e United Way Estevan is gearing up for its 48th annual Telethon, set to take place from Oct. 18 and 19 at the Estevan Royal Canadian Legion. is year’s theme, You Are the Community, emphasizes the collective e ort needed to support the organization’s member agencies, which, in turn, support the community.
“To me, the theme means ‘you’ could be someone like a corporation who makes a very generous donation, to an individual, making a generous donation, to a performer, to our volunteers, to Access Communications, to the local media,” said United Way Estevan president Mark Pettitt.
“We all play a role in the health of our community and how we help each oth-
er and get to a point where we raise money to help the member agencies who do immense, immense work in town.”
He noted planning for the telethon is a year-round task, with more intensive preparations beginning in late August and early September. e board’s rst weekly meeting before the telethon is Sept. 4.
“We get together as the board and the planning groups, and we start putting things in place to make sure that the telethon runs smoothly,” Pettitt said.
e goal for this year’s 48th telethon is $348,000, which will go towards funding local member agencies that provide essential services in the community, as well as community impact projects, such as breakfast programs at Hillcrest School, the United Way Day of Caring, support for the local legion
and more. According to the UW Estevan’s website, they currently help fund 11 member agencies and allocate money for eight community impact projects.
e telethon will feature interviews with organizations which the UW Estevan supports.
Pettitt noted that the funds raised in October will be distributed starting in January.
e telethon will feature 33 hours of various entertainment from 8 a.m. on Oct. 18 to 5 p.m. the following day, live-streamed on Access Channel 7 as well as online. Heading into the telethon and throughout the event, people and businesses will be asked to donate to support organizations that are vital to the community’s well-being.
e telethon will also include a popular silent auction, featuring hand-
made items created by local people. is part of the fundraiser has been bene tting from online exposure lately, with items displayed and available for bidding on social media as well as at the legion hall.
In the weeks heading into Telethon weekend, the United Way is calling for items to be donated to the auction, as well as volunteers and performers.
Pettitt encouraged local talents to be involved as entertainment, regardless of experience.
“We’re always open for people who’ve been thinking about maybe coming up and performing on stage to give it a try, whether you’re a child just learning piano or a band or someone who likes to sing,” he said.
Volunteers will play a crucial role in the event.
“ ere will always be a call for volunteers,” Pettitt
noted, emphasizing that the event relies on community support to succeed. Murray GM will host the traditional kick-o to telethon lunch on the Wednesday before the telethon, and Pettitt expects there will be other businesses fundraising in the weeks leading up to the event.
For the latest updates and current ways to support the event, United Way Estevan recommends visiting their Facebook page and keeping an eye on local media. For more information on how to participate, volunteer or donate, people can go to the UW website at unitedwayestevan.com or reach out to executive director Heidi Hesselink at 306-634-7375.
e Mercury and SaskToday will continue to have coverage of the telethon in the weeks leading up to the event.
MRI for Estevan campaign eclipses $4 million
e St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation has cleared another milestone as it continues to raise funds for the new MRI scanner at the hospital.
e campaign, named Together We Can: MRI for Estevan, has cleared the $4 million mark, according to the latest updated total posted on the foundation’s website. e tally stands
at $4,015,286, which is 62 per cent of the $6.5 million goal.
e amount of money raised includes the $2 million pledged by Elaine Walkom of Estevan, whose donation in memory of her late husband Grant kick-started the e ort to bring an MRI to Estevan.
e Government of Saskatchewan gave the hospi-
TUESDAY SEPT 17, 2024
tal foundation the green light in March’s provincial budget to o cially start fundraising for the MRI scanner, so it took a little more than ve months for the campaign to eclipse the $4 million threshold.
Not only will the $6.5 million be needed to fund the purchase and installation of a new MRI scanner and cover the cost of sta
training, it would also pay for the cost of renovating the diagnostic imaging centre where the scanner would be located.
Once the scanner is in place, it is expected to not only provide a service closer to home for southeast residents, but it is also to reduce wait times for MRI services throughout the province.
e foundation has been receiving support from throughout the southeast region in the past ve months.
People can donate online at any time at sjhf.org, send an e-transfer to info@ sjhf.org, call the o ce at 306-637-2474 or stop by to make an in-person donation. Tax receipts are issued for all donations.
As the Estevan Comprehensive School (ECS) was preparing to open its doors for a new academic year, the school welcomed a number of new teachers and sta members to its team.
Principal James Jones said the in ux of new educators brings fresh perspectives and ideas to the school.
“ECS is excited to welcome many new faces,” Jones said. “We have roughly 10 new sta members joining ECS, along with several who have transitioned from temporary to full-time contracts. We’re fully sta ed as we head into the year, and we know we’re going to have a great deal of success with these new sta members.”
e new additions to the team come after a wave of retirements and contract changes last year. Jones noted that the hiring process was a collaborative e ort with the South East Cornerstone Public School Division, involving Nathan Johnson, superintendent
of human resources, and Cathy Hiltz, the superintendent of schools (south) with the division.
“ e pieces of the puzzle came together starting towards the end of April and into May, with ournal hire happening in early August,” said Jones. “We don’t rush things; we make sure to nd the right candidates who will best meet the needs of our students.”
Some of the new teachers joined the ECS team from other southeast communities, and others moved from further places in Saskatchewan.
e school’s new temporary vice-principal, Lindsay Collins, is also set to start in her new role, stepping in for Annemarie Rosner, who is on a one-year maternity leave. Rosner was hired to be the vice-principal earlier this year.
“We wish her and her family all the best,” Jones said.
Collins, a long-time sta member, previously taught math and supported students in a response to intervention role. She retired in 2023.
Beyond hiring, ECS
has been active in preparing the new team for the school year. e entire sta , including teachers, educational assistants and library technicians, recently participated in a day of land-based learning and professional development at Pheasant Rump Nakota First Nation.
“It was a wonderful opportunity to build team capacity, meet our new sta members, and come together as a community,” said Jones. “ ere’s been lots of focus this week on pulling the team together so we can best serve the students of our community.”
e ECS school community council (SCC) hosted its annual back-toschool barbecue on ursday. e event welcomed new and returning students and families as they were preparing for the year ahead.
“Our maintenance crew has worked tirelessly over the summer to get the building ready to meet our students,” said Jones. “ ere’s excitement in the air, and we’re looking forward to a great academic
year and all the wonderful things our students will achieve.”
In addition to sta ng changes, ECS will also introduce a cell phone policy, in line with the new provincial guidelines, to regulate the use of phones during instructional time.
e school plans to communicate the policy to students and families in the coming weeks.
“We’re trying to make sure that those cell phones
“We’re very excited for the academic year, and it’s going to be a great one,” he said.
Follow ECS on social media for more information on their new sta and any current matters.
aren’t being used during instructional time, and if there is a need for them, then the teachers and students will have to have the necessary approval to do so. at was very much a standard practice here at the school before. We’re just tightening up some of that language, and we’ll take time to teach our students and community, what those expectations involve, making sure that we follow through with what those expectations are,” Jones said. With these changes in place, ECS is poised to start the school year on a positive note, with Jones emphasizing the school’s commitment to serving its students and community.
Collision on Estevan bypass leaves one person dead
One person is dead following a collision on the Estevan truck bypass Friday evening.
