Local governments – including Merritt – will press the Province on number of resolutions.
A WEEK ON FIRE: HOW THE MINE CREEK BLAZE UNFOLDED
One spark. Seven days. Over 3,000 hectares burned.
TY LIM
reporter@merrittherald.com
For the last week, driving the Highway 5, you may feel like you’re entering another reality as an orange haze fills the sky and a numbness hits your throat.
In reality, you’re doing exactly that, entering into the new world and in an age of wildfire.
According to statistics from Natural Resources Canada, B.C. leads the country with the amount of wildfires as of Sept. 3.
There are 1,160 fires have burned in the province this year, destroying nearly 770,000 hectares of land. While this is a lower amount of damage as previous years, it shows a trend of the last five years of devastating wildfire season.
Most of the fires are lightning caused - around 70 per cent in 2023 and 2024 - and a recent “out-of-control” wildfire along the Coquihalla Summit seems to be of the same cause.
It was Labour Day, Sept. 1 when it was
Want news straight to your inbox? Scan the QR code to subscribe to our daily newsletter. FIRE: continued on page 3
ALCOHOL RESTRICTIONS
City of Merritt is considering a new policy to curb public drinking.
NICOLA VALLEY NEWS
LIGHTNING-SPARKED BLAZE NEAR MINE CREEK TOPS 3,000 HECTARES
believed that lightning struck wilderness close to the Coquihalla Highway (Hwy-5), in the Mine Creek area, almost halfway between the cities of Hope and Merritt.
The blaze grew fast, and was categorized as “out-of-control” on BC Wildfire Service’s (BCWS) live website. It was also classed as a Rank 4 wildfire.
The Province has a 6-rank structure for wildfire classification. Rank 4 means it is a “highly vigorous surface fire with torching or passive crown-fire.”
At the time, the fire was reported to have spread to 105 hectares.
The fire quickly over-doubled in size overnight, spreading to 275 hectares by the next day.
Despite acknowledging the fire’s quick growth, BCWS chose not to send any ground crews to contain the fire, choosing to monitor its spread instead.
The choice was due to safety for their crews. BCWS information officer Stewart Shantz told Castanet on Sept. 2 that the area’s steep terrain and damage to infrastructure like bridges from the 2021 flood made the area dangerous for crews.
She also said no aircraft attending to the scene, as the lack of ground crews would mean a lack of coordination, meaning aircraft would be ineffective.
The fire grew to 275 hectares.
The next day, matters grew worse with extreme heat. The heat was felt all across interior B.C., with Merritt reaching a temperature of 38.7 C and multiple other communities setting heat records. Ashcroft took the spotlight that day, setting the record for the highest-ever temperature recorded in September in Canadian history at 40.8 C.
That day, the fire had grown to 420 hectares in size. During this time, the Coquihalla Highway remained open and construction crews were still working on a stretch of the highway near Juliet Road despite the haze and smoky conditions.
On Sept. 3, air quality warnings were put in place around Interior Health regions, including the Nicola region.
At this time, BCWS was reported to be on stand-by for the fire to reach a place that could be accessed by their crews.
Later that day, crews were able to be dispatched. The Mine Creek fire had jumped the highway, leading to the closure of the Coquihalla Highway at 4 p.m., Sept. 3.
BCWS then jumped on the fire, sending numerous personnel and five helicopters in an attempt to contain the blaze. There were multiple outages to BC Hydro customers along the Coquihalla Highway area during this time.
Later, the fire was later upgraded to a Rank 5 fire meaning it was an “extremely vigorous fire.”
Castanet reported that crews on the fire were working their maximum allowed hours to contain the blaze.
Later that day, the first evacuation order was issued for a single property on Juliet Drive. Shortly after, the village of Brookmere, a community hit heavily by the 2021 flood, was put on evacuation alert.
The next day, the fire grew to 1,900 hectares. BCWS remained firm on their stance that their decision to let the fire burn was the right one, saying crews could not operate safely in the rugged terrain and water bombers wouldn’t have had much of an effect on the fire.
Another evacuation order was issued, this time for the Coquihalla Summit Snowmobile Club.
On Sept. 5, the fire again multiplied, this time to 4,100 hectares. Later in the day, Hwy-5 was reopened, but drivers were told they are not allowed to stop on the Coquihalla Summit and that there is still smoke in the air.
Overnight, the sky cleared up, allowing BCWS to get a more accurate measure of the fire. The fire size was reduced to 3,390
hectares.
The next few days saw cooler temperatures in the region, which BCWS was able to take advantage of as the fire is slowly dwindling in size, Castanet reported.
On Sept. 8 the fire was listed at 3,006 hectares, the same size as the time of writing of this story, 9 a.m., Sept. 9.
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PHOTOS/TY LIM & BC WILDFIRE SERVICE
A lightning-caused wildfire near the Coquihalla Summit grew rapidly in early September, leading to highway closures and evacuation alerts as crews worked to contain the blaze amid extreme heat and rugged terrain.
HEAD-ON COLLISION NEAR KAMLOOPS LEAVES TWO DEAD, THREE INJURED
TIM PETRUK Castanet
Impaired driving is believed to be the cause behind a head-on crash on the Coquihalla Highway on Friday just south of Kamloops that killed two women and injured three others.
According to police, the victims were in a white Hyundai Kona headed northbound on the highway just before 9 p.m. on Friday when it collided with a grey Dodge Ram pickup driving south in the northbound lanes.
Mounties said the collision took place near the Inks Lake Road exit.
“The women who died, who were 36 and 27 years old respectively, have international next of kin who are still being informed about the tragedy,” BC Highway Patrol Cpl. Michael McLaughlin said in a news release.
“Three other people have
serious injuries, including two who were in the white Hyundai Kona and the suspected driver of the grey Dodge Ram pickup.”
The collision closed the highway for about nine hours — coming on the heels of a two-day closure due to a wildfire burning between Merritt and Hope.
An online fundraiser has identified the victims as members of the Kamloops Sri Lankan community.
McLaughlin said investigators have made some progress, but they are still looking for witnesses and dash camera video.
“If you saw the driver of a grey Dodge Ram pickup doing anything suspicious in the minutes or hours leading up to the fatal crash, please call us,” he said.
Anyone with information can call police at 250-828-3111.
women and injuring three others. Police are seeking
MERRITT NURSE SEEKS COURT REVIEW OF DISCIPLINARY DECISION
MICHAEL POTESTIO
Castanet
A Merritt-area nurse wants a B.C. Supreme Court judge to throw out a B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives decision that found she overprescribed methadone.
Marcia Gofsky filed for a judicial review last month, claiming she was denied procedural fairness when the college failed to consider an entire set of written notes that she contends prove her innocence.
Gofsky, a registered nurse for 27 years, worked out of the Nicola Valley Hospital’s mental health and substance abuse department as a qualified prescriber of opioid agonist therapy.
She was handed a suspension as a result of the investigation.
According to her lawsuit, in late fall of 2024, she was informed by her manager not to come to work due to an Interior Health investigation into numerous allegations of her prescribing practices.
The matter was referred to the B.C. College of Nurses and Midwives, which reached out in March to Gofsky, giving her an opportunity to respond to questions.
The lawsuit stated Gofsky was at that time recovering from a brain injury and not operating at full cognitive capacity. Meanwhile, her manager had advised she take responsibility for wrongdoing.
“In her altered, brain-injured state, Ms.
Gofsky did not have the capacity to do anything else or advocate for herself throughout this experience,” the lawsuit stated.
According to the court filing, Gofsky wasn’t given the chance to submit her own written submissions to the committee, nor was she asked to participate in an interview as part of the college’s investigation.
The investigation ultimately determined Gofsky’s prescribing practices showed a significant disregard for her client’s safety and that she was practicing outside her scope as a registered nurse, which was reckless and in breach of professional standards.
According to her lawsuit, Gofsky has learned the committee only reviewed her electronic notes and charts in making its decision, and did not review or consider her paper-written notes that were located in her office filing cabinets at Nicola Valley Hospital.
“Given the seriousness of the complaint and allegations, the Inquiry Committee reasonably and diligently ought to have located and reviewed those cabinets,” Gofsky’s petition states.
“The notes in those cabinets would have shown Ms. Gofsky was following the prescribing habits of Dr. Soderberg and modelling her prescribing habits and NURSE: continued on page 5
PHOTO/RCMP
A suspected impaired driver caused a head-on crash on the Coquihalla Highway near Kamloops Friday night, killing two
witnesses and dashcam footage.
NURSE ALLEGES UNFAIR PROCESS IN NURSING COLLEGE RULING
NURSE: continued from page 4
decisions based on the prescription each client had been receiving from Dr. Soderberg. In this way, Ms. Gofsky was following the proper and established protocol for prescribing.”
The lawsuit goes on to state that Gofsky could have alerted the committee to the existence of the records if interviewed, and she would have been exonerated if they had seen those notes.
The lawsuit added the nature and volume
of Gofsky’s work does not leave her the “capacity” to convert all of her written charts into electronic format.
The college’s inquiry committee’s finding was made in June. Gofsky’s suit asks the court to overturn that decision and refer the matter back to a new committee.
“The procedural fairness owed in the case at bar is moderately high, due to its disciplinary nature,” the suit goes on to state, adding Gofsky had a spotless record prior to this decision.
CNA PURCHASES LAND FOR COMMUNITY-LED GROWTH
LAÍSA CONDÉ editor@merrittherald.com
The Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly (CNA) has announced the acquisition of a 15.4-acre property located at 3299 River Ranch Rd., marking a significant step forward in the organization’s mission to support long-term economic and cultural development for the Nlaka’pamux people. According to a press release, the purchase was made possible through external funding secured by CNA, specifically intended to support initiatives that align with the Assembly’s vision of sustainable, community-led growth.
The newly acquired land will serve as a space for CNA and its eight participating Bands to explore future opportunities
NICOLA VALLEY ATV CLUB Stumbles
Forest Service Road ATV/UTV Staging Area Project
The Nicola Valley ATV Club received a Grant from the Outdoor Recreation Council of B.C. to construct an ATV /UTV Staging Area at the junction of Aberdeen Road and the Stumbles Forest Service Road. The Staging Area will act as the launch point to gain access to a trail system the Club is trying to acquire under a Section 57 agreement with Recreation Sites and Trails B.C. The launch site will be open for use to ‘aW backcountry users and during ‘all’ seasons.
together, grounded in Nlaka’pamux priorities and teachings.
“This land was purchased with the well-being of our people in mind,” Chief Lee Spahan of Coldwater and director on the CNA board, said. “It gives us an opportunity to sit down together and ask what will best serve our communities now and for the generations still to come. We will move forward in a way that is respectful, careful, and true to Nlaka’pamux values.”
The land is envisioned as a foundation for future development that not only generates economic benefits but also reinforces cultural identity and stewardship.
