PAGE 13-14
Exciting new projects from the city’s flood mitigation team help mitigate disasters and create a balanced ecosystem. PAGE 15-17
Read about the sporting events that captivated Merritt, including the Centennials’ series loss to Revelstoke.
The city of Merritt is aiming to refocus its economic development plan made under the previous mayor and council.
It was stated during a March 4 committee of the whole meeting that no single item on the 115- page economic development plan was completed since the plan’s inception in 2022.
Chief Administrative Officer Cynthia White said the plan was too broad for the city’s economic development staff team of one person to get anything done.
In the current iteration of the Economic Development Strategy 2022 to 2031 there are five prioritizations.
1. Promote a vibrant city centre
2. Economic diversification and growth
3. Business attraction and retention
4. Increasing housing supply in city centre and urban villages
5. Commercialization of Merritt Airport area
According to the plan, there are 155 action items scheduled to be worked on in the 2024/2025 year.
White said that due to the plan’s
broad scope and lack of focus, the city has not been able to complete any of the major items.
“There are a number of items that have had some work done on them, but I would say there are no items that have been fully accomplished at this point,” she said.
“I think ultimately over the last couple of years there hasn’t been sufficient direction for moving priorities forward. It’s been hit or miss and we’ve accomplished some things, but I don’t know how purposeful those accomplishments were.”
White stated some of the goals were not realistic because measuring its completion is difficult.
She listed goal 1.1, ‘completed city centre revitalization plan and the implementation of action items’ as an example of this.
She stated a plan like this would be too much to do in 10 years.
Coun. Adam Etchart, who was on the previous city council in which this plan was drafted, said the plan was to slowly move towards multiple goals at
FOCUS: continued on page 3
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once and he is happier than most with the progress that has been made.
The third strategy in the plan, business attraction and retention, was also a large point of discussion in the meeting, as council and staff pondered on how a new industry would interact with their land, working demographics and existing industries.
Attracting industry would also naturally help the second part of the strategy, economic diversification and growth.
Coun. Manuel Olguin expressed his wishes for an economic development consultation corporation to be hired as the city continues to identify its asset, citing the successes of Chilliwack and Kelowna who have hired experts in economic development.
White said that while hiring an outside corporation for consultation isn’t a bad idea, council may want to wait until they know what the community wants and the scope of work that needs to be done.
“This gives us an opportunity to rightsize (the economic development plan) for our community,” she said.
“We want to make sure that we’ve right sized it for our community versus jumping in without having a real sense of what the full scope of work is.”
She continued, saying the city won’t have that scope until they are able to study the city’s working demographics.
“How many people in this communtiy are trades people? How many are plumbers, how many are electiricans, how many are skilled labourers, how many are
millwrights? How many people are graduating from NVIT and willing to move here? We need to know who these people are so we know what kind of industries we’re attracting,” she said.
White said attracting industry will also affect adjacent projects like housing or commercial areas.
“We need to know what those wage ranges are so we know what kind of housing needs to be built. There’s no point in building a $750,000 house if people are making a household income of $70,000 a year.”
Another part of the plan is to find all of the city’s assets including land and a survey of what industry is already here and would be compatible with a new one.
White said gathering all this information would be a task that would require a survey that would take months, at minimum, to complete.
She said it is likely that it would take a year and a half to complete this stage of the plan.
Consensus from council at the end of the day is to prioritize both industry and the revitalization of the downtown area.
“So the downtown for me is one of the most important things to revitalize. Your downtown is your heart and soul, always has been,” said Mayor Mike Goetz.
White said it’s possible to reform the strategy and see noticeable progress in it within the next three to five years.
She said the city will have a “meaningful” plan by the end of 2025 that will lay concrete steps for the future.
GOT NEWS?
Contact Laísa or Ty at newsroom@merrittherald.com or call 250-378-4241
TY
LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
Further collaboration between the City of Merritt and Tourism Nicola Valley (TNV) is looking likely as the city looks to increase its presence as a premier tourist destination.
During the meeting, multiple representatives involved in TNV, a non-for-profit and destination marketing organization (DMO), made their case to council for increased collaboration with the city.
TNV is a group recognized as a DMO since late 2022, but little action has been taken to incorporate them in to a grander tourism scheme since. Mayor Mike Goetz said they have been more like a “DMO-in-waiting”.
TNV said they have generated over $1.8-million in grant money over the last few
years.
Since 2023, the group has been able to use the money to improve both the recreational facilities in Merritt as well as the city’s physical assets.
“How long before we take tourism seriously? We have everything here to bring a lot of money in. We could seriously help our non-profits, we could seriously help our stores, we could seriously help with downtown revitalization,” said Greg Girard, tourism advisor at RNV during a presentation at the March 4 committee of the whole meeting.
Other notable representatives present at the meeting were real-estate agents Darcy McLeod and Amber Papou TNV : continued on page 4
Monday, April22025-6:30p.m.
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who are also involved with TNV.
Over the years, invesment in tourism from the city has dwindled according to the DMO.
Since 2012, the City of Merritt has listed eight different tourism strategy documents created by different consulting groups or from B.C. govenrment organization Destination BC.
“We spend, we spend, we spend (On consultants). Why (do we spend), when we are so fortunate to have people in this community who care about this community,” Girard said.
In 2024, numbers of tourists fell from previous years according to visitor statistics from the Baillie House, which is the city’s measuring stick for tourism.
A vast majority of the visitors recorded were only staying for less than a day according to the report.
Girard said a good base for the city’s tourism industry is having visitors stay for two or three days.
He also remarked on the success TNV has had over the last few years, especially as they’ve revamped what he calls the city’s ‘physical inventory’, which mainly are snowmobile and mountain bike trails.
Advocates for TNV’s work were also present at the meeting. Among these people were Simon Rizzardo from the Merritt Snowmobile Club and Travis Fehr from BreatheBikes and the Mountain Biking Club. Rizzardo vouched for TNV’s work. He said the snowmobile club wouldn’t be able to have their groomed trails without the work that TNV did for them in securing grants. He also said the groomed trails are key in bringing in events to the city - like January’s Ladies Snowmobile Ride - which naturally bring in money to the community.
Fehr, who was formerly a Merritt city councillor, gave his word on the organization and how they helped with the mountain biking trails.
“They’ve been carrying the ball for years now, and it takes a lot to keep that energy going and they’ve never shown any sign of giving up, so it’s impressive.”
Girard stated issues with the city’s approach to tourism and criticized the city for not involving TNV more.
“Anything tourism should include TNV, I don’t understand (what has been) the difficulty of understanding that,” Girard said, saying the group has years of expertise in the subject. “The lack of communication between the city and TNV creates mixed messages and branding confusion.”
Throughout the presentation he made the point that Merritt could massively benefit from an improved tourism industry if the city marketed its physical assets better.
Girard compared Merritt to Revelstoke in terms of natural resources that it can take advantage of.
According to Choose Revelstoke website, they suggest they receive an average of 1.1 million visitors during the summer months alone.
Merritt lists no study in which the actual number of visitors per year has been tracked, except for the Baillie House, which only lists people who go to the visitor centre.
In 2024, the visitor centre listed only 16,000 people stopped by in 2024.
At one point in the meeting, Chief Administrative Officer Cythia White said she felt the environment was becoming unsafe for both her and her staff. She walked out of the meeting bringing city staff with her. City council stayed to hear the rest of the presentation.
“I think you are very one-sided in your opinion, and council makes the decision, you don’t need us here,” White told Girard. “When Mr. Girard has repeatedly denigrated the work of our staff and our organization, that is really hard for us to deal with when in reality this (communication) is a two-way street,” she continued.
Prior to White’s departure, Girard stated that previous employees working on tourism within the City of Merritt were “undermining” TNV.
He clarified to everyone that he meant “no disrespect” to the city, though he did once again criticize the lack of collaboration.
Council, on the other hand, seemed enthused by a group being so passionate about tourism. The mayor even admitted that the city could use help in boosting the city’s tourism industry.
“We know for a fact that we have not been good at tourism,” said Goetz at the meeting.
“I’ve been very honest that we have not done a great job at tourism, and I honestly believe it’s something we should not be involved in, because we don’t do a great job of it,” Goetz said.
The mayor later told the Herald that collaboration with Tourism Nicola Valley is needed as the city lacks the manpower to commit a full-time employee to market tourism.
According to him, TNV has been in talks with the city for a long time, but have failed to get started on a collaboration.
Goetz said the city wants to jump on the opportunity before the summer season.
“We’re in constant competition with other places in B.C., and obviously we want to maximise our tourism dollar,” he said.
The city is looking to sign a memorandum of understanding and a work agreement with TNV so they can be overseen and compensated.
GRAEME WOOD
Business in Vancouver
The B.C. Securities Commission has banned a former Merritt bank manager, last known to be working as a hairdresser, from the securities industry.
Hope Moira Donna Thomas pleaded guilty to criminal fraud in May 2023 after stealing $157,000 from her mother-in-law by using her powers as a branch manager at CIBC and forging signatures to set up fraudulent accounts.
