Meridian Source - June 25, 2026 by Meridian Source

Rain fails to dampen ceremony

Spirits were high and festivities continued despite heavy rain during the Lloydminster Native Friendship Centre’s (LNFC) National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD) event.

The downpour in the Border City forced the day-long celebration indoors at the friendship centre. Executive director Deborah Munroe explained the event is a vital opportunity to showcase Indigenous culture.

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CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI

All eyes were on a powwow dancer during National Indigenous Peoples Day festivities at the Lloydminster Native Friendship Centre. Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source

“We’re hosting our National Indigenous Peoples Day event, which is a day for Indigenous people to host their talents and traditions,” she said.

“It’s important for us. It’s a day to be proud of who we are, a celebration of who we are.”

The day kicked off at noon with a free community lunch, which was quickly moved inside as the weather thwarted outdoor plans. Attendees packed the LNFC community hall, getting an up-close view of the grand entry and the dancers.

Munroe noted the event received strong backing from local businesses.

“We’ve asked businesses within the community if they would like to donate a door prize and they have showed

up,” she said, noting Real Canadian Superstore donated an outdoor patio heater.

She also recognized major sponsors, including Celebrate Canada, TC Energy and Cenovus Energy.

“We couldn’t put on this event without them.”

Full story and more photos, HERE .

Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source

Lloydminster Men’s Shelter welcomes new CEO

The Lloydminster Men’s Shelter has named non-profit veteran Allan Bartolcic as its new chief executive officer.

Bartolcic brings more than 25 years of experience in the non-profit sector to the role, having spent most of his career in senior leadership positions across Western Canada.

“His leadership experience, collaborative approach and commitment to building strong community relationships make him an excellent fit for our organization as we continue to evolve and respond to the needs of our community,” Michael Davison, chair of the shelter’s board of directors, said in a statement.

Most recently, Bartolcic served as executive director of the Eagle Valley Community Support Society, where he oversaw programming for food assistance, mental health services and resource referrals. He also previously worked with the Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation to advance fundraising and donor stewardship initiatives in southern Alberta.

Bartolcic said his immediate priority in Lloydminster is to listen to staff, clients, volunteers and neighbours to better understand local challenges.

“I believe every community deserves thoughtful conversations, meaningful engagement and practical solutions,” Bartolcic said. “The Lloydminster Men’s Shelter has an important story to tell. There are real challenges, but

there are also real opportunities.”

He added that he remains committed to strengthening local relationships to better address homelessness and housing instability in the region. The position became available after former CEO Kagan Kneen was hired to head the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation.

NOTICE OF 2026 COMBINED ASSESSMENT & TAX NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the combined assessment and property tax notices of the County of Vermilion River (CVR), under the provisions of the Municipal Government Act (M.G.A), Chapter M-26, 2000 were mailed June 15, 2026.

REVIEWING YOUR ASSESSMENT: Property owners are encouraged to review their assessment information carefully. If you notice errors or disagree with the assessment prepared by the assessor, you have the right to file a complaint. Complaints can be made on the following matters, as outlined in Section 460 of the MGA:

A property or business description

The name or mailing address

An assessment class, sub-class, or assessment amount

The name or mailing address

An assessment class, sub-class, or assessment amount

Type of the property

Type of Improvement

Type of the property

Type of Improvement

Whether the property is assessable or exempt under Part 10 or S. 364.1 REQUIREMENT TO FILE AN ASSESSMENT COMPLAINT: A complaint fee must accompany the Assessment Review Board Complaint Form. The complaint fees are as below:

Whether the property is assessable or exempt under Part 10 or S. 364.1

A property or business description

The name or mailing address

An assessment class, sub-class, or assessment amount

Property tax rates are established by tax rate bylaw and CANNOT be appealed through the Assessment Review Board (ARB).

Residential– 3 or fewer dwellings and farmland

Residential—4 or more

Property tax rates are established by tax rate bylaw and CANNOT be appealed through the Assessment Review Board (ARB).

DEADLINE TO FILE YOUR COMPLAINT: The complaint must be filed on or before August 24, 2026. Complaints received after this date will not be eligible for an ARB hearing.

For assistance with the complaint process, please contact the County office to talk to the assessment review board clerk.

PROPERTY TAX DEADLINE: PAYMENT DEADLINE FOR THE 2026 PROPERTY TAX IS

TAYLOR WEAVER

Allan Bartolcic. Submitted photo

Just Kruzin’ car show cruises into 18th year

The Just Kruzin’ Specialty Vehicle Club’s 18th annual show and shine graced the Cenovus Energy Hub parking lot for the first time.

