e Government of Saskatchewan is contributing $5 million to each of the Estevan and Coronach regions to help build new economic opportunities and support their coal transition e orts.
e newly-announced funding, revealed Monday at an event in Coronach, is in addition to the $10 million from the provincial government in 2020 for the coal transition in the areas.
e $5 million for the Estevan area will go to the Municipal Coal Transition Committee, comprised of representatives from the City of Estevan, the Town of Bienfait, and the RMs of Estevan and Coal elds. As for the Coronach area, its $5 million will go to South Saskatchewan Ready, an economic partnership of nine rural communities and RMs in the Coronach region.
Both organizations will administer the new funding in partnership with local municipalities.
When the government announced the initial $10 million 4 1/2 years ago, the Estevan area received $8
million and the remaining $2 million went to the Coronach initiatives.
Coun. Lindsay Clark, who represented the City of Estevan at Monday’s event, said the announcement was “very positive” for the communities a ected by the shift away from conventional coal- red power.
“It lets us continue to do things in the community that we need to do. Look for new opportunities and to carry on for some of the opportunities that are out there,” said Clark.
He noted that the previous funding from the province was wrapping up.
Clark believes the amount for Estevan was reasonable. e Estevan area has been selected as the location for the province’s rst proposed small modular reactor (SMR) project, and if it goes ahead, it would make a big di erence for the future of the community. Other projects are also in the works for the Estevan area, and Clark believes the needs of Coronach will exceed the Estevan area, at least in the short term.
“I think it’s a workable
amount,” said Clark. “We’ll work with the other RMs and the Town of Bienfait to see whether we are working together, and how we’ll divide the money or how that will work. But that will be decided by the next council.”
Some of the projects that have bene ted from the $8 million in government funding were small ones, Clark said. Larger ones include working on the proposed coal-to-graphite project and the potential hydrogen hub project that would convert Estevan lignite coal to hydrogen.
“ ose ones have more directly to do with what can we do with coal if we’re not burning coal at the power plant,” said Clark. “ ose ones are the big ones that I think people will recognize, trying to nd an alternate use [for coal].”
He expects the additional $5 million will be used to extend those programs, and to work with Gord More at the Southeast TechHub to see where his contacts can take the community for new ventures.
According to a government news release, as Sas-
katchewan continues its own plan to build out grid capacity to support growth, retaining and developing a skilled workforce and expertise through business opportunities in Estevan, Coronach and areas need to facilitate the energy transition.
“With the challenges imposed by the federal government’s decision to force the shutdown of Saskatchewan’s coal- red power plants, retaining and advancing the workforce in this sector through business opportunities in this region is crucial,” said Estevan MLA Lori Carr, who is also the Minister of Highways and Infrastructure.
“Power generation has always been an important part of Estevan’s economy, and with the recent SaskPower announcement that identi ed two high-potential small modular reactor sites in the Estevan area, our community has many new opportunities to look forward to.”
Representatives of the provincial government, and urban and rural municipalities throughout the a ected areas, were in attendance.
City provides downtown update to Concerned Citizens group
By Ana Bykhovskaia, SaskToday.ca., and David Willberg
While work continues on the downtown revitalization project in the 1100 and 1200 blocks of Fourth Street in Estevan in thenal weeks of the construc-
tion season, the Concerned Citizens Estevan SK group continues to have questions about the project. e group appeared before Estevan city council Monday night, with Myles Fichter and Milton Vicary addressing council and several other members in the
gallery. It was the rst time they spoke to council at an opening meeting since early April.
Fichter pointed out the Concerned Citizens presented a petition to council on April 9 with 1,491 signatures from people who wanted to have a refer-
endum on the downtown project. e city deemed the petition insu cient on May 8, citing a number of reasons for disqualifying 485 signatures and bringing it below the 1,085 threshold required to trigger a referendum.
CPSS announces two new charges for Horri
e College of Physicians and Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CPSS) has laid two new charges against Estevan physician Dr. Mehdi Horri.
e document, published on CPSS’ website, is dated Sept. 14 and says Horri is charged for breach of an undertaking with a hearing pending and outcome date to be determined.
e document notes that allegations of unprofessional conduct, as set out in the charge, have been referred to the discipline committee. e allegations in the charge have not been admitted, nor has there been a hearing before the discipline committee to determine whether the al-
« A1
legations in the charge will be proved.
A physician who denies some or all of the allegations in a charge is entitled to a hearing before the discipline committee to determine if the allegations in the charge are established by the evidence. Horri is charged with unbecoming, improper, unprofessional, or discreditable conduct, i.e. he failed to comply with an undertaking to the college. According to the initial evidence published by the CPSS on or about March 26, Horri signed an undertaking to the college that required him to “…ensure that every sta person within my practice is aware of the terms of this under-
taking and has con rmed such by a xing their signature to a copy of this undertaking to be displayed prominently in any loca-
tion where I deliver care.” But Horri allegedly failed to comply with this condition of his undertaking, the college says.
e second charge also states that Horri failed to comply with an undertaking to the college. Signing the same undertaking to the college, he stated, “I will immediately report to the college any known or suspected breaches of the terms of this undertaking by myself.”
But he breached a term of this undertaking and failed to report the breach to the college, as required.
Horri’s o ce said once he signed the undertaking, they placed the required information in all of the rooms where patients are seen, and provided pictures to the CPSS. Upon a control visit, it was found that the announcement was taken down by someone in one of the rooms, which Horri’s
Work continues on downtown project
e Concerned Citizens led a court action to defend the petition, and Fichter said the case was heard on June 25. He noted 273 signatures were discarded by the city for illegible dates, and the judge, in his decision, said there were certain strict practices applied on the dates that shouldn’t have occurred.
“In the end, the judge concluded the issue moot and then dismissed the case,” said Fichter.
e judge pointed out the project was well underway at the time the argument was presented, but Fichter added the judge denied the city’s request to be reimbursed $4,000 in legal fees.
e group wanted to know the costs to date, the planned costs for the scal year and the future expenses. Fichter noted there would be site furniture, light poles, top-lift asphalt
and line painting in 2025.
e federal funding has to be spent by March 31, 2025.
City manager Je Ward replied the estimates from the initial design phase were $8.3 million. Once initial design engineering was completed, it was determined the project would be around $9.8 million. At that point, a revision to the existing PrairiesCan grant was submitted, and increased funding was approved. e City received $8.5 million from PrairiesCan and the city provided $1.5 million.
e design phase tender was awarded to ASL Paving for $7.8 million, with the expectation that site furnishings and electrical would be $2.2 million; those expenses came in over budget at $4.2 million.
“At that point, there was a discussion with council to reduce the scope of the project to be scally respon-
sible, and $1.3 million in removals were put into place,” said Ward.
Other expenses were completely removed, such as banner lighting on street poles, while the traf-
c lights at the intersection of Fourth Street and 12th Avenue were replaced with a four-way stop. at brought the project down to $10.7 million. City council has approved an additional
Ground-breaking ceremony set for new nursing home
After years of waiting, the e ort to bring a new regional nursing home to Estevan is about to hit another milestone. A ground-breaking ceremony is scheduled to happen on Sept. 27 at 10 a.m. at the greenspace area where the project is expected to be located. It is across Sister Roddy Road from St. Joseph’s Hospital.
New Estevan Regional Nursing Home committee chairman Don Kin-
dopp said everyone he speaks to is looking forward to the ceremony. He has spoken to people from the committee and the community, and they believe the project is nally moving forward.
