Estevan Mercury 20230419

Vimy Remembered. Historic presentation returns for 106th anniversary of battle.

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Water Security Agency doesn’t expect forecasted storm to cause big problems

Let’s talk innovation potential. Siemens and SaskTech rep to visit and talk Estevan.

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Agri News. Find the latest industry news and ag sector stories on PAGES A8-9

By David Willberg

runoff amongst the two reservoirs,” said Boyle.

Good old hockey. Strippers’ Spring Bust recap can be found on PAGE A11

While people in the southeast have been bracing for a spring storm that is expected to bring rain and heavy snow, the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency (WSA) says people in the region should not be too worried about the risk of flooding from local reservoirs.

The WSA released an updated forecast for spring runoff on Friday afternoon. In the section on the Souris River basin, it notes a rapid rise in flows for Long Creek resulted in the activation of the diversion canal that runs from Boundary Dam to Rafferty Dam. Water was being diverted at a rate of 40 cubic metres per second (m3/s) to Rafferty Reservoir, where the WSA says ample storage space exists.

Warm temperatures in the southeast played a role in the decision to have water at near-capacity values.

“We usually like to have that plus-5 or -5 range [for spring runoff ], and it’s a nice, slow melt, so you don’t have to deal with any of things operationally, but in a lot of the situations we’re seeing runoff came very quickly, because of warmer temperatures.”

This marked the sixth time since the flood of 2011 that the diversion canal was used. It was also employed in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2022.

New happening.

Midale to see first farmers markets starting in mid-May.

Details on PAGE A15

Releases into the diversion channel were reduced on Sunday to 25 m3/s, and Boyle said it was expected to diminish again on Monday. The agency decided to activate the diversion channel because of what they were seeing.

“The benefit of that diversion channel is to essentially spread that

As of Monday afternoon, Boyle said Rafferty Dam was at a depth of 549.28 metres, with a full supply level (FSL) of 550.5 metres. Boundary Dam was at 560.72, which was slightly below the FSL of 560.83. Grant Devine Lake was at 561.62, which is below the FSL of 562 metres.

Boyle said there wasn’t “anything out of the ordinary” in terms of flows coming from the reservoirs.

“We don’t expect them to fill at this point,” said Boyle.

There is a chance Grant

Devine Lake could reach its FSL in the middle of next week, but the WSA is talking to its U.S. partners about the flows as they arrive from spring runoff They will figure out the water U.S. partners can handle, and any releases from the reservoir will be decided then.

Boyle doesn’t expect the storm to change their plans.

“We do expect, because it’s spring snow, to have a higher moisture content,” said Boyle. “So, some of that snow will melt on contact. We do expect some accumulations coming in the southeast. Over areas where the snow melt is largely complete, snow is better than rain in those areas, because a lot of that moisture will be released slowly.”

So while the WSA doesn’t expect it will have to release water, it is going to monitor the precipitation.

“That all depends on how much accumulations come in certain areas, because as we know, these spring storms, depending on where it comes from and sits over an area, it can dump a lot of moisture in one spot.”

Boyle understands that

some people might be a little bit apprehensive in the southeast because the flood of 2011 remains fresh in many minds. He also noted there was a flood in the Gainsborough area in 2014, and there has been flooding in the Estevan area.

“Those are all things that we watch for and look at,” said Boyle. “Part of the benefit of those reservoirs, and they are technically two of the newest reservoirs in the province – is the ability to have that capacity and that ability to manage and to hold water and manage the system.”

There are some fields in the southeast region that are currently under water due to the amount of snow they received and the snow drifts that built up over the winter.

The WSA noted in last week’s report that a rapid melt has brought about higher than forecast runoff for some parts of the south, particularly along the Swift Current Creek where there has been localized flooding in the city of Swift Current.

The WSA reminds the public that flows along water bodies can change rapidly at this time of year and urges the public to take

caution. If you observe an ice jam, keep your distance as the ice can shift or crumble causing injury.

As for the storm expected for the southeast, Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for the region and other areas of the province on Sunday afternoon. The advisory was repealed Monday afternoon and replaced with a winter storm watch. No further advisories had been issued as of the Mercury’s press time.

A Colorado low was poised to impact southeast Saskatchewan and southwest Manitoba from Tuesday overnight through Thursday.

Total snowfall accumulations of 10-25 centimetres are possible, the agency said. In addition to heavy snow, strong northeasterly winds will develop, with gusts of 60-80 kilometres per hour expected. These winds will cause blowing snow and reduced visibilities, which could make travel hazardous.

For updates on the weather conditions and impacts should the storm hit, please visit our provincial news hub at www.sasktoday.ca.

This field west of Estevan is one of a number in southeast Saskatchewan that is under water this spring due to flooding.

A spring storm is forecasted for this week in the southeast.

Photo by Anastasiia Bykhovskaia

Vimy Remembered presentation returns

Capt. Craig Bird – Estevan military historian, president and curator of the South East Military Museum, and commanding officer for the No 2901 Estevan

Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) Army Cadets – paid tribute to the Battle of Vimy Ridge, marking its 106th anniversary. The historic presentation that attracted many people took place at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall in Estevan on Sunday. Bird recollected the events of April 9-12, 1917, addressed the value of the battle for Canada and for the rest of the world, and also focused on Saskatchewan’s as well as the southeast’s involvement with this crucial point of the Great War.

This year the event attracted cadets from various parts of the province. Young guests came from Regina, Moose Jaw and Montmartre, and were joined by local air and army cadets, Army Cadet League members, the general public, and legion members from Kisbey, Carlyle and Estevan.

The presentation was originally intended for the cadets, but Bird opened it up to the public to keep the memories and knowledge about the important battle going.

“I think it’s important that we remember all of these people and these events because there’s very few of the World War Two veterans left, we have no World War One veterans alive anymore, and all of this

information … seems to be getting lost somewhere in the mix,” Bird said. Bird provided the overall picture of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, and then broke it down into Saskatchewan components. As part of the presentation, he demonstrated a video called Storming the Ridge done by Norm Christie. The documentary illustrated what happened during those days of 1917 in France as four Canadian divisions accomplished what the British and the French couldn’t, dislodging the Germans from the ridge.

Most of the casualties occurred on April 9, which was Easter Monday, Bird noted. Twenty thousand Canadian soldiers, carrying equipment and ammunition, attacked to remove the Germans from their position. There was sleet and rain at the

start of the day, and trying to advance would have been difficult.

Most gains occurred on the first day, but Canadians still had to take a hill known as the pimple, which provided more resistance than anywhere else. Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry and the Royal Canadian Regiment were the main forces that attacked the hill, and suffered great casualties, but on the fourth day they were able to victoriously capture all of that area.

“There were over 10,000 Canadian casualties and 3,500 that were killed,” Bird said.

With people from different areas in attendance this year, Bird talked more about Saskatchewan’s role in the battle rather than just the southeast’s as he would usu-

ally do. He pointed out that out of 3,598 lives lost during the battle, 412 soldiers were from Saskatchewan. On April 9, 279 Saskatchewan soldiers were killed in action. On April 10, 72 men’s lives were lost, on April 11, 20 more, and on April 12, another 41 soldiers were killed.

“Every small community [in Saskatchewan] pretty much got touched by the Battle of Vimy Ridge,” said Bird.

The Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry saw 83 killed during the battle with another 139 listed as casualties.

“It was commented by the commander of the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, ‘Unlike previous costly battles that had often seemed senseless, Vimy Ridge was a brilliant success for the Canadian

core, and a triumph for the PPCLI,’” read Bird.

He also talked about acts of valour and military medal award recipients from the area, including Sgt. Reginald Lavers, PPCLI, from Saskatoon; Sgt. Stanley Ridley, PPCLI, from Moose Jaw; Priv. Frederick Crahart, 5th Battalion CEF, from Macoun; and Corporal Robert Marshall, 5th Battalion CEF, from Regina.

Four Victoria Crosses, which is the highest and most prestigious award of the British honours system, were awarded to members of the Canadian Forces during that battle, with one going to Saskatchewan resident Priv. William Milne, 16th Battalion CEF, from Mortlach.

To give guests a better understanding of what soldiers were going through

United Way seeking Day of Caring projects

The United Way Estevan is encouraging the public to be part of the organization’s annual Day of Caring, which will take place on May 31.

Each year, the Day of Caring sees local volunteers – individuals, families, organizations and businesses – complete projects for local residents and organizations that wouldn’t be able to handle the work themselves.

“Some of those projects are outdoors and some are

inside the home. Some of those outdoor projects enable seniors to still live in their own homes. We go in there every spring, we clean up their yards, we paint their fences and we do little projects here and there for them,” said Shelly Veroba, who co-chairs the Day of Caring committee alongside Wendy Gustafson. “They truly appreciate it.”

Yard work, cleaning windows, planting flowers, painting and helping out

with interior projects are among the tasks completed during the Day of Caring.

Often people aren’t sure if they qualify or if they should apply, Veroba said.

“What we say is put your project in, and we will find a volunteer that will help you, because if you feel you have a need for Day of Caring, then we feel that we have a need to help you,” said Veroba.

The United Way has not turned away many projects in the past. If they do, Veroba said the reasons would be because it’s a dangerous project for the volunteers, it’s something that would require a specified skill set,

such as a carpenter or an electrician, or it is too much to finish in a day.

“In the same breath, we may look at ways to make it a smaller project, or help in ways that we could,” said Veroba.

The United Way also completes sunshine baskets every year. They were introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic two years ago, as a means to interact with people in the community who might not get a lot of social interaction.

“A lot of these people are individuals who have lived in our community for their entire lives, and now they’re retired, it’s just

harder for them to get out,” said Veroba.

Approximately 20 sunshine baskets were completed last year, up from roughly 15 they did in 2021.

People can receive a sunshine basket and have a Day of Caring project completed, she said.

Veroba noted the United Way likes to see its member agencies and community partners submit projects, volunteer at the Day of Caring or be involved in some way.

“That’s very important to us, that our member agencies do that with us,” said Veroba.

A barbecue lunch will be served for the volunteers at 11:30 a.m. on the Day of Caring at the Estevan Alliance Church. Members of the St. Joseph’s Health Care Auxiliary help out at the luncheon, but Veroba

during the Battle of Vimy Ridge, Bird also read from war diaries of some of the Saskatchewan participants of the battle and demonstrated another video capturing voices of Canadian soldiers talking about their war memories.

“Canada’s military achievements during the war raised our international status and helped earn us a separate signature on the Treaty of Versailles that was formally ending World War One. Today on land granted to Canada for all time by a grateful France, the Canadian National Vimy Memorial sits atop Hill 145, rising above the now quiet countryside,” Bird said.

“This great monument is inscribed with the names of 11,285 Canadian soldiers who are listed as missing and presumed dead in France and throughout the course of the First World War. It stands as a tribute to all that had served our country in the conflict and paid the ultimate price to help ensure the peace and freedom that we enjoy today.”

The presentation was followed by a lunch at the legion, sponsored by the Army Cadet League this year. Then guests gathered at the cenotaph on Fourth Street for a wreath-laying service in memory of those killed during the battle. To commemorate the 106th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the current Canadian flag at the cenotaph was replaced with the Red Ensign as it was flown by Canadian troops during and after the battle.

said they can always use more volunteers. The deadline to submit an application for a project is May 17. The projects will then be assigned to the volunteers. Applications are starting to come in.

“We always have our … regulars, but we would love to see new ones this year,” said Veroba. Last year saw roughly 30 projects completed and approximately 150 volunteers. Veroba hopes better those numbers this year.

Forms can be found on the United Way’s website for those looking to volunteer or have a project completed.

There are people who need help throughout the year, she said, and while the United Way does its part one day a year, she believes it’s important to do a little bit to help those in need every day.

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Capt. Craig Bird, president and curator of the South East Military Museum, prepared a presentation for the 106th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

Legion recognized members at Vimy night

By Ana Bykhovskaia

The Royal Canadian Legion’s Estevan branch recognized its members during its annual Vimy Awards Night on April 16.

The event helped commemorate the Battle of Vimy Ridge, which occurred from April 9-12, 1917.

The night started with a minute of silence in memory of fallen soldiers and a prayer, followed by a festive supper. After that, pastpresidents Troy LeBlanc and Lyle Dukart presented the awards to legion members for years of service and their commitment to the organization.

To open the ceremony, LeBlanc read letters from Estevan MLA Lori Carr and the city council members, who were unable to be at the event due to other commitments including the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association’s convention taking place in Saskatoon.

“I would like to thank the Estevan legion for continuing the tradition of honouring this battle and those lost, not only during Vimy Ridge

but remembering those who had fallen in protecting our freedom in all of the wars and conflicts since,” Carr said in her letter.

