Battlefords News-Optimist

SCHULTZ, Arthur John : John Schultz passed away on Dec 5th, 2013, in Ponoka, Alberta. He was born on January 12th, 1932 in Laird, Saskatchewan.

For the second time this season, Michael Gudmandson has been named the SJHL's goaltender of the week for the period ending Jan. 5. During this time frame, Gudmandson picked up two wins against the Humboldt Broncos, his former team.

SIMONOT: Frank Marie Claude Simonot of St. Walburg passed away on Friday, December 20, 2013 at the age of 77 years. Francois Marie Claude Simonot was born in Wakaw, Saskatchewan on September 8, 1936 to Louis Simonot and Georgine Reynaud.

PETHICK: Mr. Ronald Pethick of Mayfair, Saskatchewan passed away peacefully on Sunday, December 22, 2013 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan at the age of 80 years.

For me, seed catalogues arriving in the mail is just as sure a sign of spring as the longer days post winter solstice (because the -30 C that I woke up to today as I am writing this certainly isn't doing it for me).

I admit that my attention was somewhat divided in the early part of this morning's church service.

The holiday season is winding down for another year, and thanks to the Battlefords and area, 382 local families had a better season than they might have without the help of the Empty Stocking Fund.

The sexual assault charge against radio personality Harry Michael Dekker is still not resolved. The case remains in mediation, as Dekker's lawyer Mark Brayford indicated in provincial court in Saskatoon Tuesday morning. There, Brayford set Feb.

A few years ago I discovered a product few people outside of professional photography circles have heard of, yet most people could greatly make use of: Eneloop batteries.

Some major stories stood out in education in 2013 in the Northwest region. Many of the biggest education stories of the year concerned the Living Sky School Division, faced with some tough decisions in the face of a budget crunch.