Issuu

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STAFF CUTS AT SD58

Nicola-Similkameen School District 58 is looking at potential cuts to teaching services and programs.

NDP CANDIDATE MIGUEL GODAU PROMISES TO BE A VOICE FOR ALL

LAÍSA CONDÉ editor@merrittherald.com

Editor’s note: Over the past couple of weeks, the Herald featured candidates seeking your vote in the KamloopsThompson-Nicola riding in the April 28 federal election.

The Herald is releasing articles in the order in which they were interviewed. Today, we focus on NDP candidate Miguel Godau.

With the federal elections approaching, candidates in the Kamloops-ThompsonNicola riding are out and about in the communities that they represent, hoping to earn voters’ trust.

The Herald sat down with NDP candidate Miguel Godau, who is running for the Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola riding, to discuss his background, values and vision for the future of the riding if elected.

Godau describes his run for office as a homecoming of sorts.

Born and raised in Ashcroft, he said it was his grandparents—longtime NDP supporters—who first instilled in him a

OPPORTUNITY: continued on page 3

PAGE 12-15

LYTTON REBUILD

Four years after a wildfire, Lytton

PHOTO : CHUCK WILKINS

HANGING THE HELMET: After 26 years of service, Logan Lake Fire Department Captain Chuck Wilkins is hanging the helmet at the fire hall as he shares stories during his years of service. Read page 20

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IS A HUGE OPPORTUNITY TO REPRESENT THE PEOPLE I CARE FOR’

OPPORTUNITY: continued from page 1

passion for social justice and civic responsibility.

“They were huge advocates for anything around supporting humanity,” he said. “They always told me that the NDP put humanity in politics. When you’re living in a community, you can’t just take from it—you have to get involved and give back.”

That message took root early. Godau began volunteering in his youth and eventually took on a career in human services, working in School District 74 and later for a local non-profit, with outreach roles in Ashcroft, Cache Creek and Clinton.

It was during that time, around 2005, that he noticed a recurring theme across rural B.C., people felt unheard.

“Rural communities don’t always have the support they want or need, and they don’t always feel they have a voice,” he said.

Since then, his work has taken him across the province, often to rural regions, where he has remained actively engaged in community efforts—volunteering with food banks, seniors’ homes, youth and literacy initiatives, and service organizations like the Rotary Club and Chamber of Commerce.

“The heart of everything I do is always about giving back to the local community,” he said. “The opportunity to represent my home, my family and friends, and to serve those I care for, is a huge opportunity.”

Godau sees the NDP as a necessary force in Parliament, whether or not they form government.

He points to historical figures like Tommy Douglas and Jack Layton as

examples of the party’s influence in shaping Canada’s social safety net.

“When I look at our communities and I see people suffering… we need the NDP more than ever,” he said. “We need to fight for their health care, including mental health, dental care, and PharmaCare. We need to fight for families to access the services they need.”

Affordability, Godau said, is by far the most pressing issue he hears about while speaking with constituents. The rising cost of food, housing, and other essentials is squeezing families, he said, while corporate profits soar.

“Families shouldn’t have to choose between housing, food, medication or utilities,” he said. “We’re fighting to make sure cuts don’t come from health care, dental care, child care. If we cut these programs, people struggle even further.”

He supports removing GST from essentials like home heating and groceries, implementing price caps on groceries, and building non-market housing that’s protected from corporate investment.

Wildfires and climate resilience are also top priorities for Godau. He recalls watching the hills across from his Ashcroft home burn during a major fire in 2003, an event that felt extraordinary at the time. Now, he said, climate disasters have become annual occurrences.

“We need to strengthen the federal government’s role in wildfire prevention and response,” he said. “Communities like ours need resources to rebuild and to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure. We also need a national insurance program for high-risk areas,

because private insurance doesn’t always cover the damage.”

Protecting public health care also remains a cornerstone of his platform. He warns against privatization and points to the origins of Canada’s health system under the NDP’s Tommy Douglas as a defining achievement that must be defended.

Godau also voiced frustration at what he sees as the federal government’s lack of follow-through on flood recovery support for Merritt. While the provincial government has stepped up, he said, federal support has fallen short.

“My sadness towards that is nothing compared to the impact that it has on the everyday people of Merritt,” he said. “I would be holding (the federal government) accountable and being an ear for the people.”

When asked about what he wants voters to know, Godau had a simple message: participate.

“We have so much fear and political

cynicism in our society,” he said. “Know your values, know what you stand for, and go out and vote… I’m standing for hope, and for a Canada where Canadians care for Canadians.”

He emphasized that if elected, he would represent all constituents in Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola, not just those who vote NDP.

“We have so much fear and political cynicism in society right now,” he said. “Know your values, read the platforms, and vote for what speaks to you. I stand for hope—for a Canada where Canadians care for Canadians.”

He added that voters should hold whoever is elected accountable and stay engaged in the democratic process.

“I’m a local small-town boy,” he said. “This is a huge opportunity to represent the people I care for, in the area I care about. I won’t make promises I can’t keep, but I can commit to being an ear that listens and bringing those concerns to Ottawa.”

PHOTO/MIGUEL GODAU/NDP NDP candidate Miguel Godau is seeking to win the Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola riding.

KAMLOOPS-THOMPSON-NICOLA CANDIDATES TALK PRESSING ISSUES

TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com

Through a survey sent out to participating candidates in the Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola riding by Transition Kamloops, a non-for-profit that advocates for building local economy and an environmentally sustainable community, candidates answered burning questions on their future commitments to solve some of the pressing issues in the riding and Interior B.C.

Incumbent MP Frank Caputo of the Conservatives and Jenna Lindley of the Green Party, did not respond to the survey. Caputo’s stance on these issues were supplemented based on past bills he has supported or opposed as MP.

Of these issues, candidates answered on supporting policy regarding farming, affordable housing, public transportation and water supply. The first issue revolved around potential government response towards the crisis in Canadian farmlands.

Transition Kamloops stated that farmers across the country are facing the issue of high land prices. This combined with the increased frequency of extreme weather events has made food production harder.

Iain Currie, Liberal MP candidate, listed $236 million of investments the current government has made in

protecting the country’s agricultural industry. The Liberals invested $30 million allowing farmers and producers to access new markets. They also invested $200 million in Domestic Food Processing program.

On the other hand, Caputo had previously supported bills which would exempt natural gas and propane use for farm activities from the now-defunct carbon tax (Bill C-234). He had also supported Bill-C317 forecasting floods and droughts. It is noted that Caputo opposed three bills regarding combating food insecurity and food programs for schools and children.

Meanwhile, Chris Enns, PPC, said he would consider stopping the sale of land to “non-Canadian entities”. He said he also supported the ideas of more greenhousing initiatives and more incentives for farmers to grow healthy crops.

Miguel Godau, NDP, said his party would work on environmentally sustainable projects that would work for farmers.

Candidates were also asked their positions on creating long-term affordable housing.

Caputo and the conservatives brought forth two bills regarding home ownership and rent affordability, and a Federal sales tax exemption for new homes under $1 million.

