B.C. auditor general releases interim report regarding MNP investigation
B.C.’s Auditor General has released its interim report into its investigation of the administration of CleanBC grants by MNP.
B.C.’s Legislature passed a resolution in April for the auditor general to examine alleged conflicts of interested in the administration of grants by MNP. The firm both administers certain grants and offers companies services to draft their grant applications.
The resolution directed the auditor general to examine “the administration of grants by MNP LLP under the advanced research and commercialization program and the Commercial Vehicle Innovation Challenge.”
The interim report outlines the auditor general’s approach to its investigation, information about the grant program, the roles and responsibilities of MNP and the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation in administering the program and details work completed up until June 24 as well as next steps.
The issue first arose in the Legislature on April 3 when BC United opposition MLA Jackie Tegart for Fraser Nicola called on the auditor to undertake an examination of any potential conflict of interest in the administration of the CleanBC go-electric grant program.
In response, the ministry said there were “no technical violations”
from MNP because the grant application services it was offering were not for the grants it was administering and Tegart’s committee request was declined.
Chace Barber, CEO of Merrittbased electric trucking company Edison Motors, released a video on social media to share his experience applying for the grants following the ministry’s response.
According to Barber’s post, the electric-vehicle maker was denied a grant by MNP, then offered an MNP service that would charge a 20 per cent “success fee” for another application.
He called it a clear conflict of interest.
MNP denied wrongdoing, calling the allegations “false and misleading” and stating, “many firms provide grant administration and grant writing services to assist clients.”
“Professional services firms that provide these services, including MNP, have policies and procedures to address potential conflicts of interest,” MNP said in a statement.
MNP said its policies prohibit employees from providing grant writing services on grants administered by the company.
Following Barber’s social media post, B.C.’s Legislature passed a resolution to prompt the Auditor General to begin its investigation. Barber later told Castanet MNP had threatened to sue him.
Josh Dawson Castanet
Farm Fresh and Friendly Faces: 3 Bar Farms at Nicola Valley Farmers’ Market
A long time fixture of the Nicola Valley Farmers’ Market is Lucas Handley of 3 Bar Farms, a family agriculture operation located in Sunshine Valley.
“Our focus is to provide local sustainably grown farm goods to the community,” said Handley.
“To encourage local agriculture and to promote the shop local movement.”
With so much of the food consumed in BC and Canada coming from such far off places as Mexico, the southern United States, and even Europe, the Handleys are passionate about providing produce for Nicola Valley residents much closer to home, and for a number of reasons.
“First off the supply chain stays local, and supply chain disruptions are only caused by bad weather,” explained Handley.
“Also, a dollar spent at a local farm is cash that will be injected back into the community by the local farmer. And the customer and the farmer get to talk face to face, which allows the customer to know just how their food was grown. Local food is fresher, healthier, and better for the environment.”
To bring quality food to more people, 3 Bar Farms also participates in the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program (FMNCP), which provides farmers’ market coupons to lower income families, pregnant women, and seniors.
Locals may also recognize 3 Bar Farms as the location of the annual
Pumpkin Patch, which has been going strong for more than a decade now. And pumpkins, as it turns out, kicked off the whole farming venture.
“I grew up on a hobby farm,” said Handley.
“I took agriculture courses in high school. When I was going to college, I was looking for a crop that would store, as I didn’t have a lot of money to invest in storage. Pumpkins were settled upon and that was 2007. You might say things have just grown from there!”
Garlic has since also emerged as a very popular crop, with Handley becoming affectionately referred to as “The Godfather of Garlic”.
“We got into garlic in 2012, by that time we were doing a full line of market garden crops and we were looking for something different and exciting to add,” explained Handley.
“We secured 25lbs of three varieties of garlic for planting and gave it a shot. Garlic proved to grow very well in the area, and any chance I get I add more varieties. We have over 75 now. We became involved with the Garlic Festival circuit which has given our farm exposure to other communities throughout the province. That’s been a great asset to our farm. The people and connections made over the years have been invaluable to a small operation. I like to look at the festivals as my summer vacation, since... farmers don’t get to have summer vacations!”
