Merritt Herald December 23, 2021

Nicola Valley’s News Voice Since 1905

MERRITT HERALD THIS WEEK

THURSDAY, December 23, 2021 •

XMAS GREETINGS

Find inside a number of letters to Santa Claus, from the children of the Nicola Valley.

/PAGE 20-25

themerrittherald •

> www.merrittherald.com

FREE

COQ REOPENS

The Coquihalla between Merritt and Hope has reopened to commercial traffic after the flooding devastation.

/PAGE 3

Merrittonians lined Voght Street on Dec. 18 for a Christmas parade, complete with decorated trucks and Mr. and Mrs. Claus. PHOTOS / PG. 26-27

‘TIS THE SEASON Merritt Funeral Chapel Celebrating each life like no other

A Division of Service Corporation International (Canada) ULC

Local & Caring. Proudly supporting our community since 1929.

Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri.: 10:00am - 3:00pm • Wednesday 1:00pm - 6:00pm / 2113 Granite Ave., Merritt, BC

On-call 24 Hrs. a day: 250-378-2141 or 1-800-668-3379 • www.MerrittFuneralChapel.com

2 • THURSDAY,

www.merrittherald.com

December 23, 2021

Your local RE/MAX Legacy Experts providing you with the highest level of care.

250.378.6941 https://legacy.britishcolumbia.remax.ca/ #113-1700 Garcia Street Box 2257 Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 2755 Eagle Cres

Karen Bonneteau

Janis Post

PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION PERSONAL REAL ESTATE CORPORATION

250-315-5178

250-315-3672

1264 Houston Street

Ray Thompson

Brenda Thompson

Valerie Kynoch

Sarah Dickie

Jordyn Chenier

REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL

REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL

REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL

REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL

REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL

250-315-3377

250-315-8377

SL12 6528 Waterside Trail

250-280-0994

250-280-0835

SL13 6528 Waterside Trail

250-280-2353

Stephen Holbrook REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL

778-709-0363

14 Galena Ave, Logan Lake

SOLD MLS#164607 $189,000 Looking to build your dream home? This lot offers breathtak-

ing views of the Nicola Valley. In one of the most sought out areas in Merritt, this lot won’t last long! GST is not applicable & all services are underground at the lot line & would need

to be installed.

MLS#162927

$219,000

Looking for an investment, downsizing, or a first time home buyer?

This cute 3 bed, 1 bath mobile home is located close to downtown & all amenities on it’s own lot. There have been updates throughout the years such as laminate flooring, paint, brand new toilet, updated plumbing & a new HW tank. The yard is well taken care of w/ a storage shed & open parking in the front.

MLS#164854

$275,000

Welcome to Waterside Trail – a new bare land waterfront strata community in the beautiful Nicola Lakeshore Estates. Enjoy stunning panoramic views of Nicola Lake, one of BC’s premiere locations. You will enjoy year-round recreation w/ easy access to crown land, beaches, private dock & all the watersports you can imagine.

MLS#164852

$280,000

Welcome to Waterside Trail – a new bare land waterfront strata community in the beautiful Nicola Lakeshore Estates. Enjoy stunning panoramic views of Nicola Lake, one of BC’s premiere locations. You will enjoy year-round recreation w/ easy access to crown land, beaches, private dock & all the watersports you can imagine.

1410 Collett Street

2488 Coutlee Ave

SOLD MLS#164882

IF WE ALL WORK TOGETHER WE WILL RISE ABOVE

$412,000

2 bedroom, 1 bath mobile situated on .28 acres w/ stunning farmland views. This 1600 sq.ft. home has wood heat, newer stove and dishwasher. The fully fenced yard offers plum & apple trees, beautiful garden area, 2 storage sheds & RV parking.

1608 Pine Street

MLS#164098

1732 Granite Avenue

MLS#162403

RE/MAX Legacy Disaster Relief Fund.

Collectively our agents will be contributing a portion of each commission to our disaster relief fund. Our goal is to help affected community members replace lost appliances and household items.

$659,000

Very nice 4-bed, 3-bath family home located on a double lot in a great location, w/ an inground pool & private yard. The home features vaulted ceilings in the living room, open to the family room, kitchen w/ lots of cabinets, eating island & dining room & lots of bright windows.

2151 Munro Crescent

MLS#164051

$799,000

Custom 3 bed, 2 bath, 3 car garage home located on a quiet street in the desired bench area of Merritt. The main level offers a nice design w/ kitchen, dining & family room together, separate living room, 2 bedS, full bath & laundry room.

SOLD MLS#164657

1776 Juniper Drive

MLS#164050

$829,000

BEAUTY WITHIN and WITHOUT. Thoughtful landscaping on this .34+ private property has transformed this PANORAMIC VIEW LOT into an outdoor oasis. Abundant space in a level fenced yard for all your entertaining and family needs.

$459,000

Very nicely updated rancher w/ a detached wired, insulated & heated garage/shop w/ lane access. The home features 3 nice size bedrooms, an updated 3pc bathroom w/ large walk-in shower, the kitchen is spacious w/ lots of Mill Creek cabinets.

449 Woodward Avenue

MLS#164337

$525,000

Nice 3 bed, 1 bath family home located on a large .26 acre lot. The home features a nice living room open to a large entry area, the kitchen has lots of cabinets & all appliances are included. The lot is large & private & there is a detached 650 sq.ft. in-law suite.

MLS#164553 $399,900 Adorable 3 bed, 2 bath home. Refinished kitchen w/ stainless steel appliances, vinyl double glazed windows, roof 2012, gutters 2010, furnace 2009, and hot water tank 2016.

$585,000

3 bed, 2.5 bath 4 level split home on a large .36 acre corner lot in Lower Nicola. Homeowner has done many updates: decking, metal roof & siding, flooring & paint, updates to bathrooms, landscaping & engineered septic system and field in 2019. This home is perfect for a family looking for space and a yard to play in.

101-2514 Spring Bank Ave

MLS164460 $599,000 Beautiful 4 bed, 3 bath rancher style house w/ fully finished basement in strata development. Home offers open concept design w/ gorgeous double-sided fireplace, large living room & kitchen.

441 Kane Valley Road

1963 Greaves Ave

1464 Miller Road

MLS#165139 $1,1150,000 BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY PROPERTY! Usable fairly level approx. 10 acres. Lovely 3-4 bed, 3 bath, bright modern getaway, launch pad, or family home w/ 2 wood stoves & great above ground pool.

MLS#162308 $1,200,000 Amazing 4 bed, 3 bath, home on a private .41acre lot, tucked into a quiet cul-de-sac, w/ an inviting heated inground pool & detached 26’X40’ insulated, heated & wired shop/garage.

MLS#161824 $1,399,000 RETREAT & SERENITY in Miller Estates, panoramic views in an area of custom-built homes & equestrian estate properties. Oversized great room w/ vaulted ceilings to complement bright open living area.

www.merrittherald.com

Coquihalla reopens to commercial traffic After a closure of just over a month due to washouts and floods, the Coquihalla Hwy has reopened.

Repairs at Bottletop Bridge along the Coquihalla are shown on a media tour earlier this month.

JAKE COURTEPATTE/Herald

INSIDE THE HERALD Opinion --------------------- 6-7 Sports ------------------ 30-31 Classifieds ---------- 33-34

WEATHER Dec. 24: Snow -5°/-15°C Dec. 25: Snow -13°/-22°C Dec. 26: Cloudy -19°/-29°C Dec. 27: Cloudy -22°/-29°C Dec. 28: Cloudy -19°/-26°C Dec. 29: Cloudy -19°/-26°C

Online

Morgan Hampton REPORTER@MERRITTHERALD. COM

T

he Coquihalla Hwy., the most popular route from the Lower Mainland to the Interior, was heavily damaged by an atmospheric river event and subsequent flooding and landslides.

It was closed to all traffic after becoming completely impassable on Nov. 14, 2021.

More than 20 sites along the 130 km corridor between Merritt and Hope were damaged, including seven bridges which, in some cases, saw entire spans collapse.

Due to the extent of the damage, original estimates placed a date of reopening sometime in the new year. However, in a feat of engineering that rivalled the Coquihalla’s original construction in 1986, more than 300 workers using 200 pieces of equipment moved more than 400,000 cubic metres of rock, gravel and other necessary material to repair and reopen the route in just 35 days.

“The people who build and maintain roads in B.C. have a reputation second to none, and their response to the recent disaster has

THURSDAY, December 23, 2021 • 3

merrittherald.com

BE BETTER been remarkable,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

“Ministry teams, maintenance contractors and hundreds of workers going flat out in challenging conditions have allowed us to reopen the Coquihalla Highway today, giving B.C.’s commercial drivers a safe, efficient route between the coast and Interior.”

As of the morning of Dec. 20, 2021, essential commercial traffic with a minimum licensed gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 11,794 kilograms are once again permitted to use the route between Hope and Merritt.

“Having use of the Coquihalla Highway brings more predictability to the movement of goods through British Columbia,” said Dave Earle, president and CEO,

BC Trucking Association.

“This an important step toward restoring our supply chain, and our members appreciate the extraordinary efforts of everyone involved.”

As most commercial traffic will now use the Coquihalla, travel restrictions were also lifted on Hwy 3 at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 21, which will allow for non-essential travel. Most restrictions have also been lifted on Hwy 99 between Lillooet and Pemberton, however, vehicles over 14,500kg GVW are still not permitted on this section of the highway.

Although repairs to the Coquihalla are temporary and will include travel changes and reduced speed limits, plans for permanent repairs are already underway.

“Today’s reopening of the Coquihalla Highway is a testament to the strong work-

ing relationship between the BC Road Builders and the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure,” said Kelly Scott, president, BC Road Builders and Heavy Construction Association.

“This relationship allowed the road builder industry and government to come together almost immediately, unified in the goal of reopening this vital link. We are grateful for all the women and men who worked safely and tirelessly around the clock to achieve our goal.”

Drivers planning to use Hwy 3 or Hwy 99 are urged to use caution as they are mountainous highways and weather conditions can change quickly.

Hwy. 1 through the Fraser Canyon is not expected to reopen until mid-January.

LOCAL PROJECTS WE’VE HELPED FUND

is a charitable society dedicated, through fund raising, to the enhancement of healthcare in the Nicola Valley since 1984.

♥ Hospital Emergency Equipment: Renovation and Expansion Project ♥ The Berta Fraser Centre at Gillis House ♥ Adult Day Care Bus ♥ Merritt Hospice Society All money raised/donated stays in our Nicola Valley.

Clients of the Endeavour to be Better program are pitching in to help flood-affected Merrittonians clean up their homes following the extreme rise of the Coldwater River which left hundreds of Merrittonians with damaged houses.

Search ‘ENDEAVOUR’

WINTER WARNING The Nicola region is bracing for a forecasted winter storm which could bring heavy snowfall, freezing rain and plunging temperatures just in time for Christmas.

