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2016 Year in Review — October

Dec 30, 2016 | 5:00 AM

As we prepare to say goodbye to 2016, BattlefordsNow.com is taking a look at some of the top news items that made headlines and newsmakers over the past 12 months.

The month of October started with two huge funding announcements which were welcome news to the area. Saskatchewan Hospital, received a $1 million cheque from an anonymous donor to go towards the $8 million needed to furnish and equip the new hospital. The Saskatchewan Hospital New Beginnings campaign is trying to raise money for equipment that will “treat, protect and nurture its patients.” As of October, $1.13 million had been raised.

Meanwhile SaskPower was investing over $10 million into system maintenance for the Battlefords and Lloydminster areas. SaskPower spokesperson Heather Johnson said recent increases prompted the investments. Johnson added the money spent will greatly improve the reliability and decrease the number of unplanned outages.

Snow swept into the area as a strong low pressure system coming up from Montana caused the snowy forecast for the first week of October. John Paul Cragg with Environment Canada said the forecast of snow was earlier than in recent years but wasn’t early over the long-term average.

A new app for Battlefords businesses aimed to reward people for shopping locally was launched. The Shop the Battlefords app was launched by the Chamber of Commerce. Users could shop at certain businesses and donate to charities to earn points toward prizes during a promotional period form October 21 to December 19. Nathan Puffalt says although the initial campaign ends in December, the app will hopefully be a resource for shoppers for a long time.

Battleford welcomed a new mayor and council. Results declared town councillor Ames Leslie as the new mayor of Battleford, beating out fellow councillor David George. The new town council comprised of Susan McLean-Tady, Shelly Boutin-Gervais, Gordon Yarde, Doug Laing, Judy Pruden, and Kevin Russell. Meanwhile in North Battleford, acclaimed mayor Ryan Bater was joined at the council table by incumbent councillors Kelli Hawtin, Greg Lightfoot and Don Buglas, first time councillors Kent Lindgren and Kevin Steinborn, and Len Taylor, a former councillor who decided to run again.

Following the suicide of three young girls and the attempted suicide of nine others, officials the Mamawetan Churchill River Health Region are reaching out to offer support. More than two dozen mental health and addiction workers were in the community. Health region CEO Andrew McLetchie said he was working with Health Canada to get more support on a full-time basis in the area. Therapists were set up at different access points in Stanley Mission and La Ronge to offer support seven days a week.

The now 18 year-old accused of killing four people and attempting to kill seven more in La Loche appeared in provincial court on October 28. The suspect, who can’t be named under the Youth Criminal Justice Act pleaded guilty to two counts of first degree murder, two counts of second degree murder and seven counts of attempted murder. The crown wants the accused to be sentenced as an adult while the defense wants him tried as a juvenile. He is lated to appear in court in January for pre-sentencing. Results of a psychiatric assessment will also be presented at this time.