Estevan Mercury 20240117 by Estevan Mercury

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Estevan teachers went on strike along with those from the rest of the province Show time. The ECS is ready to present The Little Mermaid Broadway musical. Details on PAGE A3

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Close to 250 local teachers, along with representatives of other local unions, were striking in front of Estevan MLA Lori Carr’s office Tuesday morning. Photo by Anastasiia Bykhovskaia Estevan teachers went on a one-day strike Tuesday morning, along with thousands of others within the Saskatchewan Teachers Federation (STF). The local strike started with a walk from Power Dodge Curling Centre, up Souris Avenue North to 7/11 and then down 13th Avenue to Fourth Street. The demonstration went to Estevan MLA Lori Carr’s office on Fourth Street. About 250 people were out picketing in -25 C weather Tuesday morning demanding better funding for education sector. Teachers employed with the South East Cornerstone Public School Division, Holy Family Roman Catholic Separate School Division, the Saskatchewan Distance Learning Corporation and the Conseil des Écoles Fransaskoises were also supported by United Mine Workers of America Local 7606, as well as local representatives from SaskPower, CBSA and CUPE unions. Participants were singing and chanting, demanding for more support. They also brought posters, pointing out struggles teachers face in their day-to-day work. “Our classrooms need more support. We’ve been struggling since all the budget cuts for the last few years, and it’s just time to put those supports and funds back into our classrooms. Without funding, our kids are suffering, and our kids are our future,” said Janet Mann,

vice-president of the South East Cornerstone Teachers Association. “We hope they respond after this one-day walkout and they give us something, that they go back to the bargaining table and bargain in good faith.” Drivers passing by honked their horns in support of the teachers during the walk and at Carr’s office. Mann noted they also received a lot of support from local businesses, as Michael’s Coffee Shop and Bakery donated the coffee in the morning, 7/11 on King Street supplied cookies and many other local businesses invited them to stop in to warm up. The walk-out started around 10 a.m. and continued until 2 p.m. Roughly the same number of participants joined strikes in Weyburn and Moosomin. Tuesday morning, STF president Samantha Becotte and Canadian Teachers’ Federation president Heidi Yetman delivered letters to Premier Scott Moe and Minister of Education Jeremy Cockrill at the Saskatchewan Legislative Building. These letters are from teachers and supporters across the province, describing critical issues in the publicly-funded education system, and what the government must do to address them. The STF announced a one-day provincewide strike five days in advance. While the legal requirement for notice of job action is 48 hours, in a press release STF noted that

adding that the five-day countdown should have provided families with advance notice and extra time to prepare, and also give the government an opportunity to change course. Even though the hope was the government would change course and allow its negotiating committee to bargain on critical issues impacting students and raising serious concerns among teachers and parents, it hasn’t happened, the STF said, and teachers hit the streets. “The last thing any teacher wants is for negotiations to impact the school year, so we are exhausting every possible option to get government back to the table,” said Becotte ahead of the strike. Ahead of the strike, Cockrill said in a statement: “We are disappointed that the STF executive continues to work toward a strike while the government trustee bargaining committee (GTBC) remains at the bargaining table, ready to talk. “Outside of that process, we have demonstrated our commitment to addressing classroom complexity with record funding, and two brand new pilot projects announced just this week.” Cockrill said that the GTBC has put forward a fair deal for teachers with a seven per cent raise over three years, ensuring Saskatchewan teachers remain paid above the Western Canadian average.

City to look at needs of Power Dodge Arena By David Willberg An inquiry regarding the need for new boards at the Power Dodge Arena has morphed into discussions about the future of Estevan’s No. 2 ice surface. During the final council meeting of 2023, Coun. Tony Sernick said he had received some concerns about the $250,000 allocated in the 2024 budget for the boards, and he asked for a report on the expense. Leisure services manager Erin Wilson filed the document at the Jan. 8 meeting. She recommended that the leisure services management team meet with user groups, and gather information to make an informed decision on the best possible

solution for addressing any concerns. A report will be created looking at the longevity of the Power Dodge Arena and possible options for future planning. The meeting is expected to happen before the end of January, and would include all ice organizations and Estevan Lacrosse, which uses the arena during the spring and summer months. “This will provide us a better understanding of what is required to best meet the needs of the organizations in the community,” Wilson wrote. Facilities manager Dan Kroeker and arena manager Matt Angell will research and price out options to address needs. Finally, leisure services will revisit the needs of the venue with council in March to decide next possible steps, based on

information collected. In her report, Wilson also detailed the condition of the boards and some of the other issues facing the arena. “Due to usage over the years, the arena boards have taken on an outward lean away from the ice surface, which has caused excessive gaps at the seams of the boards, as well as the glass loosening up in the posts that hold them, causing them to pop out of place when hit,” said Wilson, who included several photos to back up her claims. Also, doors at the players’ benches do not sit flush with boards when closed; the accesses to the referee room and players’ dressing rooms cause concerns for the wellbeing of players and referees A2 » NEW

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New arena boards still in the budget « A1 alike when they are required to walk amid fans and parents; and the viewing area is only accessible on the north side of the rink, causing frustration when the EMHA has split-ice age groups like the U7 and U9 divisions. “The viewing area is tight and so fans are often in close proximity to one another, and with emotions flaring up in games, this can add to the intensity levels,” Wilson said. There are also complaints from fans who say they are too cold during games, and when the heat is turned up, players claim they are too hot. Wilson also pointed out there are not enough dressing rooms with the growing number of female players. Room No. 5 does not have a washroom or a shower. It is one space that opposing team players should not have to share but space is limited. Mayor Roy Ludwig said the city has put quite a bit of money into upgrades at the arena, and he believes they have kept it updated fairly well, but with it being “aged”, there are concerns, and the boards are the latest. Coun. Travis Franks said he has spoken with a couple of people from a few of the user groups in recent weeks. “I definitely think they want to see some collaboration, some long-term plans in addition to some shortterm plans here. I know, of course, there have always been some big dreams of replacing the Power Dodge Arena,

as well as [building] a third rink.” But building one or even two rinks would carry a big price tag and they take a long time to plan. “I like the idea of collaborating a bit with them and figuring out what we can do to keep this structure up to date and functioning as long as we can, as well as start brainstorming and making plans for the future,” said Frank. Ludwig said once the city knows what is happening with small modular reactors and some of the other economic development initiatives that could create employment for the community and tax revenue for the city, the council of the day could start looking at options. He noted city manager Jeff Ward has looked at potential opportunities for structures. The city has been asked about a field house and a new rink, but a new, basic arena would still likely cost $10 million. “At the very least, I think we have to wait on some of these bigger projects coming down the pipe to our community,” said Ludwig. Sernick said all the user groups would appreciate the opportunity to be involved, and he can’t wait to see the outcome. The money for the new arena boards was still in the budget as of last week. Council has been asking for feedback from the public on the document. Council is expected to approve the budget at the Jan. 22 meeting.

Carnduff RCMP arrests three following break and enter The Carnduff RCMP has arrested three people after a break and enter at a residence in the RM of Mount Pleasant. The incident was reported on Jan. 8 at approximately 3:30 a.m. According to the RCMP, investigation has determined that a building on the property was broken into and rummaged through. It is unknown what items were stolen. As a result of continued investigation, two men and one woman were located and arrested on the property. The RCMP says officers located and seized a number of breakin instruments, including a handheld thermal camera, power tools, pipe cutters, hand saws, sledgehammers, twoway handheld radios and valve shut-off tools. Officers also located and seized multiple flashlights, a jackknife, a hunting knife, a multitool, masks and drug paraphernalia. As a result of further investigation, the RCMP

says 43-year-old John ( Jason) Berger from Glen Ewen, 59-year-old Randolf Godon from Oxbow and 36-year-old Lisa Desaulniers from Glen Ewen were each charged with one count of break and enter under the Criminal Code. Berger was also charged with one count of possessing break-in instruments and one count of resisting/obstructing a peace officer. Godon was also charged with one count each of possessing break-in instruments, resisting or obstructing a peace officer and being disguised with intent to commit offence. All charges are under the Criminal Code. Berger and Godon were remanded into custody until their next appearance in Estevan Provincial Court, slated for Jan. 15. Desaulniers will appear in Estevan Provincial Court the same day. The Mercury and SaskToday.ca will have more details as they become available.

