Merritt Herald March 19, 2026

COLLETTVILLE SCHOOL TO CLOSE ON JUNE 30

A decision a full school year in the making has finally come down from the local school district, with Collettville Elementary now set to shut its doors on June 30. The Nicola-Similkameen District School Board voted 4 - 2 during its March 11, 2025 regular board meeting to close the school that hosts the Nicola Valley’s French immersion program, with students moving to Central Elementary to re-introduce it as a dual-track school.

It came down to a choice of three options for the board members, who also could have voted for no school closure, to close Merritt Central Elementary School and have students transfer to Collettville Elementary while the French Immersion program moves

To register, visit the link or QR code on right. JAKE COURTEPATTE

to Diamond Vale Elementary, or to close Collettville Elementary and have the French Immersion program move to Diamond Vale Elementary.

In the end, the motion was put forward to close Collettville and move those students to Central, with trustees John Chenoweth, Leah Ward, Justin Jepsen, and Everett Hoisington voting for, while trustees Jamie Kent-Laidlaw and Dave Rainer voted against.

Chair Gordon Swan, who has long sat on the local board, said it is “the hardest decision (he’s) had to make” in his thirty years of service.

“We know there is going to be harm, so what can we do to lessen that? We’re looking at four bad decisions, and we have to pick one of them.”

Jepsen said that it was important to him that this was an option that was brought

m.ah a temEEwuh Solar

FRENCH IMMERSION: continued on page 3

Logan BC Solar Project Limited Partnership proposes to develop the m.ah a temEEwuh Solar project, a solar power facility located 5 km north of Logan Lake, B.C. The proposed project would produce up to 208 megawatts of power with an anticipated lifespan of 40 years.

Share your thoughts

March 17 to April 16, 2026 The EAO is seeking public feedback on the initial project description

In-Person Open House

March 31 | 4:00-7:00 pm PT

Logan Lake Recreation Centre

31 Chartrand Avenue, Logan Lake, BC April 7 | 12:00-1:30 pm PT

FRENCH IMMERSION WILL MOVE TO

COLLETTVILLE: continued from page 2

forth by community members.

“It makes the most sense for the community, from hearing from our consultations. It doesn’t come without its risks, but the kids are resilient, and hopefully we can get to a point, not tonight, not tomorrow, maybe not even in a few weeks, it will take some time to digest, but where we can start to get excited about a path forward and find a way for us all to contribute towards it.”

In total, 16 consultation sessions were held across the Nicola Valley and the school district’s catchment, with parents, caregivers and general members of the public alike voicing their opinions and concerns about the looming decision. A petition with over 600 signatures was presented to the board at the meeting, calling for the decision to be delayed by one year for more research, consultation and review, but in the end, it was financial turmoil that reared its ugly head.

“Taking that money out of the classroom even more seems irresponsible from my perspective,” added Jepsen, about the initial $500,000 that would need to immediately

be made up by cuts and layoffs if the decision was to be delayed.

“If we were to delay this decision by another year, I don’t think that’s the smartest thing to do for students.... essentially that petition is asking us to do option one,

“We’re looking at four bad decisions, and we have to pick one of them.”

— SD58 Board Chair Gordon Swan

which I disagree with for those reasons, but I do want to thank the community and the parents who all came out to our engagement sessions.”

Kent-Laidlaw, who was one of the two ‘nos’ in the room, said that she agrees with the community angle of the decision. However, she believes that the decision does

not address what she called the ‘elephant in the room’, which is the significantly older infrastructure of Merritt Central.

“It’s likelihood of catastrophic damage is so high, take the pipes for instance, if those blow not only do we have a million-plus dollars of damage to deal with but we’re also having to upheave those kids again...it feels like it has potential for so much more cost than other options.”

For Hoisington, the history and community aspect of Central played a large role in his vote for the chosen option.

‘It’s called Central for a reason,” said Hoisington. “It’s been a gathering place for students and families for generations, and really linked to the Indigenous aspect as well.

“I hear about the catastrophic pipe failure, but whether we have students in that school or not, we still own that building and there will be a liability from us to take care of that.”

He also brought up the infrastructure around the school that makes it a hub of student activity.

