As Lloydminster has managed to escape brutal cold temperatures going into December, some people in our city are hoping for a chance to simply sleep indoors.

For several years now, a small group of houseless people have resorted to living in tents or camping in the bushes around the border city.  Many say they are able to work but were no longer able to afford the costs of living or have fallen to other hardships along the way.

A man whose full name we are keeping confidential, but known as “Big John,” moved to Lloydminster from Grande Prairie 8 years ago.  He lost his job four years ago and now lives among the group who were recently evicted from an area of bushes which they believed to be an extension of grounds from the Lloydminster Golf and Curling Club. The area of brush is between the golf course and the main CP rail line which goes through Lloydminster.  After setting up camp, the group say they were confronted by CP Police and Peace Officers.

“Big John” was among a few others dismantling their campsites into wagons, carriers and shopping carts assembled off the property when he explained what happened.

“Yesterday CP police and Peace Officers came in and issued us each a $580 ticket for trespassing and told us we had to immediately pack up and leave”.  John says the group received no warning or notice before the peace officers arrived and the fines were immediately issued.

In a statement to 106-1 The Goat, CPKC said, “CPKC Police Service continues to work with local police services to protect public safety and address an encampment encroaching on railroad property and near an active railroad line”.

While the property the campers were on falls under CP’s jurisdiction, there are no clear markers indicating the zone is a restricted area or whether if it is private property.  To add to the confusion, the group says they are getting mixed messages as to where they can and can’t be.  Upon follow up, CPKC did not respond as to whether a warning was issued to the campers before fines were issued.  The campers say no warning was given.

According to “Big John”, there are ongoing discussions as to where he and his fellow homeless can be right now.  “Residents in Recovery were talking to the city and seeing where we can go and what we can do, and to our understanding we were allowed to be here, but we didn’t know we were on CP Property.”

Tyler Lorenz is the founder and executive director of Residents in Recovery, and he has personally been leading the charge in trying to find a solution.  After the group was fined and evicted, he said they had to do something to get eyes on the issue. “If the city just wants to keep displacing them, then it may as well be close to downtown – might as well be on city hall property.

That lead to a temporary campsite being set up on the front lawn of Lloydminster city hall.

While the city hall campsite was temporary and dismantled the next day, the city says they are aware something needs to be done and are trying to assist with limited resources.

“The City does not actively dismantle encampments unless there is an accompanying public safety concern, and even then, before encampment removal, we work with the individuals and non-profits to encourage those affected to relocate,” says the city of Lloydminster.  As for the confusion from Big John and others believing they could set up camp on civic property, the city added, “The Community Standards Bylaw prohibits the placement of any such thing on City lands, without prior written consent from the City.”  It is not known if such written consent has been or will be granted to the individuals.

Lorenz admits that despite the best efforts of programs in the city, they are also limited in what they can do.  “Some of them would be in my program if I had empty beds… and I know that.” We have 23 Sober living beds.  12 are funded by the Saskatchewan Government.”

He adds that Lloydminster is simply not equipped to do much for those who are homeless and trapped in cycles of addiction and is especially lacking in resources for women living on our streets.  “The Interval Home (the Lloydminster Women’s Shelter) is strictly for abused women.  A lot of them (the men) are banned or not allowed in the Men’s shelter.  There’s no shelter for anyone that is actively using.  There’s literally nowhere for any of them to go.  They’re not choosing to be homeless.  They’re not choosing to live in tents in the winter.”

The City of Lloydminster says they have a strategy. “In the event that local supports reach capacity, the City does have an established Cold Weather Strategy to ensure that everyone who wants it, receives the necessary support and care.”

Lorenz says there is yet to be an active plan laid out though, and it’s not entirely the City’s fault.  “This isn’t a municipal issue.  This is a federal and provincial issue. I get that the city has no funds to resolve this, and therein lies a lot of our frustration.”

The stance that governments on all levels need to get involved isn’t a new one, but in a city with two provincial authorities, Lorenz says neither one is stepping up enough to do anything.  “The government goes on about their “Alberta model” which is clearly not working.  More overdose deaths, very limited capacity has been given to the system.  The Alberta model is an epic fail.  Saskatchewan never had a model.  Nothing is being done to build any capacity into the system for these individuals.”

As for those $580 fines, it’s not clear what could happen to the individuals should they be convicted.  In 2022, Saskatchewan passed a ruling that has a maximum fine of up to $25,000 and up to six months jail time for repeat trespassing offenders.

