Issuu

Thursday, March 12, 2026

VOLUME 8 I ISSUE 38

What’s inside

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HOMETOWN HEROES

City updates facility policy

Council looks at facility allocation policy for users.

Badge battle brings funds, food

6-7

Annual emergency services hockey game sees stellar support.

Bandits to face Tigers in final

17-19

It’s Lloyd versus Vermilion in bestof-seven series.

Excited young hockey fans show the junior A Lloydminster Bobcats some love after 20 minutes of action at the Cenovus Energy Hub on Saturday, March 7, as the ’Cats hosted the Olds Grizzlys. The Bobcats finish regular-season play on the road this weekend, before playoffs.

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source

colleen.young@sasktel.net

306-825-5550

Colleen Young

MLA for Lloydminster Constituency

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Thursday, March 12, 2026

COMMUNITY NEWS

Kindness takes flight reaches five-year goal CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER

.................................. Donuts served as rocket fuel as kindness took flight for a donut mission. Students at Mother Teresa Mother Teresa Early Childhood Education Centre were thoroughly entertained as members of the Lloydminster community took turns trying to eat a donut off of a string to wrap up their fifth annual donut campaign. The task was something even donut expert and owner of Sobeys Michelle Rusteika had difficulty with. “I’m awful at it. I’m very much the donut maker and I’m terrible at eating the donuts on the string,” she said, explaining she was impressed with the donut-eating skills of the media from a prior year. “Few years ago, it was just the media that came into the store and did it. Media guys; good donut eaters.” Kindness Takes Flight, The 5th Donut Mission fundraiser, is a chance for the school to give back to the community. “It was kind of an idea of Paige’s,” said Rusteika. “She taught our daughter a number of years ago now. We always talked if there was an idea she had and wanted to collaborate on something, we’d be interested. “It was a late-night Facebook message one night, ‘I have a donut idea.’ ” The idea was born from a book. “The book was The Jelly Donut Difference and it talked about how something as small as a donut could make a big difference if we just share kindness,” she said. Students and Sobeys raised more than $11K this year. “The total amount that we donated this year was $11,394.57. Over the five years total, we have raised $40,773.57 to local organizations in Lloydminster,” explained Paige Kindopp, a Grade 1 teacher at Mother Teresa Early Childhood Education Centre. She says a big part of this fundraiser is Sobeys contributing. This year, of the $8,020 donated, Sobeys corporate pitched in $2,000, something organizers were thrilled to see. “It’s incredible. They see how impactful this project is and they see what their franchise owners are doing,” said Kindopp. “They see that contributing to community is very important.”

Competitors raced to eat their donuts off a string. Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source The fundraiser also received support from Cenovus Cares and some money back from their unique Kindness Takes Flight Clothing order through Kolab Print Co. With the event reaching its fifth year and its five-year goal, Year 6 looks like it’ll be full steam ahead. “It’s like a tradition at this point. People are waiting (for the donuts),” said Rusteika. “You see them come in, not once during the campaign, they’ll be in every second day and they’re sharing donuts and they’re delivering donuts.” Donuts are a big part of the students’ curriculum as they use it in their reading, math, literacy and numeracy. “It becomes an entire year thing that the kids talk about donuts and it gets used in every part of the classroom,” she said. CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

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Thursday, March 12, 2026

City updates facility allocation policy CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER

.................................. The City of Lloydminster is in the process of updating its fieldhouse, arena and outdoor sport surface allocation policy, outlining priorities in how it allocates facility time. The policy was first adopted on May 30, 2022, and aims to provide a fair, transparent and equitable allocation process for users booking through the city. The policy outlines the process for allocation, deadlines per season and facility for when allocations are reviewed and determined. A number of updates were proposed since its initial inception. “Administration is proposing the following updates, changes to the policy, expanded scope to include outdoor sport surfaces; expanded and clarification on definitions, more structured and detailed allocation process,” said Joel Turcotte, director of recreation and cultural services, City of Lloydminster. “We’re hoping that these changes may improve transparency, equity and consistency across facilities, which allows administration to make data-driven information.” The policy’s allocation process outlines users must request their facility time based on what they used last year and what they expect to need for the upcoming season. Administration’s process is also outlined. They will give groups the detailed dates for the upcoming season 30 days before the request deadlines. Administration will then review the requests and confirm the times each group gets within 45 days after the deadline. The new policy includes revised and added definitions for better clarity, and the director of leisure services or delegate can change, approve or remove bookings as needed. Usage trends will be monitored throughout the season to ensure ice is used to its full capacity. Users will be allowed to return unneeded allocation for one season without a loss of priority. However, if this happens for two consecutive seasons, users will lose their allocation. “This example has happened a couple of times,” said Turcotte. “What happens is, sporting groups sometimes fluctuate numbers; we want to give a little bit of wiggle room. “If one year they didn’t need an hour of ice and the following years their numbers came back alive and they were able to use that ice again, we want to make sure we’re fair to other users. So, if they don’t have enough numbers to support that ice usage two years in a row, we’re going to remove it and provide it to someone permanently.” As per the policy, winter season schedule priority will see major events being prioritized over everything else. “Major events is our top priority,” said Turcotte. HOCKEY DATES IN LIMBO Major team playoff games and major team regular-season games come in second and third for the priority. Major teams are defined as the junior A Lloydminster Bobcats, junior B Lloydminster Bandits and Lakeland College Rustlers. The arena seasonal requests are broken into three seasons. There’s the fall season, from the beginning of September to mid-October, the winter season, picking up from mid-October to mid-March, and then the spring and summer season from mid-March to Aug. 30. Priorities for the off-season see events taking the top spot, with non-profit or charitable youth organizations, for-profit youth organizations, adult organizations and major teams who utilized bookings from the previous season taking the second priority. “This allows for spring teams, parent groups and non-profit groups to have equitable access to the ice during the off-season,” said Turcotte. Council discussed winter allocation priorities at the March 9 council meeting, as it would impact the teams currently using the Cenovus Energy Hub. “I’m really struggling with major events being put in front of major team playoff games,” said Coun. David Lopez. “I know that’s happening this year with our junior A team. “I don’t think major events should be taking precedence over playoffs for any of these major teams. They bring in the revenue, they bring in people yearround.” Turcotte explained information on events was provided to organizations ahead of time. “We did provide that information to those organizations early, in May and June,” he said. “One thing about special events I should say is, it’s not just powwows, but Esso Cup for instance, is during the playoff dates. There are major events, too. Not booking in those timeframes could have an issue, too.” Tracy Simpson, City of Lloydminster executive manager of community development services, explained the conflicting schedules would fall in the

second round of junior A playoffs. “Round 1 of the playoffs should be fine. It’s later playoff (rounds) when we get into that provincial (junior) B tournament and some other events that we may have some conflicts on,” said Simpson. She said they did have extensive discussions about how they would deal with the major teams’ playoffs. “We had the exact same comments come forward as Coun. Lopez around should there just be a no-go in there. We felt like that was maybe too harsh. Maybe there would be an opportunity for the right event to put it in playoffs,” she said. “How do we, within our procedures, following the policy adoption, make sure that we’re communicating about that, we’re picking the right events if there’s major impact that it’s worth it and how do we validate that. That’s hard to articulate in policy language, but we do agree it’s something we consider year-over-year.” She explained it isn’t a black-and-white process and the city is in constant communication with groups. Turcotte explained they do have an expectation that user groups communicate with the city and each other. One of the expectations that we always have with our user groups is communication with us and communication with each other,” he said. “Sometimes, when we get into these situations, it’s about sitting down with both organizations and trying to figure out how we can make it work” He also explained they use a program to keep track of bookings while administration also has a spreadsheet to ensure they have all the data. Within the policy, overbooking is not permitted, which is something Turcotte says can happen. “We want to make sure we have a clause in there that if somebody is purposely overbooking just to keep that allocation, that we are able to put a stop to that,” he said, noting they have user groups that want more ice time The other point raised by council was the exclusion of the U18 AAA Lancers and the U18 AAA Steelers as major teams. “We have other U18 teams, so to distinguish two U18 teams away from others would create some conflict in the minor sport world,” said Simpson, explaining the two teams would fall under non-profit or youth teams in the definitions. Council approved the policy at the March 9 regular council meeting.

Box 69, 4912-50 Ave. Kitscoty, AB T0B 2P0 PH: (780) 846-2244 Box 69, 4912-50 Ave. Kitscoty, AB T0B 2P0 PH: (780) 846-2244

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Bylaw 26-01, being a bylawNOTICE to amend OF the text of the County of Vermilion River Land Use Bylaw PUBLIC HEARING (Bylaw amend the minimum parcel sizeofrequirement the Country Residential SingleBylaw19-02) 26-01, to being a bylaw to amend the text the County for of Vermilion River Land Use–Bylaw lot (CR-S) and amend the definition of “Farmstead” the requirement be (Bylaw 19-02)district to amend the minimum parcel size requirement to forremove the Country Residential –toSinglesituated on an unsubdivided quarter section in connection farming an agricultural lot (CR-S) district and amend the definition of “Farmstead” towith remove the or requirement to be operation. situated on an unsubdivided quarter section in connection with farming or an agricultural

DATE: March 24, 2026 operation. TIME: 9:05 AM DATE: March 24, 2026 LOCATION: County of Vermilion River Council Chambers, 4912-50 Ave. Kitscoty, AB TIME: 9:05 AM LOCATION: County of Vermilion River Council 4912-50 Ave.to Kitscoty, ABwith attendance either inAll Public Hearings are held during Regular MeetingsChambers, of Council and are open the public person or via ZOOM Webinar. Written and verbal presentations may be given during the Public Hearing. All Public Hearings are held during Regular Meetings of Council and are open to the public with attendance either inperson or via ZOOM Webinar. Written and verbal presentations may be given during the Public Hearing.

PURPOSE:

The County of Vermilion River is proposing an amendment to the Land Use Bylaw (Bylaw 19-02) to amend the PURPOSE: minimum parcel size requirement for the Country Residential – Single-lot (CR-S) District and amend the The County of Vermilion River is proposing an amendment to the Land Use Bylaw (Bylaw 19-02) to amend the definition of “Farmstead” to remove the requirement to be situated on an unsubdivided quarter section in minimum parcel size requirement for the Country Residential – Single-lot (CR-S) District and amend the relation to Farming or an Agricultural Operation. definition of “Farmstead” to remove the requirement to be situated on an unsubdivided quarter section in relation to Farming or an Agricultural Operation. A copy of Bylaw 26-01, being a bylaw to amend the County of Vermilion River Land Use Bylaw (Bylaw 19-02) can be viewed at the County of Vermilion River Office during regular business hours (Monday through Friday A copy of Bylaw 26-01, being a bylaw to amend the County of Vermilion River Land Use Bylaw (Bylaw 19-02) from 8:30AM to 4:30PM) at 4912-50 Ave. Kitscoty, by emailing planning@county24.com, or on the County of can be viewed at the County of Vermilion River Office during regular business hours (Monday through Friday Vermilion River Website here: https://www.vermilion-river.com/services/development/development-noticesfrom 8:30AM to 4:30PM) at 4912-50 Ave. Kitscoty, by emailing planning@county24.com, or on the County of public-hearings Vermilion River Website here: https://www.vermilion-river.com/services/development/development-noticespublic-hearings Should you wish to provide oral or written presentation to Council on this matter, please take note of the following requirements: Should you wish to provide oral or written presentation to Council on this matter, please take note of the following requirements:  Any person claiming to be affected by the proposed Bylaw 26-01, being a bylaw to amend the County of Vermilion River Land Use Bylaw (Bylaw 19-02) may attend the Public Hearing either in-person or  Any person claiming to be affected by the proposed Bylaw 26-01, being a bylaw to amend the County virtually via ZOOM Webinar and provide their input during the Public Hearing. of Vermilion River Land Use Bylaw (Bylaw 19-02) may attend the Public Hearing either in-person or  To attend the Public Hearing virtually, you must register prior to the Public Hearing here: virtually via ZOOM Webinar and provide their input during the Public Hearing. https://www.vermilion-river.com/your-county/meeting-agendas-and-minutes  To attend the Public Hearing virtually, you must register prior to the Public Hearing here:  Written submissions should be submitted by emailing planning@county24.com, or by mail to Box 69 https://www.vermilion-river.com/your-county/meeting-agendas-and-minutes Kitscoty, AB T0B 2P0 no later than March 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM to be included as part of the Agenda  Written submissions should be submitted by emailing planning@county24.com, or by mail to Box 69 Package for the March 24, 2026 Regular Meeting of Council, and must be related to the topic of the Kitscoty, AB T0B 2P0 no later than March 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM to be included as part of the Agenda Public Hearing. Package for the March 24, 2026 Regular Meeting of Council, and must be related to the topic of the  Presentations may be limited to five (5) minutes in length. Public Hearing.  The names of those who wish to speak, or have submitted written presentation will be recorded in the  Presentations may be limited to five (5) minutes in length. minutes of the March 24. 2026, Regular Meeting of Council and will be published on the County of  The names of those who wish to speak, or have submitted written presentation will be recorded in the Vermilion River website. (Personal information is protected by the privacy provisions of the Access to minutes of the March 24. 2026, Regular Meeting of Council and will be published on the County of Information Act and the Protection of Privacy Act) Vermilion River website. (Personal information is protected by the privacy provisions of the Access to Information Act and the Protection of Privacy Act) For additional information related to the Public Hearing, please contact the Planning and Community Services Department: For additional information related to the Public Hearing, please contact the Planning and Community Services Phone: (780) 846-2244 | Email: planning@county24.com Department: All Public Hearings are advertised in accordance with the regulations outlined in the Municipal Government Act (MGA) and County Phone: (780) 846-2244 |River Email: planning@county24.com of Vermilion Advertising Bylaw All Public Hearings are advertised in accordance with the regulations outlined in the Municipal Government Act (MGA) and County of Vermilion River Advertising Bylaw

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Thursday, March 12, 2026

COMMUNITY NEWS

Students give back to seniors at Lloyd Ex

Grade 5 students from Queen Elizabeth School helped seniors at the Lloydminster Exhibition during the seniors’ lunch buffet on Wednesday, March 4.

CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER

.................................. The Lloydminster Exhibition’s seniors lunch buffet was busier than usual as students did their part to give back. Grade 5 students from Queen Elizabeth School went to the Lloyd Ex on Wednesday, March 4, helping seniors with whatever they needed over lunch. “We’re going to help them if they want some drinks and stuff,” said Les Korn, Grade 5 teacher, Queen Elizabeth School. Korn says February is usually the month of kindness. They, however, kept things going into March. “We’re just spreading it a little into March,” he said. “We’ve had our Grade 5 leadership group come here and spread a little kindness to our seniors.” He says the kids are excited to be out helping and meeting community seniors. “They were excited. It’s a little different for them,” said Korn. It’s a different experience, some of them have really close grandparents and others

Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source photos

maybe not so close. They’re excited to serve them and clear some of their dishes away. “We know seniors are so important in our society here and we just want to make it feel a little extra special.” The tables were also decorated with special placemats created by the kids. We just want to make it a little extra special today for them,” said Korn. He says every year they look for new ideas to give back to the community. This year gave kids an experience they’ve likely never had. “It’s an opportunity to volunteer because they hadn’t had a lot of volunteering experience so far in life,” said Korn. For Grade 5 student David, it was an opportunity to learn. “It seems pretty cool because then you can learn lots of stuff about the community,” he said, as residents began pouring through the doors for their lunch. There were also prizes the lunch attendees could draw, giving them a chance to win a free buffet next time they come out.

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Shine Christian Academy fundraises through laughs CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER

..................................