According to a news release from the Estevan RCMP, emergency crews were called to a two-vehicle incident just before 7 p.m. A semi-trailer unit and a car collided on the bypass (Highway 39A) east of the junction with Highway 47. Members of the Estevan RCMP, Estevan
Fire Rescue Service, Estevan EMS and Estevan Police Service all responded.
Both vehicles caught re on impact. e lone occupant of the passenger vehicle, a 66-year-old man from Estevan, was pronounced dead at the scene. e driver of the semi-trailer unit was treated at the scene and released.
e bypass from Kensington Avenue to the junction with Highway 47 was closed for most of the night; it reopened early Saturday. e RCMP says there were no hazardous materials involved and there was no risk to the public.
An RCMP Collision Reconstructionist continues to investigate.
Revamped event to support Ronald McDonald House
A popular annual fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House in Saskatoon is going to return this year, but it will have a new organizer and some changes in its format.
e Ride and Drive for Ronald McDonald House will take place on Sept. 8, with both motorcycles and vehicles involved. Registration will begin at 1 p.m. at the Sixth Street McDonald’s in Estevan and the ride will begin at 2 p.m. Participants will embark on a ride through the southeast, nishing up at Stoughton’s Crossroads Inn, where they will enjoy a beef-ona-bun supper. Ra e prizes will be drawn and then people will return home. One of the ra e prizes is a WestJet travel voucher from
Ronald McDonald House.
ere is a $20 fee per person for the ride.
e event was previously known as the Ride for Ronald McDonald House and was a popular motorcycle ride. It was organized by the Retreads, the Prairie Riders and the Prairie Winds motorcycle clubs over the years, but recent editions were run by a group of biking enthusiasts.
Chris White with the Crossroads Inn has taken over organization this year, with Raylene Fieber, who was involved with the ride
for years, providing assistance. Fieber noted that White has been a supporter for years by hosting and preparing the supper at the inn.
“ is was absolutely amazing, because when [long-time organizer] Pam Currie and I gave it up last year … we were worried it wasn’t going to be taken over,” Fieber told the Mercury and SaskToday. “But everything has to be passed on, and I’m so glad Chris stepped up, and she’s asked for me to help her to keep it going.”
e Ronald McDonald House provides valuable support to families with at least one child who has medical needs.
“ e Ronald McDonald House gets the majority of their funding from donations from the community,” said Fieber.
Last year’s ride raised approximately $75,000, bringing the total for the 25 years to roughly $87,500.
Currie is pleased the event is continuing because she recognizes the time it takes to organize, but also the impact the Ronald McDonald House has for so many people in Saskatchewan.
“It was a success right to begin with and it just grew every year,” said Currie. “It was a few more riders and
a few more riders and a few more people donating to help us raise as much money as we could for the house.”
Currie said she and her husband Paul expect to be there on Sept. 8, but it will be a weird feeling because they will be on hand as supporters rather than organizers.
“I never got to visit with everybody, because I was so busy running things. It will be nice to visit with everybody who is coming and showing up to go and support the House,” said Currie.
While the Curries live in Esterhazy, she has talked to people in the southeast about the upcoming fundraiser, and they are also looking forward to it.
In honour of their late father, three young siblings from Estevan are spearheading a heartfelt campaign to raise awareness for mental health and suicide prevention.
Kase Salkeld, 11, Emma Salkeld, 10, and Noah Salkeld, 7, along with their mother Stephanie Kendall, stepfather Andrew Tait, and stepbrother Boston Tait, 15, have launched a fundraiser selling sweatshirts to support mental health resources. e initiative was inspired by their personal loss and their desire to give back to the community. e siblings have organized a fundraiser selling crewneck sweatshirts in black and grey with the message “Minds Matter. End the stigma”. e sweatshirts come in adult and youth sizes, priced at $55 each. Proceeds will be donated to Joshua Tree Caring Hearts, a non-profit organization supporting children.
e siblings’ journey began when they decided to honour their father’s memory in a meaningful way. Stephanie shared, “Traditionally, every year on August 27, we usually do something in memory of dad. is year, Kase and Emma were especially inspired to create a positive impact after learning more about mental health, and that’s where the idea for the fundraiser emerged.”
e conversation about raising awareness for mental health was led by Kase and Emma, who were inspired to do something impactful after gaining knowledge about mental health in school and through their personal healing journey.
Andrew acknowledged and recognizes the urgent demand for mental health services, particularly for children and adolescents. is has motivated his family to advocate for an important cause.
Misty Dukart, business
e Southeast College announced Tuesday morning it was receiving $1.68 million in funding for the 2024-26 period to support its early childhood education (ECE) programs.
is funding will benet full-time and part-time ECE programs across Estevan, Kahkewistahaw First Nation and Cowessess First Nation campuses (full-time), as well as Weyburn, Indian Head, Moosomin and Assiniboia campuses (part-time).
e programs will o er training at Levels 1, 2 and 3, entirely cost-free to domestic students, covering tuition, books and materials.
e objective of this funding
is to enhance the certi cation levels of early childhood educators in Saskatchewan. is means up to 211 SE College students can receive free training, signi cantly contributing to the development of qualied ECE professionals in the province.
Jody Holzmiller, interim college president and CEO, expressed her excitement about the funding approval.
“ e two-year funding agreement is greatly appreciated. Having a two-year agreement in place will allow students to enroll tuition-free while obtaining their diploma,” said Holzmiller.
owner of Soak and Style, developed a clothing line featuring a green colour scheme that represents mental health awareness.
e family said they are “so grateful to Misty for handling the ordering and printing of all the sweatshirts for the campaign.”
In August, the siblings began selling sweatshirts by going door to door and taking part in a local trade show. ey were able to sell 198 pieces, coming very close to their target of 200. Emma was overjoyed by their success, while the siblings were thrilled to come close to exceeding their initial target in less than two weeks.
Stephanie remarked, “I am extremely proud of them.”
Joshua Tree Caring Hearts provides many services like summer camps and support groups for children coping with a loss of a loved one. ey acknowledge that everyone’s journey through loss is unique, but they believe that anyone can move forward toward healing, regardless of their circumstances. By o ering various avenues for connection, empathy and community, the organization aims to counter the loneliness that often accompanies grief and trauma.
e siblings’ campaign has not only raised funds but has also sparked discussions about mental health and grief, which are essential aspects of their mission. As they grow older and gain a deeper understanding, they aspire to share their story and motivate others in the community.
After achieving their initial objective, the Salkeld siblings made the decision to reach out to companies through donation request letters to raise funds. ey
“ is funding, in addition to the delivery model southeast [college] has implemented, which allows students to remain employed during their schooling, is a win-win situation for students and early learning centres in the southeast region.”
Providing free access to this type of training is crucial for many reasons, the college noted. It reduces nancial barriers for students, allowing them to pursue their education
also plan to keep selling sweaters as part of their e orts. e campaign will last until the end of September, coinciding with Suicide Prevention Month.
“You are not alone,” says Noah. ey are optimistic that sharing their journey and spreading awareness can assist other young individuals going through similar challenges.
All pro ts generated will go towards supporting young children dealing with mental health challenges and loss, providing them with a hopeful future.
e Joshua Tree Learning Centre provides a range of services, including counselling, assessments, tutoring, workshops and more to help individuals with disabilities and mental health issues, as well as their families.
Kase, Emma and Noah are grateful for any support
without the burden of tuition costs. is initiative also helps to address the shortage of quali ed early childhood educators by making it easier for individuals to enter and advance in this vital eld.
