Meridian Source - April 9, 2026

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Cenovus Energy invests $2M in Lakeland College

Representatives from Cenovus Energy and Lakeland College were all smiles after the $2-million investment announcement at the college’s Lloydminster campus on April 7. Taylor Weaver Meridian Source

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Cenovus Energy is investing $2 million in Lakeland College to modernize student learning spaces and expand dual-credit programming at its Lloydminster and Vermilion campuses. The funding announcement was made on Tuesday, April 7, and will support upgrades to the Cenovus Energy production lab and power engineering lab at the Lloydminster campus. It will also modernize learning spaces in the school of trades and technology at the Vermilion campus. Furthermore, the investment will establish a dual-credit energy course through Lakeland’s school of energy and a dual-credit electrical course in its school of trades, allowing high school students to begin post-secondary training while earning credits.

In recognition of the contribution, Lakeland’s applied engineering building in Vermilion will be renamed the Cenovus Energy Industrial Trades Building.

Stacey Ruller, Lakeland’s manager of donor and alumni relations, said the funding is transformational for students and programs.

“It allows our students to train on the same hands-on equipment they’re going to see the moment they enter the workforce,” said Ruller. “It builds confidence and ensures they are jobready.”

Ruller said the dual-credit programming will also help strengthen regional training opportunities by allowing high school students to explore careers in energy and trades while earning credits toward postsecondary education.

“It allows us to promote electrical and energy programs right in our region and gives students the opportunity to continue that learning after high school,” she said.

Clayton Ulrich, senior manager of the upstream division with Cenovus in Lloydminster, said the investment strengthens the company’s longstanding relationship with the college.

“For us, it’s a huge opportunity to continue to build that partnership and support student advancement,” said Ulrich, noting Lakeland plays a key role in preparing students for careers in the field.

“Success for us is making sure students are prepared to enter the industry and

[CenovusYoutube]

have a clear understanding of what that work looks like.”

The sentiment was echoed by a Lakeland alumnus now employed at Cenovus, who credited the college’s industry ties for her career readiness.

“What made all the difference for me was how hands-on the learning experience was,” said Kateryna Svidrak. “The labs and equipment helped me gain confidence quickly, and so much of that is because of the relationship Lakeland has developed with industry leaders like Cenovus.”

The investment marks a new chapter in what has become one of the college’s most significant corporate relationships. To date, Cenovus has invested more than $7.2 million into Lakeland’s power engineering, trades and Indigenous student success initiatives.

The partnership also serves as a direct pipeline to the workforce; since 2023, more than 80 students have completed practicums or student roles with Cenovus, with many transitioning into permanent careers.

Downtown resource centre in works, pending permits

A new resource centre is in the works to support Lloydminster’s unhoused population in the heart of the city.

The Lloydminster and Vermilion for Equity (LVE) Foundation announced work is underway to open the Nitôtêm Resource Centre.

LVE is in the process of obtaining permits from the City of Lloydminster for the resource centre.

“We did apply for the proper development permit,” said Tamara Dancy, a third-year social work student who will serve as the project’s caseworker. “They asked for more information. We are in the process of submitting the information. Then, they’re going to send out community engagement to businesses within 200 metres.”

She says they’ve been discussing having a physical building for some time.

For Tigra-Lee Campbell, LVE co-founder and president, the centre will serve as a one-stop-shop.

“The centre will be a one-stop-shop for those seeking resources,” she said, explaining people will be able to get basic necessities, showers, laundry, life skills and employment training. “I believe in building an equitable community where everyone has what they need to survive.”

The new building will offer a variety of new services for the unhoused

population, including proposed transitional housing.

“Some of the new services we would like to offer, we would like our own inclusive space for LVE operations and transitional housing. The building does have two units at the top where we will offer pre- and post-treatment beds,” said Campbell.

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“Each unit has two rooms; we’re going to house four people.

“The first unit will be post-detox treatment. That gap between detox and treatment is really long. The other unit, which is post treatment, we’re hoping for a 90-day turnaround.”

LVE currently runs the warming van during periods of extreme winter cold, in partnership with the City of Lloyd.

“We’re hoping to do the winter warming response, as well as the summer weather,” she said, noting there’s only 15 seats on the bus to help the 70 people in the city that are completely unhoused.

Deborah Munroe, executive director of the Lloydminster Native Friendship Centre, said the need for the resource centre is very high.

“We’ve had 1,833 points of service with unhoused individuals,” she said. “We only have 10 staff here.”

LVE received funding from two sources – $500,000 from the Métis Nation of Saskatchewan for the purchase and renovations of the building and $150,000 for operational costs from the Rural Development Network.

Security concerns were raised during LVE’s public engagement efforts. The team hopes to address these issues through staffing at the resource centre.

“All of our staff and volunteers will be trained in de-escalation training and crisis intervention training, so we can be the first point of contact with that,” said Campbell.

She explained a resource centre wouldn’t necessarily be a bigger draw for the proposed downtown centre, which would be located at 4920 50 St.

“(A) resource centre isn’t necessarily going to make them come in droves when they’re already here,” she said.

According to Campbell, the term Nitôtêm means “our friend” in Cree, something the team reflects in the operation of the building.

“To provide that safe space to come as you are, regardless of whether you’re under the influence or not, we still think you deserve services and resources,” she said.

Campbell made it clear what the facility would not be.

“We are not going to be a safe consumption site,” she said.

Permitting is ongoing but the team has high hopes the facility will open in late summer.

Superior Safety continues permitting work in Lloyd

In just a few short minutes, a motion by City of Lloydminster council awarded the safety codes contract to the current vendor, Superior Safety Codes Inc.

