Merritt Herald August 6, 2026

BC Wildfire warns residents to heed evacuation orders as Clinton resident rescued. PAGE 11

MERRITT OTTERS AT REGIONALS

Otters swim team set personal bests, bring home hardware from regional swim

WILDFIRE SITUATION IMPROVES AS EVACUATION ORDERS LIFTED AROUND MERRITT

HERALD STAFF

Editor’s note: This story is accurate as of press time. Wildfire conditions and evacuation notices can change quickly. For the latest updates, visit www.merrittherald.com.

Residents in several communities west and north of Merritt have received encouraging news in recent days as firefighters continue gaining ground on several major wildfires burning across the southern Interior.

The most significant development came Monday (Aug. 3), when the Nooaitch Indian Band downgraded its evacuation order for the community’s main reserve to an evacuation alert, allowing residents to begin returning home at 8 a.m. following recommendations from the BC Wildfire Service and in agreement with the Thompson-Nicola Regional District.

The order had been in place since July 25 after the Brunswick Complex wildfire threatened the community. While residents are now permitted to return, band officials say emergency crews and heavy equipment remain active in the area and caution that wildfire activity continues across the region.

Nooaitch’s Emergency Operations Centre also remains active, and residents are being reminded to stay prepared should conditions worsen.

Similar progress has been made west of Merritt, where the Thompson-Nicola Regional District downgraded an evacuation order affecting 61 addressed properties near Spius Creek to an evacuation alert.

SITUATION IMPROVES: continued on page 2

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RESIDENTS ARE BEING REMINDED TO KEEP EMERGENCY PLANS IN PLACE

That former order area, which includes Petit Creek Road and Prospect Creek Forest Service Road, has now been incorporated into a broader evacuation alert covering approximately 708 addressed properties across Electoral Areas I (Blue Sky Country) and N (Beautiful Nicola Valley–South), including parts of Lower Nicola, Canford, Sunshine Valley and the Spius Creek area. Residents are being reminded to keep emergency plans in place, have grab-and-go bags ready and continue monitoring official information as conditions can change quickly.

Farther north, firefighters have also made substantial progress on the Guichon Creek wildfire west of Logan Lake.

BC Wildfire Service has reclassified the 145-hectare blaze as being held, meaning it is not expected to spread beyond its current boundaries under existing conditions. Crews continue extinguishing hot spots and reinforcing containment lines with support from helicopters, heavy equipment and local fire departments after several days of cooler weather helped limit fire growth.

As conditions improved, the Thompson-Nicola Regional District also rescinded the remaining evacuation alert associated with the Guichon Creek wildfire, returning the affected area to all-clear status.

While the recent developments mark significant progress for several communities, wildfire activity continues across the region.

The Brunswick Complex remains the largest active wildfire affecting the Merritt area and continues to burn out of control west of the city. Firefighters have strengthened containment lines and extinguished hot spots during several days of cooler temperatures and higher humidity, but officials continue to warn that changing weather and wind conditions could quickly increase fire behaviour.

Residents living in evacuation alert areas are urged to remain prepared to leave on short notice, keep emergency kits ready and continue monitoring updates from the BC Wildfire Service, First Nations and regional emergency authorities as firefighting efforts continue.

The changing status of the region’s fires means residents face different levels of risk. The Guichon Creek fire is now being held and its remaining evacuation alert has been lifted, while the Brunswick Complex west of Merritt remains out of control.

Near Ainslie Creek, the former evacuation-order area around Petit Creek Road and Prospect Creek Forest Service Road has been moved into the wider alert affecting roughly 708 addressed properties. That alert includes portions of Lower Nicola, Canford, Sunshine Valley and the Spius Creek area.

Officials say cooler temperatures and higher humidity have helped crews make progress, allowing firefighters to reinforce containment lines and extinguish hot spots. Helicopters, heavy equipment and local fire departments continue supporting the response.

However, an alert does not mean the danger has passed. Residents should be prepared to leave quickly if warmer, drier or windier weather increases fire behavior.

Emergency officials recommend keeping vehicles fueled, gathering medications, identification and essential supplies, and ensuring pets and livestock can be moved safely. Residents should rely on notices from the BC Wildfire Service, First Nations and the regional district because evacuation boundaries and fire conditions may change with little warning.

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LEARN MORE HERE:

VALLEY NEWS

MUNICIPAL ELECTION SEASON BEGINS AS MERRITT PREPARES FOR OCTOBER VOTE

HERALD STAFF

With candidate nominations opening in less than a month, Merritt residents are preparing to head to the polls for the 2026 municipal election, which will determine the city’s next mayor and six councillors.

General Voting Day is set for Saturday, Oct. 17, with advance voting opportunities scheduled for Oct. 10 and Oct. 14. Candidate nominations will open Sept. 1 and close at 4 p.m. on Sept. 11, after which the official list of candidates will be declared.

The City of Merritt has launched its Election 2026 webpage, providing nomination packages, voter information, key deadlines and links to provincial election resources for both prospective candidates and residents.

The last municipal election in 2022 saw 2,391 ballots cast, representing 43.36 per cent of Merritt’s 5,514 registered electors.

Voters elected Mayor Mike Goetz alongside councillors Adam Etchart, Dana Egan, Wendy Charney, Manuel Olguin, Paul

According to the City’s election information, voters will once again have the option of voting by mail if they are unable to attend a polling station in person. Completed mail ballots must be received by the Chief Election Officer by 8 p.m. on Election Day,

“Serving on a local government is one of the most important ways citizens can make a difference in their community,”

The Province’s Thinking About Running for Local Office? guide states.

and

Following Newman’s passing in 2024, Yvette Baxter was elected in a byelection to complete the remainder of the term. While nominations have yet to open, the race is already beginning to take shape.

Mayor Goetz has confirmed he will seek re-election this fall, while Coun. Manuel Olguin has also announced his intention to run for another term. The Herald will continue to bring you coverage of candidates throughout this election cycle.

while ballots returned through Canada Post must arrive before the final collection prior to voting day.

Municipal governments are responsible for many of the decisions that directly affect residents’ daily lives, including budgets, roads, water and sewer services, parks and recreation, land-use planning, emergency services and economic development.

The City has also directed prospective candidates to several provincial guides designed to help first-time candidates

understand the responsibilities of local elected office, campaign financing rules and the nomination process.

“Serving on a local government is one of the most important ways citizens can make a difference in their community,” the Province’s Thinking About Running for Local Office? guide states.

The guide also notes that local governments are “the order of government closest to the people,” with elected officials making decisions that directly influence the quality of life in their communities.

Unlike provincial and federal elections, municipal elections are administered by local governments rather than Elections BC.

“Each local government is responsible for running its own local elections, including voting, counting, reporting results and accepting candidate nominations,” Elections BC states. “Elections BC is responsible for administering the campaign financing and election advertising rules.”

Preliminary election results are expected to be released on the evening of Oct. 17 following the close of polls, with official results declared by the Chief Election Officer after the completion of the official determination process.

Additional information, including nomination documents, voter eligibility requirements, election bylaws and important deadlines, is available through the City’s Election 2026 webpage at merritt. ca/election.

MP CAPUTO LAUNCHES PETITION BACKING REGIONAL RESILIENCY PARTNERSHIP

ELIZABETH JOLICOEUR community@merrittherald.com

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As wildfires continue to threaten communities across the region, people have once again come together to protect homes, support evacuees and help wherever they are needed.

