Merritt Herald July 23, 2026

The local Legion branch recetly unveiled a new crosswalk commemorating Merritt’s veterans.

MERRITT FIRE ANSWERS THE CALL TO HELP

Firefighters deployed to help battle Bowers Lake fire

ELIZABETH JOLICOEUR

community@merrittherald.com

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

While most of Merritt was still waking up Sunday morning, two local firefighters and Tender 1 were already heading north.

The Merritt Fire Rescue crew deployed to the Bowers Lake wildfire in the Cariboo, joining firefighters and equipment from across British Columbia to help protect homes, critical infrastructure and communities threatened by the fire.

Tender 1 is Merritt Fire Rescue’s water tender, a fire truck designed to carry and deliver large amounts of water. It can shuttle water to firefighters, fire engines and sprinkler systems in areas where hydrants may not be available.

The deployment could last up to 14 days. During that time, the firefighters will live in tents and work shifts of at least 12 hours each day.

Tender 1 will form part of a larger task force made up of fire apparatus from different departments. Depending on what is needed, the Merritt crew may set up and maintain sprinkler systems, shuttle water or help defend buildings and other infrastructure.

CHANGING OF THE HOCKEY GUARD

The Merritt Centennials have named their new head coach for the 2026-27 season.

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The deployment is being coordinated through the BC Wildfire Service Structure Protection Program. The program brings together trained personnel and equipment from structural fire departments across the province when wildfires threaten populated areas.

BC Wildfire Service maintains a list of available departments, firefighters and equipment. When help is needed, the closest appropriate resources can be selected and sent to the incident.

“The duties our firefighters perform while deployed

are the same core firefighting skills they train for and use in protecting the City of Merritt, simply applied in support of another community,” Fire Chief Dave Tomkinson said.

The two members are paid on-call firefighters. Tomkinson also thanked their employers for giving them the flexibility to leave their regular work and serve during the deployment.

Merritt will continue to have full emergency response

NOOAITCH STRENGTHENS EMERGENCY RESPONSE

ELIZABETH

JOLICOEUR community@ merrittherald.com

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Maps, emergency plans and supplies are ready as Nooaitch First Nation continues monitoring the Brunswick Creek wildfire.

The Nation activated its Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) on July 8.

An EOC works behind the scenes during an emergency, bringing important information and planning into one place. This allows a dedicated team to focus on the situation without adding emergency responsibilities to the regular workload of other band staff.

Nooaitch’s EOC includes people responsible for operations, planning, public

position, with plans in place and residents better prepared to respond if conditions change.

information and connecting directly with community members. The centre is currently focused on monitoring conditions and making sure plans are ready if the situation changes.

One important part of the work is learning what individual community members may need during an evacuation. That can include transportation, medical support and help moving pets or livestock.

Kennels and other supplies have been prepared, while connections with local ranchers and emergency management partners could help support larger animals if an evacuation becomes necessary.

Memories of Lytton

The community previously carried out a full evacuation during the Lytton Creek wildfire. Not long after returning home, residents were affected by the atmospheric river and the damage it caused throughout the region.

Those experiences have shaped the work being done today.

Since then, Nooaitch has strengthened its wildfire planning and structure protection resources.

FireSmart work and other mitigation efforts are also carried out around the community outside of wildfire season.

Improvements made

The EOC team said the community is now in a stronger

This is not the first major emergency Nooaitch has faced.

Collaboration is another important part of the response. Nooaitch is communicating with the Thompson Nicola Regional District, nearby First Nations and BC Wildfire Service to coordinate planning and share information.

Clear communication also helps reduce the spread of rumours during an emergency. Incorrect information can quickly create fear and added stress, especially in communities that have already experienced wildfires and evacuations.

Community members are encouraged to rely on official updates from Nooaitch First Nation rather than unconfirmed information circulating online.

For now, the EOC continues monitoring the wildfire, supporting the community and preparing for any changes.

The Herald will continue following Nooaitch’s emergency response and the work being done to protect the community.

Thank You!

A huge shout to the many local businesses that donated to and sponsored our recent ATVBC 25th Anniversary Poker Ride in Merritt, including:

• KLL Construction • Nadina Logging • Home Hardware

• Nicola Motorsports • Pharmasave • AD Pro Services

• Banner Recreation & Marine • Outlaw Motorsports

• Canco (lower Nicola) • Interior Savings Insurance

• Bumper to Bumper • Mandolin’s Coffeehouse • Lordco

• Carrie Ware Acct • Etched JustJan • Canadian Tire

• Beem Credit Union • Fountain Tire • Bri-Mel Industries

• Coco’s Sushi • LN Group (Tracker Sportswear)

• lnfracon Merritt • Reichart’s CanAm •Blue Pine Ent.

