While driving, many people have taken advantage of drive-thru convenience at their favorite fast food joint to pick up a quick burger, fries and a drink. Happily munching away on their fries or sipping on their coffee as they navigate their way through traffic. However many people in Saskatchewan and other provinces are unaware that those actions also fall under driving without due care and attention according to the Traffic Safety Act and could land you with a very large fine, vehicle seizure and more.
According to SGI, distracted driving was a factor in more than 6,000 collisions and 22 deaths in Saskatchewan throughout 2018. Despite higher penalties, the numbers were not much better than in 2017 where there were 6,399 distracted driving-related crashes and 26 deaths.
SGI is hoping to reduce those numbers further by applying an even higher penalty for distracted driving starting on February 1st, 2020, which will start at $580 for a first offense; second offense within a year of being convicted of the first: $1,400 ticket, plus an additional four demerits, plus an immediate seven-day vehicle seizure (approx. cost $400); and third offense within a year of conviction of the first: $2,100 ticket, plus four more demerits and another seven-day vehicle seizure.
Distracted driving is not limited to cell phone use. There are 2 laws in Saskatchewan that address distracted driving: cell phone legislation and driving without due care legislation. Since 2010 it has been illegal to use, hold, view or manipulate a hand-held cellphone while driving, with the exception of police, fire, and emergency medical personnel to perform their duties. However it is not against the law to eat, put on lipstick, sip on your coffee and/or simply adjust the radio while driving, etc., but if your behavior takes your attention away from the road, and poses a risk to public safety, law enforcement may give you a ticket for driving without due care and attention. Even being distracted by your passengers so you are no longer paying attention to the road but rather the conversation in the vehicle, or adjusting your GPS, petting the dog in your lap, and yes even smoking can be considered distracted driving if you are not paying attention to the road and/or your surroundings.
Many people do these things every day while in their vehicle and would most likely be surprised to receive a ticket for any of the above mentioned however it only takes a second for situations to change dramatically on the road and it is your responsibility, as a driver, to always be prepared for any situation.
With passengers or without it is your responsibility to drive with the utmost care and attention. If you must add a distraction such as eating, pull over to a safe location and do not risk the lives of yourself, your passengers or others on the road.
Written by: Bobbi - Lynne McGarry
Tuesday 26 November 2019
Tuesday 12 November 2019
Fossil Fuels in Everything We Use
With the weather turning cold many Canadians are turning up their thermostats in order to heat their homes. In order to save on heating costs and protect the environment, many consumers choose to dress in layers, put on an extra sweater or blanket and install plastic over their windows. While choosing to stay inside more due to inclement weather we often turn to our computers, TV’s and cell phones for entertainment. Or some may choose to complete interior home renovations by adding a fresh coat of paint, install new plumbing and finally clean out the spare room that has become a junk collector. Many people also choose to jet off to sunnier, warmer destinations during the coldest months of the year to avoid the -40 temperatures.
What many Canadians do not realize is that every one of the above items and activities is made from, or uses petroleum products. We have come to think of oil as a product that is solely used in producing gasoline and diesel however everything from plastics to clothes and from cameras to toothpaste is made from petroleum totaling several thousand products used in everyday life.
With improvements to the electric car in recent years, more and more consumers are purchasing them instead of the regular gas-powered vehicle in order to cut down on CO2 emissions. According to SaskPower’s website, only 33.5% of our electricity in Saskatchewan comes from renewable resources such as wind and hydro. Meaning 66.5% of our electricity is provided by coal and natural gas. Therefore electric cars are still being powered by fossil fuels even if gas is not being put in the tank.
Fossil fuels are also used during the manufacturing of electric cars for batteries, upholstery, plastic wire coatings, stereo components, tires and so much more.
Electric cars, over the lifetime of the vehicle, do produce less CO2 than the average gas-powered vehicle however petroleum products and other fossil fuels are still a vital source in the production and running of all-electric vehicles and if there is not enough access to clean electricity such as wind, hydro and solar, than electric cars cannot make an impact on reducing CO2 emissions that they claim.
