Local residents say warnings came too late, call for government to take action
KRISTEN HOLLIDAY
Castanet
Warnings about a potentially toxic algae bloom in Nicola Lake came a day too late for one woman who says her sevenmonth-old puppy fell ill and died on Monday, less than an hour after being in the water.
The Nicola Lake community is now looking for answers after hearing several dogs became critically ill after being at the lake this past weekend — and residents say another dog has since died.
Kristin Awde, who owns a summer home at the Merritt-area lake, said her English springer spaniel puppy became fatally sick on Monday after being in the water.
“From the time that he emerged from the lake into the car to the vet and died on the table was within an hour period. Less than an hour — he was gone,” Awde said. Awde said the dog, named Romie, had been checking out the lakeshore as the
‘IF THIS KEEPS GETTING WORSE AND WORSE, THAT DOESN’T BODE WELL FOR NICOLA LAKE’
TOXIC: continued from page 1
family got the home ready to host some out-of-town guests. Minutes later, Awde’s 15-year-old daughter called her over because the puppy suddenly started vomiting.
“I saw my dog run into my shed covered in a thick marine slime,” Awde said, adding the dog was defecating and appeared disoriented.
She said she scooped a jelly-like bile substance out of his mouth while getting him in the shower to wash him off. They rushed him to a vet in Merritt, but it was too late.
“He died right then and there. I’m still in shock — I actually have never seen anything like this,” she said.
She said the 50-pound puppy was healthy and strong, without any underlying health issues.
After Romie died, a family member went online and didn’t see any water advisories — so Awde quickly wrote a post on a local community Facebook group warning people about being in the water.
Her post received a number of responses, including someone who said another dog had also died after being in the lake. She said it appears five other dogs became critically ill after swimming in the water.
Awde said she wants to know what is happening to the lake water that has made the blooms particularly bad in recent years — and she’s concerned about the safety of families and children who come to the area to swim.
Online warnings now issued
Phases Veterinary Emergency Hospital published a Facebook post on July 1 saying it had seen several suspected cases of blue-green algae coming from Nicola Lake last weekend.
“This type of algae is highly toxic, potentially leading to death in a matter of hours. We have yet to confirm these cases, however, we recommend avoiding these areas and keeping pets out of the water,” said the post by the Kamloops vet hospital.
Last Tuesday, the Upper Nicola Band also issued a warning and water quality alert for Nicola Lake, urging people to stay away from the algae bloom and to keep their pets out of the water.
The band said in a Facebook post it continues to monitor and collect data about the causes of cyanobacteria blooms in the watershed.
“Unfortunately the blooms will continue to occur with the changes in climate and the right conditions,” the band said.
BC Parks is also urging people to use caution and avoid direct contact with the algae. Blooms are getting worse
Karen Davidson, who also owns a property on Nicola Lake, said she’s seen algae blooms impacting the lake for a few years now, but it’s been getting “worse and worse.”
“It seems to be more aggressive this year — that’s my personal opinion, because you used to just see it around the edges of the water,” she said.
She said she’s sent letters to local government representatives hoping for some answers and some changes.
“I think it needs to be massively highlighted,” Davidson said.
David Laird, an area resident and Thompson-Nicola Regional District director, agreed the blooms have been getting worse. He said there are several factors that seem to be making the lake prone to blooms, including problematic septic tanks, removal of lake
vegetation, and fertilizers and cow manure that end up going into the water.
Laird said hot weather — like what the region experienced over the holiday weekend — causes the algae to rapidly grow, noting it appeared on Saturday or Sunday, but by Monday it was “horrendous.”
He said he is working with Fraser-Nicola Conservative MLA Tony Luck to set up meetings with the ministry of environment and parks. The province is hosting a call about the algae bloom on Friday, but Laird said he’s been told as an elected official, he won’t be able to listen in — and it’s frustrating to not be in the room.
“There’s animals dying right in front of me,” Laird said, adding he’s trying to have a representative come speak with people about the problem.
“That’s what we were working on doing. But we haven’t got a commitment from anybody, from government, that they will actually come and talk to the people that are impacted.”
Luck said he is also hoping to settle some confusion around lake jurisdiction, including who is responsible for putting up warning signs around the area.
The MLA said along with the TNRD directors, they are looking to get answers for the immediate issue as well as a long-term plan.
“If this keeps getting worse and worse, that doesn’t bode well for Nicola Lake or the residents,” he said.
PHOTO/SIMON RIZZARDO/BIG POWER FILMS
An aerial view of Nicola Lake taken on July 7 shows a thick green layer of toxic algae coating the surface.
FROM LOGGING TOWN TO TECH HUB? MERRITT EXPLORES NEW ECONOMIC PATH
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
Merritt is looking at a change in industry that could bring along a change in identity.
Over the last year, the town, which historically boomed off the mining and forestry industries, has been courting new industries to fill the economic gap that the fledgling fields of forestry and mining can no longer provide in the Nicola Valley.
Upcoming industry additions to the town such as the Mako furniture factory and the Bell AI Data Centre are proof that Merritt is switching to what Mayor Mike Goetz calls “lighter” new age industry.
