TAXES INCREASE
The City of Merritt is looking for public input on the upcoming budget and tax increase.
NEW DINER
new family-run diner located in the heart of Merritt is being planned to open later this year.
BUDGET CUTS THREATEN RCMP DETACHMENT AND 24-HOUR POLICING
Merritt council faces tough choices as tax increases and service reductions are discussed
Municipal support for the RCMP detachment may be decreased as the city is looking for ways to cut costs amongst nationwide inflation.
As the May deadline for city council to finalize the town’s budget plan for 2025-2029 comes ever-closer, cutting officer spots for the RCMP has been discussed as a viable way to save money.
Funding for the RCMP in the 2025 financial plan currently accounts for about 40 per cent of the municipal levy allocation or about $5 million invested into the field of protective services.
Operating costs in all fields are expected to rise each year for the city. Funding allocated to the RCMP may even account for half the municipal budget in 10-years-time.
Mayor Mike Goetz is looking at ways to balance all sides of the situation.
“We also need to talk about federal RCMP coverage the way we’re going right now. In 10 years, it’ll be over 50 per cent of our budget. We can’t go in that direction,” he said during the Jan. 14 council meeting in which the budget was the centre of attention.
The city is contemplating an eight to 12 per cent municipal tax increase. As providing funding to RCMP is a large money-sink, the city is planning ways to decrease some of those costs.
There have been 25 options presented to city council as ways to lower the tax increase by various percentages.
In 17 of these options, cuts to RCMP spots or other protective services such as the removal of the physical space for the community policing office are part of the plan.
RCMP Staff Sgt. Josh Roda told the Herald in an email that he is supportive of vacating the Community Policing Office located at Spirit Square.
“I am supportive of this as the building dose pose a bit of a security risk.
Marlene Jones, the Community Policing coordinator, often works there alone, which can be a risk to her as we cannot provide an officer to be in that building 24/7/365,” the email said.
Jones would not be losing her position if the building is closed, only relocated to work in the detachment instead.
Despite the seemingly dire situation,
RESPONSE: continued on page 3
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PHOTO TY LIM
DRIBBLE, DRIVE, DUNK: Merritt Secondary School Sr. Boys team clinches second place in hometown basketball tournament. See Page 12 for story.
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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
‘RESPONSE TIME WOULD CHANGE SIGNIFICANTLY’
RESPONSE: continued from page 1
Merritt’s chief administrative officer Cynthia White said in the Jan. 14 council meeting that the police cutbacks shouldn’t be felt too bad.
In Merritt’s RCMP detachment there are 17 spaces available for RCMP officers, 14 of which have been filled.
White argues that the city could keep their contract with the RCMP for 17 members and instead amend their budget for the expected 14 or 15 officers working. In the unlikely case more officers will transfer to Merritt bringing the total count up to 15 or 17 officers, the city’s budget will have to change to accommodate the planned officers.
Roda told the Herald he would be happy to work with the city in any situation.
“I am happy to work with them in any way they need to, to try to balance their budget and try to work with them. So if they want a budget for 15 and and we just talk about how many resources we in place. That works,” he said.
Still, he confirms that the city would benefit from keeping the two RCMP spots.
He said if the two positions were cut, the detachment would no longer be able to provide 24-hour service.
“The response time would change significantly,” he said. “It could go from it being a three
minute call when somebody dials 911, to them waiting 30 minutes for the police officer to arrive.”
Despite the detachment being under capacity, Roda said if the open spots would be cut from the contract it would lead to more officers being transferred to other detachments.
“There’s probably no detachment in the country that is at 100 per cent staffing levels other than maybe small, like three, two man posts,” he said.
He said that detachments at or close to 100 per cent capacity
“ It could go from being a three minute call when somebody dials 911, to them waiting 30 minutes for the police officer to arrive.”
— Merritt RCMP Staff Sgt. Josh Roda
somewhere else and allow them to transfer. And so that’s what we would do if we lost positions. So the reality is we wouldn’t be at 14. We would be down at 12 or 11.”
Having 11 or 12 officers wouldn’t be enough to cover 24-hour service, which only came into effect after a community forum was held asking for more police service.
Despite the change to 24-hour policing, Merritt-based crime has been on the rise in the past five years.
“The reality is, (increased) crime rate can be just because of social issues,” Roda said. “You look at COVID and people lost jobs, and people were out of money. So it puts people into a harder position where maybe they’re drinking more and they’re committing crime, like violent crime.”
He said that the factors of a crime rate increase are not necessarily all within the RCMP’s control and without 24-hour policing, the issue could be magnified further.
would be told to release officers to other detachments who statistically look understaffed.
“Part of being in the RCMP is that we get to travel, we get to see the country, to work in different places. So it’s not fair to hold people that have served in Merritt for five or seven or 10 years that want a different opportunity. The right thing to do is to give them an opportunity
“Community dynamics change over time, and those dynamics can change crime rates.”
The City of Merritt is inviting the public to an open house hosted on Jan. 30. Participants will have the chance to voice their opinions on the upcoming budget.
B.C. PARAMEDICS SAY STAFFING NEARS ‘CRITICAL’ LEVELS, AFFECTING RESPONSE
THE CANADIAN PRESS
The union representing almost 6,000 ambulance paramedics and dispatchers in British Columbia is sounding an alarm on staffing levels “reaching critical” in the province.
In a statement, the Ambulance Paramedics of British Columbia CUPE 873 says members are reporting “dozens and dozens” of empty ambulances, with “hundreds” of unfilled positions across the province.
Union President Jason Jackson says in the statement that workers have tried to engage with BC Emergency Health Services, which imposed an overtime ban on Jan. 1 to cut costs.
Jackson says the ban has resulted in cuts to staffing as
well as slower response times, and as much as 25 per cent of ambulances in B.C. are “commonly unstaffed” on a daily basis.
He says those people who have non-critical cases may be waiting for an ambulance “for a long time” given the current staffing conditions.
