Come to the Nicola Valley Aquatic Centre for a Dive-in Movie on Saturday, June 7, 2025, at 3:00PM, featuring the movie Wonka. See the official trailer. Concession also available MORE INFO: merritt.ca/pool © 2025 City of Merritt. | MyMerritt Employee Portal | Contact Webmaster A Merritt resident says it appears multiple homes are on fire near Voght Park on Saturday night It is pretty massive," said Merritt resident Julie Pollard One resident believes the fire is on Pine Street "I believe it's the houses that have been vacant since the floods in 2021," Pollard added The fire is believed to have sparked just before 9 p.m ''It looks like two homes are on fire,'' another resident told Castanet Multiple emergency vehicles are on the scene The November 2021 Atmospheric River damaged 24 sites along Highway 8 between Spences Bridge and Merritt. Work continues on permanent repairs to the damaged sites to restore them to full capacity and make them more resilient to extreme weather Permanent repairs are complete at 5 sites and are in progress at 19 sites Several sections of Highway 8 still have gravel surfaces with reduced speed zones At sites 9 and 10 (between 14 to 15.3 km east of Spences Bridge) there are two single lane alternating bridges Be prepared for potential traffic delays and watch for signs that identify sites under active construction obey speed limits and follow directions of traffic-control personnel For the latest information on road conditions, visit DriveBC regularly monitors the area and applies traction control (salt and sand) on the roads during winter conditions Cobra Electric Interior Services LP is the electrical maintenance contractor for the region and maintains traffic signals and lights If you notice any hazards or issues on Highway 8 (such as potholes and faulty lights) Should Highway 1 or Highway 5 close in the future Highway 8 will not be used as a detour as it is an active construction zone Protocol to redirect traffic away from Highway 8 will prevent secondary closures and impacts on local residents.  Messaging on available detour routes will be made available via message signs, www.DriveBC.ca and social media Check TranBC's Current Road Advisories for detailed information about highway travel disruptions during emergency situations Reducing environmental impact is a top priority for the projects Highway 8’s environmental team regularly monitors fish habitats to minimize the effects of repair work happening along the Nicola River.  The Highway 8 Team has completed fish habitat assessments at 15 sites where in-stream work is scheduled to take place This information allows the Ministry to plan enhancements and schedule work in a way that reduces impacts on the ecosystem work in streams will be scheduled for the spring and summer when water levels are higher and fish are less impacted by construction This is just one of several assessments that are part of the regulatory and permitting requirements for permanent repairs Environmental enhancements will improve ecosystems and help support local fisheries by providing habitat for young fish during periods of low water Five priority sites have been identified in collaboration with Indigenous leadership and technical staff.  during the emergency repairs to Highway 8. Early monitoring has shown that streamside plants have begun to grow and young fish have started populating the side channels along the river Sites 1 to 8 are located between 17.3 km west of Mamit Junction and 16 km east of Spences Bridge.  Sites 9 to 10 are located between 14 to 15.3 km east of Spences Bridge Sites 11 to 15 are located between 9.1 to 12 km east of Spences Bridge Sites 16 to 19 are located between 6.6 to 8.7 km east of Spences Bridge Sites 20 to 22 are located at 3 Mile Bridge Phone1-855-425-9416Emailhighway8.information@gov.bc.caSubscribeEnter your email address to subscribe to updates of this page Email addresses are collected under section 26(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, for the purpose of providing content updates. Questions about the collection of email addresses can be directed to the Manager of Corporate Web Did you find what you were looking for?YesNoThe B.C Public Service acknowledges the territories of First Nations around B.C and is grateful to carry out our work on these lands and concerns of all Indigenous Peoples - First Nations and Inuit - respecting and acknowledging their distinct cultures We can help in over 220 languages and through other accessible options. Call, email or text us, or find a service centre and it’s time to unleash your soccer spirit Join this adult soccer program for a thrilling ride of kicks Whether you’re a local legend or just starting your soccer journey this is your chance to be part of something special This is a self-run program with no instructor savour some refreshments in a casual setting This family-oriented open house provides a venue where residents can connect in-person with local officials to discuss matters that are of concern in the community Fun activities will be on hand to keep the children entertained while parents enjoy some meaningful conversation with City Council members Mayor and council look forward to seeing you and learning what topics are important to you Two wildfires burning east of Merritt are now listed as being held The larger of the two grew to 51 hectares before crews got the upper hand on Sunday afternoon Located near Pahomin Creek in the Douglas Lake area There are currently 30 active fires in British Columbia eight of which started in the last 24 hours Five firefighters with the BC Wildfire Service are responding to the 40-hectare fire burning east of Merritt Sunday morning Fire information officer Cassidy Martin said a response officer attended the scene of the fire Saturday night after it was first reported and the initial attack team headed to the fire smouldering ground fire with some more smoky and active areas once it gets into the trees," Martin said "But it's mostly just grasses and things like that nothing around that we're concerned about being threatened at all." The crew that's now fighting the larger 40-hectare fire spent Saturday night working on a smaller fire that burned closer to the Okanagan Connector but it's now considered "held." "They were able to get a wet line around it .. so we're not concerned about any impacts to the highway or anything of the sort," Martin said smouldering ground fire with not much flame at all While both fires are suspected to have been human caused Martin had no details about how the fires were started Two human-caused wildfires were discovered east of Merritt Saturday evening and one has grown to at least 40 hectares in size According to a Saturday night update on the BC Wildfire Service map the 40-hectare fire is burning out of control about 35 kilometres east of Merritt which burned just north of the Okanagan Connector near the Aspen Grove area after it grew to just 0.6 hectares in size Both fires are suspected to be human caused although the BC Wildfire Service has not provided any details about how they started The size of the BCWS' response to the fires is not known at this time Castanet has reached