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MERRITT’S E-PETITION FOR DISASTER RELIEF HITS SIGNATURE GOAL

City hopes to secure federal funding for flood prevention and mitigation efforts

TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com

The City of Merritt’s e-petition to plead its case to receive disaster prevention funding from the Federal Government has closed as it reaches its signature goal.

The petition, known as e-5135 supports both municipalities of Princeton and Merritt, two areas ravaged by the 2021 floods, in receiving approval for their applications to the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF).

“My family was displaced. So yeah, it’s you don’t know what it feels like until you’re homeless. And when you’re homeless, it’s different. So I don’t want anybody else in this valley to feel that. So we need to, as a mayor and council, continue to keep our foot on the gas to get this money,” said Mike Goetz, Merritt’s mayor.

Created by the city’s Flood Mitigation team, 500 signatures were requested on the petition so Dan Albas, MP of Central Okanagan—Similkameen—Nicola, can advocate for the cities to receive a portion of DMAF funding in Canada’s next session of Parliament. The petition

closed Jan. 11.

Since Parliament was prorogued on Jan. 6, the cities will have to wait until at least March with the possibility of further pushback.

Albas previously made his case in Parliament last September.

“In 2021, these communities were devastated by massive floods. The prime minister told them ‘that he had their backs’. Ministers visit, telling them to hang tight for their new Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund. The municipalities’ apply, jump through

every hoop, spending hundreds of thousands in engineering studies only to be denied,” he said during his time on the floor.

“Adding insult to injury, communities that never experienced flooding or fires

NO QUIT: continued on page 3

PHOTO CITY OF MERRITT

A drone image shows the aftermath of the flooding on Nov. 15, 2021. Three years later, the City of Merritt still battles to secure proper funding for flood prevention and mitigation efforts.

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NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

‘THERE’S ABSOLUTELY NO QUIT IN THIS’

fixed,” Goetz said.

are receiving funds, while Merritt and Princeton are left behind.

Every member here should know that people in these communities are angry at these broken commitments.”

If approved, Merritt will receive an unspecified amount of money out of a federal fund which recently had to $1.3 billion put in for the prevention of natural disasters.

A majority of the money given to Merritt will be spent building a new dike system.

The City of Merritt applied for the fund in July, 2022.

According to Goetz they waited nearly a year before getting rejected in 2023. He said one of the pretences they were rejected on was that their application was issued in three parts as recommended to them, but the federal government wanted it in only one.

In section 3.1 of the DMAF applicant guide, it states “Eligible projects could include bundled sub-projects if it is demonstrated that each of the multiple mitigation/adaptation investments work systematically as a whole to reduce the same risk within the same time period.”

“We need to know that when a natural disaster happens we’re going to have somebody that can help us fix it, not where we’re going to have to start doing mountains of paperwork and tap dancing around rules to fix something that needs to be

According to him, the budget of $1.3 billion isn’t enough to cover all of Canada.

“It should have been more like $10 billion to $13 billion, but ($1.3) billion shared across Canada is not a lot of money,” he said. “You’re now competing against other communities to get your community fixed at the expense of theirs.”

“You’re now competing against other communities to get your community fixed at the expense of theirs.”

— Merritt Mayor Mike Goetz

The flood mitigation plans, which were prepared and presented about half a year after the floods, state that the dikes, which are constructions or excavations that will prevent flooding, will be installed around the city covering both the Nicola and Coldwater rivers.

Building the dikes would be a goliath of a project that could cost the city upwards of $150 million.

But Merritt isn’t asking for the whole amount up front.

Goetz proposed an option that would give the city DMAF funding year-by-year depending on how much work is done in that period of time. For example, if it costs $5

million for one year of work, then the same amount would be allocated for next year.

“I don’t expect them to hand me a check for $169 million, that’d be crazy,” he said. “Give us money over the next five to six years to seven years that, you know, works with the work we’re able to do. So that way that money gets dispersed to all of the groups. Not one group just grabs it, runs with it. Everybody gets a piece of the pie.”

If the city were to not implement any flood-prevention methods, costs could jump to over $500 million in reconstruction if another large-scale flood would occur according to a flood mitigation presentation to city council in 2022.

“The more that you put this off on this, the more it’s gonna cost you,” Goetz said.

He also said Albas will be asking for more transparency from the federal government regarding how the DMAF is being allocated.

“We want to know where the money went and why this isn’t a recurring fund. So cover all of those bases, because ultimately, this is for the better future of everybody in this country. We need a fund that is funded and looked after correctly,” Goetz said.

“There’s absolutely no quit in this,” he added. “Whether myself or Mayor Coyne (Princeton), we’re not going to stop until our citizens are protected. It’s simple. There’s no quit here, so we’ll just continue.”

GOT NEWS?

Contact Laísa or Ty at newsroom@merrittherald.com or call 250-378-4241

HEALTH-CARE SYSTEM FALLS BEHIND MOST PEER COUNTRIES: REPORT

HANNAH

ALBERGA THE CANADIAN PRESS

A new report says Canada’s health-care system has fallen behind international peers in access to care, equity and wait times, outperforming only the United States.

The not-for-profit think tank C.D. Howe Institute says Canada ranks ninth out of 10 countries evaluated, including the Netherlands and United Kingdom, who were top performers.

The comparative analysis shows Canada’s quality of care is relatively high, but accessing that care is a challenge.

The report is based on data collected from the Commonwealth Fund international surveys of patients, physicians and the general public, in addition to statistics from the World Health Organization, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the Canadian Institute for Health Information.

All provinces and territories performed poorly, but Newfoundland and Labrador and Nunavut had the weakest results while Prince Edward Island, Quebec and Ontario performed the best.

Canada ranked the worst among its peers in timeliness, with the report citing surveys that show 47 per cent of respondents waiting two months or longer for an appointment with a

specialist, and 59 per cent waiting the same duration for an elective surgery.

The institute conducted a similar analysis in 2018, which also found Canada’s health-care system ranked low, only ahead of the U.S., and France in some cases.

In equity Canada ranked seventh in the latest findings. Approximately one-quarter of Canadians with low or average incomes reported at least one cost-related barrier to accessing health care in the past year – double the rate of higher-income earners.

Affordability stood as a significant barrier to health care in most Atlantic provinces, Alberta, British Columbia and Yukon where many adults reported forgoing medications, and mental health services or homecare due to cost concerns.

In measures of health outcomes Canada fell slightly below average with the second-highest infant mortality rate, and second-highest 30-day-in-hospital mortality rate following a stroke.

The report says improving Canada’s health-care outcomes hinges on enhancing access to care, expanding drug and dental access and improving the affordability of mental health and homecare.

CONCERNS RISE OVER GATEWAY 286’S IMPACT ON DOWNTOWN SHOPS

reporter@merrittherald.com

Visitors to Merritt and area locals have raised concerns about a novel development being built just outside the city and the use of the old site it will sit on.

Gateway 286 is a new development being worked on by a multitude of developers and the five First Nations bands who own the land under the company Spayum Holdings LLP. They aim to create a modern commercial centre harbouring both small businesses and well-known brands.

Construction is set to begin on March 1. With the opening of the project nearing, some business owners in Merritt remain skeptical of it as they believe it could drive away business from Merritt’s downtown.

