Battlefords News-Optimist

A 100 metre long drift, that is 60 centimetres (two feet) deep is stranding motorists on Highway 17 north of Lloydminster in the Jumbo Hill/Alcurve area. Maidstone RCMP say the massive drift has trapped motorists travelling in both directions.

The seventh annual Genbukai Tri-Western Local Karate Tournament was held in the McLurg High School gym this past weekend. The one day tournament, put on by the Wilkie Karate Club, ran from 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., March 16.

The 82nd Battlefords Kiwanis Music Festival season comes to a close with the celebratory gala and awards ceremony at 7:00 p.m. Friday in Logie Hall at Third Avenue United Church.

The Borden Lions held their 11th annual speak-offs for high school students from Borden and Langham March 14 in the Lions' Room, Borden Community Centre.

The snowfall doesn't seem to let up! Even though there is not a great deal each day it adds up. Jim Maxwell, who keeps an official weather station, reports that we have had over 50 inches of snow since the month of October.

The Battlefords Art Club met on a bright sunny Tuesday this week. Members worked on a variety of pieces in watercolour, acrylic and fabric. We invite you to be at the Don Ross Centre on a Tuesday morning or from 7 to 9 p.m. in the evening.

Battleford town council voted to waive a clause in a land exchange agreement with an oilfield storage tank builder Monday to clear the way for the company to proceed with plans to develop a plant in Battleford.

Alexander Kovar of the Battlefords was presented the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal at the Delta Bessborough Hotel in Saskatoon on Dec. 16 by Saskatchewan Lt. Gov. Vaughn Solomon Schofield.

There will be another balanced budget in Saskatchewan in 2013-14. However, there is no abundance of goodies associated with this year's budget, with funding increases not going up perhaps as much as some entities - such as universities - would like.

The Scotiabank hockey program offers sponsorship to minor hockey teams across the country. Over 3,000 teams across Canada are sponsored each year.