February 29, 2024 Digital Issue

Snow Removal This Winter – What You Need To Know

Glow Skate- March 10th

Sponsored by North Prairie Developments and CanWest, take advantage of one of the last public skating days of the season. Strap on the skates, dress in bright neon colors, and head down to the Sports Center.

Glow skating will have dimmed lighting, glow sticks, and music! Admission is by donation to Martensville KidSport or by donation of non-perishable food items to the Martensville Food Pantry.

In Case of a Water Line Freeze Up…

In the past, there have been areas in the community prone to water line freeze-ups.

If you experience a waterline freeze‐up or any other interruption in service, please call (306) 931‐2166 to report your issue. If this happens outside of regular business hours, please follow the prompts to be transferred to the emergency after‐hours contact.

Thank you for your co‐operation!

A Reminder about Winter Safety in our Parks and on Pathways

Mild weather conditions, in combination with recent sleet and rain, have created potentially treacherous conditions within the City.

-We encourage residents to use extra caution over the coming days when utilizing the pathway systems.

-Pond conditions remain very uncertain due to warm temperatures and run off. Please watch for signs and barricades around neighborhood ponds.

- Snowmobiles are prohibited from being driven through our parks as well as drainage systems and streets. Riding can cause damage to trees and plantings as well as parks containing hazards such as rocks or equipment.

Keeping our Pets Safe this Winter

If your pet spends time outdoors during cold winter days, consider these guidelines and several signs to watch for to ensure your pet is comfortable and safe.

Temperature Guidelines

- Certain breeds of ‘sled dogs’ can remain outside for hours, not all dogs fare as well in cold and snow

- Cold temperatures should not become a problem for most dogs until it falls below -7°C at which point cold adverse dogs might begin to be uncomfortable

- If you have a small breed dog, dogs with thin coats, or very young, old or sick dogs’ special attention should be provided if the temperature is below 0°C.

- The dangerous weather threshold for outdoor play is -10°C to -15°C no matter the type of breed of dog you have

- Once temperatures get below -6°C, health problems like hypothermia and frostbite are possible

- Cats should not be left outside

Tips for a Safe and Comfortable Winter

- Provide a shelter for your dog if it is outdoors for part of the day for any reason. Ensure the shelter is dry, draft-free, and large enough for them to move comfortably but small enough to hold in body heat. Have the floor elevated and covered with cedar shavings or straw. The doorway should be covered with waterproof burlap or heavy plastic.

- Ensure your dog has access to unfrozen water and fresh food.

- Be with your pet outdoors and watch for signs if your animal is getting uncomfortable. Observe if your dog is shivering, acting anxious, whining, slowing down, searching out warm locations, or holding up one or more paws. At this point, it is time to head indoors.

- Extreme signs of discomfort and coldness include frostbite on the tips of the ears or discolored paws.

- Consider protecting your pet against the cold temperature by bundling them up in dog jackets or booties.

- Do not leave a pet in a cold vehicle

POLICE BEAT

Members of the Saskatoon Police Service Economic Crime Section have arrested and charged a woman in relation to a series of fraudulent activity that began in 2023.

In September and October of 2023, police received multiple reports of victimization through the Family/Grandparent Emergency Scam; the suspect was attending to the residences of victims and defrauding them each of several thousand dollars.

This scam involves a victim receiving a phone call from someone claiming to be a family member in an emergency and requiring money for various purposes. The fraudsters may also work in tandem and connect the victim to another person claiming to be an officer, lawyer, doctor, etc. Payment is also requested as cash, gift cards or crypto currency.

Investigators from the SPS’ Economic Crime Section obtained video evidence of a person of interest and a public advisory was issued by the SPS in relation. The

The Snow removal program aims to reduce hazards in the community, ensure roadways for emergency vehicles, and provide access to goods and services in the community.

Our crews strive to deliver excellent service, however sometimes weather can be unpredictable, and snow and ice control activities may vary. Every reasonable effort will be made to promptly remove snow and ice and create safe driving and walking conditions. There are ways you can help to ensure to keep streets clear and safe

- Do not shovel, blow, or push snow from private property onto the street – this causes snow ridges on your driveway when our plow cleans our street.

