Meridian Source - November 27, 2025

Kneen steps into top health post

CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER

The Lloydminster Region Health Foundation (LRHF) announced Kagan Kneen will take the mantle of CEO, effective Dec. 8.

Stephanie Munro, the previous CEO, announced her resignation, effective Nov. 17, as she prepares to step into a new role with the Saskatchewan Health Authority as the senior specialist of foundation relations.

Munro, in a statement provided to the Meridian Source , says its been an honour serving as CEO and she’s grateful for the support she received in her position. She wishes Kneen success as he becomes LRHF’s new CEO.

“I am confident that Kagan will continue to lead the organization with the same passion and dedication. I wish him every success as he steps into this new role,” she said. “Thank you to the board, our staff and the Lloydminster community for everything you do to enhance health care close to home.”

She says although she’s leaving the LRHF, she’s excited to continue working with Kneen.

“I am excited to continue working with him and the organization in a different capacity.”

The unique situation is something Kneen is also looking forward to, seeing it as an opportunity to work closely with other foundations.

“I’m very excited for the fact she’s kind of that liaison for all the foundations in Saskatchewan,” he said. “What I love about that is, I can start also working collaboratively with other CEOs from other foundations.”

Kneen says he’s excited to take on this new role and looks forward to supporting health and wellness in the Border City.

“I care so much about this community and the health of the community and everybody. From those that are unhoused to those that are housed and call the City of Lloydminster and the Lloydminster region home,” he said. “I really want to continue playing a part in creating that healthier community.”

Kneen says he had a chance to look at the foundation’s programming and looks forward to creating more community engagement around these programs.

“I’m so excited to learn more about what they do and how we

can enhance those programs a little bit more,” he said. “Create more community awareness in regards to all the programs and continue doing what Stephanie has done so well. Which is really engaging with those donors and those funders and just making sure we’re doing everything we can to enhance the health care and the community.

“Being that advocate and having that voice at that table for advocating for change. Maybe that’s growth in the hospital, maybe it’s new equipment, but really thinking outside of the box on what we can do to help the overall needs for community.”

Kneen was previously the executive director of the Lloydminster Men’s Shelter, where he spearheaded fundraising efforts and major cleanup efforts. Under his leadership, the model of feeding everyone changed to those staying at the shelter. He also brought in a caseworker to help people get out of the system.

Kagan Kneen, standing in front of the Lloydminster Men’s Shelter, has taken over from Stephanie Munro as CEO of the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation. Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source

Football Raiders on golden run

Holy Rosary advances to provincial 3A final.

Questions with Peyton Oborowsky

Local musician tunes up new music

Caroline Parke talks new music and mental health.

Lloydminster boy to benefit from hockey tournament

CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER

The Fletcher Cup is back in Saskatchewan and this year proceeds from the fundraiser will benefit a Lloydminster family.

The annual hockey tournament started in 2023 and this year funds will be going to Danyal Noah Mirza and his family. Sahar Mirza, the six-year-old boy’s mother, says an MRI revealed a brain injury, introducing a new set of challenges for the family.

“Danyal is our sweet six-year-old boy who seemed to develop typically at first, but by 11 months, we noticed he wasn’t meeting his milestones,” she wrote in a Facebook post. “An MRI revealed a brain injury likely occurring around birth, plunging us into uncharted territory with its own set of challenges – disabilities, financial strains and regular trips to the city for appointments and uncertainty about the future.”

She says multiple diagnoses came to light about the boy’s condition.

“At two-and-a-half-years-old, multiple diagnoses came to light: global developmental delay, hypotonia, PVL brain injury, and cerebral palsy. Further investigation through genetic testing uncovered the ultra-rare genetic disorder called AP-4 SPG51 disorder, a progressive condition that brings its own set of hurdles,” she explained. “Alongside this, Danyal deals with febrile seizures and struggles with mobility and chewing.”

Mirza says connecting with others has been challenging, but the family has been moving forward with gratitude leading the way.

“We’ve learned to navigate each day with gratitude for small joys. Danyal’s radiant smile

and content nature bring happiness to our family,” she said. We strive to include him in everything, learning and adapting together daily. Living in the moment, finding happiness in little things, and embracing the journey keeps us moving forward.”

The Fletcher Cup aims to help the family with medical expenses, looking to repeat the strong fundraising success of previous years.

“First year it was $10,000, second year was slightly under and last year was about $11,000, so it’s been approximately $31,000 over three years,” said Travis Sorenson, Fletcher Cup founder.

The tournament initially stemmed from a lack of U9 hockey tournaments and quickly expanded into something bigger.

“My son’s U9 hockey team was at a tournament we were staying in Tisdale in February 2023, and we started talking about how there’s no playoffs for U9,” said Travis Sorenson, Fletcher Cup founder. “So, I thought, let’s make the playoffs. Then the conversation going, well, why don’t we make it a fundraiser because Fletcher Hobbins is going to get a brain stimulation device put in in Toronto.”

What started as a small tournament quickly grew.

“It was supposed to be a one-day, six-team tournament and it ended up being two days, 11 teams and then it’s been 12 teams ever since,” he said.

This year, the event will once again have items to raffle off to support fundraising efforts. The tournament is March 21 and 22, 2026, in Rosthern, Sask., and all the money raised will go directly to benefiting the Mirza family. Those looking to donate can do so by sending donations to travissorenson@hotmail.com, where Sorenson keeps track of all the donations.

This year’s Fletcher Cup hockey tournament will benefit six-year-old Danyal Noah Mirza and his family.

Photo courtesy of Sahar Mirza

PJ project spreads warmth, supports SPARK

CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER

As the cold Lloydminster winter begins to set in, la Vie en Rose is stepping up with a donation of pajamas to the SPARK Foundation.

The PJ Project initiative sees the company donate pajamas to local charitable organizations in an effort to spread the warmth.

“Our company donates 40,000 pajamas a year,” said Barb Grabowski, la Vie en Rose manager. “It’s nice that every store is able to pick a local organization to donate 96 pairs of pajamas to.”

Last year, la Vie en Rose donated the pajamas to the Thorpe Recovery Centre. They picked a different non-profit this year.

“We thought that every woman and child could do with a new pair of pajamas when in time of need,” said Grabowski. “It’s a great foundation that women can go to when they have a crisis come up in their life.”

Patty Milnthorp, SPARK’s community engagement liaison, was happy to receive the donation.

“Our organization is super grateful for this donation and it will be appreciated and loved and used, probably very quickly,” she said. “It’s a huge help; we go through so many pairs of pajamas.”

Pajamas give women in the shelter a little sense of comfort.

“Many times, ladies leave with just the clothes on their backs and the pajamas are comfortable, warm and cozy and help them somewhat settle into the shelter when they come,” said Milnthorp.

Whatever is donated, regardless of if someone can use it, directly benefits those in the shelter.

“If something comes in that they have no room to store at the shelter, we take it to the store (Brass

La Vie En Rose donated 96 pairs of pajamas to the SPARK Foundation as part of their annual PJ Project. From left are Patty Milnthorp, Stasha Hartman, Barb Grabowski and Shyla Villeneuve. Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source

& Thread), the store puts it on the floor and sells it,” she explained. “That doesn’t mean the money doesn’t go back to the ladies at the shelter. The ladies at the shelter are then provided a gift card where they can go back to the store and pick out what they want.”

SPARK is always accepting donations.

“We have huge wishlists for the shelter,” she said. “Hygiene products, LCYC (Lloydminster Community Youth Centre) needs socks, brand new socks.”

“All kinds of sizes of clothing. We’re doing

Rotarians captivated by Lloydminster history

Rotarians listened eagerly as Lloydminster Museum and Archives archivist Corine Price recounted the first 25 years of Lloydminster’s history to rotary.

Wade Blythe, Friends of the Lloydminster Regional Archives chairman, kicked off the Nov. 24 meeting looking to garner support for the group.

“The Friends of the Lloydminster Regional Archives have volunteers coming in to look after cataloguing stuff and digitalizing past history,” he said. “The city doesn’t have a budget for buying like the macro scanner that we bought for doing the Lloydminster Times and those kinds of things.”

He says the main way the group raises funds is through their membership forms.

“We need to raise money for that, so we sell these membership forms,” said Blythe, noting those interested in donating can contact him at wblythe@shaw. ca. “If you get a minimum $30 donation, gets you a tax receipt, but we really would like larger donations if we could.

“We used to have 70 to 80 members, we’re down to about 40, some due to people passing away or moving into a nursing home because it’s the older people in Lloydminster that are interested in the history.”

Following Blythe, Price took everyone back to 1903 as Lloydminster was first being formed.

She said in an interview after the presentation that it’s important to keep history alive.

“History is important, in my opinion, because I see a lot of young people today that have no idea where they come from, where the town originated, who founded it,” said Price. “I think history is important to remember and remember all these stories, maybe a chance to learn about people who came before them and just keep it alive.”

The museum continues to support local history through a variety of exhibits, including a recent traveling exhibit.

holiday hampers right now and Rudolph’s Roundups. So, lots of gifts for teens, especially teen boys,”

Wrapping paper is another item the SPARK Foundation is always in need of.

“We wrap the mom’s gifts, but we do not wrap the kids’ gifts. We send the wrapping paper and bows and tags to the moms, so the mom can have that ability to wrap her own children’s gifts,” she said.

Anyone with questions can contact the SPARK Foundation through email, pattym@ sparklloydminster.ca, or by phone, 780-808-5282.

CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER

Local singer-songwriter talks new music, mental health

CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER

Award-winning singer-songwriter Caroline Parke is gearing up to release her new album in the new year.

The Lloydminster artist has been developing her musical craft and is excited for the new project.

Kicking off her musical career young, Parke started simple.

