Too sexy for my teammates

Edmonton Rush defenceman Ryan McNish coquettes for the cameras at a press conference announcing the Rush's 2010 lineup Jan. 8 at the LRC. McNish is one of nine returning players on the team, which also snapped up key talent from the now-defunct Portland Lumberjax. General manager/head coach Derek Keenan said the Rush have undergone a lot of changes since last season but are well-positioned for a strong showing in the National Lacrosse League this year.

(Photo by Alexandra Pope/Sun Media)

Weekly Roundup — Sept. 11

Here's what's making news in Leduc and area this week:

• Leduc and district RCMP welcomed a new regional commander, Insp. Chuck Jackson, to the force Aug. 10.

• Local MPs are preparing for a possible fall federal election.

• Leduc County council will borrow $3.5 million from the province on behalf of the Leduc Foundation to finance their three-year affordable housing plan.

• The Leduc Public Library is offering an outreach service to the housebound.

• The City of Leduc is gathering feedback on changes to Leduc Assisted Transportation Services, including a possible fare reduction.

• A trial date has been set for an Edmonton man accused of stabbing a Co-op taxi driver in Nisku last month.

• Second Glance clothing has made a financial contribution to the upcoming Visualeyes Youth Conference, which aims to motivate local students and teach them about good decision making.

• In sports, the Chinese national curling teams have chosen Leduc as their training ground in the leadup to the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver; the Red Deer Rebels and Edmonton Oil Kings played an exhibition game in Leduc last week; and a local track star placed fifth in his event at the recent Canada Games.

• Goofy Alberta musical comedy duo Lewis & Royal will play a free show in Leduc Sept. 19.

• Calmar is considering changing its water utilities bylaw to protect landlords whose tenants renege on their payments.

• A longtime employee of ATB Financial celebrated his retirement last week.

All this and more in the Sept. 11 issue of the Rep!

Weekly Roundup — Sept. 4

Here's what's making news in Leduc and area this week:

• Local school boards are waiting to find out how an $80 million cut to Alberta Education's budget announced last week will affect their operations this year.

• RCMP will be stepping up their presence in school zones this week to give drivers a refresher on speed limits.

• Laura profiles local punk band California Lane Change, who won the Battle of the Bands at Leduc's first Rock the Rails youth event Aug. 27. Also, check out our photo gallery with tons of pics from the event.

• Leduc County council has provided staff with guidelines for the county's 2010 budget, including a $250,000 contingency fund for Capital Region Board projects.

• Are you prepared to take up the Terry Fox challenge?

• Local school boards are updating their pandemic plans in advance of the fall flu season and are expected to include some guidelines for dealing with the H1N1 flu virus.

• Alex has a feature about Leduc County's Bridges mentorship program, which provides support and guidance for women living with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

• City of Leduc council turned down a request by the owners of the Prairie Professional building — partially destroyed by a June 12 fire — for more than $10,000 in tax relief.

• Leduc County and the Town of Beaumont are embarking on a joint sustainable growth study.

• Construction is underway on a new elementary school in Thorsby.

• In sports, the Atlanta Thrashers have their eye on Leduc minor hockey alum Travis Toomey, who is heading to a scouting tournament this week.

• We have updates on the Bobcats', Wildcats and Ti-Cats' weekend football games; and despite not making the finals, the E2 Crude/West women's rugby team dominated in the B-division playoffs last week.

• And in your weekly crime and punishment update, a Leduc man racked up more than $3,000 in fines for playing his stereo too loud.

All this and more in the Sept. 4 Rep!

Weekly Roundup — August 21

Here's what's making news in Leduc and area this week:

• The Kinsmen Alexandra Outdoor Pool is celebrating 40 years this week.

• Calmar's town manager is retiring after 21 years of dedicated service.

• Laura spoke to MLA George Rogers about his take on distracted drivers and whether the province will initiate legislation this fall to cut down on cell phone use and other distractions while driving.

• The first ever Santa's Big Biker Ride for Santa's Helpers Leduc, which was to take place Sept. 12, has been cancelled.

