Monthly Archives: March 2017

featured

Police seek suspect in Holdfast bank robbery

A suspect in a March 10 robbery at a financial institution in Holdfast is depicted in security camera images provided by police.
A suspect in a March 10 robbery at a financial institution in Holdfast is depicted in security camera images provided by police.

By Joel van der Veen

HOLDFAST — Police are on the hunt for a suspect following an armed robbery at a financial institution in Holdfast.

According to police, a male suspect entered a bank in the village on March 10 around 1:10 p.m., demanding cash and bearing a weapon.

He received an undisclosed amount of cash and fled the scene in an unknown direction in an older, dark-coloured Chevrolet extended cab truck, possibly with another person.

The suspect is described as a male and roughly 5 feet, 10 inches in height with a stocky build.

Photos of a suspect were circulated to the media on Tuesday. The security camera images depict a heavy-set person wearing a bright orange Under Armour hoodie and blue jeans with their face obscured.

Sgt. Greg Doell of the Craik RCMP detachment said he could provide few details on the incident as police continue their investigation.

He confirmed that a weapon was involved but said police are still determining the facts “as to what the weapon was.”

No one was injured during the robbery, said Doell.

Police did not identify the financial institution that was targeted in the incident, but Holdfast has only one such institution, a branch of Conexus Credit Union.

Anyone with details on the incident is asked to contact Craik RCMP at 306-734-5200 or Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Elbow, featured, Sports

Few fish found at family function

Keeping warm inside this tent shack at the Elbow ice fishing derby on March 11 were, from left, Barb Glubis, Laurie Niska and Jake Glubis.
Keeping warm inside this tent shack at the Elbow ice fishing derby on March 11 were, from left, Barb Glubis, Laurie Niska and Jake Glubis.

By Joel van der Veen

ELBOW — It was a great day of fishing — from the fish’s point of view, anyway.

A family ice fishing derby, organized by the Elbow and District Wildlife Federation, drew 34 participants to the Elbow Harbour on March 11.

A grand total of three fish were caught during the derby, and the organizers had to draw names to find winners for the other prizes.

Despite the slim pickings, organizer Blake Dorward said it was a fun day on the lake for the families who took part.

“We had a good day, it was fun,” he said. “We fully intend on doing it again next year.”

The event drew participants from the Line 19 communities and further afield, as far as Outlook, Moose Jaw and Warman.

Dorward said around 60 people were pre-registered for the derby, some of whom dropped out for hockey and other commitments.

“I’m pretty sure the weather scared a few people away too,” he said. “It wasn’t the warmest out there.”

For the full story and more photos, please see the March 20 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Davidson, Sports

Anderson rink wins A title in ladies bonspiel

Larissa McLaren (left) and Jill McIvor head down the ice during play on Saturday in the Davidson Ladies Bonspiel.
Larissa McLaren (left) and Jill McIvor head down the ice during play on Saturday in the Davidson Ladies Bonspiel.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Twelve teams took part in the annual Ladies Bonspiel on March 10 and 11 in Davidson.

“I think the whole thing turned out good,” said organizer Marla Dezotell.

Team Anderson from Saskatoon finished on top in the A event. The team consisted of Hanna Anderson, formerly of Hanley, and her teammates Stephanie Thompson, Kaylin Skinner and Jessica Thompson.

Coming in second in the A event was the Diane Hryniuk rink, which also included Donna Cross, Tasha Boyenko and Laura Church.

Liza Dahl and her teammates Jill McIvor, Ruth Percy and Larissa McLaren won the B event.

The Gail Prpick rink, which also included Karen Reich, Vonné Johnson and Selma Laird, took second place in the B event.

The Siroski rink defeated the Renee Manz rink to claim first place in the C event.

The Beth Booker rink beat the Agnes Viczko rink to win the D event.

Roughly 35 businesses and organizations donated prizes for the event, which also included a supper served Saturday afternoon by Roy and Corinne Kenny and crew.