“’Finally’ was the word that’s used to start the discussions, so I think everybody is excited about it and wants to have more details on it,” said Kindopp.
Everyone is invited to the ground-breaking, regardless of whether
they are businesses, municipal government o cials, organizations, donors or other members of the public, Kindopp said.
Once the ceremony is nished, people will be invited to a reception at Tom and Irma’s Café inside St. Joseph’s Hospital. e café is named after Tom and Irma Tro menko , who Kindopp said were “substantial” donors to the hospital foundation and the new nursing home committee, among other causes.
$500,000 to be borrowed for this year.
Ward also noted that $750,000 in engineering was not covered, and it was recommended by council to apply for the Canadian Community-Building Fund for the 2025 year.
Some expenses, such as light posts and paving stones are part of the tender requirements.
“We have worked with PrairiesCan that all funds for the contractors will be submitted and paid by March 31, and that the city’s contribution of $1.5 million could be applied to that project after the fact for any additional costs,” Ward said.
o ce said wasn’t used as often. Once detected, the doctor’s o ce replaced the paper, in the presence of the CPSS representative. Horri’s o ce said it did not know who was responsible for taking down the announcement. His o ce went on to say all sta signed the information as it was required by the undertaking. Horri’s o ce added that they noti ed the college that the issue with posting one of the letters was the oversight, but they noted the college still went on with the charges.
Horri is also awaiting a hearing on another 14 charges from the CPSS, slated to take place in November.
A previous update from Sept. 11 states that landscaping, not including paving and bollards, is underway in the 1100 and 1200 blocks of Fourth Street, with estimated completion dates set for Oct. 18 and 28 respectively. Water and sewer mains and services replacement, as well as roadway base and sidewalks, are completed in 1100 block, and are still underway in the 1200 block. Next up will be electrical and roadway paving. e progress continues, the city said, with site works expected to be completed in early November. Light poles and top lift asphalt, as well as site furniture and line painting (the last two are marked as “not in contract”) are to occur in 2025.
“We are pleased to note that local businesses remain operational, with rear or alternative access points established,” said the city in the news release.
Roadway asphalt has been successfully removed from 98 per cent of the project limits, with aggregates salvaged wherever feasible. Replacement of mains and services has been completed from the intersection of 11th Avenue and Fourth Street past the 12th Avenue and Fourth Street intersection, nearing the 13th Avenue and Fourth Street intersection.
As for the project itself, according to the latest information dated Sept. 20, sidewalks remain open, except in areas where additional excavation for service connections is necessary. Installation of Strata Cell will limit some pedestrian access on the north side of the 110-block. Appropriate fencing has been installed and detours are currently in place to guide pedestrians and vehicle tra c. Back alleys operate as two-way streets and remain functional, although there may be a need to transition to one-way access. e intersections of Fourth Street with 11th, 12th and 13th Avenue remain closed.
Temporary water services to buildings have been installed, chlorinated, tested and con rmed operational throughout the 1100 and 1200 blocks of Fourth Street. New isolation valves have been installed and are functioning properly. e removal of existing light poles along the 1100 and 1200 blocks of Fourth Street has been completed, along with trenching through intersections where subgrade has been installed. Crews have commenced the pouring of curbing, beginning at the intersection of 11th Avenue and Fourth Street and progressing westward on the 1100 block. Installation of paving stones and Strata Cell has also begun on the 1100 block.
Dr.MehdiHorri
Estevan company named Sask Business of the Year
By David Willberg
Estevan business JS Truckmart won twice at the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce’s Achievement in Business Excellence (ABEX) Awards Saturday night in Saskatoon. e company won the ABEX Business of the Year and the Growth and Expansion Award. e company was also a nalist for the diversity, equity and inclusion award.
Last year the company won all three awards at the Estevan Business Excellence Awards.
When it opened on Nov. 1, 2017, JS Truckmart had three full-time employees, a small shop with two dismantle bays, a small warehouse and o ces. Last year the company moved into a new building on Viking Avenue, adjacent to the Shand Access Road southeast of Estevan, with four dismantle bays, an inventory bay, two wash bays, a full shipping-receiving area and new o ce space.
e company has grown
to over 40 full-time employees despite the challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, rising interest rates, increasing business costs and a strained labour market.
Its employees have included students, retired truck drivers and Filipinos.
JS Truckmart has made accommodations for employees’ religious beliefs, single-parenting challenges, language barriers and more.
Christa Morhart, who is one of the co-owners of the business, said they are very proud of the recognition and all of their work. ey were humbled and surprised to win.
“When you’re in a room full of incredibly successful, like-minded individuals who have done incredible things from the ground up, businesses of all sizes with all di erent ownership structures, it’s pretty humbling to be up on that stage receiving an award,” said Morhart, who owns the business alongside her husband Bart, their friend
Even though they have been recognized with two awards, including top business, they aren’t going to relent.
“We still have all those same employees and their families relying on us to make sure that we’re continuing with forward-thinking, setting goals, making plans and trying to stay ahead of the game every single day. It is a lot of work and we’re committed, and I don’t think anything has changed,” said Morhart.
Swanson had the initial idea for the business, she said. Originally from the U.S., Swanson was selling automotive recycled parts when he came to Canada.
“He had a long history and built relationships with other automotive recyclers and earned their respect,” said Morhart. “When he moved to Canada to be with his current partner and
build his family, that’s what he knew, and so the idea was formulated to start JS Truck Mart.”
Turnbull helped out in the beginning to get things moving and o er encouragement. Christa Morhart brought the human resources, marketing and accounting knowledge to the table. Her husband has a Class 1A driver’s licence and all sorts of experience with the automotive industry.
When Swanson shared his vision, Christa Morhart thought it would take ve to 10 years to reach that point. en the pandemic hit, and she never thought they could pull it o .
“We just worked hard and pivoted and found ways to make it work by committing and being there every day … and we lucked out by having a consultant from the States named Robert Harrington,” said Morhart, noting that Harrington works remotely and
has been a big help for JS Truckmart.
Morhart said they share the award with everyone on the JS Truckmart team.
“In order to have a welloiled machine, we need every single employee there to be engaged and committed, and they want to be there,” said Morhart.
When one of their sta members is missing, JS Truckmart feels that void.
e entire team is needed to run the business, she said.
JS Truckmart said discipline is important every day in setting out and looking for a better way of doing things.
“It often goes unrecognized,” said Morhart. “We are very proud because it’s one of the pillars of sustainability. And it’s not a given. Engaging our entire team is integral to our success.”
e larger the team, the tougher it is, the company said.
Morhart added further
praise in a post on her Facebook page.
“ ank you to the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce for organizing this event and recognizing the successes of the businesses that continue to contribute to the sustainability, economic growth and prosperity in Saskatchewan,” she wrote. Morhart also congratulated all of the nominees and winners and thanked the Estevan Chamber of Commerce for its continued support. Two chamber representatives were at the banquet.
JS Truckmart was one of several nalists for both the diversity and growth awards. Among the other nalists for the expansion award was ree Farmers Foods, whose founders and top management team hail from Midale. All businesses nominated for an ABEX Award were eligible for the top business recognition.
Horses and dogs went through obstacle courses
e relationships people have with their horses or dogs were put to the test Sunday at the Estevan Exhibition Association’s (EEA) grounds.
e EEA hosted its second annual obstacle course event. Not only did they have a horse-and-rider competition for the rst time, but there was also a canine obstacle course.
