Merritt Herald May 16, 2024

A Merritt Secondary School student wins contest to design Merritt RCMP’s challenge coin. Page 15. Photo/RCMP

Low snowpack province wide is causing concerns about another summer of drought in B.C. LOW SNOWPACK /PAGE 9

Mayor re ects on key takeaways from SILGA

Wong reporter@merrittherald.com

Merritt mayor Mike Goetz sits down with the Herald to talk about this year’s SILGA convention.

Every year in April, the Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) delegates gather to debate resolutions, network and get educated on local government matters.

This year’s SILGA convention was hosted by the tournament capital of Canada, Kamloops, at the Coast Kamloops Hotel & Conference Centre.

The theme of this year’s SILGA convention was “Keep the Ball Rolling” which highlighted themes such as housing, wildfires, substance use issues, and discussions around economic development after the pandemic has subsided.

how it would help and governments now realize that that is the way it can move, so we’re moving in that direction.”

“One of the concerns that I’ve had for a long time is the fact that our forest firefighting airplane fleet is old, it’s real old,” said Goetz. “(The current planes), they fly in, they do two drops, they gotta fly all the way back to Kamloops to get reloaded. You look at the newer ones that are fighting in California, they come in and they do 16 drops before they have to go back and be refueled, but they stagger each other, and their jet planes are no longer prop planes.”

Goetz described this SILGA as ‘more focused on TNRD and groups working together.’ “The takeaway that I got was we’re more aware of climate change and drought and wildfire, it’s a huge concern and everybody is behind it,” said Goetz.

TENNIS COURT /PAGE 12

Tennis enthusiasts, a new tennis court in town is in its preliminary stages.

“Wildfire was probably the number one breakout session,” said Goetz. “One of the concerns that was brought up last year was the fact that forestry wasn’t using the local knowledge, the First Nations knowledge, and so we had several work breakout sessions where what that would look like and

“We’ve come to a decision to a certain degree, most of us, that the way that the province fights fires is not as good as it should be, a forest fire isn’t from nine to five, a forest fires 24 hours a day, so they need to be hit

Kenneth

B.C. moves to prevent offender name changes

Offenders in British Columbia convicted of serious Criminal Code offences will no longer be permitted to legally change their names under legislation introduced today.

Health Minister Adrian Dix says the proposed law would amend the province’s Name Act to ensure people convicted of dangerous offences can’t change their name.

The legislation comes less than three weeks after Opposition BC United Leader Kevin Falcon proposed a private member’s bill to change the same act after learning child-killer Allan Schoenborn was recently permitted to legally change his name.

Schoenborn was found guilty of three counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of his own children, aged five, eight and 10, whose bodies were found in the family’s Merritt, B.C., home in 2008.

A judge ruled Schoenborn was not criminally responsible because of a mental disorder after the verdict.

Dix says the amended legislation will prevent convicted criminals, those who have committed offences of causing serious harm to others, from evading accountability and the consequences of their actions by changing their name.

Health Minister Adrian Dix speaks during an announcement at the Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, B.C., on Thursday, Feb. 8, 2023. Offenders in British Columbia convicted of serious Criminal Code offences will no longer be permitted to legally change their names under legislation introduced Monday. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Marissa Tiel

Merritt to host next year’s SILGA

From Page 1

and hit fast and hit instantly,” said Goetz.

“We’re one of the first communities that have hired an emergency management coordinator full time, we have an operating (emergency operations centre) that’s ready to go at any moment, we have a very well trained (emergency support services), we have evacuation plans, all that is done,” continued Goetz. “And we’ve learned that from 2021, not to be caught flat footed ever again.”

Mayor Goetz also highlights Merritt’s resolution that the Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) request the minister of mental health and addictions to create a workable dashboard which reports statistics of the impact of decriminalization

has had on harm reduction, which was passed at SILGA.

Goetz has been trying to get a dashboard for over a year. “We actually took this to the minister last UBCM and she assured us that this dashboard, as she called it, was going to be activated by the time we left UBCM,” said Goetz. “She told every community that, and then three days later, she cancelled the whole thing.”

Mayor Goetz is proud to announce that Merritt will be hosting SILGA next year. “We’re looking at a fairly significant performing coming, we’re hoping for some really good solid resolutions that we can carry to UBCM, and the ability for people to come here and enjoy the community,

bring their families, walk through, and then the idea gets planted in their brain ‘you know what, let’s go back to Merritt because we really enjoyed ourselves there,’” said Goetz.

“One thing that I’m looking forward to in my speech was the fact that we’re looking to have them come to a community that is in a rebuild, to see our new community, what it looks like, to see the strength of the people here,” said Goetz. “Nobody left this community, even people that had their houses destroyed, they found other places, and they’re rebuilding. So the resiliency of the people here and just some of the very cool stuff we have here.”

