April 20, 2023 Digital Issue

Martensville Road Closure Expected to Take 2-3 Months

Beginning Monday April 24, Martensville’s 16th Ave N will be closed from Main Street to Besnard Drive. A private developer with be installing water and storm infrastructure in the area and finishing the roadway and sidewalks. Construction is expected to take 2-3 months to complete and will remain closed to traffic until all work is complete. Please use alternate routes during your daily commute and follow all signage and barricades.

Recipients Offered Abundance of Food at Easter With the Help of Martensville Food Pantry

Jocelyn Ottenbreit, Martensville Messenger

Volunteers for the Martensville Food Pantry were very busy preparing Easter Dinner Hampers for their recipients this year.

None of this would have been possible without the help of contributions from; Martensville & District Lions Club, Martensville Co-op, Bergthaler Mennonite Church, École Holy Mary School, and various individual donations.

The Martensville Food Pantry was able to provide 36 hampers for people in need this year with a total of 135 recipients.

The hampers included ham, fresh carrots and potatoes, corn niblets, gravy, stuffing, jello, juice, dinner buns, pumpkin pie, chocolate treats and Easter Bunnies for the children.

A total of 60 children received Easter Bunnies thanks to the donation by the Martensville & District Lion’s Club.

“We thank the Martensville Co-op for their support and a big thank you to the Martensville & District Lions Club for their donation of Chocolate Easter Bunnies for all the children included in the hampers,” the coordinators for the MFP stated via social media regarding the generous donations received throughout the holiday.

They are now requesting several items that they are running low on such as; juice, canned ham, tuna, canned beans, and jello. If you'd like to donate, text/call (306) 280-1255 or send a message on Messenger via the ‘Martensville Free Pantry’ Facebook page.

If you are in need of a food hamper, you can text or call (306) 280-1255 or send a message on FB Messenger. Be sure to include the names of family members, ages of children (if any) city, address, and phone number.

ABOVE: Thanks to generous donations from local organizations, businesses and individuals, the Martensville Food Pantry was able to provide 36 hampers for Easter dinner. (Martensville Food Pantry)

May Council Meeting Dates

Please Note: Council Meetings may be attended in-person, guests may wear a mask if desired within Council Chambers. Those still wishing to attend but would wish to do so virtually should contact the City Clerk or visit the online agenda for the link to attend.

Regular Council Meeting- May 2nd

Committee of the Whole Meeting- May 9th

Regular Council Meeting- May 16th

The Regular Council Meetings are located at Martensville City Hall Council Chambers in Martensville City Hall at 37 Centennial Dr. S All meetings commence at 5 PM.

Those wishing to address or do a presentation to Council must be placed on the agenda. To be placed on the agenda please contact the City Clerk’s office at City Hall or visit the website for details. The full Council and Committee of the Whole Schedule can be obtained at martensville.ca.

Organics/Green Bin Program and Pick-ups

The City of Martensville offers a Green Bin program through Loraas Organics. This service is by subscription.

Pick up of the Green Bins has commenced with regular scheduled bi-weekly collection alternating between North/South Martensville and running from May until the end of October Pick-up take place on Tuesdays. The pick-up schedule can be viewed at Martensville.ca For information or to sign up for this program contact the Utility Clerk at City Hall.

Lane Usage During Spring Thaw

The City of Martensville encourages residents, for which their lane is a secondary means of access to their property, to limit their usage during the spring thaw period. Heavy or repetitive vehicle usage during spring thaw and wet conditions can cause further rutting and reduce drainage. This limits the ability of crews to conduct maintenance on the lanes in a timely manner and increases the amount of materials and time required to reshape lanes.

For questions or further information please contact Pubic Works at 931-2166.

Martensville & District Kinettes are Recruiting New Members

Jocelyn Ottenbreit, Martensville Messenger

The Martensville & District Kinettes is a non-profit service club that is new to Martensville since 2019, serving the community’s greatest needs.

They not only do work in the community but also concentrate on fellowship and fun, and members are welcome from any community surrounding Martensville. They have social outings and love spending time together.

The Kinettes have been very fortunate this past year helping the community by hosting Gord Bamford on his Kick Covid tour, then organizing a Santa Tour this past Christmas season.

