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MERRITT HERALD THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2013 • MERRITT NEWSPAPERS
Missing teens presumed drowned
Sky fall West Coast Amusements were in town on April 16 with their travelling carnival at Central Park. Kids and adults alike had fun on over a dozen rides and more than 30 games of chance. At left, excited youngsters enjoy the Spring Ride.
By Craig Lindsay THE HERALD
newsroom@merrittherald.com
Craig Lindsay/Herald
City development manager steps down By Emily Wessel THE HERALD
reporter@merrittherald.com
The City of Merritt is looking for a new economic development manager. James Umpherson, the city’s current economic development manager, will be leaving his position with the city on May 3, according to a City of Merritt press release. Umpherson said the decision to leave Merritt has been in the works for weeks, and has nothing to do with his recent unfavourable review of a local hotel on tripadvisor.com. “Since moving to B.C. almost
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two years ago, my wife and I have been working in two separate communities,” Umpherson said in a statement to the Herald. “The goal was always to find a centre where both of us could find employment in our respective professions. In recent weeks, an opportunity was presented that allowed me to work and live in the same community as my wife.” Umpherson said he commuted for hours almost every weekend to see his wife, and they have decided to live in the community she works in. “We are very excited to finally be able to permanently live and work in the same community,” he
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James Umpherson, City of Merritt economic development manager, will be stepping down on May 3. file photo
said. “I look forward to this new opportunity in my career and to return to a normal lifestyle.” The City of Merritt hired
Umpherson nearly two years ago to build an Economic Development Department, and as its manager, Umpherson’s job included media relations, communications, website development, tourism development, First Nations partnerships, and an economic development plan, which the city will use as a foundation for the next manager. “We wish Mr. Umpherson a prosperous future in his career aspirations and thank him for his diligence, resilience, and patience in building the Economic Development Department for the City of Merritt,” Merritt Mayor Susan Roline said in the release.
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Two teens from Langley who were reported missing Sunday night have been presumed drowned. The teens have been identified by friends online as 17 year-old Austin Kingsborough and 18 yearold Brendan Wilson. Both attended Langley Secondary School and were on the same hockey team. Cst. Tracy Dunsmore of the Merritt RCMP told the Herald that dive crews are still searching the area and were at it until 5 a.m. on Wednesday morning using the newly arrived SONAR. “The divers are back out today,” she said on Wednesday. “I’m not sure how much ground they covered yesterday, it’s a pretty slow process. They said the area they’re covering is not that deep and it’s pretty flat, so it’s nice to use the SONAR with it. They just have to cover as much area as they can.” Merritt RCMP first received a call about the two boys missing at 10:30 p.m. on Sunday. Following searches of the shoreline by RCMP and Nicola Valley Search and Rescue, a ball cap, shoe and head lamp were found at 2 a.m. Monday. An overturned canoe was spotted at first light Monday morning by helicopter.