Merritt Herald February 27, 2025 by Merritt Herald

PAGE 11-13

February focuses on ending bullying – start the conversation, spread kindness.

PAGE 19-24

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FLOOD WATCH ISSUED FOR RIVERS IN THE MERRITT AREA

LAISA CONDE editor@merrittherald.com

A flood watch has been issued for rivers in the Merritt area due to rising temperatures and potential for ice jam flooding in the coming days.

The B.C. River Forecast Centre (BCRFC) says the flood watch is in place for Nicola River, Coldwater river and Spius Creek.

Residents and businesses in the affected areas are being asked to stay vigilant as temperatures in the region have been climbing steadily this week after a cold February. From early February, temperatures in the Merritt area reached 10 to 17 C below normal, but they are forecasted to rise to 10 to 12 C over the weekend, with overnight lows expected to remain above freezing.

According to BCRFC, the warm-up is also expected to bring rainfall to the valley bottom elevations – with five to 15 mm of precipitation predicted – and higher elevations may see additional rainfall or snow.

“Winter fluctuations in temperature from extreme lows to extreme high and rainfall have historically led to mid-season ice jam flooding in the Nicola, Coldwater and Spius systems,” the agency says.

BCRFC emphasized that ice-jamming conditions can change rapidly and are difficult to predict.

The fluctuating temperatures, along with fast-moving river conditions, pose a significant risk to life safety. As a result, authorities are urging the public to be prepared and stay informed.

Residents in the affected areas are encouraged to visit https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/ content/safety/emergency-management/preparedbc for tips on how to prepare for potential flooding.

The River Forecast Centre will continue to monitor the situation and issue updates as necessary.

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

The Coldwater River seen as on Feb. 20, 2025.

CITY SAYS IT’S READY FOR HIGH WATER AFTER FLOOD WATCH ISSUED

MICHAEL POTESTIO CASTANET

Merritt Mayor Mike Goetz says the city is being cautious as it experiences a bit of déjà vu after a Flood Watch was issued by the BC River Forecast Centre.

The provincial body issued the notice on Thursday, Feb. 20, for Spius Creek and the Nicola and Coldwater rivers in the Merritt area due to rising temperatures and rainfall in the forecast, creating the potential for flooding over the weekend.

According to the City of Merritt, it will be monitoring the river conditions closely while the Flood Watch is in effect, and noted that no significant flooding is currently anticipated as of noon on Friday, Feb. 21.

The conditions have the potential to cause ice jams which may lead to flooding in low lying areas.

“We knew this was coming a little bit,

with the really super cold weather we had, the rivers all froze solid,” Mayor Goetz said.

He said the city’s emergency management centre is operational, and has been asked to keep a close eye on the dynamic situation.

Goetz said the reason for the advisory is to enable the city to conduct repairs along the rivers quickly if need be — work that would otherwise require provincial permission.

“We’re just acting on the careful side, because we still don’t have dikes on the Coldwater that will hold anything back, so if we have to start doing some emergency repairs, we need to be able to do that in a heartbeat,” he said.

Goetz said an ice jam happened last winter, creating high water levels but ultimately passing without causing damage.

“It all came through the community — we had big piles of ice on the side [riverbanks] for quite a while,” he said.

Goetz said he’s hopeful there will be a similar result this year, with large ice chunks coming down river but no damage caused.

He said the city has not started sandbagging areas, but those materials are available if needed.

“It’s just us being proactive after 2021,” Goetz said.

In November 2021 an atmospheric river caused the south end of the city to be damaged by flooding, including the Middlesboro Bridge, which was just recently rebuilt.

Goetz said it’s hard to tell if river levels have risen since Thursday, but noted there is some water flowing on top of the river ice.

“We will see water coming above the ice,

and that ice will break because the water’s warmer, and away it’ll go and that’s where the problem comes in,” he said.

“It’s the water sitting on top of the ice, and then the ice caves in [and] starts to block up all over the place.”

A flood watch means river levels are rising and could spill banks, and flooding of areas adjacent to affected rivers may occur, according to the BC River Forecast Centre.

“We’re not getting too excited. We’re just making sure everybody’s aware,” Goetz said.

If flooding is expected to occur imminently, the Flood Watch will be upgraded to a Flood Warning and residents will be notified again via Voyent Alert, the City of Merritt stated in a Facebook post.

“We ask Merritt residents to stay vigilant, check for updates and stay away from the rivers,” the post reads.

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COURTEPATTE

‘BE PREPARED’: WILDFIRE EXPERT ISSUES WARNING

TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com

A below average year for snow precipitation in the Lower Thompson region is causing a wildfire expert to say, “be prepared”.

Despite being in a La Nina season - what is usually a wet spell which occurs every four to five years - January and the early weeks of February have been experiencing dry spells for the third year in a row according to the B.C. government’s monthly snowpack report.

Right now, large chunks of the southern interior of B.C. are experiencing moderate drought according to the Province’s drought monitor website.

The BC Wildfire Service map also shows there are active fire perimeters set up in the province’s north-east boreal regions. Around Merritt, drought conditions are listed as severe.

The Lower Thompson region, which covers the area of Merritt, Kamloops and north into the Nicola Valley, were hit particularly hard by the dry spell, seeing only precipitation at around 42 per cent of normal.

Other regions in B.C. are receiving decent amounts of moisture compared to this time last year.

The survey, conducted by the Ministry of Land, Water and Resource Stewardship as well as the River Forecast Centre, said it is possible that snow levels could get back to normal over the course of spring with effects from La Nina temperatures.

The report also says around two-thirds of the yearly snow-pack is due by early

February.

How this will affect the upcoming seasons remains to be seen, but a wildfire researcher is telling people to be prepared.

Mike Flannigan, professor and researcher on wildfires at Thompson River University, said the dry spell in the last few months “doesn’t guarantee anything” but also “sets the stage” for an active fire season.

“Parts of the province are in drought, and some of it’s a multi year drought,” he said.

“It sets the stage, it primes the engine for an active fire season. It just means things are as wet as they normally are. We haven’t had as much snow as we normally get. And if things follow the normal pattern, that means the snow will leave earlier, which lengthens the fire season, and it means it doesn’t need a very long, hot, dry, windy period before it’s ready to burn.”

According to data from the Province, nearly 500,000 acres of land have been burned in B.C. since 2019.

The future weather is impossible for anyone to predict, and a lot of what will happen will be up to the day-to-day weather.

The contrast of day-to-day weather can be seen on a geographic level too. As Lower Thompson is seeing a far from average low in snow levels, its neighbouring regions, North and South Thompson, are seeing levels much closer to normal at around 80 per

PHOTO TY LIM Park on the Bench open to the Nicola Valley Grasslands.

LOCAL MAN SAVES THREE FROM DESTRUCTIVE HOUSE FIRE

TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com

A local man’s bravery was on full display last weekend as he rescued three people from a burning house.

