The River Valley Podcast is your trusted local source for Lumsden news and community events, town council updates, local stories, and small-town history. Hosted by Dan and Bonnie, we bring you real conversations, local voices, and everything happening in the valley—keeping you informed, connected, and part of the community.

April 20, 2026 Dan Bernier The Town of Lumsden’s upcoming by-election is now clearly taking shape, with nominations officially closed and three candidates confirmed for the ballot. Byron M. Tumbach, Natalie-Rose Haslund, and Tiffany Schaefer are each seeking the single open seat on council, setting up a straightforward race that will be decided by local voters in the coming weeks. Byron M. Tumbach is no stranger to the council table, having previously served in the role. Prof

By Dan Bernier Published April 19, 2026 Something happened just outside our doorstep in the Rural Municipality of Sherwood No. 159, and whether you live there or not, it’s the kind of situation that makes you stop and think about how local government is supposed to work, and what happens when it suddenly doesn’t. Within a very short window, the reeve and multiple councillors resigned, leaving the council without quorum. That’s not just a political inconvenience. It means no

LUMSDEN  (April 16th) — Every once in a while, a story comes along that makes you stop for a second and think, that’s a big deal for a town like ours. We came across a national piece this week about Last Mountain Distillery, and this isn’t your everyday recognition, especially not for a small Saskatchewan operation. At the recent Whisky Explorer Awards in Ontario, they didn’t just show up, they owned the category. Gold, silver, and bronze, all three top spots, in the Best Can

The Saskatchewan government recently announced its new “Patients First Health Care Plan,” promising better access to care, shorter wait times, and a system where patients receive “the right care in the right place at the right time.” On the surface, that sounds exactly like what everyone wants. Faster treatment, more access to doctors, and a health-care system that functions more efficiently. But the real question isn’t whether the idea sounds good. The real question is wheth

Photo courtesy of Facebook By Dan Bernier March 5, 2026 Chris Exner Steps Away After Three Decades of Service LUMSDEN — After more than three decades helping shape recreation programs, community events, and partnerships in the valley, longtime Town of Lumsden Community Coordinator Chris Exner is retiring from his position. Exner began working with the Town of Lumsden in the early 1990s, and over the course of roughly three decades in the role, he became one of the most famili

March 2 at Heritage Home was never going to be just another afternoon on the calendar. A resident who had only moved into the home in February was celebrating her 100th birthday. One hundred years of life. That alone would have filled the room with meaning. Then Bernadette McIntyre walked through the doors. Saskatchewan’s 24th Lieutenant Governor came not for a formal ceremony at Government House, not for a political announcement, but to honour a woman reaching a century of l