B.C. Conservative rural healthcare critic Brennan Day says in a statement that the staffing shortage is a “public safety crisis” and he’s calling for the NDP government to do more to support paramedics and rural communities that depend on them.
PHOTO/THE CANADIAN PRESS/CHAD HIPOLITO
An ambulance drives through the village of Zeballos, B.C., on Tuesday April 2, 2024.
CITY PROPOSES 12% TAX HIKE, SEEKS PUBLIC FEEDBACK
The City of Merritt is looking for its citizens to voice their opinions on the upcoming budget and tax increase.
An open-house will be held on Jan. 30 at noon and 6 p.m. where city council and staff will be present to answer any questions on the plans for the upcoming budget.
The city notes that this is the best time for people to get their opinion on the record, as the feedback will be taken into account regarding a financial plan from 2025-2029.
In preliminary budget drafts the plan is to increase municipal taxes by 12 per cent. For an average household in Merritt, which is worth $445,000, an increase of $19 will be seen each month.
Slight raises in parcel taxes and transit taxes will mean residences will be paying a total of around $219 in taxes compared to the current tax of $197.
This 12 per cent increase is necessary to maintain the same level of service the city provides, according to chief administrative officer Cynthia White.
The city said one thing many people don’t know is that budgeting for municipalities doesn’t operate the same way as the provincial or federal governments. While the latter two can choose to run a deficit, municipalities must spend according to the amount of income they receive.
Merritt’s chief financial officer Kevin Natkinniemi explained in the city’s finance committee meeting on Jan. 16.
“The other more senior levels of government, of course, have more diverse revenue sources. They can increase royalties on natural
resources. They can increase income taxes. They actually don’t have to increase taxes to cover the full cost of the services that they provide, they can choose to run a deficit,” he said.
“We really just have the three sources, property tax, user fees and grants, and we ultimately provide a diverse portfolio of services that everyone interacts with on a daily basis.”
Amidst the inflation, the only way for the city to stay within budget is to increase taxes or make service cuts.
“The problem is that people think we have all this infinite amount of money when we really have not enough money to do the services that people want. And if people want this level of service, they have to recognize that every year it’s going to cost more because there is inflation,” White said during a regular council meeting, Jan. 14.
In the near future, the city will be charging more for various services. Examples of these price increases have been talked about in city council.
For one, BC Transit has recommended that Merritt’s bus fare be increased by around 50 to 75 cents over a four year period so the municipality will be able to keep up with rising operating costs. This is the first time in eight years there has been a change to the regular bus fare rate.
Another change of service is the swim lane rentals, which will now be increased to $17.50 an hour.
The city informed a portion of the public about some of the upcoming changes in an info session hosted at Merritt Seniors Centre.
According to White, there was positive feedback amongst the attendees
regarding some of the service-cost increases.
“We heard from some seniors that we’re not charging enough,” she said during a council meeting on Jan. 14. “It’s reasonable because, and she (a local senior) said very specifically, ‘because there’s inflation, we should be seeing regular increases in these things.’”
Despite the necessity for an increase of some sort, multiple options have been considered to lessen the tax increase to 10 per cent, eight or even six.
There are 25 options that have been presented to council that would keep them within budget whilst decreasing the tax-hike.
Most of the options involve staffing cuts to positions funded by the city.
Reducing a various number of available RCMP officer positions is an option available in 17 of the 25 packages.
Other cutbacks include downsizing the city’s finance or bylaw team or closing the pool more days.
The Community Policing Office is currently at risk of shutting down, which would both free up money for the city as well as alleviate safety concerns that the Community Policing Coordinator Marlene Jones is working in the building alone.
It is important to note that these are not the only choices council can make, but other such choices have not yet been drafted.
The city will also be using the tax revenues to invest into their reserves.
The reserves are being accumulated through the 2025-2029 financial plan period to be put towards projects in the parks and recreation and wastewater treatment sectors.
Such projects include
OPTIONS: continued on page 5
OPTIONS INCLUDE POLICE CUTS, SERVICE REDUCTIONS
: continued from page 4
investments into Fairly Park, renewal of the Civic Centre and expansion of the wastewater treatment plant, up to 50 per cent of which could be covered by grants.
“We heard you last year (community feedback), that
our capital infrastructure is really where we have to focus. Maybe we don’t need another ball diamond or another soccer pitch, but we do need a wastewater treatment plant, so we need it. Save for that,” White said during the Jan. 16 committee meeting.
“At this point, the only way for us to change from that 12 (per cent tax increase) to anything lower is either by not putting in savings, which seems like not the best plan, or reducing levels of service, which means reducing the number of staff.”
ART SHOWCASE NIGHT AT MSS
LAISA CONDE editor@merrittherald.com
The students of Merritt Secondary School (MSS) are gearing up to dazzle the community with their creativity and talent at Artscape, the school’s end-of-semester arts showcase.
Taking place on Monday, Jan. 27, Artscape promises an evening packed with drama, art, and music.
The event kicks off at 5 p.m. with a drama performance that is sure to captivate the audience. Following the performance, attendees can stroll through the art gallery at 6 p.m., where they will be treated to a visual feast of student-created artwork. To round off the evening, the MSS band will take the stage at 7 p.m. for a concert featuring a variety of musical pieces.
The Herald sat down with Nick Swan, drama teacher, Shannon Dunn, visual arts teacher, and Desiree Dunbar, band teacher, to talk about what this event means to the students.
“It’s been a while since we’ve had the arts festivals, since before COVID,” Dunn said. “It’s just exciting anytime we get to collaborate. It’s exciting anytime we get to show off our talented kids, I think it’s really rewarding and an exciting experience to share with the community.”
The event not only helps
students develop their artistic skills, but also important life skills.
“I think for the band, it’s about team effort. We talk about respect, we talk about performance, and what that means as a group, and how we work together to achieve the same common goal, which is to create art that is expressive and creative and fun,” Dunbar said.
The same sentiment was echoed by Swan and his group of students that are putting up a drama performance.