Beginning in November 2025, council expressed concerns over awarding the item to a business outside of Lloydminster.

At the time, administration was recommending the agreement be awarded to Lethbridge-based Parks Enterprises Ltd. Council defeated the motion later in November, which led to administration starting the next steps in the process, eventually putting it out for proposals again.

Explore all of what Lloydminster has to offer with the Spring Guide. Lloydminster.ca/Guides

The item was presented at the March 23 regular council meeting for decision after the request for proposal was issued on Jan. 20. It closed on Feb. 19 and produced three responses.

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City looks to borrow to upgrade landfill

CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI

The Lloydminster landfill could look different as council gave first reading to a $4.6M borrowing bylaw aimed at improving the landfill.

The landfill operations building, entrance and scalehouse borrowing bylaw would see some substantial changes being made to the landfill.

“They’re looking at approaching it on the south side, totally different entrance,” said Lloydminster Mayor Gerald Aalbers.

“The buildings that we have there are not ideal. We can’t even store the equipment that we have. The heavy equipment, that’s very expensive. We don’t have enough space to store it indoors.

PUBLIC NOTICE

RM of Britannia No. 502 Public Notice – Lloydminster Planning District Zoning Bylaw Amendment 05-2026

Public Notice is hereby given that the Council of the Rural Municipality (RM) of Britannia No. 502 intends to adopt a bylaw under The Planning and Development Act, 2007, to amend Bylaw No. 18-2014, known as the Lloydminster Planning District (LPD) Zoning Bylaw (ZB).

INTENT: Proposed Bylaw 05-2026 will increase the maximum allowable sign area from 6m2 to 8m2, the maximum allowable combined sign area from 12m2 to 16m2, and the maximum sign height from 6m to 8m in non-residential districts.

AFFECTED LAND: This Bylaw amendment will affect all parcels in the A – Agriculture, C1 – Rural Commercial, M1 –Industrial, CON – Conservation and REC – Recreational districts of the LPD.

REASON: The RM has received an application to increase the sign area and height allowance in order to accommodate standard signs for some uses in the Rural Commercial district. Council is considering this amendment as it will provide more flexibility for developments in this area for signage purposes with minimal impact to nearby properties.

PUBLIC INSPECTION: Any person may inspect the bylaw at the RM of Britannia No. 502 office Monday to Friday, during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.), excluding statutory holidays. Copies will be available to the public by emailing the contact below. A copy of the proposed amendment is available for viewing here: https://www.rmbritannia.com.

PUBLIC HEARING: Council will hold a public hearing on Wednesday, April 29, 2026 at 2:30 PM at the RM of Britannia No. 502 Office, located at Parcel C on NE 23-50-28W3M (1/4 mile south of TWP RD 504 on RR 3281), to hear any person or group that wants to comment on the proposed amendment. Council will consider written and emailed comments at the meeting, along with in-person representations. Only those who have made arrangements to speak on behalf of themselves or a group may be heard at the public hearing. The deadline for receipt of comments, and requests for in-person representation must be received by the RM office by 4:00 PM on Thursday, April 23, 2026. For additional information, please contact the Development Services Officer at (306) 825-2610 or dso@rmbritannia.com. Written submissions may be sent to RM of Britannia, P.O. Box 661, Lloydminster SK, S9V 0Y7 or dso@rmbritannia.com.

Issued in the RM of Britannia No. 502 this 9th day of April, 2026

of Britannia No. 502

“The discussion and still being looked at is two scales. When you drive in on one side and drive out on the other.”

Ryan Hill, financial planning and analysis manager, gave some insight into the current debt situation in Lloydminster.

“The total debt outstanding for the city, at the end of Feb. 28, we had just over $89M of debt outstanding, which is just over 48 per cent of our 2025 debt limit, which is sitting at $184M,” he said, noting the amounts are unaudited and subject to change. “If this $4.6 million were to come out, it adds about 2.5 per cent to the outstanding debt limit and about 1.1 per cent to the debt servicing limit.”

Coun. Justin Vance asked if it was possible to have detailed design done before the borrowing happened.

“If we can pay for the detailed design and then bring the borrowing bylaw back once council can see, just because it’s such a large amount, $4.6M before we know what we’re getting for that amount,” he said.

Lloyd delays projects in pursuit of grant funds

CHRISTIAN APOSTOLOVSKI ..................................

The City of Lloydminster is delaying two capital projects to a future year as it pursues grant funding to cover some of the costs.

The projects in question that are being delayed include: traffic light intersection upgrade at 50 Ave. and 62 St. and the trail and sidewalk improvement program.

The projects, according to administration, will each cost $590,000.

LANDFILL FROM PAGE 6

Hill noted the majority of the project was being funded through borrowing.

“There wouldn’t be any funds available to do detailed design unless we added budget for that from reserve or somewhere else,” he said.

The item will return to council once the tender has been put out.

“The detailed designs will come out and then you will still have to award the tender of it,” said Hill. “There would still be the opportunity to say we don’t want to award and this bylaw would just be sitting there saying, when you do, or don’t want to award, then we can just go and borrow.”

City manager Dion Pollard spoke to the importance of getting the process underway.

“I do think it’s important, because of the length of the process, to get it first then proceed through the process,” he said.

The grant funding agreements for the two projects stipulate that funding will be provided in future years. Due to this, the projects have to be deferred to a future year with funds originally allocated to those projects moving elsewhere.

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“What administration is proposing is that new trail section will be put to a future capital budget year and then rehabilitation will just move forward in 2026,” said Jordan Newton, senior manager of parks and green spaces.

The funding will move to trail rehabilitation and intersection improvements in 2026.