Thomas told the court she had become addicted to drugs and suffered from mental health problems, but that she was rebuilding her life as a hairdresser.
Thomas received a two-year conditional sentence.
Thomas’ lawyer told the court the scheme “didn’t seem too complex to me.”
Thomas was banned by the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada from further securities-related employment and fined $300,000.
Last year the commission applied for a reciprocal order, which was approved by a hearing panel on Feb. 28.
Thomas is no longer allowed to work for, consult with or promote public companies, although there is no indication she had ever done so.
The commission’s mandate is to regulate the securities market and protect British Columbian investors.
Meanwhile the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and Department of Justice continues its prosecution of over one dozen B.C. residents who took part in an alleged stock fraud scheme involving more 100 American-listed – and some B.C.registered – companies and $1 billion in transactions.
The scheme was orchestrated out of B.C., according to American authorities.
Like Thomas’ unrelated case, the BCSC banned two individuals found liable in a court ruling.
LAISA CONDE
The Canadian Red Cross is reaching out to households affected by the 2021 British Columbia floods and extreme weather events, inviting those impacted to complete a questionnaire for one-time financial assistance aimed at supporting their recovery.
Three years after the catastrophic floods and atmospheric river, many households continue to experience long-lasting effects.
The Canadian Red Cross acknowledges that recovery from such large-scale events extends beyond the immediate aftermath, with many households still reporting ongoing challenges such as mental health impacts, financial losses, and recovery gaps.
The financial assistance is part of the Red Cross’s continued efforts to assist commun-
ities as they rebuild.
This initiative aims to better understand the ongoing impact on those affected and provide crucial support for their recovery process.
To apply for assistance, eligible individuals are invited to complete the questionnaire online. The deadline for submitting the questionnaire is March 21, 2025.
The Canadian Red Cross has assured participants that they will never ask for sensitive personal information such as Social Insurance Numbers, banking details, or credit card numbers to access this support.
For more information or assistance, individuals can contact the Canadian Red Cross at 1-800-863-6582, Monday to Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
THE s eason of Lent is upon us from this week (Ash Wednesday was on March 5).
Whether the 40-day period is practiced or not, the eyes of the faithful believers in Jesus will find Lent’s culmination on Good Friday, April 18, this year.
At the heart of the message of this annual season is the Cross of Lord Jesus. The implications of that message can readily be summed up in four words suggested by Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15:
“For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf.”
“He died for all.” These words strike at the root of the Christian gospel and tell us that God has dealt with sin. Our sin of rebellion – our claim to the right to be independent of Him – He has dealt with through His Son who was obedient unto His death on the cross.
To quote Isaiah: “The Lord has laid on Him the iniquity – the bias to independent living – of us all, and by His stripes we are healed.”
The sword of God’s justice has been buried in His own heart, for when Jesus laid bare His breast to the stroke of God’s judgment on human guilt, God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.
The punishment which was due to us, He has borne Himself.
“One died for all, therefore all died.” This tremendous truth of Christ for us, by which we may receive forgiveness for all our sins, solely on His merit and because of God’s grace, has this immense implication: that God has nothing of His blessing for anyone except it be in Jesus.
The life He lived and the death He died, which God has so clearly accepted, involved the setting aside of every other kind of life.
The acceptance of the life of Jesus in heaven is the inevitable rejection of all other types of life on earth. It is His meekness and perfect obedience which is accepted before God and therefore our pride and rebellion are for ever condemned. It is impossible for anyone to claim forgiveness unless they accept Christ in life and death and His resurrection.
It is this truth which is desperately in need of emphasis today. So many people seem to take Christianity upon themselves so easily, almost flippantly.
There has been little, if any, understanding of what sin is, or of what it has done to all of us in throwing our whole personality off –centre, and making us the victim of appetite and fleshly desire instead of being the masters of it.
Nor is there real appreciation of the fact that it is only through Christ that we are forgiven and made one with God that we are enabled to live victoriously.
How is this possible? That question is answered at the heart of Paul’s message about the cross: “That they who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him…”
The offer of God’s free grace demands God’s full government. There can be no conversion without His complete control of our lives.
We cannot accept Christ and live as we like. He must be the Lord.
But this is no awful bondage. It is, in fact, perfect freedom.
This revelation of Christ for us as our Substitute, and us with Christ in His death, has been accompanied by the imparting of His nature within each one of the believer.
This double truth of Calvary, through which we have forgiveness and share His victory, controls and restrains, compels our surrender, and enables us to do God’s will.
The two greatest lessons I have learnt through the years of my Christian experience are these:
First, that God expects nothing of me except failure. And, as long as I go on trying to be something other than a failure, I shall go on failing.
But God has given to me, in answer to faith and submission, His Holy Spirit, that I need not fail. And He is always sufficient.
That turns Christian living from drudgery into luxury. The discovery of that secret would solve the vast majority of mental psychological problems.
It would also transform defeated, frustrated, despairing professing Christians into radiant men and women of God.
Editor,
Thanks to the government of Canada for a new pledge of $675 million over the next five years to Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.
This funding will directly impact the lives of millions around the world by providing access to lifesaving vaccines and preventing deadly diseases.
Canada’s commitment comes at a critical time when we’ve seen neighbouring countries making drastic cuts to their international assistance, jeopardizing decades of progress in child survival and threatening the lives, health and well-being of the world’s most marginalized people.
–
Randy Rudolph Calgary, Alta.
Editor,
Buried in all the shocking headlines, the federal government just announced a contribution of 675 million to the recent round of funding for GAVI, the global vaccine alliance. With so much bad news out there this is a huge affirmation of Canada’s most cherished values. It will help vaccinate 500 million children and prevent up to 9 million deaths by 2030.
While other wealthy countries like the US and the UK abandon their global responsibilities en mass, our country has stood up for its principles. Canada remains a beacon of light in a darkening world.
– Nathaniel Poole Victoria, B.C.
Editor,
Re: Wrongful murder convictions of Robert Mailman and Walter Gillespie due to N.B police ‘tunnel vision’
I believe that ‘justice’ system vice occurs more frequently than we can ever know about. Any wrongful charge, trial, conviction and punishment should be very concerning to any law-abiding person.
Also, I’ve noticed that most people tend to naively believe that suffering a wrongful conviction will not happen to them. However statistically unlikely, the average person could someday find themselves unjustly accused and sentenced.
Whenever I hear how relieved people are when someone [usually a male] is charged with a serious or reviled crime — ‘Did they catch him? They did? Well, that’s a relief!’ — I mentally hear the phrase: ‘We’ll give ’im a fair trial, then we’ll hang ’im.’
And if I point out he may be the wrong guy who’s being railroaded, I could receive the erroneous refrain, ‘Well if he’s truly innocent, he has nothing to worry about.’
It is also why the news-media should refrain from publishing the identity of people charged with a crime — especially one of a very violent and repugnant nature, for which they are jailed pending trial (as is typically done) — until at least after they’ve been convicted.
– Frank Sterle Jr. White Rock, B.C.
Should B.C. go ahead with dropping the change to and from daylight time in the spring and fall and not wait for the U.S. states to do the same?
Have your say at merrittherald.com
Do you think the implementation of 25% tariffs on Canadian goods entering U.S. will prompt a full-blown Canada-U.S. trade war?
MARCH 3, 2015
A six-figure investment in Merritt is certain as long the Trans Mountain expansion project is too.
Pipeline company Kinder Morgan will invest $420,000 in Merritt’s infrastructure as a result of the city signing off on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Thursday.
MARCH 5, 1980
Logan Lake’s planning coordinator will recommend to the village council this week which of the 15 tenders to accept for development of a 170-unit housing subdivision south of the village.
Thirty-three other lots in the subdivision will be sold individually at an average price of $12,000 a lot to those who wish to custombuild their own homes.
As perthe Fees andCharges Bylaw2386, residents will seeanincreaseintheir utility billsthisA pril.Somehouseholdswithhigher us age, such as thosewithsecondary suites, will experience agreater increase
Utility fees areset strictly forcos trecover yon oper ational andc apit al expenses.Theyare not asourceofrevenue forthe City.Utilit yr ates hadremainedunchanged over thelas tdec ade. Thosewishing to budgetin advancefor these changesmay wish to look at the Fees and Charge sBylaw 2386
Merritt resident sand businesses currentlyconsume waterata rate well abovenational aver age. This may be dueinpar ttowater beinglostinagingwatermains
Thanks to fundingfromthe Province of BC ,the City of Merritt is nowinitiatingaunivers alwatermetering program. As tandardwater meterwillbeins talled in ever yhousehold FREE OF CHARGE to homeowners It is expectedthat with accurate informationabout waterusage,the City will be able to identif yinfrastructure deficienciesand seeadecreaseinwater usage.