“ is signi cant investment not only strengthens our commitment to early education but also underscores our dedication to the families and labor force of the southeast region of Saskatchewan,” said Holzmiller. “It
they receive, highlighting the importance of each contribution.
“If you are able to purchase one of our crew neck sweatshirts or provide a donation via cash or cheque, it would be greatly appreciated,” says the family.
For more information about the cause or to buy a sweatshirt, please contact Stephanie Kendall through her social media accounts or by calling 306-4615546. Payments can be sent through e-transfer to stephaniesalkeld@hotmail. com.
represents a crucial step towards enhancing the quality of early childhood education and ensuring that our communities have access to well-trained professionals.” is initiative is part of a broader $1.1 billion investment under the Canada-Saskatchewan Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement for 2021-22 to 2025-26. e federal government and the province have committed
to increasing the number of regulated childcare spaces by 28,000 and providing $10 per day regulated childcare spaces to families. is funding is provided by the Ministry of Education of Saskatchewan and falls under the quality pillar of the agreement, aimed at recruiting and retaining quali ed early child care employees to support developmentally appropriate programming in regulated childcare facilities.
Administration Morgan Hodgens - mohodgens@glaciermedia.ca
EDITORIAL
Conference will be a showcase for Estevan
Sometimes we don’t give ourselves enough credit for the contributions the southeast region has made to the world of technology.
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We don’t necessarily expect people outside the region – especially those who live in larger centres – to recognize our impact. Too many big-city folks are too caught up in their stereotypes of those who live in smaller communities.
People like Dr. Eric Grimson, Je Sandquist and Andrew Wahba have come from Estevan and have gone on to make major contributions in the technological world. For the past decade, we have had a marvel of technology and innovation in our backyard with the carbon capture and storage facility at SaskPower’s Boundary Dam Power Station, which has slashed the emissions associated with a coal- red power-generating unit while producing baseload electricity. And it’s become very reliable in recent years. e PTRC’s Aquistore project near Boundary Dam continues to demonstrate the bene ts of carbon dioxide storage, and the Deep Earth Energy Production Corp. – led by former Estevan resident Kirsten Marcia – is moving closer to having Canada’s rst geothermal power facility operating in the Torquay area.
People in oil and gas, mining and agriculture are coming up with new ideas of how to enhance their industries. We had a glimpse at
some of those projects at Estevan’s rst-ever pitch party last fall, with two teenage boys, Wyatt ompson and Logan Stewart from the Carndu area, taking top spot for their portable irrigation system.
We’ve even seen young people at local schools come up with great ideas that show their creativity and imagination. You might be a little bit skittish when you hear about technology, innovation and even AI, and we understand that. We recognized that innovation, like anything else, can’t be allowed to proceed unchecked. But you might be surprised about the positive impacts that have occurred with local businesses.
Estevan isn’t the only community that is seeing the positive impact of embracing technology.
Estevan will be hosting its rst Innovation Conference for Economic Development in Rural Areas from Sept. 10-12. is is not just a locally-focused event with a few people coming in to present. is is a fullblown celebration of how smaller communities are embracing technology, and how that is shaping these communities’ future.
ere’s going to be a lot of stories shared and a lot of lessons learned about what others are doing. And yes, the delegates are going to hear a lot about what is happening down here, whether it be through the Southeast College, the Southeast TechHub or elsewhere. And they’re going to hear
about how growing up in Estevan helped propel people like Sandquist and Wahba in the tech sector.
ere have been previous attempts to have tech conferences in Estevan in recent years that just didn’t get o the ground. So, you can understand why people were skeptical about this particular endeavour. But this time it resonated. With a mixture of people well-known in the community and those from outside of Estevan, it’s generating a lot of interest both inside and outside of the Energy City.
ese people might not be household names like a world-class athlete, a big-time entertainer or a prominent politician – although there is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arkansas making the trip up here to present – but they are top of their elds.
is conference will be another opportunity to showcase what Estevan has to o er. It’s another chance to impress the world. It’s another chance for visitors to be charmed by those who live in our community. ose people can then return home and tell their family and friends about what a great time they had in Estevan – a community they might have only heard about recently – and the great things that are happening in a corner of Saskatchewan.
We should always make the most of these opportunities.
When did we forget how to do this?
e Summer Olympic Games are over and the Paralympics are now underway.
I thoroughly enjoyed watching athletes compete and achieve personal bests, win medals and set records. Yes, I cheered loudly and will remember many moments (cue the raising of the Canadian ag 27 times) but it is something I heard before the Olympics even began that has me questioning … humanity.
I listened to a series of podcasts on topics ranging from refugee athletes to past Olympic golden moments. But the one that caused me to shake my head was e orts trying to nd ways to protect athletes from abuse.
ey were discussing the use of arti cial intelligence in future games. Judged events are a possible bene ciary, but the biggest potential bene t touted was the ability to block the amount of cyberbullying the athletes experience.
I know this shouldn’t surprise me, but seriously, imagine putting years, blood, sweat and tears into your sport, and then be subjected to death threats, harassment, and vile comments. But we don’t have to imagine it, do we? We see and hear it every day.
Look at what is hurled at, and by, celebrities, politicians, leaders, professionals, men, women, young, old and in between. Nurses, teachers, construction workers, accountants … it is happening to everyone. No one is immune from the vicious comments spewing forth from screens.
Attacks on how someone looks, what they’ve said, and then threats against them or their families. For what? For making a decision as a public servant? For gaining or losing weight? For having a di erent opinion than someone else?
A woman who has dedicated the last few years to a conservative organization advocating for children has been on the receiving end of attack after attack. She has been called many things including the prolifera-
Shelley Luedtke
tor of hate and the idiotic lunatic who needs to die. ose were two of the more-printable comments amongst the dozens posted, many laced with profanity. Why? Because she has a perspective on what might be best for children?
It’s so easy to think nothing of hurling insults or tossing out curse- lled rants. It doesn’t matter if it is true or not. You don’t like what someone said or did? Grab a device, choose an account and call them an idiot, a hater or a worthless human being. And they all have unfettered access to our eyeballs – if we let them.
It’s not just the online world where behaviour like this exists. It’s happening in everyday interactions in how people treat clerks, waiters, bus drivers, medical sta , civil servants and on and on. We see it on our roads, in our public venues and on our campuses. It’s what prompted a woman to feel the need to establish “Be Kind to Humankind Week”.
Seriously, this is what we need? Please don’t misunderstand. I am not knocking the e ort. I just nd it incredibly sad we need to ask people to be kind for one week. e founder of the initiative, American teacher Lorraine Jara, made this into a cause after an incident in her hometown when two men, ghting for their lives after a boating accident, received no o ers of help as people bypassed them, indicating they didn’t want to get involved. One of the men died.
For seven days from Aug. 25-31, the hope is “people worldwide will come together as a celebration of kindness to show compassion in their communities and inspire others to join the movement and create a more caring and supportive world.” Wow. What we should have been doing all along now needs a spotlight because we’ve forgotten how to do it.
Of course this isn’t the only e ort of this kind. Sen. Jim Munson brought forward Bill S-223 to designate the third week every February as Kindness Week. It received royal assent in 2021, making Canada the rst country in the world to have a Kindness Week. ere’s more.