• A pedestrian who was struck and killed on Highway 2 last week may have been waiting for a ride back to Leduc after his friends left him, according to his family.

• Leduc County is offering free spraying to control weeds on certain types of county properties this fall.

• The Leduc Recreation Centre has received a generous funding boost from the federal government.

• It was a hot August night indeed last week at Castrol Raceway.

• A local used clothing store is working with ROMPS to get their new play space up and running by September.

• A Devon man who fled police and was subsequently bitten twice by a police dog received little sympathy from a provincial court judge last week.

• In sports, the Edmonton Oil Kings will play an exhibition game at the LRC on Sept. 5.

See this week's Rep for more!

Weekly Roundup — August 7

Here's what's making news in Leduc and area this week:

• An appeal by residents to block the construction of a wind turbine west of Leduc has been struck down by Leduc County.

• Bobby sat down with MP James Rajotte and David Swann, leader of the Alberta Liberals, to discuss the economy, visas and a potential fall federal election.

• The third annual Commitment to Life fundraiser for STARS is coming up.

• Leduc will be hosting its first-ever youth event, Rock the Rails, at the skatepark Aug. 27. City staff are also looking for youth to post their own YouTube videos promoting the event. Below, "Cason and Jam's" introductory video:



• Just a few months after receiving a large federal grant to renovate their building, the Thorsby Senior Citizens Club has discovered irreparable faults in the building's foundations.

• Shear Sensation salon is challenging their sisters in hairstyling to come together to participate in this year's Terry Fox Run.

• The Maclab Centre for the Performing Arts has announced the lineup for their 2009-2010 performance season.

• In sports, the Leduc Riggers are gearing up for tryouts in less than a month, while the Milleteers are gunning for the title of Powerline Baseball League champs.

• Looking to take up a hobby or try a new sport this fall? The city is holding their Community Registration Day Sept. 12.

Jumping for a cause

Photos from the 2009 Kids Jump for Cancer equestrian event, taking place at Amberlea Meadows until July 12.









(Photos by Alexandra Pope)

Game of many faces

The Leduc E3 LA Crude men's rugby team battled the Edmonton Pirates at Lede Park July 3 but lost 12-17. For more photos see the July 10 issue of the Rep. Photos by Alex Pope.

Interview with a draftee

I'm a huge hockey fan especially when it comes to the NHL. 

I live, breath and fart hockey all year round and my dream one day would be to exclusively report on a NHL team or just be around the NHL as a reporter.

On June 30 I got to interview a hopeful NHL player that got drafted in the second round of the 2009 NHL draft in Montreal.

Brett Ponich is his name. 

He was drafted in the second round by the St. Louis Blues at the draft this past Saturday. Being drafted in the second round is a pretty big accomplishment for the young man from Beaumont.

 

This was my first interview with any type of NHL hockey player so it was a pretty good experience for myself and maybe one day our paths will meet again on a larger stage. 

Stanley Cup maybe? One can dream. 

You never know how these young kids will turn out in the NHL once they are ready, so talking to them at a young age is always exciting because I could one of the first people to ever interview a future superstar. Here's hoping.

Ponich is a 6'7 defenseman with the Portland Winterhawks and God knows NHL teams are always looking for the next Pronger or Chara or even a less talked about Hal Gill, who did win a Stanley Cup this year.

Ponich will not likely see any NHL playing time in the upcoming season unless St.Louis experiences a bunch of injuries, but the young defenseman will get his chance in the future with the Blues. 

He could see himself playing alongside other rising stars like T.J. Oshie, Patrick Berglund and highly touted defenseman Erik Johnson.

Ponich told me how getting that call felt and who the first person was to talk to him about being drafted.

Getting a call from any NHL organization is a dream for many hopeful young hockey players, but Ponich got an experience that little others have had.

“Al MacInnis was actually the first person to call me and welcome me to the organization so that was really amazing that I got to talk someone like that,” said Ponich.

Being a NHL caliber hockey player is not easy to achieve. It takes a lot of hard work from not only the player himself but other surrounding him. According to Ponich and Debbie (Brett's mom) growing up in Beaumont and Leduc really helped him to where he is now. 