“I’ve always enjoyed music a lot in my adult life and just played basic cowboy stuff, basic chords on my guitar for many years, and while I was having my family,” she said. “I just kind of dove in the last few years.”

She began performing in the musical sphere into adulthood.

“I’ve always been a fan of music since I was quite young, but I didn’t start playing and singing until I was 24 or 25,” said Parke.

Her performances were often frequently posted on YouTube.

“I was doing (a video) a week years ago when I first started,” she said. “As I learned the song or as I learned a collection of songs, I’d pick my favourites and I would play it and post it.”

According to Parke, her motivation was simple.

“I was young and single and had time on my hands. I thought, ‘This is fun and interesting,’” she said, explaining she’s thankful for the outlet to post freely as it gives independent artists more agency.

“It’s a beautiful time to be an independent musician because we have so many things available to us,” she said. “In the past, it was like if you’re independent, you’re kind of just locked out.

“Now, you can have your own broadcasting channels and post and you can edit your stuff the way you like it.”

While she plays multiple instruments, Parke predominantly plays the guitar. Her choice of musical style was something that resonated with her and where she’s from.

“I think I just really like the roots and folk because it’s just so close to the culture of Alberta people,” said Parke. “I actually was initially drawn to jazz and really love jazz.

“I grew up with the likes of Ian Tyson. Now, when I listen to Ian Tyson, I can hear these undertones that he does do a little bit of jazzy stuff.”

She says the simplicity of the style is part of its appeal.

“You don’t need anything electronic to make the music,” said Parke. “You can literally pick up a guitar and make it sound like Ian Tyson had it.”

She says when you’re surrounded by music, it’s a different way of interacting with the world around you.

“I think when you live, eat and breathe music, it’s just a different way of interacting with the world,” she said.

Caroline Parke. Mike Scott photo

Co-op funding fuels breakfast programs

Lloydminster’s public and Catholic school divisions headed into the weekend with a boost, thanks to a donation from the Lloydminster and District Co-op.

Each division received a cheque for $3,117.86 at the Co-op’s 18 St. Crossing gas bar on Nov. 21. The funds were raised through the Co-op’s annual Fuel Good Day fundraiser on Sept. 16 to support student breakfast programs.

On Fuel Good Day, five cents from every litre of fuel sold at participating Co-op gas bars is donated to a local charity or non-profit organization.

This year’s fundraiser produced record-breaking numbers for the local Co-op, raising $14,027. In addition to fuel-sale donations, the Co-op hosted barbecues at all four of its locations and contributed $2 from each car wash sold throughout the day.

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REGISTRATION NOW OPEN! COST AND AGE CATEGORIES VARY

Explore all of what Lloydminster has to offer with the Winter Guide, featuring events and programs taking place from January through March.

Lloydminster.ca/Guides

MUSEUM + ARCHIVES

TIME TRAVELLER

TUESDAYS

DEC 2 • 10-11:30 AM • $10 AGES 5-12

Discover Canada’s history through games, activities, and facainating facts. 780-874-3720

Lloydminster.ca/LMAPrograms

SERVUS SPORTS CENTRE

LIL’ SKATERS

MON + WED • JAN 12 - MAR 25

$90-$135 • AGES 3-6

Skill circuits, teaching aids and games to teach your child how to skate. 780-875-4529

Lloydminster.ca/LilSkaters 2026 WINTER GUIDE

SOLD OUT SOUND CHECK

DEC 4 • 6 PM • FREE • ALL AGES

Tickets are sold out! Have tickets and can no longer go? Don’t let them go to waste, transfer them to a friend through Showpass or reach out to cenovusenergyhub@lloydminster.ca with your name and the number of tickets to cancel.

TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR

LCSD director of education Glenda Kary and Co-op CEO Peter Brown.

LPSD director of education Jason Neville (right) and Co-op CEO Peter Brown.

Festival of Trees gala a Christmas delight

CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER

One tree, two tree, Christmas tree.

The annual Festival of Trees gala was a festive success for the Border City. The event saw a packed house at the Gold Horse Casino on Nov. 20.

It’s the premier fundraiser for the Friends of Weaver Heritage Park.

“Festival of Trees is our premier fundraising event,” said event organizer Gwen Mottram. “We have a live auction of our eight trees. We have a silent auction; we have lots of great food and the theme this year is holiday movies.”

This year’s theme saw Christmas trees decorated in a style of a holiday movie. The movies highlighted through the decorated trees were, The Grinch, It’s a Wonderful Life, Elf, Frosty the Snowman, The Polar Express, The Nutcracker, White Christmas and Die Hard.

The authenticity of Die Hard as a Christmas movie was up for debate, even with an eloquently decorated tree.

“The Die Hard tree is debatable as to whether it’s a holiday movie or not,” she said with a chuckle.

Funds from the event go to support projects at Weaver Heritage Park. Mottram, who’s on Friends of Weaver Heritage Park, says they’re already eyeing some projects at the park.

“We’ve got a couple of projects that we’re looking at next week and then one of the bigger ones that we hope to get started on is the restoration of Rendell Barn,” she said. “Rendell Barn is a gorgeous structure that we hope we can make into a classroom kind of feel for schools that want to come and it’ll be another space where the museum can do programming, the park can do programming. We’re looking at using it for a Farm to Table event.

“It’ll be a multi-purpose space.”

The move to the Gold Horse Casino for Festival of Trees has helped them garner support.

“Since we moved to the Gold Horse Casino, our attendance has increased. Ticket sales have been really good, great community support, the sponsors of the event have been wonderful,” she said.

The evening also featured entertainment from the likes of Daryl Amundrud and xCentricity.

“We have entertainment tonight. We’re featuring Daryl Amundrud and a band called xCentricity,” said Mottram.

Box 69, 505040 Hwy 897 Kitscoty, AB T0B 2P0 PH: (780) 846-2244

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Bylaw 25-22 – Being a Bylaw to Amend the County of Vermilion River Land Use Bylaw (Bylaw 19-02) to add Data Processing Facilities as a Discretionary Use

DATE: December 2, 2025

TIME: 9:05 AM

LOCATION: Village of Kitscoty Council Chambers, 5011-50 Street and via ZOOM Webinar

All Public Hearings are held during Regular Meetings of Council and are open to the public with attendance either inperson or via ZOOM Webinar. Written and verbal presentations may be given during the Public Hearing.

PURPOSE:

The County of Vermilion River has received an application to add Data Processing Facilities as a Discretionary Use to the County of Vermilion River Land Use Bylaw (Bylaw 19-02), to facilitate the development of a Data Processing Facility to assist in the mitigation of excess natural gas on an oil and gas lease site. To apply for a Development Permit for the Data Processing Facility, the Use must first be added to the County of Vermilion River Land Use Bylaw (Bylaw 19-02).

A copy of Bylaw 25-22, being a bylaw to amend the County of Vermilion River Land Use Bylaw (Bylaw 19-02) to add Data Processing Facilities as a Discretionary Use can be viewed at the County of Vermilion River Office during regular business hours (Monday through Friday from 8:30AM to 4:30PM) at 505040 Hwy 897 by emailing planning@county24.com or on the County of Vermilion River Website here: https://www.vermilionriver.com/your-county/public-engagement

Should you wish to provide oral or written presentation to Council on this matter, please take note of the following requirements:

 Any person claiming to be affected by the proposed Bylaw 25-22, being a bylaw to amend the County of Vermilion River Land Use Bylaw (Bylaw 19-02) may attend the Public Hearing either in-person or virtually via ZOOM Webinar and provide their input during the Public Hearing.

 To attend the Public Hearing virtually, you must register prior to the Public Hearing here: https://www.vermilion-river.com/your-county/meeting-agendas-and-minutes

 Written submissions should be submitted by emailing planning@county24.com, or by mail to Box 69 Kitscoty, AB T0B 2P0 no later than November 26, 2025 at 12:00 PM to be included as part of the Agenda Package for the December 2, 2025 Regular Meeting of Council and must be related to the topic of the Public Hearing.

 Presentations may be limited to five (5) minutes in length.

 The names of those who wish to speak, or have submitted written presentation will be recorded in the minutes of the December 2 2025, Regular Meeting of Council and will be published on the County of Vermilion River website. (Personal information is protected by the privacy provisions of the Access to Information Act and the Protection of Privacy Act)

For additional information related to the Public Hearing , please contact the Planning and Community Services Department:

Phone: (780) 846-2244 | Email: planning@county24.com

All Public Hearings are advertised in accordance with the regulations outlined in the Municipal Government Act (MGA) and County of Vermilion River Advertising Bylaw

Parke’s venture deeper into music began after she was the victim of a rural crime.

“It all started after the rural crime incident that we had. I thought after I released my first album and I had the trial, I kind of thought I would just go back to regular life, and just never have,” she said. “I keep writing and writing and I just feel I’m compelled to.”

After the incident, she found music was a way for her to heal and recalled what it was like picking up the guitar.

“After that event, I actually had what they call classic PTSD. I had a hard time conversing; conversations with my kids felt hard,” she explained. “I had been playing fiddle for three years at that point and I hadn’t really been playing guitar.

“So, when I went back to little faithful and started strumming, I could feel the vibration of the instrument against my body. It helped me relax in a way that nothing else could.”

Parke continues to talk about mental health, including in a single she will be releasing in the new year about the issue of seasonal affective disorder.

“I wrote a song called The Worst Part of the Year . I feel like sometimes those short winter days are really hard for me and I need to have something to look forward to,” said Parke, explaining the release date for the song is symbolic.

“It was either Jan. 1 or the first Monday in January is the highest day for suicides,” she said. “I’m going to hashtag it with a bunch of mental health awareness (tags) because I’ve had my bouts in the winter where I really struggle.”

She’s been releasing singles from her new album, including a dream collaboration of hers featuring Molly Mason and Jay Ungar on her newest release, Harvest is Long.