“Congratulations to all tonight’s award winners. Your contribution to our community does not go unnoticed. Our great province would not be what it is today if it were not for the sacrifices made by our military. Myself along with the Government of Saskatchewan would like to thank you all for all that you do to remember this momentous event and recognize those who continue to do selfless work at the Estevan legion.”

“We’d like to thank the Estevan legion for your efforts in supporting this very special event. Your heart goes out to those involved and that have made the ultimate sacrifice so that we are able to enjoy the freedoms they fought for,” said city council.

Captain Craig Bird, the South East Military Museum founder and director, talked to guests about the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the involvement from the southeast and the entire province.

The night proceeded with the awards ceremony. Lyle Dukart presented Kenneth Turner with a 55-yearsof-service award and Bill Kapiczowski with a 50-year medal. Other 50-year medal recipients for this year were Lorne Densley, Tom McDonald and Larry Preddy, but they were unable to attend.

Regina Rooks received a 45-year award; Pat Schmunk, Marjorie Fowler, Wayne Ross and David Preikshot were recognized for 40 years; and Berva Kolke and Ronald Schlapkohl were celebrated for 35 years of service.

Bonnie BachorcikProven, Patricia Shaw, David Wanner and Grant Brinkworth received 30 years awards, while Ronald Maley, Darlene Rieland and Roger Slager were recognized for 25 years of service. Christopher Wright received a 20-year award; Shirley Brandon was recognized for 15 years of service; Suzanne McNabb for 10 years of service; and Darcy Gunnlaugson, Lorna Lachambre and Peter Perrault were recognized for five years of service.

Bernice Forrest was also presented with a 10-yearsof-service award.

This year the Estevan legion was also asked to decide on who they wanted to recognize as the Legionnaire of the Year.

“This year is the first time that it has been pushed back down to the branch level that the branch can present this award. And there’s one person that came to mind automatically when it was announced. We felt that the person who does so much for this branch should re-

ceive this honour,” LeBlanc explained.

The first-ever Estevan branch Legionnaire of the Year Award was presented to Dianne Allen, who accepted it with tears in her eyes and a standing ovation from the public.

The legion also recognized Leonard Grube, Quinton Dosch and Mel Murray with Branch Service Medals.

Certificates of Merit were presented to members who go above and beyond in doing things to make the Estevan branch run. This year’s recipients were Roberta DeRosier, Sherry Dukart, Tyson Wilhelm, Mark Panteluk and Murray. A media award was handed to Golden West Broadcasting representative Linda Bartschat.

The legion also recognized their executive officers, past and present, for their service. Branch offi-

cer medals were issued for chaplains Jaclyn Wynne and Geoff Thiessen and executive committee members Murray, Bird, Angela Clements, Gloria Leitch, Al Peterson, Allan Gervais, George Kingdon, Terry Torgunrud, Bob Wilhelm, Alroy Yoner, Ryan Fleck and Dosch. Other mem-

bers recognized with medals were secretary Bernice Forrest, sports officer John Greenhough, service officer Collen Jensen, sergeant-atarms Cort Barker, treasurer Grube, first vice Tyson Wilhelm, second vice Willie Forrest and members Lyle Dukart and Jim (Frosty) Forrest.

Second Innovation Conversation to feature leading innovator

One of Saskatchewan’s top innovators, Dr. Aaron Genest – the president and founder of SaskTech and the representative for Siemens Software – will be in Estevan next week to talk to the community about technology and innovations.

The second Innovation Conversation, presented by the Southeast Techhub, Southeast College and Access Now TV, is titled Estevan is Leading, Saskatchewan Needs to Follow. The meeting will touch on how Estevan’s innovation can be a model for Western Canada. The event will take place at the college’s Estevan campus at 7 p.m. on April 26, the same day as the Career Day and Hiring Fair, scheduled from 1-6:30 p.m.

Tania Hlohovsky Andrist, the lead officer of applied research at the Southeast College’s Centre of Sustainable Innovation, said Genest was “so willing” to come to Estevan, which is a testament to his desire to share his belief that Saskatchewan can be an innovation hub and so could Estevan.

“When we first connected with Dr. Genest, he had already heard of some of the things going on in Estevan, some of the successes with the coal transition projects, and some of the innovative projects going on with Southeast College,” Hlohovsky Andrist said. “His enthusiasm for Estevan was so nice to hear because he was reflecting back on ourselves.

[To hear] that Estevan is so innovative, Estevan has got really exciting things happening down there, was really refreshing. And [to know] that we are making a bit of a splash in other parts of the province was really encouraging.”

Genest is a Saskatchewan product who founded SaskTech in 2018. SaskTech is an industry advisory association of more than 150 organizations and businesses with corporate offices in Saskatchewan. Its goal is to address the technology labour shortage by working with government, educational institutions and support agencies to ensure a robust labour force

for technology and digital industries over this century.

Genest is a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, the former director of customer experience at Solido, and is now

an applications engineering manager at Siemens Software after the acquisition of Solido. He is an advocate for the tech sector in Canada in his role as president of

SaskTech and an advisor to universities, colleges and government on topics related to technology labour, intellectual property and workforce training. Prior to his life in technology, he was a professional touring musician for 10 years. He lives and works in Saskatoon.

The Estevan Innovation Council, Southeast Techhub and Southeast College came across Genest when they were looking for the second speaker for the Innovation Conversation series.

“He’s a dynamic speaker. He’s an interesting person. He’s so passionate about innovation and about our province that we felt that it would be really great for the community to hear him speak,” Hlohovsky Andrist explained. “He has such a high opinion of our community … And he’s very connected to the international tech world, innovation and discovery, to inventions and current things happening in the greater world.”

Genest has been in-

volved with some energy and energy transition projects, and Hlohovsky Andrist noted that as someone who is well-educated and well-spoken, he can reflect the Estevan community back to the audience in a way that may help to see it in a different light.

She added that the event will be interesting for young people and adults alike.

“Coming to hear Dr. Genest would be a perfect, perfect opportunity for young people if they’re not sure about a career in technology, if they’re not sure about where they can point themselves in the future, “ Hlohovsky Andrist said. “And if someone’s looking for a new career, or someone is looking for things that are happening on the horizon, we encourage them to come as well.”

The event is free of charge, but organizers ask the public to register in advance on Southeast Techhub’s website. People can attend in person or online.

To watch virtually, people can go to YouTube on April 26 at 6:45 p.m.

Estevan legion past president Lyle Dukart presented Bill Kapiczowski with a 50-year medal. Photos by Anastasiia Bykhovskaia

Estevan legion past president Lyle Dukart presented Kenneth Turner with a 55-year award.

(Frosty) Forrest

Dr. Aaron Genest will be the speaker at the second Innovation Conversation, presented by the Southeast Techhub, Southeast College and Access Now TV.

Photo courtesy of Tania Hlohovsky Andrist

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EDITORIAL

Time to reign in the absurdity

Being the leader of a political party in Canada isn’t easy.

You not only have to look out for the best of the party – and convince the public that you have the best of the province or country in mind – but you also have to be wary of the comments and the conduct of people within the party.

A foolish comment– whether it be from a cabinet minister, an elected official or a staffer – can become fodder for other parties, who will not only use such comments to attack, but portray the remark as a reflection of the party as a whole.

That was the situation faced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau following an absurd statement by Justice Minister and Attorney General David Lametti.

self when it comes to this issue, and even if he was just thinking out loud, the Liberals don’t exactly have the greatest record when it comes to respecting provincial jurisdiction. (Witness the carbon tax). So, you can understand why there was a lot of apprehension when he made the remarks.

Trudeau has since tried to ease concerns, saying the Liberals are not going to open discussions about the agreement. But he also took the chance to slam the three Prairie premiers and the Conservative leader regarding their reaction to Lametti’s take.

Regardless, it’s a foolish comment made by a high-ranking cabinet minister who should know better.

The justice minister and attorney general portfolio is an incredibly difficult one for a party to fill, but the Liberals should be actively looking for Lametti’s replacement in the next cabinet shuffle.

Sadly, Lametti’s gaffe likely won’t change anything at the polls in the next election.

The comments have been panned in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, but those are areas that will largely vote Conservative over Liberal. Outside of Winnipeg and Edmonton, the Liberals don’t have much support in the Prairies.

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In Canada - $126 We

Lametti said earlier this month that he would look at the Natural Resources Transfer Act, a law that is nearly a century old and gives control over natural resources to the four western provinces.

He made the comment to the Assembly of First Nations. Some of their members want the act repealed. But his statement was as popular in the west as you would expect. People hated it.

Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre and the premiers of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba blasted Lametti about the comments.

Even if Lametti was speaking for him-

(Lametti could take a lesson from Jody Wilson-Raybould on how to be an effective justice minister and attorney general).

We don’t know what was said behind closed doors between Trudeau and Lametti after the remarks. We don’t know if Trudeau and other higher-ups within the Liberal party gave Lametti the harsh rebuke he so richly deserved.

Trudeau should have distanced himself and the party from Lametti’s remarks sooner. They became a distraction, and the PM had to answer questions about this issue during his recent tour of Western Canada, when he was hoping to talk about the federal budget and the affordability measures that the document contained.

Those who live in southern Ontario, Ottawa, the Montreal-Quebec City corridor and the Lower Mainland of B.C. likely won’t be too concerned with Lametti’s comments, the ensuing furor or the ramifications. They have their own issues that they are concerned with.

We’ll see whether there is much of an impact on private-sector investment. Oil and gas companies don’t exactly have a lot of confidence in the government as it is. Such a dim remark by a high-ranking cabinet minister isn’t going to help. They might view this as another reason to avoid Canada and its current government. They might wonder how many in the Liberal party, and Trudeau’s inner circle, share Lametti’s opinion.

Trudeau can’t allow Lametti’s remark go unpunished. A simple “We’re not looking to do this” isn’t enough.

There is nothing more genuine than farming

Those who follow my columns know that I like to share the story of my love for Estevan. There is a lot to love here.

Estevan became a whole new world to me, very different from everything I’ve known before, and it’s a world I developed deep feelings for over the last 10 years. Being an outsider, I had an opportunity to have a fresh look at many things happening in the community. I could see how strong and proud people here were, I witnessed how once they set goals they – you – work hard to achieve and even pass your targets.

I’ve heard many stories about how this city was built, how it set examples, how it sparked the union movement and how people here would lead by example.

I’ve learned and seen many occasions when instead of waiting for a helping hand, this, in reality, very small community would get organized and get things done. Be it something crucial like the new nursing home fundraising, or just something fun, like the Festival of Lights, for example, nothing was impossible.

I don’t know about every corner in Canada, but I didn’t see much of the same in Winnipeg and definitely haven’t seen anything like that in other parts of the world I’ve been to.

Of course, my original motivation to stay here was a different love story, but eventually, I found it easy to fall for Estevan. However, my feelings go beyond personal connection, and the Energy City borders and people here. Every year around this time I get a reminder of another thing that I absolutely and irrevocably fell for 10 years ago. As odd as it is for a person born and raised in a beautiful huge metropolitan city, it is farming.

Ana Bykhovskaia

Twenty Lines

About…

Calving, seeding, baling, harvesting and everything in between, all of it is a lot of hard labour that despite efforts doesn’t win in battles against nature’s and the market’s unpredictability and comes with pressure and stress, but it’s also incredibly rewarding.

With the mixed farming operation that my husband’s family is running, every year when the first calves start popping and more and more of them are running around corrals at the farmyard, I feel more alive than ever. Even though I don’t get to be at the farm much these days, when I end up there, helping to tag or bottle feed calves or just checking on the cows, I feel really happy.

I don’t know if people who’ve been doing it all their lives still see and feel the magic of it, but for me, working at the farm feels like doing something very real, absolutely needed and important. It’s different from anything else. It’s something that makes me feel fulfilled.

I’ve been working different jobs since a young age. My first gig was to arrange and glue envelopes with conference invitations, paying about one cent an envelope. My grandpa once took me to a film studio and for a few days, he and I were acting as a part of a crowd shot for a movie. I’ve been a real estate agent, and a tour guide, I’ve helped organize conferences, worked as a tutor and a waitress, and of course, throughout most of my life, I’ve been a journalist. While many of my jobs were indeed interesting,

and I also absolutely love my profession, only farming gave everything meaning. Farming allowed me to feel that we not only were producing something, but we were producing something that other people genuinely need. Everyone needs to work and most people do. Cities are busy, and people there work from morning till night, but did you know that 75 per cent of Canadians work in service? (It was actually one of the questions for a citizenship test).

While services are needed and are important for the economy, that type of work doesn’t assume the creation of anything. Other industries produce things, some more valuable than others, but there is a difference between producing a purse and growing food.

