Kamsack Times 2023-03-16

Tımes Kamsack

Kamsack welcomes new community safety & bylaw enforcement officer

Last Wednesday, the Kamsack Town Office hosted a meet-and-greet for their new community safety & bylaw enforcement officer, Sherise Fountain, who is currently training and acquiring the proper licensing and uniform to serve Kamsack.

Fountain said she was attracted to the position since it’s the closest job to her dream of being a police officer, going on to add, “I wanted to be a cop. That’s why I went to criminology, psychology, sociology, and a justice

degree, the whole thing and it just didn’t work out in my lifetime.”

“Then I saw this job. So, I emailed about it, I was worried about it. Was it going to be shift work and all that? Because shift work is not my favourite thing in the world. When she (Mayor Nancy Brunt) sent me information about it, I was just like, ‘seriously, like, this is a government job!’ So, I just love it. I think if it was shift work, I probably would still do it, ‘cause it’s the closest I’ll get to

doing what I love.’”

Sherise Fountain currently resides in Canora.

“I still live there (Canora). With two sons, two teenage sons. We’ll be lucky if they leave the house alive at 18… They’re leaving the house at 18! I’m just kidding!” Fountain said, laughing.

After Fountain’s sons graduate and move out, Mayor Nancy Brunt and Fountain are planning to have Fountain move to Kamsack, even though she would prefer to live out by Madge Lake.

Fountain said jokingly, “I could be in a cabin and it’s only 20 or 15 minutes away, compared to Canora with 30 minutes to get to Kamsack, that’s pretty good!”

Fountain worked with the Canora Fire Department for 10 years, only retiring when she was diagnosed with cancer.

Fountain said, “My doctor misdiagnosed me. He said, ‘I don’t think it’s cancer, it’s something like this or

Eve and Ivy Andrychuk attended the Tolstoi Derby on their kid-sized snowmobile on March 11 , following their father Branden Andrychuk. See the story and more photos on Page 7.

Sherise Fountain (middle) currently lives in Canora with her two sons Cole (left) and Chase.

Preeceville group home will not be closed

The possible closure of a group home had CUPE members joined by community members in a rally protesting the decision on March 6. The rally featured numerous speakers, all voicing their concerns. The Board of Directors were quick to reply in a release to staff and the community that they were not closing the home as had been previously stated.

“In light of the current news regarding closure of Group Home 3 in Preeceville, please be advised, we, the board of directors for Mackenzie Society Ventures Inc. want to confirm that we have no intention of closing Group Home 3, in Preeceville, now or in the future,” stated a release from Mackenzie Society Ventures Inc.

“We are fully committed to maintaining the operation and running of the Group Home. We plan to work with the staff and management to keep the home fully operational. We have reached out to CUPE and will work to address communication and concerns brought forward to the organization. We have sent communication to the staff that Group Home 3 will remain operational. We are dedicated

to the staff, the community and most of all, the valuable participants who we have the privilege of supporting in our small community. The main goal is to keep our residents safe and give a quality of life at the present time, and into the future for many years to come,” continued the release.

In the beginning, CUPE had called for action to save a Preeceville group home from permanent closure. Group Home 3 in Preeceville is home to residents with disabilities, with staff providing

24-hour care, stated a release from CUPE.

Mackenzie Society Ventures, the company operating the group home, had recently announced plans to close the home permanently at the end of the month without explanation, leaving the future of the residents unknown and the loss of at least eight jobs in the community.

“We were caught entirely off-guard by this announcement,” said Angie Pawliw, president of CUPE 3364. “Mackenzie Society Ventures has been

unable to provide a clear reason for closing this group home, for which they receive funding from the provincial government to operate. To close this home and put the vulnerable people who live there at risk is completely unacceptable.

“If the home is closed, the impact will be greatest felt on the residents who live there. Several of the residents are elderly, and it is unclear where they will be relocated to if the home closes. Group Home Three provides essential housing and care

to those with disabilities,” added Pawliw.

“This is their community, where they’re cared for by dedicated staff. These residents should not be forced out of their home, and staff should not have to lose their jobs with no real explanation.” The union was in the process of writing a letter to Social Services Minister Gene Makowsky as well as Canora-Pelly MLA Terry Dennis, and is encouraging community members to send their own letters expressing their concern over the

effect a closure would have on the community, including the loss of good paying jobs and the support of local businesses the home relies on for its operations.

“The community came together to support this group home when it first opened back in 2001. The residents who live there and the staff who care for them are a part of the community, and they need everyone’s support once again to demand action and ensure that this home stays open,” concluded Pawliw.

The possible closure of Group Home 3 in Preeceville had CUPE members joined by community members in a rally protesting the decision on March 6. The rally took place in front of the Mackenzie Society Ventures Inc building.

Apprehended driver resists police, throws bullets at them

BY RCMP MEDIA RELATIONS

From Feb. 26 to March 5, a total of 6,102 reports were received within the Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction. Calls included: 38 impaired drivers, zero homicides, 27 sexual assaults, 11 sexual crimes, 396 other assaults, 98 break-and-enters, 206 thefts, 520 mischiefs, 144 traffic collisions, nine dangerous driving incidents and zero fatal collisions.

Patrol ends in arrest

On Feb. 26, an officer with Saskatchewan RCMP’s North Battleford Crime Reduction Team was on patrol on Sweetgrass First Nation. The officer observed a pickup truck, which was reported as stolen to Battlefords RCMP earlier that day. The officer activated their emergency lights and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle fled.

The officer continued to patrol and located the truck parked on the side of a grid road near Delmas. Two males exited the truck. The passenger was arrested without incident but the driver refused to comply with the officer’s commands and began yelling and throwing bullets, by hand, at the officer. The male then barricaded himself in the truck.

Additional officers arrived on scene and attempted to persuade the male to surrender. He refused and officers executed an arrest plan and safely took the male into custody without injury to him and the responding officers.

As a result of continued investigation, the driver is charged with: taking a motor vehicle without the consent of the owner, flight from peace officer, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, operation while prohibited, resisting/obstructing peace officer, mischief under $5,000, and weapons possession contrary to order and failure to surrender authorization.

Arrest on Canada-wide warrant

In late January the Saskatchewan RCMP Warrant Enforcement Suppression Team (WEST) received a request from the Saskatoon Integrated Intelligence Unit (SIIU) of a male wanted on a Canadawide warrant in relation to multiple outstanding charges issued in Quebec. Initial investigation led police to believe he was likely in Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan RCMP WEST in Saskatoon, working in conjunction with the Quebec City Police Service, were able to confirm that the male was in Saskatoon

and actively evading police. Investigators corroborated information to better identify his whereabouts and activities.

Based on all the information gathered, he was believed to be at a residence located on the 100 block of Douglas Crescent in Saskatoon. On Feb. 17, Saskatchewan RCMP WEST was conducting patrols in the area when they observed a male who matched the description of the male in question departing in a vehicle.

The Saskatchewan RCMP North Battleford Crime Reduction Team was called to assist and conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle. The driver was positively identified, arrested and taken into custody in Saskatoon without incident.

