Merritt Herald May 7, 2026

WILDFIRE, FLOOD CONTINUE TO BE LARGEST RISK TO NICOLA VALLEY

Both sit at the top of the chart in terms of future risk assessment, according to a new report.

JAKE COURTEPATTE newsroom@merrittherald.com

British Columbia is never safe from the hazards of natural disaster, and Merritt and the Nicola Valley are no different.

The City of Merritt recently adopted the 2026 Hazard, Risk, and Vulnerability Analysis (HRVA), an assessment of the risks posed to the community that has not seen an update since 2007.

“We wanted to make sure we had a really good, comprehensive understanding of the hazards and risks that face the Merritt area,” said Jacob Tilson, associate director of Colliers Project Leaders, the third party team that undertook the refresh.

The BC Emergency and Disaster Management Act requires B.C. local authorities, like the City of Merritt, to

: continued on page 2

MERRITT ‘STRONGLY INFLUENCED’ BY CLIMATE

WILDFIRE, FLOOD: continued from page 1

conduct risk assessments. HRVAs are both commonly used in B.C. and supported by the Government of B.C.

Hazards were assessed values based on their likelihood and consequence, and while the report focused on more than a dozen natural hazards that face the British Columbian landscape, including ice jams, plant disease and extreme heat, it was wildfire, flooding and drought that reigned supreme.

“The overall picture is clear,” said Andre Dube, project manager. “Merritt’s risk profile is strongly influenced by climate-related hazards and changing environmental conditions. Several of the highest ranking hazards are expected to become more frequent, more severe, and possibly more complicated over time.”

Dube added that this means the City’s resilience efforts must always be “forwardlooking”, and not retroactively looking at

past events.

Wildland Urban Interface fires pose highest danger

In detail, ‘Wildland Urban Interface Fire’ was determined to be the highest risk for the Merritt community, a priority for preparedness, mitigation and response efforts. Though considered a four on a five-point system for likelihood, it ranked above wildland fire and river flooding due to the high consequences of such an event.

“The City of Merritt is highly exposed to wildfire risk due to its location within the Nicola Valley, surrounding forested slopes, and prevailing summer fire weather conditions,” reads the report. “Significant wildfire activity has occurred in surrounding areas, including the 2021 Lytton Creek fire, which demonstrated the rapid escalation potential of extreme fire

PREPAREDNESS: continued on page 3

NICOLA VALLEY NEWS

PREPAREDNESS MUST BE PROACTIVE, NOT REACTIVE

weather.

“While most fires near Merritt have historically been suppressed before entering municipal boundaries, secondary impacts such as heavy smoke, evacuation alerts, and highway closures have affected the community.”

According to the 2025 City of Merritt Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan, 13 per cent of public lands in the area are rated as having ‘extreme’ fire behaviour potential, 14 per cent are rated as ‘high’, and 33 per cent are rated as ‘moderate’.

“Neighbourhoods such as the Bench, North Bench, and Collettville are located near high-threat fuel types, with the Bench posing particular concern due to ongoing development and limited evacuation routes that could complicate egress during a Wildland Urban Interface Fire (WUI) event,” continues the report. “Surrounding Douglas fir and ponderosa pine stands increase the potential for high-intensity and crown fires, making fuel management measures, such as thinning, surface fuel reduction, and FireSmart practices, essential.

“Given increasing climate pressures, high fuel loads, and interface exposure, wildfire, particularly WUI fire, remains one of Merritt ’s highest priority hazards, underscoring the need for continued investment in fuel management, evacuation planning, coordination, and public preparedness.”

River confluences pose significant threat

River flooding was listed as the second greatest natural threat to the community, thanks to the confluence of the Coldwater and Nicola Rivers. Key projected trends due to climate change include an increase in annual precipitation in the Nicola Valley, and as winter temperatures rise, precipitation that historically fell as snow is more likely to fall as rain, increasing winter runoff and peak river flows.

“The Coldwater River poses a particularly high risk during atmospheric river events, intense localized storms,

or ice jam conditions,” reads the report. “Rapid rises in water levels can cause bridge scour, bank erosion, and structural damage to adjacent properties and infrastructure.”

While the Nicola River may pose less of a threat due to its broader channel and comparatively slower velocities, the report indicates that given recent catastrophic flooding, river floods remains “one of the highest priority hazards” for the Nicola Valley.

Looking towards the future, the report indicates that the scope of the HRVA must be expanded to include human-caused and technological hazards. On a larger and more tangible scale, it is recommended that the City continues to look at ways to expand its emergency

executive committees to create even stronger governance in the future should disaster strike.

Public awareness was also identified as a key component to continue to improve, including through targeted hazard-specific preparedness programs, public alert adoption, and outreach to vulnerable and hard-toreach populations.

“Together, these initiatives move the city from risk awareness towards a more coordinated and proactive resilience program,” said Dube.

Funding for the project came from the Government of B.C.’s Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding program.

The HRVA will be updated and maintained as necessary.

DRAG RACING AT AIRPORT HITS SNAG

JAKE COURTEPATTE

newsroom@merrittherald.com

The Merritt Maydays drag races recently hit a roadblock after losing its corporate sponsor, prompting organizers to reach out to the City of Merritt for financial assistance.

A partnership between Maydays Drag Racing and the City of Merritt was recently shot down by council, when it was requested to enter into a three-year deal that would see the city foot the bill for facility rental costing, site insurance, garbage, bleachers, and even potentially running beer garden operations.

Mayor Mike Goetz spoke candidly about the revenue purposes of the municipally-owned airport.

“One of the main reasons that we have the airport is so that we can make money off of it,” said Goetz. “Holding an event of this size, where we most likely would lose money, is probably not the best idea for us at this point in time. There are a lot of last-minute items, there has to be safety plans, security plans...there’s a whole pile of things here. What we’re being asked to do is run the whole event, and then let them run their cars, and do it for free, to a certain degree.”

Goetz brought up that this has not historically been the case with events held at the airport, including the autocross races that often come through several times per year.

“The whole idea of the airport is to make some money off of it. This is a lot of work, events that were put on before, we did the work that we could but we did

not bare hardly any of the cost.”

The airport facility rental cost for the four-day event is estimated at approximately $6,000.

Councillor Dana Egan questioned why funding for the event was not requested during budget season as a grant, to which Goetz replied that the new request “kind of came out of nowhere.”

Mayor Goetz offered up his own suggestion of Maydays performing a one-day ‘testing session’ to see how the event may play out logistically.

“It’s not that we don’t want the event, it’s just that right now, it’s too risky for us at this point to get into. Especially when we are asking the other groups to rent it, such as the autocross and everybody else. The minute we start doing that, then autocross is going to want theres for free as well. So we’re trying to get some revenue into this community through our partnerships, our sponsors, and I think that’s kind of where we need to stay.”

He added that regardless of the future implementation of the event, he sees more success in a one-year partnership to start rather than three years, and to move forward from there.

Councillor Egan added that it is “too much of an ask” at the moment without knowing what the group’s financials are, though it “could be something good” in the future.

Representatives of Maydays were not available for questions.

The event is being considered for the weekend of June 19-22.

LOGAN LAKE SOLAR FARM A CONCERN

Guichon Creek running through the Tunkwa Grasslands near Logan Lake, B.C.

JAKE COURTEPATTE

newsroom@merrittherald.com

A major solar farm the size of roughly 1,400 football fields is causing a stir within the community of Logan Lake as it takes it’s next steps.

Development on the m.ah a temEEwuh Solar Project began in early 2025. Located five kilometres north of Logan Lake, the proposed project is anticipated to produce up to 208 megawatts of power with an anticipated lifespan of 40 years, about the same amount of electricity needed to power approximately 40,000 households. Now in the first phase of the environmental assessment process, which involves community engagement, area residents are sounding the alarm.

A website titled ‘Save Tunkwa Grasslands’, found at www.savetunkwa.ca, has been shared heavily via social media in recent weeks by those in opposition of the project on Crown land.

Calling the project “solar development at a scale not previously seen in British Columbia,” those in opposition of the project paint a picture of what they believe the footprint will look like if it goes forward.

“Projects of this size do more than change one site — they can set expectations and precedent for how much ranchland and rural landscape may be considered available for future industrial solar development,” reads the website.

“Once a project of this scale is normalized in this landscape, it may become e asier for other large industrial renewable projects to follow.”

Under the British Columbia Environmental Assessment Act and the Reviewable Projects Regulation, electricity projects are subject to environmental review if they involve the construction of a

WORRIED: continued on page 10

– And so has your excuse to step outside and fall in love with your yard again.