C I T Y-W I D E

The Shine Christian Academy is kicking up its fundraising efforts with a pair of events, one in April with the other in May. Local singer/songwriter Amanda Koopa and comedian Leland Klassen are set to perform at the April 17 comedy night. The event takes place at City Church in Lloydminster, with doors opening at 6 p.m. The homeschool academy hosts fundraisers throughout the year to help them cover costs of running the school. “In addition to covering operating costs, our fundraising efforts help support field trips, new learning opportunities and enriching educational experiences,” said Deanna Franklin, president of the Shine Christian Academy. “To make this possible, we work hard throughout the year to raise funds. As such, our Comedy Night is an especially important event for our co-operative.” The next event for Shine following the comedy night is the Mother’s Day Tea. The event, happening on May 9, will be entering its fourth year. Shine Christian Academy is a homeschool co-operative operated by a parent-run board with campuses in Lloydminster and Streamstown. More information on Shine’s events is available at scaalberta.ca

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Thursday, March 12, 2026

COMMUNITY NEWS

Battle of the Badges returns to support local charities TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR

..................................

First responders laced up their skates for a good cause last Saturday as the City of Lloydminster hosted the annual Todd Gustavson Memorial Battle of the Badges hockey game. The charity matchup between Lloydminster Fire Rescue and the RCMP was held at the Cenovus Energy Hub for the first time since the multi-million-dollar facility opened, drawing community members together to support three local organizations: the Salvation Army, the Olive Tree and Inclusion Lloydminster. Lloydminster Fire Rescue coach Curtis Johnson, who also serves as the department’s training captain, said both teams were eager to return to the ice for the annual contest. “We’re excited. It took a lot of work to organize an event like this, and I know the fire crew and RCMP are super excited to get onto the ice,” said Johnson. “It’s been 365 days since the last one and hopefully Lloyd Fire Rescue can pull off the win.” Johnson, an eight-year member of Lloydminster Fire Rescue, said the game carries special meaning for the department as it honours the legacy of the late Todd Gustavson, who helped start the event more than a decade ago. “I never worked with Todd, but this event means a lot to us on the fire department,” he said. “Todd started this over a decade ago and it was renamed in his memory after he passed. His son is still on

the fire department carrying on that firefighter legacy in the Gustavson name in Lloydminster.” Beyond the friendly rivalry on the ice, Johnson said the event is another opportunity for first responders to give back to the community they serve every day. “As first responders, we work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to support the community,” he said. “This is just another way to give back to local charities, the Salvation Army, Olive Tree and Inclusion Lloydminster. “We care a lot about this community. We don’t just put our lives on the line, we are about helping in other ways, too.” Johnson also noted the excitement of playing the game at the Cenovus Energy Hub. “This is my first time being down at ice level at this facility, and it’s great that the community came together to raise money to give us something like this,” he said. “We’re all super excited. It’s going to be a great afternoon.” On the RCMP bench, coach Bruce MacLean, unit commander for the Lloydminster Alberta Law

Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT), said his team came ready to defend last year’s title. “We intend fully on defending the title and bringing home the trophy,” said MacLean, who is in his third year coaching the RCMP squad. While the competition can be intense, MacLean said the real focus of the game is supporting the community. “We want to get together with other emergency services and do something good for the community,” he said. “These are our brothers and sisters out in the fire department, but not today. Today is when we lay it on the line, put on a show for the good community and hopefully they come out and provide all sorts of charitable donations.” MacLean said the charities supported by the event provide important services in Lloydminster. “These are organizations that we, as first responders, want to support,” he said. “They all provide great support to the community.” Although many RCMP members are posted to Lloydminster from elsewhere, MacLean said the city quickly becomes home. CONTINUED ON PAGE 7

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Taylor Weaver Meridian Source photos

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Thursday, March 12, 2026

The annual Todd Gustavson Memorial Battle of the Badges charity hockey game saw members of the Lloydminster RCMP face off against Lloydminster Fire Rescue on Saturday, March 7, at the Cenovus Energy Hub. The Mounties defended their title while both organizations raised money and food donations for local non-profits. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source photos

BATTLE OF THE BADGES FROM PAGE 6

“You’ll notice we’re on the guest bench today, but this is our home,” he said with a laugh. “We come and go in the community, but I can tell you, every one of the people wearing that uniform, this is their home and they treat it like that. “We want to give back to the communities we live in. Our families are here, our families play hockey in this rink, so we want to make sure we’re giving back to Lloydminster as much as it’s given us.” Major Bond Jennings of the Salvation Army said events like the Battle of the Badges play an important role in supporting organizations that assist residents facing food insecurity. “It’s nice for the RCMP and the fire department to be doing this event in support of the Salvation Army and a couple other organizations,” said Jennings. “Funding to purchase food and necessary items is difficult to come by and having donations of food come in is great.” Jennings noted that while the Salvation Army’s food shelves are currently stocked, demand remains steady. “Our shelves are pretty good right now, but the demand is still high,” he said. “People are still coming looking for food assistance and I’m not sure if there will ever be an end to that because of the economy and things happening around the world. “It’s wonderful that organizations are doing these events to support the community in this way.” When all was said and done, the Lloydminster RCMP won 4-3 after scoring with 21 seconds remaining in overtime. A total of $8,000 was raised for Inclusion Lloydminster and Border City Connects and 900 pounds of food for The Olive Tree and The Salvation Army. “It was great to see such a close game, especially with the first overtime finish in the history of Battle of the Badges,” said Mayor Gerald Aalbers. “Just as important is the level of community support behind the event. Residents continue to show up in a big way to support organizations doing important work in Lloydminster. That support is what makes this event possible year after year.”

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. Affected Address

Use

App #

5104 – 42 Avenue Lot: 5, Block: 52, Plan: 79B 07571

Industrial Uses: General – Shop & Office – Trucking Company

26-5737

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).

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Thursday, March 12, 2026

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COMMUNITY NEWS

Card show goers starstruck by Šmíd

TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR

..................................

Sports card collectors packed the WLS Convention Centre on March 7 as the Border City Card Show returned for its eighth event, setting multiple attendance records in its first show at the Lloyd Ex. Organizer Chris Brinklow said the new venue proved to be a hit with vendors and collectors alike. “We set a record for vendors with 40 and a record for tables with 79,” said Brinklow. “We also set a record for foot traffic. We had just over 500 people come through the door.” Previous shows, held at the Gold Horse Casino, typically saw between 410 and 425 attendees. Brinklow said the expanded space at the Lloyd Ex gives organizers room to grow even more in future shows. “The first time we set up there, we didn’t really

know what we had for space,” he said. “Now that we’ve seen the layout, we know we can maybe squeeze another section in and add some more tables.” The next show is scheduled for Nov. 7, where Brinklow hopes to increase capacity to around 80 or 85 tables. A major draw for the March show was special guest Ladislav Smid. The former NHL defenceman, best known for his time with the Edmonton Oilers, spent the day signing autographs and meeting fans while helping raise money for the charity I Love Alberta Boobs. “I love supporting local charities, whatever it is. This is a great cause,” said Smid. “When Chris

approached me, I didn’t really think twice about it.” Fans paid $20 for autographs, with some donating extra to the cause. Brinklow said the response was strong throughout the day. “Nobody had an issue paying the $20,” he said. “Some people even threw in a couple extra bucks just because.” Smid also enjoyed reconnecting with collectors and even seeing some memorabilia from his own playing career that he hadn’t encountered before. “Some of the cards we brought for him to sign were from his time playing in the Czech league,” said Brinklow. “He looked at one and said, ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen this one before.’ ” CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Top: Edmonton Oilers’ alumni Ladislav Smid signs autographs for fans during the Border City Card Show at the WLS Convention Centre on Saturday, March 7. Above: A TGA Grading rep examines client cards during the Border City Card Show. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source photos

COMMUNITY NEWS

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Thursday, March 12, 2026

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Clark Gerald Romero (right) is the Lloydminster Public Library’s artist in residence for the next two months. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source

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City of Lloydminster Public Notice 6:0)

Draft Bylaw 02-2026

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Intent: The purpose of Bylaw No. 02-2026 is to redistrict Lot 4, Block 16, Plan 202 0044 within S.W. ¼ Sec.26-TWP.49-Rge.1-W4M from Transition (T) to Parks & Utility (PU) and Medium Density Residential (MDR). $YH

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How can I be a part of the Public Hearing? Anyone wishing to make a presentation at the Public Hearing, either verbally or in writing, concerning this bylaw may do so during the City Council with or without notice at the meeting specified below. Please notify Legislative Services by 2 p.m. Monday, March 16, 2026, to provide a submission for the agenda. All submissions will become part of the permanent public 0HWUHV record. $YH

The Lloydminster Public Library is welcoming its first-ever artist in residence, bringing new opportunities for creativity and community engagement over the next two months. Library director Cheryl Sikora said the program will offer a variety of free activities for patrons while highlighting the work of local artist Clark Gerald Romero. “We’re going to have an artist in residence at the library for the next two months, and he’ll be offering a variety of programming,” said Sikora. Programming will include open studio hours, workshops and collaborative art projects designed to bring people together. “One of the things he’ll offer is open studio hours where he’ll come in and work on his art,” she said. “Patrons will have a chance to watch him draw, paint and sketch, ask questions and interact with him.” Romero, originally from the Philippines, has been living in Canada for nearly four years. He said he’s excited about the opportunity to connect with the community through art. “I’m really excited,” said Romero. “I’ll be hosting oil pastel workshops and classes, as well as artist hours where people can come hang out, draw and work on their art. I’ll be happy to give tips and also learn from them.” He will also host open studio sessions, a caricature night and doodle workshops where participants can turn their artwork into stickers. Sikora said artist-in-residence programs are common in libraries, but this marks the first time the Lloydminster library has hosted one. The program is funded through Sask Lotteries and was open to newcomer or Indigenous artists. Romero was selected for the role after moving to Lloydminster to join his family. “My mom came to Canada for work first and was in Montreal, while my dad was working in Lloydminster,” said Romero. “Eventually, we moved here and I’ve met so many great people.” Along with community programming, Romero will create a unique legacy project for the library. “During that time, he’ll be creating a colouring book, which will be our legacy piece,” said Sikora. “It’s very common for artist-in-residence programs to end with something like a painting or sculpture, but we like to do things a little differently. Clark will be creating a colouring book that we’ll have multiple copies of available to the public.” Another collaborative project will invite patrons to contribute to a large art installation made up of coloured tiles. “He’s also designed a motif that will allow for community input,” said Sikora. “People can take home a colouring tile and Clark will arrange them together into an artistic wallpaper piece in the library.” Romero said the design reflects local and library themes. “Items in the motifs tiles represent the wild rose of Alberta and the red

lily of Saskatchewan,” he said. “In the centre are the five values of the Lloydminster Public Library: diversity, inclusion, intellectual freedom, 3URSRVHG 5HGLVWULFWLQJ collaboration and service.” O 6 W &

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TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR

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Monday March 23, 2026

2 p.m.

Council Chambers, City Hall, 4420 50 Avenue Available to view via livestream at lloydminster.ca/livestream 780-875-6184

cityclerk@lloydminster.ca

City of Lloydminster public hearings are held in accordance with the Procedure Bylaw, available at lloydminster.ca/procedurebylaw.

PAGE 10 Thursday, March 12, 2026 MERIDIAN SOURCE

5921-50 Avenue, Lloydminster, SK S9V 2A4 Phone: 306-825-5111 | Fax: 306-825-5147 meridiansource.ca Mail: Box 2454, Lloydminster, SK S9V 1W5 Hours: 8AM to 5PM Monday to Friday 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.

Editor Taylor Weaver taylor@meridiansource.ca

Sports Editor John MacNeil sports@meridiansource.ca

Viewpoint New city program addresses trespassing concerns T

he City of Lloydminster is addressing trespassing with a new program. The Authorized General Enforcement for Nuisances and Trespassing (AGENT) program allows businesses that participate in the program, to authorize police and peace officers to act as representatives when addressing trespassing, loitering and other unlawful activity on their property. According to the city, the program is designed to help enforcement respond more efficiently when attending properties experiencing recurring concerns. Participation in AGENT is voluntary and free of charge. Participating businesses will receive an AGENT identification sticker to display at their property to indicate RCMP and municipal enforcement are authorized to act on their behalf.

According to the city in a statement provided to the Meridian Source, there’s been engagement from about 13 businesses. RCMP say they will issue a notice of trespass to an individual first, informing them they are no longer permitted on the property. “If police return to the property in response to a call for service or through proactive patrols and locate a person who has previously been trespassed, officers will take the appropriate action by issuing a ticket under the applicable trespass legislation or serving a summons compelling the accused to attend court,” RCMP said in a statement. “In situations where the behaviour becomes habitual, police may consider pursuing criminal charges.” More information on the new program is available at Lloydminster.ca/AGENT

Staff Writer Christian Apostolovski christian@meridiansource.ca

Marketing Consultant Jacie Borrebach jacie@meridiansource.ca 780-870-5583 Publisher: Reid Keebaugh Distribution: distribution@meridiansource.ca CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING admin@meridiansource.ca NEWSPAPER DELIVERY If you’ve missed a paper, to start or stop delivery, or for carrier applications, please call 306-825-5111 for information. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR We welcome letters to the editor. Letters should be 500 words or less. A name and daytime phone number is required for verification. Priority will be given to letters exclusively written for the Meridian Source. We reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, brevity, spelling, grammar, punctuation and libel. Unsigned letters will not be published. Use of pseudonyms will only be allowed in special circumstances, at the discretion of the editor and the publisher, and only if the author’s identity is known to the editor. Publication of a letter does not imply endorsement by the Meridian Source. Send to taylor@meridiansource.ca

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A vendor talks hockey with young card show goers at the WLS Convention Centre on March 7.