ReferencetheCity of Merritt Waterwor ks Bylaw#2392,2025 (adopted Febr ua ry 25,2025):“AWater Metersha ll be installed foreachcategor yonevery pa rcel that receives waterser vice from theCit yasp er theFee sa nd Charge sB ylaw.T heCity mayref useorD isconti nuetosupplywater to anyp remise s. ”
TIM PETRUK Castanet
Two men have pleaded guilty to assault charges after they took the law into their own hands when their trucks were broken into in Merritt.
Lucas Alexander Mario Thurber, 30, and Taylor Joseph William Snihur, 29, pleaded guilty Monday in Kamloops provincial court to charges of assault. Additional charges of unlawful confinement were stayed after sentencing.
Court heard both men had their trucks burgled separately in Merritt last summer, resulting in significant losses — $10,000 worth of tools taken from Thurber’s truck and $1,000 worth of tools stolen from Snihur.
“The two accused asked around some individuals and came to believe that the victim, Colby Adamson, had been responsible for the thefts,” Crown prosecutor Anthony Varesi said in court.
“As a result of that, on Aug. 19, 2024, they were driving around Merritt when they saw the victim in the parking lot of an A&W.”
Varesi said the men approached Adamson and asked his name, then they attacked. Snihur took Adamson to the ground and Thurber began to punch him.
The whole incident was captured on surveillance cameras. Varesi said the injuries to the victim were minor — a cut lip and some bruises.
Wrong man targeted?
The vigilantes likely got the wrong guy. According to a police report, Merritt Mounties don’t believe Adamson broke into
Thurber and Snihur’s vehicles.
No one has been charged in relation to the thefts.
“There’s a suggestion in the police report that they don’t believe it was Mr. Adamson and that they got the wrong person,” Varesi said.
Court heard both men were described in the police report as “upstanding, hardworking members of the community.” A number of reference letters were also filed in court.
“This appears to be a situation where they allowed their frustration to take over and they took matters into their own hands — and that can’t happen,” Varesi said.
Kamloops provincial court Judge Ray Phillips went along with a joint submission that will see both men spend 12 months on probation, with conditions requiring they complete 20 hours of community service and stay away from Adamson.
“You have to put your faith and trust in the RCMP in these circumstances,” the judge said. “Otherwise you risk running afoul of the law, as you have done.”
Phillips granted Thurber and Snihur both conditional discharges, meaning their criminal records will remain unblemished if they complete probation without incident.
It’s not Adamson’s first time drawing the ire of angry vigilantes. In 2021, he was targeted by a “lynch mob” following an uptick in crime in the Kamloops neighbourhood where he was living. The case was mentioned in court by Thurber’s lawyer.
LAISA CONDE editor@merrittherald.com
The roof of the Merritt Library is about to get a much-needed makeover, thanks to the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD).
TNRD has approved the allocation of up to $90,000 from the Canada Community Building Fund (CCBF) for the replacement of the Merritt Library’s roof.
The funding is split equally between Electoral Areas “M” (Beautiful Nicola Valley – North) and “N” (Beautiful Nicola Valley – South), with each area contributing $45,000 for the project.
The Merritt Library, located at 1691 Garcia St., is a 7,840-square-foot property owned by the TNRD and serves the community 41 hours a week, Tuesday through Saturday.
The building was constructed in 2001, and while it has been well-maintained over the years, including repairs to the roof in 2015 and 2024, the roof has now reached the end
of its useful life. As part of the TNRD’s Asset Management Plan, the roof replacement has been identified as a necessary project.
The use of CCBF funds for this project has been confirmed as an allowable expense, as the Merritt Library is an asset owned by the TNRD and delivers a service to the entire region. Additionally, the TNRD’s long-term capital plan includes this project. By using CCBF funds, the TNRD is able to reduce the financial burden on local taxpayers.
Without this funding, the $90,000 required for the project would have been drawn from the capital reserve, which is funded through property taxes. Utilizing CCBF funds ensures the cost is covered without increasing the tax burden for residents.
This roof replacement will help ensure the Merritt Library continues to serve as an essential community resource for years to come.
TY LIM
reporter@merrittherald.com
An Indigenous tattoo artist in the Nicola Valley is setting precedence using the artform of ink to launch his business and shine a light on his heritage.
Robert Humphrey, or Xéysmkn in Nlaka’pamux (Nłe?kepmx), is an Indigenous markings practitioner working closely with the Lower Nicola Indian Band. Since 2020 he has been giving traditional tattoos or markings to Indigenous Peoples in the Nicola Valley.
Humphrey (Xéysmkn) is showcasing his work at the Nicola Valley Community Arts Council all through March in partnership with the gallery’s volunteer curator Astralis Snee. Occasionally sessions will be held at the gallery for tattoo consultation or live demonstrations of the practice.
“One of the things that I really wanted to do here in this community and our community, is to be able to share the identity of Indigenous People here in the Nicola Valley,” he said.
His tattoos are a revival of the traditional practice of face markings. His facial and body work art allows people to feel more connected to their indigenous culture and reclaim a piece of their heritage.
“I love my people, and I love the identity that our people are able to bring. The medicine that comes from tattoo and our design and our expression is very important to who we are as indigenous people here in the Nicola Valley,” he said.
On Friday, March 7, Humphrey (Xéysmkn) spoke at an open house where he dove into the meaning of his work. He said many of the attendees had gotten a tattoo from him, including the chief of the Lower Nicola Indian Band Stuart Jackson, who was also at the art gallery.
what you have, it’s about what you can give sometimes. And I want to give to my community of the Lower Nicola Indian Band. So that’s something I’ve taken a big step in; developing a relationship with my community and dusting our people off and standing them up in our identity,” he said.
Humphrey (Xéysmkn), has facial markings himself as he represents his ideas of a cultural resurgence and creating a safe space to showcase his identity, or how he puts it, “speaking the speak and walking the walk.” His is a series of three lines running down his chin that represent family.
“My family is represented on my face as well. The first line in the middle is me, the one on my left is my mother and the one on my right is my father,” he said.
“They all work with needles. And now you see me in front of you working with needles, and that’s something that I bring to my family, is that extension to the needle work. And needles have been in our history for a long time, sharp objects, they supported our community to make our clothing,” he said. Humphrey (Xéysmkn) said his art aims to create a safe space for people to find themselves.
Curator Snee, who worked hard bringing forward Humphrey’s (Xéysmkn) vision in the exhibition, said the spaces at the gallery are to help create a closer community and to enhance the voices of everyone.
Jackson said the practice of markings is one that’s been dormant for quite some time.
“(Markings are) a part of our culture that I wouldn’t say has been hidden, but it’s just been set aside or it’s been put away for whatever reason, and (now) it’s coming alive,” he said.
“Every session that we (him and Humphrey) spent was meaningful, and I think that I took away a lot from that experience. And not only did it hurt, but it was a good hurt. It was a good pain. It was very, very powerful and spiritual.”
Humphrey (Xéysmkn) said he has done 120 to 130 facial tattoos and another equivalent amount of body tattoos over the last four years. He said he enjoys seeing more people in his community displaying a piece of their heritage.
He has been working closely with the Lower Nicola Indian Band to help more people get these tattoos, even giving his work for free sometimes.
“It’s not about
“So I’m never going to be in this world alone, it doesn’t matter if there’s a person 10 feet from me or there’s nobody for a hundred miles, I’m never going to be alone because I wear it (family) on my face. And that’s part of the identity sharing.”
Family falls into a theme of heritage and cultural identity with Humphrey’s (Xéysmkn) art. He talked about how many of the women in his family worked with needles through basket weaving or beading.
“When we start to look at expressing ourselves as specific people, we want to create a safe space for that. And when we start to create safe space for that identity expression, we start to look at who we are as Indigenous People,” Humphrey (Xeysmkn) said.
“We have a history, we have heritage, we have a bloodline that is here from time immemorial. Many of us here in the room are indigenous, and we also create a partnership within non Indigenous as well. So that’s something that I want to be sharing here in our space at the art gallery.”
TIM
PETRUK
Castanet
Firefighters in Merritt made quick work of the first grass fire of the season over the weekend.
Emergency crews were called on Saturday to a small blaze burning downslope of homes in Miller Estates.
Merritt Fire Rescue crews took care of the 0.37-hectare fire, and thanked neighbours for their help prior to the arrival of first responders.
“As spring continues, please exercise caution,” MFRD said in a post on social media. “Conditions are already conducive to fire starts.”
TIM
PETRUK
Castanet
Interior Health will no longer provide information about the reasons for emergency room closures, citing safety and confidentiality concerns for staff.
Until recently, IH would provide reasons as to why an emergency room was being temporarily shuttered — typically pointing to limited nursing or physician availability. As of last week, that is no longer the case.
“Based on feedback from our clinical care teams, we are no longer including the specific reason for the service interruption to protect the safety and confidentiality of our staff and physicians,” reads a statement IH provided to Castanet in response to a query about the missing information.
LAISA CONDE editor@merrittherald.com
Donelda Haller, a Grade 4/5 teacher at Lower Nicola Indian School, recently took her class on an educational visit to the Merritt Legion Branch 96 after the students’ research on the Invictus Games sparked questions about support for injured military personnel.