“As time has gone on, I’ve started to collaborate and reach out with people that I admire,” said Parke. “I’m pleasantly surprise they just keep saying yes, all these different folks that have collaborated with me. It’s a real gift to share and make memories with people.”

In her musical journey, she’s made a switch in her guitar-playing.

“I recently switched to being a left-handed guitar player and I taught myself how to play guitar all over again in the last seven months,” said Parke. “But now, I have all these different techniques available.

“Now, I’m doing bluegrass picking. I can do rhythm guitar and I’m still learning the finger-picking.”

Playing live has been something Parke has taken part in, getting out whenever she can.

“I’ve done a couple of gigs,” she said, explaining she does have a family to take care of but still tries to get out and perform. “I have been trying to get a few gigs here and there and play more with people.”

Parke has new music on the horizon having released Harvest is Long on Oct. 16.

“I’ve released three singles off of this album and I’m going to do another single Jan. 1, 2026. The entire album will be rolled out in February,” she said. “It’s called All the Movies Hearts and it’s all about farm life and being a farm wife.”

Parke’s music is available on streaming platforms and her music videos are posted on her YouTube channel.

CAROLINE PARKE FROM PAGE 4

The 2025 instalment of the Festival of Trees gala was a resounding success. Residents packed the Gold Horse Casino in support of Friends of Weaver Heritage Park.

Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source

Community confronts domestic violence

TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR

Domestic violence is often the elephant in the room. It can happen to anyone and doesn’t discriminate.

That was the message at the SPARK Foundation of Lloydminster’s community luncheon to conclude Family Violence Awareness Month.

It wears you down to a place where you believe the bad things about yourself. Your emotional, mental and physical strength is drained.

- Kathryn Ford

The event, held Nov. 20 in the OTS Room at the Servus Sports Centre, featured guest speaker Denova Gibson of the Alberta Council for Women’s Shelters (ACWS).

The Camrose resident delivered a presentation, called Shine a Light on Family Violence: Turning Awareness into Action, to help community members identify signs of domestic and family violence.

“ACWS mainly focuses on violence against women, but domestic violence doesn’t discriminate. It can happen to anyone, of any gender or identity. Domestic violence often progresses over time,” said Gibson, noting the impressive work being done in Lloydminster to combat it.

“The level of community engagement and community support is impressive,” she added. “Seeing the support — the financial support they’ve received to make necessary upgrades to continue to provide that shelter — is phenomenal.”

The numbers associated with reported domestic violence in Alberta are stark. However, according to Gibson, help is available and there is hope.

“Connect with your local organizations. They can tell you survivor stories that will give you hope,” she said, reflecting on her time working in women’s shelters.

“Hearing from someone six months to a year after they’ve been in shelter — someone who’s secured employment and whose kids are doing well, that’s what gives you the hope to keep going.”

Gibson also spoke about the need to break generational cycles of domestic abuse.

“If survivors grew up in a home where that’s normalized behaviour, people can develop a belief that it’s normal,” she said. “We’re starting to have a language to turn that around and make it part of common conversation.”

For the SPARK Foundation’s chief program officer, Kathryn Ford, the day was about encouraging everyone to play a role in creating change.

“Real change can only happen when the community comes together — when the men, all the good guys, come together and say, ‘This is wrong,’” said Ford.

“There are men who are supporters, who look out for others and treat people in their lives well. There’s also, however, that group of people who use abusive behaviours.

“We can’t create change without men and women, without all people.”

Ford also highlighted the stigma associated with leaving an abusive relationship.

“People often ask, ‘Well, why don’t you just leave if it’s that bad?’ It’s not that easy,” she said. “I can’t emphasize enough how much courage and strength it takes to break free from that control and fear.

“It wears you down to a place where you believe the bad things about yourself. Your emotional, mental and physical strength is drained. Knowing the community supports and believes in you is empowering and can help a person get to the other side.”

For more information on the SPARK Foundation of Lloydminster and the services they offer, visit sparklloydminster.ca.

Denova Gibson of the Alberta Council for Women’s Shelters speaks at a SPARK Foundation luncheon about domestic violence on Nov. 20 at the Servus Sports Centre. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source

Lighting up Lloydminster, for

A Christmas tradition in Lloydminster, Kiwanis Park is now lit up with festive spirit.

The Kiwanis Festival of Lights turned on nearly 60,000 lights for the first time on Nov. 23, with Mayor Gerald Aalbers on hand to flip the switch.

The park lighting gives families a place to go and enjoy during the early winter evenings.

“Just decorating the park as an event for kids and families to come out to and bring some joy to the community,” said Brad Pelley, Lloydminster Kiwanis Club president.

This year, the event is bigger than ever.

“It gets bigger and brighter every year. I think last year we said there’s 25,000 lights, and this year, close to 50 to 60 (thousand),” said Jaime Brown, Kiwanis Club of Lloydminster vicepresident.

A new display has also been added to the park experience this year.

“Normally, you just take the arches and cross them and put some lights over them, but this year, we’ve added this tunnel,” said Pelley, noting the park lighting is done with support from the community.

“We have some very loyal sponsors that come back year after year and donate to us. We’re just so grateful to them,” said Brown.

Throughout the year, the Kiwanis Club fundraises and runs projects to help kids.

“We do many different programs through fundraising,” said Pelley. “We raise funds through different events and 50/50 draws and stuff. What

kids

we do then is, we have Bikes for Kids, so, if kids are in needs of bikes, we provide bikes.”

They also run Santa’s project every year and provide gift bags to kids in the Lloydminster school system.

“We do Beanie Babies for kids that are sick. We help with kids that need hearing aids, we’ll donate a portion of money towards that,” Pelley explained. “Everything we do is for kids and kids in need.”

The club is always looking for new members and volunteers.

“We’re a relatively small club in town and we’re

always looking for new members,” said Brown. “You can come to a meeting anytime and hear what we do and share a meal together and plan stuff out.”

Pelley and Brown agree it’s all about enhancing a family’s Christmas.

“Seeing the wondering and excitement in kids’ eyes when they see the lights lit up, it makes our hearts happy and we’re glad to be a part of little one’s Christmases,” said Brown.

For those looking to get more info on the club or to get involved, they can do so through the club’s Facebook page or website.

CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER

The Kiwanis Festival of Lights officially flipped the switch on Nov. 23 to kick off the Christmas season. This year’s festival at Kiwanis Park features almost 60,000 lights.

Christian Apostolovski Meridian Source

Each month, the Source highlights one member of the Lloydminster community as a fun way to bring us all closer together!

This month, we feature U18 AAA Steelers forward and Lloydminster, Alta., native Peyton Oborowsky !

If you didn’t do what you do for a living, what would you be doing?

A professional hockey player.

It’s Sunday morning, what are you having for breakfast?

Homemade breakfast sandwiches.

If you could see one concert, what would it be?

Morgan Wallen.

If you could have one super power, what would it be?

Invisibility.

What was your childhood celebrity crush?

Zac Efron.

What is your favourite TV show?

The Rookie.

What’s your dream car? Corvette C8.

What’s your fast-food guilty pleasure?

DQ Blizzards.

Last book you couldn’t put down?

Regretting You by Colleen Hoover.

What’s your favourite vacation destination? Disney World.

What’s the one thing you haven’t done that you’d love to do?

Travel the world.

What’s the best thing about Lloydminster?

Being the only city on the Alberta/Saskatchewan border.

If we’re buying, you’re having ....

Steak and mashed potatoes.

Which person, alive or dead, would you like to have dinner with?

Connor McDavid.

Who’s your hero?

My mom.

What’s your weirdest habit?

What’s currently playing in your car or on your smartphone right now?

Feathered Indians by Tyler Childers.

What’s your biggest pet peeve?

Chewing with your mouth open.

What are your words to live by?

Everything happens for a reason.

What was your most embarrassing moment?

I fell in the parking lot last winter.

When getting ready for hockey, I always put my gear on from left to right.

Steelers forward Peyton Oborowsky. Supplied photo

A young Zac Efron.

Thursday, November 27, 2025

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Editor Taylor Weaver taylor@meridiansource.ca

Sports Editor John MacNeil sports@meridiansource.ca

Staff Writer Christian Apostolovski christian@meridiansource.ca

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Leave it to Weaver: Facing domestic violence, head-on

EDITOR TAYLOR WEAVER

If I learned anything from last week’s assignments, it’s that Lloydminster is making waves when it comes to mental health and domestic violence.

After a moving conversation about mental health at the Lloyd Ex with Ian Hill, which I wrote about last week, I had the privilege of attending a SPARK Foundation luncheon.

The event was the foundation’s way of wrapping up Family Violence Awareness Month and included a presentation on domestic violence.

As stated by SPARK Foundation chief program officer Kathryn Ford, the numbers were eyeopening.

According to Statistics Canada, a woman is killed by her intimate partner every four days in Canada. Women make up 73 per cent of all intimate-partner homicide victims. Women are four times more likely to experience intimatepartner violence than men, and 61 per cent of Indigenous women have experienced some form

Iof intimate-partner violence.

These stats, which reflect reported domestic violence between 2021 and 2023, have been rising over the past decade. Scary, right?

Aside from taking a few notes on my phone, I was glued to what speaker Denova Gibson had to say. My biggest takeaway from the hour spent in the Servus Centre’s OTS room was that we, as men, need to do better.

Kathryn said it well during a post-presentation conversation we shared: “Real change can only happen when the community comes together — when the men, all the good guys, come together and say, ‘This is wrong.’”

There may be some bad apples in the basket, but having been here for over a decade, I can say Lloydminster is filled with the good guys. Denova even noted the number of men in attendance last Thursday, as she’s used to speaking to a 100 per cent female audience.

Similar to the mental-health initiative, the people of Lloydminster are taking important steps to end domestic and family violence — and it all starts with a conversation.