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CARD SHOW FROM PAGE 8

The recently retired defenceman, who stepped away from hockey due to neck injuries, said he appreciated the warm welcome he received in Lloydminster. “Today’s been awesome. It was an easy drive with beautiful weather and the reception at the show’s been awesome,” said Smid, who lives in Edmonton. “Interacting with people, signing autographs and raising money a greatMcause WANTED ROyAl Cfor ANADIAN INT COINS, F — it’s been great.” MINT, US MINT, WORlD SETS ETC, COllECTO Smid is no stranger to the Border City, noting NUMISMATICS, OlyMpIC COINS, OlD COINS, he visits frequently. , bARS , INgOTS “I comegOlD hereCOINS quite, aSIlvER bit,” COINS he said. “I was here, jEWEl a few years ago for the Battle AlbertaCOIN alumni STERlINg SIlvER & ofENTIRE COllEC game, and I also travel here for my son’s hockey games.” Funds raised at the card show will be combined with proceeds from this Sunday’s Home Business Expo before a Numismatist/Gold final donation & S total is announced at I Love Alberta Boobs’ Rock for a Cure event, which is scheduled for March 28 at the WLS Convention Centre. Brinklow said the positive response has already I MAKE FREE HOUS secured future events, including the Nov. 7 ALL10,OVER show and another planned for April 2027. ALBER

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PAGE 11 Thursday, March 12, 2026 MERIDIAN SOURCE

Opinion

Chris’ A-Z: Civic excellence and the fight against taxes You don’t have to go back too far in Lloydminster’s history to find the impacts Kenneth Baker had on Lloyd. He left quite the mark in his half century of residency in the Border City. I’m sure you and many others already know Baker quite well. He was a longtime politician and generally a bringer of positive change for Lloydminster. That’s exactly why I’m interested in talking about him today. Baker was born in Melfort, Sask., before his family moved to Turtleford early in his life. He played baseball and hockey and was a member of the Turtleford army cadets. Getting his first taste of leadership, Baker held many leadership positions with the cadets, even being commanding officer of his home corps. He developed a hard-work ethic at a young age. Still in the single digits, roughly eight or nine years old, he took an after-school job as a delivery boy for Fletcher’s Fine Foods. He delivered groceries to homemakers by wagon in the summer and sled in the winter, bringing in about $5 per week, big money for him at the time, I’m sure. Fast forward to 1965, he married Jean Rennie, and in 1966, they moved to Lloydminster, where Ken accepted a position with Nelson Lumber. During his time with Nelson Lumber, he worked his way through the system, from a position in sales to transportation manager and then construction manager. He took on countless responsibilities through his various positions. Baker’s career feels like a footnote to his story. He was involved with Kinsmen and K40 for 45 years, well over half his life. Another interesting note I learned about Baker, he was a member of the Busher’s Club for 25 years. If you haven’t heard of this club, don’t worry, neither had I. They’re a group who got together on weekdays for coffee at the Wayside Inn. He attended 4,383 times and paid for the group’s coffee a total of 517 times. They decided who would pay for the coffee through a game they created of guessing and elimination. I’m notoriously bad at math, but that’s about 12 per cent of the time he footed the bill when attending his coffee group. It would be in 1994, my birth year, when Baker took up the mantle of public service. He was first elected as a city councillor in 1994. In 2000, he successfully ran for the mayor’s seat and would sit on until 2009. One of the most notable ideas Baker had, was to not raise taxes. It was something he stood by and believed in so strongly that the week before he passed away, he was lecturing the sitting council about holding the line on taxes. In his time serving as mayor for nine years, he oversaw some major projects. The opening of the Servus Sports Centre and the Vic Juba Theatre being top of the list. He teared up at the opening of the theatre, a very important moment for him. He stepped away briefly before landing a seat on council in 2014 and again in 2016. Baker received his 20-year recognition in 2019, from both Urban Municipal Associations in Alberta and Saskatchewan. It wouldn’t be the only award he would receive. In 2002, he received the Queen Elizabath II’s Golden Jubilee Medal. While serving as mayor or councillor, he always had the public’s interest in mind and how any decision they make around that table would impact the people that call Lloyd home. He was a man who understood the position he was in. Baker praised the city management team for the work they do supporting council. “The best asset that council has is their city management team and the staff at city hall,” he said. He knew from the jump he wouldn’t have all the answers but was willing to learn. “I’ve said it before, when you get elected, sometimes you think you got all the answers, well that’s not true,” said Baker. There’s plenty of ways to remember Baker. He was a hard worker who loved his community and wanted to better the place he lived. He served tirelessly hoping to make change, always fighting for the people most affected by the city’s decisions. What I’m sure most people remember him for, is his kindness. He touched the lives of so many people in the Border City. What sparked my interest in Baker was seeing him greeting Prince Edward for the royal visit in 2003. He was beaming ear to ear and was thrilled to see the prince touch down in Lloyd.

Mayor Aalbers (left) opens Ken Baker Park in 2022. File photo There’s something I read that I think speaks to Baker’s character. It took him some time, but he figured out how to text. Remember the first time you picked up a phone? It wasn’t such an easy task having to learn those pesky keyboards. Baker used texting as a means to talk to his kids. Every message began with a howdy and ended ‘love papa.’ It was when he discovered emojis the messages became personally tailored to whoever he was sending them to. It may not seem like a lot, but he always put all his effort into everything, even if that was just personalizing emoji strings for the people he was texting. Baker died in 2020, and his memory and legacy would be permanently etched into the Border City with the Ken Baker Park. He’s remembered today as a kind, compassionate individual who was fully committed to making the community better.

MERIDIANSOURCE.CA

12 Thursday, March 12, 2026

COMMUNITY NEWS

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. Southridge Playschool Registration is Open The Southridge Playschool and Kindergym Society has opened registration for the fall 2026-2027 term for kids ages 3-5. One day a week is covered by a government affordability grant and two days a week is $325 for the whole term. Contact Mrs. Shandy at southridgeplayschool@gmail.com or message them on Facebook. Islay Doubles Crib Tournament The Islay Community Association is hosting a d o u b l e s c r i b t o u r n a m e n t o n S a t u r d a y, March 14, in the Islay Hall. Doors open at 9 a.m., registration cut-off is 10 am. Cost is $25 per person which includes noon lunch. Please pre-register by calling Linda at 780-581-0570. Kaiser Tournament The Lloydminster Moose Lodge is holding a kaiser tournament on Sunday, March 15, at 1 p.m. Cost is $20/person, eight games guaranteed and prizes awarded to top teams. Must register by Friday, March 13. Contact Arne at 306-821-7459 or Bruce at 780-522-6972 for more info. Lloydminster Senior Citizens Society AGM The annual meeting of the Lloydminster Senior Citizens Society will be at 10:30 a.m. in the Legacy boardroom on March 16. All members encouraged to attend. For more info, call Legacy office at 780-875-4584. Spades Tournament The Legacy Centre is hosting a spades tournament on March 19 starting at 10 a.m. Cost is $10/person to play and $12/person for lunch. Singles Crib Tournament The Lloydminster Moose will be holding a singles cribbage tournament on Sunday, March 22, from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $20/person, eight games guaranteed and prizes awarded to top finishers. Must register by Friday, March 20. Contact Bruce at 780-522-6972 for more info. Lions Strides Walk for Diabetes Join the Lions Strides Walk for Diabetes on March 28 from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Servus Sports Centre. Hosted by Lions Clubs International, the event promotes diabetes awareness and will feature refreshments and opportunities to speak with nurses and exercise therapists. Crib Tournamant The Hillmond Hall is hosting a crib tournament on Sunday, March 29, starting at 11 a.m. Lunch will be served at noon. Dewberry Hall Upcoming Events The Dewberry Community Hall is hosting Fa m i l y S o c i a l a n d M u s i c – T h e R e l i c s o n March 7, ATCO Movie Day – Zootopia 2 on March 8 and a hall meeting on March 10. They will also host the cutter rally on March 14 and the Dewberry Dinner Theatre – Is There a Doctor in the House? on March 27 and 28.

Property crime, traffic, drugs remain priority for police in Vermilion CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER

.................................. The Town of Vermilion has set their top policing priorities for 2026. Their top three priorities will be property crime, traffic enforcement and drug-related offences, as approved by a council motion at the March 3 regular council meeting. “Last year it was the same it was property crime, traffic, police involvement and police presence,” said Sgt. Ken Shamblaw. “I don’t see anything changing unless you guys have heard differently from your constituents.” He was asked if violent crimes have gone up in the area. “We haven’t, from the past two months I’ve been here, we have yet to go to a violent assault,” Shamblaw explained. He spoke to the policing priorities and what they’ll be focusing on. “I believe traffic is still going to be No. 1. Property crime right now is at a lull,” he said.

While property crime might be down now, he says people don’t typically want to be out in the freezing temperatures and that type of crime spikes in the spring and summer months. Coun. Justin Clark says he’s heard from the community that drugs and police presence remain a big priority to residents. Shamblaw explains drugs will always be an issue in the community. “Since I’ve been here, we haven’t come across any big things where there’s big drug-related fights or ripoffs or anything like that,” he said. “Drugs are always going to be in the community. We’re never going to get rid of them. My concern will be if things start disappearing like trucks and that’s usually the indicator that people are in and about and are looking to steal things because they want to get more drugs.” While council did approve the policing priorities, Shamblaw says if anything major changes, he’ll be back to talk to council about possible changes in police priorities. “We have to be flexible,” he said.

Library welcomes first-ever resident artist FROM PAGE 9

Romero is also studying interior design at Lakeland College and hopes the experience will help him build skills for his future career. “In interior design, you work with clients, so communication is really important,” he said. “I’m hoping to improve my social skills, meet more people and build connections in the community.” Sikora said the program aligns with the library’s goal of bringing people together through creative programming. “We’re always looking for opportunities to

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engage people in different ways, be creative and build community,” she said. “This is another step toward being inclusive and diverse and living out the library’s values through our programming.” The library has seen growing interest from the community since moving to its new location, with Sikora noting more than 106,000 people visited the facility in 2025 and over 10,000 participated in programs. “Almost everything at the library is free,” she said. “We’re really proud to offer high-quality programming at no cost.” Gerald Romero’s schedule at the library is as follows: Open studio Come watch Clark in action. He will be hard at work on the Lloydminster Public Library legacy project and will be happy to answer your questions. General public Unused - all ages,ordrop-in, informal, noRings, unwanted Chains, registration required Friday, March 6 - 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. SENIORS’ SPECIAL Saturday, March 7 - 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. more in March Thursday, March 12 - 5:30 p.m. - 10% 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 13 - 3:30 p.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday, March 14 - 3:30 p.m. - 5pm Thursday, March 19 - 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Canadian Mint Friday, March 20 - 3:30 p.m.Royal – 5 p.m. Canadian Silver–Coins 1968 and older 10, 25 Friday, March 27 - 3:30 p.m. 5 p.m. Saturday, March 28 - 3:30 p.m. and – 5 earlier p.m. 10, 25, 50 & sil US 1964 Artist hours Silver flatware, tea sets, all thin Bring your own project to work on in the come to inthe of your h company of fellow We artists. Create theprivacy community. Optional opportunity to ask questions as well as 825 Please call Joy or Ted offer/receive guidance and constructive criticism. Amateur artists, drop-in, no registration required Saturday, March 7 - 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. Saturday, March 14 - 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. Sunday, March 15 - 3:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28 - 1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. Doing since 1967 Sunday, March Bonded 29 - 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.business in A

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Thursday, March 12, 2026

Town of Vermilion approves new strategic plan CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER

.................................. The Town of Vermilion has outlined its strategic plan for the council term, setting out pillars of community, infrastructure, economy and relationships. Council accepted the strategic plan at the Feb. 17 regular council meeting. Council and administration met with Civic Excellence in January to undertake a facilitated strategic planning session for the development of the town’s new strategic plan. The session focused on establishing council’s priorities, confirming long-term goals, and identifying key strategic initiatives to guide the municipality over the next four years. Mayor Robert Snow says this was a good opportunity to come together with administration. “I know if we go to our values, collaboration, respect, being realistic and transparent, it was a good start to see administration and council working in those values,” he said. The plan aims to set a clear direction for council over its term. “Our vision is to be an engaged and neighbourly community where people feel proud to live,” said Snow. “And where essential needs are supported here, locally.” Looking toward their pillar of infrastructure, they want to promote a more diverse housing model. “This is important because one housing model doesn’t meet every resident’s needs,” he said. “We want to make sure everyone has a home.”

They also plan to invest in recreational opportunities to enable people to remain active and connected. The town’s goal is also to strengthen their emergency preparedness, something they’ve already been working on through their bylaws. Maintaining infrastructure and long-term planning are also two key points the town is focused on. “We believe it’s important to foster a visitor economy in our community as well,” said Snow, noting they plan to do this through partnership with local organizations. He was happy with how the community was represented in this strategic plan. “I can speak very openly that each member of council represented our community in this strategic plan. They didn’t just bring their ideas and concepts. They came with what’s best for our community,” he said. The entire strategic plan will be available for viewing on the town’s website. “It will be on our website, available for the public,” said Town of Vermilion CAO Shannon Harrower, explaining physical copies are not in the budget. She says the town will be able to utilize the strategic plan as part of the next annual report. “We’re preparing an annual report, so the last strategic plan was a bit more project focused,” said Harrower. “What we intend to do, in next year’s annual report, we’ll be able to grab all of the different pillars that we’re working under and align those with projects to show the community how council delivered on their strategic plan.”

DONUTS FROM PAGE 2

Rusteika, sporting a spiffy outfit which drew some curious kids, received a thunderous ovation from the kids as she flew into the assembly. “This was an idea of Paige’s, and because we were space themed, this year we came as astronauts in rocket ships,” she said. When it comes to choosing the groups that receive money, the kids are fully involved in the whole process. “We have our celebration of learning evening and have a local organization fair,” said Kindopp. They invite local organizations to the gym, they set up a booth and the kids and families visit all the local organizations, finding out what they do. Two classrooms can make a donation to a specific charity. “Each class, the most votes that they have for those organizations, is how they choose their organization,” she said. “We’re trying to teach them how to vote.” Lloydminster Rescue Squad, Lloydminster Public Library, The Olive Tree, Border Paws Animal Shelter, and Lloydminster KidSport each received $1,940.25 and Border City Connects and Big Brothers Big Sisters Lloydminster received $846.66.

Michelle Rusteika, Sobeys owner, speaking to students who were presenting cheques to local non-profits. Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source photos

PUBLIC NOTICE

Use

App #

3006 – 50 Avenue Lot: 24, Block: D, Plan: 101923343

Portable Sign

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MERIDIANSOURCE.CA

Thursday, March 12, 2026

POLICE BEAT

RCMP investigate attempted armed robbery in Paynton MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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Maidstone RCMP is investigating an attempted armed robbery at a residence in Paynton. Police say officers received a report of the incident around 4:50 p.m. on March 4. A group of individuals allegedly approached a residence in the community and threatened an occupant with a firearm before leaving the area in a maroon truck. The victim did not report any physical injuries to police. As a result of the investigation, 62-year-old Holly Gordon of Paynton has been charged with pointing a firearm and robbery with a firearm under the Criminal Code. Police have issued a warrant for Gordon’s arrest and say officers are actively working to locate her.

Gordon is described as approximately five-feettwo inches tall, weighing about 138 pounds, with green eyes and brown hair. Investigators are also working to identify other suspects believed to be involved in the incident. Police say the group includes three females and one male. The male is described as about six-feetseven inches tall with a thin build. The suspects were last seen in a maroon mid2010s Dodge Ram quad cab truck near Table Mountain. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Maidstone RCMP by calling 310-RCMP. Information can also be submitted anonymously through Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at saskcrimestoppers.com.

Holly Gordan. Submitted photo

RCMP seek help locating missing man MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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RCMP is asking for the public’s help locating a missing 41-year-old man last seen in Lloydminster. Police say Jason “Jay” Hardy was last seen around 8:30 a.m. on March 9 and was reported missing later that evening. Officers say there is concern for his well-being. Hardy is described as six feet tall and about 250 pounds with a fair complexion, blue eyes, brown hair and a full beard. He has multiple tattoos on

Jason “Jay: Hardy. Submitted photo his arms, shoulder and chest. RCMP say he may be driving a gold 1999 Chevrolet Malibu with Alberta licence plate CYF1801 and could be in the Edmonton area. Anyone with information about Hardy’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Lloydminster RCMP at 780-808-8400.

Two charged after stolen truck flees from police MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

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Two people are facing charges after a stolen truck fled from police on Onion Lake Cree Nation last month. According to RCMP, officers with the Onion Lake detachment received a report of a suspicious person outside a residence on Feb. 20. Police say an individual arrived at the property in a truck and broke the window of a vehicle parked outside. Officers located a truck matching the description and attempted to conduct a traffic stop but the driver fled at a high rate of speed. Mounties asked nearby detachments, along with the Onion Lake Fire Rescue Peacekeepers, to watch for the vehicle. At approximately 2 p.m., officers with the Maidstone RCMP located a truck matching the description on Highway 3 heading west toward Highway 17. Police again attempted a traffic stop, but the vehicle fled at high speed back toward the Onion Lake area. Later that day, the Onion Lake Fire Rescue Peacekeepers notified police the truck had been located parked outside a residence. Officers attended the home and arrested three individuals. Police say the truck had previously been reported stolen from Two Hills and the licence plate attached to it had also been reported stolen. Following further investigation by Onion Lake and Maidstone RCMP, 24-year-old Loralee McAdam of Onion Lake has been charged with flight from a peace officer and two counts of possession of property obtained by crime. McAdam is scheduled to appear in Lloydminster Provincial Court on April 1. Meanwhile, 27-year-old Germain Gamble of Onion Lake was charged with the same offences. He appeared in court on March 5, where he pleaded guilty to flight from police. He was sentenced to 161 days in custody and one year of probation. The remaining charges against him were withdrawn. A third individual arrested in the incident was released without charge.

