MERRITT HERALD EST. 1905
THURSDAY, December 28, 2023 • www.X.com/merrittherald • www.merrittherald.com themerrittherald •
> www.merrittherald.com FREE
THANKING THE RCMP
DISASTER FUNDING
A special feature highlighting the local RCMP and its auxillary services. —
The City of Merritt will apply for flood mitigation funding towards by way of a billion dollar federal program. —
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RcM ciation P Day
A ppre
Februr ay 1
TH ERRITSINCE 1905 ERALD M DISCUSSING FORESTRY GONE FISHING FARM FRESH
MLA Jackie Tegart discusses the current issues with local forestry. —
NVIT Executive Chef Kim Wallace discusses how the culinary program supports local agriculture. STORY /PAGE 18
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EST. 1905
THURSDAY, March 30, 2023 •
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Kamloops - 259 Tranquille Rd. 250-554-1501 Merritt - 2013 Quilchena Ave. 250-378-9686 Salmon Arm - 420 TCH 250-833-1414 Westwood Mixer & Smoke Port Coquitlam - Unit 101 2748 Loughheed Hwy 604-944-2838
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Kamloops - 259 Tranquille Rd. 250-554-1501 Merritt - 2013 Quilchena Ave. 250-378-9686 Salmon Arm - 420 TCH 250-833-1414 Westwood Mixer & Smoke Port Coquitlam - Unit 101 2748 Loughheed Hwy 604-944-2838
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STILL MISSING
50TH SEASON OVER
MLA Jackie Tegart sat down with the Herald to discuss the legislature’s break week and her Fraser-Nicola riding tour. —
The dissapearance of Miguel Mack has officially been deemed suspicious by investigators. —
The Merritt Centennials were outscored 28-1 in their final two games of their ‘golden’ 50th BCHL /PAGE 14 season. —
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MERRITT HERALD Merritt Funeral Chapel EST. 1905
A Division of Service Corporation International (Canada) ULC
Local & Caring. Proudly supporting our community since 1929.
Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri.: 10:00am - 3:00pm • Wednesday 1:00pm - 6:00pm / 2113 Granite Ave., Merritt, BC
On-call 24 Hrs. a day: 250-378-2141 or 1-800-668-3379 • www.MerrittFuneralChapel.com O
FREE
THE BIG REVEAL
The northern lights lit up the Nicola Valley night sky recently, a rare phenomenon that delighted and surprised many Merritt locals. EDITORIAL /PAGE 6
TEGART IN TOWN
Celebrating each life like no other
THURSDAY, July 27, 2023 •
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The Bolton children remain missing, presumed abducted and to be living off-grid with their mother and family somewhere in B.C.
REPUDIATION
JOB FAIR
OFFSEASON BEGINS
Pope Francis and the Vatican officially repudiated the Doctrine of Discovery after calls from Indigenous leaders. —
A number of local organizations are collaborating to put on a career and education fair. —
The Merritt Centennials hosted their first training camp this week following their season. —
/PAGE 3
STORY
EST. 1905
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
ER EMERGENCY
LOST YOUR BIKE?
STAYING FIRESMART
NEW BUDGET
The latest numbers from the BC Coroners Service show that four people have died from illicit drugs in Merritt since the year /PAGE 3 began.
The Doctors of BC are sounding the alarm on the state of emergency departments in locales across the /PAGE 5 province.
Have you recently lost an electric motorcycle in Diamondvale? The Merritt RCMP has it! See a description /PAGE 15 and photo.
BOILERMAKERZ
The City of Merritt’s Emergency Management Coordinator talks FireSmart, upcoming events, and homeowner responsibility. /PAGE 3
Merritty’s city council passed the 2023-2027 Financial Plan at its recent regular meeting, setting new tax rates and EST.5 /PAGE spending.
A local ball hockey team with a champion’s past recently reunited in honour of a teammate who passed away two years /PAGE 17 ago.