Stacey Holtz, one of the event’s organizers, said the competitions had an excellent turnout and she thought the show was enjoyed by the horses, dogs, entrants and spectators. e canine competition, with on-leash and o -leash divisions, was held inside one of the barns at the exhibition grounds at the start of the day. Fifteen entries were received.
“For our rst time, it
was very well attended,” said Holtz.
Anna Beatty nished rst in the canine o -leash event with Penny, while Trina Battersby and or were rst among on-leash entries.
e equine competition had about 70 entries, with 36 riders in nine di erent classes, so some riders competed more than once.
“ e biggest entry [group] was the jackpot at the end, and it was the most competitive because it was a timed event. It was fun to watch. People were moving really quickly and completing the obstacles, and they all did an excellent job,” said Holtz. e other divisions were decided by judges based on the horse-and-rider tandem’s ability to navigate the obstacles.
to 4:00 pm at the Lampman Town Office and Regular business hours from September 20 to October 8th 2024.
Nomination forms may be obtained at the Lampman Town Office, 303 Main Street, Lampman, SK. Dated this 18th day of September 2024. Teresa
e obstacles for the horses were diverse. Holtz said the one the organizers were most excited about was the suspension bridge. A water obstacle was “very
challenging” for the horses to pass through, Holtz said.
ey crossed a teeter-totter bridge, walked through a merry-go-round for horses and passed through a gate.
ey had to walk backwards and side-to-side in addition to forward.
“A lot of them can be very tricky,” said Holtz. “Our goal is to replicate what they would maybe see when they’re out on the trails or going through the wilderness, going over logs or maneuvering over di erent obstacles that you might see out on the trail,” said Holtz.
It emphasizes communication and trust between horse and rider.
“ ey need to trust you and they need to trust that where you’re sending them is going to be safe.”
ere were a lot of great riders who successfully navigated the obstacles, Holtz said.
e winner of the jackpot event was Adi McKenzie. Rhonda Gillespie was second, Amber Martinson was third and Darcie Ward nished fourth.
Winners of the di erent divisions were Barb Kerslake (open), Lindsay Collins (adult and classic), Briella Mack (peewee), Eden Lanoir (youth), Rhonda Gillespie (novice horse), Emma McKersie (novice rider) and Angie Stelnicki (in-hand).
Holtz was pleased with the number of spectators who showed up to watch, and she viewed the day as a chance to show o the exhibition association’s grounds.
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Through different eras, Saskatchewan has eclectic election history
It’s just about election time in Saskatchewan. Residents of this province are slated to go to the polls on Oct. 28. e governing Saskatchewan Party has become the province’s proverbial natural governing party, as they have won the last four elections, three of them in decisive fashion.
e opposition New Democratic Party – who was the natural governing party – will be looking to get back into power. ey’ve been in opposition for 17 years, an eternity for a party that guided this province for the vast majority of six decades. en you’ll have the other parties – the Bu alo Party, the Progressive Conservatives, the Saskatchewan United Party, the Progress Party and the Green Party – looking to have a presence in the Saskatchewan legislature.
When looking back on the province’s history, it’s interesting to note the Liberals were the initial “natural governing party”. ey won Saskatchewan’s rst six elections and eight of the rst nine. e province’s rst premier, Sir Walter Scott, envisioned Saskatchewan as a province with tens of millions of people and built the Saskatchewan legislative building in Regina to meet his ambitions.
How times have changed for the centrist party? e last time the Liberals won a seat in the Saskatchewan legislature was in 1999; they promptly formed a coalition with the New Democratic Party, a move
that angered many Liberal supporters.
ey’ve had a full slate of candidates just once since the 2003 election. ey had just three candidates in the last election.
And they have a new name, too: the Saskatchewan Progress Party. anks to the disdain many people in this province have for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the federal Liberals, the provincial party felt a rebrand was necessary. e NDP was elected for the rst time in 1944 and dominated the election results until 2007. ey were out of power for about seven years from 1964-1971, when the Liberals regained control of the legislature, and from 1982-1991, when the Progressive Conservatives guided the province. ( e PC victory in 1982 marked the rst time Saskatchewan had a Conservative government since 1929-1934 – stunning when you look at the current political landscape, especially in rural ridings).
And while the NDP now languishes in rural ridings, that wasn’t always the case, either. You don’t win 47 of 52 seats, like they did in 1944, or 45 of 60 seats, like they did in 1952, without strong support outside of the big cities.
One thing to note about the NDP’s run of success is they captured at least 50 per cent of the vote only four times (1944, 1952, 1971 and 1992). ey had 40.8 per cent of the vote in 1960 and 40.1 per cent in 1975. ey were elected, in part, because the Conservatives and the Liberals split
the vote. When ve Liberals and four Tories teamed up to form the Saskatchewan Party in 1997, the vote-splitting days were over. Which brings us to the Sask. Party. ey’ve won the last four elections. ey have actually had at least 50 per cent of the vote all four times, meaning they’ve done it as often as the NDP. ey have had at least 61 per cent of the vote the last three elections – the most convincing electoral victories in Saskatchewan history. ey have built a dynasty. And they should be favoured to win this election, because of their support in rural Saskatchewan. But it will be a much closer election. e NDP has a realistic shot at winning their highest number of seats since they captured 20 in 2007. ey have the majority of the seats in Regina and don’t be surprised if they win at least half of the seats in Saskatoon. But for them to win on election night, they’re likely going to need to virtually sweep Saskatoon, Regina, Moose Jaw, Prince Albert and the far north ridings, which would give them 32 seats, or have the Bu alo Party or the Saskatchewan United Party knock o a few Saskatchewan Party candidates in rural ridings. It’s going to be an interesting election, perhaps the most intriguing since 2007 or even 2003. And while most expect the Sask. Party to win again, don’t expect the runaway victories we’ve seen in recent years.
Letter to the Editor
Questions remain about solar project
Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the open house regarding the Iyuhana solar project that was held on the Estevan campus of the Southeast College.
I thank the Mercury for the comprehensive coverage of what was revealed up to this juncture.
Of course, with any relatively new adventure in production and business, there will come a host of questions as things move along. At this point, I remain a bit curious as to the exact ownership and operations status. It is understood that Iyuhana will be running the show so what element of ownership and/ or operations will involve Greenwood Sustainable Infrastructure? Where to they t in the picture? How much have they invested? is same question can be directed at the expected involvement of Ocean Man and SaskPower. Do they interact and provide funds, leadership and personnel? In other words, what is the base ownership situation? We have been told this is a partnership but more exact details, it appears, are lacking at this stage?
Who purchased the land? How many hectares? Is it waste land? Marginal? Productive?
What independent agencies are engaged in the environmental impact study and statement?
What will be the anticipated overall cost of this project and how will it compare with other SaskPower elements that produce 100 MW of power?
Are subsidies involved?
What is the cost of solar panels? Where in Canada are they being manufactured? What goes into a solar panel? What is the life expectancy? How will they be recycled? Will the construction, operations and maintenance personnel be unionized?
Why is SaskPower assuming a secondary role in such projects as the small nuclear reactors and solar farms? Are they content to merely provide the grid system and leave the future operations of these new generation systems in the hands of private companies or other public entities? If so, what is the operational mandate for Saskatchewan if these corporations are purchased or enter partnerships with other agencies or companies outside Saskatchewan or outside Canada? What if they go bankrupt? Who assumes responsibilities if any of these events happen?
Will the project be subject to recommendations corporate guidelines, or provincially legislated laws?
We know these questions will have answers with some of them already available thanks to the open house and I would think other answers are coming in due course as the project proceeds.