CNA emphasized that the value of this LAND: continued from page 5
The NVATV Club is extremely grateful to the many local businesses and individuals who have contributed to this project. In fact, the Club is quite overwhelmed with the response it has received from our community towards this project. In difficult times the true strength of a community and its people comes to light. Separate recognition will be given to these businesses and individuals through a especial Message’ in this newspaper.
The project started with an optimistic $18,000.00 budget, and to date the project has earned over $25,000.00 in donations, equipment time and volunteer labour. A fantastic showing for a small organization. Our hope is that the area will be well used and well respected. We are proud to have been able to provide another much needed backcountry recreation facility to the Province of British Columbia.
Visit our Facebook page –NICOLA VALLEY ATV CLUB –to see what we’re all about.
We think you’ll like what you find!
JOIN THE ADVENTURE –BECOME A MEMBER! We’re always excited to welcome new members to the Nicola Valley ATV Club. Whether you’re an experienced rider or just getting started, there’s a place for you in our community.
PHOTO/LAÍSA CONDÉ
The Citxw Nlaka’pamux Assembly has acquired 15.4 acres on River Ranch Rd. to support long-term economic and cultural development grounded in Nlaka’pamux values and community unity.
NICOLA VALLEY VIEWPOINT
IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN: COLDS, FLU, AND THE HOUSEHOLD BUG
BONNIE DIXON Healthy Conversations
It’s that time of year again. With children heading back to school and moms and dads scrambling to adjust to new routines, it’s no surprise that colds, flu, and other bugs start making their rounds. The stress of the season doesn’t help either—it can weaken the immune system, making us all a little more vulnerable.
Recently, our household went through it. First my brother-in-law came down with it, then my husband, and finally me. The symptoms were familiar: a snotty nose, fatigue, and that “under the weather” feeling. None of us thought to check for COVID. Maybe it was, maybe it
LETTERS to the Editor
SCHOOL BOARD FAILING FAMILIES, NOT JUST BUDGETS
Editor,
As many of you are aware, our school board office trustees voted in favour of many significant changes within our district this year. The argument was that the district was running at a deficit and could not operate without substantial budget cuts.
As a community, we have been left with many losses to our education system.
I can appreciate that difficult decisions are necessary to have our district operational. I can not appreciate dishonesty and manipulation surrounding those decisions.
One of the “cuts” made by our trustees was the bussing of French Immersion students to Collettville. A longstanding service, it allowed all children in town to access a French language education, rather than making it exclusive to those in the Collettville catchment, or those
wasn’t—we’ll never know. What I do know is that being prepared with a few simple remedies can make the difference between feeling miserable for a week and bouncing back sooner.
Here are a few things worth keeping in your natural medicine cabinet:
Immune system favorite X39 Glutathione ?
Hydration with electrolytes: For little ones, something like Pedialyte helps replace lost fluids and keeps them comfortable.
Homeopathic remedies: I personally like Oscillococcinum, which many people find helpful in shortening the length of flu-like symptoms.
Herbal teas: soothing blends for colds can ease sore throats and congestion while keeping you hydrated. Bone broth or homemade chicken soup: the age-old comfort food truly supports healing with nourishment and warmth.
Rest: never underestimate the power of extra sleep and downtime for recovery.
Epsom salt baths: relaxing and supportive for both body and mind. Add Rosemary, or Eucalyptus essential oil to the bath to open up the sinuses.
Another good investment is an electronic thermometer, so you can easily monitor fevers and track how things progress. Contact your doctor if your temperature is high over 38C. High fever is your bodies way of fighting infection. Too high and damage to the brain can occur.
Illness is part of the cycle of life, especially during this season. But with a little preparation and some natural supports, your household can get back “in the pink” a little sooner.
fortunate enough to be able to provide transportation for their child.
And it made sense. Already funded buses were passing by each catchment school. It was clever and efficient to create a fair learning opportunity by using an existing service that was not at capacity.
This “cut” is of interest, because it is not actually a “cut” at all. There is no expense associated with this service. It is simply a decision to no longer provide the community with fair access to the French language program.
Furthermore, the board has decided it will not provide the community with access to a transfer bus, that will travel from Central to Collettville. Our trustees will only allow students from out-of-town access, to spite ample capacity. On the first morning of school, it transferred two students. Why would our district not want to service more families, especially when it is the safest option?
Currently, our trustees expect children to walk up to five kilometres to school. They disregard the fact that there are no sidewalks, crosswalks or paths in Collettville.
They disregard the fact there is construction and industrial traffic across from the school. They disregard the fact that weather can be 39 degrees, as we saw last week. Have our trustees ever walked five kilometres in 39-degree weather? Can a kindergarten child even carry enough water to be safe in those conditions? What about if it is -30? Why are we creating dangerous situations for children while a nearly empty bus drives past them? Truthfully, cancelling bus service has seemed like a poorly veiled attempt to dissuade families from attending Collettville. But why? Last week, it was announced that Collettville has joined the list, along with Central, to be considered for closure. Let me guess! Declining enrolment?
I am not opposed to a school closure, even if it means the closure of my own community school. I am not opposed to changes within the French Immersion program, so long as my child’s right to continue to learn in her language of choice is intact. What I am opposed to is illogical arguments and
LETTERS to the Editor
manipulative tactics that disrespect my right to transparency by my representatives. What I am opposed to is the compromising of the safety of children to orchestrate results. What I am opposed to is having the very people who have agreed to be my representatives thinking they do not have to answer to me.
Our community deserves representation that is honest and forthcoming. Truth and transparency create far better solutions.
As of now, I do not have answers to my questions. Questions that have all been posed to people who are paid by our tax money to represent us in their positions.
I have reached out to our Superintendent. She answered with one sentence indicating she had passed my email on.
I have reached out to our Trustee Chair. He never responded to my last email, posing numerous questions to which he should owe me answers.
I have reached out to the Minister of Education. Her response was that she doesn’t oversee bussing. Does she oversee the safety and fairness of educational decisions?
I have reached out to Ombudsman BC. Twice. An organization that solely exists to make fairness complaints about situations just like this one. I have not heard back.
I have reached out to Transit BC about looking at our local bus routes and perhaps creating a schedule more conducive to helping families get their children to school. I have not heard back.
And so, for my final effort, I want to reach out to you. My community. I think you should know that publicly funded positions and organizations have ignored my inquiries. I think you should know I have not received logical and substantiated answers about decisions being made on our behalf.
I also think you should know that there are 13 school districts in our province that operate a school board with 5 trustees. Most boards with 7 trustees represent areas with a substantially higher population. Creating a smaller school board would save over $35,000 annually. Is that a consideration being put forward for the next election? Under good leadership, it would be.
And under good leadership, a meeting discussing the closure of a Merritt school would occur in Merritt. Clearly, the decision to hold a meeting that greatly
impacts our community somewhere else should have us questioning the number of representatives being paid to avoid us.
If someone accepts a publicly funded position and the paycheck that comes with it, they accept a role of service to the public. The lack of answers to my questions by the people who have agreed to serve me is unacceptable. If you cannot justify your decisions, you should not be making them.
– Jennifer Halliday Merritt, B.C.
BC WILDFIRE STRATEGY NEEDS URGENT RETHINK
Editor,
The BC Wildfire Service decision to let the Mine Creek fire burn was a risky call and it raises questions whether senior leadership have really learned from the destructive fires in the southern half of the province in 2023 and 2021 and in years past.
As a former Wildfire Protection Officer and Incident Management Team member, the message from previous destructive fires is: don’t delay or play the odds, promptly contain the fire safely from the air night and day regardless of location to communities or critical infrastructure, and maintain an aggressive all-out air response. The alternative is unwanted destruction and spending endless funding on ground and air crews for weeks and months. The Mine Creek wildfire never needed to get to the point of forcing the closure of the Coquihalla highway.
A lack of oversight may also be at play here. The BCWS since its inception in the mid-nineties, took on the title of wildfire expert and built an empire accountable to themselves. This can restrain scrutiny and accountability of senior leadership decisions.
The public deserves better. Highway closures, massive air pollution, evacuations, and property loss can be avoidable even in times of changing weather. Given the reality of today’s wildfires, it is essential that the BCWS leadership acquire additional powerful fixed and rotary aircraft on seasonal standby around the clock and prioritize aggressive rapid aerial suppression over prolonged fire management. Wildfire agencies with the right leadership and oversight can make it happen if they want to.
– Clarence Friesen Kelowna, B.C.
A LOOK BACK
From the Herald archives
SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
IN THE EYE OF HURRICANE GEORGES
Hurricane Georges didn’t touch Merritt directly.
But it made a former resident of the community appreciate how intimidating the forces of nature can be at times.
Troy Bassett was in the Florida Keys conducting business when Hurricane Georges hit.
Whith little warning, the storm that could have threatened thousands of lives, ripped through the town of Marathon and terrified those who watched it from their homes’ windows.
SEPTEMBER 9, 1998
FORESTS MAY BE CLOSED
Planning on travelling into the forest in the district?
Discussions that took place between different government agents that went late yesterday may make that an impossibility.
Because of the extreme fire danger in the forests, officials discussed the possibility of closing access to all users including hunters, hikers, mountain bikers and other recreational users.
According to conservation officer Mike Peters, the level of enforcement will be high because the possibility of another fire like the current 8,900 hectare Lawless Creek fire could start very quickly.
Annual Tax Sale
As per the Local Government Act (RSBC 2015) Part 16, Division 7, the following parcels of property shall be offered for sale by public auction unless the delinquent taxes with interest are paid by Monday, September 29, 2025.
If the amount of delinquent taxes, taxes in arrear and interest to the first day of the tax sale for which the parcel of land and the improvements are liable for sale are not paid before the annual tax sale, the City of Merritt will offer the property for sale by public auction at the time and place stated in this notice.
If the property is sold at the annual tax sale, a right of redemption will remain in the owner or holder of the charge until the end of the redemption period.
The City of Merritt makes no representation expressed or implied as to the condition or quality of the properties being offered for sale. Prospective purchasers are urged to make all necessary inquiries to municipal and other government departments, and in the case of strata lots to the strata corporation, to determine the existence of any bylaws, restriction, charges, or other conditions which may affect the value or sustainability of the property. Due diligence does not include
trespassing on properties that may be available at the auction. Any person upon being declared the successful bidder must provide photo ID and immediately pay by cash or certified cheque a minimum of not less than the upset price. Failure to pay this amount will result in the property being offered for sale again. Purchase of a Tax Sale Property is subject to tax under the Property Tax Transfer Act on the fair market value of the property.
The BC General Employees’ Union says talks over a new contract broke down in July, after the expiry of the previous contract on March 31. It says it’s seeking improved wages as staff battle an affordability crisis.
WHICH WORKERS AND SERVICES COULD BE AFFECTED?
The BCGEU says it has about 34,000 members in public service positions. They include wildland firefighters, administrative professionals, prison guards and court sheriffs, technical and scientific officers and workers in liquor and cannabis retail and distribution. The government has said essential services will not be affected.