More items that we use daily and are unaware that they come from petroleum by-products are; Aspirin, Cd’s and DVD’s, Dentures, Paraffin Wax, Rugs, Dry Shampoos, and thousands more. So although we do have to reduce our impact on our planet, next time you snuggle under your fleece blanket, turn on your TV and grab your favorite bag of chips remember that all those items are made, at least in part, from fossil fuels and their by-products.
There would have to be major changes in our lifestyles and in all industries in order to make oil and its by-products obsolete, which will not be happening anytime in the near future. So in the meantime, plant a tree. Recycle, Reuse and Reduce.
Written by: Bobbi - Lynne McGarry
What many Canadians do not realize is that every one of the above items and activities is made from, or uses petroleum products. We have come to think of oil as a product that is solely used in producing gasoline and diesel however everything from plastics to clothes and from cameras to toothpaste is made from petroleum totaling several thousand products used in everyday life.
With improvements to the electric car in recent years, more and more consumers are purchasing them instead of the regular gas-powered vehicle in order to cut down on CO2 emissions. According to SaskPower’s website, only 33.5% of our electricity in Saskatchewan comes from renewable resources such as wind and hydro. Meaning 66.5% of our electricity is provided by coal and natural gas. Therefore electric cars are still being powered by fossil fuels even if gas is not being put in the tank.
Fossil fuels are also used during the manufacturing of electric cars for batteries, upholstery, plastic wire coatings, stereo components, tires and so much more.
Electric cars, over the lifetime of the vehicle, do produce less CO2 than the average gas-powered vehicle however petroleum products and other fossil fuels are still a vital source in the production and running of all-electric vehicles and if there is not enough access to clean electricity such as wind, hydro and solar, than electric cars cannot make an impact on reducing CO2 emissions that they claim.
More items that we use daily and are unaware that they come from petroleum by-products are; Aspirin, Cd’s and DVD’s, Dentures, Paraffin Wax, Rugs, Dry Shampoos, and thousands more. So although we do have to reduce our impact on our planet, next time you snuggle under your fleece blanket, turn on your TV and grab your favorite bag of chips remember that all those items are made, at least in part, from fossil fuels and their by-products.
There would have to be major changes in our lifestyles and in all industries in order to make oil and its by-products obsolete, which will not be happening anytime in the near future. So in the meantime, plant a tree. Recycle, Reuse and Reduce.
Written by: Bobbi - Lynne McGarry
Are You Prepared for Winter Driving?
With Jack Frost already nipping at our nose, it is time to think about winter safety when traveling on Saskatchewan roads. Since the development of cell phones, many people do not take the extra precautions when traveling during winter due to the fact that ‘If’ something should happen they can just call for help. However, with many living in a mostly rural area, even with a cell phone, help may be a long ways away, you may not know your exact location in order to direct emergency services to you or you may not even have cell phone service as there are many ‘dead’ zones within our province.
Some simple, inexpensive tips could help save your life so this winter take the time to make sure you are winter-ready and prepared for an emergency. There are two categories of winter car survival kits; one to help you get your vehicle unstuck and one to help you survive in case you can’t get unstuck. Go through the following lists and make sure you are prepared for yet another long winter season!