It can be a tough subject to address, but if you think someone is struggling with mental health or family violence, start that conversation. It could do more than you realize.

Letter to the editor

llegal tobacco is about more than just untaxed cigarettes — it’s about funding organized crime. Every carton of contraband cigarettes sold in Canada puts money directly into the pockets of gangs involved in guns, drugs, and human trafficking. More than 150 organized crime groups are now tied to this trade nationwide.

The recent Lloydminster RCMP seizure of 8.8 million illegal cigarettes, delivering a $7.65-million hit to the illegal tobacco market, is a stark reminder of just how profitable this trade has become. And it’s Albertans who are paying the price. According to an October 2024 EY study, in 2023 alone, provincial tobacco tax losses in Alberta may have exceeded $102 million. Between 2021 and 2023, the sellers of illegal cigarettes are estimated to have pocketed more than $1.3 billion in gross revenue.

These aren’t isolated numbers. They’re part of a much larger, deeply entrenched criminal economy. And the evidence is piling up in Alberta.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

PUBLIC NOTICE

Planning and Development Department

Take notice that the following Development Permit Application for a proposed Discretionary Use is being reviewed in accordance with Land Use Bylaw 5-2025.

Address 4518 – 44 Street Lot: 26-29, Block: 32 Plan: B1127

Anyone wishing to provide written comment or make general inquiry on the proposed use may do so within the next fourteen (14) days by contacting Roxanne Shortt at the City Operations Centre (6623 – 52 Street) at 780-874-3700 Ext 2608 or by email at rshortt@lloydminster.ca. Full name and address are required for submission of valid comment(s).

ROTARY FROM PAGE 3

“The museum right now actually has an exhibit called the Edwardian Era in the West and it represents what life was like on the Prairies during the Edwardian era, which was approximately between 1899 and 1915,” she said.

The work the museum does aims to preserve history, keeping it alive for future generations to remember.

“Our mandate is to preserve history. We want to become our community’s memory,” said Price.

She says if people are looking to research information from the past, they can stop by the museum.

“They can come to the archives and actually find factual information,” said Price. People can visit the museum at 4207 44 St. or get more information at Lloydminster.ca/ recreation-culturecommunity/lma-lcsc/

Thursday, November 27, 2025

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Chris’ A-Z: Learning Lloyd

It’s a tale as old as time. Without a few dedicated individuals teaching kids society would be doomed.

It’s something I also firmly believe in as well. Teaching is an underpaid profession that is often devalued in modern society. Today I want to take a look back, as I sometimes do, to 1982 when a professional in the education industry retired at the ripe old age of 55.

Elmo Cuthbert (Mo) Price was born on April 29, 1927 in Melfort, Sask. He attended school in Melfort and was a particularly accomplished athlete and excelled at hockey. He completed a year at Teachers College in 1945-46 and spent many summers at the universities of Saskatchewan and Alberta taking summer school classes. Eventually he would earn his Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Alberta in 1959 and master’s from the University of Oregon in 1970.

It was in 1947 when he would join the Lloydminster Public School District, marrying his high school sweetheart Thelma McPhee the following year.

Price would quickly climb through the ranks at the school, being appointed vice principal in the elementary school system. He would then become supervising principal in 1959 and helped that position until 1966.

Price would then become the Superintendent before taking on the role of director of education for Lloydminster city from 1974-1982. His total tenure helping the school system was 35 years, longer than I’ve been on this planet.

Keeping to his sports background he was involved in hockey, fastball, basketball, tennis, hunting and fishing, curling and golf. He organized a learn to swim program and operated a school minor hockey system.

The thing that caught my eye about the astute educator was an article from 1982 that covered his retirement. What seemed to be a piece on his retirement described all the initiatives he led to improve education in the Border City. I’d say about half of the overall article just listed the things he did.

He was at the forefront of establishing internship periods of training new teachers, he helped institute K-12 parent-teacher interviews, extensive outdoor education programs, school band options from grades 6 to 12, work experience programs for older students who had difficulty with regular academic school, in-house improvements like school-based budgeting, pushed to see a full-time speech therapist hired, integrated Kindergarten into the school system, he helped speed up the introduction of computers into the curriculum and kept construction of new schools moving on par with the population expansion of the city. His associates remembered him for his ready sense of humour.

Looking back he clearly was a passionate educator, looking for ways to improve and also ways to move the profession forward.

In 2004, former students of Price established an Award of Excellence in English at Lakeland College in his name.

Today, the Mo Price award still exists at Lakeland College and can net students $500 for those achieving the highest mark in the introductory

literature course offered at Lakeland College. The recipient must also major in English, arts of education, or plan to enter journalism.

While I may not have had the best schooling experience for a variety of reasons, I recognize educators like Price work incredibly hard to ensure everyone gets a fair education and can feel prepared for adulthood.

I think if there’s anything I learned looking back at Price’s career, it’s that one person can make a very large impact.

I’ll wrap up my ramblings today by thanking all those educators who work far too hard to ensure our kids have a better future.

Photo depicts the Lloydminster Public School Division office building sometime between 1980 and 1995. Photo courtesy Lloydminster Regional Archives

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.

Passport to YLL

Bingo at the Moose Lodge

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

Cribbage Doubles Tournament

The Legacy Centre is hosting a cribbage doubles tournament on Nov. 27, starting at 10 a.m. Cost is $10/person to play and $12 for lunch. Everyone welcome! Call the Legacy Centre at 780-875-4584 for more details.

Hunter Brothers at the Vic Juba

Tickets are selling fast for the Hunter Brothers’ Nov. 29 show at the Vic Juba Community Theatre. The boys are back in town as part of their Homegrown Nights Canadian tour. Tickets are $65 and available online or at the theatre box office. The two-hour show kicks off at 7:30 p.m.

Pre-Christmas Cribbage Tournament

The Hillmond Hall is hosting a pre-Christmas crib tournament on Nov. 30, starting at 11 a.m. Alberta time. A Christmas meal will be served at noon. Everyone welcome.

One-Day Shopping Trip

The Legacy Centre is hosting a one-day shopping trip to Edmonton on Dec. 1. Cost is $60/person for a day at Kingsway Mall or West Edmonton Mall, take your pick! Call the Legacy office at 780-875-4584 for details.

Hypertension Education Class

The Saskatchewan Health Authority is hosting a hypertenison education class on Dec. 2 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the Prairie North Plaza’s suite 109. The class is free of charge and will focus on strategies for managing high blood pressure. Please call 306-820-6262 to register.

Christmas Market at the Legacy Centre

The Legacy Centre is hosting a Christmas Market from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 5. Admission is $3/person, which includes coffee. Come and check out what our vendors have for you. VENDORS, call the Legacy office at 780-875-4584 to rent your tables ($10/table).

Moose Lodge Kaiser Tournament

The Lloydminster Moose is hosting a kaiser tournament on Sunday, Dec. 7 at 1 p.m. Entry fee is $20/player, 8 games guaranteed with prizes awarded to the top teams. Entries close on Friday, Dec. 5. Bring a partner and

Small Dog

Sitting

enjoy an afternoon of fun. If you want to play but need a partner, we can team you up. Contact Arne at 306-821-7459 or Bruce at 780-522-6972 to register.

Cowboy Christmas with George Canyon and Aaron Pritchett CCMA winners and beloved Canadian country superstars George Canyon and Aaron Pritchett unite for their coast-to-coast Cowboy Christmas tour, which takes the stage at the Vic Juba Community Theatre on Dec. 6. Tickets are $65 and available online or at the box office. The two-hour show starts at 7:30 p.m.

Islay Cribbage Doubles Tournament

The Islay Community Association is hosting a doubles crib tournament on Dec. 13 in the Islay Hall. Doors open at 9 a.m. and registration cut off is at 10 a.m. Cost is $25/person, which includes noon lunch. Please pre-register by calling Linda at 780-581-0570.

Moose Lodge Doubles Cribbage Tourney

The Lloydminster Moose Lodge is hosting a doubles cribbage tournament on Dec. 14 at 10 a.m. Registration is from 9-9:45 a.m., 12 games guaranteed. The cost is $25/person, which includes lunch. Enter as a team or an individual (they’ll pair you up). Entries close on Friday, Dec. 12. Contact Bruce at 780-522-6972 to register.

Super Sisters Bred Heifer and Special Opportunity Cow Sale

M.C. Quantock “Canada’s Bulls” is hosting a Super Sisters Bred Heifer and special opportunity cow sale at Northern Livestock Sales in Lloydminster and online at dlms.ca on Dec. 6 at 1 p.m. The sales is a precursor to the main sale on Jan. 31, 2026, at the Lloyd Ex. Call Mac anytime 1-800-561-2855 or 1-780-8758167 or Jim Pulyk at NLS 1-780-787-0646 for more details.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR FROM PAGE 10

Here’s a snapshot of what police have uncovered in a series of major busts over the past three months: Westlock (Sept. 27): cocaine, meth, codeine, gabapentin, weapons, stolen tools, and 5,200 contraband cigarettes. Red Deer (Sept. 19): meth, cocaine, LSD tablets, illicit pills, 119 cartons of illegal tobacco, and thousands in crime proceeds. Cold Lake (Oct. 21): seven guns, 5,000 rounds of ammunition, stolen vehicles and trailers, and thousands of illegal cigarettes. Grande Prairie (Oct. 21): Fentanyl, meth, contraband tobacco, stolen property and prohibited magazines.

Illegal cigarettes are consistently showing up alongside guns, hard drugs, stolen goods, and prohibited weapons. That’s because contraband tobacco is one of the easiest, most lucrative, and lowest-risk revenue streams organized crime has at its disposal. It fuels everything else they do.

