Merritt Herald February 24, 2022

Nicola Valley’s News Voice Since 1905

MERRITT HERALD THIS WEEK

THURSDAY, February 24, 2022 •

HEAD START PROGRAM Conayt Friendship Society will be collaborating with Nicola Valley Institute of Technology in starting a new Headstart program —

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themerrittherald •

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DINOSAUR SIGHTING

FAMILY RESILIENCE

The upcoming Jurassic Park movie’s trailer shows the iconic creatures but this time in a very familiar place —

The MacVicar family continues to rebuild their farming business in the aftermath of the recent flooding —

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Merritt Central Elementary received a generous donation of cash, school supplies and books from a Kootenay high school. STORY /PAGE 19

AIDING THE YOUTH CEN TURY 21 1537 COWAN WAY ®

Moving Real Estate

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Beautiful 2 storey immaculate home with open concept, hard surface Quartz counters in kitchen, 4 bedrms on top floor, 3 baths and nice master bedrm with ensuite & W/I closet. Double garage. Back yard is fenced & nicely landscaped for easy maintenance.

MLS165846

$789,900

2 • THURSDAY, February 24,2022

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Your local RE/MAX Legacy Experts providing you with the highest level of care.

250.378.6941 https://legacy.britishcolumbia.remax.ca/ #113-1700 Garcia Street Box 2257 Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 #211-1703 Menzies Street

NEW MLS#165753

Karen Bonneteau

Janis Post

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250-315-5178

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1264 Houston Street

SOLD $159,000

Investors or First Time Buyers take note. 1 bedroom 1 bath 585 Sq Ft. second floor apartment at the Nicola Apartments. Close to store for shopping and bus routes. Updated Patio doors with good size deck.

Tenant currently pays $725.00/month plus utilities month to month.

Minimum 24-48hrs notice required.

MLS#162927

$219,000

Looking for an investment, downsizing, or a first time home buyer?

This cute 3 bed, 1 bath mobile home is located close to downtown & all amenities on it’s own lot. There have been updates throughout the years such as laminate flooring, paint, brand new toilet, updated plumbing & a new HW tank. The yard is well taken care of w/ a storage shed & open parking in the front.

Ray Thompson

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202-2295 Blair Street

MLS#165555

$239,900

One of a kind! Totally renovated & move-in ready 2 bdrm, 1 bath Sandpiper upper corner apartment is just waiting for you. This home has been renovated in the last few years with new windows, including sun protection in the large front window, new Mill Creek kitchen cabinets with appliances included, custom built-in cabinets for your living room, new flooring, new light fixtures, new updated bathroom.

$280,000

1525 May Street

SOLD $335,000

This is a 3 level, 5-bedroom home with major upgrades including: new roof (summer 2021), new h/w tank, new furnace with central air conditioning, new main water line to the house and a new fence that surrounds the entire back yard with some new windows. Very nice large back sundeck looks over a beautiful private back yard.

1926 1st Ave

Each office is independently owned and operated

2140 Taylor Place

101-2514 Spring Bank Ave

SOLD

SOLD MLS#164885

$425,000

HUGE house! HUGE flat lot! This 2 level, 7 bed, 2 bath home is centrally located & allows for easy walking to parks, golf & shopping. House has all new paint throughout, HW tank 2015, furnace 2019, wood burning f/p upstairs, roughed in 2nd f/p downstairs. Private yard.

Very nice 2 bed, 1 bath home located in a cul-de-sac on a quiet street, within walking distance to downtown Merritt amenities.

The home has a galley kitchen w/ lots of cabinets & open to your dining area & front entry, sliding glass doors lead to your very private patio & great fenced backyard.

MLS164460 $599,000 Beautiful 4 bed, 3 bath rancher style house w/ fully finished basement in strata development. Home offers open concept design w/ gorgeous double-sided fireplace, large living room & kitchen.

1776 Juniper Drive

441 Kane Valley Road

1963 Greaves Ave

MLS#162954

$420,000

SOLD MLS#164050

$829,000

BEAUTY WITHIN and WITHOUT. Thoughtful landscaping on this .34+ private property has transformed this PANORAMIC VIEW LOT into an outdoor oasis. Abundant space in a level fenced yard for all your entertaining and family needs.

MLS#165139 $1,150,000 BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY PROPERTY! Usable fairly level approx. 10 acres. Lovely 3-4 bed, 3 bath, bright modern getaway, launch pad, or family home w/ 2 wood stoves & great above ground pool.

SL12 6528 Waterside Trail

MLS#164854

$275,000

Welcome to Waterside Trail – a new bare land waterfront strata community in the beautiful Nicola Lakeshore Estates. Enjoy stunning panoramic views of Nicola Lake, one of BC’s premiere locations. You will enjoy year-round recreation w/ easy access to crown land, beaches, private dock & all the watersports you can imagine.

Let one of our Professional Realtors discuss buying and selling options that are best suited for you and your families needs.

Welcome to Waterside Trail – a new bare land waterfront strata community in the beautiful Nicola Lakeshore Estates. Enjoy stunning panoramic views of Nicola Lake, one of BC’s premiere locations. You will enjoy year-round recreation w/ easy access to crown land, beaches, private dock & all the watersports you can imagine.

MLS#165357

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SL10 6528 Waterside Trail

SOLD

SL13 6528 Waterside Trai

MLS#164852

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Stephen Holbrook

SOLD MLS#165263 $1,200,000 Amazing 4 bed, 3 bath, home on a private .41acre lot, tucked into a quiet cul-de-sac, w/ an inviting heated inground pool & detached 26’X40’ insulated, heated & wired shop/garage.

2131 Taylor Place

$280,000

Welcome to Waterside Trail – a new bare land waterfront strata community in the beautiful Nicola Lakeshore Estates. Enjoy stunning panoramic views of Nicola Lake, one of BC’s premiere locations. You will enjoy year-round recreation w/ easy access to crown land, beaches, private dock & all the watersports you can imagine.

1463 Duncan Street

SOLD MLS#165358

$300,000

Beautiful half duplex with large fenced yard in Merritt. This property comes with a large driveway with room for a RV or other toys! Located on a quiet cul-de-sac within walking distance to a school, field and playground. This 3 bedroom home has bathrooms on both floors and a view of the mountains from the master bedroom.

2188 Nicola Avenue

SOLD MLS#165315

$340,000

Adorable, cute and cozy describe this 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom heritage style rancher, located within walking distance of downtown Merritt.

The home features a new roof in 2021, original hardwood flooring, updated vinyl windows, 9ft ceilings, updated bathroom, 2 bedrooms, a large living room, separate dining area with free standing wood stove.

1732 Granite Avenue

NEW

NEW MLS#165618

MLS# 164853

$659,000

Beautiful family home on a quiet cul-de-sac. This home has 6 bedrooms and 3.5 baths total, featuring a 2 bedroom 1 bathroom legal suite with separate entrance on the main floor. There has been lots of updates throughout such as some new flooring, new kitchen counter tops, newer appliances, hot water tank and roof around 6 years old.

4520 Eight Mile Road

MLS#165764

$689,000

Very nice 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom family home located on a double lot in a great location, with an inground pool and private yard. The home features vaulted ceilings in the living room, open to the family room, kitchen with lots of cabinets and eating island and dining room, lots of bright windows, master bedroom offers sliding glass doors to your entertaining patio with in-ground pool and beautiful mature landscaping.

2760 Petit Creek Road

NEW MLS#165641

$1,390,000

Spectacular custom home on 20 acres with a year-round creek! This stunning property is very private and only 12 minutes from Merritt just off the coveted Mamit Lake Road. Wrap around deck and over 2600 square feet on the main floor with high vaulted ceilings, open concept d/r, l/r and kitchen with a gorgeous wood burning fireplace. Quartz counters and a large island.

MLS#165449

$3,250,000

Sprawling 2700 sq ft Rancher Home on 119 +/- acres of level hay land. Home has been completely updated including new addition in 2016. Enjoy comfortable living while working/living the ranching lifestyle. House features large country kitchen and dining room, 4 large bedrooms, blaze king wood stove, 2 living areas and large deck with hot tub to enjoy the peacefulness of the night sky. Owners have constructed a 5400 sq ft open barn with attached 1000 sq ft finished/heated workshop .

