All posts by Tara de Ryk

featured, Kenaston

New intersection proposed for Highway 11 and 15

KENASTON—Residents of Kenaston and area had a chance to view proposed changes to the community’s main intersection.

Saskatchewan Highways and Infrastructure put on an open house June 6 seeking people’s reactions to four options dealing with the intersection of highways 11 and 15.

As part of planned upgrades to Highway 15, the provincial government is studying options to improve the intersection of highways 11 and 15.

The current intersection is skewed, meaning the highways intersect on angles, so as part of the upgrade, the government is proposing to move the intersection to make it safer.

“It’s not very safe at all,” said Tracy Danielson, director of regional design and construction for Saskatchewan Highways and Infrastructure.

They had four options for people to look at. Most suggested moving Highway 15 either north or south of town.

Option 1 proposed no change and would leave it as is.

Option 2 proposed moving the intersection south of Kenaston that would require 4.73 km of upgraded Hwy. 15 and 2.46 km of service road. A new bridge/culvert and rail crossing would be required. As well, this route would require the highway to be constructed on environmentally sensitive grasslands south of Kenaston.

Option 3 offered moving the Highway 15/11 intersection north of town requiring 2.90 km of Highway 15 to be built and a service road of 1.83 km in length.

Option 4 also proposed moving the intersection north of the village, but giving the village even wider berth so that 4.84 km of highway 15 and 2.76 km of service road would be built. As well, this option needs either a new bridge or culvert and a railway crossing.

“They missed the most important option: an overpass,” Kenaston resident Allan Krpan said. He said that with 12,000 vehicles going by each day, the intersection is one of the busiest in Saskatchewan.

Kenaston’s Mayor Dan O’Handley said he liked Option 4 the best.

“The noise level would be cut way down and by looping way north, we have room for northern expansion,” he said.

Increasingly, Highway 15 is experiencing more heavy truck traffic. It has been designated as a high clearance corridor through Saskatchewan.

Transport trucks hauling very tall loads must travel Highway 15 so they can use the bridge in Outlook to get their cargo across the South Saskatchewan River.

“For us tonight, the most important part is finding out what people who live in the area think about it,” Danielson said.

She said the community should hear back within 12 months on the plans for the intersection.

“We don’t have a specific timeline, nor is there a design or budget in place,” she said.

Davidson

RM of Loreburn fined for burning at dump

The Rural Municipality of Loreburn was found guilty of one count under The Environmental Protection Management Act for failing to comply with the terms and conditions of a permit to operate a waste disposal ground and was fined $2,800 in provincial court in Outlook.

The charges were laid as the result of a complaint received by the Ministry of Environment that the RM of Loreburn waste disposal ground was burning. Conservation officers investigated and found that household garbage was being burnt contrary to the conditions of the RM’s Permit to Operate a Waste Disposal Ground which had been issued to them under The Municipal Refuse Management Regulations. The RM was contacted and they were found to be responsible for the burning of their landfill. The RM had received previous warnings for burning their landfill in 2008.

“The unauthorized burning of waste disposal grounds can cause toxic chemicals to contaminate our air, land and water and be hazardous to human health and our environment,” Ministry of Environment Compliance and Field Services Executive Director Brent Webster said. “The Ministry of Environment permits landfills to burn clean lumber and trees at separate designated areas in the disposal ground but does not allow the burning of household garbage or mixed waste.”

Anyone who is aware of or who suspects environmental, wildlife or fisheries violations is encouraged to report them to the nearest Ministry of Environment office or to call the province’s toll-free Turn In Poachers (TIP) hotline at 1-800-667-7561 or #5555 for SaskTel cell phone subscribers. Callers may be eligible for cash rewards through the SASKTIP Reward program.

Davidson

Revived thrift store to open soon

DAVIDSON—If having a garage sale, for the sake of getting rid of stuff and making a few extra bucks, isn’t your ideal way to spend a sunny Saturday, Russell and Angela Sparks have a deal for you.

Forget the garage sale and instead, consider donating those unwanted items to Revived Family Thrift Store, a not-for-profit enterprise the Sparks intend to open later this summer.

They plan on opening the store Aug. 14 on Washington Avenue in the spot formerly occupied by the Laundromat next to The Davidson Leader building.

They are seeking donations of gently used clothing, shoes, toys and household items.

“Everyone has at least five items of clothing they don’t wear,” Sparks said.

They will accept small appliances such as blenders or toasters, but ask that people do not donate furniture or major appliances.

“We’ve got less than 600 square feet,” Sparks said. “No pianos or organs, please.”

Nor will they accept books, magazines or music either.

Another consideration is that donations be in good condition and in working order. Clothes should be clean and unstained.

