Estevan Mercury 20230906

It’s almost telethon time.

United Way

Estevan gets ready for biggest fundraiser.

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Thank the truckers. The Mercury and business community celebrate Trucking Week

PAGES A8-9

Summer in a rear-view mirror.

That was the Best Summer Ever Photo Contest details.

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Loads of talent.

By Ana Bykhovskaia

The Estevan Comprehensive School stepped into the new school year under new leadership.

James Jones replaced Nathan Johnson and became the new ECS principal, starting July 1.

Jones said he and the staff had some time to reconnect with their families and friends over the summer and were excited about the upcoming year.

"Things are looking fantastic. We have an incredible group of caretakers that've got our facility in tip-top shape. The maintenance crew from the Cornerstone Public School Division has worked tirelessly over the summer to get some jobs done and things cleaned up, and we really appreciate that. Staff have been in the building all of this week, and many of them devote some time over the summer to come in and prepare for a new school year," Jones said in the interview with the Mercury and SaskToday.

Over the summer, the maintenance crews have done some work in the courtyard, and caretakers worked

School’s back

Chelsea and Jaxton Mayer enjoyed their hotdogs during the unpack your backpack barbecue Thursday at St. Mary’s School. Students and parents turned out to enjoy supper, find the students’ classrooms, meet the kids’ teachers and re-acquaint themselves with their peers. It was also a chance for new students to familiarize themselves with the school. Photo by David Willberg

hard to make sure the floors are cleaned, polished and waxed and the facilities look really good, Jones said.

He noted that being a vice principal for several years allowed for a smooth transition, and he was looking forward to welcoming students back in the new role.

"Having been part of the leadership team at ECS for the past three years in the capacity of vice principal helped with the transition. We worked very collaboratively with Nathan Johnson, the outgoing principal. ECS is a big building with unique challenges, but having been in those trenches with Nathan for the last couple of years and working alongside Brian Wright, I feel like I'm really well served to move into this position. There's lots to do, but I feel like I'm up for the task," Jones said.

"I'm feeling very excited about the new role. It's an awesome opportunity to work with some of the most incredible students and staff in the province. And it's a great building to work in and learn in for our students, so I'm very excited personally."

He added that since he started in the new role,

they've gone through some hiring and staff organizing processes, and by the beginning of September all pieces were in place, and staff members were ready to welcome students back.

"The staff is energized, we're excited. It's a great community school, and I want the community to know that we're open in the sense that we want to work with community partners and continue to grow those important relationships that are going to be important to making ECS a great place, not only this year but in the future," Jones said.

While there were no major changes in plans for the school, Jones said with any new year, they have to make pivots in education to meet the needs of the students and it's an ongoing process.

"In time, as a community, there's lots of things that we can come together on and collaborate on to develop. Our school community council will be involved in trying to update things like our ECS handbook which has some of our policies and expectations in it … And I'm looking forward to

working collaboratively with different stakeholders in the community to make sure that those documents reflect what happens at ECS on a daily basis," Jones said.

Last March, after an increase in violent incidents at the school, ECS took some steps to ensure students' safety. After consultation with outside agencies, including the Estevan Police Service, its South East Cornerstone Public School Division superintendent, the deputy directors and director of education Keith Keating, the school put in place protocols more strictly regulating how students can be excused from a class, along with signout procedures, students' supervision in all areas of the school including bathroom entrances, and more.

Jones said the safety of all students remains their priority, and some of the measures implemented last school year will stay in place with potential modifications as the year progresses.

"The number one concern for any educator is student safety and wellbeing. ECS needs to be a safe place for students and staff, we need to be inclusive,

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and make sure that we are a space where all students feel valued and that they belong. And that's one of our top priorities," Jones said.

He noted that keeping focus on these priorities, the ECS reviewed the measures that were put in place last winter and their expectations from the students.

"We are going to continue with having some of our expectations regarding signing out of classrooms, making sure that students are in supervised locations, especially during their spares. We need students to make sure that they're coming to school with the intention of learning and doing good things in our building. And we need to make sure that they're supervised just from a safety and wellbeing perspective," Jones said.

"So, some of those changes that were implemented will continue. And when we need to tweak and change things and adapt, we'll make the necessary changes. "

ECS hosted its backto-school barbecue last Thursday, and the students returned to school full-time starting Tuesday.

Problem explored. RCMP comments on local staff shortages and coping strategies.

White Bear First Nations Powwow attracted talented singers and dancers; was a time for healing

By Stephanie Zoer

The White Bear First Nations struggled with a tragedy days before their annual powwow when one of their members went missing and was found deceased days before the event.

After Chief Jonathan Pasap spoke with the elders, it was decided to move forward with the event.

They felt this gathering would bring healing to the family of Caitlin Maxie who had passed suddenly at the age of 29, leaving behind her partner and three young children.

The opening ceremony on Aug. 22 held a special gathering. The dancers prayed and hoped the power of prayer would help the family and community deal with the shocking news.

Wooden Face was the honourary drummers and sang as everyone entered the circle at 7 p.m. with each group of dancers entering behind the

flag carriers.

Heavy fog hung over the powwow grounds the first evening, but they were grateful the rain held off.

The following day at 1 p.m., the grand entrance began, with a drone flying overhead to take in all the festivities.

There is no cost to attend the event, and everyone is encouraged to come and join in and learn about the cultures of the Indigenous people.

These events are always drug and alcohol free. There were many places to purchase food and the famous bannock was available. Vendors had tents set up around the circle.

Announcer Howie Thompson provided quick wit and kept the crowd engaged.

“It is a good day to have a powwow,” he said.

Chief Connie Bigeagle from Ocean Man First Nation said the Creator knows what He is doing and everyone is family. She also invited ev-

erybody to the powwow they would hold on Sept. 8-10.

They spoke about the residential school survivors and that the children now are coming out from under the shadow of the residential schools.

Thompson encouraged everyone to get involved and dance, even if they did not have regalia, as it was a time to be a community together.

Drum beats echoed through the building and the first 10 drum groups to register, with a minimum of five singers per drum group, would receive day pay.

Special categories were for seniors, and one dancer was in her 80s.

Tiny tots came out in their regalia, dancing to the beat of the drums, not missing a step.

The jingles on the regalia shone brightly in the sun, giving them a special place in the circle as they danced.

The 2023 graduates were

As the drums began to beat, the dancers came into the circle with their dignitaries carrying the flags. Photo by Stephanie Zoer

honoured along with the students that attended the North American Indigenous Games in Halifax. Saskatchewan won the most medals of any province with 176.

The chicken dance initiation created some fun with more events added later in the day. As the White Bear powwow came to an end, they

were thankful the rain held off during the event. It was now time for the White Bear First Nations people to move forward and heal.

Estevan MLA Lori Carr remains in provincial cabinet, once again the minister of highways

By David Willberg

MLA Lori Carr

Estevan

has returned to her original post within the provincial cabinet.

Carr was shifted to the minister of Highways and Infrastructure job during a cabinet shuffle announced on Aug. 29. Previously she had been serving as the minister of SaskBuilds and Procurement, as well as the minister responsible for the Public Service Commission and the minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority.

Carr was the minister of highways for roughly a year starting in August 2018.

“I don’t mind being there at all,” she told the Mercury and SaskToday. “There is lots of work that needs to be done, and obviously we have some work in our constituency and across the province. I’m just happy to have a seat at the table.”

The team at the Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure is pretty consistent, so a lot of the people that she worked with previously are still there.

“So that learning curve that generally happens at the beginning of a new portfolio will be a lot shorter for me, and I just need to get up to date on which projects are on the go, which are in the hopper and all that kind of stuff.”

It would be premature to say whether people can look forward to seeing additional projects happen in the southeast.

She will remain on the Crown Investments Corporation board, the treasury board, the irrigation committee and the committee of the economy, so Carr expects there will be good files to work on.

Carr views the continued progress for the Estevan Regional Nursing Home as a highlight from her time in

SaskBuilds and Procurement, as the project is now in the midst of its business plan. She will also be the vicechairwoman of SaskBuilds and Procurement committee, so it will allow her to keep tabs on the project and see how it is moving along.