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THURSDAY, February 24, 2022 • 3

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Aboriginal Head Start program to open at NVIT

INSIDE THE HERALD Opinion --------------------- 6-7 Sports ----------------------- 18 Classifieds ---------------- 20

WEATHER A new Aboriginal Head Start Program will open on the NVIT campus in April.

Photo: Conayt Friendship Society

Feb. 24 : Partly Cloudy 0°/-13°C Feb. 25: Mainly Sunny 2°/-11°C Feb. 26: Snow Showers 2°/-6°C Feb. 27: Cloudy 5°/-3°C Feb. 28: Flurries & Showers 6°/-1°C Mar. 1: Rain & Snow 6°/-1°C

Morgan Hampton REPORTER@MERRITTHERALD.COM Thanks to funding secured by Conayt Friendship Society through Aboriginal Head Start Association of BC (AHSABC), a new Aboriginal Head Start program will soon be opening in Merritt at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT).

According to Kelly L’Hirondelle, Executive Director of Conayt Friendship Society, the new Head Start will receive $569,000 annually, as well as pre-operating costs, which has facilitated the purchase of play equipment, cooking supplies and utensils, as well as logistical and administration equipment. NVIT provided a discounted lease, and the availability of a suitable space at the campus helped

secure the funding.

Conayt Head Start will offer Monday to Friday childcare for up to twelve infants under 36 months of age, and 16 toddlers aged 36 months to six years, at no cost to Indigenous families and children of students and staff attending NVIT. Eight staff members, including Early Childhood Educators (ECE) and ECE assistants, as well as a cook to handle nutrition programs, will be brought on board.

“Food is a big component in our Indigenous communities so we’ll follow the Aboriginal Food Guide, there will be a cook on site that cooks nutritious meals for them,” says L’Hirondelle.

L’Hirondelle has previous experi-

ence with Head Start, opening one as part of the Métis Community Services Society in Kelowna.

“It’s such an amazing program to be able to provide full time, Monday to Friday child care that’s cultural in nature.”

There will be a strong focus on Indigenous teachings and cultural awareness, with children learning singing, drumming and Indigenous languages.

There will also be “on the land” excursions, where children are taken outdoors to learn traditional skills. NVIT is a prime location for this as the campus backs on to Merritt’s benchlands and also features a traditional medicine garden.

“They’re very parent and community driven,” L’Hirondelle says, noting that there is a parent board that

helps to guide the programming.

“There’s also a lot of elder involvement, there’s funding to give honorariums to elders to participate in some of the cultural programming.”

Conayt has an active elders group, and several of them have already expressed interest in taking part in the cultural activities.

In addition to traditional teachings, Head Start is similar to a pre-school program, focusing on Kindergarten readiness and teaching basic life skills to children.

“A lot of it is the basic things like washing your hands and learning to go to the potty, cleaning up after yourself and sharing, those types of things,” explained L’Hirondelle.

“It’s a mixture of your average pre-school teachings but mixed in with

a lot of indigenous culture, it’s rooted in indigenous culture.”

The six foundation principles of Aboriginal Head Start, which the Conayt Head Start program will adhere to, are: 1) culture and language 2) education and school readiness 3) health promotion 4) nutrition 5) parent and family involvement 6) social support The fact that the program will be cost free for families is also a game changer, L’Hirondelle believes.

“Childcare is so expensive, next to housing it’s the second biggest cost that families experience,” said L’Hirondelle.

“And with the cost of living, especially after the floods in Merritt, you can imagine if you were going to go to a daycare and you had to

pay $1200 to $1400 and now you don’t have to pay that, how much more money you would have to put into your family, or saving up to buy a house, things like that.”

“The Nicola Valley Institute of Technology looks forward to the new partnership with Conayt Friendship Society and the Métis Society to offer an Aboriginal Head Start Program at the Merritt Campus,” said Sue Sterling-Bur, Vice President of Students at NVIT. “NVIT recognizes the importance of early childhood development, and we are excited that Conayt will be offering spiritually enriching and culturally safe childcare that will provide Indigenous children with the best opportunity for healthy growth and development.”

Online merrittherald.com

ACT OF KINDNESS

Eight year old Kate collected blankets, beds, toys, hundreds of kilos of pet food, and more to donate to the Kamloops SPCA and animals in need.

COLD SNAP

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44 •• THURSDAY, 2022 THURSDAY, February February 24, 24,2022

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City Council Meetings have resumed in-person and residents are strongly encouraged to watch online via www.merritt.ca Tuesday, March 8 - Regular Council Meeting - 6 pm

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

Workforce Skills

Cashier (on-call), Casual Clerk Typist (Financial Services Team), Grants Coordinator (Term), Deputy Corporate Officer/Executive Assistant (Term), Housing & Support Coordinator (Term), Communications & Engagement Manager.

For more information visit: www.merritt.ca

Training Program

MERRITT

5 Sessions Friday Mornings 9AM – 12Noon March 4 – April 1, 2022 Registration is free. Pre-registration is required by February 28, 2022.

Participants who attend all 5 sessions will receive a certificate of completion.

250-378-3300 info@nvit.ca https://www.nvit.ca/home/continuingstudies.htm We gratefully acknowledge financial support for this program from the Province of BC.

SUPPORT CENTRE formerly, the Resilience Centre has moved.

You are you welcome to visit us.

1700 Garcia St. Unit 102, Merritt, BC If you have been impacted by the Coldwater Flood, there may be assistance and supports available to you.

#MERRITTHOME Visit: www.merritt.ca

Returning Home | Building Better

Call: 1.877.655.0341

Email: returnhome@merritt.ca

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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Farm hit hard by flooding

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THURSDAY, February 24, 2022 • 5

The COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR comes to Merritt once again The Nicola Valley Food Bank is encouraging Merrittonians to once again team up, fund raise, and walk in the second annual Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY).

This family-friendly, winterrific fundraising walk with a virtual option available that takes place on the evening of February 26, 2022. The event will be starting at the Food Bank, and teams can choose to walk either two or five kilometers to support people experiencing hunger, hurt, and homelessness in Merritt.

Morgan Hampton REPORTER@MERRITTHERALD.COM Following an atmospheric river event in November 2021 which saw heavy rains, the water gauge on the Coldwater River near Brookmere began to show extreme and concerning rise. Within hours, the rapidly rising water began to impact properties in Merritt and others downstream a few hours after.

Shealynn MacVicar, her husband Eric and their two children run the MacVicar Family Farm on ten acres in Sunshine Valley by the Nicola River, which joins with the Coldwater in Merritt. They had no idea anything was amiss until family called to check on them.

“We woke up the morning of the flood to a phone call from family in town

asking if we were alright, the river was flooding and town was being evacuated,” says Shealynn.

“We had no idea anything was going on.”

At 7:00 AM the MacVicars checked the river, which they noted was high but not threatening their property or any infrastructure, unlike in Merritt, where people had been evacuating since the early hours of the morning.

However, the situation changed quickly as the river raged on unabated and the inclement weather continued.

“By 8:30 AM it was beginning to breach its banks, so we started trying to get things moved out of the back part of the property to give the river room to rise,” said Shealynn.

“We began open-

ing gates for our poultry who live back there and tried to shoo them up closer to the house and hay piles to safety, and by the time we had them free we turned around and the horses were standing knee deep in water.”

Realizing that this was an unprecedented event and that things were likely to get worse before they got better, the MacVicars decided to evacuate before it was too late and their access was cut off completely.

During the flood event, all but one of the five bridges in the area was washed out or compromised including the Spius Creek bridge, Petit Creek bridge, Petit Creek rail bridge and the Sunshine Valley East bridge, which the MacVicars use to access their home.

The horses were quickly evacuated

Quilchena Canna Company

to a neighbouring farm.

“By the time we came back it was evident there was not much else we had time to save, so we packed our bags, pets, and kids into the truck and made the call to get to safety,” said Shealynn.

“We left our place around 1:00 PM through headlight deep water in our truck, knowing the only part of our ten acres that wasn’t yet under water was our house, and the river was still rising.

We had no idea what we would be coming home to. We had no time to think or feel anything, it was hair straight back from the moment we woke up until we tucked tail and left. Driving away was quite surreal.”