POLICE BEAT

MERIDIANSOURCE.CA

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Word on the beat: Missing people Staff Sgt. JERRY NUTBROWN SPECIAL TO THE SOURCE

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An investigation type that can take hundreds of hours of police work is missing persons. Many of these start off as a well-being check but can morph into a missing-person investigation, which we consider to be high risk. In this column, my goal is to provide some insights into the challenges we face with missing persons investigations. First, let me dispel the false belief that some people have that a person needs to be missing for 24 hours or some other time period before police will act. This seems to again be something from U.S. television and is actually detrimental to an investigation the longer someone waits to report it. Missing persons are categorized as high risk by police because the missing person could be in serious trouble medically or otherwise. Often these start off as a request for a well-being check by someone such as a friend, employer or family member because they haven’t heard from the person. Maybe they always come to work on time but for some reason they didn’t show up. Some reports we get will be weeks or months after the person was last seen or heard from and these are often extremely challenging because of the time delay. The trail we need to establish in order to locate them is already very cold. The first thing we do is an intake, gathering as

much information as we can from the person who reports this, and we have a specifically designed form for this. This will hopefully include a photo of the person, as photos are very important so we know what the person looks like and, in case we send out a media release, it allows the public to know what the person looks like. The higher quality and more recent the photo, the better. After that, the typical actions are to check places the person frequents and speak to friends, family, co-workers, teammates, etc. We also utilize other tools to locate them in addition to engaging our missing persons unit, who will monitor the investigation to ensure everything that can be done is being done. We will get reports from people who have taken a lot of time and looked themselves, covering off many obvious ways to find the person, but some report this to us where they have done nothing to locate the person. Either way, these are priority investigations for us and we front-load them with much effort and time to locate the individual. Time is key. Another challenge is if the person is living a highrisk lifestyle often involving addictions and possibly homelessness. The more structured a person’s life is, the easier it is to find them. People with outstanding arrest warrants often avoid police, which further complicates locating them. We will also get people who have willingly distanced themselves from friends and family, not wanting them to know where they are. The end results in these investigations range from

Alberta RCMP encourages seatbelt safety as fines set to increase

he Alberta RCMP is reminding motorists to buckle up this March as the fine for failing to wear a seatbelt is set to increase. Police say wearing a seatbelt is essential to protect drivers and passengers in the event of a collision, noting proper use of safety restraints significantly reduces the risk of serious injury or death. According to the Alberta RCMP, officers issued 2,338 tickets last year for seatbelt and restraint-related offences. The current fine for not complying with occupant restraint laws is $162. As of March 13, the fine will increase to $211. “Buckling up, and ensuring other occupants are safely restrained, should be your first priority when entering your vehicle,” said Sgt. Darrin Turnbull with Alberta RCMP Traffic. “Breaking occupant restraint laws may not only cost a ticket but your life. While airbags offer protection in collisions, they are designed to supplement the safety features provided by seatbelts.”

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never finding the person to locating them in minutes. 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.

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Thursday, March 12, 2026

MERIDIANSOURCE.CA

COMMUNITY NEWS

Experience the Shine of the Future.. Today! Lloydminster drivers will soon have a new option when it comes to keeping their vehicles clean, and the team behind Crossroads Express Wash says the goal is to turn a routine chore into a quick and enjoyable experience. Located at the northeast corner of Highway 16 and Highway 17, just north of KFC and across from City Hall, Crossroads Express Wash is a state-of-the-art facility expected to open in the near future.

“You’ll be in and out in under five minutes,” Fischer said. “Even if there’s a lineup, the line moves.” The tunnel is capable of washing up to 90 vehicles per hour, with several vehicles moving through the system at the same time. “So, even if there are 20 cars in front of you, you could still be in and out in about 15 minutes,” he said.

The wash introduces Lloydminster’s first membership-based, soft-touch tunnel wash — a model that has already grown popular across the United States and is gaining traction across Canada.

Customers will also be able to access Crossroads’ Wash Club app, allowing them to purchase single washes, manage memberships or subscribe to unlimited wash plans directly from their phone.

“At Crossroads Express Wash, we believe getting your car cleaned shouldn’t feel like a chore,” said one of the business’s owners and long-time Lloydminster resident Bryan Fischer. “It should feel like a fun experience. Our mission is to redefine the wash experience while still providing great service and convenience.”

“Once you have a membership with us, you can use it every day,” Fischer said. “If you’re washing your vehicle once a week, it basically pays for itself.”

The facility is designed to keep vehicles moving efficiently while delivering what Fischer calls a “showroom shine.” Whether customers are driving a vintage cruiser or a modern vehicle, each car receives a full tunnel treatment using advanced technology and gentle cleaning materials. The wash process begins before drivers even enter the tunnel. Customers can choose between three entrance lanes: a staffed teller lane where attendants are available to help explain wash packages and guide drivers, an auto-teller lane accepting cash, debit or credit for quick self-serve transactions, and a dedicated members’ lane for subscribers. “We’ve designed it so people have options,” said Fischer. “Some people like talking to someone at the booth, some prefer the self-serve lane, and members can just drive up and go.” Membership users benefit from license plate recognition technology that automatically identifies their vehicle and allows them to enter the wash without rolling down a window. “We have license plate recognition, so when members pull up it reads the plate and away they go,” Fischer said. Once drivers enter the wash area, staff are still on hand to help guide vehicles onto the conveyor belt system. “There will always be an attendant there to guide you from beginning to end,” Fischer said. “It’s not like some automatics where you’re just following a voice prompt. There’s someone there to line you up and help.” Once on the conveyor belt, drivers simply shift into neutral and let the system do the rest. Inside the tunnel, vehicles move through multiple stages including bug prep, undercarriage cleaning, tire and wheel blasters, pre-soak treatments, soft-touch foam brushes and premium wax applications. The system finishes with 18 powerful blow dryers — significantly more than the industry standard — to help ensure a spotless finish. Despite the advanced technology, efficiency remains a major focus.

After the wash, drivers can pull into the vacuum area on the north side of the property, where industrial-strength vacuums will be available at no extra cost for both single washes and members. Crossroads also incorporates environmentally conscious technology, including a custom water recycling system designed to reuse up to 70 to 80 per cent of the water used during washes. While speed and convenience are key features, Fischer says customer service remains central to the experience. “It’s all about safety, great customer service and convenience,” he said. “As parents and business owners, we know how precious time is.” For families, the colourful lighting, scented soaps and foaming applications inside the tunnel also add a touch of entertainment. “Our kids once said going through a wash like this felt like a carnival ride,” Fischer said with a laugh. “That’s part of the fun.” With its combination of modern technology, fast service and friendly staff, Crossroads Express Wash aims to give Lloydminster drivers a fresh new way to keep their vehicles shining.

PAGE 17 Thursday, March 12, 2026 MERIDIAN SOURCE

Sports

Rivals to collide in junior B final Redden’s heroics help Bandits advance to face Tigers JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

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Even with both of his linemates nicknamed Parks, there still isn’t any confusion for Jake Redden in his rookie season with the Lloydminster Bandits. It was all clear for Redden on Sunday evening as his hat trick powered the Bandits to an 8-3 victory over the Killam Wheat Kings and advanced Lloyd to the Northeastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League final. “Yeah, this is a big one,” Redden said about his second three-goal performance in a month. “It was good. It was fun to get it. We played well as a team all series.” Friends on and off the ice with fellow freshmen Cash Parkin and Colton Parker, the Kid Line has played with maturity in a big year for the Bandits, hosts of the Alberta junior B championship tournament April 1-5 at the Hub. “A good line,” said Redden, a 17-year-old in his senior year of high school. “Awesome guys. My best friends, through connections over the years and getting bonded this year.” Up next, the Bandits and Vermilion Tigers go against each other in the league’s best-of-seven final, though both teams are already guaranteed berths in provincials. Lloydminster and Vermilion each posted 4-1 series victories in their respective best-of-seven semifinals. The Bandits finished off the Wheat Kings one day after the Tigers toppled the Wainwright Bisons 4-2 to end that series Saturday night at Vermilion Stadium. POWWOW SHIFTS GAME 1 TO VERMILION Lloyd won a tight race with Vermilion to take the regular-season pennant, but the opening game of the league final is scheduled for Vermilion this Saturday night. The Hub, the Bandits’ home rink, isn’t available this weekend because the new showcase arena is hosting a powwow. The plan is for both games 2 and 3 to be played in Lloydminster, but even those dates weren’t confirmed early this week because the Hub ice times next week were dependent on whether the junior A Lloydminster Bobcats open their playoffs at home or on the road. Although the Bandits finished 30-plus points ahead of the Wheat Kings in the junior B regular season, their second-round playoff series proved to be more competitive than projected. Most notably, Killam won Game 3 in overtime at home. “Yeah, Killam is a good team,” Redden said. “They’ve got a couple of really good players, and then a couple of players that are just hard to play against. They made it a series, that’s for sure.” The Bandits’ depth prevailed, especially in the friendly confines of the Hub. Lloyd’s top scorer in the regular season, Adryan Bugiera, believes that the Bandits saw two different Wheat Kings teams in the series, depending on the game location. “Yeah, in our rink, they were pretty easy to handle,” said Bugiera, 19. “When we went out there (to Killam), it was a little tougher — smaller rink, bouncy boards, loud and definitely aggressive. Just a way different team. And we knew that going in.” Now facing a Vermilion team loaded with familiar faces from minor hockey and school over the years, the Bandits know the Tigers well, and vice-versa. “Yeah, you betcha,” Bugiera said. “Eighty per cent of that (Tigers) team, I’ve played with or went to school with. I mean, Game 7 last year at the Civic (Centre) was unreal. “Actually, in the (dressing) room just now, Dudds (coach Josh Dudding) said that this (Hub) rink is going to be 1,000-plus fans every night. No matter if it’s a weekday or a Sunday game, it doesn’t matter. It’ll be good. A lot of local talent both ways. Yeah, it’ll be fun.” Bugiera and his contemporaries went to Vermilion on Saturday to watch the Tigers finish off the Bisons, the perennial champions. Likewise, members of the Tigers, including coach Danny Haygarth, were scouting the Bandits on Sunday at the Hub. “They’re a good team,” Bugiera said about Vermilion. “It’s going to be tough, playing them.” After the U18 AAA Lancers were eliminated from their Alberta Elite Hockey League playoffs, the Tigers added defenceman Rhett Romanchuk and forward Kael Scott to their lineup.

Jayden Plamondon of the Lloydminster Bandits goes to the net against Killam Wheat Kings’ goaltender Ethan Edwards during the Bandits’ 8-3 series-clinching victory in junior B playoff action Sunday at the Hub. John MacNeil Meridian Source The Bandits are also ready to call on as many as four affiliated players from the Lancers, if necessary, during the junior B team’s playoff run, coach Dudding reported Sunday night. ‘EVERYTHING HAS BEEN PERFECT HERE’ Redden played with the Lancers before skating with the U18 AAA St. Albert Raiders for the early part of this season. He eventually decided to return home to Lloyd and joined the Bandits in early December. With injuries no longer stopping him, the solidly built Redden hasn’t missed a beat at the junior B level. He scored seven goals and 14 points in 14 regular-season games, before adding five goals in as many playoff games. “It’s been fun,” said Redden, six-foot-two and about 200 pounds. “I thank the coaches. They’ve been awesome to me. Everything has been perfect here. It’s made me realize where I belong. The boys in (the dressing room), they’re all my best friends. Yeah, I’d do anything for anyone in there. It’s been awesome.” CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL Now accepting Request for Proposal (RFP) for:

GRAVEL HAULING SERVICES Deadline to submit is March 26, 2026, no later than 2:00 PM (MST) RFP documents can be found by scanning the QR code OR on the County website www.vermilion-river.com Contact the Public Works department for more information at (780) 846-3309 vermilion-river.com

(780) 846-2244

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Thursday, March 12, 2026

JUNIOR B HOCKEY

‘It was a great matchup all year’ BANDITS TO FACE TIGERS FROM PAGE 17

Aidan Martens (No. 88) of the Lloydminster Bandits carries the puck into the Killam Wheat Kings’ zone during Northeastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League playoff action Sunday night at the Hub in Lloydminster. John MacNeil Meridian Source

NOTICE OF DEVELOPMENT PERMITS Application Number

Development

Address

Issuance Date

26-5668 26-5671

Discretionary Use - Portable Sign (x2)

5405 – 44 Street

March 9, 2026

26-5672

Discretionary Use - Portable Sign

7903 – 44 Street

March 9, 2026

26-5674

Discretionary Use - Portable Sign

7701 – 44 Street

March 9, 2026

26-5680

Discretionary Use - Portable Sign

5209 – 44 Street

March 9, 2026

26-5684

Variance – Front Yard Reduction – 0.05 Metres

3503 – 70 Avenue

March 9, 2026

26-5694

Short-Term Rental – Air BnB

3320 – 42 Avenue

March 9, 2026

26-5696

Discretionary Use - Portable Sign

3411 – 50 Avenue

March 9, 2026

Any person claiming to be affected by a decision of the Development Authority may appeal to the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board by submitting written notice and the fee of $400.00 within 21 days from the date of issuance to Legislative Services, Attention - Secretary of the Development Appeal Board at City Hall at 4420 – 50 Avenue, Lloydminster, AB T9V 0W2. City of Lloydminster Roxanne Shortt, ALUP Development Officer

lloydminster.ca

Although he participated in the junior A Bonnyville Pontiacs’ training camp last fall, Redden plans to remain a Bandit beyond this season. The Lloydminster Comprehensive High School senior is bound for Lakeland College to study agriculture. “I’m with the Bandits here for good now,” he said with a smile. “I’ll be staying here. They’ve put a lot into me here already, so they deserve me, and I deserve them, I feel like.” That’s good news for the Bandits, who are that much stronger with Redden on board. “Jake is a big frame, a big body, so he can take the puck to the net,” Dudding said. “He can score in a whole lot of different ways, so it was good to see him find the back of the net tonight, kind of in bunches. Hopefully, that continues.” As they left the Hub on Sunday night, the Bandits welcomed a solid test in the final against the Tigers. “Vermilion has got some real high-end players,” Redden said. “I think we can match it. We’re just going to have to try to use our home rink to our advantage.” Last year, the Bandits outlasted the Tigers in a marathon seven-game semifinal, before losing to Wainwright in a championship series that lasted six games. “It was a great matchup all year,” Dudding said about this year’s finalists. “We were 3-3 in the season series. I think we won the last two, but (Vermilion) is another smaller arena and (the Tigers) play it to a T. “They’re a loaded team, kind of like what we are. If you look at the standings, it’s one-versus-two in the final. It’s going to be great hockey and a ton of fans, which is a cool atmosphere for the guys to play in. It’ll be interesting, because there’s a lot of friends on both sides. “Whether Vermilion wins or whether we win, this league has got really good representation going to provincials.” One of the quirks in the provincial schedule, however, is that it doesn’t include a head-to-head matchup between Lloydminster and Vermilion in the preliminary round, during which each of the six teams plays four games. “The provincial committee told us that’s how it’s going to be set up,” Dudding said of the directive from Hockey Alberta. “The only time we would see (Vermilion) is in the bronze-medal game or the gold-medal game.” He listed possible additions to the Bandits down the stretch. Those affiliates from the Lancers include goaltender Asher Ammann, forwards Logan Flewell and Gavin Pratt, and versatile forward/defenceman Aiden Harman. “All of those guys have aspirations of playing junior A as well, so (skating with us in the meantime) keeps them in shape going into summer camps and spring camps,” Dudding said. CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES SCHEDULE After the opener at 7:30 p.m. Saturday (March 14) in Vermilion Stadium, and the to-be-announced second and third games in Lloydminster, the remaining schedule for the best-of-seven final is: Game 4 — Saturday, March 21, at Vermilion Stadium, 7:30 p.m. x-Game 5 — Monday, March 23, at Lloydminster Hub, 8 p.m. x-Game 6 — Wednesday, March 25, at Vermilion Stadium, 7:30 p.m. x-Game 7 — Friday, March 27, at Lloydminster Hub, 7:30 p.m. x — denotes if necessary.