We may not like living without comfort, but we can’t live without food. And the way farming works today, even a small family farm one way or the other feeds hundreds, probably thousands of people a year all over the world. It also sets the base for other industries, as leather and wool are also agricultural products.

Even though agriculture is the world’s biggest industry, for most of my life I didn’t think about it and assumed my food was growing in stores. Only after I came here, to southeast Saskatchewan, only when I had this first-hand experience, when I started learning to deal with cattle and work the land, did I realize what it takes to grow food. I felt respect and gratitude for people who’ve been doing it for generations, I felt pride for being a part of it now, and I felt endless love for the region populated with many farmers tirelessly working in any weather and on any day so that the rest of the world could keep going.

Questions I never wanted to ask again

David Willberg Willberg’s

World

As a newsperson, you get to experience a lot of cool things in your career, things the average person wouldn’t get to do.

But there are also those things you see and do that you never want to see anyone endure again.

One of those would be the flood of 2011, when the Souris River surged passed its banks, destroying or damaging people’s homes and properties, submerging much of the historic community of Roche Percee, and hampering several tourist attractions that were located along the scenic Souris.

There were also areas that were under water because the southeast region received 2 1/2 years worth of precipitation in a 14-month span.

At the time, it was billed as a once-in-500-years flooding event. I’m not sure how they come up with that kind of description; I just know I don’t want it to happen again in my lifetime.

Since 2011, we’ve had a few instances in which water releases were needed from at least one local reservoir to bring it down to their full supply level. I remembered it happened in 2017 after we received a lot of snow that winter. And it even happened last year because of the enormous amount of snow we received in April.

But they haven’t reached or exceeded the amount that would cause the Souris to flood.

For those who endured the flood of 2011, you can understand why they get a little skittish when the Water Security Agency talks about water releases from Rafferty Dam, Boundary Dam and Grant Devine Lake, or when the agency says it needs to employ the diversion channel that runs from Boundary to Rafferty.

Suddenly, we’re asking questions we hoped we’d never have to ask again.

It doesn’t help that there’s a winter storm, one of those Colorado lows, in the forecast for this week. We need some nice dry weather right now. We don’t need another 10-20 centimetres of snow, coupled with some rain, to create even more spring runoff, and to bring the water levels even higher.

We shouldn’t have to worry about having snow on the ground in May this year, because it appears the temperatures will warm up quickly and the snow will melt. But that melted snow will trickle into the reservoirs.

There are also those producers in this area who have flooded fields at this point. Additional precipitation is not what they needed, either. And now they have to contend with that nagging uncertainty of whether they will be able to get into those fields to plant their crop, or if they will have to turn to the government for compensation.

There were a lot of farmers last year who had fields under water in early May, but they were still able to plant a crop. Still, just because it happened last year doesn’t mean they will be so lucky this year.

While it’s frustrating, we do have to remember it could be worse. Other areas are getting hit harder.

The southwest region of the province, which has been dry for a number of years, is suddenly dealing with flooding. The WSA says there have been issues with flooding in the Swift Current area. And there are a number of highways that have been under water.

The last thing those areas need right now is more snow and rain.

Do I think we’re going to see a repeat of the flood of 2011? No. We’d need a lot more precipitation than what is in the forecast for that to happen.

But when we hear things like diversion channel and potential water releases, it brings our minds back to 12 years ago, and how we hope that situation will never happen again.

Correction

In David Willberg’s column in the April 12 edition of the Mercury, it was stated that Hockey Saskatchewan has created a new AA hockey league for those in their second year of U15 hockey. This is incorrect. The new league is for players who are in their first season of U18 AA hockey. The Mercury apologizes for any inconvenience this might have caused.

Council receives report on upgrades to Smith Street reservoir

The City of Estevan is looking at a replacement for the electrical and pumps for the Smith Street reservoir.

In a letter to council for the April 10 city council meeting, Shane Bucsis, the manager of the water and wastewater treatment plants, said the electrical and the pumps have to be overhauled, as they are long past their life expectancy.

“The system is badly corroded, and we are unable to run a pump with the constant speed drive as it blows the SaskPower pole fuse box every time it is turned on,” Bucsis wrote.

The major components of the electrical system need to be replaced as most starters and cabinets have long been discontinued.

While looking at replacing pumps and motors, Bucsis said he had a study done on the south-side pressures/ volume issues. With enlarging the water main on Second Street to 10-inch PVC and replacing the pumps at Smith Street to a variablespeed lead lag system, the city can improve the volume and pressure for the south side.

Bucsis sent out a request for proposals for the engineering of the project. Associated Engineering’s tender was the low bid at $156,725. The current budget for the project is $600,000.

Bucsis said design and support should cost around 10-15 per cent, but the tenders received would be around 25 per cent. The budget for the project would need to be increased significantly to account for this, so

Bucsis recommended rejecting the tenders.

Bucsis said he would like to reach out to the engineering companies and figure out a plan to reduce costs or determine why the costs were so high. If he’s unable to bring down the costs, Bucsis suggested tendering individual parts of the project as a package and managing them himself, for which council expressed support.

“I have done design and co-ordination of individual parts of the project with other replacements within water and wastewater facilities,” he said.

Bucsis stressed he already knows the pump costs and the pipe enlargement, and they will come in at $60,000 a pump. Electrical cabinets will be around $260,000. The variable frequency drives will cost around $30,000 each.

Councillor Travis Frank wanted to know why the costs were so high. Bucsis said travel is an issue. KGS, which also bid on the project, had to come inspect the welding. The expense for trips and site meetings adds up.

Councillor Tony Sernick wanted to know if someone local could do the work, and Bucsis said he would reach out to people.

•••

Fort Distributors was awarded the 2023 dust control tender for $126,000 plus tax. Norm Mack, the manager of the public works’ road and drainage division, said Fort Distributors has supplied and applied the product the past few years.

The price is for two applications, one in the early summer and the other in the early fall, using magnesium chloride.

Mack noted the city is responsible for a number of gravel roads within city limits. Some roads require one application while others need two.

Frank pointed out the city would have to have three applications in some areas this year, such as Devonian Street.

•••

Council gave its blessing for a proposed SaskTel 5G tower at 298 Kensington Avenue.

Land development services manager Richard Neufeld said the division is processing a development permit application for the proposed conversion of an existing 4G communication tower to 5G.

The 35-metre tower would replace an existing 30-metre tower and would be constructed in the next year.

Neufeld said no responses have been received by land development services regarding this application, but he understands there are some concerns in the community about 5G, so he asked council to forward any correspondences they receive.

Neufeld said it is one of three towers under consideration. The others are on McDonald Road and near the Kin Hillside Playpark. And Neufeld expects another one to replace the tower at the SaskTel building on Fourth Street.

Guilty plea for incident

Dunnigan Holdings Ltd. pleaded guilty in Estevan Provincial Court on April 3, regarding one charge under The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 2020. The company was fined for contravening subsection 112(2) of the regulations, “being an employer, fail to ensure

that only trained operators are required or permitted to operate powered mobile equipment, resulting in the serious injury of a worker.” One other charge was stayed.

The court imposed a fine of $25,000 with a $10,000 surcharge, for a total amount of $35,000.

The charge stemmed from an incident that occurred on June 6, 2021, near Alida. A worker suffered serious injuries after falling onto a septic tank.

A news release states employers are required to provide safe and healthy workplaces, and must provide informa-

Tony Sernick wants SaskTel to hold an open house to ease concerns people might have about the presence of a tower in a residential area.

•••

One building permit, worth $50,000 and classified as miscellaneous, was issued last month, bringing the total for this year to four permits worth $390,000.

Council gave second and third readings to the borrowing bylaw, which will borrow $2 million to complete capital projects in this year’s budget.

The $2 million will include $500,000 for a water main replacement on Duncan Road and McLeod Avenue and another $500,000 to resurface those roads; $275,000 for the Smith Street reservoir electrical and $725,000 for a biosolids incinerator.

The city will pay down more debt this year than the $2 million.

•••

In the inquiries portion of the meeting, Coun. Shelly Veroba expressed concern with drainage issues on the service road adjacent to Highway 47 South. The road is in bad shape, according to one business owner. Veroba wanted a report on what can be done to rectify the issue. Frank wanted to know if the city has a policy for snow hills that businesses pile up on their properties, and he knows there has been discussion about the issue in his area because of the amount of snow this year.

tion, training and experience necessary for employees to perform their jobs safely.

The Ministry of Labour Relations and Workplace Safety says it works with employers and workers to eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses through education, inspections and prosecutions.

The world of planes

The Sun City Prop Busters had their annual static display at the Estevan Market Mall on Saturday. Nicholas and Adam Akinchets and Daniel and David Dobrianskiy stopped by to check out their old and new builds and also to try out the plane-flying simulator. Club members were on site at the former Ardene space in the mall to talk to visitors about their planes, the hobby and the club.

Meet Ralph, the friendly and lovable cat who will steal your heart from the moment you meet him! This charming feline is also a curious explorer and enjoys scoping out his surroundings, but doesn’t mind lounging around either. He’s good with other cats, and is looking for a home to bask in.

Meet Orca! She’s very sweet, and friendly. She loves to explore her surroundings and play with toys. She’s also a cuddle bug and loves to curl up in your lap for a nap. Orca is very sociable and enjoys the company of people and other pets, making her the perfect addition to any family.

goofball. My favourite things to do is playing fetch and tug of war. I’m also a big fan of the snow! The staff at the shelter say I’m a good learner, and will thrive with someone who can help me reach my full potential. With proper introduction I could get along with dogs or cats. I’m a happy, healthy boy and can’t

Photo by Anastasiia Bykhovskaia

New business gets vehicles ready for spring

A new business looks to help vehicle owners in Estevan get their rides to shine again by getting any mess, dirt and stains cleaned.

With 44 years of autobody experience, Trent Monteyne wanted to explore a new niche of the industry, and this past summer he and his wife Rhonda Monteyne opened Out Back Auto Detailing.

“I quit autobody and I had to do something,” Monteyne recalled. “I’ve been watching stuff on TV, and I saw all these car detailers. I still felt like working on vehicles, I’ve been working on them for 44 years, so I thought, I could do something like that.”

Monteyne was one of the owners of 5th Street Autobody for years. But he said his body started feeling rundown and it was hard to keep going with autobody work. He sold his share of the business last year, which opened up time for new ideas and projects.

Monteyne researched auto detailing services, watched many videos, learned all about the product he would need, acquired the necessary equipment and started practising.

“I just started detailing my friends’ and family’s vehicles just to get the hang of it. And then we decided to start the business and do it legit,” Monteyne recalled. The Out Back Auto Detailing name was inspired by a song the Monteynes like, in addition to the work being done out of their garage located at the back of the house.

The new business was started last August. Out Back Auto Detailing provides carpet and seat extracting, steam cleaning of hard-to-reach areas, exterior and door jam wash, rim and tire cleaning and detailing, engine detailing, clay polish paint, removal of scratches and swirl marks, paint power polishing, hand waxing, interior detailing, and plastic, vinyl and leather conditioning.

Monteyne said while he used videos to guide him through auto detailing basics, as he worked more on vehicles, he found his own ways and methods to get the best results. And his approach has been paying off, as even though the business is still new, he has a lot of repeat and happy custom-

ers and many good reviews. Now that spring is here, it’s getting busier and busier for him. A nice bonus is that “it’s fun work to do”, he added.

Depending on the amount of work, it may take one to two days to get a vehicle done.

“I usually like to tell my customers to drop it off the night before. And then I just wash them and put them in the garage overnight,” Monetyne said. “But now that the weather’s getting warmer, I can do it all in one day. It all depends on how big the job is. It takes anywhere from five to eight hours. And if it is getting polished, then it’ll carry into the next day.”

“Trent and I would like to thank our clients, family and friends for spreading the word and helping get our business known,” said Rhonda.

Out Back Auto Detailing is located at 306 Third Street. For more information, prices or to book an appointment call 306-4216918 or 306-634-7638 or check out their Out Back Auto Detailing Facebook page.

Saskatchewan and N.B. formalize SMR partnership

The governments of Saskatchewan and New Brunswick have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enhance co-operation on the development of small modular reactor (SMR) technologies in both provinces.

The MOU provides the ability for the two provinces and their utility Crowns, SaskPower and New Brunswick Power, to formally share experiences, knowledge and successes on deployment plans, supply chain development, Indigenous relations, labour market development, regulations and other areas.

“Saskatchewan and New

Your Window & Door Experts

From

Brunswick have established a strong working relationship on SMR development over the years,” Saskatchewan Crown Investments Corporation Minister Don Morgan said.