Step into a space bursting with colour, fresh scents, and new life. From vibrant hanging baskets to hardy perennials and everything in between, there’s something here waiting to brighten your home and lift your mood.

Whether you’re planting your first pot or transforming your entire garden, you’ll find inspiration in every corner.

Come wander, get your hands a little dirty, and discover just how good it feels to grow something beautiful.

NICOLA VALLEY VIEWPOINT

MOTHER’S DAY: THE GOOD, THE TENDER, AND THE COMPLICATED

BONNIE DIXON

Healthy Conversations

Mother’s Day can stir up a wide range of emotions ~ the good, the tender, and sometimes the complicated. It’s not a one-size-fits-all kind of d ay, and that’s okay.

Let’s begin with the good. For many, Mother’s Day is a chance to celebrate Mom and all she has given. It might look like flowers on the table, a box of chocolates, or a heartfelt card. These are lovely traditions, but often what a mom truly craves is something simpler: a little time to herself. An hour without responsibilities, without being needed, can feel like a true gift.

If you can create that space for her, even briefly, it may mean more than anything you could buy. And if that’s not possible, consider what genuinely lights her up ~ quiet time, connection, laughter ~ and offer that.

If you do decide to get a gift, try purchasing locally. Our community has wonderful options, from the local Art’s Council to nearby pharmacies that carry thoughtful items. Supporting local businesses adds another layer of care to your gift. And never underestimate the power of a homemade meal s imple, heartfelt, and often deeply

appreciated.

Then there is the tender side. For those whose mothers are no longer here, the day can feel bittersweet. Yet love doesn’t disappear. You might choose to honor her by writing a note, reflecting on a favorite memory, or setting aside a quiet moment just for remembrance. In that space, connection still lives. Consider The Wind P hone up at the cemetery. It is a booth with a phone (not connected) to call your loved ones who have passed I have been there and it feels wonderful to call my mother. She passed 16 years ago.

And then there’s the complicated. Not every relationship with a mother is easy or intact. If distance or difficulty is part of your story, this day can bring up heavy feelings. One gentle practice is to write a letter you may never send. Putting thoughts to paper can be a powerful, healing release.

If you are fortunate to have a loving relationship with your mom, cherish it. Celebrate it.

But remember, beyond the flowers and gifts, time and presence remain the most meaningful gift of all.

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.

MOTHERS, THE FOUNDATION AND PILLARS OF A NATION

NARAYAN MITRA

You Gotta Have Faith

The origin of modern-day Mother’s Day had a disconcerting start many years ago in the U.S. Anna Jarvis, considered the first campaigner of Mother’s Day, set out tirelessly to get a proclamation passed establishing an o fficial National Mother’s Day. But before her death, she would call for its abrogation.

As the ninth of 11 children, Jarvis drew inspiration to begin the annual tradition from a prayer she learned from her mother. After her mother’s passing, she could not shake the prayer from her mind, and it continued to influence her deeply.

Starting with a Mother’s Day celebration in her own city of Philadelphia, Jarvis laboured hard and eventually saw the day observed in several U.S. states before President Woodrow Wilson declared the second Sunday of May a national holiday in honour of all American mothers.

However, before her death, Jarvis became upset and disappointed with the commercialization of the special day she h ad envisioned, feeling it had lost much of its original meaning and purpose.

In the Bible, mothers were given high honour within the family by the Israelites. Jesus also placed his mother in a position of deep

respect. Even on the cross, in the midst of his suffering, he made provision for her care, demonstrating the value placed on a mo ther’s role.

Among the many functions performed daily by mothers, for which they are to be honoured, are:

• Mothers protect their children, as seen in 2 Kings 4:1. In t his passage, a mother loved her two sons so much that she did not want them to go into slavery under a creditor, and she cried out to a man of God for help. Today, many young people are under different forms of struggle—sin, harmful habits, and various addictions. Mothers are called not only to meet physical needs, but also to pray for their children’s spiritual well-being so they may be freed from both internal and external challenges. Their prayers and guidance can play a powerful role in shaping the lives of their children.

In Mark 7:24–30, a mother came to Jesus asking him to heal her daughter. Though initially refused, she persisted with humility and faith, and her daughter was healed. In the same way, through prayer and persistence, healing can come to this g eneration, and hope can be restored in difficult situations.

• Mothers comfort their children (Isaiah 66:13): “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.”

As children grow and face life’s changes, they often need

someone they can trust and speak with openly and honestly. Mothers can be a source of understanding and encouragement when children feel d iscouraged, overwhelmed, or uncertain about their future. If this role is not fulfilled, children may seek comfort elsewhere. Mothers need to give their time, presence, patience, and support.

• Mothers are a teacher’s teacher (Proverbs 31:1). A mother is the first teacher in the family, guiding her children in obedience, discipline, and faith from an e arly age, helping to build a strong foundation for their future.

Before Samuel went to serve in the house of God, his mother Hannah prepared him by teaching him to obey, to work hard, and to listen. She disciplined and guided him, helping shape his future and calling, and showing how a mother’s influence can last a lifetime.

Our nation of Canada needs godly mothers. The Bible places high importance on mothers, and they must recognize their responsibilities and influence in shaping future generations.

It is said that Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte was once asked: “What is the greatest need of the French nation?” To that he replied: “The greatest need of France is a nation of mothers.”

Narayan Mitra is the Pastor of Merritt Baptist Church which meets at 2499 Coutlee Avenue, Merritt. merrittbaptist@gmail.com

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.

QUESTION

Are you doing any fire mitigation on your

Have your say at merrittherald.com Are

about local flooding this

A LOOK BACK

From the Herald archives

MARCH 11, 1981

SHOPING CENTRE APPROVED BY COUNCIL

The air was still in the City Council chambers last Thursday. The large crowd in attendance had been talking quietly up until the vote. But when the vote came up, the talking died quickly as all ears were on Council.

Each alderman, aware of the crowd, aware of the media, and aware of the controversy, spoke about the shopping centre rezoning bylaw before casting his vote. When all the aldermen had spoken and voted, the final result was that the shopping centre rezoning was approved by a 3–1 count.

Alderman Larry Lemire was the lone dissenter. Even though Mayor Jim Rabbitt agreed with Lemire in opposing the rezoning, he didn’t vote because there wasn’t a tie. This means that Merritt will get about another 29 stores in the future, including a third food store and a fifth department store. The shopping centre will be built on the corner of Highway No. 8 and Walters Street.

HELP SHAPE MERRITT’S

Emergency Evacuation Plan

We are updating Merritt’s Emergency Evacuation Plan and we want to hear from you, especially older adults, people with accessibility needs, Indigenous community members, newcomers, and those without access to a personal vehicle.

The survey covers:

• Your experience during past evacuations

• How you want to be notified in an emergency

• Which evacuation routes work and which don’t

• Transportation and mobility needs

• Resources and supports you rely on

SHARE YOUR VOICE

AVOID PENALTIES:

Property owners are responsible for ensuring payments are made with sufficient time for processing. Online options are available for convenience; however, payments made through your bank or by mail can take several days to process. To avoid penalties, pay your taxes at least 7 business days in advance of the deadline or in person at City Hall. Taxes received after 4:30 pm on July 2, 2026 are subject to a 10% penalty.

YOUR BC HOME OWNER GRANT

The Home Owner Grant is administered by the Province of BC. You will need information from your municipal Property Tax Notice to complete your claim. After claiming your grant, ensure any remaining balance is paid to City Hall at least 7 business days before July 2, 2026. Unclaimed grants leave a portion of your property taxes unpaid and subject to the 10% penalty.

Eligible BC homeowners, including seniors and families, may participate in the Province of BC’s Tax Deferment Program. If you are participating, ensure there is no outstanding balance on your account. Property tax arrears, including unpaid utility bills from the prior year, are reported to the Province.

FUNDING SECURED FOR NEW GARBAGE TRUCK

JAKE COURTEPATTE newsroom@merrittherald.com

A purchase several years in the making has been given the green light by Merritt City Council.

A funding project was brought in front of council at its latest regular meeting to authorize the borrowing of just over $400,000 from the Municipal Finance Authority for the purchase of a new commercial solid waste truck.

The loan would come with a 2.8 per cent floating interest rate, to be repaid over the course of five years.

The project was already included in the city’s 2026 financial plan, earmarked as “proceeds from borrowing”, according to City of Merritt Chief Financial Officer Kevin Natkinniemi.

“In the line-by-line review we did in March, each project was paired with its funding source. For equipment, we do not have sufficient reserves to be able to finance a truck of that size.”