On Sunday, Feb. 23 a fire broke out at a house on Granite Avenue.

A witness to the scene, Robin Boyer, said the flames were quick to engulf the property.

The chief of Merritt’s Fire Rescue department Dave Tomkinson said none of the residents of the building were killed in the incident and have all been sent to the Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops for check-up but were later released.

Unfortunately several dogs were in the house at the time of the incident that couldn’t be rescued.

According to Boyer, it was very possible that the house’s residents could have faced the same fate as the dogs if not for the efforts of her husband, Cody Cartie.

Boyer and Cartie arrived on the scene shortly after the fire started while visiting the area. By then, a crowd of about half a dozen were outside watching the smoke rise from the building.

Boyer and Cartie had their child with them. Cartie had thought he heard people in the house at first, and his worries were confirmed when one of them started screaming.

“My husband said, ‘I think people are still in there,’ he passed me our child and then ran to help,” Boyer said.

Boyer witnessed a man with a ladder at

the base of the house already trying to get it up to the second floor where the residents were trapped.

Cartie was able to help the man secure the ladder, then climb up.

He rescued a pair of girls from the house’s balcony first.

Boyer said her husband heard one of the women cry out to try and rescue one of the dogs.

Cartie contemplated this, but came to the conclusion that it was more important to save human lives in the moment.

“It all happened so fast. There was the smoke, then the flames quickly after. He (Cartie) just thought, ‘I can’t let people burn.”

Next to the pair of women, a man was still trapped. The ladder was moved and Cartie was able to pull the man out of the window.

As this was happening the fire grew, with flames even shooting out of the window on the bottom floor.

Emergency services arrived on the scene about five to eight minutes later according to Boyer.

Fire crews remained on the scene until 9 p.m. that night, and their efforts prevented the flames from damaging any of the adjacent properties.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation according to Tomkinson and the house is damaged to a point where it is no longer habitable.

In the meantime, crews from the city have been working to turn off utilities to the property.

PHOTO ROBIN BOYER Man trapped on second story window escapes his burning house using ladder.

NICOLA VALLEY VIEWPOINT

TWISTING TALES THROUGH BOTH TONGUES

Rarely does a major Canadian federal political news story emerge from the Central Okanagan—yet this week, that’s exactly what’s happening. This story is particularly significant given Canada’s position as a major energy exporter, with 97 per cent of our crude oil exports in 2023, going to a single market: the United States.

The story unfolded last week when Liberal Party leadership frontrunner Mark Carney visited Kelowna, B.C. on Feb. 12 to meet with local Liberals and campaign for their support in replacing Justin Trudeau as party leader.

During a meeting with local Liberals, Mr. Carney delivered a speech—a common occurrence at political rallies. In his address, he made a bold promise: “Something that my government will do is use all of the powers of the federal government, including the emergency powers of the federal government to accelerate the major projects that we need.”

In my view, this statement reveals how the Liberal government’s energy agenda—including Bill C-69 (dubbed the “no new pipelines” bill) and Bill C-48 (the tanker ban for BC’s Pacific Northwest coast)—has made national energy projects

so complex that a candidate for Prime Minister must resort to citing unnamed “emergency powers” as the only path forward.

The concerns over Mr. Carney’s comments also reached the Province of Quebec where just 5 days later on February 17, a Quebec based journalist asked Mr. Carney if he was going to “impose a pipeline” on Quebec.

The answer from Mr. Carney this time changed significantly with Mr. Carney stating that: “I would never impose (a pipeline) on Quebec.”

This contradiction raises a serious question given that Mr. Carney has also said: “We as a nation need to build some new pipelines for conventional energy,”

As anyone following Canadian federal politics over the past few decades knows, the previous Conservative government supported and approved new pipelines to diversify and expand our economic interests internationally and reduce dependence on the United States.

Conversely, the Trudeau Liberal government cancelled the previously National Energy Board-approved Northern Gateway pipeline—which would have diversified our energy markets and secured international pricing—with the sole exception being the expansion of the existing Trans-Mountain pipeline. The Trudeau Liberal government also enacted new

SUPPLEMENTS: YOUR NUTRITIONAL SIDEKICKS

Before loading up on supplements, play detective with your diet. Track what you eat for two weeks – no cheating! You migh discover your veggie intake is... well, nonexistent. If fruits and veggies aren’t your thing, consider where you’ll get essential nutrients and antioxidants.

Protein’s a big deal too. Are you cycling through the same meals? Chicken, hamburger, eggs, tofu, beans — variety matters. If gaps persist, a quality supplement can help, but don’t swap real food for pills.

Speaking of pills, if swallowing them feels like an Olympic event, try the “applesauce trick” or chase them with cold water. And always take supplements with food for better absorption — your stomach will thank you. Got health goals? Do your homework! Many nutrients, like turmeric or garlic,

can spice up your cooking.

laws and modified National Energy Board (NEB) regulations that specifically targeted new pipeline proposals.

A prime example is the “Energy East” project—which would have transported Alberta’s energy to New Brunswick refineries and reduced dependence on foreign imports from countries like Saudi Arabia. This project faced a new requirement to account for “upstream emissions”—measuring emissions from oil and gas extraction—which had never before been part of energy regulations. This unprecedented requirement added significant complexity to the project, leading the private sector proponent to abandon it. TC Energy has since continued their successful pipeline construction— not in Canada, but in the United States and Mexico, where such stringent requirements do not exist.

Returning to Mr. Carney’s position: he claims a newfound interest in building pipelines—promising to use “emergency powers” to get them built—yet only five days later, he makes the exact opposite promise while in Quebec. While Mr. Carney has since faced accusations of “talking out of both sides of his mouth,” my question this week comes back to Canadian energy exports:

Do you support building new pipelines to diversify Canada’s natural resource exports beyond the United States? Why or why not?

Hate fish oil? Sardines in oil are a great alternative — if you don’t mind tiny fish staring back at you. (I love them. My husband? Not so much.)

Thinking about Omega supplements? Here’s a cheat sheet:

– Omega-3: Essential if you don’t eat fish.

– Omega-6: If you use canola oil, you’re covered.

– Omega-9: Olive oil’s got you covered

For the best bang for your buck, stick with Omega-3 — your body (and wallet) will thank you!

One nutrient worth checking with your doctor is vitamin D, especially if you live here in Merritt. A multivitamin covers basics, but may skimp on minerals like calcium and magnesium, so consider a separate bottle of pills or liquid. Think of supplements as backup dancers — they support your diet, not replace it. Start with real food, fill in the gaps, and give your body what it needs to thrive.

DAN ALBAS

View from the Hill

GLORIOUS IMMORTALITY

(Shobha Mitra)

Behold the blooming lilies on Easter Day

Pure and white, triumphantly risen from their earthly tombs

Their hidden bulbs under the brown sod Tell the glorious story –They have undergone “Rebirth” Risen from the silence of the earth.