“(We’re) trying not to put all your eggs in one basket,” he said, talking about industry diversification.
HISTORY AND LEADUP TO HARD INDUSTRY DECLINE
While Merritt was not founded on forestry and mining specifically, there were still many small sawmills operating in the Nicola Valley in its early days according to Nicola Valley Museum and Archives (NVMA).
According to historian Cameron Bridge from NVMA, the forestry and mining industries in the Nicola Valley both boomed at a mass industrial scale in the early 1900s.
Through the 1950’s to 1970’s, timber harvesting in the province increased dramatically, going from 30 million cubic metres of harvest around 1955 to over 70 million in 1970 according to Environmental Reporting B.C.
Mining saw the same growth during a similar time period. Throughout the 1960’s, total value of metals production in the province skyrocketed from $129 million in the beginning of the decade to $485 million in 1970 which would be worth over $4 billion today.
In Merritt, these industries were some of
the main economic drivers, bringing lots of employment to the region.
“Despite the bumps, it definitely did help spur a lot of early growth and jobs, and was one of the main sources of employment in the area. Forestry has been one of the main constants in the Valley, up until now, and almost as far back as ranching,” said Bridge. Goetz, in fact, was drawn to the valley due to his connection to the mining industry.
“In 1977, I came to work for Craigmont Mines. It’s why I came here. My dad was working here,” he said.
During that time, Goetz said there were five mills in town and at least five mines. He said that during this time, the trees themselves were different as well, with the butts of the trees being 24 to 36 inches on average compared to today at around eight inches.
Goetz would remain in the mining industry for years, but he said the industry started seeing a decline around 20 years ago.
Goetz was involved in many different roles in the mining industry, from working underground, to driving hauling trucks in William’s Lake. During this time, he had experienced multiple mines shutting down; Craigmont Mines in 1982 and Gibraltar Mine in 1998. Both shutdowns had to do with the market price of copper being too low to ensure a profit.
Goetz said workers were at the mercy of the copper market. This feeling eventually made him quit.
“I just got tired of constantly looking for a job, and I didn’t feel that it was something I could really build a family on,” he said.
A LIFELINE FOR MINING
The expansion of Highland Valley Copper, guaranteeing at least 18 years of operation, has given mining in the region a lifeline.
CANNABIS STORE
PHOTO/SIMON RIZZARDO/BIG POWER FILMS
As Merritt shifts toward a new economic path, development begins on sites that could soon house light industry and innovative businesses.
ONCE A PILLAR INDUSTRY, FORESTRY NOW STRUGGLES UNDER PRESSURE IN NICOLA VALLEY
INDUSTRY: continued from page 4
Copper remains the one of the most mined minerals in B.C., second behind coal. Its value on the world market keeps it as a major revenue generator for the province.
Despite competition from more modern utilities like Fibre Optic technology that Goetz suggested, the world need for copper looks to be on the rise.
Eco-friendly technologies such as the increasingly popular electric car, require much more copper than its gasoline counterpart. The rise of these technologies is creating a global demand for copper according to Highland Valley Copper.
The claim is also agreed with by The International Energy Agency (IEA) which provides governments with analysis of the global energy sector and suggests policy.
IEA states global copper demand will surpass world supply by next year, in a report on minerals published May, 2025. The report also states demand will reach critical levels by 2035, with a shortage of 30 per cent.
BLEAK OUTLOOK FOR TIMBER
The timber industry faces a different set of problems than the mining industry.
Statistics are showing the annual total harvest of timber in the province has been dropping rapidly since the mid-2000s.
Last year, the projection of crown timber harvested could have been under 30 million cubic metres, which is half of the total harvest in 2015, which saw a harvest of 70 million cubic metres.
Environmental issues have caused a shift in the timber industry. The pine beetle epidemic from 1990 to 2015 impacted 18 million hectares of forest according to the government of Canada. Wildfire also continues to be a threat. In 2024 alone, wildfire burned around five per cent of the Merritt timber harvesting land base in the supply area, according to the B.C. government.
These issues are just part of a larger one. Many in the forestry industry, including Merritt’s Howard McKimmon, owner of Howard McKimmon Trucking and organizer of a trucking rally in 2019, blames government red tape and over-bureaucracy for the slow down.
Goetz agrees, citing issues within the Forests Ministry such as a slow process to get cutting permits and stumpage fees, which are fees paid when cutting timber on crown land.
McKimmon said he was waiting up to two years to get cutting permits. The process of approving cutting permits is not reserved to the provincial government, land that these
logging operations may disturb must consult first nations on those lands too.
There is also the worry of environmental issues. McKimmon believes there is too much worry. Having grown up in the forestry industry, he has seen forests being “mismanaged” decades ago. He said since 1980, he believes the B.C. forestry industry has taken proper care of the land.
These issues over the forest industry saw the loss of the Tolko sawmill which saw 200 jobs lost in 2016.
At the time, the Tolko mill shut down due to a lack of lumber after their annual allowable cut was reduced.
The shutdown has caused issues that still linger today. Even after the shutdown, Tolko retains the rights to harvest their timber in the Nicola Valley with their cutting rates and cutting blocks.
