Latest news with #Grandview
CTV News
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Mandryk on Mandryk: A retrospective of 43 years of opinion at the Regina Leader-Post
Editorial note: Hallee Mandryk is a video journalist for CTV News, and the daughter of Murray Mandryk. Murray did not want to do this interview. But thanks to the fact that Hallee has spent the last 24 years practicing the art of the arguing with Murray, he has begrudgingly agreed to participate in this editorial. After 43 years of igniting debate and discourse with the people of Saskatchewan, Leader-Post columnist Murray Mandryk has arrived at his well-deserved retirement. This means that it's now time to share his worst kept secret: Murray didn't care if you agreed with the perspectives in his columns. His goal was to get you to be critical of the world around you. 'Politics is so important to Saskatchewan and Regina and it was just something I kind of gravitated towards for reasons I'm not sure,' he recalled. 'I wasn't a political animal or had the political bug or anything else. It just seemed an important thing to do, I guess that's kind of why I went in that direction, because it seemed to have the most purpose.' The youngest of six children, Murray was born to a pair of hard-working dairy farmers and grew up just outside of Grandview, a one-horse town on the road to Dauphin, Man. Murray admits he was no scholar (and still struggles with dyslexia) but he decided he'd try to make a career from his writing. 'I just always like to write, even if I wasn't all that s*** hot at it,' he said. Murray Mandryk (Courtesy: Hallee Mandryk) His first jobs bounced him from Winnipeg, to Fort McMurray, to Portage La Prairie, until he eventually landed at the Regina Leader-Post. 'That was all within basically a year and a half period,' he explained. 'I went to Regina thinking I'd be there for a couple of years, and then I met a girl.' That girl, Shawna, was out of Murray's league, and he knew it. For their first date, they went to see the film Romancing the Stone. However, Murray had secretly went to the theatre the day before, to ensure Shawna would like the movie, and the rest is history. Four eventful decades Throughout the 43 years he spent writing about provincial politics, Murray had a front row seat to some of Saskatchewan's most historic moments. When asked about the most notable topics, he cited his time covering the murder of JoAnn Wilson, the ex-wife of then MLA and Cabinet Minister Colin Thatcher in the early 1980's. 'Every newspaper literally in the country of consequence ... every TV station of consequence sent a reporter,' he said. Thatcher was eventually convicted of first-degree murder in Wilson's death. 'It was the last great thing where it was, from a journalistic standpoint, both competitive to cover and absolutely spellbinding and thrilling. So, I guess that would probably be the answer that everybody would expect to hear,' Murray said. Colin Thatcher Saskatchewan MLA Colin Thatcher is escourted by police into the Regina Provincial Courthouse June 25, 1984 for the preliminary hearing for the murder charge he faces. Thatcher was arrested May 7 for the murder of his ex-wife Joanne Wilson in 1983. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Lorne McClinton The columnist went on to note that while that story shaped Saskatchewan's history, it wasn't necessarily his career highlight. 'It's the job itself. Its a million little things, a million little stories that you get to cover that just add up in time. It's a cumulative business as opposed to sort of one great event,' he added. Haters gonna hate Murray quickly got used to the backlash that comes along with professionally sharing his political opinions. It takes much more than the occasional death threat in the mail to frighten him, although he was far from oblivious to the criticism. 'We're human, negative feedback obviously irritates the hell out of people and probably irritates journalists more than they kind of let on,' Murray said. Over the years, many of his colleagues have found Murray's handling of hate mail to be a great source of entertainment. One of his favourite methods being to highlight all of the spelling and grammar mistakes and send the mail back to the disgruntled reader. Murray Mandryk (Courtesy: Hallee Mandryk) But contrary to popular belief, the 'Tin Man' does in fact have a heart – and this heart would occasionally make some days on the job more difficult than others. 'Where it kind of bothered me is when I was writing something crappy about somebody I truly liked, or truly thought was a good person or a good politician, and they just messed up or something happened where the circumstances got beyond their control,' Murray said. He went on to say that the responsibility of his position ultimately outweighed any personal feelings, but not without tugging on his heartstrings. 'You had to write that they screwed up and you had to live with the consequences that writing about them screwing up was going to be a big part of how they became defined ... sometimes that bothered me because it appears to me there was always a sense of unfairness about it,' Murray said. A tough old bird People as iron-willed as Murray are hard to come by. But he has kept writing through the deaths of many loved ones (including his beloved Shawna), and the difficult emotions that followed those losses. Throughout the seemingly never-ending chaos, journalism and the folks who dedicate their lives to it have remained the one constant in Murray's life. 