He explained at the March 23 regular council meeting that, this is the first year they’ve looked at repairing their trails.

“For a number of years, we’ve done trail improvements in Bud Miller All Seasons Park as a part of the parks projects,” he said. “This 2026 year was the first year we proposed starting to go back and rehabilitate our aging trail sections as part of our active

transportation network.

“For 2026, we crafted that new project name that’s the trail and sidewalk improvement program.”

Coun. David Lopez pointed out the delay in the project could lead to ballooning costs for the project, as they’ve seen with other capital work they’ve done.

“Neither project was urgent, urgent, urgent, today, had to be done, so that’s why we thought delaying it a year would be OK,” said Dion Pollard, city manager. “I believe it was around the $600,000 mark that we’d be relinquishing (if they didn’t delay).”

He says it could be a talking point with the provincial government in Saskatchewan at their upcoming Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA) convention, which council will attend from April 12-15.

“It’s certainly an advocacy topic to take to SUMA if we have a chance with the transportation minister and asking that question,” said Pollard.

Newton clarified which sections of the city they would be focusing on for rehabilitation.

“Intersections we have a few in mind, trail sections we know we want to prioritize our main trail trunk throughout our community,” he said. “Starts around Winston Churchill neighbourhood, heads west into Alberta along that 27, 29 St. and we’ll ultimately head north near the Comp.” Council approved the change in funding, delaying the traffic lights intersection upgrade and the trail and sidewalk improvement program.

LloydMall under new ownership

Real estate investment firm Leyad has acquired LloydMall.

The Montreal-based company announced the deal on March 10, noting the acquisition aligns with its focus on high-quality retail assets that provide essential services.

The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Zavriyev added that grocery and pharmacy-anchored centres have become the company’s highestgrossing tenant category.

The move follows a string of recent retail purchases by the firm, including the $160.5-million acquisition of St. Vital Centre in Winnipeg and a multiprovince grocery portfolio spanning six provinces and Yukon.

“LloydMall fits squarely within our strategy of investing in high-quality retail assets that provide essential goods and services to their communities,” Henry Zavriyev, chief executive officer of Leyad, said in a news release.

10

Thursday, April 9, 2026

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Have you had a chance to check out our newly revamped e-edition? By the numbers, many new readers have found their local news and sports on our digital pages at meridiansource.ca.

If you’re curious about what’s changed since the newspaper decided the most financially viable option was to go fully digital, here’s a quick rundown.

The fonts are about double the size, making it easier to read the paper on a smartphone. Gone are the days of pinching your screen to zoom in and scrolling from left to right.

We’ve designed the paper so readers can simply click the link and start reading.

Another exciting change is interactive advertising. If an advertiser has a website, ads are now hyperlinked directly to it, giving readers easy access to more information about their business.

I’ve also been talking about videos in the e-edition since the rollout of the digital-only format, as seen on Page 3 of last week’s edition. This is exciting for a few reasons, but it’s also an example of the Meridian Source adapting to the times.

We know people consume their news differently than in years past. Everything is faster, and people tend to prefer a quick video over a 650-plus-word story. We’ll still have full-length feature stories on meridiansource.ca, but they will primarily live on the website instead of in the e-edition.

We’ve also been inviting readers to subscribe to our newsletter. It has been landing in subscribers’ inboxes for a few months, but we’ve made some changes to what gets sent out.

The newsletter will continue to be delivered three times a week. Tuesday and Saturday will feature our standard newsletter, while Thursday’s edition will include the e-edition.

HChris’ A-Z: Salvation Army beginnings

ere’s something that may or may not interest you. Right now, if you were to Google holidays in April, you’d be met with not just Easter, but a lot of various holidays. It’s something that I didn’t realize until I was working a previous job, basically, every day of the year is signified by something. As I was searching for a topic to discuss this week, I did exactly as I described. I Googled holidays in April and found out that April 10 is Salvation Army Founder’s Day.

The history of the Salvation Army dates back quite far, notably William Booth, a preacher in the U.K. started the movement. In 1865, Booth preached to crowds outside the Blind Beggar pub and The Christian Mission was born. He would preach and also address the material needs of people. Just over a decade later in 1878, the mission was renamed to

The Salvation Army.

I came across a story in the regional archives, which got me thinking about the history of our local Salvation Army. They arrived in town in April 1920, with their first hall opening the following month in a converted grocery store. The first First Officer of the Lloydminster Corps was Capt. Evelyn Gain, assisted by Pro-Lt. Margaret Stratton.

Unfortunately, the great fire didn’t spare the Salvation Army as their building was burned. All that was saved was the flag and the drum.

Years went by, and in 1961, they had a new building. Regionally, in 1976, the Vermilion corps closed and amalgamated with Lloydminster.

Fast forward to the story I was watching, the Salvation Army celebrated 90 years of operation with a sale at their thrift store and facepainting for kids.

Looking back now, they’ve been in operation

in Lloyd for 106 years and have helped countless families ensure they can make ends meet or have clothes to wear.

In an interview in the story by the local TV station, the Salvation Army representative said, “You don’t know when a hard time is going to hit.”

Having talked to so many non-profits in the area, I hear that a lot. Families, individuals, could be just one bad day away from needing to access those services.

I’ll be thinking about the Salvation Army on April 10 and remembering their story and what they do for Lloyd.

Passport to YLL

Bingo at Moose Lodge

Bingo is back at Moose Lodge every Monday and Wednesday evening. Doors open at 5 p.m. and play starts at 7 p.m. Must be 18 to play.

Southridge Playschool Registration is Open

The Southridge Playschool and Kindergym Society has opened registration for the fall 2026-27 term for kids ages 3-5. One day a week is covered by a government affordability grant and two days a week is $325 for the whole term. Contact Mrs. Shandy at southridgeplayschool@gmail.com or message them on Facebook.