The MacVicars spent the night with

See ‘FARM’ Page 15

For more information, please visit https://cnoy.org/location/nicolavalley

CONTRACTING COMPANY

WORK WITH A PROFESSIONAL GENERAL CONTRACTOR If you’ve been looking for a general contractor that can work on your property, allow the professionals at Green Contracting to be of assistance. Our company offers high-quality services to customers in the Merritt area. We take on many types of projects, so rely on us if you’re interested in:

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Our knowledgeable staff can create a detailed plan based on your ideas, and we’ll be straightforward about our pricing. From start to finish, we want you to feel well-informed about the construction process. That’s why we’ll be happy to answer your questions. Our team will work hard to deliver a finished product on time and within budget.

Green Contracting Company is a dependable option whenever you require the proficiency of a general contractor. We’re proud to serve residents of Merritt, BC, and we aim to be courteous and efficient.

CALL US TODAY to find out more information 250-937-9585 https://greencontracting.ca

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MacVicar Family Farm is shown underwater as the family evacuates to safety during the flood of Nov. 15, during which the nearby Nicola River spilled its banks. Shealynn MacVicar/Submitted

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For more information stop by Unit B-1937 Quilchena Ave., Merritt BC or call 250-378-5

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6 • THURSDAY, February 24, 2022

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VIEWPOINT

EDITORIAL

New face in town

IZAIAH REYES HERALD EDITOR

Allow me to introduce myself.

Hello! I think this is the best word to start our relationship off. My name is Izaiah Louis Reyes, and I am the new editor for the Merritt Herald.

You will be meeting me every Thursday when you read the paper so I figured you should get to know me better.

I am 26 years old and a recent journalism graduate from Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta.

I am a Filipino who loves food and sports. If you ask me what sport, I would say boxing and basketball. If you ask me what food, I would say anything that’s good!

When I moved here in Merritt for the job, I had to leave my mom, dad, and brother back in Calgary.

Ironically, I left them only to join a new family of four with the Herald.

This is my second time moving away from home and I knew it would be a tough adjustment, but I know this is what it takes for me to grow and better myself.

Family is an important concept to me and I would love to make Merrittonians a part of mine as I begin this new journey. I want to know more about this town and its people. We all have a story, and I would love to hear and share yours!

I am very thankful that our Publisher, Theresa Arnold, decided that I should be given this role. I know that Jake Courtepatte, my predecessor, has given you great quality work throughout his tenure and I am planning to do the same.

Publisher Theresa Arnold publisher@merrittherald.com 250-378-4241

MERRITT HERALD

Patience McKigney Students, parents, and teachers: submit your art to newsroom@merrittherald.com for a chance to be featured each week! Submissions are printed on a first come, first serve basis.

Editor Izaiah Reyes newsroom@merrittherald.com 250-378-4241

Reporter Morgan Hampton reporter@merrittherald.com 250-378-4241

Sales Representative Office Administrator Ken Couture kcouture@aberdeenpublishing.com 250-378-4241 Making Advertising Work For You.

2090 Granite Ave., PO Box 9, Merritt, B.C. Phone (250) 378-4241 Fax (250) 378-6818

Copyright subsists in all display advertising in this edition of the Merritt Herald. Permission to reproduce in any form, must be obtained in writing from the publisher.

This Merritt Herald is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please contact newsroom@merrittherald.com or call (250) 378-4241. If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the web site at www.mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.

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THURSDAY, February 24, 2022 • 7

OPINION

Speak up You can comment on any story you read @ merrittherald.com

DYER: Chagos – The Fifty-Year-Old Crime “The object of the exercise is to get some rocks which will remain ours...There will be no indigenous population except seagulls,” wrote Sir Paul Gore-Booth, a senior official at the British Foreign Office, as the plan to expel the 2,000 Chagos Islanders from their homes was taking shape in 1966. “We must surely be very tough about this.”

They were indeed very tough about it. Six years later the Chagossians ( ‘Ilois,’ as they call themselves) were scooped up, loaded on ships, and dumped on the waterfront of Port Louis in Mauritius, where most of them have lived in abject poverty ever since. But this month a number of them went back to the islands on a Mauritian ship.

Not to stay, yet. They were shadowed by a British ‘fisheries protection’ vessel throughout their visit, which comically claimed that it was ‘cooperating in environmental research’. But the balance has now tipped so far in favour of the former residents that the British ship dared not stop the Mauritian vessel.

While their own ship’s crew worked to define the territory’s maritime boundaries for the Mauritian government, the Ilois revisited their

old homes, now roofless and overrun by vegetation. Afterwards they had to go back to Mauritius – but why were they exiled in the first place?

The crime that Gore-Booth was shamelessly discussing in 1966 was committed on behalf of the United States. The Chagos Islands, an archipelago of 62 coral atolls in the middle of the Indian Ocean, would make an ideal bomber base from which to dominate most of south Asia and eastern Africa, and the Pentagon wanted it.

Britain, in its usual kissup, kick-down mode, was happy to oblige, but there was a problem. The Chagos Islands had been governed as part of the British colony of Mauritius, which was due to get its independence in 1968. The United States wasn’t keen on having a major strategic base in an independent African country, so something had to be done.

The solution, obviously, was to separate the Chagos Islands from Mauritius and declare them the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT). Easily done: offer the Mauritians £3 million for the islands, and tell them they can’t have independence unless they accept the deal.

However, this was happening at the height of decolonisation, when colonial territories all over the ‘Third World’ were claiming the right of self-determination. What if the Ilois do the same? Well, then, we’d better remove all the inhabitants.

So that’s what Britain did in 1972, falsely claiming that there was no resident population, only contract workers. The Ilois have not been allowed to return for fifty years, and all the people who were actually born there are getting old, but their children and grandchildren have not forgotten.

They actually managed to get a decision in the British courts in 2000 ruling that the expulsion had been unlawful and ordering the British government to let the islanders go home. It might even have been obeyed – except that 2001 brought the 9/11 attacks, and the US base on the Chagos island of Diego Garcia became a key hub in the ‘war on terror’.

American B-52s flying from the Chagos Islands have bombed Afghanistan and Iraq at intervals for twenty years, and Diego Garcia, with no civilian population, became a transit point for prisoners being flown

untraceably between American ‘black sites’ around the planet. The islands were on long lease from the UK, and the US didn’t want them given back.

Britain still insists it is the sovereign power on the islands (although it is the US that runs them), but since the International Court of Justice ruled in 2019 that the whole expulsion had been illegal it has been on the defensive. The UN General Assembly, and more recently the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, have backed that ruling.

It will take some time, but the United States no longer really needs a base on Diego Garcia since it has access to air bases in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, all much closer to the action. Moreover, Mauritius says that it doesn’t mind if the base stays so long as it gets its islands back.

So the Ilois will be going home one day soon – and meanwhile, here’s a fun fact. The Chagos archipelago is at the bottom of a giant bowl-shaped depression in the ocean almost 100 metres deep. If the sea was actually level – if not for the huge gravitational anomaly that holds that bowl open – the Chagos Islands would all be in very deep water.

From the Herald archives: February, 2012

POSSIBLE SCHOOL CLOSURES A decrease in B.C. government funding to Merritt schools is fueling the possible closure of Coquihalla Middle School or a combination of Bench Elementary and Collettville Elementary.

An empty school would remain heated to avoid decay. The building would then be available for possible use for community functions, for example.

Enrolment began dropping in 2006.

LETTERS POLICY

LETTERS to the editor

Be cautious of lobbyist influence on science Editor, As one who has taken three COVID-vaccine injections, as well as the annual influenza shots, I basically believe the science behind the stated safety and benefit of vaccines in general. Still, I feel the term ‘science’ generally gets used a bit too readily/frequently, especially for political purposes. Also, I’m cautious of blindly buying into (what I call) speculative science, in general.

As disturbing as it sounds, due to increasingly common privatized research for corporate profit aims, even science, and perhaps by extension scientific ‘fact’, has become commercialized. Research results, however flawed, can and are known to be

publicly amplified if they favor the corporate product, and accurate research results can be suppressed or ignored if they are unfavorable to business interests, even when involving human health.

Health Canada was established to act in Canadian consumers’ best interests, yet it’s susceptible to corporate lobbyist manipulation. For one thing, it allowed novelty-flavored vaping products to be fully marketed — even on corner stores’ candy counters — without conclusive independent scientific proof that the product, as claimed by the tobacco industry, would not seriously harm consumers but rather help nicotine addicts wean themselves off of the more carcinogenic cigarette means of nicotine deliverance.