To tell us all, Christ the Saviour has risen today

And lives for ever more!

The angels – pure and white – descended

From heaven above

To roll the stone away

And with the rolling of the stone

The lurking shadow of the cross has gone away. I ask: “Death, where is thy sting? For Christ has risen today

In Him the glorious immortality Reigns for evermore Hallelujah to our Redeemer

The Prince of glory, our Emmanuel.

ART-TASTIC!

This week’s submission is by Astralis Snee.

Community members, teachers and students... Submit your artwork to newsroom@ merrittherald.com for a chance to be featured in print each week!

Submissions are printed on a ﬁrst come, ﬁrst serve basis.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

A LOOK BACK

From the Herald archives

FEBRUARY 14, 1990

OLD CITY HALL

Merritt City Council has decided to tear down old City Hall. It would be much too expensive to fix up the old building which housed the City’s administrative offices since 1912, said Ald. Jim Cade at last night’s City Council meeting.

A study regarding the state of the building was prepared by engineer Victor Von Maydell and that report concludes it would cost more than $600,000 to repair former City Hall into an ideal facility.

FEBRUARY 27, 1985

LABOUR HASSLES ON COQUIHALLA

An estimated crowd of 175 persons, many angry about being unemployed despite the construction of the Coquihalla Highway, attended an open forum to discuss the situation of local labour working on the highway project.

One of the more drastic actions was proposed by Roger Patterson, who suggested shutting down access to the project.

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MOUNTIES MAKE ARRESTS, SEIZE GUNS AND DRUGS IN VALENTINE’S DAY TRAFFIC STOP

MICHAEL POTESTIO

CASTANET

A traffic stop involving a novice driver lead to Mounties seizing guns and drugs from a vehicle in Brocklehurst on Valentine’s Day.

Just after 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14, a Kamloops RCMP officer patrolling Fleetwood Avenue spotted a black car with no front plate.

The officer pulled the vehicle over and found the driver had an N licence. As part of the investigation, a passenger was arrested one of the passengers for obstruction, Kamloops RCMP said in a press release.

Police later learned the passenger was wanted on a warrant out of Merritt, and additional officers were called in to assist.

“As backup officers arrived to assist, a number of other items were located and seized by police, including a loaded handgun, loaded long-gun, cash, drugs, ammunition and other items,” Cpl. Crystal

Evelyn said in the release.

According to Evelyn, the driver was also arrested, and later released and charged with Motor Vehicle Act violations related to driving contrary to conditions and restrictions, improper display of a licence plate, and driving while impaired by drugs.

The driver was given a 24-hour prohibition and the vehicle was impounded.

The other man was held for a bail hearing, during which he was remanded in custody until his next court appearance, set for March 4.

Julian Noah Robinson, 24, of Quilchena, faces six charges including obstruction, unlawful possession of a controlled substance, firearm offences and failure to comply with a court order.

Anyone who witnessed or has information that may be related to this investigation can contact the Kamloops RCMP at 250-828-3000.

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‘IT DOESN’T TAKE MUCH TO DESTROY A HOME’

FIRES: continued from page 4

are seeing levels much closer to normal at around 80 per cent.

Flannigan said global warming has been a big factor in these forest fires up north.

“As the temperature warms, the ability to suck moisture out of the dead vegetation (increases),” he said.

“The forest floor, needles, leaves, it responds very quickly to higher temperatures. So the fuels are drier and the drier the fuels, the easier it is for a fire to start.”

Grasslands areas like the Nicola Valley are also highly susceptible to wildfires, a fact Flannigan said is overlooked by some.

“Grass fires have killed people. Grass fires can be very dangerous. They can move even more rapidly than a forest fire, so you have to be careful. Yes, the flames aren’t as big generally as forest fires, but it doesn’t take much to destroy a home. It only takes a spark,” he said.

Large fires that can burn down towns are oftentimes brought about by embers carried by the wind, Flannigan explained.

Wind speed and direction can be affected by a region’s topography. A valley, for example, could increase the speed of the wind.

Flannigan said the fire that burned down Lytton in 2021 had wind as a major factor.

“Places like Lytton, the winds can just howl down the valley there, and during the Lytton fire in 2021 the winds were just howling that day.”

Luckily for Grasslands areas like the Nicola Valley and Kamloops, large fires caused by carried embers are not as much of a concern.

“Embers, there’s more of them generated

from forest fires than grass fires. So that’s one advantage, grass fires now are less likely to produce those two km, three km embers that can burn down communities.”

As for the prevention of fires, all Flannigan said people can do is get educated and prepare their properties.

“The best that you can do to prevent the fires, and because they’re almost always human caused, is use of fire bans and education.”

He said the most important things to watch for is if a building’s materials are flammable and to make sure there is no flammable vegetation or material within 1.5 metres of the property.

Another tip to make one’s home more fire-resistant is to create moisture if you know a fire is coming.

“If a fire is approaching your community, sprinklers can be very effective. You know, hosing everything down before that fire arrives,” he said.

On the other hand, he said the number of fires caused by humans are actually decreasing due to increased educational efforts to the public.

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Campaign 2025

The potential links between bullying and violence

The Columbine High School massacre that took place on April 20, 1999, which resulted in the deaths of 12 students and one teacher, was, at the time, the deadliest school shooting in United States history.

The Columbine massacre was perpetrated by students Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, and an investigation of the shooting suggested that bullying may have contributed to the shooters’ decision to open fire on their classmates and teachers. In his journal, Harris illustrated reasons for his desire to kill, and “revenge from being teased” was among them. However, Harris also wanted to see himself as “the law,” according to his writings, indicating that he may have been an aggressor at some point as well.

While one cannot always connect bullying and extreme violence, a correlation can sometimes be made. Bullying is a growing concern in schools, and research into possible connections between bullying and other forms of youth violence is ongoing.

A recent study published in the Journal of Youth and Adolescence indicates that bullying and other health-risk behaviors can happen together (i.e. substance use, violence and school failure), and more education is needed to address the broad range of youth problems in schools.

According to Dorothy Espelage, a professor of psychology at the University of Florida, bullies have a “continuum of perpetration.” Espelage says that the aggression that can result from bullying, even years later, can be problematic. Nadine Connell, director of the Center for Crime and Justice Studies at the University of Texas at Dallas, says that bullying can continue into patterns of adulthood that can be dangerous. Experts warn that children who engage in high rates of bullying in childhood and adolescence can later become more skilled in aggression. Chronically victimized people may develop major depressive disorders or generalized anxiety disorders as a result of being bullied year after year. The organization StopBullying.gov reports that a very small number of bullied children might retaliate through extremely violent measures. Shooters had a history of being bullied in 12 out of 15 school shooting cases in the 1990s.