Following a request made by the Quebec City Police Service, the Saskatchewan RCMP Provost Unit facilitated the ground transport of the prisoner from Saskatoon to Regina in preparation for his departure via commercial aircraft destined for Quebec City. The Saskatchewan RCMP Provost Unit’s involvement in this transport follows routine protocol for partner police agencies requiring assistance.

“Saskatchewan RCMP

WEST is committed to conducting law enforcement and intelligence activities with the goal of locating individuals who are actively evading police custody,” said Acting Inspector Kory Davidsen, the Senior Investigative Officer with Saskatchewan RCMP SERT-WEST. “Working in close collaboration with inter-jurisdictional partner police agencies is key to our ability to apprehend individuals who are on release for serious offences, ultimately making our communities safer.”

Drug bust

As a result of investigation by the La Ronge RCMP General Investigation Section, on March 3, search warrants were executed at two residences on Royal Avenue in the La Ronge district. Officers located and seized approximately 150 grams of cocaine and crack, a sum of cash, trafficking paraphernalia, bear mace and a replica handgun. An adult male, who initially provided a false name to police, was arrested at one of the residences, and is charged with: possession for the purpose of trafficking (cocaine), possession of property obtained by crime less than $5,000, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, and obstructing a

peace officer. Shots fired

On March 4 at approximately 4:30 p.m., Beauval RCMP received a report of a firearms discharge at a residence on La Ronge First Nation. Investigation determined a white car with a green tarp covering one of the windows approached a residence. The occupants discharged a firearm at the windows of the residence, which was occupied at the time. No injuries were reported to police. Officers from Beauval RCMP and neighbouring detachments immediately began searching for the vehicle, which investigation determined had been reported as stolen from Prince Albert. The white car was found abandoned and burnt south of Prince Albert later in the evening of March 4. Investigators do not believe this incident is random in nature, however if an elevated risk to community safety is identified, Beauval RCMP will alert the public.

School vandalism

Nipawin RCMP were dispatched to an alarm call at a school in Nipawin at approximately 1 a.m. on March 5. Officers immediately responded and noted damage to several classrooms and change rooms. A number of computers

Vehicle noise: How loud is too loud?

Vehicle owners in Saskatchewan will soon be able to know exactly how loud is too loud, stated a release from SGI.

Excessively loud vehicles in our communities are disruptive to residents and distracting to other drivers. SGI is working on a new provincial policy

OFFICER

CONTINUED FROM FRONT PAGE something like that or something.’ So later when I was bleeding from places, I shouldn’t have been bleeding from I was asking myself, ‘is this normal?’”

“So, I want to go back to that doctor and throw my cancer report at him going, ‘next time you think, don’t. Send a person to a specialist. I get you’re a general physician,

to objectively identify excessive vehicle noise. The policy is expected to be implemented in late spring or early summer of 2023.

“Right now, determining whether a vehicle is excessively loud is up to the discretion of law enforcement which can

thank you very much, but a person needs to be safe ’”

After overcoming her cancer, Fountain grew her hair back with a unique line of grey amongst her jetblack hair. She commented on this distinct look by saying, “No, the grey hair is natural. The black hair is dyed because I shot out all grey when I first started growing back my hair after my cancer, I was like, ‘Ooh, is

make it difficult to enforce because the criteria is subjective,” said JP Cullen, COO of the Saskatchewan Auto Fund.

“This policy will remove all guesswork by introducing an objective way to measure whether or not a vehicle is creating excessive noise.”

this all going to be grey? Oh, okay, I’ll leave it ’ But then I just wasn’t quite ready for that. So, this is reminding me I’m getting older, but I happen to like it.

“So yeah, it was a very

Having objective criteria will allow vehicle owners to know whether their vehicle is excessively loud so they can make the necessary changes to bring it into compliance.

Over the next few months, SGI will be working to finalize the standard of how to better

humbling experience. All of a sudden you realize how fast life can go by and how things can change in a quick second. Because that’s how long it took to get my diagnosis.”

were damaged, desks and chairs were thrown around and walls were graffitied.

Officers patrolled the nearby area and as a result of investigation, arrested and charged one female youth with one count of break-and-enter. The youth, who can’t be identified as per the Youth Criminal Justice Act, is scheduled to appear in Nipawin Provincial Court on April 19.

Report tips and information

If you have information about any of the above crimes, or other criminal activity, please report it to your nearest RCMP Detachment or police service, call 310-RCMP in non-emergencies, 911 in emergencies. Information can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submitting a tip online at www.saskcrimestoppers. com.

Report some complaints such as damage/mischief to property under $5,000, theft of bicycle under $5,000, theft under $5,000, theft from vehicle under $5,000, lost or found property, and damage/mischief to vehicle under $5,000 online at ocre-sielc.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ saskatchewan/en.

identify excessive vehicle noise. That work will involve completing any required Request For Proposal processes, working with our partners, and finalizing the policy and implementation plan, continued the release.

Once the policy is finalized, SGI will be

hosting free educational days where there will be opportunities for motorists to test their vehicles. These tests will be in accordance with the new policy and will be done without any consequence so motorists can gain an understanding if their vehicle is over the established threshold.

123 First Avenue East (Box 746)

Canora, Saskatchewan

Phone: 306-563-5131 · Fax: 306-563-6144

Hours: Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri.: 8 am – 12 pm, 1 pm – 5 pm

Tues.: 8 am – 12 pm, closed afternoons

LOOKING BACK A decade ago

The Togo Figure Skating Club hosted a carnival themed around Music Through the Years. Krysta Taylor as the Club’s coach was accompanied by the thenyoung performers, Levi Erhardt , Max Stone , Zachary Burback , and Meredith Burback , who have continued skating to this day.

*****

Rev. Hope Klutsey became a new pastor for the Roman Catholic churches in St. Joseph’s Canora, St. Stephen’s Kamsack, and St. Philip’s Keeseekoose First Nation. Originally called Akatsi Klutsey, Rev. Klutsey originated from the Volta Region of Ghana. He was first ordained as a Catholic priest on August 8, 1998, in Ghana.

*****

Codie Prevost and Stephen Maguire , both awardwinning Saskatchewan musicians, came to the Fort Livingstone School in Pelly to raise funds for the Red Cross’ Imagine No Bullying (RCINB) campaign. While they visited each classroom and did presentations for the school during the day, they hosted an evening show open to the public where the profits from tickets sold went to the RCINB campaign.

*****

For the World Day of Prayer, the churches of Kamsack came together to pray with Christian Communities of the world for the people of Egypt. Guest speaker Pastor Yvonne Terry told a story of a woman that met Jesus at a well, a story that she believed showed that people could have conversations without confrontation and that we don’t have to be like one another to serve God.

*****

Former Kamsack resident Craig Campbell , a Saskatoon-based metal works artist, created a donors’ commemorative wall at the medical clinic. He called the work Prairie Ocean, the work displayed the names of major contributors to the medical clinic.