WHAT ACTION IS BEING TAKEN?
The union says about 4,000 workers are on picket lines on Tuesday at 22 locations across the province. They are mostly
The BCGEU is seeking an 8.25 per cent wage increase over two years, made up of four per cent in the first year of a new contract, then 4.25 per cent in the second, plus unspecified cost-of-living allowances. The government says it offered a 4.5 per cent compensation increase over two years, including wages and cost-of-living allowances. It says the union wants 15.75 per cent, but BCGEU president Paul Finch says that’s misleading because it includes an entire “menu” of allowance options.
WHAT IS THE STATE OF NEGOTIATIONS?
The government said last week there had been communication with the union to try to get it back to the negotiating table. But neither side says the talks are back on, and Finch says it’s unacceptable for talks to resume without an improved wage offer.
UBCM 2025: CITIES UNITE TO PUSH FOR REFORM
With 275 resolutions on the table, local governments—including Merritt—will press the province on hospital closures, policing costs, tariffs, and more at this year’s Victoria conference.
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) will be meeting later this month, giving a chance for local cities of all sizes to have their say at reform and advocate for issues important to them.
The conference will be held in Victoria near the end of the month from Sept. 22 to 26.
UBCM brings together multiple levels of government in the province and local governments like municipalities and First Nations. The conference acts as a platform for issues around the province to be heard by the capital.
Once issues are presented to the floor, voting will be open for representatives of the local governments to vote on if it is a key issue that they support.
These key issues will be on the provincial government’s watchlist and a response to them will be drafted or the problem addressed.
This year brings a total of 275 resolutions to be discussed, four of them coming from Merritt, who recently hosted the Southern Interior Local Government Association conference back in late April.
TARIFFS A UNIVERSAL ISSUE?
UBCM states that a key issue this year is the U.S. tariffs put in place on Canadian goods. UBCM, and a few municipalities, have stated this has caused economic uncertainty within respective Canadian industries.
A resolution by Lake County, a small town in the Okanagan, put forward a resolution for UBCM to ask the federal government to give a portion of funds collected from counter-tariffs towards the U.S. to local governments so they can give Canadian manufacturers opportunity to invest in their community.
The idea is a statement echoed by UBCM who ran a study earlier in the year (March) showing that stimulus funding by both the Federal and Provincial government can lessen the economic blows that tariffs have caused.
HOSPITAL MONEY PROBLEMS
The City of Merritt will be bringing a few proposals which were highly supported during the SILGA convention.
Chief among them is an issue Merritt Mayor Mike Goetz has been vocal about in the past. The City of Merritt is bringing forward a resolution for the province to create a funding model to reimburse local
governments who rely on fire and rescue services to carry out medical duties when their hospitals are closed.
In both years, closures to the Interior Health building, Nicola Valley Hospital, were common with 39 closures for the two years.
Goetz previously sent two bills to the province for a combined $207,000 for this issue to no response from the government.
He said the city pays their share of the Thompson-Nicola Health District Hospital fund which is around $650,000.
“With that, we expect 365 days of the year, 24-hour-a-day coverage. That’s what we’re paying for when we’re shut down 19 times (2023),” he said. “We prepaid for this service, but those 19 days we’ve paid for, we’re not getting service.”
While closures to the Nicola Valley hospital have slowed in recent months, with no closures since mid-March. Still, at the beginning of the year, there were 11 closures.
Goetz said the closures have taken a lot of time and resources away from the fire department. He said the fire department, while trained to deal with - and do commonly respond to - medical emergencies, can’t transport patients and have to wait for an ambulance to come from another city.
During 2024, the fire department dealt with a surge of calls, over 1200, which clears figures from a decade before in 2014, where call volume was around 500.
This year, from April to July, MFRD has already responded to 425 calls.
“What happens is, we don’t have paramedics in town. Somebody has a problem, then our fire department now has to become paramedics,” Goetz said in an interview with the Herald in March.
Since SILGA, numerous changes to Interior Health have happened. Goetz had said he is open to working with Health Minister Josie Osborne to solve this problem.
Former IH CEO Susan Brown retired from her position in late June after facing heavy criticism involving closures of interior hospitals, with the long-term closure of a Kelowna unit being the inciting incident.
Sylvia Weir, former CFO of IH, now acts as the interim president and CEO.
RCMP COST SHARING
The next pressing issue on Merritt’s
watchlist is assistance with RCMP funding.
Earlier in the year, the City of Merritt voted to keep their 24-hour police service at the cost of a 3 per cent tax increase for residents.
The ordeal sparked discussion on whether or not the city can afford to keep its police service. As of the 2025-2029 financial plan for the City of Merritt, the RCMP cost will be rising from nearly $3.6 million of the 2025 budget all the way to a projected $4 million of the 2029 budget.
The burden of RCMP cost is currently skewed towards the municipality of province paying most of the bill. In the case of Merritt, the city is considered a small municipality with a population of under 15,000 people. This means Merritt only has to pay 70 per cent of the cost, opposed to a city over that limit that has to pay 90 per cent.
With costs rising every year due to inflation and federally mandated equipment upgrades, cities like Merritt walk a fine-line, balancing tax strain on the public and keeping a strong police force amidst rising crime rates.
During SILGA, the motion to change the RCMP cost sharing formula was unanimously supported amongst the municipal representatives in attendance.
The issue is so pressing, it is even being brought up in separate motions at SILGA.
Kamloops, who are spending a quarter
of their budget with RCMP, are also calling for reform at UBCM and for the new method to take in account municipal revenue streams and their ability to pay.
During the SILGA conference, Goetz suggested that a 50-50 cost split between local and federal government would be fair.
Pemberton, another small municipality, is bringing forward a UBCM resolution to change the cost for small cities. Also regarding changes to police service is Merritt’s resolution for the province to fully fund its victim services program.
OTHER PROGRAMMING
Another is to modernize the cost of transit sharing, another area where municipalities pay the majority of the cost.
DELINQUENT TAXES
The City of Merritt is also facing is the issue of people not paying their property taxes. The city said in its resolution that properties, especially mobile homes, are allowed an indefinite number of collection years. It said that this has caused financial burden for the rest of the residents in town.
UBCM will also be an opportunity for local government officials to talk to provincial ministers in-person, even about issues not on the resolutions agenda.
PHOTO/TY LIM
Local governments, including Merritt, head to the UBCM conference Sept. 22–26 to discuss key issues like hospital funding, RCMP costs, and economic impacts of U.S. tariffs.
CHIEF AND COUNCIL RACE BEGINS IN LOWER NICOLA
TY LIM
reporter@merrittherald.com
It’s election season for the Lower Nicola Indian Band meaning a new chief and council will be selected for the First Nation.
Elections for the band run on a three-year cycle, with the last election happening in 2022, resulting in member Stuart Jackson, retaining his position as chief, a post he has held since 2019.
Jackson will be running again for the 2025 election, along with a majority of the current LNIB council.
A few members of the current council will not be running again. They are Connie Joe and William Sandy.
The list of those running for the position of councillor is as follows;
- Leona Antione
- William (Bill) Bose
- Teri V. Clayton
- Lara Coutlee
- Mary June Coutlee
- Yental Coutlee
- Arthur Dick
- Leona Dumont
- Mindy Garcia
- Jordan Harris
- Robin Humphrey
- Hrolfe Joe
- Lesley Manuel
- Melissa E. Moses
- Laine Pare
- Clyde Sam
- Lucinda Seward
- Marvin (Sploochin) Shuter
- Doreen M. Sterling
- Sue Sterling-Bur
-Jason Tiessen
New names include a nomination for chief of LNIB. Nicholas Peterson has had his hat thrown into the ring.
Peterson, who was a former LNIB councillor, was also a former fireman who moved to the United States to be with family. Peterson returned to the Nicola Valley last October to work as a cumulative effects coordinator within the band.
In an announcement for his bid as chief, Peterson said his platform will be based on
three truths; Our Land, Our Voice, Our Future.
“Every step (in my life) has taught me important lessons. As a first responder, I saw how trauma affects people, families and our community. That’s why healing and mental wellness will be a top priority. As a high school teacher, I learned how even small choices can change a person’s path in life. I care deeply about our youth , and they will be the focus of our leadership. Returning home, I’ve worked under the late Leesa Mike, balancing the protection of our environment - especially salmon - while supporting economic opportunities for our people,” the announcement read.
Jackson has guided LNIB through multiple projects building their community.
During his tenure, a 14-unit affordable housing complex was constructed in 2023 for LNIB band members, tackling the issue of homelessness in their community.
Also a former firefighter, Jackson has taken proactive steps in battling an evergoing issue within rural B.C. communities, wildfires.
In 2022, LNIB’s development corporation received $544,425 in funding from the Forest Enhancement Society of BC to conduct fuel management on a 17 km stretch of land called the Mameet Indian Reserve #1. A part of the project was completed in 2024, and as the job has since expanded, work is expected to continue until 2027.
Cultural burnings have also been introduced on LNIB land during his time as chief. Cultural burnings and prescribed fires are a traditional land management technique that purposely put fire to an area. The goal is to cleanse the area of disease and excess forest fuels, allowing for future ecological restoration and wildfire suppression.
For this election cycle, Jackson said he’s running on a platform of healing and transparency.
“I stand for leadership that brings healing, practices transparency, upholds objectivity and honours my commitment to our people,” he said in a facebook post.
The election will be held on Oct .4.
WINDOWS, DOORS, AND
PHOTO/HERALD FILE
Lower Nicola Indian Band members gear up for the Oct. 4 election, with Chief Stuart Jackson seeking re-election and challenger Nicholas Peterson entering the race.