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The Power Dodge Arena is currently the second ice surface in Estevan.

Estevan’s music festival now accepting entries The Estevan and District Music Festival is accepting entrants for the upcoming celebration of music in the community. In an email to the Mercury and SaskToday, the music festival's committee said students in the area have been busy practising, teachers have been preparing and parents are encouraging their children. The deadline to register is Jan. 26. Those interested can register on the Saskatchewan Music Festival's website. This link includes the regular syllabus as well as the local addendum classes. There are new opportunities this year, as the festival is offering electric guitar, string classes and new vocal sessions. Previous divisions are still available. Music festival dates are always tentative, based on the amount of registrations received. The band/instrumental program is slated to open the festival March 11 and 12. This will be followed by vocal, mu-

Award-winning piano students gather for a group photo during last year's festival. File photo sical theatre and spoken word (speech arts) on March 13 and 14. Strings are March 15. Piano, which is the biggest component of the festival, is scheduled to run from March

18-22. The festival committee says the event could not happen without the assistance of volunteers and sponsors. Each year, hundreds of hours and $10,000

in scholarships will be donated. If you are interested in supporting the festival, contact a committee member or visit the link on the provincial music festival's website.

Fire crews respond to eight calls Estevan Fire Rescue Service members responded to eight calls last week, six of which came in just over 24 hours. The busy stretch, which didn't seem to have any-

thing to do with the weather, started on Jan. 8 when at about 8:30 a.m., the EFRS were called to a single-vehicle incident that occurred about 11 kilometres west of Estevan. A vehicle struck a

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deer. The driver didn't report injuries and there was minor damage to the vehicle, so the fire crews' assistance wasn't required, as RCMP and a towing company were already working with the motorist. The next day at about 4 p.m., firefighters were dispatched to a two-vehicle collision by Walmart. Crews responded and assisted the Estevan Police Service with clearing the scene. Jan. 12 started with a call at 8 a.m. A residential fire alarm went off in the northwest area of the city. The incident command responded, investigated and determined that there was no emergency occurring and the fire detector seemed to be faulty. The next call for service came in at about 1 p.m., when crews were dispatched to a residential carbon monoxide (CO) alarm in the 24013JJ0

northwest corner. "Incident command responded and investigated, and did detect low levels of carbon monoxide. So SaskEnergy was called to the scene to further investigate and assist the homeowner in resolving that issue," said Estevan Fire Chief Rick Davies. Two hours later, firefighters were dispatched to a commercial fire alarm on the south side of Estevan. They quickly determined that there was no emergency occurring and the alarm was due to an issue with the heating appliance. Later that night, the EFRS was called to another commercial fire alarm in the north-central area. The investigation proved the alarm was triggered by CO, not fire, as low levels of CO were detected in the building. The building management contacted contractors to come in and resolve the issue. The busy stretch continued on Jan. 13 with the first call for service coming in at just after 6 a.m. Firefighters were dispatched to a residential CO alarm on the north side of Estevan. The investigation didn't find any CO readings or other issues. The detector device was determined to be the problem, and the homeowner was going to check into getting it repaired. At about 10:30 a.m., crews were dispatched to a residential fire alarm that went off in northeast Estevan. "Crews responded and investigated; no issues were found with fire or carbon monoxide. Again, it was believed to be a detector issue, so the homeowner was going to check into repairing that," Davies said.

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The Little Mermaid musical ready to premiere The Estevan Comprehensive School is set to premiere The Little Mermaid this week. The musical will return to the Comp. from Jan. 18-21, with three evening shows and a matinee on the final day. The classic Disney production involves high school students, as well as some Grade 7-8s from other Estevan schools. ECS teachers Kyle Whitehead, Jillian Connely and Tamara Franklin are the three directors. A week before the first show, Whitehead said the preparations were going well, and the crew was close to being ready. "We've been putting a lot of hours in. We did about 40 hours last week alone, at the end of the Christmas break there, and we're going every night this week. We've got our dress rehearsals this weekend and the show starts next week," Whitehead said. The musical involves close to 40 students. Whitehead noted that getting back into the routine

differed from his previous experiences, as due to an extended break none of the participants had experience with a musical. "It was very difficult, lots of speed bumps, lots of trying to get everybody back into a routine. But we've gotten there," Whitehead said. "Our last show was 2019, and I think they've all graduated. Our stage manager, though, is a former student who has come back to help, so we've got some that have experienced our shows before." The students were very engaged, Whitehead said, and there is a lot of talent in the group. "They're having a blast. They're making new friends, they're learning the songs. They knew some of the songs from the cartoon version. Now they're learning some of the songs that were added for Broadway. And they're enjoying it," said Whitewood. "We're starting to see some of the kids that we had inklings from auditions that they were going to be good and

Students were into dress rehearsals a week before the big premiere. Photo by David Willberg we're seeing them start to shine. There are some amazing voices and kids in this graphic cast." Tickets are currently on sale online at estevan-comprehensive-school.ticketleap.com/ the-little-mermaid and at the front office at the ECS, and will also be available at the door.

They are $20 each. "It's rush seating and ticket sales are starting to pick up, so we're really encouraging people to get them online or go up to the school and buy them ahead of time, so that they don't show up and we end up with a sellout and they don't

The Little Mermaid will premiere on Jan. 18.

get tickets," Whitehead recommended. He also thanked everyone involved with the musical for their support. "As the group of directors, we want to thank all of the kids and the parents for all of the time that they've

put in, and the community for the support for bringing back musicals. I think it's something that we've been missing since the COVID years. We're hoping that we get lots of people to come in and enjoy an evening of music and fun," Whitehead said.

Students were involved in dress rehearsals on the weekend.

Musicians return for holiday performances Acclaimed Estevan musicians Audrey Andrist and her husband James Stern were in Estevan in late 2023. They performed a duet piano and violin concert at Hill View Manor on Dec. 28, and an earlier show at St. Paul’s United Church. The concerts offered lively classical music and Broadway show pieces, and ended with a series of Yuletide songs. Guests shared that the music was wonderful to hear, and Stern’s violin bow work was fantastic. The couple returned home to Washington, D.C., the day after to partake in some upcoming events. Photo courtesy of Norm Park