Davidson, featured

Locals join medical service trip to Nicaragua

From left, Jeannie Lockwood, Erik Johnson and Mary Jane Morrison are pictured during a medical service trip to Nicaragua in February.
From left, Jeannie Lockwood, Erik Johnson and Mary Jane Morrison are pictured during a medical service trip to Nicaragua in February.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — An average farm labourer in rural Nicaragua can expect to earn $5 US for a day’s work.

At that salary, even inexpensive dental care — $50 for a tooth extraction, $80 for a filling — is beyond the reach of most people.

“You can understand why a lot of them aren’t getting to the dentist,” said Mary Jane Morrison. “That’s got to be pretty tough.”

Morrison was part of a team of 24 Canadians who visited Nicaragua last month on a medical mission trip, providing free dental and optical care to rural residents in the developing country in Central America.

The trip lasted from Feb. 11 to 20 and was organized by Change for Children, an Edmonton-based organization that celebrated its 40th anniversary last year.

The group was evenly split between medical professionals and volunteers, with four senior dentists, three student dentists, two hygienists and three optometrists on board.

Three of the participants had local connections, including Morrison, who lives in Davidson and works as secretary for the Sacred Heart Parish.

Another was Jeannie Lockwood, a longtime resident of the Davidson area who now lives in Saskatoon, where she works as a licensed practical nurse at City Hospital.

Also taking part was dentist Erik Johnson, the son of Everett and Vonné Johnson of Davidson.

Johnson, who practises dentistry in a clinic in Lloydminster, has made two prior trips to treat patients in developing countries.

For the full story, please see the March 13 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

featured, Loreburn

Stars on ice at Loreburn skating carnival

From left, Erika Swedberg, Emmerson Tastad and Jordyn Dorward skate in a circle to the theme from "Footloose” at the Line 19 Figure Skating Club carnival on March 5.
From left, Erika Swedberg, Emmerson Tastad and Jordyn Dorward skate in a circle to the theme from “Footloose” at the Line 19 Figure Skating Club carnival on March 5.

By Joel van der Veen

LOREBURN — There may not have been a red carpet, but it was still a star-studded affair as the Line 19 Figure Skating Club presented its annual carnival last weekend.

The Loreburn Arena was the site of the “Hollywood Walk of Fame,” held the afternoon of March 5.

The program was themed around the movies and featured 15 performances, including solos and group routines with the CanSkate, CanPowerSkate and StarSkate programs represented.

A total of 50 skaters were enrolled in the club this year, ranging from small children to high school students.

Merkayle Lakinger, a Grade 10 student, is the oldest registered skater. She performed a solo set to the Madonna song “Material Girl.”

She began skating when her family lived in Porcupine Plain and continued after their move to Loreburn when she was in Grade 5.

“I think you just need to have a passion for it to keep going,” she said last week, adding that she enjoys working with the other skaters and helping teach the younger ones.

For the full story and more photos, please see the March 13 edition of The Davidson Leader or call 306-567-2047 to subscribe today.

Kenaston, Obituary

Obituary: Anton, Eugene

web-obit-anton

Eugene (Gene) Anton
Oct. 8, 1944 — March 8, 2017
Gene passed away at his home in Sherbrooke Community Centre, Saskatoon, with his sister Fran and brother-in-law Bill by his side.
He was predeceased by his father and mother Eugene and Anna, brother Hugh and sister Julie Taylor.
He is survived by sisters Fran (Bill) Moncrief, Dorothy Goldsborough, Betty (Len) Benko, Judy (Doug) Parker; brothers Bill (Shirley), Bernie, and several nieces and nephews.
We will all miss his quick wit and determination in light of the many trials he endured in his life.
A special thank you to Dr. Kurt Roelens and the entire staff at Sherbrooke for the excellent care and love shown to Gene during all his years at the centre.
Graveside service to follow at a later date.
Hanson’s Funeral Home (Davidson) in charge of arrangements. Donations may be made to the Sherbrooke Community Centre or the Kenaston Cemetery Fund.