Meridian Source

ACAC slams Rustlers with hazing suspensions

The Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC) served suspensions to the Lakeland College Rustlers volleyball teams after reports of rookie parties involving hazing.

According to the ACAC, the parties involved the Rustlers men’s and women’s volleyball teams and took place on Sept. 1. The incidents were reported to the college on Sept. 9 by parents of two female student-athletes who decided to leave the program due to the negative experience they reported.

The women’s team was suspended for the first eight games of the 2025-26 season, and the men received a four-game suspension. Each forfeiture also carries a $500-per-game penalty, for which Lakeland College is responsible.

According to an ACAC report, “recruits were informed the party was a tradition and something they would have to ‘get through.’ Rookies were provided alcohol by the veterans, made to dress in embarrassing costumes, made to perform for the veterans in costume and were asked embarrassing and inappropriate questions of a sexual nature. The rookies, except for one rookie who did not drink alcohol and made that clear, became quickly inebriated.

“At least one of the women’s volleyball rookies became extremely intoxicated, and her roommate, the rookie who did

not consume alcohol, spent the night monitoring her. In the morning, those two student-athletes were picked up by their parents and withdrew from the program.”

The men’s rookie party reportedly featured similar events and included a “beep test,” with participants shotgunning a beer.

According to ACAC CEO Mark Kosak’s recollection, this is the first ACAC investigation of its kind.

“Hazing may indeed happen elsewhere, but unless we receive a credible formal complaint, it’s highly difficult to investigate,” he told the Meridian Source via email, explaining the women’s punishment was more severe due to more substantive information being collected.

The ACAC defines hazing as a “broad term encompassing any action or activity which does not contribute to the positive development of a person; which inflicts or intends to cause physical or mental harm or anxieties; which may demean, degrade, or disgrace any person, regardless of location, intent or consent of participants.”

Rustlers athletic director Alan Rogan confirmed that the college agreed with the sanctions.

“We can’t argue the fact that it happened. We’re the ones who got reported and we can’t argue the fact hazing did occur,” he said. “In the ACAC operating code and in our code of conduct, it says hazing cannot occur. All kids sign off on that.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 4

Mayor confirms Costco proposal

Local seniors might have been the first to learn Costco is one step closer to becoming a reality in Lloydminster.

The announcement was made by Mayor Gerald Aalbers during the Lloydminster Concerned Citizens for Seniors Care Society meeting on Oct. 14.

During the question-and-answer section, former Meridian Source reporter Geoff Lee asked for updates on a proposed Costco development.

“I understand there is a building plan in place that’s been approved by the city for Costco,” said Aalbers. “When that’s going to happen, when they can execute that, they have a whole year.

“A building permit has been issued … I have not received a formal invitation to the grand opening yet. It’ s going to come in due time, but it’s not on city time.”

Costco’s corporate communications is unable to confirm any information and provided the following information on Oct. 14.

“We cannot comment on locations that will be opening more than three months from today.”

DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER

TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR

Cenovus Energy raises MEG Energy offer

“We listened to these comments and have changed the consideration under our offer to a maximum of 50 per cent cash and 50 per cent Cenovus shares, while increasing the aggregate purchase price.”

Cenovus Energy has upped its offer as they look to acquire MEG Energy, delaying the vote to later in October.

On Oct. 8, MEG Energy announced it was entering into an amended agreement with Cenovus. The new agreement increases the consideration payable to MEG shareholders to $29.80 per share. This new agreement values MEG at $8.6 billion, an increase from the original offer of $7.9 billion. Each shareholder will also have the option to receive $29.50 in cash or 1.240 Cenovus common shares per MEG share.

“We received support from the majority of MEG’s shareholders for our transaction. However, many MEG shareholders indicated they would prefer to receive greater Cenovus share consideration they can more fully participate in the upside of the combined company,” said Jon McKenzie, Cenovus president and chief executive officer.

Cenovus also amended the terms of the existing standstill agreement to allow them to complete purchases of up to 9.9 per cent of MEG’s outstanding common shares.

Cenovus says this new agreement represents their best and final offer for MEG as a battle to take over continues to brew between Cenovus and Strathcona Resources Ltd.

Strathcona first made a offer to acquire MEG Energy in late May, which MEG urged its shareholders not to act on, recommending they reject the offer.

Strathcona originally revised its take-over bid, however, has since revoked the offer. They also have 14.2 per cent interest in MEG, which they intend to use to vote against the MEG deal with Cenovus.

MEG shareholders were set to vote on the Cenovus offer earlier this week. That meeting has now been postponed until Oct. 22.

For the Cenovus deal to go through, 66 2/3 per cent is required for approval.

As of Oct. 15, Cenovus has acquired 9.8 per cent of MEG common shares. They intend to vote any acquired shares in favour of the planned transaction.

“Whether I agree or not, it doesn’t matter. It’s listed as policy and we’re bound to follow that,” said Rogan. “We also have those definitions of hazing in our code of conduct and our student-athlete handbook. It’s not in the same detail, but we do have similar definitions in our documentation.”

On top of game suspensions and fines, the ACAC has mandated Lakeland College engage in mandatory training about hazing during the suspension period. The program and format delivery will be determined by the ACAC and any associated costs will be paid for by Lakeland College or the Rustlers volleyball programs.

“We believe in accountability, learning and moving forward with an acknowledgment of how we fell short and a commitment to doing better,” said Rogan. “We are committed to working with our student-athletes and helping them grow into leaders on and off the court.”

Visit us at meridiansource.ca for the full ACAC investigation

Young tells story of culture centre

Cynthia Young has spent more than two decades helping Lloydminster Catholic School Division (LCSD) students reconnect with their culture.

The division’s Indigenous Culture Centre, which opened in 2023 as part of Holy Rosary High School’s expansion project, quite literally grounds her work.

Speaking to the Border City Rotary Club on Sept. 28, Young, the LCSD’s Indigenous program co-ordinator, reflected on how pride, tradition and community have guided her efforts to strengthen Indigenous education.

“We were growing and our students needed more,” said Young. “Every time we were going to do something, we had to go to Onion Lake. So we said, let’s build a centre.”

The result was a first-of-its-kind cultural centre within a Catholic school division in Canada. The circular building, inspired by traditional ceremonial lodges, features a tree harvested and blessed through ceremony before being placed at its core.

“We needed a tree,” she said. “That’s like our centre, our core, who we are, what we stand up for and what we believe in.”

To find the tree, Young said her husband, Mike, spent three days fasting in the bush, seeking spiritual guidance to help him choose the right one. Once chosen, a group of boys cut and carried the tree without letting it touch the ground.

The tree now stands in the middle of the round room inside Holy Rosary High School surrounded by a medicine wheel.

The centre hosts weekly smudges every Friday morning, a ceremony the students chose.

Through initiatives like the Dream Catcher youth group, Young has mentored students to take pride in their heritage, develop confidence and serve as leaders during cultural events such as blanket exercises and Indigenous Days.

Her lessons, she said, focus on friendship, respect and equality.

“If you’ll be my friend, I’ll be your friend, and we’ll be friends together,” she said, quoting the late senator Murray Sinclair.

For Young, the teachings always return to the land and nurturing understanding among generations.

“I walk in two worlds,” she said. “As a Catholic and in Indigenous knowledge.”

25103KP0

DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER

Photos from the centre’s grand opening in 2023 . Submitted by Lloydminster Catholic School Division

Fire Rescue holds annual open house

Lloydminster Fire Rescue welcomed residents behind the scenes during its annual Fire Prevention Week open house on Oct. 8.