Local MP Frank Caputo says that same cooperation should extend beyond the immediate emergency and into the work of preparing communities for whatever comes next.

Caputo visited Merritt on Tuesday, July 28, to connect with residents about the wildfires affecting the region and gather support for a new petition backing the West Coast Corridor Resiliency Partnership, or WCCRP.

The partnership brings together Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Hope, Merritt and Princeton to push for coordinated investment in transportation, flood mitigation and other critical infrastructure across the B.C. Interior and Fraser Valley corridors.

During his visit, Caputo said the ongoing wildfire response has shown what communities and organizations can accomplish by working together. “It’s very inspiring to see the partnership that you see with people,” Caputo said. He praised the firefighters, First Nations personnel, volunteers and communities supporting the response, as well as the people forced from their homes.

“We’re going to be seeing, I’m sure, firefighters from all over, probably internationally, here,” he said.

Caputo has also visited the evacuation reception centre in Kamloops twice, where he spoke with people displaced from the Merritt area and other affected communities, including Clinton.

He said those conversations put the weight of the fires into perspective. “I’m getting ready to go to bed and going through your routine, and you think, ‘Oh my gosh, I have a house to lay down in. These people don’t,’” he said. Caputo recalled offering his condolences to one woman who had lost her home. “She goes, ‘Ah, memories are all up here,’” he said, gesturing to his head. “I don’t know how she did that. I’d have a tough time.”

The strength shown by evacuees and those helping them is something Caputo praised, but he said communities should not be left to rely on resilience alone.

His petition asks the federal government to recognize the WCCRP as a strategic partner in planning and delivering major infrastructure projects. It also calls for consistent, long term investment in transportation, flood

mitigation and other infrastructure needed to protect communities and keep people, goods and emergency services moving.

The petition points to the November 2021 atmospheric river as a warning of how vulnerable B.C. transportation, energy, agricultural and trade corridors can be.

Merritt was fully evacuated during the disaster after floodwaters damaged homes, businesses and municipal infrastructure. Nearly five years later, recovery and flood protection remain part of the community’s story.

The petition asks Ottawa to provide predictable funding over multiple years for projects that protect nationally significant trade and transportation routes while improving disaster preparedness. It also calls on the federal government to work directly with the WCCRP, Indigenous communities, municipalities and regional partners to identify what is needed and help move those projects forward.

The roads and corridors connecting the five communities are not only local routes. They carry food, goods, workers and emergency crews, making them important to public safety and the wider Canadian economy.

Caputo said he launched the petition after hearing concerns from Merritt residents about federal support for the partnership and the communities it represents.

Merritt residents will begin finding copies of the petition in their mailboxes. Those who receive one can sign it, collect additional signatures and return it to Caputo’s office by following the postage free mailing instructions included on the page. Caputo will gather the completed petitions and present them in the House of Commons.

The current wildfire response has shown how quickly communities can pull together when homes and lives are at risk. The petition carries that same idea into the years ahead. Communities can do much of the work together, but they still need reliable roads, flood protection and long term support from the governments responsible for funding.

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BC WILDFIRE WARNS RESIDENTS TO HEED EVACUATION ORDERS AFTER CLINTON RESIDENT NEEDS RESCUE

JAKE COURTEPATTE

newsroom@merrittherald.com

BC Wildfire Service is warning TNRD residents to follow evacuation orders after a Clinton-area resident needed to be rescued by firefighters.

Incident Commander Bryce Moreira, who oversees the Big Bar wildfire complex threatening areas north of Cache Creek, shared the incident during a July 29 information session.

“There was a member of the public that elected to not evacuate, even though the recommendation that I had placed with the Thompson Nicola Regional District was put

in place,” said Moreira.

As the fire approached the property, crews urged the resident to leave but were met with an explicit refusal before continuing their work.

They were later called back after the property became surrounded by fire.

“Fortunately, our crews were able to respond, get that person to safety, all our crews are safe, and so is that person as well,” Moreira said.

He added that evacuation orders protect both the public and firefighters.

“It took them away from their ability to respond to the fire in the area and protect other values on the landscape, people’s structures and homes.”

BC Wildfire Service also reminded residents that evacuation orders are issued when there is a significant threat.

“We understand that people may be reluctant to do so. However, choosing to remain in an area that is under an evacuation order puts yourself, your family and first responders in danger. It’s not worth the risk.”

Evacuation alerts and orders remain in effect throughout the Highway 97 corridor around Clinton and 70 Mile House

NICOLA VALLEY HOSPITAL EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT CLOSED FOR TWO HOURS

The emergency department at Nicola Valley Hospital temporarily closed Sunday (Aug. 2) night, marking the latest in a series of service interruptions affecting emergency care in Merritt.

Interior Health announced the closure effective immediately Sunday evening. A Voyent Alert issued by the City of Merritt at

approximately 9 p.m. advised residents the emergency department would remain closed until 11 p.m.

Patients experiencing a medical emergency were urged to call 911, while those able to travel independently were advised to seek care at Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops. All other inpatient services continued as normal.

Sunday’s two-hour closure marks the sixth emergency department service interruption at Nicola Valley Hospital since June. It follows a scheduled 25-hour closure from July 26 to 27 and another planned closure on July 19 that ended early after staffing was secured.

As with recent public notices, Interior Health did not provide a reason for the closure. Residents unsure whether they require emergency care can contact HealthLink BC by calling 811.

Join us as we celebrate Highland Valley Copper’s 40th Anniversary

Bring the whole family for a day of fun, exploration, and discovery.

Event Details

•August 16, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

•Logan Lake Recreation Centre & Maggs Park.

Interactive Displays, Mine Site Tours, Family-friendly activities and games including bouncy castles and uncle Chris the clown, Complimentary snacks, and refreshments available.

Tours depart from the Logan Lake Recreation Centre, and transportation will be provided.

Please do not drive directly to the mine site.

Please note that participation in mine tours is subject to certain requirements and restrictions. For more information, please contact us using the methods listed below.

Bring a refillable water bottle and please leave your pets at home.

Come celebrate our past, explore our present, and help us look ahead to the next generation of mining in the Highland Valley.

Connect

With Teck Highland Valley Copper

Phone: 1.855.523.3429

Email: hvc.feedback@teck.com

NICOLA VALLEY VIEWPOINT

ART-TASTIC!

Submit your artwork to newsroom@ merrittherald.com for a chance to be featured in print each week!

BC INTERIOR GONE WILD: WHY WE MUST RETHINK WILDFIRE STRATEGY

STEVEN RICE Guest Column

There was a time when summer in British Columbia’s Interior meant vacations, camping trips, orchards heavy with ripe peaches, warm mornings, and nights filled with stars. Today, those conversations have changed.

Instead of asking where to camp or which lake to visit, we ask where the next wildfire will start, how large it will become, and whether another community will be forced to evacuate. The anxiety arrives with the first heat wave. Blue skies disappear behind smoke, and evenings grow dark hours before sunset beneath an orange haze.

Wildfire has become the defining story of summer in British Columbia.

The turning point for many people was the Elephant Hill Fire in 2017. What began as a single wildfire quickly exploded into one of the largest fires in provincial history, burning nearly 192,000 hectares, destroying homes, and forcing thousands of residents from communities including Cache Creek and surrounding First Nations.

