Jake Courtepatte

Township of Langley

Journalist turned communications specialist. Former @MerrittHerald, @KelownaCapNews. WLU and Humber graduate. I bleed blue and white. Go Leafs Go.

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Articles

Full campfire ban in effect in Merritt

Jul 9, 2024 | merrittherald.com | Jake Courtepatte

With extreme heat scorching the Nicola Valley, all campfires are banned in the Kamloops Fire Centre as of Friday, July 12. Just shy of two months since the banning of Category 2 fires, which include the burning of piles up to two metres in height, a Category 1 ban will include all sizes of campfires, and will remain in effect until Oct. 11, 2024 unless previously rescinded.
Bass Coast fights Merritt hunger with music

Jan 4, 2024 | merrittherald.com | Jake Courtepatte

The season of giving continues on for Bass Coast enthusiasts, thanks to the release of the seventh edition of ’12 Days of Bass Coast’. The Merritt festival has teamed up with a dozen alumni artists for the compilation of original tracks, now available on a pay-what-you-can basis, with all album sale proceeds going to the Nicola Valley Food Bank. “Each original track is donated by the artist with the goal of raising funds for this important cause.” said Bass Coast co-founder Andrea Graham.
Car rally thundering into Merritt

Jan 3, 2024 | merrittherald.com | Jake Courtepatte

Start your engines, a cross-province rally is soon to kick off in Merritt. The Thunderbird Rally, hosted by the West Coast Rally Association and dubbed as “a fun winter driving adventure through the back-roads of BC”, runs from Jan. 27-28 from Merritt to Salmon Arm. It is the first leg of the 2024 BC TSD Rally Championship, which will see participants roll through approximately 850 kilometres of B.C. roads. Early entry prices are available until Jan. 19.
Merritt Centennials bested by Chiefs in back-and-forth affair

Jan 3, 2024 | merrittherald.com | Jake Courtepatte

Centennials fans were treated to fireworks early on New Years Eve, with the Merritt squad playing host to the Chilliwack Chiefs in a spirited affair. Looking to rebound from a 4-1 loss to the Surrey Eagles in their return from the Christmas break two days prior, the Cents took to the ice in front of a crowd of close to 700 at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena for a Dec. 31 matinee.
Plans for upgrades to Nicola Valley Arena, pool in 2024 budget

Jan 3, 2024 | merrittherald.com | Jake Courtepatte

As Merritt city council recently deliberated the 2024 budget, a number of capital projects were discussed to improve the city’s recreation facilities this year and beyond. “We actually have a group of things that need to be done in the Civic Centre and in the arena, as well as the aquatic centre that show needs over a number of years, like flooring, a roof for the Civic Centre, there’s some HVAC issues in some of the buildings,” City of Merritt CAO Cynthia White told council.
Merritt home values slide in new assessment

Jan 2, 2024 | merrittherald.com | Jake Courtepatte

Property values have dropped in the Merritt area according to the recent 2024 BC Assessment report, a trend consistent among many of the communities in the Southern Interior. The report, released annually in the first week of January, reflects market values as of the previous July 1. As of July 1, 2023, values in Merritt averaged $438,000, a decrease of eight per cent from the previous year ($475,000). Individual assessments are now in the mail, and can also be found at www.bcassessment.ca.
Dog licensing required through City of Merritt

Jan 2, 2024 | merrittherald.com | Jake Courtepatte

It’s time to renew the licence for your furry friend, a task that looks different in 2024 than in past years. Merritt pet owners looking for dog licences for the calendar year from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 must visit city hall in-person to set up a new account, a one-time process after the City of Merritt split from the former agreement with online dog licensing service DocuPet. The in-house licensing returns after a three-year agreement with DocuPet, which began in 2020.
MLA Tegart frustrated with constant ER closures in Merritt

Dec 28, 2023 | merrittherald.com | Jake Courtepatte

The Fraser-Nicola Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) has written a letter to the Ministry of Health urging them to address the persistent ER closures in Merritt. In a strongly-worded letter addressed to Minister of Health Adrian Dix, Jackie Tegart, Fraser-Nicola MLA, has expressed the importance of having the emergency room in Merritt’s Nicola Valley Hospital (NVH) open without interruptions.
Merritt school PACs get funding

Dec 22, 2023 | merrittherald.com | Jake Courtepatte

Merritt students are benefiting from a number of grants to School District 58’s Parent Advisory Councils (PAC), receiving almost $33,000 worth of government funds to enhance student lifestyle. PACs, groups of elected executives for each district school that work as a collective voice for parents, can use the grants to pay for equipment and costs associated with a range of extracurricular activities, including sports, performances, movie nights, dances, field trips and conferences.
New bus added to Merritt transit fleet

Dec 21, 2023 | merrittherald.com | Jake Courtepatte

BC Transit has invested over $200,000 into boosting Merritt’s fleet. The Merritt Regional Transit System welcomed a new 26-foot, light-duty ‘ARBOC Spirit of Freedom’ bus earlier this month, at a cost of $225,952. The new bus can carry up to 18 seated passengers, and provide flexibility for up to two mobile aids, such as wheelchairs. Equipped with a white LED destination sign that shows bus number and route name, the interior also includes more modern vinyl seating and better lighting.