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A few years before that, Health Canada had sat on its own research results that indicated seatbelts would save lives and reduce injury; it wanted even more proof of safety through seatbelts before ordering big bus manufacturers to install them in every bus.

To me, that smells of lobbyist manipulation — something that should not prevail in a government body established primarily, if not solely, to protect consumers’ safety and health rather than big businesses’ monetary concerns.

The Merritt Herald welcomes your letters, on any subject, addressed to the editor.

Letters must be signed and include the writer’s name and address.

Letters may be edited for length, taste and clarity. Please keep letters to 300 words or less. Email letters to: newsroom@ merrittherald. com.

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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Rodeo Association makes big plans for 2022 Morgan Hampton REPORTER@MERRITTHERALD.COM

The Nicola Valley Rodeo Association (NVRA) is looking forward to a banner year at the Fall Fair and Rodeo Grounds in 2022.

The NVRA held their Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Jan. 22, 2022, where members of the Association began to put together plans to bring back a rodeo weekend bigger and better than ever before after a two-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For several years, interest in taking on an event as large as the Labour Day Weekend rodeo had waned considerably, a challenge increased by a lack of volunteers as those who had dedicated many years to making the event a success retired and stepped back.

Now, a group of both new and familiar faces have the task of revitalizing and revamping the event and the grounds on where it is held. This began prior to the pandemic when Professional Bull Rider Chad Besplug approached the NVRA to host a PBR event at the Merritt rodeo grounds.

“When Chad came out to look at the grounds, he said to us that the pen layout was not optimal and that the PBR would want to completely reorganize it,” said

Mary MacGregor, rodeo co-chair.

Upon hearing this, MacGregor and NVRA president Haley Rutherford consulted with Kynan Vine, former Calgary Stampede Western Sports manager, who advised them on a proper pen layout and best ways to utilize the grounds in general.

Heading into the 2022 season, these recommendations are top of mind and include a potential renovation of the secret0ary’s office as well as reorganizing the stock pens by taking them apart, painting and rearranging the panels.

Other changes include taking a more critical look at how the Beer Garden operates, with the hopes of modelling the facility after the Williams Lake Stampede Beer Garden, and potentially including afternoon performances on site to increase revenue.

Changes already implemented were an expansion of where rodeo attendees could consume alcohol, which was not limited to a handful of tables and benches immediately in front of the Beer Garden.

“People really liked the fact that they didn’t have to go to the Beer Garden to have a beer with their family... that was succesful and we want to maintain that,” said MacGregor.

The addition of concession, food trucks,

camping, cowboy church and a pancake breakfast to the weekend as both attractions and a means of generating revenue were also discussed, as was a potential comeback of the once legendary Rodeo Dance.

Increased participation with the Nicola Valley Fall Fair Association has been paramount for the NVRA, and this year they hope to be able to blend the Fall Fair and Rodeo more than in past years, offering a more comprehensive experience for attendees.

Additional community involvement has also been identified as a key part of keeping the Labour Day weekend event interesting and active.

See ‘NVRA’ Page 18 Ideas for

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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

A cameo of prehistoric proportions

A screenshot from the new Jurassic World movie shows the NVCL log yard and employees.

Morgan Hampton REPORTER@MERRITTHERALD.COM Back in early 2020, the Nicola Valley was set upon by some A-list movie stars who were in the area to film Jurassic World III: Dominion.

Despite several setbacks and delays, due mainly to the COVID-19 pandemic which had only just begun, the movie has now been completed and is set to be released on June 10 of this year.

Ahead of its theatrical release, fans can view a roughly three minute trailer.

Astute Merrittonians may notice some familiar sights and faces in this trailer.

Particularly at the 21 second mark, where an enormous dinosaur stands in the middle of a log yard, surrounded by blue collar workers in hard hats and reflective vests.

That log yard, complete with a LeTourneau log loader, is none other than Nicola Valley Custom Lumber’s (NVCL) yard on the banks of the Coldwater River on the west side of Merritt.

Parm Sahota,

president/founder of NVCL, said that crews set up at the site for four to five days, offering extra and background work to his employees. Everyone outside of the main actors in the log yard scene are NVCL employees.

“They’re all our people, all of them are ours,” said Sahota.

So, how did a huge Hollywood franchise that has become iconic pop culture settle on the NVCL log yard for filming?

NVCL works in partnership with Aspen Planers, a lumber mill in operation in Merritt for decades. Aspen Planers often rents a company mill site in the Lower Mainland to the film industry, but this time a location in the Interior

was desired.

“They liked the setting and the scenery, the old mill site,” explained Sahota.

“They liked the old railway bridge.”

The railway bridge was sadly washed out during the November 2021 flooding of the Coldwater River, but will hopefully be memorialized, even briefly, in the movie.

Although Sahota said the opportunity to have a block-

buster filmed locally was “exciting”, he also hopes that it’s something people will be able to enjoy after the devastation of first an extreme wildfire season and then a catastrophic flood.

“It was very exciting for me, and it’s very exciting for our community,” said Sahota.

“After everything that’s happened we need a little cheering up. I feel so sorry for people who had their homes damaged and lost a lot.”

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KINDERGARTEN 2022 STUDENT REGISTRATION The Board of Education of School District No. 58 (Nicola-Similkameen) Kindergarten establishes a strong foundation for lifelong learning, as teachers provide dynamic, play-based opportunities to help each child grow and learn. Our child-centered programs develop a sense of well-being and belonging and offer opportunities for exploring, creative play, developing language and literacy while focusing on social responsibility and cultural diversity.

Kindergarten provides our young learners with an enriched learning experience at their own unique developmental level. We look forward to working with each Kindergarten child’s family as we welcome you to your child’s new school community.

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Report any thefts, damage or suspicious persons to police

THURSDAY, February 24, 2022 • 9

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

REGISTRATION SCHEDULE Monday to Friday: March 7 to 18, 2022

For September, 2022

• • • • •

To register, a child must be 5 years of age on, or before, December 31, 2022.

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 address 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 ELEMENTARY • 250 - 378 - 2230

10 • THURSDAY, February 24, 2022

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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

POLICE FILES

Theft suspect still at large Morgan Hampton REPORTER@ MERRITTHERALD. COM The Merritt RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance to identify a suspect in an alleged theft.

On January 26, 2022, Merritt RCMP front line officers responded to a report of purse theft that occurred at a

local business in the 1700 block of Voght Street.

Shortly after the alleged theft, one of the victim’s credit cards was used at the 7-11 on Nicola Avenue.

The suspect has been identified through surveillance footage as a Caucasian male, roughly six feet tall, weighing approximately 200 pounds,

THIS SATURDAY! 1:00 PM – 5:30 PM

wearing a grey hoodie, ball cap and dark pants.

He was driving a grey older model Honda Odyssey with damage to the front passenger side.

If you recognize the suspect or the grey Honda Odyssey, please contact Cst. Alex Saxton with the Merritt RCMP at 250-378-4262.

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Suspect was seen driving a damaged grey Honda Odyssey. Photo Submitted

Former City Councillor facing trial

Former Merritt city councillor Mike Bhangu, who resigned his post at the end of 2021,

will stand trial in nine months on a charge of uttering threats to cause death or bodily harm.

Bhangu was charged on Aug. 16, 2021, with the offence alleged to have occurred on June 29, 2021.

The trial is set to be heard on Nov. 24 at

the Merritt Law Courts.

Bhangu resigned his seat on Merritt city council in December.

“I resign from my position, effective immediately, as I do not have confidence in Mayor Linda Brown’s ability to lead, or repre-

sent each Council Member fairly,” reads Bhangu’s resignation letter.

There had been significant friction between Bhangu and Brown during several council meetings over the past several months.

The next civic election will be held on Oct. 15.

NICOLA VALLEY TRANSPORTATION SOCIETY WE ARE A NON-PROFIT SOCIETY

that manages the provision of transit services to the residents in our community.

WE ARE CURRENTLY SEEKING Board Members who will serve a minimum of a two (2) year term and assist NVTS to maintain and expand transportation services in our community. The Board meets monthly to govern and oversee the management of the organization. Meetings are held monthly on the third Wednesday at noon. All Board members are expected to participate in Committee activities and attend Committee meetings as required.