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Cold snap a reminder of some power sources' reliability We knew that the frigid temperatures were going to hit eventually. Even in the warmest of winters, we have typically had at least one cold snap that forces us to crank up our heaters, plug in our vehicles and dig out the thick winter clothes. The wonderful, unseasonal warmth we had in December was replaced by very cold weather in January. During the extreme cold, we need to be thankful for those who allow us to keep the lights on and our homes heated. Yes, we need to be thankful for those who work in the power generation industries, particularly coal and natural gas. Wind and solar power didn't get the job for us in the past week. Solar often gives us nothing. Wind is usually slightly better than nothing. Even though the frigid temperatures were accompanied by strong winds, the wind turbines weren't working. Saskatchewan had to help our neighbours in Alberta by providing 153 megawatts of power to them. And while some were quick to cite Alberta's privately-owned power generation as the culprit, they wouldn't have had to turn to Saskatchewan for help if those wind turbines came through. Cold snaps such as these serve as a valuable reminder of where we're at in terms of power production and how far some renewables

have to go before they can be deemed reliable. We could count on natural gas last week. We could definitely count on coal. When SaskPower has had to turn to Unit 4 at the Boundary Dam Power Station (which has been on stand-by since December 2021), it has proven to be reliable. The carbon capture and storage facility at Boundary Dam has been there when we've needed it, churning out baseload power while greatly reducing emissions. Of course, the feds are trying to ramrod their Clean Electricity Standards down the provinces' throats in the last example of them overstepping their jurisdiction. They want to see a zero-emission grid by 2035. That sounds like a nice objective. And there are some jurisdictions where it has already happened, and others where it might even be possible down the line. But there are others, like Saskatchewan, where it's not. We don't have the widespread access to hydroelectricity to make this objective work. Neither does Alberta. We shouldn't be forced to import power from Manitoba or elsewhere to meet our needs. There's great potential in small modular nuclear reactors, but we have to remember they aren't prevalent as of yet, and with the current timelines in place, our first SMR likely won't

be operational until 2034. On top of that, the feds want conventional coal power to come offline by 2030. At some point, they're going to have to realize that what works in some provinces won't work for others. The provincial government is talking tough when it comes to dealing with the feds, and it is withholding the carbon tax on SaskPower and SaskEnergy, but we know how those challenges will ultimately end. The feds will win in court, and Saskatchewan will have to pony up, although it will have scored political points for taking on the government. Technology is always evolving, and just because wind and solar are letting us down now doesn't mean they'll still be ineffective in these temperatures 10 or 15 years from now. But we're not going to turn the lights on and heat our homes now based on the long-term potential of some energy sources. Most of us were able to stay warm for the past week. Most of us will be able to remain warm for the next few days, until we see a return to above-average temperatures. And if we get another serious cold snap later on in the winter, well, we can be thankful that we have power sources that will deliver, regardless of whether it's through fossil fuels or another source.

Time flies by? Try having a closer look Published weekly by Prairie Newspaper Group Limited Partnership, 68 Souris Avenue N., Estevan, SK S4A 2M3.The Estevan Mercury is owned and operated by Prairie Newspaper Group Limited Partnership, a subsidiary of Glacier Media Inc. Advertising rates are available upon request and are subject to change without notice. Conditions of editorial and advertising content: The Estevan Mercury attempts to be accurate in Editorial and Advertising content; however, no guarantee is given or implied. The Estevan Mercury reserves the right to revise or reject any or all editorial and advertising content as the newspaper’s principals see fit. The Estevan Mercury will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion of an advertisement, and is not responsible for errors in advertisements except for the space occupied by such errors. The Estevan Mercury will not be responsible for manuscripts, photographs, negatives and other related material that may be submitted for possible publication. All of the Estevan Mercury’s content is protected by Canadian Copyright laws. Reviews and similar mention of material in this newspaper is granted on the provision that The Estevan Mercury receives credit. Otherwise, any reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. Advertisers purchase space and circulation only. Rights to any advertisement produced by The Estevan Mercury, including artwork, typography, photos, etc., remain the property of this newspaper. Advertisements or parts thereof may not be reproduced or assigned without the consent of the publisher.

While we all were trying to survive this hard-to-believe -50 C experience, my heart was still warmed up by memories from the beginning of 2024. This new year started in a different and actually new fashion. My hubby and I, along with our friends, packed up a few necessities and headed to the Pacific Ocean coast of Mexico in the last days of 2023. It's been five years since I was south. I've never been south for the new year. Besides, I've never really been down south backpacking in my adulthood. When travelling with my parents or friends earlier in life, we mainly rented places and explored the world around us. But with my husband, we only went to Caribbean resorts – the warm little islands where tourists are surrounded by tourists, and everything is meant to make it comfortable for us. So, this time I decided we try something different. And it was different on many fronts. We rented a house in Puerto Vallarta and dived into a touristy, but more authentic life – with loud music all day round, people dancing and singing, bargaining and trying to explain ourselves with no Spanish, with food markets and small local stores, unhasting cabs and flying-through traffic buses. Always billowy, fortified with rocks and its high tides, the ocean was also different from the white and soft Caribbean Sea. But besides the external experience, my inner journey also differed. Ahead of the trip, I promised myself to try living it rather than simply experiencing it, packing up and

Ana Bykhovskaia Twenty Lines About… putting it on the back burner, where I found all my other recent experiences. Some time ago, most trips and adventures in my life felt like oceans. Be it a little road trip or a big journey, an evening event or a day outing, a good book or a deep talk, I was excited about it in advance, then I lived through it and afterwards, extended it by talking about it, sharing pictures or just recollecting memories. I'd reflect on things more, I wrote diaries, I shared my recaps and thoughts with others. Things stayed with me forever, and experiences led to new ones. I noticed lately that people quit telling stories about travels and adventures. We post pictures on social media or send some at the moment, and, when asked, just say "Oh, it was good". And that's about it. I do it, too. Maybe it's the Internet that covers it all. Maybe it's the fact that more and more people travel and have so many mind-blowing experiences, and we feel that we've all been there, done that, and it's not interesting anymore. Maybe it's the speed of life we try to maintain, with not much time for anything extra (we do talk about Netflix and politics a lot though). Maybe it's something else. But heading into the new year, I noticed that my own experiences, small and big, became very shallow. This observation,

shared with friends and family, echoed back. I wasn't the only one who started putting checkmarks instead of living life. When recollecting last year, I first felt miserable: life seemed so empty like nothing had been happening to me at all. But it's been indeed busy. The year went by fast. And when I scrolled through pictures, calendars and memories, I realized how loaded it actually was. But in that bustling environment, I'd just get in and out. Come, experience, step out and almost forget. I don't know about you, but I also feel that I've long forgotten how to be bored. With technology, life sped up. We are present in different spaces at the same time and our attention is often split. We are also hooked on being that way – distracted and always entertained. There is no time to notice what's happening, let alone being bored. And boredom is the space for reflection. When given space, things grow bigger, roots develop and crowns evolve, and our reflections bloom with deeper thoughts and fruit with new ideas. These were my thoughts for mediation at the end of 2023. So, heading into the new year, I promised myself to try creating this space allowing me to take something out of my every experience into my next steps in life, the space for my imagination to start working, the space for me to feel, the space for emotions. The Mexican trip was indeed interesting, but I did put some effort into relearning how to be bored and how to live my life at the moment. I wouldn't say it's a total success, but I definitely made some progress.

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New flowers and gifts business to bring beauty to Estevan The year-end building permit report for the City of Estevan shows overall activity was up in 2023, but the overall permit value was down by about 50 per cent from the previous year. According to the document, released at the Jan. 8 meeting of Estevan city council, 45 permits worth $3.08 million

were issued in 2023, including three permits worth $20,000 in December. In 2022, there were 40 permits issued, but the total value was $6.14 million. The biggest difference for 2022 came through a couple of multi-family permits for seniors' condo units in north-central Estevan that

generated $2.85 million. The miscellaneous permit category once again accounted for the bulk of the activity in 2023, with 30 projects worth nearly $1.71 million. Next was commercial permits worth $960,000. Four garages were worth $87,200 and three single-

family homes had a combined $327,800 value. There were no multi-family, industrial or institutional permits issued in 2023. The busiest month was in June, with eight permits worth $890,552 being approved. The average value of a project requiring a permit was $59,557.89, the total permit fees collected amounted to $17,107 and the average permit fee was $342.14. Council also received the 10-year numbers. They showed that Estevan has had 62 permits per year with an average value of more than $9.88 million, although those numbers were boosted by 2014, which was the tail end of an economic boom in the community. The average value was $127,521.35, the average permit fees amounted to $1,366.23, and the total permit fees for an average year was $106,526.36.