Catch 3 Bar Farms at the Farmers’ Market every Saturday from 9:30 AM - 1:00 PM on Voght St. next to the Baillie House, online at 3barfarms.ca and on Facebook: 3 Bar Farms.
Secondary School Class of 2024 graduation ceremony photos online.
Morgan Hampton Contributor
Photo/3 Bar Farms
Merritt RCMP of cer to stand trial on domestic assault charges
A Merritt RCMP constable is expected to stand trial later this summer on 11 charges stemming from an alleged domestic incident.
RCMP Const. David Feller is facing four counts of assault, two counts of uttering threats and charges of careless use or storage of a firearm, possessing a weapon for dangerous purposes, assault by choking and assault causing bodily harm. The allegations date back to 2020 and 2021.
Feller is due back in court in Merritt on July 12 for an application hearing and his trial is scheduled to get underway on July 29.
Merritt staff Sgt. Josh Roda told Castanet Kamloops that Feller has been on paid leave since he was charged, and an internal RCMP code of conduct investigation into the allegations is being held in a state of suspension pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings.
“As it’s before the courts, we can’t provide any specific details about the
allegations, but Const. Feller is suspended with pay and his duty status is subject to continuous review and assessment,” Roda said.
Feller has worked as the Merritt RCMP detachment’s community police and street enforcement unit officer — a position he took on back in the fall of 2020. He also gained recognition for helping to reunite pets with their owners following the November 2021 flood in the city.
Smith Pioneer Park phase two
Phase two of construction at Smith Pioneer Park in Lower Nicola is set to begin as early as the first week of July 2024, Thompson-Nicola Regional District announces.
In the release, TNRD says the park will be open during construction, but park users are asked to avoid areas where crews are working.
“Phase two of the Smith Pioneer Park improvement project will include constructing a half-court basketball court, adding fitness equipment, and adding a children’s zipline,” the release reads. “This work is expected to be completed by the fall of 2024.”
“We’re looking forward to this work which will continue to make
this community park even better in Lower Nicola,” said Jo Kang, Community Services Coordinator.
“Additions being made to Smith Pioneer Park this summer will add even more activities for kids, seniors, and families, and continue to improve accessibility for park users.”
Improvements that have been made at Smith Pioneer Park include building a new bandshell, adding new playground surfacing, building new picnic shelters, painting pickleball lines at the tennis courts, and other minor improvements.
The Smith Pioneer Park Improvement Project has been fully grant funded through the Canada Community Building Fund.
Michael Potestio CASTANET
Const. David Feller. Photo/Merritt RCMP
Laísa Condé editor@merrittherald.com
By Justice Robertson
TEGART: Restoring prosperity in British Columbia
With rapidly rising costs, increasing taxes, and anti-prosperity policies, it’s clear that British Columbians have endured enough under the NDP’s mismanagement. Life has become increasingly
difficult for families and businesses alike for the past seven years.
The NDP’s introduction of 32 new or increased taxes has left many British Columbians on the brink of being unable to afford their bills at the end of each month. It’s time for a government that will end the NDP’s affordability crisis and prioritize fiscal responsibility and economic growth.
BC United, led by Kevin Falcon, is committed to doing the work necessary to make life more affordable. We’ve previously announced our plans to scrap the provincial fuel tax, make housing more affordable, and cancel David Eby’s planned carbon tax hikes, amongst oth-
ers. Now, we are announcing our plan to fix the economy.
BC United’s plan is straightforward and effective. First, we will end the tax grabs that have made life unaffordable for so many. By significantly reducing the tax burden and committing to no new taxes, we will give people the breathing room they desperately need to catch up and get ahead.
Our plan is anchored in sound financial management. We will achieve a balanced budget within our first term, controlling government spending to align with inflation and population growth. This disciplined approach ensures that we can maintain essential services with-
out resorting to further tax hikes.
Economic revitalization is another key focus. We will create a competitive business environment by slashing red tape, guaranteeing timely permits, and attracting investments in vital industries like LNG and mining. These initiatives will spur economic growth and create well-paying jobs for British Columbians.
