The Proprietor Review

2025 

20-25

It was not a good week for Merritt BC. Friday multiple sources are saying a brutal murder was committed by bludgeon. The person of Pamela Jarvis was allegedly assaulted by her husband.

In the early afternoon of Friday it was reported that there were multiple police cars screaming through the city past the and up Nicola avenue to a another incident of alleged homicide at a local motel on Nicola avenue including a stabbing.

The Member of parliament for our riding is commenting in condolences and expressing on his role as public safety critic that he is has a law reform motion in process to deal with spousal violence.

TI-KDG

13-25

The weekend we had some rain and it was welcome, wind came came along with it no atmosphere stream like the ones they had Abbotsford were here. However, do we know our system was moving through around or coming in because of the wind?.

Talk around town is of of water meters and water bills coming in some resistance with people animating looking in the trash cans for food about town and complaining about the general disposition of tax money being spent on people that don’t deserve it.

The local jobs junior hockey team has quite a committed following the junior b team. The Merrit centennials have been playing a lot of away games and the parking lots are demonstrating fans support as they leave their cars and take a bus to support the young fellas in their games out of town.

TI-KDG

O6-12

December came with snow and good will as the Home town take over crew we’re about promoting and asking that Merritt be remembered and visited because they still haven’t recovered from the flood of 21. The hometown takeover project is the brainchild of tourism Merritt. Again,this week they are out filming and showing up at events to film and to present to the world.

Snow ❄️ removal dump trucks and their plows were heard about clearing the parking lots for things like the BC hydro charging station. The area parking lots of the city.

A construction contractor was in the BC hydro quick charging stations today when we talk to him. Younger man. Maybe 35 was driving a Ford fully electric EV truck. White large tires all the way around a big box called a Ford lightning, he expressed confidence in the truck and expressly said he’s had no difficulty with battery usage as yet.

TI KDG

29-11

Friday’s parade saw hundreds out to see what the community had in store for the year coming and the year behind.

22-11

So, the first Black (Dark) Friday of the fall/ winter came and went. Guess what it went with a joy, The Canada Post strike is settled.

The local Junior hockey team Centennials played Kimberly on Friday to a 6 to 5 over the other Junior B hockey team. The game was in. Another game is today at 2:00. Also out of town.

The Nicola Naturalists had a meeting on wondering about where the Chinook juvenile salmon are missing at or through. That’s you. A Thompson Rivers University graduate student presented maps, diagrams and statistics of Okanagan rivers in particular the river between Skaha lake and Osoyoos lake. Selena Carl, at expressed her desire for after graduation 2 b free for a year and then joining the professional fisheries in the government of British Columbia. What’s her hope?.

TI-KDG

 

8-11

01-11

The Merritt Centennials began the month of November tonight with a 7:00 to 3 victory over the Kelowna team. Both our members of the Kootenai International Junior League. The team seems to be having a lot of support and very little controversy and is a good format for that expression of youth. In our view.

Surveying in the 2300 block of Garcia was happening this week. There had been a service of a letter indicating civic action and a sign posted by a property user who wanted to rezone his property from slow dancity to a higher density residential. The letter informed neighbors of the intention of the property subject to be rezoned and the first reading date which has occurred now. The surveying isn’t presumptuous, but it might be presumptuous of us believing that it had something to do with the rezoning application, application is you have to go to final reading.

Weather has been glorious and very inviting as fall leaves are falling to the ground. There’s snow on iron mountain this week. Things seem very normal. Light Rain Today…

TI-KDG

25-10

The Merritt Centennials Junior B Hockey club played Princeton on Friday to a 5:00 to 2 loss. In an interview with the bus driver Mark, it was communicated. He was very pleased with the fine reception the team got from Princeton and their casual and relaxed departure after showers. We look forward to seeing them again. Playing in the the Kootenay international Junior hockey League.

18-10  

The Nicola Naturalist Society had their October theater meeting on the 16th. Professor Nancy von Wagoner presented on volcanology in British Columbia, including the active volcanoes in Washington state of Mount Baker and Mount St. Helens. The program described rock formations how they are made with many tectonic movement mechanisms and volcanism and erosions.

The city of Merritt had a free swim at the Nicola valley aquatic center today. The city often has a free swim and they have a structured rate as well. For planning for regular visits it’s a very beautiful little facility indoor with weight gyms, sauna, hot tub, wading pool, walking pool, same and a full leaned pool with two diving boards. You can stay informed by going to Merritt.ca the city’s website.

We got a overnight Frost there last week. Still a few hangers on, but they’re looking a little worse for wear as far as flowers are concerned. There’s numbers of deciduous trees that are still green in their leaves and Autumn is on its way here.

TIK

See Merritt.ca for official news 

04-10

The Merritt Centennials Junior B Hockey team had a great game here on Friday, the moderately high score reflected and energy of back and forth however the game was decided in regular time by a margin of one goal.Grand Forks was the lower score of the 6 -5 final talley.

The Merritt team is on the road tonight in a tied lower score game 2-2 with 20 minutes of regular time left at the South Caribou Center in Hundred mile house.

The City is having a number of presentations on the the 8th, eg official community plan, open house for recreation etc.The Merritt Civic center is the venue on Mamete Ave behind city hall.

The weather is, great, flowers are till trying tonight the forecast is for a degree of frost,another next two are 2 and 3 three degrees. The moon is full,and giving high ceilings however cloud bursts have put badly desired water into the system.

K

27-09

• 04-10

The Merritt Centennials are playing the Kamloops team at this writing (Saturday) they are leading 6 goals to 4 well into the third Period.

The score remains at the end of the game giving Merritt another victory. And preserving we charge the sportsmanship attitude and gentimally conduct. We’ve all come to appreciate.

20-09

The Nicola naturalist Society, annual general meeting happened on Thursday. Incorporated Society, nns met for a member’s photo night which was preceded by a brief AGM which saw Alan Berger in the chair and an election of a slate of directors that will choose an executive at the first meeting.

The group is fresh off the success of hosting the BC nature, AGM and convention in May. The group also published financial statements with just about a $9,484.23 retained earning going into this year. Expenses were $39,655.72, total Total liabilities and equity are 18,467 $18,467.41

13-09

The Junior B team the Merritt Centennials played Thursday the 11th in the Kootney International Junior league. 

“The Merritt Centennials, the local Junior B hockey team, did not play a game last night, Friday, September 12, 2025. They played the night before, on Thursday, September 11, and lost to the Revelstoke Grizzlies 7-2.”

Weather is warm with daylight decreasing

Large deer are about the Nicola River area in town. Local Sam Roline says that many are behind his home off second Avenue

06-09

The large sky dark above the fire smoke has made itself available for photography of the Moon as it’s been going to an eclipse stage for tomorrow. It won’t be seen here in Merritt as an eclipses tomorrow but..

A few helicopters have been going back and forth to a number of fires in the area. Smoke has been a problem. There’s been an advisory Environment Canada for us to use. Caution. Reports say lightning crossed the number of fires in the area and people were scared by the proximity to the Coquihalla highway. Some initial statements indicate that the fires are being  managed into already stripped areas of destroyed areas.

23-08

There are reports that the blue green algae that was so strong earlier on in the summer has cleaned itself up. There was a death of a dog that drank water from Nicola lake north of Merritt earlier on in the summer which caused a lot of discussion and perhaps the most relevant was the manager of Douglas lake cattle company that says I just have to wait for it to clean itself up people say that it lasted 2 weeks, it’s was attributed to low water and warm water that encouraged bacteria generation.

Sources say that a construction site on Voght Street is to be an apartment building.

15-08

The Nicola Valley Farmers Market was seen to be strong in vendors and public traffic today. The parking lot of the curling rink  next to 2202 Voght street was full for its brief weekly tenure of Saturday morning through lunch time. The location is shared with the BC Hydro fast charger and it’s two and a half chargers, there was a signage.  re-up with the charger station this week.

09-08

There was an open house gathering to enhance the calibration of life of a young man on Saturday. Gavin  Shackelly, is missing and presume d drowned. An unsuccessful search Friday in the Hope  area had no results according to sources. The

02-08

There are no fires burning in Merritt all our fire fighters are at fort St. John, said the graying nice looking uniformed wildfire official in the A&W in Merritt,on Sunday .

26-07

Tim Hortons in Merritt is attracting many patrons and on observation there is a disproportionate number of grey heads passing through the doors. A Lady from  Boston Bar w her daughter, said that there is little accommodation available there . She was also aware of the state of her neighbouring community Lytton. 

The Apartment building 🏢🏢🏢🏢🏢🏢 Bedford apartments is getting replacements for windows. The project is said to cost 200 thousand dollars to put double Payne windows in the sixty year old structures on Garcia Street. The artisan contractor is supplied by Merritts ” Best  Value Glas 

The weather is great and light rain is bringing up our sunflowers. 🌻🌻🌻🌻

19-07

The City said it’s good bye to the Bass  Coast Festival as it concluded it’s 2025 version of music and art. The successful presentation was capped at 6500 tickets and are online now for 2026

The weather is good with intermediate light rain falls and sun with moderate heated afternoons.

The Merritt herald is reporting support for ” 300 million” dollar Bell data center wanting to locate in Merritt.

12-07

Large amounts of vehicle traffic is about the city with fast food places continually busy. The traffic is pronounced in part of the Bass Coast Music festival on in Merritt and The good weather and lack of wild fires making it desirable to travel.

The Nicola Valley Community Arts Council at a potluck to initiate their summer artisan sale on Tuesday. The well-attended potluck brought some new artists to the guild. And served as a jumping off point for the student summer program that will be sea art in public places brought to them the three summer students.

The weather is good in Merritt with some rain overnight and some cooling and very nice warm days with a lot of cloud. Cover of the moon on the 10th was particularly beautiful as it was full and the skies were dark and empty.

That’s it for Merritt for this week. Kdg.

28-06

The Canada day long weekend is off to a good start. According to sources, there was a significant bicycle event starting from the local bike shop in this small community.

A long line of full EV vehicles is seen to be lined up at the downtown BC Hydro quick charging station that can do two at a time. And steady vehicle traffic flow on the streets subjectively implies numbers of people are taking advantage of this weekend in the good weather.

Wait time at Starbucks is an issue during some swells of traffic

21–06

The city had the privilege of a cap and gown parade of graduating grade 12 students from the one secondary school in Merritt; Merritt Secondary School. Known for decades as MSS, the school had an event today as well, a motorized parade to the Civic center.

14-06

The historical society had an event to show the year 2000 time capsule opening that was due on January 1st of this year. A table is spread out with many envelopes of submissions. Couple of notes was the envelope of local artist Bev Veale hand journalist and entrepreneur. Kim leclair and the former had her copy of her tax filing, the self-employed artist has quite an inventory of paintings. Kim leclair had a copy of her market paper she had acquired by purchase. Linda Baird, School teacher and wife of long time mayor and city councilor Bob Baird was engaged in hotdogs

7-06

There was an indigenous highschool graduation on Wednesday it was held in the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena with the five participating groups that have ther own K-12 programs on reserve. The arena parking lot was filled with late model cars as Friends and family looked so on.

31-05

The Pacific Forest rally was attended on the 2000 block of Granite Avenue in Merritt with 26 rally cars on Friday. From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. they were on display and fellowship. 5. :30. There was a ceremonial start where they were ushered up to Transit place to get an official start time and begin the race one at a time. The race ends today.

The historical society 

The city hosted an open house at the Civic center including jumping houses for kids. There was tourism Merritt and tables displaying all the administration functions of the city.

Weather has been expressly

                                                  

24- 05

The BC Naturalists are having their convention this weekend. Alan Burger and the NNS are hosting it on Mamette Ave in the local Civic center. Source says all resolutions and actions passed as  presented. At this writing the banquet remains with the main speaker being Forester and local FIrst nation Business  Len Joe a with a Thirty year resource experience is a  local.

07-06

17

Holiday weekend saw the local farmers market up and running with the green banners tied off on the trees facing the west side of Voght Street and just down from city hall. Venders drew 🏞️ ng to the Desert inn rear lot, the lot off Mamette and the Pool Arena mall. With a healthy adherence walking  as well.

Jane Yeadon from the Tourist association had the Baille house cleared of items for sale and upscaled for tours of that historical  attraction.attraction.

A couple from Australia visited and were on their way to Banff asked about wildlife

10-05

After the first week of the new bus run people have confidence in its usage which precipitated the addition of the new Voght Street bridge. The bridge replaced after being destroyed in the 3021 flash flood was a focal point of the resilance movement that has seen Merritt s come back.

Lilacs and apple tree flowers are adding color to the wall abouts, purple and pink  moave

 03 -05

Cathy presented her art show “growing ” creativity. The show runs to May 31st.         

Music by:

The group strange Companions put on the show at the art gallery in Merritt Friday  LtoR Cathy Cox Neill, Chris Lepsol, ,Jean Lauder, and Ingrid Boys.

26-04

According to sources, the Baille house downtown Tourist information center and historical Society have been invited to the cities meetings on economic development. Some sources say or were present when the agenda for this month’s meeting was handed out to to board member Tom Edwards, and discussion was typified by a sober interest.

The scuttle bus, about the dropping gas prices has some sources saying that the province is considering changing over to electric buses. Discussion was centered on the amount of torque pickup that the gasoline busts has had so often as they make stops, meaning that the torque of electric buses may serve better.

The the weather is warm. Somebody dropped off some sandbags, just a few off of 1st Avenue by the Nicola River. For some reason it was only maybe 10 or 12 at the time we viewed them, but the snowpack is around 76% of normal which is a little bit over last years a snowpack and we survived out here very well . The river has real time monitoring of flow and that is available online.

TIFM-KDG

19-04

So, the good Friday weekend started seeing an increase in vehicle traffic in Merritt. Obvious to pedestrians the lines of traffic  were demonstratively bigger. This as motels are also filled with tree planting and road contractors etc.

Central Park and the playground were the focus of some photo shoots, and small on organized gatherings. The fauna included Mallard ducks Blue Heron, on good frida

12-04

The word is out, the new bridge on Voght Street will be open to the city transit buses starting May 5th 2025. The bridge. It’s always been open for months to regular traffic. They were keeping truck traffic under some kind of scrutiny. And the transits were using the truck routes. Apparently. Now they’ve had a change + May 5th along with a Transit Fair increase from $2. A ride to 2:50 a ride will be in effect.

Alan Burger presented after nickel and naturalists on Thursday. Spoke about particular British Columbia seabirds. The Murlette is on a caution list estimate of $100,000 are left, but its range goes all the way up to the Aleutian Islands along the coast of Canada and the United States, particularly the British Columbia. One of the things that endanger it is oil spills. Mr. Burger had worked for the federal and the provincial government. He said that it hasn’t been proven as yet but this particular bird dies into the water and looks up and oil slicks look to them like the light is being blocked by schools of fish and they would fly into it and then there would be nest mortality because they wouldn’t get back. Paraphrased and added to…

The weather has been glorious in Merritt although varied, it has been mostly temperate, including some snow, some rain and some sun, some clouds and some pink moon to remind us that at the coast of cherry blossom should be out.

That’s it KDG

5-04

The Merritt public library has started a 5 week presentation on Wednesday nights by Al Horne. Al is a retired school teacher. And has given presentations at the Merritt library before he ran a couple of series on Alexander the Great and antiquity. This presentation is entitled. How did we get here from The Big bang and on?. From 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. $16.99 Garcia Street in Merritt, BC. That is the Thompson Nicola district library in Merritt.

The arts council has opened their April show. Amy McLaren has a number of exciting works of a somewhat abstraction but more in the Vogue of color and mood projection of easily identified objects. However, her emphasis on it’s okay to be flawed in art. Some of us can remember a time when people would say that was a happy accident and I worked on it and built on it and that subject is my interpretation but you can have your own interpretation. The show runs till April 27th at the gallery corner of Nicola and vote in Merritt BC.

Outside temperatures moved close to 70°F today. With some dark clouds in recent days and a submarine, there’s a sense of peace or acceptance that things are a little more normal here as far as extreme weather events.

TIFM- KDG

29-03

The city is keen on the 60 million in provincial funding that has been approved to repair of the diking that was destroyed in the 2021 flood. The federal government was  on it and had refused their applications as some say in deference to rebuilding on floodplain.

The buzz about includes a wondering if the local hospital is short ultrasound equipment or other types of equipment. + Whether locals are allowed to or would be welcome to raise money for such things. The local women’s auxiliary to the hospital operated a thrift shop for many years and still does or the thrift shop is in operation and raised more than a million dollars for things like that over time. 

The weather is great and some good rainstorms last week overnight leaving a fair bit of puddling + weather fronts including dark clouds highly piled

22-03 

 Robin Humphrey

This local artisan “indigenous marking ” is applying a new tattoo to a client ” Cheyenne” in a demonstration at the local arts gallery on Friday night. Robin hashad hundreds of marking documented by phots a good number of them are on display at the gallery until March 30th 2025. Robin will be in the gallery located on the Corner of Nicola and Voght on Saturday. The display and sense of culture is thought ful and complete for the interior Salish  language group he represents in his craft.

The Nicola Naturalists are reporting that 150 of the expected 200 delegates are registered for the May 22nd BC nature AGM in Merritt.The weekend includes many nature presentations and activities. An online registration is available at http://bcnature.org/2025-bc-nature-conference-and-agm/ 

Weather is cooler with grey skies and some wind.

15-03

The Arts Council March showing entitled Awakening. Sharing indigenous identity with Robin Humphrey is on course. Robin, A local indigenous markings practitioner who likes to honor his first nation cultural background is inviting people to experience his art. The show runs to March 30th. There is an opportunity to see the work done in the opposite room from the gallery.

The lunar eclipse last night wasn’t particularly visible from Merritt because of cloud cover. However, if you waited up some people got a picture of the Moon as it was passed out of red coloring into a beautiful full worm moon. The eclipse was passed at 3:00 a.m. Pacific time.                

Snow has been wafting to the ground today and in recent days. Reminding us that

01-03

The weather is glorious again in Merritt, 60° f for the 1st of March 2025.

Dr. Colin Gauge chiropractor, has cleaned up all the leaves from his huge cottonwoods that had been accumulated over winter since last fall. Colin lives on Garcia Street in Merritt, British Columbia with the rest of us purchasing the estate home of a constituting lawyer of the city and Joy’s several lots in one place. This of course includes many trailer loads of leaves to be hauled away at this time of the year. 

The city is still in recovery in some ways from Covid and wildfires as well as a serious flood that did a tremendous amount of damage and to many people lifestyle, / life’s. However one of the few  on the economic  bright spots is a new furnature factory…

22-02

The Nicola Naturalist Society hosted the flood mitigation committee on Thursday. The group reported a project for flood mitigation on the Nicola River for damage  resulting from the 2021 atmospheric stream dump and that caused the evacuation of Merritt. The group have access to a stated 6.1 million dollars to naturalize and redeem habitat damage in the area of highway 8 going west towards Spences Bridge.  The representative of  the committee Sean Strang highlighted the “Stuwi X” Naturalization project for completion in 2026.

15-02

So. the City has opted on the Mayor’s advice  to increase taxes by 14 cent instead of cutting back hrs of police protection that may have produced a reduction in the RCMP members rvance that are in service to Merritt . They are opting to keep  numbers at 17 officers.  The rationale is that they are predicting a soon growth in the population of more than 500 people..

Happy Flag day Canada’s regional observed focus.

08-02

The regional district film commission had an event with a speaker on Friday. The entity has been successful in the past in showcasing and assisting the production of commercial films in the area. Some films of note would be Gravity and Superman. 

Weather has been high double digit minus Celsius for the week. Snow accumulating moderately most days. People here seem to do well with the conditions and enjoy the relief from dry and warm that threatens a wildfire  season

01-02 

Merritt City council wants to downsize the amount of police they have. There was a meeting this week a public meeting and what resulted out of it is petition  online against the city’s intentions to reduce the police force. There is about One policeman for every 500 people in Canada. The city of Merritt’s population according to the 2021 census is just over  7 000.

Trade war fears are mitigated to the fact that the authorities are more or less going around along with it and going to have a retaliation. They’re waiting for more things in writing and people are resting in that.

The weather has been cooler here again with overnight Lowe’s double digit Celsius and expected to be somewhere  the same.

25-01                                                     

The fire department was observing the Nicola River this morning and scurrying  about with sirens and lights coming out from the Civic center lot. Ice and snow in part covered the water and the force was concerned about some related trouble… 

Debby the manager of the Baillie house downtown tourist information center has said that they’ve been asked about participating in a mayor’s conference in Merritt in  perhaps March. Information is sketchy at this time…

Overnight temperatures are  cold and range in the double-digit minus Celsius enough for people to talk about them. The conversation is for last night being the coldest as yet for this season talking about -13 Celsius.  Reports are that Q 101 Merritt mix was off the air from Dewayne at the Tourist center. The city is still a bit beside itself from the  contentment of Bail jumper….

Ron Carlson last year by Authorities using armoured cars and

TIFM-

18-01

The Merritt Mayor has. asked to be involved in what is being characterized as a physician’s assistance program that the provincial government is bringing on as a pilot project.   The city is Keen on any relief that may lessen and prevent the emergency ward in the hospital being closed due to lack of the staff.

The Nicola Naturalist Society had a presentation by Murphy Shewchuck on Thursday.  The published travel author,museum director and photographer told his story of fifty years of documented life and land in this community. The group also heard about the progress to host the provincial convention here in May. They are planning for 200 delegates.

The weather is  cool here ,in the  Nicola  Valley with no smoke from fir s across the line coming up from the US. The single digit Celsius is expected to go double in the coming week.

TIF

11-01

New show NVCAC

The  Arts center run by the Nicola Valley community Arts Council had an artist reception last night from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the center corner of Nicola and Voght mayor, British Columbia. Titled  Rediscovering Treasures it will run to February second 2025. The show features what is called unique upcycled furniture? By, Morgan Hampton. Along with the furniture is donated at  artwork that will be auctioned off in a silent auction competitive sheet

04- 01

Out with the old…

The local Starbucks discounted  Christmas  blend coffee 50 percent in recent days as well as seasonal coloured mugs and cups. Monday is orthodox Christmas and Tuesday another blend of them  does Christmas , we hope for peace I’m their souls as this is

2024

Bye 24 hello 25

12- 28

January 1st 2025 and begins a new year and month for the transit system and bus passes and that sort of thing. So, compass cards are available however, transit systems out of the lower mainland may not have the ability to scan them  for fees. People that qualify for GIS as seniors or the disabled can still use a compass card with a sticker on it, this making it an annual pass. Stickers are mailed out for renewal to arrive before January 1st, if you’ve paid your administration fees by the 15th of  November, that’s guaranteed.  They are arriving now that’s to Canada Post and their workers credit.

12- 21

Happy first day of winter 2024

The city of Merritt offered and provided bus tours to view the lit up Christmas decorations around the community. All reports are positive. The city is lit up very well with main streets showing winter + seasonal motifs such as wreaths, Stars and other brightly lit motifs. The expense is probably justified for the people that suffer for sad or seasonal affective disorder when the darkness causes rhythms to be out of kilter and they suffer from a lot of depressive thoughts be on guard. The holiday season is followed regularly by a lot of semi  non intentional distress…

The winter Artisan show at the Nicola Valley community Arts Council gallery is well involved. Today there were purchases of things such as wire and glass wine bottle displays and holders by Susan. Potted honey, and memberships ticked the tills. The shop is open Tuesday regular hrs, and Wednesday until 3 pm.

Danger

The first day of winter was accompanied with rain that caused very slippery  portions of walkways and roadways as it froze on top of snow patches and pools.

Merry Christmas!

12-14

Merritt BC

The great Canadian consumption tax holiday began today. It was actually last night stopping by the A&W  and there was no tax on my coffee. It’s later at night till  it was reset. I was the last customer of the day everybody in town must have been at the hockey game. The tax holiday goes to February mid month…

12-7 

The local A and W has an inside mobile order spot on its front counter. We used it in recent weeks. It’s very convenient. You choose to eat in and pick it up at the counter after parking your car or in our case walking just a few blocks. It also supports special offers on its menu, and we fully recommend the eat in function also supports the use of glass cups and plates and helps to reduce the demand on garbage. The A&W app for your mobile phone is available on Google Play.  The restaurant has been completely redone on the inside which now includes a  half a dozen booths. with soft cushions.

Nathan Saunders is an octogenarian and referred to as an old-timer. He has a sister, that was a provincial court judge recently retired because of aging out at 75 years.  75 years of service is just scratching the surface of this family. Their parents were the proprietors of the original A&W in Merritt and in Vernon and their name is on the local airstrip.

The weather is cool and stable with some overnight thawing in recent days that has seen the snowpack compacted.