In 2024, Canadian Mental Health Week had as its theme “A Call to be Kind: Because compassion connects us all.” Beautiful words, but again how unfortunate we need to reminded of the value in being kind. We are so o the rails. But it doesn’t need to stay that way. ose eyeballs that companies want on their platforms and their products? ey belong to us. We get to choose what we do with them and what we see and read.
Our attitude toward those who serve in retail and restaurants? Let’s remind ourselves what a privilege it is to have access to that. ey are working hard so treating them with civility is not too much to ask. Our temperament behind the wheel? Calming down and being courteous just might save us from heartbreak. We have a choice. Being kind shouldn’t be a designation on the calendar. It needs to be the default setting in how we live our lives. No athlete, accountant, air tra c controller, zookeeper, zoologist or zither player should be treated with callousness or disdain. Maybe one day, Kindness Week will no longer be required and those who come after us will shake their heads wondering why it was ever needed at all. at’s my outlook.
Our friendlyand concerned neighbourhood ser viceproviders and merchants have joined together to bring you these impor tant safetytips. Haveahealthy and safe school year!
ALWAYS use the sidewalk when walking to and from sc hool. If thereisno side walk, walk facing traffic
BE awareofthe streettraffic aroundyou.Avoid wearing headphones while walking.
CR OSS in front of the bus, and makesurethe driver seesyou pass
306-634-3391 estevancurling@accesscomm.ca
DON’T pla yinthe street while waiting for the bus. Stay on the sidewalk.
ENTERand exitthe busina single-fileline, letting younger students go first
FACE forwardand remain seated throughout the entirebus ride
Estevan Public Youth Centre info@theepyc.ca 306-634-7922 fourseasonrental@gmail.com
IF you missthe bus, call aparent or guardian to driveyou to sc hool Neverask astranger!
JAYWALKINGisdangerous. Crossthe street at crosswalks.
306-634-2835 www.apexdistribution.com A I R J S K T L U M V N W O X P Y Q Z B D F C E G H
HOLD onto the handrail when youare entering and exitingthe bus.
306-634-3444 estevanhumanesociet y@sasktel.n
KEEP asafe distance between youand thebus while waiting for it to stop.
LOOSE dra wstrings and objects should be secured, so theydon’t get caught on the handrail or door of the bus.
MAKE suretokeep your hands to yourself at all times while riding on thebus.
NEVER throw thingsonthe bus or outthe buswindow, and alwa ys keep your handsand ar ms inside.
OBEY your busdriver’srules and regulations,soheor she can get youtoschool quic kl yand safel y.
PRACTICE good behavior on and offthe bus. Don’t get talked intobreaking the rules!
QUICKLYgotoyourseat whenyou enter thebus, andkeep yourfeet and belongings outofthe aisle
REMEMBER to look to the right beforeyou step off the bus. Careless driversinahurry ma y sometimes tr ytopass on the right.
STAY on theside walk, at least 10 feet from theroad, while waiting for thebus.
TALK quietly on the bus, so you don’t distract or annoythe driver.
USE emergenc yexits onl y in emergencies,and make surenot to bloc kthem.
VACANT lots and buildings should be avoided on your walk to the busstop.
WAIT for asignal from the busdriverbefore you cross thestreet.
XMARKS railroad trac ks Be silent when abus comes to a railroad crossing,sothe driver can hear if atrain is coming.
YOUNGc hildren should be walked to the bus stop by their parents or
Zzzz. Get agood nightof sleep,soyou can star teac h sc hool da yfeeling refreshed
| Wednesday, September 4, 2024 | www.SASKTODAY.ca
College wrapping up first computer science course
By David Willberg
Students at the Southeast College’s Estevan campus have been exploring the world of computer science through a new course.
Instructor Ryan Gustafson, who is an applied researcher and course instructor at the college’s Centre for Sustainable Innovation, said the rst class began in early July and will wrap up with a presentation at the upcoming Innovation Conference for Economic Development (ICED) in Rural Areas from Sept. 1012 in Estevan.
Gustafson is pleased with how the rst session went.
“It’s really been a lot of fun. In my personal experience, the challenge of traditional, post-secondary education is nding that real-world value. You learn a lot of theoretical knowledge, and it’s how do you apply it?” said Gustafson.
“We’re also focusing on mentorship, getting that one-on-one feedback, that … time with the instructor,” he added later. e course allows students to remain in the community and attend classes in person.
Working alongside Tania Andrist, the centre’s executive director of innovation and applied research, and Southeast TechHub executive director Gordon More, he said they have been developing a plan to bring computer science training to the community to ll a gap in the area.
“We were inspired by the one-room school houses of old and project-based learning … giving them hands-on experience with real-world challenges,” said Gustafson.
“Our computer science training through projects program o ers students an immersive, hands-on approach to learning computer science and programming by engaging in real-world projects, sourced from local businesses and organizations. Students develop essential 21st-century skills, creativity, communication, collaboration and critical thinking.”
Students have created an app that is AI-powered and is aimed at enhancing networking by matching participants at the ICED conference. Students are also building a yet-unnamed Poppy humanoid robot that is designed to spark interest in technology and serve as a learning tool in robotics.
e class recently partnered with RBC, whose volunteers joined the stu-
Report from theLegislature
Saskatchewan’s future is bright duetoour strong andgrowing economy. Statistics Canada’s latest retail trade figuresfor June 2024 placed Saskatchewan second amongthe provincesfor year-over-year growth
Theprovince’sretailtrade salesincreased by 3.4per cent in June 2024 over June 2023 (seasonally adjusted), totaling $2.1 billion
In housingstarts, Saskatchewan ranked thirdamong theprovinces in July 2024 compared to July 2023. Thesefigures highlightthe province’s thriving economic landscapeand commitment to fosteringgrowth anddevelopment that benefits everyone
This growth showsthatour effortstocreatea competitiveand stable business environmentwhile attracting record newinvestments arepayingoff. That means, ourprovinceiswell-positioned to capitalize onemergingopportunities, ensuring Saskatchewan remainsa greatplace to live,workand raisea family Inflation in ourprovinceremains lowwiththe recent Consumer PriceIndex numbersshowing a1.6 percentincreaseinJuly2024 compared to July 2023. This is thelowestyear-over-yearinflation rate in Canada.Our government will continue to standupfor Saskatchewan by opposing theTrudeau/NDP coalition carbon taxand refusing to collect andremit thetax on home heating. Astrongand growingeconomy allows ourgovernmenttomakestrategic investmentsinareas that matter most to thepeopleofSaskatchewan, includingthe need fornew andexpandedinfrastructure. Constructiononthe Regina GeneralHospitalparkade hasreached the80per cent mark andisontrack toprovide asafeand convenient parkingoption.
Ourgovernmenthas allocated$22.4million to this project, whichwillprovide atotal of 1,005 stalls –an increase of 686 parkingspots.The four-level parkadeistargetedfor completion in late 2024 andwill soon better servepatients, hospital staffand visitors
Progress on ourprovince’sambitious Health HumanResource(HHR) Action Plan continueswithrecent recruitment success, includingthe twonew perfusionistshired.Perfusionists areinhighdemandand work closelywithcardiac surgeons,anesthesiologists andother membersofa patient’soperating room team Investinginour healthcare workforceand recruiting thesehighlysought-afterprofessionalsallows ustoaddress theneedsofour rapidlygrowing population andimprove healthcare delivery.The HHR Action Plan reflects ourcommitmenttosupportingSaskatchewan’shealthprofessionalsand advancing care forall residents.