“The work that the city has done to make (Central) easy to walk to, how the buses are able to get in and out, they have a locked-in system. When I start thinking of some of the challenges of our students, like if we closed Central and are sending all of our students to Collettville...those roadways, those ditches, having to cross the river a couple times a day...I just feel overall, safety-wise, it’s a better choice.”

Rainer, the other ‘no’ vote on the chosen option, said that while he hears about the safety issues involved in relocation, it is not something the board has not dealt with before.

“In Princeton, we’ve gone to council and demanded speed bumps, we’ve demanded sidewalks...that’s something we can do here too.

“ I think moving a whole school, staff and students together, we have heard is the main priority. I was told at one of the meetings that ‘a full school is a happy school’. We have empty schools, and so we have to make a decision.”

NEW CANNABIS SHOP GOING TO PUBLIC HEARING

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LYTTON OVERWHELMED BY ‘UNPRECEDENTED’ WILDFIRE REBUILD

JOSH DAWSON Castanet

Misaligned legislation, a lack of collaboration between communities and missing financial reports are all factors that challenged the B.C. government during the recovery of Lytton, according to a new report from the province’s auditor general.

In June 2021, the Lytton Creek wildfire swept through the village, razing 90 per cent of village buildings and killing two people. It’s been years of frustration and slow rebuilding for residents of the village and surrounding community.

The report, by the Office of the Auditor General, examined the provincial government’s role in the Village of Lytton’s recovery following the fire, which was led by the Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness.

Auditor general Bridget Parrish said the examination began after concerns were raised by members of the public and MLAs about the timeline and cost of the recovery.

Speaking to reporters, Parrish said recovery efforts in Lytton were “complex and unprecedented in B.C.”

B.C.’s Emergency Program Act was being modernized at the time of the fire, and the report states it “did not provide a comprehensive legal framework that established responsibilities for managing disaster recovery.”

The Interim Provincial Disaster Recovery Framework, first introduced in 2019, was operationalized for the first time after the fire, and established that local authorities were expected to lead their own recoveries, with support from the province.

“The framework only provided high-level guidance,” the report reads. “The province and its partners were required to develop detailed processes, procedures, and considerations as the village’s recovery progressed.”

But the village lacked staff and financial resources required to lead the recovery. “Nearly all” municipal records were lost in the blaze and there were no bylaw officers, planners, or engineers to inform recovery planning, and no recovery manager to coordinate the recovery.

Reduced taxes after the fire further reduced the village’s revenue base, while costs multiplied. It needed funds for rebuilding, soil remediation and archaeological work, and to hire staff to lead the recovery.

A prominent court case at the Merritt courthouse is moving to a new date.

Christopher Jarvis, 49, appeared in court via video conferencing on March 17 to set a trial for a charge of second-degree murder in the death of his wife, Pamela Jarvis on Dec. 16. Jarvis and his legal counsel were to make their

decision known to be tried by judge alone or have a jury present, however the date has been adjourned to April 7, once again in Merritt. If the accused does not choose, they are often deemed to have elected for a judge and jury trial, especially for more serious c harges.

The Merritt Herald will continue to update the public on the proceedings.

VALLEY VIEWPOINT

Have you ever had that quiet feeling that something in your body just isn’t quite right?

Many of us dismiss those signals. We think I shouldn’t bother anyone with my aches and pains. Maybe it’s digestive issues, unusual fatigue, trembling, or poor sleep. We push the thought aside and carry on.

But the first thing to remember is this: you matter, and your body’s signals matter.

Think of it like a car making a strange noise. If we ignore the noise, the problem usually doesn’t disappear. In fact, it often gets worse.

A friend of mine once developed constipation that was unusual for her. She mentioned it to her doctor, who reassured her not to worry. A month later, she brought it up again and received the same response.

Soon after, while on an airplane, she doubled over with pain. When she arrived at the airport, she went straight to emergency. Doctors quickly discovered she had ovarian cancer. Her i ntuition had been correct. Thankfully, she received treatment, and that was 30

years ago.

My own mother once ignored her growing breathlessness while we were traveling. I kept encouraging her to seek medical help. When she finally went to the emergency room back home, doctors rushed her into surgery for an aortic valve replacement.

I’ve had my own experience as well. I was experiencing persistent dizziness. It took several conversations with my doctor before we eventually discovered the cause. I asked her to send me to the Stroke Centre as my Dad had had a stroke at 50. Luckily, it wasn’t a stroke but high blood pressure that I was able to control.