• M&M Performance • True Tech Powersports

• McKay’s Landscaping • Jesiak Adventures • KMS Tools

• Game on Pub • City of Merritt • Barkman Concrete

• TNRD (Thompson Nicola Regional District) • Fox USA

• Merritt Community Futures • Yamaha Canada

• Kelowna Powersports • Honda Powersports Canada

• Valley Trail Riders • Nicola Valley ATV • Acera Insurance

• Royal Distributing • Van Island Powersports • ATVBC

• GA Checkpoint Yamaha • TVS Power Equip (CF Moto)

• Milwaukee Tools • Polaris Canada • CanAm/BRP

• Kamloops Trail Blazers SxS • Kawasaki Canada

• Merritt Printing • Merritt Herald • Johnny on the Rez

• Felix Bulldozing • BT Altered Ent. • Spinreel Dune Buggy

• Nakusp Mobile Mechanics • Vernon Tireland Centre

• 693982 BC ltd • Valley Moto Sport •Best Motorsports

• Backroads Maps • Moto Canada

A SPECIAL THANK YOU

as well to the volunteers from the Kamloops Trail Blazers Side x Side Club, ATVBC, and the Nicola Valley ATV Club.

Your dedication and hard work made this event possible.

Finally, thank you to everyone who participated—we hope you had a fantastic weekend in the Nicola Valley, and we look forward to seeing you again on the trails!

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

NO STRANGERS TO HELPING OUTSIDE THE COMMUNITY

coverage while Tender 1 is gone. The City’s water truck has been temporarily transferred to the fire department to maintain its emergency water supply capability. Tender 1 can also be recalled if it is needed back in Merritt.

This is far from the department’s first time answering the call for help.

Merritt Fire Rescue has supported wildfire responses in communities including Chase, Kamloops, Kelowna, West Kelowna, Okanagan Falls, Brookmere, Lytton, Quesnel, Williams Lake, Fort Nelson and the Slocan Valley. Revenue earned through past deployments has been placed into the department’s reserve funds, helping pay for specialized equipment, training and other investments that strengthen emergency response in Merritt.

“When communities across British C olumbia are threatened by wildfire, Merritt Fire Rescue is proud to answer the call for assistance,” Tomkinson said. “If Merritt were ever threatened by a significant wildfire, we could expect the same level of support in return.”

NEW CROSSWALK TO HONOUR VETERANS

PHOTO/HARIT JOSHI

HARIT JOSHI hjoshi@kentem.ca

Merritt’s Royal Canadian Legion Branch 96 celebrated 100 years with the inauguration of a crosswalk in remembrance of veterans on July 17.

Found at the corner of Chapman Street and Quilchena Avenue, the unveiling saw a

good presence including Legion members, RCMP officers, the fire department and the city council. It is the city’s first dedicated crosswalk honouring Canadian soldiers of past and present, and their sacrifices for the country.

Corporal Jason Olney from Indigenous Policing Services at Merritt RCMP led the ceremonial march on Quilchena

Ave. The traditional black-andwhite crosswalk features a stylized maple leaf that honours the “service of all of who stood on guard for Canada” and is supported by Canadian Heritage for community use.

The red bands on either side of the maple leaf are purposely not used to avoid being mistaken for Canada’s national flag.

“We as a council feel that we need to have something like this in our community to represent our local heroes and past heroes, and this is a start of it,” said Merritt Mayor Mike Goetz, enthusiastic about having the city’s first dedicated crosswalk for the community.

“So, you will see a few more of these as we go along.”

Regarding the crosswalk’s faded look, Goetz urged the community to bear with them as it is “still a work in progress.”

Merritt Legion President Alphonse L’Abbe was thrilled the commemorative crosswalk finally saw the light of day.

“We at the Legion serve the veterans and the community. That’s our mission statement. We’ve been working on this crosswalk now for quite a long time. It’s a commemorative crosswalk for the veterans, and we’re very proud to have put it up and glad to see that the city has joined us in this.

“It’s a great day for us. We are here today because of our veterans. We can’t forget them. On every November 11, we remember them. But with a crosswalk like this, we can remember them all year long. Every time you cross the crosswalk, you can remember that you’re walking across the veterans’ crosswalk... It serves as a good reminder why you’re here.”

DISCOVERIES HOPE TO REVITALIZE CRAIGMONT MINE

JAKE COURTEPATTE newsroom@merrittherald.com

A new era of the Craigmont Mine is underway north of Merritt, and with it comes some promising discoveries.

The mine, which sits adjacent to Canada’s largest copper producer Highland Valley Copper and owned by Nicola Mining Inc., first put drills in the ground this past May.