Additionally,fourteen newphysiciansare nowpracticingacrossSaskatchewanafter completing the SaskatchewanInternational PhysicianPracticeAssessment(SIPPA) programinMay.Thankstothe SIPPA program,a totalof307 doctorsare nowserving theprovinceinrural communities,with74per cent practicing in ruralcommunities
Attracting andretaining toptalentinrural Saskatchewan is crucialfor arobusthealthcaresystem, and SIPPAhas been pivotalinachieving this goal.Our government is committed to supportingthisprogram and welcoming thesededicated professionalsastheycontributetothe health andwell-beingofour province
Recognizingthe importance of qualityeducation,our government continuestoprioritizeresponding to theneedsofthe earlyyears sector.Overthe next twoyears,nearly$35 millionwillbeinvestedto continue delivering tuition-free earlychildhood educator (ECE)training, professional developmentand student financialsupport
Throughthe Canada-SaskatchewanCanada-Wide EarlyLearningand ChildCareAgreement, this funding will create more than 4,000tuition-freetrainingseats,allowingeducators to advanceorstart theircareers andobtaintheir ECECertifications.
It will also support more than 5,300professional developmentseats,helping educatorsgainknowledge to excel in theirroles.Thisensures that qualityearly learning andchildcare programs arealwaysprovided for ourprovince’syoungestlearners.
Construction hasbegun on Saskatchewan Polytechnic’snew campus in Saskatoon.The newSkilledTrades and Technology building will be thefirst part of thenew campus to be constructed, with earthmoving andupgrading utilitiesfor this projectunderway.
Thanks to Saskatchewan’s strong andgrowing economy, ourgovernmentcan delivermodern, innovative infrastructure that supportsour students andhelps them reachtheir full potentialfor abrightfuture.
With theseinvestments in place, we will continue to buildand protect astrongand growingSaskatchewan. As always,I look forwardto hearingfromyou.Ifyou have anyquestions,concernsorfeedback, contactmyoffice at 306-634-7311 or loricarrmla@sasktel.net
dents for a meeting to run scenarios testing the group app. “It was a lot of fun working with them. ey provided some great feedback from the RBC volunteers, and it was instrumental in ne-tuning the application and o ering our students valuable insight into real-world testing and the iteration process,” said Gustafson.
e classroom is also partnering with former Estevan resident Andrew Wahba’s Tech Career Bridge business which is using AI to match transferrable skills with job opportunities for people who will be a ected by the transition away from coal- red power.
e computer science students are a diverse group, Gustafson said, with an age range of 18-29.
Another course will run from Sept. 24-Dec. 17, with classes on Tuesdays and lab sessions on ursdays. Gustafson said the college wants to be as accommodating as possible. e course is now posted on the college’s website. A $300 bursary is o ered upon completion, covering the bulk of the course’s $499 cost.
“If you have a project idea, whether it’s a website, web application, data analysis project, robot initiative or anything else, we’d love to work with you,” Gustafson said.
Students can take the course multiple times, and four of the ve in the rst class have expressed an interest in returning. Gustafson said no two courses are the same.
ree new projects will be o ered for the fall, and the college is eager to collaborate with local businesses and organizations on applied research and project development.
“Each course will be tailored to the projects that we’re building, and so it will very much depend on what projects we have, and … learning the skills necessary to complete those projects,” said Gustafson. One of the goals for the fall is to build upon the app for the conference with additional features.
Gustafson has a bachelor of science in engineering and a university certi cate in computer information systems, and is currently pursuing a master of science in information systems. He also has experience as a researcher and data engineer, and spent about 15 years working in the oil and gas sector.
ENERGY
Business brings the Oxbow Rink ice plant fundraising campaign a
By Ana Bykhovskaia SaskToday.ca
A bene t organized by the Saskarc Group, an Oxbow-based business, has generated $60,000 for the Oxbow rink ice plant fundraising campaign, bringing the total to $489,194 of the $600,000 goal.
“We’re at about $490,000 in less than a year. We started campaigning last September,” said Treena Mohrbutter, community development o cer for the Town of Oxbow, highlighting the community’s support for the initiative.
Saskarc reached out in June, expressing an interest in supporting the project.
“ ey reached out to us to ask if they could help in some way. ey’re a very large business here in town, so we said that would be amazing,” Mohrbutter said.
“It is an honour for Saskarc to be part of the Oxbow arena’s fundraising campaign for a new ice plant,” said Tanita Shimwell, sales and marketing assistant with Saskarc Inc.
“We deeply value the community we belong to and are committed to providing support in any way we can.
“ is cause is especially meaningful to us, as many of our team members and their families have enjoyed using the Oxbow arena for many years, and look forward to doing so for many years to come.”
To raise funds for the project, Saskarc reached out to nearby businesses and partners, gathering widespread support, Shimwell said. Additionally, Saskarc’s group of companies made a signi cant contribution, further underscoring their dedication to the commu-
nity. e e ort culminated with a fundraising event, which featured activities and donation areas, allowing attendees to join them in supporting the cause.
e nal event included shop tours, a barbecue by donation, a dunk tank, street hockey and curling, and other activities for children and families.
“Saskarc’s involvement in the Oxbow community extends beyond this initiative. We recently sponsored a new ice resurfacer for the arena, and our continued e orts are a testament to our belief in giving back to the community that has supported us over the years,” Shimwell said. “We are privileged to contribute to enhancing the Oxbow arena, ensuring it remains a centre for sports and recreation for years to come.”
“It was a great event to bring awareness to what we’re trying to do. And it just showed how the community is all behind it,” said Mohrbutter.
She praised the local and broader community’s involvement with the fundraising campaign. In addition to local contributions, the campaign has received support from province-wide companies, and the board has also been applying for grants.
Fundraising e orts are ongoing, including a ra e for signed jerseys from Oxbow NHL player Tanner Jeannot. Tickets can be purchased, with one for $20 and three for $50. A supper and comedian event is on Nov. 9, a skate-a-thon is being organized by the local gure skating club, and more.
e Oxbow rink campaign aims to replace the current ice plant with
Two arrested in Stoughton for drugs, firearms
Two men were charged after rearms and drug-tra cking paraphernalia were seized from a home in Stoughton.
According to a news release from the Saskatchewan RCMP, on Aug. 28, members of the Fillmore detachment and the Saskatchewan Tra cking Response Team (STRT) from Yorkton executed a search warrant at a home in Stoughton as part of an ongoing investigation.
O cers located and seized a rearm, two airsoft rearms, ammunition, a small amount of cocaine, tra cking paraphernalia and a sum of cash.
e Saskatchewan RCMP’s Critical Incident Response Team assisted with this investigation.
Two men were arrested without incident at the home. Jyron Englot, a 23-year-old man, and Paul Englot, 46, both from Stoughton, are each charged with possession for the purpose of trafcking, unauthorized possession of a rearm, and careless storage of a rearm. e elder Englot is also charged with possession of a rearm contrary to a prohibition order.
a more environmentally-friendly, ammonia-based system. e organizers hope to place the order this fall, with the plant expected to take six to 10 months to build and ship, and have it ready for the next season.
“ e Oxbow Rink board has been amazing. ey have done so much work at this fundraising,” Mohrbutter said.
e arena and curling rink in Oxbow were built in 1961. e ice plant was installed in 1963 for the curling rink; in 1986 it was replaced with a plant that could produce arti cial ice for the skating and curling arenas. With more leaks
charged with breach of a release order.