“I think for the most part, art tends to exist in this abstract way, or exists in a vacuum, very much, and this puts it into the context of an event that’s happening,” he said. “It’s not just you, it’s also these other people and these other people, that it’s a whole group effort, and it gives it a practical context.”
For Dunn, visual arts might be a little bit less of teamwork, but teaches and gives the opportunity for students to show their work.
“Having that component to be able to show your work, it’s a very important component in art, making art, whether it’s performing arts or visual arts, and having people respond to it,” she said. “I know that every time we do a show in the visual arts, I think the kids are really nervous about putting themselves out there. But in the end, they
are so proud of themselves.”
All three also recognized the impact they hope Artscape will have on the MSS community when it comes to fostering appreciation for the arts.
“I hope it inspires more kids to be in band. That’s always my goal, to want to celebrate their friends and their achievements, but also to, you know, see their peers and potentially themselves, being a part of that process, making music,” Dunbar said.
“We always seem like we’re having to advocate for the arts, and this is definitely one of the best ways to advocate for the arts, is to show off our students and what they’re passionate about. So I hope that’s what the community gets out of it, but what I hope our students get out of it is a sense of pride and accomplishment,” Dunn added.”
Admission to Artscape is pay-what-you-can, making it accessible to all. A concession stand will also be available, with proceeds from the evening going directly to support the MSS Performing Arts program.
This showcase is not just an event, but a testament to the dedication and talent of MSS students and staff.
Whether you’re a fan of theater, visual arts, or music, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at Artscape.
OPTIONS
NICOLA VALLEY VIEWPOINT
THE HIGH COST OF TRUDEAU’S PROROGATION FOR CANADIANS
During the 2015 election campaign, Prime Minister Trudeau’s Liberal Party platform included a promise that “we will not” use prorogation to “avoid difficult political circumstances.”
Prime Minister Trudeau has broken that promise twice. The first breach occurred in August 202, when he prorogued Parliament to halt Parliamentary Committee investigations into the WE Charity situation – despite the House of Commons not even being in session at the time.
The second prorogation occurred recently on January 6, 2025. Facing internal pressure from the Liberal caucus, Prime Minister Trudeau announced his resignation. The prorogation gives the Liberal Party time and political cover to select a new leader.
While this arrangement benefits the Liberal Party, it comes at a cost to Canadians— the House of Commons shutdown means there are no opportunities to officially question the Liberal Government or hold them accountable. Additionally, all bills and legislation, including private members’ bills, have ground to a halt, preventing any progress in these areas.
Unfortunately, many important issues affecting Canadians cannot be addressed while the House of Commons is prorogued. Let me provide an example.
This week, we learned of an alarming situation involving international students with
valid Canadian study permits.
According to data from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), nearly 50,000 international students failed to attend their enrolled college or university programs during a two-month period in spring 2024. This raises serious questions: If these international students who were approved to study in Canada are not attending their enrolled classes, what activities are they pursuing instead?
What’s also troubling is that this information only came to light because of a recent federal compliance requirement mandating post-secondary institutions to report these numbers twice yearly. Without this mandatory reporting requirement, it appears that few, if any, post-secondary institutions voluntarily disclosed this information or expressed concerns about it.
The RCMP has acknowledged concerns about smuggling networks that exploit student visas for illegal border crossings.
What’s particularly concerning is that this new reporting system contradicts Statistics Canada’s own numbers, which show a significantly larger population of foreign nationals studying in Canada than what the IRCC has reported.
These statistical discrepancies could be investigated by a Parliamentary committee, but since the House of Commons is prorogued, we lack any means to question the government or hold them accountable for these inconsistencies and other serious issues.
My question this week: How concerned are you about the current prorogation of Parliament?
BEATING THE WINTER HUMDRUMS: GETTING BACK INTO HEALTH MODE
As the days continue to stay cold, it’s tempting to hibernate under a blanket with a good book. While cozy moments are wonderful, too much inactivity can leave us feeling sluggish and unmotivated. Here are some simple tips to help you get back into health mode this winter without giving up those comfort vibes.
1. Embrace Cozy Movement
Who says workouts have to be intense? Roll out a yoga mat next to your favorite reading spot and stretch while listening to an audiobook or podcast. Even ten minutes of gentle movement like yoga or Pilates can greatly affect your energy levels.
2. Stay Hydrated
In winter, we often drink less water, but staying hydrated is key to feeling energized. Keep a mug of herbal tea nearby. Hydration boosts metabolism and helps stave off winter fatigue. Try a squeeze of lemon or lime to tickle your tastebuds. My favorite is ginger tea.
3. Light Up Your Mood
Natural light is scarce in winter, so make it a habit to step outside during daylight hours. Even a short walk can improve mood and circulation. If getting outdoors is tough, consider a light therapy lamp to simulate sunshine and boost serotonin levels.
4. Healthy Comfort Foods
Craving something warm and hearty? Opt for soups loaded with colorful vegetables or a bowl of oatmeal topped with nuts and fruit. These comfort foods nourish your body while satisfying winter cravings.
5. Set Micro-Goals
Start small. Commit to one healthy weekly habit, like drinking more water, moving for 15 minutes a day, or prepping a healthy meal. Small wins build momentum. Make it a game with your kids or partner.
Winter doesn’t have to derail your health goals. With a balanced approach, you can stay active, energized, and ready to tackle the season—all while enjoying those cherished bookish moments.
I opened a Healthy Conversations Facebook Page. I invite you to join me on a healthy journey this 2025.
BONNIE DIXON Healthy Conversations
DAN ALBAS View from the Hill
LETTERS to the Editor
GLOBAL CRISIS DEMANDS CANADA’S LEADERSHIP
Editor,
Climate change, conflict, and forced displacement have chronically worsened progress in eliminating extreme poverty, disproportionately affecting the world’s most vulnerable.
These emergencies have left an alarming 224 million crisis-impacted children without access to quality education.
As disasters continue to intensify, driving global surges in infectious diseases and food insecurity, millions of additional children are experiencing malnutrition and growth failures.