Currie

PHOTOS/FRANK CAPUTO, CASTANET, PEOPLE’S PARTY OF CANADA, MIGUEL GODAU

(Top left) Conservative MP candidate Frank Caputo, (Top right) Liberal MP candidate Iain Currie, (Bottom left) PPC MP candidate Chris Enss, (Bottom right) NDP MP candidate Miguel Godau

MERRITT RESIDENTS BELIEVE RIDING’S MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES TO BE

HOUSING, HOMELESSNESSNESS AND HEALTHCARE

showed enthusiasm for the Liberal’s commitment to the Build Canada Homes Program. The program will allow the federal government to become more involved in home building rather than just being the funder.

Enns and the PPC are taking a different approach to the housing crisis. He said their goal was to reduce demand, meaning putting a temporary hold on immigration to allow housing supply time to catch up.

Godau said the NDP are working on a plan, creating a housing strategy that is $16 billion in scope, creating jobs and offering low-interest mortgages through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

On public transit, Caputo had no relevant voting history on the topic.

Currie mentioned that the Liberals had invested $14.9 billion in public transit in 2024.

Enns said he is a supporter of the idea of mass transit and long-range rail networks. He said Canada could have something akin to Europe’s international rail systems, if the Canadian government would remove jurisdictional and bureaucratic red tape.

Godau and the NDP mentioned their belief in free public transit, as well as creating electric based transit models by 2030. Finally, on the subject of water and

commitment to treating freshwater as a public trust and not allowing it to be sold or used in bargaining, all responding candidates supported the idea.

Some of the issues residents have in the Kamloops-Thompson-Nicola are based on housing supply, homelessness and health care.

Odelle Fairfield, a resident of the riding in Merritt working at Beyond Fitness, felt the biggest local issue was health care. She hopes whoever is elected will make a strong platform to advocate a better health care system for the region.

MP incumbent Caputo has previously ran a recruitment campaign to attract more physicians to the Interior.

Merritt’s senior population, like local Linda Rafter, hopes their voices won’t be left behind. She believes the low housing supply is the riding’s biggest issue.

Other Merritt locals, such as Ethan DiMarco who works for City Furniture, feel like homelessness is the riding’s biggest problem.

“We have really bad homelessness control,” he said, adding that he doesn’t feel RCMP are doing enough to assist with the problem.

While he doesn’t know what specific policies his preferred candidate would advocate to make the issue better.

CANADIANS CAST RECORD NUMBER OF 7.3 MILLION ADVANCED BALLOTS

voting figures in the 2021 federal election.

Elections Canada says a record number of Canadians cast their ballots early in advance polls this year.

The agency says that, over four days of polling between Friday and Monday, 7.3 million people voted.

That’s up 25 per cent from early

Elections Canada says it made adjustments to deal with long lineups at polling stations in the early part of the long weekend.

Federal leaders are making their final pitches to voters across the country with less than a week to go until election day on April 28.

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PHOTO/THE CANADIAN PRESS

(Left) Conservative, Pierre Poilievre (middle) NDP, Jagmeet Singh (right) Liberal, Mark Carney.

CRAIG LORD

The Canadian Press

NICOLA VALLEY VIEWPOINT

IT’S BERRY TIME SOMEWHERE!

Healthy Conversations

Spring has officially ushered in berry season, and that means strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries are bursting onto the scene—fresh, frozen, and fabulous.

Whether you’re strolling through a farmers market or browsing the freezer aisle, now’s the perfect time to fall in love with these tiny superfoods. Later in July, Saskatoon berries are in our area. They look like berries but are related to apples!

Berries aren’t just beautiful to look at with their vibrant reds, blues, and purples— they’re nutritional powerhouses, too.

Loaded with antioxidants, high in fiber, and rich in vitamin C, berries can help protect your eyes, support heart health, and boost your immune system.

One cup is considered a standard serving, and eating them often is a sweet habit your

body will thank you for.

Each berry brings its unique flavor and texture to the table. Strawberries are sweet and juicy, BC Strawberries are fleeting but so very sweet, blueberries mild and earthy, raspberries bright and tangy, and blackberries (my favourite) bold and rich.

Mix and match them in smoothies, toss them into muffin batter, fold them into pancakes, or bake them into luscious pies.

For a quick health boost, try them with yogurt, cereal, or pudding. Fun to make berry ice. Place frozen berries in a food processor and pulse till smooth. Pour into cute cups and enjoy! Or do as many berry lovers do—eat them straight out of hand.

You can also make jam if you are loaded with berries. Another fun treat is fruit leather for the kids.

Fresh or frozen, berries are versatile, delicious, and undeniably good for you. Keep them stocked in your fridge or freezer so you can sprinkle them on meals or blend them into a snack anytime. After all, it’s always berry time somewhere!

CONCLAVE CAPTURES THE DRAMA BEHIND CLOSE DOORS

My movie recommendation this week is very timely to the days that are yet to come in the Roman Catholic world.

S ometimes, the loudest films don’t shout. They whisper — and in that quiet, they unsettle you.

C onclave, the new adaptation of Robert Harris’s novel, does just that. It doesn’t rely on spectacle or special effects, but on a single, age-old question: what happens when power, faith, and secrecy collide?

S et almost entirely behind the locked doors of the Vatican, the film follows the election of a new pope after the sudden death of the last.

B ut this isn’t a religious ceremony dressed up for the screen. It’s a political drama wrapped in robes, where human nature plays out under frescoed ceilings and centuries of tradition.

R alph Fiennes brings calm urgency to Cardinal Lomeli, the man tasked with guiding the process.

H e’s not chasing power — he’s searching for integrity in a room full of ambition.

A s the cardinals cast their ballots, old alliances are tested, new revelations emerge, and one unexpected twist threatens to redefine what leadership in the Church could look like.

W hat makes Conclave so timely –– aside from the passing of His Holiness Pope Francis this week –– even as it delves into the timeless rituals of the Catholic Church, is its focus on conscience.

I n a world increasingly driven by image and influence, the film dares to ask what it means to lead with humility.

I t shows us that real power doesn’t always come from position — it can also come from silence, reflection, and the courage to do what’s right, even when no one’s watching.

T his isn’t just a story about the Vatican. It’s a story about any institution where power is handed down behind closed doors — and what it takes to break that door open, or quietly reshape what lies behind it.

For those drawn to thoughful storytelling and complex characters, it’s a compelling meditation on leadership in one of the most ancient institutions in the world.

BONNIE DIXON

LAÍSA CONDÉ MOVIES’ CORNER

NOTICE –– MERRITT HERALD APRIL 17 EDITION

In the April 17 edition of the Merritt Herald, an advertisement contained content that violated the rules and regulations of the Canadian Cannabis Act. Steps were taken to correct the online e-edition, as well as other reparations.

The Merritt Herald has also taken steps to better comprehend the Act, to ensure that this does not happen in future editions.

We regret the mistake and apologize to anyone affected.

LETTERS to the Editor

SCHOOL BOARD MUST FIND SMARTER SOLUTIONS THAN SACRIFICING TEACHERS

Editor,

Everyone needs a safe, decent, affordable place to call home.

