Regional News-Optimist December 13 by Battlefords News Optimist

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Thursday, December 13, 2018

Published every Thursday

Merry Christmas

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Young Stars

No change in proposed hikes By John Cairns Staff Reporter

North Battleford can officially get ready to pay more for property tax and utilities in 2019. The 2019 budget was adopted Monday night by city council at their final council meeting of the

Sports North Stars update Page 15

News

Inquest testimony wrapup Pages 17-19

Region

Big win at Borden Page 21

n Expecting $1.2 million in land sales last year was disappointing as only $100,000 was the return. The City of North Battleford will no longer be basing any possible revenues on selling off assets. It’s a ‘bad business practice’ says the mayor. year. The vote to carry the budget was unanimous, as were the votes on several budget-related resolutions that were before council that night. The final vote followed three nights of budget deliberations held over the previous two weeks. Throughout the process, the four per cent property tax increase and 4.5 per cent utilities increase remained intact. Councillors acknowledged it was going to be painful. But Mayor Ryan Bater explained they had to make up the shortfall. “We had a $1.7 million revenue hole,” said Bater. “And we had to get right to the point in how to overcome that.” One of the measures the city has taken on is a commitment by administration to meet an internal operations efficiencies target of

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$500,000 in 2019. A resolution to that effect was carried Monday. Mayor Bater acknowledged to reporters that meeting this efficiencies target was “a big task that we’re asking administration.” One important change in this year’s budget process was a decision made to remove land sales from general operating revenue. “You don’t sell assets to operate your city,” said Bater to reporters, justifying the change. But Bater noted it was also bad business practice. He noted they had budgeted for $1.2 million in land sales in 2018 and realized only $100,000. “In practice, it didn’t work for us in 2018,” said Bater. “We have to reduce our dependency on asset sales like land.” Continued on Page 3

Young sports fans were on the streets of North Battleford Saturday afternoon as Santa Day featured street hockey with the Battlefords North Stars. This young fellow tried several positions. For more photos see Page 25 and visit our www. newsoptimist.ca for a photo gallery. Photo by Averil Hall

Call made for independent inquiry into Whitstone death Staff Family members of Brydon Whitstone as well as the FSIN have now formally called for a new investigation into Whitstone’s death in an RCMP member-involved shooting in North Battleford. At a news conference Tuesday attended by FSIN representatives as well as Whitstone’s family, the family’s lawyer Stephanie Lavallee noted “several inconsistencies and con-

flicting testimony by officers and witnesses at the inquest last week.” “As a result we are calling upon the Ministry of Justice to bring independent investigative body to review and reopen the investigation.” Lavallee added the “media coverage and the inquest did not fully capture what took place on Oct. 21, 2017.” The jury in the inquest into Whitstone’s death

ruled last week that the manner of his death was “undetermined.” The coronor had asked the jury to decide between homocide or suicide. The jury was also asked to make recommendations to prevent similar deaths in the future. Their recommendation was directed to the RCMP: use of a Taser or other intervention to immobilize or stun the suspect prior to the use of a gun. See more on Pages 17-19

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City Bulletin

VOLUME 48/2018 SNOW ANGEL

UTILITIES E-BILLING

Be a Snow Angel this winter, it’s the neighbourly thing to do! HOW IT WORKS Lend a helping hand to a resident who needs it and then tell us about it, and if you receive help from someone, nominate them as a “Snow Angel.” Write or email your Snow Angel story to us. (North Battleford residents only) • Include the name and address of the Snow Angel • MAIL NOMINATIONS TO: City of North Battleford, P.O. Box 460, 1291 - 101st Street, North Battleford, SK S9A 2Y6 OR EMAIL NOMINATIONS TO: dmacdonald@cityofnb.ca The City of North Battleford will send a thank you to the Snow Angels and enter them into monthly prize draws.

Registration is now on for January 2019 classes

Run a 5K, TBC, Yoga, Gentle Yoga, Mommy & Me, and more! To register or for more information call 306-445-1755 / 306-445-1790

Don Ross Centre 891 99th St (door #5) or the NationsWEST Field House www.cityofnb.ca BATTLEFORDS

CO-OP

AQUATIC CENTRE

Registration OPENS for WINTER Swim Lessons December 3 Lessons Begin January 7 (10 week set) Schedule is on cityofnb.ca under “Leisure” Or find us on Facebook @nbaquaticcentre

NEW!

You can register ONLINE!

Head to cityofnb.ca and follow the link under “Leisure”; “Register for Classes”

Also check out Assistant Lifeguard & Rumblefish

Bonaventure Lions Club North Battleford Lions Club Kiwanis Club of the Battlefords North Battleford Kinsmen Club

Subscribe to Utilities E-Billing at www.cityofnb.ca/e_billing_ subscribe.html and have your utility bills sent directly from us to you, into your email’s inbox.

to find comprehensive and up to date information for everything that matters to you as a resident, business or visitor and connect with us on social media. To book a Leisure Services facility, please call 306-445-1755 or email centralbooking@cityofnb.ca

Recreation Programs

Free Public Skating is possible thanks to the generosity of the following service clubs:

It is easy, efficient and eco friendly.

www.cityofnb.ca

LEISURE SERVICES

Thank you to Public Skating Sponsors:

Thee Snow Angel Program encourages healthy, willing residents to help others when clearing snow from sidewalks — especially elderly residents or anyone with health or mobility restrictions.

Check out

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The Royal Canadian Legion Branch #70 North West Hockey Development Rotary Club of the Battlefords North Battleford Elks Club St. Josephs Knights of Columbus #7336

1291 - 101st Street, PO Box 460 North Battleford, SK S9A 2Y6 cityofnb.ca

City of North Battleford (Official)

TWINKLE TOUR The Twinkle Tour will start at the Civic Centre at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, December 18th. The tour will be hosted by City of North Battleford Mayor Ryan Bater and Grant Schutte from CJNB. They will lead the tour, visiting the entered participants, as they broadcast live on CJNB radio. Everyone is welcome to drive along with the tour, or listen to it live on the radio.

CENTENNIAL PARK ACTIVITY CENTRE The perfect place to hold a family gathering, or meeting. For information and availability call Central Booking 306-445-1755.

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The possibilities are endless with this gift that keeps on giving! Purchase yours today by calling (with credit card) or visiting us in person! Don Ross Centre 306-445-1755 Battlefords Co-op Aquatic Centre 306-445-1745 NationsWest Field House 306-445-1790 Check cityofnb.ca for more information on Leisure Services

THE CHAPEL GALLERY For more information or to register please call 306-445-1745 (with credit card), visit us in person, or register online at cityofnb.ca,

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The Battlefords, Thursday, December 13, 2018 - Page 3

City of NB 2019 budget is adopted Continued from Page 1 He said a proper land sales fund will be developed in the future where land would be acquired in the future from the proceeds of the sale of existing land assets. In all, the budget process had gone smoothly over the past two weeks, with no major adjustments or changes made to the initial budget proposed from administration. Bater noted the entire budget process had been forward-looking compared to previous years, when a review of past expenditures was part of the process. “We wanted every minute of our deliberations to be about 2019,” said Bater. There were, however, some important decisions still to be made Monday on a number of items. Among the most prominent was a request by North Battleford Fire Department to purchase the Self Contained Breathing Apparatus. Council decided Monday they would go ahead with replacing the breathing apparatus as part of a two-year contract purchase happening in both 2019 and 2020.

North Battleford City Council voted to adopt the 2019 budget Monday. Photo by John Cairns

The capital purchase of a command vehicle for the fire department is also going ahead, but the capital cost is being reduced to $50,000 from the original $60,000. That resolution carried as well. Another resolution passing at council Monday was a decision to delay a capital project to pave the grounds at the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Costs would be transferred to reserves instead, to address the long-term drainage issues at the location. Also approved was a transfer of $120,000 from Infrastructure and Maintenance Services to General Government Services. There was also approval of a resolution to add two po-

sitions to General Government Services, one being a permanent Asset Management Accountant and a two-year term Finance Accountant. Among the most difficult decisions council had to make was on third-party and community development grant requests. In the end, grants were approved for the following entities: North Battleford Transit, Battlefords Handi-Bus, Destination Battlefords (Mayor Bater recused himself from that vote), River Valley Board, Lakeland Library, North Battleford Library, Battlefords Education and Trade Centre, Battlefords Boys and Girls Club, Dekker Centre, NB Golf

and Country Club, the Humane Society, Catholic Family Services (coun. Greg Lightfoot recusing himself from that vote), and The Lighthouse. Perhaps most significant was the grant to the Battlefords Humane Society of $271,893, part of which includes a capital grant to their long-awaited new facility project. The indication from the society is that they are ready to move ahead with the replacement of the existing animal shelter, which is beset by ventilation issues. “Anyone who’s visited that facility knows it needs to be replaced,” said Bater. “We cannot have staff of the Battlefords Humane

Society working in that facility, we cannot be sheltering animals there, the building is way past its useful life and it’s high time for a new facility.” Bater adds they will be finalizing a contract in the next couple of weeks with the Battlefords Humane Society to “get the ball rolling for a new shelter.” While it was good funding news for a lot of applicants, not everyone was approved. Two of the applicants who presented before council but who are not receiving grants are Midwest Food Resources and Learning Tree Child Development Centre. Councillors acknowledged it was a tough decision to have to say no to

some applicants. “It was a really difficult decision on some of these in the community that we didn’t provide grants to this year,” said Councillor Kent Lindgren. “I’m sad to not be able to support as many people as I would like to, but the realities of our government and our city this year… they’re not always what they once were. Things have changed this year.” In general, Bater said the grant decisions ultimately came down to whether there was a demonstrated need, as well as whether it was a timely request. That same criteria was used when considering their capital projects, he said. “There were a lot of projects within our capital plan that were deferred and a lot of third-party requests. Really, by denying them, we are deferring a lot of them as well.” Now that the budget is adopted, the next step is work by administration to set the mill rates. Those bylaws must still be prepared and will come to council sometime in the new year.

Five-year lease for Ag society, convention for 2019 By John Cairns Staff Reporter

Here are some highlights from the Dec. 10 meeting of North Battleford city council. It was the final regularly scheduled meeting of 2018 and also the last one to be held at 8 pm. Council will start meetings at 6:15 pm beginning in the new year. Council has approved a lease agreement for another five years with the Battlefords Agricultural Society. The agreement is

effective Nov. 1 2018 running to Oct 31, 2023. Normally, the lease has been renewed on a two-year basis for the nominal amount of one dollar. In this case the Ag Society had requested the extension, said city manager Randy Patrick, to provide them with more certainty. The resolution authorizing the lease agreement was carried. The city will be hosting another convention next year. It was confirmed that the Saskatchewan Profes-

sional Planners Institute conference is coming to the Battlefords next fall. It will be the first time the conference is held in the Battlefords and approximately 300 people are expected. Council approved a resolution to begin developing an asset management implementation plan, and also to bring it back to Council for approval prior to March 31, 2019. The idea is to move the city towards a more sustained asset management approach that,

according to a city memo from Director of Finance Steve Brown, will lead to improved infrastructure services in the long term. Council also voted in favor of entering a shortterm contract with Tim Furlong to provide property taxation assistance. His duties will include reviewing the city’s property tax operations. To meet Occupational Health and Safety regulations, some renovations are coming to the pub-

lic works building to restructure the building’s lunchroom, change room and parts room, with the change room moving to the second floor and the parts room moving to the shop floor. The estimated cost will be $20,000 and council has voted unanimously in favor. There were 12 people nominated in the Snow Angel program for November; all were entered into a draw for a $50 VISA gift card and the winner this

month is Chris Nolin. In proclamations, Mayor Ryan Bater has proclaimed Tuesdays from Jan. 8 to Feb. 26, 2019 as “Better Together Tuesdays,” which is part of the Better Together youth initiative happening in the community. Finally, a resolution was passed to cancel next week’s Planning Committee meeting. Mayor Bater wished residents a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Downtown incentive granted for Giant Tiger location By John Cairns Staff Reporter

The City of North Battleford has approved a downtown tax incentive for the building that will house the new Giant Tiger. The tax incentive application was filed by Curtis

Lemieux of CR Developments Inc., which will be leasing the 20,000 square foot retail property to Giant Tiger for their new retail store. The location is 1121-102nd Street. According to a memo from director of planning and development Jennifer

Niesink, this build met all the criteria for the tax incentive. Those include its location within the downtown BID district, with new construction of the building happening on vacant property, and with the construction value being greater than $500,000. The

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estimated cost for the project, according to the application filed with the city, is $2.5 million. The incentive runs for five years and is calculated at 100 per cent discounted from municipal taxes through years one through three, 75 per cent in year

four and 50 per cent in year five. The application was approved unanimously. In speaking to reporters, Mayor Ryan Bater was excited to see the development happen in the downtown. “It’s a big investment by the city, but it’s also a big

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investment by this company,” said Bater. “Everybody can see it being constructed downtown, and according to the schedule we saw tonight, sometime in the summer of 2019 a new store will be open in downtown North Battleford.”

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Page 4 - The Battlefords, Thursday, December 13, 2018

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Share your view! Phone: 306-445-7261 Fax: 306-445-3223 Email: newsoptimist.news@sasktel.net

Picturing the future

From rom this this Corner er Corner

Are today’s young people under such stress that confict, self-harm and even violence against others has come to a tipping point? A recent incident resulted in a North Battleford Comprehensive High School student being taken to the emergency department. The school is unable to comment. The RCMP have replied briefly to an inquiry. We don’t know what the consequences were or will be for the student who caused the injuries. We know the injured student was limping and had a bruise where their head had been smashed against the floor. Video of the incident went online with a boast about what would have happened if a teacher hadn’t stepped in. How often does this happen? We have NBCHS students telling us it is not uncommon. For those of us who have been out of high school for many years, was this commonplace in our experience? When I went to school, it was just as ugly when it did happen, but it did not happen often. Some day in the not too distant future, the youth in today’s high schools will become the adults of the day, just as we, as former students, are the adults of today. What does that future look like? Jayne Foster

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Admitting that we are self-centred can be helpful

anbidge on Horticulture

Now online: Horticultural therapy

By Patricia Hanbidge

revraymaher@accesscomm.ca

The 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.

Bouquet I attended the candlelight community service at the Dekker Centre and want to thank you for sharing the story of Christ’s birth and in song and readings. It was a great choice of music with the conductor, orchestra and voices shared with their talents. Thanks to Peg and Paul for the vision and seeing it through. Doreen Griffith

How we’re feeling about Christmas shopping

T H E B AT T L E F O R D S

It seems Saskatchewan residents’ perceptions of holiday shopping change as they get closer to the holiday season. In an independent poll conducted by Insightrix Research Inc., more than 2,400 Saskatchewan residents were asked over a period of three months (September, October, November 2018) about their plans to shop in the upcoming holiday season. The results show procrastination changes our perceptions. Our perceptions of when to do holiday shopping shift as the holiday season grows closer. A majority of residents believe holiday shopping before Thanksgiving is too early, although this opinion decreases as the holiday season approaches (61 per cent in September as compared to 50 per cent in November). Similarly, 53 per cent say holiday shopping before Remembrance Day is too early in September, versus the 46 per cent who believe it is too early in November. Only three in 10 residents believe shopping before Black Friday (Nov. 23) is too early, and close to one in 10 say before Christmas Eve is too early to start their holiday shopping. What is interesting, though, is that women and younger

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residents are generally more likely to agree it is fine to do holiday shopping earlier in the year. We have many residents shopping year-round. A slim majority of Saskatchewan residents (55 per cent) agree they do their holiday throughout the year. What about the dollars? A majority of residents plan to try to spend $500 or less on their gifts. Overall, 57 per cent say they intend to spend $500 or less in total holiday shopping this year. Unlike their thoughts about what date is too soon to start holiday shopping, Saskatchewan residents’ holiday spending plans don’t change much as the holidays draw nearer. Compared to last year, most residents (70 per cent) plan to spend about the same amount. Twelve per cent say they plan to spend more, while 18 per cent say they plan to spend less than last year. In general, Saskatchewan women and older residents (55 years of age and older) are more likely to say they plan to spend less than last year on holiday shopping. Of those who plan to spend more than they did last year, 40 per cent say they plan to spend more than $250 compared to last year. Of those who say they plan to spend less than last year, 66 per cent say they plan to spend $1 - $250 less

A community newspaper published Thursdays Owned & Operated by Prairie Newspaper Group LP a division of GVIC Communications Corp. 892 - 104th Street, North Battleford, Saskatchewan S9A 1M9 Telephone: 306-445-7261 • Fax: 306-445-3223 Serving the Battlefords since 1908 E-mail: newsoptimist.news@sasktel.net

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than they did last year. We are in the gift buying mood! Most Saskatchewan residents plan to do holiday shopping in 2018. Based on data collected over the three-month research period (September, October, November 2018), approximately 94 per cent of residents reported that they intend to do some holiday shopping this season. Slightly more Saskatchewan women (96 per cent) say they intend to do holiday shopping than do men (92 per cent) in 2018. Research Details: This research was conducted over the course of three months in three separate studies. A total of 2,406 randomly selected SaskWatch Research panel members participated in the online research studies from September to November. In September, 805 panellists participated in the study between September 18 and 20, 2018. In October, 800 panellists participated between October 10 and 14, 2018, and 801 participated between November 6 and 9, 2018. Quotas were set by age, gender and region to match the general population of the province. Since the research is conducted online, it is considered to be a non-probability proportion sample; therefore, margins of error are not applicable. Gordon Brewerton Senior Group Publisher

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Joyce Wappel Office Manager, Noah Cooke Billing Clerk, Aliya Cooke DTI/Receptionist

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Jayne Foster Editor John Cairns - Josh Greschner Reporters

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The Battlefords, Thursday, December 13, 2018 - Page 5

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Two more buildings ONLINE www.newsoptimist.ca

downtown are no more

From the top of the pile By Brian Zinchuk

brian.zinchuk@sasktel.net Visit www.newsoptimist.ca to read Brian Zinchuk’s analysis explaining why British Columbia Premier John Horgan’s plan to nix gasoline and diesel-powered light vehicles by 2040 won’t work. “ ...we would have to build nine 1,000 megawatt nuclear power stations... All of this is to replace the energy output of just one refinery, in Regina. How many more nukes will you need to replace Edmonton’s refinery row?”