“When my students learned that the Legion is dedicated to remembering and honoring the veterans, they were pleased,” she told the Herald.
President Alphonse L’Abbe welcomed the students and led them through the history and mission of the Legion. The students learned that the Legion is dedicated to honoring veterans, raising funds for military members in the community, and educating
the public about Canadian wars.
“They were surprised to learn that the Legion has 270,000 members and 1,350 branches,” Haller shared. “TThey learned some historical information about Canadian wars, which included a talk on The Unknown Soldier and that the Legion is a non-profit organization, raising money to support military members who live in the community.”
The students also enjoyed seeing the Colour Party March and learning about the different medals displayed at the Legion.
“The tour was awesome! My students are still talking about it,” said Haller. She thanked the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 96 for their hospitality and for providing such a valuable learning experience for her class.
“Our priority when a service interruption is required, after all options to avoid this are exhausted, is to provide communities with accurate information on the availability of local services and their options for care if local service is temporarily unavailable.”
IH also confirmed the recent closures of the emergency department at Merritt’s Nicola Valley Hospital, which had been otherwise unexplained, were due to staffing shortages.
Merritt’s emergency department has been closed six times so far in 2025, all in the last 30 days. Merritt Mayor Mike Goetz recently said he was sending a $207,000 bill to Victoria for 39 nights of ER closures in 2023 and 2024.
Students from Merritt Central Elementary had a chance to experience what it’s like to work in the trades last Friday March 7.
During a trip to Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, a class of around 20 students taught by Aaron Cleaveley visited the Try-A-Trade convention.
“This was very different, getting to try things you’ve never tried before. A lot of kids didn’t think they’d be welding this year and not remain. There’s only six schools that get to come to this so that’s they’re very fortunate to get to do that. So we feel grateful for that,” Cleaveley said.
Happening alongside the convention was a Skills Canada BC competition which hosted many events from 2D animation to automotive technology and carpentry. Although there were no competitors from Merritt schools this year, the winners of the competitions would further their chance to compete on the world stage in Shanghai, China in 2026.
“Skills competitions expose students to various trades that may help them pursue a career in the future. This is especially important as the latest labour outlook for the province projects over 85,000 job openings in the skilled trades will be needed by 2033. By investing in community initiatives like this, we are able to support young people who will one day continue the work we do,” said Michaela Bjorseth, B.C. northwest region operations director at Enbridge, a pipeline and energy company that sponsors the skills competition. While older students in high school and college were testing their craft against one another, younger students were able to dip their toes into the trades world through Try-A-Trade.
The students tried milling, plumbing, instrumentation, heavy duty mechanical trades, welding and horticulture. Former students of Merritt Secondary School participated in both events on March 7.
One of the former students, now enrolled at TRU, competed in an auto body competition where he and a team of other students would have to identify and fix problems in a car.
Shantyl Brooks, another former M.S.S. student, was an instructor at Try-A-Trade.
“I think this entire day has been super awesome. I mean, it’s a great opportunity for the kids,” she said.
“They get to see all kinds of stuff that they could potentially do.”
Brooks and her classmates used a small fleet of donated cars to show the kids the basics of working in the automotive industry. They also showed the kids how to operate small excavators.
Brooks said she was pleased to see how interested the kids were in the exercise.
“They were super interested. A lot of the kids, they just kind of wanted to mess around, hoking the horn and wanting to have fun. But, there were a couple good groups that were really into it. They were really asked a lot of questions.”
For Brooks, the day allowed her to reflect on her own past, as well as give her hope for the future of the industry.
“It reminds me of when I was a kid,” she said.
“In all honesty, I didn’t think I was going to be doing automotive until I got into high school. So seeing kids come over and they’re able to come and have a look at this kind of stuff, and maybe (I) sparked something in them so they’re like, ‘Oh, this is so cool.”
In an article published in September, 2024, Statistics Canada pointed out that from the 2021 census there was a drop of five per cent in trades employees across Canada from the previous census in 2016.
Over 245,000 construction workers are expected to retire by 2032. Statistics Canada said there will be a shortage of over 61,000 workers once this happens.
Competitions like Skills Canada BC and programs like Try-A-Trade are aiming to instill that knowledge of trades and spark an interest in it for the province’s youth.
reporter@merrittherald.com
A Merritt based project to re-naturalise its rivers is taking progressive steps never-before-seen in the province, ensuring community engagement in all-levels of its development.
STUWI(x) is a project to restore the natural pathing at the junction of the Nicola and Coldwater rivers, as well as revitalise the surrounding land. It will be worked on alongside the proposed plan for a diking system around said rivers.
The initiative was presented by two people during a presentation to the Nicola Naturalists Society on Thursday, Feb. 20; Sean Strang from the City of Merritt’s flood mitigation team, and Charlene Joe from the Lower Nicola Indian Band.
The project is unique in the fact that it is taking new measures to ensure co-operation between all communities involved.
It has been in the making for over two-and-a-half years now. In the past, dealings involving the projects first step - land acquisition - made it so the project leads were unable to speak to many of the specifics of STUWI(x) as the project was still in its early stages.
Now, the land has been acquired for the city using a government grant of $5.7 million.
The project is unique in many ways, including how the land acquisition was dealt with.
Strang, who dealt with the financial aspects of buying property, said he was proud that such a small community was going to be the first in such a progressive project.
There were four properties on the acquired land, all of which were abandoned and heavily damaged after the 2021 flood cut through it isolated the area from the rest of the land.
From then on, the property owners were unable to even get to their homes.
In other cases of floods and natural disasters, residents affected by the event would sometimes be compensated using property values that were conducted after the disaster instead of the value it had before.
The aftermath of the flood in Grand Forks is an example of this.
The team on the STUWI(x) project were determined to follow a different path during the acquisition.
“What I really want to hammer on is we put together a program that recognize that people that are in this
situation are people, not numbers, not houses,” said Strang during a STUWI(x) presentation to the Nicola Naturalists Society on Feb. 20.
Strang noted that some of these properties were looted after the flood. Squatters even reside in the abandoned property from time to time.
With the land now in hand, the team is now able to work on the next steps of the project.
Returning the land into a naturalized zone has always been the end goal of the project. According to Strang the team has documented imagery going back over Merritt’s history which shows how the rivers have changed paths over the course of centuries.
The area of the STUWI(x) is inside a hot spot for erosion from the river and in turn will be at-risk of future changes in the river.
“Rivers move. Don’t build stuff where the rivers might move to.
It’s kind of the whole upshot here,” Strang said. “We get the choice between a bad option and a worse option. Building in a very, very high risk flood area like this, definitely a worse option.”
Naturalization will mean the prevention of any permanent structures on the property. The next step of the STUWI(x) project is to tear down all man-made structures across the land. This includes underground pipelines built by Fortis BC which will be moved deeper into the land. A sewage line running through the land is also set to be moved.
Efforts by the projects steering committee are also devising plans as to what the final area will look like.
Joe and Strang both stated that the steering committee has a large amount of freedom to suggest and possibly implement ideas, rather than city engineers
EMPOWERING: continued from page 13
taking over the whole project.
They are comprised of members from the Coldwater, Cook’s Ferry, Lower Nicola, Nooaitch, Shackan and Upper Nicola Indian bands as well as a representative from Merritt.
“We can have projects that the community has input into, that our neighboring communities have input into, that we can come together as a valley to propose something,” Strang said.
The committee will try to empower the voices of its indigenous members.
“Part of it was we didn’t really want any political appointees. We just wanted to stick to community members, you know, the elders and knowledge keepers, traditional knowledge keepers, and, of course, our technical experts,” Joe said.
In a drafted vision statement, their goal is, “To restore and steward the natural riverscape, creating thriving habitats for all, while reconnecting people with the land and its stories, a space where traditions are respected, ceremony is renewed, and nature and community learn and grow together for future generations.”
Their vision will shape the last stage of the project which is construction. The term “construction” refers to any developments made in the project, which in this case will be natural.
Restoration of the land’s original plants and species is one of the main goals as of now. In order to do this, the team will have to conduct a cultural burn on the land which is set to be done next spring.
“We’re working closely with BC Wildfire and Salish Fire Keepers to do a control burn next spring, and that’s going to. To help alleviate all of this that’s in there, the brush, the weeds, we’re going to get rid of all of the plants that aren’t native,” Joe said.
In the end the only permanent, man-made structure on the land will be the dikes on the river banks. The dike system will be an upgrade from the previous system, which was made of scrap metal like abandoned cars.
The dike system will be necessary to make progress on the STUWI(x) project according to Strang. If funding for that section of the diking is granted, he is hoping the projects will be worked on in tandem.
“It’s actually a necessary condition to do literally anything in this corridor, because we can’t just open this up and let people’s houses flood and our infrastructure flood,” he said. Both projects will help create an environment that values longevity and community safety.
“I want my kids to have a home. I don’t want to be talking to them in 20 years and asking them how they lost their houses in a flood,” Strang said.
The STUWI(x) project is hoping to see an opening date in the fall of 2027.