Search ‘WEATHER’

IF YOU’D LIKE TO DONATE Donations can be done on-line at nvhcef.com, through

250-315-1832 or by mail to Box 1423, Merritt, BC V1K 1B8

4 • WEDNESDAY, December 23, 2021

www.merrittherald.com

www.merrittherald.com

THURSDAY, December 23, 2021 • 5

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

Omicron variant brings new restrictions Jake Courtepatte NEWSROOM@ MERRITTHERALD. COM A bevy of new and returning gathering restrictions have once again hit BC, after the outbreak of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus.

Provincial health officials, along with Deputy Premier Mike Farnworth, made a series of announcements over the past week, in an

attempt to lower case counts and hospitalizations.

Effective until Jan. 18, 2022, restrictions will include: - no organized indoor social events and gatherings of any size; - concerts, sports games and theatres reduced to 50% seated capacity, regardless of venue size; - closing gyms, fitness centres and dance studios; - closing bars and nightclubs; - limiting table sizes at restau-

rants, cafes and pubs to a maximum of six people per table with physical distancing or barriers.

Just four days prior to the Dec. 21 announcement, Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, Health Minister Adrian Dix, and Farnworth had announced that the 50% capacity limit would only be for venues that could hold more than 1,000 people.

It had also been announced that New Year’s Eve

events would be permitted, but restricted to seated only, though that has now been banned.

“I know everyone is looking forward to being around their family and friends this holiday season after two challenging years,” said Dr. Henry. “These restrictions balance the need for people to come together with the people they love with the need to collectively act to slow the spread of COVID-19. We

know how to get through this - by following the same measures we’ve followed in the past to protect each other.”

Non-urgent scheduled surgeries after Jan. 4 have now also been postponed by the Ministry of Health.

Thank You

St. Michael’s Anglican Church and the Merritt Bread Basket Soup Bowl Society would like to thank the following local businesses for their generous donations in constructing our new wheel chair ramp at the Anglican church: ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧ ✧

Cindy Ouimet Jonathan Beech Construction (JBC) Merritt Home Hardware Nicola Chainsaw and Equipment Norgaard Ready Mix Tycor Excavation

The new wheel chair ramp allows easy access to all patrons of the Soup Bowl where multiple families and organizations attend weekly.

Without the generous donation of our local businesses and the many volunteers that helped out, this project would have not been possible.

Blessings, Al Mackay-Smith, project manager Isabel Healy-Morrow, Priest

POLICE FILES

Merritt man pleads guilty to standoff charges A Merritt man has pleaded guilty to a string of charges resulting from a standoff with ERT last year.

On May 27, 2020, Merritt RCMP front line officers, along with the South East District Emergency Response Team, executed a search warrant in the 1600 block of Bann Street. Multiple reports had been called

in that a local couple had committed assaults, one involving a firearm.

A short standoff resulted in five people, including the main suspect, being taken into custody.

“Our search of the residence yielded a Remington 870 shotgun, a compound bow, replica hand guns, a replica machine gun, gun powder, ammunition, body armour, and hard drugs, said Merritt RCMP Sgt. Josh Roda.

“We were very pleased

to take these items out of the hands of people that shouldn’t have them.”

On Dec. 20, 2021, Tyler James Collins pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm, crossbow, prohibited weapon, prohibited device, ammunition, and prohibited ammunition or explosive while prohibited.

Collins received 285 days in jail, probation for twelve months, a lifetime firearms prohibition, and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of $100.

Quilchena Canna Company

December will be donated to Samaritan’s Purse to support Merritt Flood Relief”

√ Vaccinations √ Medication Consults & Reviews √ Blister Packaging √ Diabetes & Asthma Education √ Canes & Walkers

√ Bath Chairs & Grab Bars √ Ostomy & Incontinence Supplies √ Giftware & Souvenirs √ Special orders by request

www.blackspharmacy.com

Serving the community for over 50 years.

FREE DELIVERY in Merritt

2037 Quilchena Ave.

250-378-2155

Quilchena Cannabis Co.

MU

Jake Courtepatte NEWSROOM@ MERRITTHERALD.COM

All proceeds from giftware purchases in

S T BE

19+

For more information stop by Unit B-1937 Quilchena Ave., Merritt BC or call 250-378-5

420

6 • THURSDAY,

December 23, 2021

STUDENT ART

www.merrittherald.com

Students, parents, and teachers: submit your art to newsroom@merrittherald.com for a chance to be featured each week! Submissions are printed on a first come, first serve basis.

Publisher Theresa Arnold publisher@merrittherald.com 250-378-4241

MERRITT HERALD

Editor Jake Courtepatte newsroom@merrittherald.com 250-378-4241

Reporter Morgan Hampton reporter@merrittherald.com 250-378-4241

Sales Representative Office Administrator Ken Couture kcouture@aberdeenpublishing.com 250-378-4241 Making Advertising Work For You.

2090 Granite Ave., PO Box 9, Merritt, B.C. Phone (250) 378-4241 Fax (250) 378-6818

Copyright subsists in all display advertising in this edition of the Merritt Herald. Permission to reproduce in any form, must be obtained in writing from the publisher.

This Merritt Herald is a member of the National Newsmedia Council, which is an independent organization established to deal with acceptable journalistic practices and ethical behaviour. If you have concerns about editorial content, please contact newsroom@merrittherald.com or call (250) 378-4241. If you are not satisfied with the response and wish to file a formal complaint, visit the web site at www.mediacouncil.ca or call toll-free 1-844-877-1163 for additional information.

www.merrittherald.com

THURSDAY, December 23, 2021 • 7

OPINION

Speak up You can comment on any story you read @ merrittherald.com

ALBAS: Fiscal update leaves out election promises It is frustrating as the House of Commons only began sitting a month ago, on November 22.

The House will resume on Monday, January 31st.

Much of the work DAN ALBAS that has been done VIEW FROM over the past few THE HILL weeks involved electing a new Speaker and establishing parliamentary committees, while only a limited number of government bills have come before the House.

However, one important event that did occur this week was a “fiscal update” from the government.

What is a “fiscal update”?

In the absence of a properly tabled budget, a fiscal update provides an opportunity for the government to reveal our fiscal status, as well as announce and introduce budgetary measures that were not in the previous budget.

By the numbers in the 2021/22 fiscal update, this year’s deficit is forecast to hit $144.5 billion.

While that is an incredibly large number, it is actually down from the $154.7 Billion forecast that was in the previous budget.

On the surface there is other positive news.

The fiscal update shows the deficit declining

for the next five years being reduced to $13.1 billion in 2026/27.

However, I mention “on the surface” because this fiscal update contained very few of the many Liberal election promises that are expected to be released in the upcoming budget in the spring of 2022.

There was also new spending measures announced in this fiscal update.

In total there is COVID related spending of roughly $13 billion.

The includes $3.3 billion that was just announced in this update to expand rapid tests and enact other measures such as border testing and tracking.

For British Columbia there has been $5 billion set aside in this budget update to assist with clean up and rebuilding form the flooding.

There has also been $4.5 billion allocated towards costs related toward the Omicron variant and a total of $4 billion to provide support to indigenous communities.

From my perspective there are a few areas for concern.

Much of this forecast will be significantly changed once the Liberal budget is introduced where there will be newly announced spending measures.

There may also be newly announced taxation measurers.

The challenge with any new taxation measures is that, with rising inflation (currently at 4.7% here in Canada), your net after tax

income has less buying power.

If taxes are increased that further lowers your net income that combined with taxation means many households have less money to buy basic necessities.

For those on a fixed income, inflation is very challenging.

Another challenge this fiscal update illustrates is the cost of debt servicing.

The interest that we pay on our public debt for 2020/21 is $20.4 billion.

By 2026/27 these interest costs are forecast to rise to $40.9 Billion.

For context the Canada Health Transfer today is $45.9 Billion and is forecast to rise to $55.2 billion in 2026/27.

In other words, over the next five years the cost to service our debt is doubling and increasing at a rate faster than our health transfers are increasing.

My question this week: Are you concerned about the rising costs of inflation?

I can be reached at Dan.Albas@parl.gc.ca or call toll free 1-800-665-8711.

Dan Albas is the Member of Parliament for the riding of Central Okanagan Similkameen Nicola and the Shadow Minister for the Environment and Climate Change. This riding includes the communities of Kelowna (specific boundaries), West Kelowna, Peachland, Summerland, Keremeos, Princeton, Merritt and Logan Lake.

LETTER to the editor

Migrant workers stories need to be told Editor, Another Christmas Day is approaching and many essential migrant, temporary and undocumented workers still struggling in Canada.

Recently, the flooding and mudslides in British Columbia during the storm left many people devastated. Yes, many migrant farm workers left behind and aren’t able to get a new job to meet their ends right away due to immigration status restrictions.

We’ve seen the positive impact these essen-

tial migrants, temporary and undocumented workers in Canada have had during this global pandemic. They are on the front line helping Canadians in different services of work they can do.

Many migrant, temporary and undocumented workers who are willing to tell their story but not done so because of time constraints and language barriers. Getting information out regarding their experience as migrant workers in Canada, so that the Canadian residents know and understand the positive economic

impact of the migrant workers and hurdles they encounter.

May this Christmas bring peace, joy and dreams come true to every ESSENTIAL migrant, temporary and undocumented workers to become a Permanent Resident of Canada.

By using my voice, I am trying get my story out and let Canadian residents and the Canadian government understand the important role we do in this great country.

Maria Cano

From the Herald archives: December, 1986

POTLUCK IN LOWER NICOLA The Lower Nicola Community Club is kicking off the holiday season this Sunday with a potluck. Members can bring a dish big enough for their own family, plus one person more.

Santa Claus is planning to make a special appearance and there will be performances by the Community Choir and other artists.

Tickets for the New Year’s Dance at the hall are also now available. The dance will feature music by the band Canadian Pacific, who hail from Kamloops.

LETTERS POLICY The Merritt Herald welcomes your letters, on any subject, addressed to the editor.

Letters must be signed and include the writer’s name and address.

Letters may be edited for length, taste and clarity. Please keep letters to 300 words or less. Email letters to: newsroom@ merrittherald. com.

John Isaac

250-378-1586

Johnisaac@telus.net

www.realestatemerritt.com

Ph: 250-378-6181 F: 250-378-6184

www.royallepage.ca/merritt 3499 Voght Street, Merritt, BC

M E R R I T T

Wishing all our residents a safe Christmas season and a better New Year.

A huge Thank You to the people at Samaritans Purse for the much appreciated help they are providing.

Please support their cause at samaritanspurse.ca

8 • THURSDAY,

December 23, 2021

www.merrittherald.com

SEASON’S GREETINGS

Forensic audit finds ‘inappropriate culture of spending’ at TNRD under former CAO Sukh Gill Mirror Vintage

Your Looking Glass to the Past

CLEARING OUT SALE

The store has now sold and remaining inventory must go!

Check off the last few gifts on your Christmas list.