“This renewed partnership will bring mutual benefits to both provinces by capturing opportunities stemming from the work on nuclear energy development across Canada and internationally. Together, we can accelerate the progress of decarbonizing power grids and industrial facilities using SMR technologies.”

According to a news release, New Brunswick plays a leading role in Canada for Generation 4 advanced SMR development. This technology can be beneficial to Saskatchewan while the province explores industrial decarbonization.

“New Brunswick has expertise to share from four de-

cades of reliable nuclear operations,” said Mike Holland, New Brunswick’s minister of Natural Resources and Energy Development. “We are committed to playing a leadership role nationally and globally on clean and renewable energy. Nuclear energy is a key resource in the transition to a low-carbon future and our two provinces are well positioned to lead this evolution.”

In December 2019, Ontario, New Brunswick and Saskatchewan signed an inter-provincial MOU to work together to advance SMRs in Canada (effective from December 2019 to June 2021), with Alberta also joining the MOU in April 2021. Through this work, participating provinces released a joint strategic plan in March 2022 outlining the path forward on the development of SMRs.

Trent Monteyne of Out Back Auto Detailing offers a range of vehicle-cleaning services. Photos courtesy of Rhonda Monteyne

Whitecap donation launches fundraising campaign

Whitecap Resources has launched the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation’s Radiothon for Life fundraising campaign by making a donation for $10,000.

This contribution will officially start the fundraising efforts for the radiothon, which is set to take place June 7 from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., live on Golden West Broadcasting’s three local radio stations, Sun 102 FM, Rock 106 FM and CJ1150 AM.

“We are incredibly thankful for the donation from Whitecap Resources to kick off our Radiothon for Life campaign. They have been an annual supporter of our radiothon and we are excited to have an opportunity to truly acknowledge the support they give our hospital,” said foundation executive director Lori Gervais.

“Our radiothon funds much-needed medical equipment for our hospital, and with the help of this donation, we are off to a great start.”

“Whitecap Resources is very excited to be involved with this year’s Radiothon for Life as the kick-off sponsor. Our hospital is vital for

Estevan and the surrounding southeast communities that we serve, and we are proud to support St. Joseph’s Hospital again this year,” said Whitecap Resources superintendent Jim Larter. This year’s Radiothon for Life will be at St. Joseph’s Hospital, with tents set up outside of the long-term care entrance.

“We are very excited to be back at the hospital again this year. Having the staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital getting involved is very important to us and we are also looking forward to bringing more activities, such as bouncy castles and a supper fundraiser to this year’s event,” said Gervais.

Southern Plains Co-op is signed up to support com-

munity barbecues the day of the benefit. Hotdogs and hamburgers will be available at the St. Joseph’s Hospital parking lot, all for free with a donation. With the radiothon starting an hour later this year, this allows the co-op to offer two barbecues this year, one for lunch and another for supper.

Proceeds from this year’s fundraiser will support upgrades to the hospital’s emergency department, including facility improvements and new medical equipment.

“The emergency department is crucial to our hospital and the health of our community, and we are looking forward to partner-

Accelerated Site Closure Program wraps up

The provincial government is promoting numbers that it says reflected the success of the Accelerated Site Closure Program.

Over 8,800 inactive oil and gas wells and facilities in Saskatchewan were capped or closed under the initiative, the government said in a news release. The program, which has now wrapped up, was announced in 2020 and provided $400 million directly to Saskatchewanbased oil and gas service companies.

“This work would not have been possible without the dedication of Saskatchewan’s oil and gas service sector, which stepped up to get the work done within a relatively short timeframe,” said Energy and Resources Minister Jim Reiter.

Funding was provided from the Government of Canada and administered through the Saskatchewan Research Council. The government said it spent 100 per cent of funds allocated to the province. Funding went to more than 900 unique Saskatchewan-based oil and gas service companies, supporting an estimated 2,500 jobs over the life of the program. That includes about 1,790 jobs directly in the oil and gas service sector.

Over $90 million of program funds were spent in support of Indigenous participation. Over $32 million was used for projects on reserve lands, and eligible Indigenous service companies completed over $59 million in site-closure work under the program.

“The program provided an opportunity for a number of First Nations and Métis businesses to continue to operate through the COVID-19 pandemic in the oil and gas sector,” said Sheldon Wuttunee, Saskatchewan First Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence president and CEO.

“This means that many First Nations and Métis people were also working, and the investment in reclaiming inactive sites and facilities means continued use for generations to come.”

The Saskatchewan First

Nations Natural Resource Centre of Excellence, in collaboration with the program, secured successful outcomes for Indigenous communities

and businesses, helping to facilitate new partnerships within Saskatchewan’s oil and gas industry.

Many former oil and

CRANES & TRUCKING

gas sites will be returned to their natural state or previous use. The work has remediated and reclaimed lands across the province,

including on reserve lands.

In addition to the 8,800 abandoned wells, over 3,400 flowline abandonments were completed, over 14,000 site

ing with St. Joseph’s Hospital to upgrade this very important unit,” said Gervais. The Radiothon for Life is an annual event hosted by the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation that has brought in hundreds of thousands of dollars to support the funding of medical equipment at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

remediation and reclamation activities were conducted, and over 18,500 unique oil and gas sites saw site closure work were completed.

Southeast College Atrium

Low Carbon Eco2 Energy is proposing a new straw residue and waste wood fuelled biomass facility, to be known as the Estevan Renewable Energy Park, situated in Estevan. The project will be located within the City of Estevan on a 25-acre site northeast of the intersection of Kensington Ave and King St.

The project will generate 45 megawatts (MW) of renewable electricity, as well as green heat. The project could be expected to save 58,500 tonnes of CO2eq – resulting in a >98% emissions avoidance when compared to the reported2020 Saskatchewan energy mix.

Further information can be found at the website address below and in person at the open house event.

Whitecap Resources has made a donation to the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation.

Photo by Breanne Van De Woestyne

Members of five local 4-H clubs spoke at this year’s Estevan Farmers’ Appreciation Evening on March 30 at the Beefeater Plaza, and they provided humour and insight for those who attended.

Hannah Tanner of the Crossroads 4-H Club started by talking about her family’s cat and how it joined the family. She has a hard time believing the cat is already a year old.

“When my mom and sister took him in, my mom, grandma and myself looked after him,” said Hannah. “He needed to be fed every two hours because he was only three weeks old.”

He’s an indoor cat. His favourite things to do are sleep and eat. If he’s been separated from the family for a while, he’ll rub up against their leg when they return because he missed the family. He loves to snuggle on his bed, and if someone is upset, he will help them feel better.”

He’s a special cat, and he knows it, Hannah said.

Gage Goetz from the Outram-Madigan 4-H Club was up next, and he discussed his

The annual convention for the Saskatchewan Association of Rural Municipalities (SARM), held in Saskatoon last month, was an informative event in a large-group setting.

Ramona Dukart, who is the deputy reeve for the RM and the councillor for Division 5, said they were able to discuss some resolutions that SARM

experiences playing in Penta Completions Estevan Minor Football over the past three years. While there have been tough seasons, he was also part of Estevan’s first-ever championship team with the Estevan Coldwell Banker Choice Real Estate U12 Chargers in 2021. He has played both of-

can take to the Saskatchewan Legislature for lobbying purposes.

“We discuss current issues, participate in dialogue sessions with the ministers and with the provincial cabinet members,” said Dukart.

Last year was a learning curve for her, Dukart said, as she attended SARM for the

4H KID OF MONTH

fensive and defensive lineman with the Chargers.

“I love the game. It’s different. You hit people. Run them over,” Gage said to laughter.

There’s a bond that develops among the players, he said. Gage has made friends and there’s a feeling he gets to protect somebody, whether it be

first time. She spent more time listening and soaking in the information in 2022. When she went this year, she felt more prepared for what would happen.

“When you’re there, you meet a lot of people, and the networking is really good, so you can reach out to ministers or their assistants,” said Dukart.

presented by 4-H Member of the Month: Owen Goetz

Owen Goetz has had great experiences through 4-H. And he has a heifer herd to prove it.

Goetz is an 18-year-old senior member of the Outram-Madigan 4-H Club who has been part of the organization for 13 years. He joined because his older sister Colesey was a member at the time.

“I saw her working on her steers when I was younger, and I thought that it would have been awesome for me to join 4-H. So, I started off with two black-and-white steers,” said Owen Goetz. His mother Tammi used to be in 4-H was she was younger.

Owen Goetz said he has learned communication and business skills. He has been a part of the 4-H public speaking program, and has advanced to districts six times and regionals once.

“It has taught me how to go talk to someone and also

a quarterback on the offensive side of the ball or the end zone when on defence.

Laine Petterson from the Benson 4-H Club recapped a memorable family vacation through Alberta. They left the farm the moment summer holidays began and went to Drumheller, Edmonton, Med-

Even at lunch time, they can sit down and talk to see what other RMs in Saskatchewan are doing.

Dialogue sessions with cabinet ministers were a highlight, she said. They covered such topics as agriculture, highways, environment, justice, mental health and addictions, and rural and remote health care. Each delegate could attend two sessions.

“You could break out. You had an hour that you could go to, and the next hour … you could move to another one.”

The rural and remote health presentation was particularly good, she said. It delved into health care for seniors and longterm care in Saskatchewan

“A lot of times people have

how to do paperwork and figure things out,” said Goetz. As for the cattle herd, it has grown to eight heifers.

“When I was in Grade 4, we were allowed to show heifers, so I bought one heifer to show, and then we bred her that year, and she had a calf, and it was a heifer and I kept it. I bought another heifer for the next year, and then it really just grew from there.”

He has also been to Toronto through a 4-H exchange trip.

In the show and sale, which is a big part of 4-H each year, the show is a lot of fun. During the sale, he gets to greet a lot of the prospective buyers and other companies, and he sends letters to those who bought his steers.

Goetz expects that what he has learned through 4-H will help him in the future. He would recommend 4-H and the Outram-Madigan Club to other people.

icine Hat, Calgary, Jasper, Banff and other communities.

Petterson often wove humour into her story as she discussed her family’s experiences.

“We were on the road for seven days and drove 3,072 kilometres and it was the best trip of my life,” she said.

After a brief break, Hudson Vandenhurk from the Cymri Club shared his thoughts on what he called over-regulation in agriculture and drew on the experiences of his family. He noted everyone in the crowd has been impacted by challenges facing farmers.

“When a government agency uses broad regulations in a one-size-fits-all scenario, it’s not good,” said Vandenhuk.

They tried to purchase and pipe water from Rafferty Dam, and had the support of specialists and engineers, but government officials who have never been at the farm said no.

Conversations at the supper table have opened his eyes about the challenges they face.

Finally, Braxton Shier with the Steelman Club recounted his time with the Estevan Iron-

to be taken out of their regions or RMs, and placed further away,” said Dukart.

Other councillors attended different presentations.

There was also discussion on the future of coal-fired power generation in this area and the potential for small modular nuclear reactors.

The bear-pit session gave the delegates a chance to ask a question to the ministers who were present.

Twenty-nine resolutions were submitted for debate at the convention, Dukart said, including one from the RM of Estevan on taxable enforcement for bylaw penalties. Dukart noted the RM often struggles to collect fines for minor bylaw infractions, such as dogs run-

side Energy U11 AA Bruins this season. The club hosted the league championship tournament, made it to the league final and impressed at several tournaments.

“There were over 45 kids at the tryout. It was three days of tryouts for the spots available on the team. After the last skate, the coaches met with every player, and that’s how I found out I had made the team as a left-winger,” he said.

Shier noted he picked No. 13, the same number his father wore, but Braxton also pointed out he scored more this season than his dad ever did, drawing laughter from the crowd.

The speeches were repeatedly referred to as a highlight of the event.

The organizing committee of the Farmers’ Appreciation Evening also presented a cheque for $6,000 to 4-H. The money was raised through the support of sponsors. Funds will be split evenly between the five clubs and the Browning Club, whose scheduled speaker couldn’t attend.

Local 4-H members entertain crowd with their speeches SARM convention provided lots

ning at large, parking and more in which voluntary payment options might be available.

“Quite often we can’t collect on some of those, so they want it to be resolved that we can put it on their tax notice,” said Dukart.

They also focused on such issues as pest control, gravel resources on Crown lands, drainage, the number of conservation officers in Saskatchewan and more. The trade show had 118 vendors providing information to the delegates and the public. Dukart, Reeve Jason LeBlanc, Division 4 Coun. James Trobert, Division 1 Coun. Kevin Daoust and administrator Michelle Dickie were at the convention.

WINTER WHEAT: AAC Wildfire

FLAX: CDC Rowland

PEAS: CDC Forest LENTILS: CDC Simmie CL

As farmers gear up for the busy spring season, be diligent and stay safe.

