Show time! ECS to present their latest Broadway musical, Mamma Mia.
Details on
PAGE A3
Keeping everyone safe. Officers recognized for battling impaired driving. Arrive Alive special on PAGE A5
Indulging in local history. SV Museum’s fundraiser offers a great local Christmas gift idea.
PAGE A8
It’s here.
Midale celebrates grand opening of its first licensed day-care facility.
PAGE A10
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 2024
By Ana Bykhovskaia of SaskToday.ca and David Willberg
One person has been arrested and another had yet to be apprehended in connection with the death of a man at the White Bear First Nations last week. According to a news release from the Saskatchewan RCMP, at approximately 2:30 a.m. on Dec. 3, the Carlyle RCMP received a report of an injured person at a residence at White Bear. O cers responded and located a deceased man, Talon Lonethunder, a 33-year-old man from Coronach who was originally from White Bear.
e Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes unit took the lead in the investigation, and there was an increased police presence at White Bear after Lonethunder’s death. e RCMP then announced on Dec. 5 that it had identi ed and charged two men in relation to Lonethunder’s death.
Jeremy Whitebear, age 22, from White Bear First Nations, was charged with one count of second-degree murder. Dwayne Maxie, 26, also from White Bear, was charged with one count of manslaughter. Both men were on the run at the time the arrest warrants were issued.
Whitebear was arrested at a residence on the rst nations in the evening of Dec. 7, nearly two days after the arrest warrant was issued. He appeared in Estevan Provincial Court on Dec. 9, and his matters were adjourned to Dec. 16. He remains in custody.
A show-cause hearing would need to take place in Court of King’s Bench for Whitebear to be released on bail.
As of the Mercury’s press time, Maxie had yet to be arrested. He is described as approximately 6’2” tall and weighing 250 pounds, with brown eyes and black hair. He also goes by the name Georgie.
e RCMP says that anyone who sees Maxie
By Ana Bykhovskaia SaskToday.ca
A erce overnight blaze consumed a home in Macoun, leaving a family displaced and re ghters battling tough conditions into the morning.
“We’re not sure of the origin of the re yet or what the cause of it is,” said Laverne Hockey, re chief of the Midale/Cymri Fire and Rescue & First Responders.
called in from Estevan at about 8:30 p.m. e Estevan Fire Rescue Service sent an engine and a tanker to assist the Midale/Cymri re department. Estevan crews were on scene throughout the night as well.
E orts to extinguish the re were complicated by challenging conditions. Fire ghters struggled at times to maintain a water supply in the winter weather.
“We had a few times we ran out of water,” Hockey said, noting that Estevan’s tanker and local resources helped them push through.
Lots of lights. Find out where to go for an Estevan Twinkle Tour on PAGE A14
“When we got a call around eight o’clock to come to [the re], it was a garage re to start with, but by the time we got to the hall and a few minutes later, it had already spread to the house.”
e re, which began on the evening of Dec. 8, rapidly engulfed the home.
“When we got here, the garage was fully involved in ames and quite a bit of the house was already on re,” Hockey explained. With 11 members of Midale/Cymri Fire Rescue responding, mutual aid was
“And it was a wooden basement,” Hockey said. “So, it had started burning underneath the oor.
… We weren’t able to save much of the house because it was a wooden basement, and the oor got so weak that we couldn’t walk on it. And then it had tin on the roof, which made it di cult to get any water in from the top down.
“But we nally got a
Cody Chantelle KensleyandBrexleyLoewenofMacounlosttheirhousetoa
trackhoe out in the morn-
ing at eight or nine o’clock.
e trackhoe came out from Turnbull’s and we pulled a bunch of the tin out of the basement that had already collapsed in and put that part of the re out,” Hockey explained.
Fortunately, all residents
escaped without injury, but the re’s rapid progression left little to be salvaged.
“All the re ghters, the family got out safe and sound with their pets,” Hockey con rmed, noting that the house was a loss.
Despite the devastation, the re did not spread to nearby structures.
“ ere was another garage just a few feet away, but the wind was in our favour for most of the night,” Hockey said.
Fire crews nally extinguished the last of the ames by 11 a.m. on Dec. 9.
By Stephanie Zoer
e town of Carlyle transformed into a community straight out of a Victorian-era novel Dec. 6 and 7 as it hosted the 21st annual Dickens Village Festival.
e town’s businesses all get involved with decorating inside and outside their buildings, and sta dress in period clothing. Many of the stores o ered specials and stayed open later to accommodate the crowds.
e event actually began Dec. 5 with the o cial tree lighting. e Bear Claw Casino provided the hot chocolate and the homemade cookies. A bon re was held with many locals singing Christmas carols to start the festive season. It was also the night that volunteers went around town to judge Christmas displays at homes and businesses. It was a dicult decision but Terry and Laurie Fornwald placed rst overall. Laurel George took rst for her Victori-
an-style display and Clayton and Amy Geiger took rst for the novelty display. Punkin’s Tattoo Parlour and JDM Jewels took rst place for their business display, and March and Ana Ranchez were recognized for their Filipino Christmas Sparkle. Special recognition was also handed out to several homes.
e festivities for Dickens began on Dec. 6. e streets started to ll up with parked vehicles and people were walking the streets in their Victorian-style clothing. Carlyle’s Dickens Village Festival is rated fth in the world and people from all over come to see this town light up with the combined holiday cheer and cultural festivities. roughout the afternoons of the festival, local entertainment was held at the Memorial Hall, where large crowds gathered to listen to the Caragana Ramblers, Dianne Twietmeyer, James Dionne, Emily and Ben Dubois, Eli
Barsi, and Chris Byrne.
At 6 p.m., the streets were lined with spectators to watch a parade that lit up the streets. e lights from the many oats could be seen down the street.
From Dec. 6-8, the Cornerstone eatre held their play called It’s a Wonderful Hockey Life. is comedic display of volunteers had no problem entertaining the sold-out crowds.
After the show, the hall opened up again for the music of the Moxie Blue Band. is group has been together for 31 years and still has two original members, Gordon Young and Vince Parker. ey played in front of a sizable crowd.
Dec. 7 was even busier as breakfast was served with Santa Claus. Admission was by donation to Carlyle’s food bank.
A craft and trade show hosting 21 vendors was held at the Carlyle Elementary School and at Place on Railway Ave. ere was an array of products to look at, including homemade baking, handmade soaps, decorated mugs, jewels, blankets and Christmas ornaments. It was a great place for Christmas shopping and get the baking out of the way. e ow of people kept vendors on their toes, as the place kept steady all day.
Many vendors were pleased with the help from the Grade 12 students, helping to bring in supplies and making trips easier for those who had tables at the sale. ey also cleaned up the tables and chairs at the end of the show.
e Carlyle United Church held its popular high tea. Bev ompson was given all the Victorian-era hats from Irene Doty after Doty passed away. ese hats adorned the wall, and as guests came for tea, they could go along the wall and pick a hat to wear. Welcoming visitors to the tea were Bonnie and Mel Freitag, in their Dickens’ gear. A total of 180 people attended the tea.
A new business in town, which has recently purchased the old Carlyle Observer building, held a photo shoot for pets. Just fur Paws had Buddy the Elf greet the four-legged family members. Over 30 people came with their pets to have a photo taken.
ey also asked for donations of new or gently-used toys for the Estevan Humane Society and Bright Eyes Animal Rescue. ey wanted to make Christmas brighter for the animals that don’t have a home.
Food vendors lined the streets with the traditional smoked turkey legs from the Carlyle Fire Department, a bowl of chili by the Knights of Columbus, chowder with the Catholic church, perogies from the Carlyle Elementary School, and a smokie on a stick from the Gordon F. Kells High School. e Carlyle District Lions Club had their baked potatoes and OneChurch had rice pudding.
e fun continued at the Memorial Hall with young and old enjoying the show from the Crachitt Kids Production, and performances by Jacquie Wal-
proudlydisplayedtheVictorianhats thatIreneDotygaveherbeforeDotydiedtokeepthe Dickenstraditiongoing.PhotosbyStephanieZoer
baum, Al Simmons and Fiddle Music and Dance Callers.
During the afternoon, a team of horses with wagons in tow o ered rides around town, giving people the enjoyment of the nice weather and fresh air.
e music was not only heard at the hall, but King’s Department Store had singers throughout the festival. Adding to the list of entertainment were Donna and Morgan Turk, Erroll Kinistino and Josie Linka, Winsome Kind and Morgan Robertson. Teagan Littlechief and her band had people dancing and singing.
BuddytheElfholdsRoo,atwoyearoldrescue fromtheEstevanHumaneSocietyfortheir photostohelprescueddogs.
e Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes continues to investigate and asks anyone with information to contact them immediately. If an imminent risk to public safety is identi ed, the RCMP said it would notify the public. Tributes poured in for Lonethunder on social media following his death, with people who knew him describing Lonethunder as a good person who wouldn’t hurt anyone.
Julia Blondeau-Florell, a friend of Lonethunder’s who knew him for several
years, said she could not believe he died so early in life. She o ered her condolences to his family and friends.
“I will miss our visits, your smile and laugh. You were one in a million,” said Blondeau-Florell. “I know you will be missed by many.”