out to a BCWS fire information officer more information For more information about this change, please visit bctransit.com/merritt The Merritt Transit System has supportive programs that exist to ensure populations that require assistance have equitable access to transit The BC Bus Pass Program is a province-wide program funded and delivered by the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction that provides a universal bus pass for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities receiving assistance. More information about the BC Bus Pass program can be found at the Province’s BC Bus Pass webpage The Get on Board Youth 12 and Under program is a provincially funded program that allows children aged 12 and under to ride all BC Transit and TransLink transit services free of charge Learn More Monthly passes can be used to claim a tax credit on your income tax return Please have exact cash fare ready. See BC Transit For more information visit the BC Bus Pass Program Did you know that the Merritt Regional Transit System offers On-Request Service from Monday to Friday Call 24 hours ahead to book a pickup at 8:45 am Merritt Transit has three buses, and there are opportunities to get your message out in BC Transit Advertising. Lamar Advertising manages BC Transit’s advertising services. Please contact Lamar Advertising for rates We are happy to announce that the 2025 Spring Recreation Guide is now available online The City of Merritt would like to invite Nicola Valley residents to explore all the events and programs in this Recreation Guide that promote active lifestyles and build community connection Register at merritt.ca/registration This recreation activity guide is brought to you by the City of Merritt Recreation Department Notification will be sent out when printed guides can be picked up at the Nicola Valley Aquatic Centre Highway 97C north of Merritt has reopened to single lane alternating traffic Drivers are advised to expect minor delays The highway was fully closed between Merritt and Logan Lake on Tuesday afternoon due to a police incident Highway 97C between Merritt and Logan Lake has been closed in both directions due to a police incident “The RCMP believe that this will last for several more hours and are encouraging the public to consider an alternate route,” the City of Merritt said in a Facebook post This story will be updated when more information becomes available Representatives from nearly 40 local governments in B.C.’s Southern Interior will be gathering in Merritt this week to discuss common issues and decide which concerns and new ideas should be pushed forward to decision makers in higher levels of government first vice president for the Southern Interior Local Government Association said despite the region’s geographic size the 37 member municipalities and regional districts face similar issues “We have so much in common — whether it's from Clearwater and Barriere all the way down to Oliver Whatever happens upstream will eventually affect the community downstream in the Southern Interior,” Sarai said noting this includes climate-driven events like wildfires and floods to the economy “The benefit of having one voice of SILGA is we get together we advocate for all of our Interior communities.” Municipalities have brought forward a number of resolutions that will be debated and discussed at this week’s conference held at the Merritt Civic Centre from April 29 to May 2 Endorsed resolutions are put to a vote during the Union of B.C Municipalities conference in the fall before being put before provincial and federal governments One recommends a review of the Public Health Act to ensure public toilets are available and accessible in B.C. communities. Another calls for a new RCMP cost-sharing arrangement noting municipalities are facing pressure from “rapidly increasing policing costs.” The third resolution suggests asking the province to forego special ministry approvals for minor rezoning applications for properties near certain highway intersections noting the approval time “can be many months.” The Thompson-Nicola Regional District has sponsored four resolutions one calling for a policy allowing residents who are located next to Crown lands to follow FireSmart principles on those lands “within a prescribed distance of private property” to lower the risk of wildland urban interface fires A second TNRD-sponsored resolution calls for legislation requiring insurance providers to send a letter outlining their rationale when denying wildfire coverage for rural residents The resolution noted some rural residents say attempts to obtain insurance have been met with refusal — but because wildfire is considered to be an insurable event those impacted by a fire aren’t eligible for Disaster Financial Assistance Sarai said he put forward a TNRD-sponsored resolution on commercial transport training standards. His resolution calls for a ministry investigation into driver training standards an increase in on-the-road and in-class driver training and public reporting on enforcement actions taken against commercial trucks He said the resolution isn’t a slight against truck drivers but is instead aimed at obtaining a better understanding of what the province is doing and advocating for a more modern testing system for drivers The agenda for this year’s SILGA conference includes sessions on supporting regional and rural economic development the ongoing trade war with the United States and emergency preparedness and response from an agricultural perspective is joining fellow Fulton partner Jessica Vliegenthart for a session on handling outspoken elected officials and an unruly public — balancing freedom of political expression with a municipality’s legal obligation to ensure a safe working environment for staff Sarai said he’s looking forward to a special resiliency tour through Merritt highlighting how the city navigated the rebuilding process in the wake of severe flooding in 2021 he hopes to see more dogged work to push resolutions forward to a provincial and federal level “If they're important enough here they should be important enough on the minister's desk to do something about it,” Sarai said “I think we're at that point when we need to make sure that they are doing something about it — not wait a year and find out …We need to keep the pedal to the metal and make sure it’s followed up on.” In April, the bi-annual residential utilities bill will be mailed out. As per the Fees and Charges Bylaw 2386 (published December 2024) residents will see an increase in their utility bills Utility fees are set strictly for cost recovery on operational and capital expenses They are not a source of profit for the City Utility rates had remained unchanged over the last decade Those wishing to budget in advance for these changes may wish to look at the Fees and Charges Bylaw 2386 and Debit) can be made at City Hall at 2185 Voght Street Payments can also be made via your financial institution’s online banking The City of Merritt is implementing a grant-funded water meter program Water meters are proven to promote water conservation and help identify and address leaks in the system These water