Both appeared in Weyburn Provincial Court on Aug. 29. No further information was immediately available.
e Mercury and SaskToday will have updates as they become available.
and breaks due to the age of the unit, the Town of Oxbow and its recreation division decided to replace the ice plant last fall. To check out all the current fundraisers, current sponsors, and opportunities to become a sponsor and to donate, visit the ice plant sections (under recreation) on the town’s website at oxbow.ca or the Oxbow Rink Facebook page. Contact Mohrbutter at development@oxbow.ca for sponsorship and naming opportunities. Donations can be made to Oxbow and District Recreation Board. Charitable receipts are available.
RUBBERSTONE
Trucking plays a big role in Saskatchewan’s economy
e Saskatchewan Trucking Association (STA) is reminding people of the importance of the trucking industry during National Trucking Week.
e annual recognition of the sector runs from Sept. 1-7. George Henderson, the director of operations and member services with the STA, said the agency is connected to the Canadian Trucking Alliance, which provides social media information, advertising and more to applaud the truck drivers who ship goods from Point A to B every day.
“Being a land-locked province, it’s pretty tough to get anything on a ship and close to anything, anywhere,” said Henderson.
“ ere is lots of product that gets moved by train … it comes into places like the Global Transportation Hub on rail, and then it gets transferred to trucks, and then it gets moved around.”
He estimates that 9095 per cent of all items in Saskatchewan get moved on a truck at some point, even if it’s just for a short distance from a railyard to a warehouse or distribution centre.
“Trucking moves a lot of natural resources, and … Saskatchewan has a lot
of natural resources,” said Henderson, noting that Saskatchewan mines many of the essential minerals.
e Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure is working hard to get transportation corridors built to move more forestry products from the north. Uranium is located in the north and it is shipped to di erent reactors around the world. And Henderson noted Saskatchewan’s status as the “bread basket of the world”, with the many crops grown here.
e STA is the voice of the trucking industry in Saskatchewan, Henderson said. Its biggest job is to lobby on behalf of the industry, so the association does some “heavy lifting” with the government when it comes to regulations, highway safety and more.
“We de nitely want to have the trucking industry’s voice in there when they’re building or improving infrastructure. It’s not just provincial, we also have connections through our CTA [Canadian Trucking Alliance] partnership in there as well.”
ere is still a driver shortage in Saskatchewan, he said, so the STA has been going to student job fairs to promote the industry to young people.
“We have a VR [virtual reality] machine that actually shows you a day in the life of a truck driver, so we’ll go to places like Balgonie, which has a big student job fair every year in May … and there’s 3,200 to 3,500 students going through there. For anybody that’s interested in the trucking industry, we’ll put the VR equipment on them, and we’ll show them it,” said Henderson.
e STA also has partnerships with Indigenous communities, especially in northern Saskatchewan, to create more interest in trucking.
“It de nitely can be an entrepreneurial type of job as well,” said Henderson. “ ere are certain interests to certain individuals out there, and that’s something that we provide.”
e STA has about 200 members, including larger organizations that hire a lot of owner-operators, so it represents a good percentage of people who work in the province, Henderson said.
e association is having a drivers’ appreciation barbecue on Sept. 4, starting at 11 a.m. at the Regina weigh scales, located north of the Queen City on Highway 11.
“We’ve done this for
quite a few years. e one for National Trucking Week is pretty well attended because we’re closed to the legislative assembly and a lot of the MLAs will come out. We have head ofce for SGI … here in Regina, so they usually send a couple of people out. And we have the Highway Patrol themselves … and we appreciate them as well,” said Henderson.
Between 200-250 drivers have typically been
served at the barbecue.
e STA tries to do what they can to thank truckers every year. ey also have a barbecue in the spring and another in the summer at di erent locations in the province.
Henderson believes the public is appreciative of the e orts of the trucking industry to get the goods to market. He added the STA, which has ve sta members, needs to emphasize the importance of
Sept. 1-7 is Trucking Week in Canada
e Canadian Trucking Alliance (CTA) is encouraging people to salute the trucking industry during National Trucking Week (NTW) from Sept. 1-7.
e industry, public and elected o cials can express
their respect and gratitude to the hard-working women and men who keep Canada moving. “Like the famous saying goes, if you got it, a truck brought it,” said CTA chairman Greg Munden.
“I am proud to recognize all the amazing people who keep our country running – from the professional truck drivers who dutifully deliver for Canadians, to the dispatchers who help them navigate
our busy roadways, to the heavy-duty technicians who keep the equipment rolling safely. ank you.”
National Trucking Week was started by the Canadian Trucking Alliance in the late 1990s as a
way to embrace the industry and spotlight the contributions of the hundreds of thousands of people in the Canadian trucking industry who keep the country’s freight moving, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
truckers to people in Saskatchewan.
“We ran into some supply chain issues back during the pandemic a few years ago, and it seemed like people came back and realized how important it was having trucks moving products back and forth,” said Henderson.
Truckers are very passionate about their industry, and they’re proud of what they do, Henderson said.
of other things happening at company facilities throughout Canada. Community leaders and local politicians are encouraged to attend constituency events.
During NTW, various events will be taking place across the country. e trucking community comes together to celebrate the industry; recognize those who are the backbone of Canada’s economy and to promote the industry’s dedication to safety and environmental enhancement.
ere will be barbecues, picnics, truck show ‘n shines, and all kinds
NTW is also an opportunity for companies to showcase the industry and the many opportunities it o ers to people embarking on new career paths.
e CTA’s Choose to Truck campaign is a great resource to promote the industry.
To support the industry and the public in celebrating the occasion, the CTA has developed several social media banners throughout the week for people to use.
L&C Trucking
L&C Trucking has been a big part of the southeast Saskatchewan business community for nearly 70 years.
In an interview with the Mercury and SaskToday, Rod Benning, one of the partners with the business, said the rm largely works with the oil eld sector, hauling pipe and anything else needed in the oilpatch, but L&C has also worked with the agriculture sector and, as he says, “they can haul anything”.
L&C Trucking has its main o ce in Estevan with about 35 employees, and it also has a shop in Swift Current with ve sta members.
Benning said business has been up and down, as with many companies in the oil industry. June was a pretty good month, he said, but July was slow and August was slightly below average. ey have been able to retain all of their employees.
“I think there was a lot of companies that had a backlog of holes to drill [in June],” said Benning. “ e summer months usually are a little bit slower.” e fall months are usually a little bit better for the company because harvest is wrapping up, and Benning hopes the trend will continue this year.
Benning’s father-in-law
Walter Christenson started the business in 1956 with Lawrence Lafrentz. In the 1970s, Christenson bought the business. When Christenson died, Benning, Blair Hunter and Lorne Christenson took on more responsibility. When Walter Christenson’s widow Jean passed away a few years later, Benning, Hunter and Lorne Christenson became the owners.
e trio sold the company in the early 2010s, and then Benning and Hunter bought the company back a few years ago.
“After COVID, it wasn’t doing that well, and the people that purchased us were considering closing the business, just because it wasn’t making money. It was pretty much breaking even. And I just told them that if they did that [close the business], I would probably start it up the next day, because I have family and friends that work there. I know people that have been working there for damn near as long as I have.”