Goetz said those logs should go to the last local mill remaining, Aspen Planers.
“Those block cuts immediately should have gone to Aspen, because it’s a local mill. We shouldn’t have our logs dropped from here and then sent to a mill, either out of our area or out of the country,” he said.
A REPLACEMENT FOR HARD INDUSTRY?
The volatility in the markets imbedded in the more traditional industries of forestry and mining have left Merritt’s city council looking for more diversity in the city’s economy.
Goetz said the city has been looking to attract just around 10 different businesses to Merritt.
“In the last two years, we’ve really been courting places like Mako Furniture, the data center, Microgreens, and several others,” he said. “We’ve been courting them pretty hard, bringing them here, walking them around, showing the land prices and the land prices, we’re still very viable here.”
Goetz said they’re trying to use land price as a lure for these companies to come in at around $700,000 to $800,000 per acre.
These industries could bring hundreds of jobs to the city. Goetz said Mako Furniture is looking at 100 to 120 jobs. On the other hand, Bell told the Herald in an email they are looking at bringing in 15 to 25 permanent positions, but Merritt’s Chief Administrative Officer Cynthia White and Goetz told the Herald there could be 45 to 70 jobs. Bell bases their job figure off the industry average. As a 5 MW (Megawatt) data centre, the Merritt location would be bringing in three to five jobs per megawatt. Bell said some of these positions will be
NICOLA VALLEY VIEWPOINT
RETRACTION NOTICE – CORRECTION ON JULY 3 ARTICLE
In our July 3 edition, The Merritt Herald published an article titled “Kids save 50 in Comfort Inn fire”. We regret to inform our readers that there were key details in the story that were false or could not be corroborated. We apologise for any inaccuracies.
Further information from Merritt RCMP and the owners of the Comfort Inn, Selena and Karun Randhawa highlight inaccuracies in the article. We wish to set the record straight and provide the correct information to our readers.
The following corrections have been made:
One quote indicates that the response time from first responders was around 15 minutes. This is false. RCMP state they arrived at 1:35 a.m., just four minutes after the fire was reported to them. They state the fire department arrived a few minutes after they did.
The story had also indicated that the fire alarm had not gone off, due to the kids saying they had to warn the guests, and the guests were not aware of the fire prior to the warning. This indication is also false, as RCMP confirmed the fire alarm went off prior to their arrival. Hotel management was also aware of the fire, contrary to the article saying otherwise.
While the teenagers did call 9-1-1 and according to RCMP, “rushed into the hotel to try and help”, the Herald cannot corroborate the rest of their story. According to the owners of the Comfort Inn, the kids did not run through the hotel knocking on doors to get people out, but were stationed in the lobby according to their security camera footage. While the Herald has not seen the footage, we cannot verify the teenagers’ claims of them running through the building to warn people. Still, RCMP called their actions of running into the burning building to try and help, “exceptional” though they do not recommend others to follow suit.
We recognize the importance of accuracy and transparency in our reporting, and we are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism. We apologize for the inconveniences the story may have caused.
The Herald recognizes an ethical responsibility to promptly correct all factual errors, large or small. We encourage you to contact us if you think you see a mistake. Messages about news coverage, comments about the opinion section can be sent to newsroom@ merrittherald.com and publisher@merrittherald.com.
Sincerely, Merritt Herald.
MORE THAN JUST SPEED: F1 REIGNITES MEMORIES OF MY FATHER
LAÍSA CONDÉ MOVIES’ CORNER
If you’re drawn to speed, spectacle, and heartfelt storytelling, F1 delivers on every level. The film is a sumptuous thrill-ride, flawlessly capturing the roar of engines and the intimate dramas behind the glamorous world of Formula 1 racing. I walked away not just entertained, but moved—and yes, a little nostalgic.
From the opening lap, F1 hits you with jaw-dropping visuals. The digital rendering of racetracks, sleek curves of F1 cars, the cockpit’s dizzying POV—all feel immersive and visceral.
The film made me pinch myself: This is better than live TV. The blend of slow-motion brilliance during split-second overtakes, the claustrophobic focus on drivers’ helmets, and the breathtaking scenery of each circuit was simply stunning.
On the surface, F1 is about speed and competition. But beneath the adrenaline, it’s a story about human connection: mentors and rivals, ambition and regret, victory and sacrifice. It’s rare to find a sports film that balances pulse-pounding action with genuine emotional weight—and F1 does just that.
Watching F1 also transported me back to countless afternoons spent with my dad, curled up on the couch with snacks and the TV tuned to Grand Prix coverage.
Growing up, one of my favourite hobbies as a kid was to hang out with my dad and watch any and every sport together –– from soccer, basketball, volleyball to tennis, F1, and handball. It was the perfect opportunity to bond with my dad. He’d talk about Ayrton Senna,
the greatest Brazilian F1 pilot, and how he changed the sport in a way no other pilot ever did.
Sometimes, we wouldn’t talk at all. We didn’t need to. A great pass, a tight corner, a mechanical failure – we felt those moments together. We were tuned in not just to the race, but to each other.
F1 brought all of that rushing back. The smell of early morning toast. My dad’s voice explaining tire compounds and downforce. Even now, years later, those memories feel like a warm sunlight breaking through a cool morning haze.