“When you’re looking at SaskBuilds and Procurement, it was a really full portfolio, because you got to see across all of the ministries exactly what was happening in all of the capital portfolios, and balancing the needs of whether it be health care or education or even corrections, and how those dollars were expensed,” said Carr.

As for leasing, the different ministries were in silos, she said, looking after their own needs, but now with SaskBuilds taking on the leasing, they can look holistically across the province and across the ministry.

“That was a real savings

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for the people of the province on leasing costs,” said Carr. During her time as the minister responsible for SLGA, the province went through the closure of government liquor stores across Saskatchewan and auctioned liquor store permits.

Joe Hargrave, who represents the Prince Albert

Carleton constituency,s replaces Carr as the minister of SaskBuilds and Procurement.

When the premier decides it’s time for a cabinet shuffle, Carr said he will evaluate the positions, call the MLA in for a meeting to explain the new portfolio and announce the new cabinet post.

“When the premier first got in, he interviewed us all, and we all got to tell him what we would and would not be interested in. And then he makes his decisions based on that, and also based on where he thinks you can be used.”

Carr was appointed to cabinet for the first time in highways in August 2018, and remained there until August 2019. She then held multiple posts, including minister of Government Relations and minister of First Nations, Metis and Northern Affairs until the 2020 provincial election. Next, she was the minister responsible for Social Services, and then she shifted into SaskBuilds and SLGA.

Meanwhile, Cannington MLA Daryl Harrison will serve as the legislative secretary to the minister of Energy and Resources. Several other MLAs were also named to legislative secretary portfolios.

All legislative secretaries will receive $3,000 in remuneration for their additional responsibilities, below the full remuneration amount designated for legislative secretaries.

The overall size of the cabinet remains unchanged at 18, including Premier Scott Moe. Carr said there weren’t a lot of surprises in the cabinet shuffle, but it’s always interesting to see where people are moved and who retains their portfolios.

“The mandate of our new cabinet is to build and protect Saskatchewan - to continue building a strong economy, strong communities and strong families, and to protect all that we have built together from threats like federal intrusion and economic challenges like inflation,” Moe said.

For breaking news and other updates from the Saskatchewan legislature, please visit our provincial news hub at SaskToday.ca

Estevan MLA Lori Carr at the swearing-in ceremony for the provincial cabinet on Aug. 29. Photo courtesy of the Government of Saskatchewan

COMMUNITY

| Wednesday, September 6, 2023 A3

Be Part of the Energy: United Way Telethon calls for talent, volunteers ahead of fundraiser

By Ana Bykhovskaia

United Way Estevan

starts preparing for the 47th annual telethon this week.

The board will be getting together every Wednesday leading up to the 33-hour event, which is slated to run from 8 a.m. on Oct. 13 to 5 p.m. on Oct. 14 at the Estevan Royal Canadian Legion Hall. The entire event will air on Access Channel 7.

This year, the theme is Be Part of the Energy, and United Way Estevan president Michelle Beaulieu said they wanted the entire community to feel the drive of the event and what it gives the city and its non-profits.

"With the theme this year, Be Part of the Energy, we want people to come to the legion and see what we're all about, to be part of the 33 hours of entertainment and raising money for some very good organizations in our community. We're hoping that we can fill the legion, and we want everyone to Be Part of the Energy," Beaulieu said in an interview with the

Mercury and SaskToday.

"The community really rallies together for the telethon; a lot of businesses do promotions and support us. So, it's a whole community affair. And we want everybody to be a part of that."

The goal for this year is $343,064, which represents the combined need of the 11 member agencies and four community impact projects that the United Way Estevan supports. There is a special small addition.

"All that money stays in the Estevan area and directly supports the residents," said Beaulieu. "Each organization that we give money to puts in a request for a certain amount of funds, and then we have a committee that puts it together in a budget. It came to $343,000. And number 64 is an important number to me. So, we added that, and I'm hoping that draws a little bit of attention."

A lot of work is to be done between now and the event in the middle of October.

The entertainment com-

By Ana Bykhovskaia

Estevan’s Trinity Tower, the senior living facility which is a part of the LutherCare Communities Corporation, has had a busy summer with many activities for the residents.

“Our summer was excellent,” said facility manager Tara Mitchell in an interview with the Mercury and SaskToday. “We’ve had our barbecues on the patio. We had families come in. An ice cream truck came for one of our birthdays. And we’ve planted a bunch of flowers. It’s been busy. People are always out on the patio having a good time.”

Trinity Tower in Estevan has 52 suites, with eight available through life-lease purchase and 44 available through affordable rent. They currently have a waiting list for two-bedroom suites, but they have a “handful of one bedrooms open”, Mitchell said, and they are always happy to welcome new residents. One of the residents made Trinity Tower their home shortly after it opened 33 years ago, others joined this community more recently, but a lot of people have been living there for years. While enjoying the independent lifestyle, seniors living at Trinity Tower also get to benefit from various organized opportunities.

On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays they have exercises for seniors. Following the exercises, residents enjoy coffee together. They also have an afternoon tea on Thursdays. One of the residents runs a crafts group, and the Estevan Public Library comes in a few times a month to do adult craft sessions as well.

Mitchell also puts on monthly birthday parties for the residents to celebrate those who were born that month with tea and a cake. Their potluck is another monthly tradition. They also have Bingo and movie nights to step it up a notch, as well as a monthly meal for everyone, organized by Mitchell, with residents chipping in however much they want. But barbecues on the patio remain residents’ favourite, Mitchell said.

mittee has started collecting and organizing entries from local talents of all kinds. The event will go live at the legion with the public invited to stop by anytime within the 33 hours to enjoy the entertainment and donate to the cause. Pledges will also be accepted over the phone and online.

Beaulieu said they are open to new ideas and hope to see a lot of great local talents participating.

The event will also see a return of the silent auction, featuring various handmade bid items. Ahead of the telethon, bid items will be displayed at Murray GM Estevan. During the event, people will be able to bid online through social media and at the legion.

United Way hopes to have about 100 items available for the auction, which is similar to what they had the past few years.

Finding volunteers to ensure the event runs and airs smoothly will be another piece of this puzzle. Beaulieu said every year it takes around 100 people to cover many

different shifts throughout 33 hours, and they reach out to local groups and individuals for help, but they are always happy to welcome new people as well.

"The telethon has been a part of our community for 47 years, and it's a great way to get involved. It's a lot of fun. There's a great group of people. We're raising money

the

for a good cause. It's just a good time and a good event for the community," Beaulieu said.

She added that they expect a number of local businesses to host fundraisers ahead of the telethon to help them reach the set goal. People can keep an on their social media for details. The Estevan Mercury and Sask-

Today.ca will also have more stories leading to the event. If anybody wants to be a part of the entertainment, volunteer during the event in any capacity or donate a handmade item for the silent auction, they can reach out to the United Way Estevan office at (306) 634-7375 and speak to executive director Heidi Hesselink.

“We had our Father’s Day barbecue on the patio. It’s a nice place for them. It’s all covered for when it’s hot. We had our July 1 barbecue out there. And people can book it too; it’s free, and we had a family that came and had a wedding party there this summer,” she said, noting that many residents were there as well.

Trinity Tower’s High Riser Society is a group of residents that helps organize barbecues and other events. They collect money from some events, and also attract grants from the corporation and donations from the community to help cover some of their common expenses like Access TV in the lounge, the barbecue equipment and other things.

This summer, the facility also saw many upgrades, with the main one being their lighting system.

“We got new LED wall packs on the building and all our parking lot lights are as bright as they can be. So, when residents come home at night, it’s like daylight out there. All new LEDs are up in our stairwells because they are fire exits and elevators. By the end of the year, four floors will have new flooring, and then of course, just suites renos,” Mitchell said.

“But the lights were probably one of the bigger things because we’ve replaced so many. And it’s really a safety factor, especially in our parking lot … Everybody appreciates that.”

Mitchell noted she has some further projects in mind to make it even better and more engaging for the people in their little community at Trinity Tower, which she believes is indeed a wonderful facility and a good group of people.

“Trinity is just a really great place. And it’s not just a manager saying that, it’s actually the truth. It’s such a cool little community that we have here. We take care of each other. It’s a great place and the corporation that puts us up, they’ve been doing this forever.They’ve been into senior living since the 40s or the 50s. So it all, all the amenities are in tune directly to seniors and for seniors,” Mitchell said.