Through Adopt a Family, they were able to provide a little something extra at Christmas time for seven local families.

KIN kids offered up their raking services and a Toy Bingo was hosted adding to their total of over $6,400 raised for TeleMiracle 47.

On KIN Canada Kindness Day they donated t-shirts to the Barn Burner Hockey Camp. Throughout the year they were graciously welcomed into the local Senior Homes to host a bingo night once a month offering some delicious prizes!

“A huge thank you goes out to our community for your continued support, to those who attend fundraising events, support our projects as sponsors, community members who make donations and those who share the word about our fundraisers, we appreciate everything you do and couldn’t do it without you,” said member Jamie Dowling.

If you are interested in becoming a club member, you can email martensvillekinettes@gmail.com, message them on Facebook, or call Jodie, 306-3619575 or Tracy at 306-280-1833.

They are also hosting a recruitment night on Tuesday, April 25th at 7pm at Caesar Mill where you will be able to hear more of what this amazing group is all about. There will be snacks and drink specials as well as a prize draw for those in attendance for a gift card to the Caesar Mill.

Martensville & District Kinettes Information Event

April 25th at 7pm at the Caesar Mill

LOOKING FOR NEW MEMBERS

Come out for some snacks and drink specials and hear what the Martensville District Kinettes is all about with no obligation to join

Prize Draw for Gift Card to Caesar Mill

For more information/questions, or if you are interested in attending the event go to their FB page or email martensvillekinettes@gmailcom

Getting your Property Ready for Spring

1. Extend downspouts at least two metres (six feet) from your basement walls. The further the water is from the foundation, the less chance that it will make its way into your basement. Splash pads can help direct the water to a permeable surface, such as a garden or lawn. Clear debris from your eavestroughs (gutters) to prevent them from overflowing. If your eavestroughs or downspouts overflow even when they are clean, install larger ones.

2. Consider moving snow away from the foundation of your home, to prevent a large degree of melting immediately adjacent to your foundation.

3. Ensure proper grading around your home and property or build up the ground slope around your home. Soil should slope down from your foundation and window wells for at least two to three metres (about six to ten feet) at a drop of at least 10-20 centimetres (about four to eight inches). If water soaks into the ground within the backfill zone, it will accumulate next to your basement walls and floor, where it can leak in or damage the foundation. Check your ground slope annually, because soil, sidewalks, patios, decks and driveways can settle over time.

You can find grade elevation information on Martensville.ca.

4. Check the drainage paths on your property. Ensure that storm water flows to the lane or street, not towards your home. It also shouldn’t flow into your neighbour’s yard. Property should be graded to keep water flowing in the right direction. If water pools on your property, consider pumping it to the street.

5. Fix leaks in basement walls, floors, windows and doors.

6. If you have protective plumbing, such as backflow valves and sump pumps, make sure they are working properly.

7. If you are away from your property for a period (2-3 days) have someone check the property to ensure water is not coming into the basement.

8. Elevate and/or store important equipment and personal items to avoid damage in case of water seepage.

City crews will ensure streets, catch basins, and drain ways are clear to ensure the spring melt does not back up on city streets and onto properties so we can all enjoy and have a worry-free spring.

For more information or to report an issue, contact Martensville City Hall or visit Martensville.ca

Reminder to Clean-Up after Our Pets

Please be reminded to clean-up after our pets on the pathways and the off-leash dog park. The mess can be potentially harmful to other pets, exposing them to parvovirus and these public spaces are for everyone to enjoy. Remember to bring along a baggy or use one of the baggy stations located along the pathways and dispose of the mess properly.

City of Martensville Open House

May 4th , 2023, City Hall Lobby 6PM-8PM

Stop by for coffee and refreshments and meet with Council, administration and members of the RCMP to ask questions, and discuss civic matters that are important to you. Learn about what is planned for 2023, including the Martensville Community Recreation Centre, upcoming road and rehabilitation projects and more.

We look forward to seeing you!