The disaster prompted the provincial government to commission the AbbottChapman report, which recommended improvements to emergency management, stronger partnerships between governments, greater investment, and a more proactive approach to disaster preparedness.

Nearly a decade later, it is fair to ask whether those recommendations were fully implemented.

Has emergency preparedness improved enough?

Has wildfire funding kept pace with the growing risk?

Or have we become better at reacting than preventing?

Mother Nature doesn’t care about government reports or political promises. After nearly four decades farming in British Columbia, I have little doubt the climate has changed. Call it what you will—climate change, changing weather patterns, or simply a hotter, drier climate—but the evidence is impossible to ignore.

The numbers tell the story.

In 2017, British Columbia lost more than 1.2 million hectares to wildfire. In 2018, another 1.35 million hectares burned. Then came the record-breaking 2023 season, when more than 2.84

million hectares burned—the largest area ever recorded in B.C. Even in 2025, considered a less destructive season than the previous two years, nearly 886,000 hectares still burned across the province. These are no longer once-in-a-generation events. They are becoming the new normal.

The Province continues to rely heavily on a reactive approach. Resources are mobilized after fires have already escaped initial attack, often when weather conditions have turned against firefighters.

That strategy is becoming increasingly expensive.

The Ministry already knows where the highest wildfire risks exist. Much of British Columbia’s Interior consistently ranks among the province’s most vulnerable regions.

So why aren’t crews, aircraft, and heavy equipment pre-positioned before extreme fire weather arrives?

Yes, placing additional resources on standby costs money.

But compared to the billions of dollars lost through firefighting, destroyed infrastructure, business interruptions, insurance claims, evacuations, and forest losses, those

continued on page 7

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

Email letters to: newsroom@merrittherald.com.

CANADA SHOULD REVERSE FOREIGN AID CUTS

Editor,

As International Youth Day approaches on August 12, I often find myself reflecting on global inequality while walking through local grocery stores. Seeing everyday abundance like stocked shelves and basic medicine makes the reality of 800 million people living in extreme poverty difficult to ignore.

Canada’s planned $2.7 billion reduction in foreign aid over four years deepens this disparity. With G7 nations moving to slash aid spending by 28% in 2026, Canada should maintain its commitment to global development.

Our international aid spending amounts to 32 cents of every $100 of national wealth. This small commitment delivers significant results. Since 2000, aid has helped cut global child mortality in half. Initiatives like Canada’s Charlevoix Declaration reached four million girls in conflict zones with quality education.

Continuing these funding cuts threatens to cause up to 22.6 million preventable deaths and 10.7 million additional tuberculosis cases by 2030.

Investing in foreign aid directly protects Canadian stability. Preventing conflict is roughly 60 times cheaper than fighting wars.

WILDFIRE STRATEGY: continued from page 6

upfront costs are remarkably small.

The Pear Lake wildfire demonstrates the point. Early delays in containment, combined with difficult weather and strong winds, allowed the fire to grow rapidly beyond initial attack. Once a wildfire reaches that stage, firefighters are no longer fighting a small fire—they are managing a disaster.

Every hour matters.

A stronger emphasis on prevention and rapid initial response could save hundreds of millions of dollars while protecting communities, forests, wildlife, and lives. The consequences of today’s approach extend far beyond the fire line.

Small businesses lose an entire tourism season. Highways close. Families are displaced. Homes disappear—many of them underinsured or uninsured. Communities spend weeks under evacuation alerts,

Every dollar invested in pandemic preparedness yields $14 in direct health benefits.

International Youth Day reminds us that decisions made today shape the future for young people worldwide. As the federal government prepares Budget 2026, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne and our local MPs must stop these aid cuts and reinvest in our shared future. It is by stepping up selflessly and helping those around us do we truly begin to live in a global world.

while evacuation centres are often located hours away and stretched beyond capacity.

The emotional and economic costs are enormous. British Columbians deserve a wildfire strategy that focuses not only on emergency response but also on prevention, preparedness, and resilience.

That means investing in fuel reduction projects, expanding prescribed burning, increasing year-round wildfire staffing, improving forest management, strengthening local firefighting capacity, and positioning crews and aircraft in high-risk regions before disasters occur—not after.

The question is no longer whether another catastrophic wildfire season is coming.

It is whether we will finally learn from the last one before the next one begins.

Do you plan to vote in the

Have your say at merrittherald.com

Has this been one of B.C.’s worst wildfire seasons in recent memory?

AUGUST 9, 2012 MAN CLAIMS HE

A prospector who was panning for gold alongside the Coldwater River last month came across something he believes is not of this world.

An unusual-loooking rock glistened from beneath about four feet of water, resting above other rocks that were covered with algae.

“I think that if this rock were here for a while, it would have also been covered with algae,” Arnold Dyson, a former miner and prospector, said of his July 8 discovery.

He said with “99 per cent certainty” that this rock is a meteorite.

“Just look at the way the surface looks melted,” he said. “You can also see where the impact was made.”

6, 2026

CITY NEWS

2026 GENERAL LOCAL ELECTION

NOTICE OF NOMINATION

Public Notice is given to the electors of the City of Merritt that nominations for the office of:

• Mayor – one (1)

• Councillor – six (6)

• School Trustee – three (3) to be elected for the four-year term ending in November 2030 will be received by the Chief Election Officer:

By hand, mail or other delivery service to: City of Merritt Municipal Hall

PO Box 189, 2185 Voght Street, Merritt, BC V1K 1B8 or by email to: corporate@merritt.ca

From 9 am, Tuesday, September 1, 2026 to 4 pm Friday, September 11, 2026 (excluding statutory holidays and weekends)

Nomination packages are available at www.merritt.ca and at the City of Merritt Municipal Hall during regular office hours from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays. Candidates should call 250.378.8634 to make an appointment with the Chief Election Officer to submit your nomination papers.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR OFFICE

A person is qualified to be nominated, elected, and to hold office as a member of the City of Merritt Council or School Board if they meet the following criteria:

• 18 years of age or older on general voting day (October 17, 2026);

• Canadian citizen;

• resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day nomination papers are filed; and,

• not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election in BC or from being nominated for, being elected to, or holding the office, or be otherwise disqualified by law.

CAMPAIGN PERIOD CANDIDATE & THIRD PARTY ADVERTISING EXPENSE LIMITS

In accordance with the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, for the 2026 general local election, the following expense limits apply in the City of Merritt election area during the campaign period September 19, 2026 to close of voting on October 17, 2026 for:

APPLIES TO MAYOR COUNCILLOR SCHOOL TRUSTEE

Candidates

Third Party

Advertising Sponsors

$12,323.78

$924.28

$6,161.89

$924.28

$6,161.89

$924.28

For further information on campaign period expense limits and third party advertising limits, contact Elections BC: 1.800.661.8683 Email: Electoral.finance@elections.bc.ca Website: elections.bc.ca

LIST OF REGISTERED VOTERS

Beginning Tuesday, September 1, 2026 until the close of general voting for the general local election on Saturday, October 17, 2026, a copy of the list of registered electors will be available for public inspection during regular office hours at the City of Merritt Municipal Hall, 2185 Voght Street from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays. Before inspecting the list, a person must sign a statement that they will not inspect the list or use the information except for the purposes of Part 3 –Electors and Elections of the Local Government Act

OBJECTION TO REGISTRATION OF AN ELECTOR

Any objection to the registration of a person whose name appears on the list of registered electors must be made in writing by a person eligible to be registered as an elector and submitted to the Chief Election Officer before 4 pm on Friday, September 11, 2026. Objections can only be made on the basis that the person whose name appears on the list of electors has died or is not qualified to be registered as an elector of the City of Merritt.