For now, there is still no answer.  Lorenz says that the houseless community are functioning on basic human needs.  “They need to have an encampment until we can figure something out.”

Big John remains hopeful that something will get done.  “We’re all just trying to survive together… we’re like a family.”

The post EXCLUSIVE: Lloyd Homeless Issued $580 Fines, Evictions appeared first on My Lloydminster Now.

The Lloyd Ex is on the hunt for volunteers.

Volunteer turnout has been declining over the past couple of years, and while some volunteers are aging out of the role, attracting new volunteers continues to be a struggle for the non-profit based venue.

Stacy Sauvie, who has just begun her role as the Marketing Manager for Lloyd Ex says she already sees the value of volunteer participation at the Ex.

"Volunteers help the events go 'round."  She adds, "It's very much appreciated that they give their time."

Positions range from ushers to ticket takers, drink tickets and even bartending.

The Lloyd Ex sees roughly 215,000 people come through the doors every year for everything from cattle shows to concerts, and of course, the annual Lloyd Ex fair.

If you are interested in volunteering at the Lloyd Ex, they welcome anyone to reach out  at https://www.lloydex.com/foundation

The post Lloyd Ex In Need of Year-Round Volunteers appeared first on My Lloydminster Now.

This Saturday, it's a chance to give to those in need while you're out and about getting your own holiday plans in order.

The Lloydminster First Responders' "Kickoff to Christmas" will be accepting toy and non-perishable food donations at 4 different locations throughout Lloydminster:

- Both ends of Lloyd Mall including the Mall itself and Safeway
(5211 - 44 Street)

The Real Canadian Superstore
(5031 44th Street)

Walmart Supercentre
(4210 70th Avenue)

The goal is to fill as many service vehicles as possible with toys and food for the Olive Tree and the Salvation Army as possible.

First responders from the Lloydminster RCMP, Medavie Health Services West, WPD Ambulance, City of Lloydminster Municipal Enforcement and the Lloydminster Rescue Squad will be at the mentioned locations from 10:00am to 5:00pm.

If you're unable to donate on the day of, you can donate at the Lloydminster RCMP Headquarters, at 5106 44 Street.

The post Lloyd First Responders Collecting Food & Toys This Saturday appeared first on My Lloydminster Now.

The Alberta Economy is getting a boost thanks to an $8.9Billion investment by Dow Chemicals.

The company announced that Fort Saskatchewan - just a couple hours west of us here in Lloyd, will be where they will set up their "Path-2-Zero" facility.

Earlier today, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland were on site for the announcement.

The facility itself is said to "produce and supply approximately three million metric tonnes of certified low- to zero-carbon emissions polyethylene and ethylene derivatives for customers around the globe."

As a net-zero facility, hope is that the facility will help improve Alberta's reputation when it comes to the use of emissions-reducing technology like carbon capturing.

The plant will create about 6,000 jobs in construction, and the facility itself will hold 4-500 full time jobs once it's up and running.

The post DOW Chemicals Invests $8.9Billion into Alberta Economy appeared first on My Lloydminster Now.

RCMP are still looking for answers as to how a driver of a pickup truck maged to hit a tow truck with its ramp down and warning lights on, sending the operator to hospital with serious injuries.

At 7:25 last night, RCMP responded to a collision involving two vehicles on Township Road 494 (12 street) between Range Road 12 and 14 just out side of Lloydminster.

Police say the east-bound pick up truck struck the parked tow truck’s ramp, sending the truck into the air. The truck then hit the cab of the tow truck.  The tow truck had been responding to a service call with its ramp down and emergency lights activated.

The Tow Truck operator was sent to  Lloydminster Hospital and then air lifted to Edmonton with serious injuries. The driver of the pick-up truck sustained minor injuries and was treated on scene.

RCMP continue the investigation into the circumstances of the collision. Although early, alcohol and drugs do not appear to be factors.

The post Update on Serious Collision in Lloydminster appeared first on My Lloydminster Now.

After months of planning and dozens of teams signing up, it all came to a head last night at the Hoop Factory.

Transformed from its usual standing as a basketball training facility and open play area, the floor became the setting for a dodgeball tournament that would even make Patches O'Houlihan proud.

In the end, the final teams to survive (which did NOT include 106-1 The Goat's 'Average Goats', despite heart, effort, and definitely sweat equity), were the Bar Engineering Blackout and a team of friends known simply as "Sitting Ducks".

The fury on the court was intense, despite both teams having played several rounds throughout the day.