SHACKAN AND NOOAITCH BANDS
2025 SPECIAL PRIZE WINNERS
High Indoor Aggregate - Koren
Lefebvre: Name on Aggregate Trophy & Keeper Trophy From Nicola Valley Fall Fair
SECTION A FLOWERS
High Point Winner - Kathy Moes:
$50 Gift Certificate - Miss Vickies
Best Overall Flower Arrangement
Kathy Moes: $10 Cash donated by Century 21 Moving Real Estate
Best Overall Potted Plant - Lucille
Smyth: $15.00 Cash - Century 21 Moving Real Estate
SECTION B FRUIT AND VEGGIES
First Prize - Koren Lefebvre:
2 $25 Gift Cards Black’s Pharmacy
Second Prize - Chelsey Greenwood
$25.00 Cash Century 21 Moving Real
Estate
Third Prize - Ron Moes:
$25.00 Cash - N V Farmers Market
High Point Veggies Classes 40-135Koren Lefebvre: $ 20.00 Cash Peggy
Fraser - Epicure
Hi Point Veggies - Classes 1-25
- Marcile Murray, Marianne Reimer, Debbie Griffiths: $25 Gift Michelle Bacon
- Epicure
SECTION C BAKING
Highest Points Baking Section - Donna Bent: $25.00 Cash Century 21 Moving Real Estate
Second Highest Points Baking Section
- Koren Lefebvre: $15.00 Cash donated by Century 21 Moving Real Estate
Third Highest Points - Michelle Hall
$10.00 Cash Century 21 Moving Real Estate
First - White Bread - Michelle Shaw:
$15.00 Cash H & R Block
Highest Points in Class 28 - Pumpkin
Pie - 1 # Garlic 3 Bar Farms - Donna Bent
SECTION D CANNING
Best in Show Rosette Fall Fair
Jill Schultz
High Points Jams and Jellies - Jill Schultz: Gift Certificate and $25.00 cash
- Tim Kroeker - Massage Therapy
High Points in Canning - Koren
LefebvreL $25.00 Gift Certificate - Tim
First Prize for Class 164
$10.00 Gift Card Save On Foods
Roxanne Lorette
Second Prize for Class 164
$10.00 Gift Card Save On Foods
Barbara Sayles
High Points in Class #30 & 31
Bucket of Honey - $21.50 Nicola Valley
Apiaries - Elizabeth Abbott
Highest Points in Class #73 - 79
$20.00 Cash Peggy Fraser – Epicure
Elizabeth Abbott
Highest Points in Class 126 – 137
$15.00 Gift Michelle Bacon – Epicure
Chelsea Greenwood
SECTION D1 WINE
Highest Points U-Brew Made WineKoren Lefebvre: $30.00 Gift Cards
Save On Foods
Highest Points Wine Kit Wine - Gift No
Frills - Diane Wandler
Highest Points Section D1 – Wine
$20.00 Fall Fair - Koren Lefebvre
SECTION E FORAGE & CROPS
High Aggregate Forage Section -
Chelsea Greenwood: $100.00 Cash Fall Fair
Highest Points in Classes 27 - 34
$25.00 Cash in Memory of Ellenor
Graham. Sponsored by Kathy Reimer/ Susan Thompson - Ryder Greenwood
Highest Points in Classes 40 - 72
- Chelsea Greenwood: $25.00 Gift Card
Hub International
SECTION F FINE ARTS
High Points - First Place Winner $50.00
Gift Certificate Mandolins-Diane Wandler
High Points - Second Place Winner
- Acacia Veenstra: $15.00 Cash - Kat Ventures Bookkeeping
Judges Choice Acacia VeenstraL
$50.00 Mr. Mikes
Best in Show - Acacia Veenstra:
$25.00 Cash - Century 21
SECTION G HOMECRAFTS
Best in Show - Classes 1 - 8 -
EmbroideryPat Robertson: Rosette
Nicola Valley Fall Fair
Best in Show - Classes 139 - 168 -
Sewing - Dawn Belanger: Rosette Nicola Valley Fall Fair
Best in Show - Classes 181 - 197Quilting - Lillian Hayes: Rosette Nicola Valley Fall Fair
Judges Choice Ribbon - Laura Abbott:
High Points - Classes 70 - 93 - Laurel McDonald: $25.00 Gift Certificate
-Maranne Reimer
High Points in Sewing Classes 139-168
- Dawn Belanger: $20.00 Cash CardNicola Valley Fall Fair
High Points in Quilting Classes 180197- Lillian Hayes: Fat Quarter Bundleapprox $30.00 - Marianne Reimer
High Points in Embroidery
- Isabelle Douthwright/Pat Robertson:
$25.00 Cash - Century 21
High Points in Homecraft - Lillian
Hayes: $25.00 Gift Certificate - Creative Company
High Point in Quilting Lillian Hayes
$50 Membership Nicola Valley Quilters Guild
SECTION H HOBBIES
Best in Class 1 - 3 - Cliff Reimer: $25.00
Gift Certificate - Vision Quest
Best in Show - Class 36 - 44 - Diane
Wandler: Rosette Nicola Valley Fall Fair
Judges Choice - Most Unique in ShowKaren McKenna: $25.00 Cash Fall Fair
Judges Choice - Best in Show
- Jean Guy Dupuis: $20.00 Cash NMV
Lumber
Highest Points - Amanda Pryzner-Dunn:
$50.00 Gift certificate Mr. Mikes
SECTION I ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS
Division A - Kindergarten to Grade 3
Highest Points - Gracyn MacKay Smith:
$10.00 Cash - Century 21
Second Highest Points - Kasey
Greenwood : Gift Card - Dairy Queen
Third Highest Points - Archer
Greenwood: $5.00 cash – Merritt Stock Car
Highest Points in Fine Arts - Gracyn
MacKay Smith: $7.50 Cash - Sponsored in Memory of Ignatia Grams
Best Vegifruitable
Best In Show Rosette from Nicola Valley Fall Fair
Collection of Seeds - Archer Greenwood
Gift Cert Medium Pizza – Panago
Photography - Archer Greenwood:
$5.00 Cash from Sharon Keyser
High Points Homecrafts - Annora
Heppner: 10 Free Aquatic Centre
Admissions City of Merritt
SECTION I ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS
Division B - Grade 4 to Six
Highest Points - Hendrix Farrell : $10.00 Cash - Century 21
Second Highest Points - Lindon MacKay
Smith: Gift Card - Dairy Queen
Third Highest Points - Ryder
Greenwood: $5.00 Cash Merritt Stock Car Association
Fourth Highest Points - Rayah Connolly
$5.00 cash - Merritt Stock Car Association
Highest Points in Fine Arts - Lillian
Heppner: $7.50 Cash Sponsored in Memory of Ignatia Grams
Vegifruitable - Lydon MacKay Smtih
Best in Show Rosette from Nicola Valley Fall Fair
Highest Points for Collection of Seeds - Ryder Greenwood : Medium Pizza Panago
Highest Points in Photography - Ryder
Greenwood: $5.00 cash from Sharon Keyser
SECTION I ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY STUDENTS
Division C - Grade Seven to Nine
High Points Homecrafts
10 Free Admissions to Nicola Valley
Aquatic
Centre City of Merritt - Evelyn Heppner
High Points -Evelyn Heppner
$10,00 cash Century 21
Second High Points - Zion Connolly
Gift Certificate Dairy Queen
Third High Points Lucy Hoad
$5.00 cash Merritt Stock car Association
High Points Fine Arts - Evelyn Heppner
$7.50 Cash Sponsored in Memory of Ignatia Grams
Creative Writing - Evelyn Heppner
Teen Burger, Regular Root Beer/Fries – A & W
SECTION K PHOTOGRAPHY
Highest Points - Jamie Swakum: $25.00
Gift Cert and Trophy - Pharmasave
Best Picture In Show - Jamie Swakum : $25.00 Gift Certificate & Trophy Pharmasave
Judges Choice -Mandi Farrell: $15.00
Cash - Ralph’s Custom Pens & More
Highest Points - Class 6A to 10D
- Jamie Swakum: $15.00 Cash - Ralph’s
Custom Pens & More
Highest Points - Class 16A to 23D -
Jamie Swakum : $15.00 Cash - Ralph’s
Custom Pens & More
Highest Points - Class 11A to 15DJaimie Swakum: $15.00 Cash - Ralph’s
Custom Pens & More
COLOURING CONTEST WINNERS
K-Grade 3
First -Queran
Second - tied: Kasey Greenwood, Deia
Third - tied Asccs, Morgan Greenwood
Gr 4 - Gr 6
First - Ryder Greenwood
2025 NICOLA VALLEY FALL FAIR SPONSORS
THANK YOU to our many sponsors from the business community, your support is an important part of the success of our Fall Fair and we truly appreciate your help to achieve our goals each year.
• A & W Restaurant
• Black’s Pharmacy
• Century 21 Moving Real Estate
• City of Merritt
• Creative Company
• Dairy Queen
• H & R Block
• Hub International
• In Memory of Ellenor Graham
– Kathy Reimer/Susan Thompson
• In Memory of Ignatia Grams
– Eleanor Ware
• Jim Rabbitt
• Kat Ventures Bookkeeping
• Marianne Reimer
• Mandolins
• McDonald’s
• Merritt City Council & Staff
• Merritt Herald
• Merritt Stock Car Association
• Michel Bacon – Epicure
• Miss Vicki’s
• Mr. Mikes
• NMV Lumber
• Nicola Valley Fall Fair
• Nicola Valley Massage Therapy
• No Frills • Panago
• Peggy Fraser-Epicure
• Pharmasave
• Ralphs Custom Pens and More
• Reimer Family • Save On Foods
• Sharon Keyser
• Tibar Construction
• Tim Kroeker Massage Therapy
• TNRD- Directors David Laird and Herb Graham
• Vision Quest • YRB
TO VIEW ALL OPEN CLASS WINNERS
FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD PRIZES are posted on our Facebook page.
City of Merritt considers new policy to curb public drinking.
ALCOHOL RESTRICTIONS PROPOSED FOR MERRITT’S PUBLIC SPACES
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
Alcohol drinking culture could be taking a hit as the City of Merritt is looking at ways to end unauthorized drinking on their properties.
Wanting to minimize the legal risk to the city, discussions have been held within the city’s policy committee to develop a framework in which alcohol consumption would be banned on their properties, except in special circumstances.
The discussions stem from what seems like frequent use of city facilities as locations to drink alcohol.
The City of Merritt’s chief administrative officer Cynthia White said the drinking problem could eventually end up with an accident with the city being liable.
“We have certain facilities where drinking in unlicensed premises (is common). That puts a huge liability on us, which is why we are doing this,” She said.
White also said adopting this policy will give framework to how to handle repeat offenders.
Depending on how council decides to adopt the bylaw - which was well received by the members of the policy committee which includes Mayor Goetz, and councilors Wendy Charney, Adam Etchart and Yvonne Baxter - a tiered structure regarding dealing with offenders will be used.
White proposed a system in which offenders will be warned for first offences, then hit with a potential temporary or permanent ban upon repeat offences.
Goetz said he agrees with the tiered system, though he would like to see that a fine would be issued before a ban.
Goetz also said he agrees with the sentiment around the policy, saying that allowing drinking on city grounds could lead to situations where underage drinking is promoted.
The mayor said he knows people that bring their kids to participate in adult sports leagues where drinking occasionally happens in the dressing room.
“They’re sitting in the dressing room while that’s going on and they’re underage. So
that’s a big concern,” he said.
Charney herself said the policy would be good to change the “culture” around drinking.
This isn’t a problem Merritt faces alone, said White.
“Every single community in this country fights this problem,” she said.
A 2021 study from the University of Victoria found that municipal spaces being free for alcohol consumption lead to increased harm to a community through direct causes like impaired driving or secondary causes like assault through alcohol.
Municipalities in other parts of B.C., such as Port Alberni, have been looking to adopt municipal alcohol policies to deal with their own drinking problems amongst their populations.
