— MACKLIN — HAYTER — CHAUVIN — BODO — PROVOST — CADOGAN — METISKOW — CZAR — HUGHENDEN — AMISK — THE PROVOSTVisit NEWS www.provostnews.ca “THE DISTRICT PAPER” © Volume 92, No. 6 PROVOST, ALBERTA, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2002 $100

Soil Moisture Penetration Lacking 3 to 5 Inches ¥ Farmers, Ranchers Facing Spring Drought Conditions Farmers and ranchers in the area are still facing drought conditions as plans are being made for seeding operations. The drought condi- tions are worst in the eastern and southern parts of Alberta and cen- tral and southern Saskatchewan. Jim Moncrieff who farms three miles east of The Ribstone Hutterite colony north of Provost says that his land looks a lot drier than normal this spring. If there is some mois- ture before seeding he will likely put in alfalfa ater levels remain low in many lakes and sloughs in the area including Hansman on a lot of the land but Lake (above) west of town a few miles. Years ago the water level was so high that oats or a hybrid of rye Wit used to lap on the edges of Highway 13—and the water used to support a sup- and wheat called tryta- ply of jackfish. A local fish and game member told The News that no jackfish are left and that cale, may be planted the fish are not native to this area. Nearby and to the east a mile or so meanwhile several instead for feed. He calls goose nests (photo left) can still be found on either side of the highway, a project headed up this situation “absolute- at least a decade ago by Provost Fish and Game members Bob Hope and Larry Christensen. ly” a drought and points The goose nests are designed to keep predators like coyotes and fox away from young geese out that farmers first or the eggs, notes Dave Schmidt of Provost. He adds that some of the man-made nests have need moisture on the another section underneath the goose nests—built for ducks to also nest in. The land that ground to have it evapo- these nests are placed at have not had water laying on it for three years coming up this sum- rate and then return from mer says sportsman Elmer Schielke. President of the 285 member Provost Fish and Game the sky. His dugouts are Association is Dale Blue of Amisk. ©PROVOST NEWS PHOTO. nearly empty and he will have to fence them and Luther Hoberg, 77 pump them otherwise Power Off, Passed Away will have to drill deep ——— wells for water. Schools Luther Hoberg passed away April 13 at Provost. Closed Funeral service will be held Wednesday, April 17 Some schools were at 2:00 p.m. at the Central not open for operation Lutheran Church. on Monday morning, Gregory’s Funeral April 15 because of a Homes are in charge of lack of electrical power. arrangements. There were reports ——————— that both Czar and and also on Friday for Amisk schools were closed because of no three to four hours. He electricity. Hardisty said that someone hit a power pole on Friday. JIM MONCRIEFF and Sedgewick schools ©PROVOST NEWS PHOTO. were also closed and no Rick Cromarty, who busses ran to the Irma farms north and west of Provost said that the Moncrieff is farming school. land since 1992 that has Some snow fell in the power was off at 10:30 p.m. Sunday and it was been in the family since area Sunday night. 1910. People from the Provost, Consort and Hanna areas watched the Juno Awards There were no prob- still off just before noon on Monday at press Czar producer Darryl Sunday night with particular interest because of the connection with two lems reported at Bullock who has been on band members from . Two of the world class members, Michael Provost, STA or time. Meanwhile Tom Meier of Cadogan the land for 32 years is and are sons of Debbie Sullivan who lives with husband Bill Chauvin schools. planting wheat for his reported that the north of Provost. Nickelback won three Juno awards in St. John’s Farmer David Blume cows this spring and Newfoundland. The Hanna natives took honors for best single (How You of Hayter said that his power was off until Remind Me), best rock (Silver Side Up) and best group. Debbie (nee power went off Sunday noon Monday morn- More Drought Kroeger) Sullivan grew up in Consort. PROVOST NEWS PHOTO. night for four hours ing. P. 2