Craik, featured

Craik gets $1.4M grant for water fix

Craik Mayor David Ashdown (at centre, in grey suit) joined with other mayors from across the province for Wednesday's funding announcement.
Craik Mayor David Ashdown (at centre, in grey suit) joined with other mayors from across the province for Wednesday’s funding announcement.

By Joel van der Veen

CRAIK — A federal-provincial grant totalling more than $1.42 million is opening up new possibilities for Craik as the town continues to move towards restoring its potable water.

Besides the clear financial benefit, Mayor David Ashdown said it was a sign of confidence in the town’s future.

“I see this as a statement by both senior levels of government that Craik is a viable community,” said Ashdown. “It’s a community that’s worth investing in, from their perspective.”

Ralph Goodale, federal minister of public safety and emergency preparedness, and Donna Harpauer, provincial minister of government relations and minister responsible for First Nations, Métis and Northern Affairs, announced the grant in Regina on Wednesday.

A total of 28 new projects in cities, towns and villages across the province will receive grants, through either the Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF) or the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund.

“Infrastructure is the foundation of the Canada we all want to build for tomorrow,” Goodale was quoted, saying the projects funded thusly would “protect the environment, keep our communities healthy and livable, and will create well-paying jobs for the middle class.”

For Craik’s grant, the federal government will contribute 50 per cent, or $950,659, while the province will contribute 25 per cent, or $475,329. The rest of the funding will come from the town’s water fund, bringing the total to more than $1.9 million.

The grant represents a significant financial boost and an encouraging sign as Craik seeks to end the boil water advisory that has been in place since August of 2010.

The town applied for CWWF funding late last year, though Mayor Ashdown was careful not to raise expectations beyond the realistic at the time, calling it “purely exploratory.”

Council passed a resolution in December to request a meeting with consulting engineers from KGS Group, the Regina-based firm that has been working with Craik to address its water situation.

Bearing in mind the possibility of CWWF funding, council also asked KGS to prepare “supplementary design information in the event additional funding becomes available.”

Now that funding is confirmed, Ashdown identified three main points of focus for council.

The town will explore alternate sources of water and also investigate the other treatment options outlined in KGS’s reports, previously believed to be beyond the town’s financial capacity.

Ashdown said council would also look at ways to improve, renew and renovate the delivery system that brings water to users.

For the full story, please see the Jan. 16 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Aylesbury, Obituary

Obituary: Lang, Alice

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Lang, Alice
1932 — 2017

Alice passed away peacefully at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon. Alice was predeceased by her husband Wilf, infant son Jeff, her parents and all of her brothers and sisters. She is survived by her daughters Erin, Mary (Lawrence), her son Brett, her in-laws Marilyn and Greg Petroski, Ed Krieser and Betty Lang, as well as numerous nephews and nieces. Alice’s life was focused on her family and a love of nature and literature. She continued to enjoy reading and challenging herself with crossword puzzles to the end.

A celebration of her life will be held in July 2017 at Aylesbury Community Hall. Flowers are gratefully declined. Friends so wishing may make donations to the Canadian Wildlife Federation or the SPCA.

Arrangements in care of Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson.

Kenaston, Obituary

Obituary: Ouellette, Anne

Anne Ouellette (Strmotich)
June 29, 1940 — January 4, 2017

Anne passed away peacefully in Saskatoon on Jan. 4, 2017. She is lovingly remembered by her husband of 58 years Gerald (Gerry) Ouellette, daughter Carol Kidd (Byron), sons Perry (Betty), Glenn, Doug (Denise), grandchildren Mark, Brody (Jelena), Kimberley, Dayna, Nicole, Mackenzie, Madison, Kristina and great-grandchildren Maximilian and Tyler. She was predeceased by grandson Robin in 1982.

Anne was born on the family farm northwest of Bladworth, Sask. She attended school in Bladworth and Kenaston where she was active in school sports. As a “stay-at-home mom,” Anne provided a warm, loving environment for their four children. As a loving wife and mother, she provided support and encouragement, and was always just a phone call away. If she could, she would always help. She enjoyed sewing and making crafts, particularly her Christmas Village, a favourite project that grew every year!

For many years, while the grandchildren were still young, Anne looked forward to the family summer vacations, first at Waskesiu, Sask., and then Fairmont, B.C. In later years she enjoyed her bowling league and many friendships.

Anne is survived by her brothers George (Mac) and Frank, sisters Mary and Kay. She especially treasured her relationships with Mac and Mary. A special thank-you to a dear family friend, Pat Confrey, for many years of love and support.

Anne was predeceased by her beloved parents, Josip (Joe) and Matija (Matilda) and siblings Tony, John, Peter, Nick, Joe Jr. and Fran.

At Anne’s request a graveside service will be held at Kenaston in early spring 2017. Arrangements in care of Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson.

Davidson, featured

Local input still welcome in move to single health region

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By Joel van der Veen

REGINA — Rural residents will still be heard when it comes to their health services, even as Saskatchewan begins its transition to a single provincial health authority.

That was the message from rural and remote health minister Greg Ottenbreit last week, as he spoke with the Leader about the impending changes to the structure of the province’s health care system.

