Regional News-Optimist June 8, 2023

Former

RCMP S/Sgt

named to Order of Merit

Exceptional merit, contributions to policing

By John Cairns SASKTODAY.ca

Former Staff Sergeant Darcy Woolfitt of Battlefords RCMP Detachment recently received a high honour for his years of police work.

Woolfitt was invested as a Member of the Canadian Order of Merit of the Police Forces at a ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa in April. The honours were presented to him by Governor General of Canada Mary Simon.

Battlefords physicians express concerns over burden of work and more

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

The president of the Saskatchewan Medical Association, Dr. Annette Epp, was in North Battleford on May 30 to hear what concerns physicians had to voice here in the Battlefords as she toured the province during the SMA’s annual tour.

“It’s a very busy group of doctors in (the) community ... I think whoever wasn’t working in

emergency or at the hospital was probably at the event,” Dr. Epp said, noting that the turnout at the event closed to the public was ‘phenomenal,’ with anywhere from 15 to 20 physicians in attendance.

“They’re facing so many pressures, as so many doctors are these days,” Epp said, noting that physicians in the Battlefords voiced their concerns over increasing wait lists, the burden of work, decreasing resources and

attraction and retention.

Dr. Epp told the News Optimist/SASKTODAY. ca, that the SMA’s annual presidents tour is traditionally held in the fall, but four stops on the tour are being held in May and June, which include: Prince Albert, Swift Current, and the Battlefords, with Regina coming in the next few weeks.

According to information from the Continued on Page 5

Woolfitt is one of 93 Members (M.O.M.) of the Order; the ceremonies also invested one Commander (C.O.M.) and 24 Officers (O.O.M.) for a total of 118.

A graduate of St. Francis Xavier University, Woolfitt was with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police from February 1996 until retiring as Staff-Sergeant of the Battlefords detachment in 2021, after which he became Special Investigator for Saskatchewan Government Insurance. He has been active in the Battlefords community as Chair of BGC and with Battlefords Minor Hockey.

According to the Government of Canada website: “Established in October 2000, the Order of Merit of the Police Forces

honours the leadership and exceptional service or distinctive merit displayed by the men and women of the Canadian Police Services, and recognizes

their commitment to this country. The primary focus is on exceptional merit, contributions to policing, and community development.”

Two young students prepare to start the RCMP’s bike skill course at the Battlefords RCMP’s  second annual bike rodeo. See more inside | Photo by Miguel Fenrich

Longtime Staff Sergeant of Battlefords RCMP Detachment, retired, has received a national honour. } Photo by Averil Hall/Freelance Photographer

N. B’ford man sentenced in $55M drug trafficking, money laundering, organized crime bust

By Lisa Joy SASKTODAY.ca

Russell Ens, 40, was handed a three-year prison sentence May 31 for his part in a cross-border organized crime bust.

In September 2022, Ens and Tiajanna Bull, 25, both from North Battleford, were two of 15 people arrested in the investigation that resulted in the seizure of firearms, $7 million in property including bank accounts, a $3.5 million home in Niagara-on-theLake, two Lamborghinis, a Porsche, classic cars, $200,000 cash, and $55

million in drugs. Ens was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession of property obtained by crime. Bull was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.

As the result of enforcement initiatives on both sides of the border, 928 kilograms of methamphetamine and 6 kilograms of cocaine were intercepted. In addition, approximately $7 million worth of assets were seized or placed under criminal restraint.

Project Cobra relied on the assistance of a number of police agencies and

specialized units, including: Calgary Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Niagara Regional Police, Canada Revenue Agency, Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), and RCMP units in Ontario, Nova Scotia, Saskatoon, North Battleford, Sask., and Osoyoos, B.C.

The Battlefords RCMP Gang Task Force participated in the investigation along with RCMP Federal

B’fords RCMP gang unit make arrests

SASKTODAY.ca

Police seized 40 grams of cocaine, a quantity of cash, and other evidence of drug trafficking May 26.

RCMP say that on May 26, the North Battleford RCMP Gang Task Force executed one search warrant at a home in the 1200 block of 105 Street, in North Battleford, and a second at a property approximately two kilometres east of the city.

The North Battleford RCMP Gang Task Force worked closely with officers from the Safer Communities and Neigh-

borhoods (SCAN), who completed their own investigation simultaneously under the Safer Communities and Neighborhoods Act.

Micheal Desmeules, 42, and Morgan Geering, 30, both of North Battleford, have been charged with possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking, and possession of proceeds of crime.

Both were released on several conditions and are scheduled to appear in at Provincial Court in North Battleford on Aug. 14, at 2 p.m.

Serious and Organized Crime, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The investigation was led by the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team, which is known as ALERT.

Project Cobra began in 2020 and a series of 11 coordinated search warrants were executed in December 2021. Homes, vehicles, businesses, and storage locations were searched in Calgary, Bedford, Nova Scotia, Niagara-on-theLake, Ont., and Leduc County, Alta.

Police agencies collaborated to make numerous large-scale drug seizures during the course of Project Cobra. These were shipments destined for Alberta, and included 5 kg of cocaine in North Battleford, 7 kg of meth and 1 kg of cocaine and 137 kg of meth in Calgary, 50 kg

of meth at Lake Koocanusa, B.C., 342 kg of meth in Wyoming, and 392 kg of meth of meth in Los Angeles. Ens still faces drug trafficking charges from his March 2022 arrest. A

Back in court June 14

trial on those charges has been set for June 2024 in North Battleford Provincial Court.

Bull was handed a twoyear conditional sentence to be served in the community.

King of Westside Outlawz denied bail

By Lisa Joy Staff Reporter

The 34-year-old man said to be the king of Westside Outlawz street gang has been denied bail.

Terrence Stonechild had a showcause hearing in Lloydminster Provincial Court May 29 and a warrant of committal was issued. He is back in court June 14 to enter an election.

Stonechild – who was banished from Onion Lake Cree Nation – was arrested there in December 2022 following a police chase.

Onion Lake RCMP say that they were doing patrols when they noticed a stolen truck driving in the community. They at-

tempted a traffic stop but the truck fled. They set up a spike belt and the truck drove over it flattening its tires. The truck drove for another 2.5 kilometres before coming to a stop and six occupants were arrested. Police seized about 355 grams of methtamphetamine and a sum of cash.

Stonechild, who was living in Wetaskiwin, Alta., at the time, was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking, possession of property over $5,000 obtained by crime, and breach of a probation order. He was under conditions after recently being released from prison.

During Stonechild’s sentencing hearing in

Lloydminster Provincial Court in July 2021, court heard that Stonechild was the “king of Westside Outlawz street gang.” Stonechild was sentenced to 412 days in prison for weapons-related offences.

When he was arrested in December 2020, Onion Lake RCMP called for assistance from surrounding RCMP detachments, the SWAT team, police dogs and fire and rescue.

Stonechild was one of 32 people banished from Onion Lake Cree Nation as the community dealt with illegal drug and gang activity. OLCN had declared a state of emergency in January 2020 after a string of gang-related violence and drug activity.

In a separate incident, in Ens’ March 2022 arrest, Battlefords RCMP seized 839 grams of cocaine and 37 kilograms of cannabis. | Photo courtesy RCMP

For

UPAR construction to run through June to September

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

With summer just around the corner, the City of North Battleford is set to undertake Underground Pipe and Asphalt Replacement projects on 98th Street and 12th Avenue, tentatively scheduled to begin in the coming weeks and months.

The 12th Avenue project is tentatively scheduled for construction from June 5 to 30, while the 98th Street upgrades are considered major and will take place from the 1100 block to the 15th Avenue intersection, tentatively scheduled between June 19 and Sept. 8.

City administration will host a 2023 UPAR information session at the North Battleford Public Library on Wednesday,

June 7 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., and a block-byblock schedule has been provided to residents in the neighbourhood and is posted on the city’s website.

“The City of North Battleford understands that lengthy construction projects, though necessary, can cause frustration, particularly for property owners in the areas undergoing improvements. The city thanks the public for its patience and cooperation and encourages community members to reach out with any questions or concerns,” says the city in a June 2 press release.

Upgrades to 98th Street will include:

Water main replacement

Sanitary sewer main replacement

Water and sanitary

By Lisa Joy SASKTODAY.ca

An arson charge against 43-year-old Naomi Jean Yellowtail was stayed Thursday of last week following a four-day trial in North Battleford Provincial Court.

that the Crown abandons going any further.”