Open Thurs., Dec. 23 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Friday, Dec 24 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

250-378-7634 • 1798 Voght St. Merritt BC

Merritt

Bread Basket Soup Bowl Society The volunteer group would like to wish everyone blessings this holiday season.

A heartfelt thanks to the many contributors throughout the year to enable us to assist so many. Without the weekly contributions of Save-On Foods (Loop Resource) and No-Frills it would not be possible, you are greatly appreciated. We would also like to thank the Catholic Women’s League, Brian Cave Tire & Auto, Nicola Valley Health Care Auxiliary, Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 96 for your monetary assistance. And to St. Michael’s Anglican Church for the generous use of their facility.

In 2021, we were visited 3000 times by patrons with over 2000 hours of volunteer service.

Every Tuesday from 11:30 to 1:00 pm at St. Michael’s (1990 Chapman St.), We have available soup, sandwiches, produce, pre-cooked items and of course desserts. We also have a weekly sharing with a handful of other organisations that provide food security to their clients.

To the many that visit us and leave with a smile and a thank you, we truly appreciate your gratitude. We recognize the difficulties Merrittonians face and our prayers are with you all.

The audit also found there was a lack of control in the finance department and a lack of oversight and governance by the regional district board.

Jessica Wallace KAMLOOPS THIS WEEK The findings of a forensic audit of spending at the Thompson-Nicola Regional District confirm what was reported in Kamloops This Week’s investigation of the same issue earlier this year.

• • • •

In its summary, BDO Canada stated: “There was an inappropriate culture of spending within the TNRD, which had the effect of drawing in and involving many employees.”

It found there was lack of controls in the finance department and a lack of oversight and governance by the regional district

board.

In February, KTW published a series of stories that detailed hundreds of thousands of dollars of what appeared to be excessive spending under former CAO Sukh Gill, who left the regional district suddenly on Feb. 14, 2020.

See ‘AUDIT’ Page 9

12900

Furnace & Water Heater Service & Safety Check ���������$ Purchase a furnace & air conditioning package & receive a standard 40-gal hot water heater ������������������������ We provide all Plumbing & HVAC flood repairs & replacements Licensed & Bonded Call for your appointment or FREE quote.

250-541-7576

FREE OF CHARGE

Let us XCED your expectations!

Xcedplumbing.com

www.merrittherald.com

THURSDAY, December 23, 2021 • 9

SEASON’S GREETINGS

Audit finds former TNRD CAO’s salary to be unproportionately high From Page 8 Gill was handed a severance package in excess of $500,000 amid a legal agreement that his departure be described as a “retirement.”

The actual reason for Gill’s departure has not yet been explained, but TNRD board chair Ken Gillis has told KTW it was not related to spending issues.

Upon publication of the series of stories, Gillis said the board did not know the extent to which spending occurred and called the amounts “surprising” and “somewhat distressing.”

As result of the KTW stories, the TNRD board ordered a forensic audit and changed numerous policies. In addition, the RCMP began a criminal investigation, which is ongoing.

The forensic audit has been completed and a summary of it was presented at the Thursday, Dec. 16, TNRD board meeting by CAO Scott Hildebrand and BDO Canada representatives Simon Padgett and Jervis Rodrigues.

Auditors cited a number of activities that perpetrated the “inappropriate culture of spending,” activities cited by current and past regional district employees These activities include many of those cited in the KTW investigation, including: • Gill’s pay and expenses were significantly higher than CAOs in other regional districts; • Frequent and excessive level of spending on meals and entertainment; • Improper splitting of expenses or directing subordinates to pay and claim reimbursement for expenses; • Purchase and distribution of gift cards and time of a personal nature without specifying who was receiving them.

Auditors also noted expenses reimbursed with no approvals, lack of scrutiny in approving expenses and meal expenses above meal thresholds contained in bylaws and policies of the TNRD. “The former CAO appears to have created, or encouraged, a culture of bypassing financial internal controls in respect of expense claims,” BDO Canada stated.

Deliver newspapers and start to . . .

EARN EXTRA CASH

• A flexible schedule • A great way to lose weight and get into shape • A great way to supplement your income • Great first job - excellent opportunity to teach children the life skills for success

Consider being a carrier for the Merritt Herald.

You will earn extra money delivering an award winning community newspaper once a week to the homes in your neighbourhood.

If anyone in your family is interested in being a paper carrier, call Ken at 250-378-4241

In addition, the audit found there was a practice of writing names of people on receipts when those people were not present at dinners, lunches or other events.

Earlier this year, a former TNRD employee told KTW their name was on a receipt, but they said they did not attend that dinner with Gill. Another person at the regional district told KTW their name was attached to an out of town event, despite the fact they were not at that event. Padgett said others during audit interviews also said their names were attached to receipts at events they did not attend.

In the audit’s summary of observations about Gill’s expenses, auditors stated “false listing of employees” and noted Gill charged meal expenses to his corporate credit card in excess of claiming his per diems.

In addition, auditors found that Gill, during a 2019 government trip to Uji, Japan, claimed per diem expenses and charged meal expenses on his personal days.

The audit also reviewed $755,258 in expense reimbursements and found $197,008 (26 per cent) did not have itemized receipts as support and $13,102 (two per cent) had no approvals. The audit noted Gill approved $503,913 (67 per cent) of sampled expenses and chief financial officer Doug Rae, who remains with the TNRD, approved $669,195 (89 per cent) of sampled expenses.

The audit used as an example an expenditure highlighted in the KTW investigation, that of the TNRD spending $8,602.41 to rent a champagne room at the Barefoot Bistro in Whistler on Sept. 13, 2018, during that year’s Union of BC Municipalities convention.

Auditors noted the cost was split into two transactions: “Employee A was directed by Employee B to pay a proportion of the $8,602.41 separately.”

Auditors noted no itemized receipts were provided for expenses and those who attended the champagne room event were not listed in receipts.

In its vendor review summary of observations, auditors raised concerns about the procurement and tendering policy and Gill’s relationships with businesses.

As with the KTW investigation, the audit cited “frequent and excessive level of spending on meals and entertainment” and listed the top 10 food and beverage vendors at which TNRD money was spent between 2015 and 2019.

Open 7 days a week In order, the audit’s top 10 list includes NEW MAGAZINES FOR EVERYONE! Nandi’s Flavours of India ($26,836), Terra Restaurant ($20,644), Dorian

One Stop Love Shop

See ‘RECOMMENDATIONS’ Page 10

KAMLOOPS: 743 VICTORIA ST • 250-377-8808 CHILLIWACK: 44310 YALE RD • 604-795-6566

We understand life happens.

Legal services for your family & business:

• Real Estate • Wills & Estates • Business Served By Ben van der Gracht & Jacob M. Brown

1-888-374-3350 | morellichertkow.com Merritt | Kamloops | Ashcroft | Williams Lake BC’s Interior law firm — supporting families, individuals, and businesses since 1911.

10 • THURSDAY,

December 23, 2021

SEASON’S GREETINGS

www.merrittherald.com

Recommendations made for TNRD board improval From Page 9 Greek House ($14,579), Hotel 540 ($10,573), The Keg ($7,157), Bearfoot Bistro ($6,899), Cactus Club ($6,684), Moxie’s ($5,729), Al Porto Ristorante ($5,664) and Mitz Kitchen ($4,924).

BDO Canada offered a number of recommendations to improve corporate governance and oversight, policy and bylaws, human resources, internal auditing and finance department operations. Those recommendations are below.

The BDO Canada forensic audit included more than 20 interviews and a review of more than a dozen policies/bylaws and a review of more than 45,000 email documents and more than 12,000 other documents.

It examined 876 management and 264 board

expense reimbursement documents and reviewed all expense documents of Gill. The audit also reviewed 75 per cent of expense documents of seven management staff and 25 per cent of board expense documents.

The audit also reviewed the TNRD’s procurement and vendor process, analyzed Gill’s per diem claims from 2014 to 2019 and looked at telecommunications expenses during the same time span.

Final report not yet released Last week, Hildebrand told KTW the full report would be released this week, after the presentation to the board.

However, he said at the board meeting that the full

report cannot yet be released, pending legal review, as the report is highly sensitive and contains confidential documents.

A copy of the summary presented to the TNRD board can be released.

Both Hildebrand and Rodrigues said they are disappointed that the full report cannot yet be released to the public, but both said that will happen in due time.

“I am confident it will eventually be released once all the lawyers have reviewed all the content and the form of the report,” Rodrigues said, noting the summary presented includes all salient information.

A time-consuming audit Rodrigues said the forensic audit encompassed more than 1,500 hours of work.

He said that was due, in part, to longer than anticipated interviews, noting people were “very willing to stay longer and talk with us in depth.”

Going forward “Our staff deserve better and our staff deserve to be heard,” Hildebrand said, referring to the audit that noted staff concerns in the past were ignored.

He added that residents and taxpayers also deserve better.

He said the regional district fully accepts the conclusion of the audit and the mistakes that were made.

He said the TNRD should accept and own all recommendations of BDO Canada.

About those recommendations “There are shortcomings at the board level,” Padgett said, noting the recommendations are meant to be constructive.

Recommendations include: • the board taking government ethics and financial skills training, at least annually; • the board should delegate more to audit committee; • internal audit looks at rotation of all department • zero tolerance from the top down for any breaches of rules; • a total review of the organization about its vulnerabilities and have a plan to manage risks. An annual fraud-risk review be implemented.

• enhance and create a formal whistleblower policy, one that is external and confidential (Padgett noted whistleblowing is the No. 1 method for uncovering wrongdoing); • review TNRD’s code of conduct (for example, family members are not included in conflict of interest rules); • compensation benchmarking be implemented; • improve exit interview process as such dialogue may have revealed problems sooner.

• ethics governance and fraud training for human resources department so it can roll them out for all other departments; • implement internal audits as such an audit would have found this issue and saved the TNRD money in the long run; • review duties and responsibilities of the chief financial officer position and beef up internal audit role.

www.merrittherald.com

SEASON’S GREETINGS

TNRD plans $500,000 Civic Building upgrades Morgan Hampton REPORTER@MERRITTHERALD.COM At the regular board meeting of Dec. 16, 2021, the Thompson Nicola Regional District (TNRD) voted to allocate $412,000 of COVID-19 Safe Restart Grant funds to renovations of the TNRD Civic Building at 465 Victoria St., Kamloops.

According to a Board Report the TNRD staff have filled all of the available space in the administrative offices of the Civic Building, “…a situation that has become more urgent to address immediately because of COVID-19 and the need to create additional space for each worker, not less,” reads the report.

Staff propose that space be renovated on the second floor of the building, which will accommodate the library shipping/receiving and administrative functions. These currently take up approximately half of the third floor.

With the space gained on the third floor, it was further proposed that additional staff cubicles be created, as well as a large meeting room which could accommodate a large-scale Emergency Operations Centre (EOC).

“Clearly EOC’s are an ongoing requirement, and we need to accommodate the space necessary for them without taking the Board room or other meeting rooms offline for extended periods of time,” the report continues.