It reminded me that the things we love — whether it’s a sport, a story, or a silly superstition about “lucky socks” on race day — are often about who we share them with. For me, that was my dad.
I’m not ashamed to admit a few of the more touching scenes had me on the verge of tears: I flashed back to cheering together, groaning at crashes, marveling at record-breaking laps, and forging a bond over shared enthusiasm.
That’s the unsung beauty of this film—it’s not just a racing saga, it’s a reflection of what happens when passions become traditions passed down through generations. I laughed, I gasped, I felt that deep sense of camaraderie that F1 inspired in both reel and real life.
In an era of formulaic blockbusters, F1 stands out. It’s a kinetic tour de force with a beating heart—combining visual artistry, storytelling finesse, and a familial resonance that lingers long after the credits roll. Whether you’re a lifelong Formula 1 fan or simply someone who cherishes the memories made with loved ones, this movie revs engines and warms hearts. I absolutely recommend F1. Prepare for exceptional spectacle, emotional depth—and maybe a little nostalgia, too. It’s a cinematic checkered flag well earned.
LETTERS to the Editor
COMFORT INN FIRE
Editor,
My dad loved Merritt.
He moved here when he was 18 years old and never left. I remember asking him once why he decided to stay when he could have gone anywhere else. His answer struck me. “I love the people here,” he said. “No matter what happens, they show up for you when you need them most.” His love for Merritt extended beyond his own life. He found joy in giving back to the town that gave him so much. It was the place that made his dreams come true.
So you can imagine how devastating it was to see his dreams (literally) go up in flames last week when the Comfort Inn and Suites caught on fire. But what hurt more was what followed. Instead of banding together like the community he loved, energy was put towards spreading false stories and rumours online. Instead of celebrating the actual heroes that saved lives that night, elected officials and even our trusted Merritt Herald, gave the spotlight to individuals who co-opted this tragedy as an opportunity to push their own narrative.
I’m not writing this piece for sympathy. I’m writing to give credit where it is due. Contrary to what is circulating online, the Merritt RCMP and Fire team arrived at the scene within minutes. They were the ones that went up to the floors engulfed in flames and helped guests leave the building. They were the ones who stayed there all night, ensuring guests had a safe place to wait. They were the ones who comforted us as we realized that our livelihood was gone.
They deserve the posts from our MPs and articles from our newspapers. They were the true heroes. It was easy to question why my dad loved this community during the aftermath of the fire. But thanks to the first responders and the many kind people that reached out to us, I’m reminded that my dad wasn’t wrong to love this place. Merritt’s heart still beats in the people who show up when it counts.
– Selena Randhawa, Merritt, B.C.
LET’S KEEP CANADA A GLOBAL LEADER IN FIGHTING DISEASE
Editor,
The Global Fund saves lives.
You might be wondering, “What in the world is The Global Fund?” Don’t worry, by the time you’ve finished reading, you’ll be a pro!
The Global Fund is an international organization that finances and partners with others to combat AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, saving 65 million lives worldwide!
It has played a particularly vital role in protecting the LGBTQ2+ community, who have been disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS.
However, what is progress without continuity? We must safeguard the hard-won gains we’ve achieved.
As global health threats rise and inequalities deepen, we call on Canada to continue leading by example. Building on our strong support, $1.21 billion over three years, we urge the government to reaffirm its commitment to the Global Fund and help win the fight against these devastating diseases.
AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria are not issues of the past. They remain a present and urgent threat, especially in resource-limited communities.
This July, as we celebrate our country, let’s take action that gives us all something to be proud of.
– Bernice Ko, Vancouver, B.C.
LOOK BACK
From the Herald archives
JULY 15, 1998
CITY PAYS FOR COLLETTVILLE HOME
A Collettville man has a wider home than he originally wanted –– and the City of Merritt helped pay for it.
City officials confirmed late last week the ciy gave approval for a single-wide manufactured home, narrower than the minimum width allowed under the lot’s zoning.
The City of Merritt paid out approximately $5,000 to partially defray the costs for the Collettville man to make adjustments to switch footings to fit the double-wide.
JUNE 19, 1996
MERRITT HURDLER TAKES ON ATLANTA
Merritt’s own Tim Kroeker is taking on Atlanta.
The homegrown hurdler is taking his talent to the 1996 Olympic Games, after taking third place in Montreal at the Olympic trials. Kroeker, home for Canada Day festitivities, will be leaving for Atlanta on the 16th. While bringing a gold back for Canada is something which may be on Kroeker’s mind, he says he’s not worried.
“There’s no pressure to do anything there,” says Kroeker.