Natkinniemi also noted that much of the reserves that would have been available for the purchase of the truck was used for a grader last year.

“Borrowing distributes the cost of acquiring the asset over several years and allows the reserve funds to be available for other projects.”

Council was offered an alternative option to deny the financing and look at other ways to fund the purchase, which ultimately would have come down to higher taxation, which was shut down by councillors.

The motion to approve the borrowing of the funds was passed with all councillors in favour.

Merritt’s commercial garbage truck involves utilizing a part-time employee that works three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, and Friday). The commercial garbage truck empties 324 bins a week or 16,848 bins a year.

MERRITT

The Nicola Valley Skating Club would like to thank the following sponsors for their generous support to help with the Okanagan Interclub Skating competition that was held November 28-30. WE VERY MUCH APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT AND COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU!

SPONSORS

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SALCHOW SPONSORS

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TOE

WORRIED ABOUT A SCARRED LANDSCAPE

LOGAN LAKE: continued from page 5

new power plant with a nameplate capacity exceeding 50 MW. As the proposed project meets this threshold, it is expected to undergo a formal environmental assessment led by the BC Environmental Assessment Office.

Through the first stage of public engagement, however, some are voicing their concerns over the scarring the project could induce on the Logan Lake landscape.

“This project is being proposed right in our backyard,” reads one public comment. “Land we use every single day to walk, ride and explore. This land, these trails aren’t occasional; they’re part of daily life.”

Another worried resident voiced their concern over the effects of the project on migratory bird numbers in the area, and the possibility of uprooting their homes and nesting grounds. Another called the project “an environmental disaster.”

History of the land

The project area is located within the shared area and

unceded homelands of the Nlaka’pamux and Secwépemc Nations.

According to project managers Logan BC Solar Project Limited Partnership, most trees in the project area were observed during site visits to be burnt and/or dead resulting from the 2021 Tremont Creek wildfire. There have been no sensitive ecological communities or critical habitats identified within the project area.

However, for locals, the land represents a multi-use landscape for everything from cattle grazing, to forestry, recreation and a vast trail network.

“It also confirms overlap with multiple grazing tenures, a forest recreation tenure, Agricultural Land Reserve interaction, and other industrial

and land use constraints,” reads a letter from the Save Tunkwa Conservation Campaign. “This is exactly why so many of us are deeply concerned. This is not vacant or useless land. It is actively used land, valued land, and regionally important land.

“For those of us who live in this area, this proposal represents a major industrialization of the landscape directly beside where people ranch, recreate, travel, and live.”

After the public comment period closes, the Environmental Assessment Officer will prepare a summary of engagement outlining the key issues and concerns identified,before determining whether to proceed to environmental assessment.

MERRITT TIMBER SUPPLY AREA (TSA)

AAC ADJUSTMENT TECHNICAL REPORT

Under the Forest Act, the public is invited to ensure that the best actions are taken for sustainable forestry. The chief forester must determine the allowable annual cut (AAC) in each of the province’s 37 TSAs and 34 tree farm licences at least once every 10 years. The public is invited to review the technical report for the Merritt Timber Supply Area (TSA) Allowable Annual Cut (AAC) adjustment and provide comments on this update.

The Merritt TSA is in the southern interior region of British Columbia, covering about 1.13 million hectares. The Merritt TSA is bordered by the Kamloops TSA to the north, the Okanagan TSA to the east, the Fraser and Lillooet TSAs to the west, and Manning and Cathedral Parks and the Canada–U.S. border to the south. The AAC determinations must be made by the chief forester.

The Technical Report provides background information, details of the AAC adjustment process, outlines key issues, and a summary of the joint recommendations. The report will provide the province’s chief forester with information required to determine the AAC– the maximum volume of timber available for harvest from the TSA – until the next determination, likely following the completion of the Cascades Forest Landscape Plan currently underway.

Members of the public can review the technical report from April 28 – May 29, 2026 online at: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/industry/forestry/managing-our-forestresources/timber-supply-review-and-allowable-annual-cut/allowable-annual-cuttimber-supply-areas/merritt-tsa or at the address below during business hours:

Cascades Natural Resource District Ministry of Forests

3840 Airport Road, Merritt, B.C., V1K 1M5

Telephone: 250 378-8400

The chief forester will consider public and First Nations input, along with information required under the Forest Act, when determining a new AAC. Comments will be accepted from April 28 – May 29, 2026. For questions or comments, contact:

Suzanne Shears, RPF Stewardship Officer

forests.cascadesdistrictoffice@gov.bc.ca Telephone: 250 378-8400

TONY LUCK View from the Legislature

As we mark National Nursing Week this May, we take a moment to recognize a group of professionals who are, quite simply, the backbone of our healthcare system—our nurses.

In communities like Merritt, Hope, Princeton, and across Fraser-Nicola, nurses are there for us during some of life’s most difficult and defining moments. They are the steady hand in times of uncertainty, the calm voice in moments of fear, and the compassionate presence that reminds patients and families alike that they are not alone.

Nursing is not just a job—it is a calling. It demands long hours, emotional resilience, and an unwavering commitment to others. Nurses work through holidays, overnight shifts, and high- pressure situations that most of us will never fully see or understand. They carry not only the physical demands of their role, but also the emotional weight that comes with caring for people at their most vulnerable.

And yet—despite those challenges—they continue to show up.

They show up with skill.

They show up with compassion. They show up with strength.

That is something worth recognizing—not just this week, but every day.

Our nurses are essential to the health and wellbeing

of our communities. They are leaders, advocates, and problem-solvers. They are mentors to the next generation and trusted partners in patient care. Quite frankly, our healthcare system does not function without them.

That’s why it is so important that we stand alongside them—not just in words, but in action.

Supporting our nurses means ensuring they have the tools, resources, and environments they need to succeed. It means working collaboratively to create workplaces where they feel valued, respected, and empowered. It means recognizing that strong healthcare begins with a strong, supported workforce.

There is so much to be proud of here in British Columbia. Every day, nurses go above and beyond— quietly, professionally, and without expectation of recognition. But during Nurses Week, we have the opportunity—and the responsibility—to say thank you.

To every nurse serving in Fraser-Nicola and across our province: we see you, we value you, and we appreciate everything you do.

Your work matters. Your strength matters. And your dedication does not go unnoticed.

This week, and every week, we stand with you.

BARGAINING AGREEMENT COMES TO A HEAD

JAKE COURTEPATTE newsroom@merrittherald.com

More than 50,000 BC Nurses’ Union (BCNU) members are set to take a crucial vote next week whether to go on strike for what they hope is a more fair collective bargaining agreement.

Over 500 nurses from across the province marched in Vancouver on April 30, ten days after an impasse was declared and the union stepped away from the bargaining table with the provincial government and health employers.

“Nurses are not taking this step lightly,” said BCNU President Adriane Gear. “This is about achieving a fair contract—while continuing to prioritize patient care every step of the way. We have been at the bargaining table since October and have put forward real solutions to stabilize the health-care system.”

T he BCNU’s main tabled points include addressing workload, workplace violence and occupational health and safety. Since 2019, injury claims across health care have risen by nearly 25 percent, and psychological injuries have tripled.

“Nursing is physically and psychologically demanding work, and benefits are essential to keeping nurses healthy,” said Gear.

The nursing crisis has continued to worsen province-wide in recent years, with a round 4,500 vacancies currently waiting to be filled. With tens of thousands more nurses needed in the next few years, Gear said the government “must make meaningful i nvestments that will help to retain nurses and reduce burn out,” both which are needed to implement minimum nurseto-patient ratios and deliver safer patient care.

NVIT PREPARES STUDENTS FOR HEALTH CARE ROLES IN THEIR COMMUNITIES

VALLEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

Access to Practical Nursing students follow an 18-month diploma program.

TYLER

REIS-SANFORD

Contributed As the only public Indigenous post-secondary institution in B.C., Nicola Valley Institute of Technology (NVIT) is offering young learners an important and unique perspective in its health care programs. NVIT’s mission statement is “sharing our traditional ways”, and states their values as academic excellence, community relevance, organizational e ffectiveness and being learner-centred. The college o ffers a health care assistant

program, and an 18-month access to practical nursing program.

The health care assistant program is designed to help students develop the knowledge, practice and skills to work as frontline caregivers, o ften in assisted living homes, community care settings or special care units.

“The learning outcomes are focused around providing safe, competent and ethical care, much like our nurses. We focus on the respect for the individual as a person, and not just a client,” said Spotted Fawn Minnabarriet, the

Department Chair for Health Programs at NVIT.