What they found could prove to breathe new life into the historic mining site.

“For the first time ever, we’ve encountered veins with native copper, so the copper within the veins are 100 per cent copper,” said Nicola Mining CEO Peter Espig. “We’re very excited. We’re going to continue drilling this.”

In test drilling, the average grade of the pit was about 2.68 per cent copper,

closer to four per cent copper-equivalent, what Espig called “very, very high g rades”.

Despite still being in the test drilling stages, the project has already been mine-permitted, something Espig said is very unique in the industry.

“There’s there’s very few projects in the world, I don’t know of any other that

PAST HISTORY: continued on page 4

PAST HISTORY OF PROSPERITY

DISCOVERIES: continued from page 3

is doing exploration drilling that already has the mine permit associated with that project.”

A historic mine

From 1961 to 1982, the Craigmont Mine operated as both an underground and open-pit operation, producing approximately 36.4 million tons of ore, grading at 1.3 per cent copper. This yielded roughly 887.8 million pounds of copper, 3 billion pounds of magnetite, and minor amounts of gold and silver. Approximately 5,000 people were

employed by Craigmont over the years. These people contributed much to improve mining technology at Craigmont and, as a result, to improve mining technology worldwide.

Operations were shut down due to low copper prices at the time.

Espig said that Nicola Mining will now focus on exploration at its Treasure Mountain silver mine near Hope before returning to exploration at Craigmont later this year and with another dilling project set for 2027.

“We’ll continue to explore on the copper asset that we believe will be a major copper mine again in the near future.”

LONGTIME LOCAL POLITICIAN TO RETIRE

HARIT JOSHI hjoshi@kentem.ca

Former mayor of Merritt and TNRD board member David Laird has decided to retire from local governance after being actively involved for close to three decades.

Laird will not contest for a third term in the upcoming elections of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) to be held on Oct. 17. Laird has been the elected candidate from the Electoral Area ‘M’ in the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, known as ‘Beautiful Nicola Valley – North,’ for the last two terms.

“I am not running in the upcoming elections this time. I am 78 years old, and I have done 28 years in local government representation. A four-year term at my age is more than what I would like to commit to,” Laird told the Merritt Herald, making his decision public for the first time.

The TNRD Board consists of 27 members. A total of 10 electoral areas and 11

David Laird

member municipalities form the TNRD. Each electoral area and member municipality elect one representative, with the exception of the City of Kamloops, which has seven appointed representatives on the Board.

Formed in 1965, the TNRD’s role is to ensure that services are provided to areas outside of municipalities on a joint or cooperative basis. The nomination process begins Sept. 1 and ends on Sept. 11. Advance voting will be held on Oct. 7 from 8a.m-8p.m. General voting

day will take place on Oct. 17, while the inaugural meeting is set for Nov. 19 in Kamloops.

The TNRD is inviting all potential Electoral Area Director candidates to an upcoming information session on July 29 from 6p.m. to 8p.m. at the TNRD Civic Building Boardroom in Kamloops. Participants can attend online as well.

L aird, who moved to the Nicola Valley in 1982, was elected as Merritt’s Councillor in 1990. He served for nine years on the city council before being elected as mayor in 2003 for a run of six years. He also served as a trustee of the Nicola-Similkameen School District (SD 58) from 2011 to 2014.

“It’s been a lot of interesting work, lots of accomplishments over 28 years in local government representation. There are a lot of memories, lots of accomplishments and lots of challenges. Just being able to represent my community has been a great honour for me. I represented my community as best as I could.”

MAKE ME LOOK BIG AND SCARY BANDED GARDEN SPIDER

SNOWMOBILE CLUB WORKS TO SAVE SHELTERS FROM FIRE

MORGAN HAMPTON Contributor

Members of the Merritt Snowmobile Club (MSC) and winter recreation enthusiasts have been collectively holding their breath since the Brunswick Complex wildfire has been bearing down on the alpine Honeymoon area, and specifically the popular and beloved Honeymoon shelter.

Like the Lytton Creek fire that devastated more than 83,000 hectares, the Brunswick Creek fire began in the Fraser Canyon. Flying embers then jumped the Fraser River and ignited the Ainslie Creek fire, creating a wildfire complex which then moved rapidly over the steep and rugged terrain towards Merritt.

“I’ve been keeping in touch with the Fire Centre since that fire first got going, watched how it was progressing over top of the hill and trying to say, hey you know if you got us a helicopter we have a crew of people that would definitely go up there and FireSmart that cabin,” explained Simon Rizzardo, Vice President of the MSC.