Meet Gabe!

He’s a super friendly guy who gets really excited about meeting new people. When he sees you, he can’t help but jump up to say hello, but he’ll stop once instructed to. Gabe is a quick learner and is eager to please! He loves going for walks, but he’s still figuring out how to behave on a leash, so he might pull a bit. No worries though, he’ll get the hang of it with some practice! Outdoors is his happy place where he enjoys watching everything around him. Gabe can get along with other dogs, as long as they’re introduced properly. But he’s got a curious side when it comes to cats so careful introductions would be essential. He’s a total sweetheart and already knows the “sit” command, so you’ll have a blast teaching him more tricks. If your interested In meeting Gabe stop by the shelter! He’s ready to find a home to call his own, and can’t wait to meet you!

Fanta is an incredibly sweet and playful kitten! He absolutely loves snuggling up for hours, basking in the sun, and peeking out the window. He’s got a gentle soul but also that fun, spunky side to keep things interesting. Fanta would make a wonderful addition to any family seeking a loveable kitten to adore.

If you’re interested in meeting Fanta, feel free to stop by the shelter today!

The 2022 United Way Estevan Telethon met its goal during the final minutes on

air. File photo

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Estevan police survey a valuable chance to provide feedback

The Estevan Police Service is embarking on a community survey to gather the public's thoughts on the work of the EPS, and those who are contacted should take advantage of the opportunity.

According to a news release issued by the EPS last Monday, the survey will seek the public's feedback on such topics as police effectiveness and responsiveness, visibility and presence of police, fear of crime, and trust and confidence in police.

Beginning Sept. 6, Prairie Research Associates will be gathering the survey data by randomly selecting Estevan residents' phone numbers, both via landlines and mobile phones.

These initiatives can be valuable for an organization as it tries to measure its effectiveness and its public perception. And since the EPS receives taxpayer dollars, it needs to listen to the people.

But our support does come with some caveats.

First and foremost, this has to be affordable. If the EPS is going to funnel a bunch of money at this project, then you're going to have a lot of angry people before the results are announced. In this instance, the cost is shy of $20,000 for data collection, analysis and the final report.

People need to give honest answers that will

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allow for reasonable results. Hopefully, people won't just give the worst possible rating for every question because there's a disdain for police. At the same time, hopefully, they won't give the best possible ranking for every query because they believe police can do no wrong. Thoughtful answers are important.

People also need to take the time to answer to the survey. We get it – you're busy. You have better things to do than spend several minutes on the phone, answering questions from someone you've never met, representing an agency you've never heard of. And if you're legitimately too busy, then politely let them know.

But if you say no, and then you spend several minutes on a social media site complaining about the phone call you received, or if you spend lots of time on social media in general, well, then maybe you're not as busy as you want people to believe.

And the EPS needs to take the responses to the survey, pay close attention to them and see if there's anything that can be done to improve. Sometimes people will spout off without coming up with viable solutions, and sometimes a concern will be brought up that doesn't have an answer.

Often the concerns will be those that we know are issues already. We're sure lots of people will talk about the amount of drugs in

the community.

But there will be some things brought forward that can be addressed, and perhaps some issues will be higher on the public's priority list than expected.

We've said before that Estevan has a pretty good and dedicated police force, but we all know that there is always room for improvement.

It's been several years since the EPS last participated in a public survey. A lot has changed since then, including the chief and some of the officers. The needs and issues facing the community have also changed.

Hopefully, people will participate if given the chance. We often hear complaints there aren't opportunities to provide feedback in this community. But when given the chance to share opinions in a legitimate forum, and to do so anonymously, they pass.

Estevan city council receives few, if any responses from the public when given the opportunity to sound off on the city's budget. Turnout has often been low for community engagement sessions. Maybe people think Facebook comments are suitable.

The time people take to answer these questions will have more bearing on the direction of the EPS than thousands of social media posts.

The most complicated job these days

Maybe it's just me getting ancient, but many professions seem like they become more complicated in contemporary realities.

Despite the advances technology offers in most fields, I feel that the fast pace of changes pushes us to adapt faster and faster. That adaptation often seems close to impossible, and we lean towards ways we've used before, often not as efficient, which makes jobs complicated.

For example, harvest some 100 years ago took way more manpower, but it was easier to learn for each involved individual. Now, one farmer with one combine can cover as much land as probably 100 or more people did before. But to learn how to properly operate a new combine takes way more skills and is not something everyone can do anymore.

That's just one close-to-home example. I do see similar tendencies in most fields, but one profession appears to me as the most complicated nowadays.

With school being back this week, I couldn't resist thinking about what it takes to be a teacher in today's classroom.

That job always was a difficult and wellrespected one. Not only do teachers have to have a deep understanding of one or more subjects, but they also have to know how to transfer the most important parts of that knowledge to young students, ensure this knowledge sticks well and grow students' ability to implement it in real life.

It's never been an easy job. But I think what teachers experience today is beyond hard.

I'm a millennial, and when my generation was growing up we still mainly relied on parents and teachers as main sources of information about how the world around us works. We would bring our questions to elders and mostly wouldn't argue with them when they

Ana Bykhovskaia

Twenty Lines About…

shared their knowledge. We learned to read to be able to widen our worldview ourselves, but we still looked up to the previous generations and specialists.

Kids nowadays are fast and amazingly alert in navigating the ocean of information. If something is interesting for them, they learn all about it before we know it. But if something seems boring or lame, it's hard to explain why they may need to know it. They have free access to more information than any adult usually would know, which makes it extremely difficult for teachers.

A six-year-old recently gave me a lecture on how to survive in a variety of force-major situations, a very informed one, leaving me sincerely impressed. He learned it all through an online game.

The reality is also changing fast, and teachers have to upgrade themselves all the time to be able to implement new technology to not fall behind. As an example, artificial intelligence was still somewhat of a thing of the future a couple of years ago, but it's an accessible reality for everyone today. Teachers have to adapt to the fact that students may now try to complete assignments using AI, which is often almost impossible to identify. And there are many other changes.

Besides, the perception of a teacher has changed a lot over the past decades. A teacher used to be one of the most respected persons in the community, whose words and approach wouldn't be questioned. Now, education is viewed as a "service" provided to families, and

schools and school boards have to ensure they satisfy the vision and needs of their diverse "customers". Teachers face a lack of trust and receive a lot of criticism, as in today's world there are a lot of experts in everything, thanks to Google.

Being a teacher is also way broader than just delivering knowledge. Not only do teachers guide kids in their academic journey, they also help them learn about social connections, their own emotions and feelings, relationships with their peers and adults, and much more.

And those aspects of the job are also constantly evolving. Gadgets, which probably are not as important for many teachers, are a huge part of students' lives, which teachers can't just ignore. They have to work with this reality as well, even though it's not something usual, approved or sometimes even understandable.

There are also more high-need students and a lot of multiculturalism in any school, including the smallest rural ones. I used to live in Boissevain, Man., for some time, and even that small, 1,000-person town had residents coming from every populated continent. And they all brought in their culture, needs, visions and expectations that teachers need to keep in mind.

On top of all that, the education sector is underfunded and often understaffed, which puts even more strain on those working in this already extremely complicated field. Teachers are overworked and lack the support they need to ensure the next generation is equipped to navigate the future.

So, with school being back, I just wanted to pay tribute to those brave individuals who keep facing the challenges, adapting and doing their job with a smile and a positive attitude. They make a huge difference in our world.

I do believe that being a teacher in today's world is the most complicated job.

David Willberg Willberg’s World

Back to school should be exciting

It seems like just yesterday that the 2022-23 school year was wrapping up and summer vacation was getting underway.

That was nearly 10 weeks ago.

Summer vacation came to an official end Tuesday. Parents have been placing photos of their kids’ first day back on social media. The kids were in the classroom, getting to know their teachers and their classmates, and reacquainting themselves with those they hadn’t seen since the end of June.

There always is that sense of anticipation for the first day of school. Yes, the kids would rather be sleeping in until 9 a.m. each day, relaxing, watching television and hopefully spending some quality time outdoors. But there are still fun things that they can do during the school year, such as sports, band, drama and other extracurricular activities, that they don’t get to experience in the summer.