Yellowtail was represented by Saskatoon lawyers Mike Nolin and Carl Swenson.

Trial takes a turn

apartment building

sewer services replacement

Storm sewer upgrades

Concrete replacement as required, including curbs, gutters, accessible crossings at corners, lane accesses, sideway and driveway accesses on public property

Tree planting

Restoration of grass in boulevards

“If residents or property owners have not received communication from the City regarding the UPAR upgrades in their area, they are encouraged to call or text 306-441-0359 immediately to establish if or how this work may impact them,” says the city.

All project details are available on the city’s dedicated UPAR webpage, including a project timeline which will be updated as work progresses.

Wild’s Window – Shedding Shreds

Yellowtail was charged with arson with disregard for human life in the Jan. 3, 2022, apartment building fire in North Battleford on 102nd Street. Seventeen residents and six emergency responders required medical treatment. The apartment building had to be demolished and damage was estimated to be more than $3 million.

Crown prosecutor Scott Bartlett told the court that given Keeanu Crookedneck’s evidence on Wednesday, and the fact that more than a dozen witnesses didn’t show for court, he said the Crown couldn’t meet the threshold of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

On Thursday after the trial concluded, defence counsel Mike Nolin said the stay of proceedings was a logical outcome given the weaknesses uncovered during the trial.

“I think this is probably the best result at this time given the frailties of the Crown’s case.

“The Crown acknowledged the difficulty they had with the divergent statements from various witnesses on who did what, when or where,” said Nolin. “It was never very clear whether or not Yellowtail was even there that day and it was our position that she wasn’t.”

During the trial the court heard “precious little evidence” about Yellowtail’s whereabouts, said Nolin, adding that one witness had not seen her at the apartment building for at least two weeks prior to the fire.

I am sure there are days where all of us feel how this elk looks. Disheveled. Yet, somehow, we make it through to the next sunrise — hopefully looking a bit more together and being a bit more with it. Take each day as it is and do not forget to be good to yourself. |

and text by Blake Feist

“The witnesses that were there on the night of the fire had all said they hadn’t seen her for at least a week prior to the fire,” he said. “One in fact said it was two weeks before the fire. So, we think this is probably the best result,

In a gripping turn of events, Keeanu Crookedneck’s admission to setting the Jan. 3, 2022, apartment fire was revealed in court Wednesday, as testified by Crown witness Ray Bird, a current inmate.

Crookedneck’s alleged confession to Bird came to light under cross-examination by Nolin.

“Keeanu didn’t tell you he watched someone else light the fire?” asked Nolin.

“No,” replied Bird.

“He said he lit the fire?” asked Nolin.

“Ya,” replied Bird.

“And he said he lit the fire in the laundry room?” asked Nolin.

“Ya,” replied Bird.

“And he was very clear that the other fellow that was with him, was the fellow that was with him when he set the fire?”

“Ya,” said Bird.

“Naomi Yellowtail was not at Dave Lapointe’s that time, was she?”

“No,” said Bird.

“In fact, you didn’t see Naomi Yellowtail at all that day, did you?”

“No,” testified Bird.

Crown prosecutor Scott Bartlett objected to the questioning and Nolin explained his basis for his line of questioning.

“I didn’t come out of nowhere and ask those questions,” Nolin told North Battleford Provincial Court. He said that Crookedneck’s admission to Bird that he was the one who started the fire was in the police evidence provided in disclosure. Disclosure consists of the Crown’s case against the accused and usually includes search warrants, the charging document, details of the offence, audio/video and transcribed witness statements, statements from the accused, expert reports, exhibits, private communication intercept authorizations, evidence, and criminal records of witnesses and the accused.

Yellowtail not seen at

Lane Wuttunee was the first Crown witness Wednesday morning. He is a serving inmate and appeared in person wearing a prison-issue orange shirt and green pants.

He testified that he was living in suite 305 at the apartment building that had been destroyed by arson. He said his brother and a few others lived there.

Wuttunee said he didn’t see Naomi Yellowtail around the apartment building the day of the fire.

Bird also testified that he hadn’t seen Naomi Yellowtail around the apartment building for about two weeks prior to the fire.

Crookedneck takes the stand

Appearing in court in person Wednesday, Crookedneck, a serving inmate, took the stand testifying as a Crown witness against Yellowtail.

“I was high at the time, ya, I was there and I did something stupid,” testified Crookedneck.

He told the court that his memory was “hazy” as he was shooting up and smoking meth at the time. He admitted that he was at suite 305 on the third floor of the apartment building. He said there were about eight to 10 people at the suite that night and he admitted to starting the outside garbage bin on fire.

Crookedneck told the court that before the apartment fire he had an argument with his girlfriend. They were living with Dave Lapointe on 102nd Street, a block and half away from the apartment building at the time.

Court heard that Lapointe died last year. Battlefords RCMP had responded to a home in the 1600 block of 102nd Street in North Battleford around 2:45 a.m. on March 13, 2022. When they arrived, they found 61-yearold Lapointe deceased inside the home. Police said Lapointe’s death is suspicious in nature but haven’t yet ruled it a homicide.

“Why did you start the dumpster fire?” questioned Nolin?

Continued on Page 7

Photo

The

With lower commodity prices, why

aren’t food prices

dropping?

One culprit rarely mentioned, especially by governments, is the high rate of public spending

By Sylvain Charlebois

Many Canadians are wondering why food prices are not dropping at the same rate as agricultural commodity prices. Last year, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine pushed prices to astronomical levels. One year later, the agricultural commodity landscape looks incredibly different. Prices for agricultural commodities have dropped significantly in the last 12 months. Wheat prices have fallen by a whopping 47 per cent since last year; corn is down 22 per cent; soy is close to corn, down 23 per cent; and oats are down 31 per cent. Other commodities are also down: coffee by 21 per cent; canola by 42 per cent; sunflower oil by 60 per cent; and pork by 31 per cent. Chicken, a popular animal protein globally, is down 16 per cent, while eggs are down 56 per cent. As for dairy, cheese is down by 30 per cent from last year and milk by 36 per cent. And the list goes on and on.

It is tempting to think that these prices should have a bearing on grocery prices. Input costs do impact prices, but not in the ways you might think.

Research by Dalhousie University, along with the University of Guelph, the University of Saskatchewan, and the University of British Columbia, concluded many years ago, while working on Canada’s Food Price Report, that commodity prices have little to do with retail prices in the industrial world, including in Canada. The reality is that the correlation between commodity prices and retail prices is, for the most part, weak. They can affect retail, given time, but the effects are still minimal.

The reason is simply this: a number of factors will increase prices at retail. These include labour challenges, wages, and measures like carbon pricing and currency fluctuations. There is also the issue of food geopolitics, which includes trade restrictions and embargoes. Not to mention packaging costs and adjustments to changing regulations, food safety measures ... the list goes on. Supply chain economics are impacted by many factors, especially in advanced economies, where the effect of numerous transactional costs outweighs how inputs affect retail prices.

We also need to remind ourselves that food companies have contractual arrangements which may or may not help them keep costs down. These contracts will commit companies to paying similar prices for several weeks, sometimes months, at a time. So it’s quite challenging to gauge how fluctuating commodity prices will impact food prices over time.

But if they do impact prices, expect some lag, except

Continued on Page 5

Celebrating a passing journalistic genre

Dear Editor

Once legion, the ranks of rural newspaper correspondents have lost another member with the passing of Lorna Pearson.

Lorna, a longtime contributor to the Spiritwood Herald before relocating to Meota, penned her final submission to the Battlefords Regional News-Optimist shortly before she died. Talk about dedication.

Lorna was well into her 80s when she stepped forward to submit Meota and district news (basically a volunteer position). I was editor at the time and was so impressed that she filed by email from her iPad. And, almost every entry submitted contained a tidbit she had gleaned from the internet.

Contributors such as Lorna were a mainstay of Prairie community newspapers throughout their history. A few remain, but their numbers pale in comparison to the glory years.

Thankfully, there are a handful of community-minded individuals who continue to celebrate their communi-

ties through the pages of the newspaper.

It was reading such a submission from Kathy Utri of Maidstone that I learned of the passing of another legend of the genre.

Helena Pike faithfully contributed Waseca News and Forest Bank news to the Maidstone Mirror and the News-Optimist for many years. Her byline has been gone from the paper for a number of years. I felt a pang as I learned of her death.

