Battlefords News-Optimist

Dear Editor In my last writing on North Battleford's downtown core, I served notice that I would write a comprehensive, five installment article on the city's downtown.

Empty storefronts. Run-down buildings. The flight of retail from downtown.

After playing in the Saskatchewan Midget AAA Hockey League as member of the Battlefords Midget Stars, the next step is junior hockey for most players. For some that means junior A or B, but for a select few the next step is the Western Hockey League.

Downtown merchants have made it known they want to revive the core and bring it back to life.

I have no words to describe the beautiful day. There was not a cloud in the sky and the sounds of music that echoed through the crowds at the event held at the Leipzig Serenity Retreat Sept. 8 were beautiful.

The main area of the Borden School gym is temporarily closed while the roof and ceiling are being redone. There is no structural damage and the gym is not condemned as the rumour that is circulating around says.

Those seeking orthopedic surgery will have more options closer to home, according to a Prairie North Health Region press release. Dr. Earl Kowalczyk, an orthopedic surgeon, began seeing patients in Lloydminster Hospital Sept. 4.

Pretty much the moment a federal election is announced, we start seeing campaign signs. Provincial elections are no different. In the United States, we were hearing about this November 2012 election more than a year ago.

A ribbon cutting at the Co-op Aquatic Centre Saturday will cap what has been a big week for the Credit Union CUPlex project.

Coffee and politics, Starbucks and McDonalds. Who'd ever have guessed that their customers provided grounds, pun intended, for an expensive market research report? Although I've retired from my work as an independent contractor with a U.S.