A farewell to print And a massive Thank You to our community
Dear reader,
This week’s edition will mark the final time this newspaper is printed and delivered in its traditional form.
This is not a decision we have taken lightly.
For decades, this paper has been part of the daily rhythm of Lloydminster and the surrounding communities. Many of you have picked it up week after week, supported it, talked about it and made it part of your lives.
That loyalty has never gone unnoticed — in fact, it is the only reason we have been able to carry on as long as we have.
But the reality is simple, and difficult: we can no longer afford to continue printing.
Over the past five years, the financial losses have been significant. Like many in our industry, we have felt the impact of changing habits, shifting advertising and the lasting effects of COVID. While a core group of local businesses continued to support us—and we are deeply grateful for that—it has not been enough to sustain the costs of print production.
This newspaper has deep roots.
My father started a paper here in 1959 — the Meridian Booste r — with a belief that strong local journalism matters. Years later, Clark Wright and I launched a competing paper with that same belief. Eventually, we had the privilege of bringing both papers together, continuing a legacy that has spanned generations.
That history makes this moment even harder.
But while print is ending, the mission is not.
We are not going away.
We will continue to report on the stories that matter to this community — the wins, the
challenges, the people and the issues — with the same commitment to fairness, accuracy and local voice that has always defined us. The difference is simply the platform. Moving online allows us to continue doing this work in a way that is sustainable, while preserving important jobs and keeping local journalism alive.
We know this change will be felt. There is something special about holding a local paper in your hands and we share in that sense of loss.
But we also believe the heart of what we do — telling your stories — does not depend on ink and paper. It depends on trust and on community.
And those remain as strong as ever.
To our readers: thank you.
Thank you for picking us up every week.
Thank you for reading, sharing and supporting local journalism.
Thank you for believing that your community deserves to be covered.
As we put down the pen and move to a digital platform, we hope you will continue this journey with us online.
Continue reading online at meridiansource.ca
With sincere appreciation, Reid Keebaugh, Publisher
Co-op expands with store in Costco area
The Lloydminster and District Co-op is expanding with a new store near the Costco development.
At an official March 23 announcement, Peter Brown, CEO of Lloydminster and District Co-op, announced the $9.5-million project.
“One of our newest additions that we’re planning on opening early 2027 is our (Lakeside) gateway car wash and convenience store,” he said.
The new store will be part of the city’s newest development, Lakeside Gateway. For Co-op, this building is new territory.
“It’s kind of a first for us, moving into just a straight convenience store,” he said.
The facility will offer food, ice cream, and a car wash.
“It’s going to have some new offerings,” Brown said. “Looking at an ice cream program and fried chicken program and some other hot food programs.
“The facility will have an eight-bay barn wash, wandwash and a two-bay automatic.”
He says the location looks like it will have good traffic, which led to the choice of location.
“There’s a lot of estimates on high traffic volume in that new development,” he said. “This is right on the corner where new proposed multi-family developments will be behind here. I believe the biking paths and walking paths that link with Bud Miller will connect and go right by here, too.”
The building itself will go up pretty quickly once everything is in place.
“This will also be a precast building, so it’ll erect rather quickly,” Brown said. “When you do a precast concrete wall, it lasts much longer.”
Construction is expected to begin April 1, with the site opening early in 2027.
“The site’s currently cleared off. It’ll thaw out faster so they can start construction right away.”
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
Peter Brown, Lloydminster and District Co-op CEO, gives media details about the new convenience store and car wash north of the Costco development. Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source
Municipal police committee rounds out year with report and suggested priorities
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
The Lloydminster Municipal Police committee has completed it’s first full year in existence and updated council on its ongoing efforts.
Darrell Dunn, the municipal police committee chair, presented to council at the March 16 Governance and Priorities committee meeting, reflecting on the year they’ve had.
On Feb. 24, 2025, the committee terms and reference were approved by council, with a call for applications following suit. Fast forward a few months, May 5, 2025, six members of the public alongside a member of council were appointed to the committee.
Their first meeting was May 30, 2025, where they discussed the role of the committee, RCMP structure and RCMP contract specifics. Dunn was appointed as chair and Coun. Jim Taylor was appointed as vice-chair later in the summer.
Since then, the committee has reviewed crime statistics, community concerns and engagement strategies, ultimately culminating in a packed open house on Nov. 6, 2025.
“We looked at doing an open house and we reviewed the details of the one that happened a year prior to that and there was just very few people at that one,” said Dunn. “We wanted to try to get more people, so on Nov. 6, which was interesting because it was pretty much the first snowstorm of the year, we held our first open house and ended up with a surprising amount of people showing up.”
The open house filled the legacy centre and various questions were asked of the attendees. Questions revolved around areas RCMP should focus on, policing priorities and safety in the community.
“Some of the things we got back was, the community wants to be more connected to the RCMP services and their members,” said Dunn. “We felt they didn’t have a strong understanding of the different police levels.”
Coun. Jim Taylor, who serves as the vice-chair on the committee, says they were eager to get things rolling.
“I think our committee was eager to get started, but unsure how to get started,” he said, explaining Andrew DeGruchy, director of public safety,
More than 60 people came out on a snowy Lloydminster night to the first Municipal Police Committee open house at the Legacy Centre on Nov. 6, 2025.
helped get things going during the first few meetings.
Dunn laid out their recommended community priorities plan for the upcoming year, which include, increased community connection and presence, crime reduction initiatives and traffic enforcement.
He says they act as a middleman between the public and the RCMP.
“We want to understand what people are talking about and we want to make sure that’s translated to management of the RCMP,” said Dunn.
Taylor pointed to safety being a concern in the community.
“It is a huge concern,” he said, explaining, the committee helps set the priorities based on what they’re hearing, but also not constrict them from what RCMP want to do.
Looking back on his time so far, Taylor says he’s looking forward to where the committee goes next.
“I’ve enjoyed being on this committee. We’re learning a lot. I look forward to where it goes over the next year,” he said.
Hundreds hunt for work, chamber tackles labour shortage
fair at the Gold Horse Casino.
The Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce is tackling the ongoing labour shortage with a job
“We put this on to help our local businesses with the labour shortages and try to fill some of their skilled labour positions,” said TeriLynn MacKie, executive director, Lloydminster Chamber of Commerce.
“There’s 26 businesses.”
She says the event was funded by the Alberta government, federal government and the Alberta Chamber of Commerce.
The interest from residents was evident as a constant flow of people came in through the door to see who was hiring.
“So far, I think there’s been about 300 people through the door,” she said. “I’m hoping we’re going to be around the 400 to 700 mark.”
There was a variety of businesses present from companies looking for apprentices and skilled labourers, to trades, non-profits and more.
“There is everything from Cooper Concrete that are looking for construction with dealing with their concrete and the Canadian (armed forces) is here,” said MacKie.
Resources were available at the event to print resumes. She says even just getting out to promote your business is important.
“Even promoting your company of what you have available so you can recruit new employees,” said MacKie.
All the businesses that are a part of the chamber can be found on their website at Lloydminsterchamber.com
Meridian Source file photo
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
Lobsterfest steaks claim to Rotary
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
The Rotary Club of Lloydminster’s Lobsterfest is coming back to grill up a good time.
“Lobsterfest is coming up, this year it’s going to be on May 23, we’re really excited for the event,” said Peter Brown, president, Rotary Club of Lloydminster.
The event has been running for 46 years and serves as a major fundraiser for the club.
“You’re going to be able to have a lobster and a steak. It’s a great fundraiser,” he said. “It’s $100 a ticket and there’ll be many other door prizes a person can enter for.”
Funds from the event help local organizations.
“The funds go towards, we always have different kinds of projects each year,” he said, giving an example of a past project. “Supporting Border City Connects, different projects like that.”
Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are still available through the club. Interested parties can contact Peter Brown at 780-870-6890 or Tara Shirtliffe at 306-821-4081.
On top of the surf and turf dinner, live entertainment will also permeate the WLS Convention Centre.
“Jordyn Pollard and Dirt Rich Band will be playing at Lobsterfest and we’re very excited about that,” said Brown.
2026 SPRING GUIDE
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
COST AND AGE CATEGORIES VARY
Lloydminster.ca/Guides
NEW ADULT/TEEN LEARN TO SKATE
SUNDAYS • AGES 15+ • $45
April 19: 4:15 - 5 p.m.
April 26: 5:15 - 6 p.m.
May 3: 5:45 - 6:30 p.m.
Learn the basic skating skills in an interactive group format. No experience is necessary! Lloydminster.ca/Register
JOSH ROSS
JUNE 12 • DOORS OPEN AT 7 PM
PCL Construction is helping bring Josh Ross to Lloydminster! Get ready for a night of charttopping hits and high-energy country music. cenovusenergyhub.ca/JoshRoss
MUSEUM + ARCHIVES
EASTER PYSANKY
APR 4 • 10 AM - 4:30 PM
$5 PER EGG
Ages 9+ create traditional pysanka; 8 & under decorate eggs with kid-friendly dyes. 780-874-3720
Lloydminster.ca/EasterPysanky
TASTE OF SCIENCE CAMP
APR 7-10 • AGES 8-12 •$190
This camp invites young scientists to explore the connection between food and science through hands-on experiments, creative challenges, and delicious discoveries.
Lloydminster.ca/Register
SERVUS SPORTS CENTRE
YOUTH BADMINTON CAMP AND TOURNAMENT
APR 8,9+10 • $81
GRADES 5-7: 10 AM - 12 PM
GRADES 8-10: 12:30-2:30PM
Develop your skills through cardio, interactive drills and games. Compete for tournament prizes on Friday. 780-875-4529
Lloydminster.ca/Register
File photo
CITY-WIDE
CENOVUS ENERGY HUB
Skaters dazzle crowd at year-end carnival
Members of the Lloydminster Figure Skating Club took to the ice for their 69th annual year-end carnival on March 22.
The event was held at the Cenovus Energy Hub and featured the theme “Under the Big Top.” More than 24 performances highlighted the afternoon show.
About 180 skaters took part in the carnival. Skaters ranged in age and skill level, from beginners to advanced athletes.
Club president Hillary Sehn said the event wrapped up a successful 202526 season for the club.
“We have 256 registered participants this season from age three to 61,” said Sehn. “Creating a club that welcomes all, no matter their age or ability, is my goal and our team of coaches and board members have helped me do just that.”
The club runs several programs through Skate Canada. These include PreCanSkate, CanSkate, StarSkate, synchronized skating and CanPowerSkate.
The season begins with a fall school in September. Regular programming runs from early October to the third week of March. A StarSkate spring school continues through April.
The club had 10 coaches this season and a full volunteer board of directors.
Sehn said the PreCanSkate and CanSkate programs were full this year. Other programs ran at about 90 per cent capacity. The club expects those programs to fill next season.
Skaters from six other clubs also trained with the Lloydminster club this season. Some joined for extra coaching, while others took part in synchronized skating teams.
Sehn said the club aims to make skating accessible to everyone.
“We have adults refreshing their skills and skaters taking their first steps on the ice,” she said. “We also have athletes landing double jumps and hockey players improving their skating. Our programs can also be adapted for skaters with additional needs.”
CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
County of Vermilion River Taxpayers Association
TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2026
P.M.
TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR ..................................
The Lloydminster Figure Skating Club hosted its 69th annual year-end carnival on March 22 at the Cenovus Energy Hub. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source photos
Preparing for the carnival took months of work. Coaches and skaters began practising their routines in January.