Chief Bill Heesing said the event provides families with an opportunity to learn more about home safety and the work of firefighters.

“We enjoy interacting with the community,” said Heesing. “It’s a chance for the community to come behind the scenes, see what the fire department’s about and take part in some of our displays.”

Visitors had the opportunity to participate in hands-on activities, including a fire extinguisher demonstration and a water-spray simulation designed for children. Crews also performed a vehicle-extrication demonstration to showcase their expanded rescue capabilities.

In addition to demonstrations and community engagement, the event highlighted the organization’s new name, Lloydminster Fire Rescue.

“We want to emphasize we’re more than just a fire department,” said

Heesing. “We provide motor vehicle response and water and ice rescue within the city boundaries, so the ‘rescue’ portion of our name highlights that.”

Heesing said this year’s open house also focused on lithium battery awareness, a growing safety issue as the technology becomes more common.

“Everybody uses them, from cellphones, to cameras, to even your lawnmowers and your saws now,” he said. “If you’re doing anything where you’re charging your iPads, your phones, keep it on your table, keep it on your dining room table or coffee tables. Don’t hide it in your blankets or under your pillow. The batteries are known to heat up and can explode if they overheat. That’s when fires can start if it’s buried in something combustible such as a blanket or pillow.”

He also reminded residents to call 911 immediately if an emergency occurs, even if they’re unsure of the severity.

“Even if it’s a false alarm, let us come and check it out,” he said. “It’s for your safety and your family’s safety.”

DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER

Firefighters let kids and families learn about fire safety during their open house at Station 2. Dan Gray MERIDIAN SOURCE

City to auction properties

realtor. These values have been compared to the current year assessment values and the lower of the two values has been used as the reserve bid.

The City of Lloydminster is looking to auction off some Alberta properties.

“There are currently five Alberta properties that still have tax liens registered against them from the prior year,” said Adele Wakaruk, the city’s executive manager of corporate services at the Sept. 22 council meeting.

The five properties have been assessed for their value and the highest assessed value is more than $6.2 million. The city plans to conduct a public auction at city hall on Nov. 26 at 10 a.m.

To provide curbside appraisals for each property, the city obtained the services of a local

ATB president retires

“I feel some reassurance that our assessed value and curbside appraisal are a lot closer than expected,” said Mayor Gerald Aalbers, noting the huge difference in the $6.2-million property.

The property in question was appraised at $9 million, but the lower of the assessed value and curbside appraisal are chosen for the reserve bid, making the bid $6,294,600.

Administration explained that throughout the year, owners get reminder notices once the taxes have been levied and the city does reach out by phone to communicate with them.

Local Business Directory

CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI STAFF WRITER

Curtis Stange, president and CEO of ATB Financial, is retiring after 16 years with the organization. The search for his replacement has begun and Stange will continue leading the company throughout the selection process and during the transition. File photo

Lloyd emergency crews keeping busy

Lloydminster Fire Rescue was dispatched to a structure fire at about 5 p.m. on Oct. 13. The house was unoccupied at the time. Dan Gray Meridian Source

Lloydminster Rescue Squad quickly extricated an individual from their vehicle after a rollover in Britannia on Oct. 9. Dan Gray Meridian Source

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Thursday, October 16, 2025

Viewpoint

Gray Matters: Unequal equalization

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We may or may not get a pipeline. The indecisive status quo is from the party that has run Ottawa for the past decade and fuels organizations like the Alberta Prosperity Project.

Much of the animosity stems from the perception that Alberta writes a cheque to Quebec every year, which isn’t the case. The mechanics around it are complicated.

However , outside of permitting a new pipeline, Ottawa could take one serious step to change some perceptions. Equalize the equalization payment formula.

For decades, Alberta has been labelled a “have” province, with residents contributing billions of dollars each year to federal coffers. Some of those dollars end up going toward equalization payments aimed at raising the living conditions in “have-not” provinces.

Quebec receives tens of billions in those payments, despite both provinces being resourcerich. Why? Because the math isn’t the same.

Quebec receiv es roughly $22 billion per year in equalization payments.

A significant portion of Hydro-Québec’s profits are excluded from the formula used to calculate the province’s fiscal capacity. In turn, it helps determine how much equalization they get/give.

That partial exclusion allows Quebec to remain a “have-not” province and continue receiving massive federal transfers, despite its significant resource wealth.

If Ottawa fully accounte d for HydroQuébec’s profits, its equalization payments would drop to about $8 billion annually, still substantial, but far less than the current sum.

Alberta, on the other hand, is treated differently. The province’s oil royalties, which amount to roughly $20–30 billion per year, are fully accounted for in our fiscal capacity. The flawed math makes Alberta a “have” province, meaning, of the federal tax dollars our workers pay, approximately $12–14 billion each year ends up going to “have-not” provinces.

If we had the same

creative math provided to Quebec, our net contributions would drop to $2-5 billion. We might even become a “have-not” province if oil prices were to fall.

This discrepancy is no longer acceptable. Alberta taxpayers are subsidizing other provinces under a system that is inconsistent, opaque and fundamentally unfair.

It’s time for Ottawa to level the playing field. Resource revenues must be treated the same across all provinces. The status quo fuels resentment, undermines national unity and discourages economic growth in Alberta.

We don’t want special treatment. Just fair treatment. The purpose of equalization is to ensure all Canadians have access to similar services, not to reward one province with loopholes while punishing another.

The federal government must act. It doesn’t matter who came up with the calculation; it needs to change. Ottawa cannot continue to arbitrarily pick winners and losers when billions of dollars and provincial economies are at stake.

Thursday, October 16, 2025

MERIDIAN SOURCE

Chris’ A-Z: Evolving past the Barr

Sometimes the bar is set high and other times the bar is set low. In this case, the Barr set out to a small western settlement.

The life and times of Rev. Isaac Montgomery Barr are quite an oddity. I’ve written about the feud Rev. George Exton Lloyd had with Barr. That was in the past and today, armed with far more research, I wanted to talk about Barr’s life.

He could be described in many ways. It was often said he was attractive to the ladies, which perhaps lead to his three marriages, with zero recorded divorces, but we’ll get to that. Biographers also said when the going got tough … well I think we know Barr was pretty good at getting going. What can’t be denied was his talent as a preacher, but he also held some questionable views, which led to him getting going, more often than not.

Our good reverend was born in Hornby, Canada West, now part of Halton Hills in Ontario. His father was a preacher and the young Barr emulated his father pretending to be a preacher in his early life.

His mother died in childbirth when Barr was just 10 years old. Barr’s early education was in a school where his father was the teacher. His father wanted to buy the boys a farm when they came of age so they could properly settle down, something they both promptly sold off.

It was college where Barr began pursuing his dream of becoming an Anglican cleric, attending Huron College in London, Ont., between 1868 and 1871. Eventually, he moved his studies to the University of Toronto and soon began his ministerial career as a curate in Exeter and Woodstock, Ont.

He would marry his first wife, Eliza Weaver, in 1870. They had three children, Dora, Harry and Gertrude.

If there was anything undeniable about Barr, it was his talent for preaching. He was described as having words flow through him with a thundering conviction.

It was in 1875 when Barr was appointed by the Bishop of Saskatchewan to serve the Prince Alberta settlement. His time in Prince Alberta wouldn’t last long as he left, apparently without permission, due to his daughter and wife falling ill.