The Canadian Press merrittherald.com

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

FRONTLINEFILES

FILES

Man arrested after robbery at convenience store

Photo/RCMP

Laísa Condé editor@merrittherald.com

A man who was wanted for allegedly committing robbery last Friday has been arrested, RCMP says.

Mounties say the man was “safely arrested” in downtown Merritt after a tip from the public.

According to the RCMP, the man remains in custody and faces several charges, including robbery with a firearm.

Over the last few days, a manhunt was underway in Merritt as Mounties searched for the suspect after a convenience store was held up by a man armed with a handgun.

“The Merritt RCMP wish to thank the community for their vigilance and patience while officers carried out the search,” RCMP Cpl. James Grandy said in a news release.

Cpl. Grandy added that the investigation is ongoing.

RCMP seeking information on violent incidents

Laísa Condé editor@merrittherald.com

Serious charges have been laid following a string of violent incidents on Wednesday in downtown Merritt, according to police.

In a news release published today, May 9, the Merritt RCMP said they’ve responded to eight separate incidents in the downtown core of Merritt between 1:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

A man, who was later identified as Kevin Edward Young, was reported to be assaulting parties who happened to be in the area.

Mounties located Young in the Diamondvale neighbourhood at approximately 9:30 p.m., yesterday.

According to the Merritt RCMP, the 35-year-old man has no fixed

address and is well known to the detachment.

Currently, Young faces 12 new charges, including four counts of assault, three counts of uttering threats, four counts of breach and one count of mischief.

“Young remains in custody and will make his next court appearance on May 13, 2024,” the release reads.

The victims of these incidents are being supported by Merritt Victim Services, with no serious injuries reported.

Those who have any information in relation to the incidents are requested to contact the Merritt RCMP at 250378-4262 or Crimestoppers if you wish to remain anonymous.

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS VIEWPOINT

By Thanumi Thasanga Jayasinghe

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS OPINION

TEGART: Nurses rally in Merritt to demand action on understaf ng and closures

British Columbia is experiencing a healthcare crisis. Walk-in wait times are the worst in the country, one in five British Columbians don’t have a family doctor, and our hospitals are understaffed and

overcrowded. In recent months, we have seen a dramatic increase in ER closures due to this chronic understaffing, affecting rural communities most drastically.

Yet, patients aren’t the only ones facing the effects of the NDP’s failing healthcare system. Healthcare workers across the province have been speaking out about the conditions in their hospitals, concerned about increasing levels of burnout, turnover, and chronic understaffing, creating unsustainable working conditions due to increased demand and workload.

This is especially true in the Fraser-Nicola. In 2023 alone, the

Nicola Valley Hospital’s emergency room shut its doors 20 times, and it has already closed twice in 2024. As of December 2023, the hospital’s nursing vacancy rate is a staggering 39 per cent. This crisis is absolutely unacceptable to the people living and working in Merritt.

On April 17, 2024, I attended a BC Nurses Union rally in Merritt alongside my colleagues Shirley Bond and Peter Milobar to stand in solidarity with the nurses and listen to their concerns. Protests like this one have occurred frequently in the community throughout recent years, and a petition demanding 24/7 access to emergency healthcare ser-

vices has surpassed 8,000 signatures.

Since December 2022, I have written to Health Minister Adrian Dix on five separate occasions regarding this serious issue but have yet to see any real action from him and his NDP government. Mike Goetz, the Mayor of Merritt, has joined these calls as well, sending letters to Minister Dix and the Premier.

Enough is enough. It’s time for this NDP government to listen to the people of Merritt and do everything in their power to end the ER closures plaguing the Fraser-Nicola region.

FLIGGE: An artistic journey from knitting to watercolours

Hi my name is Silke Fligge. I was born in Germany and came to Winnipeg with my mother when I was 6 years old. Growing up I learnt to knit hats, scarves, and mitts. My mother was an excellent seamstress so she taught me embroidery and how to sew clothes. I first started with aprons and then skirts, blouses, and dresses.

After high school, I moved to Vancouver with a friend and loved going to the Art Gallery and all the small art studios. Most of my career has been in the Insurance Industry. In the evenings I always liked to do something so I took pottery classes, flower arranging, and acrylic painting.

We moved to Burnaby in 1999 after living in Langley for 20 years. A friend of mine suggested that I volunteer at The Burnaby Arts Council. I got involved with the fibre art department and we knit baby hats and blankets for the Burnaby General Hospital and Hospice. Working with the fibre arts got me started on making felted bags which you knit and then wash in hot water and shrink them and shape into bags and hats. I also taught art classes in wreath arrangements, Santa’s, and folk art painting.

