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Coaldale Panthers athlete signed to Kodiaks women’s volleyball team

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:10:10 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsLocal volleyball player Kourtney Serfas, of Turin, Alta., will be taking her skills to the Lethbridge College Kodiaks women’s volleyball team this fall.The 5’10” outside hitter currently plays for the U18 team for the Panthers Volleyball Club near Coaldale. After graduating from Vauxhall High School this spring, Serfas is headed to Lethbridge College to study in the college’s Bachelor of Nursing program, and join the Kodiaks. Serfas is the co-captain of the Panther Volleyball Club’s U18 team this year and recently won the “best teammate of the season award” after being nominated by her teammatesSerfas added that this sense of team camaraderie made Serfas’s decision, “extremely easy.”“I chose the Kodiaks because of the competitive atmosphere and their willingness to be their best. Every practice I’ve participated in has inspired me to be better and I think it’s so cool that lots of the older girls have made me feel so included and a part of their team ...

Kate Andrews ready to kick off high school baseball season

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:10:10 GMT

By Garrett SimmonsSunny South NewsIt may not look like it outside, but baseball season is right around the corner.For the Kate Andrews Pride, the 2023 season was scheduled to open in Lethbridge with a Wednesday game against Magrath, until Mother Nature got in the way.The Pride now await an April 19 date against McCoy, set for 6 p.m. at Spitz Stadium.When games do get underway for coach Dan Griffith and his Kate Andrews team, the Coaldale outfit will look to rely on a number of players to ensure a successful season.“We have a great mix of players from grade 9 through 12,” said the coach. “A couple players I expect to lead on and off the field are Conner Wittebolle on the mound, Ethan Honess at shortstop and Brett Hudey at centrefield.”Griffith added he expects a number of other players to play key roles throughout the season as well.“That being said, everyone knows they have the opportunity to work themselves into a starting spot, so the players are bringing a lot of great energy to ...

Coalhurst author and teacher normalizes rejection

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:10:10 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsBeing rejected once hurts, but being rejected dozens, hundreds of times is practically a guarantee for working writers.In the book Keywords in Creative Writing, authors W. Bishop and D. Starkey note a writer’s path to publication is inextricably linked to being told, “no,” by publishing bodies.“Rejection is the dark door at the centre of creative writing through which all who hope to survive must pass – even the most successful writers have been rejected many times, developing a healthy attitude towards rejection is essential to every writer.”Coalhurst-based author and teacher, Mike Saad has successfully published 20 or so works. From novellas, to historical articles, and poetry and fiction, Saad’s CV and various publications reflect the triumphs and successes of his work. However, the seasoned writer said he is no stranger to being told, “no”, by publishers over the years, and wants aspiring authors and writers to know this is a normal and expe...

Coaldale Family Fun Run to return this month

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:10:10 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsThe team of organizers behind the Coaldale Family Fun Run are gearing up for the 12th annual 5km race on April 22.Since its inception, the event has brought together community members, as well as student and corporate teams to participate. The event’s objectives include encouraging healthy outdoor activity and support family time, and to bring community together in Coaldale.Event coordinator for the 2023 race Jacob Wiebe, said the number of participants each year has varied since the event came online.“Before COVID, we peaked at around 700,” he said, adding that in recent years, attendance has been down in comparison.“Over the past few years, there have been 400-500 (participants) and I think we are on pace to surpass 500 again this year,” and added he is hopeful the event will see a return to pre-COVID participants.With a family and community focus, proceeds raised from the event will support local charity and the Coaldale Food Bank, by donating $2 f...

Military historian recognized with Belgian national honour

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:10:10 GMT

By Troy BannermanLocal Journalism Initiative ReporterSouthern Alberta NewspapersRetired Warrant Officer and military historian Glenn Miller recently was made a Knight Order of the Crown by the Kingdom of Belgium for his work in unveiling local historical military connections with the Belgian city of Mons.In describing this honour Miller said this week, “it’s a national honour from the Kingdom of Belgium, equivalent to the Order of Canada. And as in the Order of Canada it has various levels, so does this Order of the Crown. I’m at the level of Knight; Order of the Crown. And it was awarded for my bilateral relationship in promoting the Remembrance and Centennial of World War One and the connection that Lethbridge had in firing the last gun in World War One in the last hundred days, in the Battle of Mons.”This story started 25 years ago, Miller explained.“There’s a certificate that started me on this journey 25 years ago that was in a frame in a classroom. That’s all. I didn’t even kn...