meters are FREE OF CHARGE to homeowners There is also no charge for this basic installation The City is responsible for maintaining these systems This is a mandatory program in accordance with Waterworks Bylaw No. 2392 The City has contracted Neptune Technology to install or upgrade the water meter at every residential property in the municipality Commercial properties already require meters that may be upgraded to communicate with the new system The residential water meter install and upgrade procedure requires 30-90 minutes to complete during which time the water will be shut off for a brief period Installations will be carried out on an area-by-area basis When technicians commence work in your area you will receive a notice containing information on how to book your appointment please contact the building owner when you receive this information Please do not contact Neptune until you receive the notice with your booking reference number Appointments can be made to fit your schedule These upgrades will allow the Utility to read the water meter from outside of your house and eliminate the need for the meter reader to gain access to your property to read the meter Please ensure the area around the existing water meter or shut-off valve is clear and accessible and leave ample room for the technician to work Your existing shut-off valve should be located where the water service comes into your house Check your main water shut-off valve to make sure it is operable We look forward to your support and co-operation to make this program a success Merritt residents and businesses currently consume water at a rate well above national average This may be due in part to water being lost in aging watermains the City of Merritt is now initiating a universal water metering program A standard water meter will be installed in every household FREE OF CHARGE to homeowners It is expected that with accurate information about water usage the City will be able to identify infrastructure deficiencies and see a decrease in water usage Reference the City of Merritt Waterworks Bylaw #2392, 2025 (adopted February 25, 2025): “A Water Meter shall be installed for each category on every parcel that receives water service from the City as per the Fees and Charges Bylaw The City may refuse or Discontinue to supply water to any premises…” While the City currently has water metering in place for organizations and multi-unit complexes within the community it has not been able to raise the funds to implement residential water metering for the larger residential community With climate change, there is greater global awareness of the need to implement water conservation policies. Fresh water is a precious limited global resource that is declining the Coldwater River is a “losing reach” or “sinking river,” where incoming water fills our aquifers effectively draining water from vital fish habitats communities must seek methods to reduce waste such as through public information campaigns While City water seems to be “free” The cost of water is billed to each property owner on their taxes Water metering is more equitable as those residents that conserve their water usage would likely experience a reduction in taxes while those that use large amounts will be billed appropriately for their consumption The purpose of water metering is largely to help residents become mindful of their water usage and to practice water conservation efforts Statistics show that when a water metering system is implemented communities reduce their consumption by up to 39% With this additional water conservation tactic the City should be able to avoid the need for costly capital improvements And since this $3,526,814 project is funded largely by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs with the remaining $500K+ from the City’s water reserve fund residents will not see any additional costs for this improvement “The City of Merritt is grateful to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs for their continued support in helping to improve the City’s services and to implement good water conservation practices,” says Mayor Michael Goetz “This funding is an important first step towards protecting our future water resources.” This project helps the City meet Provincial and First Nations regulations and expectations in relation to drought management this project will enable the City to better position itself for future development without adding significant extra costs for water infrastructure The City anticipates that this will be a 3-4 year project with planning and public consultation commencing this year SEE WATER METERING PLAN:  BUSINESS CASE (2022)   |   IMPLEMENTATION REPORT (2008) New funding from the Province will allow the City of Merritt to rebuild two damaged dikes to higher standards to better protect against flooding and keep people safe The Province is providing the City of Merritt with $60 million to relocate and rebuild two critical dikes that were damaged during the flooding of November 2021 ͞Today marks a significant step forward in the City of Merritt’s recovery from the 2021 atmospheric river event which was devastating for the community,͟ said Kelly Greene Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness ͞Moving and rebuilding these dikes will allow the river to flow more naturally bringing ecosystem benefits while better protecting Merritt from future flooding We͛ll continue to support communities throughout as they recover from the 2021 event to keep people safe and better prepared Intense rainfall caused the Coldwater River to overflow its banks leading to failure of the dikes and catastrophic flooding in Merritt Because the flooding changed the course of the river the dikes could not be rebuilt at the existing locations and must be rebuilt at alternative sites ͞This $60-million investment is a game-changer for Merritt,͟ said Micheal Goetz ͞The construction of dikes 129 and 130 means our community can finally breathe a sigh of relief knowing we are taking real steps to protect our homes more resilient future — one where we can face the future with greater confidence and security This funding will allow the City of Merritt to reconstruct the dikes to modern standards and acquire land to build the dikes in new locations These projects are part of the City of Merritt͛s flood mitigation plan to restore and protect the community after the 2021 flooding being undertaken with support of the local First Nations riverbank restoration and armouring to prevent erosion Relocating and rebuilding the two dikes will also help reduce flood risks to downstream communities and benefit the local ecosystem by preserving the natural flow of the river ͞The Shackan Indian Band is happy to see our neighbours receive the needed funding for rebuilding these dikes helping the city mitigate risks from future flooding,͟ said Chief Lindsay Tighe ͞The flooding in 2021 has been absolutely devastating to our communities; some of our community members remain evacuated as Shackan continues to recover Our support is a step toward a stronger relationship with the City of Merritt and neighbours as we all depend on a healthy Nicola Valley It is encouraging to see various partners throughout the Nicola Valley continuing to work together three years after the devastating flooding to make our communities stronger and more resilient Rebuilding these key dikes is one of several flood-mitigation and restoration projects funded by the Province to support the City of Merritt Other projects include reconstructing the Middlesboro Bridge rebuilding dikes and banks along the Coldwater River park restorations and water-well restorations For information about disaster and climate-risk reduction, visit ClimateReadyBC: https://www.ClimateReadyBC.ca For more information about the City of Merritt͛s flood mitigation plan, visit: https://flood.merritt.ca/ To learn more about the City of Merritt, visit: https://www.merritt.ca/ Ministry of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness The heavy rains and resultant flooding in southwestern B.C in November 2021 was the most expensive natural disaster in B.C.