- Do not plow or pile snow on streets or hydrants – this can block access to manholes, water valves, and access to water in case of emergencies.

- Clear your driveways in advance of the city’s snow clearing operations - this helps our operators clear your street more efficiently as well as more clearly see driveways to avoid ridging.

- Do not park your vehicle in an area where it could obstruct snow removal procedures this hinders our operations and could result in a snow ridge blocking your vehicle in place.

- Do not leave large piles of snow at the corners of driveways – this snow can be caught by a raised snow-gate blade and topple over into your driveway or the street.

-Prevent snow from piling up on the front of your driveway by moving it near your tree/lawn areas behind your walkway.

Information on general program procedures and the City’s Priority Map is available online at Martensville.ca

More about Snow Removal – Safety Reminders

The Snow removal program aims to reduce hazards in the community, ensure roadways for emergency vehicles, and provide access for to goods and services in the community.

-Watch for posted areas for Snow Removal - In case of snow and snow removal, crews need to have roads cleared of all vehicles on posted streets. If you are going out of the City over the holidays, please have your vehicles off City streets. Vehicles left on the street per the traffic bylaw are ticketed and towed (to a non-posted area).

-Stay Clear of Sanding Trucks and Snow Removal Equipment - Sanding and Snow Removal Equipment make frequent stops or may change direction at any time. If you are near or behind the sanding truck or snow removal equipment you are reminded to stay back 15m to ensure heavy machinery can safely operate and sanders can spread materials in intersections without risk to your vehicle.

-Snow Dump Area is Restricted - The snow dump area located along 10th Avenue S, is a restricted area for city crews and contractors to dump and pile snow. This is not a recreational area and we ask that the public remain out of these areas due to potential hazards.

Information on general program procedures and the City’s Priority Map is available online at Martensville.ca

March 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.

March 5th – Regular Council

March 12th -Committee of the Whole

March 19th -Regular Council

All Meetings are located at Martensville City Hall Council Chambers - Martensville City Hall - 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

advisory noted that the fraudsters were falsely identifying themselves as police officers both over the phone and in person.

Following investigative leads and tips from the public, the person of interest was identified as a 28-year-old woman from Alberta and a warrant was issued for her arrest. On February 13, 2024, the suspect was arrested by members of the Calgary Police Service and on February 16, 2024, she was transported into the custody of the SPS by the RCMP Provost Unit. Investigation determined that the suspect had been involved in defrauding victims in Saskatoon of more than $97,000. As a result, she has been charged with fraud over $5,000 (x10), impersonating a police officer, and unlawful use of a credit card obtained by the commission of an offence.

The Saskatoon Police Service thanks members of the public and media for their assistance in this investigation.

If you have received a suspicious call and suspect fraud but have not been victimized, contact the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. If you have become the victim of fraud or have information regarding the identity and/or whereabouts of the person of interest, contact your local police or report it to the Saskatoon Police Service by calling 306-975-8300; in an emergency, call 9-1-1 immediately.

Party on the Pond Taking Place March 1st and 2nd

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

One of the biggest events of the year is only a few short days away. The annual Party on the Pond Premier 3-on-3 Hockey Tournament will be taking place on March 1st and 2nd in Martensville.

The festivities will take place at the North Ridge Community Centre at 901 3rd Street North, and on the surrounding ponds. Events will consist of the 3-on-3 tournament for participants 19+ in age, beer gardens, as well as entertainment on Friday and Saturday night.

The entertainment for this year’s event include Country music superstar Brody Siebert on Friday Night and a cabaret on Saturday night with a 90’s till now Country night with Brock Andrews.

Tickets for the entertainment portion of the event can be purchased up until the night of the event at https://saskpartyonthepond.com/registration/ for $35 each.

This year marks the fourth Party on the Pond event in the community, and each year, it provides a fun opportunity to get out and enjoy some hockey, entertainment and socialization, all while supporting a great cause as funds raised will go towards the new Martensville Community Recreation Centre, which is currently under construction on the west side of the Highway 12 overpass.