It’s also important to note, Barr was a man of the cloth, but he had some questionable beliefs at the time. I’m not talking about a flat-earth kind of belief; Barr believed in evolution and would talk about it, he said he was 50 years ahead of his time. This got him into hot water with his superiors and other holy men.

He was also described as a man of little humour, another trait that didn’t help his case.

He bounced around in Canada before making the trip across the border starting his ministerial stint in the United States. His American years saw him holding a steady set of jobs in Lapeer, Mich., East Saginaw and Midland, Mich., and Harriman, Tenn., before moving to New Whatcom, Wash. He even filed for citizenship in 1895.

Cecil Rhode’s colonizing efforts in South Africa caught his attention and Barr wanted to be a part of it. Unfortunately for Barr, Rhodes would die in

1902 before Barr could make it to the colony. Barr remained in England, securing a position as curate-in-charge at St. Saviour’s Church in London. It also put him in the right place to, as Barr put it, “Exchange the poverty of Britain for an estate in Canada.”

Barr would lead colonization efforts in Western Canada, bringing hundreds to Lloydminster. This column is more focused on his early years and I’d like to take a step back to talk about the various women Barr married.

To start off, Barr married Eliza Weaver in 1870, He would then marry Emma Williams in 1900 before marrying his typist, Christina Helberg. Barr became interested in a scheme in Victoria Australia, so he moved Helberg and their two young sons down there. He remained in Australia up to the day he died, with his relatives still remaining in the country.

Now, getting married a bunch of times is nothing extraordinary, it happens all the time today. What bumped me regarding the whole situation, there’s no record of any divorces or anything freeing him from his marriages.

There are a few facts that I’ve gathered while trying to figure out how it all happened. An interesting theory is that due to him getting married in Ontario, Washington and Nebraska, the records didn’t carry over so he never legally had to file for divorce.

I believe reality is likely less exciting than my above theory. Barr admitted his first two marriages when he was getting married for the third time. There’s also records of his second wife getting remarried in 1909.

The most likely scenario is he did get divorced, or the marriages were annulled and the records aren’t that easily accessible.

Barr’s early life saw him moving around a lot, understanding his beliefs he likely was ahead of his time and that probably got him in some hot water with other church officials. Of course, there’s another major part of his journey, the colonization efforts in Canada that I’ll leave for another time.

October 16, 2025

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

To place an event, email taylor@meridiansource.ca or fax 306-825-5147

Cards, games, food, meetings, live music

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.

Blackfoot Beef Supper

The Blackfoot beef supper, sponsored by the Blackfoot Community Hall Association, is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 19, from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Blackfoot Hall. Cost is $20 for adults, $10 for kids six to 12 or $60 for a family (max two adults and four kids from the same family).

Islay Jamboree

The Islay Jamboree is scheduled for Oct. 19 at the Islay Community Hall. Admission is $15 and free for participants. Everyone welcome and lunch will be served. For more info, call Dixie at 780-744-2204.

Moose Lodge Breakfast

The Lloydminster Moose Lodge, located at 5213 57 St., is hosting a breakfast on Sunday, Oct. 19, from

tournament on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 1 p.m. Entry fee is $20/player, eight games guaranteed with prizes for the top-three teams. Bring a partner and enjoy an afternoon of fun. Call Arne at 306-821-7459 or Bruce at 780-522-6972 for more details.

The Hip Experience at the Vic Juba

The Hip Experience - A Tribute to the Tragically Hip, hits the stage at the Vic Juba Community Theatre on Oct. 21 at 8 p.m. Tickets are $43 and available online or at the Vic Juba box office.

Legacy Centre Cribbage Doubles Tournament

The Legacy Centre is hosting a cribbage doubles tournament on Oct. 23. Play begins at 10 a.m. and the cost is $10 person to play and $12/person for lunch. Everyone welcome! Call the Legacy office at 780-875-4584 for more details.

Elenee featuring Kaégan at the Vic Juba Community Theatre

Women’s Sask Curling Tour in Lloydminster

The Women’s Sask Curling Tour is coming to Lloydminster from Oct. 24 to 26. Lloyd will host 16 of the top women’s curling teams in Alberta and Saskatchewan. All games will be held at the Lloyd Curling Club. Free admission.

Amateur Basic Radio Course

The SaskAlta Amateur Radio Club is putting on a basic radio training course from Oct. 25, 2025, to April 25, 2026, in Vermilion. Training will be held on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and there will be a Christmas/new year break. The location of the classroom is to be determined. Visit them on Facebook or at www.saskaltarc.ca for full details.

Marwayne Fall Supper

Lloydminster-based multi-award-winning and JUNO-nominated Christian/gospel artist, songwriter and producer Elenee Young, who goes by Elenee professionally, takes the stage at the Vic Juba Community Theatre with special guest Kaégan on Oct. 24 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $25 and available online or at the Vic Juba box

The Marwayne fall supper is scheduled for Oct. 26 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Marwayne Community Hall. The supper includes turkey, ham and the trimmings. Cost is $20 for adults, $5 for kids six to 12 and kids under five are free. Cash or debit accepted.

Home Business Expo

The Gold Horse Casino is hosting a home business expo on Nov. 2 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., which will include a showcase of talented local entrepreneurs. - Email listing info to taylor@meridiansource.ca to have your event featured.

College Park students plant trees

Students at College Park School in Lloydminster recently got their hands dirty, planting trees to promote sustainability and community connection.

The Sept. 25 event was the brainchild of local artist and educator Brandi Hofer and came to life with the assistance of the North Saskatchewan River Basin Council (NSRBC).

Cenovus Energy, whose funding priorities include youth leadership and sustainability, helped back the project.

“It’s very important to show kids that when you imagine something and take the steps, people will usually say yes to you, and anything is possible when you’re willing to get your hands dirty,” said Hofer. “They’ll come back years from now and pick an apple from a tree they planted, and that’s something they can feel real pride in.”

“It’s been a very happy collaboration of sponsorship and facilitation,” added the NSRBC’s Alanna Gunsch. “Kids getting their hands dirty and planting something in the ground and connecting with the long-term sustainability of their community is pivotal to our future.”

Grade 5 student Quinn agreed with that sentiment.

She explained they added fertilizer to help the young trees grow and is looking forward to seeing them bear fruit in years to come.

Jason Neville, director of education with the Lloydminster Public School Division, said such projects teach valuable lessons.

“We’ve done this in two of our other schools already,” said Neville. “They’re definitely spreading the joy across the city and we’re always thankful to Cenovus for being a phenomenal community partner.”

DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER

Dan Gray MERIDIAN SOURCE

Lions hosteth a moste prosperous feaste

More than $5,000 was raised for community initiatives as nearly 200 guests travelled back in time at the Lloydminster Lions Club Medieval Feast.

The Sept. 27 event transformed the Kitscoty Community Hall into a lively medieval scene, complete with a town crier, jousting, ring toss contests, a

medieval feast and wooden stockades that brought the era to life.

Many attendees wore elaborate period costumes, from flowing gowns to knightly armour, creating a colourful and unique experience.

Guests enjoying a four-course feast and competed in games throughout the evening, representing their various houses. Everyone celebrated the spirit of the event while supporting the Lions Club’s biggest annual fundraiser.

“Thanks to everyone for their incredible support,” said Lion Shelley Tatro. “Your generosity makes a real difference in our community. Seeing everyone come together like this is truly inspiring.”

Tatro also noted the event saw more than the usual fundraising crowd in attendance.

“Everyone who comes out expects to have a blast. We do our best to provide that,” said Tatro, adding the club hopes to bring even more people to next year’s event.