Editor’s. Note: there are a couple of severe weather warnings for the coquihalla highway to hope in recent days extending into Tuesday at least. Be aware

TIFM-KDG

11-30

The city hosted the Black Friday parade last night. Starting it a little late, probably 7:10 p.m., people stood amazed and float after a float. Made its trip around and back down. Quilchena Avenue 21 00, 2000,1900 and dispersing from the 1800 block. The parade started the Friday midnight madness sale by involved merchants. Christmas shopping continues to 12-25-24.

11- 23

The city is blanketed with snow Friday .a front moves through.  The white stuff will be washed  away with the  coming rain was the opinion of some however it still persists on this Saturday late afternoon.

The local postal workers were picketing the main station Friday with a shelter tent and propane heater in the parking  enclave. Today it is not manned, we have no news on any progress in the job action.

11-16

The Mayor’s walk on the new flood mitigation construction on the Coldwater River was today. As a precursor to the official reopening of the Middlesbourgh bridge the city was invited to view the improvements. The. Bridge was opened.

The Merritt Centennial’s are well Into their new league affiliation with success in  moderation and hope from a loyal fan base the young adults are responding well to their role as a participant and keystone personality in the Kootenay International Junior League. There are 21 teams in play Merritt is in third place in the bill division with 23 points.

  The Weather is good with  freezing 🥶 being offset by warmer afternoons   and snow in the upper levels. The freeways can have sudden onset snow and you should always be prepared for it. Remember that the Coquihalla’s system of highways from the October through to April. You must have snow compliant tires. Always consult Drive BC if you’re going to use these highways.                      TIFM KDG

 

11-9

There was a indigenous veterans day here.. They held in lower Nicola at the lower Nichola school on Thursday. Richard Jackson a Vietnam era veteran of the United States Army had a very nice jacket.thay presented the ribbon and sentiments like I fought for freedom. I defended our freedom on its back. He spoke privately about his admiration of the Washington monument for Vietnam veterans and the 50,000 names of veterans that didn’t make it home. Or did not  survive the war.

This is the lAst weekend at Art Gallery as it show who done it. After Sunday the 10th 4:00 p.m. they will begin taking down all the paintings that people work to guess on who the authors were in a ballot.The where did you ext show is the Winter artisan and will run through the period that hosts midnight madness Black Friday.

The the weather is good with gentle rains and and intermittent, sunny, warm somewhat over season. But very pleasant to enjoy along with calm.

TIGM- KDG

11-2

The Nicola Valley was greeted with snow  for  the start of Movember. Though retreating to the upper levels during the day our  very own Iron mountain remains Iconic powdered in white. Drive BC is on social media reminding us of their presence and the ability to view road conditions remotely when planning a trip.

Halloween was successful as  people dressed early we observed as they were out in daylight tricking and  treating responsibly. The air rang with fireworks after dark and many private small displays were seen well into the evening.     Time change  Sunday at two AM.

Talk is of the Middlesboro bridge opening on the 16th and the mayor’s walk.  Mike Geotz The mayor of Merritt will begin that day at 8:00 a.m. with a walk. The bridge was destroyed November 14th, 2021 in a flash flood that saw Merritt evacuated.

TIFM- K

10-26

The Civic Center is once again having some entertainment use after COVID. Tonight a CCR tribute band is entertaining a packed half of the Civic center rented out for the event. The event is also on Eventbrite + is touring the province. Bad moon Riders, and BMR entertainment are presenting what they call the premier. CCR tributes at this writing in the East auditorium Civic center and on Eventbrite. They say earphones headphones all night.

Some of the progenitors of Mel Baillie got together at the Baillie house on Wednesday to Mark, the passing of the last last surviving of the six children of Mel Baillie and Pauline Baillie of the proprietors and owners of the Baillie House after acquiring it from the city. The original owner and builder Cosum Bigney had built a house for a arranged bride that stood him up and eventually lost it during the depression. Bigney died without any progeniantry and the Baillies filled the Nicola Valley with many descendants. Including Lourie Graham who had Laurie’s British American gas station. Ralph Graham who worked as a mechanic for Quilchena cattle company. The Stefan’s family, veterinarians, teachers ranchers. And many more.

The weather has been moderate with one particular day standing out as being -6 overnight with a -6 dew point. Rain over night presenting as snow on iron mountain at the higher levels

TIFM- KDG

10-19

Tony Luck is among the elected in the BC general election from yesterday. He will represent the riding of Fraser Nicola. Tony ran as a BC conservative   and has a substantial number of votes over the nearest competitor, if three people rant and three parties were represented with no independent candidates in the Fraser riding. 

The city has announced a grand opening for the new middlesboro Bridge on vote Street. November 16th Saturday beginning with a Mayor’s walk. The bridge was destroyed in the November 14th, 2021 flash flood on the Coldwater River in Merritt, BC.

The weather in Merritt is moderate but some days having a couple degrees of frost we’ve had rain overnight into Saturday.

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10-12

Merritt’s Economic development officer is moving on to West Kelowna. Marilyn Christensen has been the force behind Nicola Avenue upgrade and has aided small business startups in the downtown core with licencing. Including a new electronic repair on the 2000 Block of Quilchena. She recently recorded for the country music awards that were held in Merritt 2000 block Quilchena Avenue.

The voting for the provincial election began on Thursday  the polling place in Merritt is the  Civic center off Voght on Mamette avenue. Heavy turn out is reported

The weather is glorious with trees turning colour  a fall charade of change in appearance.

10-5

The Baillie house, attraction, tourist info center set up for winter hours this week. The  facility will be closed tomorrow and all subsequent  Sundays and Mondays until May/ 25. Hours will be 10 AM to 4 PM .

Good luck

The weather is present with two or three degrees of frost in some mornings. People have harvest their tomatoes. I’m quite pleased with them, next week will be the last week of the farmers market at the curling rink parking lot. Then it’s

The Merritt Chamber of Commerce put on a meet the candidates forum on Wednesday three hopefuls, Tony Luck, Francyne Joe and Jnohna  Timms  representing BC Conservatives ,NDP, and Green presented at the Canadian Music Hall of Honor.

9-28

The Merritt Centennials  played its first home game on Friday a 4  to 3 loss in overtime to the Kamloops team. They are now in a different league than last year and have  completed a vigorous exhibition game schedule. 

The team has been having a good welcoming from the new owners who have made statements.

9-21

Many things in Merritt this week including the Ron Carlson debacle, the Local police have turned it over to Internal investigations after an alleged containment operation resulted in three non-fatal shots into Ron Carlson after a tirade of pursuit and postering had the city wondering what.

AGM

The Nicola Naturalist Society had their members photo night and AGM on Thursday. A new slate of directors was chosen after a voting bar of paid numbers was established by the chair, Alan Burger also took a motion of thanks to those that served last year and to those that were coming in for the new year. In the AGM and outline for the hosting of the provincial annual general meeting in May of 2025 was discussed. Most committees are already chaired. There was one remaining open and that was for catering. It’s believed it will be filled at the first director’s meeting when they choose officers. Dr. Berger said that there was a November 1st significant date for that was the date they had to have a significant agenda in BC nature for their publication to be in time for the people to make plans for the May AGM.The members were then displayed, significant inputs from published author Murphy Shewchuk were capped off with some very beautiful macro photographs of insects by Leanne Cleasby. The next meeting is the third Thursday of October,  at the NVIT lecture theater, 7:00 p.m. top of the hill belshaw avenue in Merritt free parking. No food or beverages in the lecture theater.

Weather       

.The weather is good warm and  moderate. 

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9– 14

The city had a lot of trauma this week has some illegal activity. Some alleged rifle firings, some alleged bail conditions breached. Saw armored RCMP vehicles when accounting said 11 pickup trucks with flashing lights and sirens unmarked. As well as bridge for the truck route going into collegeville or to the industrial part of the city being blocked by police vehicles as they were about some sort of apprehension or interference with some sort of criminal activity. Unconfirmed reports say that it was being orchestrated by allegedly. Ron Carlson. Unconfirmed reports. I say that somebody died but the city was brought back to peace and whether it was this event or another it made for high drama in the coffee shops. 

And Saturday today saw non-profits filling the gap by making things normal visa pop-up sale at the Bailey house, the continuation of the industrial dream catchers display of Leonard George at the gallery, robust Farmers Market in the parking lot behind the arena and the continuation last night of exhibition. Hockey games in the new Okanagan League the city has aspired to.  

The weather has been wet and cool with rain showers being broken by warm periods and high cumulus clouds interpersingly by taking the stage in some sort of poetic commentary on the likes of the happenings and on the outcome of the conflicts over the last bit of time.

9-7

The local schools are in and be advised that school crossing may be used as well as buss stopping. 

The Merritt centennials are playing exe ition games as a member of the Kooteny international league in Merritt. The Centennial left the BCJHL for the Kooteny league as the season closed last spring. A new trainer has moved to town today and in time for tonight’s in Kamloops against the storm. They are behind Storm   at this  writing 3-1 second period. The Centennial s  lost to Storm in Merritt on Thursday 6-3 . Merritt took Princeton Friday in a win in overtime 5-4.

Weather is hot 30s c very nice rain and 20 degrees temperatures are expected Wednesday ( 60

8-31

The rodeo parade happened last night as over 135 participants drove, walked smiled, and impacted the citizens of Merritt and visitors from Hope and other places with a very entertaining parade in our opinion. The action continues with 2 days of Rodeo for this 64th Merritt Pro Rodeo qualifying event. 

Event worthy

Another day of rodeo, cowboy Church pancake breakfast and whatever surprises there might come are still available tomorrow. 

Hi from an electrical cowboy from the 64th Merritt Pro Rodeo.

Pancake breakfast, cowboy Church, are second day of Rodeo action for Sunda

8-24

A ranch rodeo was held Saturday and  rain fell for most of it however reports from the wild cow milking  crew  indicated it went on in the adversity. The pro rodeo is next weekend.  The long weekend has been traditional for over 60 years as the venue for a successful pro event.  The Merritt pro

Rain fell most all day Saturday then clear skies and high ceilings moved in the forecast is for a return to rain on Sunday afternoon evening. 

8-17 

The week had a good start on Sunday as the final day of the Big foot convention concluded. About a half dozen experts came to present the case for believing that another hominoid is among us in the wilderness proper and sometimes in contact situations with observers. The event was the second annual.

The Band Coquihalla Coyties played to about 150 fans at Central Park on Thursday night. The free concert I was again sponsored by the city under the  title “music in park ” . Free but bring your own lawn chairs. The park off Voght Street is known as Merritt rotary Park, and it contains a nice bandshell. The bandshell was provided with funds raised  by princess Diana’s family after her death. 

8-10

Leonard George is preparing a show for the fall at the Arts Councils Art Center. He thinks it will be called ” Industrial dream catcher” Leonard is the grandson of chief Dan George of  the silver screen, he co-starred with Clint Eastwood in The Outlaw Jose Wales and other Holly Wood productions.

Leonard says he has a commission for    Leonard has commissions coming up for murals at the high school and Kekilui  cafe.

There was an interesting guy at the local Starbucks this week. A tall leathered biker with a jacket marked with a club name ( not Ha) , as we interacted we said thank you for your service on seeing service ribbons. The couple left for their the remainder of the ride that brought them through Merritt

Weather is mid to high 30 Celsius with thunder storms and ☔ rain intermittent and cooling.

TIFM- KDG

8-03

The  BC day weekend is on there was  a healthy  presence at the Friday night street Market and the Saturday Farmer’s Market .  Warm temperatures also saw a n interest in the central park water park with

7- 27 

Rain every few days has made it comfortable in Merritt. The fires are close but distant enough so far with the one in Spence’s Bridge the most relevant. A suppression crew was at a local restaurant this weekend wearing black and  bearing markings “British Columbia  Wildfire service”. We didn’t ask why they were distinguished from the red and blue regulars but as they ate their breakfast they demonstrated a cohesive view and  understanding of the fire situation. We thanked them for their  service

A small plane crashed in a field off the local airstrip according to source two people were killed. The Saunders Field is a light  air strip usually approached from the Coldwater valley and takeoff is into the wind the other way.

7- 20

Alarm for a wildfire west of here near Spence’s Bridge was muted somewhat today as we enjoy ed high ceilings and no smoke. The wild fire had generated evacuations to about 80 rural properties and became a Fire of note. There are more then 220 fires burning at this time in BC, only one of ” note ” at this writing. Many are ” out of control” which means not being controlled, we believe that uncontrolled means a fighting strategie that apologies many factors in forest practices. Stay safe listen to those responsible, live Well, carry on. Make sure your insurance is up to date.

The Merritt public library was a welcome resource today. We picked up a National Geographic guide to national parks. We learned that the daily entry fee is muted when paying for a year we found that the daily fee ran from 10-20 dollars but for a year in both parks it was 86 bucks. (No dig in the buck moon implied). What a great country with many assets to please and relieve.

The weather is hot, high thirties, with at least another week. We are pleased that the emissions from the covid lockdowns are said to have dropped a full six percent. This leads to the observation that they have peaked. We are on the other side of that crisis and most are better for the experience. Now we should really engage the benefits of alternate methods of production and manufacturing to our advantage and begin to look ahead to a good life. KDG

7-13

Merritt British Columbia is busy with a lot of traffic on 5 and 5-A  using  facilities and stopping at the local  activities including the bass coast festival. Here is about a $470 ticket for the 3 days that started on Thursday. As well the city had a fly into the local airport in  promotion of air service. And the people that provide in  air service.

Frank Heller was honored in a celebration of life this afternoon at the Merritt  Civic center. Frank was remembered  by the community as a energetic member with great person skills.

6- 29

The local Classic car Club had a drive about midweek in Merritt; the group meets Wednesdays in the evening at the local A&W and this week they were seen on there way to the local Walmart going across to the north on the recently repaved hill on Voght. The group is champianed by former Jacksons welding owner Barry Jackson. Barry had his home and business in the in path of the 2021 flash flood and has a long resiliant road back, his nephew has the business and life goes on with classic cars.

Merritt will host Canada days on the 1st, see merritt.ca for events or ( go to the pancake breakfast 7:30 am to 10:30 am) Merritt Civic Center and here it from the horses mouths.

Weather is still our best friend here with rain when we need it and moderate beautifull days.

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622 I’m

The city was charmed by a grad motor caravan tonight, from the school it took Cleasby Street to the rear parking lot behind the Civic Center where it dispersed to here information and have a Prom. The Caravan included some large industrial truck with numbers of students on long trailers. One was from the ” Rock Solid Contracting Company, that entry is a company involved in the bridge replacement for the 2021 washout on the Coldwater river. Another long bedded truck carried students who were heard to utter sailor language, we presume was to support recent fish farm Canadiana Jargon broadcast by Canadian Super star of the universe Bill Shatner ( Captain Kirk United Space Federation) from the phenomenal series Star Trek. The crowd and the subjects presented a resilient, life claiming spirit. A student told us when asked that his beautiful Tux he rented was costly but presumed a worthy price to pay causing us to think cost is considered in vital life claiming actions as good and cheap is not so much of a value. Respect for challenge was in the air and not to be intimidated in any form.

Editors note : Cleasby sould be Chapan

According to Rich Hodgson the Theater society have some consent from the city to expand the civic center into the life theater the group organised more than a decade ago. The local Credit Union had financed a no interest load to buy a lot in railyard mall to get the ball rolling and the group started a website to raise money and interest in the project. Off street parking was a problem and then priorities came into vogue.So, ” it is in the hands of an architect at this time” Hodgson.

The weather is great some rain some sun many cool nights. “The wicked will live in a hot dry land” seems not able to applyed here. K

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6-8

The Friday night market had a real powerful presence u tow in Merritt yesterday. The event ha air castles live music and colour your own popcorn cup for free popcorn. The Pacific forest car rally also launched its come back rally from up the street on Granite Avenue just before the markets began at Spirit Square and the 2000 block of Quilchena avenue. Jeff bloom was back with his 5th childrens book on a magical hat from a grand mother to a child acting s an angel of comfort. Jeff has distributed 3000 books in his time as a childrens author in 5 editions, he has copies at the Arts center gift shop as well.

Paving is being completed on the sidewalk and trails ging up the hill on Voght. The trails in the boulevards join with the ones in central park which join to the Coldwater river, clay banks camping park, Voght park and the golf course.

Weather is merciful and enjoyable with the long-term forecast continuing in the 20’s C and overnight lows cooling n a pleasant tone.

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6 -1st

The paving of the Voght street upgrade was completes and we took the first bus trip to the north end at 6: PM. Trees have started to be placed on the the boulevard, that partners with the the walking trail light standards are seen to ready foe installation as well. The project is to be stopped in regards to traffic circles for funding. However great relief has come over the pavement completion of the hill leaving Merritt as rattleing and banging in holes are abate successfully; thanks Peter Brothers!

The sound of Hammers driving piles for the Bridge replacement is welcome to the ears of Merritt people as they still feel the call to resilience. Henry Drilling and Emil Anderson are at work constructing a confidence to the city in the diligence of placing infastructure.

The weather is cool with intermediary sunny moments however people feel good about the water 💦 we have now more then early in the spring.

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May 25th

Water restrictions are still at level three however comments about the coldwater river being high are heard from place to place. As we enter the last week of May hill sides are green and summer solstice is less the a month away. The Province has been out of emergency for more then 7 months when on September 14th 2023 the recommendation from the emergency management branch caused the government to end the emergency powers the level three funding has more to do with supply management and pending water temperature for fish. We have done well this spring from a dread of the future to activities . good luck world. Note: Kim Leclare says that she sees many people without smiles and hopes for more confidence in including dental.

The work on Voght street is to be paved starting monday foe three days. Crews have been at it for the whole winter and rough rides through the construction was wearing on people The project goes from walters to Blackwell on Voght and included storm sewer infrastructure and walkways off rased curbs.

The weather has been extraordinary and non threatening. Good luck world.

Thats It From Merritt- KDG .

May 18th

Tom Willms gave his presentation on restoration of Beavers to the Nicola Valley the talk was Thursday to the the local naturalist club. Besides the habitat change from a millennium ago he showed the characteristics of beavers as they retain water in the lands they occupy. He also stated that conflict is there and the creatures can be a nuisance to humans especially in irrigation matter. Dianna Grimshire has hired Tom to relocate nuisance beavers from her agricultural land since the meeting.

The Friday night street mall is back with a good showing by artisans and entertainers . Richard Lepinsky and his ukulele group and Robert Bergstrand played to the interested people that attended in Spirit Square, while more artisan wares were tabled about offering local made goods. The activity was attended by Merritt Mayor Mike Goetz. Jack Williams grandson to a local stage coach driver was also about in conversation. The fair will be back next Friday in the 2000 block Quilchena local; circa.

THe weather is cool with snow capping Iron mountain in a beautiful contrast enjoyed in the mornings.

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May 11th

The farmers market in the Curling rink parking lot was on today about 10 displays o artisan produced goods graced the lot and enjoyed the warm summery weather. Lucas Handley from Three Bar farms talked about the Market and said that the season fee for vendors and others is $250.00 May tto October. he fee includes membership in the provincial assocation and insurance. Lucas had a funny T Shirt on, to see it attend the market. There is a Friday night market on the 16th in the 2000 block of Quilchena avenue as well. Richard Lipinski and his Ukelele is having a Gig there as as well. Editors Note: Friday the 17th is the street mall evening.

The City has sought data for the justification to the recent return to the criminal code of simple possession of some hard recreational drugs by people in some public places. The Shelters in the city have potential for engagement when open or when not available to transients. Per capita numbers are small here however they do catch the public eye.

Level three water restrictions are inplace and are being encouraged as a discipline going forward. Today saw a glorious warm day capped of with our traditional late afternoon cooling wind. Merrritt.ca for details

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May 5th

The arts council had its reception for the Opie show on friday from 4-7, a good turnout enjoyed about 20 works gathered from owners were displayed with an accompanying flute demonstration and music. Opie made and sold many mystical flutes from his studio on coldwater Indian reserve south east of Merritt. A feature piece, a carving of a mythical creature representing man with two serpents one on each end dressed the display cabinet with man and mythical serpents. The piece had a inscription on the reverse bearing Opies (Philip) Oppenhiem signing from 1975. according to Loreeta, Opie’s widow it was found in a Vancouver lawyers office. The piece measures about 10 feet long and 2 and 1/2 feet high, dark brown wood. Opie Oppenheim passed on May 15th 2021. There will be a open house on June 2nd at the gallery from 1-4 pm as the show is in take down.

Micheal Christie acclaimed author gave a a reading at the Merritt public library Friday afternoon. The reading was from his book Greenwood, a novel covering the life and tenor of a family from its two serviving brothers after a train wreak in Ontario Canada left them only survivors of that event giving a sense of destiny that included a “Present evil that would not die”. the generations that came after the two were linked to forests in Canada through many venues including harvesting . Micheal is in contract with officials to make a movie at this time and are keen on names for the lead; the producer is said to be Home Box Office.

The weather is cool and cloud is nearly ever present snow occasioned us the week and some say is not done yet. Some lawns wee mowen this week. watering restrictions remain. Merritt.ca

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Merritt.ca for city details.

April 27th

Going into the last weekend of April 2024, some things are concluding, one is the tax filing. There are two calender days , Monday and tuesday to file without penalty your personal income tax. corporate filers chose a 12 period ending where best suits them. self employed have untill June 15th for business income. The Red cross relief program for the 2021 flood also expires on the 30th of April. There was 5 thousand dollars available for flood mitigation.

The post office has had problems with box security and has appealed to the users to remove mail more often especialy Fridays.

The weather is cool and is expected to be around 5 degrees colder then seasonal ging into May.

Thats it from Merritt this week KDG

April 20th

The polls closed on the civic by election that by unconfirmed accounts say that candidate Yvette Baxter has taken the seat left by the late Claire Newton. Newton’s death a homicide is yet to be resolved as the driver left the scene and has covered his tracks. RIP a little easier Claire.

Leanne Cleaveley presented her work in Macro Photography on on Thursday with a hushed crowd as spectacular beauty of nature owned the scene in the NVIT lecture theater. Leanne a school teacher wit teen aged children took the time and expense to take up Macro photography in her garden capturing insects and flora in magnification. The photos were enhanced with a technique of softening the background to highlight the subjects. ” Big hole (aperature ) small number ( F stop) ” was in agreement as she explained the technique she experimented with to get her photos. She says that she has a folding stool to sit while waiting on the creatures to present; but in my garden a bucket works just fine. The technology is simple try things especially the 4 manuel settings on DSLs for better results.

The weather is good in Merritt with some rain and a little snow this week, mothers day weekend is coming next week the day is the usual day for high run off in the creeks; it looks like it may be later this year.

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April 13th

The Merritt Centennials Junior hockey team has two games left in its scheduled playoff venue with Salmon Arm. The Silverbacks took the game on Friday away in a 1 to zip finish in Salmon Arm they play again tonight in Merritt at seven PM at the Nicola Valley Memorial arena and then once more in the playoff schedule in Salmon arm Monday at the Shaw center 6 PM start.

There is a notice of a sandbagging station being set up on Coldwater avenue. There is a link in the photo below to the BC river forcast: use the forcast at your own risk details of sandbag opertunities can be found at the cities website.

The city is enjoying warm spring weather at the end of this week and Save on has put out ” outside potting soil” in large bags for $5.99 each. A large pile graces the entrance of the downtown store, there are few flowers or plants seen about and snow still remains at around 5000′ on the iconic Iron Mountain. Pop Culture has said that planting in Merritt should be left untill al snow has left the face of that mount or the long weekend in May.

Thats it from Merritt this week KDG

April 6th

The city remains on level three water restrictions since the last update on March 20th. Level three is 2 days a week depending on odd or even for differing days so if you see that someone watering don”t presume that you may without checking the posted notice on Merritt.ca. The city is doing this because of an inability to know what the aquifers status is and lower then usual snow pack.

The Merritt Centennials Junior A hockey team as ended operations. In its 50th consective year and as it ends the Assocation has decided to stop. They had earlier announced that 5 Alberta teams would join the league now talk is of a reorganizing to a lower status ( Junior B ) for at least the Merritt Centennials.

The weather is good, cool with rain and wind that is temperate but not hot. The idiom of april showers bring may flowers seems to fit here once again.

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March 30th

The Merritt Centennials junior hockey team is in a lead position over the Prince George team with a half period to go in the third at the Nicola Valley Memorial arena. The team is recovering from an overtime loss against PG on the 16th with an 8 to 4 win over Cranbrook on the 28th. The next meeting is not posted in the April schedule. Check our homepage for a link to the teams official site. ( end of 3rd Merritt 4 PG 1)

The city is enjoying great at weather moderate as you could ask for with rainfalls far fro extreme. This as work is ongoing with the Voght bridge on the cities west end. The bridge was destroyed in the November 14th 2021 flash flood and is in a key location on the Coldwater river just past the cities premier grade school and in the trail network for hiking along the rivers and the city valley proper. The site with the destroyed RV park also had a history that included recreational river beaches and a bicycle stop with air and tools.