Items to help get your vehicle unstuck:
1. Snow Shovel
2. Windshield Scraper and Brush
3. Traction Mats, Sand, Salt or Cat Litter for traction
4. Small Tarp or Cardboard for kneeling on when working in the snow
5. LED Flashlight and Batteries
6. Rope or chain
7. Booster Cables
8. Heat safe gloves for handling hot items such as your exhaust
Items to help you survive if you cannot get unstuck:
1. Stainless Steel Water Bottle for melting snow to drink (DO NOT eat snow to hydrate as it lowers your core body temperature to melt the snow)
2. Food – Crackers, Chips, Nuts and any other item that can be eaten without cooking first
3. Wool Blanket or Reflective Emergency Blanket
4. Change of clothes in case your clothing becomes wet from snow while trying to become unstuck; and an extra pair of gloves
5. Waterproof matches and Candles
6. Road Flares
7. First Aid Kit
If you will be traveling on the highway, always check the weather and highway hotline to check for road conditions prior to leaving. If you encounter bad weather, become stuck and cannot free yourself DO NOT leave your vehicle running without first ensuring your exhaust is free and clear of all snow and ice and only run it for about 10 minutes every hour to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. STAY WITH your vehicle. Do not try to walk for help as you can easily become disorientated and lose your sense of direction.
It only takes moments for an accident to happen and although many people believe it won’t happen to them, taking a few extra steps to ensure your safety could also save your life in an emergency situation.
Written by: Bobbi - Lynne McGarry
Some simple, inexpensive tips could help save your life so this winter take the time to make sure you are winter-ready and prepared for an emergency. There are two categories of winter car survival kits; one to help you get your vehicle unstuck and one to help you survive in case you can’t get unstuck. Go through the following lists and make sure you are prepared for yet another long winter season!
Items to help get your vehicle unstuck:
1. Snow Shovel
2. Windshield Scraper and Brush
3. Traction Mats, Sand, Salt or Cat Litter for traction
4. Small Tarp or Cardboard for kneeling on when working in the snow
5. LED Flashlight and Batteries
6. Rope or chain
7. Booster Cables
8. Heat safe gloves for handling hot items such as your exhaust
Items to help you survive if you cannot get unstuck:
1. Stainless Steel Water Bottle for melting snow to drink (DO NOT eat snow to hydrate as it lowers your core body temperature to melt the snow)
2. Food – Crackers, Chips, Nuts and any other item that can be eaten without cooking first
3. Wool Blanket or Reflective Emergency Blanket
4. Change of clothes in case your clothing becomes wet from snow while trying to become unstuck; and an extra pair of gloves
5. Waterproof matches and Candles
6. Road Flares
7. First Aid Kit
If you will be traveling on the highway, always check the weather and highway hotline to check for road conditions prior to leaving. If you encounter bad weather, become stuck and cannot free yourself DO NOT leave your vehicle running without first ensuring your exhaust is free and clear of all snow and ice and only run it for about 10 minutes every hour to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. STAY WITH your vehicle. Do not try to walk for help as you can easily become disorientated and lose your sense of direction.
It only takes moments for an accident to happen and although many people believe it won’t happen to them, taking a few extra steps to ensure your safety could also save your life in an emergency situation.
Written by: Bobbi - Lynne McGarry
Don't Be Fooled - Email and Phone Fraud
When engineer Ray Tomlinson invented and sent the first email on Wednesday, June 8th, 1971 he most likely never intended it to ever be used for harm. Email today along with texting and other forms of digital communication has become the norm when contacting people from all over the world. Although great for keeping in touch with family, friends, clients, etc. it has also become the go-to for criminal activity.
The ‘Nigerian Prince’ email scam where you receive an email from someone claiming to be royalty who is offering a huge reward to help them get money out of their country by allowing them to deposit money into your bank account, is still going around today. Once the email fraudsters have your banking information they will drain your accounts leaving you wondering how you got fooled. Or perhaps you received an email from a lawyer stating you are the last known living relative of John Doe and they need your information to deposit your big inheritance; once again you are taken for a loop when your identity is stolen and your credit is ruined.
Today many scams come through your cell phone in the form of texting. Texts such as; your account with Royal Bank have been suspended due to suspicious activity so click the link below to provide your account information to reopen your account, and/or, you overpaid your Saskpower account so click the link below to receive your money. All of these and more often scare the consumer enough that instead of calling the company stated in the text and/or email they click the link; provide personal information; and become the victim of yet another scam.
