There was an interesting development in Manitoba with their Junior 'B' hockey league, the Keystone Junior Hockey League, over the weekend. Apparently, the league ordered the Norway House North Stars to play their home games in Gimli instead of in Norway House. The reason being was that in the semi-finals, a number of players from Selkirk were injured when playing up there. The newspaper report doesn't say whether they were attacked by fans or whether the games were extra rough, or what the actual reason for these guys getting hurt was. The politicians from Norway House got involved, the team was steadfast in not going to Gimli, and the championship has been awarded to the Arborg Ice Dawgs without playing a game beyond the first two that were slated to be played in Arborg anyway (the Ice Dawgs won both of those games). This is Junior 'B' hockey. Nobody is going to the NHL. If the games were stupid, I wouldn't play. So I commend the league for this decision if player safety was an issue. Often, we err on the side of 'offending' someone in lieu of making a common choice that keeps someone safe. Norway House's response could mean they'll lose their team in the KJHL and I'm willing to bet the league will never go back.
Staying in Manitoba, accused wife killer Mark Stobbe was found innocent last week. There was evidence to suggest she was killed in her own backyard and driven in the family car to a place fifteen kilometers away. Amazing. The case was circumstantial and so that had to play a major role in Stobbe getting off the hook. But,I have to wonder if Stobbe didn't do itwho did? The court system in our country doesn't allow for that kind of a rational thought. But, think about it. If Stobbe didn't do it, you have a mystery cold blooded killer, who apparently fell from space and, has struck just one time in 12 years still walking the street. Read that again and put some sarcasm with it. Hopefully, no further resources are wasted trying to find who did this. Stobbe, himself, says it's not his job to try and find out who killed his wife. I don't know about you, but if my wife were harmed, I'd have difficulty sleeping each and every night until I found out who was responsible.
The Saskatchewan government took some heat for pulling funding for film production in our province. It's a tough call and I realize the funding is maybe small potatoes when you look at the grand scheme of how much money is spent on everything over the course of a year; but I just don't think it's worth it. It's like funding sports teams. Governments have no business subsidizing professional sports teams and I don't think they should fund film production either.
The federal government is phasing out the penny. It costs 1.6 cents to make a penny, so it makes sense (or cents). Having said that, I think charitable organizations will take a bit of a hit because a lot of people were taking their pennies and dropping them in a jar or container that retail businesses have on their counters to support various non-for-profit organizations. Customers can still use pennies; but totals will be rounded up or down. For example, $1.02 would be $1.00. $1.03 would be $1.05. A penny saved is no longer a penny earned.
Thought of the day: price of oil goes down, price at the pumps goes up. The two are simply not related. Price at the pump goes up because of demand or anticipated demand. Regardless of what a barrel of oil costs on May 18th, you can expect gas prices to shoot upward because people like to be on the move for May Long Weekend.
I'm probably asking for trouble bringing this up, but I saw a police cruiser parked on King Street last week. Emergency lights were not engaged, engine appeared to be shut off, and there wasn't an officer in site. There was, however, loads of traffic and that street becomes really tight for two lanes when a vehicle is parked on the street. I'm sure there is a logical explanation. I'm just saying
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has suspended New Orleans coach Sean Payton for the entire season in the wake of the bounty scandal. An entire season. When do you think we will hear of more bounty issues in the NFL? I'm going to go out on a limb and say this issue has been nipped. The NHL should take the cue when it comes to cheap shot hits. You bounce a guy or two from the league for a whole season and players will learn to adapt really quick.
Nice person mentions this week to Kevin Foote, Shannon (her last name might prevent me from naming her), Sherry MacDonald, Darrell Halarewich, Don Rae, and Jay Boyd.