BC Wildfire Service (BCWS) declined to allow access to club members, maintaining a policy of having their own crews do all prevention work within the fire zone.

Relentless winds pushed the fire onward until it was smoldering in the meadow directly in front of the Honeymoon shelter, causing anxiety for those who had hoped to step in to save it.

“I really pressured them (BCWS), on the fact that it’s going to be cheaper for us to rent a helicopter and get

a crew of our guys up there than it is to pay the deductible and insurance and then lose the thing,” said Rizzardo.

“I told Greg Hodson (Recreation Technician for the Cascades Recreation District) this really needs to be saved. We’ve already lost one cabin in our area up at Mine Creek when that fire happened… it’s an emergency cabin that is no longer there in the back country that if somebody needs it and needs to get recovered or stay overnight. It’s pretty important.”

On the outskirts of the fire zone, MSC President Mat Selzler was already working to save another shelter.

“We have a shelter at 38km on the Hooshum and we were moving all the logging equipment out because they were actually doing a block right there, and I got one of Triple G’s guys to hook onto it with their truck and drag it down out of the way,” explained Selzler.

“The tire came off on the first corner so then we drug it down to 25km on the rim and then finally the wheel bearing seized up and we had to leave it right there.”

But “right there” was safely out of harm’s way, unlike the Honeymoon shelter, which is not mobile and must be secured where it stands.

Luckily, BCWS crews were one step ahead of the fire and went to work providing as much protection as possible for the landmark.

“There’s a ten-metre buffer now where they cut everything back from the cabin and they even used the leftover tin from the roof and protected the

front of the deck from embers flying underneath,” said Rizzardo.

Because the Honeymoon shelter is located within a very sensitive alpine ecosystem, it is difficult for MSC members to perform any work around the building during the summer months when the lack of snow would make such tasks easy. The remoteness of the building is compounded by the fact that it sits within a non-motorized zone, and only by special use permit are snowmobiles allowed in the area with the winter snowfall.

This restricted access is part of what makes the Honeymoon shelter’s story more remarkable.

Back in 1999, locals Tracy Senio, Dennis Rogalski, and Royce Alexander decided that with the area’s popularity there should be a place not only to gather together as outdoor enthusiasts, but also to provide emergency shelter in a place far removed from the comfort and safety of Merritt.

With motorized access prohibited, and no roads to drive a vehicle in regardless, supplies were loaded on horses and hauled in just as they would have been a century ago. What couldn’t be carried in on horseback was brought in by helicopter and dropped at the site, leaving dedicated volunteers to erect t he tin-roofed, tin-sided cabin from nothing, building an oasis in the wilderness.

“It’s the only thing that’s out there for an emergency situation, if you were out there and needed a place to warm up,” said Rizzardo.

NICOLA VALLEY VIEWPOINT

LUCK: FIXING WHAT WE ALREADY BUILT

TONY LUCK

View from the Legislature

One of the more thought-provoking observations made by author and historian John Michael Greer is that modern societies often struggle not with building new things, but with maintaining the vast network of i nfrastructure they have already created.

For much of the twentieth century, governments across North America built roads, bridges, water systems, dams, hospitals, schools, airports, electrical grids, and public facilities at a remarkable pace. These investments created e normous prosperity and improved the quality of life for generations. The challenge today is that much of this infrastructure is reaching the end of its useful life at roughly the same time.

Greer argues that civilizations often encounter difficulty when the cost of maintaining existing capital assets begins to exceed the resources available to sustain them.

Whether one agrees entirely with his broader conclusions or not, the evidence around us suggests that this particular concern deserves serious attention.

Municipalities in British Columbia are on the front lines of this challenge. Local

governments across Canada own (60 per cent of all infrastructure) and maintain most of the infrastructure that residents use every day. Roads, bridges, water and sewer systems, recreation facilities, fire halls, and community buildings all require ongoing repair and replacement. Yet municipalities receive only a small portion (less than 10 per cent of tax revenue) of the total tax dollars collected in Canada.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities has estimated that Canada’s municipal infrastructure deficit measures in the hundreds of billions of dollars. Much of theinfrastructure built during the post-war expansion of the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s isnow aging simultaneously. Water mains break more frequently. Bridges require costly upgrades. Roads deteriorate faster than they can be rebuilt.

Historian Joseph Tainter, author of The Collapse of Complex Societies, offers a similar warning. He notes that as societies become more complex, they often devote increasing resources simply

LONG-TERM: continued on page 7

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.

LONG-TERM PLANNING NEEDED

LUCK: continued from page 6

to maintaining existing systems. Eventually, more effort goes toward preservation than expansion.