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THURSDAY, February 24, 2022 • 11

Bullying Prevention Awareness IN CELEBRATION OF PINK SHIRT DAY - Feb 23, 2022

Lower Nicola Band School students and staff celebrate Pink Shirt Day 2022

Every Child Matters Scw’exmx Child and Family Services Society Telephone: 250-378-2771 |Toll-Free: 1-877-378-2773

x̣ʷəzstem tékm he scmém̓iʔt - nɬeʔkepmxcín “We Love Every Child” əts ha' stim iʔ scəcmalaʔ - nsyilxcən “Every Child Matters”

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United we STAND, Divided we FALL Conayt is very concerned about our children and being bullied.

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THURSDAY, February 24, 2022 • 15

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Farm shown ample local support after flood From Page 5 family but tried to return before daylight the next day to assess the damage.

When they returned they found that their property was almost entirely under three to four feet of water, including their nursery, newly installed greenhouses and all of their livestock housing.

For three days,

their property was completely inaccessible. When the family was able to return they discovered just how badly the flooding had affected them.

“Upon regaining access, we discovered that pretty much everything we need and use to operate our farm was either damaged, destroyed or just... gone,” said Shealynn.

“All our tools, pots and trays, grow-

ing equipment, harvesting equipment, feed and winter hay, chicken coop and brooder. So much more, it’s a long list.”

Although they haven’t calculated a dollar amount on the damages, Shealynn says that replacing everything they have built and invested in to get their two-year-old operation off the ground and producing will be “quite the challenge”.

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Farmers, however, are famously optimistic, always looking ahead to what’s on the horizon and celebrating the small victories day by day.

“We were the lucky ones, the flood spared our home, and recovery began the day after the flooding,” said Shealynn.

“We pumped water for days, and then began to pick up the pieces. We

spent days gathering up small items from all over our fields and throughout the neighborhood, scraping mud from every building and making massive piles to go to the dump.”

Recovery was complicated by the fact that there was no easy access to the farm with bridges and roads washed out and closed, and friends and family in Merritt couldn’t lend a hand as they had

been evacuated to other cities.

“A few of our neighbors were able to stay at home and it really was quite special to see everyone who was able band together to make sure everyone had what they needed,” said Shealynn.

“We traded food for goods and drinking water and made things work. It was long hard days and the threat of a second flood was stress-

ful, but we made it through. We would also like to acknowledge the friends that made it out to help, the wonderful people who donated what they could to help, and also to Nicola Chainsaw and Rentals who donated the cost of machine rentals to help us get back on our feet! Your kindness and generosity will never be forgotten.”

Now, more

than three months after the flood, as everyone begins to rebuild their lives, MacVicar Family Farm is ready for their comeback.

“We are now sitting in a pretty good place,” said Shealynn.

“We aren’t finished, but we have cleaned up and rebuilt a number of things, and started a lot of our seeds for the coming grow-

See ‘LOCAL’ Page 16

16 • THURSDAY, February 24, 2022

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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

2055 Quilchena Ave

Local Family shows resolve in trying times

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The MacVicar family has worked hard to get their greenhouses operational again, preparing for their CSA box program. Shealynn MacVicar/Submitted

From Page 15 ing season. We have managed to stick with the timeline we set ourselves for this year that we made pre-flood.”

The MacVicars are also moving ahead with some

exciting new initiatives, such as a nursery business where they will be selling flower and vegetable starts, bedding plants and hanging baskets.

Also on offer is a 50 share CSA weekly vegetable box subscription, which has nearly sold

out. CSA is short for Community Supported Agriculture, in which a customer commits to purchasing a membership upfront and, in return, is provided with a weekly box of fresh produce over the course of 20 weeks.

MacVicar Family Farm also has a booth at both the Nicola Valley Farmers’ Market and the Logan Lake Open Market, as well as an online store which can be found here: https:// www.localline.ca/ macvicar-familyfarm Although the entire valley is holding its breath in anticipation of spring freshet, the MacVicars, and other ranchers and farmers, continue to move forward. Hope is renewed by the sight of new shoots coming to life in the green house, bottle lambs growing stronger and new calves on the ground.

Amidst the devastation, life carries on.

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Flood recovery supports

for farmers

The BC and federal governments are helping farmers impacted by November’s devastating floods.

Based on feedback from farmers, the new Canada-BC Flood Recovery Program for Food Security provides $228 million in funding to help farmers with uninsurable extraordinary damages. Producers will receive personalized financial support, based on the damages they experienced, with on-farm extraordinary expenses including: Clean up, repair and restoration of land, buildings, water and waste systems Repair of essential farm infrastructure and rental of temporary production facilities Animal welfare including replacement feed, transportation, veterinary care and mortality disposal Loss of perennial plants not raised for resale

Let’s get BC growing again.

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Application packages are available at

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One-on-one help is available for farmers in English and Punjabi.

Contact agrirecovery@gov.bc.ca or 1-888-332-3352 for support.

18 • THURSDAY, February 24, 2022

SPORTS

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Have a sports story tip? Tell us about it by calling 250-378-4241 or emailing newsroom@merrittherald.com.

NVRA looks to increase community involvement From Page 8 bringing in local Indigenous people, new Canadians and those new to Merritt were discussed.

“My idea for the labour day weekend is to get more people in town and involved with the whole weekend,” said Ellen Miller of Miller’s Farm in Lower Nicola.

“I want to see more activity at

the fairgrounds... and I think if we combine all the events for the whole weekend into a weekend celebration...”

A possible partnership with McDonald’s Merritt to create a Kids Zone, resurrecting the parade, street mall and western decorated storefronts, as well as

colouring contests and face painting were put forth as ideas to garner more community interest.

Dr. Lis Ladyman, a longtime resident and veterinarian in Merritt, hopes that High School Rodeo and 4H members will be available to lend a hand, this is particularly important as much

of the NVRA’s plans are entirely dependent on volunteers.

“They’re the people with the bent for knowing what needs to be done and not being afraid to hop in there and help,” said Ladyman.

“The Rodeo Association wants to build community and this is an opportunity to do that,” said

MacGregor as the meeting came to a close, echoing sentiments that 2022 will be the first of many exceptional years for Merritt’s Fall Fair and Rodeo.

If you are interested in volunteering with the NVRA in any capacity, reach out to nicolavalleyrodeoassociation@gmail.com.

Centennials beat Smoke Eaters 5-3 The Merritt Centennials took home their third win of the season and their first over the Trail Smoke Eaters on Feb. 19, finishing the game with a final score of 5-3.

Goaltender Colton Phillips-Watts stopped 48 of the Smoke Eaters’ 51 shots during the game, and Jakob Jones, Cents forward, finished off a 2-on-1 to score his first BCHL goal.

In the second the Centennials made it 2-0 with a goal on the powerplay, with the Smoke Eaters soon tying up the score.

The Cents restored their two-goal lead and went into the their period 4-2, add-

ing another goal early on in the period to make it 5-2.

Phillips-Watts stopped 17 of 18 shots, allowing one in for the Smoke Eaters to finish the game with three goals.

The Cents were bouncing back from a poor performance the night before during which they had lost to the Cranbrook Bucks 4-0.

According to the Centennials website: “The Cranbrook Bucks came out strong on Friday night and controlled the play for the vast majority of the opening 20 minutes. Cranbrook would work two early powerplay chances in the first, they

would fail to convert but at the mid-point of the period, shots were 17-0 in favour of the visitors.

“The Cents would finally level their first shot of the period at the 12:00 mark, after 20 the shot clock would only show three for Merritt.

“Late in the frame, Cranbrook would turn the puck over and send Luke Pfoh in all alone, Pfoh would beat Hicks on Cranbrook’s 22nd shot of the period to open the scoring.

“The Bucks would continue to carry the mail in the middle stanza with three quick goals. First a powerplay marker

from Johnny Johnson. Less than two minutes later Declan Ride would score from the point. Then exactly two minutes later it would be Carsyn Good scoring his first in the BCHL top corner past Hicks.

“Hicks playing strong, turning aside 42/46 through 40.

“No goals would be scored in the final period, with AP rookie goalie Carter Captan earning a 15-save shutout in his BCHL debut. Hicks would have 55 saves goaltender.”

The Cents will play again this Friday, facing off against the Penticton Vees with a 7:00PM puck drop.

Sloan hits Genesis Invitational

In his second round at the Genesis Invitational, Roger Sloan hit 5 of 14 fairways and 11 of 18 greens in regulation, finishing at 6 over for the tournament.