Thankfully, the Government of Alberta is emerging as a national leader in the fight against contraband tobacco and organized crime. Recent legislative action and strong enforcement efforts demonstrate a real commitment to tackling this issue head-on. But more must be done. The Government of Canada needs to step up and lead the development of a co-ordinated national strategy to combat contraband tobacco. Organized crime doesn’t stop at provincial borders, and neither should our enforcement response.

As someone who spent decades combating organized crime, including as Deputy Commissioner of Investigations and Organized Crime for the Ontario Provincial Police, I’ve seen exactly how these networks operate. Today, as executive director of the National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco, I can say unequivocally that Alberta, and Canada, is facing a rapidly escalating problem, and these seizures are only the tip of the iceberg.

Illegal tobacco is not a small or victimless issue. It is a major threat to public safety, to taxpayers, and to the integrity of our legal businesses.

- Rick Barnum, executive director, National Coalition Against Contraband Tobacco

City hails RCMP after $7.65M illegal cigarette bust

Lloydminster RCMP has uncovered one of Alberta’s largest illegal tobacco seizures after stopping a semi-truck in the early hours of Nov. 18 on 44 St.

This seizure represents a significant disruption to the illegal tobacco trade.

- Sgt. Christopher Byford

Police say the driver was unable to provide proper documentation for the load he was hauling, prompting officers to investigate further.

A search warrant was obtained for the truck and trailer, leading to the discovery of approximately 8.8 million unstamped cigarettes — an estimated $7.65-million haul. The semi-truck, trailer, and its contents, were seized.

The driver, Gurjant Singh, a 33-year-old Surrey, B.C., resident, was arrested and faces numerous charges under the Criminal Code, the Excise Act, and the Alberta Tobacco Tax Act.

Charges include, fraud over $5,000, possession of property obtained by crime, unlawful possession of tobacco products and importing tobacco into Alberta. Singh was released with conditions and

Vermilion

is scheduled to appear in Lloydminster Provincial Court on Dec. 16.

Sgt. Christopher Byford of the Lloydminster RCMP said the find is a major blow to contraband operations.

“This seizure represents a significant disruption to the illegal tobacco trade,” he said. “Contraband tobacco operations undermine legitimate businesses and are often linked to

organized crime.”

Byford added how the city played a crucial role in ensuring the search could be completed safely.

“The City of Lloydminster was instrumental, providing secure facilities, a forklift and an operator. It greatly expedited our investigation.”

Byford said investigators have not yet determined the shipment’s origin or whether it is tied to a specific group, noting the file remains active.

He confirmed this is the largest seizure he’s aware of in Alberta at this time and the first major bust of this scale within Lloydminster in years.

The cigarettes have been moved to a secure warehouse in Regina, pending court decisions on their disposal.

Mayor Gerald Aalbers praised the RCMP for their work and said the city was ready to assist when called upon.

“Communication was extensive between the RCMP and the City,” said Aalbers. “We don’t do this every day, but we have secure facilities and were able to accommodate their needs.”

Seeing millions of dollars in illegal tobacco taken off the streets, he added, underscores the importance of the local detachment.

“This impacts not only our city but our province. Excise taxes fund the services people rely on every day,” he said. “I’m excited to see the work that was done by our detachment each and every day.”

man charged in child exploitation investigation

MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

Vermilion RCMP, in collaboration with Lloydminster RCMP and Alberta Internet Child Exploitation (ICE), have arrested a local man following an investigation into online child exploitation.

The investigation began on Sept. 9, after ICE was notified by the Calumet County Sheriff’s Office in Wisconsin, regarding a Canadian man who was sending sexually explicit messages and soliciting intimate images from a youth under 18.

Vermilion RCMP and Lloydminster RCMP’s General Investigation Section, working alongside ICE, executed the investigation, which led to the arrest of 35-year-old Christian Villahermosa of Vermilion on Nov. 19. Authorities also seized child pornography during the investigation.

Villahermosa faces multiple charges, including:

- Possession of child pornography;

- Making child pornography;

- Distribution of child pornography;

- Accessing child pornography;

- Luring a child.

He appeared before a justice of the peace and was released on conditions. His next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 15, at the Alberta Court of Justice in Vermilion.

RCMP urges parents to educate children about online safety.

Vermilion and Lloydminster RCMP emphasized the importance of preventing online exploitation through education. Parents are encouraged to:

- Explain online luring and how it occurs.

- Discuss with youth why these actions are criminal offences in Canada.

- Teach children to recognize red-flag behaviors online.

- Encourage strategies to safely exit uncomfortable online interactions, including blocking or deleting contacts.

- Stress the importance of seeking help from trusted adults or organizations like NeedHelpNow.ca.

“The best solution to ensure our children are safe online is education and prevention,” said Cpl. Brittany Pegg, acting detachment commander of the Vermilion RCMP. “Parents should ask questions about their children’s online presence. For resources, visit RCMP online resources or Cybertip.ca.”

Suspected online child exploitation should be reported immediately. To report anonymously, complete the Cybertip.ca report form. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local police service.

Neilburg Craft and Trade Show

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2025

FROM 10:00 AM-3:00 PM MST

Neilburg Community Hall

Lunch by the Neilburg Bowling League

Apothecare, Baking, Cards, Crafts, Crochet, Dog Treats, Gardening, Jewelry, Local Author, Photography, Preserves, MARY KAY, Saskatoon Products, Spices, Tupperware, Watkins, Wood Crafts & More

FOR MORE INFO CONTACT

Sylvia Olsen

306-823-3628 [Text Only]

TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR

Sgt. Christopher Byford of the Lloydminster RCMP speaks during a Nov. 24 news conference regarding a seizure of illegal tobacco.

Taylor Weaver Meridian Source

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Raiders welcome field of dreams

Holy Rosary turfs St. Paul en route to provincial final

A new field, with the same old results, formed a perfect combination for the Holy Rosary Raiders as they christened their stylish home in victorious fashion on a sunny and crisp Saturday afternoon in Lloydminster.

Playing their first game on the new turf alongside Holy Rosary High School, the top-ranked Raiders defeated the second-seeded St. Paul Lions 44-15 to win the North championship and advance to the School Sport Alberta 3A football final this Saturday in Edmonton.

Gunning for a fourth straight Alberta Bowl provincial crown, Holy Rosary goes up against the No. 3 Cardston Cougars, who won the South championship last weekend with a 41-0 victory over the Willow Creek Cobras.

The gold-medal game is set for 11 a.m. Saturday (Nov. 29) at Jasper Place Bowl in the provincial capital.

About 500 fans, including the school band, crowded beside Holy Rosary’s new field for the Raiders’ lone game in Lloydminster this season.

Construction delays and recent winter weather had threatened the chances of playing even one game on the Canadian Natural Field this fall. Not to mention the Alberta teachers’ work stoppage, which earlier suspended the high school schedule for about a month and had thrown all playoff hopes in limbo.

All those obstacles, however, were worth the wait for the Raiders, especially the senior players, who soaked up the historical moment Saturday.

Holy Rosary now is one win away from another provincial championship and an unbeaten season.

“It feels amazing,” said Jake Wicker, one of those Raiders in Grade 12. “I’m glad we had the opportunity for the seniors to get (at least one game) on this field. We’ve been waiting a while. It’s been delayed, but we finally got to play on it. Now, we’re practising on it, too. It was amazing having all the support from all the fans who came out today. Everyone wants to see the new field.”

The Raiders just began practising on that surface last Thursday, two days before the provincial semifinal, Wicker said as players, fans and family celebrated on the artificial turf.

“We’ve been practising on the (nearby) baseball diamond at St. Thomas (School) this entire season, just because this field has been under construction. The baseball field, it’s all dirt now, there’s no grass left on it. We destroyed it.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 15

JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

The Holy Rosary Raiders battle against the St. Paul Lions on Saturday, Nov. 22, during the inaugural football game played on the new turf at Holy Rosary High School in Lloydminster. The Raiders won the North final 44-15 to advance to the School Sport Alberta 3A final this Saturday in Edmonton. John MacNeil Meridian Source

Grade 10 quarterback a quick study

The Raiders didn’t necessarily destroy St. Paul, but they took control of a tight game late in the second quarter and never looked back in owning the second half of the game. They led 30-15 at halftime and outscored the Lions 14-0 the rest of the way.

While armed with multi-positional veterans like Wicker and Denem Weber, Holy Rosary also has solid depth throughout the lineup.

Grade 10 quarterback Brady Fallscheer hasn’t missed a beat since stepping into the starting role in playoff action three weeks ago, after senior pivot JR Howdle suffered a knee injury. Fortunately for Howdle, he was able to enter Saturday’s game in the final five minutes and gain a taste of the new-field fanfare in his graduation year.

Fallscheer, who just turned 15 in September, showed poise all game, shuffling his way around packs of Lions, while executing money passes to receivers like Weber and smooth-handed Grade 11 student Moyo Akinloye, who scored three touchdowns on the afternoon.

“It’s been pretty good,” Fallscheer said about his emergence the past three weeks. “We’ve been winning all our games, and I think I’ve been playing pretty well. Our team has just been really locked in and is doing really good.

“I’ve got to credit our receivers. They were getting open and just working on stuff that we’ve practised all week. It was our game plan to throw lots, and it worked out.”

ATHLETIC FAMILY OF RAIDERS

Ezra Nedelko, with two, and Kaden Jameson also scored touchdowns for the Raiders during an exceptional afternoon for Fallscheer and the offence.

“Brady had a heck of a game,” Holy Rosary head coach Vince Orieux said about Fallscheer, a cousin of former Raiders quarterback Matthew Fallscheer.

“On defence, we had key performances by linebacker Isaac Jurke and defensive end Kyle Stark.

“Jake Wicker had a big day on the offensive and defensive lines.” Fallscheer relieved Howdle during a game against Olds in Red Deer before the work stoppage, and the rookie has been the main man since the resumption of the high school season. His quarterback experience covers seven years, going all the way back to his peewee days.