“The big thing here for us is there’s actually parking for spectators. We’ve never had that privilege; we’ve had maybe a few spots in the past,” Gerry Duhaime, chairman of the 2026 show and shine explained.

“We also have an agreement with the Gold Horse Casino to park over there for overflow and we’re running a shuttle over there, too.”

People came from all over to show off their vehicles.

“What we got going on here is a show of cars from all over the trading area,” he said. “We’ve got cars here from North Battleford, Vegreville, Meadow Lake, Marsden and Macklin. They’ll show off their units; we have 12 different awards we give them and up to $4,000 worth of cash prizes.”

Duhaime explained they set up a kids’ zone with the goal of encouraging families to attend.

“We have what’s called a make-andtake. They’re snap-together models — they can sit down, build one and take it home at no charge,” he said, noting sponsorship from Southern Spur covered the cost of the models. “Right beside that, we have Matchbox racing, courtesy of Can-Do Auto and Lube.”

Full story and gallery, HERE .

CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI

The Just Kruzin’ Show and Shine saw large crowds June 20, with people admiring a large show of vehicles and vendors.

Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source photos

LABIS opens doors for barbecue

CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI

Despite some dark clouds overhead, the rain didn’t dampen the mood for the Lloydminster and Area Brain Injury Society’s (LABIS) sponsor barbecue and open house.

Kelly Mason, communications and events co-ordinator for LABIS and the day’s grill master, said people were welcome to tour the facility.

“It’s an open house and sponsor appreciation day,” he said on June 18,

Kelly Mason mans the grill, getting food ready for incoming guests of the LABIS barbecue and open house.

Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source

noting the barbecue was sponsored by Gold Horse Casino and the Lloydminster and District Co-op. “Take a look around the facility, see what we do with our clients here. Meet the programming staff.”

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2026 SUMMER GUIDE

REGISTRATION IS OPEN

COST AND AGE CATEGORIES

VARY

Explore all of what Lloydminster has to offer with the Summer Guide, featuring events and programs taking place in July and August.

SUMMER FUN CAMPS

AGE GROUPS 2016-2021

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Limited spots available! Themed activities, cra s, games and more! Lloydminster.ca/Guides

BUD MILLER PARK

CANADA DAY

JULY 1 • 1 - 11 PM • FREE

Celebrate Canada Day, presented by The Co-operators - Anderson Insurance Group! Enjoy a full day of live entertainment, family activities, food vendors, live music, ﬁreworks and more!

Daily activities 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Headliner Concert

Hillside Outlaws

7 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Pre-ﬁrework show, Led Hooper 10:30 p.m.

Fireworks 11 p.m.

Lloydminster.ca/CanadaDay

MUSEUM + ARCHIVES

OPEN LATE ON WEDNESDAYS UNTIL 8 PM

Make it a museum night! The Lloydminster Museum + Archives is now open late on Wednesdays until 8 p.m.! With the cost of admission, check out the Heritage Gallery, the temporary gallery and do a fun FREE cra . Lloydminster.ca/LMA

Youth centre fundraiser returns to secure vital funding

TAYLOR WEAVER

A signature dining experience that amplifies local youth voices while raising critical operational funds for the Lloydminster Community Youth Centre (LCYC) is returning this fall.

The “Chef’s Got Your Back” fundraiser is scheduled for Sept. 17 at Rolling Green Fairways. Organizers moved the date from late August to accommodate families navigating the back-to-school transition and the local harvest season.

The LCYC is operated by the SPARK Foundation of Lloydminster and relies entirely on grants and community donations to keep its doors open, receiving no consistent government funding.

ENGAGE TODAY. SHAPE TOMORROW.

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Through the

Complete the survey before August 19.

“This is a huge one,” said Patty Milnthorp, community engagement liaison for the SPARK Foundation. “We rely heavily on grants, and with grants, you never know whether you’re going to get the whole grant, part of it, or get denied. This is our only fundraiser for the youth centre.”

The facility remains a heavily utilized community resource, recording more than 6,000 visits over the past year.

The event features a unique menu inspired by the youth themselves. LCYC participants select their favourite dishes, which are then elevated by the culinary team at Rolling Greens.

The meal is served family-style to tables of eight to encourage community connection.

Between courses, attendees will watch pre-recorded videos of the youth discussing the impact of the centre.

“The kids are videoed in a safe space where they don’t have to feel nervous,” Milnthorp said. “The big screen puts them up on there, and they get their voice heard.”