Sloan finished his day tied for 108th at 6 over; Joaquin Niemann is in 1st at 16 under; Cameron Young is in 2nd at 14 under; and Justin Thomas is in 3rd at 11 under.

Sloan hit his tee shot into the native area, he hit his next shot to the green and got down for birdie on par-4 seventh. This moved Sloan to 2 under for the round.

On the par-4 ninth, Sloan’s 163 yard approach to 14 feet set himself up for the birdie on the hole. This moved Sloan to 3 under for the round.

After a 293 yard drive on the 315-yard

Merritt Centennials vs

par-4 10th, Sloan chipped his second shot to 5 feet, which he rolled for one-putt birdie on the hole. This moved Sloan to 4 under for the round.

On the 583-yard par-5 11th hole, Sloan reached the green in 3 and sunk a 11-foot putt for birdie. This was his 3rd under-par hole in a row and moved Sloan to 5 under for the round.

Sloan got a double bogey on the 479yard par-4 12th, getting on the green in 4 and two putting, moving Sloan to 3 under for the round.

On the 166-yard par-3 16th, Sloan’s tee shot went 170 yards to the right rough and his chip went 10 yards to the green where he rolled a two-putt for bogey. This moved him to 2 under for the round.

MARCH 2 - PENTICTON VEES: 7:00 P.M. MARCH 4 - VERNON VIPERS: 7:00 P.M. AT THE NICOLA VALLEY MEMORIAL ARENA!

FOR TICKETS DROP BY 2001C VOGHT ST, OR CALL THE OFFICE AT 250-378-3604

www.merrittherald.com

COMMUNITY

THURSDAY, February 24, 2022 • 19

Do you want to nominate a business? Tell us about it by calling 250-378-4241 or emailing reporter@merrittherald.com.

Invermere aids Central Elementary School CONTAIN-IT STORAGE

Approved mini-storage ■ On-site rentals ■ Secured ■ Sale of New & Used storage containers ■

1750 Hill Street ■ Phone: 250-315-3000 PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER

Students unload school supplies brought all the way from Invermere after a donation drive organized by a local high school there. Photo submitted

Morgan Hampton REPORTER@MERRITTHERALD.COM Merritt’s schools were some of the hardest hit by flooding on Nov. 15, 2021. Merritt Central Elementary School was so heavily damaged by flood waters students were moved to temporary classrooms in local churches and the former Coquihalla Middle School, where they still remain more than 90 days after the event.

In the wake of this catastrophic event, Emma Postlethwaite, president of the David Thompson Secondary School student council in Invermere, felt compelled to do something to help.

“After hearing about all of the devastating floods in BC on the news, I started thinking about ways I could help the victims,” explained Postlethwaite.

“As the president of my school student council and a member of the Columbia Valley Rotary Interact Club, I asked the two groups to collaborate in order to maximize our reach.

Knowing that both groups were small, with limited budgets to help, we decided to reach out to the larger community.”

Postlethwaite reached out to Central Elementary and connected

with Vice Principal Natasha Omori.

Omori explained the situation that Central students and teachers found themselves in and Postlethwaite was inspired to launch a supply drive in support.

“Aside from our drop-off location in the school we arranged two other community-based drop-off locations at local businesses in town,” said Postlethwaite, who noted that word of the initiative spread quickly.

“We were able to connect with local associations such as the community Library and Friends, the local Legion, Invermere and Radium Rotary Clubs, and

the Canfor Mill in Radium, BC. With the help of our community, we were able to exceed our collection goals. We received $2500+ in cash donations, 100+ children and young adult books, and large amounts of school and office supplies.”

Although it was hoped that members of the David Thompson Secondary School student council would be able to make the trip to Merritt to present the supplies in person, Chris Leonard of the Radium Hot Springs Rotary Club provided the delivery when that was not possible.

“I’m really impressed with their generosity and

their thoughtfulness and concern,” said Omori.

“This young lady has done a lot of work to get this going, and right from the onset of the floods was all over it, she’s been communicating with me quite regularly asking what supplies we might need and when would be a good time to bring them, how many classes we have. For a young lady she’s quite organized and it’s very impressive.

She deserves some recognition.”

“When I had the idea for the project I never thought it would be so successful and I was very surprised by the strong community response,” concluded Postlethwaite.

THE CHURCHES OF MERRITT WELCOME YOU Crossroads Community Church

2990 Voght St. • 250-378-2911• Service Time: Sundays 10:00 a.m.

Merritt Baptist Church

Sunday service (indoors), 10 am. Phone (250)378-2464 for more info and for prayer support.

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 Time: Sundays 10:00 a.m.

IS YOUR FURNACE READY FOR WINTER Don’t get caught off guard by a broken heater when you need it most.

Give your furnace a tune-up before the cold hits.

BE SURE TO KEEP THE FAMILY WARM & SAFE THIS WINTER

250-378-5104

2151 Coutlee Ave., coppervalley@uniserve.com

20 • THURSDAY, February 24,2022

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CLASSIFIEDS

Deadline for placing a classified ad is 5 p.m. on Monday.

To place an ad please call 250-378-4241 or email: publisher@merrittherald.com Announcements

For Sale - Misc

ALANON Meetings Are Held Every Monday 7 - 8 pm.

United Church Hall 1899 Quilchena Ave Call for more info (250)525-0262

INTEGRITY POST FRAME BUILDINGS since 2008. Built with concrete posts. Barns, shops, riding arenas, machine sheds and more. Sales@ integritybuilt.com 1-866-974-7678 www.intergritybuild.com

GET RESULTS! Post a classified in 95 newspapers in just a few clicks. Reach almost 2 million people for only $395 week for 25-word text ad or $995 for small display ad.

Choose your province or all across Canada. Best value. Save over 85% compared to booking individually. www.bccommunitynews .com/advertise or 1-866-669-9222 GET UP TO $50,000 from the Government of Canada. ALL Ages & Medical Conditions Qualify. Have a child under 18 instantly receive more money.

CALL BRITISH COLUMBIA BENEFITS 1-800-211-3550 OR Send Text Message with Your Name and Mailing Address to (604)739-5600 For Your FREE benefits package.

GET RESULTS! Reach almost 2 million people in 92 papers for only $395/week for a 25-word text ad, or $995/week for a formatted display ad bccommunitynews.com/ advertise 1-866-669-9222

Book by province or whole country and save over 85%!

Wanted 2 Seniors paying Cash for Old bottles, license plates, coins, tokens, tins, guns, mining & railroad items, signs, postcards, siphons, early Chinese items, estates.

Larry 250-545-7140 sumas@shaw.ca

Apartments / Condos for Rent GENTLEMAN SENIOR seeking senior for shared living in luxury Victoria condo. Offering entrance, balcony, bedroom, bathroom, living room & shared kitchen. $650 mth + cooking, cleaning & companionship. PO 39089 James Bay, Victoria, BC V8V 4X8

Obituaries

Obituaries

Obituaries

Terry Robert Anderson TERRY ROBERT ANDERSON passed away in the Penticton Hospital. He is survived by his mother Judy Prendergast of Australia, his second mother Gail Anderson of Penticton, his sisters Carol (Dick) Carpenter of Fort St. John, Kim Anderson of Merritt, Laurie (Maurice) Heppner of Salmon Arm, his brothers John (Shauvon) Fumerton of Merritt, Colin Anderson of Penticton, and Shane Hume of Penticton. Terry also leaves behind aunts and uncles as well as nieces and nephews, also great nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and prayers.

Special thanks to friends Shane Jamieson and Suzie Hart for their care and concern for Terry. Thank you to the staff at Penticton Hospital. Special thanks to Lesley from Credible Cremations Services Ltd. For her kind assistance to me. I could not have done it without her.

I have a big void in my heart now and I am sure others do too.

R.I.P. Terry you are loved and missed by many.

The tears of grief Have washed away The clouds of sorrow, And vision now is clarified

Merritt Funeral Chapel

A Division of Service Corporation International (Canada) ULC

Celebrating each life like no other REGULAR OFFICE HOURS On Call 24 Hours A Day

Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri.: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday: 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m

www.MerrittFuneralChapel.com 2113 Granite Ave., Merritt, BC

I miss you still, But see you new In light of joy And smile at your remembrance.

250-378-2141 or 1-800-668-3379

The love we shared Still here to give And to experience The joy that comes from that, is you!