Dana Egan, owner of the Grand Pub and Grill and Merritt city councillor, is one of these wary business owners.

“If they put restaurants and gasoline and little shops and hotels and things up there, what do they (tourists) gotta come downtown for?” she said. “It’s gonna kill all the little mom and pop shops downtown.”

She said she’s seen it with the big box brands like Walmart and Canadian Tire setting up their shops north of the city in the Bench area. With those stores there, Egan said she and the city have to do a lot more advertising to get people into the city.

As Gateway 286 will be put on top of Merritt’s old visitor centre, Egan speculated what will happen to downtown businesses and used the time when the visitor centre was open as an example.

“As soon as that visitor centre closed, the very next day we were busy downtown. So what do you think is going to happen when they have all those other businesses up there?”

Tourist statistics from Merritt’s new visitor centre, the Baillie House, show an increase

in visitors to the city after the old centre closed at the beginning of 2018.

That year there was a 21 per cent increase in visitors compared to 2017. A year later they reported 30,780 visitors, a nearly seven per cent increase from 2018’s 28,801 visitors.

As businesses wait to see what will happen to the downtown after the development is completed, there are those working on the project and in the city who want to quell any worries.

One of those people is the CEO of Troika Developments, who is one of the partners on this project, Renee Merrifield. She calls Gateway 286 “a gem of a project.

“From an economic standpoint, it is a huge shot in the arm for the city of Merritt and all of the businesses and residences alike,” she said.

The city is actively working together with the Province and the developers on this project. In 2023, Merritt took out a loan worth over $7.5 million to help cover the development’s costs. They can expect to get the money back through years of parcel taxes put on Gateway 286, according to City Coun. Adam Etchart.

Merrifield says the Merritt businesses shouldn’t have to worry about the development taking shoppers away from them, as they are hoping the project will attract people who wouldn’t otherwise stop in Merritt.

“We hope to capture the ones that are flowing through Merritt and stopping in Hope. We hope to really ignite a lot of the excitement around what Merritt has to offer already and just augment it even further. One of the little known facts about the Coquihalla agreement was that there is no commercial allowed in between the different cities. So this is an opportunity to really allow those travelers to find that oasis,” she said.

COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT EXPECTED TO OPEN IN 2026

COMMERCIAL: continued from page 4

Merrifield pointed to another one of Troika’s developments near Prince George as an example of how commercial developments can bring in more people.

“I can definitely say that in the surrounding area (of the development), it’s definitely experienced a tremendous amount of economic growth,” she said.

Etchart shares the sentiment that the development won’t harm local businesses. He likened the situation to a previous one when new gas stations opened in town but the older ones downtown still got business.

“Whether you’re born in Canada, if you’re First Nations, if you’re from abroad, you have to be thinking about what’s good for the community. And I think (Gateway 286) is just good for the community,” he said. “I just think there’s room for everybody.”

Susan Roline, a board member in Spayum Holdings LLP, and former Mayor of the City of Merritt, said the impact on the downtown should be “negligible”, since the downtown offers a different experience compared to Gateway 286.

She also said Gateway 286 will have lots of opportunities to educate travellers about Merritt through storyboards or the employees themselves.

Economically, it is expected that the new development will provide jobs to people in Merritt as well as members of the five First Nations involved in the project. Merrifield said there will be direct employment opportunities open to members of the five bands and that they are trying to give projects to trades workers in those communities.

“That would be the ultimate goal, right? Is that we are a part of their story of sustainability,” Merrifield said, regarding building the economies of the five bands.

Roline said the First Nations will also be receiving part of the profits from each business plus royalties from gas sales. The money received by the development will be reinvested into other projects like the Grasslands site, also owned by Spayum Holdings LLP.

Other concerns about the project include tourists curious about the abandoned rest stop, and the progress on the development. Recently, a YouTube video about the topic posted by former Global News director Anita Krishna was released. In the video, she was driving past Merritt and discovered the abandoned building. She remarked on the beauty of its exterior before sparking a discussion on whether or not the property has been used efficiently.

A few days after, Krishna released a follow-up video where she found out about the new development (Gateway-286), but she still had concerns.

“Is that a good reason to just sit there in the meantime and let that building go to waste?” she said in the video. “This is the point I’m making about government waste. Can you not do something in the meantime so that a little business could be in there selling sandwiches, selling coffee?”

People still occasionally stop at the rest spot according to Coun. Egan, who said she hears about travellers getting out of their cars there.

Speaking of why the building has been abandoned, Roline said it is because the centre was outdated and didn’t meet codes set by the Province. Specifically, permits were not issued by Interior Health Services to expand the building’s septic system, which she said led to overflows of waste.

“Because of that, we couldn’t get another permit even if we had wanted to open a business there,” she said.

Now, it seems the building will not be there much longer with looming construction planned for March.

However, some in Merritt want to see the old building restored somehow, Etchart being one of them.

Currently, plans are in place to do that. Merrifield said they are talking with NVIT about the possibility of turning the building into what she calls an elder’s lodge. The building would be dismantled and put up again on NVIT property with modern renovations.

She said that another way to get use of the building would be to re-use the logs from the building on the site.

“If it was a building that was going to be demolished, I think that it would already be demolished. We would have done that when we did the earthworks. But because it’s a building that we actually want to see have a second life, we’re being very sensitive and very careful with how we treat it and with how we actually get it to its final place,” she said.

The construction of the development has been met with a few delays, but for a project of its size, it’s “on track.”

Merrifield cites the floods and COVID as two of the major setbacks the project faced. During the former, many First Nations bands lost their offices or caused displacement amongst them. During those years Merrifield said it was “almost impossible” for them to properly discuss the project.

As of now, Gateway 286 is scheduled to open in the second quarter of 2026.

NICOLA VALLEY VIEWPOINT

HIGHER TAXES A CERTAINTY IN 2025, ADDS PRESSURE ON CANADIANS

In this first report of the year, I wish you all the very best in 2025. Much ink has been split in the Ottawa bubble this week regarding the Prime Minister’s decision that he will not lead the Liberal Party into the next election, and there are many lingering questions and will inevitably be the subject of future reports.

As many Canadians are currently struggling to eat, heat and house themselves, i feel it best to start with information aout what we do know will occur in 2025.

Unfortunately, the tradition that emerged under Prime Minister Trudeau is that each new year brings federal tax increases across multiple areas. Here is a brief summary of where some Canadians may face higher costs.

Federal payroll tax increases will be the most significant change in 2025. For both employers and employees, the maximum CPP contribution will increase to $4,034 (for workers earning $71,300 or more).

There is also an increase to the second additional CPP contributions (CPP2) that Mr. Trudeau introduced that is applied on income between $71,300 and $81,200. The maximum CPP2 will be increased to $396 in 2025. Keep in mind that CPP2 is over an above CPP contributions.

While the EI payroll tax rate remains unchanged, the increase in maximum insurable earnings threshold means many workers will pay more in 2025. Combined, CPP and EI payroll taxes will cost someone earning $81,200 or more a total of $5,507 in 2025, while employers will pay $5,938 for the same employee. Workers in this income range will see a combined increase of over $400 compared to last year.