Ponich got his first taste of skating at the young age of four when he joined his sisters ringette team and from there the rest is history.

Ponich spent all his younger years playing hockey in Beaumont and for Ponich there were many influential people on his journey to eventually being drafted.

“One of my coaches Rick Hubbs was a great influence while I played hockey in Beaumont. He helped me become the hockey player I am today,” said Ponich.

Developing a hockey player takes a lot of time and effort from not only the parents but also a whole community. 

"Although it may not take a whole community to raise a child, it does take a community to raise a hockey player,” said Debbie Ponich, Brett’s mom.

Maybe once Ponich makes his way to the NHL he'll remember the interview that I did with him or maybe not. Either way it'll be very interesting to see where this kid is going to go.

Check out Ponich's bio on the Blues website.

Weekly Roundup — June 26

Here's what's making news in Leduc and area this week:

• Leduc County councillors engaged in a little verbal sparring over a Pigeon Lake subdivision approval at their June 23 meeting.

• Meanwhile, confusion about what an area structure plan is temporarily derailed a public meeting in Pigeon Lake last week, with many residents saying they felt awkward about the role of developers in the process.

• Black Gold Kennels are currently overrun with cats in need of loving homes (and it would make Laura's life if you would adopt one).

• The ongoing drought is taking a toll on local farms and U-picks this summer.

• The City of Leduc is planning to bid to host the 2012 National Special Olympics.

• Based on her experience in the aftermath of the Prairie Professional fire, Laura outlines the importance of tenant insurance.

• The ROMPS playplace is looking for a new home after their space was destroyed in the Prairie Professional fire. Also, a fundraiser will be held June 30 for a young family who lost their home in the fire.

• Bobby has a story on what you can find at the Leduc Farmer's Market.

• This week we have two stories on "green" housing developments in the county — the first by Edmonton-based alternative energy consultants Carbon Busters, the second a condominium development near the airport.

• Two residents of New Sarepta have filed a petition for the village to undertake a dissolution study, which could see the village simply become a part of Leduc County instead of a separate municipality.

All this and more in the June 26 issue of the Rep!

(Photo: Five-year-old Danika Manion checks out her face in a mirror after having it decorated by a Boys and Girls Club volunteer at the second annual Soccerfest, a free afternoon of fun and entertainment for youth held by the Leduc Minor Soccer Association on June 20 at Lede Park. About 1,000 people were treated to free meals, activities and goodies. Photo by Carole Morris-Underhill.)

Weekly Roundup — June 12

Here's what's making news in Leduc and area this week:

• The manager of a local Chevrolet dealership says GM's decision to terminate their sales and service agreement is "unfair" and an inaccurate reflection of the store's recent sales record.

• A new website hopes to bring closure to families of missing persons.

• The children of Southfork finally have a park.

• Accessibility is a key issue in the construction of the new Leduc Recreation Centre.

• A local team is preparing for the upcoming Ride to Conquer Cancer in Calgary.

• In county news, Leduc County councillors want residents to be aware that an application has been filed to develop a gravel mining operation on the banks of the North Saskatchewan River, Warburg reviewed its financial audit, and Epcor hopes its new project will make its Genesee generating station a world leader in clean energy and carbon capture and sequestration.

• In sports, the LCHS Tiger rugby boys are hoping for redemption in the Tier 2 provincials, the Bantam Ticats football team has wrapped up their spring training camp, the Otters swim team is winding down their season after a strong showing at a recent meet in Red Deer, and it's charity golf season again.

• Alex has an omnibus edition of provincial court briefs, including a man who racked up $4,500 in fines stemming from one drunken ride through Beaumont and a man who stole tip money from a bartender to play the VLTs.

(Photo: Cheryl Agostinho, wife of the late Cst. Jose Agostinho, and Kool Mom Shannon Moroz unveiled the temporary sign dedicating the brand new Southfork park to Agostinho's memory after the park build on June 6. Agostinho, who was killed in the line of duty on July 4, 2005, while serving as a member of the Wetaskiwin RCMP, believed passionately in helping children become good citizens and loved Leduc, friends said. Photo by Alexandra Pope.)