Last week’s News-Optimist online poll: Now that there’s snow in downtown NB, do you find it hard to see where the parking stalls are? • Yes. I miss those metal standards (formerly used for parking meters in the ancient past). 21% • No. I just pull in wherever there is a spot.

22% • Yes. But there’s no place to park anyway, so it doesn’t matter. 33% • No. I have no occasion to go downtown, so it doesn’t matter.

24%

This week’s News-Optimist online poll: Mandatory alcohol screening coming in Dec. 18 will authorize law enforcement to demand a breath sample at the roadside from any driver that has been lawfully stopped. What do you think? • Good, it’s been proven in other countries to prevent road deaths. • You get stopped for speeding and you may have to take a breathalyzer, too? Big Brother. • It’s OK. If you haven’t done anything wrong, you’ve nothing to worry about. • I don’t like it. It could become a big timewaster.

Silverado Demolition went to work last week on two city-owned properties. Photo by Josh Greschner

By Josh Greschner Staff Reporter

Two downtown buildings came down this week: the former Longhorn Steakhouse building and the building directly north of it. The buildings share a wall. The City of North Battleford took over the Longhorn building through

tax enforcement. Local businessman Terry Caldwell previously owned the property north of the Longhorn, but the city agreed to a land swap in which the city would take the downtown building, and Caldwell would receive a property at 119297th St. The plan to tear the buildings down has been

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known to the News-Optimist since 2018 budget deliberations. In June, Mayor Ryan Bater told the NewsOptimist it’s unfortunate old buildings are coming down, but said the buildings “were beyond re-

pair.” “You either take the necessary step to reclaim that land and make it available for development, or you simply allow a dilapidated property to exist and we didn’t want to see that happen any longer.”

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Future of CN building to be determined By Josh Greschner Staff Reporter

North Battleford city council has upcoming decisions regarding the historic CN building. The building was discussed at a city council budget deliberation meeting last Thursday. The building is prominent downtown and was featured in the Downtown Revitalization Action Plan (also referred to as the Master Plan) as possibly featuring a farmer’s market in the future. According to the 2019 budget document, the building could also provide “the City with several options for more office space, retail leases and business attraction to the area and community.” The building is currently in disrepair, Director of Planning and Development Jennifer Niesink said, and

parts of it have asbestos. Foundationally, “it appears to be good.” CN, which currently owns the building, has expressed a desire to sell the building, Niesink said, despite the building’s proximity to the train tracks. But, Niesink said, CN’s plan has been to let it sit in disrepair. “We’ve been told flat out their plan is to let the building sit there until it has to be demolished,” Niesink said. Councillor Len Taylor said there are “substantial emotional ties to the building,” and said he was “disturbed” CN has allowed the building “to go this long with an intention to allow it to deteriorate.” “CN years ago should have been held accountable in some way for the upkeep of that building, or at least deal with the community in a more respectful man-

What will become of the CN building in downtown North Battleford? Photo by Josh Greschner

ner,” Taylor said. Council approved the 2019 budget last meeting, with $200,000 going toward purchase and architectural design of the CN building. The building costs one dollar, Niesink said, while the land costs

$110,000. The project is planned to span many years. Proposed budgeted amounts slotted for renovations in upcoming years include $250,000 in 2020, $250,000 in 2021, and $100,000 in 2022. The exact expenditures, and

whether or not such expenditures in upcoming years would be made, are yet to be determined. Mayor Ryan Bater asked how time sensitive the project was, given that in 2019, the City is facing “a serious austerity bud-

get.” Niesink said the matter is “relatively sensitive.” “My concern with pushing it back is if CN changes their mind to hold on to it,” Niesink said, adding “it was an uphill battle” to get CN to sell it. Niesink added “the longer it sits, the longer it deteriorates.” The heritage value of the building could attract grants. While $200,000 has been approved fpr 2019, Councillor Greg Lightfoot said it’s not a guarantee “that we’re going to move forward with the project” if, for example, more information comes to light. Some councillors agreed what to do with the CN building and when is a “tough” decision. CN did not respond to an email request for comment in time for publication.

Redhead Equipment acquires Norsask Staff

Redhead Equipment has acquired Norsask Farm Equipment, an agricultural equipment and powersports dealer located in North Battleford. The date of the changeover was Nov. 1 and 42 Norsask staff are now part of the Redhead organization. The new branch is Redhead Equipment’s eighth location in

Saskatchewan. Redhead also had branches in Estevan, Lloydminster, Melfort, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon and Swift Current. Gary Redhead, president and CEO of Redhead Equipment, says he is pleased to welcome North Battleford to the team. “We are quite excited to expand our reach into the North Battleford area. We

will we be able to serve our customers better and the staff at Norsask have a reputation for their great service. Their expertise will be an asset to our company.” Located along Highway 16 East, the new branch is in a convenient spot that will now give Redhead Equipment the opportunity to better serve their customers, says a company announcement. The new

branch carries Case IH along with Bourgault, Versatile, Seed Hawk/ Vaderstad, Degelman, Kioti, and many other agricultural lines. Another addition is the powersport division, exclusive to North Battleford, offering CanAm, Ski-Doo, Sea-Doo, Avalon Pontoon Boats, Alumacraft, Sanger Boats, Shoremaster, as well as KLIM, and FXR

clothing. Along with their large selection of agricultural equipment and powersports, Redhead Equipment will also integrate their construction and heavy duty truck and trailer equipment. This will expand the product offering in North Battleford and make the branch a one-stop shop for customers for both work and play, says the company announcement.

Redhead Equipment describes Norsask as more than the premiere ag and powersports dealer in the Battlefords, they were well known for their strong community involvement. Redhead is excited to be part of the Battlefords community and will continue to be a strong pillar in the community. Redhead Equipment is their 70th year in business.

idly-failing culverts underneath Battleford Road at the railway tracks. Initially, it was the city manager who had authority to approve the tender up to a value of $150,000 under the city’s Purchasing Policy, with CIMA Canada Inc. sole-sourced as prime

contractor. Unfortunately, it “came out as a significantly more expensive project than anticipated,” said City Manager Randy Patrick. The final cost came to $251,006, or $101,006 above what was initially allocated. The issue, Patrick said,

was that the project “wasn’t tendered out the way it should have been because of the rush.” Patrick said they would have liked it to have come back to council with an explanation that ‘this is way over budget, and you need to know about it.’

“But because it had to be done in a week, that was not done. And I apologize to council, that should not happen, and we’re going to make sure that doesn’t happen in the future.” Because the project had gone over the initial $150,000, administra-

tion had to get council’s approval of the payment to CIMA Canada Inc. to complete the project at $251,006 (GST not included), as well as to reallocate additional money to cover the overage of $101,006. That resolution carried at council Monday.

Culvert replacement costs more than expected By John Cairns Staff Reporter

The culvert replacement at Battleford Road ended up costing the City of North Battleford much more than expected. Work was approved in August to replace the rap-

New alcohol-impaired driving laws in effect Dec. 18 Staff Changes to the laws relating to alcoholimpaired driving in the Criminal Code will take effect Dec. 18. These reforms build on the recent changes to strengthen the law of drug-impaired driving, says the federal

government in a release. In 2017, there were more than 69,000 impaired driving incidents reported by the police, including almost 3,500 drugimpaired driving incidents. Importantly, the alcoholimpaired driving reforms will implement mandatory alcohol screening in Canada. Mandatory alcohol screening will authorize law enforcement

to demand a breath sample at the roadside from any driver that has been lawfully stopped. This is a proven traffic safety measure that has had significant success in preventing road deaths in countries such as Australia and Ireland, says the government release. The new law will repeal and replace the entire Criminal Code transporta-

Jeanine’s Coiffure at your North Battleford Co-op Mall PERM and COLOR SALE NOV. 23-DEC.22, 2018

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tion regime, resulting in a modernized, simplified, and comprehensive approach to transportation offences, including impaired driving, says the release, adding this area is one of the most litigated

in the Criminal Code. The new legal framework is expected increase deterrence and the detection of impaired drivers, and simplify the investigation and proof of the impaired driving offences resulting in

shorter trials and reduced delays. Part 1 of the former Bill C-46 came into force on June 21 and was about drug-impaired driving. Part 2 focuses on alcoholimpaired driving.

Unity RCMP investigate theft of batteries from oil well site Staff The Unity RCMP is requesting the public’s assistance in solving a theft file that occurred recently near Macklin. RCMP have issued a releasing stating that on Dec. 7, a report was made about several 12volt batteries and one 12-

volt light that had been stolen from an oil well site southeast of Macklin. The suspects are believed to have arrived at the scene driving a pickup truck and pulling a trailer behind. Anyone with information about this or any other crime in local areas is asked to please

call the Unity RCMP at 306-228-6300, the Wilkie RCMP at 306843-3480 or the Macklin RCMP at 306-753-2171 or you may contact Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers. com.

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The Battlefords, Thursday, December 13, 2018 - Page 7

Authors talk mysteries at the library By Josh Greschner Staff Reporter

Peter Kingsmill has been a reporter, editor, conservationist and mayor, and he’s added fiction author to that list. Hafford-area resident Kingsmill, along with Saskatoon author J.C. Paulson, were at North Battleford Public Library Monday night to speak about their new books and mystery writing in general. Sunset at 20:47, Kingsmill’s first novel and the first book in a planned trilogy, is a mystery set in the lake country of Ontario. The story begins as protagonist Frank Anderson gets a knock on the door from an attractive woman who may have found a body in a lake. “I hope I’m giving

[readers] what they hope for, which is a way to spend seven to eight hours enjoying something or other and be left with something to think about,” Kingsmill said. Paulson is a former journalist with the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix. Her novel is set in Saskatoon. In certain writers’ circles, Paulson said, there’s discussion “that we do not need one more mystery located in New York or L.A.” Paulson’s new mystery novel, Broken Through, features crime reporter Grace Rampling covering a case until a close friend is in the line of danger. Meanwhile, Grace’s lover, Detective Sgt. Adam Davis, must confront his PTSD and find a murderer. Broken Through is a sequel to Adam’s Witness, with another book, and

possibly more, to follow. Paulson said she combines mystery and romance, although mystery readers don’t always appreciate it. “I’m not writing these love scenes just as love scenes, I’m trying to make some very specific points,” Paulson said, adding people who are aware of the combination of genres enjoy it, but not necessarily those who don’t know the genres are combined before reading. To some degree, the authors said, aspects of themselves are in their books and the books feature personal experiences, but Kingsmill said he had to be careful in a small town context since people would ask if they’d appear in a book. Kingsmill said his new novel is based on a lake he

Saskatchewan authors Peter Kingsmill and J.C. Paulson were at the North Battleford Public Library Monday night talking about their new books. Photo by Josh Greschner

went to as a child. Questions from the event’s attendants concerned research, the writing process, and making it as an independent author, which Kingsmill and Paul-

son are both. Sequels are important because they can motivate readers to buy the first book. “Never judge a book by its cover, except that’s what

sells,” Kingsmill said. Paulson added blurbs and reviews sell books too. Their books are available on Amazon and in bookstores including McNally Robinson, Saskatoon.

All about healthy snacks at Holly & Heels By John Cairns Staff Reporter

Food was a major focus this year at the second annual Holly and Heels event presented by Battlefords Chamber of Commerce. The guest speaker was

Elysia Vandenhurk, cofounder and COO of Three Farmers Foods out of Saskatoon. It is an internationally recognized food brand focused on value-added food products. Their product line began with Three Farmers

Elysia Vandenhurk, co-founder and COO of Three Farmers Foods, was the guest speaker at the annual Holly and Heels event at Chapel Gallery put on by the Chamber of Commerce. Photo by John Cairns

Camelina Oil at the Saskatoon farmer’s market, but the business has expanded rapidly to include ChickPeas, Pea Pops and Crunchy Little Lentils snacks in their product line. The idea was to focus on natural, healthy foods and capitalize on the growing popularity of healthy snacks. “Transparency is a key with our brand,” said Vandenhurk, who said people “want to know where their food is coming from.” Her message was one that resonated with the largely female crowd Tuesday at the Chapel Gallery, at an event billed as a “celebration of women in business.” Vandenhurk described how both she and her sister Natasha had started their business “from scratch.” Vandenhurk also told the story of how they gained media attention for their camelina oil product, and how they went on Dragon’s Den and ended up doing a deal with Arlene Dickinson.

Afterwards, said Vandenhurk, they decided to branch out with the brand and looked at pulses, describing how the ChickPeas line started. She noted Canada was the number one producer in the world of lentils and green peas. Vandenhurk spoke of creating “snacks with pur-

pose” – a snack that fuels people through their busy day, something that doesn’t weigh people down and keeps them focused. “When we talk about our lentils and our peas and our chickpeas, they’re healthy snacks with purpose that actually taste good,” said Vandenhurk. As for the future, she

wants to see the product grow its market share. Her number one priority was to be “everywhere” in Canada, so that when you walk into people’s homes you see Three Farmers foods on the counter. “We want to be that trusted brand in every household across Canada,” said Vandenhurk.

20% -50% OFF

MUKLUKS & MOCCASINS SALE ENDS DEC. 24, 2018

Most city facilities closed Dec. 24 Staff Over the holidays, patrons of City of North Battleford facilities may be wondering about opening hours. Below is a list of holiday hours. (Not listed are regular business hours.)