Bullying is a problematic issue that has ties to violence, both for bullies and their victims. Schools, parents and even government agencies are trying to find new ways to address bullying and reduce its frequency and impact.

Bullying can be tough to deal with, but kids should remember that they are not alone and that there are ways to handle the situation. The most important thing is to tell someone—a trusted adult like a parent, teacher, school counselor, or even a family friend. Many kids feel embarrassed or afraid to speak up, but keeping bullying a secret can make things worse. Adults can help find a solution and offer support.

Another key strategy is to stay calm and confident. Bullies often look for a reaction, so if a child can walk away without showing fear or anger, the bully may lose interest. Practicing responses like “Leave me alone” or “That’s not okay” in a strong, steady voice can be useful. If the bullying happens regularly, kids should try to stay in safe environments where there are teachers, friends, or other adults nearby. Bullies tend to target people who are alone, so sticking with a group can help prevent situations where bullying might occur.

If someone is being bullied online (cyberbullying), it’s important not to engage or respond to mean messages. Instead, they should save the evidence—screenshots of hurtful messages or posts—and report the bullying to a trusted adult, teacher, or the platform where it happened. Many websites and social media platforms have options to block and report bullies.

It’s also helpful to practice self-care and focus on positive activities like hobbies, sports, or spending time with supportive friends and family. Kids should remember that bullying is never their fault and that they deserve to be treated with kindness and respect. By speaking up, staying strong, and seeking help, they can take steps to protect themselves and put an end to the situation.

www.morellichertkow.com

Nicola Valley Health Care Auxiliary Thrift Store Supports Anti-Bullying with Affordable Pink Shirts

Nicola Valley Health Care Auxiliary thrift store is taking measures to support anti-bullying this year.

In the last few years, the thrift store has been selling pink shirts at an affordable rate to adults and kids in an effort to curb bullying.

Across Canada, bullying is very much still alive. According to Statistics Canada over 70 per cent of teenagers experienced some form of bullying in 2023.

Amongst that 70 per cent, a little under half of them are bullied on a regular basis.

Donna Harrington, the Monday team leader for the Auxiliary, said the thrift store started selling the

shirts in order to recognize the impact bullying has on people.

“You hear about it in the schools, and it’s also present in workplaces as well as on the streets,” she said. “It’s really important that people treat each other with kindness and lots of respect.

Bullying can cause stress and anxiety in its victims. According to Statistics Canada, it was common for physical signs of stress to show up in bullying victims, such as lack of sleep, stomach aches or headaches.

This year the thrift store has almost been able to sell out their pink shirt collection, which they gather through a year-round donation campaign. T-shirts are being sold at an affordable rate of three dollars and sweatshirts for five dollars. Proceeds from the campaign will go towards the Nicola Valley Healthcare Centre as usual.

Harrington is hoping the pink-shirt drive will provide a way for kids who may not be able to afford new clothes to take part in anti-bullying.

“There’s lots of kids who may not have the money to buy brand new shirts, but they can come here and get it at a very reasonable price,” she said.

The thrift store is looking for more volunteers to help run operations on a day-to-day basis.

Pink shirt day happened on Wednesday, Feb. 26. It is a Canadian-born tradition started in 2007 after high school students in Nova Scotia wore pink shirts in solidarity with one of their classmates who was bullied for wearing such clothing.

ANTI BULLYING CAMPAIGN 2025

Signs children might be victims of bullying

Despite the best efforts of educators and parents, bullying is a problem at many schools. According to StopBullying.gov, an official website of the United States government, as many as one in three American students say they have been bullied at school. And the problem is not exclusive to the United States, as the Canadian Institutes of Health Research report that at least one in three adolescent students in Canada report being recent victims of bullying.

If you have been targeted by bullying... YOU DESERVE RESPECT. YOU DO NOT DESERVE TO BE BULLIED.

school hungry because they did not eat lunch.

• Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares

• Declining grades, loss of interest in schoolwork, or not wanting to go to school

• Sudden loss of friends or avoidance of social situations

• Feelings of helplessness or decreased self-esteem

Take a stand. If you are being targeted keep your cool and walk away. Using insults or fighting back might make the problem worse.

Don’t join in the bullying by putting yourself down. Stay focused on things that make you feel confident and proud of yourself.

Bullied students often suffer in silence. As a result, the onus is on parents to learn the signs that a child is a victim of bullying. Such signs are not always easy to recognize, as StopBullying.gov notes that the most common types of bullying are verbal and social. Physical bullying happens less often, so kids who are being bullied may not exhibit physical symptoms like bruises or unexplained injuries, which are common indicators of physical bullying.

Get support. Hang out with friends that will support you, and work together to speak out against bullying and harassment.

By learning the common signs of bullying, parents are in better position to recognize when their children are being bullied, whether that bullying is physical, social or verbal.

Signs of bullying

Think about the qualities you want in a friend and try to have those qualities yourself. Know that people who treat you poorly, exclude you or spread rumours about you are not good friends.

Don’t cast yourself as a “victim” for life. This person or people have singled you out in this situation but that doesn’t mean it will always be that way.

There are many signs of bullying and kids may not exhibit them all. In fact, StopBullying.gov notes that some bullied children exhibit no warning signs. So in addition to learning these signs of bullying, parents can make a concerted effort to communicate with their children every day, asking youngsters about how their day went and if they encountered anything that adversely affected their mood.

• Unexplainable injuries

• Lost or destroyed clothing, books, electronics, or jewelry

Cope with strong feelings of sadness or anger in a healthy way through sports, music, reading, journaling, or talking it out.

• Frequent headaches or stomach aches, feeling sick or faking illness

• Changes in eating habits, like suddenly skipping meals or binge eating. Kids may come home from

• Self-destructive behaviors, such as running away from home, harming themselves, or talking about suicide

FACTS

1. Bullying is not a normal part of growing up.

Parents are urged to report any concerns about bullying to educators immediately, as research indicates bullying can lead to or worsen feelings of isolation, rejection, exclusion, and despair. Bullying also can lead to or worsen feelings of depression and anxiety, which can contribute to suicidal behavior.

2. You have a right to be treated with respect and feel safe.

Learn more about bullying and how to combat it at www.StopBullying.gov.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE, ASK 4 HELP

Talk about it with someone you trust and try to find a healthy way to change what is happening or how you react to it.

Call a help line – reaching out to a counsellor in an anonymous way can help make talking about it easier.

KidsHelpPhone

t. 1-800-668-6868

e. kidshelpphone.ca

SMOKE VISIBLE AFTER CREWS

CONDUDCT

SMOKE VISIBLE AFTER CREWS CONDUDCT PRESCRIBED BURNS

PRESCRIBED BURNS

LAISA CONDE editor@merrittherald.com

A prescribed burn will be conducted covering up to 29 hectares on the Nooaitch IR #9 and #10, approximately 20 kilometres west of Merritt.

