By Roger White

2017 Year In Review – March

Dec 26, 2017 | 9:00 AM

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

It was an exciting month in March for the Town of Wilkie as they are selected as a top 10 finalist in the 2017 Kraft Hockeyville competition. As a finalist, Wilkie received $25,000 in arena upgrades and qualified for the grand prize of $100,000 plus the opportunity to host an NHL pre-season game. Ituna, Saskatchewan would edge Wilkie in the next round of voting, however Mayor David Ziegler said the positive experience changed his community.

The Battlefords North Stars completed one of their most successful seasons in franchise history. The Stars easily captured first place overall in the SJHL by amassing a 48-9-1 record for 97 points and earning home-ice advantage throughout the playoffs. The Stars also set a league record for fewest goals against in a season (103). Battlefords went into the playoffs as heavy favourites and it was well warranted as the Stars swept  the Weyburn Red Wings, Estevan Bruins, and the Flin Flon Bombers in the league final to capture the Canalta Cup and earn the right to represent the league at the Western Canada Cup in Penticton B.C. in May.

The Town of Wilkie and surrounding area were shocked that Heidi Veit, an education assistant in the Living Sky School Division was found dead in the RM of Buffalo.  Her estranged husband Wesley John Veit was subsequently arrested and charged with first degree murder. His trial was expected to begin in the summer. The charges have not been proven in court.

The province completed its investigation into the Husky Energy oil spill that impacted a number of communities in July 2016, including North Battleford. The investigator’s report identified some gaps in the time Husky’s operators were notified of problems in the system to when the pipeline was shut down that will be further reviewed. The province will be taking measures to ensure pipelines carrying oil, especially when they travel through river valleys, are inspected more thoroughly and more often to help prevent future accidents. About 225,000 litres spilled from the oil pipe leak, with about 40 per cent entering the water. Husky Energy cleaned up about 210,000 litres.

Rustlers Volleyball

Crusaders' Bell excited for next chapter with Lakeland College

41m ago

Nothing but Net

Vikings' standouts ready for national stage with Team Saskatchewan

3h ago

Missing person

Spiritwood RCMP searching for missing woman

6h ago

And on March 22, the Brad Wall government tabled its provincial government with cuts, tax increases, and closures designed to help tackle the government’s $1.2 billion deficit. The PST was raised to six per cent from five and applied to items that were previously tax exempt such as children’s clothes and restaurant meals. The provincially owned bus company, STC, was axed and funding for post-secondary schools, libraries and municipalities were drastically cut. The City of North Battleford saw a decrease in funding by approximately $2 million. After a public outcry, the province eventually stayed its decision on the funding to libraries in the province restoring funding to 2016’s numbers.   

roger.white@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @RJWtheReporter