But for too long, our housing system has felt like an unfair game rigged against us all. Rents are skyrocketing. Mortgage rates are unpredictable. Buying a home is beyond reach. In our own community, there just isn’t enough housing for it to be affordable for all.

And our community isn’t alone—Canada has a housing crisis. Now, in the face of Trump’s trade war, it’s more important than ever that we work together to protect all of us.

I’ve joined a campaign that I think more people should know about. The Housing Canada Coalition is made up of leading housing organizations from across the housing continuum, and they’ve figured out that even though they provide different kinds of housing, it’s crucial they work together for solutions. So, they’ve built a 10-point plan to create a housing safety net and build a better system that works for everyone. The solutions are urgent and can really make a difference in this crisis.

I encourage everyone to read about it and become an advocate for housing this election. You can go to endthehousinggame.ca to learn more and join the campaign.

Together, we can end the unfair housing game, and build a fair, resilient housing system in Canada that works for everyone.

– Melinda Funk Kamloops, B.C.

I was dismayed when I read that the School Board of SD#58 was proposing another budget cut in teaching staff despite an increase of almost 80 full time students in February.

Are they not aware of the present increase in crime and drug use in this area?

There is a direct correlation between education cuts and increase in crime.

An uneducated population is more apt to turn to “easy money”, drugs, and stealing when good education and the opportunities these allow are unavailable.

We’ve only to look south of the border to see what a poorly educated middle and lower class can bring in the way of catastrophic changes to a democracy such as ours.

I hope the School Board can find other ways of saving money.

Saving money by cutting teachers and support staff is the worst possible way.

We’ll only end up spending it in the incarceration of criminals, which is what our current Conservative candidates are recommending.

I would ask you to think long and hard about what harm you can do to our children.

– Denise Williams Merritt, B.C.

LAST WEEK’S QUESTION

What is your top issue in the election?

A LOOK BACK

From the Herald archives

APRIL 23, 1986

MUSEUM-ARCHIVES CELEBRATES 10 YEARS

The Nicola Valley Museum-Archives Association celebrated its tenth anniversary last Wednesday night with filmes, a tour of the facility and refreshments.

The evening began with the viewing of two films from the National Film Board of Canada. The first featured the Alberta Provincial Museum and a discussion on taxidermy. “Slow Hello,” the second film, was all about Douglas Lake.

APRIL 2, 1986

IS MERRITT READY FOR THE MASSES?

When the first phase of the Coquihalla Highway is officially opened on May 16, the City of Merritt will witness crowds like many have never seen before.

Invitations have been sent to 15,000 people who worked on the new superhighway asking for their attendance at the grand opening.

In addition, the event will attract national and international media attention, about 100 government VIP’s and a throng of curious tourists.

SD58 RECOMMENDING STAFF CUTS

NEARLY 30 JOBS COULD BE LOST

JOBS LOST: continued from page 9

$500,000 - in traditional, brick-andmortar schools, SD58 is now faced with years-worth of accumulated budget pressure.

According to the preliminary budget for the 2025-26 school year, the school district is looking to cut $1.5 million from the upcoming year’s expenses.

Every year, SD58 spends $42.5 million. Three-quarters of this budget is spent on student instruction and staff salaries and benefits.

Enrolment in traditional schools has been on a steady decline for the last five years, dropping from 1,887 students in 2021 to a projected 1,786 students for this school year for a drop of 5.4 per cent.

The district has also identified other areas that have cost them to go over-budget. Increased benefits, inflation and spending over generated revenue are some of the other areas pressuring the budget.

SD58 has been in this situation for a multitude of years. Since 2021, they have had to increasingly rely on their financial reserves which has shrunk to an estimated $700,000 for this year. Over the last five years, the district has spent over $1.4 million of their financial reserve.

“We have been living beyond our means for a number of years,” said Courtney Lawrance, superintendent of schools for SD58.

According to the board, the dire financial situation is one shared by other school districts across the province as well.

“We are not unique in any stretch of the imagination from a fiscal perspective,” said chartered professional accountant Harold Cull, who is fulfilling secretary-treasurer duties for SD58 while the district looks to fill that role with a permanent worker.

In a similar position, facing $5.8 million in budget pressure, SD73 in Kamloops-Thompson proposed a preliminary plan to cut nearly 80 jobs to save around $5.5 million.

Despite facing a monetary deficit for a number of years, this is the first time the district is looking to cut staff.

“Given the structure of our budget, it’s impossible to stay totally away from salary and benefits as we go through some of the (budget pressure mitigation) strategies,” Gordon Swan, chair of the SD58 board, said. SD58 staff will propose a plan to the board which cuts the wage equivalent

of nearly 15 full-time teachers and librarians. Doing so will save almost $1.7 million from the budget.

Of this, 7.5 full-time-employees worth of teachers (FTE) will be cut.

Other staff cuts include slashing support positions by another 14.5 FTEs. In this part of the plan, custodians will have their contract cycles shortened from a year to 10 months, saving $250,000. Educational assistants on temporary contracts are not looking likely to be able to keep their jobs this school season, saving SD58 another $225,000. Other cuts to one tradesperson, 1.5 FTE worth of clerks and some cuts to transportation as well as closing unused rooms are being considered. This part of the plan saves $714,000.

On the other hand, the school district is looking to increase the number of positions in some areas.

According to the plan, the district is recommending the board increase the number of staff in learning assistance teachers (teachers who specialize in helping students with diverse learning needs), two-and-a-half counsellor wage equivalents and an english language learning teacher. The total cost of the added positions would be $1.1 million in salaries and benefits.

“The continued support for mental health has been coming up through those conversations with both students and staff,” Cull said. “The mental health piece and the counselling is such an important role in our district as in many others, this (reasoning) is what formed the recommendation to add (counsellor positions) to the system.”

The sum of the added costs and cuts for teaching positions is $588,000 saved at the rate of over 5.5 FTEs.

For positions being threatened, the school district is focusing on removing staff who are ready to retire or move on to other school districts. At this point, 3.5 FTE positions are looking to be eliminated this way.

Budget cuts have also put Merritt’s French Immersion program at risk.

According to Cull, the French immersion program at Merritt Secondary School is seeing such low enrolment rates that they are considering cutting the program there entirely.

“We just continue to see attrition (in French immersion),” said Lawrance. “One of our classes (MSS) is down to one

TEACHERS: continued on page 11

LIBRARIANS ON CHOPPING BLOCK ALONG WITH SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES

student.”

Another French immersion school in Merritt - Collettville Elementary, a solely French immersion school - is facing potential bus service reductions.

It was discussed at the budget meeting that reductions or cuts to the bus service will save $20,000.

“I think there’s six routes servicing (Collettville Elementary) we’re looking at reducing that run so there would be some adjustments to our bus schedules,” Cull said.

There are 60 students who utilize the Collettville bus line, some of them residing outside of Merritt.

Douglas Lake resident Brittney Parks sends her kids to Collettville Elementary using this bus.

“My family lives at Douglas Lake which is over 50 km from Collettville. If there’s no busses, the only option would be for my kids to switch schools,” she said.

Parks is just one of many from Merritt’s neighbouring communities who use school bus services. She said she knew at least seven other children bussing into Merritt this way.