Finalists Announced for Prairie Sky Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

The Prairie Sky Chamber of Commerce is hosting their annual awards gala on Saturday, May 6th. This event is held each year to honour local businesses through a variety of categories. It is an opportunity for businesses within the region to come together and celebrate one another for their contributions to the local economy. Earlier this year, businesses were nominated by the public and then had an opportunity to submit applications. These applications were reviewed by a panel and the finalists for each category were recently announced.

Business of the Year Finalists: Aspen Films, Dahlia Salon & Spa, Paws Republic – Centre for Pets, Zak’s Home Hardware.

Employer of the Year Finalists: Direct Fencing Supply, Zak’s Home Hardware. New Business Finalists: RAVE BBQ Rubs, Carter’s Counselling Services, Books N Billing, Breathe Better – Air Quality Specialists, Nova Physiotherapy.

Customer Service Finalists: Dahlia Salon & Spa, Nova Physiotherapy, Pretty Little Pieces Boutique, Breathe Better – Air Quality Specialists, Checkered Flag Automotive. Community Involvement Finalists: McDowell Martial Arts, Warman Home Centre, Carter’s Counselling Services, Buy Low Foods.

Community Small Business Finalists: Darling Creations by Jenn, RAVE BBQ Rubs, Pretty Little Pieces Boutique, Carter’s Counselling Services.

Business Marketing Finalists: Breathe Better – Air Quality Specialists, Zak’s Home Hardware, Darling Creations by Jenn, Dahlia Salon & Spa, Carter’s Counselling Services.

For more information about the Business Excellence Awards, or about the PSCC, visit prairieskychamber.ca.

Growing Potatoes on the Prairies

By Jackie Bantle

Potatoes are one of the easiest and most rewarding vegetable crops to grow on the Prairies. For each small seed tuber planted in the ground, a harvest of 5-10 tubers (depending on the cultivar) is typical. No two potato cultivars are alike. Every type of potato or cultivar has been bred for a particular purpose: boiling potatoes don’t necessarily fry well and baking potatoes don’t necessarily boil well.

Potato cultivars recommended for boiling usually have interior flesh with a high water content and waxy texture: these qualities ensure that they don’t turn ‘mushy’ during the boiling process. ‘Norland’ and ‘Viking’ are red skinned, white fleshed, oval potatoes recommended for boiling. Both cultivars are early maturing, however ‘Viking’ tends to produce larger and fewer tubers than ‘Norland’. Both cultivars have moderate resistance to potato scab. ‘Sangre’ is a dark red-skinned, white fleshed, oval potato recommended for boiling. ‘Sangre’ matures slightly later in the season than ‘Norland or ‘Viking’ and is more susceptible to scab than Norland or Viking. ‘AC Peregrine’ is a dark red-skinned, white fleshed oval potato recommended for boiling. ‘AC Peregrine’ matures late in the season but it has an excellent tuber set. Tubers do not tend to oversize.

Two purple skinned, white fleshed potato cultivars that are recommended for boiling are: ‘Purple Viking’ and ‘Caribe’. ‘Purple Viking’ is slightly later maturing than ‘Viking’ or ‘Norland’ and tubers tend to oversize. ‘Caribe’ is similar to ‘Purple Viking’ except that the tubers tend to be more flattened in shape than ‘Purple Viking’. Caribe is also more sensitive to common scab than ‘Purple Viking’.

Several white/yellow skinned and yellow fleshed potato cultivars that are recommended for boiling include ‘Bintje’ and ‘Yukon Gold’. ‘Bintje’ is a small-medium sized, oval potato with excellent flavour. ‘Yukon Gold’ tubers mature earlier and are larger than ‘Bintje’, however ‘Yukon Gold’ is more susceptible to potato scab than ‘Bintje’. Both cultivars are also recommended for baking and frying. ‘Shepody’ is an excellent, white-skinned, all-purpose potato (boiling, frying or baking) that matures early in season. If left in the garden until the end of the season, tubers can become quite large and sometimes have hollow centres.

One of the best tasting white/yellow skinned potatoes with yellow flesh is ‘Milva’. This potato has excellent yields, matures in mid-late season and is excellent for boiling. ‘Milva’ potato seed can be difficult to source.