Local youth will also participate in the evening directly, including two volunteers who will serve a signature welcome drink at the door.

In addition to the dinner, the evening features a moderately high-end silent auction.

Past packages have included items like a paddleboard and a patio set.

Organizers have capped ticket availability at 250 seats. Tickets can be purchased online HERE .

Mason explained they invited as many sponsors as possible to the event.

“The sponsors are a large part of what we do here. They support us in all of the activities we have here in the facility, to the walking track, to our outreach programs,” he said.

Next up on the docket for the nonprofit organization is its slo-pitch tournament in September.

“Then, we have the 40th anniversary preparation, which we’re working on right now.”

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File photo

Lloydminster Ribfest expands events

CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI

Lloydminster’s Ribfest returned this year with a larger event, drawing crowds over Father’s Day weekend, despite rainy weather.

“Border City Connects and the Kinsmen Club of Lloydminster are working together and working with the Western Canadian Ribfest tour to put together an amazing three-day festival event,” said Mike Sidoyrk, Border City Connects interim executive director.

The festival kicked off June 19 under sunny skies, but rain over the next two days forced organizers to move the excitement indoors.

Ribfest expanded its offerings this year.

“This originally started out as a just a simple Ribfest,” he said. “We started looking at ways to make this event enhanced, turn it into more of a solid three-day festival that’s here to entertain our community and our region.”

Sidoryk explained they saw success with their additions last year and continued to build on it.

“We started adding a couple of components last year. We had a strolling magician and the chainsaw artist,” he said. “We’ve seen the value of what that did and enhanced it.”

There was even a beach volleyball court on site, which was built by Feldspar. The aerial stylings of The Silver Starlets added some highflying entertainment to the show.

“We added The Silver Starlets, who are a circus aerial thrill show,” Sidoryk said.

Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source

Sidoryk said they had plenty of sponsors who helped to make the event a reality, with Boundary Ford as their title sponsor. Cenovus Energy and Meridian Denture Clinic co-sponsored the large stage.

Lloydminster’s Ribfest expanded its lineup this year, featuring live musical entertainment, new events, and even a beach volleyball court. Christian Apostoslovski Meridian Source photos

SUDOKU

Thursday, June 25, 2026

MERIDIAN SOURCE

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The MERIDIAN SOURCE is published once a week, on Thursday. All material printed in the Meridian Source is copyright and may not be copied or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. The Meridian Source reserves the right to refuse publication of any advertising or editorial material at its discretion. Columns and letters are the expressed view of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Meridian Source.

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The spring of road-work woes Leave it to Weaver

Last week, I wrote about roadwork north of Lloydminster. This week, however, my focus is on the Russian roulette that is navigating construction in the Border City.

Inspiration for this column came Monday morning after making the mistake of taking 49 Ave. north of the Lloyd Ex to get to work.

That stretch of 49 Ave. between 57 St. and 62 St. is always a gamble. The likelihood of that unpaved section of road being a minefield depends on a couple of factors: when the city last graded the road and recent rainfall.

Heading into work on Monday, I was certain the road was graded the previous Friday. I did, however, fail to remember how much rain we got over the weekend. As I reached the north entrance of the Lloyd Ex, I knew I was in trouble. There was a jacked-up truck doing a U-turn in the middle of the road to retreat to the pavement, and vehicles in the distance appeared to be Mexican jumping beans.

I made my way north on the shoulder to avoid as many holes as possible. I was almost at the south entrance to the Meridian Source yard when the impatient driver behind me floored it and passed me in the middle of the minefield.

Sorry, I wasn’t risking my suspension so you could get your morning Tims on time, bro.

The alternative involves snaking through construction along Highway 17 north of the tracks, or going north on the dump road, which I’ve done several times to avoid the minefield.

I guess we’ll all just have to be patient until roadwork season concludes.

Chris’ A-Z: The cult of social media

A little tidbit about myself, I hate social media.

If it wasn’t for being a journalist, I likely would’ve already deleted my accounts and lived a quiet life.

Over the last week, Facebook has been abuzz with rumours and gossip. There have, however, also been a lot of good discussions.

I have a few lukewarm takes on the current state of our online connectivity.

For one, the new age of anonymous posts has widely increased the vitriol you see online today. People feel empowered because only the admins of the pages can see who they are. Two, this one might even be a warm take, the court of public opinion is stronger than ever thanks to social media.