For those who are new to the community or going to a new school, there is often that added excitement. It might be as simple as a Grade 9 who is going to the Estevan Comprehensive School. And, of course, the novelty of being back in classes or in a new school wears off in a real hurry. But it’s still fun to go somewhere new.

I think the most excitement I had for school starting was after my family moved from Fort St. John to Langley, B.C., at the start of my Grade 4 year in 1987. It was a new school in a new community. A fresh start. Due to the move, we didn’t actually attend class until the second week of school, which might have added to the eagerness to be in class. (I’m sure my parents wanted me in classes even more).

When Grade 8 rolled around and I started at Langley Secondary School, I wasn’t necessarily looking forward to it. It might have had something to do with being six weeks shy of 13 years of age at a school with 17 and 18-yearolds. The school was a much longer walk than where I went for Grades 4-7. And I was, for lack of a better term, a runt at that age. So I had a daunting feeling more than anything else.

There was always excitement at the start of the school year for university, but keep in mind I had friends from around the world in university, and we had a four-month summer break, so I was eager to see these people again. And university was so much more fun than high school.

If I were to go to a classroom now, I’d likely be lost for the first little while. I’d be looking for the blackboard and the overhead projector, and I’d be wondering how I would store all my school supplies in my desk. I really don’t know what it’s like now or how classes are instructed, but I’m sure teachers and students alike make full use of the technology at their disposal.

I’m sure I’d make a rapid adjustment, but the first little while would be confusing

I really don’t know how teachers instruct a class nowadays when the kids have access to phones, tablets and other potential distractions. When I was in Grade 7, the biggest distraction was the window in the classroom that gave us a view of the playground.

The past few years have not been easy on classrooms. The 2019-20 school year was cut short by the pandemic restrictions. The next year was a wash due to COVID and everyone faced constant change. Even the 2021-22 school year was mired in uncertainty for the first five or six months.

We’ve seen the impact that the restrictions had on sports teams and other extracurricular activities. Perhaps the best example is the Estevan Comprehensive School Elecs football team, which had just one Grade 12 on its roster.

Band programs have also taken a hit in the past few years.

Hopefully, these programs can return to the numbers and the level of success they had pre-2020.

I hope the kids, teachers and staff have a great year. And a safe year, too, with lots of fun and some great memories. Especially the Grade 12s. After all, it’s their final year of high school and their last chance to all be together.

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RCMP in the southeast deals with staffing shortages, implements strategies to ensure safety

By Ana Bykhovskaia

Several RCMP detachments in the southeast have encountered staff shortages.

The Mercury reached out to the Saskatchewan RCMP, and while they don’t disclose particular numbers, in the email they confirmed the problem exists in the Estevan and Carnduff detachments.

“The Saskatchewan RCMP does not provide specific detachment-level resourcing numbers for officer safety reasons, but we do acknowledge that there are vacant positions at the Estevan and Carnduff detachments,” said Keely Grasser with Saskatchewan RCMP Media Relations.

She noted that at any given time, members can be transferring in or out of a detachment, or on vacation, modified duties, parental leave, training or ill, which all contributes to shortages of different scales.

Other previously-documented factors such as underfunding, the pandemic, job complexity and associated risks, distant and recent past incidents, exemplifying the existence of structural problems, and other issues also contribute to the decline of the organization’s attractiveness and current staff shortages.

The staffing problem is not specific to the southeast and is experienced across the organization. The statistics from earlier this year showed that more than half of the provinces and territories that use the RCMP for frontline policing saw vacancy rates in the double-digits.

Efforts are put into recruiting in Saskatchewan and elsewhere, with the recruiters located across provinces and travelling to attract interest to the profession. However, even when they find people drawn to pursue a career with the RCMP, the process is time-consuming. The average length of the RCMP application process is approximately six to 12 months. Those applicants who are successful in the process then attend 26 weeks of training at the RCMP Training Academy in Regina

before they can take over the duties.

While efforts continue, the RCMP stressed that they find ways to fulfill the job.

“Our number 1 priority is the safety and security of the public and of our officers and when a policing need is identified, we work to address it. We have staffing strategies that assist us in addressing vacancies. For instance, Estevan and Carnduff detachments are currently working a temporary amalgamated schedule to ensure we continue to provide effective policing services to the community,” said Grasser.

The Estevan RCMP polices the RMs of Browning, Cymri, Torquay, Coalfields and Estevan with communities spread as far north as Benson, as far west but not including Midale, which is policed by Weyburn, as far south as Torquay, and as far east as Frobisher. The southern boundary includes the Canada/U.S. ports of entry of North Portal, Estevan and Torquay.

The Carnduff RCMP polices the RMs of Argyle, Storthoaks, Mount Pleasant, Enniskillen, Moose Creek and some of Reciprocity with the Carlyle detachment, with their primary communities being Carnduff and Oxbow, and their boundaries going north as far as Alida, northeast as far as Bellegarde, east as far as Gainsborough to the Manitoba border, and west as far but not including Frobisher. They also police the communities of Storthoaks, Carievale, Glen Ewen and Alameda. Their southern border includes the Canada/U.S. ports of entry of Carievale and Northgate. With staff shortages,

they co-ordinate their work to cover such a big area effectively.

“Carnduff and Estevan RCMP work closely to schedule resources that best provide an adequate response to the combined detachment areas. The detachments are individually administered,” said Saskatchewan RCMP Media Relations in an email.

“One of the benefits of being part of Saskatchewan’s provincial police service is our ability to ‘scale up’ our police resources when required, by leaning onto neighbouring Saskatchewan RCMP detachments and specialized units (e.g., Emergency Response Team, Crime Reduction Team, Police Dog Services, Major Crimes). As with any organization, we welcome any additional resources that can help support the frontlines and provide increased opportunities for proactive community policing.”

They also noted that whether urgent or non-urgent, every call for service to the Saskatchewan RCMP is important. Police respond to urgent calls for service first, but they take all reports of crime seriously and investigate reports thoroughly.

“Part of our police work relies on intelligence-led policing to identify trends and focus on those causing the most harm. This is why it is important to report all crimes in your area. We encourage the public to continue to report suspicious activity or crimes in progress to the RCMP. Every report helps us identify crime trends and manage our resources effectively,” they added.

The Saskatchewan RCMP Recruiting Unit and Saskatchewan RCMP In -

digenous Recruiting Unit constantly work to attract new resources. They offer both in-person and virtual recruitment events where members of the public can meet with recruiters to discuss policing as a career. Their recruiters not only meet with those interested in a policing career, but also work with applicants to mentor them throughout the RCMP application process.

Officer postings are filled based on operational needs. However, officers’ interests and experience also play a part in determining where an officer will be posted, noted the recruitment unit.

“Saskatchewan RCMP recruiting is focused on recruiting individuals from Saskatchewan and giving them opportunities to be posted here in Saskatchewan and serve the communities they are from,” the Saskatchewan RCMP Recruiting Unit representative said in an email.

“We are unique in that we provide policing services at the international, federal, provincial and municipal levels and offer over 150 specializations as potential career options for officers. As an RCMP officer in Saskatchewan, you can live in different communities all while having different experiences whether you live in the north, central or south part of the province. The RCMP offer a competitive salary, medical, dental and family health plans, as well as an excellent pension.”

Additional information on the RCMP recruiting process, as well as qualifications, benefits and events, can all be found at www. rcmpcareers.ca.

Crews deal with multiple calls

The Estevan Fire Rescue Service members were called to an elevator entrapment on Aug. 31. The call for service came from a building in the northwest area of the city. Several

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people were trapped in an elevator. Crews arrived and safely rescued everybody. Earlier the same day, a bolt of lightning struck hay bales in a field north of Estevan. Fire crews responded

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and spent about two hours at the scene. Estevan Deputy Fire Chief Kyle Luc said the fire affected just a couple of bales, and no structures were damaged.

Also, on Aug. 29, fire -

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fighters were dispatched to an address in central Estevan for a smoke investigation. It was found that the occupants were having a controlled fire in their backyard and no help from the fire department was required.

Saturdays @ 8:30am to 1:00pm

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Come check out local vendors like: Prairie Toons Orchard & Bakery, Harvest Gold Market Garden, Auntie M's Garden Market, Just Bread, Box H Farms, Dunbar Greenhouses, Timber Dog Treats, Creations by Corrina, Tupperware and so much more. There is something for everyone!