The message today is simple: pay attention to your body.

Write down your symptoms. Notice when they begin and how they change. Share that information with your healthcare professional, and if something doesn’t feel right, don’t be afraid to speak up! And again if necessary. Your body is remarkably wise. Listening to it may be one of the most important health decisions you ever make.

MACDOUGALL: WHY ‘VALUES STACKING’ BEATS TRADITIONAL BUDGETING

LYLE MACDOUGALL

Your Wealth and You

As a financial planner, I often see families overwhelmed by the ‘noise’ of debt. Between truck l oans, credit cards, and lines of credit, it can feel like running on a treadmill that never stops. To get off that treadmill, we need to stop viewing debt as a series of random bills and start viewing it as a strategic stack.

While many online and YouTube pundits suggest paying the smallest balance first for a quick psychological win, debt stacking is how you win the long game. This method involves making minimum payments on all obligations while directing every extra dollar toward the debt with the highest interest rate. Once that high interest debt is eliminated, you roll that entire payment into the next highest interest rate, creating a powerful ‘stack’ that minimizes the interest handed over to banks and keeps more money in your pocket. However, math alone isn’t enough to build a legacy; a financial plan requires a deeper purpose. This is where we move from being a debt stacker to becoming a values stacker. Instead of the traditional ‘needs vs. wants’ budgeting, I challenge you to look at your spending through the lens of priorities versus luxuries. A values stacker intentionally prioritizes investing in the family over s tatus spending. In our community, a rich life is

built on connection—Cents games, hiking the trails, and dinners around the table.

The foundation of a values stack begins with your non-negotiables, such as nutritious food, housing, and the physical and mental health of your family. Above that is the growth layer, which includes spending that builds future value, like registration fees for your children’s activities or a family camping trip that creates lifelong memories. The final piece is the luxury cap, which identifies the ‘noise’ - the unwatched subscriptions or the expensive vehicle trims that don’t get you to the lake any faster. When you combine these two concepts, you aggressively eliminate what costs you money while intentionally funding what gives you life. Prosperity is not how much money you have, it’s the depth of the roots you planted in your own soil. True prosperity is the strength of that foundation—the stability of your home, the character of your children, and the resilience of the legacy you’re growing right here at home.

Let’s commit to building a future of prosperity in the Nicola Valley, one stack at a time.

Lyle is a Certified Financial Planner in the Nicola Valley, an advocate for financial literacy for Canadians and an author of three books.

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. Will your family be affected by the closure of

Have your say at merrittherald.com

From the Herald archives MARCH 15, 1989

ROD AND GUN HAND OUT AWARDS

A variety of awards and trophies were handed out at the Nicola Valley Rod and Gun Club’s 30th Annual Game Banquet on Saturday night.

Members feasted on a variety of game cooked especially for the evening. Dishes ranged from moose casserole, deer steaks and roasted cougar. Other items on the menu included ham, turkey and beef.

A special anniversary cake was cut by Jack Boerma, a member who was at the very first banquet 30 years ago.

Boerma was also a prize winner at the dinner. He was awarded the Best all Around Trophy for a mule deer and also won the top prize in the typical mule deer category.

Other prize winners included Richard Heppner who walked away with two trophies. He won the top award in the non-typical mule deer category and also won top spot in the sheep classification.

Club president Ed Hendricks won the top archery award for a mule deer and Don Willson won the fishing trophy for a trout.

Notice is hereby given that pursuant to section 494 of the Local Government Act, the follow ing proposed Retail Cannabis Store Application will be presented to the City of Merritt Council for consideration at the Regular Meeting of the Council scheduled on March 24, 2026.

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

ADDRESS: 108 – 1700 Garcia Street, Merritt (Railyard Mall)

APPLICANT: One Plant (Retail) Corp.

PURPOSE: To provide recommendation to the Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch (LCRB) for the proposed retail cannabis store

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The subject property is zoned for C6 – City Centre Zone. Retail Cannabis Sales is a permitted Principal Use in C6 Zone. A report was presented to Council at the Regular Council Meeting of February 24, 2026. The recording of the meeting can be viewed at www.youtube.com/cityofmerrittmeetings.