There are 4 candidates for the April 20th by-election to fill the late Claire Newman’s seat on council. Claire was struck and killed by an alleged hit and run driver on a car trip through north central BC. Claire resided in the Colletville suburb west of the city and across the bridge destroyed in 2021.

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March 23rd

the Merritt Centennials hockey team lost a contest with The Penticton Vees Friday the 6 to 2 loss in Penticton will be one to overcome in Salmon Arm on sunday at 4 PM when they play the Silverbacks.

The city development office has some post flood progress,as the building vacated by the auto par distributor after the death of the owner John Firman junior has been renovated to hold multiple bussiness’s a. realtor and electrical contractor have set up signage on the building located next to Carter hearing past Garcia on Nicola.

The weather is good with rain coming in moderate falls twice since our 4 day 20 degree spring start on the 19th.

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March 9th

The Merritt junior hockey team has a game in Penticton tonight against the Vees, at this writing they are 3/4 through the first period and the scoreboard is blank on both sides. The team was in a five four loss against Vernon vipers on Friday night here in Merritt. Merritt Centennial are in their 50th consecutive season and continue to hold the interest because of the fine management of locals in Merritt BC.

The Nicola valley community arts council is having their March show at the art Center with more than 20 artisans participating. The title is Art Heals. One of the premier pieces is one done by Herta Klassen, Herta is from Nicola lake and has put in a very nice piece entitled Echinesa, a very thoughtful display of a very special flooring plant. The piece is on the wall with an offered price of $ 1,100 dollars. The show runs through March.

The weather is severe this weekend or the past week some overnight minus double digits, rain is in the forecast and it rained today. There is also a possibility of snow for this time change weekend.

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March 2nd

The Merritt Centennials junior hockey club missed a chance to make the last three games with the Salmon Arm Silverbacks a rout; Friday’s game was won by the visiting Backs. Five to two final. The team plays tonight in in Merritt meeting the Spruce Kings from Prince George in Merriitt at 7:05 PM Pacific time.

The city has put out nomination packages for the April 20th By-election. The race or proceeding to replace the late Claire Newman. Nominations close on March 15th 2024, at 4:PM at city hall, for one counillor.

Weather is good snow this morning lasting past noon, overnight lows reasonable and anticipation for the March 10th time change high.

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February 24th

The Merritt Centennials junior hockey team did well in a 4-0 win on home ice tonight.The visiting Salmon arm Silverbacks had also given in to a 3- 2 loss to our visiting cents on Friday. Next game is on March first with Salmon arm once again coming to Merritt.

April 20th is the local by-election date legislated to replace the late Claire Newman killed in a mysterious hit and run incident in northern BC. Mail in ballots are included in the bylaw. Packages for prospective candidates will be at the city starting February 28th.

The weather is spring like with the micro full moon tonight but overnight low is predicted for Monday of -13C

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February 17th

The Merritt Centennials BC junior hockey team enjoyed a great outcome in their game against trail on Friday,, decisively winning five to one against the smoke eaters against the smoke eaters. At this writing they are preparing for a 705 pm. rematch in Trail with the Smoke Eaters..

The City evoked level 3 water restrictions this week, this is because of snowpack concerns. Usually it’s the April snowpack measurements that are the most relied upon for planning for the summer season

The weather was cold this week with some nights having minus 17 Celsius night time lows.

TIFolM- KDG

February 3rd 🌠

The Merritt Centennial team finished the week Saturday with a 5 to one win over Trail, at home.

City works are very visible about the town with water infrastructure on Garcia, good to see them back at non flood related disaster related work.

The weather is good with daily temperatures in the single digits. The ground hog issue is a matter of debate Willie over Phil dynamic .

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January 27th

The BCJHL hockey team, the Merritt Centennials took a 8 to 3 loss from the West Kelowna team on Friday; then they had a time by besting the visiting Victoria team ^ to 3 on Saturday making a good hockey weekend for Merritt. Next Game is on Saturday February 3rd to the Merritt home crowd.The cents will take on the famed hockey club the : Trail SmokeEaters” at 7:05 PM at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.

Sweet sixteen quilters graced the Arts center with a quilt show; they with displayed works so sweet and clean that they invoked aw for the time, talent and trust the time used to make these creations. Celtic Resoance drew praise from the seekers. Merritt Mayor Mike Goetz was present and also enjoyed the displays of work in progress by the 26 Guild members at the event. The show gos to the for the next few weeks.

Rain cut the snow pack back on Saturday as fronts came through after the Artic air flow abated earlier in the week.

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January 20th

The New years cold snap complements of the Artic outflow from the vortex working its way down Alberta and outflowing through BC to the Pacific Ocean has seemingly ended its time with us as freezing bitter cold has given way to slight thawing conditions today.

A recent former concrete truck operator confirmed that he is going to another job after the sale of the long time business ” Norguard Ready mix, the teamster member that found work with the firm more then 2 decades ago said after taking January off he willl work in Kamloops at the same time keep residence in Merritt by commuting. He confirmed that his former employer had sold the Kamloops brach a decade ago, ” they were seriously involved in the development two local mines outside Kamloops” that are still producing.

The A and W 1PM thursday coffee clash, had a dinner for for Richard Lipinski’s wiife’s birthday. The couple are 69 and 75 with the former the oldest. They have a home at the corner of Grimmet and Voght in Merritt. The dinner with cake was to be held at 6 PM at Game on Sports Bar off 5 going north on Voght.

Editors note: Richards name is spelled Lepinsky

Thats it from Merritt this week, KDG

2023

Good luck

December 30th

Weather is good,some that then goes,life at 600 meters while warm of you atmospheric streams and there violence we are at Peace going into the new year 2024.

The lounge at the Merritt sports bar was highlighted by Richard Lipinski as a possible Dinner opportunity for the Thursday coffee clutch. The restaurant is frequented by local businessman. Tables and ways are said to be comfortable and intimate for conversations.We have it under advisement.

Thank you 2023 for being so understanding and thoughtful towards us as you cope with the many conflicts problems and human misadventures always giving us room to do it better. Please advise your successor 2024 that we are worthy of the time spent and will cherish every moment as we did with you.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

December 23/23

The Thursday One PM A&W Coffee Clash, met with Ken Griffiths in the big chair. Ken responded to news of a break through for dental coverage for old age. “Iam 67 I will apply on line in May”. The response was muted by the mainly Conservative bunch as it seemed that the benefit was out weighed by the minority power dynamic currently against them. Tom Reynolds former city treasurer asserted that 10 percent of EV owners in Canada come from BC and Ontario,” I would not buy a used EV Batteries are a problem.” In the dyalog then Reynolds said look at all the strip mines for rare earth in batteries. As-well there are Charging stations across the road from Coal fired electric generating plants. The writer said that ” at least they saved the transmission loss”. A new hydro charge station is up and running in the curling parking lot Next to the 2202 Voght street heritage site. Richard Lipinski thanked the writer for the address business cards and seasons greeting that were circulated. Greg Dixon had a copy of his Tales from the Turkey Table, 14 dollars see talesfromtheturkeytable.com

The Merritt Centennials Junior Hockey team had a win on the 16th over Nanaimo. The Clippers lost 2-3 in regular time.

Weather is warm but some frost on Friday night and looking forward to more frost on Saturday as the Moon fills for a Christmas cold moon ( Farmers Almanac.

TIFM-KDG

December 16th

The weather is still good with snowfalls at city level melting within a day after and leaving a panoramic view of local hills and mounts. On thursday snow in town was enough to see plows out and about. The city has proclaimed a return date for permits for work building and other civics of January 1st 2024.

Merritt transit is out and about with light tours again tonight , tomorrow is seniors night for the tour, 5 dollars doorstep pickup.

The Merritt Legion is having a New years party on the 31st at its ” Landing Zone ” bar and dance. Twenty-five dollars. The City also has programs for New years including family swim see merritt.ca FMI

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December 9th

Happy 70th wedding anniversary Mom and Dad ,RIP.

There is a Moccasin tournament in the city this weekend. Players and others are about the restaurants. One a dad in the U11’s Under 11 years sais that neck guards will be mandated more to seniors he”s thinking. The father of 3 with one in hockey. Agreed that safety was worth the efort. Editors note: The associations involved with hockey should be able to provide a democratic venue for presentations as well the non arbitrary implementation and respecting other view to expressed. One annual meeting with a failed resolution should not be a deterrent to re submitting to the process. Coronors and doctors with other elites should not be the go to for sheep struck people. Democracy can work away from PHD.

Icing on the side walks after a snowfall and a partial saw a few snow shovels out on friday and Saturday. We put down a little sand like a sleep potion for the harsh wake time of covid fires and floods.

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The Merritt Centennials junior hockey team, had pair of losses this week. On friday they collided with the West Kelowna team and left the ice with a 4-5 loss secured by Kelowna in over time at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena. At this writing a 3-2 score delivered by the Pentiction Vees team is waiting for the final proclamation after the time ran out in the 3rd period.The cents meet Pentiction on the 6th at the South Okanogan Event Center. Game time is 6:30 PM, PDT.

The mistery truck that had been parked in front of the Pickle Ball club house has been moved. The truck with pipes coming out of its van was questioned by passersby, turns out that it was testing air quality PPM and targeted the green energy plant across the street from the concrete manufacturer off Midday Valley road. A source says Sulfer Dioxide and 03were among the targets.

December 2nd

The weather i

The specific relevant content for this request, if necessary, delimited with characters: s changing slightly with some snow in town. We are looking forward to cooler weather this coming week with more precipitation.

The specific relevant content for this request, if necessary, delimited with characters: Snow removal has not been necessary as yet. Please feel free to use the Merritt.ca link on our homepage at any time.

November 25th

The Merritt Centennials lost in over time on Friday to West Kelowna. They are at this writing tied in the home game here in Merritt with Trail; 4 to 4, with 2:37 minutes remaining in the third period.

The weather is cool and calm with little upset. Travelers say that the roads are good.

Thats it from Merritt Yhis week KDG

November 18th

The Nicola Naturalists heard from the chair of the BC grassland conservation group on thursday at the NVIT lecture theater.Mike Dedels talke on grasslands an carbon. He showed photos of local grasslands including Telkwa lake. The local lands were in recovery from fires in and about he province and he gave opportunity to the good sized crowd to respond with ideas. ” one cowboy said that are fences are burned up and the only idea to come forward is wyfi collers for cows. “Steel fence posts what”? In context there was a 3rd class mailing for buying family farms in the post this week. Judi Guichon in the audience with her husband Bruno, she owned the guichon ranch at one time and is our former Lt Governor for BC. So interesting discussion in the macro sense on carbon and forest grassland co-existnce the meeting ended with an invitation to the next 3rd thursday.

The city has announced that they have secured a contract to rebuild the Middlesbouroh bridge destroyed on the !4th of November 2021. The bridge connects Merritt to the Colletville colletville a former unincorporated area now in the city. The area is serviced by Voght street, the portion was once part of the provinchal highways system connecting Merritt. The funding to repair came from the provincal government and has been waiting for contracts.

Wheather is moderate with slight frosts in the am. Snow is viable on local hill tops.

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November 11th

The Local Hockey team (BCJHL) MERRITT CENTENNIALS, LOST 2 TO 4 TO VERNON ON FRIDAY THE 10TH . IT WAS THE ONLY GAME OF THE WEEK. The team will play again on the 13th in West Kelowna. The team remains dynamic with positive changes, and will be a force 18t when back in Merritt.

The city hosted a cerimoniy for Veterans day at the cenitaph at City Hall today. About 250 citizens observed the wreath laying and singing of God save the King. The crowd was invited to legion after dismissal. The event was attended by Norm Hanson RPF, UBC who commented to us that the Back of the cenitaph had soldiers names that served in the Boar War.

The weather is good snow capped the local mountains at about 3500 feet this morning and overnight rain subsided by the 10 AM start of remembering events at the city.

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November 4th

The Merritt centennials junior hockey team has benefited from a good game 🎯 on Friday winning 6 to 4 in regular time over a nemesis West Kelowna team. Tonight they are facing a 5 – 4 loss to a League stalwart Pentiction Team.

The city is replacing dikes damaged in the November flooding of 2021. The banks failed and contributed to the narrative that saw identifiable power poles from the area to be found in the lower mainland as well as the visage of mobile homes and not so awhile going down the flood waters out of the valley to the mighty Thompson.

Brisk rain today pelted to asphalt parking lots and drive-thrus as if to say forget me not.

TIFM- KDG

October 28th

The Merritt centennials junior hockey team has a win and a lost this week, 6-2 over Victoria and down 1 goal in overtime with the Coquitlam team, for a 5-4 conclusion. They play again Sunday in Merritt.

The city hosted a haunted house display on Friday and it kicked off five days of spooky scary events coming to a deadly end on Halloween. Thanks parks and recreation.

The weather is stable and under a bright hunters moon is spectacular and calm.

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update: date line 29/10/23 Cents going into third period behind 4 to 1 at 6: 16. PM.

October 21st

The Merritt Centennials Junior Hockey team lost its game to the Langley River men on Friday by 1 goal 2 to 3. They play again tonight in Pentiction against the Vees, game time is 6:PM.

The barriers were removed from the quick charger up grade on Voght street. the signage says temporary out of service, the tentitive date for use is October 27th. Check your app for availability at your risk.

The weather is turning with single digit overnight lows forecast for -8 C for Wednesday.

Thats it FM KDG

October 14th

The Merritt Centennial junior hockey team lost their last two starts with a four 🍀 six finish in favour of West Kelowna tonight.

Talk is about the horrifically troubling situation in Palestine. There is little sympathy for the Palestine situation. Some consider the attack as bait for reasons that are regional.The

Attack has damaged a planned normalisation.

The weather is still allowing gardens to have blooming sunflowers.

TI-KDG

October 7th

The Merritt Centennials Junior Hockey team prevailed over the Cranbrook team on friday evening by a score of 4 to 2 in Cranbrook. The team will try to double up with Prince George in Merritt on the 10th the game will be in Merritt on that Tuesday starting at 7:05 PDT.

The local farmers market had its final parking lot sale today. The sale was at the curling rink lot instead of its usual final location in the 2100 block of Quilchena avenue. The two new Quick chargers were not available and still behind construction screens. We were taken by the artisan ” Etched Justjan TM. Her statement “More than just engraving” resonated deeply when viewing the wares presented in her booth she can be found at the Arts Center in Merritt, or at http://www.justjan.ca

The weather is glorious in Merritt with highs near 20 c and over night lows above freezing. Sun flowers are still blooming here at above 600 meters above sea leval.

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September 23rd

The Merritt Centennials Junior hockey team won their regular season opener against the Prince George Spruce Kings Friday evening, final score PR 3 Merritt 5. They take on the Penticton Vees team at 7:05 tonight in Merritt.

The first day of the garlic festival at the new redone facility at Smith Pioneer park at Lower Nicola 10 Kilometers west of Merritt.The two day event is an annual one including farmers markets, bands,displays and good times.

The weather is rainy with clouds heavy with threat at this writing I,talk about atmosphereic streams is on the internet and some minds.

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September 16th

The Merritt Centennials Junior Hockey team played the Salmon arm counterparts in pre season exibition on Friday night the game was in Salmon Arms favor at end by a score of 3 to 1.The game played at the Shaw center Salmon Arm will be followed by a reciprocal l match in Merritt tonight.Game time 7PM at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.

The province did not renew the state of emergency. This action was done on advice of wild fire officials as the number of evacuated people dropped below 400.

Weather is very good here in Merritt, with more rain expected Monday.

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September 9th

The Merritt Centennials Junior hockey team played their first exhibition game of the season on Friday the game started at 7:00 p.m. in Merritt against West Kelowna. The game concluded with a six to three score in the visitors favor. Admission was by donation, season tickets are still available. The two teams meet again in Merritt tonight, game time is 7:00 p.m.

Former Mayor Neil Menard is back from his trip and has entered the conversation with his coffee clutch and centennial supporters generally at 3:00 p.m. most days at the Merritt A&W. He was quite interested in the roster for the junior team coming up. The team consists of eight Americans, two Eastern Europeans, one Canadian from Quebec numbers from Ontario, and one 15 year old hopeful from Merritt, the 15 year old will not be able to play during the regular season as he is to young. The age limit on the other side is 21 with an after January Birthday.

Merritt remains on level 5 water restrictions going into the second week of September still in a state of emergency imposed by the British Columbia government.

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September 2nd

The pro rodeo association had their parade today. The parade marshaled at Voghr Park, at 6:30 p.m. it began its route that took it around the center of town and dispersed somewhere in the proximity of the United Church on Quilchena avenue.In the parade was former president Butch Sahara sitting beside his protege in a horse-drawn carriage.The rodeo hosts to dance tonight on the grounds in the Fall Fair building and continues on Sunday with competition beginning at 11:00 a.m. at the lindy Creek rodeo grounds

The Merritt centennials, are preparing for their first exhibition game September 8th with West Kelowna at the Nicola Valley memorial arena . The source says and that there are three Eastern European players, eight American players, and filling the roster are Canadians from Eastern provinces. Game time 7 PM.

Rain gave the week a bit of relief from the sense of being on the edge of evacuation because of today the air quality was good and the skies clear.

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August 26th

Smokey sky with alerts from Environment Canada were on the mind this week.Along with level 5 water restrictions leaving flowers out and veggies in. Merritt copes very well, and continues its style of resiliency.

Rodeo weekend coming up with Posters saying “we are back”. that would be the agri community and the horse bunch. Rodeo grounds are at 499 Lindley creek road.

Weather is expected to be wet on tuesday with more in the 10 day forcast.

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August 19th

Friday saw strong winds driven by a cold front bring smoke to the Valley causing the city to put out a message “do you have a bag packed?” Today the winds were down and evacuation centeres were up to accomidate people fleeing fires in BC ,from west Kelowna primarily, but as directed.

The arts council show of 40 artisans continues until September.The show features local painter Cassandra Dolen. Cassandra is pulling up stakes for Vancouver Island her work is equisitely narritive for many life encounters including wildlife and landcapes bringing colour and animation to you from her bright and full palette. The show runs to the tenth with additions daily,corner of Voght and Nicola.

Smoke warning may be part of the weekend, have an plan to deal with possible fire 🚒fighting needs..

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August 13th

Q

Time is running out for the 11th annual Merritt Centennials Junior hockey teams charity golf tournament. In partnership with Merritt Golf and Country Club it happens on August 26th at the club 1450 Juniper Drive, 8AM-1PM shotgun start. Sign up deadline August 16th, call 250-378-3604for inquiries, or info@MerrittCentennials.com.

August 6th

So,the long weekend,in August, the first monday of the month, is afayducomplete. Sunday saw a thunder storm light the night skys and a sudden rain storm deluge to valley. Les Curnow of Coldwater rode asserted that he got an inch and a half of rain in that fall.

Niel Menard is away to Manitoba for the loss of sister, the former mayor a principle of the local junior hockey team is said to be a Swan valley Manitoba and will visiting the Humboldt memorial on this trip. The junior team was devastated in a bus /truck collision on a road trip in Sask, Canada.Sixteen aspireing youth died in a horrendous collison at a highways junction on or of April 6th 2018. The 35 million dollar Humboldt arena complex inculdudes a therapy program area.

Weather is warm and pleasant this weekend.

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July 29th

The Chip pile at he Green Energy plant was burning today, about 2:30 PM smoke rising from the area of the $440,000,000.00 Wood waste generator was seen to be responded to by “a fire Truck”w within the hour the air was full of water dropping aircraft and continued most the afternoon. Smoke filled the valley as moderate winds sifted views of the engagement. People in the area of the fight were able to stay as the pile of chips was subdued allowing for the safety of remaining to sleep what because of a great demonstration of ability and coordination by emergency service response.

2023

Bell Atkinson had her 99th birthday today, predeceased by her beloved Nelson she was at he A&W with friends she still drives.

Starbucks had a special order a Frapacheino get 15 bonus stars, highway traffic is strong and moderate lol.

TIFM-KDG

July 21st

Weather remains great with temperatures in the mid 30s c.Jeff Blooms garden has green 🍏 plants towering above head height on his wife Gale.

The weekend saw blue moon Elvis, a fly in to Saunders Field, with helicopter rides at fifty dollars a pop, and the band ACDC tributes at the Nicola Valley Memorial arena.

Wish’s for Sandy the manager of the downtown tourist info center as she recovers from a condition that sees her away from work

That’s it FM- KDG

July 15th

City council dedicated the whole regular meeting on Tuesday to a memorial for Claire Newman. The councillor had been elected in the recent civic election and had made a name as a liked and enerergetic team member for The city. Condolences for her family were brought by first the Mayor then the councillors, followed by first nations reps and the chaplin for the fire department. In attendance was former mayor Neil Menard and Reps from the local crusiers classic car club, and this weekend’s organizers for the fly in at the airport. The meeting was adjourned by Mayor Mike Geotz after invitations to come to the mike went unanswered.

The Blue moon Elvis festival is underway as we write, 15 dollar admission tommarow for Gospel only.

The city received two buses to replace its fleet operated by BC Transit.

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July 8th

The city suffered the loss of an councillor as 46 year old Claire Newman lost her life to a hit and run drive this week as Claire was on her way on family activities near Valemont BC. Her car was found running with her dog in it as body lie dead from being struck by a vehicle that left the scene.

The Bass Coast festival lights are seen on the hillside South east of city center. The weekend get together shows 3 elements of arts and culture, music, art and nature.

The Ballie house attraction 2022 Voght, has a new activity in the works Lenord Male, volunteer is contacting a bean bag toss in his shop adjacent to the barn. The structure is plywood

about 4 feet by 3 feet with a target hole near its top when stood up, painted blue soon to be in use we expect.

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July 1st

Canada day was observed today, Altough traffic was noteably down and restaurants not full in the downtown. Many people preferred family and friends after travel on Friday.

Thursday saw the premiere of the summer artisan show at the Arts center in Merritt. About twenty artisans gathered for a sushi feed followed by a show and tell about their wares and selfs at the gift shop. Herta Klassen said she is happy with her painting but will try not to bring so much in,a reference to the burgering success and proclivity of the artisans. Amanda Pysner Dunn presented her Pink Room Crafts brand of which we purchased an exquisite bar of “Charcoal Facial Soap”, 100 percent natural,handmade in n Merritt,BC, The cold process soap is billed as “detoxifying blend to deeply cleanse and invigorate skin.” Price 8 dollars, 100 grams minimum bar.

The weather once again is great, warm with a breeze ( some think to strong in the late afternoon).No smoke and little grief as we start to the summer growth part and decline in daylight, as the waxing Buck moon peaked over the brow of Iron mountain at 9:PM tonight, on its way to maximum on the third of July.

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June 24th

The local Merritt BC high school had its grad ceremony thursday, the week ran out on Saturday with a parade starting at 3:30 PM with sunny conditions after having a rainy morning. The parade ended at the Merritt civic on Mamette Avenue were it dispersed to displays and conversations.

The Merritt Centennials junior hockey team is operating its downtown office presence on Voght street again. ” THE NEW COACH IS HERE’ was the conversation there next to the gallery/bannock building in from the corner of Nicola and Vught.

The weather’s great cool overnight and rain that brings comfort to scared memories of fire encircled people.

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June 17th

Amanda Lylstra Kristjanson and Patrick Griffiths were married at the Dunes golf course in Kamloops British Columbia today. The success full union was attended by loving family and friends The couple will be making their home in Kamloops.

June 10th

The skies filled with smoke this week causing people to stay in and mask up some. However Friday saw 10 millimeters of rain wash the skies clean. Forest fire smoke from the center of the province added to the mix that gave the Americans across the line a new moniker Canada is causing the Smoke. Was heard as well a considered release thought They gave us Wayne Gretzky they get an eternal pass. US

The city is implementing a goats against fire fuel program contact the city for details. Merritt.ca

Weather is good coming up warm days ( we had one at 38C) with rain on intermittent days. The city has imposed stage 3 water restrictions a total of 4 days a week are available for watering and they are divided between odd and even house numbers at two each. Hrs are also restricted. Hose watering by hand is not restricted.

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June 3RD

The Curling rink has apparently finished its reroofing project. The $80,000.00 project is neatly cleaned up, the yellow fencing is gone. The Curling club operates in the winter months and has shares a part of the mall of Mammete avenue.

The Merritt Centennials have taken on a new partner, Lovell Hockey of Rockwell Massachusetts is signed in agreement to partner with the Cents. The group under Tim Lovell operates numbers of ventures such as prep schools, clinics, camps and such involving 120 hockey entities.

The Merritt A&W is fully opened after its reno and fire/franchise compliance menu. Today we counted 11 servers behind the counter.

People are enjoying the warm weather, and the spectacular burst of greenery in the river valley.