As UN Secretary-General António
Guterres properly put it, “In a world of unprecedented wealth, knowledge, and technologies, the denial of basic needs for so many is outrageous and inexcusable.”
The choice is clear: We must shift resources from conflict to sustainable community development. Canada’s leadership role in the G7 this June makes this the perfect opportunity to set an example of our commitment to global wellbeing. In budget 2025, Canada must invest an additional $650 million per year in the International Assistance Envelope—an investment to rebuild health systems and, most importantly, in the people who rely on them.
– Liya Khan, Pickering, Ont.
ART-TASTIC!
This week’s submission is by Cameron Bridge.
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.
U.S. TARIFFS AREN’T THE ONLY THREAT
Editor,
Canadians are right to be concerned that US tariffs are an immediate threat to the economy. But we need to take a longer view as well, because a destabilized world is bound to worsen the lives of its poorest citizens. That is why we need to continue to aim for sustainable foreign aid, and a plan to better focus assistance on improving the lives of children when Canada assumes the G7 presidency in June this year.
– Randy Rudolph, Calgary, Alta.
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
Should Indigenous leaders be included in developing Canada’s response to threatened U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods?
Have your say at merrittherald.com
Will a new leader change your support for, or opposition to, the federal Liberal Party in the next election? LAST WEEK’S QUESTION
JANUARY
5, 1972
RECORD NUMBER OF PATIENTS
Statistical figures received from the Nicola Valley General Hospital also reflect the growth which took place in the Merritt area during the past year.
There were some 1,759 adults and children admitted to the hospital for care during the year as compared to 1,651 in the previous year.
JANUARY 8, 1997
ARENA COST IN AT $2.7M
The bill has been tallied for the retrofit of Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.
The arena took seven months to complete, from tear-down to reconstruct, at the cost of approximately $2.7 million.
Public Hearing
TheCit yofMerrittwillbeholding aPublicHearing for Official Communit yPlanA mendment BylawNo. 2383, 2024, andZoningA mendment BylawNo. 2384,2024 forthe proper ty at 1101 Midday Valley Road:
PROPOSED CHANGES: 1101 MIDDAYVALLE YROAD
Bylaw No.2383, 2024 proposes to amendthe OCP Land UseDesignationfor thesubject proper ty from ‘FutureDevelopment ’to‘Industrial’.
BylawNo. 2384,2024proposestoamend theZoningfor thesubject proper ty from ‘CD1RC –Comprehensive Development– Residential Commercial’’ to ‘M1–Light Industrial’.
TheCurrentL andUse DesignationandZoningintends to identif ylands forfuture development /comprehensive developmentaligned withthegeneral vision of the correspondingOCP sector of Middlesboro–toinclude amix of lowand medium density residential,parks,and industrial uses
PROVIDEINPUT: Inputiswelcomedatthe Public HearingonTuesday,January 28 ,2025, at 6:00 pm.Speak in person by signingupatthehearing, or be providinga written submissiontothe Corpor ateO fficer at info@merritt.ca priortonoon, on Friday, Januar y24, 2025,orbymailtothe CorporateO fficer,Cit yofMerritt, PO Box189, Merritt ,BC, V1K1B8 ,tobereceivedbeforethe conclusion of thehearing Pleasenotethatthe Councilwillnot receivefur ther submissionsfromthe public concerningthisapplicationafterthe conclusion of thepublichearing.Itisthe responsibility of the submitter to ensure that materialsarereceived priortothe closeofthepublic hearing.
MOREINFORMATION: Acopyofthe proposed Bylawamendment smay be viewed Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 12:0 0pmand 1:15 pm to 4:30 pm at City Hall,2185Voght Street , MerrittBC, until Tuesday, Oc tober22, 2024,oronlineatany timeat
TheFinance Department haspreparedad raft 2025-2029budget. Meet with Mayor, Council andSeniorStaffatthisPublicEngagement sessiontoexplore variousscenarios andoptions. Submit your Frequently AskedQ uestions(FAQs).
Onefree10-yearlithium-ionbattery smokealarmisavailable to eligibleresidents whilesupplieslast. ContactMerritt Fire Rescue to book yourfree Fire SafetyAssessment.
DOOR-TO-DOOR CAMPAIGN TO BOOST FIRE SAFETY
LAISA CONDE editor@merrittherald.com
The Merritt Fire and Rescue Department will be conducting a new door-to-door smoke alarm campaign aimed at improving community safety and fire prevention.
The initiative, which kicks off in February, will see local firefighters going door-to-door across the city to engage with residents, raise awareness about fire safety, and offer valuable resources to protect homes and families.
The fire department will begin the campaign focusing on specific target areas across Merritt, such as Diamond Vale Trailer Park, a portion of Riverside neighbourhood as well as a portion of City Centre and a portion of Parkdale neighbourhood.
Kodi Taylor, fire technician and firefighter at the Merritt Fire and Rescue Department, added that despite the focus being on those targeted regions, the service is available for everyone in the community.
“If you phone us, book a time, we’ll show up,” he said. “We have a set of waivers that you have to sign for us to come into your house and set up a smoke alarm, if we see fit, but we’ll go around and check out your house and make sure if you do have smoke alarms that they’re all working, all up to date.”
For homes without smoke alarms and those with expired or non-functional alarms, the fire department will be providing one free smoke alarm.
A total of 198 smoke alarms are available and will be distributed for eligible residents – single-family homes, including mobile homes, excluding apartment complexes. Once target areas are addressed, the program will open to other regions of Merritt, contingent on remaining supplies.
“We’re making sure we’re going through the entire community and not doubling it up on different parts,” he added. “You’ll be able to find that at our website, it’ll highlight all the areas that we’re going to hand out and do our door-to-door campaign.”
If residents are unavailable when the fire department is implementing their door-todoor campaign, informational brochures will be left behind.
For Merrittonians that would like to have their homes assessed, Taylor said they can phone the department and book an appointment for a specific time.
“People can still phone in from other regions and can talk to us about doing (a fire assessment) or getting a smoke alarm,” Taylor said.