Glimpse Lake is currently my home and has been since 2007. We’ve had the property since 1980 and decided to move here full-time. Going for daily walks

with my dog Rex always makes me think of new ideas for art. I took an excellent photography course at NVCAC and now I’m learning how to use my camera again. I’m also trying my hand at watercolours, art will always be part of my daily life.

I’m glad to be part of the NVCAC; it’s made up of talented artisans and dedicated council members that keep art alive and vibrant in our community.

From the Herald archives: May, 1964

Youth bowling banquet held

The Youth Bowler’s banquet was held last Saturday evening, at the Elks hall, and had a good attendance, totalling 151 in all. After the meal, there were many presenations made by Bob Sweet, proprietor and owner of Merritt Lanes, and three of these were quite unexpected.

LETTERS POLICY

The Merritt Herald welcomes your letters, on any subject, addressed to the editor. Letters may be edited for length, taste and clarity. Please keep letters to 300 words or less. Email letters to: newsroom@ merrittherald. com.

JACKIE TEGART VIEW FROM LEGISLATURE

VALLEY NEWS

Proli c offender charged after RCMP vehicle rammed during pursuit

running and turned around with a long, sharp object in his hand,” she said.

Serious charges have been laid against a prolific offender accused of intentionally crashing a pickup truck into an RCMP cruiser in Merritt.

Merritt Mounties were called to a report of a vehicle theft in progress at about 4 a.m. on May 1 outside the Quality Inn on Walters Street, a judge was told Monday during a bail hearing in Kamloops provincial court.

The suspect fled in a black pickup, which police located and stopped a short time later. Crown prosecutor Alexandra Janse said the truck was blocked in by RCMP vehicles.

“[The driver] backed up, put the car in drive and drove into a police vehicle, trying to push it out of the way,” she said.

“When that didn’t work, he put the truck back in reverse and backed directly into an unoccupied truck parked in a driveway.”

Janse said Mounties then pinned the pickup and the driver fled on foot.

“After a short foot pursuit, he stopped

“When confronted with a police service pistol, he threw the weapon away and started complying.”

Bryce Timothy Inglehart, 30, is facing charges of flight from police, possession of a stolen vehicle, driving while prohibited, obstructing police and mischief by wilfully colliding with an RCMP vehicle. He is also facing multiple breach charges, including one for possessing a screwdriver — the weapon he is alleged to have brandished — in violation of a bail condition.

Court heard Inglehart has been identified as a prolific offender by Vernon Mounties. Janse said he has 14 prior property-related convictions and two flight from police convictions, as well as more than a dozen for failure to comply with court orders.

Inglehart was denied bail following Monday’s hearing. He is due back in court on May 21.

Photo/Glacier Media

Tim Petruk CASTANET

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Low snowpack causes drought concerns

Nicholas Johansen CASTANET

Record-setting low snowpacks across the province this spring are stoking concerns about yet another summer of drought in B.C.

The BC River Forecast Centre published the latest Snow Survey and Water Supply Bulletin Thursday, providing a snapshot of the snow conditions across the province as of May 1.

On average, B.C. currently has a snowpack that is 66 per cent of normal, which the River Forecast Centre describes as “extremely low.” This time last year, the provincial average was 91 per cent of normal, and the late summer months saw unprecedented drought conditions.

“We experienced severe drought last year and remain at high risk going into this season,” Minister of Land, Water, and Resource Stewardship Nathan Cullen said during a press conference Thursday morning.

“This is serious. Looking at the snowpack levels – which are a critical part of British Columbia’s ability to have enough water through spring, summer and right through the fall – are historically low right now. At 66 per cent, that is a significantly low snowpack that we’re dealing with.”

Locally, the Okanagan’s snowpack is at 60 per cent of normal, while the Similkameen region is at 54 per cent. The Lower Thompson region’s snowpack is one of the lowest in the province, currently sitting at just 23 per cent of normal.

Local snowpacks are in a far different situation than they were last year. The Okanagan’s snowpack was sitting at 144 per cent of normal at this time last year, while the Lower Thompson was at 171 per cent.

While the province’s snowpack is consistently far lower across much of B.C., the snowpack varies depending largely on elevation.

“In low-to-mid elevations, particularly in plateau terrain in the B.C. Interior, early melt of a shallow snowpack has occurred and many of these areas are now snow-free,” the River Forecast

Centre says.

The Brenda Mine snow weather station, located off the Okanagan Connector, recorded snow-free conditions earlier in the season than ever recorded in the station’s 28-year history.

“Higher elevation mountain snowpack has experienced a delay in melt due to cooler temperatures in late April, and some areas experienced additional late-season snow accumulation during recent unsettled weather periods,” the River Forecast Centre says.

But with hot temperatures forecast in the coming days, higher elevation snowmelt is expected to begin in a big way.