At that point, the former owners suggested to Benning that maybe he would like to buy it back, which was the catalyst for Benning and Hunter resuming their ownership duties.
e company has done well since Benning and Hunter resumed ownership, but he recalls the boom times when it was so busy that L&C had 7580 employees, and people were working 12-16-hour days, seven days a week. Employees were paid very well at that time.
Benning said owner-
ship allows him to make the decisions on how the business should be run. He has met some good people over the years, and he has had an interesting 40-plusyear career in the industry.
“I enjoyed driving a truck. I enjoyed running a loader,” said Benning. “ e pressures of dispatching were ne when I
was younger. You get over that when you get a little bit older. I’ve had a lot of people that have worked here that are really good to get along with. Again, you always have some that aren’t, but all in all, it’s always treated me well.”
Benning said people are appreciative of their work.
Norm Mack is the gener-
al manager, Kerry Goudy looks after dispatching, and Benning’s son Payden is not only a dispatcher but looks after the pipe yard.
e sta does a great job of looking after things.
“We have sta that has been there for almost as long as I have,” said Rod Benning. “ ey’re there for a reason. ey’re good.”
Otilia Beaulieu Edna Torgunrud (nee Weigelt)
Estevan pool players compete at international event
A team of Estevan pool players were in Las Vegas recently, where they represented Saskatchewan at an international event. Break a Leg – comprised of Burva Connor, Melissa Donison, Rey Ferrer, Jigs Gonzales, Elyse Mantei, Carl Maranan and Henry Renwick – competed at the American Poolplayers Association (APA) World Championships in 8-ball last month. Murray
“It was amazing. There were so many people,” said Donison. “Everyone loves pool as much as you do, and it’s just a really good community. And to meet people from everywhere, it was really nice.”
Hamm, who was part of the team that won provincials earlier this year, couldn’t make it. The team went 1-1 in the tournament. They won their �irst match but lost their second, knocking them out of the modi�ied single-elimination competition. A total of 756 teams entered the 8-ball division, and Donison believes there were close to 1,400 teams and 15,700 players entered between the different disciplines. Donison said she was hoping they would win at least four or �ive times before elimination, but they still had a good team and Vegas was a good experience.
Five of the seven team members played in each match. Players were assigned a number based on their skill level, ranging from a seven for top players to a two for novices. The �ive-player total for a game can’t exceed 23. Several members of the team also signed up for separate single-elimination games for individuals. Players entered based on their skill level. Donison tied for �irst in one of her divisions, Gonzales and Mantei reached the �inal, and Renwick and Maranan also competed. Sixteen or 32 players would be a normal �ield size.
Donison said they were grateful for all of the support they received to get them to Vegas. The Days Inn and the Estevan branch of the Royal Canadian Legion were very supportive, she said.
She noted the team’s name was a play on words, because a leg in pool is used to determine who gets to break �irst in the match.
Donison said she expects the team will be able to remain together. The season starts in the middle of September, and Break a Leg members are eager to resume playing. There is always room for new players of any skill level in the league, she said.
Three charged in Estevan drug bust; cocaine seized Flashback –Aug. 24, 2005
e Estevan Police Service (EPS) executed a search warrant at a residence on Fourth Street on Aug. 27, resulting in cocaine and proceeds of crime being seized.
As a result of this investigation, the EPS said Bradley Williams, 31, Dallas Hala, 39, and Nadine Hala, 38, all of Estevan, have been charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of tra cking, trafcking of cocaine, and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
e public is asked to contact EPS at 306-634-4767 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 with any information regarding drug tra cking.
e Mercury and SaskToday. ca will continue to have updates as they become available.
Also on Aug. 27, a motorist was arrested for impaired driving, after a
member of the Estevan Combined Tra c Services of Saskatchewan stopped a vehicle on Highway 39 between Hitchcock and Macoun for travelling 154 kilometres per hour in a 100 km/h zone.
A mandatory roadside alcohol screening test demand was made, which resulted in a fail. e 38-year-old woman from Estevan was arrested and transported back to the police station for further breath testing, but she refused to provide samples.
As a result, the driver has been charged for refusing to comply with a breath demand. Her driver’s licence has been suspended inde nitely and her vehicle was impounded. She was lodged in cells until sober and will make a rst appearance in Estevan Provincial Court in October to speak to the charge.
Police received several calls about an individual laying on the side of the road on the west end of Fourth Street on Aug. 26. Members attended and found a man in medical distress. Emergency Medical Services was called to assist, and the man was transported to the hospital for further evaluation and treatment.
Police were called to a disturbance in east Estevan on Aug. 28 in response to a report of an alleged assault. Members attended and determined that an unwelcomed passenger was present in a vehicle on scene. rough mediation, the individual was convinced to exit the vehicle and all parties were sent their separate ways.
EPS members were later requested to attend the same address as the above occurrence to assist EMS, who had been dispatched
in response to a medical concern. Upon arrival, all services were declined by those present.
A report of two men wrestling on a lawn in the Hillside area was received during the nightshift. Upon arrival, it was learned that the men were practising mixed martial arts.
Police received a report of theft of electricity on Aug. 30. e suspect was spoken to and that matter is still under investigation.
Members were dispatched to an unconscious male in a park. e caller did not have any further details at the time of the call. Estevan EMS and police attended and the male was intoxicated but reportedly not injured. He was transported to the EPS’s cells where he was lodged until the following morning.
Police conducted several curfew checks Aug. 31 in relation to release conditions. One female was not
Firefighters respond to motorcycle fire
e Estevan Fire Rescue Service dealt with a motorcycle re, collision, elevator entrapment and alarms last week.
On Aug. 27 at about 7:40 p.m., crews were alerted to a motorcycle re in the southeast area of the city. Fire ghters responded, but the Estevan police arrived rst and were able to halt the re with a re extinguisher. Fire ghters cleaned up the scene and ensured that the re was out. No injuries were reported.
A few minutes after they arrived to that scene, they were dispatched to an elevator rescue, which occurred at a building they were right in front of. Crews made their way over there and dealt with that incident without any issues. Earlier the same day, at about 6 a.m., crews were dispatched for a commercial re alarm in northeast Estevan. It was quickly determined that there were ongoing issues with the detection system and no emergency was occurring.
home and charges are pending.
Members of the Estevan Police Service received a report of a quad being ridden within city limits and on private property on Sept. 1. e vehicle was located in the 200-block of Willow Park Greens. e male driver was issued a ticket under the All Terrain Vehicles Act, as he did not have a valid driver’s licence, and the quad was seized and impounded for 30 days.
A report of criminal harassment was provided to the police. e matter remains under investigation. e complainant also was provided some supports by the Police and Crisis Team.
e EPS received three separate calls for suspicious people in the 1200 and 1300 blocks of Seventh Street. Extensive patrols were conducted and nobody was located in the area.
A little bit later that morning, re ghters responded to a commercial re alarm on the northwest side of the city, but were quickly alerted that it was due to maintenance work at the site and no emergency was occurring as well.
On Aug. 30 at around 10 a.m., crews were dispatched to a two-vehicle collision on the northeast side of the city. Fire ghters responded, but Estevan Fire Chief Rick Davies said the accident was fairly minor in nature, and their assistance was not required, so they stood down and returned to the station.
Mayor’sMessage
summer; as we getready for school,
TheCouncil of theCity of Estevanpursuant to the Cities Actthat theCouncil of theCity of Estevan, gives noticeofits intention to implementabylawunder the Cities ActSection 134 (1)to authorizethe borrowing of money.