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The northern lights lit up the Nicola Valley night sky recently, a rare phenomenon that delighted and surprised many Merritt locals. EDITORIAL /PAGE 6
Story/Page 3
Page18
NEW DRUG DEATHS
Kamloops - 259 Tranquille Rd. 250-554-1501 Merritt - 2013 Quilchena Ave. 250-378-9686 Salmon Arm - 420 TCH 250-833-1414 Westwood Mixer & Smoke Port Coquitlam - Unit 101 2748 Loughheed Hwy 604-944-2838
Merritt Fire Rescue, assisted by BC Wildfire crews and neighbouring municipalities’ fire departments, extinguished a weekend-long wildfire at the former Tolko site on Lindley Creek Road. Photo/Jacob Schultz
STORY
Page 14
Photo/Matthias Wiegand
/PAGE 16
/PAGE 9
MERRITT HERALD
The northern lights lit up the Nicola Valley night sky recently, a rare phenomenon that delighted and surprised many Merritt locals. EDITORIAL /PAGE 6
The northern lights lit up the Nicola Valley night sky recently, a rare phenomenon that delighted and surprised many Merritt locals. EDITORIAL /PAGE 6
themerrittherald • www.merrittherald.com
The Merritt Library, a valuable community resource, was the centre of a number news stories this week. See pages 10 and 11 for all the latest from between the stacks at the library.
2023 Year in Review FREE
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All the hubbub THURSDAY, April 6, 2023 •
The northern lights lit up the Nicola Valley night sky recently, a rare phenomenon that delighted and surprised many Merritt locals. EDITORIAL /PAGE 6
The Merritt Centennials played their final two games of the season last week, losing both in lopsided affairs, as the team looks ahead to the off season. Photo/Christina Jean Photography
Upper Nicola Band did a burrowing owl reintroduction presentation on Thursday, January 19. STORY/PAGE 8
THURSDAY, May 25, 2023 •
MERRITT HERALD MERRITT HERALD The northern lights lit up the Nicola Valley night sky recently, a rare phenomenon that delighted and surprised many Merritt locals. EDITORIAL /PAGE 6
- 2023
SAVING THE ENDANGERED
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
The Nicola Valley Fish and Game club hosts their annual ice fishing derby.—
/PAGE 5
MU
THIS WEEK
THURSDAY, January 26, 2023 •
MU
MERRITT HERALD
FREE
SHOW ‘N’ SHINE
DISTRICT COUNCIL
LOVE TO DANCE
The Nicola Valley Cruisers Car Club held its 29th annual Show ‘n’ Shine at Central Park on Sunday to warm weather and large crowds. /PAGE 5
The District of Logan Lake announced in a press release last week that Councillor Chris Candy died July 18.
Kia Henriksen is the Love to Dance Academy’s new artistic director, sharing her passion for the arts with the community.
Story/Page 3 ALERT CANCELLED
BEACHES CLOSED
MINISTER VISITS
An Amber Alert has been cancelled, and charges laid, in the alleged abduction of two Lower Mainland children last week.
Spaxomin (Douglas) and Chapperon Lakes join N’Kwala (Nicola) Lake on Interior Health’s beach closure list. EST.
B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix visited the Nicola Valley Hospital last week to meet with Mayor Mike Goetz and Interior /PAGE 10 Health.
MERRITT HERALD MERRITT HERALD MERRITT HERALD MERRITT HERALD SEASONS Healing the scars Walk to heal GREETINGS New life, new hope Kamloops - 259 Tranquille Rd. 250-554-1501 Merritt - 2013 Quilchena Ave. 250-378-9686 THURSDAY, October 5, 2023 • www.X.com/merrittherald • www.merrittherald.com FREE Salmon Arm - 420 TCH 250-833-1414 Westwood Mixer & Smoke ST BE Port Coquitlam - Unit 101 + 2748 Loughheed Hwy OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK www.lemonadestand420.ca 604-944-2838
19
1905
Kamloops - 259 Tranquille Rd. 250-554-1501 Merritt - 2013 Quilchena Ave. 250-378-9686 Salmon ArmFREE - 420 TCH THURSDAY, November 23, 2023 • www.X.com/merrittherald • www.merrittherald.com 250-833-1414 Westwood Mixer & Smoke ST BE Port Coquitlam - Unit 101 + 2748 Loughheed Hwy OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK www.lemonadestand420.ca 604-944-2838 MU
Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri.: 10:00am - 3:00pm • Wednesday 1:00pm - 6:00pm / 2113 Granite Ave., Merritt, BC
On-call 24 Hrs. a day: 250-378-2141 or 1-800-668-3379 • www.MerrittFuneralChapel.com O
1905
MU
EST. 1905 Chapel Merritt Funeral