The Regina Police and other law enforcement agencies are warning the public of current phone fraud. One in which the caller’s number shows up on your phone’s display as a local number, perhaps even a Regina Police number. The caller states there is a warrant out for your arrest as you owe money to CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) or another large organization, and if you do not pay immediately the police will arrive on your doorstep to arrest you!
This is a terrifying phone call for people to receive and with the number display showing a local police number how do you know this is not real?
If you ever receive an email and/or text requesting money or personal information such as your SIN, banking information, etc., do not click any links in the email. If you feel it may be a legit request, call the company directly (and do not call any number listed in the email/text) and explain what you received and the company will be able to inform you if this is a scam.
If you receive a threatening phone call demanding money…hang up. Call your local police department immediately and give them any details such as the number that appeared on your phone, what they requested and how you were threatened.
Thousands of people are scammed out of money every day through these forms of criminal activity. Don’t become the next victim! Check with the original company and stay safe!
Written by: Bobbi - Lynne McGarry
The ‘Nigerian Prince’ email scam where you receive an email from someone claiming to be royalty who is offering a huge reward to help them get money out of their country by allowing them to deposit money into your bank account, is still going around today. Once the email fraudsters have your banking information they will drain your accounts leaving you wondering how you got fooled. Or perhaps you received an email from a lawyer stating you are the last known living relative of John Doe and they need your information to deposit your big inheritance; once again you are taken for a loop when your identity is stolen and your credit is ruined.
Today many scams come through your cell phone in the form of texting. Texts such as; your account with Royal Bank have been suspended due to suspicious activity so click the link below to provide your account information to reopen your account, and/or, you overpaid your Saskpower account so click the link below to receive your money. All of these and more often scare the consumer enough that instead of calling the company stated in the text and/or email they click the link; provide personal information; and become the victim of yet another scam.
The Regina Police and other law enforcement agencies are warning the public of current phone fraud. One in which the caller’s number shows up on your phone’s display as a local number, perhaps even a Regina Police number. The caller states there is a warrant out for your arrest as you owe money to CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) or another large organization, and if you do not pay immediately the police will arrive on your doorstep to arrest you!
This is a terrifying phone call for people to receive and with the number display showing a local police number how do you know this is not real?
If you ever receive an email and/or text requesting money or personal information such as your SIN, banking information, etc., do not click any links in the email. If you feel it may be a legit request, call the company directly (and do not call any number listed in the email/text) and explain what you received and the company will be able to inform you if this is a scam.
If you receive a threatening phone call demanding money…hang up. Call your local police department immediately and give them any details such as the number that appeared on your phone, what they requested and how you were threatened.
Thousands of people are scammed out of money every day through these forms of criminal activity. Don’t become the next victim! Check with the original company and stay safe!
Written by: Bobbi - Lynne McGarry
Monday 4 November 2019
Investigating the Paranormal in Saskatchewan
Have you ever seen a shadow out of the corner of your eye that you swore was an apparition? Maybe you have heard bumps in the night or voices when no one else was around? These, like many other phenomena, can often be explained by natural causes such as old pipes, creaky floorboards, etc. however sometimes there is no explanation for what is occurring and the people of P.A.S.T. (Paranormal and Supernatural Team) have dedicated their time to research and document the unknown.
The current team is made up of volunteers, Cory Nagy and Justin Henry from Regina and Matthew Lay and Alyson Ford from Gray, Sask. all with a passion for the unknown and was started in 2012 in Saskatchewan. “For most of us growing up in Saskatchewan we had heard all the small-town ghost stories and some of us had had personal experiences throughout our lives with the paranormal,” says Ford, “Matt is originally from the USA and had been studying the occult and paranormal from an early age.”
Using modern technology, the team investigates several locations throughout Saskatchewan in their hunt to document the paranormal and have hosted organized events to give people an idea of what a real investigation is all about. “We enjoy educating the public about the paranormal in a level headed non-fear based approach,” says Ford.
