We say it every year: the past year was a blur.
It seems like just yesterday we were writing about why we were looking forward to 2024. Well, 2024 is now in the rearview mirror, and we're thinking about 2025.
When the staff at the Mercury sat down to finalize our top 10 stories of 2024, we had lots of options. There were five or six consensus choices, and then lots of debate for those final four spots.
In a normal year, a civic election that produces a new mayor would likely be our top story. This year it was fourth. It's not a knock against new mayor Tony Sernick, the new members of council or the level of interest in the election.
But 2024 was also the year in which Estevan was selected to be the site for Saskatchewan's first SMR – a game-changer of a project if it goes ahead. It was the year in which we found out an MRI scanner would be coming to St. Joseph's Hospital – if we prove we want it. And it was the year in which there was all sorts of talk about the downtown revitalization project.
You can expect SMRs, the MRI and downtown revitalization to remain in the forefront for 2025 as well.
In addition to SMRs, there has been a lot of talk about innovation and technology in the southeast as we continue to consider our future. We heard about concepts like coal-to-graphite and data centres, and googled what exactly a hydrogen hub would entail.
We had opportunities to celebrate milestones, like the Orpheum Theatre's 110th birthday and the Estevan Chamber of Commerce's 120th year.
We had constant reminders about the generosity of the people of the southeast. The United Way Estevan's Telethon set a new off-air record by raising more than $380,000 for its member agencies and community impact projects.
We saw continued support for fundraisers organized by local non-profits. People donated their money to service groups, non-profit organizations, education, health care and so much more.
We continued to see the impact that industries like oil and gas, mining and agriculture have on our region. They create jobs, both directly and indirectly, and they give generously to so many different causes.
There were athletic successes as well. Estevan hosted provincial tournaments. Local teams and athletes brought home provincial championships. The Estevan U18 AA Brewers became the third local team to win a western Canadian youth baseball championship; the Southeast Steelers from Carnduff won their second straight women's fast-pitch national championship; Keely Shaw of Midale won bronze in para cycling at the Paralympics for the second straight time.
We celebrated the successes of individuals and businesses in the community, and look forward to more recognitions in the future.
It was an interesting year on the provincial front, too, with a provincial election that the governing Saskatchewan Party held on to win, but by a much closer margin than in the previous votes, leaving many to wonder how the government would react to the result.
Last year wasn't always pretty. There was a shooting incident in which the accused was loose for a brief period of time, creating panic for a lot of residents. A homicide occurred in Oxbow and another at the White Bear First Nations. Several drug busts, fatal accidents and serious fires were also in the news.
These are difficult situations that test the mettle of those involved and even the community as a whole. But most of us still feel pretty fortunate to live here, most of us still feel pretty safe, and most of us feel lucky to call southeast Saskatchewan our home.
It's been a pretty memorable year in the southeast. We can only hope that 2025 brings better days.