REQUEST TO OMIT OR OBSCURE PERSONAL INFORMATION

An elector may request that their address or other information about them be omitted from, or obscured on, the list of electors. Upon request, the Chief Election Officer will

amend the list, which is available to the public and candidates. Submit your written request to the Chief Election Officer before September 1, 2026.

MAIL BALLOT VOTING

Mail ballot voting will be available to voters. In order to receive a mail ballot package you must first complete a Mail Ballot Application available online at merritt.ca or in person at the City of Merritt Municipal Hall. If you are not able to pick up a mail ballot package, please have your application to the Chief Election Officer by September 18, 2026 to allow sufficient time for a package to be mailed. Mail ballot packages must be sent out on or about September 25, 2026. To be counted, mail ballots must be received by the Chief Election Officer no later than 8 pm on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

ADVANCE ELECTOR REGISTRATION

Is your name on the current list of electors? Voters listed on the Elections BC Voters List as Merritt residents do not need to re-register. Visit elections.bc.ca to check or update your registration, or to register as a new voter in BC. Advance elector registrations will be accepted at the City of Merritt Municipal Hall until 4 pm, Tuesday, August 25, 2026. Except for new registrations in conjunction with voting, elector registrations will not be accepted during the period of August 25, 2026, to October 19, 2026. Electors wishing to register for the first time must do so at time of voting and produce two pieces of identification that provide evidence of the applicant’s identity and place of residence, one of which must include the applicant’s signature or alternately, provide two pieces of identification verifying identity in addition to making a solemn declaration as to the applicant’s place of residence. Visit merritt.ca for a complete list of acceptable identification. Additional documentation (evidence of ownership) is required to register as a Non-resident Property Elector.

ELECTOR QUALIFICATIONS

Are you eligible to vote in the October Election?

RESIDENT ELECTORS:

• 18 years of age or older on general voting day (October 17, 2026);

• Canadian citizen;

• resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration;

• resident of the City of Merritt; and,

• not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or be otherwise disqualified by law.

NON-RESIDENT PROPERTY ELECTORS:

• not entitled to register as a resident elector of the City of Merritt;

• 18 years of age or older on general voting day;

• Canadian citizen;

• a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration;

• a registered owner of real property in the City of Merritt for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration;

• not holding the property in trust for a corporation or any other trust; and,

• not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or be otherwise disqualified by law.

If there is more than one registered owner of the property, you must be the owner who has the written consent of the majority of owners to register as the non-resident property elector (only one permitted per property).

Note: Registration and Consent forms are available at the Municipal Hall. A Non-resident Property Elector may only vote once in the City of Merritt, regardless of the number of properties that they may own.

Non-resident property owners are strongly encouraged to register in advance due to the specific information required for a complete registration. Please contact the Chief Election Officer for detailed information.

QUESTIONS? CONTACT US:

Linda Brick, Chief Election Officer (250.378.8634)

Holly Ferris, Deputy Chief Election Officer (250.378.4224)

Email: corporate@merritt.ca

DRYING CREEKS, LOW FLOWS PUSH NICOLA WATERSHED INTO CRISIS

ELIZABETH JOLICOEUR community@merrittherald.com

Local

Journalism Initiative Reporter

The chiefs of the Nicola Five are calling for urgent provincial and federal support as historically low water levels, drying creeks and mounting pressure on fish, farms and communities push the Nicola Watershed into

demand alone cannot solve the larger problem.

“A Temporary Protection Order or further curtailment may reduce demand, but it cannot create water where supply and storage are insufficient,” the statement reads.

The chiefs said waiting until drinking-water systems begin failing would be too late.

Drying waterways, fish stress, declining water quality, algae, reduced water storage, groundwater concerns and heightened wildfire risk are already affecting the watershed.

Food security and cultural values are also at risk.

The Nicola Five represent Nłeʔkepmx and Syilx peoples with Aboriginal rights, including title, within their respective unceded traditional territories. The chiefs said their responsibility to protect the watershed is guided by their laws, teachings, oral histories and systems of governance.

Their work with the Province of British Columbia is coordinated through the Nicola Watershed Governance Partnership, or NWGP. The partnership brings the Nicola Five and the province together to advance collaborative water governance based on Indigenous knowledge, scientific information and watershed sustainability.

The chiefs said the NWGP and its nk’eʔxép Management Committee should continue guiding decisions and coordinating the response to the crisis.

FRIENDS &Neighbours

ROGER SLOAN WAY VISITED BY NAMESAKE

A local golfing legend now has a permanent place on the map.

Members of Merritt’s city council joined PGA Tour professional Roger Sloan on Sunday, July 19, to officially unveil Roger Sloan Way, the roadway leading into the Merritt Golf and Country Club off Juniper Drive.

Council approved the name change at its June 30 meeting after first discussing the proposal earlier that month. The roadway was chosen because Sloan grew up playing at the Merritt course before going on to enjoy a successful professional career, including victories on both the Korn Ferry Tour and Canadian Tour, along with two runner-up finishes on the PGA Tour.

Mayor Mike Goetz previously said Sloan has remained a proud ambassador for his hometown, noting that “whenever he does well, he mentions Merritt all the time.”

The unveiling recognizes Sloan’s accomplishments in golf and his longstanding connection to the Nicola Valley.

what they describe as a water security crisis.

In a joint statement dated July 27, the elected leaders of Upper Nicola Band, Lower Nicola Indian Band, Coldwater Indian Band, Nooaitch Indian Band and Shackan Indian Band warned that conditions have moved beyond what ordinary drought-response measures may be able to address.

“The Nicola Watershed is facing a water security crisis,” the chiefs said.

The statement points to historically low streamflows and lake levels, drying creeks, high temperatures, water-quality concerns and growing risks to fish and fish habitat.

Voluntary reductions of approximately 50 per cent are already in place, according to the chiefs. If conditions continue to worsen, water users could be asked to voluntarily reduce their use by as much as 100 per cent.

The chiefs acknowledged the cooperation of water users, including agricultural producers, who have been working through the joint response process under difficult conditions.

However, they cautioned that reducing

At the same time, they are asking the governments of British Columbia and Canada, along with other agencies, to help identify immediate funding and support for long-term water security.

The requested support includes waterstorage options already being considered through the NWGP, watershed restoration, fish protection, water-quality monitoring, groundwater monitoring and recharge, agricultural water resilience and climate adaptation.

The chiefs stressed that seeking an emergency-level response is not about blaming individual water users or replacing the work already underway through the NWGP.

Instead, they said, it would formally recognize that conditions in the watershed now exceed ordinary drought-response measures and require urgent cooperation from both senior levels of government.

“Water scarcity is not only a government issue. It is a shared responsibility,” the chiefs said. “Every household, ranch, farm.

WHERE THE PADDLE CARRIES HOPE: THE JOURNEY OF VISION QUEST

ELIZABETH JOLICOEUR community@merrittherald.com Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Down a quiet road outside Logan Lake, men are learning how to live again.

