ESTEVAN - The final month of the year is known for having lots of activity in the first two to three weeks, prior to the annual Christmas break, and this year was no different, as the southeast was a busy area.
Among the great additions for Estevan’s Christmas decorations is a large, brightly decorated Christmas tree at the intersection of King Street, 13th Avenue and Souris Avenue North, with more than 3,100 decorations. Community members have been raving about the tree.
Unit 4 at the Boundary Dam Power Station was officially retired on Dec. 1. The unit had served Saskatchewan for more than 50 years, but its days were numbered after SaskPower opted not to retrofit it with carbon capture and storage technology.
SaskMusic announced the nominees of the 2021 Saskatchewan Music Awards on Dec. 2. North Portal-based group Last Birds, comprised of Mike Davis and Lindsay Arnold, was nominated for Roots/Folk Artist of the Year. Last Birds and Jeff D. Michel were up for the top album award, which is voted for by the public. And the Happy Nun restaurant in Forget is a finalist for top venue.
The Estevan Police Service was called to the Estevan Comprehensive School on Dec. 2 about a potential threat. Police conducted several interviews, spoke with students and staff and determined there was no credible threat.
Weyburn RCMP responded to reports of a collision between a semi and a piece of farm machinery on Highway 35, approximately four kilometres south of Tribune, on Dec. 3. The farm machinery struck the rear portion of the semi while travelling south, and the farm unit tipped onto its side, blocking the highway in both directions. The farm equipment driver suffered serious injuries.
Water Polo Canada (WPC) announced the male and female rosters for the Youth Pan American Championships in Bauru, Brazil. Estevan’s Alexandra Andrist, Josephina Andrist and Mikayla Hack have been selected for the women's youth national team. Former Estevan resident Cameron Gillingham was named an alternate for the men's youth national squad. The tournament was to happen in January, but has since been postponed.
The Dickens Village Festival returned to Carlyle from Dec. 3-5, transforming the town into a Victorian-era community from Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. A variety of activities were offered throughout the festival, to the delight of the people who attended.
Estevan’s Kasey McIntrye was selected as the Cystic Fibrosis Canada volunteer fundraising champion for Western Canada and the Prairies region, for her efforts to raise funds to find a cure for CF. She has organized events in the community, including the Walk to Make CF History, which has happened both in-person and virtually.
An outbreak of COVID-19 at Hill View Manor was declared over on Dec. 6. While most of those diagnosed with the virus showed mild symptoms, two residents died. The residents were enjoying greater freedoms within the facility once the outbreak was over.
The Estevan Eclipse Downhole Solutions U18 AAA Bears announced the dismissal of head coach Jeff Smith. Smith, hired in January 2020, had been the only head coach in franchise history. Assistant coach Riley Hengen became the assistant coach.
The Estevan Downtown Business Association held its inaugural Miracle on Fourth Street on Dec. 11. Hundreds of people turned out to enjoy the activities that were offered in the 1100 and 1200 blocks, and to shop at the downtown merchants.
The Estevan Community Hamper Association received a tremendous influx of toys and cash donations for its Angel Tree program, allowing it to meet the needs of hamper recipients with children once again the year. They had only 40-50 toys with a few days remaining, and needed more than 430.
The Estevan Fire Rescue Service was called to a fire in a mobile home on Dec. 14. One person died in the fire.
The Estevan Kinette Club distributed pyjamas through its PJ Project to children of hamper recipients as well.
The Woodlawn Regional Park’s Festival of Trees kicked off on Dec. 17. The popular event, which features well-decorated displays from local businesses and organizations, will wrap up Jan. 8.
The Community Hamper Association distributed hampers to families in the community from Dec. 21-23, helping people have a Merry Christmas.
Estevan resident Sandy Hedstrom continued her campaign against domestic violence on Dec. 21, walking from the office of Estevan MLA Lori Carr to Souris-Moose Mountain MP Robert Kitchen. She was joined by a couple of friends to raise awareness.
The southeast region received its first blast of significant snow this winter on Dec. 26, creating hazardous road conditions. Communities undertook snow clearing efforts after the snow, and highways crews were kept busy with snow removal efforts, too. Frigid temperatures blanketed the southeast after the snow.