The Estevan RCMP, along with other detachments in the southeast, experiences staff shortages.

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The agony of defeat

Estevan-area residents were treated to some entertainment on Friday afternoon. Kyle Gessner was seen wearing a wedding dress and carrying a sign saying “I suck at fantasy football”, thanks to his results last year. He strutted around the intersections of King Street, 13th Avenue and Souris Avenue North. Many people honked their horns in approval. Photo by David Willberg

Wednesday, September 6 , 2023 | www.SASKTODAY.ca A7

School division provides update on cyberattack

The South East Cornerstone Public School Division (SECPSD) has sent an update to parents and guardians regarding the cyberattack that happened in the division earlier this year.

In a letter, the school division said it has completed a thorough review of affected systems and data to assess the full extent of the incident, but it has been unable to identify what information was impacted specifically.

“We do not know if any of your child’s personal information was impacted by this incident or not,” the division said in a letter sent to parents Monday. “The purpose of this letter is to alert you to the possibility that some of your child’s personal information may have been impacted, and to provide you with information regarding steps you may wish to take to protect them and their information.”

According to the division, on Feb. 8, it discovered an unauthorized third party had gained access to its network. While

the intrusion was promptly terminated, the unauthorized third party was able to copy some of SECPSD’s data to a cloud storage service outside of the network.

“We immediately deployed countermeasures to protect our network from further unauthorized access and engaged third-party cybersecurity experts to assist us in containing, remediating and investigating this incident,” the division said. “We also reported the matter to the RCMP and contacted the cloud storage service provider to have the accounts associated with this incident permanently suspended.”

The division said it has been monitoring the dark web and it is not aware of any evidence to suggest that the copied data has been published or otherwise exploited for any fraudulent purposes.

Since the most recent communication earlier this year, the division has concluded its forensic investigation. It has also made considerable efforts to determine specifics of

the copied data. Those efforts included utilizing two leading forensic investigators to attempt to identify which files and information were impacted.

The division was advised there is insufficient evidence on both fronts to make that determination.

“As a result, we set about reviewing and analyzing information on systems determined to have been accessed, and in file directories we suspect the copied data originated from. Through that process, we identified certain information pertaining to students enrolled in SECPSD schools during the recently concluded school year,” the division said.

In consultation with third-party cybersecurity experts, the division says it has implemented several enhanced security measures to prevent a similar incident from occurring in the future.

The review of the impacted systems revealed the following data types in relation to students: name, date of birth, home address, phone number,

school email address, gender, health card number, allergies, information and school-related information (e.g., student number, achievements and grades). The name and email address of a parent or guardian was also identified.

“For clarification, we do not know if any of your or your child’s personal information was impacted by this incident or not. As we cannot rule it out entirely, and we take the protection of the personal information we collect seriously, we are providing you with this notice out of an abundance of caution,” the school division said.

“In addition, we want to provide you with information you can utilize to help mitigate against the potential risks of identity theft or fraud, and alleviate some of the concerns you may have regarding this incident.”

The division recommends parents remain vigilant regarding common threats of fraud and identity theft including the following:

•If you receive an un -

expected communication purporting to be from the SECPSD, asking for your or your child’s financial or personal information, the division asks people to consider such communications to be fraudulent.

•Never respond to any unsolicited requests for your or your child’s financial or other personal information.

•Remain vigilant about any unauthorized transactions on your or your child’s financial or credit accounts. If you see anything that looks suspicious or suspect fraudulent transactions have taken place, call the associated bank immediately.

•Remain vigilant of any phishing or spoofing attempts.

Spoofing is an impersonation tactic used in phishing campaigns to deceive individuals into thinking that a communication, usually either a letter or email, is from a trusted source and to leverage that trust to obtain additional information about the recipient or to defraud them.

•Avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from suspicious emails. The division says people have the right to file a complaint with the Office of the Saskatchewan Information and Privacy Commissioner regarding this incident or the handling of it should they wish to do so.

Nuclear power to be focus of TechHub presentation

The Southeast Techhub has announced AI Shpyth, executive director of the International Minerals Innovation Institute, will provide information and insight into the world of nuclear power and SMRs from a thirdparty perspective.

Shpyth will speak through the Innovation Conversation series, hosted by the Southeast Techhub and Southeast College. The event will take place on Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Southeast Techhub in Estevan and is free to attend. Those interested are encouraged to pre-register.

Shpyth has more than 30 years of consulting, government and industry experience related to the miner -

from York University in Ontario in 1991 and in environmental law and policy from the Vermont Law School, where he graduated with highest honours in 2014. As a consultant, Shpyth

has worked on environmental assessments and feasibility studies for minerals projects in Saskatchewan (potash), British Columbia (copper) and Manitoba (silica sand).

“Estevan Techhub is proud to partner with Southeast College to jumpstart the fall season with this next volume of the Innovation Conversation series, that will continue to promote

innovation and technology in southeast Saskatchewan,” the Techhub said in a news release.

Shpyth will be the third speaker in the series.

For those unable to

attend in person, the event will be captured and livestreamed via YouTube. For more information about how to register, please visit the Southeast Techhub website.

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23092bs2

New business helps locals with smaller tasks

By Ana Bykhovskaia

Need to haul a big load to the dump, move something or get some landscaping done in the yard? A new local business has equipment, skills and willingness to help with any need.

Anderson Custom Hauling was organized this summer, but its owner and operator, Estevan’s George Anderson, has been doing different jobs in Estevan and the southeast for a while.

An experienced heavy equipment operator, working as a dragline operator at Westmoreland Mining LLC’s Estevan mine, Anderson also used to drive a semi truck and felt there could be more use for his skills and equipment.

“I used to drive a semi, and I really missed just going down the highway, so I started doing a little bit of hauling further away from home. People needed some

cars hauled here and there. That’s how I got started and then just went from there,” Anderson said.

“I saw an opening, where there’s a lot of big companies around here that don’t really like to do small jobs, they want to do big, money-maker jobs. So, there’s a little bit of a gap in there for just homeowners looking for somebody small and convenient to do their small jobs.”

He noted that he also went through some changes in his personal life and needed a distraction, so he put his energy into the new business.

“I just put my head to the ground and said, well, I’m just going to work every day and make myself the best I can be and get my little business going. And here I am,” Anderson shared.

He registered the business in early August and is looking forward to helping people with their hauling and landscaping needs.

Recognizing the importance of the trucking industry.

Lori Carr, MLA Estevan Constituency Office

306.634.7311

loricarrmla@sasktel.net

“I just like to keep it fairly small and help the community and homeowners that need little projects done. No job is too small,” Anderson said.

Anderson Custom Hauling has two diesel trucks, three trailers and a skid-steer. One of the trailers is available for rent, while the other equipment allows Anderson to provide such services as landscaping, concrete removal, snow removal and any kind of hauling with an end-dump or flat-deck trailer.

“I can haul anything away like scrap iron, excess dirt from different projects that the homeowners did, garbage, anything like that. And then the custom hauling part is basically anything from bales to cars to scrap iron to fridges and stoves, anything,” Anderson said.

“I did some snow removal for neighbours before, and now that I have a trailer, I can provide other services

too, and haul that snow away, because some homeowners don’t have any space to put that excess snow.”

Currently, it’s just Anderson who is doing all the jobs, but he hopes that if the demand for his services is there, he will eventually hire employees and grow the business. And he believes that

Thank you to the Trucking Industry.

small projects would add up and allow for that growth, especially since they are affordable.

“I’m very affordable. I’m not greedy. I’m looking to get my name out there and start moving on. The community has been really good to me. There are a lot of good people, so I just want to give

something back to the community and help people out. I like to save money myself if I’m doing a project, and I can help somebody else out too,” Anderson said. For more information about the business and its services, people can text or call Anderson at 306-4616338.

George Anderson started the Anderson Custom Hauling business this summer to help people with different jobs. Photos courtesy of George Anderson

Anderson Custom Hauling has end-dump and flat-deck trailers and provides hauling services

Trucking continues to play vital role in Sask. economy

By David Willberg

The Saskatchewan Trucking Association (STA) is celebrating the impact of the industry to this province and the entire country during National Trucking Week from Sept. 3-9.