PROVIDE INPUT: Input is welcome during the Public Hearing portion of the Regular Council meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at 6.00 pm in the Council Chamber at 2185 Voght Street, Merritt, BC. Speak in person by signing up at the meeting, or by providing a written submission to the Corporate Officer at info@merritt.ca prior to noon, March 20, 2026, or by mail to the Corporate Officer, City of Merritt, PO Box 189, Merritt, BC, V1K 1B8, to be received before the conclusion of the meeting.

Please note that Council will not receive further submissions from the public concerning this application after the conclusion of the Public Hearing. It is the responsibility of the submitter to ensure that materials are received prior to the close of the Public Hearing.

MORE INFORMATION: A copy of the proposed application may be viewed Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 12:00 pm and 1:15 pm to 4:30 pm at City Hall, 2185 Voght Street, Merritt BC, starting March 12, 2026, until March 24, 2026.

Pursuant to sections 26 and 94 of the Community Charter, the City of Merritt hereby gives notice of its intention to dispose, by way of lease, of Lot 1 Airport Road legally described as PID: 003-084-141 Lot A District Lot 121 of Sections 23 and 24 Township 91 Kamloops Division Yale District Plan 33801 Except Plans 37919, KAP 70265, KAP 77831, and KAP 92967, as shown on the map. The lessee intends to build airport hangers on the land. The disposition of the land is by way of lease to Mike King, RMP Construction, for a term of 5 years with renewal options in 5 year increments for a total of 40 years. The rent is $20,254 annually for the initial term.

QUESTIONS? Contact Dave Zakall, Director of Community Services: dzakall@merritt.ca or 250-378-4224.

CAT SHELTER APPROVED

TYLER REIS-SANFORD reporter@merrittherald.com

Merritt City Council has unanimously voted to approve a temporary use permit to construct a cat boarding shelter at 1326 Voght Street.

The shelter was proposed by Melanie Griffiths of Ferals Furever Loved, a community group that works to trap feral cats in Merritt to be spayed and neutered, and to raise awareness to the overpopulation of feral cats in Merritt.

Griffiths’ proposal is for a 12 foot by 12 foot shed, which requires a building permit application that City Council said it hasn’t yet received, but that staff will work with Griffiths on completing. The shed will house no more than eight cats at a time in large separate crates that contain food, water, a bed and at times a scratching post for the cats.

“I’m working with the Okanagan Humane Society. I trap them and I hold them until their appointment date, which is roughly anywhere between a week or less,” said Griffiths.

“I have a transporter who picks them up from the house, transports them to Okanagan Humane Society and back the very same day. Then we release them to the property they were trapped on if they have a caregiver to care for them. Those cats are now fixed and can live out the rest of their life as feral cats.

“If they are adoptable cats or kittens… then Okanagan Humane Society adopts them out from there.”

According to Annex Cat Rescue,

feral cats reproduce quickly, and one unspayed feral female can have up to 20,000 descendants in a five year period. Griffiths said that this whole process started when she moved into her current home where there was a colony of 20 feral cats that she has since helped to spay and neuter.

Although the shelter will currently meet the needs of Ferals Furever Loved, the temporary use permit is only for 18 months, with the potential of another 18 month extension should the need arise. Griffiths said her long term plan was to move the shelter to a facility on the outskirts of town, where she can better control the temperature inside.

Councillor Wendy Charney said that she agrees Merritt needs a program for feral cats, and that it’s an “extreme problem” in all communities, and Mayor Mike Goetz expressed his appreciation for the work Griffiths was doing within the community.

“Melanie came to see me over a year ago to talk about this, we’ve had issues in the past with other cat rescues that did not follow bylaws and Melanie was very aware and her crew were very aware that they had to follow procedure,” said Goetz. “I think your group is exactly what we need, and you’re doing it the way it’s supposed to be done. Credibility is key on something like this, and you’ve shown that you have credibility, you’ve shown your group has credibility, I see nothing but fantastic things for you.”

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GET READY FOR TAX SEASON

Tax season isn’t something most people look forward to, particularly if they suspect they owe money. However, a few tax prep tips can make the process of filing a return and, if necessary, paying back taxes as pain-free as possible.