Organizers also held several walk-throughs at the arena. The club does not normally skate at the facility, so extra preparation was required.
“The feedback I received was 100 per cent positive,” said Sehn. “Our skaters really showed what they can do. We have a lot of talent in our club and we love sharing it with the community.”
The show also featured guest skater Umberto Daher of the Ice Palace Figure Skating Club in Edmonton. Daher trains under coach Ravi Walia.
Daher competed at the 2026 national level in the men’s novice category. He is also the 2024 prenovice national bronze-medallist and a four-time Alberta champion.
Next season will mark the club’s 70th year with Skate Canada. The club also plans to host a synchronized skating competition in March 2027. Teams from across Alberta and Saskatchewan are expected to attend.
SKATING CLUB FROM PAGE 6
Taylor Weaver Meridian Source photos
Community connections sizzle at Sellers RV Spring Sport and Leisure Show
While a layer of ice on windshields and “soupy” roads may have challenged local travel this past weekend, the atmosphere inside the Lloydminster Exhibition grounds remained warm as the Sellers RV Spring Sport and Leisure Show celebrated its second year of a post-pandemic rebuild.
Originally rooted in the “Lloydminster Showcase,” which dates back more than two decades, the event is once again finding its footing. For organizers and vendors alike, the weekend proved that while the internet offers convenience, it can’t replace a handshake.
Landon Beacock, chair of the Spring Sport and Leisure Committee, has seen the event evolve from its early days into its current iteration. After the “giant trade show” era was halted by COVID-19, the focus has shifted toward steady growth.
“It’s growing. It’s bigger than it was a few years ago, and it didn’t exist at all for a while,” Beacock said. “Now, we’re building back toward a new normal.”
Despite the unpredictable spring weather impacting the initial turnout, Beacock noted that a slightly slower pace can actually be a blessing for those looking to foster genuine business ties.
“I can’t talk to 1,000 people, but I can have meaningful conversations with 50,” he explained. “Trade shows are about relationships. You don’t get those personal connections or the stories behind businesses (online).”
For Chris Bettscher, general manager at Sellers RV, the show represents the culmination of weeks of hard work.
“It takes about three weeks of prep and a few days of moving everything,” Bettscher said. “That’s the hard work, and this is the fun part. It’s great to have the boats, the quads, and the booths all back under one roof.”
Bettscher, who has been with the company for 25 years, emphasized that the show is rarely about “snap-decision” purchases. Because the items on display — from RVs to power sports — are luxury goods designed for “making memories,” the event serves as a vital touchpoint for customers to see what’s new and reconnect with familiar faces.
The show also attracted talent from across the border, including Linda Button of Canora, Sask. Button, a 15-year veteran of the trade show circuit, brought her unique brand, Mutton’s Corner, to Lloydminster for the first time.
Named after her TV show on Access Communications where she boosts local entrepreneurs, Button’s booth featured a mix of “sparkly jewelry” and liquidated stock from other small businesses. For her, the show is a cure for the isolation of solo entrepreneurship.
“I like the people interaction,” Button said. “I’m a widow and at home by myself, so I like seeing the kids and the grandparents buying stuff for newborns.”
When asked if she would return to the Border City next year, Button offered a classic vendor’s perspective: “I’ll let you know after I count my money — it’s got to even out!”
As the ice melts and the “soupy” roads clear, the sentiment among the exhibition subcommittees remains optimistic. With other local events also seeing increased participation, the Spring Sport and Leisure Show appears to be on a clear path toward reclaiming its status as a massive community staple.
TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR
The Spring Sport and Leisure Show, in conjunction with Sellers RV, filled the Lloyd Ex from March 20 to 22. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source photos
Easter Colouring CONTEST
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Thursday, March 26, 2026
MERIDIAN SOURCE
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Leave it to Weaver: An exciting new digital era at the Source
EDITOR
TAYLOR WEAVER
This may be our last print edition of the Meridian Source , but we’re not going anywhere. As one of our owners, Reid Keebaugh, explained on Page 1, the Meridian Source is one of countless newspapers feeling the pinch of rising operational costs and lower ad revenue.
I’ve been a working journalist in Lloydminster since 2014. Since starting in the Border City, I’ve witnessed many newspaper closures, layoffs and downscaling. My parents met while working at the Windsor Star. I grew up in newsrooms, feeling and hearing the excitement of deadlines as reporters furiously worked to get stories out on time.
I was hooked. It seemed like the coolest job in the world. However, back in those days, it’s safe to say it was a more respected profession. The internet and AI somewhat spoiled it all because, with the amount of information being put out every day, it’s hard to know what’s fact and what’s fiction. Similar to how everyone’s a photographer if they own a smartphone, everyone’s a journalist if they know how to type questions into ChatGPT.
As awesome as AI can be, it doesn’t make the mistakes humans do, which takes humanity out of journalism. It shows in the writing. It doesn’t have the same feeling or emotion ... it’s just robotic.
They may not be spelling or grammar mistakes, but AI does make mistakes. I’ve seen countless examples of this from outlets since many newsrooms and online news platforms adopted the technology. Since the Source announced the decision to go digital-only last Thursday, the comments on social media may not all be sunshine and rainbows, but to the countless people who
reached out to me and members of my team, we thank you.
Whether it was a text, a phone call or a conversation on the street last weekend while I was all over town covering assignments, your support means more than you know. As of Wednesday morning, that announcement video has more than 26,000 views. More people continue to follow us on social media and John, Christian and I keep getting positive in-person feedback.
This tells me a couple of things. One, people have grown to trust the three of us as reliable voices in the community. They trust us to tell factual stories and keep coming back to our pages to read more. That won’t change. We’re going to keep bringing our community stories that matter, with information that is accurate.
I’ve said it countless times: we don’t do this job for the money; we do this job because we love it and we’re passionate about the craft. Journalists are a rare breed. While in Lloydminster, I’ve worked with journalists who haven’t given up on the dream. They moved to the Border City from major networks to continue pursuing the dream … because they love what they do.
Factual, unbiased stories from writers you can trust. That’s the name of the game, and we take great pride in that at the Meridian Source . I want to give special thanks to all of our valued readers and customers for the years of support, especially to our longest-standing client, Brad Gilbert and Coldwell Banker, who started a relationship with print media back when Meridian Booster founder Byron Keebaugh ran the local newspaper.
It’s clients like Coldwell Banker and many other long time supporters of local media that make this all possible. We know digital-only news is a big change, but we’re doing everything we can to make the transition as easy as possible for everyone. As Reid previously stated, Byron started the Booster with a belief that strong local journalism matters. Under the ownership of Reid and Clark Wright, that belief remains the same to this day.
Our local, mighty team includes three writers, one sales rep and one full-time graphic designer. Our roles have changed over the years, and even more so in the last couple of weeks, but we remain dedicated to bringing Lloydminster the best product we can.
Members of our team will be hosting a class at the Legacy Centre on April 9 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. to ensure anyone interested is educated on how to use our website and e-edition.
You’ll be seeing some exciting changes being made in the e-paper, including videos built right into the pages, interactive clickable ads that direct readers right to our clients’ websites, and much more.
We’re looking forward to maintaining our role as the community’s storyteller, while bringing some new-age technology to the table.
Lastly, stay in the know by subscribing to our newsletter, it’s free! Also, by subscribing, our e-edition will automatically be sent to you every week. No fluff. No clickbait. Just reporting you can trust.
Thursday, March 26, 2026
MERIDIAN SOURCE
Chris’ A-Z: Ink in your blood
When it comes to the newspaper business, they always say, “You’ve got ink in your blood.”
There’s many in Lloydminster that have been able to say that exact thing. The Border City has had an extensive list of prominent publishers and journalists who took their craft to the streets.
I think of the Joseph George Willards and George Franklin Baynton, pioneers in print media who put purpose to ink. Lloydminster has enjoyed having a solid print landscape for 121 years, that’s a long time. As we round out our final physical edition before I greet you with a history column next week in our digital edition, I wanted to talk about one pillar of print that I have yet to discuss.
The Keebaugh name has been synonymous with the newspaper for almost 70 years. If you know where I’m going, I’m sure you realize I’m talking about the one who began the Meridian Booster , Byron Keebaugh.
Taking it back to the beginning, Keebaugh was born in 1932, the son of a grain buyer. From a young age, he began working in a print shop and went on to study printing technology by the time he was 18.
He was determined and ready to move forward in the printing business, joining the typographical union and working the weekly newspaper circuit in places like High River, Hanna, Innisfail and Vegreville. He even had a short stint with the Vancouver Sun
By 1955, he was an experienced compositor printer who owned the Cut Knife Grinder . His stay in the small town was short. Keebaugh left in 1958 and arrived in Lloydminster, where he
opened Meridian Printing.
Just a short year later, he opened the Meridian Booster , circulating the first edition at the Lloyd Ex Fair’s parade. He would get the paper to the masses in some fairly unique ways.
For the surrounding area it was delivered by post. However, he came up with the idea to track circulation and get the paper to the people with his Booster Boxes.
They began sprouting up on street corners and in nearby communities.
Out of the gate, the Booster was a leading weekly paper in its market size. Keebaugh served as president of the Alberta Weekly Newspaper Association in 1984-85. He took that a step farther and served as the Canadian Weekly Newspaper Association president in 1989-90.
It would all come to an end in 1995 when he made the decision to sell Meridian Printing to Bowes Publishing. In retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his family and golfing. His long career saw him head many newspapers, the Bonnyville Nouvelle , Grand Prairie Booster , Meadow Lake Progress and the Vermilion Standard
I guess he never found himself busy enough, he also served as a Lloydminster councillor, president of the Lloyd Rotary and he was a Kinsmen member.
Keebaugh was described as friendly, considerate, happy and kind. He truly was a man of the people.
Through a lot of my research into historical topics, I’ve cracked open plenty of editions of the Meridian Booster . I could always tell there was a level of care put into every page and every word. Sections were dedicated to regional coverage because he wanted to ensure everyone that might pick up a copy of the paper was represented. He always had solid local topics and dug into the details of whatever was going on in the
Border City.
Coverage was always robust and fair. The newspaper business continued in the Keebaugh name as son Reid, alongside his business partner Clark Wright, ventured into the world of print.
Lloydminster’s long history of print excellence will finally move into the digital era. I know for many this is a shock, but I think this is the best for the longevity of journalism.
One of the things I hear quite often is how do we archive our papers. Well, they sit in boxes and we aren’t the only paper that does that. Throughout my adventures in media, I’ve seen most newspaper companies who have their previous editions holed up in a plastic box somewhere.
Moving online means we can finally have active, rolling archives. Go online right now to our digital edition. What do you see? A catalogue of every edition of the last number of years for you to read at any time. We’ll be at your fingertips with the same great newspaper you’ve come to trust.
I wanted to end this off by saying a few thank yous. First, I want to thank all the amazing journalists and publishers who have paved the way. I mentioned just a few in this column but there’s been so many who made it all possible. Now it’s up to us to carry it into this new generation. Second, I’d like to thank all the readers, I know how important our work is to you and I never hold that lightly. We look forward to delivering you excellent, timely and thorough news online, every day and every Thursday for our full edition.
Finally, I’d like to thank everyone I had honest conversations with over the last week.
