2016 was a wild year for Estevan, and as such was a wild year for DiscoverEstevan. 2016 held everything from a flash flood, to the Saskatchewan Summer Games, and a civic election. This year also saw a new face representing Estevan at the Legislature, with Lori Carr taking over for long-standing MLA Doreen Eagles. Now, as the year draws to close, the DiscoverEstevan news team is looking back on some of the top stories they saw unfold throughout 2016.

CT Scanner Opens in Estevan

A project years in the making was finally completed this year. CT Scan Services officially began operating at St. Joseph's Hospital in February. The opening was a major milestone for the hospital, as efforts by the St. Jospeh's Hospital Foundation to raise the $2.3 million needed to purchase and install the equipment as well as perform the renovations to St. Joseph's Hospital.

"So now that the CT Scanner services are up and running, it's a great day for everyone in the Sun Country Health Region." - Greg Hoffart

Articles on the CT Scanner

CT Scan Services Begin February 22nd

CT Scanner Opens in Estevan

Southeast Enjoying CT Scan Services

Lori Carr Elected MLA

In April, the Saskatchewan provincial election was held. In the months prior, longtime Saskatchewan Party MLA Doreen Eagles announced she would not be running in the 2016 election, and so the search for her replacement as the Sask Party candidate began. That candidate was city councilwoman Lori Carr. Carr had her work cut out for her, with five others running for the Estevan riding. She defeated Progressive Conservative Paul Carroll, independent Cameron Robock, New Democratic candidate Tina Vuckovic, Oscar Karkabatov of the Liberals, and the Green Party's Brandon Schick.

Articles on the Election

2016 Election Begins in Saskatchewan

Voters Engaged During All-Candidates Forum in Estevan

Polls Now Open For Saskatchewan Votes 2016

SaskParty Forms Majority Government

Estevan: Carr Elected as First-Time Candidate

2016 Provincial Election: By the Numbers

Carr Puts in Resignation from Council

Carr Excited to Begin as MLA for Estevan

Western Canada Cup

In early May, Estevan played host to the Western Canada Cup. The WCC brought teams from across Western Canada to the Energy City to play for a chance to enter the RBC Cup. Expectations from Estevan were high, but crowds responded well, with great turnouts for games the host Estevan Bruins weren't even playing in.

Although the tournament didn't go the way the host Bruins would have liked, it was a great opportunity to showcase a high level of hockey in Estevan.

Teams in the tournament included the host Estevan Bruins, the Melfort Mustangs representing the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League, the Portage Terriers representing the Manitoba Junior Hockey League, the Brooks Bandits for the Alberta Junior Hockey League, and the West Kelowna Warriors of the BC Hockey League. The eventual champion would be the BCHL's West Kelowna Warriors, who also went on to win the RBC Cup in Lloydminster.

Articles on WCC

Bruins Continue to Prepare for WCC

PHOTOS: Burke Entertains as Banquet Opens 2016 Western Canada Cup

City Looks to Benefit From WCC

WCC Begins in Estevan

Estevan Ready For Historic Week

Burke/Odgers Offer Advice Before WCC

PHOTOS: WCC Player Awards Banquet

Lasting Memories Made at 2016 WCC

West Kelowna Wins Western Canada Cup

2nd Spot in RBC Cup on the Line This Afternoon at WCC

City Reflects on Successful WCC

Warriors Win RBC Cup

WCC Committee Makes Donation to Summer Games

Fort McMurray Wildfire

Although it may have happened over a thousand kilometers away from the Energy City, across Canada the impact was felt from the devastating wildfires in Fort McMurray during May. Many cities and towns across the country were quick to provide their support, including the Energy City. Estevan and Fort McMurray share the common connection of being oil towns, with many companies having operations in both cities. Some former Estevan residents were also displaced by the fire. It's not likely the fires in Fort McMurray will be something residents of Canada will not soon forget.

Articles on Fort McMurray

Fort McMurray: "The Scope of This Thing is Unimaginable"

Southeast Sending Support to Fort McMurray

Helping Others Any Way They Can

Estevan DQ Raises More Than $14,000 for Fort McMurray

$2,600 Raised for Fort Mac at Link Union Concert

Highway 39 Twinning

In addition to the CT Scanner, another major project years in the making was finally set in motion in 2016. The long-awaited twinning of Highway 39 officially began. Gone were the debates on the dangers of passing on the 39, gone were the battles for the project to be included in the provincial road budget year after year, and gone were the push back of dates for construction. The ground work was finally laid for one of the biggest highway infrastructure projects southeast Saskatchewan has seen in years, with the construction continuing into 2017.

Articles on Highway 39 Twinning

Highway 39 Twinning Begins Next Week

Highway Twinning More Than a Construction Project to Bienfait Residents

Highway 39 Twinning Project on Schedule

Highway Projects in South East on Track

Detours and Speed Reductions on Highway 39

Highway 39 Twinning Project: On Budget and On Time

Cancer Sucks

In June, a young Estevan resident decided she was going to help fundraise for cancer research. Seven year old Payton Sernick began her "Cancer Sucks!" campaign in late spring, after doing battle with leukemia herself. Since her first "Cancer Sucks!" presentation in June at Sacred Heart School, Payton has raised over $30,000 for the Children's Hospital of Saskatchewan by selling lollipops for $1.00, along with a BBQ fundraiser in August. In November, Payton was awarded for her efforts with the "Outstanding Young Philanthropist" on National Philanthropy Day.

