To the seasons of life
Charm
I’m, what promise do you need?
No evacuation on…
Strong winds involved.
A major tragedy occurred at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Wainwright in central Alberta.
What Happened
* The Incident: An explosion and subsequent fire broke out within the base’s training area at approximately 4:00 p.m. local time on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
* The Fire: Driven by severe regional windstorms featuring gusts of up to 100 km/h, the blaze rapidly spread beyond the boundaries of the military base and into the surrounding rural area. Fire crews and emergency responders worked into the night to control the flames.
* Casualties: The Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and Defence Minister David McGuinty have confirmed that the incident has resulted in fatalities and injuries.
Current Status and Response
* Official Information: Precise details regarding the exact number of casualties or the root cause have not yet been publicly released. Officials stated that the immediate priority is supporting those affected, executing an active investigation, and ensuring next-of-kin notifications are completed first.
* Emergency Support: Hospitals in Wainwright and Edmonton faced a surge in patients, and multiple agencies—including the RCMP, civilian fire departments, and STARS air ambulance—mobilized to assist. Neighboring provinces, including British Columbia and Saskatchewan, have also reached out to offer support.
* Local Impact: While the fire spread past the base fencing, local authorities and municipal districts have not issued formal evacuation orders for the nearby town of Wainwright, though the situation remains delicate as crews monitor remaining hot spots.
The ten RMRs on course are well “safe”
T. Newal
Preliminary
The preliminary local election results for Merritt, British Columbia show that voters have re-elected Mayor Mike Goetz and returned the entire current council to City Hall for another four-year term.
Mayoral Election Results
Incumbent Mike Goetz secured a second consecutive term as mayor in a landslide victory over challenger Gordon Keyser:
* Mike Goetz (Incumbent): 1,249 votes (Re-elected)
* Gordon Keyser: 466 votes
City Council Election Results
All six incumbent councillors were successful in retaining their seats on City Hall, defeating challengers Melvina White and Steve Pimm:
* Adam Etchart (Re-elected – topped the poll for the third consecutive election)
* Paul Petroczi (Re-elected)
* Yvette Baxter (Re-elected)
* Wendy Charney (Re-elected)
* Dana Egan (Re-elected)
* Manuel Olguin (Re-elected)
(Note: Results are preliminary and subject to official determination and verification by the Chief Election Officer).
Good Job
While the instinct to withdraw or falter under the extreme pressure of combat or sudden disaster is a deeply human fear, allowing cowardice to dictate one’s actions during a crisis represents a tragic failure of duty to those relying on you. In high-stakes moments—where lives hang in the balance—abandoning one’s responsibilities compromises the safety of the entire team and breaches the fundamental trust required in emergency roles. Acknowledging this failure without making excuses is the necessary first step toward accountability;
true regret stems from recognizing the real harm, fear, and burden that personal hesitation placed onto others.However, true redemption is not found in silent shame, but in active repentance and a demonstrated commitment to radical life change. Moving forward, I promise to confront my shortcomings directly through rigorous retraining, continuous stress-exposure preparation, and seeking accountability from leadership. I pledge to dedicate myself fully to the hard work required to rebuild shattered trust, ensuring that if danger or disaster strikes again, my response will be defined by steadfast courage, selfless service, and dependable action.
Reestabish by change and go ahead.
In Merritt
The Merritt Centennials return home on Friday, October 16th, to host the Nelson Leafs at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena. Facing off in front of their home crowd, the Centennials look to build momentum against a hard-fighting Nelson squad coming in from the Kootenays.
The matchup against the Leafs sets the tone for a high-intensity weekend, testing Merritt’s special teams and depth on home ice before they hit the road.This Friday night clash kicks off a back-to-back weekend set for the Centennials. The very next evening, on Saturday, October 17th, the team travels east to take on the Revelstoke Grizzlies. That road game will take place at the Revelstoke Arena, concluding a demanding two-game weekend against tough BCHC opposition.
Tuesday the 20th; the next Centennial’s action.
