Top 10 stories of 2025 from battlefordsNOW and meadowlakeNOW

The Battlefords celebrated the legacy of hometown NHL player Colby Cave with a 2,400-square-foot memorial mural at 1201 101st Street in North Battleford, bringing his story to life in bold colour. Painted by Regina-based Indigenous artist Harley Sinclair, the mural traces Cave’s rise from local minor hockey to the NHL, transforming downtown into a place of remembrance and inspiration.

The mural was unveiled Nov. 22 alongside the Cave family, community members and former Edmonton Oiler Steve MacIntyre.

The Colby Cave memorial mural covers the wall of the 1201 101st Street building in downtown North Battleford. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

9) Saskatchewan Marshals Service

The Saskatchewan Marshals Service officially launched in March 2025 to enhance policing and address high-risk crime across the province. The first marshals are based out of Prince Albert, and the Battlefords is set to open the province’s first regional headquarters in the new year. The service is expected to cost taxpayers about $20 million annually.

Unlike RCMP or municipal officers, marshals are not required to respond to every call, allowing them to focus entirely on assigned investigations, Superintendent Jesse Barlow said.

On Oct. 20, 2025, Red Pheasant Cree Nation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the service, becoming the first First Nation in Saskatchewan to formally partner with the agency in an effort to improve safety and address drugs, gangs and violent crime.

Saskatchewan Marshals Service Chief Marshal Robert Cameron, left, and Red Pheasant Cree Nation Chief Cody Benson hold the signed memorandum of understanding during a ceremony at Eagles Landing in North Battleford on Oct. 20, 2025. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW staff)

8) Canada Post strike disrupts service

Canada Post workers staged major labour action in 2025, beginning with a national strike in September sparked by federal reform plans that included ending some home delivery and closing offices. A rotating strike and overtime ban followed.

Postal worker John Harper said job security and respect were at the heart of the walkout.

“Nobody here doesn’t want to work. I’d rather be working right now. I’ve got girls and a wife who is looking out for the kids, and I’m out of work again,” Harper said. “I just want to be left alone to do my job. I want to be able to do the job that I’ve always done.”

Strike action was suspended after Canada Post and CUPW reached a deal in principle in November.

Members of the Canadian Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) Local 706 gathered in front of the Canada Post office in North Battleford to support the union’s nationwide postal strike. (Kenneth Cheung/ battlefordsNOW staff)

7) FSIN finances put under scrutiny

In September, paNOW reporter Nigel Maxwell broke news that the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations had been asked to explain more than $34 million in expenses. Much of the concern centred on $30,024,786 in COVID-19 funding received between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2023.

The government-commissioned KPMG audit, finalized by Indigenous Services Canada, issued eight recommendations, including stronger travel policies and improved financial documentation. While no charges were announced, ISC said it is reviewing next steps and is not ruling out further action.

The FSIN said it is confident that ISC “will conclude that all expenditures are eligible with the exception of minor administrative erros that have since been corrected” after it reviews the documentation the FSIN provided in response to a lengthy list of questions and data items. (Mia Holowaychuk/650 CKOM)

6) Meadow Lake Co-op Centre opens

Meadow Lake marked a milestone in June with the grand opening of the $52-million Co-op Centre — a modern recreation hub featuring an arena, indoor fieldhouse and events facility.

It was built after the 45-year-old Meadow Lake and District Arena burned down in 2021. The project was funded through a mix of federal and provincial support, insurance, city funds and community donations.

“This is one of the proudest days I’ve had in public life. It really is because this is going to make an immense difference for the generations that come after us,” said Meadow Lake MLA Jeremy Harrison.

The official ribbon-cutting for the new Co-op Centre in Meadow Lake. (File photo/BattlefordsNOW staff)

5) North Battleford becomes home to Sask.’s third Drug Court

Saskatchewan launched a Drug Treatment Court in North Battleford on July 9, becoming the third of its kind in the province after Moose Jaw and Regina, and one of 23 courts across Canada supported by $10.6 million in federal funding.