The paddle at the centre of VisionQuest Recovery Society’s identity carries the story of how that work began.

In 1997, the VisionQuest Canoe Journey travelled roughly 1,000 miles from Hazelton to Victoria, bringing RCMP members, Indigenous paddlers and people from different backgrounds into the same canoes. Most nights, they stopped in First Nations communities along the coast. Following traditional protocol, each canoe waited on the water, introduced itself and asked permission to come ashore. Once welcomed, the paddlers joined their hosts for food, stories, songs and ceremonies.

The journey carried a message of healing, cultural connection and alternatives to addiction.

Nearly three decades later, the journey continues in a different form at VisionQuest’s residential recovery centre near Logan Lake, which can house up to 60 men.

Men dealing with addiction are given more than a bed and a place away from drugs and alcohol. They are given structure, responsibility, education, cultural connection and time to begin building a different life.

There is a lot happening behind the doors.

Residents attend daily classes, work through the 12 steps and learn more about addiction, trauma, accountability and

Land Act: Notice of Application for a Disposition of Crown Land

Land Act: Notice of Application for a Disposition of Crown Land

CITY NEWS

Take notice that I/We, The City of Merritt, from Merritt, BC, have applied to the British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS), Thompson Okanagan Region, for a Licence of Occupation for a Roadway located on Provincial Crown land located in the vicinity of the City of Merritt.

Take notice that I/We, The City of Merritt, from Merritt, BC, have applied to the British Columbia Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship (WLRS), Thompson Okanagan Region, for a Licence of Occupation for a Roadway located on Provincial Crown land located in the vicinity of the City of Merritt. WLRS invites comments on this application. The Lands File is 3413775. Written comments concerning this application should be directed to the Senior Authorization Specialist, WLRS, Thompson Okanagan Region, at 441 Columbia Street, Kamloops, BC V2C 2T3. Comments will be received by WLRS up to August 22, 2026. WLRS may not be able to consider comments received after this date. Please visit the website at http://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/for more information. Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be considered part of the public record. Access to these records requires the submission of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. Visit http://www.gov.bc.ca/freedomofinformation to learn more about FOI submissions.

WLRS invites comments on this application. The Lands File is 3413775. Written comments concerning this application should be directed to the Senior Authorization Specialist, WLRS, Thompson Okanagan Region, at 441 Columbia Street, Kamloops, BC V2C 2T3. Comments will be received by WLRS up to August 22, 2026 WLRS may not be able to consider comments received after this date. Please visit the website at http://comment.nrs.gov.bc.ca/ for more information.

Be advised that any response to this advertisement will be considered part of the public record. Access to these records requires the submission of a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. Visit http://www.gov.bc.ca/freedomofinformation to learn more about FOI submissions

managing their emotions. Some continue their education and can work toward completing their high school diploma while staying at the facility.

Outside the classroom, there are opportunities to learn with their hands.

VisionQuest has a woodworking shop and a mechanics shop where residents can develop practical skills, work alongside others and experience the satisfaction of finishing something they started. The property also includes a large gym, exercise equipment and space for recreation.

Residents help tend the garden and learn about growing food, caring for the land and taking responsibility for something beyond themselves. They can volunteer, help maintain the facility and eventually take on leadership roles supporting newer residents.

Taken together, those opportunities help rebuild parts of everyday life that addiction may have pushed aside.

It can be learning to show up on time, finish a task, accept guidance or work through frustration without walking away. Sometimes it is simply learning that a day can be filled without needing to escape from it.

Culture also holds an important place in the healing offered at VisionQuest. An Elder regularly visits the facility to spend time with residents and share teachings, guidance and lived knowledge. Sweat ceremonies are held on the land, giving residents a place for reflection, prayer, connection and healing.

For Indigenous men, that programming can offer a path back to parts of themselves that may have been disrupted by addiction, incarceration, family separation or the lasting effects of colonial systems.

The sweat lodge, Elder support and traditional teachings do not treat culture as an extra activity added around recovery. They recognize that, for many Indigenous people, reconnecting with culture and community is part of recovery itself.

Residents who are not Indigenous are also welcomed into that learning and given an opportunity to understand another approach to healing, responsibility and community.

VisionQuest’s connection with Indigenous communities and the justice system stretches back to its beginning. The society grew from work involving RCMP Staff Sgt. Ed Hill and renowned Indigenous artist Roy Henry Vickers and continues to work with police, courts and other authorities today.

Some residents arrive through the justice system, while others enter voluntarily. In certain cases, the program can provide an alternative to incarceration, but that does not mean avoiding accountability.

Residents are expected to participate, follow the rules and take an active role in their recovery.

One resident approaching a year at VisionQuest entered voluntarily after more than 30 years in and out of addiction.

“When I first got here, I was pretty scattered,” he said. “The one thing that I really appreciated with this place was the

lack of distractions.”

He has completed the main programming and now helps facilitate newcomers and 12 step classes for other residents.

“Helping someone else helps me,” he said. In the past, recovery meant rushing toward a job, a vehicle or a relationship to prove his life was back together. This time, he is working on the foundation first. Before leaving VisionQuest, he wants secure housing, a recovery community, a home group and a sponsor in place. His path to the facility followed decades of addiction, childhood trauma and tremendous loss. At one point, he lost 15 friends over eight and a half months.

He carried much of that pain quietly for years. By speaking about it now, he hopes younger men may realize they do not have to bury their own experiences until those experiences begin controlling their lives.

“Good days and bad days both have the same thing in common. They’re both temporary,” he said. “On a good day, I’m going to enjoy it and try to help someone. On a bad day, I learn something new about myself.”

His experience is one example of what the time and variety of programming at VisionQuest can offer.

Recovery does not happen only in a counselling room. It can happen during a sweat, in a conversation with an Elder or while helping someone through their first days at the facility. It can happen over a piece of wood in the shop, beneath the hood of a vehicle, in the gym, in the classroom or with both hands in the garden soil.

VisionQuest operates three facilities and reports that its programming can reduce reoffending by approximately 50 to 55 per cent. Staff also said its long term outcomes are similar for Indigenous residents and those who are not Indigenous.

Behind those numbers are people trying to return to their families and communities with a better chance of staying there.

The rural setting plays its own part. Surrounded by forest and open space, residents have some distance from the relationships, pressures and routines connected to their addiction.

The quiet does not do the hard work for them. It simply gives that work somewhere to begin.

Recovery is rarely a straight journey, and no one leaves VisionQuest with every part of life repaired. The goal is to help each man leave with stronger skills, deeper connections and something solid enough to hold when life gets difficult again.

For one resident nearing his first year, the distance travelled can be heard in a few simple words.

“I’m proud of myself today,” he said. “I wasn’t very proud when I got here.”

The canoes that carried VisionQuest’s message nearly three decades ago have long since come ashore, but the journey behind the paddle continues, one man, one day and one hard won step at a time.

NICOLA VALLEY SPORTS

MERRITT PICKLEBALL CLUB SERVES UP SECOND ANNUAL PADDLE GAMES

ELIZABETH JOLICOEUR community@merrittherald.com

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Merritt Pickleball Club held its second annual Paddle Games on Tuesday, July 28, marking a decade in the Nicola Valley and bringing players together for a day of friendly competition, exercise and community connection.

“This is our second annual Paddle Games, so we’ve been in the valley 10 years now playing pickleball,” said club president Paul Willms.