While some point out that employees may recover a portion of these contributions after retirement, this offers little comfort to young Canadians who currently struggle to afford rent. Speaking with hospitality and tourism employers, many are struggling to maintain viable operations. These small and medium-sized businesses traditionally provide youth with their first jobs—crucial employment that helps fund their higher education.

Moving on, the Federal Carbon tax will increase from $80 per tonne (in 2024) to $95 per tonne on April 1, 2025. The BC NDP government has indicated it will raise the BC provincial carbon tax to match the federal increase, meaning British Columbians can expect the same carbon tax increase on April 1st. The BC NDP Government has stated plainly that “The reality we face is the federal requirement (Trudeau carbon tax) is still in place. If that changes in the future, we will remove the carbon tax...” Put simply, if the common sense Conservatives win a majority government in the next federal election (as they are the only federal party pledging to eliminate the Trudeau carbon tax), the BC NDP has committed to removing the provincial carbon tax as well.

In 2025, the Trudeau government’s excise escalator tax will implement an expected 2% increase on beer, wine, and spirits sold in Canada.

Despite the Trudeau announced capital gains tax program has not yet been passed in Parliament, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has indicated it intends to enforce this tax increase as well.

Additional tax changes for 2025 include new digital services taxes, which major streaming platforms have passed on to their consumers and will inevitably raise the ire of the Americanswhether in Congress or the White House.

This is just a basic summary of federal tax increases coming in 2025. Additional provincial taxes and municipal tax increases are not included in this list.

HOW TO TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF WHEN YOU’RE SICK

BONNIE DIXON Healthy Conversations

There’s nothing like being sick to remind us of our vulnerability.

I’ve been battling a persistent cough for 10 days now. It started as a tickle and grew into a roaring annoyance that left me questioning every self-care decision I’ve made.

I’ve thrown everything at it – chicken soup, oil of oregano, sleep, hot tea, rest, even cough syrup (yuck!), and steaming up the bathroom like a sauna.

Still, I found myself wondering: Am I getting better? Do I need to call the doctor? Should I go to the hospital?

When sickness lingers and you’re not yet on the healing upswing, it’s tempting to feel hopeless. but this is when self-care matters the most. Here’s what I’ve learned through this bout of illness:

1- Listen to your body: pay attention to signs of improvement – or lack thereof. If symptoms persist or worsen, it’s okay to call the doctor. Trust your instincts.

2- Rest without guilt: healing takes energy. If you’re debating between doing more or resting more, lean into rest.

3- Nourish well: hydration and simple, wholesome meals like soup or broth can provide comfort and nutrients.

4- Create comfort: a warm shower, cozy blankets, or soothing herbal teas can work wonders for your spirit while your body fights the fight.

5- Know when to seek for help: if symptoms feel unmanageable, don’t hesitate to seek medical advice. A quick call can ease your mind or provide the next steps.

Being sick is never fun, but staying proactive and kind to yourself can help you weather the storm.

For me, I’m hoping tomorrow brings less cough and more healing – and if not, I’ll be back to resting, sipping, and steaming.

Take care of yourself, your health is worth it.

DAN ALBAS View from the Hill

LETTERS to the Editor

LET’S MAKE A PLEDGE FOR A HEALTHIER FUTURE

Editor,

Canada has a tremendous chance to have a long-term effect on world health by ensuring that every kid receives life-saving immunizations. Vaccines have already saved millions of lives, but with exciting new developments, we may do even more to safeguard children globally from avoidable illnesses.

It is critical to support the expansion of existing vaccinations while also increasing access to new ones. To make this possible, Canada must commit at least CAD$720 million to Gavi’s 2026-2030 plan. This funding will aid in the distribution of

ART-TASTIC!

This week’s submission is by Thanumi Thasanga Jayasinghe.

Community members, teachers and students... Submit your artwork to newsroom@ merrittherald.com for a chance to be featured in print each week! Submissions are printed on a first come, first serve basis.

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

Will a new leader change your support for, or opposition to, the federal Liberal Party in the next election?

Have your say at merrittherald.com

JANUARY 3, 1979

TOWN BOUNDARY

vaccinations to those in most need, empowering communities and building healthcare systems throughout the world.

But Canada cannot act alone. It is incumbent on us to advocate for those who cannot speak for themselves. We must raise our voices and inform our MPs that we want a future in which no kid is left behind. The health of future generations is dependent on the activities we take now. If we want to create a healthier, more fair society, we must first define our values.

Let us raise our voices, express our vision, and demand the change we seek. Together, we can give every kid a happier, healthier future.

– Adil Mukhi, Mississauga, Ont.

The Town Council has decided against extending Merritt’s municipal boundaries to include 17 acres of land just east of town. There is not reason for the Council to continue with its plans, because the Aspen Planers sawmill is going to remain at its present site, Mayor Floyd Brown said at the Council meeting on Thursday.

JANUARY 4, 1989

GILLIS HOUSE TOPS $100K IN DONATIONS

Donations continue to flood in for Gillis House, the extended care facility to be constructed this summer, and generous donations from individuals this past week has brought the total to more than $100,000 raised locally for the project.

In the past week, Nicola Valley General Hospital administrator Ted Kampa has received two individual contributions amounting to nearly $10,000.

JANUARY 6, 1982

NEW DEAL FOR DOGS

Perhaps the Chinese made an error in their calculations. 1981 might more justly have been called “The Year of the Dog.” at least in Merritt. Last year was highlighted with cases of cruelty to dogs and cruel dogs roaming the streets.

Public Hearing

TheCit yofMerrittwillbeholding aPublicHearing for Oﬃcial Communit yPlanA mendment BylawNo. 2383, 2024, andZoningA mendment BylawNo. 2384,2024 forthe proper ty at 1101 Midday Valley Road: PROPOSED CHANGES: 1101 MIDDAYVALLE YROAD BylawNo. 2383,2024proposestoamend the OCPL andUse Designation forthe subjec t proper ty from ‘FutureDevelopment ’to‘Industrial’. BylawNo. 2384,2024proposestoamend theZoningfor thesubject proper ty from ‘CD1RC –Comprehensive Development– Residential Commercial’’ to ‘M1–Light Industrial’.

TheCurrentL andUse DesignationandZoningintends to identif ylands forfuture development /comprehensive developmentaligned withthegeneral vision of the correspondingOCP sector of Middlesboro–toinclude amix of lowand medium density residential,parks,and industrial uses

PROVIDEINPUT: Inputiswelcomedatthe Public HearingonTuesday,January 28 ,2025, at 6:00 pm.Speak in person by signingupatthehearing, or be providinga written submissiontothe Corpor ateO ﬃcer at info@merritt.ca priortonoon, on Friday, Januar y24, 2025,orbymailtothe CorporateO ﬃcer,Cit yofMerritt, PO Box189, Merritt ,BC, V1K1B8 ,tobereceivedbeforethe conclusion of thehearing Pleasenotethatthe Councilwillnot receivefur ther submissionsfromthe public concerningthisapplicationafterthe conclusion of thepublichearing.Itisthe responsibility of the submitter to ensure that materialsarereceived priortothe closeofthepublic hearing.