Desiree Ruckaber is starting Estevan Flower Crew – a full-service flower shop with custom-made arrangements and gifts to suit every occasion. Photos courtesy of Desiree Ruckaber

Estevan Flower Crew is set to open this week, and the grand opening is slated for Feb. 2.

Building activity was up in Estevan in 2023 The year-end building permit report for the City of Estevan shows overall activity was up in 2023, but the overall permit value was down by about 50 per cent from the previous year. According to the document, released at the Jan. 8 meeting of Estevan city council, 45 permits worth $3.08 million were issued in 2023, including three permits worth $20,000 in December. In 2022, there were 40 permits issued, but the total value was $6.14 million. The biggest difference for 2022 came through a couple of multi-family permits for se-

niors' condo units in northcentral Estevan that generated $2.85 million. The miscellaneous permit category once again accounted for the bulk of the activity in 2023, with 30 projects worth nearly $1.71 million. Next was commercial permits worth $960,000. Four garages were worth $87,200 and three single-family homes had a combined $327,800 value. There were no multi-family, industrial or institutional permits issued in 2023. The busiest month was in June, with eight permits worth $890,552 being approved. The average value of a

project requiring a permit was $59,557.89, the total permit fees collected amounted to $17,107 and the average permit fee was $342.14. Council also received the 10-year numbers.They showed that Estevan has had 62 permits per year with an average value of more than $9.88 million, although those numbers were boosted by 2014, which was the tail end of an economic boom in the community. The average value was $127,521.35, the average permit fees amounted to $1,366.23, and the total permit fees for an average year was $106,526.36. 24013BS0 24013BS1

Estevan Flower Crew is located at Scotsburn Square on King Street.

Employment Opportunity Job Title: Location:

Controls Technician Estevan, SK (Hybrid)

Job Overview As a result of new and expanded systems, this new role collaborates with various internal stakeholders to provide preventative maintenance, repair and support for Kingston Midstream’s communication systems and critical communication equipment. As a technical expert with knowledge in the oil & gas industry, you are an effective communicator, provide exceptional customer service and enjoy troubleshooting problems to find long-lasting solutions.

Position Responsibilities • Provide expertise for control center problems relating to Communications and Networking issues • Provide communication troubleshooting of various equipment including Ethernet bridges, Ethernet and serial line extenders, Ethernet Switches, Fiber Optic cables, routers, hubs etc. • Troubleshoot maintain, repair and provide back-up support for: Microwave radio system including equipment, towers, and buildings; systems and hardware associated with SCADA • Provide back-up to controls group and take emergency calls in critical areas • Perform preventative maintenance on assigned equipment and ensure all field and office work requests are handled and are properly documented and completed within Azzier • Assist Engineering department with new equipment design and commissioning • Provide feedback to project managers related to budgets • Advise on solutions and future expansion needs to accommodate growth of system • experience in RF transmission (RSL, SNR, Eb/No, EQ Stress, TX PWR) • experience in Microwave radio programming Web based software, PuTTY software, Telnet, AirMux Manager, • experience in Regulatory Licensing with ISED. (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada)

Working Conditions: Based in the Estevan office, this position will work 50% in office and 50% in the field. This position requires moderate physical work and working in potentially hazardous locations. Schedule is MondayFriday 40 hours per week.

Skills and Qualifications • A Technical Diploma in Computer Science/Technology/Network Technician • Must have at least 5 years’ Control Systems and IT related experience; oil & gas industry is preferred • Have strong PC skills and ability to troubleshoot PC issues to get processes software running again • Possess a valid Class 5 drivers’ license and a clean drivers’ abstract • Quick learner, multi-tasking and strong communications skills (verbal and written) Kingston Midstream is committed to providing a flexible work practice to allow office employees to work both from the Estevan office and from a remote location. This position may work remotely Mondays and Fridays and in Kingston Midstream’s Estevan office Tuesday to Thursday. We thank all interested candidates; however, only qualified candidates will be contacted, please submit your cover letter and resume to www.kingstonmidstream.com/careers/

A6 January 17, 2024

www.SASKTODAY.ca

Ada Allison Schrader

Alexander Neil Dobos

Axton Darryl Pyle

Proud Parents:

December 6, 2023

July 4, 2023

Bodhi Wally-David Boxrud

November 1, 2023

July 19, 2023 Proud Parents:

Cody & Genevieve Schrader

Sara & Alex Dobos

Leah Striefski & Josh Pyle

Carmen & Marshall Boxrud

Brodie Michael Wilson

Eliza Grace Keeping

Emery Stacyszyn

Essin Irene Stang

October 29, 2023

December 23, 2023

Proud Parents:

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Proud Parents;

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Proud Parents are:

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Caprice Lukye & Kalen Stang

Georgia Danielle Roche

Jaxon Alexander Troy Kimmen

Jaxxon Fleck

Kade Allan Fedyk

Proud Parents:

Proud Parents are:

September 26, 2023

May 26, 2023

Proud Parents are:

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November 21, 2023

Proud Parents:

January 23, 2023

July 1, 2023

Mackenzie Thomas & Mason Roche

Brooklynn Hayward & Michael Kimmen

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Kayce Lawrence

Korra Avery Schlingmann

Kyland Alexander

July 13, 2023

October 29, 2023

December 1, 2023

Marcella Angeline Sliva

Proud Parents are:

June 4, 2023

Proud Parents are:

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Jesse & Diana Schlingmann

Ryan & Stacey Alexander

Kevin & Dr. Sarah Sliva

Marcus Gordon Van Sickle

Myra Kimberly Messer

July 3, 2023

June 16, 2023

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January 17, 2024 A7

Congratulations

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Proud Parents are:

Proud Parents:

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to the families who had babies in 2023! Welcome, Little Ones!

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March 16, 2023

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Travis Holma & Katie Mclean

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Sebastien Finley Tessier

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A8 January 17, 2023

www.SASKTODAY.ca

50 Things to

The Southeast Go Skiing

Find and try new recipes or an online cooking class

Declutter your house one room at a time

Have a movie marathon with friends

Grab a coffee and watch the amazing sunset or sunrise

Contact your favourite photographer for a family winter photo shoot

Make homemade hot chocolate and experiment with different toppings

Dress the family up warm and burn off energy at the parks around the city

Grab your tickets for the Jack Semple tribute to Gordon Lightfoot on February 17th

Rediscover the joys of ice-skating at the Rusty Duce outdoor rink in the Pleasantdale area

Pick up a new board game to enjoy with family and friends

Go Horseback Riding

Shop locally and check out the business downtown

Volunteer at a local non-profit organization

Check out the Souris Valley Museum Facebook page for upcoming events

Check out BINGO! at the Royal Canadian Legion every Thursday night

Observe wildlife and try to identify footprints

Check out the local rinks to watch the upcoming talent of the Minor Hockey Leagues

Break out your camera and discouver the the joys of amateur photography with capturing the beauty of the outdoors in winter

Shovel your neighbor's or a seniors driveway

Read a book to the animals at the Estevan Humane Society

Clean out your closets and donate to charity

Estevan is the only place in Saskatchewan where you can fish for Largemouth Bass

Start your gardening season early by planting seeds indoors

Plan a wint retreat or a weekend getaway!

Go for a winter stroll along the walking paths around Estevan

Have a brunch date with friends

Host a craft night with friends

Go thrift shopping at the local second hand shops

www.SASKTODAY.ca

January 17, 2023 A9

Experience in

This Winter!

Challenge your friends to a game of squash at the Estevan Leisure Centre

Gather with your friends and play cards

Check out Karaoke at the Royal Canadian Legion Clubroom every Saturday night

Borrow video games from the Estevan Public Library and have a tournament with friends

Pick up new City of Estevan merchandise from the Visitor Information Centre

Take the family swimming at the Aquatic and Leisure Centre

Create a winter playlist to get you through the cold weather

Curl up with a good book

Take the Backroads of Estevan audio tour

Check out the happenings at the Estevan Early Years Family Resource Centre

Get your friends together for a game of shinny

Book your child’s birthday party at the Orpheum Theatre

ter r d !