For Merritt, the current proposed policy will involve the a ban of alcohol at events held at the following locations, as well as in any event targeted towards youth;
• Nicola Valley Memorial Arena Dressing Rooms.
• Nicola Valley Aquatic Centre pool deck and viewing area.
• Nicola Valley Aquatic Centre change rooms.
• Parks with playgrounds as the primary use.
• Ball Park Dugouts.
There will also be locations where a “special occasion” liquor license would be able to be obtained;
• Community and Civic Centre – rooms and foyer.
• Arena Floor.
• Arena Mezzanine.
• Arena Stands as outline is Special Occasion Permit for Junior Hockey and adult sport events.
• Sports Fields – approved beer garden area.
• Rotary Park – approved beer garden related to live performance events.
• Council Chambers and City Hall Foyer – special receptions.
• Cadet Hall – special receptions.
SEPTEMBER 20-21,
Artists, crafters, beaders Preserves, plants, foods, medicines Farm and produce stalls
CITY RECONSIDERS GRANT-IN-AID PROGRAM AMID BUDGET PRESSURE
The City of Merritt is looking to adopt a new model for their grant in aid program. The grant in aid program is designed to help organizations that can bring positive or economic benefit to the community
The assistance was given to these community organizations through money grants drawing from a pool of $25,000.
Developments from city discussions are hinting that the city may be looking for an alternative to giving money as the city feels like the grant-in-aids are becoming a part of these organizations’ operating budget.
“We become a part of their business model, and we can’t keep doing it,” said Merritt Mayor Mike Goetz during a Sept. 4 Policy Committee meeting in which their grant-in-aid policy was discussed.
The organizations applying for the financial aid or the in-kind funding are classified as non-for-profit or community
will use it to provide benefit to the Merritt community as a whole, whether it is money to help host events like the Fall Fair, or for upgrades for equipment, like the Merritt Snowmobile Club requested this year.
This year, the total amount requested in all 25 applications in the 2025 grant in aid period on Feb. 11 were nearly $60,000. Of this, $8,500 was given out of the grant in aid budget.
Another $14,385 was given for in-kind
by: Adina Gray -
This one-hour Lunch & Learn is designed for anyone — whether you’ve never used AI or have tried tools like ChatGPT. You’ll get a clear, practical introduction to what Artificial Intelligence is (and isn’t), along with real examples of how it’s already part of daily life. The session includes live demonstrations of popular AI tools. No tech background needed — just a bit of curiosity.
Murray GM is thrilled to introduce Marcos Lima, our new dealership manager and his hardworking team, proud to serve the Nicola Valley with integrity and dedication.” -
- Murray GM
I’m very thankful for the Murray Auto Group for the opportunity and wishing Richard and his family all the best.
- Marcos Lima
INTRODUCING NEW DEALERSHIP MANAGER
Murray GM in Merritt is entering a new chapter under fresh leadership, but the dealership’s commitment to its customers and community remains as strong as ever.
The store, part of the Murray Auto Group, has been a fixture in the Nicola Valley since 2006. The Murray family has been in the automotive business since 1926, expanding from a single dealership in Souris, Manitoba, to a network of dealerships across Canada. Known for its motto Our Reputation is Your Guarantee, the group has built its legacy on customer service and community involvement — values that new general manager Marcos Lima says will continue to guide the Merritt location.
Originally from Brazil, Lima and his wife moved to Canada looking for a safer environment and more opportunities to raise their family. While he had a background in law and IT, Lima said his passion for cars eventually led him into the automotive industry.
“When I moved to Canada, I couldn’t continue in law because of the certifications required, but cars have always been my passion,” he said. “I started working in the industry and I just knew this was where I belonged.”
He joined Murray GM in Winnipeg, where he spent five years, investing in further education through Georgian College in Ontario to prepare for a leadership role in dealership management. When the opportunity arose to buy into the Merritt location, Lima didn’t hesitate.
“I had never been to B.C. before and couldn’t even point Merritt out on a map,” he said with a laugh. “But it came as a very good surprise. Merritt has the infrastructure we need as a family, it’s close to major centres, but it’s also a small town with a beautiful environment and a great quality of life.”
Lima said his vision for Murray GM Merritt is about longterm relationships — with customers, employees, and the
wider community. He acknowledges the unique challenges of running a smaller dealership in a competitive region, with larger markets like Kamloops, Kelowna, and the Lower Mainland close by.
“Our customers could easily choose to shop elsewhere,” he said. “That means we have to give them real reasons to come here — competitive prices, strong service, and the kind of small-town support that keeps people coming back.”
Part of that support includes investing in employees. The dealership recently hired additional staff, bringing the total to 25, and expanded its service hours to include Saturdays, reducing the need for customers to travel to Kamloops. Lima said his goal is to empower staff to make the right decisions for customers, which in turn builds trust and loyalty.
“I like to sleep well at night knowing our customers and employees are looked after,” he said. “Business is built on people, and if we treat them right, they’ll stay with us.”
Community partnerships are also a key part of Lima’s approach. Murray GM Merritt sponsors local organizations and events including the Merritt Centennials, Nicola Valley Little Britches Rodeo,Nicola Valley Cruisers car club, the Otters swim team, the Christmas board, the local food bank and community fundraisers
“It might be a small contribution at times, but the important part is to be present and supportive,” Lima explained. “We get requests every day, and while we can’t do everything, we do as much as possible. Long-term, I’d like to build more structured partnerships in Merritt.”
Looking ahead, Lima is also preparing the dealership for industry shifts, particularly the rise of electric vehicles (EVs). With government mandates and manufacturer focus on EVs, he said Murray GM is working on training, infrastructure, and inventory to serve future demand.
“I believe Merritt is in a strong position with its EV infrastructure,” he said. “Our goal is to make sure customers here don’t feel like they have to leave town to explore electric options.”
Lima also sees opportunities in expanding services beyond vehicle sales. With Merritt lacking a car wash, he noted the dealership’s growing detail department is filling that gap, while also creating new jobs.
For Lima, though, settling in Merritt is about more than running a dealership. Having recently moved his wife and young son to town, he said they are excited to make Merritt their home.
“I’ve been very thankful for the warm welcome from staff and the community,” he said. “Now it’s about building connections, encouraging people to shop local, and showing that we’re here for the long term. If the community grows, the dealership grows with it.”
With GM’s presence in Merritt dating back to the 1950s, Lima said he is proud to carry forward that tradition. Backed by the Murray Auto Group’s extensive network — which offers access to over 2,200 Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC vehicles across Western Canada — he’s confident the dealership can offer both selection and service to keep customers close to home.
“I don’t take Merritt for granted,” Lima said. “The community supports us, and it’s our responsibility to support them back. That’s the only way to build something that lasts.”
General Motors has stood the test of time in this community — while other manufacturers have come and gone, GM has continuously maintained operations in Merritt since the 1950s. That longevity is a true testament to the quality and reputation of the brand
ALGAE TECH OFFERS HOPE FOR NICOLA LAKE AND LOCAL FARMS
C Zero Bio presents innovative system at NVIT that purifies water, restores soil, and supports climate goals—with potential applications for Nicola Lake’s toxic blooms.
LAÍSA CONDÉ newsroom@merrittherald.com
With toxic algae blooms increasingly affecting Nicola Lake, local residents gathered at NVIT on Aug. 27 to learn about a potential solution from C Zero Bio, a B.C.-based company specializing in algae-based technologies.
The presentation highlighted how the company’s innovative system could help restore lake health, support local agriculture, and contribute to climate action.
The event, hosted in partnership with the Lower Nicola Indian Band Development Corporation (LNIBDC), featured C Zero Bio’s chief strategy officer Genio Pugliese, CFO Tim Gamble, and scientific partner Dr. Laila Benkrima from Simon Fraser University. Attendees included concerned citizens, local leaders, and representatives from environmental and agricultural sectors.
Pugliese opened the presentation by connecting global climate issues to local impacts.
“Imagine a world where the air we breathe is cleaner, where the food we eat is more sustainable, and the energy we use is renewable,” he said. “Now imagine that world slipping through your fingers because we failed to act today.” He cited the rising temperatures, intensifying wildfires, degraded soils, and toxic algae blooms in Nicola Lake as examples of environmental stress directly affecting the Nicola Valley.
The company’s system uses microalgae grown in enclosed vertical “mega cell” farms. This algae-based technology both purifies contaminated water and captures carbon dioxide from industrial sources.
The process produces two key outputs: a liquid bio-stimulant, Bio Enhancer, which restores soil health and supports crop growth, and renewable biomass, which can be converted into animal feed, biofuels, and nutritional supplements for humans.
“Healthy soil is alive with microbes that recycle nutrients, retain water, and store carbon,” Pugliese explained. “Industrial farming stripped the life out of the soil, and that damage shows up downstream in our watersheds, including Nicola Lake. To fix our water, we must also fix our soil.”
Dr. Benkrima, an agronomist at SFU,
emphasized the scientific rigor behind the project.
“Our mission is to empower the agriculture sector by de-risking technology and helping with the adoption of solutions that make farming more productive, profitable, and sustainable,” she said.
“The system C Zero Bio is developing is impressive, especially because it can use wastewater and scale production inside closed, vertical systems. Early results have shown improved nitrogen availability, stronger plant growth, and enhanced poultry health when used as feed supplementation.”
Gamble noted that what sets the project apart is its scalability and economic viability.
“Microalgae can do in 24 hours what fossil fuels take millions of years to produce,” he said.
“The challenge has always been doing it at scale. Our system is modular, efficient, and can be deployed in ordinary greenhouses. We’re confident it can make a real impact here in the Nicola Valley.”
A key topic of discussion was the potential application of the technology to Nicola Lake. Pugliese and Gamble described a multi-step approach that includes analyzing water quality, deploying modules that inject oxygen and ozone, and using the algae system to remove toxins and nutrients that fuel blooms. Similar methods have been successfully used in lakes and ponds elsewhere, including a large project in Florida.
C Zero Bio’s approach also integrates agriculture, offering a bio-stimulant that can be applied to local farms.
“It’s highly concentrated, so even large farms only need a few gallons per acre,” Pugliese explained. “It’s cost-effective and compatible with existing farming practices. And the biomass can support biofuel markets, animal feed, and even human nutrition.”
The company stressed the broader benefits of the initiative, including job creation, renewable energy production, and verified carbon credits.
“This isn’t just about algae,” Pugliese said. “It’s about cleaner water, restored soils, renewable energy, and economic regeneration for the whole valley.”
PHOTO/SIMON RIZZARDO/BIG POWER FILMS
A view of the toxic algae bloom that affected Nicola Lake in July, highlighting ongoing environmental challenges in the Nicola Valley.
2 Rivers Remix Society gratefully acknowledges the financial support of this project by the Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia, and the Vancouver Foundation.