I met her on many occasions and she was truly a fine and erudite person.

To those who soldier on in this destined-to-be-extinct genre of journalism, hang in there. It’s possible your weekly column is the only reason someone is picking up the newspaper.

To Helena, Lorna, to all those who have gone before, and those who remain, thank you for your contributions.

Your input has always made this your newspaper.

Becky Doig Battleford

Editorial Jayne Foster Editor SASKTODAY.ca

Miguel Fenrich Reporter

Advertising Sales

Candace Mack-Horton Sales Manager Composition

Claude Paradis Prepress Manager

commentaries offered on this editorial page are intended to provide thought-provoking material for our readers. Contributors’ articles, cartoons or letters do not necessarily reflect the opinion of any Regional News-Optimist staff.

Physicians express concerns over burden of work

Continued from Page 1 SMA, members will be asked what they view as priorities as the organization proceeds with negotiations with the Ministry of Health on a new contract in the future,

Commentary

Continued from Page 4 with categories like fresh produce, since there is little or no processing involved. Produce is by far the most volatile food category out there for that very reason.

Policies also play a role. Canada has supplymanaged commodities like chicken, eggs, and milk. Global price fluctuations don’t mean much to us since the intent of the supply management regime is to stabilize prices and assure Canadians have a steady supply of such commodities. Comparing Canadian dairy, poultry, and egg prices to those in the rest of the world is like comparing, well, apples to oranges.

But the other culprit rarely talked about is public spending. Over the last few years, since the start of the pandemic, many governments, including Canada’s, have spent a significant amount on providing socioeconomic safety nets for those in need.

Companies have also received funding to cope with economic uncertainties. The “grocery rebate” 11 million Canadians will receive on July 5 won’t help our inflation problem one bit. Coupled with many provinces sending more money to voters as they politicize food inflation, this extra $2.5 billion program could push food prices higher, hurting more people along the way.

That is mainly why governments don’t mind the attacks aimed at grocers and the food industry. They make for a convenient distraction, getting consumers to avoid focusing on how it is governments that have

as the previous five-year contract expired on March 31, 2022, though it remains in effect until a new contract is ratified.

And across the province, Dr. Epp noted that several familiar concerns

continue to come to the fore.

“...[physicians are] very under-resourced and overextended, and (there are) big worries of retaining physicians and other health workers in communities

and being burdened with so much work,” Dr. Epp said.

“Our current priories really are to begin the process of moving to a better model of care for family medicine.”

Proudly Painting

The SMA has been advocating for changes in family medicine, which the provincial government has recognized with a commitment to developing a new madein-Saskatchewan funding

model for family physicians.

“...[this is so] we can support physicians more wholesomely so that they can provide the kind of care they’re trained to provide.”

made food inflation an unmanageable problem for many. Call it policy pivoting, if you will. It’s much easier to point the finger at the likes of Galen Weston than explain to the populace how monetary policies actually work and how they can work against consumers over time.

At least Canada is not

implementing measures like those in the U.K. British supermarkets are facing pressure to cap food prices on select foods, with a voluntary approach allowing retailers to pick which items to offer at lower rates. This type of measure can only lead to chaos, higher food prices, and more shortages over time.

Ultimately, supply chain economics are hard to understand, even for farmers. They have always been frustrated by how retail prices rarely reflect the prices they see on the farm. Their piece of the action seldom grows with food inflation. It’s not supposed to unless farmers are vertically integrated,

and few are. Price-taking entanglements are just different.

Dr. Sylvain Charlebois is senior director of the

agri-food analytics lab and a professor in food distribution and policy at Dalhousie University. © Troy Media

A crew of 30 gathered outside the North Battleford Public Library on Sunday, June 4, to celebrate pride month in the Battlefords with the painting of the LGBTQ2+ sidewalk. | Photos submitted

Sask. wildfire evacuees save residents from fire

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

It was not a typical patrol for security guards Dwayne Bourassa, Ethan Maurice, Roger McCallum and Edwin Gunn. in North Battleford in the early hours of Tuesday, May 30, who saved two elderly residents from what could have been a catastrophic house fire.

Early in the morning of May 30, a structure on 99th Street was engulfed in flames when the North Battleford Fire Department arrived, but due to the efforts of the four security guards recently evacuated from English River First Nation, the two elderly residents escaped

without injury.

“While conducting security checks at the Tropical Inn Hotel, Dwayne, Ethan, Roger and Edwin observed smoke coming from the 99th Street area of town,” commented Deputy Chief Paul Perry.

“... they immediately attended that neighbourhood, discovered the fire, and rendered assistance to evacuate the property’s residents before our fire department arrived on the scene,” said Perry.

The First Security employees are among the more than 500 evacuees who have stayed in North Battleford while wildfires rage in Northern Saskatchewan and were on duty assisting with overseeing the

safety of wildfire evacuees at city hotels overnight, as over 250 wildfire evacuees remain in the city.

“Without the actions of these selfless people, the outcome of this structure fire would have been much different and had the potential to result in loss of life. The North Battleford Fire Department commends Dwayne, Ethan, Roger, and Edwin for their efforts and wishes to publicly thank them for their heroic actions in our community,” Perry added.

According to the city, a preliminary investigation has determined the cause to be electrical and accidental in nature.

Empowering FN communities with firefighting skills

By Matteo Cimellaro

Local Journalism Initiative / Canada’s National Observer

Ottawa announced a two-year pilot program Thursday to support Indigenous communities and organizations working on forestry management and emergency preparedness.

The funding, earmarked in Budget 2022, promises $28 million over five years to train 1,000 new community-based firefighters. The pilot involves nine Indigenous organizations

and communities. The program, which will train 125 new Indigenous fire stewards to be ready for potential fires, is welcomed by Cliff Buettner, director of forestry and protective services at the Prince Albert Grand Council in Saskatchewan. He said it is a welcome addition to the council’s existing training, which teaches 400 to 500 people a year as emergency firefighters to fight and mitigate ongoing fires to ensure they don’t tear through entire com-

munities.

The training will bring both resilience to First Nations in the province and economic opportunities for those who have the training and are ready to be tapped for work, Buettner said.

For Buettner, the training is essential. Fires aren’t going anywhere, so having communities with training in emergency preparedness and fire mitigation will improve resilience when provincial resources are stretched thin during fire season.

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Climate change, which creates hotter and drier conditions, is directly responsible for worsening fires. Buettner has noticed a difference during his time as a firefighter: today, fire seasons start earlier and last longer, and the fires burn more intensely.

“In my 40 years of experience of fighting fire, things have changed,” Buettner said.

In Yukon, Nick Mauro, chief operating officer at Yukon First Nations Wildfire, received funds to train 130 wildland firefighters. He runs a two-week intensive training program that provides the certificates required to work on the fireline, like first aid, a national standardized fit test and a Type 2 wildland firefighting certificate, which contract firefighters need to work on the front lines of a wildfire.

Yukon First Nations Wildfire, created by nine Yukon First Nations development corporations, seeks to combine ancestral knowledge and western wildland firefighting programs. Its program is open to anybody but prioritizes

Indigenous youth. The majority of the trainees are First Nations candidates.

The training program also introduces candidates to cultural burning — minor, controlled burns to remove flammable dead brush like grass. Cultural burns were long used on the landscape before Canada gained control of Crown land and suppressed the practice. They don’t just remove dead brush for the sake of preventing wildfires; cultural burns can also be used as a gardening tool to ripen conditions in the ecosystem for ancestral harvesting.

“To spread [cultural burning] education is one of the biggest pieces that we feel that we’re in a position to do,” Mauro said.

Both Buettner and Mauro’s programs prepare candidates for not just wildfires but emergency preparedness and mitigation. Mauro teaches First Nation youth flood hazard awareness and search and rescue.

Canada can expect more climate disasters, including ice storms and atmospheric rivers, Mauro said. “It’s not

Way Too Friendly

just wildfire smoke that’s off the horizon,” he said.

The funding announcement for the pilot program comes on the heels of a scathing report from federal auditor general Karen Hogan. Last November, Hogan found Indigenous Services Canada spent three and a half times more on responding to and recovering from emergencies in First Nations than it did on prevention.

