With the end of 2021 approaching, many people are looking back on the past year. With one day left before the calendar turns to 2022, here is the last look at what dominated our news cycle over the past year.

September-October-November-December

September Spotlight- Back to School... and the Polls

Different restrictions existed around the different school divisions in the area headed into the current school year, but nonetheless kids showed up for their first day of school at the start of September ready for anything after a wild last year partially away from the classroom.

One Sun West School Division teacher out of Outlook was given a service award early in the year for her outstanding contributions to sport, school and community, as Shannon Stephenson took home the West Central Athletics’ Saskatchewan High School Athletic Association (SHSAA) Service Award.

September was a busy month aside from the return of schools thanks to a re-emerging wave of COVID, and the premature vote for Prime Minister that was held back on September 20th. It was a distracting time for many as the fall set in, but at least in the meantime one man from Elrose, was afforded the opportunity of a lifetime for a great cause in STARS.

October Spotlight- Truth and Reconciliation; Rosetown Shines

Early in October we shared a story, as prior to the first ever National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, the west central region got a special speaker at the Kerrobert Library. Tony Stevenson, who hails from the Cote First Nation, tours all over the province to talk about the legacy of the residential schools as he feels people are being misinformed about their history.

As people moved past the heavy time, some celebratory times were on tap, especially in Rosetown. They had a modified plan for their annual Harvest Festival, and managed to put on the fun event without a hitch back at the start of October. When all was said and done, it’s safe to say that people enjoyed what was there.

More fun was had around the area, but fast forward a couple of weeks, and another story out of Rosetown grabbed the headlines. West Central raised Bob Bowen admits he didn’t think much about being nominated for an Emmy award, only to end up winning against some tough and well-known company.

November Spotlight- Another Month of Giving

When looking back at the past year April was noted as a time of giving, as some nice donations came in during the calendar month. In Biggar, it was their $2.5 million revitalization project that saw funds continue to pour in.

In Kerrobert, a special initiative between football parents saw a fundraiser started to erect lights at the local gridiron. The Kerrobert Football Association is allowing people to purchase individual lights to go towards the field, with the goal to be for Friday Night Lights as early as the upcoming season.

Finally in Kindersley, it’s not a monetary donation, but one just as important. A food donation program has been busy at work in town, as four days a week Loaves and Fishes/FoodMesh teams pick up groceries in the afternoon, and then sort and prepare them for people to pick them up in the evening.

December Spotlight- Closing Out 2021 With Cheer

A new year often means a fresh start, but it was just a continuation of the good times for west centrals youngest farm advocate in Mady Adamson. She stole the show at Agribition in Regina earlier in the month, and made tons of content for her Youtube channel Learning Ag With Mady as well.

After an amazing collection effort in Unity which managed to send an impressive trailer full of goods to those in need in British Columbia, Lindsey Soderholm was beaming with just how much the small community was able to donate.

That donation was just the beginning of west central showing its Christmas spirit, as it came out in a much more literal version later on in the month with a special holiday truck making waves around Lucky Lake. The special Christmas truck has been a longtime tradition, as over the years, there have been a total of 4 trucks used.

Find more of September, October, November, and December’s top stories below, and the rest of the top stories of 2021!

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