2025 RODEO PARADE — WINNERS ANNOUNCED
LAÍSA CONDÉ newsroom@merrittherald.com
The 2025 Rodeo Parade showcased creativity and community spirit, with the Grasslands 4H Club winning the Grand Prize. Other winners include:
Most Original:
– Amanda Lamothe & 2 Sons
– Merritt Mom’s & Families
– Hat Doctor
Most Enthusiastic:
– Lower Nicola Indian Band Fire Rescue
– 3 Happy
– Smiley Ladies Best Youth Group: – Merritt Centennials
– Merritt Dance Society / Love To Dance Society Honourable Mention: – Baek’s Taekwondo Academy
– Merritt Speedway
– Sett Electric
– Yellow Truck Done As A Terrancula Bug Eyes & Tentacles
Rodeo Parade organizer Jacqueline Whitecross thanked all participants for their enthusiasm and creativity, making this year’s parade a great success.
PHOTOS/LAÍSA CONDÉ
few pictures of this year’s Rodeo Parade winners.
LEGION CELEBRATES SERVICE AND COMMUNITY DURING LEGION WEEK
LAÍSA CONDÉ newsroom@merrittherald.com
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 96 in Merritt is gearing up for its annual Legion Week, running this year from Sep. 21 to 27, with a special community-focused event planned for Friday, Sep. 26.
Alphonse L’abbé, president of the local legion, said the day will feature an open house upstairs at the legion, showcasing memorabilia and photographs that highlight the organization’s long history.
emphasized the legion’s broader role in supporting veterans and the community.
“We’re not just there to support community events,” he said. “A lot of it is for veterans and for working members, like the RCMP, who are veterans themselves. We also help the community through the food bank and school bursaries.”
“Legion Week is about having people recognize who we are and what we do.”
— Alphonse L’abbé
“We’ve got a lot of old pictures that people have brought us, and we’ve got them stored upstairs because we don’t have enough room downstairs to hang them all. That’s when we bring all that stuff out,” he said.
The celebration will include free hamburgers, hot dogs, and non-alcoholic beverages from 12 to 4 p.m., with the patio open for barbecuing. Local cadets and Girl Guides may also participate, L’abbé added, helping the legion demonstrate its community ties.
Elderly Indigenous members from the Lower Nicola community will display their own memorabilia to honour their elders, reflecting the legion’s commitment to inclusivity and recognition of all who have served.
Beyond the celebration, L’abbé
This year, the legion provided $8,000 in bursaries to local students. The poppy fund, L’abbé explained, is also crucial in assisting veterans with needs not covered by other programs, from medical travel to dental care.
“We’ve helped people get dental work, we’ve supported homeless veterans, and it really makes a difference in their lives,” he said.
Membership at the Merritt branch has grown to around 330, up roughly 100 members over the past few years, L’abbé said. The legion is also expanding community engagement with biweekly Friday night suppers, music, and other activities running through the spring and summer.
“Legion Week is about having people recognize who we are and what we do,” L’abbé said. “We do a lot of work beyond what people see, and this event is a great way to share that with the community.”
LIVE Music & Entertainment
By Jeff Wyatt, Cardboard Alley Productions
September 27 and 28, 2025
Saturday: 9 am - 5 pm and Sunday: 9 am - 3 pm
ENTERTAINMENT ALL DAY LONG SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
CASH CONCESSION: Saturday: 9 am - 4:30 pm and Sunday: 9 am - 2:30 pm
All proceeds help to support the Lower Nicola Community Hall.
SHOP, EXPLORE, AND CONNECT WITH OVER 90 VENDORS ON SITE.
Lower Nicola Garlic Festival
LOCATION: 2428 Aberdeen Road, Lower Nicola, BC
OUR COMMUNITY
The Royal Canadian Legion in Merritt hosts community events and activities to honour veterans and support local initiatives.
AMERICAN RUNNER NEARS FINISH OF TERRY FOX’S DREAM
65-year-old cancer survivor Helene Neville passes through Merritt on her cross-country run to complete the “Marathon of Hope” started by Terry Fox over 40 years ago.
PHOTO/TY LIM
Helene Neville, 65, makes a stop in Merritt on her cross-country run to finish Terry Fox’s Marathon of Hope, a journey inspired by her own battle with Stage 4 cancer and a mission to spread a message of resilience and hope.
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
An American is silently making waves around Canada as she looks to be the first woman to finish Terry Fox’s cross-country run.
Last Thursday, Helene Neville, 65, set her feet down in Merritt as she begins to close down to her ultimate destination, Victoria, B.C. to finish the “Marathon of Hope”.
Helene Neville was attending high school in Vermont, U.S., when Fox was making international headlines for his “Marathon of Hope” which increased cancer awareness as well as raised money for research into a potential cure. Unfortunately, no cure was ever found for cancer despite Fox’s run inspiring millions, including Neville. Cancer continues to be the leading cause of death in Canada. The most recent numbers from Statistics Canada show that almost 85,000 people died from cancer causes. In 2020, Neville was one of those people affected with cancer.
A longtime runner, Neville had been participating in cross-country marathons since 2010.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she was working as a travelling nurse on the frontlines of the crisis while in New Mexico. While on the job, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer.
“When they diagnosed me, it was everywhere already, in my liver, my bone marrow,” she said., saying she was given around two months to live. “I think I was in so much shock,” she said. “I was out there on the front lines as a nurse and then I got sick in a place I didn’t know
anybody.”
Neville was heartbroken by the news. Still, she was inspired to fight against the cancer, eventually winning as she went into remission.
After healing, Neville undertook running again in 2023. She ran the “Bridges of Hope Run” that year, going from San Francisco to Brooklyn, raising funds for her oncologist that treated her when she was sick, who was also afflicted with cancer.
In 2024 she completed two more marathons.
This year, inspired by Fox’s story, Neville decided to attempt to complete the late athletes “Marathon of Hope”.
After going through her own battle with Stage Four cancer, Neville said she felt a connection to Fox that makes her want to stand for his message of “hope”.
“I just have always wanted to do (the Marathon of Hope) after I finished the US (run), because everything he said, I lived through more than once, and just to go out and finish it for him,” she said.
“I can’t believe what he did, especially in the 80s, no social media, and everybody knew about it. And he was on those ill fitting prosthetics they used in the 80s,” she said. “I’m glad that Canada celebrates him.”
Neville started her run in May in Thunder Bay, Ontario, picking up where Fox left off. She runs about 48km each day adorned in her Canadian styled running suit, a “hope” bracelet around her neck and sometimes with a “hope” flag.
Neville has been helped by a few people along her journey, including strangers who have assisted her in finding routes for her or places for her to park her RV for
the night. She attributes the kindness of strangers to an age-old Canadian stereotype.
“Everybody’s been so kind, just like we’ve heard. It’s the friendliest place, friendliest country, or our great neighbors to the north, I think (the trip) pretty much proved that,” she said, wanting to mend relations between Americans and Canadians.
Across the highways of Canada, the sights of the Canadian wilderness were beautiful for her to see. Still the winding roads, especially in B.C., proved a dangerous journey.
“(The most dangerous part is) the traffic, the speed and the volume, yeah, especially, I have to switch sides because the blind turns I run against traffic,” she said.
Helping her through it all is her childhood friend Susan Dougherty Wunderlich, who reconnected with Neville to help her with her marathons.
On Aug. 17, Neville celebrated her birthday while on the road. She turned 65 and ran 65 km that day.
Coincidentally that is about 41 miles, which is the same age as her cancer-stricken oncologist.
Neville reached Merritt Sept. 4, interviewing with the Herald and staying at the Claybanks RV Park.
Her next destination was Hope, where she said she wished to scatter some of the ashes of her late brother.
“I’m gonna put them at Hope, okay, in hope, because that’s kind of my motto, or my mission,” she said.
Neville is also an author, and has written books on running and her fight with cancer.
“I just want to be an example of hope of kindness,” she said.
THE SPIRIT OF THE WEST THROUGH RANCH LIFE AND COWBOY CULTURE
Douglas Lake artist Alexandra Verboom Fritz captures the enduring spirit of Western Canada’s cowboys and ranch life in The West is Still Alive, on display at the Courthouse Gallery until Sept. 26.
LAÍSA CONDÉ newsroom@merrittherald.com
The enduring traditions of ranch life in Western Canada are at the heart of a new exhibition that opened this month in Kamloops, where Douglas Lake-based artist Alexandra Verboom Fritz brings the working cowboy and ranch family life to canvas.
The Kamloops Courthouse Art Gallery is hosting The West is Still Alive: Cowboys, Cattle & Cowponies, a solo exhibition by Fritz, running from September 5 to 26.
Fritz’s oil paintings celebrate contemporary ranch life in Western Canada, depicting cowboys and cowgirls working cattle across landscapes and in all weather.
I
catch my eye,” Fritz said. “The connection between horse and rider, or cattle being gently moved—those are the kinds of scenes I love to paint.”
The collection also emphasizes family life on ranches, something Fritz says reflects her own stage of life.
“We have two little ones right now, and for them to see and participate in ranch work has been really special,” she said. “Kids play a big role within ranching families, and they’re the ones who are going to carry on these traditions.”
For the first time, Fritz has also incorporated strong landscape elements into her paintings. Influences from the Fraser River Valley and, more recently, the Nicola Valley appear throughout the collection.
feel in love with the culture and the heritage. The men and women out riding every day are doing things very similarly to how they were done 100 years ago. Those timeless traditions of the West are really inspiring.
Her style combines realistic detail with expressive brushwork, highlighting both the vitality of the working cowboy and the atmosphere of the land—from the Fraser River country to the grasslands of the Nicola Valley.
Alexandra Verboom Fritz
The artist said her focus on western themes began after working at the Gang Ranch in the Chilcotin area in 2018.
“That was the first time I was really fully immersed in the cowboy life, and it was really eye-opening for me,” she explained. “I fell in love with the culture and the heritage. The men and women out riding every day are doing things very similarly to how they were done 100 years ago. Those timeless traditions of the West are really inspiring.”
Her process often begins by photographing ranch crews at work, capturing subtle moments rather than staged scenes.
“It’s usually the quiet moments that
“At first I didn’t like the sagebrush country,” she admitted. “But within months, I completely fell in love with it – the subtleness of the colors, the cliffs, the purples and reds and greens. It really transformed my art.”
Through this exhibition, Fritz hopes visitors leave with a greater appreciation for ranching life.
“I want to honour the people who are carrying on the traditions of the West and their deep connection to the land,” she said. “Ranchers are some of the best stewards I’ve ever seen. They care so much about the land and the animals, and I’m honored to be able to tell part of that story.”
Following the Kamloops exhibition, Fritz will show her work at Art of the Bridal Forest in Barriere on September 20–21 and at Farm Fair International in Edmonton in November. She will also complete commissioned paintings later this year.
The Kamloops Courthouse Art Gallery is located at 7 Seymour St. West and is open Tuesday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
PHOTOS/ALEXANDRA VERBOOM FRITZ
Douglas Lake-based artist Alexandra Verboom Fritz captures the spirit of Western Canadian ranch life in her solo exhibition, The West is Still Alive: Cowboys, Cattle & Cowponies, now showing at the Kamloops Courthouse Art Gallery.
