Rural residents and people who live in small towns and villages are going to pay more for policing.

Friday, the provincial government announced it will increase RCMP rates by 8 per cent beginning April 1.

The rate hikes effect rural municipalities and urban municipalities with populations of less than 5,000.

According to a news release, the current rate for municipalities with a RCMP detachment is $52.25 per capita. Come April, this will go up by $4.20 to $56.65 per capita. Municipalities without a detachment currently pay $32.45 per capita for RCMP policing, but will see their rates increase by $2.60 to $35.05 per capita.

This means ratepayers in Craik, which has a RCMP detachment will see their policing bill go from $23,759.85 to $25,662.45, based on a population of 453, according to the 2011 Census.

Davidson’s policing bill will go from $33,261.25 to $35,926.25, based on the population of 1,025 from the 2011 Census.
The rate increase will raise about $1.3 million.

In the news release, the province states the current fee structure hasn’t changed since 2006, meanwhile RCMP policing costs in Saskatchewan have increased by 57 per cent. According to the news release, the province spent $149.7 million on RCMP policing.

Riverbend Co-op intends to construct a new cardlock system on Highway 11.

The Co-op has purchased the former One-Stop restaurant and gas station on the east side of Highway 11.

One-Stop Restaurant closed last fall. The gas station, operating under the FasGas banner, closed for business at the end of January.
The buildings and their contents will be sold at an auction April 14, Dale Firby, Riverbend Co-op’s general manager, said.

“We’ve already started the planning process to construct a new cardlock system on the highway,” Firby said. “It will take some time.”
The project will undergo a feasibility study to determine the size of the facility.

“What we want to see is a cardlock system that will be able to handle a great volume of traffic. We want to develop a good service for the community that will bring people to a stop on that highway,” Firby said, and added, “Construction is going to be a ways away.”

Size of the facility has yet to be determined.

The 100-seat restaurant and service station, known for many years as the Halfway Husky, was built in 1981 by Steve and Lorraine Gust. They sold the business in 1987.

DAVIDSON—Police are asking the public for information on a hit-and-run incident that took place in Davidson in mid-February.

On the afternoon of Feb. 16, the Craik RCMP detachment responded to a call regarding a vehicle parked on the 200 block of Ottawa Street in town. The car, a blue 1992 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight, was struck by another driver, who did not remain at the scene.

According to a news release issued by Const. Kevin Morrissette, road conditions may have been a factor in the collision.

The police remind motorists to reduce their speed and drive with caution during the winter.

Anyone with relevant details is asked to contact the Craik RCMP detachment or Saskatchewan Crime Stoppers.

Brian Arend uses a snowblower to clear the alley behind several businesses on Washington Avenue on Monday. While last weekend’s storm wasn’t exactly the “snowmageddon” predicted by some, the region received several centimeters of snow, while blowing snow was common across area highways on Feb. 25. The weather also resulted in the postponement of Saturday’s provincial playoff game between the Davidson Cyclones and the Eston Ramblers at the Communiplex; the game was held Tuesday night instead.

Close to 80 people attended a blood donor clinic held in the auditorium at Davidson Town Hall on Tuesday afternoon. A total of 75 units of blood were donated, while four attendees were unable to give. Although organizers said the turnout was somewhat lower than they’d anticipated, many longtime donors were present, including Leanne Osmond of Stalwart who was honoured with a pin for making her 50th donation.
A draw was held for tickets to the 2012 Tim Hortons Brier, to be held from March 3 to 11 in Saskatoon. The winners were Norlaine McIvor and Vern Manz. Davidson’s next blood clinic will be held on Oct. 3.

(Leader photo by Joel van der Veen)

DAVIDSON—A growing number of mothers and their young children are gathering at a local church each week for coffee, conversation and playtime.

Chantelle Taylor, organizer of the Optimist Moms and Tots and More Group, said an average of six to 12 moms are meeting on Tuesday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon at New Life Pentecostal Church.

“We’ve grown quite a bit,” she said, adding that fathers, expec

tant mothers, those whose kids have started school already, and those without children are also invited to come.

“The group’s open to anybody who wants to come,” said Taylor.

Each gathering usually starts with chatting and coffee. The mothers are encouraged to share about their week so far and about parenting issues and concerns.