This may be quite the change, and it is, but it’s a step forward for all of us. Your support has always meant everything to us here at the Source.
See you next week.
Chris’ A-Z: Not one, but two babies
In Lloydminster’s great history, there’s been a lot of doubling up.
What I mean by that is, Lloyd seems to trend in twos. I think back to the town and village of Lloydminster. They each had a council, they each had an agricultural society and they each hosted a fair every year.
Today, I’m not talking about something that was doubled up by the border. Instead, I’m talking about the two first babies of Lloydminster.
I don’t think there’s anything more quintessentially Lloydminster than its first two babies.
I’ll give you a little context before I give you the history. What I’m talking about today is the birth of the first baby in Lloydminster. In this case, there happens to be two births that could be considered the first.
Where our story starts today is on the trail to Lloydminster all the way back in 1903. Early settlers to Lloydminster had to take the trail from Saskatoon to their eventual destination. The walk was quite long, which led to an interesting situation.
Martha Topott was travelling to what would
be her family’s new home in the Northwest Territories. She had been travelling and arrived in a camp with the other women, which apparently was well-timed, her labour pains were beginning. Topott had been travelling to her new home with her family and friends pregnant. There was no medical aid or equipment. Really all they had was a tent and some blankets they had put out. Aided by women who had given birth themselves and knew what was coming up.
Thanks to the help and perseverance of Topott and all the other women, Richard Topott was born. Not in Lloydminster proper, but on the trail, in what is now Waseca.
While not the first to be born in Lloydminster, Richard Topott was the first born among the Barr Colonists who would soon be in their new settlement.
The first baby to be born in Lloydminster would be a Rendell baby. Alice “Babs” Rendell was born Aug. 27, 1903. Like many of the other mothers, Alice Rendell was expecting. Like many early 1900s stories, mother and daughter had the same name. Babs was born in the Rendell house, now in Weaver Park. She was born on a bed of ticking
filled with fresh hay on the floor. Dr. W. W. Amos delivered the baby. Of note, Babs’ godfather was Rev. George Exton Lloyd.
When you really break it down, Babs was the first baby born in the settlement. They were here and relatively established, being born in the family home. While Richard Topott was born just up the road, or in this case up the trial. Really in the Prairies, you could probably see what was going on from Lloydminster.
What makes Lloydminster unique is its border, although the split wouldn’t happen for some years after the town was settled, there were still plenty of interesting firsts.
I also so vividly remember this story, I was brand-new to Lloydminster, exploring the museum for the first time when I came upon two plaques on the wall. They were very close in position and one of them outlined the Rendell baby being Lloydminster’s first. The other was the Topott’s and their history as the baby born on the trail to Lloydminster.
My mind was made up seeing the plaques, the first babies of Lloydminster was something permanently cemented in my mind.
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 Moose Lodge
Bingo is back at Moose Lodge every Monday and Wednesday evening. Doors open at 5 p.m. and play starts at 7 p.m. Must be 18 to play.
Southridge Playschool Registration is Open
The Southridge Playschool and Kindergym Society has opened registration for the fall 2026-27 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.
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 the Dewberry Dinner Theatre – Is There a Doctor in the House? on March 27 and 28.
Legacy Centre Dinner Theatre
The Legacy Centre’s 14th annual dinner theatre production is scheduled for March 26, 27, 28 and 29 at the Legacy Centre. Tickets are $55/person and they’re going fast. Call the Legacy office at 780-875-4584 for more details.
Junior B Hockey Provincials
Alberta Hockey Junior B provincials are at the Cenovus Energy Hub from April 1-5 and will feature the top six teams in the province.
The Mop Top Four Beatles Tribute
The Mop Top Four, a tribute to The Beatles, hits the stage at the Vic Juba Community Theatre on April 7 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available online or at the Vic Juba box office.
Meridian Source Online Education Class
The Meridian Source will be hosting a class at the Legacy Centre from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. on April 9 to help local seniors get familiar with our online platform. We want to ensure everyone is comfortable reading their news online and will have multiple Source staffers on hand to answer any and all questions.
Doubles Cribbage Tourney at the Moose
The Lloydminster Moose Lodge is hosting a doubles cribbage tournament on Sunday, April 12 starting at noon. Registration is from 11 to 11:45 a.m. and each player is guaranteed 12 games. Cost is $25/person, which includes a snack, coffee and juice. Enter as a team or an individual. Entries close on Friday, April 10. Call Bruce at 780-522-6972 to register.
Morgan Wallan Tribute at the Vic Juba
A Morgan Wallan Tribute is coming to the Vic Juba Community Theatre on April 18 for a 7:30 p.m. show. Tickets are available online or at the theatre box office.
Rotary district governor talks goals
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
For Rotary District 5370 governor Ramesh Ferris, the message was simple: make clubs more accessible.
Ferris presented to the Rotary Club of Lloydminster, joined by members of the Border City Rotary Club, at the Lloydminster club’s Monday lunch meeting March 23. Ferris, who is the 2025-26 governor, spoke to what he wants to see clubs doing as they move through the year.
“Some of my hopes for this Rotary year is that you as a club, you’ll take the time to develop a multi-year club action plan,” he said.
This plan includes increasing clubs’ impacts, expanding their range, enhancing participant engagement and increasing the ability to adapt as a club. Another key highlight for Ferris is his commitment to making the world more accessible, something close to him.
“The other thing I’m trying to highlight this year is the connection between community accessibility and club accessibility,” he said. “As a polio survivor, I don’t know anything else but a life living with a physical disability. In the wintertime, the community of Whitehorse is not accessible.”
Ferris’s story begins in India.
“I was living in poverty and because of this I didn’t have access to the polio vaccine. The polio virus paralyzed my legs for life at the age of six months,” he said.
His mother placed him into an orphanage to be adopted in Canada.
“My birth mother placed me into a Canadian family orphanage called Families for Children,” he explained. “I was adopted by the Anglican Bishop of Yukon, Ron Ferris, and his wife Jan.”
He says his adoptive parents instilled the values of staying determined, having dreams, working as a team and not giving up. These values are something he wants to see reflected in the clubs.
“I think it’s important that clubs, if they haven’t done so already, adopt an attitude of don’t be afraid to fail, be afraid not to try,” said Ferris. “Throughout my life I’ve tried to carry on that mindset.”
It was after his 2008 Cycle to Walk campaign
— where he hand-cycled 7,140 kilometres across Canada to raise awareness and money for Rotary International’s PolioPlus campaign — that he became a Rotarian.
“I continue to this day to use Rotary as a platform to elevate my voice for causes that I care about,” he said. “In particular, one of them is polio education.”
In his efforts to make Rotary more accessible, he says a tool is being developed to assess how accessible the Rotary clubs are.
“I’ve asked our diversity, equity and inclusion committee for the district to develop a Rotary club accessibility assessment tool,” said Ferris. “Which will help clubs identify what potential barriers they have in their club meetings, but also in the volunteer opportunities that they’re creating in the community.”
As part of his presentation, he talked about how the 56 active clubs in District 5370 helped financially support Rotary.
“Our district continued its amazing generosity to the foundation,” he said, noting just over $300,000 was given to the annual fund, while just under $210,000 was contributed to PolioPlus from Rotarians alone in the district.
He says Rotary International’s commitment remains the fight to eradicate polio.
“They’re asking every Rotarian to commit $100 US annually to the PolioPlus Society that the district set up,” he said, which will continue until the World Health Organization certifies the world polio-free. Ferris also spoke about the upcoming district conference, which is set to be held in Whitehorse.
“We’re just really proud to be hosting the district conference in May,” he said. The conference runs from May 15-17 in Whitehorse. Keynote speakers include Rick Hansen, Michael Sheldrick and Diego Carneiro.
Ramesh Ferris, Rotary district 5370 governor, Zooms into the March 23 meeting.
Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source photo
From blueprints to big screens Holy Rosary students shine at regional skills competition
TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR
Skills competitions offer students a unique stage to bridge the gap between the classroom and the workforce.
On Feb. 27, that stage was Lakeland College’s Vermilion campus, where Holy Rosary High School students put their technical prowess to the test. The results were impressive. Twenty-eight competitors represented the school. They secured a massive haul of medals. Now, 17 students are moving on to the provincial skills competition in Edmonton.
For these participants, the event was more than a contest. It was a high-pressure demonstration of learning by doing. Whether sparking a torch or framing a building, these students proved their talent.
Grade 12 student Esther Omoroeion reached a major milestone this year. Alongside her partner, Kendra Lamoth, Omoroeion captured the gold medal in video production. This was a step up from the bronze medals they earned in previous years.
“It was really surprising,” Omoroeion said. “The last two years we got bronze. It felt great to finally push through.”
Omoroeion credits her success to her teacher, Skye Ferguson, who recognized her talent back in Grade 8. This year, the team used a professional strategy. Omoroeion captured high-quality B-roll while her partner managed the editing.
“We focused on a strong, engaging script,”
Omoroeion said, noting her advice to others is simple: “Just go for it. Even participating is an accomplishment.”
Other students built success with their hands. Grade 10 student Jayden Scarf entered the carpentry arena for the first time. He earned a silver medal for building a chicken coop.
Scarf views the competition as a path toward becoming a millwright. Despite the ticking clock, he stayed focused on the fundamentals.
“It was stressful,” Scarf explained. “You have to focus on the parts that are marked. Make sure the important parts are done well.”
He learned a valuable lesson in mindset. “Focus on time management. If something goes wrong, move on to what gets you more points,” he said.
The success at Lakeland College is just the start. The advancing Raiders now look toward the provincial skills competition. This event takes place at the Edmonton Expo Centre on May 6-7.
The stakes are high. Gold-medalists in Edmonton
will advance to the Skills Canada national competition. That event will be held in Toronto later that month. As they prepare for the provincial stage, their goals are clear. They plan to stay focused, be accurate and keep improving.
Top: From left, Esther Omoroeion, Kendra Lamoth, Skye Ferguson, Luc Lehmond and Ryelan Hassan celebrate regional skills gold and bronze finishes. Above: Jayden Scarf competes in carpentry at the recent regional skills competition. Submitted photos
Hillmond 4-H Club March report
GRACY HEWITT SPECIAL TO THE SOURCE
This year’s Hillmond 4-H club has 36 members in beef, sheep, swine, light horse, and archery projects. The club held its organizational meeting, Oct. 6, 2025.
The club has 21 members with beef projects this year, including 19 steer projects and seven heifer projects. They met at Hougham’s on Dec. 6 to weigh their animal and learn more about feed nutrients and rations.
Swine is a new project to Hillmond this year with a total of five members. All pigs are born now and doing well. They had their first meeting earlier this year and are learning about swine nutrition, castration and showmanship.
Members are enjoying working with their animals, preparing them for Achievement Day, and the 4-H expo show and sale held at the end of May.
In Archery, there are a total of seven members. They meet once a month to practise their archery skills and had a great time attending the Battle River Archery 3D shoot in February! All members will compete again this year at the Expo show in Lloydminster.
Swine is a new project to Hillmond this year with a total of five members.
All pigs are born now and doing well. Members had their first meeting earlier this year and are learning about swine nutrition, castration and showmanship.
The sheep project has 10 members. Lambing year has begun and all are doing well. Members had their first project meeting in February.
The light horse project has seven members. They have had a couple riding days so far, working on the importance of leg pressure and how it is valuable in every sport they do with their horse. They hope to continue with their riding days again when the weather co-operates!