Have a themed pyjama day

Do some laps at the walking track at Affinity Place

Enjoy time out with family and friends at one of the many local dining establishments

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Try winter camping

Get a start on spring cleaning

Take a drive and discouver small town pubs and restaurants in the SE

Have your dog discover the fun of snow at the off-leash dog park

ENERGY A10 | Wednesday, January 17, 2024 | www.SASKTODAY.ca

114 Perkins St, Estevan, SK Phone: (306) 634-3641

Flashback – Jan. 19, 1983 The Knights of Columbus staged its annual free-throw basketball competition at the Immaculate Heart Junior High. Grand Knight Bill Owens was on hand to present the winners with medals and trophies. Back row, from left, Owens, Shannon Finnerty, Barb Stacyszyn, Adele Friess and Debbie Salaway, the overall winner among the girls. Front row, Glenda Hedley, left, and Raylene Matthies.

Energy, federal politics focus of Coffee Talk By David Willberg Souris-Moose Mountain MP Robert Kitchen talked about the energy sectors and other issues facing the country during a speech at the Estevan Chamber of Commerce's Coffee Talk on Jan. 10 at the Days Inn.

Kitchen took aim at the federal government when it came to such issues as the carbon tax, affordability and the oil and gas sector. He noted he has spent nine years trying to make the federal Conservative Party's leadership aware of carbon capture and storage, which has

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been utilized at SaskPower's Boundary Dam Power Station since 2014. He believes current Tory Leader Pierre Poilievre understands the message, and Kitchen noted that Poilievre even refers to him as the Carbon Capture Kid. "Coal is cheap in many ways, and provides a great energy source, and with CCS on it, can provide for the capture of those emissions and provide the energy that we need at a low cost," said Kitchen. There will be a lot of talk about small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs) and other changes, but Kitchen said the different levels of government also have to think about coal miners and SaskPower workers and how to prepare them to work at the SMRs if those are selected. "The workforce that we have here has that skill set, but we have to provide avenues for them so they can easily transi-

tion to whatever that next step may be," said Kitchen. "To me, most importantly though, that next step needs to be here. It doesn't need to be in some other part of the world or some other part of the country." If the Tories are elected as government, they will scrap the carbon tax. He believes if the controversial tax was working, creating jobs and capturing emissions, people would be behind that, but Kitchen described it as a redistribution of money. "The reality is it's not doing anything," said Kitchen. He didn't have an answer when asked about the degree to which the carbon tax would be scrapped as there are different levels. But he did say legislations put in place to "restrict the oil and gas and energy movement" would be repealed. Changes wouldn't happen overnight, and the Tories' ability to create change would be dependent on whether the Conservatives get

a minority or a majority government in the next election. And he noted the federal debt is now $1.3 trillion, and the costs of the interest rates on the debt continue to rise. Kitchen said he wants to see people in Souris-Moose Mountain have faith in the government again. "That's what we need right now, and that's what, in my opinion, is taking this country down, is there's no respect, and rightly so, because this present government shouldn't get any respect for what they've done … and so people are not proud to be Canadian," said Kitchen. Once people have faith in their country and government, businesses will want to invest. The Tories would also yank the Clean Electricity Regulations and back away from the Liberals' plan to require all new vehicles sold in Canada to be electric in 2035. "It takes time for that

technology. It takes time for those batteries to be able to provide that energy source, which we don't have in today's world," he said. As for when the next federal election might take place, it's not scheduled until the fall of 2025, but the Liberals currently have a minority government with support from the New Democratic Party, and it could be toppled at any time. "My guess … is it will be this fall coming up … and the rationale for that, in my mind, is this prime minister is going to do everything he can to try to use the American election to get Canadians believing that what will happen down in the States is going to happen up here," said Kitchen. The next coffee talk will be Feb. 7 when Angud Singh, the city of Estevan's economic development co-ordinator, will provide an update on his work to promote and grow Estevan.

Estevan man facing 14 firearms charges An E s t e v a n m a n i s facing a large number of charges after he was arrested by members of the Estevan Police Service. Kristofer Douglas Donald, who was wanted

for several criminal offences including uttering death threats and threatening to kill police officers, was located and arrested on Jan. 14. A loaded prohibited

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firearm was located and seized at the time of his arrest. Donald was held in custody overnight and made his first court appearance on Jan. 15 in Estevan Provincial Court. He has been charged with 14 firearms and weapons offences, including possessing a loaded prohibited

firearm, along with three counts of uttering threats to cause death. He has also been charged with fraud and failing to comply with a probation order. Donald has been remanded in custody and will make his next court appearance on Jan. 16.

RCMP looking for Midale Man The Weyburn detachment of the RCMP is seeking the public's assistance in locating Lyndon Lotten, who was reported missing from Midale. Lotten was last seen on Jan. 12. He is described as 49 years old, standing 5'10" and weighing 187 pounds. The RCMP said the only available clothing description was blue jeans and a light jacket. Lotten might also be driving a grey 1998 Chevrolet pick-up truck with Saskatchewan licence plate COAGRO.

Lyndon Lotten If you have information related to this missing person advisory, please call 310-RCMP.

CLASSIFIEDS A11 | Wednesday, January 17, 2024 | www.SASKTODAY.ca Obituaries Duane Ernest Hunt 1956 - 2024 Duane Hunt passed away peacefully with family by his side on Wednesday, January 10, 2024 at the Regina General Hospital at the age of 67 years. Duane is survived by his wife Susan; children, Nathan (Melissa) Hunt and Winston (Mica) Hunt; step children, George, Michelle (Stacy), Henry (Rachelle) and Dave (Kristen); grandchildren, Logan, Damon, Nevin, Emerson and Harvey Hunt; step grandchildren, Dana, Rowan, Cadince, Kessley, Makayla, Caleb, Emit and Ryder; siblings, Darrell (Terry), Doug (Andrea), Derek (Christina), Alexis (Jill) Harke

and Jeff Hunt. Duane was predeceased by his sons, Ryan and Graham; parents, Steven and Elizabeth Hunt (nee Kelly). A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Memorial Donations may be made to The Erika Legacy Foundation which is dedicated to raising funds and providing financial support for the enhancement of suicide prevention programming and support within Canada. www.erikalegacy.com Hall Funeral Services in Estevan is caring for Duane’s family - Yvonne Clark, Funeral Director.

Larry Bunse 1946 - 2024 Larry LeRoy Bunse of Estevan, Sask. died peacefully surrounded by his loved ones at the age of 77 years on January 6, 2024. He was predeceased by his parents, Stanley and Celia Bunse and mother-in-law, Ruth Johnson. Larry will be greatly missed by his loving wife of 50 years, Carolyn, and their three children, Teresa, Shane (Charlene) and April (Dan) Savoie, as well as his only granddaughter Elizabeth. Larry was born on March 23, 1946 in Halbrite, Sask. by Dr. Mainprize (one of the last babies he ever delivered). In 1966 Larry took a welding course in Edmonton and worked as a welder in Estevan until his father got sick and he returned home to help on the farm. Larry married the love of his life, Carolyn Johnson in 1973 and they had three children. Along with grain farming, he raised cattle and he ran Larry’s Repair Shop. In 2017 due to health reasons they made the move into Estevan. He missed the farm so much that their apartment door had a sign that read “Life is better on the farm!” Larry was a very kind and loving person. He would take the shirt off his back to help anyone in need. He will always be remembered for his love of horses, sense of humor, water fights, and mispronunciation of names. He will be missed by many. Funeral services took place at 2:00 p.m., Saturday January 13, 2024 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 710 4th Street, Estevan. Interment will take place at Westphalia Cemetery, Midale, Sask. at a later date. We would like to thank the staff at the Estevan Regional Nursing Home for taking such good care of Dad. Also, the kind support of friends and family will always be remembered. Hall Funeral Services in Estevan provided care to the Bunse family Dustin Hall, Funeral Director.