With the greatest of ease

Ashley Schiewe completes a jump on her horse Twice As Smooth during the open pre-training show jumping at the Beaumont horse trials, held at the Beaumont Ag Fairgrounds on June 6. Photo by Alex Pope.

Weekend madness!

I just had the most intense and tiring weekend workday I've had since I started working for the Rep. It's almost summer in Leduc and the surrounding area, so of course every weekend is stacked with outdoor events, and this one was no exception.

I went to an equestrian show and Timbits soccer jamboree in Beaumont, met some amazing young people who are making a difference in Devon at the Servus Credit Union Leaders of Tomorrow awards, and saw bad fashion and drunken baseball converge at the 37th annual New Sarepta Fair.

It was also an historic day in Leduc: the Southfork Moms (by far the Koolest moms in the city) realized their dream of having a playground in their own neighborhood for their kids to play on. Construction started at 8 a.m. and by 3 p.m. the park was full of kids swinging, sliding, running and climbing. It was inspiring to see how hundreds of volunteers could make quick work of the very labour-intensive building process, all with the best interests of the kids at heart.

It was fitting that the build happened on the anniversary of D-Day, because the park has been named for the late Jose Agostinho, who was not only an RCMP officer who gave his life in the line of duty on July 4, 2005, but also a former commanding officer of the Leduc 831 Black Knights Air Cadets Squadron and a huge proponent of the cadet program. The park is a fitting testament to his commitment to encouraging children to grow into helpful, respectful, active citizens of their community.

Check out the June 12 Rep for full coverage of the build. And also check out the Beaumont News and the Devon Dispatch, our sister papers. We share a lot of content but they also contain exclusives contributed by the Rep's staff. We're all one big, happy family.

And because no one reads this blog, I have absolutely no qualms whatsoever about posting this as a final thought: my very own LOLcat, starring Loki, the baddest tabby in Renaissance Place.

Weekly Roundup — May 29

Here's what's making news in Leduc and area this week:

• A group of Leduc County farmers says Altalink "put the cart before the horse" when drawing up potential routes for a new high-voltage transmission line south of Calmar.

• Leduc mayor Greg Krischke has been honoured with an inaugural Leadership for Active Communities award.

• May's Artist of the Month is a multi-talented high school student.

• Edmonton's pro basketball team will bring the "Energy" to Leduc Composite High School on June 5.

• Taxes for Leduc County residents will be much the same in 2009 as last year.

• A local teen is headed to Vancouver for the summer to appear in a production of the hit musical Rent.

• It's almost time for the 20th annual Rona MS Bike Tour, and while 30 local high school students are getting ready to volunteer for the two-day event, a Thorsby woman with MS is training for the 183-km ride — her sixth.

• In county news, the Town of Calmar has passed its budget for the next three years and is gearing up (pun not intended!) for its annual Show n' Shine, while the Village of New Sarepta has opted not to fund a local playschool.

• Laura, despite not being the sports reporter, has all your inside dish on sports in Leduc, including the upcoming women's fastball provincials.

It's all in the May 29 Rep.

(Photo: Grade 4 East Elementary School students Kennedy Kiss, left, and Skylar Gee, watch in awe as a teddy bear flips a pancake — with a little help from teacher Dianne Brunes. Students at East Elementary raised $1,900 for the MS Society and celebrated with a pancake breakfast and pyjama day May 22. Photo by Alex Pope.)

Little kid, BIG bowl

6-year-old Jordan Erickson took advantage of the sunny weather May 25 to practice his moves at the Leduc skatepark. (Photo by Alex Pope.)

Weekly Roundup — May 15

Here's what's making news in Leduc and area this week:

• Laura Ring has the story of a young man whose one bad choice changed his life forever.

• A local man has been recognized for his brave actions during an armed robbery.

• Affordable housing expert Avi Friedman gave a two-day workshop in Calmar last week and dispelled some of the common misconceptions about affordable housing.

• No deaths in the news this week, but there are taxes — specifically property taxes in Leduc.