The Blackout were particularly vulnerable, having played their semi-final game to get the shot at the championship just minutes before the final game.

After nearly 12 hours of play, the Hoop Factory smelled of sweaty humans, pizza, and the occasional whiff of massage oil or Rub A5-35, depending on where you were at the moment. Still, the drama couldn't be any more intense, as the final game would begin.

The "Sitting Ducks" would take the lead in the opening frames, as the teams had two 7-minute halves to compete and win as many games as possible. It would look as though it would be an easy win for the camouflage-clad crew, but after the second half, a new fire would come from the Bar Engineering team.

A star player on the blackout team, a man simply known as "Jimmy" would find himself alone on the court, dodging, dipping, diving, ducking and dodging until shear exhaustion - a task he had already faced once earlier in the tournament.

As the final buzzer would approach, the Blackout were actually mounting the comeback of all comebacks, as the started picking off Sitting Ducks one by one. After nearly forcing a 3-3 tie would would require an overtime game, the buzzer would ring, and the Sitting Ducks were declared the 2023 champions.

As the teams celebrated and winced at the new pains they would undoubtedly suffer the next morning, the real winners here were the people who benefit from the Lloydminster Region Health Foundation.

The event raised a total of $257,850 for the LRHF and their initiatives to install a first-of-its-kind air filtration system in Western Canada for Pioneer Lodge and House as well as Youth Mental Health Initiatives put on through assistance of the foundation.

The post LRHF Raises $257,000+ With “Dodge For a Cause” Tourney appeared first on My Lloydminster Now.

Today is the final day for the auction in support of the Goat's Christmas Wish!

Auction closes at 3:50pm MT

106-1 The Goat is thrilled to offer this cool one-of-a-kind collectible that is uniquely Canadian, Uniquely Lloydminster, and definitely a conversation piece!

Thanks to our new partnership with McGuire on Wrestling, which you can find right here on mylloydminsternow.com, as well as thanks to Dungeon Wrestling in Calgary, and the man himself, we have this incredible "1 of 1" SIGNED Goat jersey from WWE legend and Canadian Walk of Famer, Bret "Hitman" Hart!

Full details on the auction can be found here: www.ebay.ca/itm/176043695007

100% of the proceeds from this jersey auction will go to the Goat's Christmas Wish, giving families and individuals a much deserved break this holiday season.

Thank you for your support!

The post Final Day for Bret Hart Signed GOAT Jersey Auction appeared first on My Lloydminster Now.

UPDATE: Angela Marie Cardinal has been located safe, say Lloydminster RCMP.

Lloydminster, Alta. – Lloydminster RCMP are seeking public assistance in locating 29-year-old, Poundmaker First Nation resident Angela Marie Cardinal. Angela was last seen on Nov. 20, 2023 at the Gold Horse Casino in Lloydminster. There is concern for her wellbeing.

Angela Marie Cardinal is described as:

• 5’6” tall
• 185 pounds
• Long brown hair
• Brown eyes
• Tattoo of 3 stars on right shoulder
• Tattoo of ring on left finger

  If you know the whereabouts of Angela, please contact Lloydminster RCMP at 780-808-4800. or your local police. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), online at www.P3Tips.com or by using the "P3 Tips" app available through the Apple App or Google Play Store.

The post UPDATE: Missing woman located safe, Lloydminster RCMP appeared first on My Lloydminster Now.

Lloydminster's biggest Remembrance Day ceremony will be at the Lloyd Comp School Gym. The indoor ceremony led by the Lloydminster Legion at which a moment’s silence will be observed at 11:11 a.m. Organizers ask that attendees arrive before 10:30 a.m.

The post List of 2023 Midwest Remembrance Day Ceremonies appeared first on My Lloydminster Now.

On Thursday, October 19th, broadcasting all day from Boundary Ford, join the Goat as we try and raise as much money for this year’s Goat Christmas Wish.

ALL money raised from this event – with no overhead or administration overhead at all – is used to give deserving people in Lloydminster and the Lakeland Area a break during difficult times.

From 6am to 7PM, you’ll hear stories from past Wish recipients, as well as partners in the community that have helped make the Wish a reality.

To donate, listen live for ways to give.  You can also donate on site at Boundary Ford, or online at https://www.lrhf.ca/events/thegoatschristmaswish/

The post DONATE TO THE GOAT’S CHRISTMAS WISH – OCTOBER 19 appeared first on My Lloydminster Now.