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
The city is taking new initiatives to save trees around the coldwater river from ravenous beavers.
Project CHOMP or Cottonwood Habitat Old-growth Management Program, is one of the Merritt flood mitigation team’s active projects aiming to bring back balance to the local ecosystem.
The project takes aim at cottonwood trees, mainly the ones nestled along the coldwater river. Walking down there, one can notice many of them have beaver bite marks through them.
Cottonwoods are some of the fastest growing trees native to North America, growing about around six feet per year through their relatively short 70 to 120 year lifespan according to farmforum.net.
In a document provided to those involved with Project CHOMP, it states “Beavers are known to ‘eat themselves out of house and home.’ During the fall and winter months, they primarily consume woody species such as willows, aspens and cottonwoods. However, in the spring and summer months, their diet shifts to include grasses and forbs, providing them with a broader range of food sources.”
This means, beavers could eat their way through the riparian habitats along the Coldwater River, disrupting the surrounding ecosystem.
“Where we have these dikes adjacent to the river. There’s no opportunity (for growth) because this path is paved, so trees aren’t coming back in the way they would naturally,” said Alex LaForce, cumulative effects coordinator at Lower Nicola Indian Band and one of the leads on Project CHOMP.
A riparian habitat are ecosystems adjacent to ditches, streams, lakes and wetlands according to the B.C. government. The description also states, “The vegetation in riparian areas directly influences and provides important fish habitat.”
LaForce said he’s seen what he thinks is increased beaver activity since the flood.
“I definitely see certain areas that I think are getting a lot more
(beaver) activity. But, it’s kind of natural. Beavers take all the trees in one area and then move downstream in a couple years,” he said.
On Wednesday March 5 a team including LaForce, Merritt’s flood mitigation team, and consultants from the Department of Fisheries, Lower Nicola Indian Band and Nooaitch Band took part conducting the first steps of Project CHOMP, which is to identify which trees needed to be secured.
Trees will primarily be secured using fencing methods as they are more environmentally conscious than using repellant like sand paint.
After identifying the right trees, efforts will be made to contact neighbouring property owners about wrapping the trees and then wrapping trees on their property.
Not all cottonwoods around the Coldwater River will be wrapped. In order to minimize human intervention, it was talked about on the walk that only part of the trees in a group would be wrapped to promote future growth.
Some areas will be left completely natural as well. Namely the site of the STUWI(x) project and the Chapman Oxbow. These areas were deemed natural and had no need for human intervention.
“We’re targeting the areas where we’re not seeing natural succession or natural regeneration,” LaForce said.
“Once they’ve (Beavers) exhausted their food source, they knock down a whole area and then move on to another one. But if they knock down all 20 trees in someone’s front lawn, and nothing’s coming back then, well, those trees aren’t coming back, and they’re not providing shade to the river values for fisheries.”
The trees create necessary shade for a cooler climate for fish to swim in. Their leaves also create vegetation in the river. Another reason for the project is that people just like the shade it provides when walking along the river.
Another priority of the project is to mark ‘Danger Trees’ that risk puts the public and their property at risk if a tree were to collapse.
On the city’s flood mitigation team website, they list that the project could be completed by April.
LAÍSA CONDÉ editor@merrittherald.com
The Merritt Misfits U14 volleyball team made history this month after securing their first-ever tournament win at an event in Abbotsford.
The victory marks a major milestone for the young program, showcasing the growth and determination of the players and the support of their coaching staff.
The Misfits entered the tournament with confidence, playing three games on Saturday, and finishing undefeated.
Coach Gian Cavaliere praised the team’s performance, saying, “the girls played really well, and we didn’t lose a set on Saturday. They communicated well and focused on the fundamentals we’ve been practicing. It was great to see that hard work pay off.”
Winning all three games in straight sets placed the Misfits in a strong position for the playoffs. They earned a bye to the semi-finals on Sunday, where they faced a team they had previously lost to at their own home tournament.
Despite losing the first set in a dominant 25-10 defeat, the team regrouped, with Cavaliere telling the players, “you’ve got to be able to handle hardship. We need to win the next two sets.”
The Misfits responded with resilience, winning the second set 25-18 and pulling off a thrilling 19-17 victory in the third set, clinching their spot in the final.
“It wasn’t pretty, but a win is a win,” Cavaliere said. “The girls really dug deep. They threw their bodies on the floor, they met the expectations I set during timeouts, and they earned that win.”
In the final, the Misfits played against another team they had faced on Saturday. Once again, it was a three-set match, but the Misfits kept fighting, following Cavaliere’s instructions to always find “that next gear.”
The girls were determined, giving everything they had on the court. In the end, they triumphed 15-12 in the final set, securing the first tournament victory for the program.
“It was a big deal for us as a program,” Cavaliere said. “It’s only our second year, and winning this tournament shows that what we’re doing is working. We’re not just developing volleyball skills; we’re educating the kids about the benefits of being active, eating well, and striving for long-term success.”
For the players, the victory was especially sweet. It validated their commitment and hard work.
“The girls were ecstatic,” said Cavaliere. “They earned it. They played their hearts out.”
Looking ahead, the Misfits are gearing up for regionals in six weeks, where they’ll aim to continue their success.
“We need to ride this momentum,” Cavaliere explained. “We’ve set high goals for regionals, and the key will be maintaining our focus and commitment to improvement. This win is a huge confidence booster, but we can’t rest on our laurels.”
In addition to the athletic achievements, Cavaliere emphasized the importance of the relationships built within the team.
“It’s not just about the wins on the court. It’s about the bonds we’ve created, the leadership the girls are showing, and how they’re helping younger Misfit teams. That’s what will sustain this program long-term.”
For the Misfits, this victory is just the beginning. As the program grows and gains more recognition, the players and coaches alike are excited for the future.
The win not only boosts the profile of the Misfits but also gives the team the confidence to aim higher and continue pushing for excellence both on and off the court.
To our excellent players and their families, tireless team staff, caring billet families, generous corporate citizens and sponsors, kind-hearted game day volunteers, varied community groups and volunteers that engaged with us, and you, our loyal fans for making year 1 a CENTsational success.
We are ready planning and working towards year 2. Although the season is 7 months the work behind it is ongoing. See you next season!
LAÍSA CONDÉ editor@merrittherald.com
After a challenging hiatus during the COVID-19 pandemic, lacrosse is making its highly anticipated return to the Nicola Valley this spring.
The Nicola Valley Minor Lacrosse Association (NVMLA) is gearing up for a fresh season, with practices and games set to start in early April.
Jason Olney, the newly appointed president of the NVMLA, is excited to revive the sport in the area.
Having taken over from former president Rose Grant, Olney has been working hard to organize the season. Grant, who was instrumental in running the association before stepping back after COVID, has returned as the vice president to offer her expertise and help with the transition.
“Rose has been a huge help,” said Olney. “She knows everything, from coaches to administration, and she’s been guiding me through the process. We wouldn’t be where we are without her.”
The league will feature players from U7 to U17 in the Thompson-Okanagan area, with teams from Kamloops, Nicola Valley, Kelowna, and Penticton.
The return of lacrosse is being met with widespread enthusiasm, as the community rallies behind the effort to revive the program.
“We’ve been getting a lot of support from everyone I’ve spoken to,” Olney shared. “People are really happy to see lacrosse back. It’s exciting to see the kids get involved again.”
One of the key goals for Olney is to help the kids develop their skills and fitness.
“I’ve seen kids go from not being able to catch a ball to being able to throw with accuracy and move well on the court,” he said. “It’s satisfying to see their improvement.”
The NVMLA has recently opened registration for the season and is working to spread the word.
Olney, who works with the Indigenous Policing Section, is using his connections with local bands and schools to get the message out.
“We’re trying to make sure everyone knows about the season and gets involved,” he explained. “I’ve been hearing from people who didn’t know it was coming back, so we’re doing our best to reach everyone.”
The Nicola Valley Minor Lacrosse Association is gearing up to the 2025 season.
The season will officially start in early April after spring break, with practices and games being held at Shulus Arena. In the meantime, the association is hosting drop-in lacrosse sessions at Diamondvale gym every Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. to give kids a chance to try the sport before the season begins.
Looking ahead, Olney hopes to see the program grow even further.
“I want to see more kids join, and I’d love to have multiple teams in each age group like they do in Kamloops,” he said. “It’s all about building a strong foundation and turning this into something bigger.”
For those interested in joining, registration is available through the NVMLA website at www.nicolavalleythunder.com. The new registration system is designed to be user-friendly, making it easy for families to sign up.
With a dedicated team of volunteers and strong community support, the return of lacrosse to the Nicola Valley is shaping up to be an exciting and successful season.
LAÍSA CONDÉ editor@merrittherald.com
Tuesday, March 4 – Merritt Centennials 3, Revelstoke Grizzlies 2 (OT)
The Merritt Centennials came alive in game 4 of their playoffs series against the Revelstoke Grizzlies securing a dramatic 3-2 victory in overtime and keeping their postseason hopes alive.