Articles on the Cancer Sucks Campaign

Cancer Sucks!

Payton Sernick Visits Estevan Miracle Treat Day

Sernicks and Hansons Host Charity BBQ

Estevan's Little Champion Nationally Recognized

Federal Ministers Visit Carbon Capture Plant

The Boundary Dam Power Station recieved some attention from several federal cabinet ministers took a tour of the facility. Minister of Natural Resources Jim Carr and Minister of Public Safety Ralph Goodale were joined by Saskatchewan Minister of Environment Herb Cox and SaskPower representative Mike Marsh. The ministers noted they were interested in the technology.

“We're here to have a better look, to talk to the people who are behind it, and to be very encouraging about its potential as we move and transition to a low carbon economy," - Federal Minister of Natural Resources Jim Carr

Federal Ministers Visit Carbon Capture Plant

July 10th Flash Flooding

On July 10th, 2016, Estevan was hit with a flash flood thanks to an incredible amount of rain falling within three hours. This extra spurt of rain in such a short time proved to be too much in a month where rainfall totaled at nine centimeters before the storm. The flood caused all kinds of damages to basements across the city, Affinity Place, and numerous businesses. Within 24 hours of the storm the City of Estevan declared a state of emergency for the first time since 2011. Here's a look back at what the DiscoverEstevan news team unanimously voted the top Estevan news story of 2016.

Articles on the Flash Flood

Breaking: Storm Hits Estevan/Stay Off the Roads

City of Estevan Declares State of Emergency

Over 5.5 Inches of Rain In Three Hours In Estevan

City Begins Recovery

A True Sense of Community

Flood 2016: From the Eyes of the Community

Affinity Place Suffers Flooding

Flood Relief Centre Helping Victims

Community Shows Strength During Difficult Time

Estevan Stands Tall in the Face of Adversity

Tragedy at Boundary Dam

Although 2016 was filled with many positives, in late July tragedy struck in the Energy City. On July 24th Stars Air Ambulance was dispatched to Boundary Dam on a call of a missing youth. RCMP dive teams were sent in later that day to help in the search, and the worst was confirmed the following day. The missing twelve-year old boy was found dead after an extensive search that encompassed the entirety of Boundary Dam.

Boundary Dam Incident Under Investigation

RCMP Releases Statement on Boundary Dam Incident

Missing Male Located Monday Morning

Boundary Dam Press Conference Held by RCMP

2016 Saskatchewan Summer Games

On July 24th, the Saskatchewan Summer Games took over Estevan for a week of the summer. This year marked the first time the city has hosted the Saskatchewan Summer Games since 1980. The 2016 Games were a huge success thanks to the support of the community. The Summer Games were a milestone for the Energy City in 2016, being one of the most successful Saskatchewan Summer Games to date.

Saskatchewan Summer Games

Team South East Announced

Games Committee Surpasses Fundraising Goal

Let the Games Begin!

Team Southeast Finishes Third in Medal Standings

2016 SSG Closing Ceremonies

Mayor Couldn't Be More Proud of City During SSG

Joe Griffith Trophy Awarded to Team South East

Estevan Airport Officially Reopens

The Estevan Airport played host to the Snowbirds during the Summer Games, and also officially reopened. The Snowbirds show was a highlight of the summer in Estevan.

Snowbirds Fly To Estevan

Snowbirds Soaring Into Estevan

Snowbirds Thrill Thousands in Estevan

Soldier Tree Put in Place

A massive art installation took place in Estevan this year, as the Soldier Tree was moved into its home beside the Estevan Court House. The tree had been in the works for over two years, but it finally became Estevan's newest monument this summer.

Articles on Soldier Tree Installation

Soldier Tree Moves to New Home

Final Touches Around Soldier Tree

Estevan Soldier Tree Dedication Parade

Soldier Tree Given Key to the City

2016 Civic Election

This year saw a number of new faces join Estevan City Council, but also saw a familiar one remain at the helm. Three new councillors were sworn in as a result of this year's election, but Roy Ludwig held his position as mayor. Here's a look back at the Civic Election:

Articles on the Civic Election

All Candidates Forum A Huge Success

Roy Ludwig Returns as Mayor

City Council Results In

Three New Officials Elected in City Council

Mayor Ludwig Confident in the New Council

Travis Frank: Youngest Councillor in Office

Project Minch

In November the Estevan Police Service's Drug Investigation Unit began a crackdown on the illegal narcotics scene in Estevan known as Project Minch. Minch lead to the arrest of fourteen individuals, with thirteen being from Estevan. $100,000 in cocaine and crack cocaine was seized following search warrants and subsequent raids on a number of properties in the area. Project Minch was executed over the course of four weeks. Forty-four charges were laid on the fourteen arrested. Those in custody are expected to appear in court on January 9th.

Estevan Police Service Seizes $100,000 In Cocaine

Overall, 2016 was a year filled with many challenges and great triumphs for Estevan and south east Saskatchewan. As a member of the Estevan community, DiscoverEstevan strives to deliver the best local news coverage to south east Saskatchewan. We look forward to continuing to provide local news, local weather, and local sports to Estevan and area in 2017.

We hope this look back at the past year has helped you to see some of the top news stories we've covered in 2016. We also hope it helps you to look forward to what's ahead for the Energy City in the new year.

Sincerely,

The DiscoverEstevan News Team