For more information about this event, visit https://saskpartyonthepond.com/.

With Easter taking place in just over one month, the need for donations at the Martensville Food Pantry will be even higher than usual. This local program provides food hampers and free food options for area residents out of the Martensville Civic Centre.

Local volunteers operate the MFP and are always looking at new ways to provide for the community. Last November, the MFP announced that they would now be providing a food delivery service within Martensville for seniors and those with a mobility/disability impairment that are in need of a hamper and unable to pick one up. This service was created on a trial-basis, with its continuation dependent on volunteers and appropriate usage.

In January, the MFP announced that they had been granted charitable status with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and can now issue donation receipts.

Each week, approximately 15-20 food hampers are provided to residents of Martensville and surrounding areas. There is also an area allocated to the MFP within the Civic Centre hallway that provides an assortment of free food options for those in need of some extra support. Items are available regularly and can be taken on a firstcome-first-serve basis.

Food and monetary donations are always accepted and items that are often most in need include cereal, peanut butter, honey, canned fruit and vegetables, rice, juice, packaged potatoes, school lunch items, drink boxes, peanut-free granola bars and fruit cups.

Donations can be made by contacting the MFP at (306) 280-1255, martensvillefoodpantry@gmail.com, or on Facebook.

You can also support the MFP via their Amazon Wish List without even leaving your home. They can be found under ‘Martensville Food Pantry’, or through a direct link on their Facebook page. Items on the wish list include cereal, pudding cups, pasta, cookies, crackers, etc.

ABOVE: The ponds have been prepped for the annual Party on the Pond Premier 3-on-3 hockey tournament. (Martensville Community Recreation Project)

ABOVE: Shelfs within the hallway of the Martensville Civic Centre regularly contain an assortment of free food options for local residents in need of extra support. (Facebook)

Nustadia Recreation Awarded the Contract for the Management of the Martensville Recreation Centre

At the February 20th Martensville City Council meeting, a vote was passed to approve a third-party company to manage and operate the new Martensville Community Recreation Centre (MCRC).

The contract was awarded to Nustadia Recreation Inc. (NRI), and will be effective October 1, 2024. The City of Martensville has already been working alongside NRI with a pre-opening contract since November 2023 to assist with the facility’s opening.

The $44.5 million facility is currently under construction on the west side of the Highway 12 overpass, and is scheduled to open this November. The MRC will feature a regulation-sized ice surface, spectator seating for 900, indoor soccer and turf area, retail and concession space, as well as an indoor playground and rock-climbing area.

NRI is a Canadian based company that currently operates facilities across the country, including in Pitt Meadows, Grande Prairie, Okotoks, Saskatoon and more. In a news release provided by Tanya Garost, the City of Martensville City Manager, it states, “NRI is a Canadian Company that provides complete turnkey development and operating management for recreational facilities across Canada.” The release also noted that, “NRI is one of the premiere private operators of recreation facilities in the country.”

In a report provided to Council by Garost at the February 20th meeting, it states that the operating contract is confidential and is not a public document; however, multiple highlights of the contract were included. Some of these highlights were:

- It will be a five-year contract with a five-year renewal clause;

- There is an annual $100,000 management fee paid to NRI, which includes annual increase fees by Consumer Price Index to a maximum of 5% in any given year;

- There will be a termination clause with a sixmonth notice period for either party for any reason;

- NRI assumes all operations of the facility;

- An operating budget will be set by a committee consisting of NRI and City of Martensville staff;

- A joint committee will be formed to address operational issues within the facility;

- The operations of the MRC will require a separate audit;

- NRI will earn commissions on advertising contracts that were negotiated by NRI staff;

- The contract contains clauses on insurance and indemnification to ensure Martensville’s risk and liability is covered and understood;

- All pre-existing sponsorships will remain and be carried out with appropriate recognition, etc.

NRI will operate the facility as both an “Agency” and a “Contractor”, with the agreement containing clauses for both. While NRI will mainly be operating as an “Agent”, they will be responsible for supplying staff, which falls under the “Contractor” clause.