The NDP’s focus on extracting more from taxpayers has only deepened the affordability crisis. It’s time for a government that will protect essential services like healthcare and education while eliminating wasteful spending and bureaucratic bloat.
United, we will fix it.
ALBAS: Amplifying voices on denied disaster relief
Last Wednesday, the House of Commons rose for the summer and will not resume until the fall. I look forward to spending more time in Central Okanagan-SimilkameenNicola, instead of the “Ottawa bubble”. This also means I will begin my summer listening tour to hear first hand from my constituents. I’ll largely do this by going door-to-door and going to various community events.
A critical issue I addressed in my June
5th report is the denial of funding from the federal Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Funding (DMAF) program for the 2021 flood-affected communities of Merritt, Princeton, and Abbotsford. Recently, I had the opportunity to discuss this concern on CBC Radio in Kamloops. As expressed during the interview, the federal Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Funding program seems pointless if it does not provide funds for communities that have suffered from disasters and urgently need resources to ensure the safety of these communities.
I recently met with a federal Liberal Minister involved in this matter. The Minister demonstrated a clear understanding of the issue, explaining why he believed the funding for these communities was rejected, and what in hindsight could have been done differently for a better outcome. He indicated that he was of the opinion that the province should play a larger role in resolving this issue.
From my communities’ perspective, this speculative ‘could have, would have, should have’ response is both unacceptable and extremely frustrating. The primary reason we have ministers federally or provincially is to provide leadership and direction, and to ensure the effective delivery of taxpayerfinanced programs for the benefit of all Canadians. I won’t name this Liberal Minister because I don’t believe that intensifying partisan politics will solve this problem.
There has been some ongoing fingerpointing between the provincial NDP government and the federal Liberal government on this matter. I find, along with those constituents who have contacted me on this, that this blame game is unproductive and not yielding the results necessary for these communities.
This week, I received a copy of a letter from the provincial NDP government to the Prime Minister. The letter outlines several
ongoing provincial issues where they believe more federal leadership is necessary. In this letter, the province asks why the federal Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Funding program was denied to Merritt, Princeton and Abbotsford.
In Ottawa, I have also filed an order paper question, requesting the details on why these same communities were denied funding assistance from the DMAF program.
As the Member of Parliament for these communities, I refuse to accept the denial of DMAF funding to Princeton and Merritt and will not relent on this until we have answers and accountability from our federal and provincial governments and land on a positive solution.
My question to you this week:
Do you think it is pointless to have a Disaster Mitigation and Adaption fund if it doesn’t help those communities hard hit by disaster? Why or why not?
From the Herald archives: July, 1969 LOCAL MAN IS VICTIM OF VISCIOUS EAGLE ATTACK
Wally McClelland and his little dog were walking in the woods near Seton Lake Mines, four miles west of Rosco Lake in the Highland Valley when an eagle silently swooped down from the sky and struck him a hard blow on the back of the head and clawed his left ear. It flew up into the air and back down for another attack but was thwartyed in its second attempt
LETTERS POLICY
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ee
8- 11 am.
JACKIE TEGART VIEW FROM LEGISLATURE
DAN ALBAS VIEW FROM THE HILL
MSS student wins $45,000 scholarship from Cmolik Foundation
Photo/Deborah McEwan.
Kenneth Wong reporter@merrittherald.com
$45,000 scholarship recipient and Merritt Secondary School student Isaac Asselstine to pursue education in business administration at Simon Fraser University.
Asselstine was chosen by the selection committee due to his application, academic and career aspirations.
When he first learned he won the scholarship, Asselstine didn’t know how to react. Asselstine recalls when he won the award.“It was really weird ‘cause that day, it was just after school and then I just drove to work, then pretty much the second I pulled into work, I got the phone call,” said Asselstine. “The lady on the phone was just like, we talked for like two minutes and then she offered me a scholarship.”
“I don’t really know how to describe the feeling, like it just didn’t feel real,” said Asselstine. “Like I was excited but at the same time I was just in disbelief like it didn’t really register in my mind that I had actually won, it just felt like a dream.”