We can see signs of this across Canada. Governments at all levels continue to announce new projects, yet maintenance backlogs continue to grow. Too often, repairing existing assets lacks the political appeal of cutting ribbons on new ones. Society have some tough decisions to make in the near future in regard to updating our infrastructure. This is not merely a municipal problem. It is a national challenge. Canada’s population continues to grow, demands on infrastructure continue to increase, and climate-related events place

additional stress on systems that were often designed decades ago. The solution is not pessimism. It is planning.

British Columbia and Canada need a long-term infrastructure renewal strategy that focuses on asset management, lifecycle costing, and sustainable funding. Governments should know what assets they own, what condition they are in, when they will require replacement, and how those replacements will be funded. New infrastructure commitments should include realistic long-term maintenance plans rather than simply construction costs.

We should also have an honest conversation about priorities. In an era of constrained resources, maintaining critical infrastructure may be more important t han expanding government into

LETTERS to the Editor

new areas. A repaired bridge often provides more value to citizens than a new announcement.

The prosperity we enjoy today was built by previous generations who invested heavily in the foundations of our communities. We have inherited those assets. Our responsibility is not only to build for the future but also to preserve what was built before us.

If we fail to maintain the infrastructure that supports our economy and quality of life, future generations will inherit a growing list of liabilities instead of opportunities. The challenge before us is straightforward: we must become as committed to maintaining our civilization’s assets as our predecessors were building them.

FRIENDLY SMALL-TOWN BUSINESSMEN

Editor,

On Tuesday, July 7 I was driving north on the Coquihalla late morning to an important family event in the Kootenays.

My truck overheated and wasn’t drivable at the Britten Creek Rest stop halfway between Hope and Merritt and I was reasonably sure the the water pump was shot. I phoned BCAA and eventually a tow truck showed up to take me to Merritt.

As we approached Merritt I phoned the place BCAA recommended and was told I might be able to be squeezed in on July 18! (11 days later).

After a bit of a conversation I discovered there was a radiator shop in town (Nicola Valley Radiator) that

primarily worked on large mining equipment. I called them at 2:03 from the tow truck and left their shop at 4:13 with a new water pump and return hose that had split.

Mike and Patrick were friendly, professional and did their best to get me on the road as soon as possible. And charged a fair price for the work.

Occasionally you run into some really nice folks that help you when you need it and for me that most often happens in small towns.

Thanks again Patrick and Mike and Nicola Valley Radiator.

Mike Falkiner Victoria, BC

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.

Should the provincial and federal government be working harder to maintain our forests?

Have your say at merrittherald.com

Are you making budget changes due to

DENTAL SERVICES DECLINING

Income assistance and low- income plan patients in Merritt may have to do some travelling to receive dental care starting Sept. 1.

On that date, one dentist in town will stop taking the plans’ patients completely, while the other two city dentists have already stopped accepting new patients.

Calls to the dentists were referred to the B.C. Federation of Dental Societies and to the College of Dental Surgeons.

“It’s considerably lower than what other patients are paying,” said Jocelyn Johnston, managing director of the federation, about the amount dentists receive for these patients.

“When you start having dentists in areas where there are high numbers of social service plan patients, they can’t afford to accept the plan.”

While the government and the dentists have not had a rates contract since the end of 1985, negotiations are ongoing with resolution expected long before September when the Merritt patients will be cut off.

YOUR PROPERTY

AND RECEIVE UP TO $2,500 IN REBATES AND SAVE ON YOUR HOME INSURANCE

Merritt FireSmart is offering a local rebate program to residential property owners within municipal boundaries who complete eligible FireSmart activities on their properties. Rebates are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Rebates pay for 50% of the project cost.

Apply for the grant and request your FREE Wildfire Mitigation Assessment to start the process. See the list of eligible activities and get your application at MERRITT.CA/FIRESMART/

Also learn about the free FireSmart Chipping program: MERRITT.CA/CHIPPING LESS

Merritt is about to get a little louder and a whole lot shinier.

The Nicola Valley Cruisers’ 31st annual Show ’n’ Shine returns to Central Park on Sunday, July 26, bringing classic cars, custom builds, trucks and plenty of horsepower into the heart of the city.

The show runs from 10a.m. to 3p.m. at 2975 Voght Street and is free for the public to attend. Food, vendors, entertainment, swag and prizes will be part of t he day, but the vehicles remain the main attraction.

For more than three decades, the Show ’n’ Shine has brought vehicle owners and spectators together for a closer look at rides that are not often seen during the average drive through town.

Some have been kept close to the way they first left the factory. Others have been rebuilt, repainted and changed until they became something entirely their own. Behind nearly every one is a story involving late nights, missing parts, seized bolts and at least one repair that was supposed to take an afternoon.