1. Call your tax preparer early. If you use an accountant or another tax preparer, be sure to book the appointment as soon as possible because slots f ill up quickly. You don’t want to wait until the last minute and find there are no remaining appointments.

2. Establish a tax preparation folder. Beginning in January, certain documents will arrive in the mail that will be needed to file your taxes. Documents include earnings statements, banking interest statements and documents indicating investment profits. When items arrive, stash them in your tax folder so you’ll have all necessary paperwork at the ready.

3. Avoid tax scams. As tax season draws near, tax scammers target unsuspecting individuals. You may find that you receive calls or texts from those purporting to be with the Internal Revenue Service. However, financial experts say that the Canadian Revenue Agency will never call you on the phone;

services. This is not how tax laws work nor is it possible to get a return larger than what is owed. Avoid anyone promising a bigger return, advises Bankrate.

4. Consider increasing health spending account contributions. Lisa GreeneLewis, a blog editor at TurboTax, says HSAs are triple tax-advantaged, meaning you get an “above-the-line” deduction for contributing, and the growth in these accounts as well as withdrawals are tax-free if used for qualified health expenses. If you need to lower your tax burden, HSAs may be a safe and legal way to do so.

5. Utilize tax software. If you’re not using an accountant and have a relatively cut-and-dry financial situation, modern tax software can be an easy and inexpen sive way to do your taxes. These s ophisticated programs ask a series of detailed questions and the entire process can be completed in relatively little time.

It’s almost time to get income taxes in order. Certain tips can make the process go more smoothly.

IMPAIRED CHARGES LAID

JAKE COURTEPATTE newsroom@merrittherald.com

An early morning collision into a downtown building left one Merritt driver with impaired charges.

Just after 2:20a.m. on March 14, Merritt police responded to the Stoyoma Dental Clinic at 2088 Quilchena Avenue after a pickup truck drove through the front of the building. The driver remained on scene following the collision, and was detained for impaired driving.

The driver provided a breath sample while in custody, registering a ‘fail’ on

the device. They were issued a 90-day immediate roadside driving prohibition, as well as had the vehicle towed and impounded for 30 days.

“This incident underscores the importance of arranging a safe ride home when you choose to consume alcohol,” said Merritt RCMP Staff Sgt. Josh Roda. “The driver is fortunate no one was injured.”

Anyone with information who has not yet spoken with police is asked to contact the Merritt RCMP at 250 - 378 - 4262.

BODY-WORN CAMERAS CONTINUE TO ROLL OUT

JAKE COURTEPATTE newsroom@merrittherald.com

The BC RCMP has delivered nearly half of the division’s body worn cameras to officers since the first cameras hit the streets on November 24, 2024.

As of February 2026, cameras have been deployed to officers at 90 of 185 detachments throughout the province with about 1,650 cameras now being used by frontline members.

The BC RCMP anticipates that deployment of the 3,600 cameras will be completed in the fall of 2027, making this one of the largest deployments of body worn cameras in the country.

“When we first began to roll-out the cameras we anticipated many benefits including improved police officer and

public safety. The feedback from our frontline officers has been positive and they appreciate the cameras as a tool for de-escalation and for evidence gathering,” said Chief Superintendent Larry M ontgomery.

The Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia (IIO BC) investigates interactions between the police and the public that result in serious injury or death. Since deployment of the cameras, some IIO BC investigations have been cleared in a shorter time frame after footage is reviewed and revealed police interaction had not contributed to the injury or death.

“While there’s positive feedback from the frontline, there are some challenges we are working through,” said Montgomery.

FAKE CURRENCY ON THE RISE

JAKE COURTEPATTE newsroom@merrittherald.com

Merritt Mounties are warning the public and local business owners of an increase in fraudulent currency circulating throughout t he community, specifically in the form of $50 and $100 bills.

Reports of fake bank notes have been on the rise over the last few weeks among businesses, with police advising that these fake bills are so well done that many

people involved are innocently using them for transactions and are not aware that they are in possession of fake currency, and then using that currency to make purchases.

Problems have begun to arise when business owners unknowingly accept these fake bills, which are then unable to be processed as bank deposits.

“I realize that right now some of the media out there is saturated with reports of fake Canadian

currency,” said Cst. Blake Chursinoff of the Merritt RCMP.

“The amount of fake cash circulating in Merritt t hese days is high.

