Residents of Linden are in mourning after a horrific traffic collision near Three Hills claimed the life of one of their most beloved residents.
    On Friday, September 14, at roughly 6 p.m. a southbound Dodge pickup truck, with four occupants, hauling sod and a bobcat is thought to have suffered a steering malfunction.
    The malfunction caused the truck to swerve into the northbound lane and collide with a northbound pickup truck hauling a horse trailer.
    Both vehicles burst into flames. One adult male and two children were rescued from the southbound Dodge pickup truck.
    According to a statement from the RCMP detachment in Beiseker, witnesses reported the 69-year-old driver of the southbound truck assisted in removing his grandchildren from the vehicle before succumbing to his injuries.
    There have been reports that an unidentified bystander aided in removing the children from the burning vehicle.
    Attempts to free the grandfather were unsuccessful.
    Both occupants of the northbound vehicle died at the scene. Their identities are still under investigation.
    One horse being transported in the trailer was killed, while the other is receiving treatment from veterinarians.
    The RCMP do not believe speed or alcohol were factors in the crash.
    In various reports, the 69-year-old male has been identified as Linden resident Les Toews, though the RCMP have not officially released any names thus far.
    Toews, who served as a firefighter for many years, is a grievous loss to the close knit community of Linden. However, some recognize the tragedy could have been much worse.
    “Our deepest sympathies go with them, we’re so sorry for everything that’s happened,” said Linden Mayor Darwyn Moon. ‘We lost one of our long time residents, but we could’ve lost more, that part was fortunate at least.”
    For now, the surviving victims, two of which are the grandchildren of Toews, are recovering in a hospital in Calgary.

    Canada’s national past time took another blow on Sunday. The collective bargaining agreement that had been in effect since 2005 expired and the National Hockey League locked out its players.
     The main disagreement between the league and the players is money and how revenue is divided between the players and owners.
    “I haven’t paid much attention to it, but I think it’s a very unfortunate thing when it comes down to the number one thing; money,” said Drumheller Dragons head coach and general manager Brian Curran, who played in 12 seasons of the NHL.
    “If you’re making $1.2 million or even $800,000, yeah that’s a lot of money, but relative to other sports it’s not. I’d say football and baseball are probably the biggest sports. In baseball, you’re talking salaries that are outrageous, but they have the numbers and the television rights. The NHL, although it’s considered one of the big four leagues, doesn’t carry as much of a television following.”
    However, the lockout goes beyond how it affects the players and the team owners. Businesses rely on a steady stream of NHL action. In rural Alberta, none may feel it more than the bars and restaurants who regularly show hockey games to their patrons. Without hockey, bars will be moving on and showcasing other sports.
    “We’re doing a big focus on football, NFL and CFL. We’re playing all the games in the bar and trying to stay positive. We’re incredibly disappointed to not have hockey, because it’s a huge draw for crowds and we’re all fans here too,” said Stacey Stewart, general manager of Drumheller Boston Pizza, who shows NHL hockey nearly every night. “I think bars across Alberta will feel a hit without hockey. With things like Hockey Day in Canada, every person in the bar is wearing a jersey.”
    Mike Yavis, owner of Yavis Family Restaurant and Lounge estimates it will not have a  severe impact.
    “It probability is not going to majorly hurt our business, but it’s something we always have on. Now, we’ll have reruns of tennis or whatever on these sports stations. Baseball will fill in for awhile,” said Yavis. “In bars in Calgary I can see it hurting, it’s a social event and after the games the bars fill up.”
    In the end, it may be the fans who suffer the most.
    “The players are going to hurt, the fans are definitely going to hurt. Unfortunately it always comes down to the dollars,” said Curran.
    “It seems like that’s the big topic in the lounge when I talk to guests. They’re complaining about the lockout and they don’t understand why Bettman isn’t fired. It’s the biggest conversation piece, that’s for sure,” said Stewart. “It might be a boring winter for Canada.”
    “People are just mad with the NHL and the players. They need to get back to reality and what real people make for a living,” said Yavis.
    In the meantime, there are still outlets in the area where hockey fans can get their fix.
    “There’s a lot of hockey around,” said Rod Knelsen, Dragons co-owner and president. “There’s minor hockey, Junior B in Three Hills, Western Hockey not far away, and of course the Dragons.”