The five-foot-11, 157-pound Fallscheer also has roots as a receiver, as evidenced after Saturday’s game when he went for an extra run on the new turf and snagged a pass from a teammate.

“It’s pretty fun,” he said, tucking a football into his gear bag after playing a leading role in the historic first game on the school’s state-of-the-art field.

“It’s pretty nice. They spent a lot of time working — and a lot of money — on it. I think everyone really likes it.”

With the sun shining brightly overhead, it was a photographic finish Saturday for the Raiders and their supporters as they gathered for pictures after the maiden game.

But, from a football standpoint, they believe there’s more work to do this weekend in Edmonton.

“Oh yeah, we can finish the job all right,” Wicker said with a wide smile.

“We’ve done it in years past. We have the kids for it. We have all the seniors, and we have good juniors, too. We definitely have the team to do it.” Wicker and coach Orieux credited St. Paul for putting up a stronger fight than the final score might indicate. The Lions pressed in the first quarter, especially, with a couple of long runs on opposite sides of the field. The Raiders answered with options they had refined in practice.

Orieux said some of those practices were held in the fieldhouse on the school campus, enabling focused instructional time in a classroom-like setting free of noise and potentially nasty weather outside.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 16

Brady Fallscheer, 15, has stepped into the starting quarterback role with Holy Rosary. John MacNeil Meridian Source

M.C. Quantock

“Super Sisters”

Bred Heifer and Special Opportunity Cow Sale

Sat, December 6, 2025 @ 1PM at Northern Livestock Sales Lloydminster, SK

Call Mac... 1-800-561-BULL (2855)

View all cattle on our website www.canadasbulls.com Sale Live on DLMS

Raiders overcome all obstacles

“You’re not worried about wind and cold,” Orieux said about those fieldhouse sessions. “Kids can listen and pay attention.”

Saturday proved to be an ideal day for football, considering it was Nov. 22.

“Beautiful weather and the kids played great, it was awesome all the way around,” said the Raiders’ head coach.

It was a bonus that they were able to do so on their spiffy field of the future.

“You never know with a construction project, if you’re going to get done on time,” Orieux said. “That snow that happened on the sixth or seventh (of November) slowed things down a little bit. They had to push it off.

“The crew worked hard to finish up and we got that one game, so it’s good.”

Orieux also considers the Raiders, and all the other teams competing in the Alberta playoffs, fortunate just to be playing football, in the aftermath of the labour strife in the province this fall.

“We were surprised that teams came back,” he said. “It was late in the season. They’d been off for five weeks. We just weren’t sure if teachers were going to be in the mood, in Alberta, to come back and start volunteering their time again after the labour issues. But good on them — the ones who came back and gave kids an opportunity to play. We’re happy to participate.”

The Saskatchewan-aligned Raiders were able to continue to practise during the Alberta work stoppage, because the Sask teachers weren’t on strike.

All that extra training time was beneficial on days like Saturday, with St. Paul putting up an early fight and Holy Rosary responding accordingly. The Lions’ Joe Pilipchuk was a particularly daunting assignment.

Proposed Internet Tower in Village of Waseca, SK and in the Town of Maidstone, SK

Please take notice that MCSnet is proposing a tower 150ft free-standing tower in RM of Eldon No. 471, Saskatchewan LOCATION

● NE 32-47-24 W3 and

● NE 27 - 47 - 23 W3

The purpose of this tower is to provide enhanced Broadband Wireless Internet Services in the area along with VOIP (Voice over IP) telephone services.

All equipment complies with Health Canada's Safety Code 6, including combined effects within the local radio environment at all times. The installation will respect good engineering practices, including structural adequacy. The tower will be constructed in compliance with Transport Canada's aeronautical obstruction marking requirements.

Any person(s) wishing further information, having questions, comments or concerns are asked to contact MCSnet on or before the close of consultation period December 29, 2025.

Projet de tour Internet dans le village de Waseca (SK) et dans la ville de Maidstone (SK)

Veuillez noter que MCSnet propose l’installation d’une tour autoportante de 150 pieds dans la MR d’Eldon no 471, en Saskatchewan. EMPLACEMENT

● NE 32-47-24 O3 et la

● NE 27-47-23 O3

Le but de cette tour est de fournir des services améliorés d'Internet sans fil à large bande dans la région, ainsi que des services de téléphonie VOIP (Voix sur IP).

Tout l'équipement est conforme au Code de sécurité 6 de Santé Canada, y compris les effets combinés dans l'environnement radio local en tout temps. L'installation respectera les bonnes pratiques d'ingénierie, y compris l'adéquation structurelle. La tour sera construite en conformité avec les exigences de marquage des obstacles aéronautiques de Transports Canada.

Toute personne souhaitant obtenir de plus amples informations, poser des questions, faire des commentaires ou exprimer des préoccupations est priée de contacter MCSnet au plus tard le à la date de fin de la période de consultation 29 décembre 2025.

MCSnet

Attn: Projects Department

P.O. Box 98, St.Paul, Alberta T0A 3A0

Ph: (866) 390-3928 Ext: 797

Email: projects@mcsnet.ca

“That No. 2, we knew he’s that good of an athlete that he can win a game by himself,” Orieux said. “Well, not by himself. He needs a little bit of help.

“But if he gets a crease, he’s gone. You can’t armtackle him. He’s too big, he’s too strong and too fast. We knew we had to take care of business with him.

“It was big at the end. With 40 seconds left in the second quarter, we took a timeout on their punt, stopped the clock, and then we were able to go down with another timeout and score a touchdown and go up 30-15. Rather than going into (the break) with just a one-touchdown lead, it was two. That was a big turning point for us.”

The Raiders also recognized the confidence that their young quarterback, Fallscheer, showed in just his third high school game as the starter.

“For a Grade 10 quarterback to come out and do what he did, it’s quite a learning curve for him to jump in there in that situation and be able to perform at a pretty high level,” Orieux said.

“Brady’s first game (as the starter) was also against St. Paul when we played them two weeks ago.”

In the weeks leading up to that 18-13 victory, “he took all first-team reps for a month before we started (the playoffs),” Orieux said of Fallscheer.

“He’s smart, he has great poise and not a lot fazes him. That’s a big defensive line and some tough linebackers coming at him every play and he just hangs in, reads the defence and does pretty good. We’re pretty proud of him.”

In provincial quarter-final action Nov. 15, the Raiders topped the 10th-ranked Stettler Wildcats 48-9. Holy Rosary and Cardston last played each other in the provincial 3A final in 2023, with the Raiders winning 28-6.

In last year’s Alberta Bowl provincial championship, Holy Rosary defeated Cochrane 22-3.

Wicker picks U of S

Just one day before he helped the Holy Rosary Raiders punch their ticket to the School Sport Alberta 3A provincial final, Jake Wicker charted his university football plans.

Wicker has committed to the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, who were playing in the Vanier Cup national championship last Saturday in Regina when the Raiders won their Alberta high school semifinal in the historic first game played at Holy Rosary’s new turf field.

Before playing an integral role offensively and defensively in the Raiders’ 44-15 victory over the St. Paul Lions in the North final, the Lloydminster lineman took care of business off the field last Friday as he made the Saskatoon-based Huskies his choice for U Sports football.

“I’m going to the Huskies,” a smiling Wicker proclaimed while standing on Lloyd’s newest sporting venue, the Canadian Natural Field.

“I just signed with the U of S yesterday. They’re playing in the Vanier Cup right now. It’s exciting.”

At the same time, his choice might have been a bit surprising, because the U of S wasn’t among the Canadian university teams courting Wicker this past summer.

“(Until) about a month ago, I didn’t have any contact with the U of S,” he said. “It was the (Holy Rosary) coaches that got me a relationship with them — like coach (Ian) Hundeby, coach (Vince) Orieux and coach (Keegan) Kozak — they got me in touch with the Huskies.

“They have amazing facilities. Their coaches are great. Those are two of the main reasons why I picked the U of S.”

VIBRANT COLLEGE CAMPUS LIFE

Before and after he won the Canada Cup national U18 championship in July as part of an Alberta team that included Raiders teammate Denem Weber, Wicker was busy attending identification and development camps with university teams like the Regina Cougars and Alberta Golden Bears.

But his path now takes him to a Saskatoon campus that he believes embodies college football life.

“The U of S fans are just crazy,” Wicker said. “They’re all football, with the fireworks, and the stands are filled. It’s an amazing game to go to and watch at the U of S.”

JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

HOLY ROSARY FROM PAGE 15

The Raiders faced the Lions’ Joe Pilipchuk (2) on Saturday in Lloyd. John MacNeil Meridian Source

Holy Rosary nets zone title, qualifies for 3A provincials

JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

The Holy Rosary Raiders are peaking at the right time as they march toward the Alberta high school 3A boys’ volleyball championship this week in Grande Prairie.

The Raiders hosted — and won — the Northeast zone championship tournament last weekend in Lloydminster, as they prevailed in four of five matches and lost just one set in the playoffs.

Holy Rosary defeated J.A. Williams of Lac La Biche 2-0 (25-17 and 25-23) in the final, after an exciting 2-1 semifinal victory over the Holy Trinity Knights of Fort McMurray (25-20, 23-25 and 15-13).

As they secured their berth in the 12-team provincial championship, running Thursday through Saturday at Peace Wapiti Academy, the Raiders posted their second medal finish this season. They earlier mined silver at the West Island College tournament in Calgary.

“We made playoffs at every tournament this season, but our consistency under pressure just wasn’t quite stable enough at times,” said Holy Rosary coach Chelsea Steinley. “But it sure came together this weekend, and I am so happy to have peaked at the right time.