The most natural response to a loss is to establish the significance of the event. When a bad thing happens to us, we want someone to know and to acknowledge how bad it is.

TODAY'S PUZZLE A NSWERS

Obituaries

Obituaries

With sadness we announce the passing of

August 9, 1961 - February 9, 2022

Breakthrough

Obituaries

MERRITT & DISTRICT HOSPICE SOCIETY

P: 250-280-1701

www.merritthospice.org Email: merritthospice@shaw.ca

Love’s greatest gift is remembrance.

Sultetkwu “Delia Shuter”

December 24, 1925 - February 17, 2022 Delia was born at the Springs Reserve at Lower Nicola Indian Band in a house that was moved from Canford to Springs over one hundred years ago. She was the ninth of twelve children born to Lily (Bent) and Tim Shuter.

Delia was a survivor of Indian Residential School. She attended St. Georges Indian Residential School in Lytton BC from the age of six from 1932 – 1940. After her own education was completed, she stayed on at St. Georges working to help look after the little girl students for two additional years.

In her younger years Delia learned to be self-sufficient as a rancher and owned twenty-five head of cattle. She was also known to have quite a green thumb and kept a huge garden and several colorful flower beds each year. Delia believed in education and could often be found at most workshops around the valley learning what she could. She was recruited to help teach the Nłe kepmx language as she was a fluent speaker and spent many years helping to revitalize the language in the Nicola. She was very passionate about this work and continued to help well into her golden years.

Delia loved getting out for a drive into the mountains to harvest whatever was in season. In her 96 years she was well traveled and visited places like the Yukon, Las Vegas, and Hawaii.

Delia was the matriarch of five generations and is survived by her children Ron Shackelly, June Shackelly, Cliff (Martina) Shackelly, Darlene (Lou) Vallee, Joe Shuter and Rod (Crystal) McMaster, 22 grandchildren, 44 great grandchildren and 5 great, great grandchildren. She was also the eldest Lower Nicola Indian Band community member.

She will be remembered as a loving, kind, soft spoken person that had a smile for all that crossed paths with her.

The family would like to extend our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the nurses and staff at Coquihalla Gillis House for all the support they showed our dear mother while she was a resident in their care, especially during the significant challenges and strains the pandemic presented.

Funeral service will be held for Delia on February 26th, 2022, at 11am at the Lower Nicola Band Hall at Merritt BC.

May the Sunshine of Comfort Dispel the Clouds of despair

THURSDAY, February 24, 2022 • 21

www.merrittherald.com Employment

Employment

Employment

Employment

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY Forestry Operations Supervisor Stuwix Resources Joint Venture is a well-established fiber management and marketing company that is owned by 8 First Nations Communities with its office located in Merritt, British Columbia. Stuwix ensures our local First Nations stewardship values are incorporated in forest management at all levels of our operations.

Commencing immediately, we are looking to add an Operations Supervisor who will work within our operations department and work directly with our Operations Manager to implement Stuwix’s harvesting and roads program Descriptions & Duties Duties of this position include but may not be limited to: • Safety and environmental (SFI) planning and development • Logging and road construction supervision • Liaison with government agencies, stakeholders, First Nations, and local licensees • Finalize log calculation analysis with Operations Manager • Conduct inspections to implement Stuwix’s, Safety, EMS, and log quality programs • Implement applicable plans and work with the Planning Forester and Accounting to accurately report costs and plan changes to support business requirements.

• Contract negotiations and implementation • Assist with Developing harvest plans Preferred Characteristics and Prerequisites • • • • • • • •

Team-orientated self-starter looking for diversity and career growth Quick and adaptive learner Minimum 5 years working in forestry operations.

Strong verbal and written communication skills Strong computer skills - preference in Microsoft Office, Arc GIS, and Tablet App’s Knowledge and understanding of First Nations Values RPF or RFT designation preferred or in process Valid Class 5 BC Driver’s License with clean drivers abstract Salary

• • • •

Salary is commensurate on individuals’ ability, skills, and experience. ($70,000-$90,000) Stuwix Resources Joint Venture offers a comprehensive benefits package Stuwix believes in a healthy work life balance Closing date for applications is March 4, 2022

Employment

Scw’exmx Tribal Council (STC)

Joint Venture A FIRST NATIONS FORESTRY COMPANY

Employment

#202-2090 COUTLEE AVENUE P.O. BOX 188, MERRITT, BC V1K 1B8 Phone (250) 378-4235 Fax (250) 378-9119 e-mail: administration@scwexmxtribal.org

Seasonal Field Techician

Employment

Employment

Traffic Control company looking to hire

CERTIFIED TRAFFIC CONTROL PEOPLE. Must have valid BC Drivers License.

Full-time, part-time, lots of overtime if interested.

Rate of pay based on experience.

Positions starting ASAP . Call 250-718-1357, 250-469-3469 or email: coralie@allsafetraffic.com

Requirements: Valid Driver’s License Required Skills: • Data collection (detail orientated), intermediate knowledge of compassing, mapping and using a Ipad, technical writing skills, legible and detailed notes Qualications: • Good physical condition • Occupational rst aid level 1 • Intermediate knowledge of plants • Intermediate knowledge of the surrounding area • Be willing to take training as required

Catch your next job in our employment section.

Education and/or Work Experience: • Natural Resource Technician/Environmental Resource Technician certicate or diploma, • RISC Archaeological Field Crew and Culturally Modied Tree Certicate and/or • Archaeological eld experience or archaeology courses.

• Knowledge of the Nlaka’pamux language and culture is an asset.

The Job will entail: Field work in all weather conditions, hiking on all types of terrain, conducting preliminary eld reconnaissance, shovel test pits, long hours, and note taking.

Work Apparel: Hi Vis Vest and/or Cruising Vest, Steel Toed Work Boots, Hard Hat, leather gloves and safety glasses Please note that this is a seasonal position and during of work is dependent on available work and weather conditions.

Wage is based on Work Experience and Credentials.

Email Resume and Cover Letter to Morgan Jumbo mjumbo@scwexmxtribal.org

Please forward resume and cover letter to Lindsay Tighe, General Manager Email: generalmanager@stuwix.com Mailing Address: 2-98 Highway 8, Merritt, BC. VIK 0A7 Fax: 250-278-2541

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 58 (NICOLA-SIMILKAMEEN)

HOT LUNCH PROGRAM COORDINATOR School District No. 58 is accepting applications for Hot Lunch Program Coordinator at Merritt Bench Elementary School. 5 days per week | 4 hours per day. Must have completed food safe course. Previous experience dealing with students and running a kitchen would be an asset.

If interested, please send your resume along with three references to Dena McDermott at dmcdermott@365.sd58.bc.ca or on-line at www.sd58.bc.ca, click on Jobs, Support Positions, and Current Job Opportunities (Job Code 3170309).

SALES & SERVICE

Kal Tire is the largest independently owned tire dealer in Canada.

We offer a clean and safe work environment in a motivating and fun atmosphere with a competitive salary and benefits program.

IF YOU POSSESS...

• A desire to excel in customer service • The ability to successfully work in a physically demanding team atmosphere • Willingness to learn THEN KAL TIRE WANTS YOU TO BECOME PART OF OUR TEAM. Interested applicants should submit their resumes to Kal Tire, 2601 Nicola Avenue, Merritt, B.C. or email Brian_Wasman@kaltire.com

High School Teacher Position N’Kwala is a First Nation operated independent school offering a kindergarten to grade 12 programs. Currently we have an enrolment of 40 making class sizes smaller allowing for more one-on-one time for teacher and students. N’Kwala is surrounded by rolling hills and the natural environment and is located in the beautiful Nicola Valley approximately 90 km south of Kamloops and approximately 50 km east of Merritt. On-site accommodations and daycare are available for the successful candidate.

Required Qualifications: • Qualified and experienced to teach High School level students • Special Education training an asset • Ability to adapt or modify programs to meet the student’s special needs • Knowledge of the BC curriculum • Valid BC teaching certificate Recommended Qualifications: • Experience working in First Nations community • Experience with the Read Well and Saxon Math programs • Experience with special education programs • Experience with On-line learning portals • Experience with multi-grade classroom • Salary as per the SD 73 Salary Grid Start date: ASAP ProD opportunities may be required.