I just believe the provincial public needs to hear all the details as things move along so that nobody or no groups are left behind and wondering, “what happened?” 12 years from now. All matters should be on the table and subject to review, and if SaskPower is not taking the lead role, then we need to have some assurances from those who are that this project has a solid future. Public disclosure is important as the Iyuhana adventure moves along.
It’s exciting and full of promise and, of course, some of us are full of questions. Of course some might say some of us are just full of something else too. Oh well, so be it.
Norm Park Estevan
By David Willberg
Dr. David Peeace of King Street Chiropractic has been practising as a chiropractor for 28 years, with the last 21 coming in Estevan. He moved to Estevan in the fall of 2003, after practising for seven years in Fort Qu’Appelle and roughly six months in Saskatoon.
But he’s also Indigenous, and now he’s doing what he can to bring other Aboriginal people into the profession.
Peeace recalls he came to Estevan because he was in solo practice in Fort Qu’Appelle and it was a lot of work. He spoke with Dr. Robert Kitchen and Dr. Hugh Armstrong in Estevan about coming here, and they were very accommodating and helpful, and made it easy to move to the Energy City.
“It’s a place where we raised our children,” said Peeace in an interview with the Mercury and SaskToday.
“Both my wife and I are continuing to enjoy living here, and we’re still working.”
Being a chiropractor, it’s a great way to help people alleviate their pain and get them back to the activities they really enjoy.
Originally from the Yellow Quill First Nations, Peeace was looking at a career in research in a neuro-physiological eld, but he found he wanted to be with people more, and being stuck in a lab was appealing to him.
“I had a friend who was applying at the time, and it made the transition a little easier,” said Peeace.
For the past year, Peeace has been part of the Indigenous Chiropractic Caucus (ICC), which is connected to the Canadian Chiropractic Association. He used to be part of the national organization’s board and was its chairman at one time. He’s the co-chair of the ICC.
“I’ve kind of had a reconnection with my background and my roots, so to speak, and nding that there’s not a lot of chiropractors with Indigenous backgrounds,” said Peeace. “I was giving a talk at the World Federation of Chiropractic, and one of the discussions at the time was on diversity, equity and inclusion, and I was doing it from the perspective of being an Indigenous chiropractor.” He didn’t nd a lot of resources or even practitioners. Peeace spoke with the leadership of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, and the ICC was in 2023. ey meet about three times a year, with anywhere from six to 10 members typically in attendance. He believes there are 10 or 11
chiropractors in Canada who are Indigenous.
Peeace pointed out that at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College in Toronto, there are 10 students, so the number of practising Indigenous chiropractors is expected to double in the next few years.
e caucus is trying to increase the number of practitioners in Canada and is encouraging university students to view the profession as a career. ey’re trying to develop mentoring relationships to help them practise. And they’re trying to lobby the federal government to reinstate chiropractic care in Indigenous health.
According to Peeace, the Assembly of First Nations is expected to put forward a policy to actively encourage the government to include chiropractic services in its non-insured health bene ts.
“In some of our research, over the past years, with issues with opioids and the crisis that’s been there, a
lot of people entered into that through musculoskeletal, back pain or neck pain, [etc.].”
Chiropractors tend to be a tight-knit profession, he said,
because it’s a di erent type of health care. In terms of the Indigenous side, those bonds are just getting formed.
“Up until a year or two ago, most people didn’t know there were other practitioners from an Indigenous background and have felt isolated. One of the things that we’re trying to build as well is that community and that connectedness.”
e ICC is also emphasizing the importance of having chiropractors in rural settings.
If someone wants to be a chiropractor, Peeace suggests they learn about science and basic health subjects, whether it be in high school or university. He said it’s good to seek out other chiropractors in general, to nd somebody with a similar background to get experience, to check out clinics, to shadow and get more information.
“It’s something you don’t know anything about until you start to nd out more
about the topics,” said Peeace.
Over the years, Peeace has visited di erent reserves and urban centres to promote and discuss the profession.
Peeace said he has never encountered any overt issues with patients because of his Indigenous roots. ere could have been someone who decided it was a barrier to receive care, and they might have turned to someone else for that care.
“I think the people in this community have been very generous, very giving and
very accepting of di erences, so I would say Estevan is de nitely a place where I have not experienced any ill wishes in my business.”
Peeace believes it’s important to be out there, to help encourage others and provide some positive reinforcement of what chiropractic care can do, and what the culture of Indigenous people has to o er.
With the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Sept. 30, Peeace said it’s a good chance to bridge gaps between di erent cultures.
Restoration underway at Orpheum Theatre following flood, frustration remains BUSINESS
By Ana Bykhovskaia SaskToday.ca
e Orpheum eatre in Estevan, co-owned by Jocelyn and Alan Dougherty, is making progress on repairs after the severe ooding caused by a storm and ongoing road construction in August.
e historic venue, which has been a xture since 1914, was signicantly damaged due to ooding, forcing the theatre to close.
Jocelyn Dougherty described the restoration process as a painstaking one.
“We’re in the middle of restoration right now,” she said. “All the sinks and toilets and most of the counters have been torn out in the basement, and most of the tile has come o the walls. I guess all of it has to go o yet, and there’ll have to be some new drywall put in down there. And it’s still questionable if it needs a new oor as well.
“All the stock, equipment and things that were in the basement were hauled upstairs, and we are guring out what is salvageable and what isn’t. Unfortunately, because it was sewer water, there’s so much more involved in the decontamination,” she added.
e storm resulted in water ooding of both cinemas and lling the basement beneath the main screen as well. e ooding caused extensive damage to vintage posters, old classic theatre seats and equipment stored in the basement, including freezers and a water heater.
“It’s really sad looking at both cinemas because all the carpet’s been torn out,” Jocelyn lamented e Doughertys are waiting on insurance and the restoration company to nalize assessments before more signi cant repairs can begin.
“We don’t yet have an
Appendix C FORM H [Section 66 of the Act] Notice of Call for Nominations
TOWN OF BIENFAIT
PUBLIC NOTICE is hereby given that nominations of candidates for the office of:
Councillor: SIX (6) Mayor: ONE (1)
Will be re ceived by the under s igned on the 9 th day of October 2024 fr om 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at t he Bienfait To wn Of fice located at 415 Main Street, Bienfait.
During re gular busin ess hours on Sep tember 23 until nomination day October 9th 2024
Nomination forms may be obtained from the Bienfait Town Office.
Dated this 23rd day of September 2024.
(Returning Officer or Nomination Officer) or
estimate for the total cost of damage and repairs,” she noted, adding that their insurance is supposed to cover most of the restoration costs, but not everything. Some business interruption coverage won’t apply due to speci c exclusions in their policy.
e frustration is even greater, as the theatre is missing out on some big movies released in late summer and into the fall –something that could have helped them after a long tough stretch caused by the pandemic, strikes in Hollywood and then the slowdown this summer due to construction on Fourth Street.
Concerns regarding the ood had been raised by the Doughertys months before. At a city meeting in March, the couple expressed worries about potential ooding during the ongoing downtown revitalization. Jocelyn recalled, “It was one of our questions to the city. We were concerned back in March already. We said, ‘If there’s some bad weather, what’s going to happen if it oods out the businesses?’ Unfortunately, that’s what happened.
“Our insurance will deal with the other insurance companies, maybe something else will come out of it. Whose fault it was? We know whose fault it was, but nobody’s admitting it on the other side. e city said they’re working with us, but we’ve heard very little,” Dougherty added.