MSS chemistry and math teacher Kalena de Wynter-Wilkie describes Asselstine as someone with a drive to live life to the fullest. “He is accomplished in swimming, basketball, piano, he volunteers and gives back to his community,” said Wynter-Wilkie. “Isaac makes the most out of every second of the day. He manages to do all this while remaining humble and kind.”
Asselstine had originally planned on taking a gap year after high school but decided to try applying to different post-secondaries and scholarships anyways.
“My goal is to major in business at Simon Fraser University to obtain a Bachelor of Business Administration,” said Asselstine. “When I turned 15 I persuaded my mom to open a trading account, allowing me to invest in stocks and I’ve been hooked on business ever since,” said Asselstine.
The Cmolik Foundation was founded in 2008 with the goal of providing opportunities to those who have
As adedicated Merrit t- basedrealtor, my deep localroots of fera unique perspectiveonthe real estate market.Being born andraisedhere, Ipossess an intimate knowledge of neighborhoods, histor y, andthe vibrantcommunity
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Flash ood hits Savona cancels Canada Day celebrations
Morgan Hampton Contributor
Three years to the day that a wildfire destroyed the town of Lytton, another extreme weather event has wreaked havoc in the small town of Savona, 46kms northwest of Kamloops.
A thunderstorm brought heavy rain to the community, which has a population of approximately 540 people, on Sunday afternoon. This rainfall resulted in sudden, intense flash flooding, prompting temporary road closures and causing damage to at least 20 homes.
“At this time we understand there are no injuries, no impact to critical infrastructure, and roads have reopened,” read a statement from the Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD), who activated
their Emergency Operations Centre in response to the flooding.
As many as five homes are considered uninhabitable, and residents in need are being offered assistance in Kamloops and Cache Creek.
On July 1, Interior Health issued a statement noting that several residents had reported a strong smell of sewage following the flooding event and that they were in contact with the TNRD regarding the issue.
Canada Day celebrations in the community were cancelled as clean up efforts got underway, and as of July 1 there was still a severe thunderstorm warning in effect for Savona and outlying areas.
NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Gordon Lightfoot tribute performer coming to Merritt
Photo/John Paul Byrne.
Kenneth Wong reporter@merrittherald.com
John Paul Byrne to perform Gordon Lightfoot tribute concert at Canadian Country Music Hall of Honour on July 6.
Byrne has been performing live music for 15 years after a 30 year career of running magazines.
He first got a taste for performance after writing a musical called Ink Musical in Vancouver in 2006. “We had nine performances in Vancouver, and that was in ‘06, and then prior to that, I just paid other musicians to do my stuff,” said Byrne. “And then I started playing a little more professionally and we got to play more and love it, love performing now.”
Byrne was inspired to do Gordon Lightfoot tributes after receiving a compliment from the son of Jerry Clements, one of Lightfoot’s guitarists for many years. “He came up to me and asked if he could sit down and told me who he was and he said that I performed that song better than anybody’s ever heard other than Gordon,” said Byrne.
Byrne looks up to Lightfoot’s music and ability to tell stories.
“About Gordon’s songs, they tell such a fantastic story in so many ways, and they also talk about not things that are purely rational, they have deep meaning and therefore feeling for people,” said Byrne. “Big, big promoter of the great unconscious, I don’t think we give it enough credit in our lives but it’s the genius part of all humans and he was able to tap into that, I think that’s why his songs were so popular.”
Byrne believes that the only reason Lightfoot is not as popular as he should be is because Lightfoot never left Canada. “I think he would have been even more successful if he would have done what most, almost need to do, that you need to go to the United States and live there or else you don’t get the credit,” said Byrne. “He loved and lived for Canada, so he’s a true Canadian patriot… Beautiful man, beautiful humanitarian, he wrote about real things.”
Despite Lightfoot passing away on May 1, 2023, Byrne believes that Lightfoot will only increase in popularity. “There’s a million Elvis tribute artists, they have Elvis festivals all about that, the Lightfoot sound I think is more difficult to emulate successfully, each musician in his band had a special, special way of bringing a song together,” said Byrne.