From left, Laine Petterson with the Benson 4-H Club, Hannah Tanner (Crossroads 4-H Club), Hudson Vandenhurk (Cymri Club), Gage Goetz (Outram-Madigan Club) and Braxton Shier (Steelman Club) spoke at the Farmers’ Appreciation Evening Thursday night.

Broken Arrow ranch continues to meet youths’ needs

By David Willberg

The past few years brought challenges for the Broken Arrow Youth Ranch, the ministry has emerged from the difficulties and continues to help young people and families.

Broken Arrow is a project of former Estevan resident Todd Moroz and his wife Lara. Located in the Wood Mountain area of south-central Saskatchewan, the ranch is a home for children under the age of 18 years for at least a year. The children learn and experience life on a fullyfunctioning and working ranch with faith-based values.

Joining the couple during a visit to Estevan last week were a couple of their youths, Keagan Haug, who first came to Broken Arrow at the age of three months and his been “part of the family ever since”, Todd said, and Emily Lygouriatis has been there for about 2 1/2 months.

Todd and Lara were in Estevan as part of the Estevan Strippers’ Molson Spring Bust recreation hockey tournament. Todd joined the Broken Arrow

Bruins team that entered an over-30 division. They also hosted a fundraising luncheon Saturday at the Estevan Leisure Centre’s multi-purpose room.

The couple shared their story and how they wound up at Broken Arrow. A former student, who lived at the ranch with his brother in 2013, shared how his life has changed due to the ranch.

“The tournament is a fun event for the guys to get together, but then they also get to hear what Broken Arrow is all about and why we are doing this,” said Moroz.

The Strippers have been wonderful to work with, he said, not only for allowing them to enter a team in the popular tournament, but for allowing the ranch to have an item in the tournament’s silent auction. Broken Arrow also sold tickets for a raffle that will wrap up in June.

The ranch also held a fundraiser involving one of its animals, Dwight the Goat. People could purchase tickets for Dwight and put their name down on the ticket, or they could jot down the name of someone they know.

“More often than not,

people are choosing a friend that they want to bless with this [goat], but there are some people that are putting their own names down, believe it or not,” said Todd.

The last time they had the draw for a goat named Billy in 2019, the family that won kept him.

“Billy the Goat is living south of Lampman right now in an acreage,” said Todd.

This year’s winner, Hailey Tangjerd of Estevan, decided not to keep Dwight, and she made a donation for the ranch to take him back to Wood Mountain.

Carnduff 4-H Club members working on record books

By Fallyn M. Shier

The Carnduff 4-H Beef Club’s monthly general meeting was held in Carnduff on March 8.

We took club photos, and the winners of our halterbreaking challenge were announced. Members could participate in this challenge by sending in $5 and a video to our leaders of calves being led within a set timeframe. The money was split between the challenge winners.

Our project meeting directly followed, and members worked on our record books together.

Record books are on the brain, and we met again as a group in Carnduff to continue working on them on March 21. Each member has to complete a record book every year for their animals. It takes a lot of time and ef-

fort, so getting started early is a good idea.

Finally, we had nine of our club members attend the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair

from March 27-April 1 in Brandon. We had a busy week in the barn. We all participated in showmanship, and we had calves in both the steer

and heifer shows throughout the week. We had a lot of fun, and are looking forward to the spring show season which is just around the corner.

“Dwight is very friendly.

He’s been walking around town,” said Lara.

“He’s been quite the conversation piece. There have been quite a number of businesses that said ‘Bring him right on in,’” said Todd.

Three young people are currently staying at the ranch, Todd said. The livestock are doing well. Emily noted Broken Arrow has 14 cats, two dogs, one llama, two sheep, three bulls, eight heifers, 17 chickens, six horses and two pot-bellied pigs. Todd added they’re about to calve out about 30 head.

And, of course, there’s Dwight. They’re happy to be out in different communities to spread awareness of the ranch.

Todd noted they have new ranch parents, Howard and Karen Floyd, at Broken Arrow, which he said is a big answer to their prayers.

“They’ve been a wonderful addition, a blessing, to the Broken Arrow family,” said Todd.

During the pandemic restrictions, they were able to turn a log house into a retreat centre. Individuals, couples and families who wanted to get out of the city and into a rural setting used the log cabin, and Broken Arrow continued what they do with what they do with students and livestock.

But the ministry couldn’t be out in the community to promote Broken Arrow and fundraise.

“And yet throughout it all, we had a lot of people that continued to give money to the ministry, so that we were able to continue functioning, even though we couldn’t do any fundraisers per se,” said Lara.

One farmer asked if they could use a semi-load of barley. There has been a drought in the area the past couple of years, and the contribution helped Broken Arrow feed its cattle.

“A couple of farmers in this area helped us out by giving us straw bales and then this barley as well,” said Lara. “A lot of our local neighbours do give us hay bales or oat bales.”

Todd said the community has blessed and supported Broken Arrow over the years, and they couldn’t offer these programs without the people of Estevan.

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23044GE0

Members of the Carnduff 4-H Beef Club are, back row, from left, Declynn Allum, Katch Hitchens, Wyatt Thompson, Easton Meredith, Rylan Lanski, Jaggar Allum and Jenna Thompson. Middle row, Dugan Franken, Bryler Franken, Damion Seymour, Brynn Scott and Paden Hitchens. Front row, Chett Franken, Fallyn M. Shier, Colton Thompson and Mason Shier. Photo courtesy of Chelsie Shier

Todd and Lara Moroz, Keagan Haug and Emily Lygouriatis with Dwight the Goat.

Photo by David Willberg

The annual spring city-wide registration in Estevan was held on April 4 at Affinity Place. Local sports, recreation and

EPS had a 16 per cent increase in call volumes

The call volumes remain higher for the Estevan Police Service (EPS) when compared to last year, but they are still below the fiveyear average.

Numbers released at the April 12 meeting of the Estevan board of police commissioners show the EPS had 669 calls for service in March, bringing their total for the year to 1,768, or 16 per cent more than the 1,518 they had for the first three months of last year.

They had 571 calls for service in March 2022.

The data for March shows the EPS had 11 crimes against persons, with six assaults and five sexual crimes. Those two offences also account for all 32 crimes against persons reported in the first three months of this year, with 25 assaults and seven sex crimes.

There were eight crimes against persons a year ago.

Twenty-two crimes against property were reported, with 14 thefts under $5,000 and eight mischief/wilful damage

complaints. So far this year, there have been 58 crimes against property, with 27 thefts under $5,000, 23 mischief/willful damage complaints, seven residential break and enters and one theft of a motor vehicle.

March 2022 saw 25 crimes against property.

Four charges were laid under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) last month, with three for trafficking and one for possession. So far this year, eight charges

for trafficking and nine for possession have been laid.

Last year there were six CDSA charges for March.

Eleven Criminal Code Traffic violations were laid last month, all for impaired driving and/or exceeding the legal limit. Thirty-eight such charges have been laid this year, with 29 for impaired/exceed, four for impairment by drug and five for dangerous driving/ other.

Eight charges were laid in March 2022.

Member-at-large Ro-

berta DeRosier asked about the number of offences for impaired driving and exceeding the legal limit. She wanted to know if that was a cause for concern.

Police Chief Rich Lowen responded it was due to increased enforcement.

The five-year average is 20.4 crimes against persons, 62.2 crimes against property, 25.4 Criminal Code traffic violations and 12.8 CDSA charges in the first three months from 2018-2022. And the EPS had an average of 1,859

calls for service for those months.

The monthly report for Special Const. Anna Volmer shows she had 110 occurrences last month.

Thirty-four were listed as other bylaw, 28 were parking violations and 19 were animal calls.

So far this year, she has had 363 occurrences and infractions, led by 84 parking violations, 76 snow removal notices, 43 animal calls and 26 unkempt property violations. She has also had 83 listed as other bylaw.

Smartphones and other technologies have been implicated as risk factors for distracted driving.

It may seem counterintuitive that tech could help prevent distracted driving, but various products can do just that.

Many companies have invested considerable time and money into developing technology that can prevent distraction-related accidents. Here’s a closer look.

Usage blocking apps: The temptation to grab for a phone to make a call or send a text is high for a population

that checks its phones dozens of times a day. To curb temptation while driving, a person can use apps that prohibit calls or texts while the vehicle is driving by sensing the motion of the car.

It’s worth noting that 911 calls are not affected by the app. Many phone operating systems also come with their own “do not disturb” settings that enable users to turn off alerts while driving.

Geofences: Geofences are defined boundaries/ tracking alerts set up from a central location. Parents can use these geofences to mon-

itor teen drivers and receive alerts when the teen goes outside of a predetermined boundary.

This can help parents keep closer tabs of teen drivers’ whereabouts. Some GPS trackers also provide reports on driving habits, such as speeding or erratic driving. Parents can take action accordingly, like warning against speeding or erratic driving, or taking away privileges if they are not happy with what teens have been doing.

Collision warning sensors: Warning sensors at the fronts or sides of vehicles go off when vehicles get too close to another car or truck. Additional vehicle sensors include lane departure warning systems that go off when a driver is about to cross over a lane. Audible beeps or other sounds go off, unless the driver uses the turn signal to change lanes. These sensors are handy for anyone who starts to daydream

while driving, as the car will provide a loud wake-up call before a potential collision happens.

Automatic emergency braking system: An AEB will take over for the driver if the motorist fails to brake

when rapidly approaching a vehicle or another object.

Hands-free devices: Many vehicles come equipped with Bluetooth technology and other voice-guided functions. This enables drivers to do anything from adjust

heating and cooling settings to dialing a phone number without having to take his or her hands off of the wheel. Distracted driving may lead to accidents, but certain technology can cut down on incidents while driving.

Tips for how to stay safe behind the wheel.

Photo by PeopleImages/ iStock / Getty Images Plus

SPORTS

A11

Strippers brought many teams to Estevan

By David Willberg

The largest recreational hockey event in Saskatchewan wrapped up Sunday, with the champions being decided in all nine divisions of the Estevan Strippers’ Molson Spring Bust Tournament.

A total of 36 teams entered this year. Games were played at Affinity Place and the Power Dodge Arena on Wednesday and Thursday, and at the two rinks plus the Bienfait Memorial Arena from Friday-Sunday.

Three divisions were for over-45 teams. In the Preston Meyer Memorial Division, the Estevan Tower Wolves 45s went 3-0 to finish first. The Melville Moneymen (2-1) were second, the Yorkton Old Relics (12) were third and the Brandon North 40 (0-3) were fourth.

The Woodley Whites won the Ray Frehlick Division. They were tied with the Energy City Wings at 2-1, but the Whites won the division because they won the head-to-head matchup

with the Wings. The Fort Qu’Appelle Combines and the Estevan Capitals each went 1-2, and the Combines were awarded third on the tie-breaker.

In the Bill Dutton Division, the Estevan Viking 45s went 3-0 to finish first, followed by the Regina Old Slow Shots (2-1), the Weyburn Ambassadors (12) and the Regina Hooters (0-3).

Two divisions were for women’s teams. The Bienfait Bulldogs went 3-0 to win the Murray GM Division. The Weyburn Oil Queens (2-1) were second, followed by the Estevan Wildcats (1-2) and the Oxbow Hot Dawgs (0-3).

As for the Certified Energy Services Division, the Moose Mountain Chill went 3-0. The Reston Westman Fusion and the Melville Moneybags were tied at 1-1-1, but Reston won the tie breaker to finish second. The Bienfait Bitches (0-3) were fourth.

The other four divisions were for over-30 teams. The Estevan Flyers went 2-0-1

to win the Westmoreland Mining LLC Division. The Estevan Eclipse (2-1) were second, the Avonlea Antiques (1-1-1) were third and the Estevan Red Army (0-3) were fourth.

The Reston Rockets went 3-0 to finish first in the Einar and Rod Fagerheim Division. The Souris Valley Sioux (2-1) were second, the Estevan Tap House Rookies (1-2) were third and the Estevan Chiefs (0-3) were fourth.

In the Days Inn Division, the Estevan Tower Wolves went 3-0 to take top spot, followed by the Torquay Hoppers (2-1), the Regina Blackouts (1-2) and the Broken Arrow Bruins (0-3).

As for the Tap House Division, the Alameda Red Army went 3-0 to finish first. The Carnduff Chief and the Weyburn Thrashers tied for second at 1-1-1, but the Chiefs won the tiebreaker. The Regina Piranhas were fourth at 0-3.

Several awards were handed out during the tournament as well. Ed Myers, a 72-year-old member of the Moneymen, was presented with the Canadian Adult Recreational Hockey Association Oldest Player Award. It marked the first time a member of a Melville team has taken home the honour.