Natural Resources Canada is leading the pilot program and working with Indigenous Services Canada to help supply Indigenous communities with training and equipment through the Fighting and Managing Wildfires in a Changing Climate program. Ottawa has promised $256 million over five years to establish a wildlife equipment fund for provinces, territories and Indigenous communities.

It’s unclear how much funding each First Nation will receive directly from Indigenous Services Canada or if funds will be distributed to affected communities.

A fire occurred on the 700 block of 99th Street, May 30. | Photo courtesy North Battleford Fire Department

This sodden fellow wandered off the street and into a Battleford yard Tuesday morning as I was moving my garbage bin to the curb. I raced back inside to alert my husband. When he opened the door to take a look, the raccoon tried to come inside. Somebody’s pet gone astray? Town officials were alerted and we were told a similar sighting the day before had led to similar raccoon being trapped and released in the river valley. I don’t know how this guy’s story ended. | Photo by Becky Doig

Ready, set, go! Students learn about bike safety

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

The Grade 3 class from North Battleford’s Bready Elementary School got the chance to break, pedal and steer their way to a bike-centric education on May 30 when Battlefords

RCMP hosted its second

annual bike rodeo from May 29 to June 2, with all third grade school children from local areas invited.

“It was a great learning experience for all of the students. They absolutely loved it,” Avery Saunders, the Bready Elementary teacher, said to the News-Optimist/SASKTO -

DAY.ca

“This was the first time for some of them ever to have the opportunity to be on a bicycle, which was amazing. The other students who had had a chance to be on a bicycle before, I think, really enjoyed being able to show off their skills and knowledge to their

Arson charges in apartment fire stayed

Continued from Page 3

“I was high and in a bad mood so I just went along with it I guess,” testified Crookedneck.

“What do you mean when you say you ‘just went along with it?’” questioned Nolin.

“I guess I felt reckless, felt like doing something stupid. I went along with how I was feeling. I was in a bad mood and just let my anger out and decided to start something on fire like the garbage.”

Under re-direct by the Crown, Bartlett asked Crookedneck if he remembered the judge asking him any questions during his sentencing hearing in September 2022. Crookedneck had appeared that day by CCTV instead of in person.

“It’s kind of hard to hear the judge through that shitty microphone and everything. Only person I could actually clearly hear was my lawyer as he put his face to the mic,” said Crookedneck.

“Did you cause the fire in the apartment building?” asked Bartlett.

“They say I did so I did,” replied Crookedneck. “That’s my answer. People are saying I did it so I did it. That’s same thing I told my lawyer. I didn’t want to fight it. So many people saying that I did it so I just repeated it. What’s the point of fighting it? It may not be the answer the court is looking for but that is what it is.”

Defence counsel Nolin objected and told the court that Crookedneck may not know what his rights are.

“I’m concerned about my friend’s line of questions,” said Nolin. “I’m concerned that no one has provided Crookedneck legal advice.”

Bartlett asked Crookedneck, “Did the judge sentencing you, did he ask you questions?”

“Ahhhh, I think he asked me some things,” testified Crookedneck. “I just kind of agreed with most of it.”

Judge Michelle Baldwin interjected and asked Crookedneck, “Have you received any advice from a lawyer with regards to your testimony today?”

“No, none whatsoever,” testified Crookedneck. “I didn’t even know I was coming here today.”

Bartlett questioned Crookedneck again cautioning him, “When I ask you the next question don’t answer immediately,” he said, adding wait until he sees if Nolin objects.

“You told us that the judge asked you some questions and you answered ‘yes.’ Do you remember what those questions were?” asked Bartlett.

“No,” replied Crookedneck. “I didn’t think that would be important. I didn’t think anything he was telling me was important so I didn’t even remember.”

Bartlett asked the court to declare Crookedneck an adverse witness.

“Depending on what transpires he could be in the position of an obstruction of justice charge,” said

classmates.”

The annual Bike Rodeo, hosted by Battlefords RCMP members, gave each child the opportunity to ride a bike through a skills course and teach them about bike safety, with some members present

to give instruction to the young learners.

“All of the police officers and constables were amazing, they were great with the kids, and some of the kids even recognized some of them from some of the other events we had

been to, so it was a great time,” Saunders added.

Members of Citizens on Patrol, the RCMP, and North Battleford Mayor David Gillian were present for a photo opportunity with the school children at the culmination of the event.

Bartlett.

Judge Baldwin adjourned Crookedneck’s testimony until Thursday morning to give him time to get legal advice.

On Thursday morning Crookedneck never took the stand. The morning was taken up with Crown and defence counsel arguments about declaring him an adverse witness and going into a voir dire so the Crown could question Crookedneck at large about his sentencing hearing in September 2022. Crookedneck was sentenced to three years in prison for his part in the apartment fire. At that time, however, Crookedneck had only admitted to setting the garbage bin outside of the apartment building on fire.

Judge Michelle Baldwin rejected the Crown’s argument that Crookedneck was a hostile witness, saying he didn’t refuse to answer the Crown’s questions and when he couldn’t remember he tried to explain why he couldn’t remember.

When the Crown stays charges, they put the charges on hold. This means the charges can be “brought back to life” within one year but this rarely happens.

WDM summer camp dates announced

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

The North Battleford Western Development Museum’s heritage farm and village summer camps are now open for registration for children ages seven to 12 and run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The camps include:

July 17 to 21, Crafts and Activities From Around the World

July 24 to 28, Animals of Saskatchewan

July 31 to Aug. 4, Recipes From Around the World

Aug. 8 to 11, Look for the Helpers

The WDM is asking that children be provided with a bagged lunch, and the cost for WDM members and or volunteers is $125 per child per week. Otherwise, the cost is $150 per child per week.

Left to right: Paul Robertson, Kat Dawe, Claude Parent, Mayor David Gillan, Avery Saunders, Elliott Nelson, Joshua Trefry and Doug Fehr pictured with the Bready Grade 3 class. | Photos by Miguel Fenrich

At left, a student navigates the skill course.

Below, Cst. Joshua Trefry says, “ready, set, go” to Bready students waiting to start the course.

Abandoned buildings provide inspiration

By Rosemarie Stadnyk Battlefords Art Club

Between seeding, haying, harvesting, tending livestock, cutting trees for firewood, making soap, providing food and numerous household chores, pioneer farmers worked diligently to create homes for their families. Around the early part of the 20th century, sod houses were the fastest to build for families to have a winter home. Men cut and collected poplar trees to use for log houses. The

walls were plastered to keep out the cold prairie winds. Later, lumber was purchased to make homes. Built with love and hard labour, the buildings were often accented with lilac bushes, caragana and large gardens.

Artists like to photograph these abandoned and weathered buildings in their natural settings. They provide a unique and prairie subject matter. Using watercolour and acrylic, Irene Slotzer, an art club member, captures some of these historical homes of Saskatchewan.

70th season draws to a close

By Miguel Fenrich Staff Reporter

The Battleford Community Players brought their 70th season to a close June 3, with the last show of the 2022-23 season, Clever Dick, a witty, tongue-incheek spectacle, oftentimes naughty and frequently hilarious.

“It turned out to be a very good show, lots of very good comments about the people in it, and the quality of the show and set,” Donna Challis said about the show.

The cast of ‘Clever

Dick’ includes Patrick Auchstaetter,Tom Claxton, Miguel Fenrich, Fraser Glen, Marno Auchstaetter, Glen Rubidge, Holly Briant, Daniel Eckerman and Amber Nelson.

“(And) It’s a monumental happening,” Challis added as the 70th season drew to a close.

“... there are two clubs in the province that are older than us, Regina and Prince Albert,” she said, noting that one of the first productions happened in the mid1910s in the Battlefords.

And although the season wasn’t as good as the

club was hoping for, as attendance continues to pick up after COVID, the future is looking brighter as they enter their 2023-23 season.

“We’re still quite happy, looking forward to getting back to that 95 to 100 per cent capacity,” Challis said, noting that it’s a focus for the club in the coming season as well as a new marketing plan to attract younger people and some new projects including their fourth year of summer shows with more information coming sooner.

The 2022-23 season is as follows:

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Oct. 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27 and 28, You Can’t Get There From Here by Pat Cook is playing, following a scandal-sheet reporter trying to expose a pothole scam that is bringing customers to a local bed and breakfast when he’s dragged into a collection of wild experiences.

Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 9, It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio

Play by Joe Landry is playing, the beloved American holiday classic captivates life as a live 1940s radio broadcast.