Doubles Cribbage Tourney at the Moose

The Lloydminster Moose Lodge is hosting a doubles cribbage tournament on Sunday, April 12, starting at noon. Registration is from 11 to 11:45 a.m. and each player is guaranteed 12 games.

Cost is $25/person, which includes a snack, coffee and juice. Enter as a team or an individual. Entries close on Friday, April 10. Call Bruce at 780-522-6972 to register.

Islay Doubles Crib Tournament

The Islay Community Association is hosting a doubles crib tournament on April 11. Doors open at 9 a.m., registration cutoff is 10 a.m. Cost is $25/ person, which includes noon lunch. Preregister by calling Linda at 780-581-0570.

Final Doubles Crib Tournament

The Lloydminster Moose Lodge is hosting its final double cribbage tournament of the season on April 12. Registration is from 9 to 9:45 a.m. and play begins at 10 a.m. Cost is $25/ player, which includes lunch, 12 games guaranteed. There is also a $500 first prize up for grabs. Entries close today. Call Bruce at 780-522-6972 to register.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

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Canasta Tournament

The Legacy Centre is hosting a canasta tournament on April 13 at 10 a.m. Registration starts at 9:30 a.m. Cost is $25/person with lunch. Call the Legacy office at 780-875-4584 for details.

Spades Tournament

The Legacy Centre is hosting a spades tournament on April 16, starting at 10 a.m. Cost is $10/person to play and $12/ person for lunch. Everyone welcome! Call the Legacy office at 780-875-4584 for more details.

Morgan Wallen Tribute at the Vic Juba

The Vic Juba Community Theatre will host a Morgan Wallen tribute show on April 18 for a 7:30 p.m. show. Tickets are $45 and are available online or at the theatre’s box office.

Islay Jamboree

The upcoming Islay jamboree is scheduled for April 19 at the Islay Community Hall at 1 p.m. Admission is $15, participants are free. Everyone welcome. Lunch served. Call Dixie at 780744-2204 for more details.

PUBLIC NOTICE

Electronic Roundup and Cookie Drive

The Girl Guides of Lloydminster are hosting an electronic recycling roundup and cookie drive on April 25 at the Lloyd Ex grounds from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to fundraise for a trip to Europe in 2027.

Ron James at the Vic Juba

Canadian comedian Ron James hits the stage at the Vic Juba Community Theatre on April 28 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $81.25 and are available online or at the theatre’s box office.

Potters’ Guild Annual Spring Sale

The Lloydminster Potters Guild is hosting its annual spring sale on Sunday, May 3, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lloydminster Museum and Archives. Meet the artisans and shop the largest selection of handcrafted pottery in the region.

SUDOKU

Section of downtown to see significant construction

Substantial work is about to hit the streets of downtown Lloydminster as work along 50 St. between 50 and 51 Ave. will take up most of the summer.

The City of Lloydminster awarded the contract to ASL Paving Ltd. in the amount of $2,890,368.49 with a contingency of $433,555.27 at the March 23 regular council meeting.

The project will see the replacement of the water main, sewer main and more to address the city’s aging infrastructure.

Unused or unwanted Chains, Rings, Bangles, Coins

“Due to the age, condition and capacity of existing municipal infrastructure, administration must remove, replace and upsize this existing infrastructure, which is including, water, sanitary, sewer, storm sewer mains,” said James Rogers, senior manager of capital infrastructure, City of Lloydminster. Work will include the installation of streetscapes and street furnishing features, including benches, trees and garbage receptacles.

Construction is expected to begin in spring of 2026 and is expected to be completed no later than October 2026.

PERMITTING WORK FROM PAGE 5

“There were three submissions received, with one proponent meeting all mandatory requirements,” said Natasha Pidkowa, City of Lloydminster manager of planning.

“Administration is recommending that council approve the award of the three-year standing offer agreement for safety code services, specifically for the building and plumbing permit plan review and inspection services to Superior Safety Codes Inc.”

GOLD

Unused or unwanted Chains, Rings, Bangles, Coins

She clarified gas and electrical services are administered through provincially governed agencies.

SILVER

Pidkowa noted the average permit revenue from 2022 to 2024 was $455,062.

“That $455K was the annual of the three years, based on the construction we see within the community,” she said.

Council approved the three-year agreement to Superior Safety Codes Inc. with the option to extend it for two one-year agreements.

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Four arrested after drug seizure in Kindersley

MERIDIAN SOURCE STAFF

Four people were arrested after fentanyl, methamphetamine and heroin were seized during a traffic stop in Kindersley, Sask., according to RCMP.

Officers conducted a proactive traffic stop on April 3 and pulled over a vehicle with four occupants in a business parking lot. Following an investigation, police searched the vehicle and seized about 51 grams of fentanyl, 16 grams of methamphetamine, a small amount of heroin, drug-trafficking paraphernalia, unstamped tobacco and cash.

Two men and two women were arrested at the scene.

Sheena Mackenzie, 43, of Kindersley is charged with one count of trafficking fentanyl and one count of being at large on an undertaking. Police say she was also arrested on an outstanding warrant. She was

scheduled to appear in Saskatoon provincial court on April 7.

Mark Rogerson, 43, of Kindersley is charged with one count of trafficking fentanyl. He is scheduled to appear in Kindersley provincial court on May 19.

Curtis Mikituk, 45, of Kindersley was arrested for breaching his statutory release and returned to custody.

The fourth person, a woman, was released without charge.

Kindersley RCMP continue to investigate.