More than 500 fans gathered at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena to show their support for the Cents, hoping for the team to show resilience and fight for another game.
The Grizzlies, on the other hand, were looking to close out the series with a sweep, and the first period set the stage for a dramatic battle.
It didn’t take long for Merritt to get on the board, as Alex Cordero gave the Centennials an early lead at 5:49 of the first period.
Merritt’s early lead sent their fans into a frenzy, though they knew it was far from secure with the potent offense of the Grizzlies lurking.
As the first period wound down, both teams began to settle into their respective rhythms. Revelstoke tried to answer with some strong offensive push, but Merritt’s defense and goaltending stood tall, keeping the 1-0 lead intact heading into the break.
The middle frame saw a noticeable shift in momentum. Revelstoke took control of the play, pinning Merritt in their own zone for long stretches, but the Centennials’ defense held strong, blocking shots and limiting high-quality chances.
Revelstoke finished the period with 11 shots, but the Merritt netminder Mathis Perron made several key saves to keep the Grizzlies off the board.
The period ended scoreless, and the tension continued to mount as the teams headed into the final 20 minutes with the Cents still clinging to a slim 1-0 advantage.
The third period was where the drama truly unfolded. Just 10:08 into the frame, Merritt extended their lead when Dylan Kruchten found the back of the net to put the Cents up 2-0.
It seemed as though Merritt might finally seize control of the game, but the Grizzlies weren’t going to let the game slip away so easily.
In a stunning twist, Revelstoke answered back quickly. The Grizzlies struck twice in rapid succession, scoring two goals in a span of about 20 seconds to flip the script and tie the game 2-2 heading into the final minutes of regulation.
The game remained deadlocked at 2-2 during a nail-biter overtime, the tension was palpable as both teams gave it their all. It wasn’t until just 18 seconds before the
overtime buzzer that the Centennials found their moment.
A quick and well-executed play led to the game-winning goal by Maxim Radmanovich, sending the Merritt crowd into a frenzy as the Cents secured their first victory of the series.
The Grizzlies, despite their dominant run so far in the series, were left stunned as Merritt’s resilience shone through in the most critical of moments.
Friday, March 7 - Merritt Centennials 1, Revelstoke Grizzlies 3
The Merritt Centennials’ playoff run came to an end on Friday as they were defeated 4-1 by the Revelstoke Grizzlies in their best-ofseven series.
The loss marks the end of the Centennials’ season, as they fought valiantly but were ultimately outmatched by the Grizzlies in the series.
The first period was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to find the back of the net.
Revelstoke heavily outshot Merritt 17-6, but despite their chances, neither team was able to break the deadlock.
The Centennials’ defense and goaltending kept the Grizzlies at bay through the opening frame, heading into the intermission tied at 0-0.
Merritt’s only goal of the game came in the second period on the power play. At 16:23, Dylan Ruff found the back of the net, with assists from Sam Giangualano and Troy Horn.
The goal gave the Centennials a 1-0 lead, and the team held onto it as the period ended. However, Revelstoke began to gain momentum as the game progressed.
The turning point came in the third period, when Revelstoke scored three unanswered goals. The Grizzlies tied the game at early in the frame with a quick strike and then took the lead at 14:12 with a power-play goal.
With the Centennials pressing late, Revelstoke sealed the game with an empty-net goal at 19:42, securing a 3-1 victory and advancing to the next round of the playoffs.
Looking ahead
The Merritt Centennials may have seen their season come to an end in the playoffs, but the work done this year has set the foundation for a promising future.
The Herald recently sat down with General Manager Brad Anstey and Head Coach Wes McLeod to discuss the team’s performance, growth, and plans moving forward.
Reflecting on the season, McLeod was quick to praise the team for their growth, especially considering how young the roster was.
“We had to build the team from scratch, and I think we’re ahead of our three-year plan. The on-ice success was obviously important, but I’m especially proud of how the guys connected with the community. Their involvement in minor hockey and their positive impact on the community were just as important as their performance on the ice.”
McLeod emphasized the team’s growth, both individually and as a unit.
“At the start of the season, we were a group of players who didn’t know each other. Building trust and establishing a team culture was a challenge. But by the end of the season, we really became a team. When players are willing to play for one another, success naturally follows.”
While the Centennials’ playoff run ended in a series loss to the Revelstoke Grizzlies, McLeod views the experience as a crucial learning opportunity for the young players.
“It took us three games to figure out how to play in the playoffs. Revelstoke, having won championships in recent years, knew what it took. We had to adjust to their level of experience. But those five games we played against them were invaluable for our group. We now know what it takes to win in the playoffs.”
Looking back on the season, McLeod pointed to a key moment in October that helped turn the team’s fortunes around.
“We had a huge win against Revelstoke at home when we came from behind. At that point, we were on a losing streak, and that victory really got us moving in the right direction. It set the tone for the rest of the season,” McLeod noted.
As the Centennials look ahead to next season, both Anstey and McLeod are optimistic about the team’s prospects.
“We have a core of returning players that we can build around, and we’re really excited about that,” McLeod said. “This year, we were just trying to take the best players available. But now, with a solid returning
core, we can be more selective and focus on adding players who fit our culture and needs.”
Anstey echoed those sentiments, stating, “We have a great group of guys with a lot of character. The guys were resilient, always willing to learn, and they got better every day. That’s what makes us excited for next season. We’re ahead of where we thought we’d be, and now it’s about taking that next step.”
For Anstey, a key focus this offseason is player development.
“We’re meeting with our players to talk about their individual goals for the summer and how we can support their growth. We’ll also be doing some recruiting to fill any gaps and ensure we continue building a competitive team,” he said. “But the most important thing is continuing to build our culture and relationships within the community. Our fans, billets, and sponsors have been amazing this season, and we want to give back to them by building a sustainable, successful organization both on and off the ice.”
McLeod added, “Our goal is to make the playoffs again next year and go even deeper into the postseason. We’re focused on developing a team that can compete for a championship while also maintaining a strong presence in the community.”
Both Anstey and McLeod are excited about what’s to come.
“We’re building something special here,” Anstey said. “We’ve had a lot of success this year, but we’re not stopping there. Our goal is to keep growing and get better every day. I’m confident we have the group to make a real push for the playoffs next season.”
With a strong returning core and a clear focus on growth and development, the Merritt Centennials are poised for success in the years to come. Fans of the team can look forward to a bright future, both on the ice and in the community.
LAISA CONDE editor@merrittherald.com
A new program is giving kids a chance to unleash their creativty, explore new skills, and connect with their community in the after-school hours.
The School’s Out program, launched by the Merritt Youth and Family Resource Society (MYFRS) in partnership with United Way, is now offering children aged 6 to 12 a safe, engaging space every Monday and Thursday from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the MYFRS centre, located at 2199 Coutlee Avenue, until June 26, 2025.
With a focus on life skills, social awareness, and community-building activities, this new initiative is set to make a big impact on the kids.
Lenora Fletcher, executive director of MYFRS, explained that the motivation behind the program is to provide children with a safe, fun, and engaging place to go after school.
“We like to be inclusive of all our children in the areas, to make sure that they have something they can do when their parents have to be at work or elsewhere. It’s about making sure they have a safe place to go,” said Fletcher.
MYFRS has been offering family support services, after-school programs, and childcare for school-aged children, but Fletcher noticed a gap in services as some programs in the community have changed or no longer exist in the same capacity.
As a result, School’s Out was developed to meet this need, providing a space for children aged 6 to 12 to learn and grow.
The program focuses on life and social skill development, with children engaging in a variety of activities.
One example is making cookies and packaging them to share with the community, promoting both creativity and social connection. There are also science-related activities that encourage children to explore and ask
questions about the world around them, such as experimenting with snow and water bottles to see the effects of different temperatures and colours.
Fletcher emphasized that while the activities are fun, they also serve a deeper purpose.
“We’re looking at preparing our children as they move forward. It’s about building life skills and social awareness in a safe and supportive environment,” she said.
To further support families, MYFRS provides transportation to and from local schools using three school buses, including two that were made possible through a partnership with the Variety Children’s Charity.
This service helps alleviate the burden on parents who would otherwise have to manage multiple pick-ups and drop-offs. Fletcher shared that this service is an important part of the program’s accessibility, reducing stress for families and minimizing additional costs.
The funding for the School’s Out program comes from United Way, which has been instrumental in making the program a reality.
United Way’s support covers transportation, activity costs, and even the provision of healthy snacks that are culturally diverse.
“We are looking to offer diversity and inclusivity, whether it’s through cultural foods or activities that reflect the community around us,” Fletcher added.
The program is open to all children aged 6 to 12, and there are no referrals required for participation. MYFRS is also eager to build partnerships with local schools and other organizations to further expand the reach of the program and continue to support the children of the Nicola Valley.
School’s Out runs until June 26, 2025, and MYFRS encourages parents to register their children directly with the centre.