“We really enforce that in the program so when they graduate they can work successfully as a health c are assistant in the community or in a facility.”

The practical nursing program requires 600 hours of experience in a health care assistant role in the last two years, and must be verified by an official employer letter. The curriculum is designed to provide integrated learning and aims to prepare graduates at a level consistent with the British Columbia

College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM).

Minnabarriet says the 600 hours of experience helps prepare students who come into the program for the high demands of nursing, and allows them to shorten the time it takes to complete the course as an access program.

“At NVIT we are kind of a leader in education around Indigenous specific learning outcomes, we try to incorporate that into ou r discussions and our testing,” said Minnabarriet.

B.C.’s nursing

RURAL, REMOTE: continued on page 18

The Nicola Valley Health Care Endowment Foundation raises funds for essential equipment and patient programs that fall outside the scope of Interior Health.

Today, we pause to salute our NURSES. Your unwavering dedication and compassion are the backbone of our community’s well-being.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SKILL, YOUR STRENGTH, AND YOUR EXTRAORDINARY CARE.

The NVHCEF remains committed to supporting Gillis House, Berta Fraser Adult Day Care, and the Nicola Valley Hospital & Health Centre. Every dollar raised stays right here in the Nicola Valley— supporting you, your family, and your neighbours when it matters most.

Valley Health Care

Visit our website www.nvhcef.com to find out how we work to enhance Health Care in the Nicola Valley. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date on all our fundraising efforts.

DONATE NOW

Nicola Valley Real Estate Review

Your one-stop shop for all the developments in the world of real estate

Listings | Tips and Guidelines | Real estate professionals

Don’t miss our June 4 edition

HOW TO MAXIMIZE A REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT

the rooms buyers emphasize most when looking for a new home. Kitchens and primary suites tend to make the most lasting impressions on home buyers, and that can offer a strong return on investment (ROI).

And the good news for homeowners hoping to sell a property they currently own is that minor kitchen remodels, which require a smaller financial investment than major overhauls, offer stronger returns.

According to the Cost vs. Value Report 2025 from the Journal of Light Construction, a minor kitchen remodel offers an average return of 113 percent compared to a 36 percent average return for a major upscale remodel.

• Prioritize location. Real estate investors who aren’t looking to sell but buy can maximize their investment by prioritizing location as they search for properties.

constant, Investopedia notes that a given neighborhood’s reputation can go from “good” to “bad” or vice versa. Identifying an emerging “good” neighborhood can be a tall order, but prospective real estate investors are urged to consider a range of variables about each location in an effort to maximize their investments. Recent investment in local infrastructure and a growth in local employment opportunities are two variables that can help a given area quickly transform into a place people want to live.

• Sell at the right time. When selling a home with the intent of maximizing a real estate investment, it’s important that owners recognize certain times of year are better for sellers than others.

Real estate has long been considered a good investment. Whether people are buying a home they intend to live in or purchasing investment properties they hope to flip or rent out, real estate tends to provide a strong return on investment. Maximizing the investment value of a property is wise regardless of how buyers intend to use it. With that in mind, buyers can consider these strategies to make the most of a real estate investment.

• Renovate with ROI in mind. Though no room of a home in need of work should be ignored, various studies have identified

Though the real estate market is ever-changing, the importance of location remains a constant. Investopedia notes that a “good” location for prospective buyers typically is near access to transportation (be it public transportation or highways that can help cut down on commute times), well-regarded schools, and community involvement. While the importance of location is a

A 2024 report from the real estate curator ATTOM indicated that listing a property in May, February or April can yield the best returns for sellers. May is a particularly good time to sell, as the ATTOM analysis of 59 million home sales between 2011 and 2023 found that homes sold in May sold for 13.1 percent above market value, which was the highest of any month.

Real estate has long been considered a great investment, and various strategies can help investors bolster their returns.

VARIABLES TO CONSIDER BEFORE DOWNSIZING A HOME IN RETIREMENT

Aspiring to save money in retirement makes perfect sense. Once professionals call it a career and are no longer drawing a paycheck, cutting back on expenses can be a sound decision that ensures seniors won’t outlive their money. And housing remains a significant expense, even for retirees who own their homes and no longer have monthly mortgage payments to make.

Many retirees seeking ways to save money consider downsizing their homes. According to the National Association of Retailers, 12 percent of people between the ages of 60 and 69 who move indicated their home was too large, and that percentage grows among movers between the ages of 70 and 78 (16 percent) and those who move after turning 79 (18 percent). Downsizing a home in retirement can seem like an ideal means to saving money after calling it a career, but individuals pondering such a move should consider a number of variables before putting their homes up for sale.

Costs

Downsizing may help retirees lower their property tax obligations, reduce their utility bills and lower their monthly mortgage payments (for those who are still paying off a mortgage on their current homes), but that does not mean moving will not incur new expenses that render such savings moot. Expenditures like closing costs, real estate commissions, moving-related expenses, and capital gains taxes can quickly add up. In addition, retirees who currently do not pay homeowner’s association fees may be subjected to such fees when moving into a new home, and those fees can be substantial and hard to avoid. Indeed, recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicated that 71 percent of new constructions in the western and southern United States were built in communities with homeowner’s

For many retirees, downsizing begins with packing boxes — and making thoughtful decisions about the next chapter.

associations. Prior to downsizing, current homeowners should calculate all of the costs related to relocating, including anticipated HOA fees, to see if downsizing is to their financial benefit.

Social benefits

Another variable that merits consideration is the impact that moving can have on seniors’ social lives. The World Health Organization reports that more than one in 10 seniors experiences loneliness, which can adversely affect their physical and mental health and potentially reduce their life expectancy. Retirees currently living in communities in which they are socially active should weigh the effects of leaving that social network behind. Retirees also can weigh the benefits of moving to 55 and over communities where they will be surrounded by people at a similar stage in life, and how living in such developments may improve their social lives.

Adjusting and adapting

Downsizing will require an adjustment period and a willingness to adapt. Retirees may have an emotional attachment to their current homes, and leaving that behind can be a difficult adjustment. Adapting to life in a new community also can be challenging, particularly if retirees are moving from areas where there are no restrictions regarding their properties to communities where homeowners’ associations must approve of any changes to properties. Moving also may require finding new health care professionals, which can be a particularly difficult adjustment for retirees who have spent years building a strong rapport with their current health care team.

Downsizing a home might be a pathway to more financial freedom for many retirees. Seniors considering such a move can consider a number of variables to determine if moving is in their best interest.

INVESTING IN LAKEFRONT PROPERTY: WHAT BUYERS SHOULD CONSIDER

Lakefront properties can be an appealing investment, offering scenic views, recreation, and a lifestyle many buyers dream about. However, purchasing waterfront real estate involves unique legal, environmental, and financial considerations that differ from standard residential properties. Buyers who understand these factors can make more informed decisions and better protect their investment.

Ownership of lakefront property is not always as straightforward as it may seem. In British Columbia, homeowners typically own land only up to the natural boundary, often referred to as the high-water mark, while the province retains ownership of the foreshore and lakebed. This means access to the water is generally permitted, but ownership of the water itself is not included. In addition, structures such as docks may require permits or provincial approval, and older docks may not meet current regulations. Property boundaries can also shift over time due to erosion or natural land buildup, which may require updated surveys.

Environmental factors are another important consideration when evaluating waterfront property. The type of shoreline can impact both usability and risk. Low bank properties provide easier access to the water but may be more vulnerable to flooding or erosion. High bank properties often offer better views and reduced flood

Owning a place by the water can be rewarding, but understanding the details is key to making a smart investment.

risk, though access to the water can be more challenging. Buyers are encouraged to assess shoreline conditions carefully, including water quality, vegetation, and potential invasive species. Understanding seasonal water level fluctuations is also key, as changing levels can affect both property use and long-term stability.

Financial considerations can differ significantly from inland homes.

Waterfront properties often come with higher insurance premiums due to increased exposure to weather-related risks. Environmental regulations may also impose stricter building setbacks, limiting where structures can be placed or renovated. In addition, ongoing maintenance costs may be higher, as moisture and w ind can accelerate wear on exterior materials and increase the likelihood of issues such as rot or mold.

Speaking with neighbours can provide valuable insight into the day-to-day realities of lakefront living. Questions about seasonal lake activity, past flooding or erosion, and overall water quality can help buyers better understand what to expect.

Lakefront living offers many rewards, but it also requires careful planning. By considering legal, environmental, and financial factors, buyers can determine whether a waterfront property aligns with their goals and lifestyle.