Lloydminster man wins $500,000 on Daily Grand draw

A Lloydminster man is celebrating a $500,000 lottery win after checking a ticket he had been carrying for weeks.

Randy Kuzek won the prize in the Feb. 23 Daily Grand draw. He said he discovered the win while stopping at a 7-Eleven location, where he decided to scan a stack of tickets he had collected over the past month.

“I had a stack of tickets to check,” Kuzek said. “When I came across the winner, I thought it actually said $5,000.”

After scanning the ticket multiple times, he realized the prize was significantly larger.

“I scanned it a second and third time and realized it was half a million,” he said. “I was all smiles.”

Kuzek said the win came during a difficult time, following the death of his mother at the end of February.

“My mom passed away and then we had a terrible snowstorm, which prevented me from travelling,” he said. “Had I been able to travel, I wouldn’t have gotten this winning ticket.”

He said the win has reminded him of time spent with his mother, who often accompanied him on trips where they would buy snacks and lottery tickets.

“When I would buy tickets, she would always say to me, ‘Do you ever think you’re going to win one day?’

Kuzek said. “It’s hard to believe. I am grateful.”

Kuzek is looking forward to putting his winnings into saving for retirement and helping out his kids.

NOTICE OF DEVELOPMENT

Word on the beat: Bail hearings

One thing you have likely noticed in police media releases is bail hearings, also known as judicial interim release hearings. When we issue a release about a charged person, we often indicate whether the accused has been released or held in custody.

A bail hearing allows an accused to “speak to bail,” meaning they can request release instead of remaining in custody. If police bring an accused before a justice for a bail hearing, it means we either want them held or want conditions imposed that we do not have the authority to set.

Police can release individuals after an arrest, often with conditions. These conditions may include no contact with an alleged victim or avoiding certain places related to the alleged offence.

AQUARIUS, PISCES AND ARIES

If police are not opposed to release but believe stricter conditions are needed, the accused is brought before a justice. Police can request conditions or detention, but the decision rests with the justice. While police may seek custody, the justice may still order release.

At a bail hearing, the accused may be represented by a lawyer, while a Crown prosecutor represents the Crown. An accused may choose to delay speaking to bail and remain in custody until appearing before a judge. If bail is denied, another opportunity may not come for some time, and timing can be a strategic decision.

Release conditions may include paying money up front or a promise to pay, meant to discourage breaches. The amount depends largely on the likelihood the accused will follow conditions.

Don’t suppress your emotions; they’ll guide your decisions. Your friends and family will be there for you and show compassion if you’re going through a tough time.

Relations with coworkers and acquaintances will flow smoothly, unlike the increased tension in interactions with your loved ones. Friends and colleagues will understand you completely.

Pay close attention to a small professional detail. Advancement may be within reach if you clearly define your responsibilities and your relationship with authority.

A friend might surprise you by revealing their romantic feelings. If you’re single, you could find love unexpectedly. A sudden influx of money could help ease your financial worries.

A change of scenery is on the horizon. Despite your busy schedule, your family will remain your top priority. An online post will attract positive attention, bringing you recognition.

Patience and reason will help you resist this fleeting urge for a non-essential luxury.

Your renewed vitality will inspire you to take on new challenges. The obstacles that once limited you are finally receding, leaving you feeling lighter.

A minor health issue demands attention. Don’t delay getting help. Act quickly to ensure a speedy recovery. A positive mindset will boost your vitality, helping you enjoy life more fully.

Those around you will be brimming with energy, bordering on intrusive. They’ll be full of suggestions for new activities.

Between family obligations and professional responsibilities, you may feel overwhelmed. Setting clear priorities will help you move forward.

You’ll explore a spiritual path that helps you find inner balance. This journey will bring peace, renewed energy and an exchange of knowledge.

A surety — another person who agrees to take responsibility — may also be required. The surety pays or promises to pay on behalf of the accused and can be held financially responsible if conditions are breached. A surety can also withdraw their support if they believe the accused will not comply. There is more to the bail process, but these are the basics.

Staff Sgt. Jerry Nutbown is the NCO in charge of the Lloydminster RCMP detachment’s General Investigation Section. Stay tuned for future online columns from the Lloydminster RCMP.

Vermilion nets Alberta bronze

‘It felt like we were at home,’ says Tigers’ forward Toutant

JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

For multiple reasons, the Vermilion Tigers gained a measure of satisfaction from their third-place showing at the Alberta junior B hockey championship in Lloydminster.

Not only did the Tigers push their way onto the medal podium on Easter

Sunday, but they were also the only local team to do so, after the host Lloydminster Bandits went winless and finished last in the six-team tournament at the Hub.

“It feels great,” said sophomore forward Jaxson Toutant, one of multiple Lloydminster natives playing with Vermilion.

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“I left Lloyd (two years ago) to go play with new people and a new organization. I met these guys with the Tigers, and it’s been awesome.

“It just feels good to win, get third, beat Lloyd out at least, and just do what we did today.”

In the bronze-medal game, oddly a 10:30 a.m. start, Vermilion showed up on time and defeated the Sherwood Park Knights 5-2. The Tigers scored the opening two goals and led 2-1 and 5-1 after the first and second periods.

Toutant, who posted a combined 95 regular-season points during the past two years with Vermilion, previously played minor hockey at home in Lloydminster through his U18 AAA run with the Lancers/Bobcats organization.

CROSSWORD

The past week at junior B provincials was reminiscent of home-cooking hockey for Toutant and many of the other Tigers from Lloyd, Vermilion and neighbouring communities.

“It felt like we were at home,” said Toutant, who had five points in as many games during provincials.

“We have super-good fans, and they came and supported us through everything. They drove hours for us. It was perfect.”