In November, the Hillmond 4-H club visited the OB colony for a tour and enjoyed their time learning about the dairy farm, mechanical shop, and other stock animals. A big thank you to the OB colony for your time. It was a great experience!
Members have been doing lots of volunteer work, including the parade of lights in December, and crib tournaments held at the Hillmond Hall.
The club had their annual Christmas party at the Paradise Hill bowling alley on Dec. 29, 2025, and had a wonderful time.
The club’s public speaking was held on March 1 in Hillmond. It was a great day with so many great speeches! We thank the judges for their participation and support!
As well, the club’s annual pancake supper and dessert bingo was held on March 15. We thank all members, families and friends for making it another big success!
Members have been working hard in their projects and are looking forward to Achievement Day and Expo weekend, which will be held May 30 to June 1 at the Lloydminster Exhibition Grounds. Hope to see you there!
Health and wellness fair sees strong turnout
The Health and Wellness Fair at the Lloydminster Exhibition drew vendors and visitors despite poor weather.
Organizer Melissa Winter said the March 21 event featured about 37 vendors. She described turnout as steady, even with icy and slushy conditions.
“It’s been fantastic,” Winter said. “It’s a bit slower because of the weather, but people are doing better than expected.”
The fair included a mix of local and out-of-town vendors. Many offered servictes such as massage therapy and alternative wellness options.
Winter said the event focuses on overall well-being. That includes physical, mental and emotional health.
“It’s about looking after your body, your mind and your soul,” she said.
Admission to the event was free. Winter said that decision was meant to increase access and encourage more visitors. Attendees could also enter raffles for prizes, including massages and wellness sessions.
Winter launched the event in 2024 and said vendor numbers have stayed consistent, but attendance can vary.
The Health and Wellness Fair is held twice a year, with the next event planned for fall 2026.
Winter is also planning new events. That includes an Eat Well Expo focused on dietary needs such as gluten-free and lactose-free living.
Despite the weather, Winter said feedback from vendors was positive.
“Overall, it’s been really positive,” she said.
More information on upcoming events can be found at Winter’s Bizy Bee Planner Facebook page.
TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR
Bizy Bee Planner’s Health and Wellness Fair filled the Nissan Hall at the Lloyd Ex on Sunday, March 22. The free event featured multiple vendors, many focused on alternatives to modern medicine. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source photos
Collectors show off at show and sale
It was a collectors’ paradise at the Lloyd Ex on March 13 and 14.
The Border City Collectors Show and Sale returned to a large crowd and plenty of eager collectors.
“Normally, Saturday is our big day and it can fill up pretty good,” said Darrell Dunn, secretary treasurer of the Border City Collectors Club. “Historically, (we get) between 1,300 to 1,600 people.”
Dunn is a collector himself and had a table set up selling off some of his collection.
“My collection has a lot of farm stuff, ranging from the sandlot kind of toys that kids had in the ’50s and ’60s, through to highly detailed scale models of different pieces of equipment,” he said.
He says the value of each piece can vary.
“The value of a particular piece can vary greatly, depending on whether it’s been displayed, whether it’s been played with, whether the box is still with it, what kind of shape the box is in,” said Dunn.
There were all kinds of collections, including a unique set up the entrance of the WLS Convention Centre.
“Over on that table, you can see some old crock pots and those kinds of things. What people collect ranges hugely,” he said.
He says while much of the show is farm equipment, there’s still a good variety.
“With this show, it’s not restricted to one classic collectable, but it tends to be largely farm equipment,” said Dunn. “If you walk around, you’ll see a lot of different things.
“You also have coins, you have books, knick knacks and just whatever. In past years, we’ve had record collections, magazine collections, we’ve got all sorts of stuff.”
The show has been going strong for 33 years and attracts people from all over Canada.
“This show will get people from as far away as southern Saskatchewan, Manitoba, we’ve had people from B.C., certainly from Alberta and Saskatchewan, so you’ll get people from all over,” he said.
Dunn also noted they have help setting up from Pleasantview Bible Camp.
“We have a group of young people that help us out from Pleasantview Bible Camp,” said Dunn. “They help set up the tables. We run a 50/50 and we split the 50/50 with the camp.”
He says the event will return again in 2027 for its 34th year.
CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER
The Border City Collectors Show and Sale drew large crowds at the Lloyd Ex March 13 and March 14. Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source
Word on the beat: Stop, police
Staff Sgt. JERRY NUTBROWN
There are many provincial and federal government acts that require people to obey a peace and/or police officer’s direction. There is not enough room here to go into all the sources granting peace and police officers authority, but as a quick note, all police officers are peace officers, but not all peace officers are police officers. Sheriffs and community peace officers are peace officers but not police officers. I will provide the authorities in general, but feel free to research which laws apply to which officers.
Common acts that provide officers authority are those related to vehicles and conveyances, such as Alberta’s Traffic Safety Act and Saskatchewan’s The Traffic Safety Act, and their regulations. For these acts, please remember that a driver’s licence is a privilege, not a right. There are many circumstances in which a driver’s licence can be seized, prohibiting the person from legally driving.
Are drivers legally required to stop or obey an officer? Yes. Traffic acts also include authority for officers to direct traffic in contravention of the act. An example would be at a collision scene, where officers may keep traffic flowing through a red light or stop sign rather than have everyone stop.
I was recently in court when a driver appeared because she had not stopped for an officer. She had been stopped earlier, but after leaving the stop committed another driving offence and did not stop for the officer, who was again behind her with lights and siren activated.
The judge found her guilty because she had the legal obligation to stop again.
For drivers, this could also involve an officer on foot directing a driver to stop or pull over. This holds the same authority as if the officer were in a vehicle with emergency equipment activated. Traffic safety legislation provides significant authority for officers to direct traffic as necessary. An officer cannot arbitrarily do whatever they want, as they may need to justify their actions to a judge in court.
Reasonableness is often the threshold that needs to be met in the eyes of the court.
There are criminal driving offences defined in the Criminal Code, which include failing to stop for an officer. The Criminal Code was recently updated so that motor vehicles now fall under the definition of a conveyance. Section 320.17 specifically addresses failing to stop for a peace officer. The specific circumstances would dictate whether police proceed with a violation ticket or a criminal charge.
The best advice I can give is to stop or pull over if you even slightly suspect an officer is trying to stop you. Even if they are not trying to stop you, you are legally obligated to pull over, and the officer will simply continue on if they are not after you.
A quick online search will provide explanations of your rights when being pulled over. Yes, you do have rights, and officers are required to respect them.
Staff Sgt. Jerry Nutbown is the NCO in charge of the Lloydminster RCMP detachment’s General Investigation Section. Stay tuned for future online columns from the Lloydminster RCMP.
Maidstone RCMP investigate collision that sent four to hospital
Maidstone RCMP is investigating after a two-vehicle collision sent four people to hospital.
On March 19, at about 9 p.m., Maidstone RCMP received a report of a two-vehicle collision on Highway 16 west of Paynton, Sask. Officers, fire and multiple EMS services, including STARS, responded to the collision. Investigation determined a truck and a second vehicle had collided. RCMP say they are working to confirm the second damaged vehicle’s type.
The driver, and sole occupant of the truck, was taken to hospital by EMS with injuries described as non-life threatening.
The driver of the second vehicle was taken to hospital with injuries described as serious in nature. A teenaged passenger in the second vehicle was taken to hospital by STARS with injuries described as serious in nature. A second passenger was taken to hospital for further assessment. The eastbound lanes of Highway 16 were closed for multiple hours.
STEAM Night electrifies students
What began as a small school project has evolved into a major community event at École St. Thomas.
Hundreds of families gathered for École St. Thomas’s fifth annual STEAM Night, an evening dedicated to science, technology, engineering, arts and math.
Principal Chantale Salt said the event began as an initiative from the school’s parent council.
“About five years ago, our school community council wanted to bring some STEAM activities into the building,” Salt said. “We started by bringing in the Telus World of Science from Edmonton with a mobile planetarium, and it’s just kind of evolved from there.”
The Saskatchewan Science Centre and local partners hosted interactive
booths in the gym and foyer.
Students participated in activities ranging from engineering demonstrations to art projects, with appearances from community groups including the RCMP and local musicians.
The day began with a full-school assembly, followed by workshops for grades 4 and 5 students, before opening to families in the evening.
Salt said attendance has steadily increased, with about 300 people attending last year’s event. Final numbers for this year were not immediately available, but she said turnout appeared strong.
To encourage participation, students used bingo cards to collect stamps at each booth, which they later exchanged for books.
Salt said the format helps ensure students explore a variety of subjects.
“It gets them to try everything,” she said. “And it shows that learning doesn’t have to be just textbooks or essays — it can be hands-on.”
Popular attractions this year included virtual reality stations and interactive science demonstrations, such as static electricity experiments showcased by the Saskatchewan Science Centre.
Salt said the event is designed to reflect different learning styles while also exposing students to potential career paths.
With organizations like the RCMP demonstrating forensic techniques and local industry partners presenting engineering concepts, students can see realworld applications of what they learn in school, she said.
The event also included participation from Holy Rosary High School students who helped run several booths.
Salt said that gives younger students a glimpse of future opportunities.
“It’s wonderful for our students to see what they can do when they get to high school,” she said, noting the goal remains simple: to make learning engaging and accessible for everyone.
“It’s just to promote learning and show that learning is fun,” she said.
Community partners support STEAM learning
Partners including the Lloydminster Public Library, Holy Rosary Raiders, and Lloydminster Museum and Archives, supported this year’s event. Other contributors included BAR Engineering, Integra Engineering, APEGA, the Saskatchewan Science Centre and the RCMP.
TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR
Students at École St. Thomas Elementary experienced hands-on learning at a STEAM Night event on March 20. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source photos
PAGE 19
Thursday, March 26, 2026
MERIDIAN SOURCE
RUNNING LIKE BANDITS
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
Vermilion Stadium was the backdrop Saturday night as the Lloydminster Bandits won the organization’s first Northeastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League championship since 2010.
Although the Bandits swept the championship series 4-0, it was a dramatic finish just the same. Near midnight, veteran defenceman Kade Dennett’s triple-overtime goal gave Lloyd its title-clinching 2-1 victory over the Vermilion Tigers.
Of course, the season isn’t finished for either team.
Both the Bandits and Tigers went into the league final knowing that they had already qualified for the Hockey Alberta junior B provincials, which Lloydminster hosts next week (April 1-5) at the Hub.
The Bandits opened and closed the league championship series with victories in Vermilion, including a 3-1 decision in Game 1 on the strength of two goals from Dennett.
In the two Hub games, Lloydminster won 2-1 in overtime Friday, after coming back from a 4-0 deficit to prevail 7-6 last Wednesday.
The Lloydminster Bandits won their first junior B league championship since 2010, defeating the host Vermilion Tigers 2-1 in triple overtime Saturday.
Weber catches on with Vanier Cup finalists
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
Holy Rosary Raiders’ senior Denem Weber had all but made up his mind when he ordered green as the colour of the custom cleats he earned as the North MVP in Football Alberta’s Senior Bowl.
Weber has since committed to the green-themed University of Saskatchewan Huskies to play U Sports football.
The standout receiver and defensive back chose the U of S over two other Canada West conference programs — the Alberta Golden Bears and Calgary Dinos.