The club has roughly 75 members, but Willms said there is still plenty of room for more Merritt residents to get involved, whether they are experienced players or trying the sport for the first time.

“We’ve been going 10 years, and we’re just getting started,” he said. “We are just so keen

to have more Merrittonians come and play.”

This year’s event highlighted the broad appeal of pickleball, with players ranging in age from 12 to 84. Willms said that is part of what makes the sport a good fit for a community club, because it can be social, active and competitive without requiring years of experience.

“This is one of the best games for seniors,” he said. “Although tennis is a wonderful game, this is a wonderful times-two game.”

New players are welcome to give pickleball a try without committing right away.

“First time is free,” Willms said.

The club hopes the Paddle Games will become part of a growing calendar of local pickleball events. Willms said the goal is to keep creating chances for members and newcomers to meet, play and build interest in the sport.

“We’d like to have these much more often,” Willms said.

The club also has a clubhouse available for group rentals, adding another way the space can be used by local residents and organizations outside regular play.

The club is already looking beyond Merritt for its next competition, with Willms issuing a friendly challenge to Princeton for a home-and-home matchup— one event in each community.

“We’d like to challenge Princeton to a home-and-home,” Willms said. “Game on.”

The Merritt Pickleball Club’s outdoor courts are located at 2050 Merritt Avenue. Information about schedules, registration and current contacts is available at https:// secure.pickleballcanada.org/club/ merritt-pickleball-club/1061/

MERRITT OTTERS EARN PAIR OF BRONZE MEDALS, SET

PERSONAL BESTS AT REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

wrapped up its season on a high note, bringing home two bronze

medals and a collection of personal best performances at the BC Summer Swimming Association Regional Championships in Kamloops.

Competing Aug. 1 and 2, the club sent 11 swimmers to the meet, where athletes qualified for numerous finals while recording strong performances throughout the weekend.

The Otters’ biggest accomplishments came in the relay pool, with both the girls’ and boys’ Division 4 4x50-metre freestyle relay teams capturing bronze medals.

In a statement following the meet, club officials said its swimmers “showed great team spirit and determination, achieving many personal bests and reaching the finals.”

The club also thanked the BC

Summer Swimming Association organizers and volunteers “for a fantastic meet,” while recognizing the dedication of its coaches throughout the season.

“We are especially proud of our boys’ and girls’ relay teams, who both earned bronze medals — what an amazing accomplishment,” they added.

The Merritt Otters also expressed appreciation to parents for their continued support throughout the season.

The regional championships marked the end of the club’s competitive season. The Otters said they are now looking ahead to their awards celebration and annual general meeting, with details to be shared through the club’s Facebook page and other communication channels.

DEADLINE TO VOTE IS SEPT. 11

PEOPLE AND PLACES

(Include Name & Business Name)

Accountant / Bookkeeper

Cashier

Coach

Cook

Dentist

Doctor

Eyelash Technician

Hair Dresser

Local Artist

Local Band/Musician

Local Event

Mechanic

Manager

Nail Technician

Personal Trainer

Photographer

Realtor

Receptionist

Restaurant Server

Teacher/Educator

Veterinarian (name of vet)

Volunteer

Outstanding Youth

Club/Sports Organization

Non Profit Organization

Sales Professional

BUSINESS

Auto Parts Store

Auto Repair Shop

Bank

Building Contractor Company

Building Supply Company

Butcher Shop

Cannabis Dispensary

Cement Company

Clothing Store

Cold Beer Wine / Liquor Store

Convenience Store/Gas Station

Counselling Business

Daycare

Dental Business

Dog/Cat Groomer

Electrical Company

Fitness Facility

BUSINESS CONTINUED

Flower Shop

Grocery Store

Hotel / Motel

Insurance Office

Landscaping Company

Massage Office

Optical Business

Pharmacy

Plumbing Company

Real Estate Company

Salon

Seniors Home

Spa

Storage Facility

Tattoo Studio

Thrift/Secondhand Store

Tire Shop

Towing Company

Welding Company

Catering

Pub

Restaurant

Agricultural/Farm/Ranch Business

Home Based Business

Unique Business

FOOD AND BEVERAGE

Breakfast

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TOP BUSINESSES

Business Of The Year

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New Business - 2 year’s or less in business

Choice Awards

TWO WAYS TO VOTE:

1) Newspaper entry - no photocopies accepted 2) Voting online - one entry per person per day

It’s time for people to make their choice. Indicate your top picks for the Merritt Herald People’s Choice Awards on this entry sheet, or using our online ballot form at https://www.merrittherald.com/peoples-choice-2026/

Name:

Address:

City:

Telephone:

Only original newspaper ballots and online entries will be accepted. No photocopies allowed. All ballots must be received or entered online by no later than Friday, September 11 at noon PST. Some restrictions and conditions apply. 25% of categories must be filled in for your votes to be count. Contest closes Friday Sept.11 at noon. One entry per household per week. PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

Ballots can be dropped off at the Merritt Herald office, #201 - 1951 Garcia St., Merritt, BC

NICOLA VALLEY COMMUNITY

MERRITT VET HOSPITAL PARTNERS WITH BC SPCA FOR PILOT SPAY AND NEUTER CLINIC

MORGAN HAMPTON

Contributed

The Merritt Vet Hospital recently collaborated with the BC SPCA for a Spay and Neuter Your Pet (SNYP) day.

“It’s a pilot program with the SPCA,” explained Dr. Liana Thorstenson, veterinarian and co-owner of Merritt Vet Hospital.

“They have their spay and neuter clinic in Kamloops, but they’re trying to partner with some smaller communities and work with clinics in those communities for people who may not be able to travel, to do spay and neuter days at those local clinics.”

According to BC SPCA statistics, cats and kittens account for roughly 64.4 per cent of admissions to shelters, with the majority being unspayed females. Dogs and puppies account for approximately 27.1 per cent.

An unspayed female cat and her offspring can produce as many as 450,000 cats in seven years, while one unspayed dog and her offspring can total about 4,000.

“The indiscriminate breeding of companion animals leads to overpopulation: too many animals and not enough homes,” the BC SPCA states on its website.

The organization says overcrowded shelters can lead to animal abandonment, exposing pets to starvation, disease, parasites, predators and abuse, while also increasing impacts on local wildlife.

For that reason, reducing pet overpopulation through spaying and neutering is one of the SPCA’s key priorities.

A few months ago, the SPCA contacted the Merritt Vet Hospital, and the partners eventually settled on July 22 for the clinic.

“Part of the reason for the pilot program was to assess the need, and I guess in their research Merritt had come up quite frequently as a place with a need for a SNYP clinic and yeah, the response was honestly overwhelming,” said Thorstenson.

The SPCA handled the applications and selected participating clients. The available spaces filled quickly, and even the wait list closed after being inundated with applications.

Throughout the day, six dogs and four cats were

spayed, while four dogs and seven cats were neutered.

“It’s amazing and that’s great. We’re sad that we couldn’t take on more animals,” said Thorstenson.

“We’ll see if there’s any possibility of having another collaboration with them in the upcoming months and seeing if we can get more animals in our community done.”

The BC SPCA has not announced another SNYP clinic, and interested pet owners are asked not to contact the Merritt Vet Hospital, as there is currently no wait list. Any future clinics will be organized at the SPCA’s discretion.