As a society, and since the introduction of mainstream media or on-demand news, people

are typically judged before legal proceedings are ever allowed to take place. Am I saying someone’s innocent or guilty? That isn’t my place to decide. I’m not a judge or jury.

At the same time, without people raising their voices on issues and drawing attention to it, it may never come to light. You can likely see how difficult the balancing act is to maintain.

On one end, without it, things would likely never come out, but with it, society’s collective mental health is likely being irreparably damaged.

I, of course, have no source for this claim. This is an opinion and based on my own personal experiences. My mental health is much worse when I surf social media.

Without social media, journalists have less access to interviews and stories, I wouldn’t be able to connect with my friends back in Ontario

and I wouldn’t be able to view cat videos and photos.

I’m not here to get up on my high horse and tell you to think before you post. People usually don’t think before they do anything. It’s not human nature. What I am hoping to bring to the table is a different perspective.

If you were to say something anonymously, or even with your name attached, you could consider how it could affect someone and their well-being. Could it affect an ongoing investigation or legal proceeding?

For me, empathy and compassion is really important. Everyone’s out there navigating life differently and it’s unfair to use your voice to make it worse for them.

That’s all I got this week. Next week, I’ll be back to talking about history and some of the stuff I’ve been researching, but I felt like I needed to get this off my chest.

Passport to YLL

Bingo at Moose Lodge

Bingo is back at Moose Lodge every Monday and Wednesday evening. Doors open at 5 p.m. and play starts at 7 p.m. Must be 18 to play.

Chair Yoga

The Alcurve Community Hall is hosting chair yoga every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Cost is $15 for drop in or $50 per month. Call or text Deb at 780-808-0015 for more details.

Elton John Tribute at the Vic Juba

Electric Elton, the music and legacy of Elton John, is at the Vic Juba Community Theatre on Oct. 5 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $69.

Legacy Centre Overnight Trip

The Legacy Centre is hosting an overnight trip to Regina on July 23 and 24 for the Roughriders/Elks CFL game. Limitied spots available! Call the Legacy office at 780-875-4584 for more details.

Von Bieker at the Vic Juba Theatre

The Government of Alberta, City of Lloydminster and Vic Juba Community Theatre present Von Bieker on Aug. 29 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are free, reserved seating only. Reserve tickets, HERE.

City of Lloydminster set to dive into water pipeline

CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI

The City of Lloydminster will inspect its raw water pipeline to assess its condition.

The pipeline was originally constructed in 1983 and brought into service the following year. Having exceeded 40 years of service, the structural condition and remaining service life of the system are currently unknown.

Teague Smith, manager of water distribution and collection, City of Lloydminster, presented the item at the June 8 regular council meeting. He explained the inspection will give the city a clear understanding of the system’s current condition.

“By completing this pre-inspection, the city will gain a better understanding of the internal pipeline conditions prior to introducing larger, more invasive equipment,” Smith said. “This approach allows for informed planning for subsequent phases, including cleaning and detailed inspection, and reduces the likelihood of equipment failure, blockages or unplanned operational disruptions.” Smith explained how the inspection will take place. “The inspection will be done completely in-line with a free-swimming tool,” Smith said. “The vendor will go down to the river and the intake house. They will insert their inspection tool and, using the natural flow of the water and the pumps that we have, the tool is going to swim — or be pushed, rather — from the river, all the way up to the water treatment plant, collecting data all the way.”

It is with profound sadness that the family of Joe Pollmann announce his peaceful passing on June 9, 2026 at the age of 97 years.

He will be lovingly remembered by his Children: Ron (Vernice), Richard, Jody (Toni) and son in law Dave, Grandchildren: Dylan (Candace), Taylor (Vanessa), Brendan (Nadia) and Mallory, Great grandchildren: Brooklyn, Blakely, Noah and Oliver, as well as his sister, Anne; his brother, Frank; sister-in-laws, Jean (Al) and Shirley; brother-in-law, Gary.

He was predeceased by his loving wife, Rosmarie Pollmann and his three children, Deborah, Rodney and Sherry: brother, Martin,

brother-in-laws, Carl and Walter, sister-in-law, Adaline and his long time companion Rose Gannaw.

After a long and successful career with Halliburton he was able to enjoy his true passions of playing pool and golf. He excelled at both. Joe had a wonderful smile and a story to share with anyone he encountered. He will be forever missed by his family and many friends.

The family would like to thank the staff of West Country Hearth retirement residence for their care and support.

Donations in his honour may be made to: West Country Hearth (email to donation@westcountryhearth. ca) or the Alberta Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Celebration of life arrangements will be shared with family at a later date.