“I think he’ll be seen one day, he’s only gonna get bigger and better because (of) the talent there, I see him as the greatest singer, songwriter on the planet, of a guy that writes his own songs, performs them, produces them, did all that, he’s the most successful of anyone who’s done that so I think he’s just gonna continue to grow,” said Byrne.
NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Persistence pays off in the game of life
From Page 8
experienced adversity in their lives with the profound belief in the power of education to transform and empower.
“I would just say the biggest thing at the end of the day is just putting in effort and not closing any doors that you don’t have to close, for example, even this scholarship itself serves as an example of this,” said Asselstine. “I could have just, since I wanted to take a gap year and all the stuff I was going through, I could have just been like ‘nah I don’t want to apply, I’ll just do it next year’ and pretty much close those doors off from my life and I never would have really had this opportunity.”
“But because I was just like ‘I don’t really have anything else to lose,’ and I don’t really have anything else better to do, and because I just decided to do it anyways, that’s really the ultimate reason why I was able to at least get the scholarship and do a whole bunch of other things in my life,” said Asselstine.
“At the end of the day, no matter what really happens to you, you don’t really have an excuse not to try,” said Asselstine. “You’re in this game of life, you have to play it no matter who you are, no matter what you want to do, if you want to make the most of it, you have to just try at the end of the day.”
Plans submitted for Gateway 286
Another step towards the formation of Gateway 286 has taken place.
Kelowna’s Troika Management Corp., along with partners Spayum Holdings and PR Petroleum, on Tuesday submitted a development permit application for the project in Merritt, which will be located on the former rest stop site at the intersection of the Connector and the Coquihalla highways.
“This project goes beyond development; it’s a step towards economic reconciliation and honouring the legacy of the Nicola Valley nations,” Troika CEO Renee Merrifield said in a press release. “We are dedicated to creating a space that embodies the values of the local Indigenous communities while fostering economic growth for Merritt. This partnership is a shining example of how we can build a future based on respect and shared prosperity.”
The seven-acre site will include more
than 47,000 square feet of commercial space, along with electric vehicle charging stations, drive-thru restaurants, a local sitdown restaurant, a coffee shop and dogfriendly areas. The architecture will be inspired by local and Indigenous design, accessible public spaces, energy management, water conservation and a lower environmental footprint. There will also be natural plant selections, rain gardens and geometries inspired by Indigenous art, “creating vibrant public areas that encourage engagement with the natural environment,” according to the release.
The Merritt visitor information centre used to be on the site, but it closed in 2018. The provincial government in 2020 transferred the land to five Nicola Valley bands—Coldwater Indian Band, Lower Nicola Indian Band, Nooaitch Indian Band, Shackan Indian Band and Upper Nicola Indian Band—to develop the project.
Kirk Penton Castanet
Photo/Troika Development.
NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
Former MSS teacher releases Canadian dystopian novel trilogy
Kenneth Wong reporter@merrittherald.com
Former Merritt Secondary School English teacher to release young adult novel.
Written by former MSS teacher Kira Glasgow, her upcoming book “True North” is the first of a trilogy set within a “Canadian Dystopia.”
In True North, the Third World War has already happened, British Columbians survived the nuclear apocalypse within a bunker. The story follows Parker, a 15-year-old girl in her third year at the Force Academy which Glasgow describes as a “military policing academy.”
Parker must go through different elimination exams throughout the story to earn a spot in an elite team.
“One of the most powerful images is the simulation exam that she goes through towards the end,” said Glasgow “One of her final exams is that she’s in a simulation that’s both physical but also neurological, so it challenges your mind and she’s got to just use all of her wits to make it through that.”
Within the bunker, there are three main factions that youth must choose: the Force Academy, the science division, and the education division.
One of the biggest mysteries in True North is the Force Academy whose goal is to explore outside the bunker.
“There’s kind of this question of why they haven’t done this already, why is the
progress so slow, and that kind of mysterious aspect to it,” said Glasgow. “And so as a theory gets revealed, and there’s things that are uncovered about the society and the people in government who are making these choices for everyone else, the restrictions that they’re putting in place.”