The Tigers performed well for most of the provincial championship, compiling a respectable record of three wins, an overtime loss and a regulation defeat through five straight days of action.

Vermilion’s 2-1-1 slate in preliminary play, however, wasn’t enough to unseat the La Crete Lumber Barons or Medicine Hat Cubs for a berth in the gold-medal game. With those finalists already confirmed, the Tigers clubbed the Cubs 10-1 in the last round-robin game Saturday night.

Vermilion also defeated the Calgary Northstars Black 5-4 in overtime on opening day, April 1. The Tigers’ 2-1 OT loss the next day was against Sherwood Park, the same team Vermilion defeated in the third-place game.

The Tigers’ only one-sided loss was a 6-0 decision on Day 3 against the eventual gold-medallists from La Crete, the class of the tournament.

Securing a bronze-medal finish, Vermilion regrouped two weeks after Lloyd swept the Tigers in the Northeastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League final, with both teams already guaranteed provincial berths.

“We kind of put our foot down in the final against Lloyd, and we just put it past us when we came here,” said Toutant, who turned 20 in February. “We did what we could and ended up getting third.

Toutant’s buddy Tipler ‘would do so much’

“It’s been pretty good (keeping pace at provincials). Kids are in and out of the lineup, trying to make it work. The kids that are playing all the time, you’ve got to just keep stretching and be ready. It’s a lot of hockey in five days.”

Now that the hockey season has finished, the five-foot-11, 165-pound Toutant is considering a return to lacrosse with the junior B Lloydminster Xtreme, whose lineup includes hockey players from the Tigers, Bandits and Wainwright Bisons. Not to mention Lloydminster Bobcats’ junior A defenceman Brady Gamble.

“I might get back into lacrosse, playing here in Lloyd,” Toutant said. “After my midget years, I just went straight to hockey, started working and stuff, so I never had time. But, this year, I think that I’ll be able to make it work.”

Outside of sports, Toutant plans to obtain his Class 1 truck-driving licence.

In the meantime, he’s been working at his girlfriend’s family farm in Provost.

EX-WHLer BATTLES INJURY

Earlier this winter, Toutant tried to help his close friend and former minor hockey teammate, Kale Tipler of Edgerton, make a comeback with Vermilion. Tipler, a 2006-born defenceman, would have brought two years of major junior experience from his Western Hockey League stint with the Lethbridge Hurricanes.

Tipler tested his ailing shoulder during a Tigers’ practice before Christmas, but the pain was still too pronounced and prevented him from returning to action this season.

“I really wish Kale was able to join us,” Toutant said. “I was trying to get him to come, but his shoulder just wouldn’t let him. Maybe next year, depending on his health. He would do so much for us.”

Toutant and Tipler had even co-ordinated a travel schedule to reduce their costs for regular trips to Vermilion for practices.

“My girlfriend is from Provost, and I go down there and help on the farm quite a bit, so I’m usually there during the week sometimes,” Toutant said. “So, it would just work perfectly. I could have ripped past Edgerton, grabbed him and we could have gone to Vermilion. I was trying to make it work for the best for him, but his shoulder just wouldn’t let him.

“He was doing good for his first time skating in (a couple of months). He got home and said he wanted to come back, and then he woke up (the next day) and his shoulder just couldn’t do it. I would rather he get better than to cause any more damage to his shoulder.”

Provincial bronze colours Tigers’ season

It was a celebratory Sunday for the Vermilion Tigers as they pulled the bronze medals out of their Easter basket at the Hockey Alberta junior B provincial championship in Lloydminster.

After a 5-2 victory over the Sherwood Park Knights in the third-place game, Vermilion became the first local junior team to achieve such an accomplishment at the Cenovus Energy Hub.

“It’s a great feeling,” said Vermilion scoring whiz Cade Meiklejohn, whose Tigers came into the six-team provincial tournament after losing 4-0 to the Lloydminster Bandits two weeks ago in the best-of-seven Northeastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League championship series.

CADE MEIKLEJOHN: “We came here to prove something, and I think we did that this weekend.”

“Unfortunately, we didn’t win the Lloyd series that we wanted to win, so we came here to prove something, and I think we did that this weekend.”

While the host Bandits ran out of steam at provincials, losing all four of their games, the Tigers made a strong push in front of faithful fans who showed up on Easter Sunday morning for the bronze-medal game.

it’s been tight the whole tournament, so we just knew in the room that we weren’t done yet,”

Meiklejohn said. “We still had a chance, and we kept fighting. And sure enough, we snuck into the bronzemedal game and ended up winning it.”

The Tigers gathered on the Hub’s main ice surface for an extended post-game celebration with their fans and family members.

A former junior A forward with the AJHL’s Bonnyville Pontiacs and Fort McMurray Oil Barons and the SJHL’s Weyburn Red Wings, Meiklejohn brought high-level experience to Vermilion when he joined the Tigers last season, after his Bonnyville stint.

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Vermilion prevailed against a Sherwood Park team that had defeated the Tigers 2-1 in overtime in their preliminary round game on the second day of the five-day tournament. The Tigers led that game 1-0 in the third period, but had to settle for one point, instead of the three awarded for regulationtime wins at provincials.

CAll Todd

“Unfortunately, they won it in overtime, but

The native of Leduc, Alta., has made his mark at the junior B level. In the regular season this year, he scored a leaguehigh 40 goals and 66 points in 36 games, earning MVP honours in the Northeastern Alberta circuit.

Meiklejohn’s production continued in the provincial championship. His fourgoal game Saturday evening helped the Tigers punch their ticket to the medal round, defeating the Medicine Hat Cubs 10-1.