MOREINFORMATION: Acopyofthe proposed Bylawamendment smay be viewed Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 12:0 0pmand 1:15 pm to 4:30 pm at City Hall,2185Voght Street , MerrittBC, until Tuesday, Oc tober22, 2024,oronlineatany timeat WWW.MERRITT.C A.

Onefree10-yearlithium-ionbattery smokealarmisavailable to eligibleresidents whilesupplieslast. ContactMerritt Fire Rescue to book yourfree Fire SafetyAssessment.

andSeniorStaﬀatthisPublicEngagement sessiontoexplore variousscenarios andoptions. Submit your Frequently AskedQ uestions(FAQs).

HOMELESS SHELTER OPENS AFTER DELAY, OFFERING 40 BEDS

TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com

The wait for the long-awaited Knight’s Inn homeless shelter is over with the building now in operation.

The first intake of residents will be received Jan. 15. The plan is that Nicola Valley Shelter Society (NVSSS) will slowly take in more and more people until capacity is reached.

In August, last year, the Knight’s Inn was announced as Merritt’s new yearround shelter. The renovated motel is taking over from its predecessor, the Desert Inn which operated from 2020 to mid-2024, as the sole year-round homeless shelter in town.

The Desert Inn was shut down in late-July due to conditions deemed “unsafe” by BC Housing. Merritt has gone six months without a year-round homeless shelter with temperatures in the city dip below 0 C in the winter months.

The location of the shelter was announced in late August, after that, the property underwent a series of renovations to make it ready for service. BC Housing has leased the property until March 30, 2027.

The city also had a say in the development. They focused on making the security systems, such as the fence and gate, accessible for firefighter crews.

BC Housing first expected to open the shelter in “late 2024” according to press releases on both BC government news and Let’s Talk Housing BC.

Since work on the project continued into January instead of completing in December, a temporary solution was deemed needed during the interim.

This was implemented in the form of a temporary emergency weather response (EWR) shelter run by NVSSS located at Cadet Hall. The interim shelter was opened on Dec. 5 and will now be closing as the Knight’s Inn gets ready to start.

In its finished state, the Knight’s Inn shelter has enough beds for up to 40 occupants and is equipped with numerous safety and security systems such as security cameras, fencing around the area and a fire alarm system.

The shelter is unlike others, especially the Desert Inn, according to BC Housing and NVSSS.

There will be a variety of options to serve residents who may be in different places in their lives.

If a resident is only there temporarily, there are two overflow rooms which can fit five people with the potential for more.

These will also be used as shelters during weather emergencies.

Rooms with bedrooms will also be available for those who may struggle with roommates. Amenities like drawing boards have also been installed by each bed.

The new shelter will also have a section that serves as transition homes. Residents in that situation will be provided assistance to get to a state of independence.

After troubles at the Desert Inn, there will be a stricter entry policy with the new shelter. A gate is installed at the front of the property and people may only enter and receive service if they have completed an intake.

A strict 11 p.m. curfew is also in place, so no persons may enter after that time.

The shelter is also equipped with two overdose prevention sites. One is located outdoors for those taking drugs that are inhaled. The other location is a room located near the entrance of the property. Both will be monitored by staff who are trained to use a Naloxone kit.

Other new features to the property include a new storage system as well as upgrades to the building’s electrical system as stated on Let’s Talk Housing BC.

The shelter is run by a 24/7 crew made up of at least four staff members from the NVSSS.

Despite being able to provide shelter for a large number of people, the 40 beds available may not be enough to cover the city’s entire unhoused population.

As of 2023 the homeless count in Merritt is 67 people which is itself an increase from the previous count in 2020 that placed the unhoused population at 43.

The city has taken action to combat homelessness as well. Council recently changed their parks bylaw to allow temporary shelters to be put up during the night at the designated lot at the Merritt Airport which is owned by the city.

The City of Merritt will be working with the BC Housing over the tenure of the lease.

“We will continue to support the shelter as needed and work with BC Housing to find more permanent solutions to end homelessness in our community,” said City of Merritt’s chief administrative officer Cynthia White in an email to the Herald.

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RESIDENTS URGED TO STAY VIGILANT AFTER COUGAR SIGHTING

LAISA CONDE editor@merrittherald.com

A rare cougar sighting has been reported in Merritt, drawing attention to the region’s connection with local wildlife.

According to local conservation officer Paul Pike, this is the first confirmed sighting in approximately two to three years.

“It is rare,” Pike, recalling a previous report near the Merritt golf course. “Somebody caught an image of a cougar on their doorbell camera. It was early in the morning. The cougar was just passing through, and that was the only report we had of it at that time.”

Cougars are elusive creatures that typically avoid human activity.

“Just by the sheer nature of a cougar, they usually utilize cover and concealment. They have a lot of the same characteristics as a house cat,” the officer explained. “They like to observe, usually from a distance, so a lot of times a cougar may be present, and a person may not even know they’re there.”

The recent sighting has prompted the conservation officer to encourage caution, especially for those who frequent outdoor areas like the Bench and around the Tom Lacey Trail.

“I encourage people to go with the assumption that there is a high likelihood they’re going to encounter wildlife, whether that’s a bear, a coyote, a cougar, or deer,” Pike said. “Always have that in the back of your mind, that those are the potential given where people tend to recreate, those transitions between town and wilderness make wildlife encounters more likely.”

Cougars primarily hunt deer, and Merritt’s healthy deer population often draws predators. “Quite a few deer hang up in the upper Bench area,” the officer noted. “They come down, crossing near the RCMP detachment and the BC Hydro building. That’s a prey species for cougars, so they’re definitely going to be following their prey.”

Residents are encouraged to take precautions to reduce the risk of encountering a cougar. Suggested measures include:

- Travelling in groups and making noise to alert wildlife to your presence.

- Keeping pets on a leash.

- Carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it.

If a cougar is encountered, Pike recommends maintaining eye contact, speaking to the animal to assert your presence, and backing away slowly. Running should be avoided, as it may trigger a predator’s instincts.

“You want to let the cougar know that you’re not a typical prey,” he added.

Tracks in the snow are often the most visible evidence of a cougar’s presence during this time of year. However, direct sightings remain rare.

“A cougar, like a house cat, will cover up its scat. They’re very discreet,” Pike explained.

Pike added that if someone comes across a kill site, for instance, a deer carcass that has been partially consumed and covered, they should leave the area immediately and report it to the RAPP (Report All Poachers and Polluters) line.

“Outside of that, there’s no real indicator as to if there’s a cougar in the area. That’s where I would suggest that a person makes the assumption that there’s always a possibility that they’re going to have or there’s a potential for an encounter,” he added.

Residents are reminded to remain vigilant and report any sightings or signs of a cougar to authorities at the toll-free 1-877-952-7277. For more information on different wildlife species common to B.C., access wildsafebc.com.

PLUMBING &HEATING

PHOTOS/RICHARD TODORUK

A cougar was seen by the flagpole trail on Jan. 7 while a resident was walking their dog.