Across generations, family members—and men in particular—often face similar causes or patterns of mortality due to shared genetic predispositions and passed-down inherited health conditions. Complex non-communicable diseases like cardiovascular disease, specific cancers, and metabolic disorders frequently run in paternal or familial lines, increasing baseline risk. Beyond biology, families share behavioral patterns, dietary habits, occupational exposures, and lifestyle choices that are passed down through environment and cultural modeling. Men within the same family historically often engaged in similar hazardous occupations, trade environments, or physical activities that exposed them to identical industrial hazards or injury risks over time. Additionally, socio-economic factors and systemic health disparities tend to persist across generations, influencing a family’s long-term access to healthcare, living conditions, and quality of life. Together, these intersecting genetic, environmental, behavioral, and socio-economic threads create distinct, recurring mortality patterns within family lines without any reliance on supernatural causes.
Mine is the reason why????
Possessiveness—the deep-seated impulse to claim, control, and protect what we consider “ours”—is one of the most complex human traits. It often gets a bad reputation, yet it evolved for very specific reasons.Understanding what possessiveness accomplishes, when it serves a purpose, and when it becomes a burden can help us determine whether to hold on to it or let it go.
1. What Human Characteristics and Needs Does Possessiveness Accomplish?
At its core, possessiveness is a psychological mechanism driven by basic survival, emotional safety, and identity: * Security and Survival: In human evolutionary history, claiming ownership over resources—food, shelter, tools, and territory—was essential for survival. Possessiveness created a protective instinct over things necessary to keep oneself and loved ones alive. * Emotional Safety and Attachment: In relationships, possessiveness often manifests as a desire for loyalty, exclusivity, and safety. It acts as an instinctual safeguard against loss, betrayal, or abandonment, reassuring us that our social and intimate bonds are secure. * Identity and Self-Expression: The items, spaces, and relationships we claim as “ours” help define who we are. Caring deeply about a home, a craft, or personal creations reflects pride and sense of self. * Boundaries and Order: A degree of possessiveness establishes boundaries. It allows individuals to say, “This is my personal space/life/work, and I have a right to protect it.
“2. Is It Worth Hanging On To?Possessiveness is not inherently evil; rather, it exists on a spectrum:
When It Is Worth Keeping (Healthy Stewardship)When channelled constructive ways, possessiveness transforms into stewardship, boundary-setting, and loyalty: * Protecting what you love: Wanting to guard your family, your hard work, or your privacy against harm or exploitation is healthy. * Valuing commitments: Expecting mutual commitment in a dedicated partnership protects trust and intimacy. * Caring for resources: Taking pride in ownership ensures that physical goods, land, and creative work are maintained and preserved rather than neglected.The Downside of Holding On Too TightlyWhen possessiveness crosses from protection into control, it becomes destructive: * In Relationships: Treating a partner or loved one as an object to control destroys trust, breeds resentment, and stifles growth. * With Material Goods: Hoarding or living in fear of loss leads to anxiety, preventing you from enjoying what you have or sharing it generously with others. * In Creative/Personal Work: Holding onto ideas or projects too protectively can prevent collaboration and growth.
3. When Is It Worth Giving Up?Giving up possessiveness doesn’t mean becoming passive or careless;
it means transitioning from control to trust and openness.It is worth letting go of possessiveness in the following situations:A. When It Stifles Freedom and GrowthIf possessiveness causes you to hold onto people, projects, or expectations so tightly that they cannot breathe or evolve, it is time to release it. Relationships thrive on freedom, choice, and trust—not cage-like control.B. When It Is Driven by Fear and InsecurityIf you feel possessive because of an inner fear of inadequacy, loneliness, or loss, clinging tightly will not fix the underlying anxiety. Letting go allows you to cultivate internal self-worth rather than relying on external control.C. During Major Life TransitionsLife consists of stages—raising children, changing careers, retiring, or seeing loved ones grow up and forge their own paths. Attempting to maintain possessive control over dynamic life processes leads to friction and heartache. Relinquishing control makes room for peace and adaptation.D. To Foster Connection and GenerositySharing resources, wisdom, time, or emotional openness enriches life far more than hoarding them. Giving up possessiveness allows for generosity, community, and deeper mutual connections.