Among other questions, ahead of the downtown construction, the Doughertys also raised issues about potential long-term damage to their century-old building. Previous
renovations had updated water and sewer lines, but older sections of the building, dating to 1914, were at risk due to vibrations from construction work nearby.
Concerns about cracks in the foundation and water supply disruptions during construction were also highlighted, but the city didn’t provide any answers, Dougherty said, when those questions were asked in March. And now that some of their concerns have become a reality, there is even more frustration.
Dougherty said another thing she found out is that the insurance doesn’t cover employee wages, so with the reopening date still un-
known, there are concerns about sta ng.
“I’m hoping we don’t lose our sta over this either when we’re ready to come back. I understand if they decide not to wait, it’s not just us hurting, and that’s sad too,” she said. “And we also have a cleaning company that’s been here for years, so they lost a big chunk of their income now because they’re not cleaning the theatre every day.”
She said ever since the ood, the community has rallied around the theatre.
“It has been overwhelming, I just can’t say how much we appreciate the community support,”
Dougherty said. “People have asked to volunteer and help us if we need help, and o ered to raise money to help us out. It’s really special to my heart how many people have reached out.”
While the Doughertys hope to reopen in time for the holiday season, the timeline remains uncertain. Dougherty shared, “We just don’t know when yet. Hopefully, by December, but it’s really di cult to say at this point.”
She noted they hope to have a better idea of the situation and the timeline come October.
e Mercury and SaskToday will follow the situation.
ENERGY
Provincial election spotlight: Chamber’s take on key issues facing voters in SE Sask
By Ana Bykhovskaia SaskToday.ca
With the provincial election drawing near, communities across southeast Saskatchewan are turning their attention to critical issues that could shape the future of the region.
e Mercury and SaskToday reached out to the executive director of the Estevan Chamber of Commerce Jackie Wall who, due to her role, is at the heart of the conversation, as she’s been advocating for the region’s economic growth and stability for years. In an interview, she shed light on some of the most pressing concerns for businesses and residents as the election approaches.
Energy transition and economic stability
At the forefront of concerns for southeast Saskatchewan is the future of energy production, particularly as the region undergoes signi cant transitions. Estevan, traditionally known for its energy sector, is closely watching how provincial candidates plan to address these changes.
“ e number 1 thing is energy production and our economy over the next few years as we transition,” Wall said.
Estevan has a vested interest in understanding the government’s plans for energy production, especially with nuclear energy being a potential future for the region, and coal still playing a major role in the region’s well-being and the province’s baseload power supply grid.
“We have the nuclear that’s on the table, and our community is working very hard to gure out how we can get into the supply chain on that, get educated in nuclear, and prepare for that,” she added.
e transition from coal
and other traditional energy sources has been a topic of concern for years, and residents want clear answers from candidates on what support the region can expect during this shift. Wall emphasized the importance of collaboration at the provincial level, with Crown corporations as well as with the federal government, to ensure a smooth transition that bene ts the entire province.
“Are we going to have reliable power? Is it going to be economically viable for businesses and the general population? And are we going to be ensuring that we have control over that energy production, and we’re not going to be too reliant on another jurisdiction to produce and then import our power?” Wall asked, highlighting the broader concerns beyond just Estevan.
Wall was clear that any future government must engage with the region, ensuring ongoing communication as economic projects and energy transitions take shape. She stressed the southeast corner of the province is prepared to roll up its sleeves and contribute to the new energy landscape but needs government support to do so e ectively.
“We will get a lot further in our region by working collaboratively, by working together, and we can move our province that much more forward if we have that dialogue across all of our regions, but especially this southeast region,” Wall explained.
e excitement and potential surrounding new technologies, such as small modular reactors (SMRs), are palpable, but the region needs guidance and support to fully capitalize on these opportunities.
“We’re looking at transitioning and moving into areas where it is highly un-
known,” Wall said, citing SMR technology as one of these new frontiers.
She praised the community’s willingness to learn, noting, “I have been so encouraged with the support within the community, the curiosity in the community, and the willingness to say, okay, I want to roll up my sleeves, I want to get educated, I want to get in on the potential supply chain of this new industry.”
Taxation and the business environment
Another issue of critical importance for businesses in Estevan and beyond is taxation, particularly the province’s assessment process. e chamber has long advocated for reforms in this area, especially given the volatility of a boom-bust economy.
“We are in a taxation situation that when new assessments come out in a boom-bust economy, like we are in this region ... the taxes on businesses on their property locations can sometimes quadruple,” Wall noted.
She stressed the need for reforms to ensure the assessment process moves at the speed of business, rather than lagging behind economic realities.
For businesses, it’s not just about paying taxes, but understanding where their tax dollars are going and having a say in how tax policies are shaped. Wall explained, “You don’t mind paying your taxes, but you don’t mind it nearly as much if you know that your taxes are going where they’re supposed to go.”
Accountability and transparency from the government will be key to easing the burden on businesses as they navigate the province’s taxation landscape.
Infrastructure and supply chain challenges
Infrastructure investments are also top of mind
for voters in the southeast.
As a key region for industries such as agriculture and energy, reliable transportation networks are essential for getting products in and out.
“Obviously highways, highway infrastructure,” Wall said, emphasizing the importance of well-maintained roads and transportation networks for the region’s economy.
Beyond highways, Wall also highlighted the importance of rail and air travel in keeping supply chains running smoothly.
e region has faced increased uncertainty in the supply chain, exacerbated by recent disruptions such as a railway lockout and a possible airline strike. For businesses, this unpredictability is a growing concern.
“We need stability as businesses, and that involves a lot of di erent moving parts,” Wall said, calling on all levels of government to work together to ensure businesses can continue operating without constant disruptions.
Workforce development and talent attraction
Another signi cant challenge facing the region is workforce development. With a changing labour market and the retirement of baby boomers, nding and retaining skilled workers has become increasingly
Bienfait man facing charges after escape from custody
e Saskatchewan RCMP has released more details regarding an individual who escaped from police custody in Estevan on Sept. 13. e man was in police custody because he was facing charges, including possession of property obtained by crime and resisting a police o cer, related to an incident in Bienfait on Sept. 11. e man ed on foot from St. Joseph’s Hospital. O cers from the Estevan RCMP immediately began looking for him with assistance from the Estevan Police Service. He was located in a shed on a nearby property approximately 20-25 minutes later. ree Estevan schools - Pleasantdale School, Westview School and Sacred Heart School/École Sacré Coeur went into
CRANES & TRUCKING
hold and secure.
Tyler Wyatt, age 27, from Bienfait is charged with one count each of escaping lawful custody, one count of resisting a police o cer, and one count of break and enter with intent. All
di cult. Wall noted that the province needs to focus on developing talent through education and training programs that are accessible, particularly in smaller rural areas.
“ ere’s a lot of jobs where the training is not happening fast enough,” Wall said. “Looking at micro-credentials, fully utilizing the colleges in the small rural areas … people are looking to get retrained but don’t have the capacity to leave their community.”
Wall stressed that any future government needs to be transparent on how they plan to ensure they maintain good working relationships with various sectors, particularly health and education, which are critical to workforce stability.
Supporting small businesses
Small businesses, which make up the backbone of the province’s economy, also face unique challenges.
Wall noted that many small businesses feel left out of
government support, with larger companies often receiving more attention. She emphasized the need for reliable connectivity, particularly in rural areas, to help small businesses thrive in an increasingly digital world.