City Hall – Closures •Monday, Dec. 24 •Tuesday, Dec. 25 •Wednesday, Dec. 26 •Tuesday, Jan. 1 •Wednesday, Jan. 2

NationsWEST Field House – Closures •Open Monday, Dec. 24 from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. •Tuesday, Dec. 25 •Wednesday, Dec. 26

•Open Monday, Dec. 31 from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

•Tuesday, Jan. 1

Don Ross Arena – Closures

Battlefords Co-op Aquatic Centre – Closures

•Monday, Dec. 24 •Tuesday, Dec. 25 •Wednesday, Dec. 26 •Open Monday, Dec. 31 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. •Monday, Dec. 31 •Tuesday, Jan. 1

Allen Sapp Gallery & Chapel Gallery – Closures

Central Booking – Closures

•Monday, Dec. 24 •Tuesday, Dec. 25 •Wednesday, Dec. 26 •Monday, Dec. 31 •Tuesday, Jan. 1

•Monday, Dec. 24 •Tuesday, Dec. 25 •Wednesday, Dec. 26 •Monday, Dec. 31 •Tuesday, Jan. 1 Civic Centre – Closures •Monday, Dec. 24 •Tuesday, Dec. 25 •Wednesday, Dec. 26 •Monday, Dec. 31

•Monday, Dec. 24 •Tuesday, Dec. 25 •Wednesday, Dec. 26 •Tuesday, Jan. 1

Waste Management Facility – Closures

•Open Monday, Dec. 24 open from 8 a.m. to noon •Tuesday, Dec. 25 •Wednesday, Dec. 26 •Tuesday, Jan. 1

1221-101 Battleford 1221 - 101Street Street || North North Battleford (306) 445-7275

Across the street (306) from Bill &445-7275 Don’s Men’s Wear & Shoes

Across the street from Bill & Don’s Men’s Wear & Shoes

Page 8 - The Battlefords, Thursday, December 13, 2018

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H a e h l l t s s t k l W i c e D i th Lo u Q f t s o uilt

The

By Barb Sealy

Twenty members of the Rivers’ Edge Quilt Guild met Dec. 7 for a Christmas potluck luncheon and business meeting. It was obvious in addition to being talented quilters, members are also accomplished cooks. Christmas is the season for giving, so small quilts will be given to the Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre and to Interval House, the latter also being recipient of pillowcases. Those who receive Meals on Wheels in the Battlefords will also receive a Christmas placemat with their festive meal. A gentle reminder was made that the recycle chal-

Patch

River’s Edge Quilt Guild

lenge project is due in May and that the cold winter months might be a good time to work on this. Members were also encouraged to follow the time-honoured practice of labeling quilts, a practice that also goes for photographs as well. Plans for January include in-house instruction for a panel quilt but no date has been determined yet. For details about the project and other items be sure to attend the business meeting at the Don Ross

By Averil Hall

Freelance Writer/Photographer

Michael Alstad has returned to North Battleford and to the North Battleford City Kinsmen Band after being in Seattle for the past 19 years. He conducted The Magic of Christmas performance put on by the Senior Band to a packed house Dec. 9. More chairs had to be brought in to accommodate everyone. During a short pause in the performance Wayne Jenner gave out the scholarship, which bears his name, to Aidane Scha-

Craft Room at 1 p.m. Jan. 4, 2019. New members, experienced or beginner, are welcome. At this meeting, members look forward to seeing the finished table centres from a class held Dec. 10. The meeting was followed by a spectacular display of quilts for Show and Tell. The year 2019 looks ahead, so, “If your New Year’s resolution is to finally kick the quilting addiction, feel free to drop your fabric off at the house of your dearest quilting friend.” For more information please contact Leslie at 306-937-7471 or Bonnie at 306-480-7797.

fer, who will be continuing her music education at the McEwen University in Edmonton. Aidan wasn’t able to attend the performance so her parents accepted it on her behalf. This is the third year the NBCKB has offered this scholarship, but in the first two years no one applied for it; it is for a student who will be continuing on in music education. Guests were seen leaving the band hall humming the tunes that were just heard and enjoyed. Dec. 10 saw performances by the Beginner and Intermediate Bands, Daylight Players and All-City High School Bands.

Jack Tatchell, left, and James Shepherd (right) on trumpet.

Hon. Scott Moe, Premier MLA for Rosthern-Shellbrook scottmoe.mla@sasktel.net 1-855-793-3422

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MLA for Biggar-Sask Valley

randyweekes.mla@accesscomm.ca 1-877-948-4880

News Optimist Ad, Dec. 11, 2018.indd 1

Rivers’ Edge Quilt Guild members met Dec. 7 for a potluck luncheon and it was obvious in addition to being talented quilters, they are also accomplished cooks.

Aidane Schafer’s parents accept a scholarship from Wayne Jenner.

Those who receive Meals on Wheels in the Battlefords will also receive a Christmas placemat with their festive meal, made by the Rivers’ Edge Quilt Guild. Photos submitted

Amy Francais plays the alto saxophone during one of the 10 musical numbers.

Michael Alstad conducts the Magic of Christmas with the North Battleford City Kinsmen Band. Photos by Averil Hall

Saskatchewan’s year-over-year employment increased by 16,300 jobs in November according to Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey. This is the largest job increase since 2013 and marks the fourth consecutive month of strong job gains for the province. To learn more visit Saskatchewan.ca

Herb Cox

MLA for The Battlefords

herbcox@sasktel.net 306-445-5195

Larry Doke

MLA for Cut Knife - Turtleford larrydoke@sasktel.net 306-893-2619

12/11/2018 3:18:26 PM

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The Battlefords, Thursday, December 13, 2018 - Page 9

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1541 - 100th Street, North Battleford | Phone 306.445.5555

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Page 10 - The Battlefords, Thursday, December 13, 2018

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Residential

Mixed Use Zoned Lot

• 60’ by 120’ corner lot • Close to City Center • Suitable for commercial or residential • Call Jayna Hannah at 306-441-4519 MLS®SK715378

Nice Family Home

0 9,9

Donna Ray

• 4 bedrooms, den, 3 baths • Large kitchen/dining • All appliances + wine fridge • Tandem garage with opener • Front deck, rear patio/low maintenance landscaping • Call Brian at 306-441-6433 to view MLS®SK741121

0 3,9

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ICE PR 00 W 9

0 9,9

N$E 69, 2

Amazing River View!

• Covered deck overlooking the river • 1,184 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms/3 bathrooms • Heated garage • Original owner • Central air conditioning • Call Tracy Voigt at 306-441-1981

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• Spectacular 2 storey executive home • 2,536 sq. ft. on 2 levels - fully developed basement • 4 plus 1 huge bedrooms • Master has walk-in closet & spa bathroom • Double attached heated garage • Great backyard overlooking open area • Call Karen at 306-441-2224

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D L O S

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• Compact condo located in Kildeer Park, close to amenities • Open concept kitchen/living room, 2 bedrooms/1bath • In-unit laundry/furnace/water heater/air exchanger • Includes all appliances & window treatments • Condo fee $140/month • Call Donna Ray at 306-441-9173 to view this affordable west side condo!

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Great Family Home

Walkout in Battleford!

• Lots of recent updates & newest decor • Open living area • 2 & 2 bedrooms • Developed basement • Beautiful yard • 2 garages • Call Karen at 306-441-2224 MLS®SK734974

,9 24

306-441-3455

R 09 $3

• 1,040 sq. ft. home on quiet street, 3 & 1 bedrooms • Many recent renovations • Large renovated bathrooms • Lots of kitchen cabinets - newer counters & backsplash • Large single garage built in 2016 • Call Karen at 306-441-2224 MLS®SK742695

Archie Robinson

ED UC 00 D E ,0

0 4,9

,90

4 $ 26

Must to See!

• Renovated 1,360 sq. ft. bungalow in Battleford • Beautiful newer kitchen w/stainless appliances • All flooring has been replaced along with paint • Newer bathrooms w/marble & ceramic • Basement development/newer painted exterior • 6”x6” posts for newer fence • Call Karen at 306-441-2224 or Donna at 306-441-9173

Affordable Condo

• 2 bedrooms • Oak kitchen & trim • Fresh paint through most unit • 5 appliances included • Laundry / storage unit features closet and shelving • Call Brian Lampitt for more information

,9 59

Cute Family Home!

• 828 sq. ft. • 4 bedrooms / 2 bathrooms • Many upgrades throughout • Quiet street with great yard • Call Jayna Hannah today 306-441-4519 to view

North Battleford Golf & Country Club Great membership options available please check our website at www.northbattlefordgolf.com. Sign up for our E-Club on the website to receive information for great golfing deals. Also follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

For more information phone the Pro Shop at 306-937-5659

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Mobile Mortgage Specialist 306-937-5016 dean.dimmick@rbc.com

All personal lending products and residential mortgages are offered by Royal Bank of Canada and are subject to its standard lending criteria. ® Registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. TM Trademark of Royal Bank of Canada. 45810 (08/2010) All personal lending products and residential mortgages are offered by Royal Bank of Canada and are subject to its standard lending ® criteria. Registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. TM All personal lending products residential Trademark ofand Royal Bank ofmortgages Canada. are offered by Royal Bank of Canada and are subject to its standard lending 45810 (08/2010) criteria. ® Registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. RBC and Royal Bank are registered trademarks of Royal Bank of Canada. TM Trademark of Royal Bank of Canada. 45810 (08/2010)

DRIVE-THRU

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Amazing is the Word!

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The Battlefords, Thursday, December 13, 2018 - Page 11

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• Quality and care throughout this 2, 284 sq. ft. home on 2 levels • Open entry-all newer flooring through • 5 bedrooms, main floor utility, direct entry to garage • Beautiful kitchen w/separate pantry/newer appliances • Great basement development • Located in Battleford • Call Karen at 306-441-2224 to view

Residential

MLS®SK748197

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0 2,9

• 1,099 sq. ft. condo, 2 bedrooms/2 bathrooms • In-unit laundry • Appliances remain • Some furnishing are negotiable • One electrified parking stall • Call Tracy Voigt at 306-441-1981

Great Family Home

0 9,9

• Good location • 6 bedrooms, 2 baths, all appliances • Open concept living room • Double attached garage • Ready to move into • Call Antony Mathew at 306-490-2226 to view

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Karen McMillan

0 $

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• Stunning custom bi-level in south Battleford • 1,290 sq. ft. of high end finishes • Beautiful kitchen w/stainless appliances • 2 natural gas fireplaces • 3 & 2 bedrooms • 3 car garage/park like yard • Call Karen at 306-441-2224 or Donna at 306-441-9173 Exclusive

SOLD 0

0 6,9

D CE DU ,900 E R 9 $

Neat and Clean

2 bedrooms/2 baths Open living/dining/kitchen 6 major appliances Underground parking Call Brian to view

MLS®SK754722

D L O S

• Owner wants action • Over 1200 sq. ft. • 4 bedrooms/3 baths • Newer bathrooms, windows & exterior doors • Newer landscape & driveway • Lots of extras • Call Brian to view MLS®SK722221

Like Brand New

MLS®SK751355

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L O

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Large park like property in West Park Over 3000 sq. ft. of living area Newer white kitchen with Granite counters Total of 5 bedrooms, 3 baths Large shop & fitness area Triple attached & heated garage Call Brian to view MLS®SK745856

,0 25

0 ,00NIT 5 9 U

2 CH A E

Fairview Heights

• 1034 sq. ft. • 6 bedrooms, 2 baths • Open concept • Built in 2009 • Call Kevin for more info 306-441-5960 MLS®SK739964

• Real Estate • Corporate Law • Wills and Estates • General Litigation

P R O Doug.Forbes@pillartopost.com F www.pillartopost-battleford.com Cell: 306-481-4681 E Doug Forbes S S irkham aw ffice I BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS O Randy G. Kirkham • Tanner Daniels N A L 306-446-2900 Fax 306-446-2242

ICE PR 00 W 0

• 1,216 sq. ft. quanity 2x6 bi-level built in 2014 • On mature lot in south Battleford - newer landscaping • Open entrance leading to living area • Fabulous kitchen w/isalnd - stainless steel appliances • Developed basement w/newer flooring • 5 bedrooms in total / Direct entry to heated garage • Call Karen at 306-441-2224

Part-Time

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0 9,9

MLS®SK726432

Recent Updates!

• • • • •

Cute with Character

• 872 sq. ft. bungalow • 2 bedrooms on main • Single detached garage • Original hardwood in living room • Upstairs windows replaced • Energy efficient furnace • Call Tracy Voigt at 306-441-1981

,9 69

Antony Mathew

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0 9,9

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MLS®SK746706

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NORSASKLAW Richard Gibbons Law Office

1381A - 101st Street, North Battleford, SK

Scott Scherger Phone Cell Email

306.446.2887 306.490.8999 scott@elbuilding.ca

“Your Building Partner from Start to Finish!”

Fortier Mattila Appraisals Inc. Agricultural, Commercial, Residential

Offices in: The Battlefords, Kindersley, Meadow Lake, Prince Albert, Saskatoon www.fmappraisals.com 306-937-5073

Real Estate Appraisers Since 1971

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Phone 306-445-7772 Fax 306-445-7722 Richard A. Gibbons B.A., LL.B Robert F. Feist J.D., B.A. Benedict P.O. Feist, J.D., B.A. Barristers & Solicitors

Email: richard@norsasklaw.com / robert@norsasklaw.com Website: norsasklaw.com

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Edwin Smockum Sales Representative

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D I R E C T O R Y

Page 12 - The Battlefords, Thursday, December 13, 2018

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Residential

Carefree Condo Living

• • • • • • •

River Valley Estates, Battleford 1,046 square feet New paint throughout Heated parkade parking 2 bedroom, 1+1/2 baths River Valley Views Call Donna Ray at 306-441-9173 to view

,9 49

MLS®SK753885

4,9

Just Like New

• • • • • •

3 bedrooms, 2 baths New paint & flooring Most major appliances Indoor parking Healthy reserve fund Call Brian to view at 306-445-5555

Income Property with Character!

0 9,9

• 3,450 sq. ft. on 3 levels • 2 self-contained suites • Situated on a double lot • Tons of upgrades • Some furnishings remain • Beautiful landscaping • Call Tracy Voigt at 306-441-1981 MLS®SK731305

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1541 - 100th Street North Battleford

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0 4,9

1,709 sq. ft., 4 bedrooms, 4 baths Chef’s kitchen with custom cabinetry Built-in ovens, gas cook top, oversized island Main floor laundry Fully developed basement, 9 ft. ceilings Heated 2 car garage plus RV parking Call Donna Ray at 306-441-9173 or Tracy Voigt at 306-441-1981

MLS®SK744094

• • • • •

864 sq. ft. 3 bedrooms, 2 baths Single detached garage Large yard with beautiful garden area Great starter home or income property potential! • Call Jayna Hannah to view 306-441-4519

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Totally Renovated

Westside!

• 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms • Newer flooring, lots of hardwood • Within blocks of all west side schools • Double garage • Extras: Central air, gas stove, gas barbeque • Call Brian for more info at 306-441-6433 MLS®SK736947

• • • • •

Cute & Cozy

• Updated windows • Energy efficient furnace • Open concept • 2 bedrooms / 1 bathroom • Single detached garage • Call Tracy Voigt at 306-441-1981 MLS®SK747720

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Quality Service & Professional Advice to Get the Job Done Right! 1561 - 100th Street, North Battleford, SK 306-445-7775

,00

0 $ 11

,9 29

ED UC 00 D E ,9

N$E 69, 2

Why Wait?

• 3 bedroom bungalow on quiet street • Totally renovated - windows included • Upstairs new paint, flooring, baseboards & casing • New kitchen with tile counters • New bath up and down • Large yard with new fence • Call Karen at 306-441-2224 MLS®SK747522

,9 95

• Solid home with endless potential • 768 sq. ft. bunglow • 3 bedrooms and 2 baths • Quiet neighborhood • Competitively priced • Call Antony Mathew at 306-490-2226 to view MLS®SK741079

,9 19

ICE PR 00 W 9

Reno’s Done Right!!

• 812 square feet • 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms • Completely renovated with modern finishes • Brand new 24 x 24 garage with power • Brand new appliances included • Call Jayna Hannah at 306-441-4519 MLS®SK75427

,5 48

Good Starter Home

Battleford Bungalow

• • • • • • •

0 4,9

Less Than Rent!

• 1,216 sq. ft. clean & shiny home • All new paint and décor • 3 bedrooms • Master has spa bath • Large 3 season sun room • Huge yard - 2 sheds • Call Karen to view at 306-441-2224 MLS®SK736553

Family Friendly Duplex!

• Strata titled, 2013 south side duplex boasts 1414 sq. ft. + fully developed basement • 4 bedrooms, 4 baths, convenient 2nd floor laundry • Upgraded energy efficient mechanical ICF block • Central air, central vac, natural gas BBQ hookup • Includes all appliances, window treatments, move in ready! • Call Donna Ray at 306-441-9173 for your personal viewing

MLS®SK752409

New Double Garage!

,00

9 $ 23

,5 76

R 29 $1

,9 89

Spacious Tara Condo!