Card of Thanks A Card of Thanks This is long overdue but I haven’t forgotten. A sincere thank you to the following people for the wonderful care I received: Dr. Jones, nurses and staff of the Regina Pasqua hospital from December 27, 2022 to January 3, 2023; Dr. Arthur, Dr. Rokn, nurses and staff from January 4 to January 25, 2023; nurses and staff in Long Term Care from January 26 to March 1, 2023 and the staff of Therapy Service, all of Estevan St. Joseph’s hospital; the EMS for getting me to Estevan and Regina hospitals the night of my injury and for transporting me to Regina and back for appointments. A heartfelt thank-you to my family; Larry, daughter and son in law Lisa and Trevor Fitzpatrick, granddaughters Lindsey, Liana (Spencer) and Tiera, great granddaughters Presley and Evelyn; McDonald’s owners Tim and Chris Jenish, staff and customers and to all my friends for your support, visits, flowers, cards, phone calls, inquiries, and treats. I appreciate everything that each and everyone of you did for me. God Bless you all. Lorna Coate

For Sale - MiSc

Coming EvEnts

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.

Saskatoon Farm Toy & Collectible Show at the Saskatoon Western Development Museum, January 19 - 21, 2024. Friday 5pm-9pm; Saturday 10am-5pm; Sunday 10am4pm. Special features: Farm toys and scenes, construction equipment, vintage toys and much more!

Find QUALIFIED, LOCAL EMPLOYEES, using the strength of community newspapers! Visit www.swna.com or call 306-6491405 to find out how!

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Emergency crews called to collision near Walmart Members of the Estevan Police Service, Estevan Fire Rescue Service and Estevan EMS were dispatched to a twovehicle collision on Kensington Avenue in Estevan on Jan. 9. The incident occurred in front of Walmart. According to the EPS, minor injuries were reported and both vehicles were towed from the scene. The EPS thanked the public for their patience. Officers directed traffic in order to keep vehicles moving while keeping the scene safe for those involved. Also that day, police received a report of a suspicious male at an apartment complex in the Hillside area. Members attended and did not locate the male. Extra patrols were conducted. The matter is still under investigation. Police are investigating a file regarding uttering threats, criminal harassment and breach of probation. That matter is still under investigation. Members were called to a report of extortion. The victim In MeMorIaM

In Loving Memory of (Baine) Blaine Simon October 20, 1978 January 14, 2010 To Hear your voice and see you smile, To sit with you and talk awhile, To be together in the same old way, Would be our greatest wish today. There will always be a heartache And often a silent tear, But always a precious memory, Of the day you were here. We hold you close in our hearts, And there you will always stay, Remembering you is easy, We do it every day. But missing you is a heartache That never goes away. Loved, Remembered, and deeply missed by Mom and Dad, Barry, Emma, Barrett, Gabbie, Bradley, Sophia, Kayla

A collision near Walmart on Jan. 9 resulted in minor injuries. shared images over the internet and the individual who received the photos demanded payment or they would share the pictures with the complainant’s contacts. Initially, the victim paid some Apple cards, but then the culprit demanded more cash. Police assisted the victim with changing security settings on their social media account. The matter is still under investigation. Police received a report from a homeowner who thought someone might be in their yard. Police attended and checked the property. The

caller was updated that there was nobody on their property. Officers attended to a total of 38 calls for service from Jan. 12-14. Four prisoners were lodged in cells for the weekend. Two individuals received threeday driver’s licence suspensions for intoxicant consumption. Police attended to four domestic disputes in which officers were able to mediate a resolution. They also attended to one call in which somebody took an automobile without consent. The vehicle was later returned. Also, police received one miss-

ing person complaint where the individual was located. Police received a report of a male causing a disturbance at a local business on Jan. 14. He was spoken to and transported to his residence. A male tested positive for THC on a roadside screening device during a traffic stop. He was issued a 72-hour driving suspension and his vehicle was impounded. Police also attended a report of a disturbance. A female was transported to another residence for the night and no further action was needed.

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AGRI NEWS A12 | Wednesday, January 17, 2024 | www.SASKTODAY.ca

Preparations begin for Farmers’ Appreciation Evening By Ana Bykhovskaia The Estevan Farmers Appreciation Evening is starting to take shape. The big agricultural event, celebrating the industry and achievements of local producers, is slated to take place on March 21 at the Beefeater Plaza. Cocktails are at 5 p.m., and supper will start at 6 p.m. The night will feature a similar lineup to past years, with the supper, the presentation of the prestigious Farm Family of the Year Award, several 4-H speakers and a guest speaker. Estevan Chamber of Commerce executive director Jackie Wall talked to the Mercury and SaskToday about the details. The Farm Family of the Year Award presentation is always a highlight of the evening, and hundreds of people traditionally turn out to recognize the recipients. The deadline to submit a nomination is March 1. The form is being updated at the Estevan Chamber of Commerce’s website at estevanchamber.ca. Wall noted that a few nominations will be carried over from last year, but encouraged people to submit or resubmit nominations for local farming families to be recognized. “I would recommend that if someone has nominated someone in the past, to put in the nomination again. We don’t carry them too many years forward because things change so

much,” Wall said. “It’s not a long nomination process. We want to hear specific details and why the person is being nominated, but it’s not a lengthy nomination form. “It would be nice to get some really good, solid nominations. We usually get a few every year. But there are a lot of farm families out there that we would love to recognize. It’s a difficult decision every year, but it is so great to recognize the farmers and to get everybody to gather to really appreciate the farming sector,” Wall added. The 4-H speakers will be back with new topics and bright speeches this year. Organizers expect to have representation from all local clubs, but details are yet to be finalized. The event also raises money for their scholarship program, and a bursary will be presented to a farming family or someone going into the agriculture sector. The Axten Family will be the guest speakers. Their motto is Loyal to the Soil. Axten Family Farms focuses on the health of their soil to grow nutrient-dense grains. “They will be coming to talk about the farm to the table and their ‘Loyal to the Soil’ message,” Wall noted. “They focus on positively impacting the environment, healthy soil, diversity and being mindful of ecosystem.” The event is organized by a committee, with representatives from the chamber,

The Axten Family Farms will be the guest speakers at the 2024 Estevan Farmers’ Appreciation banquet on March 21 at Beefeater Plaza. Photo sourced from Axten Farms website at axtenfarms.ca agriculture agencies and the farming community. The guest speaker was brought forward by members of the committee as a fairly local, multigeneration farm family with a focus on diversity and innovations in their operation, Wall noted. The Axten family waived their speaker’s fee and asked the money to be donated to a local organization a group instead, which has yet to be decided by the event committee, Wall said. Axten Farms is a multigenerational farm. The first Axtens arrived in the Minton area in 1916, and they farm that original homestead today. “Thanks to the hard work and dedication of our ancestors,

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we have expanded our farm and made it what it is today. In 1973, the corporation, Axten Farms Ltd. was formed,” their website axtenfarms.ca says. “This land that our ancestors homesteaded in 1916 produced a diverse amount of grass species without the land being worked or sprayed. It has taken many years of researching, learning and listening, but we believe the key is soil health. This has changed the way we farm, and as we are still learning, we feel we are moving in the right direction.” In 2007, they started using a low disturbance, no-till drill to move as little soil as possible during seeding. They have also implemented the use of stripper headers, so when they combine their flax and cereal crops, they just take the top of the plant, leaving tall stubble to catch an

even amount of snow to provide moisture for the spring. The decaying residue also feeds the soil microbes, earthworms and other beneficial insects which allows the nutrients to cycle and build soil structure. They have also increased diversity in their crop rotations. Having a diverse rotation helps control pests and weeds with less reliance on chemical pesticides. It also increases soil fertility with less need for synthetic fertilizer. In the last few years, they have also started intercropping. Their goal is to have plants growing as long as the weather allows. They do this by planting cover crops usually after harvest to reduce erosion and soil compaction, increase water infiltration and organic matter, and improve soil health. “Soil health is very com-

plex, and we have a lot to learn. Our goal is to take care of what Mother Nature gave us, so that Axten Farms Ltd. is a sustainable farm and can continue for many more generations,” the website says. The description on their website says every farming action they decide to take has the soil ecosystem in mind. They practise diversity, largescale composting, controlled traffic farming and biologically friendly inputs to take care of their soil microbiology, which allows them to have a positive impact on the environment. Tickets for the Farmers’ Appreciation banquet go on sale this week and are available through committee members and the chamber. Registration is also possible through the chamber’s website.

