The countdown of the top-10 news stories of 2018 in terms of Yorkton and area continues as we look at stories five-to-one.
#5 – Broadway upgrade
In April Yorkton Council approved a tender which sets in motion a two-year project to resurface Broadway Street.
The street is actually in need of a complete refurbishing, but that is beyond the City’s finances, explained Trent Mandzuk Director of Public Works, with the City at the time.
It was recommended that the award of the project would go to Fedorowich Construction Ltd. at a total of $1,412,857.
Funding for Phase 1 of the project was comprised of $568,000 from the 2018 capital budget and $480,000 from 2017 roadway operations rolled over from the previous year.
The work went smoothly over the summer and in his year-end interview Mayor Bob Maloney noted he has had numerous positive comments on the work.
The second half of the overall project is slated for this construction season.
#4 – Fire causes evacuation
A warehouse on Smith Street was destroyed by fire on the evening of Jun. 21.
The call came in to Yorkton Fire Protective Services at approximately 8:00 p.m.. The fire had started in the north end of the building. The fire was already fully involved in the interior at the building’s north end by the time firefighters arrived.
The fire department’s main concern was preventing the fire from getting to the south end, where the gas line and power lines were located. They were able to control the fire while it was three quarters of the way through the building.
A big public concern was the level of smoke coming out of the building.
There was a high pressure weather system that came in and forced the smoke down, and smoked out the whole area, all the way to about third avenue, so the fire department initiated a voluntary evacuation.
There was a reception centre at the Gallagher Centre for people in the area who wanted to get out of the smoke. They were directed to the hospital if they had any medical issues arising from it. Fire crews worked through the night, and finished at about 6:30 a.m. on Jun. 22.
#3 – Accident claims two
Two people from Yorkton were dead after a car crash in the city in May.
An 18-year-old female and a 21-year-old male were involved in a single-vehicle collision May 5.
Around 8:49 p.m. on May 5, Yorkton Municipal RCMP were alerted to the accident, which occurred on the small bridge at the end of Darlington Street East. The two occupants of the vehicle were pronounced dead at the scene.
#2 – Marijuana legalization
After years of promises, debates, and delays, marijuana was ready for consumption in October with the enactment of new federal laws. Recreational cannabis use was legalized in Canada, opening the doors for businesses and consumers.
While cannabis sale and use is now permissible, stores that operate without a license will technically be breaking the law.
Cannabis legalization doesn’t mean Saskatchewan is without rules; there are a buffet of rules and restrictions to cannabis use in the province.
People must be at least 19-years-old to purchase and consume cannabis. Users can carry a maximum of 30 grams of cannabis in public. Canadians who’d prefer to grow their cannabis plants at home can do so, although there is a four plant limit.
Public consumption of cannabis is prohibited or restricted to certain areas, depending on the city. Much like alcohol, there will be a zero-tolerance policy for operating vehicles while under the influence of cannabis.
#1 – Humboldt bus tragedy
Every year thousands of young athletes across our city, province, country and beyond climb onto buses and head down the highways to their next game.
It is something that is completely ingrained to the point of being as much a part of our sport culture as tensor wraps and hockey pucks.
In April the bus carrying members of the Humboldt Broncos hockey team was in an accident on its way to a game in Nipawin.
It was April 6, and sixteen people were killed and thirteen injured when the northbound coach bus struck a westbound semi-trailer truck near Armley, SK. at the intersection of Highways 35 and 335.
As the details began to be released we learned that the accident had been a severe one, bad enough that STARS air ambulance sent three helicopters to the scene to help transport the seriously injured.
The province, country and sporting world stunned. The tragedy for teammates, the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, billets, families and anyone who has ever ridden a team bus was immense.
The outpouring of sympathy and support was massive with millions raised through a GoFundMe campaign in support of the families.
Semi driver Jaskirat Sidhu was charged with 16 counts of dangerous driving causing death and 13 counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm. The case is still before the courts.