U9 JUNIOR CENTS RED: Back Row: Coach Dylan Emmerick Middle Row: Grady Emmerick, Rylen Narcisse, Caleb Hamm, Nihal Sekhon, Vaughn Illingsworth, Benjamin Mike, Jorawar Sekhon, Aubrey LeBeau, Hudson Hunt Front Row: Landon Narcisse, Emmett Bur, Avery Bur, Chase Martindale, Zoe Sheldon, Humming Abbott, Aurora Buckland, Jameson Steel

U7 TIMBITS: Back Row: Coaches : Conrad Schindler, Jordie Christy Middle Row: Oliver Ward, Nicolas Christy, Ryker Basil-Collins, Roman Gaytan, Hugh Schindler, Naslund Holmes, Ryan Munro, Jhett Mobbs Front Row: Miller Steel, Rhyan Roberson, Jayden Kim, Ace Frazier-Archie, Hazley Stiemer, Ronan Buss, Clem Anderson, Connor Draney, Mikel Christy, Blair Paquette Missing: Evelyn Tom

U11 TEAM 1: Back Row: Coach Drew Soderberg, Zakara Stirling, Coach Justin Jepsen, Abby McKenna, Coach Dylan Beers. Middle Row: Comrie Big Eagle, Bec Willms, Ralph Munro, Morgan Pickering, Rylie Beers, Rowan Parks, Leo Neustaeter. Front Row: Jaxson Fader, Sawyer Emmerick, Jack Jepsen, Jedrick Tom, Griffin Soderberg, Jaxon Hogue, Hudson Buckland, Mason Heppner-George, Jame Whitty.

U9 JUNIOR CENTS WHITE: Back Row: Coach Patrick Farmer Middle Row: Oliver Farmer, Ben Martens, Nova Thoo, Emersyn Long, William Miller, Parker Barron, Levi Gunn Front Row: Eilie McRae, Ryker Robertson, Caelan Twan, Brady Cree-Reeves, Dawson Redl, Heath Chillihitzia, Kayson Weimer, Haley O’Brien, Kinslee Gill Missing: Xavien Cabell-White

U11 GIRLS REMAX: Back Row: Jesse Thoo, Rhyan Paquette, Zakara Stirling, Justin Tesan

Middle Row: Emersyn Long, Rylee Shackelly-O’Laney, Gia Mullin, Morgan Pickering, Riley Beers, Jenni Gaudry, Suzanne Holmes Front Row: Aubrey LeBeau, Nova Thoo, Spencer Paquette, Aria Mullin, Bella Tesan, Paetyn Nowoczin, Farrah Charters, Kinslee Gill, Piper Mullin Missing: Coach Chris Charters

ULL ATOMC HOLMES: Back Row: Matt Mackay- Smith,Daxon Holmes, Suzanne Holmes, JJ Holmes Middle Row: Rylee Shackelly, Kayden Alexander, Rylan Steele, Maahn Sekhon, Lorenzo Cavaliere, Rhyan Paquette, Bella Tesan, Linden Mackay-Smith Front Row: Stetson Holmes, Cohen Hughes, Axel Stiemer, Antonio Martins, Spencer Paquette, Reid Pehr, Ryker Lowey, Jase Robertson

U15 MERRITT INFRACON: Back Row: Chance Shackelly, Lynden Mountain, Ryan Lambe, Tayton Payne, Alec Henry, Coach John Parkes, Front Row: Justin Farmer, Ava Charters, Carter Hughes, Max Bassett, Covin Pierce, Will Parkes, David Martens Missing: Coach Mike Sahota, Ronin Sahota, Cash Long, Mitchell Denton, Mason Dick, Brian Kim

U13 NVIT: Back Row: Coach Jesse Thoo, Jaxson McRae, Leah Klapstein, Bachan Sekhon, Lucas Munro, Bradley Holmes Jr., Coach Clint Holmes Middle Row: Brendon Taylor, Jaiden Abraham, Devnn Shackelly, Jaxson Tesan, Joseph Sung, Ryker Starrs Front Row: Spencer Bur, Zayne Koster, Farrah Charters, Joseph Simmons, Nico Thoo, Liam Shoenit, Keegan Holmes, Joseph McDougall Jr. Missing: Coach Chris Charters

U18 NVIT: Back Row: Coach Dave Garcia, Noah Klapstein, Keaton Antoine -McRae, Daniel Hodson, Kolton Brigden, Ethan Taylor, Coach Clif Garcia Front Row: Ryan Lambe, Maddax Garcia, Chloe Garcia, Josh Thuveson, Ethan Pickering, Halem Wallace-Bobroske, Travis King Missing: Cooper Hatfield

U18 MURRAY GM: Back Row: Michel Tom, Coach Mike Mouland, Lincoln McDonald Front Row: Hennasey McDonald, Benoit Abraham, Evan Sterling, Asia Munro, Keanu Manuel Missing: Andrew Denton, Will Hubbard, Carson Mouland, Gavin Mouland, Aiden Oppenheim, Soren Anderson

FRIENDS &Neighbours

TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com

UPCYCLED FURNITURE AND ART ON DISPLAY AT ART GALLERY

LAISA CONDE editor@merrittherald.com

The Nicola Valley Arts Centre is currently hosting “Rediscovering Treasures,” a vibrant and unique exhibit showcasing upcycled furniture by Morgan Hampton alongside art donated by the community.

Running until Feb. 2, the exhibit also features a silent auction, with proceeds supporting the Nicola Valley Arts Council. The silent auction closes on Jan. 29, making this the perfect opportunity to support local arts while bidding on one-of-a-kind pieces.

Morgan Hampton, a familiar name to many as one of the Herald’s own writers, has ventured into the art world with her first-ever exhibit of this kind.

Her contributions to the show are distinctive upcycled furniture pieces.

“Michelle reached out to me, noticing that I was finally picking up my paintbrush again after having a baby and all those fun things,” said Hampton. “She thought it might be neat to have some art on the floor as well as on the walls. Not being able to contribute anything to the walls, I contributed some furniture.”

Hampton’s passion for transforming old and forgotten furniture into beautiful, functional art is evident in the nine pieces currently on display. Each piece reflects her love for breathing new life into items others might overlook.

“It’s an outlet that I didn’t realize how much I enjoyed until I wasn’t doing it,” she shared. “To look at some of the furniture that are kind of ugly when I start, and then I paint them or sand them or stain them and pretty them up, it feels really good.

It’s really rewarding to have that finished product.”

Hampton’s artistic journey began with her former store, where she frequently showcased her creative skills. Now, with this exhibit, she’s reconnecting with the local arts community in a new way.

“It’s nice to have stuff on display in the community again,” she said. “To be part of the art gallery now, which is really cool.”

The exhibit also hints at future possibilities. Hampton has expressed interest in hosting workshops where participants can bring their own furniture to learn painting and finishing techniques.

“We were also talking about doing a workshop here,” she said. “So people could maybe bring their own furniture, and I could show them some painting techniques for it, and cleaning and finishing and things like that. So that’s also maybe in the future.”

Hampton’s work is complemented by the art donated by community members, which is also available through the silent auction. “The funds are going to go into the art gallery itself,” Hampton emphasized. “Any chance that a nonprofit has to make some money is good.”

Visitors are encouraged to stop by the Arts Centre to view the exhibit, support local art, and perhaps take home a treasure of their own.

“Come down and see if you like it,” Hampton urged. “Come and engage with us and let me know what you think.”

Rediscover the beauty of upcycling and community art at the Nicola Valley Arts Centre before Feb. 2. Don’t miss the chance to bid on these treasures while supporting the arts in the Nicola Valley.

said.