Johnisaac@telus.net www.realestatemerritt.com
Office: 250-378-6181
Cell: 250-378-1586
F: 250-378-6184 3499 Voght St., Merritt, BC www.royallepage.ca/merritt
SHOW & SHINE
SUNDAY, JULY 27: 8 AM - 3 PM
CommunityPlan
TheCit yof Merritt is updatingits Official Communit y Plan (OCP) to betteraddress housingneeds,align with provincialrequirements,and streamlinedevelopment approvalprocesses. Proposed changesinclude:
Pursuantto Section 24 of theCommunity Char ter, noticeisherebygiven that the City of Merritt intendstoenter into a belowmarketlease agreementwithNicola Valley Transpor tationSociety forthe rent al of 353squarefeetofofficespace at City Hall locatedat2185Voght Street , Merritt BC .Theleaseisfor atermof2 yearscommencingAugust1,2025, with thepossibility of afur ther two-year ex tension;the totalrentalrateforthet wo years will be $9,948 .36, plus anyapplicablet ax.
• Compliance with SmallScaleMulti Unit Housing (SSMUH) legislation
T IM EL IN EF OR CH AN GE S:
Please direct anyinquiries to DavidZakall, Director of CommunitySer vices.
TEL: 250-378-4224 |EMAIL:DZAKALL@MERRITT.CA
THEPROVINCEOFBC advocates water conser vationa nd expect smunicipal ities to su ppor tthe se effor ts throughmeasu re ssuch as watering restrictionsandpublic education.
•Alignment with TNRD’s Regional Grow th Strategy
•Incorporationofthe City’s 20 -yearhousing needsas identified in the2024Housing NeedsA ssessment
• WINTER 2024/2025: Background Research &Project Scoping
• SPRING 2025: Public Engagement
• SUMMER 2025: Engagement:DraftofAmendment s
• FALL 2025: CouncilConsiderationand Adoption
MERRITT PRIORITIZES CLEAN INDUSTRY TO PROTECT AIR AND WATER
INDUSTRY: continued from page 5
specialized. Goetz is hopeful that a high number of locals will be able to be hired.
“We will see some locals get used, and then we’ll see some of it come from out of town,” he said. “Some will be specialized, some will be entry. I’m quite sure of it, and if that means people move to this community, that’s great, and that’s exactly what happens.”
Securing these industries, Goetz hopes will be an incentive for more development to hit Merritt. Goetz said more people coming into town for these jobs will create more demand for housing.
He also said there is a possibility for a greenhouse business to utilize the excess heat of the data centre, giving “cheaper” heat.
This is a tactic used in real-estate diversification, according to the Real Estate Institution of Canada (REIC), an organization providing education in the real-estate market. The organization said, “Institutional investors see data centres as a hedge against traditional market volatility. Offering higher yield potential and longer-term leases, these facilities diversify portfolios and ensure steady income” in an article published in January on the effect of data centres on the Canadian economy, using data mostly from the U.S., the country with the most data centres.
REIC said data centres are trending in creating jobs. The article said that from each direct job in the US data centre industry, 7.4 supporting jobs were created.
In an interview with CBC in May, Goetz said he wanted Merritt to be one of the “first in the door” for the AI industry.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS
Environmental concerns were another reason to attract these “lighter” industries to Merritt.
During the process of building the courting these new industries, Goetz said they were working with water conservation groups. One such group is the Nicola Valley Watershed Governance Partnership, which is a table between the five Nicola Valley First Nations and the Provincial government. “We’ve agreed to all work together to come up with a water plan and be comprehensive of what we’ve got in the valley. So the industries that we’re looking at for Merritt, we want them to be light industrial,” Goetz said. “Because we have such prevailing winds from south to north, we don’t want a tire rendering. We don’t want a battery rendering. We don’t want a cow rendering. Those give off fumes and everything else, and we don’t want that
blowing into the community.”
Still, industries like the data centre have been criticized for their high water and energy usage. Goetz said the data centre will run off of a closed-cooling system, meaning the water will be recycled over and over again.
“They’ll use no more water than what Walmart does,” he said.
The data centre is being built atop land intended to be a grow-operation. The water pipes in that land were accommodated for the operation and are being repurposed.
Goetz said the city is well aware of its water usage and is currently sitting at 75 per cent of its provincial license.
FORESTRY IRREPLACEABLE STILL
Goetz said the city wants to keep historic industries like mining and logging, and loggers in the area are on the same page.
McKimmon is at the forefront of the logging industry. Over the years of hardship, he’s seen his fleet of logging trucks reduced to just three vehicles from 13.
“I ran a pretty big operation,” he said. “It wasn’t so hard to downsize. It was more the hardships that it has imposed on my community that really bothered me the most.”
The hardships he talks about is having to lay off people in the logging industry that are trying to support their families.
“We’re talking about logging jobs that are $100,000-a-year-plus jobs,” he said.
McKimmon’s father was in the logging industry. For a while, his children were too. But the forestry crisis has turned them to other industries such as civil excavation or oil and gas, effectively ending the family career tradition for now.
He said loggers were some of the people who propped up Merritt’s economy, buying from local industries like housing, cars, furniture and even food.
“Just about every rancher and every cattle man in Merritt has some kind of a logging background, either they’ve sold their timber off their land, or they’ve worked in the industry themselves,” he said.
McKimmon thanks the Ghog family, the owners of Aspen Planers, for being dedicated to the community, even through hard times in the logging industry.
“If they closed up shop, that would leave a huge hole in our community, absolutely devastating this community to the core.”
He said he doesn’t believe Merritt can reach the economic heights the logging industry brought with another industry.
