Year in Review – November 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.

When Meadow Lake’s radio station CJNS debuted on Nov. 1, 1977, the first song to hit the airwaves was the aptly-titled Turn Your Radio On by the Statler Brothers.  The idea for the station started with CJNS’s first General Manager Harry Dekker Sr., according to his son David. He said he’s been happy to witness the progress of the station over the years, and thought the reason for the station’s ongoing success is its strong connection with the community. Joe Boutilier was the station’s first announcer. He passed away this fall, but his wife Joanne remembered how much of himself her husband gave to the job. In 2014, the station was acquired by current owners, the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group. In January 2016, meadowlakeNOW was launched. General Manager Karl Johnston said the company is so proud to be part of the community.

The staff and council of the Rural Municipality of Meadow Lake had a busy week settling into their new office digs on Ninth St. W. The building officially opened Nov. 6. The project started in 2014 and with council’s approval in 2016 construction began this spring. Reeve Tim McKay said the new building will allow for more spacious, secure areas for necessary file storage, security and maintenance of said files, as well as more efficient meeting and office spaces.

Meadow Lake’s Skyla Russell took part week-long rugby trip to Medellin, Colombia from Oct. 29 to Nov. 6. It was a special opportunity to help the impoverished community play the sport as a part of the Dog River Howlers Rugby Club based out of Regina. To prepare for the trip, Russell asked people from school and the greater community if they had any donations of equipment or supplies. She felt fortunate for the unique opportunity rugby brought her, and appreciates the support of her coach Rufas Crawford, her family, and her Meadow Lake SheDevils teammates.

Monday, Nov. 13, 17-year-old Kegan McCallum died in hospital after he was shot in a home on Meadow Lake’s west side. A 15-year-old male suspect was arrested in North Battleford on Nov. 16 and is charged with manslaughter, public mischief, and possession of a prohibited loaded firearm. He cannot be named due to provisions under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. A vigil was held on Nov. 16 as a means to ‘take Kegan home’. His mother Leianne said she was thankful for those who braved the cold to carry a flame to honour her son.

Missing Girl

UPDATE: Have you seen Savannah?

Apr 24, 2024

Missing person

Spiritwood RCMP searching for missing woman

Apr 24, 2024

Riding boundaries changing

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

Apr 23, 2024

The seating area at Meadow Lake’s Stampede Grounds may not be open much longer. At their regular meeting on Nov. 14 members of city council were in complete agreement to close the structure to public access until a public consultation can be held in 2018. The ageing structure has required an engineering assessment every two years to ensure it was safe for public use. The price tag for repairs in 2015 was over $36,000, and this year when the assessment was done, the estimated cost was $115,000. A committee of concerned citizens in support of a viable solution was struck via social media.

Addiction isn’t an easy topic to discuss any time of the year, but the Flying Dust First Nation brought the subject front and centre during this year’s awareness week events. Led by health staff, there was a wide variety of activities planned that ranged all ages, and included cultural celebration and practices as well. The week included a pancake breakfast, a MADD red ribbon walk, drum group and singers, a skating party and a youth panel shared their stories and answered questions from fellow youth.

In late November, Meadow Lake’s Door of Hope asked the community to donate warm winter attire to donate the items to the food bank and soup kitchen. Unita Esau, the organization’s Executive Director said the organization would accept donations of gently used winter coats, boots, mitts and gloves, hats, scarves, blankets, and ski pants.

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