DAN GRAY STAFF WRITER

Dan Gray MERIDIAN SOURCE

Photo courtesy of Aaron Pooke

Patey brings Rock, Paper, Party home for holidays

Coming home for the holidays means more than just family and friends for Lloydminster native Scott Patey — it’s a chance to give back to

and live performance.”

Now, Patey hopes to show the next generation that pursuing a creative dream is possible.

“If I can inspire kids to do what they love, that’s amazing,” he said. “Some of the students

It’s a blend of history with modern skill here at Station Auto & Lube.

Located in the former Fire Hall No. 1 on 49 Ave. in downtown Lloydminster, our full-service automotive workshop puts community and craftsmanship at the forefront.

contributions to numerous community organizations while delivering quality

The sound of sirens and re bells has been replaced by a steady hum from our six employees working on vehicles in our eight-bay, six-lift facility.

Here, vehicles of all kinds are cared for with precision and pride. Japanese imports, local sedans, commercial trucks and custom rigs all receive the same detailed attention. Whether it’s a routine oil change, a complex diagnostic repair, seasonal tire swap or a custom lift-kit installation, our team delivers with skill, e ciency and a focus on the customer.

detail that goes into every repair.

What sets our shop apart is a commitment to clear, honest service. Customers leave with more than just a xed vehicle. They leave with con dence, understanding and trust in the work that was done. Our clean waiting area, complete with fresh coffee, comfortable seating and friendly conversation, re ects the same attention to

The business is a dream come true for owner Moe Ahmed and his brother. Together, we bring years of oil- eld know-how and auto industry experience to the downtown core. “We’ve changed the space but kept the spirit of community that was part of the rehall’s tradition.”said Moe.

“We are proud to be in this space and ll our cups through

From careful brake inspections to computerized laser wheel alignments, battery diagnostics to full synthetic oil changes, Station Auto & Lube works with high-quality tools and original parts to get the job done right. When emergencies happen or seasonal maintenance is due, our team moves quickly, keeping the customer informed every step of the way.

Our shop is also a point of pride for downtown renewal and was opened with support from the City of Lloydminster and the Downtown Area Redevelopment Committee, we’ve become a symbol of how historic spaces can be revitalized into something new and useful.

We’re also about to celebrate our second year in business and take pride knowing our reputation continues to grow.

Whether you’re due for an oil change or need expert help with a major repair, you can expect skilled service and a friendly welcome every time you visit.

Station Auto & Lube, where quality workmanship and community spirit meet.

TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR

Mystic market grows under glow of community spirit

The mystical and mindful came together in Lloydminster as the Mystic Moonlight Market and Psychic Fair filled the Nissan Hall with spiritual energy, community connection, and more than 40 unique vendors.

Organized by Tammy Gray and her longtime friend, Kevin Jackson, the Oct. 3–5 event has grown from humble beginnings into one of Lloydminster’s most popular alternative wellness gatherings.

“The first market we had was in Irma with eight vendors, and the first one in Lloyd had just 15,” said Gray. “Four years later, we’ve got over 40 vendors and a waiting list for the next market.”

After three years at the Border Inn and Suites, the fair moved to the Nissan Hall to accommodate growing crowds. Gray says they’ll expand again in the spring to the neighbouring WLS Convention Centre.

“We’re just a couple of friends who want to build a community of love and acceptance,” she said.

Since launching the market, Gray and Jackson have also opened The Crystal Emporium, a year-round space where people can stay connected to that same uplifting energy.

“The market is about community, connection, and support,” said Gray. “Many people are looking for something bigger and not so mainstream. It’s a collective of people who want to heal, change, or transform — and, of course, we love our crystals.”

This fall’s three-day event featured healing sessions, tarot readings, drumming circles and the popular “witch dance,” where participants don hats and brooms to dance under the moonlight. Guests could also write intentions for manifestation or release and place them in a cauldron, later burned at a full-moon circle.

“There’s dark energy everywhere, and love needs to expand,” said Gray. “This is the venue to do that.”

The fair wrapped up with a day dedicated to the vendors — a chance for them to relax, connect and heal after a busy weekend.

Among the vendors was Calgary’s That Crafty Witch, who praised the event’s atmosphere and growth. “It was one of the first of its kind in Lloydminster,” she said. “After the first one, the organizers levelled up every single time. They’re making it better for vendors and attendees alike. Let’s grow together.”

Certified clinical hypnotherapist Renee Twildale of Quietude Massage

Therapy and Wellness also took part, offering past-life regression therapy, Reiki and trauma-release techniques.

“Sometimes people have accidents and their brain can’t process what happened,” said Twildale. “Through hypnosis, we help the body release that stuck energy so it can heal.”

She said it’s exciting to see Lloydminster’s growing openness to holistic practices. “There’s a real shift happening here,” she said. “People are ready to explore new ways to heal.”

As for Gray, she says the market will continue to evolve — rooted in love, community and a touch of moonlight magic.

TAX ENFORCEMENT LIST

Rural M unicipality of Manitou Lake No. 442 PROVINCE OF SASKATCHEWAN

Notice is hereby given under The Tax Enforcement Act that unless the arrears and costs appearing opposite the land and title number described in the following list are fully paid before the 16th day of December 2025, an interest based on a tax lien will be registered against the land.

Note: A sum for costs in an amount required by subsection 4(3) of The Tax Enforcement Act is included in the amount shown against each parcel Dated

16th day of October 2025

Joanne Loy Treasurer

TAYLOR WEAVER EDITOR

The Mystic Moonlight Market and Psychic Fair packed the Nissan Hall from Oct. 3-5. Taylor Weaver MERIDIAN SOURCE photos

Thursday, October 16, 2025 MERIDIAN SOURCE

Bobcats feast on Thanksgiving foes

Two goals in four seconds spark Lloyd to big AJHL win over first-place Whitecourt

JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

The Lloydminster Bobcats kept on truckin’ during a bountiful Thanksgiving weekend, winning a pair of road games to extend their Alberta Junior Hockey League win streak to four games.

In a battle of the North Division heavyweights, the second-place Bobcats skated past the frontrunning Whitecourt Wolverines 7-3 on Sunday afternoon, one day after posting a 4-3, last-minute victory over the Devon Xtreme.

Saturday’s game at Devon marked the Bobcats’ second straight win over the Xtreme, including a 2-1 decision last Wednesday in Lloydminster. The same teams meet again this Saturday night (Oct. 18) at Lloyd’s Cenovus Energy Hub.

Before then, the Bobcats took a 6-3 record into a noontime Wednesday (Oct. 15) game against the host Camrose Kodiaks (4-3).

After last weekend’s action, Lloydminster trailed Whitecourt (7-2) by just two points atop the North. With a 2-4-1 record, Devon sat last in that six-team division.

RAPID FIRE

On Sunday, a pair of goals just four seconds apart — from linemates Matthew Hikida and Raphael Messier — turned the tables late in the first period when Lloydminster took a 3-1 lead at Whitecourt. Gus El-Tahhan made it 4-1 before the period ended, as the Bobcats gained firm control. The visitors went up 6-1 before the game was half finished. Jack Ferguson netted his second goal of the afternoon and, 56 seconds later, Jadon Iyogun potted his first of two goals Sunday.

El-Tahhan and Iyogun each scored last-minute goals in the first and second periods, respectively, as the Bobcats troubled a Wolverines team that had lost just one of its previous five home games.