“There’s no furniture manufacturing plant or a cement paving stone manufacturing
INDUSTRY: continued on page 10
PHOTO/TY LIM
Construction is underway on Merritt’s new furniture factory — one of several projects signaling the city’s move toward a more diversified, modern economy..
‘IF THIS INDUSTRY TOTALLY SHUTS DOWN, IT’S GOING TO DEVASTATE MERRITT’
pile of logs stands as a reminder that if the forestry industry shuts down completely, it would devastate Merritt’s economy and community.
INDUSTRY: continued from page 9
plant or a co generation plant that’ll ever sustain Merritt the way that blogging industry has,” he said.
“If this industry totally shuts down, it’s going to devastate Merritt. There’s not going to be anything that’s going to replace the logging, period.”
In the meantime, Goetz and the city are appealing to ministers provincially and federally to keep forestry alive.
“We’d sure like to see the forest industry start to make some changes, and get the government to help them become more viable and work with them, because right now they’re having a hard time, and we need the government, both levels, provincial and federal, to start
working with them, to get them viable again.”
For some issues in the forestry sector, like permit application times, Goetz said they will be addressed at the next UBCM conference.
At UBCM, Goetz said he will talk to B.C. Minister of Forests Ravi Parmar, especially about high stumpage rates.
“Ravi Parmar seems to be a good minister who wants to listen. He’s been (to Merritt). He’ll probably come again. He is concerned about forestry, and he wants to see it do better, and that’s his job to do so. And we’ll stay in contact with him until we get what we need to make Aspen profitable.”
PROPOSED BYLAW COULD EXPAND RV USE IN QUILCHENA
LAÍSA CONDÉ editor@merrittherald.com
A zoning change that could reshape how recreational vehicles are accommodated in the Quilchena area is up for public discussion later this month.
The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) will hold a public hearing on Thursday, July 17, at 1:30 p.m. at the TNRD Civic Building Boardroom to consider a proposed Zoning Amendment Bylaw 2884.
Property owners and community members are encouraged to attend the hearing or submit feedback. Those wishing to participate virtually must register with legislative services by 12 p.m. on July 15, while written submissions must be received by the same deadline. All input will become part of the public record.
The amendment proposes to expand land-use permissions at 6500 Highway 5A, the site of Quilchena Point RV Marina.
If adopted, the amendment would modify the current CD-2: Comprehensive Development zone to include recreational vehicle park use, along with new operational conditions.
The change would allow the marina to host long-term RV stays exceeding 30 days, a shift that could enhance tourism offerings but may also raise concerns among nearby residents.
Copies of the proposed bylaw and background materials are available for review at the TNRD Civic Building in Kamloops during business hours from July 3 through July 17.
B.C. YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM FINDS STRENGTH IN NATURE
LAÍSA CONDÉ editor@merrittherald.com
Take a Hike Youth Mental Health Foundation is embarking on a powerful new chapter, thanks to a landmark partnership with the Pacific Spirit Foundation that reimagines the organization’s annual spring outdoor trips as the newly named Spirit of Exploration Trips.
The initiative will support vulnerable youth across British Columbia over the next three years through a blend of outdoor adventure, therapeutic support, and community connection.
At the heart of Take a Hike’s work is a simple but transformative belief: the outdoors can inspire, heal, and help young people grow into confident, resilient adults.
Each program embeds a full-time mental health clinician into an alternative education classroom, where students also engage in weekly outdoor outings and, once or twice a year, participate in extended overnight expeditions.
These multi-day spring trips—which now carry the Spirit of Exploration name—have long been a cornerstone of the Take a Hike experience. Now, they’re being elevated through a collaboration with Pacific Spirit Foundation, a family-run foundation deeply connected to nature and long-time supporters of Take a Hike.
“This partnership actually started over a lunch,” said Alaine Anicete, interim director of programs at Take a Hike. “Beverley Muench from the Pacific Spirit Foundation used to volunteer with our Vancouver program years ago, helping youth pack for trips. That personal connection to the work stuck with her.”
The Muench family, who founded the Pacific Spirit Foundation, has supported Take a Hike for over a decade. Their latest gift enables the foundation to fund three more years of spring expeditions—now rebranded to reflect their shared values and spiritual connection to the land.
“As a family, we’ve always believed in the power of nature to heal, ground, and transform—especially for young people facing life’s toughest challenges,” the Muench family shared in a statement. “We’re honored to support the Spirit of Exploration Trips to give youth the space, support, and inspiration they need to thrive.”
To mark the collaboration, Take a Hike worked with Justice, a creative and softspoken student from the Merritt program, to design a custom logo for the trips. Her design now appears on custom toques gifted to all students—a symbol of their journey and a tangible reminder of their growth.
“This is the first time we’ve ever had a
donor collaborate with one of our youth in such a hands-on way,” said Anicete. “It was amazing to see Justice, her teacher, her therapist, her guardian, and a donor all brainstorming together in a WhatsApp chat. It was creative, respectful, and full of mutual encouragement.”
While the trips may include activities like hiking, canoeing, and fire-building, the learning goes far beyond outdoor skills. Students take part in a structured “prep week,” building grocery lists, budgeting, packing gear, and preparing meals together—developing responsibility and teamwork along the way.