A player can win the oldest player award once.

Two sportsmanship awards were also presented. The Estevan Red Army won the James Schroeder Memorial Award for having the fewest penalty minutes in the over 30 divisions, while

the Regina Hooters and the Yorkton Old Relics won the Tap House Sportsmanship Award for the fewest penalty minutes in the over-45 division. All three teams had zero penalty minutes in their first two games.

The tournament is not only a gathering for recreation hockey teams, but it is also a fundraiser. Two cabarets were held at the Power Dodge Curling Centre, with DJ Dale Orsted supplying music Friday and the band Third Degree Birnz playing live music Saturday. Hundreds of people attended each. A silent auction was also held during the weekend.

The Strippers have supported numerous causes in the community over the years, and according to information supplied at the tournament, they have donated over $220,000 since 1997.

Estevan fourth at provincial volleyball tournament

The Estevan U15 Extreme volleyball team travelled to Saskatoon on the weekend to attend the Sask. Volleyball provincial tournament.

Estevan had a strong showing in the round robin, going 2-1 to finish second in their pool. They swept the Yorkton Bongos 2-0 (25-13, 26-24), lost 2-0 (22-25, 14-25) to the Regina Volleyball Club Green, and recovered to defeat the Regina Volleyball Club White 2-1 (25-16, 15-25, 15-10).

In the quarter-final round, Estevan defeated the Golden Ticket program out of Moose Jaw 2-1 (20-25, 26-24, 15-8), but then lost 2-0 (25-13, 25-18) to Saskatoon’s Huskies Premier in the semifinal round, and 2-0 (25-12, 25-9) to Prince Albert’s Smashing Bananas in the bronze medal game.

Eight teams entered provincials.

•••

Both the under-14 and under-15 male teams for

the Estevan Extreme volleyball program travelled to Manitoba recently for the Brandon Volleyball Classic.

The U14 team finished second in their event, which had 16 teams. In the round robin, Estevan lost 2-0 to the Junior Pilots (26-24, 25-22) and to Wheat City (25-20, 25-22), then had a 1-1 decision (25-17, 22-25) against the 204 Cardinal to finish fourth in their pool.

After a 2-0 (25-13, 2520) win over the Winman Warriors, the Extreme went to the quarter-final round, which they won 2-0 (25-13, 25-20) over Wheat City. Then they knocked off the Winman Wolves 2-0 (2512, 25-8) in the semifinal round.

Estevan faced the Junior Pilots again in the gold medal game, but lost 2-0 (25-23, 25-21). All of the teams they faced were from Manitoba.

The U15 team finished fifth in the 12-team event.

After dropping a 2-0 (2513, 25-10) decision against

The Estevan Extreme U15 male volleyball team was fourth at provincials this year. Photo courtesy of Kristin Dupuis

the Bisons, Estevan had a 1-1 decision (20-25, 25-19) against the Brandon Volleyball Club and a 2-0 (2523, 25-20) victory over the

204 White to finish second in their pool. Estevan lost 2-0 (2519, 25-19) to the Aztecs in their first quarter-final

game, but recovered to sweep the Brandon Volleyball Club 2-0 (25-15, 2522) once again. Then they won 2-1 (18-25, 25-19, 19-

EVENTS

teams.

The Moose Mountain Chill faced the Melville Moneybags in a women’s game. The Chill went on to win their division.

17) against the 204 White to clinch fifth. They also played their games against Manitoba

Jesse Babiarz drops down to make a save for the Estevan Tap House Rookies.

Ed Myers, age 72, won the oldest player award at this year’s tournament.

Photo by Rick Rohatyn

By David Willberg

At this time a year ago, Barret Kropf’s focus was on university hockey.

The former Estevan resident was the head coach of the Trinity Western University Spartans’ men’s hockey team in Langley, B.C. They had just wrapped up their first season at the U-Sports level and he was bringing in players for year two.

Kropf was coming home to Estevan to scout the Centennial Cup national junior A tournament when he was invited by a friend to visit the Prairie Hockey Academy in Caronport, another community where Kropf has lived.

“I was blown away with the world-class facilities that they’ve built here, and just seeing some of the players and staff and what not, I was intrigued,” said Korpf.

Kropf was offered the role of the general manager of the program, as well as the chance to head up the U15 program.

“I think it was one of those perfect scenarios where maybe we were tired of the traffic and the craziness of what [metro] Vancouver was

offering, and then the peace and tranquillity of Saskatchewan and the familiarity of being back home … was a pretty good drawing card,” said Kropf.

They were also closer to family in Saskatchewan.

Kropf said he is excited for the future of the academy. They have four teams in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League, which Kropf described as the best prep hockey league in the country.

“It just really shows the transition and the place that academy hockey is able to establish, being on the ice and getting that training for so many young players,” said Kropf.

It’s also been refreshing to work with younger players. He loved working at the U-Sport level with talented players and coaches, but he was working with grown men who were finished with junior hockey. But they were also worn down from the pressure of junior hockey.

“A lot of times, when you’re recruiting guys, they’ve almost lost their love for the game. At Trinity, I found that we spent a lot of time repair-

ing young men coming out of junior hockey, and getting their love for the game back,” said Kropf.

At the academy level, he gets to prepare them for junior hockey to be leaders on and off the ice.

But the crowning achievement this past season came when he helped bring a 14-year-old Ukrainian refugee to Canada to play for the academy’s U15 team.

Korpf has spent a lot of time in Kazakhstan, Russia and Czechia during his hockey career. A friend informed him that a young player, Mykhailo [Misha] Shelipov and his mother Zina had fled Ukraine and were living in a refugee camp in Poland.

“He [Misha] was at practice one day and they get the message from the arena manager that everyone had to vacate because bombs are

going to start landing soon, and so they fled, and within a kilometre of their houses, they were dodging bullets and bombs,” said Kropf.

Kropf received the call in mid-October. A month later, the permit was in place for the family to come to Canada through the Canadian Ukraine Emergency Transition Program, which Kropf said is a great initiative, and three weeks after that he was

picking him up in Regina just before Christmas.

A GoFundMe campaign was launched to help with the cost of bringing the family to Canada.

“It’s been a real joy to see how thankful they are coming out of that situation,” said Kropf.

Misha is a kid with a permanent smile on his face and he works hard, Kropf said. He scored in his last two games of the season to the delight of his teammates.

“It’s a storybook … that’s been written, just for him to experience those kinds of things after fleeing the war. It’s something he’ll never forget,” Kropf said.

Through the generosity of people in Saskatchewan and elsewhere, Misha, his parents, his two siblings and his grandmother have settled in the community. The parents have jobs and are contributing to the community.

“Canada’s just such a brilliant place for stories like that to unfold, and I’m just glad that we had a small part in it and can see a life truly transformed by this family to be here in Canada,” said Kropf.

Knibbs grateful for support after SFU cancelled football

James Knibbs said the decision by Simon Fraser University (SFU) earlier this month to cancel its varsity football program came as a shock to him and everyone involved with the program.

The university, located in Burnaby, B.C., said earlier this month that it was ceasing the Red Leafs football program, even though SFU has produced more CFL players than any other Canadian university program.

The Red Leafs played in the NCAA Division 2’s Lone Star Conference, making them the only Canadian university in the NCAA. Knibbs was the first football player to come out of Estevan to garner an NCAA scholarship.

“This is a difficult decision, and not one taken lightly,” said SFU president Joy John-

son in a news release. “With the recent announcement that the team has not been invited to continue in the Lone Star Conference, we do not have a conference to play in beginning in 2024. The ongoing uncertainty creates an unacceptable experience for students. The university has carefully considered all available options and as a leadership team, we concluded that football is no longer a feasible sport for SFU.

“We made this decision now to give students time to make other plans for their athletic careers if they so choose. All students impacted are being supported with one-onone guidance regarding next steps. We will support football athletes who want to explore options outside of SFU, and will honour athletic scholarship commitments for those

who choose to remain at SFU and meet eligibility requirements for the 2023-24 school year.”

Knibbs, who plays defensive lineman and linebacker, said there was no indication that SFU was getting out of football.

“Nobody had any prior knowledge, including our entire coaching staff and support staff, even the media team,” said Knibbs. “Nobody except the upper administration knew that this was under consideration.”

Knibbs is wrapping up his third year at SFU, where he is majoring in business, with concentrations in finance and entrepreneurship.

His first year at the university was in 2020, which was scuttled by the COVID-19 pandemic. They practised but

didn’t play. The Red Leafs have played the last two seasons, with 2022 being the first in the Lone Star Conference. Knibbs said it was “definitely a different level of competition”, and while they won just once, they were competitive most nights.

“It looked like we had a lot of potential going into next season,” said Knibbs.

He saw an increase in playing time last season. The schedule for the Lone Star Conference had already been established for the fall of 2023, he said. He doesn’t know what the next step will be for Red Leafs’ football, but he is hopeful SFU will be a team this fall, as he believes the alumni will be able to restore the program. He also noted an interim injunction has been filed to keep the team going for 2023.

Knibbs has enjoyed his time at SFU and would prefer to finish his studies there. But he also wants to continue to play football.

“It’s been an incredible blessing to do both,” he said.

Knibbs is grateful for the support the football team has received since the program was cancelled, with alumni, the football community and people across the country expressing their support.

“I think it’s really inspiring and I hope we can restore this program,” said Knibbs. He has also received a lot of support from people in the community.

“I know people in Saskatchewan, as well as the people in Estevan, have voiced their support, and I’m thankful for that,” said Knibbs.

Special presentation celebrates Oxbow hockey history

There is a special addition for Oxbow’s arena.

Darlene Himmelspeck of Estevan was in Oxbow recently, where she presented a 20-inch by 24inch photo of the 1963-64 Oxbow Huskies to Rae Wright. The Huskies made it to the league final that season.

Wright said he was shocked to receive the photo.

“I had interest in the Big Six Hockey League way back then because my father was one of the people who was at the meeting when they formed the Big Six, and he played with a lot of the guys who were in that photo,” said Wright, who is currently the Huskies’ manager. He was only a few years old when Oxbow made it to the league final that sea-

son, so he doesn’t remember anything, but he did get to know a lot of those players as he became older.

Wright is also a former Huskies’ player, was a linesman in the league and is a former Big Six president.

He noted his parents were wintering in Phoenix and just returned home. His father wanted to go to the rink to see the photo.

“I’m sure it’ll be a piece that’s talked about a lot for next season when people go in the rink. It’s always

nice to have some old artifacts,” he said.

Himmelspeck said she had the picture among some old photos in her home. She has been to games in Oxbow in the past, but she never saw a photo like this. While it’s nearly 60 years old, she said the image is still very clear.

When she went to Oxbow to present the photo, she visited with Wright, and she was very impressed with his knowledge of the team from that season.

James Knibbs committed to play NCAA Division 2 football for Simon Fraser University in 2020. File photo

Rae Wright with the Oxbow Huskies accepts a photo from Darlene Himmelspeck Photo courtesy of Darlene Himmelspeck

Barret Kropf, right, with Mykhailo [Misha] Shelipov and Misha’s mother Zina in the Edmonton Oilers dressing room. Kropf helped bring Misha and his family to Canada.

In Memory Of Rod Gust

November 1963 - April 2021

I Heard Your Voice In The Wind Today

I Heard Your Voice In The Wind

Today - Unknown I heard your voice in the wind today and I turned to see your face; The warmth of the wind caressed me as I stood silently in place.

I felt your touch in the sun today as the warmth filled the sky; I closed my eyes for your embrace and my spirit soared high.

I saw your eyes in the window pane as I watched the falling rain; It seemed as each raindrop fell it quietly said your name.

I held you close in my heart today it made me feel complete. You may have died...but you are not gone you will always be a part of me. As long as the sun shines... the wind blows... the rain falls... You will live on inside of me forever for that is all my heart knows.

Love You and Miss You So Much Mom and Dad

Remembering Efford’s

Vic - Dec. 23, 1919 - Apr. 16, 1981

Susie - May 10, 1917 - Nov. 2, 2010

Ronnie - Dec. 9, 1951 - July 11, 2014

Bobby - Oct. 25, 1948 - Sept. 15, 2018

Reg - Aug. 28, 1953 - June 19, 2021

May The Winds Blow Gently

And Whisper, So You Can Hear

That We Will Always Miss You

And Wish That You Were Here Your Family

19, 2023 | SASKTODAY.ca

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Ricky James Yanoshewski

Sept 20, 1964 - Feb 27, 2023

It is with heart felt sorrow, that we announce the passing of Ricky Yanoshewski of Arcola, Sask. Ricky passed away surrounded by his immediate family, wife of 20 years, Sharleen, step children Tracey and Jason and Ricky’s mother Irene Gray. Predeased by his brother Randy of Sask. Sadly missed by his mother, Irene Gray; and step father Isy Cote of Regina, Ricky’s daughter Chrystal and sons Jarrett and Jordan of B.C.

