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