Changes on the third floor will allow some staff currently on the fourth floor to move to the third floor. “… thus creating additional physical space for each employee not currently in an office on

both the third and fourth floors, while more efficiently using space on all three floors. It should also allow for continued future growth for some time.”

Staff note that due to new physical distancing requirements brought on by the pandemic, it is required that workspaces be expanded, along with the need to have some staff members continue to work from home.

The TNRD was given a total of $1,376,000 in Safe Restart for Local Governments grant funding.

Of these funds, the Board allocated as follows: • $385,000 IT updates to allow for more remote meetings • $150,000 TNRD Volunteer Fire Dept. PPE and Equipment • $250,000 Electoral Area Allocations ($25,000 each) • $100,000 Economic Development (all members service) • $79,000 other regional support initiatives.

This leaves a remaining $412,000 in funding, funding which must be allocated before Dec. 31, 2021, according to the terms of the grant.

The initial estimate of the Civic Building renovations is up to $500,000, of which $412,000 will be funded from the COVID-19 Restart Grant and the remaining $88,000 would come as a transfer from the current operating reserves in the General Administration budget.

The recommendation was on the table for less than one minute and was carried with none opposed.

THURSDAY, December 23, 2021 • 11

2145 Quilchena Ave.,

250-378-4695

Serving Merritt for over 20 years

Merritt’s Auto Glass Specialists

Experienced professionals on hand 2663 Granite Avenue, Merritt BC

250-378-4531

Happy Holidays Dr. Comartin and staff would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas & A Happy New Year.

Cascade Family Dental

Aspen Planers Ltd.

Located in the Railyard Mall

www.aspenplaners.ca

#110 - 1700 Garcia

378-4000

12 • THURSDAY,

December 23, 2021

www.merrittherald.com

www.merrittherald.com

THURSDAY, December 23, 2021 • 13

SEASON’S GREETINGS

Miss Vicki’s on the move

Happy Holidays

to all students, families and staff of SD#58

This message brought to you by the Success for all Learners - Today and Tomorrow

School District #58 Board of Education

Frank’s Mechanical

would like to wish

A cooler from Miss Vicki’s Petals and Plants is rolled down Quilchena Ave. to the store’s new location. MORGAN HAMPTON/ Herald Morgan Hampton REPORTER@MERRITTHERALD.COM Miss Vicki’s Petals and Plants opened its doors in 2018, bringing to life a long-held dream of owner Vicki Hansen, who spent many years at Save-On Foods in their floral department.

Originally welcoming plant-lovers to a space near Fields, Hansen has now moved one block west to 1974 Quilchena Ave. Earlier this month all remaining stock, merchandise, and equipment, including coolers, were packed up and driven, or rolled down the sidewalks, to the new location.

Although it is a slightly smaller space, Hansen said that there are improvements.

“We have the back door for deliveries, air

conditioning and easier access for parking,” said Hansen.

After several days of hard work, the flower shop was once again opened to the Nicola Valley’s plant addicts, just in time for the arrival of Christmas poinsettias.

Those who have come to love Miss Vicki’s for the wide selection of merchandise, which includes locally made handicrafts, art, and bath and body products to name a few, will be happy to know that the new space still makes room for the creative efforts of our beloved artisans.

In addition, following the flooding that caused extensive damage in the community on Nov. 15, Miss Vicki’s Petals and Plants is partaking in a fundraiser in which money from certain purchases will be donated to flood relief efforts.

MU

Seasons Greetings

Quilchena Canna Company

Everyone a Happy Holiday

FRANK’S MECHANICAL SERVICE 2026 Mamette Avenue

378-1322

Wishing everyone a

Merry MERRITT Xmas

S T BE

19+

Quilchena Cannabis Co.

Ska-Lu-La Workshop For more information stop by Unit B-1937 Quilchena Ave., Merritt BC or call 250-378-5

420

1775 COLDWATER AVE, MERRITT, BC V1K 1B8

14 • THURSDAY,

December 23, 2021

www.merrittherald.com

SEASON’S GREETINGS

Merry Christmas City of Merritt We would like to thank our past, present and future clients.

Wishing everyone a fun, safe Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Your local RE/MAX Legacy Experts providing you with the highest level of care.

Jake Courtepatte NEWSROOM@MERRITTHERALD. COM

housing issues resulting from the flood to fill in the survey,” reads a release from the city.

“By doing so, the City of City of Merritt staff are Merritt can accurately assess asking anyone with housing what interim and short-term issues resulting from the flood measures should be brought to fill out a new survey. into our city.”

BC Wildfire crews are now For those that BC Wildfire heading door-to-door within are not able to connect with the flood-inundated areas directly, it is asked that the of Merritt in an attempt to survey be filled out online at survey residents about their the City of Merritt website, housing needs. found at www.merritt.ca. home was or small “Whether we fixyour them all! For further flood-relatdevastated, lightly damaged, ed inquiries, contact the a detached house, & a mobile • Logging, mining trucks automotiveEmergency Flood line at home, a non-legal suite, or 1-877-655-0341, from 8:30 • Air conditioning & coolant any other category, the flushing City AM - 4:30 PM daily.

• Full service & repair air conditioning units is asking allofresidents with

https://legacy.britishcolumbia.remax.ca/ #113-1700 Garcia Street Box 2257 Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 250-378-6941

Season’s Greetings

releases Housing Needs Assessment survey

NV Radiators Are Proud To Have Worked With The Mining Industry For Many Years, For All Of Their Radiator Needs

NICOLA VALLEY RADIATOR

Big

• Recore radiators • Repair radiators Nicola Valley & District • Custom built radiators Metis • Heater cores: new and recore Society • Flushing (power)

Free Es timates

Shuttle Serv ice

Mesabi radiator authorized repair facility & sales.

Air conditioning mobile unit.

All the members of our team No heat? would like to offer you their warmest 2775 Marian Avenue, Merritt, B.C. wish for the holiday season.

Try Flushing BEFORE REPLACING

Nicola Valley Radiator Big or small we fix them all!

250-378-1366 2775 Marian Avenue, Merritt BC

SERVICING ALL MAKES AND MODELS. NO DISTANCE TOO FAR TO SERVE YOUR NEEDS!

250-378-1366

Nicola Valley & District Metis Society wishes all a healthy, loving holiday.

May your traditions keep you warm.

If you would like more information on our society please call 250-378-5015 or 250-378-0076 email: mcdomic@shaw.ca • Facebook: Nicola Valley Metis

www.merrittherald.com

SEASON’S GREETINGS

THURSDAY, December 23, 2021 • 15

YRB Nicola wins Contractor of the Year award Merry Christmas Thank you for all your support this past year

Open December 25 - 8:00 am - 11:00 am and 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm for Dinner

443 Hwy #8 - Lower Nicola • 250-378-4579 Morgan Hampton REPORTER@MERRITTHERALD. COM The province of British Columbia is 944,735 km², criss-crossed by more than 700,000 kms of roads.

These roads are all constructed, maintained, and repaired by an extensive network of contractors.

Each year, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure hosts the BC Transportation Contractor of the Year Awards of Excellence, recognizing excellence in the delivery of transportation infrastructure projects.

There are six categories under which awards are issued: Workplace Health and Safety, Bridges and Structures, Grading, Paving, Community Service, Road and Bridge Maintenance.

For 2021, Yellowhead Road and Bridge - Nicola was the recipient of the Contractor of the Year award for Road and Bridge Maintenance.

Yellowhead is responsible for approximately 3,400 kilometres of roads, 168 bridges, the Lytton Reaction Ferry, and

a snowshed. It also manages the main highway connections through high-elevation mountain passes from the Lower Mainland into B.C.’s Interior and has increased its fleet and patrol frequencies to improve winter maintenance on this challenging terrain.

Drivers in the Nicola Valley frequently travel roads maintained by the company, which was formed in 2019 after being selected as Preferred Proponent in the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructures 2018/2019 Highway Maintenance Contract re-tendering process.

“As the past few weeks have shown, British Columbians can always count on the province’s heavy construction industry to step up when they’re most needed,” said Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.

“Though these are annual awards, it’s especially important this year for us to acknowledge these contractors who tirelessly maintain our province’s highways and roads.

The expertise and resilience of the winners and nominees is greatly appreciated.”

Scw’exmx Child & Family Services Society We wish you and your loved ones a safe and happy holiday!

We are all somebody’s 7th generation.

Phone: 250-378-2771

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR N.V.C.L. WOULD LIKE TO WISH EVERYONE A SAFE & HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON. A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR HARD WORKING EMPLOYEES THE OPERATION WOULD NOT BE THE SAME WITHOUT EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU SAFETY BEGINS WITH TEAM WORK

IT’S THE MOST

WONDERFUL

TIME OF THE YEAR Even Santa needs a helping hand sometimes.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

2019

from the staff & management at

NICOLA CHAINSAW & EQUIPMENT RENTALS 2602 Nicola Ave.,

250-378-2234

www.nicolamotorsports.com

16 • THURSDAY,

www.merrittherald.com

December 23, 2021

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

Merry Christmas

from Black’s Pharmacy

esa & Blaine Danielle, Ther

√ Vaccinations √ Medication Consults & Reviews √ Blister Packaging √ Diabetes & Asthma Educators √ Canes & Walkers

2037 Quilchena Ave.

Shaye, Joli &

Angela

√ Bath Chairs & Grab Bars √ Ostomy & Incontinence Supplies √ Giftware & Souvenirs √ Special orders by request

Helen

Tristan, Lori &

Lori

Serving the community for over 50 years “Friendly, professional service, from people who care.” www.blackspharmacy.com

FREE Delivery for Seniors & Those With Restricted Mobility

“ Season’s Greetings” from everyone at

Highland Valley Copper A virtual smile and kind words you hear, an email greeting from loved ones near, a gift of kindness from those held so dear, can make this a joyous season this year.

May the holiday spirit be with you and your family today and throughout the New Year!

Cindy, Linda &

Healthcare Auxiliary makes $100,000 donation to RIH

250-378-2155 Morgan Hampton REPORTER@MERRITTHERALD. COM Members of the Nicola Valley Health Care Auxiliary presented a cheque for $100,000 to Heidi Coleman, CEO of the Royal Inland Hospital Foundation and Shanah Skjeie, Development Officer, Special Events.

Coleman and Skjeie braved the snowy Coquihalla from Kamloops to Merritt to accept the donation in person and thank the health care auxiliary volunteers for their dedication to their community.

“We came down to meet Jacquie and all the wonderful women who volunteer here and to accept a cheque for $100,000 to go to the RIH Foundation to the new Phil and Jennie Gaglardi Tower,” said Coleman.

“The Foundation is committed to $20 million worth of equipment for the tower. So, the money that we received today is going to go towards

buying all brand-new equipment.”

Necessary to outfit the new tower are new beds, ultrasound machines, stethoscopes, blood pressure monitors and cuffs, and operating room booms for the 13 new operating rooms.