Many aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.

Many thanks to the doctors/nurses and Dialysis staff at Regina General Hospital and St. Joseph’s in Estevan.

A celebration of Life will be held at a later date, per Ricky’s wishes.

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

AGPRO SEEDS LTD. BUYING HEATED, DAMAGED OFFGRADE CANOLA & FEED GRAINS. #1 buyer on the prairies, top price paid! Call/text: 306-8730481, AgPro Seeds bids: agproseeds.com, Email: sales@agproseeds.com FORAGE SEED FOR SALE: Organic & conventional: Sweet Clover, Alfalfa, Red Clover, Smooth Brome, Meadow Brome, Crested Wheatgrass, Timothy, etc. Star City, SK. Birch Rose Acres Ltd. 306-921-9942.

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Rhonda Lou Ann Wick May 10, 1972 - April 18, 1992

A picture of you I carry in my heart I close my eyes to see it when the world gets dark.

A memory of you I carry in my soul I wrap it close around me when the nights get cold.

If you ask how I am, I’d say just fine But the truth is if you could read my mind

Not a day goes by that I don’t think of you. Love Always, Mom, Dad,Trena, Derek, Hudsyn & Joseph

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Paul Samson 1945 - 2023

Paul Leland Samson of Estevan, Sask. passed away in Regina, Sask. on April 5, 2023 at the age of 77.

Paul is survived by his sisters: Carol Kennedy and Phyllis “Sam” Weinrauch; step son Cory (Dawn) Liska and step daughter Malora Liska (Scott Chicoine); brothers-in-law: Andrew Yoner, Jack Boehm, Don Moore and Dale Moore; sisters-in-law: Bev Moore and Leslie Moore, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Grace (Moore); parents: Marcel (Shorty) and Ida Samson; siblings: Oliver (Della) Samson, Cliff Samson, Helen Yoner and Ida Kae Boehm, and brothers-in-law, Norman Moore, Murray Moore, Herb Weinrauch and David Murray.

A private family graveside service will take place at the Glen Morris Cemetery, Carlyle, Sask. at a later date.

If friends so desire, donations in Paul’s memory may be made to a charity of choice.

Hall Funeral Services in Estevan is caring for Paul’s familyDustin Hall, Funeral Director.

Deanne Marie Ganje (DeRoiser)

1942 - 2023

With family by her side, Deanne passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at Lampman Health Center, Lampman, SK at the age of 80 years.

Deanne will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 62 years, James Ganje and their family; son Terry (Christal) Ganje (granddaughter Tyne-Marie); grandson Corey Ganje (great grandchildren, Mackenzie and Hayden); granddaughter Gerilee (Gerald) Clarke (grandchildren, Madison, Rylan, Annika and Owen); special niece Mona Ganje and her family; sister-in-law Joan DeRoiser as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Deanne was the founder of the Estevan Red Hat Society ladies group and she will be deeply missed by all her friends.

Deanne was predeceased by her parents, William and Isabelle DeRoiser; two sons, Rick and Randy Ganje and two brothers, Wayne and Joey DeRoiser.

The Celebration of Life was held on Monday, April 17, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at Hall Funeral Services, Estevan, SK with Sandy Dalziel officiating.

If friends so desire, memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation (designate to Unit A), 1176 Nicholson Rd., Estevan, SK S4A 0H3.

Hall Funeral Services in Estevan is caring for Deanne’s family - Yvonne Clark, Funeral Director.

Marion Slugoski (Erick)

1931 - 2023

Marion passed away at Lampman Health Centre, Lampman, SK with family by her side on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at the age of 91 years.

Marion is survived by her children and their families: daughter Arlene (Doug) Walls (Trent (Carolyn) Walls (children, Shaelyn, McKenna), Trevor Walls, Miranda (Doug) Pierce (children, Hunter and Kylan); Son Kevin & Connie’s daughter Erika (Cory) Bouchard (children Braylon and Holden); daughter Karen Karst (Celestine (Corey) VanEngelen, (daughter Emilia), Cole (Nicole) Karst (children, Hadley and Lincoln) and Jenny; Son Allen (Dee-Anne) Schiestel (Nathan (Katie), Lindon (Marianne), and Ashlyn. Marion is also survived by her sisters, Inez and Florence as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Marion was predeceased by her parents, Vincent and Celestine Erick; son Kevin (Connie), grandsons, Kyle Schiestel and Alexandar and Jacob Schiestel (twin boys infancy); sisters, Carrie, Veronica, Lorraine, triplet sister Minnnie; brothers, Joe, Nick, Matt and triplet brother Jimmy as well as 4 siblings in infancy.

The Funeral Mass for Marion will be held on Saturday, April 22, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at St. John the Baptist R.C Church, Estevan, SK with Celebrants, Rev. Sathiadas Antony and Rev. Anthony Phung Tran presiding. The private family graveside will take place at the Alameda Cemetery, Alameda, SK at a later date. Everyone is welcome to join the family immediately following the service in the parish hall for the luncheon.

Please visit Marion’s tribute page at www.hallfuneralservices.ca for the live stream details.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alameda Cemetery ~ Perpetual Care Fund, Box 36, Alameda, SK S0C 0A0 in memory of Marion. Please make cheques payable to the Town of Alameda. Hall Funeral Services in Estevan is caring for Marion’s family - Yvonne Clark, Funeral Director.

Robert Brent Woods 1955 - 2023

Robert Brent Woods, 67 of Moose Jaw, passed away on April 7, 2023. Brent was born on May 30, 1955, to Robert and Edith in Moose Jaw. He had many hobbies and interests throughout his life. He greatly enjoyed gardening, with a particular passion for peppers. He was also a faithful Riders fan, taking over his father’s longtime season tickets near the 50-yard line.

Most of all, Brent loved his family. He married Cathy Leverton in 1976, and they lived in Estevan for the next 25 years. He was a great father to his two daughters, Jessica and Christine. His greatest joy was spending time with them and being involved in all their activities. As the girls grew up, he looked forward to every family gathering and being with his extended families.

Brent was a hard worker and he had a long list of jobs growing up. One of the first was riding his bicycle all over town as a delivery boy for the family business, Woods Pharmacy. He was proud to work for SaskPower, starting as a cleaner in Estevan. Through SaskPower, he received his 3rd Class Power Engineer, Journeyman Electrician, and eventually became Electrical Inspections Supervisor. He retired in Moose Jaw in 2020.

Brent was a friendly man and he thoroughly enjoyed chatting with neighbors and friends. He would never hesitate to offer a helping hand or piece of advice. His big smile and hearty laugh will be dearly missed.

Brent was predeceased by his parents, sister Barbara, and father-in-law Lewis Leverton. He is survived by his wife Cathy, daughters Jessica and Christine, brother Brad (Kathy), sister Brenda (Scott), sister-in-law Lois Saunders, brother-in-law Mark Leverton (Tamara), brother-in-law Patrick Morris, mother-in-law Adeline Leverton, and numerous much-loved nieces and nephews.

The family would like to recognize the exceptional care that Brent received from Dr. Geyer, Dr. Ramadan, Dr. Rodwan, and everyone at the Regina General Cardiac Care Unit. A time of Celebrating Brent’s life was held Thursday April 13, 2023 at 1:00PM at the W. J. Jones & Son Reception Center, 474 Hochelaga St W., Moose Jaw, Sk. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the hospital foundation of your choice.

In living memory of Brent, a memorial planting will be made by W.J. Jones & Son Ltd. Please sign the memorial register at website: www.jonesparkview.com (Obituaries). Cerys Doan - Funeral Director Intern/Dayna Chamberlain - Funeral Director

Notice to Creditors

In the estate of Mervin Dale McKnight, late of Estevan, Saskatchewan, deceased.

All claims against the above estate, duly verified by statutory declaration and with particulars and valuation of security held, if any, must be sent to the undersigned before the 3rd of May, 2023.

Bridges & Company LLP

1329 Third Street • Estevan, SK S4A 0S1

Solicitors for the Executors

NOTICE

The Tax Enforcement Act

LORRELLE MAY WELLS

TAKE NOTICE that the Town of Bienfait intends to be registered as owner under the above Act of the land described as LOT 7-BLK/PAR 15-PLAN AC6017 EXT 0, Title No. 143517540.

The municipality claims title to the land by virtue of an interest based on the tax lien registered against the existing title to the land in the Land Titles Registry as Interest Number 192962302 and you are required to TAKE NOTICE that unless you contest the claim of the municipality or redeem the land pursuant to the provisions of the above Act within six months from the service of this notice on you and, subject to the further provisions of The Tax Enforcement Act the applicant and you will thereafter be forever estopped and debarred from setting up any claim to, or in respect of, the land.

The amount required to redeem the land may be ascertained on application to the Clerk, Treasurer or Administrator of the municipality. For any questions about the tax enforcement process please contact Taxervice at 1-877-734-3113.

Dated this 13th day of April, 2023.

In the Estate of Merton Edward Robinson, late of Weyburn, Saskatchewan

All claims against the above estate, duly verified by Statutory Declaration and with particulars and valuation of security held, if any, must be sent to the undersigned before the 30th day of April, 2023 to: Kohaly, Elash & Ludwig Law Firm LLP

Barristers and Solicitors

1312-4th Street

Estevan, SK S4A 0X2

Solicitor for the Estate

VILLAGE OF ROCHE PERCEE Notice of Assessment

Notice is hereby given that the assessment roll for the Village of Roche Percee for the year of 2023 has been assessor from 7am – 5pm on Fridays.

A Bylaw pursuant to section 214 of The Municipalities Act has been passed and assessment notices have been sent as required.

If you have any questions regarding your assessment, please contact April Olver at the Village of Roche Percee

Any person who wishes to appeal against their assessment applicable fee of $150.00 with: Liana Stepan Secretary, The Board of Revision, Box 149, Meota, Saskatchewan, S0M 1X0, by the 19th day of May 2023

Dated this 14th day of April 2023

April Olver

Jessica Franklin, Treasurer Town of Bienfait

PROPERTY FOR SALE BY PUBLIC TENDER

Under the Provision of The Tax Enforcement Act the Village of Frobisher offers for sale the following property:

• Lot 13 Blk 10 Plan C4363—426 4th Street

TENDER REQUIREMENTS

Bidders are required to review the complete tender documents for information regarding conditions of sale and responsibilities of the purchaser regarding property condition. This information is available by contacting

Tenders must be submitted in the prescribed form and must be accompanied by a deposit of at least 20% (percent) of the tender amount. The deposit shall money order payable to the Village of Frobisher. The successful bidder(s) will have 30 days to provide the payment in-full to complete the purchase. The deposit will be forfeited if the successful bidder does not

A tender must be submitted in a sealed envelope addressed to:

Village of Frobisher

Tax Title Property Tender

2023. Highest or any tender not necessarily accepted. For further information contact the undersigned.

Dated this 19th

Kate Halkyard, Administrator

306-388-2323 ext. 3

Flashback –

Wednesday, April 27, 1994

Hillside School officially became a “green school” on April 18, 1994, and health group members participated in the unveiling of the green flag. Front row, from left, Robbie Shauf, Shawna Krein, Riley Scribner, Andrew Kitchen, Alison Kuntz, Michael Reiter, Kyle Fedyk and Shelayne Mickelishen Back row, Jamie Armstrong, Kevin LaLond, Garett Fleck, Daralee Griffin, Lindsay Wanner, Amber Boxrud and Laura Aspenleider

NOTICE

The Tax Enforcement Act

DARCY BLAKE VATAMANIUCK

TAKE NOTICE that the Town of Bienfait intends to be registered as owner under the above Act of the land described as LOT 16-BLK/PAR 5-PLAN S1574 EXT 0, Title No. 129648606.

The municipality claims title to the land by virtue of an interest based on the tax lien registered against the existing title to the land in the Land Titles Registry as Interest Number 192962234 and you are required to TAKE NOTICE that unless you contest the claim of the municipality or redeem the land pursuant to the provisions of the above Act within six months from the service of this notice on you and, subject to the further provisions of The Tax Enforcement Act the applicant and you will thereafter be forever estopped and debarred from setting up any claim to, or in respect of, the land. The amount required to redeem the land may be ascertained on application to the Clerk, Treasurer or Administrator of the municipality. For any questions about the tax enforcement process please contact Taxervice at 1-877-734-3113.

Dated this 13th day of April, 2023.