In a post on his Facebook page, White Bear Chief Jonathan Pasap said he asked the RCMP to have an increased presence for public safety purposes. For the safety of residents, all White Bear o ces and services were closed the morning of Dec. 3 and re-
mained shut down until 1 p.m. the following day.
“We ask that you pray for our community,” Pasap said in his initial Facebook post.
“Let’s all be safe out there and support each other during this time of crisis.”
In a later post, Pasap asked that White Bear citizens continue to be vigilant and remain home so the RCMP could continue their investigation. Mental health services were requested and were available for anybody who wanted to access them.
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the re.
Re ecting on the incident, Hockey expressed
“ ank you to all our WB citizens, community friends and all concerned citizens for your prayers and words of support during this time of crisis,” he said.
Prior to charges being laid, Pasap noted that a person was taken into custody by the RCMP. e RCMP con rmed this, but said the person was released without charges.
e Mercury and our provincial news hub, SaskToday.ca, will continue to have coverage of this story.
sympathy for the displaced family. “Just feel sorry for the family and wish them all the best,” he said.
e Village of Macoun
JeremyWhitebear,left,hadbeencharged,while DwayneMaxieremainedontherunasofMonday night.PhotocourtesyoftheSaskatchewanRCMP
posted on Facebook Monday afternoon, calling for help for the Loewen family.
“Macoun and surrounding area, we need your help,” the village wrote.
“Cody, Chantelle, Kensley and Brexley were devastated by re last night. e Loewen family is part of our community here in Macoun and we would like to help out any way we can. We are asking for immediate assistance to gather clothing for the family. Currently looking for youth size 10-12 for the girls, ladies’ medium for
Chantelle and men’s 1XL2XL for Cody. Clothing donations can be dropped o at the Macoun school, Macoun Co-op and Macoun village o ce. “Cash donations are also being collected to allow this family to focus on healing while they transition to their new normal until their home can be rebuilt. E-transfers can be sent to loewenfamilyaid@gmail. com. Cash and cheques can also be dropped o at the village o ce or Macoun Co-op,” the village added.
props. So, it’s really been a whole school e ort.”
e students at Estevan Comprehensive School (ECS) are counting down to one of their biggest events of the year: the staging of the Broadway musical Mamma Mia! Set to run Dec. 13-15 at the ECS cafetorium, the production has turned into a schoolwide e ort.
e musical, which features ABBA’s iconic songs, follows Sophie Sheridan as she invites three men— each a potential father—to her wedding in hopes of discovering the truth about her parentage.
It’s a story full of love, laughter and heart, brought to life by a cast of 25 students, supported by a backstage crew of about 20 students, and many more in other capacities. e production is directed by Jillian Connely.
Production manager Adrienne Dechief lauded the sheer scale of the collaboration.
“ e entire thing is run by students at this point. ey do all the jobs,” she said. “We’ve had construction class building the sets, art students designing them, and cosmetology students taking charge of hair and makeup, and then the students in the functionally integrated program have also done work collecting and creating
Dechief also noted the students’ remarkable work ethic.
“We’ve been rehearsing four days a week since September and then the last couple of weeks has been ve days a week,” she said. “ e students have worked incredibly hard, not only at rehearsals but at home as well, practising with videos of choreography. We have done extra practices at lunchtime some days just to get them ready and condent. And this weekend we’re really seeing it’s coming together. I think that we can see it on the students as well. ey feel so con dent, and they know what they’re doing. We’re very, very excited. And I’m so proud of all the work that they’ve put in.”
For some students, this production is a milestone in their creative journey.
Charli Sharko, who plays Sophie, called it her rst true acting experience after working backstage on e Little Mermaid earlier this year. Initially nervous about singing, she credited the support of her castmates for helping her grow.
“At rst, I was actually really excited. But then the rst couple of practices, I became absolutely terri ed, because, at the start, I wasn’t really fully con dent in myself, especially in my singing and voice,” she said. “But as
time went on, I slowly built con dence. And the people here really helped me out. So now I think I’m good with Sophie.”
Sharko added that auditioning for the musical was a great decision which she recommended to others to try.
“It is literally one of the best decisions I’ve made. I’m so happy that I decided to audition and that I’m part of this because the people are amazing, the experience is thrilling, and I love making people smile,” she said.
Kegan Little eld, who portrays Bill, one of Sophie’s potential fathers, brings prior experience to the stage, having played Grimsby in e Little Mermaid. Yet, he nds this production even more fullling.
“ ere’s so much more choreography and vocal harmonies this time. It’s just amazing to see it all come together,” he said.
Like Sharko, Little eld emphasized the intensity of the preparation.
“We’re here after school till about 8 p.m. most days now,” he said, noting that they started slower in September, but lately it’s been all day, every day, and the weekends.
“It’s hard work, but we want it to be good,” he added.
For senior Kristina Fernandez, who plays Tanya, the production marks her rst on-stage role after moving to Estevan last year.
“I’ve performed as a dancer before, but singing not so much,” she said. “When I got the role of Tanya, it just clicked. … Tanya, she’s very, very aloof. She irts with people and she’s obsessed with cosmetics and stu like that.
… She’s just a very cool character.”
Fernandez expressed gratitude for the camaraderie among the cast and crew.
“I needed to work on my singing to really get into it. But overall, during these
past rehearsals, it’s been really great, and with all the support around me, it’s been really nice,” she said.
“I’m excited and nervous, but I think that when the show comes on, people are going to see the hard work we’ve put in.”
Dechief highlighted the signi cance of the show for ECS, noting it’s the second large-scale musical since the school’s productions resumed in 2023.
“We are just building from the momentum that we started last year and we’ve gotten a bigger cast, we have more crew working. It’s grown a lot between last year and this year, which is very exciting,” she said.
Others involved with the production are choreographer Maria Walter, assistant choreographer Jenna McAuley, vocal coach Meaghan Casemore, technical co-ordinator Kyle Whitehead and technical supervisor Tom Mauss.
e rest of the cast includes Vidya Dela Peña as Donna, Iona Rañosa as Rosie, Faith Placer as Ali, Mary Dela Cruz as Lisa, Timothy Briz as Sam, Noah Stepp as Harry, Kaiden Pick as Sky, Lucas Schott as Pepper, and Liam Tyler as Eddie.
e chorus involves Jazmine Anne Alvento, Marchette Coronel, Ayesha Duran, Taylor Ellis, Tenaya Empey, essa Espina, Landry Deatherage, Mahaley Fonstad, Jasmine Gal, Kathryn Orlowski-Lever and Rukevwe Oyibo.
On the crew are stage manager Kerison Burnett and assistant stage manager Sophia Murphy. e backstage crew and props are Finnley Mowchenko, Ashleigh Messner, Tyann Babyak and Emma Morhart. e lights team is Malina Stead, Alexa Delainey, Emmalee Ursu and
Sam Mantei. e sound is up to Ethan Nixon, Venlina Zhou and Ayen Ordonez. e set design, construction and art were done by teacher Tara Johns and Matthew Van de Woestyne, Jayden Oshaway, Nevaeh Wakely, Kylie Tyler and Natalie Davis. Hair and make-up crew includes teacher Joyce Mack and Madison Holtz, Madison Raynard, Morgan Bussian, Makenzie Crosby-Myers, Saphyre Dow, Tenaya Empey, Cecilia McCaskill, Ayla Proust, Brynn Mantei, Sarah Greening and
Kathryn Orlowski-Lever. e performances will take place at 7 p.m. on Dec. 13 and 14, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Dec. 15. Tickets, priced at $20 for adults and $15 for seniors, can be purchased at Henders Drugs or the ECS o ce. Re ecting on the journey, Sharko summed up the spirit of the production at its latest stages.
“Now, that we’re doing dress rehearsals, and we have nally gotten to do our full run-throughs, I’m seeing it all come together, and it’s going to be great.”
Sales Manager
Christine Jones - cjones@glaciermedia.ca
Sales Kim Ball - kball@glaciermedia.ca
Editor David Willberg - dwillberg@glaciermedia.ca
Editorial Staff
Ana Bykhovskaia - abykhovskaia@SASKTODAY.ca
Production Manager
Ana Villarreal - avillarreal@glaciermedia.ca
Production
Laura Kish - lkish@glaciermedia.ca
Administration
Morgan Hodgens - mohodgens@glaciermedia.ca
Contact us:
(306) 634-2654
68 Souris Avenue N. Estevan, SK S4A 2M3 www.sasktoday.ca
@Estevan_Mercury facebook.com/TheMercury
Subscription Rates:
In Saskatchewan - $105 In Canada - $126
Published weekly by Prairie Newspaper Group
Limited Partnership, 68 Souris Avenue N., Estevan, SK S4A 2M3.The Estevan Mercury is owned and operated by Prairie Newspaper Group Limited Partnership, a subsidiary of Glacier Media Inc.
Advertising rates are available upon request and are subject to change without notice.
Conditions of editorial and advertising content: The Estevan Mercury attempts to be accurate in Editorial and Advertising content; however, no guarantee is given or implied. The Estevan Mercury reserves the right to revise or reject any or all editorial and advertising content as the newspaper’s principals see fit. The Estevan Mercury will not be responsible for more than one incorrect insertion of an advertisement, and is not responsible for errors in advertisements except for the space occupied by such errors.