Henriksen recounted her own days as a dancer herself. In Calgary, she didn’t get much of a chance to participate in dance competitions. Instead, she and her group would go to nursing homes to perform.

“I remember when I was a kid, we would always like, stay after and would like, hang out with them and make a day of it,” she said.

Even though the Love to Dance Academy has been performing at seniors centres for a while now, she wants to make it even more of a tradition.

After years, Love to Dance Academy has returned to The Florentine retirement homes.

There were 13 dancers performing in the dining area of The Florentine on Monday afternoon, Jan. 13 who put on a show with a multitude of routines.

According to Kia Henriksen, artistic director at the dance school, they’ve missed that senior’s centre the last couple of years.

“This year, we wanted to make a point to make sure that we got to them,” she said.

Students from the academy put on shows for those in retirement homes a few times a year.

“It’s really important to bring some young energy and some fun to the folks that are in assisted living,” Henriksen

She said these performances are also beneficial for the kids in more than one way.

“I think that they enjoy any chance, like any opportunity, to dance. We could go to a gas station and they’d be like, sweet, let’s dance,” she said, adding that it gives the kids experience performing as well.

There’s also the community service aspect, but it’s something that the kids might not realize until they get older.

“My dance teacher always made us shake hands with all of the residents and have you go talk to them. I just remember being like, ‘Mom, why are we doing this?’” she said. “Now I get it a lot more than when I was seven. I think they’ll (the kids) appreciate it as they grow up.”

PHOTO/LAÍSA CONDÉ

Morgan Hampton is sharing some of her creations at the latest exhibit at the Art Gallery.

PHOTO/LAÍSA CONDÉ Morgan Hampton is sharing some of her creations at the latest exhibit at the Art Gallery.

Photo/Ty Lim

Bobs and LoLo are set to perform during the Family Literacy Week in Merritt on Friday, Jan. 31, at the Merritt Civic Centre.

NICOLA VALLEY COMMUNITY UNPLUG AND PLAY AT LITERACY WEEK

LAISA CONDE editor@merrittherald.com

Families in Merritt are invited to mark their calendars for the upcoming Family Literacy Week, running from Jan. 27 to 31. This year’s theme, inspired by Beem Credit Union, is “Unplug and Play,” emphasizing the importance of stepping away from screens to engage in literacy-building activities as a family.

“We all know that taking a break from screens can be tough, but making time for offline activities can truly benefit our physical and mental well-being,” Brian Harris, CEO of Beem Credit Union, said. “Unplug and Play is a chance for families to reconnect, enjoy each other’s company, and engage in fun activities that foster literacy skills.”

The week will kick off on Jan. 24 at the Merritt Centennials home game, sponsored by Beem Credit Union and Literacy Merritt & Nicola Valley Society. Fans are encouraged to bring books to donate to the Bright Red Bookshelves Book Drive.

The game will feature intermission activities with literacy-themed prizes, and schedules for Family Literacy Week will be available. For those unable to attend, book donations can be dropped off from Jan. 27 to 31 at local Beem Credit Union branches or Earthwalker Spiritual Shop – located at 2090 Granite Ave.

A highlight of the week will be a special performance by the award-winning children’s duo Bobs & LoLo on Friday, Jan. 31, at the Merritt Civic Centre. Doors open at 5 p.m., with the show beginning at 5:45 p.m.

“We are excited to showcase the family literacy programming available in our community, and bringing Bobs & LoLo to

Merritt is a fantastic way to engage young audiences and families in a fun and educational experience,” Claire Sabiston, chair of Literacy Merritt & Nicola Valley Society, said. The event is made possible with support from the United Way Local Love fund, the Nicola Similkameen School District’s SEY2KT Committee, and the Ministry of Education and Childcare.

In addition to the performance, a variety of literacy-focused activities and workshops will be available throughout the week:

- Come Read With Me: Parents and caregivers of kindergarten and grade one children can learn strategies to support reading at home. Participants will receive a free book and literacy games. Sessions will be held at elementary schools during the day, with a community-wide evening session at the Merritt Library on Tuesday, Jan. 28, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Registration is available at literacymerritt.com.

- Explore Art Literacy: On Thursday, Jan. 30, children aged four to six can participate in this hands-on program at the Nicola Valley Arts Centre Clubhouse. Activities combine books and art to build memory, attention, and concentration. To learn more or register for future sessions, email susan.c.parkinson@outlook.com.

- Active Stories: This program blends storytelling with physical activity to encourage creativity and movement skills in children aged four to seven. Sessions are held Saturdays from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Pre-registration is required at kia.ltdadance@ gmail.com.

Additional literacy resources and details on programs can be found at literacymerritt. com or facebook.com/LMNVS.

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NICOLA VALLEY SPORTS

CENTS STAY UNDEFEATED AFTER WEEKEND GAMES

LAÍSA CONDÉ editor@merrittherald.com

Friday, Jan. 10 – Merritt Centennials 3, Revelstoke Grizzlies 2 (SO)

The winning streak for the Merritt Centennials continues as the team defeated the Revelstoke Grizzlies 3-2 in a shootout.

As is the case in most shootouts, Friday night was a classic goalie battle.

Cents’ goalie Andrew Krakora made 37 saves as Ryder Ponto made 34 for the Grizzlies.

Revelstoke opened the score in the first period, making it a 1-0 lead for the home team.

The lead would carry into the middle frame until Sam Giangualano (18) managed to find the back of the net, scoring the only goal of the period and tying the game.

The pressure on both sides was on, but early in the final frame, the Grizzlies added another goal of their own and once again taking the lead.

Merritt players did not the the pressure get into their heads.

The one-goal lead was gone after Steven Foster put it past the goalie and tied the game for the Centennials.

The game remained deadlocked at 2-2 for the rest of the final frame, leading to some extra time.

During over time, Merritt had two shots on goal while Revelstoke had five, though none managed to find the back of the net.

After a scoreless overtime, the two teams headed to a shootout to decide the winner.

Dylan Krutchen scored the decisive goal in the third round of shootout, crowing the 3-2 victory for the Cents.

Saturday, Jan. 11 – Merritt Centennials 4, 100 Mile House Wranglers 1

The Merritt Centennials gave their home crowd plenty to cheer about as they defeated the 100 Mile House Wranglers on Saturday

night, making it their fourth win in a row.

It didn’t take long for the fans in Merritt to see some action.

The Cents opened the scoring off the stick of Brayden Thurlow just over three minutes into the game, scoring his ninth goal of the season.

The first period saw a balanced game from both sides, with nine shots each.

Merritt set its dominance in the middle frame, when Maxim Radamanovich (5) put it past the goalie to make it a 2-0 lead.

The Cents continued to dominate throughout the period as Troy Horn took advantage of a power play and tipped in the shot to make it 3-0.

Heading into the final frame, the 3-0 lead would carry until Dylan Ruff (11) found the back of the net, adding another goal for the home team.

Within the last two minutes of the game, Ethan Davey scored a shy goal for the Wranglers.

With the 4-1 win over 100 Mile House, the Centennials are now celebrating their fourth win in a row.

The team now faces the Revelstoke Grizzlies at the Revelstoke Forum on Friday, Jan. 17.