“I know U of S is a good program,” Weber said. “I have some buddies that are there right now, and obviously they were in the Vanier
Cup (national final in November), so that helped a little bit in my decisionmaking. Almost all my friends are going to U of S.”
On the recruiting trail, Weber visited the campuses of his three finalists. His final stop was the U of S, where he said the Huskies gave the Lloydminster prospect a warm welcome on their Saskatoon campus.
“When I went to U of S, they took me out for lunch and dinner, and then there were a few players that took me and another recruit to a (Huskies) hockey game. They also got me set up in my hotel. I think it was just a lot more professional.”
It still wasn’t an easy decision for Weber, who also was impressed with Calgary’s presentation.
He gave Alberta consideration, too,
because the Golden Bears’ Edmonton campus is near his father’s home in Sherwood Park.
“Part of me, yeah, wanted to go live with my dad,” Weber said. “But part of me wanted (to attend U of S) with all my friends and for the competitive football program. I also really liked Calgary, which treated me well when I was there.
“I thought about it for a decent bit. There’s a lot of different emotions that you go through. I would say it was a bit of everything. Moving away, it’s exciting, but it’s also stressful.
“There’s a little bit of relief, because I don’t have that decision to make anymore. I thought about it for quite a while.”
Raiders’ teammate Jake Wicker, an offensive lineman, made his U of S commitment last November during the provincial high school playoffs, while Weber waited until the new year to make his post-secondary plans.
In January, the Holy Rosary duo participated in the Senior Bowl high school all-star game at Calgary. While North lost 19-13 to South, Weber was recognized as the North MVP. He received a plaque, along with his specially designed cleats, now on order.
“I had 142 receiving yards, which is the second most in all of (the 35-year) Senior Bowl history, so that was pretty cool,” said Weber, who scored a touchdown in the showcase game for graduating players. “I had a good game, but our offence couldn’t do much else, so that kind of sucks.”
Weber and company are used to winning. He and Wicker were part of Holy Rosary’s past three provincial high school championships at the 3A level. They also played together last summer with Team Alberta, the gold-medallists at the U18 national championship on the St. Francis Xavier University campus in Antigonish, N.S.
As he readies for his move to Saskatoon this summer, Weber plans to reside with former Holy Rosary teammate Jace Zidar and two other U of S players. Zidar red-shirted in his first year with the Huskies, who fell 30-16 to the Montreal Carabins in the Vanier Cup final at Regina.
The U of S roster includes Holy Rosary graduates Lucas Seffern and Chaz Walker, along with former Lloydminster Comprehensive High School Barons’ quarterback Anton Amundrud, recovering from a cancer battle that shortened his allconference season.
Stepping into U Sports football, Weber hopes to draw from the experiences of his friend and former high school teammate Zidar, awarded a major university scholarship.
“I’m not opposed to a red-shirt year, where I don’t play, but obviously if I can get on the field quick, that would be awesome,” Weber said about the prospect of a practice role as a rookie.
“Jace liked it (as a red-shirt). There’s a lot of great guys there, and I’m still playing football, so I wouldn’t be opposed to that, at all.”
After considering three U Sports schools from the Canada West football conference, Denem Weber of the Holy Rosary Raiders has committed to the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, national finalists. John MacNeil Meridian Source
Holy Rosary senior Denem Weber reflects near the end of his final home game with the Raiders last November. It was the school’s first game on its turf field. The Raiders went on to win another Alberta 3A title. John MacNeil Meridian Source
Denem goes green with move to U of S
Weber’s playing status in his freshman season might well depend on whether the Huskies’ coaching staff slots him at receiver or defensive back.
“Position-wise, it’s still kind of undecided,” he said. “I think they’re leaning more toward defence for me. So, I don’t know what I’ll for sure be playing yet, but for spring camp, I think I’m going into DB. And then, from there, we’ll see.
“Some people get the chance to start early on. I don’t know if that’s (going to happen with me). That’s not the case for everyone. There’s a lot of older guys. But they did say the path to playing would be a lot quicker, if I do play defence.”
In an ideal scenario, he’d like to debut at receiver, which has been his traditional position.
“I would, yes,” said Weber, almost six-foot-one and about 180 pounds. “I definitely would. But it is what it is. If I’m not playing receiver, I’ll get better and I’ll excel as best as I can at DB. I’ll just do what I can for the team.
“If they want me to play DB, I’ll play DB. But if they do ask me to play receiver, I’d definitely say yes.”
COACHING MIDGETS
That’s the same kind of team-first mentality Weber tries to instil in his players as a receivers’ coach with the Red Dogs midget program in Lloydminster. He’s a graduate of the same team, now practising for the spring season.
In his senior year of high school, Weber is finishing just a couple of more courses, because he took a full academic workload last year.
He works every morning, moving vehicles and doing a variety of jobs at Westridge GMC. Then, after two hours in school, he heads to the gym, where he’s working on gaining weight and strength. In the evenings, at least three times each week, he’s busy as a coach, even though he doesn’t turn 18 until July.
ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE
He believes it’s important to give back to a football community that’s helped him realize his dreams.
“It’s weird, because just last year, I was playing in the league,” Weber said. “It was awesome. Me and JR (Howdle) had a blast. He led the league in passing yards. I led the league in receiving yards.
“Now, it could be difficult sometimes, coaching guys you played with. But I’m not playing football (during the winter/spring months), so I wanted to stay involved somehow. I have time in the evenings, so I might as well help out and give back to the community.”
Weber, whose grandfather runs a Goodsoil, Sask., farm, plans to study agricultural science at the U of S.
Weber’s girlfriend, Holy Rosary alumnus Marissa Howdle, is bound for Australia on scholarship to study law at Bond University.
Howdle’s brother JR, the Raiders’ graduating quarterback, is one of Weber’s close friends from Lloydminster minor football through their high school years.
JR Howdle and Holy Rosary linebacker Dane Reid are headed to Kamloops, B.C., to play with the Broncos in the Canadian Junior Football League.
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
LASHBURN TOWN & COUNTRY GOLF CLUB GOLF COURSE MAINTENANCE WORKER
Denem Weber and his girlfriend, Marissa Howdle, are all smiles after his MVP showing in the Senior Bowl this January at Calgary. The Holy Rosary student is bound for the U of S, while Howdle is off to Australia to study law. Submitted photo
U of S recruit Denem Weber, a receiver and defensive back from the Holy Rosary Raiders, was named the North’s most valuable player for his performance in this year’s Senior Bowl high school all-star game at Calgary. John MacNeil Meridian Source
Dennett man of the hour after triple-OT goal
RURAL MUNICIPALITY OF ELDON NO. 471 NOTICE OF PREPARATION OF ASSESSMENT ROLL
Notice is hereby given that the assessment roll for the Rural Municipality of Eldon No. 471 for the year 2026 has been prepared and is open to inspection at the office of the Assessor of the municipality, until the time for lodging of appeals has expired, from 8:00 a.m. to noon and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, March 27, 2026 to April 27, 2026 inclusive (except on Statutory holidays).
A bylaw pursuant to Section 214 of The Municipalities Act has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required.
Any person who wishes to appeal against his or her assessment is required to file his or her notice of appeal with:
Mike Ligtermoet, Board of Revision Secretary
Nor Sask Board Services
Box 459, Aberdeen, SK S0K 0A0
Email: NorSaskBoardServices@sasktel.net
by the 27th day of April, 2026.
To forward your appeal fee of $200.00 per appeal and for more information regarding your assessment, please contact the Assessor at:
R.M. of Eldon No. 471
Box 130, 212 Main Street, Maidstone SK S0M 1M0 (306) 893-2391
Dated this 26th day of March, 2026.
Either way, this year’s result was going to bring a fresh perspective to the league’s championship history.
The Wainwright Bisons (2016 through 2025) and the Cold Lake Ice (2011 through 2015) were the only Northeastern Alberta junior B league champions during that 15-year period.
Lloydminster won back-to-back league championships in 2009 and 2010. Vermilion’s last league title was in 2008.
The early finish to this year’s final means that the Bandits and Tigers each have 11 days between games before the puck drops for provincials on April Fools’ Day.
It’s been that kind of a spring for the pennant-winning Bandits, who couldn’t open the championship series in their new Hub home two weeks ago because a powwow otherwise occupied the rink.
Not to mention that Lloyd’s only other playoff action was a 4-1 semifinal series victory over the Killam Wheat Kings, who finished 32 points behind Lloyd in the regular-season standings.
NO HEAD-TO-HEAD MATCHUP
The oddities continue right into the six-team provincial championship. The likeliest hottest ticket and most-anticipated matchup — Lloydminster versus Vermilion — won’t happen in the preliminary round.
In a draw that organizers say came from Hockey Alberta, the Tigers are the only team that the Bandits won’t see in their initial four games.
The only way that the local rivals might face each other in the tournament would be in one of the two medal games on Easter Sunday.
PROVINCIAL PARTICIPANTS
Joining the Bandits and Tigers in the provincial championship are the La Crete Lumber Barons, Medicine Hat Cubs, Calgary Northstars (Black) and the Capital Junior Hockey League champion.
The Sherwood Park Knights and Morinville Jets were tied 2-2 in the CJHL’s best-of-seven final, going into Game 5 this Wednesday night (March 25) at Sherwood Park.
The Northeastern Alberta league championship series lasted one week: Game 4
BANDITS 2, TIGERS 1 (overtime)
On Saturday, Dennett’s unassisted goal 4:34 into the third overtime period ended four-plus hours of hockey. It was after 11:30 p.m. when Dennett’s heroics completed the game — and the series.
The standouts in goal were the Bandits’ Shae Stewart, with 51 saves, and the Tigers’ Ryan Stowe, with 36 stops.
Vermilion’s Cale Johnston forced overtime when he scored with six minutes left in the third period.
Adryan Bugiera, with a power-play goal, had given Lloydminster a 1-0 lead with three minutes remaining in the first period.
Just five minor penalties were called in the final game, two of them coincidental infractions in the second overtime period.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 23
Lee Torrance Assessor
BANDITS versus TIGERS FROM PAGE 19
Kade Dennett scored the series-winning triple-overtime goal Saturday night at Vermilion Stadium as the Lloyd Bandits beat the Tigers 2-1 to sweep the final 4-0.
John MacNeil Meridian Source
Four-goal night for Plamondon keys Game 2 comeback win
Game 3
BANDITS 2, TIGERS 1 (overtime)
On Friday, rookie centre Cash Parkin needed just 32 seconds of overtime to score Lloyd’s winning goal.
Parkin and his linemate Jake Redden each assisted on the other’s goal. Redden forced overtime when he scored with 3:22 left in the third period.
Cade Meiklejohn, the league’s top goal-scorer in the regular season, tallied for Vermilion in the first period.
The opposing goalies, Stewart and Stowe, each stopped 30 shots.
Game 2
BANDITS 7, TIGERS 6
Last Wednesday (March 18), the night belonged to Bandits’ veteran Jayden Plamondon, who scored four goals as Lloyd stormed back from 4-0 and 5-1 deficits.
In the third period, Plamondon potted the tying goal with 15:13 left and the winner with 8:44 remaining. He has six goals and 13 points after nine playoff games.
Bronson Parker added a goal and two assists, while Cayden Wildeman had one of each. The other Lloyd goal came from Redden, who evened the score at 5-5 with three minutes left in the second period. Colton Parker and Corvan Stewart each picked up two assists.