However, the clinic offers regular spay and neuter services and encourages pet owners to consider the procedure for both population control and their pets’ health.

“Overpopulation is a huge part of it, but neutering can also decrease unwanted male behaviours like aggression, peeing on everything, running around the neighbourhood looking for partners,” explained Thorstenson.

“For the females a big benefit is of course not having heat cycles, a lot of people don’t like to deal with that. But also to reduce chances of mammary cancer in the future and pyometra, an infection of the uterus which can occur in older dogs that are intact. Those are all good reasons to spay and neuter your pets.”

The Merritt Vet Hospital performs surgeries five days a week, Monday through Friday, and Thorstenson estimates roughly 15 spay and neuter procedures are completed each week.

However, abandoned and stray cat populations continue to be a challenge in the Nicola Valley, along with other unwanted domestic animals, including dogs, rabbits and birds.

Thorstenson hopes SNYP clinics will become a regular part of the clinic’s schedule.

“I’m very thankful for the SPCA to have given our community this opportunity.”

■ Approved mini-storage

■ On-siterentals

■ Secured

■ SaleofNew&Used storagecontainers

1750HillStreet ■ Phone:250-315-3000

THE CHURCHES OF MERRITT WELCOME YOU

Crossroads Community Church

2990 Voght St. • 250-378-2911

Service Time: Sundays 10:00 a.m.

Merritt Baptist Church

2499 Coutlee Avenue (at Orme) Sunday service 10 am, Phone (250)378-2464

Merritt Lutheran Fellowship in St. Michael's Anglican Hall • 250-378-9899

Service Time: 3rd Sunday each month 1:30 p.m.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church Corner of Jackson & Blair • 250-378-2919

Mass Time: Sundays 9:00 a.m.

St. Michael’s Anglican Church 1990 Chapman St. • 250-378-3772

Service Times: 2nd and 4th Sundays only - 10:00 a.m.

Trinity United Church Corner of Quilchena & Chapman • 250-378-5735

Service Time every Sunday - 10 am

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

Nicola Valley Evangelical Free Church 1950 Maxwell St. • 250-378-9502

Service Times: Sunday 10 am

Motion Church Merritt Sundays 10 am

Coquihalla Middle School (2975 Clapperton Ave) www.wearemotionchurch.ca/merritt

admin@merrittherald.com

Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm

Dodds AUCTION

ONLINE TIMED • IN-HOUSE • MULTI ESTATE SATURDAY, AUGUST 8TH - 8 AM (lots start closing)

BidOnlineorAbsenteeBidsAccepted

Scw’exmx Community Health Services Society (SCHSS) is inviting applications for the position of Registered Nurse.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in nursing

• Registered or eligible to be registered with BCCNM

• Training / Experience in community health nursing an asset

Ship The

Partial List Includes: 1991 Rolls Royce Silver Spirit II – only 49,800 km, Huge Toy & Memorabilia Collection (over 200 Lots), Rickshaw, Masks, Furniture, Artwork, Antiques & Collectables, Instruments, Vilas Maple, Books, Wine, Electronics, Patio Furniture, Tools, Plus Much More!!

• BCCDC Immunization certification or willingness to obtain

• Valid BC Class 5 drivers’ license required with a clear driver’s abstract

• Level 1 First Aid and CPR

• Experience working with First Nations communities an asset

EXPERIENCE

• Minimum 2-3 years experience

Photos&linktosales@ dodds auction.com

DODD SAUCTION250-545-3259

3311-28Avenue,Vernon• Subjecttoadditions&deletions CALL FORMOREINFORMATION sales@doddsauction.com

3311-28Avenue,Vernon• Subjecttoadditions&deletions CALL FORMOREINFORMATION Viewing - On-Site 3145 Juniper Dr., Penticton 1 Day Only - Friday (August 7) - 9 am - 4 pm

BidOnlineorAbsenteeBidsAccepted DODD SAUCTION250-545-3259

Photos&linktosales@ dodds auction.com

Scw’exmx Community Health Services Society PO Box 3090 Merritt, B.C. V1K 1B8 Or by Fax/Email to: Email : smith.b@schss.com sales@doddsauction.com

• Able to use standard office equipment and Microsoft Office

• This is a demographic-specific posting where priority will be given to First Nation applicants.

• Familiarity with Nlaka’pamux culture, language and history is an asset.

POSITION DETAILS:

• Main office in Merritt. Position requires some travel to rural and remote First Nations reserves

• A flexible schedule that includes occasional evenings, weekends and extended hours

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Within the CHN role, the nurse will plan, provide, and evaluate primary health services for the local communities.

• Primary responsibilities focus on health promotion, health protection, disease and injury prevention, health surveillance, population health assessment, as well as emergency preparedness and response in the event of a communicable disease outbreak.

• The position will also provide services such as: prenatal education, newborn and infant assessments, and immunization program.

• Documenting client notes, assessments, and care plans with an electronic charting software

• Position requires flexibility, and will include other duties as assigned

Deadline for applications: Open until position is filled.

Submit resumes to:

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is on object of beauty & strength & I stand & watch her, until at length, she is only a speck of white cloud just wheret he seas & sky meet and mingle with each other. Then someone at my side exclaims, “There, she’s gone!”

Gone where? Gone from my sight, that is all. She is just as large as she was when she left my side & just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of her destination. Her diminished size is in me, not her.

And just at the moment when someone at my side says she is gone, there are other eyes watching for her coming and other voices ready to take up the glad shout “There she comes!”.

by Henry Van Dyke

Job Posting HEADSTART/DAYCARE MANAGER

Reporting to the Health Manager, the Administrator will be responsible primarily for the overall supervision of the Headstart/Daycare program. This includes staff supervision and scheduling, ensuring all licensing, and reporting requirements are being met, and ensuring a quality land-based program is being offered to children and families.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the direction of the Health Manager the Headstart/Daycare Supervisor is to carry out the following duties:

• Follow and understand licensing guidelines and program policies & procedures.

• Supervise an activity program based on Xwisten (Bridge River) Head Start/Day Care that includes Aboriginal Headstart on Reserve, and Ministry of Children and Development Multi-Age Programing (Licensed), Land Based First Nation Programing. The Manager will create a welcoming work atmosphere, social interaction, a safe physical environment, intellectual age-appropriate learning centers, stimulating creative activities, emotional growth for school readiness, and the Early Childhood Code of Ethics. Ensure confidentiality guidelines are followed as per the Bridge River Band Confidentiality Agreement.

• Ensure all six components of the Aboriginal Head Start Program are established and implemented in accordance with the Principles and Guidelines of the Aboriginal Head Start Program.

PROFESSIONAL LEVEL AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE FOLLOWING:

• Encourage Parental/Guardian involvement and participation.

• Discuss written professional progress, or areas to work on, with ECE Team and parent/ guardians.

• Ensure all equipment and materials are in safe working order.

• Ensure Continuous Supervision (or Alternate) at all times.

• Guide staff to assist children in the development of proper eating, dressing, and toileting.

• The center must keep a “Daily Log” of activities; visitors must sign in and out, citing and describing in detail all incidents of concern (e.g., injuries to children, any questions or concerns).

MAINTAIN QUALIFICATIONS:

• Early Childhood Education Certificate is valid.

• Valid First Aid Level 1 Certificate and Childcare First Aid.

• Must be physically capable of carrying out all job duties and must report any injuries or changes in physical condition to Administrator immediately.