Ottenbreit said Thursday that a gradual transition would be important to avoid the pitfalls that plagued other provinces like Alberta during similar transformations.

The upcoming change from 12 regional health authorities (RHAs) to a single provincial body has also prompted some concerns about a potential lack of local representation.

The minister said that community advisory committees will be able to report directly to the authority board, thus ensuring those local voices are still heard.

“There will be an avenue for communication that way,” he said. “We’ll welcome a strong voice from rural Saskatchewan.”

Part of that input will also come from rural MLAs, Ottenbreit added, saying that elected members will continue advocating for their constituents.

The Davidson-Craik corridor is served by a team of three doctors, and while the arrangement has met with success, it is complicated somewhat since the two towns are in separate health regions.

Davidson, Loreburn and Kenaston are part of Heartland Health Region, headquartered in Rosetown, while Craik is part of Five Hills Health Region, centred in Moose Jaw.

Ottenbreit said the two regions have collaborated well in this regard, but not all issues have been easily addressed.

“There’s still that border that does get in the way from time to time,” he said, adding that moving to one region would remove that boundary and the complications that come with it.

Health minister Jim Reiter announced Wednesday that the government would move forward with replacing the 12 RHAs with one single provincial health authority.

In doing so, the government is accepting the recommendations of a three-member advisory panel, established by former health minister Dustin Duncan in August 2016 to offer guidance on the future structure of the province’s health care system.

In a statement, Reiter said the change was about consolidating administration, not centralizing services, and expressed the government’s commitment to “providing high-quality health services in every part of the province.”

The report also recommended that the authority be governed by a single appointed board of directors, along with system-wide improvements such as the consolidation of administrative support and some clinical services.

The ministry of health has begun planning the implementation of the announced changes, with the goal of bringing the new health authority into being in the fall of 2017.

For the full story, please see the Jan. 9 edition of The Davidson Leader, or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Davidson, Sports

Close finish as Cyclones slide past Drake in 6-5 win

The Davidson Cyclones' Brett Ward shoots the puck past Drake Canucks goalie Calvin Bartel during Wednesday's game, thus reclaiming the lead in the third period.
The Davidson Cyclones’ Brett Ward shoots the puck past Drake Canucks goalie Calvin Bartel during Wednesday’s game, thus reclaiming the lead in the third period.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — A narrow 6-5 win over the Drake Canucks made an exciting start to 2017 for the Davidson Cyclones.

The teams faced off at the Davidson Communiplex on Wednesday before a modest but eager crowd.

Cyclones coach Brad Morrison said it was a solid game for both the defence and offence, though some penalties made the team vulnerable at certain points.

“Drake was really capitalizing on their power plays,” he said. “We were taking some bad penalties at the wrong times.”

Davidson’s Rhyse Dieno had the only goal of the first period with 17:45 remaining, assisted by Chad Manz and Bryce Prpick.

Carter Coben tied the score at the top of period two with a goal for Drake (18:43), followed by three consecutive goals for Davidson.

Cyclones captain Derek Allan scored the first of those (18:12), followed by a goal by Brett Ward (15:47). Allan scored again with 15:21 remaining to give Davidson a 4-1 lead.

Drake closed the period with two more goals, scored by Adam Hendry (8:59) and Matt Spafford (2:33).

The third period began with another goal for Drake, scored by Jim Bubnick (9:11), tying the score at 4-4.

Davidson reclaimed the lead with back-to-back goals, the first by Brett Ward (8:15) and the second by Chad Manz (6:43).

Jim Bubnick then scored a second goal for Drake (4:45), ensuring the game remained close right to the end.

Morrison had praise in particular for goalie Brady Willner, complimenting him on his rebound control.

Willner stopped 38 out of 43 shots on net, shutting out Drake entirely in the first period.

“Things are (moving) forward as we get more in shape and as our guys get skating more,” Morrison said Thursday.

Attendance in recent games has wavered, with some players sick with the flu or travelling over the holidays. Morrison himself had to miss a recent road game in Drake due to illness.

“It’s tough to find chemistry,” he observed. “You never know who’s going to be there for the games . . . We make do with what we get.”

Still, he added, the players are dedicated and are building that chemistry as the season progresses.

As of Friday, the Cyclones had a 7-6-1-1 record for the season so far, placing them at third out of five teams in the Long Lake Hockey League.

For the full story, please see the Jan. 9 edition of The Davidson Leader, or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Kenaston, Obituary

Obituary: Didur, Verla

web-obit-didurVerla Doreen Didur (nee Graham)

It is with great sadness that we announce the death of our beloved mother, Verla. After an extended stay in hospital, mom gently went to sleep on the morning of December 27, 2016.

Mom was best known for her love of people. Her quick smile, the twinkle in her eye when she was up to something and genuine interest in people was an integral part of her whole life. Even while in the hospital, mom continued to teach us lessons in kindness and unselfishness. She leaves behind many family and friends who will miss her deeply but are reminded of scriptures such as Revelations 21:3, 4 which was also a comfort to mom. Sleep well mom.

At Verla’s request, there will be no service. Arrangements in care of Hanson’s Funeral Home of Davidson.

The Davidson Leader, Davidson, Saskatchewan