June 4, 2026 Dan Bernier Commentary The recent survey of Saskatchewan education support workers has sparked an important conversation about who should be responsible when untrained staff are asked to perform medical duties in schools. The survey found that many support workers reported administering medications, using EpiPens, monitoring blood sugar levels, assisting with tube feeding, and carrying out other health-related procedures. Many also reported receiving little train

May 29th, 2026 Dan Bernier As summer settles into the Qu'Appelle Valley, residents and visitors alike are finding plenty of reasons to get outside and enjoy everything that makes this corner of Saskatchewan special. From family-friendly parks and splash pads to scenic trails, fishing spots, river adventures, and community recreation facilities, Lumsden offers an impressive variety of outdoor activities that can keep people busy all season long. One of the community's most pop

The people of Lumsden have made their choice, and Tiffany Schaefer has officially been elected to Town Council following a by-election that generated strong community interest and a notable voter turnout. According to the final results, 251 ballots were cast in the election. Tiffany Schaefer received 138 votes, followed by Byron Tumbach with 70 votes, and Natalie Haslund with 43 votes. What makes the turnout especially noteworthy is that the previous municipal election, which

May 15, 2026 Dan Bernier Football fans in the valley are getting ready for a big afternoon of prairie rivalry football as Challenge Cup 2026 kicks off this Monday, May 18th, at Lumsden High School. Team Saskatchewan will take on Team Manitoba in what is expected to be a hard-hitting showcase of some of the top 9-man football talent on the prairies. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM, and organizers are encouraging families, football supporters, and local residents to come out a

May 15, 2026 Dan Bernier A proposed potash development northwest of Regina is beginning to attract growing attention across the Lumsden area, as residents and local officials watch closely to see what impact the project could eventually have on transportation, infrastructure, and the surrounding region. The project, known as the Disley Project, is being advanced by Buffalo Potash Corp. and is located in the broader potash corridor between the Bethune and Belle Plaine areas, n

May 6, 2026 Dan Bernier The Town of Lumsden’s upcoming municipal by-election is quickly approaching, and the next episode of the River Valley Podcast is giving listeners a chance to hear directly from the candidates hoping to earn your vote. In this special election-focused episode, Bonnie Bernier sits down one-on-one with all three candidates running for the vacant council seat: Byron M. Tumbach, Natalie-Rose Haslund, and Tiffany Schaefer. Rather than campaign slogans or soc

April 29, 2026 Dan Bernier When we launched the River Valley Podcast about a year ago, we had a simple goal: tell the stories that matter here at home. Council decisions. Local events. The people behind the scenes who keep a small town running. The kind of stories that don’t always make it past the city limits, but shape daily life in a place like Lumsden. At the time, we also had a quiet concern sitting in the back of our minds. What happens when a national broadcaster decid

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

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 familiar behind-the-scenes figure

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