By Roger White/battlefordsNOW Staff

2016 Year In Review — January

Dec 26, 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.

January was a month of triumphs and tragedy.

The top news story of the month happened on January 22, when four people were killed and seven others were injured in a shooting spree in La Loche. Two boys said to be the suspect’s cousins were killed at their home and two teachers were killed at the Dene Building. A 17-year-old male young offender was apprehended and placed into custody.

Meanwhile the trial of 37-year-old Nicholas Clifford Giroux came to an end after he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 10 years following the stabbing death of a man in a North Battleford hotel in 2013. Giroux received a life sentence after pleading guilty to second degree murder after killing 20-year-old Thang Mang in the Travelodge Hotel.

January also saw several changes in notable positions. John Enns-Wind became the new Town Administrator in Battleford following the retirement of Sheryl Ballentine. Jay Bottomley replaced Brendan Boothman as president of the Battleford’s Chamber of Commerce and after 10 years of serving as Director of Education, Randy Fox announced he was leaving the Living Sky School Division in August. Dave Hutchinson replaced Fox in the role in September.

Threat not over

Floodwaters ease near Prince Albert, but officials warn risk remains as hundreds stay evacuated

8h ago

rising prices

Inflation impacting non-profit operations

9h ago

municipal matters

Town of Battleford commits $3.7M to proposed regional arena and event centre

10h ago

2015 was another banner year for building permits in North Battleford with 126 permits issued worth $29.5 million dollars compared to 104 permits in 2014. Business permits remained on par in 2015 with 916 permits issued worth $206,000 down slightly from 2014, which saw 962 permits worth $216,000.

Finally, two new pieces of vital equipment were also purchased in January as the Prairie North Health Region and Cut Knife area received a new $167,000 ambulance. The City of North Battleford deployed a new snow thrower. The new blower enables city crews to complete snow removal more efficiently and faster.

roger.white@jpbg.ca

Twitter: rogerwhitecjnb@battlefordnow.com

by Roger White/battlefordsNOW Staff

2016 Year In Review — January

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