Glasgow was inspired to write True North upon the realization that there was a lack of dystopian novels with a Canadian perspective. “There’s a lot of U.S. dystopian novels like Divergent, The Hunger Games, The Selection series, and they all take place in locations in the United States,” said Glasgow.
To stand out against American counterparts of the same genre Glasgow focuses on writing diverse characters which is what represents Canada to Glasgow, as well as focus on the different things that Canada had lost.
“Because it’s taking place within a bunker, there’s references to Canadian symbolism and just like the world that it once was,” said Glasgow, “Like B.C.’s beautiful forests and oceans, they don’t really know exactly what survived after after the nuclear war, and being inside the bunker, one of the goals is to like, get out of the bunker and explore, so references to the land that Canada was before this theoretical war, so taking imagery from that.”
True North is available on Amazon. Glasgow will also be doing a book launch at the Merritt Public Library on July 23 from 2:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.
NVCAC: Summer Artistian show
Laísa Condé editor@merrittherald.com
Nicola Valley Community Arts Council to host summer show for the second year.
The second Summer Artisan Show is back at the Nicola Valley Art Gallery. The community art exhibit will run from Thursday, June 27 until Sunday, Sept. 8.
Community members are also invited to join the local artists and artisans at their reception, on Friday, July 5, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., for refreshments and a chat.
The exhibit will also come with unique and local gifts – from wood carved and crafted feathers’ boards and furniture to stained glass, pottery, local books, jewelry,
honey, herbal teas and more – for people to buy.
New contributors of the Nicola Valley Community Arts Council (NVCAC) include fabric artist Dawn Belanger, photographer Kenneth Wong, metal sculptor David Henderson, paper craft artist Kristina Brewer and painter Linda Suzuki.
“I am really pleased to have so many local artists and artisans showing their creativity for our local community and the visitors coming through and staying in the area this summer,” Jano Howarth, gallery curator at NVCAC, said. “The show is beautiful and was put together with a team of our artists and artisans under the skilled direction of Herta Klassen, Marilyn Kelly.”
Photo/Kira Glasgow.
LowerNicola Band School
THELOWER NICOLA BAND SCHOOL
INVITESALL CHILDREN (First Nations/NonFirst Nations) To Register for KINDERGARTEN to Grade7
FULL-TIME KINDERGARTEN
•Mustbe5 yrsbyDec 31, 2024
•Bus Services Provided to most areasofMerritt
HEAD STARTSERVICES:
•3 &4 year oldProgram (K4mustbe4 yrsold by Dec. 31,2024)
•HomeVisitingProgram
•Transportationprovidedfor allHeadStart programs
•Mom’s &Tot’s Services 0to6 yearsold
CURRICULUM:
•BcEducation Curriculum
•Two RecessesPlusA Lunch
•Nle?Kepmxcin(K-7)
•CulturalStudies
•LearningAssistanceProgram
•School SuppliesProvided
•Skate/Hockey Program
•Science of Reading
FACILITIES:
•Full-Size Gymnasium
•Classroom Libraries
•A CalmingSpace
•Baseball/Soccer Field
PLAYGROUND EQUIPMENT
•Climbing Wall
•BasketballCourt
•Spinner
•Literacy& Numeracy BlitzesAfter LunchEvery Day
• We ParticipateInThe District Elementary Sports Program
•WeAre On TheLandFor FieldTrips Often
• We AreA Play Is TheWay School
LOWERNICOLABAND SCHOOL
Merritt Centennials signs defenseman Ezra Siemens
Morgan Hampton Contributor
The Merritt Centennials welcome 17 year old, left-handed defenseman Ezra Siemens.
Hailing from Kamloops, Siemens has been playing hockey since the age of four, when he started playing“Peter Puck”.
“I did that until I was about six and then got into minor hockey around Kamloops, and I’ve been doing it ever since,” said Siemens.