As for the next home game against the Quesnel River Rush on Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena, hockey fans and car aficionados in Merritt are in for a special treat.

The collaboration between the Cents and the Merritt Stock Car Association will bring giveaways, racing cars, free cotton candy and fun.

“From racing fans, I’ve heard from quite a few that are excited to see a race car on the ice surface,” said Amy Douthwright, organizer of the event. “We’re just expecting to have a good night, good fun, watch a good hockey game, have our race cars out, get to meet new people, new fans.”

BILL OHLHAUSEN DIVISION

PHOTO/LAISA CONDE

The Merritt Centennials head to their next two games this upcoming weekend, aiming to stay undefeated.

LOCAL TEAMS WIN WEEKEND BONSPIEL

LAISA CONDE editor@merrittherald.com

Two Merritt curling teams have won this past weekend’s men and ladies’ bonspiel.

The Merritt bonspiel, which was hosted at the Merritt Curling Club, attracted 32 teams in total, the highest number in over two decades.

“For the first time in at least 20 years, we’ve had 32 teams competing,” Susan Newton, president of the Merritt Curling Club, said.

“And even with such a full roster, we still had teams on the waiting list, both for men and women. It was nice to see the curling club full of fun curlers and spectators.”

The Merritt Curling Club’s next event is the double’s bonspiel on Jan. 25 and the mixed bonspiel on Feb. 21 to 23, which hopes to match the same enthusiasm as the men’s and ladies’ one. Those who wish to participate can sign up online at merrittcurling.ca.

The list of all winners as follow:

Men’s winners:

- Winners ‘A’ event: Payne Team – Rick Payne, Jeremy Sap, Matt McCrae, Eli Schoemaker from Mission;

- Winners ‘B’ event: Moss Team – Steve Moss, Larry Stevenson, Dave Hamp, Buck Buchanan, Dave Williams from Salmon Arm;

- Winners ‘C’ event: Mah Team – Jeff Barkuw, Cody Clarys, Shayne Mah, Bruce Kizistinson from Kelowna; Ladies’ winners:

- Winners ‘A’ event: Reynoldson Team

– Leslie Reynoldson, Judy Yastremsky, Lynn Newhouse, Connie Westwick from Merritt;

- Winners ‘B’ event: Yastremsky Team

– Heather Yastremsky, Adrienne Reynoldson, Lindsay de Visser, Heather Ouimet from Merritt;

- Winners ‘C’ event: Hickett team from Kamloops;

“Have to say most successful bonspiel we have had in years, what a fun,” Newton added.

Winners ‘A’ event

Winners ‘B’ event

Photos/Laísa Condé & Merritt Curling Club

MSS JR. GIRLS FINISH FIFTH IN HOMETOWN BASKETBALL TOURNEY

TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com

Merritt Secondary School fought their way to fifth place as the hosts of the Jr. Girls Eagles Perch Invitational basketball tournament.

The games, which started on Friday, Jan. 10, featured a variety of 12 schools from across the Thompson-Okanagan region.

The Panthers started the contest with a match against small town school Barriere. It was a comfortable win for Jr. girls as they led through all four quarters before exploding in the fourth to close out the game.

The Panthers employed good defence and hustle to stifle the offence from the B-Town side.

Merritt’s speed played a large role as players were able to consistently beat their marker off the dribble.

Barriere were able to muster somewhat of a comeback as they cut the Panthers’ lead to just three points early in the third quarter.

Steals near the half-court line opened the door for a flood of fast-break opportunities which the Panthers were able to capitalize on.

The 45-38 win for the hosts moved them onto the second round where they faced Kamloopsbased team Rutland Thunder who received a first-round bye.

Merritt couldn’t find the same luck they had against Barriere in their tie against the Thunder. The one-sided affair saw the Panthers down by double digits at the end of the first quarter. Despite fighting hard during every possession, Merritt still found themselves down 27 points at one point in the game.

Rutland’s tight defence and full-court press were their keys to victory. Especially early in the game, where the Panthers struggled to find space to pass or shoot.

The occasional steal for Merritt allowed them to go on the fast-break for a few easy points to slow the bleeding.

Rutland tightened their defence, winning most battles for the ball, eventually leading to Panthers being unable to find space even on the break.

Rutland’s physicality would apply to the half-court setting too as they closed out the game.

The end held a 63-38 defeat for MSS. The result knocked them out of tournament contention and they would have to play more games to place as high as fifth in the final standings.

Saturday, Jan. 11, saw the second and final day of the tournament which saw Kalamalka Secondary School take it all with wins against Kelowna Christian and Sahali Secondary. Rutland, who knocked out Merritt, placed third after a defeat to Sahali and a win over Kelowna Christian.

Merritt played the remainder of their games at the Community Learning Centre. They

battled Princeton and got a blowout win 44-24. Playing for fifth place, Merritt played in a tighter match against Kamloops’ St. Ann’s Academy. They ended their tournament with a win, 44-38.

Merritt Secondary School Panthers were able to secure a fifth place in home tournament, after losing only one of their games.

■ Approved mini-storage

■ On-siterentals

■ Secured

■ SaleofNew&Used storagecontainers

1750HillStreet ■ Phone:250-315-3000

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

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DEADLINE: MONDAY at noon. for that week’s paper.

www.merritthospice.org

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hayden Daniel Hanna

May 16, 2023 - December 9, 2024

Megan Fulcher

October 18, 1983 - January 13, 2025

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Megan Fulcher after a courageous journey.

We will always remember Megan’s beautiful smile that could light up a room; an enormous heart serving those around her; and a caring spirit touching the lives of everyone she encountered. Megan brought joy, encouragement, happiness, and laughter wherever she went. Through life’s challenges she continued to find reasons to celebrate the small moments which were often the big moments. As in Micah 6:8, she was fair and just, had compassion and empathy, and enjoyed life while trusting that God walked with her in her valleys, challenges, and celebrations.

HOURS: FullTime–35hrs/wk

DESCRPTION: ReportingtotheSocialDevelopmentCoordinator,theCommunityConnections Navigatorwillberesponsibleforhelpingcommunitymembersnavigatechallengeswhile supportingthewellbeingofindividualsandfamiliesinaholisticmanner.TheCommunity ConnectionsYouthNavigatormustuseacollaborativeapproachwitheachcommunitymember tosupporteachpersoninachievingtheirgoals.

SpecificDutiesandResponsibilities: PerformsalldutiesandresponsibilitiesinaccordancewiththeColdwaterIndianBand policies,standards,andprocedures,andasdirectedbytheFinanceCoordinator.Maintains confidentialityinallmatterstotheaffairsoftheColdwaterIndianBand.

