The Matechuk Family poses for a photo with Alex Ovechkin prior to an NHL game this year- Photo courtesy Matechuk family

By Charles Lefebvre

Year in Review

Year in Review 2019 – Community

Dec 27, 2019 | 8:00 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Multiple stories this year showcased the generosity of Hatters, their passions and interesting perspectives in the region.

Here are some of the stories that made an impact in Medicine Hat this year.

Layne Matechuk continues recovery

Matechuk, a one-time prospect for the Medicine Hat Tigers, was injured in the 2018 Humboldt Broncos bus crash. He was in a coma, and was the second-to-last Bronco to be released from the hospital. At the one-year anniversary of the tragedy, Matechuk’s family spoke about his recovery.

Link: https://chatnewstoday.ca/2019/04/05/matechuk-inspiring-family-tigers-teammates-one-year-after-broncos-crash/

WHAT'S ON

Here is what's on this weekend in Medicine Hat and area: Dec. 13-15

Dec 14, 2024

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Mustard Seed adding new shelter spaces at Alberta government's request

Dec 12, 2024

HOLIDAYS

Medicine Hat Kiwanis hosting Christmas dinner, applications due Friday

Dec 12, 2024

Sabre-toothed cat fossil discovered

Researchers from the University of Toronto and the Royal Ontario Museum confirmed the Smilodon, aka the sabre-toothed cat, roamed Medicine Hat over 40,000 years ago. It’s the furthest north the fossil has been discovered

Link: https://chatnewstoday.ca/2019/10/04/first-sabre-toothed-cat-fossil-in-canada-found-in-medicine-hat/

Prairie Rose School Division gets their wings

The school division launched the Dave Rozdeba South Alberta Flight Academy, giving interested students the option to study aviation and earn their private pilot’s licence.

Link: https://chatnewstoday.ca/2019/05/15/prairie-rose-school-division-announces-new-flight-academy/

Man rediscovers passion following collision

Duane Burr was left paraplegic following a motorcycle collision, but has now rediscovered his passion for driving and riding, developing modified vehicles he can ride

Link: https://chatnewstoday.ca/2019/07/16/paraplegic-man-isnt-letting-anything-get-in-the-way-of-his-passion/

Frank Webber donates photographs to Esplanade

Webber, a longtime newspaper photographer, donated thousands of his negatives to the Esplanade Archives for preservation in April. The photos showcase how Medicine Hat looked between the 1970s and 2000s.

Link:https://chatnewstoday.ca/2019/04/30/photographer-donates-thousands-of-negatives-to-esplanade-archives/

Community rallies around family

Layna Stopanski was in the fight of her life over the summer, after being diagnosed with a tumour at the age of 21 months. At one point, she was given 72 hours to live.

Link: https://chatnewstoday.ca/2019/07/29/21-month-old-medicine-hat-girl-in-the-fight-of-her-life/

Sunshine Trolley hits the road

Tourism Medicine Hat unveiled a new trolley this summer, which takes riders to different tourist spots around the city.

https://chatnewstoday.ca/2019/09/13/tourism-trolley-hits-the-road/

Fighting for Family

In this four-part series, Jessie Weisner speaks with several couples who have undergone fertility treatments in an attempt to have children.

Part 1: https://chatnewstoday.ca/2019/05/07/fighting-for-family-part-1/

Part 2: https://chatnewstoday.ca/2019/05/08/fighting-for-family-part-2/

Part 3: https://chatnewstoday.ca/2019/05/09/fighting-for-family-part-3/

Part 4: https://chatnewstoday.ca/2019/05/10/fighting-for-family-part-4/