The Estevan Mercury will not be responsible for manuscripts, photographs, negatives and other related material that may be submitted for possible publication.
All of the Estevan Mercury’s content is protected by Canadian Copyright laws. Reviews and similar mention of material in this newspaper is granted on the provision thatThe Estevan Mercury receives credit. Otherwise, any reproduction without the permission of the publisher is prohibited. Advertisers purchase space and circulation only. Rights to any advertisement produced by The Estevan Mercury, including artwork, typography, photos, etc., remain the property of this newspaper. Advertisements or parts thereof may not be reproduced or assigned without the consent of the publisher.
We
Are you ready to save some money?
e federal government’s GST tax holiday will kick in Dec. 14, just in time for last-minute Christmas shoppers. And not only will a variety of items perfect for gifts be exempt from the GST, but you won’t have to worry about the tax for groceries, restaurant meals, children’s clothes, toys and diapers, as well as beer and wine, among other things.
It’s only going to last a couple of months. en on Feb. 15 (right after Valentine’s Day), Canadians are going to be back to the same challenges associated with the cost of living. And it’s not a total GST holiday; there are still lots of expenses in which the feds will still get you. e GST break will make life more di cult for retailers over the next couple of months. It’s another example of a lack of consultation by the federal Liberals before making a decision. Rather than sitting down with business leaders and industry groups months in advance to try to come up with a plan to execute this tax holiday, they come out and announce this pre-Christmas vote grab and leave the business owners holding the bag. It’s not like there’s a dearth of business people in the Liberals’ hierarchy; the Grits have always had a bevy of big business leaders within their ranks. Someone should have pulled the prime minister aside and explained why this might seem like a good idea on the surface, but it’s lacking when
it comes to pragmatic reality.
Business owners were given about a month to get ready for these changes. Seems like a lot of time. But for retailers who are entering their busiest and most lucrative time of the year, it’s challenging. On top of everything they have to worry about in November and December, they have to contend with the Liberals’ plan.
Entrepreneurs have to gure out which items are now exempt from the GST and which ones still have the tax. ey have to bring their employees up to speed. ey have to adjust their prices. It’s a mess.
It’s going to be inconsistent as well. One store will be applying the GST to an item while another store will not. And we know what’s going to happen: someone who doesn’t understand the process and the frustration caused by the feds is going to complain that the GST is in place. People will whine to a 16-year-old at their rst job about something that the teen has no control over.
(Please, think classy when you’re out shopping. Not just when it comes to GST breaks, but in general).
Yes, there will be some items in which it will be easy to know whether to apply the tax. But others will be far more difcult.
Don’t get us wrong, we all look forward to saving a little money here and there during the next two months, but
the federal government could have done a better job with this one. e loss of the GST for two months will also have negative consequences on the federal budget, adding to the de cit that the feds have shown little interest in curtailing since they were elected in 2015. But what else would you expect from the government that gave us such great wisdom as “the budget will balance itself”?
Perhaps the feds are hoping that the GST holiday will result in Canadians spending more because they’re saving a little bit of money. Some might purchase that extra item or two, or they might purchase something more extravagant rather than a no-name product.
But it’s more likely we’re going to take the money we save and stash it away so that we’re in a slightly better nancial position than we are now. After all, the GST holiday ends in a couple of months, and then it’s going to be back to the burden of the higher cost of living.
So, while the federal government’s move seems like a good idea to some, and it will no doubt help some people over the next couple of months, it’s going to make life more di cult for others.
Vote grabs are a part of politics. But it would be nice if they spent a little more time thinking it through and consulting with those who will actually be involved in the execution of the scheme.
Can I have your attention, Mr. Speaker
e editor:
Mr. Speaker, I was listening to the radio the other day, Mr. Speaker, and Mr. Speaker, when the Saskatchewan minister of Health, Mr. Speaker, in the legislature, Mr. Speaker, got up to talk, Mr. Speaker, it seemed, Mr. Speaker, that with every third word, Mr. Speaker, he had to mention your position, Mr. Speaker, and after awhile, Mr. Speaker, in reference to you, Mr. Speaker, and your position, Mr. Speaker, moved from the ridiculous, Mr. Speaker, to the amusing, Mr. Speaker, to, outright annoying, Mr. Speaker.
Now I know, Mr. Speaker, that our premier also has Mr. Speaker Syndrome, a habit of mentioning you, Mr. Speaker, waaay too often during a one-minute response, Mr. Speaker, but the minister of Health, Mr. Speaker, has easily, out-speakered Mr. Moe, Mr. Speaker, in referencing you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, could you maybe, Mr. Speaker, hire a speech consultant or therapist, Mr. Speaker, to help, these people?
Mr. Speaker, I don’t believe, Mr. Speaker, this would, cost, Mr. Speaker, a lot and it, Mr. Speaker, would make listening to our MLAs, Mr. Speaker, a lot easier.
Mr. Speaker, I could go on, Mr. Speaker, and on, Mr. Speaker, but I’m hoping, Mr. Speaker, this little message is received, Mr. Speaker, with good graces, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, what was the minister of Health, Mr. Speaker, even talking about that day, Mr. Speaker? He lost me at the 34th mention of your name, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Editor, I thank you, Mr. Editor, for accepting this tiny tirade, Mr. Editor. I promise, Mr. Editor, I will do better, Mr. Editor, next time, Mr. Editor. Maybe.
Norm Park Estevan
Members of the Estevan Police Service received Van De Vorst Medals on Wednesday as part of their e orts to apprehend impaired drivers.
Connie Hagel, the co-ordinator of the Estevan chapter for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, presented Van de Vorst Family Award medals to six o cers during a ceremony at the EPS building.
Constable Vaughn Golden receive a platinum award for taking 45 impaired drivers o the road. Twenty-three of those motorists were charged under the Criminal Code due to their level of impairment, and 22 received driving suspensions. Hagel noted this is the rst time an Estevan o cer has received a platinum award.
Fromleft,EstevanMADDchapterco-ordinatorConnieHagel,EPSDeputyPoliceChiefWarrenMorrical, Const.VaughnGolden,Const.JeremyTaman,Const.PaulChabot,Const.ColeHooverandPoliceChiefJamie Blundenparticipatedinthepresentation.MissingareConst.MichelleBeaulieuandConst.KatelynnRuthven.
Two o cers, Const. Katelynn Ruthven and Const. Paul Chabot, received gold awards. Ruth-
ven took 19 impaired motorists
Const.
O
e
sions,
As the holidayseason approaches,it’scrucialtostayvigilant on the roads.According to SGI, your chances of beingina collisionduring this time arehigher than anyother periodofthe year.I falcohol is involved,those odds nearlydouble! Driving under the influence dramatically increases therisk of accidents—by 46%— and leads to a staggering 75%rise in injuries and a31% increase in fatalities.D on’t let celebrations turn tragic.Plan ahead,designate asober driver, andkeepour roads safe foreveryone. Your choices canmakeall thedifference this holiday season!
THIS MESSAGE BROUGHTTOYOU
Tim Hortons Holiday Smile Cookie campaign, which ran from Nov. 18-24, wrapped up in Estevan with $7,477.52 raised for the Salvation Army Estevan and Tim Hortons Foundation Camps. Proceeds will be equally split between the two organizations.
Ryan and Mandy Irwin with Estevan Tim Hortons presented the cheque to Ronza Reynard and Sharon Tangonan with the local Salvation Army on Tuesday. Reynard said when it came to cookie decorating, they’ve had a lot of support from the community
“We had a great team of volunteers decorating. We were equipped every day,” Reynard noted.
e Irwins also marked the support and interest from customers.
“It’s a lot of support from the community, so we’re super appreciative of that. We do another one in the spring every year as well.
And we are very thankful for all of the support during the campaigns,” Mandy said, noting that it’s important for them to give back to a local charity.
“It was a win-win for us in the Salvation Army, plus the Tim’s Camps, and for the community itself,” Reynard added.
Mandy said, “We are always looking for campers who are local ... so that we can send kids to camp from the Estevan area.”
As the campaign concluded, organizers urged community members to remain engaged and nominate the next charity organization for the Smile Cooke campaign. ey will need to decide on the recipient by February, and nomination forms will become available on their social media shortly.
“We would love more [organizations] to step up [and apply to be a recipient]. I will be putting up a form on our social media pages very soon,” Mandy said.
Lotteries and Gaming Saskatchewan (LGS) says it provided $2.8 million in charitable gaming grants in the second quarter of 202425, bene ting more than 1,400 groups and organizations across the province.
“Our government is committed to ensuring that communities across Saskatchewan share in the bene ts from gaming,” Minister Responsible for LGS Jeremy Harrison said. “Hundreds of charitable and non-pro t groups throughout the province receive these funds every year, and we encourage more groups to apply.”