Potato cultivars that are recommended for baking have a higher level of solids in their flesh, resulting in a firm dry texture after baking. Potatoes with russet skins are usually recommended for baking. ‘Russet Burbank’, ‘Russet Norkotah’, ‘Goldrush’, ‘Ranger Russet’ and ‘Umatilla Russet’ are all off-white fleshed, oblong potatoes recommended for baking and French frying. Of these five cultivars, ‘Russet Norkotah’ has the most uniform sized tubers however, the taste is probably the least favorable. ‘Russet Burbank’ is the latest maturing. If growing conditions are not ideal, ‘Russet Burbank’ tends to produce knobby and hollow tubers.

Potato cultivars recommended for frying or chipping have a high percentage of solids in their flesh and low sugar content. The high solid content ensures the potatoes will stay crisp after frying while the low sugar content prevents the potatoes from becoming too dark when fried. ‘Kennebec’ is a later maturing cultivar that is recommended for frying but also performs well when boiled or baked. ‘Kennebec’ is moderately susceptible to scab infections.

Many gardeners try to get an early start by planting their potato tubers outdoors early in May. This is not recommended as the soil can be quite cool at that time of the year. Cool soil conditions encourage potato seed tuber rot and a disease on potatoes known as rhizoctonia. Rhizoctonia looks like specs of dirt on the potato skin but this so-called ‘dirt’ doesn’t wash off. This fungal disease, Rhizoctonia solani, can reduce yields and even kill plants, if the infection is severe enough.

Fire Chief Reminds Public to Use Caution Following Highway 12 Grassfire

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

Martensville Fire Department received a call at approximately 10:50am on Monday, April 17th regarding a wildfire that was located south of Martensville near Township 381, alongside Highway 12 in the RM of Corman Park.

Once arriving on scene, Martensville Fire Chief Kurt Dyck noted that they decided to call in Warman Fire Rescue for back-up, as the strong winds were playing a factor and causing the fire to spread rapidly. Between the two fire departments, a total of approximately eight emergency vehicles were on scene to help tackle the fire, including numerous grass trucks, tankers, a pump truck and utility vehicles.

“The grass was dry, but the temperature was still low enough that it wasn’t as bad as it could have been had it been hotter out. Had the circumstances been any different, with that wind in play, we could have really been in trouble,” Dyck said.

RCMP were also on scene ensuring motorists were avoiding the area so the fire crews could work. The RCMP also notified the public to avoid the area if possible, as smoke from the fire was causing low visibility within the area.

The fire was under control at approximately 1:20pm, and afterwards, crews continued to work on hot spots until around 3:30pm. In total, the fire burned about ten acres of land, and no buildings or structures were affected due to the blaze and no injuries reported.

Dyck stated that they do not know the exact cause of the fire, but said that this time of year, as the ground becomes more dry with warming temperatures, it is important to take extra caution to avoid situations like this, reminding people to ensure their smoking material is extinguished properly.

What

306.665.1766

– Fundholders Jonathan, Andrea, and family

“If other people can answer the call, our community will be a really nice place to live.”

ABOVE: Members of the Martensville Fire Department were situated near Graveside Memorial on Highway 12 as they battled a fast-moving grass fire. (Shanine Sealey/MM)

Isaiah Gauthier Wants to Become Next Blind Hockey Star

Article by Sask Sport

Isaiah Gauthier was living out his dream, skating in an arena that was once home to his favourite hockey team – the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The nine-year-old Martensville product recently went to the Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament held at the Toronto’s Mattamy Athletic Centre – formerly known as Maple Leaf Gardens.

“It was so fun,” said Isaiah. “The people there were so kind.”

The tournament featured 165 participants from four countries and 11 provinces, competing in six divisions, marking the largest turnout in event history.

“It’s nice to see that there’s an organization that he can go into that also has the ability to grow,” said Isaiah’s mom Renelle.

And that wasn’t always the case for the Gauthiers. Isaiah was born with Leber Congenital Amaurosis – or LCA – which means he has some light perception and he can see some shadowing but no colour. Isaiah relies on his braille skills for learning and his cane skills for mobility, so playing hockey wasn’t necessarily the first thing Renelle thought he would be interested in. But Isaiah was determined to play.