“(Moving schools) would be very difficult for them, as they’ve established strong connections to friends, teachers and the school community.”

Lawrance said the district understands how difficult the change will be and will support students and parents through the transition. She also said out-of-town students have the option of taking the bus to Central Elementary, and walk the rest of the 1.4km way.

“(Collettville) is well within our walk limits of 4 km for primary students and 5 km for students in Grades Four to 12,” she said.

What is unique to SD58 is its nature as a rural schooling district. Many issues brought up during a public budget meeting in Merritt on April 16 were about transportation cuts, and the potential impact for families and the size of the school district.

Other programs that could be cut are the Grade 7 band program, summer reading program and teacher mentorship program. SD 58’s budget will have readings on May 7 and 14.

PLUMBING &HEATING

The recommended service cuts

- Enrolling teachers (7.5 FTEs saving $901,000)

- On-line, SCIDES (4 FTEs saving $392,000)

- Enhancing learning teachers (1.37 FTEs saving $164,000)

- Librarian (0.78 FTEs saving $93,000)

- Grade 7 band program (0.5 FTEs saving $60,000)

- Summer reading program (0.4 FTEs saving $44,000)

- French Immersion at MSS (0.3 FTEs saving $30,000)

- Teacher mentorship program (Saves $11,000)

- Custodians to 10 month cycles (3.5 FTEs saving $250,000)

- Educational Assistants (8 FTEs saving $225,000)

- Tradesperson (1 FTE saving $101,000)

- Clerical (1.5 FTEs saving $103,000)

- French immersion bussing (0.3 FTEs saving $20,000)

- Closing unused rooms (0.2 FTEs saving $15,000)

The recommended expenses

- Learning assistance staff (5.43 FTEs costing $652,000)

- Counsellors (2.5 FTEs costing $300,000)

- ELL teachers (1.3 FTE costing $155,000)

Total saved: $1.3 million

KAMLOOPS-THOMPSON-NICOLA

LYTTON REBUILD WELL UNDERWAY AFTER YEARS

OF PERMIT DELAY

Lytton, a small village in the Fraser Valley that was ravaged by fire, is finally seeing progress on its rebuilding effort.

Nearly four years ago, Lytton was destroyed by fire that started near the city’s rail lines. The fire sparked on June 29 in the middle of a week-long heat wave. The blast of heat culminated on the hottest day ever recorded in Canadian history at 49.7 C.

According to data collected by FireSmart BC in a 2022 report, hundreds of residents in Lytton and in the surrounding communities, such as Lytton First Nation, were displaced.

In total, the report said over 520 buildings were destroyed in the fire, more than 32,000 people evacuated and two people lost their lives.

The Village of Lytton was home to 210 residents as of the last Canadian population census in 2021. Today, around half of those residents have found their way back according to the village’s Mayor, Denise O’Connor. Of the original buildings, only a fraction were left standing or are rebuilt.

O’Connor is a born-and-raised Lytton local who stayed in the area during the town’s emergency status and through every stage of its rebuilding process.

She was elected as mayor in 2022 after campaigning on a platform for transparency for the residents of Lytton, giving them details of what had been destroyed

in the fire, and what was going to happen with funding from the provincial and federal government.

“I was an angry resident. Because there was no communication, we were all evacuated, we were all over the place,” she said. “We had no communication from the Province, from the (village) council at the time.”

According to her, fires were always a threat to the village.

“I grew up here. My family was in the forestry industry and every summer they were fighting forest fires,” she said. “But the difference was, this one happened here. We’re seeing it, we seem to be seeing it more.

“We’re always hot and dry here for fires.”

After the fire, Lytton dealt with years of permitting delays.

Now, O’Connor said construction in Lytton is finally going at a steady pace. She said as of December, 2024, only five homes had been built and occupied. In under six months, that number has doubled to nine homes.

“And then we actually have 18 (houses) on the go. So about half are occupied and another half are still building, like mine,” O’Connor said.

As construction on homes and various businesses have gotten into swing after a long process of artifact archaeology on top of the lands on burned homes, the next battle will be to get all the former Lytton MAYOR: continued on page 13

Mayor of Lytton

MAYOR ESTIMATES HALF OF TOWN RETURNED

MAYOR: continued from page 12

residents back home.

While Lytton has not had a census since 2021 - and will not have another until the 2026 federal survey - O’Connor estimates only around half of the original town is there, counting the by the number of homes that survived and the newly built ones.

Of the original town, there were 40 homes that were spared by the fire in the highest point of the village. These homes provided refuge for some residents to remain.

But a sizable portion of the original population still displaced.

A large part of this problem is the inability for some of the former residents to build new homes. O’Connor stated that of the 95 buildings destroyed by the fire, only 40 per cent had insurance.

“For the most part, people (who are) rebuilding now are doing so through insurance. So, there’s many people that don’t have the means to rebuild because they didn’t have insurance,” she said.

According to a 2022 estimate by the Insurance Bureau of Canada, the Lytton fire caused $102 million worth of insured damage.

The mayor stated that she personally knows of many families who don’t have their home back. Some are members of Lytton First Nation, who have been able to access temporary housing units, funded by the Federal government and

built by their government.

Others who don’t have that option, board with family members in homes unaffected by the fire. Some still reside in other communities such as Hope, a town O’Connor said took in so many after the fire.

O’Connor said a barrier for those looking to rebuild their homes was the lack of monetary support for homebuilding aside from one federal program.

“There (has) been no money for rebuilding, other than the federal government,” she said.

In the summer of 2022, the federal government announced they were giving $77 million to support the rebuild.

Of that total, $6 million went to insured homeowners and another $7.2 million went to small and medium sized businesses through PacifiCan Lytton program.

The rest of the money - $64 million - is going to the village to create inclusive public infrastructure such as libraries and museums. O’Connor said a swimming pool, - which will also serve as a water reservoir - a replacement of their fire hall and a community hub will be built using money from this program.

The $13 million dedicated towards home and business owners had restrictions. Rebuilders would have to build or work with a designer to create a

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2Lockvehicleswhenexiting, makeitahabit.

3Ifleavingvaluablesina vehicle;hidefromsight.

4Parkinawelllitarea.

5Reportanythefts,damageor suspiciouspersonstopolice

PHOTO/TY LIM

Mennonite Disaster Service has helped build multiple houses in Lytton since the fire. Mayor Denise O’Connor implores indivuduals to support groups like these.

MORE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED

INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDED

INFRASTRUCTURE: continued from page 13

fire-resistant home. At the end of the process they would receive a grant of $27,000, or slightly higher or lower based on other qualifications.

“(They’re) great programs. But when I think people first heard about this, (they thought) ‘they’re gonna come in and save us,’ but it doesn’t really work that way,” she said.

“I don’t know one person in this town that was planning to build a new house that had any kind of savings put towards that,” O’Connor said, adding that she only knew of two or three homes and two businesses that were using the program and that she didn’t go through with the program either.

Some of the former businesses in the town could never return.

O’Connor said the owners of the Lytton Hotel have already backed out of any potential rebuild, taking an insurance payout on their lot.

Essentials, such as a grocery store are still missing, though O’Connor said the owner of the former AG Foods have building permit for their store.