Sixteen snow stations across the province are showing record-low snowpacks for May 1 this year, including at Mount Revelstoke and at the Glacier snow station in Rogers Pass. The Glacier snow station has been recording snowpacks for 78 years.

Concerns over drought

Looking towards the future, the River Forecast Centre says there’s a likelihood of warmer spring temperatures in B.C. through May and June, which may accelerate the spring melt of the already low snowpack.

“The current low provincial snowpack (66 per cent of normal), persistence of drought impacts from previous seasons, and the upcoming seasonal weather outlook are all significant factors for province-wide concern for drought this year,” the River Forecast Centre

says.

During Thursday’s press conference, Cullen said it’s important for British Columbians to begin thinking about water conservation already.

“Every drop counts,” he said.

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PLUMBING &HEATING

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Tick season is here

Photo/John Tann Kenneth Wong reporter@merrittherald.com

The British Columbia Centre for Disease Control sits down with the Herald to talk ticks.

As tick season is here, B.C. CDC physician epidemiologist Mayank Singal shines a light onto the world of ticks.

Singal describes ticks as “small insects that are commonly found in our environment.”

“They like to live in grasses and shrubs and we see lots of them at this time of the year, typically between March and October is what we call a typical tick season and it kind of peaks around June, so we’re definitely heading into the peak of the peak season here in B.C.,” said Singal.

There are two types of ticks in B.C., the western black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus) found along the coast and the rocky mountain wood (Dermacentor andersoni) which can be found from the United States border all the way up to Williams Lake and even Alberta.

“Merritt is sort of (geographically) transitioning, but yeah, I think we would probably see, we would likely see both,” said Singal. “We still see ixodes ticks in the Interior, but Dermacentor certainly becomes more common the further in we go.”

Singal says the biggest difference between the ticks outside of their habitat is the diseases they carry.

“(The Ixodes tick) is more associated with Lyme disease, whereas the Dermacentor species is more associated with something called Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and tularemia,” said Singal. “These are all bacteria that can be carried by the tick and when the tick bites a human or a pet, that bacteria can be transferred to the human or the pet.”

Outside of carrying disease, ticks play several important roles in the ecosystem, says B.C. CDC project coordinator Stefan Iwasawa.

“They are a part of the ecosystem to provide a meal for those higher up on the food chain, they help to keep host populations in check,” said

Iwasawa. “When you have more hosts you have more ticks which will feed on these hosts making them weaker and transmitting disease at times, they are a sign of how healthy an ecosystem is.”

Singal gives some advice on how you can prevent tick bites. “It’s a good idea to put some long sleeve clothing and preferably light coloured, that will certainly protect us from getting tick exposure, also if the tick ends up on the body, it’s more easily seen if it’s light coloured,” said Singal.

Singal also advises the use of bug repellent sprays.

“While we’re outside, as much as possible, it’s better to avoid coming in contact with tall grasses, for example if you’re walking on a trail, if you’re able to walk in the middle of the trail, you’re less likely to come in direct contact where the ticks might be able to attach,” said Singal.

“And then finally, when people come back indoors, it’s really important to do a good full body check to look for any ticks, and it’s really important to look in those hard to find areas like the scalp, behind the ears, the armpits, the groin, oftentimes ticks actually like to go to these areas because they’re nice and moist,” said Singal.

If a tick has latched onto you, Singal advises to remove it immediately with tweezers or a local healthcare provider. Once your tick is removed, you can send a photo of the tick to the online platform eTick.

“This is an online platform where you send a photo of a tick and they basically identify it for you and then what you can do is you can put that tick in a sandwich bag, and keep it in the freezer and down the road, we need to test it that can be sent into the public health lab here in Vancouver and you can test that tick for any pathogens as well. So that’s one piece in terms of taking removal and storage.

Singal advises seeing your healthcare provider if you feel symptoms such as fever, rash, tiredness, and body aches within 30 days of a tick bite.

The northern lights painted a spectacular picture in the Nicola Valley sky thoughout the weekend.

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

New tennis court in preliminary stage

Kenneth Wong reporter@merrittherald.com

City of Merritt moves forward with design for new tennis court.

Rick Green, director of public works and engineering services at City of Merritt, is set to begin drawing preliminary plans for the new court.

Merritt Tennis Club vice president Bal Bains hopes that the new court at Central Park, can be across the road from Snake Oil Ent. and Nicola Valley Massage Therapy Clinic to increase visibility and be near park amenities.

Diane Quinn, secretary of the Merritt Tennis Club, says the new site will be great for club members and tennis players.

“The present (tennis court), we went many years without water, we were going to the golf course,” said Quinn. “There was only a parking site for eight (to) 10 cars so you had to park at the site up the hill, there was no washrooms there.”

Bains says the new site already has bathrooms, concession, and enough parking.