“These trips are not just about pushing yourself,” said Anicete. “We use the term challenge by choice. Some students might not be ready for a full three-day overnight, and that’s okay. Even a one-day trip can be a powerful win, depending on what they’re navigating in their lives.”
What makes Take a Hike distinct is its intentional blend of mental health support, education, and land-based learning. In Merritt and other interior regions, the natural surroundings allow for deeper partnerships with Indigenous knowledge keepers and elders—opportunities that might be harder to access in urban settings.
“Programs like the one in Merritt have this incredible chance to engage more directly with the land and with local communities,” said Anicete. “It makes for a different, often more grounded, experience.”
Land-based learning is embedded in all aspects of the program. Outdoor education days often tie directly to curriculum, allowing youth to absorb lessons through hands-on, sensory experiences. Whether it’s learning history through Indigenous stories or reading literature connected to place, the integration is deliberate.
“Everything we do is designed to be interconnected,” Anicete said. “And sometimes, the goal is just joy, just having fun and feeling free. That’s important, too.”
Take a Hike currently serves youth across the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, and the West Kootenays, and is set to expand to Ontario in September. The impact of its approach is far-reaching: one graduate from the original Vancouver program recently returned to complete her social work practicum with the same classroom that supported her as a teen.
“She told us how the program gave her not only healing, but also the confidence to explore the outdoors on her own—and to bring others along with her,” said Anicete.
As Take a Hike enters this new era of collaboration, creativity, and connection through the Spirit of Exploration, the
During the program visit, the Pacific Spirit Foundation presented a special cheque for $895,000 in support of Spirit of Exploration Trips.
message is clear: when youth are given the space to connect with nature and themselves, the results can be life-changing.
“We’re still just beginning to see what’s possible,” Anicete added. “But what’s happening right now? It’s already beautiful.”
PHOTO/TAKE A HIKE FOUNDATION
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Nicola Valley youth embark on a 111km cultural horseback journey to build leadership and respect
Kids in the Nicola Valley once again had a chance to participate in a life-changing journey as they rode across the province on horseback.
Using funds generated by the Merritt community through a series of fundraisers, 10 kids with the Shulus Equine Therapeutic Development Society (SETDS) got themselves into the opportunity of going on a cultural development ride on the week of June 22 to 27 from Anahim Lake to Williams Lake across Highway-20, a journey almost 111km long.
The ride was four days long, featuring the six main communities within the Tsilhqot’in National Government.
Phil Dumont, a 72-year-old resident of Lower Nicola and the founder of SETDS was responsible for organizing the Merritt kids’ journey to Williams Lake. His goal with SETDS and the cultural development ride is to instill growth and leadership qualities in the kids, especially some of the troubled youth in the group.
One girl from the SETDS was able to join the flat race, which is one of the hardest races to get into according to Dumont.
He said 17-year-old Ebony was the one to join the flat race. Dumont said she claimed fourth in her division.
“She did really good, yeah, like, really good for a 17 year old kid who’s just beginning,” Dumont said. “ I told Ebony, that one day your name is going to be known everywhere. ‘You’re going to become a person that’s going to be of high quality, but you’re going to have to understand, with all that glory comes demand, and the demand is that you have to control how you take that glory.”
The kids in SETDS didn’t only grow in racing skill. The main goal of SETDS is character development, which is something Dumont said many of the adults saw during this trip.
“People started to take notice of the actual progress these kids are making,” he said.
They became totally respectful to the culture and to the elders.
“This event, it’s amazing what comes out of it. (The kids) They get to know each other. They get to be able to lead and understand how to take control of certain matters that they have to be accountable for,” he said.
Phil Dumont
Founder of Shulus Equine Therapeutic Development Society
Dumont said the kids are in charge of their own horses, feeding and saddling them on their own. The adults help check all the gear after the kids have attempted it themselves. He said the cost of the trip for the kids and his horses was around $6,000, $5,000 of which was funded by fundraisers held by the kids, such as a car wash.
The trip consists of four days of riding and camping, as well as activities that help “promote the ride” according to Dumont.
One such activity is a gymkhana held for the kids, which Dumont described as a “mini-rodeo”.
“They do stuff like pole bending, barrel racing, keyhole,” he said.
During the trip, the horse riders were also joined by a group of bikers. It was all capped off in Williams Lake with a parade and the Williams Lake Stampede.
One of the main areas of growth, Dumont said, was that the kids had become more respectful to the elders.
“They became totally respectful to the culture and to the elders,” he said. “That connection was there, (the connection) we were looking for so long in our developments, we always wanted the kids to be able to respect us.”
While Dumont has taken the kids to the cultural ride before, he said this year was a major step-up for the development group for multiple reasons.
For one, Dumont said the group had much more community support this time, donating money at their fundraisers so Dumont wouldn’t have to fund the entire cost with his pension money.
He said he also felt the group was included more with the other First Nations bands, in regards to activities.
“The last few three years, we were just there. This year they invited us, drew us in to become part of their programming,” he said.
