2024 top stories in Meadow Lake and the Battlefords

As police asked residents with surveillance cameras to come forward, others tried to channel their anger and frustrations into finding alternatives to vigilantism.

Mayor in Loon Lake requests support in wake of criminal activity, church fire

Along with the rash of vandalism in Loon Lake this past summer, an iconic building in the village burned to the ground. St. George Anglican Church had once been considered for heritage status.

The St. George Anglican Church was burned to the ground on Sept. 28, 2024 after standing in Loon Lake for 85 years. (submitted photo)

There had been talk that since the timing was near the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, there was a connection, others believed it to be just part of the string of incidents that plagued the community.

The situation became dire, and Mayor Brian Hirschfeld wrote a letter to Premier Scott Moe and Opposition Leader Carla Beck in a plea for help.

Champions: NB Beavers nab back-to-back titles

This summer, the North Battleford Beavers took on the Standard Hill Lakers in the North Saskatchewan River Baseball League championship game and held on to their title of champions for the second year in a row.

“At the beginning of the season, we were looking to repeat,” said Coach and Player Kyle Gregoire.

The North Battleford Beavers celebrate with the trophy following their 11-5 win over the Standard Hill Lakers on Thurs., Aug. 22. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

“We had the team to do it again, we had definitely some hard series to go at there, but we were able to capitalize on opportunities and just excited for the guys – especially the vets and the new guys too.”

Up until last year, the team waited nearly 30 years to sport that title.

New North Battleford council sworn in with Hawtin at helm

After 111 years, it happened: a woman was officially sworn in as the mayor of North Battleford.

Mayor Kelli Hawtin takes her oath from Judge Michelle Baldwin on Dec. 2. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Kelli Hawtin, who initially pulled her name during the campaign season, won in a landslide.

After the swearing in, the Madame Mayor spoke to battlefordsNOW and said it felt right.

‘Plywood Palace’ no longer: JP II reopens with Moe and Cockrill

Earlier this fall, John Paul II Collegiate’s $18-million facelift was complete and the doors to the building that has served the community for 112 years reopened.

Dancer Lyric Albert performs during the grand reopening of John Paul II Collegiate on Monday, Sept. 23 as dignitaries look on. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

No longer the “Plywood Palace” as it came to be known by staff and students, the renovation-expansion, which took four years to complete was unveiled with Premier Scott Moe and MLA and then-Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill in attendance.

That’s a wrap: Community Builder Campaign hits $5.7M after only one year for CO-OP Centre; more coming in

Last year, a campaign to involve Meadow Lake residents began to raise $6 million for a state-of-the-art community complex.

Donors and stakeholders celebrate the wrap-up of the Community Builder Campaign on Nov. 26. (Photo/Nic Fransoo)

Just over a year later, they have succeeded, and the Co-Op Centre is expected to be a reality sometime next spring.

Accused takes the stand at child porn trial

The trial of Joseph Sproull is now nearing its sentencing phase but earlier this fall Sproull, who was initially charged with 11 counts relating to sexual assault and child pornography before three charges were dropped, took the stand in his own defence.

Joseph Sproull exits King’s Bench Court in Battleford after a day of testimony. (Julia Lovett-Squires/battlefordsNOW Staff)

The 43-year-old has been found guilty of eight counts including sexual assault on s person under 16, and making and possessing child pornography.

Undetermined cause of Best Canadian Motor Inn fire

The North Battleford Fire Department (NBFD) and the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency ruled that the cause of the fire at the Best Canadian Motor Inn, which was considered a total loss on Oct. 14, was undetermined.

The fire broke out at the motel near the Highway 16 bypass in North Battleford late Monday night. (submitted photo/Chris Bekei)

The City said the fire started just before 10 p.m. and affected three motel rooms. No deaths or major injuries were reported, but one person suffered from smoke inhalation and was treated at the scene.

Eagle Landing opening marks new era of growth in North Battleford

The leadership of the Red Pheasant Cree First Nation and representatives from the City of North Battleford celebrated the grand opening of Eagle Landing on Oct.18, marking an important milestone for the city and a step toward reconciliation.

Eagle Landing celebrated its grand opening on Friday and is a collaboration between the Red Pheasant Cree Nation and the City of North Battleford. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW Staff)

The mall is not just a new retail space but also symbolizes a shared vision for prosperity benefiting the city and the surrounding Nations.

Waterhen School burns in fire started in industrial arts shop

The Waterhen First Nation, about 40 kilometres north of Meadow Lake, lost its school in a fire on May 28 afternoon.

This post of the school on the Waterhen First Nation consumed by fire was posted on May 25. (Shamus Mistickokat/Facebook)

The fire started on the roof of the building’s Industrial Arts/Shop portion. Students and staff were safely evacuated.

‘The North Stars have always been very important to me’: Martin Smith hired as new head coach

After being without a head coach for three weeks due to the stepping down of Garry Childerhose at the beginning of the season, Battlefords North Stars legend and SJHL Hall of Famer, Martin Smith was hired as the new bench boss for the North Stars.

Battlefords North Stars hire North Stars Legend, Martin Smith as the new Head Coach. (Battlefords North Stars/Facebook)

Smith was born and raised in North Battleford and finished his SJHL career with 229 games played for the North Stars, getting 158 goals and 218 assists for 376 points.

Borden’s Savannah Sutherland breaks Canadian 400-metre hurdles record; named Big 10 Track and Field Athlete of the Year

Borden raised athlete built on grit and determination, Savannah Sutherland broke the Canadian record for the 400-metre hurdles at the 2024 NCAA Track and Field Championships.

The original record was 54.32 and she took it another level, posting a 53.26 time.

Savannah Sutherland takes to a hurdle during last week’s NCAA Track and Field Championships. (University of Michigan Track and Field Photo)

She was also named the 2024 Big 10 Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year and represented Canada at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Sharks success continues as they climb to #2 on national rankings

The Battlefords AAA Sharks started the season with a historic 10-0-2-1 record and didn’t lose a game in regulation.

The next game for the Sharks is Saturday, November 16th against the Swift Current Wildcats at the AGT Centre in Rosetown. (Photo courtesy of Kristy Klassen)

Their success granted them a #2 spot on the national U18 girls hockey.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

by battlefordsNOW Staff

2024 top stories in Meadow Lake and the Battlefords

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