Meiklejohn credits linemates Pavka, Quist

While the Cubs were already bound for the final, which they would lose 7-2 to the La Crete Lumber Barons on Sunday, the closing game Saturday had extra significance for Vermilion as it overtook the Calgary Northstars Black to gain the final berth in the playoff picture.

“It was do or die and that was our mentality going into the game,” said Meiklejohn, who collected six points in that contest. “We knew we had to give everything, leave nothing out there, if we wanted to play today.”

As for his offensive splurge, “that doesn’t happen without the help of my teammates, and especially my linemates Rohan Quist and Dannon Pavka,” Meiklejohn said.

“The week they had was unbelievable, and those goals don’t happen without them.”

Quist and two other Marwayne products, defencemen Riley Applegate and Ean Cooke, have played their final games as Tigers, as they’ve reached the end of their junior B eligibility. Also graduating is Vermilion goaltender Ryan Stowe, a Calgarian.

Stowe stopped 21 shots in the Tigers’ bronze-medal victory. Caleb Muri made 30 saves for Sherwood Park.

Vermilion’s goals came from Pavka, Cale Johnston, Dalin Hannah, Cash Capjack and Rogan Macnab. Meiklejohn and Jaxson Toutant each contributed two assists.

Ryan Bablitz and Hadeon Boyechko scored for the Knights. Benjamin Simpson assisted on both goals.

Meiklejohn, who turned 21 in March, has one more year of junior B eligibility. As he begins a new job in Camrose, he’s undecided about his hockey plans for next year.

Either way, he has welcomed the chance to play with the Tigers, while residing with assistant coach Stetson MacDonald.

“I’ve been friends with these guys for a long time,” Meiklejohn said. “My dad grew up with their parents, so it worked out well.

“Stetson got a hold of me, and it was a great fit from Day One. I knew what I wanted to do with the next few steps in my life, and here was just the best fit for that.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better group to come to last year, and it only went up this year. It was a great season. Unfortunately, we didn’t get the championship we wanted, but I think we still proved something this year.”

As is the case for most junior B players, Meiklejohn is focused on career plans.

“I was working here all year, and now I’m going to head back home and start the next chapter of my life,” he said. “I’ve got a position to become a trainer at Hockey Gym.”

As for playing next season, “I haven’t thought too much about that. It was all focused on this year. Now that we’ve got our goal for this year, I’m going to enjoy this for a bit

and then I’ll start thinking about what my plan is for hockey next year.”

ALBERTA CUP INVITES

Meiklejohn’s brother Shep played U15 AAA this season with the Leduc Oil Kings, who won a triple-overtime game in Lloydminster en route to eliminating the Lancers in a series that went the three-game limit. He’s been selected to participate in the Alberta Cup showcase April 23-26 in Red Deer. Four members of Lloyd’s U15 AAA team are among the 120 players who earned Alberta Cup invitations — Beckham Brown, Easton Holte, Maddox Turcotte and Nolan Wiebe.

Vermilion’s junior B playoff roster included three affiliates from this year’s U18 AAA Lancers in Rhett Romanchuk, Tripp Fischer and Kael Scott, who wasn’t available for the final three days of provincials because he was on a family vacation.

Bandits’ graduates replay their junior journey

JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

It wasn’t the finish that the Lloydminster Bandits had envisioned for their dream season, but the faces of the franchise still remembered the good times and memories they believe will last a lifetime.

Junior B hockey in Lloydminster won’t be the same next winter without the club’s four cornerstones whose playing eligibility expired last weekend, as the host Bandits went winless in four games at Alberta’s provincial championship tournament.

Graduating forwards Jayden Plamondon and Joel Webb, defenceman Kade Dennett and goaltender Shae Stewart left indelible marks on and off the ice through their four seasons with the Bandits.

“All the (2004-born) players, the guys always bug me, but they’re a special group to me, just because we started together,” said Josh Dudding, in his fourth year as Lloyd’s coach.

“I was so happy for us to win that (Northeastern Alberta) league championship and earn our way in here. The week didn’t go the way we wanted it to, but that was our message to the team.

“We had the parents of the ’04s read the lineup, and then before today’s game, we had all the fans and parents make a tunnel leading the players out onto the ice. They’re going to be dearly missed, and you can’t replace guys like that. I’m happy I got to be a part of that journey and that they got to wear the Bandits uniform.”

The graduating Bandits weren’t in any hurry to take off those jerseys for the final time Saturday, after the Bandits lost 6-3 to the Sherwood Park Knights. Lloyd players and family members gathered for photos and to share anecdotes from the year and their careers, rather than the pain of a rocky week at provincials.

In their respective post-game interviews with the Meridian Source , the seniors highlighted their bonds with each other and the rest of the team.

Plamondon talked about how special it was to win his first major hockey championship just eight months after capturing provincial

gold in his final junior B lacrosse season with the Lloydminster Xtreme.

“I spent my whole career in the Lloyd area and that was my first-ever championship in hockey,” said Plamondon, graduating from college this spring as an electrician. “I’ll never forget the run that we did and the team that I did it with.

“Lacrosse was some of the most fun I’ve had, too. To win both of those titles in the same year, it was something I’ve never done, and it was really fun for me and (Jace) Gunderson.

“Unforgettable memories — this year was the most fun I’ve ever had in hockey. Junior B is what brought back the love of the game for me, too. It made it fun again.”

Webb recounted how far the Bandits have evolved as an organization since his age group joined a team coming off a four-win season.

“We’ve been able to turn Lloyd into a destination,” said Webb, the Bandits’ captain. “People want to come here now.