“We found our rhythm on Saturday during the playoffs and kept getting better through the day. Twyla Thomson, my assistant coach, and I were so proud of how the team came together. We have had a lot of illness and injury through this season, and we are a very young high school team overall.”

Along with four senior players, the Raiders’ roster includes two students from Grade 11 and six from Grade 10. That freshman complement is the greatest number of Grade 10 players Steinley has carried with her Holy Rosary teams.

“The most I’ve ever had in the previous three seasons was two,” she said.

“The team performed at the level we have known they were capable of, and it was like they finally trusted that and just played free together.

“I’m not speechless often, but I was overcome with pride and emotional after both our semi and final matches. It’s always amazing when the things your players work hard on all season click in big moments, and winning at home always makes it that much more special.”

The Holy Rosary gymnasium sure felt like home for the Raiders as they gained support from the greater volleyball community.

“We had an electric crowd cheering us on — the volleyball community in Lloydminster is phenomenal,” Steinley said. “So many people from the Rustlers’ organization were in attendance. Other community coaches came to cheer on athletes who have played club with them, and something I thought was incredibly cool was that we had many (Lloydminster Comprehensive High School) Barons’ volleyball players in attendance cheering on our teams, too. What a great showcase of sportsmanship.”

After winning their zone title, the Raiders headed to nearby St. Thomas School to support the Holy Rosary senior girls’ team. The girls went on to win their gold-medal match and advance to their 3A provincials, also this week in Grande Prairie.

Twelve teams from across Alberta have qualified for each of those 3A provincial championships. The zone tournaments featured nine teams each.

In staging both Northeast zone championships, the Raiders were thankful for the volunteer help from the extended school community.

“Holy Rosary is the best place to work at and coach at,” Steinley said. “Our staff and students always step up big time when we host anything, and the amount of volunteer hours they are willing to expend to help us pull these things together is always remarkable.”

Including a school band on the sidelines, Lloydminster fans brought music to the inaugural game on Holy Rosary’s artificial turf. The atmosphere was reminiscent of the hoopla Wicker and Weber experienced in Antigonish, N.S., last summer in a Canada Cup final that saw Alberta defeat Ontario in overtime.

“Yeah, with the crazy crowd, the trumpets and all the cheering, it reminded me of the last game (in Nova Scotia), too,” Wicker said. “Just having that feeling of winning, and a close game, too, especially at the start. It was nice.”

Wicker hopes to taste that winning feeling again this Saturday as Holy Rosary meets the Cardston Cougars in the provincial 3A high school final at Jasper Place Bowl in Edmonton. The unbeaten Raiders are in search of a fourth consecutive Alberta title.

Holy Rosary head coach Orieux expects more university commitments relatively soon from his Raiders, most notably the fleet-footed Weber.

“Denem has three options. With Jake going to the U of S, I wouldn’t be surprised if Denem goes to the same place. He’s got a familiar face.”

VANIER CUP FINALISTS

The U of S starting lineup in the Vanier Cup included a pair of former Raiders in centre Lucas Seffern and defensive tackle Chaz Walker. Jace Zidar, a 2025 Holy Rosary graduate, redshirted with the Huskies this season.

“Jace had a great year, as a redshirt, and learned a ton,” Orieux said.

The Huskies lost to the Montreal Carabins 30-16 in the 60th Vanier Cup final, with almost 9,000 fans at Mosaic Stadium. U of S played the latter part of the season without its all-star quarterback, Anton Amundrud, the Lloydminster Comprehensive High School Barons graduate battline cancer.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN

With their Alberta Bowl game scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, the Raiders plan to practise in Lloydminster on Friday afternoon before busing to Edmonton early that evening.

This week, they were studying game film on Cardston, which is renowned for fielding a skillful team, Orieux reported.

“They’ve got a bunch of skilled guys,” he said. “Yeah, nothing but great athletes down in southern Alberta. They play football the way it was intended to be played, so they’re fast, physical. Looking forward to watching film, to see what we’re up against here. It’s going to be a challenge, for sure.”

The Holy Rosary Raiders of Lloydminster won the Alberta Northeast zone 3A boys’ high school volleyball championship on their home court last Saturday. In the front row (from left) are Bryan Ezumah, Kane Cyr, Oliver Kenyon, Korbin Klimek, Alex Giesbrecht and Jacob Tirao. In the back row (from left) are Nash Macalla, Drew Rowan, Carter Hummelle, Logan Weninger, Matthew Kenyon and Gavin Tocher. Submitted photo

Zone-champion Raiders ‘embrace the process’

JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

In a season of building toward the provincial pinnacle, the Holy Rosary Raiders have arrived at the Alberta high school 3A girls’ volleyball championship as the Northeast zone champions.

Playing at home in Lloydminster last weekend, the Raiders won 10 sets during their zone championship, while dropping just one set in the two-day tournament. That came during the final match, which ended with Holy Rosary defeating Notre Dame of Bonnyville 15-9 in the third set.

The Raiders won 25-16 to open the gold-medal match, before Notre Dame posted a 25-22 victory to force a decisive set.

This week, the Holy Rosary girls represent their zone in the provincial championship at St. Joseph Catholic High School in Grande Prairie. At the same time, the Northeast champion boys’ team from Holy Rosary plays its provincial championship tournament at Peace Wapiti Academy, also in Grande Prairie.

Notre Dame (Bonnyville) secured one of the two wildcard berths in the girls’ provincials, which run Thursday through Saturday.

For most of the season, Holy Rosary has been ranked among the top 10 teams in the province.

“The team understood from the beginning that a championship was not won in the first week, and that the season is a process, with the goal of getting better every week, and the main goal of being the team to represent the Northeast at provincials,” said Raiders coach Trent Kusch.

“The Raiders’ season is defined by growth, resilience and being the hardest-working team in the gym. From the first serve of the season to the last point at zones, this group showed what it means to commit to each other, push through challenges and improve day by day.”

The Raiders played 50 matches and more than 100 sets in a season during which they took home medals from three tournaments, including a golden performance at the Holy Rosary Invitational.

“Each week brought new opportunities to refine skills, build trust and raise expectations,” Kusch

The Holy Rosary Raiders won Alberta’s Northeast zone 3A girls’ high school volleyball championship on Saturday in Lloydminster. In the back row (from left) are coach Trent Kusch, Elizabeth Garchinski, Sophie McBain, Aubree Sunderland, Caitlyn Rieland, Reegan Rawlake and Addi Alexander. In the front row (from left) are Devry Baert, Jayden Flasch, Sadie Alexander, Jayne Wytrykusz, Rowan Cyr and Paige Kvill. Submitted photo

summarized. “Practices were not just about technical reps or conditioning. They became spaces where players encouraged, challenged and supported one another.

“Whether learning new rotations, adjusting defensive systems, or sharpening communication on the court, the team embraced the process. Building a team culture of Raider Ball, defined by grit, relentlessness and the amount of bodies willing to hit the floor each point.”

Holy Rosary’s lineup includes Aubree Sunderland, a Grade 12 student who represented Saskatchewan in this year’s Canada Summer Games. The Kitscoty native has committed to playing U Sports volleyball at the University of the Fraser Valley in British Columbia.

This is Kusch’s first season coaching the senior girls’ volleyball team at Holy Rosary. The teacher is a prominent baseball coach at the youth and senior levels in Lloydminster.

“Kusch and I have a great time coaching alongside each other,” said Chelsea Steinley, coach of the Raiders’ senior boys’ volleyball team. “It’s his first year at the helm for (the senior girls’) program and he has done such an amazing job with his group this season.

“As soon as we got some pictures with our banner (Saturday evening), our boys headed to the St. Thomas gym to cheer on the girls’ team in the third set of their gold-medal final against Notre Dame.

“It was such a great cap to the day to have both (Holy Rosary senior) teams come out on top.”

Lancers lose pair on road as Redden scores for St. Albert

JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

In the opening leg of an extended road swing, the U18 AAA Lloydminster Lancers lost twice during the past weekend in the Edmonton area.

The Lancers, now on a four-game losing streak in the Alberta Elite Hockey League, fell 8-3 to the St. Albert Raiders on Sunday afternoon, after a 4-1 setback against the Fort Saskatchewan Rangers on Saturday evening.

Lloydminster’s stretch of five consecutive road games continues this weekend with two contests in Grande Prairie against the Grande Peace Athletic Club (GPAC) Storm.

The Lancers (2-10-2) are in last place in the

North Division, but just four points behind the seventh-place Storm (5-9).

Last weekend, Lloydminster faced the top two teams in the North in Fort Saskatchewan (12-4-1) and St. Albert (10-2-3). Saturday’s game against the Rangers was the Lancers’ first action in 13 days.

On Sunday at St. Albert, Lloyd gave up a goal nine seconds into the game and another with one second left in the second period, which ended with the Raiders in front 6-3.

Nolan Bisson, who began this season with the junior A Lloydminster Bobcats, and former Lancers forward Jake Redden added third-period goals for St. Albert.

It was the first goal of the season for Redden, a Lloydminster native who just returned to the lineup the previous day after being sidelined with an injury for the early part of the schedule.

Bisson, with a two-goal game Sunday, now has seven goals and nine points after seven games since returning to U18 AAA. He’s also wearing the captain’s C for the Raiders.

Carson Ralph, with three points, scored the first two goals in Sunday’s game to give him 10 goals and 19 points in 15 games with St. Albert.

Raiders defenceman Jake Watt collected a goal and two assists. Lucah Lamb and Riley Sinclair scored the other goals St. Albert goals as 14 players figured in the team’s offence.

Kai Zurowski, with his sixth win this season, made 33 saves for the Raiders, who directed 45 shots at two Lloydminster goaltenders.

Asher Ammann gave up six goals on 30 shots through two periods, before giving way to Stran Edge, who stopped 13 of 15 shots.