Taylor also emphasized the importance of this campaign for the community.
“It’s super important just because a lot of people don’t have working or proper smoke alarms in their house,” he said.
“We’re trying to promote, with our public education and putting it out there to the community, that it’s really important to have early detection in house fires.”
For more information, Merritt residents are encouraged to contact the Merritt Fire & Rescue Department at 250-3785626 or at kodi.taylor@merritt. ca or visit merritt.ca/firesafe.
MAN WHO ROBBED MERRITT STORE SENTENCED TO HOUSE ARREST
PHOTO/MERRITT RCMP
A still from surveillance footage shows the suspect in an armed robbery May 10 at a business in Merritt, according to police.
MICHAEL
POTESTIO
CASTANET
A man who threatened the life of a convenience store clerk after robbing him and forcing him to make a slushy drink at gunpoint will attend rehab after being sentenced to spend the next year on house arrest.
Timothy Cole Pierre, 28, pleaded guilty in Kamloops provincial court to a robbery at Bob’s Mini Mart in Merritt on May 10, 2024, as well as a raft of other charges. Those charges stemmed from stealing an RCMP credit card this past spring in Merritt, breaching a release order earlier that year by possessing cheques not in his name and fleeing police after stealing $100 of gasoline from a Chevron station in Lillooet. He also pleaded guilty to a charge of mischief under $5,000.
Last week, provincial court Judge Roy Dickey sentenced Pierre to a two-year conditional sentence order less credit for time served, leaving him with about a year left to serve followed by 18 months of probation.
Pierre received a 364-day sentence for the robbery,
along with concurrent sentences of 60 days for the credit card theft, 30 days for the mischief, 30 days for the breach and time served for fleeing police.
The first 200 days of his conditional sentence order are to be served under house arrest, and the remaining time he will have a curfew to be in his place of residence between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
As part of his sentence, Pierre cannot have contact with the store clerk he robbed, or attend the Merritt convenience store, the Lillooet gas station and the Merritt RCMP Detachment where he committed his crimes. He isn’t allowed to possess weapons or consume alcohol and illegal drugs.
As part of his sentence, he was ordered to be released into the care of the addiction treatment centre he intends to attend in Maple Ridge. He will also be required to attend First Nations sentencing court in Merritt within the first 30 days of his probation.
Pierre had no other criminal record prior to these offences, and he
undertook the crimes to feed his drug habit.
Dickey said the sentencing objective of rehabilitation was important in Pierre’s circumstances, noting he’s a first-time offender who has made plans to address his alcohol and drug abuse.
“This was a very serious offence,” Dickey said, noting it involved the pointing of a gun and threats to kill the shopkeeper.
Court heard that during the robbery he ordered the store clerk gunpoint to make him screamers — a slushy drink mixed with ice cream — or he would shoot him.
After making the beverages, Pierre demanded what was about $500 in cash from the till as he stood next to the clerk.
The clerk handed over the money, and as Pierre left the store he told the clerk that if he called police he would “be a dead man.”
The clerk submitted a victim impact statement to the court, saying he lives with a fear of working in the store after the robbery.
KAMLOOPS:743VICTORIAST •250-377-8808
Mon-Sat10-9|Sun 11-7
CHILLIWACK:44310 YALERD •604-392-9969
Mon-Thu10-9| Fri-Sat 10-10|Sun 12-8
NICOLA VALLEY SPORTS
SPLIT WEEKEND FOR THE MERRITT CENTENNIALS
LAÍSA CONDÉ editor@merrittherald.com
Friday, Jan. 10 – Merritt Centennials 0, Revelstoke Grizzlies 3
The Merritt Centennials could not slow down one of the KIJHL’s hottest teams Friday night, as they fell 3-0 to the Revelstoke Grizzlies.
Revelstoke opened the score just 30 seconds into the game, making it a 1-0 lead for the home team.
Shortly after, the Grizzlies added another goal of their own to increase their lead.
The lead would carry through the middle frame, and despite the Cents pressuring the Revelstoke goalie with 13 shots on goal, none found the back of the net.
The game remained 2-0, until Dayton Abbott crowned Revelstoke’s victory.
The Merritt Centennials fell 3-0 to the Revelstoke Grizzlies, breaking their fourgame win.
Saturday, Jan. 11 – Merritt Centennials 5, Quesnel River Rush 1
The Merritt Centennials gave their home crowd plenty to cheer about as they defeated the Quesnel River Rush on Saturday night.
It didn’t take long for the fans in Merritt to see some action.
Merritt struck first on the power play just 8 minutes into the opening period, as Alex Cordero fired a quick shot past the River Rush goalie to give the Cents a 1-0 lead. Quesnel responded six minutes later, also on the power play, when Adam Valach found the back of the net to tie the game at 1-1. But with less than a minute remaining in the first period, Cordero would be the hero again as he scored his second power play goal of the night, putting the Centennials ahead 2-1 heading into the intermission. During intermission, hockey fans and car
aficionados had a special surprise on ice as a hobby stock car was on the ice launching prizes into the stands for the fans at the area.
In the middle frame, Merritt would increase their one-goal lead with Maxim Radmanovich, who scored his sixth goal of the season.
The final frame saw Merritt control the pace, outshooting Quesnel 16-6. Jobie Siemens made it 4-1 with a sharp-angle shot that found its way through traffic and past the River Rush goalie.
Sam Giangualano capped off the victory with a power play goal of his own, making it 5-1 as the Cents continued to shine.
The Merritt Centennials will look to keep their momentum rolling when they head into the next two games as they face the Creston Valley Thunder Cats on Jan. 24, at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena, and the 100 Mile House Wranglers at the South Cariboo Rec Centre.
Merritt Centennials head to their next two games this upcoming weekend, aiming to increase their winning streak.