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JUNIOR B HOCKEY

MERIDIANSOURCE.CA

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Five games enough for Lloyd, Vermilion Wainwright’s era comes to an end JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

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The Lloydminster Bandits and Vermilion Tigers won their respective semifinal series on the weekend, setting the stage for a head-to-head championship battle between the Northeastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League rivals. Including their decisive 8-3 victory at the Hub on Sunday evening, the Bandits defeated the Killam Wheat Kings 4-1 in their best-of-seven semifinal. On Saturday night at Vermilion Stadium, the Tigers defeated the Wainwright Bisons 4-2 to win that series 4-1, ending a decade-old Wainwright reign as the league champion. In the past week, Lloydminster won 5-2 on Friday at Killam, where the Wheat Kings posted a 4-3 overtime victory last Wednesday. After losing its series-opener 4-0 at home, Vermilion won four straight games against the Bisons, including 6-2 decisions Friday at Wainwright and last Wednesday at Provost. BANDITS 8, WHEAT KINGS 3: Jake Redden scored three goals in the first two periods as Lloydminster opened a 6-1 lead in the series-clincher. Cash Parkin, Maddux Woodbury and Kade Dennett each supplied a goal and an assist. Aidan Martens and Joel Webb rounded out the Lloyd scoring, and Shae Stewart stopped 30 shots. Linemates Redden and Parkin tallied back-to-back short-handed goals, while Webb’s goal came on a power play. Jordan Gagnon, with a power-play marker, and Dylan Kruchten each collected a goal and an assist for Killam. Tanner Sheets also scored, and Ethan Edwards blocked 32 shots. BANDITS 5, WHEAT KINGS 2: Balanced scoring sparked Lloyd, as goals came from Colton Parker, Jace Gunderson, Cayden Wildeman, Jayden Plamondon and Tyson Ziegler, with an empty-netter. Webb, the Bandits’ captain, added two assists. Stewart made 27 saves, while his teammates fired 43 shots at the Wheat Kings’ Edwards. Gagnon tallied both Killam goals. He leads the league in playoff scoring, with eight goals and 14 points in eight games. The Wheat Kings’ lineup included forward Kelton Doolaege, the Castor native fresh from his U18 AAA playoff series with the Lloydminster Lancers. WHEAT KINGS 4, BANDITS 3 (OT): Kruchten’s goal at 4:39 of overtime gave Killam its only victory of the series. The Wheat Kings’ Cade Schatschneider forced extra time when he scored with just two seconds left in regulation. Gagnon and Tanner Quinton had the other Killam goals. The Lloyd marksmen were Parkin, with two points, Redden and Webb. Stewart stopped 35 shots for the Bandits, while Edwards registered 29 saves. TIGERS 4, BISONS 2: Dannon Pavka’s power-play goal with two minutes left in the second period gave Vermilion a 3-1 lead in its series-clinching victory. Ean Cooke, Cade Meiklejohn and Kaden Davidson also tallied for the Tigers. Pavka, Davidson and captain Rohan Quist each picked up a couple of points. Morgan Chorley and Grady Priest scored the Wainwright goals. Aiden Fox blocked 30 shots for the Tigers, while the Bisons’ Lochlan Jenner made 28 saves. TIGERS 6, BISONS 2: Cale Johnston counted two goals as Vermilion prevailed in Game 4 at Wainwright. Pavka potted one tally and two assists. Davidson, Meiklejohn and Quist each netted a goal and an assist. The Bisons’ goals came from Tanner Werenka and Ryker Singer, with a power-play marker. Vermilion almost doubled Wainwright in shots (48-26). Tending goal were the Tigers’ Fox and the Bisons’ Ryder Zubiak. TIGERS 6, BISONS 2: In Game 3 at Provost, playoff call-up Kael Scott scored two goals in the first half of the game to put Vermilion up 3-1. Cooke and Davidson, each with a power-play tally, added two goals apiece on the night. Wainwright received goals from hometown call-up Alec Robinson and Veteran forward Zach Nelson. Robinson and Scott, on opposite teams for the junior B playoffs, were teammates this season with the U18 AAA Lloydminster Lancers. The rookie Scott, a Calgary Hitmen prospect, led Lloyd in scoring. Jenner allowed five goals on 17 shots before Zubiak replaced him midway through the game. They faced a combined 35 shots. Fox stopped 35 of the 37 shots he faced.

Killam Wheat Kings’ Hayden Hogman (No. 55) is penalized for hooking, much to the amusement of the Lloydminster Bandits’ Cash Parkin in the third period of the Bandits’ 8-3 series-clinching win Sunday the Hub. John MacNeil Meridian Source RURAL MUNICIPALITY OF BRITANNIA NO. 502

NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING

Thursday March 19, 2026 6:30 p.m. Britannia United Services Memorial Hall Hillmond, SK Whereas, on February 9, 2026, a petition requesting a Public Meeting “to hold a discussion regarding the defunding of the Lloydminster Rescue Squad” was received by the CAO of the Rural Municipality of Britannia No. 502; and Whereas the petition has been deemed by the CAO to be sufficient as per section 129 2.1(b) of The Municipalities Act; Be it resolved that, as per section 129(2) of The Municipalities Act, the Council of the Rural Municipality of Britannia No. 502 call a Public Meeting “to hold a discussion regarding the defunding of the Lloydminster Rescue Squad…”

(Portion of February 25, 2026 Resolution 113/26) Please note: Following the receipt of the petition for a Public Meeting, the Council of the RM of Britannia No. 502 has adopted a resolution committing to future funding for Lloydminster Rescue Squad Inc. The Council of the RM of Britannia No. 502 remains committed to holding this Public Meeting to facilitate a broader discussion of the current and future provision of emergency services within the municipality. If you have any questions about this meeting, please call the RM of Britannia Municipal Office at 306-825-2610. This meeting is open to the public and may be attended in person or via Zoom. Those wishing to attend by Zoom must contact the RM of Britannia Municipal Office at 306-825-2610 to register for a meeting link no later than 4:30 p.m. (MDT) on March 17, 2026.

Thursday, March 12, 2026

MERIDIANSOURCE.CA

JUNIOR HOCKEY

Second cousins Owen Hutzul (No. 3) of the junior A Olds Grizzlys and Adryan Bugiera (No. 92) of the junior B Lloydminster Bandits connect through sports and family. John MacNeil Meridian Source photos

Cousins cross paths in Border City

Hockey, golf bond sport-minded relatives from Bandits, Grizzlys JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

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Family ties crossed junior hockey leagues last weekend at the Hub, as cousins from different cities caught up with each other before their respective games in Lloydminster. Adryan Bugiera of the junior B Lloydminster Bandits chatted with his second cousin, Owen Hutzul of the junior A Olds Grizzlys, who lost to the Lloydminster Bobcats in an Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) game Saturday night. The next evening, on the same Hub ice surface, Bugiera and the Bandits defeated the Killam Wheat Kings to advance to the Northeastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League final against the Vermilion Tigers. Lloyd’s Bugiera — the Bandits’ regular-season scoring champion — and Edmonton’s Hutzul are both in their 19-year-old seasons. “I had a good chat with him yesterday,” Bugiera said Sunday after his Bandits’ victory. “We’re cousins on my mom’s side. He’s one of my mom’s cousin’s kids.” The cousins — summertime golfing buddies — used to play hockey against each other at the U18 AAA and younger levels provincially. Bugiera is now in his sophomore season as a high-scoring forward with the Bandits, while Hutzul is in his second AJHL year after a December trade brought the smooth-skating defenceman to Olds from the Grande Prairie Storm. When those cousins gather for family reunions or the like, the gatherings usually include Bugiera’s older brother Kayden and Hutzul’s younger brother Charlie. Kayden, a former Bandit, now is 23 and plays senior hockey with the Hillmond Hitmen of the Sask-Alta league. Charlie, 16, is an up-andcoming golfer who’s already part of the Northern Alberta Xtreme high-performance golf team in Edmonton. “Adryan and Kayden are my second cousins, but we have a really good relationship,” Owen Hutzul

said Saturday after the Grizzlys-Bobcats game. “It’s my dad’s cousin’s kids. “They love to golf. In the summer, we golf and it’s a good time. Adryan is a really good golfer. I’ve been trying to work on my game and learn some things. “It was nice to see Adryan today and catch up with him.” Hockey and golf have been common links for the sports-minded cousins. “Hockey runs in the family,” Hutzul said about his bond with the Bugiera boys. “They’re good athletes.” The hockey season is in its final days for Hutzul, because his young Grizzlys didn’t qualify for the AJHL playoffs. Last year, as part of Grande Prairie, he went all the way to the AJHL final and a berth in the Centennial Cup national championship. JUNIOR B BANDITS’ TOP SCORER Bugiera is involved in a playoff run with t he Band it s, w ho host t he Albe r t a ju nior B championship tournament April 1-5 at the Hub. The Bandits’ top scorer was fourth in league scoring during the regular season, with 28 goals and 53 points in 36 games. On Saturday evening, he went to Vermilion to watch the Tigers finish off the Wainwright Bisons in their junior B semifinal. Earlier in the day, Bugiera and his girlfriend watched her best friend, Skylar Heinrichs, play her final playoff game as captain of the U18 AAA Lloydminster Steelers. While at the ever-busy Hub, they had a chance to speak with Hutzul. Selected as the Grizzlys’ player of the game Saturday, Hutzul set up 16-year-old WHL prospect Jordin St. Louis’ short-handed goal in Olds’ 5-2 loss to the playoff-bound Bobcats. Grande Prairie traded Hutzul to Olds earlier this year in exchange for forward Braeden Veldhuizan. “Honestly, it was a little surprising,” Hutzul said. “I was maybe a little caught off guard. But I

talked to Tyson (coach Soloski) and Moe (Jamal), the GM here, and they said a lot of great things. I was honestly super pumped to get here. I can’t say enough good things about the things that have happened to me here. There’s a great group of guys, a great coaching staff, and I’m super happy. “Here, I feel like I get a lot of opportunity. I’m on the ice a lot. Ultimately, you want to be winning, but from a personal standpoint, it’s really helped me develop my game. I’m really just happy. I think we’re building towards something big in the future.” Olds’ season ends this weekend, so his immediate future includes searching for a summer job back home in Edmonton. Not to mention more golfing. “My grandparents have a cabin out in Pigeon Lake, and myself and my cousins, we spend a lot of time out there, do a lot of golfing,” he said. “So, it’s really exciting.” Bugiera, already in the workforce, recalled just how much golf the cousins play during their summer get-togethers in the Edmonton area. “They usually have a family reunion up there around the end of August, so we’ll go up there and golf pretty much every day,” he said. “The family reunion is good. We go up there and see some family that we never see (otherwise). “They’re from Edmonton, but they’re always over there (Pigeon Lake) in the summer. Black Bull is the course there, so we golfed there I think five times in three days. We were with them for a while. “My brother (Kayden) lives with their family in Edmonton when he goes to school.” Adryan Bugiera and Owen Hutzul both say the sports lineage in the family is in good hands with young Charlie Hutzul swinging forward in golf. “He’s really good,” Bugiera said. “When he’s in his early 20s, he’s going to be something.” Big brother Hutzul said he could learn a thing or two on the course from Charlie. “My brother is a big golfer. He plays tournaments all the time. He beats me up all the time.”

JUNIOR A HOCKEY

MERIDIANSOURCE.CA

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Screpnek hopes to stickhandle past his injury

JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

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Kael Screpnek wants to go on a test drive this weekend. With just two games left in his Lloydminster Bobcats’ regular season, the 19-year-old forward would like to play in at least one of those contests to ready for the opening of the playoffs the following week. It would also give him an opportunity to test his recovering wrist. The injury has sidelined him for the past two weeks of AJHL action, including the Bobcats’ home-ice wins over the Olds Grizzlys and Calgary Canucks last weekend. Screpnek and goaltender Ty Matonovich, a fellow Calgarian also battling back from an injury, returned to the ice for a skate last Friday morning, while their teammates rested for a game that night. Both players were injured just a few days apart and have been on the sidelines since then. Both are integral parts of the Bobcats and any playoff success the team might have — Matonovich is the No. 1 goalie and

the versatile Screpnek is a top scorer, among other roles. Screpnek got hurt in the second period of Lloyd’s 6-5 overtime victory over the Devon Xtreme on Feb. 25. He stayed in the game, though his ailing wrist was painful and limiting his ability to shoot. “It was kind of a harmless play,” he recalled. “(Jaxan) Hopko was coming around the net, and I was open in the slot. Then, I moved, and I just folded my wrist into some guy’s chest. Super harmless. I finished the game, but it got super aggravated. I couldn’t shoot or pass. I was just out there skating the puck around.” Before he was able to schedule an X-ray in Lloydminster, Screpnek and the Bobcats were on the road for a trip that included three games in three days. He took the warm-up for the first game, in Grande Prairie, but he was deemed not able to play. He tried to get X-rays during hospital visits in Drayton Valley and Olds, but he wasn’t able to receive those tests until he went home to Calgary for a

couple of days. With a clear diagnosis, he hitched a ride back to Lloyd last week with Matonovich, who had an MRI to further probe his strained MCL. “It’s a frayed ligament and loose cartilage,” said Screpnek, wearing a wrist brace. “A frayed ligament is like a rope that’s about to break. It’s super sore when I push down on my stick, so I have no power. I’m just trying to strengthen it back up for the playoffs.” He and Matonovich took a step in the right direction last week when they hit the ice together, skating with Bobcats’ assistant coach Matt Brassard. “I didn’t do much shooting, but lots of stickhandling and skating, just trying to stay in shape,” said Screpnek, who has scored 14 goals and 40 points in 48 games this season. Despite dealing with his health issues, Screpnek welcomed the opportunity to visit with family in Calgary, including his mother, stepfather and four hockeyplaying younger brothers. “It was nice. I got to be home for two nights and got a bunch of treatment done with chiro and physio.”

This weekend, the Bobcats visit the Bonnyville Pontiacs on Friday and the Fort McMurray Oil Barons on Saturday. M ost l i k el y, Ll oyd’s f i rst-rou n d playoff opponent will be the Grande Prairie Storm, the team that swept the Bobcats in last year’s playoffs. BOBCATS 5, GRIZZLYS 2: On Saturday, Lloyd capped its win with empty-net goals from Raphael Messier and Gus El-Tahhan in the final two minutes. El-Tahhan tallied twice on the night and the other Lloyd scorers were Kade Fendelet and Alex Levasseur. Ky Martens and Jordin St. Louis, with a short-handed tally, scored for Olds. Lloyd had a 30-28 edge in shots, as Trent Peterson of the Bobcats and Cole Prelusky of the Grizzlys tended goal. BOBCATS 2, CANUCKS 1: On Friday, Hopko’s 12th goal of the year late in the second period stood as the winner. Quinn Smith, with his 12th, netted a power-play marker. Grant Reid replied for Calgary, which this week changed coaches. The Bobcats’ Peterson and the Canucks’ Noah Nelson made 31 and 35 saves, respectively.