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May 21st

The Nicola naturalist society had their last presentation meeting on Thursday. David Holden a survey analyst with the food inspection authority of Canada presented “Moths of British Columbia Interior”. David showed the difference between moths and butterflies, moths creatures of the night and butterflies with the clubs on their antenna are now easily discerned by the local club members. ( there is an exception to every rule DH. The club is looking for people to help with the Blue Box project and the Frog monitoring program. Email Alan Burger aburger@uvic.ca FMI. The club made note of the publication of the Christmas Bird count 2022, with the highlight being more then ten thousand Sandhill cranes claimed by counters.

Smoke had filed the Valley giving a huge red sun on Smokey skies on Wednesday. The fires in Alberta and Central BC had made it necessary for Environment Canada to give a Air Quality statement however the smoke went out to sea by the weekend.

The Baillie house has begun hosting bus loads of seniors from the lower mainland. Manager Sandy Curnew says the next will see the seniors have a tour of the BC licence plate museum on Merritt Avenue.

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May 14th

The 2023 at the local farmers market took place today. The Farmers market is in the curling rink parking lot where the BC hydro quick charger is. The Farmers market will run till October 7th 2023 on Saturdays 9:00 till 2:00 p.m..Diana Grimshire of Grimshire apiaries thought it was a good day for those came out for this Farmer’s market.

The local A&W has inside service as of this week. One side door is unavailable however in the words of some the renovation is substantially complete and reveals nice new tables and chairs Chrome and heavy wood in a very good finish with counters and condiments available along with a drinks bar.

Some people were seen to be on their way to Alberta to fight fire in an effort to help in the state of emergency that Alberta found itself in with wildfires. We talked to a gentleman driving a white pickup truck with red letters saying wildfire service at the local Petra can as he was fueling up. ” I am going up to the air strip to pick up some Cooks and then driving with them to Alberta the 50ish robust gentleman said as he fueled his truck.

TIFM KDG

May 7th

God save the King, yes indeed, today we did get a new king for the ceremonial role of the monarchy which still includes being the official head of state in Canada, providing a governor general for absence, and 10 lieutenant governors for the provinces. The ceremonial heads of state also use 11 government houses, and in the just and merciful way of life we are accustomed to answers a few protocol questions as far as tradition and history go. So good luck Charles III and your consort Camilla, and we must think of that Prince of Wales coming up, William.

So, and they started out here for me in Merritt at 7:30 a.m. at the local A&W for breakfast. A rainy evening culminated in a drizzle as we made use of the outside concrete tables and their umbrellas we had a couple cups of coffee on coronation Day and thought of the contributions of all mankind and to what we have for a perspective on life and it’s success or failure and personal achievements and public engagement. Then we went over to Subway and had another cup of coffee and talked to Leonard mail he said he was born in 1939 so the math was 83 years old and his perspective was cynical but reserved claiming to have grown up in a different generation that were really honest I really wanted to pay all their bills to keep their honor

Overnight low was 5°degrees Celsius. And in the next few days it’s forecast to be 2° c coming close to frost. The old idiom for the valley for planting the long weekend in May affectionately called the 24th of May long weekend whether it’s on it or not. Once known as Victoria Day is holding true the control is all the snow off iron mountain although there is no fresh though there’s a wee bit at the top as yet. On a clear day last week there was at 30,000 ft pronounced contrails from a jet, something I haven’t noticed for quite some time it gave us comfort that there was cold weather up there that wave to us as it were by producing sick heavy contrails behind that jet. This in context is cool comfort if I can say that and without swallowing hard, as Alberta this evening to clear the state of emergency for fires. With the premier planning to meet with the first minister of the federal government for advice and we suppose money to fight fire.

TI- KDG

April 29th

The Art Council had a reception for Linda Suzuki on Friday. The 30 year veteran teacher has shown her art that she developed over time in her career as an Art Teacher in Merritt. A very nice cart of finger food was provided by the council and sieved by curator Jano Haworth. In attendance was Doctor and his date. The doctor bought some token gifts from the gift shop and reminisced about his time on the arts council and his art. The reception ran from 4-7PM as usual and had a healthy interest in Linda’s art.

Suzanne Simard presented at the public library at 6PM to near 8PM. The forester and UBC professor did a reading from her book “In search of the Mother Tree”, after her introduction by the Library Head Claire. Suzanne’s book is the TNRD library systems Community choice “One Book One Community” with Simard has been going to the TNRD’s locations and presenting it to the patrons. Although she had no copies with her last night her, Former Librarian Deborah Merrick replied that there 40 copies on back order through the library and orders were able to taken. In her discourse on the forest ecology we favored her recounting of a taking of an age sample from a BC costal tree: 87 rings, (87 Years) and “the worker lovingly replaced the core sample and covered it in some pitch.”

The weather broke from cool to warm spring weather on Friday with temperatures nearing the 30 degree mark and forecast to remain in the high 20 degree Celsius all next week.

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April 22nd

Earth Day, Grand Sons First Birthday, and a day alive.

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April 15th

Yes, new tables have come and occupy the NW wall of the renovated A&W on Voght St in Merritt. Drive through and take out are available. No inside sit down service as yet, however outside tables are in use now.

The Merritt library is having a book and author talk on the 28th. Nelson BC native soul Suzanne Simard will be presenting opportunity for discussion to al those that bought her book :In Search of the Mother Tree. The UBC Professor and researcher has a long history of forestry in our province. The One Book One Community event and Author reading is sponsored by the regional library and starts at 6PM. The Merritt library is at 1691 Garcia Street in Merritt. Come and see why ” Finding the Mother Tree is important to you.

Merritt BC

Merritt BC weather;

The weather has been cool and stable this March and April, like a lamb we are graced with a sense of OK. Nicole a city Worker was raking the flower beds at Kin park on Vought this week. the prep work appeared done, Nicole said what goes in is coming from my boss as she posed for a photo after initially being camera shy. There is a degree of frost in forecast for the next 5 days. We spoke about pansy’s being frost resistant and parted with a nicety received conversation with little disagreement

weather or not we live on…

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April 8th

The Merritt A&W is possibly going to have indoor service soon as tables are being brought around and servers say maybe start Monday with installation. Subject to change, the fact is the restaurant has been operating as a take out and drive through the past weeks and having off sales from their new beverage bar.

Neil Campbell, from the Merritt Library and a cohort of the centennials hockey club, ( Coffee with Neil Menard, league governor and former arena operator Brian Barret says the lopsided losses in the last three games were because of injuries. The local junior team finished its 50th year in Merritt and had a camp the last weekend of March. The coffee clutch in includes Rich Hodgson and cents timer Paul a retired elementary school teacher and Jerry Prorogue. The Centennials are junior hockey at its best despite a poor win loss record this year.

The bailee house, down town tourist info center has been on a roll with their fund raising as a number of donations of valuable paintings, pictures, teak tables have been coming in to be sold in the admin building and the feature house. The historical Society that runs it, is a registered charity and gives out tax receipts for funds. the house is going to be back on display mode first of May, with summer students to do do tours of the historical site. good luck to the volunteers and board. Mentioning Les Curnow who just lost is his partner Bridget to natural passing from this life.

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March 25th

The Merritt Centennials Junior Hockey team was blown out on Friday night by West Kelowna 14 – 0. The team at this writing is trailing the Vernon Vipers by 9 goals, 10 – 1 going into the 3rd period. The match is the third consecutive one with a double digit score. The Centennials are having a spring camp starting March 31st, to April 2nd, registration is available. See the Centennials on twitter:

Cents Twitterhttps://twitter.com/BCHLCentennials/status/1639834036947554304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Eembeddedtimeline%7Ctwterm%5Escreen-name%3ABCHLCentennials%7Ctwcon%5Es1

Sandy Curnow is back behind the desk at the Baillie house downtown tourist center. Sandy lost her mother Bridget on March 11th after a long struggle with Alzheimer’s. Bridget was a force in the Historical Society; the society is based at the 2022 Voght street location were the her daughter Sandy is manager. Her husband Les Curnow survives Bridget and is also a driver in the Societies.

Robins are all over the lawns and are seen taking worms from what may be called rested lawns after a reasonable winter here. Tulips are just starting in sheltered places now, no opened open ones are visible, however they seem to be on course for the April 7th Easter weekend.

TIFM KDG

March 18th

The Merritt Centennials Junior hockey team went down to defeat tonight 0 to 10 by the hand of the Prince George Spruce Kings. This was after a loss to Wenatchee Wild on Friday, 4 to 7. Both games were in Merritt. The Cents next game is on Friday against West Kelowna in Merritt.

The Nicola Naturalists had a presentation by Leona Shepard, a TRU Graduate Student. Leona’s presentation was on fire ecology. The three-part program started with forestry then moved to global warming and then to Fire Smart, a program, to save property from fires by subverting places for embers to ignite them around moving fires. All parts were related to the ecology of fire in our environment and its history, as well, as their projected future. The group reported robin sightings and Alan Burger reported on his owl surveillance program saying there is an opening for a person to take it on, he also said it required a good hearing ability to listen for the low hoots before observing the birds.

The weather is good in the Nicola Valley with spring like warmth and more light giving a sense of winter receding.

TIFMTW KDG

March 11th

The Merritt Centennials Junior hockey team was throttled Friday in 13 to 0 outcome with the Wenatchee Wild.

The Merritt A&W restaurant was open with drive through only at 6 AM this morning. The popular stop on Voght Street was closed by an said small fire involving Christmas lights. The restaurant continued into an already planned renovation that included a new btew Bar to replace the dairy machine out of service for two years of Covid.

The weather is good on the Nicola Valley however highways leaving have been subject to flurries

TIFM KDG

March 4th

The Merritt centennials junior hockey team met the league leading Penticion Vees on Friday and suffered a 13 to 1 loss to the Vees. The team is leading the west Kelowna team 10 minutes into the 1st period. The team is next game is on Saturday the tenth against the Wenatchee wild.

The Merritt AW looks complete and abuilding permit has appeared in the last week in the front door, these are to be in a brominate place before work begins. A dry cleaning service was seen picking up a key and driving away in his delivery van this week.

The weather is good march came in like a lamb despite a cold wind but moderate speed this week.

TIFM

February 25th

The Merritt A&W is still under renovations with plastic covers on floors and windows for wall finish and painting to the inside public area.

The local BCJHL hockey team is playing the Wenatchee wild tonight. the Merritt Centennial’s are trailing 2-1 early in the third period at just after 9PM. The next game for Merritt is with West Kelowna at 2:30 PM tomorrow in Merritt.

Weather is back to low single digit plus daily highs with higher over night single digit celsius lows.

TIFM KDG

February 18th

The Merritt Centennials BCJH, team went down to defeat at Merritt tonight by the league leading Penticton Vees. The final score was 7 to 2. the teams next game is on Monday in West Kelowna, game time 2:30 PM. Penticton leads the League with 77 points to Merritt’s 27.

The Merritt A & W still under renovation has a new sign board in the lot more correctly a new LED panel promising a new beverage bar and the next panel saying under renovation still.

Weather is good single digits all day.

TIFM-KDG

February 11th

The Merritt Centennials BCJHL team won a victory Friday night over the Prince George Spruce Kings. The three to two victory was made for the Cents in the first period of overtime in PG. The team was then subjected to a loss of eight goals to three by the avenging home town Spruce Kings today. The Centennials next game is on Saturday the 18th against the Penticton Vees, in Merritt game start at 7PM at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena. The Merritt arena facilities were very much occupied by the Moccasin Tournament by the First Nation peoples.

The Merritt A&W is clear of its construction material and in its parking lot and empty of construction vehicles today. The workers were seen to be serving fast food in paper cups and take out bags on the outside patio table Friday afternoon. The temporary closure sins and paper still are on the windows of the restaurant.

The weather remain moderate with single digit lows and highs making weather a non issue. The forecast for next week remains similar. The moderate weeks seem to have taken the weather out of conversation as well as world conflicts and disasters abating to peace and place contentment and focus.

TIFM, KDG

February 4th

The Merritt Cenntenials BCJHL hockey Club lost to the Wenachicee Wild on Friday 4-3. The visiting Wilds aare an American Club from Washington State. The next game for the Cenntenials is Friday the 10th in Prince George with the Spruce Kings. The Merritt team is in its 50th year and occupies the basemenrt of the league.

The Merrittt A&W has begun a renovation and at this writing is gutted. There is a franchise package in the parking lot and a member of the crew says it will take ten days.

Weather is good in Merritt with tempetures going up enough for some thawing during the day. The Canadain cold spot is at -42.9 C is at Shepard Bay airport NU. Sherington Point, BC is the hot spot at 10 degrees at this writing.

TIFM-KDG

10January 28th

The City of Merritt is applying for more flood relief; from the billion dollar flood protection fund. The fund is from the Federal government, the third round of the disaster mitigation open until Mid July. According to the Vancouver Sun on January 16th, the Merritt mayor said that there is 14 months since the flood and evacuation and leading to Merritt’s 165 million dollar plan for future flood protection having to wait as applications were closed. The plan included buying some houses on the Coldwater river and moving dykes back.

The Merritt Centennials Junior hockey club lost 5 to 0 against the Salmon Arm Silverbacks. the Silverbacks gained 14 points and Merritt Gained none. Merritt’s next game will be on Friday February 3rd in Merritt against Wenatchee Wild; 7 PM in Merritt. Merritt remains in the Basement with 25 points in a staircase of 8 teams ending with Penticton’s first place standing of 66.

Weather is good in Merritt, calm with moderate thawing during the day. This will continue for the next week with one anomaly minus 16 over night tonight.

TIFM, KDG

January 21st

The Nicola naturalist bunch had their January presentation meeting on Thursday. Alan Burger had the chair and presented the program which included the members photo display, Vic Newton had a real fine video of two river otters eating large live fish. The fish were trout and turbot, some members noted that the trout was being eaten live from the tail end up and implied a cruelty in nature. Burger also presented the local results of the Christmas bird count noting that the doubling of Mallard ducks the count of birds reached to near 10,000 as the count was achieved. The data is online at the club website. The club raised a majority hands after Burger as president presented a plan to host the BC Nature AGM in May 2025, and showing a consent to explore with the directors that opportunity was also presented and accepted by the lack of any dissent. ” Burger- we would need the help of about 50 members, we have 100.” The presentation on borrowing owls followed which included a mention that principle Dawn Brodie had dinner in Ottawa with famous naturalist Jane Goodall who had taken an interest in the work around Owl restoration in the upper Nicola Valley. Loretta Holmes Dawns co presenter also noted that Burrowing Owls have the defence of mimic of a a rattlesnake when threatened in their burrow. Dawn and Lorretta were both collaborators in a restoration project here with the Burrowing Owl Restoration Society.

The A&W on Voght remains closed because of an alleged electrical fire the restaurant has restorers working in it and the estimate of a month closure will be up come February when some people expect it to be open again.

Weather has remained around the freezing mark and rising to thaw during the day this week.

TITW KDG

January 14th

The City of Merritt is not up to its staffing pre flood according to Stephanie a works supervisor. She says that the recent freezing rain and terribly slick walks were a problem. There is a responsibility to property owners to remove snow and ice 24 hours after a snowfall or icing event. She went on to say that if another fall comes in that 24 hours tickets are considered void. The city had issued some warning ticketing in the recent precipitation events.

The Merritt Centennials Junior hockey team won Fridays game with Salmon arm, the score final was 5 to 4. The team is currently playing West Kelowna and trailing 3-0 with no time remaining in the first period. The next game is in West Kelowna on the 25th, WK won over Merritt in November 8-1.

The City had a hydro pole replaced in front of its building on Voght by a private contractor. The hydro pole was marked as a Bell pole going back decades to BC Telephone. They also replaced one in front of Starbucks of Voght Wednesday, closing Starbucks and the Shell station for the day. A contractors employee commented on the work load saying they often challenged by work that is unattractive to the province utility. The poles were maintenance and not from caused by accident or weather,

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

January 7th

The Merritt A&W remains closed after a small fire was purportedly found after closing in recent weeks. Scuttlebutt is that it will be closed for about a month. A window electric display panel looked darkened by soot and has been removed to a table lately. there is no activity of staff in the building.

The Merritt Centennials junior hockey team won one and lost one on Thursday and Friday with the Cranbrook Bucks. At this writing the team is Merritt is playing in Vernon with the Vipers leading 6 to 3 with 26 seconds to go in the 3rd period. The teams next game is Friday the 13th in Salmon Arm against the silverbacks. Game time at 7PM.

At this writing there is an alert from the city saying that the emergency service at the Nicola Valley Hospital: From January 8th at 6:30 PM to January 9th at 7 AM the Home emergency service will be unavailable. Calling 911 is still the right course for people with possible life threatening symptoms.

That’s it from Merritt KDG

December 2022

December 31st

The local Merritt Centennials Hockey, BCJHL plays Salmon Arm in Merritt today. The Game ended in a 5 to 1 loss to the the traveling Silverbacks. Next game is is on Thursday and Friday at Merritt with Cranbrook, 7 pm starts at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena.

The local legion is sold out for its New year’swhite-haired program at its location in the 1900 block Quilchena. The 20 dollar charge gets you to hear the music from a three piece group ( trio) and party favors at for midnight. The theme is Rockers in Walkers and represents a white haired crowd we presume. That’s it 2022.

December 17th

The Nicola Valley Community Arts Council had a book signing on Friday. Local authors Frank Ritcey, Jean Keigler, and Miles Kingdon had tables at the gallery as well as signed books ready for dedication comments. Cassandra Dolen also was available for signing her pictorial publication. The Arts center has copies of locals books on hand for anyone interested.

The local Junior hockey team the Merritt Centennials had a lopsided victory imposed against them by the Penticton Vees this week, 8 – 0 on Wednesday and are at this moment are under it 4 to 0 from Cranbrook at the end of the second period. The team plays next on December 30th with Vernon after a 13 day break.

The Nicola naturalists were out doing the Christmas bird count today. Chris Lepsol, sporting binoculars; he and partners were visible at the Nicola river in town. The Society has done the count for over two decades and has the area divided into zones and has particular zeal for the Douglas Lake IBA, ( Important Bird Area). Results are collected and usually decimated by February.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG.

December 10th

The weather broke today after weeks of double digit negative dancing to a plus 1 above Celsius today.

Ed Hendricks from ponderosa sports said that he had a buck deer in his rifle sights and changed his mind about harvesting it. Ed was a game warden in the interior of BC including Ashcroft. As the owner of a sports shop Ed has interest in game and fish harvesting and over time has given himself to using a camera to get out into nature and relate to wildlife. Ed also harvests Morel mushrooms and collects fossils. Ed also does soapstone carvings and displays them in his sporting shop on Voght street in the downtown core in Merritt. The near 8 decades of Ed has a life that is linked to nature and his place in the wild with it. He often has breakfast in the historic Coldwater hotel across from from his shop on Sunday mornings.

The Local Junior hockey team is playing at home tonight against Cowichan from Vancouver island and were leading that team 3 -0 in the second period. Update the Cowichan Capital go down to a loss from from Merritt 6-0 final.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

December 3rd

Thursday was the last day for a 5 thousand dollar small businesses or non-profits. The relief is from the Red Cross who operate an resiliency center in Rail Yard mall; It is for those impacted by the November 14th 2021 flood that saw the city evacuated. This program is separate from the substantial government program.

The city hosted a provincial secondary school sports competition this weekend it included Volleyball and as welcomed by a large banner on the high entrance coming from the north on Voght street before descending to the older core of the city. The highway 5 approach gives ma good view of the city on entry.

The Merritt Centennials won their 193th game against the Salmon
Arm silverbacks on Sunday. The 4- 3 outcome was determined in overtime at 14.12 minutes. The Salmon arm team acquired 9 game points to Merritts 8.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

November 2022

November 26th

The City was disturbed by Police and fugitive activity this week. The events started with reported gunfire outside the city. The numbers of shots, 100 in one accounting. an alleged kidnapping lead-to police blocking off Quilchena avenue as possible suspect went into buildings. At one point three were reported. A jailer Neil Menard said “Can’t say who or how many but we have been busy” Finally in custody was a known former resident of Merritt released on November 15th from custody and in breech. Ron Karlson Is in custody since Tuesday his was from staying away from Merritt.

The Friday Christmas parade was held and its presence was on the same Quilchena avenue but a very nice spirit was displayed. Happy observers lined the streets made safe by city staff and police.

The artisan show at the art gallery is on and will be continuing until mid-January. There are 30 artisans presenting their wares. NVCAC Art Center is on the corner of Nicola and Voght and is open 10 AM – PM Wednesday through Saturday with Sunday opening noon to 4PM.

Thats it from Merritt KDG

November 19th

The City hosted a day to remember the flood of last November 14th that caused a total evacuation of the city to be declared. There was video presented at the Civic center that recalled the event using mostly drone footage. The stats where presented with the most compelling one being no deaths.

The Nicola Naturalists met at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology on Thursday the 17th as Registered Professional Biologist and masters candidate Rory Fogarty presented his thesis that centered on the decline of the Weasel/ Fisher population in the province of BC. relying in part on a five year study he proposed that the population needed some help in maintaining its presence and avoiding extinction.

To synopsize his target area had a harvest of average per year since 2009 of 169 animals, 30 percent of the population. He presented also the fact that habitat is being lost including along traplines that harvest furs in an unregulated way. He also said that logging habitat loss was mitigated by the practice of log skidders leaving piles of wood waste. These piles do attract fishers to occupy, however it is voluntary and only one licensee has accommodated it. He went on in question period to say that it should be law.

The session ended with the chair Dr. Alan Burger presenting a small gift and wishing him good luck in the defending of his thesis.

Christmas lighting is going up around the city with people joining in as has the city with street lighting and holiday scenes.

Thats it from Merritt this week KDG

November 12th

The local junior hockey team, the Merritt Centennials met the Prince George Spruce Kings on Thursday and Friday swapping a 3-2 win for a 5-7 loss on the visit. The Cents are playing Vernon tonight and are tied 1-1 at this writing 4:37 in the 3rd period. They will meet the Cranbrook bucks next on Friday the 18th of November in Cranbrook.

Remembrance Day ceremonies were held at the Civic Center on Friday with 56 wreaths being laid to honor the nations war dead. Merritt Mayor Mike Goetz did the duty after the federal government and the province with MLA Jackie Tegart did theirs.

Overnight lows in the upper teens Celsius have brought winter back to the Nicola Valley. The weather has raised conversation on the plight of the 70 odd sheltered people in the Merritt and the one as well that come to join that community.

Congratulations to the Olympic Villa on its opening of its three story apartment complex on the corner of Voght and Walters.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

November 5th

The City council was sworn in at chambers on Tuesday. Mayor Mike Goetz was flanked by 6 council member, two Mounties including a corporal and background photos of former principles of Merritt. The ceremony was concluded with a public reception.

Wendy Charney, Dana Egan, Adam Etchart, Claire Newman, Manuel Olguin, and Paul Petroczi are the names of the elected and confirms Merritt City Council 2022 -2026

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

October 2022

October 29

The Merritt Centennials junior hockey team after winning a game last Friday lost last night to the Trail Smoke Eaters.

The Farmers market had great day with what will be an annual apple festival.

The dump of an atmospheric stream is expected by some people today. It failed to come, however there is raining weather forecast for the next few days.

Thats it from Merritt this week (thankfully) KDG

October 22

The Merritt Centennials junior hockey team won their game on Friday. The game was game number 86 and ended in a 5-6 victory for the Merritt Centennials over Port Alberni. The Clubs next game is Sunday the 23rd against Surrey in Merritt. The Club is having its Ice Breaker fund raiser tonight at the Merritt Civic Center on Mammette behind the city hall.

The Merritt Arts Center still has its Mandala show on. The show runs until December 6th at its location on the corner of Voght and Nicola down town Merriit. Member Shara Molner has increased her arts line in the gift shop with a sizable amount of knitted sweaters and tops. The line is call Shara Jane and includes 100 percent Icelandic wool. The products go in the 100 dollar range.

The weather turned on Friday to rain and brought snow to the local Iron Mountain at about 3500 feet, the effect was comforting to some that were concerned about smoke from distant wildfires and a long fall.

Thats it from Merritt this week KDG

October 15th

The general civic election closed its polls at 8 PM and according to incumbent mayor Linda Brown the city opted for a manual count with scrutineers over a machine count. Results will be on the City’s web page at Merritt.ca.

The Merritt Centennials BC junior hockey club lost in overtime on Friday 5-4 in the first period of overtime to the rival Pentiction Vees. The next game is Monday with the Surrey Eagles in Merritt. The start time is 1 PM PDT.