Arrangements entrusted to Connelly-McKinley St. Albert Funeral Home. Please remove line in newspaper

To send condolences, please visit HYPERLINK "http://www.connelly-mc kinley.com" www.connelly-mckinley. com

George Mafuleka and Ben Nutbrown Nursery and Sunday

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Focus lunch draws lively crowd

CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI

It was a packed and lively crowd in Vermilion for the Focus Society for Support Services barbecue.

The event marked a major anniversary for Focus.

“This is the anniversary celebration for the Focus Transportation Services, which is the medical transportation program,” said Dawn Riley, director of special projects. “Our first trip was June 14, 2022, and our first barbecue was May 31.”

Proceeds from the June 18 event supported Focus programs.

“All the proceeds today go to the Adopt-a-Ride program, which helps support clients on fixed incomes who use the service,” she said. “We have a second van on the road since we started because we got so busy.”

Riley said the event has always received strong community support.

“We get excellent community support,” she said. “We always get preorders when we do them.

Lots of people come in and just sit and eat.”

She said they prepared 25 bags of perogies for the perogy-and-sausage lunch.

“I think we’re going to go through them all. Our pre-orders alone were 300 perogies,” she said. “We’re going to go through that and probably four or five more bags. I think there are only five bags left.”

Focus has remained busy as more people use its transportation services.

“We’ve been busy. With the transportation services, I very rarely have a day where there isn’t a trip,” Riley said.

The Vermilion Transit Service has also helped generate interest in Focus’s other transportation services.

“We’re actually taking

somebody next week who normally rides the Vermilion Transit Service but has to go to the city,” she said. “They’ve helped each other. We’ve had people use the medical transportation service who now ride the transit service.”

Next up for Focus is its annual general meeting at the Lloydminster office at 3917 12 St. on June 29 at 6 p.m.

Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source

Tourism key topic for city’s economic strategic plan

CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI

Tourism was a big talking point for City of Lloydminster council as it looked at economic plans moving forward.

Council heard a report on the 202631 economic development strategic plan at the June 15 governance and priorities committee meeting.

The plan was developed to support and implement council’s overarching priorities by translating them into targeted, actionable economic initiatives.

The strategic plan highlights four pillars: the innovative ecosystem, connectivity hub, talent magnet and visitor economy.

CROSSWORD

Within pillar one, the innovative ecosystem, the focus is supporting existing businesses and those willing to invest locally while evolving core sectors.

The connectivity hub covers a variety of items, focusing on leveraging geography and infrastructure to lead the region.

Within the second pillar, the plan highlights the airport, something Mayor Gerald Aalbers said was key to the city’s economic growth.

“The item, Coun. (Michele) Charles Gustafson asked me if it would be the airport and we get air service back in this city,” he said.

“That’s the No. 1 priority for our potential economic growth.”

Lloydminster is also focusing on making the city a “choose-to-stay” community for talented individuals. Finally, the visitor economy dominated discussion around the council table as members discussed the city as a destination that attracts visitors and investment.

File photo

“We did look at it and say ‘Is this enough? Is pillar four, which we call visitor economy, does that cover the tourism economy enough and is that event central and that downtown experiential piece enough?’ ” Ka tlin Ducherer, the city’s economic development officer, said.

Coun. Michael Diachuk explained that the city needs support from other groups in the community when it comes to tourism.

“We’re a big small city, yet we’re trying to do some of those other things. I think as we heard here, we’re transitioning in terms of that next phase, so all these pieces are important but particularly around tourism, I think other agencies really need to support the city in more ways than I see in the report,” he said.

Ducherer said work is underway to collaborate with local community groups.

“When we talk about formalizing a hotel association, we talk about that from an event facility perspective as well, where we have these major players that want to do well and want to do better in the community,” she said.

Coun. Jim Taylor pointed out that Lloydminster has changed over the years.

“I think we’re in a very interesting time to look at economic development and to tie in tourism,” he said.

“What is Lloydminster, where are

we, what is economic development, what is the drivers and those questions, I think, are very high right now. I think over the next few months, couple of years as things start to change, those things are going to start to come out and see what is changing.”

Charles Gustafson noted the city is at the beginning of creating its own visitor economy.

“If we want to be a destination (location), we have to build the infrastructure and the structures that allows that to happen, and a place where decisions can be made about tourism, at a table where all the people are sitting,” she said.

Council approved the 2026-31 economic development plan.