According to a news release by the BC Wildfire Service, the exact timing of the burn will depend on weather and site conditions, but it could begin as early as Monday, March 3 and is expected to continue until the end of April.

“Burning will proceed if conditions are suitable and allow for smoke dispersal during burn operations, though smoke may also linger in the following days,” the release says.

BC Wildfire Service states that smoke may be visible to residents of the Nooaitch Indian Band, Merritt, Lower Nicola and travellers along Highway 8, west of Merritt.

The prescribed burn in the region aims to reduce build-up of dead grass, promote the growth of traditional foods, aid in community protection through the removal of fuel in Wildland Urban Interface areas as well as to provide critical cross training

BCWS WARNS OF BURNS PLANNED FOR 65-HECTARE PARCEL SOUTH OF MERRITT

BCWS WARNS OF BURNS PLANNED

COLDEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR: NEARLY $3,500 RAISED

TIM PETRUK

CASTANET

Smoke is expected to be visible from Merritt and the Coquihalla Highway as the BC Wildfire Service teams up with the Coldwater Indian Band Fire Department for a controlled burn.

Crews are hoping to reduce the buildup of vegetation in a 65-hectare area about 10 kilometres south of Merritt.

Burning is expected to take place between March 3 and the end of April, but the timing will depend on weather conditions.

“Burning will proceed if conditions are suitable and allow for smoke dispersal during burn operations, though smoke may also linger in the following days,” the BCWS said in a statement.

TIM PETRUK CASTANET

KRAKORA

MATHIS PERRON

Hometown: Pittsburgh, PA Date of Birth: 2005-05-19

Hometown: Neuville, QB

Date of Birth: 2006-09-06

Helpingplayersachieve onesmile at atime.

Height/Weight: 6’3/215lbs

W 15 L 5 GAA 2.87 SV% 0.907 GOALIE #30

GRADY SLUGGETT

Hometown: Sooke, BC

Date of Birth: 2006-03-29

Height/Weight: 6’0 / 170lbs Stats: GP 13 G 2 A 5 PTS 7 Pt/G 0.54

2088Quilchena Av Call TodaytoBookYourAppointment. Ph: 250-378-5877

TROY HORN

#19

ALEX CORDERO

Hometown: Yellowknife, NT

Date of Birth: 2005-01-10

Height/Weight: 5’11 / 194lbs

GP 38 G 6 A 18 PTS 24 Pt/G 0.63

Hometown: Chilliwack , BC

Date of Birth: 2006-06-06

Height/Weight: 5’11 / 168lbs Stats: GP 31 G 9 A 11 PTS 20 Pt/G 0.65

TAYE SHUKIN

Hometown: Canora , SK Date of Birth: 2006-12-12

Height/Weight: 5’10 / 174lbs

Hometown: North Vancouver, BC

Date of Birth: 2007-03-01

Height/Weight: 6’1 / 181lbs

Hometown: Calgary , AB Date of Birth: 2007-03-01

Height/Weight: 6’0 / 168lbs Stats: GP 31 G 4 A 1 PTS 5 Pt/G 0.16

Height/Weight: 6’1 / 185lbs Stats: GP 37 G 0A 9 PTS 9 Pt/G 0.24 DEFENCE #9

Hometown: Calgary , AB Date of Birth: 2006-03-09

Hometown: Daysland, AB Date of Birth: 2006-05-25 Height/Weight:

MARSHALL WAGNER

LOGAN KEARLEY

Merritt, BC

TYLER ORIGITANO

Hometown: Elmhurst , IL Date of Birth: 2005-10-14 Height/Weight: 5’9 / 165lbs

BRAYDEN THURLOW

Abbotsford , BC

Hometown: Chestemere, AB Date of Birth: 2006-02-11

Hometown: Kelowna, BC, Date of Birth: 2007-02-07

Hometown: St. Albert, AB Date of Birth: 2006-05-27

Shop Local - Buy Canadian

When you shop local, you invest in your neighbours, your town, and your future. Support Canadian businesses and make a difference where it matters most!

MERRITT STORES CHANGE IN FACE OF BUY

CANADIAN MOVEMENT

ALMERINA RIZZARDO Creative Company

“Please, buy locally as much as possible. They (shoppers) have lots of opportunity between ours, the gallery, the Art Gallery and the one at the corner with Vision Quest.

“You’ve got lots of opportunity in town to buy local when the farmers market starts up. Great opportunity to buy local when the people from the Okanagan come with their fruits and vegetables. Again, it might be the Okanagan, but it is local.”

“It helps your neighbors. It helps the one that lives next to you, across the street, the one that you see in the grocery store. It helps everybody out.”

“We’ll have to see the other thing that’s affecting us is the fear of the tariffs. A lot of us get our stuff, the fabrics, supplies, from the States, and so we’re looking at it going, how is it going to affect my bottom line?”

“So now we’re looking at suppliers for our products in Canada. That may mean that our prices go up.”

“When we figure it out, we’re working for pennies an hour when we do this homemade, handmade stuff, and we do it because it feeds our creativity, our souls. We don’t do it for money.”

“I’m trying to buy as much Canadian product as I can. I read labels. If it’s made in Canada, I buy it. I like shopping at Save-OnFoods, because they’re they’re starting to put stickers up where it’s Canadian so that I don’t spend as much time searching through the different yogurts to see which one is Canadian made.”

“Our transition has been pretty easy. We’ve just been plugging some more local products and trying to move away from some of the American influence corporate cannabis producers in Canada and trying to give some more business to the little guys.”

“There’s a couple American brands that have started Canadian branches, like a couple brands that make pre rolls and thigns like that. So there’s been a lot of people that used to buy them that are kind of moving towards other stuff and trying to buy less from the American subsidiaries.”

“The American guys will invest in a company that will start to grow up and then it’ll be under their same name, but it is technically Canadian cannabis, but they’re still seeing the profits from that. So we’re trying to sell less of those and more of the stuff that’s closer to home.”

MAX CURTIS

Unity Cannabis Merritt manager

APRIL & STEVE HAGEN

Quilchena Cannabis Co.

“We are proudly selling all Canadian cannabis products!”

“We are proudly local, supporting local!”

“It’s too early too tell for us if more people are buying our lumber because of a movement.”

“We are Canadian owned, and we only use wood from other Canadian mills.”

“I’m hoping the younger generation can be the change in this society because there is too much focus on our differences. I believe that each country should be doing as much internal manufacturing as they can, that way it will cost less to ship products across the world, maybe leading to less international strife.”

“I can’t say I’ve seen an increase in business because of Buy Canadian movement yet, but I can say that the Buy Local movement has been going strong over the last six months.”

“People seem to be more aware about the benefits of supporting local businesses.” “Any movement that supports local business, we need to unite around and we need it now more than ever.”