The Mandala show at the arts center saw about 20 people receive a bag of sand from a scraping of a sand relief made by visitors and artists after construction. The group was told that it was an exercise in the impermanence of temporal life. Eight members of the local arts community gave 3 items to the Sacred Circle show that hosted the evening on Friday. The show goes on to November 6th.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

October 8th

The weather is delightful and not at all frightful, but we have concerns that it is warmer than should be. However, it is not spoken more read on faces like we are enjoying something that is illicit. The full moon is on today and last night there was no frost at our level, something that gives us pause. But it is glorious this thanksgiving.

The Arts Council hosted a thanksgiving event Saturday in Spirit Square with activities, including Bannock. Jeff Bloom was present, the published author of a series of children’s books based on the wisdom of crows. The community is also taken up by a single crow that has been seen with white markings on its wings. Strange hey! It is not a character in any of Jeff’s books at this time.

The foyer between the Kekilui Cafe and the arts center was vandalized and a pumpkin was alleged to have been taken from a disrupted display is about 3:PM today. The person on the counter took pictures including some of a person walking away with a bag. The disruption was small and there is no word about any follow-up. Editors Note: The last paragraph is on Sunday an overdraw on the week that was Oct 8th, 2022.

That’s it this Week KDG

The Merritt centennials hockey team played Coquitlam to a 5-4 overtime win in Coquitlam Friday. This is according to Brian Barrett the former operator of the local memorial arena and long-time principal of the Merritt centennials in many regards. The centennials have started an official season and I had a lesson-encouraging start with two losses hometown. However, we all agreed at the coffee clutch that perseverance is a virtue and is greased or lubricated by patients how else could the team have made it to its 50th year in Merritt.

The observance of Truth and reconciliation day September 30th was observed Thursday with activities about and a lot of people wearing orange t-shirts with a tree showing all children matter and it’s going into the ground perhaps detailing a view in respect to deaths in residential schools over time.

Today was October 1st and for the first time in my living memory going back 60 years or so there has not been a killing Frost in September here.

That”s it from Merritt this week KDG

September 2022

September 24th

Deer are about town again or are .ore visible the in the summer. Ex-Mayor Robert Baird says that there are six about his yard that goes and come back. There are also many at the end of Garcia Street by the Nicola River. Some people were worried that during the pandemic and in particular when there were empty shelves in the grocery stores that the population would suffer, however on first look it seems that the ones in this area are still about giving comfort to people that care about that.

The lower Nicola Community Association is hosting a garlic Festival again this weekend sources say that it’s in the lower Nicola Community Hall on Aberdeen road in the little community West of merit call lower Nicola.

The Merritt Centennials hockey team is playing Trail tonight to a 7-to-4 loss unofficial final. The next game is at Coquitlam on Friday the 30th.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

September 17th

The Nicola Valley Farmers market filled the back curling rink parking lot today at the corner of the Voght Street and Merritt Avenue. Sharing the area with the BC hydro quick charger and its 40-minute maximum stay for EV charging, the group made a good impression on the artisan community and the progressive tech community. A sense of well-being and goodwill enveloped the group like the low fog and cool weather that met the early morning. An inversion had brought cooler weather the couple of people have said their furnace has kicked in this morning. Clear skies appeared shortly after the market’s 9:30 a.m. start revealing that the smoke from fires in Washington State and BC was gone.

Some JW witnesses had set up a display along the sidewalk and across from the inn-town motel, downtown. One middle-aged man, a postal worker, and a science teacher said they had Monday coming up off to grieve the Queen’s death. He also said that the pandemic had been less of a challenge to his medical convictions than other beliefs are now and that medical attention is on a personal basis and a personal choice.

The couple told us that masks are still being worn at service and that will end on October 1 2022.

There are four candidates for mayor in Merritt and 18 for council online filing end this weekend and an all-candidates forum is being planned for October 3rd.

That’s it from Merritt this week, KDG

September 3rd

The City slipped into the last week of the nomination period for 2022 to 2026 four-year term a public office on the Merritt City Council. Nominations end on Friday the 9th of September. Papers for filing can be picked up during open hours at the city and must be filed before 4:00 p.m. on the 9th of September. Packages can be accessed online at www Merritt.ca/election 22. A hard copy must be filed at the city by 4:30 p.m. Friday, September 16th, 2022 if you filed online.

There are three candidates declared as intending to run in Merritt for the 2022-26 term. Incumbent Linda Brown, former longtime counselor Mike Goetz, and former counselor and quit 2018 councilor Mike Bhangu. No indication of any last-minute challenges for the mayor’s chair or any pressing last-minute compelling issue coming up.

The weather has been hot provoking a heat warning when it went to 35° Celsius. Forest fire smoke filled the horizons of the city and gave a red sunset Friday. Time smoke was enough to cause environment Canada to have a smoke advisory that had to be renewed on Saturday in the early morning. The smoke was in part coming from fires across the line in the US.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

August 27th

The Arts Center had its reception for its August show, The Show of Shows FEATURING the art of Kim LeClaire, and the curation of Jano Howarth since May of 2017 to present as they put on more than 50 shows of art and artisan wares. Mayor Linda Brown and counselor Adam Etchart attended from the city as well as economic development officer Marilyn Christensen. Doug Strand graphic artist and the logo creator of the Arts Council spoke about his involvement in the council that was excited by the contribution of the grand piano to the public use at the Merritt Civic Center by doctors Glenn and Margaret Carlson in the 1980s. Jean Kiegler a founder of the organization Valley visual artists that became part of the existing Arts Council said: “that community groups have a lifespan of 40 years but 10 years ago after the Arts Council reached 40 years it had a revival and is in its second 40-year cycle.” Apple fritters came from Mandolins restaurant in the rail Yard Mall and gave poetic linkage to another revival that saw the downtown core of Merritt British Columbia with its construction in the city center in the time of summer students Karianne Kroeker’s grandfather, Mayor Harry Kroeker. Next month’s show will be put on by the local chamber of commerce and will be another short show of 3 weeks.

Photographer Angelina Brooymans completed her photo show in Kamloops and did her shift at the Merritt Art Center gift shop today. She added some new photos to her selection there. She also has a business with her husband west of town that rehabilitates photos.

The weather is glorious again this week with calm hot weather in the thirties Celsius capped off with overnight rain last night

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

August 20th

Sources are talking about the Local BCJHL hockey team preparing for what will be its 50th season in Merritt. The team came from Langley to Merritt as a new home and struck a chord with locals such as according to Brian Barrett former operator of the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena for most of that time included: the Pooley Family, Harry Sanders, Claude Jackson, Don Dewitz (Don J’s Men’s ware), and others. The team won the league cup once and competed nationally. Good luck…

Water restrictions are on and pressure is good at least in the downtown. The city recently added another well and completed the repairs to the waste-water third phase settling ponds. The Flood of November 14th wreaked the city facility causing the whole city to be evacuated.

The weather is great, hot with mid- twenties overnight, there are no heat warnings in effect. The length of days is pronounced shorter giving less retained heat. There is a heat warning until Monday for the North Thompson.

The risks are greater for young children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with chronic illnesses as well as people working or exercising outdoors.

Drink plenty of water even before you feel thirsty and stay in a cool place. More at the site.

Heavy dew on car windows early this AM.

That is it from Merritt this Week KDG.

August 13th

The Doug James Band had an open-air music event at the corner of Coutlee and Voght across from the public library. The event was both Saturday and Sunday and included classic cars, mud bogging pickup monster trucks and displays of logging equipment.

There was tunder showers this week one report said 26 millimeters fell in one drop creating significant runoff in a small Creek. Another view said that thunderheads often blew up after a couple weeks of hot weather and resulted in a fairly significant dump 🌧️🌧️ making the showers only slightly above normal .

the Arts Council presented its next show at the art gallery corner of Nicola and Voght it’s entitled sure show of shows. The show highlights the curatorship and artistry of Jano Howarth and Kim Leclaire respectively, it runs August 11th to September 11th with an artist reception on August 26th 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. .

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

August 6th

The province has put on a campfire 🔥 ban. As of August 4th 22 campfires are not allowed. The province is also asking for diligence for any people using campgrounds etc and asking for people to report if they see wildfire activity or the possibility of a wildfire. You can see under Friday’s post the risk assessment on the main page.

the city of Merritt is having a promotion or PR event promoting the licensing of dogs. Under the name “Adventure Dog ” posters direct owners to check with the bylaw to see what benefits licensing your dog can bring to him.

The Weather has been good this week, after I run a warm hot weather we received rain at the end of the week coming from a front in a northward direction and contributing to overnight lows being single digit this morning. The forecast is calling for a return to mid 30° c weather next week.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

July 30th

The Rocking on the River Country Western Music Festival is underway at the music festival grounds just passed the Sanders construction companies operation on Pooley avenue, down until you run into it. Looks forward to a very productive weekend the summer weather sticking to the format of the Dawg days of summer and temperatures in the high 30s pushing to 40 almost but always accompanied by a pleasant breeze coming from the southwest.Somewhere from the Pacific Ocean and bringing with it the remnants of the El Nina event that left cold water in the Pacific Ocean from the winter. The only thing tougher than what it would have been if it had exceeded the 40° mark without any breeze, would have been somebody’s long run-on sentence. Thursday was a free day according to some they have free tickets at the Bailey house and they had the bus lines running so I don’t know if anybody actually paid anything for on Thursday but the prices were very much up for Friday and Saturday one more day Sunday and The Rock n River 2022 event will be history. And there will be no mystery that people had a good time, as evidenced by the gaggle of bikini-clad people going into the home restaurant yesterday being observed by this writer who discreetly looked away and thought of more virtuous things. Is there such a thing? Anyway, we’ll leave that go.

The chatter about the Pope’s visit was a conversation around the AW this week. Little change from. entrenched points of view ranging from acceptance to resistance according to your interest. The individual family apologies were thought to be overkill mostly because there were none putting that position forward as being their own.

The weather was glorious, hot with a breeze, and there was some evening lightning strikes seen. Only a few helicopters. Thank you proactive planners; for all of their diligence.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

July 26th

The arts council had an event on Friday at Spirit Square. The facility came out of the 2010 Olympics heritage programs and includes a stage facility and garden complete with a gazebo. The afternoon saw tables and a passport program for completing the course of art and entertainment activities. Two packages of prizes from Mr. Mike’s steak house are to be drawn for.

.The Steve Atlas band played at the Spirit Square Stage. from 7 to 9 pm. The couple of sets were meant for entertainment and interdiction of the foursome that a new under Steve Atlas. Steve has had some appearances at the open mike sessions at the Keklui cafe over time and after two years of Covid are moving forward again and will be in the cities music in the park next Thursday the 28th at 7:00 p.m. bring your own lawn chairs.

The weather has entered the summer Dawg days of warm 30° c plus and low teens overnight lows making for pleasant enjoyable days. That includes afternoon breezes coming from the West and the Pacific coast.

Editors note: Steve Atlas is a stage name Steve and his brother are from Vietnam, Steve’s brother works at Merritt AW and does sound for the band.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

July 16th

Monday saw the local restaurants full of Bass Coast Festival goers coming down after the weekend gathering for electronic music art, or nature. One young lady said that the use of the river was thoughtfully controlled. ” No lotions for wading, sensitive areas blocked. There was also a good feeling for local business ” This is our new tradition after dub, A&W trip.

The Rockin on the River concert is set for the near location of Bass Coast for the last weekend in July. The namesake river should receive the same reverence for that event as well.

Weather is excellent here with a short bout of low thirty-degree temps mitigated with coastal cooler currents bringing pleasant days of security and a sense of well-being for the Nicola Valley 🤣.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

July 9th

Merritt had a Circus on Thursday,. The show was set up in the Memorial Arena Wednesday without live animals. ” We don’t use animals 😜 in our show” according to Augustine the motorcycle dare-devil cage rider. The performer from Argentina who has broken bones as a result of his 5 years with the show showed concern for a trailer being moved to a 🏞️ spot for the show. “excuse me that’s my home” as he interjected directions to the driver. Good luck to the Great Benjamin circus as they move on to the next gig.

Bass Coast concert was open at nine am on Friday. The concert has at least a five-year presence in Merritt according to the local arts council. The gathering focus is on Music Art and Nature. The shows taste for music is Electronic and it is demonstrative. The show is contained and will charge it addmission for going out and returning. This is according to local merchants.

The weather is mercifully temperate with high-twenties going down to single digits last night, leaving heavy dew on vehicles this morning.

That’s it from here this week KDG.

July 2nd

Happy Canada Day 2022. The local arts council had the first full day of its new show Food for Thought today seems relevant as the Farmers Market was on and food is such a part of the experience of Canada.

There was a Public meeting mid-week at the civic center featuring the flood mitigation resources available to the city. numbers of booths showcased the agencies involved. In the flood mitigation here. One lady said she was disappointed that there was no presentation that you could ask public questions of officials. The booths were set up to pass out information at visiting, no one ever gaining the floor for questions.

The Local Paper the Merritt Herald posted an article saying the t Mayor will be running again in the fall up against announced Mayorality candidate, Council member Tony Luck.

Coopers says it is ending its paper flyer on the 17th of July.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

June 2022

The Week that was June 25th, Merritt, British Columbia, CA

Neil Menard is back from his trip to Nova Scotia and is enjoying a 3 pm coffee clutch at the Merritt A&W.

Neil is a former Mayor of Merritt and a guard at the local jail. He has an interest in the local BCJHL hockey team, the Merritt Centennials haven’t been their president in the past.

The local Walmart is having it’s parking lot paved. The local Walmart is the smallest one in Canada and was built in the 1990s as a response to Big Box activity on the North end of merit including Canadian tire and Loblaws Extra Foods. A burrowing owl was seen and photographed in it’s storm sewer drainage outlet couple decades ago.

Weather is warmer with a high of 27° c today. The forecast is for a slight trip into the 30s and the higher end of the twenties and some 30 group degree temperatures projected into the end of July.

That’s it from Merriittt this week KDG

The Week that was, June 18th, Merritt British Columbia CA

Graduation was celebrated with a march to the memorial arena for ceremonies and today a grad parade coming from Central Park then back around Merritt avenue and down to the Civic center for a banquet.The parade featured formally dressed graduates in the back of pickup trucks and tractors hay trailers and some sporty cars. This grad class the class of 2022 is the first non-covid restricting event for people from the local high school, Merritt Secondary School That institution not only had to survive the covid pandemic but also a flood that took near the 20% of the population away on evacuation

The community art gallery at its artist reception on Friday had the participants all there for the 4:00 start from their classes at the Merritt Secondary School along with their teacher Ms Dunn. The show entitled Coming home speaks well of the shared experience of the population of Merritt as it coped with evacuation fire and flood, pestilence news of war and rumors of war. The thought still remained in the mind of the participants this was a place to come home to. The show at the gallery corner of Nicola and Voght is on until June 26th 2022.

Weather remains cool and a little wet remaining under 20° c most of the time with a comfortable breeze as in the last few weeks plantings of flower beds and other beautifications contributed to a sense of well-being and coming out of considerable trauma.

That’s it from Merritt from this week, KDG

The Week it was, June 11th Merritt British Columbia, Ca

Darrell Brooks a local businessman with a computer repair business at the corner of Granite and Garcia it was in his office on Friday after returning from Thailand from a trip that included a hospital stay with covid-19. Daryl was happy to say he received a certificate of recovery good for 90 days after his release from treatment in Thailand.. commenting that you could go to any country during those 90 days without covid restrictions.

The Arts Council has it’s June show on featuring the local high school art class. Titled seniors coming home the show has paintings drawings and some digital art coming from the hands of Merritt Secondary School.Seniors students. The show runs to the 26th of June the gallery corner of Nicola and Voght , Merritt BC. There is an Artist reseption June 17, 4 PM.

The weather remains cool and wet and under the 30° mark Celsius.Hoeever run off is apperant in local creeks.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG.

The week that was, June 4th Merritt British Columbia, CA

The arts council had it’s new mobile trailer at the local farmers market today. The unit “give’s us the ability to take our products and people to target community outside to limitations of a fixed gallery ” NVCAC member.

Our staff writer completed the prescribed 5 days of self isolation for Covid 19 infection after testing positive on a rapid antigen test on Monday. The requirement is 10 days for non vaccinated and an improvement in symptoms, fever. Our man was fully vaccinated thus the 5 day criteria. Fully vaccinated means 2 primary doses not including booster shots. There is also treatment for compromised, 🤙 calling the CDC for advise will cue it up for you.

The weather remains stable with the odd thindershower 🚿 .

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG.

May 2022

The week that was, May 28 the Merritt British Columbia, CA

The Arts Council returned to hosting an open mike evening after 26 months of Covid concerns. The evenings are Fridays, 7PM- 9PM at the Kekilui cafe next to the gallery on Voght Street. Last night’s performance was a sign up improv with a billed lead duo at the top of the program. Steve Atlas and Nia Kuzio started the evening on time to a full house and happy crowd.

The local farmers market is running as it completed it’s fourth Saturday offering of artisan products.

Cool weather has some people planting gardens. There was an overnight frost report from Rhonda Popove. The Lower Nicola resident said that she had to scraper her windows “it was frost and not dew”

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was May 21st Merritt, British Columbia CA

A couple returned from evacuation to Merritt this week Kate 20 and her partner said they lost everything when they were awakened at 2 AM on November 14th 2021 by firemen saying they must leave ahead of floodwaters on coming with the Coldwater river. The couple feel livky to have found a suitable apartment on Garcia Street.

Frank Heller says that his unincorporated political actin committee The Nicola River action group. is defunct. Frank got some meetings with the Mayor and took an interest in an OCP process Frank is satisfied with his concerns about development of his near backyard neighbourhood and development. Frank is a retired forestry manager and lives on Merritt avenue.

Weather has been cold for May in most conversations, today saw nice weather as the last bit of snow retreats from Iron Mountain. A typical planting rule for the Valley

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was, May 14th, Merritt British Columbia CA.

there was a celebration of the life of Elizabeth Laird, General manager and owner of Merritt Broadcasting Q101 FM, today at Central Park today. Elizabeth Born in England in 1948 came as an immigrant at six. She married David Laird in 1969 and the couple had a successful life in business here.She served on the local school board while her husband served as mayor. About 120 people gathered in front of the Rotary Band Shell to hear speakers from her broadcasting company as well as Dr.Robert Holmes. Elizabeth’s son Andrew Laird was MC for the event.

Elizabeth Laird, December 9 the1948 to December 31st 2022. Rip.

The Merritt farmers market had it’s second week on Saturday. The market is local product and Community Futures Nicola Valley has a sponsorship tent for artisans to try a booth, call for info.

weather is cool and stable as the second week of May passes, this week is the usual high run-off time from the local creeks. A pile of free sand and bags has had little use at the city hall parking lot.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG.

The week that was, May 7th, Merritt British Columbia.

Neil Menard, former Merritt Mayor, is visiting Nova Scotia. Neil was evacuated and was away for months until returning to his home on Canford avenue across from Voght park. He has been working on flood damage and is often seen with his gaggle of friends, retired teacher Paul, Former Arena contractor and manager Brian, Jerry, and Rich Hodgson all of Merritt’s junior hockey experience ( Merritt Centennials. The Junior team struggled with the season coming out of Covid with only three wins. Neils’s trip is because his two sons were selected for a coaching forum in Nova scotia. The Merritt Centennials are going into their 50th year here in Merritt and season tickets are on sale now. According to Menard.

Staffing in local business places about Merritt is difficult because of a shortage of people. The Grand is closed some days “no Cook”. Wages are up for servers about town as numbers of people remain evacuated. The flood last November is slowly being mitigated one person that had her mobile home swept away off Garcia Tina Vesper has taken up a recreational vehicle with her two dogs, Bango, and duffel that she escaped with ahead of the deluge of last November 14th. She misses the availability of walls to display art etc.

The Shirley Reynolds show is on at the Nicola Valley Gallery it had its reception last night and will show until June 6th. The artisan gift shop remains available at the gallery.

Editors note: Shirley Reynolds Show: Colours Personified goes to June 5th 2022.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

April 2022 hi 🤗

The Week that was, April 30th Merritt British Columbia.

Jano Horworth, the curator of the Nicola Valley Art Gallery said that a mobile unit is in the works for the artisan people of the Arts Council. This is to be able to present art outside of the gallery. She says that summer student Kerri Ann Krocker is coming back to work the summer starting May. This according to Horworth.

Fire season anew stating tomorrow as April 30th is the last day of the government’s fiscal year. The season may have more to do with budget considerations,however it is certainly not far behind the possibility of wildfires in season.

Rain overnight and this morning was welcomed as ground conditions were a little hard for gardening and in some people’s minds the rain overnight accomplished two things the ground was softened a bit and most people took the day off for what could have been a hard weed pull.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

When times are tough “stay close to your friends, and keep your enemies closer. “

The week that was, April 23rd, Merritt British Columbia, Canada.

There was a volunteer day today, the emphasis was on fives. Show up with five people, five tools, give 5 hours…

The volunteer effort was then deployed into clean-up work in some flood-damaged construction or homes.

The Nicola Valley Community Arts Council also had a get together at the empty keg a pub and brewery for volunteers that make the gallery and the store function. Sarah Molner was present as a member of the Arts Council, artisan and proprietor of brambles brand cereal in the Arts Council store limited her sampling of The Keg Brew to one,” I will be pregnant again soon'” she said, has she expounded the fact that she will be taking up a surragant pregnancy for the second time for a contact that has a medical condition. “You can’t charge anything for it in Canada she said” as she expressed some satisfaction in the public good that she was accomplishing in the surrogate endeavor.

There is I moved to put retired people to work in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure in the Nicola valley ” my husband has come out of retirement she said, and his weighing gravel trucks at Rock solid gravel pit.” Said Lynn Cox at the pub, we once had our own gravel pit and are now putting out experience back to work she implied as a public good.

That’s it from Merritt this week, KDG

The week that was, April 16th, Merritt, BC Canada.

The Kevin Griffiths photography show, flora fauna and facility ended on Wednesday. Reminiscences by painter, Bev Veale from Merritt BC.opened on Wednesday. Bev an Air Force veteran and recreational specialist retired from the Caf has paintings from her time in the Nickelodeon and in particular to Chattaway lake area where she had a reclusive cabin studio for many years. Best show will run for 3 weeks at the valley gallery run by the nickel of Valley Community Arts Council.

The Merritt public library as longer opening times and is proceeding to its normal post-covid. Tuesday through Thursday 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m… glaringly missing is the spirals that hosted the paperback books which now occupies shelf space vacated by cataloged research material.

Today’s the temperature low was -3 and a high plus 9 Celsius which kept it in single digits staying fairly cold heading into the second half of April tulips are not in bloom as usual for the Easter long weekend. Today is the full moon, being a pashcal Moon right between Good Friday and Easter Sunday, meaning that the special arrangement has counted Easter as being the first full moon after the spring equinox. Normally Easter is the Sunday after the last full moon in March. Pashcal is a Greek term meaning Passover. Happy Easter to one and all in the household of believers and to those by Grace.

The Week that was April 9th, Merritt, British Columbia CA

The City of Merritt has its a new children’s book published and available at the Arts Center. Author and owner Jeff Bloom has added ” Friends Aren’t Frree” to his body of published works. The Squawker series of Childrens Books are also illustrated by Ula-Erin Chouvet.

The local A and W outlet is seeing its renovations in a long cue. Signage including a new digital main sign is backlogged by shortage of available tradesmen. ” Kelowna is also in a position that the permits are being stopped because of a political will against digtal upgrades at this time” Says a source at the local restaurant.

A one day burst of warm weather on Friday ended with snow and hail today. The whole valley was blanketed by a white covering a morning break. Clean and fresh was the excitement of many as they enjoyed a visual feast al through the valley.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was April 1st, Merritt British Columbia CA

A journalistic crew from the UK publication the guardian was in Merritt filming and documenting the Lytton fire. The small town on the Thompson River West of us here was completely destroyed by fire last year in June when record temperatures hit 50° Celsius. The crew said there were evacuees still living in a local motel and they were getting ready to interview them. An announcement by the provincial government a few months ago dedicated some millions of dollars to taking out the destructed rubble and contaminated soil in preparation before rebuilding.

Gasoline prices are at a dollar and 84 cents a liter and seem to have escaped the 2.2% carbon tax that was applied on Friday the 1st. This can’t be true but somehow the absorbing of prices made it look that way.

The weather is cool this weekend in Merritt with people saying when is spring coming. Tulips are poking through in the cities beds on Voght .Street. Easter is late this year coming on April 17th with a pascal moon on the Saturday after Good Friday

That’s it from Merritt this week,KDG

March 2022

The Week that was, March 26th, Merritt British Columbia.

The Kevin Griffiths show, photography and other things is on at the Community Arts Council gallery corner of Nicola and vote and will be continuing till April 10th. And artist reception last evening included Frank Heller and his wife Tracy as guests. Jano Horworth, gallery curator ensure that there was refreshments for the small crowds that included them.

Merritt remain short about 900 citizens short of its pre-evacuation population. This according to Jeff Bloom author and former teacher working at the art gallery and welcoming guests Saturday.