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
Motion Church Merritt 2114 Nicola Avenue • 250-434-3333
Meets the first Sunday of the month at 10am
March30,1967 -March3,2025
HOURS: FullTime–35hrs/wk
MERRITT &DISTRICT HOSPICE SOCIETY
One way to share your loss is to attend a grief support group. Merritt Hospice ‘Living with Loss’ support group meets Wednesday evenings. Call 250-378-3513 for more information.
www.merritthospice.org
Email: merritthospice@shaw.ca
HOSPICE
www.merritthospice.org
Email: merritthospice@shaw.ca
MERRITT &DISTRICT HOSPICE
SpecificDutiesandResponsibilities:
May6,1934 -January30,2025
DESCRPTION: ReportingtotheSocialDevelopmentCoordinator,theCommunityConnections Navigatorwillberesponsibleforhelpingcommunitymembersnavigatechallengeswhile supportingthewellbeingofindividualsandfamiliesinaholisticmanner.TheCommunity ConnectionsYouthNavigatormustuseacollaborativeapproachwitheachcommunitymember tosupporteachpersoninachievingtheirgoals.
PerformsalldutiesandresponsibilitiesinaccordancewiththeColdwaterIndianBand policies,standards,andprocedures,andasdirectedbytheFinanceCoordinator.Maintains confidentialityinallmatterstotheaffairsoftheColdwaterIndianBand.
It’s withgreatsadnessweannouncethepassing ofDennis“TheMenace”LeeCrawfordonMarch 3rd,2025.DennisleavesbehindhiswifeAllisonand histhreechildrenTaylor, DanicaandRonnie.Heis predeceasedbyhisfatherClarence,motherAudrey,brotherLester,andsister Terry.HeissurvivedbyhissisterBonnieandmanyniecesandnephews.
1.Provideinformationandlinkagetoappropriatecommunityservices; 2.Guideandmotivateduringimportantperiodsofdevelopmentintheirwellnessjourney; 3.AcceptreferralsfromCommunity,SocialWorkers,othercommunityservicesandetc.; 4.Outreachandengagementinthewiththecommunity; 5.Developandmaintainparticipantdrivenintegratedwellnessplans; 6.Advocateforparticipants’needs;
7.Supportparticipantstobuildcapacityinareassuchascommunication, self-advocacy andrelationships;
8.Participatewithteaminprovidingdeliverableactivitiesorinformation.
9.Participateinteammeetings; 10.Maintainaccuraterecords;
11.Otherrelateddutiesasassigned.
RequirementofCommunityConnectionsNavigator
Dennishasmanyfriendsfromhismanyadventures,includinghistimespent inMexico,summersridingaroundintheJeeporon adirtbikeinhisyouth,and spendingtimewithhisdogMilo.Denniswastrulyoneof akind.Helivedhislife tothefullestandmadesureeveryonearoundhimknewit.Throughouttheyears, Dennishasbeenknownforhisindividualityandunwaveringconfidenceinnot onlyinhisbeliefsbutinhimself.
•DiplomaorDegreeinSocialWork(otherrelatedfieldswillbeconsidered); •ExperienceworkingwithFirstNationsCommunity; •AccesstoreliablevehicleandcurrentDriver’slicense; •PassableCriminalRecordCheckandDriver’sAbstract; •Ableandwillingtoworksomeeveningsandweekends.
Noformalserviceswillbeheldbecause,frankly, Dennisneverlikedfollowing thecrowd.Instead,raise aglass,shareastoryand–mostimportantly –keep thingsinteresting.Thefamilywillbehostinga CelebrationofLifeata laterdate.
Deadlineforsubmissions:January26th,2024
Onlythoseapplicantsselectedforaninterviewwillbecontacted.
PleaseforwardResumeandCoverLetterto: CynthiaL.Jager,SocialDevelopmentCoordinator,cynthia@coldwaterband.org POBox4600,Merritt,BC,V1K1B8
GeraldIanInglebyofPenticton,B.C.passed awaypeacefullyonJanuary30th.,2025surrounded bylovedones.HewasborninMerritt,B.C.onMay 6,1934.GerrywasthebelovedhusbandofMarlenefor 65years.Hewasa lovingparenttoJerriandArt,and acherishedgrandparent toMeganandCourtneyanda great-grandparenttoMyles.Bornandraisedin Merritt,BC,GerryspenthischildhoodskatingonNicolaLakeandhuntingin thesurroundingareas.Hebeganworkingyoungathisfather’sgarage,Ingleby Motors,whichhelatertookover.Itbecamea fixtureinMerrittforover50 years.Hiscommitmenttothecommunitywasevidentthroughhislong-term membershipwiththeRotaryClub,wherehecontributedmeaningfullytolocal efforts.LatermovingtoPenticton,Gerryembracednewventures,eventually runninga dry-cleaningstoreforover20yearsuntilhisretirementat85.Known forhishardwork,kindness,andstorytelling,Gerrywasa longtimeMasonand Shriner, dedicatedtoraisingfundsforShrinersHospital.Hisgreatestjoywas his65-yearmarriagetoMarlene,showcasinga lovethatwasquietyetprofound. Gerry’s lifewas atestamenttoanonymouskindness,quietlove,and alaughterfilledstorythatseemedasfreshasyesterday. Gerryissurvivedbyhisloving wife,Marlene;hisdaughter,Jerri,andherdaughters,MeganandCourtney;and hisgreat-grandson,Myles.Heisalsosurvivedbyhisson,Art(Monica).Gerry wasprecededindeathbyhisparents,ArthurandEdithIngleby;andhisbrother, RandallIngleby. Inlieuofflowers,pleaseconsidermaking adonationtoShriners HospitalsforChildrenCanada;1003DecarieBoulevard,Montreal,QuebecH4A 0A9Noservicewillbeheld.Pleaseshare alaughwhenrememberinghim,asit wouldmakehimsmile.
Condolencesandtributesmaybeleftforthefamily byvisitingwww.everdenrust.com
“You matter to the last moment of your life, and we will do all we can, not only to help you die peacefully, but to live until you die.”
Dame Cicely Saunders, founder of the modern hospice movement
www.merritthospice.org
Email: merritthospice@shaw.ca
ProudlyrecognizedasMerritt'sBestBookkeeper/Accountantofthe2019,2020,and2021 People'sChoiceAwards.It'sbeenourpleasureandprivilegetoserveourcommunityforover20 yearsandwelookforwardtobringinganothercommunitymembertojoinouroffice.Attentionto detailandbeingateamplayerisparamount.Salarywillbedependantonexperience.
Maintaingeneralledgersandfinancialstatements.
Calculateandpreparechequesforpayroll.
Full Time PermanentPosition
Wage$30-$35hr.
Re theHealth Manager, theAdministratorwillberesponsiblepr imar ily forthe overallSuper vision oftheHeadstart/Daycareprogram. This includes andunderstanding to staffsupervisionandscheduling,ensur ing alllicensing, andrepor ting requirementsarebeingmet, andensuring aquality land-based programisbeing offered to childrenandfamilies
COMMUNITYCONNECTIONSNAVIGATOR& COMMUNITYCONNECTIONSYOUTHNAVIGATOR
HOURS: FullTime–35hrs/wk
Full Time PermanentPosition
Wage$23-$25hr.
DESCRPTION: ReportingtotheSocialDevelopmentCoordinator,theCommunityConnections Navigatorwillberesponsibleforhelpingcommunitymembersnavigatechallengeswhile supportingthewellbeingofindividualsandfamiliesinaholisticmanner.TheCommunity ConnectionsYouthNavigatormustuseacollaborativeapproachwitheachcommunitymember tosupporteachpersoninachievingtheirgoals.
SpecificDutiesandResponsibilities:
Br idge RiverHeadStart /DaycareProgram is seek ingan individual tocommit to providinghigh qualit ycaretochildrenaged0-6 yearswithinterest in work ing in aunique programandensur ingthatthere is useofbestprac ticeprovided dur ingtheprogramdeliver y.
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
Pleasedonotcontactbyphone.
PerformsalldutiesandresponsibilitiesinaccordancewiththeColdwaterIndianBand policies,standards,andprocedures,andasdirectedbytheFinanceCoordinator.Maintains confidentialityinallmatterstotheaffairsoftheColdwaterIndianBand.
1.Provideinformationandlinkagetoappropriatecommunityservices;
2.Guideandmotivateduringimportantperiodsofdevelopmentintheirwellnessjourney; 3.AcceptreferralsfromCommunity,SocialWorkers,othercommunityservicesandetc.;
4.Outreachandengagementinthewiththecommunity;
5.Developandmaintainparticipantdrivenintegratedwellnessplans;
6.Advocateforparticipants’needs;
Full-Time(35 Hrs. perweek –FlexibleHours) Wage$21-$27hr.
7.Supportparticipantstobuildcapacityinareassuchascommunication, self-advocacy andrelationships;
8.Participatewithteaminprovidingdeliverableactivitiesorinformation.
9.Participateinteammeetings; 10.Maintainaccuraterecords;
11.Otherrelateddutiesasassigned.