Feb. 29, March 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, and 9, 2024, An Inspector Calls by J.B. Priestly is playing, following an inspector who questions a British family after a young girl commits suicide

May 16, 17, 18, 19, 21,

23, 24, and 25, The Clean House by Sarah Ruhl is playing, which sees married doctors employing a Brazilian housekeeper, falling in love with a patient, and looks at class, comedy and the nature of love.

“(We want to) add new people to our club and our patronship,” Challis said, noting the season includes a new Sunday matinee.

Irene Slotzer captures the history and spirit of pioneer homes. | Photos submitted

The cast of ‘Clever Dick’ left to right, Patrick Auchstaetter, Tom Claxton, Miguel Fenrich, Fraser Glen, Marno Auchstaetter, Glen Rubidge, Holly Briant, Daniel Eckerman and Amber Nelson. |

Photo by Brianne Hager

Bresaylor Happenings

Join the Fort Pitt Trail walk this August

By Robert Peterson Bresaylor Heritage Museum

The Fort Pitt Trail came into existence in 1876 when Battleford was established as the capital of the North-West Territories along with the North West Mounted Police post. When the Bresaylor settlers arrived in 1882, they used this trail every time they travelled to Battleford and for freighting to Fort Pitt and on to Frog Lake and Onion Lake. Many of the Bresaylor settlers lived along the trail.

This summer from Aug. 8 to 18, the Fort Pitt Trail will come alive as the Saskatchewan History and Folklore Society walk it from Battleford to Fort Pitt. Every few years, the society does a historic trail walk with the last one being from Swift Current to Fort Battleford in 2017.

The group will arrive in Battleford on Aug. 8 and

will tour old Battleford, the Land Titles Building, Government House site, the Indian Residential Industrial School site and Fort Battleford. Aug. 9 they will walk halfway to Delmas and return to Battleford in the evening, where they will tour the Fred Light Museum and the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.

On Aug. 10, the walk will take them across what was then the Moosomin and Thunderchild reserves to Delmas, where they will camp near the former Delmas Indian Residential School site and learn about residential school life.

The group will walk from Delmas to Bresaylor on Aug. 11. As they view the visible ruts of the old trail on uncultivated land west of Delmas, they will be given a talk about freighting. Just east of there, the trail split into two trails two miles apart

Mayfair and District News

When the Bresaylor settlers arrived in 1882, they used the Fort Pitt trail every time they travelled to Battleford and for freighting to Fort Pitt and on to Frog Lake and Onion Lake. | Photos courtesy Bresaylor Heritage Museum

that joined back together again west of Bresaylor. Those settlers living along both trails called their trail the Fort Pitt Trail. The north trail had Taylor’s stopping house and later in the early 1900s Turner’s store. The south trail, which the telegraph line followed, went by Bremner’s store. What happened

there in 1885 caused waves all the way to Ottawa for the next 13 years. A side trip by vehicle will take the walkers two miles south to the former site of Father Cochin’s mission which existed before the Delmas Indian Residential School. Returning to the trail, the group will walk by the site of the first telegraph office

Firearms safety training offered

Please do not forget about the “Praznyk” this coming Saturday, June 10 at 10:30 a.m. in the Ukrainian Catholic Church in Whitkow. It’s right near the highway across from what once was Whitkow Hotel. The local people are excited to host this important event in a rural church that barely gets used anymore but is well-kept. It’s a heritage treasure adorning the prairie landscape. Everyone of any faith is welcome to attend. There is a potluck after the service.

A beautiful newlywed couple, Candace and Kenzie Haubrich, and her niece as flower girl walking out after their wedding ceremony. | Photos by Elaine Woloshyn

By Elaine Woloshyn

Correspondent

With a low of 19 C at night what the heck is going on? It’s only the beginning of June. The humidity is unreal as I’m out watering newly planted trees at 8:00 a.m. and sweat is pouring down my face.

Hose in one hand and coffee cup in the other. Coffee beckons me but sweat is dripping off my eyebrows into my morning beverage!

Sweaty coffee, hey that’s a new one added to my list. Enjoy the extreme temperatures because when summer officially hits, things could be different.

Hunter safety training is an excellent program for people 12 years old and up.

Thickwood Hills Wildlife Federation from the Mayfair area is wanting to know if there is enough interest for anyone wanting to enrol for this course in the near future. If one is a member of this organization then there is no cost.

Membership fees are $25. per person, $35 per couple

and there is a family rate of $40. For further inquiries please call Heather at 306441-4137.

This Saturday in Saskatoon was a wonderful day for a wedding until there was a torrential downpour of wind and rain. My husband and I attended the wedding of a neighbour girl, Candace Ewanchuk,

when the new line went through in 1886. The walk will then take them past where the first school was built in 1883, then past the site of the second school built in 1888.

The trail will then take the walkers to the Bresaylor Heritage Museum for a tour, more stories and an evening of socializing.

From Bresaylor, they will drive to where Cinnamon Landing was, where riverboats used to take on wood for fuel. They will camp at Paynton the evening of Aug. 11 and 12, walking halfway between Paynton and Silver Lake and driving down to the Poundmaker Cree Nation for a guided tour of the Chief Poundmaker Historical Centre.

En route to Silver Lake, the group will walk near the paint mines, camping at Silver Lake on the evening of Aug. 13 and 14. They will tour Pine Island on Aug. 13 and Shiloh Church Aug. 14.

Aug. 15, the walk will

resume from the Kenderdine homestead site and the group will camp at Frenchman Butte or Paradise Hill the next three nights. The walkers will view the Imhoff church paintings at Paradise Hill and will tour the Frenchman Butte Museum Aug. 16. On the evening of Aug. 17, there will be a guided tour of where the Battle of Frenchman Butte took place. The group will reach Fort Pitt Aug. 18.

If anyone is interested in joining the group, either by foot or vehicle, for all or part of the trail, please phone Hugh Henry at 306778-2531. Everyone is welcome to join.

The Bresaylor Heritage Museum is open again for the summer by appointment only from June 1 to Sept. 4. Please phone Enola at 306-893-8002 or Bob at 306-895-2075 to arrange a guided tour by one of our volunteer staff. Check out the Bresaylor Heritage Museum Facebook page for more information.

It’s nice to watch the children play ball. This was captured at Glenburn Regional Park south of Maymont last Tuesday evening with hardly any annoying mosquitoes. U15 games featured Hafford versus Maymont. There were many boys and girls in a far younger age category in order to even have a team. There was a fair-sized crowd on both sides cheering these kids on. Ball season isn’t long enough in rural areas.

Ruts left long ago by carts travelling the Fort Pitt Trail remain visible today.

eldest daughter of Gerald and Francis Ewanchuk of Whitkow. She married Kenzie Haubrich of Swift

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Saskatchewan Maintains Mining Investment Attractiveness

This is an exciting time for the Saskatchewan mining industry, coming off another year with record sales numbers. Our province is home to 23 of the 31 critical minerals on Canada’s list and for the third year in a row, we rank in the top three globally as one of the best places for mining in terms of investment attractiveness, according to the Fraser Institute. Learn more at saskmining.ca

306-893-2619

Maidstone and District News

Grad scholarships and bursaries presented

cure (Katz Beauty Spot), Hayley Yuill – mini hair straightener and Lee-Ann Larson – doggie pedicure (Tip Top Doggie Cuts).

By Kathy Utri Correspondent

Maidstone High School’s graduation ceremonies May 26 filled the arena with the community celebrating this milestone with the Grade 12 class. Valedictorian, Lizelle Johner, gave an inspiring message as she and her fellow students venture out on new paths.