Susan Ewart, the executive director of the STA, said Saskatchewan is a landlocked province without a port to move goods, so trucking becomes even more important.

"We consider trucking to be that supply chain, value-added piece that sometimes gets overlooked, but it is critical to moving the goods that Saskatchewan produces out of our province, and getting them to where they need to go," she said.

The STA promotes the industry through social media and different events. They attend functions on the industry's behalf. They have ongoing conversations with government to help elected officials understand the importance of trucking and some of the barriers that might exist, such as labour shortages.

"We do have different campaigns that we run. We talk a lot about what we call We are Trucking, which really gives you an idea of what it looks like to be in trucking, and for people to think about it."

Among their campaigns is a humourous one that says "Life didn't bring you lemons. It came to you on a truck".

"We try to emphasize that relationship between the goods and services that individuals purchase when they go to the grocery store or Walmart, that those goods really did arrive here by truck. So, we do a lot of work on that particular front, as well as encouraging members to participate with us in different types of events," said Ewart.

They are involved with Canada's Farm Show in Regina, the Saskatchewan Oil and Gas Show in Weyburn and more. They also participate with the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce.

The STA has a couple of activities planned for Trucking Week. On Sept. 5, they held an open house at their office in Regina. They invited their members, people in the trucking industry and the general public to come chat, enjoy coffee and a donut, and try out the STA's new virtual reality technology that they've been working to develop for the past two years.

"It really is about an introduction to employment and what it looks like to work in the trucking industry as a driver," Ewart said. "We're really excited to

see it, and maybe get some people to test it out."

Daniel Price, the project co-ordinator with Regina Work Prep, spearheaded the VR project.

"They were already doing career promotions with other types of industries and recognizing that trucking really needs drivers," said Ewart. "We need to show that next generation what it looks like to work in the trucking industry, so through some conversations with Regina Work Prep and Daniel, they received some funding and … we were able to bring them the subjectmatter experts to create that initial VR for the industry that will help the next generation."

Participants learn how to enter a truck, perform a pre-trip inspection, conduct a circle check and more.

Then on Sept. 7, the STA has their annual barbecue planned for the weigh scales on Highway 11 between Regina and Saskatoon.

"It's our opportunity to thank the drivers for the work that they do in moving our economy, our goods and services, so we are handing out hamburgers and hotdogs, chips and pops, and we have lots of volunteers and members of our own team that will be out there just to thank our professional drivers for the work that they do," she said. The trucking indus -

try has encountered labour shortages that Ewart said seem to be growing.

The drivers are aging and they have had lots of retirements.

There hasn't been a lot of interest among younger generations about being a professional driver.

The STA tries to dispel myths and show what it is really like.

"A lot of our members

are leaders in different types of technology or using innovative work scheduling to make sure there's good work-life balance for people working for them," said Ewart. Drivers get to travel and see lots of different parts of Canada and the U.S., and they meet lots of people they wouldn't encounter otherwise, all because of their chosen career path.

From 2012-2021, conventional oil and natural gas producers lowered their absolute scope-1 carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) emissions by 24 per cent while grow-

ing total production by 21 per cent. The information is from analysis completed by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP)

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of the most recently available Government of Canada production and emissions data. It shows Canada has the ability to grow its production and role as a secure provider of responsibly-produced energy while lowering greenhouse gas emissions. “When we talk about growing Canada’s role as a responsible provider of natural gas and oil to the world –emissions performance is one of those measures. Canada’s conventional producers are demonstrating we can grow energy production to address energy security while also lowering emissions," said CAPP president and CEO

Heretics golf tournament

The Heretics Motorcycle Club hosted its second annual Breaking Bad golf tournament Saturday afternoon at the Hideout Golf Course at the Hidden Valley Golf and RV Resort. Seven teams entered the competition, which had a Texas scramble format. A supper was served after the tournament and door prizes, supplied by local businesses, were handed out to the golfers. The winning score of 4-under-par 25 over nine holes was carded by Justin MacKay Ashley MacKay Tyler Fernell and Russell Franz, who is missing from the photo. Photo courtesy of Matthew Webb

Lisa Baiton.

The analysis shows that between 2012 and 2021:

•Natural gas production rose by 35 per cent while CO2e emissions fell by 22 per cent. In that same period, natural gas producers reduced methane emissions by 38 per cent.

•Conventional oil production remained relatively flat (down nine per cent) with CO2e emissions from production dropping by 27 per cent – demonstrating the work producers have done to lower their emissions intensity.

•Conventional producers have driven down methane emissions from total natural

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gas and oil production by 34 per cent and methane emissions intensity by 46 per cent.

“This track record of lowering emissions while growing production is a demonstration of why Canadian oil and natural gas should be the barrels of choice for the world’s energy needs. As long as the world needs oil and natural gas, Canada’s barrels should be a part of that supply," said Baiton.

The data used in the analysis includes the Government of Canada’s National Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and production data from Statistics Canada. Conventional production refers to all oil and natural gas production outside of Canada’s oil sands.

“The majority of conventional oil and natural gas produced in Canada, is con-

sumed by Canadians. This production plays an important role in our own energy security and our producers are showing we can continue to develop our oil and natural gas resources and lower emissions from that production.”

CAPP’s member companies produce about 80 per cent of Canada’s natural gas and oil. CAPP’s associate members provide a wide range of services that support the upstream oil and natural gas industry. Together CAPP’s members and associate members are a solution-oriented partner to Canada and the world’s needs for safe, secure, reliable, affordable and responsibly-produced energy, and an important part of a national industry with revenues from oil and natural gas production of about $116 billion a year.

Wednesday, Sept. 6, 1989

The Cappers won the championship in the Estevan Women’s Soccer League in 1989 with a victory over the Jaguars. Members of the winning team were, front row, from left, Shelley Hordeski Donna Frank Debbie Salaway Denise Wrubleski and Shelley Schaefer. Middle row, Tracey Moroz, Lori Baxter and Cathie Collins (captain). Back row, Sue Colbow, Ian Fernandez (coach), Brenda Malaryk, Alison Hirsch and Lisa Petterson

CLASSIFIEDS

Obituaries

Houses for sale

Raymond C. Orser 1937 – 2023

Raymond Orser, late of Estevan, SK passed away with his sister by his side on Monday, August 28, 2023 at New Hope Pioneer Lodge, Stoughton, SK at the age of 86 years.

Raymond is survived by his son, Lorne (Diana) Orser and their children, Kea (Aaron) Toles (grandchildren, Riley, Blake and Amery) and Paige Orser (Michael Sigvaldason); son Larry and sister Doreen Bradridge. Raymond will also be remembered by numerous nieces and nephews as well as Betty’s children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Raymond was predeceased by his 1st wife and mother of his children, Irene Orser and his 2nd wife Betty Orser; his siblings, Ed (Joyce) Orser, Rita (George) Lesy and Bob (Shirley) Orser as well as his brother-in-law Harry Bradridge.

There was a private family Graveside Service on Friday, September 1, 2023 at Hillcrest Cemetery, Weyburn, Saskatchewan. The family invited Raymonds friends and family to join them at the Elks Club at 2:00 p.m. for a time of fellowship and refreshments.

In memory of Raymond, memorial donations may be made to the New Hope Pioneer Lodge, Box 38, Stoughton, SK, S0G 4T0.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to the staff of New Hope Pioneer Lodge in Stoughton for the care and compassion shown to Raymond.

Hall Funeral Services in Estevan provided care to Raymond’s family – Yvonne Clark, Funeral Director.

Obituaries

Derrell Wayne Densley 1948 - 2023

Derrell’s family sadly announces his passing in Estevan, Sask. on August 19, 2023, just days shy of his 75th birthday.

Derrell’s memory will be forever cherished by his wife of 52 years, Gwen (Ward); daughter Dawn Densley and grandchildren: Colton Schell and Makenna Schell (Teagan Trobert); daughter Tara (Tim) Katsantonis and grandchildren: Brayden and Kaylynn Katsantonis; brother Gary (Marlene) Densley; sister Dianne (Scott) Connors; sister-inlaw Marilyn Luginbuhl; brother-in-law Brian (Diane) Ward, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Derrell was predeceased by his parents: Walter & Lillian (Larsen) Densley; parents-in-law: Ed & Annette (Bourquin) Ward; sister Jo Anne Perry and brother-in-law David Luginbuhl.