“We started (skating), like everybody starts, with a pusher but he did not want to do that very long,” said Renelle. “He could skate at a very young age without the support of that. He just wanted to strive for independence.”

“And score some goals,” Isaiah chimed in.

The concept of blind hockey is the same as ablebodied hockey, but some of the rules have been adapted. Isaiah, being an avid hockey fan and hockey history buff, was quick to explain the differences.

“First of all, regular hockey nets are four feet tall. These hockey nets are three feet tall,” he said. “And

you can’t shoot when you cross the blueline unless you pass at least once. Once you pass the puck, the refs blow a special whistle to indicate you can shoot and to tell the goalie the puck may be coming.”

Isaiah also explained how the puck is threetimes the size of a regular hockey puck. It’s made of thin steel and has eight ball bearings inside, which makes a distinct sound that players can hear when it’s moving. The goalie also has to wear a blindfold or be completely blind.

Back home in Saskatchewan, Isaiah has also been involved in many blind hockey events around Saskatoon, which are tremendously supported by people in the area. And being involved with families in similar situations is something Renelle has certainly appreciated.

“The community is beautiful,” said Renelle. “It takes a village to raise a child and it also takes a village to be able to help the parents navigate how to best provide for that child.”

In fact, Renelle notes that early on, there were times she didn’t know what participation in sport would look like for Isaiah. But once again, members of the community helped navigate – and support – Isaiah and his family.

“I prayed so much that people would just truly love Isaiah for who he is and encourage him,” said Renelle. “We can believe in our kids and encourage them as much as possible but when that village becomes part of our family unit, the sky is the limit.”

And after participating in his most recent tournament, Isaiah has set some personal goals in the sport.

“He said ‘I’m going to be the next blind hockey Gretzky,’” said Renelle.

And given his determination, that very well could happen. But what’s important for the Gauthiers is that Isaiah is able to be involved in a sport he truly loves.

“It’s a dream come true for us,” said Renelle. “It gives him an opportunity to be like every other boy.”

ABOVE: Nine-year-old Isaiah Gauthier recently attended the Canadian National Blind Hockey Tournament in Toronto. (Photo Submitted)

Abandoning RCMP Depot Training a Bad Idea

It’s been less than two years since RCMP Constable Shelby Patton was killed on a street in Wolseley in a hit and run after a routine traffic stop. The Yorkton-born and raised constable was just 26-years-old. The Indian Head detachment was his second posting after one on Parliament Hill after graduating from the RCMP Depot in Regina.

Yet in his short time in Indian Head, Patton made a lasting impression to his community - so much so that there is now a Memorial Park in his honour.

It says much about how we truly value the work and sacrifice of the RCMP. We all need to keep officers like Shelby Patton in mind as we consider the response to an even bigger tragedy - the 2020 death of RCMP Constable Heidi Stevenson and 21 others in and around Portapique, Nova Scotia that became the sight of the country’s biggest mass murder.

There are lessons to be learned from what started as a domestic violence situation and escalated. As pointed out the wide-ranging Mass Casualty report, we need to improve communication on the scene - both among RCMP officers and the community at-large that fell victim to the deranged gunman.

More training is likely required to recognize those that are a threat to community. Situations involving actual or threatened domestic violence must be taken more seriously. And in that vein, perhaps we do need laws that restrict or prohibit access to guns among those who are a threat to others or even themselves, but it’s also about here where the recommendations in response to the April 2020 Nova Scotia massacre that further calls for more restrictive gun laws in this country before everyone begins to go too far.

Included in those recommendations is a call to disband the 26-week training program at RCMP Depot in Regina and replace it with university-based training across the country in a model that emulates Finland.

Is that really what we need in places like rural Saskatchewan where the realities are quite different than Finland? Would this necessarily have prevented the Portapique tragedy or even the tragedy that led to Shelby Patton’s death?

Perhaps what happened in Nova Scotia is a wakeup call that tells us a 26-week RCMP Depot training does need to be enhanced. It doesn’t seem enough time to prepare young men and women for the complexities of modern-day policing … although it seems unlikely the authors of the Mass Casualty report spend all that much time examining how Depot training has dramatically changed in the last 30 years.