Organizations in Es-
tevan that split $38,022 were the Estevan Bruins Junior ‘A’ Hockey Club, which received $15,425.32, the Estevan Golden Eels Swim Club ($1,928.96), the Estevan Kinette Club ($250); Estevan Minor Baseball ($378.60), the Estevan Public Youth Centre ($61.25), the Estevan Skat-
ing Club ($3,146.44), the TS&M Woodlawn Golf Club ($4,579.50), the Rotary Club of Estevan ($517), the Estevan branch of the Royal Canadian Legion ($6,104.75), the No. 30 Wylie-Mitchell Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron ($52.50), the Estevan U11 AAA Brewers baseball team ($400), the Envision Counselling and Support Centre ($2,353.39), the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum ($50), the Happy Little Hooves Pony and Donkey Sanctuary ($495), the Souris Valley Museum ($561.25), and the Souris Valley eatre ($1,302.51).
Also, the Weyburn Agriterra 15AA Wings hockey club received $393.75, which was listed under Estevan.
Oxbow groups received more than $31,000 combined, which went to the Oxbow & District Lions Club ($888.75), the Oxbow and District Recreation Board ($28,466.07), the Oxbow Minor Hockey Association ($460), the Royal Canadian Legion’s Oxbow branch ($225) and the Royal Canadian Legion’s Saskatchewan Command District 1 ($1,117.10).
More than $3,000 was listed in the Redvers area through the Alida & Area 4H Beef Club ($1,028), the
Redvers and District Recreation Centre ($913.08), the Redvers Activity Centre Foundation Inc. ($517.50) and Redvers Minor Hockey ($584.40).
ree agencies in Bienfait received support: the Bienfait Centennial Parks and Recreation Board ($94.28), the Bienfait Swimming Pool ($198.21) and the Bienfait branch of the Royal Canadian Legion ($343.09).
Two organizations in Arcola split more than $1,300: the Arcola Daycare Inc. ($523.75) and the Arcola Leisure Services Committee ($811.88). Splitting funds in Carndu were the Borderline Housing Company ($1,615.78) and the Carndu branch of the Royal Canadian Legion ($1,942.24).
Receiving grants in Midale were the M.O.R.E. 2000 organization ($456.25) and the Souris Valley Antique Association ($88.75). Two organizations also received funds in Stoughton: the Royal Canadian Legion’s Tecumseh branch ($1,723.38) and the Stoughton Lions Club ($480).
Other organizations receiving an allocation were the Alameda Recreation Board ($4,907.09), the Alida Recreation Hall and
Rink Board ($129.38), the Cornerstone Family and Youth Centre in Carlyle ($276.25), the Frobisher Volunteer Fire Department ($1,014.10), the Gainsborough and District Lions Club ($3,817.38), the Glen Ewen Community Rink ($1,640.68), and the Village of Manor and RM 63 Fire Department ($3,161.61). Grants were paid to charitable groups and organizations in more than 280 Saskatchewan communities. ese quarterly grants are paid to groups and organizations in good standing that conduct licensed charitable gaming activities such as bingos, ra es, breakopen ticket sales, Texas hold ‘em poker tournaments and Monte Carlo events. e grants are equal to 25 per cent of the net revenue raised by each charitable event, up to a maximum of $100,000 per group or organization annually. e amount of each grant paid by LGS to each charity is calculated by the Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA) based on nancial reports and other information submitted by the group or organization. Groups can apply through SLGA’s charitable gaming licensing process.
e Government of Saskatchewan’s Crown most recent oil and natural gas public o ering, held on Dec. 3, raised $11,392,502 for the province, with the southeast region generating most of the activity. Of the 56 parcels posted across the province for this o ering, 51 received acceptable bids, covering a total of 13,561.384 hectares. e average sale price was $840.07 per hectare. Forty-six of the 51 lease parcels were sold, bringing in $8,887,240 for 6,754.956 hectares, while the ve available licences were sold for $2,505,262, covering 6,806 hectares.
e southeast brought in $8,088,540 for 29 leases totalling 3,412.246 hectares, or $2,370.44 per hectare. irty leases were available.
Veren Inc. was the most active bidder in the region, picking up nine leases for $3,961,331. ese leases are all situated south of Kipling, near the northeastern boundary of the View eld Bakken Sand Oil Pool.
e highest bonus bid received from Veren Inc. on a lease in this area was $2,351,041, an average of $4,543.25 per hectare, for a 517.480-hectare lease located 18
Hospital
kilometres south of Kipling. e highest dollars per hectare was $5,501.64 for a 129.766-hectare lease awarded to Millennium Land (222) Ltd., located 20 kilometres northwest of Alameda, within the Willmar Frobisher-Alida Beds Oil Pool. e total value was $713,925.82. Meanwhile, bidding in the west-central area reached $2,449,481 for six leases and four exploration licences totalling
7,613.867 hectares, or $321.71 per hectare. e leases brought in $456,093 in bids, while the licences generated $1,993,388.
e licences are located near the town of Eatonia and were all awarded to Millennium Land (111) Ltd. One licence located east of Eatonia received a bid of $1,345,489, which was the highest bid on a parcel in the area. e highest bonus bid and dollars per hectare received on a
for the residents.
lease in this area was $170,106.90, an average of $657.84 per hectare. is 258.584-hectare lease is located two kilometres east of Eatonia and was awarded to Millennium Land (222) Ltd.
In the Lloydminster area, 10 of the 13 available leases were sold for $844,480, an average of $346.39 per hectare for 1,660.575 hectare.
e highest bonus bid and the highest dollars per hectare received on a parcel in this area was $511,874.17, an average of $658.47 per hectare. is 777.369-hectare exploration licence was awarded to Millennium Land Ltd. and is located 19 kilometres northwest of Cut Knife, near the Carruthers Cummings Sand Oil Pool.
e highest bonus bid received on a lease in this area was $81,595.66, an average of $314.69 per hectare. is 259.289-hectare lease was awarded to Millennium Land (444) Ltd. and is located 12 kilometres southeast of Neilburg, near the Freemont South Colony Sand Oil Pool. Two leases located nine kilometres east of Lloydminster, within the Aberfeldy South Sparky Sand Oil Pool, received bids of $3,125 per hectare.
One lease received a total bid of $50,487 and was awarded to Mammoth Land Services Ltd. while the second lease was awarded to Scout Energy Ltd with a total bid of $50,481.25. e southwest region had two leases available, and one, a 97.327-hectare parcel, was sold for $10,000 or $102.75 per hectare. Fox Valley Resources Ltd. purchased the lease, located four kilometres southwest of the village of Fox Valley, adjacent to the Fox Valley Cantuar Sand Oil Pool.
After ve public o erings this scal year, the provincial government has received $48,775,025 in revenue. e next o ering is scheduled for Feb. 4, 2025. ere are six scheduled public o erings of oil and natural gas dispositions each scal year in Saskatchewan. Ministry of Energy and Resources says this process uses an open and competitive bidding system to issue oil and natural gas dispositions.
“Several factors a ect public o ering activity, including changes in oil and gas prices, land availability, geological and technological constraints, and various market conditions,” the government said.
e St. Joseph’s HealthCare Auxiliary continues to pay o its latest commitment to the hospital.
e auxiliary presented a cheque for $50,000 to St. Joseph’s Hospital executive director Candace Kopec during the auxiliary’s annual Christmas tea and bake sale Wednesday afternoon at the Tom and Irma’s Café. e money is the latest payment installment in the auxiliary’s $100,000 commitment to the St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation’s MRI for Estevan campaign.
Coupled with the $30,000 the auxiliary presented in the spring, the organization has now paid o $80,000, and has $20,000 remaining.
Kopec said the auxiliary is a “pillar” of the hospital.
“You see it right when you enter the door [of the hospital],” Kopec said. “ ere’s a reason why they’re right at the front entrance, and it’s because they’re such an important part of this facility.”
She noted the auxiliary is the largest in numbers in the province.
Kopec said Estevan is an incredible community, and the hospital is working hard so that people can have increased services closer to home, reducing the amount of driving people need to go to Regina or elsewhere for medical appointments.
e auxiliary will also present $500 to long-term care for a Christmas gift
e auxiliary hosts tea and bake sales twice a year, one in the spring and another before Christmas.
e support shown at those two events, as well as revenues generated by the gift shop, help the auxiliary raise money. It also receives an allocation as a United Way Estevan member agency, as well as memorial and estate donations.
e hospital’s sta bakes items for the sale each year, too.
“ at just shows the utmost respect we all have for the ladies’ auxiliary,” said Kopec. “Maintenance is right out as soon as they walk in, wondering what needs to be done. So that’s pretty wonderful to see.”
e Government of Saskatchewan’s second subsurface mineral public o ering of the scal year, held Nov. 24, raised $2,270,322 in revenue, largely thanks to the ongoing interest in lithium in the southeast.
Of the 13 subsurface permits posted for this o ering, 12 received bids for a total area covering 22,922.229 hectares. Ten permits are prospective for lithium in brine while two are for potash.
Millennium Land Ltd. made the highest bid at $909,356 for a 3,914.410-hectare permit block north of Stoughton. e company also had the winning bid, $550,018, for a second permit block totalling 2,369.031 hectares north of Kisbey. Both permit blocks are prospective
for lithium in brine.
Hub City Lithium Corp. acquired two permits southwest of Stoughton totalling 1,405.403 hectares, thanks to a $354,161.53 bid. ese permits are also prospective for lithium in brine.