The tennis club will still have to wait at least a year before the new court can be actualized.

In an email to the Herald, Green stated “Once a concept plan has been developed for the future of Central Park, all stakeholders/user groups will be able to have input prior to plans being finalized and put forward for budget consideration,” reads the email.

“It is likely that we are at least a year away from bringing a plan forward for public engagement,” Green added.

According to Quinn, the current tennis court is almost 40 years old. “The standing now of our present facility is all the work that the fellow members have done to two courts we can play on this year,” said Quinn. “It’s a bandaid solution, and it’s going to need more repairs every year.”

The new tennis court is set to take approximately three years to complete. In the meantime, the Merritt Tennis Club aims to maintain the current courts.

The club is still awaiting an estimate on the cost to construct the new tennis courts however, “To give you an idea,” said Quinn. “Just resurfacing four courts six years ago was $40,000.”

“And putting the underneath layer in was well over $100,000,” Quinn continued. “I’m sure we’re looking at at least over 250,000… This will be a new site, not just going over something that’s done so I just don’t know, it’s a lot of money.”

To fund this, the Merritt Tennis Club is

applying for various grants as well as holding a fundraiser at the Grand Pub & Grill on June 1, 2024.

Currently, the Merritt Tennis Club uses the facilities by the golf course, which has been facing issues with land movements. Photo/Laísa Condé

SPORTS

MSS Ultimate team wins Okanagan championship for third time in a roll

Merritt Secondary School Ultimate frisbee team clinched their third AA Okanagan Championship in a row.

Taylor Larter, MSS ultimate frisbee team coach, calls the achievement “impressive.”

“Some of these kids have just picked up ultimate this year, some of them joined last year, but there is a core group of students who have had every year that we’ve won, so it’s kind of exciting for them,” he said. “It’s their third year with a banner. We’ve got them displayed up at the front of the school right now and then we’re gonna put them up on our gym wall, so it’s really exciting.”

“I knew it was gonna be tough, so when we had that victory confirmed, it was just like ‘guys, we did it’,” he added.

Larter said that the MSS ultimate team had tougher games during the AA Okanagan Championship since they faced teams that they’ve lost to in previous tournaments.

“There’s some rivalry (between the teams) and added pressure to get back at this team and also prove that we are the better team,” he said. “It was a really tough first game, but we wonn and it was really close.”

The MSS ultimate team will join the other 31 teams heading to provincials now which are set to happen for the first time ever in the Interior.

The tournament capital of Canada, Kamloops, will be hosting the ultimate provincials set to happen between May 23 and 24.

“I’m really excited that it’s in Kamloops, especially since the sport is growing in the Interior,” Larter added.

Larter added that at the end of the day, their goal at provincials is to make into the top eight.

“I mean be cool, like to win it all, obviously, but there’s some really, really good teams that we’re gonna go up against, but it’d be cool if we can make it into the top eight,” he said. “But even if we don’t, we’re still top 16 in the province, we’ve been top 10 for almost an entire season. That’s not something that’s been really held on to before by a Merritt team I think over a decade.”

on

Larter

they want to be sure of is that every player is comfortable while being on the field.

“We’re really working on having flow in our movements on the field, that’s our biggest thing. If we have flow, we can tackle whatever comes up against us,” he added. “We got also a couple of tricks up our sleeves with some plays, but we’ll see what happens there.”

“It’s been an amazing season. We’ve won West South three years running, we’ve won Okkanagan for three years running, we’re going to provincials for a third time. I don’t know the last time there’s been a team sport at the high school that’s had such success nor such positive community building experience.”

As they focus

provincials,

said that, in terms of strategy, the main thing that

Photos/Taylor Larter

Laísa Condé editor@merrittherald.com

MSS student wins challenge coin design contest

Merritt Secondary School grade nine student wins contest to design the official challenge coin for the upcoming regimental ball.

Grade nine student Charlotte Livesey’s design was chosen among her classmates by the Merritt RCMP regimental ball committee.

“The regimental ball committee reviewed the artwork of the different students and we were over the moon impressed with Charlotte’s design, we think it really reflects the Nicola Valley really well,” Merritt RCMP Sgt. Brock Hedrick said. “I know that’s hard to do on a coin and I think it’s a really good reflection of the Nicola Valley.”

Created during the First World War, the challenge coin started as a military tradition and later on extended to police forces around the world. On the coin, one side usually has the RCMP emblem while the other has symbols that represent the city the officers work in.

The coin is often traded around the world to show mutual respect between police forces or to give thanks.

In her sketch, Livesey chose to portrait a few of the iconic buildings around Merritt – like the Coldwater Hotel, Quilchena Hotel, Court House and the Baillie House.

