On our radar

Long-time City Councillor to announce election intentions  

Five term City Councillor Michael Fougere will answer the “will he, or won’t he?” question regarding Regina’s upcoming municipal election Tuesday morning. With sitting Mayor Pat Fiacco announcing he will not be seeking re-election, many have considered Fougere a front runner in the replacement race, even though he has yet to announce his intentions. Councillor Fougere currently represents Ward 4 in Southeast Regina and is President of the Saskatchewan Construction Association.  

Animal neglect trial begins for Saskatchewan woman. 

An Elrose woman who headed her own animal rescue shelter is set to stand trial for a criminal charge of animal neglect beginning Tuesday. Dolores LaPlante, 39, operated the Saskatchewan Alley Cat Allies, but made headlines last year when the SPCA seized more than 64 cats, a dog, an iguana and seven turtles from her home. LaPlante used her home as an overflow shelter. The SPCA says they obtained a legal search warrant and discovered the animals in distress from being in unsanitary conditions – a claim LaPlante has denied.  

Randall Hopley to enter kidnapping plea 

The man accused in a kidnapping that gripped Western Canada is expected to enter a plea this week. Randall Hopley is accused in the kidnapping of 3 year-old Keinan Hebert, who was snatched from his home in British Columbia this past summer. Keinan was eventually returned to his home without police nabbing the suspect. Hopley, a convicted sex offender, was arrested in September. 

More austerity measures on the way for Greece 

Riots continue in Athens as the Greek Parliament prepares to vote on more austerity measures. The government is planning wage and pension cuts – along with healthcare reform – in order to secure a $170 Billion bailout from the Euro zone. Riots this past week in the capital have been some of the worst in years. Meanwhile in Spain, protests have erupted as the government passes new labour reforms designed to make it easier for companies to fire workers and withdraw from collective bargaining agreements. The government says its meant to kick start Spain’s struggling labour market. The unemployment rate in that country is the highest in the Eurozone.  

Academy Awards to be handed out in Los Angeles 

The Kodak Theatre in the City of Angels is preparing for Hollywood’s biggest night. The 84^th Oscars will be hosted by Billy Crystal and will once again feature an expanded category of nominees for best picture. Hollywood heartthrobs Brad Pitt (“Moneyball”) and George Clooney (“The Descendants”) are both vying for the Best Actor Statuette but will have to beat out Jean DuJardin (“The Artist”), a French actor who has come out on top so far during this awards season.