On August19, 2024 meeting the firstreading of the Bylaw 2024-2086 waspassed andthe finalreadingsisexpected to be on September 9, 2024 forimplementation onceapproved by EstevanCity Council.
Theproposed Bylaws 2024-2086 maybeinspected by any person in theCity Clerk’s Office,onthe main levelofCityHall, between thehours of 9amand 4pm, MondaytoFriday.
Midale’s Keely Shaw has won a bronze medal for the second consecutive Paralympic Games.
Shaw won the bronze for Team Canada in the women’s C4 3,000-metre individual pursuit paracycling event Friday in Paris. She took third place at the same event three years ago in Tokyo.
Shaw beat Samantha Bosco of the U.S. by 1.6 seconds in the head-to-head bronze-medal nal with a time of three minutes and
46.942 seconds. She had a lead of 2.099 seconds late in the race; Bosco only started to chip into the advantage in the nal laps.
“I had so many doubts before the last round,” Shaw said in a news release issued by Cycling Canada. “I didn’t think I had what it took.
“So, it was a race of pure mind games. It was about cutting my legs, cutting everything my body was telling me to stop, all the while knowing I couldn’t, and try-
ing to remember that I have a pretty good track record when it comes to bronze medalnals, so I’m so happy to have been able to repeat, and to see myself with the world’s best on the podium at the world’s biggest sporting event is a feeling I hope I never forget.”
People congratulated her on the achievement on the Town of Midale’s Facebook page and on other social media platforms.
Shaw will also compete in the road race for Canada
at the Paralympics later this month. She was involved in a horse-riding accident in 2009 at age 15 that left her with partial paralysis on her left side. She became a paracyclist in 2016.
Two alumni of Estevan Lacrosse represented Saskatchewan at the Founders’ Cup national tournament in Ontario in late August.
Goaltender Cole Blondeau and defenceman Kaden Chrest were both on the Queen City Kings team out of Regina. e tournament brought together the best junior B Tier 1 lacrosse teams from each province.
“I got to witness great lacrosse players and goalies, some of whom will probably be in the NLL [National Lacrosse League] in the future,” said Blondeau, who also played for the Kings last year at nationals.
e Kings went 1-4.
eir lone win was in their second game, an 8-6 decision over the New Brunswick Rapids. Blondeau started the game and stopped 42 of 48 shots to earn player of the game award honours for the
Kings. It was the club’s rst-ever win at the tournament.
eir losses were 8-6 against the Winnipeg Blizz, 6-5 to the Victoria Shamrocks, 11-3 to the host Hamilton Bengals and 8-7 in double overtime against Calgary’s Mountainview Mavericks. Blondeau also started against Hamilton.
“I think for the most part, I played pretty well,” said Blondeau. “De nitely, from the start of the season to the end of the season, I excelled at my craft and I improved on some of the habits I was forming.”
“It was pretty fun, getting to see teams from all over the country,” added Chrest. “Each province brings a di erent playing style that’s fun to watch and play against, that you don’t normally get to play.”
Chrest expects the tournament will help his development as a player.
“ ere are a lot of players that are going to be moving on in the next couple of years. It taught me a lot. It also taught me resilience because we had to play ve games in a week, and lacrosse is very physical,” said Chrest.
Blondeau and Chrest both played for the Estevan Voltz program when they were young. ey were part of the Estevan team that went undefeated en route to a provincial title in 2018, and they played for the Regina Barracudas
program that travelled to tournaments.
Once they graduated from minor lacrosse, they made the Barracudas junior team that later rebranded to the Queen City Kings, who play in the Rocky Mountain Lacrosse League. is season they went 15-5, nishing rst in the East, but lost in two straight games to Winnipeg. ey quali ed for this year’s Founders’ Cup in Hamilton by defeating the Saskatoon Swat and the Prince Albert Predators in the playo s.
Chrest is now playing eld lacrosse at Bishop’s University in Sherbrooke, Que. He spent last season at Harford Community College in Harford, Md., where he won a national junior college title. Chrest transferred to Bishop’s for this season.
He said Bishop’s has been a good experience.
“ e guys here are re-
Bruins return to the ice at annual fall camp
e Estevan Bruins were back on the ice during the Labour Day long weekend for their annual fall camp.
More than 40 players were separated into two teams – Team Black and Team Gold. e athletes had a practice and a scrimmage on Friday, and then the rosters were nalized for two games on Saturday and one on Sunday.
Team Gold defeated Team Black 3-1 on Sunday to win the Gerry Aspen Cup – named after the Bruins’ long-time trainer and volunteer.
“ ere was a pretty fast pace and it was competitive,” said head coach and general manager Jason Tatarnic. “ ere were good
games, so we’re pretty happy with it.”
Only ve players – forwards Brady Wilson, Cade Kennedy and Raine Hodge, and defencemen Kaelen Whittingham and Owen Simmonds – are back from last season’s team. Tatarnic was pleased with the performance of the veterans who were at camp.
“ ere was a lot of new faces and a lot of energy, so as a sta , we’re really looking forward to it.”
e two goalies at camp – 2005-born Liam Hallet and 2006-born Benny Polhill – are both in their rst year with the Bruins, and Tatarnic thought they both played well. Local product Carter
Onrait, a forward entering his rst season of junior hockey after three seasons with the Estevan Great North U18 AAA Bears, had a strong showing.
“He has speed and he scored some goals, and he
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plays hard,” said Tatarnic.
“We gave him a few things to work on during the summer, and you can see it on the ice. He’s gotten faster, so that’s a Bears product that’s done really well so far.”
Gunner Moore, a 16-year-old forward from Carievale who also spent last season with the Bears, was a surprise, Tatarnic said.
“Gunner and I talked in the summer, and we
discussed coming to camp with the goal of making our hockey team. He’s de nitely making a case for himself. He’s been really good, so we’re going to give him every opportunity to try to make this hockey team.”
Among the newcomers, forwards Hudson Binder and Reed Gramlich also stood out, Tatarnic said. Forward Carsyn Dyck, who was the Bruins top rookie last season, is cur-
ally nice. We have a good culture going around the room, and they’re just big on building it for the next four years, and hopefully we can win the Baggataway Cup [national university lacrosse title],” said Chrest. Both players are grateful to Estevan Lacrosse for helping them develop and nd a love for the game. ey were initially introduced to the sport because their respective older brothers played, and they became friends through the game as they progressed through the sport’s di erent levels together.
“Just being able to play the game in Estevan and go in tournaments, and seeing di erent skilled teams, you’re improving and improving,” said Blondeau. “ ere were a lot of memorable moments, from bantam, winning a championship undefeated, to just being on good teams.”
rently in the camp of the Portland Winterhawks of the Western Hockey League, while forward Keenan Hollan is with the Seattle underbirds. e Bruins’ players will be back on the ice Sept. 3 for a practice and they will open the 2024-25 preseason with a home game against the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s Virden Oil Capitals the following day, starting at 7 p.m. e Bruins will visit the Aberdeen Wings of the North American Hockey League on Sept. 7 and 8, visit the Weyburn Red Wings on Sept. 13, and host Weyburn on Sept. 14. Tatarnic said the club plans to use all ve games to make some “really, really tough” decisions regarding the roster. He expects they will be at 29 or 30 players in time for the start of the exhibition slate.