Scholarships and bursaries were awarded as follows: MHS staff scholarship – Lizelle Johner; Eidsness scholarship –Bryelle Crichton; Synergy Credit Union bursary –Rosalee Sawatzky; SADD bursary – Jaxsen Rowlands; Baytex Energy Ltd. scholarship – Jaxsen Rowlands; MHS art scholarship –Steele Hult, Lizelle Johner, Bryelle Crichton; Legion Ladies Auxiliary bursary – Rosalee Sawatzky; Jim Mitchell scholarship – Rosalee Sawatzky, Kyla Brett, Bryelle Crichton, Lizelle Johner; Maidstone Oilmen’s bursary – Lucas Mosimann; SCC bursary –Emily Maertz; Maidstone Chamber of Commerce bursary – Rosalee Sawatz-

ky, Bryelle Crichton; Black Seal Society bursary –Bryelle Crichton, Rosalee Sawatzky; Nic Weston Memorial bursary – Emily Maertz; Waseca Recreation Board scholarship – Steele Hult, Jaxsen Rowlands; Allen Craig essay – first place – Kyla Brett. Congratulations, everyone. (information submitted by Kerry Olson, MHS)

The show and shine fundraiser for Pine Island Lodge May 30 was a hit. The day started with much-needed rain but the sun came out later in the afternoon, drawing out a large crowd. More than 30 vehicles were on display from Maidstone and Lloydminster and one from North Battleford. The oldest was Bill Foster’s 1927 Ford quarter-ton roadster and the newest was a 2023 Camaro convertible. Maidstone Health Auxiliary’s rummage sale raised over $350, and Pine Island Lodge’s raffles did a brisk business.

Winners: first prize (Maidstone Pharmacy) – Candy Ormiston, second prize (AG Foods) – Elsie Skolrood, third prize (Lou’s and

Sue’s Restaurant) – Melanie Schempp. Turtleford & District Co-op at Maidstone brought in over $2,300 with their barbecue; they even had to run for more burgers. Thank you to all who helped organize, donated items, worked or attended. Special mention to Lloyd Auto Club who were instrumental in making the show happen and in doing posters.

Standard Hill Lakers moved to 3-0 on the season with a 14-3 win over the Mervin Flyers in six innings May 30. We’ll let you know the score of Tuesday’s game at North Battleford Beavers next week, along with results from the June 9 to 11 slo-pitch tourney at Silver Lake.

Maidstone Disc Golf’s drawn league winners on May 31 were Matt Sayers and Ryan Donovan. Join them every Wednesday at 7 p.m. The league leaderboard is posted on their Facebook page.

Hats off to Making Waves Salon who celebrated its one-year anniversary June 1. Door prize winners were Joyce Weston – pedi-

Maidstone Gully Multiple 4-H Club did a super job at Expo in Lloydminster last weekend. Their placings follow. For Record Books – Mickey Blyth third in Intermediate; Olivia Montague third overall in Cloverbuds. For display –Archery second, Canine third, Cloverbuds third and Olivia Montague first in Cloverbuds with Curious Cats. For Bench – Poster: Mickey Blyth first in Intermediate, Olivia Montague first in Cloverbuds and Landen Myer second; Woodworking/Welding/ Machining: Logan Gerlinsky first in Junior, Jacob Gerlinsky second, Kayden Valliere-Cooke third and Tristan Blyth first in Intermediate; Photography: Olivia Montague first in Cloverbuds, Karli Myer second in Junior, Saidai Mosher second in Intermediate and Tristan Blyth third; Sewing: Saidai Mosher second in Intermediate; Crafts: Mickey Blyth first in Intermediate, McKennley Rhinehart first in Cloverbuds, Olivia Montague second and Landen Myer third, Harper Johnston first in Junior, Logan Gerlinsky second and

Karli Myer third; Baking: Mickey Blyth first in Intermediate and Saidai Mosher second, Kyden Rhinehart second in Junior and Karli Myer third, Olivia Montague first in Cloverbuds and Jason Mosher second.

For Canine: Saidai Mosher won Grand Champion Dog Show and Grand Champion Agility Trial. For Market Lamb Class A – Kayden Tuplin first and Isabelle Harbin fifth; Ewe Lamb Class 1 – Kayden Tuplin second and Isabelle Harbin sixth; Intermediate Showmanship – Isabelle Harbin first; Junior Showmanship – Kayden Tuplin third in his class; Intermediate judging class – Isabelle Harbin first; Junior judging – Kayden second. (submitted by Deiedra Blyth, general leader).

Congratulations to all the 4-H members on completing your projects. You should be very proud of yourselves. Awards night is Friday, June 9 with the potluck supper at 5:30 p.m. followed by presentations.

Maidstone Museum opened for the season Saturday, June 3. Drop in between 2 and 5 p.m. any Saturday or Sunday. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered. Eileen Anderson has done a great job preparing events for school

groups. For tour or event bookings, call anytime: Museum 306-893-2890 or John 780-871-1027 or Kathy 306-893-2799. We always have new and interesting things to show you. I greatly appreciate everyone who helps me gather all the information for these write-ups. This week I was in Ontario for my niece’s wedding and it was quite the endeavour to get it all together. If you have anything you’d like printed, don’t hesitate to call (home 306-893-2799), text (cell 306-893-7378) or on FB Messenger.

Upcoming:

Saturday, June 10Lashburn Day includes breakfast 8 a.m., parade 11 a.m., all day events (see posters or Facebook).

Thursday, June 15 - Synergy Credit Union, Maidstone member appreciation barbeque – 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sunday, June 18 - Waseca Recreation Board Father’s Day Brunch 11 a.m. at Waseca Memorial Hall Maidstone School

Dates: June 22 to 27 exams, June 27 last day of school, June 28 report cards and school’s out for summer, Aug. 31 elementary “Drop Your Backpack, Meet Your Teacher” day, Sept. 5 classes resume.

More Mayfair news

Continued from Page 9

the newlyweds reside. Congratulations to both families.

Condolences to two families with two unexpected deaths. Battleford’s well-known financial advisor, 48-yearold Kelly Bahrey with close connections to many Whitkow district people has died. His grandparents homesteaded here and as a child, he loved going to the farm. Former Meota news correspondent 97-year-old Lorna Pearson passed away last Friday. I’m sure both will be large funerals on the afternoon of June 5.

Rabbit Lake’s Agricultural Society is sponsoring “Bunnock and Burger” on Tuesday, June 20. They are hoping to get a good response from local people during the summer months. The price of the burger is just to recoup their expenses but the bunnock game is free. This is to be scheduled for every Tuesday around supper time. Please look for posters and there is a website.

Grade 12 Graduation is upon us and many are invited to celebrate these special occasions. These are exciting times for the graduating students as this is their special day to shine.

Hon. Scott Moe, Premier, MLA for Rosthern-Shellbrook scottmoe.mla@sasktel.net 306-747-3422

Hon. Jeremy Cockrill, MLA for The Battlefords office@jeremycockrill.ca

306-445-5195

Ryan Domotor, MLA for Cut Knife-Turtleford domotor.mla@sasktel.net

Maidstone High School’s class of 2023 was celebrated during ceremonies at the arena May 25 — back row - Cole Doud, Lucas Mosimann, Tyler Harmel, Xavier Armstrong, Jaxsen Rowlands, Austin Yaceyko, Kayden Bolig, Ruslan Mazurkewich, Steele Hult, Chance Newsted, Ben Dutton, Chase St. Pierre, Logan Jardine, Seth Bourbeau; front row - Rosalee Sawatzky, Kyla Brett, Emily Maertz, Alexis Schonhofer, Bryelle Crichton, Jasmine Seguin, Lizelle Johner and Trinity Lavoie, Rosaria-Leah Fretz. (names provided by Leanne Doud) | Photo by Kerry Olson

OBITUARIES

ARSENAULT: Mrs. Yvonne

Arsenault of North Battleford, SK passed away on Saturday, May 20,2023 at the Villa Pascal Nursing Home with family by her side at the age of 96 years. A Mass of Christian Burial took place on Thursday, May 25, 2023 from St. Joseph Calasanctius Parish with Reverend Father Phin Do and Reverend Father Nestor Gregoire as celebrants. Interment followed the luncheon at the City of North Battleford Cemetery. Yvonne is survived by her children: Maurice (Carol) Arsenault and family: Deneise (Doug) Cheyne, Deborah (Curtis) Bulych, Doug Arsenault; Elaine Cadrin and family: Michael (Lori) Cadrin, Tracey Cadrin (Jay Rink); Bernie (Linda) Arsenault and family: Les (Devan) Arsenault, Denis (Nikki) Arsenault, Chris (Yugin) Arsenault; Janet (Lyle) Laird and family: Kimberly Horrell, Shana (Chris) Stewart, Chelsey (Jeff) Schwab; Lorette (Shane) Hosegood and family: Amanda (David) Hutton, Jonathon (Jodi) Hosegood; Greg Arsenault (Nancy Hazlett) and family: Krysta Arsenault, Samantha Arsenault, Heather (Cameron) Gordon; Carole (Mark) Chapman and family: Brian (Madelane) Chapman, Scott (Wendy) Chapman; Rosalie (Brett) Payne and family: Ryan (Kimberly) Payne, Megan (Brad) Weber, Brett (Jennifer) Payne; Michelle (Dave) Sarenco and family: Jessica (Mike) Diehl, Cassandra (Ryan) Shepherd, Lexie (Dale) Larson; daughter-inlaw, Donna Arsenault and family: Darren (Ana) Arsenault, Evelyn (Wayne) Mitchell, Trevor (San) Arsenault; 56 greatgrandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Bill Arsenault; son, Ernie Arsenault; son-in-law, Gerry Cadrin; great-grandchild, Ben Hutton; parents: Joseph & Jeanne Gregoire; brother, John Gregoire and his wife, Val; and numerous other in-laws. Memorial donations in memory of Yvonne can be directed to the Villa Pascal Nursing Home 1301-113th St, North Battleford, SK, S9A-3K1 or to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Saskatchewan 1738 Quebec Avenue, Saskatoon, Sk, S7K-1V9. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Eternal Memories Funeral Service and Crematorium - Trevor Watts Funeral Director.

