issue 26

Page 1

Vol. 103 No. 26

MONDAY, JUNE 25, 2012

Biggar, Saskatchewan

www.biggarindependent.ca

20 pages

$

1.25 tax included

Thieves nabbed in Biggar/Perdue stolen car spree Between June 13 and 16, Biggar RCMP received numerous complaints in Biggar and Perdue about stolen vehicles and theft from vehicles. The suspects had searched through at least 13 vehicles to steal various personal belongings including electronic devices and cash. The suspects had also stolen six vehicles during this time period. All of the stolen vehicles have now been recovered. Members from Biggar Detachment arrested three males in the early morning hours on June 16 in Biggar after locating one of the stolen vehicles driving on Main Street. Two of the three males are 17 years old. The third male is 18 year old Cole Galongo. All three males are from Saskatoon. They were brought before a justice of the peace and released on conditions and are now charged for possession of stolen property and flight from police. Members from Saskatoon Forensic Identification Section have been called to assist in these investigations. Additional charges may be pending based on the results of these investigations. The males will be appearing in Provincial Court on Monday, August 13 at 10 a.m. in Biggar for their first appearance to the charges.

Tornados ravage area . . . Tossed like toys, bins lie crushed and crushing a tractor trailer unit at the Byron Redlick farm, Friday. Many tornados formed with several touching down causing extensive damage to homes

and yards. Fortunately, nobody was injured. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

Prairie Spirit approves 2012/13 school division budget The Prairie Spirit Board of Education approved the 2012/13 school division budget at its meeting, June 18. The budget will now be submitted to the provincial Ministry of Education for its review and approval. The balanced budget represents an increase of 4.31 per cent in operating costs to $106.6 million, to cover the increased costs for collective bargaining agreements and other

programming. John Kuzbik, Director of Education, said the budget reflects the board’s commitment to supporting high levels of learning for all students throughout the division. He said the budget process has been comprehensive. “The budget is a major undertaking. We reviewed every program and determined our commitments. We had thorough and open

Just sit right back and you’ll hear a tale . . . One day after tornados hit the area, a pleasant and rain free day out on Springwater Lake. The weather didn’t get rough, the tiny ship wasn’t tossed, and the fearless crew (Gilligan or the Skipper - you pick) wasn’t lost. (Independent Photo by Kevin Brautigam)

discussion to come to our decisions,” he said. In designing this year’s budget, the board restated its commitment to programming equity for all students. In addition, the board directed that the budget reflect its support for innovative ways of incorporating real-life learning with academics, with a goal of providing apprenticeship opportunities to senior high school students. As part of the budget plan, surplus school division funds designated for programming equity will be used to expand band/music programming to the entire division. The board approved the use of $445,000 for the initial costs of expanding the band program, including the purchase of band equipment, a study of the current band program in the division and an examination of other innovations in music instruction for 21st century learners. A division-wide band/music program is expected to be ready for fall, 2013. Currently, band

programming is offered to students in the east and west parts of the division, but is not available for students in the northern part of the division. “I believe this takes us one step closer to full amalgamation and will ensure equity of p r o g r a m m i n g,” s a i d Trustee Sam Dyck. “I believe this plan will be well received.” T h e d i v i s i o n ’s p l a n for supporting an apprenticeship program envisions combining core academic learning at school with learning experiences in the workplace. For example, students might

have the opportunity to begin an apprenticeship program while still in high school. “We believe that learners who have exposure to relevant and authentic learning will be more engaged learners. As a result, they will achieve better results overall,” Kuzbik said. Kuzbik reported that preliminary work on this project has begun, with the goal of having a pilot program prepared by November, 2012. This work will also involve and rely on partnerships with local businesses.

Senior Villa project approved by Biggar Town Council Planning and construction of the 24-unit senior villa for Biggar is now ready to begin. Start of construction on the three-story complex is planned for this fall at the Third Avenue East location, better known as the Third Avenue Park, and should be ready for

occupancy by the fall of 2013. The ‘treed’ portion of the park remains with only the eastern portion used for the upcoming facility. Investors are still required for the project to proceed. If you are interested in being an investor, contact Emil at 948-5226.


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