What goes on at Regina Depot is far removed from even what now-retired officers went through the Regina academy a few decades back when training was more about fitness than community policing.

“It’s a living, breathing thing. Every single day, we make adjustments,” Christine Hudy, director of training program support and evaluation, said in an interview last year. Hudy explained a “switch was flipped in the mid-1990s” when the emphasis moved to situational-based problem solving and more emphasis on community policing.

Does more need to be done? Absolutely. But this is still about policing. More sociology training alone is clearly not the answer. As someone noted, you don’t call someone with a sociology degree when someone is breaking into your home.

This is not to say that RCMP cadets would clearly benefit from more classroom training that probably cannot be accommodated in a 26-week training course, but we can clearly do both in Regina.

Does it not make more sense to have enhanced training for cadets at the University of Regina or First Nations University of Canada to be a far better solution?

We owe officers like Shelby Patton the best tools available to do their jobs, but mostly, we owe it to ourselves to ensure we are all protected.

MLA Terry Jenson’s Report from the Legislature

Supporting Saskatchewan Agriculture

With the recent warm spring temperatures agricultural producers will be in the field before long. Last year, Saskatchewan producers harvested a crop of nearly 35 million tonnes. The province posted its third consecutive year of record agricultural exports totaling $18.4 billion. To promote growth in the agriculture sector, our government invested $548.2 million in agriculture, an increase of 19 per cent in the 2023-24 Provincial Budget.

To ensure this growth continues into the future, our government is investing in the new Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) with the federal government. Throughout the five-year agreement, over $89 million annually will be invested in strategic programming for farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses, which represents a 25 per cent increase over the previous agreement.

Sustainable CAP puts a continued focus on agricultural research and increased support for water development. The programs will drive outcomes across five priority areas: building sector capacity, growth and competitiveness; climate change and environment; resiliency and public trust; market development and trade; and science, research and innovation. These investments will continue to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation and resiliency of Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector for years to come.

Supported by this year's budget, the industry is well-positioned to continue to take on the challenges inherent to agriculture and build on its success. To help our agriculture producers manage risks, our budget includes $408 million for the Saskatchewan Crop Insurance Corporation (SCIC). This year’s average Crop Insurance coverage will reach a record high of $446 per acre, due to increased commodity prices and yield coverage. SCIC’s maximum Unseeded Acreage coverage levels have also increased this year, helping to offset costs associated with summer fallow acres too wet to seed. AgriStability, which provides further coverage against uncontrollable events like rising input costs or falling commodity prices, will increase from 70 to 80 per cent. This makes AgriStability coverage more responsive when an operation experiences a large margin decline and provides additional compensation to address the financial shortfall.

Livestock Price Insurance and the Wildlife Damage Compensation and Prevention Program are also offered through the SCIC to help mitigate risk for Saskatchewan producers.

To further support Saskatchewan agriculture, our government is urging the federal Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) to reconsider its decision to ban lambda-cyhalothrin, a pesticide used to control grasshoppers and flea beetles. We know that without access to effective pesticides, Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector is at an extreme disadvantage, and we want to ensure producers have all the resources they need.

Supported by this year’s budget, the agriculture industry is well-positioned to continue taking on challenges and building on successes. This budget will help farmers, ranchers and agri-business remain competitive and operate sustainably while producing safe, high-quality food. That’s growth that works for everyone. To learn more about the 2023-24 Provincial Budget, please visit Saskatchewan.ca/budget.

Saskatchewan Continues Strong Wholesale Trade Growth

Saskatchewan's wholesale trade growth continues, with the value increasing 30.3 per cent in February 2023 compared to February 2022, according to Statistics Canada. This was the second highest percentage change among the provinces.

"These numbers are further proof the hard work of our province's producers and manufacturers is paying off and Saskatchewan's economy is strong," Trade and Export Development Minister Jeremy Harrison said. "This growth may be measured in dollars, but it really represents more jobs and opportunities for the people of this province."

The total value of wholesale trade was $4.7 billion in February 2023.