At times the team is called out to a site by the public or property owner to investigate strange goings-on and one such time led them to Strasbourg and more specifically ‘One Eye Cemetery’ located just south of the Town of Strasbourg as well as a residence within the town. The cemetery is also known as Last Mountain Cemetery has plots dating back to 1889 and the team did capture some evidence of paranormal activity. “Like most investigations, it’s impossible to have all the answers, and we caught some evidence,” said Ford,” we present the evidence to the owners and the public and let them decide.”
The teams’ goal is to help people by empowering them through knowledge so they may help themselves. “Unofficially we felt there was a presence there and after it was addressed it seemed to vacate the home,” stated Ford, “Our goal as investigators is not just to capture evidence but to open a line of communication with whatever may be there and a lot of the time whatever is there leaves after they are able to get a message across.”
Over the years, the team from P.A.S.T. has captured paranormal activity at several locations around Saskatchewan in the form of photos, EVP (electronic voice phenomenon) and other methods used to document the unknown and although they do not get paid for their services, all the team members love what they do and encourage everyone to ask questions.
For more information visit them at their website www.muduta.ca or contact them through Facebook @ P.A.S.T. Saskatchewan (Paranormal and Supernatural Team)
“We are a group of individuals striving to find our own individual answers and realize that each of us holds a piece of the puzzle to someone else's questions.” Quote from the Muduta website.
Written by: Bobbi - Lynne McGarry
The current team is made up of volunteers, Cory Nagy and Justin Henry from Regina and Matthew Lay and Alyson Ford from Gray, Sask. all with a passion for the unknown and was started in 2012 in Saskatchewan. “For most of us growing up in Saskatchewan we had heard all the small-town ghost stories and some of us had had personal experiences throughout our lives with the paranormal,” says Ford, “Matt is originally from the USA and had been studying the occult and paranormal from an early age.”
Using modern technology, the team investigates several locations throughout Saskatchewan in their hunt to document the paranormal and have hosted organized events to give people an idea of what a real investigation is all about. “We enjoy educating the public about the paranormal in a level headed non-fear based approach,” says Ford.
At times the team is called out to a site by the public or property owner to investigate strange goings-on and one such time led them to Strasbourg and more specifically ‘One Eye Cemetery’ located just south of the Town of Strasbourg as well as a residence within the town. The cemetery is also known as Last Mountain Cemetery has plots dating back to 1889 and the team did capture some evidence of paranormal activity. “Like most investigations, it’s impossible to have all the answers, and we caught some evidence,” said Ford,” we present the evidence to the owners and the public and let them decide.”
The teams’ goal is to help people by empowering them through knowledge so they may help themselves. “Unofficially we felt there was a presence there and after it was addressed it seemed to vacate the home,” stated Ford, “Our goal as investigators is not just to capture evidence but to open a line of communication with whatever may be there and a lot of the time whatever is there leaves after they are able to get a message across.”
Over the years, the team from P.A.S.T. has captured paranormal activity at several locations around Saskatchewan in the form of photos, EVP (electronic voice phenomenon) and other methods used to document the unknown and although they do not get paid for their services, all the team members love what they do and encourage everyone to ask questions.
For more information visit them at their website www.muduta.ca or contact them through Facebook @ P.A.S.T. Saskatchewan (Paranormal and Supernatural Team)
“We are a group of individuals striving to find our own individual answers and realize that each of us holds a piece of the puzzle to someone else's questions.” Quote from the Muduta website.
Written by: Bobbi - Lynne McGarry
Asking For More Than We Can Give?
My grandfather, Alphonse Piché whom we lovingly called Pépère was a very quiet man. He often would sit silently with his fingers interlocked, twiddling his thumbs while everyone else in the room engaged in conversation. As a child, I did not know why Pépère did not engage in small talk or socialize when the family was around and it wasn’t until I got older that I finally understood.