“I just started to think of buildings that I thought were just sort of unique and not basic, I guess,” Livesey said. “Like the Quilchena Hotel, my parents got married there and then just like some of the buildings I just thought were really pretty.”

Alongside with the buildings, Livesey chose to sketch other elements that represent the nature around the Nicola Valley, such as the sun, mountains, rivers and trees.

Livesey said it feels nice that her artwork was chosen.

“It feels pretty cool, I wasn’t expecting it,” she added.

The Merritt RCMP was so impressed with the design that Livesey created that they’ve also incorporated it into their own challenge coin.

“We were actually in the process of redesigning the Merritt challenge coin and we were so happy with that centre design from Charlotte’s coin that we actually incorporated that into our main challenge coin now,” Sgt. Hedrick said.

Livesey was presented by the Merritt RCMP with the challenge coin she designed and the new Merritt RCMP detachment challenge coin.

1750 Hill Street ■ 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 1:00 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

Grade nine student Charlotte Livesey poses with Merritt RCMP Sgt. Brock Hedrick with the two challenge coins that display her design. Photo/Laísa Condé

Laísa Condé editor@merrittherald.com

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

CLASSIFIEDS

Deadline for placing a classified ad is 5 p.m. on Monday. To place an ad please call 250-378-4241 or email: publisher@merrittherald.com

MORRIS

De ce mb er 15 ,1942-A ugust17, 2023 Saturday,May 18,2024 at 1:00 PM Merrit tCivic Centre

TK’EMLUPSEMC FORESTRY DEVELOPMENT CORP

Tk’emlupsemc Forestry Development Corp invites the public to review and comment on the proposed information package relating to Forest Operations Map (FOM) ID# 1503. The FOM shows the proposed cutting permit and road permit locations for RFL A89987 CP25 located in the Rossmore Lake area. Maps are available for review and comment online at: https:// fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projects

Thurs.&Fri.:

a.m. -3:00

Ave., Mer Wednesday: 1:00 p m - 6:00 p m www.MerrittFuneralChapel.com

2113 Granite Ave.,Mer ritt, BC 250-378-2141 or 1-800-668-3379

1943 ~May 9, 2024

We aresaddenedtoannouncethe deathofBrian RobertsonfromMerritt, British Columbia,who passedawayonMay 9, 2024, at theage of 81. He wasbornand educated in Vancouver, andlived in Clearwaterand Kamloops before moving to Merri in1984. He hada degree in criminology,and wo as acorrectionalofficer andsocialworker. He wasa keen gardener,historian,and agenealogist whoworkedextensively on familyhistory He enjoyedspending time with hisfamily.

He is survived by hiswifeLouisa (Mountain) Robertson; sons Sandy,Luke andIan Robertson; cousins, nephews,nieces andfriends

Aservice will be held at Nicola ValleyEvangelical Free Church,1950 Maxwell Avenue,Merritt, BC, on Friday,May 17, 2024, at 1:30 pm

Printed maps will also be available to view by appointment at the TFDC office located at #200-330 Chief Alex Thomas Way, Kamloops, BC.

Please contact dwayne.paradis@ttes.ca to arrange a meeting to review the plans.

Comments can be submitted online during the 30-day period via the website above, by email or by mail #200-330 Chief Alex Thomas Way, Kamloops, BC, V2H 1H1.

Comments received between May 13, 2024 and June 14, 2024 will be considered in forest development plans. This FOM may be relied upon to apply to a road permit or cutting permit for a 3-year period ending June 14, 2027.

SKEETCHESN NATURAL RESOURCES

Skeetchestn Natural Resources Corp invites the public to review and comment on the proposed infor mation package relating to Forest Operations Map (FOM) ID# 1520 and 1521 The FOMs shows the proposed cutting per mit and road per mit locations for RFL A88945 CP23 located in the Rossmore Lake area and A88945 CP87 in the Tremount Creek area.

Maps are available for review and comment online at: https:// fom.nrs.gov.bc.ca/public/projects

Pr inted maps will also be available to view by appointment at the TFDC office located at #200-330 Chief Alex Thomas Way, Kamloops, BC

Please contact dwayne.paradis@ttes.ca to arrange a meeting to review the plans.

Comments can be submitted online dur ing the 30-day per iod via the website above, by email or by mail #200-330 Chief Alex Thomas Way, Kamloops, BC, V2H 1H1.

Comments received bet ween May 14, 2024 and June 14, 2024 will be considered in forest development plans. This FOM may be relied upon to apply to a road per mit or cutting per mit for a 3-year per iod ending June 14, 2027.

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Coldwater Indian Band Job Posting

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE/CLERK

The Coldwater Indian Band is seeking a dynamic and outgoing individual to fill per manent/ fulltime, the Accounts Payable/Cler k position. This position is responsible for the administration and processing of accounts payable, payroll, standards, and procedures, and assisting in the general accounting affair s of the Coldwater Indian Band.

