By meadowlakeNOW

2016 Year in Review — September

Dec 29, 2016 | 1:00 PM

As we prepare to say goodbye to 2016, meadowlakeNOW.com is taking a look at some of the top news items that made headlines and newsmakers over the past 11 months since our launch.

Strike averted for healthcare workers

A five-year agreement was reached for staff of the Meadow Lake Primary Health Care Clinic, avoiding the possibility of a strike.

The vice-president for the Prairie North Health Region, Vikki Smart said staff are pleased an agreement has been reached.

“(Clinic support staff) are valuable members of the Primary Health Care team that continues to deliver quality, patient-first care and service to Meadow Lake and area residents,” she said. 

2023-24 Hardware

AAA Stars celebrate best of season with year-end awards

4h ago

Riding boundaries changing

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

4h ago

Safety first

Safety concerns and tips surrounding discarded needles in P.A.

4h ago

Nomination period opens in municipal elections

Nominations for those wishing to run for Meadow Lake city council officially opened in September.

The nomination period ran from Sept. 1 to Sept. 21., closing at 4 p.m. Anyone wishing to run for council had to be 18-years-of-age or older and have lived in Meadow Lake for at least three consecutive months.

At the time, council consisted of Annette Klassen, Merlin Seymour, Curtis Paylor, Conrad Read, Kim Chiverton, Layne Shkopich and Mayor Gary Vidal.

As of publishing, councillors Paylor and Chiverton said they will be seeking re-election. Councillor Shkopich will not seek re-election, while the rest are as of yet undecided.

RCMP detachment goes through shake-up

Meadow Lake’s RCMP detachment was going through a few changes as additional officers were being hired, some promoted, and a new commander was set to arrive in the fall.

Formerly a corporal, Ryan How now holds the rank of sergeant. How still serves as the interim detachment commander, a post he’ll be vacating sometime in October, when Staff Sgt. Tim Sartison, arrives.

School divisions adopt transgender athletic policy

The governing body for Saskatchewan high school athletics instituted a policy to allow transgender student athletes the ability to participate in sports as the gender they identify as.

In the works for more than a year, Lyle McKellar, executive director of the Saskatchewan High Schools Athletic Association (SHSAA) said the policy aligns itself with documentation that came out from the Ministry of Education in fall 2015.

He added the policy is in place for all the province’s high schools. 

City negotiates sale of mobile-home court

The City of Meadow Lake received an offer to purchase its mobile home court on Clark Cres. which had council considering the transaction.

The $700,000 offer was discussed at the Sept. 12 meeting, where a handful of trailer owners were in attendance to raise their concerns.

French immersion expands in Meadow Lake

French immersion was expanding in Meadow Lake schools.

Before, the program was only offered for Grade 7 and 8 students at Jonas Samson Junior High. It’s now offered for Grade 9 students.

French teacher Caitlin Campbell said it’s been exciting to see French immersion take hold as students and parents realize how crucial speaking French is.

Meadow Lake hosts country star

With multiple top 10 hits, a certified gold album and many award nominations, Julian Austin’s name and show are sure to draw a crowd when he performs in Meadow Lake this weekend.

Proceeds from the show, set for Saturday, Sept. 24, are being donated to the Door of Hope and Meadow Lake Broncos senior hockey team according to promoter Randy Martin.

Austin’s show is described as high energy paced, with a lot of rock and a lot of country.

Mayor acclaimed for second time

Meadow Lake’s Gary Vidal will continue to wear the mayor’s hat for another four years as the acclaimed candidate.

The nomination deadline to run in the Oct. 26 municipal elections passed at 4 p.m. today, Sept. 21.

In Vidal’s announcement to seek re-election, he asked for others to run as well but when the deadline passed, Vidal’s name was the only one there.