ASHLEY, JIM AND STEVE DAVY

Merritt Lumber Sales

VICKI HANSEN

Miss Vicki’s Petals and Plants Flower Shop

Nicola Valley Sports

“The new tariffs coming up. It’s definitely a time for us to unite as Canadians and start buying local products, Canadian made products, and I’m seeing that a big, big influence in a lot of our stores and purchasing trends. Now, with these tariffs coming in, that more Canadians are wanting to buy Canadian based products.”

“Most of the stuff is made overseas, but some of our smaller, like niche items are made here in Canada, and we’re seeing definitely that stuff pick up for sure.”

HOW TO MAKE SENSE OF CANADIAN LABELS WHILE SHOPPING

Shoppers have been caught up in the buy Canadian fervour since U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order Sunday, Feb. 2, applying 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian goods.

To learn which products are coming from Canada, shoppers have been scouring for labels, manufacturer websites and factory addresses.

They’ve found plenty of items marked product of Canada or made in Canada, but what do these terms really mean? And can you really count on a Maple Leaf marked on a package to prove something is Canadian?

TARA DESCHAMPS

The Canadian Press

PHOTO/THE CANADIAN PRESS/ETHAN CAINS

A sign is placed in front of the American whiskey section at a B.C. liquor store after top selling American made products have been removed from shelves in Vancouver, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. Shoppers have been caught up in the buy Canadian fervour since U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to soon apply 25 per cent tariff s on all Canadian goods.

JOSH HALVORSON

PRODUCT OF CANADA

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s website says a “product of Canada” label denotes that all, or nearly all, of the food, processing and labour used to make the product is Canadian.

Products with this label were grown or raised by Canadian farmers and prepared and packaged in Canada, but can contain a small amount of imported food, such as spices, additives, vitamins, and flavourings.

For non-food products, the Competition Bureau says the label can only be used on items when at least 98 per cent of the costs of producing or manufacturing the good have been incurred in Canada.

Proudly Canadian

MADE IN CANADA

The Made in Canada label can be applied to items when “the last substantial transformation of the product occurred in Canada.”

For example, the CFIA says the processing of cheese, dough, sauce and other ingredients to create a pizza would be considered a substantial transformation.

For non-food products to use the label, the Competition Bureau says the last substantial transformation of the good must have occurred in Canada and at least 51 per cent of production or manufacturing costs must have been in the country.

The bureau and CFIA say companies that use the made in Canada label must also say whether the product is made in Canada from imported components or ingredients or a combination of imported and domestic parts or ingredients.

CANADIAN

The CFIA treats the word Canadian the same as it does “product of Canada,” meaning all or virtually all major ingredients, processing and labour used to make the food product must be Canadian.

It says if you see “Canadian” on a container of frozen lasagna, it would mean that the food meets the “Product of Canada” criteria.

The same is true for ingredients, so if “Canadian cheddar cheese” is marked on a package of cheddar cheese sauce, all or virtually all major ingredients, processing and labour used to make the cheddar cheese in the sauce must be Canadian.

A MAPLE LEAF

The CFIA says use of the Maple Leaf on food packaging does not always mean that the product is wholly or partially Canadian but is often used to denote something is a “product of Canada.”

To ensure the leaf does not mislead consumers, it recommends food companies include a domestic content statement with the image, but many firms don’t follow that advice.

PRODUCED OR MANUFACTURED IN CANADA

The Competition Bureau website says terms like “produced”, or “manufactured” in Canada, are likely to be understood by consumers as “made in Canada” and should therefore comply with the requirements to use that claim.

100% CANADIAN

To use this term, the CFIA says the food or ingredient to which the claim applies must be entirely Canadian, including its processing and labour.

THE BLUE COW

Items in the dairy aisle often have a blue cow logo, which the Dairy Farmers of Canada organization says means it was made with 100 per cent Canadian milk and milk ingredients.

LOCAL

If a company advertises that a product is “local,” the CFIA says it must be produced in the province or territory in which it is sold, or sold across provincial borders within 50 km of the originating province or territory

MEAT AND POULTRY

Companies can only call meat a “product of Canada” if it is from Canadian animals that are slaughtered in Canada.

Animals are considered Canadian if they are born or hatched, raised and slaughtered in Canada or, in the case of feeder cattle, if they have spent a period of at least 60 days in Canada before slaughter in Canada, the CFIA said.

FISH AND SEAFOOD

The CFIA says wild fish and seafood products can be labelled “product of Canada,” if they were caught by vessels in Canadian waters and the products from the fish and seafood are processed in a Canadian establishment using Canadian ingredients.

In the case of farmed fish and seafood, the CFIA says the farm must be located in Canada and the processing must occur in a Canadian establishment with the use of Canadian ingredients.

EGGS

Eggs from imported hens and milk from imported cows can use the “product of Canada” label as long as the hen laid its eggs in Canada and the cow is milked in Canada.

NICOLA VALLEY SPORTS

MERRITT CENTENNIALS DROP LAST TWO GAMES BEFORE PLAYOFFS

LAÍSA CONDÉ

editor@merrittherald.com

Friday, Feb. 21 – Merritt Centennials 1, Princeton Posse 2 (SO)

The Merritt Centennials fell 2-1 in a shootout to the Princeton Posse, fighting all night long in a tight-checking game against a team that won its third in a row.

As is the case in most shootouts, Friday night was a classic goalie battle.

Cents’ goalie Andrew Krakora made 38 saves as Blake Sittler made 24 for Princeton.

The action got underway close to the end of first period as Ben Dods put the Posse in the lead, receiving a pass from Jonathan Ward across the Cents’ zone and sending the puck past Krakora.

The visiting team’s celebration was short-lived, though, as Grady Slugget responded just three minutes later to even things up for the Centennials.

The game remained deadlocked at 1-1 for the rest of regulation, leading to some extra time at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.

Despite Merritt having three shots on goal and Princeton having only one shot during overtime, none managed to find the back of the net.

As the shootout began, Princeton started off strong, as Tyson Horiachka found the back of the net in the second round as Merritt missed their shots.

Merritt equalized in the third round with Steven Foster after Princeton missed their shot.

Both teams went back and forth, but ultimately Carson Hebert sealed the deal in the sixth round, putting one past Krakora.

The Merritt Centennials fell 2-1 to the Princeton Posse, and despite the loss, the team walked away with one point on their last home game before playoffs.

Saturday, Feb. 22 – Merritt Centennials 3, Revelstoke Grizzlies 5

The Merritt Centennials hit the road towards Revelstoke for their last game of the regular season.

But a valiant comeback effort fell short as Merritt dropped a 5-3 decision to the Grizzlies Saturday evening inside Revelstoke Forum.

The first period saw a very balanced game between the two teams, with 12 shots each.

Revelstoke opened the score eight minutes into the game during a power play, making it a 1-0 lead for the home team.

The Grizzlies extended the lead early in the second frame with a powerplay tally as Jake Phillips-Watts netted his first of the game.