The push for agricultural awareness is worthwhile, but is it working? The Ag Scene

So this March marks the 12th year of Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month (CALM), a program which “inspires students to realize, understand and engage with their own connections to agriculture and food,” notes a recent release from Agriculture in the Classroom Saskatchewan.

“For more than a decade, Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month has given us an opportunity to celebrate our connections – as Canadians – to agriculture,” said Rebecca Sooksom, chair of Agriculture in the Classroom Canada in the release. “Linking students with food producers helps keep that connection strong so the next generation of Canadians knows not only where their food comes from, but also the importance of the sector to our communities from coast to coast.”

So, students who will graduate high school in June have had Agriculture

CALVIN DANIELS

Literacy Month focusing attention on the farm sector and food for their entire school lives.

One might expect the students graduating this year will be rather food and farm savvy, at least if the program has fulfilled its goal which is to inspire students to realize, understand and engage with their own connections to agriculture and food.

Whether that is a reality where students are more knowledgeable about their food, and equally about the efforts producers make in producing it, is of course something which will be hard to quantify.

But, it is an effort which is

important because we need a better educated public which understands farm challenges and understands producers are generally trying to be good environmental stewards, while feeding the world, and earning a profit to be financially viable.

The trio of goals are not always something that work smoothly in sync, but farmers do typically try to maintain balance.

In a world of social media rhetoric and Internetgenerated misinformation and background white noise of food and farming, educating youth so they can recognize the underlying realities is crucial.

“Connecting our youth to agriculture is an important piece of strengthening Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector,” Agriculture Minister David Marit said in a recent provincial release proclaiming Agriculture Literacy Month in Saskatchewan.

“Presentations from industry experts can help educate children on the work that goes into producing the high-quality food that our province is known for.”

So, the 12-year effort is certainly worthwhile, but whether it has significantly influenced students to be more farm and food knowledgeable will only be fully seen as they become adults and how they then react to the issues facing farmers and food production.

Certainly, as the population of farmers declines, an informed general public is a must, and hopefully Canadian Agriculture Literacy Month is building that broader knowledge base.

Teaching our young people to enjoy the wonders of nature

Years ago, I remember hearing about a certain topic on The Weather Channel, and after a similar conversation with friends recently, I wanted to chat about it with you.

So, today’s topic is: “Nature Deficit Disorder.”

“Nature Deficit Disorder” is a contemporary term for the separation that young people (and I’m sure many adult city dwellers) have from nature. Because so many children spend a lot of time on their computers, (I read that children can spend as much as seven hours a day on their screens, maybe even more, seven days a week!) and those in large cities do not have easy access to nature, they are losing touch with its beauty and wonder.

The wonderful Canadian artist Robert Bateman had a program years ago, and I think it was such a great idea. The program was called Get To Know, and the idea was to take children out of the classroom and into nature. He discovered that children could recognize 1,200 corporate logos, but knew of only 12 wildlife species in their local community. That’s both sad and frightening. And we’ve all heard about the statistics about how more and more children are becoming obese because of lack of activity. With a program like this, the children had the opportunity to get outside, and learned how to slow down, look around and see the wonder of nature.

Why is this so important? I found a very profound quote from years ago, about that very program. The message of it is still very relevant.

The Garden Grapevine

DEBBIE HAYWARD

“The Get To Know program inspired children to slowly and carefully look at the world around them and see the wonders that nature has to offer,” said David Love, executive director of the Conservation Foundation of Greater Toronto. “Urbanization, the attraction of the Internet and lack of funding for youth-oriented nature programs increases the number of children who don’t appreciate their environment. And it they can’t appreciate it, it is unlikely they will look after it.”

We are all stewards of the earth, and we are borrowing it from future generations. Caring for it can begin at any age. I was a mere toddler when I had my first garden – Mom and Dad let me pick out what to plant, and how exciting it was when those first little shoots came out of the earth! That tradition never changed over the years…just the size of “my” little patch became bigger. I learned so many things from

my little gardens: patience, care, tending, and the results if I neglected to do so. On a larger scale, we can still learn those lessons.

Though the Get To Know program took place in 2008, the idea of it is timeless. Whether you are a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, or friend to kids, (in other words, all of us!) we can make our own ‘get to know’ adventure by going for nature walks, starting the kids with growing a garden or container, being outside more, doing artwork of what they see…the list can go on and on, and time spent outside is always good and time well spent.

I read an article in an old gardening magazine that talked about a magical garden in the Eastern States, where children were invited to come and gently explore the large garden, watching for beautiful things like fallen leaves and little twigs and pine cones and small pebbles (nothing still growing) so that they could build “fairy houses” in some enchanted little corner of the garden. This project was to combat Nature Deficit Disorder, and so that the children would learn to look carefully around at everything that was in the garden, and to savour the sights, textures and smells of the garden. It sounded like fun even for adult gardeners!

More time outdoors, enjoying nature, and making “nature time” a family project is something to aim for when spring arrives.

Have a lovely week!

Winters with my twin brother – Part 1

My late twin brother Kjell and I were always doing “stuff” together back in Norway. Our mother would ask us what we were doing, and we always answered “stuff.” We didn’t dare elaborate as that usually meant that we had to get “the talk” from our father when he came home.

Our older brother Moritz was an avid ski jumper, and our father had given him proper jumping skis, wide wooden skis with three grooves and Kandahar heel strap bindings. His interest in ski jumping faded after an almost fatal ski jump. Moritz and his cohorts had built their own ski jumping hill and invited all the parents and siblings to the first jumping event. Moritz jumped first. There was an audible gasp from the onlookers and our mother covered her mouth to quell a scream. There was

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

an electrical high-tension wire crossing the slope in the air right where the ski jumper was flying and could potentially decapitate the jumper. Moritz missed the wire by fractions of a millimeter, and our dad closed the hill forever. Moritz lost interest.

Kjell and I were bored. We saw the wooden jumping skis in the basement and decided to make a toboggan out of them. However, they were too long, so we sawed them off right behind the slightly raised binding plate. We had of course removed the bindings. The sawed-off pieces became cross members screwed on to the runners (skis) in the front and back to keep the runners apart, an old wooden apple crate was cut to fit as a seat. Project ski-toboggan was now complete, and we hauled it off to the King’s field. The King

Observations

KAARE ASKILDT

has a farm on the peninsula where we lived. In any event, a friend of ours came along, and we built a jump on the roadway at the bottom of a steep hill and took turns sliding down. We didn’t jump far, so after a small discussion, we decided to make a mogul-type ski jump on the road and would have a competition to see who could jump the farthest. We drew straws to see who would go first. Kjell was the winner and while he hauled the toboggan back up the hill, our friend and I fashioned the mogul style ski jump. The result

was spectacular to say the least. Kjell came flying down that hill and shot off the jump, almost straight up in the air! But alas, he didn’t hold on to the homemade toboggan, in fact there was nothing for him to hold on to. He stopped in mid air while the toboggan kept on going. My dear twin brother slammed into the King’s plowed field, landing on top of a ridge with his arm under him. He broke his arm, but on the positive side (our dad always reminded us that however adverse the situation might be, we should always search for

the positive), it was a clean break and easy to reset.

We were given 14 days house arrest (dad was a police officer, thus the house arrest rather than confined to quarters). Our weekly allowance would be applied to a new set of jumping skis, but Moritz had lost interest in jumping, and wasn’t interested in any new skis, so we replaced his skis with a couple of soccer balls, as that was his newest sports activity.

Ole and Sven were at Moe’s Bottoms Up Bar and Grille enjoying Norwegian style shrimp sandwiches, with shots of Akevitt chased by Moe’s lager.

“My wife and I are really stressed out lately,” said Ole. “We’ve been arguing whether we should get a new van or a truck.”

“I know the argument,” said Sven, “you don’t look too macho in a van.”

“Neither one of us were winning the argument,” said Ole, “it just stressed us out and started getting ugly.”

“Did you give in?” asked Sven.

“No,” said Ole, “we agreed on a truce and decided to take a mini vacation, a weekend trip to a ski resort. Everything started off great, but then things went downhill really fast.”

“Talk about downhill skiing,” said Sven, “remember the American downhill skier in the ‘90s, Picabo Street?”

“I remember her,” said Ole, “she won a number of medals.”

“Sadly, during a training run,” said Sven, “she was involved in a really bad accident, and ended up in the hospital trauma unit. The next day the newspapers reported: ‘Picabo ICU.’”

Stray pets: The ‘problem’ and its solution

Stray pets.

The phrase itself testifies to the abnormal reality of the Greek cities and countryside, with countless thousands of creatures living on the streets, far from human companionship, love, care and protection with all that entails. Do they deserve this? Is that where they belong?

Is this the “thank you” we owe them?

A stray dog (or cat) is one that lives on the streets not by choice but after being abandoned by humans, as a result of which:

• Wandering around

and being poorly fed;

• Exposed to all kinds of diseases in the absence of veterinary prevention;

• A victim of abuse, injury or even death from actions mainly related to people (car accidents, shootings, drownings, mobs, etc.);

• Repeatedly mates and gives birth, perpetuating the vicious cycle of strays; and

• Has an average lifespan of just two years, under adverse conditions.

Right now, the number of stray pets and those hosted in animal shelters, shelters, boarding houses

and volunteer homes waiting to be adopted amounts to tens of thousands! But how can this be explained at a time when the world’s sensitivity towards animals is increasing more and more? Is there a solution to this “problem?”

The first thing we should understand is that the problem is not the strays, but us. Most people are shocked at the sight of neglected, abandoned, sick, boned, abused, maimed and killed stray animals, but do not connect these images with their own actions and choices. The truth is that

we are the creators of the problem, but at the same time we are also the ones who can change this tragic situation. Despite its enormity, the problem can be tackled by creating an animal welfare culture and fully understanding basic concepts such as the following: Sterilization, responsible adoption, electronic marking and identification, leash ride, humanization, education, information in schools about the obligations related to the issue of adopting an animal and of course, within the family explaining in

detail to the child how he or she should be careful to love an animal, along with all the obligations towards it. And of course, the responsibilities that the whole family will have towards it! Co-operation in the treatment of strays with the municipality of each region and veterinarians should also be emphasized.

In the economic, but above all, humanitarian crisis we are facing, we can really make amends to such a unique creature that puts man above his own species and is always at our “services”

as a therapy dog, a guide for the blind, a helper for people with disabilities, savior and as our best and most loyal friend.

Those who love them, those who don’t want them, and even those who are indifferent to stray pets agree on at least one thing: Nobody wants them on the streets. So let’s try individually and all together to be the change that we want to see in ourselves and the generations to come.

Thank you.

Anne Marie Markopoulou Kamsack

Organic Farmers Right to Farm threatened

OPINION BY GARRY

JOHNSON,

SaskOrganics President

The organic sector in Saskatchewan is thriving.

There are 1,025 organic producers, processors and organic sector businesses in the province with over 1.175 million acres, thirty per cent (29 per cent) of all organic acreage in Canada. The global market for organic products is over $250 billion annually.

All certified organic farmers must comply with the Canada Organic Standard which prohibits the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) -- and that includes products of gene editing.

But the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is proposing to exempt some geneedited seeds that have no foreign DNA from

Part V of the Seeds Regulations. This would mean some GM seeds could enter the market without any government approval or notification process.

The CFIA is suggesting seed companies could voluntarily let the government and farmers know about these exempted gene-edited seeds coming to market.

The Minister of Agriculture and AgriFood, The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau is responsible for making the final decision on this issue and she is likely to make the decision soon.

Organic farmers need to know which seeds are GM so they can buy non-GM seed and take measures to avoid contamination from nearby GM crops.

Organic farmers need a mandatory public registry of all GM seeds.

Without a mandatory public registry, organic farmers cannot meet the requirements in the Canada Organic Standard so we would not be able to sell our grain into the organic market and it would put our farms out of business.

Consumers will also lose their ability to choose non-GM food.

We have no desire to stop non-organic farmers accessing gene edited seeds, but our ability to farm organically is

being threatened.

Minister Bibeau can protect organic farmers by making sure there is full disclosure of all GM seeds by requiring

a mandatory public registry.

SaskOrganics is calling on organic farmers, and all consumers who want an organic choice,

to call the Minister’s office in Ottawa at 613-995-2024 to tell Minister Bibeau, “No hidden genetically modified seeds.”

Canada Winter Games an honour for Preeceville skier

Isaiah Maier of Preeceville proudly represented Saskatchewan in Prince Edward Island at the Canada Winter Games held from Feb. 28 to March 5.

“It was a huge honour for me and the lifetime experience was something I will probably never experience again,” said Maier.

Maier flew to P.E.I with the rest of Team Saskatchewan on Feb. 26 and arrived back home on March 5 after the closing ceremonies were held. He participated in four races, a 10 km classic in which he placed 37th out of 66 racers, a 1.2 km sprint race in which he placed 53/66, a

15 km skate ski race where he placed 44/66 and a relay race with members from Team Saskatchewan which ended in the team placing 20th out of 32 teams.

He had the opportunity to also participate in the closing ceremonies and got to walk into the event centre with the entire team. A member of the cross-country team was the flag bearer for the team. “It was amazing to be part of somethings so huge. It really made me feel extremely proud to represent my province and my community,” said Maier.

On his off time when he

wasn’t skiing, he said he had some time to go sightseeing in the downtown core and see the ocean. He also had the opportunity to watch some of the women’s hockey event.

Maier earned the privilege to be part of Team Saskatchewan through a tryout process that saw the top six skiers from a special race in Saskatoon selected for the provincial team. He has been skiing for numerous years and strives to get better and reach his personal best goals with each race. To prepare for the games, he had strapped on his skies and skied approximately one hour each day along

THANK YOU TO OUR KAMSACK U9 Tournament Sponsors

with strengthening exercises where he worked towards his personal set

goals. Maier is a Preeceville Grade 12 student who

would like to get into teaching skiing and sports after high school.

Isaiah Maier of Preeceville proudly repr esented Saskatchewan in Prince Edward Island at the Canada Winter Games held from February 28 to March 5. He skied in the freestyle and classic races in the games. -Photos courtesy of Cory Farthing of Saskatoon.

Annual Tolstoi School Snow Derby hosted with River Valley Archery Club

Last Saturday in Veregin the Kamsack

Sno-Drifters’ 39th Annual Tolstoi School Snow Derby was hosted with the help of the River Valley Archery Club. The derby had around 80 people attending, with some riders even bringing out their kids, including Branden Andrychuk and his

daughters Eve and Ivy. The derby’s registration was organized at the Veregin Archery Club and Rink with the help of Scott and Rhonda Green and various volunteers with the Kamsack Sno-Drifters.

Connor Bodnarek and Larry Zbeetnoff were among the volunteers, cooking burgers in the

freshly installed kitchen of the Veregin Archery Club and Rink.

Scott Green, president of the River Valley Archery club, said, “We just finished our kitchen here just this week. We just put gas in the kitchen. We’ve got two deep fryers and a grill and stainless steel counters, stainless steel sinks

Saskatchewan Public Opinion of Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

and now it’s all good to go. So it makes it a lot handier, since we had electric deep fryers and couldn’t keep up before.”

Tyson Leis, the current president of the Kamsack Sno-Drifters, mentioned that the turnout was great, the same as their usual for each year, and went on to add, “The trails are

really good, and the country’s nice.”

April Macdonald and Jordan Galbiati helped with the derby by organizing the 50/50 raffle table. Macdonald mentioned that the Kamsack Sno-Drifters appreciate all the supporters and volunteers for their events. But they could always use more. “We

thank everyone that comes out to support the Kamsack Sno-Drifters at the Tolstoi Derby,” Macdonald said. All the proceeds of the event go towards the maintenance of the snowmobile trails organized by the Kamsack Sno-Drifters. This includes raffles, burgers, and draw prizes.

Connor Bodnarek and Larry Zbeetnoff helped cook burgers for the registration at the 39th Annual Tolstoi School Derby. The proceeds of the sold burgers are being used to fund the maintenance of the snowmobile trails.

Some of the volunteers with the Tolstoi Derby and Kamsack Sno-Drifters, from left to right, were: April Macdonald, Jordan Galbiati, Eldon Danyluk, Tyson Leis (behind), and Dwayne Andrychuk.

Habitat, conservation, trespass legislation and more discussed at SWF convention in Estevan

BY DAVID WILLBERG

Estevan Mercury ESTEVAN - The Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation’s (SWF) first provincial convention in Estevan in nearly 50 years was worth the wait.

The 94th annual convention was held from Feb. 23-25 in the Energy City, with most of the activities happening at the Estevan Comprehensive School. About 175 delegates attended the convention, but with spouses and other guests factored in, the total crowd size was 225-250 people.

It was the first in-person convention for the SWF since 2020.

“We really have to take our hats off to the Estevan Wildlife Federation. They’ve been outstanding, and the meals have just been superb,” said SWF executive director Darrell Crabbe. “You want to keep everybody fed, and we have a lot of really good conversations and a lot of fun.”

Estevan Wildlife Federation president Wanda Michel said she was pleased to see everyone in attendance.

She told them that as a child, Disneyland was going ice fishing on a Sunday afternoon. Her father, Frank Mosley, ensured

they enjoyed the outdoors growing up. Michel and her siblings learned how to appreciate the outdoors.

“We have come together today because of our passion, but more than that, we are here to achieve our vision, to ensure the wildland legacy we leave for our children will be a different land that surpasses that which we inherited,” said Michel.

Randy Nelson, a longtime conservation officer, delivered the keynote address on Thursday following the opening ceremonies. Nelson is from Saskatchewan originally but moved to B.C. to become a fisheries officer, even though he’d never seen a salmon before going to that province. He became the most decorated fisheries officer ever in that province, as he received a number of awards.

Nelson shared stories from throughout his career, often weaving humour into his tales. He noted that some of the experiences in his first book would make people laugh due to the stupid things people do.

The first planeload he checked in his career had four people from Regina aboard with 70 walleye. The next night, Americans on a float plane had two

metal washtubs filled with fillets and over 200 lake trout.

“At the end of that [first] summer, the plant operator said I brought more fish in than any commercial fisherman,” said Nelson. He had more than his share of serious incidents in his career, including being hit by rocks, getting attacked by a grizzly bear, and suffering knee and shoulder injuries. But he also had so many good days on the job.

In his second book, he talked to conservation officers and game wardens across North America for some of the “wildest, craziest, funniest and most bizarre” stories he could find. Nelson noted people think about big game in Africa when they hear

-David Willberg

about poachers, but they don’t think about what’s happening around them.

Part proceeds from the sale of the second book go to help fallen officers.

Nelson also praised those who were in attendance.

“You know what’s right when you go out there, and if you see something, you have the ability to report it. I truly believe ethical, legal hunters are the best conservationists, that have the best chance of delivering the message and helping us stop poaching.”

Also on Thursday, Crabbe delivered his report, and members received updates on finances, marketing, habitat trust and education efforts.

The annual contributions awards banquet was

held, with recognition awards for branches and individuals.

The conservation officers’ presentation was Friday morning. Several conservation officers discussed illegal activities they encountered and stopped.

“We always like to see poachers get their due and their punishment,” said Crabbe.

Dr. Chris Somers, a biology professor at the University of Regina, discussed projects, including the Boundary Dam reservoir fishery, a winter catch and release of northern pike and great horned owls in southwest Saskatchewan.

Numerous other reports were delivered, including a lengthy one on fisheries and branch projects.

A fundraising dinner on Friday night was a big success. Some things that Crabbe thought would be big sellers were not, and those that they thought would do all right proved to be very popular.

Money raised will go to SWF habitat programs.

As for Saturday, the Ministry of the Environment’s Wildlife Unit spoke and answered questions on a number of topics. An annual highlight was the enforcement dog

presentation, with conservation officers showcasing the training of one of the dogs and the animal’s ability to detect shell casings and gun powder.

Also on Saturday was the parade of cheques, when branches donate to programs. Crabbe said they receive $200,000$250,000 for SWF efforts, such as habitat trust, land securement, education or fisheries. The EWF presented $25,000 to the SWF.

The trespass legislation that was enacted in January 2022 was a frequently-discussed topic, Crabbe said. Delegates shared thoughts on how to improve access and communications with landowners.

“Because of the winter in many parts of Saskatchewan, we have a … large congregation of large ungulates – the deer, elk and moose and that sort of thing – so that’s certainly an issue,” said Crabbe. The SWF receives calls of those species in small towns, villages, farm yards and other locations.

Chronic wasting disease is an escalating problem across Saskatchewan, he said, and it is working its way eastward. He noted it was recently diagnosed in Manitoba.

SaskTel and Crime Stoppers team up for Fraud Prevention Month

March is Fraud Prevention Month and SaskTel is teaming up with Crime Stoppers across the province to share tips on how to protect yourself from online fraud and other cyber scams.

“We take safety and security very seriously at SaskTel, and we regularly update our systems and networks to safeguard

our business and customers,” said Doug Burnett, SaskTel President and CEO, in a release. “As a service provider we’re only one part of the equation and it’s just as important for our customers to take the appropriate steps to protect the personal information and accounts they have online from potential fraudsters.”

“At Crime Stoppers,

NOTICE

The Tax Enforcement Act

JOSHUA MALIN

TAKE NOTICE that the Town of Kamsack intends to be registered as owner under the above Act of the land described as LOT 18-BLK/PAR 11-PLAN X1287 EXT 0, Title No. 151514412.

The municipality claims title to the land by virtue of an interest based on the tax lien registered against the existing title to the land in the Land Titles Registry as Interest Number 194129961 and you are required to TAKE NOTICE that unless you contest the claim of the municipality or redeem the land pursuant to the provisions of the above Act within six months from the service of this notice on you and, subject to the further provisions of The Tax Enforcement Act, a certificate of title will be issued to the applicant and you will thereafter be forever estopped and debarred from setting up any claim to, or in respect of, the land.

The amount required to redeem the land may be ascertained on application to the Clerk, Treasurer or Administrator of the municipality. For any questions about the tax enforcement process please contact Taxervice at 1-877-734-3113.

Dated this 16th day of March, 2023.

Aimee Kerluke, Treasurer Town of Kamsack

we recognize the negative impact that all types of criminal activity have on our province, especially online fraud and other digital scams,” said Michael Stevens, President of Saskatoon Crime Stoppers. “We are pleased to team up with SaskTel to spread this important message and ensure that everyone in our province understands the simple steps they can take to secure their online accounts and prevent

themselves from being victimized by online fraudsters.”

To prevent online fraud:

• Turn On Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – By requiring the user to provide two or more verification factors, MFA provides an extra layer of protection that makes it significantly more difficult for fraudsters to gain access to your online accounts.

• Password Protection

– Use a strong and unique

TOWN OF NORQUAY NOTICE OF PREPARATION OF ASSESSMENT ROLL

Notice is hereby given that the assessment roll for the Town of Norquay for the year 2023 has been assessor from 8:30 am to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm on the following days:

Monday to Friday, March 8th to April 10th, 2023.

A bylaw pursuant to the section 214 of the Municipalities Act has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required.

Any person who wishes to appeal against his or her appeal, accompanied by a $50 appeal fee for each assessment being appealed which will be returned if the appeal is successful, with:

The Assessor, Town of Norquay, Box 327 Norquay, Sask. S0A 2V0 by the 7th of April, 2023.

Dated this 8th day of March, 2023

Denise Sorrell, Assessor

password for each online account. Passwords should be at least 12 characters in length and include numbers, upper and lowercase letters, and special characters. For added protection, consider using a passphrase or a random password generator. Also, never share your passwords with anyone.

• Beware of Suspicious Emails and Text Messages

– Don’t click on links or download attachments from suspicious or unfamiliar senders as they may contain malware or viruses.

• Don’t Share Personal Information Online –Sharing too much information on social media or online can help fraudsters and other cyber criminals take advantage of you. Your upcoming vacation, the name of your pet, and even your birthday are pieces of information that are best kept to yourself.

• Update Your Devices –Keep your device software up-to-date and install critical security patches as soon as they are available. Failing to do so can give hackers the opening they

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

TENDERS: HANGING FLORAL BASKETS

The Town of Kamsack is requesting tenders for Flowers & Fill in order to complete 20 hanging decorative baskets.

The Town will provide the hanging baskets and ongoing maintenance.

Sealed tenders marked “Flowers” will be received by the Town of Kamsack until 4 pm on Friday, March 24th, 2023. Learn more at https://kamsack.ca/tenders/

A conservation officer K-9 unit demonstration was among the highlights at the SWF convention in Estevan.

COMING EVENTS

61st DRAGGINS CAR SHOW -

April 7 and 8 at Prairieland Park, Saskatoon. Check out the “Battle of the Automotive Technicians”!. Draggins Rod & Custom Car Club. Visit our website; Draggins.com.

Looking for Vendors! Fort Qu’Appelle Spring Trade Show, April 22nd and 23rd, 2023. Please contact Tammy at 306-728-5690 or accounts@grasslandsnews.ca for more information. Or you can download the brochure at www.forttradeshow.com

PRAYER CORNER

SS. Peter and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church services: Thurs.

March 16 Norquay 5 p.m. Fri.

March 17 Canora 5 p.m. Sat.

March 18 Preeceville 5 p.m. Sun.

March 19 Kamsack 9 a.m. Canora

11 a.m. Norquay 1:15 p.m. We.

March 22 Kamsack 5 p.m.

St. Stephen’s and St. Philip’s Church Schedule: Sun March 19 Kamsack 9 a.m. and St. Philip’s 1 p.m.

FOR SALE - MISC

Advertisements and statements contained herein are the sole responsibility of the persons or entities that post the advertisement, and the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association and membership do not make any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness, or reliability of such advertisements. For greater information on advertising conditions, please consult the Association’s Blanket Advertising Conditions on our website at www.swna.com.

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

MORE ROLHEISER BOOKS Ken Rolheiser releases SEVENTH book MORE LETTERS FROM THE LITTLE PENCIL OF A LOVING GOD. Amazon - paperback and kindle. See https://www.amazon.com/author/krolhie1005

WANTED

First 20 Words: $7

Extra Words: 22¢ each

Add photo: $15 each Call 306-563-5131 to book your ad or email

AUCTIONS

ONLINE AUCTION FOR THE SASKATCHEWAN MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE CROWN LAND SALE ONLINE BIDDING ENDS OVER TWO CLOSING DATES TUESDAY, MARCH 21 & THURSDAY, MARCH 23, 2023

The spring 2023 sale consists of 56 parcels of land, or 7,329 acres split into 40 lots. Land parcels located in RM #001 through #350 will be scheduled to close on March 21. Parcels located in the RM #351 and higher will be scheduled to close on March 23 online auction.

Contact Our Real Estate Department To Request Your Sale Catalogue Visit Our Website For Photos & Details. www.mcdougallbay.com Real Estate 306-271-1505 Over 90,000 Bidders Worldwide McDougal Auctioneers Ltd.

PROVINCE-WIDE CLASSIFIEDS. 51 local community newspapers, distributing to over 450 communities, including 14 cities. Reach over 550,000 readers weekly. Call 306-649-1405 or visit www.swna.com for details.

LIVESTOCK Anderson Cattle Co Bull Sale, March 28, 2023 Swan River MB. 50 Red & Black Angus yearling and two year olds. Open House March 11, 12, 2023. 204-281-3560 www.andersoncattle.ca

WANTED

FOR SALE - MISC

FOR SALE BY TENDER WEST CENTRAL PELLETING LTD IS ACCEPTING BIDS FOR THE FOLLOWING:

1998 TEREX TB85 SELF PROPELLED MANLIFT

Located at 100 Bruce Saunders Way, Wolseley, SK. Unit will be sold as is where is. Successful bidder will be responsible for all costs and arrangements for the removal from property.

Highest or any accepted CLOSING DATE FOR BIDS IS: MARCH 31, 2023 Bids can be submitted to danwcp@sasktel. net

For more info contact Dan at 306-918-7908

HEALTH SERVICES

LAND FOR SALE

FARMLAND WANTED

I am currently PURCHASING single to large blocks of land. NO FEES OR COMMISSIONS

Saskatchewan born and raised, I know land, farming and farmland and can help you every step of the way.

Doug Rue, for further information 306-716-2671 saskfarms@shaw.ca www.sellyourfarm land.com

4 QUARTERS of LAND FOR SALE by Owner R.M. #76

NE 10-07-10W3

2022 Tax Ass $98,780

SE 15-07-10W3

2022 Tax Ass $101,475

NE 14-07-10W3

2022 Tax Ass $113,090

NW 14-07-10W3

2022 Tax Ass $89,320

YARDSITE ON HOME

1/4 NE 14-07-10

Consists of house, quanset, corrals, garage & bins

Contact

Ritchie Pilgrim

Sask. intervenes in court challenge of fed plastics ban

BY JOHN CAIRNS SASKTODAY.ca

REGINA - The Saskatchewan government is among those challenging the federal single-use plastics ban in court.

The province filed as an intervener in the court case being heard in federal court in Toronto. The indication is the Sask. government made their submission virtually on March 7.

The court action is being taken by a group of plastics companies opposed to Ottawa’s move to ban single use plastic items such as bags, straws, cutlery, containers and stir sticks.

Both Saskatchewan and Alberta have opposed the Canadian government’s move to label single use plastics as a toxic substance under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. So far, they are the only two provinces intervening in the case.

intervention was over a division of powers issue.

“It’s been long established that the federal government doesn’t have the right to infringe on specific regulations of the provinces,” said Eyre. “As I say, that’s pretty established. And we thought it was an important opportunity to once again assert the fact that this is an overreach by the federal government, and there are a lot of other issues involved here as well, including cost of the economy, small businesses, and just the whole issue of environmental regulation, and who controls what, and avoiding unnecessary duplication.”

In this situation, the provincial regulations were environmental regulations in waste management, which is managed by the province. Eyre said a waste management issue is not one the federal government can weigh in on constitutionally.

The Disability Tax Credit allows for $2,500 yearly tax credit and up to $30,000 Lump sum refund

Apply NOW; quickest refund Nationwide! Providing assistance during Covid.

Expert Help: 1-844-453-5372

306-620-9831 or pilgrimritchie @gmail.com

HOUSES FOR RENT

2 and 3-bedroom houses for rent. Phone 542-3501, (306)331-7012.

FEED & SEED

WE BUY

DAMAGED GRAIN

HEATED... LIGHT

BUGS... TOUGH

MIXED GRAIN

SPRING THRASHED

WHEAT... OATS

PEAS... BARLEY CANOLA... FLAX

“ON FARM PICKUP”

WESTCAN FEED & GRAIN

1-877-250-5252

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Private mortgage lender. All real estate types considered. No credit checks done. Deal direct with lender and get quick approval. Toll free 1-866-405-1228 www.firstandsecondmortgages.ca

CLASSIFIEDS

NOTICES / NOMINATIONS

FOR SALE - MISC

AGPRO SEEDS LTD. BUYING HEATED, DAMAGED OFFGRADE CANOLA & FEED GRAINS. #1 buyer on the prairies, top price paid! Call/text: 306-8730481, AgPro Seeds bids: agproseeds.com, Email: sales@agproseeds.com FOR SALE - MISC

Minister of Justice and Attorney General Bronwyn Eyre told reporters on March 7 the reason Saskatchewan decided to file the

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

REQUIRED

IMMEDIATELY:

Person to COOK & CLEAN for heavy construction camp this winter with possibility of year round. Winter location:

Must have valid driver’s licence and safe food and handling ticket.

Send resume and work references to:

Bryden Construction and Transport Co. Inc.

Fax: 306-769-8844

brydenconstruct@ xplornet.ca

www.

brydenconstruction andtransport.ca

HEAVY EQUIPMENT OPERATORS:

needed this winter for dozers, excavators, rock trucks: near Carrot River, Sk. Camp/R & B provided.

Competitive wages.

Valid drivers license req’d.

Send resume and work references to:

Bryden Construction and Transport Co. Inc.

S0E 0A0;

Fax: 306-769-8844

brydenconstruct@

www.

brydenconstruction andtransport.ca

Beyond that, “aside from the constitutional issue, a federal overreach, we simply don’t believe that plastic is on a par with arsenic, mercury, and other known toxic substances,” said Eyre.

She also said the overreach by the Feds would hurt the retail sector, hospitality sector and consumers.

“We’ve gone into small businesses and have been told about the cost of phasing out plastics. A standard plastic bag cost I believe four cents, a paper bag 15 cents, and we know that restaurants for example, have to take into account every slice of every tomato. It’s very similar with bags. These things add up… when it comes to what people are expecting, I don’t think they love waste, I don’t think they love duplication, I don’t think they love excessive overreach.”

Opposition Justice critic Nicole Sarauer was dismissive of the Saskatchewan government’s court intervention.

“This is just another example of an out-of-touch government,” said Sarauer.

She added that if the government wanted to help small businesses there was a lot they could be doing, suggesting they could cut the SaskPower rate increases, put a cap on delivery fees and freeze the gas tax.

“These are things that could be much more helpful to businesses than intervening in a court case that could take years to work its way through the process.”

This newspaper is recyclable

Throwback Thursday: From the Kamsack Times files

(EDITOR’S NOTE: These items were printed in the 1987 issues of the Kamsack Times.)

Ryan Hunko of Kamsack picked his way through the willow bushes to the old dam on the Assiniboine River to watch the water as it began to flow for spring.

The Swan River Warriors broomball team was named the top team of the Pelly and District Broomball League during a windup banquet at Arran. Tony Blazenko of Pelly, right, presented the winner ʼs trophy to Norman Graham, the Swan River Warriorsʼ captain.

Skating as western girls during a Kamsack Figure Skating Club annual ice carnival, from left were: Heather Mitchell, Janine Scott, Sabrina Frederick, Jessica Ogren and Amanda Bodnaryk.

Visiting her dad ʼ s cabin in the RM of St. Philips, threeyear-old Yasmin Hartung of Winnipeg, accompanied by a My Little Pony, struggled her way up a relatively treacherous woodpile to find a spot sheltered from the wind to wait for the spring ʼ s warm rays of the sun.

Performing in the “It Figures” routine during a Kamsack Figure Skating Club ice carnival, from left, were: (back row), Carla Doroshenko, Kim Romaniuk, Lisa Chutskoff, Danielle Barnett, Jodie Dedio, Treny Sasyniuk and Anne Schlivert; and (front) Lee Anne Woollard, Trixy Sasyniuk, Tenille Scobie, Corrine Barnett, Barb Lucas, Terry Zbeetnoff and Wendy Stone.

Thanks to donations from the Kamsack Lions Club, the Kamsack Union Hospital had the ability to obtain a portable respirator for use on patients with breathing difficulties. Paul Ratushny, left, hospital administrator, demonstrated the use of the equipment to Joe Paylor, Lionsʼ past president, and Randy Borsa, president.

At the beginning of a Kamsack Figure Skating Club ice carnival, Carla Panchuk, the Assiniboine School student whose supporters raised more money for the club than those of her two competitors, was crowned queen of the carnival and was presented a trophy by Steve Boychuk of Kamsack.

Among the junior skaters that performed at an ice carnival presented by the Kamsack Figure Skating Club, from left, were: Amber Roll, Jonathon Young, Laura Pollon and Rylan Matechuk.

The Kamsack Flyers senior hockey team won the A side of an annual Norquay Royals tournament by defeating the Royals 10 to 5 in the final game. Team members, from left, were: (back row) Ricky Schwartz, Curt Kazakoff, Ron Vause, Ed Guenther, Barry Harris, Barry Koreluk and Lloyd Vopni; and (front) Dwayne Bodnaryk, Wayne Vopni, Mike Prestie and Dave Barton.

AUCTIONEERS

CONTRACTORS

CONTRACTORS

Todd Bobyk

Winter weights removed, road restrictions coming

Truckers are advised to closely monitor their loads when using secondary highways in Saskatchewan.

This is the time of year when truckers must reduce the weight of their loads, since all secondary highways revert back to regulation weights. This prevents damaging important roads in the spring.

“It’s imperative we protect our road network at this time of year by reducing the weights trucks are allowed to carry,”

Highways Minister Jeremy

Cockrill said in a release. “On different occasions throughout the year, we adjust allowable weights to ensure the efficient movement of goods while protecting our highway infrastructure.”

Winter weights were to be removed effective Wednesday, March 15 at midnight (12:01 a.m.). Any existing winter weights will revert back to regulation weight.

Spring road restrictions will begin soon. These road bans reduce allowable weights on RM roads and secondary weight

provincial highways by 10 to 15 per cent and typically last about six weeks. Road bans typically begin in March and run for six weeks, ending in late April to early May. The bans only impact secondary weight highways and not primary highways such as 1, 11 or 16.

Truckers are advised to monitor their loads and watch for restrictions during this period.

To check which highways are impacted by weight restrictions, please visit truck weight classifications and restrictions at

saskatchewan.ca/truckingweights. Commercial truckers and shippers are encouraged to check the status regularly. Information is also available by contacting the Highway Hotline at www.saskatchewan.ca/ highwayhotline or dialing 511.

Technical and regulatory information is available by calling 1-866-933-5290, while truckers outside of Saskatchewan call: 306933-5290. The line operates weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. except statutory holidays.

With the removal of winter weights, truckers are advised to monitor their loads and watch for spring road restrictions on secondary highways.

Province highlights the importance of safety on farms

The Government of Saskatchewan has proclaimed March 12 to 18 as Agricultural Safety Week in Saskatchewan.

“Working in agriculture means long days during busy seasons like

calving, seeding and harvest,” Agriculture Minister David Marit said in a release. “Agricultural Safety Week serves as a critical reminder that the business of farming is dependent upon healthy

people who prioritize safety year-round.”

“Keeping those who work in our agriculture sector safe and healthy is vital to a strong and growing Saskatchewan,” Labour Relations and Workplace

Safety Minister Don Morgan said. “Learning to spot hazards on the farm can help prevent serious injuries and fatalities.”

Created by Canadian Centre for Health and Safety in Agriculture

LEGACY CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION LIMITED CALL

FOR DIRECTORS

(CCHSA) and the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA), Farm Safety Week is a national campaign focused on raising awareness of the importance of safety on all Canadian farms.

Legacy Co-op is part of the Co-operative Retailing System that serves more than 600 communities and more than 1.9 million members across Western Canada. Today, approximately 160 retail co-operatives own FCL, which provides central wholesaling, manufacturing and administrative services to its member-owners.

Legacy Co-operative Association Limited boasts sales of more than $140 million and employs more than 250 employees. Sales outlets include a gas bar and food store in Kamsack, a food store and agro/home centre in Churchbridge, a cardlock and service centre in Theodore, an agro centre in Ebenezer, two gas bars, two cardlocks, an agro centre, a liquor store and a food store in Yorkton, cardlocks in Rhein, Esterhazy, and Langenburg and keylocks in MacNutt and Dubuc. We provide a variety of goods and services including: petroleum, food, lumber, general merchandise, crop supplies, feed, fertilizer, seed, bins and chemical.

Legacy Co-operative is seeking progressive, forward thinking individuals with a good understanding of the retail climate who would like to fill 3 vacancies on the Board of Directors in 2023. (Three 3 year terms)

In accordance with bylaw 6.02(c) the name of each nominee to the position of director must be:

1. Submitted in writing by the nominee to the Co-operatives Nominating Committee at least 30 days before the date of the Annual General Meeting when the election will be held; and

2. Published by the Co-operative’s Nominating Committee with the notice of the Annual General Meeting

Nomination papers can be picked up at any Legacy Co-operative Association Limited locations in Yorkton, Kamsack, Churchbridge, Ebenezer or Theodore, from any board member, from the link on our website or by contacting the following Committee members:

Wade Karcha

(306) 621-7361

Judy Charney (306) 621-4338

Electronic nomination forms can be found online at: https://bit.ly/LegacyCallforDirectors

Dustin Brears

(306) 621-7161

All nominations must be submitted by 5:00 pm, April 11, 2023 to the Legacy Co-operative Administration Office 30 Argyle Street, Yorkton, SK., S3N 3Z4 or via email to: Info@legacycoop.ca RE:BoardofDirectorsNomination

Support is shown by wearing an AgSafe brown ribbon available at Ministry of Agriculture regional offices across the province. Alternatively, virtual ribbons are available for download from the CASA website. Information about farm safety including access to the Farm Safety Guide, is available at saskatchewan. ca/farmsafety.

FRAUD

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 need to access your device and the all the personal information stored on it.

“If you believe you have fallen victim to an online scam or phone scam and you have suffered any kind of financial loss or provided detailed personal information you should report this to police in your jurisdiction,” said Detective Sergeant Kelley Berting with the Regina Police Service. “You should also notify your financial institution, Equifax and TransUnion to ensure that fraud alerts are placed on your accounts. Monitor your bank accounts and credit card statements on a regular basis and report any suspicious activity to your financial institution immediately.” All types of fraud can also be reported to the Canadian AntiFraud Centre (CAFC) by calling 1-888-495-8501. Additionally, the CAFC has information regarding the types of scams that are prevalent in Canada available on their website at www.antifraudcentrecentreantifraude. ca. Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers is a non-profit community program that combines the efforts of the public, media, and police to solve crime in our communities.

To anonymously submit a tip about a cyber fraud or any crime in your community please contact Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). If you feel you may be a victim, you need to speak directly to police.