• Fallen Wetaskiwin RCMP officer Jose Agostinho will be immortalized in the name of the new Southfork park.

• A local high school student has won a $20,000 scholarship for her engagement in her school and community.

• This year's raffle to benefit the Leduc Boys and Girls Club features some big-ticket items.

• The parliamentary assistant to Alberta's minister of health wants everybody to walk more, eat less salt.

• Hello Dolly rocks! (And I'm not just saying that because I'm in it.)

• Leduc needs an emergency women's shelter, council heard on May 11.

• In sports, local rugby teams kicked off their season this month, while lacrosse seems to be gaining in popularity. Also, the LCHS athletic field is going to be renamed to honour the founder of the track club. P.S.: Don't call Laura the sports reporter.

All this and more in this week's Rep.

(Photo: 11-year-old Tristan Head tries on beer goggles at an RCMP open house May 8. Photo by Laura Ring.)

Weekly Roundup — May 1

Here's what's making news in Leduc and area this week:

• The city has officially begun work on a master plan for the future development of Telford Lake.

• They have also released the membership fees for the new LRC. They are hoping the centre will create more opportunities for sport tourism in Leduc — such as the Alberta Cup, which Leduc will host next year.

• A local high school student is our artist of the month.

• James Rajotte, MP for Edmonton-Leduc, addressed the bailout for Canadian automakers and the Harper government's Economic Action Plan at a town hall meeting on April 25.

• The Leduc "Nighthawks" are a featured volunteer group this week.

• Laura has a story about a national non-profit that helps to prevent child sexual abuse — and create awareness about what to do when it happens.

• Across the county, Calmar is karaoke-ing (I can verb that, right?), Thorsby is contemplating curfews, Warburg is looking ahead to Canada Day, and it's almost spring market time in New Sarepta.

It's all in your Leduc Rep this week. Check it out!

(Photo: Guests of the "Divas LA Style" event held at the Leduc Curling Rink on April 24 test their ability to be hypnotized by locking their hands above their heads. Photo by Alex Pope)

Flames are out

Laura needs to stop making hockey bets.

Weekly Roundup — April 24

Here's what's making news in Leduc and area this week:

• It was all about volunteers this week! The Leduc-Nisku Economic Development Authority held a special breakfast to recognize the contribution Leduc's hundreds of volunteers make to the community, and guest speaker Sandy McLeod called volunteers "the most powerful force on earth."

• Local emergency personnel are gearing up for a baseball tournament in support of Little Warriors.

• Blackgold Kennels are preparing for their busiest season by adding space for more lost and abandoned animals.

• The tragic death of a 10-year-old Calmar boy in an ATV rollover last weekend has prompted calls for more safety precautions.

• The City of Leduc is planning for future traffic headaches by highlighting areas for improvement on the city's roads.

• Stageworks is finishing off their season with three upcoming performances.

• In sports, a local team triumphed at a major pool tournament in Edmonton, the Leduc Drillers are preparing for their epic 200-km bike ride to raise funds for cancer research, and the Leduc StrayCats got their season off to a good start.

Check out our website or pick up a copy of the Rep for all this and more, including full coverage of what to expect at the 40th annual Black Gold Rodeo, which kicks off this Thursday!

(Photo: Magician Kent Wong demonstrated a little-known technique for relieving neck and head tension on Kaylee Dewar at the EDA's volunteer appreciation breakfast on April 21. Photo by Alex Pope.)

Weekly Roundup — April 17

• Leduc has lost two great champions of the community: Doris Smith and Pearl Livingston.

• A man has been charged in connection with an armed robbery at CIBC in Leduc on April 8.

• Leduc County is looking at ways to cut back on capital spending after the province announces fewer dollars for municipal grants in 2009.

• Thorsby police are cracking down on drunk drivers.

• The Boys and Girls Club of Leduc is one step closer to its new home in the Leduc Recreation Centre.

• In sports, the Leduc Atom B1 Roughnecks brought home a banner.

• Laura has some tough advice for Leduc vandals.

For all this and more, visit our website or pick up a copy of the Rep.

Someone lost a bet

Uh ... GO FLAMES GO!