||—|—|—|| Focus | Caring, preserving, boundary-setting | Controlling, dominating, fear of loss || Effect on Relationships | Builds trust and security | Creates friction, anxiety, and resentment || Effect on Self | Provides stability and self-respect | Creates fear, obsession, and rigidity || Ultimate Goal | Nurturing and stewardship | Possession and control |The Bottom Line:Possessiveness is worth hanging on to only when it serves as protective stewardship for your boundaries, relationships, and well-being. It is worth giving up the moment it stems from fear, seeks to control others, or stops you and those around you from growing.How does this perspective align with what you are reflecting on—are you considering possessiveness in the context of relationships, personal history, or material/creative endeavors?
The polling place on October 7th is championed by the local cenotaph and a citizen coming out after some business inside.
The next advanced poll for the local civic election is on the 14th. The general election is on the 17th. Polls are open both days 8am to 8 PM.
There are 8 choices for councilors to take six selections and colour in the circular icon with your choices up to six . There are two for the Mayor choose one. There are three for the school board; with five on the ballot.
For the City of Merritt (School District No. 58 Electoral Area 2) general local election on October 17, 2026, there are 5 candidates running on the ballot for 3 School Trustee positions:
* Stu Jackson
* Justin Jepsen
* Tim Manuel
* Leroy Slanzi
* Gordon Bruce Swan
Voting Information Summary
* Positions Available: 3 School Trustees (4-year term)
* General Voting Day: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Editor’s note: A reminder to be safe, not legal advice…
Safety and training are inseparable in industrial operations; training converts theoretical safety protocols into second-nature workplace habits. Effective safety programs rely on rigorous, continuous training to help workers recognize hazards, operate heavy machinery correctly, and execute emergency procedures under pressure. Conversely, safety measures only succeed when workforce training ensures every employee understands the “why” behind the rules, transforming compliance from a checklist into an active, shared culture that minimizes risk and prevents costly accidents on the floor.
Editor’s view..
Most everybody knows somebody that may have gotten hurt in an industrial situation or any situation for that matter. The injury is terrible.
Recovering everything is probably not possible, avoid it like a plaque.
File Photo KDG
The BCHC,league.
Twenty year olds in the BCHC…
The paths taken by two 20-year-old veterans illustrate the contrast in outcomes at this level:
1. The Collegiate / Minor-Pro Bound Veteran * Player Profile: Brady Magarrell (Forward, Beaver Valley Nitehawks) *
The Trajectory: Highly productive 20-year-old top scorers and league MVPs routinely leveraged their dominant final season to secure spots at the next level. Players like Magarrell—who put up over 70 points in a 44-game regular season—showcase elite hockey IQ, leadership, and readiness for physical play. * Next Chapter: Players on this tier typically commit to U Sports programs (like Simon Fraser University or the University of Victoria) or high-level ACAC / ACHA Division 1 college teams. A select few use their momentum to land contracts or tryouts with lower-tier European professional clubs or North American minor-pro leagues (such as the SPHL).
2. The Career Transition / University Student * Player Profile: Logan McCabe (Defenseman, Grand Forks Border Bruins)
* The Trajectory: Solid, dependable 20-year-old core veterans—often blue-liners or depth leaders—play a crucial stabilizing role for their junior clubs while nearing the end of their competitive hockey arcs. After anchoring a defense and taking significant penalty minutes over a multi-year junior career, the 20-year-old season serves as a ideal closing chapter. * Next Chapter: Players in this group typically “hang up their competitive skates” after their final game. They transition directly into full-time post-secondary education (entering university or trade apprenticeships) using league education scholarship funds. While they step away from Junior A, many continue to play casually in competitive Senior A circuits or local adult leagues while building their post-hockey careers.