A Memorial Service for Derrell was held on Thursday, August 24, 2023 at 1:00 p.m. at Hall Funeral Services, Estevan, with Shirley Petterson officiating. Interment followed in the Estevan City Cemetery, after which a luncheon was held in the Club Room at the Royal Canadian Legion, Estevan.

Hall Funeral Services in Estevan provided care to the Densley family - Dustin Hall, Funeral Director.

Carlyle RCMP investigating recent thefts

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The Carlyle RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance to locate two males who have been committing break, enter and thefts from buildings and vehicles.

The males have their faces covered and were last seen driving a stolen 2005, brown, four-door Chevrolet Malibu with Saskatchewan licence plate 119 MTU. The rear window has been smashed.

One suspect is described as being a thinner male, approximately six feet tall and 150 pounds. The other is heavy set, approximately 5’7” and 200 pounds. The two subjects have been out primarily at night, entering outer buildings and vehicles.

The RCMP is asking that if anyone has seen this car or notices any unusual activity in their area to contact their local detachment. They are also asking residents to make sure their property is properly secured, to take their keys and any valuables from vehicles and to lock them, even when they are home.

If you have information related to this advisory, please call 310-RCMP for immediate response, or you can call Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-TIPS (8477).

* * *

A portion of Highway 18 in southeast Saskatchewan was closed for several hours Friday afternoon after a motor vehicle accident.

The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure’s Highway Hotline said there was an accident west of Outram and all lanes were closed. Motorists were asked to be prepared to stop. No passing was allowed and police were at the scene.

People were also asked to follow emergency personnel.

Emergency crews were dispatched to the scene early Friday afternoon. The STARS Air Ambulance issued a tweet saying it had been called to a scene-call emergency in the Outram area. No further information was immediately available. For updates, please visit our provincial news hub at SaskToday.ca

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For all heavy equipment: ie. dozers, excavators, scrapers etc.

Camp/R & B provided. Competitive wages. Valid drivers license req’d. Send resume and work references to: Bryden Construction and Transport Co. Inc. Box 100, Arborfield, SK S0E 0A0; Fax: 306-769-8844

Email: brydenconstruct@ xplornet.ca www. brydenconstruction andtransport.ca

* * *

The Estevan Police Service is asking the public for help in locating and identifying the vehicle and driver that were involved in a hit-and-run collision in the 1200-block of Nicholson Road on Sept. 1 after 4 p.m.

Anyone with information should contact the EPS at 306-634-4767 or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800222-8477.

In other recent news for the EPS, members received a report on Aug. 29 of mischief to a property currently under construction. The matter is still under investigation.

Police arrested and released an Estevan male on warrants out of court in Weyburn. The male was released to appear in Weyburn at a later date.

Officers apprehended an Estevan individual for being unlawfully at large. He was lodged in cells and remanded to appear in Regina Provincial Court on Aug. 31.

The EPS dealt with 63 occurrences from Sept. 1-3.

A report came in of a break and enter in progress, as well as trespassing and kidnapping. An investigation determined the occurrence was related to a child custody

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disagreement and the alleged offences had not occurred.

A theft from a local business was reported. Members located the suspect, arrested the person for theft under $5,000 and released the individual with a future court date.

Police received a report of two vehicles racing in the central part of the city. Members located one of the vehicles and spoke with the driver. The matter is under investigation.

A report was filed of a female receiving unwanted messages from a male. A statement was obtained and the matter is being investigated.

Police received a report of a suspicious male in the central part of the city. A statement was obtained and the matter is under investigation.

Members received a couple of reports of thefts from service stations. In one instance, the motorist returned and paid for the fuel. In the other, the individual failed to return and was charged with theft under $5,000.

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Barristers & Solicitors Paul Elash K.C. Aaron Ludwig, B.Sc., LL.B. Genevieve Schrader, B. Mgt., J.D. Gainsborough: Thursday a.m.

Suspects were last seen driving a stolen four-door, 2005 Chevy Malibu. Photo courtesy of the Carlyle RCMP

Seussical a great experience for Estevan youth

By David Willberg

Lucas Schott spent most of his summer vacation preparing to be part of the cast of the musical Seussical, and once the production was finished, he said it was one of the best experiences of his life.

Lucas, who is in Grade 8 at St. Mary’s School, was one of the ensemble cast

members for the show, which was performed a total of four times from Aug. 30-Sept. 1 at the Conexus Arts Centre in Regina.

“I got to learn a bunch of dance moves, which I have very little experience in, and a lot of music and singing, which I also have almost no experience in,” Lucas told the Mercury in an interview following the final performance.

He thought being in Seussical would be a good way to expand his knowledge of the acting world. It’s very hard to keep up with the industry if he doesn’t know what is going on.

“And I thought it looked cool,” he said. His cousin, who works in media and communications in Regina, suggested that Lucas try to become part of the cast and his parents agreed. The auditions for the main roles had already happened when Lucas decided to try out for the cast.

“Sterling Production is the production company, and they pride themselves on being an inclusive production studio,” said Lucas’ father Mark. “There’s a lot of different abilities and it’s a diverse cast.”

Seussical largely followed Dr. Seuss’ classic children’s tale of Horton Hears a Who, but it also incorporates portions of Seuss tales like How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Green Eggs

and Ham, while the Lorax had a part in a Seussical song.

Lucas was kept busy with practising during the summer. Four three-hour rehearsals took place each week, and there was a camp. It worked out to about 10hour days when cast members had both rehearsals and a camp day.

Additional practices occurred as opening night approached.

“It was busy. It was a big commitment,” said Mark.

Lucas stayed in Regina at his grandmother’s house, so he didn’t have to commute from Estevan to Regina.

When he’s older, Lucas wants to become a professional actor, because it would allow him to express himself freely. In addition to furthering his singing and dancing skills, Lucas learned a lot about commitment through Seussical.

“I’ve always loved doing what I wanted and performing in front of people and making them laugh and

smile,” said Lucas. Prior to Seussical, Lucas had attended theatre camps through the Souris Valley Museum and the University of Regina. He had also taken monthly acting lessons from an instructor in Regina, and he has also taken private lessons. Lucas was also part of a commercial as a background character for the Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation this summer.

Seussical also enabled Lucas to make a lot of new friends, as the cast boasted

approximately 60-70 performers.

“All of the cast members were amazing people, and I’m looking forward to seeing them again,” he said.

The four performances attracted a total of 1,000 people, giving him the experience of performing in front of a crowd of that size for the first time.

Lucas said Seussical has fuelled his determination for what he wants to do in the future, and he wants to be an actor even more than ever.

Southeast Advocates for Employment Inc.

invites you to attend the Annual General Meeting

invites you to attend the Annual General Meeting

Wednesday September 13th, 2023 12:00 – 1:00 pm

At the Western Star Suites & Hotel 303 Kensington Avenue, Estevan, SK Lunch to follow R.S.V.P. • 306-634-9554 or e-mail: cafe.estevan@sasktel.net

Wednesday September 13th, 2023 12:00 – 1:00 pm

At the Western Star Suites & Hotel 303 Kensington Avenue, Estevan, SK Lunch to follow R.S.V.P. (306) 634-9554 or e-mail: cafe.estevan@sasktel.net

If interested in becoming involved as a board member, please contact Debbie @ 306 -634-9554

If interested in becoming involved as a board member, please contact Debbie @ 306 -634-9554

THE ESTEVAN ELKS LODGE

is looking for a Part Time/ Casual Bartender/Server for the Lounge.

Shifts are Weekdays, Evenings and Weekends.

Must have a current Serve It Right certificate or be willing to obtain one. Please email resumes to elk.lodge113@sasktel.net

Lucas Schott was thrilled to be part of the cast for Seussical in Regina recently. Photo courtesy of Mark Schott

Bruins return to the ice and impress at fall camp

By David Willberg

The Estevan Bruins returned to the ice at Affinity Place from Aug. 28-30 for the club's annual fall training camp.

Approximately 40 players attended the camp. They were divided into two teams and participated in two scrimmages a day on Aug. 28 and 29; rosters were tinkered with each day. Then camp wrapped up with the annual Black-Gold intersquad game on Aug. 30.

