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Year in Review- January 2017

Dec 23, 2017 | 6:42 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The year got underway with a number of big stories that resonated with our readers. Court stories, city hall stories and the sudden closure of a business in town all getting Hatters talking.

Here are some of the biggest stories of January 2017.

Jan. 3: Casino by Vanshaw suddenly closes. 

The year began with a surprising move, as the Casino by Vanshaw suddenly closed over the New Year’s weekend. The closure stemmed from a dispute between the Casino and the Medicine Hat Lodge over rent payment.

Vanshaw Enterprises, the parent company of the casino, had sued the Mayfield Investments Ltd., the parent company of the Lodge, alleging it has been overpaying rent. The primary issue related to Elements Entertainment Lounge, and whether or not it was part of the leased area for the casino. A Queen’s Bench judge ruled in favour of the Lodge in October 2016.

The casino re-opened several days later, but owner Kevin Van Der Kooy said the casino would be moving out of the Lodge into the Southside Events Centre. The process on a new location is still ongoing, with reports the casino is considering a move to the Box Springs Business Park.

Jan 9: Three pharmacists charged with fraud 

Kathy Kieser, Evan King and Robert Stadnyk, formerly of Medicine Hat Co-op, were all charged with fraud over $5,000 and theft over $5,000 following a year-long investigation into alleged fraud at Co-op.

The three allegedly negotiated drug purchases and vendor rebates or incentive payments, based on drugs supplied to the pharmacy from four generic drug manufacturers, according to the Alberta College of Pharmacists. According to the hearing, while the drug purchases and rebates or incentive payments were negotiated by the individuals, the drugs were purchased on behalf of Medicine Hat Co-op and paid for by the company.

Kieser, King and Stadnyk are alleged to have used the incentive payments and vendor rebates for their own personal use in the form of gift cards, prepaid credit cards, travel vouchers, paid trips and entertainment expenses and tickets. The total value of the fraud, which took place from 2010 to 2015, is estimated at $1.6 million by police.

All three are scheduled to go to trial next year. Stadnyk will go to trial March 26-29, while King and Kieser go to trial April 23-27.

Jan 10: Curbside recycling announced by city 

City council voted to implement a curbside recycling program in Medicine Hat, which is expected to rollout in Spring 2018. A final monthly cost has not yet been finalized.

Jan. 11: Clugston announces he will seek re-election. 

During the annual State of the City address, Mayor Ted Clugston announced he would seeking a second term as mayor. Clugston was the first candidate to officially declare he was seeking re-election in October.

Jan. 11: Jordan Pede dies

Pede, 24, was found suffering from a gunshot wound in Strathcona Island Park on New Year’s Eve. He dies 11 days later a Calgary Hospital. 

His death is considered the fourth homicide of 2016. Luke Boxell was arrested and charged with second-degree murder on January 25. 

Jan 16: Wendy Scott stay of proceedings granted 

A judge granted a stay of proceedings against Wendy Scott before her re-trial was scheduled to begin. Scott, along with Connie Oakes, were both initially convicted in the 2011 murder of Casey Armstrong. In 2015, Scott was granted a new trial by the Alberta Court of Appeal, after the crown conceded a serious error led to her initial conviction. Oakes had a stay of proceedings granted in April 2016, after the court of appeal ruled she was wrongfully convicted.

Jan. 18: Sheer Insanity Monster Truck lost during fire

Firefighters responded to a shop fire on January 18, which destroyed the TNT and Sheer Insanity Monster Trucks, staples at events around the city. The fire completely destroyed the shop and both monster trucks.

Jan. 25: New Brigden School at risk of closing 

The school, located approximately 30 minutes north of Oyen, had only two students enrolled for the 2016/2017 school year. The board approved a motion to consider closing the school, and had discussion with the public and parents in the affected communities. The final decision was scheduled for April.