Siemens has spent the past two years playing U17 hockey with the Thompson Blazers. At a Spring ID camp Siemens impressed Cents staff, who remarked, “His steady presence on the back end combined with his vision and ability to break pucks out under pressure really caught our eye.”
Standing at six feet and weighing in at 180 lbs, Siemens takes his hockey career
seriously, but isn’t above being a bit of a “class clown” when needed.
“I like to think of myself as a good teammate, somebody that can make some teammates laugh or put a smile on their face,” said Siemens.
“I like to be a good teammate first and be a good puck moving defenseman, a defenseman that can play both sides of the ice, offensive and defensive. I’d like to have a good season, play some of the best hockey I can and just help the team win and get better throughout the year.”
Off the ice, you’ll find Siemens dirtbiking, or playing spikeball or basketball with his family, who have been an important part of his hockey journey so far.
“I just want to thank my family for getting me here and everything they’ve done to help me get where I am.”
From Merritt to Fernie: BC Epic 1000
A unique bike race kicked off in Merritt on June 29.
According to their website, the BC Epic 1000 is, “An offroad, unofficial, completely self-supported bikepacking group ride in the spirit the underground ‘Tour Divide’ style and under the same rules.”
Riders do not register, do not bring along vehicles of support, and are awarded no prizes upon completion
of the gruelling 1,066 kilometre trek, which traverses 11,600 metres of elevation between Merritt and Fernie, or vice versa.
Much of this ride, about 80%, will be off-road, testing riders’ endurance and abilities. Much of the route makes use of the Trans Canada Trail, which includes lengthy stretches of decomissioned railway trackbeds.
There are also challenging sections of single track, a type of mountain biking where the path is only as wide as the bicycle that travels it, and gravel forestry roads. Of the more than 1,000 kms only about 100 kms offers the relative ease of paved roads.
Morgan Hampton Contributor
Photo/BC Epic 1000.
Dog show comes to Nicola Valley Rodeo Grounds
Photo/Kenneth Wong
Bottom:
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 1:00 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church Corner of Jackson & Blair • 250-378-2919
Mass Time: Sundays 9:00 a.m.
St. Michael’s Anglican Church 1990 Chapman St. • 250-378-3772
Service Times: 2nd and 4th Sundays only - 10:00 a.m.
Trinity United Church Corner of Quilchena & Chapman • 250-378-5735
Service Time every Sunday - 10 am
Somang Mission Community Church (SMC) 1755 Coldwater Ave. (The Cadet Hall) Sunday Service Time: 4:00 pm • 250-280-1268
Nicola Valley Evangelical Free Church 1950 Maxwell St. • 250-378-9502 Service Times: Sunday 10 am
CLASSIFIEDS
Stella Mae Post
October 27,1934 –June 20,2024
It comes with immensesadnessweannounce the peaceful passing of Stella (Abel) Poston June 20, 2024 @11:47pm at Gemstone Care CentreinKamloops.
Born at Gang Ranch on October 27, 1934 Stellawas northern Secwépemc on her mother’sside and Irish/Cherokee on her father’sside. She grewupinDog Creek, movedtoWilliams Laketo attend missionary school, and eventually relocated to the beautifulNicola Valleyinthe early 1950s. Stella attended and graduated from Merritt High Schoolin1954. She metand married her loving husband, Johannes Post in 1955 and became adevoted mother to their three children.
Stella is predeceased by her loyal husband Johannes Post (2014), parents Quin Abel (1980) &Emma Hunter-Jarvis(1984) and siblings Dora Duncan, Leila Worthington, Henry &Marvin Abel.
Remaining to cherish her memory are Stella’schildren Randy,Dianne& Lisa; six grandchildrenMiranda, Jason, Chris (Kendra), Dustin (Megan), Alanna &Quinn; and sevengreatgrandchildren Jacob, Johannes, Rhyan, Spencer,Finn, Blair &Sage
Stella wasa tenacious woman, holding fast to her beliefs, defending those she loved, and always sought todothings better than before. She leavestoher family alegacyofstrength, determination, invincibility andlong enduring resilience. Shewas knownfor her beautiful and plentiful gardens,generosity of perennials, garage sale’ing expertise and extraordinaryhome cooked meals. She lovedtovisitasshe shopped and made significant impact to manythrough those social visits.