Essentials, such as a grocery store are still missing, though O’Connor said the owner of the former AG Foods have their building permit for their store.

“The sad part is, the village was the service hub,” she said. “The RCMP, the medical centre, the post office, the

grocery store, you name it. (Lytton) served a couple thousand people versus just the 210 that we always hear about.”

As part of the lack of services, the Village of Lytton is also dealing with the absence of a hospital or any medical centre.

The previous medical centre was also leveled in the 2021 fire. The facility boasted an x-ray, emergency and urgent care rooms, assisted living and an ambulance station. It was also operated by two full-time doctors.

The previous medical centre was also in the 2021 fire. The facility boasted an x-ray, emergency and urgent care rooms, assisted living and an ambulance station. It was also operated by two full-time doctors.

Interior Health Authority (IHA) had said in early 2023 they were planning on rebuilding or replacing St. Bartholomew’s Health Care Centre.

The same year, the Fraser Valley Current reported that IHA were still deciding which permanent services would be offered.

Two years later, not much has changed.

“Here we are, four years later, and we don’t have any confidence of what’s going to be built here,” O’Connor said.

For her and the village of Lytton, returning their hospital could be the next

TEMPORARY: continued on page 15

Your Homes

BASS COAST AS LINEUP REVEALED

G JONES SET TO HEADLINE 2025 BASS COAST AS LINEUP REVEALED

LAISA CONDE editor@merrittherald.com

Bass Coast is coming back to Merritt this summer and the festival released its full artist lineup this week.

The rest of the artists include electronic music talent from across British Columbia and beyond.

lineup this week.

The annual independent electronic music and art festival will be returning to the Merritt Festival Grounds from July 11-14, with more than 140 electronic music artists from around the world.

electronic music producer and DJ

This week, the festival announced California-based electronic music producer and DJ G Jones will be headlining this year’s festival.

“We’ve curated a lineup that features the future direction of electronic music whilst giving a nod to the foundations of the culture,” Bass Coast co-founder and music director Andrea Graham said. “While our community will recognize familiar faces, they’ll also discover fresh talent—each artist chosen for their role in advancing and reimagining electronic music.”

Many beloved artists are also set to perform at the festival this year, such as Canadian favourites SkiiTour, Stickybuds and Slynk who will bring their unique take on funk.

The Funk Hunters as well as Bass Coast co-founder and musical director The Librarian are set to return to the festival.

The Funk Hunters as well as Bass features the future direction of their role in advancing and

Canada’ by the Canada Music

Like the larger Shambhala Music Festival held in Salmo, Bass Coast is independent with no corporate sponsorships. It earned back-toback titles for ‘Best Boutique Festival in North America’ from DJ Mag, ‘Best Midsize Festival in Canada’ by the Canada Music Awards, and runner-up for ‘Best Music Festival in Vancouver’ by the Georgia Straight Vancouver.

COMMON ISSUES THAT AFFECT KIDS’ DENTAL HEALTH

Children develop at a rapid pace. Kids’ bodies grow from the moment of birth until early adulthood. Children get taller, more dexterous and expand their knowledge by leaps and bounds as they grow up. Kids’ teeth also are developing over that time.

Children’s teeth are at heightened risk for oral health issues during this delicate time of growth. If left untreated, dental issues can cause poor oral health. WebMD emphasizes that it is essential to keep baby teeth healthy for a child’s overall health and well-being, even though baby teeth are eventually replaced with permanent teeth. Many of the same conditions that affect adults also can contribute to issues with children’s oral health. Here is a look at some common concerns.

Caries (cavities)

Dental caries, also known as tooth decay or cavities, are caused when bacteria in the mouth metabolize sugar and produce acids that break down the teeth. Foods that stick to the teeth for a long time, such as candy, ice cream and milk, are more likely to cause decay. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that 20 percent of

children between the ages of five and 11 have at least one decaying tooth. It is important for children to clean their teeth well, something adults will likely need to assist with to ensure tooth decay doesn’t occur.

Bruxism

Many children grind their teeth at night, which is called bruxism. This habit can damage the teeth and cause misaligned teeth, which affects the bite. Nightguards may be needed to prevent the issue. Addressing any stress that may be causing the grinding also may be necessary.

Thumb sucking

Sucking on fingers, pacifiers or toys gives young children emotional security and comfort. However, thumb sucking continues beyond age five can affect permanent teeth when they start to erupt. This may force them out of alignment. Breaking the thumb-sucking habit can take time, and a child can wear dental appliances to prevent sucking.

Over-retained primary teeth

According to Hines Little Smiles

Pediatric Dentistry, over-retained primary teeth refers to baby teeth that do not naturally fall out to make room for permanent teeth. This can lead to complications in the alignment of new teeth. In some instances, over-retained teeth may need to be extracted to make room for adult teeth.

Bite and alignment issues

As permanent teeth come in, it may become evident that an orthodontist will be needed. Many pediatric dentists will refer children to orthodontists the moment they realize that orthodontic intervention is likely needed. Braces, palate expanders and other treatments might be prescribed so that older children can enjoy healthy, straight smiles.

Parents can work together with dentists to ensure good pediatric oral health.

For workers killed or injured on the job.

APRIL 28

The exhumation of Merritt’s disparaged Chinese workers

THE DIAMOND VALE MINE DISASTER IN 1912

SUSAN GEARING-EDGE

Cameron Bridge MERRITTHERALD.COM

Nicola Valley Museum & Archives

Warning: This article contains details some readers might find disturbing.

Fireboss Grimes left to ask Harry Hogg to tell the engineer to speed up the fan to improve ventilation.

Going back to the start of the 20th century, Merritt had a substantially large Chinese population. These people had come from China to escape from rampant poverty, famine, and general horrible economic conditions back in China.

In March 1912, Merritt and the surrounding area was plunged into grief and sorrow as the news spread that there had been an explosion at the Diamond Vale Coal Mine, east of the city.

At about 9:30, Pattie came out to call for more coal cars and then returned to chute No. 13, now using an open lamp.

This was a recipe for disaster.

They came to Canada and worked in a form of indentured servitude to build the railway, and after the last spike was driven in Revelstoke, they were laid off in mass. After this, while many did want to return to China, the economic condi tions were still so poor that many still decided to stay and take their chances in Canada.

Many of these people came to Canada hoping to one day bring their families to Canada with them, but as time wore on the Head Tax continued to increase before finally in 1923, the Exclusion Act barred anymore immigration to Canada from China, cutting these men off from their families, many of whom they would never see again.

Sixteen men arrived that morning for the day shift and entered the mines. Seven men got out safely. At the end of the two-day ordeal, seven miners were killed by the blast and two men were injured. The Merritt Herald called it “a terrible catastrophe.”

The gas which had been lying in the chute had been set in motion by the increased air current from a speeding fan. This, along with the coal dust suspended in the air, set off a series of explosions in the mine, sending out tremors that could be felt as far away as Merritt.

Farms and ranches require a large workforce to operate, and as a result many of the local ranches within the Nicola Valley hired Chinese workers at low rates from Kamloops and brought them here to the Nicola Valley.