KIJHL
BILL OHLHAUSEN DIVISION
PHOTO/LAISA CONDE
The
MSS SR. BOYS FINISH SECOND IN HOMETOWN BASKETBALL TOURNEY
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
Merritt Secondary School’s senior boys basketball team were able to put together a stunning performance, taking second place in the Eagles Perch Invitational last weekend.
Four teams would stand in the Panthers’ way of a good finish, first of which being the Princeton Rapids.
The opening minutes of the game came with a strong showing of the Panthers’ offensive capabilities where they were able to take a quick 7-0 lead.
Later in that period, the Rapids were able to carve out a bit of an opening to launch a potential comeback. Princeton drew a series of fouls through drives into the paint to close the gap to 16-14 in the middle of the first.
The back and forth went on as Merritt were able to hold the lead all the way through.
In the final minutes of the close-fought first quarter the Panthers again got hot from behind-the-arch, starting a dominating run. The score at the end of the first was 31-18 Panthers.
The opening possessions of the second saw the game slow down with another back-and-forth ensuing as the point differential stayed about the same as it was at the end of the first at 38-25.
But as the teams closed in on the midway point of the game, the Panthers were able to turn up the tempo on both ends of the court.
The ball movement from the Merritt side was fast-flowing and intentional. The team was constantly moving off-the-ball to create open looks or cuts to the basket.
On the defensive end, a high-press was able to snag a few easy points from steals and offensive mistakes from the Rapids.
It looked like Merritt was going to end the half holding a 26 point lead, but a buzzer-beater from Princeton gave the losing-side some consolation.
Princeton couldn’t get anything going in the third as the Panthers’ offensive run continued seemingly without end accumulating to a 60 point lead by the quarter’s end.
The rest of the game was played as a formality as the Panthers reduced their defensive pressure to save energy for the next bout.
The final score was a 104-46 win for Merritt.
Also held at MSS on Friday, Jan. 17 was a match between the KCS Eagles and the AL Fortune Falcons. A much slower paced game than the previous one, the Falcons defeated the Kamloops school 52 - 39.
After a break Merritt would play their next game against an undermanned Lake City Secondary.
The William’s Lake-based team, who received a first round bye, arrived at MSS with only six players, meaning they would have a lack of rotation options.
Right after the tipoff the Panthers came out hot again. They made a number of threes to give them a 10-0 start.
The same pressure was applied the rest of the first, with both teams staying in that point differential with a scoreline of 22-11 for Merritt as the quarter closed.
Through the second, Merritt was able to increase their lead again. The team’s big-man found himself space to assert himself against Lake City in the paint. His play helped the Panthers to make it a 17 point lead.
The final score at the half was 48-29.
The Panthers kept the same pressure, slowly increasing their lead through the next two quarters as the game would end with a scoreline of 90-66 for Merritt.
Saturday, Jan. 18 would see a bit of travel for the Panthers as they played in two venues.
The first game and third round of the tournament was against Barriere at the Community Learning Centre.
It was yet another blowout in favour of the Panthers as they beat Barriere 81-51.
Their final game of the tournament was to win it all as the hometown MSS boys played Salmon Arm.
Here, the Panthers’ run finally came to an end as they got a taste of what they dished out to the last three teams. Salmon Arm stopped the Panthers’ streak, ending with a 67-47 win for the visitors.
The result meant the Panthers claimed second place.
PHOTOS/TY LIM
Merritt Secondary School Panthers Sr. Boys team were able to secure second place in home tournament.
NICOLA VALLEY COMMUNITY
NEW FAMILY-RUN DINER SET TO OPEN, FOCUS ON AFFORDABLE MEALS
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
A new family-run diner located in the heart of Merritt is being planned to open later this year.
The affianced owners, Ken Johns and Kayleigh Grant, have just received approval from the Province for the name of the planned eatery which will be aptly named Iron Mountain Diner. The idea to start a diner had been in Johns’ head for 20 years. He and his wife are transplants from the Lower Mainland.
Before moving directly into Merritt, the couple lived in Logan’s Lake where they first planned on opening a diner before life and opportunity took them to Merritt.
“I’ve been in hospitality and customer service for 20 years now. After I got out of the military, I just needed a change of pace. I needed something different. It just wasn’t me. I see how places are run, and a lot of the corporate places are just, it’s all about profit. It’s not about guest experience, and I don’t think that. I want to put out good food, but I want people to have fun (too).”
Johns told the Herald he’s had plenty of experience managing in restaurants such as Applebees, or hotels in smaller communities like William’s Lake.
But the restrictions he felt working in corporate-owned restaurants left him wanting a small-business experience.
“If I want to give away a free sandwich or something to somebody that doesn’t have
money, or give a free dessert to a kid because they’re having a bad day and they’re crying at the table. And I can do that.”
Along with his dreams of running his own place, he wanted Iron Mountain Diner to do something different from the rest of the restaurants in Merritt.
His idea for the diner’s system is inspired by what he’s seen other places do on social media, specifically he noted it’s more common in the U.S.
Iron Mountain Diner plans to implement a low-cost meal system for those who can’t afford the regular pricing or even with families who are struggling with money.
“We’re not trying to get extra money. We’re just trying to help out the people that need it,” he said.
When deciding to implement this business-model into his diner, Johns drew from his own past.
“I was homeless at one point. I lived on the downtown East-Side (Vancouver). When I got up here a year and a half ago, I stayed at the shelter for a month when I was at the Desert Inn,” he said.
“It’s my way of giving back.”
He said he hopes, if possible, he can even implement a system where food will be given for free to those in need. Customers would be able to buy a meal for someone else who needs it, or Johns would sacrifice the money made on the meal.
“I’m hoping that if I can help one person kind of get back onto the right path in life, and get
themselves set up, even if it is just by getting a free meal, then it’s worth it, right?”
Still, he realizes the challenge that this business model may bring, but it’s something he feels is worth the risk.
Affordability for their diner is a theme all around, he said. He wants a place where families can go to afford good dinners.
“If there’s a family out there and they don’t have any money, they don’t get money for a couple of days, like, they’re waiting for child tax or welfare. They have no food, right? They need to feed the kids, come in, right? Like I’m not going to turn away someone that’s honestly hungry and needs help.”