The Nicola Valley memorial arena is hosting first Nation adult hockey this weekend.A competitive attitude is noticeably short and most advanced around town. The ability to get together with schools it’s most welcome.

That’s it from Merritit this week KDG

The Week that was, March 19th, Merritt, British Columbia.

The Merritt Centennials BCJHL hockey team played their last home game last night. A Flag ceremony was conducted in the Nicola Valley memorial arena to mark the moment.

Kevin Griffiths has a show of photography at the Nicola Community Arts Council gallery. The show runs March 16- April 8th, and is entitled Flora Fauna and Facility.

Some very Pretty Ducks are in the Nicola River. Brown and a maganzer species in pairs along with geese and other species make for pleasant viewing off Voght.

That’s it from Merritt this week, KDG

The Week that was, March 12th Merritt British Columbia, CA

Rich Hodgson says that City Council has an t interest in taking over the function of the Nicola Valley Community theater Society and the funds that they raised over the last year’s of operation and fundraising for a new community theater. The thoughts are, feelings are, that combining the new theater complex with the existing Civic center could be advantageous.

The off street off leash dog park at the end of Coldwater avenue has been moved across the colletville bridge to the centennial Park area. Dirt from the off leash Park area has been piled in anticipation of being hauled away as toxic as it was flooded with wastewater in the November 14th flood in Merritt.

Spring 1 hour at 2:00 a.m. Sunday morning to keep up with the rest of the problems as they go on daylight savings time.

That’s it from this week KDG

The Week that was, March 5th, Merritt British Columbia, CA

Mike Bangu is about the town we talked to him at a local coffee shop this week. Elected to City Council in the last general election Mike served a good portion of the 4-year term. At this writing, he is writing and media making with his handle The thinking Man. Mike resigned earlier this year after not being able to manage his relationship with the local mayor to his satisfaction. He is alleged to have uttered threats and is facing charges for an incident at his home where he says the mayor would not leave when asked to, resulting in threats. He is also estranged from his girlfriend. Mike distinguished himself by promoting a participation contest for health last year. He is noted for electric bike promotion and he managed to get raise money from the local council members the collected funds were dispersed to charity under the handle of Sharing the Wealth. Council sits one council shy at this writing and will do so until the next general election.

The Merritt Centennials lost 9 to 0 to the visiting Vernon Vipers on Friday night. The BC Junior league team is played out of town tonight in Salmonarm to a 3-9 loss. The next game is o March 10th in Cranbrook. The match starts a 3 game Kootney play 10th 11th 12th Cranbrook, Cranbrook and trail.

The weather is calm and warm in the afternoons, The calendar spring on March 1st, is to be followed by a change of time on the 13th to DST, and the equinox on March 20th. There is an expectation that the pace of life will quicken then, and some are looking to be happier.

That is it from Merritt this week. KDG

February 2022

The week that was, February 26th, Merritt British Columbia, CA

The local A&w store has moved its condiments out into the eating areas and are readying a change back to washable coffee cups both in anticipation of restrictions for the pandemic being relieved sometime in the near future. Fuel delivery is notable for the gas stations at the top of the hill in Merritt British Columbia. Vehicles traffic is at this time noticeably heavier than the restrictions gave cars to previously.

The Merritt centennials junior hockey team lost their Friday night game last night. The team has three wins over the season.

That’s it from Merritt this week. KDG

The week that was, February 19th, Merritt British Columbia,CA

Covid resricions relief

Restrictions for Covid-19 that came off on Wednesday saw the local businesses adjust. The A&W added tables to come up to the 100 capacity enjoyed before the pandemic. Masks are still on entry and passports required, however, the staff relies on soft measures for passports no noticeable problems with the applications of this measure.

The city hall is noticeably empty as the family day holiday is in effect. One small city car is left in the parking area of Voght. The bylaw office pickup is behind the fence at the civic center out of sight.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The Week that was February 12th, Merritt British Columbia CA

Jim Potter tree service has been taking down a large cottonwood from the historic JJ Gillis house on Garcia. Jim used spurs to climb the huge tree and took it down in pieces. Jim was truly court on a limb a number of times as he address smaller parts from a height. The tree was successfully cut down however Friday saw a man named Jesse operating a small piece of equipment removing the stump was hurt. The accident generated a lot of interest from police and clip-boarded men over many hours.

There was a long line of pickup trucks, cars trucks for haulage, and that stretched accordingly to local witnesses from the info center property ( now first Nations development property) east of town at the intersection of Highway 5 and 97th c to Penticton honking and flying Canadian flags with placards proclaiming freedom.

Ed Hendricks raised a fuss at the A and W to the breakfast locals saying saying ‘ I am going to Ottawa. Ed was animated as well as strongly communicating his passion against current government policies including mandates. Ed a former conservation officer, wildlife fan, the proprietor of ponderosa sports and Merritt has a deep concern for causes that support freedom of access to individuals to the resources of British Columbia. Including public access to all lakes and rivers for fishing and recreation.

The local Junior Jr.hockey club, the Merritt Centennials continue their beaten record by losing back to back to the Kelowna Warriors, the team will be looking for a win tonight in Salmon Arm at 7:30 tonight to end their streak of losses. Good luck Cents.

That’s lt from Merritt this week KDG.

The week that was, February 5th, Merritt British Columbia, Ca

The supporters of the trucker’s protest drove about town this afternoon they were honking and flying flags. Ed Hendricks from the Ponderosa Sports shop placed a painted plywood sign in front of his shop before closing it said ” thankyou truckers” Ed is thankful that the view he holds about health measures is being expressed. Ed is vaccinated.

The Merritt Centenials Jr hockey club played Penticton on Friday to a 5 -3 loss. The club has a new coach and the game was positive and a reasonable spread. The coach, and general manager an import from Saskatchewan, and the former assistant from the Humbolt Broncos, Curtis Toneff has been with Merritt since Dec 29th. He was with the Hombolt team since 2019 and has signed with them for another extension on December10th 2021. The Merritt team suffered a 4- 1 loss tonight in Merritt to the Prince George Spruce Kings.

The weather has gone to single-digit + Celcius going into next week. The wet of melt makes for slippery walking for some seniors.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

January 2022

The week that was, January 29th, Merritt British Columbia ,CA

The Manager at the Bailie house, Sandy Curnow says that they have renewed their contract at the city.The renewal is a year for the operation of the downtown tourist info service. The Baillie house is City property with a public garden and employs summer students May to September . The 2202 Voght Street house has the office for the local heritage society with Curnow’s father Les as it’s president.

Note: The fact of contract renewal is unconfirmed.

The Merritt Centennials BCJHL team lost 8 to nothing last night in Merritt. The team has won two games this year after returning from it’s 3 team bubble including Chilliwack in Chilliwack remote game schedules.

The weather is cold with cold winds keeping temperatures near double digits minus C.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The Week that was Merritt British Columbia Canada, January, 22nd, Merritt, BC, Ca

The local library has a new Librarian. Claire Sabiston became the Library head mid-month replacing Meg Gregory who moved to an administration job in Kamloops. Claire is a local and lived in the small rural unincorporated community of Quilchena. The Merritt Public library is at 1691 Garcia street in Merritt BC.

There are many questions about the rebuilding of the flood-damaged part of town. The A&W is a buzz about flood relief adequacy. Neil Menard said that the corner store on Coldwater avenue’s owner expressed doubt about coming back as a business to him. Others have made comments that their home is beyond repair. Initial inspections made the determination that 366 homes were not livable shortly after evacuation. Glen Shaclkely who lives west of Merritt on Highway 8 is reported by his sister to have seen his log home completely washed away. Reports of propane tanks and power poles from Merrit being found in Abbotsford add a taste that while exiting to some at the time may sober and sour in time. The local MLA has said that ” we are good at saying the right thing at the right time” meaning the shadow of the event. The suggestion is that it may have permanently changed the lives of nearly a quarter of the population of this small town with a big heart.

The weather is good with slight snowmelt during the day.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was, January, 15th Merritt, BC, Ca

The Merritt Centennials fell to the Vernon Vikings Friday . The 9 -1 score started with a strong first period fot the home team Centennials, giving a 1 nothing lead to Merritt. The locals proved ineffective in power plays and had 9 unanswered goals to end the game. The ‘” Cen.ts “play the l spruce Kings in Prince George at 7:00 p.m. tonight.

Randy Mosley entertained the A and W morning crowd stories about his brother Kevin and his becoming an aircraft mechanic through opportunities in the Northwest Territories and giving them the opportunity once credited to return to the Central interior of BC.

Ice makes walking a challenge on streets iin Merritt this week

That’s iit from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was, January 8th, Merritt British Columbia, Canada

Highway closures due to snowfalls have led to reports of stranded trucking in Merritt. The highway situation is aggravated by the fact that crews worked hard at getting the routes to the interior opened after flood damage had closed them since the November flooding in BC. The government was pleased to see the Coquihalla open before 2022, and record snowfalls again have put supply lines to the test, ” these are the highest snowfall rates I have ever seen” is mouthed with regularity,

We got our booster shot on Thursday at the interior health clinic at the Nicola Valley Community Health Center, ( the hospital), the service was seamless and welcoming. The authorities gave a choice not only were to take the shot but a choice between the two MRNA doses. Cliff Thorgerson a long-time legal aid lawyer was there and an N 95 mask as well, complements of the RCMP. Cliff said he will reach his 7 decades of life in two months and is planning on retirement.

The AW on Voght street is having fair trade coffee at a dollar a cup, free refills before 11 AM.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was, January 1st, Merritt British Columbia, Canada.

Most businesses and facilities were closed today in the downtown area. The A and W opened at 9 AM. Merritt Printing was closed all day and had a sign proclaiming shorter hours starting next week Temperatures were close to dangerous for more than 10 days.

There are an estimated 300 homes still not able to be occupied from the flooding of early December. Many people remain in hotel rooms in other communities. Sources it will be spring before some homes are able to be entered for living.

Niel Menard is back from a month and better evacuation, his home was is on Canford avenue across from Voght park. The Coldwater river after breaking a dyke took some new courses in the flash flood including Canford ave in front of Menards home. Neil is optimistic about Merrit and its ability to be “strong”

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was, December 25th, Merritt Britissh Columbia, Canada

December 2021

The Winter Artisan show is extended to the end of the year, Next Wednesday through Sunday. The show lost some time due to Emergency situations flooding and roof problems. Merritt Gallery is on the corner of Nicola and Voght, Merritt BC.

Top of the season to you and yours!

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was, December 17th, Merritt, British Columbia Canada.

The Nicola naturalist society had a monthly meeting Thursday at the Nvit lecture theater top of the Hill Belshaw avenue in Merritt. After the preliminary meeting which showed members submitted photos of local flora and fauna as well as future agenda items, A presentation by Elaine Sedgman brought people up to speed about the 500 or so species of bees in British Columbia. One of the final thoughts were that bees appreciate the quote-unquote lazy Gardener that doesn’t use pesticides. The iconic honey bee had to play second fiddle to a 🐝 that it earned the reputation as pollinator extraordinaire. This small bee could not be matched for pollination by the honey bee and it’s known by the name blue orchard bee. Elaine also presented for sale a child’s book and the range of 6 to 60 The book was entitled a bee named Bob, you got it an anachronism for the blue orchard bee. This bee didn’t produce honey however it ate pollen and nectar, and the sting was multiple times, the bees bite size and efficiency gave it the ability to pollinate 30,000 flowers in a forest garden. Two useful brochures produced by the city of Kamloops and others provided useful information presented by the citizen sciences science monitoring guide, Common bees of South interior of BC. The common ladybug also came off as a hero in the pollination process as when gardeners use its natural ability to control pests instead of pesticides it is very effective.

There was a Christmas parade about town tonight. An after thought to the flood evacuation and mitigation, the effort demonstrated the resiliency of the citizens of Merritt and was done on an ad hoc basis without registration or many rules or categories.

Snow is falling in the valley giving us a familiar tone telling the ring and ding a busy and sometimes clamorous lifestyle in the valley. Producing a clean fresh blanket and restricting our view to that from the rake and bake out normal existence.

That’s it from Merritt this week: KDG

The week that was, December 11th Merritt British Columbia Canada.

Work is ongoing in the mostly phase 3 area of town where more than 300 homes are tagged as unlivable.. Great piles of soaked wall, ruined appliances, personal effects furniture and the makeup of personal lives are in piles along the streets. The minister for public safety Farnsworth, the city mayor, and the MLA we’re in a party on Thursday that viewed the damage. I build back better r mantra was sung by the politicians.

The city has a resiliency center at the Civic center on Mammoth avenue behind City Hall that addresses some needs of people that have suffered a lot of loss.

Reverend John Kim Presbyterian minister is inviting people to a Korean Chinese event, ” comfort for the people of Merritt”. The event is going to be held on December 19th 2021 at 4:00 p.m. at the cadets Hall 1755 Coldwater avenue. Musical performances haircut and dinner. John’s group often features Korean dancing and music in their Christian ministry.

Numbers of businesses have opened with shorter hours. And some people have posted dates for when they will be open claiming the mantra Merritt strong

Besides the Red Cross there is Billy Graham’s Samaritan purse helping tear out ruined homes in anticipation of rebuilding them. The ministry is committed to being here for a number of months in this process and under operating out of Crossroads Community church building, Voght Street.

That’s it from Merritt BC this week, KDG

The week that was, December 4th, Merritt, British Columbia, Canada

Titan drilling, the contractor for West Haven mining in the shovelnose mountain area south of Merritt, have completed their 40,000 m contract. And they have stopped operations until January 2022. Where it’s anticipated that they will continue and doing work on the property.

The Merritt Centennials of the BCJHL won over the Wenatchee wild, from Washington State in Merritt Friday evening 4 to 3 in overtime. The team received a new coach on July 4th, 2021. Dave Cyzowsli is the coach and general manager.

A boil water alert remains in effect in Merritt. For more info and other tips on returning to Merritt visit Merritt.ca.

That’s it for this week KDG

November 2021

The week that was, November 27th, Merritt, British Columbia , Canada.

Kim Robinson was laid to rest at pine ridge cemetery on Friday. Ed Hendricks his friend and hunting, and woodsman consultant said that the event was well attended and officiated by a minister. He is survived by his wife Linda and 3 boys, and grandchildren. Kim was famous for cougar and bear hunting using the hounds that he raised. He found the horse that belonged to Nicola Ranch manager and missing person Ben Tyner. Ben remains missing and locals do not hold out much hope for him being found alive.

The city lifted the evacuation order from phase two properties in Merritt at noon today. Phase two is the area from Nicola Avenue to the police station on Voght. The area remains on alert.

Rain is coming down most of the evening tonight and the area is on flood watch.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG.

The week that was, November 20th, Merritt, British Columbia, Canada.

The city has begun clean-up activities around town after the flooding ann evacuation that happened on Monday. Firetrucks half been seen traveling around once flooded streets and contractors are pumping out the sewer systems to alive blockages caused by the overwhelming of water flows.

Stores remain closed to anyone without a bracelet issued by the city. The police have asked people that remained for any reason not to be out at night.

The weather is good in Merritt’s low single-digit negative, which tightens mud and moisture up. The cloud cover is high and unmenacing a week’s end, going forward work on the cities infrastructure has the wastewater treatment plant as a priority. ” Linda Brown Mayor”

Thats it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was November 13th, Merritt,British Columbia, Canada

The Nicola Valley Community Arts Council has begun its November-December show. The 6th annual winter artisan show and sale will run from November 13th to December 23th 2021. Over ” 30 local artisans and artists ” will be enhanced by Music guests on Sundays from 1-3pm. Covid -19 protocols in evect. Gallery times are 10- 5 Wednesday – Saturday and Sundays 12-4pm. Enter next to Kekuli Cafe on Voght.

ED Hendricks from Ponderosa sports says that his friend and h hunting partner Kin Robinson has passed. the Mammete lake resident. Had cougar hounds and made a living hunting and fishing as well destroying nuisance preditors. Kim tracked down a murderer suspect, Wanye Schoenborn, and found the horse of a currently missing person in January of 2019. Ben Tyner the rider and Nicola ranch manager remains missing.

Kim is survived by his wife Linds and 3 boys.

The A&W have taken down their picnic tables for winter and stored the items. The weather here remains good with some rain and little wind. The snow-capped Iron mountain appears to be keeping its cap against inversions and rain.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The Week that was, November 6th, Merritt, British Columbia, Canada

The little park next behind the Merritt Desert Inn, the one with the entrance posted with a bear in the area sign, has some more people camping in it as homeless. A single person behind a large pile of household effects, including a walker, shook her head no and was silent when asked if it was ok to be in the area of a bear. The park is within meters of a city shelter. A number of dumpsters are filling up with household effects in that proximity.

Shara Molnar has joined the Merritt Gallery with her Granola recipe and packaging. Shara operated the Brambles Bakery for about a decade with her mother Dorthey. The successful bakery and public gathering/ meeting place did not survive the pandemic and a sawmill closure with resulting disposable income sources changing. The bakery was regarded as excellent. The group hosted the secret door art shows for a number of years. Appealing to the cowboy and ranching style as well as many other excellent artists.

The weather is once again glorious with rain and sunshine coming in pleasant amounts and acting as referee in a sense with the local snow cap on Iron mountain.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG.

October 2021

The week that was, October30th, Merritt, British Columbia, Canada

The Baillie Property joined the Royal bank today in taking out the cedar hedge between the Curling rink parking lot and the back fence line of the 2202 Voght Street facility. The RBC had in recent weeks removed the cedar hedge from along the brick bank building on the corner of Quilchena and Garcia. For some time the city has been not recommending cedar hedges due to their combustibility. The local fire smart program has also discouraged ember trap combustible areas. that program is widely believed to have contributed greatly to the quick return of the evacuees in the town of Logan Lake last summer during the wildfire emergencies.

The snow came down to approximately the 3500-foot level overnight giving Merritts Iron Mountain a presence of white, winter, wonder. Overnight lows are returning to less than freezing next week. There is no severe weather forecast for the next three days.

There is a warning sign about a bear on the trail into N’Kawala park behind the Merritt Desert Inn. There remains only one tent in that park up against the back fence and away from the trail. The city allowed tents in the park during Covid-19, and possibly up to a dozen were ever set up. Fall is a time when some bears are topping up their fat for hibernation. It looks like hibernation may be back to normal this winter as in some places bears were out mid-winter because of warm temperatures.

That’s it from Merritt this week, KDG

The week that was October 23, Merritt British Columbia, Canada

The Nicola Naturalists had their AGM and members photo night on Thursday. The meeting was chaired by Alan Burger and 8 directors including Alan were acclaimed; the directors will choose the president and other offices at the next business meeting. In his presidents report Alan said That the societies website is popular getting 1000 views month. The members photos were viewed in quiet pleasure with some comments and questions generated spontaneously. Leaving them wanting more Burger stopped the show at the title page of a short video by a member and promising to show the production of a family of river otters next month. The society published statements ,financial and projections on the front table beside membership applications and newsletters. Alan presented them orally and members affirmed them by second and vote. The society files them under the act as public documents. Next meeting is the 3rd Thursday of November, at the NVIT lecture theatre.

Councillor mike Bangui is taking up a public campaign against ” dirty politics” By the local Mayor . Taking up his pen as battledress Mike has published a letter to the editor in the Merritt Herald. The sitting councillor was charged with uttering threats and has since plead not guilty and is awaiting being heard by “the judge”

The weather is glorious again today with fall gracing the river banks and in the evergreen mountains with colour. Sunny calm weather today is very pleasant at 10 degrees C. The forecast for next week is low double digits with light rain most of the week. The over night lows are staying within a few degrees of the daily highs, strangely settling.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The Week that was, October 16th,Merritt British Columbia, Canada

The Art Gallery opened its showing for October Friday. The show is called Baskets and Bowls and features a number of local artists, including Andrew Rulgrok. Andrew a tall lanky carver is from Brookmere, a small historic CPR hamlet to the southeast of Merritt. Andrew has donated his contents of the show and is going to slip into retirement. According to Angelino Brooymans who bought a number of his craft for Christmas presents today ” they are half price to clear” The show goes from the 13th to November 8th, afternoons.

Carbon Capture

The BC government has announced a scheme to involve the Upper Nicola Indian band with a carbon capture company for a plant on the reserve land near Douglas lake. The company has a capture and sequester plant proved out in the lower mainland however this one is to turn C02 into light crude for use as fuel. The talk is that 100,000,000 liters of oil would be produced annually. No serious ground braking for 2 more years. The company, Carbon Engineering, received 2 million dollars from the BC government toward the project based on its Squamish plant’s track record. The cost is estimated to be 13 figures.

The valley received rain again today, not torrential, but steady for brief periods as if it did not want to offend anyone.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was, October 9th, Merritt, British Columbia, Canada.

The last day for the 2021 version of the Farmers Market was today. The group occupied the curling rink parking lot and was seen to be dealing with cooler weather conditions and some wind about 1 PM. The market is a member of the BC assortation of farmers markets and presents weekly offerings from May to October. The cardinal rule is the same for artisans and farmers the product must have been made by the registrants.

James Lowan was having early coffee at the downtown A and W restaurant this AM and was wearing a safety pined yellow star on his jean jacket. ” I am fully vaccinated, however I think it is worth remembering that things can go awry>” James 64 and a from a rural agricultural family is often at the local restaurant listening to and observing. He bases his belief not on experience but a collage of views.

Fall is taking hold in the valley, Our first snowfall is usually the 2nd week of November. Around Remembrance day. And usually a light skiff at 600 meters above sea level, that’s the elevation of our small, interior city in British Columbia Canada.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The Week that was, October 2nd, Merritt , British Columbia, Canada.

The Merritt Avenue homicide, has basically gone from public view at this time. There however are many versions of the events floating about the area where it happened. We know two things to be true, that on or about its perpetration, two RCMP SUV marked vehicles had a prolonged vigil watching a crime seen marked out by tape at a small apartment building on Merritt avenue. And when one of the officers was questioned by us: ” is there any public danger here?” the reply was no.

Frank Ritcey answered questions on his wildlife photo show at the Art center on Friday. There was interest in the bears, the insects and snakes that drove questions to Frank. Talking on the difference between venom and poison Frank explained a poisons creature you eat and get toxins, a venom creature injects into your body and an anti venom is needed for treatment. Bruce Walter was not in attendance as he had a cold, “Frank Ritcey”.

Rain over last week continues to moisten the soils in the bush about the Nicola Valley. Single digit temperatures are coming again in the forecast.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

September 2021

The Week that was, September, 25th, Merritt, British Columbia, Canada

The police were going about Garcia street on Monday with a clipboard canvasing for witnesses that may have seen anything in what they are calling homicide. The interest of the police was about a small apartment building on Merritt Avenue east of the Garcia street intersection. The building had had its staircase tarred off last week, and a tent setup that may have been a phrenic operation. The local papers are quiet about the alleged homicide this week.

The arts council has two weeks remaining of its photography show featuring local artists Bruce Walker and Frank Ritcey. The show concludes on October 10th, the center is open Wednesdays though Sunday afternoons. Lower mainland implant Herta Klassen has some very nice small paintings in the gift store at he center. Some the perfect size as stocking stuffers.

Weather is glorious in the Nicola Valley once again. mid 20s daytime cool overnights near frost some nights. The near frost is causing the deciduous trees in the parks and to get colored.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The Week that was September, 18th. Merritt British Columbia, Canada

A body was found out by Nicola lake this week, and the Merritt Herald reported it as being suspicious. The coffee shop bunch has a number of stories floating around, the most credible sounding of he bunch is one saying that the man met his death with some degree of force,.

The Nicola river along Voght street and Garcia are full of returning salmon at at his writing. The salmon are most probably returning after being plead in that portion of the river as smolt four years ago from the Spius Creek fish hatchery, south west of Merritt and up the Petite creek road. The species will be Chinook, and are very lively in the mating game.

Snow covered the top of Iron Mountain here this week , and rain was measured and full.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The Week that was September 11th, Merritt British Columbia, Canada

We got our vaccine card this week after downloading BC services card mobile app ,we applied for a BC services card, took a picture and video of our face and returned to the officials at the health dept. In about one business day we got an email saying it was verified. We got access to the Health Gateway as one of the services, we log in with our fingerprint on our smart phone through the app prompts, then bring up a green vaccine card ,followed by the info on the two doses of immunization we received. The green backed QR code can be switched to a scannable one to show.

We cast our ballot at the advanced poll at Elections Canada’s poll at the Nicola Valley Institute of Technology. The poll is in s comfortable gym near the dorms on the front side of the college. Bring your card from the mail that you should have received this week and at least one piece of picture ID. They have small pencils for single use however you can use your own pen.