AFC funding to benefit research in region

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:10:10 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsThe Agriculture Funding Consortium (AFC) is putting $11.49 million in funding to support 39 research projects across the Province.Comprised of 18 agricultural organizations, the AFC is a collective body which leverages and coordinates funding to support diversification, sustainability, and long-term growth for agriculture and the food industry in Western Canada. The investment will support inquiry into AFC’s research priorities which directly impact Alberta Agriculture commodities such as livestock, crops, and soil health.Of the nearly $11.5 million, several research projects in southern Alberta and Lethbridge have been granted support through the funding stream.Among other organizations, the University of Lethbridge, Ag & Agri-food Canada (Lethbridge), Lethbridge College, and the Alberta Wheat and Barley Commission will see partial funding of various research projects focusing on wheat, alfalfa, beef livestock, and mixed crops.Lethbridge College ...

Xiaolongbao (Soup Dumplings)

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:10:10 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsThe first time I had a soup dumpling in China, it felt like the smoggy clouds had lifted out of Shanghai’s skies.I am the farthest thing from an expert on regional Chinese cuisine; and it is worth noting the cultural significance of cuisine cannot be understated, and my sharing this recipe is not to suggest there is any true replacement for the real thing. But it’s kind of the perfect dish.Originating from the Jiangsu Province in Eastern China, about 300 kilometres from the mega-metropolis of Shanghai, the dish is known by many as a soup dumpling. The literal meaning of xiaolongbao is “little basket bun.” Like a traditional dumpling, a piece of dough is rolled out and filled with meat, usually minced pork and hot, rich broth. Steamed in a bamboo basket, the heat “melts” the broth so when you bite into the dumpling, hot broth escapes the tender filling and chewy dough.Although some variations of xiaolongbao use leavened dough, most of the varieties I t...

Province invests $37.6 to build new high school in Raymond

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:10:10 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsGroundbreaking for the a new high school in the Town of Raymond is set to begin this summer.Alberta’s Minister of Infrastructure, Nathan Neudorf, had more details to share regarding Budget 2023 and the Province’s announcement to fully fund the construction of a new high school in Raymond on Friday.The Government of Alberta’s Budget 2023 has allocated $2.3 billion in the next three years to 58 school projectsincluding full construction funding for 13 schools.The Province’s investment will add nearly 25,000 new and upgraded spaces for students in the coming years.The new school  in Raymond will be located near Victoria Park, and has been approved for up to $37.6 million for the construction.The project will see Westwind School Division (WSD) continue to work collaboratively with the Town of Raymond throughout the process. Mayor of the Town of Raymond, Jim Depew, said WSD approached council around five years ago, reporting that the Town’s schools were at...

Picture Butte Fish and Game install multiple hen houses to boost waterfowl production

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:10:10 GMT

By Erika MathieuSunny South NewsPicture Butte Fish and Game (PBFG) have donated 12 hen houses to Delta’s “Million Ducks Campaign,” in partnership with Delta Waterfowl.The campaign spans across North America with the goal of producing 110,000 hen houses and over one million ducks annually.  The hen houses are constructed out of steel fencing, pipes, and straw to form a “nesting tube” on bodies of water such as the Coaldale wetlands, and the Picture Butte Reservoir. According to Delta Waterfowl’s Spring 2022 edition, hen houses boost nest success to more than 60 per cent, and frequently up to 80 per cent.On March 17, the PBFG rounded up a group of volunteers to get to work. Donations for materials were provided by Hank’s Feedmill Service, RCL, and flax straw from Kolk Farms. Six of the structures have since been installed at the Picture Butte Reservoir.The hen houses consist of an eight-foot base pipe. One bolt or wire lock secures the 30 inch adjustable insert pipe in place to suppor...

UCP pushing back against Bill C-21

Published Sat, 22 Feb 2025 16:10:10 GMT

By Trevor BuschSunny South [email protected] the federal government pushes forward with legislation targeting restricted firearms under Bill C-21, Alberta’s UCP government is pushing back with the recent introduction of the provincial Firearms Act.Bill 8 defines the role of the province’s chief firearms officer, but allows enacting regulations restricting how the federal legislation will be implemented in Alberta.“The Firearms Act is really in response to the federal piece of legislation that’s being passed right now (Bill C-21). The federal government is really trying to take away lawful firearms,” said Taber-Warner MLA Grant Hunter. “And so this is a pushback against that. I think that most Albertans recognize that the vast majority of guns are legal, and lawful to use with proper training that happens.”One clause in Bill 8 would prevent municipal police forces – such as the Taber Police Service – from participating in the collection of firearms by prohibitin...