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MERIDIANSOURCE.CA

Thursday, March 12, 2026

COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL

Rustlers make case on and off court JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

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As they’ve done all season, the Lakeland Rustlers are trying to put their best foot forward, on and off the court, this week at the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA)women’s volleyball championship in Niverville, Man. As the three-time defending national champions, and freshly crowned Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) gold-medallists, the volleyball side of things has been right on par for the Lloydminster powerhouse. The big difference this year, of course, is that the Rustlers have had to overcome ACAC sanctions that not only threatened their path to victory, but also brought their character into question, they said in Meridian Source interviews. “With the kind of year that we’ve had, it’s been kind of (crappy),” said the Rustlers’ fifth-year star, Avery Bates, the MVP of the ACAC championship tournament two weeks ago in Camrose. “We don’t know who actually really likes us and what story everyone believes. You can’t really think about what other people think of you, because then it’s just going to dawn on you. “But we know that the people who showed up (in Camrose), they’ve always supported us, and it was really nice to see that, (while playing) against other people and other teams that might not have had the greatest ideas about us.” Lakeland capped an improbable championship run at the ACAC tournament, winning three matches to mine gold, after playing must-win volleyball for three months. After a hazing investigation last fall, the ACAC suspended the Rustlers for eight games, meaning that when they finally hit the court for league play in late November, their record was already 0-8. Undaunted, they went on to win all their remaining 11 regular-season matches to earn the fourth and final playoff position in the North Division, en route to winning the school’s fourth straight ACAC championship. While they took care of business on the court, the Rustlers say it was sometimes a struggle off the court for players to look past their detractors. “There was a lot of online stuff,” Bates said during a pre-nationals practice last Saturday morning, before the Rustlers flew to Winnipeg the next day. “But you’ve got to push past it. We know who we are and that we’re good people. “Honestly, this is the best team in the league, in my opinion, as people and as players. From Day 1, as a first year coming in, you feel that immediately — that we are good people. That’s what we strive to do throughout the years that we’re here, and that’s what Austin (coach Dyer) pushes for.” Dyer is in his 18th year as coach of the Rustlers, who opened their national defence on Wednesday evening against the hosts of the eight-team CCAA championship, the Providence Pilots. “It should be a good environment to go into,” he said about that quarterfinal matchup. “When it comes to competition, I’m not concerned about it. If we show up and we play at our level, we’re going to be in a position to win every match. “But it’s sports. You’ve got to play the games. We’ve done everything the right way. Now, it’s just whether or not we will show up and perform when it matters.” For the Rustlers, that mindfulness has been well-trained this year. They couldn’t afford any losses in their playoff drive. At the same time, they tried to stand firm during a tumultuous time for the program. “We were handicapped eight games to start the year,” Dyer said. “Every game has been a playoff game since November, for us to try to qualify for playoffs. And then, we come in as the fourth seed and have to play the top team from the South (Red Deer) in the (ACAC) quarter-final. “Everything, on the whole year, has been completely stacked against us. And they’ve (still) done it. We trained at the level we needed to train at the whole

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ACAC executives Todd Caughlin (left) and Jim Knight present the championship banner to Lakeland volleyball seniors Avery Bates, Emma Jeffs and Seanna Trumier. Submitted photo

year. They stuck with it. They stuck together. Our performance on the floor has shown, again, the actual character of our group.” Dyer defended his team’s actions off the court, which he believes are best illustrated in their commitment to school, sports, careers and community. “Half my team wants to be teachers,” he said. “We have people out working with kids. We run all of our programming on Sundays for kids. They’re volunteering (in the community). “To put the integrity and character of this group in question, it’s almost laughable. But again, that’s the world we live in. People can hide behind a screen and type whatever they want, and it is what it is.” Dyer contends the Rustlers were disciplined for team-building activities that they thought were within the rules. “I’ve got a phenomenal group of athletes with great character, and the hard part for all of them is that’s what has been put into question, is their character,” he said. “The most unfortunate part through all of it is that they got punished for something that they didn’t even know was wrong. They had no idea that there was even rules in place with the stuff that they were doing. Had they known, again given the group that I have, they never would have participated in having a rookie party and what was supposed to be good, light fun — dressing new players up in a costume and sending them on a scavenger hunt. That’s what we were sanctioned for — those three things. “For them, that time in their career was some of the best memories and the most fun that they had. It’s unfortunate, No. 1, that they didn’t know it was against the rules, and No. 2, that they get punished punitively, very severely, for something that they didn’t even know was against the rules and wrong.” As part of its investigation, the ACAC also disciplined the Rustlers’ men’s volleyball team, which was forced to forfeit its first four games this past season. When they eventually returned to the court, the Lakeland men went with a young team, as five veterans opted to sit out as redshirts this year. The Rustlers still made a push for an ACAC men’s playoff berth but ultimately fell short in February. With the support of the men’s team and the Lakeland faithful who travelled to Camrose, the women Rustlers were appreciative of that Lloyd love at the ACAC championship. “Through it all, they’ve been on a mission to get back to competition and, honestly, just to be able to move forward,” Dyer said. “And based on everything that we’ve been through, we’ve continued to operate the same way. “Given all the circumstances throughout the year, my message right from the get-go has been, ‘We’re going to get through this as a team. And we’re going to come out the other side of it with dignity and with grace.’ “We’re not going to engage in any extracurricular stuff online — the stuff that consumes our world now. I just said, ‘You know what, let’s not be a part of that. Let’s not let it impact us, the best that we can.’ Because all that matters is our team and everybody that’s in our team room, as long as we stick together and ensure that we’re doing things the right way.”

COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL

MERIDIANSOURCE.CA

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Playoff challenge serves champion Lakeland well JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

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The Lakeland Rustlers shook off morning tiredness, and a battle with the flu bug, as they practised Saturday in Lloydminster, the day before departing to Winnipeg for this week’s Canadian college women’s volleyball championship. After all, the three-time reigning Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association champions are used to overcoming challenges. Just a week earlier, the Rustlers needed a fifth set to defeat the Red Deer Queens in their quarter-final at the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) championship in Camrose. The Lakeland crew not only regrouped, but didn’t lose a set the rest of the way as they captured a fourth straight ACAC title. “It’ll help a lot,” Rustlers’ middle blocker Raegan Nicol said about the lessons learned from that early playoff battle. “It’s good to be challenged and it’s good to have to work through things as a group and rely on each other. “If we can work through our previous weekend at provincials together, moving into this week at nationals, that’s a good sign for us. The team is feeling good. We are excited. You can feel this group is buzzing with the excitement of, ‘We’ve punched our ticket to nationals, and we are going to do our very best at that tournament.’ ” The eight-team national championship tournament runs Wednesday through Saturday (March 11-14) at Niverville, Man., near Winnipeg. The Rustlers went up against the host Providence Pilots in quarter-final action Wednesday evening. In semifinal play Thursday night, the Lakeland-Providence winner meets the champion of a quarter-final between the Humber Hawks of Toronto and the Mount Allison Mounties of Sackville, N.B. “I’ve been here for four years now, and I don’t want to be anywhere else,” said Nicol, a history major in a collaborative program through Lakeland and Athabasca University. “This is the place for me. I’ve really found this group is a family. Being a part of this team just means so much

RUSTLERS’ Raegan Nicol: ‘This is the place for me.’ John MacNeil Meridian Source

to me, and I couldn’t be happier. “We want to go all the way, pursue our goals and play at the highest level possible, and really see our own hard work pay off.” The Rustlers showed that grit when they gutted out their five-set victory over Red Deer in their first match at the ACAC championship. “I feel like I was very nervous during the game, but I know we’ve had years of training, and training together,” said Rustlers’ graduating right-side hitter Avery Bates, the MVP of the conference tournament. “So, I was like, ‘You know what. We play the way we’ve been training, and hope for the best,’ and it ended up working out. “We also had three players that hadn’t played in a playoff game, as starters, so I feel like you have to be almost like a calming front so that they feel good.” Bates supplied that kind of stability, and more, in what Lakeland coach Austin Dyer described as an all-world performance. “It definitely feels pretty good, coming from him,” Bates said about that praise. “I mean, we’ve known each other for six seasons, so I’ve had a lot of time with him. Honestly, it means the world.” The road to Lakeland often begins in small communities like Bates’ hometown of Acme, Alta., and Nicol’s native Coalhurst, Alta., near Lethbridge. Both players played high school volleyball with their local teams. In her case, the 21-year-old Nicol said she was a relative latecomer to volleyball. She didn’t play at the club level until she was 16 or 17. “I’m six-foot-one,” she said. “I think that’s how I got into that (middle) position when I was younger. You’re the taller athlete, so you’re going to go into those taller positions. “I played for my small-town high school, and then I played about oneand-a-half years of club volleyball. I was late to the sport, you could say. I was pretty lucky to get here on the Rustler team.” The Rustlers considered themselves fortunate to find gym time Saturday in Lloyd. With the Lakeland gym busy hosting the ACAC men’s basketball championship, the volleyball team went to E.S. Laird Middle School, where Dyer has been a longtime teacher, running the physicaleducation program. “We are just so lucky that we get to come to the community gym and play and practise today, because our gym is being used for basketball this weekend,” Nicol said. “I’m just grateful to get to train every day. “Getting in here today at 10 a.m., it’s a bit early, but we get out of bed, arrive here and work.” The previous two nights, the volleyball Rustlers were cheering on fellow Lakeland teams in playoff action at two Lloydminster venues. On Friday evening, Bates said, she managed to watch both the women’s hockey Rustlers and the men’s basketball team.

The Lakeland Rustlers practise at E.S. Laird Middle School on Saturday morning before departing the next day for the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association women’s volleyball championship. Lakeland is the three-time defending champion.

John MacNeil Meridian Source

FAREWELL AFTER 45 WONDERFUL YEARS After 45 years of working and raising our family in Lloydminster, we made the tough decision to move to Calgary to be closer to family. Lloydminster has been good to us. We thank all the businesses, social organizations, and sports teams we've been part of. Special thanks to friends at Century 21, Nelson Lumber, Husky, and Rotary International. More than anything, we have loved the people. We'll miss our friends and neighbors. We'll miss bumping into you at the store, golf course, or arena. We hope to stay in touch, please know we will be back for visits and are only a phone call away. Thank you,

Keith and Lenora Weinbender

Thursday, March 12, 2026

MERIDIANSOURCE.CA

ACAC CHAMPIONSHIP

Lakeland basketball shot falls short JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

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With a berth in the Canadian college men’s basketball championship within their grasp, the Lakeland Rustlers watched those hoops dreams slip out of their hands on their home court Friday night. In a crushing defeat, the Rustlers lost 86-67 to the Lethbridge Kodiaks in the late semifinal at the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) championship on the Lakeland campus. It was a doubly disappointing result for the Rustlers, because both ACAC finalists were guaranteed berths in the Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association nationals, which run March 18-21 at Nanaimo, B.C. Those representatives from the Alberta conference are the champion Keyano Huskies and runner-up Lethbridge, which lost 86-79 to the Fort McMurray school in the gold-medal game Saturday evening. Lakeland’s season ended with an 89-80 loss to the SAIT Trojans in the bronze-medal game earlier Saturday. SAIT was an unbeaten team all season before losing 66-63 to Keyano in their semifinal matchup. For the host Rustlers, it was difficult to forget the game that got away from them in their semifinal setback against Lethbridge. The one-sided result, and the way that game transpired, were in stark contrast to the atmosphere on the previous night, as a ramped-up Rustlers side played with authority and rode the emotion of a packed gym to clip Calgary’s Ambrose Lions 93-74 in quarter-final play. In the end, basketball is a game of runs, and Lakeland had too few of those scoring sequences to mount a serious threat against Lethbridge, which came out strong and didn’t waver from that script. The Kodiaks led 22-14 after the first quarter and 44-32 at halftime. “A lot of things combined that resulted in that loss,” said Bahaeddin (Baha) Salma, a graduating Rustler from Saskatoon. “We didn’t come out and execute. They got a lot of fast breaks on us. We didn’t play our defence to what we could have. I was in foul trouble — I was on the bench a lot — so, there was also that. “We had 24 turnovers. The other team shot 50 per cent from the field. They shot almost 40 per cent from the three-point line. That’s almost elitelevel territory. All the main points that we were supposed to take away, they executed. So, good on

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Rustlers’ Tyson Christensen (left) defends against Lethbridge’s Marley Kenion. BELOW: Rustlers’ Baha Salma. John MacNeil Meridian Source photos

(the Kodiaks). They’re a really good team.” Lethbridge standout Levi Balderson, playing bigger than his wiry frame might suggest, put on a clinic with a 28-point performance. Nathaniel Hosannah poured in 19 and Randall Mongard added 18. The top gun for Lakeland was the ever-passionate Jordan Horobetz-Simpson, with 24 points. His teammate and fellow first-team all-conference selection, Taleh Wade, had 14 points. The most jump the Rustlers showed was in the early minutes of the third quarter, but they still had difficulty closing the wide gap to within 10 points. Their frustration began to spill onto the court as all-star players had words with each other. “It’s the heat of the moment,” Horobetz-Simpson of the season, wearing a protective mask after said. “Everybody is thinking the same thing. It’s breaking his nose in a game against Keyano. He just about how you express it. Obviously, I’ve had plans to settle back home in Saskatoon but hopes to my problems in the past, with just getting on guys. stay connected with the Rustlers. “Even on a night like this, you could see the “I’m just so passionate and it shows in a way that it looks like aggression. But I know how good our support was crazy,” said Salma, the ACAC North’s guys can be. When I see them doing stuff that we defensive player of the year and a second-team all-conference choice. don’t usually do, it bothers me.” “Everybody is chanting our names, ‘Let’s go For most of this year, the Rustlers played the right way, posting a 17-3 record in the regular Baha. Let’s go Lakeland.’ I’ll never forget that. season to finish first in the North Division. That The community here is unmatched. When you go form was evident in their quarter-final triumph, to other places, they’re not coming out to games like that. The whole school is behind us. We’re before the semifinal letdown Friday. “Man, it was just a rough night,” said Horobetz- respected.” With a chuckle, he added: “It’s a little cold and Simpson, a Winnipeg native who spent last season with this year’s U Sports champions, the Carleton there’s not much to do. But I like that. It allows Ravens. “Maybe the crowd (support) got in our me to get my schoolwork done, be locked in on heads a little bit and we were looking ahead too basketball and have a focused mind.” SAIT 89, LAKELAND 80 (bronze-medal much. I’m not sure. jewelry: game): The Trojans’ Marcus Masters, with 23 “But just nothing wasBuying clicking.unwanted Our flaws really turned in a masterful performance in a Old that Jewelry, Jewelry, Jewelry, showed today. Stuff we’ve Gold been working onSilver all points, of the two teams many pundits had expected year. The consistent problems that we had, theyPlatinum all battle+++, Vintage Costume Jewelry, see in the gold-medal game, and not the thirdjust decided toBroken pop up today. Gold, Old Gold, Nuggets, to Pendants, place contest. Logan Bennett added 19 points for “But I’m proud of everyone, at the end of the day, Rings, Bracelets, Chains, Charm Bracelets, etc. no matter how we played. Nobody wanted to lose SAIT, which led 44-38 at the intermission. Salma sunk 20 points in his final game as this game. Guys wanted to fight. Guys wanted to go I PAY CASH! to Nanaimo, obviously. We just didn’t get it done a Rustler. Wade had 15, Matthew Bryant 12, Horobetz-Simpson 11 and Seth Johnson 10. this time. There’s really not much else to say.” SILVER ALSO BUYING GOLD COINS, COINS, KEYANO 86, LETHBRIDGE 79 (goldA reflective Salma saluted Lakeland’s fans and BARS & ENTIRE COIN COLLECTIONS! his coaches, especially head coach Sheray Thomas. medal game): The teams were tied 42-42 at Graduating with aCovering science degree,ALL SalmaOF said ALBERTA he’ll halftime and the Huskies took a two-point lead into the fourth quarter. look back fondly on his five years as ahouse Rustler. calls. & FREE Keyano’s balanced attack included 19 points from “My coaches, they believed in me, and they trusted me,” he said. “To have that, it builds my Evan Meyer, 17 from Sammuel Nkassa and 15 from confidence and my character. It’s not something DJ Haynes. The Kodiaks’ top scorers were Balderson with 24, that is false. Not everyone can have that trust. “Coach (Thomas) is a serious coach. He was Hosannah with 18 and Mongard with 15. In the fifth-place game at the eight-team (ACAC) coach of the year, back-to-back, so he knows what he’s talking about. He played at ACAC championship tournament, the NAIT Ooks Kentucky. It just solidifies myself, having his trust.” defeated the Concordia Thunder 78-70 in an Salma played in the second half all-Edmonton clash. Call through or textpain NOW! Ph:

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COLLEGE ATHLETICS

MERIDIANSOURCE.CA

Thursday, March 12, 2026

Season on the line for hockey Rustlers

The Lakeland College gym was packed Thursday as the Rustlers won their ACAC championship opening game. John MacNeil Meridian Source

Gym rockin’ for Rustlers’ win JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

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If their opening act was any indication, the Lakeland Rustlers believed they belonged in the driver’s seat at the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) men’s basketball championship. Seats were at a premium in the packed and loud Lakeland College gym Thursday night as about 500 fans watched the host Rustlers defeat the Ambrose Lions of Calgary 93-74 in the closing quarter-final on the first day of the eight-team championship tournament in Lloydminster. ‘WE WANT TYLER’ “You’ve gotta love the playoffs,” said the Rustlers’ Jordan Horobetz-Simpson, whose 22 points were second only to teammate Taleh Wade’s gamehigh, 31-point performance. “Everyone is amped, everyone is ready to go. We just love it out here. We’ve got Wade, with 31 points, just a star. We’ve got everyone out here playing defence. We held (Ambrose) to, like, 70 points before we got the bench in there. You love to see the bench in there. We got some, ‘We want Tyler’ chants.” Those chants, in support of hometown Rustler Tyler Gartner, gained steam in the late going and coach Sheray Thomas obliged, giving the Lloydminster Comprehensive High School graduate floor time in the dying minutes. “I just like to be out there,” said a smiling Gartner. “It’s fun for me to go out there and contribute. There aren’t many local guys that get to come here and play. It’s just a really good experience to be out there. Having a crowd chant your name, it’s a surreal experience. It’s such a nice feeling. “There was another time (in regular-season action against Ambrose) where that same thing happened. I went out there and I hit a three. That felt very good.

“I was a little upset I missed the shot, but I feel grateful to be out there and have that opportunity.” LOSS TO LETHBRIDGE Opportunity was intact for the Rustlers, at least until they lost 86-67 to the Lethbridge Kodiaks in a deflating semifinal Friday. It appeared to be tough to replicate the magic from opening night. Although the crowd wasn’t as big, it was still a solid turnout for the home team’s prime-time game. Lakeland went on to drop an 89-80 decision to the SAIT Trojans in the bronze-medal game Saturday, while the Keyano Huskies defeated Lethbridge 86-79 to capture the gold medal. The bleachers were full Thursday as the Rustlers rode the support of the community and the study body, including multiple other Lakeland teams decked out in school colours, holding signs and cheering enthusiastically. “It means so much,” HorobetzSimpson said about the outpouring. “Without all that support, who knows if we even get any wins this year, right. “We always say, ‘Pack the barn,’ and people always show up. I especially appreciate the hockey and soccer teams and all those others, because we don’t even get to come see their games a lot. We’re usually playing on the road at the same time as their games. “It means the world to us. You saw how many people were in the stands tonight, and hopefully there’s just going to be more (Friday and Saturday).” WADE SHOWS THE WAY On a loud night at the gym, no one was more impactful than Wade, the Rustlers’ quiet leader from Arkansas and the player of the year in the ACAC’s North Division. His offensive game was in high gear as Lakeland set the tone early, gained a solid lead and withstood a pushback from a plucky Ambrose club.

“It was a great crowd, for sure,” said Wade, also a first-team allconference choice. “It’s an even balance between staying focused and just enjoying the moment. “From Day 1, our goal was to be able to host provincials. We’re here now and we’re just trying to take care of business. We believed in each other and shared the ball tonight. We just ride each other’s energy. We know that on any given night, anybody can step up.” WORTHY FIGHT The Rustlers showed strength from the outset Thursday and led 45-35 at the half. The Lions didn’t go away quietly. “We knew that Ambrose was going to come out and give us a good game,” said HorobetzSimpson, an ACAC first-team all-conference selection from Winnipeg. “Those guys, they work. Everybody has been working all year trying to get to this ’chip.” Both ACAC finalists earned berths in the Canadian college nationals. After a 17-3 regular season, host Lakeland went into the ACAC tournament as the top seed from the North. The Rustlers looked the part Thursday with a diligent effort on both sides of the court. “We had the strong start,” said Horobetz-Simpson, who also grabbed 10 rebounds during his 22-point game. “We kind of fell off after that. But we know how we play. If we can keep something like that (start) up for 40 minutes, there’s no team in the league that can hang with us.” Along with strong performances from Wade and HorobetzSimpson, the Rustlers received 14 points and nine assists from Seth Johnson and 10 points from Bahaeddin (Baha) Salma, a second-team all-conference choice also named the North’s top defensive player. The everdangerous Paulo Cuesta netted 17 points for Ambrose. Lakeland’s Sheray Thomas repeated as the North’s top coach.

It’s must-win hockey from here on in for the Lakeland Rustlers. After losing just two games during the regular season, the Rustlers dropped back-toback contests to the Red Deer Queens as the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference women’s championship series opened last weekend. Red Deer won both games 2-1 in overtime — Saturday at home and Friday in Lloydminster. The rest of the best-of-five final goes this weekend, with games scheduled for 7:15 p.m. Friday in Lloyd, 7 p.m. Saturday in Red Deer and 7 p.m. Sunday in Lloyd. The Rustlers’ home games are played at the Co-op Community Arena, part of the Hub complex. The Queens’ home rink is the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre. Red Deer, runner-up to pennant-winning Lakeland in the regular season, took the 2-0 series lead on Mia McGregor’s goal 11:26 into overtime Saturday. McGregor also assisted on the Camryn Ward power-play goal that opened the scoring six minutes into the second period. The Rustlers’ Keyra Buziak, the ACAC scoring champion, replied just 14 seconds later and the score remained 1-1 until deep into overtime. Tora Ward stopped 33 shots in Red Deer’s net. Schay Camphaug blocked 24 for Lakeland. The Queens outshot the Rustlers 3-0 in overtime. Each team picked up five minor penalties overall. Friday’s game ended when Camryn Ward tallied at 4:41 of OT. She and McGregor each recorded a goal and an assist. McGregor’s marker early in the second period was the series-opening goal. Calla Kampen answered for Lakeland about 10 minutes later. It was another 33-save performance for Tora Ward as Lakeland outshot Red Deer 34-11. Camphaug tended the Rustlers’ net. The Queens were nailed for four of the game’s six minor penalties, all of which were called before the third period. Lakeland — last year’s playoff champion — went 23-2 in the 2025-26 regular season. The Rustlers swept the fourth-place Medicine Hat Rattlers (10-15) with two decisive wins in their best-of-three quarter-final. Re d D e e r, 17 - 8 in th e re gu l ar se aso n, defeated the third-seeded NAIT Ooks (14-11) in consecutive one-goal games to take that series.

Thursday, March 12, 2026

MERIDIANSOURCE.CA

ACAC WOMEN’S HOCKEY

‘Proud to say that they were Rustlers’ JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

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For various reasons, this season marks the end of the college hockey line for six members of the celebrated Lakeland Rustlers women’s team. Further studies, graduation and immediate career plans are steering those valued Rustlers elsewhere after Lakeland’s latest playoff run in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC). After a couple of one-goal losses last weekend, the pennant-winning and defending-champion Rustlers trail the Red Deer Queens 2-0 in their best-of-five ACAC final. The series resumes this weekend, with games scheduled for Lloydminster on Friday, Red Deer on Saturday and Lloyd on Sunday. As the playoffs began, Lakeland coach Morgan Mann spoke about each of his departing Rustlers, noting they would be missed on and off the ice. JULIANNA GIACOBBO Julianna Giacobbo, the Rustlers’ lone fifth-year player, runs out of eligibility beyond this season. Although she has played just two years at Lakeland, she previously skated with post-secondary teams in New York and Regina. “She’s in the nursing program here, so she’ll still be at Lakeland next year, going to school, but her eligibility time is up,” Mann said about Giacobbo. “She loves the game as much as anybody, so this whole thing has been really hard on her. She loves her teammates and the game of hockey. “So, I think she’ll get into coaching. I know she’s been approached by some people with minor hockey, and I hope she does (coach). She’s got a lot to offer. Hockey and coaching are in her blood.” Coaching runs in Giacobbo’s family. Her father Geoff is a longtime St. Albert coach, most recently with the U18 AAA boys’ Raiders. His team’s firstround playoff series against the Lloydminster Lancers enabled him to watch the Rustlers’ two playoff wins over the Medicine Hat Rattlers two weeks ago in Lloyd. After sweeping the Lancers 2-0, St. Albert was eliminated after losing 2-1 in its series with the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers. ADDISON EURICH and MARLEIGH MANN For two of the veteran Rustlers, their academic pursuits are taking them outside of Lloydminster in the next school year. Addison Eurich of Luseland, Sask., and Lloyd’s Marleigh Mann — Morgan’s niece — both have played two years with the Rustlers. “Academically, they’re both very intellectual young people that are off to professions (where) they just couldn’t get any more here at Lakeland College,” said coach Mann. “So, Addi is off to New Zealand for chiropractor school, and Marleigh is following in the footsteps of her big sister (Madelyn). After two years here and playing with us, she’s off to vet school at the (University of Saskatchewan).” Bot h o f t hos e student-athletes have been dedicated on the ice and in the classroom.

Julianna Giacobbo, one of the six Lakeland Rustlers’ players moving on after this season, greets her father Geoff before one of her playoff games and after he coached his U18 AAA St. Albert team to victory in Lloydminster. John MacNeil Meridian Source

“Addi has been a top scorer in the league two years in a row,” coach Mann said about Eurich. “That type of power forward, there aren’t many players in the league like her, with that size and strength and a good stick. The best shot on the team. “We had a little contest at Christmas that Factory Sports put on. They give a custom-made stick to whoever had the best numbers, coming to the shooting gallery, and she won that contest hands down.” While her focus is school, Marleigh Mann wouldn’t look out of place playing U Sports hockey with the Huskies at the U of S, says her Lakeland coach. “If she was with us for another couple of years, Marleigh would be our captain,” Mann said. “We just have three (assistant captains this year), because I believe in shared leadership. “Marleigh is a leader. If anyone on the team needs help with their studies, she’s the first one to step up. “Yeah, we’ll really miss both Marleigh and Addi. Very mature. Good teammates. Well-liked. They’ve got exciting careers ahead of them. We’ll be proud to say that they were Rustlers.” CLAUDIA LAMMERS, AVA COLE and PARIS APPEL That same sentiment is the case for all the departing players, including Saskatchewan natives Claudia Lammers of Outlook, Ava Cole of Edam and Paris Appel of Swift Current. Lammers is “another special player” who for two straight seasons has been an effective scorer, reported Lakeland’s coach. “In her first year, Lammy led the league in scoring for the playoffs, and last year she was second in playoff scoring,” Mann said. “A big-game player who brings the energy and is

quick — a relentless worker. She’s also a really cool individual. She does it her way. Not a follower.” With a chuckle, he shared a story about Lammers that he told on seniors’ night as the Rustlers’ regular season finished. “I said, ‘If you’ve seen Lammy walking around downtown Lloyd, you’d think she was headed to the skatepark.’ She’s not very big and, her style, it looks like she’s more of a skateboarder than a hockey player.” In reality, “she’s a real athlete,” Mann said. Along with her hockey endeavours, Lammers has represented Team Saskatchewan in national baseball circles. ‘THEY JUST RAISE ATHLETES’ Graduating with a nursing degree, Cole has been a proud representative of Edam, one of those small communities that stands out athletically. “There’s a few communities like that,” Mann said. “They just raise athletes. That’s Edam. Dewberry is kind of that way. Irma is another. “Ava is a tough player and blocks shots. She’s just a warrior. She’s going to be a great nurse. She’s somebody that when there’s trauma, like in the emergency room, she’ll just rise to the occasion. She has that (poise).” Appel is Lakeland’s other fourth-year nursing student in her graduating year. “In her first-year of the nursing program, Paris had the top marks in Saskatchewan,” Mann said. “A very bright student. “Her family has really embraced the Rustler hockey family and are such great supporters. They’re from Swift Current but they don’t miss much (in Lloydminster). Her mom did up all the decorations in our (dressing) room, for the grads. Just really good people. Those people are just priceless — to lose Paris and her family (from the hockey program) is a big hole for us.”

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PAGE 27 Thursday, March 12, 2026 MERIDIAN SOURCE

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In the estate of

CARL BRUCE HYNNE,

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.

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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 April 1, 2026.

REVERING LAW OFFICE Barristers & Solicitors 5018 - 50 Avenue Lloydminster, Alberta T9V 0W7 Attention: Donnon F. Revering

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COMING EVENTS 64th DRAGGINS CAR SHOW - April 3 & 4 at Prairieland Park, Saskatoon. Check out the “Battle of the Automotive Technicians”!. Draggins Rod & Custom Car Club. Visit our website; Draggins.com.

Thursday, March 12, 2026

JEAN:Jean Wobeser (Hamilton) We are heartbroken to announce the passing of our mother and grandmother Jean Wobeser of Kitscoty, Alberta at the Nanaimo Palliative Care Unit after a brief illness on Friday February 13, 2026. She was 86 years of age having been born September 20, 1939 in Spalding, Saskatchewan. Jean is predeceased by her husband Dennis Albert and her parents Herb and Shirley (Hamilton) Moffatt and sister Linda McLaughlin. She is survived by daughter Kelly (Michael) Sidoryk and their family Tess (Colin) Wack children Bennet and Hazel, Leah Sidoryk (Liz), Carter (Maddie) Sidoryk; daughter, Wendy Wobeser and her children Julius, Lillian and

Ben (Tess) Callender and Brian; son Brady (Shauna) Wobeser and their sons Dalen and Nolan. She is mourned by her sister Pat Allen, cousin Marjorie Gray and special friends Rochelle, Ryan and Aurelia. She was much loved by many nieces and nephews including Ian McLaughlin who brought much joy to her island time. Along with Leah King and her other Bowser friends, Mom leaves behind many other friends and family including her yoga and dog training families. She cherished them dearly as she did her many dogs, cats and horses. Thank you to the outstanding staff at the Nanaimo General Regional Hospital Acute Care and Palliative Unit with a special thanks to Dr. Kevin Patterson. She will be deeply missed by many. A prairie celebration of life is to be planned for this summer. Donations can be made in her memory to the Spark Foundation of Lloydminster, North Island Wildlife Recovery Centre or a charity of the donor’s choice.