The pipeline will also be cleaned beforehand to ensure the vendor’s inspection tool does not get stuck.

“Some of the components that we’ve included was the requirement for a cleaning pig,” Smith said. “This particular vendor wants to insert multiple cleaning swabs of varying diameters as a risk-mitigation measure when they go to insert the larger tool.”

Coun. Michael Diachuk asked about the worst-

case scenario for the pipe’s condition.

“We don’t know; we anticipate that the pipeline will be in good condition. Cement-lined steel pipes are known to have a lifespan of 70-plus years,” Smith said.

Through the assessment, crews will identify the structural condition of the pipeline, note any areas of deterioration, air pockets or small leaks, update mapping, estimate remaining service life and prioritize future maintenance or rehabilitation.

The city’s water system comprises three integrated components: the raw water supply system, the water treatment and disinfection system and the treated water storage and distribution system.

Smith said officials do not anticipate any service disruptions during the inspection, noting

the city has ample raw storage.

“We have a lot of storage on the raw water side of things. The raw water reservoir has a storage capacity of 188,000 cubic metres,” Smith said.

Mayor Gerald Aalbers emphasized the importance of the water line.

“A water line is critical infrastructure — can’t put it any simpler than that,” Aalbers said.

Council approved awarding the raw water pipeline condition assessment to McElhanney Ltd. in the amount of $1,049,462. Council also approved a 15 per cent contingency allowance of $157,419.30.

Of the total $1.5 million in funding, half will come from the water and wastewater services capital reserve, with the remainder coming from third-party funding.

Word on the beat: Traffic collisions

Staff Sgt. JERRY NUTBROWN

In the policing world, when one or more vehicles attempt to occupy the same space as another object, it is called a collision.

I would find it hard to believe that most readers have never broken a traffic law or observed others doing so. There is no need to look any further than a red light, where some drivers immediately look down at their phones while stopped.

- Staff Sgt. Jerry Nutbrown

While this would meet the definition of an accident — an unexpected and undesirable event, especially one resulting in damage or harm — I would challenge the notion that it is unexpected.

An accident is more akin to knocking over a saltshaker and spilling salt or walking around the corner of a building and bumping into someone. While being involved in a collision is certainly undesirable, it can be a stretch to say it was unexpected for a driver who was at fault. Doing something contrary to traffic laws and becoming involved in a collision should, in many cases, be expected. Lloydminster sees a high number of vehicle collisions, virtually all of which are preventable.

Anyone driving around Lloydminster will likely witness traffic infractions

within a couple of blocks of leaving their location.

As Insp. Brian Nicholl has echoed to the chamber of commerce, traffic remains one of the most common complaints he hears.

File photo

I would find it hard to believe that most readers have never broken a traffic law or observed others doing so.

There is no need to look any further than a red light, where some drivers immediately look down at their phones while stopped.

People are required to pass exams before they can drive without supervision, so there is little room for excuses when it comes to breaking traffic laws.

This suggests that drivers are either willingly breaking the law or engaging in behaviours, such as distracted driving, that lead to traffic offences.

It is difficult to attend fatal collision scenes where a 21-year-old nursing student is killed because a driver

was distracted, or where a six-yearold child dies because a parent was distracted. Attending these types of collisions is what made distracted driving such a priority for me when I was a general duty officer. How do we explain these tragedies when they are so easily preventable?

Trying to get somewhere a little faster than traffic laws allow will not save more than a minute, if that, but it will put the driver, other motorists and pedestrians at unnecessary risk. Running a yellow or red light only to stop at the next red light offers no benefit. Checking messages while driving simply demonstrates a lack of self-control and a willingness to put others at risk.

Local detachment officers are issuing a large number of violation tickets because many drivers are willing to contravene traffic safety laws, and yes, this includes glazing.

While collisions are not typically intentional, it is difficult to argue they are unexpected when drivers significantly increase their risk by demonstrating a lack of control over their driving habits. A driver committing numerous offences within a block or two should consider involvement in a collision an expected outcome.

Harsh words, perhaps, but collisions are often injurious or deadly.

Staff Sgt. Jerry Nutbown is the NCO in charge of the Lloydminster RCMP detachment’s General Investigation Section. Stay tuned for future online columns from the Lloydminster RCMP.

Fink sets standard at nationals

Lloyd Comp sprinter earns gold medal in Canadian U20 championships

In her final week of high school, Lloydminster Comprehensive graduate Kate Fink took her game to another level and won a gold medal in junior competition at the Canadian track and field championships in Ottawa.