• Double garage built in 2015 • Insulated and heated • 1,144 sq. ft. home • Some updated windows • New covered deck in the backyard • Call Tracy Voigt at 306-441-1981

• Great 2 bedrooms, 2 bath condo on quiet west side street • 1,120 sq. ft. & comes with hardwood floors • Lots of cupboards in u-shaped kitchen • Good sized dining area • Deck off living room • Underground parking, elevator & rec room • Call Karen at 306-441-2224

MLS®SK746008

MLS®SK750825

Regional News-Optimist

Residential

In-Town Acreage

,9 59

The Battlefords, Thursday, December 13, 2018 - Page 13

w w w. n ew s o p t i m i s t . c a

• 1,645 sq. ft. • 2.37 acres • Park like yard • In town services • Call Kevin for more info at 306-441-5960 MLS®SK736495

Great Location

0 4,9

• 1,470 sq. ft. • 4 bedrooms, 3 bath • 2 complete kitchens • Great shop area • Call Kevin for more info 306441-5960

So Many Updates!!

,9 19

• 3 bedrooms/2 bathrooms • Windows all updated 2009 • Basement recently finished • EE furnace • Double detached garage • All appliances remain • Call Tracy Voigt at 306-441-1981 MLS®SK739396

MLS®SK745942

1541 - 100th Street North Battleford

306-445-5555

www.realestatethebattlefords.ca

SOLD

,9 99

Ridge Point Place, Battleford

• • • •

3rd floor condo - 1100 sq. ft. Open concept kitchen, dining & living room 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, in-unit laundry Heated underground parking + extra surface stall • Wheelchair accessible. Elevator on site • Call Donna Ray at 306-441-9173 for your personal viewing! MLS®SK738293

Westside Condo

• 1,100 sq. ft. • 2 bedrooms, 2 baths • Main floor corner unit • Heated underground parking • Call Kevin 306-441-5960 for your private viewing MLS®SK751081

9 $ 29

West Side Family Home

• 1310 sq. ft., 5 bedrooms, 2 baths • Main floor laundry • Open Concept kitchen, dining & living room • Quiet and sought after neighbourhood • Close to elementary and high school • Call Antony at 306-490-2226 to view today MLS®SK746187

• Battleford Bungalow, 4 level split • 1,281 square feet • Attached Double garage, mature landscaping • Recent upgrades • 4 bedrooms, 2 baths • Call Donna Ray at 306-441-9173 MLS®SK753035

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,9 19

Great Location, Amazing House!!

• 1,955 sq. ft. • 5 bedrooms/4 bathrooms • Double attached, heated garage • Tons of updates in recent years • Located on quiet street in Kildeer • Great curb appeal • Call Tracy Voigt at 306-441-1981 MLS®SK752740 David Johnson Owner

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SOLD

Large Battleford Lot

Battleford Bound

,90

• 82 x 116 lot • 672 sq. ft. home • 1 bedroom/1 bathroom • Loft upstairs • New furnace/water heater • Call Tracy Voigt at 306-441-1981 MLS®SK742608

,90

4 $ 21

,9 74

Discovery Co-op

Home Centre & Lumber

Open 7 Days a Week

for your Home Projects Territorial Place Mall, North Battleford Phone 306-446-7225 Fax 306-446-7212 www.discoverycoop.com

Box 908 North Battleford, SK S9A 1Z3

306-445-3252 Fax 306-445-4252

Phoenixsecuritynb@sasktel.net

Market Evaluation THIS SPACE IS FOR YOU!

Due to our successful year our listing inventory is low.

Call one of our agents for your

FREE Market Evaluation and fill this space

Page 14 - The Battlefords, Thursday, December 13, 2018

Regional News-Optimist

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Commercial

Open for Business

• 7,000 sq. ft. with lots of parking • Almost 1,400 sq. ft. of upstairs living area • Boiler, in-floor heat, A/C in office & living quarters • 16’ wall height • Zone M-1 • Call Brian Lampitt for more information at 306-445-5555

,9 49

MLS®SK744147

Shop With Living Quarters

0 9,9

• • • •

6,560 sq. ft. building, .77 acre lot 1.3 acre adjacent lot available Fenced compound Call Kevin for more info 306-441-5960

Gateway to the North

ICE

• Over 21,000 sq. ft. • 1.37 acres of land on highway: 4 North • Many possibilities • High traffic count, great exposure • Call Brian to view

MLS®SK737216

Brian Lampitt

1541 - 100th Street, North Battleford

306-445-5555

Photo Not Available

Commercial Lot

• Highway frontage, Battleford • Service, natural gas, power, water & sewer • Fully fenced, 200’x253’ • Prime Building location • Call Archie Robinson at 306-441-3455

Steel Frame Construction 4,000 sq. ft. In-floor heat Corner lot with great access Fenced compound Call Kevin for more info 306-441-5960

• 18.54 acres • 485’ frontage on Highway 26 • Could also be used for resident development • Call Kevin for more info 306-441-5960

Industrial Lot

0 9,9

• 1.3 acre lot • Fenced compound • Available with purchase of 11 - 4th Ave. • Call Kevin for more info 306-441-5960

MLS®SK737183

MLS®SK737199

Out of Town $

• • • • •

0 8,4

Why RENT

,9 89

when you can BUY!

,90

9 $ 27

MLS®SK727459

0 9,9

306-441-5960

Acreages

Commercial Exposure

0 9,9

MLS®SK740850 • • • • •

Kevin Menssa

www.realestatethebattlefords.ca

306-441-6433

0 9,9

Exclusive

Investment/Acreages

• Prime location in town limits • 160 acres with view • Natural grassland & rolling hills • Adjacent to newer grid road • Could be subdivided • Call Karen at 306-441-2224 MLS®SK739208

,9 39

10 Acres

Park Like Yard!!

Huge double lot, double detached garage Tons of garden space Energy efficient furnace Some windows replaced Call Tracy Voigt at 306-441-1981

MLS®SK740170 Come For The Food...Stay For The View!

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• • • • • •

R.M. Battle River

1,180 sq. ft. 3 bedrooms, 1 bath Situated on 10.1 acres Barn, shop, corral New paint & flooring Wonderful location Call Brian to view

FISHER’S

Kevan M. Migneault, B.A., LL. B. Monte M. Migneault, B.A., LL. B.

Territorial Drive & 100th Street, North Battleford

306-445-4491 or 1-800-667-1320

Office located in the

1391 - 101st Street (across from the library) North Battleford, SK

306-445-6153

Valley

Barristers and Solicitors

DRUG STORE

Friendly Family Health Care 1501-100th St., North Battleford

Where Else...

...Also in Hague, Sask.

(mailing address: P.O. Box 520, North Battleford, SK S9A 2Y8)

Phone: 306-445-4436 or 306-445-8151 Fax: 306-445-6444

Email: monte@mglawoffice.com

,00

9 $ 49

MLS®SK754080

Migneault Law Office SALLOWS BUILDING

• 1120 sq. ft., 3 bed/2 bath • 4 car garage, 32 x 40 shop • Call Kevin to arrange viewing 306-441-5960 MLS®SK723496

• • • • • •

Prime Location

Located less than 1 kilometer North of city 100_ acres - 94 cultivated 877 sq. ft. home - double garage Machine shed & barn Many possibilities Call Brian Lampitt for more information at 306-445-5555

MLS®SK744078

st Class

Carpet, Upholstery & Air Duct Cleaning

We’re SERIOUS about Clean Call or Text: 306.441.8573 1stclasscarpe tcle aning@sasktel.ne t web: 1stclasscarpe t.wix.com/1st-class

Bill Cunningham Todd Heck

Tracy Cook

Kevin Russell

Jay Price

Kevin Colliar

www.valleyfordsales.ca

Owner/Operator

Serving the Battlefords & Area

Regional News-Optimist

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ED UC 00 D RE 99,9 $3

• • • • • •

The Battlefords, Thursday, December 13, 2018 - Page 15

Lake

Resort Living at Best

Immaculate Eagle View Villa, Elk Ridge Resort 1632 sq. ft., plus walkout fully developed basement Open concept Attached single garage 3 bedrooms/3 baths Call Donna Ray at 306-441-9173

MLS®SK713819

Beautiful Lakefront View!!

ICE PR 00 W 9 NE$ 799,

SOLD

Jayna Hannah

• 1723 sq. ft.. 6 bedrooms/3 bathrooms • Triple detached garage • Summerfield Beach/Murray Lake • 2 gas fireplaces • Professionally landscaped • Call Tracy Voigt 306-441-1981 or Kevin Menssa 306-441-5960 MLS®SK727197

0 $

Dreaming of Lake Life

Amazing View

• 1,080 sq. ft. • 4 bedrooms, 2 baths • Quality build • Year round home • Call Kevin to arrange viewing at 306-441-5960 MLS®SK741101

Cozy Cottage at Meeting Lake!

• 1234 sq. ft., 3 bedrooms/1 bathroom • 3 season cottage • Close to boat launch & beach • New shingles & deck • Call Jayna at 306-4414519 MLS®SK709903

MLS®SK743156

0 ,40

Tracy Voigt

306-441-1981

D CE DU ,900 E R 59 $1

• Waterfront • Year round •Single detached garage • Walk out basement • Beautiful view of Jackfish • Call Tracy Voigt at 306-441-1981

306-445-5555

7,0

Beautiful Lakefront View

• Located on Pelican Point • Extra-large lot with no neighbours on 1 side • Year round home •Professionally landscaped • Amazing views of Murray Lake •Double attached garage • Call Tracy Voigt at 306-441-1981 MLS®SK741497

,9 59

MLS®SK748927

www.realestatethebattlefords.ca

,90

9 47

• 1,260 sq. ft., located at 4 Season Elk Ridge Resort • 3 bedrooms, 2 baths, immaculate move in ready! • Sleeps 11, fully furnished, includes all appliances & well equipped kitchen • 27 hole golf course and close to Prince Albert National Park and Waskesiu • Owner occupied, but could be put into Elk Ridge Rental Pool • Call Donna Ray at 306-441-9173 for your personal viewing

1541 - 100th Street, North Battleford

306-441-4519

Premium Condo, Elk Ridge Resort

0 ,90

9,9

Miles Wide View

Endless Possibilities

• Build your dream home • Choice of 5 lots, power, gas & water to • 27.67 Acres, adjacent to campgrounds • Across the street from golf course • Short walk to sailing club and public beach lots • Average length 45.68 metres • Spectacular view of Jackfish • Could be used for residential development Lake • Call Brian Lampitt or Archie Robinson at 306-445-5555 • Call Kevin for more info 306-441-5960 MLS®SK744777 MLS®SK727460

SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS

www.kcw.ca

Protect what you love!

WE’VE GOT YOUR LUMBER. TWO LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU

Kelly’s Computer Works

1281-100th Street North Battleford 306-446-4300

11301 - 6th Avenue, North Battleford, 306-445-3350 AND 218 - 22nd Street, Battleford, 306-937-2642

• Home Maintenance Equipment & Renovation Equipment • Carpet Shampooers • Lawn and Garden Rentals • Fire Extinguishers • Propane & Fittings Sales and Service

Phone 306-445-3534

83 Railway Avenue North Battleford, SK S9A 2R2

Page 16 - The Battlefords, Thursday, December 13, 2018

Regional News-Optimist

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J&J AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION

WE SELL THE BEST & SERVICE THE REST

1421 101st Street, North Battleford, SK S9A 1A1

General Practice Including: • Real Estate & Mortgages • Farm Law • Wills & Estates • Corporate • Commercial • Family Law • Employment Law • Civil Litigation • Criminal

Accepting New Clients

We cut & program transponder keys to most cars.

306-446-2252 1731 - 101st Street North Battleford, SK

RESIDENTIAL - COMMERCIAL - INDUSTRIAL COMPLETE SERVICE - FURNACE SERVICING - ROOF TOP UNITS

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306-445-7400

24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE

792 - 107TH STREET, NORTH BATTLEFORD

Silvester

GLASS & ALUMINUM PRODUCTS

* P.V.C. Windows * Windshields & Repairs

* Store Fronts * Mirrors * Insulated Steel Doors

SPECIALISTS IN FLAT GLASS REPAIR & REPLACEMENT

306-445-2052

Eldon Lindgren, Q.C., Patricia Meiklejohn, Clifford Holm, Jaylyn Lawrence, Brent Illingworth

1811 - 100th Street North Battleford

306-445-7300

AFTER HOURS EMERGENCY SERVICE 306-441-1804

www.matrixlawgroup.ca reception@matrixlawgroup.ca

Mechanical contractors Phone 306-445-4344

www.rcph.ca email: rcph@sasktel.net 841 - 106th Street, North Battleford, SK S9A 1W3

Investors Group

Investors Group Securities Inc., I.G. Insurance Services Inc.

Kevin A Monsebroten, CFP, RRC, R.F.P. Senior Financial Consultant Monsebroten & Associates Private Wealth Management

204 - 1301 101 Street, North Battleford, SK S9A 0Z9 Ph. 306-446-1200 Cell 306-441-1636 Fax 306-445-2700 Toll Free 855-441-1636

1545-100th Street, North Battleford

306-445-8169

“Serving the Battlefords and area for over 50 years!”

Hudec Law Office

kevin.momsebroten@investorsgroup.com

Kevin Monsebroten

www.kevinmonsebroten.com

Ph: 306-446-1202

General Plumbing Heating & Electric Ltd.

Barristers & Solicitors

692 - 109th Street North Battleford, SK S9A 2C4

Micheal P. Hudec, LL.B. Marusia A. Kobrynsky, B.A., LL.B

2nd Floor, 1201-103rd Street North Battleford, Sask. S9A 1K7 E-Mail: hudeclaw@sasktel.net

Senior Financial Consultant

A. McKim Cook, Manager

Email: gphe@sasktel.net

Phone: 306-445-2341

Bus. 306-446-2555 Fax. 306-446-2556

Fax: 306-445-2289

GUY’S EVERYDAY FURNITURE

Harley Collins 306-480-4330 306-386-3355 hdc.cont.electrical@gmail.com

Auto Repairs of All Kind!

O.K. Tire & Auto Service (North Battleford)

AUTO REPAIRS Of All Kinds! Makes and Models

1001 - 102nd Street, North Battleford

Phone 306-445-3340 Fax 306-445-1070 Web: www.oktire.com

WE DO OUT OF PROVINCE INSPECTIONS!

OK TIRE & AUTO SERVICE

Oil Change Special

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With this coupon

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Bernier Millwork

• Commerical • Residential • Kitchen & Bath • Computer Design Service Anything & Everything in Cabinets & Tops 306-446-3555 (f) 306-445-3538 2511 Commerce Dr., N. Battleford, SK www.berniermillworkltd.com b.mill@sasktel.net

GET

THE

STRA GHT L NE BU LDERS INC. JOB

DONE

RIGHT

- new homes - whole home renos - additions - outbuildings - kitchen & bath - insurance repairs www.straightlinebuilders.ca 306-937-3601 Battleford, SK

YOUR LOCAL FURNITURE AND APPLIANCE STORE! 1822 - 100th Street North Battleford

306-446-0545

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Thursday 9:00 am - 9:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

www.guysfurniture.com

Regional News-Optimist

The Battlefords, Thursday, December 13, 2018 - Page 17

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Jury rules in Whitstone inquest

Manner of death ‘undetermined’ By John Cairns Staff Reporter

The jury in the inquest into the death of Brydon Whitstone has ruled the manner of his death was “undertermined.” That is the key finding from the jury following deliberations Friday in Battleford. • In their decision, the jury determined the identity of the deceased was Brydon Bryce Whitstone. • The date and time of death was determined to

be 21:38 on Oct 21, 2017. • The place of death was North Battleford, in an ambulance en route to Battlefords Union Hospital. • The cause of death was two gunshot wounds. • The manner of death was a “undetermined.” The above are the five conclusions the jury was tasked with determining. The jury was also asked to make recommendations to prevent similar deaths in the future. The recommendation made by the jury was directed to

the RCMP: use of a Taser gun or other intervention to immobilize or stun the suspect first prior to the use of a gun. The key question the jury had was on the question of the manner of death, and in particular whether it was a homicide or suicide. While the evidence strongly pointed to a homicide, with Cst. Jerry Abbott firing the two shots that killed Whitstone, the suicide issue had also come up. Tes-

timony put forward by RCMP early in the week suggested Whitstone might have willed his own death – “suicide by cop” – by pretending to look for a weapon, leaving officers with no choice but to fire on him. This notion was based on a statement to police given by Amanda Wahobin, the passenger in the vehicle Whitstone was driving. But on the witness stand Tuesday, Wahobin seemed less willing to commit to that

earlier statement. A total of 16 witnesses were called during the inquest, with testimony wrapping up Thursday afternoon. Friday began with the replaying of the video taken from Cst. Matthew McKay’s vehicle of the police chase that ensued. Coroner Robert Kennedy then began his final instructions to the jury. The jury had five questions to answer: to establish the name of the deceased, the date and

time of death, the place of death, the cause of death, and by what means the deceased died. The jury had five choices to determine the manner of death: natural, accidental, suicide, homicide or undetermined. The jury was also asked to make recommendations to prevent similar deaths in the future. Shortly before 11 a.m., the jury was sequestered and deliberated until they returned with their findings at around 2:40 p.m.