Several sectors contributed to Saskatchewan's February 2023 wholesale trade numbers. The top contributors include:

1. Miscellaneous merchant wholesalers (includes things such as recyclable material, wood products, minerals, and other merchant wholesalers) ($2.2 billion)

2. Machinery, equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers ($1.1 billion)

3. Farm product merchant wholesalers ($917 million)

4. Building material and supplies merchant wholesalers ($241 million)

5. Food, beverage and tobacco merchant wholesalers ($147 million)

Since the beginning of the year, Saskatchewan has shown healthy economic growth. Merchandise exports increased by 43.7 per cent for January and February 2023, compared to the same time last year - ranking first among the provinces. Investment in building construction was also healthy in February 2023, with an increase of 2.7 per cent over February 2022. There were also 9,500 new jobs in March 2023, compared to March 2022, an increase of 1.7 per cent.

Letter to the Editor

The Martensville Messenger welcomes letters to the editor for publication. Letters must be signed and a phone number and/or email address included so the writer’s identity can be verified. ALL letters are the opinion of the writer and NOT the Martensville Messenger. We reserve the right to edit letters for length, clarity or compliance with the current standards of public taste. Submit your letter to news@ martensvillemessenger.ca or mail to Box 333 - Martensville, SK S0K 2T0.

POLICE BEAT

Rosetown RCMP Asks Public to Report Information on Whereabouts of Sheldon Nickel

On April 14, 2023, 40-year-old Sheldon Nickel failed to attend two separate court appearances in Rosetown and Biggar.

A warrant has been issued for Sheldon Nickel’s arrest and Rosetown RCMP are actively working to locate him. He is also wanted by Rosetown RCMP for possession of stolen property, Outlook RCMP for charges including break, enter and commit and theft over $5,000, and by Biggar RCMP for obstructing a peace officer.

Sheldon Nickel is described as approximately 6’1” and 210 lbs. He has brown hair and blue eyes.

He is known to travel to the Rosetown, Saskatoon and Kindersley areas, but his current whereabouts are unknown.

If you see Sheldon Nickel or have information on his whereabouts, contact Rosetown RCMP at 306-882-5700. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www. saskcrimestoppers.com.

Rosetown RCMP Asks Public to Report Information on Whereabouts of David Cressman

On January 13, 2023, Rosetown RCMP received a report that 36-year-old David Cressman failed to attend court in Rosetown. He was scheduled to appear on a number of charges related to incidents that occurred in the Rosetown and Swift Current areas including break and enter, unauthorized transfer of a firearm, fraud and possession of property obtained by crime over $5,000.

Rosetown RCMP have been working to locate him since, checking locations he’s known to visit and following up on information and tips received.

Investigators now ask members to report any information on his whereabouts.

David Cressman is described as approximately 6’3” with a medium build. He has brown eyes and brown hair. Report sightings or information to Rosetown RCMP at 306-882-5700. Information can also be submitted anonymously by contacting Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or www.saskcrimestoppers.com.

Weekly Update for the Warman/ Martensville RCMP Detachment

For the period of Sunday April 9th to Sunday, April 16th, the Warman Cluster of Detachments responded to 116 calls for service. Those calls for service included:

- Four 911 mis-use calls.

- One airplane emergency landing - At approximately 1:10pm on April 15th, Warman RCMP received a report of an emergency aircraft landing near Osler, SK. Officers immediately responded and located a small plane, which had landed near Township Road 400. The pilot and lone occupant of the plane did not report injuries, nor was the plane damaged. The pilot indicated the plane encountered mechanical issues, however he was able to land safely.

- Two Break and Enters - In one incident a storage unit in the RM of Corman Park was broken into and a green 2013 Kawasaki ZX10R Motorcycle was stolen in addition to other property.

In the second incident, a rural address in the RM of Corman Park was broken into and a green 1997 Ford F-150 with a missing side mirror, along with other property was stolen.

- Four Assist local Fire Department calls

- Five false residential alarms

- Two shoplifting complaints

- Seven suspicious persons complaints

- Six Traffic Collisions

- Three Mental Health Act complaints

- Six Mischief calls

-More than 45 traffic related charges were laid in the Detachment area

ABOVE: Sheldon Nickel (Submitted)

ABOVE: David Cressman (Provided by RCMP)