Jessica Franklin, Treasurer Town of Bienfait

NOTICE

The Tax Enforcement Act

KEITH EARL BJORNDALEN

TAKE NOTICE that the Town of Bienfait intends to be registered as owner under the above Act of the land described as LOT 11-BLK/PAR 13-PLAN AC6017 EXT 0, Title No. 131333543.

Assessor

NOTICE

The Tax Enforcement Act

GORDON SHAWN WELLS

TAKE NOTICE that the Town of Bienfait intends to be registered as owner under the above Act of the land described as LOT 7-BLK/PAR 15-PLAN AC6017 EXT 0, Title No. 143517540.

The municipality claims title to the land by virtue of an interest based on the tax lien registered against the existing title to the land in the Land Titles Registry as Interest Number 192962302 and you are required to TAKE NOTICE that unless you contest the claim of the municipality or redeem the land pursuant to the provisions of the above Act within six months from the service of this notice on you and, subject to the further provisions of The Tax Enforcement Act the applicant and you will thereafter be forever estopped and debarred from setting up any claim to, or in respect of, the land. The amount required to redeem the land may be ascertained on application to the Clerk, Treasurer or Administrator of the municipality. For any questions about the tax enforcement process please contact Taxervice at 1-877-734-3113.

Dated this 13th day of April, 2023.

Jessica Franklin, Treasurer Town of Bienfait

NOTICE

The Tax Enforcement Act

KEVIN THEODORE JENNINGS

TAKE NOTICE that the Town of Bienfait intends to be registered as owner under the above Act of the land described as LOT 8-BLK/PAR 13-PLAN AC6017 EXT 0, Title No. 103535074.

The municipality claims title to the land by virtue of an interest based on the tax lien registered against the existing title to the land in the Land Titles Registry as Interest Number 192962290 and you are required to TAKE NOTICE that unless you contest the claim of the municipality or redeem the land pursuant to the provisions of the above Act within six months from the service of this notice on you and, subject to the further provisions of The Tax Enforcement Act the applicant and you will thereafter be forever estopped and debarred from setting up any claim to, or in respect of, the land.

The amount required to redeem the land may be ascertained on application to the Clerk, Treasurer or Administrator of the municipality. For any questions about the tax enforcement process please contact Taxervice at 1-877-734-3113.

Dated this 13th day of April, 2023.

Jessica Franklin, Treasurer Town of Bienfait

The municipality claims title to the land by virtue of an interest based on the tax lien registered against the existing title to the land in the Land Titles Registry as Interest Number 192962267 and you are required to TAKE NOTICE that unless you contest the claim of the municipality or redeem the land pursuant to the provisions of the above Act within six months from the service of this notice on you and, subject to the further provisions of The Tax Enforcement Act the applicant and you will thereafter be forever estopped and debarred from setting up any claim to, or in respect of, the land. The amount required to redeem the land may be ascertained on application to the Clerk, Treasurer or Administrator of the municipality. For any questions about the tax enforcement process please contact Taxervice at 1-877-734-3113.

Dated this 13th day of April, 2023.

Jessica Franklin, Treasurer Town of Bienfait

FORM C [Section 6]

NOTICE

The Tax Enforcement Act

194579982

of The Tax Enforcement Act

th Assessed Owner

Treasurer

A fundraiser for the St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church’s Parish attracted nearly 200 people to the Wylie-Mitchell building in Estevan on Saturday night.

The featured attraction was Doug Arden, a comedian, magician and ventriloquist from Regina. Arden performed a number of sleight-ofhand magic tricks to the delight of the crowd that gathered. The ventriloquism portion of the night saw him converse and joke around with a dummy he calls “Uncle Harold”.

Arden incorporated crowd participation into his act on a number of occasions.

A farmers’ market is coming to Midale, thanks to the efforts of the Midale Plus One Club members.

Since the community no longer has a grocery store, the club decided it was time to make a big move and start running regular weekly sales. Farmers’ markets will take place in the park on Main Street every Saturday, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., starting in May and

A roast beef supper, catered by A Little Taste of Heaven, was served. There was also a 50-50 draw and raffles to help raise funds.

Proceeds from the event will be directed to the St. John the Baptist Community Centre. The church has reacquired the former St. John School and is trying to raise funds to repurpose the space.

Kim Skjonsby, one of the organizers of the event, thanked the event’s sponsors, the caterer and the volunteers. Without them, Saturday night’s fundraiser wouldn’t have been possible.

going all the way through to September.

“We start May 13, right in time for Mother’s Day,” said Midale Plus One Club board member Lois Feaver.

She added that they felt that with no grocery store in town, the streets felt pretty bare on Saturdays, so they decided to change it. They already have a few vendors lined up, bringing their crocheting, food, baking and

other unique products. They hope to have fresh produce when the time comes. And they also would like to see a few more vendors joining. Besides, they are looking forward to having many people from the area checking out their market.

“If you are looking to go for a drive on a Saturday and experience a change of scenery from the city and check out our farmers’ market, we

are halfway between Estevan and Weyburn. We are also a short drive from the Mainprize Regional Park if you want to get away after taking in a few rounds of golf,” Feaver said. “We do have a variety of vendors but the more the merrier.”

They would like to see about 15 vendors participating in weekly markets. The weekly table fee is $10, which will go back into dif-

ferent community initiatives and needs. The vendors they have so far are from Midale as well as farmers from the surrounding area. But they also have people from out of town joining, as it’s open to anyone.

Feaver said they welcome everybody, be it for one week, one month or the entire summer, as they just want to bring some more life into the community.

Focusing on the source of joy and peace

In Scripture, when we start in the wrong place, we end up with the wrong result. Take this familiar passage, for example: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7).

When teaching this passage, we often focus on the parts that tell us to rejoice, be thankful and not be anxious. This is un-

Tim Pippus of the Estevan Church of Christ

fortunate because making those words the centre of the message does not help. If I am sad, telling me to rejoice is useless. If I could find a spirit of rejoicing, I would be doing that already. Similarly, telling me that I should not be anxious only makes me more anxious about continuing to be anxious. These words are important, but they are not the focus.

Other times, we focus on the frequenct phrases

like “always” and “in every situation”. This creates an even bigger problem. It is one thing to tell me to rejoice. It is another to insist that I do it all the time. That only sets up an impossible task and discourages me even more.

The proper focus of this passage is neither the list of attitudes nor their frequency. The focus is the “in the Lord” part. The reason we can rejoice and not be anxious is that “the Lord is near”. When we remember that we are not alone, that God hears our prayers, acts on our behalf and cares for us, then we can rejoice always.

Focusing on our everchanging circumstances and emotions makes this passage say, “Try harder”. When we focus on our never-changing God, the

message suddenly becomes the much more helpful. “Trust more”. Focusing on the right part produces the right result.

“We have room for everybody,” Feaver said. For information or to join as a vendor, contact Feaver at 306-458-7258, through the Midale Plus One Club Inc. Facebook page or email at plusoneclubinc@gmail.com.

“We will be posting each week, probably on Fridays, about all the vendors that are going to be participating on Saturdays to tease everybody a little bit,” Feaver said.

“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7)

Doug Arden brought his “Uncle Harold” to the fundraiser for St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church’s parish.

president visits Estevan to help with anniversary celebrations

The Superannuated Teachers of Saskatchewan (STS) are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year, and the head of the STS was in Estevan on Thursday for a local event to mark the milestone.

Doug Still attended a luncheon at the Nicholson Centre. Birthday cake was served, and then Still addressed the crowd about the STS’s health-spending plan, its upcoming annual general meeting, the organization’s history and its advocacy efforts.

“The STS advocates for older adults because that’s our membership,” said Still. “So, whether it’s social determinants of health, fitting into the community, being active or contributing as volunteers, that’s part of our focus, too. And we do support currentlypractising educators, and we’re aware of their challenges and struggles in the classroom.”

The Estevan Police Service’s response to an abandoned vehicle call resulted in an arrest.

A vehicle was reported to be abandoned in the ditch near a local hotel on April 14. Upon arrival, police found the vehicle hung up on a concrete curb, still running and unoccupied. Police were able to determine the identity of the driver and that he had been consuming alcohol. A 20-year-old individual was later arrested and charged with impaired operation and will answer to the charge on May 29.

In the early morning hours of the same day, police received a call from hotel staff that a man was damaging hallways and the lobby. The man was located in the hotel and was arrested for mischief. The 53-yearold man will answer to the charge on May 29.

In other recent police news, officers arrested and charged a 48-year-old man from Estevan on April 10 for uttering threats. The in-

Prior to the fall of 1973, there were retired teacher associations in Saskatoon and Regina, Still said. Then there was momentum in the fall of 1973 to form the STS. The first annual general meeting was the following year.

“We just decided as a provincial organization that

cident was reported over the weekend and members were able to conclude the investigation. The man was released and will speak to his charges in May.

Police received a report of counterfeit money being used to pay for a meal. The matter remains under investigation.

The EPS looked into multiple calls about scams last week. The reports for April 11 and 12 show members were notified about scams both days. In one instance, the caller received a notification that they were entitled to money from a family member. The complainant determined the prize was not legitimate and didn’t provide the scammer any information. In another instance, the complainant received an invoice for a service that they didn’t receive and inquired into it with the sender. The sender was quite aggressive with the complainant on the phone. The complainant didn’t fall for the scam attempt.

it’s not only a provincial anniversary, but 41 chapters also celebrate their anniversary,” Still said.

He’s pleased to see the local chapters celebrating the milestone.

Still joined the provincial executive in 2017 as a member at large. He then spent four years as a councillor

Officers received a report of a theft of gas from a service station on April 12. The person responsible was located and indicated they thought they paid with their credit card. The motorist was to return to pay for the gas.

Later last week EPS members arrested a man who was wanted on a warrant out of Saskatoon for an outstanding assault charge. When arrested on April 13, he was also found breaching conditions of an undertaking. He was released from custody with new court dates.

Police received a report of individuals sleeping in a bank’s ATM area. Members spoke to the individuals, and they were locked out of their house and waiting for the landlord to come let them in.

Members attended to do a well-being check on an individual whom they found in an extreme state of intoxication on April 15. The individual was arrested for

with the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation.

“We’re part of the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation,” he said. “We’re an active local of the federation, so we actually attend council meetings and we vote on the executive there.”

Still was elected as a provincial president last May.

being intoxicated in a public place, was held in cells until sober and was released without charges.

The same day, police located two individuals who were in a physical altercation in the central area of the city. Both subjects were arrested and held in cells. Police have not determined if charges are warranted and are investigating further.

On April 16, police received a report from an individual whose property has been fraudulently listed on a

He said it has been an interesting experience. They have four executive meetings per year, and he has been trying to get to as many chapters in the province as possible.

“The anniversary portion of the visits are just now ramping up,” said Still, who will try to get to as many of these events as possible.

social media platform. The matter remains under investigation.

A vehicle owner reported minor damage to their vehicle while it was parked on the street in the 1400-block of Nicholson Road. It appears it was struck by another vehicle. The matter is under investigation.

An individual reported being scammed after sending money for a deposit on a rental property. The property of concern is not actually a rental property. It

Other members of the executive can also attend.

Still spent his entire 31year teaching career at the Humboldt Collegiate Institute, working in two classrooms during that time. He remained in the town until 2006, and now resides in Regina to be closer to family.

He’s familiar being in a position of leadership, as he was on Humboldt city council for 22 years, including nine years as mayor.

“Those things really prepare you for public service and how organizations work provincially,” he said. “The STS is a good group of people to work with. We have a very small staff out of Saskatoon, and we’re heavily volunteer-focused and based.”

The STS has about 9,000 members who are part of the health insurance program, with dental and health benefits. And they have recreational activities and advocacy efforts.

appears the scammer may have copied photos from a legitimate website and used them as their own. This is not the first time police have received a report of this type and want to warn others about this type of scam. Police responded to a report of a person laying on the ground in a residential area. The individual was assessed by Emergency Medical Services and found to be intoxicated. The individual was transported to cells for safety and released once sober.

Fire crews respond to potential gas leak

Estevan firefighters were called to a possible gas leak in a commercial building on April 13. The call came from a commercial property located on the east side of Estevan at about 4 p.m. The Estevan Fire Rescue Service and SaskEnergy specialists

responded. Firefighters detected a strong odour inside the building upon arrival. They investigated the scene and determined that it was not due to a gas leak of any kind as no gas levels were detected.

“We did a walkthrough, checking in all mechanical

rooms. SaskEnergy investigated all the gas lines, and nothing was found,” said Estevan Fire Chief Rick Davies.

The building was deemed safe from gas leaks and turned over to the building maintenance to look into the odour source.

Doug Still, back row left, from the Superannuated Teachers of Saskatchewan joined local retired educators for a group photo.