The Merritt RCMP are trying to highlight the fact that this is impacting our locals here in Merritt and are trying to get the word out to them specifically.”

Chursinoff advised the public to “be diligent with the authenticity of your cash, learn some of the common ways to check the validity

of your money and report any occurrences of fake cash.”

How to spot counterfeit currency

The Bank of Canada advises using the ‘Feel, Look and Flip’ test when trying do determine currency’s authenticity:

• F EEL the smooth, unique texture of the note. It’s made from a single piece of polymer with some transparent areas.

• LOOK for transparency through the large

window and the outline of the frosted maple leaf window. Look at the details in the metallic portrait and building in the large window.

• FLIP the note to see the metallic portrait and building repeated in the same colours and detail on the other side of the large window.

For more information on counterfeit prevention and how to deal with suspicious money, visit www.bankofcanada.ca/ b anknotes.

NVSC SKATES INTO KELOWNA

DIANA LORENZ

Contributed

We ended our competitive season with our third and final competition for the season, which took place in Kelowna at MNP place. Over the course of 4 days of Competition,

Seven of our NVSC skaters competed in 11 events.

Competing against the whole entire province of BC, making it our biggest competition of the season with approximately 1000 skaters from all over. We achieved Personal bests, saw tears of absolute joy, as well as heartbreak. Some skaters dusted themselves off, shook it off and regrouped physically and mentally to get ready for their

MERRITT WIND WINS

JAKE COURTEPATTE newsroom@merrittherald.com

The notorious winds of the Nicola Valley roared again on March 16, causing lights in several neighbourhoods to flicker.

O ne Collettville resident arrived home in the evening to a much larger victim of the gusts, finding their heavy,

older model camper blown off of its sawhorses and onto their pickup truck around 7p.m. after receiving a phone call from neighbours.

Gusts earlier this week reached up to 90 km/h on the Coquihalla Highway between Merritt and Hope, with remnants of the winter blast still resonating throughout the valley.

second events on other days. Receiving sweet redemption.

This can be a tough sport, but all of the hard work they put in each week doesn’t go unnoticed and shines through during performance.

- Maya Dutt STAR 2 - Bronze

- Jayda Starrs STAR 7 - 12th

- Mackenna Forman STAR 3 - Bronze

- Olivia Boone STAR 5 Artistic 10th

- Aziza Earle STAR 5 Artistic - 8th

- Olivia Boone STAR 4 U13 - 2nd Place

- Aziza Earle STAR 4 U13 - 6th Place

- Meera Dutt STAR 5 13&O - 37th

- Jayda Starrs STAR STAR 5 13&O - 60th

- Avery Starrs STAR 4 13 & O - 6th

- Avery Starrs - STAR 5 Artistic -10th.

NICOLA VALLEY SPORTS

CENTS BOW OUT TO GRIZZLIES

JAKE COURTEPATTE newsroom@merrittherald.com

A Cinderella story in the making was foiled at Nicola Valley Memorial Arena on Saturday, with the Revelstoke Grizzlies playing the role of villain in the Merritt Centennials’ storyline.

March 11, 2026 - Merritt

Centennials 3, Revelstoke Grizzlies 0

The Merritt-Revelstoke series entered its second weekend with the Centennials needing nothing short of a miracle to keep their season going, having fallen down three games to none in the best-ofseven series before managing to put a win on the board in game four on March 11.

Brayden Thurlow, Marshall Wagner and Ryder McAslan all found the back of the net in the Centennials’ first playoff win, in front of a crowd of over 500.

Sam Saskiw was stellar between the pipes in his third start in four games, stopping all 34 shots he faced to earn the game’s first star.

March 13, 2026 - Merritt

Centennials 4, Revelstoke Grizzlies

2

Fresh off their first shutout against all season, Revelstoke looked to get back to their winning ways two nights later back at home with another chance to put away the series.

However it was the Cents that were desparate to not see their season end, with McAslan finding the scoreboard again just over three minutes in.

A back-and-forth affair saw the lead change a few more times before the Cents found themselves up 3 - 2 in the final minute of play, before Travis Langlois added an insurance marker to send the series back to Merritt for game six.

