As we mark the new year this week, The Citizen is taking the opportunity to look back at 2019. To put it mildly, it was a big year for local news. Here were the top ten news stories affecting our communities, sorted in chronological order from the beginning of the year to the end.

Come back over the next few days to see our other top-ten lists, each of which will peg the biggest stories in Sports & Recreation, Commentary, and Arts & Entertainment, among others.

1. January: “Niverville Looks to Restart Citizens on Patrol Program,” by Lorelei Leona. Over the last few years, residents throughout the rural southeast have grown increasingly concerned about the rise of crime. As a response, a group of dedicated volunteers in Niverville resurrected the Citizens on Patrol Program, and it’s been a going concern ever since. (https://nivervillecitizen.com/news/local/niverville-looks-to-restart-citizens-on-patrol-program)
2. February: “Niverville to Adopt Hybrid Approach to Policing,” by Brenda Sawatzky. Back in 2017, two Niverville residents, Lindsay Unrau and Barry Piasta, circulated a petition asking town council to look at the feasibility of alternative policing options, including the possibility of an independent locally run police force. The town commissioned a report and announced their decision in February: they would instead look to adopt a hybrid policing model to address rising crime. (https://nivervillecitizen.com/news/local/niverville-to-adopt-hybrid-approach-to-policing)
3. March: “St. Adolphe Daycare Gets Green Light Despite Opposition,” by Brenda Sawatzky. Ritchot’s municipal council was divided on the proposal to move forward with a borrowing bylaw to finance a new daycare initiative in St. Adolphe, voting 3–2 to green light the project. The daycare is currently under construction at 372 Main Street. (https://nivervillecitizen.com/news/local/st-adolphe-daycare-gets-green-light-despite-opposition)
4. April: “Niverville Community Resource Centre Ready to Break Ground,” by Brenda Sawatzky. This is a news story many long years in the making. On April 12, history was made with the announcement that Niverville would be proceeding with the building of a 99,000-square-foot $19-million indoor recreation facility. Construction is now well underway. (https://nivervillecitizen.com/news/local/niverville-community-resource-centre-ready-to-break-ground)
5. June: “Niverville Celebrates 50 Years Since Incorporation,” by Brenda Sawatzky. 2019 marked the 50-year anniversary of Niverville’s separation from the RM of Hanover to become it own independent town. To mark the occasion, The Citizen looked back at this major turning point in Niverville’s history. (https://nivervillecitizen.com/news/local/niverville-celebrates-50-years-since-incorporation-the-story-behind-one-communitys-bid-for-independence)
6. July: “Cannabis Retail Outlet Denied by Niverville Council,” by Brenda Sawatzky. Without a doubt, the biggest news story of 2019—or at least the one that inflamed the most passion—was the tug-of-war in Niverville over the decision whether to allow a cannabis store to open in town. The first pivot point in this story came on July 23 when town council voted 3–2 to reject Canna Cabana’s application to open a retail location. Part One (https://nivervillecitizen.com/news/local/cannabis-retail-outlet-denied-by-niverville-council), Part Two (https://nivervillecitizen.com/news/local/council-and-cao-respond-to-cannabis-retail-application-denial)
7. September: “Niverville High School Opens Its Doors,” by Evan Braun. Another big infrastructure story was the speedy completion of the Niverville High School, which opened its doors to students for the first time this past fall. On September 4, The Citizen took part in an extensive media tour to introduce residents to the new facility. (https://nivervillecitizen.com/news/local/niverville-high-school-opens-its-doors)
8. November: “Niverville Says Yes to Retail Cannabis,” by Brenda Sawatzky. The decision on whether to allow a cannabis retailer to set up shop in Niverville was eventually turned over to the people. On November 26, in a hotly contested plebiscite, Niverville residents voted 863–719 in favour of cannabis retail. (https://nivervillecitizen.com/news/local/niverville-residents-vote-yes-to-retail-cannabis)
9. November: “Families and Contractors Lose Thousands to Fine Haus Builders,” by Brenda Sawatzky. The saddest and most frustrating article of the year came in November when news broke that the owners of Fine Haus Builders, a home construction company that had been operating in many communities through southeastern Manitoba, had gone AWOL, leaving dozens of victims in their wake, many having lost tens of thousands of dollars. Their unfinished home builds have subsequently been abandoned in Niverville and other towns. (https://nivervillecitizen.com/news/local/families-and-contractors-lose-thousands-to-fine-haus-builders)
10. December: “Intermunicipal Wastewater Initiative Proposed,” by Evan Braun. Late in the year, representatives of Niverville, Ritchot, Hanover, and Tache gathered to announce a proposal to construct a large-scale wastewater solution in southeastern Manitoba that, if funded by the federal and provincial governments, will be unique in scope. (https://nivervillecitizen.com/news/local/intermunicipal-wastewater-initiative-proposed)