“It’s a brand-new hospital,” said Coleman.

“It’s incredible, it’s going to change the way we deliver patient care in Kamloops, but also in the Thompson-Cariboo region.”

NVHCA President, Jacquie Hall, was proud to present such an impressive amount to the RIH Tower project.

“The reason that we decided to support the RIH Tower is because most of our community ends up in Kamloops using their hospital as their medical facility,” said Hall.

“Our mandate is to keep our money local, but we felt that this is keeping our money local by supporting somewhere where patients from the Nicola Valley Hospital are transferred to.”

Merry Christmas May the message of Christmas fill your life with joy and peace. Best wishes to you and your family during this holiday season.

by

Stain Glass Almerina Rizzardo

Available at Creative Company 2074 Quilchena Ave. Merritt, BC

Ph: 250-378-0813

www.merrittherald.com

THURSDAY, December 23, 2021 • 17

Christmas is different this year, make it different for the planet too.

“…brown paper packages tied up with string…”

All those online orders comes with extra packaging, from boxes to bubble wrap make sure you know where to recycle it properly. Download the Recycle Coach App today.

All TNRD sites are closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Years Day.

tnrd.ca/holiday | 250-377-2596

18 • THURSDAY,

December 23, 2021

www.merrittherald.com

SEASON’S GREETINGS

Wishing you all the Hope, Wonder, and Joy that the Season can bring!

Islamic Relief Canada brings truck of donations to Food Bank

Merry Christmas Vision Quest Optical & Gifts 250-378-2022 2001 Quilchena Avenue , Merritt, BC

Season’s Greetings

May Peace And Joy Stay With You During The Holidays And The Whole Year Through.

MERRITT HERALD

Merritt Herald

2020 People’s Choice AWARD

Merritt Herald

Thank you for your

2021 People’s Choice AWARD

patronage throughout PEOPLE’S

the year.

PEOPLE’S

PEOPLE’S CHOICE PEOPLE’S CHOICE

AWARDS AWARDS

Best wishes from your

2018

2019

friends at People’s Choice Awards 3 year in a row!

2525 Nicola Ave, Merritt 250-378-9777

Super Save Gas

Warmest thoughts and Best Wishes for a wonderful Holiday Season and a very Happy New Year.

Morgan Hampton REPORTER@MERRITTHERALD. COM On Dec. 17, an 18-wheeler arrived at the Nicola Valley Food Bank carrying donations from Islamic Relief Canada.

“Islamic Relief Canada, since day one we’ve been on the ground, with our Fraser Valley team and our disaster response team,” said Mujahid Ahmed, Islamic Relief Fundraising Coordinator for Metro Vancouver.

Islamic Relief performed needs assessments in Abbotsford and partnered with local charities and organizations to distribute whatever was needed for relief efforts.

“My colleague Tahir, he’s a community liaison officer for British Columbia, he got in touch with Marlene from the City of Merritt and Derlanda,” said Ahmed.

“We did a needs assessment of what they needed, and they gave us a list, so we partnered up with our Islamic Relief team in Alberta and gave them our list.”

Light Speed trucking donated their truck and their driver’s time to make the trip from Edmonton to Calgary to Merritt possible.

“From the community in Edmonton and Calgary they went ahead and filled the truck up with what they could,” said Ahmed.

“Everything that was on the list was fulfilled, and with the quantities they asked for.”

Earlier in the flood crisis, Regional Teams in Prince George and Kelowna also purchased needed items on behalf of Islamic Relief and donated them in Kamloops, where many Merritt evacuees were at the time.

“I just want to thank everyone for coming together,” Ahmed concluded, as volunteers helped to unload the truck and move donations into the Food Bank for sorting.

“It’s really tough when tragedy strikes, but it shows the character of people when they come together and help any way they can.”

Merry Christmas May your holidays be Safe & Filled with Great Memories

MLA Jackie Tegart

Fraser Nicola 2–2152 Quilchena Ave., Merritt, BC 250 378-8831 Jackie.Tegart.MLA@leg.bc.ca

CONTAIN-IT STORAGE

1750 Hill Street Phone: 250-315-3000

THURSDAY, December 23, 2021 • 19

www.merrittherald.com

CEN TURY 21 Moving Real Estate BC LTD.

Don Gossoo,

Doug Beech

movingrealestate.c21.ca

250-378-6166 |1-877-841-2100

Jared Thomas 778-694-6804

Managing Broker

(Owner)

®

#102, 2840 Voght Street, Box 236 Merritt, B.C. V1K 1B8

Brad Yakimchuk

250-378-7392

250-315-3043

1613 CANFORD AVE

1976 HOUSTON STREET

Two storey 4 bedrm, 4 bath home built in 2018 and is new. Seller never lived in house.

Large kitchen has S/S appliances, Quartz countertops, island & nook plus dining room.

Fenced yard, RV parking, 24x23 garage.

Covered deck. GST applies.

Cozy 3 bedrooom rancher close to shopping & schools. Private covered deck off master bedrm. Huge fenced backyard. Includes appliances & window coverings. 12x32 detached garage/shop.

#3290

#3285

$689,900

Karen Yakimchuk 250-315-3076

Personal Real Estate Corporation

2940 MCLEAN PLACE

$399,000

1798 GRANITE AVENUE

SL.29, 6528 WATERSIDE TRAIL

SL.28, 6528 WATERSIDE TRAIL

Cute & cozy home in great area, close to shopping & schools. Approx. 1450 sq.ft. rancher with 1 bedrm living quarters for inalws in the back. Open designer kitchen area. Has had some reno’s. Single detached shop/ garage with lane access. RV parking.

Cute & cozy 2 bedroom bungalow with spacious oak kitchen with formal dining rm leading into office & living room. Sitting room has gas F/P. Fenced corner lot, lots of parking with carport & detached garage/shop.

Build your dream getaway on this 10,667 sq.ft. strata lot at Nicola Lake. All services are to the property line, fantastic views, and access to the water. GST is applicable. Strata fees are $125 per month. Call for more details.

Build your dream home on this 10,516 sq.ft. strata lot in new development on Nicola Lake.

Fantastic view and access to the water. Strata fees are $125 per month & monthly utility fees are $131.02. GST applies. Call for more details.

#3307

#3286

#3304

#3305

2326 COUTLEE AVE

1630 CHESTNUT AVE

$484,500

390 COYLE PLACE

$429,900

$280,000

$280,000

1590 CHESTNUT AVE

#4, 6528 WATERSIDE TRAIL

#5, 6528 WATERSIDE TRAIL

D

SOL

Great family home with 4 bedroom on the top main floor and 2 bedrooms in the ground level suite which is currently rented. Yard has underground sprinklers and garden space in back. Great views from sundeck. 2 car garage. 10x14 shed.

New 3 bedrm 3 bath home with open design, 9 ft ceilings, large kitchen island and Quartz countertops. HW on demand system. Master bedrm has window seat & 5 pce ensuite. Large 7 ft crawl space for storage. New Home Warranty.

Riverfront property in nice Lower Nicola location on approx. 2 acres with great shop with 3 phase power supply. Comes with unfinished rancher of 1686 sq.ft. House is framed and with roof. Home plans available.

Septic is installed.

New 3 bedrm rancher with 9 ft ceilings, open design, large kitchen island & Quartz countertops. Master bedrm has vaulted ceilings, 5 pce ensuite & window seat. Large covered deck in back yard. Double garage.

Build your dream home or rec. home in this proposed strata development at Nicola Lake. Great views & access to the water. All services to the property line. GST is applicable.

Developers Disclosure available.

Build your dream home or rec. home in this proposed strata development at Nicola Lake. Great views & access to the water. All services to the property line. GST is applicable.

Developers Disclosure available.

#3283

#3303

#3208

#3302

#3298

#3299

$589,900

$729,900 +GST

$450,000

$719,900 +GST

2845 NEILSON ST

WHETHER BUYING OR SELLING, WE’RE HERE TO HELP YOU NAVIGATE THE PROCESS. GIVE US A CALL. HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?

$255,000

2770 PEREGRINE$999,000 WAY #3282

D L O S

15.9 acre RV Park zoning bordering the Coldwater River. Hookups in place & future set of plans for expansion available. Has city services.

Has small rental home with long term tenants.

C-1 zoning with possible change to C2. Call for more details.

#3264

$255,000

$1,650,000

Century 21 would like to say THANK YOU to all the many volunteers, front line workers, city workers and Officials for your long hours and dedication to save our homes, and the many support groups and businesses assisting our community as we return home. #MerrittStrong

Spacious new home with open concept floor plan, spectacular views & high quality finishing. 2 bedrms up, master on the main & 2 more down, 4 baths & full unfin. Bsmt. New Home Warranty.

Double garage

#3294

$749,900 + GST

PROPOSED LOTS, MIDDAY VALLEY RD

FULL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT OR TENANT ONLY PLACEMENT We can assist you in renting your investment DEANNA Licensed Property Manager

8 lots to choose from ranging from 3.5 to 10 acres. Proposed lots to be subdivided from parent property. Zoned M-1 All sales subject to City of Merritt approving the subdivision. Approx. completion June 30, 2022. Register your interest now before they are all sold! Lot 2 is 10 acres for

RICK Licensed Property Manager

250-315-0000

#3306

www.merrittpropertymanagement.ca

movingrealestate.c21.ca

•

378-6166

•

$3,700,000

movingrealestate.c21.ca

20 • THURSDAY,

December 23, 2021

& s a m t is r h C y r Mer r a e Y w e N y p p a H

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS Lorna, Barb & families would like to wish everyone a safe & prosperous new year.

Thomson’s Truck Parts 250-378-8266 2172 Douglas Street & Sales Ltd. Warmest thoughts and best wishes for a wonderful holiday and a very happy new year.

Airport Rd., Merritt

250-378-6261

Merry Christmas & HAPPY NEW

YE A R

From our family to yours

Johnn y ’s ON THE REZ Mon - Fri 6-9pm, Weekends & Holidays 7-9pm 154 Hwy 8 West, Merritt, BC • 250-378-9557

www.merrittherald.com

www.merrittherald.com

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

THURSDAY, December 23, 2021 • 21

Wishing everyone a

Merry Christamas and a Happy New Year!

Health and Happiness to all!

Join us next season for great fishing, food and hospitality.

15 mins. east of Merritt on Hwy 97C

Cabins and Rooms Available

Visit www.corbettlake.ca for more info Phone: 250-378-4334

Season’s Greetings

Wishing you a season filled with warm moments and cherished memories.

Thank you for your continued support throughout the year.

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE GLASS, SILICONE, ASHTRAYS, JUICE, CIGARS, TOBACCO, GIFTWARE AND ADULT NOVELTIES.

Merry Wishes& Happy Holidays MU

May this festive season lift your spirits with enough joy to carry you through the new year!