Carievale 4-H club activity

4-H Member of the Month: Easton Meredith

Name: Easton Meredith Club: Carnduff & Area Beef 4-H Club Age: 15 Age group: Intermediate Years in 4-H: 6

Easton Meredith wants people to know about the opportunities that young people can have while in 4-H. Easton is a member of the Carnduff & Area Beef 4-H Club. He joined the Carievale club for a year, took a year off, and then joined the Carnduff Club, where he is in his fifth year. He decided to join 4-H because he was looking for a new opportunity. His parents, who operate a cattle and grain farm, suggested 4-H. Easton decided on the Carnduff club because he had heard good things about their leadership. “Their leaders are really good at helping out the new kids and helping them find their way in 4-H,” said Easton. It’s proven to be a great opportunity for Easton. Everybody is really friendly in the club and people are eager to help others.

Each year the members of the Carnduff club go on a trip somewhere different, he said. Last year they went to a fish farm. This year’s plans include a skiing trip and an auction mart. “You get to meet new people and you get to be around a bunch of people that like 4-H,” said Easton, who has made a lot of friends through 4-H. He has met people from other clubs through the regional 4-H Show and Sale that is held in Alameda each year. He knew a fair amount about cattle before joining the Carnduff club, but he’s learned even more, thanks to keeping record books, preparing for the sale and learning how cattle prices fluctuate. Easton has also been part of 4-H’s public speaking program. “4-H is a pretty nice program. It’s good to get kids into it. Everybody can be a part of it, and once they’re in there, everybody feels comfortable being in there, and everybody will show you the right way to do it,” said Easton. He expects that what he has learned through 4-H will help him in the future, because he plans on going into the cattle business in the future. And he would recommend the Carnduff club and 4-H to other people.

The Carievale 4-H Beef Club had a meeting on Dec. 11. Members picked their speeches and sale orders and made leather comb holders. Photo submitted

Celebrating our AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY and all those involved who keep the equipment operating, the land productive, and our country fed!

SPORTS A13 | Wednesday, January 17, 2024 | www.SASKTODAY.ca

Bruins end slump with sweep of La Ronge By David Willberg A visit from the La Ronge Ice Wolves and a few new faces proved to be the tonic the Estevan Bruins needed. The Black and Gold won two straight home games over La Ronge last week, defeating the Ice Wolves 3-1 on Wednesday night and 5-2 on Saturday. The first win ended a fourgame losing streak. Estevan outshot the Ice Wolves 43-25 on Wednesday night, but it was a 1-1 game until early in the third period when Ilya Chmelevski scored on a power play. Chmelevski added a goal late in the third, dashing any hopes of an Ice Wolves' comeback. Zach Burfoot opened the scoring for the Bruins in the first period. Dylan Handel scored for La Ronge. Cam Hrdlicka stopped 24 shots for the Bruins. Topher Chirico made 40 saves in La Ronge's net. Head coach and GM Jason Tatarnic was pleased with how they played Wednesday night. "I thought we had a lot of chances in that game … we just didn't capitalize. I don't mind winning games like that. We have to learn how to play tight games," said Tatarnic. The Bruins came out strong Saturday but weren't rewarded for their efforts until Owen Barrow scored midway through the first

period. The Ice Wolves then ran into penalty problems, and the Bruins capitalized, with Zach Burfoot and Alexander Papaspyropoulos scoring 63 seconds apart for a 3-0 advantage. Papaspyropoulos' goal came in his Bruin debut. Gabriel Filion added to the lead 2:01 into the second period, and Keagon Little made it a 5-0 game before the 10-minute mark of the second. While the Bruins didn't score the rest of the game, they didn't sit back, either, as La Ronge was sitting at 16 shots on goal at the midway point of the third period. The Ice Wolves generated some chances in the second half of the third. Sage Roberts scored with less than five minutes to play, and Jacob Huffy finished the scoring with six seconds remaining. Miller finished with 21 saves on the night, while Eric Kahl made 29 saves for the Ice Wolves. The Bruins dealt Kahl to La Ronge earlier in the week for forward Raine Hodge. Tatarnic said the club talked about having a playoff mentality, starting with the games against La Ronge. "You have to get in that mindset and do what it takes to win hockey games. Low-scoring games, we have to be ready for those. We have to be ready when we get power-play opportunities, and we have to kill

Ilya Chmelevski (25) tries to reach the puck around a La Ronge defender during Saturday's game. penalties," said Tatarnic. The Bruins made several deals prior to the national junior A trade deadline on Jan. 10, although there was just one on deadline day. They acquired Papaspyropoulos from the Amarillo Wranglers of the North American Hockey League for a

player development fee. The 19-year-old Papaspyropoulos, in his first year with the Wranglers, had eight goals and 17 assists in 36 games. He's no stranger to Estevan, either. He played for the Pickering Panthers of the Ontario Junior Hockey League when the

Panthers reached the final of the Centennial Cup national championship in Estevan. "The rink's obviously special, and we made it to the final when I played here, so I have some pretty good memories with my team back in Pickering," said Papaspyropoulos, who was eager to come to Estevan. "It sounded like this was a great place for me to come and continue my career, and it's been a great start." He said he is fitting in nicely with his new teammates, and he was pleased to get a goal in his first game. Hodge, age 19, was brought in from La Ronge on Jan. 8, and the club also signed 20-year-old defenceman Luke Rybinski that same day. Tatarnic said he wasn't thinking of trading club's 20-year-olds before the deadline, and he's pleased with how the three new players have fit in. "I think those three players add quite a bit to our hockey team. And when you look at some of the stuff we did prior to that … I think we're a better hockey team than we were before," said Tatarnic. Estevan (15-16-0-2) will have a busy week with four games in six days. They will visit the Kindersley Klippers on Jan. 16 and the Battlefords North Stars the following night, and then they will host the Melfort Mustangs on Jan 19 and 20. The home games will start at 7 p.m.