"I thought the pace was good," said head coach and GM Jason Tatarnic. "Fall camp's always a little nerve-wracking the first day. I thought some guys settled in, and overall, I'm happy with where we're at right now."

Team Gold trounced

Team Black 8-1 to win the Gerry Aspen Cup. The trophy

is named after Aspen, who was the Bruins' long-time trainer and the man who built the club's dressing room when Affinity Place opened in 2011.

"Unfortunately for the one team, both goalies had a day where they kind of struggled," said Tatarnic. The returning players looked strong, he said. The

veteran goalies played well, with second-year goaltender Jackson Miller posting a couple of shutouts and only allowing a few goals in five games. Thirdyear goalie Cam Hrdlicka also looked strong when he was on the ice.

All of the returning defencemen put in some work during the summer and Tatar-

nic could tell they had a year of experience. The forwards also had strong showings. Forward Ilia Chmelevski was in the camp of the North Bay Battalion of the Ontario Hockey League. Tristan Dussault, a forward recently brought in from Quebec, suffered an injury before Bruin camp and won't be available

for a couple of months. They also have some other players at major junior camps and so the Bruins will see if they eventually come here.

Among the newcomers, Tatarnic was pleased with the group overall. Forward Brendan Hunchak played well for a guy who hadn't played since 2021, and scored a number of times. Defencemen Felix Allard, Liam Bell and Blake Heward had strong showings, too. All four will be 20 years old when the season starts.

"I think they'll grow and they'll become very good players," said Tatarnic.

The local contingent also did well. Tatarnic singled out forward Carter Hirsch, who played house league hockey last year. He received the call to attend camp due to injury and stepped in, scored a goal

and provided size. "That kid has some potential. He's going to have to put the work in," said Tatarnic.

The Bruins will be trimming their roster to between 20 and 25 players. They won't be carrying as many players as they did at the start of last season. Tatarnic said they will have some tough decisions to make, especially since they have nine 20-year-olds and they can only carry eight. They will have a preseason home and home with the Weyburn Red Wings, hosting Weyburn on Sept. 8 at 7 p.m. and visiting the Wings the following night. Then Estevan will visit Manitoba's Virden Oil Kings on Sept. 10.

For coverage of the Bruins throughout the season, be sure to check out our provincial news hub at SaskToday.ca

Estevan Bears get a look at the team’s future

The Estevan Steelhaus

U18 AAA Bears had a good look at what the future holds for the team during their annual fall ID camp.

Players born in 2007, 2008 and 2009 took to the ice for scrimmages, skills sessions and evaluations on Aug. 29 and 30. They also had fitness testing on Aug. 29. A few returning members of the organization participated, but most of the 41 players in attendance are part of the team’s future.

“It was good to get some of the prospects out to run more of a prospects’ camp,” said Bears’ head coach Ryan Pilon.

He was also happy to have the veteran players interacting with the prospects. They had three returning players who were at the camp: Marc Belanger, Riley Craigen and Thomas Ries.

Eleven players were eligible to return from last year’s team, but the Bears released three of them before the summer.The Bears are waiting to see how many of the eight potential returnees will stick with their junior clubs or play at the U18 AAA level this season.

Kole Keen, who was last year’s top scorer, has committed to play with the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League’s Melville Millionaires as an underage player. Forward Carter Onrait of Estevan, who is entering his final year of minor hockey, is attending the camp of the Western Hockey League’s Prince George Cougars. If he doesn’t stick with Prince George, Pilon believes Onrait could play with the Estevan Bruins.

“At the start of the year, I think every team is kind of in the same situation,” said Pilon.

“On paper, it looks like we have a really good team. We had a good crew [at camp], a good group of players from the U15 levels, so we’re really happy with them right now, and it’s looking to be competitive in

the league.”

Pilon was impressed with the play of Cameron Allard, a first-year defenceman from Yorkton who appears to have had a good summer. Forward Jase McNichol and defence-

man Kade McIvor – two players who spent last season with Notre Dame’s U16 program – also had strong camps. Pilon looks forward to seeing them with the Bears this year.

“We’ll be looking at

them to step in and produce right away for us. It was very promising at spring camp and hopefully, they can make that smooth adjustment into our league,” said Pilon. Some of the younger local prospects also participated. Pilon praised Boston Tait, a defenceman who is entering his second season of U15 AA hockey, as someone who could be an affiliate player with the Bears this season.

“He’s going to be one heck of a player,” said Pilon. The Bears’ camp was held at the same time as the Estevan Bruins training camp, which Pilon said was coincidental. Since the Bears were running an ID camp, it was for two days. Chase Holt, a forward from Regina who is entering his first year of U18 AAA hockey, attended both camps.

Elecs prepare for football season versus Regina

The Estevan Comprehensive School Elecs football team continued to prepare for the 2023 season by facing Regina’s Archbishop O’Neill Titans Saturday afternoon in a preseason game.

The two teams had a controlled scrimmage in the first quarter, with each team running 15 offensive plays, and then they played a mostly traditional game for the final three quarters, with some adapted rules for special teams.

The matchup occurred at the Dana Quewezance Memorial Field at Woodlawn Regional Park.

was a really exciting play, and an eight-yard run by running back Khalifa Elshein.

Schott noted both teams have a nice mix of veterans and young players.

“The scrimmage was a great opportunity to get everybody onto the field. The main purpose of the scrimmage is to get everyone into game action. It’s a great opportunity – whether it’s the Grade 9s or anybody that’s new to our team or new to football – to see what high school football is like, the pace, the physicality and the intensity of the gameplay,” said Schott.

Team Gold faced Team Black on Aug. 30 in the annual intersquad game for the Gerry Aspen Cup.

Team Green faced Team Gold on Aug. 30 at the Estevan Bears’ fall camp.

Dorian Sifton tramples past a Regina defender during Saturday’s exhibition game. Photo by David Willberg

A lot of action at city-wide

Many local families stopped by citywide registration on Aug. 30 to learn more about activities available in Estevan and to enroll their kids and youths for the upcoming months. Participating in the event this year were the Estevan U18 AAA Bears, the Estevan Figure Skating Club, the Estevan Curling Club, the Community Castle, Soul Step Studio, Estevan Sharks Water Polo, the Estevan TaekwonDo Club, the Estevan Public Library, OM Yoga Studio, Estevan Mermaids Artistic Swimming Club, South Sask Border Brawlers Armwrestling, Estevan Recreational Dance Club and Music for Young Children. Families could also sign kids up for swimming lessons. Parents toured the various stations and took their time to learn more about local opportunities. The Estevan Taekwon-Do Club's station attracted a lot of attention.

Last Birds perform at the Artist Colony cabins

By Stephanie Zoer

Last Birds, the husbandand-wife folk music duo of Mike Davis and Lindsay Arnold, performed at the Artist Colony in Moose Mountain Provincial Park recently.

For the rst time, Arnold is attending the colony with her unique display of art work.

“It is crazy I have never been here before when I live so close,” said Arnold.

She said it is the most beautiful place and it's peaceful.

Throughout her school years, she always enjoyed art, and as she grew older, she began communicating about women’s lives through her art.

Arnold's art is in the SKArts permanent collection and in private collections around the world.

“A doily when freshly made is like a young woman,” said Arnold. “But as they age the doily stretches and is worn and losses it shapes, just like a woman.”

This is what she shows through her art. Each piece tells a story.

Not only is Arnold an artist, but she is also a songwriter and musician. She has made music videos and stop motion projects.

Her husband has been involved in music since he was 16 years old and is a skilled guitarist, teaching Arnold how to play the guitar as well.

The duo began to sing together and write songs about their small community. Their songs are inspired by family gatherings, and the talks after thanksgiving dinners. ese are stories told by the elderly and involve the history of places.

Last Birds released their rst EP in April 2021. ey have also been part of the folk trio Hook & Nail with Je Michel.

From Sept. 1-3, while at the artist cabin in the colony, they performed some of their songs, explaining the little history behind the lyrics.

Arnold has enjoyed her time at the colony and is grateful for the opportunity to be there. She hopes to return in the future.

Lindsay Arnold and Mike Davis of Last Birds performed at the Artist Colony. Photo by Canadian James Photography