Rogan Macnab netted a goal and two assists for Vermilion. He set up the Ryder Haakenson goal that put the Tigers up 6-5 just 2:28 into the third period. Haakenson had two points on the night.
The Tigers’ other goals came from Dannon Pavka, Jaxson Toutant, Dalin Hannah and Rhett Romanchuk.
Both teams replaced their goaltender during the 13-goal contest. Lloyd starter Stewart and backup Ryan Stepanick faced a combined 35 shots, as did the Vermilion duo of Stowe and starter Aiden Fox.
Game 1
BANDITS 3, TIGERS 1
In the March 14 series-opener, Dennett’s two-goal performance included an empty-netter with 1:15 remaining.
Corvan Stewart connected for the eventual winning goal at 2:50 of the third period.
Pavka gave Vermilion a 1-0 lead early in the second period, which ended with the teams tied 1-1.
Turtleford’s Shae Stewart made 29 saves for Lloydminster, while Marwayne’s Fox stopped 21 shots for Vermilion.
FISCHER ON BOARD
For the final two games of the series, Vermilion dressed 15-year-old forward Tripp Fischer, another affiliated player from the U18 AAA Lloydminster Lancers. He joined fellow Lancers’ teammates Romanchuk and Kael Scott in the Tigers’ lineup. Hannah, also of the Tigers, spent the first part of this season with the Lancers.
Fischer and Scott are prospects of the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds and Calgary Hitmen, respectively. Romanchuk, who captained the Lancers in his final year of U18 AAA hockey, has signed with the junior A Kindersley Klippers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.
SEASON SERIES
Including an overtime loss, Vermilion had a 3-2-1 record against Lloydminster during the regular season.
Overall, the Bandits (30-6) finished one point ahead of the Tigers (28-5-3) and five in front of third-place Wainwright (25-6-5).
In the semifinals, the Tigers eliminated Wainwright in five games, the same number of contests that it took for Lloyd to finish off Killam.
Notice is hereby given that the assessment roll for the RM of Wilton No. 472 for the year 2026 has been prepared and is open to inspection in the office of the assessor from Monday- Friday (excluding Statutory Holidays) 8:00am – 4:00pm, on the following days: March 27, 2026 to April 27, 2026.
A bylaw pursuant to section 214 of The Municipalities Act has been passed and the assessment notices have been sent as required. All fees must be submitted to the local assessor at the RM of Wilton No. 472. All appeals must be filed with the Secretary of the Board of Revision, Nicolle Hoskins, which can be sent electronically to: secretary@westernmunicipal.ca, or via post/mail to RM of Wilton No. 472, P.O. Box 40 Marshall, SK S0M 1R0, and forwarded to the Secretary of the Board of Revision.
Any person wishing to discuss the notice of assessment or potential appeal may contact the assessor at the RM of Wilton No. 472, P.O. Box 40 Marshall, SK S0M 1R0. A notice of appeal, accompanied by the appeal fee, which will be returned if the appeal is successful, must be submitted by April 27, 2026. Dated at Marshall, Saskatchewan, March 27, 2026
Lloydminster Bandits’ Jayden Plamondon scored four goals in Game 2 as the Bandits came back from 4-0 and 5-1 deficits to defeat the Vermilion Tigers 7-6. John MacNeil Meridian Source
Screpnek sits out Game 1 of playoffs
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
The Grande Prairie Storm didn’t lead at any other point Friday night until they scored in overtime to defeat the visiting Lloydminster Bobcats 3-2 in their Alberta Junior Hockey League playoff-opener.
The best-of-seven North Division semifinal kicked off at Bonnetts Energy Centre in Grande Prairie, where 1,791 fans attended Game 1 and 2,308 watched Saturday night as the Storm won 2-1 in overtime.
On Friday, Zachary Wilson netted the winning goal with 6:42 left in the 20-minute overtime period.
The 20-year-old forward from Wetaskiwin, Alta., intercepted the puck after goaltender Ty Matonovich attempted to clear it out of the Lloyd zone. Wilson then deked defenceman Tafari Chingwaru, and Matonovich, to end an eventful period during which a would-be Bobcats’ goal was called back.
HIGH-STICKING NEGATES SMITH GOAL
At 6:10 of the extra period, the officials ruled that the goal-scorer, Quinn Smith, had his stick too high when he knocked down a pass near the Storm blue-line and proceeded to score.
After celebrating, the Bobcats left the ice, except for captain Kade Fendelet, who waited to hear the officials’ explanation.
When play resumed, both teams continued to make it a busy night for goaltenders Matonovich and GP’s Leland Gill.
The Bobcats outshot the Storm 42-33, including an 11-8 margin in overtime. In the opening two minutes of OT, the Bobcats’ Luke Dooley and Gus El-Tahhan both came close to potting the winner. Later in the extra period, Matonovich made game-saving, back-to-back stops on Aidan Sexsmith and Will Haley.
Grande Prairie’s Max Leduc forced overtime when he scored with just 1:07 remaining in the third period, and Gill on the Storm bench in favour of an extra skater.
TWO POINTS FOR FENDELET
Fendelet’s short-handed tally had given Lloyd a 2-1 lead with five minutes left in the second period. He backhanded the puck between Gill’s legs after accepting a sweet pass from Jadon Iyogun. At the time, the Bobcats’ Landen Ward was serving a penalty for playing with a broken stick, which looked more like a mini stick.
Fendelet also assisted on El-Tahhan’s game-opening goal early in the second, just
TAMING THE WILD WILD WEST IN A DRESS
after the expiration of a power play that carried over from the first period. Ethan Kronewitt was in the penalty box for cross-checking Bobcats defenceman Oakley McIlwain, whose face struck the boards.
Colin Doherty, the Storm’s captain and top scorer, finished off a Rylan Bissett pass to make the score 1-1 midway through the second period.
BOBCATS MISS KEY COG IN OPENER
As expected, it was a physical game throughout as Lloyd played a sound road game, and GP found its moxie in the latter stages.
The Bobcats were without a key cog in the team’s second-leading scrorer, Kael Screpnek, who was back on the injury list.
Just three points separated the North’s second-place Storm and the No. 3 Bobcats during the 2025-26 regular season, which finished with both teams riding hot streaks.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
Elsewhere on the opening night of the playoffs, the upstart Fort McMurray Oil Barons surprised the pennant-winning Whitecourt Wolverines 5-3, the reigningchampion Calgary Canucks downed the Canmore Eagles 5-1, and the Camrose Kodiaks defeated the Drumheller Dragons 2-1.
The road teams won all three of those games against clubs that had finished higher in the regular-season standings.
Game 2 mirrors opener
Going to overtime on home ice for the second time in as many nights, the Grande Prairie Storm got the job done again Saturday in front of 2,308 fans at Bonnetts Energy Centre.
Will Harris, with his second goal of the game, scored 9:45 into overtime to push the Storm past the Lloydminster Bobcats 2-1 and into a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven AJHL North Division semifinal.
Harris took a cross-ice pass from Chauvin defenceman Reily Pickford near centre ice and sped down the right wing, firing a shot that beat Bobcats goaltender Ty Matonovich high on the blocker side.
It was a tough finish for Matonovich, who showed his resilience all night after getting hurt way back in the first period — with the game still scoreless — but staying in the net for the duration.
Harris, a 20-year-old forward from Okotoks, scored the opening goal on a power play with just three minutes left in the first period. He redirected the puck in front of Matonovich, the Calgarian who just a minute earlier went down in pain after making back-to-back saves on Harris, the man of the hour.
Matonovich elected to remain in the game and Lloydminster answered the bell just 50 seconds later as captain Kade Fendelet scored his second goal and third point of the series.
Fendelet and sidekick Jadon Iyogun continued to show their physicality, as did the Bobcats’ hulking Landen Ward, who was in the thick of things all night during skirmishes with fellow Red Deer resident Treysen Miller and former Lloyd U18 AAA teammate Pickford, among others.
Connor Frost, a defenceman, earned an assist on both Grande Prairie goals Saturday.
Shortly before the Harris goal in overtime, a shot from Lloydminster defenceman Jaxon Hopko didn’t miss by much, as the Bobcats tried to earn a split on the road.
In another close call near the end of the third period, Bobcats’ D-man Dylan Deets spun around in close and fired a shot that Storm goaltender Leland Gill blocked with a pad. Minutes earlier, Matonovich made a flashy stop on Chase Christensen.
It was another solid performance from both 20-year-old goalies as Matonovich registered 30 saves and Gill stopped 27.
Matonovich is trying to shake off a knee injury that sidelined him late in the regular season. In similar fashion, Bobcats’ forward Kael Screpnek missed time because of injury down the stretch, and he sat out the playoff opener last Friday — a 3-2 Grande Prairie victory in overtime.
The Bobcats welcomed the return of Screpnek on Saturday, not only because he’s their second-leading scorer, but also because he brings the physicality and spirit that are so critical in playoff hockey.
Another sign of post-season hockey was the 50-50 prize Saturday — a whopping $11,835.
AROUND THE LEAGUE
Elsewhere on the second night of the AJHL playoffs:
The Whitecourt Wolverines received four goals from Brendan Ruskowski to win 7-1 and even their North Division semifinal with the Fort McMurray Oil Barons.
It was a testy affair, as the teams combined for 177 penalty minutes (124 to Fort Mac and 53 to Whitecourt).
The Camrose Kodiaks opened a 2-0 lead in their South Division semifinal, blanking the Drumheller Dragons 2-0 to win on the road for the second consecutive night. Liam Payne scored both goals, including a power-play empty-netter. Carter Capton posted the 19-save shutout, while Drumheller’s Sean Cootes recorded 30 stops.
The South Division-champion Canmore Eagles won 3-2 on home ice to even their series with the Calgary Canucks. Tavynn Hamilton scored the winning goal with 51 seconds remaining in the second period. Former Lloydminster defenceman Quinn Keeler, now of Canmore, assisted on Ryder Dembo’s goal just 1:10 into the game.
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
Storm dampens Bobcats’ playoff presence
Cold and snowy weather belted Lloydminster on Tuesday night, just as another Storm was brewing inside the Hub.
The Grande Prairie Storm melted the Lloydminster Bobcats 6-3 to take a 3-0 lead in their best-of-seven North Division semifinal and push Lloyd to the brink of elimination.
The same teams were scheduled to face off Wednesday night at the Hub in what was possibly the last game of the season for the Bobcats, who went into these Alberta Junior Hockey League playoffs with much promise.
Although the Bobcats’ three-goal defeat Tuesday might suggest it was a onesided game, two of those Grande Prairie goals came in the last five minutes and one of them was an empty-netter.
But the game certainly had the potential to be even more lopsided, as the Storm opened a 4-1 lead five minutes into the second period.
Lloyd regrouped, however, as defenceman Oakley McIlwain scored his first two AJHL playoff goals, including a power-play marker with 1:08 left in the second to cut the Grande Prairie command to 4-3. Kael Screpnek provided the assist — and the timely screen — on McIlwain’s second goal on a shot from the point.
Tucker Robertson, a standout rookie for the Bobcats all season, made a nice deke and backhanded his first junior A playoff goal, also on a Screpnek setup.
But the Storm responded just 19 seconds later as Connor Frost potted his second goal of the night. The skillful Max Leduc cashed in three-and-a-half minutes later and his power-play marker proved to be the winning goal. At the time, Landen Ward was serving a boarding penalty that left the Bobcats twomen short.