“There is lots of gently-used stuff out there. It’s either going to the landfill or to places like Value Village,” Sparks said.

He’d rather see it remain in the community where it may be purchased at low prices giving people without means an affordable way to buy goods they need.

“A lot of people are too proud to take a handout, but if you give them a good deal like a shirt for two bucks, they’ll take it,” Sparks said.

Proceeds from the sale of goods will first be used to pay the thrift store’s lease and then surplus funds will go back into the community to support local causes such as helping needy people with household repairs or supporting the DICA food vouchers and food hampers program.

To read more please see the June 18 print edition of The Davidson Leader.

Obituary

Shirkey

Earl James, August 9, 1916 – June 4, 2012

Earl James Shirkey passed away on June 4, 2012 at the age of 95 years. He was predeceased by his first wife Agnes, son Ray Shirkey, sisters Bernice Parks, Evelyn Seaman and Mildred Rombough and brother Ray Shirkey. Left to cherish his memory are his loving partner, Lorrain Baade; his children Carole (Norman) Wardlaw, Ronald (Elizabeth) Shirkey, Daryl (Shelagh) Shirkey; Lorrain’s children Evelyn (Joe), Ruth (Rick), Laura Lee, Cyril (Carol) and Marian (Gord); Earl’s siblings Joyce Hodgins, Howard Shirkey and Donna Pritchard and Lorrain’s brother Ken (Phyl) Raymond, along with numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family and friends.

Earl resided in Imperial and farmed in the Imperial district his whole life. He enjoyed his farm site on the edge of Imperial where he maintained a large garden until his passing. The Shirkey family wishes to express gratitude to Lorrain and her family for the wonderful years and extended life that Earl enjoyed.

For those so wishing donations to Long Lake Valley Foundation, Box 94, Imperial, Sask. S0G 2J0 would be appreciated. Earl’s family thank you for attending and for joining them for lunch following the graveside service. The Funeral Service was held in the Imperial Community Centre, Imperial, Saskatchewan on Saturday, June 9 at 11:00 a.m. Officiating was Rev. Alison West. Honourary Pallbearers were Jack Rimmington, Rick Pritchard, Bill Lewis, Ken Raymond and Cyril Baade. Pianist was Sharon Crittenden. Special Music “Glow Worm” was provided by Carole Wardlaw. Pallbearers were David Wardlaw, Stuart Kunaman, Ron Shirkey Jr., Brent Pritchard, Tim Shirkey, David Baade and Brent Shirkey. Eulogy was given by Daryl Shirkey and Evelyn Baade. Interment took place in Imperial Cemetery. Following the graveside service a luncheon was provided by the ladies auxiliary. Fotheringham – McDougall Funeral Service of Watrous and Nokomis in care of arrangements.

featured

Three injured in rollover near Hanley

HANLEY—Both lanes of Highway 11 were closed to traffic Tuesday afternoon due to a single vehicle rollover.

At 3:15 p.m., RCMP Cpl. Rob King said members were on the scene of the rollover, which occurred about one-kilometre north of Hanley.

Three occupants were trapped in the vehicle, two males and one female. Hanley’s fire department were on the scene to remove the victims: a 20-year-old male, a 17-year-old male and a 21-year-old female, King said. All three occupants were transported to Royal University Hospital in Saskatoon with non-life threatening injuries.

The highway was re-opened to traffic.

More details to follow.

featured

Fisherman reels in bomb

HANLEY—A man fishing at the Brightwater Reservoir west of Hanley has quite a fishing tale to tell after he reeled in a bomb last Sunday.

Saskatoon RCMP, at about 7:20 p.m. Sunday, June 3, got a call from a fisherman after he had hooked and landed what he thought may be a homemade bomb.

RCMP attended the call and after looking at the device, cleared and secured the area and called in the RCMP Explosives Disposal Unit, said RCMP spokesman Cpl. Rob King.

The bomb squad examined the device and determined it was some type of homemade bomb. The device was neutralized at the scene and police declared the area safe once again for fishing.

King said RCMP cannot give any details about the device or how it was “neutralized”.

“We don’t want the general public knowing the details,” he said.

How it came to be in the water is still under investigation.

While King said he doesn’t know what the man was fishing for, a bomb was most likely not the intended prey.

He said this is the first time a device like this has been found in a body of water.

“It’s never happened before,” King said.

Last week, the incident was the talk of the town in Hanley, on the street, at the coffee shop and Facebook.

If the angler lives around Hanley, he doesn’t frequent coffee row.

“Everybody in town knows about it, but nobody knows who caught it,” said Hanley’s town administrator Darice Carlson. “He doesn’t go for coffee.”

Police would like any witnesses or anyone with information about explosives being used in the area to contact them.