͛s history with catastrophic impacts to communities the Province has committed more than $130 million including the $60 million announced March 25 to support Merritt͛s flood mitigation plan Dress up as your favourite Superhero at this all day event at the Nicola Valley Aquatic Centre on Monday, April 28, 2025. https://www.merritt.ca/pool One person has been arrested and charged after a police raid took place on Wednesday in a home in Merritt which forced two nearby schools to go into lockdown RCMP announced on Friday that Kristal Poirier has been charged with numerous offences after a search warrant was executed at a residence in the 2000 block of Clapperton Avenue Police said they were called to the Merritt Save-On-Foods on Wednesday and told by a male that he had escaped from the Clapperton Ave residence after being held there against his will "With the assistance of the RCMP Southeast District Emergency Response Team and Police Dog Services numerous individuals were extracted from the residence and taken into custody," RCMP stated in the news release "It was determined that two victims had been held in the residence and were confirmed safe." RCMP said the schools in the area were also alerted of a police incident in the area emails from Nicola-Similkameen School District 58 were sent to parents asking people not to come to the schools An update from the school district came shortly after stating that both Merritt Central Elementary and Merritt Secondary were downgraded to hold and secure — meaning that doors are locked Two of the schools mentioned in the initial email were never locked down Police said that at no time was anyone in any school building in danger "The Merritt RCMP are very thankful for our partners at School District 58 Lockdown and Hold and Secure protocols are practiced just like a fire drill would be," Cst Blake Chursinoff of the Merritt RCMP said in the news release "The Hold and Secure protocol was put into place in an abundance of caution for students and staff within Central Elementary and Merritt Secondary Both schools followed the protocols very well no one within the school buildings was in danger." Poirier was charged on Thursday with Unlawful Confinement (x2) Assault with a Weapon (x2) and Assault Causing Bodily Harm (x2) and remains in custody Merritt RCMP said their officers and the Forensic Identification Services executed a search warrant of the residence police said they found a large quantity of illicit drugs Poirier could face more charges as the investigation evolves Poirier has a virtual bail hearing scheduled for April 14 The Merritt RCMP are requesting anyone with information regarding this incident to speak with them at 250-378-4262 A single-vehicle rollover crash has been cleared from Highway 97C near Elkhart responded to the scene shortly after 8 p.m Drive BC said the incident had been cleared On the Coquihalla Highway just south of Merritt drivers are reporting that the road has reopened after an earlier crash involving two tractor-trailers An air ambulance landed at the scene of a crash involving two semis on the Coquihalla Highway just south of Merritt on Monday evening Drivers in the area said the trucks were partially blocking both directions of the highway One witness said traffic was stopped southbound but that one northbound lane was open into Merritt An image captured by a Drive BC webcam appeared to show a car upside down in the driving lanes of Highway 97 C near Elkhart shortly after 7:30 p.m Drive BC said crews were en route to the incident More delays are likely due to a crash on the Coquihalla Highway near Merritt Drive BC says traffic is affected in both directions between Exit 276: Comstock Rd and Exit 286: Merritt - 97C (1 km south of Merritt) Travellers should expect traffic stoppages while crews deal with the vehicle incident One person in the area posted to social media to say the highway was closed and an air ambulance was on site Drive BC advises travellers to expect delays on the Coquihalla Highway near Merritt People posting on social media report that two semis have collided and other vehicles have spun into the ditch along an icy stretch of the highway about 2 kilometres south of Merritt It has been snowing on and off today along portions of the Coquihalla ??Report of vehicle incident #BCHwy5 2km south of #Merritt. Expect delays. #Coquihalla Drivers are still reporting fresh snow and slushing conditions on the Coquihalla Highway Posts on Facebook groups say travellers have encountered everything from snow to fog to rain and even sunshine depending on which part of the route they are traversing Drive BC webcams show snow-covered medians along several portions of the Coquihalla on Sunday afternoon there is a dusting of snow along the shoulders near Elkhart It may be warm and sunny in the lower reaches of the Southern Interior but as is often the case conditions are less ideal on mountain passes "Even though we've welcomed the beginning of spring the winter snow is still covering some parts of the province," DriveBC said Monday from Hope to Merritt shows a few flurries in Monday morning changing to rain showers in the afternoon and then flurries again by evening Roughly two to four centimetres of snow should fall when all is said and done On the stretch of the Coquihalla from Merritt to Kamloops Environment Canada is reporting a 60 percent chance of flurries or rain showers by Monday afternoon There's a 60 percent chance of flurries or rain showers early this evening a few flurries ending late Monday evening then clearing there's a 60 per cent chance of flurries Monday afternoon and that drops to a 30 per cent chance of flurries by this evening On Highway 3 from Paulson Summit to Kootenay Pass conditions are expected to be cloudy with 60 per cent chance of flurries and a risk of a thunderstorm during the afternoon Houses along Fir Street in the City of Merritt are at risk from an eroding slope on the Coldwater River.  