One potash permit was in the Tuxford area and was awarded to Upcycle Minerals Inc., which bid $10,200 on the 4,275.594-hectare block.
e second is near Davidson and was awarded to Sun Valley Land Ltd., which o ered $9,937 for the 6,288.726-hectare block.
e November subsurface mineral o ering was the second public o ering scheduled for the 202425 scal year. Since Feb. 10, 2025, o ering received no posting requests, it has
been cancelled.
rough two such offerings this scal year, the Ministry of Energy and Resources has raised $8,205,749, up from the $1,459,502 through the one public o ering held in 2023-24.
Lithium is one of the 27 critical minerals occurring in Saskatchewan that will play a key role in the province achieving the goals set out in Saskatchewan’s Critical Minerals Strategy. Several rms are actively pursuing lithium exploration and production in the province. e next o ering is scheduled for July 7, 2025.
RobertTruszkowskiexplainedhisexhibitWeeb.
e Estevan Art Gallery and Museum (EAGM) celebrated its two newest exhibits during a reception Friday night.
Robert Truszkowski’s display Weeb is currently in Gallery No. 1, and his wife
Sarah Cummings Truszkowski has More than Sugar and Butter on display in Gallery No. 2. Both artists were present for a reception Friday night at the EAGM.
Robert Truszkowski noted weeb is a term often associated with an unsociable person obsessed with Japanese culture, and much of his exhibit deals with things that consume people.
“I love the opportunity
to have a show in a public exhibition or show at a public gallery like the Estevan Art Gallery and Museum, because typically I can do weird stu that I can’t necessarily do in a gallery where we’re trying to sell a thing or two,” said Truszkowski.
A series of Japanese paper lantern installations, which he created, is named Weeb. Among the other components of his exhibition is a map from a Dungeons and Dragons video game he played as a child.
“I reclaimed that term [weeb] as many nerds and weirdos have over the past number of years,” he said.
ere are also small photographic etchings, the Horrors of War, on one wall that stem from his love for a movie.
“ ey all look similar, but they’re di erent, and they’re individual frames from an animation on the Internet that features the actor Russell Crowe as Inspector Javert in the 2012 Hollywood adaptation of Les Misérables, and if you would put these back together and animate them, you would see this character looking out of the window,” said Truszkowski.
All of his work is meant to be funny, Truszkowski said.
Meanwhile, More than Sugar and Butter is a collection of paintings of desserts created by Cummings Truszkowski. But the exhibit delves deeper into such themes as motherhood and love shown through generations in the form of baked goods.
Cummings Truszkowski said she has been an artist for most of her life. In the past 20 years, she has focused on paintings, with a variety of subjects. But baking is another thread that has been woven into her life.
“I have baked with my mother. I have baked with my grandmother, and these
are really special times that I remember,” Cummings Truszkowski said.
She still has her grandmother’s recipe books, and Cummings Truszkowski now makes these recipes for her children.
“Painting the baking that I make for my family and my friends is a really special way for me to honour the women in my life, honour my mother and the things that she’s passed on to me and the traditions.”
It’s also Cummings Truszkowski’s way to honour the generations of women before her mother who created those special recipes.
Her children are now 18, 15 and 12, so they eat rather than assist with the baking, she said with a laugh, but there were many years in which they contributed to the food.
“I know it’s not the healthiest thing to be baking with sugar, our and butter, but for me, it is more than just the ingredients, it is about that time together.” She hopes with the artwork and what it means, she is elevating the experiences of women in her life and celebrating special times together. Both exhibits will remain on display until Jan. 24, 2025.
e Souris Valley Museum has created a calendar for 2025 that celebrates local history and raises funds for museum initiatives.
e calendar features photos by museum board chairwoman Brenda Olson and fun historical facts from the museum’s history wall, including details about Estevan, the museum and Stan Durr, who was the major donor to the museum. Durr not only contributed much of the items found within the museum, he provided some of the buildings on the grounds.
Museum director Melanie Memory said she came up with the idea for the calendar because Olson’s photos are for sale at the museum.
“She takes a lot of pictures of the Roche Percee Rocks and the landscape, whether it’s the farmers’ elds or the sunsets or the oil pumpjacks … or animals and stu like that,” said Memory in an interview with the Mercury and SaskToday. “I thought maybe we should make it into a calendar and try to sell them for our museum.”
e calendars are printed at Graphic Press in Estevan. Memory was pleased with the quality of the print job and the overall nished product.
Facts included in the calendar include when Estevan became a city, when the Estevan Bruins junior A hockey club was formed,
ThefrontcoverfortheSourisValleyMuseum’snew fundraisingcalendar.PhotocourtesyofMelanieMemory
when the rst hospital was constructed, when the museum rst opened and when the Schneller School House was added to the
museum’s grounds. Revenues from the calendar’s sales will go to programming for children that centres around the museum,
its artifacts and all it has to o er to celebrate local history. But it has also been raising funds for the restoration of a locomotive, which is a hit with the kids.
“Whenever we go outside in nicer weather … they always ask about the train, and they love the train. So, we need to get it back to how it should be,” she said.
e museum has raised $13,500 so far for the locomotive project and has to raise $35,000. Not only will it receive fresh paint, but any needed repairs will be completed and the locomotive will be restored to its original condition.
e ALCO Locomotive was built in 1944, used for
hauling coal and remained in service until 1993. e locomotive joined the museum’s collection in 2000. e calendars cost $25 each and can be purchased at the museum and e General Store. Memory said the museum accepts cash, debit/credit cards and etransfer payments to info@ sourisvalleymuseum.ca , which is also the museum’s email address for inquiries about the calendar. People can also reach the museum by phone at 306-634-5543 or through Facebook messenger. Memory said they make a great Christmas gift. If all of the calendars are sold, then Memory said more could be printed.
e Estevan Bible Camp (EBC) o ered a fun afternoon of socializing, great desserts and fundraising during its annual ladies’ tea on Dec. 1 at the Estevan Comprehensive School.
e event was held in the school’s library instead of its traditional home of the cafetorium, but that didn’t change the fun that was had or the level of support, according to director Shawn Bissonnette. More than 100 people were present.
“It was still quite well attended and quite well supported. We all had a good time. It was overall a great success,” said Bissonnette.
Ten tables were set up, each with a di erent theme. One person at each table was responsible for supplying food and inviting nine people to join her.
Another 25 vendors were present with their products for sale. Bissonnette said they brought homemade products and Christmas items, provid-
ing a great opportunity for guests to get their shopping complete. Winter toques, woodworking, wine bottle stoppers, pens, books, mugs, crafts, baked goods, bath soaps, makeup and other items were available. Each vendor also brought an item for a silent auction.
Bissonnette said this is an event that brings a lot of di erent people together and it has become very important for the EBC. e Bible camp enjoys hosting it every year, and it’s a chance to create awareness of what’s happening at their grounds while the EBC raises funds.
Bissonnette and Laden McKenzie provided an update on how last summer’s Bible camp season went, and they shared future goals and where the funds would be directed.
“ e idea for the next step for camp, it looks like for us, is upgrading some of our cabins because last year we were quite short on space and we were sleeping people wherever we could
ManypeopleturnedouttoenjoyafundraiserfortheEstevanBibleCamp.
and bringing trailers in. It was quite a mission,” said Bissonnette.
“Our cabins are very tight, and for our teen campers, who are taller and
Pro-LifeEstevanandAreahosteditsannualChristmasCookieParadeonDec.7at theEstevanMarketMall.With40-50volunteerscontributingholidaybaking,thesale beganat10a.m.sharp.Dozensofpeoplelineduptofill$20or$30containerswith avarietyofholidaysweets.EmmaSalkeldandStephanieKendallassistedwith theeventandalsopickedupsomecookiesthemselves.ManyPro-Lifevolunteers workedtoensuretheparaderansmoothly.PhotobyAnastasiiaBykhovskaia
they come for a full week, and they pack a full week’s of clothes … getting that all in the tiny cabins, that
was a challenge,” he added. Each cabin costs at least $20,000, Bissonnette said, and can accommo-
date seven campers and a counsellor. He believes the fundraiser brought in about $5,000 in net proceeds.
Ourgovernmentkickedoff thethirtieth session of theSaskatchewanLegislature with theSpeechfromthe Throne,entitled“ANew Beginning.”Along with committingtorecordinvestments into health care,education andaffordability our government looksforward to continuing to invest in Saskatchewan’s strong economy andvibrant communities
We will ensure that Saskatchewan is oneofthe best places in Canada to grow asmall business by keepingthe smallbusinesstax rate at oneper cent
To support thenextgenerationofyoung entrepreneurs, we will create ayoung entrepreneurbursary.The Saskatchewan ChamberofCommercewillbeprovided with fundingtoworkwithlocal Chambers of Commercetoaward a$5,000 bursary toa promisingyoung entrepreneur in theircommunity Tosupport thegrowthofsmall andmedium-sized enterprisesinSaskatchewan, our government will developa newinvestmenttax incentivebased on aproposal from theSaskatoon ChamberofCommerce.