Inquest day three dominated by police testimony The testimony in the first two days of the inquest into the death of Brydon Whitstone was reported in our Dec. 6 issue, in chronological order of witnesses. In order for our readers to be able to follow the evidence as the jurers in such a case must do, we conclude the reporting of the inquest with the testimony of the remainder of the week.

By John Cairns Staff Reporter

Police testimony dominates the third day of the coroner’s inquest into the death of Brydon Whitstone in Battleford. The first witness called was Cpl. Brent Salzl of the RCMP. Salzl was a member of the forensic identification team, and his role was to document the scene at the intersection of 15th Avenue and 105th Street. His testimony focused on those efforts. As part of that, a video Salzl shot from the scene was shown, showing some of the damage that had ensued including the scene in front of the Academy of Learning building where the white LeSabre had ended up. The video was shot Oct. 22, during the day. Salzl also went through a number of images taken at the scene. Salzl also testified about photos of the items found which included a red bandana, pants with a wallet, shorts, and a black jacket with blood. Two holes were also found on Whitstone’s shirt, he said. Next up was Cst. Garrett Dove of the RCMP, who had responded to the scene that Oct. 21 night. Dove’s testimony was notable because it was his Ford Explorer RCMP vehicle that was hit and heavily damaged by the LeSabre driven by Whitstone. On the stand, Dove

remembered dipping the wheel to the left and being hit right afterwards. Afterwards, Dove testified, he tried to radio other officers to let them know he was OK. He remembered waving to another police vehicle telling them he was OK. Then, he said, he noticed everyone at the corner where the suspect vehicle had come to a stop and he ran down the street. Dove’s testimony was much in line with other testimony during the week, as he recalled someone yelling “he’s reaching” and then heard the two gunshots. He remembered going to help Cst. Matthew McKay to remove Amanda Wahobin from the passenger side. He confirmed that pepper spray had been used on the LeSabre vehicle. Dove also spoke of the commands issued to those inside the vehicle, saying the commands from police were “stop, stop, show us your hands.” In questioning by Stephanie Lavallee, lawyer representing the deceased’s

family, Dove recalled shouting, “Watch for crossfire.” When asked if he felt fortunate he wasn’t shot, he said, “I guess, yes.” The last witness of the morning was Cst. Marco Johnson of the RCMP. He was the driver of the second RCMP vehicle, a Chevy Tahoe, that was hit by the white LeSabre, though not as severely. Johnson testified he saw Dove’s vehicle collide with the suspect vehicle, and then it hit a fence, after which the suspect vehicle ended up moving toward and impacting the right front bumper of the Chevy Tahoe police car that Johnson was driving. Afterwards, Johnson testified, he took his seatbelt off, took his gun out and pointed towards the vehicle in the alley. That vehicle kept on going up the alley, turning towards the south on 105th Street. There were definitely two occupants in the vehicle, male and female, he testified. Johnson also testified he was the one who broke out the front driver’s side window, and recalled reaching into the vehicle and grabbing Whitstone’s hands off the steering wheel. He testified he performed an “arm-bar”

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on Whitstone, trying to remove him from the vehicle, but there was resistance and Whitstone pulled back. Johnson testified he saw Whitstone’s right hand go exactly down into his crotch area. At that time, he clearly heard “show me your hands” from two officers. Johnson said he was going to grab Whitstone by the hair but said he didn’t get to his head, as he heard a gunshot go off. Before the second shot Johnson recalled Whitstone gurgling, and testified he was “fading right away.”

He was looking in the vehicle for other people and saw Wahobin with her hands raised. At that point, Johnson said, he smashed the back window. He said he and another officer removed Whitstone out of the window and Cst. Abbott started performing CPR while Johnson did a brief pat down of Whitstone. He located no firearms whatsoever, he said, and handcuffs were placed. “It looked like he faded in front of me,” Johnson said of Whitstone’s condition. As for EMS, Johnson said it felt like the ambulance’s arrival was “right away.”

Under further questioning from Whitstone’s family lawyer, Johnson further explained his own reaction when the white LeSabre vehicle moved towards his own after hitting the fence. “I chose not to react by brakes or steering wheel,” said Johnson, “I don’t know if I had time to but I didn’t react.” He once again described seeing an “exaggerated motion” towards Whitstone’s crotch, which he described as “odd.” When asked by RCMP counsel Sean Sass if the driver was following commands Johnson responded, “No.”

Testimony on fatal shots By John Cairns Staff Reporter

The most highly anticipated testimony of the entire inquest into the death of Brydon Whitstone happened Wednesday afternoon in Battleford. It was the testimony of

Cst. Jerry Abbott, identified in earlier testimony as the officer who had fired the shots on Whitstone on Oct 21, 2017. At the time of the incident, Abbott had been on patrol for Battlefords RCMP rural detachment. When the call had come

in about a white four door vehicle suspected to have been involved in a drive-by shooting, Abbott was already heading back to the detachment from Sweetgrass First Nation. Abbott responded to what he described as the Continued on Page 18

306-445-3757 10020 Thatcher Avenue, North Battleford

GOT PARASITES?

Let us treat your large animals this fall for internal and external parasites. Treatment helps keep their coat in good shape for the winter and improves weight gains in young animals.

Page 18 - The Battlefords, Thursday, December 13, 2018

Regional News-Optimist

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Saskatchewan RCMP issue statement following inquest 2017 ultimately resulted in Mr. Whitstone’s death. As the provincial police service in Saskatchewan we are accountable to the people we serve. Public trust is critical as we work to keep our communities safe. Transparency for public organizations like ours is critical. This is why

Shortly after the conclucion of the inquest, the Saskatchewan RCMP issued the following statement: The Saskatchewan RCMP offers their condolences to the family of Brydon Whitstone. It is truly unfortunate that the sequence of events that occurred on Oct. 21.,

the processes that have looked into what took place the evening Mr. Whitstone died are so important. Today saw the conclusion of the Coroner’s Inquest into the death of Brydon Whitstone when the Coroner’s Jury provided their recommendation to the Chief

Coroner. The Saskatchewan RCMP is grateful to the jury members for their work this week and extends a sincere thank you for their efforts. It is not easy to participate in processes like this and their work plays a critical role in ensuring transparency and accountability in incidents where some-

one has lost their life. The RCMP will examine the recommendation coming out of the Coroner’s Inquest and provide a response to the Chief Coroner. Our written response to the recommendation will then become part of the public record available on the Saskatchewan Coroner’s

Service website. It is important to remember that no matter what the investigations into this incident have determined, a young man lost his life. His family and friends are grieving his loss. The Saskatchewan RCMP offers condolences to the family of Brydon Whitstone.

RCMP member who shot Whitstone testifies Continued from Page17 “priority one” call, which is “all hands on deck, basically,” he said. The call identified the vehicle location as the Academy of Learning; Abbott said he “knew where that was” and headed that way. Once at the scene, Abbott recalled yelling commands at the occupants of the white Buick LeSabre vehicle. He recalled yelling, “Stop, police, stop” over and over. He also noticed the driver was rocking the vehicle back and forth. Other officers arrived, and smashed out the window of the driver’s side. Abbott said he was “pretty focused” on the driver. At some point, one of the other officers used their OC spray (pepper spray) and sprayed it into the vehicle cab. He said no immediate change was noted in the

occupants. The entire time, everyone was yelling, “stop, police” over and over, said Abbott. Abbott recalled yelling, “Show me your hands,” and at one point it seemed to him the driver put his fingers up, as if to say “I have given up.” Abbott then testified he started walking towards the vehicle and was putting his service pistol away, but it was at this point that the driver “turned away at me and started digging in his pants,” Abbott said. Abbott recalled the driver, Whitstone, sticking both of his hands into his pants on the right hand side. The male driver was told, “Stop moving, show me your hands,” but Abbott testified the driver stopped moving, looked at Abbott straight in the face, and then dug even lower. “At that point, I believed

he was trying to index a gun,” said Abbott, and “at that point I shot him.” That was the first of two shots fired by Abbott at Whitstone. He fired at the driver a second time, Abbott testified, because Whitstone “was still moving.” After the second shot, Whitstone stopped digging for the gun and his left hand came out of his pants, after which Abbott and Cst. Marco Johnson attempted to open the door. They couldn’t, said Abbott, so he grabbed Whitstone by the shoulder and removed him through the window. Abbott then started CPR compressions until the ambulance came. After the ambulance took over, Abbott said, he stepped back from the scene and began to take notes, but testified his “hands were shaking and

2018

BABY Registry

covered in blood.” Whitstone family lawyer Mark Ebert had no shortage of questions for Abbott, who confirmed he had been transferred to another detachment two months ago. In response to Ebert, Abbott said he was not worried about crossfire at the time of the incident. “We’re taught to stop the threat. I wasn’t aiming for his heart... I was aiming for his body,” said Abbott. Abbott also testified he had not seen Amanda Wahobin’s arms wrapped around Whitstone in the vehicle. Abbott was asked if he had much experience in drive-by shootings. He had, he said, attempted to locate vehicles before. Abbott responded under questioning that he had a prominent role that night “because of my location.” At one point Ebert

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asked Abbott, “Do you blame Brydon for shooting him?” That question was then quickly retracted. When asked if he was concerned about a second vehicle, Abbott said he had no concern about that whatsoever. It was RCMP lawyer Sean Sass’s turn to ask questions next. He asked Abbott if he believed there was a gun in the white vehicle. “Yes,” he said. Sass asked if Abbott believed the driver was trying to get away. “Yes,” Abbott responded. Sass also asked Abbott if he believed it was a high risk situation. “Very,” he said. Sass asked Abbott if he saw the driver reach down. Yes, Abbott responded, he saw him reach down into his pants. After firing the first round, Sass asked Abbott if he still believed there was a threat. Yes, Abbott responded, because the driver didn’t stop moving. While Abbott was perhaps the most prominent witness of the afternoon, there were two other RCMP witnesses called to the stand. Cst. Gregory Hugo of the RCMP had been called as the first afternoon witness, just prior to Abbott’s testimony. Hugo testified as to what transpired at the scene at the white Buick LeSabre vehicle that Brydon Whitstone had been driving. Hugo said that when commands were made to the occupants to “put up your hands,” he noticed hands up on the passenger side at the front. Hugo said he saw an officer smash out the driver’s side window and the passenger side windows were also quickly smashed out. Hugo then went to the side door by the white car, he said, and there were still verbal commands given, but, Hugo testified, the driver seemed to be making attempts to get away, and the car was going “back and forth.” Hugo also remembered seeing the drivers’ hands on the steering wheel. He approached the driver’s side and got very close to the vehicle near the door handle, he said, but the driver’s door handle didn’t open for him. Getting to the driver’s

left hand, which was on the steering wheel, was difficult, he testified. He and Cst. Marco Johnson both had the driver’s left arm and they were trying to bend it back, attempting an “arm-bar” by trying to use the vehicle to inflict some pain on Whitstone as a way to get him to leave the vehicle. Hugo then heard two shots. With the first shot, Hugo testified he let go of the arm and jumped back, three to four feet away from the vehicle and a second shot followed. When he yelled out, “Who shot?” Hugo testified, Cst. Abbott said he did. He said he saw Abbott right beside him and that he had drawn his pistol at the right side of the vehicle. Hugo also testified the driver had slouched back and collapsed forward, with blood starting to come out of his mouth. He said Cst. Marco Johnson handcuffed Whitstone’s left arm at this point, and he and Abbott lifted him from the drivers’ side window and got him into the recovery position. Hugo also testified he heard Abbott check the male’s pulse and say, “We lost him.” Nevertheless, Abbott began chest compressions immediately, said Hugo. Hugo said he recognized the male as Brydon Whitstone, based on his previous interactions with him with the RCMP while assisting the serious violent offender reduction unit. As the chest compressions took place, Hugo testified he was saying, “Come on, Brydon,” urging some sort of response from him. Hugo had described it as a “very chaotic and tense” few minutes. At one point when the chest compressions started, Hugo also said he began to second guess whether it was Whitstone, as the tattoo on his chest looked different than before. In questioning from Whitstone family lawyer Stephanie Lavallee, Hugo testified that he initially moved over to the side of the vehicle after someone had said, “Watch out for crossfire.” When performing the armbar he wasn’t thinking about crossfire at that point, he said. He was not worried about crossfire from officers whose Continued on Page 19

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The Battlefords, Thursday, December 13, 2018 - Page 19

Mothers celebrate the journey of breastfeeding Submitted In October, Battle River Treaty 6 Health Centre and Saskatchewan Health Authority teamed up together to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week at the WDM. The day started with empowering words from Sarah Smokeyday who is a labour and birth doula and a mother of four boys. Naida Hawkins, a local IBCLC (International Board of Lactation Consultant) then provided breastfeeding education

and words of wisdom to help ease mothers through their breastfeeding journey. Kimberly Night kept everyone entertained with stories and singing while attendants enjoyed lunch. The afternoon was very moving as mothers shared their own personal stories about their challenges and successes of breastfeeding. It was an amazing day to celebrate all the breastfeeding families and to thank them for their hard work!

A local mother sharing her story at World Breastfeeding Week event. Photos submitted

Sarah Smokeyday, a doula, speaking at the Battle River Treaty 6 Health Centre and the Saskatchewan Health Authority celebration of World Breastfeeding Week at the WDM.

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Inquest testimony concludes with expert witnesses ed to want to get away from us in that situation. In these situations before, usually they put their hands up, and it’s over.” Sowers was the final witness of the day. The fourth day of the coroner’s inquest into the death of Brydon Whitstone got underway in Battleford, with one police witness and two expert witnesses on the schedule. The fourth day of the inquest began with testimony from Sgt. Pernell St. Pierre, who was pursuit commander on the night of Oct. 21, 2017. St. Pierre’s testimony initially focused on his authorizing of the RCMP police pursuit that took place that night on the white Buick LeSabre. The pursuit was initiated at 21:13 hours Oct. 21, with Cst. Matthew McKay’s vehicle initiating the pursuit. A secondary vehicle was involved, the Ford Explorer vehicle operated by Cst. Garrett Dove. St. Pierre’s testimony also focused on his activities at the scene that night where the white LeSabre came to a rest at the 15th Avenue-105th Street location. He testified he broke out windows in the vehicle, and said the reason he broke those windows was in order to see inside the vehicle. He said the passenger was “cowering” and the driver still had his hands on the wheel. St. Pierre also testified he was the one who deployed OC spray, also known as pepper spray, into the vehicle, but there was “no reaction” from the occupants. St. Pierre then said he heard a bang, and another bang. St. Pierre also testified he had seen the driver put his hand “downwards.” The next witness was Kimberly Young, forensic specialist with toxicology

services with the RCMP, who appeared by conference call. She testified on the test results of the fluids of Brydon Whitstone that were obtained by the lab for analysis. Young testified that according to the findings Whitstone’s blood was found to contain methamphetamine and ethanol. From the analysis of Whitstone’s eye fluid, blood and urine, Young was able to detect ethanol, which is from alcohol. She testified the blood alcohol concentration found was .067, which is below the .08 legal limit to drive.

Other substances found were methamphetamine, at 751 nanograms per millilitre of blood. Young testified that literature shows 200 nanograms per millilitre is enough to be considered toxic. However, Young emphasized this was a post-mortem analysis that she could not say what the level of methamphetamine was when Whitstone was alive, saying the actual amount could have been “significantly lower” than that. She described the level at the time of his death as an “unknown variable.” Young reported com-

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pounds associated with cannabis were found, but no active component of the metabolite THC was found in the blood, indicating it was previous use. Amphetamine was also detected, and the anti-psychotic prescription drug Olanzapene was detected in Whitstone’s urine, but not in the blood, indicating previous use. Young testified on the toxic effects of methamphetamine, including increased restlessness and

compulsive behaviour, suspicion and paranoia. But Young said under further questioning from counsel that she could not come to any conclusions as to the behaviour of Whitstone that night. “I cannot say what this level was at the time of death,” Young said. The final witness, forensic pathologist Dr. Andreea Nistor, appeared by conference call. Her testimony focused on the autopsy, done Oct. 24, 2017 at the Pasqua Hospital in Regina.