Celebrating each A Division of Service Corporation International (Canada) ULC life like THURSDAY, September 21, 2023 • www.X.com/merrittherald • www.merrittherald.com FREE Local & Caring. Proudly supporting our community since 1929. no other
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/PAGEEST. 11
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1905 Merritt Funeral Chapel
Celebrating THURSDAY, December 21, 2023 • www.X.com/merrittherald • www.merrittherald.com FREE each A Division of Service Corporation International (Canada) ULC life like Local & Caring. Proudly supporting our community since 1929. no other
Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri.: 10:00am - 3:00pm • Wednesday 1:00pm - 6:00pm / 2113 Granite Ave., Merritt, BC
On-call 24 Hrs. a day: 250-378-2141 or 1-800-668-3379 • www.MerrittFuneralChapel.com O
Students from School District 58 walked the streets of Merritt last week to honour the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
The northern lights lit up the Nicola Valley night sky recently, a rare phenomenon that delighted and surprised many Merritt locals. EDITORIAL /PAGE 6
Merritt city staff, construction crews and Mayor Mike Goetz (pictured) were on hand to announce the plan to have the Voght Street bridge rebuilt by next fall. STORY/Pg. 3
A tree was recently planted in N’Kwala Park to honour those struggling with addiction and those who have passed. Story/Page 10
HALF MAST HONOUR
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
CLASSIC CARS
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District paid homage to a longtime director and chair that recently passed away. /PAGE 5
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology reflects on 40 years serving students from the Merritt area and beyond.
Some World War 2-era vehicles passed through the Merritt area last week, giving residents quite a view.
www.lemonadestand420.ca
CANCER AWARENESS
The City of Merritt asks B.C. and federal government why dozens of Merrittonians are still out of their homes.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to think of both survivors and those lost to the disease.
/PAGE 3
/PAGE 11-13
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Kamloops - 259 Tranquille Rd. 250-554-1501 Merritt - 2013 Quilchena Ave. 250-378-9686 Salmon Arm - 420 TCH 250-833-1414 Westwood Mixer & Smoke Port Coquitlam - Unit 101 2748 Loughheed Hwy 604-944-2838
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OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
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NEW HOUSING
COQUIHALLA 2.0
14 units of affordable housing are now available in a newly-built project in Lower Nicola.
Two years after the November 2021 floods that destroyed it, the Coquihalla Highway rebuild is now complete.
/PAGE 8 Kamloops - 259 Tranquille Rd. 250-554-1501 Merritt - 2013 Quilchena Ave. 250-378-9686 Salmon Arm - 420 TCH 250-833-1414 Westwood Mixer & Smoke Port Coquitlam - Unit 101 2748 Loughheed Hwy 604-944-2838
Want news straight to your inbox? Scan the QR code to subscribe to our daily newsletter.
/PAGE 10 Merritt Funeral Chapel
Celebrating each life like no other
SEE OUR SPECIAL CHRISTMAS SECTION on Pg. 17
Want news straight to your inbox? Scan the QR code to subscribe to our daily newsletter.
A Division of Service Corporation International (Canada) ULC
Merritt Funeral Chapel Celebrating each life like no other
A Division of Service Corporation International (Canada) ULC
Local & Caring. Proudly supporting our community since 1929.
HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM OUR FAMILIES TO YOURS! MU
/PAGE 16
/PAGE 8
MU
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
STILL WAITING
Lower Nicola students paraded down the streets last week, alongside Santa Clause and his festive elves. Photo/Jake Courtepatte
ST BE
19+
Local & Caring. Proudly supporting our community since 1929.
Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri.: 10:00am - 3:00pm • Wednesday 1:00pm - 6:00pm / 2113 Granite Ave., Merritt, BC
Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri.: 10:00am - 3:00pm • Wednesday 1:00pm - 6:00pm / 2113 Granite Ave., Merritt, BC
On-call 24 Hrs. a day: 250-378-2141 or 1-800-668-3379 • www.MerrittFuneralChapel.com O
On-call 24 Hrs. a day: 250-378-2141 or 1-800-668-3379 • www.MerrittFuneralChapel.com O
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