Toensuremoreyoung people continue to work,liveand raisea family in Saskatchewan aftertheygraduate, ourgovernmentwillincreasethe Graduate Retention Programbenefit by 20 percent. Themaximum benefitfor astudent with afour-year degree will increase from $20,000 to $24,000. Thebenefit for graduatesofone-, two- andthree-year programs will also increase by 20 percent. Our government will introducea $5,000 Class1 Driver Training rebate to help offset the cost of truckdrivertraining.
We arecommitted to growingvibrant communities throughrevenue sharingand additional support to keep ourcommunities vibrant. MunicipalRevenue Sharing increased to arecord$340.2million this year,allowinglocal governmentstoinvest inlocal priorities
To providecommunities with additional assistance,our government will double the Community Rink AffordabilityGrant from $2,500 to $5,000 perice surface. We will also make it more affordable forschool community councils andparents toconstruct or refurbishschoolplaygroundequipment througha newSchool Playground EquipmentFund.
Ourgovernmentisprioritizingmakingcommunities saferbycontinuingour effort toadd 500 more police officers and500 more addictions recovery spaces.Wewill alsostrengthenlegislation to keep ourcommunities andneighbourhoodssafer Amendmentsto TheSafer Communities andNeighbourhoodsAct will provide officers with additional authoritytoshutdownnuisanceproperties. Further legislativeand regulatory changeswilladdressdisruptivebehaviour on publicproperty.
Much of today’scrime in ourcommunities is beingdrivenbydrugaddiction. That is why we arecreating500 recovery spaces to help individualsaccess treatmentand leave alifeofaddiction.
As ourgovernmentmakes theseinvestments and continues theworktowards astrongeconomy and vi bran tc om mu ni ti es ,I lo ok fo rwardtoh ea ri ng from you. Please feel free to reachout to my office at 306-634-7311 or loricarrmla@sasktel.net
Aninternationalchoirhostedits52ndannual celebrationofChristmasandChristmas musicinEstevanonDec.7. TheNorthwestChorusandOrchestra AssociationofCrosby,N.D.,togetherwith theSoutheastChorusAssociationofEstevan, presentedtheirfirstperformanceof ’TistheSeasonofMiraclesatSt.Paul’s UnitedChurch.Guestsfilledthechurchto enjoytheharmoniousvoicesandthe beautyofChristmasmusic. ThesecondconcerttookplaceonDec.8 atConcordiaLutheranChurchinCrosby. PhotobyAnastasiiaBykhovskaia
By Ana Bykhovskaia SaskToday.ca
Licensed child care has o cially arrived in Midale with the grand opening of the Midale Daycare Inc. on Nov. 25 – a milestone nearly three years in the making.
“It was February 2022 when we started the board,” said Rachel Brochert, the director of Midale Daycare Inc., reecting on the journey to establish the facility.
Since then, the project has navigated challenges, including nding land; securing a building project, furniture and everything needed for a child-care facility; meeting licensing requirements; and assembling a team of 12 sta members.
“ ings really picked up after the building was complete [earlier this year],” Brochert said.
Sta ng was one area where the day care found unexpected ease.
“We were really lucky,” Brochert said. “We got a lot of great resumés right o the hop,” with applicants coming from both Midale and nearby communities like Weyburn.
e day care, located in a modular building near
Midale school, has space for up to 58 children, ranging from six weeks to 12 years old. Currently, it is caring for 41 children aged six months to six years, with waitlists for this age group.
“We still have some school-age spots. And we are looking for infant spots in the near future,” Brochert said.
e community’s support has been central to the day care’s success. Initial funding was secured through a combination of government grants and a loan from the Rural Municipality of Cymri, Brochert said.
“ ank you to the board members that worked really hard to make this happen, and thank you to the community of Midale,” said Brochert. “Without them, this wouldn’t have happened.”
ere were also some big fundraisers in the beginning, and then they have their annual fundraisers in December.
Community members have expressed excitement about the new day care.
“Everybody is so amazed how nice it looks in here and just how nice and smooth everything’s been running so far,”
MidaleDaycareInc.openedonNov.25attheMidaleCentralSchoolgrounds,welcomingover 40preschoolkids.PhotoscourtesyofRachelBrochert
Brochert shared.
Looking ahead, Midale Daycare Inc. is hoping to expand its preschool capacity to meet demand.
“We’re going to look at expanding our preschool spots, [opening] more spaces in the future, just because it seems to be where the biggest demand is,” Brochert said.
e day care is also gearing up for its latest December fundraiser to ensure ongoing support for its operations. e Double Vision Twin Magic and
Comedy night is slated for Dec. 14 at the Midale Central School. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner is at 6 p.m., and the show starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $75 each or $575 for a table of eight. For tickets, contact Lana Hoium at 306-577-8458.
Brochert added that there are always things that they need, like toys, decorations, etc. She updates their wishlist and posts the latest news on the Midale Daycare Inc. Facebook page.
MidaleDaycareInc.celebratestheirmanysponsors andsupportersthathelpedtheprojecthappen viaaspecialsponsorshipwall.
Wanner Judi (Bob)
;
Dennis (Elva) Wanner, Tom (Sue) Wanner and Bill (Tammara) Wanner; grandchildren and their families Paul Melenchuk and sons, Jonah, George and Henry; Rob (Janelle) Melenchuk and sons Bergen and Foster; Melissa (Joel) Harke and sons Bo and Sam; Lincoln Wanner and daughter Madison; Kaeleen Wanner (John) and Janae (Cory) Peloquin and son Klae; Kris (Lisa) Wanner and daughter Mila; Alyssa (Jeremy) Kerth and daughters McKinley and Lachlyn; Jordan (Sonja) Wanner and son Huxley; Trisha (Chris) Walbaum and sons Hudson and Archer; Murray (Erin) Wanner and Ryan Wanner Kae is also survived by sisters-in-law Adeline Wanner Connie Conlon Theresa Dukart and Mary Novak as well as numerous nieces and nephews Kae was predeceased by husband Joseph in 1983; brother Jacob Dukart, father and mother Rochus and Rosa Dukart; father and mother-in-law Mathias and Pauline Wanner; son-in-law Grant Proudlove; brothers-in-law, Mathias, Alphonse, William, Paul, Anthony and Edward Wanner Peter Weiler Patrick Conlon and Walter Novak; sisters-in-law, Petronella Weiler, Sr Anne Wanner, Jeanne, Lucy Verna and Etta Wanner and cherished friend Stanley Slotsve At long last the suffering is over; her journey is done Rest easy kind lady At Catherine’s request there will be no funeral or memorial service Cremation has taken place A Celebration of Catherine s life will take place at later date with immediate family Hall Funeral Services in Estevan is caring for the Wanner family – Deb Heidinger, Funeral Director
TakingpartintheannualBetaSigmaPhifashionshowwasthissinginggroup. Participatingwere,fromleft,
e Big Six Hockey League held its rst Super Saturday of the season on Dec. 7, as all eight teams were in action.
e Redvers Rockets defeated the Carlyle Cougars 9-3 in the latest clash between two of the top teams in the league. Carlyle led 2-1 after the rst period, but Redvers took over, outscoring Carlyle 5-1 in the second and adding three more in the third.
Kenton Miller, Naton Miller and Josh Martin each scored twice for Redvers. Jordon Miller, Olivier Poirier and Kelsey Kenler also scored. Presten Kopeck assisted on three Rockets’ goals. Cody Matthewson was the goalie.
Ben Johnstone, Riley Nevin and Jon Gaudet had Carlyle’s goals. Curtis Meger was the Cougars’ goalie.
e Oxbow Huskies handed the visiting Moosomin Rangers their rst loss of the season in a 5-4 game. Oxbow had a 5-2 lead early in the third, but Moosomin struck twice to make the game interesting.
Cody Davis scored twice for Oxbow, and Carey Levesque, Liam Rutten and Tayce Miller also scored. Zack Miller was the Huskies’ goalie.
Taylor Sanheim scored twice for Moosomin, and
Ryker Cole and Bud Holloway had the Rangers’ other goals. Levi Horn was their goalie.
e KiplingWindthorst Oil Kings picked up their rst win of the season with a convincing 12-4 victory over the Midale Mustangs. e Kings had leads of 4-0 after the rst period and 11-3 through two.
Austin Fleck (a goal and six assists), Branden Toye (three goals and three assists) and Carson Harcourt (a goal and four assists) paced the Oil Kings’ offence. Riley Kolesare had a hat trick, and Brandon Munro, Luc Englot, Lane Roth and Lucas Fleck also scored.
Logan Martinson, Brayden Bjorndal, Brad Tomiski and Sterling Bear scored for Midale.
Talen King (Midale) and Dylan DeDecker (Kipling-Windthorst) were the goalies.
e Wawota Flyers are still seeking their rst win of the season after a 9-1 loss to the Carndu Red Devils. Wawota’s Aydan Lawless scored for Wawota early in the rst, but Carndu took over from there.
Matthew Plews had a goal and four assists for Carndu . Nico Anderson scored twice, and Carson Cayer, Cooper Bowman, Ty Stovin, Tanner Reynolds, Casey ompson and Callan Carlton also scored.
Brandon Trask had three assists.