Battlefords Boys & Girls CLUB December at the Club

• Our Main Site Drop-In Program operates Monday to Friday from 3:30pm to 8:30pm and Saturdays from 1:00pm to 4:00pm. Our Satellite Site Programs are available at Bready and EMBM Schools Monday to Friday from 3:30pm to 5:30pm. Don’t forget, we now offer a Before-School Program at Bready School! • If you’re looking for something to do on Saturdays, join us for our Innovation Credit Union Saturday Program where you’ll play, bake and do some crafts! • Visit us on our website and Facebook page for more programming information. • Our Annual Christmas Supper is on December 13th from 5pm to 7pm and pre-registration is required. Call the office for more information. • Our Main Site will be CLOSED from December 22, 2018 to January 6, 2019. Regular office hours and programing will resume on January 7, 2019. • Early dismissal is December 21st and all our After-School Programs will be open early, so head to our programming as soon as you’re done school! • Plan now for the February winter break! Our Main Site will now be offering 8am to 6pm programming. No pre-registration required, meals and snacks are provided and it’s FREE for our members. • Snacks continue to be provided at all of our sites; however, if a child does not want what is provided, feel free to send a snack to their liking. • We are pleased to continue to offer our Supper Program; however, this year we will be offering it 5 days a week! We’d like to send a huge THANK YOU to our Supper Program Donors and Sponsors! • As a reminder, our hours of operation are as follows: • Office: Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 3:30pm • Drop-In Program: Monday to Friday, 3:30pm – 8:30pm and Saturday, 1:00pm – 4:00pm • EMBM After-School Program: Monday to Friday, 3:30pm – 5:30pm • Bready Before-School Program: Monday to Friday, 7:30am – 8:30am • Bready After-School Program: Monday to Friday, 3:30pm – 5:30pm.

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Continued from Page 18 weapons were drawn, because he had trust in the training of the members he worked with, said Hugo, but he did admit to concerns afterwards that he could have been shot while performing the armbar. In questions from RCMP lawyer Sean Sass, Hugo said that when it came to the commands from police, the driver was “not compliant.” The last witness of the day was Cst. Trevor Sowers of the RCMP. His testimony recounted how close Sowers himself had come to pulling the trigger that night. Sowers recounted his own reaction at the moment Whitstone seemed to be reaching down towards his pants. “He’s reaching, he’s reaching, and my thought was, oh man, he’s going to pull a gun on us,” Sowers testified. “As the time comes up I’m thinking, if I have to shoot there’s so much going through my mind.” Sowers added he was concerned about the other officers in the area. Even after the first shot was fired, Sowers said Whitstone was still moving his arm. “He seemed highly motivated, like he wanted to take off,” Sowers said. During Sass’s line of questioning, Sowers further explained the ways Whitstone wasn’t being compliant. “He wasn’t listening to any direction, he was actively trying to flee us to the point even when we had boxed him in, he had followed no commands,” said Sowers. “When we said ‘put your hands up’ he took his hand, reached under his waist band... I’ve never seen somebody so motivat-

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Hometown Heroes

Realtors Support Local Health Care

If your group or institution has been the recipient of a donation or gift, or if you have made a donation to your community, we’d be happy to let our readers know. Send a photo to our email address: newsoptimist.news@sasktel.net. Please include names of those in the photo and the details of the donation or gift. See some of our Hometown Heroes below.

Knitting for a Good Cause

Crochet Knit and Knatters was at the Battlefords District Food and Resource Centre this week, donating a number of items they’ve worked on. The group gets together Tuesday nights at Porta Bella’s, and makes blankets, hats and mitts out of yarn, most of which was donated this year by Walmart. Vistara Sidebottom said the group has a Facebook page and is accepting yarn they can make more things with. Photo by Josh Greschner THE BATTLEFORDS 306-480-9876 306-480-9879 9 pm to 2 am November 30th, December 1st, 7th, 8th, December 14th, 15th, 29th & 31st

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Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation is the recipient of a Council of Battlefords Realtors donation of $5,000 toward the “We Want to…Catch It! Stop It! Treat It!” capital campaign to purchase a new mammography unit for Medical Imaging at BUH. “When the Council of Battlefords Realtors members voted to join the Saskatoon Region Association of Realtors as full members, the choice was also made to donate the council’s remaining funds to a local charity. The council membership voted and the results were that donating to BUH Foundation’s capital campaign for a new mammography unit would be the most advantageous to the local community and surrounding area, as BUH serves such a large area,” noted Alberta Mak, chair of the Council of Battlefords Realtors. It is important that the community is aware that even though our local council has joined the Saskatoon Region Association Realtors we will continue to work together in the spirit of cooperation with each other through the Multiple Listing Service, and the public can expect the same professional and complete service as they have always received from realtors in the Battlefords.” Executive Director, BUH Foundation Claudette McGuire said, “The current mammography unit at BUH is over 10 years old and needs to be replaced. Medical technology advances very quickly and a new mammography unit with enhanced capabilities is required in order for BUH to give their patients the most optimum care, and a mammogram is considered the best defense in the early detection of breast cancers, when they are most treatable. BUH’s Medical Imaging Department completes over 2,000 mammograms every year. This donation will certainly be a step forward in our campaign goal of over $500,000 and help to save lives and we are grateful for their support.” Pictured for the cheque presentation are representatives of the Council of Battlefords Realtors, which includes: Action Realty ASM Ltd., Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate The Battlefords, Dream Realty Ltd., Realty Executives Battlefords, Realty Solutions AKL Ltd., and RE/MAX of The Battlefords, and Ritchie Bros. Real Estate Services Ltd (representative missing). Presenting the cheque (to the right of the cheque) is Alberta Mak, chair of the Council of Battlefords Realtors. Accepting is Darren Erbach of the BUH Foundation Board of Directors. Photo submitted

Sharing the Warmth

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would not have been possible without the generosity of these businesses, organizations and individuals: • Approved Home Operators •Battleford Furniture • Battleford’s Agency Tribal Chiefs • Bee-J’s Office Plus • Bill & Don’s Men’s Wear • Bootlegger’s/Ricki’s • Boston Pizza • Canadian Tire • Carol Funk • Discovery Co-op • Fisher’s Drug Store • Freedom Skate & Snow • Guy’s Furniture • Judy Lavoie • Home Hardware - North Battleford • Lucy Bendall •Mark’s Work Wear Store • Milbankes Flowers & Home Décor • Peavey Mart • Phase 4 • Registered Psychiatric Nurses Association • Royal Canadian Legion No. 70 • Sobeys • Splish Splash Auto, RV & Pet Wash • Staples • Zeke’s Jewelers From all of us at CMHA Battlefords Branch... THANK YOU!

The donation barrel for SaskEnergy’s “Share the Warmth” program at Battlefords Union Hospital Foundation’s Festival of Trees was overflowing with warm items to help ‘share the warmth’ this holiday season. Donations were given to Battlefords Interval House to help women who are fleeing from domestic violence and may have nothing to keep warm this winter. Left to right are Shauna McGifford, BUH Foundation fund development officer; Debbie Kovalsky, Battlefords Interval House executive director; and Nevenka Vas, Battlefords Interval House support worker. Photo submitted

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The Battlefords, Thursday, December 13, 2018 - Page 21

Borden/Radisson correspondent wins big By Lorraine Olinyk Correspondent

The Borden Care Home Auxiliary held their annual Christmas Tea on Friday, Dec. 7, with many out to enjoy raisin bread with cheese, fruit and goodies. The door prize of a poinsettia was won by Peggy Walker. On the auxiliary are Jean Sawchyn, Laura Loeppky, Bev Assman, Bev Hryniuk, Irene Hamp, Brenda Roenspies and Ceilidh Auger-Day. Entertainment was provided by some of the Celtic Country group – Ed Neufeld playing guitar or harmonica, Archie Wainwright singing and Bob Wardhaugh playing accordion or banjo. The Borden Friendship Club held their annual Christmas dinner Dec. 5, a turkey supper catered to by the Borden Lions Club, with 61 members and guest entertainers enjoying the meal. December birthdays were announced and everyone sang Happy Birthday to Miriam Hamm, Dianne Rawlyk, Archie Wainwright, John Longmore and Garry Leschyshyn. For the program Ed Neufeld told some jokes then introduced Arnold and Helme Loewen from North Battleford. Helme played guitar and sang while Arnold played banjo, fiddle or harmonica and sang. The Borden Lions Scholarship applications for post secondary students from Borden or Langham deadline is Jan. 18, 2019. Forms are available at Borden or Langham high schools or from Lions member Sharon Assman. The Borden Lions will be holding a Dinner Theatre on Feb. 9, 2019, with the Battlefords Community Players presenting the play. Tickets are $30 and will be going on sale shortly from Lions members and would make a great Christmas gift. St. Paul Lutheran Church held their Carols, Candles and Cookies event Dec. 9 with Lawrence Schensney leading, his wife Grace reading the Bible verses, Twyla Stott playing the organ and Jackie Meister playing the piano. During the early church days, during Advent, they would sing

Arnold and Helme Loewen entertaining at the Borden Friendship Club supper Dec. 5.

Lorraine Olinyk was the grand prize winner in the Lung Association 2018 Breathe and Win raffle drawn on Dec. 7 in Saskatoon. She said Monday, “I received the cheque today and this is a photo of the staff presenting the cheque. I won $39, 420 in the raffle – a real nice Christmas present.” Photos submitted by Lorraine Olinyk

December birthdays were celebrated Dec. 5 – Gary Leschyshyn, John Longmore, Miriam Hamm, Archie Wainwright and Dianne Rawlyk.

Borden Lions Carol Group at Radisson Dec. 9.

A mitten tree and quilts crafted at Radisson St. Paul Lutheran Church.

names from the Hebrew scriptures that meant Messiah and for each of Emmanuel, Wisdom, God of Night, Root of Jesse, Key of David, Dayspring and Desire of the Nations George Hamp lit a candle and everyone sang one verse of O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, followed by a Bible reading and special music. Special music was by the Flath children, Jeremy and Jessica, playing piano solos. The Borden Friendship Singers directed by Marlene Derbawka and Sheila Block playing the piano sang. The foursome of Eileen and Russ Fountain with Erwin Hamp on bass guitar and Jack Karpan on banjo or steel guitar sang next. The First Saskatchewan Lutheran Church Choir

from Langham sang then everyone went to the lower hall for coffee and a variety of goodies. The church has been collecting mitts and toques for their tree and many quilts have been crafted to be given away before Christmas. They also were collecting for the local food hampers and the food bank at this service. On Dec. 11 the Borden Friendship Club members and others are travelling by bus to Saskatoon to take in the Enchanted Forest display, then on Saturday, Dec. 15, Santa is going to visit the Borden Co-op

The First Saskatchewan Lutheran Church Choir from Langham singing at Radisson Dec. 9.

Grocery store at 1 p.m. to hand out goodies to children and adults. Dec. 16 is the potluck supper and program in the Borden Community Centre at 5:30 p.m. with three churches participating – Anglican, Riverbend Fellowship and United. Non-perishable food will be collected for local hampers.

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BATTLEFORDS

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Leo Mitchell Road

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“ Y O U R A R C H E RY S P E C I A L I S T S ”

Reports from Nov. 27, Munn over O’Hare, Horrell over Belyk, Scott over Pauls, Forester and Kjargaard tied, Hall over Krismer, and Rogers over Wisner. Dec. 4, Krismer over Forester, Rogers over Munn, O’Hare and Kargaard tied, Belyk over Pauls, Scott over Wisner and Horrell over Hall. On Dec. 18, at 3 p.m. after curling, coffee and cookies will be served upstairs, paid by New Horizons. The Scott team is in the lead with eight wins and a tie, and will get the

By Allie Raycraft

ew Horizons Curling

trophy unless the bottom falls out in the last two games. Rogers, Pauls and O’Hare are all tied for second place with 12 points.

sports BNS split with La Ronge, toss out Nipawin By John Cairns Staff Reporter

It was an eventful week for the Battlefords North Stars as they had a surprisingly tough time with the lowly La Ronge Ice Wolves. The La Ronge Ice Wolves snapped a 14game losing streak at the expense of the Battlefords North Stars on Thursday. The North Stars lost to the Ice Wolves 3-1 in a game played in Pinehouse. But the North Stars rebounded with a 3-2 win in overtime Friday, and then tossed out the Nipawin Hawks on Teddy Bear Toss night 2-0 with Joel Grzybowski notching the shutout. The win puts the North Stars just three points behind first place Humboldt in the competitive Global Ag Risk Solutions Division as the SJHL moves closer to its Christmas break.

La Ronge 3 North Stars 1

The North Stars had

S U N

opened the scoring Thursday in the first period with a power play goal from Ryan Gil, with assists from Matthias Urbanski and MacGregor Sinclair. But the Ice Wolves tied it up 1-1 on a goal from Zach Bannister in the second period, and then a power play goal by Antonio Di Paolo put the Ice Wolves in the lead later in the period. Daunte Fortner’s goal late in the third period sealed the 3-1 win. The North Stars had outshot the Ice Wolves 4122 on the night. Former Ice Wolves goalie Chad Duran took the loss in net for the North Stars while Daniel Davidson got the win for the Ice Wolves. Both teams had no time to relax, as they returned to action Friday night in La Ronge.

North Stars 3 La Ronge 2

It was a much better outing for the Battlefords North Stars against the La Ronge Ice Wolves on Fri-

D E C

SASKENERGY GAME NIGHT KRAMER TRAILER SALES SHOOT OUT SHOWDOWN NIGHT

TIM HORTONS SPONSORS SKATE WITH THE NORTH STARS FOLLOWING THE GAME

NOTE: 4:00 PM START

day night. The North Stars beat La Ronge 3-2 in overtime on the road at Mel Hegland Uniplex, erasing a 2-0 deficit in the process. The game couldn’t have ended in more exciting fashion: the winning goal came with just one second left to go in overtime when Cody Spagrud scored his seventh of the season, Owen Lamb assisting, to avoid the shootout. La Ronge had taken the lead in the first period on a power play goal by Antonio Di Paolo. There was no scoring in the second, but Flynn Perry’s first of the season 29 seconds into the third period gave La Ronge the 2-0 lead. But at the 9:34 mark, Owen Lamb scored his 16th of the season from Elijah Loon-Stewardson to bring the North Stars within one. Exactly one minute later the North Stars tied it on Ryan Gil’s 12th of the season with the assist from Dayton Heino. Heino had been acquired by the North Stars at the Dec. 1 trade deadline from Neepawa of the MJHL, in exchange for Tanner Robin. There was no further scoring in the third period, so the game went to overtime and was won on Spagrud’s goal with one second remaining. Joel Grzybowski got the win in net for the North Stars with 25 saves on 27 shots; Jordan Frey of La Ronge stopped 47 out of 50 fired his way.

bulance “Cram an Ambulance” campaign. It’s fun, but also pressure-packed for the home team. “The one thing as a coach – you want to make sure you score one,” said Coach Brayden Klimosko. “There’s nothing worse than you don’t score a goal, and then what do you do with the teddy bears? You throw them out at the end of the game or what do you do?” Fortunately, it did not take long for the fans to let

loose the teddy bears, as Ryan Gil scored just 1:14 into the first period, with Cody Spagrud and Tanner Scott assisting. That would be all the scoring through one; shots favoured the home North Stars 12-9. That score held up into the third period as the North Stars went ice-cold on the power play by going 0/5 on the night. In the third period the North Stars caught a break as Nipawin was called for a

bench minor for too many men on the ice. But the North Stars almost gave up a short-handed goal instead, as Nipawin’s Tremblay hit the crossbar. The North Stars managed to hold off the Hawks as MacGregor Sinclair scored into a empty net with 1:45 to go to secure the win. Joel Grzybowski earned himself the shutout in net. Coach Brayden Klimosko was happy with the North Stars performance.

