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Year in Review – December 2017

Dec 26, 2017 | 6:49 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – December was another busy month in Medicine Hat.

Trials got underway in provincial court, police made the biggest seizure of methamphetamine to date, and the province announced aid for Hilda grass fire victims.

Here are some of the stories that caught the attention of readers in December.

Dec. 1 – Curtis Beisel trial.

Curtis Beisel, who is facing 12 charges in connection with an alleged impaired driving incident in December 2015, went to trial starting Nov. 27. 

The case returns to court in January to argue whether certain blood evidence can be admitted. 

Dec. 6 – Murder suspects heading to trial.

Three preliminary hearings were scheduled to take place at provincial court this month. Luke Boxell and Leonard Beaulieu, both charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of Jordan Pede on New Year’s Eve, both had short hearings in Medicine Hat provincial court, where enough evidence was determined for a trial. 

Noah Bentley, charged with second-degree murder in connection with the homicide of 53-year-old Brenda Woloski in November 2016, waived his hearing, and will go directly to trial. 

All three will appear in Court of Queen’s Bench on January 12.

Dec. 6 – Fire in Brier Park building 

Firefighters responded to a blaze inside an industrial structure, part of a storage and auto business at 1763 Semrau Drive Northwest. The cause was determined to be accidental.

Dec. 9 – Jerrison Stopanski granted statutory release 

Stopanski pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with the death of Amy Lewis, who disappeared in June 2012. He received a seven-year sentence, but received a statutory release with numerous conditions. He still has not revealed where Lewis’ body is located or how she died. 

Dec. 11- Biggest methamphetamine seizure in city’s history 

Police seized 1.02 kilograms of methamphetamine and 226 grams of cocaine inside the trunk of the vehicle earlier this month, charging a 47-year-old Medicine Hat woman and a 28-year-old Lethbridge

Dec. 13 – Company charged following 2015 workplace fatality 

Two years after a 49-year-old man died in a workplace accident at CF Industries, Aluma Systems Inc. is facing five charges under the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

Dec. 18 – Redcliff woman quits AHS following identity theft by co-worker.

Rachel Brushett quit her job with Alberta Health Services (AHS) after a co-worker stole her identity to purchase prescription drugs.

Dec. 20 – Provincial help coming for Hilda fire victims.

The province announced program will begin taking effect on January 8 to help farmers and ranchers affected by the October grass fire. However, details of the relief, which includes loans of up to $25,000, are seen by some as being too low to truly help farmers in need.