The AJHL’s top scorer, Jalen Bianchet, netted two of Whitecourt’s goals, one of them on a power play. Bianchet has 12 goals and 18 points in nine games.

Quentin Bourne scored the Wolverines’ other goal Sunday before he became tangled with Hikida

during a skirmish late in the scoreless third period.

KONDRO ON THE MARK

Bobcats goaltender Matthew Kondro stopped 31 shots to register his fourth win this season. His teammates fired 30 shots at Wolverines starter Elliott Pratt and his third-period replacement, Luke McKechnie.

Lloyd’s most offensive line continued to pile up points, combining for seven Sunday. Hikida scored his team-leading sixth goal and added two assists, Ferguson recorded his first two-goal game as a Bobcat, and Messier added a goal and an assist. Hikida and Messier each had 12 points after nine games.

With two assists Sunday, Bobcats captain Kade Fendelet contributed a pair of points in each of the two weekend victories.

Whitecourt’s coach and general manager is Shawn Martin, who worked with Lloydminster coach Eric Labrosse and GM Nigel Dube — along with head coach Mike Reagan of the SJHL’s Flin Flon Bombers — in guiding Canada West to a bronzemedal finish in the World Junior A Hockey Challenge last December.

In the Bobcats’ victory at Devon on Saturday, Messier scored the winning goal on a power play with 16 seconds remaining in regulation time.

Collecting a goal and an assist each were Fendelet and El-Tahhan, with a game-opening power-play tally.

Hikida also scored for Lloydminster and Esteban Cinq-Mars contributed two assists from the back end.

New goaltender Ben Polhill was a winner in his first game as a Bobcat, as the 19-year-old Cochrane, Alta., native made 25 saves. Polhill, a sixfoot-three product of Edge prep school in Calgary, played junior A last season with the SJHL’s Estevan Bruins and the BCHL’s Prince George Spruce Kings.

Lloydminster fired 32 shots at Devon goalie Preston Lewis, who stopped Iyogun on a penalty shot in the second period. Xander Schulte, on the power play, Ben Deacon and Stefan Serediak scored second-period goals for the Xtreme as they evened the score at 3-3.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Planning and Development Department

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

5411 - 44 Street Lot: 1, Plan: 832-0990

5710 - 44 Street Lot: 5, Block: 49, Plan: 320 HW

2502 – 50 Avenue Lot: 50, Block: 46, Plan: 022-5521

8120 – 44 Street Lot: 4, Block: 4, Plan: 152-4195

2405 – 50 Avenue Block: 8, Plan: 98B 12765

2713 – 50 Avenue Lot: 9, Block: 3, Plan: 101862323

4010 – 50 Avenue Lot: 37, Block: 4, Plan: 5368 NY

2302 – 50 Avenue Lot: 116, Block: 48, Plan: 072-4872

5115 – 25 Street Lot: 3, Block: 53, Plan: 022-1821

Sign

25-5325

25-5331 Portable Sign

25-5337 Portable Sign

25-5339 Portable Sign

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

Due to the postal strike, referral letters and notiﬁcation of the decision will NOT be sent out for any of the above applications. You can view the Public Notices on the City website at Lloydminster.ca/development and by selecting View Current Applications and clicking on the application that may affect you.

The Bobcats’ Jack Ferguson scores the winning goal Oct. 8 against the Devon Xtreme. John MacNeil Meridian Source

Bobcats, Xtreme frequent October opponents

Aiden Bruce and Lucas Knorr each bagged two assists for Devon.

It was the second one-goal game between Devon and Lloyd in four days, including the Bobcats’ home victory last Wednesday at the Hub. This Saturday, the Bobcats and Xtreme face each other for the third time in 11 days when they clash at the Hub at 7 p.m.

“It’s definitely a battle,” Devon defenceman Darius Hordal said after the first head-to-head game against the Bobcats. “They’re a good team. We fell short tonight, but we’ve got ’em back on Saturday, hopefully we can win that one.

“We were playing good. We just couldn’t bury the puck.”

The Xtreme faced a wall in Lloyd goalie Kondro, the St. Albert kid who stopped all but one of the 36 shots he faced in that game.

Lewis blocked 30 for Devon.

“They’re a divisional opponent, so it’s big points to get,” Kondro said. “Hopefully, we can pick up some more wins.”

The victory at home set the standard for the Bobcats’ weekend road trip. Not to mention their three-game series of sorts versus Devon.

“To win the first one here tonight is huge,” said captain Fendelet. “It sets the tone for the next couple of days. We wanted to show them the kind of hockey team we are and I think we did a pretty good job of that. It’s a really good feeling to get the first one.”

At the same time, the Xtreme have been playing better than their record would indicate as they transition to new coach Taylor Harnett, who replaced ex-NHLer Kelly Buchberger during the off-season.

“Absolutely,” Fendelet agreed. “They played really well, and made the adjustments they had to do. Fortunately, we were able to walk away with the two points. But yeah, they definitely played a pretty solid game tonight.”

Ferguson’s power-play goal early in the second period proved to be the winner, as he gave Lloydminster a 2-0 lead in front of 707 fans at the Hub.

Devon’s Corbyn Demchuk, with his first AJHL career goal, replied less than a minute later.

Iyogun put the Bobcats ahead 1-0 in the first period. The 20-year-old Calgarian had four goals and five points after six games with Lloyd.

FENDELET RETURNS FROM HEALTH LAYOFF

Last Wednesday’s win marked the return of Fendelet after a two-game absence. He took a 10-day break between games to deal with headaches.

“Just my head was bothering me a little bit,” said the Bobcats’ hometown captain. “I dealt with a little bit of head stuff growing up and what not, so obviously those ones, you err on the side of caution. Playing it safe. I wouldn’t want to rush back (into game action) and do something to make it worse. So, sit out the extra game or two now just to make it that much better (later).”

He reported all was OK after playing at home against Devon, and in both weekend road games.

“The first game back, you’re not playing timid, but you are just being a little more cautious,” he said. “Everything felt really good tonight. I’m definitely happy to be back in the lineup with all the guys.”

It’s still that time of year where new and old faces are beginning to mesh to form the 2025-26 edition of the Bobcats.

“There is usually quite a bit of movement, especially early on in the year,” Fendelet said. “From our part, the (veteran) guys who have been there, we’re just trying to do everything we can to make the new guys feel included, make them happy to be here. They’ve done really well. They’ve been helping us out a ton. It’s been awesome having those guys come in.”

NAIM NETS FIRST AJHL GOAL

Before playing in Lloydminster this Saturday, Devon stops in Bonnyville to face the Pontiacs (3-6) on Friday night.

Bonnyville snapped its five-game losing streak last Saturday with a 4-1 road victory over the Drayton Valley Thunder (2-5-1).

In just his third AJHL game, former U18 AAA Lloydminster Lancers defenceman Ryder Naim scored his first junior A goal, which turned out to be the insurance marker. Naim, 18, is from Bonnyville.

Princeton University commit Maxwell Pendy supplied a goal and an assist to give him six goals and 16 points after nine games with the Pontiacs.

MILLER ON THE MOVE

A former Lloydminster goalie, Anders Miller, was involved in a WHL trade announced on Thanksgiving Monday.

The Calgary Hitmen sent the 19-year-old Miller to the Everett Silvertips in exchange for a third-round draft choice in 2027 and a fifth-round pick in 2029.

Last season, Miller played 10 games with the AJHL’s Bobcats before being called up to Calgary. He appeared in 22 regular-season games with the major junior Hitmen, along with 10 playoff games. The Tampa Bay Lightning invited the Alaskan to their summer development camp and the NHL prospects tournament in September.