FREE: 877-420-1116 FindTOLL us at 2099 Quilchena Ave. or call us at 250-378-5151 QUILCHENA AVE, MERRITT, BC • 250-378-9686 www.merrittesc.ca

013 9 TRANQUILLE RD, KAMLOOPS, BC • 250-554-1501 RANS CANADA HWY, SALMON ARM, BC • 250-833-1414

ONADESTAND420.COM - FB.COM/KAMLOOPS420

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK for your shopping pleasure

ST BE

19+

22 • THURSDAY,

December 23, 2021

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

Wishing peace, joy and fun to everyone who has made our year so memorable!

Thanks for your business, and best wishes for a blessed holiday season.

COPPER VALLEY MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS LTD.

2151 Coutlee Avenue

250-378-5104

Merry Christmas Tis the season for Happy Smiles!

We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a sparkling New Year

2088 Quilchena Avenue

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm

Call Today to Book Your Appointment.

Ph: 250-378-5877

New Patients Always Welcome!

s g n i t e e r G s n o s Sea

Wishing you all of the HOPE, WONDER, and JOY that the Season can bring!

www.cfdcnv.com

250-378-3923 2181 Quilchena Ave., Merritt, BC

s g n i t e e r G s n o s a e S

This year, your patronage made all the difference!

We are thankful for your continued support and we look forward to serving you in the near future.

3701 De Wolf Way, Merritt • 250-315-1022

www.merrittherald.com

www.merrittherald.com

THURSDAY, December 23, 2021 • 23

CHRISTMAS GREETINGS

Seasons Greetings Wishing you a Happy Holiday and a Joyful New Year. Best wishes from your friends at

Merritt Drycleaning & Coin Laundry Joe & Christine

1926 Quilchena Ave.

250-378-2676

Lower Nicola Indian Band School

s y a d i l o H y p p a H May songs of joy fi ll your home with warmth and your heart with happiness this holiday season! from the Lower Nicola Indian Band School Staff & Students

Wishing you all the Hope, Wonder, and Joy that the Season can bring!

Phone: 250-378-5252

2076 Coutlee Avenue

24 • THURSDAY,

December 23, 2021

www.merrittherald.com

SEASON’S GREETINGS

Thank you to all of our customers for your patronage throughout the year.

merrauto@live.ca 2549 Nicola Ave., Merritt

MERRITT

250-378-4821

Thank you for all your support!

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas.

We are again offering FREE winter sand for your sidewalks and driveways.

Look for the

“FREE SAND SIGN”

in Norgaard’s yard on the Spences Bridge Hwy.

GET A

LOAD OF

THIS

Romeo & Consuelo

Romeo’s

2760 Forksdale Ave, Merritt, BC

s

From our family to yours Here is wishing you a feast of Holiday Joy

M

hrist C y m r r e a

NICOLA VALLEY COMMUNITY JUSTICE SERVICES SOCIETY

May you and your family be blessed with the Spirit of the Season which is Peace, the Gladness of the Season which is Hope, and the Heart of the Season which is Love.

BOX 819, MERRITT, BC V1K 1B8 TEL: 250-378-5010 • FX: 250-378-5014

www.merrittherald.com

SEASON’S GREETINGS

THURSDAY, December 23, 2021 • 25

Season’s Greetings May your holidays be full of warmth and cheer.

A message from the

Scw’exmx Tribal Council Thank you to the children of the Lower Nicola Band School for their heartfelt letters.

Thanks to this community for your trust, support and friendship through the years.

May faith, friends and loved ones light up your life this Christmas season and always!

1800 Garcia Street,

250-378-9238

26 • THURSDAY,

December 23, 2021

SEASON’S GREETINGS

Season’s Greetings

www.merrittherald.com

Citizens Xmas Parade 2021

Enjoy this holiday season with your family and friends. from the staff at the

MERRITT HERALD

Happy Holidays Peace on Earth. Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season and a new year filled with peace and happiness.

From all of us at

D Call

@ MERRITT Y R T SELAXATION MEETS CARE” I T N E R ERE “ WH

250-378-4888

2731 Forksdale Avenue,

Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday’s!

All the best for 2022!

Have a very Merry Holiday Season and Joyous New Year!

Toll Free: 1-800-665-8711 www.danalbas.com

Shawn & Dawson Heidi & Tilly

@DanAlbas DanAlbas4COSN

250-378-2929 2152 Lauder St. Merritt dcsauto29@gmail.com

www.merrittherald.com

THURSDAY, December 23, 2021 • 27

SEASON’S GREETINGS

May the magic of Christmastime fill your heart and soul with gladness!

www.yrb.ca

@YRBNicola

Phone: 604-392-9211 Toll Free: 844-234-6665 carterhearing.ca info@carterhearing.ca

Government Provider: FNHA, DVA, Welfare and Disability

3 Years in a Row!

w

w

w

.

c a

r

t e r

h w

Merry Christmas

w

w

w

.

c a

r

e a w

t e r

w

r .

h

i n

c a

r

e a

g

.

t e r

r

c a h

i n

e a

g

r

.

i n

g

.

c a

c a

From all of us

Wishing everyone a Safe & Happy Holiday 2052B Quilchena Ave. 2052B Quilchena Avenue

250-378-5575

250-378-5575

2-98 Hwy 8 Merritt BC

PH: 250-378-2277

28 • THURSDAY,

www.merrittherald.com

December 23, 2021

Please Don’t Drink, Drug & Drive Too many people are arrested every holiday season after failing breathalyzer tests at police roadside checkpoints. Driving while intoxicated puts your own life in danger, but the worst thing is that it endangers the lives of other road users as well. Make sure that this festive time of year doesn’t end in tragedy for you or anyone else.

Ph: 250-378-9446 3499 Voght Street

Christmas time often means one party after another with drinks galore. When you accept an invitation, plan ahead of time how you’re going to get home. Members of the same family or group of friends can designate a driver, arrange to share a taxi at the end of the evening, or use a free or for-hire drive home service.

Don’t Drink and Drive

www.yrb.ca

@YRBNicola

Planning on hitting the bars this weekend

Even if your alcohol consumption is moderate you still ought to check that you’re still capable of driving safely. Use a personal breath alcohol tester to find out if you’re over the legal limit; they are on sale at most provincial liquor and wine stores.

The Conayt Friendship Society

The Conayt Friendship Alcohol and Drug ProgramSociety is very concerned about is very Alcohol and Drug Program DO NOT drink, drug and drive. concerned about PLEASE BE SAFE DO NOT drink, drug and drive. this holiday season!

PLEASE BE SAFE this holiday season!

It might be hard to remember this when under the influence, but a person’s behaviour and faculties are altered by alcohol. When blood alcohol content is over 0.5 g/l, a driver’s field of vision shrinks, distance perception changes, visual reaction times increase, there is more sensitivity to glare, and vigilance and resistance to fatigue are reduced. Perhaps the ultimate danger is that alcohol consumption results in a loss of inhibition, which causes drivers to under-evaluate dangers and break traffic laws.

Don’t drink/drug drive

New Patients Always Welcome OFFICE HOURS: MONDAY - FRIDAY 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Don’t drive if you’re Tipsy, Buzzed or Blitzen.

2088 Quilchena Avenue (next to the Royal Bank) PO Box 3090, Merritt, BC V1K 1B8

Call: 250-378-5877

THURSDAY, December 23, 2021 • 29

www.merrittherald.com

YOU BOOZE, YOU CRUISE, YOU LOSE. 1301 Nicola Ave., Merritt, BC 250-378-5121

BECAUSE SAFTETY IS KEY,

PLEASE DON’T DRINK & DRIVE! This message supported by

P: 250.378.4224 www.merritt.ca Email: info@merritt.ca 2185 Voght Street

Wishing everyone a safe & happy holiday season.

Please Don’t Drink & Drive!

If you drink and drive...

Please Don’t Drink, Drug & Drive This man will gladly be your designated driver…

We’ll give you free bracelets…

You’ll get e enough tim … k to thin Our hostess will gladly assign you a place…

This message brought to you by the Management and staff of the

You’ll be able to make new friends…

MERRITT HERALD 2090 Granite Ave

250-378-4241

30 • THURSDAY,

December 23, 2021

www.merrittherald.com

SPORTS

Have a sports story tip? Tell us about it by calling 250-378-4241 or emailing newsroom@merrittherald.com.

Phillips-Watts stands on head in loss to Wild Jake Courtepatte NEWSROOM@ MERRITTHERALD.COM

Goaltender Colton Phillips-Watts may not have gotten his first win of the 2021-22 BCHL season on Dec. 17 against the Wenatchee Wild, but it was still a night to remember for the Quesnel native.

Phillips-Watts was given the call between the pipes in the second of the three-game road series, one night after the Merritt Centennials fell 6-1 to the Wild.

A penalty-filled affair in game two saw the Cents go to the penalty kill a total of twelve times, prompting an enormous amount of shots peppering

Phillips-Watts’ net.

By the final buzzer, the Cents were on the wrong side of a 6-2 score, with Phillips-Watts seeing a total of 71 shots.

He was called back into action the following day against the Wild, coming in in relief of Brandon Weare late in the second period with the score at 4-1.

Phillips-Watts managed to shut down the Wild offense the rest of the way, making 16 stops, though the Cents were shut down as well.

The Cents will be looking for their second win of the season after the holiday break, taking on the Salmon Arm Silverbacks on Dec. 29 at the NVMA.

PREVENTTHEFTS THEFTSFROM FROM PREVENT YOUR VEHICLE YOURMOTOR MOTOR VEHICLE Here a few helpful hints to help prevent motor vehilcle break-ins: 1 Don’t leave purses or valuables inside vehicles overnight.

2 Lock vehicles when exiting, make it a habit.

3 If leaving valuables in a vehicle; hide from sight.

4 Park in a well lit area.

5 Report any thefts, damage or suspicious persons to police THIS MESSAGE IS BROUGHT This message brought to youTO

by YOU BY

STOP BY AND FURNACE SEE OUR NEW OF IS YOUR READYSELECTION FOR WINTER Don’t get caught off guard by a broken heater when you need it most.

Give your furnace a tune-up before the cold hits.

BE SURE TO KEEP THE FAMILY WARM & SAFE THIS WINTER

beachcomber 250-378-5104 HOT TUBS

Coutlee Ave., COPPER VALLEY 2151 coppervalley@uniserve.com MECHANICAL CONTRACTORS LTD. 2151 Coutlee Ave., Merritt 250-378-5104

LTD students complete exams CONTRIBUTED Love To Dance students have become known for not giving up. Teacher Vanessa van Rensburg encouraged students to complete their final 2021 Spanish exams in spite of floods and evacuations. Dancers had the support of their parents and some of them completed their exams in person in the Merritt Golf and Country Clubhouse after the floods and some of them did their exams by video in hotel rooms and lobbies. “Whichever way”, said Artistic Director, Lizette Nel, “you are all superstars! Bravo to all!”

A Love to Dance supporter, Shirley Reynolds, commented: “I celebrate your resilience and strength! You are not only learning to be good dancers, but are learning valuable life lessons about courage and acquiring the ‘never give up’ attitude. It will take you far in life!”