As an “Agent”, NRI will be responsible for underrating competitive public processes on lease

space, handle all contracts for both adverting and leases on behalf of the City of Martensville, keep accounting records, and pay operating expenses from a joint bank account that the City of Martensville will deposit money into.

As a “Contactor”, NRI will supply staff and bill Martensville as required for the cost of staffing.

The report also explained that for the first two years, any deficits and surpluses are the responsibility of, or belong to Martensville. Beginning in the third year, deficits, or surpluses beyond the budgeted amount will be shared between NRI and Martensville, with a maximum for Nustadia of a percentage of the management fee.

Donation amounts collected by the Martensville Community Recreation Project, or are yet to be collected, will remain with the City of Martensville and City Council will have the opportunity to determine how these funds will be allocated to the MRC, which include items such as repaying the long-term debt, contributing to a future ice surface, contributing to future renewal requirements of the facility, etc.

NRI will be working closely with City of Martensville administration, with one of the first steps being taken to develop a Community Access Plan, which will set the mission, vision and strategic objectives for the management of the MRC.

Recruitment for a full-time General Manager position is currently underway, with more details available at www.nustadia.com, the Saskatchewan Parks & Recreation Association (SPRA), Recreation Facilities Association of BC (RFABC), Alberta Association of Recreation Facility Personnel (AARFP), Recreation Manitoba and the Ontario Recreation Facilities Association (ORFA).

Learn more about the project at https://www. martensville.ca/pages/martensville_community_ recreation_centre.html.

ABOVE: A rendering of the Martensville Community Recreation Centre, which is currently under construction on the west side of the Highway 12 overpass in the new Ttrilogy Ranch development. (City of Martensville)

ABOVE: Construction is currently underway on the Martensville Community Recreation Centre, which is expected to open this November. (Facebook)

TeleMiracle 48 Raises Over $6,112,717 Million

TeleMiracle – Saskatchewan’s Charity – wrapped up its 48th edition on Sunday, February 25th in Regina. As of 5:00 p.m. the final numbers on the video tote board showed a total of $6,112,717 raised. With this year’s incredible generosity added, the total raised by TeleMiracle since 1977 is now over $165,112,717 million.

“TeleMiracle remains rooted in Saskatchewan and the generosity of Saskatchewan people really shined through once again this weekend,” says TeleMiracle 48 Chair Tyler Hall. “These donations are going to help so many people across the province.”

One of the many highlights of this year’s show were the 75 talented Saskatchewan performers who appeared throughout the telethon. Not only did these acts showcase the scope of talent from every corner of the province, they also raised money for the telethon – which was once again matched by Nutrien, who presented their donation of $100,000 just before the end of the broadcast.

“Every dollar counts and we are so grateful to the people of Saskatchewan for their continuing support,” states Hall. “The best part is that all the money raised stays right here in Saskatchewan, to help their friends, neighbours and communities.”

All TeleMiracle proceeds stay in Saskatchewan and are granted through the Kinsmen Foundation for specialized medical and mobility equipment, assistance with medical travel, and new and innovative health care equipment. The Foundation typically receives over 1,000 applications for assistance annually.

Donors that made phone pledges during the telethon can honour them by mailing their donation to TeleMiracle at Box 83000, Saskatoon SK, S7K 9S1.

Planning begins shortly for TeleMiracle 49, to take place March 1-2, 2025 in Saskatoon. Details leading up to next year’s show will be posted at www.telemiracle. com.

TeleMiracle celebrates its 48th year in 2024. Through the proceeds of this annual telethon, the Kinsmen Foundation is Helping People Every Day in Saskatchewan, to improve their independence and quality of life through gifts of mobility and medical equipment, or funding for medical travel, that they otherwise could not afford.

Library Board Seeking New Members

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

The Martensville Library will be hosting their AGM on Wednesday, February 28th at 8pm, which will take place both in-person and via Zoom. Members of the public are invited to attend, and details on how to attend through Zoom are available by contacting the library directly.