“We need to have connectivity, number 1. We need to have every community, every person to be able to have reliable and fast Internet services,” Wall said, noting the growing importance of online businesses and remote work in rural areas. e election is set to occur Oct. 28, and the southeast has a number of critical issues that will in uence voters. From energy transition to taxation, infrastructure, and workforce development, the region is looking to candidates for clear plans and collaborative solutions that will drive the region forward.
e chamber will host an all-candidates’ debate ahead of the provincial election with details to be announced at a later date.
DRILLING
three charges are under the Criminal Code. He is scheduled to be back in court on Sept. 30. SaskToday.ca and the Mercury will have more details as they become available.
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Another way to show talent, while supporting local charities at the United Way Telethon
United Way Estevan is calling for local talents to donate any and all kinds of handmade items for its telethon bid items silent auction.
e 48th annual United Way Estevan Telethon –themed You Are the Community – will take place at the Estevan Royal Canadian Legion hall on Oct. 18-19.
e auction, featuring handmade pieces, will help the United Way reach its goal of $348,000, money to be used to support local member agencies and community impact projects.
United Way Estevan auction committee member Jacie Vandermeulen said there is quite a bit of interest in submitting bid items for the auction, but they are always open for more.
e goal is to have about 100 pieces.
“For our auction, we can use pretty much anything homemade. In the past couple of years, it’s been from individuals
or even some small local businesses. And it can be anything from artwork, quilts, jewelry, crocheted or knitted items. We’ve had a lot of woodwork and met-
All of the current members of the South East Cornerstone Public School Division’s board of education will be seeking re-election, with just one exception.
Eric McCrimmon, one of the two members representing the city of Estevan, has decided not to re-seek the seat he held at the conference table.
He was not at the Sept. 18 session held in Weyburn, but did return a phone call made to him the next morning seeking his decision. e one-term board member, during a phone call exchange, said he might issue a statement in the near future regarding his decision, but in the immediate moment, chose to simply state he was not going to seek re-election.
Other members who were approached just prior to the start of the Sept. 18 board meeting in Weyburn indicated they were prepared to ll out the nomination forms and would be happy to return to the table, including Tami Scott, the representative in Sub-
al sculptures in the past,” Vandermeulen said, listing some of the bid items. “We like to get some unique things.” e committee always
division 4 (Lampman, Alameda, Oxbow, Bienfait) who attended the meeting via an online call and was later contacted by phone to con rm her decision.
Others re-seeking a four-year assignment from the electorate include: Devona Putland, Subdivision 1 (Rocanville, Wapella, Moosomin); Jim Vermeersch, Subdivision 2 (Arcola, Carlyle, Manor, Mary eld, Wawota); Jim Henderson, Subdivision 3 (Redvers, Carndu , Carievale); Audrey Trombley, Subdivision 5 (Fillmore, Stoughton, Midale, Macoun) and Michelle DeBruyne, Subdivision 6 (Ogema, Pangman, Yellow Grass, Radville, Gladmar, Oungre).
e cities of Weyburn and Estevan send two representatives to the boardroom and incumbents Norma Hewitt-Lendrum and Megan Schick (Weyburn) and Kevin Keating of Estevan have indicated a desire to return to the division’s conference table.
Based on McCrimmon’s de-
tries to attract new creators to have a variety of bid items.
e auction will be similar to last year, with bid items featured ahead of
cision not to re-run, the city of Estevan will add at least one new face to the roster with other newcomers also eligible to seek a seat by ling nomination papers to challenge any of the incumbents.
Returning o cer Shelley Toth noted the nominations close at 4 p.m. on Oct. 9 with the election day being Nov. 13 in the cities, towns, villages and rural municipalities across the province, since the school board elections are run in concert with the provincial municipal elections.
Associate returning o cers for the division in the cities of Estevan and Weyburn are Judy Pilloud and Tina Clay, respectively. e o cial nomination call appears on the front page of the SECPSD website.
Several of the Cornerstone board members are veterans of the process, including board chairwoman Trombley and vice-chairman Vermeersch while a few others will be completing their rst, four-year terms.
time on the United Way Estevan 2024 Bid Items Facebook page, and displayed at the legion hall during the event. Bidding will occur during the telethon, both online and in-person at the legion.
In the weeks leading up to the telethon, bid items will also be displayed at Murray GM in Estevan for people to view.
e Exploding Heart quilt that was donated to the United Way Estevan Telethon by the Hearts and Hands Quilt Guild will also be ra ed o during the event, with proceeds going towards the total.
Linda Jones with the guild said three members were working on the quilt periodically for about a month and a half.
“One of our guild members had done [a similar quilt] in a di erent colour, and we decided we would do it, but do it [a bit di erent],” Jones said.
Tickets for the quilt ra e are $2 each or three for $5. e draw will take place during the telethon
on Oct. 19. Jones was selling rafe tickets at the Estevan Farmers’ Market. She also hopes to display it, selling ra e tickets, a few more times in the community. It will then be on display at Henders Drugs until it’s moved to the legion for the telethon.
e RM of Estevan has ra e tickets at the front counter. Vandermeulen also has tickets available at her o ce at Rooted Family Chiropractic. Tickets also will be available during the telethon on Oct. 18-19. If someone would like to donate a homemade item for the auction, they can call or text Vandermeulen at 306-421-3900 or contact any United Way Estevan board member. “ ank you [to everyone who donates to our auction]. We really appreciate it. We like this bid auction because everything’s homemade, so it’s really cool to see and showcase all the talent that we have in Estevan and surrounding areas,” Vandermeulen said.
EricMcCrimmon
SENIOR LIVING
Hill View Manor celebrates Multicultural Day
By Jeannette Betteridge
Hill View Manor residents continue to be busy as the season changes from summer to fall.
August entertainment was the Caragana Ramblers, Wilma and Val, Keith and Gary, Karen Minkus, and Garth Ternes (Homemade Jam). Many of them were back for September. August and September are always quieter months for entertainment as many are still completing harvest.
On Aug. 8, we went to the Souris Valley eatre matinee for Jail House Rock. It was enjoyed by all who went. Aug. 14 saw us go to the TS&M Woodlawn Golf Course for power cart rides and lunch. It was a wonderful outing. is is always very much enjoyed by the residents who attend.
On Sept. 6, we held our rst Multicultural Day celebration. e theme was Embrace Diversity to honour our team. Many performances happened as we
travelled the world to the Philippines, Africa, Nepal and India. is was a very successful day and was enjoyed by all.
We tried delicious foods from the Philippines and Nepal. A very special thank you to the families who brought the dishes. is will become an annual celebration.
Having a healthy workplace culture is paramount to ensuring everyone can feel secure and work together in harmony. Understanding our di erences is healthy. is makes for happier sta , residents and visitors, as everyone can join together as one. We can grow together to create a healthy beautiful home for all. ank you to all participants and to everyone who came to enjoy, appreciate and understand our very diverse workplace.
On Sept. 2, we went out for our annual country harvest cruise. We’ll be back at the golf course Sept. 18, and on Sept. 24, we’ll go to
Walmart and Black Beard’s Restaurant. Our ice cream social for the month was another
event that the residents and sta enjoyed very much.
In August, we had four birthdays: Ken Giesel and
Hill View Manor Licensed Personal Care Home
Marianne Holzer turned 88, Vivian Leptich celebrated her 93rd birthday and Pauline Edwards turned 91.
September birthdays are Marie Mooney (91), Shirley Peters (79) and Sylvester Maksymetz (81). Happy birthday to all.