The site is located within the City of Merritt approximately 200 m downstream of Merritt Voght Street bridge (Middlesboro Bridge) The Voght Street bridge collapsed immediately upstream of the project area the river previously meandered along the right bank dike and during the ARE flood the meander filled with sediment causing a channel avulsion to cut through the meander the thalweg was pushed to the base of the steep clay cliffs at the site which increased the risk of bank destabilization there were sections where the left and right bank dikes failed Works to mitigate erosion and flooding risks along a reach of the Coldwater River in Merritt BC will address erosion and bank stability caused by the November 2021 ARE The objective is to implement erosion protection that would protect the site from further erosion and land loss due to the Coldwater River scour and rainfall will continue to undermine and erode the outer bank cliff This will increase the risk to the residents on Fir Ave channel avulsion and sediment deposition are expected to reduce channel capacity and create additional risks to upstream and downstream areas Bank failure would result in deposition of fine grained material which is expected to negatively impact fish habitat Channel avulsion and sediment deposition would impact vegetation along the river we anticipate that the vegetation would re-establish on its own This will increase the risk to the houses on Fir Ave Information Officersec.info.epd@gov.bc.caSubscribeEnter your email address to subscribe to updates of this page Discover the benefits of movement and relaxation with our Beginner Tai Chi class This easy-to-follow program focuses on slow gentle movements designed to improve balance this class is open to all ages and abilities and offers a simple effective way to reduce stress and stay active Our supportive instructor will guide you step-by-step making it enjoyable and accessible for everyone Enhance your practice and deepen your connection to Tai Chi with our Intermediate Tai Chi class This program builds on foundational techniques focusing on refined movements that further improve balance Designed for those with prior Tai Chi experience this class provides an opportunity to progress your skills in a supportive and engaging environment Our experienced instructor will guide you through more intricate forms helping you achieve greater mastery and enjoyment The boiler for the main pool at the Nicola Valley Aquatic Centre failed last week Community Services maintenance workers found evidence of fire damage and scorched As the boiler cannot operate safely without firebricks The high-temperature refractory bricks were cracking The extreme heat caused damage to sensitive parts of the boiler system Evidence of large orange flames scorching the bricks was seen These bricks were replaced last year because they were showing signs of deterioration and cracking The City has ordered a supply of replacement bricks The arrival date and planned repairs are expected to occur around April 11 with full operation expected the week of April 14 the large boiler that heats the main pool is non-operational The boilers for the leisure pool and hot tubs remain functional To partially compensate for the main boiler failure staff are interchanging Leisure pool water with Main pool water to maintain a relatively comfortable temperature While the operating temperature for the main pool is typically 82°F the current holding temperature is 78°F at this time Updates will be provided as more information becomes available The City thanks pool patrons for their patience as staff work to resolve this issue Director of Community Services Dave Zakall says “I want to give a big shout-out to our City of Merritt maintenance staff who work hard day in and day out to provide a safe and clean facility for the citizens of Merritt.” City staff are expecting to look at alternative more energy-efficient measures of heating our pools in the future Please select what you would like included for printing: Copy the text below and then paste that into your favorite email application It is with great sadness we announce the sudden passing of William H Merritt at the Cape Breton Regional Hospital on January 21 2025 after a brief but courageous battle with cancer Bill was the son of the late Hillary and Adele(Poirier) Merritt Bill retired from the NSLC as manager of the Sydney Mines store he loved playing ball with the Sydney Mines Ramblers in his younger years Later in life he enjoyed golfing with friends at Seaview Golf Club in North Sydney He made many friends and was well liked by his neighbors at the seniors complex Pitt Street Sydney Mines especially "Moose" Bill is survived by his sister Delores Tobin Ontario and by numerous nieces and nephews Bill was predeceased by his wife and the love of his life Emma (Burchell) Merritt Miller and the staff at the CBRH for their care and compassion for Bill A special thanks to Maureen MacTaggart for her devoted friendship and care in his final days A private family committal at a later date This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors Mounties say people are no longer being asked to stay away from a Merritt neighbourhood that was the scene of a police raid on Wednesday “There remains no risk to the public,” RCMP Cpl James Grandy said in an update sent to reporters shortly after 2 p.m “RCMP are not releasing any further details at this moment." Police confirm they are on scene at “an unfolding incident” at a home on Clapperton Avenue in Merritt “There is no risk to the public,” RCMP Cpl RCMP are directing people to stay away from the immediate area which includes the Diamondvale subdivision.” This story will be updated when more information becomes known A police raid Wednesday on a home in Merritt forced two nearby schools to go into lockdown Heavily armed Mounties have swarmed an address in the area of Garcia Street and Clapperton Avenue including Merritt Central Elementary School and Merritt Secondary School “Please do not come to the school at this time which means that no one can come in or out We will send out another message when the lockdown has been lifted,” the email reads an update from the school district stated that both Merritt Central elementary and Merritt secondary have been downgraded to hold and secure — meaning that doors are locked and it is business as usual inside RMCP Emergency Response Team members were spotted en route to Merritt from Kamloops and Kelowna A section of Garcia Street and Clapperton Avenue has been blocked from public access Join Mayor Michael Goetz and community members as we commemorate a significant milestone in our community’s recovery from the November 2021 flood All residents are invited to participate in this dual event which honors both our resilience and the progress made to rebuild our community RIVER WALKSaturday November 16, 20248:00 AM +Location: Riverside MH Park to the end of Pine Street (see map below)Mid-Point Stop:  Middlesboro Bridge “Grand Re-opening Celebration The event will kick off with an optional River Walk led by Mayor Goetz taking participants on a journey through areas impacted by the flood and highlighting the strides made in recovery The Mayor will share his personal reflections on the road to rebuilding and the work that remains ahead There will be a stop-over on the walk to coincide with the Middlesboro Bridge Celebration at 9 AM Please note: While the walk is a