Cody Dumaine was in goal for Carndu , while Jayden Hodson and Brendan Rinn shared Wawota’s goaltending duties. ree games were played on Friday. Carlyle scored the rst eight goals of the game and trounced Wawota 11-3. Ben Johnstone (two goals and three assists), Jon Gaudet (three goals and an assist) and Taysen Holt (three assists) led the o ence. Marc Shaw scored twice, and Adrien Riddell, Riley Niven, Kaelen Holt and Brett Turgeon also scored.
Meger was in goal for Carlyle, while Brendan Rinn was Wawota’s goalie.
e Redvers Rockets shut out the Midale Mustangs 4-0. Kenton Miller scored twice for Redvers, while Naton Miller and Corey Millette also scored. Braeden Magotiaux assisted on three goals. omas
Bauch earned the shutout for Redvers, while Carter Ottenbreit was the Midale goalie. Moosomin routed Kipling-Windthorst 14-0 in the other game Friday. Carter Sawchuk (three goals and two assists) led Moosomin’s attack. Fourpoint games were courtesy of Bud Holloway, Taylor Sanheim and Koby Morrisseau (two goals and two assists each) and Chad Hebert (a goal and three assists). Ryker Cole, Justin Lamontagne, Kye McGonigal and Jayden Bender had the other goals. Kyler Beckett picked up the shutout in goal.
Zachary Barath and Austin Toth shared goaltending duties for the Oil Kings.
Redvers will visit Kipling-Windthorst on Dec. 11. Games on Dec. 13 are Oxbow at Carndu , and Kipling-Windthorst at Carlyle. On Dec. 14, Carlyle is at Redvers, and Moosomin at Wawota. ose games all start at 8 p.m. Also on Dec. 14, Midale is at Carndu at 7 p.m. Moosomin is at KiplingWindthorst on Dec. 15 at 5 p.m.
Estevan conservation o cers have been called to a couple of incidents in southeast Saskatchewan recently.
O cers received a complaint of a white-tail deer buck that was shot and left to waste on private land west of Hitchcock, according to Sasktip, which is a non-pro t organization that works with conservation o cers to solve environmental crimes, including poaching cases. A post
on their Facebook page says the call came in on Nov. 23.
Conservation o cers located the deer and did not nd any evidence to indicate that a retrieval attempt was made.
O cers believe that the animal was killed the evening of Nov. 22, and while some evidence was collected at the scene, o cers need the public’s help in identifying who may be responsible. Also, on Nov. 18, Estevan conservation o cers
received a complaint of a white-tail deer buck that was shot and left to waste on private land southwest of Redvers. Conservation ocers found the buck located at SW 05-07-32 W1; the animal was shot through the heart. ere was no evidence that any retrieval attempt was made. O cers believe that the animal was killed between 5:30-5:40 p.m. on Nov. 17. O cers believe that a dark-coloured truck may be involved. Some additional evidence was collected at the scene, but o cers need the public’s help in identifying the owner of the vehicle and/or who may be responsible.
If you have any information, please call the TIPP line at 1-800-667-7561. e caller doesn’t have to give their name, and they might be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.
| Wednesday, December 11, 2024
e Power Dodge Curling Centre in Estevan was busy with activity on the weekend, thanks to the annual U15 triples bonspiel and a conventional U18 open bonspiel.
e U15 competition had four entries. Team Porter of Weyburn won gold with a 3-0 record. Second place went to the Meeka Gedak entry out of Estevan, third place was an Estevan Curling Club youth team, and the Eva Gedak team was fourth.
Triples were introduced to get more young people into the sport. Teams are comprised of three players instead of four, and each curler throws two rocks in an end. Players alternate roles during the game. It also features a di erent
scoring format. Instead of getting points for each end, they play three sets of two
ends each. A team is awarded points if they win a set, and the third set is worth
more than the rst two, so all three sets are played. An open U18 bonspiel
featured eight teams playing a triple-knockout elimination event. e Olivia Fonstad rink, which will represent the Estevan Curling Club at U18 female provincials in Prince Albert from Dec. 27-31, was joined by the ECS boys’ and girls’ teams, an open team from Lampman School, and Teams Weiss (Esterhazy), Parker (Saskatoon), Hardcastle (La Ronge) and Kitchens (Williston, N.D.). Weiss, Fonstad, Hardcastle and Parker advanced to the playo s. Weiss defeated Parker in one seminal and Hardcastle edged Fonstad in the other. Weiss then beat Hardcastle in the nal.
e Estevan Great North U18 AAA Bears dropped two straight on the weekend, just days after a record-setting victory.
e Bears hit double digits for goals in a game for the rst time in their four-season history in an 11-2 rout of the Yorkton Maulers last Wednesday night in Yorkton.
Estevan held leads of 1-0 after the rst period and 3-2 with ve minutes to play in the second, and then scored twice late in the frame and exploded for six goals in the third. Six of their markers on the night were on the power play.
Roan Burgess opened the scoring with 22 seconds to play in the rst period, and the two teams traded goals to start the second, with Dylan Brass and Burgess tallying for the Bears. Will Nicholson and Burgess added goals before the end of the middle frame for a 5-2 Estevan lead.
Kobe Wotta, Ryden Amberson, Cameron Al-
lard and Gunner Moore had power-play goals in the opening eight minutes of the third, and Jaxon Sedor and Cooper Flath added to the total with goals in the nal two minutes.
Burgess had an assist to go with his three goals, while Moore had a goal and three helpers. Only one member of the Bears didn’t record a point on the night.
Brady Carr stopped 21 of the 23 shots he faced for Estevan, who outshot Yorkton 38-23.
e Bears’ previous record for goals in a game was nine, set in February 2023. Estevan then lost 2-1 on Saturday and 4-3 on Sunday at home against the Swift Current Legionnaires – one of the top teams in the Saskatchewan Male AAA Hockey League.
Aidan Mohan scored the Bears’ lone goal in Saturday’s game, a tally late in the rst period that tied the game at 1-1. Swift Current took the lead in the second and held on from there.
Estevan Sharks water polo club members were busy in November, attending two outof-town tournaments.
First, swimmers from all divisions – the under-nine mini, the U12 atom, U14 bantam and 14-plus open travelled –to a tournament in Regina on Nov. 23 and 24. Despite stormy weather and some absences due to illness, the Sharks played hard and had fun, the club said in an email to the Mercury.
Next, all divisions travelled to Saskatoon on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 for two days of competition at the Shaw Centre for winter provincials. e mini
AidanMohanscoredfortheBearsSaturdaynightagainstSwiftCurrent. PhotobyAnastasiiaBykhovskaia
Brady Carr made 33 saves for Estevan. e following day, the two teams were scoreless after the rst period, and were tied at 1-1 in the sec-
U9 Sharks went undefeated to come home with the gold. e atom U12/Bantam U14 girls teamed up with athletes from Regina and took silver, while the atom U12 boys came home with a bronze. e bantam U14 boys teamed up with Regina and brought home the silver, and the open 14-plus male athletes joined a Regina team and came home with the silver. It was lots of fun and hard work for the athletes. ere are no tournaments slated for December but the Sharks will return to competition in January.
ond, with Will Nicholson scoring for Estevan. But Swift Current scored twice in the second and once in the third for a 4-1 lead. Roan Burgess and Gun-
ner Moore scored late in the third to pull the Bears to within one, but the Bears couldn’t muster the equalizer. Cole Ivey made 35 saves
for Estevan, who outshot Swift Current 48-39. Estevan (10-11-2) will host the Notre Dame Hounds on Dec. 11, starting at 8 p.m.
e Eagle Sky Estevan Bruins went 0-for-3 during a road trip through northeast Saskatchewan last week.
Estevan opened the jaunt with a 5-1 loss to the defending SJHL champions, the Melfort Mustangs, last Wednesday night. Melfort scored three times in the rst period, with Nolan Patterson, Zayden Sadlemyer and Reilley Kotai scoring for Melfort. Kotai’s goal came with three seconds remaining in the frame. Kaleb Binner added to the Mustangs’
advantage with a goal 2:18 into the second.
Bruin captain Cade Kennedy scored midway through the third period, but Kotai added his second of the game nine seconds later to restore the fourgoal margin. Benjamin Polhill stopped 25 shots for the Bruins, while Ty ornton made 21 saves for Melfort. Estevan then lost 5-3 on Friday night and 4-3 in overtime Saturday against the Nipawin Hawks –owners of the worst record in the SJHL.
Estevan rallied from a 3-1 de cit in Friday’s game to tie the game, only to give up two goals in the nal minutes. Cole Robertson opened the scoring for Estevan before the four-minute mark of the rst period, but then Nipawin captain Finley Radlo took over, scoring twice before the end of the opening frame for a 2-1 Nipawin lead, and adding a goal in the second to add to the advantage.
Luke Hogan, who was back in the Bruins’ lineup for the road trip after miss-
ing several games due to injury, scored for the Bruins midway through the second, and Kent Moors tied the game on a power play in the third, but Moors was then assessed a 10-minute misconduct for excessive celebrating.
Hogan received a double minor for high sticking late in the third, and Eric Holness scored with 97 seconds to play for Nipawin during the man advantage. Jack Drake added the insurance goal into an empty net 47 seconds later.
Polhill made 26 saves
for the Bruins, while Gage Roberts had 22 saves for Nipawin.