MOVING AFTER MANY YEARS IN THE SAME HOME CAN FEEL OVERWHELMING.

As a Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES®) specially trained to help seniors and their families navigate this transition with patience, understanding and care.

• Downsizing and preparing your home for sale

• Selling a long-time family home

• Exploring housing options for the next stage of life

• Making the moving process easier and less stressful

If you or a loved one are considering a move, I would be happy to help answer all your questions

HOMES IN THE MERRITT AREA HOMES IN THE MERRITT AREA

2351 Chapman St

$529,000 4 bed / 2 bath

family home with bright open-concept living, ideal for everyday comfort and entertaining. Features a detached shop, carport, fenced yard, underground sprinklers, deck, and gazebo area. Includes a dedicated kids’ play space and RV parking with plug-in, offering plenty of room for family living and outdoor enjoyment.

2398

Reid Ave

$895,000

Custom 5 bed

2.5 bath family home with a

double garage on a half-acre lot. Beautiful yard with garden space, gas fire pit area, deck, and underground sprinklers. Ample parking including RV parking. Close to schools, shopping, and the hospital.

2573

foundation, offering a functional layout and comfortable living space. Enjoy a spacious yard with beautiful views, perfect for relaxing or entertaining. Conveniently located close to shopping and hospital services, making everyday living easy and accessible.

2225

Hazelhurst Rd

- $1,350,000

14.26 flat acres with Nicola River irrigation licences and a 90 GPM well. Supports up to 100 head with feedlot, covered feeding alley, handling facilities, pens, and tack building. Features riding arena and round pen—ideal for horse enthusiasts, gardens, or mixed-use farming with endless potential.

Lot A Grandview Heights - 749,000

Exceptional 1.73-acre parcel in the Merritt offering stunning panoramic mountain views. This prime development property provides an outstanding opportunity to build in a highly desirable location. Zoned R7, it is ideally suited for medium-density residential development, making it a strong option for builders, developers, or investors looking for future growth potential.

2549 Nicola Ave - $650,000

2,960 SQFT commercial building on a 0.276 acre lot, featuring a fully fenced compound and 3 service bays in a high-visibility location. Includes a reception area, private office, and 2 washrooms. Zoned C7, offering flexibility for a wide range of commercial uses and future development potential. Ideal for a variety of business operations.

3649 Merritt–Spences Bridge Hwy

$799,000

Exceptional commercial opportunity offering over 10,000 SQFT of versatile space on the highly visible highway corridor. Zoned C1 with extensive use potential. Currently operating as an inn with 12 fully furnished rooms, a restaurant area, and storefront possibilities. Outstanding Thompson River views enhance the appeal of this unique property with strong commercial potential.

LIFE IN MERRITT AND THE SURROUNDING NICOLA VALLEY OFFERS SOMETHING TRULY SPECIAL — CHOICE!

TOWN LIVING:

1768 Granite Ave

$435,000

3

3816

Petit Creek Rd

$1,550,000 53 acres with two homes and two shops. Fully fenced and crossfenced with pastures, livestock shelters, and chicken coop. Private setting with expansive views. Multifamily living or farm hand residence, access to crown land, room for livestock, chickens, amazing mountain views, endless riding right out your door.

Enjoy welcoming neighbourhoods, a range of affordable options for first-time buyers and downsizers, as well as spacious family homes designed for comfortable living. With schools, shopping, recreation, and essential services all close by—plus easy access to highways in every direction—Merritt offers a lifestyle that is both convenient and well connected, making day-to-day living simple and accessible.

RURAL LIFESTYLE:

From smaller acreages to expansive properties, rural living provides the space and freedom for animals, gardens, and a more self-sufficient way of life. Experience privacy, independence, and a strong connection to the land, with room to grow and breathe—all just 15–25 minutes from Merritt. It’s the perfect balance of peaceful country living with the convenience of nearby town amenities when you need them.

RURAL, REMOTE OPTIONS FOR NVIT HEALTHCARE

NVIT PREPARES: continued from page 12

curriculum has recently undergone significant changes that Minnabarriet calls “a big revamp”, but those changes haven’t yet been implemented into the current B.C. nursing curriculum.

Minnabarriet says the current curriculum coincides with The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada (TRC), and that the school incorporates a lot of the resources provided from TRC to inform students on the historical context and needs of Indigenous communities in Canada.

“Our hope is that if they work in an Indigenous community or not they are aware to look for the knowledge keepers in that community and talk about traditional ways of healing and uses of medicine,” said Minnabarriet. “That makes it a little bit more

inclusive and it makes Indigenous people more likely and willing to seek out and accept care from an individual who’s trained in that way, someone who knows how to ask the questions about what their traditional healing practices are.”

The college has also put resources into making sure people are able to access quality education in more rural and remote areas. While NVIT and other schools offer hybrid and online coursework, NVIT has also invested in mobile training units that bring resources like lab work to remote communities.

The mobile training units provide NVIT with the ability to meet students where they are, and stay for prolonged periods of time, often up to 6 months.

“There’s a lot of times that people come into the program and they have a

hard time getting through the program because they have so many demands in their community, so coming outside of their community and having to relocate is a little bit tricky,” said Minnabarriet.

Many barriers like lack of internet access, little to no transportation availability and duty of care to family members prevent Indigenous students from completing the program according to Minnabarriet. She says that programs like the mobile lab help fill a much needed gap for Indigenous students and educators. Something she’d like to see even more of at NVIT.

“It’s a really important program we offer,” said Minnabarriet. “I think it’s pretty unique to NVIT, I don’t know if other schools have the open learning or distance learning kind of programs that we do.”

HEALTHCARE GAPS NEED FILLING

IN INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES

REIS-SANFORD

Contributed

Efforts to bring more Indigenous people into health care are ramping up across B.C. as many healthcare professionals feel a lack of representation is worsening gaps in care for First Nations communities.

Nursing shortages have been a l ong standing issue in B.C that disproportionately affect sm aller communities like Merritt, w here shortages helped contribute to nearly two-dozen emergency room c losures in 2024.

“We could be pumping out a

whole bunch of LPN’s (licensed practical nurses) but when they graduate they don’t get a permanent full time job,” said Spotted Fawn Minnabarriet, the Department Chair for Health Programs at Nicola

Valley Institute of Technology. “I feel like there’s a little bit more work to do in that area.”

Minnabarriet says she feels like staffing concerns helped contribute to Merritt’s emergency room frequently being closed, and that

FIRST NATIONS COMMUNITIES OFTEN HIT HARDEST IN HEALTHCARE

HEALTHCARE GAPS: continued from page 18

the province needs to take a more proactive approach in hiring nurses as the population ages. She also says that having more Indigenous voices in health care could help bridge the gap between Indigenous peoples and groups that may be more sceptical of Canada’s health care system and western medicine.

April 10 is Indigenous Nurses Day in B.C, and celebrates and honours the achievements of Indigenous nurses like Edith Monsture, the first Indigenous registered nurse in Canada, or Rose Casper, the first Indigenous nurse in Western Canada and a Kamloops Indian Residential School survivor.

The province also offers a number of grants and incentives through institutions like the First Nations Health A uthority (FNHA). Indigenous students enrolled in eligible B.C. post-secondary nursing programs are eligible to apply for the Nursing Tuition Grant, and can receive up to $5,000 per year to help with the cost of study.

Other grants, like the Indigenous Student Nurse Bursary (ISNEB) or the First Nations Health Foundation Nursing Bursary provide First Nations and Indigenous students with money for resources like books, transportation and

living expenses.

The Rural Retention Incentive provides $8,000 a year to nurses in rural and remote locations employed by FNHAfunded First Nation health service organizations or bands, and is designed to help keep nurses within communities that are often underserved and underfunded.

According to a survey done by the B.C Nurses Union (BCNU), more than one in five union members are strongly considering quitting nursing or have already b egun planning their exit. The B.C 2024 Labour Market Outlook projects 35,000 nursing positions opening over the next decade, but the BCNU’s data shows that B.C. could end up losing 12,000 nurses by 2027, despite nursing programs in B.C graduating fewer than 2,000 students each year.

Another study published by the National Library of Medicine states that in Canada, indicators of nursing shortages occur long before crisis emerges, a nd that “investment in the domestic supply needs to be a focus of educational policy.”

As shortages affect care across the province, studies have shown that rural and remote First Nations communities are often hit first and hardest.