There are multiple positions available on the Library Board, so if you are passionate about libraries and your community and are interested in more information about being a library board member, contact Marla at (306) 956-7311 or stop by the library.

Each week, the Martensville Library offers a variety of programs and activities, including a Take & Make craft, Story Time, Books & Babies, and more. There are also regular contests, storybook trails, and more.

There is currently a Teen Writing Contest taking place until March 31 where teens can submit up to three poetry submissions, as well as a short story up to 1200

words. Winners will receive a journal and pen set and will be announced on May 3rd. Each submission needs to include your name, a contact phone/ email and preferred Wheatland Regional branch. Submissions can be dropped off at the local library, or by emailing programmanager@wheatland.sk.ca.

There is also a Neighborhood Forest Program taking place where you can register to receive a free seedling that you can plant together to celebrate Earth Day. Visit https://www. neighborhoodforest.org/school-search/ to sign up. Find the Martensville Branch – Wheatland Regional Library and reserve the tree in your child’s name. The deadline to sign-up is March 15th and trees will be delivered to the local library this April.

For more information about these events, or other events taking place at the local library, visit ‘Martensville Library’ on Facebook, or contact (306) 956-7311.

SPORTS

Martensville Curling Club Well Represented at U20 Provincial Championships

Shanine Sealey, Martensville Messenger

The 2024 U20 Provincial Curling Championships took place from February 22nd – 25th in North Battleford and the Martensville Curling Club had two teams representing our local club, which included Team Derksen (Gavin Martens – Lead, Tyler Derksen –Second, Logan Sawicki – Third, Dylan Derksen – Skip and Coach Brad Kennedy) and Team Wood (Winnie Morin – Lead, Rae Vogelsang – Second, Edie Jardine – Third, Renee Wood – Skip, Coach Tim Jardine and Amelia Whiting).

There was also additional local curlers participating in the bonspiel, which included Melissa Remeshylo; the Third on Team Pomedli from Nutana Curling Club, Lydia Zukewich; the Lead with Team Kessel out of Watrous Curling Club, Cara Kesserling; the Second on Team Johnston of Callie Curling Club and Lindsay Miller; the Lead on Team Semeniuk of Twin Rivers Curling Club.

The last match for the men’s final came down to Team Derksen and Team Drewitz, which ended with Team Derksen conceding by a score of 8-2. Despite their loss, Saskatchewan’s performance at the last few U20 National Championships garnered attention and earned them another berth in the men’s division to represent Team Saskatchewan #2 at the National Championship. This honour was given to Team Derksen.

The women’s final game saw Team Pomedli win against Team Beausoleil with a score of 7-4, earning them the title of 2024 Pharmasave U20 Provincial Champions. Team Saskatchewan’s next stop will be the 2024 New Holland U20 Canadian Championships which will take place in Fort McMurray, Alberta from March 24-31.

ABOVE: The Martensville & District Kinette Club made a donation for $8,440.34 to TeleMiracle this past weekend. (Martensville & District Kinette Club)

Fed Nonsense Helpful to Moe

For whatever else Premier Scott Moe is remembered for, he will go down as one of the best at playing the oldest game in Saskatchewan political history - utilizing the province’s deep-seeded animosity to that federal government 2,608 kilometres to the east in Ottawa.

It has been blessed with having one of the most unpopular federal governments Western Canada has ever seen; a government whose major agenda item of reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGs) naturally flies against our natural-resources-based economy that’s been booming for two decades now.

Furthermore, few Saskatchewan Premiers have been blessed with a prime minister as detestable as Justin Trudeau has been in the second half of his 10-year run. Nor have many seen a federal government quite as bumbling.

Add to this a certain mindset that’s swept North

America since the COVID-19 restrictions of 2020. Many have adopted the political libertarian views that have seeped north over the border from U.S. Republicans in which people place far more emphasis on their own interests; social or economic; ahead of collective interests that have been intertwined with the province’s history.

It feeds on what has been a gradually changing Saskatchewan; and certainly, the rural Saskatchewan that Scott Moe has grown up; in the last 40 years in which individualism has likely become more predominate than community.