The Family would liketothank those who kept her memories of alife welllived prevalent over the past several months, and for the exceptional care by staffatMerrittHospital, Nicola Meadows and Gemstone Care Centre.
Life Celebration Memorial Service will be held Friday,July 12th@2pm at the Lower Nicola CommunityHall
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Stella’smemory to the Alzheimer Society of British Columbia. Please send donations by cheque to Suite 300 –828 West 8th Avenue, Vancouver,BC, V5Z 1E2 or donate online at alzbc.org.
Arrangements entrusted to Merritt Funeral Chapel.
MERRITT HERALD
Are you a dynamic, results-driven individual with a passion for sales and administrative tasks? Merritt Herald, a longstanding pillar of the community since 1905, is seeking a talented Sales Person/ Office Admin to join our team. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, are adept at multitasking, and possess the drive to succeed, we want to hear from you!
POSITION:
SALES PERSON/OFFICE ADMIN
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Engage in sales activities to promote advertising space in Merritt Herald
• Manage circulation processes to ensure timely distribution
• Assist with Accounts Receivable tasks
• Handle general office administrative duties
• Collaborate with the team to achieve sales and operational goals
• Provide exceptional customer service to clients and partners
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Proven experience in sales and/or office administration
• Strong multitasking abilities in a fastpaced environment
• Self-motivated and goal-oriented
• Should possess proficiency in using computers.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Basic understanding of Accounts Receivable processes (training will be provided)
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Must have a valid Class 5 and own vehicle
WHAT WE OFFER:
• Competitive compensation with commission opportunities
• Training and mentorship programs
• A chance to be part of a historic and community-centric organization
• Opportunities for career advancement
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates are invited to submit their resume and a cover letter highlighting their relevant experience to publisher@ merrittherald.com. Please include “Sales Person/Office Admin Application - Merritt Herald” in the subject line.
At Merritt Herald, we believe in fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.
Join us in continuing the legacy of Merritt Herald as we navigate the future together!
Please be advised that Aspen Planers has published a FOM which is publically available for review and comment. A FOM depicts the locations where harvesting and /or road construction may occur. The Public may access and review the map the following ways during the period of July 5, 2024 - To August 4, 2024
LICENSED CANNABIS
In person at Aspens place of business located at 1375 Houston street during normal operating hours of 8:00 am to 4:00pm, Monday to Friday.
Online at https://fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projects
Public review and comment begins on July 4, 2024 and ends August 4, 2024. Those wishing to submit comments may do so the following ways
By accessing the FOM website listed above and providing comments through the online public website.
By personal delivery at the physical address listed above, during normal operating hours.
By mail c/o Planning forester, Aspen Planers Ltd, PO Box 160, 1375 Houston Street, Merritt BC V1k 1B8
By email at apfom@apgroup.ca
This notice is applicable to the following projects listed below. Aspen Planers may rely upon these maps for three years commencing on August 4, 2024 for the purpose of applying for a cutting authority or for a road permit.
FOM Name
FOM-Maka-2024
FOM-Swakum-2024
OM-627-Roads
Boulder ASPEN PLANERS Forest Operations Map, Public Notice
Geographic Location
Maka
Swakum
DoddsAUCTION AUC TION
ONLINE TIMED AUCTION
Partial List Includes: 1914 &1925 Studebakers,FordModel T, 19’ Reinell Boat &Trailer w/Mercruiser,High-EndJewellery, Coins/Bills, Silver Bars/Rounds, Stamps, Antiques/Collectables, Sectional Sofa, SS Fridges &Stoves, TVs, Stereos, Laptops, Records,A/Cs, Fans, Chainsaws, Greenhouses, PatioFurniture, BBQs, Kayaks, Paddle Board, Fishing Rods/Reels, Camping Gear,Compressor,Generators, Welders, Mitre Saws, 35 Pairs of NewCowboy Boots, Plus Much More!!