'I'm pretty grateful that I've been able to work with all of them,' Murray said. While many arguments he ignited inside the walls of the Saskatchewan legislature were legendary, they paled in comparison to the debates within the walls of his home when another four legged creature was brought home. The stereotype of grumpy fathers falling in love with the pets they didn't want is supported by Murray's best friendship with a fluffy orange cat named Lola. Murray Mandryk Murray with the pets he didn't want but learned to love, Lola (Left) and Juno (Right). His desire to debate and talk about journalism extends far beyond ink on paper. It reaches his kitchen table, which is often occupied by an assortment of strays who show up for the promise of a home cooked meal – and who stay for the entertaining dinner conversation. 'I've always maintained the last few years of my life, I'm working with kids that are younger, smarter and more educated than I was when I started the business. But they're probably better technically at it than I am right now in a lot of aspects and they just don't know it,' he noted. The world keeps turning While Murray has witnessed a lot of change in the industry, the famously pessimistic old man has some optimism for the future of journalism. 'The people that are coming along now are really good. It's smaller, it's more condensed. And that's a problem' he said. 'But … I look at the people I worked with at the newspaper right now ... and I can't honestly say that I have anything to do with it, other than the fact that they're really talented people.' The political landscape has undoubtedly changed over the last four decades. Now, without Murray to spark the debates, it will fall to the public, to the people, to keep those conversations going. 'Your social media accounts … all you get is hits that basically reconfirm your own perspectives and biases. That's why I think, not only is it important to question your leadership, it's important to question all leaders,' Murray said. Murray Mandryk (Courtesy: Hallee Mandryk) 'No particular political party or government is ever 100 per cent wrong on 100 per cent of the things. Sometimes some of the things that that you think they're right about is not even in your best interest and is certainly not in the collective interests of what's going on in the world today.' Throughout his career, Murray's dedication to asking the hard questions remained as unchanged as his haircut. Now as he enters retirement, the path he has paved within the journalistic community is admired and followed by many, including the author of this article. 'Talented people just get into this business and they just grow. That's why it continues to survive and why it's needed, and there is some success to it. I just wish people would understand that better. I wish people understood how good these people really are,' Murray said. I've been lucky enough to learn many lessons from my dad. Watching his career has instilled a particular lesson that many journalists are already familiar with, but it's worth sharing to anyone who will listen. It can be scary to be disliked, but you should fear nothing more than the person you'll become if you let the unjust words and actions of others go unchecked.
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Lady Zebras prepare for state championship game
The path to Grandview softball's first state championship comes down to one game. A meeting with Whitesboro Thursday night at Red & Charline McCombs Field in Austin determines the 3A Div. I champion, the final hurdle that has evaded the Lady Zebras the past two seasons. Jaley James experienced the state semifinal loss to Santa Gertrudis Academy in 2023 and a heartbreaking state title loss in extra innings to Coahoma in 2024. Advertisement Now, after walking the stage Friday, James plays in her last game in a Grandview uniform with one more opportunity to call herself a state champion. 'This is my one last chance to make history, leave my mark on Grandview and do this with my teammates,' said James. The sisterhood of the Lady Zebras has only grown stronger over the past three years, James noted. Through the defeats and Grandview's undefeated 2025 postseason, the shortstop is seeking revenge entering Thursday's contest and lives by the program's motto — stay the course. 'If we jump off ship or go in the wrong direction, our mind gets away from the state title,' said James. 'We have to stay focused, locked in and if we can do that, we'll be state champions.' Advertisement In Tuesday morning practice, the team kept it simple with catching and batting off a pitching machine. Despite the heat bearing down, Grandview didn't take the practice lightly. KJ Hubbard and Kylie Grafa pummelled balls passed the wall and Sydney Mann made diving catches in centerfield, reassuring James that her squad is ready. 'I believe in every single player on this team that they can hit that game-winning run or diving catch to win the game.' Along with the many seniors hoping to covet a title, much of the Lady Zebras success and potential to make this the year is the work of underclassmen such as Madi Doty and freshman catcher Kenna Collins. Advertisement Although being a newcomer to the roster, Collins' relationship with much of the team was already established because of Codi, Kenna's sister. Kenna attended Codi's basketball games and grew a bond with the Lady Zebras. 