The home team pushed the margin to 3-0 just four minutes after, putting a lot of pressure on the Cents.

Merritt struck six minutes after, as Jobie Siemens (3) found the back of the net, making it 3-1.

The Grizzlies would manage to score another goal of their own just three minutes later, which was shortly answered as Brayden Thurlow (13) potted one for the Cents.

The third period saw more back-and-forth action, with both teams generating opportunities.

Merritt cut the lead to a single-goal after Dylan Ruff (15) got a goal of his own after putting it past Grizzlies’ goalie Devin Degenstein, making it 4-3.

One lucky shot by Florian Ambauen was enough to crown the Grizzlies’ victory over Merritt.

The Merritt Centennials fell 5-3 against the Revelstoke Grizzlies on their last game of regular season.

Playoffs are just around the corner

As the Cents have clinched their first-ever playoff spot in the KIJHL, which marks a monumental achievement for the franchise in its inaugural season under new management and a revamped coaching staff, fans in Merritt have more hockey on the way.

Merritt, who finished third in the Bill Ohlhausen Division of the KIJHL, will be facing the Revelstoke Grizzlies for the first round of the playoffs which kicks off this Friday, Feb. 28, at the Revelstoke Forum.

The series are scheduled to be:

– Game 1: Friday, Feb. 28 - Merritt vs Revelstoke

– Game 2: Saturday, March 1 - Merritt vs Revelstoke

– Game 3: Monday, March 3 - Revelstoke vs Merritt

– Game 4: Tuesday, March 4 - Revelstoke vs Merritt

– Game 5: Friday, March 7 - Merritt vs Revelstoke*

– Game 6: Saturday, March 8 - Revelstoke vs Merritt*

– Game 7: Monday, March 10 - Merritt vs Revelstoke*

(* if necessary)

CENTS WIN KIJHL AWARDS

The Merritt Centennials’ rookie sensation, Sam Giangualano, has been named Rookie of the Year after an outstanding debut season in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL). The Calgary native quickly made his mark, producing an impressive 53 points in just 41 games, placing him second overall among all KIJHL rookies.

Giangualano’s scoring touch was evident, as he netted 25 goals and added 28 assists, ranking third in total points among newcomers.

COACH OF THE YEAR - BILL OHLHAUSEN DIVISION - WES MCLEOD

Wes McLeod, the Mission, B.C. native, has been named KIJHL Coach of the Year after guiding the expansion Merritt Centennials to a successful inaugural season. Under McLeod’s leadership, the Cents posted a 26-13-3-2 record, earning 57 points in 44 games, ranking seventh in the league.

Defensively, the Centennials allowed the fifth fewest goals with 122. They were dominant when scoring first, posting a 19-5-1-1 record. In their own division, they went 13-8-1-2. McLeod’s team also excelled on special teams, ranking fifth in the league with an 85.3 per cent penalty-kill rate (31-for-211).

GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR - BILL OHLHAUSEN DIVISION - BRAD ANSTEY

Brad Anstey has been named KIJHL General Manager of the Year after successfully building the expansion Merritt Centennials into a playoff contender in their first season.

Anstey strengthened the roster by signing Cohen Poulin from the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels and adding forward Dane Dietz from Quesnel just before the trade deadline. He also brought in Grady Sluggett and Dylan Kruchten from the SJHL. Solid goaltending from Andrew Krakora and Mathis Perron, who combined for a 2.68 GAA and a .919 save percentage, was another key factor in the team’s success. Krakora finished second in the league with a .931 save percentage.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR - BILL OHLHAUSEN DIVISION - SAM GIANGUALANO

MSS GRADE 8 GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM CLINCHES CHAMPIONSHIP

LAISA CONDE editor@merrittherald.com

The Merritt Secondary School Grade 8 girls basketball team secured the championship title with a hard-fought 45-31 win over Barriere in the final game of the season.

The victory capped off an incredible turnaround for the team, which saw significant growth throughout the year.

Coach René Aubin highlighted teamwork and determination as key factors in their success.

“One of the big keys to our success was learning to work together as a team,” said Aubin. “The ability to find open teammates and make good decisions about passing was critical.”

In the final game, the team’s toughness on the ball came into play. After a strong first quarter, Barriere gained momentum in the second, outworking MSS by winning loose balls and grabbing rebounds. However, Aubin’s

halftime talk focused on emphasizing the importance of rebounds and ball possession, a strategy that led to MSS dominating the second half. “They came out in the second half and took control,” Aubin explained. “We were the team getting those loose balls and rebounds, and that was a big part of the win.”

The team’s growth was also evident in their free throw shooting. At the start of the season, many players struggled to even hit the rim, but by the final, the team shot over 50 per cent from the free throw line.

“That was a real demonstration of the growth they made,” said Aubin.

The championship victory was especially significant considering the team’s early struggles.

“At the beginning of the season, we averaged just four points per game and allowed over 50 points,” said Aubin. “To come out in the final, scoring in the mid-40s and

holding the other team to 31 points.”

As the team looks ahead, Aubin emphasized the importance of continuing to develop skills for next season.

“For next year, we’ll focus on improving three-point shooting, as that will be crucial for advancing to the next division,” he said. Aubin also offered valuable advice to future players.

“If you’re interested in playing, just go for it. You make new friendships, form connections, and become part of something bigger than yourself.”

The girls are already excited about the future, with a strong desire to improve for next season. Aubin, reflecting on the team’s journey, expressed immense pride.

“At the beginning of the season, some of the girls were thinking about quitting because the losses were tough,” he said. “But they stuck with it, worked hard, and have improved so much.”

MERRITT SKATERS EXCEL AT REGIONALS

LAISA CONDE

editor@merrittherald.com

The Nicola Valley Skating Club is celebrating a series of impressive performances by its skaters at the Okanagan Regionals 2025.

According to coach Diana Lorenz, every participant achieved personal bests, marking a strong start to the competitive season.

The results as follow:

Olivia Boone - STAR 3 FreeSkate Prog. GOLD Ribbon

Avery Starrs - STAR 3 FreeSkate Prog. SILVER Ribbon

Avery Starrs - STAR 3 Elements SILVER Ribbon

Jayda Starrs - STAR 5 13&O FreeSkate Prog. 8th place out of 21 skaters

Mackenna Forman - STAR 2 FreeSkate Prog. SILVER Ribbon

Meera Dutt - STAR 4 FreeSkate Prog. 3rd Place, BRONZE medal

Meera Dutt- STAR 4 Elements 1st Place, GOLD Medal

Jayda - STAR 5 Elements 4th Place

According Lorenz, the skaters are now getting ready to head to the Kelowna Super Series STARskate Final this week. Two skaters are travelling to a high test day in Ashcroft for their STAR 6 assessments as well.

The Nicola Valley Skating Club is also getting ready for their big biennial ice show on March 15 at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena. Those who wish to check it out can get their tickets at the door.