Card of Thanks

The family would like to express our sincere thanks to Dr. Campbell and the staff at Villa Pascal, for the care they provided Mom. We wish to also thank those who attended the funeral mass, that sent condolences, prayers and masses, flowers, food and cards. Thank you to Eternal Memories Funeral Services for their assistance with Mom’s Memorial service.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

JENNY – Margery (Nee Heaver. Formerly Smith) Jun. 5, 1913 –Jan. 20, 2023 The Celebration of Life for Margery Jenny will be held at the Western Development Museum – Music Theatre on Saturday, June 10 from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. The museum is located at the junction of Hwy 16 & Hwy 40 North Battleford. Interment of her ashes will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens (further southeast on Hwy 16). Margery was a long-time resident of the farming community of Rayner Heights near Baljennie with her former husband William (Bill) Smith and four children: Harvey, Rodney, Gordon and Shirley. After her marriage in 1981 to Carl Jenny she resided in British Columbia and most recently Edmonton.

FOR SALE - MISC

Advertisements and statements contained herein are the sole responsibility of the persons or entities that post the advertisement, and the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association and membership do not make any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness, or reliability of such advertisements. For greater information on advertising conditions, please consult the Association’s Blanket Advertising Conditions on our website at www.swna.com.

FOR HIRE

COMING EVENTS

HEALTH SERVICES

HIP/KNEE

Replacement?

Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING?

RallyDayinCentralPark

WereyoueverinScouting?Doyou stillhaveyourBeaverBuggy,Kub KarorScoutTruck?Ifso,dustitoff andcomejoinusatthisyear's7th AnnualRallyDay!

The2ndNorthBattlefordScouting GroupwillbemeetingatCentral ParkonMonday,June12thfrom68pmtoracetheirvehicles.Weare eagertoraceagainstalumniso wouldlovetoseeyouthere!Please registeryourparticipationat: bit.ly/rallyday2023

TheRallyoffersseveral opportunitiesforparticipantsto demonstratetheirvehicle's attributes:speedanddesign.In eachagecategoryweareoffering prizes.Ifyouareabusiness interestedinhelpingusfillourprize table,pleasecall(306-400-2088)or emailus(2nbscouts@gmail.com).

OnceaScout,alwaysaScout!

HEALTH SERVICES

The Disability Tax Credit allows for $2,500 yearly tax credit and up to $30,000 Lump sum refund

Apply NOW; quickest refund Nationwide! Providing assistance during Covid. Expert Help: 1-844-453-5372

WANTED

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

IN THE ESTATE of CURTIS EDGAR

PARKINSON, late of Battleford, Saskatchewan, deceased.

ALL CLAIMS against the above estate, duly verified by

IN MEMORIAM

LAND FOR SALE

FARMLAND WANTED

I am currently PURCHASING single to large blocks of land.

NO FEES OR COMMISSIONS

Saskatchewan born and raised, I know farming and farmland and can help you every step of the way.

Doug Rue, for further information 306-716-2671 saskfarms@shaw.ca www.sellyourfarm land.com

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battlefords humane society

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AUCTIONS

Notice of Preparation of Assessment Roll Village of Richard

Notice is hereby given that the assessment roll of the Village of Richard for the year 2023 has been prepared and is open to inspection at the office of the Assessor of the village, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Monday and Tuesday inclusive, June 9th 2023 to July 10th 2023; excluding holidays.

A bylaw pursuant to section 214 of the Municipalities Act has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required. Any person who wishes to appeal against his or her assessment is required to file his or her notice of appeal, accompanied by a $50.00 appeal fee which will be returned if the appeal is successful, by the 10th day of July, 2023, to:

MEETINGS

Annual General Meeting

Thursday, June 22nd, 2023 11:45 a.m. Contact Cheri at (306) 445-6960 for more information

MEETINGS

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

Thursday, June 22nd 2023 @ 7:00PM 412-27th street Battleford.

Everyone Welcome, we hope to see you there.

NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Annual General Meeting of Battlefords Residential Services Inc. is being held on:

DATE: June 27, 2023

TIME: 5:00 PM

PLACE: Pennydale’s Junction (92 – 22nd Street W Battleford, SK)

Everyone welcome.

Join

Upcoming Sales:

June 17th- Alma & Kevin Latus

Farm Sale- Spiritwood

2006 Case IH MXM 130 Tractor w/ Loader, Case IH HDX 162 16ft Haybine, Morris 14 Bale Wagon/self loading, Full of farm machinery, 2016 Duralite Stock Trailer, Cattle handling, Shop, Yard.

July 8th- Rene & Pauline Nicolas Acreage, Shop Sale – Shell Lake

August 26th

Consignment Sale Medstead Hall, Medstead Sk.

Terms of payment; Interact Debit, Cash, or Cheque with ID. Boechler-Schira Auctioneering does not charge buyers fee on items sold at our sales

Check our Website and Facebook page for sale details Call Kelly @ 306-386-7110 or Marlene @ 306-883-8610

63%

55%

Mike Ligtermoet

Secretary of the Board of Revision

Nor Sask Board Services

642 Agnew Street

Prince Albert, Saskatchewan S6V 2P1

Stephanie Reiter, Assessor

Village of Richard

P.O. Box 6, Richard, SK. S0M 2P0 (306) 441-4126

Dated at Richard, Saskatchewan this 1st day of June, 2023

Public Notice RM of Round Hill No. 467

Public notice is hereby given that the Council of the RM of Round Hill No. 467 (RM) intends to consider the adoption of three bylaws under The Planning and Development Act, 2007. The RM will establish a new Official Community Plan, a new Zoning Bylaw and a new fees bylaw.

Intent: The proposed Official Community Plan bylaw will establish municipal land use policies, goals and objectives for the RM. The proposed Zoning Bylaw will implement land use policies, establish zoning districts, prescribe permitted and discretionary uses within each zoning district, establish a development permit process, prescribe a process for appeals and provide a provision for amendments. The proposed fees bylaw will establish fees for municipal services, including planning and development services.

Affected Land: The proposed bylaws will affect all land within the incorporated area of the RM.

Reason: The Official Community Plan will provide the RM with direction on development decisions and municipal goals. The Zoning Bylaw will help direct and manage growth and development within the RM. The fees bylaw will provide a schedule of fees to be charged for services provided by the RM.

Public Inspection: Any person may inspect the proposed bylaws at the RM office during normal office hours. Copies of the bylaws are available at cost.

Public Hearing: Council will hold a public hearing on Friday July 14th, 2023 at 9:00am – 11:00am. The public hearing will be held at the RM of Round Hill No.467 office. Any person or group that wants to comment on the proposed bylaws is welcome to attend or to submit comments prior to the meeting. Council will consider all comments received.

Issued at the RM of Round Hill No.467 June 1st, 2023

Christina Moore Administrator

I have a tonnn of energy so I like to spend my free time outside playing with my doggy friends!

Boy am I ever excited to tell you a bit about myself! I am a huge lover, and need to be in a home with another feline to play with and hopefully become buddies with!

Hi I’m Fiona!

Hi I’m Wiley!