Some owners begin with a vehicle that has remained in their family for years. Others discover an old car or truck

SHOW ‘N’ SHINE A TRADITION OVER THREE DECADES IN THE NICOLA VALLEY

sitting in a field, garage or barn and see what it could become with enough time and patience.

The finished vehicle may look effortless sitting beneath the summer sun, but restoration rarely is. Rust needs to be removed, mechanical problems need to be chased down and replacement parts may have to be found far beyond the local parts counter.

Sometimes the goal is to restore a vehicle as closely as possible to its original condition. That can mean tracking down the correct trim, paint colour, upholstery, wheels and even small pieces that most people walking past might never notice.

For other owners, the fun is in building something that never came from a factory. Engines are changed, suspensions are lowered, bodies are modified a nd paint is chosen to make the vehicle completely personal.

That work is part of what makes a Show ’n’ Shine worth slowing down for. These vehicles were not simply washed before being driven to the park. Many have taken years to restore and

MEMORIES MADE: continued on page 11

Everything You Need for the Road, Lake, or Campsite!

MEMORIES MADE, RELIVED AT CAR SHOW

N SHINE: continued from page 10

maintain, with owners putting in countless hours to keep them running and looking their best. The show is not only for people who know what is under every hood. Older vehicles have a way of pulling memories out of people. One car might look like something a grandfather drove, while another brings back a first vehicle, a long road trip or a machine someone wishes they had never sold. For younger visitors, the show offers a chance to see how much vehicles have changed and discover why certain models still turn heads decades later. Long before touchscreens and computer controlled systems became standard, drivers relied on simpler machinery. Those vehicles may lack many modern comforts, but their mechanical parts are often more visible and easier to understand.

Looking beneath the hood can become a lesson in how an engine works, while speaking with an owner can reveal how much knowledge is required to keep an older machine on the road. Events like the Show ’n’ Shine help keep that knowledge moving between generations. As original parts become harder to find and fewer people grow up learning to repair these vehicles, gatherings give experienced owners a chance to answer

questions, exchange advice and perhaps inspire someone else to begin a project.

The annual event gives owners a chance to meet others who understand the satisfaction of finally finding the right part, hearing an old engine start or getting a long running project back on the road. It is also a place to trade information. One person may know where to locate a difficult part, while another may have experience with the exact engine, transmission or electrical problem that has kept someone else’s project parked.

For spectators, those conversations can be just as interesting as the vehicles themselves.

Vehicle and vendor gates open at 8 a.m., giving participants time to enter the park and set up before the public portion of the show begins at 10a.m. There is no entry fee for vehicles or vendors.

Visitors will have five hours to walk through the displays, speak with owners and take in the other activities planned throughout the park.

Whether you come for the engines, the history, the food or simply to admire rows of polished machines in the summer sun, the Show ’n’ Shine offers something for anyone who appreciates a vehicle with a little character. For the people who built them, however, the day is about more than polished chrome. It is

BRINGING CLASSIC ROCK TO COLDWATER

ELIZABETH JOLICOEUR community@merrittherald. com

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Merritt, clear your Friday night and get ready to turn it up.

The music of Creedence Clearwater Revival and The Tragically Hip is taking over the Coldwater Hotel on July 24, with two tribute bands bringing a full night of classic rock to downtown Merritt.

G reen River: The Music of CCR starts the night at 7 p.m., followed by Blow at High Dough: The Music of The Tragically Hip at 9:30 p.m. Both bands will be making their Merritt debut.

Green River will kick things off with the unmistakable sound of Creedence Clearwater Revival.

It is the kind of music that has followed people down highways, through long days at work and around campfires for generations. Songs including “Proud Mary,” “Bad Moon Rising,” “Fortunate Son,” “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” and “Down on the Corner” will bring the first half of the evening straight back to the roots of classic rock.

The original CCR may have only been together for a few years, but the music never really went away. Their songs are still played on radios, covered by musicians and passed down to new listeners who know the chorus long before they know who first recorded it.

Then, at 9:30 p.m., the night turns distinctly

Canadian.

Blow at High Dough will take the stage for approximately 100 minutes of music from The Tragically Hip. The tribute band comes to Merritt after performing more than 60 shows across British Columbia in theatres, legions and other venues.

The Hip’s music has long held a special place in Canada. Their songs carried stories about the country’s towns, history and people without ever sounding like a history lesson. They could fill an arena while still sounding like something meant to be played loud in an old truck on a long stretch of highway.

Blow at High Dough has also performed as part of Fireworks, a concert series presented by Got Pop? Concerts that helps raise money for brain cancer research.