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NICOLA VALLEY SPORTS
CENTS START PRESEASON WITH BACK-TO-BACK WINS
LAÍSA CONDÉ newsroom@merrittherald.com
The Merritt Centennials couldn’t have asked for a better start to the 2025-26 preseason, picking up back-to-back victories over the Osoyoos Coyotes and Kamloops Storm over the weekend.
Friday, Sep. 5 – Merritt
Centennials 4 – Osoyoos Coyotes 1
The Centennials opened their exhibition schedule at Nicola Valley Memorial Arena with a composed and convincing 4-1 win over the Osoyoos Coyotes.
Merritt set the tone early in the game with strong puck possession and forechecking pressure.
It didn’t take long for the Cents’ offense to get going, as Troy Horn potted the first goal of the game just under two minutes in the first period.
The Centennials continued to dominate the first period as Rune Carlson found the back of the net during a power play, turning it into a two-goal lead.
During the second period, the Cents seemed to have found their rhythm and dominated the period with 22 shots on goal against eight for the Coyotes.
Merritt’s Evan Thachuk put it past the goalie in the second frame of the game, making the score 3-0 to the home team.
The three-goal lead would carry until 12 minutes into the middle frame, when Taynon Charters scored the only goal of the game for Osoyoos.
In the final frame, the Centennials’ offense didn’t slow down, as Troy Horn fired a shot into the back of the net for his second goal of the night.
The Merritt Centennials won 4-1 against the Osoyoos Coyotes in their first of five exhibition games this preseason.
Saturday, Sep. 6 – Merritt
Centennials 5 – Kamloops Storm 4
Saturday’s game against the Kamloops Storm provided a much different test for the Merritt Centennials, who found themselves in a run-and-gun affair in Kamloops.
The Cents traded leads with Kamloops in a fast-paced back-and-forth matchup that ended in a 5-4 victory for the visiting team.
The first period saw Kamloops storm out of the gate strong as they opened the scoreboard with back-to-back goals just under four minutes into the game.
The two-goal lead wouldn’t last long as Brayden Thurlow found the back of the net for the Cents shortly after, making the score 2-1.
Later in the period, Kamloops would increase their lead with Spencer McCallum’s shorthanded goal.
The Centennials ruled the second period by adding two unanswered goals by Keegan Sanders and Roman O’Regan, tying it 3-3.
In the final period, Merritt took the lead as Sanders potted two other goals to make it 5-3.
A shy goal by the Storm during the last couple of minutes of the game wasn’t enough to take the win from Merritt.
The Merritt Centennials won 5-4 against the Kamloops Storm, clinching their second win in their preseason road.
The Cents will hit the home ice again on Thursday, Sep. 11, against the Quesnel River Rush for their third game before regular season. Merritt will also face Kamloops once again on Friday, Sep. 12, at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.
PHOTOS/LAÍSA CONDÉ
The Merritt Centennials opened their 2025–26 preseason with a pair of wins, defeating the Osoyoos Coyotes 4–1 at home before edging the Kamloops Storm 5–4 on the road.
assistant coach of Team BC lacrosse at the 2025 Canada Summer Games, marking another milestone in his long coaching career.
CANADA GAMES MILESTONE FOR MANUEL WITH TEAM BC LACROSSE
LAÍSA CONDÉ newsroom@merrittherald.com
Merritt’s Buzz Manuel has added another medal to his long list of accomplishments, this time as assistant coach for Team BC lacrosse at the 2025 Canada Summer Games in Newfoundland.
The silver medal marks a milestone for Manuel, who now holds medals from every province.
Manuel described the Games as an “amazing experience” and said he felt grateful for the opportunity to work with such a talented group of young players.
Team B.C. faced a rocky start in the round robin, dropping their first two games to Ontario and Nova Scotia.
With only a couple days of rest after traveling across the country, the team struggled to find their footing. But once settled, B.C. found momentum with back-to-back wins over Alberta and Quebec, finishing second in their pool.
That set up a quarter-final match against Manitoba, which B.C. won handily. In the semifinals, they faced Alberta for a rematch. The game was tight throughout, with B.C. tying it late in the third period before scoring in sudden-death overtime to advance to the gold medal game.
The final against Ontario brought together two of Canada’s lacrosse powerhouses. Despite generating plenty of scoring chances, B.C. couldn’t break through Ontario’s defense and had to settle for silver.
“When you go into the Canada Games, you’re going in with the best of the best from each province,” Manuel said. “The competition is at the highest level, and it didn’t fail. These boys are only 15 and 16 years old, and the maturity and resilience they showed was something to be proud of.”
The team’s time at the Athletes’ Village added to the experience, giving players the chance to bond away from their families and compete alongside the country’s top athletes.
While Team BC had been aiming for gold—hoping to follow up on the province’s 2023 championship— Manuel said he is proud of the accomplishment and the lessons learned.
He also reflected on the traditional aspect of the sport, reminding players that lacrosse is known as the Creator’s Game, or the Medicine Game, and should be played with respect and good sportsmanship.
Manuel noted the growth of lacrosse across the country, pointing to Nova Scotia’s impressive showing as a sign the game is thriving beyond its traditional strongholds of BC and Ontario.
Personally, the silver medal is a meaningful achievement.
“It’s something to be very proud of and something I didn’t think was possible,” Manuel said, adding that he is excited to share it with his family and community.
Looking ahead, Manuel plans to continue coaching lacrosse at the BC Summer Games in Kelowna next year, with hopes of returning to another Canada Games in the future. He has also been added to the coaching staff for the upcoming BC Winter Games, where he will work with youth archery athletes.
For Manuel, the Canada Summer Games reinforced the power of sport.
“It’s an amazing experience for all youth and coaches,” he said. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Volunteer with the Centennials and help keep BC’s longest-running junior hockey tradition alive while building community pride.
THE CENTENNIALS ARE LOOKING FOR
FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS:
• Activity Coordinator
• Anthem Singers
• Public Address Announcer
• GAME DAY: Camera Operators, Radio Colour Commentators, Special Guests and Statistician • Bingo Workers (Thursdays) • Clerical and graphic design support
JOIN THE TEAM BEHIND THE TEAM!
PHOTO/BUZZ MANUEL
Buzz Manuel earned a silver medal as
NICOLA VALLEY COMMUNITY
Community Airport Day will return to the Merritt Airport on Sept. 20, featuring aircraft displays, vintage vehicles, helicopter tours, emergency services demos, and family-friendly fun.
WHEELS, WINGS, AND FAMILY FUN: COMMUNITY AIRPORT DAY RETURNS
TY LIM reporter@merrittherald.com
A Merritt staple-event since 2019, Community Airport Day will be returning soon.
On Sept. 20, take a family-fun trip up to the Merritt Airport to enjoy the festivities amongst a large crowd.
Community Airport Day started over five years ago in 2019 as a celebration of the 100th anniversary of the first plane to touch down at the Merritt Airport.
Aside from two years set-aside due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event has been etched into the town’s calendar each year.
This year’s event will feature much of the same fan-favourite attractions that bring people around each year.
A fleet of vintage cars and trucks will be on display, along with a few snowmobiles and sleds out for show from the Merritt Snowmobile Club. Merritt’s first responders will also be helping out
with the event. Merritt Fire Rescue will be showing off their ladder-truck and Nicola Valley Search and Rescue will be showcasing their equipment as well. Keeping to its namesake, a number of planes will be there both on the ground and in the sky. Aircraft from other airports and towns will be welcomed to add to the variety of the day.
A cancelled attraction from last year, helicopter tours are looking to be added to this year’s agenda.
In an email to the Herald, Simon Rizzardo said Valley Helicopters will be offering city tours. He said the organizing group is also looking at securing two Jet Ranger helicopters for the day. Going miniature, the RC aircraft flying group will have their tiny engines buzzing around.
Aside from that, food trucks will be at the event as well as a pancake breakfast offered by the Merritt Rotary Club for $12.
A bouncy castle from Motion Church will also be set up as an activity for children.
THE CHURCHES OF MERRITT WELCOME YOU
Crossroads Community Church
2990 Voght St. • 250-378-2911
Service Time: Sundays 10:00 a.m.
Merritt Baptist Church 2499 Coutlee Avenue (at Orme) Sunday service 10 am, Phone (250)378-2464
Merritt Lutheran Fellowship in St. Michael's Anglican Hall • 250-378-9899
Service Time: 3rd Sunday each month 1:30 p.m.
Sacred Heart Catholic Church Corner of Jackson & Blair • 250-378-2919
Mass Time: Sundays 9:00 a.m.
St. Michael’s Anglican Church
1990 Chapman St. • 250-378-3772
Service Times: 2nd and 4th Sundays only - 10:00 a.m.
Trinity United Church Corner of Quilchena & Chapman • 250-378-5735
Service Time every Sunday - 10 am
Somang Mission Community Church (SMC) 1755 Coldwater Ave. (The Cadet Hall) Sunday Service Time: 4:00 pm • 250-280-1268
Nicola Valley Evangelical Free Church
1950 Maxwell St. • 250-378-9502
Service Times: Sunday 10 am
Motion Church Merritt
Opening Service: Sunday Sept 21 - 10am
Coquihalla Middle School (2975 Clapperton Ave) www.wearemotionchurch.ca/merritt
PHOTO/SIMON RIZZARDO
CLASSIFIEDS
Merritt Funeral Chapel
Jacalyn Grace Stibbards (“Jackie”)
September 21, 1954 -- August 16, 2025
Family and friends of Jackie are mourning her untimely passing at her home on Saltspring Island. She was inspiring, dynamic, and vibrant; and had a heart as big as all outdoors.
Jackie was predeceased by her mother Mary, father Jack, older sister Lynn, and older brother Bill. Other members of the family had gone in fairly recent times: aunts and uncles that she and her siblings were close to. Thankfully, cousins are still here.
In addition to a legion of good friends ranging from Vancouver Island to the Nicola Valley and beyond (Australia, Europe) she leaves behind her loving son Dylan (father Neil), sisters Tracy, Wendy, Audrey, and brother Keith. She was also an enthusiastic and loving stepmom to Neil’s children and grandchildren.
Born in Westlock Alberta, Jackie lived in Quesnel and Fort St. John in her early years before her family moved to Saltspring Island, where she graduated from Gulf Islands Senior Secondary. Moving to Victoria she graduated from UVic’s teacher training/certification program. After earning her Teacher’s Certificate at UVic, Jackie landed her first full-time teaching job at a small school in Burton, a tiny community located on the Arrow Lakes south of Revelstoke. Out in the middle of nowhere, with no friends or relatives anywhere near, she did her best to make the most of it and made a couple of friendships that lasted over time.