Just days after representing the Lloyd Comp Barons and the Northwest region in the Saskatchewan high school track and field championships, the Split City Sonics’ Fink became the national champion in the U20 girls’ 400-metre hurdles last Saturday, June 20.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Paradise Hill’s Kate Fink drapes the Canadian flag after winning the U20 girls’ 400-metre hurdles at nationals in Ottawa. Submitted photo

JOHN MacNEIL

Lloyd Comp graduate bound for NCAA athletics

With a time of 58.51 seconds, the NCAAbound runner from Paradise Hill, Sask., set the standard among the eight finalists.

A pair of Ontario athletes, Sydney Freeman (58.69) of Quest Sports and Kaitlyn Gravelle (59.89) of Windsor Essex,

also hit the podium. Alberta Speed School’s Cassidy Bouchard (1:00.83) placed fourth.

Fink’s achievements athletically and academically have earned her an NCAA Division 1 scholarship from Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas.

Before graduating from Lloyd Comp this week, Fink closed her high school athletic career with a double-medal performance at the Saskatchewan provincials earlier this month at Saskatoon’s Gordie Howe Sports Complex.

With a 56.12 clocking, she captured gold in the senior girls’ 400 metres. Silver went to Naysa Woods (57.40) of Saskatoon’s Centennial Collegiate and the bronzemedallist was Hannah Gates (58.02) of Sheldon Williams Collegiate in Regina.

Fink was the silver-medallist in the senior girls’ 200-metre race. Finishing in 24.96 seconds, she narrowly placed behind Valley Christian Academy’s Rosie Braun (24.93). Third place went to Moose Jaw Peacock’s Cambria Stuehler (25.45).

Fink broke three records during her triplegold showing at the Northwest district meet on her home track in Lloydminster.

FINK FROM PAGE 21

Before heading to nationals, Kate Fink represented Lloyd Comp in the Saskatchewan high school track season. John MacNeil Meridian Source

RIDIN’ INTO RODEO SEASON

The 71st annual Lea Park Rodeo in early June highlighted a busy stretch on the rodeo calendar. See also pages 29, 30 and 31 for more on Lea Park. John MacNeil Meridian Source photos

Leinenweber signs with WHL’s Giants

JOHN MacNEIL

The Vancouver Giants didn’t waste any time signing Saskatchewan’s Brady Leinenweber, making him one step closer to playing in the Western Hockey League (WHL).

The Giants announced on June 22 that they have secured an agreement with the 15-year-old defenceman from Kerrobert, Sask., whom they selected early in the second round with the 26th overall choice in the WHL prospects draft this May.

The former Lloydminster Athletics 14U blue-liner played this past season with the U15 prep Northern Alberta Xtreme in the Canadian Sport School Hockey League. He registered 35 points in 29 games with NAX.

This coming campaign, Leinenweber intends to play with the Saskatoon Contacts of the Saskatchewan U18 AAA league. He’s not eligible to play in the WHL full-time until after the 2026-27 season.

“I’m so excited to be signing with such a great organization,” Leinenweber said in a news release from the Giants.

“I want to thank the scouting staff and the whole Vancouver Giants team for believing in me and taking me in the draft. I would like to thank my family, friends, coaches and teammates — without them I wouldn’t be here. Looking forward to the journey ahead.”

Vancouver’s assistant general manager, Peter Toigo, said the Giants were pleased to sign Leinenweber to a WHL scholarship and development agreement.

“Brady is a reliable, smart two-way defenceman who moves the puck well and competes hard in all areas of the ice.

“His character and his commitment to the game make him the type of player who will have a positive impact on our team both on and off the ice.”

Former Lloydminster Athletics defenceman Brady Leinenweber has signed with the Vancouver Giants, the WHL team that drafted him just last month.

John MacNeil Meridian Source

Bobcats open AJHL season at home Sept. 18

As they begin their second season playing out of the new Cenovus Energy Hub, the Lloydminster Bobcats will open their 2026-27 regular season at home Friday, Sept. 18, against the Fort McMurray Oil Barons.

The same teams will also face each other the next night at the Hub on the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s opening weekend.

Lloydminster hosts the Calgary Canucks on back-to-back nights, Sept. 24 and 25, before playing its first road game, Sept. 30 versus the Camrose Kodiaks.

The AJHL released each team’s 54-game schedule on Tuesday, June 23, along with the pre-season calendar.