Many activities were planned for the residents. e rst Wednesday of the month is Catholic mass, followed by the Trinity Lutheran communion in the afternoon. e rst ursday of the month is the residents’ meeting where they give feedback on what is going on. e Estevan Gospel Chapel comes the third Sunday of the month. Non-denominational devotions are held Wednesday in the late afternoons. Regular exercises, Bingo, card games, crafts, indoor curling, a large dice game, crokinole, bean bag toss and various board games also happen. e Estevan Public Library book exchange is on the second Tuesday of the month. e last Friday of the month is loonie bingo followed by wine and cheese or fruit punch for anyone not wanting wine.
We have single suites available as well as larger suites to accommodate couples so they can remain together in thecomfor table surroundings of our home. Our dedicated team of healthcare professionals and aides arekind and cour teous. We offer all levelsof care so all residents can “Age in Place” and we arecommitted to making each resident feel rightathome.
Estevan man charged for child pornography and more
Members of the Estevan Police Service assisted the Saskatchewan Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit with an ongoing investigation on Sept. 20.
A 20-year-old Estevan man has been charged with possession of child pornography, make available child pornography, invitation to sexual touching, and make available sexually explicit material to a person believed to be under the age of 13. e accused was released for a future court date in front of a justice of the peace and has to abide by several conditions.
e man’s name was not immediately released by the EPS.
at same day, a manager from a local business reported someone passing counterfeit $100 bills. e matter remains under investigation.
A member of the EPS conducted a tra c stop on Sept. 21 after observing a vehicle driving in an erratic manner. As a result of the stop, an oral uid demand was made which resulted in the driver testing positive for THC and a blood demand.
e 31-year-old Estevan man received a three-day driving suspension and his vehicle was impounded. e matter is awaiting blood test results for any potential further charges.
A well-being check was requested by the RCMP on a woman they believed to be within the city of Estevan. Police attended to known locations the woman may be at but were unable to locate her. e RCMP were advised as such.
Police issued a 21-day driving suspension and seven-day vehicle impoundment to a 36-year-old Winnipeg woman after she tested pos-
itive for cocaine on an oral uid device. Charges are pending the blood result.
An Estevan man was arrested and will face two charges for uttering threats to cause death and one count of assault with a weapon. He was remanded in custody and will appear in court next week.
e EPS responded to 58 occurrences over the weekend.
In other recent police news, EPS members conducted a tra c stop on Sept. 16, in which an Estevan woman was found to be driving while impaired by alcohol. e driver was arrested and charged with impaired driving and exceeding .08 while operating a conveyance. She was subsequently released and will make her rst appearance in Estevan Provincial Court in November to speak to the charges.
Police monitored tra c through a construction zone on King Street, resulting in several summary o ence tickets being issued to motorists for exceeding the posted speed limit.
EPS received a complaint of mail theft from mailboxes in an apartment building in the downtown area. e matter remains under investigation.
Police received a report of an ongoing harassment. An initial statement was obtained from the complainant with further investigation and interviews to occur in the near future.
Police were also called to an aggressive dog running at large. It was captured and taken to the humane society. e owner was identi ed and charged under the bylaw for allowing the dog to run at large.
EPS concluded an investigation into theft/fraud over $5,000, which resulted in charges against an Estevan man on Sept. 17. He was subsequently released to attend court at a later date to speak to the charges. No further details were immediately available.
e same day, members arrested a 45-year-old Estevan man for assault. He was processed and released on conditions with a future court date.
A 45-year-old Estevan man was arrested for breaching his court-ordered release conditions related to having contact with another individual. He was charged with two counts of failing to comply with conditions and subsequently released with a future court date.
A woman was reported walking in tra c on Perkins Street. She was located and it was determined that she was attempting to ag down motorists for directions. She was cautioned about interfering with tra c and was provided directions to her destination.
A well-being check was requested on a local resident. She was located and determined to be safe and in good health.
A woman contacted EPS requesting mental health assistance. Members attended to her location, and she was transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital for assessment.
A complaint of harassing communications was received by EPS. e matter remains under investigation.
As a result of the continuing investigation into two men arrested in the industrial area for being in possession of break-in tools in the early morning hours on Sept. 18, a
search warrant was executed at a condominium complex in the northeast area.
e search located stolen property, including approximately 300 kilograms of copper, along with additional evidence to support charges in the investigation.
e EPS has jointly charged the two men involved in this occurrence for possessing instruments suitable for the purpose of breaking into a place or vehicle. Additionally, as a result of evidence located during execution of the search warrant, one of the men has been charged with possession of property obtained by crime. Both individuals were released on conditions of an undertaking with a future court date to speak to the charges.
e EPS also received a complaint of multiple vehicles speeding on Alice Road in the early morning hours. Targeted tra c enforcement will be conducted in the area in the upcoming month.
A suspicious man was reported to be present in Churchill Park. Following contact with EPS members, the man was arrested for public intoxication and was to be released once sober and able to care for himself.
On Sept. 19, a report of mischief to a vehicle was received. A vehicle in the Willow Park Greens area had two tires slashed while it was parked outside a residence. If anyone has information on this crime, they are asked to call Saskatchewan Crimes Stoppers.
A report of uttering threats to cause bodily harm came in during the day. e female suspect is facing criminal charges as a result.
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Oilers knock off league-leading Raiders in thriller
e Estevan Lions Club
U14 Oilers picked up one of the biggest wins in the 16-year history of the program on Saturday, beating the previously undefeated Moose Jaw Raiders 24-22 Saturday afternoon at the Dana Quewezance Memorial Field at Woodlawn Athletic Park.
Estevan led 12-8 at halftime and 24-16 with a couple of minutes to play in the fourth quarter. Moose Jaw pulled within two on a long touchdown run, but the Oilers stopped the Raiders’ two-point convert attempt.
Moose Jaw had one more possession in the nal seconds, but it was snu ed out on a Kieran Kyle interception.
TJ ompson scored two touchdowns for Estevan. Ryder Mantei and Taya Stigings also scored.
“I think the thing that stands out the most is the resilience of this group,” said coach Christian Pfeifer. “ ese kids played hard from the beginning of the game through the end. No matter what happens, you just don’t see anybody out
on that eld giving up at any point, and it’s really refreshing to see that.”
e Oilers are a family, he said, and they all play really hard for each other.
e Raiders had a 3-0 record prior to the game, and Pfeifer described them as a “very tough team”. It came down to who wanted it more, and on Saturday, that was the Oilers, he said. “ is Oilers team has never had the success that we’re having this season, and I think it’s putting the league on notice and it’s nice to see,” said Pfeifer.
e next game for the 3-1 Oilers will be Sept. 27 in Weyburn. ***
e Estevan Power Dodge U12 Chargers picked up their rst win of the season with a 66-54 victory over the Assiniboia Rockets at Woodlawn on Saturday.
Dexx Tendler scored all 10 touchdowns for the Chargers in the victory.
Coach James Haagsman said the Chargers’ o ence is nearly unstoppable. e club moved most of its vet-
erans to the defensive side of the ball to try to stop the Rockets’ scoring opportunities. e defence managed a few stops and a fumble recovery.
Much of the credit for the o ensive success goes to “our amazing o ensive line”, Haagsman said “Our O-line is the biggest and baddest in the league. We can usually get ve yards
down eld before Dexx gets the rst contact,” said Haagsman.