Lloydminster defenceman Rhett Romanchuk, the team’s captain, scored a goal and assist, as did linemates Logan Flewell and Alec Robinson.

On Saturday, Gavin Pratt netted his fifth goal of the season — on assists from Flewell and Romanchuk — with just 1:24 left in Lloyd’s three-goal loss at Fort Sask.

Rangers captain Emile Plourde, with eight goals and 18 points after 17 games, scored twice against the Lancers. Ryder Cardinal and Ethan Collins also tallied for Fort Sask.

The Rangers posted 39 shots as Edge made 35 saves in the Lloyd net. The Lancers managed 28 shots against Kasey Fuson, a 16-year-old who recorded his third straight victory and his fifth win this year.

After playing the doubleheader in Grande Prairie this Saturday and Sunday, the Lancers visit the Leduc Oil Kings (5-8-3) on Saturday, Dec. 6, to complete a five-game road junket.

Lloydminster’s next home game is Sunday, Dec. 7. It’s an 11:45 a.m. start at the Hub against Fort Saskatchewan.

Prominent bull-riders entertain Lloyd crowd

JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

As one season ended and another began, professional bull-riders gathered in Lloydminster last weekend for the PBR Winter Classic indoors at the Ex.

On a seasonably warm November night, a sellout crowd greeted the cowboys Saturday, just one week after the PBR Canada National Finals in Edmonton.

“It was a good night,” veteran bull-rider Dakota Buttar said after the Lloyd show. “I’m glad it wasn’t too cold outside, so it wasn’t too miserable for us in the back there. It was actually enjoyable.”

It was Buttar’s first Border City appearance since he won the event in 2019.

“Quite a few years, I’ve been hurt after the (PBR) Finals, so I had to heal up,” said the two-time PBR Canada champion. “This year, I finally felt good after finals, so I was excited to come and get the new season underway already.”

Buttar, 33, made the three-hour drive from his native Kindersley, Sask., on Saturday and fashioned a successful ride in the long-go, scoring an 84 in front of hundreds of fans who packed the grandstands and hospitality tables.

“It’s pretty cool how everything is so close,” Buttar said about the intimate Lloyd Ex setting. “All the seats and spectators are kind of on top of you, so it makes it fun.”

On a night that brought together past and future stars of the bull-riding circle, young gun Jeremy Maisonneuve of Val-des-Monts, Que., was the overall champion in a distinguished field that included wily veterans like Buttar, Aaron Roy, Cody Coverchuk and Nick Tetz, the second-place finisher Saturday. Maisonneuve, just 18, is coming off a season for the ages in the Bull Riders Canada (BRC) circuit.

Another up-and-comer, Marshall Senger of Meadow Lake, Sask., also had a standout year at the BRC level and the 20-year-old showed some of that stuff with a gritty ride in Lloyd, leading to his third-place finish.

When the dust settled Saturday, the top payouts went to Maisonneuve ($4,735), Tetz ($3,694), Senger ($1,909), Buttar ($1,339) and Logan Biever ($774).

Biever, a 27-year-old Claresholm, Alta., native, was still in high school when he first competed in the Lloyd show a decade ago.

Fresh out of Lloydminster Comprehensive High School last spring, Colt Hillis returned home from his U.S. college and added more local flavour to the Winter Classic lineup. Hillis, 18, is enjoying a solid freshman season at Laramie County Community College in Cheyenne, Wy.

It was a festive night at the Lloyd Ex as young and older bull-riders entertained while atop some of the best bucking bulls in the business.

The Winter Classic rides the momentum of the PBR Finals, at least as long as many of those top bull-riders are able to perform so soon after the national championship.

“It’s hard to know who’s going to be coming, after the finals when everyone is just beat up,” said Buttar, fresh off a strong 2025 season.

“It was a pretty good year. I can’t complain. I was happy with it. The goal is to be the winner at the end of the year. I didn’t get that, but overall, I was happy with myself. It was a good year.

“This (Lloydminster show) is the first run of the new season.”

When he isn’t working a welding job and busy with other activities in the Kindersley area, Buttar remains as focused as ever on his bull-riding pursuits. Up next for he and many of the other bull-riders is a New Year’s Eve event in Oyen.

“I’ll be there,” Buttar said. “That one is nice and close (to home) for me.”

The next generation of bull-riders was also represented in Lloyd on Saturday as junior steer riders kicked off the second half of the program.

Kayden Griffith of Lashburn, Sask., was the champion in that category.

Young gun Marshall Senger of Meadow Lake, Sask., completes a successful ride on Saturday en route to his third-place finish at the PBR Winter Classic in Lloydminster. John MacNeil Meridian Source

Hometown bull-rider Colt Hillis, a college freshman in Wyoming, was back in Lloydminster last weekend to participate in the PBR Winter Classic at the Ex. John MacNeil Meridian Source

Barons’ effort makes coach ‘incredibly proud’

JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

It might not have been the result the host Lloydminster Comprehensive Barons had envisioned, but their fourth-place finish in the Saskatchewan 5A high school girls’ volleyball championship was still a worthy performance.

Lloyd Comp lost 2-1 (15-25, 25-18 and 17-15) to Martensville in the bronze-medal match, after falling 2-0 (25-22, 25-19) to Holy Cross of Saskatoon in an entertaining semifinal Nov. 15.

“The girls performed exceptionally well,” said Barons coach Ky Desaulniers. “They showed confidence and consistency throughout the entire tournament, and they stayed calm and composed during some very stressful, tight matches.

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“Their resilience was especially evident in our quarter-final, win-or-go-home match (against Winston Knoll of Regina). We were down 14-11 in the third set and the girls battled back and took the win 19-17.

“I’m incredibly proud of their effort and determination all weekend and during the entirety of the season.”

The Swift Current Ardens repeated as the provincial champions, defeating Holy Cross 2-1 (21-25, 25-20 and 15-11) in the gold-medal match.

Swift Current and Lloydminster Comprehensive each were 4-0 atop their respective pools after preliminary play in the 10-team tournament, which was played Nov. 14 and 15 in the Barons’ two gyms.

In their semifinal matchup, Holy Cross proved to be a formidable opponent for Lloyd Comp.

“They had several powerful hitters who were tough to shut down and kept steady pressure on our defence,” Desaulniers said of the Crusaders. “They also played strong, disciplined defence themselves, extending rallies and making it challenging for us to score cleanly.”

The provincial championship tournament marked the end of the high school careers for the Barons’ two Grade 12 players, Chloe Minish and Torren Wood. Both played three years with the LCHS senior team.

“Their leadership, dedication and commitment have made a lasting impact on the program,” Desaulniers said. “They have been great teammates and leaders for our younger players.

“Looking ahead, the team’s outlook is very strong. We are excited to build on the growth we’ve achieved this season, continue developing skills and leadership, and keep striving to climb the rankings next season.”

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The host Lloydminster Comprehensive High School Barons battled the Holy Cross Crusaders of Saskatoon before losing that semifinal match 2-0 (25-22 and 25-19) at the Saskatchewan 5A high school girls’ volleyball championship Nov. 15 at the LCHS gym. In the final, Swift Current beat Holy Cross to repeat as champion. John MacNeil Meridian Source

Rustlers win 10 straight

JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

The Lakeland Rustlers padded their lead atop the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference women’s hockey standings, scoring two victories last weekend over their nearest challenger, the Red Deer Queens.

The Rustlers won 2-0 on Saturday night in Red Deer, after posting a 3-2 double-overtime victory on Friday evening at Lloydminster.

Sporting an 11-1 record, Lakeland has won 10 straight games. Second-place Red Deer, with a 9-4 slate, sits six points behind the Rustlers.

Lakeland goaltender Paige Fischer blocked 18 shots to register Saturday’s shutout. The Rustlers fired 33 shots toward Queens goalie Elizabeth Campbell.

The Lakeland goals came from Addison Eurich and Olivia Mann in the second and third periods, respectively. Rustlers rookie forward Ryann Rekimowich, with her second ACAC point, assisted on Eurich’s winning goal.

In Friday’s marathon, Keyra Buziak’s second goal of the game came on the power play at 2:25 of the second overtime period.

Red Deer’s Rylee Mepham had forced OT when she scored with two minutes left in regulation time.

The Rustlers’ Eurich netted a power-play goal and assisted on Buziak’s winner, along with Alexa Kobley.

Queens rookie Natalie Tychkowsky scored her third collegiate goal. Last season, she played with the U18 AAA Lloydminster Steelers, whose roster included a pair of current Rustlers — Rekimowich and Ashlyn Hinton.

Lakeland threw 41 shots in the direction of Red Deer goaltender Tora Ward. The Rustlers’ Schay Camphaug faced 21 shots as she defeated Red Deer for the second time this season, including a 2-1 victory on opening night.

Camphaug, a former NCAA goaltender with five wins in as many games as a Rustler, leads the ACAC with a 0.78 goals-against average and a .960 save percentage.

Buziak, a third-year Rustler, is atop the league scoring race with 11 goals and 18 points in 11 games. She’s one point ahead of Maria Ayre of the NAIT Ooks.

Lakeland has five players among the top 10 scorers in the ACAC, including Eurich, Mann, Claudia Lammers and Marly Dumanski.

The Rustlers conclude their pre-Christmas schedule this weekend (Nov. 28-30) as they visit the SAIT Trojans (3-7) for three games in as many days at WinSport Arena in Calgary.

Game times are 6:45 p.m. Friday, 7:15 p.m. Saturday and 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

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NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND CLAIMANTS IN THE ESTATE OF JAMES WILLIAM JOHN YOUNGER, who died on September 14, 2025

If you have a claim against this estate, you must file your claim by: January 5, 2026 with: CLEMENTS & SMITH

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If you do not file by the date set out above, the estate property may be lawfully distributed without regard to any claim you may have.

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