Teams compete at latest Estevan youth bonspiel The Estevan Curling Club gave young curlers another opportunity to shine during the Southern Plains Co-op U18 and U15 bonspiels on the weekend. The U18 division had three teams, with the Heidi Fradette rink that competed at the recent U18 girls’ provincial tournament, along with the mixed curling team from Lampman School and

a team from the Estevan Comprehensive School. Team Fradette finished first in the round robin with a 2-0 mark. Lampman was second at 1-1 and ECS was third at 0-2. Lampman defeated ECS in the semifinal, and Fradette knocked off Lampman in the final. Five teams were entered in the U15 division, with

three from the Estevan Curling Club, one from Lampman and one from Carievale. Each team played three times on Saturday and then there was a playoff. The Hot Shots out of the Estevan Curling Club beat Team Lampman in the final. The Carievale Cougars defeated The # Ones, competing out of the Estevan Curling Club, in the bronze-

Estevan teams impress at U13 tournament

The Estevan Royals faced the Pense/Grand Coulee Bulldogs during a game on Saturday. Twelve teams were entered at the Estevan Minor Hockey Association’s annual U13 house league tournament. The host Estevan teams – the Wolves, Predators, Storm and Royals – were joined by teams from Weyburn, Regina, Balgonie, DrakeNokomis, Pense-Grand Coulee and the Quad Town area. Games were played at Affinity Place and the Power Dodge Arena. The Drake Canucks defeated the Estevan Panthers 6-4 in the gold-medal game. In the

bronze match-up, the Estevan Royals edged the Estevan Wolves 4-3. The 12 teams were divided into four pools of three teams for a round robin. Then they went through the playoffs, with a team’s finish in the round robin determining whether they were in the A, B or C event. The Panthers, Royals and Wolves all finished first in their pool. The Storm were second in their group, and won the bronze medal of the B event with a 6-3 win over the Regina Buffalo.

medal game. The Sweepers, who were the other team out of the Estevan Curling Club, finished fifth. The U15 division used triples, which Curling Canada has adopted to encourage more young people to take up the sport. Teams are comprised of three players instead of the traditional four, and each curler throws two rocks in an end. It also features a different scoring system. Instead of awarding points for each end, they play three sets of two ends. A team is awarded points if they win a set, and the third set is worth more than the first two, creating a greater opportunity for a comeback. • • • The Last Chance qualifier for the SaskTel Tankard men’s provincial curling championship was held from Friday to Sunday in Prince Albert. The Allan Walter rink, competing out of the Lampman Curling Club, went 1-3 at the triple-knockout elimination tournament. The event started well for the Walter rink, as they won 7-2 over Team Krepps out of Maidstone. Walter stole two in the third and scored two in the ninth, and the two teams shook hands after nine ends. The next game was a 7-2 loss to Daymond Bernath out of the Nutana Curling Club in Saskatoon. Bernath scored three in each of the second and fourth ends to lead 7-1, and Walter conceded after the sixth end. The next game was an

Lampman School had a team entered in the U18 division. 8-1 loss in four ends to Dylan Derksen from the Sutherland Curling Club, also in Saskatoon. The Derksen rink scored five in the first end. Walter’s lone point was in the second end. The final game was a 6-5 loss to Michael Carss, also out of Saskatoon. Carss scored twice in the sixth and

once in the eighth to lead 6-3. Walter scored one in the ninth and stole one in the 10th. Other team members were third Tyler Corbin, second Jess Olson and lead Ty Olson. This year’s Tankard will be held Jan. 30-Feb. 4 in Saskatoon.

Estevan Bears get two points during road trip The Estevan Great North U18 AAA Bears picked up two of a possible six points during a tough road trip in north-central Saskatchewan on the weekend. The Bears lost 4-3 in overtime on Friday night and 3-2 in a shootout on Saturday in games against the Warman Wildcats, and 3-1 Sunday against the Saskatoon Blazers. In Friday's game, Talen Wallis opened the scoring for the Bears midway through the first period. The Wildcats tied the game before the end of the stanza and took the lead in the second, but Thomas Ries scored

for Estevan with nine seconds to play in the middle frame to tie the game again. Wallis added his second of the game early in the third for the Bears, but the Wildcats tied the game a few minutes later and Liam Bursaw had the winner 41 seconds into overtime. Wallis added an assist to finish with a three-point game. Kaden Perron stopped 29 shots for the Bears. In Saturday's game, the Wildcats had a 1-0 lead from early in the first until late in

the second when Roan Burgess scored for the Bears. The Wildcats took the lead in the third, but Carter Onrait scored for Estevan with 1:39 to play in regulation to send the contest to extra time. Overtime settled nothing and the Wildcats outscored the Bears 2-0 in the penaltyshot contest. Cole Ivey made 30 saves for the Bears. In Sunday's game, the Blazers scored once in each period. Saskatoon opened the scoring a minute into the first period and doubled the lead early in the middle frame.

Aidan Mohan's goal late in the second pulled the Bears to within one, and it remained a 2-1 game until the Blazers scored into an empty net with a second remaining in the game. Perron made 29 saves for Estevan. The Blazers are the defending Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League champions and have the best record in the league this season, while the Wildcats were third in the league entering play on Sunday. Estevan 15-15-5 will be back on the ice on Jan. 17 when they visit the Yorkton Maulers.

A14 January 17, 2024

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Estevan U15 teams sweep N.D. tournament

The Estevan Knights, Bears and Wildcats took the top three positions at a tournament in North Dakota. Photo courtesy of Tannis Kolenz It was a weekend to remember for the Estevan Minor Hockey Association's three U15 house league teams during a tournament in Watford City, N.D.

Estevan clubs swept the podium positions, with the Estevan Bears defeating the Estevan Wildcats 3-2 in overtime in the gold-medal game, and the Estevan Knights

blanking the Weyburn Wings 6-0 to win bronze. A total of 10 teams were entered. The Bears opened their tournament with a 6-0 win over the Wings, then they

defeated the Langdon Blades 5-0 and the Bismarck Capitals 4-1. The Wildcats trounced the Williston Flyers 11-0 in their first game, then they

beat the Langdon Blades 5-1 and the Aberdeen Cougars 15-0. The Knights began with a 15-0 triumph over the Cougars, then they won 9-3 over

the Billings Bulls and 11-1 over the Williston Flyers. Estevan teams went a combined 9-0 in the round robin and outscored their opponents 54-6.

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Mayor’s Message

As we turn into full winter mode. Please be aware that our property owners are responsible for the sidewalks in front of their property. Please be responsible and help your neighbors to keep our sidewalks clear and keep our walking public safe. SAVE 2.5% IN JANUARY BY PRE-PAYING YOUR 2024 PROPERY TAXES The City of Estevan is offering a 2.5% discount when you pre-pay your property taxes in January. Discounts are calculated based on previous years levy. Please pay the 2023 levy amounts to take advantage of this discount. Payments can be made in person at City Hall or on-line through your personal on-line banking. Discounts will be calculated at time payment is processed. Please note: The discount is calculated on the municipal portion of you taxes only. As per provincial directives the discounts are no longer available on the school portion of your property taxes.

For Public Safety Please help keep our sidewalks safe so all citizens can enjoy a safe passage while walking Traffic Bylaw 2022-2064 Depositing Substances 53. (1) No person shall deposit any natural substances on any highway, public sidewalk, boulevard or ditch within the City of Estevan, excepting: (a) On 4th street from Souris Avenue and 14th Avenue where the building is abutting the property line; (b) On 5th Street from 13th Avenue to Souris Avenue where the building is abutting the property line; (c) On 11th Avenue from 3rd Street to 5th Street where the building is abutting the property line; (d) On 12th avenue from 3rd street to 6th street where the building is abutting the property line; (e) On 13th avenue from the north side of 4th street North 40 meters. (2) No person shall dump any substance on any highway, public sidewalk, boulevard or ditch within the City of Estevan. (3) The occupier of property in the City of Estevan shall remove any snow, ice or other obstruction from the public sidewalk adjacent to such property within twenty-four (24) hours of the time such snow, ice or other obstruction appears on such public sidewalk. In the event that this subsection is not complied with, the City may remove such snow, ice or other obstructions at the expense of such occupants or owner, and in the event of the non-payment of such expense, such expense may be charges against the property as a special assessment to be recovered in like manner as and with the taxes. * In the event that this subsection is not complied with, the City may remove such snow, ice or other obstructions at the expense of such occupants or owner, and in the event of the non-payment of such expense, such expense may be charges against the property as a special assessment to be recovered in like manner as and with the taxes.