Job Summar y

Perfor ms all duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Coldwater Indian Band policies, standards and procedures, and as directed by the Finance Coordinator Maintains confidentiality in all matter s to the affair s of the Coldwater Indian Band.

• Processes Accounts Payable, to include; reviewing invoices for accuracy and suppor ting documentation to include confir ming with Program Manager s

• Reconciling and reviewing of invoice batches and preliminary cheque runs to ensure accuracy of payments

• Preparing of cheques and obtaining appropriate signatures before distribution

• Filing all related documents and invoices

Assist in maintaining the accounts sub-ledger and reconcile balances to the general ledger Payroll; Ensures confidentiality of all payroll infor mation and records

• Receives and processes timesheets, including review of hour s wor ked, review for appropriate immediate super visor signature, review authorized leaves and holidays, including the matching of authorized leave forms, and payroll cheques

• Enter s all authorized hour s on the payroll program; reconciles and processes employee leave management for ms, confirms accuracy of all payroll deductions for each employee, including rent payments, benefit premiums and pension contributions, etc.

Prepares and processes monthly invoices for office rentals, social housing rent, facility rentals and other receivables, and other wor k as authorized by the Finance Coordinator

• Prepares and reconciles bank deposits, etc.

Position Qualifications

• Prefer a Post-Secondar y Accounting Diploma/Degree

Completion of Canadian Payroll Association Level one

• Minimum 2 to 3 year s job related experience administering payroll, accounts payable and accounts receivable

• Experience with related computer software (Xyntax)

• Good communication skills

• Good analytical and problem-solving skills

• Excellent computer skills

• Knowledge and under standing of Coldwater community, language, culture, values and customs

Criminal Record Check

• Bondable

• Valid class 4 Driver’s License and Driver’s Abstract

• Reliable vehicle

Salar y: Relevant experience and qualifications will be evaluated.

Attn: COLDWATER INDIAN BAND Human Resource Committee c/o Band Administrator (lantoine@coldwaterband.org.)

PO BOX 4600, MERRITT, BC, V1K 1B8

Deadline for resumes: May 29, 2024.

Only successful applicants will be contacted for an inter view

JOB POSTINGS

2EARLY CHILDHOODEDUCATORPOSITIONS

Full Time PermanentPosition

BridgeRiver Head Start/ Daycareprogram is seeking an individual to commit to providing high qualitycaretoChildren aged0-6 yearswith interest in working in aunique programand ensuringthatthereisuse of best practiceprovided during the programdelivery.ECE Workers only need to apply.

XWISTENHEALTH RECEPTION

Full-time (35hours per week)

Thehealth reception will report to the HealthManager, thesuccessful candidate will provide supporttoall theXwisten-Bridge RiverIndian Band Health Departments.

Please submit your CoverLetter and Resumeto:

Gary Forsyth, Administrator

Bridge RiverIndianBand,P.O.Box 190, LillooetBC, V0K 1V0 Fax: 250-256-7999

Whilewewelcomeall candidates,only those selectedfor an interview will be contacted

Nlaka’pamux Health Services Society Employment Opportunity

Part-timeLicensedPractical Nurse “withPotential SigningBonus”

Nlaka’pamux Health Services Society is currentlylookingfor aPart-time LPNNurse to work in collaboration with our ElderHomeCareTeam supportingcommunities within theNlaka’pamux Nation,asa one-year term contract

Ourideal candidates arethose whohavea wholisticapproach to team assignments andvalue maintaininga supportiveworkenvironment with theorganizationasa whole.

REQUIREMENTS: LPNDiploma from aCanadianuniversitywithregistrationwiththe BC College of Nursingingood standing,withminimum 2years’experienceworking in Home Care servicedelivery, preferably with experience in FirstNations Health.Class 5 DL andFirst Aid/CPRLevel 1.

Forfulldetailedlisting send requesttothe HR Managerat: elliott.a@nlxfn.com or phone: (250) 378-9772 /Fax:(250) 315-0283

This postingwill remain open untilthe position is filled; please applyearly.Preference will be giventopersons of Aboriginal ancestry as perSection 16(1) of theCanadian HumanRightsAct

Are

MERRITT HERALD

VALUE ADDED

LUMBER REMANUFACTURING PLANT

PRODUCTION WORKERS (FT/PT)

• Wages: starting $20 to $28

SALES

PE

POSITION:

RSON/OFFIC E ADMIN

RE SP ONSI BI LITI ES:

• En ga ge in sa le s ac ti vi ti es to prom ot e ad ve rt is in g sp ac e in Me rri tt He ra ld