Casey Kitz moved from quarterback to middle linebacker, he said, and made most of the Chargers’ critical tackles on defence.
e Chargers (1-3) will also visit Weyburn on Sept. 27. ***
e Estevan Compre-
hensive School Elecs football team lost 29-0 to the Yorkton Regional High School Gridders on Friday at Woodlawn.
Coach Chris Bayerle said the defence played “extremely well”. Truman Ciepliski had an interception, and the Elecs recovered three fumbles, including one from Brody Bembridge that resulted in a 45-yard
Bruins open season with two straight losses
By David Willberg
A young Eagle Sky Estevan Bruins club had a tough start to the SJHL season.
e Bruins lost 4-2 to the Melville Millionaires on Friday night at A nity Place and 7-2 against the Mills the following night in Melville. Friday’s loss marked the rst time the Bruins have lost their season opener since 2019. Both of Estevan’s goals Friday were scored by players making their SJHL debut. Rorey Elson scored on a power play with just over six minutes to play in the second period for the Bruins’ rst marker of the season. at goal made the score 2-1 for Melville, and it gave the Bruins some life in the nal minutes of the frame.
Elson was pleased to get his rst SJHL goal and to see it give the Bruins some energy. Luke Lawford scored the Bruins’ other goal with six minutes left in the third period. It came just moments after Melville took a 4-1 lead.
proved to be too much for the Bruins, as they combined for four goals and 10 points. Ryan Roethke scored three times in his rst game in the SJHL. Caden Drury, the former captain of the Estevan U18 AAA Bears, notched a goal and three assists, and Brendan Olson had three helpers.
Bruins’ head coach and general manager Jason Tatarnic thought the club played well in a number
of facets, but gave up too many odd-man rushes.
“ ose are young mistakes,” said Tatarnic. “We play a certain way, and before you make a play, you have to make sure there’s someone covering. We didn’t, and it cost us three times, I think,” said Tatarnic.
He thought the players worked “extremely” hard and played a fast brand of hockey, but they need to be better on special teams
and convert chances they create.
Benjamin Polhill stopped 22 of the 26 shots he faced for Estevan in his rst start in the SJHL. Loic Morin had 27 saves for Melville.
As for Saturday’s game, the two teams traded goals early, with Raiden Zacharias scoring 98 seconds into the game for Melville and Odin George replying with his rst SJHL goal 86 seconds later for the Bruins.
Simon Parini, Jadon
Iyogun and Roethke then scored quick power-play goals to give Melville a 4-1 lead before the game was 10 minutes old.
Elson scored 2:09 into the second for Estevan, but goals by Leo Jewitt and Roethke – the latter on another power play – put Melville up by four. Parini scored into an empty net during a Bruins’ power play late in the second to round out the scoring.
Liam Hallet started in goal for Estevan and made seven saves on 13 shots. Polhill came on in relief and made 17 saves.
Morin (11 saves on 13 shots) and Nick Genette ( ve saves) shared Melville’s goaltending duties.
Elson said Estevan reminds him of his hometown of Chatham, Ont. – a smaller, tight-knit community. He believes the team is coming together well.
“Last year I was one of the second-year guys coming in, and I see a lot of similarities. We had a pretty good year last year, and I’m hoping we can have a pretty good year this year,” said Elson, who previously played with the Chatham
Bears looking to build on last year’s success
By David Willberg
Coming o their most successful season in the franchise’s short history, the Estevan Great North U18 AAA Bears are looking to build on their success.
e Bears will open the 2024-25 Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League regular season by hosting the Tisdale Trojans at 8 p.m. on Sept. 28 and at 2 p.m. the following day.
e Bears made the SMAAAHL playo s for the rst time last season in their third full campaign. en they lost to the Saskatoon Blazers in the opening round; the Blazers went on to win the league title for the second straight year.
Eight players are back from last year’s team. Not only did they lose 10 players to graduation, includ-
ing top scorer and team captain Carter Onrait and rst-team all-star defenceman omas Ries, but their top eligible returning scorer, Jase McNichol, cracked the Weyburn Red Wings’ roster as a 17-yearold. Defenceman Cameron Allard started the season with the Western Hockey League’s Brandon Wheat Kings.
Head coach Ryan Pilon said the Bears are pleased to see players get an opportunity.
“Obviously our goal being a development league, we want to get guys to the next level,” said Pilon. He compared it to last season when forward Kole Keen cracked the Melville Millionaires’ lineup as a 17-year-old.
e club has to have its roster nalized by Sept. 28.
Despite the loss of McNichol and Allard, Pilon said there are some good returning players. Forwards Gunner Moore and Roan Burgess will “have to drive the bus” o ensively for the Bears, Pilon said. De-
fenceman Kade McIvor has played well on the blue line. Cooper Flath, Kobe Wotta and Aidan Mohan have taken a step forward in their development.
As for the rst-year Bears, Pilon said defence-
return. Bayerle said the Elecs couldn’t capitalize on the big play and wound up turning over the ball in Yorkton’s end zone.
Dorian Sifton had another 100-yard receiving game for Estevan.
e Elecs were slated to visit the Swift Current Colts on Tuesday afternoon. (Results were not available at press time). ***
e Southeast U18 Estevan Kinette Club Viragos lost 58-0 to the Melville Vipers on Saturday at Woodlawn.
Coach Mark Tribiger said it was a character-building game, as injury hit the Viragos. Kassidy Wallington had a nice interception, he said, and Natasha Hengen had an “amazing” game as it was her rst-ever time at running back. With Swan Valley losing to Moosomin, Estevan (0-3) still occupies the No. 3 seed in the Prairie Girls’ Football League. e Viragos (0-3) will visit the Moosomin Generals on Sept. 29.
Maroons of the Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League.
While the Bruins lost a lot of players from last season, Elson believes there is a good group that has come in. e Bruins made a couple of announcements prior to Friday’s game. e club has reached an agreement with Eagle Sky Ventures to be the team’s naming rights sponsor for this season.
Also, the Bruins have rounded out its leadership team. Alternate captains this year will be forward Brady Wilson, and defencemen Kaelen Whittingham, Owen Simmonds and Michael Carter. Forward Cade Kennedy was already announced as the team captain.
e club was carrying 28 players as of Saturday night.
“We have to get down [in numbers], so we have some tough decisions,” said Tatarnic.
e Bruins will be back on the ice on Sept. 27 when they host the defending SJHL champions, the Melfort Mustangs, starting at 7 p.m.
man Kayson Anderson has ful lled the high expectations facing him. Dylan Brass brings experience with a year of U18 AAA experience under his belt, and Will Nicholson has made good use of his speed.
With the higher expectations after making the playo s for the rst time, Pilon said the players are expected to come to the rink every day with the intent of winning.
“ at’s the mindset that we’re trying to instill with these players, whether that’s built from last year getting into the playo s, or moving into this season with our returning players,” said Pilon.
Not only does it need to show during games, but it needs to translate to practices and workouts.
“It’s not just being happy to play triple-A, there’s a
job to do, and … we’re trying to get these guys to the next level and we want to win now,” said Pilon. e Bears went 1-1-11 in the preseason. ey opened by playing two games at a U18 tournament in Souris, Man., winning 8-2 over the Yellowhead Chiefs on Sept. 14 and tying the Brandon Wheat Kings 2-2 the following day. en they lost 5-4 to the Notre Dame Hounds in a shootout on Sept. 21, and 5-2 against Manitoba’s Southwest Cougars the following day. e latter two games were at A nity Place. Pilon was pleased with how the Bears played in the Manitoba tournament, noting the Wheat Kings in particular are a good team. He is optimistic with the upcoming season.