“Before we all showed up, as ’04s in our first year, Lloyd was a four-win club in the regular season. We’ve built every year. Our first year, we lost in the first round. The second year, it was the second round. The third year, it was the final, and our fourth year we conquered the final. So, we built every year, and I’m hoping this organization can build further.

“I’ll never forget this group. So many of us have never won or haven’t won one in ages. It’s a surreal feeling and something we’re going to cherish forever.”

In his bantam AAA year with Fort Saskatchewan, Webb won a provincial championship.

Stewart, the Lloyd goalie, related how meaningful an experience it’s been to play with his brother Corvan, a second-year Bandits’ forward and an assistant captain.

“Oh, it’s huge,” Shae said. “Not a lot of people get the opportunity to play with their brothers, and that was really special to me. I like to joke with Corvan that the only reason they kept him was because of me. But no, he absolutely deserved to be here. He’s a huge part of this team.”

The Stewart brothers remain teammates of sorts on their Turtleford farm, as Corvan moves from his college studies to work with Shae back home.

“Free labour,” Shae joked. Dennett, named the top defenceman in the six-team provincial championship, expressed hope that the departing Bandits become teammates again — in senior hockey — next season.

“We’re all really good friends,” Dennett said. “It’s been the best four years that I’ve played hockey with them.

“(Playing senior together) is the plan, and with some more buddies. It’s undecided yet where we’ll play.”

Regardless, he’ll miss the Bandits’ dressing room and the camaraderie.

“We’ll stop by the odd time, but it’ll feel different not being around the guys, for sure,” said Dennett, an accountant in his family’s business.

Shae Stewart is busy running his farm in Turtleford, so he suggested that community would be an ideal place for the graduating Bandits to reunite with the senior Tigers.

“Make them drive for once,” he joked about his Lloyd-based teammates. “I’ve been driving here for four years.”

Webb said he would talk about senior hockey come October. For now, he’s welcoming a break from the game and more time to spend doing his multiple jobs.

“This is a great chance to plug myself,” Webb said with a smile. “Spraying season is coming up, and anybody who owns a lake lot, give me a call at 780-872-0895 and I will cater to all your insecticide spraying needs — spiders, ants, ticks, you name it. It works.”

TOUGH TOURNAMENT

After a 4-2 loss to the Medicine Hat Cubs on opening night, the Bandits never really got on track at provincials. They fell 7-2 to the eventual champions, the La Crete Lumber Barons, on Thursday night in front of 1,000-plus Hub fans, the biggest crowd of the tournament. Lloyd lost 6-3 to the Calgary Northstars Black on Friday in a game that essentially put the Bandits out of medal contention.

“We knew going into today’s game that even a win wasn’t going to get us to (play for) bronze,” Dudding said Saturday. “We would have had to win by six or seven, just because of goal differential. So, knowing that, you still want to win the game, but today was more about celebrating the group and the season we had.”

Lloydminster won its first league crown since 2010, after sweeping the Vermilion Tigers in the best-of-seven final.

Both of those league finalists were already guaranteed berths in Alberta’s provincials, where the Tigers went on to capture the bronze medal Sunday.

Lumber Barons strike Alberta gold

JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

They wore track suits to and from the rink during the junior B provincials in Lloydminster, but for all intents and purposes, the La Crete Lumber Barons played like they were dressed to the nines.

It was all business for the Lumber Barons as they fashioned a perfect 5-0 record, including a 7-2 victory over the Medicine Hat Cubs in the Easter Sunday (April 5) final of the six-team Hockey Alberta championship.

As coach and general manager Dion Knelsen aptly said afterward, his Lumber Barons were methodical in their approach to the gold-medal game and the five-day tournament, the first junior-level championship decided in the season-old Cenovus Energy Hub.

“In the first game, we might have been

a little bit nervous and didn’t play our best, against a tough Sherwood Park team, but thankfully got the win (in overtime),” Knelsen said as his players celebrated their golden weekend in the Border City.

“But after that, honestly, the boys looked clinical out there. It was really a treat for me, as a coach, to watch. They’ve worked really hard this season and the last four years to become a great hockey team. It’s so satisfying to see them rewarded for the work they’ve put in. Just a fantastic group of guys.”

By wide margins in both categories, La Crete was the most-offensive and least-penalized team in provincials, averaging seven-plus goals and less than five penalty minutes per game.

Meadow Lake goalie backstops gold-medallists

JOHN MacNEIL SPORTS EDITOR

As they picked up their gold medals and championship hats, the La Crete Lumber Barons capped a week where Lloydminster seemed a lot like home.

Family and friends followed them to the Border City and made their presence known as they cheered before, during and after the Lumber Barons’ 7-2 victory over the Medicine Hat Cubs in Hockey Alberta’s provincial junior B final on Easter Sunday (April 5).

And the familial feeling at the Hub was fitting for a La Crete team that’s built around community, with multiple sets of brothers, cousins and even an uncle-nephew combination on the roster.

“Nothing was easy,” forward Kade Paul said after the Lumber Barons won their fifth game in as many days in the sixteam tournament.

“I just think that we’re such a team and we have such a bond, and we’re a family, I don’t think there’s any team that can compete with that.

They don’t have that.”

La Crete checked all the boxes in the provincial championship, posting a perfect 5-0 record, along with most goals for, least goals against and fewest penalties.

Paul believes the rigours of the Northwest Junior Hockey League created that team discipline, as rare as it might be at the traditionally rough-andtough junior B level.

“I know in our league, it’s really physical and it’s really passionate,” he said. “Guys want to win. They’re all blue-collar guys. It’s a grind.”

That backdrop served the Lumber Barons well in Lloyd, where they averaged less than five minutes per game in the penalty box.

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