FUN-FILLED CURLING SPIEL

It was a fun weekend for curlers in the Nicola Valley.

The Merritt mixed bonspiel, which was hosted by the Merritt Curling Club, attracted 12 teams in total, an increase in participation when compared to the eight teams the year before.

A simplified format was used to make it a fun cash spiel with two pools. Curlers won money if they won or lost and played in total three games.

According to Susan Newton, president of the Merritt Curling Club, curlers aged from 12 to 80-plus participated in the event – with two juniors playing.

“Shows this can be a life long sport,” she added.

The Merritt Curling Club’s next event is the club finals on Friday, March 14, at 6:30 p.m.

The list of all winners as follow:

- Winners Pool ‘A’: Bob Taylor, Maureen Lorenz, Pat Tombe, Kathy Tombe

- Winners Pool ‘B’: Susan Newton, Deb Phillips, Lorena Matheson, Jake Courtepatte

PHOTOS: MERRITT SECONDARY SCHOOL

Merritt Secondary School Grade 8 girls basketball team clinched the championship this basketball season after impressive overcome.

PHOTOS:

Merritt skaters excel at Okanagan Regionals 2025 over the

GRADS TAKE ON TEACHERS, PARENTS IN ANNUAL HOCKEY GAME

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 2499 Coutlee Avenue (at Orme) 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 1:30 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

CLASSIFIEDS

ProudlyrecognizedasMerritt'sBestBookkeeper/Accountantofthe2019,2020,and2021 People'sChoiceAwards.It'sbeenourpleasureandprivilegetoserveourcommunityforover20 yearsandwelookforwardtobringinganothercommunitymembertojoinouroﬃce.Attentionto detailandbeingateamplayerisparamount.Salarywillbedependantonexperience.

The Boardof DirectorsoftheThompson-NicolaRegional Districtgivesnoticethat itwillholda

Hearing in theTNRD Boardroom, 4thFloor-465 Victoria Street,Kamloops, BC, to consider proposed Bylaw 2843, 2024.

What is ZoningAmendment Application No.BA260, Bylaw2843,2024?

It would considera site-specificzoningamendment of theRL-1: Rural zoneat2182 Settlers Road, Lower Nicola, BC (PID:012-986-194),asshown outlinedinthe adjacent map, to enablelight industrial activities, including ancillary shipping containers, heavyequipment storage,and an administrationoffice onaportionoftheproperty

Maintaingeneralledgersandfinancialstatements. Calculateandpreparechequesforpayroll. Prepareotherstatistical,financial,andaccounting reports. Keepfinancialrecordsandestablish,maintain,and balancevariousaccountsusingSage50. MustbeeﬃcientinMicrosoftExcelandWord. Please email resumeto cjrbook@telus.net, or mail to Attn.ConnieRauch(Owner) CJRBookkeeping&TaxServicesInc. POBox2402.Merritt,BC.V1K1B8

Allpersons whobelievethattheir interestin property may be affectedby theproposed bylaw shallbeaffordedareasonableopportunity to provideinputat thePublic Hearing. Anyone who wishes to presentat the Hearingvirtually(viaZoom) mustcontact LegislativeServices prior to noonon March4,2025,to arrangevirtualaccess.Anyone may also make writtensubmissionsonthematterof Bylaw2843, 2024(via theoptions below), which must be receivedat our officepriorto noonon March 4, 2025. The entirecontentof allsubmissions will be madepublic and formpartof thepublic recordfor this matter.

HowdoIgetmore information?

Copiesof theproposed Bylawandall supporting informationcanbeinspected from8:30 a.m. to 4:30p.m., Monday- Friday(exceptstatutoryholidays)at ouroffice, from February18, 2025,until1:30p.m. on theday of the Hearing;orplease contactus viaanyof the optionsbelow

1ACREIN LOWERNICOLA

1. Greek mythological figure

5. Small amount

8. Play a role

11. River in Georgia and Alabama

13. Water in the solid state

14. Ancient Greek sophist

15. Having a strong sharp smell or taste

16. Fleece

1. S. American plant

2. Soul and calypso song

3. Fruit of the service tree

4. Continent

5. Albania’s capital

6. Poisonous plant

7. Argues

8. Assists

9. Town in Galilee

10. Russian leader

12. Promotional materials

17. Writer/actress Dunham

18. Behave in a way that belittles

20. Comedienne Gasteyer

21. Zoroastrian concept of holy fire

22. Conceits

25. Slowed down

30. Nourishment

31. Midway between east and southeast

14. Wings

19. Not odd

23. Expression of creativity

24. Conceptualize

25. A digital tape recording of sound

26. Peyton’s little brother

27. Cost, insurance and freight (abbr.)

28. Difference in potential

29. Owner

34. I (German)

32. Fights

33. Comedienne Tyler

38. Standing operating procedure

41. Locks

43. Old

45. Song sung to one’s lover

47. Whale ship captain

49. Moved quickly on foot

50. Volcanic craters

55. Large musical instrument

56. Liquefied natural gas

57. Ethiopian town

59. Not closed

60. A team’s best pitcher

61. Spiritual leader of a Jewish congregation

62. Disfigure

63. Prefix denoting “in a”

64. Sleep

35. Chinese conception of poetry

36. The world of the dead

37. Sign language

39. Coincide

40. Religious observance

41. Confined condition (abbr.)

42. Polite interruption sound

44. Texas ballplayer

45. Type of sword

Kruse N’ Style

46. Abba __, Israeli politician

47. Basic unit of a chemical element

48. Native American people in California

51. Swiss river

52. Hebrew calendar month

53. Easily swindled person

54. One point south of southwest

58. Small island (British)

“FREE” DailyBREAKFAST, HOTLUNCHandSNACKPROGRAM

FULL-TIMEKINDERGARTEN

•Mustbe 5yrsbyDec31,2025

•BusServicesProvidedto most areasofr itt f Merrit

CURRICULUM:

•BcEducationCurriculum

•TwoRecessesPlusA Lunch

•Nle?Kepmxcin(K-7)

•CulturalStudies

•LearningAssistanceProgram

•SchoolSuppliesProvided

•Skate/HockeyProgram

•ScienceofReading

FACILITIES:

•Full-SizeGymnasium

•ClassroomLibraries

•A CalmingSpace

•Baseball/SoccerField

PLAYGROUNDEQUIPMENT

•ClimbingWall

•BasketballCourt

•Spinner WE HAVE MONTHLYFAM ILYD INNE RS ANDE LDERSLUNCHEONS

•Literacy& NumeracyBlitzesAfterLunchEveryDay

•WeParticipateInTheDistrictElementarySportsProgram

•WeAreOnTheLandForFieldTripsOften

•WeAreA PlayIsTheWaySchool

LOWERNICOLABANDSCHOOL -EDUCATIONCOMESFIRST

Phone: 250-378-5527