March 14, 2026 - Merritt

Centennials 2, Revelstoke Grizzlies

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The Nicola Valley Memorial Arena was rocking for game six with over 650 fans in attendance, all hoping to see the series sent to a decisive seven.

Both sides traded opportunities early on before the Grizzlies finally solved goaltender Tyler Picha 14 minutes in on the man advantage, doubling the lead before the first intermission.

It wasn’t until early in the final frame

that the Cents were able to get on the board thanks to Reed Belcourt’s first of the playoffs, though they already found themselves in a three-goal hole they could not dig out of.

Noah Lawless notched the final tally of the year for the Cents, a full-circle moment after leading Merritt in scoring

throughout the regular season and postseason.

Revelstoke will now move on to face the Princeton Posse in round two in a heavyweight divisional matchup, who snuck past the Kelowna Chiefs in seven games in their opening round matchup.

FUTURE STARS SHINE AT ELEMENTS COMPETITION

JAKE COURTEPATTE

newsroom@merrittherald.com

With skating season almost over, the Nicola Valley Skating Club showed off its future at an elements competition on home ice at Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.

Close to 30 skaters from PreCan, CanSkate, Jr. Academy and Jr. STARs participated in the end-of-season showcase held

every second year, offset with the ice show.

“It’s usually the first exposure skaters receive for competing,” said NVSC Head Coach Diana Lorenz.

“It is such a confidence boost as everyone receives a ribbon based on their overall skills performance.”

Spring skating training continues for another month for the Junior and STARskate programs, with both on-and-off-ice sessions.

BACK-TO-BACK ‘SHIPS FOR U15 CENTS

Photos/Matthias Wiegand

TYLER REIS-SANFORD reporter@merrittherald.com

The Merritt Centennials U15 rec team continued their dominant month of hockey by capturing their second championship banner in just two weeks. The U15 team has once again gone undefeated in tournament play and won the Omaha District Recreation Championship after a 6-2 win over Lillooet on Sunday at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.

After an opening game that saw the Centennials rout Ashcroft in an 18-0 blowout, the Centennials kept their momentum to earn first place seeding coming out of the round robin.

“Ashcroft is a pretty young team, we’ve had really good games against them all year,” said Centennials head coach Patrick Farmer. “It’s a good opportunity for everybody to feel good about getting the puck in the net.” From there, the Centennials notched back to back 5-2 wins against Logan Lake and Lillooet, successfully raising the Omaha District Recreation Championship banner just one week after winning the Thompson Cariboo Super League Championship in Lillooet. Mitchell Denton led the team with a commanding offensive presence, tallying 21 goals and six assists across the two tournaments.

“When we were in Lillooet last weekend in the final game they were pulling out all the bells and whistles for their team and their fans were super loud,” said Farmer. “You feel like you’re definitely the underdog as the away team. This weekend with hosting districts

ourselves it’s very different. You’ve got the whole community there, the whole hockey world shows up for games like this.”

The win over Lillooet marks their 10th consecutive win, and most of those have been in dominant fashion. The Centennials have been winning their games by an average margin of 6.5 goals over their ten-game winning streak. Farmer said that the team was galvanized after a nail biting loss against Logan Lake on March 1, a team Farmer said they usually play well against.

“They just wanted it more,” said Farmer. “I think that helped reset the team to just realize that you gotta go out there and you gotta want it. Ten straight wins is incredible… I couldn’t be more proud.”

For many players on the team, this tournament marks the last youth hockey they’ll play, as it’s the oldest division in the recreational league. Despite that, Farmer said that he isn’t sure if all of the players realize how impressive and important what they’ve accomplished is for thecommunity and for Merritt Minor Hockey.

“At the start of the year we talked about what we wanted to be, about the identity of our team,” said Farmer. “We have a ton of heart and we hate to lose, we really hate it. A lot of that heart and emotion and energy can come out, and it’s not always positive, but if you can find a way to harness that and turn it into energy and go out and get wins that’s different, and that’s what the kids were able to do.”

10 YEARS OF PICKLEBALL

The sport of pickleball continues to grow, as the Merritt Pickleball Club celebrates its tenth anniversary and looks towards the future.

PAUL WILLMS

Contributed

It was 10 years ago that the Merritt Pickleball Club was formed.

The year 2025 was a good year for the Merritt Pickleball Club (MPC). Annual membership reached an all time high of 95 members.

