SMC)

1755 Coldwater Ave. (The Cadet Hall)

Sunday Service Time: 4:00 pm • 250-280-1268

Nicola Valley Evangelical Free Church

1950 Maxwell St. • 250-378-9502

Service Times: Sunday 10 am

LEFT: Jenn Denton, Emily Vanroosbroeck, Sophia Amiscosa, Anna Easterbrook, Maggie Morris, Kelsey Cleaveley.

RIGHT: Paval Dhesa. / Photos by Jenn Denton/Merritt Secondary School

Grant (Red) Heisler

July 16, 1940 - Feb 22, 2024

With broken hearts we announce the passing of Amber and Gordon Bjorkman on December 2, 2023. They are lovingly remembered and greatly missed by their son Dave Bjorkman (Keli) and daughter Carole Mahood (Pat), grandchildren Christina Bjorkman, Chris Smith (Kim), Shureen Smith, Jennifer Wallington (Dave), and Robert Wallington, great-grandchildren Ruby, Mason, and Autumn, and many nephews, nieces, and extended family Amber and Gordon are predeceased by Amber’s parents Leonard and Dorothy Bishop and sisters Leona and Joan, by Gordon’s parents Leonard and Mavis Bjorkman and sister Lorna, and by grandson Brandon Padalec.

Amber and Gordon’s story together started early - they were born in the same hospital room at Mt. Sheer, BC, Gordon on December 22, 1941 and Amber on June 1, 1946. Amber grew up as fast friends with Gordon’s sister Lorna, and worked at the restaurant his parents ran in Britannia Beach, BC in her teens.

It is with immense sadness to announce the passing of Grant (Red) Heisler on Feb 22, 2024, at the age of 83. He will be fondly remembered by his loving family and friends. He was an amazing father to two daughters and a great friend to many. He lived life to the fullest while making sure to stop and smell the roses along the way. Grant would give someone the shirt off his back if they needed it. He was a very generous and selfless man with a big heart. He always had a positive outlook on life, even in his last days.

Red’s story: It was spring in the Nicola Valley and the year was 1964. A tall red haired man came to the valley from Saskatchewan at the age of 23. His name was Grant Heisler and he was determined to be a cowboy at one of the “big outfits in BC”. After being employed at Douglas Lake Cattle company, he was respectfully given the nickname “Red”. Over the years he became a well known cowboy in the valley and there are many stories about his cowboy career that make him somewhat of a legend. Later Red became a family man and took a job in Merritt as a janitor at the Bench Elementary school, where he became a legend there as well. After retiring he went back to doing what he loved and bought a horse. He continued to ride and help out wherever he could. In his late 70s he finally hung up the reins for good. Red would still visit his horse as much as he could, but Alzheimers desease eventually took over him. Please remember Red as the vibrant person he was, beloved by people and slightly more by every horse he met.

There will be a small gathering of family and friends to celebrate Grant’s life. If you are interested in attending, please contact pattyh3.82@gmail.com for further details.

When Amber was 18 they eloped, and would have celebrated their 59th wedding anniversary on December 12, 2023. Their life together took them all across BC, from Mt. Sheer and Britannia Beach to Squamish, Port Coquitlam, Fraser Lake, Fort Nelson, Shalath, Quadra Island, Campbell River, and Merritt, as well as wintering in Arizona and California in their retirement. In every place they lived they collected an amazing number of lifelong friends.

When they decided to retire, they also did it together and retired on the same day in 2004 from ICBC (Amber) and BC Hydro (Gordon), moving to Merritt a few short weeks later Merritt quickly became home as they settled into the community, and within weeks they were telling tales of all the new friends they had made.

Gordon never quite got the hang of retirement, returning to work on and off on special projects for BC Hydro for a few years, and spent the last several years working part-time as an electrical safety instructor at BC Hydro construction sites around the province. He was also an avid pilot, and spent many pre-retirement years building his Christavia 2-seater plane in the basement and garage. When he finally got it flying his free time was spent tinkering with the plane, flying the plane, and planning his next flying adventure. In retirement he was an active member of the Masons and Shriners, and most recently a board member with the Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club

On the other hand, Amber settled into retirement very well. She became active in the Eastern Star, joined several women’s social groups, volunteered at community events, and eventually joined the Merritt Golf & Country Club board of directors. Amber also supported Gordon’s drive to keep working by holding down the fort at home while he traveled the province for work (though she stopped ironing him a fresh shirt every day after he retired the first time) She loved golfing, and she and Gordon spent many days at the Merritt course and trying new courses in their travels down south and around BC

Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a Sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes.

Above all, Gordon and Amber will be missed by the many people whose lives they touched. Please join us to share memories and stories of these special people with a joyous Celebration of Life at the Royal Canadian Legion located at 1940 Quilchena Ave, Merritt, BC on April 27, 2024 at 1PM.

Should friends desire, donations can be made in memory of Amber and Gordon to your local volunteer fire department or search and rescue unit, or to the Canada Shriners Children’s Hospital program.