It is aimed at breaking the cycle of crime driven by addiction. The 12- to 18-month program focuses on treatment, mental health supports, employment training and cultural programming as an alternative to jail.

On the same day, the mayors of North Battleford and Battleford joined MLA Jeremy Cockrill and MLA Tim McLeod in signing a letter to Ottawa calling for stricter bail measures for repeat violent offenders — part of a broader push for public safety reform.

Saskatchewan Minister of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Tim McLeod speaks at the opening of the new Drug Treatment Court in North Battleford on July 9, 2025. (File photo/battlefordsNOW)

4) A historic first State of the City address

North Battleford’s first female mayor, Kelli Hawtin, delivered the city’s first State of the City address on March 12, using hockey imagery to encourage residents to help rewrite the city’s reputation.

She pushed back against the “crime town” label, noting that federal reporting changes prevent unfair rankings and highlighting improvements in safety measures and policing.

Hawtin also pointed to economic growth, including strong land sales and rising building permits, while announcing a new downtown safety strategy with added RCMP presence.

The first-ever female mayor of North Battleford, Kelli Hawtin, delivers her speech during the 2025 State of the City address at the Dekker Centre on March 12, 2025. (Kenneth Cheung/battlefordsNOW)

3) Roughriders capture the Grey Cup

The Saskatchewan Roughriders defeated the Montreal Alouettes 25-17 in Winnipeg on Nov. 16, lifting the Grey Cup for the fifth time in franchise history. Head coach Corey Mace thanked fans for believing in the team and pushing them through the season.

Quarterback Trevor Harris was named the game’s Most Outstanding Player.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders were victorious in the 112th Grey Cup in Winnipeg, Man. on Nov. 16, 2025. (Britton Gray/980 CJME)

2) A federal election shaped by global politics

A turbulent political year saw Justin Trudeau announce his resignation Jan. 6, Chrystia Freeland step down as finance minister, and Mark Carney sworn in as prime minister March 14.

U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade stance, along with inflation and health-care concerns, heavily influenced Canadian voter sentiment. Early polls favoured Conservatives, but after Trudeau’s resignation and Trump’s return, Liberal support rebounded nationally.

In Saskatchewan, Conservatives won 13 of 14 seats, with Buckley Belanger capturing the lone Liberal riding.

Prime Minister Mark Carney smiles as he takes his seat at his first news conference since winning the federal election, in Ottawa, Friday, May 2, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

1) Saskatchewan’s devastating wildfire season

The most defining story of 2025 was Saskatchewan’s record-setting wildfire season, which destroyed homes, businesses and vast areas of boreal forest. The Red Cross registered 16,000 evacuees. More than 200 homes were lost in Denare Beach alone, along with dozens on Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation and other northern communities. In total, 2.9 million hectares burned.

The NDP has called for an independent judicial inquiry into what it calls a failure of response. The province has instead commissioned an independent after-action review through Saskatchewan Public Safety.

CL215-T flying over wildfire in Saskatchewan. (photo/SPSA)

Honourable Mentions

• City’s largest land sale: MGBHLM First Nation purchased 36.48 acres in North Battleford for $1.93 million to develop a casino, hotel and event centre.

• Jake Vaadeland’s breakout year: The Cut Knife musician earned a Juno, CCMA and Western Canadian Music Award, and became the youngest ever Road Gold recipient.

• Yellowstone bison milestone: History was made near the Battlefords as 11 purebred Yellowstone bison were released onto Mosquito, Grizzly Bear’s Head Lean Man First Nation land — the first time Yellowstone animals have ever been introduced in Canada, marking a major moment for cultural renewal and land restoration.

• City council shakeup: Councillor Ross MacAngus resigned in August after pleading guilty to common assault. A by-election is set for Jan. 21, 2026.

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com

by battlefordsNOW staff/ meadowlakeNOW