RequirementofCommunityConnectionsNavigator
Work ing as amemberoftheAma7Swa7Home& Communit yCareProgram, Underthe direc tion ofHome and Community Care Nurse, thesuccessful candidate will providedelegationoftaskssetoutbyHCCNaroundpersonalcare to clients living at homeonreser ve.Inthisrole,you will travel to homeswhere clients requirepersonalcare. Daily/ WeeklyJournalingLogsaretobesubmitted to HCCNasper clientlist
•DiplomaorDegreeinSocialWork(otherrelatedfieldswillbeconsidered); •ExperienceworkingwithFirstNationsCommunity; •AccesstoreliablevehicleandcurrentDriver’slicense; •PassableCriminalRecordCheckandDriver’sAbstract;
•Ableandwillingtoworksomeeveningsandweekends.
Onlythoseshor tlistedwill be contac tedand to apply submit resumesandcoverletter:Gar yForsyth,Administrator Fax:250-256-7999E-mail:administrator@xwisten.ca
Deadlineforsubmissions:January26th,2024
Onlythoseapplicantsselectedforaninterviewwillbecontacted.
PleaseforwardResumeandCoverLetterto: CynthiaL.Jager,SocialDevelopmentCoordinator,cynthia@coldwaterband.org POBox4600,Merritt,BC,V1K1B8
FORM10 (Rule4-4(3))
CourtFileNo.30539CranbrookRegistry IntheSupremeCourtofBritishColumbia BETWEEN:
THETORONTO-DOMINIONBANK PETITIONER AND:
CHRISTOPHERHOWSE MICHELLEHOWSE TENANTSINTHEPROPERTY RESPONDENTS
PRODUCTIONWORKERS (FT/PT)
•Wages:starting$20to$28 (dependsonexperience& attendance)
•Steadydayshiftwork
•Studentswelcometoapply
•Noexperiencenecessary
•Willtrain
TRUCKDRIVERSWITHCLASS1
Localsteadywork
LICENCEDSECURITYGUARDS
Excellentmedical& dentalplan PLEASESUBMITRESUME INPERSONTO 1195HoustonStreet,MerrittB.C. 250-378-6161
ADVERTISEMENT [Rule22-3oftheSupremeCourtCivilRulesappliestoallforms.]
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.
ForestOperationsMap,PublicNotice
PleasebeadvisedthatAspenPlanershaspublishedaFOMwhich viewandcomment.AFOMdepicts ro viewthemapthefollowing h15,2025InpersonatAspensplaceofbusinesslocatedat1375Houston etduringnormaloperatinghoursof8:00amto4:00pm, https://fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projects viewandcommentbeginsonMarch14,2025andends April13,2025.Thosewishingtosubmitcommentsmaydosothe
To:Therespondent,MichelleHowse TAKENOTICETHATonJuly11,2024,anorderwasmadeforserviceonyouof anoticeofapplication,filedDecember7,2023,andAffidavit#1ofChristopher Howse,filedDecember7,2023,issuedfromtheCranbrookRegistryofthe SupremeCourtofBritishColumbiainproceedingno.30539bywayofthis advertisement.
Intheproceeding,theapplicant,ChristopherHowse,claimsthefollowingrelief: 1.AnorderthattheMinisterofFinanceshallpaytotheapplicant$16,937.59 plusanyaccruedinterestfromthefundspaidintocourtinthisproceeding onSeptember7,2023.
Youmustfileanapplicationresponsewithintheperiodrequiredunderthe SupremeCourtCivil.
Rulesfailingwhichfurtherproceedings,includingjudgment,maybetaken againstyouwithoutnoticetoyou.
YoumayobtainfromtheCranbrookRegistr y, at#102–11th AvenueSouth, Cranbrook,BC,acopyofthenoticeofapplicationfiledDecember7,2023, Affidavit#1ofChristopherHowsefiledDecember7,2023,andtheorder providingforservicebythisadvertisement.
Thisadvertisementisplacedbytheapplicant,ChristopherHowse,whose addressforserviceis: 1871BowesStreet Kelowna,BCV1Y3B9
E-mail:howse.christopherj@gmail.com
ByaccessingtheFOMwebsitelistedaboveandproviding commentsthroughtheonlinepublicwebsite.
Bypersonaldeliveryatthephysicaladdresslistedabove,during normaloperatinghours.
Byemailatapfom@apgroup.ca
Bymailc/oPlanningforester,AspenPlanersLtd,POBox160,1375 et,MerrittBCV1k1B8
Thisnoticeisapplicabletothefollowingprojectslistedbelow. AspenPlanersmay lyuponthesemapsforthreeyears commencingonApril13,2025forthepurposeofapplyingfora cuttingauthorityorfora
GeographicLocation
FOM-Merritt-Mar25 CascadesFOMID: 2222
must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes.
1. Unsheared sheep
5. Rock TV channel
8. Streetcar
12. Concerning
14. Expression of recognition
15. Greek goddess of youth
16. An iPad is one
18. Adult beverage
19. Manning and Wallach are two
1. Works of body art
2. Abba __, Israeli politician
3. A desert in Asia
4. Eat greedily
5. Doomed French queen
6. Beat
7. One who survives on blood
8. As a consequence
9. Counted on
10. Acquired Brain Injury Behavior Science
11. Unclean
20. Makes a petty verbal attack
21. Tyrion Lannister’s nickname
22. Pointed ends of pens
23. Wristwatches
26. Body part
30. Made a mistake
31. Adjusted
32. Turkish honorific title
33. Yell
34. Historic Alabama city
13. One who does not drink
17. Wild ox of the Malay Archipelago
24. __ student, learns healing
25. Bacterial skin infection
26. Expresses surprise
27. What one says on a wedding day
28. Crony
29. Where you entered the world (abbr.)
35. Unit of length
39. Cub
42. Type of sea bass dish
44. To call (archaic)
46. Unfortunate
47. Separate oneself from others
49. Hero sandwiches
50. Former OSS
51. Open spaces in a forest
56. Innermost brain membranes
36. Side that is sheltered from the wind
37. More (Spanish)
38. Autonomic nervous system
40. Violent troublemakers, originally in Paris
41. Statements that something is untrue
42. Greek alphabet letter
43. Suspends from above
44. Popular types of cigars
45. Girls
57. Fortune
58. Hunting expedition
59. Doomed queen Boleyn
60. Peyton’s little brother
61. Type of wrap
62. Scottish tax
63. Soviet Socialist Republic
64. An increase in price or value
47. U.S. philosopher and logician
48. Nocturnal hoofed animal
49. Relaxing spaces
52. From a distance
53. Form of Persian
54. Amounts of time
55. Trigonometric function
The first season for our new expansion team has wrapped up, leaving behind a legacy of positive im pact on the community.
As the second-youngest team in the league, they secured an im pressive third-place finish with 57 points in the most difficult Bill Ohlhausen Division; and a 648 winning percentage, good for 7t h place in a 21 team league. Attendance grew, and the energy in the arena was unmistakable. The support from the community and local businesses was strong—just look at the sold-out crowd at the Awards Banquet!
When the Centennial organization first ar rived, some influential hockey citizens noted that the Centennials hadn’t been fully involved in the community in previous years. Along with their winning way, the Centennials proved that they’re here to also change that narrative. Their dedication to community engagement was clear through a wide range of act ivit ies that included:
• Annual Golf Tournament
• Rodeo Parade and Weekend Event
• Trut h and Reconciliat ion Game Night
• Terr y Fox Run
• Indig enous Orange T-Shir t Walk
• Stoc k Car Races
• Chris tmas Ham per Drive with the High Sc hool
• Centennial Arena Ham per Drive
• Merritt Literacy Night
• Hoc key Fights Cancer Night
• Girl Guide Cookie Drive
• NVIT Night
• Minor Hoc key Night
• Meet and Greet at Local Businesses
• Bos ton Pizza Player Fundraiser
• ELKS Bingo Fundraiser for Player
• Recognit ion of BC HL Long-Ser vice Volunteers
• On-Ice Coaching Suppor t for MHA Teams
• Engag ement with Cadets, Figure Skaters, Community Choir, Seniors, and Stoc k Cars
• Sold-Out Awards Banq uet
• Gif t Wrapping at Markets
• Annual Ice Breaker
• Legion Camp Shutdown
• Billet Appreciation Night
• Mothers’ Weekend
• Fathers’ Weekend
• Game Day Volunteers’ Appreciat ion Night
A HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO ALL THE COMMUNITY OF MERRITT!
This season’s success wouldn’t have been possible without the support of so many. A sincere thank you to our talented players and their committed families, tireless team staf f, caring billet families, generous corporate citizens and sponsors, kind-hearted game day volunteers, and the various community groups and volunteers who engaged with us. And, of course, a special thank you to you, our loyal fans, for making year one a CENTsat ional success!
We are alread y planning and working towards year two. Although the season las ts eight mont hs, the work behind it is ongoing.
WE CAN’ T WAIT TO SEE YOU NEXT SEASON FOR ANOTHER CENTsat ional YEAR!