Tribute shows are not about replacing the original bands. They give people another chance to hear the songs live, sing them with a room full of strangers and remember exactly where they were when the music first mattered to them.

For younger fans, it is also a chance to experience music they may have only heard through a radio, record or someone else’s old playlist.

From CCR’s American roots rock to one of Canada’s most beloved bands, the night offers two different sounds connected by music that has refused to fade quietly into the past.

Both shows take place at the Coldwater Hotel. Tickets can be purchased separately, or concertgoers can buy a discounted pass covering both performances through Showpass.

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

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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

GOT SPORTS? Contact Jake at newsroom@merrittherald.com or call 250-378-4241

GOLF CLUB CHAMPS CROWNED

SLO PITCH WINNERS

JAKE COURTEPATTE newsroom@merrittherald.

com

Merritt Golf & Country Club held its annual Junior Club Championship on June 28.

Tier 1 Junior Club Champion - Cooper Harrington Tier 1 Net Junior Club Champion - Kolton Brigden Tier 2 Low Gross Winner - Cooper Hatfield

Tier 2 Low Net Winner - Max Bassett

Harrington, who skates for the Merritt Centennials in the winter, carded a round of 73, just beating out a 74 by runner-up Kolton

PHOTO/DAVE BOGSTIE

(L-R): Merritt Golf & Country Club Manager Dave Bogstie, Tier 1 winner Cooper Harrington and Game On Owner Jim Cooley. (Inset): Bogstie and Cooley with Tier 2 winner Cooper Hatfield.

Brigden and a 75 shot by Andrew Denton.

Hatfield swung his way to an 81 at the Tier 2 level.

“It was a great day with some great scores even with some challenging windy conditions” s aid Merritt Golf & Country Club Manager Dave Bogstie.

Thanks goes to main sponsors Jim Cooley from Game On Sports Bar and Grill, Josh Halvorson from Nicola Valley Sports and Gary Dixon from Boston Pizza.

CENTS NAME NEW HEAD COACH

A new era is about to begin in Merritt with the hiring of Centennials head coach and assistant general manager Henry Acres.

Cents fans may recognize Acres from his stint as an assistant coach in the Cents’ inaugural KIJHL season in 2024-25, before taking over the same role with the Nanaimo Clippers of the BCHL.

“I’m excited to lead the Merritt Centennials and build a program our players, fans, and community can be proud of,” said Acres, who added that the focus will be

on “creating a culture of accountability, hard work, and c ontinuous improvement while giving every player the opportunity to develop and reach their fu ll potential.”

The move comes shortly after

the team parted ways with Wes McLeod, who held the head coach title for the past two seasons.

Under McLeod, the Centennials played to a 51-28-5-4 record in their two years in the KIJHL. Merritt bowed out to Revelstoke in the first round of both postseasons.

He had one year remaining on his three-year contract before his departure.

A native of British Columbia, Acres’ playing career took him from North America to Europe and even Australia.

He also had a stint as head coach of the Kerry Park Islanders of the VIJHL in 2023-24.

NICOLA VALLEY COMMUNITY

GOT STORIES?

Contact Jake at newsroom@merrittherald.com or call 250-378-4241

ARTS COUNCIL SUMMER PROGRAMS BUILD CONNECTIONS

ELIZABETH JOLICOEUR community@merrittherald. com Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Grab a paintbrush, find a seat and let your imagination take over. This summer, the Nicola Valley Arts Council is bringing art out of the gallery and into Merritt’s parks, public spaces and neighbourhoods.

Two summer students are leading separate outreach projects designed to make art easier for community members to access.

Xander Dodding is

leading Art Reach, the Arts Council’s community outreach program at Spirit Square. It takes place every Tuesday and Thursday from 11a.m. to 2:30p.m.

Art supplies are brought directly into the square for people who may not have access to supplies or feel comfortable entering a traditional gallery space. Activities change regularly and can include painting, sketching, colouring, friendship bracelets and sun printing.

Kari Kroeker, the Arts Council’s project coordinator, said the program

g rew from a Photo Voice project held last year.

For that project, cameras were given to people who had experienced addiction, knew someone affected by substance use or had someone in their lives who had struggled.

Participants used photography to share their stories, and their work was later displayed in an exhibition called “Connection is the Correction.”

The connection created through Photo Voice encouraged the Arts Council to continue activities at Spirit Square.

“We just kind of hoped that by going back out to Spirit Square that we would entice some of those people who wouldn’t be comfortable coming into a space like this,” Kroeker said.

The Arts Council’s second outreach project, Art in Motion, is led by summer student Isabel.

Every Tuesday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Isabel brings a trailer filled with art

supplies to different parks around Merritt. The activities are geared mainly toward younger children and families.

