Year in Review – October 2017

As we prepare to say goodbye to 2017, meadowlakeNOW is taking a look at some of the top news items that made headlines and newsmakers over the past 12 months.

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On Oct. 1, SaskBusiness Magazine placed the member-owned, community-based Meadow Lake Co-op 74th out of the top 100 businesses in Saskatchewan. The local grocer is one of 19 retail co-operatives across the province to receive the recognition. Operations Manager John Decker attributed the accomplishment to the 165 hardworking and dedicated staff members.

On Oct. 10 Meadow Lake families got the chance to interact with members of the local fire department by asking questions, learning new skills including how to prevent household fires. Attendees explored the city’s new fire truck, learned about various pieces of equipment, and witness demonstrations on kitchen fires and how airbags work. Fire Chief Neil Marsh said he was pleased with the turn out.

Ryan Meili and Trent Wotherspoon, who are both vying for party leadership, spoke to a handful of NDP members on Oct. 18 in Meadow Lake. Topics included the province’s current debt, cuts to public service, education, health, the carbon tax, privatization of Crown corporations, and Truth and Reconciliation.

Missing person

Spiritwood RCMP searching for missing woman

21m ago

Riding boundaries changing

MP Gary Vidal announces he won't seek re-election

18h ago

Fire Risk

Meadow Lake under fire risk warning

19h ago

On Oct. 21, Judge Janet McIvor set a date and location where she would announce her sentencing decision in the case of the teen shooter who shot 11 people, killing four in January 2016. Her decision will take place almost two years and one month to the day following the incident, Feb. 23, 2018, at the courtroom in La Loche. She said given the amount of evidence, it is extremely important she takes the time to make a good and fair decision. La Loche’s Mayor Robert St. Pierre said with the final step in the court process it’s an opportunity for the community to come to terms with the reality of the situation. The youth, who cannot be named, already pleaded guilty in the case. It’s up to McIvor to determine if he warrants an adult sentence. The maximum length of a youth sentence is six years in custody and four years supervision. An adult sentence is life in prison. 

Meadow Lake’s Dakota-Ray Hebert was a cast member in a touring show called Canada, it’s Complicated, a piece directed by Mary Walsh of This Hour has 22 minutes fame. The 90-minute performance took a satirical and critical look at Canada’s history, discussing themes including Indigenous issues, the Underground Railroad, Louis Riel, and Confederation. Hebert said it was a life-changing experience. She appeared in 28 of the show’s 34 scenes, playing a variety of characters. While she stopped in several centres across Canada, Hebert said she was very excited to return to her home province to perform in Saskatoon on Oct. 24. After the tour concluded on Nov. 13, Hebert travelled to China from Nov. 23 to 29 to perform at a theatre festival, reprising a previous role in Red Sky Performance’s Mistatim.

After announcing a Meadow Lake to Saskatoon transportation route in August, Regina’s Rider Express cancelled the service in October. After a lack of regular riders, the system went to reservation-only in September. In an earlier interview with meadowlakeNOW, company manager Firat Uray said there was a great deal of initial demand, Rider Express was one of a few companies that commenced regular routes province-wide after the Saskatchewan Transportation Company (STC) officially shut its doors in May.

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