OFFICE ASSISTANT

The R.M. of Paynton No. 470 is currently recruiting for an organized and effective team member to join our Administration staff. This is a permanent position working Monday to Thursday with office hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. As an Office Assistant you will display an aptitude for customer service, have excellent computer skills with considerable knowledge of Excel and Word. You must have above average accounting skills, excellent verbal and written communication abilities, the capability to adapt quickly to new procedures and situations and must be bondable. This is a fast paced ever changing working environment so you MUST be able to multitask, work with minimal supervision and complete your work in a timely manner. You will work cooperatively with council, staff and ratepayers under the direction of the Administrator.

This position comes with employer paid benefits and an employer matched pension plan. Wages will be negotiable depending on education, skills and experience.

Potential starting date is July 4, 2023.

Send resumes with two work references and suggested salary no later than June 12, 2023. Only those considered for an interview will be contacted.

R.M. of Paynton No. 470

Box 10

Paynton, Sask. S0M 2J0

Phone: 306-895-2020

Fax: 306-895-4800

Email: rm470@sasktel.net

BOOK CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING 306-445-7261

North West College

Borden and District News Dief. Daze meal draws 150

By Lorraine Olinyk Correspondent

The Borden Farmers Market on Fridays in the Borden Community Centre has a 50/50 draw each week and winning the draw last week was Larry Newhook

FEED & SEED

FORAGE SEED FOR SALE: Organic & conventional: Sweet Clover, Alfalfa, Red Clover, Smooth Brome, Meadow Brome, Crested Wheatgrass, Timothy, etc. Star City, SK. Birch Rose Acres Ltd. 306-921-9942.

CERTIFIED SEED

Wheat AAC Goodwin, Go EArly, PintAil Oats AC JuniPEr, AC MorGAn, AC MustAnG, dErby CdC so1 suPEr oAt Barley Ab stAndswEll, CErvEzA CdC AustEnson, CdC MAvEriCk, sundrE Peas vEry EArly yEllow, ForAGE PEAs, Polish CAnolA, sPrinG tritiCAlE mastinseeds.com

403-556-2609

Full-Time, Permanent Education Technology Coordinator

NorthBattleford

Posting #94-BC-2223

The Education Technology Coordinator works collaboratively toensure the development and implementation of an Education Technology Strategy that promotes and supports the integration of technology inlearning and teaching. The Coordinator will implement supportservicesleading tothe integration of technology inthe learning process that meetsthe need of individual learners and College administration. This position is alsoresponsible for the operational support of academicstandards and quality enhancement acrossthe College,such asmonitoring and review.

$33.12 per hour to start,with an excellent benefits package

Start Date: ASAP

If you are passionate about promoting lifelong learning and technology, please visit: www.northwestcollege.ca for a complete position profile, and application

Applications will be reviewed as they are received. www.northwestcollege.ca

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with two previous winners being Barb Leschyshyn and Bev Hrynuik. Some of the market vendors had tables on June 3 at Diefenbaker Daze up at Memorial Park and did fairly well with sales.

Diefenbaker Daze June 3 and 4 saw eight entries

in the slo-pitch tournament and for the kids, there was a bouncy castle and slide along with the playground equipment, and Lions wagon train rides. For the older kids, there was laser tag. Saturday there was a craft and bake sale, the BBCPC steak supper with close to

VILLAGE OF MEOTA Transfer Site Attendant

The Village of Meota is accepting applications for a Transfer Site Attendant.

Responsibilities include but not limited to the following:

• Accountable for controlling the disposal of waste & recyclables to the appropriate bins.

• Track the use of the Transfer Site and the sale of tags.

• Monitor the fill level of bins and arrange emptying of bins as may be required.

• Site maintenance

Hours:

• Summer hours: Saturday to Monday (weekend before May Long)

10:00AM. - 6:00PM

• Winter hours: Saturday to Monday (first weekend after October Long)

10:00AM- 4:00PM

Please apply in writing by submitting resume to: Village of Meota, Box 123, Meota, SK SOM 1X0, email to vmeota@sasktel.net or Fax: 306-892-2275.

CLOSING DATE: Monday, June 26th, 2023

150 in attendance and then a DJ played for the cabaret in the evening. Sunday morning, the Little Sprouts had a pancake breakfast, followed by ball and the kids’ and teen zones. St. John’s Anglican church had a community church service outside at the Borden Care Home in the morning, with over 30 in attendance. Celtic Country performed two songs to begin, then a hymn, Precious Memories, and prayers led by Rev. Carr, Continued on Page 14

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS & LABOURERS WANTED

For all heavy equipment: ie. dozers, excavators, scrapers etc. Camp/R & B provided. Competitive wages. Valid drivers license req’d. Send resume and work references to: Bryden Construction and Transport Co. Inc. Box 100, Arborfield, SK S0E 0A0; Fax: 306-769-8844 Email: brydenconstruct@ xplornet.ca www. brydenconstruction andtransport.ca

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Celtic Country — Archie Wainwright, Perry Nicol, Bob Wardhaugh and Ed Neufeld — at a community church service June 4 at Borden Care Home. | Photo by Lorraine Olinyk

Continued from Page 13 followed by Bible readings. Rev Carr spoke about pioneers homesteading, finding good land with water and trees, and especially the Diefenbaker family who settled at Borden. John went to high school in Saskatoon and then became the 13th prime minister. He said the village remembers the past by holding Diefenbaker Daze. Celtic Country played two more songs, and then, after

the closing hymn, Archie, Bob, Perry and Ed played and sang five more numbers.

Winners for the ball tournament were: A - Bat Intentions won over Walk It Off Warriors; B. Jaegermeister won over Super Daddy; C - Bat and Boujou beat out Walk it Off; and D - Dirty Balls won against Brew Crew.

The Borden Museum held its grand opening Saturday, June 3, with a flag-

More Borden news

raising ceremony while those in attendance sang O Canada. Summer employee Teddy Cutting was introduced. There were free ice cream treats for everyone. The museum will be open Tuesday to Friday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday 1 – 5 p.m. and closed Sunday and Monday. For those wishing to visit the museum on days closed, contact Karen Kerr at 306-9975600 to arrange the visit.

Kids patiently waiting for a driver to give them a ride on the Lions train cars at Diefenbaker Daze.

Blow-up slide, bouncy castle and playground at Memorial Park for June 3 and 4. | Photos by Lorraine Olinyk

Teens having fun playing laser tag at Diefenbaker Daze.

Learn to sail at Meota Lakefront this summer

Submitted

Meota Lakefront Paddle and Sail

Meota Lakefront Paddle and Sail kicked off the season with a well-attended open house coffee on Saturday morning at the sailing club. This is an opportunity for people to come and explore our facilities and learn what we have to offer. It will be open every Saturday for the month of June from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

The building is used for housing canoes, paddle boards and sailing equipment and has a complete kitchen and seating area for rentals plus recreational tables.

Sailing lessons are being offered at the club this year. This will happen from July 3 to 7 from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information call Patrick at 306-3707245. To register today online check out sasksailing. ca. A fundraiser featuring members of the Louisiana Hayride is being hosted June 17 at 7 p.m. at the Meota Community Complex. Featuring, from the Louisiana Hayride Show, Gil Risling and Terry Hoknes. Special guest, Shannon Risling, who has appeared on the Louisiana Hayride Show in the roles of Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and Dolly Parton will be on stage with songs

from those legendary ladies. Willie Nelson and Roy Orbison will be represented, and in addition to hits from those legends, there will be songs by Elvis, Johnny Cash, Sawyer Brown and more. Terry will demonstrate his amazing keyboard skills with a tribute to Jerry Lee Lewis Tickets are $25 each and purchasing in a group of 8 reserves a table. For information or to get your tickets contact Warren or Elaine Iverson at 306- 4410399, or 306-892-2229 or get your tickets at the Meota bar or the Meota Credit Union. The money raised will go toward some upgrades and upkeep of the building.

This photo of Patrick and Lewis Eckerman were taken Saturday, June 3 on Jackfish Lake. Patrick has stepped up to bring sailing lessons back to Meota. Many Meota residents remember a time when the lake was flooded with sailboats from all over the province. Slowly but surely sailing is making a comeback. Meota Lakefront Paddle and Sail are working with Sask Sailing to offer sailing lessons in Meota from July 3 to 6. If you are interested you can find the registration information on the Sask Sailing website. We are hoping to have 10 participants. Instructors will be certified and we also have qualified assistants. It’s been a long time coming and our members are very excited that it’s finally happening this summer. | Photo by

Trudy Janssens