Across the 22 teams in the British Columbia Hockey Conference (BCHC) Junior A league, roster limits strictly regulate the number of 20-year-olds (referred to as “age-outs”) to ensure opportunities remain open for younger developmental players.Below is the approximate breakdown of how many 20-year-olds complete their junior eligibility each year and where they transition afterward:1. How Many 20-Year-Olds Complete Their Junior Careers? * Roster Caps: BCHC rules generally limit each team to carrying a maximum of 6 to 8 twenty-year-olds on an active roster. * Total Players: Across 22 member teams, that means roughly 130 to 175 twenty-year-olds complete their final season of junior eligibility each spring across the league.
2. How Many Move On to Play Higher-Level Hockey?
Out of those ~150 aging-out players, approximately 25% to 35% (about 35 to 55 players) continue playing competitive organized hockey: * U Sports & Canadian Colleges (~15–25 players): The primary pathway for top BCHC age-outs is Canadian post-secondary hockey—such as USports programs (e.g., SFU, UBC, or Prairie schools), ACAC (Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference), or BCIHL (BC Intercollegiate Hockey League). * NCAA Division III & ACHA (~10–20 players): Some players secure commitments to American college programs in NCAA D-III or high-level ACHA Division 1 club programs. * Minor Pro & Overseas (~5–10 players): A small handful of standout veterans earn professional tryouts or contracts in North American minor-pro leagues (SPHL, FPHL) or lower-tier European leagues (Germany, Sweden, UK).
3. How Many “Hang Up Their Skates”?Roughly 65% to 75% (about 90 to 120 players) transition away from competitive, full-time hockey after their 20-year-old season. * Transition to University/Trades: Most leverage their junior hockey background, discipline, and league education funds to pursue full-time degrees or skilled trade apprenticeships. * Senior A & Recreational Leagues: Many do not stop playing hockey entirely—they transition into high-caliber Senior A leagues (like the CIHL in BC) or competitive local adult leagues while starting their post-hockey careers.
* Leagues Involved: The BCHC itself operates as 1 unified Junior A league. It was formed through the restructuring of former Tier 2/Junior B circuits (the KIJHL and PJHL) into a consolidated BC Hockey-sanctioned Junior A circuit. * Number of Teams: There are 22 member teams competing in the inaugural 2026–27 BCHC season, split across four geographical divisions (Interior, Kootenay, Mainland, and Valley). * Number of Players: Junior hockey rosters typically carry between 20 to 25 players per team at any given time. Across the 22 teams in the league, that accounts for approximately 440 to 550 active rostered players total. * Games per Team: Each team will play a 50-game regular season schedule (25 home games and 25 away games), resulting in 550 total regular season games across the league. * The Championship Cup: BCHC teams compete for the historic Mowat Cup, awarded to the Junior A champion of British Columbia.Best Outcome for a 20-Year-Old “Ager-Out” PlayerFor a 20-year-old playing his final year of junior eligibility, the pathway depends heavily on his long-term goals, both on and off the ice: * U Sports (Canadian University Hockey): * The Goal: Earn a spot on a Canadian university roster (e.g., USports programs like UBC, SFU, or schools across Canada) or ACHA Division 1 / ACAC college teams. * Why it’s top tier: A strong final season allows 20-year-olds to showcase their leadership, maturity, and physical completeness, opening doors to post-secondary education backed by athletic performance. * Pro Opportunities (Minor Professional / European Leagues): * The Goal: Transition directly into professional contracts in leagues like the ECHL, SPHL, or lower-tier European professional divisions (e.g., in Sweden, Germany, or the UK). * Why it’s top tier: Pro scouts look for age-outs who dominate physically and consistently deliver at the Junior A level to fill depth roles on minor-pro rosters. * Championship Hardware & Personal Legacy: * The Goal: Capping off a junior career by winning the Mowat Cup. * Why it’s top tier: Winning a championship as a 20-year-old leader provides an undeniable high point to close out a competitive youth career, establishing personal legacy and local prestige within the community.
Hey Merit what do you say?
Kevin Griffiths
percypaschal