There were a few main jobs that these Chinese workers tended to do, the first was being a cook. Many of the ranches employed Chinese cooks during the threshing and haying months, cooking meals in the fields for the rest of the expanded workforce.

The day had started like any other day. Promptly at 7 a.m. the colliery came to life. Harry Grimes, the mine’s fireboss started his regular morning safety inspection of the working areas of the mine. He carried with him a locked safety lamp. The engineer arrived at the same time and started up the locomotive firebox boiler which was housed in a temporary shed at the surface of the mine.

At 8 a.m. the coal miners were ready for a day’s work. Grimes chalked the board at entrance No. 1, East level that the West level was clear and all places in the East were “clear and in order” except chutes 13 and 14, where miners John Pattie and Frank Kallia worked.

Two local physicians, Dr. Williams and Dr. Tutill, reacted swiftly and arrived at the mine on horseback, coming across a grisly scene. Alex Patterson, who was working at a mine entrance, was thrown about seventy feet suffering a sprained wrist and an injured hand.

These cooks would then usually become unemployed after these months were over. The second main job was to work as an irrigator. This was extremely hard

On average, 150workers die each year in Br itishColumbia.

Harry Hogg and Ralph Celisto scrambled out of an air shaft with severe burns to their faces, heads and hands and were treated by the doctors on site and then taken to the hospital in Merritt.

Anxious onlookers await word

Nowfamiliesmourn Let’smakeour workplaces healthyand safe

his chest lacerated and his head and face were badly cut. The upper part of his body was badly burned.

April28

DayofMou rn ing

Amessage from Nicola Valley Teachers’Union

Grimes told Pattie and Kallia to wait and he would go into the chutes with them. He gave each man a safety lamp, inferring that there was gas found in their chutes. Both men entered the mine.

A locomotive arrived with oxygen equipment and a rescue team necessary to search for the seven men left in the mine.

The dead body of John Hogg was found, thrown a considerable distance by the explosion.

Then the bodies of Harry Grimes, John Pattie, John Templeton and Frank Kallia were discovered, all beyond human aid.

One by one, they brought the bodies up. John Hogg was in the worst condition. His neck, collarbone and leg were broken,

The rescue party went back in to search for William Baxter and William Hurd, but had to give up for the day. In fact, had they had not stopped there might have been more lives lost. Many of the men were taken home in poor condition and all showed signs of distress.

was suspended in Merritt until evening as services were conducted in various places throughout town for the victims of the mine disaster.

five days earlier. He was also survived by his parents and brother, Harry, who had escaped the mine and was recuperating in hospital.

The next day the bodies of the remaining two victims, Baxter and Hurd, were recovered. When their bodies were brought to the surface, a sigh of relief passed through the anxiously waiting crowd. The funerals were held the following day and blinds were drawn and business

The Men Who Died

Harry Grimes, 39, a wellknown and respected citizen of the valley for several years. He was survived by his wife and one child.

John Pattie, 30, was survived by his wife and three young children. Mrs. Pattie’s sister, Mrs. Dishart had lost her husband in the Middlesboro mines the previous December. Her brother, Frank Lester, who worked on the same level, had missed work that day.

John Hogg, 25, was survived by his wife and one child born

In memoriam of thosewho have lost their livesorsuﬀered dueto WORKPL ACE ACCIDENTS,injuriesand illness, theCit yofMerritt lowers theﬂag andrenewsour committment to creatingas afeand healthyworkplace

John Templeton, 23, was unmarried and survived by his parents in Kirkintilly, Scotland. He had lived with Mr. and Mrs. Manson, whose son had been killed a few weeks earlier in the Middlesboro mine.

John Kallie, 34 years of age, was from Finland. Any surviving family members were unknown.

William Hurd, who had been in Merritt for about 18 months, was survived by his wife and three children in Levin, Scotland. They were intending to join him in Merritt in the near future.

William Baxter, 27, had been employed by the mine for about a month. He was survived by three brothers in Merritt and his parents in Queensferry, West Lothian, Scotland.

PHOTO/NICOLA

of the fate of missing miners after the Diamond Vale mine explosion in 1912. Seven men lost their lives in the disaster that occurred at the mine approximately one mile east of Merritt.

WORKSAFEBC URGES FALL PROTECTION FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

THE CANADIAN PRESS

WorkSafeBC is urging builders to take steps to prevent workers from falling on construction sites after more than 1,000 injuries were reported in the province last year.

It says it also issued more than $1 million in fines for 152 administrative penalties against employers for inadequate fall protection after accidents.

The workers’ safety and compensation agency says the warning comes as outdoor

construction ramps up in April.

It says falls from heights continue to be one of the leading causes of injuries and fatalities in the construction industry, but many of them are “entirely preventable with proper safety measures.”

WorkSafeBC says many construction employers fail to ensure workers use fall protection, often due to time pressures or the mistaken belief that certain tasks are low-risk.

It says between 2020 and 2024, there were

TWO FIREFIGHTERS MAULED WHILE DEFENDING CHAPERON LAKE IN 1926

CAMERON BRIDGE

Nicola Valley Museum & Archives

Warning: This article contains details some readers might find disturbing.

The summer of 1926 was a bad summer for forest fires, a drought coupled with the winds of the Nicola Valley lead to the fast expansion of a number of fires.

Sparks from a train caused a fire near Kingsvale, a fire at McKenzie Lake likely caused by a cigarette butt thrown from a car, a large fire was burning by Blakeburn and Coalmont causing the mines to shut down while they battled the fires, there was a fire near Pot Hole Lake, and another fire out by Chaperon Lake by mid-July 1926.

Firefighting is of course a dangerous job, but most of the injuries tended to be cuts from axes and saws, bruises, sprained ankles, broken bones, but in early August an unexpectedly dangerous accident occurred.

Late on Aug. 6, around 10 p.m., George Dasher and Alex Proudfoot were monitoring a fireguard at the Chaperon Lake fire when they heard a rustling coming from the bushes.

At first they had assumed it to be a pack horse of some kind when a black bear came tearing into view.

The bear saw Dasher and Proudfoot and immediately charged at them before they could react, knocked Dasher to the ground and began biting into his leg.

Proudfoot quickly grabbed a shovel and tried to knock it off of him by hitting it in the head.

The bear did let go of Dasher but then turned on Proudfoot, biting his neck and almost severing his jugular.

It was a stroke of good luck that saved the men, earlier on their shift one of the men had hung a piece of their clothing on a small tree, and by chance the piece of clothing fell off of the tree and distracted the bear.

It grabbed the clothing and tore it to

shreds before running off into the woods again.

Alf Dodge, another firefighter working on the Chaperon Lake fire came across the badly injured men and quickly got word to the other work gangs.

They did what little they could to help the men but knew they had to summon a doctor as quickly as possible.

Dodge set off for Chaperon Lake, where along the way he met Jim Steffens, a forest ranger.

After being informed Steffens took off for Douglas Lake where he was able to call Dr. Austin Gillis.

Gillis managed to get a ride to Chaperon Lake where he then travelled on horseback to the firefighting camp, arriving in the early hours of the morning.

Gillis spent the day tending to the two men as preparations were made to transfer them to the Nicola Valley General Hospital.

