Battlefords News-Optimist

When it comes to my outlook as a reporter I tend to be a "big picture" type of individual. So here's the latest North America-wide trend to ponder.

The world of post-secondary education is a competitive one, according to University of Saskatchewan president Peter MacKinnon. "In the last 10 to 15 years, we've seen an increasingly competitive world in terms of post-secondary education," he said.

The numerous initiatives to revitalize rural Saskatchewan are hopeful signs, but they have not yet taken the rural economy back to the healthy state of diversification that characterized the pioneer era.

Red Cross closed their Recovery Centre in North Battleford Friday. However, they emphasize the Red Cross will still be available to provide assistance to anyone still seeking assistance in the wake of the July flooding that hit the Battlefords.

Maidstone RCMP are on the trail of a stolen truck that was taken between Sept. 25 and 27 from a business located in the industrial park in Maidstone.

The group was small but the smiles were wide as Maidstone CIBC hosted their annual Run for the Cure to raise money for breast cancer research over the weekend. The group raised about $3,500 with the top earners being Dallas Wichman and Gail Twedt.

An Oct. 4 fire is being treated as suspicious by fire officials. The blaze took place in the 1300 block of 106th Street. North Battleford Fire and Eemergency Services said the call came in around 6:05 p.m.

The autumn sun gleamed off the horses and sparkled in the eyes of the riders as Hillside Acres hosted a hunter/jumper horse show Saturday.

The Saskatoon Hilltops are preparing for their final home game of the regular season in which the team is 5-1 and will surely make another run at appearing in the Prairie Football Conference championship.

The NHL preview columns continue with the Northeast Division. Other than super-goon Milan Lucic and rookie Tyler Seguin, none of the Bruins roster could be picked out of a police line-up and a few aging vets like Recchi will not keep them close.