0
%
U.S WHOLESALER ON SITE FINANCING ON SELECT MODELS SEPTEMBER 25 - 27
306-634-3644 HOME OF THE POWER TEAM
YOUR HOMETOWN DEALER
409 KENSINGTON AVENUE POWERDODGE
UP TO
$ 14,500
IN DISCOUNTS SE SASK’S LARGEST
RAM TRUCK INVENTORY
WWW.POWERDODGE.CA
Wednesday, September 20, 2017
Issue 20
SERVING THE ENERGY CITY SINCE 1903
www.estevanmercury.ca
Mailing No. 10769 | Publication No. 40069240
Living Skies Airshow entertained a large crowd at the Estevan Regional Airport By David Willberg dwillberg@estevanmercury.ca
The second edition of the Living Skies Airshow drew a large crowd to the Estevan Regional Airport on Sunday afternoon. An estimated crowd of between 1,500 and 2,000 people watched six different performers, who not only showcased their aerial abilities, but also the abilities of their planes. Numerous other airplanes were on display for people to view. Moose Jaw’s Brent Handy, who was the opening act at last year’s airshow, once again opened this year’s event with his array of aerial stunts in his Pitts Special propeller aircraft. Handy, speaking to the audience, said he has the good fortune of being able to fly for a living, and entertaining audiences with his aerobatic displays in his spare time. He was a member of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds aerobatics squadron in 2012 and 2013, an opportu-
nity that he said came out of nowhere. “A good friend that I used to work with at a flying school up the road in Moose Jaw said … ‘I’m looking for a wingman. Would you like to put your name in for the Snowbirds?’” It proved to be an amazing experience, and it opened up the world of airshows and the different planes he gets to fly. Handy said the plane he flies requires his total attention at all times. He uses minimal electronics when flying it, but his propeller allows him to do the unique things with his plane. “With a jet, it’s designed for speed and for a tactical mission … but with the aerobatic airplanes and the propellers in general, the spinning propeller allows me to develop some really cool forces and get the plane to tumble end over end, and you can never do that kind of stuff with a jet,” said Handy. When he flew the Pitts Special for the first time, it was almost like he was learning to fly again, he said.
Skydive South Sask., also out of Moose Jaw, then impressed the audience as several individuals parachuted onto the airport’s grounds. Up next was another Saskatchewan pilot, Stefan Trischuk, who performed in his light Pipistrel Virus aircraft. Geoff Latter of Langley, B.C., followed in his restored Nanchang CJ-6A. He noted that he doesn’t have the background in aviation that many other airshow pilots possess. Rather, he has spent nearly two decades flying a variety of planes. “People see a guy like me, who’s just a regular guy chasing down his dream,” said Latter. “We always tell everybody ‘If I can do it, you can do it,’ and it’s great to inspire our youth that maybe don’t have the opportunities at their doorstep to encourage them to go chase down that dream.” The crowd was then treated to a couple of aerial tandems. The Vanguard Squadron, which is a U.S.based act, flew their eth-
Yellow Thunder’s Drew and Dave Watson entertained the crowd in their yellow Harvard planes. Photo by Brian Zinchuk anol-fuelled planes. Gary Middlebrooks and Mark Ketchem were representing the Vanguard Squadron in Estevan. Yellow Thunder, consisting of Alberta-based pilots Drew and Dave Watson, featured Harvard Second World War airplanes. Dave Watson said the Harvard is quite nimble to fly, even though it is a fairly heavy plane. “When you do a roll, it’s a nice, slow gentle roll,
Hamann makes another court appearance By Brian Zinchuk brian.zinchuk@sasktel.net
The case of Debra Hamann of Bienfait, who is facing several charges in relation to a fatal highway collision on June 24, has been put on hold while she undergoes a 28-day rehabilitation therapy program. Hamann had been charged with one count of impaired driving causing death, one count of driving while over .08 causing death and one count of dangerous driving causing death. All three charges are under the Criminal Code. The two-vehicle collision occurred at the intersection of Highways 39 and 18, west of Bienfait, and took the life of 35-year-old Bisho Varghese, an Estevan cab driver. A 28-year-old male passenger of the car was also injured. Hamann was 59 at the time of the collision. Appearing in court on Sept. 18, much of her time before Judge Lane Wiegers revolved around her request for a courtappointed lawyer. As she is hard of hearing,
the judge invited her to stand right beside his bench so she could hear better. Representing herself at this point, Hamann explained that she has been unemployed since July 2016 and her employment insurance benefits have run out. With her husband also unemployed, they are facing serious financial difficulties and cannot afford a lawyer. When the judge asked what her income was, Hamann replied she had none. Judge Wiegers noted that court services had argued she shouldn’t have one appointed. However, he was sending the application back to court services. He also questioned if her RRSPs were indeed locked up until she turned 65. The judge asked if she had talked to any lawyers to see how much her defence would cost and what their rates would be. Hamann replied she had not. The judge said she should. Regarding the rehabilitation program she is to enter on Sept. 20, Judge Wiegers said, “That’s probably a good idea.” The case has been adjourned to Oct. 30.
and when you do a loop, it’s a nice, big gentle loop,” Dave Watson said. Handy then returned with another demonstration of his abilities. Estevan Regional Airport manager Richard Reetz, who co-chaired the event with city Coun. Greg Hoffort, said the airshow was a tremendous success. He hopes the performers and the audience members enjoyed the show as much as he did.
“Every performer was first rate,” said Reetz. “They brought their ‘A’ game, and we were really pleased with each performer. I enjoyed working with them all.” He said the airshow committee would be glad to have any of them back again. Handy’s performance was very popular with spectators, and Reetz believes people enjoyed watching his stunts. The Vanguard A2 » AIRSHOW
Sask. Party leadership candidate visits Estevan By David Willberg dwillberg@estevanmercury.ca
One of the early frontrunners in the race to become the next leader of the Saskatchewan Party was in Estevan on Monday to meet with community leaders and discuss his ideas for the province. Scott Moe, who has the backing of Estevan MLA Lori Carr and more than 20 other Sask. Party caucus members, visited the Energy City as part of his tour of the province. He stopped by the Mercury office to discuss the status of his campaign. “We’ll be back over the course of the next weeks and months as we are looking to meet a number of different people … and to
Saskatchewan Party leadership candidate Scott Moe, left, joined Estevan MLA Lori Carr to meet with people in the community on Monday. talk to people to start the work to put together our platform,” said Moe, who is the MLA for the northern constituency of RosthernShellbrook. He said he would be speaking with people from the agriculture and energy
* ENDS OCTOBER 2
sectors, business leaders and representatives of city council while in Estevan. Moe, who is a former minister of the environment, reiterated his support for the carbon capture and storage project at the A2 » MOE
Senchuk Ford Sales Ltd.
+
ELIGIBLE COSTCO MEMBERS
RECEIVE UP TO AN ADDITIONAL
1,000
$
ON MOST NEW FORD MODELS
118 Souris Ave. N., Estevan 306-634-3696 www.senchukford.com