At 5:30 they began their descent down the hill, Desher had to be taken down on a stretcher while Proudfoot was able to ride in a saddle.

more than 5,400 claims in the construction sector due to falls, including 1,900 serious injuries and 35 deaths.

WorkSafeBC’s Occupational Health and

Safety Regulation requires fall-protection systems when workers are at risk of falling three metres or more, or at any height where a fall could cause injury.

It was a 20 mile walk to Chaperton Lake where Dan Munro’s car then took them to the hospital. While it naturally took some time, both were able to make a full recovery.

In attempting to analyze why the bear attacked it was assumed it was likely injured from the fire and simply attacked the first things it saw in a fit of rage.

The fires continued on throughout the summer, it was said that someone taking a train from Kamloops to Banff would see smoke and burning forests the whole way on both sides of the track.

Early frosts in September helped lessen the spread of the fires, which was fortunate as Victoria’s forest fighting budget had been completely exhausted and the few back forest fires were left to burn themselves out over the rest of the fall.

Reducedspeedlimitsigns legallychangetheposted speedlimitontheworkzone portionofthehighway.By decreasingspeedlimits,safety increasesfor roadwayworkers anddrivers –thisiswhyﬁnes areoftendoubledforspeeding violationsinconstructionzones.

In2017WorkSafeBCshowedoverthepastdecadethat 15roadsideworkershaddiedand229hadbeeninjured aftertheywerehitbyvehicleswhileonthejob.

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PHOTO/DARRYL DYCK/THE CANADIAN PRESS

A crane is used to move a garbage bin to the upper floors of a condo tower under construction in Vancouver on February 16, 2021.

TheUSWisoneofthelargestprivatesectorUnionsinboth CanadaandNorthAmericawithmorethan225,0 00 membersinCanada andmorethan800,0 00 members continent-wide.

Today, morethan ever,workingpeopleneedstrong, effectiveunionsandthe UNITED STEELWORKERSISHEREFOR YOU.

USW 1-417, alongwithallofourmembers,obser vesthe NationalDay ofMourningonApril28th,2025.

Thisdaycommemoratesworkers whohavebeenkilled,injuredorsufferedillness due toworkplace relatedhazardsandoccupational exposures. Injuriesanddeathsinthe workplacecontinue to be amatterofimportantconcern acrossCanada.ManyCanadianmembersworkhardeachday inaneffort to minimiz eaccidentsandincidents.Safetyshouldbeoneofthecorevaluesinany workplace.

Commemoratingthosewhohave beenhur torkilledinthe workplaceshows respect forthefallen,whileservingas areminderoftheimportanceof occupationalhealthandsafety.

NICOLA VALLEY SPORTS

REGIONALS WEEKEND ENDS IN VICTORY FOR THE MERRITT MISFITS

LAÍSA CONDÉ

editor@merrittherald.com

The Merritt Misfits U14 girls volleyball team made the most of home court advantage this past weekend, winning the Tier 2 championship during the U14 girls regional championships held right here in the Nicola Valley.

A total of 28 teams from across the Interior, the Kootenays, Prince George, and the Lower Mainland travelled to Merritt for the two-day tournament, which determined placements for the upcoming provincial championships in Abbotsford.

Head coach Gian Cavaliere said the team came in with one clear goal.

“Our goal was Division 4,” he said. “Anything above that was a great tournament for us, especially going up against teams from much larger communities with deeper rosters.”

The Misfits were handed a tough pool draw and went 1-2 on the first day, struggling with the lower ceiling in one of the gyms that impacted their passing game. The early losses knocked them out of contention for the top three divisions, placing them in the Tier 2 bracket—and within reach of a Division 4 or 5 provincial berth.

From there, they didn’t lose another match.

The team swept a Kamloops opponent in straight sets to lock in their provincial placement. On day two, they outlasted Kelowna in a three-set thriller, winning 15-12 in the third. In the semifinal, the

MERRITT CENTENNIALS HOST SPRING CAMP FOR FUTURE PROSPECTS

Misfits edged out another Kamloops team 15-13 in the final set to secure their Division 4 berth and advance to the Tier 2 final.

“I told the girls, ‘We’ve hit our goal. Now let’s win the banner,’” said Cavaliere. “It was a hell of a match. They grinded through and we won that last set 19-17.”

The victory puts the Misfits into Division 4 at provincials as a 7th or 8th seed out of 16 teams. Cavaliere is aiming for a top-five finish—though he knows anything can happen.

“Youth volleyball is unpredictable. Injuries, matchups, who shows up mentally—it all plays a role,” he said. “But top five would be the dream. Top three would be incredible.”

He added that the win was especially meaningful given how the team is often viewed by other clubs.

“We’re called the Misfits for a reason,” Cavaliere said. “Some teams see the pink socks and flashy jerseys and think we’re just a fun team. But I told the girls, I’m tired of being called the cute team. Let’s prove we belong—and they did.”

Cavaliere, who grew up in Merritt, said hosting the regional tournament for the second straight year helps put the city on the map.

“When you have 28 teams here, each with 10 players, plus parents and coaches— that’s hundreds of people supporting local hotels, restaurants, and stores,” he said.

“It’s not just about sport. It’s about showcasing what this community can do.”

PHOTOS/LAÍSA CONDÉ

PHOTO/GIAN CAVALIERE

The Merritt Misfits U14 team clinched Tier 2 Regionals championship title weeks before heading to provincials in Abbotsford.

LOGAN LAKE FIRE HALL

CAPTAIN RETIRES AFTER 38 YEARS OF SERVICE

LAISA CONDE editor@merrittherald.com

Logan Lake’s captain, Chuck Wilkins, is hanging up his helmet after 26 years in the fire service.

After moving to Logan Lake 38 years ago, Wilkins’ dedication to rescue work started as he worked in mine rescuing for three years. His curiosity to firefighting peaked after one of his coworkers at the mine suggested Wilkins to join him at the Logan Lake Fire Department.

“My deputy chief was one of the trainers and they said ‘well, you should join our fire department.’ I said ‘sure’, because I love the town and that’s why I do all the things I do,” Wilkins said. “I fell in love with it the first day I came here.”

Wilkins rose through the ranks at the Logan Lake Fire Department from firefighter to lieutenant to captain.

“Getting my lieutenant’s hat—I think that was one of (my favourite moments),” he said. “Dan Leighton, who was our chief at the time, said, ‘Well, I think it’s time,’ and he did this whole thing where he passed the lieutenant’s helmet to me. That felt pretty good.”

He said he especially enjoyed teaching, visiting schools, and training junior firefighters, including his own children.

“Teaching the kids—I love teaching the kids,” he said. “My daughter was one of them, and my son—they both went through the fire department.”

Along the way, Wilkins said he availed himself of every training opportunity he could, continually increasing his skills and qualifications.

He spent some time with the Maple Ridge Fire Rescue structure protection crew during the Martin Mountain fire in the 2000s, where he trained and got curious about the reason behind putting sprinklers on houses across the region. After understanding the science behind it, Wilkins wanted to replicate it back in Logan Lake.