Estevan had a 3-1 lead entering the third period of Saturday’s game, but gave up two in the third and the winner in overtime during a Nipawin power play.
Ewan Rennie scored 75 seconds into the rst period to give Estevan a 1-0 lead, and Kieran Ronan tallied early in the second. Carter Anderson scored midway through the second for Nipawin, but Chase Holt replied with his rst goal in the SJHL
for a 3-1 Bruin advantage after 40 minutes. Goals by Ashton Tait and Konnor Watson tied the game for Nipawin, and Holness had the winner with 52 seconds remaining in overtime.
Polhill made 27 saves for Estevan, and Nathan Claydon had 32 saves for Nipawin. e Bruins (9-11-3-1) have a home and home upcoming with the Melville Millionaires. ey will host the Mills on Dec. 13 at 7 p.m., and visit Melville the following night.
By Ana Bykhovskaia
e Estevan Fire Rescue Service responded to a vehicle rollover and vehicle res last week.
On Dec. 2 at about 1:30 p.m., re crews were dispatched to a single-vehicle rollover south of the city. Fire ghters responded along with the Estevan Police Service, Estevan RCMP and Estevan EMS. ere was no entrapment, the EFRS said, and the driver was assessed by EMS. It was quickly determined that re ghters’ assistance was not required, and they stood down.
On Dec. 4 at about 9 p.m., crews responded to a vehicle re occurring in the northeast area. e re was quickly extinguished with damage contained to the vehicle involved. No injuries were reported from that incident, and the cause of the re is believed to be a mechanical and/or electrical is-
sue, said Estevan Fire Chief Rick Davies.
Another vehicle caught on re in Hitchcock on Dec. 8 just before 6 p.m.
“Crews responded and quickly extinguished that re. No injuries reported from the incident and damage was contained to the area of the vehicle,” Davies said. “ e re is under investigation.”
at marked the third vehicle re in the area in about two weeks. Davies noted that there is nothing alarming and they still see way less vehicle res these days than before, but this type of re seems to be more likely to occur in winter.
“Vehicle res have gone to the wayside for us. We used to ght vehicle res quite regularly years ago. Now you don’t see them nearly as much as we used to,” Davies said.
“Two of the last three … are believed to be to do with block heaters and cords.”
Davies pointed out the
EstevanfirstrespondersledbytheEstevanFireRescueServicemembers heldatoydrivefortheEstevanAngelTreeprogramonDec.7.
vehicle re that occurred in
Hitchcock is under investigation and seems to be of a di erent nature.
He reminded the public to choose proper cords and regularly check block heaters and cords to ensure they are in good shape.
“Make sure you use large
enough cords. ey’re speci c, when you go to [stores] there are speci c kinds of cords that are for block heaters. ey’re just a little bit heavier duty with little bit better ends than just an average interior cord,” Davies said.
“And then you want to
make sure that they’re all in good shape … People forget, drive away and cords get pulled on. Or when people are shovelling, if cords are across driveways, they might get caught or nicked.”
e EFRS, along with Estevan Police Service, Estevan RCMP and Estevan
EMS, also held their annual Christmas Toy Drive on Dec. 7 in front of Canadian Tire in Estevan. People were invited to drop by with a toy or a children’s gift donation that then was placed in one of the re department’s vehicles. Later, the toys were turned over to the Estevan Community Hamper Association’s Angel Tree program, which provides gifts to Christmas hamper recipients with children.
“ e drive was deemed a success and Estevan re would like to thank Canadian Tire for hosting us and thank all who donated toys and money, all going to the Estevan Angel Tree,” said Davies.
If someone missed the occasion, the re department will be collecting more toy donations during the Miracle on Fourth Street put on by the Estevan Downtown Business Association on Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in downtown Estevan.
Estevan Police Service members responded to 47 occurrences over the weekend of Dec. 6-8. A wide range of incidents required police attention, including noise complaints, business alarms, multiple disturbances outside of liquor establishments, mischief to a vehicle, motor vehicle collisions and individuals failing to abide by release conditions.
On Dec. 7, a 37-yearold woman was arrested in Prince Albert on Estevan Police Service warrants for two charges of assaulting a police o cer, uttering threats, assault with a weapon, and failing to attend court in Estevan. She was remanded in custody to appear in Estevan Provincial Court on Dec. 9. No further information was immediately available.
e same day, EPS members responded to a report of a suspicious truck in the 500-block of Second Street.
While police were speaking with individuals involved, occupants of another vehicle arrived on scene and alleged that a 27-year-old man who was present had chased their vehicle and struck it with his shoulder prior to police arrival. e man was detained for investigative purposes and later released without charge as per the complainants’ request. Police were at a local bar, investigating a reported mischief, when a heavily intoxicated 28-year-old man smashed a beer bottle on the sidewalk. e man was arrested for public intoxication and lodged in EPS cells until sober.
Police were noti ed that a man had thrown a beer bottle through the back window of a vehicle parked outside of a downtown Estevan bar. A suspect has been identi ed and the investigation is ongoing. Anyone with informa-
tion regarding this incident is requested to contact the EPS at 306-634-4767.
A tra c stop in the 300-block of Fifth Avenue on Dec. 6 resulted in a warning under the Tra c Safety Act related to the mechanical condition of the vehicle, and the arrest of a 41-year-old female passenger who was found to be in breach of her release order conditions. e woman
A request was received from a local business to speak with an individual who was outside and attempting to solicit money from customers. Members attended and advised the individual that it was unlawful to panhandle and he was sent on his way.
Police received a request to do a well-being check on a Pleasantdale-area individual who wasn’t answering the door or telephone calls. Members attended and located the individual in good
A preliminary hearing has been tentatively scheduled for Aug. 25 and 26, 2025, for four people charged in a drug bust in Estevan more than four months ago.
Cody Blaine Klyne, Devon William Martell, Brennan Stephen McKeen and Jessica Louise Rutter-McKeen had their latest court appearances in Estevan Provincial Court on Monday.
Martell’s attorney suggested setting the matter aside to Jan. 6, since he hasn’t been able to reach Martell, but Judge Mitch Miller said he wanted to get dates reserved for the hearing because he said the case has been “dragging a bit”.
e attorneys for Klyne, McKeen and Rutter-McKeen agreed that a prelimi-
nary hearing date could be established. e four co-accused will still have another court appearance on Jan. 6 to iron out details of the preliminary hearing, which will determine whether there is enough evidence to go to trial.
Klyne has opted for a trial in Court of King’s Bench by judge and jury, which Miller said is the default position, but the other three have to elect the trial they want. e four were arrested Aug. 9 after search warrants were executed at ve locations in Estevan. ey were charged with possession of a schedule 1 substance for the purpose of tra cking (cocaine); possession of a schedule 1 substance for the purpose of tra cking
(methamphetamine); trafcking a schedule 1 substance (cocaine); tra cking a schedule 1 substance (methamphetamine); and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.
Klyne is also charged with violating the conditions of a release order, stemming from prior charges.
e Estevan Police Service said it seized one kilogram of cocaine, 50 grams of methamphetamine, two ri es, a Ford F150 that the EPS said is o ence-related property, and approximately $8,000 in Canadian currency. e street value of the illicit drugs recovered, according to the EPS, was $150,000.
None of the charges have been proven in court.
health and requested that they respond in the future, so police resources aren’t required to determine their status.
Police attended to a report of a failure to remain at the scene of a collision in the Walmart parking lot on Dec. 8. e EPS is seeking the public’s assistance to provide any information available regarding the incident. e matter is still under investigation.
A report of a scam was received in which an individual attempted to purchase an item online and after putting down a deposit, was unable to further contact the seller.
“ e EPS would like to remind the public to use caution when making online purchases and to ensure the seller is a legitimate and reputable person based on their history. If the deal looks too good to be true, it likely is a scam,” the EPS said in a news release.
Police were called to an east-end business parking lot in response to two trucks reported to be driving er-
ratically in icy conditions. Both vehicles were located, and the drivers were charged with stunting in a parking lot under the Tra c Safety Act. Police were also called to a suspicious man hanging around a business in the downtown core. e individual was located, and was determined to be using the laundromat and window shopping while waiting for his laundry to nish.
A 38-year-old woman was arrested and lodged in cells for a curfew breach of her conditional sentence order. She was set to appear in Estevan Provincial Court to speak to the allegation. No further information was immediately available.
e EPS is also asking for help from the public in locating a vehicle that ed during an attempted tra c stop.
Shortly after midnight on Dec. 3, a white pickup truck failed to stop for police after several tra c safety o ences were observed by an EPS member. e vehicle was last seen leaving Estevan westbound on Highway 39.
An investigation into the identity of the driver is continuing and anyone with information is asked to contact the EPS at 306-6344767.
A truck was reported to be unlawfully parked in a handicapped space in an east commercial lot. e vehicle was located and a placard was not visible, resulting in a notice of violation.
A woman reported that a vehicle had been following her while she was out walking during the evening. Members attended her location and provided her with assistance in getting home safely.
EPS members responded to a collision on Dec. 2 at Second Street and Ninth Avenue that resulted in one vehicle being towed from the scene. No injuries were reported.
Police received a report of criminal harassment. e matter remains under investigation. O cers are also investigating a reported theft from a vehicle.