Art in Motion has been running for several years and has continued because of the positive attendance it has received.

Both Art Reach and Art in Motion are free, and community members can simply stop by and take part. Isabel is also leading Crafty Kids, a registered summer day camp that runs twice a week and includes crafts, outdoor activities and time in local parks.

The Arts Council is also preparing its Summer Artisan Show, featuring work from more than 30 local artisans, while Kroeker works on designs for new murals and a future map of murals around Merritt.

The Herald will continue following the Arts Council’s summer projects. Dates and locations can be found on the Arts Council’s summer events schedule.

■ 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 • 778-661-1979

Mass Time: Sundays 9:00 a.m.

St. Michael’s Anglican Church

1990 Chapman St. • 604-329-0549

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: 2:30 pm • 250-280-1268 Sunday School Time: 12:15 pm

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

DEADLINE: MONDAY at noon. for that week’s paper.

July 25th, 1959

St. Alban’s Anglican Church, Richmond, B.C.

Love, Cathy, Dwight, Christy, Patrick, Sofia,Josie, Joel, Heather, Charlie, Walker, Sawyer, Cindy, Heidi, Cody, and Jessica. Gerry: July 4, 2014 & Brenda: July 13, 2014

And hand in hand, On the edge of the sand, They danced by the light of the moon. It’s been 12 years now. We all miss you everyday. We love you both.

March 7 2008 - July 25 2025 A year has now passed Kaeden. You are alive forever in our hearts, thoughts, laughter and prayers. We missed you on your graduation. On Halloween, Diwali, and every other day that was special to you.

May you rest in peace knowing that you are deeply missed, fondly remembered, and eternally loved, today and everyday.

ForeverWhyz’25 - Love always, Mom & Leland

Guardians

Program Coordinator

Property Caretaker (Live-In)

Youth Coordinator

secure.collage.co/jobs/citxw-nlakapamux-assembly

www.kentem.ca/jobs

cantexminingservices.ca/jobs

PRODUCTION WORKERS (FT/PT)

• Wages: starting $20 to $28 (depends on experience & attendance)

• Steady day shift work

• Students welcome to apply

• No experience necessary

• Will train

CERTIFIED MILLWRIGHTS REQUIRED

Tk’emlupsemc Forestry Development Corp invites the public to review and comment on the proposed information package relating to Forest Operations Map (FOM) ID# 3309. The FOM shows the proposed cutting permit and road permit locations in the Pritchard area.

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

Printed maps will also be available to view by appointment at the TFDC office located at #200-330 Chief Alex Thomas Way, Kamloops, BC. Please contact arrange a meeting to review the plans.

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

Excellent

&

plan

Comments received between July 17, 2026 and August 20, 2026 will be considered in forest development plans. This FOM may be relied upon to apply to a road permit or cutting permit for a 3-year period ending Dec 1, 2029.

Power Supplies, Frequency Drive Controllers, Electric Motors, VHF Radios, Husqvarna Chainsaws, Honey Equipment, Plus More!!

PLUS - High-End Furniture, Sofa Sets, Bedroom Furniture, Slate Pool Table, Dining Table w/10 Chairs, High-End Jewellery, Mid Century Modern Vases & Glass Wares, 12’ Alum. Boat, Canoe, Kayak, Plus More!! Commercial Food Equipment - Muller Industrial Pallet Wrapper, 7 - Commercial Food Dehydrators, Tabletop Mixer, SS Tables, 2 - Large Hobart Meat Grinders, Meat Bandsaw, Pallet Wrapping Table, Baking Tray Racks, Adj. Chrome Racks, Drying Racks, Double SS Sink, Lincoln Conveyor Oven, Berkel Electric Slicer, New Smallwares, Plus More!!

Viewing - Dodds Showroom - Vernon Thu/Fri (July 23/24) - 8 am - 4 pm

Adams Lake Indian Band invites the public to review and comment on the proposed information package relating to Forest Operations Map (FOM) ID# 3307. The FOM shows the proposed cutting permit and road permit locations for RFL A89984 CP14 located in the Pritchard North area.

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

Printed maps will also be available to view by appointment at the ALIB office located at 6453 Hillcrest Road Chase, BC. Please contact jpooley@alib.ca to arrange a meeting to review the plans.

Comments can be submitted online during the 30-day period via the website above, by email or by mail PO Box 588, 6453 Hillcrest Road Chase, BC, V0E 1M0.

Comments received between July 20, 2026 and August 20, 2026 will be considered in forest development plans. This FOM may be relied upon to apply to a road permit or cutting permit for a 3-year period ending August 20, 2029.

BUSINESS DIRECTORY