The physicality that’s been prominent in the series continued late in Tuesday’s game. A Rylan Bissett hit that knocked McIlwain out of the game with 4:21 remaining also caused a fight between Bissett and Lloyd captain Kade Fendelet, who picked up the extra instigator penalty as both players were otherwise handed fighting majors and game misconducts. Immediately after the hit, the Storm fished the puck out front to Treysen Miller, who netted the 5-3 goal.
Bissett, whose AJHL playing rights belonged to the Bobcats before they dealt them to the Storm last October, picked up an assist on the Miller goal.
At the same time as the Bissett-Fendelet fight, a smaller scuffle broke out between Ward and one of his former Lloydminster U18 AAA teammates, Storm defenceman Reily Pickford of Chauvin. Both received minor penalties for roughing.
Zachary Wilson, the overtime hero in Game 1 of the series, scored the emptynetter with 2:31 left.
Storm captain Colin Doherty assisted on three goals, while Frost and Miller each had two-point nights. Roghan Walker, a big boy from Beaverlodge, near GP, netted his first AJHL playoff goal.
Ward, the former WHL forward, and fellow first-year Bobcat Luke Dooley earned their first junior A playoff points with assists on the initial McIlwain goal.
Grande Prairie goaltender Leland Gill, who gave up just one goal in each of the opening two games, allowed three goals on 18 shots Tuesday. His Lloyd counterpart, Ty Matonovich, made 13 saves on 19 shots.
The first junior A playoff game in the history of the Hub — Lloyd’s new rink — attracted 1,274 fans. Among them were members of the Lakeland College women’s hockey team, wearing their Rustlers’ jerseys in recognition of their second consecutive Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference championship. At least a couple of the Rustlers are dating Bobcats.
The Bobcats went into Wednesday’s game trying not to be swept from the first round — and by the Storm — for the second straight year. Forward Raphael Messier was out of the Lloyd lineup Tuesday. In other games Tuesday:
WOLVERINES 4, OIL BARONS 0
Ty Rayan scored the first two goals and Elliott Pratt posted the 25-save shutout for Whitecourt, which took a 2-1 series lead. Brendan Gee made 32 stops for Fort Mac.
EAGLES 5, CANUCKS 2
Bryson Insinger collected two goals and four points as Canmore won in Calgary to open a 2-1 series lead. Will Lutic and Easton Milne — coach Andrew Milne’s son — each added a goal and two assists. Eagles goalie Alexander Scheiwiller made 36 stops.
DRAGONS 6, KODIAKS 4
Jase Johnstone, Nathan Ivey and Lauchlin Kozicky each had a goal and an assist to help Drumheller cut its series deficit to 2-1. Lucas Magowan, a former Lloyd D-man, netted the game-opening goal for host Camrose.
All four AJHL quarter-finals were slated to resume Wednesday night.
Max Leduc scored the eventual winner on a second-period power play as the Grande Prairie Storm defeated the Lloyd Bobcats 6-3 on Tuesday.
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
U17 AAA Lancers qualify for provincials
Provincials are the next stop for the U17 AAA Lloydminster Lancers.
Lloyd qualified for the Alberta Elite Hockey League championship tournament Sunday night, after defeating the host Southside Bulldogs of Edmonton 6-3 in the third and deciding game of their best-of-three North Division semifinal.
At home the night before, the Lancers scored a 4-3 victory at Servus Sports Centre’s Holmes Arena to keep their season going.
Lloydminster had lost 5-2 in the series-opener
last Wednesday (March 18) at Edmonton.
Now, the Lancers are among five teams bound for the April 2-5 provincials at Spruce Grove, with the Parkland Saints as the hosts.
Also in the mix are the Edmonton CAC Canadians and two Calgary teams, the Northstars and the Royals.
Lloyd’s first game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Thursday (April 2) against CAC, the regular-season champion in the 20-team provincial league.
In other preliminary games, the Lancers face Parkland at noon Friday (April 3), the Northstars at 9 a.m. Saturday and the Royals at 3:30 p.m. Saturday. The medal games are set for Sunday, with the bronze at 10 a.m. and the gold at 2 p.m.
WANTED
LANCERS 6, BULLDOGS 3
This past Sunday (March 22) at Booster Juice Recreation Centre in Edmonton, the Lancers went up 3-0 in the first period and stretched that lead to 4-0 at the midway mark when Austin Blackmore, with his second goal of the night, scored on the power play.
which managed 20 shots on Lloyd goaltender Brayden Gramlich. The Lancers fired 32 shots at the six-foot-four, 200-pound Emmett Poelzer.
LANCERS
4, BULLDOGS 3
In Saturday’s game at Lloydminster, Blackmore’s goal with 9:20 remaining put the Lancers up 4-2 and proved to be the winner.
Manuntag’s second goal of the night with just under five minutes left made it a one-goal game. Gramlich blocked 24 shots as the Lancers held the fort. They fired 40 shots at Bulldogs goalie Liam Comeau.
Carfantan, Hunter Prybysh and Caleb Oxford also scored for Lloydminster.
Nate Christenson had the other Southside goal.
SILVER
BULLDOGS 5, LANCERS 2
In the series-opener at Edmonton, the Lloydminster goals came from Blackmore, on the power play, and Jordan Beattie.
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Southside rallied with two goals late in the second period and cut Lloyd’s lead to 4-3 when Mackenzie Manuntag scored his second power-play goal with 8:15 left in regulation time.
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But the Lancers stemmed the tide, as Easton Carfantan netted his second of the night with 3:32 left and Kaleb Hozack added an empty-netter in the final minute.
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Top scorer Shaun Going also tallied for Lloydminster before he was ejected from the game midway through the second period. He received a boarding major and a game misconduct.
Bennett and Ghyan Brar scored power-play tallies for Southside, which also got goals from Jett Tran, Oliver Chorley and Josh Barkemeyer. It was a four-point night for Barkemeyer and a three-point game for Chorley.
Brar and Lucas Folk each had two points. Brar’s marker with 3:45 left in the second period put the Bulldogs up 3-2 and ahead to stay.
Both teams generated 35 shots. Poelzer tended goal for Southside and Evan Fedor for Lloyd.
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Taythan Willis, with six points in his past four games, assisted on three of Lloyd’s goals. Logan Cooper and Emmerson Gray each had two assists.
Sam Bennett had the other goal for Southside,
BY THE NUMBERS
With three wins in as many playoff games, Lloydminster’s Gramlich has a 2.33 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage.
Carfantan (4 goals, 2 assists), Willis (1-5), Prybysh (2-4) and Hozack (2-4) lead the Lancers with six points each in five playoff games.
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
Shaun Going, the Lloydminster Lancers’ top scorer in the U17 AAA regular season, has three goals and five points after five playoff games. John MacNeil Meridian Source
With six points in the past four games, Taythan Willis is among four Lloydminster Lancers leading the U17 AAA team in playoff scoring. John MacNeil Meridian Source
U16 AA Blazers punch ticket to provincials
The U16 AA Lloydminster Blazers have blazed a trail all the way to the provincial championship tournament.
The Blazers swept the Strathcona Warriors 2-0 in their Alberta Elite Hockey League (AEHL) Rural Conference championship series last weekend to advance to the five-team provincials, which run April 2-5 at the Ken Nichol Regional Recreation Centre in Beaumont.
Lloydminster joins the Southside Bulldogs, the Calgary Northstars, the Red Deer Chiefs and the host team, Beaumont.
During a dominant regular season, the Blazers posted a 27-3-2 record to win the AEHL’s Rural Division, finishing 18 points ahead of secondplace Strathcona (16-10-6).
Lloyd was among 27 teams in four divisions at the U16 AA level provincially this season. Just one other club, the Metro Divisionchampion St. Albert Royals, equalled the Blazers’ record in the regular season.
In regional round-robin playoffs in mid-March, host Lloydminster won all four of its games. Strathcona also went 4-0 in that playoff round, which involved seven teams and 14 games.
In the best-of-three Rural Conference championship series, the Blazers doubled the Warriors 4-2 on Saturday in Strathcona, after posting a 7-4 victory last Thursday in Lloydminster.
LLOYD 4, STRATHCONA 2
In the series-clinching win, Jake Ruttan scored the final three goals, two of them on the power play, as Lloyd came back from a 2-1 secondperiod deficit. Jax Dougan also scored for the Blazers and Jax Munro assisted on two goals.
Jeremy Daub and Hunter Witholt tallied for Strathcona.
Warriors goaltender Micah Regehr faced 44 shots, while the Blazers’ Cooper Neurauter blocked 23 of the 25 shots that came his way.
LLOYD 7, STRATHCONA 4
In the series-o pener at Servus Sports Centre, the Blazers outshot the Warriors 50-36 in the high-scoring game. Ruttan, with a goal and two assists,
led Lloydminster’s offence. Munro, Joey Clark, Carson Bergerud and Ty Tennant each contributed a goal and an assist.
The other Lloyd goals came from Zack Bell and Keaton Smith, with an empty-netter. Blazers defenceman Ryder Plamondon recorded two assists.
Jack Godin made 32 saves for Lloyd, which trailed 3-2 midway but scored five of the final six goals.
Lincoln Roma netted a pair of goals for Strathcona. Kohan Huisman Stewart, with three points, and Jeremy Daub also scored for the Warriors. Regehr, with 43 saves, faced the barrage in Strathcona’s net.
Specialty teams were impactful, as Lloydminster scored twice on power plays and once while shorthanded, and Strathcona connected on a pair of power plays.
MULTI-SPORT ATHLETES
Consistently winning games, the Blazers have made their mark all season with an athletic and eclectic group of multi-sport players.
The hockey team’s captain, Joe Kelly, is the starting quarterback with the Lloydminster Comprehensive High School Barons senior varsity football club.
Blazers’ teammates Smith and Reid Bannerman were leaders last summer with the St. Albert Cardinals 15U AAA baseball team.
Plamondon, Bergerud, Ryssan Thiessen and Bennett Amos play competitive lacrosse with the U17 Lloydminster Border Brutes. Dougan, Neurauter and Tylan Ducherer stepped up to the plate with the 15U AA Lloydminster Prairie Pirates baseball team.
The list goes on.
PROVINCIAL SCHEDULE
In the U16 AA provincial hockey championship at Beaumont, Lloydminster opens against Southside at 10 a.m. Thursday (April 2).
The Blazers play twice on Friday, against Red Deer at 9:30 a.m. and Beaumont at 5 p.m. In the final preliminary game, Lloyd meets Calgary at 4 p.m. Saturday.
On Sunday (April 5), the bronzemedal game is scheduled for 11 a.m., and the final is slated for 2 p.m.
Annual Family Wildlife & Awards Banquet
We would like to thank all the volunteers and sponsors of our banquet that was held on Jan 31/26. Special thanks to our main sponsor Guest Controls Systems. Also a special mention to Hobblestone Enterprises Inc., Canadian Tire Lloydminster and Wilde Card Enterprises for their generous support.
We would also like to acknowledge our food donors for their contribution and they are : Diamond 7 Meats for the beef sausage & appetizer table meats. Sobey’s for the turkeys.
Barclay Fisher & Tyler Wilson for the goose breasts.
Brian Jezowski, Carlo Monette, Dwayne Davison, Jackie Fowler, Matlock Farms & Ron & John Kochenesh for the beef roasts to make the beef jerky.