“In this journey of increasing the

awareness of Indigenous ways of being I feel like we are moving in the right direction, it’ll just take a little bit of time,” said Minnabarriet. “Even just learning simple words in one’s Indigenous language will make them feel a lot more welcome when they’re accessing care or services.”

DOULAS HONOUR TRADITIONS IN PREGNANCY

TYLER REIS-SANFORD

Contributed

More families are using doulas as a resource during pregnancy and childbirth, but when did this trend start, and why are more families looking to doulas for family support?

A doula is a trained non-medical professional who provides emotional, physical and spiritual support for expectant mothers and families. They provide support not only during pregnancy, but often during labour as well.

A study published in the National Library of Medicine showed the doulas can positively influence mothers in labour and delivery. The study found that doulas have been found to reduce cesarean section frequency, low birth weight, and premature labour. Doula intervention has also been “correlated with a decrease in epidural use during delivery, increased rates of breastfeeding, and the use of safety precautions for the child.”

Although the concept of providing companion support to the birthing woman dates back to prehistoric times, the modern understanding of the “doula” role can be traced back to grassroots natural birth movements in the United States and Canada in the 1960s. The practice began as an option for women who wanted low-intervention, often unmedicated “traditional” births.

What was once a very niche option has

risen in popularity, with the Canadian Journal of Midwifery and Research publishing a study stating that approximately 9 per cent of births in Canada involved a doula during 2023, with the number likely rising since then.

Doulas and midwives are also common in some First Nation communities, where elders and women play an important role during pregnancy and childbirth.

Organizations like the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) refer to doulas as “building on the role of the traditional Aunty, Aboriginal doulas can assist in honouring traditional and spiritual practices and beliefs associated with maternity care and support the language and cultural needs of the woman and her family.”

Doulas services are not covered as part of the B.C. medical services plan, or First Nation Health Benefits, and the cost of doula services can vary greatly, but some prenatal programs do include the support of a doula without additional fees.

Families looking to access doula services can get referrals from a doctor, midwife, or nurse, contact the Doula Services Association at 1-877-365-5588, or use their home address to search for local options at www.bcdoulas.org/find-a-doula.

In Merritt, community members can reach out to Merritt Moms and Families to coordinate prenatal and postnatal services, including doula options.

MIN NG MONTH

MINING IS ONE OF BC’S LARGEST AND OLDEST INDUSTRIES AND BC MINING WEEK IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MODERN INDUSTRY TO BRITISH COLUMBIANS.

SD58 ROCKS! STUDENTS GET HANDS ON WITH HEAVY MACHINERY

High school students recently got the chance to try out plenty of heavy machinery, in industries from mining to logging.

JAKE COURTEPATTE

newsroom@merrittherald.com

For those high school students looking to get into moving and shaking the earth as a career, Nicola-Similkameen School District’s heavy machinery program is the perfect place to start.

Titled ‘SD58 Rocks’, the dual credit program saw ten students in grades 11 and 12 take to the controls of heavy machinery in late April to get some vital hands-on learning experience.

“The goal is for students to experience a variety of heavy equipment operation,” said Merritt Secondary School Principal Dave Andersen. “This year there were ten students that participated, and they worked through a series of stations.”

Each eager student is initially trained by the machine’s operator, learning crucial

elements of the equipment before being given the go-ahead to get behind the controls.

“The students would do about a half an hour of training, and then the rest of the time they would put the machines to work essentially,” said Andersen. “So they were digging dirt, or moving logs, stacking pallets, just whatever station they were at there was an activity for them to be a part of.”

It’s both a day of learning and self-discovery, with students getting the chance to operate ten different machines and understand just which ones are right for them.

“We have all kinds of things, from what I would kind of call civic construction and

DETERMINING: continued on page 22

DETERMINING IF A CAREER PATH IN HEAVY MACHINERY IS RIGHT FOR YOU

SD58 ROCKS: continued from page 21

mining all the way to the logging side of things,” said Andersen, who noted that they are thankful to have all kinds of industry partners that are giving up time, fuel, operators and more for the students.

On hand for the day were:

- A telehandler for students to practice pallet stacking, provided by Nicola Chainsaw;

- A skid steer and heavy rock truck, provided by Emcon Services;

- A mini excavator, provided by Arnica Contracting;

- A front end wheel loader, provided by Yellowhead Road & Bridge Nicola;

- A full-sized excavator and bulldozer, provided by Rock Solid Industries; - A low bed truck, provided by

HIGHLAND

Nomad Hauling; - A grader, provided by Infracon Construction; - A skidder, provided by Nadina

VALLEY COPPER

We are committed to responsible mining, producing both copper and molybdenum concentrates. Copper is a critical mineral for the low-carbon transition to renewable energy and electrification.

HVC supports 1,500 direct jobs, primarily residing in Kamloops, Merritt, Lower Nicola, Logan Lake, Cache Creek and Ashcroft.

We value building strong relationships with local communities through proactive engagement.

To help ensure that local communities’ voices are heard, we’ve set up the following ways for you to connect with us.

We want to hear from you.

Phone: 1.855.523.3429

Email: hvc.feedback@teck.com

Mail: PO Box 1500, Logan Lake, BC V0K 1W0

Logging;

- A loader and a processor, provided by Shulus Forest Enterprises.

Students involved were from both Merritt Secondary School and Princeton Secondary School, as well as the Community Learning Centre, a Grade 10-12 alternate program in Merritt. Students apply for the program, going through an interview process where they are selected from a pool to take part in some early training before the event.

“Just to make sure that they are going to be safe on-site with the equipment,” explained Andersen. “They complete a Site Ready BC course ahead of time,

HANDS-ON: continued on page 23

HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE IS KEY

DETERMINING: continued from page 22

and that just sort of prepares them for the day.”

Essentially, the program provides hands-on training that would not be found anywhere else for students of the high school age.

“If you are someone that is thinking about going into equipment operation, it’s incredibly useful,” said Andersen. “Those industries, they can be tough to break into, and stay in, and just to be able to get on a piece of equipment or to get that experience and know-how...it can help you decide if that is really something that you want to do.”

Andersen added that many high school students, even by their senior year, are still in the dark as to what direction they wish to take their career.

“Hands-on experience, like with all this

heavy equipment and from a few different industries, can just help you see what direction you want to take.”

Beginning in 2024, the program is held every year at the Aberdeen Pit in Lower Nicola, provided by the Ministry of Transportation.

“It’s an amazing site, it’s really well set up for students to be operating a bunch of different kinds of machinery safely. There’s lots of space, and lots of different kinds of terrain in there for students to play with, whether it’s moving piles of sand, or enough room to skid some logs. It’s just a great area and we’re always grateful that the Ministry comes through and makes it happen for us.”

Communications are sent home usually in November or December to begin the application process.

Nicola Mining Inc. took on its name to honour the Merritt / Lower Nicola Region, the location of our operations and the home of our employees. As a company, we believe and have invested in leaving a positive legacy in every community with which we work. We are committed to the responsible development and operations of our mining activities in the Lower Nicola region. We We are proud to say that our reclamation focus has decreased fugitive dust and are committed to continuing to work closely with our partners and communities.

Underhill Geomatics Ltd.

Precision Surveying Solutions

Underhill Geomatics Ltd. has been providing precision surveying solutions for the Mining Industry for over a century.

MINING SURVEY SERVICES

Open Pit and Underground Surveying

Mobile Scanning (NavVis)

Precision / Deformation Monitoring

Topographical Surveying

Legal Boundaries

First Nations

Construction Layout

Drill and Blast Layout

As-Built Surveying

Construction Site Mapping

Earthworks / Engineering

EMLI Application Support

Bathymetry

NICOLA VALLEY SPORTS

NEW LEAGUE ‘FILLS VOID’, SAYS JR. CENTS OWNER

The Herald spoke with Merritt Centennials owner Brad Anstey about the newest junior A hockey league in B.C.

TYLER REIS-SANFORD

Contributed

The Merritt Centennials will play their 2026/27 season as a part of the British Columbia Hockey Conference (BCHC), the province’s new sanctioned Junior A league.

The current 14 KIJHL (Kootenay International Junior Hockey League) members will merge with 8 teams from the PJHL (Pacific Junior Hockey League) to form the new league. Teams will play in either the Kootenay, Mainland, or Interior Divisions.

The merger comes after clubs in both leagues have spent the last three years preparing to meet the high standards required to become the province’s sanctioned Junior A hockey league.