meaningful way to connect with the community’s recovery You are welcome to join the walk at any point MIDDLESBORO BRIDGE GRAND OPENING & CEREMONYSaturday, November 16, 20249:00 AM – 11:00 AMLocation: Middlesboro Bridge (north side) | 1300 block Voght Street by Claybanks RV Park* parking along Voght Street the North side and along Lindley Creek Road South of the  bridge (pedestrian walkway will be open) we will gather at the newly rebuilt Middlesboro Bridge for a formal grand opening and recovery ceremony This celebration marks a significant achievement in Merritt’s recovery symbolizing the strength and unity of our community The ceremony will include a prayer from local First Nations There will be a large heated tent that will contain… Whether you join us for the entire day or just the bridge celebration this event offers a unique opportunity to share in Merritt’s resilience The project partners and the City of Merritt Flood Mitigation Team invite students to be a part of the Middlesboro Bridge Grand Re-Opening on November 16th (details above) We’ve created special colouring pages for students to express their creativity as we gear up for the big event All completed masterpieces will be proudly displayed in the cozy heated tent at Claybanks RV Park during the celebration Each piece of art will be celebrated and showcased and every young artist who makes it to the celebration will receive a special pin as thanks for their contribution simply drop it off at the designated submissions basket at City Hall’s main counter by the end of the day on the 15th Everyone is welcome to join in and create their own unique renditions Please feel free to share this with any guardians or teachers who would like to incorporate it into their curriculum or education plan It’s a fun and engaging way for students to connect with their community and showcase their talent Please also post the event poster in your school on your bulletin board The Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD) has completed an update to its Housing Needs Report for 10 electoral areas and 9 participating member municipalities the TNRD sought community input to help develop a better understanding of current and emerging housing challenges and housing needs of residents Those that filled out the TNRD Housing Needs Survey helped the TNRD to identify housing gaps and housing priorities leading to recommendations and strategies of how to ensure there is sufficient and suitable housing for residents over the next 20 years the City of Merritt partnered with the Thompson-Nicola Regional District and M’akola Development Services to study housing needs in the community As per Section 585 of the Local Government Act the adoption of a Housing Needs Report is mandatory Municipalities must also update the report at least every 5 years after the adoption of the first report An updated Housing Needs Report must be completed for 2025 Merritt Housing Director: holly.ferris@merritt.ca The Junior Lifeguard Club offers serious fun for kids 7- 14 years and up who can swim 25 metres and tread water for 1 minute The Junior Lifeguard Club provides an action-packed challenge for kids who love the water but who want more than “lessons” Police are investigating a murder in Merritt where a man died after he was found suffering injuries police determined to be suspicious in nature Mounties are keeping tight lipped about the case They said they were called to the residence of a man who was in medical distress on Monday police said John Beauchemin succumbed to his injuries “Investigators are diligently tracing Beauchemin’s final movements and interactions leading up to the time of his death,” RCMP Staff Sgt there is believed to be no cause for public concern as investigators continue to gather and assess the facts surrounding Beauchemin’s death.” Anyone with information about the incident can call police at 1-877-987-8477 The Washington Commanders rounded out their 2025 NFL Draft class by taking running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt Here are five things to know about the newest member of the backfield so they had to make sure they got as much value as possible out of each player They kept that strategy all the way down to the seventh round with Croskey-Merritt and ESPN's Field Yates loves what Croskey-Merritt could bring to Washington "Croskey-Merritt had a winding college path that started at Alabama State and ended at Arizona though eligibility issues limited him to only 13 rushes for the Wildcats in 2024," Yates wrote "He has a very intriguing combination of size but he must develop his instincts and vision He's a moldable player for the Commanders to develop." there's no need for the Commanders to rush his development perhaps the Commanders could turn Croskey-Merritt into a steal Leave Jenks & Smoot a voicemail at 703-726-7419 or send us an email at washingtongetloud@gmail.com The views and opinions expressed by our podcast guests and/or hosts are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the Washington Commanders or any of their representatives Croskey-Merritt had some solid seasons at Alabama State but he didn't truly put himself on teams' radars until he transferred to New Mexico for an increase in competition That decision ended up being a good one for Croskey-Merritt because his one year with the Lobos was the best of his college career Croskey-Merritt was one of the catalysts for New Mexico's offense by leading the team with 1,190 yards and 17 rushing touchdowns It was one of the best performances in program history as his rushing total ranked seventh all-time and touchdown total was third He became the first player in the Lobos' history to have back-to-back games of 200 rushing yards and was a Second Team All-MWC for his efforts Croskey-Merritt graduated with a degree in communications but still wanted to increase his NFL draft stock so he committed to Arizona to prove himself against an even tougher level of competition The Washington Commanders select Arizona Wildcats running back in Round 7 of the 2025 NFL Draft with the No Things started well enough for Croskey-Merritt at Arizona as he rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries but questions about his eligibility forced him to miss the rest of the season "It was pretty rough," Croskey-Merritt said but he made the most of it by staying active in practice to help his team win That effort might not have shown up on the stat sheet but it stuck out to the Commanders when evaluating him and you talk to him when he was here [for a 30 visit] and they have so much respect for how he stayed engaged the whole way through the season," said Commanders assistant general manager Lance Newmark What stood out the most to the Commanders is that his preparation stayed the same That shows a high level of integrity that the front office wanted on their roster "I learned that I'm a strong individual...always loved the game and I was ready to take on that talent," Croskey-Merritt said NFL Draft Review + RFK News 🏟️ + Beef with Mr 🦍 | Podcast | Washington Commanders | NFL Every NFL player has someone they looked up to growing up it was one of the best running backs in Alabama