Following the June 23rd AGM, 11 Directors were elected and appointed to serve for the next 12 month. The indoor schedule was played at the Coquihalla Middle School gym from January through

April and October through December (Monday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30-10:30am and Tuesday and Thursday 6:30-8:30pm).

The outdoor scheduled play was at the MPC outdoor courts weekday mornings (start time varied dependent on temperature). Courts were available for u nscheduled play for the remainder of the week weather permitting.

The courts were also open to the public on Saturday and Sunday from 10:00am to 6:00pm

(May 1st through October 31st).

The MPC sponsored 2 club tournaments in 2025. The club also coordinated other events involving school and youth groups.

The clubhouse served the MPC and other community groups for many events over the year and continues to be available for rent to community groups and families.

The MPC encourages new players of all ages to participate in joining the club. Drop-in play is also welcomed. Free lessons for beginners can be arranged on request.

The success of the Merritt Pickleball Club in meeting objectives can be measured by asking participants the following four questions (in order of priority):

1. Are you having fun?

2. Are you getting exercise?

3. Are you meeting new people?

4. Are your pickleball skills improving?

If the answer is yes, the MPC has accomplished what it is designed to do. The Merritt Pickleball Club seeks to serve the Nicola Valley community. There is always room for new members.

For more information contact Paul Willms at (250) 315-5042.

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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. • 250-319-8823

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

CLASSIFIEDS

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

2-bedroom apartment for

2295 Blair St. Available April 1. References required. No pets. For more information, call Don at 250-378-7502.

SEASONAL

RECEPTIONIST March and April.

Are you retired, need something to do for a couple of months. Training Available. Send resume to Box 2219, Merritt, BC V1K 1B8.

• 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 CARPENTERS REQUIRED WITH EXPERIENCE

Judith Auclair

June 19, 1950 - March 07, 2026

Our mom, Judith (Judy) Hellen Anheliger passed away peacefully on March 07, 2026 at the age of 75. She was born on June 19, 1950 in Merritt BC, to Donald and Lorna Anheliger.

Mom / Judy enjoyed crafts, crocheting, reading, rock & roll music, challenging puzzles, pansies, the color blue and the antics of her loved cat, Taz. Growing up with mom through the 70’s gave us memories of macrame, diet Tab, mood rings, Polaroids, velvet paintings, puka shells, chia pets and good ole K-Tel records and cassette clubs.

However, our fondest memories were holiday meals that included our gramma and grampa, uncle Rick and auntie Donna. Turkey with all the trimmings, party crackers, paper crowns and Baby Duck champagne.

Mom had some interesting job experiences over the years which included waitressing at the iconic Canada Café, honorary “bouncer” at a local pub and the cool Avon and Tupperware lady of the neighborhood.

Mom is survived by her brother Rick Anheliger and family, her five children: Monica (Shane) Milner, Derek Auclair, Paul (Tanya) Auclair, Darienne (Brian) Drinkwalter, James (Jen) Auclair. As well as 15 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

Mom / Judy will be remembered by a simple service at the Merritt cemetery on Monday March 23, 2026 at 12:00 noon.

The family would like to thank Miki and the staff of Merritt Funeral Chapel for their very kind, respectful and professional care of mom and her family as well as special thanks to mom’s loyal friend Donna.

Monday to Friday,

Pennies From Heaven

it’s not just a

This little coin I’ve 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.

Charles L. Mashburn

CURLING CHAMPS

AL LENS

Contributed

The top men and women’s teams battled it out on the traditional Finals Night March 13th. Up for grabs was the A and B trophies.

In the women’s semi-finals earlier in the week, both games were upsets and the underdogs got to play for the A trophy. The favourites going into the semi-finals went on to challenge each other for the B trophy.

The teams in the men’s A and B finals were a bit more as expected. The A game looked like it might end early until the losing team scored 4 and it was game on! The B game was very close until the 6th end when three was put on the scoreboard, creating a comfortable lead for the eventual winners.

While Finals Night is a competitive atmosphere, the Merritt Curling Centre also offers social-type leagues for individuals who want to learn to curl. The next season begins in early October.

Men’s ‘A’ Champions

Stuart Milne, Gareth Tilt, Connor Kent,Kieran McGarry