This season, Miller played in three WHL games with the Hitmen, whose two remaining goalies are Aidan Hesse and Eric Tu, both born in 2008.

Raphael Messier had 12 points after nine AJHL games with the Lloydminster Bobcats. John MacNeil Meridian Source

AJHL FROM PAGE 19

‘The AJHL is a great developmental league’ Kondro keeps on winning since his return from WHL

In a newsy couple of weeks for Lloydminster goaltenders, Matthew Kondro settled in between the pipes, winning four of his first five games with the junior A Bobcats.

Kondro became a full-time Bobcat in the first week of October, when the WHL’s Red Deer Rebels officially assigned him to the AJHL team. The previous weekend, the Rebels had loaned Kondro to Lloydminster for the Bobcats’ first road trip this season.

“It’s awesome here,” Kondro said after backstopping the Bobcats to a 2-1 victory over the Devon Xtreme on Oct. 8 in Lloydminster. “I like playing here. We’ve had some good games.”

Kondro and the Bobcats had another one of those games on the road Sunday (Oct. 12) as Lloydminster posted its fourth straight victory, a 7-3 decision over the North Division-leading Whitecourt Wolverines.

POLHILL OPENS WITH WIN

Lloyd’s other new netminder, Ben Polhill, made his debut Saturday (Oct. 11) as the Bobcats won 4-3 in Devon. Both he and Kondro joined the Bobcats after playing junior A elsewhere last year.

Kondro has rolled with the punches — or pucks — in making a smooth transition back to junior A after an

eventful few weeks shuttling between the WHL and the AJHL twice.

The Bobcats had gained his junior A rights in the August trade that sent 19-year-old forward Wyatt Yule to the Drumheller Dragons. Fittingly enough, Kondro’s first game with Lloyd was played in Drumheller, where he helped the Bobcats win 2-1 in a shootout Sept. 26.

He played with the Dragons last season as a 17-year-old rookie in the AJHL. At the time, the St. Albert native was still eligible for U18 hockey, but he welcomed the greater challenge and development that came with his early foray into junior A.

“Yeah, I felt I was ready to take a step from midget to junior,” said Kondro, who turns 18 this December.

“I thought it was awesome. It was a fun year last year in Drum, and the development has been awesome.”

In similar fashion, he believes that he can continue to progress in junior A this season with the Bobcats, playing more frequently than he likely would at the major-junior level with Red Deer, which has stuck with incumbent goalies Chase Wutzke and Peyton Shore.

“Yeah, of course,” said Kondro, about six-foot-one and 175 pounds.

“The AJHL is a great developmental league. You need to play to get better. I’m excited to keep getting better and to keep growing.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

Bobcats’ goalie Matthew Kondro won four of his first five AJHL games with Lloyd. John MacNeil Meridian Source

JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

Kondro accents athletic style, like his hero Fleury

Kondro has been a busy boy since joining the Bobcats, posting a 4-1 record while compiling a 2.56 goals-against average and a .910 save percentage, including his 31-save performance in Sunday’s decisive victory at Whitecourt.

“I like to say I’m an athletic goalie,” said the AJHL’s defensive player of the week. “I move well. Trap the puck well. Pretty dynamic in the net and can make big saves.”

All of those qualities were evident last Wednesday at the Cenovus Energy Hub as Kondro made 36 saves — including one in the dying seconds — to spark Lloydminster in the first of consecutive one-goal wins over Devon.

The same teams meet at the Hub again this Saturday night (Oct. 18).

XTREME PRAISE

“He’s a really good goalie,” said Xtreme rookie defenceman Darius Hordal, who is familiar with Kondro from Edmonton hockey circles. “Phenomenal. Very good saves by him. He played great tonight.”

Hordal, who assisted on the lone Xtreme goal last week in Lloyd, joined the AJHL team after playing multiple seasons in the CSSHL with the Northern Alberta Xtreme prep program, also based in Devon.

“I think we’re playing good so far,” Hordl, 17, said of the AJHL’s Xtreme (2-4-1). “Not a great record, but we’re playing good. We’re going to have a better season than last year. So, very excited.”

Devon didn’t play like a weary road team. The Xtreme tested Kondro from the outset.

Lloydminster Bobcats’ goaltender Matthew Kondro opened this season in the WHL with the Red Deer Rebels. John MacNeil Meridian Source

“I know a couple of guys off Devon,” he said. “A couple of them are from St. Albert and the Edmonton area. It’s nice to see those guys and play against them.

“I felt I got into the game well. I had a couple of shots early, and then just kept the momentum going. Stayed focused and kept going.”

Kondro has taken the same mindset into his return to junior A, after earning a taste of major junior. On the opening weekend of the WHL regular season, with Wutzke still with the Minnesota Wild in the NHL pre-season, Kondro blocked 39 shots in Red Deer’s loss to his hometown Edmonton Oil Kings.

“My highlight was probably my first game, in Edmonton,” said Kondro, whose solid Rebels showing came in front of 6,945 fans at Rogers Place. “We lost 4-1, but (I faced) lots of shots and it was tons of fun.”

CHEERS FOR PENGUINS

While he has grown up in the Edmonton area, Kondro’s favourite NHL team hasn’t been the Edmonton Oilers.

“Not really,” he said. “I’m a Pittsburgh Penguins fan, so they won (their season-opener) last night and I was excited for that, but I don’t really cheer for the Oilers.”

Since his childhood, he has leaned toward Pittsburgh and NHL legends Sidney Crosby and Marc-Andre Fleury.

“My grandma and I have always liked the Penguins.”

Now, his whole family has another hockey team to cheer for in the Bobcats.

While in Lloydminster, Kondro is billeting with the Pedersens, an active hockey and baseball family.

“They’ve been awesome,” he said. “It’s a great family and a great place to live.”

Befitting an athletic goalie, Kondro has sampled a few other sports.

“Mostly hockey, but I also play a little bit of golf, and in the summer, two weeks we’re in Kelowna, so I wake-surf a bit,” he said.

PRO COACHING TIPS

His summer hockey training includes work with pro goaltending coach Ian Gordon in Edmonton.

“He’s great,” Kondro said. “He knows his stuff. He’s been awesome for me.”

Kondro has given the Bobcats big saves at critical times, helping push them toward the top of the AJHL standings.

“I’d say Matty has definitely won us a couple of games so far, with him being here,” Lloydminster captain Kade Fendelet said after last week’s win over Devon.

“Ben (Polhill) has just been out at practice this week, but he looks awesome, too. He’s happy to be here. So, definitely another good pickup there.”

Polhill, who went on to win in his Bobcats’ debut Saturday night at Devon, has junior A experience from last season with the Estevan Bruins of the SJHL and the Prince George Spruce Kings of the BCHL.

One of Fendelet’s hockey buddies from Lloydminster, 18-year-old Aiden Foster of the WHL’s Prince George Cougars, recommended the Bobcats and Polhill to each other.

“Ben was up in Prince George last year, too, so Aiden Foster knew him a little bit,” Fendelet said of Polhill. “That’s just a little connection we had going in.

“I think that helps Ben out, too, just having those connections. It definitely makes it easier for him to settle in and what not.”

BOBCATS’ GOALIE FROM PAGE 21

Lancers score first win at U18 AAA showcase

JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

The U18 AAA Lloydminster Lancers are beginning to show they mean business in the Alberta Elite Hockey League.