“We continue to take measured and thoughtful steps to build our junior hockey pathways in B.C. and to restore a strong and connected ecosystem for our leagues, teams, and junior hockey participants,” said BC Hockey Chief Executive Officer Cameron Hope in a press release on the KIJHL website. “We are now positioned to return to competition for Hockey Canada’s national junior A championship and, more importantly, to deliver a

high-quality player experience for players and families.”

According to the BCHC website, in the next few days the league will be finalizing its application for membership in the Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL), the National Junior A League for all provincial hockey organizations except for B.C Hockey, Hockey North and Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador. Joining the CJHL would offer athletes and clubs more opportunities, including competing for the Centennial Cup, Canada’s National Junior A championship.

“With no junior A sanctioned hockey in B.C. our league decided there was a void there for players and their development path in their careers, and we felt like we needed to fill that void,” said Merritt Centennials Owner and General Manager Brad Anstey. “Back in 2024 when I explored the option of bringing the Merritt Centennials into the KIJHL, one of the reasons why I wanted to do that was hoping that the league would take a step to advance to junior A tier 1 hockey. I wanted to bring that level of hockey to Merritt and to B.C.”

Anstey says that when the team started their first season in the KIJHL, they went through a lot of evaluation and consulting to make sure they were able to meet the rigorous standard of what junior A tier 1 hockey entails.

“I came in with the expectation to already provide the highest level of standard that we can in terms of player development, community engagement, even expectations of our fan base,” said Anstey. “The last two years we were able to do a really good job in creating that standard but now I think it’s even more important to continue to raise that standard to a higher level.

We can always try to review and implement new programs in place… that’s something that we’re looking at, and it’s the message we gave our players.”

Since the announcement on April 27, Anstey says he has already seen prospects reach out to the team about the opportunity of playing junior A hockey in Merritt next season, and that he expects the competition and level of play on the ice to continue to get better and better.

“We expect the quality of play and the level of skill and the competitiveness of our league is going to be higher, that’s going to be the biggest change

for us, is the level of play,” said Antsey. “The players want to play at the highest level of hockey that they can. When you’re part of a league that has the opportunity to be a part of a national program and compete in a national championship… the guys are excited to get the same recognition as the other guys who compete in those other leagues.”

Although he says he’s uncertain as to how long the application process for the CJHL will take, Anstey says he’s been impressed with the BCHC and its commissioner Jeff Dubois. Anstey says the process has been a difficult one to navigate over the last two years, but that he has trust in the process and confidence the changes will be better off in the long run for players, ownership and fans.

When the BCHC launches next season, the Merritt Centennials will compete in the Interior Division with the Kamloops Storm, Osoyoos Coyotes, Princeton Posse, Quesnel River Rush, Revelstoke Grizzlies, Summerland Jets and William Lake Mustangs. Anstey says he’s excited for the opportunity to reignite old rivalries, something he says should

excite both players and fans.

“We get to play Kamloops a whole lot more now, that’s a huge rivalry between Merritt and Kamloops,” said Anstey. “One of the things we’ve talked about is starting the preseason off with the Coquihalla Cup, it’ll be us and Kamloops at least, maybe consider some other teams and have a little pre-season tournament to create some excitement and buzz and establish that rivalry. It’s going to be some really exciting hockey.”

The BCHC hasn’t finalized its scheduling yet, but Anstey says he expects there to be a few more games on the schedule next year. Despite that, he says he doesn’t want to pass any potential new costs down to the fans, and that the team will keep early bird season ticket holder pricing the same as last year’s rate.

“The product on the ice this past season was excellent,” said Anstey. “I just see the direction moving forward as getting even higher and it’s going to be really exciting for sure.”

For more information or to purchase season tickets, see Josh at Nicola Valley Sports.

NICOLA VALLEY COMMUNITY

FOOD BANK SUFFERS AS COST OF LIVING RISES

HARIT JOSHI

hjoshi@kentem.ca

With the cost of living rising by the day and the conflict in the Middle East further denting the economy worldwide, the ripple effects are detrimental to several food banks, and pretty severe to those in smaller towns.

The situation is now dire at the Nicola Valley Food Bank as donations dry up. To ensure the shelves are well-stocked, the 2026 Quilchena Avenue food bank will remain closed once a month for the next three months to tide over the current crisis.

“All our donations are down because of the high cost of living. Even our regular donors are unable to donate with the prices of everything going up massively in the last few months.

“It has come to a point where we have to make some decisions. That is why we decided to remain closed once a week for a month as that will help us replenish our stock. We will be following this practice for the next three months to see how that helps us. Our clients have been very supportive of this decision. They do understand that these are tough times and they are very appreciative of all our efforts with various donation drives and initiatives to raise funds,” said Nicola Valley Food Bank’s General Manager, Derlanda Hewton.

The first time the food bank remained closed was from April 28-30. It will remain closed on May 26-28 and June 23-25.

“We will still be accepting donations (even when the food bank remains closed),” added Hewton.

Another practice that the food bank

discontinued recently was the pre-packed hamper. While dwindling donations are one of the reasons for that, it is also to provide their clients an option to choose the exact items that they require. “That way our clients get to choose exactly the items that they want. For example, in a hamper, rice was one of the mandatory items included. Now, not everybody eats rice, but they still had to take it. We would, of course, let our clients know that they can leave out items that they don’t want.

We have received good positive feedback from our clients regarding this option of picking and choosing things off the shelves,” said Hewton.

A single person can avail up to four food items. For a couple, they can take six items whereas for a family of four, it is eight items.

Even as donations are tougher to manage, Hewton isn’t complaining.

“We appreciate whatever our town has given us so far. We truly value it. We also thank our volunteers for their unflinching support and service. Our clients have been very supportive of this decision (to close once in a month). They do understand that these are tough times, and they are very appreciative of all our efforts. A lot of people think the food bank is funded by the government. It is not! We rely solely on the donations and grants. So, any support that we get would be invaluable,” appealed Hewton.

A lot of hopes are pinned on the Nicola Valley Food Bank for those in dire need. Let’s not disappoint them. It’s time to rise and support as every contribution truly matters.

CLASSIFIEDS

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Joan (MacRae) Scott

5 December, 1941 – 16 April, 2026

Joan (née MacRae) Scott passed away peacefully on April 16, 2026, at the age of 84, in Merritt, B.C. She was predeceased by her parents, John Frederick and Christina May MacRae (née MacLeod); her brothers, Freddy and Duncan MacRae; and her sister, Lorraine MacDonald. Joan will be deeply missed and forever held in the hearts of her husband, Thomas Marvin Scott; her son, Carl Scott; her daughter, Julia van Rossum (Greg); her grandchildren, Breanna and Devan Scott, and Isabel and Alexandra van Rossum; and her brothers, Martin, Raymond, and Kent MacRae.

Joan was born in Iris, Prince Edward Island, in 1941 and lived there until she was 21 years old before making the adventurous decision to move to British Columbia. At the time, she was working as a telephone operator for Maritime Telephone and Telegraph Company, a position she was able to transfer to BC Tel. Upon arriving in BC, Joan stayed with her Aunt Eileen in Chilliwack, where Eileen’s husband, Carl, introduced her to a young soldier from Nova Scotia named Thomas Scott.

Joan and Tom were married in 1964 and began a 27-year adventure in military life, living in British Columbia, Toronto, Germany, and Alberta before eventually returning to Chilliwack. Their final move was to Merritt in 1999.

Joan’s life was deeply shaped by her devotion to family and friends. She will be remembered for her unwavering loyalty, kindness, and generosity, and for always being willing to lend a helping hand. Joan’s legacy lives on through the family she loved and nurtured. She enjoyed spending time at home and in her garden, having a strong cup of tea after dinner while watching game shows, reading, and canning in the late summer and fall.

The family would like to thank the caring and compassionate staffs at Ponderosa House and Gillis House, the Merritt Hospital, and Dr. Ross and Dr. Lali for their support over the last year and a half of Joan’s life. We are deeply grateful for their dedication and care.

A celebration of life will be held at the Merritt Funeral Home on May 23 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cancer Society or consider honouring Joan’s memory by spending time with loved ones, planting something in your garden, or enjoying a game of crib or Scrabble.

Robert Shea

November 23, 1939 - May 3, 2026

Robert passed away quietly on May 3, 2026. He is survived by his daughters Cathy Stewart and Doris Shea, his son Darrell Shea, and his daughter Colleen Shea, as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Robert was an avid fisherman and was very active with the gun range in Merritt.

A funeral service will be held at Merritt Funeral Chapel on May 7, 2026, at noon.