N ze n’man’ Child and Family D eve lopm e nt C e ntr e S ocie t y Employm e nt opp or tunit y for

ASCD/AIDP CONSULTANT

Ab original S upp or te d Child D eve lopm e nt Program (AS CD) and Ab original Infant D eve lopm e nt Program (A I D P)

Posit ion S ummar y:

The Nzen’man’ Chil d and Family Development Centre Soc iet y, is seeking to hire a FULL-TIME AS CD /A I D P CO N SULTAN T This p osition is open for the A b original Sup p or ted Chil d Development Program (ASCD) and A b original Infant Development Program (AIDP) in the Merrit t area The Consultant will provi de leader ship that inc ludes super vis or y res p onsibilities, ap plying family- c entered prac tic es, c oordinating ac tivities, and sup p or ting ASCD and AIDP St af f The Team Lead will sup p or t families in s c reening and as ses sments, c reate indivi dual program plans, c ollab orate with other agenc ies, sup p or t staf f training and c ommunit y events

Re quir e m e nts:

• A related Degree in Soc ial Work or humanities fiel d OR a or a c ombination of Early Chil d Educ ation (ECE Cer tifi c ate or Diploma) and work- related experienc e

• Minimum of 3 year s experienc e in working in the fiel d with c hil dren and families, preferable experienc e in working in A b original c ommunities

• E xperienc e in A b original Sup p or ted Chil d Development and /or A b original Infant Development or working with c hil dren with sup p or t needs

• Program super vision experienc e in a c hil d / family agency an as set

• E xperienc e in c onduc ting home visits an as set

• Sound under standing of c hil d development, t ypic al and at ypic al development

• K nowledge of Indigenous c ultures and c hil d development programs is a MUST

The I d e al Candid ate:

• Will have knowledge and under standing of Indigenous c ultural per s pec tives in early c hil dhood development, strong organizational and projec t management skills, and ef fec tive c ommunic ation for c ollab oration

• Will be expec ted to buil d and maintain relationships with stakehol der s, c ollab oration with ex ternal organizations, and representation at c ommunit y events are ad ditional res p onsibilities

• Will uphol d organizational values, ensuring c omplianc e with p olic i es and regulations, and promoting diver sit y, equit y, and inc lusion are emphasized

• Must be a mature indivi dual who demonstrates as ser tivenes s, ef fec tive interper s onal c ommunic ation skills, and the abilit y to work c ooperatively and in par tner ship with other programs and res ourc es in the c ommunit y

• Must demonstrate the abilit y to provi de direc t program deliver y experienc e and demonstrate working knowledge of family c entred prac tic e, early inter vention c hil d development, and c ommunit y- based programs

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Thompson-Nicola Regional District

When? Thursday, March 7th, 2024, at 1:30PM

The Board of Directors of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District gives notice that it will hold a Public Hearing in the TNRD Boardroom, 4th Floor - 465 Victoria Street, Kamloops, BC, to consider proposed Bylaw 2824, 2024

What is Zoning Amendment Application No BA 248, Bylaw 2824, 2024?

It would rezone a portion of 5665 Lac le Jeune Road, Lac le Jeune, BC (PID: 013233-955) from LRT-2: Existing Lakeshore Resort zone to LR-1: Lakeshore Residential Single Family zone, as shown shaded on the adjacent map, to enable the creation of a new lakeshore residential parcel (+/-5400 sqm/1 33 acre) and remainder comprising a lakeshore resort

All persons who believe that their interest in property may be affected by the proposed bylaw shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to provide input at the Public Hearing Anyone who wishes to present at the Hearing virtually (via Zoom) must contact Legislative Services prior to noon on March 5th, 2024, to arrange virtual access Anyone may also make written submissions on the matter of Bylaw 2824 (via the options below), which must be received at our office prior to noon on March 5th, 2024 The entire content of all submissions will be made public and form part of the public record for this matter

How do I get more information?

Copies of the proposed Bylaw and all supporting information can be inspected from 8:30 a m to 4:30 p m , Monday - Friday (except statutory holidays) at our office, from February 16th, 2024, until 1:30 p m on the day of the Hearing; or please contact us via any of the options below

TODAY'S PUZZLE ANSWERS

Pay rang e: Negotiable depending on qualifi c ations and experienc e A par t from the pay, the benefits pac kage inc ludes vac ation days, per s onal days, c ultural days, ex tended health and dental c are, life insuranc e for employees and dependents, an Employee & Family As sistanc e Program, and retirement plans

Interested c andi dates must submit their resume, c over let ter, and 3 referenc es via email to info@nze nman.org with a s pec ified subjec t line by Marc h 15, 2024

VALUE ADDED

LUMBER REMANUFACTURING PLANT

PRODUCTION WORKERS (FT/PT)

• Wages: starting $20 to $28

• Steady day shift work

• Students welcome to apply

• No experience necessary

• Will train TRUCK DRIVERS WITH CLASS 1

Excellent medical & dental plan

Please submit resume in person to 1195 Houston Street, Merritt B C 250-378-6161

Reliable Towing Merritt Ltd.

2900 Pooley Ave

the following vehicle will be auctioned on March 14, 2024 for non payment

2003 Ford F-150

VIN 1FTRW08L93KB37483

Debtor: David Wilson

Amount owing: 4,209.84

1999 Dodge Ram 2500

VIN 3B7KF23Z7XG226281

Debtor: Allison Bradley

Amount owing: 3,139.50

202-308

2764 GRANITE PLACE

2026

SUITE A 40 0 OPAL DR

MLS#176295

MLS# 176104

6 2776 CLAPPERTON AVE

MLS#175168 Two

1298

312

MLS# 173323