Photos on Pg. 31.

Merritt vs Centennials

Results

Spanish Pre-Level 1 Exam Anina Miller: Gold with Distinction Emma Doncaster: Silver Lyla Schwarz: Silver Priya Sandur: Gold

Spanish Level 2 Exam Madilyn Thorne: Silver with Distinction Sofia McCulloch: Silver Spanish Level 2 Advanced Kate van Rensburg: Gold Mikayla Manke: Silver with Distinction Spanish Level 7 Exam Avery Warren: Gold with Distinction Kinley Stewart: Gold with Distinction Megan Voigt: Gold with Distinction

THE CENTS RETURN HOME TO NICOLA VALLEY MEMORIAL ARENA FOR THE FINAL GAME OF 2021 ON DECEMBER 29!

PUCK DROP IS AT 7P.M. VS. THE SALMON ARM SILVERBACKS

FOR TICKETS DROP BY 2001C VOGHT ST, OR CALL JARED AT 250-378-3604

www.merrittherald.com

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

THURSDAY, December 23, 2021 • 31

Spanish Dance students at Love to Dance Academy ended their dance year on a high note.

32 • THURSDAY,

www.merrittherald.com

BUSINESS FEATURE Solar panels installed at CONTAIN-IT Emcon Merritt site December 23, 2021

Do you want to nominate a business? Tell us about it by calling 250-378-4241 or emailing reporter@merrittherald.com.

STORAGE

Approved mini-storage ■ On-site rentals ■ Secured ■ Sale of New & Used storage containers ■

Morgan Hampton REPORTER@MERRITTHERALD.COM Emcon Services, a Merritt based company special-

izing in highway maintenance, paving, bridge

2055 Quilchena Ave

construction, material processing and equipment hauling, recently took their first step into utilizing green energy by having solar panels

installed on the roof of the Merritt division.

“We installed 40 - 450 watt Bifacial panels complete with two integrated inverters,” said Frank Rizzardo, President of Emcon Services.

“They are mounted in a triangle configuration due to the alignment of the building to south. We support the investment in alternative energy, and solar is relatively easy to make work with all the sunlight we have in Merritt.”

Rizzardo added that when the company is ready to add electric vehicles to their fleet, the solar panel installation will allow for a minimum of three EV charging stations.

The panels were supplied by Caterpillar Energy, with the installation handled by Eric Little, co-owner of Solar Energy Innovations (SEI) Logistics, and his team.

“We managed to build all the

info@ukspicecuisine.com

components during the flooding,” said Little.

“My team is incredibly proud of what we accomplished; all things considered. This 40-panel system was installed in less than a day, showcasing the ease of installation during any time of year, either be a heat wave or blizzard.”

Little noted that, in fact, the installation was completed in a record time of two hours.

“The triangular frame was mounted on interlocking rubber mats to protect the new roof we just installed late this summer,” said Rizzardo.

“We also invested in four new heat-cool rooftop units for the building. This year we have invested in the infrastructure of our corporate office. The lower floor offices were outfitted with LED ceiling panels. We will follow up with the replacement of fluorescent ceiling lights on the second floor in early 2022.”

250-293-0416

The project comes with a 25-year warranty and Rizzardo estimates that Emcon will break even on the capital investment in approximately ten years, less if other capital improvements are completed.

1750 Hill Street ■ Phone: 250-315-3000 PLEASE RECYCLE THIS NEWSPAPER

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

Sunday service (indoors), 10 am. Phone (250)378-2464 for more info and for prayer support.

Merritt Lutheran Fellowship

in St. Michael's Anglican Hall • 250-378-9899 Service Time: 3rd Sunday each month 1:00 p.m.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church

Corner of Jackson & Blair • 250-378-2919 Mass Time: Sundays 9:00 a.m.

St. Michael’s Anglican Church

1990 Chapman St. • 250-378-3772 Service Times: 2nd and 4th Sundays only - 10:00 a.m.

Trinity United Church

Corner of Quilchena & Chapman • 250-378-5735 Service Time every Sunday - 10 am

Somang Mission Community Church (SMC) 1755 Coldwater Ave. (The Cadet Hall) Sunday Service Time: 4:00 pm • 250-280-1268

Nicola Valley Evangelical Free Church 1950 Maxwell St. • 250-378-9502 Service Time: Sundays 10:00 a.m.

Monday - Saturday 11:00 am to 9:oo pm Sunday: 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm

THURSDAY, December 23, 2021 • 33

www.merrittherald.com

CLASSIFIEDS Deadline for placing a classified ad is 5 p.m. on Monday. To place an ad please call 250-378-4241 or email: sales2@merrittherald.com In Memoriam

In Memoriam

In Memoriam

In Memoriam

JACK SUTHERLAND You left us beautiful memories. memories.

Your love is still our guide, guide, and and you’re always always though we cannot see you, you’re at our side ... missed “Jack” “Jack” You are so very missed

Sloane, Livia, Livia, Love: Elaine, Carla, Jessie, Sloane, & Rainer Rainer wee babe “Jack”, Terry &

Celebrate the lives of loved ones with your stories, photographs and tributes

May the Sunshine of Comfort Dispel the Clouds of despair Obituaries

Obituaries

Obituaries

Obituaries

DURHAM Claudette Diane

April 22, 1952- November 19, 2021 Claudette Diane Durham (nee Bourcier) passed away peacefully in 100 Mile at Fischer House on November 19, 2021 at the young age of 69 after an on going battle with cancer. She was recently predeceased by her loving partner Ron Blomme in July, her devoted husband Jim Durham in 2007, and her parents Gabriel Bourcier and Jeanine Rainville. Claudette is survived by her three children Tammy (Laine), Susanne (Brian), and Joey, her grandchildren Forrest, Brayden, Payton, and Jorja, her siblings Claude (Susan), Diane, Gary (Gerry). She will be missed deeply by them and her extended family and friends.

Before her battle with cancer, Mom devoted 13 years to working her way up at Canadian Tire. She loved that job and was known to be exceptional at helping customers, often seen at the top of a ladder grabbing something from the high shelves and never complaining when a customer decided they did not want it. She did this for as long as she could and then was forced into retirement when she got sick. She kept the store in business by her many purchases on the great deals found at Canadian Tire and the running joke always was, “Where did you buy this?” When she was not working, she enjoyed camping, fishing, music, singing, and spending time with others. She loved to karaoke and play her guitar -her most prized possession. In earlier times while we were growing up, she spent a good portion of that time being a stay at home mom and enjoyed sewing, knitting, and hairdressing. She also took on the role of Girl Guide leader and did this for many years. Then when she and dad divorced, she entered the workforce working in retail and enjoyed the many customers (well most of them) she encountered over the years.

She was a loving and caring mom and friend. We will miss her dearly. A celebration of life will take place in the spring. Donations to the Cancer Society may be made in lieu of flowers.

“The most wonderful gift you could ever give is the special part of you that now lives in each of us.”

Kimberly Rinehart “There are no goodbyes. Wherever you are, you will always be in our hearts.”

Obituaries

Obituaries

Obituaries

Obituaries

ALLEN Arthur H. (Art) 1939 - 2021

It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of Arthur H. (Art) Allen, 82 of Kamloops, BC, on December 14, 2021. Art passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and holding the hand of his wife of almost sixty years, Sandy. He was born to George and Verna Allen on March 26, 1939 in Quesnel, BC. Shortly after graduation, Art began his 37 year career with BC Hydro (known then as the BC Power Commission) as a meter reader, eventually becoming a popular and highly regarded Line Supervisor. His career took him from Quesnel to Dawson Creek, Merritt, Nakusp and finally Kamloops, where he retired in 1994.

Art married the love of his life Sandy (or “Sam” as he liked to call her) on January 6th, 1962 and loved nothing more than spending time with family and friends. He was a wonderful dancer, enjoyed playing cards, curling, golfing, camping, fishing and teasing those he loved with his wry sense of humour. In his retirement years, his most treasured pastime was fishing with his buddies Dave and Ron at a secluded spot on the Thompson River.

Whenever a friend or family member was having a particularly difficult time, Art would always end up prescribing a little Thompson River Therapy or “TRT” as he liked to call it, to cure all that ailed them.

Art is survived by his wife Sandy, daughter Laurie (Michael), son Doug, grandchildren Karlie, Lindsey (Ty, great grand baby #1 due in March), Alex and Taylor, and his much loved sister-in-law and brother-in-law Carol & Bill McKenzie. A favourite uncle to Debra (Joe), Cheryl and Heather (Jim), along with great nieces, nephews and many other family members. Art was predeceased by his parents George (Ora) Allen and Verna (Jack) Carson and his older brother Verne.

A life well lived and loved, we will always miss our husband, Dad and Papa, but are comforted by the knowledge that Art is enjoying a long stretch of “TRT”.

A celebration of Art’s life will be held in the spring or early summer. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Majorie Willoughby Memorial Hospice Home in Kamloops would be appreciated.

Arrangements entrusted to Kamloops Funeral Home 250-554-2577 Condolences may be sent to the family from www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com

34 • THURSDAY,

December 23, 2021

Obituaries

Obituaries

www.merrittherald.com Obituaries

Jean Simmonds August 29, 1929 ~ December 17, 2021 With sadness we announce the peaceful passing of Jean Simmonds, wife to Max for 68 years, mother to Joy (Dave) Crego, Bonnie (Arne) Huse, Brenda (Nolan) Winser, and David. She was a grandmother to Derek (Susie), Jennifer (Mike), Jonathan, Veronica, Joey, Joshua and Felicia, and great-grandmother to Jesse, Kyla, Josiah, Ethan, Zaden, Vennex, Trexton and Neveah, and sister to Florence Jontz.

She was predeceased by her parents, Thomas and Minnie Hale, her 12 siblings and her great-granddaughter, Micah.

Jean was born in Merritt and raised on the Hale Brothers’ Ranch. At Northwest Bible College in Edmonton she met Max Simmonds. After marrying in 1953, they went into full-time ministry as pastors with the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada.

Jean leaves behind the people whose hearts she has loved and touched, ever to be remembered until we meet again. Due to recent COVID restrictions, we are unable to have the funeral at 3:30 at the church. INSTEAD there will be a graveside service at 2:15 pm, Thursday, December 23, in Merritt B.C. We, the family, want to acknowledge the amazing care and kindness shown to Mom by Dr. Simpson and the staff at Gillis House. Thank you

Announcements

Domestic Cars

GET RESULTS! Post a classified in 95 newspapers in just a few clicks. Reach almost 2 million people for only $395 week for 25-word text ad or $995 for small display ad.

Choose your province or all across Canada. Best value. Save over 85% compared to booking individually. www.bccommunitynews .com/advertise or 1-866-669-9222

1995 Sunfire Black.

Only 35,000km’s on new motor. Good Winter Tires Summer Mags.

Runs Great. $1,400 obo.