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Hours: Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

CHURCHES OF MERRITT WELCOME YOU

Crossroads Community Church

2990 Voght St. • 250-378-2911

Edna Darlene Mosure

February 22, 1933 - March 29, 2026

Edna Darlene Mosure, born February 22, 1933, in Regina, Saskatchewan passed away on March 29, 2026 in her home city of Merritt, British Columbia. Edna was a stalwart cornerstone of her community, instilling within us all the value of family - a value she consistenly displayed without waver or compromise until the final moments of her 93 years of life. Edna’s passing leaves a deafening silence for her surviving family members, friends, neighbours, and those who received even in passing her cheeky smile and sassy quips. Edna is survived by her sister Marion Thomson, her granddaughter Madeline McLain, her grandson Paul Mosure, and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews, and greatgrandchildren.

Edna was many things to many different people, and another Mother to most. She was fierce, fun, and even flagrantly so. She was a generous, raunchy, loyal, resilient, unyielding spirit that danced to the beat of a drum that only she could hear.

We choose to believe that Edna is now at peace, joining her Husband, Brother, Sisters, Son, and other family and friends in the afterlife. A celebration of life will be held at the Merritt Senior’s Centre on Saturday May 23 from 1:00pm - 4:00pm.

Celebration of Life

John

(J.P.) Paul

will be held at Crossroads Community Church on Friday May 8, 2026 at 1:00 p.m.

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

In loving memory

of

Thelma Jean Johnson (Fitchett)

November 4, 1942 – May 1, 2026

Thelma lived her life to the fullest. She passed away peacefully on May 1, 2026, at the age of 83. Born on November 4, 1942, in Calgary, Alberta, she was the daughter of Esther Mae (Goalder) Fitchett and George Theodore Fitchett.

Thelma’s big brown eyes were soulful, and her laugh was contagious. She was witty, intelligent, perceptive, resilient, and observant, and she loved everyone unconditionally. She was the true matriarch of her family.

At the age of 18, Thelma met Roy, the love of her life. In his early 20s, Roy started his first sawmill at Chimney Rock on Thelma’s uncle Laurel Miller’s property, and he immediately took a shine to her. Roy proposed at a drive-in movie theatre, and they were married a year later.

They moved to Evansburg for a short time, where Roy worked at a sawmill and they began their family. Lyle was born, followed a few years later by Cheryl.

In 1969, they moved to Fort St. James. Roy began working at Canfor Forest Products as a millwright and eventually became maintenance superintendent. Roy and Thelma were deeply involved in their community—Roy served as president of the fall fair and the 4-H club, with Thelma faithfully by his side as secretary. Whether it was building the fall fair grounds or supporting minor hockey, they were always involved together.

They loved the ranching life, raising over 70 head of cattle, more than 20 horses, a milk cow, and chickens. Thelma kept the family organized and made sure Roy took time to eat and rest. A natural entrepreneur, she sold milk and eggs to neighbours for many years. She also loved sewing and crafting. Together, they built their dream despite cold winters and financial challenges, finding joy in barn dances and two-stepping.

The More You GIVE

by Teresa Piercey-Gates

The more you give, the more you get,

The more you do unselfishly

The more you live abundantly.

The more of everything you share,

FOREST STEWARDSHIP PLAN

Please be advised that Stuwix Resources Joint Venture intends to amend Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP) #111 held with Similkameen Forest Products which covers areas within the Cascades Forest District. This amendment will include the addition of Siska First Nation (RFL A96940 and NRFL A98840) as holders and signatories of the FSP.

This plan is a requirement of the Forest and Range Practices Act. The FSP outlines the results or strategies that the holders of the plan intend to implement in order to meet the objectives set by government along with other legal requirements including its area of application.

This plan is publicly available for review and for written comment, beginning on the date of this publication. Those wishing to review the plan may do so by appointment, during normal working hours at our Merritt office until July 1, 2026. Please phone 250 378-2277 to make an appointment. Comments can be made in writing c/o Forestry Planner, 2-98 Hwy 8, Merritt, BC V1K 0A7. All written comments must be received prior to the above-mentioned date.

In 1985, after Cheryl graduated, the family moved to Merritt. They purchased 75 acres, and Roy continued working at Tolko. Together they built several successful ventures, including TNT Janitorial Services and Winding River Guest Ranch. The ranch welcomed visitors from around the world, and Roy and Thelma delighted in hosting trail rides, campfires, and s’mores. Later, they downsized to two acres in Lower Nicola with their horses Shady and Sheena and their dogs Wilbur, Tiny, and Daikie. They renovated their log home and created a flourishing garden that provided fresh produce for family and neighbours alike.

Noel Jonathan Haynes

In their later years, Roy and Thelma could often be found enjoying time at Lynda’s Café, the Coldwater Hotel, or the Homestead.

December 3, 1934 - March 26, 2026

After Roy passed away in October 2022, Thelma remained on her beloved acreage. She took up painting and became an accomplished artist, even winning Best Painting at the Merritt Fall Fair—an achievement she was very proud of.

Noel Jonathan Haynes, 91 years old, Born and raised in Maple Ridge, BC, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family on March 26th, 2026.

He enjoyed life, always encouraging others, helping them understand that in just a little while Christ will return as King over the whole earth. He lived with great hope for the arrival of the Day of the Lord, and we rejoice with him that he is with Jesus now!

In January 2026, Thelma moved to Nicola Meadows, where she quickly made new friends and embraced activities such as ring toss, bingo, indoor curling, and colouring. She continued painting and always had several wordsearch books on the go. She was a wicked crib player who didn’t mind showing others how it was done at the table, and she loved to sing, especially Red River Valley and You Are My Sunshine.

He also made great pancakes and applesauce!♥️

The more you laugh, the less you fret.

www.merrittherald.com | THURSDAY, April 30, 2026 | 29 OBITUARIES OBITUARIES OBITUARIES

The more you’ll always have to spare.

THE TIME IS NOW

The more you love, the more you’ll find

That life is good and friends are kind.

The family is forever grateful to the Merritt community. A special thank you to Laura and Jody at Rise and Shine, Jack and Denise, and Ted and Gerry (her next-door neighbours) for their years of support. They also extend heartfelt thanks to the staff and residents of Nicola Meadows, as well as the medical teams at Nicola Valley Hospital, Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, and Interior Health.

He is survived by his brother, Harold, his five children from his first marriage to Euna (nee) Middleton: Shari, Lila (Ellie), Shannie (Brian), Jay (Dana), and Joe (Heather); 28 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren. Predeceased by his beloved wife, Sandra Fiddick Haynes (Oct 01/25), his parents, sisters: Ruth, Grace, Carol, and Edith, and brothers: Alf, and David.

A service of thanksgiving for his life will be held on Saturday, May 23rd, 2026, 1:00 pm, at Maple Ridge Community Church, 20450 Dewdney Trunk Rd #301, Maple Ridge, BC

• Light refreshments will be served afterwards.

Thelma will be lovingly remembered by her son Lyle (Darla) and his children Rochelle, Aaron, Ale, Osiris, and Axel; and by her daughter Cheryl (Sven) and their son Tye, along with her great-grandchildren Ashton, Robert, and Madeline. She is also survived by her siblings Ted (Lynn), Hugh (Doreen), Audrey, and Jim, along with many nieces, nephews, extended family, and dear friends. She was predeceased by her brother Lorne.

• In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his name to: https://www.bridgesforpeace.com/donation

The family is working with Nicola Meadows to create “Thelma’s Place –In Loving Memory,” a fully furnished memorial suite filled with warmth and joy in her honour.

Or https://impacthope.ca/casa-compasiva/?give=5WEYRLD2

A celebration of life for Roy and Thelma will be held in Calgary over the August long weekend on their wedding anniversary. Details will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Nicola Meadows or Nicola Valley Hospital.

If you are ever going to love me,

For only what we give away,

Love me now, while I can know

Enriches us from day to day.

The sweet and tender feelings

Which from true affection flow.

Love me now

While I am living. Do not wait until I’m gone

And then have it chiseled in marble,

Sweet words on ice-cold stone.

If you have tender

ARE YOU OUR NEXT FUNERAL DIRECTOR?

Merritt Funeral Chapel is hosting a job fair to find our next funeral professional in Merritt. If you are interested in this rare opportunity, please bring your resume and come by to meet with us at the funeral chapel on Wednesday, May 13 from 12 -2 pm. Any questions can be directed to Sara at sara.lawson@dignitymemorial.com

•

$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

LICENCED SECURITY GUARDS

Excellent medical & dental plan PLEASE SUBMIT RESUME IN PERSON TO 1195 Houston Street, Merritt BC • 250-378-6161