Under such circumstances, one supposes any right-of-centre Saskatchewan Premier would likely thrive, but credit Scott Moe for being the right person for the right time - at least, politically speaking.

And further credit him for formidable-yetunderrated political skills that have seen him capitalize on these evolving political sentiments in this province. In fact, he’s done so in a way that has convinced many to look past the shortcomings of his own Saskatchewan Party government. And some of those problems are massively politically problematic for our premier going into election later in the year.

Provincial budgeting has been a mass (although, largely because of the COVID-19 slowdown). Our only surplus budget was largely due to sky-rocketing potash prices because of a war in Ukraine.

Other problems for Moe include a penchant for excessive travel, the bad behaviour of his Sask. Party backbenchers that forced him to send three of them backing from caucus, a few on-going questionable incidents including Regina Northwest MLA Gary Grewal’s hotels disproportionally benefitting from social services placements and the dysfunction that is

Highway Hotline Users Can Now Track My Plow

Saskatchewan drivers now have a new Highway Hotline feature to help them plan safe winter travel. Track My Plow allows drivers to see the path of snowplows as they provide snow and ice control on Saskatchewan highways.

"For more than 50 years, Saskatchewan's Highway Hotline has been helping drivers make informed decisions about their safety," Highways Minister Lori Carr said.

"Track My Plow gives them yet another piece of information that will help them plan their travel and get to what they love."

The new feature is a pilot project on the Highway Hotline's website and smartphone app. Anyone can click on a plow and see that vehicle's last two hours of winter road maintenance. When combined with descriptions of road conditions and a review of public forecasts, drivers can make informed decisions about winter travel.

This feature is now being released on most of our snowplows. The ministry will monitor the progress of the feature, and public response to it.

The Highway Hotline at https://hotline.gov.sk.ca/ is Saskatchewan's provincial road information service. It gives drivers real-time updates about road conditions, incidents, closures and construction. It receives millions of visits each year.

More than 50 cameras are connected to the Hotline's online map, allowing drivers and pilots to see highway and weather conditions at various points along our highway network and at northern airports.

Citizens can also access the Hotline by downloading an app for their mobile phones at the Google Play and Apple App stores. They can receive audio reports of road conditions by dialing 511.

To see how-to-use the Track My Plow feature for handheld and desktop computers, visit: https://youtu.be/_j4JDzNo_tQ and https://youtu.be/kVkVnGOElYA.

The Martensville Messenger welcomes letters to the

the current negotiations between the Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill and the teachers.

Part of the problem; one that has been growing in the Moe government for the past two years, is the eagerness to cater to that far-right, exceedinglyanti-Trudeau vote. It’s what brought us Bill 137; the pronoun bill that the Saskatchewan United Party under former Sask. Party caucus member Nadine Wilson had demanded, and several other moves that fly in the face of traditional provincial-federal co-operation.

It's quite likely that Scott Moe will go down as the least co-operative Saskatchewan premier, something that’s probably cost this province opportunities to build. Normally, premiers from this province walk a thin line between criticizing Ottawa and working with them. Moe no longer does that.

Moe has clearly gotten away with crossing that line, as was evident in his criticism of the federal ArriveCan mess involving GC Strategies; a twoperson company that somehow secured $250 million in contracts from Trudeau’s federal government since 2015; however, Moe tied that criticism to the bizarre notion from Environment Minster Steven Guilbeault, who has been suggesting the federal Liberal government might limit its future spending on highway infrastructure.

It’s not just the federal Liberals. Recently, the Saskatchewan and Alberta NDP Opposition issued a joint statement condemning NDP MP Charlie Angus's private member's bill to block oil companies from advertising.

As such, one can hardly blame Moe for capitalizing on the federal government nonsense. Saskatchewan premiers have been doing this for years.

Water Security Agency Releases Preliminary Runoff ReportReservoirs at Normal Levels

On February 22nd, the Water Security Agency (WSA) released the preliminary spring runoff report. Below average snow conditions, in combination with the generally dry fall conditions, is resulting in below normal to well below normal runoff across the province.