• Ma na ge ci rc ul at io n proc es se s to en su re ti me ly di st ri bu ti on

• As si st wi th Ac co un ts Re ce ivab le ta sk s

• Ha nd le ge ne ra l of fic e ad mi ni st ra ti ve du ti es

• Co lla bo ra te wi th th e te am to ac hi eve sa le s an d op erat io na l go al s

• Prov id e exce pt io na l cust om er se rv ic e to cl ie nt s an d pa rt ne rs

QUALIF IC AT IO NS:

• Proven ex pe ri en ce in sa le s an d/or of fic e ad mi ni st ra ti on

• St ro ng mu lt it as ki ng ab il it ie s in a fa st -p ac ed envi ro nm en t

• Se lf -m ot ivat ed an d go al -o ri en te d

• Sh ou ld poss es s profi ci en cy in us in g co mp ut er s.

• Exce ll en t co mm un ic at io n an d in te rp er so na l sk il ls

• Ba si c un de rs ta nd in g of Ac co un ts Re ce ivab le proc es se s (t ra in in g wi ll be prov id ed)

• Ab il it y to wo rk in de pe nd en tl y an d as pa rt of a te am

WH AT WE OF FE R:

• Co mp et it ive co mp en sa ti on wi th co mm is si on op po rt un it ie s

• Trai ni ng an d me nt or sh ip prog ra ms

• A ch an ce to be pa rt of a hi st or ic an d co mm un it y- ce nt ri c orga ni za ti on

• Op po rt un it ie s fo r ca re er ad va nc em en t

HOW TO APPLY:

In te re st ed ca nd id at es are invi te d to su bm it th ei r re su me an d a cove r le tt er hi gh li gh ti ng th ei r re leva nt ex pe ri en ce to pu bl is he r@ me rri tt he ra ld.c om. Pl ea se in cl ud e “S al es Pe rs on/O ffi ce Ad mi n Ap pl ic at io n - Me rri tt He ra ld” in th e su bj ec t li ne

At Me rr it t He ra ld, we be li eve in fost er in g a di ve rs e an d in cl us ive wo rk pl ac e. We en co urag e ca nd id at es from al l ba ckgrou nd s to ap pl y.

Jo in us in co nt in ui ng th e le ga cy of Me rr it t He ra ld as we na vi ga te th e fu tu re to ge th er !

• Steady day shift work

• Students welcome to apply

• No experience necessary

• Will train

TRUCK DRIVERS WITH CLASS 1 Local steady work

LICENCED SECURITY GUARDS

Excellent medical & dental plan

Please submit resume in person to 1195 Houston Street, Merritt B C 250-378-6161

Volunteering

1. Geological time 4. Ooze

29. Tantalum

The BC SPCA cares for thousands of orphaned, abandoned and abused animals each year.

SPEAKING FOR ANIMALS spca.bc.ca/volunteer We can’t do it without you

ACROSS

9. A set of eight 14. Obstruction 15. Swiss mathematician 16. Philosophy 17. e night before 18. A timid person 20. Uni es 22. Gangs

23. Alternative name 24. Acumen

28. Cathode-ray tube

Volunteers are urgently needed to care for animals and assist with BC SPCA events.

If you can help, please contact your local shelter today.

DOWN

1. Excessive uid accumulation in tissues

2. Untangle

3. One from the U.S.

4. Academic terms

5. San __ Obispo, in California

6. Not healthy

7. Self-assessment questionnaire (abbr.)

8. Arugula genus

9. VIII

10. Makes a monarch

11. Tormentor

30. Soluble ribonucleic acid

31. Humiliate 33. Earthy pigment

37. Air Force

38. Adult males

39. Sti untanned leather

41. Before 42. Atomic #18

43. Beer mug

44. Nostrils

46. Type of chef

12. Commercials

13. Sprinkle

19. Make a mistake

21. Freshwater shes

24. Vermont town

25. Man-made device

26. Entrap

27. Places to store important things

31. Accumulate

32. Greek mythological nymph

34. Gregory __, American dancer

49. Midway between north and east

50. ey __

51. Splits

55. Walk in a timid manner

58. Preserved animal skin with hair

59. Popular donut shop item

60. You smear it on bagels

64. Don’t know when yet

35. Denotes past 36. Becoming popular again

40. Indicates position

41. Came before

45. An extra seedcovering 47. Cheerful

48. Deli sandwich staple

52. Skateboarders love them

53. Mandela’s party 54. Sierra lake

65. Equal to 10 amperes

66. Synthetic acrylic ber

67. One point south of due east

68. Of mixed ancestry

69. Home of the Pyramids

70. A way to change color

56. Nickname for Elizabeth 57. Remove from record

59. Employee stock ownership plan

60. Former NFLer Newton

61. Relative biological e ectiveness (abbr.)

62. Work unit

63. Town in Cambridgeshire

Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a Sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must ll each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can gure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes.