Rendell Park Elementary School celebrated Carnaval de Québec with an array of outdoor activities, including kicksledding, on Feb. 5.
than-normal weather forced the curling event to be moved inside, but it didn’t take away from the spirit of the day.
Telemiracle steak night hits home for guests
TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR
Lloydminster’s annual Telemiracle Steak Night drew hundreds of supporters Saturday evening, raising funds for Telemiracle 50, which supports Saskatchewan residents with medical needs.
About 550 people attended the event,
organized by the Kinsmen Club of Lloydminster, according to club president Wayne Nielsen.
“It’s overwhelming. It’s been great so far and the support we’re getting has been amazing,” Nielsen said. “It’s like this every year, but it always surprises me a bit to see so many members of the community come out for this event.”
Organizers prepared 570 steaks for the fundraiser, all of which were served.
Funds raised from the event will support Telemiracle 50, which runs from 5 p.m. Feb. 28 to March 1 at Prairieland Park in Saskatoon. Telemiracle provides funding across Saskatchewan for medical equipment and support services.
“Funds from Telemiracle go all over Saskatchewan and will support people who apply for grants for wheelchairs, help with doctor’s appointments, travel expenses for medical appointments — pretty much anything,” Nielsen said.
He said the impact is also felt locally.
“Locally, we’ve seen wheelchairs, scooters and all sorts of benefits that help the community,” he said. “As members, it’s incredible. That’s why we do it. We don’t do it for anything else but to help people out.”
The total amount raised at the Lloydminster steak night will not be known until it is announced during Telemiracle 50. Nielsen said seeing the final number revealed on screen is a memorable moment.
“It’s unbelievable, really,” he said. “We don’t honestly know until it happens. We have an idea, but when it comes out, it’s a big surprise. It’s a beautiful experience.”
Nielsen has been a member of the Kinsmen Club of Lloydminster for 15 years and has attended Telemiracle in Saskatoon about 10 times.
He thanked the community for its continued support.
“We appreciate it so much,” he said. “It goes to all the members and all the people involved, and we hope everything comes back to the kids.”
The true meaning of the night took centre stage when special guests Leira and Heineken Brigola helped attendees understand how donations help local families.
The Brigolas moved to Lloydminster from Toronto in July 2024. The couple, who had two children at the time, said they planned to expand their family.
“We wanted to plant roots and raise our children in a community where we know our neighbours,” said Heineken.
“I’ve always wanted a family, and we kept trying
to have another kid. We (knew) we were ready to be a family of five, but I had a miscarriage in 2023,” said Leira. “When we found out in an emergency checkup I was carrying twins, we really can’t explain the emotions we had. We were jumping to a family of six.”
Having lost a child once before, Leira explained each time something didn’t feel right, they would make the trip to the emergency room.
“On my 20th anatomy scan, the twins were being stubborn and not showing the stenographer all their parts,” she said. “We were referred to a specialist in Saskatoon and were told there might be a shadow in their hearts. The major concern of the scan is the twins might have cleft lips.”
Continued necessary trips to Saskatoon forced Heineken to miss work and pick up extra shifts when possible. It also forced the couple’s two children to miss school to spend hours on the road and in hospital.
“My kids were missing school, our finances were
drained and I was hoping for a miracle to survive,” said Heineken. “The doctors were having a hard time finding the baby’s heartbeats and my wife kept on saying to choose the babies, no matter what.”
The twins were born prematurely and required significant followup care, which is where funding for the Kinsmen club greatly helped. Heineken’s prayers for a miracle had been answered.
“They didn’t just provide financial aid, they provided peace of mind and cleared a path so we could focus 100 per cent on our children,” said Leira. “We are forever grateful for a foundation that understands care happens inside and outside the doctor’s office.
“That support provided an incredible sense of security for the road ahead.”
More than 500 attendees hung on every word of the Brigolas’ speech before rising for a standing ovation.
Heineken and Leira Brigola speak during Telemiracle Steak Night at the Lloyd Ex on Feb. 7.
Taylor Weaver Meridian Source
Kinsmen Ean Bull takes bids during Saturday night’s live auction at the Lloyd Ex.
Taylor Weaver Meridian Source
Miss Vicky drives on in effort to eradicate polio
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
Some curious eyes turned to a marvel of modern engineering as Miss Vicky drove through the Border City.
The 1931 Model A Ford, driven by Lee Harman, past president of Rotary Club of Arlington, Wash., is on a mission to raise money to eradicate polio worldwide.
“We are doing difficult things in it to prove that difficult things are achievable, including getting rid of polio,” he said. “When we started, there were 350,000 cases worldwide and 50,000 deaths in 1984.
“We’re down to just 44 cases in Afghanistan and Pakistan now.”
He says they’ve been raising money driving Miss Vicky around with the most recent iteration having cheques locked in the vehicle.
“We’ve locked a $25,000 cheque (in a safe),” he said. “There’s actually four of those cheques in there. So, when they get matched by Rotarians or others, then that cheque comes out, that’s doubling the money, then it goes to Mr. (Bill) Gates and his foundation doubles it again.”
The vehicle has been on trips around the world raising money to eliminate polio.
“We drove the car from Peking (Beijing), China to Paris, France, 10,000 miles,” he said, explaining they decided to make it a PolioPlus fundraiser. “We raised about $47,000.”
That wasn’t the last trip for Harman.
“We did another one from Alaska to Mexico in 2023,” he said.
He says that trip was particularly hard on the vehicle due to the extreme heat and mountains. In 2024, Miss Vicky got a new engine.
“It’s running great,” Harman said, explaining with some wind assistance and going downhill, he’ll get to almost 70 mp/h, or 112 km/h.
A maintenance issue was discovered in the Ford which needed some welding repair.
This year’s slogan is United for Good. The next trips for Harman and Miss Vicky were to Calgary following the Feb. 9 Rotary Club of Lloydminster lunch meeting.
“We’re back on our way. Going to Calgary, then down to where I live, on Camano Island, Wash.,” he said. “Our Rotary district is 50 per cent Canadian and 50 per cent U.S.”
Harman says after presenting a cheque of more than $100,000 last year and meeting District 5370 governor Ramesh Ferris, eventually, it led to a partnership between the two Rotary districts.
“We handed in a cheque for $100,000 and he thought that was pretty cool,” said Harman. “He said, ‘I wonder if we united our two districts could we do even better.’ That’s why we have four charity cheques in there.”
The Miss Vicky challenge has already raised $119,000 this Rotary year, which runs from June to July.
The next big trips for Harman will see him travelling across Canada.
“We’ll be taking it to Whitehorse in May and we’re taking it to Grande Prairie in April,” he said.
Landing in Lloydminster, he’s already had quite the trip across the country. “I started in White Rock, B.C., and drove to Edmonton,” said Harman. He says the funds raised help break the cycle of polio across the world.
“The vicious cycle of polio is really important for you to understand, that’s why we can’t stop. Polio lives in the ground waiting for a host, only a human host, if it can’t find that host, the virus dies in 10 to 14 days,” said Harman. “Only vaccination breaks the vicious cycle.”
Rotary has been working to eradicate polio for more than 35 years with the ultimate goal of ridding the world of the disease. Members have contributed
more than $2.1 billion and countless volunteer hours protecting nearly three billion children in 122 countries.
People looking to donate to help the cause can do so at https://raise.rotary. org/MissVicky/challenge929
Despite the ice in the Border City, Lee Harman was all smiles on a sunny Monday, Feb. 9, standing next to his 1931 Model A Ford Miss Vicky. Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source
Pipe ceremony honours Indigenous culture
TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR
A pipe ceremony was held at Holy Rosary High School on Feb. 6, bringing elders, knowledge keepers and staff together in prayer and reaffirming the school’s commitment to Indigenous culture, tradition and reconciliation.
The ceremony took place in the Dream Catcher Space, a centre designed by elders that opened in 2023. The space serves as a hub for Cree language studies and Indigenous cultural teachings within the Lloydminster Catholic School Division (LCSD).
Purpose-built to support traditional practices, the centre features independent ventilation to accommodate smudge and pipe ceremonies. At the heart of the room stands a tree harvested by Michael Young after three days of fasting and prayer.
By Young’s account, he sought spiritual guidance before being led to the tree, which now anchors the space both physically and spiritually.
“We’re doing a pipe ceremony,” said Young. “Cynthia (my wife and LCSD Indigenous programming co-ordinator) asked us to bring the pipe in today because it hasn’t been in the school in a while. We’re trying to keep the traditions alive.”
Pipe ceremonies are among the most sacred practices in many Indigenous cultures. The pipe itself is viewed as a living spiritual being and is used as a means of prayer and communication with the Creator. During ceremonies, participants offer prayers for guidance, healing and unity, often for individuals as well as the broader community.
Photography of the pipe was not permitted during the ceremony.
“The pipe is sacred to us and it’s got its own spirit,” said Young. “When you take pictures of it, you essentially remove the spirit from it. If you take a photo of a spirit, that spirit won’t come back.”
Elder Brent Dillon echoed those teachings, emphasizing the importance of maintaining respect during ceremonies.
“The spirits don’t come when people are taking pictures or using flash photography,” said Dillon. “In our ceremonies — all our ceremonies — there’s no pictures, no cameras.”
Dillon said his prayers during the ceremony extended beyond the school’s walls.
“This is a blessing; we pray,” he said. “When I do this in the school, I pray for
the students, for the parents, for the teachers, school bus drivers — everybody involved in the school to make it run smooth through the year.”
He added he also prays for the City of Lloydminster.
For Ralph Carter, the ceremony was a powerful reminder of the endurance of Indigenous culture in local schools.
“I have a good feeling all the time, every day, that the Creator has lent us the day,” said Carter. “You never expect tomorrow — you’re just alive today. I’m very new (in the school), so I’m excited.”
Young said continued use of the Dream Catcher Space is key to its purpose.
“We’d like to see more use out of it,” he said. “The tree and the room have a lot of meaning, and this is the Catholic school system’s best foot forward to try and reconcile the stuff that happened in the past.”
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From left, Brent Dillon, Michael Young and Ralph Carter prior to last Friday’s pipe ceremony at Holy Rosary High School. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source
Sold out conference continues inspiring women
Lakeland College students Gracie Lilienskold and Grace Churchill introduced and moderated the panel featuring Justina Sather, Jill Kelly and Liliia Omelchenko. Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source
“We all belong and we’re building community.”
That was Terra Weaver, minutes before the beginning of the 15th annual Inspiring Women Conference at the Lloydminster Exhibition.
The event sold out with more than 300 attendees packing the venue.
For Weaver, who is one of the event organizers and co-owner of KT and Company, the inclusivity of the event is important, searching for women from all walks of life to attend.
“I remember being a young mom at home with my kids and you’d see conferences and think, ‘Oh that’s not for me, I’m not at the stage of my life,’ ” she said. “But we all do belong at this. This is fun, this is community building. We want everybody to come and connect with their neighbours and meet people.
“We want women in business (to attend), we want entrepreneurs, we want new moms, we want moms who have older kids and we want people who are unemployed.”
She says the key to the event’s long-lasting success is the community.
“All of the community buy in; all of the community support,” said Weaver. “The community comes out and they want to be here and we’ve sold out the last three or four years.”
The event’s other organizer and co-owner of KT and Company, Kelly Sidoryk, says the formula for the event hasn’t changed.
“Our template for the day has not changed in 15 years,” she said. “We start out with a panel of local women and then shift into breakouts that you can choose from. Have a lunch, bit of a program at lunch, repeat the breakouts, then we conclude the day with a keynote speaker.”
The event has always been planned in careful detail to ensure the best experience for those going.
“The day starts off, registration goes for an hour, so it’s a little bit leisurely, you’re not feeling rushed,” Weaver explained. “If you come with a group of friends, let us know and we’ll have your seating arranged for you. You don’t have to worry about getting here early to get a good spot, that’s all taken care of.”
The event kicked off with Emcee Tess Wack introducing the event before welcoming Lakeland College students Grace Churchill and Gracie Lilienskold to moderate the panel comprised of Jill Kelly, Justina Sather and Liliia Omelchenko.
Weaver and Sidoryk took to the stage to welcome everyone, with Sidoryk pointing out there has been more than 150 local women present or lead a workshop over the 15 years the conference has been going.
“We know we’ve only scratched the surface with the amount of inspiring women in the community,” Weaver noted.
Breakout sessions were led by Rikki Ducharme, Sherri Husch-Foote, Dr. Kathryn King and Sierrah Bennett. The day concluded with keynote speaker Beth Hanishewski speaking on the joy solution.
Local Business Directory
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
After spending 120 hours atop the Border City, two local fundraisers finally descended on Feb. 6 — and they did so with $100,558.23 raised for Telemiracle 50.
Ean Bull and Louis Stang, members of the Lloydminster Kinsmen Club, lived on a scaffolding platform from 5 p.m. on Feb. 1 to 5 p.m. on Feb. 6 as part of a fundraiser dubbed Geek on the Peak. The goal was to rally community support ahead of the annual Telemiracle telethon, which begins at 7 p.m. Feb. 28 in Saskatoon.
“It’s just been tremendous,” Bull said with a view of the city below and just hours before coming down. “I’m so grateful to be living in this community… The businesses, the residents, the kids — everyone’s coming together on this one. It’s a wonderful thing to be a part of.”
Telemiracle, often called Saskatchewan’s charity, supports families across the province by raising funds for specialized medical and mobility equipment, travel assistance and other needs. The annual telethon dates back nearly five decades and continues to be one of the province’s largest charitable events.
The “Geek on the Peak” livestream captured attention throughout the week, drawing
Calving Angus
Bulls for Heifers
comments — especially from young viewers — as Bull and Stang documented their days and nights above the city. Stang said he was surprised by how invested people became in their efforts.
“We’ve been live for 117 hours at this point and I bet you there’s people who’ve watched more than 90 hours,” Stang said. “So many kids stopped by in the evening with their parents … (their parents told us) they turned it on the minute they got home from school every single day.”
“There were a lot of people that watched us sleep,” he added with a laugh.
After they came down, the pair enjoyed a hot shower and time with family before attending the Lloydminster Exhibition’s annual Telemiracle Steak Night on Saturday.
The $100,000 plus total from Geek on the Peak will be combined with other local fundraising and revealed onstage during the telethon’s broadcast.
Telemiracle 50 is scheduled to air from Feb. 28 to March 1.
TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR
Holy Rosary teacher earns Catholic education award
TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR
For more than two decades, Tammy Torrance has encouraged students at Holy Rosary High School to explore their creativity and share their Godgiven gifts with confidence.
The amount of people we help — we all help them. It’s everyone working together.
- Tammy Torrance
Now, the longtime art educator is being recognized for doing just that.
Torrance is the 2026 recipient of the CCSSA Excellence in Catholic Education Award, an honour presented annually to a teacher whose impact extends beyond the classroom and reflects a deep commitment to Catholic education.
The award recognizes educators who foster academic growth while nurturing students spiritually and personally through faith, compassion and leadership.
Torrance, a core member of Holy Rosary’s Practical and Applied Arts (PAA) team, began teaching at the school more than 20 years ago. Over that time, she has helped shape and expand its graphic arts, visual arts and photography programming, drawing students into spaces where creativity and confidence can flourish.
Despite the recognition, Torrance described the honour as unexpected.
“It’s unexpected. I’m very low-key,” she said. “I don’t like being in the limelight, and I’m not a big ‘thanks’ person. I just think, let’s do this again tomorrow — and again and again.”
She was quick to credit others for the success of her program.
“The amount of people we help — we all help them. It’s everyone working together,” said Torrance. “There are lots of good ideas from lots of people, students included. So, thank you for recognizing me, but it’s not just me.”
CONTINUED ON PAGE 10
TOP: Holy Rosary High School teacher Tammy Torrance was celebrated last week with a surprise visit from LCSD division staff and local media after winning the CCSSA Excellence in Catholic Education Award. ABOVE: From left, HRHS vice principal Chelsey Strilchuk applauds Torrance after presenting her with the award in front of her class. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source photos
PUBLIC NOTICE
Carnaval celebrations
Black History Month honoured in Lloyd
APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
Lloydminster city council marked the start of February by recognizing the 30th anniversary of Black History Month in Canada.
“I wanted to open this February as Black History Month at this council table and for our community,” said Coun. Michele Charles Gustafson.
Black History Month celebrates the legacy and contributions of Black people in Canada and their communities.
“This year marks the 30th year of Black History Month in Canada and it all started with our honourable Jean Augustine, who was the first Black member of parliament in the House of Commons in 1996,” said Charles Gustafson. “She presented a motion to make Black History Month a national month of celebration and recognition.”
Charles Gustafson also talked about her own experiences as a Black Canadian.
“Even with this national recognition established, Black folks, particularly in rural and northern communities, don’t necessarily have a lot of numbers around them and can often feel very conspicuously invisible,” she said. “This paradoxical phrase describes the feeling I’ve had over the years of feeling consistently seen, yet at the same time, overlooked or ignored in a majority setting.”
Her messages to the wider community were clear.
“To the African, Caribbean and American Black communities in our city and region, you are not invisible, you are seen, your contribution is essential to our communities and to this country. Not only this month, but beyond it,” she said. “Be proud of the pioneering spirit you bring to your rural communities. We need them in the rooms, at the tables, in
the meetings and at the events.
“To our wider community, I know you might want us to know that you don’t see colour, but I want to tell you that we need you to. Not as a way to create separation or discrimination, but when you see all of us, you acknowledge that our life experience has informed what it means to be in this skin. That acknowledgement is not a bad thing. It’s powerful for creating a powerful community where we all contribute.”
She says it’s important to put yourself in the various stories told this month.
“Imagine how it would feel to live as we do,” said Charles Gustafson.
“Imagine being Dr. Augustine presenting her motion of Black History Month as the only one that looked like her rising in the House of Commons for the first time. Imagine being a single voice at a table where you feel you’ll be misunderstood or conspicuously invisible; the feeling is real.”
Her hope is that residents will take the chance to learn about stories they may not have known about Black Canadians and how they experience the world.
“This month is an opportunity for all of us to open ourselves to new stories of resilience and what they teach us as we strive to create more connected community that celebrates unity in every kind of diversity,” she said.
Mayor Gerald Aalbers echoed the sentiment, saying it’s important for people to learn.
“I appreciate the efforts that are put into it and encourage people to learn more each and every day,” he said.
Author Leander Lane will speak at the Lloydminster Museum and Archives on Feb. 28 at 2 p.m., sharing his experiences reconnecting with his roots in the Shiloh community.
CHRISTIAN
Students at Rendell Park Elementary School enjoy outdoor Carnaval activities in milder-than-normal temperatures on Feb. 5. The day featured la tire, kick sledding, winter games and a visit from Bonhomme himself.
Taylor Weaver Meridian Source
Thursday, February 12, 2026
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Being an active member of the
community
packed with community members ready to open their wallets for a great cause.
EDITOR TAYLOR WEAVER
There’s something to be said about being active in one’s community.
I’ve called the Border City home since 2014. As a journalist, I’ve reported on and attended countless fundraisers and galas of all shapes and sizes that all have one thing in common. They’re all by the community, for the community.
The past two editions of the Meridian Source have included quite a bit of Geek on the Peak coverage. For good reason.
The five-day fundraiser brought in more than $100,000 for Telemiracle 50 and wrapped up with the Kinsmen Club of Lloydminster’s annual Telemiracle Steak Night last Saturday.
The Lloyd Ex’s WLS Convention Centre was
I attended the event to take some pictures and it was great seeing so many smiles on faces I haven’t seen in a while.
Although fundraising totals won’t be announced until Telemiracle, which starts Feb. 28, I’m confident Lloydminster raised a lot of money for those in need.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, thank you, Lloydminster, for consistently being the amazing community you are. See you at the next one!
EDUCATION AWARD FROM PAGE 7
Beyond her scheduled classes, Torrance created and continues to lead the school’s Art Club, often spending after-school hours and weekends in the PAA area with students who want additional opportunities to create and connect.
School officials say her dedication reflects the broader mission of Catholic education — to nurture the whole child and create an environment where faith and learning grow together.
For Torrance, the passage of time has been hard to grasp.
“I just said to a student yesterday that I feel like I’ve only been here maybe three years,” she said. “Time goes by so quickly.”
Despite 20 years in the classroom, she said her enthusiasm has not waned.
“I feel just as energetic and enthusiastic about teaching in the Catholic faith and being here at Holy Rosary as I did when I first started.”
Part of that energy, she said, comes from the nature of teaching art.
“It’s huge. I’m so fortunate to teach art because nothing ever has to stay the same,” said Torrance. “I can change projects. I can change key points. I don’t have to teach the exact same thing every year.”
She credits school administration for supporting new ideas and providing materials that allow students to explore different mediums. She pointed to recent clay faith projects that were displayed in shadow boxes and shared with bishops as one example of how creative ideas are embraced.
“I come up with an idea and I get more yeses than noes,” she said. “Everyone is on board with the curious, strange and unique ideas that come up.”
Asked what continues to bring her back to the classroom each day with a smile, Torrance’s answer was simple.
“Maybe it’s just my heart,” she said. “I feel like I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. I’m so grateful to be here at Holy Rosary and in our division. This is home for me.”
PAGE 11
Thursday, February 12, 2026
MERIDIAN SOURCE
Chris’ A-Z: The Shiloh people Opinion
February 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of Black History Month in Canada.
The month celebrates the legacy and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities. Plenty of stories will be shared this year and I was moved by the words of Coun. Michele Charles Gustafson as she kicked off Black History Month with her comments around the council table. At the end of her comments, she invited people to hear from author Leander Lane. He will be speaking at the Lloydminster Museum and Archives on Feb. 28 at 2 p.m., sharing his experiences reconnecting with his roots in the Shiloh community.
It’s this community that has piqued my interest this week. I’d like to preface this by saying, I’ve read a lot of interviews and stories on this subject and I encourage you to do the same. You will almost certainly learn more and garner a better appreciation for topics like this if you read more about it.
The story of the Shiloh community starts south of the border in the United States. Following the American Civil War, tens of thousands of former slaves began migrating to Oklahoma Territory where they could vote, study and live in relative freedom. It was in 1907 when there was a big change. Oklahoma had achieved statehood and elected a segregationist state government.
A Black Baptist congregation from Oklahoma was drawn to Saskatchewan in search of a life free from segregation and racism. With the promise of free land, about 12 Black families, many of whom were former slaves or descendants of former slaves, arrived in Saskatchewan in 1910 and settled in the Eldon district.
The community would grow to more than 50 families.
Just a few years later in 1912, a one-room log church was constructed and it was named the Shiloh Baptist Church.
I want to take a little sidebar and explore what the word Shiloh means. Personally, I’m fascinated by words, their origins and meanings. MerriamWebster shows it’s a geographical name as it was the site of a major American Civil War battle in 1862. It’s also apparently a village in ancient Palestine on the slope of Mount Ephraim. It’s also a Hebrew name that means tranquil or peaceful.
I think it being a term meaning tranquility makes a lot of sense, if that was the intention.
The church was constructed of dovetailed, hand-hewn square poplar logs hauled by ox cart from the North Saskatchewan River. It was furnished with hand-made benches and a pulpit.
It became a focal point of community life and a vital social and religious centre for the close-knit community. The church remained in active use until the mid-1940’s. By that time, the community had largely moved away. The cemetery on the property is believed to hold 37 graves that were originally marked by large stones at the head and foot of each grave. In
2018, the Shiloh Baptist Church and Cemetery were given heritage status.
I’m no expert on the community or the church. There’re people that have studied and written books about the Shiloh people and I encourage anyone who’s interested to seek out that information.
I’m sure I’ll learn more at the end of the month from Leander Lane when he speaks at the museum. Maybe there’ll be a part two to this column. I’ll end this by saying I think in a time of growing separation amongst Canadians and Globally, it’s important to take a moment and reflect on the importance of understanding each other and our differences. In my line of work I get to speak with hundreds of people that I’ve never met. Each and every one teaches me something big or small. If you go into any situation with an open mind you’ll likely come out a better person and community member on the other side.
There’s no shame in not knowing something and it’s important to ask questions to get clarity on any given situation. The phrase we fear what we do not understand is used in countless forms of media, books, movies etc., and it’s true. If we took the time to understand the world would likely look like a totally different place.
I said at the start of my column that I was moved by the words of Coun. Charles Gustafson at the Feb. 2 regular council meeting in Lloyd. I encourage anyone to watch the video back and hear them first-hand. She spoke of her own experiences and highlighted the importance of coming together and hearing people’s stories throughout Black History Month. She said one thing that will stay with me forever.
“To our wider community, I know you might want us to know that you don’t see colour, but I want to tell you that we need you to. Not as a way to create separation or discrimination, but when you see all of us, you acknowledge that our life experience has informed what it means to be in this skin.”
Passport to YLL
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
The Meridian Source calendar of events is a free service provided for non-profit organizations located within our coverage area. All events are in chronological order, as space permits and at the editor’s discretion.
To place an event, email taylor@meridiansource.ca or fax 306-825-5147
Bingo at the Moose Lodge
Bingo is back at the Moose Lodge! Bingo is every Monday and Wednesday evening. Doors open at 5 p.m. and play starts at 7 p.m. Must be 18 to play.
Islay Doubles Crib Tournament
The Islay Community Association is hosting a doubles crib tournament on Feb. 14 in the Islay Hall. Doors open at 9 a.m., registration cut-off is 10 a.m. Cost is $25 per person, which includes noon lunch. Please pre-register by calling Linda at 780-581-0570.
Valentine’s Dinner and Dance
The Dewberry Community Hall has the perfect gift for that hard-to-buy for person on your list: a wonderful chicken parmesan and pasta dinner with caesar salad on Feb. 14. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., supper served promptly at 6 p.m. Tickets are $50/couple, $25/single. Contact Les at 807-252-0275, Julie at 807-251-0454, or drop into Dewberry Data.
Kaiser Tournament
The Lloydminster Moose Lodge is hosting a kaiser tournament on Sunday, Feb. 15, at 1 p.m. Cost is $20/player, eight games guaranteed. Entries close on Friday, Feb. 13. Contact Arne at 306-821-7459 or Bruce at 780-522-6972 for more.
Islay Jamboree
There will be a jamboree at the Islay Community Hall at 1 pm on Sunday, Feb. 15. Admission $15, participants free. Lunch served. Everyone well. For more info call, Dixie at 780-744-2204.
Moose Lodge Breakfast
The Lloydminster Moose Lodge, 5213 57 St., is hosting a breakfast from 8:30 to 11 a.m. on Sunday, Feb. 15. Cost is $13 for adults, $5 for youth six to 12, children under five eat for free. Full breakfast includes eggs, hash browns, bacon, sausage, pancakes, toast and more.
Legacy Centre Spades Tourney
The Legacy Centre is hosting a spades tournament on Feb. 19. Play begins at 10 a.m. and the cost is $10/person to play and $12/person for lunch. Everyone welcome! Call Legacy office at 780-875-4584 for more info.
Single Cribbage Tournament
The Lloydminster Moose Lodge is hosting a singles crib tournament on Feb. 22 from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $20/player, eight games guaranteed with prizes awarded to the top finishers. Snacks, coffee and drinks included. Register by Feb. 20. Contact Bruce at 780-5226972 to register.
Legacy Centre Telemiracle Funday
The Legacy Centre will host Telemiracle Funday on Feb. 23. Registration is at 8:45 a.m., morning cribbage and floor curling, lunch at noon and afternoon court whist. Cost is $10 to play and $10 for lunch. Proceeds support Telemiracle 50. Call 780-875-4584 for details.
City of Lloydminster extends 59 projects into 2026
multiple years, with 12 multi-year projects being carried forward.
Following council motion, the City of Lloydminster has moved 59 projects forward into 2026.
Council resolution is required to complete the operating and capital work in 2026 from the prior year.
“The majority of City projects are budgeted and completed on an annual basis,” said Ryan Hill, financial planning and analysis manager at the Feb. 2 regular council meeting. “However, there are instances where projects need more than one year to be completed.”
Of the total 59 projects being brought to 2026, 22 of them have seen external delays.
“External delay means the contractor or the person we hired, or something is external to the city is holding up the project,” Hill said of the $15.7 million in delayed projects.
Some of the projects are designed to run for
26022MM1
“Sometimes projects start in November and they’re going to end in February and they’re just a victim of our year-end being Dec. 31,” he said.
Of the remaining projects, nine have had their scope changed, 10 are underresourced and four have supply chain issues.
“We saw that (supply chain issues) a lot more in the past with COVID when things were really backing up,” said Hill. “If you look, $400,000 now it was a lot bigger in 2022/23. So, we’re seeing that kind of clear.”
During discussions, council received an update on its T-Rex aerial unit.
“We do have it back in hall one already,” said Don Stang, executive manager of operations. “The reason that’s a carryforward is because the invoice didn’t get issued until just recently, I think within the last week. So it didn’t make the cutoff for 2025, so we need the funds in 2026 to pay the invoice and allocate it properly.”
The city says it works every year to bring down the list of projects that are carried forward.
“One of our goals is to get this list down as low as possible every year,” said Dion Pollard, city manager. “Our table is certainly trying to push to get these projects done but we also only have so many resources and time to do that.”
He also gave some further insight on how projects land on this list.
“Some of the underresourced has to do with we had vacancies in some of those departments, timing of that vacancy can be critical,” said Pollard. “If somebody leaves halfway through a project now somebody else has to pick that up in addition to what they’re doing while we’re trying to recruit that vacancy. I think that happened on a couple of them.
“I think the other thing that happened this year, a couple of teams, probably more than a couple, with the timeline of Cenovus Energy Hub opening we were full speed ahead on that to make sure it was open on time. Some of the teams had to put their internal department projects on the backburner to get to the finish line on that.”
Council approved the operating and capital carryforward projects to be added to the 2026 budget for a combined total of $35 million.
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
Lloydminster City Hall. Chrisitan Apostolovski Meridian Source
HRHS rowers get Olympic-level instruction
Students at Holy Rosary High School (HRHS) got a rare opportunity to try their hand at rowing during a full day of indoor training sessions led by the Saskatchewan provincial rowing coach and visiting university athletes.
The session was led by Richard Paterson, Saskatchewan’s provincial rowing coach, who travelled to Lloydminster on Feb. 6 with university-level rowers to introduce students to the sport and demonstrate how rowing can complement a wide range of athletic pursuits.
“The goal is to share the sport of rowing and show how it can transcend individual sports, especially as an off-season training option,” said HRHS student counsellor and rowing coach Michelle Lopez. “Rowing is a great endurance and strength sport that complements many other sports, and we’re also hoping to identify future athletes who could excel in rowing.”
Holy Rosary is currently the only school in Saskatchewan with a schoolbased rowing club. The program operates alongside the Lloydminster Rowing Club, with both groups training out of the same facility under the direction of head coach Shelby Lane. Coaching responsibilities for the high school club are shared, with a focus on flexibility and inclusion.
“We run it as a club, not a team,” Lopez explained. “Our main goals are inclusion, connection and belonging. We have about 50 students signed up, but attendance is flexible and students can come when they’re able.”
Throughout the day, Paterson and the visiting athletes worked with approximately 160 students across five different classes, ranging from sportfocused phys ed to general wellness classes, before finishing the day with members of the Holy Rosary rowing club.
“It’s been an amazing day,” said Lopez. “Most students walked in knowing nothing about rowing and walked out saying, ‘That was actually fun.’ t”
Paterson, who has more than 30 years of coaching experience, said the variety of students made the day especially rewarding.
“We’ve worked with very sporty groups, music and arts students, gym classes, and now a group that has rowed before,” he said. “At the start of each session, we take time to understand the group in front of us and tailor our approach. It’s been a fantastic experience.”
Originally from Australia, Paterson is best known for coaching at the elite level, including Olympic-calibre athletes. He said rowing is uniquely positioned as a development sport because it builds both cardiovascular fitness and strength.
“Rowing uses about 86 per cent of the muscles in your body,” Paterson explained. “It’s one of the few sports that is both a cardio sport and a strengthendurance sport. Even doing a small amount of rowing can significantly benefit performance in other sports.”
Paterson also emphasized the importance of sport diversity for young athletes.
“I’m a big believer in kids not specializing too early,” he said. “Rowing is one of the best off-season sports I’ve ever come across.”
Among the visiting athletes were university rowers Max Pally and his older brother Calvin. Both are originally from Saskatoon and Team Canada alumni.
“This is the only high school rowing program in the province,” said Max. “Having rowing visible in schools makes it accessible. When more people see it, more people try it, and the sport grows.”
The athletes said the biggest message they hoped students would take away was the sense of community the sport can offer.
“Rowing is a great opportunity to find community and discover a sport you can pursue if you want to,” added Calvin. “The biggest thing is consistency — showing up, staying committed, and being open to trying new things.”
TOP: Members of the Holy Rosary High School Rowing Club give it their all at the school’s boathouse on Feb. 6 with instruction from University of Saskatchewan rowers and their coach. ABOVE: Grady Myers-Christiansen gets some pointers from Olympic-level coach Richard Paterson of Australia last Friday. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source photos
TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR
Three charged after drugs, weapons seized at North Battleford business
Three men are facing multiple drug and weapons charges after Saskatchewan RCMP seized cocaine, methamphetamine and several weapons at a business in North Battleford. Saskatchewan RCMP said members of the North Battleford Crime Reduction Team were conducting proactive patrols on Feb. 7 when
officers located a vehicle that had previously been reported stolen in a business parking lot along the Highway 16 bypass. Police said the vehicle was unoccupied and was recovered.
While investigating the stolen vehicle, officers observed a man inside the business in possession of a firearm. Police then entered the business and arrested three men.
RCMP said a search warrant was obtained and a room inside the business was searched. Officers seized about 379 grams of powder cocaine, about 24 grams of crack cocaine, a small quantity of crystal methamphetamine, a firearm, a sword, bear spray, ammunition and a sum of cash.
Police said 47-year-old Steven Nighttraveller of Little Pine First Nation, 34-year-old Nissar Khan of North Battleford and 22-year-old Isaiah
Pewapisconias of Little Pine First Nation each face charges including possession of cocaine and methamphetamine for the purpose of trafficking, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, possession of a firearm with a tampered serial number and unsafe storage of a firearm and ammunition.
Nighttraveller is also charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm and ammunition and failing to comply with release order conditions. Pewapisconias is additionally charged with unauthorized possession of a firearm and ammunition.
All three men appeared in North Battleford provincial court on Feb. 9.
Battlefords RCMP and the Saskatchewan RCMP North Battleford Crime Reduction Team gang task force assisted in the investigation.
MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF
Photo courtesy Battlefords RCMP
Word on the beat: Weapons
items not typically seen as weapons is where they are possessed.
When most people think of weapons, guns, knives, crossbows, machetes and brass knuckles probably come to mind. In law enforcement and the judicial system, almost anything can be considered a weapon.
Many weapons are specifically addressed as such, being defined in the Criminal Code as weapons. Brass knuckles are a device produced solely with the intent of being used as a weapon against another person, as opposed to other items that have a legal use.
The Criminal Code essentially defines a weapon as anything used, designed to be used, or intended for use in causing death or injury to any person, or for the purpose of threatening or intimidating any person.
Knives are items that are not specifically classified as weapons but are often used as such. Some types of knives are prohibited. A switchblade knife that exposes the blade with a spring is a prohibited weapon. Any knife that opens by gravity or centrifugal force is also prohibited. A “butterfly knife” is an example, as the blade becomes exposed by centrifugal force.
The Criminal Code also prohibits a number of devices outright, such as conducted energy weapons, nunchakus, throwing stars (shuriken) and weighted flails (kusari). Other prohibited devices are listed in the Criminal Code, but most are not used by themselves as weapons; they are typically related to firearms, such as overcapacity magazines.
When a firearm is involved, many sections cover offences related to them. However, if someone is hit with a gun, that would be assault with a weapon. In this case, the gun was used as a blunt-force weapon, while at the same time the person likely would face a few firearm-related charges for being in possession of it. The law can make you scratch your head at times.
Other items I have seen deemed weapons specifically because of their use include tools, potato salad, a coffee mug and a frozen muskrat. The muskrat was thrown through a drive-thru window at a coffeeshop worker at one of my previous postings. Essentially, if an item is used to strike, or intended to strike, someone, it can be considered a weapon.
In the above examples, it is how the object was used that determines whether it is a weapon under Criminal Code standards. Another factor with
There is a distinct difference between a butcher knife in your kitchen at home and one a student takes to school. The same applies to a baseball bat being at a ballpark versus in a bar. In cases such as these, the person can likely be arrested for possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace. There are many Criminal Code sections that include weapons or devices, and varying circumstances that constitute offences. Essentially, if you use an item against someone, it can likely be considered a weapon..
Staff Sgt. Jerry Nutbown is the NCO in charge of the Lloydminster RCMP detachment’s General Investigation Section. Stay tuned for future columns from the Lloydminster RCMP.
Lloydminster RCMP charge man in child pornography investigation
MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF
Lloydminster RCMP has charged a 32-year-old man following a year-long child pornography investigation.
Lloydminster resident Jayson Vincent Capio faces charges of distribution of child pornography, possession of child pornography and accessing child pornography.
RCMP said they received information in October 2024 from the Northern Alberta Internet Child Exploitation Unit indicating child pornography had been uploaded, shared or created by an individual in the Lloydminster area. At the time, investigators had potential email addresses and screen names but had not identified a suspect.
The Lloydminster RCMP General Investigation Section took over the file and, following an investigation, identified a suspect and obtained an arrest warrant. The warrant was executed Feb. 5.
Capio was released on conditions after appearing before a justice of the peace and is scheduled to appear in Alberta Court of Justice in Lloydminster on Feb. 10.
Staff Sgt. JERRY NUTBROWN
RCMP charge driver after vehicle clocked at 178 km/h near Airdrie
MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF
A driver is facing multiple charges after being stopped for excessive speed on the Queen Elizabeth II Highway north of Airdrie earlier this month.
Alberta RCMP Traffic Services said an officer conducting traffic enforcement on the morning of Feb. 8 stopped a vehicle travelling at 178 km/h.
Police said two children were seated in the rear of the vehicle and were not wearing seatbelts.
The driver was issued three summonses and is scheduled to appear in court in March.
RCMP said excessive speed combined with the failure to use seatbelts significantly increases the risk of serious injury or death.
Police are reminding motorists to obey posted speed limits, ensure all occupants are properly restrained, avoid the use of handheld devices while driving and never drive while impaired.
RCMP said officers have responded to 19 fatal collisions across Alberta so far in 2026, resulting in 21 deaths.
Sask RCMP charge 28 in 2025 homicide investigations
MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF
Saskatchewan RCMP laid charges against 28 people in connection with homicide investigations in 2025. The province has seen elevated numbers of murder and manslaughter cases.
Mounties investigated 33 homicide files involving 39 victims in 2025. That’s down from a record 41 files and 43 victims in 2024.
Of the 2025 investigations, 31 homicide files involving 34 victims occurred in Saskatchewan RCMP jurisdiction. Two additional murder investigations, involving five victims, occurred
within File Hills First Nations Police Service jurisdiction.
“While 2024 marked the highest number of homicide files we’ve investigated, the volume in 2025 remained elevated,” Supt. Josh Graham, officer in charge of the Saskatchewan RCMP Major Crimes Branch, said in a news release Tuesday.
“Homicide files in our jurisdiction are at a rate that requires significant investigative capacity.”
Over the past five years, Saskatchewan RCMP homicide investigations in RCMP jurisdiction have remained consistently high. Investigators handled 31 files with 36 victims in 2021, 33 files with 43 victims in 2022 — including victims of the mass casualty event — 31 files with 31 victims in 2023, 39 files with 41 victims in 2024, and 31 files with 34 victims in 2025. One homicide file has been reported so far in 2026.
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Canadian
The remaining accused ranged in age from their 30s to their 60s.
Investigators solved 23 of the 33 homicide files from 2025, with 10 files still under investigation. Twelve cases were solved within 24 hours, six within a week, three within a month and two within six months.
“Behind every homicide statistic is a person who has been taken from their loved ones, and a family living through an unimaginable loss,” Graham said. “Our investigators are always mindful that their job is to uncover the truth, give a voice to victims and provide answers to families.”
Police say the unpredictable nature of homicide investigations placed significant demands on investigators throughout the year.
GOLD
Among the victims in 2025, three were children aged 12 and under, three were teenagers, and 12 were in their 20s. Ten victims were in their 30s, six in their 40s, four in their 50s and one in their 60s.
Eighteen victims were reported in the RCMP’s North District, 11 in Central District and five in South District. Five victims were reported in File Hills First Nations Police Service jurisdiction.
In 2025, two homicide files occurred on the same day in separate communities on three occasions, and 11 homicide files involving 14 victims were reported in the final two months of the year.
Three investigations involving five victims unfolded within approximately 27 hours in November.
SILVER
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Canadian Silver Coins 1968 and older 10, 25, 50 & SiIver dollars US 1964 and earlier 10, 25, 50 & silver dollars
Police say investigators also continued work on at least 30 unsolved homicide or suspicious death files from previous years.
Through those investigations, the RCMP’s Homicide Investigation Unit laid charges against 28 individuals in connection with 2025 homicide files, including seven counts of firstdegree murder, 17 counts of second-degree murder and four manslaughter charges.
Of those charged, 25 were male and three were female. Eight were youths between the ages of 13 and 19, while nine were in their 20s.
“In a calendar year, our investigators responded to single, double and triple homicides, and a quadruple murder scene,” Graham said. “This shows just how unpredictable and complex our work is.”
The Homicide Investigation Unit, based in Regina and Saskatoon, provides a 24-hour response to homicide and suspicious death investigations across Saskatchewan. In 2025, investigators deployed to more than 30 communities, including remote northern locations accessible only by air.
“As we continue investigating unsolved files and managing new cases, we’ll remain focused and committed to serving communities across Saskatchewan,” Graham said.
Photo courtesy Alberta RCMP
Thursday, February 12, 2026
MERIDIAN SOURCE
Sports
Barons’ senior guard gets jump on career SHE’S GOT GAME
While she has ambitious career plans outside of athletics, Sofia Simpson hopes sports are always a part of her life.
The Lloydminster Comprehensive High School (LCHS) senior lists medicine and optometry as her possible fields of study at the post-secondary level.
In the meantime, she’s a standout guard and captain with the Barons’ senior varsity girls’ high school basketball team.
“I hope I get to keep sports as a bit of my life,” said Simpson, 17. “Maybe I’m coaching one year, or I have kids who play sports. It’s an amazing thing to keep in your life. It just makes things better.”
Simpson makes the Barons better. Her athleticism, speed and skill have been most evident this year, notably during the Barons’ silvermedal finishes at two January tournaments in Lloydminster — at Holy Rosary and Lloyd Comp.
“We’re very proud and very lucky to have Sofia as a player,” said Raff Delfin, one of the Barons’ assistant coaches working with head coach Keyanna Bannerman.
“Sofia is very humble. That is one thing. And she is very coachable.
“She’s got a lot of potential in her, and I think she can go far in basketball.”
While she’s mulling early interest from college basketball programs, including one team in the Alberta conference, Simpson knows any athletic plans she might pursue would be tied to her academic goals.
“I’m very interested in medicine,” she said. “If I play post-secondary, I’m looking at majoring in science and hopefully attending grad school, possibly in Edmonton, or I’m interested in optometry.
“So, that’s what I want to do right now. That’s what I’m thinking.”
After writing final exams for the first semester, Simpson and her Barons teammates returned to the basketball court at the end of January as LCHS hosted the 35th annual Hugh Morrell Memorial Border Classic, involving eight girls’ teams and eight boys’ clubs.
In both of their recent runner-up finishes in girls’ tournament play, the Barons believe they’ve benefited from facing high-calibre Alberta teams in preparation for zone playoffs against fellow Saskatchewan schools.
At the same time, Simpson and some of her teammates also bank on the experience of playing basketball essentially year-round, combining club and high school competition.
“It definitely helps, going from fall club to school season to spring club,” she said. “The more you play, like Ms. Bannerman said, and the higher skill you get to see, you’re going to get better and you’re going to develop more.
“I’ve been happy I’ve been able to play all that. It’s definitely helped me. I’ve improved a lot through Golden Ticket.”
As she punches her ticket to academic and athletic opportunities beyond high school, Simpson is making the most of her final year at LCHS. She intends to compete in track and field this spring, after winning a provincial gold medal last year in senior girls’ high jump.
‘SUPER EXCITED FOR TRACK SEASON’
“Yes, I’m very excited for high jump and long jump,” she said. “The more I play, I’m getting a lot stronger, so I think this year I’ll be able to jump higher. I might do some sprints as well, because people point out how fast I am, so I’m going to try sprints this year. Long jump, 100 metres and high jump, I’m planning to do.
“I’m super excited for track season.”
Simpson is also encouraged that this year’s
Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association track and field provincials are in Saskatoon, relatively close to home compared to last year’s host city, Moose Jaw.
For now, her focus is on readying for the Barons’ basketball regional playoffs in Warman, Sask., and shooting for a berth in the SHSAA provincials.
Simpson stands about five-foot-11, wearing shoes on the court, she estimated.
“Sofia has the potential to be one of the best (basketball) players to come out of Lloyd,” coach Delfin said. “She has the length, she has the size, and she has the speed.
“We’ve been working on her jump shot. We love her mid-range (ability). We’re working on shooting a little bit farther, being a threat from the three-point line.
“But she also brings a lot of energy. She turns the game for us, when sometimes we think it’s impossible. She just has that little switch on her.”
Always on Simpson’s side is her family. Among those watching the Barons’ home tournament were her parents, both sets of grandparents, two cousins and her boyfriend Nikita Popovych, a Ukrainian student who plays football with the LCHS Barons.
Sofia Simpson of the Lloydminster Comprehensive Barons is on a promising athletic and academic path. John MacNeil Meridian Source
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
Lloyd Comp nets silver, values tough tests
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
After scoring decisive wins in their first two games at their home tournament, the Lloydminster Comprehensive Barons ran into an Alberta powerhouse in the senior varsity girls’ high school basketball final.
Although they lost 85-45 to the Sturgeon Composite Spirits in the 35th annual Hugh Morrell Border Classic gold-medal game, the Barons say that’s precisely the competition they need to face to prepare for their Saskatchewan playoff run this winter.
“Yeah, it was a really tiring final, but we expected it,” said Lloyd Comp senior Sofia Simpson, who captains the Barons along with Juris Mendoza and Lindsay Randell. “They’re a very strong team. Overall, we learned a lot from the game. But we needed it. We need harder games. Even though we lost, those tough losses are better than winning by 60 points. It’s good to go against more skilled people.”
It’s all part of the process for the Barons as they challenge themselves against high-calibre teams from bigger centres in Alberta.
“One of our first tournaments was at Red Deer, and being in that area and playing Alberta schools definitely challenged our girls and we saw how much potential we had,” Barons’
assistant coach Raff Delfin said Jan. 31 after the eight-team Morrell tourney in Lloydminster.
Contact:
or Goldhorse@siga.sk.ca or visit https://www.siga.ca/culture/
lucky to have these girls. We have a lot of talent on the team. We have very good players.
“I like challenges, and I know my girls like challenges. Who doesn’t like a challenge?”
One of the girls, Simpson, is confident the Barons are up to the challenge. She said head coach Keyanna Bannerman and the other coaches have instilled a long-term outlook as LCHS fine-tunes its game in readiness for the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association regionals in Warman.
“You always get way more out of playing a team that’s stronger,” Simpson said. “It’s like they say, if you practise or play around more skilled people, you’re eventually going to catch up to them. You’re going to learn more than if you’re playing against teams that you know you’re going to beat.
“This game doesn’t really count toward our standings, because it’s an Alberta opponent, but when we go to (Sask) regionals, having tough games like this is what’s going to help us grow and do better in our finals.”
Sturgeon — the winner of the Lloyd tournament — is rated ninth in the province among 4A girls’ teams recognized in the latest School Sport Alberta rankings.
“This whole tournament (also gave us a challenge). Our first two games, we won by a lot. I wanted a game like this (final) for our girls, moving forward, to prepare us for regionals.”
Fresh from writing first-semester finals, the Barons went to work as the hosts of the two-day staple in the Lloyd basketball calendar. In their preliminary games, they defeated the Kindersley Composite Kobras 60-14 and Cold Lake Assumption Crusaders 82-12.
“Obviously, we do want to win,” Delfin said. “But I tell the girls, ‘This is not the end of the season.’ Our main goal is to go into regionals and win that.
“I’m just very proud of the girls, because they brought their energy and their intensity from the first quarter to the fourth quarter. We told them to do stuff, to fix things, and they listened. That’s why we’re very
Since hosting their annual tourney, the Barons lost a close game to Bethlehem Catholic School of Saskatoon.
Delfin, Lucas Lacombe and Danielle Crossley are Bannerman’s assistant coaches with the senior Barons.
Delfin, a part-time firefighter at the Lloyd department, is also a fitness instructor and business consultant. It’s his first season coaching with the Lloyd Comp team.
“Bannerman kind of got me in here and I’m very thankful for that,” he said.
Off this weekend as their spring break begins, the Barons head to Kindersley for another tournament on the Feb. 27-28 weekend.
“We’re taking that tournament (title) home,” Delfin said with a smile. “I’m confident of that.”
The Lloydminster Comprehensive Barons, including Lakeland College recruit Allie Tobin (No. 22), faced the Sturgeon Composite Spirits in the Hugh Morrell Border Classic final at LCHS. The Barons won the silver medals. John MacNeil Meridian Source
Lesson plan in place for senior Barons
As their home tournament illustrated, the youthful Lloydminster Comprehensive Barons are immersed in a development season at the senior varsity boys’ level of Saskatchewan 5A high school basketball.
The Barons finished the 35th annual Hugh Morrell Border Classic with a 1-2 record that included an 89-55 victory over Regina Thom Collegiate in the seventh-place game.
“That’s probably the best game I’ve seen them play here in the new year, so I was happy with that,” coach Scott Lumbard said of his Barons after that Jan. 31 win at LCHS.
“We’re young and fairly inexperienced, but that win in the final game of our tournament will go a long way in helping us out, down the stretch, for the rest of the season.
“This year, we’ve had a big (roster) turnover from last year. We’ve got three Grade 10s and a core group of Grade 11s that are playing their first year of varsity basketball.”
Before heading to the St. Mary high school tournament in Prince Albert, Sask., last weekend, Lloydminster Comprehensive sported a 5-7 overall record. The Barons went on to lose three more games — to Balgonie, Moose Jaw Peacock and Saskatoon Bedford Road — in that P.A. event.
“The team is young and lacks big-game experience, with just a couple of seniors who received some starting minutes last season,” Lumbard said.
“We’re hoping to get Grade 12 veteran Ben Opalla back in the next couple of weeks to add some more punch to our lineup. He has missed the last six games due to a knee injury.”
Opalla got hurt in early January and had hoped to make a comeback in time for the Morrell tournament at the end of the month, but he tweaked his injured knee in practice just four days before the event began.
“Unfortunate for him, since it’s his last year, and we could certainly use him in the lineup,” Lumbard said. “So, having him back in the lineup — if not next weekend, then further down the road here — that’ll be a big help for us.”
In the final of the eight-team LCHS boys’ tournament, Lillian Osborne of Edmonton rallied late to defeat St. Mary of P.A.
The host Barons began their tourney during school hours on Friday, Jan. 30.
“We had a good opening game against Warman, one of our rivals in 5A Saskatchewan (play), and wound up losing by three (58-55),” Lumbard said. “But it was a good game. We had a 10-point lead at one time, and then just eventually let it slip away.
“Our second game out, we had a little bit tougher time (in losing 64-49) against Eastglen (of Edmonton). I think the boys were a little bit down from dropping the first game of the tournament.
“Then today, we had a nice little chat, and the boys came out and played some inspired basketball. We picked up a good win in our final game against Regina Thom Collegiate.”
A couple of senior Barons stood out on their home court, reported Lumbard, coach and teacher at LCHS.
“At the Hugh, we were led by our captains, Fynley Lazerte and Maddox Woods, who both put in solid efforts and were named game MVPs. Also, Darrien Croy was selected as a game MVP and was very noticeable on both ends of the court.”
Lumbard also commended Travis Niekamp, “who does a great job every year as the boys’ tournament co-ordinator.”
After a college stint at Vermont earlier this school year, Scottie Lumbard is helping his father coach Lloyd Comp, his alma mater. He was the team’s MVP last year.
Scottie played three years of senior varsity high school basketball in Lloydminster — his Grade 10 year at Holy Rosary and his grades 11 and 12 years at LCHS.
As an assistant coach, “he has been very valuable and insightful as an experienced player, in providing feedback to me and to our players, as he still sees the game through a point guard’s eyes,” said his father, Scott.
Along with the St. Mary Marauders tournament last weekend in Prince Albert, the Barons have also travelled to Kindersley, North Battleford John Paul II and Sherwood Park in this season’s schedule.
“We will also be taking in the A.E. Peacock tournament in Moose Jaw and the North Battleford Comprehensive High School tournament, before SHSAA 5A regional playoffs in Swift Current,” Lumbard said.
Last weekend in Prince Albert, the Barons were short-staffed but still managed to be competitive in the St. Mary tournament.
“We had a tough weekend in P.A.,” Lumbard reported Monday. “We dropped all three of our games, even though we were competitive.
“We had a short bench, with four players out of the lineup due to injury and illness. Ben (Opalla) was not able to play, along with three others, including Fynley Lazerte in our final game, a 54-52 loss to Saskatoon Bedford Road.”
The next tournament for the Lloydminster Comprehensive boys is the A.E. Peacock event in Moose Jaw at the end of this month.
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
LCHS head coach Scott Lumbard (left), assistant coach Scottie Lumbard and injured Barons’ senior Ben Opalla follow the action in the Hugh Morrell Border Classic. John MacNeil Meridian Source
In their final game at the 35th annual Hugh Morrell Border Classic, the Lloydminster Comprehensive Barons defeated Regina Thom Colleigate. John MacNeil Meridian Source
Lancers give themselves ‘a fighting chance’
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
A couple of weeks before his 18th birthday, Kelton Doolaege scored a season-saving goal Sunday evening as the U18 AAA Lloydminster Lancers kept their playoff hopes alive in the Alberta Elite Hockey League.
Doolaege, a Castor native in his first and final year with Lloyd’s U18 program, netted the winning goal with 4:33 left in regulation time and the visiting Lancers defeated the Sherwood Park Kings 3-2.
The Super Bowl Sunday tally was goal No. 18 for Doolaege on the season, and his 21st point in his past 20 games.
More importantly, it gave the Lancers their much-needed two points as they gained three of a possible four points from a two-game weekend that included a 3-2 overtime loss to the Edmonton Junior Oilers Orange on Saturday night in Lloydminster.
“It felt great (to win Sunday’s game), considering we lost the day before that,” said Doolaege, a sixfoot-three, 185-pound centre.
“It would have been really nice to win that (Saturday) game. It would have helped us out a lot, but it felt great to at least give us a fighting chance.”
The Lancers (12-16-6) have kept the fight going in their playoff push. After last weekend’s action, they held the sixth and final post-season berth in the North Division, one point ahead of Oilers Orange (13-17-3) and two points back of the fifthplace Leduc Oil Kings (13-16-6). As of Tuesday, Lloyd had played one more game than Oilers Orange and one less than Leduc.
For the second time in as many weeks, Lloydminster topped the North’s fourth-place Sherwood Park (17-17-2) as the Lancers’ fathers made the bus trip with the team Sunday.
While the Lancers lead 3-2 in the season series with the Kings, Doolaege has been particularly fortuitous versus Sherwood Park. Including a twogoal performance in a mid-December victory that ignited his two-month scoring spree, he’s had four goals and six points against the Kings overall.
READING THE OPPOSITION
On the winning goal Sunday, Doolaege effectively used Sherwood Park defenceman Karson Kereliuk as a decoy and fired the puck past goaltender Hayden Rinas.
“A little bit, yeah,” replayed Doolaege, whose goal came shortly after a close scoring chance for teammate Connor Nickle. “It was one-on-one and I kind of stepped to the side and just ripped it high.
“That goalie, he liked to go down really quickly, so there was lots of room high to shoot. I knew that, for sure.”
The Lancers knew they were back in business after grinding out Sunday’s victory, in which they came back from 1-0 and 2-1 deficits in the second period on goals from rookie Brody Sunderland and veteran Logan Flewell. Ty Domshy assisted on both
Lloydminster goaltender Stran Edge and centre Kelton Doolaege played pivotal roles Sunday as the U18 AAA Lancers kept their playoff hopes alive. Edge made 28 saves and Doolaege scored the winning goal with 4:33 left in regulation time as Lloydminster defeated the host Sherwood Park Kings 3-2. John MacNeil Meridian Source
of those Lloyd tallies and 15-year-old sniper Kael Scott picked up his team-leading 40th point.
Stran Edge, the Lancers’ rookie goalie from Marwayne, made 28 saves to post his eighth win this season. Kings’ veteran Rinas recorded 21 stops.
Sherwood Park’s scorers were Kaiden Beniuk and Zak Stabbler, whose team-leading 21st goal and 38th point came on the power play.
Doolaege wasn’t sure where his winning goal might rank on his all-time list, but he agreed it was a meaningful one because of its consequences.
“Maybe not the biggest, but it’s up there, for sure,” he said, comparing it to a winning marker that sent his U15 team to provincials.
With just two weekends — four games — left in their regular season, the Lancers are trying to finish the job in a productive second half of the season and qualify for the playoffs. One of the league’s hottest teams down the stretch, they’ve gone 6-2-2 in their past 10 games.
“It gave us hope,” Doolaege said about Sunday’s verdict. “There was a little bit of doubt after we lost the Saturday prior, but after securing that win, it gave us a fighting chance, at least, in the games coming up.
“I’d say it was a back-and-forth game, with really good chances for both teams, to be honest. But I felt like the (Lloyd) team came together and played really well as a whole unit, considering we had guys sick and not at 100 per cent.”
After icing a full lineup Saturday for the first time in weeks, the Lancers lost versatile forward
Aiden Harman, who made the trip Sunday but sat out with concussion symptoms.
Saturday’s game ended when Oilers Orange defenceman Paulo Borrelli scored on the only shot of overtime, just 1:10 into the extra session. Young guns Scott and Josh Frazer, both WHL draft choices last spring, scored the Lloydminster goals. Devon Zahara and Jackson Tetreault had the other Edmonton goals.
The Lancers outshot Oilers Orange 43-38 in a strong game for goalies Asher Ammann of Lloyd and his Edmonton counterpart, Lukas Steinhubl.
In the final five minutes of regulation, the Lancers recorded eight straight shots before Oilers Orange managed two shots in the final minute of the scoreless third period.
The dying minutes of regulation still were filled with drama, including breakaway chances for the opposing No. 13 players — Nickle of Lloydminster and Tetreault of Edmonton.
While the Lancers regrouped in a big way Sunday at Sherwood Park, their schedule doesn’t get any easier this weekend. Lloydminster goes up against two of the league’s top teams. The Lancers host the St. Albert Raiders (19-9-7) at 7:45 p.m. Saturday and visit the North front-running Edmonton Junior Oilers Blue (26-6-3) at 2 p.m. Sunday at Bill Hunter Arena.
JUNIOR HOCKEY PROSPECTS
Doolaege has made fast strides during his only U18 season, after stepping up from the U17 AAA Lancers last summer. He has 27 points after 34 games this season and is on the radar of multiple junior A teams.
He said the SJHL’s Kindersley Klippers have offered to sign him, and the AJHL’s Lloydminster Bobcats have also expressed interest.
“There’s still other junior teams showing some interest, I believe. They just haven’t reached out to me personally, yet, and made more significant moves.”
Kindersley is the same team that has just signed Lancers’ captain and high-scoring defenceman Rhett Romanchuk.
“It gives me confidence, that’s for sure,” Doolaege said about attracting such attention from junior teams.
He might attend multiple spring camps before deciding which route to go in junior hockey.
For now, Doolaege and the rest of the Lancers are focused on a final push for a playoff berth over the next two weekends.
On the last weekend of the regular season, Lloydminster hosts Leduc on Saturday, Feb. 21, and visits Sherwood Park on Sunday, Feb. 22.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Planning and Development Department
Take notice that the following Development Permit Application for a proposed Discretionary Use is being reviewed in accordance with Land Use Bylaw 5-2025.
1904 – 50 Avenue Lot 97, Block 48, Plan 042-6303
3606 – 50 Avenue Lot 24, Block X, Plan 132-2349
5727 - 44 Street Block 73, Plan 772-1008
Signs (2)
Signs
Sign (2)
Signs 2301 – 50 Avenue
7, Plan 86B 17266
2501 – 5 Avenue Unit 3, Condo Plan 101903914
3411 – 50 Avenue Lot 17, Block A, Plan 87B 01888
4802 – 44 Street Lot 19-ET27, Block 8, Plan B1127
2202 – 50 Avenue
117, Block 48, Plan 082-1024
Signs
Portable Signs (2)
Signs (2)
Sign
Sign 7903 – 44 Street
5, Block 1, Plan 142-3737
Anyone wishing to provide written comment or make general inquiry on the proposed use may do so within the next fourteen (14) days by contacting Roxanne Shortt at the City Operations Centre (6623 – 52 Street) at 780-874-3700 Ext 2608 or by email at rshortt@lloydminster.ca. Full name and address are required for submission of valid comment(s).
Grace Myers, an 11-year-old with the Lloydminster Border Blades, earned three bronze medals last weekend at the Canadian youth speedskating championships in Calgary. This weekend, she competes in the Alberta Winter Games. Submitted photo
Lloyd speedskater medals three times at youth nationals
Lloydminster speedskater Grace Myers has warmed up for the Alberta Winter Games in style.
The 11-year-old Myers, a member of the Lloydminster Border Blades, skated to three bronze medals at the Canadian youth speedskating championships last weekend in Calgary.
Myers medalled in three highly competitive events — the 500-metre Olympic-style race, the 300m mass start and the 1,500m mass start.
“Her remarkable achievements showcase her diverse skill-set and impressive adaptability across multiple disciplines,” Border Blades club president Krisy Myers said in a news release.
“The Canadian youth long track championships bring together elite youth competitors from across the country and serve as a key development stage for Canada’s future speedskating talent.
“Grace’s participation not only highlights her individual achievements but also showcases the strength of Alberta’s youth speedskating program.”
This weekend, the younger Myers participates in the Alberta Winter Games from Friday through Monday in the Lakeland region. As part of the Zone 7 team, she’ll continue her preparations for the Canadian youth short track championships, set for March 27-29 in Winnipeg.
Along with Myers, the Zone 7 speedskating team for the Alberta Games includes seven other members of the Border Blades: Kenley Cockrum, Paxton Turcotte, Haley Clarke, Gage Myers-Christiansen, Ben Swiderski, Torren Mohrbutter and Grady Myers-Christiansen.
The local athletes earned those spots through strong performances during the qualification process.
“Qualification for the Alberta Winter Games is a significant achievement, reflecting months of dedication, disciplined training and competitive success,” Krisy Myers said in a separate release.
“The Games bring together top young athletes from across Alberta, offering them a high-level, multi-sport experience and the opportunity to compete against the province’s best.
“The Border Blades club is extremely proud of these athletes. Their commitment, perseverance and teamwork have paid off, and they will represent Lloydminster and Zone 7 with skill and sportsmanship.”
The club president said the Border Blades “foster athlete development, emphasizing hard work, respect and excellence on and off the ice.”
For more information about the club, visit lloydminsterborderblades.ca.
Bobcats play on without veterans
Fendelet, McIlwain suspended for Lloyd’s one-goal win at Devon
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
The Lloydminster Bobcats opened a five-game road stretch with mixed results on and off the ice last weekend.
Battling injuries and suspensions, the Bobcats weathered the North Division’s last-place Devon Xtreme and posted a 3-2 victory on Sunday afternoon, after falling 6-3 on Saturday night against the league-leading Whitecourt Wolverines.
The loss to rival Whitecourt proved to be a double whammy for Lloydminster. Two of the Bobcats’ 20-year-olds — Kade Fendelet and Oakley McIlwain — were ejected from that game with major penalties for hits that eventually cost both players suspensions.
Fendelet, the Lloyd captain, received a two-game ban because of his boarding infraction against Wolverines forward Xander Schulte, the former Devon captain.
That incident happened at the expiration of the second period, with Whitecourt leading 4-3. The Wolverines went on to score two power-play goals during Fendelet’s major penalty, served by injured defenceman Dylan Deets. McIlwain was tossed from the game late in the first period after receiving a major penalty for his blow to the head of Wolverines’ 19-year-old forward Mason Russell, with Whitecourt in front 2-1 at the time.
The AJHL handed McIlwain a one-game suspension, which he served during Sunday’s Lloyd victory at Devon. Fendelet missed that game and remains sidelined for the Bobcats’ next outing, this Friday night in Drumheller against the Dragons.
Lloyd’s defence was depleted Sunday with the absence of McIlwain and the ailing Deets, two key cogs on the back end. For that game in Devon, the Bobcats brought in an affiliated player, McKye Duncan, a 16-year-old defenceman with the U18 AAA Red Deer Chiefs. Duncan, listed at six-foot-two and 180 pounds, has four goals and 12 points after 26 games wit h the Chiefs, accumulating 42 penalty minutes in the process.
With the Bobcats, Duncan joined a Sunday defence corps that included Tafari Chingwaru, Ryder Ellis, Brady Gamble, Jaxan Hopko and forward Raphael Messier, who was pinch-hitting on the blue-line. Injured defenceman Xavier Normand missed both Lloyd games last weekend.
Bobcats’ rookie forward Ethan Elefante, a healthy scratch Saturday, drew back into the lineup Sunday in the absence of Fendelet.
The weekend results left the Bobcats (25-13-4) in fourth place in the North, two points behind the No. 3 Fort McMurray Oil Barons (25-15-6) and 10 points ahead of the Bonnyville Pontiacs (21-20-2).
The North’s fifth-place Pontiacs, trying to climb into the playoff picture, suffered another setback last weekend as they lost 3-1 and 2-1 in a home-andhome series with the Camrose Kodiaks (25-17-2), the South Division leaders.
Lloydminster handed Devon (14-23-5) its sixth straight defeat. The Xtreme closed to within one goal on a Lincoln Martin marker with 11 minutes left in the third period but couldn’t put the equalizer behind Jaiden Sharma, whose 33-save performance earned him Bobcats’ player-of-the-game honours.
Lloyd’s goals on Sunday came from Luke Dooley, Landen Ward and Quinn Smith. The game-opening goal was the first tally in 17 games for the hard-working Dooley. Ward’s power-play goal midway through the game put the Bobcats ahead 2-1 and Smith extended the lead a minute into the third, netting his 10th goal of the season.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 24
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Lloydminster Bobcats’ captain Kade Fendelet (left), in January action against Braden Nienaber and the Whitecourt Wolverines, received a two-game suspension for a boarding
penalty in the Bobcats’ 6-3 loss at Whitecourt last Saturday. John MacNeil Meridian Source
Hopko, the Bobcats’ 19-year-old defenceman, added two more assists to his offensive tear.
The other Devon goal was a short-handed marker from Nolan Eastwood in the final minute of the first period.
The Xtreme outshot the Bobcats 35-29. Luke McKechnie, formerly of Whitecourt, tended goal for Devon.
It was the Xtreme’s first game without top scorer Ben Deacon, who left the team last week to join the BCHL’s Okotoks Oilers.
In the Bobcats’ loss at Whitecourt, the host Wolverines (31-11-1) received a hat-trick performance from Brendan Ruskowski, playing like he was Terry Ruskowski, the former NHL centre with Prince Albert, Sask., roots.
Whitecourt scored three of its six goals on power plays.
Nolan Schmidt tallied twice and defenceman Quentin Bourne picked up a goal and two assists.
Kael Screpnek, with two points, Jadon Iyogun and Messier, with a shorthanded tally, were the Lloydminster marksmen.
Ty Matonovich blocked 41 shots on a busy night between the Bobcats’ pipes. The Wolverines’ Elliott Pratt stopped 28 of the 31 shots he faced.
Lloyd continues its road swing this weekend with three games in as many days, all against South Division teams. The Bobcats meet the Dragons (21-18-6) at 7 p.m. Friday in Drumheller, the Canucks (19-19-3) at 5 p.m. Saturday in Calgary and the Eagles (24-17-2) at 2 p.m. Sunday in Canmore.
The Eagles’ lineup includes 19-year-old defenceman Quinn Keeler, who spent the first half of this season with the Bobcats. Keeler has five assists in 11 games since joining Canmore at the trade deadline in January.
R.M. OF CUT
KNIFE
NO. 439 EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The R.M. of Cut Knife No. 439 is currently seeking applications for a full-time seasonal Equipment Operator/Operations Staff/Laborer.
Duties may include, but may not be limited to, operation and regular maintenance of a grader, backhoe, wheel loader, tractor & mower and/or rock picker, tandem truck & trailer and various implements and tools as may be required on a day to day basis. Previous experience with the operation of this equipment will be an asset to placement as will a Class 1A license.
The desired applicant will be able to work under the direction of the R.M. of Cut Knife Foreman and will show an aptitude toward understanding the scope of the Foreman’s responsibilities. There is potential for the proper applicant with this aptitude to earn a year- round placement with the municipality.
The Municipality offers a health and dental benefits plan and an employer matched pension.
Applications shall include a cover letter stating desired hourly wage range, a resume with employment references, a current driver’s abstract and any pertinent certifications held. Applications may be sent to:
R.M. of Cut Knife No. 439
P.O. Box 70 Cut Knife, Sask.
S0M 0N0 E-mail – rm439@sasktel.net Fax # (306) 398-3016 Or delivered to 114 Broad Street Cut Knife, SK
Applications will be received until 4:00 PM, February 18th, 2026. Only those applicants to be interviewed will be contacted.
The municipality reserves the right to offer no placement if the desired applicant is not found. For further information phone (306) 398-2353.
Lloyd loses Hikida to BCHL’s Oilers
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
The Lloydminster Bobcats suffered a signifcant loss Tuesday when one of their top players, Matthew Hikida, departed to join the Okotoks Oilers of the British Columbia Hockey League.
The 19-year-old forward from Richmond, B.C., has been reunited with his first cousin and neighbour and former minor hockey teammate, Jamie Hikida, an Oilers’ forward.
Okotoks, one of the four Alberta junior A teams that left the AJHL two years ago to become part of the BCHL, announced the acquisition of Matthew Hikida via social media on Tuesday evening, just as this week’s edition of the Meridian Source was going to press.
The speedy Hikida has had a career year, scoring 10 goals and 30 points in 37 games in his third season with Lloyd. He and Jadon Iyogun were tied for second in team scoring, one point behind Kael Screpnek. Hikida was also one of three Bobcat players selected to Team Canada West for the World Junior A Hockey Challenge, played in December at Trois-Rivieres, Que. Lloyd head coach Eric Labrosse was one of the assistant coaches with that silver-medal-winning Canada West club.
One of those West players from the Bobcats, world junior A all-star defenceman Esteban Cinq-Mars, left Lloydminster at Christmastime to join the QMJHL’s Val-d’Or Foreurs for the second half of this season. Leading up to the Feb. 10 deadline, Okotoks made a flurry of transactions in the past week, including the addition of 18-year-old forward Ben Deacon, who had been the Devon Xtreme’s leading scorer. Hikida had been among 13 forwards on the Lloydminster roster.
Redden scores hat trick in junior B Bandits’ victory
As part of his four-point night, Lloydminster rookie forward Jake Redden netted his first hat trick in the Northeastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League, leading the first-place Bandits to a 6-2 victory over the last-place Rangers on Saturday evening in Vegreville.
Cash Parkin, Joel Webb and Jayden Plamondon also scored for the Bandits. Parkin and Webb each had two-point games and Colton Parker collected three assists. Ryan Stepanick made 17 saves to record his second win in as many starts with Lloydminster (28-6).
Andrew Bezaire stopped 38 shots for Vegreville (1-33), which got goals from Ashton Butz and Cooper Saville.
Going into this week’s games, Lloyd had a one-point lead on the Vermilion Tigers (26-5-3) and a five-point edge on the third-place Wainwright Bisons (23-5-5). The Bandits defeated the Bisons 5-1 last Friday in Lloyd. Redden contributed a goal and an assist. Lloyd’s other goals came from Parker, Plamondon, Cayden Wildeman and Aidan Martens. Kade Dennett supplied two assists. Shae Stewart blocked 22 of 23 shots in the Lloyd net. The Bandits posted 35 shots at two goalies.
Lucas McClennon netted the lone goal for Wainwright.
ABOVE: The Momentum 13U girls’ club volleyball team earned gold in the first round of Sask Cup competition. From left are Sadie Clarkson, Ellie Wiebe, Lexa Weston, Angeli Ocampo, Adley Byford, Faith Wicks, McKenzie Brackley, Rosie Lehmond, Ryann Ridsdale-Mallett and coaches Rhea Mallett and Aleaha Gerwing. Submitted photo
LEFT: The 16U girls’ team from Momentum Volleyball Club in Lloydminster earned gold in the first round of Sask Cup club volleyball action. In the front row (from left) are Eloise Benoit, Jasmine Kohlman, Paige Brown, Kenzie McGillivray and Adyson Krauss. In the back row (from left) are coaches Lisa Perkins and Haley Wagar, Katie Smith, Ezri Vidal, Brooke Wicks, Sierra Pylot, Vivie Lavallee, Cody Gratton, Avery Perkins and coach Cory Gratton. Submitted photo
Momentum girls golden in Sask Cup play
Girls’ teams from the Lloydminster-based Momentum club have made early waves in the club volleyball season.
After the first of three rounds of Sask Cup competition, Momentum had medalled in four of five age categories.
The Border City entries set the standard, despite playing against Saskatchewan clubs from bigger centres like Saskatoon and Regina.
“Of the roughly 275 female clubs in Saskatchewan, we currently have the best placing in those 13U to 17U categories,” said Momentum club president Cory Gratton, also the coach of the gold-medal-winning 16U team.
“So, of all the clubs in Saskatchewan, we’ve medalled more in those age groups. That’s a pretty big accomplishment, considering there’s Saskatoon and Regina clubs — some that are much larger than us.”
Along with the 16U champions, Momentum’s youngest group, the 13U girls, also took home gold from Regina.
“Our 17s won silver and our 15s won bronze,” Gratton said. “The only team that didn’t medal was our 14U group. They got fifth out of 51 (teams).”
Most of the action in Round 1 took place on multiple January weekends at the International Trade Centre in Regina.
In at least one age division, Gratton said, play has already begun for the second round of Sask Cup competition.
Gratton’s crackerjack 16U team has picked up where his previous Momentum club left off last season in winning the provincial 15U girls’ championship.
“It’s a pretty exceptional group,” Gratton said.
“Through round-robin and playoffs (at this year’s tournaments), I don’t think anybody scored more than 17 points against us. We only lost one set, and that was in the final, before winning the final.
“So yeah, it was a pretty dominant performance by that group.”
Gratton’s girls head to Calgary this weekend for the Best of the Rest tournament, setting the table for quality competition back in Saskatchewan in the coming weeks.
“It’ll get more competitive as we go,” he said. “It’s a great start, but lots of hard work ahead to sort of maintain that success over the next few months.”
Momentum’s 16U club resumes Sask Cup play on the Feb. 21 weekend in Regina. Those tournaments generally feature upwards of 50 teams from across the province, with as many as 120 entries overall each Cup weekend, leading up to provincial championships in April.
This weekend in Lloydminster, the 13U and 15U clubs from Momentum are at home for a Servus Sports Centre tournament.
The up-and-coming 13U team is already punching above its weight.
“It’s an all-new experience for them,” Gratton said about those Momentum gold-medallists. “They didn’t lose a set, either, until the final. A pretty dominant group as well.”
PUBLIC NOTICE
RM of Britannia No. 502 Public Notice – Planning and Development Fee Bylaw 01-2026
Public Notice is hereby given that the Council of the Rural Municipality (RM) of Britannia No. 502 intends to adopt a bylaw under The Planning and Development Act, 2007, to repeal and replace Bylaw 03-2023, known as the Planning and Development Fee Bylaw (Bylaw).
INTENT: Proposed Bylaw 01-2026 will update the previous Fee Bylaw 03-2023 to align with the amended Official Community Plan Bylaw 16-2021 and Zoning Bylaw 24-2021, as well as update the associated permit application documents. While the existing fees will not change, an additional fee will be added for a post-completion site inspection for “Move or Demolish a Building” Permits.
AFFECTED LAND: This new Bylaw will affect Planning and Development Fees on all land in the RM.
REASON: The Fee Bylaw is regularly reviewed to ensure that the fees, rationale, and attached permit applications remain aligned with the Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw.
PUBLIC INSPECTION: Any person may inspect the bylaw at the RM of Britannia No. 502 office Monday to Friday, during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.), excluding statutory holidays. Copies will be available to the public by emailing the contact below. A copy of the proposed amendment is available for viewing here: https://www.rmbritannia.com.
PUBLIC HEARING: Council will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at 2:15 PM at the RM of Britannia No. 502 Office, located at Parcel C on NE 23-50-28W3M (1/4 mile south of TWP RD 504 on RR 3281), to hear any person or group that wants to comment on the proposed amendment. Council will consider written and emailed comments at the meeting, along with in-person representations. Only those who have made arrangements to speak on behalf of themselves or a group may be heard at the public hearing. The deadline for receipt of comments, and requests for in-person representation must be received by the RM office by 4:00 PM on Thursday, February 19, 2026. For additional information, please contact the Development Services Officer at (306) 825-2610 or dso@rmbritannia.com. Written submissions may be sent to RM of Britannia, P.O. Box 661, Lloydminster SK, S9V 0Y7 or dso@rmbritannia.com.
Issued in the RM of Britannia No. 502 this 5th day of February, 2026
Bryson Leganchuk CAO
RM of Britannia No. 502
RURAL MUNICIPALITY OF BRITANNIA NO. 502
The veteran volleyball promoter said such club tournaments in Lloydminster are often an opportunity for participants to watch Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference teams in action at Lakeland College during the same weekend.
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
Rustlers stave off Queens, pad front-seat cushion
The league-leading Lakeland Rustlers swept another two-game series last weekend, knocking off the team closest to them in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) women’s hockey standings.
Lakeland defeated the Red Deer Queens 4-2 on Saturday at Lloydminster’s Co-op Community Arena.
On Friday in Red Deer, the Rustlers posted a 3-1 victory over those same Queens.
With just a couple of weeks remaining in the regular season, Lakeland (21-2) has clinched the pennant. Second-place Red Deer has a 16-8 record.
Keyra Buziak, on the power play, Olivia Mann, Kyla Benjamin and Ryann Rekimowich, with an empty-net goal, scored for the Rustlers on Saturday. Buziak, Benjamin and Marly Dumanski each had two-point games for Lakeland, which led 1-0 after the first period and 3-2 following 40 minutes.
Hayley Kolosky, on the power play, and Camryn Wood tallied for Red Deer. Queens goaltender Elizabeth Campbell stopped 34 of the 37 shots she faced. Rustlers’ rookie Schay Camphaug blocked 17 of the 19 shots that came her way.
On the road Friday, Benjamin’s two goals provided the Rustlers with their winning margin. Buziak, who leads the ACAC with 23 goals and 35 points in 20 games, added a goal and an assist.
Karli Kutschinski netted the lone Red Deer goal. One of the assists went to Queens rookie Natalie Tychkowsky, who last year played with the U18 AAA Lloydminster Steelers team then captained by Rekimowich, now a Rustlers’ forward.
Lakeland outshot Red Deer 38-9 as Camphaug and Tora Ward tended goal for the Rustlers and Queens, respectively.
It marked the second straight weekend that the Rustlers posted a sweep, including a pair of home victories (4-2 and 3-2) over the Medicine Hat Rattlers at the end of January.
The ACAC women’s league takes a break from hockey action this family weekend.
On the final weekend of the regular season, Lakeland hosts Calgary’s SAIT Trojans at 7:15 p.m. Friday, Feb. 20, and 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 21.
VOLLEYBALL
Both volleyball teams from Lakeland College won’t go down without a fight. The female and male Rustlers remain in playoff contention after each club won both matches last weekend.
Fighting for the fourth and final playoff position in the North Division, Lakeland’s women have won nine straight matches, including a pair of 3-1 decisions over the Augustana Vikings. In that home-and-home series, the Rustlers prevailed in Lloydminster on Saturday (22-25, 25-20, 25-19 and 25-16) and in Camrose on Friday (25-19, 25-22, 22-25 and 25-15).
Likewise, the men from Lakeland swept Augustana 3-0 on both nights to stay in the hunt for post-season play. Scores were 25-20, 25-21 and
Raya Hastings (No. 18) and the Lakeland Rustlers won both ACAC games against the Medicine Hat Rattlers on the Jan. 30-31 weekend. This past weekend, Lakeland swept the Red Deer Queens. John MacNeil Meridian Source
25-23 on Saturday and 25-23, 25-16 and 25-17 on Friday.
The Rustlers (7-10) and Vikings (7-8) are tied in points in the fight for the last playoff spot. Augustana has two matches in hand, but Lakeland has the edge if the battle goes to a tiebreaker.
This weekend, the Rustlers’ volleyball teams meet the NAIT Ooks on Friday in Edmonton and Saturday in Lloydminster. The women’s action begins at 6 o’clock each night, followed by the men about two hours later.
NAIT’s women sit atop the North Division with a 12-3 record. The Ooks men, with a 10-5 slate, are in third place in their division.
BASKETBALL
Tied with the Keyano Huskies atop the ACAC men’s basketball standings, Lakeland has won five straight games. Both of those 13-3 teams were idle last weekend.
This weekend, the Rustlers host the North’s third-place NAIT (11-5) at 8 p.m. Friday on the Lakeland campus, before visiting the Edmonton school at the same time Saturday.
Regardless of where the Rustlers finish in the regular season, they’ve already earned hosting rights for the eight-team ACAC men’s championship tournament from Thursday, March 5, through Saturday, March 7.
The season is nearing an end for the Lakeland women’s basketball team (0-16). This weekend, the Rustlers go up against NAIT (13-3) at 6 p.m.
Friday in Lloydminster and the same time Saturday in Edmonton.
FUTSAL
Lakeland sports a 3-3 record in the Northeast Division of the men’s futsal conference. The Rustlers went 1-2 last weekend in Edmonton — winning 8-4 over the Portage Voyageurs and losing 6-2 to Keyano and 4-2 against the King’s Eagles.
In the Lakeland victory, Jason Rail scored three goals and Benjamin Touw had two, while Josh Malin collected a goal and four assists.
The Rustlers’ women’s futsal team — 2-2-2 on the season — posted a 1-1-1 record last weekend. Lakeland blanked Portage 2-0, lost 6-3 to Keyano and tied King’s 2-2.
Elizabeth McLeod, with 18 saves, recorded the Rustlers’ shutout victory. Natalie Pelchat had a two-goal weekend.
CURLING
Three curlers from Lakeland were selected to the ACAC’s all-conference team.
Those honours went to Kali Johnson and Cira Hozack from the Rustlers’ women’s team and Rachel Wilson from the mixed club.
With an 8-3 victory over the Concordia Thunder of Edmonton, Lakeland’s mixed entry earned a bronze medal at the ACAC championships last weekend in Lac La Biche.
The bronze was the Rustlers’ fourth conference curling medal in the past five years.
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JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
PAGE 27
Thursday, February 12, 2026
MERIDIAN SOURCE
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GELBVIEH
BULL SALE
Red Deer Country Alberta Feb. 17th
NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND CLAIMANTS
IN THE ESTATE OF STANLEY JOSEPH STEIER, late of Lloydminster, Alberta, Deceased,who died on December 14, 2025
If you have a claim against this estate, you must file your claim by:
February 27, 2026 with: REVERING LAW OFFICE
Barristers & Solicitors
NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND CLAIMANTS IN THE ESTATE OF JOSEPH JAMES MARK O'MEARA; ALSO KNOWN AS JIM (JAMES) O'MEARA, Deceased,who died on December 26, 2025
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Nordal Limousin & Angus 2026 Bull Sale. Feb 26 Saskatoon Livestock Sales Saskatoon SK. Offering 75 2 Yr. old Limousin, Black & Red Angus. Catalogue and videos online at dlms.ca. Contact Rob Garner 306 946 7946. Rob Garner Simpson SK.
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5018 - 50 Avenue
Lloydminster, Alberta T9V 0W7
Attention: Donnon F. Revering
If you do not file by the date above, the estate property can lawfully be distributed without regard to any claim you may have
NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND CLAIMANTS IN THE ESTATE OF MARGARET LAVONNE RUTHERFORD, late of Lloydminster, Alberta, Deceased,who died on January 11, 2026
All claims against the estate, duly verified by statutory declaration and with particulars and valuation of security held, if any, must be sent to the undersigned before the 13th day of March, 2026.
REVERING LAW OFFICE
Barristers & Solicitors
5018 - 50 Avenue
Lloydminster, Alberta T9V 0W7
Attention: Donnon F. Revering
BLANKET THE PROVINCE with a classified ad. Only $269/wk (based on 25 words or less). Reach 75 weekly newspapers. Call NOW for details. 1-800-2826903; www.awna. com; email classifieds@awna.com.
If you have a claim against this estate, you must file your claim by: March 30, 2026 with: CHRISTOPHER O'MEARA AT: 368 Griesbach School Rd Edmonton AB T5E 1Z8
If you do not file by the date above, the estate property can lawfully be distributed without regard to any claim you may have
NOTICE TO CREDITORS In the estate of NICHOLAS DAVID MANLEY, late of Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, deceased. All claims against the above estate, duly verified by statutory declaration and with particulars and valuation of security held, if any, must be sent to the undersigned before March 16,2026.
ARMSTRONG HITTINGER MOSKAL, Solicitors for the Executors, Box 1680, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, S9V 1K6.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND CLAIMANTS
In the estate of CONNIE E. BORN, who died on 2025/12/20
If you have a claim against this estate, you must file your claim by April 11, 2026 with: Susan Blythe at: Box 10675 Lloydminster, AB T9V 3A7
If you do not file by the date above, the estate property can lawfully be distributed without regard to any claim you may have.
GRACE UNITED CHURCH
Sunday, February 15, 2026
Rev. George Mafuleka and Ben Nutbrown Nursery and Sunday College Sunday with Rev. Jared Siebert, St. Andrew’s College, Saskatoon
#GodsHandsHeartAndFeetAlways All Are Welcome!