Fred Sirett for the bison roasts to make the bison jerky.
Without the sponsorship from these companies and individuals, our event would not be the success that it is.
We apologize if we have unfortunately missed any sponsors on this list.
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
Brody Aultman (No. 10), Kai Doetzel (No. 8) and the rest of the Lloydminster Blazers have had a dominant season at the U16 AA level.
Lloydminster makes mark on Edmonton mats
“That is very difficult to do in that division, so she had a very good day,” Morrison said.
so we’re starting to gain some momentum as a competitive group again,” he said.
The Lloydminster Judo Club put its best foot forward this month at the prestigious Edmonton international tournament.
Nine athletes from the Lloyd club participated in various divisions during the three-day event in early March.
When the younger group fought on opening day, a couple of 10-year-olds from the Border City — Mika Ferguson and Rylan Pick — emerged with bronze medals.
And the very youngest competitors — Mila Beausoleil, 7, and Jacqueline Pick, 8 — were equally proud of their participation medals.
On the second day of the Edmonton event, two up-and-coming Lloydminster athletes — 12-yearolds Levi Schwartz and Brolin Willetts — competed in the U14 division.
“It’s a much tougher division at this tournament,” said Lloyd coach and instructor Sean Morrison. “Brolin got his first win in a tournament, which was really special for him. Levi had a couple of tough matches, but it was a great learning experience. Everyone is developing in that age group.”
On the final day of the Edmonton competition, 14-year-old Gemma McAllister competed in the U16 advanced division, posting a 3-1 record to take home a bronze medal.
“Gemma was asked by our high-performance coach for Saskatchewan to join the Sask team at an inter-provincial training camp, Alberta provincial championships, and then on to national championships for this year. So, that’s a really good opportunity for her.
“The conversations started before the tournament, but her having a really good performance definitely cemented that (Sask) opportunity.”
Morrison reported that McAllister has been with the Lloyd club since she was five years old.
“She’s pretty passionate about judo,” he said. “The competitive side has started to come out the last few seasons, but her arc in competing over the last few seasons has seen constant improvement. She’s getting to more training camps and doing more judo.”
At the adult level, Logan Lofstrom, 23, of Lloyd competed in the senior novice division and took home a gold medal.
“He won all his matches against some tough guys,” said Morrison, who coaches the Lloyd club along with Marc Beausoleil.
Morrison believes the positive results signal somewhat of a shift in the direction of the team.
“Our club has been more recreational since 2020,
“Leading into next season, Marc and I both feel like we’re going to try to do our best to create more tournament opportunities for our members. Instead of just getting one tournament in a season, and that’s it.”
Earlier this season, Lloyd was well-represented at a Saskatoon tournament. Three club members also participated in the Sask Winter Games.
“If athletes are willing to travel, there are tournaments all through Alberta and Saskatchewan,” Morrison said. “Most of them take place in Regina, Swift Current and Moose Jaw area, so a little further to go, but the opportunity is there.”
It’s a gradual process for the Border City contingent, which practises on Monday and Thursday nights in downtown Lloydminster.
“Our club is improving, but we’re definitely just trying to get our competitive foot in the door, if you will, and grow it from there,” Morrison said in an interview between training sessions.
“A lot of these kids, it was their first or second tournament, and they’re already doing well. And they enjoy it. That’s the key.”
About 45 members make up the Lloyd club, ranging from kinder judo (ages 5 to 7) to junior and senior divisions.
At NFW Promotions, we are proud to serve our customers with 15+ years of experience in embroidery, printing, and promotional products.
Lloydminster Judo Club members performed well at the Edmonton international tournament this month. In the front row (from left) are Mika Ferguson, 10, Mila Beausoleil, 7, Rylan Pick, 10, and Jacqueline Pick, 8. In the back row (from left) are Logan Lofstrom, 23, Gemma McAllister, 14, Brolin Willetts, 12, Levi Schwartz, who turns 13 in April, and coach Sean Morrison. Missing from the photo are Zach Ferguson, 14, and coach Marc Beausoleil. John MacNeil Meridian Source
JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR
PROPERTY FOR SALE BY TENDER
In Ogema, SK Lot 20-22, Block 11, Plan BA1993
303 Main Street, Ogema, SK
TENDER CLOSE
April 3, 2026 at 4:00 p.m.
Highest, or any tender, will not necessarily be accepted.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT
Town of Ogema
204 Main Street Ogema, Sask
Phone:
(306) 459-9000
Email: admin@ogema.ca
BLANKET THE PROVINCE with a classified ad. Only $269/wk (based on 25 words or less). Reach 75 weekly newspapers. Call NOW for details. 1-800-2826903; www.awna. com; email classifieds@awna.com.
AUCTIONS
FIREARMS AUC-
TIONS: Ward’s and Bud Haynes Auctions in Edmonton. Consign Now! Firearms, Ammo, Optics, Accessories, etc. Call Brad Ward, 780-940-8378. FirearmsAuction.ca.
VACATION IN CANADA’S WARMEST DESTINATION.
EXTRAORDINARY VILLA in Osoyoos, BC, with breathtaking lake views and just 3 minutes from town.
EXPERIENCE THE ULTIMATE GETAWAY!
Or wanting warmer weather?
Two luxurious 5-star resort units in Phoenix, Arizona. Doug 306-716-2671 osoyooslakevilla.com
Advertisements and statements contained herein are the sole responsibility of the persons or entities that post the advertisement, and the Saskatchewan Weekly Newspaper Association and membership do not make any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness, truthfulness, or reliability of such advertisements. For greater information on advertising conditions, please consult the Association’s Blanket Advertising Conditions on our website at www.swna.com.
HIP/KNEE REPLACEMENT. Other medical conditions causing TROUBLE WALKING or DRESSING? The Disability Tax Credit allows for $3,000 yearly tax credit and $30,000 lump sum refund. Take advantage of this offer. Apply NOW; quickest refund Nationwide: Expert help. 1-844-4535372.
AGPRO - BUYING: FEED BARLEY & HEATED CANOLA
For Bids, Call/Text: 306-873-0481 or visit: agproseeds.com
AGPRO MARKET REPORT: Farmers, call to sign up for Free Today!
PROMOTE YOUR MESSAGE THROUGHOUT Alberta. The Blanket Classifieds or Value Ads connect with more than 400,000 readers in the province each week. Choose from three packages beginning at $269, $299 or $599 to share your message in over 70 Weekly Community Newspapers. Contact THIS NEWSPAPER today or email classifieds@awna.com for more information. Call 1-800-282-6903 or 780-434-8746 or visit www.awna.com.
BARLEY
*New - AB StANdSwell*
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THE LAKESIDE LEADER is hiring a full-time reporter/photographer position in Slave Lake. Salary negotiable. Email resume, cover letter and samples of writing and photography to spnproduction@hotmail.com.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND CLAIMANTS
IN THE ESTATE OF CARL BRUCE HYNNE, late of Lashburn, Saskatchewan, Deceased, who died on January 10, 2026
All claims against the estate, duly verified by statutory declaration and with particulars and valuation of security held, if any, must be sent to the undersigned before April 1, 2026.
EDMONTON COIN SHOW - April 11 &12, 2026. Saturday 10 am - 4:30 pm; Sunday 10 am - 3 pm. Lions Centre 11113 - 113 Street, Edmonton. Family friendly! Displays * Auctions * Free market evaluations. * Dealers from across Canada. * See www.edmontoncoinclub.com/shows.
QUEEN CITY ANTIQUE & VINTAGE MARKET
Friday, april 10 12 noon - 8 pm Saturday, april 11 10 am - 4 pm
Callie Curling Club 2225 Sandra Schmirler Way, regina Admission $5 306-552-8528 queencityvintage1 @gmail.com FB @queencity vintagemarket
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.
The Kamsack Times is hiring a Local Journalism Initiative (LJI) Reporter to produce original civic journalism for Kamsack; Cote, Keeseekoose and The Key First Nations; and surrounding towns. Job is a term position until March 31, 2027. Apply with cover letter and three writing samples to Devan Tasa at dtasa@ tasamedia.ca.
Your West Central Voice (Kindersley) is hiring an LJI Reporter for west central Saskatchewan and east central Alberta. The job is a contract position until March 2027 with the possibility for continuing employment. Full description at jeffgaulin.com. Apply with resume and writing samples to kate@yourwestcentral.com
REVERING LAW OFFICE
Barristers & Solicitors 5018 - 50 Avenue
Lloydminster, Alberta T9V 0W7 Attention: Donnon F. Revering
NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND CLAIMANTS
ESTATE OF JEAN AUDREY WOBESER, WHO DIED ON FEBRUARY 13, 2026.
If you have a claim against this estate, you must file your claim by April 27, 2026 and provide details of your claim with: A.J. FOX, KC of FOX WAKEFIELD at P.O. BOX 500 LLOYDMINSTER, SASK. S9V 0Y6
If you do not file by the date above, the estate property can lawfully be distributed without regard to any claim you may have.
PROVINCE-WIDE CLASSIFIEDS. 44 local community newspapers, across Saskatchewan! 306649.1405 or visit www. swna.com for details.
Find QUALIFIED, LOCAL EMPLOYEES, using the strength of community newspapers! Visit www. swna.com or call 306-6491405 to find out how!
change that aligns with your path.
This week will highlight the need for balance in all your relationships. Whether at work, in love, with relatives
A disagreement or confusing situation at work could spark thoughts of a career shift. Before making a move, take a step back, weigh your options carefully and seek advice from loved ones.
You’ll shine brightly this week, attracting the recognition you deserve. This recognition will boost your confidence and self-worth, setting the stage for meaningful change in your future.
A move may be on the horizon, especially if your current home feels too big.
THE FINAL PAGE
For more than 40 years, it has been our privilege to share our information, greetings, and listings with you each week on the back page of our local newspaper.
While that tradition is changing, Coldwell Banker City Side Realty remains committed to serving you with the information you need—whether in print, online, or through our social media channels.
We invite you to stop by our office at 3812 – 51 Avenue in Lloydminster, AB to connect with our Realtors®, pick up printed listings, rental opportunities or our weekly ad.
For up-to-date digital listings and rental information, please visit our website at www.coldwellbankercitysiderealty.com, or connect with us on Facebook and Instagram.
NEW LISTINGS
NE-36-51-27 W3RD
• 10.01 acres EACH with lovely prairie views, overlooking the creek bank with bush & pasture.
• Plenty of building options for your dream home! Power & gas run through lot two.
$199,900 Ea.
SK MLS A2295191 MLS A2295197
#2 - 31222 GRID RD. 774
• 2.21 acres on pavement within minutes of Lloydminster.
• Manufactured home with an addition and many important updates (metal roof, windows & furnace).
• Perimeter is fully fenced , ready for animals or a hobby farm. Large electrified storage shed and tons of parking.
$159,500
SK MLS A2293330
MLS A2274907 $3,997,500 MLS A2237706 $635,000
MLS A2291448 $245,000
MLS A2218000 $488,000
MLS A2140689 $149,000
MLS A2084847 $369,000
INCLUDED
• A/C, FIREPLACE, CHEFS' KITCHEN
• FURNISHED OR UNFURNISHED
• 22' X 30' GARAGE
$3800/Month SK ONE YEAR LEASE 27619 - HWY 17 N