The diner’s menu is planning to feature classic foods expected in such an establishment. An all-day breakfast menu, burgers, soups, and milkshakes are some of the items he plans to have.
The couple also want to bring a feel of nostalgia into the diner.
“I want to do the retro kind of vibes to it. I want to have a family atmosphere, because that’s one thing that this town doesn’t have,” he said. “Having a place where parents can take their kids and be able to afford it, that was a big thing (to me).”
That atmosphere will be the main draw of the diner, as they hope to attract families and for them to have a fun time.
The couple hope to get their business license soon and aim for a grand-opening in April.
SaleofNew&Used storagecontainers
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
PHOTO/TY LIM
Ken Johns and Kayleigh Grant are set to open a new family-run diner in Merritt.
Robert(Bob)Joseph VanHoof
August8,1941 –Jan 11,2025
Itiswithgreatsadnessthatweannouncethe peacefulpassingofRobert(Bob)Joseph VanHoofo January 11,2025withhisfamilybyhisside.
NOTICEOFPUBLICHEARING
VALUEADDED
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•Wages:starting$20to$28 (dependsonexperience& attendance)
•Steadydayshiftwork
•Studentswelcometoapply
•Noexperiencenecessary
Thompson-NicolaRegionalDistrict When? Thursday,January18th,2024,at1:30PM
&DISTRICT HOSPICE SOCIETY
TheBoardofDirectorsoftheThompson-NicolaRegionalDistrictgivesnoticethatitwillholdaPublicHearing intheTNRDBoardroom,4thFloor-465VictoriaStreet,Kamloops,BC,toconsiderproposedBylaw2822. WhatisTemporaryUsePermitTUP68,Bylaw2822,2023?
Itwouldenable Traveller AccommodationUse (“short-term rental”)withinanexistingsingle-family dwellingat6592MonckParkRd,at NicolaLake(PID:026-485-541), shownshadedontheadjacentmap, zoned LR-1:LakeshoreResidential zoneforuptothreeyears.The specificTUPconditionsarestipulated ontheproposedpermitwhichforms partofBylaw2822.
Mournersneedbrave souls who dare to hold them,touchthem andtostayratherthan leav whenthetearsbegintoflow. P:250-280-1701
www.merritthospice.or Email:merritthospice@shaw.c
BobissurvivedbyShirleyhislovingwifeof63years, hisdaughtersBrenda(Michael)HarkiesofColdstreamB.C.,ShellyAnn (Trevor)VanHoofofPortCoquitlamB.C., Tracy(Mike)MoonieofKamloops B.C.andDiane VanHoofofLowerNicolaB.C.Heisalsos grandchildrenDanielle(Jon),Christopher, Devon(Meagan),Matthewan greatgrandchildrenElizabeth,Brinley, AdalynnandRemy. Bobisa byhisbrotherRay VanHoofofSalmonArmB.C.andhissistersJanetMunz ofNorthVancouverB.C.,Mary(Dave)BrookeofBurnabyB.C.andnumerous extendedfamilies.
Bobw pecialsurrogateGrandpatoJordynandPatrickwhoareasclose hesecondoldestof 4children.Bob icola.Hesetuphiscompany ntilheretiredin2001.
ebeforehispassing. dinRoyalInlandHospital wherehespentthelastseveralweeksbeforepassing.
Allpersonswhobelievethattheir interestinpropertymaybeaffectedby theproposedbylawshallbeafforded areasonableopportunitytoprovide inputatthePublicHearing.AnyonewhowishestopresentattheHearingvirtually(viaZoom)mustcontact LegislativeServicespriortonoononJanuary16th,2024,toarrangevirtualaccess.Anyonemayalsomake writtensubmissionsonthematterofBylaw2822(viatheoptionsbelow),whichmustbereceivedatouroffice priortonoononJanuary16th,2024.Theentirecontentofallsubmissionswillbemadepublicandformpart ofthepublicrecordforthismatter.
HowdoIgetmoreinformation?
AfuneralwillbeheldatSacredHeartChurchinMerrittat 11:00on Saturday,January25thfollowedbyinternmentatPineRidgeCemetery.
CopiesoftheproposedBylawandallsupportinginformationcanbeinspectedfrom8:30a.m.to4:30p.m., Monday-Friday(exceptstatutoryholidays)atouroffice,fromDecember22nd,2023,until1:30p.m.onthe dayoftheHearing;orpleasecontactusviaanyoftheoptionsbelow.
•Willtrain
TRUCKDRIVERSWITHCLASS1 Localsteadywork
LICENCEDSECURITYGUARDS
Excellentmedical& dentalplan PLEASESUBMITRESUME INPERSONTO 1195HoustonStreet,MerrittB.C. 250-378-6161
LandAct:NoticeofApplicationforaDispositionofCrownLand TakenoticethatWaterBoyTruckingLtd.fromMerrittBChasapplied totheBritishColumbiaMinistryofForests(FOR),Thompson-OkanaganforanexpansionofanexistingrockquarrysituatedonProvincial CrownLandlocatedoverunsurveyedCrownlandbetweenDistrict Lots4426and4427,KamloopsDivisionYaleDistrict(KDYD). FORinvitescommentsonthisapplication.TheLandsfileisFile Number3410347.Writtencommentsconcerningthisapplication shouldbedirectedtotheSeniorLandOfficer,ThompsonOkanagan, FORat441ColumbiaStreet,KamloopsBCV2C2T3.Commentswill bereceivedbyFORuptoFebruary26,2024.FORmaynotbeable toconsidercommentsreceivedafterthisdate.PleasevisittheApplications,CommentsandReasonsforDecisionDatabasewebsiteat http://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/ formoreinformation. Beadvisedthatanyresponsetothisadvertisementwillbeconsideredpartofthepublicrecord.Accesstotheserecordsrequiresthe submissionofaFreedomofInformation(FOI)request.Visit http:// www.gov.bc.ca/freedomofinformation tolearnmoreaboutFOI submissions.