Rosa; brothers, Eric and Robert; sisters, Doris, Audrey and Phyllis; daughter, Jennifer; and wife,
The Memorial Service for Chris was conducted from St. John's Anglican Church, Lloydminster, SK on Monday, February 2, 2026 at 2:00
If you were unable to attend in person, you may view the live streaming of the service posted on McCaw Funeral Service website under Chris’
years.
Walter is survived by: his loving wife of 63 years, Marion; two daughters, Carrie Pollard (Wayne) and Sherry Pollard; son, Darwin (Diane) Pollard; six grandchildren, Randy (Ashalee), Jaimi (Lindsay), Kalli (Cory), Amanda (Tyler), Brady (Cass) and Jordyn (George); seven great-grandchildren, Lincoln, Bentley, Shanayda, Norah, Truett, Carter and Tayte; one sister-in-law Raylene; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Walter is predeceased by: his parents, Raymond and Petrina; brothers, Elmer, Howard and Wayne; and sister-in-law, Marilyn.
The Celebration of Life for
Walter was held at the WLS Stockade Convention Centre, Lloydminster, SK on January 29, 2026. Donations in memory of Walter may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or donor's charity of choice. McCaw Funeral Service of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements.
CARD OF THANKS
The family would like to thank everyone for the phone calls, messages, cards, and meals brought to our homes after Walter’s passing. To McCaws for their exceptional service and compassion during this difficult time; to Richie Davies for the beautiful service, and Vern Bexson for honoring Walter with the Eulogy. To Audina of ‘Flowers on the Fly’ for the beautiful and personal arrangements. Thank you to the Dr’s and 3rd floor nursing staff at the Lloydminster Hospital. Special thanks to Rikki Pollard for her outstanding nursing care, as well as being there for us through this difficult time.
Marion, Carrie (Wayne), Sherry, Darwin (Diane) and families
Donations in memory of Chris may be made to St. John's Anglican Church or Canadian Cancer Society. McCaw Funeral Service of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral
CARD OF THANKS
The Bysouth family would like to thank all those who showed their support.
home in Lloydminster, AB on December 23, 2025 at the age of 62 years.
Deb is survived by: her parents Lorne and Marguerite Andersen; brothers, Bradley Andersen (Tracy Gunderson), Owen (Leanne) Andersen and Dean Andersen; nephews, Justin Andersen, Jordan Andersen, Cole Andersen, Aiden Andersen and Dane Andersen; and great-niece, Demi; uncle, Russel (Sharon) Jacobs; and numerous cousins and extended family.
Deb was predeceased by: her grandparents, J.C. (Chris) and Lillian Andersen and Jack and Lila Jacobs; and aunts and uncles, Irene and Gerald Davidson, Don and Jane Jarret, Allen
Loved and remembered day by day
No verse, no flowers, no tears can say
How much we miss you every day. You left us quietly without goodbye, But memories of you will never die. Loved and sadly missed, Mom & Dad Valerie, Adam & Hardy Kurt, Ana, Kristina & Emily & George Alanna & James
Andersen, Pat Normen, Arlene and Otto Nordin, Evelyn and Ian McLennan, Lorne and Joyce Jacobs, Morley and Jean Jacobs and Gordon Jacobs.
The Funeral Service for Deb was conducted from Grace United Church, Lloydminster, AB on Friday, January 9 2025 at 2:00 PM.
Donations in memory of Deb may be made to donor's charity of choice. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements.
CARD OF THANKS
Thank you to all our family, friends, neighbors, and Deb's co-workers for all your words of caring and support by sending cards, flowers phone calls and food brought to the house. Thank you to the choir, pianist, Rev. George and the Ladies for the lunch. A special thank you to A.J. and Jeremy for their tributes to Deb. To McCaws, thank you. Special Thank you to Joel McCaw and to the McCaw staff.
Lloydminster, SK on Friday, January 30, 2026 at the age of 89 years.
George is survived by: his brother, Eddie Behnke; sisters, Mary McLaughlin and Theresa (Lorne) Venance; sister-in-law, Mary Behnke; and numerous nieces and nephews.
George was predeceased by: his parents, Albert and Margaret Behnke; brothers, Peter Behnke, William Behnke and Bernard Behnke; sister, Margaret Behnke; brother-in-law, Pat McLaughlin; and sister-in-law, Pauline Behnke.
The Funeral Service for George was conducted from St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Lloydminster, AB on Friday, February 6, 2026 at 11:00 AM.
Donations in memory of George may be made to LRHF - Pioneer House Patient Comfort Fund. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements.
CARD OF THANKS
On behalf of the family of George Behnke, we would like to express our deepest thanks to all family, friends and community members for all the kind words and gifts for our family. Special thanks to the ambulance attendants for staying with George and showing him so much kindness. To the amazing nurses and staff on the 3rd floor; especially Tanya, Mellissa and Hannah. You went above and beyond for George and our family. To the staff at the Pioneer Lodge and Pioneer House, thank you for your care for George over his 12 years as a resident. Special thanks to you Lorraine from home care. You put your whole heart into what you do and it shows. To McCaw Funeral Service, the care and compassion shown to our family was unmatched. Sheena, your professionalism and kindness meant the world to us. Finally, to all who were part of the funeral service for George, thank you.
82 years.
Dan was a friendly, outgoing guy who never missed an opportunity for a chat and was widely known for his storytelling-some of it true, some of it improved for entertainment value and some outright fabrications. He spent most of his life drywalling, a career that somehow resulted in a huge network of friends, long-time clients and people who stopped him just to talk. He loved a round of golf, a good laugh, and was incredibly proud of the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Well liked by everyone who knew him, Dan’s legacy lives on in the family he raised, the friendships he built, the homes he helped shape and
Dan is survived by: his children, Penny Gervais, Candy Courtenay and Daniel Courtenay (Tanya Albers); grandchildren, Trish (Shawn) Pick, Sandra Gervais (Daryl Morrant), Jessie McAllister (Kelsea Heeroma), Jeffrey Gervais, Sydnie Jenkins and Lincoln Albers; great-grandchildren, Gemma McAllister, Rylan Pick, Jaqueline Pick and Kiara McAllister; brother, Ted (Zoni) Courtenay; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
WALTER: CAMPBELL, Walter May 3, 1930 – February 1, 2026
his feet. He read every book he could and was a lifelong learner.
Dan was predeceased by his: beloved wife, Linda Courtenay; daughter, Sherri McAllister, son-in-law, Donny Gervais; granddaughters, baby Danielle and baby Angela; brother, Lionel Courtenay; sister, Isabel Burns; and parents, Edward and Elsie Courtenay.
The Funeral Service for Dan was held at Moose Lodge, Thursday, January 15, 2026 at 10:00 AM.
Donations may be made to donor's charity of choice. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, AB administered the funeral arrangements.
CARD OF THANKS
The Courtenay family would like to send special thanks to the Doctors and nurses at
The family of Walter Morton Campbell, of Cochrane, AB, announces his peaceful passing on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at the age of 95. Formerly residing in Waseca, SK, he farmed there for over 50 years.
Walter was born in Tessier, SK, to Merrill and Ruth Campbell on May 3, 1930. He was the oldest of five boys. He attended school in Tessier and graduated from Grade 12 there. He worked on his uncle's farm near Tessier. He met and married Joyce Hinde, a teacher in the district, in 1955. They had three children, Sharon, Ross, and Barbara. In 1961, the family relocated to Waseca, SK, Joyce’s hometown. There, they farmed and raised a family until moving to Lloydminster, AB, in 2015.
He was an active member of the community, volunteering for the Hall Board, the Wheat
He was predeceased by his wife, Joyce; his brothers, Neil, Richard, Robert (Joan), and Donald (Linda); brother-in-law, Lanny; his parents, Merrill and Ruth; his nieces, Susan and Sabrina; and his sons-in-law, Steve Kulbida and Lorne Garner.
Walter is survived by his daughters, Sharon Kulbida and Barbara Roth (Chris); and son, Ross; his grandchildren, Jeremy Kulbida, Ian Garner, Janine Kulbida (Arthur), Jason Campbell, Jamie Campbell (Lynn), Stewart Garner, and Sherron Robinson (Shane); great-grandchildren, Nixon Garner, Lucas Campbell, Logan Garner, Jacob Campbell, Bennett Robinson, Danielle Garner, Evan Garner, Henry Campbell, and Jasmine Robinson; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Campbell (Marlin), Arlene McColl, and Valerie Hinde, brother-in-law, Jim Hinde (Lorraine); as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
the heart.
In the latter portion of his career, Dave provided mentorship and guidance in the areas of planning and governance for several communities in the Edmonton region, including Lamont County, the City of Fort Saskatchewan, and, lastly, the Town of Beaumont. After retiring in 2017, Dave continued to consult on a part-time basis with various communities across Alberta.
A Celebration of Walter’s Life will be held in Waseca in the spring.
If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to a charity of one’s choice. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Walter’s family at www.MHFH.com.
In living memory of Walter Campbell, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis
Dave was born on August 6, 1949, in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, to Nick and Eva Dmytryshyn, the oldest of four children. Growing up in Glaslyn, Saskatchewan, his passion for sports and recreation blossomed. An apt hockey player, he played for many teams in the area. A highlight of his hockey career was participating in a training camp for the Estevan Bruins, a junior league affiliate of the Boston Bruins. For Grade 12, Dave attended St. Thomas College, a Catholic institution located in North Battleford, Saskatchewan.
After graduating from high school, Dave enrolled in the Recreation Technology program at the Kelsey Institute (now Saskatchewan Polytechnic), graduating in 1972. From there, he embarked on a career of more than 45 years in municipal government. For the first half of his career, he served as the Parks and Recreation Director in Lloydminster, Alberta/Saskatchewan, where he successfully led the development of several iconic recreational facilities, including Bud Miller All Seasons Park, the Bioclean Aquatic Centre, and the Lloydminster Communiplex.
In 1995, Dave pivoted his career and took on the role of Town Manager for the town of Ponoka, Alberta. After several years in Ponoka, he joined Sturgeon County in 1998 as the Director of Public Services. In this role, he guided the planning of industrial and residential developments in the county, bringing competing interests together in a collaborative manner.
Dave was passionate about sports. He was a lifelong fan and shareholder of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, as well as a longtime fan of the Edmonton Oilers. Some of his greatest memories were attending games with members of his family. In addition to hockey and football, Dave was an avid runner and cyclist.
Dave is survived by his wife of 51 years, Leslie; his son Dan Dmytryshyn and daughter-in-law Jackie Behles of Houston, Texas; his brother Jerry (Myrna) of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan; his sisters Darlene Danilyw (Bohdan) of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and Chris Kamins (Fred) of St. Albert, Alberta; and his cherished feline companion, Bailey Marie. Dave was preceded in death by his father Nick, mother Eva, mother-in-law Helen Alexiuk, and father-in-law Ray Alexiuk.
Prayers will be held on Thursday, February 5, 2026, at 7:00 pm at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Anthony, located at 6103–172 Street NW, Edmonton, Alberta. A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, February 6, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., also at the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Anthony. Interment will take place at the City of St. Albert Municipal Cemetery, located at 25116 Poundmaker Road, St. Albert, Alberta.
Dave’s family extends heartfelt thanks to Dr. Ranjbar and the nursing staff of Units 29 and 15 at the Sturgeon Community Hospital for their compassion and care, and to Dr. Hanninen at the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institute through the University Hospital Foundation.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF CLINT GARNIER
FEB 3, 1978 - FEB 12, 2007
To lose someone so special Is really hard to bear. It hardly seems believable That you're no longer here.
You left us far to early Before your time it seems And now you'll never have the chance To fulfill all your dreams.
In our home are endless photos Of you, more precious than gold And to us who love and lost you, Your memory will never grow old. Your memory forever surrounds us. When time comes that our life if through, We pray God takes our hand And leads us straight to you.
FOREVER LOVED AND SADLY MISSED BY, SHERI & KATE MOM & DAD
TRAVIS, JANELLE, BREE, LUKE & HANNAH.
LISA, BELLE, REECE & SADIE
DUSTIN, ERIN, MIA & AVERY
Remembering
DARREN BERTELSEN
NOVEMBER 1977 - FEBRUARY 2021
Those we love are never more than a thought away.
For as long as there is a memory, they live on in our heart.
To Darren
We carry thoughts of you with us each and everyday. Our memories are our treasure. Our love for you continues always and forever.
KARLEE
JACKSON & KENNEDY NORMA
you greater recognition and financial benefits.
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It’s time to recharge your batteries. Be present and get some rest. A loved one will need your support this week. If you’re feeling creative, you’ll draw inspiration from your intuition.
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You must carefully prepare everything over several months if you want this adventure to become a source of deep inspiration that guides you on your search for meaning and fulfilmen.