For further information about this role, please contact Principal at 250-350-3370 or email:principal@uppernicola.com Please send cover letter and resume to Human Resources, General Delivery, Douglas Lake, BC V0E 1S0 or hr@uppernicola.com. N’kwala School thanks all those interested but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

To advertise in To advertise in Employment Employment call 604-630-3300 Call 250-378-4241

22 • THURSDAY, February 24,2022 Employment

Employment

www.merrittherald.com Employment

Intermediate Teacher Position N’Kwala is a First Nation operated independent school offering a kindergarten to grade 12 program. Currently we have an enrolment of 40 making class sizes smaller allowing for more one-on-one time for teacher and students. N’Kwala is surrounded by rolling hills and the natural environment and is located in the beautiful Nicola Valley approximately 90 km south of Kamloops and approximately 50 km east of Merritt. On-site accommodations and daycare are available for the successful candidate.

Required Qualifications: • Qualified and experienced to teach intermediate level students • Special Education training an asset • Ability to adapt or modify programs to meet the student’s special needs • Knowledge of the BC curriculum • Valid BC teaching certificate

SUDOKU

You Want It We’ve Got It Find Whatever You’re Looking for in the Classifieds.

Recommended Qualifications: • Experience working in First Nations community • Experience with the Read Well and Saxon Math programs • Experience with special education programs • Experience with multi-grade classroom • Salary as per the SD 73 Salary Grid

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.

PUZZLE ANSWERS ON SEPARATE PAGE

Start date: ASAP ProD opportunities may be required.

For further information about this role, please contact Principal at 250-350-3370 or email:principal@uppernicola.com Please send cover letter and resume to Human Resources, General Delivery, Douglas Lake, BC V0E 1S0, or hr@uppernicola.com. N’kwala School thanks all those interested but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 58 (NICOLA-SIMILKAMEEN)

FIRST NATIONS SUPPORT WORKER

Check Out Our Website:

School District No. 58 (Nicola-Similkameen) is accepting applications for the position of First Nations Support Worker in Merritt for 7 hours per day, 10 months per year starting March 1, 2022 to April 30, 2022 or the return of the incumbent.

vancourier.com merrittherald.com http://classified.van.net

The successful applicant will be responsible for providing social/emotional support, communicating with students and parents/guardians, tutoring, and cultural education.

Catch your next job in our employment section.

Electronic application submissions will be accepted until February 25, 2022.

If interested, please send your resume along with three references to humanresources@sd58.bc.ca or on-line at www.sd58.bc.ca, click on Jobs, Support Positions, and Current Job Opportunities (Job Code 3191395).

Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 58 (NICOLA-SIMILKAMEEN)

NOON HOUR SUPERVISORS School District No. 58 is accepting applications for Noon Hour Supervisors at Collettville Elementary

1. Constrictors 5. Abounding in rocks 11. Speed 14. German city 15. Lacking sympathy 18. Visionaries 19. Wastes away 21. One precursor to the EU 23. Nursemaid 24. Unconsciousnesses 28. Baby’s word for father 29. Equal to 64 US pints (abbr.)

30. Senses of self-importance 32. Midway between south and southwest 33. When you hope to get there 35. Electronic data processing 36. Passports and drivers’ licences are two 39. Fishes 41. Air Force 42. Personal computers 44. Ecological community 46. Wings

47. Halfway 49. Cool, calm and collected 52. Jewelled headdress 56. Musical composition 58. __ Falls 60. Repeating remarks 62. Periods in one’s life 63. Hyphen

16. Ancient sage 17. Consist of two elements

(abbr.)

25. Of I 26. Get older 27. Brotherhoods 29. Buzzing insect 31. Sunscreen rating 34. Brew 36. Leader 37. Indigo bush 38. Burn with a hot liquid 40. Junior’s dad

43. Horse mackerels genus 45. Morning 48. Unit of linear measurement (abbr.)

50. Double curve 51. Small, twisted bunch 53. Developed 54. Mars crater 55. Humanistic discipline 57. Word element meaning ear 58. Last or greatest in an

59. Wood residue 61. It cools your home

DOWN

This position is Monday to Friday, five (5) days per week and one (1) hour per school day. Previous experience working with students would be an asset.

If interested, please send your resume along with three references to Dena McDermott at dmcdermott@365.sd58.bc.ca or online at www.sd58.bc.ca, click on Jobs, Support Positions, and Current Job Opportunities (Job Code 3179253).

Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Thanks for wearing a mask, for everyone!

ACROSS

To advertise in To advertise in Employment Employment call 604-630-3300 Call 250-378-4241

1. __ Humbug!

2. Devices that alert pilots (abbr.)

3. Grocer 4. One point east of southeast 5. Subjects to hostility 6. Work unit 7. Atomic #56 8. British thermal unit

10. Fastened over animal’s neck 12. Device 13. Rechargeable power source

THURSDAY, February 24, 2022 • 23

www.merrittherald.com

Y o u r Local Business Directory ABIS N N A C D E S N E IC L

ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE

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CLEANING SERVICES

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RESTORATION CARPENTRY

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GET YOUR BUSINESS NOTICED! PRIME ADVERTISING LOCATION! This is a full colour business card size space on a 1, 3, 6 month or more contract.

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24 • THURSDAY, February 24,2022

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email: rlpmerit@telus.net

SERVING MERRITT & AREA FOR 40 YEARS!

Helping you is what we do.™

3499 Voght Street, Merritt BC, V1K 1C6

250-378-6181

Owner/Broker

Visit: www.royallepage.ca/merritt email: rlpmerit@telus.net for a copmlete list of current listing

www.royallepage.ca

Managing Broker

CLAUDETTE EDENOSTE Ph: 250-280-0689

JOHN ISAAC Ph: 250-378-1586

claudetteedenoste@ royallepage.ca

johnisaac@telus.net

JENNIFER KIGHTLEY Ph: 250-315-3256 jenniferkightley@ royallepage.ca

LOOKING TO SELL?

TONY LUCK

Ph: 604-217-5825 tjluck@royallepage.ca

DENISE DESILETS

3225 PETIT CREEK ROAD $1,100,000

$249,000

SL3—6528 WATERSIDE TRAIL $250,000

Beautiful lot in Nicola Lakeshore Estates with a monthly strata fee of $125.00.

Enjoy the beauty of being at the lake while enjoying the mountains views all at the same time. This lot has a buildable area of 1,304.07. 164810

2299 CHARTERS STREET

2437 IRVINE AVENUE

$365,000

$689,000

D

L SO

250 JASPER DRIVE Logan Lake $585,000

D

This 2007 Chalet style home features is situated on 5.63 acres of land with stunning mountain views. The fenced yard is complete with u/g sprinklers, plug and septic for RV in driveway and detached shop with attached carport. 165779

Beautiful, bright, well-maintained Rancher with walk out lower level. Double bay heated garage with large flat driveway. Large master bedroom with 3-piece ensuite.

African hardwood flooring throughout living room, dining room and hallway. 165352

6881 OLD NICOLA TRAIL

537 WILD ROSE DRIVE

This beautiful, custom built luxury home sits on .95 acres and is situated on the east side of Nicola Lake. With more than 4200 sqft of living space and a 659 sqft garage, this home comes with luxury finishes and option for suite. 165739

Just 15 minutes from town this 4.6 acre parcel is the perfect area for the outdoorsman! Tons of lakes nearby for the fisherman plus endless quadding, sledding, horseback riding right from your door! 164394

$2,288,888

This 2 story townhouse style home has plenty of room with 3 bedrooms and 1 1/2 bathrooms. With a full basement there is lots of room for the family. Updated flooring and 100 amp electrical. 165700

Ph: 250-318-8392 fred.singer@royallepage.ca

L SO

Call one of our agents to see what your home is worth.

1874 DOUGLAS STREET

FRED SINGER

Ph: 250-315-8395 denisedesilets@ royallepage.ca

$299,900

We are still receiving FLOOD DAMAGE ASSISTANCE Nice bungalow with two bedrooms on main floor with a possible third in basement.

Good sized workshop in basement, rec-room and extra storage. Long tern tenants in place. 163602

Here is a home you are going to love! This home is located close to schools, hospital & shopping. The upper level has 3 bds & 1 1/2 bths. Lower level has an in law suite that comes fully furnished & has a separate entrance. 165536

applications on behalf of the Rotary Club of Merritt.

If you have yet to apply, please come by during our office hours! 9-4 pm, Monday to Friday.