It was Teddy Bear Toss Night Tuesday. On the first home team goal of the game, teddy bears came flying down from the seats to the ice, where the North Stars gathered them up to donate to Cram an Ambulance. Photo by John Cairns

North Stars 2 Nipawin 0

Back at home on Tuesday, the North Stars had a tough opponent in the Nipawin Hawks. It was the first game for the North Stars’ newlyhired assistant coach Rob Holoien, who comes to the Battlefords after spending the last couple of years coaching with Carrot River Outback Thunder in Jr. B hockey. The game was played on “Teddy Bear Toss” night at the Civic Centre, with all the stuffed animals donated to the WPD Am-

The North Stars had a visit with Santa on Saturday in downtown North Battleford.Photo by Averil Hall

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The Battlefords, Thursday, December 13, 2018 - Page 23

New SJHL book on sale in time for Christmas Staff

The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, alongside Bassendowski Agencies LTD and The Cooperators have launched the SJHL’s 50-Year History Book Heart & Soul of the SJHL and copies are on sale now in time for holiday shopping. Compiled and produced by best-selling Saskatchewan author Rod Pedersen, Heart & Soul tells the stories of all 12 teams from the most colorful Junior A

league in Canada. It also chronicles the tales of all defunct/relocated franchises such as the Minot Top Guns, Lebret Eagles and Moose Jaw Canucks. Each chapter was written by a hockey reporter in each market, delivering a blowby-blow diary of each franchise’s triumphs and defeats. The Battlefords North Stars chapter was written by News-Optimist reporter John Cairns. Heart & Soul also fea-

tures colour photos of 19 past and present SJHL arenas including Flin Flon’s legendary Whitney

Forum, Humboldt’s Elgar Petersen Arena and Estevan’s Affinity Place. The publication also includes a special commemorative section dedicated to the Humboldt Broncos, honouring those involved in the April 6, 2018, tragedy. There are 29 biographies and colour photos dedicated to the 29 people on the Humboldt Broncos’ bus that day. Heart & Soul of the SJHL is available now at all SJHL arenas, and on-

line at shop.sjhl.ca Hockey fans are encouraged to watch for upcoming book signings this holiday season with Rod Pedersen in Regina, Saskatoon and other Saskatchewan centres. All proceeds from Heart & Soul of the SJHL go directly to the SJHL, its 12-member teams and the SJHL Assistance Fund. Bill Chow President of the SJHL says, “The book has been a work in progress for the past two years. We want to celebrate our 12

teams, the billet families who are in it for the love of the game, the volunteer board of governors and the volunteers who work each game. The dedication of these people are the Heart and Soul of each team.” Kevin Bassendowski says, “On behalf Bassendowski Agencies and Cooperators we are honoured and proud to be involved in this project. Hockey is ingrained in Saskatchewan and we are happy to celebrate SJHL’s 50th anniversary.

Twenty-five heads scored at Sonningdale Big Buck Nite Submitted The 33rd annual Big Buck Nite took place at Sonningdale Hall Dec. 8 with more than 150 in attendance. Twenty-five heads were scored by Jim

Weibe and Bentley Coben. Following are the results. Typical White Tail Deer – Big Buck: First – Hayden Ouellette, Lashburn (153 2/8), tied with Ken Zawanda, Battleford (153 2/8);

Hockey scores

Second – Wayne Tornberg, Sonningdale (151 2/8). Typical White Tail Deer – Youth: First – Trishell Solanik, Biggar (126 5/8). Typical White Tail Deer – Good Old Boys: First – Larry Radchenko, Son-

ningdale (146 2/8). Typical White Tail Deer – Ladies: First – Dianne Coben, Tessier (152 3/8); Second – Haylee De Strake, Biggar (148 2/8). Non-Typical White Tail Deer – Big Buck: First –

Corey Solanik, Biggar (184 6/8); Second – Brody Ellis, Biggar (171 7/8). Non-Typical White Tail Deer – Ladies: First – Cheryl Gopher, Battleford (143 6/8). Typical Mule Deer –

Big Buck: First - Mike Peterson, Perdue (169 4/8). Non-Typical Mule Deer – Big Buck: First – Marcell Panchuk (213 18).

Stars demolish Argos, Sharks play Mandi Schwartz tourney By John Cairns Staff Reporter

Here is a look at scores from the past week involving local hockey teams:

AAA Stars

The Battlefords AAA Stars demolished the Notre Dame Argos in two games this past weekend, beating them by scores of 8-2 on Saturday and 5-0 on Sunday at the Civic Centre. The Saturday contest saw the Stars build leads of 3-0 in the first period and 6-1 by the second; Shayde Peterson had two goals and two assists in the win. The following afternoon Carson Dobson scored twice as the Stars got four

power play goals in their rematch. Carter Serhyenko got the shutout in net for the Stars, whose next action is Wednesday night at home against Tisdale.

AAA Sharks

The female midget AAA Battlefords Sharks were in action this weekend at the Mandi Schwartz Memorial Tournament at Athol Murray College of Notre Dame. In the tournament, the Sharks lost to Saskatoon 8-1 on Thursday, tied the Edge 2-2 and Red Deer 4-4 on Friday, and lost to Calgary in a third-place playoff game on Saturday before wrapping the tournament with a consolation win over RM Raiders 3-1. The Sharks return

to league play Saturday in Regina against the Rebels.

AA Barons

In Centre Four league play the Barons lost to Saskatoon Riverkings 6-2 on the road Thursday, but beat North East 3-2 at the Civic Centre Saturday, and then beat Beardys on the road 4-3 on Sunday. Their next action is Friday against Beardys on the road at Ahtahkakoop Arena. In other league action Unity Lazers lost to Saskatoon Screaming Eagles 3-2 in overtime Saturday but beat the Saskatoon Sabercats 5-1 on Sunday.

SPHL

In Sask Prairie league

scores from Friday the Maymont Settlers beat Spiritwood 9-8, the Meota Combines won at home over Radisson 10-9, and the Shellbrook Silvertips beat Battleford Beaver Blues in Shellbrook 6-3. In Saturday action Perdue bat Radisson 5-4, Battleford rebounded with an 11-2 win over Maymont while Glaslyn topped Spiritwood 8-4. Action resumes Friday night with Battleford on the road against Perdue in Delisle while Meota is in Radisson and Glaslyn is in Edam.

Luseland 13-2 while Unity lost to Kindersley 8-7. On Saturday Kindersley beat Biggar 8-2.

Sask West League

In recent scores from this past weekend, in Friday scores Wilkie beat

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Serving the producers of the Northwest

FARMER Denizens of the Deepening Snow

RancheR SWF has new work experience program for youth interested in conservation Initiative fills education gap

Beaver dwellings indicate the famous animals are around, even if you don’t see them. This home is in the Livelong area.

Saskatchewan is brimming with young, talented outdoors enthusiasts keen on making conservation part of their career, and yet there are limited opportunities for youth over the age of 15 to engage in conservation programming. That is why the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation is eager to unveil one of the most exciting work experience opportunities available in the province to date: The Youth Conservation Leadership initiative. The YCL initiative provides opportunities to students ages 15 to 18 from all across the province to expand their resumes, gain industry knowledge, devel-

op key skills, and explore different conservation career opportunities through partnering with experts in the industry. “We identified a gap period in the late teens and early twenties,” said Laurel Waldner, Education Coordinator, “right around the time they are considering the work force, the programming options seem to drop off.” Starting in Spring 2019, this initiative takes part in three stages including an outdoor adventure and education component, field experience and leadership training component and a component focusing on community engagement.

Participants will get the chance to gain leadership skills and work with SWF partners in the field, getting hands on experience in research, fieldwork, visiting habitats or taking part in ongoing conservation projects, all while learning how to administer an SWF program of their choosing to a classroom in their community. “We are coming up on our 90th year as an organization,” said Darrell Crabbe, executive director. “We hope that this initiative will help build conservation leaders that carry us forward for another 90 years.” Applications can be found on the SWF website.

$100,00 agricultural mentorship program to be delivered by Agribition They are hard to see, especially when they turn white for the winter, but weasels are common inhabitants of Saskatchewan. Photos by Louise Lundberg

It’s hard to miss these bison in the Livelong area finding food beneath the snowcover. Photos by Louise Lundberg

Applicants must show leadership potential The Governments of Canada and Saskatchewan have announced $100,000 in funding for Next Gen Agriculture, a Saskatchewan agricultural mentorship program to be delivered by Canadian Western Agribition. “Our government supports the growth of a competitive, innovative and sustainable Canadian agriculture sector,” said Ralph Goodale, Federal Minister of Public Safety and Member of Parliament for Regina-Wascana, on behalf of Lawrence MacAulay, Federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “Mentorship programs like this give young Canadians the opportunity to become future leaders of a worldclass Canadian agricultural economy through a bedrock of knowledge and experiences they can use to grow the agricultural sector of tomorrow.”

The objective of the program is to develop the leadership capacity of young people in agriculture to prepare them to take active roles in industry leadership, governance and efforts to build public trust. “We have many skilled, confident young leaders ready to take on leadership roles and get involved in decisions affecting our industry,” Agriculture Minister David Marit said. “This program will support, engage and train these young people as they prepare to fill vacancies on industry organizations, boards and commissions.” Next Gen Agriculture is funded through the Public Trust Pillar of the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year, $388 million investment in strategic initiatives for Saskatchewan agriculture by the federal and provincial

governments. “Canadian Western Agribition has a long and proud tradition of supporting education and youth in agriculture,” Canadian Western Agribition President Bruce Holmquist said. “Partnering on this new mentorship program is an exciting opportunity for Canadian Western Agribition to take an active role in building the next generation of leaders in the sector.” The program aims to accept eight applicants for an 18-month mentorship beginning in February 2019. Applicants should have clear leadership goals and objectives and exhibit strong leadership potential. More information about the program is available online at www.saskatchewan.ca/CAP or www. agribition.com/about/cwanext-gen-program

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The Battlefords, Thursday, December 13, 2018 - Page 27

RancheR

FARMER

Mild winter in the general forecast, but the prairies may be more complicated than that Most Canadians have already experienced an early and abrupt blast of wintry weather. Is this a false start to winter or a preview of what is to come? According to the Weather Network’s Winter Forecast, it depends on which part of Canada you call home. “A developing El Niño typically signals a milder

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winter across most of the country, and for Western Canada that is exactly what we expect for the upcoming season,” said Chris Scott, Chief Meteorologist at The Weather Network. “For the Western Prairies, this means the abnormally cold fall has not been a sign of things to come. However, from Ontario to Atlantic Canada we are seeing a snowy sneak preview of what will become the dominant pattern for winter.” Here’s a more detailed look at the conditions expected across the country this winter: British Columbia – A mild winter is expected across the province with fewer episodes of arctic air in the Lower Mainland and fewer threats of significant snow in coastal areas and interior valleys. Below normal precipitation is anticipated with fewer storms and more periods of dry weather. However, the pattern will break down at times, potentially bringing an abundance of rain and mountain snow in a rela-

tively short period of time. This should allow south coast rainfall totals to be close to normal despite the overall drier pattern. The ski season could be challenging at times, but is by no means a total write-off. Preliminary indications are also for an earlier arrival of spring weather. The Prairies – The Prairies will be a battle zone between the mild Pacific air to the west and arctic air to the east. This will result in a changeable winter with back and forth swings in temperature, which are expected to tip to the mild side of normal across Alberta and into western Saskatchewan. However, these temperature swings should come close to offsetting each other across the eastern Prairies. While the final numbers are predicted to be near “normal” across Manitoba, the winter will feel anything but “normal”. Extended periods of harsh winter weather are expected, along with periods of mild weather. Most of the region is expected to see near normal or below nor-

Sundogs on a bright winter morning. Photo by Louise Lundberg

mal snowfall with lower than typical concerns for spring flooding. Ontario and Quebec – A long, cold winter is probable across most of the region. Colder than normal temperatures are already in the books for October and November and this pattern should dominate through the winter, especially during the season’s second half. Winter will take a breather at times during December and the traditional January thaw is still expected with the

potential for an extended thaw before a bitter conclusion to winter. With frequent shots of arctic air bringing an abundance of lake effect snow to the traditional snow belts, near normal seasonal snowfall is anticipated despite fewer high impact storms than normal. However, areas outside of the snow belts, including the Greater Toronto Area, may fall short of normal snowfall. The region will be teased with early spring weather in March, but overall we

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FaRmeR RancheR A community newspaper published Monthly . Owned & Operated by Prairie Newspaper Group LP a division of GVIC Communications Corp. 892 - 104th Street, North Battleford, Saskatchewan S9A 1M9 Telephone: 306-445-7261 • Fax: 306-445-3223 E-mail: newsoptimist.news@sasktel.net

expect a delay in the arrival of consistent spring warmth. Atlantic Canada – November has provided Atlantic Canada with a preview of the long and stormy winter that is anticipated across the region. An active storm track from the Gulf of Mexico, up the U.S. East Coast and into Atlantic Canada is expected. While many of these storms will track offshore and keep snow as the dominant precipitation type across the region, some of these storms will track further north. This will bring very mild temperatures and rain at times, especially to southern areas where temperatures are forecast to balance out to near normal for the season. The winter pattern will also likely linger into early spring. Northern Canada – Above normal temperatures are expected to dominate much of the region, including all of the Yukon and Northwest Territories and western Nunavut. However, near to below normal temperatures are predicted for eastern Nunavut including Iqaluit. Above normal snowfall is expected across the Yukon and into western Northwest Territories. Near normal snowfall totals are expected elsewhere across the region. CNW

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Page 28 - The Battlefords, Thursday, December 13, 2018

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FARMER

RancheR

U of S to receive funding for cutting-edge greenhouse gas mitigation projects Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay recently announced support from the Government of Canada for three cutting-edge projects by researchers at the University of Saskatchewan’s College of Agriculture and Bioresources, School of Environment and Sustainability and the Global Institute for Water Security, to help the agriculture sector reduce its environmental footprint. These projects are being supported with a $3.4 million investment through the Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Program (AGGP), to

conduct research into greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation practices and technologies that can be adopted on the farm. Studies through this funding include researchers looking at different pasture management practices, and testing different mixtures of forage plants, that would reduce the amount of GHGs released into the air. Another study will help farmers decide on the best options for planting shelterbelts, including both farmyard and field shelterbelts, to reduce GHG emissions. Researchers are also looking at ways to reduce GHG released from water

The $27 million AGGP covers four priority areas of research: livestock systems, cropping systems, agricultural water use efficiency, and agro-forestry, in partnership with universities and conservation groups. storage reservoirs as part of an overall on-farm water management plan. “Canadian farmers are great stewards of the land and the environment. These new investments through the Agricultural Greenhouse Gases Program are part of the government’s commitment to addressing climate change

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and ensuring our farmers are world leaders in the use and development of clean and sustainable technologies and processes,”  said MacAulay “Science and innovation are the greatest allies in helping the agricultural industry meet the challenges of climate change. Climate change and sustainability are key priorities for the Government of Canada and these projects with the University of Saskatchewan will help farmers adopt sustainable practices that will strengthen their businesses and protect the planet,” said Ralph

Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and Member of Parliament (Regina Wascana) “As a world leader in agricultural research for more than a century, the University of Saskatchewan is at the forefront of innovative research aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture, while keeping our farms economically viable and improving the quality and availability of highquality food and products for everyone. These investments enable our scientists to help find ways to capture

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more carbon dioxide and further reduce other greenhouse gas emissions – such as nitrous oxide and methane – produced in farming. And they are using novel technologies – such as satellite mapping and sensors – to do it,”  said Mary Buhr, Dean of the U of S College of Agriculture and BioResources The $27 million AGGP covers four priority areas of research: livestock systems, cropping systems, agricultural water use efficiency, and agro-forestry, in partnership with universities and conservation groups. AGGP investments support the work of the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases, which brings together 49 countries to find ways to grow more food without growing greenhouse gas emissions. CNW

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The Battlefords, Thursday, December 13, 2018 - Page 29

RancheR

FARMER

Business and ag communities join together to attend an evening with Brad Wall More than 250 of the province’s business and farm leaders gathered earlier this month to hear former Premier Brad Wall discuss western Canadian economic interests and the challenges and opportunities facing modern agriculture in this current public affairs environment. The event was organized by the NSBA, Saskatoon’s business association, and Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan (FFC SK), an organization representing the province’s agriculture and food industry. Wall told the crowd a “cautionary tale” of Western Canada’s energy sector, where detractors have been able to negatively paint the industry and stagnate development. The agriculture sector needs to learn from that lesson, Wall insisted, drawing a comparison to the 1993 movie Tombstone in which one brother dies in the arms of another. “Energy and agriculture are the foundation of much of what is good in this province.” He encouraged the audience to speak up for these industries: “We need to

Former Premier Brad Wall speaking to business and agriculture delegates at a recent gathering. Photos submitted

be less circumspect, more bold. The consequences are the jobs of your neighbours.” This was the first time the NSBA and Farm & Food Care Saskatchewan partnered to host an event together. “We were invited to collaborate on this opportunity and immediately saw the synergies and benefits of participating,” said Keith Moen, Executive Director of the NSBA. “It was a winning proposition for all involved.” “In addition to present-

ing an excellent speaker, this event was successful in developing a partnership

between our two groups,” said Clinton Monchuk, Executive Director of Farm &

Food Care Saskatchewan. NSBA and FFC SK are exploring the possibility of

partnering on an annual basis to present speakers for this audience.