The flag remains at half staff at the RCMP station, and it is being an election rhetoric that they stay that way until the ingenious population feel resolved over the unmarked graves issue facing them now.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The Week that was September 4th,Merritt British Columbia, Canada

There are 4 tents in N’Kwala park behind the lawn bowling/ Pickle ball club house , off Merritt Avenue. The Merritt Desert Inn shares an access to the park and is presently being contracted for a shelter. Merritt received a provincial grant of more then a million dollars recently to deal with Covid-19 related and public health issues around homelessness.

The last show for the summer in the Music in the Park program happened Thursday with Amanda Lamothe mastering the ceremony of Indigenous entertainment. Amanda shared her Blackfoot background and introduced drummers and authors to the stage for an evening of culture and enjoyment of local Indigenous songs and poetry. Dennis Saddleman from Douglas lake also shared his life experience including, residential school.

Tomorrow is the last day for the Clothing is Art show at he Nicola Valley Art Gallery. The next show will start on September 8th with Bruce Walters and Frank Ritcey. Bruce a retired forestry worker is a photographer and Frank is a Councillor/ worker for Wild safe BC. Frank deals with Human Animal conflict and safety issues in the interaction of the two .Bruce will be showing phots and Frank has electronic displays for his phots and videos.

Editors note: Dennis Saddleman is from Coldwater band toward Hope., and the grant for homeless aid was $363,724.00. The funding came from the UBCM.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The Week that was August 28th, Merritt, British Columbia, Canada

A fire camp is being set up in Voght park this week. The camp is housing 230 firefighters numbers of them were seen at the local A and W store wearing distinctive yellow shirts with Alberta Wildfire on the shoulder patch’s. ” We are wildfire fighters” was the response to the question about tasking. ” we are concerned about the July mountain fire”.

Music in the park happened on Thursday night with Mile and Sabrina weeks singing out of their 660 song repertoire. The couples presentation came in part from the time they worked the cruse ship industry. Popular songs from the 80s on keep four adults seniors, one adult, three kids and two workers entertained while the rain poured down during the 2 hr show. There was one popular tree in the fenced off audience area and on e food concessions that left early. You can see Mike and Sabrina live at mikeandsabrinalive.ca. or a snip at https://kevingriffiths.wordpress.com/ Best regards.

Rain and cooler temperatures ( 5 C this morning0 kept the edge off fires in the area.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was, August 21st, Merritt British Columbia, Canada

An evacuation alert was in effect this week as Merritt was surrounded by fires. The alert was rescinded today after cooler weather and rain assisted in suppression of fires.

As of midnight last night masks were again mandatory inside all public places with in the Interior Health region. Gathers over 5 people are banned and outside events limited to 50 people.

Titan drilling working at shovelnose mountain had to flee last week as a fire being driven by winds gusting to over 60 KM.s an hour drove fire through there drilling operations. This week they reported that their drills were not destroyed ” some plastic melting” Stephen the owner credited the sprinklers they left operating on the drills as saving them. Tian Drilling is engaged in a long term contract for West Haven mines in the shovelnose mountain area near Brookmere BC.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG.

The week that was, August 14th, Merritt British Columbia, Canada.

The RCMP had Nicola and Voght blocked off and were directing traffic a t supper hour Thursday. Two thousand people where told to evacuate Logan lake and the police were ensuring a lane open to expedite traffic. People were told to go friends and families home else where, The counter at the art gallery said ” they were being directed to Chilliwack.”

Angelina Brooymans a local photographer from the Mammete lake area remained at her home in the Valley and said that the fire was still 25 kilometers from her and they were monitoring it. Angelina remained hopefull.

The Merritt Music in the park started just after its 6 o’clock start time with a small crown enduring smoke as local people filtered in. The site is on the Nicola River and is distance from wood structures trees are leafy and green. The band was The Wild Horse Band with upper Nicola native Randy Chillihetzia. For all accounts the band finished its 2 hr gig with a continuing building audience.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was, August 7th Merritt British Columbia Canada.

The Nicola Valley Arts Center hosted the artist reception for their August show, on Friday. Entitled The art of clothing 18 artisans and artists presented mostly clothing in an artist photographer Angelina Brooymans used her gift to post a couple of photographs of some very high-end fashions from exhibitions as a backdrop to a fashion creation by Cinderella Trent. Regular hours are in effect for this August show.

The Doug James band played to a good size crowd at rotary Park on Thursday. The repertoire included a Beatles favorite born in the USSR. It appears that it’s sticking here as far as crowds attending these events in more normal amounts. This is probably due to a large amount of vaccination in the community.

Overnight rain and wind have cleared the local skies of fire smoke, giving Saturday a cool and clean atmosphere mixed with a little sunshine and confident travelers about the town.

That’s it from Merritt this week, KDG

The week that was, July 31st, Merritt British Columbia Canada.

The empty keg Craft beer outlet on broad Street in Merritt, install solar panels on its roof to enhance it’s at ecological footprint. The panels were installed on tubular steel frames forming and upside down v structure and placed on the flat roof.

Merritt British Columbia entered the BC Day long weekend with heavy smoke in the skies. It was reported that the air quality in Merritt was the worst of the province. Four fires were burning in the area. There was a very little wind to remove the smoke or to fan the flames of the fires.

Rain beginning Saturday Lowered the overnight temperatures and brought high humidity to the air in the mix of smoke.

That’s it from Merritt this week,KDG

The week that was, July 24th, Merritt, British Columbia .Ca

Angelina Brooymans, a retired nurse and the proprietor of a photo business in the Merritt area said that her home at Mammate lake on highway 97C to Logan lake had ash on the ground this morning when she looked outside. ” It looked like it had been snowing. She recounted some forest fires in the area and still demonstrated confidence in the local controls. The number of fires in BC has dropped since Fridays nearly 280 to about 250 . Angelina worked her shift at the Nicola Valley Arts Council and expressed concern about Spences bridge and Ashcroft as her neighbouring communities. ( sirens had sounded over night for fires in those communities) , the road is open today but stopping is prohibited.

Samantha Sewell, Miss World Tourism Canada visited the Nicola Valley art gallery this afternoon. Michelle Pierce president and Jano Horworth Curator, showed art displays to Samantha who was with her mother and a cameraman who filmed the visit.

The moon was full as a buck moon last night and bore a orange fire glow as it rose above Iron mountain in the southeastern sky. A slight breeze contributed to its turning back to a white when the smoke cleared.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG, stay safe around fire areas ,stay out of the bush!

The week that was July 17th, Merritt British Columbia, CA

The TNRD Library is still displaying mandatory masks signage on the front door. The staff say that their policy is ” recommended ” for masks .however the TNRD staff are busy with admin for fire fighting. So for the few people that go to the library they respond when asked about it.

A blockage from an accident kept the Coquihalla to Hope closed for sometime today.. Some people camping at Douglas lake pulled off at the lawn bowling parking lot and enjoyed lawn chair lunch and conversation while waiting to get a message that the hyway was clear. A man lost his life in a “roll over accident ” Closing the road way for a number of hrs until opening again just before 4 PM to traffic.

The weather is again glorious with the breeze coming from the south west and temperatures back to the 20s C.

The Moon last night was clear again from an orange fire moon on Thursday

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG.

The week that was July 10th, Merritt British Columbia, CA

Joel Geil a member and enthusiast o the Merritt lawn bowling club says he is alright with the pickle ball group having 1/2 the court at the N’Kwala park, 50.6.820 W120.47.162. The park was subject to the Dyna packing with a large roller on Friday. A crew from a Penticton road building company, Peter Brothers rolled and watered the bed in readiness for hard top. What arrangements are being made for the sharing of the city owned club house is yet to been seen.

The mask restrictions off are having some to say they are pleased by cautious and looking forward to more certainty with more vaccinations results approaching fall. One store on the 2000 block of Quilchena avenue has signage outlawing masks in the store.

Weather after a midweek over night rainfall and thunder storm is back to hot and sunny with high thirties into next week.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was July 3rd, MERRITT British Columbia, CA.

Titan drilling, of smithers BC a diamond drilling contractor working for West Haven mining in the coquihala near brookmere, shovelnose Mountain. Stop drilling operations on Wednesday evening after being shut down by the authorities because of fire danger. Steven an owner operator said that it doesn’t take long to go through 5 million dollars worth of insurance if we have to pay so we’re going to comply and notify our 30 employees that we are shut down.

The Nicola Valley art gallery has put on a new show for July. Body art and tattoo art will be emphasized from June 30th to August 1st at its Nicola and Voght location.

public health restrictions came off at 11:59 June 30th. Masks arrows on floors social distancing are all gone by the board. The public health officials will be dealing with covid concerns through their ongoing communicable disease mandates. Good public health will be addressed through measures ongoing through the summer and into the fall. Meaning the state of emergency has ended a normal protocols are back in place for communicable disease

That”s it from Merritt this week KDG.

The week that was June 26th, Merritt British Columbia, CA

Temperatures pushed the Mercury to near 40° Celsius the past two days. The forecast is for a week of near 40 or over 40° and then a cooling down with cloud cover for the following week.. overnight lows for the past 2 days have reached 20° Celsius giving a cool morning with a nearly unpleasant hot afternoon. Daytime highs are forecast to be 20° c meeting the now overnight low within a 2 week period.

BC hydro is saying that water reserves are adequate to meet any demand for any foreseen heatwave at this time.

The lawn bowling club is is losing half its lawn to the pickleball club. Joe Geil a long time lawn bowler says that the city doesn’t think there’s enough interest in lawn bowling. Joe is not in complete agreement with that. This week two machines and a crew of three tore up half the field dug it down to adapt to put gravel in preparation of a hard surface. The lawn bowling facility has a had at least four locations in the last 30 years and is often used in some sort of barter with construction projects.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG.

The week that was June 19th, Merritt British Columbia Ca

The grad had their parade tonight instead of a walk the estimated 80 2021 grads rode on Coldwater Avenue and Quilchena and back to the Voght park area for dispersal. Balloons and horns lights and yelling made a moment for the new grads.

The Nicola Valley historical Society had its annual strawberry fundraiser delivery today. For 85 skins you pre-paid 30 lbs of fresh strawberries from the Abbotsford/ Sumas Rotary club . The historical society made 10 dollars per 30 lb pail, an estimated 500 dollar revenue according to downtown visitor info center manager Sandy Curnew

Weather is glorious this week touching low thirties and retreating to overnight cool. Photosynthesis is so strong it nearly glows with growth. 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was June 12th Merritt British Columbia, Ca.

The province is closing in on herd immunity ( at least with partials ). The 75 percent mark is past and the province is vaccinating 300 thousand a week. Jano Howrath the gallery director at the community arts gallery says that she expects that visitors from cruise ships will have some sort of passport when calling. She is happy that groups will soon be allowed.

Fire alarm inspections were completed at the Bedford apt building on Thursday. Some alarms were slated to be replaced even when working but found to be past the best before date.

Amber Papou has taken a residence on Garcia street after a living in Vancouver for a number of years. The historic home of Dr. JJ Gillis is now hers; according to Amber ” it was for sale so I bought it”. Gillis was MLA here through the depression and world war two. Him and another Dr , his brother Austin Gillis had houses on opposite corners of the 22 hundred block, JJ passed in 1965 after one of the fullest lives imaginable.

That’s it from Merritt this week

The week that was June 5th, Merritt, British Columbia, Ca

The Merritt fire department we’re out with inspections this week. Jano Horwith said that the gallery got a new 5 lb fire extinguisher as a result of inspections, notices were about at at least one apartment building about alarm inspections.

Outside dining facilities at the Grand hotel to Merritt A&W to The Mongolian food restaurant where demonstratively in use during the week. The good weather approximately 30° Celsius brought many people out in the evenings and enjoyed a lesson sense of restriction.

The the weather cool down for the weekend with clouds about 20,000 ft and fairly heavy. There’s rain expected at the end of the week. Overnight lows are going to be single digit today and going into the next week.

That’s it from Merritt this week,KDG

The week that was May 29th, Merritt, British Columbia, Ca

The Nicola Valley Community Arts Council with Grimshire honey had their Day of the Bees at the local farmers market.

There were fully 60 new bee boxes painted and delivered to the corner of the market for viewing by the public the work also included boxes done by the local students from high school and grade schools. Diana Grimshire says she was pleased by the moment struck for environment and economy.

Editors note Paraphrased

Although the case counts are dropping quickly the community has a seemingly reserve to inflict on its ability to produce cases. There are very few words of resistance or clamour to throw off restraint as most restaurants still are keeping to pre Monday restrictions.

The weather is glorious again today and going into a warming trend in the week ahead, resulting in some days being in the the low 30 degree C range.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The Week that was, May 22, Merritt British Columbia, Ca

The Nicola Valley Aquatic Center is open 6 to 6 weekdays now. A limit of 3 people in the weight room during Covid-19 is still in effect, Saturday and Sunday openings 12 pm-4pm. Pool pools are cleaned daily for and 1 hr starting at one pm weekdays. Admission goes from free to 4 dollars depending on age. Monthly passes are available.

The farmers market had a good following today as the out door venue gave to a liberty towards masks and asked for distancing and following paths to be observed.. The market was displaying signs saying it was the farmers Market of the Year in 2020. ” preserving food production lines” . The market is open at 9:30 AM and done by 2pm Saturdays at the corner of Voght and Merritt avenue where the BC hydro quick charger is.

Glorious weather here gives a wonderful sense of life as the leaf fill out in green splendid canopy. May 24th weekend is special to Canada is it recalls Victoria day and its claim to Pax Britannia that the Crown of Great Britain secured in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

Week that was, May 8th, Merritt British Columbia, Ca

The farmers market had its first opening in Merritt today and without restrictions on numbers of vendors. Face masks were advised , social distancing required. Hand sanitizer was provided. The event runs from May to thanksgiving in October. Todays vendor count was 15 and the 4 hour time frame attracted a good attendance from within the Interior health region. No distance travelers were noted.

Grimshire honey has a bee day event coming up as they invite people to take 30 some new bee boxes and paint pictures on them for the 28th of May when Bee Day will see them displayed.

A hail storm yesterday saw a heavy fall of ice pellets hit the ground the day before bedding plants and garden tokens were for sale at the farmers market.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The Week that was, May 1st, Merritt, British Columbia, Ca

Tax filing dead line was Friday. The 30th of April is really important for OAS and CCP GIS federal supplement, the Canada Revenue Agency ensures that if your taxes are filled by April 30th there will not be a suspension in your July payment. The tax due date is also April 30th and if you have tax payable you may face charges of interest and penalties for late filing on payment on those filings. June 15th is the date for filing of GST returns for your business. A good number of people are subject to withholding during the year and the sooner they file the quicker they can get a refund if they had more deducted then there filing deductions needed to meet the tax.

With warmer weather coming you may want to check the disposition of your ceiling fans. If it was set for the winter to drive down the rising heated air then setting it to reverse will pull warm up to the ceiling giving a more comfortable temperature lower down which may be good especially when sitting down.

Happy International Workers day today the cool weather with a little rain here gave a comfortable and refreshing atmosphere for a walk about .

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The Week that was April 24th, Merritt, British Columbia, Ca

The popular craft brewing outlet The Empty Keg on the 2100 block of Voght has expanded its outside seating by nearly doubling it. This was done by adding pillow blocks and uprights unattached to the building south of the recent permanent decking and north of the main entrance. The facility then has some canvas tenting to provide shade to the people using it outside. A Couple were eating Shushi in styrafoam disposable containers on the permanent deck Friday ” it good they proclaimed, this is not our first choice for Merritt Shushi we are pleased.

Angelina Brooymans, a retir3ed registered nurse ,would like people to cut up their masks before disposing of them as fish get got up in the strings according to her. Added to the concern was us at the PR saying you can also take the aluminum strip out before the garbage an use in place of twist ties saving the Glad man some work and an a small but significant piece of metal in to better control and less demand on the supply.

Merritt’s weather has returned to upper teens and is comfortable.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The Week that was April 17th, Merritt, British Columbia, Ca

Vaccinations are on going at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena this week with appointments being required to get a shot at this Mass Immunization event. Judy Guichon was in line with her husband Bruno yesterday waiting for a shot and expressed confidence in the system of roll out as it relates to family circumstances.

The signage for the Nicola Valley Film Society theater project is conspicuous by its absence from the property they were developing. The 8000 plus theater has been in the works for more then a decade and is 5 different venues for the arts. On the Corner of Garcia and Coutlee the project is multimillion dollars and the fundraising website is at the link behind the photo below showing historical fundraising by community groups.

The weather is glorious here now Saturday mid 20s with a cooling trend next week.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

April 2021

The Week that was April 10th ,Merritt, British Columbia,, CA

The return it depot remains open with mask and Max seven inside on more then the Seniors Complex.

There Mass Vaccination the Arena starting the 12th. Instructions are posted at the Merritt Post Office along with regular age based tegistration.

Weather is stable a small hail storm like the usual spring time pelted us today.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The Week that was April 2nd Merritt British Columbia CA

The Merritt Centennials Junior A hockey club was training at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena ,the team had 25 young people with three goalies and are playing in the Chilliwack hub with Chilliwack and the Prince George Spuce Kings for 20 games. A a regular season involves 23 players however a trainer says that sometimes a 16 year old will have some games before being cut into the season.

There will be a Covid 19 Vaccine on mass starting April 12th at the Nikola Valley Memorial Arena.

The new restrictions on inside dining are in compliance here with pickup and deliveries in the norm.

That’s it from Merritt British Columbia this week KDG

March 2021

The Week that was March 27th, Merritt British Columbia, CA

The empty keg custom brewery on Voght Street had a covered sitting area added to it’s main entrance this week. The structure is attached and will include a plank floor interrupting the concrete sidewalk.

The local junior hockey team the Merritt Centennials will have a chance of a season this spring as they have a spot in a hub playing out of Chilliwack The 20 game pod will start on April nd against Chilliwack ,game time 5 pm. The other teams in the pod is the PG Spruce Kings . Covid-19 plan in effect.

The weather remains cool single digits with the odd moderately winding nights. The seasonal fire base at Saunders field has started up again as seen by the iconic red and blue uniforms about Subway.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was March 20th Merritt British, Columbia CA

Sean the office manager from Titan drilling says that the completed 43,000 m of drilling for West Haven mines last year. The Southwest of Merritt in the coquahala near shovelnose mountain s has 40,000 hectares and the machinery what’s three drills and produced 5% of the drilling done by the industry last year.

The local golf course as it’s flags out signaling that it’s open all though very little green is showing. A number of carts. Are seen taking advantage of it’s opening .

Weather is cool , single digits,a short windstorm came through midweek bringing wind and rain overnight.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week March 13th,Merritt British Columbia, CA

There was a demonstration parade for the murdered and missing Aboriginal women on Voght Street during the noon hour. About 200 indigenous peoples drummed and placated through the Nicola intersection past kekului restaurant with RCMP traffic control.

The Week that was March, 6th,Merritt British Columbia, CA

The first weekend of the new show at the art gallery is on now. The show is titled looking forward now and features Cinderella Trent and Kim Leclair, the show ends on April 11th.

Don Galaher moved his granddad’s 1922 upright piano from their ancestral home on Garcia Street which has been sold by its present owner Etalka Gillespie. The home was built in the 1920s by JJ Gillis, a country Doctor as well as a Canadian Pacific railway doctor.Gillis was also the MLA here during the great depression and the second world war he passed on in 1965 leaving his name on an extended Care facility in Merrit’.

That’s it from Merritt this week, KDG

Fields stores have a sign in the window that says Fields.Ca is no longer available.

The last weekend for the NVCA show Art During Covid 19 . Next show is two women quilters Kim Leclair and Cindella Trent starting March 10th and going to April 11th. The show is called “Looking Forward Now”. The Nicola Valley art gallery is on the corner of Nicola and Voght.

The weather is good with the February Moon coming to a quarter in the South Eastern morning sky. The February moon was a snow or hunger moon followed by March 28th Worm Moon, making April 2nd and 4rth Easter.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

February 2021

The Week that was February 27th, Merritt,British Columbia,CA

A motor vehicle accident at the Desert in caused a hydro pole to be shattered and needing replacement, the pole was fixed in the early hours of the morning with minimal power disruption.

Fencing is surrounding the old theater spot across from the fitness center on Quilchena avenue .The empty lot is kitty corner to the United Church.

the weather has broken from the cold and is now pleasant during the daytime as we move into March and passed the hunger Moon or snow Moon which occurred February 27th.

That’s it for Merritt this week KDG

The Week that was February, 20th, Merritt British Columbia, CA

A Covid-19 case was reported at the Florentine retirement home resulting in a lockdown for the home. The four story home is on Belshaw avenue and had vaccine treatment in recent weeks.

The local gymnastics club is meeting at at the Civic center on Mamette. parents are seen picking up kids after workouts. The Aquatic center is also open excluding the sauna and hot tubs. Two persons at a time are allowed in the exercise training room.

The weather broke here and has returned to slight freezing f over night with rain in the coming days.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The Week that was February 13th, Merritt British Columbia, CA

City council dipped into the Community plan and after three readings a nd the public process changed some zoning to high density residential. Pressure from developers often comes along for profiting on rezoning and sometimes butchers the good intentions of city planners Merritt has a history of land swaps, off street parking regulations waived and outright ignoring of building height nuisance and creative despair for those that are on the wrong side of the push to sell building supplies.

The School district 58 has a checklist for covid-19 protocols on their website the public health people have recently taken the view that ” face to face ” is best for many reasons. The check list dates from August 2020. :Microsoft Word – COVID Student Daily Health Assessment (sd58.bc.ca)

Snow and cold temperatures have come to the Nicola Valley this week. Overnight temperatures of minus 20 and clear skies have given way to mid teens and snow today.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

January 2021

The week that was January 30th, Merritt , British Columbia, Ca

The Merritt Public library has gone back to regular hours this week. The library had been closed during the lock down last winter. They opened in the summer with fewer hours and a limit of 10 people in the building at once. The library is at 1691 Garcia St. and is run by the city and district their website are available and pick up remains the best option for access.

The last day of the show at the art gallery called Street art is Sunday. The gallery at the corner of Nicola and Voght will be open from noon to 4 PM, Covid -19 restrictions are in place.

School district 58 is reporting they had an inspection in Merritt by Public health after to outbreaks one in the High school another in bench elementary . The letter to the parents says that the school passed on standards of cleanliness and hygiene. The letter was dated on January 26th 2021.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The Week that was January 23rd, Merritt , British Columbia, Ca

The Covid -19 problem at the Mongolian restaurant is resolved with a note on the door thanking the public for their support over the confirmed case that had caused them to close.

Some cases, 2 according to one source, have taken the attention and care of the local high school. The district in a letter to families has confirmed at least one positive test resulting in self isolation. Contacts are being traced and the School district says ” that only the Health Authorities can determine who is a contact..

Shirley Reynold’s a local artist and spouse of Tom a retired City administrator was at the Gallery Friday evening. talking photos with Angelina Broman as she maned the desk. She says she missed the people that would stop from Vancouver in the downtown. Shirley was renewing her membership in the NVAC. She was a force in the Valley Visual Artists that brought the gallery along. The gallery remains open Wednesday through Sunday afternoons including the supper hour.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

he Week that was January 16th, Merritt, British Columbia, Ca

The Starbucks outlet off Voght on Dewolf, top of the hill, is open this week. The store had closed after Covid–19 contacts on December 27th. ” we closed to wait it out and gave the place a good wash down, inside seating will not be available for at least a month.”

There is a sign on the Mongos downtown saying that there had been that had the virus causing them to close the store.

The Nicola Valley Arts Council Gallery is open with a show featuring street art running to the 31st of January. The effort seems to be searching for suitable mural material for the town. There is yet no reception for the January show scheduled.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was January 9th,Merritt British Columbia, Ca

Merritt continues to be ahead of the curve in Covid-19 however there is 9 cases this week cases, an increase over the end of Decembers data.

School is back in after the holiday break with young people seen to be walking home at the regular times. there has been no report of Covid-1919 since October 12t when a Merritt SD 58 Community member tested positive. Self isolation was used with the person and no students were exposed.

The conversation over the alleged insurrection event in the US capital is subdued with little note by a local server. ” protest happen al the time”

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was January 2nd Merritt British Columbia, CA

Gerry Sanford reported that the Christmas bird count resulted in documenting 70 bird species in the Nicola Valley. The bird count is conduced by the Nicola Naturalist Society and its principal Alan Burger has recently moved to Logan Lake BC from their place in the Cain Lake area South east of Merritt according to local Sanford.

The Tim Hortons in Merritt is open 24 hrs a day now,. There is no liquor served at the restaurant.

The Nicola Valley Art Gallery is closed between shows until January 8th.

That’s from Merritt this week KDG

December 2020

The week that was December 26th, Merritt British Columbia, CA

The historic Coldwater Hotel was open until 7 PM on Christmas Day and only served “Christmas Dinner”. The Bannock indigenous restaurant was also open until PM down the block from the Coldwater.