'When they didn't get that trophy, you could see the defeat,' said Kenna about watching Grandview's past two seasons. 'You could see the passion that they wanted it.' Once she joined the team, Kenna easily fit into a squad on a mission. 'I know my teammates want it, so I'm gonna want it as well,' said Kenna. 'It makes me want to work and do my best to help them. Even if I'm down and it's not my day at the plate, they're always like 'Kenna, you got it.' They're always positive even when I'm not positive to myself.' With a win on Thursday night, Kenna would consider that a perfect freshman year season. For James, she's ready to leave it all out on the field. If the Lady Zebras win, James believes the first thing she'll do is run straight for her teammates, who have supported her no matter what.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
State officials emphasize National Safe Boating Week ahead of Memorial Day
This week is National Safe Boating Week, and ahead of Memorial Day weekend and the summer boating season, state officials are advocating for people to take some things into consideration. Before you go out, follow a basic safe boating checklist before and during your excursion. Presque Isle Partnership combines poker and paddleboarding For starters, always wear a life jacket that fits properly. Never boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and check the weather forecast before and during your trip. Grandview students learn about the buzz around bees for World Bee Day 'Have a float plan. Send a text, write a note, and let someone know where you're planning to boat and when you expect to return. Plans change when you're out having fun, but keeping someone aware of your location throughout the day can ensure help arrives quickly if you experience a mechanical problem or medical emergency while on the water,' said Mark Sweppenhiser, PFBC's director of boating. According to the fish and boat commission's deputy executive director, nationwide each year, 80% of people who die in boating accidents were not wearing a life jacket. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gov. Kehoe names first 15 communities in Missouri's new Blue Shield program
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Gov. Mike Kehoe has announced the first 15 Missouri communities to earn a Blue Shield designation through the state's new Blue Shield program, which makes them eligible for state funding to enhance law enforcement services. According to a news release from Kehoe's office, in order to achieve a Blue Shield designation, communities 'must demonstrate commitment to enhancing public safety, strengthening support for law enforcement, and building sustainable public safety partnerships.' Kehoe says his office continues to work with the General Assembly to make $10 million in grant funding available for this program. The designation allows communities to access state grants for law enforcement training and equipment. The first 15 Blue Shield recipients include:Arnold Desloge Jefferson County Town and Country Vinita ParkBranson Carter County Cole County Grandview Greenwood Kennett Johnson County Miller County Sedalia Warrensburg 'We are proud to see Missouri communities committed to supporting our administration's top priority – improving public safety and building strong partnerships between citizens and law enforcement,' said Kehoe via a news release. 'We have a number of applications from additional communities that are still under review, and we encourage even more communities to apply.' The Missouri Department of Public Safety administers the Blue Shield Program. Communities can submit applications through June 1 to be eligible. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Superstar Spotlight: Sienna Betts, basketball star who will join sister Lauren at UCLA
At 6-foot-4, Sienna Betts has the size of a women's college basketball star. She gets it from her dad. Betts is the No. 2 ranked player on the USA TODAY 25 in '25 Girls Basketball Recruiting rankings, and is committed to UCLA for next season. She grew up in Spain with her 7-foot-1 father, Andrew Betts, who played professionally there after starring at Long Beach State. COLORADO HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS BASKETBALL'S ALL-TIME REBOUNDER ‼️Sienna Betts brought down her eighth rebound of the game to get number 1,337 of her careerWatch the moment here:@aurorasports @CCSDATHACT1 @COHoops5280 @PGHColorado @coloradopreps @Grandview_HS @Grandview_TV @CHSAA — Grandview Athletics (@ghswolvessports) February 6, 2025 Sienna Betts will join her sister, Lauren, at UCLA. Lauren was a McDonald's All-American who played a year at Stanford before transferring. UCLA is currently ranked No. 2 in the country behind Texas. Sienna was also named a McDonald's All-American a few weeks ago and is expected to add more size and flexibility to the Bruins lineup next season. That's because while she is an amazing rebounder -- in fact, she is the Colorado high school career record holder -- her shooting range also extends to the 3-point line and she can knock down a shot when left open. UCLA will continue to be a team to watch while either or both of the Betts girls are on the roster. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY High School Sports Wire: Meet Sienna Betts, basketball star who will join sister Lauren at UCLA