Despite dry conditions heading into freeze up in Fall 2023, major water supply reservoirs in southern Saskatchewan are mostly at or above normal levels, except for Avonlea and some in the southwest.

"In Saskatchewan, we are fortunate to have Lake Diefenbaker and I am glad to see other reservoirs in the province are at near normal levels," Minister Responsible for the Water Security Agency David Marit said. "In anticipation of potential dry summer conditions, a conservative overwinter operating plan focused on retaining water supplies is being implemented for Lake Diefenbaker and other reservoirs across the province."

WSA is taking proactive measures to protect and manage Saskatchewan's water by keeping water levels at Lake Diefenbaker 3.5 metres higher during the winter period to retain water supplies in the event of low mountain runoff, and by maintaining higher winter level at other major reservoirs, to store as much water as possible.

Long-range forecasts predict near-normal precipitation and warmer temperatures than usual across Saskatchewan from February to April, with the southern areas experiencing the highest temperature increases.

"Our network of reservoirs and canals combined with our allocation system means we can store water and prioritize to ensure communities have reliable drinking water, while producers and industry receive equitable supply that does not negatively impact our environment," Marit said.

WSA owns and manages 72 dams and over 230 kilometres of water conveyance channels across Saskatchewan for water management purposes. WSA collects real time data from nearly 300 monitoring stations across the province. The data allows WSA to track and forecast the province's water resources and make timely responses to changing conditions.

WSA is also working with communities across the province to identify their water supply needs and support the creation of drought preparedness plans. A full runoff report in March will be released once additional data is collected from snowpack surveys across the province, and regular updates throughout the spring.

Sheldon Kennedy to Speak at Gala at TCU In Support of Mental Health and Addictions

Jocelyn Ottenbreit, Martensville Messenger

Since Possibilities Recovery Center and Bridges Health began three years ago, they have seen their community making amazing strides to learn about, and heal from, addictions and other mental illnesses. One of the major tools that helps with this healing journey is open communication and sharing personal stories with their neighbors.

On Friday, April 19th, they are teaming up to raise awareness around communal addiction and mental health concerns, that mental health and addiction can happen to anyone, and speaks towards resiliency. They want to further this healing message through some very powerful speakers who have beat addiction and are now living a sober, free life. The theme of their gala represents this journey out of the past and into a new era of healing. “Breaking Barriers to a Brighter Future” will explore paths to overcoming obstacles and forging a path towards a brighter tomorrow.

This empowering event takes place at TCU Place in Saskatoon, and will be kicked off by Emcee, C95’s own Shauna Foster. Their two keynote speakers include Shalen Fox and Sheldon Kennedy. Shalen, a local Indigenous man will share his story of breaking the barriers from Intergenerational trauma and addiction using sports as motivation. Sheldon, an NHL hockey player that experienced sexual violence through his hockey career and overcame multiple addictions now shares his hope of a Brighter Future for all who will listen.

There will be an auction being run by ‘Love My Mind,’ who raises funds to promote and spread awareness for mental health and fund smaller projects related to suicide prevention, addiction, and other related illnesses that affect the lives of our loved ones.

All funds raised for this event will go towards youth addiction prevention;Warman Youth Connection, Martensville Youth Connection, and Hampton Youth Connection.

“These organizations rely solely on grants and fundraisers like this to continue providing free mental health and addiction support to the youth in our communities,” said Katharine Carter,” Youth Connection Manager of MYC.

“We are currently seeking sponsors for the event and individuals who would like to attend.”

There are sponsorship options available for Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels. Additionally, you can purchase tickets through the provided link; - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/an-evening-with-sheldon-kennedy-breakingbarriers-to-a-brighter-future-tickets-808222674777?utm-campaign=social&utmcontent=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp& aff=ebdsshcopyurl&fbclid=IwAR1ZF5kCI99v9uywxMcP7Dx9ArSsfr9nyQ4TbP0rdhR2g2O-00DFDTpMVQ.

“If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact me at katie@possiblitiesrecovery.ca or 306-242-7023. Your continued support is invaluable to us, and we hope to see you at the fundraiser.”