While at UVic she met Neil Todd, a manager in the Fish and Wildlife Branch head office in downtown Victoria, and a romance ensued. Jackie and Neil eventually married, settling on Saltspring Island,
In 1984, Jackie supported Neil in his decision to leave his government position and he moved to the Nicola Valley to start a contract with the Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans to operate the brand new Spius Creek Salmon Hatchery. Together they formed/incorporated a company, where Jackie showed proficiency in accounting and running a business after she joined Neil.
SUDOKU
Sudoku puzzles are formatted as a 9x9 grid, broken into nine 3x3 boxes. To solve a Sudoku, the numbers 1 through 9 must fill each row, column and box. Each number can appear only once in each row, column and box. You can figure out the order in which the numbers will appear by using the numeric clues already provided in the boxes.
Jackie had remained (temporarily) at home on Saltspring to start up her own business. When she made the move to join Neil in Merritt, she brought with her what was literally a vehicle to introduce herself to the community. For a couple of seasons her Lickety-Split ice cream truck was a summertime fixture at many community outdoor events, ball tournaments, etc. Through that initial exposure she began her community involvement and made lasting friendships. And she and Neil welcomed their baby boy, Dylan, now a pilot. (Jackie was very proud!)
While living in the Nicola Valley, she enrolled at Thompson Rivers University and achieved her Bachelor of Arts degree. Throughout her school years Jackie’s artistic talents had become evident. She had a fine singing voice and this talent, her love of music, and interest in all things artistic led her to the Nicola Valley Community Arts Council. Never shy, possessing impressive energy and an outgoing nature Jackie organized many enjoyable events. She was the Art Gallery Director for a time and curated some great art shows. Jackie spent many fulfilling years in the Arts Council. Her signature achievement was leading the charge to enable acquisition of the community’s grand piano – an asset welcomed by both touring and local musicians.
Jackie was well travelled, by plane, ferry, and car. She enjoyed planning and embarking on adventures near and far. She didn’t hesitate to pop in and visit all her dear friends along her way.
In 2019, Jackie moved to Vancouver Island, where she settled into a small community in Duncan, called Sungoma. She loved it there initially. She joined the Arts community and hosted family and friends on several occasions in her cozy surroundings and on her wide deck. Last April she made the decision to settle on Salt Spring Island. She had family and friends there too and had become involved in the community, singing and volunteering.
Despite her joyful expressions and accomplishments, Jackie had internal struggles over the decades and as time and life wore on they were an overwhelming force that simply wore her out. And eventually, finally, took her.
Jackie, and her vivacious spirit, will be well remembered and greatly missed.
Amanecer: July 13, 1949 – Atardecer August 1, 2025
With deep sadness in our hearts we announce the passing of Joel Gonzalez Mena on August 1st, 2025 when he was called home into God’s arms. A loving son, husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend.
Joel went to sleep and forgot to wake up.
Joel was born in Mexico City on July 13, 1949 to Marcial Mena and Mercedes Gonzalez. Raised on the family farm, he spent his youth milking cows, playing soccer and riding 1/4 horse match races for his father. In 1968 he followed his older brothers to a lifetime in the thoroughbred racing industry as an accomplished jockey, trainer and later owner/breeder of thoroughbreds. He rode races in Mexico, California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alberta. In 1977 he moved his tack to then Exhibition Park (Hastings Park) in Vancouver, BC and began the rest of his life. Meeting his wife Karen Mena (Murray) at the racetrack the two of them built a love and life together. Joel was a fierce competitor on the back of those thoroughbreds. He loved everything about being a jockey and was an exceptional athlete.
In 1992 the Mena’s embarked on a change and bought (along with Karen’s brother & wife) an old cattle ranch in Merritt, BC and transformed it into one of the province’s top thoroughbred breeding and boarding facilities, Can-A-Mex Farms. Joel was the Mex of Can-A-Mex. He loved the farm and all the hard work that came with it. Raising a family, good race horses, fencing, building, clearing, firewood gathering, long drives into the bush, cold cervezas and a bowl of cheezies with good friends on hot days. Joel followed thoroughbred racing closely, had favourite jockeys & horses to follow, cursed and cheered at them all. He had a grande sense of humour, was a serious prankster, always opened the door for a lady, loved a good fiesta, was fiercely loyal to all his familia and never had a bad word for anyone. Selling the farm in 2018 gave the Mena’s more time to travel to Mexico, be with family, adventures in the truck and trailer, enjoying good food and good times together. Joel was a daily walker and put on 5 km per day and loved to swim at the local pool where I’m sure he told countless stories to the hot tub/ sauna crew. Joel liked to tinker on his truck and car, always keeping them in top condition. He enjoyed the classic car shows and was always on the lookout for his 67 Mustang fastback. I’m sure he’s driving one now. He loved a competitive game of cards, loud music, crazy mexican ringtone on his phone and spicy tacos. Did you know, that was his nickname: Taco!! Joel was so proud of his 2 sons Marcos and Joey and loved nothing more than to spend time with them when he could.
Joel will be deeply missed and is survived by his wife Karen Mena, his sons Marcos Francisco Mena (Shayla), Jose Joey Girard Mena, his brothers Paco, Memo (Sharon), Lalo (Becky) his sister Chata (Juan) his brother in law Doug Murray (Marcile) his in laws Gordon and Alice Murray. The extended families of his wife, his brothers, sisters and many, many nephews and nieces in Mexico, USA and Canada, and the hundreds of people that he knew from a lifetime in the thoroughbred racing industry. Joel was predeceased by his parents Marcial and Mercedes, his brother Enrique (Henry) his sister Andrea (Socorro) and his grandson Xavier Gonzalez Mena, who I know is wrapped up in his arms now, learning to speak Spanish and eat tacos together.
Joel lived a full and happy life and lived it on his own terms. No formal service by request. There will be a familia gathering in Mexico spring 2026.
Please raise a salute to a life well lived, well loved and celebrate a good man. In lieu of flowers consider making a donation to a charity of your choice in his memory.
Thank you to Merritt Funeral Chapel, Angela Texmo for your support, kindness and compassion. Special thank you to Pam and Neil Caine, Ala “Judy” Blanco, Francisco “Frank” Fuentes, and the many, many friends and family that have reached out with cards, messages, calls and surrounded us with love and support. You all know who you are and we thank you deeply. To the community of Merritt where we have called home for 33 years and created memories, tears, love and laughter. We thank you and embrace them all.
On nights when stars are hidden by clouds, never forget that they still shine!
Para el amor de mi vida Joel, te extranare por siempre, te amare profundamente, hasta el dia que estemos juntos de nuevo, con todo mi Amor, Pecas xoxo
Lorraine Yvonne Marie James
December 12, 1940 - September 1, 2025
Lorraine Yvonne Marie James (Schaab) passed away peacefully in Merritt on the evening of September 1, 2025 with family and friends nearby. Lorraine is survived by her children Lynnette Marklund (James) and Brian James, and grandchildren Ryan Marklund, Kendra Marklund, Brandon James, Emily James, and Myla James. Lorraine is also survived by siblings Irene Marchant (Schaab), Wayne Schaab, and Richard Schaab. Lorraine is predeceased by her husband, Victor James, and siblings Sharon Strachan (Schaab) and David Schaab.
Lorraine was born and raised in Penticton, B.C., where she worked at the concession at the arena during her high school years. Following graduation, Lorraine attended post secondary school to attain her teaching credentials. She then moved to Merritt where she remained for the duration of her teaching career.
Family activities while raising her children consisted of camping at Plateau Lake, attending swimming lessons and swim club sessions for her children, and time spent at various arenas to watch her son’s hockey games. Lorraine loved the Merritt outdoor pool and her home pool. She would often attend the Merritt pool to take part in the water aerobics classes and to swim laps. She loved playing games with her family and friends. She would often play cards or board games such as Monopoly with her grandchildren. She was dedicated to playing Bridge with her friends for many years and then later developed a joy for the game of Mahjong. Lorraine also had a love for scrapbooking and spent a lot of her time making all her grandchildren beautiful photo albums. Lorraine always made Christmas a special, magical time of year for her loved ones with decorations, gifts, games, good food, and special ornaments made for her grandchildren. Summer was often a wonderful opportunity for Lorraine to spend quality time connecting with her brothers and sisters. Lorraine was an amazing cook. In her early years, she and her husband always had a garden and Lorraine was often in the kitchen canning vegetables. Favourite foods that everyone loved were her delicious bran muffins with chocolate chips, rhubarb pies, rouladen, homemade soups, ham pastries, and nanaimo bars. She was often found in the kitchen with her brother, David, cooking up turkey or salmon dinners or making soups.
Lorraine was brave and strong, smart and beautiful, funny and loved. She always saw the positive and rarely complained about struggles in her life. Her greatest love, other than the love she had for her own children, was the love she had for all her grandchildren. They were the highlight of her later years and she was devoted to spending as much time as she could with them.
Lorraine’s family will miss her dearly. She will be forever loved and remembered. We will honor Lorraine’s wish to have a small family graveside service. Family sends a heartfelt thank you to everyone that cared for Lorraine during her time at the Florentine and at Gillis House.
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Joel Gonzalez Mena
Under the terms of the Warehouseman’s Lien Act, Goods and Personal Property of the persons listed below deposited at Secure-All Merritt Mini and RV Storage, 1295 Midday Valley Road, Merritt, B.C. have been seized due to non-payment of storage rent and will be sold to cover the costs of unpaid storage. These goods and personal property will be sold at a date still to be determined.
1. Utilitarian fashion accessory
4. Engine additive
7. Macaws
8. Listens to 10. Self-righteously moralistic person 12. Made of wood 13. Chinese lute 14. Beginning military rank
1. Occur
2. Show up
3. Capital of Taiwan
4. Ocean 5. Givers and ___ 6. Gets ready 8. Ad __
9. Fit of irritation
11. Criminal organization
16. Indicates near 17. Ties the score 19. Chum 20. Long ago 21. Localities 25. Midway between northeast and east 26. Make fun of 27. Tennis great Arthur
29. Construction location
30. Cow’s noise
31. Blue
32. One of the Fab
Four
39. Formula 1 team
41. Dash
42. Lifting device
43. Basics
44. Keyboard key
14. Exclamation that denotes disgust
15. American state 18. Sensor hub
19. Before 20. The boundary of a surface
22. Witnesses 23. Singular
24. Type of meal
27. Music awards show
28. Former French coin of low value
29. A bag-like structure in an animal
31. Schenectady County Airport
32. Calm down
33. Partner to cheese
34. Cola brand
35. Stepped on
36. Japanese city
45. Old Irish alphabet
46. Shaking of the Earth’s surface
48. Covered stadium
49. Sword handles
50. Longing or yearning
51. Creators’ social network
52. Boxing’s GOAT
37. Type of coating
38. A citizen of Yemen
39. Popular breakfast item corned beef __
40. On a line at right angles to a ship’s length
44. First responders
47. Short-term memory