When World War II started in 1939, he was 36 years old, living in the mainly French town of Lafleche, Saskatchewan with his wife (my Mémère, grandmother) Delia Piché and 7 children. He was the only ‘breadwinner’ in the house so he did not sign up to fight in the war as he had to support his growing family. In 1944 Canada introduced conscription and over 60,000 men were drafted, including my grandfather, so he had to leave his wife and now 8 children behind to defend our country along with thousands of other Canadians.
From stories passed down through my family, the consensus is that when Pépère was drafted he was already experiencing hearing loss however it was either unnoticed by military doctors or it was ignored as they needed troops. Upon returning from the war he had lost much of his hearing and had to rely on hearing aids for the remainder of his life and that accounted for some of his quiet behaviour.
However, it was not only his hearing that caused him to be a silent man. He had seen or experienced something in the war that he never spoke to anyone about which caused him to retreat into himself. Friends of the family described him to be a very outgoing man with a great sense of humor before going overseas, yet when he returned he became sullen and quiet. Men in the 1940’s did not talk about their ‘feelings’ with their spouses and speaking with a therapist was unheard of! So my grandfather suffered in silence with the trauma of war on his mind until he passed in 1990.
Today mental health is better understood and understanding of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) has come to light and had this knowledge been available to our veterans in the past, many people would not have had to feel they needed to suffer alone.
The average person cannot even begin to imagine the horrors our veterans have seen and lived through. Losing friends in battle who fought by your side; having to kill a man or woman and see the life drain from their eyes because they are considered the enemy; being injured on the field causing permanent disabilities. These are only a few of the many horrendous sites that many of our veterans see every time they close their eyes.
They sacrifice everything, even their own sanity, so we at home can enjoy our freedoms and it will take more than 2 minutes of silence on Remembrance Day to honor how much they have given for us all.
They are not asking for ‘more than we can give’…They deserve all that we can give…and more!
Written by: Bobbi - Lynne McGarry
When World War II started in 1939, he was 36 years old, living in the mainly French town of Lafleche, Saskatchewan with his wife (my Mémère, grandmother) Delia Piché and 7 children. He was the only ‘breadwinner’ in the house so he did not sign up to fight in the war as he had to support his growing family. In 1944 Canada introduced conscription and over 60,000 men were drafted, including my grandfather, so he had to leave his wife and now 8 children behind to defend our country along with thousands of other Canadians.
From stories passed down through my family, the consensus is that when Pépère was drafted he was already experiencing hearing loss however it was either unnoticed by military doctors or it was ignored as they needed troops. Upon returning from the war he had lost much of his hearing and had to rely on hearing aids for the remainder of his life and that accounted for some of his quiet behaviour.
However, it was not only his hearing that caused him to be a silent man. He had seen or experienced something in the war that he never spoke to anyone about which caused him to retreat into himself. Friends of the family described him to be a very outgoing man with a great sense of humor before going overseas, yet when he returned he became sullen and quiet. Men in the 1940’s did not talk about their ‘feelings’ with their spouses and speaking with a therapist was unheard of! So my grandfather suffered in silence with the trauma of war on his mind until he passed in 1990.
Today mental health is better understood and understanding of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) has come to light and had this knowledge been available to our veterans in the past, many people would not have had to feel they needed to suffer alone.
The average person cannot even begin to imagine the horrors our veterans have seen and lived through. Losing friends in battle who fought by your side; having to kill a man or woman and see the life drain from their eyes because they are considered the enemy; being injured on the field causing permanent disabilities. These are only a few of the many horrendous sites that many of our veterans see every time they close their eyes.
They sacrifice everything, even their own sanity, so we at home can enjoy our freedoms and it will take more than 2 minutes of silence on Remembrance Day to honor how much they have given for us all.
They are not asking for ‘more than we can give’…They deserve all that we can give…and more!
Written by: Bobbi - Lynne McGarry
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