Forinfo&submissions
Mail Phone Email Website
#300-465VictoriaSt Kamloops,BC V2C2A9 (250)377-8673 1(877)377-8673 legservices@tnrd.ca www.tnrd.ca
NorepresentationswillbereceivedbytheBoardofDirectorsafterthePublicHearinghasbeenconcluded. A.Krause,GeneralManagerofDevelopmentServices
LandAct:NoticeofApplicationforaDispositionofCrownLand
www.MerrittFuneralChapel.com
2113 Granite Ave., Merritt,BC or1-800-668-3379
PartialListIncludes: Vehicles, Tools,High-EndJewellery, Coins/Bills,SterlingCoins/Silver,Antiques,Collectables, Sports &EntertainmentMemorabilia,Furniture,Electronics &More!!
BailiffSeizure:‘Unused’CommercialBaggingMachinefor SoilsorAggregates -New Value$260,000. ViewingByAppointmentOnly:in callDodds -250-545-3259
TakenoticethatWaterBoyTruckingLtd.fromMerrittBChasapplied totheBritishColumbiaMinistryofForests(FOR),Thompson-OkanaganforanexpansionofanexistingrockquarrysituatedonProvincial CrownLandlocatedoverunsurveyedCrownlandbetweenDistrict Lots4426and4427,KamloopsDivisionYaleDistrict(KDYD). FORinvitescommentsonthisapplication.TheLandsfileisFile Number3410347.Writtencommentsconcerningthisapp shouldbedirectedtotheSeniorLandOfficer,ThompsonOkanagan, FORat441ColumbiaStreet,KamloopsBCV2C2T3.Commentswill bereceivedbyFORuptoFebruary26,2024.FORmaynotbeable toconsidercommentsreceivedafterthisdate.PleasevisittheApplications,CommentsandReasonsforDecisionDatabasewebsiteat http://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/ formoreinformation. Beadvisedthatanyresponsetothisadvertisementwillbeconsideredpartofthepublicrecord.Accesstotheserecordsrequiresthe submissionofaFreedomofInformation(FOI)request.Visit
Viewing:DoddsShowroom -Vernon Thu/Fri(Jan23/24) -8am-4pm Note:NewBusinessHours:Mon-Fri -8am-4pm
FERAL CATS FIND HOPE IN MERRITT
Photo/Ty Lim
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
Merritt’s feral feline problem has a new solution as a local woman has taken it upon herself to rescue strays throughout the town.
Cherylle Douglas is a resident of Trees trailer park that sits next to the Coldwater River. After the river flooded, strays became a common sight there. She said when she started counting them three to four years ago.
“Yeah, lots of cats between that place over there, this trailer here, where I live under my trailer there, and they live under my motorhome,” she said.
Back then there were only around 10 cats around the property. Recently she’s counted as many as 23.
“When you breed cats, or when you catch cats or when you get cats, they multiply very quickly. And you may start out with a few, but you end up with a lot, and very quickly, you can have 2030, cats, no problem.”
While the increase may not seem like much, she says it’s because the mortality rate amongst feral kittens is fairly high.
“It’s hard, because I know that not all of them are going to survive,” she said. “I lost five kittens and two adults (strays) last summer from what we suspect is antifreeze poisoning.”
She also said a few new-borns were recently killed by a bobcat.
Since the problem has been getting worse, Douglas has contacted a local cat rescuer to help clear out her property.
Melanie Griffiths is a new face in the cat rescue business. Her current project is a culmination of eight
operating as a charity and need grants to continue.
Romany Runnalls, volunteer president at OHS said that “rescue work is badly underfunded” especially when compared to other animals like dogs.
months of work clearing out ferals from various properties in Merritt. It led her to work in Douglas’ stray infested property.
“I think it’s gotten worse since the floods because a lot of people had to abandon their pets, and some of them weren’t spayed and spayed and neutered. So it just exploded after that,” she said. To complete her work, Griffiths would go to infested properties, lure and capture the feral cats and then bring them to the veterinarian to get the animal spayed and neutered. She would also work with the SPCA in Kamloops or the Okanagan Human Society (OHS) based in Kelowna. These organizations would then take the cats off her hands to help them be released back into the wild, find new homes or - if deemed beyond saving - euthanized on the rare occasion.
Griffiths was always a cat-lover. When she was young, her dream-job was to become a veterinarian.
Unfortunately for her that never came to fruition, but since moving into her new house in June, she’s had the opportunity to do something similar.
“When I moved into my place, I saw there were 16 cats. So I saw them every day and I started feeding them, and they just kept coming, and they looked so sad. So I reached out for help. Didn’t avail. I just wanted to help them, so that’s how I started this.”
Since then her work has “taken off” as she puts it. Some people even give cats to her to get them cleaned up. Cat rescuing is work that doesn’t have much money in it. Many who do it end up
She said a lot of these animals would go back into the streets where they would have to compete with other strays for food, and that it wasn’t uncommon for them to fight over it.
“They are hungry and they will kill for support,” she said.
She felt bad for these animals because she knew most of them would have little chance to be adopted because people would rather get kittens than adult cats.
Many times, animals brought into her would be in bad health.
“Once they’re out in the streets they freeze, they get hunted by animals, hit by cars.”
She particularly remembers one batch of kittens she was brought.
“(I was brought) kittens so sick they were half-eaten by maggots,” Runnals said.
Since starting in June, Griffiths has rescued over 130 cats to get them spayed or neutered on 12 properties.
One time she had a batch brought to her that was infected with ringworm which she then contracted. During that time she couldn’t rescue any cats for fear that she would spread the disease.
Most of the costs of her operation have come out of her pocket. A bulk of the costs is the traps and kennels which could cost around $200.
But she’s had help from the community as well, with some people who like her work donating bags of cat food to her.
“It’s just rewarding work. You know, this community is really good. They’ve been really supportive, and I hope to see more of that.”
She said she could see herself rescuing over 500 cats in the future.