The Bobcats are slated to play five exhibition games, including home-andhome action against both the AJHL’s Bonnyville Pontiacs and the SJHL’s Kindersley Klippers, and one road date with the SJHL’s Battlefords North Stars.

Lloyd’s first pre-season game is at home to Kindersley on Friday, Sept. 4. The same teams meet the next night in Kindersley.

The Klippers’ top scorer last season, Rylan Wieler, is now a member of the Bobcats. In a trade announced June 1, Wieler was dealt to his hometown team for his 20-year-old season.

Lloydminster’s exhibition schedule includes a Sept. 8 game against Battlefords at Thunderchild First Nation in Saskatchewan.

The Bobcats wind up their pre-season play with two games against the Pontiacs — Sept. 11 at R.J. Lalonde Centre in Bonnyville and Sept. 12 at the Hub in Lloydminster.

The Bobcats’ regular season concludes March 6. Four of their final five games are at home at the Hub, and the lone road date in that stretch is at Bonnyville, March 5.

The Pontiacs kick off their season with two road games against the Grande Prairie Storm on Sept. 18 and 19, before returning to Bonnyville for its Sept. 25 home-opener versus the Devon Xtreme.

The defending AJHL champion Canmore Eagles will begin their regular season at home Sept. 19 against Camrose.

Jack Ferguson and the Lloydminster Bobcats are stepping into the team’s second season at the Hub. John MacNeil Meridian Source

JOHN MacNEIL

18U AA Pirates off to strong start

JOHN MacNEIL ..............................

The Lloydminster Prairie Pirates have been playing like gangbusters since the opening of the 18U AA baseball season.

The Pirates are sporting an 11-4 record overall, including their 9-3 slate in the Baseball Alberta Provincial League. They’re among the upper-echelon teams in Division 2, so it’s still possible Lloyd might be promoted to Division 1 for the July portion of the provincial schedule.

While awaiting the next phase of Alberta league action, the Pirates hosted an exhibition tournament last weekend and won two of their three games.

It’s been that kind of a year for the Pirates, who set the tone early with a season-opening seven-game winning streak this spring.

“Oh yeah, we’ve come back way stronger this year,” said the power-hitting Matthew Kenyon, a six-foot-four outfielder and one of a halfdozen returning players. “It’s mostly new guys and a completely different group. A fresh start. A lot more locked in.”

Graduating from Holy Rosary High School this week, and bound for Lakeland College in the fall, Kenyon likened the Pirates to his senior boys’ high school volleyball club.

“Both teams are really fun to be on,” he said. “No one is bad on the team. Everything is fun, but serious at the same time. It’s a good mix.”

The Pirates’ newcomers include head coach Masen Anderson and young guns like Luke Langley, an athletic workhorse pitcher, and Lincoln Graham, a solid second baseman.

“They’re here to play ball and they’re locked in as soon as it’s game time,” Anderson said. “Luke is one of our better pitchers. I mean, he routinely goes six or seven innings a game. Lincoln is probably one of, if not the most fundamentally sound players on the field. Always knows where he’s going, where the ball is going and what play needs to be made.”

All the returnees are contributing, especially speedy overager Callum Molsberry and catcher Kobe Heck, a team leader, Anderson said.

Strong pitching from the likes of rookie Luke Langley has helped the 18U AA Lloydminster Prairie Pirates to win 11 of their 15 games. John MacNeil Meridian Source

PIRATE POWER

The 18U AA Lloydminster Prairie Pirates (above) rally during a 10-9, extra-inning win over the Edmonton Angels that upped their season-opening streak to 7-0; Callum Molsberry (right) delivers the game-winning bunt; Lincoln Graham (bottom right) at bat; Jax Roach (bottom) on the mound. John MacNeil Meridian Source photos

PIRATES PUSH

The 18U AA Lloydminster Prairie Pirates were happy campers (top) after a come-from-behind, extra-inning home win over the Edmonton Angels. Infielders (left) gather during a pitching change. Kobe Heck (below) behind the plate. Kaleb Hozack (bottom right) mans first base. Thad Molsberry (bottom left) rounds third base. John MacNeil Meridian Source photos

Lea Park embarks on next 70 years

After celebrating its 70th anniversary last year, the reputable Lea Park Rodeo began the next chapter a week into June as it hosted the three-day show in the picturesque setting north of Marwayne, Alta., nestled in trees and near a river. The final two days of the rodeo escaped the rain that soaked the opening-night performance. Lea Park remains a spring staple for spectators and competitors alike. For more photos, see pages 23, 30 and 31.

John MacNeil Meridian Source photos