Dumont is excited for the prospects of next year’s trip, which he expects to be even bigger.
PHOTOS/KENNETH WONG
Riders of all ages took part in the Shulus Equine Therapeutic Development Society’s cultural journey on horseback, fostering leadership, healing, and intergenerational connection along the trail through traditional territory.
MERRITT FILCOM HOSTS BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
NICOLA VALLEY COMMUNITY
with them since starting the booth.
“All these events that led these people to where they are today, to maybe turn towards substances from very from extremely traumatic experiences and. Just as a way to cope with that.”
Kroeker said the project and working with people who are in the midst of dealing with substance abuse is something new to them and Arts Council.
“I do feel like it’s going to be
very successful,” they said, hoping to get people who have lived experience with substance abuse that are on the community table down to spirit square to better connect with the people they’re trying to reach.
“I just want to reach people. So I just think it’s important that this is going to go into the paper and for the people of Merritt to understand why we’re doing this and just to give people a voice.”
PHOTOVOICE PROJECT SHINES LIGHT ON ADDICTION
The Photovoice project hub at Spirit Square offers a creative outlet and safe space for people to share their stories of substance use. TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
A new project by the Nicola Valley Arts Council and Merritt’s Community Action Team Table is aiming to put a lens on the issue of substance abuse.
The Photovoice project is a local arts initiative which will be taking place in Spirit Square at 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. every Tuesday for the next eight weeks.
The goal of the project is simple; allow people dealing with substance abuse to share their stories on their terms and get the public a better understanding of the issue.
“The portrayal of people who use substances isn’t always painted in a good light,” said Iris Yong, a community consultant with the organization Urban Matters, who consult for other organizations that are tackling complex social issues in multiple cities around the province. Yong is part of the table that is on Merritt’s Community Action Team
Table, which features members of the city, substance abuse organizations and substance users themselves.
She said a main goal of the project is to destigmatize drug use.
“There’s so much stigma around drug use. And it remains hidden, and that’s the piece that we’re actually really, really fearful of, because if people are choosing to use substances alone, there’s a higher chance that they could die.”
This idea isn’t wholly unique. In fact, it was inspired by Kamloops’ photovoice project which premiered in 2018. Yong said that project was a major inspiration for them.
Karianne Kroeker, a volunteer at the arts council who is helping run the project and the booth at Spirit Square, said the project also aims to bring deeper connections within the community.
The stand at Spirit Square will be turned into a place for these people to do arts, a process of healing.
“(There’s) a public art component, so that people can engage and talk with each other about their stories and learn from each other about the real impact (of substance abuse) and learn about each other. Because everybody has their own story and everybody has their own journey, whether it’s in recovery or current substance use,” Yong said.
In terms of living up to its name, ‘photovoice’ people dealing with substance abuse will be loaned a camera courtesy of the photovoice project. With the camera, they are asked to take photos which represent their journey and struggles with substance abuse.
Photos taken during the project used in a local gallery exhibit, showcasing the photos and the explanation behind the images. Due to the sensitivity of the subject, people can choose to submit their work anonymously.
Kroeker said some personal stories have already been shared
Crossroads Community Church 2990 Voght St. • 250-378-2911
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Service Time: 3rd Sunday each month 1:30 p.m.
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Service Time every Sunday - 10 am
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There is much talk these daysabout ‘closure’. Saying good-byetosomeone welove, even after theyhavedied, doesn’t require that weput an end tothe relationship
Peter Joseph Szymczak, of Aspen Grove, BC, passed away peacefully in Kamloops, BC on Sunday, June 15, 2025 at the age of 79. Peter was born on August 18, 1945 in Nurnburg, Germany; he grew up in Richmond, moved to Tulameen and then to Aspen Grove. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Leslye. Peter leaves behind his daughter, Aimee, son-in-law, Peter Brady and grandchildren, Baron and Emily, brother, Ken, and sisters, Eva, Mona and Gina and as well as many relatives and friends. Peter is predeceased by his mother and father.
Peter loved the outdoors, camping, fishing, hunting and working in his yard and greenhouse. Peter also enjoyed the sun, sand and surf of Guayabitos, Mexico. A celebration of Peter’s life will be held this fall in Vancouver.
Allpersonswhobelievethattheirinterestin propertymaybe affectedbytheproposedbylawshallbeaffordedareasonableopportunitytoprovideinput atthePublicHearing.AnyonewhowishestopresentattheHearingvirtually(viaZoom)mustcontact LegislativeServicespriortonoononJuly15,2025,to arrange virtual access Anyonemay alsomake written submissionsonthe matter ofBylaw No.2884,2025,(viathe optionsbelow),whichmustbereceivedat our officepriortonoononJuly15,2025.Theentirecontentofallsubmissionswillbemadepublicandformpart of the public recordfor this matter.
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.
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1. 50 percent 5. Records electric currents
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17. Where rockers work
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43. Sound unit
44. Noise some birds make
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52. Midway between south and southeast
58. Member of U.S. Navy 59. Mens’ fashion accessories
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Style of cuisine
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24. Clod
Select 25. Immunized against disease
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29. Prints money 31. Honorable title (Turkish)
28. Court case: __ v. Wade
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