and college football history: Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram making defenders not want to attack you," Croskey-Merritt said when asked about Ingram "That's the main thing that I took away from Ingram and I feel like that's the only way to play the position is just being violent and running with anger." Ingram had a dominant three seasons at Alabama He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in 2011 and played in the league for 12 years It's way too early to make any assumptions about Croskey-Merritt's career but if he continues his role model's trajectory he's also in store for a successful professional career Assistant general manager Lance Newmark addressed the media after Day 3 of the NFL Draft It had been a while since Croskey-Merritt had competed in any semblance of an actual game when he was invited to the East-West Shrine Bowl he handled himself well in the all-star game by rushing for 97 yards and two touchdowns Croskey-Merritt was named the Offensive MVP "It's a blessing just to be up here," Croskey-Merritt said after the game that he still has much to offer to another team Newmark even mentioned that performing well in the all-star circuit helped his cause and the Commanders are excited about what he could offer to their team Croskey-Merritt is eager to get things started whether it's special teams or running back," Croskey-Merritt said "I'm just ready to make this team better." A morning roundup of content from the Washington Commanders on Monday A morning roundup of content from the Washington Commanders on Friday The Washington Commanders added depth to their linebacker room by taking UCLA's Kain Medrano with the 125th overall pick Here are five things to know about the rookie and while they didn't get another pass-rusher they like they players they got in their five-person class The Commanders added depth to their wide receiver room with Jaylin Lane in the fourth round Here are five things to know about the newest pass-catcher A morning roundup of content from the Washington Commanders on Wednesday Here's what The Athletic's Dane Brugler had to say about each play in this year's version of "The Beast," an annual draft preview that provides in-depth analysis of hundreds of prospects each year a fifth-round pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2019 draft comes to Washington after spending two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts The Commanders used their second-round pick to take Ole Miss cornerback Trey Amos Here are five things to know about their newest defensive back $2.7 Billion Investment from the Commanders is the Single Largest Private Investment in District History Washington had the second smallest haul in the draft managed to fill needs deepen positions and get highly-rated players fit into their culture The City of Merritt is reaching out to local businesses and organizations to better understand our community’s workforce needs and job opportunities — and we need your voice Your input will help shape future strategies that support both businesses and job seekers in Merritt During the early evening of Friday April 4th, a paddleboarder located a vehicle fully submerged in Nicola Lake just off shore from the rest area boat launch. Frontline officers attended the scene and confirmed, in fact, that a black SUV sat at the bottom of the lake about 100 feet from the shoreline. The "E" Division Underwater Recovery Team attended the next day, Saturday April 5th, and completed a recovery of the vehicle, a black 2019 Land Rover Range Rover. Upon the vehicle being brought to the shoreline and identified, it was determined that the vehicle had been reported stolen out of Surrey, BC. Currently, it is not known exactly how the vehicle made its way into the lake and the Merritt RCMP are requesting any information that the public may have regarding this stolen vehicle investigation. "The Merritt RCMP are requesting any information from the public that may assist this investigation in an effort to determine a timeline of when the vehicle entered the lake and who may be responsible" says Cst. Blake Chursinoff of the Merritt RCMP. Anyone with information regarding the black Land Rover is asked to call the Merritt RCMP at 250-378-4262 referencing file number 2025-1500. Join the conversation You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account Interior community of Merritt received $60 million Tuesday from the B.C government to upgrade its dike system on the Coldwater River after the entire community was evacuated in 2021 due to historic flooding Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience “This has been a long journey for us,” said Merritt Mayor Mike Goetz “We’re absolutely thrilled with this announcement and it allows us to grow and see a better future.” Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Interior community of Princeton and Abbotsford in the Fraser Valley have also received provincial money but not enough to start on major climate-resilient upgrades noted the entire province is experiencing more intense wildfire seasons “It’s more important than ever to take action to prepare for and mitigate and reduce risk and keep people and communities safe,” said Greene The $60 million will allow Merritt to complete 70 to 80 per cent of a flood mitigation plan that involves moving the dikes back from the river to increase the flood plain City officials expect to have to buy-out some properties noting that will be determined as detailed engineering is completed The work on 2.9 kilometres of diking is expected to take three to five years in part because there is a short summer window to carry out construction Goetz said the city will be seeking the remaining funding needed to complete its dike modernization plan from the federal government Merritt and Princeton’s applications for $1.7 billion from Ottawa’s disaster mitigation and adaptation fund But Abbotsford’s plans calls for $1.6 billon to modernize its system of 43 kilometres of dikes The federal government recently changed some disaster mitigation funding rules but Goetz said he understands there is currently no funding for communities municipalities have consistently told the provincial and federal governments they don’t have the financial resources for the needed upgrades the director of Merritt’s flood mitigation and recovery team said the new dike system will move away from water-side dikes that turn the river into a “sterile bowling alley.” setting back the dikes will require eight times less rock and increase shore-side vegetation areas Strang noted the 2021 flood exceeded estimates by 270 per cent and is expected to lower maintenance requirements and allow dikes to last through extra-normal flooding,” he said Shackan Indian Band chief Lindsay Tighe said he was pleased the upgrade plan incorporates his community’s wish for a system designed not just to protect people but accounts for eco-systems Tighe noted that there are members in his community who are still displaced from the 2021 flood and it is very emotional for those just trying to protect our homes,” he said The November 2021 flooding was caused by heavy rains from tropical storms carried across the Pacific Ocean and hit parts of southwestern B.C and the Interior in a short period of time The flooding from the so-called “atmospheric river” resulted in billions of dollars in damage saw thousands of people displaced from their homes transmission or republication strictly prohibited This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. 