The Lancers posted their first victory of the young season on Thanksgiving Sunday, defeating the Calgary Northstars 7-3 during the league showcase weekend in Edmonton.

Now with a 1-2-1 record, Lloydminster opened the weekend with a 5-2 loss to the Red Deer Optimist Chiefs on Saturday.

Terwillegar’s Booster Juice Recreation Centre hosted all of the league’s 16 teams for 16 games throughout the holiday weekend.

EDGE IN GOAL

In the Lancers’ victory, rookie goaltender Stran Edge of Marwayne made 32 saves to win his first start of the regular season.

Lloydminster took a 3-2 lead into the third period and outscored Calgary 4-1 in the final 20 minutes.

The Lancers’ power play accounted for four goals, as rookie forward Brody Sunderland of Kitscoty assisted on all four of them.

The extra-strength goals came from Kitscoty’s Gavin Pratt, with two, Castor’s Kelton Doolaege and captain Rhett Romanchuk, a defenceman from Lloydminster.

Pratt and Cold Lake’s Connor Nickle, with three assists, each had three-point games.

The Lancers also got goals from Lloydminster defencemen Graydon Kvill and Aiden Harman and Paradise Valley forward Logan Flewell. Harman picked up his first two points of the season.

Lloydminster centre Connor Nickle has three goals and seven points in four games. John MacNeil Meridian Source

Lloyd fired 39 shots at Northstars netminder Rail Schollar, a 16-year-old prospect of the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings and brother of former Northstars captain Hayden Schollar, now of the WHL’s Calgary Hitmen.

Jacob Pidde, Caden Nevokshonoff and Ethan Couture scored for Calgary (3-2), which won 6-2 against the Leduc Oil Kings (2-2-1) on Saturday.

SUNDERLAND SETUP MAN

In the Lancers’ loss Saturday, Red Deer led 1-0 after the first period and 4-1 following 40 minutes. Nickle, with two points, and St. Albert’s Ty Domshy each scored power-play goals for Lloydminster. The 15-year-old Sunderland assisted on both

goals as part of his six-assist weekend. All six of those points came in extra-manpower situations. The Spokane Chiefs’ prospect leads all Lancers in scoring, with a goal and eight points after four games.

Nickle, also Spokane property, is next among Lancer scorers. He has three goals and seven points in four games.

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Bandits tame Tigers, Wheat Kings to stay perfect

JOHN

After two more victories in the past week, the Lloydminster Bandits are the only unbeaten team in the Northeastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League.

The Bandits ran their record to 5-0 as they clipped the Killam Wheat Kings 7-3 on Saturday night (Oct. 11) at the Cenovus Energy Hub in Lloydminster.

Last Thursday night, Lloyd went into Vermilion Stadium and edged the previously undefeated Tigers 2-1 in a battle of the front-runners.

Vermilion has a 6-1 record overall, including a 5-2 victory over the host Vegreville Rangers (0-6) on Saturday.

Three of Lloydminster’s five victories have come on the road.

At home Saturday, the Bandits opened a 2-0 lead in the first period and never looked back against Killam (1-5). They were up 5-1 after 40 minutes.

Lloydminster defenceman Kade Dennett’s two goals included a short-handed marker. He finished with three points on the night.

Adryan Bugiera also tallied twice for the Bandits, while captain Joel Webb scored a power-play goal.

Hometown kid Cohen Aultman connected on a penalty shot for his first junior B goal — on his 17th birthday, no less — and Maddux Woodbury potted an even-strength marker.

Lloyd’s veteran goaltender, Shae Stewart, blocked 31 shots to record his second win in as many starts.

Killam’s Valentino Harson stopped 28 shots.

The Wheat Kings’ Dylan Kruchten scored two third-period goals, beginning with a shorthanded tally. Ethan Allan had Killam’s other goal.

Jordan Gagnon collected two assists. Killam’s weekend began with a 3-0 loss at home Friday night against the defending champion Wainwright Bisons (3-1-2).

In the meeting of heavyweights last Thursday at Vermilion, Woodbury scored the winning goal with 13 minutes left to lift the Bandits past the hometown Tigers.

Lloydminster rookie forward Cash Parkin scored in the first period of his first junior B game. The Paradise Valley native missed the Bandits’ opening three games because of an ankle injury.

Vermilion forward Cade Meiklejohn made it a

1-1 game when he scored early in the third period. He has five goals and 10 points after seven games, sitting tied in points atop the league scoring race with his teammates Kaden Davidson and Jaxson Toutant, each with four goals and 10 points. Bandits netminder Haden Heide stretched his perfect record to 3-0 as he got in front of 38 shots from the Tigers’ potent offence. Heide sports a 1.60 goals against average and a .952 save percentage. Davidson and Cash Capjack each scored on the power play, as part of their three-point nights, to lead Vermilion past winless Vegreville.

Buy Canadian should fund Canadian jobs and news, not U.S. Big Tech

A Message from Canada’s news publishers

To the Government of Canada,

We applaud the Government of Canada’s ambition to build Canada strong, and commitment in the forthcoming Budget to Buy Canadian.

Last year, the federal government including agencies and Crown corporations spent over $100 million on advertising. Most of it went to U.S. Big Tech.1

Why are we funding American tech monopolies that extract tens of billions a year out of Canada -- largely untaxed -- at the expense of local journalism and culture, and whose platforms have become vectors for division and disinformation?

Let’s reinvest our ad dollars in Canada. In Budget 2025, the Government of Canada should follow Ontario’s lead and set aside a minimum of 25% of its advertising budgets for Canadian news media.

At no additional cost to taxpayers, the government can support local jobs while getting its message out in a brand safe environment. Far fewer Canadians trust ads on Facebook and Instagram than those published by Canadian news media. 2

Buying Canadian advertising in Canadian news media is both the right and smart thing to do.

Respectfully, Canada’s news publishers

MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

The Wheat Kings’ Ethan Allan (left) and the Bandits’ Jayden Plamondon face off last Saturday night at the Hub. John MacNeil Meridian Source

Making his third consecutive start with the Lancers, Edmonton native Asher Ammann stopped 31 of Red Deer’s 35 shots. The Chiefs’ Grady Gardiner made 29 saves for his first victory in two appearances this season.

George Monaghan scored two goals, including an empty-netter, for Red Deer (2-2). Sullivan Hookey added a goal and an assist. The Chiefs’ other goals came from Bennett Roth and 14-year-old Calder Fraser, with his first U18 tally. Turning 15 this month, Sylvan Lake’s Fraser is the son of former NHL forward Colin Fraser.

Hookey scored two more goals Sunday as Red Deer lost 6-3 to the Edmonton Junior Oilers Orange (2-0-1), which received a four-point game (2-2) from Tailon Scott.

As has been the case since the pre-season, Lloydminster was without Prince Albert Raiders’ forward prospect Tripp Fischer, the Lloyd native selected to Team Alberta for the U16 WHL Cup, a top-prospects tournament running Oct. 22-26 in Red Deer. Recovering from a high-ankle sprain, Fischer and his advisors were still assessing his status for this weekend’s league games in Calgary, and next week’s WHL Cup.

The Tigers’ other goals came from Meiklejohn, Caden Anderson and Ean Cooke, who added an assist. Brody VanEngelen and Ty Partington replied for the Rangers.

Vegreville goalie Andrew Bezaire faced 47 shots, while his teammates managed 23 shots against Rhett Jamieson, making his first regular-season start in Vermilion’s net.

In its shutout victory at Killam, Wainwright received a 31-save performance from Lochlain Jenner as the Lloydminster native posted his first win this season.