(250) 315 - 7942

Please recycle this newspaper.

call to place your ad 250.378.4241

General Employment

General Employment

We are looking to fill a full time secretarial position at RE/MAX Legacy. The position requires an experienced and efficient secretary to manage our administrative tasks. Responsibilities include telephone communications, ordering supplies, preparing and distributing marketing materials, banking, and other real estate duties. All applicants must be proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel, online marketing, and the ability to work independently.

This position requires an organized and detail oriented person.

Previous office experience is preferred.

VALUE ADDED LUMBER REMANUFACTURING PLANT

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO.58 (NICOLA-SIMILKAMEEN)

PRODUCTION WORKERS

NOON HOUR SUPERVISORS

• Wages: starting $20 to $25 • Steady day shift work • Students welcome to apply • No experience necessary • Will train

1ST & 2ND YEAR MECHANICS Please submit resume in person to 1195 Houston Street, Merritt B.C. 250-378-6161

Mon., Tues., Thurs. & Fri.: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday: 1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m

HELP WANTED SECRETARIAL

officeremaxlegacy@gmail.com

CARPENTERS

REGULAR OFFICE HOURS On Call 24 Hours A Day

MERRITT

Please forward your resume to:

• Wages: starting $35 to $45 Depends on experience

Celebrating each life like no other

General Employment

Monday-Friday, Permanent

Local steady work

A Division of Service Corporation International (Canada) ULC

General Employment

LEGACY

Your Community Newspaper

TRUCK DRIVERS WITH CLASS 1

Merritt Funeral Chapel

General Employment

School District No. 58 is accepting applications for Noon Hour Supervisors at: 

Merritt Bench Elementary

This position may be Monday to Friday, five (5) days per week and one (1) hour per school day. Previous experience working with students would be an asset.

If interested, please send your resume along with three references to Kevin McGifford at kmcgifford@365.sd58.bc.ca or online at www.sd58.bc.ca, click on Jobs, Support Positions, and Current Job Opportunities (Job Code 3163396).

Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

www.MerrittFuneralChapel.com 2113 Granite Ave., Merritt, BC

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 58 (NICOLA-SIMILKAMEEN)

250-378-2141 or 1-800-668-3379

FIRST NATIONS SUPPORT WORKER

MERRITT & DISTRICT HOSPICE SOCIETY Listening is sacred. Whenever you can do that for someone, you are honouring them.

P: 250-280-1701

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

Celebrate the lives of loved ones with your stories, photographs and tributes

Because I Love You So Time will not dim the face I love, The voice I heard each day, The many things you did for me, In your own special way.

All my life I’ll miss you, As the years come and go, But in my heart I’ll keep you, Because I love you so.

-Anonymous

School District No. 58 (Nicola-Similkameen) is accepting applications for a Temporary First Nations Support Worker for Merritt for 7 hours per day, 10 months per year starting January 2022 to June 30, 2022. The successful applicant will be responsible for providing social/emotional support, communicating with students and parents/guardians, tutoring, and cultural education.

Electronic application submissions are accepted at www.sd58.bc.ca {click on Employment, Current Job Postings, (Job Code # 3157173) and follow the prompts}. Applications, including a detailed resume with a minimum of three references, will be accepted until filled, with a start date of January 3, 2022.

Please forward to: Attention: Lindsey Henderson Manager of Human Resources School District No. 58 (Nicola-Similkameen) P.O. Box 4100, 1550 Chapman Street Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 Only those applicants being interviewed will be contacted.

BRING HOME THE BACON

Discover new Discover new job possibilities. job possibilities. classifieds.tricitynews.com 250-378-4241

Happy Holidays

THURSDAY, December 23, 2021 • 35

www.merrittherald.com

Y o u r Local Business Directory DENTIST

CLEANING SERVICES

LICENSED CANNABIS

CERTIFIED IN MODERATE ASBESTOS REMOVAL

NOW HIRING!

Quilchena Cannabis Co. NEW PATIENTS & WALK-INS WELCOME

CARPET/UPHOLSTERY & TILE & GROUT CLEANING 250-378-9410

www.tbmcleaningandrestoration.com

GENERAL DENTISTS & SPECIALIST ORTHODONTISTS AVAILABLE Call

250-378-4888 to book your appointment.

2731 Forksdale Avenue, V1K 1R9

www.dentistryatmerritt.ca

R. Dutt-DMD Dr. J. Sarao-DMD, Dr. S. Malhotra-DDS, Dr.

HOURS

Tuesday: 9 am - 6 pm Wednesday - Thursday: 9 am - 5 pm Friday and Saturday: 9 am - 4 pm

JIM POTTER

• Fully insured, certified faller • WSBC covered • Dangerous tree assessment ➤Schedule your FREE Estimate

CALL JIM at 250-378-4212

ADVERTISING MERRITT HERALD

Advertising works!

Place your ad in our Business Directory!

@missvickispetalsandplants 1974 Quilchena Ave., Merritt, BC • 250-378-5575

ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE

PLUMBING & HEATING

ting a e H & g n i b m u l Nicola P

HERE FOR YOU!

For more information contact Ken at:

241 250-378-4 ublishing.com

Fully Qualied Tradesmen in..

Plumbing, Heating, Bonded Gas Fitters.

Service Work & Furnace Service.

Custom Sheet Metal Atlas RV Parts & Repairs

2064 Coutlee Ave., Merritt, BC

19+

Call 250-378-5 420 Unit B-1937 Quilchena Ave., Merritt BC

• Bouquets • Arrangements • Plants • Local Made Giftware

MERRITT TREE SERVICE

PHONE: 250-378-4943

S T BE

FLOWER SHOP

TREE SERVICE

Solutions for your tree problems!

Quilchena Canna Company MU

FLOOD SERVICES

kcouture@aberdeenp

@DanAlbas

DanAlbas4COSN

Toll Free: 1-800-665-8711 www.danalbas.com

THURSDAY, July 8, 2021 • 27

GET YOUR BUSINESS NOTICED!

PRIME ADVERTISING LOCATION!

y Loca l Bus ines s Dire ctor

Be sure to give me a call if you want to reserve your advertisement in this spot.

Ask for ken or TheresA• 250-378-4241

MECHANIC

ANICAL SERVICE FRANK’S MECH NTY APPROVED WE HAVE WARRA OLD OR NEW EVERYONE SOLUTIONS FOR MAINTENANCE

SPOTLESS RESULTS

• Fully insured, certified faller • WSBC covered • Dangerous tree assessment ➤Schedule your FREE Estimate

212 CALL JIM at 250-378-4

problems!

Solutions for your tree

• Tune Ups Exhaust • Brakes • Lube/Oil • • Suspension• Shocks & Struts Service •Radiator ioning Service 250-378-1322 • Air Condit

Office Buildings | Specialty Residential High Touch Touch-Ups | Post Construction Hoarding Services and Industrial

www.coldcreekclean.com info@coldcreekclean.com •

HERE FOR YOU!

250-525-0262

NABIS LICENSED CAN

ELECTED REPRESENTATIVE

This is a full colour business card size space on a 1, 3, 6 month or more contract.

IF YOUR READING THIS, THEN YOU KNOW IT WORKS!

COMMERCIAL CLEANING

TREE SERVICE JIM POTTER

MERRITT TREE SERVICE

a Cannabis

Co.

e Avenue

2026 Mamett

EXCAVATING Gary’s Mini Excavating Service • Small Job Specialist • Dump Trailer Service • Fencing & Post Pounder • Concrete Driveways & Sidewalks • Fully Insured

Quilchen

MU

Quilchena any Canna Comp

@DanAlbas

DanAlbas4COSN

Toll Free: 1-800-665-8711 www.danalbas.com

ST

BE

19+

email: garylsedore@gmail.com

5 420

Call 250-378-Ave., Merritt BC Quilchena Unit B-1937

G PLUMBING & HEATIN

ng & Hea ting Nic ola Plu mbi in..

Qualied Tradesmen

Fully Bonded Gas Fitters.

Plumbing, Heating, Service.

Service Work & Furnace Custom Sheet Metal Atlas RV Parts & Repairs

943

PHONE: 250-378-4

2064 Coutlee Ave.,

Merritt, BC

GIES INVESTMENT STRATE

CLARIT Y COMFORT, DENCE AND CONFI TE A COMPLE THROUGH PLAN

FINANCIAL

Insurance Planning Cashflow and Portfolio Management Planning Tax and Estate

today! for your plan Contact Kyle

Ext. 259 • Office: 250-372-2955 yle_schell orsgroup.com/en/k Cell Phone: 250-879-6306 • Website: http://advisor.invest

e-mail: Kyle.schell@ig.ca

Cell: 250-315-3174 Call Gary Sedore for FREE ESTIMATES: 250-378-4312

CLEANING SERVICES

DENTIST

ASBESTOS REMOVAL CERTIFIED IN MODERATE

E

S & WALK-INS WELCOM

NEW PATIENT L DENTISTS & LE GENERA ONTISTS AVAILAB SPECIALIST ORTHOD appointment. Tuesday:HOURS 9 am - 6 pm Thursday: Call

to book your

250-378-4888 Avenue, V1K 1R9 2731 Forksdale

rritt.ca www.dentistryatme S, Dr. R. Dutt-DMD

Dr. J. Sarao-DMD,

Wednesday - pm 9 am - 5 Friday and Saturday: 9 am - 4 pm

Dr. S. Malhotra-DD

BOOK TODAY!

FLOOD SERVICES

& CARPET/UPHOLSTERY G TILE & GROUT CLEANIN

250-378-9410 toration.com

www.tbmcleaningandres

FLOWER SHOP • Bouquets • Arrangements • Plants • Local Made Giftware sandplants

@missvickispetal

75 BC • 250-378-55 Ave., Merritt, 2052B Quilchena

EXCAVATING PC - 60

Servicing Merritt, Logan Lake & area.

250-280-3478

Owner Operator since 1987

• • • • • • • • • •

Excavating Site Prep Driveways Concrete Demolition Compaction Drainage Utility Installation Retaining Walls Line Locating Concrete Cutting

COMMERCIAL / RESIDENTIAL

36 • THURSDAY,

City

www.merrittherald.com

December 23, 2021

. . . l a nnu

a s ’ e ur

t i n r Fu

~ DOOR CRASHERS ~

DAY COVID PROTOCOLS IN PLACE FOR A SAFE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

0% FINANCING OAC

DECEMBER 26 ONLY 9 - 6 PM

Up to 70% Off Storewide SHOP EARLY FOR BEST SELECTION BIG SAVINGS IN ALL DEPARTMENTS

SHOP LOCAL, SUPPORT LOCAL, PRICE MATCH GUARANTEE! BUY IT TODAY - TAKE IT HOME TODAY STATUS CARDS ACCEPTED

2025 Coutlee Avenue, Merritt Phone: 250-378-2332

& Appliances Ltd.

HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 9 am - 6 pm, Sat.: 9:30 am - 5:30 pm Sundays: Closed