Silence was broken in the early evening Friday by ” kids with fire works” The barrage included Air bombs making a concussion that could be felt on Garcia avenue. NO police response was observed.

Holiday Greetings to you and yours.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was December 19th, Merritt British Columbia, CA

The RCMP published a letter asking for understanding in a death that near their building the first week of December hey also stated they remain on the side of public safety .

Masks are required in all public places and notices are by order of public health officals.

The BC state of emergency is in effect until the end of the day on December 22nd, 2020. It will be extended in all likely hood again and will fit the restart part of Coviod -19 relief.

Editors note a local pharmacy says they have no vaccine and will not have any until l possibly April.

That is it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was December 12th, Merritt British Columbia, CA

Darius Sam is noted in the window of the city hall offices ( family support unit) for his marathon running. The 20 year old is a local runner that supports mental health and the food bank. The Signage in the window in bold red letters appeared recently and says Thank-you Darius. There is a short fall in volunteers at this time.

The week that was December 5th , Merritt British Columbia, CA

November 2020

The week that was Nov28th, Merritt British Columbia CA

The AW has taken out its customer response electronic responder. The restaurant has a sit down policy for customers that have no mask on.

The province is reporting 2, 354 new Cornia-19 cases with and alarming new 46 death cases. (At 4:40 PM ) The death rate remains low at 1.33 percent.

Christmas light up is going on at this time with some homes being covered with a lot of lights other no so much. the city has lights on the main fares.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG.

No Friday night parade for Midnight madness this year. ” it would have been perfect weather for it and shopping after ” Clerk Fields store downtown.

A crosswalk device on a regular signpost was installed on Voght and Mamette avenue The device is solar-powered and has a light bar just above head level to alert the crosswalk as active to motorists. There are several others about Merritt that have been working for many months without incident. The recently installed one is in front of the Downtown Tourist Center 2202 Voght.

Big moon in the sky tonight, Monday its full and has an shadowy eclipse.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was Nov 21st, Merritt, British Columbia, CA

The Minor hockey association had a picture night this week numbers of teams lined up at the Nicola valley memorial arena for photographer.

The arts council had a grand opening night at their new location corner of Nicola and Voght. 30 artisan participants showed their wears undercover 19 restrictions including face masks and hand sanitation. There was a table with takeaway treats to mark the occasion. The show will run to December 24th and it’s the 5th annual winter artisan sale.

The local A& W is closing at 8:00 p.m. except for it’s drive-thru. The drive-thru will be open till 10:00 p.m. There is now a contact tracing book in the foyer for people to sign as I go in.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was Nov 14, Merritt, British Columbia, CA

The Merritt junior hockey team, is playing demo games in a hope to recover a season by December. The Merritt Centennials in their 48th year played Trail on Wednesday to a 5 to 0 loss without fans or substitutes. They will play their rival Trail again on Wednesday .

Starbucks is noted for the inside tables open this week. ” they have been open for two weeks” every second table is open unless your “group is in your bubble” Then you can use the next table to you. The number of tables is still small, counter service and drive through remain the stay.

Last day of the opening show of the new art gallery on Nicola. Next month will have a 26 artist showing.

That’s it from this week KDG

The week that was Nov 7th Merritt British Columbia, CA

The Merritt Art Gallery had a reception on Thursday at its new location on the corner of Nicola and Voght. The artist in show was Jean Kiegrel and twin Willows Glass. The gallery has one show so far at the new location.

The election of US president 46,Joe Biden is seen as a a homey deal as the new VP had high school in Canada. source servers

Ed from Ponderosa sport shop is showing off his alleged meteor that he found north of Merritt . The fist sized Rock is heavy to the feel and dark in color as one rolled in rivers. Ed is taking his magnet and going look foe more.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

October 2020

The week that was October 31st, Merritt British Columbia CA.

The Thompson Nicola regional district had a toxic waste pickup in the parking lot of the curling range Saturday. The annual pickup drive had been postponed from the weekend before because of snow and ice conditions. There will not be another pickup for a year.All waste can be brought out to the dump facilities, fees may be necessary.

Some trick or treaters are seen out in costume and at the local A& W making the best of Halloween around the Covitt 19 measures

. The Merritt Desert Inn is having its gravel roof repaired.. The business has set in a back entrance resembling a cow shoot and is contracted to be a shelter for the winter

Thats it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was October 24th,Merritt British Columbia CA

We’re sorry to announce the passing of a friend the tender age of 98 years, Helen Stonemam will be remembered by us at pi for a long time she was a friend a long time toastmaster of club 3929 and an active person in the community.

There is to be no public flu clinic hosted by public health and merit this year on advice that would be better to go to a local pharmacist.

Snow and colder weather have blanketed the valley this week bringing snow right into the city level on Friday. Temperatures have dropped below freezing with a wind chill expected this weekend to be double digit minus.

That’s it for Merritt this week KDG

The week that was October 17th Merritt British Columbia, CA

The old courthouse gallery moved to its new location at the corner of Nicola and Voght in Merritt. Jean Keigler also has has an exhibition as well as being on site for the show Wednesdays through Sundays afternoons until November 14th. The gallery acquired some very attractive jewelry display cases for local artisans of the wheelchair access is available from the buildings entrance off Voght.

The Tim Hortons in Merritt is closed for 15 days since Thursday last. The restaurant had a deep cleaning and and says it is for precaution.

Timbler contracting is putting up fencing and rock work along the riverbank for the highway upgrade to the Nicola River quote we should be done in a week.

That’s it for merit this week KDG

The week that was Oct 10th, Merritt British Columbia, CA

The farmers market is having its last sale on Quilchena Avenue today the market backdropped with Fall colours sits on the 2000 block n full glory. Local parliament hopefuls pushing baby buggies and glad handing. Jerry Sanders is seen with Jackie Tegart. the now candidate and former 2 term MLA. Pumpkins are every where as well as farm bounty , honey and crafts.

Tuesday was to be the last day for the Voght street construction however a delay has come up because of a contractor not being available to do the last bits of paving. The work is published as to be finished at the end of October.

Black maze shoots are at the rear of the Merritt Desert in leading to an winter shelter in the hotel. The shelter is by contract with the government.

That’s it from Merritt KDG

The Week that was Oct 3rd , Merritt British Columbia, CA

The Court House Gallery was cleaned out by the Arts council in readiness to move into their new location on the corner of Nicola and Voght. The group had been at the 1840 Nicola location for 18 years.

The public library ,1691 Garcia remains at 10 readers at a time.

Work BC posted job opportunities with the TMX expansion on the door of the office. They said that there were 2 locations in BC where TMX required workers.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

September 2020

The week that was Sept 26th,Merritt British Columbia,CA

The Arts Council is having and open house to see the new gallery location on Monday the 28th from 5 – 7 PM . the new location is at the corner of Nicola and Voghtt in the historic Jackson Building.

There is going to be Logger Sports on the thanksgiving weekend according to a source. The logger sports have been a success for many years in Merritt with sponsored chainsaw carving bein popular, comedic theater and many other logger Related events. The showing of logging equipment has drawn it to central park in recent times because of the space required. The show goes on from 9 to 6 pm October 9th and 11:00 am, 1PM and 3PM on October 10th 2020. 10 dollars per car load. This year they are back at the Merritt Rodeo grounds

Two Covid 19 contacts last week in the Nicola Valley one was at a local Hotel and one at a funeral. Source

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was Sept19th,Merritt British Columbia, CA

The Court t House Gallery is preparing to move to its new location on Nicola and Voght as the renovators are removing trees and bush off the property to build a gazebo. Next weekend will be the last gallery show in the old location.

The property that was the old Grasslands hotel that burnt more that decade ago has an application for rezoning from commercial to mixed residential including mobile homes. The property was owned by the 5 local first nations bands and represented by the steelworkers union at the time of the fire that ended the operation. The property has been empty field since the remaining building was torn dow.

The corner of Walters and Voght the site of a 4 story apartment complex is nearing roofing. The large lot is next to the foundation of a Coast Canadian Inn project that was stopped at in the early 1990s because of a dispute over sprinkler over firehall conditions. The lot is now posted for sale and the foundation remains. both properties are up the street from the the former Grasslands lot.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was Sept12th, Merritt, British Columbia Ca

The road crew on the Voght street upgrade said that a gas line break will put paving back al little, the company has until October 30th to finish the work on the road redo.

The Ware property on the Garcia street side of the Nicola river gave over an acer of land in a trade with the city to have rip rap placed to protect the corner of the upgrade highway on the Nicola avenue and the meter of rise in grade it accomplished . The Ware property got an legal right to another acre that kept the place over the 5 acer amount required for farm zoning

School restarted mid week with mask use central to the students attending. One table per cohort one exit for coming and going. “It is what it is ” student

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was Sept 5th, Merritt British Columbia.

Yano Howorth the Court House Gallery says that the current art show is the last for the old court house . New owners have raised the rent and are going to renovate the building. No comment rom the Michelle Pierce , the current president. Ms Pierce , an employee with Peter Moyes Home Hardware is a long time Merritt resident and had a passion for the gallery. She will be responsible for the move to the corner of Voght and Nicola in the former Post meat market. The new gallery will share the building with t first nations food outlet.

Word is that the Voght street upgrade will see pavement within to weeks. The project is to be complete by the end of October.

The Merritt Desert Inn a former country music bedrock supporter under Hall of fame member Melva White is reported to be contacted for shelter service in the coming months. The business was sold And Melva now serves on city council.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was Aug 29th, Merritt British Columbia.

The work to the south approach o f the Voght Street bridge bridge is progressing with curbs and storm drains in to the Blackwell avenue entrance mostly complete complete. People are speculating that blacktop will come soon and that it is ahead of its October completion date.

Starbucks has reduced ours closing daily at 4 PM it not put its tables and chairs out for the good weather and still has no sit down service inside. The store maintains distancing and email marketing. The store as a robust drive through service.

The last day of August will mark a month to the October first property tax deadline in Merritt.

That’s all from Merritt this week, KDG

The week that was Aug 22nd, Merritt British Columbia.

The 49th season of the local Junior Hockey team, the Merritt Centennials, is pending. The team is the longest surviving in the province and as had a camp of 120 people recently in Abbottsford. Today under returning coach Derek Sweet- Coulter they are part of 80 hopefuls.

The Bee show ended today at the Olde Courthouse Gallery. The gallery is at 1840 Nicola number 1 ( ground floor ). The September showing is a memorial show for artists that have recently passed.

Curbing is progressing on Voghtt street with highly seen drains stating do not pollute drains to river. the project is slated to finish the end of October.

That is it from Merritt this week, KDG

The week that was Aug 15th,Merritt, British Columbia, ca

The Vought street upgrade has put curbing in on the North side of the road to the area before the Kin park. The river will be getting some r rip rap to support the rise in elevation in the dip on the sweeping corner at the Central park entrance. The ware family across the river with an farm property has taken some tires out in an agreement to have some rip rap placed.

The local library is now open for inside service pf 10 people for an hour. There is also 45 minutes of computer time available. Telephone acess is available as well.

A contract was let to remove thistles that had grown through the juniper hedge at work BC on the Garcia facing offset area. The plants were 5 – 6 feet tall and going into seed.

That’s it from Merritt this week, KDG

The week that was Aug 8th, Merritt ,British Columbia,Ca

The Downtown Tourist Info Booth , The Baillie House is having a treasure hunt through August. The contest is sponsored Royal Lepage and Radio Q101 FM .There are 25 shops locations to enter foe thousand in prizes. Baillie House 1s number 22.

‘Mary from Marys Corner Kitchen says she only had 34 thousand in wages to get wage support from the pandemic relief program. she said she needed 40 thousand. She is now reconsidering her business.

Work on the Vought street up grade continues with services being replaced in the area of 2nd avenue.

That is it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was Aug 1st Merritt British Columbia, Ca

The local farmers market had 11 booths today. A sponsoship of fees is in effect at the hand od Community Futures Nicola Valley. ” two weeks trail period” source

The downtown touist info center has its holihocs in full growth and bloom. Mostly a pale yellow the flowers give a symmetry to the yard. The place aslo kown as the Baillie house is also the local historical society.

Merriit has planned for a refresh of its offical community plan. Starting in August the review will last several months and look at various zoning situations.

Thats it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was July 25th Merritt British Columbia, Ca

Tim Hortons 3340 River ranch road has reduced its seating to 4 from 7. The outlet continues to provide counter take out and drive through along with order ahead.

The local police have moved long time CPO cop Tracy Dunsmur to a First Nations task and made a new constable to be the CPO contact. The CPO is in the Spirt Square at the corner of Granite and Voght and is not open to the public as yet.

The Merritt Public library is still closed to the public however calling ahead can get a item at the front door. Limited hours apply, ask when you call.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG.

The week that was July 18th Merritt British Columbia, Ca

The Coldwater hotel ios open and under restrictions for service, the hotel at the corner of Quilchena and Voght changed ownership recently and the Chinese owner out fitted it with colloured liighting.The hotel is a historic building. Guests included train robber Billy Minor. Dr JJ Gillis had a medical practice in the building prior to his death in 1965.

The Grand hotel is open 9 oclock last call ,registration , 50 percent capacity, no kids under 10 years old andf servers wear masks in the kitchen with ongoing sanitation.

Starbucks has yet to bring back its seatin it only offers counter service with order ahead or walk in. Six feet apart floor markings to be followed.

Thats it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was July 11th Merritt British Columbia Ca

The Inn town motel in the 2000 block of Vought hosted 14 elderly motorcycle keeners from Vancouver Island this week. the group was interested in the network of secondary roads here.

Ed Hendricks fro ponderosa sports shop was concerened about about the BC government proposed changes to the widlife act . The changes are about private property designation and treaty lands as it relates to hunting..

The Coyote collision shop has been taken over by mining people processing drill cores. The company is contracting Titan drilling on a project in the Shovelnose mountain area outside Merritt.

Thats it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was July 4rth Merritt British Columbia, Ca

People were seen coming from city hall paying there property taxes. This was followed by a sign saying limited hours open to receive Taxes due July 3rd. The sign also said that no penalty to October 5th 2020.

Editors note the tax deline to avoid penalty is October 1st 2020.

The week that was June 27th Merritt British Columbia,Ca

The City is carefully trying level 3 restart there have been very few COVID cases over the pandemic here, people careful about things.

The down town tourist info center took on 2 more summer students now they have four. They are paid something over 15 dollars an hour, that is about twice the amount that the government was to pay for students that couldn’t work this summer.

The arts council had an outside reception for artists for this months show. The show included music. Distancing was practised as well as sanitizing of hands. There was a 30 ‘ distance from singers to the line of separated chairs. Darch Oborne former city rec offical and Dorthy Molnar businesswomen were in attendance.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was June 20th Merritt British Columbia ,Ca

Merritt is getting ready for an anticipated level 3 start up phase and the effects of travel domestic travel . The dowbtown tourist info center had new paint on the center and the barn. Summer sttudents are being hired for the season.

The Aboriginal Day on the 21st also saw a corresponding show of 5 FN artists opened on Friday. An artist reception is on next Thursday for the 5 led by fasion designer Shannon Kilroy.

Water levels are up because of rains on the Nicola River causing the city to do a reevaluation of levels. They expect to levels to be back to what was expected early next week.

Thats it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was June 13th Merritt British Columbia, Ca

The Saturday Farmers market off Voght doubled its booths to 6 this week including a new couple to the valley. The young folks have acquired property in the Spius creek area west of town and operate an artisan both at the Market.

Doug Beech a local realtor says that ” there is heavy pressure on rural acerages” in the area . This is because of the containment of corona virus and the difficulty of lock down in city venues. ” we would not like to go through it again in the city” is what they are saying.

The city hosted yoga on the lawn of the seniors lawn bowling club on Thursday. A full feild of younger people were coached by PA speaker. There was a unrelated accident on Friday when a city truck took down an over head power service when delivering sand for the bowling green. No injuries and the damage was quickly repaired.

Thats it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was June 6th Merritt British Columbia,Ca

Sand bagging was curtailed as a rain system failed to completely appear as predicted over the end of the week. This according to the Merritt Hearld.

A unloaded logging truck crashed into a older white step van on Nicola and Garcia on Thursday. little damage but a suprising number of empty logging trucks were backed up behinf the crash. The accident had a response from Police fire and ambulance.

The downtown vistor info center opened Friday on a limited basis. Talk tody was of opening the house for the yard sale fund raising .

Thats it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was May 30th Merritt British Columbia Canada, Ca

There is a construction crew starting work on Voght Street from the Bridge to Black well avenue . The work will go until October and includes a rise in the level of the road way of over a meter.

The Nicola river is slightly over its bank at Kin Park , there are no tapes or barriers up. Still maintain diligence about creek and be aware of flash floods because of rainfall.

The Court house gallery was open for showing on Thursday limited people allowed in and hand sanitation required.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The Week that was May 21st Merritt British Columbia, Ca

Some sand bagging showed up on Voght street on the park corner as rains made the river swollen.

A number of local business operations began operation on a limited second stage restart restriction. This incluced Subwayh the Grand Hotel and the Empty Keg.

Coopers stores have placed hand santizer at a controlled entrance it is said to not be manditory. They have removed the dividers on the roller bed to the till and broght back wheeled carts.

Thats it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was May 16th Merritt British Columbia, Ca

Painters are out doing curbs and crosswalks this week again. not all that timely for the long weekend but good considering the virus.

Shops are getting ready for the relaxation of some health restrictions next week people are going slow. some business like restaurants may not open again. The A and W is not planning on having inside service at all as yet do to drive success.

Gasoline prices are stable at 99.9 a liter all week.

Thats it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was May 9th Merritt British Columba, Ca

The farmers market had a first 2020 showing at the curling rink parking lot o today today. Local honey and some crafts were there. The group was sparce with distancing pronounced. They will be back Saturdays 9:30 AM to 1 PM.

Creek levels are dropping according to sources at Mill creek. The Nicola river is well be below flood stage at rhis writing.

The Baillie house property is being prepared for new paint. A crew is scrapeing Loose paint for a spruce up of the complex . It functions as a tourist info center and historical site.

Thats it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was May 2nd Merritt British Columbia Ca

The local community garden is giving all its produce to the food bank this season.

The Nicola river has risen to over the storm sewers outlet today. Water levels are still rising. Still 3 feet below flood markers.

Restaurants tremain closed for in dining.

Thats it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was April 25th Merritt British Columbia Ca

Coopers upgraded the arrows on the floor to have a marked route through the store to avoid close contact. Follow the green not the red.

Water in the Nicola river is still below the storm sewer outlets, the water is contoled by a dam at Nicola lake.

Restaurants and business still are closed to the public. Off sales and pickups are syill availble as well as some business by appointment.

Thats it from Merritt this week KDG.

The week that was April 18thMerritt British Columbia Ca

The fisheries people put 30 thousand Smolt in to the Nicola river Thursday. Part of 200,000 to be released. the fish came from the Spius Creek hatchery west of Merritt.

Some red arrows are being attempted on Granite Avenue to facilitate distancing.

The Federal government has placed a money bill to help Non profits before parliament. Merritt has a history of NGOs working to compliment the public needs.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

note: Gas prices hit 63.9 cents a liter !

The Week that was April 11th, Merritt British Columbia Ca

Coopers have added one way arrows to their isles to avoid close passing of shoppers.

Gas prices bottomed at 69.9 cents per liter at the down town Petro Canada.

Easter Issolation was by in large effective last week with un essential trviling noticably absent.

Thats it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was, April 4rth, Merritt British Columbia.

A column of deer had been seen going up Merritt Avenue about week and a half ago. They are said to take the quiet street up to the river ranch then take a game trail to a range on Swakum mountain north of town. The count was about 40 deer in tight walking gape.

The local newspaper the Merritt Herald has stopped its hard copy publication this week will see only online access. The paper is doing it because of Coronavirus concerns.

People in Merritt are by cooperating with the distancing and stay home provisions being put forward in its state of emergency.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was March 28th, Merritt British Columbia, Ca

Corna19 is now in our valley according to reports. A small number of infected people and they generating much talk.

Gasoline dropped to 84 cents a liter at the downtown PetroCan. The decline seems relentless.

Merrit has few resons for people to go out as they limiting restaurants activiyied asking to maintain physical distance of 6 feet. Coopers has taped off markers at the tills and limit the amount of people in the store.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was March 21st, Merritt British Columbia, Ca

Coopers store in Merritt had limits on food , two of any type, on the middle of the week.. ” we are just having trouble with trucks going elsewhere” Truck on Friday.

A man and wife were ejected for swearing at employees at the local Coopers store on Friday after trying to buy two many beans for his large family. Quade Lingren ” complied and peace was restored in the presence of store security.

Most all restaurants have only off sales and some have limits on how many can be in the store at one time.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The Week that was March 14th, Merritt, British Columbia, Ca

Snow covered the hills about the Valley this week and overnight lows were double digits.

Christopher West had the Nicola Naturalists meeting on Wednesday evening. He is a member of the KEG Kamloops Exploration Group and a has docterate from the University of Saskatchewan. The scope of his presentation was fossils from Ellesmere Island and Axel Heiberg islands in Nunavut . The timeframe was 56 million years ago and the ancient polar forest. ” We will use the data ( 40 years worth so far) to better understand global warming models.

The AW has taken away the condiments station for individual counter service. “The franchise is spooked bout Corona Virus” Source

Thats it from Merritt this week KDG

The Week that was March 7th,Merritt, British Columbia ,Ca

In like a lamb out like a lion is the coffee shop talk about the change of the month. March started out as temperate single digit days with a forecast of double digit minus over night after the 7th.

Time change politics are about the town, numbers of people do not want to have changes to and from PST. A debate about which one to permanently change to seems to gravitate to DST. We think that that will not happen without US coordination.

Coronavirus fear is low in Merritt with no cases reported and a slide to the peak of flu season in sight we can see light at the end of the tunnel for resources to deal with both. Social distance and hand washing general health are the focus on this community in this action.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was February 29th, Merritt British Columbia, Ca

Literacy Merritt had their AGM on Tuesday. The group acclaimed its slate of directors and executive nominations making Rhonda Wong President, Lia Moyes Larsen VP, and Megan Gregory Secretary Treasurer, Directors are John Chenowith, Tracy Dunsmore, Jane Kempton, Shelly Oppenheim Lacerte, and Toni Stewart. The group carried $52, 591 worth of assets to the new executive including $ 43, 214 cash.

Film crews are about the downtown filming Jurassic world three. There main presence is between the Coldwater Hotel and Ponderosa Sport shop. They have the area with signage preventing vehicle parking to March 6th. The area is available for business via the sidewalk.

No reports of Corona 19 virus here in town however some people have taken to ensuring they have a 2 week supply of provisions at home in case.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was February 22nd, Merritt British Columbia,Ca

The local BCHL junior hockey team won the last home game of the season tonight. The game ended in a 7-5 disposition over the Trail Smoke eaters giving the Cents a three game winning momentum going to their last season game against Salmon Arm in SA. The three game streak broke a 15 game loss streak that saw them out of the playoffs.

The City of Merritt has struck a committee for the local airstrip.

Temperature remain as single digits with overnight lows in the negative C. A 25 C snow fall is forecast for tonight. Watch Drive BC

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG

The week that was February 15th, Merritt British Columbia,Ca

A light plane crash at the local airstrip was investaged by the TSB this week. A man in his sixties was found strapped into the tail in the air aircraft after he had been reported missing. The man spent the night unable to get out of his seat or contact help. The TSB has ended the probe without further concerns.

Brian Barret said the local BCHL team has three at home games to play to close the season. The team was recently knocked out of the playoffs by Coquitlam Express.

The City offices have been renovated to move downstairs the development people. The front facing building on Vought street also has a Mammate avenue entrance for development applications. The new access is well signed.

That’s it from Merritt This week KDG

The Week that was February 8th Merritt British Columbia, Ca

The Merritt Centennials Junior Hockey team broke its win drought with a victory over the Prince George Spruce kings on Friday. The 5-2 score made for a comfortable context for their next game against Coquitlam on Tuesday.

Titan drilling is starting up drilling again after a Christmas/ winter shut down. Crews will be drilling again on Shovelnose mountain on the 15th of the month.

The Court House Gallery had their artist reception for the February show ” Children in Art” on Friday. City representative Kurt Christopherson spoke to the opening of the show and the importance of art in the Valley.

That’s it from Merritt this Week KDG

February 2020

The week that was February 1st, Merritt British Columbia Ca

The Merritt Centennials lost to Salmon arm last night the club is patient in wanting to end a long drought in wins. They have another opportunity tonight against Salmon Arm.

The arts council is back at it after sorting out the Christmas program with a family and kids show for February. There is an artists reception on February 7th at 4pm.

Temperatures are dropping as a front is passing through, double digit overnight lows are expected on Monday.

That’s it from Merritt this week KDG