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By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy You can manage saved articles in your account VancouverNewsB.C. woman charged after victim flees confinement, calls policeBy Todd CoynePublished: April 11, 2025 at 7:55PM EDT Twitter feed ©2025 BellMedia All Rights Reserved The City of Merritt is committed to helping residents reduce the risk of wildfire by providing a free FireSmart chipping program for highly flammable trees and shrubs This initiative helps homeowners remove hazardous vegetation from their properties The FireSmart Wood Chipping Program offers free curbside pickup and chipping of flammable plant materials such as: This program does not accept deciduous (leafy) trees and shrubs This program is designed to focus on the most flammable vegetation Any materials that do not meet the program’s requirements will be left on site All acceptable materials must be placed curbside by 7:00 am on the assigned pickup day to ensure collection Chippers are capable of chipping up to 15” diameter To help ensure safe and efficient chipping Certain trees and shrubs contain volatile oils and resins that ignite easily homeowners can significantly reduce fire intensity and spread near their properties For tips on fire-resistant landscaping, check out the FireSmart BC Landscaping Guide. You can also visit FireSmart BC’s Fire-resistant plants page to select trees annuals and bulbs that are best suited in our area To report a wildfire or fire-related emergency contact BC Wildfire Service at 1-800-663-5555 or dial *5555 from a cellphone Removing flammable vegetation is a key step in making Merritt a safer Sign up today and take action to safeguard your home against wildfires Steve Rempel, FireSmart Coordinator  |    firesmart@merritt.ca Property owners can get $100 off their BCAA Home Insurance policy if they complete a Home Assessment through the Wildfire Mitigation Program Ask your FireSmart representative during the home assessment process Upon completion of all the recommended mitigation actions and receiving a Wildfire Mitigation Certificate property owners may be eligible for additional home insurance savings Further questions or comments can be sent to FireSmart@merritt.ca or by calling the FireSmart team at (250)-378-5626 Recognizing the increased costs to businesses due to property crime and vandalism in rural and urban communities across the province Economic Development and Innovation has launched its $10.5 million Securing Small Business Rebate Program which will provide small businesses with funds for eligible commercial property crime and vandalism repairs or to implement eligible preventative measures As per the Local Government Act (RSBC 2015) Part 16 parcels of property with unpaid delinquent taxes shall be offered for sale by public auction unless the taxes with interest are paid by the end of day on Friday The City is required by the Local Government Act to advertise and conduct a Tax Sale on all properties whose taxes have not been paid for 3 years Property owners with delinquent taxes are notified directly their properties will be advertised for sale 2 weeks or more prior to the Tax Sale date a public auction is held to liquidate the property A list of the delinquent properties is posted early September and is updated and advertised until the auction date If all delinquent property taxes are fully paid before the tax sale date For more information on property tax rules, visit merritt.ca/property-tax Sign In Subscribe Now A couple of semi-truck drivers were both taken to hospital after a crunching collision on the Coquihalla Highway just south of Merritt on Monday night two semi-trucks with attached trailers crashed in the highway's southbound lanes.  One of the trucks suffered significant damage and the driver has to be extracted by the Merritt Fire Department While both drivers were taken to hospital with serious injuries the driver that had to be extracted was air-lifted to Royal Columbian Hospital in New Westminster.  "The cause of the collision is still under investigation" "It's a stark reminder that even when conditions are clear Investigators are asking that anyone with information or dash camera footage please call the Merritt RCMP at 250-378-4262.  multiple crashes occurred throughout Monday on the Okanagan Connector due to slippery conditions including one that was caught on the DriveBC camera near Eckhart Sign up for free account today and start receiving our exclusive newsletters Dialogue and debate are integral to a free society and we welcome and encourage you to share your views on the issues of the day. We ask that you be respectful of others and their points of view, refrain from personal attacks and stay on topic. To learn about our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines This week the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL) will announce its Overall Award winners for on-ice excellence: Most Valuable Player, Top Scorer, Top Defenceman, Top Goaltender, Rookie of the Year, Most Sportsmanlike Player, Coach of the Year and the newly added General Manager of the Year Today the KIJHL is pleased to announce that Brad Anstey of the Merritt Centennials is the first ever winner of the Wayne March GM of the Year “Brad and his staff did a tremendous job building their roster within a tight timeframe and putting a hard-working entertaining team on the ice,” says KIJHL commissioner Jeff Dubois “His leadership and decision-making during the Centennials’ inaugural KIJHL season has the team positioned for consistent Anstey constructed an expansion team with input from head coach and assistant general manager Wes McLeod that finished seventh overall with a 26-13-3-2 and qualified for the KIJHL Teck Cup playoffs in its first season The Centennials improved their depth by signing Cohen Poulin from the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels and days before the trade deadline added forward Dane Dietz from Quesnel They also added Grady Sluggett and Dylan Kruchten from the SJHL They received solid goaltending from Andrew Krakora and Mathis Perron Krakora finished second in the league in SP at .931 This new league award is named in honour of longtime Sicamous Eagles’ GM Wayne March Subscribe to YouTube Channel. Meet-up: Merritt Civic Centre  |  Front Entrance Join our Run Club for a fun and supportive running community and enjoy the outdoors every Wednesday from September 4 to November 21 We’ll meet in front of the Merritt Civic Centre Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced runner come join us and be part of a great community—all for free Note: Runs are decided based on the group’s skill level If you are interested in running a different route than the group we can provide maps to help you navigate on your own