“I came home, I went to my chief, who was Dan Leighton at the time, and I said ‘we could really do this. And he says ‘yeah’. So he made up the design of the sprinklers, and I installed 200 of them in the first year,” Wilkins said. “Then after some time went on, I dropped out of it and the rest of the department took it over.

“We became known all across Canada as a FireSmart (community), as one of the founders.” His career took him to many interesting places, and he says he always had support to keep learning.

“My chief was always sending me on training because I was just stocking it all up,” he said. Wilkins said retirement didn’t hit him until his department surprised him.

“It really didn’t hit me until the night they said, ‘Be at the fire hall,’ and there was a cake there,” he said. “The chief walked up to me and said, ‘and

now it’s your turn.’ I said, ‘my turn for what?’ He says, ‘we’re going to give you your final ride home.”

He rode home in Engine 1, driven by a new firefighter named Krista.

“She said, ‘I’m so proud to be your driver.’ It kind of brought a tear to my eye,” Wilkins said. “The whole cul-de-sac had all our engines with all the flashing lights. Everybody in the neighbourhood thought there was something wrong. Then they figured it out—‘It’s Chuck.’”

He said leaving the department and the people he served with has been emotional.

“You’d be surprised how attached you become to people in the fire department,” he said. “They guided me through to become who I was, and then it’s my turn, my time to leave.”

“For 26 years, people have called me ‘Cap,’” he laughed, “I’ve always been identified as one of the officers in the Logan Lake Fire Department—and that alone is something to be proud of.”

Wilkins said he looks forward to spending time in his woodworking shop and camping across the province with his wife, Diane.

“I couldn’t go anywhere in the summertime because I always left it open for forest fires,” he said. “Now I have the freedom to go out.”

One of the most meaningful tributes was the addition of his name to the department’s Wall of Remembrance, being the first fire department’s member to be on the wall after retirement.

“It’s a brick,” Wilkins said. “Just a giant brick wall. My wife’s parents are there in remembrance.”

Reflecting on his time in service, he said he was fortunate not to suffer lingering trauma from the job, crediting the support of his wife.

“She was always there when I came home and we talked it out,” he said. “That was the best thing in the world, because firefighters really need someone—or some group—to talk with.”

To new firefighters, his advice is simple.

“Train, train, train. Whenever you get the chance, go out, learn new things,” he said. “Talk to the old ones—they’re the ones that are going to teach you how to be safe.”

THE CHURCHES OF MERRITT WELCOME YOU

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

PHOTO/CHUCK WILKINS

Logan Lake Fire Hall captain Chuck Wilkins on the job.

MERRITT &DISTRICT HOSPICE SOCIETY

June4,1948 -April12,2025

VioletAustin wasbornonJune4th,1948 toAgnesandCasperMunroinGladwin;she wasoneof18children. VioletmarriedSmith AustinonDecember17th,1976,afterhaving4 daughters.Thetwowouldhave 7childrentogether:KarenMunro,baby, JudyMunro,CrystalMunro,CarrieMunro,SmithAustinJr.,andSteve Austin.Theyboughttheirforeverhomeinspringof1973beforeCarrie wasborn.DuringtheatmosphericrivereventonNovember15th,2021, Violetlostthishome.

In2019, Violetwasdiagnosedwithmultiplemyeloma,afterbattling illnesssincethespringof2018.Evenwithbattlingthiscancer,shestill enjoyed watchingandscorekeepingattheballfields.Thelastthingshedid beforegoingtothehospitalonFridaynight wasplayBingo,anactivityshe didfrequentlywithherbestfriend,Maggie.

Shefought valiantly,andintheend,she wastiredandpneumonia triumphedonApril12th,2025. We wereallsogratefultohave beenby hersidethatday.She wasnotalone.Nolongerinpainandbackwithher husbandonceagain. We knowthatshewasgreetedwithopenarmsbyher mommy, daddy,husband,daughter,son,andgreat-granddaughter.

ADVANCE CARE PLANNING is a choice thatallows individuals tomakehealthcare decisions now, incasetheycannotgiveconsentfor treatments offered inthe future P:250-280-1701

www.merritthospice.org Email:merritthospice@shaw.ca

Flyhighmomma,gma,great-gma,andgreat-great-gma. We alllove youandwillmissyouso verymuch

Violet Austin

Dodds AUCTION AUCTION

LandAct:NoticeofApplicationforaDispositionofCrownLand

SATURDAY, APRIL 26TH -8 AM (lotsstartclosing)

TakenoticethatWaterBoyTruckingLtd.fromMerrittBChasapplied totheBritishColumbiaMinistryofForests(FOR),Thompson-OkanaganforanexpansionofanexistingrockquarrysituatedonProvincial CrownLandlocatedoverunsurveyedCrownlandbetweenDistrict Lots4426and4427,KamloopsDivisionYaleDistrict(KDYD).

PartialListIncludes: ‘New’Furniture, Tools &Equipment, HomeImprovementItems(furnaces,etc.),2012DodgeRam 1500SingleCabP/Uw/BoxLiner,2012DodgeP/UQuad Cab,PlusMuchMore!!

Viewing -DoddsShowroom -Vernon Thu/Fri(April24/25) -8 am -4 pm

ONLINETIMED •I N-HOUSE •M ULTIES TATE ONLINETIME D• ON-S ITESORRENTO• ESTAT E

FORinvitescommentsonthisapplication.TheLandsﬁleisFile Number3410347.Writtencommentsconcerningthisapplication shouldbedirectedtotheSeniorLandOfﬁcer,ThompsonOkanagan, FORat441ColumbiaStreet,KamloopsBCV2C2T3.Commentswill bereceivedbyFORuptoFebruary26,2024.FORmaynotbeable toconsidercommentsreceivedafterthisdate.PleasevisittheApplications,CommentsandReasonsforDecisionDatabasewebsiteat http://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/ formoreinformation.

SATURDAY, MAY3RD -9 AM (lotsstartclosing)

Beadvisedthatanyresponsetothisadvertisementwillbeconsideredpartofthepublicrecord.Accesstotheserecordsrequiresthe submissionofaFreedomofInformation(FOI)request.Visit http:// www.gov.bc.ca/freedomoﬁnformation tolearnmoreaboutFOI submissions.

PartialListIncludes: LargeSelectionofMachining, Tools &Equipment,Collectables, VintageStationaryEngines,Plus MuchMore!!

(dependsonexperience& attendance)

thefollowingvehiclewillbeauctionedon January18,2024fornonpayment

assets

Informative books

Jeer

You can do it with your horn

Agents of your downfall

Central Uganda city

Thanksgiving

Root mean square (abbr.)

1960s teen idol

Promotional materials 20. One point east of northeast

Piers Anthony protagonist

Popular sports league

Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a Sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 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.

Hall where military eats

Ancient Greek City

Speaks incessantly

Discuss again

Extreme greed

Adopt or support

Fantasy writer

Cologne

Partner to cheese

Constrictor snake

Not good

57. Seize

Early Mesoamerican civilization

Noted pet detective Ventura

Automobile

Georgia rockers

Color opposite green

Amount of time

Attempt

PUZZLE ANSWERS ON SEPARATE PAGE

Monetary unit of Macao

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