• Must undergo a tuberculosis check within three months of start of employment.

• Must ensure their professional code of ethics is followed at all times.

• Ensure all funding and invoices are received in a timely manner from the Province of BC and parents.

• Must have ability to work with Finance Department to prepare an annual budget and ensure that all expenditures fall within budget.

• Prepare and submit all documents required for reporting to FNHA and other funding agencies.

• Prepare and submit all documents required to maintain the daycare license.

• Ensure positive working relationships and ensure community and family are informed through monthly newsletter and reports.

• Ensure duties and tasks are carried out by the staff:

a. Lead and facilitate children in daily activities which are age-appropriate, safe, and healthy.

b. Make use of community resources relating to health, safety, and general educational development.

c. Knowledge and understanding of Ages and Stages Questionnaire as a guide and program delivery tool.

d. Attend meetings and workshops to develop and discuss new teaching methods.

• Must complete and clear Ministry of Child & Family Criminal Record Check before start of employment as needed per licensing requirements.

• Must have and maintain a valid Class 5 BC driver’s license and reliable vehicle.

Salary: $30.00 to $35.00 per hour minimum and depending upon experience and extra wage enhancement when available Deadline: Open Until Filled

Please submit your cover letter with resume and contact for full job description to:

Gary Forsyth, Administrator

Bridge River Indian Band

Fax (250) 256- 7999

Job Posting EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR

Full Time Permanent Position

Bridge River Head Start / Daycare Program is seeking an individual to commit to providing high quality care to children aged 0-6 years with interest in working in a unique program and ensuring that there is use of best practice provided during the program delivery.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Ability to work with parents, children, and elders

• Must Participate in all aspects of the program including outdoor activities, luncheons, community functions and workshop / training opportunities

• Strong communication skills (Oral and Written)

• Strong computer skills an asset (Email, Word, Excel, PDF, PPT, Outlook, Fax, Photocopier, Scanner)

• Assist with administrative duties (or willing to learn) report writing, filing, proposal writing, daily attendance, invoice writing as per parent/guardian and government agencies, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Early Childhood Education License to Practice

• CPR Infant First Aid

• Clear Criminal Record Check

• Current on all immunization shots

• Food Safe Certificate

• Apply St’at’imc cultural values and benefits to all aspects of daily programming

• Work flexible hours and willing to attend conferences & professional development programs, sometimes outside of office hours

Pennies From Heaven

by Charles L. Mashburn

I found a penny today, Just laying on the ground

But it’s not just a penny, This little coin I’ve found.

• Chaperone all trips, Driving Bridge River Head Start / Daycare vehicle as needed

• Maintain the cleanliness and service Bridge River Head Start / Daycare vehicle routinely

• Other duties as assigned by Headstart/ Daycare Supervisor, Health Manager, Administrator and Chief and Council

“Found” pennies come from heaven, That’s what my Grandpa told me He said angels toss them down; Oh, how I loved that story. He said when an angel misses you, They toss a penny down Sometimes just to cheer you up, Make a smile out of your frown So don’t pass by that penny,

When you’re feeling blue It may be a penny from heaven That an angel tossed to you.

• Class 4 Drivers License preferred

• Speak the basic St’at’imc words and commands an asset (or willing to learn) Knowledge of St’at’imc Traditions and Culture an asset

Wage: $23.00 to $25.00 per hour, plus $6.00 wage enhancement (when eligible), depending upon experience Deadline: Open til filled

Please submit your Cover Letter and Resume to: Gary Forsyth, Administrator

Bridge River Indian Band P.O. Box 190, Lillooet BC, V0K 1V0 Fax: 250-256-7999

While we welcome all candidates, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

REAL ESTATE

Everything you need to know about real estate in the Nicola Valley.

REVIEW

LISTINGS BUYING & SELLING TIPS LOCAL EXPERTS

YOU’VE SOLD YOUR HOME — NOW WHAT?

After Sale Tips for a smoother transition

Preparing your home for sale

THE TO-DO LIST DOESN’T END WHEN THE PAPERWORK IS SIGNED.

Selling a home is often one of life’s biggest milestones, but the work isn’t over once the “Sold” sign goes up. Whether you’re moving across town or across the country, taking care of a few important details can make the transition much smoother.

Start by creating a moving checklist. Confirm your possession date, book a moving company early if needed, and begin packing items you don’t use every day. Labeling boxes by room can save hours when it’s time to unpack.

Don’t forget to update your address. Canada Post offers mail forwarding services, but you’ll also want to notify your bank, employer, insurance providers, utility companies, CRA, driver’s licence and health card offices, subscription services and anyone else who regularly sends you mail.

If you’re buying another home, coordinate possession dates carefully. Many homeowners have only a short window between handing over one set of keys and picking up another.

Having a plan for temporary storage or accommodations can reduce unnecessary stress if schedules don’t line up perfectly.

It’s also a good time to review your insurance. Home insurance on the property you’re leaving may no longer be needed after possession, while your new home should be insured before you take ownership. If you’re moving into a condo, be sure you understand what the strata insurance covers and what you’ll need yourself.

Before you leave, complete one final walkthrough. Take photos of utility meter readings, leave manuals or warranties for appliances staying with the home, and make sure you’ve removed all personal belongings unless they’ve been included in the sale.

Finally, keep copies of all sale documents, legal paperwork and receipts related to your move. They may be useful for taxes, warranty claims or future reference.

Moving day can feel overwhelming, but a little planning goes a long way. Once the boxes are unpacked, you can focus on settling into your new home and neighbourhood.

ARE YOU A REALTOR®, MORTGAGE SPECIALIST, HOME BUILDER, OR HOME SERVICES

PROFESSIONAL?

Showcase your business in the Nicola Valley Real Estate Review, published in the first Thursday edition of the Merritt Herald each month.

FIVE EASY WAYS TO ADD VALUE BEFORE YOU SELL

SMALL IMPROVEMENTS CAN LEAVE A LASTING FIRST IMPRESSION

Preparing a home for sale doesn’t always require a major renovation. In many cases, a handful of relatively inexpensive improvements can help a property show better and appeal to more buyers.

Start with curb appeal. Mow the lawn, trim shrubs, sweep walkways and add a few colourful flowers near the entrance. A tidy exterior creates a positive first impression before buyers even step inside.

Inside the home, decluttering is one of the most effective things you can do. Clear countertops, organize closets and remove excess furniture to make rooms feel larger. Buyers want to picture themselves living in the home, and a clean, uncluttered space makes that easier.

A fresh coat of paint is another worthwhile investment. Neutral colours brighten rooms and provide a clean, well-maintained appearance without distracting buyers with bold personal tastes.

Take care of small repairs that have been easy to ignore. Loose cabinet handles, squeaky doors, dripping faucets and burned-out light bulbs may seem minor, but together they can leave buyers wondering what larger maintenance issues might exist.

Finally, make sure the home is clean. Windows, floors, kitchens and bathrooms should all be spotless before photographs or showings. Natural light also makes a significant difference, so open blinds and curtains whenever possible.

Not every home needs an expensive kitchen remodel or new flooring to attract buyers. Often, the homes that sell quickly are simply the ones that appear well cared for, clean and move-in ready.

A few weekends of preparation can make your property more appealing, helping potential buyers focus on the home’s strengths rather than its shortcomings.