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RALPH JOHNSON OCTOBER 1, 1956 FEBRUARY 21, 2026 With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Norman "Ralph" Johnson on February 21, 2026, at the age of 69 years after a brief but courageous battle with cancer. Born on October 1, 1956, in Campbell River, BC, to Norman and Alma, Ralph grew up with a passion for sports, family, and community. He spent his career in the Oil and Gas industry, where he excelled in Operations Management. His work took him across the major oilfields of Alberta and, later in his career, the Middle East. In his professional life, he was known for his kind leadership and respect for all he encountered. Those who knew Ralph remember the warm smile

often accompanied by a mischievous twinkle in his eye, and his keen sense of humour. He was a man of many interests and was happiest spending time in his woodworking shop, tending to his yard, and spending time with family and friends. He had a passion for building or fixing anything made of wood and enjoyed making gifts for those he loved. Ralph is survived by his loving wife of 50 years, Colleen; his sons and their wives, Jason & Misty and Brock & Alaina; and his grandchildren, Layla, Lucas, Stella, and Isabella. He is also survived by his brother Glenn and was predeceased by his parents, Norman and Alma. A celebration of Ralph's life will be held on April 24, 2026, at 2:00 pm in the Viking Rentals Centre (204 Community Way) in Okotoks, AB. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alberta Cancer Foundation in his honour. To send condolences, please visit www.snodgrassfuneralhomes. com. Arrangements in care of Snodgrass Funeral Home, Okotoks, 403-938-3111.

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4708 - 50 Avenue T9V 0W4 780-875-8959 graceunitedchurch.ca

WILSON: The family of

Patricia Wilson are saddened to announce the passing of their dear mother, grandmother, great grandmother on February 7, 2026 at the age of 98. Patricia leaves behind a legacy: her children, Kathy (Richard), Carol (Cliff), Don (Marlene), Lois (Howie), and Allan; grandchildren, Jennifer, Gregg, Amy, Jamie, Kelvin, Carrie, Taylor and Mitchel; great-grandchildren, Kayden, Connor, Jordan, Kayla, Brandon, Darren, Dylan, Schadrach, Malachi, Hadassah, Shaun, Joshua, Ashton, Rowan and Wylie; great-great-grandchildren, Austin, Aria, Brycen and Amarabell; sister, Joan (Leroy); and numerous nieces and nephews.

Patricia was pre-deceased by: her husband, Tom; sons, Bert and Scott; grandson, Richard; parents, Fred and Gertrude Atkinson; brothers, Freddie and John; and sisters, Gertie and Irene. Mom’s legacy did not end with her family but with the many many friends and people she met along her life’s path. A Celebration of Life was held on February 12, 2026 at the Legacy Centre in Lloydminster, AB. If you were unable to attend in person, you may view the recording of the service posted on McCaw Funeral Service website under Patricia's obituary. Donations in memory of Patricia may be made to Jubilee Jems Comfort Fund or Legacy Centre. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, AB administered the funeral arrangements.

CARD OF THANKS

The family would like to thank all those who have touched mom’s life. She often strolled down memory lane reminiscing about Cactus Lake, Major, Lloydminster, the Jubilee Jems, the Foresters and too many others to name.

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IN LOVING MEMORY OF

RUTH JONES

DEC 26, 1928 - MARCH 13, 2021 My heart has been left broken since the day you had to go. And the memories I treasure dearly are in the tears that still flow. You’re in my thoughts every day and that’s how it will always be. For you may be up in heaven now but you’ll always be with me. If only I could have the chance to see your face once more or to hear your voice one final time just like it was before. The day that heaven calls for me will be a relief from all the pain. I’ll run to you with open arms and we will meet again. Love always your son John

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OWENS: Mary Theresa "MT" Owens passed away at Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on February 20, 2026 at the age of 40 years. MT is survived by: her loving husband, Scott Owens; children, Benjamin, Joanne and April; father, Bill Wallis; siblings, Stephen (Lindsey) Wallis, Timothy (Kylah) Wallis and Kathleen Wallis; and numerous extended family and friends. The Memorial Service for MT

was conducted from Maidstone Legion Hall, Maidstone, Saskatchewan on March 3, 2026. If you were unable to attend in person, you may view the recording of the service posted on McCaw Funeral Service website under Mary's obituary. Donations in memory of Mary may be made to Okema Society or online at campokema.com McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements.

CARD OF THANKS

The Owens family would like to thank all those who showed their support at the memorial service and throughout this difficult time. We especially would like the thank the officers and cadets from 186 Lloydminster Air Cadets who attended to form the honour guard.

Thursday, March 12, 2026

JONES: Daisy Jones (nee

Mann) was born September 1936 on a farm near Penzance, SK, one of eight children born to Lillian and Edward Mann. She had a good childhood filled with play, farm work and love (of God and family). Daisy left school and home at 15 years old, as many did, to go to work. She worked at many jobs, being especially good at housekeeping. Daisy made her way out to Victoria, BC, where several of her relatives, including two sisters, had settled. Daisy met and married John Jones, a widower who was an employee of the Daily Colonist newspaper and father of a teenaged son, Ted. Their daughter, Shelley, was born shortly afterwards, completing their family. After a wonderful 36-year marriage, John passed away, and Daisy moved out to Lloydminster, AB, to be closer to Shelley and her children. She enjoyed Lloydminster, making new friends immediately, and elected to remain there after her daughter’s

family moved to Southern Saskatchewan. Daisy remained in Lloydminster until 2021, when Shelley finally convinced her mother to move to Grenfell, SK. She lived quite contentedly at Aspen Grove Care Home until she passed away in her sleep, on March 6, 2026, in the hospital during a bout with pneumonia. She was 89 years old. Daisy leaves to mourn her passing: one daughter, Shelley Schwindt (Ken, and the late Thomas Priest); grandchildren Brent Priest (Jessica), Stephanie Priest (Trevor Nguyen) and Nicole Goodfellow (John); great-grandchildren Mack, Blayne, Nora, Addie and Oliver; stepson Ted Jones (Wendy); grandchildren Kirsten Jones (Glen Fenimore), Shannon Kalinka (Mike) and Tiffany Gowing (Bill); great-grandchildren Maquinna, Darwin, Enzo, Scarlett, Faith, Caleb and Luke. She also leaves her sister, Rose Murfitt, brother Horace (Sue) Mann, and numerous nieces and nephews. Daisy was predeceased by her husband, John Jones; brothers Wesley and Ted Mann; sisters Violet, Doreen and June; and son-in-law Thomas Priest. An interment of Daisy’s ashes will be at a later date this summer at the family plot in Penzance, SK. Memorial donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or a charity of choice. Arrangements are entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Melville, SK.

Thursday, March 12, 2026

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Thursday, March 12, 2026

CROSSWORD

LAST WEEK’S ANSWER:

SUDOKU HOW TO PLAY: Fill in the grid so that every row, every column, and every 3x3 box contains the numbers 1 through 9 only once. Each 3x3 box is outlined with a darker line. You already have a few numbers to get you started. LAST WEEK’S ANSWER:

HOROSCOPE AQUARIUS, PISCES AND ARIES

Life feels like it’s flying by! Your love for the finer things may lead you to explore highend shops and fine-dining restaurants.

A new training opportunity will arise, opening new doors to growth and quickly improving your quality of life. In love, take the initiative to break free from your daily routine.

Your creativity will lead you to create a masterpiece that will earn you recognition and a well-deserved ﬁnancial reward for your talents and efforts.

You’ll become a hero simply by listening to someone in need. Professionally, you may unexpectedly ﬁnd yourself leading a team and becoming the central pillar of an important project.

You’ll be in high demand this week, both within your circle of friends and at work. Your popularity will soar, and your client base will expand.

You’ll receive news of a birth in the family or find a real estate After lengthy negotiations, you’ll finally get approval to investment that fits your budget perfectly. To advance at work, embrace buy a property or fund a project that’s close to your heart. your success or work on changing your mindset. You’ll feel inspired to change your vehicle. You’ll interpret an unusual message, possibly debating with people in a multilingual context.

36. Resting place 37. Bowling number 38. Flock mother 39. Go on stage 40. Curvy shape 41. Sound of a punch 43. Street name 46. Occasion 49. Woke up 53. Almost 54. Curiously 55. Fender-mishap marks 56. Uptight

DOWN 1. Food for dipping 2. Gibbon or gorilla 3. Permit 4. Without moisture 5. Computer input 6. Metal thread 7. Motor 8. ____ out (make do) 9. Commotion 10. As of this time 12. Upper House 13. Fruit part 18. Destiny 19. Breathing 20. Cut wood, again 22. Songlike poem 24. Extremely serious 25. High-test et al. 27. Behold

28. Bear's cave 29. Longings 32. Trainee 35. Be off 39. Askew 42. Greases 44. Treasure 45. Ponder 46. In addition to 47. Fixed charge 48. Blow upon 50. Vice 51. Subways' kin 52. Change color

MOVIE SHOWTIMES Fri. Mar. 13 - Thurs. Mar. 19, 2026

By fine-tuning your goals, you’ll unlock your full potential. Whatever You’ll find surprising solutions to your financial and emotional path you choose, you’ll pour your heart and soul into it. Your challenges. A welldeserved promotion and raise are on the horizon, romantic side will shine through during a getaway with your partner. bringing you happiness and satisfaction in your career and daily life. If you’re in a new relationship, the idea of marriage may come up as a way to formalize your relationship and ease lingering doubts. At work, keep your emotions in check during negotiations to avoid confusion.

ACROSS 1. Greens 6. Straggly 11. Sung dramas 13. Little finger 14. Dainty 15. Pressing 16. Mr. Rather 17. Hawaiian keepsake 18. Distant 21. Heidi's mountain 23. Harass 26. Pub beverage 27. Porky's place 28. Erode 30. "____ the season . . ." 31. Creepy 33. Put into service 34. Elude

You’ll feel a strong urge to step back and recharge. Take the time you need to reconnect with your inner child.

780.874.9067 2602 50 Ave., Lloydminster, AB vividlloydminster.com

HOPPERS FRI-THURS: 7:00 PM & 9:10 PM MATINEES: SAT-SUN: 1:00 PM, 1:15 PM, 3:10 PM & 3:30 PM

14A

SCREAM 7 FRI-WED: 7:15 PM & 9:30 PM | THURS: 7:15 PM & 9:45 PM MATINEES: SAT-SUN: 1:10 PM & 3:25 PM GOAT

FRI-THURS: 7:10 PM & 9:10 PM MATINEES: SAT-SUN: 12:45 PM & 3:00 PM I CAN ONLY IMAGINE 2

FRI-WED: 6:45 PM

REMINDERS OF HIM FRI-THURS: 7:00 PM & 9:15 PM MATINEES: SAT-SUN: 1:00 PM & 3:15 PM

14A

WUTHERING HEIGHTS FRI-THURS: 6:45 PM & 9:25 PM

ZOOTOPIA 2 MATINEES: SAT-SUN: 3:00 PM

PAW PATROL: ROCKY'S CAT-ASTROPHE MATINEES: SAT-SUN: 12:45 PM THE BRIDE!

14A

FRI-THURS: 9:15 PM

PROJECT HAIL MARY THURS: 6:45 PM & 9:30 PM

TICKETS AND GIFT CARDS AVAILABLE AT MAYTHEATRES.COM

TUESDAY & MATINEES ALL SEATS CHILD PRICE WWW.MAYTHEATRES.COM | CHECK US OUT ON

MERIDIANSOURCE.CA

Thursday, March 12, 2026

NEW LISTINGS 7311 - 39A STREET

AFFORDABLE FIRST HOMES IN LLOYDMINSTER BRAEHILL CONDO

NOVA PLACE CONDO

IMMEDIATE POSSESSION

4821 - 47 STREET

SK 184,500 MLS A2286332 SK

183,500

MLS A2220812

Executive modified bi-level with 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms. Features a large sunken living room with a natural gas fireplace. • Covered deck, fully fenced yard, heated double attached garage, located close to schools in Parkview Estates. •

459,000

118,500 MLS A2202224

MLS A2291066

4535 - 47 STREET

WELCOME TO YOUR LAKE RETREAT

Charming and updated character home on two lots with rear alley access. Fully renovated inside and out in 2019. • 14 ft. ceilings in the living room. Two bedrooms with option for a third in the basement. Massive foyer plus an enclosed rear porch. •

MAKWA LAKE

BRIGHTSAND LAKE

257,500

23.7 ACRES SK

635,000 MLS A2237706

EVERGREEN BEACH SK

488,000 MLS A2218000

COMMERCIAL FOR SALE & LEASE SHEEPSKIN LOFT

TITLED LAND 369,000 MLS A2084847

58032 RGE. RD. 101

Spacious bungalow on 6.23 acres steps from the community of St. Paul. • Lovely well treed yard site, single garage and 16'x16' storage shed. • Build equity with your improvements. Basement is a blank canvas.

LLOYDMINSTER VILLAGE

50TH AVE. DOWNTOWN

MLS A2291575

•

#96 - 5308 - 57 STREET

245,000

MLS A2291448

UTILITIES INCLUDED AB $549,999 MLS A2286357 AB $2,500/month MLS A2269476

HIGHLY VISIBLE PLAZA 44 UNIT #104

199,900

4813 - 46 STREET

MLS A2250866

Solid 3 bedroom bungalow with several updates including laminate flooring,bathroom refresh, new HWT & furnace with a/c coil. • Functional floor plan with large living , kitchen/ dining room, supersized back entry with laundry hook-ups. Quiet location, rear alley access and a 14' x 22' detached garage. •

#94 - 5308 - 57 STREET

UNIT #130

235,000

SK UTILITIES INCLUDED

AB 33.00/sq.ft MLS A2260406 AB 14.50/sq.ft MLS A2235297 $

99,900

5502 - 50 STREET

MLS A2278222

UNIT #116

•

#38 - 5308 - 57 STREET

UNIT #124

MLS A2291566

•

Two commercial lots on 50th Street, west of downtown Lloydminster.

Great potential for development in a well established neighbourhood. Cement block building on site.

110,000

AB AB $13.50/sq.ft MLS A2235230 AB $12.50/sq.ft MLS A2235334

UNIT #106

AB $12.00/sq.ft MLS A2260252

UNIT #128

99,900

#157 - 5308 - 57 STREET

PT. SE-28-51-25 W3RD

RENTAL OPPORTUNITIES

MLS A2278215

AB $9.50/sq.ft MLS A2234952

PEACEFUL COUNTRY LIVING 25011 TWP.RD.464

99,900

MLS A2278225

ALBERTA 5506 - 30 St.

4 Bed, 3 Bath

$2000 READY!

5110 - 54A St.

2 Bed, 1 Bath

$1350 READY!

5308 - 35 St

3 Bed, 3 Bath

$1700 READY!

3009 - 57A Ave. 1 Bed, 1 Bath

$1000 READY!

#80 - 5308 - 57 STREET

SASKATCHEWAN 3901 - 50 Ave.

TWO FULL QUARTERS

MOTIVATED SELLER

AB $3,997,500 MLS A2274907

SK $149,900 MLS A2140689

MLS A2291478

3 Bed, 1 Bath

$1400 READY!

APPLY ONLINE TODAY AB

52,500 MLS A2280363

coldwellbankercitysiderealty.com

3812 - 51 Avenue, Lloydminster, AB T9V 3M7

780-875-3343

Each office is independently owned & operated.

www.coldwellbankercitysiderealty.com

Brad Gilbert Broker (AB)

facebook.com/coldwellbankercitysiderealty

Jennifer Gilbert Broker (SK)

Sandy Hardy Realtor®

Judy Bexson Brandon King Realtor® Residential Realtor®

instagram.com/coldwellbankercitysiderealty