ESTEVAV - February brought the tradition frigid temperatures, but people still had lots of activities to enjoy, both indoors and outdoors. And a beloved annual Saskatchewan event wrapped up the month.
The Estevan Humane Society hosted a successful, virtual Whiskers and Wine Gala in mid-February. People enjoyed a take-home supper and then watch a live auction in a virtual format.
Lampman farmer Chad Mokelky pleaded guilty to a charge under the Animal Protection Act for causing or permitting an animal to be in distress. Two similar Criminal Code charges were stayed. He was fined $7,200 and assessed a victim surcharge of $2,800.
Estevan Bowl member Monique Ley was named the Female Bowler of the Year for 2020 by the Canadian 10-Pin Federation. While there were limited opportunities for competition due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she was still able to bowl a perfect game, compete in tournaments and have the high average for the season in Estevan.
The Estevan Art Gallery and Museum brought its Inside-Out outdoor exhibit back to Woodlawn Regional Park, except with a new winter twist and a different artist. Chantel Schultz, who was working as an intern at the EAGM, created a couple of exhibits as part of Inside-Out.
Arcola-area rancher Chris Lees had some special guests in his home Feb. 14. The Arcola-area rancher brought three newborn calves from his farm into his house, giving them a chance to warm up and stay out of the extreme cold.
There were a couple of southeast Saskatchewan curlers at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts national women's event, which was held in Calgary under a bubble format. Oxbow's Chaelynn Kitz was part of Sherry Anderson's Team Saskatchewan rink. And Val Sweeting, who was born in Redvers and grew up in Maryfield, was on Kerri Einarson's Team Canada, who won the event for the second straight year.
Travis Patron, who is the leader of the Canadian Nationalist Party, was charged with willful promotion of hate under the Criminal Code on Feb. 17, following an investigation that lasted nearly two years. An investigation started in June 2019, when Carlyle RCMP received a report from the Canadian Anti-Hate Network regarding an alleged anti-Semitic video on YouTube with comments from Patron. He was arrested twice in 10 days in March for incidents at the Redvers branch of the Royal Canadian Legion and held in custody.
Local emergency crews had a prolonged response to a situation in west Estevan on Feb. 20. Officers were called to a disturbance. Spike belts were deployed in certain areas to prevent the vehicle from escaping the area, and a crisis negotiator was brought in. A woman was taken into custody with several charges.
Estevan city council approved the 2021 budget at the Feb. 22 meeting, following final discussions about the document's contents, including third-party grants to different organizations in the community. The budget did not include a mill rate increase or a consumption rate increase on utility bills.
A 52-year-old pedestrian was killed Feb. 22 after being struck by a vehicle on Highway 9 on the White Bear First Nation. Initial investigation revealed a truck was travelling south on the highway when it allegedly struck the pedestrian who was walking on the southbound lane. The driver stopped and attempted life-saving efforts until emergency responders arrived.
The City of Estevan extended an invitation to Tesla founder Elon Musk to come to Estevan to see the carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology at SaskPower's Boundary Dam Power Station, after Musk sent out a tweet looking for the best carbon capture technology. While Musk didn't reply it did give the local facility a boost in publicity.
The first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in Estevan were administered in the final days of the month. COVID cases were low in Estevan for the first year of the pandemic, so the Energy City was among the last to have a clinic for those eligible to receive the vaccine. Doses were also administered for other healthcare facilities in Estevan.
Saskatchewan's Kinsmen and Kinettes held Telemiracle 45 on Feb. 27 and 28, and it was a Telemiracle unlike any other. Despite changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the off-air total was $5,630,215. People from across the province provided virtual entertainment for the broadcast.