Grady Priest’s first-period goal stood as the winner. Braden Aker and Ryker Singer, each with their fourth goals of the season, added thirdperiod markers. Aker had a two-point game.

Ethan Edwards stopped 35 of the 38 shots he faced in the Wheat Kings’ cage.

In the league’s other game last weekend, the visiting Cold Lake Ice (5-2) won 4-0 against the St. Paul Canadiens (1-4) on Friday. Cold Lake’s Mark Peddle made 28 saves to

register his third win — and second shutout — in four games this season. The St. Paul duo of Cale Rupp and Boston Carter faced a combined 17 shots.

Brett Gascoigne, with his fifth of the year, Noah Fedor, Sam Sawchuk and Andrew Grzela scored Cold Lake’s goals.

HOCKEY FIGHTS CANCER

This week, the Ice visit Lloydminster on Friday for an 8 p.m. game against the Bandits at the Hub. It’s an extra significant game as the Bandits host Hockey Fights Cancer Night.

On Sunday, the Bandits head to Wainwright to face the Bisons at 5:30 p.m. Lloyd defeated Wainwright twice — in a shootout and in overtime — on the first weekend of the regular season.

In other games Friday night, St. Paul visits Vermilion, while Vegreville hosts Killam.

On a busy Saturday night, Killam travels to Cold Lake, Vegreville plays at St. Paul, and Vermilion and Wainwright tangle at the Provost Regional Activity Centre.

The Lancers visit the Calgary Royals (2-3-1) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 18) at Stu Peppard Arena, and the unbeaten Calgary Northwest Flames (4-0) at 2:45 p.m. Sunday (Oct. 19) at Father David Bauer Arena.

Lloydminster goes up against two of the league’s top scorers in the Royals’ Griffen Bruno, with six goals and nine points after six games, and the Flames’ Jack Coghlan, with three goals and nine points in four games.

The Lancers’ next home game is on Saturday, Oct. 25, when the St. Albert Raiders (2-0-2) visit Lloydminster for a 1:15 p.m. game at the Hub.

The Bandits’Corvan Stewart sets up shop in the Wheat Kings’zone Saturday night. John MacNeil Meridian Source

JUNIOR B HOCKEY FROM PAGE 24

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on September 10, 2025, at the age of 67 years.

Gary is survived by: loving wife of 44 years, Sherry; children, Ryan (Melissa), Chad (Ashley) and Jenna (Travis) Holland; grandchildren, Eric, Carla, Adam,

Keegan and Luke; brothers, Delmar (Leona) and Morgan (Shawna); and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and

Gary was predeceased by: his parents, Earle and Irene.

The Memorial Service for Gary will be held on Friday, October 24, 2025, at 2:00 PM at McCaw Funeral Chapel, Lloydminster,

Donations in memory of Gary may be made to donor's charity

McCaw Funeral Service of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements.

CARD OF THANKS

The Taylor family would like to thank all those who showed their support.

JOHNSON: Sylvia Linda Johnson (formerly of Chauvin, AB) passed away at Lloydminster, AB on September 8, 2025 at the age of 84 years.

ALLISON MCCOLM

We who love you, sadly miss you As it dawns another year In our lonely hours of thinking Thoughts of you are ever near.

Ashley, Matt, Evan and J.J.

Sylvia leaves to mourn, her family: son, Brian (Joan) and their children and grandchildren, Kristen (Lee), Ainsley, Mya and Alivia; Ryan (Taylor), Tenley, Paislyn and Brylee; son, Dennis (April) and son, Ryan W (Lyndsey); daughter, Sandra (Daryl) and their children and grandchildren, Angela (Kim), Aiden, Madden, Tyce, Danae, Atley, Henlei, Cole (Callie), Hailyn and Cassidy; Lindsay (Travis), Owen and Chloe; son, John (Shelley) and their daughters, Megan and Nicole; son, Mark and daughters, Haylee (Lane)

IN MEMORY OF MRYTLE (CAMERON) MCKENZIE & HUGH MCKENZIE

Speak Their Name

Someone we love has gone away And life is not the same

The greatest gift that you can give Is just to speak their name

We need to hear the stories| And the tales of days gone past We need for you to understand

These memories must last

We cannot make more memories

Since they’re no longer here

So when you speak of them to us

It’s music to our ears

By Out of the Ashes/FB

All our Love

Dawn, Brenda, Cheryl and Families

and Karley; brother, Rod (Laura) and their families, sister-in-law, Jean Oliver, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Sylvia was predeceased by: her husband, Edwin (June 1997); her parents, Jack and Muriel Oliver; brothers, Kenneth, Aubrey, Blair and Murray; sisters, Ann and Elinor; as well as numerous other family members.

The Funeral Service for Sylvia was conducted from Chauvin Gospel Centre, Chauvin, AB on Thursday, September 18, 2025 at 11:00 AM. If you were unable to attend in person, you may view the live streaming of the service posted on McCaw Funeral Service website under Sylvia 's obituary.

Donations in memory of Sylvia may be made to The Olive Tree, Chauvin Gospel Centre or Chauvin Hall.

McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements.

CARD OF THANKS

The Johnson family would like to thank all those who showed their support.

APRIL 20, 1960 - OCTOBER 21, 2017

8 YEARS IN HEAVEN

We thought of you with love today, but that is nothing new.

We thought about you yesterday and days before that too.

We think of you in silence and often speak your name.

All we have are memories and your picture in a frame.

Your memory is our keepsake with which we will never part.

God has you in His keeping, we have you in my heart.

Forever loved and missed, Diane, Soleil, Sonnet, Shepherd Gow Fay Gow and Families

Kim Woo and Families

Edmond Chabot passed away on October 10, 2025, in the Lloydminster Hospital after a prolonged illness, with family by his side.

Achille was born on April 7, 1944, in Laﬂèche, SK, to Joseph Edmond and Gilberte (née Palmier) Chabot. He attended school in Ferland, Laﬂèche, and Gravelbourg, then trained as a journeyman carpenter at the Saskatchewan Technology Institute in Moose Jaw. In June 1969, he married Beatrice Stevenson. They raised two children together, Jean-Pierre and Catherine, then separated in 1992.

Achille worked in farming as well as construction. He lived and worked throughout western Canada. In 2003, he moved to Lloydminster, SK to be close to his son and grandchildren. In December 2009, he married Mary Batty. Achille was a

member of the Knights of Columbus for 60+ years, was a Scout leader, and sang in many choirs. He lived his ﬁnal years at the Jubilee Home in Lloydminster, where he was affectionately known as Joe.

Achille is survived by his children Jean-Pierre and Cathy (Rasmus), his grandchildren André, Alejandra, Anthony, Joseph, and Isabella; his brothers Gilbert (Christina) and Laurent; his sister Aline (Drew) Pushie; and many nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his ﬁrst wife Beatrice (2014); his second wife Mary (2012); his father Joseph Edmond (1991) and Mother Gilberte (2008); and his siblings Marie (1943), Jean (1950), Bernadette (1959), Ginette (1962), Louis (2022), and Mariette (2022).

A funeral mass will be held on October 25 at 2pm at Ste Radegonde Roman Catholic Church in Laﬂèche, SK. The interment will take place at the Laﬂèche Roman Catholic Cemetery. The family is very grateful to the dedicated care and compassion that Jubilee Home and Lloydminster Hospital provided to Joseph Achille. Memorial donations may be made to the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation.

McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster, Alberta administered the funeral arrangements.