1.Provideinformationandlinkagetoappropriatecommunityservices; 2.Guideandmotivateduringimportantperiodsofdevelopmentintheirwellnessjourney; 3.AcceptreferralsfromCommunity,SocialWorkers,othercommunityservicesandetc.; 4.Outreachandengagementinthewiththecommunity;

5.Developandmaintainparticipantdrivenintegratedwellnessplans;

It is with heavy hearts and immense sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our son, Hayden Daniel Hanna. Hayden was the light of our lives; our precious baby boy. He was a smart, loving, affectionate and goofy little boy with a big personality. He was vibrant and always on the go; our little ball of energy. Hayden loved to dance, clean and play. He loved books, going for walks outside and pretending to cook. You could always find him with a bowl and spoon in his hand. Hayden loved to hug, kiss and climb all over his puppy, Emma. He was the happiest baby, always full of smiles and hugs. He could light up any room. Hayden was about to become the best big brother. We will miss everything about him. Hayden always knew how to put a smile on anyone’s face. His laughter echoed through our home, a melody of happiness that will forever resonate in our memories. Although there is a massive void in our lives, Hayden will always be forever in our hearts. Our sweet child, you touched more hearts in your brief time than many do in a lifetime.

6.Advocateforparticipants’needs;

7.Supportparticipantstobuildcapacityinareassuchascommunication, self-advocacy andrelationships;

8.Participatewithteaminprovidingdeliverableactivitiesorinformation.

9.Participateinteammeetings;

10.Maintainaccuraterecords;

11.Otherrelateddutiesasassigned.

Hayden is survived by his loving parents Nikki and Derek Hanna, his Gramma Barb Flottorp, his grandparents Reid and Colleen Hanna, his Uncles Andrew Hanna and Ryan Flottorp, his Auntie Allie Pascuzzo and his cousin Daniel Flottorp. Hayden was also dearly loved by our extended family and friends. We thank all of those who were a part of Hayden’s life and loved him profoundly.

RequirementofCommunityConnectionsNavigator

•DiplomaorDegreeinSocialWork(otherrelatedfieldswillbeconsidered);

•ExperienceworkingwithFirstNationsCommunity;

•AccesstoreliablevehicleandcurrentDriver’slicense;

•PassableCriminalRecordCheckandDriver’sAbstract;

•Ableandwillingtoworksomeeveningsandweekends.

“The smallest feet make the biggest footprints on our hearts. “

Deadlineforsubmissions:January26th,2024

Onlythoseapplicantsselectedforaninterviewwillbecontacted.

PleaseforwardResumeandCoverLetterto: CynthiaL.Jager,SocialDevelopmentCoordinator,cynthia@coldwaterband.org POBox4600,Merritt,BC,V1K1B8

Mourning her loss are her parents Wayne and Carol Fulcher, sister Ashley Fulcher, her pippi-cat, as well as many family and friends.

Megan will forever be in our hearts.

In lieu of flowers, the family will accept a colourful pair of children’s socks to donate to Impact Ministries; a ministry close to Megan’s heart. Celebration of life will be held at the Nicola Valley Evangelical Free Church, Monday January 20th, at 1pm. All are welcome.

ColdwaterIndianBand

Help Wanted Help Wanted Help Wanted Help Wanted

POSITION: ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Company: Lower Nicola Indian Band

Development Corpor ation

Location: Merrit t, BC

Terms: Fulltime permanent posi

subject to a 3-month probationa

Compensation: To commensura qualiﬁcations and experience

Deadline: Januar y 20, 2025 – 4:

The Lower Nicola Indian BandDe LNIBDC’) is cur rently seekinga full-time sistant. The LNIBDC provides competitivewa letion of the probationar y period,employees pa ipate in the Employer Beneﬁt s Program and company Pension Plan Reporting directly to the LNIBDC Administrative Manager, the Administrative Assistant may alsobe required to assist the General Manager as and when needed

General Responsibilities may include:

• Prepare correspondence, memos, meeting mi po a conﬁdential nature

• Answerand direct phone calls

• Schedule appointments and organ

• Order supplies and equipment

LUMBERREMANUFACTURINGPLANT

PRODUCTIONWORKERS (FT/PT)

•Wages:starting$20to$28 (dependsonexperience& attendance

•Steadydayshiftwork

•Studentswelcometoapply

•Noexperiencenecessary

•Willtrain

TRUCKDRIVERSWITHCLASS1 Localsteadywork

LICENCEDSECURITYGUARDS

Excellentmedical& dentalplan

PLEASESUBMITRESUME

• Assist in thepreparation of rout em

• Employee Timecards and tracki

• Accounts Payableprocessing

• General Administrative duties as The successful candidate will have

• Minimum of two year s of ﬁce ad

•A valid Class5 driver ’s licence

• Firm commitmentto safety

• Excellent writ ten and oral comm

• Good organizational skills and ﬂexibility to adapt to changing work priorities

• Proﬁcient in Microsof t Of ﬁce (Word, Excel, Power Point)

• Experience with Adagio accounting soft ware would be an asset

All LNIBDC open job opportunities where applicants fora position are equally suitable based upon education, training, skills, ability, and other required qualiﬁcations, hire preference shall be individuals of Nlaka’pamux ancestry

Please forward all cover letter s, resumes and any supporting document s to the General Manager viaemail: don.gossoo@lnibdc.com

Dodds AUCTION AUCTION

SATURDAY, JANUARY25TH -8AM (lotsstartclosing) ONLINETIMEDAUCTION

**REGISTERNOW** /BIDDING (comingsoon)

PartialListIncludes: Vehicles, Tools,High-EndJewellery, Antiques,Collectables,Furniture&More!!

BailiffSeizure:‘Unused’CommercialBagging MachineforSoilsorAggregatesNew Value$260,000. -‘Unreserved’ViewingBy AppointmentOnly:in Vernon(Off-Site) Viewing:DoddsShowroom -Vernon Thu/Fri(Jan23/24)-8am-4pm

Note:NewBusinessHours:Mon-Fri -8am-4pm

SUDOKU

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.

If you’re looking for a

who truly cares about your

Brandy is the one to trust!

TREE

THANK YOU UPPERNICOLABAND

We hada successfulevent,thatraisedfundsfor: UpperNicolaBandVolunteerFireDepartment,Youth, Eldersandnsyilxcenlanguageprogram.

way kʷukʷukʷstppyaʕyáʕtiʔticketpurchasers- Thankyouforyourticketpurchases

THANKYOUTOOURSPONSORS

JFArchachanContracting, TransMountain,CityFurniture,NicPacContracting Joe& SonsConcreteLtd.,McElhanneyConsulting,NicolaChainsaw &EquipmentRentals HubInternational,Snuffy’s Contracting,MackKirkRooﬁng &SheetMetalLtd.

Ashcroft &Company,KamloopsOfﬁceSystems,NancySaddlemen, RicohCanada,ConstructionFoundationofBC,HomeHardware, RBCDominionSecurities– RhondaHymers,KwuStemtimA?,MandellPinderLLP, RBCIndigenousRelations,TracerElectric,BassCoast,D&TDevelopments, CharlotteMcRae& CharleeMcRae,FortisBC,StuwixResources,MichaelGreenArchitecture, KalaGeoscience,CroweMacKay, UnitechConstructionManagement, UpperNicolaHoldingLimitedPartnership

WINNER

•Washer &Dryer TreePeggyJoe

•DeepFreeze TreeRickShoebridge

•FencingTreeAndrewPhillips

•ToolTreeEvaPaul

•WeekendGetawayTreeCraigDraney

•Boy’s Tree FrancinePrairiechicken

•Women’sTreeWillaErmineskin

•MoneyTreeMelindaCarman

•IceFishingTreeBarbKelly

•KwuStemtimA?TreeSteveManuel