Cross border trade of cattle genetics proves to be a key benefit of Agribition Selling prices include $10,500 for bred heifer and heifer calves for $17,000 and $26,500 This year, Canadian Western Agribition hosted over 1,000 international guests from over 70 countries. International buyers from the United States, Australia, Mexico, New Zealand, Finland, Netherlands, Scotland and the United Kingdom travelled to Regina with an interest in purchasing cattle genetics. International trade at CWA continues to put Regina on the map. “Agribition is a world renowned event. If you ask purebred beef breeders back in Australia, 90 per cent of them know what Agribition is,” says Glen Waldron, a Charolais and Simmental breeder from Australia. “I truly do believe that Agribition is the best of the best.” At a Charolais sale dur-

ing Agribition, a heifer calf sold to Mexico for $17,000 and one went to Missouri for $26,500. At the Shorthorn sale, a buyer from Argentina purchased two heifer calves. A Speckle Park sale saw a bred heifer sell to Australia for $10,500 and embryo packages sell to Australia, Wales and Oklahoma. Both Argentina and Mexico are target markets for CWA’s International Market Development Program, and these sales are a result of those efforts. “People from around the world come to look at our cattle genetics. Everyone on the leading edge of the best business is at Agribition to market their genetics and products to the world,” says CWA President Bruce Holmquist.

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Page 30 - The Battlefords, Thursday, December 13, 2018

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FARMER

RancheR

Watershed group can help farmers, ranchers who are applying to new CAP program The North Saskatchewan River Watershed stewards are part of the new Canadian Agricultural Partnership funding for the Farm Stewardship and Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Programs. The North Saskatchewan River Basin Council is a community driven, non-profit organization working within the watershed to implement programs and initiatives that will protect the water resource.

Part of the work of NSRBC includes providing technical assistance to farmers and ranchers in the North Saskatchewan River Watershed area when applying to the new Canadian Agricultural Partnership program. CAP replaced the Growing Forward 2 program that ended March 31, 2018 and is a five-year $388 million investment by federal and provincial governments in strategic initiatives for Saskatchewan agriculture.

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P.O. Box 850 Maidstone, SK S0M 1M0 Ph: (306) 893-2619 Fax: (306) 893-2660 Email: larrydoke@sasktel.net

NSRBC will provide application assistance to the Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change component of CAP programming, which includes the Farm Stewardship and the Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Programs. The Farm Stewardship Program provides cost shared funding to eligible producers to implement Beneficial Management Practices. A BMP ensures the long-term health and sustainability of landrelated resources used for agricultural production; positively impacts the long-term economic and environmental viability of agricultural production; and minimizes negative impacts and risk to the

environment. Under CAP, many BMPs need government pre-approval before work can start on a project. The exception is Variable Rate Mapping BMP. This change in application process is especially important to note if you are looking at seeding tame forages or fencing native prairie or riparian areas in the spring. Please contact NSRBC at 306-4414066 before purchasing seed or starting any work to go over eligibility requirements and start the application process. The Farm and Ranch Water Infrastructure Program funds dugout, pipeline and well projects at 50 per cent of the eligible

project costs for eligible producers. These projects do not need pre-approval. Prior to the start of a project, an eligibility checklist should be completed and is submitted with the rebate forms. There may be preapprovals and additional permits required depending on the project land location. For more information contact the NSRBC. Pre-approvals are required for well decommissioning and water development projects that are not a typical dugout, well or pipeline. Funding for well decommissioning is 90 per cent up to $10,000 per project. If you are planning to implement projects and access CAP funding over

the next five years, note there have been changes made to general applicant eligibility. Producers need to demonstrate a minimum of $50,000 gross farm income in Saskatchewan. Also, if you own, lease or rent property where livestock and poultry are grown, kept, assembled or disposed of, a Premises Identification Number (PID) is required for all applications to be approved. For more information you can visit Saskatchewan.ca/ CAP or call the Agricultural Knowledge Center at 1-866-457-2377. Adapted from articles by South Saskatchewan River Watershed Stewards Canadian Agricultural Partnership

CropSphere offers diverse information CropSphere 2019 is quickly approaching! Once again this year, organiz-

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The Battlefords, Thursday, December 13, 2018 - Page 31

Hotels offered sample rooms for commercial travellers

In the early 1900s, hotels were an essential feature in Saskatchewan’s commercial landscape. The settlers who homesteaded on the prairies had to travel to the nearest town to buy provisions such as flour, sugar, tea and cloth. Storekeepers relied on “commercial travellers” or travelling salesmen to keep their shelves stocked with dry goods. The commercial travellers, in turn, relied on the hotels they stayed in to provide them with “sample rooms” –

temporary showrooms where local merchants could view the salesmen’s wares and order goods. In smaller hotels, sample rooms were often just a spare room furnished with a few tables and chairs. Some hotels had purpose-built sample rooms combining overnight accommodation and display space. Regardless, the commercial travellers came to see them as an indispensable service. Sample rooms remained a fixture in Saskatchewan’s

small-town and city hotels well into the 20th century. Commercial travellers went by train prior to the 1950s. When they arrived in a town or village,

Garment salesman in the sample room of a rural Alberta hotel, 1910. Photo: Provincial Archives of Alberta via Wikimedia Commons.

they hauled their trunks to the hotel where they rented both a room and the sample room – if it wasn’t already rented by another salesman. In the evenings, local shopkeepers came to the hotel to see the sample goods and place their orders. The next morning, the travellers boarded the train to the next town, or to return to the city from whence they came. Hotels placed advertisements promising travelling men comfortable accommodations and “good sample rooms.” Sometimes, the accommodation was less than comfortable, with a bare floor and a jug of frozen water by the bed. “One of the mysteries of the commercial traveller,” Frank Phillips wrote in the June 1, 1926 issue of MacLean’s magazine, “is the way he manages to keep spruce and well groomed after a long course of

small-town hotels, rising before daybreak to catch a mixed train, bolting a breakfast that will haunt him for the rest of the day, making his toilet minus hot water in a cold, bare room with a distorting mirror and yet emerging from the process neat, clean, smoothly shaven.” The Carnduff local history book recounts that commercial travellers often arrived at the Clarendon Hotel with 10 to 15 trunks full of merchandise. “They carried a sample of each item they sold; fifty different kinds of shirts available meant they carried fifty samples around with them.” In a story about the Pense hotel in the Regina Leader-Post on March 27, 1943, Arthur Tims recalled the days when he worked as a porter shortly after the hotel was built in 1904. One salesman would tip him a dollar for taking his 16 trunks from the train to the hotel’s large sample room. “Travellers used to leave shirts in their rooms,” Tims told the paper. “They never came back for them. We kept them for a while, then I’d get the ones that fitted.”

The economic boom times of the 1920s gave way to the Great Depression, then the 1940s’ wartime economy gave way to more boom times in the 1950s. Travelling salesmen were vulnerable in terms of the market’s increasing scale, including the increased importance of advertising. Specialization was one strategy adopted by salesmen. Instead of carrying several products and product lines, they would carry one just one line which enabled them to make better time between sales calls. In addition, improvements to Saskatchewan’s roads in the1950s meant that commercial travellers could switch from trains to cars to get from place to place. Unfortunately for hoteliers, automobiles enabled salesmen to move more easily between towns and get home more quickly, cutting into the hotel business. Then, in 1960 when mixed drinking was allowed in Saskatchewan, many hotels turned their sample rooms into beverage rooms. Commercial travellers were not longer hotel-dependent.

NSRMHH clinics to close Dec. 25, 26, Jan. 1 Administrator

The North Saskatchewan River Municipal Health Holdings board held its regular meeting Monday, Nov.19. NSRMHH has announced two new

staff members. Linda Zaychkowsky and Ashley Abramson have been hired as casual medical office assistants. They will be completing their training this month and they are welcomed to the team. The clinics will be closed Dec. 25 and 26 for

the Christmas holidays and Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day. The clinics will also be closed at noon on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. NSRMHH will be short staffed during the Christmas week so please ensure your routine appointments are booked around that busy time.

Student of the Week Sneah

The next regular meeting of the NSRMHH board will be Monday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m. in the

RM of Mervin office in Turtleford. If anyone has any questions, they are

Professional Business & Service

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Page 32 - The Battlefords, Thursday, December 13, 2018

Regional News-Optimist

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Regional News-Optimist

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The Battlefords, Thursday, December 13, 2018 - Page 33

Christmas Angel Sponsor Discovery Co-op Ltd.

SILVER SPONSOR Pattison Agriculture

DIAMOND SPONSOR SIGA/Gold Eagle Casino

COOKIE, COFFEE AND HOT CHOCOLATE COURTESY OF Tim Hortons

BRONZE SPONSOR Fortress Windows & Doors Ltd. CHRISTMAS ANGEL SPONSORS Vantage Chartered Professional Accountants Territorial Dental Clinic

Thank you to Joelle Kuntz for emceeing and guiding us through the evening.

EVENING “BIG BID” SPONSOR Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers (Canada)

We are grateful to the Jubilation Handbell Choir for entertaining guests with their lovely renditions of Christmas carols through the sound of bell chimes!

“...and to all a good night” ACCOMMODATION SPONSOR Gold Eagle Lodge

A special thank you to Management and Staff of City of North Battleford’s Forestry & Horticultural Department for setting up the 20 foot outdoor tree.

VIP CENTERPIECE SPONSOR Milbanke Flowers and Home Décor GIN RICKEY SIGNATURE COCKTAIL SPONSOR Château d’If Capital

Thank you to all the volunteers responsible for making this evening happen. We are very grateful for your assistance and appreciate the time and effort you gave in helping us usher in the Christmas season in The Battlefords with the opening of Festival of Trees.

A special thank you to the Chairs of this evening, Tracy Voigt and Alexis Christensen...you worked hard and it showed! Thank you to everyone who volunteered and played important roles in making this wonderful evening happen. We couldn’t have done this without you and we are grateful.

DECORATORS & DESIGNERS Dorothy Manegre and Connie Ballance, Cheryl Stewart-Rahm, Irene Thiessen, Joanne Denton, Debbie Dolney, Koreen Lawrence, Judith Reitan, Valerie L’Heureux, Krystal Ma - Luna + Leigh, Janelle Cox, “100 Women Who Care, The Battlefords”, Louise Erbach, Linda Sheppard, Shirley Maze, “Greenhouse Grannies”, Jodi Miller - Artwork & Design, Dana Standinghorn, Kirsten (Denton) Guggenmos, Karen Curniski

SCHOOL TREES “Magical Christmas” - Bready School. “The First Christmas” - St. Mary School “A Very Merry 4-H Christmas” - Eagle Hills 4-H Club “Christmas Around the World: Children are the Future of the World” - Connaught Elementary School “McKitrick Travels at Christmas Time” - McKitrick Community School “Silent Night” - Heritage Christian School “Grinchmas” - North Battleford Day Care “Every Child has a Dream” - Battlefords Boys & Girls Club “Cap Parade des Pengouins” - École Père Mercure “Celebrate Christmas”- Battleford Central School

We are most grateful to everyone who bid and purchased the decorated items. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS and STAFF OF BUH FOUNDATION

FRIENDS OF THE FESTIVAL

Thank you to the following Festival of Trees Organizing Committee members. The gift of your time and effort is truly appreciated! Festival of Trees Chair: Jay Crockett Preview Evening Chair: Joelle Kuntz Decorator Chairs: Koreen Lawrence, Janelle Cox and Louise Erbach “It’s Showtime!” Formal Evening Chairs: Tracy Voigt and Alexis Christensen

John Baker for his starring role and all of Santa’s little helpers We

and you know who you are...you are AWESOME! We are grateful to Ultra Print Services Ltd. for donating the The Battlefords Banner, to ARTrageous for matting and framing the piece and to Jodi Miller - Artwork & Design for adding her artistic touch! BUH Foundation was honoured to make this part of our Festival of Trees.

MAJOR SPONSOR BATC Community Development Corporation BRONZE SPONSOR Fisher’s Drug Store CHRISTMAS ANGEL SPONSORS SaskEnergy GOLDEN BELL SPONSOR SaskTel POINSETTIA SPONSOR Canadian Tire, North Battleford MISTLETOE SPONSOR Home Hardware Building Centre - North Battleford ICICLE SPONSOR CIBC OFFICIAL PICTURES WITH SANTA PHOTOGRAPHER Owen and Ilona Bannerman

We are grateful to Nutter’s Bulk & Natural Foods for donating the product the children used to decorate the cookies. RAFFLE DONORS & CONTRIBUTORS Sandi Smith – Enchanted Forest, Jack Day, Battlefords Animal Hospital, Territorial Dental Clinic, Peavey Mart, Home Hardware Building Centre: NB, Carol Funk, Roman & Diane Waines, Kirsten (Denton) Guggenmos, Pat and Corinne Delainey, and Discovery Co-op Pharmacy. LIVE AUCTION DONORS & CONTRIBUTORS Battleford Furniture, Warne Photography, Chef Kevin Tetz - Executive Chef Services, Château d’If Capital, Greg Lightfoot and “Gus the Bus”, Cochin Community Players, Porta Bella Restaurant, ARTrageous, Milbanke Flowers and Home Décor

Our sincere thank you to everyone who supported the purchase of the auction packages and to those who donated them. SANTA’S LITTLE HELPERS We extend oursincere gratitude and heartfelt thanks to everyone who volunteered their time to set up and take down this event, who showed up early and who stayed late...this event and the benefits to healthcare in this community just simply could not happen without your help...THANK YOU!

Thank you to everyone who donated to SaskEnergy’s Share the Warmth Initiative. Many warm clothing items were collected and donated to Battlefords Interval House. We appreciate the time and talent of our live entertainment “Three Gents”, “Battlefords Gymnastic Club”, “Bobby Jean”, The Loewens and Company”, and “Keeping it Country”. Thank you to Battlefords’ North Stars Hockey Club for assisting in cookie decorating and letters to Santa, to T&C Clydesdales and L/J Trail Rides for the horse drawn wagon rides and to the Balloon Man. MOVING SPONSOR City Courier & Moving

Thank you to all our volunteers who helped serve tea and traditional fare... we are most grateful! DECORATED ITEMS SPONSORS Anderson Pump House Ltd. Battlefords Animal Hospital Battlefords News-Optimist Bill and Don’s Men’s Wear & Shoes Bridges Chevrolet Buick GMC Ltd. BMO Bank of Montreal CBI Health Centre Cherry Insurance The Ranch House, KFC Country Cuisine Kal Tire Minute Muffler Brake & Wheel CJNB/Q98/93.3 The Rock/BattlefordsNOW Dwight’s Trenching H&R Block Holm Raiche Oberg, Chartered Professional Accountants Battlefords’ North Stars Hockey Club Inc. Lakeland Veterinary Services Riverbend Dental Care North Battleford Hyundai River Valley Eye Care - Dr. James M. Lawrence & Associates SaskTel Schaan Healthcare Products Inc. Swanson Gryba & Company, Chartered Professional Accountants WPD Ambulance Care Kelley Bahrey & David Dutton Manulife Securities North Battleford Medical Clinic SpesMed Medical Specialist Centre Ultra Print Services Ltd. M.R. App and Website Development Studio DESIGNED, CREATED, CONTRIBUTED & DONATED ITEMS Roman & Diane Waines; Dana Rissling & Andy Garvik-Wealth Advisors, Innovation Wealth; Geordie Smith; Kirsten (Denton) Guggenmos; Joanne Denton; Carol Volk; Mike Voros; Jack Day MEMORIAL TREE SPONSOR Sallows & McDonald - Wilson & Zehner Funeral Home PEACE ON EARTH SPONSOR Eternal Memories Funeral Service and Crematorium NATIVITY SCENE SPONSOR Battlefords Funeral Service

Thank you to Joanne Denton for the loan of her créche for the 2018 display